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Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Guangdong steps up precautions for Typhoon Danas

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    An aerial drone photo taken on June 14, 2025 shows boats berthing in Zhanjiang City, south China’s Guangdong province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    South China’s Guangdong province on Sunday launched an emergency response to Typhoon Danas — the fourth typhoon of the year as counted by China’s meteorological authorities — as it intensified, with its center 230 kilometers southeast of Shantou packing winds of up to 36.9 meters per second at 8 a.m., local sources have said.

    The provincial emergency management department reported that all 361 vessels that had been in vulnerable waters had returned to port by 2 p.m., and more than 2,000 people had been evacuated from offshore facilities. All five coastal tourist sites in the province have been closed.

    Six rescue helicopters have been deployed across key cities, with 21 patrol ships and 64 emergency vessels on standby along the coast.

    Meteorologists warn that eastern coastal areas will face heavy rains and gales. The local flood control headquarters has urged heightened vigilance against the impacts of severe weather.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China releases list of key science, engineering challenges amid tech push

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China on Sunday released a list of what it has determined to be the 30 most pressing scientific questions, engineering challenges and industrial technology bottlenecks facing the nation’s development.

    The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) made the announcement of the list, the eighth of its kind since 2018, during its 27th annual meeting.

    People visit the “AI+” demonstration area at the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

    A rigorous selection process was overseen by 80 national scientific societies, with its initial phase seeing 56 eminent strategic scientists nominate 90 issues spanning 10 major fields, including the basic sciences and manufacturing technology, before finalizing the list of 30 priorities, according to CAST.

    The carefully selected roster lists the country’s top 10 frontier science problems, including the topological and geometric classification of manifolds, as well as the properties and origin of mass of the Higgs boson.

    The top 10 engineering technology challenges involve breakthrough applications, with notable entries including those related to integrated algorithms for the design-simulation-manufacturing of complex models, as well as AI-streamlined network systems that integrate communication and intelligence.

    CAST also announced China’s top 10 industrial technology issues, which require a focus on overcoming critical manufacturing and application barriers, with priority areas including autonomous mining technologies for the utilization of deep-space resources, as well as brain function assessment and closed-loop, brain-computer intelligent intervention.

    Keyword: AI

    Notably, the fusion of AI and diverse scientific disciplines is a critical pathway to solving fundamental challenges, spanning secure communication networks and advanced health care solutions.

    Leading the list of the top 10 problems in frontier science, which were chosen by scientists working in the field, is establishing “new theories and protective frameworks for AI security from a cryptographic perspective,” according to CAST.

    As AI advances rapidly globally, its security vulnerabilities are becoming increasingly critical. Cryptographic approaches to security offer a promising shift from reactive defenses to mathematically verifiable security paradigms.

    “Cryptography plays a dual role,” explained Wang Xiaoyun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

    “On one hand, it is crucial to protecting the privacy of data and information within AI systems. On the other hand, cryptographic principles like provable security frameworks can help combat threats like deepfakes, ensuring AI remains reliable, safe and controllable,” Wang said.

    Noting that cryptographic research for AI security is an emerging, interdisciplinary frontier field while global research is advancing concurrently, Wang said, “By nominating this problem, we hope to draw the attention of more experts in both AI and cryptography to this evolving field.”

    The list of the top 10 engineering technology challenges also features an AI-centric communication solution: creating AI-streamlined network systems integrating communication and intelligence.

    Zhang Ping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, highlighted the current bottlenecks plaguing communication systems.

    “The field faces theoretical limitations, a lack of inherent intelligence, and inflexibility, struggling to meet the demand for pervasive intelligence and sustainable development,” Zhang noted.

    AI-streamlined networks offer novel system architecture by merging communication deeply with AI, significantly simplifying design.

    “The fundamental challenge in communication is that wider bandwidth and higher speeds demand more resources,” Zhang said.

    “It’s like expanding roads — more lanes or wider roads require more land. Evolving toward AI-powered natural interaction provides a new engine to reduce resource consumption and waste of computing power in communication systems,” he added.

    The listed medical technology challenges also feature AI integration. One key industrial technology issue focuses on brain function assessment and closed-loop, brain-computer intelligent intervention, proposing the use of multimodal neuroimaging combined with AI analysis and brain-computer interfaces to enhance neural plasticity and reorganization for stroke rehabilitation.

    This year’s initiative uniquely paired senior strategic scientists with younger counterparts, who served as academic secretaries and were involved in interpreting and refining the nominated problems.

    This approach aimed to ensure authoritative selection while actively cultivating the next generation of research talent, CAST said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ministerial Meeting of Global Civilizations Dialogue to be held in Beijing

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    The Ministerial Meeting of the Global Civilizations Dialogue will be held in Beijing on July 10-11, under the theme of “Safeguarding Diversity of Human Civilizations for World Peace and Development.”

    Over 600 people from approximately 140 countries and regions have registered to attend the meeting.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Myanmar, Thailand endeavor to eradicate telecom fraud networks

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    A telecom fraud suspect is escorted by Chinese police officers at the Kunming Changshui International Airport in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan province, Jan. 30, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China, Myanmar and Thailand agreed to intensify cooperation to dismantle all telecom scam compounds and arrest all suspects in Myawaddy and other telecom fraud hubs, China’s Ministry of Public Security announced Sunday.

    The decision came during a recent ministerial meeting on a joint crackdown against telecom fraud attended by law enforcement agencies of the three countries.

    Thanks to their joint efforts, over 5,400 Chinese nationals suspected of fraud in Myawaddy have been repatriated in 2025, marking significant progress in the tripartite crackdown campaign.

    This is not the first time China has collaborated with Southeast Asian countries to combat telecom fraud.

    In November 2024, the Chinese ministry announced that all large-scale telecom fraud centers located near the China-Myanmar border in northern Myanmar had been wiped out.

    By the end of 2024, over 53,000 Chinese nationals suspected of fraud had been arrested through cooperative efforts from Chinese and Myanmar police since the Chinese ministry launched a crackdown on telecom fraud in northern Myanmar in 2023.

    During China’s cooperation with Lao police in 2024, a total of 268 people suspected of involvement in cross-border telecom fraud affecting Chinese citizens were returned from Laos and placed in Chinese police custody, the ministry said.

    China has also called on other neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam to join hands with China in a resolute crackdown on online gambling, telecom fraud and other types of cross-border crime.

    Fighting online gambling and telecom fraud is a necessary choice to safeguard the common interests of China and other regional countries, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in February.

    The sophisticated and transnational nature of telecom fraud and related crime requires concerted international efforts to address the challenges facing Southeast Asia, according to Benedikt Hofmann, acting regional representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

    The cooperation between China and other countries in the region has been “encouraging” and has created momentum for such collaboration, Hofmann said in an interview in February.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Switzerland reopens embassy in Iran

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    The Swiss embassy in Tehran reopened on Sunday after being temporarily closed on June 20 due to instability in Iran.

    Ambassador Nadine Olivieri Lozano and a small team returned to Tehran on Saturday, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said in a statement.

    According to the FDFA, the decision to resume operations followed a comprehensive risk assessment.

    The current conditions allow for a gradual resumption of embassy activities on site, the FDFA noted. However, consular services, including the issuing of visas, remain suspended for the time being.

    Switzerland continues to closely monitor developments in the region and remains in regular contact with its international partners, the FDFA added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Israel launches strikes on Red Sea ports in Yemen

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s Red Sea ports in western Hodeidah Province late Sunday night.

    The strikes came minutes after the Israeli military issued an urgent evacuation warning on the social media platform X. Witnesses reported explosions in several locations along Yemen’s western coast, including the port of Hodeidah.

    Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that the strikes targeted what he described as Houthi strongholds, including the ports of Hodeidah, As Salif, and Ras Isa, the Ras Katib power station, and the Galaxy Leader, a ship seized by Houthi forces in November 2023.

    The Israeli military said the targeted ports had been used by the Houthis to “transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are then used to carry out terror operations against the State of Israel and its allies.”

    It added that the Galaxy Leader had been equipped with a radar system used to track vessels in the Red Sea, facilitating further militant activities.

    Katz suggested a broader escalation may follow, saying, “Yemen will be treated the same as Tehran.”

    “Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed, and anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off,” Katz said. “The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.”

    Earlier on Sunday, a missile fired by Houthi forces triggered air raid sirens in southern Israel and was intercepted without causing injuries, according to the Israeli military. The Houthis claimed it was a hypersonic missile targeting Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

    Israel has carried out several strikes on key ports and infrastructure in Yemen in recent months, as the Houthis continue to fire missiles toward Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Steps taken against EU medical device curbs

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China will take relevant measures against medical devices imported from the European Union (EU) through government procurement projects in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the Ministry of Finance said on Sunday.

    When a purchaser buys medical devices with a budget of over 45 million yuan (about 6.29 million U.S. dollars), if it is indeed necessary to purchase imported products — after going through relevant legal procedures — the participation of EU enterprises (excluding EU-funded enterprises in China) should be excluded, the ministry said.

    For non-EU enterprises participating in government procurement projects, the proportion of medical devices imported from the EU that they provide should not exceed 50 percent of the procurement’s total contract amount.

    The above measures do not apply to procurement projects that can only be met by medical devices imported from the EU, according to the ministry.

    This notice will come into effect on July 6, 2025. For procurement projects that have already announced winning bids or transaction results before July 6, the above measures don’t apply herein and government procurement contracts may continue to be signed, the ministry said.

    A spokesperson for China’s commerce ministry commented on the issue on Sunday, noting that the European Commission introduced measures on June 20, 2025, which restrict Chinese enterprises and products from participating in EU’s public procurement of medical devices and continue to set up barriers for Chinese firms in public procurement.

    The spokesperson said that China had repeatedly expressed through bilateral dialogue its willingness to resolve differences with the EU via such dialogue, and through consultation and bilateral government procurement arrangements.

    Regrettably, despite China’s goodwill and sincerity, the EU has insisted on taking restrictive measures to build new protectionist barriers, the spokesperson noted.

    “Therefore, China has no choice but to take reciprocal restrictive measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and maintain a fair competition environment,” said the spokesperson.

    The ministry emphasized that China’s measures only apply to medical device products imported from the EU, and those produced by EU-funded enterprises in China are unaffected. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Anhui’s Suzhou intensifies efforts to build computing power hub

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    A screen displays real-time data and operations at the Bianshui Riverside Supercomputing Center, part of the Suzhou Computing Power Industrial Park in Suzhou city, Anhui province, July 5, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

    Suzhou, a city in eastern China’s Anhui province, is ramping up efforts to grow its computing power industry, with plans to build an industrial cluster expected to be worth 100 billion yuan ($13.8 billion).

    Not to be confused with Suzhou in neighboring Jiangsu province, Suzhou in Anhui is seeking to become a regional center for advanced computing and data services.

    At the center of this push is the Suzhou Computing Power Industrial Park, which opened in 2012 and spans about 15 hectares. The park is currently being expanded to include 100,000 square meters of data center facilities.

    Equipped with extensive network infrastructure, the site serves major clients such as Huawei, QuantumCTek and Inspur, along with academic institutions including Tsinghua University, Peking University and the Beijing Institute of Technology. It also provides resources to research organizations specializing in atmospheric physics and automation.

    The park supports sectors including big data, software development, mobile gaming, animation rendering and e-commerce livestreaming, according to Liang Xixi, a staff member at Suzhou Huarui Network Information Service, which helped develop the project.

    Liang told China.org.cn that the park offers both supercomputing and intelligent computing services, which are used for distinct purposes.

    “Supercomputing is used for high-precision tasks, such as tracking typhoon paths or analyzing protein structures, mostly serving research institutions,” Liang said. “Intelligent computing, by contrast, is used in everyday applications. For example, animation rendering for games like ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ and films such as ‘Ne Zha 2’ relied on intelligent computing.”

    Key projects at the park include the Huaihai Intelligent Computing Center and the Bianshui Riverside Supercomputing Center. Plans are underway for additional facilities, including a China Mobile computing power center and a Baidu intelligent cloud computing center.

    Suzhou currently hosts 465 enterprises related to the computing power sector, generating nearly 7.5 billion yuan in annual revenue. The city plans to increase its computing power capacity to 6,000 petaflops this year and aims to ultimately reach 8,000 petaflops.

    Officials are also cooperating with partners across the Yangtze River Delta to establish an integrated computing power network that can meet rising regional demand.

    The city will continue supporting integrated industrial development, according to the Suzhou City Development and Reform Commission. Priorities include a regional low-altitude intelligent computing center to improve flight route optimization and safety, as well as a data service platform for smart connected vehicles and tests of vehicle-to-road collaboration technology.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New molecular engineering laboratory created at NSU

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    In the structure Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies (IMMT) NSU A new laboratory of molecular engineering has been created; it will become the first specialized laboratory beyond the Urals that will comprehensively deal with such promising areas of modern medicine as the cultivation of microorganism cells, the study of virome and metagenomic analysis, and the prediction of protein structure based on the analysis of the data obtained.

    In early 2026, after the delivery of the new building of the NSU IMMT, which is part of the second stage of the NSU campus, built within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children”, the laboratory will be located on the premises of the new campus. The creation of the laboratory is part of the strategic project “Center for the Integration of Personalized Biomedicine, Pharmacy and Synchrotron, Binary Technologies”, financed within the framework of Priority 2030 programs.

    Currently, the laboratory employs 5 people, including representatives of leading research centers in Novosibirsk and Tomsk. Also, students, postgraduates and graduate students of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and other faculties of NSU will be involved in the work in the laboratory, who, as part of the preparation of their diploma and scientific papers, will participate in the implementation of the laboratory’s projects. The laboratory is headed by Elena Prokopyeva, PhD in Biology, research fellow at the IMMT NSU.

    The laboratory is fully focused on solving applied problems facing the modern pharmaceutical industry and biomedicine. First of all, we are talking about the rapid implementation of new methods of pharmaceutical development, expansion of interdisciplinary research, integration of artificial intelligence and big data analysis in biology and medicine; as well as the formation of a modern educational environment for training new generation specialists, including students from different countries.

    The main areas of work of the laboratory:

    creation and improvement of biotechnological protocols for cultivating prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms in laboratory and industrial bioreactors; creation of innovative methods for identifying and quantitatively analyzing viral particles using accelerator mass spectrometry; study of the diversity, structure and dynamics of viral communities (virosphere) in various ecological niches using modern methods of metagenomics and bioinformatics.

    — One of the promising areas for the laboratory is the analysis of viromes (a set of viruses) using metagenomic and bioinformatics analysis in partnership with research institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. This is an advanced area in science. Metagenomic analysis is based on next-generation sequencing methods, which can be used to “read” several sections of different genomes in different samples at the same time. However, today the problem is the analysis of billions of available sequences, the number of which increases exponentially every year. Thus, advanced technologies will speed up the process of identifying new viruses, even based on already available and published metagenomic data, — said Elena Prokopyeva.

    The lab plans to use machine learning models to analyze biomedical data, such as genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data, as these methods can effectively identify complex patterns and relationships in large and multidimensional data sets. The use of machine learning in biomedical research opens up new opportunities for deep understanding of biological processes and improving clinical practice.

    Another area of the laboratory’s work is education. By the end of 2025, an interactive educational web application will be finalized. HTTP: //histology. HSU.ru, which includes a collection of digital microscope slides on histology, embryology and cytology.

    — Thus, this project will create a comprehensive scientific and technical platform that will unite disparate areas (bioreactors, metagenomics, molecular diagnostics, digitalization of education and biomedical developments) into a single ecosystem, increase the efficiency of research and accelerate the introduction of innovations in industry and medicine, — Elena Prokopyeva emphasized.

    The industrial and scientific partners of the laboratory are industry leaders — Technoprom LLC, research institutes of the SB RAS (G.I. Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS, G.K. Boreskov Institute of Catalysis SB RAS, Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS), FBSI SRC VB Vector of Rospotrebnadzor, Federal Research Center for Fundamental and Translational Medicine (FRC FTM). The laboratory also cooperates with foreign partners, such as Qinghai University and East China Normal University (China), RSE Institute of Genetics and Physiology (Kazakhstan).

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The hard questions NZ must ask about the claimed economic benefits of fast-track mining projects

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenn Banks, Professor of Geography, School of People, Environment and Planning, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Getty Images

    Much of the debate about the fast-track applications by a number of new or extended mining projects has, understandably, focused on their environmental impacts. But the other side of the equation – economic growth and investment, the government’s rationale for new mines – is rarely interrogated.

    In fact, the environmental and economic debates are inseparable. Section 85(3)(b) of the Fast Track Approval Act allows for project applications to be declined if any “adverse impacts are sufficiently significant to be out of proportion to the project’s regional or national benefits”.

    So, the claims of economic benefits from the current round of proposals need to be scrutinised closely. If those benefits don’t stack up, any adverse environmental impacts become harder to justify.

    Having spent more than 35 years researching and consulting on mining projects and mineral policy in the Pacific, I have noted several important economic characteristics of the mining industry.

    First, the capital spend – the setup cost of an operation – is typically largely spent offshore. In the case of Trans-Tasman Resources, currently seeking to fast-track seabed mining off the Taranaki coast, this amounts to 95% of the $1 billion construction estimate. This will largely be spent on the building in China of a huge, sophisticated barge and two 450-tonne seabed crawlers.

    The government’s recent Investment Boost policy will also mean 20% of this investment is an immediate tax deduction for the company – money lost offshore to the foreign investor.

    Second, any estimate of annual revenue, operational costs, taxation and distribution of net profit has to come with a caveat. Annual variations in all these factors are typical across the sector due to commodity price volatility, high rates of depreciation on capital expenditure, unexpected events, and exposure to changing operating costs.

    The same applies to average annual figures for taxes and royalties. Mineral resource companies cannot be regarded as stable sources of government revenue. For example, foreign-owned OceanaGold – the largest gold producer in the country and operator of the MacRaes Flat and Waihi mines – paid no corporate income tax in 2021 or 2023 on gold production worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

    Essentially, the country can often receive a minimal share of the value of its own natural resources. Unlike forestry, dairy, wine, tourism and other major sectors, with mining we don’t get a second chance: when the resource is gone, it’s really gone.

    If New Zealand does decide to expand mineral resource extraction, however, there are four things that could be done to ensure the country benefits more.

    1. Adopt international best practice

    Over the past 30 years, the international mining sector has developed a range of best-practice guidelines, such as those developed by the International Council on Metals and Mining.

    These have been adopted by leading global mining corporations elsewhere to ensure ethical behaviours, high levels of social and environmental performance, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and conservation of biodiversity.

    International bodies such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative also provide a means for signatory countries and their citizens to track the economic contributions mining (and oil) companies make.

    2. Capture a fair share of resource value

    Aside from being levied a small 2% royalty on the value of the minerals produced (or 10% of net profits, whichever is higher), mining companies are effectively treated like any other sector. But the price of mining commodities and revenues, and the operational costs, are highly volatile.

    A better model might involve a simple calculation made each year to determine the total value of mineral exports from each operation. An agreed, a mandatory proportion – half or two-thirds, perhaps – would then be required to accrue within New Zealand.

    This proportion of the value of the mineral resource exported should take into account local employment, locally sourced operational expenses, taxes and royalties. An additional tax could then be applied that brings the local share of the export value up to the agreed proportion, if needed.

    3. Mandate a return to communities

    Another common mechanism found in many countries is the community-level or regional development agreement. These exist at some New Zealand mine sites now, but they are not mandatory. They return a share of the value of the government’s take from the sector back to the communities or regions where the resource has come from.

    While mining companies often make voluntary “corporate social responsibility” contributions to local communities, these are not community-led programs funded from a share of the mining royalties collected from the region.

    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has said he is looking at redirecting a greater share of mining royalties to the regions where mining takes place, particularly the west coast of the South Island.

    4. Establish a form of sovereign wealth fund

    Famously, Norway and the US state of Alaska have established hundred-billion-dollar trust funds by putting aside a proportion of mining and oil revenues.

    These funds now support national budgets, lower or eliminate taxes, and provide a mechanism for the intergenerational transfer of mineral resource wealth.

    New Zealand’s current oil, gas and mining sector is not of these magnitudes. But if the country does decide to significantly expand its extractive sector, we should be thinking about a “fair share” in intergenerational terms, too.

    A local sovereign wealth fund might not be huge to begin with. But if it were used effectively, it could grow and deliver ongoing benefits from non-renewable mineral resources.

    Without proper attention to the economic implications of mining, New Zealand risks
    being doubly worse off: few guaranteed long-term economic benefits from its own mineral resource, but still living with the inevitable environmental effects of those mines.

    Glenn Banks 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. The hard questions NZ must ask about the claimed economic benefits of fast-track mining projects – https://theconversation.com/the-hard-questions-nz-must-ask-about-the-claimed-economic-benefits-of-fast-track-mining-projects-259779

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New US directive for visa applicants turns social media feeds into political documents

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate in Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney

    Angel DiBiblio/Shutterstock

    In recent weeks, the US State Department implemented a policy requiring all university, technical training, or exchange program visa applicants to disclose their social media handles used over the past five years. The policy also requires these applicants to set their profiles to public.

    This move is an example of governments treating a person’s digital persona as their political identity. In doing so, they risk punishing lawful expression, targeting minority voices, and redefining who gets to cross borders based on how they behave online.

    Anyone seeking one of these visas will have their social media searched for “indications of hostility” towards the citizens, culture or founding principles of the United States. This enhanced vetting is supposed to ensure the US does not admit anyone who may be deemed a threat.

    However, this policy changes how a person’s online presence is evaluated in visa applications and raises many ethical concerns. These include concerns around privacy, freedom of expression, and the politicisation of digital identities.

    Digital profiling

    The Trump administration has previously taken aim at higher education with the goal of changing the ideological slant of these institutions, including making changes to international student enrolment and the role of foreign nationals in US research institutions.

    Digital rights advocates have expressed concerns this new requirement could lead to self-censorship and hinder freedom of expression.

    It is unknown exactly which specific online actions will trigger a visa refusal, as the US government hasn’t disclosed detailed criteria. However, guidance to consular officers indicates that digital behaviour suggesting “hostility” toward the US or its values may be grounds for concern.

    Internal advice suggests officers are trained to look for social media content that may reflect extremist views, criminal associations or ideological opposition to the US.

    Political ‘passport’

    In a sense, this policy turns a visa applicant’s online presence into a kind of political passport. It allows for scrutiny not just of past behaviour but also of ideological views.

    Digital identity is not just a technical construct. It carries legal, philosophical and historical weight. It can influence access to rights, recognition and legitimacy, both online and offline.

    Once this identity is interpreted by state institutions, it can become a tool for control shaped by institutional whims. Governments justify digital surveillance as a way to spot threats. But research consistently shows it leads to overreach.

    A recent report found that US social media monitoring programs have frequently flagged activists and religious minorities. It also found the programs lacked transparency and oversight.

    Digital freedom nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation has warned these tools risk punishing people for lawful expression or for simply being connected to certain communities.

    The US is not alone in integrating digital surveillance into border security. China has implemented social credit systems. And the United Kingdom is exploring digital ID systems for immigration control. There are even calls for Australia to use artificial intelligence to facilitate digital border checks.

    The United Nations has raised concerns about the global trend toward digital vetting at borders, especially when used without judicial oversight or transparency.

    A free speech issue

    These new checks could have a chilling effect on self-expression. This is particularly true for those with views that don’t align with governments or who are from minority backgrounds.

    We’ve seen this previously. After whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed widespread use of data gathering by US intelligence agencies, people stopped visiting politically sensitive Wikipedia articles. Not because they were told to, but because they feared being watched.

    This policy won’t just affect visa applicants. It could shift how people use social media in general. That’s because there is no clear rulebook for what counts as “acceptable”. And when no one knows where the line is, people self-censor more than is necessary.

    What can you do?

    If you think you might apply for an affected visa in the future, here are some tips.

    1. Audit your social media history now. Old posts, “likes” or follows from years ago may be reviewed and judged out of context. Review your public posts on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and X. Delete or archive anything that might be misconstrued.

    2. Separate personal and professional online identities. Consider keeping distinct accounts for private and public engagement. Use pseudonyms for creative or informal content. Immigration authorities are far less likely to misinterpret context when your online presence is clearly tied to your educational or professional goals.

    3. Understand your online visibility and history. Even if you have privacy settings enabled, tagged content, public “likes”, comments and follows can still be seen. Algorithms expose content based on associations, not just what you post. Don’t assume your visibility is limited to your followers.

    4. Keep records of any deleted or misinterpreted posts. If you think something might be questioned or if you delete posts ahead of an application, keep a backup. Consular officials may request clarification or evidence. It’s better to be prepared than to be caught off-guard without explanation.

    Your social media is no longer a personal space. It may be used by governments to determine whether you fit in.

    Samuel Cornell receives funding from an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship.

    Daniel Angus receives funding from Australian Research Council through Linkage Project ‘Young Australians and the Promotion of Alcohol on Social Media’. He is a Chief Investigator with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making & Society.

    T.J. Thomson receives funding from the Australian Research Council. He is an affiliate with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making & Society.

    – ref. New US directive for visa applicants turns social media feeds into political documents – https://theconversation.com/new-us-directive-for-visa-applicants-turns-social-media-feeds-into-political-documents-260201

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xinjiang, key sending hub in China’s west-to-east power transmission program

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Xinjiang, key sending hub in China’s west-to-east power transmission program

    Updated: July 7, 2025 09:19 Xinhua
    A drone photo taken on July 6, 2025 shows power lines of the Changji-Guquan ±1100 kV ultra-high voltage direct current power transmission project in the Kazak Autonomous County of Mori, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Xinjiang is a key sending hub in China’s west-to-east power transmission program. Once considered economic obstacles, Xinjiang’s vast deserts and arid landscapes have been transformed into a renewable energy goldmine, blessed with strong wind and long hours of sunshine. Since 2010, Xinjiang has cumulatively transmitted over 900 billion kilowatt-hours of power outside the region, with renewable energy accounting for approximately 30 percent of the total. The electricity supply coverage extends to 22 provincial-level regions across China. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on March 22, 2025 shows a power plant of the Hami-Chongqing ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current power transmission project in Hami, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 1, 2023 shows a convertor station of the Hami-Zhengzhou ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current power transmission project in Hami, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows a solar power station of the Hami-Chongqing ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current power transmission project in Hami, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on July 5, 2025 shows power lines of the Changji-Guquan ±1100 kV ultra-high voltage direct current power transmission project in the Kazak Autonomous County of Mori, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on Sept. 10, 2024 shows a view of the Santanghu wind power farm in Hami, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on April 26, 2025 shows the power lines of the Hami-Chongqing ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current power transmission project in Hami, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on July 6, 2025 shows power lines of the Changji-Guquan ±1100 kV ultra-high voltage direct current power transmission project in the Kazak Autonomous County of Mori, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members patrol along the power lines of the 750 kV grid around the Tarim Basin in Yuli County, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 27, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Many places in China enter peak tourist season

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Many places in China enter peak tourist season

    Updated: July 7, 2025 09:24 Xinhua
    A drone photo taken on July 5, 2025 shows tourists visiting the Shenxianju scenic spot in Xianju County of Taizhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province. With the arrival of summer vacation, many places in China have entered the peak tourist season. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 5, 2025 shows tourists enjoying themselves at a tourist resort in Huzhou City, east China’s Zhejiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 6, 2025 shows tourists riding a boat to enjoy lotus flowers at a scenic spot in Xinghua City, east China’s Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on July 5, 2025 shows tourists enjoying themselves at a beach in Weihai, east China’s Shandong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists enjoy rafting at a scenic area in Luzhou City, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, July 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists enjoy paragliding in Rongcheng City, east China’s Shandong Province, July 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘World’s supermarket’ embraces foreign trade talents

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    A merchant (L, front) from Nepal watches dragon dance performance outside the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    In a city long famed as the “world’s supermarket,” foreign businesspeople are no longer just visitors — they are being officially recognized as vital drivers of China’s future development.

    Yiwu City, a bustling hub in east China’s Zhejiang Province that trades with over 230 countries and regions, has launched China’s first standardized system for formally certifying foreign trade talents.

    The pilot program, launched in June, marks a shift away from traditional talent criteria that focus solely on education or technical credentials, instead rewarding foreign entrepreneurs for their real-world business contributions.

    Under the new guidelines, any foreign national with a valid work permit and a registered company in Yiwu can be classified as A or B-level talent if they meet key performance metrics, such as import-export volume, job creation, or long-term local operations.

    B-level talent now enjoys two- to four-year work permits, rather than having to renew them annually. At the same time, A-level recognition offers five-year permits, along with priority services and faster approvals.

    “Foreign businesses and investors are essential participants in China’s modernization,” said Wang Liqin, head of the talent and cooperation section at Yiwu’s science and technology bureau. “This pilot program offers institutional support for their entrepreneurship and serves as a model of high-quality development in trade and foreign investment.”

    As of late June, over 609 foreign businesspeople in Yiwu had been certified under the program, part of a community of more than 8,600 foreign work permit holders that makes Yiwu the top city in Zhejiang for foreign employment.

    Yiwu’s decision to pioneer this reform reflects its long-standing international DNA. On any given day, more than 28,000 foreign merchants work in the city, a density unmatched in most of China.

    For Sakhi Brahim, a Moroccan businessman who first learned about China at a Confucius Institute back home, Yiwu represents the ideal place to build a career bridging cultures.

    “Foreigners are afraid of miscommunication,” he said. “So I decided to be that bridge.”

    Brahim arrived in Yiwu in 2013 after studying at Beijing International Studies University. He now runs a kitchenware export business while helping Moroccan clients understand the Chinese market and ensuring local suppliers profit.

    “The work opportunities here are very good. Even getting a driver’s license is easy — they offer the theory test in Arabic,” said Brahim.

    Brahim credits the city’s infrastructure, openness, and new certification system for creating a foundation of trust. “It shows they recognize our contribution. That trust is why I can succeed here,” he said.

    Nidal R.A. Sabarneh, who calls himself “Ni Dale” in China — a name he chose to express his hope that the support and opportunities he finds in China can reach his homeland, Palestine — also found a professional home in Yiwu.

    Born in 1994, he was inspired by his father’s trade trips to China and chose to study international economics at Wuhan University, central China’s Hubei Province.

    He arrived in Yiwu in 2016 and now runs his own company that sells automotive repair tools. His supply network includes over 80 factories across Zhejiang.

    “Honestly, if it wasn’t Yiwu, a modern, open trade city, I doubt I could get so many factories to work with me,” he said.

    His products reach 36 countries, with demand rising thanks to China’s own booming new energy vehicle exports. Yet for him, Yiwu’s greatest advantage is security.

    “My home is in a war zone. I’ve traveled to many countries, and China is the safest place I know. That security is what allows us to do business,” he said.

    For Dumaru Bishnuprasad, head of the Nepal-China chamber of commerce and industry in Yiwu, Yiwu has been both a business base and a family home for over two decades. He first arrived in 2002, married a local from Ningbo, and is raising three children in China.

    “Yiwu is a great platform for foreigners,” he said. He pointed to opportunities created by the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and the dedicated China-Nepal railway cooperation.

    Bishnuprasad’s businesses encompass trade and logistics, with a focus on selling hardware, stationery and footwear. As chamber head, he often mediates disputes between merchants and suppliers. “Ninety percent of problems can be solved inside the chamber,” he said.

    He also praised Yiwu’s attentiveness to foreign families. “I take my parents to local senior centers and dining halls. It’s convenient and reassuring,” he said.

    As Yiwu deepens its role as a testbed for comprehensive trade reforms, officials say the new talent certification system is only the beginning. Future plans include refining criteria, expanding service support, and sharing lessons with other regions in China.

    For foreign merchants in Yiwu, the new system is not just about paperwork. It represents a formal invitation to build a lasting life in China — a place where trade ties turn into personal connections and foreign investment becomes local development.

    “Yiwu isn’t just a city of small commodities,” Bishnuprasad said. “It’s a city that really takes care of people.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong’s IPO applications surge on investor confidence: Financial secretary

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Applications for initial public offerings (IPOs) in Hong Kong had surged to around 200 so far in 2025 as investors are bullish about the Hong Kong bourse in the second half of this year, Paul Chan, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, wrote on his blog on Sunday.

    Companies from the Middle East and Southeast Asia were among the applicants for IPOs, said Chan.

    A total of 42 IPOs in the first six months raised over 107 billion Hong Kong dollars (13.63 billion U.S. dollars), landing Hong Kong the top spot in the world in terms of IPO proceeds.

    The benchmark Hang Seng Index had hiked 20 percent, or more than 4,000 points, over the first half of 2025. The biggest-ever half-year increase by points was buoyed by investor preference on tech-related stocks, noted Chan.

    Brisk trading of tech-related derivatives made exchange-traded products (ETPs) a major provider of liquidity in Hong Kong’s securities market in recent years. Hong Kong has over 210 listed ETPs, according to the financial secretary.

    The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited is working to list more exchange-traded funds, one of the best-known types of ETP, to help finance the growth of the real economy, Chan said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tech, tourism fuel ‘cave economy’ in southwest China’s mountainous regions

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Helmet strapped and headlamp shining, 14-year-old Wang Zichen zipped into the shadowy depths of a karst cave, part of a growing wave of underground adventure tourism in southwest China’s mountainous regions.

    Beneath the towering peaks of Guizhou Province stretches a vast karst world filled with tens of thousands of ancient caves. Formed over hundreds of millions of years by persistent water erosion, these caves hold dramatic geological formations, rich biodiversity and traces of early human activity.

    In February, Guizhou rolled out a plan to promote classified management, ecological restoration and responsible development of cave resources, aiming to enhance their ecological, scientific and tourism values. An expanding range of cave-based ventures is now flourishing across the province, drawing visitors and boosting local economies.

    This photo taken on July 5, 2025 shows a sign of the Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2025 in Guiyang, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The province’s efforts align with the theme of the ongoing Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2025, which opened Saturday in the provincial capital, highlighting the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

    “Cave economy” takes off 

    “It is both exciting and informative,” said Wang, who explored the Forest Coolpark scenic spot nestled in Libo Karst — part of the South China Karst, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — with friends during his summer vacation. Inside the cave, he admired the stunning stalactites while learning about karst geology.

    According to Ren Peng, general manager of the scenic site, a variety of cave-based activities have been developed to suit diverse terrain, including caving adventures, sightseeing tours, cave camping and even cave hotpot dining. Since the May Day holiday this year, the site has welcomed nearly 10,000 tourists, generating over 7 million yuan (about 978,542 U.S. dollars) in revenue.

    “We follow an ecology-first principle in our development,” Ren said. “We preserve the caves’ natural features while designing tour routes, and avoid any construction in deeper sections. All waste is strictly managed and removed from the caves daily.”

    “It’s necessary to develop caves based on solid scientific cave research,” said Jean Bottazzi, a French caver and representative of the French Federation of Speleology in China, in an interview with Xinhua during the eco forum. He has spent over three decades studying Shuanghedong Cave, the longest known cave in Asia, located in Guizhou’s Suiyang County.

    Over the years, Bottazzi has worked with local authorities and developers to provide expert guidance on balancing cave tourism with conservation. “It’s encouraging to see that responsible development not only preserves the cave environment, but also brings economic benefits to local villagers by creating new job opportunities,” he added.

    According to incomplete statistics, the direct market size of Guizhou’s cave tourism sector has reached an estimated 1 billion yuan.

    In addition to tourism, many caves have been creatively repurposed for commercial use. Some have been transformed into restaurants, bars and homestays, while others serve as sites for winemaking, mushroom cultivation, or even data storage, taking advantage of their naturally stable temperature and humidity.

    “These caves, once dormant in the depths of the mountains, are now awakening as unique assets of the region. They are no longer just natural wonders, but also cultural and economic symbols,” said Qin Xiaokang, deputy director of the culture, radio, television and tourism bureau of Libo County.

    This photo taken on July 4, 2025 shows the intelligent tourism system of Zhijindong Cave UNESCO Global Geopark in Bijie, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [PhotoXinhua]

    Modern tech moves in 

    Speaking at a sub-forum of the ongoing event, Hassina Mouri, president of the International Union of Geological Sciences, emphasized the role of innovative technologies in promoting environmental engagement. “By using tools like big data and artificial intelligence, we detect, predict and better comprehend the interactions among different parts of our natural environment.”

    In an interview with Xinhua, Zhou Wenlong, deputy director of the Guizhou Institute of Mountain Resources, said high-tech tools are playing a key role in addressing the challenges of karst cave conservation and development.

    “Some caves have fragile ecosystems and complex terrains that are difficult to access,” Zhou said. “We use terrestrial laser scanning technology to produce high-precision 3D models of cave interiors, and leverage digital tools to offer virtual access to these delicate sites.”

    These technologies have already been applied in Zhijindong Cave UNESCO Global Geopark in Guizhou’s Bijie City. According to Liu Haibo, general manager of Guizhou Zhijindong Cave Tourism Development Co., Ltd., the geopark first completed a full laser scan of the caves in 2015, with a second scan planned for next year.

    “By comparing the records, we can monitor the condition of each stalactite, whether it’s growing or damaged, and adjust our conservation and development strategy accordingly,” Liu said.

    Since 2019, the geopark has also introduced an intelligent tourism system to monitor cave temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels and visitor flow in real time, helping to ensure both landscape protection and tourist safety.

    China’s green development practices are drawing international recognition. “The ideas and approaches taken in China’s green provinces to balance economic growth and environmental protection are applicable everywhere,” said Erik Solheim, former United Nations under-secretary-general. “Many cities in the developing world could look to China for inspiration.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Optimism as sales see strong growth

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Visitors learn about new energy vehicles of Chinese carmaker BYD during the 27th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Show at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, June 16, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Major carmakers in China have concluded the first half with positive growth, bracing themselves for possible record-high deliveries in the year.

    BYD topped the chart with deliveries of 2.14 million vehicles, up 33 percent year-on-year. It sold 377,628 passenger vehicles in June, up 11 percent from a year earlier.

    Of its half-year sales, 472,000 were sold in overseas markets, up 132 percent year-on-year. That was even more than the total of its overseas sales in 2024.

    Data released by JATO Dynamics indicated the Chinese automaker almost matched Tesla’s European registrations in May, building on its initial outperformance of its US rival in April.

    It nearly quadrupled European sales in the first four months of 2025, figures from researcher Dataforce show.

    BYD was followed by SAIC, which was the second carmaker to deliver more than 2 million units in the first half.

    The Shanghai-based giant saw its wholesale figure reach 2.05 million units from January to June, up 12.4 percent year-on-year.

    Its retail figures were even higher, at 2.2 million units. SAIC’s sales target for 2025 is 4.5 million units.

    Also of note is that SAIC is now less reliant on its joint ventures with GM and Volkswagen respectively.

    In the first half, the Chinese carmaker’s indigenous brands saw their combined sales reach 1.3 million units, up 21.1 percent year-on-year.

    The figure accounted for 64 percent of its total deliveries, up 4.6 percentage points from the same period of 2024.

    FAW, which owns the iconic Hongqi brand, and has joint ventures with Toyota and Volkswagen, delivered 1.57 million units, up 6.1 percent year-on-year.

    Changan, Chery and Geely each saw record-number deliveries in the period, standing at 1.36 million units, 1.26 million units, and 1.41 million units respectively.

    Geely’s sales were up 47.45 percent year-on-year. This strong performance was primarily driven by the Geely Galaxy sub-brand and the robust performance of battery electric vehicle models.

    In the first half of 2025, Geely’s BEV sales reached 510,803 units, a year-on-year growth of 173.09 percent. Its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle sales for the same period were 214,348 units, up 61 percent year-on-year.

    Geely has raised its full-year 2025 sales guidance from 2.71 million units to 3 million units.

    It said that this is due to the group’s strong sales performance so far this year, and it will strive to achieve this target.

    Data showed that it sold 236,036 vehicles in June, marking the 10th consecutive month since September 2024 that sales have exceeded 200,000 units.

    The three were trailed by BAIC and Great Wall Motors, whose sales stood at 817,000 units, up 6 percent year-on-year, and 571,000 units, up 1.8 percent.

    NEV startups saw robust momentum as well. XPeng delivered 34,611 cars in June, the eighth-straight month where it delivered more than 30,000 cars.

    Nio reported 24,925 car deliveries in June, a slight increase from May, thanks to growth across its premium Nio brand and lower-priced Onvo and Firefly brands.

    Li Auto reported 36,279 vehicle deliveries in June, an 11.2 percent drop from May. But its total deliveries in the second quarter came in at 111,074 units, better than the company’s lowered guidance of 108,000 cars.

    Overseas brands are starting to catch up with Chinese rivals.

    General Motors and its joint ventures in China posted the biggest quarterly sales surge in four years in the second quarter of this year, driven by the strong performance of its growing new energy vehicle lineup and high-volume nameplates.

    The US carmaker said its Q2 deliveries exceeded 447,000 units, marking its second consecutive quarter of year-over-year sales growth in China with a 20 percent increase — the highest annual gain for a single quarter since the first quarter of 2021.

    Sales of NEVs, including pure battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and extended range electric vehicles, soared 50 percent in the quarter compared to the same period of 2024.

    Its cumulative sales in the first half of 2025 exceeded 890,000 units, up 9.4 percent from a year earlier.

    Meanwhile, GM achieved year-over-year market share growth in both the second quarter and the first half of 2025.

    “Our strong Q2 performance reflects the sustainable growth trajectory we are building in both sales and market share through local innovations,” said Steve Hill, GM senior vice-president and president of GM China.

    “We remain committed to driving profitable growth for China business by focusing on strong execution, business agility, and customer choices,” said Hill.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Ageing bridges around the world are at risk of collapse. But there’s a simple way to safeguard them

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Andy Nguyen, Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering, University of Southern Queensland

    The Story Bridge, with its sweeping steel trusses and art deco towers, is a striking sight above the Brisbane River in Queensland. In 2025, it was named the state’s best landmark. But more than an icon, it serves as one of the vital arteries of the state capital, carrying more than 100,000 vehicles daily.

    But a recent report revealed serious structural issues in the 85-year-old bridge. These included the deterioration of concrete, corrosion and overloading on pedestrian footpaths.

    The findings prompted an urgent closure of the footpath for safety reasons. They also highlighted the urgency of Brisbane City Council’s planned bridge restoration project.

    But this example – and far more tragic ones from around the world in recent years – have also sparked a broader conversation about the safety of ageing bridges and other urban infrastructure. A simple, proactive step known as structural health monitoring can help.

    A number of collapses

    In January 2022, the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States collapsed and injured several people. This collapse was caused by extensive corrosion and the fracturing of a vital steel component. It stemmed from poor maintenance and failure to act on repeated inspection recommendations. These problems were compounded by inadequate inspections and oversight.

    Three years earlier, Taiwan’s Nanfang’ao Bridge collapsed. Exposure to damp, salty sea air had severely weakened its suspension cables. Six people beneath the bridge died.

    In August 2018, Italy’s Morandi Bridge fell, killing 43 people. The collapse was due to corrosion in pre-stressed concrete and steel tendons. These factors were worsened by inspection and maintenance challenges.

    In August 2007, a bridge in the US city of Minneapolis collapsed, killing 13 people and injuring 145. This collapse was primarily due to previously unnoticed problems with the design of the bridge. But it also demonstrated how ageing infrastructure, coupled with increasing loads and ineffective routine visual inspections, can exacerbate inherent weaknesses.

    A technology-driven solution

    Structural health monitoring is a technology-driven approach to assessing the condition of infrastructure. It can provide near real-time information and enable timely decision-making. This is crucial when it comes to managing ageing structures.

    The approach doesn’t rely solely on occasional periodic inspections. Instead it uses sensors, data loggers and analytics platforms to continuously monitor stress, vibration, displacement, temperature and corrosion on critical components.

    This approach can significantly improve our understanding of bridge performance compared to traditional assessment models. In one case, it updated a bridge’s estimated fatigue life – the remaining life of the structure before fatigue-induced failure is predicted to occur– from just five years to more than 52 years. This ultimately avoided unnecessary and costly restoration.

    Good structural health-monitoring systems can last several decades. They can be integrated with artificial intelligence techniques and bridge information modelling to develop digital twin-based monitoring platforms.

    The cost of structural health monitoring systems varies by bridge size and the extent of monitoring required. Some simple systems can cost just a few thousand dollars, while more advanced ones can cost more than A$300,000.

    These systems require ongoing operational support – typically 10% to 20% of the installation cost annually – for data management, system maintenance, and informed decision-making.

    Additionally, while advanced systems can be costly, scalable structural health monitoring solutions allow authorities to start small and expand over time.

    A model for proactive management

    The design of structural health monitoring systems has been incorporated into new large-scale bridge designs, such as Sutong Bridge in China and Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in the US.

    But perhaps the most compelling example of these systems in action is the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal, Canada.

    Opened in 1930, it shares design similarities with Brisbane’s Story Bridge. And, like many ageing structures, it faces its own challenges.

    Opened in 1930, the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal, Canada, shares design similarities with Brisbane’s Story Bridge.
    Pinkcandy/Shutterstock

    However, authorities managing the Jacques Cartier Bridge have embraced a proactive approach through comprehensive structural health monitoring systems. The bridge has been outfitted with more than 300 sensors.

    Acoustic emission monitoring enables early detection of micro-cracking activity, while long-term instrumentation tracks structural deformation and dynamic behaviour across key spans.

    Satellite-based radar imagery adds a remote, non-intrusive layer of deformation monitoring, and advanced data analysis ensures that the vast amounts of sensor data are translated into timely, actionable insights.

    Together, these technologies demonstrate how a well-integrated structural-health monitoring system can support proactive maintenance, extend the life of ageing infrastructure – and ultimately improve public safety.

    A way forward for Brisbane – and beyond

    The Story Bridge’s current challenges are serious, but they also present an opportunity.

    By investing in the right structural health monitoring system, Brisbane can lead the way in modern infrastructure management – protecting lives, restoring public confidence, preserving heritage and setting a precedent for cities around the world.

    As climate change, urban growth, and ageing assets put increasing pressure on our transport networks, smart monitoring is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity.

    Andy Nguyen receives funding from the Queensland government, through the Advance Queensland fellowship. He is on the executive committee of Australian Network of Structural Health Monitoring.

    – ref. Ageing bridges around the world are at risk of collapse. But there’s a simple way to safeguard them – https://theconversation.com/ageing-bridges-around-the-world-are-at-risk-of-collapse-but-theres-a-simple-way-to-safeguard-them-260005

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • BRICS: Indonesia joins as full member, 10 countries welcomed as partners

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Leaders of the BRICS nations on Sunday welcomed Indonesia as a full member of the group, along with the inclusion of 10 countries — Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, Vietnam, Uganda, and Uzbekistan — as partner countries.

    In a joint declaration issued at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the leaders said, “We welcome the Republic of Indonesia as a BRICS member, as well as the Republic of Belarus, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Cuba, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Republic of Uganda, and the Republic of Uzbekistan as BRICS partner countries.”

    The declaration also highlighted key initiatives adopted during the summit, including the BRICS Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance, the BRICS Leaders’ Statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, and the launch of the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases. 

    During the BRICS session on ‘Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that the expansion demonstrates BRICS’ ability to evolve with changing times. He called for urgent reforms in global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and Multilateral Development Banks.

    “The expansion of BRICS and the inclusion of new partners reflect its ability to evolve with the times. Now, we must demonstrate the same determination to reform institutions like the UN Security Council, the WTO, and Multilateral Development Banks. In the age of AI, where technology evolves every week, it’s unacceptable for global institutions to go eighty years without reform. You can’t run 21st-century software on 20th-century typewriters,” the Prime Minister said.

    BRICS was originally established as BRIC after the leaders of Russia, India, China, and Brazil met during the G8 Outreach Summit in 2006. The grouping formalised its cooperation with the first BRIC Summit in Russia in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010, expanding the group to BRICS.

    A further expansion took place in 2024 with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE becoming full members from January 1. Indonesia became a full member in January 2025, while Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan were inducted as BRICS partner countries.

    (ANI)

     

  • BRICS leaders back India, Brazil for bigger UN Security Council role

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Leaders of BRICS nations have reiterated their support for “comprehensive” reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, to make it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient.

    In a joint declaration at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, China and Russia — as permanent members of the UN Security Council — reaffirmed their support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.

    “We reiterate our support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council’s membership so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges and support the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America, including BRICS countries, to play a greater role in international affairs, in particular in the United Nations, including its Security Council. We recognise the legitimate aspirations of African countries, as reflected in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration,” the declaration said.

    “We stress that United Nations Security Council reform must lead to an amplified voice for the Global South. China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, reiterate their support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council,” it added.

    India has long sought a permanent seat in the Security Council to better represent the interests of the developing world. The UNSC comprises 15 member states, including five permanent members with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

    BRICS leaders also expressed serious concerns over the rise of unilateral tariffs and non-tariff measures that distort trade and violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. They reiterated their support for a rules-based, open, transparent, fair, inclusive, equitable, non-discriminatory, consensus-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, with special and differential treatment (S&D T) for its developing members.

    The bloc recalled commitments made at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference and reaffirmed at the 13th to work towards the necessary reform of the organisation to ensure its relevance and restore the credibility of the multilateral trading system.

    They expressed commitment to restoring an accessible, effective, fully functioning, two-tier binding WTO dispute settlement system and extended support for Ethiopia and Iran’s bids to join the WTO. The group also welcomed the BRICS Declaration on WTO Reform and Strengthening of the Multilateral Trading System, adopted by trade ministers.

    The leaders condemned the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that violate international law and reiterated that such measures — including unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions — have far-reaching negative impacts on human rights, including the rights to development, health and food security.

    “We call for the elimination of such unlawful measures, which undermine international law and the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. We reaffirm that BRICS member states do not impose or support non-UN Security Council authorised sanctions that are contrary to international law,” the declaration said.

    BRICS leaders also voiced concern over ongoing conflicts in various regions and the current state of polarisation and fragmentation in the global order. They expressed alarm at the increasing global military spending, which they said comes at the cost of financing development in the Global South.

    The BRICS Summit, hosted by Brazil, has brought together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Indonesia.

    ANI

  • MIL-OSI China: S. Korea’s special counsel seeks warrant to detain ex-President Yoon

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    South Korea’s special counsel investigating former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s short-lived martial law imposition sought a warrant to detain the ousted president, the special counsel team’s spokesperson said Sunday.

    Cho Eun-suk, independent counsel leading the investigation into Yoon’s insurrection and other charges, requested the warrant issuance from the Seoul Central District Court.

    The charges specified in the warrant included the obstruction of justice, abuse of power and writing a bogus official document, the spokesperson noted.

    The detention warrant was sought to keep Yoon in custody for an extended period of time, or at least 20 days.

    The independent counsel team, which launched its investigation on June 18, sought a separate warrant to arrest Yoon for up to 48 hours last month, but it was dismissed by the Seoul court as Yoon showed his willingness to be questioned by the special counsel.

    Yoon rejected the third police call on June 19 to appear for questioning over his charges of ordering the presidential security service to block the attempt in January to arrest him and to delete information on security phones offered to three military commanders.

    Yoon was apprehended in the presidential office on Jan. 15 and was indicted under detention on Jan. 26 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection, but he was released on March 8 as prosecutors decided not to appeal against the court’s release approval.

    The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon on April 4 over his botched martial law bid last December, officially removing him from office. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Gaza ceasefire talks begin in Qatar as Netanyahu heads to Washington

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for an official visit to Washington on Sunday, calling the trip a “great opportunity” to expand the circle of peace in the Middle East.

    Speaking before boarding his flight, Netanyahu said there were new prospects for Israel to reach normalization agreements with Arab countries “far beyond what we could previously imagine.”

    Netanyahu has made expanding normalization efforts a central goal of his foreign policy. Under the 2020 Abraham Accords, Israel signed normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco. The country has peace agreements also with Egypt and Jordan.

    “We have already transformed the face of the Middle East beyond recognition,” he said, referring to Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip and the cross-border fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as conflicts with Iran, Yemen and Syria.

    Earlier on Sunday, an Israeli delegation was sent to Qatar to resume indirect negotiations with Hamas over a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, according to an Israeli official.

    Netanyahu said the delegation had received “clear instructions” to work toward a ceasefire under terms already accepted by Israel. He added that his upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump “can certainly help promote the outcome we all hope for.”

    Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, which begins Monday, is his third since Trump returned to office in January.

    The trip comes amid growing public pressure in Israel for a long-term ceasefire that would end the war in Gaza and secure the return of around 50 hostages, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners have pushed him to continue the military campaign and establish a permanent Israeli control over parts of the Palestinian enclave.

    Hamas announced on Friday it had responded “in a positive spirit” to a U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day truce. Trump said Israel had agreed “to the necessary conditions to finalize” the deal.

    Since Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza on March 18, at least 6,860 Palestinians have been killed and 24,220 others wounded, according to figures released Sunday by Gaza health authorities. That brings the total death toll in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 to 57,418, with 136,261 injured.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Arsenal sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Arsenal has completed the signing of Spain international midfielder Martin Zubimendi on a “long-term” contract.

    The 26-year-old, who had spent all of his career with Real Sociedad, joined last season’s Premier League runner-up for 51 million pounds (70 million U.S. dollars) and becomes the second player from the San Sebastian outfit to join Arsenal, after the arrival of Mikel Merino last summer.

    Jude Bellingham (R) of Real Madrid vies with Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad during the Copa del Rey semifinal 2nd leg football match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on April 1, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

    “This is a huge moment in my career. It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realize how big this club and this team are,” said Zubimendi, who had also attracted interest from Real Madrid and has 19 caps for Spain.

    “I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come,” he added in words published on the Arsenal website.

    Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta welcomed the signing of one of his club’s key summer targets.

    “We welcome Martin and his family to the club. We look forward to him settling in with his teammates and are very excited to see him playing in an Arsenal shirt.”

    “Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team. He will fit in really well, and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.”

    “The standard he has consistently performed at over the last few seasons for both club and country is exactly why we are so excited to have him with us,” added Arteta.

    Arsenal is also thought to be closing in on a deal to sign Noni Madueke from Chelsea, with the England winger said to have agreed to a five-year contract at the Emirates. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Late drama as Real Madrid, PSG storm to Club World Cup semis

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Real Madrid will face Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals after both sides claimed quarterfinal victories on Saturday.

    In New Jersey, Real Madrid survived a late scare to secure a 3-2 win over a fast-finishing Borussia Dortmund while Paris Saint-Germain overcame Bayern Munich 2-0 in Atlanta.

    Kylian Mbappe (L) of Real Madrid scores with a volley during the quarterfinal match between Real Madrid (Spain) and Borussia Dortmund (Germany) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in New Jersey, the United States, July 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

    Fifteen-time UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid looked to be cruising as they entered second-half stoppage time with a 2-0 lead courtesy of first-half goals from Gonzalo Garcia and Fran Garcia at MetLife Stadium.

    Maximilian Beier pulled one back in the 93rd minute before Kylian Mbappe appeared to settle Madrid’s nerves a minute later by volleying home his first goal of the tournament.

    But Serhou Guirassy reduced the deficit again by converting from the penalty spot after he was dragged down by Dean Huijsen, an offense that earned the Spain international defender a straight red card.

    The Spanish side held on to set up a duel with PSG at the same venue next Wednesday for a place in the final.

    “Everything was under control but the last 10 minutes were kind of crazy,” Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said after the match. “We lost a little bit of our shape, our intensity and luckily we managed to hold on. Overall, it was a good eighty minutes but the last 10 minutes showed we need to improve.”

    Alonso hailed the impact of Gonzalo Garcia, who has four goals in five games this tournament, as well as an assist.

    “He is doing great work for the team,” the former Spain midfielder said. “He is helping the team and he is running into the right positions in the box. He is a proper No. 9, and we are happy that he is doing that work.”

    Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac said his team paid the price for a poor start.

    “I don’t think we played well in the first half,” the former Croatia midfielder said. “We were too passive, just waiting and not aggressive enough. It was a bit better after the break.”

    He reserved special praise for Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who denied Marcel Sabitzer an equalizer in the final seconds.

    “That final save was unbelievable,” Kovac said. “I really thought that shot would go in but this is a world-class goalkeeper. We lost the game in the first half, not the second.”

    Earlier, late goals from Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele gave nine-man Paris Saint-Germain victory over Bayern Munich.

    The result was overshadowed by a serious ankle injury suffered by Bayern midfielder Jamal Musiala in a collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma just before halftime.

    Doue put the European champions ahead in the 78th minute with a long-range effort that beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer at his near post.

    The Parisian side was then reduced to nine men after Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez were both shown straight red cards within 10 minutes.

    Despite the double setback, Dembele swept home PSG’s second goal in stoppage time following Achraf Hakimi’s cross.

    “It’s always difficult to play against a great team like Bayern Munich,” PSG manager Luis Enrique told a post-match news conference. “And thinking about the last part of the match where we played with one man less and then two, it was very difficult.

    “We have to recover and focus on the semifinal. In this very long season, to come here with that attitude that we see from the team in each training session and each game, I think we deserve to be here. I also think our fans deserve to see this. I hope we’ll keep improving and be able to play another final. That’s our goal.”

    Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany said the final scoreline did not accurately reflect the match.

    “We weren’t rewarded for a performance that was exactly what was required against PSG,” he said. “That’s a shame. I knew it would be a close game. It could’ve finished 1-0 or 2-0 to us or them. That’s how it turned out. It was a game with high intensity and high quality.

    “Tomorrow we fly home and have three weeks off. It’s important that the boys can also mentally switch off a bit now. We need to regain our strength for next season.”

    Kompany said the club’s thoughts were with Musiala and wished the German international a prompt recovery.

    “I’ve rarely been so angry at halftime, not against my players – I know there are much more important things in life, but for these guys it’s their life,” the former Belgium international defender said.

    “Someone like Jamal lives for this. He just came back from a setback, and now this happens. You feel powerless. My blood is still boiling right now, not because of the result, that’s football. But because it happened to someone who enjoys the game so much.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Kyle Walker leaves Manchester City for Burnley

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Veteran England defender Kyle Walker has joined newly promoted Burnley from Manchester City for a fee of around five million pounds (6.8 million U.S. dollars).

    Manchester City’s Kyle Walker (L) is challenged by Manchester United’s Fred during the FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United in London, Britain, on June. 3, 2023. Man City won 2-1. (Xinhua)

    The 35-year-old has signed a two-year contract with Burnley to put a definitive end to eight seasons with Manchester City, who he joined from Tottenham in 2017, making 319 appearances and winning 17 trophies.

    The move sees Walker reunite with Burnley coach Scott Parker, who he played alongside at Tottenham.

    “I’m delighted to be here and I can’t wait to come in and add my experience and quality to what looks an exciting squad.”

    “When I spoke to Scott and heard about his plans for next season, it was an opportunity I jumped at. He’s done an amazing job here, guiding the club back to the Premier League,” said Walker on the Burnley website.

    Walker spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan after making 15 appearances for Manchester City, when he seemed to have lost some of the pace that made him such a key defender for Pep Guardiola.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Bayern’s Musiala set for lengthy layoff after horror injury

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious ankle injury during his side’s 2-0 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

    Jamal Musiala (R) of FC Bayern Munich passes the ball during the quarterfinal match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and FC Bayern Munich (GER) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, July 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

    The 22-year-old sustained a fibula fracture and multiple torn ligaments in his left ankle following a collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in Atlanta. The scene left teammates and opponents visibly shaken, and after an agonizing 15-minute deliberation pitchside, Bayern team doctor Peter Hahne and sporting director Christoph Freund confirmed that Musiala would return to Germany for treatment.

    Images of the incident showed Musiala’s ankle bending unnaturally, prompting an emotional reaction from Donnarumma, who broke into tears and knelt on the pitch, covering his face with his gloves. Players from both teams, including Harry Kane, Joshua Kimmich, Michael Olise, Kingsley Coman and PSG defender Willian Pacho, reacted in visible distress as Musiala screamed in pain.

    Musiala’s injury is a significant blow for both Bayern and the Germany national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The midfielder had only recently returned from a muscle injury in April and was making his first start back in the lineup for the tournament in the United States.

    The incident overshadowed Bayern’s defeat and the final appearance of 35-year-old club legend Thomas Muller, who is departing after 25 years with the club.

    Tributes and messages of support flooded social media. Brazilian star Neymar wrote, “Football needs your unique talent; I hope you are back soon,” while new Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz added: “All prayers are with you. Stay strong, buddy.” PSG teammates Achraf Hakimi and Donnarumma also offered public messages of support.

    “It was a highly emotional moment,” Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany said. “At halftime, my blood was boiling.”

    Muller echoed the sentiment. “We’re not robots. You try to stay focused, but we have deep personal connections. He’s been through a lot in recent months.”

    Initial medical assessments suggest Musiala will be out for at least six months. He rejoined his teammates in Orlando after the match and is expected to return to Germany late Sunday local time.

    “He is extremely frustrated,” said Bayern board member Max Eberl. “The Bayern family will be there for him every step of the way on his long road to recovery.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chelsea confirm Jamie Gittens transfer from Dortmund

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Chelsea continued with its movement in the summer transfer market with the club on Saturday announcing the signing of England winger Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund.

    Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (L) of Dortmund vies with Phillipp Steinhart of 1860 Munich during a German Cup first round football match between TSV 1860 Munich and Borussia Dortmund in Munich, Germany, July 29, 2022. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

    The 20-year-old Gittens has agreed a contract until the end of June 2032 and has cost an initial 48.5 million pounds (66.25 million U.S. dollars).

    He is the third attacking player to join Chelsea this summer, following Liam Delap from Ipswich and Joao Pedro from Brighton.

    Pedro joined up with Chelsea in the USA earlier this week and will be able to play for the club in the remaining rounds of the FIFA Club World Cup, but Gittens won’t be able to do that as he has already appeared for Dortmund, who plays Real Madrid in the quarter-finals later on Saturday.

    Gittens can play on either wing and he made 107 appearances for Dortmund after joining from Manchester City in 2021.

    “It feels great… It’s a great feeling to join such a big club as Chelsea.”

    “I can’t wait to learn from everyone in the team and to push myself to the max here. It’s an amazing feeling,” Gittens said on the Chelsea website. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • PM Modi meets Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, Cuba’s President Diaz-Canel on sidelines of BRICS

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a bilateral meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    PM Modi also met Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel on the sidelines of the summit. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials were present at the meeting.

    The BRICS Summit, hosted by Brazil, has brought together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Indonesia.

    Brazil assumed the BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2025, with the theme ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance’.

    India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026.

    -ANI

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier calls on BRICS to be vanguard in advancing global governance reform

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Chinese premier calls on BRICS to be vanguard in advancing global governance reform

    RIO DE JANEIRO, July 6 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Sunday that BRICS countries should strive to become the vanguard in advancing the reform of global governance.

    Li made the remarks when addressing the plenary session of “Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance” of the 17th BRICS Summit, calling on the bloc to safeguard world peace and tranquility, and promote the peaceful settlement of disputes.

    Leaders of BRICS countries attended the meeting, which was presided by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

    Li said at present, changes unseen in a century are unfolding at an accelerated pace, international rules and order are being severely challenged, and the authority and efficacy of multilateral institutions continue to wane.

    The vision of global governance put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, characterized by extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, has been further demonstrating its contemporary value and practical significance, Li said.

    In face of growing conflicts and differences, it is needed to enhance extensive consultation based on equality and mutual respect; In face of deeply intertwined common interests, it is needed to pursue joint contribution through solidarity; In face of mutually beneficial development opportunities, it is needed to hold an open mind to seek mutual success and shared benefits, said Li.

    As the leading force of the Global South, BRICS countries should uphold independence and self-reliance, demonstrate a sense of responsibility, and play a greater role in building consensus and synergies, Li noted.

    The Chinese premier called on the group to hold fast to morality and justice, and seek fundamental solutions based on the merits of each issue.

    BRICS countries should also focus on development and bolster the drivers of economic growth, said Li, adding that they should actively spearhead development cooperation and tap into the growth potential of emerging sectors.

    Noting that China will establish a China-BRICS research center on new quality productive forces this year, Li also announced a scholarship established for BRICS countries to facilitate talent cultivation in sectors including industry and telecommunication.

    It is essential for BRICS countries to foster inclusiveness and advance exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, Li said, calling on the countries to act as advocates for the harmonious coexistence of civilizations, striving to ensure diverse civilizations flourish together through mutual reinforcement.

    China stands ready to join hands with other BRICS countries to promote global governance in a more just, equitable, efficient and orderly direction, working collectively to build a better world, he said.

    The meeting adopted the Rio de Janeiro Declaration of the 17th BRICS Summit.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Selected works of Xi Jinping on ecological civilization published

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, July 6 — The first volume of selected works of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on ecological civilization has been published and is available nationwide.

    The volume brings together 79 pieces of Xi’s most important and fundamental works on ecological civilization construction from December 2012 to April 2025. Some of these works, which come in forms such as speeches and instructions, have been published for the first time.

    The publication serves as an authoritative resource that the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups across the nation can use for their in-depth study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, particularly Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization.

    It is of great significance for Chinese people in establishing and practicing the idea that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, in supporting high-quality development with a high-quality ecological environment, and in comprehensively advancing the building of a Beautiful China.

    Compiled by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, the book was published by the Central Party Literature Press.

    MIL OSI China News –