Category: Asean

Commercial launch marks a milestone for 3GPP standards-based Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) services

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Terrestar Solutions Inc., Canada’s only domestically headquartered and controlled mobile satellite service operator, and Mavenir the software company building AI-by-design mobile networks, today announce the commercial launch of Terrestar’s Hybrid Satellite IoT connectivity service, the first Canadian controlled hybrid satellite–cellular IoT platform built entirely on 3GPP Release 17 standards and designed to integrate seamlessly with existing and future mobile networks, supporting resilient IoT services across Canada’s urban, rural, remote, and northern regions.

The non-terrestrial service is delivered over Terrestar’s Echostar T1 geostationary satellite using licensed S band mobile satellite spectrum and powered by Mavenir’s cloud-native virtualized RAN (vRAN), Converged Packet Core, and advanced network management and analytics solutions, integrated within Terrestar’s broader Hybrid IoT connectivity ecosystem.

Commenting on the launch, Jacques Leduc, Chief Executive Officer of Terrestar, said: “Terrestar’s Hybrid IoT Service launch represents a transformational moment for satellite connectivity in Canada. By partnering with Mavenir, we are bringing to market the country’s first fully standards-based hybrid satellite–cellular IoT platform, an achievement that underscores Canada’s leadership in open network innovation. Mavenir’s cloud-native vRAN and Core technology enable the seamless interoperability that is essential for delivering resilient IoT services across the whole of Canada. Together, we are proving that open, interoperable architectures can redefine how critical industries connect, operate, and innovate, while laying the foundation for a future of direct to device satellite services for all Canadians.”

Mavenir’s NTN Technology

Terrestar’s Hybrid IoT service leverages Mavenir’s industry leading NTN technology, purpose built to meet the operational and regulatory requirements of mobile network operators worldwide. The solution implemented includes:

• vRAN Architecture: Built on 3GPP Release 17 standards, Mavenir’s vRAN provides flexible, intelligent radio access for Terrestar to commercialize IoT capabilities across Canada using the Echostar T1 satellite, over S band MSS spectrum band.
• Converged Packet Core: Mavenir’s fully containerized, cloud-native Converged Packet Core delivers the complete suite of network functions required for Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) services delivering carrier grade reliability, high availability, and elastic scalability to support commercial traffic.
• Network Service Assurance: With full FCAPS visibility provided through Mavenir mCMS and XA Analytics, and operational readiness delivered via Mavenir’s Managed Services, the platform ensures robust performance and simplified operations.

Accelerating the Global NTN Roadmap
This commercial launch reinforces Mavenir’s position as a global leader in NTN ready mobile network software and positions Terrestar as a pioneer in standards-based satellite cellular integration. Building on this foundation, Terrestar and Mavenir are actively advancing additional capabilities, including:

• Voice and messaging over NTN
• 5G NR NTN evolution
• Expanded direct to device service models

These developments will further align satellite connectivity with mainstream mobile services, enabling operators to extend coverage, improve network resilience, and unlock new revenue streams, anywhere, at any time.

Pardeep Kohli, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mavenir, said: “This deployment is a clear signal to the global operator community that 3GPP‑based NTN is ready for commercial scale. By combining Mavenir’s cloud‑native vRAN and Converged Core with Terrestar’s satellite expertise, we have delivered a fully standards‑compliant, operator‑grade hybrid IoT network. Evolving NTN as a seamless extension of the mobile network, enabling IoT, broadband, voice, messaging, and emergency services wherever terrestrial coverage cannot reach. It is a critical step toward a more resilient, inclusive, and future‑proof global connectivity landscape.”

Notes to the Editor:

Terrestar’s official Press release: Terrestar Launches Hybrid IoT Service on New Standards Based Open Network Platform, Marking a Turning Point for Satellite Connectivity in Canada

Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) – Mavenir

About Terrestar Solutions Inc.

Terrestar Solutions Inc. is the only Canadian-controlled mobile satellite operator engaged in the race to bring direct-to-device satellite services to smartphones and IoT devices and make anywhere-in-Canada communication a reality. Terrestar is committed to nurturing the ever-evolving, standards-based and open network ecosystem, enabling Mobile Network Operators to deliver ubiquitous communication services. Thanks to the Echostar T1 satellite, its ground network infrastructure and 40 MHz of S-band mobile-satellite spectrum, Terrestar connects Canadians from almost anywhere in the country, even in Canada’s most remote regions, through its Strigo Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS). The Strigo service also supports non-profit and First Nations organizations, a testament to the Company’s powerful sense of responsibility toward the welfare and progress of the communities it serves. For more information, visit Terrestarsolutions.ca or follow them on LinkedIn.

About Mavenir

Mavenir is building the future of networks today with cloud-native, AI-enabled solutions which are green by design, empowering operators to realize the benefits of 5G and achieve intelligent, automated, programmable networks. As the pioneer of Open RAN and a proven industry disruptor, Mavenir’s award-winning solutions are delivering automation and monetization across mobile networks globally, accelerating software network transformation for 300+ Communications Service Providers in over 120+ countries, which serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers. For more information, please visit www.mavenir.com

Mavenir PR Contacts:
Emmanuela Spiteri
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9652807

• Former President of Shire PLC’s (“Shire”) Specialty Pharmaceutical business, with more than 30 years of experience across neuroscience, rare disease, and specialty pharmaceuticals, including senior leadership roles at Astra-Merck and AstraZeneca PLC
• Proven leader in late-stage clinical development, global commercialization, and capital formation across central nervous system (“CNS”) programs
• Appointed as Helus Pharma advances its pipeline toward key clinical milestones, including expected Phase 2 data for HLP004 this quarter and Phase 3 topline data for HLP003 later this year

This news release constitutes a “designated news release” for the purpose of the Company’s prospectus supplement dated December 30, 2025, to it short form base shelf prospectus dated September 17, 2025, as amended on December 19, 2025.

BOSTON and TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Helus Pharma^TM (“Helus”) (Nasdaq: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company committed to helping minds heal by developing novel serotonergic agonists (“NSAs”), today announced the appointment of Michael Cola as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Mr. Cola’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Helus advances its pipeline of next-generation mental health therapies toward key clinical and corporate value-inflection milestones, including the expected release of Phase 2 data for HLP004 this quarter and Phase 3 topline data for HLP003 in Q4 2026. In parallel, Helus continues to build a broad and defensible intellectual property estate spanning its multi-asset pipeline, with more than 350 patent applications filed globally and over 100 patents granted. The Company is advancing differentiated programs designed to address serious mental health disorders. With the transition from early clinical development to later-stage execution underway, the Company is increasingly focused on global regulatory engagement and long-term commercial planning. This evolution underscores the importance of experienced leadership across drug development, capital formation, and global scale-up.

“Michael brings a rare combination of deep neuroscience expertise, global commercialization experience, and proven capital markets leadership,” said co-founder and Executive Chairman Eric So. “As Helus advances its differentiated mental health pipeline, his track record of building first-in-class CNS franchises and scaling global organizations makes him uniquely suited to lead Helus as we work to translate our science into meaningful therapies for patients and long-term value for shareholders.”

With more than 30 years of experience across neuroscience, rare disease, and specialty pharmaceuticals, Mr. Cola brings deep expertise in guiding innovative CNS assets through development and into global markets, building high-performance organizations, and creating long-term shareholder value. His career spans senior leadership roles across R&D, commercialization, corporate strategy, and capital formation, positioning him to lead Helus through its next phase of growth.

“I am honored to join Helus at this pivotal and energizing moment,” said Mr. Cola. “With highly differentiated HLP003 clinical data already in hand and a robust pipeline of novel compounds in development, Helus is uniquely positioned to advance a new paradigm in the treatment of serious mental health disorders. I’m excited to work alongside the Board and the Helus team to build on this foundation and translate scientific progress into lasting patient and shareholder impact.”

As President of Shire’s Specialty Pharmaceutical business, Mr. Cola helped transform the company into a global CNS leader, launching and scaling breakthrough therapies, including building Vyvanse into a multi-billion-dollar franchise, and contributing to Shire’s growth from a $5 billion to a $20 billion market-capitalization, helping position the company for its subsequent $62 billion acquisition by Takeda, one of the largest pharmaceutical acquisitions in the industry. Earlier in his career, Mr. Cola was one of the founding hires at Merck selected to help create Astra-Merck, one of the most successful pharmaceutical spinouts, formed to commercialize Prilosec, a franchise that at one point generated more than $6 billion in annual revenue. He later held senior leadership roles at AstraZeneca PLC supporting the lifecycle expansion of Prilosec and the transition to Nexium.

More recently, Mr. Cola served as President and CEO of Avalo Therapeutics, Inc., where he led the transition to a rare disease and genomic medicine focus, licensed first-in-class clinical-stage assets, and raised significant funding. He has also served in senior board leadership roles, including as Chairman of Phathom Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and as a former board member of Sage Therapeutics, Inc., supporting organizations through clinical inflection points and commercial launches.

Mr. Cola holds a B.A. in Biology from Ursinus College, an M.S. in Biomedical Science and Engineering from Drexel University and studied Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also worked as a biomedical engineer at its affiliated hospital.

About Helus Pharma

Helus Pharma, the commercial operating name of Cybin Inc., founded in 2019 (the “Company”), is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company committed to helping minds heal by developing proprietary NSAs – novel serotonergic agonists: synthetic molecules designed to activate serotonin pathways that are believed to promote neuroplasticity. The Company’s proprietary NSAs are intended to address the large unmet need for people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

With class leading data, Helus Pharma aims to improve the treatment landscape through the introduction of NSAs that aim to provide durable improvements in mental health. Helus Pharma is currently developing HLP003, a proprietary NSA, in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder that has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and HLP004, also a proprietary NSA in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, Helus Pharma has an extensive research portfolio of investigational NSAs.

The Company operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland. For Company updates and to learn more about Helus Pharma, visit www.helus.com or follow the team on X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. Helus Pharma^TM is a trademark of Cybin Corp.

Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release relating to the Company are forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) and are prospective in nature. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “should”, “could”, “potential”, “possible”, “intend”, “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe” or “continue”, or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the Company’s expectation to meaningfully advance the treatment of serious mental health disorders; the ability of the Company’s NSAs to address the large unmet need for people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions; the release Phase 2 data for HLP004 in the first quarter of 2026 and Phase 3 topline data for HLP003 in the fourth quarter of 2026; and the Company’s plans to engineer proprietary drug discovery platforms, innovative drug delivery systems, novel formulation approaches and treatment regimens for mental health conditions.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the NSA market; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for growth; political, social and environmental uncertainties; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions in the markets where the Company operates; implications of disease outbreaks on the Company’s operations; and the risk factors set out in each of the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the three and six month periods ended September 30, 2025, and the Company’s annual information form for the year ended March 31, 2025, which are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

The Company makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about the Company’s proposed products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding NSAs or HLP003, HLP004 and other programs of the Company. The efficacy of such products has not been confirmed by approved research. There is no assurance that the use of NSAs, HLP003, HLP004 or other programs of the Company can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Rigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. If Helus Pharma cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s performance and operations.

Neither Cboe Canada, nor the Nasdaq Global Market stock exchange, have approved or disapproved the contents of this news release and are not responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the contents herein.

Investor Contact:
Josh Barer
astr partners
Managing Director
(908) 578-6478
[email protected]

George Tziras
Chief Business Officer
Helus Pharma
1-866-292-4601
[email protected] – or – [email protected]

Media Contact:
Johnny Tokarczyk
RXMD
Public Relations Director
[email protected]
(914) 772-7562

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9651746

NetBox Copilot accelerates operations and automation, while providing self-service to non-IT teams

NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, NetBox Labs, the central nervous system for networks and infrastructure, announced the general availability of NetBox Copilot, an interactive AI agent embedded directly into the NetBox platform.

As AI agents rapidly move from experimentation into production operations, IT teams are finding that most agents lack the accurate operational context required to be trusted in production environments. NetBox delivers a critical foundation for automation. It is a comprehensive semantic map for infrastructure that enables NetBox Copilot with complete infrastructural context. NetBox Copilot is agentic AI that is grounded in a company’s network and infrastructure data providing trustworthy answers, reliable automation and enterprise-ready governance — all conducted in natural language.

The new capability will allow thousands of NetBox users to accelerate their work, while expanding access to infrastructure data across security and operations teams and executives, as well as other non-IT teams.

NetBox Copilot Delivers Deeply Contextual Results

With GA, NetBox Copilot expands from inquiry into workflow execution, enabling infrastructure teams to automate changes to their infrastructure, not just explore data.

Teams can use NetBox Copilot to:

• Validate data completeness and quality (“Which devices are missing IP addresses?”)
• Investigate changes for troubleshooting and compliance (“Who changed this prefix last week?”)
• Assess impact before maintenance (“What depends on this switch?”)
• Plan capacity across sites and infrastructure (“How much rack space is available in Denver?”)
• Build automation workflows and operational playbooks (“Create an Ansible playbook to deploy switch configs”)
• Apply changes directly to NetBox (“Add another server to the NYC datacenter” – write operations available in NetBox Enterprise and NetBox Cloud)

By embedding AI directly into NetBox’s UI and permissions model, NetBox Copilot makes infrastructure data more accessible to NetOps/NOC teams, IT operations managers, and less-frequent NetBox users who need quick answers without navigating APIs or complex UI workflows.

AI Built for Infrastructure Teams

NetBox Copilot reflects the industry shift toward AI agents that move beyond answers into autonomous operational workflows, with the controls required for enterprise adoption.

“Network and infrastructure teams lag devops and cloud teams in automation, in the face of massive complexity. Yet the demand to automate networks and infrastructure has exploded in the last two years,” said Kris Beevers, CEO and Co-Founder of NetBox Labs. “NetBox Copilot was built to help meet that demand—providing a natural language interface that allows engineers, operators, and managers alike to quickly get answers, validate infrastructure data, and automate workflows without deep NetBox expertise. NetBox Copilot rings in a new automation era and the next evolution of how teams manage networks and infrastructure. Finally, network and infrastructure operations teams can begin to automate more of their work with the tool that makes most sense for them – natural language.”

NetBox Copilot’s GA release includes major new capabilities for NetBox Cloud and NetBox Enterprise customers, including:

• Enterprise-grade governance, with bring-your-own-model access and enhanced privacy controls
• Options for data retention and management
• Write operations, enabling NetBox Copilot to automate approved changes directly in NetBox
• Improved administration and credit management

Enterprise-Ready AI Grounded in Your Unique Infrastructure Data
Unlike generic AI assistants bolted onto infrastructure tools, NetBox Copilot is purpose-built to understand NetBox’s unique and comprehensive infrastructure data model. NetBox Copilot delivers:

• Native awareness of NetBox relationships and context
• Zero-friction deployment in seconds, with no server changes required
• SOC 2 Type II certification
• No training on customer data—ever
• Enterprise controls for model choice, governance, and retention

NetBox Copilot is embedded directly into all NetBox editions— NetBox Community, NetBox Cloud, and NetBox Enterprise—leveraging existing authentication and RBAC controls. It is also part of the broader NetBox AI ecosystem alongside the NetBox MCP Server, with future expansion planned across the NetBox Labs product portfolio including NetBox Discovery, NetBox Assurance, NetBox Observability, and more.

Availability of NetBox Copilot

NetBox Copilot is generally available today across NetBox editions. Enterprise governance enhancements and NetBox Copilot’s features for automating changes in NetBox are now available for NetBox Cloud and NetBox Enterprise customers. Additional private deployment options will continue rolling out to meet enterprise data sovereignty requirements.

NetBox Copilot is available to everyone in the NetBox community for free, as part of a generous free tier, with scale-up pricing based on usage and additional features for NetBox Cloud and NetBox Enterprise customers.

Enable NetBox Copilot using the quickstart:
https://netboxlabs.com/docs/copilot/quickstart/

Want a walkthrough or deeper dive?
https://netboxlabs.com/contact-us/

About NetBox Labs
NetBox Labs makes sense of complex networks and infrastructure. As the commercial steward of open source NetBox, the most popular platform for operating, automating, understanding and securing complex networks and infrastructure, NetBox Labs delivers a world-class portfolio of open, composable products across network discovery, assurance, operations and observability. NetBox Labs fosters and invests in a vibrant community of tens of thousands of network and infrastructure professionals. Top companies like ARM, Cisco, Constant Contact, CoreWeave, J.P. Morgan, Kaiser Permanente, and Riot Games trust NetBox Labs to understand, operate and transform their critical infrastructure.

Media Contact:
Rhiannon Pacheco - [email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9651778

Winners built tools that make Move development easier, delivering polished front-ends and deep protocol-level innovations in just four weeks

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Move Industries, the core contributor of the Movement Network, today announced winners of its M1 Hackathon, the first major hackathon on Movement’s newly launched Layer 1 blockchain. Participants built DeFi applications, games, consumer products, and developer tools that make it easier for builders to build on the Move programming language, with winning submissions demonstrating production-ready quality that would typically require months of specialized development.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

The four-week hackathon attracted 100+ teams building across multiple categories. What distinguished these winners was not just what they built, but how: every participant used AI coding assistants to accelerate development.

“We actively encouraged developers to build infrastructure tools that benefit the entire ecosystem. In fact, the dev tooling submissions were so strong we added a second winner,” said Rahat Chowdhury, Head of Developer Relations at Move Industries. “Trace and Movehat bring about the Hardhat and Tenderly-level developer experience that developers have been asking for in the Move Ecosystem. AI tools enabled teams to deliver polished front-ends while going deep on protocol-level work. Teams like Trace were able to go much deeper into Protocol level work and deliver developer tooling that can 10x the developer experience. I’ve been using these tools myself for work immediately after I finished judging.”

Movement’s partnership with Replit provided developers with one-month access to cloud-based development environments, removing hardware barriers. Multiple winners leveraged Replit to build out polished front-ends while focusing their expertise on core technical challenges.

The hackathon awarded $30,000 across six categories, with winners selected based on utility, technical execution, and potential impact on the Move ecosystem:

M1 Hackathon Winners:

• Best Gaming App: The Fallen Court – Narrative ASCII dungeon crawler with blockchain-integrated choices and on-chain permadeath
• Best New Devex Tool: Trace – Developer tool suite featuring VirtualNet for safely testing transactions on virtual network forks
• Best New Devex Tool: Movehat – Complete development toolkit bringing Hardhat-level workflow maturity to Movement
• Best Consumer App: SportsMove – Decentralized sports betting platform abstracting blockchain complexity for mainstream users
• Best x402 App: AlgoArena – Competitive auto-battler where AI trading agents battle on live crypto price feeds
• Best DeFi App: Predictly – Social-first prediction market platform for small, trusted communities

Five teams will also continue to a separate People’s Choice competition later this month, where the Movement community will vote for their favorite application for additional prizes.

Winners receive ongoing support from Movement’s developer relations team and ecosystem partners to ship to mainnet. A Twitter livestream will be held February 9, 2025, featuring demos and technical discussions with the Hackathon teams.

For more information about Movement’s M1 Mainnet, visit MovementNetwork.xyz and follow @Movement_xyz on Twitter.

ABOUT MOVE INDUSTRIES
Move Industries is building a community-first Move-based blockchain ecosystem. Led by a team of industry veterans, Move Industries maintains a dual focus on technology and community. The organization intends to return to crypto’s radical roots: giving financial power and opportunity back to the people.

Media Contact: [email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9649453

The 2026 Spring Festival travel rush begins on February 2 and will run for 40 days, ending on March 13. Ahead of this annual migration, CGTN published a feature article exploring how the event has transcended its role as a transport phenomenon, becoming a unique lens through which to view China’s social transformation.

BEIJING, Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Under the glow of floodlights at a maintenance base in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi Province, rows of silver bullet trains stand in perfect formation. From above, the assembly resembles a fleet of land-based aircraft carriers ready for service.

This is one of the launchpads across China for the world’s largest human migration: chunyun. The 40-day annual Spring Festival travel rush officially begins at the stroke of midnight on February 2, ahead of the country’s most important holiday.

This year, chunyun is set to shatter all previous records. Official estimates predict a staggering 9.5 billion inter-regional passenger trips over the 40-day period, which runs through March 13.

Driven by a nine-day holiday, the longest in recent memory, the 2026 rush is more than a logistical feat; it is a vivid window into China’s social transformation.

Resilience of Chinese logistics
As with every year, the 2026 chunyun stands as a spectacle of logistics. Officials project that self-driving will remain the dominant mode of transport, accounting for roughly 80 percent of all trips. Meanwhile, rail and civil aviation are expected to reach historic peaks, with passenger volumes hitting 540 million and 95 million, respectively.

Behind these numbers lies a sophisticated, multi-tiered infrastructure. To support the surge in electric vehicles, the Ministry of Transport has expanded the highway charging network to 71,500 charging points. Travelers can use a special mini-program to monitor real-time charger availability, while mobile emergency charging units have been deployed during peak hours.

Complementing the highways, China’s railway system – now bolstered by a high-speed network exceeding 50,000 kilometers – utilizes advanced ticketing and extensive infrastructure to ensure a seamless, high-capacity journey.

Safety remains the ultimate priority. As cold fronts threaten northern and central regions with snow and ice, the China Meteorological Administration and emergency departments have pre-positioned de-icing equipment and specialized rescue teams. High-tech tools, including drones and helicopters, stand ready for rapid response. Officials say chunyun coordination is a massive operation involving more than 20 government departments.

Heartwarming service
In a deeper commitment to passenger comfort, this year’s travel rush features more “heartwarming services” catering to the diverse needs of millions, transforming a massive migration into a personalized experience.

A key highlight is the expansion of “quiet carriages.” Now available on over 8,000 high-speed trains, these carriages offer a haven for passengers seeking a peaceful journey. Broadcast volumes are capped at 40 percent, and crew members provide “silent” service, replacing loud announcements with gentle assistance. Staff also offer free disposable earplugs and fun packs, including picture books, to keep young children entertained and calm.

At major airports and rail stations, efforts are underway to close the digital divide. Central to this are “Silver Hair” services, allowing seniors to travel with dignity and ease. At Shijiazhuang Airport in north China, for instance, travelers aged 80 and above enjoy priority check-in and boarding.

Travel is also becoming more inclusive for families, including their four-legged members. In central China’s Henan Province, “Pet Rail” services have expanded from one station to four, allowing travelers to book specialized transport crates via the 12306 app.

The Chinese New Year
The vast movement of people during chunyun is a collective journey home, culminating in the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, which falls on February 17 this year. Rooted in Chinese culture with celebrations of various forms, the festival marks the first day of the lunar calendar and symbolizes renewal and family unity. It carries a universal resonance of hope and aspirations for a better life.

Core customs – family reunions, red decorations symbolizing prosperity, wishes for good fortune, festive family feasts, and creating traditional crafts such as lanterns – captivate cultural enthusiasts worldwide with their unique approach to welcoming the new year.

Each year, the “Spring Festival Gala,” an annual TV program broadcast live by China Media Group and watched by billions worldwide, epitomizes China’s cultural appeal. With three rehearsals completed, the 2026 gala will continue to take shape in a festive and uplifting atmosphere, vividly reflecting China’s dynamism in a new era.

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, CGTN also presented its flagship live special, “Super Night.” The program offered companion-style commentary on the CMG Spring Festival Gala in five languages – English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian – alongside a range of original features. These segments vividly showcased aspects of Chinese culture that captivate overseas audiences, including Spring Festival customs, intangible cultural heritage and traditional opera, helping global viewers better grasp the essence of Chinese culture and connect with it emotionally.

For more information, please click here:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-02-01/More-than-a-journey-How-chunyun-travel-rush-reflects-a-changing-China-1KptvLAeFPi/p.html

Contact: [email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9647583