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The Sun
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Robert Kuok's daughter named Shangri-La Asia CEO in August
PETALING JAYA: Kuok Hui Kwong, the daughter of Malaysian billionaire Tan Sri Robert Kuok Hock-nien, will assume the chief executive position at luxury hospitality company Shangri-La Asia beginning August 1, 2025. The 47-year-old executive has been serving in leadership roles at the hotel group since 2016, initially as executive director before becoming chairman in January 2017. This appointment was announced through regulatory filings to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Wednesday, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Kuok, who is the sixth child among Robert Kuok's eight children, completed her education at Harvard University. She stepped into the top leadership role following the departure of previous CEO Lim Beng Chee, who concluded his tenure at the end of 2022 but continues to serve the company as a non-executive board member. Her compensation package includes a monthly base salary of HK$576,000 (approximately RM311,368), supplemented by performance-based bonuses and pension benefits. Additionally, Kuok maintains a significant shareholding exceeding 5% in Kerry Group, which serves as a major stakeholder in Shangri-La Asia. The hotel group operates more than 100 properties globally across four distinct brands: Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Kerry Hotels, JEN, and Traders. Since its establishment with a single Singapore property in 1971, the company has expanded into a major player in the luxury hospitality sector. Shangri-La Asia's latest financial results showed revenue of US$2.19 billion for 2024, representing a 2% increase from the previous year. However, net profit declined by 12.3% to US$161.4 million. The company attributed the revenue growth to improved performance in Hong Kong and the Philippines, though this was partially offset by weaker results in mainland China, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The organisation employed approximately 25,500 staff members at the end of 2024, down 2.3% from the previous year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kuok emphasised the company's commitment to workforce retention, stating in a 2023 interview that they had 'the least number of people in the industry' affected by layoffs. Before her current role, Kuok briefly served as CEO of the South China Morning Post from January to June 2022. The newspaper was acquired by Alibaba Group Holding in December 2015 from SCMP Group, which was previously under the control of the Kuok family's Kerry Holdings. According to Forbes magazine's 2025 rankings, Robert Kuok maintains his position as Malaysia's wealthiest individual with a net worth of US$11.4 billion.
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Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
China's 600 kmph Maglev train turns 5.5-hour trip into 2.5-hour ride
In a bold leap toward the future of high-speed travel, China has unveiled its fastest ground transport vehicle yet — a sleek maglev train capable of hitting speeds up to 600 kmph, South China Morning Post reported. Revealed at a major rail exhibition in Beijing, the futuristic train reflects China's growing ambition to lead the global high-speed rail revolution and dramatically cut travel times between major cities. A high-speed maglev train developed by the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) was officially presented to the public at the 17th Modern Railways exhibition in Beijing. With a top speed of 600 kmph (373 mph), this is China's most advanced ground transport project yet. Designed to transform city-to-city travel According to Shanghai-based news outlet The Paper, the train is meant to function as a 'point-to-point transport tool' connecting major cities. At 600 kmph, a trip from Beijing to Shanghai — a distance of about 1,200 km — could be reduced from 5.5 hours by current high-speed rail to just 2.5 hours. Shao Nan, a senior engineer at CRRC, said the aim is to bridge 'the speed gap between high-speed rail and aviation within 2,000 km'. The news report quoted him as saying that the new train would combine the punctuality and safety of rail travel with the speed advantages of flying. Clean, quiet, and energy efficient The maglev train uses superconducting electric magnetic levitation technology, which offers an environmentally friendly solution with no emissions, low operating noise, and reduced friction due to its non-contact design. At speeds above 150 kmph, the train levitates above the track using electromagnetic induction. Below that speed, it moves on rubber wheels. Shao also highlighted the train's fully automated driving system, which integrates 5G communication, AI video analysis, acoustic sensors, and various monitoring tools along the route to ensure safe and efficient operation, the news report said. A long journey of maglev development China first launched a maglev train in 2003, with a German-built link between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the city. In 2016, the country introduced its first domestically built maglev in Changsha, followed by another line in Beijing in 2017. However, these earlier versions were low-speed, with maximum speeds around 120 kmph. CRRC's high-speed maglev is just one of many ambitious transport projects in China. In 2023, China conducted a successful test run of a maglev hyperloop, aiming for speeds of up to 1,000 kmph using low-pressure vacuum tubes and magnetic propulsion. In another major breakthrough this May, researchers from the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation said they developed an AI-guided suspension system to reduce the vibrations passengers might experience at extremely high speeds. Challenges ahead for next-gen rail travel Despite the exciting progress, experts warn of significant challenges ahead. The construction of high-speed maglev and hyperloop systems demands huge investments and advanced infrastructure. Specialised superconducting magnets, dedicated tracks, and engineering expertise are essential — making large-scale deployment a complex task, the news report said. China's growing high-speed rail network, already the world's largest with 48,000 km of track and plans to cross 50,000 km in 2025, signals its commitment to shaping the future of global transport.
Al Arabiya
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
China, EU lifting all restrictions on mutual exchange, says China's foreign ministry
China's foreign ministry on Wednesday said China and the EU parliament were lifting all restrictions on mutual exchange, after the South China Morning Post reported that China had removed 'restrictions' on former EU lawmaker Reinhard Buetikofer sanctioned in 2021.
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
Why this Oxford scholar with three elite degrees became a delivery rider, his "unexpected" journey is inspiring users online
In a world where even the most prestigious degrees no longer guarantee stable jobs, the story of Ding Yuanzhao is both shocking and relatable. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Ding, a 39-year-old Oxford graduate, is now working as a food delivery rider in Singapore after struggling to find a job despite holding three elite degrees. His journey, from academic excellence to the gig economy, has gone viral, raising important questions about the global job market, underemployment, and what it means to be 'overqualified' in today's economy. From Oxford to the Streets of Singapore: What Happened? Until March 2023, Ding was a postdoctoral researcher at the National University of Singapore (NUS). But once his contract ended, things took a sharp turn. He applied for many jobs and attended more than 10 interviews, but nothing worked out. With bills to pay and no job in sight, Ding turned to food delivery as a survival option. Working 10 hours a day, he earns around SG$700 per week. While the shift from labs to the streets is humbling, Ding remains positive. 'It is a stable job. I can support my family. If you work hard, you can earn a decent living,' he said on social media. Live Events He even joked that delivery work helps him stay fit: 'One advantage of delivering food is that you can get your workout in at the same time.' A Brilliant Academic Journey Across Four Countries Ding is far from an ordinary gig worker. His academic background is one of the most impressive you'll find: Master's in Biodiversity from Oxford University Master's in Energy Engineering from Peking University PhD in Biology from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Born in Fujian Province, China, he scored 700 out of 750 in the gaokao, China's highly competitive national entrance exam. That earned him a seat at Tsinghua University, one of China's top institutions, where he studied chemistry. From China to the UK, and finally Singapore, Ding built a rare, cross-disciplinary academic portfolio, spanning chemistry, energy, biology, and biodiversity. Why He Didn't Turn to Tutoring In Asia, many highly qualified people turn to private tutoring for income. But Ding didn't. 'I felt too shy to seek customers on my own,' he said, revealing how emotions like shyness and self-doubt can play a role in job decisions, especially for people coming from structured academic paths. His case highlights a lesser-known side of unemployment: the emotional and psychological barriers that stop people from exploring available options. A Global Problem: Overqualified, Underemployed Ding's story reflects a growing global issue, underemployment among highly educated professionals. Despite years of study, shrinking job opportunities, especially in academia, are forcing PhD holders and top graduates into gig jobs. Factors like: Economic uncertainty Reduced academic funding Mismatch between skills and job demand have created a job crisis where even the best-educated are left behind. Inputs from agencies
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
'Eternal Sunshine': Heart-broken man goes to mountain, walks six days to forget girlfriend, now the world knows his viral story
A massive search was launched in Hangzhou, China, for Xiaolin. He disappeared into mountainous terrain after a breakup. Over 100 police officers and drones were involved. Xiaolin was found after nearly a week. He survived by drinking from springs and eating found food. He is now safe and stable. The incident sparked viral reactions on Chinese social media. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Search launched after family raises alarm Found after nearly a week in the wilderness Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Viral reaction on Chinese social media More than 100 police officers, drones, and search equipment were deployed in Hangzhou, southeastern China, to locate a young man who went missing for six days in mountainous terrain after a breakup, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. The man, identified as Xiaolin, had left his home without his phone, food, or water in what police described as an emotional response to a failed relationship Police in Yuhang District were alerted on June 22 by Xiaolin's brother in Changsha, Hunan province , after he had been unreachable for three days. The last contact was on June 19. A visit to Xiaolin's apartment revealed it was empty, with his phone left footage showed Xiaolin leaving on foot on the afternoon of June 20. His last known location was in the Dalang Mountain area around 1 a.m. the next the use of police dogs, drones, and sonar technology, the search produced no immediate results. On the morning of June 26, Xiaolin was spotted on surveillance footage in a park in Lin'an District. He was found shortly after, in worn and tattered clothing but otherwise Liliang, deputy director of the Yuhang Police Station, said Xiaolin had walked more than 40 kilometres through mountainous terrain. 'He did not eat or drink for the first three days. Later, when his body could not take it any more, he drank from mountain springs and ate food found near village homes,' Zhu stated that Xiaolin had been emotionally distressed following a breakup and entered the mountains to clear his mind. He is now in stable condition and has acknowledged the worry caused to his family, promising not to act impulsively incident quickly gained traction on Chinese social media platforms such as Weibo and Douyin. Public reactions ranged from astonishment to criticism.'I am honestly so impressed that he managed to leave his phone behind,' one user wrote. Another commented, 'That girl is lucky she broke up with him. Someone this extreme is not relationship material.'A third post remarked, 'He might be Hangzhou's most devoted lover, but now, instead of forgetting the previous relationship, millions of netizens will remember it for him.'
