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HKUST and HKUST(GZ) Present SURREALITY MR × AI Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition

Harnessing Innovative Technologies to Drive Cultural Mobility and Foster Global Exchange

HONG KONG SAR -  Media OutReach Newswire - 16 June 2026 - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(Guangzhou), presents the  SURREALITY Mixed Reality (MR) × Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition. As part of HKUST's 35th-anniversary celebrations, an exclusive media preview of the world's first large-scale, cross-regional MR × AI digital art exhibition was held at the University's Clear Water Bay campus. 
  Showcasing selected works by renowned international and Chinese Mainland digital artists, as well as faculty and students from both campuses, the exhibition integrates creativity with Virtual Reality (VR), MR, and AI technologies. It transforms the campus into a global hub for arts innovation and technological excellence. 
  The exhibition will open at HKUST(GZ) tomorrow and run through July 31, 2026, before returning to Hong Kong for public engagement. This exhibition exemplifies HKUST's visionary commitment to driving cultural mobility and fostering international exchange through innovative technologies. 
  Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, remarked, "This event signifies a major milestone for HKUST in its pursuit of integrating technology, humanities, and cross-regional innovation. The national 15th Five-Year Plan released this year explicitly supports Hong Kong in deepening its development as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. In 2024, the HKSAR Government also introduced the  Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, outlining plans to develop diverse arts and culture industries with an international perspective, and to establish international platforms that foster East-meets-West arts and cultural exchanges. Local universities play a pivotal role in advancing these initiatives." 
  "HKUST's  Strategic Plan 2031 identifies the integration of innovation and the humanities as a key direction for the University's future development. In line with this vision, we established Hong Kong's first Division of Arts and Machine Creativity, which is committed to creating an innovative platform that fosters the fusion of technology and art while nurturing a new generation of creative talent with strong interdisciplinary perspectives. Hosting initiatives such as SURREALITY and the HKUST AI Film Festival exemplifies this direction and is poised to develop into prominent international platforms that fosters arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world," she added. 
  Prof. Lionel NI Ming-Shuan, President of HKUST(GZ), stated, "'SURREALITY' is not only the world's first large-scale MR × AI art exhibition, but also a powerful showcase of the strengths of HKUST and HKUST(GZ) in interdisciplinary studies and computational creativity. As a flagship initiative under the 'One HKUST, Complementary Campuses' framework, the two campuses have welcomed artists and young creators from 23 countries and regions, redefining the boundaries of knowledge production and artistic expression through the seamless fusion of the virtual and the real. At a time when the nation is strategically advancing future industries and the Greater Bay Area is accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, the digital 'Portal' connecting Clear Water Bay and Nansha represents far more than a technological breakthrough—it embodies a forward-looking model of educational collaboration, where engineering converges with aesthetics, algorithms with poetry, and global vision with local engagement. At thirty-five years old, HKUST remains youthful and dynamic. Guided by this founding aspiration, HKUST(GZ) will continue to advance in step with HKUST, writing a new chapter of integrated innovation and talent development in the Greater Bay Area." 
  SURREALITY showcases the integration of AI-generated artworks with the physical campus environment, creating an immersive experience through spatial computing and real-time rendering technologies. Across the two campuses, nearly 50 works by more than 70 digital artists from the United States, Germany, Russia, Australia, Bolivia, Singapore, Korea, the Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong are featured. Presented in innovative and striking forms, these exceptional works from around the world highlight HKUST's strong commitment to advancing interdisciplinary integration. 
  Today, 19 selected works premiered at the Clear Water Bay campus, where MR-enhanced creations transform the HKUST campus into an immersive, technology-driven art space. By wearing MR headsets, visitors can freely explore three exhibition areas:  Living Currents,    Future Fables, and    Beyond Mind. Several projects created by HKUST(GZ) faculty and students stand out as highlights, with  The Gate—built on a metaverse concept—emerging as the centerpiece of the exhibition. As the armillary sphere slowly turns and the portal comes into view, visitors can step inside and instantly traverse the virtual spaces of both campuses, experiencing a groundbreaking sense of cross‑campus, seamless connectivity that embodies the vision of "One HKUST, Complementary Campuses." Another featured work,  Kunpeng, symbolizes a spirit of boundless freedom. A giant fish leaps from the nearby Port Shelter in Sai Kung and transforms into a soaring roc that ascends powerfully into the sky. Its majestic presence delivers a striking visual spectacle. The piece  The Twinworld Tree creates a dynamic living system formed by the World Tree and virtual life, symbolizing the interdependence of all things, like the tides. 
  The exhibition also features an MR recreation of a classic work—GFP Bunny, created by internationally acclaimed contemporary artist,  Prof. Eduardo KAC, who is also Professor of Art and Technology Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since its debut, this piece has sparked global reflection on genetic modification, bioethics, and the boundaries of art.  Mr. ZHANG Yishuai, a PhD student in the Thrust of Computational Media and Arts at HKUST(GZ) and a computational artist, presents  Echoes of Earth 2.0, offering a forward-looking perspective on AI and interstellar civilizations. This work enriches the exhibition with a visionary reflection on humanity's aspirations for the future. 
  Several VR digital art pieces are also on display, including  Astra, created by  Ms. Eliza MCNITT— Venice Immersive Grand Prize winner and renowned American writer and director—which offers visitors a unique journey of exploration into the universe.  Mr. Benedict YU, a VR visual artist from Singapore, presents  Mother's Body Remembers, utilizing LiDAR to capture movements and combining VR with tactile interaction to rekindle visitors' memories of family connections.  The HKUST XRIM Lab's work,  Unfolding Touch, enables a soft-robot-mediated handshake between the Clear Water Bay and Guangzhou campuses, integrating sensing and tactile replication to create a shared touch experience across distance. Other works include  My Flower, which invites viewers to experience the daily challenges faced by people with Alzheimer's disease. A short animation,  The Cat Ghost, which narrates the relationship between ancient Chinese people and cats from the Western world, is also screened. 
  Prof. Pan HUI, Chair Professor of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas at HKUST, Acting Head and Chair Professor of the Thrust of Computational Media and Arts, and Director of the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(GZ), introduced the core concept of "SURREALITY." He explained that as technologies such as AI, spatial computing, and MR rapidly evolve, digital worlds are transcending screens into real spaces and becoming deeply integrated into people's daily life. SURREALITY explores a new form of reality that may emerge in the future—a scenario where the virtual and the physical are no longer distinctly separate but collectively form the environments in which we perceive, interact, and live. Through artistic creation and immersive experiences, the exhibition offers audiences a glimpse into this transformative vision, prompting reflection on how technology is reshaping humanity's understanding of reality. 
  The exhibited works come from numerous internationally renowned artists, showcasing the remarkable fusion of creative arts and digital technology. Several prominent participating artists also joined today's event to introduce their works, fostering cross-regional cultural and arts exchanges. They include  Prof. Benjamin SEIDE, media artist, VFX expert, and Associate Professor in the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University;  Ms. Katerina SEMENKO, a Russian conceptual phygital artist and International Design Award recipient; and  Dr. Adam NASH, an Australian digital virtual artist and Honorary Fellow of RMIT University. 
Hashtag: #HKUST #HKUST(GZ)
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology  
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university known for its innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 6th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, 3rd in the Times Higher Education's Young University Rankings 2024, and 19th globally and 1st in Hong Kong in the Times Higher Education's Impact Rankings 2025. Eleven HKUST subjects were ranked among the world's top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. In addition, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, HKUST's Computer Science discipline which encompasses areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, has been ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for ten consecutive years. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world's top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated "internationally excellent" or "world leading" in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of the Hong Kong's University Grants Committee. As of May 2026, HKUST members have founded over 1,900 active start-ups, including 11 Unicorns and 22 exits (IPO or M&A).

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Vinachem Recognized In The 2026 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 Ranking

HANOI, VIETNAM -  Media OutReach Newswire - 16 June 2026 -  Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) has been recognized for the first time in the 2026 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 (Fortune SEA 500) ranking, marking a significant milestone in the Group's development journey and reaffirming its position as one of Vietnam's leading industrial corporations on the regional economic landscape. 
       
 According to Fortune, Vinachem ranked 148 among Southeast Asia's 500 largest companies in 2026. This marks the third year that Fortune has published the Southeast Asia 500 ranking, recognizing companies that demonstrate scale, operational excellence, and significant contributions to regional economic development. The list ranks companies based on total revenue across seven countries in the region, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia. 
  Based on Fortune's report, Vinachem recorded revenue of USD 2.332 billion and profit of USD 103.8 million in 2025. These results reflect the Group's solid financial foundation, resilience in responding to market fluctuations, and the effectiveness of its restructuring and productivity improvement efforts across the organization. 
  Mr. Nguyen Huu Tu, Chief Executive Officer of Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem), said:"Vinachem's inclusion in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 ranking as early as 2026 represents a significant milestone in the Group's development journey. It is a tangible outcome of our determined efforts to implement the directives set forth by the Politburo in Resolution No. 79-NQ/TW dated January 6, 2026, which aims to have 50 state-owned enterprises ranked among Southeast Asia's 500 largest companies by 2030.   
     
   This recognition not only acknowledges the efforts of nearly 20,000 employees, engineers, and workers across Vinachem in driving innovation, transformation, and sustainable development, but also reflects the growing competitiveness of Vietnamese industrial enterprises in the regional integration process.   
     
   The achievement provides further momentum for Vinachem to accelerate innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and the development of high-tech industries. At the same time, it reinforces our commitment to fulfilling our role as a core enterprise of Vietnam's chemical industry and contributing to the goal of building large-scale, efficient, and internationally competitive state-owned economic groups in line with the spirit of Politburo Resolution No. 79-NQ/TW." 
  The development of the VinachemMart e-commerce platform and the launch of the Vinachem Agriculture platform represent concrete steps in implementing this strategy. While VinachemMart contributes to advancing digital commerce and strengthening market connectivity, Vinachem Agriculture seeks to connect farmers with scientists, experts, businesses, and government agencies, thereby improving the efficiency of the agricultural value chain and promoting green and sustainable agricultural development. 
  Looking ahead, Vinachem has identified innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and sustainable development as its key growth drivers. The Group is prioritizing investment in high-value, technology-intensive sectors, including pharmaceutical chemicals, advanced materials, chemicals serving the electronics and semiconductor industries, rare-earth extraction and processing, and circular economy initiatives. In parallel, Vinachem is investing in research and development (R&D) centers and integrated industrial parks designed around modern, circular, and sustainable principles, contributing to the enhanced competitiveness of Vietnam's chemical industry within regional and global value chains. 
  Vinachem's inclusion in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 reflects not only the Group's scale and financial strength, but also the progress achieved through its transformation, international integration, and efforts to elevate the standing of Vietnam's chemical industry. This recognition provides a solid foundation for the Group to continue fulfilling its role as a leading enterprise, contributing to national industrial development and strengthening the presence of Vietnamese enterprises on the regional economic stage. 
  
Hashtag: #Vinachem 
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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From Ancient Delicacy to Global Trend: The Industrial Upgrade and Global Journey of Ningxia Goji Berries

ZHONGWEI, CHINA -  Media OutReach Newswire - 16 June 2026 - Lush plantations glitter across the sun-drenched Yellow River alluvial plain at an elevation of 1,100 meters on the eastern flank of the Helan Mountains. This is Zhongning County in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, located in northwestern China. As the opening ceremony of the 9th Goji Berry Industry Expo officially kicks off on June 14th here, farmers are busy harvesting the first goji berries of 2026. 
             
       Ningxia Goji Berries     
     
 While goji berries are widely cultivated across China, Ningxia goji berries stand out for their exceptional quality and have become the region's most iconic specialty. As the core producing area of authentic Ningxia goji berries, also known as wolfberries, Zhongning enjoys over 3,000 hours of annual sunlight. The weakly alkaline soil, formed by the convergence of the Yellow River and Qingshui River, is rich in essential minerals and trace elements. These unique natural conditions have given birth to this distinctive "Magic Fruit." 
  "Every single goji berry is hand-picked," said Pan Tai'an, chairman of Ningxia Wolfberry Goji Industry Co., Ltd., a leading regional goji producer. "The goji trees blossom and bear fruit simultaneously, which means all berries must be harvested manually." 
  "Thanks to Ningxia's cool climate, pests and diseases are rare here. Still, we never use chemical fertilizers or pesticides. We only apply organic compost to guarantee the pure, natural quality of our goji berries," he added. 
  From a Local Specialty to a Health and Lifestyle Trend 
  In China, Ningxia goji berries have been treasured as a medicinal and edible delicacy. It is the only goji variety officially listed for medicinal use in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. The ancient Chinese medical masterpiece, the Shennong Ben Cao Jing (Classic of Materia Medica), documents their anti-aging properties. This profound cultural heritage has laid a solid foundation for Ningxia goji berries to enter international markets. 
  Today, this ancient red berry has gained unprecedented global popularity. Boasting powerful anti-aging benefits, high vitamin C content, and abundant antioxidants, Ningxia goji berries have become a trending "superfood" on international social media. Overseas consumers are willing to pay a premium for authentic Ningxia products, freeing the berry from its former identity as a niche, rustic specialty. 
  "Western researchers have long been studying the health benefits of goji berries, including immune enhancement, anti-tumor effects, and anti-aging properties. They call it a 'superfood' and extract its active ingredients for use in health supplements and cosmetics," Pan Tai'an explains. "This inspired me to focus on deep processing, because that's where the real value lies." 
  For decades, the industry was held back by two major bottlenecks: the extreme perishability of fresh berries and underdeveloped deep-processing technology. To address these issues, the company invested six years in intensive R&D and successfully developed ambient-temperature preservation technology for goji puree. This pioneering breakthrough fills a technical gap and sets world-leading standards for the global goji industry. 
  To retain precious nutrients, fresh goji berries go through cleaning, pulping, sterilization and canning within two hours after harvest. This rigorous workflow best preserves key nutrients including goji polysaccharides, betaine and zeaxanthin to the greatest extent possible. 
  Powered by this core innovation, the company has produced over 100,000 tons of goji puree, with total sales exceeding 2 billion yuan (about 293 million U.S. dollars). More importantly, the technology has driven the construction of 50 high-standard production lines across Ningxia, marking a decisive shift - transforming the regional industry from raw material sales to high-value product manufacturing. 
  According to the latest data provided by the Goji Industry Development Center of the Ningxia Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ningxia's goji marketing network covers more than 50 countries and regions spanning Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas. In 2025, Ningxia's fresh goji berry output reached 200,000 tons, with the full industrial chain output value exceeding 21.3 billion yuan. 
  From Product Upgrade to a Global Cultural Brand 
  While technology-driven companies like Ningxia Wolfberry are deepening their presence in international supply chains, emerging players in the goji industry are reshaping the consumer perception of goji berries as "just a traditional medicinal herb." As a leader in e-commerce, Ningxia Qilixiang Goji Co., Ltd. is dedicated to promoting this traditional tonic to the younger generation. Founded in 2009 by three university students with a startup fund of just 700 yuan from their living allowances, the company has now grown into a top-tier brand with annual sales exceeding 1 billion yuan. 
  To transform traditional wellness into a trendy lifestyle, Qilixiang has developed a variety of blended purees - such as goji-ginseng, red date-goji, and mulberry-goji - all paired with eye-catching packaging. Operating about 200 online stores, the company has consistently ranked first in e-commerce sales for goji products. 
  These Innovative, high-value-added products derived from goji berries - including goji puree, goji seed oil, and goji juice - are now enjoying immense global demand. Once viewed as a mysterious Chinese herbal remedy, Ningxia goji berries have now become part of daily life for middle-class families from New York to London, a favorite among Hollywood celebrities, and a common ingredient in premium restaurants worldwide. 
  The international reputation is built on rigorous quality control. To meet the highest global food safety standards for organic products, Ningxia goji companies adhere to the world's most stringent regulations. For instance, Ningxia Wolfberry has held organic certifications from North America, the European Union and Japan for 21 consecutive years, earning a "green pass" to the global market. To date, its products have been exported to 33 countries and regions worldwide. 
  Today, Ningxia's goji industry is no longer confined to production and sales; it is gradually embracing a diversified development model. With the establishment of goji art galleries, history museums, and experience centers, the industry is shifting from merely "selling products" to "selling scenery" and "selling culture," growing into a multi-faceted and integrated economic driver. 
  The transformation of Ningxia goji berries reflects the progress and the rise of Chinese products and brands. It has evolved from a little-known northwest specialty and low-end raw material exporter into a global health trend and a modern, diversified industry fueled by technology, creativity, and culture. This journey mirrors the broader transformation of China's traditional agriculture and the innovative drive of its real economy. 
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Every thing leaves a trace: eDNA technology empowers environmental protection in China

BEIJING, CHINA -  Media OutReach Newswire - 16 June 2026 – Since 2021, the China Zhi Gong Party has been carrying out a Yangtze River eco-environmental protection project in partnership with east China's Anhui Province. 
     
        
  
 Faced with the complex challenge of river basin management, the party's central committee has leveraged its intellectual resources, bringing together a think tank of leading experts to launch a five-year "science and technology empowerment" initiative across the Jianghuai region, the area around the lower reaches of the Huaihe River and the Yangtze River. 
  Among them is Zhang Wei, a member of the China Zhi Gong Party and a professor at Peking University. She has led her team in monitoring biodiversity in Chaohu Lake and the main and branch tributaries of the Wanjiang River in Anhui Province through eDNA technology, which can precisely identify minute traces of life in water and even detect invasive species that are difficult to spot with bare eyes. 
  "We capture or collect these minute traces of environmental information and then amplify them," said Zhang. 
  Without the need to fish or disturb aquatic life, this technology allows scientists to assess the biodiversity of a water body simply by analyzing genetic information from water samples. This approach has opened up new pathways for evaluating the effectiveness of the fishing ban on the Yangtze River and conducting biodiversity monitoring. 
  Over the past five years, Zhang's team has worked closely with Anhui University and local environmental protection authorities to establish multiple sampling sites in Chaohu Lake and the Wanjiang River. She hopes that through targeted oversight, eDNA monitoring technology will be promoted and applied on a more comprehensive scale. 
  "We hope to set an example so that everyone can do their part to support environmental protection and monitoring in this way," Zhang said. 
Hashtag: #eDNA #EnvironmentalProtection
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.