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China Southern Power Grid International(CSGI) Continues to Support Educational and Sports Development in Laos Mountainous Areas

GUANGZHOU, China, Nov 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Since 2015, a public welfare initiative named after the national flower of Laos, the “Champa Blossoms” welfare project has flourished alongside China Southern Power Grid (CSG) builders in Laos.

Fertile Ground for Skills and Industries

In 2018, the “Champa Blossoms” Project welfare team successfully relocated 10,523 people across 14 resettlement sites and 37 villages near a hydropower station. Throughout the process, the team respected local customs and established strict relocation procedures. Before relocation, they built essential facilities—water, power, temples, clinics, and markets—to help residents adapt quickly.

Laotian employee Viengvilaylak, affectionately known as “Village Head” by the locals, clearly articulated the core of their efforts to restore livelihoods: “Our work primarily revolves around seven things: land allocation, establishing agricultural training bases, holding agricultural skills training courses, mobilizing planting and breeding activities, regularly distributing agricultural tools, developing ‘one product per county’, and supporting community development.”

These initiatives now progress steadily; the relocation sites have transformed, and villagers’ livelihoods greatly improved. This overseas poverty reduction model, which integrates Chinese wisdom with local needs, was recognized as a UN Global Poverty Reduction Best Practice Case in 2024, contributing a Chinese solution to global development efforts.

Reshaping the Educational Ecosystem

In June 2020, the “Champa Blossoms” Project team invested in and completed the construction of two “China-Laos Friendship Schools,” handing them over to the Laos government 45 days ahead of schedule. The schools are equipped with bright computer labs, well-stocked furniture, and advanced lighting and ventilation.

The project transformed the learning and living environment for about 500 students and teachers. After years of development, the China-Laos Friendship Schools have become provincial-level educational benchmarks. Prime Minister of Laos Phankham Viphavanh personally signed and awarded the “School Construction and Development” medal, and the Bokeo Provincial Government granted the “Special Award for Educational Development” for two consecutive years. Lao National Television has featured the project in multiple reports, stating that they “not only brought shelter from the wind and rain to the schools, but also lit the light of hope for children in mountainous areas to change their destiny.”

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Contact

Company: China Southern Power Grid International Co., Ltd.
Contact Person: Hu Jiayue
Email: hujiayue@csgihk.cn
Website: http://csgi.csg.cn/
Telephone: 13652231789

Source : China Southern Power Grid International Co., Ltd.

–BERNAMA

TIANJIN, China, Nov. 14, 2025 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

The 20th Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS) & New Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards Ceremony 2025 concluded in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 5. In a groundbreaking achievement for China’s urban development, China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City was honored as a global green and smart city under the New Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards, becoming the first Chinese city ever to secure this prestigious category.

This internationally acclaimed award, established in 2005 by GFHS in partnership with leading global bodies including the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, stands as a benchmark of excellence in sustainable urban development and human settlements.

The award’s rigorous evaluation framework spans 6 core dimensions – spatial planning & development, basic services, environment, economy, society, and culture – encompassing 18 categories and 95 key indicators to ensure only the most impactful, forward-thinking projects are recognized.

For this year’s selection, China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City submitted its application jointly via the eco-city’s administrative committee and its investment and development company. Competing against over 400 cities and projects worldwide, the eco-city distinguished itself through its visionary strategy, resilient infrastructure, replicable development models, long-term sustainability goals, and tangible progress in green urbanization, ultimately earning a spot among the 19 global winners.

The GFHS annual session, a key platform for global urban stakeholders, brought together over 300 representatives from governments, businesses, academia, and international organizations across more than 40 countries.

During the event, Zhang Yongchang, president of China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment Development Co., Ltd., shared the eco-city’s pioneering practices, including its forward-looking top-level design, initiatives to drive innovation and leadership, efforts to build a greener, smarter, and more resilient urban ecosystem, and strategies to nurture a green tech economy. These insights, hailed as the “Eco-City Solution,” offered actionable lessons for cities worldwide grappling with sustainable development challenges.

As a flagship intergovernmental cooperation project between China and Singapore, China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City holds the distinction of being the world’s first eco-city developed through bilateral governmental collaboration. Since its inception, it has remained steadfast in its mission to advance green, low-carbon, and sustainable urban living.

Source: China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Administrative Committee

–BERNAMA

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov 13 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — The Agentic Tourism Initiative was unveiled today at the inaugural TOURISE Summit, introducing the world’s first Agentic Protocol for Tourism, a universal digital framework set to transform every stage of the traveler’s journey.

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https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251112353634/en/

Launched in partnership with TOURISE and Globant, the Initiative builds on the momentum of the acclaimed whitepaper Tourism’s AI Takeover: Reinventing Travel through Agentic Tourism to create a landmark application of AI. It directly answers the whitepaper’s call to create an Open Protocol for Tourism AI, defining how AI agents interact from inspiration to return. The result: intelligent, seamless, and sustainable travel experiences across the global tourism ecosystem.

The Initiative brings together a diverse coalition of founding members across technology, infrastructure, aviation, and destination leadership, including: Globant, Red Sea Global, HUMAIN, Riyadh Air, King Salman International Airport, World Travel & Tourism Council, Amazon Web Services, Salesforce, Hollibob, and Trip.com. This collaborative approach ensures the Agentic Protocol is technically robust, inclusive, and adaptable to the evolving needs of travelers, operators, and destinations worldwide.

“We are proud to see the Agentic Tourism Initiative take flight from the Kingdom, reflecting our commitment to shaping the future of global travel through innovation and collaboration. This protocol represents a bold step toward harmonizing technology with the human spirit of exploration. By anchoring AI in empathy and cultural intelligence, we are not only enhancing the traveler’s experience, we are empowering destinations to grow sustainably, inclusively, and with purpose,” said His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Guided by the principle “Digitize the expected. Humanize the unexpected,” the Initiative aims to amplify, not replace, human creativity, empathy, and connection. AI will serve as an enabler, empowering the people and places that make travel meaningful while supporting destinations in achieving long-term, sustainable growth.

“We are witnessing the dawn of a new era for tourism, where technology and human ingenuity converge to create experiences that are not only smarter, but also deeply personal and truly memorable. The Agentic Tourism Initiative is more than a technical milestone; it is a strategic leap toward shaping how AI is used in travel. By building a shared protocol, we are ensuring that this transformation is inclusive, secure, and beneficial for all,” said Martín Migoya, CEO and Co-Founder of Globant.

About TOURISE

TOURISE is the world’s premier platform shaping a new horizon for global tourism.

Under the umbrella of the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, powered by the Saudi Tourism Authority, the inaugural TOURISE Summit will take place November 11–13, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event will convene visionaries from government, business, investment, tourism, and technology to drive transformative deals and deliver high-impact initiatives that redefine the future of the global tourism industry.

TOURISE ensures worldwide participation while offering access to decision-makers shaping the industry’s evolution. Following the Summit, TOURISE will continue as a year-round platform where bold ideas turn into real-world solutions.

This is where the next 50 years of tourism are shaped. Together, we are unstoppable.

For more information visit www.tourise.com

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Contact

For media inquiries, please contact Media@TOURISE.com.

Source : TOURISE

–BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) — Kunming is rapidly cementing its position as China’s premier destination for inbound consumption, drawing a surge of visitors primarily from Southeast Asia and increasingly from South Asia, according to the Kunming Bureau of Commerce.

Strategically located at the crossroads of the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area and the Greater Mekong Subregion, Kunming’s appeal lies in its warm climate, welcoming culture, and easy accessibility.

Travellers from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam can reach the city in as little as two to five hours, while the China–Laos Railway enables a “morning departure, evening arrival” journey for seamless cross-border tourism.

Visa-free entry policies and a 144-hour transit visa exemption have further encouraged spontaneous travel, making Kunming the preferred first stop in China for regional visitors, according to a statement.

To enhance the travel experience, the city has launched the “Kunming PASS – Spring City Privilege Card”, integrating public transport, scenic spots, and shopping privileges in one.

Major commercial zones now accept Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay, while hotels and restaurants are ready to process payments in United States dollars, Thai baht, and Malaysian ringgit. Pilot projects linking e-wallets like TrueMoney (Thailand), Touch ’n Go (Malaysia), and Momo (Vietnam) are also underway to make digital payments effortless.

A multilingual “Spring City Consumption Guide” and 24-hour visitor centres at transport hubs help travellers navigate Kunming with ease. Tax refund points in popular areas such as Nanping Street and Kunming Old Town now offer instant in-store rebates, encouraging higher retail spending on both luxury items and local products like flowers, coffee, and wild mushrooms.

The city’s 77 themed business districts showcase its vibrant urban life—from the buzzing Nanqiang Alley night markets to the dazzling Dounan Flower Market. Monthly “Inbound Consumption” campaigns offer electronic vouchers for hotels, dining, and attractions.

To ensure a smooth visitor experience, Kunming has created a dedicated task force and a 30-minute consumer dispute mediation service in Southeast Asian languages.

By turning proximity into connection, Kunming is transforming into a dynamic international consumption hub—a true “Spring City” that welcomes South and Southeast Asian visitors with open arms.

— BERNAMA