Media OutReach
The Answer in a tree: Practices of Environmental Governance and Industrial Development in Lankao, Henan
Themed Upholding the “Shanghai Spirit” to Build a More Beautiful Home, the summit brought together leading media outlets, prominent think tanks, senior government officials and diplomatic envoys from SCO member states, observer states and dialogue partners, renowned scholars and experts in relevant fields, as well as representatives of the SCO Secretariat and other international and regional organizations.
On July 26, guests traveled to Lankao County, Kaifeng City, for a field visit. They proceeded to Jiaotong Square to hear stories about the Jiaotong Tree，headed to Jiao Yulu Memorial Park for the exhibition showcasing Comrade Jiao Yulu’s life and deeds，and departed for Huanghewan (Yellow River Bay) in Dongbatou Town to learn about ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River.At last, guests departed for Guyang Music Town to visit the national musical instrument industry.They were eager to learn how this once impoverished region, long tormented by sandstorms, salinization, and waterlogging, had achieved comprehensive revitalization through environmental governance and industrial development.
Decades of relentless effort have forged Lankao’s remarkable transformation, a change vividly reflected in each upright paulownia tree.
This is the pulse of the earth.Stretching beneath the vast sky of China, the mighty Yellow River, revered as the Mother River, surges like a dragon, nourishing the root of Chinese civilization.
In Lankao, however, these same torrential waters of the Yellow River, with their relentless floods and windblown sands, also left three natural disasters, sandstorms, saline-alkaline soil, and waterlogging.
When the spring breeze blows across the old course of the Yellow River again, the landscape of Lankao is transformed. An ocean of paulownia trees spreads out into a stretch of vibrant green. With broad-leaved canopies, these tall and straight trees are like immortal monuments standing on the earth, wordlessly telling the name of a pioneer – Jiao Yulu.
One generation plants the trees, under whose shade another generation rests. In 1962, Jiao Yulu, then secretary of the Lankao County Party Committee, led the masses in a battle against three natural disasters. Their ingenious methods—covering sand dunes with excavated silt and planting trees to stabilize moving sands—have found a new life today. The ecological corridor, with a length of more than 1,500 kilometers, and the ecological forest land, covering an area of 200,000 mu, have become the unique “lucid waters and lush mountains” in the plain sandy area.Once endangering the people in Lankao, the three natural disasters—sandstorms, saline-alkaline soil and waterlogging—have now been transformed into ecotourism resources.Tourists can view old photos at the Yellow River Control Memorial Hall, go birdwatching by restored wetlands, and enjoy the rustle of leaves in the paulownia forest.
The paulownia forest is not only a green barrier guarding the homeland, but also breeds vigorous vitality.In Xuchang Village,Guyang Town, people there awaken to the melodious sound of the guzheng and guqin.Once planted to shield against wind and fix the sands, the paulownia trees have now become excellent materials for making Chinese traditional instruments.
Xuchang Village produces over 100,000 units of guzheng and guqin annually, generating 150 million yuan (CNY) in output value. With the help of e-commerce, the products are not only sold well across the country, but also exported to more than 10 countries and regions, including Japan and the United States. From a poverty-stricken village in the past to a prosperous village nowadays, the paulownia tree has witnessed the remarkable transformation of Xuchang Village.
Meanwhile, in the home-furnishing industrial park, leading enterprises such as Sofia and TATA Wood Door have taken root. These “singing woods” have been transformed from “timber worth dozens of yuan” into a modern home-furnishing industry with a production and operation income of more than 50 billion yuan(CNY). Paulownia has become the economic pillar of Lankao, and the furniture produced is shipped from Lankao to many cities across the country.
The gifts of this land extend far beyond this. The once barren saline-alkali soil are now planted with melt-in-your-mouth and sweet salt-tolerant sweet potatoes, juicy honey melons, and plump peanuts. These characteristic agricultural products have not only become the “New Three Treasures” of Lankao, but also a powerful new engine for boosting farmers’ incomes
The economic development has changed the local people’s way of life, and there are many such changes. In terms of education, finance, culture, science and technology, ecology and transportation, the brand-new Lankao is increasingly capturing the world’s attention.
In the sunlight, the vast fields of photovoltaic panels shimmer like a blue ocean.
In the fields, the modern wind turbines, stand tall and upright, their blades turning steadily in the breeze, generating clean energy that meets the local electricity demand and is transmitted to other regions.
The construction of high-standard farmland has been comprehensively promoted.The former saline-alkali land has now become ten thousand mu of fertile farmland.
Through the exploration of “5G + smart agriculture”, Lankao has realized the transformation from “relying on the weather for food” to tech-driven harvests. The grain yields climb steadily. The Harvest Festival brims with stories of the smart farming. On the land of Lankao, the beautiful picture of fertile farmland is slowly unfolding with “villages in the fields, fields among the villages, and villages and fields as one”.
From the paulownia tree planted by Jiao Yulu to the comprehensive revitalization of Lankao today, this is a history of struggle, and also a legend of moving from desolation and poverty to fertility and prosperity .
The vitality of a tree lies in taking root downward and growing upward; the vitality of a city lies in transforming the sand of suffering into the light of hope. This is the answer that Lankao has given to the world.
Ahmed Hassan Ahmed Mohamed Moustafa, Owner and Director of Asia Center for Studies and Translation from Egypt, expressed during his visit that he was deeply impressed by China’s achievements in poverty alleviation. He stated that Lankao’s remarkable development through initiatives like afforestation was precisely why he chose to visit, adding that such experiences hold invaluable lessons for his own country.
Hashtag: #Lankao #Henan
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
New Documentary A MONA LISA OBSESSION from Discovery to debut December 14 in Southeast Asia
Owned by Frank Huang, an art collector and Taiwanese technology leader from Taiwan, this depiction of the Mona Lisa from his private collection adds a unique perspective to the ongoing conversation surrounding one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most iconic works.
The Mona Lisa has long captivated the world with her enigmatic smile and mysterious gaze – over centuries, many artistic interpretations inspired by the Mona Lisa have emerged, with scholars discovering more hidden details and subtle symbols, fueling the fascination of the original painting.
Catch A Mona Lisa Obsession in Southeast Asia on the Discovery Channel, Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM SGT and on Discovery Asia on Sunday, December 14 at 9:00 PM SGT.
****
Note to editors:
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Discovery Channel
Media OutReach
Financial Stress Keeps Singapore Awake, while Overall Well-Being in APAC Lags Behind Global Peers
Promotion of exercise culture and therapy may boost physical and mental health
The Singapore report of the Cigna Healthcare International Health Study 2025, released today encompasses more than 11,000 respondents across 13 markets, including 1,000 in Singapore and 4,000 across the Asia-Pacific region. The study reveals that physical, mental and financial well-being are the three aspects prioritized by Singapore residents. However, financial well-being is ranked the lowest with almost four in 10 (39%) rating their financial health as “fair” or “poor”.
Raymond Ng, CEO & Country Manager, Cigna Healthcare Singapore & Australia said: “Health and vitality are key to building resilient communities. It promises the well-being of our workforce and enables us to grow and prosper as a society. While vitality and well-being levels held firm among Singapore residents, more needs to be done in today’s uncertain environment to tackle stressors that can negatively impact their physical and mental well-being.”
The key indicators of vitality and well-being in Singapore are as follows:
| Vitality Score | Overall Well-Being
(% rating as “excellent” or “very good”)
|
Top Three Areas of Well-Being
(% rating as “excellent” or “very good” in 2025) |
| 2025: 61.2
2024: 61.4 |
2025: 34%
2024: 33% |
Family well-being: 44%
Mental well-being: 36% Physical well-being: 34% |
On a regional level, overall well-being in Asia Pacific lags behind the global average, with less than three in 10 (28%) Asia-Pacific respondents rating their overall well-being as “excellent” or “very good”, compared to four in 10 (41%) globally. While physical and mental well-being are the two most important aspects of well-being for respondents globally, financial well-being is more important for those in Asia Pacific, coming in as the third most important aspect. With financial well-being remaining the weakest aspect across the globe, there is a pressing need for governments and organizations to render support to address financial concerns.
Robert Peat, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific, Cigna Healthcare said: “Asia Pacific continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in the world. To sustain this momentum, communities and employers need to recognize that healthy people are the foundation of a healthy economy and implement measures to close the gaps in their well-being.”
Sleepless in Singapore: Financial stress as the sleep killer
While mental well-being in Singapore remains stable with more than a third of respondents rating it as “excellent” or “very good” this year, eight in 10 (79%) respondents are stressed. Their greatest stressors are the current cost of living (53%); uncertainty about the future (47%); and personal finance (43%).
Stress affects more than mental and emotional health and can have huge implications on physical well-being. Our study reveals that disrupted sleep is the most common effect of stress among respondents in the nation, with close to half (48%) of respondents who are stressed reporting this effect, compared to 38% regionally.
Therapy remains underused by Singapore respondents. Despite nearly half (49%) of respondents reporting being negatively impacted by poor mental health, nearly nine in 10 (89%) say they did not receive counselling or therapy in the past 12 months, with 77% believing they do not need it. Given the impacts of stress and poor mental health on physical and overall well-being, more efforts are needed to raise awareness about the benefits of therapy and destigmatize seeking help.
Exercise culture runs strong in Singapore
More than a quarter (26%) of respondents in Singapore rate their exercise habits as “excellent” or “very good”.
When asked how they manage their weight, two-thirds (66%) said they exercise regularly, higher than the Asia-Pacific average of 61%; with only 4% of Singapore respondents turning to medication for weight management. The findings underscore a relatively strong exercise culture and the prioritization of healthy habits among those living in the nation. Communities and organizations may leverage the growing fitness trend to enhance physical well-being.
Cautious optimism around AI in healthcare
Close to half (47%) of Singapore respondents are positive about the impact of AI on healthcare, with 45% expecting it will reduce wait times within three years. This could have an outsized impact in Singapore, as respondents here are 29% more likely to have delayed or avoided getting care due to concern with wait times than their regional counterparts.
Additionally, almost half of Singapore respondents (48%) mention a reduction in human interaction as an expected change with the advent of AI. The challenge ahead is striking the right balance between efficiency and empathy.
The full findings of the report are available here.
Hashtag: #CignaHealthcare #CignaHealthcareInternationalHealthStudy #Health #Wellness #Wellbeing
https://www.cigna.com.sg/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cigna-singapore/
https://www.facebook.com/cignasg/
https://www.instagram.com/cignasg/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Cigna Healthcare Singapore
Cigna Healthcare is a division of The Cigna Group, a global health company committed to creating a better future built on the health and vitality of every individual and every community. Cigna Healthcare is a health benefits provider that advocates for better health through every stage of life. We guide our customers through the healthcare system, empowering them with the information and insight they need to make the best choices for improving their health and vitality.
Cigna Healthcare Singapore is a strong believer of total health and wellness and prides itself on delivering personalized solutions for the health of our clients and customers. To achieve this, Cigna Healthcare Singapore works as one global team and in close partnership with its customers, network providers and communities to understand and address their diverse needs. Learn more at www.cigna.com.sg
The JESSICA Beauty and Wellness Awards celebrate excellence across luxury beauty, healthcare and wellness. It is one of the most recognized beauty industry awards in Hong Kong. The organizer, JESSICA, is a major lifestyle and media company. For over 25 years, JESSICA has been reporting on fashion, lifestyle and business, as one of the most trustworthy and influential media sources in Hong Kong.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to win this new, Best AI Slimming Award with JESSICA,” said the spokesperson for SWISS REJU. “Our goal was to provide our guests with top medical aesthetic technologies. Platforms like BTL EXION and INDIBA, are exactly the type of top medical technologies which SWISS REJU is heavily investing in. The breathtaking results powered by AI, reflect the endless possibilities new technologies can bring to the beauty and slimming field”
The JESSICA Beauty and Wellness Awards is extremely selective and has a rigorous nominations and editorial selection process. Only brands that have been proven to provide genuine service and excellent results are eligible to compete. Amongst the Winners this year, are Australian organic brand “CANVAS” and Japanese household name “Panasonic VITALIFT” beauty appliances.
SWISS REJU, with its heavy investment in new and prestigious technologies such as INDIBA (recently approved in Europe under the Medical Device Regulation), offers a seamless blend of traditional wellness and innovation, allowing guests to experience what many considered to be one of the most effective slimming treatments in Hong Kong. INDIBA with its trademark Proionic 448khz technology, is loved by the Top 1% most influential users in the world, amongst them European royalties, celebrity footballers and international singers.
The recognition of this major annual Award, reaffirms SWISS REJU’s commitment to exceptional technology. It is the 12th annual award won by the brand, representing a new record.
SWISS REJU and integrative power of cutting edge technologies
SWISS REJU’s trademarked “K-Lipolysis” body contouring program offers winning technologies including INDIBA, BTL EXION, Winback, ATP LIPO X, amongst others. It is the unique contouring solution beauty lovers are craving for.
Hashtag: #SWISSREJU #熱光溶脂
http://www.reju.hkThe issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn