Author: jezzabellemente

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) — The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) recently launched Insider Guide to Japan, celebrating the country’s many traditions, innovations, natural wonders and adventures.

2021 is a landmark year for Japan, as Tokyo gears up to host the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the country is set to be one of the top travel destinations.

According to a statement, JNTO will launch a series of newsletters from this month to serve as an insider’s guide to Japan’s many traditions and innovations.

Given the volume of attractions across the country, JNTO categorises Japan’s travel offerings into seven passions: Cuisine, Outdoors, Relaxation, Nature, Tradition, Art, and Cities. 

In addition, JNTO has launched ‘Experiences in Japan’, a website that showcases activities based on these Seven Passions.

While preparing for the resumption of inbound travel, JNTO is also taking a number of COVID-19 measures to ensure peace of mind for visitors, including multilingual infographics on precautions as well as emergency information. 

JNTO president, Seino Satoshi said: “Tokyo 2020 will begin from July 23 this year. Taking place 10 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the torch relay will demonstrate the nation’s recovery to the world.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made travel to Japan impossible, and unfortunately it has been decided to hold the games without overseas spectators. However, I firmly believe that humankind will overcome this crisis and tourism will resume.”

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) — Smiths Detection, a global leader in threat detection and security screening technologies, confirms its BioFlash® Biological Identifier is capable of detecting airborne COVID-19 following tests conducted by the University of Oregon, positioning the technology as an effective environmental monitoring tool for use in indoor public spaces.

The University tests were performed in quarantine and isolation spaces known to have individuals who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19.

The BioFlash identified aerosolised virus, at the detectable range generated via human shedding, in rooms where the presence of SARS-CoV-2 was also detected by environmental swabs. The BioFlash technology allows for onsite confirmation of these results in under three minutes.

The findings build upon previously reported USAMRIID test results from February that determined Smiths Detection’s BioFlash® detected aerosolised SARS-CoV-2 in a controlled release.

“These test results verify the accuracy and reliability of the BioFlash in a real-world setting,” said Smiths Detection President, Roland Carter, in a statement.

“An effective monitoring tool such as the BioFlash can contribute to creating a COVID-secure environment indoors, in places such as hospitals, schools and commercial buildings, as well as provide invaluable data for better understanding the behaviour of this virus.”

The product is available immediately in the US and arrangements for a global roll out are currently underway.

The BioFlash® Biological Identifier is powered by CANARY® technology (a cell-based biosensor) and is combined with proprietary aerosol-collection techniques to provide rapid, sensitive and specific identification of biological-threat agents including viruses, toxins and bacteria.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) — The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently held a special global promotion event for central China’s Hubei Province.

The event involved 275 ambassadors, diplomats and representatives of international organisations from 155 embassies in China and 21 international organisations in China.

They gathered in the ministry’s press conference hall to feel the rebirth of the heroic city of Wuhan, according to the Publicity Department of Wuhan Municipality.

According to a statement, Wuhan has been labelled as a safe city and contributor to global fight against the COVID-19.

Last month, the first batch of ‘Made in Wuhan’ inactivated COVID-19 vaccine was rolled off the production line with an annual output of 100 million doses, contributing to the world’s fight against the epidemic.

Also known as a magnet for global investors, over the past year or so, more than 300 Fortune 500 companies came to Wuhan for business talks.

Besides, Wuhan is seeing a growing network of global friends. France, the United States, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom have set up consulates-general in China while Russia has decided to set up a new China consulate-general in Wuhan.

A series of open talent policies have also given foreign friends a sense of belonging to Wuhan.

Now, there are nearly 10,000 foreign permanent residents in Wuhan, and it is estimated to reach 20,000 by 2025.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) — Congenica, a digital health company enabling rapid and accurate analysis of complex genomic data to transform people’s lives, has announced a strategic partnership with Camtech Diagnostics (Camtech).

According to a statement, Camtech is a technology company providing total solutions to the biodefence, food and clinical diagnostics sectors. 

The partnership covers the distribution of Congenica’s platform in Asia-Pacific.

Under the partnership agreement, Camtech will be responsible for the marketing, distribution and sales of Congenica’s clinical decision support platform in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. 

Congenica’s platform is proven to enable rapid analysis of genomic data, allowing medical labs to deliver personalised medicine at scale.

Congenica has an existing presence in China and this latest agreement will support continued expansion in the rare disease market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Camtech has significant experience in the healthcare diagnostics industry, having launched novel laboratory-based and point-of-care diagnostic tests to the market.

It also has expertise in Next Generation Sequencing, laboratory based and digital health solutions, which will be complementary to Congenica’s solution.

“Global expansion remains a priority for Congenica and entry into these key territories signifies further strategic progress whilst opening up significant new markets for Congenica’s leading genomic analysis platform,” said Congenica Chief Commercial Officer, Muthu Meyyappan, PhD.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 — A grand ceremony paying tribute to Huangdi, or the Yellow Emperor, the legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, was recently held at the ancestor’s mausoleum in Huangling county, Shaanxi province.

The event was jointly held by the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office, its Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, the Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and Shaanxi’s provincial government.

Based on a statement, the annual event attracted many visitors to Huangling, where Huangdi is believed to have been buried.

At the Yellow Emperor’s Mausoleum, which is on the Qiaoshan Mountain along the Juhe River, the representatives from all parties participating in the public worshiping ceremony lined up solemnly.

Under the guidance of the honour guard, the procession marched along the Xuanyuan Bridge and Longwei Road, slowly entering the Xuanyuan Temple and taking their place in the designated area of the Sacrificial Square.

At the Sacrificial Square, 56 dragon flags symbolising Chinese nation unity, 􀂧uttered in the wind amidst a solemn atmosphere.

The ceremony featured nine sequences related to Huangdi and ancient Chinese culture, including folk art performances and tree-planting activities.

This year’s theme was ‘Accumulating the power of the Chinese nation, and embarking on a new journey of national revitalization’.

After conquering Emperor Yan and Chiyou, Huangdi became the tribal chief. During his reign, roughly 4,600 years ago, breakthroughs like crop cultivation, silkworm rearing, Chinese characters and medicine were invented, helping to foster development of the Chinese civilisation.

Shaanxi’s vice-governor, Fang Guanghua said digging into traditional cultures related to the Yellow Emperor also carried current-day values, helping the nation boost cultural confidence and carrying forward the national spirit.

— BERNAMA