BGI’s Kazakh lab

BGI Genomics and its local partner Technopark Biogen opened a new laboratory in Astana, Kazakhstan, to help diagnose and treat diseases early.

The Astana Genetic Center, located inside Kazakhstan’s National Center of Biotechnology, is equipped with advanced hardware for genome sequencing and analyzing genetic data, the Shenzhen-based company announced.

The lab will enrich reproductive health services and work on detecting cancers early on as it offers noninvasive prenatal testing, and screens for diseases in newborns and embryos created by in vitro fertilization, as well as colorectal cancer.

Cruise ship settles in Guangzhou

CHINA’S second large cruise ship will have Guangzhou as its home port to meet the needs of customers in southern China.

The cruise ship’s operator Adora Cruises yesterday signed a cooperation agreement with Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port to jointly drive the development of the local cruise industry, CCTV News reported.

With a total cost of 5.5 billion yuan (US$756 million), the ship kicked off construction in Shanghai in August 2022.

The new ship, which has entered the final assembly phase, will be delivered on schedule by the end of 2026 and depart for its first international journey from the Port of Nansha the following year.

Xiaomi unveils foldables

XIAOMI started selling its two new foldable phones, MIX Flip and MIX Fold 4, priced from 5,999 yuan (US$825) and 8,999 yuan, respectively, Chairman Lei Jun said on Weibo yesterday. The flip model has next-gen Leica Summilux lenses, while the foldable has a Leica optical quad-camera system.

VW, Xpeng expand cooperation

VOLKSWAGEN said on Monday that it is deepening cooperation with Chinese startup Xpeng in terms of platform and software development for its electric cars.

VW China Technology, VW’s software unit Cariad China, and Xpeng are jointly developing China Electrical Architecture, a new electrical/electronic architecture, VW previously said.

The pair set up co-development project teams in Guangzhou and Hefei, with the first model carrying the system to start mass production within 24 months.