Media OutReach
“When We March Together”: Youth, Music, and the Future of China–US Relations
The documentary follows three American high school marching band students on an immersive journey across China. As they travel, rehearse, and perform with their Chinese counterparts, the young musicians forge connections that go beyond the stage. Their experience underscores the power of youth exchange and cultural collaboration in shaping the future of ties between the two countries.
Friendship That Breaks Down the Walls
At the core of the documentary is the story of American music director Jeff Wilson, who first traveled to China in 1987 as a student musician performing on the Great Wall—an event that became a pivotal moment in early cultural exchanges between the two nations.
“The beautiful thing we experienced in 1987 is that whenever we make music together, it immediately breaks down the walls,” Wilson says in the documentary. “It completely changed my perspective of the world. America and China—we’re all the same.”
Decades later, Wilson continues to bring American students to China, nurturing ties that span generations. His daughter Riley joined the latest group of visiting students, carrying forward this legacy.
In an age where information transcends distance, Wilson still emphasizes the importance of personal connections: “We need more face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball interaction, and less relying on the phone,” he says. “Screens don’t always show the truth—but meeting someone does.”
A Decade-Long Musical Reunion
A key moment in “When We March Together” is the reunion between Beijing 57 High School and Valley Christian High School from California. In 2013, the two schools made history at the Pasadena Rose Parade by forming the East Meets West Fusion Band—the first Chinese–American high school marching ensemble to perform jointly in the iconic New Year’s celebration.
Todd Ryan, the band’s US visual director, recalls the impact: “Each band wasn’t very large on its own, but when you combined them, the musicians were joyful to hear so much more volume. When you join together, it’s a powerful statement.”
The documentary revisits this shared history as the students reunite after more than a decade. Their performances—and the effortless camaraderie that quickly forms—bring the story “full circle,” highlighting the enduring power of collaboration.
Putting the Future in Young Hands
For the students, music serves a universal language. “Even if you don’t speak the same language, you’re playing the same one,” says drummer Thomas Trinh. “You can show off individually, but as a full group, you create something powerful. You learn to trust each other.” Daniel Hankins adds, “Collaboration is more fun than competitiveness.”
This spirit of unity resonates across both China and the US. “Marching means moving forward. When we march together, so does the friendship between our nations,” says Yang Guandao from Beijing 57 High School. “Finding what unites us, rather than divides us,” adds Aadit Saraogi from Clarksburg High School.
“Marching toward a wonderful future means putting the future in our children’s hands,” says Susan Eckerle, Director of Bands at Thomas S. Wootton High School. “They know how to treat people—and they do it well. Sometimes the adults just need to back off. Let the kids do it.”
Youth Exchange during Challenging times
Beyond its musical performances, “When We March Together” highlights the vital role youth exchanges can play in shaping China–US relations. The documentary shows how personal interactions can build lasting understanding and help bridge divides.
In 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a five-year initiative to invite 50,000 American students to China. The program gives young people from both nations the chance to meet, often for the first time, and form their own impressions, separate from political narratives.
As the documentary observes: “These students are quietly shaping a future where friendship and understanding might finally take center stage.”
When youth from both nations march together, they aren’t just creating music—they are composing the future.
Hashtag: #CGTN
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
New boutique separates luxury brand collections across two dedicated spaces, giving collectors a more focused buying experience
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – Watchbook Singapore has opened a second boutique at Far East Plaza, separating its curated collections across two dedicated spaces on the same floor to give collectors a more focused buying experience.
The expansion allows Watchbook to organise its inventory by brand family. The main boutique at #03-139 focuses on Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Cartier. The new boutique at #03-55 features contemporary luxury watches including Tudor, Omega, Hublot and other brands.
“By giving each collection its own dedicated space, we can offer collectors a sharper, more personalised experience,” said Anson Toh, chief executive officer at Watchbook Singapore. “This expansion reflects the growing interest in both neo-vintage and modern luxury watches, and our commitment to serving collectors at every level.”
Watchbook enters this next phase as Singapore’s second-highest-reviewed watch dealer, with more than 2,400 verified Google reviews reflecting thousands of successful transactions. Both boutiques are backed by the company’s end-to-end model: in-house authentication, a dedicated service centre staffed by certified watchmakers, and curated inventory under one roof.
Far East Plaza is well-established as a destination for watch enthusiasts and luxury retailers in Singapore. The opening of a second boutique on the same floor reinforces Watchbook’s position at the centre of that community.
Boutique Details
Main boutique
14 Scotts Road,
#03-139 Far East Plaza,
Singapore 228213.
New boutique
14 Scotts Road,
#03-55 Far East Plaza,
Singapore 228213.
Hashtag: #watchbook #fareastplaza
https://watchbook.sg/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/watchbook-singapore/
https://www.facebook.com/watchbooksg/
https://www.instagram.com/watchbooksg/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Watchbook Singapore
Watchbook is Singapore’s Neo-Vintage Rolex Specialist and a trusted destination for authenticated pre-owned luxury watches. The company offers one of Singapore’s deepest curated selections of certified neo-vintage Rolex timepieces from the 1980s to 2000s, alongside a broader portfolio including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Omega and more.
As an independent luxury watch dealer, Watchbook operates a fully in-house service centre staffed by certified watchmakers, delivering complete authentication, servicing and warranty support. Recognised as Singapore’s second-highest-reviewed watch dealer, Watchbook serves collectors and enthusiasts who value heritage, character and certified quality.
Short Courses Structured for Busy Professionals
For working adults who want targeted upskilling, SIM Academy’s course listing includes instructor-led programmes that are typically offered in short formats. The 1-day or 2-day course structure may appeal to professionals seeking to build capability while balancing work and personal commitments.
The topics covered reflect a mix of core workplace capabilities and emerging skill areas, including communication skills, cognitive skills, systems leadership, sustainability, as well as broader organisational and leadership competencies. Such short-format training has become a common feature within Singapore’s continuing education landscape, particularly among working adults seeking to remain competitive in a changing job market.
SkillsFuture Funded Training Courses
A number of SIM Academy’s professional development courses are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit and related funding schemes. These funding mechanisms are part of national efforts to encourage lifelong learning and support workforce transformation. The availability of funding-supported courses may lower barriers to participation for individuals and employers, particularly for those pursuing incremental skills upgrading.
Career Switch for mid‑career professionals
SIM Academy offers programmes under the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP). These programmes are designed for individuals considering a shift into new roles or sectors and typically run over 5-6 months. Programme structures may include a combination of classroom learning, practical projects and career support elements such as guidance on job search and career planning.
This reflects a broader trend in Singapore’s training ecosystem, where structured transition programmes are increasingly used to support workforce mobility and adaptation to new job roles.
Flexible Delivery Formats
SIM Academy’s programmes are delivered through a mix of in-person, online and blended learning formats. This allows participants to select learning modes that align with their schedules and professional commitments. Short courses are conducted throughout the year, primarily at SIM Management House, alongside digital learning options that support greater accessibility. Flexible delivery has become an increasingly important feature of professional education, particularly for working adults balancing training with full-time employment.
Part of a Broader Continuing Education Landscape
As industries continue to evolve, demand for continuous skills development remains a key focus within Singapore’s workforce strategy. Short courses, modular training and structured transition programmes are among the approaches adopted by training providers to meet these needs.
SIM Academy’s range of offerings includes shorter, skills-focused workshops and longer-duration programmes designed to support career transitions.
References
- SIM Academy: https://www.sim.edu.sg/professional-development/overview
- Courses offered by SIM Academy: https://www.sim.edu.sg/professional-development/courses/course-listing
- SkillsFuture Courses offered at SIM: https://www.sim.edu.sg/professional-development/courses/skillsfuture-courses
- SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP): https://sctp.pd.sim.edu.sg
Hashtag: #SIMAcademy #SIMA
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About SIM Academy
SIM Academy provides leading-edge professional development and enterprise solutions. SIM Academy offers over 300 executive and business programmes that help almost 10,000 professionals annually on average hone their competencies to drive business value and achieve peak personal and enterprise performance.
Our programmes encompass a comprehensive range of lifelong learning opportunities designed to empower professionals with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to become effective change-makers and leaders in today’s volatile and uncertain business landscape.
For more information on SIM Academy, visit sim.edu.sg
Media OutReach
Patented Ingredients Help Malaysian Supplement Brands Stand Out as Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech Expands Market Presence
According to IMARC Group, the Malaysian dietary supplements sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.68% through 2034.Amidst this expansion, Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech emphasizes the importance of leveraging high-barrier patented ingredients. For the beauty and wellness sector, the exclusive ingredient Wel-ROS6® utilizes the “Black Crystal Roselle,” a variety developed over nine years. Through a triple-patented micro-grinding technology, the total anthocyanin content reaches up to 17.7 times that of conventional roselle extracts.
To address the aging population’s needs, Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech also introduces Wel-EGT®, a high-purity ergothioneine extracted through a patented process. This ingredient serves as a core component for cognitive health supplements, offering 5 times the BCAA content of standard chicken essence to support anti-aging and neurological health.
Beyond ingredient innovation, Wel-Bloom’s patented Functional Jelly technology enables preservative-free supplements that maintain 97.8% active ingredient integrity. As an international CDMO and health supplement manufacturer certified under NSF-GMP and HALAL, Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech provides integrated services from R&D to production, empowering Malaysian partners to achieve differentiated positioning in the evolving wellness market.
Hashtag: #Welbloom
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech
Wel-Bloom is a globally recognized CDMO expert in the health food industry, dedicated to delivering innovative, one-stop solutions. Guided by forward-looking market insights and supported by robust R&D capabilities, Wel-Bloom empowers clients to develop highly competitive, differentiated health food products.
For partnership opportunities and functional ingredient solutions, visit https://welbloom.com/ or search for Wel-Bloom online.
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