NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commission on Children mtg held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today chaired the 24th meeting of the Commission on Children, at which members were briefed about the medical and healthcare services for children as well as the city’s latest drug situation.

     

    The Health Bureau, Department of Health and related agencies have been providing a range of services to cater for the needs and development of children at different stages of growth, from infancy to adolescence.

     

    The Government will continue to enhance such medical and healthcare services to strive for children’s healthy growth, with a view to achieving the goal of “prevention is better than cure”. 

               

    Members also received an update by the Security Bureau’s Narcotics Division about the Government’s anti-drug strategies, the recent abuse situation of the “space oil drug”, and education and publicity programmes to raise students’ awareness about the harms of drugs.

     

    The division made it clear that it will continue its efforts to build an anti-drug culture in schools, together with government departments, non-government organisations and the community.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Best AI Awards Officially Launched: Accelerating AI Talent Development and Innovation to Propel Taiwan Towards an AI-driven

    Source: Republic Of China Taiwan 2

    On February 26, The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held the Best AI Awards launch press conference, officially kicking off Taiwan’s premier AI software competition. The competition features two main categories: AI Applications and IC Design, and is divided into four groups: Student, Startup & SME, Corporate Open, and International. More than just a platform for showcasing cutting-edge AI applications, the event serves as a gateway for discovering Taiwan’s rising stars and attracting top global talent to the island. Through this competition, MOEA aims to accelerate AI-driven technological advancements and foster a thriving startup ecosystem, reinforcing Taiwan’s position as a competitive AI powerhouse. Registration is now open and will remain available until April 8. All interested participants are encouraged to apply.

    The Best AI Awards is envisioned as the “Oscars” of AI in Taiwan, emphasizing diversity, international collaboration, and future-oriented innovation. The competition seeks to inspire creativity among younger generations, encourage deeper industry-academic partnerships, and cultivate AI-savvy innovators and enterprises. Ultimately, the goal is to drive AI industrialization and the AI-driven transformation of industries, laying a stronger foundation for Taiwan’s AI sector. The grand prize for the Student group is NTD 300,000, while the top prize in the Corporate Open, Startup & SME, and International groups is NTD 1,000,000. The final round and awards ceremony are scheduled for May 3, 2025.

    For more details, visit the competition website: www.bestaiawards.com.tw. Interested teams are encouraged to register and compete for the highest honor in AI!

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SITI attends Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    SITI attends Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain (with photos)
    *************************************************************************

    The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, leading a delegation of representatives from the innovation and technology (I&T) sector, continued his visit in Barcelona, Spain on March 5 (Barcelona time) and attended the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025.     Delivering a keynote speech at the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Ministerial Programme “2025+: A Tech Odyssey”, Professor Sun said Hong Kong is actively building a smart city and a digitally inclusive society to bridge digital divide. “One of the best testimonies to a city’s I&T achievement is the degree of digitalisation. In Hong Kong, all submissions and payments to the Government have electronic options. More than three millions of people are enjoying the convenience and efficiency of accessing government services and online identity verification through a mobile application called ‘iAM Smart’. A corporate version of ‘iAM Smart’, nick-named CorpID, is upcoming too.”     He noted that on digital inclusiveness, Hong Kong’s household broadband penetration rate and smartphone penetration rate are both approximately 97 per cent. The internet usage rate among Hong Kong citizens aged 65 and above rocketed, from 56 per cent in 2018 to 84 per cent in 2023, slightly ahead of the European rate of around 78 per cent.     He added, “As society becomes so digitally knitted and increasingly mobile, we recently launched the ‘Smart Silver’ Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders, to address the challenges of an increasingly aging society. This programme fortifies our digital inclusive efforts by providing elders with community-based training and on-the-spot helpdesks to enhance elders’ knowledge on new digital technologies and support their navigation by common mobile applications.”     During the Congress, Professor Sun met with the Head of Greater China of GSMA, Ms Sihan Bo Chen, to learn about the international mobile industry association’s work in developing the mobile communications industry and ecosystem as well as promoting industrial innovation in Asia.     Professor Sun visited various exhibition pavilions on-site, including the EU Quantum Flagship, to learn about the latest quantum technologies and initiatives of companies under the flagship.     Professor Sun and the delegation also visited the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. They were briefed on the technology of MareNostrum 5, one of the most powerful supercomputers in Spain, and quantum computers, the establishment of AI factories, and the innovative achievements in promoting the development of high-performance computing in Spain and the whole of Europe as well as applications.     Members of the delegation include heads from the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC), Cyberport, the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute and the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute, as well as representatives of 24 local I&T enterprises or institutions. The HKSTPC and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council co-ordinated the participation of the I&T representatives of the enterprises and institutions at the MWC 2025.     Professor Sun Dong will proceed to Lisbon, Portugal on March 6 (Lisbon time) to continue his visit.

    Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2025Issued at HKT 9:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FEHD strengthens measures to prevent employment of unqualified life-saving attendants by private swimming pools

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    FEHD strengthens measures to prevent employment of unqualified life-saving attendants by private swimming pools
    ******************************************************************************************

    A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (March 6) that the FEHD plans to take measures starting from this year’s swimming season to strengthen the prevention of suspected violations involving private swimming pools employing unqualified life-saving attendants to combat such offences. These steps aim to protect the safety of swimming pool users.     The spokesman said, “In accordance with the law and licensing conditions, licensees of private swimming pools are obliged to arrange a sufficient number of qualified life-saving attendants on duty during the opening hours of the pools. To ensure that licensees fulfil their responsibilities, the FEHD will explicitly require licensees to verify identity documents, Pool Lifeguard Awards (PLA) and personal logbooks before employing a life-saving attendant, and to properly keep a copy of the documents. The FEHD will also establish a standard template for licensees to record the information shown on the identity document and PLA of the life-saving attendants on duty.”     At the same time, the FEHD will step up inspections, including checking the identity documents of each life-saving attendant on duty during monthly surprise inspections to verify their identity. The FEHD will also co-ordinate with the Hong Kong China Life Saving Society to confirm the validity of PLAs and ensure the life-saving attendants on duty possess valid qualifications. In addition to routine inspections, the FEHD will flexibly deploy its manpower resources and analyse complaint cases to draw up a target list of private swimming pools, to which inspections will be stepped up during July and August to specifically focus on lifeguard qualifications. In case of insufficient qualified life-saving attendants on duty, the department will take immediate follow-up actions, including requiring the licensee to immediately close the swimming pool until sufficient qualified life-saving attendants can be present at the pool, and will issue a warning or institute prosecution against licensees. The FEHD will consider cancelling the licences of swimming pools with repeated contraventions. Cases involving the use of false documents or documents relating to other persons will be reported to the Police.     The FEHD will also maintain close communication and enhance collaboration with other departments and organisations. Currently, many licensees of private swimming pools are either property management companies (PMCs) or their employees. The FEHD has already discussed with the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) to jointly step up publicity and educational work before the swimming season this year, including issuing letters to PMCs calling for measures to prevent the employment of unqualified life-saving attendants. Meanwhile, the FEHD and the PMSA will establish a communication mechanism in respect of violation cases for both parties to take follow-up actions, according to their respective authorities, against licensees and PMCs.     According to the Swimming Pools Regulation (Cap. 132CA) and relevant licensing conditions, licensees must arrange a sufficient number of qualified life-saving attendants to be on duty during the opening hours of the pools. The qualifications of life-saving attendants are assessed by the Hong Kong China Life Saving Society, which issues PLAs featuring the life-saving attendant’s name and photograph to those who qualify. At present, there are about 1 400 licensed private swimming pools across the territory. The FEHD has required licensees to display at a conspicuous location of pool entrances the required number of life-saving attendants during the opening hours of swimming pools, as well as recent photographs, names and PLA numbers of the life-saving attendants on duty. This empowers pool users to take part in the monitoring of swimming pools. Licensees are also required to keep duty logs of life-saving attendants for at least 90 days for inspection by the FEHD.     The spokesman said that the FEHD will consult relevant stakeholders and continue to monitor and review relevant enhancement measures in a timely manner.

    Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2025Issued at HKT 14:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government cautions public on fake information online about “launch of Hong Kong Coin” purported to be announced by CE

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Government cautions public on fake information online about “launch of Hong Kong Coin” purported to be announced by CE
    ******************************************************************************************

    A Government spokesman today (March 6) cautioned the public not to believe in the fake information being circulated online about the “launch of National Hong Kong Coin” on blockchain purported to be announced by the Chief Executive. The Government clarified that the information is totally fictitious with fraudulent intent, and strongly condemned those who have attempted to distribute fake information in the name of the Chief Executive.      The spokesman reminded members of the public to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of such content.      The incident has been referred to the Police for a follow-up investigation.

    Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2025Issued at HKT 14:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Update on postal services to Australia

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Update on postal services to Australia
    **************************************

    ​Hongkong Post announced today (March 6) that, as advised by the postal administration of Australia, due to the impact of severe weather, mail delivery services to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia are subject to delay.

    Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2025Issued at HKT 14:35

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tender results of re-opening of 5-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Tender results of re-opening of 5-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds
    *******************************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender of 5-year RMB institutional Government Bonds through the re-opening of existing Government Bond (issue number 05GB2912002) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme was held today (March 6).           A total of RMB1.5 billion 5-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of RMB5.180 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 3.45. The average price accepted is 100.13, implying an annualised yield of 2.354 per cent.HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results      Tender results of 5-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:

    Tender Date
    :
    6 March 2025

    Issue Number
    :
    05GB2912002 (Re-open)

    Stock Code
    :
    84596 (HKGB2.37 2912-R)

    Issue and Settlement Date
    :
    10 March 2025

    Tenor
    :
    5 years

    Maturity Date
    :
    10 December 2029

    Coupon Rate
    :
    2.37%

    Amount Applied
    :
    RMB5.180 billion

    Amount Allotted
    :
    RMB1.5 billion

    Bid-to-Cover Ratio*
    :
    3.45

    Average Price Accepted (Yield)
    :
    100.13 (2.354% (Note))

    Lowest Price Accepted (Yield)
    :
    99.91 (2.404% (Note))

    Pro-rata Ratio
    :
    About 7%

    Average Tender Price (Yield)
    :
    99.75 (2.440% (Note))

    * Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.Note: The yields stated above are annualised yields.  For reference, the semi-annualised yields corresponding to the average price accepted, lowest price accepted, and average tender price are 2.340%, 2.390%, and 2.425% respectively.

    Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2025Issued at HKT 17:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: About 1 000 musicians to present all-time classics in 2025 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras concert series

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    About 1 000 musicians to present all-time classics in 2025 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras concert series
    ******************************************************************************************

    Organised by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the 2025 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras concert series in April and May will present a wide selection of favourite classics from various eras, performed by about 1 000 young musicians from 17 bands, choirs and orchestras under the Music Office.     The Hong Kong Youth Strings, the Island Youth Strings, the New Territories Youth Strings and the Kowloon Youth Strings will perform at the first concert, “String Music Boutique”, to be held at 3pm on April 6 (Sunday) at the Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium. They will perform fascinating string classics, including the second and fifth movements of Dvořák’s “Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22”, “Allegro Moderato” arranged by Monday from Saint-Saëns’ “Symphony No. 3”, the first movement of Haydn’s “Symphony No. 101, ‘The Clock’” arranged by Sieving, and Mendelssohn’s “String Symphony No. 2”, to mark the commencement of the Fiesta.     The second concert, “The Animated Melodies – Our Nostalgic Memories”, will be held at 7.30pm on April 12 (Saturday) at the Yuen Long Theatre Auditorium. The Music Office Youth Brass Band, the New Territories Youth Symphonic Band and the Kowloon Youth Symphonic Band will perform a number of familiar soundtracks from animations, including the vibrant theme song “Courage 100%” from Nintama Rantarō, the heartwarming theme from “The Lion King”, and “Akira Toriyama Sakuhin Medley”, encompassing beloved all-time favourites such as the theme music from “Dragon Ball Z”, “Dr. Slump”, and “Dragon Ball GT”. This concert is one of the programmes of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2025.       The Chinese orchestras’ concert “Ode to Chinese Music” will be held at 7.30pm on April 26 (Saturday) at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium Arena. The Music Office Children’s Chinese Orchestra, the New Territories Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Island Youth Chinese Orchestra and the Kowloon Youth Chinese Orchestra will showcase the unique charm of Chinese culture with various music favourites, including Peng Xiuwen’s “The City that Never Sleeps” arranged by Tam Yat-sing, Lo Leung-fai’s uplifting “Yu Diao”, Kwok Hang-kei’s “Ah Li Li” inspired by folk music, and excerpts from Wang Danhong’s magnificent “Hymn to the Sun”. This concert is one of the programmes of the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. 　　​     The Hong Kong Children’s Symphonic Band, the Music Office Junior Chinese Orchestra, and the Music Office Junior Symphonic Band will perform at the concert “Musical Soundscapes” to be held at 3pm on April 27 (Sunday) at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium Arena. The repertoire includes the imaginative Standridge’s “Darklands Legends”, the festive and joyful “Dance of the Yao Tribe” by Liu Tieshan and Mao Yuan, and Joe Hisaishi’s widely acclaimed “Howl’s Moving Castle-Symphonic Fantasy for Band”, taking audiences on a colourful music journey.　　     The finale concert, “Contrasting Resonance-London and Beyond”, featuring the Music Office Children’s Choir, the Music Office Youth Choir, and the Music Office Junior Symphony Orchestra, will be held at 3pm on May 4 (Sunday) at the Tuen Mun Town Hall Auditorium. The young musicians will present enchanting music works, including the first and fourth movements of Haydn’s “Symphony No. 104, ‘London’”, Coates’ “London Suite”, Gilpin’s “All My Heart Shall Sing with Joy!”, and Gershwin’s “Love is Here to Stay”, allowing audiences to experience the unique charm of music through choral and orchestral works.      Tickets of the first concert are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk), and tickets for the other concerts will be available one month before the concert dates. Tickets are priced at $55, $70 and $80. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please call 2796 7523 or 3842 7784 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/activities/traineesevents/musicnconcert/2025-Fiesta.html.      This year, the LCSD presents the third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, themed “More Than Joy”. Humour has been a trend-setter of Hong Kong’s pop culture scene. The Festival features a diverse range of formats, including stage performances, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, library and outreach activities. Offering an insight into the multifaceted development of Hong Kong’s pop culture along the line of “happiness”, the Festival brings audiences not only joy and laughter, but also an opportunity to appreciate how pop culture can be transmitted and transformed, and how integration and breakthroughs are possible. For more information, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/en.      The Chinese orchestras’ concert “Ode to Chinese Music” is one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.ccpo.gov.hk/en/.

    Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2025Issued at HKT 15:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Health Bureau responds to Consumer Council’s recommendations on price transparency in healthcare

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Health Bureau responds to Consumer Council’s recommendations on price transparency in healthcare
    ******************************************************************************************

    In view of media enquiries concerning the Consumer Council’s recommendations on price transparency in healthcare, the Health Bureau today (March 6) gave the following response:      The Health Bureau welcomes the release of the Consumer Council’s report entitled “Price Transparency in Healthcare: Fostering Consumer Trust and Value”, which presents recommendations for improving the existing private healthcare sector and enhancing price transparency. As announced in the Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address, the Government plans to consult the sector within this year to explore legislating for enhancing private healthcare price transparency. The Government will take into account the Consumer Council’s report when formulating the relevant proposal for consultation purposes.      Hong Kong has a dual-track healthcare system that encompasses both the public and the private sectors. Public healthcare has long been acting as a safety net, while private healthcare offers more choices to citizens with higher affordability. The Government considers the private healthcare sector an integral part of Hong Kong’s healthcare system. As such, enhancing the value efficiency of private healthcare and maintaining high-quality healthcare services are crucial to keeping Hong Kong at the forefront of global healthcare standards and developing the city into an international health and medical innovation hub.      However, there has always been an imbalance in resource deployment between public and private healthcare. Public healthcare services are heavily subsidised at nearly 98 per cent, catering for 90 per cent inpatient and specialist medical care in Hong Kong while employing only roughly half of the manpower of medical practitioners. In view of high inflation in private healthcare, enhancing private healthcare price transparency will enable citizens to become better informed about pricing and prepared for costs before making medical decisions, which builds greater confidence in using private healthcare services by citizens and alleviates the burden on public healthcare services.      In 2016, the Government, together with the Hong Kong Private Hospitals Association, rolled out a Pilot Programme for Enhancing Price Transparency for Private Hospitals. It has been voluntarily participated in by all private hospitals with three measures implemented, namely (1) publicising the fee schedules of major chargeable items; (2) providing budget estimates for patients receiving 30 common treatments/procedures; and (3) publicising historical billing statistics for 30 common treatments/procedures.      A number of improvements have been made to the Pilot Programme since its introduction. The Government has also set up a dedicated website (apps.orphf.gov.hk/Public/en) to publish statistics from all private hospitals, including annual discharge numbers for specified treatments/procedures, average length of stay, and actual billing data for the 50th and 90th percentiles of each specified treatment/procedure, facilitating public reference and comparison.      The Health Bureau is actively preparing for the consultation exercise on legislating for private healthcare price transparency, taking into account, among others, the content of the Consumer Council’s report and the operational experience of the Pilot Programme, and will maintain liaison with various stakeholders to better uphold patient welfare in light of the actual operation of the private healthcare sector. The Health Bureau plans to announce the proposal for consultation purposes within this year.

    Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2025Issued at HKT 18:05

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bloom Technology Partners Joins Givefy Project with NAVER Co-Founder Hyuk-il Kwon and One Humanity Foundation’s Evan Klassen

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    – A platform creating a new culture of donation in partnership with Naver Happybean

    – Utilizing Locus Chain technology to enhance transparency and redefine the donation ecosystem with innovative blockchain solutions

    – A plan to establish a contribution network with the participation of global figures in collaboration with the One Humanity Foundation

    From left: Hyuk-il Kwon, co-founder of Naver; Sang-yoon Lee, CEO of Bloom Technology; and Evan Klassen, CEO of One Humanity

    GYEONGGI-DO, South Korea, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A global contribution platform is set to launch, poised to redefine how we engage with social causes by harnessing blockchain technology for unmatched transparency, efficiency, and versatility. Bloom Technology, led by CEO Sang Yoon Lee, has partnered with NAVER co-founder Hyuk Il Kwon and Evan Klassen, founder of the One Humanity Foundation, to launch “Givefy,” a Web3 platform that transcends traditional donation models.

    The name “Givefy” fuses “Give” and “Finance,” symbolizing a new contribution platform powered by blockchain technology. Unlike traditional donation systems where transparency was often lacking, Givefy enables real-time tracking of donations and assigns value to various forms of social contributions — including volunteer work, creative projects, and community initiatives — rewarding participants directly. With blockchain-enabled real-time tracking and integrated community features, Givefy transforms charitable giving into a sustainable, proactive movement.

    In synergy with Naver’s donation platform, “Happybean,” Givefy aims to attract existing donors while expanding its user base. Backed by global influences in social contribution, Givefy will actively promote global social impact campaigns, encourage broader participation, and establish a transparent, trustworthy ecosystem that reimagines the culture of giving on a global scale.

    Bloom Technology plans to leverage its next generation blockchain protocol, “Locus Chain,” to build a system that securely and transparently manages donation flows within Givefy. Locus Chain, known for processing thousands of transactions per second, features a low fee structure and robust tamper-proof technology. Its scalability is expected to effectively support the large-scale donation transactions that Givefy will handle in the future.

     

    Example of the Givefy Platform Interface

    The Givefy project is partnering with One Humanity, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to making mental health stigma history through innovative solutions and the launch of the Butterfly Movement a global social brand designed to represent mental health and build a united community, much like the pink ribbon did for cancer awareness. One Humanity actively engages in diverse social initiatives that support communities worldwide while fostering a sustainable culture of sharing. Notably, Evan Klassen, Founder of One Humanity, bestselling author, and the original creator of the Givefy concept, will leverage the organization’s extensive global network to design contribution campaigns featuring direct participation from internationally renowned figures.

    By connecting donors with organizations and individuals in need through the platform, One Humanity will play a pivotal role in building Givefy’s global contribution network.

    Hyuk Il Kwon, the Naver co-founder leading the Givefy project, is also widely recognized as Naver’s inaugural CTO and the founder of Naver Happybean. He remarked, “Givefy will build upon Happybean’s sharing ethos, while harnessing Locus Chain technology to enrich traditional monetary donations by adding value to diverse forms of giving, such as volunteer work and talent contributions. This approach will elevate the platform to a higher level. Our goal is to provide a reliable donation system accessible to everyone worldwide and to cultivate a new contribution ecosystem that actively involves international organizations like the UN, as well as influential global figures.”

    Bloom Technology CEO Sang Yoon Lee stated, “By leveraging blockchain technology, we can track donation flows in real time, significantly enhancing the trustworthiness and transparency of charitable giving. Moreover, by harnessing Locus Chain’s unique ability to process an enormous volume of transactions at ultra-high speeds, we aim to build a more efficient global donation system that will play a pivotal role in advancing our society.”

    Evan Klassen, CEO of the One Humanity Foundation, stated, “Givefy empowers everyone from influential figures to everyday contributors—to participate in charitable giving through a system that transparently measures and rewards every contribution. Our vision is to build a dynamic network that recognizes and incentivizes impactful actions, driving tangible social change. By engaging all of humanity, we are committed to creating a virtuous cycle of contributions that benefit the greater good.”

    Locus Chain is the first next generation blockchain protocol that simultaneously addresses decentralization, scalability, and security challenges. Its proprietary patented technology, Dynamic Sharding, guarantees network stability in any environment, while the Verifiable Pruning technique minimizes node size—enabling anyone to easily run a node even on a mini-PC or internet router. By offering highly cost-effective node operations, Locus Chain allows for secure network participation with a low barrier to entry and exceptional efficiency, making it the ideal blockchain solution for large-scale projects that demand robust scalability.

    With its fully decentralized implementation of Dynamic Sharding, Locus Chain stands as an advanced blockchain protocol capable of processing large-scale transfers at record speeds. It supports not only simple token transfers but also the handling of all data transactions occurring on Web3.

    References

    Media Inquiry:
    Contact Person: Geun-soo Lee, Head of Business Division, Bloom Technology
    Ph. No.: 010-5142-2558
    Email: komp@bloomtechnology.co.kr
    Address: 802, Building 2, 15 Pangyo-ro 228beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Bloom Technology. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aab62efd-1cf4-42b0-b8bf-2dc8ceba1e64

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1cf46d88-76b2-489b-91c7-e7613cc8548b

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dbbe0e37-ad93-4630-a472-b6c3cfd06f63

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: EBC Financial Group Launches Second Million Dollar Trading Challenge with USD $1 Million Prize

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  EBC Financial Group (EBC), a global leader in financial brokerage, announces the return of its flagship Million Dollar Trading Challenge (MDTC) for its second edition, one of the world’s largest and a global benchmark for skill-based trading competitions, as industry demand for structured, transparent trading opportunities continues to grow.

    The 2025 edition of MDTC comes at a time when traders are seeking greater accountability and access to proven strategies amid increasingly volatile markets. From 1 March to 30 May 2025, thousands of traders worldwide will compete for a $1 million trading account in a challenge that integrates real-time strategy sharing and zero-fee copy trading, setting a new standard for competitive trading.

    For the first time, top traders will be invited to an exclusive awards ceremony at the FC Barcelona Museum (Barça Immersive Tour), marking a historic moment as a global trading event is recognised within one of football’s most prestigious institutions. The partnership reflects a growing convergence between financial markets and elite sports, reinforcing trading as a profession that demands the same level of skill, precision, and discipline as world-class athletics.

    The inaugural MDTC in 2023 set multiple industry benchmarks, with 324 traders achieving profitable accounts and the top 10 traders recording an average return of 3,472.91%. The champion delivered an extraordinary 11,630.98% return in just 30 days, demonstrating the potential of skill-driven trading in a competitive environment.

    This year, MDTC II takes it further—allowing traders to access professional-grade trading signals and instantly replicate top-performing strategies for free via copy trading. By combining competition with real-time strategy sharing and zero-fee copy trading, EBC is setting a new standard for transparency and accessibility in trading.

    Real-Time Copy Trading: Automatically Replicate Top Traders’ Strategies
    The rise of retail trading has transformed financial markets, yet many traders struggle to access transparent, structured learning environments that allow them to develop real skills. MDTC II is designed to bridge this gap—giving traders a unique opportunity to refine their strategies by actively engaging with top-performing traders through real-time copy trading.

    Unlike traditional contests that reward high-risk speculation, MDTC II introduces an open, strategy-sharing ecosystem where traders can analyse, track, and instantly replicate the trades of leading participants at no cost. This levels the playing field, allowing both novice and experienced traders to benefit from collective insights while maintaining individual control over their trades.

    “When you’re a growing company, you aim to create an event that truly reflects your values and passion—MDTC is ours. We are here to be a light in the industry, proving that traders can succeed; traders can be successful at trading, it requires education and grit, and it’s not just for the 1%. That’s the real beauty of MDTC—every participant must show their trading history, show the world what they are doing. Anyone can log in and take a look, and you can see for yourself what the winners are trading.

    “At EBC, we don’t measure this (or any activity) by the number of signups or deposits we get—we measure it by the conversations we create. With this second iteration, we’re introducing more trading tools and enhanced features, another key aspect we’re all really proud of, because at EBC, ‘perfect’ is never enough,” said Samuel Hertz, Director of Operations at EBC Financial Group.

    $1 Million Prize and A Once-in-a-Lifetime FC Barcelona VIP Experience
    At the heart of MDTC II is one of the industry’s largest prizes—a $1 million trading account—designed to reward skill, discipline, and strategy execution. Rather than a one-time cash payout, the grand prize provides a unique opportunity for the winner to manage significant capital while retaining 100% of their profits, with a maximum allowable loss of $200,000. Alternatively, the winner can choose a $200,000 cash prize.

    MDTC II is structured into two categories to ensure accessibility and fair competition. The Rising Stars category is open to traders with a minimum balance of $500, ranked by profit rate, providing an opportunity for those looking to refine their skills in a structured environment.

    For more experienced traders, the Dream Squad category is designed for participants with balances between $10,000 and $200,000, ranked by net profit. This category recognises traders who can navigate market conditions effectively while managing larger capital.

    Beyond financial rewards, top traders will gain industry recognition and a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the FC Barcelona Museum. In an exclusive awards ceremony, winners will be celebrated at the home of one of the world’s greatest multi-sports clubs—bridging the gap between trading and elite performance in professional sports.

    “For EBC Financial Group, the Million Dollar Trading Challenge is a fantastic way for new and seasoned traders to be involved in a real-time event. It allows clients to see traders of all levels to engage with live market conditions, see real-time the trades executed by all entrants, and gives emerging traders the change to follow and learn from those with more experience, in a way that suits their trading style.

    “This opportunity to watch, learn, and develop in a fully transparent environment is invaluable, and an excellent way to encourage new traders to understand what strategy works, when, and why. The trades that do not work are as much as lesson as those that do,” said David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd.

    Maximising Opportunities through Community Management and Cutting-Edge Trading Platforms
    To further encourage community participation, MDTC II introduces an enhanced Referral Program, offering participants up to $300 per successful referral, with no cap on the number of referrals. This initiative encourages greater community participation, allowing traders to expand their network while benefiting from the competition.

    With a focus on driving innovation in the financial markets, MDTC II expands trading opportunities by integrating Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on US stocks into the competition for the first time. US stocks account for over 65% of global market capitalisation, making them among the most liquid and dynamic assets across industries. This addition allows participants to access some of the world’s most influential companies, providing new opportunities to navigate volatile and fast-moving markets.

    The competition takes place on industry-leading MT4 and MT5 platforms, enabling participants to trade Forex, Commodities, Indices, and US Stock CFDs with advanced charting tools, automated strategies, and real-time execution. By combining diverse asset classes, cutting-edge technology, and expanded market access, MDTC II continues to redefine the landscape of competitive trading.

    Refining the Contest Experience: MDTC 2023’s Legacy
    The first Million Dollar Trading Challenge in 2023 saw strong participation, with traders executing 431,827 trades and generating a total profit of $1,096,718.57. The event highlighted the growing interest in structured trading competitions and the role of copy trading in improving accessibility for traders at different experience levels.

    Community engagement was a key aspect of the challenge, with many participants leveraging copy trading features to track and replicate successful strategies. The results underscored the potential for shared market insights to shape trading outcomes.

    With MDTC II, the competition continues to evolve, incorporating past insights while maintaining a focus on transparency, strategy development, and trader engagement.

    For more information and to be part of the journey that reshapes what’s possible in financial markets, visit https://www.ebc.com/million-dollar-challenge-2.

    About EBC Financial Group
    Founded in London’s esteemed financial district, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renowned for its expertise in financial brokerage and asset management. With offices in key financial hubs—including London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Cayman Islands, Bangkok, Limassol, and emerging markets in Latin America, Asia, and Africa—EBC enables retail, professional, and institutional investors to access a wide range of global markets and trading opportunities, including currencies, commodities, shares, and indices.

    Recognised with multiple awards, EBC is committed to upholding ethical standards and these subsidiaries are licensed and regulated within their respective jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA); EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

    At the core of EBC are a team of industry veterans with over 40 years of experience in major financial institutions. Having navigated key economic cycles from the Plaza Accord and 2015 Swiss franc crisis to the market upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic. We foster a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor relationship is handled with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

    As the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, EBC provides specialised services across Asia, LATAM, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Through its partnership with the UN Foundation and the world’s largest grassroots campaign, United to Beat Malaria, the company contributes to global health initiatives. EBC also supports the ‘What Economists Really Do‘ public engagement series by Oxford University’s Department of Economics, helping to demystify economics and its application to major societal challenges, fostering greater public understanding and dialogue.

    https://www.ebc.com/

    Media Contact:
    Savitha Ravindran
    Global Public Relations Manager (EMEA, LATAM)
    savitha.ravindran@ebc.com   

    Chyna Elvina
    Global Public Relations Manager (APAC, LATAM)
    chyna.elvina@ebc.com

    Douglas Chew
    Global Public Relations Lead
    douglas.chew@ebc.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90e3f81c-a0fc-4bd3-9cd4-155c6a5a0fcf

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/67625ee9-b2fb-48a5-aed2-c12b1830acae

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/34b28968-b7b2-4340-b114-57bcd09b90ac

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1dfd2dc-eb46-44e4-a2e1-cf90e948c91a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and Joint-Stock Commercial Bank “Asia Alliance Bank” Strengthen Partnership to Support Private Sector Growth in Uzbekistan

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, March 6, 2025/APO Group/ —

    • The Fourth Line: ICD and Asia Alliance Bank announce a USD 25 million Islamic line of financing facility to bolster Uzbekistan’s private sector development. 
    • Empowering Entrepreneurs: The new facility is designed to accelerate SME growth and foster economic development in Uzbekistan. 
    • Strengthened Collaboration: This initiative reaffirms the long-standing partnership between ICD and Asia Alliance Bank, aligning with ICD’s mission to support private sector growth. 

    The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (https://ICD-PS.org) and Joint-Stock Commercial Bank “Asia Alliance Bank” have taken a significant step to enhance Uzbekistan’s private sector development. A USD 25 million Islamic line of financing facility has been signed, marking a milestone in their collaborative efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the broader economic landscape. 

    This new financing facility, channeled through Asia Alliance Bank, is dedicated to empowering private sector projects in Uzbekistan. It aims to provide entrepreneurs with vital financial resources to launch and expand their ventures, thereby driving sustainable economic growth and contributing to the nation’s economic resilience. 

    Asia Alliance Bank has been a trusted partner of ICD since 2013 and has previously received three line-of-financing facilities totaling USD 30 million. The newly proposed facility highlights the strength of their enduring partnership and underscores a shared commitment to fostering private sector development in Uzbekistan. 

    This initiative is closely aligned with ICD’s Private Sector Development Strategy, which focuses on enabling economic dynamism and resilience by empowering SMEs and advancing financial inclusion. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – European Parliament Press Kit for the Special European Council of 6 March 2025

    Source: European Parliament

    European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will represent the European Parliament at the special summit, where she will address the heads of state or government at 12.30.

    European Council President António Costa convened the Special European Council to discuss continued support for Ukraine and European defence, with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

    Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

    On 24 February 2025, the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission issued a joint statement, saying “Russia and its leadership bear sole responsibility for this war and the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian population. We continue to call for accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed. We welcome the recent steps made towards the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.”

    The three Presidents highlighted that “Ukraine is part of our European family” and that “the future of Ukraine and its citizens lies within the European Union.”. They said “the need to ensure the international community’s continued focus on supporting Ukraine in achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the Ukrainian peace formula. We stand firm with Ukraine, reaffirming that peace, security, and justice will prevail.”

    On 11 February, Parliament’s Conference of Presidents issued a statement on continuing the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression. EP leaders reaffirmed their “steadfast solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and courage in defending their sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The European Union must remain united in its commitment to support Ukraine that includes political, military, economic, humanitarian and financial assistance. (…) . We call on the EU and its member states to increase and speed up the delivery of its support, in particular of its military support and establish a legal regime allowing for the confiscation of Russian-owned assets frozen by the EU.”

    Also on 11 February, the Chair of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, addressed a formal sitting of the European Parliament. Welcoming Mr Stefanchuk, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “I am proud that this Parliament has stood with Ukraine from the very first moment – united, unwavering, and resolute. We will keep pushing for peace. Peace must be just, it must be dignified, and it must be based on the principle of ‘Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine’.”

    In a resolution adopted on 23 January, MEPs condemn the Russian regime’s systematic falsification of historical arguments to justify its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. The text rejects historical claims by the Russian regime used to undermine Ukraine’s history and national identity as futile attempts to justify its ongoing illegal war. Parliament issues a strong call for the EU and its member states to increase and better coordinate their efforts to promptly and rigorously counter Russian disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference. This is essential, they say, to protect the integrity of democratic processes and strengthen the resilience of European societies.

    The resolution also calls on the EU to expand its sanctions against Russian media outlets conducting disinformation campaigns championing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It urges EU countries to implement these sanctions thoroughly and to dedicate sufficient resources to effectively addressing hybrid warfare. MEPs also want the EU to step up its support for exiled independent Russian media to facilitate diverse voices in the Russian-language media.

    On 28 November 2024, MEPs adopted a resolution calling for more military support for Ukraine amid the involvement of China and North Korea. They condemn Russia’s use of North Korean troops against the Ukrainian army and its testing of new ballistic missiles in Ukraine. These recent escalatory steps represent a new phase in the war and a new risk for Europe’s security as a whole, MEPs argue, calling on the EU and Ukraine’s other international partners to respond accordingly.

    Insisting that “no negotiations about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine”, MEPs urge the EU to work towards achieving the broadest possible international support for Ukraine and identifying a peaceful solution to the war. The resolution also demands the Council extend its sanctions against Russia, particularly against sectors of special economic importance, such as the metallurgical, nuclear, chemical, agricultural and banking sectors, and on Russian raw materials.

    Extraordinary plenary session with Volodymyr Zelenskyy

    On 19 November 2024, Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking 1000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Opening the sitting, EP President Roberta Metsola said Parliament would stand with Ukraine until it has “freedom and real peace, for as long as it takes.” She added that the Ukrainian people’s sacrifice over the previous 1,000 days was not just for themselves but for every European’s freedom and way of life.

    In his address, President Zelenskyy thanked the EU for its support and said that Ukraine, all of Europe, and our partners in America and around the world have succeeded not only in “preventing Putin from taking Ukraine” but also in defending the freedom of all European nations. “Putin remains smaller than the united strength of Europe. I urge you not to forget this, and not to forget how much Europe is capable of achieving. We can surely push Russia towards a just peace. Peace is what we desire the most,” he added. President Zelenskyy concluded by saying: “No one can enjoy calm water amid the storm. We must do everything we can to end this war fairly and justly. 1,000 days of war is a tremendous challenge. We must make the next year the year of peace.”

    Statement by EP leaders marking 1,000 days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine

    Also on 19 November 2024, Parliament’s President and political group leaders adopted a statement marking 1,000 days of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine. “We have started EU accession talks with Ukraine as it moves towards taking its rightful place in our European family. The gradual integration of Ukraine into the Union will be a central task for all EU institutions in this legislature, along with providing long-term financial and military assistance and much-needed support,” they said. They said, “The ultimate goal remains to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine on Ukraine’s terms, ensuring the safety and dignity of its people within a peaceful and stable Europe. Together, the democratic world must send a clear, simple message: we stand with and support Ukraine in every possible way until its victory.”

    Measures against the Russian “shadow fleet”

    In a resolution adopted on 14 November 2024, Parliament calls for more targeted EU sanctions against Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’, which provides a key financial lifeline for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. MEPs demand measures against these vessels in the next EU sanctions packages, including all individual ships as well as their owners, operators, managers, accounts, banks and insurance companies. They also call for the systematic sanctioning of vessels sailing through EU waters without known insurance and urge the EU to enhance its surveillance capabilities, especially drone and satellite monitoring, and to conduct targeted inspections at sea. MEPs want EU member states to designate ports capable of handling sanctioned vessels carrying crude oil and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and to seize illegal cargo without compensation.

    Financial assistance to Ukraine

    On 22 October 2024, MEPs approved an extraordinary loan of up to €35 billion to Ukraine, to be repaid with future revenues from frozen Russian assets. Parliament endorsed the new macro-financial assistance (MFA) to help Ukraine against Russia’s brutal war of aggression. This loan is the EU’s part of a G7 package agreed last June, to provide up to $50 billion (approximately €45 billion) in financial support to Ukraine. The final amount the EU will contribute could be lower, depending on the size of the loans provided by other G7 partners.

    The Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism, a newly established framework, will make future revenues from the frozen Russian Central Bank assets located in the EU available to Ukraine. These funds will help Ukraine service and repay the EU’s MFA loan as well as loans from other G7 partners. While the mechanism’s funds can be used to service and repay loans, Kyiv may allocate the MFA funds as it sees fit.

    Further reading

    Joint statement on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

    EP Conference of Presidents’ statement on EU support for Ukraine

    Ruslan Stefanchuk: “Peace in Ukraine can only be achieved if we stay strong”

    MEPs condemn Russia’s use of disinformation to justify its war in Ukraine

    More military support for Ukraine amid the involvement of China and North Korea

    Zelenskyy to MEPs: “We must end this war fairly and justly”

    1000 days: Statement on Ukraine by European Parliament’s leaders

    Parliament calls for an EU crackdown on Russia’s ’shadow fleet’

    Parliament approves up to €35 billion loan to Ukraine backed by Russian assets

    MEPs: Ukraine must be able to strike legitimate military targets in Russia

    Newly elected Parliament reaffirms its strong support for Ukraine

    MEPs approve trade support measures for Ukraine with protection for EU farmers

    Joint Statement by the Presidents of the European Union Institutions on the occasion of the 2 year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

    Parliament calls on the EU to give Ukraine whatever it needs to defeat Russia

    EU sanctions: new rules to crack down on violations

    MEPs: EU must actively support Russia’s democratic opposition

    Yulia Navalnaya: “If you want to defeat Putin, fight his criminal gang”

    Debate 12 March 2024: Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024

    Debate 13 March 2024: Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia

    Parliament wants tougher enforcement of EU sanctions against Russia

    A long-term solution for Ukraine’s funding needs

    How the EU is supporting Ukraine

    EU stands with Ukraine

    European Defence

    At the informal European Council meeting on defence on 3 February 2025, European Parliament President Metsola outlined her vision for how Europe can and must strengthen its own security and defence. “More action, more financing, and more cooperation,” must be the EU’s goals, she argued.

    “We need to do more, much more, to ramp up defence production and increase our defence industrial readiness” she said, stressing that “the best investment in European security is investing in the security of Ukraine.”

    President Metsola argued “investing in security, is not just about protection – it is about boosting European competitiveness, driving growth, creating quality high-skilled jobs and powering everyday breakthroughs that improve how we live, work and connect. The real incentive lies in addressing fragmentation within our markets. Different rules, standards, and systems are putting up barriers and risk holding us back. It makes no sense for Europe to have 178 different weapons systems, when the United States has 30.”

    “Fragmentation costs us billions: between €25 and €75 billion are lost due to duplication and inefficiencies. The answer to this is staring us right in the face. Now is the time to move forward with a single market for defence. Europe must be responsible for its own security. No one else will do this for us,” she added

    In a report adopted by the Foreign Affairs Committee on 30 January, MEPs push for the EU to strengthen its defence capacity against a backdrop of multiple security threats. The report emphasises the absolute need for the EU to recognise and meet the current challenges posed by multiple and evolving security threats. The EU, they say, needs to engage in new and better policies that will enable the European Union and its member states to strengthen their defence in Europe. Noting the limited progress and underinvestment in common European defence capability development, industrial capacity, and defence readiness since the establishment of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) 25 years ago, MEPs restate need for a truly common European approach, policies and joint efforts in the area of defence. They say a paradigm shift in EU CSDP is essential to enable the European Union to act decisively in its neighbourhood, and on the global stage, to safeguard its values, interests, citizens, and promote its strategic objectives.

    On 13 January, MEPs discussed the security situation in Europe and beyond, as well as defence and EU-NATO cooperation, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

    Regarding EU-NATO cooperation, MEPs quizzed Mr Rutte on the EU’s contribution. Defence is not limited to military issues, MEP said, adding that it includes international relations, as well as social, economic and diplomatic relations. MEPs also asked about future cooperation with the incoming Trump Administration and expressed concern about the role of Türkiye in NATO.

    Other MEPs pointed out that there are differences between NATO allies on defence issues, but unity is necessary to secure a sustainable peace in Ukraine. They also highlighted the difficult security situation in the Mediterranean and the Western Balkans.

    Several MEPs enquired about the avoidance of duplication in military production as well accelerating the development of weapons, and others raised the issue of the need to tackle hybrid threats, particularly on the eastern flank of Europe and in the Western Balkans.

    Further reading

    “Europe must be responsible for its own security”, Metsola tells EU leaders

    MEPs call on Europe to strengthen its defence capacity

    Rutte to MEPs: “We are safe now, we might not be safe in five years”

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Reseachers work towards better, fatigue-resistant alloys

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 3:31PM by PIB Delhi

    Researchers have developed an innovative approach to designing fatigue-resistant multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs), opening new possibilities for their application and further exploration.

    MPEAs are a novel class of materials composed of multiple principal elements rather than just one or two. Traditionally, it is believed that increasing strength through compositional modifications or the addition of brittle phases adversely affects fatigue life.

    Challenging these notions, Dr. Ankur Chauhan and his team from the Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, systematically explored the role of two critical microstructural features in enhancing the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) performance of alloys in the Cr-Mn-Fe-Co-Ni system.

    By adjusting the Cr/Ni ratio, they synthesized two single-phase face-centered cubic (FCC) MPEAs with distinct SFEs. The low-SFE alloy exhibited 10–20% higher cyclic strength than the high-SFE alloy while maintaining a comparable fatigue life. This improvement is attributed to the delayed evolution of dislocation substructures and a lower crack propagation rate in the low-SFE alloy compared to the high-SFE alloy.

    Additionally, the team developed a dual-phase alloy that demonstrated a 50–65% increase in cyclic strength over the single-phase low-SFE alloy while maintaining a similar fatigue life.

    This enhanced fatigue resistance is attributed to finer dislocation structures, higher back stresses from reduced grain size, crack deflection by brittle σ-precipitates, and extensive deformation twinning around fatigue cracks, which complement slip activity and slow crack propagation.

    These findings provide a framework for designing both single-phase and dual-phase fatigue-resistant MPEAs, with implications for structural applications. By offering deeper insights into deformation and damage mechanisms, this work advances the understanding of how SFE and secondary brittle phases influence the mechanical properties of MPEAs, paving the way for further research into complex alloy systems. This work is supported by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, a statutory body under the Government of India.

     

    ****

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2108794) Visitor Counter : 33

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commission on Children convenes 24th meeting

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (March 6) chaired the 24th meeting of the Commission on Children.
     
         At the meeting, members were briefed by government representatives on medical and healthcare services for children. The Health Bureau, the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority and the Primary Healthcare Commission have been providing a range of healthcare and health services to cater for the needs and development of children at different stages of growth, from infancy to adolescence. The Government will continue to enhance the services to strive for the healthy growth of children with a view to achieving the goal of “prevention is better than cure”.  
                
         The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau also updated members on the latest drug situation in Hong Kong, including the Government’s anti-drug strategies, the recent abuse situation of the “space oil drug”, and preventive education and publicity programmes for students to raise their awareness about the harms of drugs. The ND will continue to collaborate with government departments, non-government organisations and the community to build an anti-drug culture in schools together and strengthen students’ resolve to resist drug temptation. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CURTAIN RAISER: PASSING OUT PARADE OF FIFTH BATCH OF AGNIVEERS AT INS CHILKA

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 12:54PM by PIB Delhi

    The Passing Out Parade (POP) of the fifth batch of Agniveers is scheduled at INS Chilka on 07 Mar 25. The POP marks the successful culmination of training of approx. 2972 Agniveers, including women Agniveers who have undergone rigorous training at Chilka.  VAdm V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding -in- Chief, Southern Naval Command will be the Chief Guest and review the post sunset POP.  This momentous event will be witnessed by the proud families of the passing-out Agniveer course. Besides this, high achiever veterans and eminent sports personalities will also be present, inspiring the Agniveers with their remarkable journey.

    FOC-in-C, SNC will also attend the valedictory function and present awards/ trophies to various trainees/ Division and unveil the bilingual trainees’ magazine ‘Ankur’. The POP not only signifies the successful completion of 16 weeks of ab initio Naval training but also their voyage in the Combat-ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future-ready Indian Navy. The POP will be live streamed on Indian Navy YouTube channel, Facebook page and regional Doordarshan network at 1730 h on 07 Mar 25.

    _____________________________________________________________

    VM/SPS                                                                                                        49/25

    (Release ID: 2108740) Visitor Counter : 53

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses Winter Tourism Program at Harsil, Uttarakhand

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses Winter Tourism Program at Harsil, Uttarakhand

    Blessed to be in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand once again: PM

    This decade is becoming the decade of Uttarakhand: PM

    Diversifying our tourism sector, making it perennial, is very important for Uttarakhand: PM

    There should not be any off season, tourism should be on in every season in Uttarakhand: PM

    Our governments at Center and state are working together to make Uttarakhand a developed state: PM

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 12:54PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the Winter Tourism Program after flagging off a trek and bike rally at Harsil, Uttarakhand. He also performed pooja and darshan at the winter seat of Maa Ganga in Mukhwa. Addressing the gathering, he expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic incident in Mana village and extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident. He said the people of the nation stand in solidarity during this time of crisis, which has provided immense strength to the affected families.

    “The land of Uttarakhand, known as Devbhoomi, is imbued with spiritual energy and blessed by the Char Dham and countless other sacred sites”, said the Prime Minister, highlighting that this region serves as the winter abode of the life-giving Maa Ganga. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to visit again and meet the people and their families, calling it a blessing. He emphasized that it is by Maa Ganga’s grace that he had the privilege of serving Uttarakhand for decades. “Maa Ganga’s blessings guided me to Kashi, where I now serve as a Member of Parliament”, said Shri Modi, recalling his statement in Kashi that Maa Ganga had called him and shared his recent realization that Maa Ganga has now embraced him as her own. The Prime Minister described this as Maa Ganga’s affection and love for her child, which brought him to her maternal home in Mukhwa village and had the honor of performing darshan and puja at Mukhimath-Mukhwa. Remarking on his visit to the land of Harsil, expressing his fond memories of the affection shown by the local women, whom he referred to as “Didi-Bhuliyas”, Shri Modi highlighted their thoughtful gestures of sending him Harsil’s rajma and other local products. He expressed his gratitude for their warmth, connection, and gifts. 

    The Prime Minister recalled his visit to Baba Kedarnath, where he had declared that, “this decade would be the decade of Uttarakhand”. He remarked that the strength behind those words came from Baba Kedarnath himself and highlighted that, with Baba Kedarnath’s blessings, this vision is gradually becoming a reality. Emphasizing that new avenues for Uttarakhand’s progress are opening up, fulfilling the aspirations that led to the state’s formation, Shri Modi noted that the commitments made for Uttarakhand’s development are being realized through continuous achievements and new milestones. He added, “winter tourism is a significant step in this direction, aiding in harnessing Uttarakhand’s economic potential” and congratulated the Uttarakhand government for this innovative effort and extended his best wishes for the state’s progress.

    “Diversifying and making the tourism sector a year-round activity is important and necessary for Uttarakhand”, said the Prime Minister, remarking that there should be no “off-season” in Uttarakhand, and tourism should thrive in every season. He mentioned that currently, tourism in the hills is seasonal, with a significant influx of tourists during March, April, May, and June. However, he added that the number of tourists drops drastically afterward, leaving most hotels, resorts, and homestays vacant during winters. He pointed out that this imbalance leads to economic stagnation for a large part of the year in Uttarakhand and also poses challenges to the environment.

    “Visiting Uttarakhand during winters offers a true glimpse of the divine aura of Devbhoomi”, said Shri Modi, highlighting the thrill of activities like trekking and skiing that winter tourism in the region provides. He stressed that winters hold special significance for religious journeys in Uttarakhand, with many sacred sites hosting unique rituals during this time. He pointed out the religious ceremonies in Mukhwa village as an integral part of the region’s ancient and remarkable traditions. The Prime Minister noted that the Uttarakhand government’s vision for year-round tourism will provide people with opportunities to connect with divine experiences. He underlined that this initiative will create year-round employment opportunities, significantly benefiting the local population and the youth of Uttarakhand.

    “Our governments at Center and state are working together to make Uttarakhand a developed state”, said the Prime Minister, remarking on the significant progress achieved in the past decade, including the Char Dham All-Weather Road, modern expressways, and the expansion of railways, air, and helicopter services in the state. He also mentioned that the Union Cabinet had recently approved the Kedarnath Ropeway Project and the Hemkund Ropeway Project. He noted that the Kedarnath Ropeway will reduce the travel time from 8-9 hours to approximately 30 minutes, making the journey more accessible, especially for the elderly and children. Shri Modi emphasized that thousands of crores of rupees will be invested in these ropeway projects. He extended his congratulations to Uttarakhand and the entire nation for these transformative initiatives.

    Underlining the focus on developing eco-log huts, convention centers, and helipad infrastructure in the hills, Shri Modi said, “tourism infrastructure is being newly developed in locations such as Timmer-Sain Mahadev, Mana village, and Jadung village”. He added that the Government has worked to ensure the erstwhile emptied villages of Mana and Jadung in 1962, have been restored. He noted that as a result, the number of tourists visiting Uttarakhand has increased significantly over the past decade. He shared that before 2014, an average of 18 lakh pilgrims visited the Char Dham Yatra annually, which has now risen to approximately 50 lakh pilgrims each year. The Prime Minister announced that this year’s budget includes provisions to develop 50 tourist destinations, granting hotels at these locations the status of infrastructure. He emphasized that this initiative will enhance facilities for tourists and promote local employment opportunities. 

    Emphasising the Government’s efforts to ensure that border areas of Uttarakhand also benefit from tourism, the Prime Minister said, “villages once referred to as the “last villages” are now being called the “first villages” of the country”. He highlighted the launch of the Vibrant Village Program for their development, under which 10 villages from this region have been included. He noted that efforts have begun to resettle Nelong and Jadung villages and mentioned the flagging off of a bike rally to Jadung from the event earlier. He also declared that those building homestays will be provided benefits under the Mudra Yojana. Shri Modi appreciated the Uttarakhand government’s focus on promoting homestays in the state. He highlighted that villages deprived of infrastructure for decades are now witnessing the opening of new homestays, which is boosting tourism and increasing the income of local residents. 

    Making a special appeal to people from all corners of the country, particularly the youth, Shri Modi highlighted that while much of the country experiences fog during winters, the hills offer the joy of basking in sunlight, which can be turned into a unique event. He suggested the concept of “Gham Tapo Tourism” in Garhwali, encouraging people from across the country to visit Uttarakhand during winters. He specifically urged the corporate world to participate in winter tourism by organizing meetings, conferences, and exhibitions in the region, emphasizing the vast potential of the MICE sector in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. The Prime Minister remarked that Uttarakhand provides opportunities for visitors to recharge and re-energize through yoga and Ayurveda. He also appealed to universities, private schools, and colleges to consider Uttarakhand for students’ winter trips.

    Pointing out the significant contribution of the wedding economy, worth thousands of crores, the Prime Minister reiterated his appeal to the people of the country to “Wed in India” and encouraged prioritizing Uttarakhand as a destination for winter weddings. He also expressed his expectations from the Indian film industry, noting that Uttarakhand has been awarded the title of the “Most Film-Friendly State.” He emphasized the rapid development of modern facilities in the region, making Uttarakhand an ideal destination for film shootings during winters.

    Shri Modi underscored the popularity of winter tourism in several countries and emphasized that Uttarakhand can learn from their experiences to promote its own winter tourism. He urged all stakeholders in Uttarakhand’s tourism sector, including hotels and resorts, to study these countries’ models. He called on the Uttarakhand government to actively implement actionable points derived from such studies. He stressed the need to promote local traditions, music, dance, and cuisine. The Prime Minister remarked that Uttarakhand’s hot springs can be developed into wellness spas, and serene, snow-covered areas can host winter yoga retreats, urging the Yoga gurus to arrange a yoga camp in Uttarakhand annually. He also suggested organizing special wildlife safaris during the winter season to establish a unique identity for Uttarakhand. He emphasized adopting a 360-degree approach and working at every level to achieve these goals.

    The Prime Minister emphasized that alongside developing facilities, spreading awareness is equally important and appealed to the country’s young content creators to play a vital role in promoting Uttarakhand’s winter tourism initiative. Mentioning the significant contribution of content creators in boosting the tourism sector, Shri Modi urged them to explore new destinations in Uttarakhand and share their experiences with the public. He suggested the State Government to organize a competition of making short films by content creators to promote tourism in Uttarakhand. He concluded by expressing confidence that the sector will witness rapid growth in the coming years and congratulated Uttarakhand for its year-round tourism campaign.

    The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Ajay Tamta were present among other dignitaries at the event. 

    Background

    The Uttarakhand government has initiated a Winter Tourism programme this year. Thousands of devotees have already visited the winter seats of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The programme is aimed to promote religious tourism and boost the local economy, homestays, tourism businesses, among others.

     

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2108742) Visitor Counter : 83

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Participates in Seminar on Health Challenges and Healthy Lifestyle at ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Faridabad

    Source: Government of India

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Participates in Seminar on Health Challenges and Healthy Lifestyle at ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Faridabad

    Inaugurates Advanced Medical Facilities, Including Digital Mammography, Digital Radiography Fluoroscopy System, and Next-Generation Sequencing Application

    Unveils Statue of Lord Dhanwantari at ESIC Medical College & Hospital Premises

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 12:30PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today participated in a seminar on “Health Challenges and Healthy Lifestyle” organized by Arogya Bharti in collaboration with ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Faridabad in Faridabad, Haryana.

    Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of preventive and promotive healthcare in building a healthy and fit India. Citing the wisdom of ancient Indian medical pioneers like Charak, Sushruta, and Lord Dhanwantari, he highlighted India’s rich healthcare legacy. He stressed the significance of meditation, yoga, and fasting as key components of preventive healthcare and commended Arogya Bharti’s efforts in organizing wellness camps across the country to promote holistic well-being.

    Inauguration of Cutting-Edge Medical Facilities

    During his visit, Dr. Mandaviya inaugurated three state-of-the-art medical facilities at ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Faridabad:

    • Digital Mammography Services – A high-resolution, digital detector-based mammography machine designed for advanced imaging, particularly beneficial for early detection and evaluation of breast cancer.
    • 1000 mA Digital Radiography Fluoroscopy (DRF) System – A modern diagnostic system for high-quality X-ray radiography and fluoroscopic-guided interventions, enhancing diagnostic capabilities for insured workers and their families.
    • Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Application – A cutting-edge technology that will aid in oncology research, RNA sequencing, and pathogen identification, paving the way for precision medicine.

    The addition of these facilities will significantly improve diagnostic and treatment services for insured workers and their dependents, ensuring access to world-class healthcare within the ESIC network.

    Unveiling of Lord Dhanwantari’s Statue

    As a tribute to India’s ancient healing traditions, Dr. Mandaviya also unveiled a statue of Lord Dhanwantari, the god of Ayurveda, at ESIC Medical College & Hospital.

    Engaging Participation from Healthcare & Industry Leaders

    The seminar witnessed active participation from doctors, paramedics, medical students, industrial workers, and office bearers of industrial associations and Arogya Bharti, reflecting a shared commitment to preventive healthcare and holistic well-being.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2108732) Visitor Counter : 44

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: International conference focuses on role of PLI Schemes, India’s green transition and inclusive sustainability in shaping India’s industrial policy

    Source: Government of India

    International conference focuses on role of PLI Schemes, India’s green transition and inclusive sustainability in shaping India’s industrial policy

    Panel discussions highlight industrial policy evolution and global competitiveness amid evolving geopolitics

    WTO experts underscore key insights on trade policy and industrial policy linkages

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 12:29PM by PIB Delhi

    Discussions around shaping the contours of India’s industrial policy in light of the evolving geopolitical landscape, the role of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes in driving manufacturing competitiveness, India’s green transition and inclusive sustainability in shaping India’s industrial policy and creating resilient global supply chains was at the central of the international conference organised by the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL).

    The international conference was based on the theme “Navigating the Future: Industrial Policy and Global Competitiveness” organised by the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, in collaboration with the Centre for International Trade and Business Laws, NALSAR University of Law and the World Trade Institute, University of Bern, together with the WTO India Chairs Programme. The international conference was held during 17th to 19th January 2025 at the NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.

    Importantly, the conference discussed the role of WTO disciplines in ensuring that industrial policy measures do not negate the core principle of the ruled-based international trading system. The conference featured key insights into the current geopolitical landscape and energy transition.

    The central theme of the conference ‘Navigating the Future: Industrial Policy and Global Competitiveness’ was explored through a series of panel discussions and technical sessions. The inaugural sessions featured discussions on the resurgence and evolution of industrial policy, metrics to measure its impact, and their compatibility with WTO rules in a changing global context. Prof. James J. Nedumpara, Head, CTIL, in his welcome speech, highlighted the relevance of the conference theme and the importance of green industrial policy in fostering innovation and technology in the current global context. This was followed by the presidential address delivered by Prof. Srikrishna Deva Rao, Vice Chancellor of NALSAR University of Law. Shri. Ujal Singh Bhatia and Professor Peter Vanden Bosche, former members of the WTO Appellate Body, also emphasised the need for an in-depth examination of the linkages between trade policy and industrial policy.

    Shri Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, during his address highlighted that emerging economies can play a catalyzing role in energy transition and pioneer an economic transformation. The Secretary emphasised the role that India can play in the global critical raw material supply chains and underscored that any strategy for value chain integration must be focused on creating value within India, including creating employment opportunities. 

    In the plenary session, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission highlighted the global shift from free trade to protectionism in response to challenges from China’s rise and evolving U.S. policies. Shri. Ahluwalia emphasized the need for clear, cost-effective interventions in critical sectors, transparency in initiatives like PLIs, and adherence to WTO rules, as part of a balanced approach to security and economic priorities.

    Several renowned scholars and policy experts of in the field of international trade and policy including Dr. Werner Zdouc, former Director of the Appellate Body, Mr. Sumanta Chaudhuri, Head Trade Policy, CII, Dr. Pritam Banerjee, Head, Centre for WTO Studies, Prof. Henry Gao, Professor, Singapore Management University, Professor Abhijit Das, former Head, Centre for WTO Studies, Dr. Alicia Gracia, Senior Fellow at Brugel, Dr. Isabelle Van Damme, Director, World Trade Institute, Dr. Rosmy Joan, Associate Professor, NALSAR University, among others spoke in the programme.

    In the inaugural session, CTIL launched its monthly investment law newsletter, ‘Investment Law Compass: Navigating through the Global Investment Framework’ which aims to highlight the developments in the investment law landscape and transform it into an accessible and insightful journey for enthusiasts and professionals alike. The newsletter will be available online at www.ctil.org.in.

    At the valedictory address, Professor James J Nedumpara reflected on the rich discussions on industrial policy and its various dimensions over the three days and highlighted that the conference was enriched by global participation. He extended his felicitations to the co-collaborators NALSAR and WTI and congratulated them on the successful conclusion of the Conference.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan/Asmitabha Manna

    (Release ID: 2108731) Visitor Counter : 67

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NHRC, India takes suo motu cognisance of the reported ostracisation of 30 people of 8 families by a village chief over a land dispute in Sambavarvadakarai town, Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu

    Source: Government of India

    NHRC, India takes suo motu cognisance of the reported ostracisation of 30 people of 8 families by a village chief over a land dispute in Sambavarvadakarai town, Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu

    The victim families were barred from accessing local stores, other facilities, and communicating with other residents

    Issues notice to the District Collector, Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu calling for a detailed report within two weeks

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 12:25PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that a village chief ostracised all the members of a family when they initiated a legal battle against a man over land encroachment in Sambavarvadakarai town in Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu. Seven other families were also ostracised when they supported this family. Reportedly, the police arrested 30 people of 8 families when they protested in front of the office of the District Collector against their ostracism.

    The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victim families. Therefore, it has issued notice to the District Collector, Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu calling for a detailed report within two weeks.

    According to the media report, carried on 20th February, 2025, the victim families were barred from accessing local stores, other facilities, and communicating with other residents. Reportedly, the Revenue Divisional Officer instead of taking action against the village chief organised a peace talk with him to revoke his instructions but to no avail.

    ***

    NSK

    (Release ID: 2108730) Visitor Counter : 64

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sahitya Akademi will be organising “Festival of Letters 2025”

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 12:20PM by PIB Delhi

    Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier literary institution working under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, will be organizing its annual Festival of Letters at Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi from 7th March 2025 to 12th March 2025. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Government of India, will inaugurate the festival. Sri Mahesh Dattani, eminent English Playwright will be the chief guest of the award ceremony in which the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards in 23 languages will be presented and Sri Upamanyu Chatterjee, eminent Writer and Scholar will deliver this year’s Samvatsar Lecture.

    This is Asia’s Largest Literature Festival with about 700 writers from different parts of the country representing more than 50 languages participating in the festival that spans over 100 sessions. The theme of the festival will be Indian Literary Traditions and a National Seminar on the topic featuring eminent thinkers and writers will be organized during the last three days of the festival.

    The festival will feature Young Writers, Women Writers, Dalit Writers, Writers from North East, Tribal writers and poets, LGBTQ writers and poets along with many eminent writers, translators, publishers, poets and distinguished personalities from different walks of life and Festival of Letters continue its status as India’s Most Inclusive Literature Festival since 1985.

    A daylong programme for children, Spin A Tale, will be organized on the final day of the festival. Throughout the festival, there will be presentations, readings and discussions by eminent authors, poets, translators, publishers and critics on a wide range of subjects.

    On three evenings, cultural performances by eminent artists like Rakesh Chaurasia (flute recital), Nalini Joshi (Hindustani Vocal) and Fouzia Dastango and Ritesh Yadav (Dastan-e-Mahabharata) will be organized. The Festival of Letters is open and free for all the literary lovers and those who wish to taste the flavour of Indian’s longest running Literature Festival.

    *****

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    (Release ID: 2108729) Visitor Counter : 30

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to Lead Chintan Shivir on Olympic Preparation & Sports Governance

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to Lead Chintan Shivir on Olympic Preparation & Sports Governance

    States, Experts, and Stakeholders to Strategize India’s Journey to Global Sporting Excellence

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 12:05PM by PIB Delhi

    With a strategic vision for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and India’s ambitious bid to host the 2036 Summer Games, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, will chair a high-level Chintan Shivir in Hyderabad on March 7-8.

    The two-day brainstorming session, hosted at Kanha Shanti Vanam, will bring together sports ministers from various States/UTs, senior sports administrators, key government officials, and domain experts to exchange ideas and craft a roadmap for India’s emergence as a global sports powerhouse. The deliberations will focus on enhancing sports governance, grassroots talent identification, infrastructure development, inclusivity, and fostering collaborations.

    Dr. Mandaviya, who is spearheading Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to elevate India’s sporting landscape, will engage in strategic discussions with stakeholders on India’s Olympic ambitions and strengthening the sports ecosystem. State representatives will present their best practices and innovative models during the Chintan Shivir.

    Key Focus Areas of the Chintan Shivir:

    • Overview of various schemes of Government of India and Co-ordination with States/UTs
    • Sports Development & Sports Infrastructure Partnership with Corporates
    • Talent Search and Nurturing of Grass-root Talent
    • Promoting Good Governance in Sports
    • Deliberations on expanding Khelo India & Fit India
    • Encouraging Inclusivity in Sports
    • Welfare of Sportspersons & Coaches

    Emphasizing the significance of a collaborative and result-oriented approach, Dr. Mandaviya remarked, “The success of Indian athletes at the recent Uttarakhand National Games highlights our immense potential. Our goal is clear, which is, achieving Olympic excellence and making India a global sports power. By sharing ideas and best practices, we can ensure a structured and sustainable sporting framework. Hosting the Olympics is a national mission, and we must move forward together.”

    A critical aspect of the discussions will be leveraging the expertise of former athletes. Dr. Mandaviya has urged states to identify top sportspersons who can transition into coaching roles, bridging gaps in the sporting ecosystem and strengthening the talent development pipeline.

    This Chintan Shivir will serve as a catalyst for transformative changes in Indian sports ecosystem, setting the stage for long-term success on the global stage.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2108723) Visitor Counter : 24

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Smt. Droupadi Murmu to lead the celebration on International Women’s Day

    Source: Government of India

    President Smt. Droupadi Murmu to lead the celebration on International Women’s Day

    National level conference on theme “Nari Shakti Se Viksit Bharat” being organised by Ministry of Women & Child Development on March 8, 2025

    High Level Panel Discussion to follow inaugural session

    Three technical sessions to be organized bringing together renowned women leaders from STEM, business, sports, media, and governance

    Unique Digital Media & Interactive Zone to showcase contributions of women in shaping a progressive India through real-time discussions, multimedia exhibits & storytelling initiatives

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 11:48AM by PIB Delhi

    The Government of India will be celebrating the International Women’s Day on 8thMarch, 2025.  The Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) is holding a national level conference at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on the theme “Nari Shakti Se Viksit Bharat”.  The President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the National Conference. The event will also be graced by Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, and Minister of State, Smt. Savitri Thakur, along with senior officials and distinguished guests. On this occasion, mega campaign through #SheBuildsBharat is also being organised.

    The event will witness the participation of women officers from the armed forces and para military forces and  Delhi police along with My Bharat volunteers, Anganwadi Workers, ASHA workers, Self Help Group members etc. Additionally, lady officers from various Ministries/ Departments have been invited to participate in the event. The event will also mark the presence of representatives from international organizations such as the World Bank, UNICEF, UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA etc.

    After the inaugural session, the day will continue with a valuable high Level Panel Discussion.

    On the sidelines of the above event, three technical sessions will be organized to bring together renowned women leaders from STEM, business, sports, media, and governance.

    1. Trailblazers and Luminaries – Looking Back and Forging Ahead on the 50th Anniversary of International Women’s Day

    This session will bring together renowned women leaders from STEM, business, sports, media, and governance to share their experiences and inspire future generations.

    1. Capitalizing on Women Power – Breakthroughs in Financial Inclusion

    This session will focus on financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and empowering women in the economy.

    1. Women in Leadership – Panchayat to Parliament

    A dedicated discussion on policies and frameworks to accelerate gender equality through political leadership.

    A unique Digital Media and Interactive Zone will engage participants through real-time discussions, multimedia exhibits, and storytelling initiatives, showcasing the contributions of women in shaping a progressive India.

    The proceedings will be livestreamed on Doordarshan, Webcast link, the Ministry of Women, and Child Development’s social media platforms and World Bank Live for  widespread reach and engagement.

    The Government of India, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, remains steadfast in its mission to empower women through transformative policies and initiatives. As India moves forward on the path of development, Nari Shakti will continue to be the cornerstone of a self-reliant and prosperous Bharat.

    https://pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=153866&ModuleId=3&reg=3&lang=1

    *****

    SS/MS

    (Release ID: 2108717) Visitor Counter : 28

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment organizes Inaugural Batch of Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 11:21AM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, successfully inaugurated the first batch of the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme. The initiative, launched by Capacity Building Commission, aims at fostering a stronger sense of Seva Bhav (spirit of service) among government officials who are  solution oriented, compassionate, and citizen-focused.

    The programme features four short training sessions (approximately 1.5 hours each), designed to encourage open discussions, teamwork, and practical problem-solving through service-oriented narratives. The Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme at the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment will go on from 5th to 11th March 2025 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

    The programme was inaugurated by Shri Amit Yadav, Secretary, DoSJE, who, in his address, emphasized the fundamental purpose of government service. He stared, “Many of us enter public service with a passion to make a difference. However, over time, daily routines and limited citizen interaction can make us lose sight of that purpose. This programme serves as a reminder of why we serve – to bring meaningful change in people’s lives. Every action taken by public servants contributes to the nation’s progress”.

    Further, Shri Yadav highlighted the importance of personal development and self-fulfilment in public service. He emphasized that citizen interaction is at the heart of governance, and how officials engage with the public, address concerns, and resolve issues plays a pivotal role in effective administration. Speaking on the philosophy of the programme’s name, he added, “‘Karmayogi’ signifies our duty—towards our nation, our department, our citizens and ourselves. This initiative is an opportunity for every officer to develop leadership skills, adopt a solution-oriented approach, and embrace Seva Bhav in their roles.”

    The training sessions are led by Master Trainers – Ms. Kajal Singh (Director) and Shri Puspendra Singh (Deputy Secretary), DoSJE, with support from Ms. Shipra Singh (Program Coordinator), Capacity Building Commission. The session witnessed active participation from attendees, who gained a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and its critical contribution to nation-building. The Vision and Mission of the department were discussed.

    Insights from the successful implementation of the nationwide welfare initiatives and campaigns were referenced while discussing the training modules, providing participants with practical, real-world context. Additionally, key aspects of the department’s role in policy formulation, grievance redressal, legal frameworks, and enhancing ease of access to social justice schemes were deliberated in alignment with the programme’s objectives. This approach enabled participants to connect the learnings of the programme with their day-to-day responsibilities.

    *****

    VM

    (Release ID: 2108710) Visitor Counter : 7

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: International Women’s Day 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    International Women’s Day 2025

    Empowered Women Empower the World

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 9:39AM by PIB Delhi

    Introduction

    International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world on 8th March. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements across national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political boundaries. The theme of International Women’s Day 2025 is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This year’s theme calls for action to unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and an inclusive future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation—youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls—as catalysts for lasting change.

    Further, the year 2025 is a pivotal moment as it marks the 30thanniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This document is the most progressive and widely endorsed blueprint for women’s and girls’ rights worldwide, transforming the women’s rights agenda in terms of legal protection, access to services, youth engagement, and change in social norms, stereotypes, and ideas stuck in the past.

    In India, the government has been actively working towards women’s empowerment and gender equality through various policies, schemes, and legislative measures. The country is witnessing a transition from women’s development to women-led development, ensuring equal participation in national progress. Women are playing a crucial role in shaping India’s socio-economic landscape, breaking barriers in education, health, digital inclusion, and leadership roles.

    On March 3, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged women across India to share their inspiring life journeys on the NaMo App Open Forum ahead of International Women’s Day. He praised the remarkable stories already submitted, highlighting the resilience and achievements of women from different walks of life. As a special initiative, he announced that selected women would take over his social media accounts on March 8 to amplify their voices and experiences. This initiative aims to celebrate women’s contributions and inspire others by showcasing their journey of empowerment, perseverance, and success.

    Constitutional and Legal Framework

    The Indian Constitution guarantees gender equality through provisions in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles of State Policy. Article 14 ensures equality before the law, while Article 15 prohibits discrimination based on sex. Article 51(a)(e) encourages citizens to renounce practices derogatory to women’s dignity. The Directive Principles, particularly Articles 39 and 42, emphasize equal livelihood opportunities, equal pay, and maternity relief.

    India is a signatory to international treaties such as:

    • Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
    • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966)
    • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979)
    • Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995)
    • United Nations Convention Against Corruption (2003)
    • Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development

     

    Government Schemes for Women’s Upliftment

    1. Education

    Education is the key to women’s empowerment and economic independence. India has undertaken several initiatives to ensure that girls have equal access to quality education from primary schooling to higher education. Gender parity in education has improved significantly, with female enrolment surpassing male enrolment in recent years.

    • Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 ensures schools are within reach for all children.
    • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Focuses on improving the child sex ratio and promoting girls’ education.
    • Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: Supports school infrastructure and girl-friendly facilities.
    • National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 prioritizes gender equity and inclusion in education.
    • Eklavya Model Residential Schools: Promote quality education for tribal girls
    • Female Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) has overtaken Male GER since 2017-18.
    • Female enrolment in higher education: 2.07 crore (2021-22), which is nearly 50% of the total number 4.33 crore.
    • The female to 100 male faculty ratio has also improved to 77 in 2021-22 from 63 in 2014-15.
    • Women in STEM: 42.57% (41.9 lakh) of total STEM enrolment.
    • STEM Initiatives:
      • Vigyan Jyoti (2020) promotes STEM education for girls in underrepresented areas.
    • Overseas Fellowship Scheme supports women scientists in global research opportunities.
    • National Digital Library, SWAYAM, and SWAYAM PRABHA ensure access to online learning.
    • Over 10 lakh girl students benefitted under various scholarships for STEM fields.
    • Skill Development Initiatives:
      • Skill India Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Women Industrial Training Institutes provide vocational and technical training to women.
      • Women Technology Parks (WTPs) serve as hubs for training and capacity building.

     

    2. Health and Nutrition

    Access to healthcare services is crucial for improving the well-being of women and reducing gender-based health disparities. The government has introduced several policies to ensure maternal and child health, nutrition, and medical support for women across all sections of society.

    • Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): Provides cash incentives to pregnant and lactating mothers, with ₹17,362 crore disbursed to 3.81 crore women, as of January 2025.
    • Improved Maternal Health:
      • Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) reduced from 130 (2014-16) to 97 (2018-20) per lakh live births.
      • Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) decreased from 43 (2015) to 32 (2020).
      • Life expectancy for women increased to 71.4 years (2016-20), expected to reach 74.7 years by 2031-36.
    • Nutrition and Sanitation:
      • Jal Jeevan Mission provided potable tap water to 15.4 crore households, reducing health risks.
      • Swachh Bharat Mission led to the construction of 11.8 crore toilets, improving sanitation and hygiene.
      • Poshan Abhiyaan: Strengthens maternal and child nutrition programs
      • Over 10.3 crore clean cooking gas connections distributed under the Ujjwala Yojana.

     

    3. Economic Empowerment and Financial Inclusion

    Women’s participation in the workforce is a key driver of economic growth. The government has launched multiple initiatives to promote financial independence, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities for women.

    • Women’s participation in major household decisions: Increased from 84% (2015) to 88.7% (2020).
    • Financial Inclusion:
      • PM Jan Dhan Yojana: Over 30.46 crore accounts (55% belonging to women) opened.
      • Stand-Up India Scheme: 84% of loans under ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore sanctioned to women entrepreneurs.
      • MUDRA Scheme: 69% of microloans given to women-led enterprises.
    • Self-Help Groups under NRLM: 10 crore (100 million) women connected to 9 million SHGs.
    • Bank Sakhis Model: 6,094 women banking correspondents processed transactions worth $40 million in 2020.
    • Employment and Leadership:
      • Women in Armed Forces: Entry into NDA, combat roles, and Sainik Schools.
      • Civil Aviation: India has over 15% women pilots, higher than the global average of 5%.
      • Working Women’s Hostels (Sakhi Niwas): 523 hostels benefiting 26,306 women.
    • Women Entrepreneurs in Startups: 10% of funds in the Small Industries Development Bank of India reserved for women-led startups

     

    4. Digital and Technological Empowerment

    In the digital era, access to technology and digital literacy are crucial for women’s socio-economic progress. The government has been proactive in ensuring women are part of the digital revolution through various initiatives.

    • Digital India Initiatives:
      • PMGDISHA (Prime Minister’s Digital Saksharta Abhiyan): 60 million rural citizens trained in digital literacy.
      • Common Service Centres (CSCs): 67,000 women entrepreneurs running digital service centers.
      • Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): Bridging healthcare accessibility through digital solutions.
      • SANKALP Hubs for Women Empowerment: Functioning in 742 districts across 35 States/UTs
    • Financial Technology and Inclusion:
      • Digital banking and Aadhaar-linked services ensure financial security for women.
      • Government e-marketplaces encourage female entrepreneurship and online businesses.

     

    5. Safety and Protection

    Ensuring women’s safety is a top priority for the Indian government. Several legislative measures, dedicated funds, and fast-track courts have been established to curb crimes against women and provide legal and institutional support.

    • Key Legal Frameworks:
      • Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018: Enhanced penalties for crimes against women.
      • Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
      • Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.
      • POCSO Act, 2012: Strengthened laws against child abuse.
      • Ban on Triple Talaq (2019): Criminalizing instant divorce practices.
      • Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: Penalizes dowry-related offenses.
      • Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006: Protects minors from forced marriages.
    • Nirbhaya Fund Projects (₹11,298 crore allocated):
      • One Stop Centres (OSCs): 802 centers functional, assisting over 1 million women.
      • Emergency Response Support System (ERSS – 112): 38.34 crore calls handled.
      • Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): 750 operational courts, 408 exclusively for POCSO cases.
      • Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) and cyber forensic labs for digital safety.
      • Safe City Projects: Implemented in 8 cities to enhance women’s safety.
      • 14,658 Women Help Desks in Police Stations, 13,743 headed by women.
    • Institutional and Legislative Reforms
      • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Strengthens provisions for gender justice.
      • Marital rape (for wives under 18) criminalized.
      • Enhanced punishment for sexual offenses and trafficking.
      • Witness protection and digital evidence admissibility improved.
      • Women’s representation in CAPFs: 33% reservation in select forces.
      • Nari Adalat: Piloted in 50 Gram Panchayats each in Assam and J&K, now expanding.

     

    Conclusion

    India has made remarkable progress in women’s empowerment through comprehensive policies, targeted schemes, and legal frameworks. From economic participation to safety, digital inclusion to education, the government’s initiatives have led to significant improvements in women’s lives. On this International Women’s Day, it is crucial to reaffirm the commitment to building an inclusive, gender-equal society where women play a central role in shaping the nation’s future. Sustained efforts in policy-making, community engagement, and digital inclusion will ensure that women continue to drive India’s growth story in the years to come.

    References

    Ministry of Women and Child Development

    https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pm-encourages-women-to-share-their-inspiring-life-journeys/

    https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day/background

    https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day

    Click here to see PDF.

    *****

    Santosh Kumar | Ritu Kataria | Rishita Aggarwal

    (Release ID: 2108690) Visitor Counter : 141

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala Inaugurates Advanced Cybersecurity Operations Centre (SOC) of Kerala Police developed by C-DOT to safeguard Police Systems & Critical Infrastructure

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 9:24AM by PIB Delhi

    Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, inaugurated “Advanced Cybersecurity Operations Centre” (SOC) of the Kerala Police Cyber Division to strengthen cybersecurity for police systems and critical infrastructure through video conferencing

    Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has designed and developed TRINETRA a cyber security operation centre for Kerala police.

    C-DOT’s TRINETRA solution is an AI-powered, indigenous, integrated cybersecurity platform, tailored to meet the cyber security defence of enterprises   and critical sectors. It facilitates the establishment of a comprehensive SOC within an enterprise to monitor endpoints, network traffic, and user behaviour, while proactively identifying vulnerabilities, detecting anomalies, and mitigating cyber

    The SOC will focus on securing computers and critical infrastructure at the police headquarters, city commissionerates, and affiliated police stations. This 24×7 SOC will play a crucial role in cyber threat monitoring, identifying vulnerabilities, and ensuring robust data protection. This initiative marks a major leap in safeguarding digital infrastructure of Kerala Police and enhancing cybersecurity resilience.

    The offline inaugural function was  attended over by Kadakampally Surendran Hon MLA ,  Dr. Pankaj Kumar Dalela, Executive Vice President C-DOT, Councilor Sridevi. A, Technopark CEO, Sanjeev Nair, G. Tech Secretary Sreekumar. V, Cyber Operation SP Ankit Ashokan, DySP Arunkumar. S, and Cyber Dome Inspector Krishnan Potty KG.

    Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT, expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to Shri Pinarayi Vijayan Ji Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, for motivating and inspiring C-DOT scientists. Dr Upadhyay also assured that C-DOT remains committed towards providing support for development and scalability of Indigenous telecom technologies

    Online Inauguration of Security Operations Centre (SOC) by Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala and physical inauguration by Shri. Kadakampally Surendran, Hon. MLA, Kazhakootam.

    *****

    SAMRAT

    (Release ID: 2108688) Visitor Counter : 59

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: JD.com Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results, and Annual Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: JD and HKEX: 9618 (HKD counter) and 89618 (RMB counter), the “Company” or “JD.com”), a leading supply chain-based technology and service provider, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months and the full year ended December 31, 2024 and an annual cash dividend for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Highlights

    • Net revenues were RMB347.0 billion (US$147.5 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 13.4% from the fourth quarter of 2023. Net revenues were RMB1,158.8 billion (US$158.8 billion) for the full year of 2024, an increase of 6.8% from the full year of 2023.
    • Income from operations was RMB8.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB2.0 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Operating margin was 2.4% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 0.7% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP2income from operations was RMB10.5 billion (US$1.4 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB7.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP operating margin was 3.0% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 2.5% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Income from operations was RMB38.7 billion (US$5.3 billion) for the full year of 2024, compared to RMB26.0 billion for the full year of 2023. Operating margin was 3.3% for the full year of 2024, compared to 2.4% for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP income from operations was RMB44.0 billion (US$6.0 billion) for the full year of 2024, compared to RMB35.4 billion for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP operating margin was 3.8% for the full year of 2024, compared to 3.3% for the full year of 2023.
    • Net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was RMB9.9 billion (US$1.4 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB3.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net margin attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was 2.8% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 1.1% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was RMB11.3 billion (US$1.5 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB8.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was 3.3% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 2.7% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was RMB41.4 billion (US$5.7 billion) for the full year of 2024, compared to RMB24.2 billion for the full year of 2023. Net margin attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was 3.6% for the full year of 2024, compared to 2.2% for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was RMB47.8 billion (US$6.6 billion) for the full year of 2024, compared to RMB35.2 billion for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was 4.1% for the full year of 2024, compared to 3.2% for the full year of 2023.
    • Diluted net income per ADS was RMB6.47 (US$0.89) for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 203.8% from RMB2.13 for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS was RMB7.42 (US$1.02) for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 40.0% from RMB5.30 for the fourth quarter of 2023. Diluted net income per ADS was RMB26.86 (US$3.68) for the full year of 2024, an increase of 76.4% from RMB15.23 for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS was RMB31.07 (US$4.26) for the full year of 2024, an increase of 40.1% from RMB22.17 for the full year of 2023.

    “We are pleased to report a strong quarter to close out 2024 amidst rebounding consumption. Our topline growth returned to double digits year-on-year, and bottom line also achieved healthy expansion. In addition, most of our product categories as well as key metrics such as our quarterly active users and shopping frequency saw strong double-digit growth year-on-year in Q4, reflecting our growing mindshare among consumers,” said Sandy Xu, Chief Executive Officer of JD.com. “We head into 2025 with more optimism, as consumption sentiment steadily picks up, and we continue to unlock high-quality growth potentials with our strong execution of strategic priorities.”

    “In the fourth quarter, our total revenues increased by 13.4% year-on-year. The momentum was broad-based across multiple categories and revenue streams, reflecting positive macro consumption trends and JD’s expanding market share,” said Ian Su Shan, Chief Financial Officer of JD.com. “Our profitability also continued to rise year-on-year throughout 2024, driven by our optimization in cost and operating efficiency. As we are confident to head towards our long-term profitability target, we are excited to announce an increased annual cash dividend for 2024 which, alongside our on-going US$5.0 billion share repurchase program, further demonstrates JD’s commitment to shareholder return.”

    Dividend Payment

    The Company announced that its board of directors (the “Board”) approved an annual cash dividend for the year ended December 31, 2024 of US$0.5 per ordinary share, or US$1.0 per ADS, to holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs, respectively, as of the close of business on April 8, 2025 Beijing/Hong Kong Time and New York Time, respectively, payable in U.S. dollars. The aggregate amount of the dividend is expected to be approximately US$1.5 billion, as calculated on the current number of the Company’s total issued and outstanding shares, which may be subject to minor adjustment by the record date. The payment date is expected to be on or around April 23, 2025 and on or around April 29, 2025 for holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs, respectively.

    Updates of Share Repurchase Program

    The Company repurchased a total of approximately 255.3 million Class A ordinary shares (equivalent of 127.6 million ADSs) for a total of approximately US$3.6 billion during the year ended December 31, 2024. All of these ordinary shares were repurchased from both Nasdaq and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange pursuant to the Company’s share repurchase programs publicly announced. The total number of shares repurchased by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024 amounted to approximately 8.1% of its ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 20233.

    The Company has fully utilized the repurchase amount authorized under its US$3.0 billion share repurchase program announced in March 2024, with all of the 207 million Class A ordinary shares (equivalent of 104 million ADSs) repurchased under the program cancelled.

    In addition, the Company adopted and announced a new share repurchase program (the “New Share Repurchase Program”) in August 2024. Pursuant to the New Share Repurchase Program effective from September 2024, the Company may repurchase up to US$5.0 billion worth of its shares (including ADSs) over the next 36 months through the end of August 2027.

    Business Highlights

    • JD Retail:

      In January 2025, JD.com announced comprehensive upgrades to its PLUS membership, introducing a “Lifestyle Service Package” that allows members to redeem PLUS credits for seven services, including home cleaning, laundry, car wash and delivery, among other things. JD PLUS members will also enjoy a new “180-Day Replacement over Repair” policy for self-operated electronics and home appliances products in cases of any quality defects. Additionally, the “Unlimited Free Shipping” service has been expanded to cover the self-operated offerings on JD NOW, the on-demand retail business of the Company.

    • JD Health:

      In the fourth quarter of 2024, JD Health further boosted up its service offerings with the expansion of its “Express Test at Your Doorstep” program, safeguarding more people’s health during periods of high incidence of respiratory illnesses. As of the end of the quarter, JD Health had launched 149 express testing products, with the service available in 12 core cities in China, covering a total population of over 150 million.

    • JD Logistics:

      During the 2024 JD Singles Day Grand Promotion, JD Logistics’s (“JDL’s”) express delivery business celebrated the first anniversary of its upgraded offerings in Hong Kong and Macau. It provides seamless door-to-door delivery and other differentiated services in the regions, such as night-time pickups and intra-city delivery within as fast as four hours, significantly improving the online shopping and shipping experience for local customers. This in turn drives JDL’s rapid order volume growth in the regions.

      In the fourth quarter of 2024, JDL further outlined its overseas roadmap. In particular, it will drive simultaneous progress of building its global warehouse network, air freight network, and express delivery capabilities. These efforts will enable JDL to provide integrated supply chain solutions to overseas customers, China-based brands expanding overseas, and cross-border merchants, driving toward the ultimate in delivering hassle-free and efficient supply chain logistics services globally.

    Environment, Social and Governance

    • JD.com has been committed to providing admirable, fulfilling, and rewarding job opportunities for its workforce from day one. As of December 31, 2024, over 1,200 frontline employees have retired from JDL, with roles spanning from couriers to sorters, freight drivers and others from across China. These retirees have received comprehensive retirement benefits including elderly care, medical treatment, and injury compensation, and headed to post-career lives with safeguards.
    • As a testament to JD.com’s unwavering commitment to creating more jobs and making contribution to the society, the Company’s total expenditure for human resources, including both its own employees and external personnel who work for the Company, amounted to RMB116.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company’s total number of employees was approximately 570,000 as of December 31, 2024. Together with the Company’s part-time staff and interns, as well as the personnel of the Company’s affiliates, the total personnel under the JD Ecosystem4 was approximately 670,000.
    • In January 2025, JDL’s independently developed MRV-T digital carbon reduction technology (carbon footprint monitoring, reporting, verification, and tracking) was included in the “Green Technology Promotion Catalogue (2024 Edition)” issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and other authorities, the only green technology that won the honor in the logistics industry with a focus on environmental sustainability.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Net Revenues. Net revenues increased by 13.4% to RMB347.0 billion (US$47.5 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB306.1 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net product revenues increased by 14.0%, while net service revenues increased by 10.8% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues increased by 11.9% to RMB293.9 billion (US$40.3 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB262.6 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Fulfillment Expenses. Fulfillment expenses, which primarily include procurement, warehousing, delivery, customer service and payment processing expenses, increased by 16.4% to RMB20.1 billion (US$2.8 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB17.3 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Fulfillment expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 5.8% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 5.6% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Marketing Expenses. Marketing expenses increased by 28.4% to RMB16.8 billion (US$2.3 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB13.1 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 4.9% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 4.3% for the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily due to the increased spending in promotion activities.

    Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses increased by 1.0% to RMB4.4 billion (US$0.6 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB4.3 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Research and development expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 1.3% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 1.4% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by 3.3% to RMB2.5 billion (US$0.3 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB2.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 0.7% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 0.8% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Income from Operations and Non-GAAP Income from Operations. Income from operations increased by 319.3% to RMB8.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB2.0 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Operating margin was 2.4% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 0.7% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP income from operations increased by 34.4% to RMB10.5 billion (US$1.4 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB7.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP operating margin was 3.0% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 2.5% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Operating margin of JD Retail before unallocated items for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 3.3%, compared to 2.6% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Non-GAAP EBITDA. Non-GAAP EBITDA increased by 29.7% to RMB12.5 billion (US$1.7 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB9.7 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP EBITDA margin was 3.6% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 3.2% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Others, net. “Others, net” was a gain of RMB3.5 billion (US$0.5 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to a gain of RMB1.7 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, the variance was primarily due to fluctuations in investment gains or losses from equity investments.

    Net Income Attributable to the Company’s Ordinary Shareholders and Non-GAAP Net Income Attributable to the Company’s Ordinary Shareholders. Net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders increased by 190.8% to RMB9.9 billion (US$1.4 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB3.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net margin attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was 2.8% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 1.1% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders increased by 34.2% to RMB11.3 billion (US$1.5 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB8.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was 3.3% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 2.7% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Diluted EPS and Non-GAAP Diluted EPS. Diluted net income per ADS increased by 203.8% to RMB6.47 (US$0.89) for the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB2.13 for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS increased by 40.0% for the fourth quarter of 2024 to RMB7.42 (US$1.02) from RMB5.30 for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Cash Flow and Working Capital

    As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments totaled RMB241.4 billion (US$33.1 billion), compared to RMB197.7 billion as of December 31, 2023. For the fourth quarter of 2024, free cash flow of the Company was as follows:

        For the three months ended
        December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024    		     December 31,
    2024
        RMB
    		   RMB     US$
        (In millions)
         
    Net cash provided by operating activities   19,613     24,891     3,410  
    Add: Impact from consumer financing receivables included in the operating cash flow   251     1,243     170  
    Less: Capital expenditures, net of related sales proceeds        
    Capital expenditures for development properties   (4,596 )   (875 )   (120 )
    Other capital expenditures*   (1,969 )   (1,789 )   (245 )
    Free cash flow   13,299     23,470     3,215  

    * Including capital expenditures related to the Company’s headquarters in Beijing and all other CAPEX.

    Net cash used in investing activities was RMB12.5 billion (US$1.7 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024, consisting primarily of net cash paid for purchase of time deposits and wealth management products, cash paid for equity investments, and cash paid for capital expenditures.

    Net cash used in financing activities was RMB2.8 billion (US$0.4 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024, consisting primarily of net repayment of borrowings.

    Full Year 2024 Financial Results

    Net Revenues. Net revenues increased by 6.8% to RMB1,158.8 billion (US$158.8 billion) for the full year of 2024 from RMB1,084.7 billion for the full year of 2023. Net product revenues increased by 6.5%, while net service revenues increased by 8.1% for the full year of 2024, compared to the full year of 2023.

    Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues increased by 5.4% to RMB975.0 billion (US$133.6 billion) for the full year of 2024 from RMB925.0 billion for the full year of 2023.

    Fulfillment Expenses. Fulfillment expenses, which primarily include procurement, warehousing, delivery, customer service and payment processing expenses, increased by 9.1% to RMB70.4 billion (US$9.6 billion) for the full year of 2024 from RMB64.6 billion for the full year of 2023. Fulfillment expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 6.1% for the full year of 2024, compared to 6.0% for the full year of 2023.

    Marketing Expenses. Marketing expenses increased by 19.5% to RMB48.0 billion (US$6.6 billion) for the full year of 2024 from RMB40.1 billion for the full year of 2023. Marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 4.1% for the full year of 2024, compared to 3.7% for the full year of 2023, primarily due to the increased spending in promotion activities.

    Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses increased by 3.9% to RMB17.0 billion (US$2.3 billion) for the full year of 2024 from RMB16.4 billion for the full year of 2023. Research and development expenses as a percentage of net revenues remained stable of 1.5% for the full year of 2024 and 2023.

    General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by 8.5% to RMB8.9 billion (US$1.2 billion) for the full year of 2024 from RMB9.7 billion for the full year of 2023. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 0.8% for the full year of 2024, compared to 0.9% for the full year of 2023.

    Income from Operations and Non-GAAP Income from Operations. Income from operations increased by 48.8% to RMB38.7 billion (US$5.3 billion) for the full year of 2024 from RMB26.0 billion for the full year of 2023. Operating margin was 3.3% for the full year of 2024, compared to 2.4% for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP income from operations increased by 24.2% to RMB44.0 billion (US$6.0 billion) for the full year of 2024 from RMB35.4 billion for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP operating margin was 3.8% for the full year of 2024, compared to 3.3% for the full year of 2023. Operating margin of JD Retail before unallocated items was 4.0% for the full year of 2024, compared to 3.8% for the full year of 2023.

    Non-GAAP EBITDA. Non-GAAP EBITDA increased by 22.3% to RMB51.9 billion (US$7.1 billion) for the full year of 2024 from RMB42.5 billion for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP EBITDA margin was 4.5% for the full year of 2024, compared to 3.9% for the full year of 2023.

    Others, net. “Others, net” was a gain of RMB13.4 billion (US$1.8 billion) for the full year of 2024, compared to a gain of RMB7.5 billion for the full year of 2023, the variance was primarily due to fluctuations in investment gains or losses from equity investments.

    Net Income Attributable to the Company’s Ordinary Shareholders and Non-GAAP Net Income Attributable to the Company’s Ordinary Shareholders. Net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders increased by 71.1% to RMB41.4 billion (US$5.7 billion) for the full year of 2024 from RMB24.2 billion for the full year of 2023. Net margin attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was 3.6% for the full year of 2024, compared to 2.2% for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders increased by 35.9% to RMB47.8 billion (US$6.6 billion) for the full year of 2024 from RMB35.2 billion for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was 4.1% for the full year of 2024, compared to 3.2% for the full year of 2023.

    Diluted EPS and Non-GAAP Diluted EPS. Diluted net income per ADS increased by 76.4% to RMB26.86 (US$3.68) for the full year of 2024 from RMB15.23 for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS increased by 40.1% for the full year of 2024 to RMB31.07 (US$4.26) from RMB22.17 for the full year of 2023.

    Cash Flow and Working Capital

    For the full year of 2024, free cash flow of the Company was as follows:

        For the year ended
        December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
        RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
        (In millions)
         
    Net cash provided by operating activities   59,521     58,095     7,959  
    Less: Impact from consumer financing receivables included in the operating cash flow   (492 )   (132 )   (18 )
    Less: Capital expenditures, net of related sales proceeds        
    Capital expenditures for development properties   (12,117 )   (7,286 )   (998 )
    Other capital expenditures*   (6,261 )   (6,937 )   (951 )
    Free cash flow   40,651     43,740     5,992  

    * Including capital expenditures related to the Company’s headquarters in Beijing and all other CAPEX.

    Net cash used in investing activities was RMB0.9 billion (US$0.1 billion) for the full year of 2024, consisting primarily of cash paid for capital expenditures and cash paid for equity investments, partially offset by net cash received from maturity of time deposits and wealth management products.

    Net cash used in financing activities was RMB21.0 billion (US$2.9 billion) for the full year of 2024, consisting primarily of cash paid for repurchase of ordinary shares and dividends, partially offset by net proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes.

    Supplemental Information

    From the first quarter of 2024, the Company started to report three segments, JD Retail, JD Logistics and New Businesses, to reflect changes made to the reporting structure whose financial information is reviewed by the chief operating decision maker of the Company under its ongoing operating strategies. JD Retail, including JD Health and JD Industrials, among other components, mainly engages in online retail, online marketplace and marketing services in China. JD Logistics includes both internal and external logistics businesses. New Businesses mainly include Dada, JD Property, Jingxi and overseas businesses.

    The table below sets forth the segment operating results, with prior periods segment information retrospectively recast to conform to the current period presentation:

      For the three months ended   For the year ended
      December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
    		   RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
      (In millions, except percentage data)
    Net revenues:              
    JD Retail 267,646     307,055     42,066     945,343     1,015,948     139,184  
    JD Logistics 47,201     52,097     7,137     166,625     182,837     25,049  
    New Businesses 6,781     4,681     642     26,617     19,157     2,625  
    Inter-segment eliminations* (15,551 )   (16,847 )   (2,308 )   (53,923 )   (59,123 )   (8,100 )
    Total consolidated net revenues 306,077     346,986     47,537     1,084,662     1,158,819     158,758  
    Operating income/(loss):              
    JD Retail 6,937     10,036     1,375     35,925     41,077     5,628  
    JD Logistics 1,330     1,824     250     1,005     6,317     865  
    New Businesses (795 )   (885 )   (121 )   (329 )   (2,865 )   (393 )
    Including: gain on sale of development properties 802     1,527     209     2,283     1,527     209  
    Impairment of long-lived assets (1,123 )   (1,027 )   (141 )   (1,123 )   (1,027 )   (141 )
    Total segment operating income 7,472     10,975     1,504     36,601     44,529     6,100  
    Unallocated items** (5,447 )   (2,484 )   (341 )   (10,576 )   (5,793 )   (793 )
    Total consolidated operating income 2,025     8,491     1,163     26,025     38,736     5,307  
                   
    YoY% change of net revenues:              
    JD Retail 3.4 %   14.7 %       1.7 %   7.5 %    
    JD Logistics 9.7 %   10.4 %       21.3 %   9.7 %    
    New Businesses (8.9 )%   (31.0 )%       (10.7 )%   (28.0 )%    
                   
    Operating margin:              
    JD Retail 2.6 %   3.3 %       3.8 %   4.0 %    
    JD Logistics 2.8 %   3.5 %       0.6 %   3.5 %    
    New Businesses (11.7 )%   (18.9 )%       (1.2 )%   (15.0 )%    

    * The inter-segment eliminations mainly consist of revenues from supply chain solutions and logistics services provided by JD Logistics to JD Retail, on-demand delivery and retail services provided by Dada to JD Retail and JD Logistics, and property leasing services provided by JD Property to JD Logistics.

    ** Unallocated items include share-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions, effects of business cooperation arrangements, and impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, which are not allocated to segments.

    The table below sets forth the revenue information:

      For the three months ended  
      December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		 YoY%
    Change
      RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
    		  
      (In millions, except percentage data)
    Electronics and home appliances revenues 150,353     174,149     23,858   15.8 %
    General merchandise revenues 96,148     106,829     14,636   11.1 %
    Net product revenues 246,501     280,978     38,494   14.0 %
    Marketplace and marketing revenues 23,626     26,634     3,649   12.7 %
    Logistics and other service revenues 35,950     39,374     5,394   9.5 %
    Net service revenues 59,576     66,008     9,043   10.8 %
    Total net revenues 306,077     346,986     47,537   13.4 %
      For the year ended  
      December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		 YoY%
    Change
      RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
    		  
      (In millions, except percentage data)
    Electronics and home appliances revenues 538,799     564,982     77,402   4.9 %
    General merchandise revenues 332,425     363,025     49,734   9.2 %
    Net product revenues 871,224     928,007     127,136   6.5 %
    Marketplace and marketing revenues 84,726     90,111     12,345   6.4 %
    Logistics and other service revenues 128,712     140,701     19,277   9.3 %
    Net service revenues 213,438     230,812     31,622   8.1 %
    Total net revenues 1,084,662     1,158,819     158,758   6.8 %


    Conference Call

    JD.com’s management will hold a conference call at 7:00 am, Eastern Time on March 6, 2025, (8:00 pm, Beijing/Hong Kong Time on March 6, 2025) to discuss its financial results for the three months and the full year ended December 31, 2024.

    Please register in advance of the conference using the link provided below and dial in 15 minutes prior to the call, using participant dial-in numbers, the Passcode and unique access PIN which would be provided upon registering. You will be automatically linked to the live call after completion of this process, unless required to provide the conference ID below due to regional restrictions.

    PRE-REGISTER LINK: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10044957-x2nu4z.html

    CONFERENCE ID: 10044957

    A telephone replay will be available for one week until March 13, 2025. The dial-in details are as follows:

    US: +1-855-883-1031
    International: +61-7-3107-6325
    Hong Kong: 800-930-639
    Mainland China: 400-120-9216
    Passcode: 10044957

    Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available on the JD.com’s investor relations website at http://ir.jd.com.

    About JD.com

    JD.com is a leading supply chain-based technology and service provider. The Company’s cutting-edge retail infrastructure seeks to enable consumers to buy whatever they want, whenever and wherever they want it. The Company has opened its technology and infrastructure to partners, brands and other sectors, as part of its Retail as a Service offering to help drive productivity and innovation across a range of industries.

    Non-GAAP Measures

    In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses non-GAAP measures, such as non-GAAP income/(loss) from operations, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders, non-GAAP net margin attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders, free cash flow, non-GAAP EBITDA, non-GAAP EBITDA margin, non-GAAP net income/(loss) per share and non-GAAP net income/(loss) per ADS, as supplemental measures to review and assess operating performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company defines non-GAAP income/(loss) from operations as income/(loss) from operations excluding share-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions, effects of business cooperation arrangements, gain on sale of development properties and impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets. The Company defines non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders as net income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions, effects of business cooperation arrangements and non-compete agreements, gain/(loss) on disposals/deemed disposals of investments and others, reconciling items on the share of equity method investments, loss/(gain) from fair value change of long-term investments, impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and investments, gain on sale of development properties and tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments. The Company defines free cash flow as operating cash flow adjusting the impact from consumer financing receivables included in the operating cash flow and capital expenditures, net of related sales proceeds. Capital expenditures include purchase of property, equipment and software, cash paid for construction in progress, purchase of intangible assets, land use rights and asset acquisitions. The Company defines non-GAAP EBITDA as non-GAAP income/(loss) from operations plus depreciation and amortization excluding amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions. Non-GAAP basic net income/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the periods. Non-GAAP diluted net income/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares and dilutive potential ordinary shares outstanding during the periods, including the dilutive effects of share-based awards as determined under the treasury stock method and convertible senior notes. Non-GAAP net income/(loss) per ADS is equal to non-GAAP net income/(loss) per share multiplied by two.

    The Company presents these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by management to evaluate operating performance and formulate business plans. Non-GAAP income/(loss) from operations, non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders and non-GAAP EBITDA reflect the Company’s ongoing business operations in a manner that allows more meaningful period-to-period comparisons. Free cash flow enables management to assess liquidity and cash flow while taking into account the impact from consumer financing receivables included in the operating cash flow and the demands that the expansion of fulfillment infrastructure and technology platform has placed on financial resources. The Company believes that the use of the non-GAAP financial measures facilitates investors to understand and evaluate the Company’s current operating performance and future prospects in the same manner as management does, if they so choose. The Company also believes that the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses, gain/loss and other items that are not expected to result in future cash payments or that are non-recurring in nature or may not be indicative of the Company’s core operating results and business outlook.

    The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the Company’s operations or not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating performance. The Company encourages you to review the Company’s financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

    CONTACTS:

    Investor Relations
    Sean Zhang
    +86 (10) 8912-6804
    IR@JD.com

    Media Relations
    +86 (10) 8911-6155
    Press@JD.com

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as JD.com’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. JD.com may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in announcements made on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about JD.com’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: JD.com’s growth strategies; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; its ability to attract and retain new customers and to increase revenues generated from repeat customers; its expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services; trends and competition in China’s e-commerce market; changes in its revenues and certain cost or expense items; the expected growth of the Chinese e-commerce market; laws, regulations and governmental policies relating to the industries in which JD.com or its business partners operate; potential changes in laws, regulations and governmental policies or changes in the interpretation and implementation of laws, regulations and governmental policies that could adversely affect the industries in which JD.com or its business partners operate, including, among others, initiatives to enhance supervision of companies listed on an overseas exchange and tighten scrutiny over data privacy and data security; risks associated with JD.com’s acquisitions, investments and alliances, including fluctuation in the market value of JD.com’s investment portfolio; natural disasters and geopolitical events; change in tax rates and financial risks; intensity of competition; and general market and economic conditions in China and globally. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in JD.com’s filings with the SEC and the announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided herein is as of the date of this announcement, and JD.com undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    JD.com, Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In millions, except otherwise noted)
         
        As of
        December 31,
    2023     		   December 31,
    2024     		   December 31,
    2024 
        RMB    RMB    US$ 
    ASSETS                  
    Current assets                  
    Cash and cash equivalents   71,892     108,350     14,844  
    Restricted cash   7,506     7,366     1,009  
    Short-term investments   118,254     125,645     17,213  
    Accounts receivable, net (including consumer financing receivables of RMB2.3 billion and RMB2.0 billion as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024, respectively)(1)   20,302     25,596     3,507  
    Advance to suppliers   2,753     7,619     1,044  
    Inventories, net   68,058     89,326     12,238  
    Prepayments and other current assets   15,639     15,951     2,185  
    Amount due from related parties   2,114     4,805     658  
    Assets held for sale   1,292     2,040     279  
    Total current assets   307,810     386,698     52,977  
    Non-current assets                  
    Property, equipment and software, net   70,035     82,737     11,335  
    Construction in progress   9,920     6,164     845  
    Intangible assets, net   6,935     7,793     1,068  
    Land use rights, net   39,563     36,833     5,046  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   20,863     24,532     3,361  
    Goodwill   19,980     25,709     3,522  
    Investment in equity investees   56,746     56,850     7,788  
    Marketable securities and other investments   80,840     59,370     8,134  
    Deferred tax assets   1,744     2,459     337  
    Other non-current assets   14,522     9,089     1,245  
    Total non-current assets   321,148     311,536     42,681  
    Total assets   628,958     698,234     95,658  
    JD.com, Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In millions, except otherwise noted)
         
        As of
        December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
        RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
    LIABILITIES                  
    Current liabilities                  
    Short-term debts   5,034     7,581     1,039  
    Accounts payable   166,167     192,860     26,422  
    Advance from customers   31,625     32,437     4,443  
    Deferred revenues   2,097     2,097     287  
    Taxes payable   7,313     9,487     1,300  
    Amount due to related parties   1,620     1,367     187  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   43,533     45,985     6,300  
    Operating lease liabilities   7,755     7,606     1,042  
    Liabilities held for sale   506     101     14  
    Total current liabilities   265,650     299,521     41,034  
    Non-current liabilities                  
    Deferred revenues   964     502     69  
    Unsecured senior notes   10,411     24,770     3,393  
    Deferred tax liabilities   9,267     9,498     1,301  
    Long-term borrowings   31,555     31,705     4,344  
    Operating lease liabilities   13,676     18,106     2,481  
    Other non-current liabilities   1,055     835     114  
    Total non-current liabilities   66,928     85,416     11,702  
    Total liabilities   332,578     384,937     52,736  
                       
    MEZZANINE EQUITY   614     484     66  
                       
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                  
    Total JD.com, Inc. shareholders’ equity (US$0.00002 par value, 100,000 million shares authorized, 3,188 million shares issued(2) and 2,903 million shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024)   231,858     239,347     32,791  
    Non-controlling interests   63,908     73,466     10,065  
    Total shareholders’ equity   295,766     312,813     42,856  
                       
    Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ equity   628,958     698,234     95,658  
                       
    (1) JD Technology performs credit risk assessment services for consumer financing receivables business and absorbs the credit risk of the underlying consumer financing receivables. Facilitated by JD Technology, the Company periodically securitizes consumer financing receivables through the transfer of those assets to securitization plans and derecognizes the related consumer financing receivables through sales type arrangements.
    (2) The number of ordinary shares issued as of February 28, 2025 was 2,981 million, with all of the 207 million Class A ordinary shares (equivalent of 104 million ADSs) repurchased under the US$3.0 billion share repurchase program announced in March 2024 cancelled.
    JD.com, Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (In millions, except per share data)
     
      For the three months ended   For the year ended
      December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$   RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
    Net revenues              
    Net product revenues 246,501     280,978     38,494     871,224     928,007     127,136  
    Net service revenues 59,576     66,008     9,043     213,438     230,812     31,622  
    Total net revenues 306,077     346,986     47,537     1,084,662     1,158,819     158,758  
    Cost of revenues (262,575 )   (293,869 )   (40,260 )   (924,958 )   (974,951 )   (133,568 )
    Fulfillment (17,283 )   (20,121 )   (2,757 )   (64,558 )   (70,426 )   (9,648 )
    Marketing (13,110 )   (16,832 )   (2,306 )   (40,133 )   (47,953 )   (6,570 )
    Research and development (4,341 )   (4,384 )   (601 )   (16,393 )   (17,031 )   (2,333 )
    General and administrative (2,377 )   (2,455 )   (336 )   (9,710 )   (8,888 )   (1,218 )
    Impairment of goodwill (3,143 )   (799 )   (109 )   (3,143 )   (799 )   (109 )
    Impairment of long-lived assets (2,025 )   (1,562 )   (214 )   (2,025 )   (1,562 )   (214 )
    Gain on sale of development properties 802     1,527     209     2,283     1,527     209  
    Income from operations(3)(4) 2,025     8,491     1,163     26,025     38,736     5,307  
    Other income/(expenses)              
    Share of results of equity investees 497     556     76     1,010     2,327     319  
    Interest expense (927 )   (926 )   (127 )   (2,881 )   (2,896 )   (397 )
    Others, net(5) 1,711     3,493     479     7,496     13,371     1,832  
    Income before tax 3,306     11,614     1,591     31,650     51,538     7,061  
    Income tax expenses (1,394 )   (750 )   (103 )   (8,393 )   (6,878 )   (943 )
    Net income 1,912     10,864     1,488     23,257     44,660     6,118  
    Net income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders (1,477 )   1,010     138     (910 )   3,301     452  
    Net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders 3,389     9,854     1,350     24,167     41,359     5,666  
                   
    Net income per share:              
    Basic 1.08     3.39     0.47     7.69     13.83     1.90  
    Diluted 1.07     3.23     0.44     7.61     13.43     1.84  
    Net income per ADS:              
    Basic 2.15     6.79     0.93     15.37     27.67     3.79  
    Diluted 2.13     6.47     0.89     15.23     26.86     3.68  
    JD.com, Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (In millions, except per share data)
     
      For the three months ended   For the year ended
      December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$   RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
                   
    (3) Includes share-based compensation as follows:
    Cost of revenues (34 )   (26 )   (4 )   (133 )   (80 )   (11 )
    Fulfillment (127 )   (115 )   (16 )   (697 )   (424 )   (58 )
    Marketing (96 )   (50 )   (7 )   (426 )   (273 )   (37 )
    Research and development (169 )   (88 )   (12 )   (859 )   (599 )   (82 )
    General and administrative (554 )   (517 )   (70 )   (2,689 )   (1,623 )   (223 )
    Total (980 )   (796 )   (109 )   (4,804 )   (2,999 )   (411 )
                   
    (4) Includes amortization of business cooperation arrangement and intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions as follows:
    Fulfillment (103 )   (72 )   (10 )   (414 )   (288 )   (39 )
    Marketing (221 )   (229 )   (31 )   (880 )   (903 )   (123 )
    Research and development (66 )   (53 )   (7 )   (305 )   (205 )   (28 )
    General and administrative (32 )   —     —     (128 )   (64 )   (9 )
    Total (422 )   (354 )   (48 )   (1,727 )   (1,460 )   (199 )
            
    (5) “Others, net” consists of interest income; gains/(losses) related to long-term investments without significant influence, including fair value changes, acquisitions or disposals gains/(losses), and impairments; government incentives; foreign exchange gains/(losses); and other non-operating income/(losses).
    JD.com, Inc.
    Unaudited Non-GAAP Net Income Per Share and Per ADS
    (In millions, except per share data)
     
      For the three months ended   For the year ended
      December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
    		   RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
                                       
    Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders 8,415     11,294     1,547     35,200     47,827     6,552  
                                       
    Weighted average number of shares:
    Basic 3,147     2,903     2,903     3,144     2,990     2,990  
    Diluted 3,166     3,041     3,041     3,171     3,076     3,076  
                                       
    Non-GAAP net income per share:
    Basic 2.67     3.89     0.53     11.20     16.00     2.19  
    Diluted 2.65     3.71     0.51     11.08     15.53     2.13  
                                       
    Non-GAAP net income per ADS:
    Basic 5.35     7.78     1.07     22.39     31.99     4.38  
    Diluted 5.30     7.42     1.02     22.17     31.07     4.26  
    JD.com, Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Free Cash Flow
    (In millions)
     
      For the three months ended   For the year ended
      December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$   RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
                   
    Net cash provided by operating activities 19,613     24,891     3,410     59,521     58,095     7,959  
    Net cash used in investing activities (63,072 )   (12,483 )   (1,710 )   (59,543 )   (871 )   (119 )
    Net cash used in financing activities (745 )   (2,784 )   (381 )   (5,808 )   (21,004 )   (2,877 )
    Effects of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (213 )   1,136     155     125     98     13  
    Net (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (44,417 )   10,760     1,474     (5,705 )   36,318     4,976  
    Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period, including cash and cash equivalents classified within assets held for sale 123,868     104,956     14,379     85,156     79,451     10,884  
    Less: Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash classified within assets held for sale at beginning of period —     (2 )   —*     (41 )   (53 )   (7 )
    Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 123,868     104,954     14,379     85,115     79,398     10,877  
    Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period, including cash and cash equivalents classified within assets held for sale 79,451     115,716     15,853     79,451     115,716     15,853  
    Less: Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash classified within assets held for sale at end of period (53 )   —*     —*     (53 )   —*     —*  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 79,398     115,716     15,853     79,398     115,716     15,853  
                   
    Net cash provided by operating activities 19,613     24,891     3,410     59,521     58,095     7,959  
    Add/(Less): Impact from consumer financing receivables included in the operating cash flow 251     1,243     170     (492 )   (132 )   (18 )
    Less: Capital expenditures, net of related sales proceeds              
    Capital expenditures for development properties (4,596 )   (875 )   (120 )   (12,117 )   (7,286 )   (998 )
    Other capital expenditures (1,969 )   (1,789 )   (245 )   (6,261 )   (6,937 )   (951 )
    Free cash flow 13,299     23,470     3,215     40,651     43,740     5,992  

    *Absolute value is less than RMB1 million or US$1 million.

    JD.com, Inc.
    Supplemental Financial Information and Business Metrics
    (In RMB billions, except turnover days data)
     
        Q4 2023 Q1 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024
    Cash flow and turnover days            
    Operating cash flow – trailing twelve months (“TTM”)   59.5 69.8 74.0 52.8 58.1
    Free cash flow – TTM   40.7 50.6 55.6 33.6 43.7
    Inventory turnover days(6) – TTM   30.3 29.0 29.8 30.4 31.5
    Accounts payable turnover days(7) – TTM   53.2 51.8 57.0 57.5 58.6
    Accounts receivable turnover days(8) – TTM   5.6 5.4 5.7 5.8 5.9
     
    (6) TTM inventory turnover days are the quotient of average inventory over the immediately preceding five quarters, up to and including the last quarter of the period, to cost of revenues of retail business for the last twelve months, and then multiplied by 360 days.
    (7) TTM accounts payable turnover days are the quotient of average accounts payable for retail business over the immediately preceding five quarters, up to and including the last quarter of the period, to cost of revenues of retail business for the last twelve months, and then multiplied by 360 days.
    (8) TTM accounts receivable turnover days are the quotient of average accounts receivable over the immediately preceding five quarters, up to and including the last quarter of the period, to total net revenues for the last twelve months and then multiplied by 360 days. Presented are the accounts receivable turnover days excluding the impact from consumer financing receivables.
    JD.com, Inc.  
    Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results  
    (In millions, except percentage data)
      For the three months ended   For the year ended
      December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$   RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
                   
    Income from operations 2,025     8,491     1,163     26,025     38,736     5,307  
    Add: Share-based compensation 980     796     109     4,804     2,999     411  
    Add: Amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions 309     241     33     1,281     1,010     137  
    Add: Effects of business cooperation arrangements 113     113     15     446     450     62  
    Reversal of: Gain on sale of development properties (802 )   (1,527 )   (209 )   (2,283 )   (1,527 )   (209 )
    Add: Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets 5,168     2,361     323     5,168     2,361     323  
    Non-GAAP income from operations 7,793     10,475     1,434     35,441     44,029     6,031  
    Add: Depreciation and other amortization 1,868     2,054     281     7,011     7,894     1,083  
    Non-GAAP EBITDA 9,661     12,529     1,715     42,452     51,923     7,114  
                   
    Total net revenues 306,077     346,986     47,537     1,084,662     1,158,819     158,758  
                   
    Non-GAAP operating margin 2.5 %   3.0 %       3.3 %   3.8 %    
                   
    Non-GAAP EBITDA margin 3.2 %   3.6 %       3.9 %   4.5 %    
    JD.com, Inc.
    Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results
    (In millions, except percentage data)
     
      For the three months ended   For the year ended
      December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    		   December 31,
    2024
    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$   RMB
    		   RMB
    		   US$
                   
    Net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders 3,389     9,854     1,350     24,167     41,359     5,666  
    Add: Share-based compensation 744     649     89     3,817     2,429     333  
    Add: Amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions 144     116     16     669     458     63  
    Add: Reconciling items on the share of equity method investments(9) 69     563     77     1,071     1,227     168  
    Add: Impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets, and investments 4,430     2,971     406     6,202     5,667     775  
    Add/(Reversal of): Loss/(Gain) from fair value change of long-term investments 453     (611 )   (83 )   848     (1,083 )   (148 )
    Reversal of: Gain on sale of development properties (601 )   (1,145 )   (157 )   (1,721 )   (1,145 )   (157 )
    Reversal of: Gain on disposals/deemed disposals of investments and others (71 )   (574 )   (78 )   (126 )   (853 )   (117 )
    Add: Effects of business cooperation arrangements 113     113     15     446     450     62  
    Reversal of: Tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments (255 )   (642 )   (88 )   (173 )   (682 )   (93 )
    Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders 8,415     11,294     1,547     35,200     47,827     6,552  
                   
    Total net revenues 306,077     346,986     47,537     1,084,662     1,158,819     158,758  
                   
    Non-GAAP net margin attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders 2.7 %   3.3 %       3.2 %   4.1 %    
                   
    (9) To exclude the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciling items on the share of equity method investments and share of amortization of intangibles not on their books.

    1 The U.S. dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this announcement, except for those transaction amounts that were actually settled in U.S. dollars, are presented solely for the convenience of the readers. The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US$ in this announcement is based on the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of December 31, 2024, which was RMB7.2993 to US$1.00. The percentages stated in this announcement are calculated based on the RMB amounts.
    2 See the sections entitled “Non-GAAP Measures” and “Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” for more information about the non-GAAP measures referred to in this announcement.
    3 The number of ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 was approximately 3,138 million shares.
    4 JD Ecosystem is a closely integrated business network providing comprehensive service for customers and comprises the Company and certain affiliates who share the “JD” brand name, currently including Jingdong Technology Holding Co., Ltd. and Allianz Jingdong General Insurance Company Ltd..

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Winners of Huawei ICT Competition 2024-2025 APAC Final Announced

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Winners of Huawei ICT Competition 2024-2025 APAC Final Announced

    [Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 6, 2025] The awards ceremony for the Asia-Pacific Regional Final of the Huawei ICT Competition 2024-2025, jointly hosted by Huawei and the ASEAN Foundation, was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 27. The competition attracted more than 8,000 students from over 20 countries and regions, marking a 25% increase compared to the previous year. After a rigorous selection process, over 110 students from 12 countries and regions succeeded in advancing to the Finals.
    Guests, teachers, and students stand for the national anthem of Malaysia and the ASEAN anthem

    Among the esteemed guests in attendance were YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia; Prof. Datuk Dr. Azlinda Azman, Director General of Higher Education; H.E. Nararya S. Soeprapto, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs; Mr. Kongsada Detvongsone, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Lao PDR to ASEAN; Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation.
    Alex Zhang, Vice President of Huawei Asia Pacific Region, said in his speech that Huawei is honored to establish more ICT academies and organize ICT competitions to cultivate a learning ecosystem. “In this ecosystem, future leaders will be able to utilize technologies such as 5G, AI, and cloud computing to develop effective solutions. Whether it’s driving digital economic development, building sustainable cities, improving healthcare services, or enhancing education quality, these efforts are all crucial.”
    The team from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia won the grand prize in the Innovation Track of the competition. The judges highly praised their work for its technical innovation as well as its business and social significance. Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology from Vietnam won the grand prize in the Computing Track, Institut Teknologi Bandung from Indonesia won the grand prize in the Network Track, and the i-Academy from the Philippines won the grand prize in the Cloud Track. The grand prizes were presented by YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir and H.E. Nararya S. Soeprapto, and witnessed by Prof. Datuk Dr. Azlinda Azman and Alex Zhang.
    Grand prize winners of the Innovation Track

    Grand prize winners of the Computing Track

    Grand prize winners of the Network Track

    Grand prize winners of the Cloud Track

    35 teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Laos, Thailand, Hong Kong SAR (China), and Macao SAR (China) won first, second, and third prizes in the four competition tracks. Mr. Kongsada Detvongsone, Huawei Service Fellow Sun Hu, and Alex Zhang presented the awards to the winning teams. The top-ranked teams will represent the Asia-Pacific region at the Global Final in Shenzhen in May 2025.
    In this year’s newly introduced Teaching Competition, Dr. Husni Teja Sukmana from the Association of Higher Education in Informatics and Computer Science (APTIKOM) in Indonesia won the grand prize for his exceptional teaching skills.
    The competition also presented special awards to recognize participants who excelled in promoting digital inclusion and contributing to a sustainable, smart world. The team from the National University of Singapore won the TECH4ALL Digital Inclusion Award, while the team from Universiti Teknologi Brunei won the Green Development Award. Additionally, in an effort to encourage more women to pursue careers in technology and innovation while supporting the expansion of the ICT industry, Huawei presented a special honor—the Women in Tech Award—which was claimed this year by Malaysia’s Universiti Malaya. The award was presented by Dr. Piti Srisangnam.
    One of Huawei’s key business slogans is “In the Asia Pacific region, for the Asia Pacific region.” Leveraging its robust technical capabilities, Huawei proactively collaborates with governments, universities, and enterprises to establish a thriving ecosystem that fosters the growth and development of ICT talent in the Asia Pacific region.
    In the last eight years, the Huawei ICT Academy has made significant progress. The program has grown from partnering with just two universities in two countries to collaborating with over 340 universities in 18 countries. In 2024, Huawei kept pace with the latest technology trends and industry developments, launching nine new courses in the Asia-Pacific Region focused on areas like AI, openEuler, Gauss, and cloud computing.
    Additionally, Huawei worked on integrating and creating localized courses in Thai and Indonesian languages to provide students with more cutting-edge, diverse, and applicable learning resources. In 2023, Huawei collaborated with the Ministry of Labor of Thailand and the Thailand Vocational Qualification Association to introduce PV installer certification and network engineer training. Huawei integrated its career certification system into Thailand’s arsenal of ICT education standards, partnering with universities and companies to establish training programs. To date, over 300 trainees have received dual certificates through these initiatives.
    These initiatives have helped boost the local digital talent ecosystem in Thailand. As part of its first vocational education project outside China, Huawei collaborated with the government and certification bodies to develop courses and qualifications, setting a positive example for nurturing ICT talent across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
    ICT competition fosters effective teamwork between contestants and helps them build their creativity and entrepreneurship. Later on, these qualities will help them succeed in their chosen careers. Considering both economic and social value, the competition promotes the adoption of the latest ICTs (such as the Internet, big data, and AI) in production, education, research, and application. Participating countries and regions recognize the importance of investing in the ICT talent ecosystem, which leads to faster digital transformation worldwide. In addition, the competition promotes equal access to quality education and global digital inclusion.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Grattan on Friday: Anthony Albanese beset by disruptors, from Cyclone Alfred to Donald Trump

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Issues sometimes “come at you”, Anthony Albanese declared on Thursday at the end of a news conference, held at Canberra’s National Situation Room, about Cyclone Alfred.

    The cyclone is a disaster for millions of people in its path. For the prime minister, it is a major political disruptor.

    Albanese cancelled his visit to Western Australia: he’d wanted to be there when Labor has its anticipated certain win at Saturday’s election.

    His own election planning – which seemed headed for an April 12 election called this weekend – has been thrown into some disarray (although this is contested by those involved).

    Then there was the good news that was crowded out. Wednesday’s national accounts finally showed some of the much hoped-for positive trends, especially an end to the per capita recession, which had been running for seven consecutive quarters. But with the cyclone naturally dominating attention, who noticed?

    Albanese’s response to the new circumstances was to place himself at the centre of the planning for the cyclone. He stood side by side with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli at his news conference on Wednesday and was early to the Situation Room on Thursday morning, promising to give regular updates.

    To questions about whether he’d abandoned any thought of calling an election at the weekend, the PM insisted (unconvincingly) that politics was furthest from his mind. Though announcing an election would appear near impossible in the circumstances, and attention had already begun turning to a May date (and a budget beforehand), Albanese on Thursday wouldn’t be drawn. Basically, he was waiting to see what happened with the weather.

    The cyclone will be a passing disruptor. The disruption from the Trump administration will be with Australia (and the world) for the foreseeable future.

    Next week Australia will know whether its intense lobbying for an exemption from the US tariffs on aluminium and steel has been effective. Those around the government are not optimistic.

    More concerning than the immediate impact on Australia if we fail to win the exemption is the effect of US protectionism more generally.

    Reserve Bank deputy Governor Andrew Hauser confirmed this week that “from a macroeconomic perspective, Australia’s direct exposure to US tariffs levied on our exports is limited”.

    “[But] Australia is heavily integrated into, and reliant on, the global economy more broadly – and particularly China. Hence the bigger macroeconomic risk for us would be if the imposition of US tariffs on third countries triggered a global trade war that impaired our trade and financial linkages more broadly.

    “As Australia’s long history has shown, we thrive when trade, labour and assets flow freely in the global economy, but we suffer when countries turn inwards.”

    How disruptive this new world will be to the Australian economy can’t be known but it could make things very difficult for a second term Albanese government or a first term Dutton one.

    As Trump tries to force a settlement on Ukraine, there’s been increasing attention on the Europeans’ plans to boost their defence expenditure. This week, we started to feel the heat on Australia to do the same.

    Trump’s nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Elbridge Colby told the US Senate Committee on Armed Services, in a written answer during his confirmation hearing, that “Australia is a core U.S. ally. […] The main concern the United States should press with Australia, consistent with the President’s approach, is higher defense spending. Australia is currently well below the 3% level advocated for by NATO Secretary General Rutte, and Canberra faces a far more powerful challenge in China.”

    Presently Australia’s defence spending is about 2% of GDP, projected to increase to 2.4% by 2033–34.The Coalition has said it would spend more than Labor (but has not specified how much more).

    Defence Minister Richard Marles said he could “obviously understand the US administration seeking for its friends and allies around the world to do more. That’s a conversation that we will continue to have with the US administration. […] But it’s really important to understand we are increasing that spending right now.”

    It’s also important to understand that if Australia must ramp up defence further or faster than present plans, that will suck funds from other priorities, putting another squeeze on future governments.

    Trump’s bullying of Ukraine and its leader Volodymyr Zelensky has not weakened the bipartisan support in Australia for Ukraine.

    But a difference has emerged over whether Australia should (if asked) take part in any peacekeeping force. Peter Dutton said this role should be left to the Europeans. But Albanese flagged his government would consider it, pointing to the many other peacekeeping operations we have participated in.

    Former prime minister Scott Morrison got on well with Trump during the president’s first term and has become even more signed up since. The Morrisons were at Mar-a-Lago for New Year’s eve.

    Morrison was distinctly sympathetic to Trump’s approach when talking this week about Ukraine. He told an Australian Financial Review dinner, “Do we just keep fighting this war every day? The alternative is to find a peace that can be secured.

    “There was no conversation, no real conversation, about peace in Ukraine up until now.” Zelensky had the “most to gain” from negotiating to end the war, he said.

    Morrison is affiliated with lobbying firm American Global Strategies, which has links to the Trump administration. Colby is listed as a senior adviser. The chairman and founder of the group, Robert C. O’Brien, was formerly a national security adviser to Trump.

    Morrison is one of a number of former senior Australian political figures who have a current professional or commercial lock-in to Washington politics.

    Former Liberal treasurer Joe Hockey, who was close to the Trump White House when Hockey was ambassador in 2016-20, is founder and global president of Bondi Partners, a lobbying firm that operates between the US and Australia.

    Another former Australian ambassador to Washington, Arthur Sinodinos, is based in Washington as a partner in the Asia Group, a strategic advisory firm.

    Meanwhile former PM Kevin Rudd, as Australian ambassador in Washington, is trying to amplify Australia’s official voice with the administration.

    Speculation continues about Rudd’s future if the government changed. Dutton says that would depend on how effective Rudd was, saying his present instinct would be leave him in the job.

    Others are sceptical this would happen, and raise Morrison’s name as a possible replacement. Morrison has reportedly told people he would not want the post. But you couldn’t rule it out.

    Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Grattan on Friday: Anthony Albanese beset by disruptors, from Cyclone Alfred to Donald Trump – https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-anthony-albanese-beset-by-disruptors-from-cyclone-alfred-to-donald-trump-251258

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/MYANMAR – In Kachin State: Catholic pastoral center bombed

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Banmaw diocese

    Banmaw (Agenzia Fides) – The pastoral center on the grounds of the Catholic Church of St. Michael in Nan Hlaing, in a rural area of the diocese of Banmaw (northern Myanmar), was hit and destroyed by a bombing raid by the Burmese army. “Five bullets and two aerial bombs fired at our church grounds hit the building but did not injure anyone,” reports Jesuit Wilbert Mireh, parish priest of the church with a history of over a century. The Jesuit reports that he had to travel to a distant place on the border with China to find a place with electricity and internet access and to be able to communicate with the outside world. “Electricity, telephone and other services have been absent in our area since July 2024,” he says. Banmaw is located in Kachin State, about 186 km south of the capital Myitkyina, and has a population of about 65,000, mainly Kachin, but also Bamar, Shan and Han. “The bombing caused damage to the building, but no injuries. We thank God that we are safe, although people here are fighting for survival, there are no schools, clinics or shops,” Father Mireh continued. “After this new attack, the faithful trust in the Archangel Michael and pray to him to protect us. Even the boys and children sing and invoke Saint Michael,” he reports. “We usually celebrate Mass under the trees because it is too dangerous to be in the church and the building has already been hit and damaged. But I must say that despite the suffering and the precarious conditions, the faith and spirit are strong. The faithful pray every day that the Lord, through the Archangel Michael, continues to grant his protection and watch over us,” the religious continued. Father Mireh is Burma’s native Jesuit, ordained a priest in 2013 and now one of around 30 Burmese Jesuits. After his pastoral service in Loikaw, he was sent to Banmaw, where, in addition to pastoral care for the faithful, he has always devoted himself to social apostolate and education. “Today, the fact that children do not have school is one of the serious consequences of the civil war,” he notes. Father Mireh concludes: “Despite the fear and unease, we will continue to live for good, truth and justice, firm in our faith.” The context in which the local Catholic community finds itself today is that of Kachin State in northern Myanmar, where a bitter struggle is taking place between the regular army and the army of the Kachin ethnic minority, which has taken up positions near the town of Banmaw. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which is fighting for the state’s self-determination, is one of the best organized ethnic militias that has been active for decades and has joined the resistance against the currently ruling military junta. In Kachin State, the Burmese army has been forced to withdraw from large parts of the area and is now bombarding it with artillery and aircraft. According to local sources, due to the ongoing fighting for control of Banmaw, most of the city’s residents have fled, leaving only about 20,000 people living in the city. The displaced have fled to the surrounding forests and villages, where they find few resources for their livelihood. The Banmaw diocese is located in the southeastern part of Kachin State, in the border area with China. In recent years, even before the 2021 coup, the conflict between the regular Myanmar army and the KIA had created over 120,000 displaced people. The war has intensified and has affected nine of the diocese’s 13 parishes in the last two years, further increasing the number of refugees. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 5/3/2024)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –