Media OutReach
Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards 2024 Successfully Concluded Four Outstanding Projects Showcase the Future of Engineering Innovation
Themed “Engineers: Overcoming World’s Challenges”, this year’s competition attracted over 40 teams from 18 higher education institutions and universities across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. By using cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) to develop engineering solutions for “Climate Action”, “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, and “Innovative Architecture and Infrastructure”.
The award ceremony was attended by government officials, industry leaders, and academic representatives. A total of HKD 200,000 in cash prize was presented across the Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit Awards. Chun Wo will assist winning teams to execute their innovative ideas by providing appropriate resources or investments.
Sr Stephen LEE, Chairman of Chun Wo Construction Holdings Company Limited remarks,
“It is inspiring to witness the rise of future talents in engineering and innovation from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. By leveraging innovation and technology to address challenges like infrastructure and climate change, the students have shown immense potential. We hope the award-winning students will continue to explore new possibilities and work together to create a better future for society.”
Ir Michael FONG, JP, Director of the Civil Engineering and Development remarks, “Having served as a judge for two consecutive years, I am deeply impressed by the level of innovation showcased in this year’s entries — it not only demonstrates the students’ growing ambition in their creations but also reflects the younger generation’s spirit of breaking conventions and pioneering new possibilities.”
The Gold Award of CWISA 2024 was presented to a team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for their project “Renewable Material Coagulant”, which uses industrial by-products to develop a low-carbon solidifying agent as a replacement for traditional cement in ground stabilisation. The project achieves more than 80% carbon emission reduction and offers a revolutionary alternative for green construction and land rehabilitation.
The Silver Award went to a cross-institutional team from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Their project “RiceFort” upcycles discarded rice husks into eco-friendly fibreboards for use in furniture and construction. The project demonstrates high performance, low cost, and recyclability, and also won the Best Social Impact Award for its green entrepreneurship potential and community value.
The Bronze Award was awarded to a team from City University of Hong Kong for their project “AI-Driven Self-cleaning Air-to-Hydrogen System”, which combines air-to-water extraction, solar photocatalysis, and AI-powered self-cleaning to produce hydrogen with zero carbon emissions and no external water consumption. The solution is especially suitable for arid and remote areas, and also won the Best Sustainable Solution Award.
In addition, a joint team from The University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University won the Best Business Potential Award for their project “Generation Alpha Building Emergency System”, which features an AIoT-powered fire detection system with high accuracy and low false alarm rates, offering an advanced fire safety solution for older buildings and high-density urban environments.
Chun Wo aims to continuously inspire the creativity and sense of social responsibility among young engineers through the CWISA platform. The company will continue working with academia, industry, and government partners to promote the implementation of innovative technologies and nurture more engineering talent with global vision and a commitment to sustainability, contributing to a smarter and greener future.
Download High-Resolution Photos HERE
Photo Captions:
| Photo 1:
The Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards 2024 concluded successfully. |
| Photo 2:
Members of the jury panel and award presenters of CWISA 2024. |
| Photo 3:
Ir Michael FONG, JP, Director of the Civil Engineering and Development presents the Gold Award to the team from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University for “Renewable Material Coagulant”. |
| Photo 4:
Mr Steve TAM, Director of Chun Wo Construction Holdings Company Limited presents the Silver Award to the cross-institutional team (CUHK, HKU, HKUST & PolyU) for “RiceFort”. |
| Photo 5:
Ir Dr Stewart WAN, Assistant Director of Training of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction presents the Bronze Award to the team from City University of Hong Kong for “AI-Driven Self-cleaning Air-to-Hydrogen System”. |
| Photo 6:
Mr Jason LEUNG, Head of Land & Housing of Our Hong Kong Foundation presents the Best Social Impact Award to the cross-institutional team (CUHK, HKU, HKUST & PolyU) for “RiceFort”. |
| Photo 7:
Prof Michael YAM, Head of Department of Building and Real Estate of Hong Kong Polytechnic University presents the Best Sustainable Solution Award to the team from City University of Hong Kong for “AI-Driven Self-cleaning Air-to-Hydrogen System”. |
| Photo 8:
Mr Peter LI, Director of Commercial Business of Microsoft (HK) presents the Best Business Potential Award to the cross-institutional team (CityU, HKU& PolyU) for “Generation Alpha Building Emergency System”. |
Hashtag: #ChunWoDevelopment
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards
The Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards (“CWISA”) is a biennial competition established in 2018 by Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited. It aims to inspire young innovators to develop creative engineering solutions that strengthen urban connectivity and promote sustainable city development. Since its inception, CWISA has attracted over 650 students from more than 20 tertiary institutions and universities across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
The fourth CWISA is themed “Engineers Overcoming the World’s Challenges,” motivates students to propose innovative engineering solutions in response to climate action, sustainable cities and communities, and innovative architecture and infrastructure. By leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), students are encouraged to help shape a better future for society and the environment.
The Awards recognise outstanding ideas with Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit Awards. The Gold Award winner will receive a cash prize of HK$100,000, with a total cash prize of approximately HK$200,000 for all winners.
For more information, please visit: www.cwisa.com.
About Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited
Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited (“Chun Wo”) was founded in 1968 and is a key subsidiary of Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited (stock code: 00711.HK).
The Company is principally engaged in the core construction and property development businesses with the professional capability to undertake large integrated construction projects. Recent examples of large infrastructure projects which the Company has undertaken works include the Tseung Kwan O – Lam Tin Tunnel Tseung Kwan O Interchange, the Central-Wan Chai Bypass, the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Infrastructure, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Passenger Clearance Building, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (Hong Kong Section), the MTR Shatin to Central Link and the Redevelopment of Kwong Wah Hospital (Phase 2) etc.
About Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 00711.HK)
Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited (“Asia Allied Infrastructure”, “the Group”) is listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 00711. The Group operates businesses such as construction engineering and management, property development and assets leasing, security and facility management, tunnel management, non-franchised bus services, as well as medical technology and healthcare. Its subsidiary “Chun Wo” is a renowned construction contractor and property developer in Hong Kong. Chun Wo’s solid construction experience and professional capabilities have enabled the Group to seize suitable development opportunities, allowing the Group to enhance its overall profitability and investment value.
Media OutReach
XTransfer Joins Forum Ekonomi Malaysia 2026
Signals Plan to Make Malaysia Regional Compliance Hub
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 February 2026 – XTransfer, the world’s leading B2B cross-border financial platform, was honoured to be invited to join the Malaysia Economic Forum (Forum Ekonomi Malaysia 2026). Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, shared insights on how Malaysia can accelerate technology application and innovation to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) scale exports under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), during FEM 2026’s panel discussion, “Made by Malaysia: Accelerating Technology Applications & Innovation”.
Bill was honoured to join YB Tuan Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Finance of Malaysia, and Mr Ooi Ching Liang, Senior Director of Engineering at SkyeChip, for a discussion focused on strengthening high-growth, high-value industries, advancing R&D commercialisation, increasing productivity and competitiveness, and supporting MSMEs in global value chains.
Drawing on XTransfer’s work with MSMEs across markets, Bill noted that many Malaysian businesses are “able to export,” but face persistent barriers to scaling exports. The most common issues are trust, compliance, and scale, which often surface as payment delays, repeated documentation requests, FX uncertainty, and working capital pressure as orders grow.
“For B2B SMEs in foreign trade, the biggest constraint isn’t demand. It’s the operational complexity behind cross-border payments, foreign exchange, and compliance,” Bill said. “In particular, AML requirements can be difficult for both traditional banks and SMEs to manage efficiently, creating friction that slows down legitimate trade.”
Bill highlighted a structural shift in global trade flows from a single dominant corridor to non-U.S., intra-Asia, and broader South–South routes. This trend is increasingly clear in real SME transaction patterns. Bill shared, “In 2025, XTransfer’s average collection amount from Asia, Africa, and Latin America grew by 106% year-on-year, with Africa exceeding 270%, Latin America reaching 94%, and ASEAN reaching 82%.” YB Liew noted the trend and thinks it is a direction Malaysia should pursue.
XTransfer also said it plans to establish Malaysia as its regional compliance centre, citing Malaysia’s strong geographic and time-zone advantages, a mature regulatory environment, availability of talent in compliance and risk operations, and cost efficiency. “Malaysia gives us the talent, governance environment, and regional proximity to scale compliance as intra-Asia and emerging-market trade accelerates,” Bill added.
Hashtag: #XTransfer #Malaysia #SMEs #13MP #FEM2026
https://www.xtransfer.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtransfer.cn
https://x.com/xtransferglobal
https://www.facebook.com/XTransferGlobal/
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Media OutReach
CGTN: Little Chinese New Year opens big window to China’s soul
As the lunar calendar turns its final pages, China enters a period of joyful anticipation known as Xiaonian, or Little Chinese New Year. Often celebrated as the Festival of the Kitchen God, it marks the official start of the “busy year” – a traditional term for the intense, joyful period of preparing food, cleaning homes, and shopping for the upcoming Spring Festival.
The Spring Festival is a deeply significant time for family reunion. In 2024, UNESCO inscribed the “Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional Chinese New Year” onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
While daily routines continue to evolve, they remain anchored in rituals that provide a sense of normalcy and meaning. It is perhaps no wonder that in a climate of uncertainty, traditional Chinese lifestyles are finding a new audience beyond the country’s borders, with the Spring Festival chief among those unique traditions that are fast becoming a shared human experience.
Diverse traditions, shared aspirations
In a prelude to the broader celebrations, Xiaonian, observed on February 10 and 11 this year, kickstarts a focused period of preparation. According to ancient lore, families offer Zaotang, or sticky “Kitchen Candy,” to the Kitchen God to ensure he delivers a favorable report on the household’s conduct before he ascends to the heavens. This lighthearted tradition marks the beginning of several symbolic rituals aimed at welcoming a fresh start.
A key element of this transition is donning new clothes. In Chinese culture, the New Year represents a moment when “all things are renewed,” and wearing new garments symbolizes shedding the “dust” or misfortunes of the past to embrace auspicious energy for the year ahead. Alongside this personal renewal, families nationwide engage in “sweeping the dust,” a deep-cleaning ritual to purify the home and prepare it for new blessings.
Whereas these practices are universal, celebratory flavors vary by geography. In the north, families traditionally gather over steaming plates of dumplings, whereas in the south, the menu often features sweet rice cakes (Niangao) and glutinous rice balls (Tangyuan).
As Mao Qiaohui, a researcher at the Institute of Ethnic Literature at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explains, these variations highlight the inclusive nature of Chinese civilization.
“Although folk customs differ between different regions across China, this diversity reflects the cultural pluralism within the Spring Festival tradition,” she notes. “Different regional identities contribute to a shared pursuit of harmony and reunion.”
The vitality of these traditions is also evident in local craftsmanship. In northern regions like Shandong and Henan, artisans are currently making Huamo, decorated steamed buns, featuring horse designs for the upcoming zodiac year. Meanwhile, in Shuozhou, Shanxi Province, intangible heritage inheritors are carving spirited stallions onto traditional gourds. These creations reflect the regional diversity of the festival and a collective desire for progress in the year ahead.
Cultural dialogue: From global stage to daily life
The festive atmosphere is reflected further in preparations for the Spring Festival Gala (Chunwan), produced by China Media Group.
Recent rehearsals show performances meshing traditional Chinese culture with international artistry. One performance piece combines the wooden clog dance of the Hani and Lisu ethnic groups with the rhythmic tap of Spanish Flamenco and Hungarian folk dance. And with global stars like Jackie Chan and Lionel Richie on the bill, the Gala’s stage is set to become a stage for the world to come together.
The reach of the gala has expanded far beyond a domestic audience. Through the “Spring Festival Gala Prelude” events held in the United States, Russia, France, Italy, and several African nations, the program has become a gateway to Chinese New Year customs and cultural exchange.
This interest extends beyond art and into the lives of people worldwide, as seen in the #BecomingChinese trend. This phenomenon features international social media users adopting elements of Chinese daily life – such as keeping a thermos of hot water handy, wearing quilted indoor slippers or practicing mindful movement with Baduanjin exercises.
The festival is no longer a distant event but a gateway to Chinese lifestyle, rooted in ancient wellness wisdom and constantly updated by modern convenience, and the first step to a journey of exploration into a culture that values ritual, safety and hospitality.
Whether through global broadcasts or shared daily habits, the Spring Festival increasingly strengthens a sense of cultural empathy between China and the rest of the world.
For more information, please click here:
Hashtag: #CGTN
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
De Beers Group and Assouline Celebrate the Launch of “A Diamond Is Forever: The Making of A Cultural Icon 1926-2026”
Hashtag: #DeBeersGroup #NaturalDiamonds #diamonds #ADiamondIsForever #Assouline
https://www.debeersgroup.com/
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https://www.instagram.com/debeersgroup/
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About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to ‘
Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit
www.debeersgroup.com.
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