THE 10TH STRAITS YOUTH DAY HELD IN FUZHOU, FUJIAN PROVINCE

Scene of the 10th Straits Youth Day

FUZHOU, China, Dec. 7, 2022 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

On December 2, the 10th Straits Youth Day, co-sponsored by Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, All-China Youth Federation and Fujian Provincial People’s Government, was held in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, and attracted 350 guests from all walks of life on both sides of the Straits.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Straits Youth Day. Themed as “Work Together for Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation”, this year’s event showcased stories of the young people across the Straits who have forged bonds with concerted efforts. With people participating in person and online, keynote dialogues were conducted between Fuzhou and Taipei via video link, according to Office of Organizing Committee of Straits Youth Day.

Qiu Xinyi, a performer of Fuzhou Straits Symphony Orchestra, Wang Tingwei, the first Taiwan “apartment manager” in Fujian Province and other young Taiwan people shared their experiences and exchanged ideas at the event. They also discussed about the opportunities and challenges facing Taiwan youth and their roles would play in the process towards Chinese modernization, and emphasized mutual learning between young people across the Straits for a better future.

The Straits Youth Day will also host a series of activities including Straits Youth Cultural Exchange Week, “The CPPCC in Taiwan Youth’s View” and cross-Straits dialogue on meteorological cooperation.

Source: Office of Organizing Committee of Straits Youth Day

Image Attachments Links:

Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=435575

Caption: Scene of the 10th Straits Youth Day

–BERNAMA

SWEEGEN ANNOUNCES GROWTH CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP AHEAD OF FOOD INGREDIENTS EUROPE 2022

Momentum from global regulatory approvals and customers’ product launches drives strong valuation and investment demand.

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Dec 6 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —Sweegen announced its strategic investment and partnership snapshot ahead of the FI Europe 2022, where it will exhibit zero sugar solutions in immersive food experiences, displaying consumers’ favorite foods and beverages with zero sugar solutions in Paris, France, Dec. 6-8.

In the wake of the 2022 company developments of major customer launches, a growing global footprint, and regulatory approvals on its sweeteners and stevia technology, Sweegen is attracting major partners and moving forward with additional growth capital raised from current shareholders, Pasaca Capital and Sumitomo Chemical Co. (Sumitomo), reaching the “unicorn” status.

“Our growth is meaningful in the world of sweetener innovation as we are bringing wellness solutions to food and beverage brands and consumers in new global regions where sugar reduction is not only a major health trend and need but also a movement for a wellness lifestyle,” said CEO Steven Chen. “We’re grateful that these shareholders continue to have confidence in our vision to open new markets with our global regulatory plans and explore exciting wellness technologies for food and beverages.”

Largest CPG Companies as Customers

Sweegen’s Signature Bestevia® Reb M was the first new-generation stevia technology to receive approval from the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA).

This landmark approval in 2021, combined with the approval of the regulatory framework for steviol glycosides by the international food safety authority CODEX in 2022, is opening new markets and creating significant opportunities for Sweegen’s customers to launch new products.

The world’s largest food and beverage producers, including top brands for beverage (non-alcoholic and alcoholic), condiment, dairy, and plant-based products, have entered into commitments, contracts, and purchase orders with Sweegen. 

Manufacturing Alliance

With Sumitomo, Sweegen entered into a strategic alliance in which Sumitomo will contribute one of its manufacturing factories in Asia to a joint venture between the two companies.

Sumitomo will assist in quality assurance and quality control at both the Asian facility and Sweegen’s manufacturing site in Europe.

“Our manufacturing alliance with an exceptional partner like Sumitomo gives Sweegen’s customers the added security and benefit of multiple production facilities and is expected to accelerate Sweegen’s market penetration greatly,” said Chen.

New Technologies

In addition to the industry’s widest range of non-GMO better, tasting Signature stevia ingredients, Sweegen is introducing more advanced sugar-reducing products, such as the sweet proteins Ultratia™ brazzein and thaumatin.

Sweegen’s disruptive peptide technology enables industrial-scale production of brazzein for great cost savings to CPG customers. The commercialization of brazzein has already begun, and Sweegen anticipates a first regulatory approval for the product in 2023.

Thaumatin is 100,000 times sweeter than sugar on a molar basis. The high sweetness factor can translate into a strategic, cost-effective sugar reduction solution for brands seeking to get the most out of natural sweeteners. Sweegen has recently announced the successful scale-up production of these high-intensity sweeteners, and the company expects to receive regulatory approval in the near future.

The Market

The global sugar market is currently at $160 billion. Many global food and beverage companies are currently incorporating Sweegen’s products to replace artificial sweeteners, reduce sugar, and launch branded products containing these Sweegen products.

Contacts at FIE

At the FI Europe 2022 trade fair in Paris, Sweegen’s booth will be at Stand #7.1D20, where Sweegen’s management and global food and beverage applications teams will welcome all food and ingredient customers and business partners.

About Sweegen

Sweegen provides sweet-taste solutions for food and beverage manufacturers around the world. 

We are on a mission to reduce sugar and artificial sweeteners in the global diet. Partnering with customers, we create delicious zero-sugar products that consumers love. With the best modern sweeteners in our portfolio, such as Bestevia® Rebs B, D, E, I, M, and N, and sweet proteins brazzein and thaumatin, along with our deep knowledge of flavor modulators and texturants, Sweegen delivers market-leading solutions that customers want, and consumers prefer. Well. Into the Future. 

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1996. Sweegen’s actual results may differ from the estimates, assumptions, and other illustrative material contained herein, and consequently, a reader should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, illustrative information regarding Sweegen’s bottom-up assumed market potential, assumed hit rate, and the resulting revenue based on these model inputs. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results.

Industry, Market, and Other Data
In this press release, we rely on and refer to information and statistics regarding market participants in the sectors in which Sweegen competes and other data. We obtained this information and statistics from our own internal estimates and third-party sources, including reports by market research firms and company filings. We do not expressly refer to these sources. All of this information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and the sources of such information cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. The industry in which Sweegen operates is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of important factors, any of which could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by Sweegen or third parties.

Attachments

· Sweegen exhibits at Food Ingredients Europe 2022
· Sweegen exhibits at Food Ingredients Europe 2022

Ana Arakelian, Head of Public Relations and Communications
Sweegen
+1.949.709.0583
ana.arakelian@sweegen.com

Source: Sweegen

–BERNAMA

Hong Kong Tourism Board unveils five heartwarming festive landmarks

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) — Hong Kong Tourism Board has unveiled five Instagrammable spots that visitors should not miss in the coming weeks.

“The winters may be gentle in Hong Kong, but the festive spirit here shines bright in the region. Heartstring-tugging, romance-inviting Christmas décor is just part and parcel of the whole holiday experience,” it said in a statement.

Among others, this holiday season, an over-20-metre, gloriously lit Christmas tree sits centrestage at the romantic Christmas town in West Kowloon Cultural District harbourfront from Nov 25, 2022 to Jan 1, 2023.

Featuring music and special twinkling lighting effects, the city’s tallest outdoor Christmas tree, paired with gorgeous panoramic views of the world-famous Victoria Harbour, will be tempting visitors’ smartphone camera.

In addition, from Nov 17, 2022 to Jan 2, 2023, one of the largest shopping malls in town has turned into a “Unicorn Merry-Go-Round Paradise” this year, leading visitors to the land of fairytales.

Walking through the Ocean Terminal Forecourt, visitors will be surrounded by a myriad of sparkling Christmas trees, both earth-bound and sky-high.

Meanwhile, from Nov 18, 2022 to Jan 2, 2023, it’s all about the glitz and glam this festive season at Lee Tung Avenue.

It features Asia’s biggest disco ball — at seven metres tall, and covered in over 2000 mirror pieces — hovering over the Avenue’s tree-lined walkway, while golden hits from the 70s and 80s blast through the air.

More details at https://www.discoverhongkong.com.

— BERNAMA

TRILLIANT TO PROVIDE SMART METERS FOR IRELAND’S NATIONAL SMART METERING PROGRAMME

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) — US-based technology solutions provider Trilliant has announced that its UK division, Trilliant Networks Operations (UK) Ltd, has been selected by Ireland’s state-owned ESB Networks as one of the suppliers to provide smart meters in support of the rollout of Ireland’s National Smart Metering Programme (NSMP).

“We are thrilled to work with ESB Networks and supply best-in-class technology and support for this transformative project in Ireland,” said Trilliant Europe, Middle East, and Africa Region managing director Tom Tipple.

The company said in a statement that the NSMP aimed to make it easier for customers to manage their energy use, save money and lower their carbon footprint.

Under the terms of the agreement, Trilliant and its partner, Holley Technology Ltd, will be responsible for supplying ESB Networks with three-phase meters, including implementation, testing, maintenance and support.

Trilliant said homes, farms and businesses are expected to benefit from greater energy efficiency, more accurate billing, improved network management and more.

Trilliant has been an approved ESB Networks supplier for smart meters and related services since 2021 when a framework agreement for head-end systems, meter data management systems and security architecture was signed.

Trilliant and Holley will work closely with ESB Networks on the final design to ensure the meters are fully compliant with ESB Networks’ needs and requirements for their intended purpose through phase 3 of ESB Networks’ national deployment programme.

— BERNAMA

“Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival” connects visitors to nature



KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) — The “Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival” (the Arts Festival), a three-year arts project organised by Tourism Commission and supported by Hong Kong Geopark and curated by One Bite Design Studio, is being held from Nov 16, 2022 to Jan 15, 2023.

To leverage the successful integration of arts with the island under the first edition the Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival, the new edition of the Arts Festival will extend to the vast Sai Kung Hoi, with Yim Tin Tsai as the centre and reaching out to Sharp Island, Kau Sai Chau and High Island.

Hong Kong Tourism Board in a statement said through the Arts Festival, themed as “Joy Again, Isle”, visitors would meet, connect, experience the healing power of arts and nature through visits to the isles; and enjoy the fun of art tour through island hopping.

The focus of each year’s Arts Festival is on artworks creation, responding to topics such as villagers’ stories, rural-urban balance, nature conservation, cultural inheritance, religion and culture, supplemented by guided tours and programmes.

The Arts Festival offers a new perspective for visitors to explore the isles, a chance to explore and reflect on one’s relationship with the nature, and an experience of the unique Hong Kong culture of the isles.

Nine groups of local artists have been invited to create multidisciplinary nine artworks – six in Yim Tin Tsai and three in Sharp Island – and involve villagers during the process to reflect local life stories and the natural environment.

Artwork highlights include Homeward Voyage by Margaret Chu; Water Dragon by Joseph Chan; Moonrise in Daylight by Breakthrough Art Studio; and, A GrandPineapple Bun Tour by Maoshan Connie and St. James’ Creation.

— BERNAMA