MANILA, Philippines, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- "Chongqing Meets Manila – A Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration" opened at SM Mall of Asia on September 12, drawing around 400 guests from political, business, cultural, educational and tourism circles of both countries, along with overseas Chinese and students.
Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and the Information Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government and organized by the Western China International Communication Organization (WCICO), the two-day festival features a cultural performance, seven themed exhibitions and city and brand presentations, bringing Bayu culture, Mid-Autumn traditions, Chongqing cuisine and "Made in Chongqing" innovations to Manila.
Zhou Zhiyong, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, said: "For a thousand years, the Maritime Silk Road has brought not only trade in goods, but also exchanges in culture, art, ideas and friendship between China and the Philippines. Today, through an event, a conversation, a dish and a smile, we come to know each other better and grow closer."
Maria Christina G. Aquino, Assistant Secretary of the Philippine Department of Tourism, noted that China is now the Philippines' fourth-largest tourist source market, with nearly 320,000 Chinese arrivals as of September 9. "I have already tasted some of them in advance, and they were all delicious," she said of the mooncakes on site.
Wu Changfan, Deputy Director-General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, said the festival turns the May online encounter into an in-person gathering, and that Chongqing looks forward to deeper cooperation with Manila in people-to-people exchanges, tourism promotion and trade, welcoming more Filipino friends to experience "Majestic Landscapes, Dynamic Chongqing."
The performances won warm applause, while booths on intangible heritage, "Study in Chongqing," traditional Chinese food and new energy vehicles drew steady crowds.
At the "China, An Opportunity: Chongqing Brands" promotion conference, Zhang Li of the CPC Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Committee highlighted new energy vehicles and HIFU technology already benefiting Philippine patients, as Happyyou International Travel signed a cooperation agreement with Philippine tourism organizations. Southwest University, Changan Automobile and Air China also presented study, industry and direct-flight opportunities.
A continuation of the May "Flying Across Mountains and Seas" twin-city campaign, the festival provides a face-to-face platform for Chongqing and the Philippines to explore cooperation in culture and tourism, education, automotive and beyond.
For more, please visit: https://www.ichongqing.info/
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One Moon Over Two Cities: Manila Embraces the "Chongqing Wave"
More than 20 KAPSARC leaders, researchers, and experts to contribute across the Congress's Executive, Technical, Synergy, and Special Programmes
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- KAPSARC participates as a National Partner in the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, bringing its leaders and experts into discussions addressing some of the most important issues shaping the future of energy.
Taking place from 11 to 15 October 2026 under the theme "Pathways to an Energy Future for All," the Congress will be hosted in Saudi Arabia for the first time in its history. First held in London in 1933, the Congress will bring together government leaders, industry executives, policymakers, researchers, and innovators in Riyadh to examine the forces reshaping global energy systems, from security and investment to technology and sustainability.
KAPSARC's participation extends across the Congress's Executive, Technical, Synergy, and Special Programmes, alongside additional sessions and activities, reflecting the breadth of the Center's research and policy expertise. KAPSARC President Fahad Alajlan and Dr. Ghadah Alarifi, Dean of the KAPSARC School of Public Policy, are among KAPSARC's speakers in the Executive Programme.
Across the Congress, KAPSARC experts contribute research and policy perspectives on energy supply and demand, energy access, natural gas, ESG and governance, the Circular Carbon Economy, artificial intelligence, mobility, and lower-emission pathways for refining and petrochemicals.
Within the Special Programme, KAPSARC leads a Knowledge Sprint session titled "Generative AI for Evidence-Based Oil Markets," examining how generative AI can support oil-market analysis and policy research. The session explores AI-assisted data workflows, econometric and scenario analysis, responsible AI practices, and the translation of technical findings into decision-ready insights.
KAPSARC also participates in the World Café through a session on "Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies," bringing together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to examine the prospects for scaling engineered carbon-removal solutions. The discussion covers direct air capture, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and biochar, alongside the economic, infrastructure, regulatory, carbon-market, and regional considerations influencing their deployment.
In the Synergy Programme, KAPSARC experts contribute to discussions on "Accelerating the Circular Carbon Economy Through Joint Action" and "AI Partnerships for Energy Innovation," bringing research-based perspectives to the intersection of energy, technology, and sustainability.
KAPSARC's dedicated pavilion provides another platform for knowledge exchange and engagement throughout the Congress. Structured around five thematic hubs, the pavilion brings together KAPSARC research, analytical tools, and expertise across the Oil Hub, Transportation Hub, Clean Energy Hub, AI Hub, and Collaboration Hub. Together, the hubs provide visitors with an integrated view of selected research areas and emerging issues shaping energy systems, while creating opportunities for engagement with policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and other Congress participants.
The pavilion also features the KAPSARC School of Public Policy (KSPP) and the Saudi Energy Leaders Assembly (SELA), providing additional platforms for policy education, leadership development, and knowledge exchange.
Through its participation across the Congress's programmes and sessions, alongside its dedicated thematic pavilion, KAPSARC connects Saudi-based research and policy expertise with international discussions on energy security, investment, technology, and sustainability.
About KAPSARC
KAPSARC is an advisory think tank dedicated to advancing knowledge on energy, environmental and regional economic issues. As an accredited observer to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), KAPSARC actively contributes to global climate action. KAPSARC's mission is to advance Saudi Arabia's energy sector and inform global policies through evidence-based advice and applied research.
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https://www.kapsarc.org/
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KAPSARC TO JOIN 25TH WPC ENERGY CONGRESS IN RIYADH AS NATIONAL PARTNER
