HANGZHOU, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 25 September 2025 - From September 25 to 29, Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, will play host to the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo. As the world's gaze turns to eastern China, the city is using this premier digital trade gathering to paint a vivid picture of the "AI +" era.

Official picture of the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo

Drawing over 1,700 exhibitors from around the globe, more than 70 Fortune 500 companies, and upwards of 30 international organizations, this expo is far more than a convergence of goods and services. It stands as a full-fledged "AI plus digital trade" ecosystem feast, weaving technology into daily life both within and beyond the exhibition halls.

Spanning 155,000 square meters, the venue features one main "future technology arena" and seven thematic exhibition zones, all working in harmony. Over 100 groundbreaking innovations—making their first appearance in China, Asia, or even the world—will take center stage. Visitors will get answers to pressing questions: How is generative AI reshaping content creation? How does multi-modal sensory interaction push the boundaries of user experience?

The 32,000-square-meter AI exhibition zone is undoubtedly the star attraction. Clearly segmented into four sections—embodied intelligence, intelligent agents, digital merchants, and large models—it brings together over 330 AI enterprises, including all members of Hangzhou's renowned "Six Little Dragons" (leading local AI firms).

AI elements permeate every corner in the exhibition. More than 80 robots will even step into the role of performers: they'll showcase their agility through dancing, musical performances, and boxing matches, while also proving their mettle in practical scenarios like emergency rescue and security patrols. This lets attendees tangibly feel the diverse potential of AI.

The digital entertainment zone is a vibrant fusion of culture and technology. Home to 218 exhibitors specializing in emerging cultural products, it will debut over 10 new offerings, from online games and web dramas to web novels.

The ultra-high-definition trailer for Black Myth: Zhong Kui will deliver a visual spectacle; the design drafts and peripheral art of Black Myth: Wukong will offer a glimpse into the creators' original vision; and most notably, the No. 25 Yulin Grottoes—recreated using AI by Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and Dunhuang Culture & Tourism Group—will "come alive" as digital art. This reimagining of millennia-old murals sparks endless wonder about the fusion of traditional culture and modern technology.

Beyond the expo grounds, Hangzhou has fully embraced the AI carnival vibe.

In Yuhang future sci-tech city, the "Six Little Dragons" exhibition hall lets visitors immerse themselves in the innovative energy of local AI enterprises. The Liangzhu digital habitat lounge offers a taste of how digital tech blends with cultural heritage, while the Qiantang BRICS center showcases cutting-edge trends in AI-powered industries. On the streets of Yuhang future sci-tech city, unmanned delivery vehicles weave nimbly through traffic, drones hover above analyzing traffic data, and quadruped robots silently stand guard over urban safety. AI has long integrated into daily life, serving as the city's invisible assistant.

What's more exciting is the deep synergy between the expo and top industry summits—including Apsara Conference, NetEase Future Conference, and West Lake Conference. Cross-referral of exhibitors boosts the flow of high-quality resources; mutual guidance of business clients unlocks continuous cooperation opportunities; and integrated events spark fiery exchanges of ideas. All this drives AI technology from lab theories to production-line applications, and ultimately onto the global market stage.

Behind this grand event lies Hangzhou's years of dedicated work in AI. As a national pilot zone for the innovative development of next-generation AI and a pioneer zone for AI application, the city has long crafted a strategic policy framework. The Hangzhou implementation plan for building an AI industry development highland (2025 edition) outlines 17 measures and 20 policies focused on computing power, industry, and applications. Districts across the city have aligned their efforts around specialized AI sectors, laying a rock-solid foundation for AI growth.

Nearly 700 core AI enterprises have taken root here: DEEP Robotics specializes in embodied intelligence, advancing the deep integration of AI and robotics; Unitree Technology confronts technical bottlenecks head-on, leading alliances to drive industry progress; Alibaba has ramped up investment in intelligent computing clusters, empowering thousands of industries with "AI + Cloud"; and Hangzhou Chicheng Technology has built an industrial intelligence platform to support the digital transformation of manufacturing.

Universities and research institutions are equally pivotal: Westlake University attracts top talent and strengthens basic research; Zhejiang University has established a comprehensive AI talent development system; and Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute accelerates the commercialization of research outcomes. Together, they infuse steady intellectual momentum into AI innovation.

Today, Hangzhou has emerged as a standout hub in the global AI landscape. The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted the city's AI development, noting that Hangzhou is now "at the forefront" of China's push to lead in AI.

"Hangzhou is now in full swing for preparing for the Digital Trade Expo," said Yao Gaoyuan, mayor of Hangzhou, extending an invitation to global guests at a recent press conference.

The 4th Global Digital Trade Expo is not just a showcase of Hangzhou's AI and digital trade achievements—it will also offer Hangzhou insights for the integrated development of global digital trade and AI. As the expo opens its doors, this innovative, dynamic city awaits the world to witness the captivating moment when AI and digital trade take center stage together.

A Legacy in Gold: Wah Chan Celebrates 70 Years of Timeless Elegance

Wah Chan, one of Malaysia’s most established jewellers, proudly marks its 70th anniversary, celebrating seven decades of craftsmanship, trust, and cherished connections with Malaysians. Since its founding in 1955, the brand has grown from a single shop in Pekan to over 50 outlets nationwide, offering personalised services that range from custom design to gold investment and lifetime care. This milestone not only honours Wah Chan’s journey but also pays tribute to the countless memories its jewellery has helped create across generations.

The Wah Chan story began with a husband-and-wife team, Mr. Koh Kui Wah and Mrs. Lai Swee Chan, whose shared passion for jewellery craftsmanship and entrepreneurship laid the foundation for the brand. From its humble beginnings as a small goldsmith shop, Wah Chan steadily evolved into a trusted household name with their extensive collection of jewellery ranging from gold to diamonds. Over the decades, its offerings expanded beyond traditional yellow gold to include an extensive collection of diamond, jade, and gemstone jewellery, pieces that have become part of life’s most meaningful moments, from proposals and weddings to anniversaries and family celebrations.

At the heart of Wah Chan’s success is its endearing love and commitment to quality and artistry, where each collection reflects a balance of tradition and modern elegance. Designed to suit every generation and occasion, each piece has a dedicated team of artisans, gemologists, and designers blending heritage craftsmanship with contemporary innovation, ensuring that every creation embodies both timeless beauty and lasting value.

“For seventy years, Wah Chan has been more than a jeweller – we have been a part of people’s most memorable moments,” said Amanda Koo, Director of Wah Chan Jewellery. “Jewellery is not just adornment – it is love, legacy, and self-expression. Whether it’s celebrating milestones, marking a momentous event, or even serving as an investment, our curated pieces have been part of the journey with our customers. This milestone is not just ours; it belongs to every customer who has chosen Wah Chan to celebrate their story. We are deeply grateful for the trust we’ve received across generations, and we remain committed to creating timeless jewellery that will continue to be part of your legacy”

Exclusive 70th Anniversary Collection

To commemorate seven decades of craftsmanship and trust, Wah Chan proudly unveils Love Infinity, a premium jewellery collection that redefines the meaning of love across generations. More than adornment, Love Infinity is a celebration of love in all its forms; self, spouse, children, and family, with each colour symbolising a timeless blessing:

1. Red – Passion
2. Green – Health
3. White – Peace
4. Diamond – Eternal Love
5. Gold – Abundance

At the heart of the collection is the Love Infinity 24K Bracelet, Wah Chan’s first-ever customisable 24K designer bracelet and personally designed by Amanda Koo. Limited to just 70 exclusive pieces worldwide, each bracelet is engraved with the Wah Chan 70th Anniversary blessing logo, accompanied by a certified report, and comes with a lifetime privilege of two complimentary exchanges. The Love Infinity 24K Bracelet will launch at a starting price of RM4,950, with prices rising in later phases. The exclusive is available now for preorder at any of 56 Wah Chan outlets nationwide.

Adding to the celebration, Wah Chan also introduces the 70th Anniversary Gold Bar, a collector’s piece designed with blessings of balance, health, love, longevity, and wealth. 70 lucky buyers of this gold bar carries a unique privilege: a 100% Buy Back option for 7 years and a guaranteed 7% annual growth for 3 years. Priced at RM3,000, and appreciating in value to RM3,630 by the end of its cycle, the 70th Anniversary Gold Bar is an investment in both heritage and prosperity.

Celebrate 70 Years of Love

Running until 13 December 2025, the “Celebrate 70 Years of Love” campaign invites customers to be part of the journey through exclusive promotions, weekend experiences, and special rewards. More than just a celebration, the campaign strengthens Wah Chan’s bond with customers while shining a light on the elegance and heritage that define the brand.

Wah Chan’s “Celebrate 70 Years of Love” campaign includes:

1. RM70 off the first gram of 916 gold, a symbolic nod to seven decades of excellence;
2. Up to 70% savings on selected pieces, making timeless beauty more accessible than ever;
3. Lucky Draws: with weekly winners receiving 10g gold bars, monthly winners gifted 1-carat diamond rings, and one grand prize winner driving away in a Tesla Model 3;
4. Exclusive Rewards: Customers who spend RM700 and above will receive RM700 worth of vouchers, while purchases of RM7,000 or more will be entitled to a free gift consisting of either a tumbler or a tote bag;
5. Honouring our first customers, where anyone presenting an original 1955 receipt will be rewarded with its equivalent cash value;
6. Weekly Gold Beans Challenge: With a minimum spend of RM700 in one receipt, customers qualify to participate in an interactive in-store experience to earn exciting rewards; and
7. Call to Say “I Love You” or “Thank You”: Customers who make the call can receive a RM700 cash voucher.

Wah Chan’s 70th anniversary campaign will also include interactive activities including a couple's fun run on 30th November, “Love in Every Step Fun Duo Run”, where couples, friends, or families in pairs can participate. Additionally, Wah Chan will also be hosting a special contest, “AI Song & Wah Chan Dance”, in collaboration with local colleges and dance schools.

Wah Chan celebrates their anniversary as a reminder that jewellery is never just an adornment, it is a symbol of love, a cherished moment, and a legacy passed forward. As Wah Chan steps into its next chapter, it does so with the same spirit of trust and artistry that began in a small town 70 years ago – today serving Malaysians its elegant pieces.

***

(Manminder Kaur Dhillon, Founder & CEO of Supernewsroom AI)

AI Trusts News Over Keywords, Supernewsroom.AI Reveals

Brands must pivot from SEO to AI visibility, with news and authority signals leading the way

Forget SEO tricks and keyword stuffing. In the AI era, news coverage has become the true measure of brand credibility. Platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity no longer draw answers from random blogs or low-quality sites. Instead, they rely on trusted newsrooms, encyclopaedic repositories, and even community forums like Reddit, where discussions provide additional context that AI systems increasingly reference.

That shift was the focus of a recent webinar, “AI for PR: Winning AI Searches”, led by Manminder Kaur Dhillon, founder of Supernewsroom.AI. She noted that mentions in credible outlets such as Reuters, AP, and BBC — the very sources AI platforms reference most.

One of the most striking insights shared during the webinar was the rapid rise of news citations in AI outputs. In early 2024, only about 9% of AI-generated citations came from news publishers1. By mid-2025, this figure had nearly tripled to 27%, underscoring the centrality of journalism in powering generative answers2.

The Shift from SEO to Authority Signals

For decades, brands focused on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), mastering keywords, backlinks, and page rankings to ensure visibility on Google. But as Dhillon explained, Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) is now emerging as the new frontier. Rather than ranking webpages, AI systems surface citations — pulling content from sources they trust to answer user queries.

These authority signals include:

1. High Authority News Media (Reuters, AP, BBC, Financial Times)
2. Encyclopaedic Repositories (Wikipedia, Britannica)
3. Community Forums & Social Platforms (Reddit, Stack Overflow, Quora — context-rich, though lower on credibility)
4. Government and Institutional Data (WHO, UN, OECD, World Bank)
5. Academic Research (peer-reviewed journals, arXiv, university reports)
6. Thought Leadership Content (whitepapers, executive blogs, industry reports)
7. Podcasts & YouTube (expert interviews, verified channels, conference recordings)

“Search once revolved around backlinks and keywords. Now, AI visibility is governed by trust signals — what the model deems authoritative enough to cite,” said Dhillon. “It’s not enough to optimise for Google anymore. Brands must be present in the news, in encyclopaedias like Wikipedia, and in trusted expert-driven platforms if they want AI to recognise them.”

News as the Cornerstone of AI Citations

Leading outlets dominate this space. Reuters accounts for more than one-fifth of ChatGPT’s news citations, while the Associated Press, Financial Times, BBC, Time, and Forbes regularly appear among the most-cited domains3. Encyclopaedic sources such as Wikipedia also remain highly influential, often serving as a baseline for factual grounding4.

The implications for brands are profound. Traditional advertising or SEO-driven content is unlikely to surface unless it appears within these trusted, high-authority sources. Brands that fail to secure coverage in respected outlets risk being invisible in AI-powered search results.

Different Models, Different Behaviours

The webinar also explored how leading AI platforms differ in their use of authority signals:

1. ChatGPT (OpenAI) – heavily favours mainstream journalism, especially Reuters, AP, and the Financial Times. Around 56% of its news citations are less than a year old, highlighting its emphasis on recency and credibility3.
2. Gemini (Google) – mixes journalism with user-generated content like Reddit threads and YouTube transcripts5, providing a broader but less consistently authoritative set of references.
3. Claude (Anthropic) – uses news less frequently, instead citing editorial or niche outlets such as TechRadar or Harvard Business Review5.
4. Perplexity – provides the widest range of sources, drawing from over 1,400 distinct news domains, though no single outlet dominates2.
   
   

These differences suggest that brands need a multi-pronged strategy: aligning with traditional news outlets to gain traction in ChatGPT, while also engaging with encyclopaedic, multimedia, and community sources to remain visible in Gemini and Perplexity.

Rethinking Brand Strategy for AI Visibility

Dhillon stressed that the shift represents a fundamental challenge — and opportunity — for brands.

“Getting cited by AI is the new credibility,” she said. “News, Wikipedia, podcasts, Reddit threads, research, and institutional reports are the signals AI trusts. Brands that want to stay relevant must start thinking like sources, not just marketers.”

Dhillon urged brands to:

1. Prioritise News Visibility – Secure placements in outlets trusted by AI engines, from global wires like Reuters to local and niche publishers.
2. Strengthen Thought Leadership – Publish whitepapers, op-eds, and expert commentary that AI systems can treat as credible signals.
3. Leverage Wikipedia and Encyclopaedic Sources – Maintain accurate, up-to-date brand and executive profiles on Wikipedia, which remains one of the most cited repositories4.
4. Engage with Reddit and Community Platforms – Participate actively in expert communities where peer-to-peer validation is cited by AI as context-rich evidence5.
5. Expand into Podcasts and YouTube – Ensure expert voices and brand narratives are captured in transcribed, verifiable content on popular platforms, which Gemini and Perplexity increasingly pull into their answers5.
6. Optimise for GEO – Structure content with clarity, transparency, and citations that align with AI systems’ retrieval patterns.
   
   

“We are watching the rules of visibility being rewritten. AI doesn’t reward keywords the way search engines did — it rewards authority. The question for brands now is whether they are creating signals that AI will trust and surface,” said Dhillon.

The webinar drew communications leaders, publishers, and business executives eager to understand the new dynamics of discovery in an AI-first world, where these platforms have become the gatekeepers of information. The message was clear: in a generative AI landscape, visibility is no longer defined by keywords and backlinks — it is determined by trust signals, with news at the centre of that ecosystem.

Ends

Sources:

1. ArXiv – AI Citation Patterns Study, 2024 
2. TechCrunch – AI Referrals Up 357% YOY in June 2025 
3. NiemanLab – Generative AI Models Love to Cite Reuters and Axios, 2025 
4. ArXiv – Encyclopedic Sources in LLM Citations 
5. NiemanLab – How ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude Differ in Citing Sources
   
   

KUALA LUMPUR: Zoom Communications has launched AI Companion 3.0, its latest suite of agentic AI capabilities designed to transform collaboration and customer experience across the Zoom platform.

Zoom founder and chief executive Eric S. Yuan said the upgrades mark a new era of intelligent work assistance. He made the announcement at the Zoomtopia 2025, the company’s flagship annual conference.

“Our customers’ most important conversations happen on Zoom, and now those conversations can result in critical insights to fuel real progress,” he explained.

“With AI Companion 3.0, our agentic AI can understand users’ specific context, priorities, and goals to help them cut through the noise, focus on what matters most, and drive meaningful business outcomes.”

AI Companion 3.0 builds on Zoom’s vision of a unified platform with AI as an intelligent layer. The system not only helps with note-taking and task tracking but also integrates across meetings, phone calls, chats and emails.

Among the new features are outcome-focused prompts, group assistance, and in-meeting recommendations. Zoom said these skills are designed to help users stay on top of priorities while reducing the burden of routine administrative work.

Users can now interact with the AI Companion through a dedicated work surface in web browsers and the Zoom Workplace desktop app. This interface adapts dynamically to provide contextual suggestions and consolidate information from conversations, documents, and external research into actionable insights.

The update also introduces advanced writing and research capabilities, enabling users to generate comprehensive reports and polished documents by drawing from both internal enterprise knowledge and public data sources.

Expanding platform innovation

According to Yuan, Zoom is also extending AI to other areas of its ecosystem.

New lifelike meeting avatars, the ability to generate clips from presentations, and support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP) are among the features being rolled out.

The company is also adding real-time voice translation to Zoom Meetings, with independent tests showing its accuracy surpasses rival services in English-French and English-Spanish translations.

Customisation options have also been expanded. A new low-code Custom AI Companion builder allows administrators to deploy tailored AI agents using pre-built templates and third-party integrations.

The add-on is priced at US$12 per user, per month. Standard AI Companion 3.0 features will be available at no extra cost for paid Zoom Workplace accounts starting November 2025.

Beyond workplace collaboration, Zoom announced enhancements to its Business Services suite. Zoom Virtual Agent (ZVA) and Customer Experience (CX) tools are being updated with AI-driven features such as Agentic AI Expert Assist, CX Insights, and Automated Quality Management.

The company also introduced “bring your own voice” functionality for ZVA, allowing firms to personalise customer interactions. Meanwhile, the Zoom Revenue Accelerator gains new skills to help sales teams with prospecting, outreach and scheduling.