PARIS, May 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France was held here on Saturday, in a bid to boost cooperation and mutual learning.

The participants agreed that strengthening cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and France will not only help broaden consensus and deepen mutual trust, but also promote the two great civilizations and other civilizations worldwide to achieve each other and to rejuvenate with fresh vitality in the new era.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and is also the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.

In his opening speech, President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua said the forum, held on the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to France, is of great significance in boosting cooperation between media, think tanks and enterprises from the two countries and in facilitating cultural exchange and mutual learning.

Fu said that Xinhua has been dedicated to telling stories about the friendship between the two countries and promoting Chinese and French cultures.

“We are willing to work with Chinese and French media outlets, think tanks and other organizations to uphold the principle of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations, and promote the common values of all humanity,” he said.

Xinhua is ready to jointly showcase the fruits of China-France cooperation, demonstrate the charms of the two countries’ traditional cultures and the unique highlights of their modern civilizations, and broaden the bridge of people-to-people exchange and cultural cooperation, Fu noted.

Xinhua also stands ready to seize such opportunities as the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games to try to hold more cultural exchange activities to push bilateral relations to a new high.

China’s Ambassador to France Lu Shaye said people-to-people and cultural exchanges are an important foundation and inexhaustible driving force for China-France relations.

The two countries are set to launch dozens of cultural and tourism events this year that marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, and will see the Paris Olympic Games, bringing important opportunities for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, the ambassador said.

Lu also expressed his belief that under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Macron, bilateral ties are bound to show vigor and vitality in the future, and the booming cultural exchanges and cooperation will also lay a more solid public opinion foundation for the sound and stable development of bilateral ties.

“Culture constitutes the strongest cement between our civilizations,” Eric Alauzet, president of the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly, said at the forum.

The common history of the two countries after the establishment of diplomatic ties has nourished fruitful cultural and people-to-people exchanges, which has in turn driven cooperation and development in other areas, he said.

Bilateral cooperation has achieved many outcomes in economy and trade, and in their joint efforts against climate change, Alauzet added, noting that the two countries have held various cultural exchange activities this year, which will further push forward bilateral relations.

Saturday’s forum is co-sponsored by Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Embassy in France, and Publicis Groupe, a French multinational advertising and public relations company.

Themed “Reinforcing People-to-people and Cultural Exchanges, Promoting the China-France Spirit,” the forum drew around 250 representatives from the Chinese and French governments, the United Nations and other international organizations, mainstream global media outlets, think tanks as well as cultural and business circles of the two countries.

Prior to the opening of the forum, Xinhua News Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with Publicis Groupe.

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• Camel sports enthusiasts, teams, and owners, from the across the region to travel to AlUla for the first edition of these new competitions, each featuring multi-million SAR prize pools
• The first Arab Camel Cup and first World Endurance Championship, held on 3rd May and 4th May respectively, will both feature a prestigious field of thoroughbred racing camels

ALULA, Saudi Arabia, May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — AlUla’s growing reputation as the home of diverse and exciting heritage sports from across the region and beyond will be further cemented when the city hosts two of the sector’s newest and most high-profile contests – the Arab Cup for Camel Racing and the World Championship for International Camel Endurance.

The first Arab Camel Cup and first World Endurance Championship, held on 3rd May and 4th May respectively, each feature a prestigious field of thoroughbred racing camels and multi-million SAR prize pools

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has worked closely with key partners the Arab Camel Racing Federation and the International Camel Racing Federation to stage the new competitions, which will be held back-to-back over two thrilling days and feature the region’s best thoroughbred camels.

Held on 3rd May at the Mugheira Heritage Sports Village, the debut Arab Camel Cup will see some of the sport’s leading riders from 16 Arab nations compete over 13 hotly contested rounds of racing for a share of prizes exceeding SAR 3 million.

The following day, 4th May, will see an international contingent of camels and riders tested to their limits as part of the first-ever World Championship for International Camel Endurance. With a total prize pool of SAR 2 million to be won, the two-stage challenge will cover a total of 16km with male and female riders competing in their respective categories. 

The winners will receive SAR 500,000, with the remaining prize money shared amongst the runners up. Riders participating in the World Endurance Championship in AlUla will be registered based on their age (at least 18 years old) and type of camel, which will include: Hail, Thanaya Bakkar, Zamoul, and Thanaya Qadan.

Building on AlUla’s established status as the premier destination for heritage sports, including a diverse collection of camel races, horseback and endurance challenges, and more, the two new competitions will attract an international audience of spectators as well as enthusiasts from across the Kingdom and the wider AlUla community.

The Arab Camel Cup and the World Endurance Championship will both be held in support of the Ministry of Culture’s ‘Year of the Camel’ initiative, celebrating the camels’ status in Saudi culture and society. These events also support RCU’s long-term plan to champion the deeply rooted cultural legacy of camel and heritage sports, while also opening new opportunities for socio-economic growth within AlUla and northwest Arabia.

RCU’s ambitions for heritage sports are closely linked to its tourism and cultural conservation plans, placing each at the heart of the community as a powerful and unifying area of development aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan.

Ziad Alsuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “Hosting the new Arab Camel Cup and the first-ever World Endurance Championship is yet another exciting milestone in the ongoing evolution and development of heritage sports in northwest Arabia. 

“As the sector continues to go from strength to strength, RCU is excited to welcome the very best teams, owners, and riders to participate in thrilling new competitions that showcase much-loved categories of traditional sports as well as the wonderful, purpose-built facilities that have been created in AlUla to accommodate participants and spectators alike. 

“The heritage sports sector continues to grow at a rapid pace, bringing with it new opportunities for inclusive growth, dynamic investment, and of course new levels of sporting excellence. The Arab Camel Cup and the World Endurance Championship are new and welcome editions to AlUla’s growing calendar of year-round cultural and sporting events.”

Noted for editors:

It is always AlUla / not Al-Ula

About the Royal Commission for AlUla

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU’s long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and sensitive approach to urban and economic development that preserves the area’s natural and historic heritage while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live, work, and visit. This encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to meeting the economic diversification, local community empowerment, and heritage preservation priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme.

The first Arab Camel Cup and first World Endurance Championship, held on 3rd May and 4th May respectively, each feature a prestigious field of thoroughbred racing camels and multi-million SAR prize pools

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IGNITE YOUR SENSES with over 200 rare and exclusive wines and spirits, specially curated from more than 100 legendary houses

• Marking a momentous first, Masters of Wines and Spirits 2024 goes beyond Asia this year, travelling from City of Dreams in Macau to an exclusive gala event in Los Angeles and a themed in-store exhibition at Los Angeles International Airport.
• The highly anticipated event celebrates industry craftsmanship and DFS’s curational expertise. This year’s edition showcases the most extensive collection ever in the history of Master of Wines and Spirits, featuring over 200 rare and exclusive wines, champagne, whiskies, cognac, and more, specially curated from over 100 legendary houses.
• DFS elevates the whisky category even further by enhancing its curated Single Cask selection with a stunning array of single malts from Scotland, Japan, Australia, and the USA.

HONG KONG, May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — DFS, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, proudly presents the Masters of Wines and Spirits 2024. Set to unfold from Los Angeles to Macau, DFS is bringing this highly anticipated annual event beyond Asia with the most extensive collection to date. The 12^th edition themed “Ignite Your Senses” epitomizes DFS’s unwavering commitment to curating extensive yet best-in-class luxury experiences for customers across the globe.

Please download the high-res images from here

Among the 200 wines and spirits curated from more than 100 legendary houses, Masters of Wines and Spirits 2024 showcases a special selection of rare cellar and distillery releases, one-of-a-kind bottles that have been numbered and signed, and exclusive collections created only for DFS.

“DFS has hand-selected a curation of wines and spirits from around the world showcasing them to collectors and enthusiasts,” said Christophe Marque, President of Merchandising at DFS Group Limited. “We are extremely excited to be bringing the Masters of Wines and Spirits and the gala event beyond Asia for the first time, with the most extensive collection ever. Meticulously chosen by our passionate team of wines and spirits experts, this portfolio serves as a testament to DFS’ unwavering reverence for tradition, history, craftsmanship and innovation.

Celebrate and discover, from Los Angeles to Macau

In a momentous first, the Masters of Wines and Spirits held a successful gala event in Los Angeles, California, United States, on April 27. Starting on May 1, a themed in-store exhibition at Tom Bradley International Terminal within Los Angeles International Airport, will offer travelers the chance to discover our curated selection of newfound favorites and cherished classics.  The in-store exhibitions at San Francisco International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport will open imminently. In Macau, for the third year in a row, the Masters of Wines and Spirits offers travellers a chance to view some of its extraordinary curation at T Galleria by DFS, Macau, City of Dreams, running from now until the end of June. Additionally, exclusive media and VIP guests will experience food and wine-pairing dinners with a series of masterclasses, and a gala event scheduled to take place on May 24 and 25.

The gala event in Macau will feature a series of expert-led VIP masterclasses featuring Ao Yun, Bladnoch, Glenmorangie, and The Macallan.

The Los Angeles masterclass events features Glenmorangie, The Macallan, Tomatin, Royal Salute, Sazerac, and Shafer. Attendees will not only celebrate the legacy these brands represent, but explore how legacy brands can stay relevant from now into the future.

Collectible fine and rare bottles available for the connoisseurs

DFS will introduce fine and rare collectible whiskies to this year’s Masters of Wines and Spirits, including Glenmorangie’s “Pommard Cask Finish 25 Year Old”, The Macallan’s “The Golden Age of Travel: The Motor Car”, Tomatin’s “Highland Scotch Single Malt Aged 50 Year”, Royal Salute’s “The Age Collection II”, as well as Shafer’s “Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon Collection”.

Elevating the whisky experience even further, DFS also proudly announces a significant enhancement to its Single Cask selection. The Masters of Wines and Spirits 2024 will showcase a curated assortment of single cask whiskies from Scotland, Japan, Australia, and American distilleries, representing the pinnacle of whisky collectability.

Leading the realm of experiential luxury

Leveraging its partnerships with City of Dreams Macau and Empress Company, American Express’s joint venture in China, DFS continues to solidify its leadership position in Macau’s luxury market.

“City of Dreams is a unique integrated resort that offers stylish thrills with an innovative collection of experiences consisting of electrifying entertainment an amazing array of accommodations, regional and international dining, designer-brand shopping, international renowned art and iconic architecture,” said Linda Switzer, Vice President – Retail, Melco Resorts & Entertainment. “We are delighted to continue our partnership with DFS, making this prestigious annual event a key highlight for Macau.”

As the payment partner of this event, Yamin Zhu, CEO of Express Company, American Express’ joint venture in China, said, “We have been working together with our partners like DFS to meet the growing demand for diversified and differentiated benefits and services from American Express Cardmembers in the China market. The support for this event further demonstrates our core competences and unique values in the premium segment, creating unforgettable and exclusive experiences for individuals in the high new worth segment.”

Ignite your senses with the Masters of Wines and Spirits 2024

Embark on a journey of discovery, indulgence, and celebration at Masters of Wines & Spirits 2024. All are invited to experience our open curation at T Galleria by DFS, Macau, City of Dreams, and head to our themed in-store exhibition at Tom Bradley International Terminal within Los Angeles International Airport; in the meantime, learn more about the Masters of Wines and Spirits 2024 by visiting: https://www.dfs.com/en/macau/masters-of-wines-and-spirits

* The Masters of Wines and Spirits 2024 featured products

For enquiries, please contact:

FleishmanHillard Hong Kong | Bryan Leung | +852 6156 9672 | bryan.leung@fleishman.com
FleishmanHillard Hong Kong | Clement Yiu | +852 5406 8947 | clement.yiu@fleishman.com

DFS: Your Personal Guide to The World Of Luxury

DFS Group is the world’s leading luxury travel retailer. Established in Hong Kong in 1960, DFS Group continues to be a pioneer in global luxury travel retail, offering its customers a carefully curated selection of exceptional products from over 750 of the most desired brands. Its network consists of 44 stores located in 1amer2 major global airports and 21 downtown locations on 4 continents, as well as affiliate and resort locations. The Group is privately held, and majority owned by the world’s largest luxury conglomerate, Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), alongside DFS co-founder and shareholder Robert Miller. DFS Group employs more than 6,000 people focused on creating inspiring omnichannel retail experiences for its customers and is headquartered in Hong Kong SAR with offices in Australia, mainland China, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Macau SAR, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, and Vietnam. For more information, please visit www.dfs.com.

T Galleria by DFS is the ultimate evolution of the original travel retail concept pioneered by DFS Group. The first downtown store opened in 1968 in Hong Kong, followed shortly thereafter by Honolulu and eventually expanding to 21 locations all over the world. Today, T Galleria by DFS has a presence in the United States of America, as well as across Asia, Europe, Oceania and the South Pacific regions. Linked to the notion of travel through the use of T for the Traveler, the brand stands for what customers have come to expect: an expertly curated assortment of the world’s preferred luxury brands, exceptional retail environments, highly personalized services and unique experiences tailored to their specific needs as travelers. T Galleria by DFS enables travelers to realize their individual style, one journey at a time.

About American Express

American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with American Express on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, threads.net/@americanexpress, tiktok.com/@americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

About City of Dreams

City of Dreams is an integrated entertainment resort that has established itself as a premier leisure and entertainment destination in Macau. Located in the heart of Cotai in Macau, it combines electrifying entertainment, a diverse array of accommodation, regional and international dining as well as designer brand shopping. The resort brings together a collection of world-renowned brands including Morpheus, NÜWA, The Countdown, Grand Hyatt and Dragone to create an exceptional entertainment experience that aims to appeal to a broad spectrum of visitors from around Asia and the world.

City of Dreams features over 30 restaurants and bars; an impressive array of some of the world’s most sought-after retail brands; “The House of Dancing Water”, the world’s largest water-based extravaganza showcased in the purpose-built Dancing Water Theater, represents the live entertainment centerpiece of City of Dreams’ overall leisure and entertainment offering.

A comprehensive range of accommodation options at City of Dreams include NÜWA offering approximately 290 guest rooms, The Countdown offering approximately 300 guest rooms and Grand Hyatt Macau offering approximately 800 guest rooms. In addition, Morpheus, the newest addition at City of Dreams designed by the late legendary architect Dame Zaha Hadid, commenced operation in 2018, offering approximately 770 guestrooms, suites, and villas.

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GUANGZHOU, China, May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — During the onsite exhibition of phase 3 of the 135th China Import and Export Fair (“Canton Fair” or “the Fair”), the Stationery section is bustling with crowds. Numerous top-notch companies within the industry gathered at the scene, showcasing their wide range of innovative products that are of high quality and exquisitely designed. These products precisely cater to the changing demands arising from trends such as mobile office work and personalized stationery, presenting the latest trends in business office to the visiting traders.

These products, ranging from portable printers by Zhuhai Elmer Technology Co., Ltd. to stylish file management solutions by Shenzhen Comix Group Co.,Ltd., and minimalist yet culturally rich pens from Beifa Group Co.,Ltd., are setting new trends in business office fashion by addressing the changing needs under mobile office and personalized stationery trends.

Beifa Group Co.,Ltd.’s focus on integrating minimalism with Chinese culture has resulted in high-quality stationery items that stand out for their exquisite design. The company brings its Tai Chi series fountain pens, a prime example of this design philosophy, incorporating traditional Chinese Tai Chi elements into their aluminum alloy bodies available in multiple colors and nib sizes. For more information, please visit .

Zhuhai Elmer Technology Co., Ltd. has taken a significant step forward in redefining business office experiences with its portable A4 printer series exhibited at the Fair. These printers can connect via Bluetooth to phones and computers for wireless printing of various document formats anywhere, anytime. Leveraging thermal transfer printing technology and built-in multiple intelligent sensors, these printers simplify operations by eliminating the need for ink additions and complicated paper loading processes. Please visit for more details.

Shenzhen Comix Group Co.,Ltd., a leader in China’s B2B office supplies service industry with Compera, and Vino, among other brands under its umbrella, introduces its flagship products, including professional laminating machines. They offer dual hot/cold lamination capabilities with quick preheating and smooth finishing options, enhancing flexibility in lamination processes. The inclusion of auto-feed film and one-press film release functions makes the product’s lamination procedure more versatile and controllable. Click for more information.

Please register at https://invitation.cantonfair.org.cn/BuyerUser/RegisterUser?MediaType=16.

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