CGTN published an article highlighting how Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit has promoted the ironclad friendship between China and Cambodia, the fruitful results in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, and how cultural exchanges boost China–Cambodia ties.

BEIJING, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — China and Cambodia set a model for equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday while meeting with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni during his state visit to Cambodia.

Xi said he believes Chinese modernization will bring more opportunities to neighboring countries, including Cambodia, noting that building a China–Cambodia community with a shared future is a choice of history and the people.

China–Cambodia relations have withstood the test of global transformations and have always remained rock-solid. The bilateral ties were forged and nurtured by the older generation of leaders of the two countries.

In February 2023, during the then Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to China, the two sides agreed to develop a “diamond cooperation framework” with six priority areas: political cooperation, production capacity and quality, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people exchanges.

In September 2023, Hun Manet chose China as his first official overseas destination after assuming office as Cambodia’s prime minister. During his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hun Manet pledged to further carry forward the ironclad friendship between Cambodia and China.

In May 2024, a road in Phnom Penh was named “Xi Jinping Boulevard” by the Royal Government of Cambodia to honor the Chinese leader’s historic contributions to the country’s development. At the naming ceremony, Hun Manet highlighted that bilateral ties have entered their best period in history under the leadership and joint efforts of Xi and Cambodian leaders.

Fruitful results in economic and trade cooperation

First, two-way trade has expanded remarkably thanks to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade deal and the China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). China has been Cambodia’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. And in 2024, two-way trade reached $17.83 billion, up by 20.7 percent year-on-year.

The approval for high-quality Cambodian agricultural and fishery products such as rice, bananas, mangoes, longans, coconuts and basa fish to enter the Chinese market has not only graced the dining tables of Chinese consumers but also boosted the incomes of Cambodian people.

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Second, investment cooperation has continued to deepen. China has remained Cambodia’s largest source of foreign investment for 13 consecutive years, with investments spanning a wide range of sectors, including transportation, power, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, special economic zones, as well as information and communications technology, characterized by extensive coverage, large scale and strong results.

About 95.4 percent of the Cambodian respondents have a positive attitude toward Chinese companies investing or operating in Cambodia. And 95 percent believe that China has made positive contributions to the development of the world economy, according to a recent CGTN poll. 

Cultural exchanges boost China–Cambodia ties

In addition to political and economic cooperation, the two countries have set an example in conducting cultural exchanges, which not only strengthen mutual understanding but also draw closer bonds between the two peoples.

China–Cambodia people-to-people exchanges, as a key pillar of China–Cambodia friendship and cooperation, were boosted by the China-Cambodia People-to-People Exchange Year 2024.

Over the years, the medical cooperation programs, including “Love Heart Journey,” “Bright Journey” and “Smile Journey,” have provided quality health care service to grassroots populations in more than 20 Cambodian provinces and cities.

As a cultural bridge between the two countries, the Confucius Institute has also provided free Chinese courses to more than 100,000 Cambodian learners since its establishment in Cambodia in 2009.

The cultural exchanges between the two countries are expected to continue to expand under the guidance of the China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative, which will benefit areas ranging from culture, youth, media, think tanks, tourism, and technology to healthcare and cultural relics restoration.

“Let us have more frequent people-to-people exchanges. We should uphold solidarity and harmony, have more cultural dialogues, increase experience sharing on state governance, expand diverse forms of cooperation in areas of culture, tourism, youth exchange and protection and restoration of cultural heritages, and promote people-to-people connectivity,” Xi said in a signed article ahead of his arrival in Cambodia for a state visit.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-17/Head-of-state-diplomacy-promotes-China-Cambodia-ironclad-friendship–1CE47UnGmt2/p.html

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Recent CDC data reveals significant regional disparities in autism identification, highlighting the need for standardized, accessible diagnostic approaches nationwide.

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In response to yesterday’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report revealing that autism spectrum disorder now affects 1 in 31 U.S. children, Cognoa is calling for expanded insurance coverage of evidence-based diagnostic tools to address significant nationwide disparities in timely autism identification. 

The CDC’s latest data highlights substantial regional variations in autism diagnosis rates, ranging from 1 in 19 children in California to 1 in 103 in Texas, reflecting inconsistent access to evaluation services and underscoring the urgent need for standardized, accessible diagnostic approaches across all communities. 

“These new findings confirm what many healthcare providers and families have experienced firsthand – there is an urgent need for equitable access to early, objective autism diagnosis,” said Dr. Sharief Taraman, pediatric neurologist and CEO of Cognoa. “With research consistently showing better outcomes for children who receive timely support, we must work collectively to remove barriers to early identification.” 

Addressing Critical Diagnostic Delays
The current diagnostic pathway often requires families to wait months or even years to receive an autism evaluation from specialists. According to clinical data, the average time from initial concern to diagnosis remains approximately three years – a critical developmental window during which evidence-based interventions can have their greatest impact. 

Canvas Dx, developed by Cognoa, is the first FDA-authorized diagnostic aid that enables primary care clinicians to deliver an autism evaluation for children ages 18 months to 6 years, potentially reducing wait times from months to days. This technology supports healthcare providers in making more timely diagnostic decisions, helping families access appropriate support services much sooner. 

Collaborative Approach to Improving Access
Cognoa encourages multiple stakeholders to take action to help more children access timely diagnosis: 

For Healthcare Providers: 

• Consider implementing objective diagnostic aids like Canvas Dx to supplement clinical judgment when evaluating children for developmental concerns
• Discuss available diagnostic options with families who express developmental concerns 

For Health Insurers: 

• Review coverage policies for FDA-authorized diagnostic aids for autism to ensure alignment with clinical best practices
• Consider the downstream cost savings and improved outcomes associated with earlier intervention and support 

For Families: 

• Discuss developmental concerns promptly with healthcare providers
• Ask about available diagnostic approaches, including technology-enabled tools that may accelerate the evaluation process 

For Policymakers: 

• Support initiatives that expand access to timely autism identification in underserved communities
• Consider how Autism CARES Act funds might address diagnostic bottlenecks in the healthcare system 

“Early identification and appropriate support can significantly improve developmental trajectories for children on the autism spectrum,” said Dr. Taraman. “Several forward-thinking insurers and Medicaid programs have already recognized the value of covering tools like Canvas Dx, and we encourage others to join them in making early, accurate diagnosis accessible to all families.” 

About Cognoa
Cognoa is dedicated to transforming pediatric behavioral health through innovative, AI-powered solutions. Canvas Dx is the first FDA-authorized diagnostic aid enabling primary care clinicians to perform earlier, objective autism evaluations for children ages 18 months to 6 years. 

Contact: 
Emily Delong 
Emily.delong@cognoa.com 
+1 650-206-9273 

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LONDON, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Wirex, a global leader in digital payments and Web3 money solutions, has been selected as a finalist for the “Compliance Culture Initiative of the Year” at the International Compliance Association (ICA) Compliance Awards Europe 2025.

Wirex’s nomination is a direct result of its strategic investment in a compliance-first culture, supported by an experienced global compliance team and enterprise-grade risk management systems.

Pavel Matveev, Co-Founder of Wirex, commented: “Wirex was founded on the belief that financial freedom should go hand in hand with regulatory responsibility. To meet this aim, we created a compliance culture designed to meet today’s global standards—and to anticipate tomorrow’s. Being named a finalist is a testament to our team’s dedication to building a resilient and trustworthy financial ecosystem.”

With more than 6 million users worldwide and a suite of regulated digital asset services, Wirex continues to set the benchmark for how fintechs can scale responsibly while maintaining rigorous compliance standards.

Dmitry Lazarichev, Co-Founder of Wirex, added: “A strong compliance culture is foundational to any sustainable fintech business. Wirex is confident that we can grow in a safe and sustainable manner with regulatory foresight and a deep respect for the frameworks that protect consumers and institutions alike.”

Wirex is regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the UK, EU, and APAC regions, and holds licenses from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and other respected regulators. The company also upholds industry-leading standards in regulatory compliance including within AML, CTF, Sanctions and fraud detection.

“This nomination validates the comprehensive and strategic work we’ve undertaken to strengthen compliance across Wirex’s global footprint,” said Chet Shah, the Global Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at Wirex. “Rather than treating compliance as a back-office function, we’ve embedded it into the fabric of our business—from executive decision-making to product design. Our initiative empowers teams company-wide to understand and champion compliance, helping us operate ethically while enabling innovation at scale. How we manage Risk and Compliance in Wirex is now a competitive advantage.”

Hosted by the ICA, the annual awards celebrate excellence, collaboration, and innovation in the compliance and financial crime prevention sectors. The judging panel comprises some of the most respected figures in the industry, including:

• Lisa Bennett, Legal Compliance Director, Mastercard
• Caroline Braddock, Civil Ethics and Compliance Officer, Rolls-Royce
• Samer Jannoun, Head of Regional Ethics and Compliance Special Oversight, Meta
• Dane Pedro, Presiding Justice and Magistrate, Ministry of Justice, UK
• Chris Watkins, Head of Compliance & ESG, Renewable Power Capital
• Ben Westwood, Head of Compliance & DPO, Motor Insurers Bureau

Winners will be announced during a gala ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster in London on 26 June 2025.

About Wirex

Wirex is a prominent UK-based digital payments platform with over 6 million customers spread across 130 countries. It offers secure accounts, making it easy for users to store, purchase, and exchange multiple currencies seamlessly.  As a principal member of both Visa and Mastercard, Wirex goes beyond traditional services, embracing the evolving trends of Web3 to provide mainstream access to digital finance and wealth management. Having processed transactions totalling $20 billion, Wirex aims to contribute to the adoption of a cashless society by facilitating straightforward transactions in various currencies worldwide. Wirex is simplifying digital payments, making it more accessible and convenient for people across the globe.

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