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A year later, the landscape has morphed into something far more complex, rippling with tariff shocks, persistent inflation, rising bond yields, and growth downgrades across traditional economic powerhouses. The world feels as if it is moving through a narrow channel, buffeted by waves from every direction. And yet, amid all the noise, Asia has not only held its ground but stepped forward with a clarity and confidence that few regions can match.

Why Asia Now: A New Era of Resilience, Growth, and Opportunity

The forces shaping Asia’s rise have been gathering momentum for decades. What we are witnessing now is their convergence. Asia is not simply adapting to global volatility, it is redefining the foundations of resilience and growth. Its economies are becoming wealthier, stronger, and more self-reliant, and its real estate markets are revealing layers of opportunity that long-term investors have waited years to see.

The near-term picture, though challenged, underscores this resilience. Tariffs have uneven effects, and countries with strong domestic engines such as Australia are absorbing shocks with surprising ease.

But it is the longer horizon that illuminates Asia’s true arc. The region’s working-age population and middle class have expanded at a breathtaking pace, setting the stage for decades of consumption-led dynamism. Education levels are rising, service sectors are flourishing, and manufacturing capabilities are climbing the value chain.

Meanwhile, intra-Asia trade has quietly become the backbone of global commerce, with Asia-to-Asia routes now forming the largest share of world trade. As the region turns inward, not in isolation, but in self-reinforcing collaboration, Asia ex-China is projected to contribute more to global growth than the United States and Europe combined.

Real estate, often seen as a mirror for economic sentiment, is telling a similar story. Transaction volumes across Asia have been less volatile than those in Western markets, and pricing has remained more stable, offering a predictable return profile. Supply constraints, elevated construction costs, and a decade-low pricing position relative to long-term trends are creating what can only be described as an extraordinary entry window.

Why Capital is Flowing into Vietnam

If Asia’s trajectory could be captured in a single idea, it would be the beginning of a Value Uprising, a structural rise in long-term asset worth, powered by demographics, policy, and economic integration, rather than speculation.

From this continental narrative emerges Vietnam, a nation whose ascent is increasingly impossible to ignore. Over the past decade, Vietnam has transformed from a rising star into a gravitational force for global investors. Supply chain diversification has accelerated its role as a manufacturing and logistics nexus. Even with global tariffs shifting, Vietnam’s logistics sector continues to expand in sophistication, efficiency, and international relevance. Its demographic profile, marked by a median age years younger than China, offers a demographic dividend that many Asian economies have already spent. And as Southeast Asia’s digital backbone grows, Vietnam is stepping into the spotlight as one of the region’s next major data-center markets, a signifier of future industrial depth.

Ho Chi Minh City, in particular, has entered a new chapter. Its standing among Asia-Pacific cities for investment and development has climbed steadily, reflecting not only macroeconomic resilience but the confidence of global capital. It has become a symbolic frontier, an emerging metropolis where the contours of modern Asia are being redrawn.

At the heart of Vietnam’s momentum lies another extraordinary phenomenon: The consistent and rising flow of remittances. Vietnam ranks among the world’s top recipients, and Ho Chi Minh City alone welcomed over USD 9.46 billion in 2023, USD 9.6 billion in 2024, and more than USD 5.3 billion in the second quarter of 2025.

A remarkable portion of these funds, around one-fifth, finds its way into real estate. But this is not passive investment. It is a gesture of return, of building a future homeland, of preparing for business, family, and retirement. It is long-term capital with long-term intent.

Vinhomes Green Paradise: A Hidden Gem Poised to Shine in Vietnam’s Real Estate Market

Regulatory reform is reinforcing this trust. The revised Land Law and Real Estate Business Law offer stronger protections and broader rights for Vietnamese citizens, including those living abroad. In a period where global currencies fluctuate and deposit rates decline, investors are increasingly confronting a hard truth: Holding cash is, in many cases, a slow erosion of value. As economist Can Van Luc notes, the VND has lost 3.4 percent of its value in two years, even as the USD depreciated. Real estate, therefore, is not merely an alternative, it has become one of the few asset classes capable of preserving and multiplying value in real terms.

Against this backdrop, regions entering new cycles of infrastructure development are drawing accelerated capital inflows. And among them, one name rises above all others: Can Gio.

For decades, Can Gio stood quietly at the edge of Ho Chi Minh City, an ecological jewel, admired but distant. Today, it has become the most powerful symbol of Vietnam’s coastal urban future. Massive infrastructure investment is reshaping its accessibility, and yet its real estate prices remain a fraction of central districts. Compared to Phu My Hung, Can Gio’s price base is nearly half; compared to Districts 1 and 3, just one-fifth. The gap is not a discount, it is untapped potential waiting to be realized.

The emergence of Vinhomes Green Paradise has pushed this transformation into global consciousness. As the first official participant in the New7Wonders “7 Wonders of Future Cities” campaign, the project is channeling the same catalytic energy once witnessed in iconic developments. Internationally, such recognitions do not merely elevate prestige, they accelerate valuation cycles, attract global capital, and redefine a city’s future skyline.

With its one-of-a-kind geographic formation and proximity to Can Gio’s million-year-old biosphere reserve, Vinhomes Green Paradise stands as a once-in-a-century asset. It embodies scarcity in its purest form, an asset class that cannot be replicated, reshaped, or reborn elsewhere.

And that is where the narrative converges. Asia’s rise, Vietnam’s momentum, Ho Chi Minh City’s evolution, and Can Gio’s emergence are not isolated stories. Together, they form a new investment epoch characterized by structural uplift, demographic acceleration, and a rapidly expanding middle class. It is the era of the Value Uprising, a phase in which the forces of economics, policy, population, and global capital align to propel real estate into a new price horizon.

In moments like this, markets rarely wait. History shows that investors who move early define the benchmark for everyone who follows. The question is no longer whether Asia will rise, or whether Vietnam will lead, or whether Can Gio will transform. The question, now, is whether investors will seize a moment that may not return for another generation.

Sources:

https://www.hines.com/asia-real-estate-opportunity-in-the-midst-of-uncertainty

https://knowledge.uli.org/-/media/files/emerging-trends/2026/emerging-trends-in-real-estate-2026-asia-pacific-report.pdf?rev=2036660434a44fa982b1ba913ffc2a2a&hash=87D5584C38EA219C1F1A50DC8E04FC7B

Hashtag: #Vinhomes

https://vinhomes.vn/en

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

By K Raveendran As 2026 approaches, the global oil market is heading into a year that could decisively reshape price dynamics, fiscal planning in producing states, and energy security calculations for importing economies. The defining feature of the coming year is not demand destruction or geopolitical shock, but the growing weight of surplus supply. Market […]

The article 2026 Would Be A Year Of Lower Oil Prices And Crude Oversupply appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Google has committed USD 8 million to support a network of artificial intelligence Centres of Excellence in India, signalling a deeper push into applied AI for public services, health care and local-language technologies while tying the investment to a parallel clean-energy partnership aimed at powering digital infrastructure sustainably.

The funding, announced by Google, is designed to accelerate research, product development and deployment across priority areas that include healthcare delivery, Indic language models and urban governance tools. The company said the centres will work with academic institutions, startups and public-sector bodies to translate laboratory advances into systems that can be deployed at scale, reflecting a broader shift among global technology firms towards mission-oriented AI programmes.

The allocation targets three primary domains. In healthcare, the centres are expected to focus on AI-assisted diagnostics, disease surveillance and workflow automation to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians. Google has previously tested AI models for medical imaging and population health analytics, and the new funding is intended to localise such tools for regional health systems, with attention to data privacy and clinical validation. Researchers involved in early-stage planning say the emphasis will be on interoperable platforms rather than standalone pilots, a response to criticism that many AI health projects fail to move beyond proof of concept.

Language technology forms the second pillar of the initiative. India’s linguistic diversity has long posed challenges for digital inclusion, and the centres are tasked with advancing large language models and speech systems that perform reliably across Indic languages and dialects. Google has already released open datasets and models for low-resource languages; the new programme seeks to improve accuracy, reduce bias and expand access for education, e-governance and small businesses. Industry observers note that competition in multilingual AI has intensified as regional startups and global rivals race to build models that can handle code-switching and local context.

Urban governance rounds out the focus areas, with planned projects covering traffic management, air-quality monitoring and municipal service delivery. Smart-city programmes have generated mixed results over the past decade, often constrained by fragmented data and procurement hurdles. By situating research within Centres of Excellence, Google aims to create replicable frameworks that cities can adapt, rather than bespoke systems tied to individual vendors.

Beyond the AI investment, Google has paired the announcement with a new solar partnership intended to support the energy needs of data centres and AI workloads. The company has pledged to match growth in computing capacity with clean-energy procurement, aligning with its global goal to operate on carbon-free energy around the clock. Analysts say the coupling of AI funding with renewable energy reflects mounting scrutiny of the environmental costs of large-scale computing, particularly as generative AI drives higher power demand.

The USD 8 million commitment is modest compared with Google’s global AI spend, yet its targeted design has drawn attention from policymakers and researchers. Government officials involved in discussions around the Centres of Excellence say the model allows for shared governance, with academic rigour balanced against industry deployment expertise. The approach also aligns with national ambitions to position the country as a hub for responsible AI development, emphasising safety, transparency and societal benefit.

Competition among technology firms has sharpened as Microsoft, Amazon and others expand partnerships with universities and public agencies across the Global South. In this context, Google’s move is seen as both a strategic investment and a reputational play, aimed at demonstrating that advanced AI can address public-interest challenges rather than solely commercial applications. Startups working in health tech and language processing expect spillover benefits through access to datasets, compute resources and mentorship.

Unitree Robotics’ G1 humanoid robots have stepped into the spotlight of China’s live entertainment scene, performing as synchronised backup dancers during a Wang Leehom concert that drew about 18,000 people, marking a striking crossover between advanced robotics and mainstream pop culture.

The performance unfolded as the pop star launched into a high-energy segment of his show, with several G1 units emerging alongside human dancers. The robots executed coordinated flips, spins and arm movements in time with the music, mirroring choreography designed for human performers. Large screens magnified the spectacle, prompting audible reactions from the crowd as the machines kept pace under concert lighting and sound conditions.

The appearance was not framed as a technical demonstration but as a fully integrated part of the show, underscoring how humanoid robots are moving beyond laboratories and industrial floors into public-facing roles. For Unitree, a Hangzhou-based robotics firm known for its quadruped robots and growing humanoid portfolio, the concert offered a high-visibility platform to display balance control, motion planning and real-time coordination in an unpredictable environment.

Wang Leehom, a globally recognised figure in Mandarin pop with a career spanning more than two decades, has long embraced technology-driven stagecraft. His decision to feature humanoid robots aligns with a broader trend in China’s entertainment industry, where concerts increasingly rely on immersive visuals, augmented reality and sophisticated stage automation to differentiate live experiences.

The G1 robots, which stand roughly human height and are designed for agility and interaction, performed without visible safety tethers, suggesting confidence in their stability systems. Industry observers noted that executing flips and rapid directional changes in close proximity to human dancers requires precise sensing and control to avoid collisions, highlighting advances in perception and actuation.

Beyond the spectacle, the performance has reignited debate over the role of automation in creative industries. Some performers and choreographers have voiced concern that robots could displace human dancers in certain settings, particularly for repetitive or physically demanding routines. Others argue that such technology will function as a complement rather than a replacement, opening new creative possibilities and reducing costs for large-scale productions.

Producers familiar with concert logistics point out that hiring and training large dance troupes can be expensive, especially for tours spanning multiple cities. Robots, once acquired, can be programmed for consistent performances and reused across shows, potentially lowering long-term costs. At the same time, upfront investment, maintenance, transport and technical support remain significant considerations.

China’s push into humanoid robotics provides important context for the performance. The sector has been identified as a strategic growth area, with companies racing to develop machines capable of operating in human environments. Demonstrations in factories, warehouses and research centres have been joined by public showcases designed to familiarise audiences with humanoid forms and capabilities.

Academic researchers note that public acceptance is a critical factor in the deployment of service robots, particularly those designed to interact closely with people. High-profile cultural events can soften perceptions and shift robots from abstract technological concepts to tangible participants in everyday life.

Social media reaction to the concert was swift, with clips of the robots’ dance routines circulating widely on Chinese platforms. Commentators praised the novelty and technical polish, while others questioned whether audiences were witnessing a glimpse of entertainment’s future or a carefully staged publicity exercise. The buzz itself has amplified Unitree’s brand visibility at a time when competition among domestic robotics firms is intensifying.

Sharjah is finalising preparations to host the eighth Arab Women’s Sports Tournament, a multi-sport event scheduled to run from February 2 to 12, bringing together elite female athletes from across the Arab world in what organisers describe as a milestone for women’s competitive sport in the region.

Organised by the Sharjah Women Sports Foundation, the tournament is expected to draw teams from more than a dozen countries to compete across disciplines including basketball, volleyball, table tennis, fencing, athletics and archery. Officials say venues across the emirate have undergone technical upgrades and test events to meet international competition standards, while logistics plans covering accommodation, transport and medical services are being finalised.

The competition, formally known as the Arab Women’s Sports Tournament, has become a fixture on the regional calendar since its launch in 2012. It aims to expand opportunities for female athletes, raise performance benchmarks and create a platform where emerging talents can measure themselves against established competitors. Organisers say the February edition will place added emphasis on athlete welfare, officiating quality and broadcast production to extend the tournament’s reach.

Officials involved in planning say participation levels this year reflect growing institutional support for women’s sport across the Middle East and North Africa. National federations have confirmed full-strength squads in several team sports, while individual events are expected to feature athletes who have competed in continental and global championships. The organisers note that the depth of competition has increased steadily over successive editions, with closer scorelines and higher technical standards.

Sharjah hosts expanding Arab women sports event has become a recurring narrative for the emirate, which has invested heavily in grassroots and elite programmes over the past decade. Sports administrators say the tournament aligns with wider strategies to integrate physical education, competitive sport and leadership development for women and girls. Training clinics, refereeing workshops and youth engagement activities are planned alongside the competition calendar to maximise long-term impact.

The Sharjah Women Sports Foundation has stated that preparations also include collaboration with international federations to ensure rules compliance and consistency in judging. Advanced timing systems, video review where applicable, and certified officials will be deployed to maintain competitive integrity. Medical teams with experience in elite sport will be on site throughout the tournament, supported by emergency response units coordinated with local authorities.

Economic and social spillover effects are also part of the planning calculus. Hospitality operators anticipate increased occupancy during the tournament period, while local vendors and service providers are expected to benefit from ancillary demand. Cultural programmes linked to the event will showcase heritage sites and community initiatives, reinforcing Sharjah’s positioning as a host for sports and cultural exchange.

Athletes and coaches familiar with previous editions say the tournament offers a rare environment where women’s sport takes centre stage across multiple disciplines simultaneously. For younger competitors, exposure to international-level organisation and media attention is viewed as a stepping stone toward professional pathways. For established athletes, the event provides competitive continuity between continental championships.

By Nitya Chakraborty The political developments in Bangladesh including violence against any one opposing the fundamentalists are having dangerous consequences for India involving the security and geopolitical stability in the sub continent. According to this writer who has been following the churnings in the newly liberated nation since 1971, the outlook for India in terms […]

The article Latest Bangladesh Developments Have Dangerous Consequences For India appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Dr. Gyan Pathak Two decades old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005 is finally replaced by Viksit Bharat – Guarantee For Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill 2025 on the last day of the Winter Session of the Parliament on December 19. Lok Sabha passed the Bill in […]

The article Narendra Modi Govt Brings To An End Two Decade Old Rural Job Scheme MGNREGA appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Hang Lung’s Vision for Academic Excellence Drives Hong Kong’s Global Competitiveness

HONG KONG SAR & SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 December 2025 – The winners of the 2025 Hang Lung Mathematics Awards (“HLMA”), co-organized by Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK Stock Code: 00101) (“Hang Lung” or the “Company”) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (“HKUST”), have been announced. Siu Man Li from the Hong Kong Chinese Women’s Club College received the Gold Award for his research report titled “Markov Chains Associated with Ultraspherical Polynomials: An Analysis of Weak Convergence and First Passage Time Functionals”.

The Silver Award and the Bronze Award were won by Augus Kui Lam Huang, Inna Belle Lee, Chun Lam Lo, Lok Hei Qiao, and Cheuk Lok Wong from St. Paul’s Co-educational College, and Edison Sze Ho Fu, Yun Tung Ko, Hoi Chun Puk, and Wai Kwan Yeung from Queen’s College, respectively. All winning teams demonstrated exceptional problem-solving abilities, creativity, and academic rigor evident in their work on challenging mathematical topics.

The awards were presented at tonight’s ceremony, celebrating the remarkable achievements of the student finalists and reaffirming HLMA’s sustained contribution to advancing STEM education in Hong Kong. In her opening remarks, Dr. Choi Yuk-lin, JP, Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said, “The Hang Lung Mathematics Awards not only honours mathematical endeavours, but also reflects its enduring commitment to inspiring a continued passion for mathematics among our students and nurturing Hong Kong’s young talents. This aligns well with the promotion of self-directed learning, problem solving and creativity in Hong Kong’s school education. I hope all of us in the society can join hands in the promotion of digital education and mathematical modelling for the benefit of our students.”

Mr. Adriel Chan, Chair of Hang Lung Properties, also addressed the audience, stating, “As we celebrate the winners of the Hang Lung Mathematics Awards, we are reminded that talent development is a long-term investment. HLMA embodies our commitment to nurturing the next generation of thinkers and leaders who will navigate an increasingly complex world. We are heartened by the strong support from students, schools, and the academic community, which reinforces our shared mission to advance mathematics education and push the boundaries of excellence. Together, we are empowering young minds to pursue their passion and unlock their potential in mathematics, science, and technology.”

Professor Nancy Ip, President of HKUST, said, “HKUST is pleased to continue our partnership with Hang Lung in this biennial competition. Hang Lung Mathematics Awards is more than an academic contest; it is a platform that challenges students to push the boundaries of their knowledge and apply rigorous methodology to original research. By cultivating a community of aspiring mathematicians and providing them with access to world-class training, we are advancing our shared vision of transforming Hong Kong into a global hub for innovation and technology.”

During the ceremony, a lively Panel Discussion was held on the theme of “Ubiquity of Mathematics: the Language of Discovery.” The discussion featured Professor Richard Schoen, 2017 Wolf Prize Laureate in Mathematics and Chair of the 2025 HLMA Scientific Committee, and Professor Ngaiming Mok, 2022 Future Science Prize Laureate, Chair of the HLMA Steering Committee and member of the Scientific Committee. Moderated by Ms. Jennifer Zhu Scott, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Power Dynamics, the distinguished speakers shared their insights on the evolving landscape of mathematics education and the essential skills required for the next generation to thrive in a technology-driven era.

The 2025 Hang Lung Mathematics Awards attracted the participation of close to 100 teams from over 50 secondary schools in Hong Kong. Under the guidance of a supervising teacher, each team decided on a mathematics topic, designed and conducted research, and compiled their findings into a research report. This impactful initiative is pivotal in the cultivation of future mathematical and scientific minds.

Appendix

Founded in 2004, the Hang Lung Mathematics Awards is a biennial competition that inspires secondary school students to formulate their own research journey and realize their creative potential in mathematics. Throughout its illustrious history, 2,800 students from over 200 schools have participated, submitting more than 500 research reports. Hang Lung donates HK$2.5 million for each competition—HK$1 million is allocated as prize money with the remainder supporting HKUST in providing vital initiatives including academic consultation, assessment, administration, and educational outreach activities. HKUST also offers scholarships for teachers nominated by the winning schools to further their studies through the Master of Science Program in Mathematics for Educators.

Over the past two decades, the HLMA has made a profound impact on cultivating young mathematical talent, with many past winners having gone on to graduate from top universities worldwide and now contributing significantly to society through work in academia and professional fields. HLMA plays an important role in recognizing and fostering a lasting love of mathematical inquiry that extends far beyond secondary school.

This year, the Hang Lung Mathematics Awards drew participation from nearly 100 teams across over 50 secondary schools in Hong Kong. A total of 15 teams were shortlisted for the Oral Defense stage, where a Scientific Committee comprising internationally renowned scholars and educators evaluated the research reports through a rigorous, multi-step review process. The teams were invited to present and defend their findings before the Scientific Committee in a formal setting, an experience that closely resembles the oral defense process required for a postgraduate degree.

For a detailed list of winners of the 2025 Hang Lung Mathematics Awards, please refer to the attachment.

Attachment

List of Winners of the 2025 Hang Lung Mathematics Awards

Hashtag: #HangLungProperties

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Hang Lung Properties

Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK stock code: 00101) creates compelling spaces that enrich lives. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Hang Lung Properties develops and manages a diversified portfolio of world-class properties in Hong Kong and the nine Mainland cities of Shanghai, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuxi, Tianjin, Dalian, Kunming, Wuhan and Hangzhou. With its luxury positioning under the “66” brand, the company’s Mainland portfolio has established its leading position as the “Pulse of the City”. Hang Lung Properties is also recognized for leading the way in enhancing sustainability initiatives in the real estate industry, all the while pursuing sustainable growth by connecting customers and communities.

At Hang Lung Properties – We Do It Well.

For more information, please visit www.hanglung.com.

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. Thirteen HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence” coming in 17th worldwide and first in Hong Kong. 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 July 2025, HKUST members have founded over 1,900 active start-ups, including 10 Unicorns and 17 exits (IPO or M&A).

Apple is evaluating the assembly and packaging of iPhone chips in India as part of a broader effort to rebalance its global supply chain, with CG Semi emerging as a potential partner, according to people familiar with the matter and public disclosures by companies involved in India’s semiconductor push. The move would mark a deeper localisation step beyond final device assembly and signal confidence in India’s ability to host advanced backend semiconductor operations.

The discussions centre on outsourced semiconductor assembly and test, a critical stage that follows wafer fabrication and precedes integration into devices. Apple’s A-series and M-series chips are designed in California and fabricated by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Packaging and testing have largely been concentrated in East Asia, with China playing a central role through specialised facilities. Shifting part of this work to India would reduce geographic concentration risk while aligning with policy incentives offered by New Delhi to attract high-value electronics manufacturing.

CG Semi, the semiconductor arm of CG Power and Industrial Solutions, has been positioning itself as a contender in this space through a joint venture with Japan’s Renesas Electronics and Thailand’s Stars Microelectronics. The consortium has outlined plans for an OSAT facility in Gujarat, supported by central and state incentives under the Semiconductor Mission. While timelines and customer commitments have not been formally disclosed, the venture has been presented by partners as targeting advanced packaging for automotive and consumer electronics chips, an overlap that fits Apple’s requirements.

People tracking the talks caution that Apple’s evaluation remains exploratory. The company typically subjects suppliers to multi-year qualification processes covering yield, reliability, intellectual-property safeguards and environmental standards. Any decision would depend on CG Semi’s ability to meet Apple’s exacting specifications at scale and to integrate with the existing manufacturing ecosystem that includes contract assemblers such as Foxconn and Tata Group entities already producing iPhones in India.

India’s pitch rests on a combination of incentives and momentum. Production-linked incentive schemes have helped lift smartphone assembly volumes, with Apple accounting for a growing share of exports. The government has since widened support to semiconductors, offering capital subsidies, infrastructure backing and fast-tracked approvals. Backend operations are viewed as a pragmatic entry point, requiring lower capital expenditure and shorter build times than wafer fabs, while still delivering skilled jobs and technology transfer.

Industry analysts say Apple’s interest reflects a global trend among chip designers to diversify OSAT footprints amid geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions. Packaging has become more complex as chips move to advanced nodes and heterogeneous integration, raising the strategic value of reliable partners. “Advanced packaging is no longer a commodity step; it’s a differentiator,” said one semiconductor consultant who advises multinational clients on Asia manufacturing strategies. “Design houses want redundancy without sacrificing quality.”

For CG Semi, an Apple engagement would be transformative. CG Power, part of the Murugappa Group, has roots in electrical equipment rather than semiconductors. Its partnership with Renesas brings process know-how and credibility, while Stars Microelectronics contributes OSAT experience from Thailand. Securing a marquee customer would accelerate learning curves and help anchor a local supplier network for substrates, testing equipment and specialised chemicals.

There are constraints. India’s semiconductor ecosystem remains nascent, with gaps in materials, talent depth and logistics that could challenge tight production schedules. Power reliability, water availability and customs efficiency are under scrutiny by global manufacturers. Apple has previously paused or redirected supplier plans when execution risks appeared elevated, underscoring the need for consistent policy implementation at the state level.

Apple has not commented publicly on specific supplier discussions. CG Power has also refrained from naming potential customers, reiterating in filings that its semiconductor venture is at a development stage. Officials involved in the Semiconductor Mission have said backend projects are progressing and that customer announcements will follow commissioning milestones.

This year’s theme — TECHFORMANCE: Technology, Platform and Performance — responds to global concerns about the impact of AI on authorship, ethics, and creativity in built environment practices through 25 exhibits from Hong Kong and overseas exhibitors. Rather than presenting AI as a threat, the Biennale reframes it as a platform for civic imagination, public experimentation, and participatory design.

“Through UABBHK 2025, we aim to reclaim architecture as a human-centred discipline — one that celebrates creativity, ethics, and civic responsibility in the age of AI,” said Ar. Allen POON, Chairman of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation.

Two Venues, Two Curatorial Focuses

At Oi!, the exhibition explores Co-Creation and Urban Narratives with the Community. Visitors are invited to engage directly with interactive installations that respond to sound, movement, memory, and language. The design of the exhibition reflects the venue’s warehouse heritage, featuring arched aluminium structures that create vaulted spaces for community interaction and storytelling.

At EKCC, the exhibition shifts the focus to Experimental AI-driven Urban Futures. A series of modular lab tables serve as platforms for collaborative experimentation, integrating technology and design in a hands-on setting. Both venues at Oi! and EKCC are further unified by a coherent spatial language using aluminium extrusion bent into arcs — a material choice that balances cost-efficiency, elegance, and reusability.

“We see each venue not just as a display, but as a stage for civic performance,” said Dr. Jimmy HO and Ar. Aron TSANG, Lead Curators of UABBHK 2025. “By tailoring the design of each site to its specific context, we invite the public to co-create the urban futures they want to see.”

Exhibits from UABBHK 2025 will also be showcased at the coming Shenzhen & Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture (Shenzhen) (UABBSZ), which will open by late December 2025 at the Hetao Science and Technology Innovation Centre in Shenzhen. The exhibition will feature a portal-inspired installation symbolising the collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, further reinforcing the Biennale’s cross-border dialogue and spatial continuity.

For more information, please visit UABBHK 2025’s website: https://uabb2025.hkia.org.hk/en. For detailed exhibitor list and installation descriptions, please refer to the appendix.

For hi-res photo, please click here

For UABBHK 2025 factsheet, please click here

Hashtag: #UABBHK

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation

The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation is a non-profit making organisation established and incorporated in 2014 for charitable purposes. The objects for which the Biennale Foundation is established are:

• To promote creativity and advance the understanding, appreciation and interest of architectural and design excellence
• To encourage cross-border and cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration among creative professionals from Hong Kong, other parts of the Greater China region and overseas
• To support art, design, architectural and cultural education for students and youth, the community, and policy makers
• To create a favourable environment for study, research and experimentation of design, art and architectural works in an exhibition scale
• To energise and revitalise specific sites of interests by introduction of cultural and creative events

About the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) established in June 2024, formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK), is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative industries with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, promoting the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries under the industry-oriented principle, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community to implement Hong Kong’s positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

2025 Hong Kong & Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture (Hong Kong)’s Disclaimer:
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

By K Raveendran Oil prices slipping below $60 a barrel for the first time since February 2021 and a sharp easing in European gas prices mark more than a cyclical downturn in commodities. They signal a rapid repricing of geopolitical risk at a moment when diplomacy, rather than escalation, has begun to dominate market psychology. […]

The article Energy Markets Recalibrate As Geopolitics Reshapes Supply Calculus appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).