“These soldiers are in a military which is conducting mass starvation and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. There is no scope for neutrality, or nonsense slogans like ‘keep politics out of art.”
Minto says PSNA has written to New, but has received no reply.
“We’ve supplied her with details on the Israeli atrocities, even though she would have to be living under a rock to claim she doesn’t know about them.”
“But we have to give her the benefit of the doubt at the moment that she is not aware of the plea from Palestinian civil society for a Boycott, Divest and Sanction campaign against collaboration with Israel in all its forms.”
“Some leading artists, such as Kneecap, Lowkey and Roger Waters, are not only boycotting Israel, but they are actively campaigning to have governments sanction Israel, as the only effective means to achieve peace and justice for the Palestinian people.”
“No amounts of pleading, setting red lines or even recognition of Palestine are going to stop the Israeli war machine,” Minto says.
“We’ve noticed that some New on-line schedules don’t feature her Tel Aviv and Haifa performances. That might mean she has cancelled, or to be less charitable, she is trying to keep her engagements secret. However she isstill listed to perform here”
“We’d love to hear from her, that she’s taken the principled action which Lorde took in 2017, and refused to play Tel Aviv.”
“If not, she, and by extension the NZ Symphony Orchestra, will always be forever tainted by supporting the worst atrocity of the 21stCentury.”
The PSA is urging ACC to settle its current industrial dispute if it’s serious about fixing long standing culture problems at the organisation following the release of a damning internal report.
The report identifies serious problems with a lack of trust – workers don’t trust current complaint processes should they have concerns.
The PSA says it’s also alarming that, ‘ACC’s policies, systems and procedures relating to inappropriate conduct and behaviour are not fully in line with public service good practice.’
“This is not good enough. Now is the time for urgent action, not just an apology to staff and it should start with making a fair offer to staff to settle the dispute over the current collective negotiations,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“The review is a damning indictment of a long-standing failure of its senior leadership to hear the concerns of workers.
“It’s no surprise to the PSA and our members that ACC management is struggling to build a supportive culture that respects the needs of all workers and welcomes input from them.
“It should not have taken a review for ACC to treat staff with respect.
“The report only touches on a multitude of issues – now is the time for ACC to take its health and safety obligations seriously – that means working closely with staff and the PSA to ensure it builds a positive, safe and inclusive culture that encourages the voice of workers to be heard.
“Workers need to be empowered to do their best for a critical organisation that touches the lives of thousands of New Zealanders every day. We urge ACC CEO Megan Main to lead from the front to heal the wounds this report exposes.
“Members voted to strike in July because of a failure to bring a meaningful increase for poorly paid predominantly female workers to the table. Many staff are still not earning the living wage. This is all symptomatic of the deep-seated culture problems at ACC the report identifies.
“We hope in the light of this ACC takes a more constructive attitude to renewing the collective agreement and doing the right thing by staff.”
The PSA has sought facilitation over the dispute at the ERA and is awaiting ACC’s response.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2025 – Against the backdrop of West Lake, where the reflections of water meet the glow of technology, Global New Material International Holdings Limited (“Global New Material International”) officially completed the acquisition of the global Surface Solutions business (Susonity) from Merck KGaA and inaugurated its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Tonglu, Hangzhou.
This €665 million cross-border acquisition is not only the largest cross-border transaction in China’s pearlescent materials industry, but also a critical step for Zhejiang-based companies in deeply integrating into the global industrial chain and reshaping their influence in the global value ecosystem.
The ceremony, themed “As One We Rise, Together We Shine”, began with an AI-powered animated countdown. Virtual imagery merged seamlessly with the physical stage, as laser beams and captivating lighting intertwined to form an exciting global network — a vivid embodiment of Global New Material’s corporate philosophy: “Driven with Technology, Growing with the World.”
In the highly symbolic “map lighting” segment, distinguished guests jointly commenced the ceremony. Through a digital map display, the guests lit up China, Germany, and multiple core business hubs across the Asia-Pacific region. The light beams, connecting the markets one by one, brought to life a strategic blueprint of real-time global connectivity, industrial-financial synergy, and a vision of global synergies powered by technology.
Zhejiang is one of China’s most vibrant and international provinces. As a Zhejiang-based company, Global New Material International aims to integrate German technology, China’s market, and Asia-Pacific manufacturing efficiency, achieving true global operations through this acquisition. This epitomizes Zhejiang companies’ pursuit of synergetic development.
In his speech, Su Ertian, Chairman and CEO of Global New Material International, emphasized that the acquisition is not only a milestone in the company’s global strategy but also a turning point for China’s materials industry – moving from “technology followers” to “value co-creators.”
“We are integrating not just technology, capacity, and channels, but building an innovation ecosystem that transcends cultures and geographies,” he said.
Johannes Baillou, Chairman of the Merck family board, spoke highly of this China-German business collaboration.
From “going out” to “going deep”, Zhejiang entrepreneurs are actively navigating global industrial shifts. As a hub of the Yangtze River Delta’s open economy, Zhejiang companies have moved beyond the early stage of simply exporting products, entering a new phase of “systemic globalization” driven by capital, technology, and branding. This acquisition stands out to be the epitome of Zhejiang firms leveraging cross-border transactions to acquire critical technologies and expand market networks. It signals that Chinese companies are no longer just providers of capital, but leaders in technology integration and strategic upgrading.
At the “Global Development and Cross-Border Integration Forum” held in the afternoon, Chairman Su and several experts discussed the overhaul of the global materials industry value chain. The forum focused on topics such as co-creation of technology, compliance management, and cultural integration – sending a clear message of confidence: Chinese companies are evolving from a participant in globalization to setting global standards.
Notably, this acquisition follows Global New Material International’s purchase of South Korea’s CQV in 2023, marking another step in its external growth strategy. The company is building a global supply chain network with Europe as the technology hub and Asia-Pacific as the efficiency center, creating the “China-Europe dual engine with Asia-Pacific synergy”.
As the lights dimmed and the forum concluded, the event – which blended technology, industry, and culture – came to an end. However, Global New Material International’s global integration journey has only just begun. From the Qiantang River to the Rhine, from “exporting products” to “building global ecosystems”, Zhejiang entrepreneurs are proving through pragmatic and profound international practices that the global development of Chinese companies is not a one-way expansion, but a mutually beneficial journey of multi-cultural exchange and multi-market advancement.
The event was attended by hundreds of business and financial industry leaders from China and abroad.
Hashtag: #GlobalNewMaterialInternational
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Football legends and leaders amazed by the city’s dim sum and stunning Victoria Harbour views on top of Hong Kong’s potential as a global sporting hub for industry advancement
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2025 – Hong Kong, has established itself as Asia’s premier showcase for football, having held a series of high-profile events – from Manchester United Tour of Asia 2025 in May to the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 in July, that welcomed four of the world’s top football clubs, Liverpool FC, AC Milan, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, and most recently The Saudi Super Cup in August, where Cristiano Ronaldo swelled football fandom, not only in the city but across the region.
Football craze reached a fever pitch in town as the World Football Summit (WFS) made Hong Kong the destination for its Asia expansion. Bringing investors, innovators and passionate fans gathered at AsiaWorld-Expo on September 3-4, 2025, rubbing shoulders with iconic players such as former England and Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand, former Chelsea and England captain John Terry and Croatia’s all-time top scorer Davor Šuker.
Mr Anthony Lau, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)’s Executive Director, said, “The World Football Summit is one of the world’s most influential football conventions. Being the host city, Hong Kong demonstrates its increasingly influential role on the global sports scene as an ideal host city for both sports events and MICE events for the sports industry. HKTB also extended its warm hospitality by thoughtfully arranging immersive tours of Hong Kong for the visiting football legends and Summit guests, enriching their business travel experience. We will continue to bring more large-scale international MICE events to Hong Kong, so as to attract more high-yield, overnight MICE visitors to the city.”
Hong Kong – Destination of choice for Global Expansion Applauded for Strategic Super-connector Advantages
At WFS, future-shaping insights from the industry’s senior executives and thought-leaders were shared, covering international expansion, Asia’s growing influence in the global game, youth development, grassroots pathways, digital transformation, investment, technology, AI, sustainability and community impact.
Football icons and global decision-makers of the sport also scored exceptional results in charting the business future of the sport, while fan engagement was kicked into high gear through an energy-filled football festival for all.
Jan Alessie, Co-Founder and Managing Director of WFS, hailed Hong Kong as the most strategic choice for the summit’s Asia expansion. “With our debut in Hong Kong, we’re not only bringing that same energy to Asia – we’re building a platform for long-term collaboration, investment, and innovation in the region’s game. We believe Hong Kong can become a bridge between East and West for football, driving growth and unlocking new opportunities for the game across the region.”
Hong Kong’sDim Sumand Stunning Skyline Captured Football Legends’ Hearts
Beyond impactful discussions and high-level business networking, WFS VIPs andfootball legends – Rio Ferdinand, Former England & Manchester United captain, Fabio Capello Legendary Italian football manager, Marian Otamendi, CEO World Football Summit, andJan Alessie, Co-Founder and Managing Director World Football Summit were treated to classic Hong Kong experiences, courtesy of the HKTB. They had a close encounter with Hong Kong’s iconic skyline by taking a ride on the city’s historic tram and an open-top bus, savoured traditional dim sum through a personalised hospitality experience.
Rio Ferdinand, returning to Hong Kong once again, shared that his previous visits to Hong Kong with the team were mostly for work and football matches, leaving few opportunities to explore the city or enjoy its cuisine, while, he can take in the city’s scenery this time and discover the treasures of the city, “I’ve never been to the Peak before so it’s good to see it, it’s been so amazing, it’s good.” He also praised Hong Kong’s cuisine, “The food is lovely in lunch time, we had roasted groose, which was a traditional dish, it’s really nice.” Ferdinand said he enjoys the hustle and bustle of the city and hopes to try more local snacks and street food.
“The Victoria Peak is a must for visitors coming to Hong Kong. This is really something that you don’t see anywhere else in the world. I heard about Hong Kong’s beautiful beaches and mountains and hope to explore it on a future visit; I’d like my family to come over because this is really something they have to see.” said Marian Otamendi.
Organised by WFS and ASIA PARTNERS IFBD Limited (IP owner of CR7® LIFE Museum and CR7® LIFE stores), with the support of The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) and the active participation of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the event reinforces Hong Kong’s status as a world-class destination for major sports events.
“This event is a powerful declaration of Hong Kong’s global standing in sports, culture, and business,” added Filipe Gonçalves from ASIA PARTNERS IFBD Limited. “With the invaluable support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and The Football Association of Hong Kong, China, we are not merely staging a conference; we are actively building a lasting legacy that harnesses the unique power of football to unite communities and unlock global opportunities right here in Asia.”
Northland Police have uncovered a substantial amount of ammunition, drugs and cash after executing a search warrant in Onerahi this morning.
Two people are now facing charges are officers executed a search at a Ross Street property.
Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, Whangārei CIB, says officers found a significant amount of methamphetamine, cash and ammunition at the address, as well as a grenade.
“These arrests continue on from good Police work earlier in the week.
“We have zero tolerance for this type of offending, and will continue to hold those responsible to account.”
A 29-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, both charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and possession for supply of methamphetamine, will appear in Whangārei District Court tomorrow.
Suspicious or illegal activity should be reported to 111 if it’s happening now.
Northland Police have easily answered a pesky dirt bike rider’s question “catch me if ‘ya can” – yes, we just did.
The taunting question was sent to Police by a rider who had been causing havoc amongst the Whangārei community in recent months.
It ended up with the youth in custody, and the bike taken off his hands, Northland Road Policing Manager Inspector John Fagan says.
This is one of several results as Police crackdown on unsafe and illegal dirt bike riding activity across Northland’s communities.
“Police share the frustrations expressed by many in the community with dangerous activity on public roads and public spaces,” Inspector Fagan says.
“In many cases this involves young people posting their offending footage online for clout.
“What they don’t realise is that they are committing offences which put themselves and other people at serious risk.”
Members of the Whangārei Youth Crime Unit executed a search warrant at a Maunu property recently.
“We located a 14-year-old as part of enquiries into an earlier incident where his bike failed to stop for Police,” Inspector Fagan says.
“The young male had also been posting footage online, including sending an image to Police social media pages with the message ‘catch me if ‘ya can’.
The teenager is being dealt with by Youth Aid and his dirt bike has been impounded.
Bikes off the road in Kaitaia:
Up in the Far North, Police took dirt bikes off the road in Kaitaia after numerous driving complaints in preceding weeks.
“Staff patrolling came across two bikes being driven recklessly, and it turned out it was bikes of interest to Police,” Inspector Fagan says.
Both bikes ended up being stopped by Police.
Enquiries established both riders had previously been forbidden from operating a vehicle.
A tow truck was called and both bikes were impounded off the road.
“Concerningly, both riders were young people and they had been carrying a child with them at the time.
“It’s fortunate that none of those young people were injured as a result of reckless behaviour.
“These bikes are not toys and have the ability to cause harm and damage to both people and property.”
Reporting is key:
Northland Police continue to encourage the community to report instances of dangerous driving behaviour in their community.
Inspector Fagan says reporting helps Police build a picture of those people involved, enabling enforcement action to be carried out.
“We really encourage people to report offending as it happens, including bike and rider descriptions, or what addresses these people are travelling from,” he says.
“I know this is an issue that causes frustration amongst so many in our community, and we will keep working to make sure our communities are safe.”
Report offending taking place by calling 111, or report to Police after something has occurred either online or by calling 105.
People can report information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Defence Minister Judith Collins has visited Ukraine, seeing firsthand the heartbreaking human cost of war to its people.
“Russia’s illegal invasion has brought misery and destruction to the Ukrainian people for three-and-a-half long years now,” Ms Collins says.
“New Zealand’s response was swift when Russia invaded in February 2022 – and our support for Ukraine remains steadfast. This was the key message I conveyed in Kyiv.”
While in Kyiv Ms Collins had formal talks with her Ukrainian counterpart, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, and engagements with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the Office of the President and Deputy Minister of Defense Oleksandr Kozenko.
She also paid her respects at the Wall of Remembrance in Mykhailivska Square and visited the site of a residential apartment building hit by a Russian ballistic missile on 17 June, killing 23 civilians, including children.
“Seeing the devastating impact of Russia’s illegal war – the disruption to everyday life, the human cost, the impact on children, the physical destruction – was heartbreaking,” Ms Collins says.
“My visit, accompanied by Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies, was a tangible reminder of both New Zealand’s strong support for Ukraine and our strong support for the international rules-based order.
“My counterparts said they deeply valued the fact we had made the effort to travel from the other side of the world to demonstrate New Zealand’s support and solidarity for Ukraine, and that it gave them enormous strength.”
Ms Collins also visited Warsaw, Poland, where she met Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. She is also scheduled to meet Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
“Poland remains one of our most trusted partners in Central and Eastern Europe,” Ms Collins says.
“We are united by shared values and strategic interests that underpin our close relationship.
“My engagements in Warsaw underline Poland’s critical role as both the key logistical hub for support to Ukraine and the anchor of NATO’s eastern flank.”
Following engagements in Poland, Ms Collins will travel to the UK, to undertake defence and security-focused meetings.
“New Zealand and the UK have a deep and enduring security partnership, including through our Five Eyes relationship,” Ms Collins says.
“These ties play a vital role in safeguarding the security of both our nations and allow us to contribute to collective efforts to uphold global security. I look forward to engaging with UK counterparts in the days ahead.”
Ms Collins returns to New Zealand on September 13.
Starting in 2026 with UFC® FIGHT NIGHT MACAU and ROAD TO UFC Season 5 Opening Round
MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2025 – Galaxy Macau™ Integrated Resort (hereinafter as “Galaxy Macau”) is proud to announce a landmark four-year strategic partnership with UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. This exciting collaboration will bring three UFC FIGHT NIGHT® events to the iconic Galaxy Arena from 2026 through 2029.
The strategic partnership between Asia’s leading luxury integrated resort and the world’s top MMA promotion is set to captivate fans across the region, further cementing Macau’s position at the forefront of the global sports and entertainment stage. More importantly, it adds a thrilling new dimension to the city’s event calendar, giving both locals and international visitors even more reasons to experience Macau.
MMA is a full-contact combat sport that combines techniques from boxing, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and other martial arts. The sport captivates fans and viewers with raw energy and dramatic moments. A UFC event combines the highest level of MMA action with unparalleled production to produce an exhilarating spectacle that resonates with audiences worldwide.
As part of the agreement, Galaxy Macau will also host the opening round of UFC’s renowned ROAD TO UFC tournament in 2026 — a talent-development series that provides elite emerging fighters from Asia-Pacific with a pathway to compete in the UFC. The competition follows a win-to-advance format across multiple weight classes, with winners earning coveted UFC contracts and gaining a fanbase along the way. At UFC® FIGHT NIGHTMACAU in November 2024, well-known Chinese athlete Shi Ming – a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner – defeated Feng Xiaocan in the women’s strawweight final to secure a UFC contract.
To elevate the excitement, each UFC FIGHT NIGHT® in Macau from 2026 will be complemented by a week-long program of activities, including fan meet-and-greets and appearances by star fighters, creating a festival-like atmosphere both inside and outside the arena.
Galaxy Macau and UFC have formed a strategic partnership to stage three UFC FIGHT NIGHT® events over four years, beginning in 2026. The collaboration will enhance Macau’s appeal as a destination while promoting the integration of sports and tourism in the city. (From right) Mr. Dana White, UFC CEO and President, and Mr. Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer – Macau of Galaxy Entertainment Group, celebrated the reaching of the agreement.
Mr. Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer – Macau of Galaxy Entertainment Group, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with UFC, the world’s largest MMA promotion entity, to bring world-class fight nights to Galaxy Arena. This partnership reflects our ongoing support for the Macao SAR Government’s vision to integrate tourism and sports. MMA fans in Macau will now have the chance to witness top-tier action right here at home, while visitors can enjoy the city’s rich culture, cuisine, and entertainment alongside unforgettable fight experiences.”
Mr. Dana White, UFC President and CEO, said: “I’ve just returned from China and everything about it was incredible – the culture, the people and the athletes. This new partnership with Galaxy Macau couldn’t come at a better time. It’s great for fight fans in China and massive for the sport.”
Mr. Kevin Chang, UFC Senior Vice President and Head of Asia, said: “In 2026, Macau will be the launchpad to UFC in Asia. Building on our wildly successful 2024 event, this long-term partnership with Galaxy Macau solidifies our commitment to this region and its passionate fans. Together, we will deliver the pinnacle of mixed martial arts and cultivate the next generation of talent, right here from the heart of Macau.”
UFC is the premier promoter of MMA, a thrilling full-contact combat sport that blends techniques from multiple disciplines. Galaxy Macau’s landmark strategic partnership with UFC will further energize the appetite for global sports and grow MMA fanbase in Macau and the region.
In 2024, Galaxy Macau proudly welcomed UFC back to Macau SAR for the first time in a decade with a sold-out UFC FIGHT NIGHT® featuring many of the sport’s biggest stars from China, Asia, and around the world. The event drew an audience of 12,000, underscoring the popularity of UFC and its power to attract a global live audience. With this new strategic partnership, Macau is poised to further elevate its profile as a destination for world-class sports entertainment, contributing to the city’s continued economic diversification.
The new Strategic Partnership between Galaxy Macau and UFC signifies the return of the latter to Macau following a remarkable UFC® FIGHT NIGHT MACAU held at the esteemed Galaxy Arena in 2024.
For more information, please follow Galaxy Macau’s social media platforms and visit www.galaxymacau.com.
The state-of-the-art Galaxy Arena will be home to three thrilling UFC FIGHT NIGHT® events over a course of four years under a new Strategic Partnership Agreement between Galaxy Macau and UFC.
HONG KONG SAR – EQS Newswire – 4 September 2025 – Cross-border e-commerce service platform Gwofy has launched a new on-chain receivables verification solution. Through merchant-authorized APIs, the platform integrates sales, fulfillment, and expense data, packaging it on-chain in real time to create records that are transparent, auditable, and tamper-proof. The system is designed to serve as a trusted data bridge between tens of thousands of merchants and financial institutions, helping sellers ease cash-flow pressures while enabling lenders to make informed credit and risk assessments based on verified data.
The global cross-border e-commerce market now exceeds $500 billion annually, with Chinese merchants holding a dominant share. Yet behind the scale, sellers face mounting financial strain: settlement cycles often stretch 60 to 90 days, 30% of merchants report profit margins under 10%, and annual capital turnover averages only four times—far below the level needed to support sustained growth. Seasonal inventory and warehousing costs add further stress, leaving many merchants vulnerable to liquidity crunches. Crucially, the lack of transparency and real-time verification means financial institutions lack the confidence to step in.
Gwofy’s on-chain receivables verification is designed to address these pain points:
For merchants, receivables recorded instantly on-chain can be quickly verified, reducing uncertainty around settlement and improving cash flow.
For financial partners, the records provide a transparent, traceable, and tamper-proof foundation to reduce information asymmetry in credit and risk decisions.
Rather than creating new financial derivatives, Gwofy provides data certificates that enable institutions to rely directly on verified trade data to support merchants.
Alignment with industry outlook and standards Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), speaking at the University of Hong Kong on August 28, highlighted that the real potential of real-world assets (RWA) lies in bringing financial assets such as stocks and bonds on-chain, given their stable value and clear legal ownership. Accounts receivable—directly anchored to sales and settlement—naturally fall within this category. By digitizing and verifying receivables on-chain, Gwofy advances this vision.
The Hong Kong Blockchain Association’s “RWA Industry Development Report 2025” similarly states that assets with large-scale potential must meet three criteria:
Stable Value — Receivables are directly tied to actual sales and platform settlements, avoiding speculative valuation.
Clear Legal Certainty — Each claim is traceable to specific orders and settlements, with well-defined ownership.
Verifiable Off-Chain Data — With merchant authorization, Gwofy synchronizes operational data in real time, recording it on-chain to ensure transparency.
Gwofy’s design both echoes CZ’s forward-looking view and aligns fully with the industry standards outlined in the report, offering a recognized pathway for digitizing and verifying receivables.
Looking Ahead Gwofy’s mission is not to package receivables as financial products, but to build infrastructure for on-chain data verification and certainty. The company will continue to apply blockchain to enhance transparency and auditability, enabling financial institutions to build risk models on verified data while helping cross-border merchants ease cash-flow bottlenecks and improve turnover efficiency.
Gwofy’s mission: Anchor in real trade, make receivables verifiable.
https://hk.gwofy.com/
Hashtag: #Gwofy
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2025 – The 4th Aranya·Xiami Music & Arts Festival, a collaborative production between Xiami Music Entertainment and Aranya, successfully took place from August 27 to 31, 2025 at the Aranya seaside, under the theme “Another Life.”
Set against the backdrop of Aranya’s distinctive costal community, the festival offered an immersive blend of music, art, and resort living, creating a unique holiday experience. More than 40 artists — including Karen Mok, Liang Bo, Omnipotent Youth Society, LANY, and Battles — performed across multiple stages. The event featured the Chinese mainland festival debuts of several international bands, alongside a vibrant intergenerational showcase of Chinese musical talent, delivering what organizers described as a “musical adventure.”
This year marked a significant evolution in the festival’s format. The duration was extended from three to five days, aligning more closely with holiday patterns and meeting audience expectations for a combined “music and vacation” Experience. The number of performance stages increased from two to three, with the addition of the new “Outing Stage” designed to accommodate folk, improvisational, and other niche musical genres, further enriching the festival’s artistic diversity.
The 2025 Aranya·Xiami Music & Arts Festival continued to uphold Xiami’s distinctive aesthetic vision —authentic, uncompromising, and creatively bold — while embracing a global outlook and delivering fresh, memorable experiences. This year’s line-up featured 11 international acts from six countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Thailand, and Denmark. Artists such as LANY, Battles, Rialto, The Raveonettes, VTOROI KA, and TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI made their Chinese mainland festival debuts, offering audiences exclusive “first-time encounter” performances.
Notably, several of these bands — as among them LANY and Battles — have previously appeared at globally renowned festivals including Lollapalooza, Coachella, Summer Sonic, and Fuji Rock, earning widespread internal acclaim. At Aranya, LANY delivered a romantically charged and emotionally resonant set, while Battles captivated audiences with their avant-garde energy and dynamic stage presence.
The Chinese line-up at this year’s festival was equally distinguished, offering a “premiere-level” experience that resonated across generations. It featured a compelling mix of celebrated mainstream artists and critically acclaimed indie bands, delivering a seamless fusion of musical excellence and captivating live performances.
Karen Mok & The Masters made their major festival debut, unveiling the new track Beget alongside timeless favorites such as Empty World and He Loves Me Not, leaving the audiences deeply moved. Omnipotent Youth Society headlined the Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day) Rock Session, performing their full album Inside the Cable Temple for the first time at the festival. With its rich narrative, intricate detail, and the iconic melody of Qinhuangdao, the performance was widely regarded as one of the festival’s most memorable musical moments.
Artists and bands including Liang Bo, Wu Qingfeng, Rainbow Chamber Singers, Yoga Lin, Mavis Fan & 100% Band, Nova Heart, Erguna Band, Woo Yeah, and Pan delivered standout performances of their signature tracks. Spanning genres from rock and pop to jazz and electronic, this rich musical diversity further underscored Xiami’s distinctive aesthetic and curatorial vision.
As one of China’s most prominent resort-based music festivals, the Aranya·Xiami Music & Arts Festival continues to redefine the boundaries of traditional stage performance. By seamlessly integrating music, visual art, and community culture, the festival offers a multidimensional entertainment experience. Beyond the musical line-up, this year’s edition placed greater emphasis on artistic and community engagement, featuring trend-led exhibitions, large-sale installations, and improvisational interactions. These elements significantly broadened the festival’s content offering, transforming the venue into an immersive, participatory cultural space.
Sustainability remains a core pillar of the Aranya·Xiami Music & Arts Festival. In 2025, the festival deepened its collaboration with Ant Forest to enhance its environmental impact, attracting over 1.24 million participants to its carbon neutrality initiatives. Through comprehensive measures — from production to on-site execution — the festival achieved full-chain carbon neutrality, advancing its vision of becoming “China’s Zero-Carbon Music Festival.” On-site efforts such as waste sorting, beach clean-ups, and marine conservation further translated the concept of “green performance” into tangible action, setting a new benchmark for sustainability within the festival industry.
Hashtag: #DamaiEntertainment
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
