NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: Cycling boom fuels economy, urban vitality in north China city

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

    As the sun rises over a green fitness trail in Xingtai in north China’s Hebei Province, a group of cyclists pedals in unison, their wheels humming along the smooth, tree-lined path.

    “The road is flat and smooth, without any noticeable slopes. It’s a real pleasure to ride here,” said Zhao Wei, a cycling enthusiast with eight years of riding experience.

    Nowadays, as more people turn to cycling for fitness, stress relief and social connection, the humble bicycle has evolved far beyond its traditional role as a mere mode of transport.

    In Xingtai, a city renowned for its bicycle manufacturing industry, the local government is charting a new course as it works to shape a distinctive urban identity as a “City of Bicycles.”

    This year, Xingtai launched an initiative to integrate cycling with wellness and tourism. So far, more than 50 cycling-friendly tourism routes have been developed, each blending physical activity with local culture and lifestyle.

    Some routes highlight revolutionary history, while others combine cycling with traditional health practices such as herbal therapy and Tai Chi-themed parks, transforming simple rides into immersive cultural experiences.

    Data shows that the return rate of tourists participating in cycling tours has reached 35 percent, significantly higher than that of traditional sightseeing tours.

    “Each cycling route is carefully designed with both safety and scenic value in mind, combining public participation with professional competitions, and blending health, leisure and culture,” said Guo Qingbo, deputy director of Xingtai Sports Bureau.

    The city’s vibrant cycling culture is evident in the rising number of local club members.

    According to Wang Zhenping, general manager of a cycling club in Xingtai, the club has registered over 30,000 members since its founding in 2008. In the first five months of this year alone, more than 3,000 new members joined.

    “Many families are joining together, which reflects a new trend in people’s health awareness and consumption habits,” Wang said.

    Xingtai is also tapping into the potential of cycling competitions, projecting the city not only as a venue for races but also as a vibrant display of urban vitality.

    In May, the city hosted multiple large-scale cycling events that attracted hundreds of professional and amateur riders from across the country.

    Such events are driving the rise of a new “cycling economy,” boosting consumption in sectors such as sports equipment, wellness services, tourism, dining and lodging.

    Statistics show that cycling tourists spend an average of 2.3 times more than ordinary visitors, with over 60 percent of that spending going toward gear upgrades and health-related services.

    Xingtai’s ambition to become a cycling capital is backed by solid industrial foundations. With bicycle manufacturing dating back to the 1970s, it remains one of the city’s key industries.

    Today, Xingtai is home to over 4,500 bicycle producers, with an annual output of 20 million adult bicycles and 80 million children’s bicycles.

    China’s cycling boom is part of the country’s broader efforts to build itself into a leading sporting nation. With its wide accessibility and eco-friendly appeal, cycling has emerged as one of the fastest-growing forms of public exercise.

    According to the General Administration of Sport of China, the number of people who regularly engage in physical exercise nationwide rose from 360 million in 2014 to 550 million in 2023, with the proportion of the population participating in sports increasing from 26 percent to 39 percent.

    Official data also show that China’s sports industry reached a total output of nearly 3.7 trillion yuan (about 516.56 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, reflecting strong momentum in sectors such as sporting goods manufacturing, outdoor events and health services. Cities like Xingtai are riding this wave by aligning local development with national sports policies.

    Currently, as China’s bicycle market shifts toward premium models, manufacturers in Xingtai are seizing the opportunity to upgrade.

    Efforts are underway to strengthen the industrial chain and promote the rapid shift of the bicycle industry toward the middle and high-end market, a local official said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Relief efforts continue in flood-hit Rongjiang, Guizhou

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

    Relief efforts continue in flood-hit Rongjiang, Guizhou

    Xinhua | June 30, 2025

    Volunteers hand out emergency food aid in the flood-stricken Rongjiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, June 29, 2025. Heavy flooding has returned to Rongjiang County in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, prompting local authorities to re-activate the highest-level emergency flood response, effective from 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

    Since flooding began, Rongjiang, with a population of 385,000, has received prompt rescue efforts from both authorities and volunteers. (Photo by Wang Bingzhen/Xinhua)

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s homegrown C909 breaking new ground in regional aviation

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

    A C909 jetliner lands at Con Dao Airport, Vietnam, April 19, 2025. (Xinhua)

    China’s commercial jetliner C909, formerly known as ARJ21, celebrated the 9th anniversary of its maiden flight on Saturday.

    With a layout of 78 to 97 seats, and a range of 2,225 to 3,700 km, the C909 is the first short-medium range turbofan regional aircraft independently developed by China in accordance with international civil aviation regulations.

    A total of 166 C909 aircraft have been delivered to the market, which have operated on more than 700 routes and transported over 24 million passengers.

    The C909 has achieved a breakthrough in the commercial operation of homegrown jetliners and explored a development path for their entire life cycle, its chief designer Chen Yong told Xinhua in an interview.

    Linking border cities

    The C909 aircraft have been deployed in China’s border regions, such as Xinjiang, the northeast and Inner Mongolia. By expanding the regional air route network, they have enhanced travel convenience, supported population mobility, and spurred local economic development.

    According to Chen, who also serves as chief engineer at Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd., the developer of the C909, since the jetliner’s debut in Xinjiang in June 2023, a total of such 22 aircraft have been put into local operation, opening more than 120 routes and safely transporting over 1.3 million passengers.

    In June 2025, as Xinjiang entered its peak tourist season, four daily round-trip flights began operating between the popular destinations of Kashgar and Yining, serviced by C909 aircraft from Chengdu Airlines and China Express.

    “We have received feedback from airlines such as Chengdu Airlines, indicating that in terms of flight performance, they are very well-suited to the operating environment in places like Xinjiang,” Chen said.

    The jetliners have also been deployed on international routes. The first C909 international service, connecting Harbin in northeast China and Vladivostok in Russia, was launched on Oct. 26, 2019. These routes have further facilitated economic, cultural and tourism exchanges and integration between cities on both sides of the border.

    Southeast Asia expansion

    On April 18, 2023, the C909 completed its maiden flight in Indonesia, marking the launch of regional routes between the islands and expanding to cross-border trunk routes. Notably, the Manado-Guangzhou route, covering over 2,700 km, is currently the longest commercial route operated by the C909 aircraft.

    Chen Yong said that with its excellent airport and route adaptability, as well as passenger comfort, the C909 is well-suited to meet the operational needs of Southeast Asia’s aviation market. The aircraft has pioneered a new business model for domestic passenger planes in the region by being leased to airlines through both dry and wet lease agreements.

    Dry lease means that the lessor only provides the aircraft, while wet lease refers to the lessor providing not only the aircraft but also flight crew, safety management, maintenance and operational control.

    For example, the two C909 that Chengdu Airlines has wet leased to Vietnam’s Vietjet Air operate daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao, respectively.

    “The Con Dao Airport runway is only over 1,800 meters long and bordered by the sea at both ends. This has fully verified the C909’s operational capability on short and narrow runways and its adaptability to the humid environment in Southeast Asia,” Chen explained.

    To date, three Southeast Asian airlines — TransNusa of Indonesia, Lao Airlines and Vietjet Air — operate a total of seven C909 aircraft. They have launched 15 routes connecting 18 cities and have transported over 370,000 passengers.

    Variant types

    The development of aircraft variants is a feature of the commercial aircraft industry. At present, four variants of the C909 jetliner have been made public, namely the freighter, emergency rescue command aircraft, medical aircraft and business jet.

    According to Chen, the C909 freighter can meet diverse air cargo needs, including the special cargo market, plateau market and short-haul international cargo routes. The emergency rescue command variant can achieve situation awareness, decision-making and coordination in disaster response. It can also be used for transporting rescue forces and establishing temporary communication networks in disaster-hit areas.

    The medical variant is capable of air medical rescue and patient transfer missions. The business jet, known for its flexibility, efficiency, quietness and comfort, can be customized to meet individual customer requirements.

    “Over the past nine years of operation, the C909 has been continuously improved and optimized to enhance its performance, crew operating experience and cabin comfort,” Chen said.

    “Today, the C909 has found its suitable operational scenarios, such as high-density shuttle routes. It will continue to deliver greater value in the future,” he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: “It Is Those Who Can Least Afford It Who Are Going To Be Hit The Hardest”– In Speech on Senate Floor, Cantwell Shows How GOP’s Budget Sells Out the American People

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    06.29.25

    “It Is Those Who Can Least Afford It Who Are Going To Be Hit The Hardest”– In Speech on Senate Floor, Cantwell Shows How GOP’s Budget Sells Out the American People

    Cantwell: From kicking 17 million Americans off Medicaid & other health insurance to effectively cancelling state AI protections, the budget proposed by Congressional Republicans is a cash grab for corporations & the rich — at the expense of everyone else

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as the Senate prepares to vote on a new budget that would gut $930 billion from Medicaid, funnel resources to special interests via massive corporate tax breaks, and add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) delivered a speech on the Senate floor to highlight how various provisions included in the 940-page document ultimately sell out the American people.

    “This bill would make the entire health care system less responsive and more expensive for everyone by dismantling Medicaid and shifting more of the cost burden on to states — and threatening the very existence of rural hospitals. This bill also sells spectrum out from under our national defense and safety agencies and forces states to choose between protecting their citizens from dangerous AI or providing broadband service, and just gives away big breaks to companies like Meta — that’s Facebook — or Google, who I’m sure at this point in time don’t really need that additional tax break. Clearly, though, the most [egregious] and certainly most destructive part of the bill, of this reconciliation, is the changes to health care,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    “You’re going to increase the cost of uncompensated care. You’re going to make people wait to go to emergency rooms and then they’re going to be sicker,” she said. “It’s ten times more expensive to deal with somebody at an emergency room than just get health insurance and get covered.”

    “Yes, extending the 2017 tax cuts does help some middle-class families, and we would support that. But all the hits in other areas — like health insurance — mean they will lose money overall. The lowest 20% of income brackets are hit even harder. In this massive bill, it is those who can least afford it who are going to be hit the hardest,” Sen. Cantwell concluded.

    Her speech can be watched in full HERE; a transcript is HERE.

    Sen. Cantwell, who serves as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, has been fighting this proposed budget every step of the way.

    To sound the alarm on proposed Medicaid cuts, Sen. Cantwell hosted a virtual press conference on Friday with Republican leaders from red states – Utah, North Carolina, and Missouri. On Monday, she delivered another speech on the Senate floor highlighting the story of the Winterrose family in Richland, WA, who rely on Medicaid to ensure their 5-year-old daughter can live at home. Last month, she convened a group of health care providers across Washington state for a virtual press conference to highlight statewide opposition to the cuts.  The same day, 23 Republican members of the Washington state legislature sent a letter to the entire Washington state federal congressional delegation, urging the delegation to “protect Medicaid funding for Washington State.”

    When details of her Republican colleagues’ plan to slash Medicaid were made public earlier this year, Sen. Cantwell toured the state to hear from folks who would be directly impacted by the cuts. Doctors, patients, and health care providers in Seattle, Spokane, the Tri-Cities, and Wenatchee warned that such cuts would devastate Washington state’s health care system and limit access to lifesaving care. 

    Sen. Cantwell also released a snapshot report highlighting the impact that Medicaid cuts would have on Washington state’s highly-ranked long-term care system for seniors and people with disabilities. In February, she released a snapshot report that demonstrated how cuts would harm health care access in Washington state, and she followed up with a report in March that dove into impacts on the Puget Sound region. Last week, the Senator released a fact sheet that warned of dire consequences for reproductive health care in Washington state if the Republican reconciliation bill is passed.

    In her remarks today, Sen. Cantwell also discussed new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), available here, of the impact of the Republican plan’s cuts to Medicaid.  In addition, a Joint Economic Committee (JEC) fact sheet, available here, provides updated estimates for all 50 states and D.C. of the estimated number of people losing their health insurance. The JEC data broken down by Congressional District is available here.

    A previous version of the bill included a provision that would have required the federal government to sell off millions of acres of public land. On Tuesday, Sen. Cantwell held a virtual press conference with the mayor of Boise, professional climbers, a leader from outdoor gear retailer REI, and a spokesperson for a hunting and angling advocacy group to fight back – yesterday, the provision was dropped.

    Earlier this week, Sen. Cantwell criticized new reconciliation bill language released by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) which forces states receiving Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding to choose between expanding broadband or protecting consumers from harms caused by artificial intelligence for ten years. Cruz’s new language would also auction spectrum critical to national defense: “The newly released language by Chair Cruz continues to hold $42 billion in BEAD funding hostage, forcing states to choose between protecting consumers and expanding critical broadband infrastructure to rural communities,” Sen. Cantwell said earlier this week. “Forty state attorneys general oppose the AI moratorium that would leave every American vulnerable to AI-assisted fraud, theft, and abuse at a time when we should be strengthening consumer protections. This bill would auction off spectrum essential for military drone operations and risk grounding both civilian and military aircraft due to interference with airplane altimeters. It would jeopardize our weather tracking radar systems and the bands we rely on for WiFi connectivity. And for what? So telecommunications companies—the same ones that failed to protect Americans from Salt Typhoon—can profit and Trump can hawk more of his $47.45 phone plans. This is a fundamental threat to our national defense and a massive giveaway to China.” Sen. Cruz claims that the ten-year moratorium on states’ enforcement of AI laws applies only to a new $500 million appropriation. However, concerns remain that the bill’s text still leverages broadband funding to deny states the ability to protect their citizens from AI-assisted fraud, theft, and abuse.

    The Senate is currently scheduled to vote on the budget bill late tonight or early tomorrow morning. If the bill passes the Senate, it will go back to the House for at least 72 hours of consideration before a House vote.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Clean energy powers inland waterway shipping

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

    The rapid development of new energy technologies is underway in the inland waterway shipping sector to align navigation practices with environmental concerns by transitioning vessels to liquefied natural gas, battery, methanol and hydrogen fuel power sources, a senior transportation official said on Friday.

    “China’s new energy and clean energy vessels are holding their own against global benchmarks. Among these, electric vessels are predominantly used in China, leading the world in terms of scale and technology,” said Fu Xuyin, vice-minister of transport at a news conference held in Beijing.

    According to Fu, as of the end of 2024, China boasts over 1,000 ships that use alternative power sources and fuels along inland waterways. Among them, more than 600 are LNG-powered vessels, primarily used for inland waterway transportation, and 485 are battery-powered vessels, mainly for inland passenger services.

    “It has become the new trend of developing maritime in a greener and low-carbon way by energy transformation,” Fu said.

    For example, last year, electricity consumption by vessels while docked along the Yangtze River Economic Belt reached an amount that was four times the highest annual figure during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20).

    “That resulted in a reduction of 133,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, protecting the Yangtze River,” Fu said.

    According to the ministry, China’s inland freight volume hit 4.95 billion tons last year, 2.2 times more than in 2012, underscoring the nation’s dedication to eco-friendly shipping practices.

    The push for transitioning to new energy sources will continue in ports, vessels and waterways, Fu said.

    The country will promote battery-powered technology for small and medium-sized vessels engaged in short-distance transport operations. For larger vessels involved in medium to long-distance transport on inland waterways, the country encourages the adoption of LNG and methanol power technologies, he added.

    Stronger facilities to refuel new energy and clean energy vessels are expected, he said.

    Near-zero carbon terminals along inland waterways will be promoted, with ports encouraged to harness energy sources such as wind and solar power.

    Fu added that port machinery and transportation tools inside ports will adopt more new energy and clean energy sources, along with a focus on using railways and new energy trucks for bulk cargo transport.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s youth, students’ federations to convene key meetings

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

    The All-China Youth Federation and the All-China Students’ Federation will convene key meetings in Beijing from July 2 to 3.

    The meetings will review the work reports of the federations, deliberate and revise their charters, and elect new leaderships.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Flexible programs build diverse talent pool

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

    A student (L) talks with an employer during a campus job fair held at Qinghai College of Architectural Technology in Xining, northwest China’s Qinghai Province, April 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    A new academic trend is gaining ground in universities across China. Students are increasingly spending their evenings and weekends pursuing micro-majors, which are short-duration educational programs designed to empower them with practical skills needed in the job market.

    Such programs constitute a key step in enhancing graduate employability and align the higher education system with the country’s economic needs, the Ministry of Education said.

    In a recent guideline aimed at improving public welfare, the central government called on universities to deepen the integration of industry and education by developing micro-major programs that target skills in high demand.

    Guo Peng, director of the ministry’s Department of Development Planning, said in early June that the guideline supports universities in establishing micro-major programs to strengthen students’ employment and entrepreneurial capabilities.

    Unlike traditional academic programs, micro-majors are nondegree programs comprising three to 10 courses. They feature flexible schedules, shorter terms and curriculums centered around knowledge that is interdisciplinary, advanced and practical.

    In March, the ministry launched a plan aimed at accelerating the trend and establishing 1,000 micro-major programs nationwide. The objective was to create an innovative talent pool that can quickly adapt to industrial shifts.

    Universities across the country have responded to the new trend.

    This month, Jiangnan University in Jiangsu province started enrollment for 19 new micro-majors for the 2025 academic year. These include eclectic programs such as embodied artificial intelligence and robotics, Chinese liquor, biopharmaceuticals and entrepreneurial design.

    Classes are held in the evenings, over the weekends, or during condensed short terms to avoid conflict with primary studies. Upon finishing a micro-major program, students receive a certificate, but it has no bearing on their GPA, the university said.

    In Shanghai, 33 institutes have established 298 micro-majors focused on emerging industries such as the digital, green and low-altitude economies, according to the municipal education bureau.

    Wang Haoxu, a student majoring in international communication at Tsinghua University in Beijing, has registered for a micro-major in public health to build cross-disciplinary skills.

    As a student of liberal arts, Wang said he wants to pursue fields that intersect with science and technology to enhance his scope of employment in the future. “Having a cross-disciplinary background may also lead to a higher salary,” he added.

    Most micro-major programs are practice-oriented, according to Wang. For example, a program on nutrition and health offers immediately applicable lessons on healthier eating, while another on global health and governance uses case studies to inculcate a problem-solving framework.

    “Public health is a practice-oriented discipline. Much of the knowledge we acquire in theory can be applied in practice,” he said, adding that the program is more about building a foundational literacy that is useful in the real world.

    One of the most appealing features of such programs is that they give students a competitive edge, Wang said. “If I enter the media industry, the (additional) knowledge will give me an advantage over students from the same major and help me form my own unique strengths.”

    Beyond career prospects, Wang has discovered unexpected parallels between the two disciplines he has chosen. The public health program’s strong emphasis on evaluation is similar to the focus on effectiveness in international communication, he said.

    International communication students are sometimes required to provide policy advice to government departments on issues such as public opinion management.

    “If you don’t understand the entire process and the regulatory logic of the medical field, it’s very difficult to give targeted recommendations,” Wang said.

    The new trend is also breaking down the wall between campus and society.

    Since 2023, Soochow University in Suzhou, a city in Jiangsu, has opened some of its micro-majors to the public. The educational leadership-plus program is offered for free to primary and secondary school teachers in western China to build up the regional teaching workforce. The university’s precision radiology program is open to undergraduate students of nine other universities to foster collaboration.

    Yan Changjie, director of the academic affairs office at Yangzhou University in Jiangsu, said the traditional process of establishing a new academic major may take years from application to the first graduating class, by which time the industry may have already changed.

    “Micro-majors are nimble. Those with positive feedback are expected to supplement a traditional degree and could even be developed into a full-fledged major,” Yan said.

    Fan Xiudi, director of the Education Evaluation Research Center at Tongji University in Shanghai, said the programs are a necessary and practical way for universities and enterprises to provide more diverse options for college students and other members of the public.

    Although micro-majors can’t substitute for traditional degree programs, they represent a way for higher education to serve national needs and are bound for greater development in the future, she added.

    However, Fan warned that institutions must focus on quality, rather than simply follow a trend.

    “These programs should be diverse and constantly adjusted to meet the real needs of students and professionals,” she said. “If micro-majors focus more on quality and flexibility, they will gain broader recognition and have a positive impact.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chelsea’s Maresca slams ‘joke’ Club World Cup weather delays

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

    Despite Chelsea reached the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday with a 4-1 win over Benfica in the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca insisted it was “not football.”

    Maresca was furious that the match lasted for four hours and 38 minutes after U.S. safety regulations saw the two teams taken off the pitch and the game suspended for almost two hours due to a thunderstorm in the region.

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca criticized the two-hour delay that punctuated his team’s 4-1 win over Benfica.[photo: xinhua]

    The United States safety regulations mean sporting events have to be suspended if there is a thunderstorm within 13 kilometers of the venue. Chelsea-Benfica was the sixth game at the FIFA Club World Cup to be suspended because of this rule, prompting Maresca to issue his displeasure.

    “It’s not normal to suspend a game. In a World Cup, how many games are suspended? Probably zero. In Europe, how many games? Zero,” complained the Italian.

    “For me personally, it’s not football. You cannot be inside for two hours. It is something completely new,” said Maresca, who questioned whether the U.S. – along with Mexico and Canada – would make a suitable host for next summer’s World Cup finals.

    “I can understand that for security reasons, you are to suspend the game. But if you suspend six, seven games that means that probably is not the right place to do this competition,” he said.

    Chelsea had controlled the game and led though Reece James’ 64th-minute strike when the match was stopped with five minutes left on the clock, but Benfica regrouped well in the stoppage, with Angel Di Maria netting an injury-time penalty to force an extra half-hour of play.

    “For 85 minutes we were in control of the game. We didn’t concede anything; we created chances enough to win the game. And then after the break the game changed completely,” complained the Chelsea boss.

    Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the extra-time goals that saw Chelsea seal a quarterfinal place against Brazilian side Palmeiras.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Norris fends off Piastri for Austrian GP victory

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

    McLaren’s Lando Norris shrugged off the heartache of retirement last time out in Canada to beat teammate Oscar Piastri to victory in Sunday’s F1 Austrian Grand Prix, as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen failed to finish after being hit by Kimi Antonelli on lap 1.

    Starting from pole position in searing heat at the Red Bull Ring, Norris was made to work hard for the win. Piastri started third but immediately overtook Charles Leclerc at the first corner, and kept relentless pressure on the Briton throughout the race.

    The first potential flashpoint came on lap 11, when Piastri capitalized on a DRS opportunity to briefly snatch the lead into Turn 3. But Norris struck back almost immediately, reclaiming the position later in the lap.

    From there, Norris maintained a slender but crucial advantage, managing the gap while negotiating backmarkers and battling minor front wing damage in the closing stages. Despite Piastri’s pace and several moments where the Australian appeared poised to launch another attack, McLaren made clear over team radio that both drivers were free to race, but with the understanding that both cars needed to come home cleanly.

    Norris ultimately crossed the line 2.7 seconds ahead of Piastri to take his third victory of the season and reduce his points deficit to the Australian to just 15.

    The win marked an emphatic turnaround for Norris after his Canadian Grand Prix ended with him crashing into the back of Piastri during a late-race battle for fourth position. That incident, which Norris admitted was his fault, not only cost him a points finish but also handed Piastri momentum in their championship fight.

    Sunday’s victory allowed Norris to trim Piastri’s lead in the standings to 15 points, breathing new life into the title race ahead of Norris’s home Grand Prix at Silverstone next weekend.

    The Austrian race began in chaotic fashion. Carlos Sainz’s Williams stalled on the formation lap, forcing an aborted start and reducing the race distance from 71 to 70 laps.

    When the lights finally went out, Mercedes’ Antonelli misjudged his braking point and collided with Verstappen at Turn 3, taking both cars out of the race. The collision ended Verstappen’s 31-race points streak, disappointing the legions of fans who had thronged to support him at the Red Bull-owned circuit.

    Behind the dominant McLarens, Ferrari’s Leclerc emerged as best of the rest, finishing a distant third for his fourth podium finish of the season. Teammate Lewis Hamilton followed in a lonely fourth place, with Mercedes’ George Russell rounding out the top five.

    Further down the order, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso both maximized one-stop strategies to score valuable points in sixth and seventh. Gabriel Bortoleto finished a strong weekend to score his first ever F1 points in eighth, ahead of Sauber teammate Nico Hulkenberg, while Esteban Ocon delivered the final point for Haas in tenth.

    In the updated Drivers’ championship standings, Piastri leads with 216 points, with Norris closing in on 201 and Verstappen remaining on 155.

    In the Constructors’ standings, McLaren’s total now stands at 417 points, with Ferrari moving up to second on 210, one point ahead of Mercedes.

    F1 now heads to Silverstone for next weekend’s British Grand Prix – a race that neither Norris nor Piastri has previously won.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Wonderkid B-girl Guo Pu sweeps back-to-back Asian titles

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

    Chinese sensation Guo Pu capped off a stunning two-day run at Asia’s top-tier breakdancing tournaments in Shanghai this weekend.

    The 16-year-old, known on stage as B-Girl Royal, delivered back-to-back victories in the 2025 WDSF Breaking Championship Youth & Adult, winning the women’s adult title on Sunday, just one day after having claimed the youth crown.

    Guo Pu of China competes in the 2022 WDSF World Breaking Championship in Seoul, South Korea, Oct 21, 2022. (WANG YILIANG / XINHUA)

    In the men’s division, Japan’s Shigeyuki Nakarai, known as B-Boy Shigekix, lived up to expectations by securing gold with consistent performances throughout the knockout rounds.

    As in the youth competition a day earlier, Sunday’s senior event showcased an intense China-Japan rivalry, with all eight semifinalists across the men’s and women’s brackets hailing from the two countries.

    In the women’s semifinal, Guo defeated her teammate and Olympic bronze medalist Liu Qingyi (B-Girl 671) to book her spot in the final. There, she outclassed Japan’s Riko Tsuhako (B-Girl Riko) winning by a wide margin thanks to her clean execution, musicality and commanding presence on stage.

    “I felt today’s battles were even tougher than yesterday,” said Guo. “But I truly danced for myself this time I was relaxed, happy, and focused on expressing who I am. I hope I can represent my country more on the international stage in the future.”

    Guo’s back-to-back titles over two days have solidified her as a breakout star of the post-Olympic era. On Saturday, she triumphed in the women’s youth final over another Japanese opponent, earning a unanimous decision from the judges in all three rounds.

    In the women’s third-place competition, Liu Qingyi defeated Japan’s Ayane Nakarai (B-Girl Ayane) to take bronze.

    The men’s competition saw China field three semifinalists – Qi Xiangyu (B-Boy Lithe-ing), Wang Ruimiao (B-Boy MonkeyZ), and Shang Xiaoyu (B-Boy X-rain). However, it was the experienced Shigekix, gold medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games, who proved a class above. He defeated Wang in the semifinal and went on to beat Qi 3-0 in the final.

    “The score may seem one-sided, but both matches were really tough,” said Shigekix. “Chinese B-Boys have improved tremendously in recent years. Competing with them pushes me as well – we are not only opponents, but also collaborators who grow together through battle.”

    Notably, Shigekix’s sister, B-Girl Ayane, also reached the women’s semifinals. It was under her influence that a young Shigekix first began breakdancing, before rising through the ranks to become one of the world’s elite.

    After narrowly missing out on gold, Qi admitted feeling disappointed.

    “I came here aiming for the title, so I felt the pressure every round,” he said. “In the final, I could feel the gap in speed, power, precision and clarity of execution. These are the areas I need to focus on moving forward.”

    In the men’s bronze medal match, B-Boy X-Rain defeated MonkeyZ.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Calvert-Lewin confirms departure from Everton

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

    Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin announced on Sunday that he will leave the club as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of June.

    The news ends the 28-year-old’s nine seasons at the club after 71 goals in 274 appearances.

    Calvert-Lewin announced his decision in an open letter published on social media.

    Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen (L) challenges for a header with Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton during a Premier League match in London, March 8, 2021. (Xinhua)

    “To Everton Football Club and the Evertonians. After nine remarkable years at this club, I’ve made the incredibly difficult decision, together with my family, to begin a new chapter in my career.”

    “This isn’t something I chose lightly. Everton has been my home since I was 19 years old. It’s the place that saw potential in me, challenged me to grow, and shaped me both as a footballer and as a man.”

    “This choice to move on was not simply about me – it was a decision my family and I spent a long time considering together.”

    “We believe it’s the right moment to seek a new challenge and continue growing, but that doesn’t lessen the bond I’ll always have with Everton,” he wrote.

    The striker enjoyed his two best seasons with Everton in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 campaigns, but has struggled with injuries since, making only 34 league appearances and netting just seven goals. Last season, he played 26 times in the Premier League with 19 starts.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Hong Kong: National Security Law analysis shows vast majority unjustly arrested

    Source: Amnesty International

     

    More than 80% of people convicted under Hong Kong’s National Security Law (NSL) have been wrongly criminalized and should never have been charged in the first place, according to new research by Amnesty International published on the fifth anniversary of the law being enacted.

     

    The organization’s analysis of 255 individuals targeted under national security legislation in Hong Kong since 30 June 2020 also showed that bail was denied in almost 90% of cases where charges were brought, and that those denied bail were forced to spend an average of 11 months in detention before facing trial.

     

    “Five years after the enactment of the National Security Law, our alarming findings show that the fears we raised about this law in 2020 have been realized. The Hong Kong government must stop using the pretext of ‘national security’ to punish legitimate expression,” Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said.

     

    “This draconian law, and the other national security legislation it spawned, has corroded key legal safeguards that once formed the foundation for protecting human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong. The result has been a devastation of Hongkongers’ ability to express themselves without fear of arrest.”

     

    Amnesty’s briefing paper analyses patterns in arrests, bail decisions and prosecutions under the NSL and other national security legislation. In particular, the research highlights three major concerns: the criminalization of the legitimate exercise of the human right to freedom of expression, the low bail grant rates in these cases, and the de facto long-term incarceration of most accused.

     

    The analysis found that of the 78 concluded cases under the NSL at least 66 (84.6%) involved legitimate expression that should not have been criminalized according to international standards, with no evidence of violent conduct or incitement.

     

    When concluded cases under Article 23 and pre-Article 23 “sedition” offences are also counted, at least 108 out of a total of 127 cases (85%) involved similarly legitimate forms of expression which were unjustly prosecuted. These cases fall well short of the high threshold required for criminalization under international standards.

     

    Meanwhile, according to Amnesty’s data, the courts denied bail in 129 national security cases, or 89% of those in which individuals were charged.

     

    Among the 129 cases where bail was denied, the average length of detention was 328 days. Fifty-two cases (40.3%) involved detentions lasting one year or more before trial or a guilty plea.

     

    “In five years, the National Security Law has transformed Hong Kong from a city of tolerance and open debate into a city of repression and self-censorship. Our analysis shows that Hong Kong’s national security framework is not just a flagrant violation of international human rights standards on paper but that authorities misuse it to target opposition voices and foster an environment of fear,” Sarah Brooks said.

     

    “This research demonstrates that the vast majority of those charged with national security offences have acted entirely within their rights. Meanwhile, prosecutors have continued to bring cases under this flawed national security architecture and appealed the rare acquittals awarded by courts. Other governments should step up and use their influence to urgently press the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to repeal the law.

     

    “In the interim, the Hong Kong government should stop applying national security legislation immediately. At the very least they need to reinstate the presumption of bail in favour of release pending trial. No one should be made to languish in jail simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression.”

     

    Background

     

    Since the imposition of the NSL on 30 June 2020, the human rights landscape in Hong Kong has deteriorated at an alarming pace. Civil society has been effectively dismantled, while long-standing rights — including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association — have been severely curtailed.

     

    Amnesty International’s analysis covered the cases of 255 individuals who, between 30 June 2020 and 31 May 2025, were arrested for and/or charged with any offences under the NSL; Part 1 and 2 of the city’s Crimes Ordinance that define the colonial-era offence of “sedition”; and the Article 23 law (also known as the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance), which replaced Part 1 and 2 of the Crimes Ordinance when it entered into force on 23 March 2024.

     

    Amnesty International sent its briefing to the Hong Kong government, which dismissed the findings as a “distortion of the reality” and said the NSL “has restored the enjoyment of rights and freedoms” in Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McCaul Discusses Importance of USAGM’s Work in Iran with Kari Lake at House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs — discussed the importance of the U.S. Agency for Global Media’s work in Iran with Senior Advisor for USAGM Kari Lake.

    Click to watch

    Full exchange below:

     Chair Emeritus McCaul: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Lake, thanks for being here today. I want to thank you for visiting with me in my office to talk about these challenges that you’ve outlined. I think the chairman has outlined them quite well. I want to commend you for reforming USAGM. I think every new administration has a right and responsibility to do so. Your testimony has highlighted systemic problems that must be addressed — more importantly, security lapses, misuse of visas, weak editorial oversight, and much more. I look forward to authorizing this agency with the chairman and his authorization bill to correct these abuses.

     I remember President Reagan used Voice of America when I was entering college, as a frontline voice against Soviet oppression. It was the Voice of America, not the Voice of anti-America. 

    Recently, I used the Voice of America and the Open Technology Fund to translate my report on the origins of COVID-19. We disseminated it through mainland China — broke through the firewall. It went viral [and] got the attention of the CCP foreign minister, who spoke out against me and the report. That’s the kind of impact this agency needs to reach. 

    With the events in Iran — we need America’s voice in Iran right now. We need to ensure the Iranian people hear the truth: that we do not intend to harm them, but rather their oppressor and this theocratic regime of the Ayatollah. We need communications inside and outside of Iran. 

    This week, General Vogel, the CENTCOM commander, said the Voice of America is a critical tool for American security. You’ve outlined why there are many insecurities. I hope we can go back to that core mission.

    So my question is, Ms. Lake, how are you working to fix the Voice of America so it is the Voice of America — and not anti-America — in Iran? And [how are you using] the Open Technology Fund to achieve the mission — the core mission that Congress intended?

    Ms. Lake: Thank you for that question, and thank you for laying out when it was a better agency. You’re right, Ronald Reagan used it — a great broadcaster, one of the great communicators — and he used it, but times have changed, and it’s still doing 1990-style television in a world where people are getting their information right here on their smartphones. It’s in the back pocket, and so we need to update it and modernize it. But President Trump’s executive order dated March 14th has called for this agency to be brought to its statutory minimum. 

    I’m glad that you mentioned Iran, because one of the languages that is required in the statute is Farsi, and we are still broadcasting in Farsi. And Ranking Member Meeks said that we have not been, and that in a panic we started to put news out in Farsi. That is actually not true. We were in the process of effectuating President Trump’s executive order, and in the process of doing that, several malicious lawsuits were started up, and the judge froze us from being able to get news on. We literally were frozen in place because of all these lawsuits.

    Once we were freed to start putting news on, we immediately went to what the statutory minimum is, and one of the languages is Farsi going into Iran. I’m very proud to say that when President Trump — when the bombings happened over the weekend on Saturday and when President Trump started to speak, we had a crew in on Saturday delivering President Trump’s message to the people of Iran in Farsi. It was translated and it went out. Sometimes a lean and mean and smaller staff makes it easier to get things done. In one of the emails that I got from our Persian team, they actually said that. They were able to move quicker because it was smaller, the bloat had been diminished. And I’m really proud of the fact that we got that on.

    We are going to continue to operate at the statutory minimum. We are putting out content in Pashto, Dari, Mandarin, Farsi, and Spanish through the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. 

    Chair Emeritus McCaul: Thank you for that response. I think it’s very important right now that the Iranian people hear the American story and the American message, and I commend you for your efforts to reform. I encourage you to get that message into Iran right now. Communication inside and out is so important for those people if they’re going to rise up against this oppressive theocracy that we’ve endured since 1979. I yield back.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Vietnam hold border meeting on judicial cooperation

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

    NANNING, June 29 — Judicial administrative authorities from China and Vietnam held a border meeting from Saturday to Sunday in Nanning, capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, to enhance cooperation.

    The meeting, the first of its kind, brought together nearly 150 participants from both countries, including officials from the justice departments, local judicial administrative organs, and legal professions.

    During the talks, the two sides reached a broad consensus on establishing diversified mechanisms for resolving civil and commercial disputes along the border, expanding legal service cooperation, and jointly cultivating quality legal talent.

    China’s Minister of Justice He Rong said the two countries would work together to strengthen exchanges and practical cooperation in areas such as legislation, legal services, judicial assistance, talent training and the use of digital technologies.

    Vietnam’s Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh said the meeting would help build a peaceful and friendly border, deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and jointly advance the building of a strategically significant Vietnam-China community with a shared future.

    Participants also engaged in in-depth discussions on lawyer services, mediation, international cooperation, civil and commercial judicial assistance, and legal talent development.

    Several cooperation agreements were signed during the meeting.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Pakistan’s monsoon rains kill 45 in four days

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    ISLAMABAD, June 29 (Xinhua) — Seven more people have died in rain-related accidents in Pakistan in the past two days, taking the death toll to 45 since the start of the monsoon season on June 26, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Sunday.

    In a statement, the ministry said the death toll had risen to 68 after six more residents were injured in heavy rains that hit almost all provinces of Pakistan.

    Simultaneously, the NDMA has issued a warning of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms expected to affect large parts of the country in the next 12-24 hours. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China, Vietnam Hold Border Meeting on Justice Cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    NANNING, June 29 (Xinhua) — Judicial and administrative organs of China and Vietnam held a border meeting from Saturday to Sunday in Nanning, capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

    This was the first meeting of its kind. It was attended by about 150 people from both countries, including representatives of justice departments and local judicial and administrative bodies, as well as legal professionals.

    During the talks, the parties reached broad consensus on issues such as the creation of diversified mechanisms for settling civil and commercial disputes at the border, expanding and deepening cooperation in the provision of legal services and joint training of highly qualified legal personnel.

    According to Chinese Justice Minister He Rong, relevant departments of the two countries should work together to strengthen exchanges and practical cooperation in various fields, including legislation, legal services, legal assistance, training of highly qualified specialists and the introduction of digital technologies.

    For his part, Vietnamese Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh pointed out that the meeting would contribute to building a peaceful and friendly border, deepening bilateral relations of comprehensive strategic cooperation and partnership, and jointly promoting the construction of a Vietnamese-Chinese community of shared destiny, which is of strategic importance.

    The participants discussed in detail issues of advocacy, conciliation procedures, international cooperation, legal assistance in civil and commercial cases, and training of personnel in the field of jurisprudence.

    During the meeting, a number of cooperation agreements were signed. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Hamas denies setting conditions for Gaza ceasefire

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    GAZA, June 29 (Xinhua) — Palestinian Hamas movement on Sunday denied reports that it had set conditions for a ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip.

    In its press release, Hamas said that the information from the Sky News Arabia news channel about the alleged conditions it had put forward for accepting a deal on prisoner exchange and a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave were “baseless and full of lies.”

    “We reject this completely and utterly. The purpose of this is to divert attention from war crimes and cheap incitement against Hamas and the Palestinian resistance, and to distort their positions and declared positions,” Hamas stressed.

    Hamas is demanding that its political bureau not be harmed and that its assets not be confiscated, detained or restricted abroad, Sky News Arabia reported on Saturday, citing a Palestinian source.

    According to the same source, Hamas also insists on including its representatives or people associated with the movement and close to it in the future administration and security apparatus of the Gaza Strip.

    Meanwhile, on Sunday, senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardavi accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “setting impossible conditions aimed at derailing any swap deal and refusing to honor what he had previously agreed to.”

    On June 27, US President Donald Trump said a ceasefire agreement in Gaza could be reached within the next week. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: At least 71 killed in Israeli strike on Tehran prison: judiciary official

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    TEHRAN, June 29 (Xinhua) — At least 71 people were killed in an Israeli strike on Evin prison in the Iranian capital Tehran last week, Iranian judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir said on Sunday.

    As reported by the Mizan news agency, which is linked to the Iranian judicial system, citing A. Jahangir, the victims of the attack on June 23 were prison staff, conscript soldiers, prisoners and visiting family members, and residents of nearby houses.

    The spokesman noted that Israel had once again demonstrated its lack of commitment to international law with its “terrorist and brutal” attack on the prison. According to Jahangir, the infirmary, technical and engineering departments and the visiting area inside the prison complex were hit.

    He called the attack a “total crime,” adding that nearby homes were badly damaged and residents were seriously injured. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Spain Men’s Team and Netherlands Women’s Team Win 2025 FIBA 3×3 World Cup

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    ULAN BATOR, June 29 (Xinhua) — The Spanish men’s team and the Netherlands women’s team won gold medals at the 2025 FIBA 3×3 Basketball World Cup, which concluded Sunday evening in the capital of Mongolia.

    The Spanish men’s team beat Switzerland 21-17 in the final, while the Dutch women’s team defeated Mongolia 15-9.

    The 9th 3×3 Basketball World Championship, held from June 23 to 29 in Ulaanbaatar, featured 20 men’s and 20 women’s teams. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKSAR Government responds to media enquiries on relaxation of import control measures on Japanese food products by the Mainland

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    In response to media enquiries about the relaxation of import control measures on Japanese food products by the Mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government issued the following statement today (June 30):
     
    The General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China issued on June 29, 2025 the “Notice on Conditional Resumption of the Import of Aquatic Products from Certain Regions in Japan” (the Notice), announcing that the import of some aquatic products of Japanese origin will be resumed with immediate effect, except for 10 metropolis/prefectures. According to the Notice, the import must comply with the relevant national laws and regulations, and food safety standards, and that the Japanese authority must effectively discharge its official regulatory responsibilities.
     
    In response to the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima into the sea by the Japanese government, the HKSAR Government has since August 24, 2023 banned the import of aquatic products from 10 higher-risk metropolis/prefectures, including Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, to safeguard food safety and protect public health in Hong Kong. 
     
    The duration and scale of the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station are unprecedented. Therefore, we must act in a prudent manner.
     
    The HKSAR Government has been maintaining communication with the Japanese authority on the relevant issues, including requesting Japan to provide information on the latest development and scientific evidence concerning the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water, to assess whether there are conditions for relaxing the current precautionary measures. The HKSAR Government will make a public announcement if there is any policy adjustment.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: V. Zelensky signed a decree on Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    KYIV, June 29 (Xinhua) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Sunday that puts into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on the country’s withdrawal from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention). The text of the decree was published on the website of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

    As the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry explained later in its statement, official Kyiv took this step because Russia, not being a signatory to the Ottawa Convention, has been widely using anti-personnel mines in the armed conflict against Ukraine since 2022. The statement points out that because of this, Ukraine has found itself in an unequal and unfair situation that limits its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

    Verkhovna Rada deputy Roman Kostenko, in turn, stated on Facebook that in order for V. Zelensky’s decree on Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention to come into force, the relevant bill must be approved by the country’s parliament.

    The Ottawa Convention was signed in December 1997. Ukraine acceded to the treaty in February 1999 and ratified it in May 2005. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Airports in southern China’s resort cities are bracing for a busy summer holiday season.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    HAIKOU, June 29 (Xinhua) — The passenger traffic through two major airports in southern China’s island province of Hainan is expected to exceed 8.3 million during the summer tourism season that starts on July 1 this year, airport authorities said.

    Haikou Meilan International Airport is expected to handle nearly 4.6 million air passengers in the next two months, with about 30,400 flights scheduled to operate through the airport.

    The airport has expanded its international network with new routes to Tokyo, London and Jakarta to meet growing demand for travel to these destinations. It is expected to operate 2,196 international flights this summer, carrying some 254,000 passengers, an estimated 13.3 percent increase from a year earlier.

    Sanya’s Phoenix International Airport is expected to handle about 3.73 million passenger trips and 22,900 flights during the period.

    To fully respond to the summer rush, Phoenix Airport has increased domestic capacity to major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen by using wide-body aircraft.

    Hainan Island, known for its year-round sunshine and pristine beaches, is looking to revive its tourism industry. China aims to turn the island into a globally renowned tourism and consumption destination by 2035.

    In all of 2024, Hainan received more than 97.2 million tourists, both domestic and foreign, up 8 percent from 2023. Total tourism revenue grew 12.5 percent to 204 billion yuan (about $28.48 billion), according to official data.

    More than 100 million Chinese and foreign tourists plan to visit Hainan Province this year.

    As part of its broader economic strategy, China is pursuing a plan to transform Hainan into a free trade port (FTP). With the Hainan FTP set to launch a separate customs regime by the end of the year, it aims to become not only a tourist haven but also an important gateway to China’s high-level opening-up. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The 37th Harbin Summer Music Festival Opens in Harbin

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    HARBIN, June 29 (Xinhua) — The 37th Harbin Summer Music Festival, jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and the Harbin Municipal People’s Government, opened in Harbin, capital of Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, on Thursday.

    The festival will include three international music tournaments, namely the 2025 Alisa and Eleonora Shenfeld International String Competition, the 20th World Saxophone Congress and the 7th International Bayan and Accordion Art Week, which attracted more than 800 participants from 39 countries and regions of the world.

    Peter Paul Kainrath, President of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC), said that Harbin has a century-long musical history, where Eastern and Western cultural traditions are synthesized. Music has given this city a special charm and uniqueness. By holding the annual assembly of the WFIMC in Harbin, the federation hopes to continue friendly and close contacts with Harbin and other Chinese cities, to develop dialogue and deepen cooperation in a wider range of areas.

    The current festival is held under the motto “Let the World Hear the Harbin Summer”. Its program is presented in seven blocks: performances at the opening ceremony, performances from all over China, the art week of the “Cultural Capital of East Asia”, etc. In addition to three international competitions, the festival, which will last until September, also includes 79 performances by Chinese and foreign groups and over 3 thousand mass cultural and artistic events.

    Harbin is one of the cradles of modern Chinese music, and the Harbin Summer Festival is a national music event with a long history. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: First special train with asbestos departs from Gansu Province to Central Asia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    LANZHOU, June 29 (Xinhua) — A train loaded with 36 containers of 980 tons of chrysotile asbestos departed from Dunhuang City in northwest China’s Gansu Province for Uzbekistan on Thursday.

    This is the first special train carrying asbestos from Gansu Province to Central Asia, and a new international corridor for asbestos export opened by Dunhuang City after the launch of trains on the China-Laos Railway, the Dunhuang-Qinzhou Port-Indonesia Western Land-Sea Corridor, and the Dunhuang-Ningbo-Thailand Railway-Sea Route.

    It is reported that the new special train operates under the “single document list” and “single window” scheme, and there is no need to repack containers en route. Dunhuang Airport Customs, in cooperation with several departments, provides comprehensive support in registration of qualification documents, packaging inspection, logistics support, customs declaration, etc.

    In the first five months of this year, China’s total import and export volume to the five Central Asian countries rose 10.4 percent year-on-year to more than 286.4 billion yuan (over $39.98 billion), hitting a new historical high for the same period, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

    Gansu Province is a golden section of the Silk Road Economic Belt. Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, it has accelerated its opening up to the west and south. The province has now launched international freight train services on routes covering more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese company unveils intelligent laser weeding robot

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    WUHAN, June 29 (Xinhua) — A Chinese company has launched an intelligent laser weeding robot that works 24 hours a day, which it says may be the first of its kind in the country.

    The robot, code-named Hg LaserWeeder, was unveiled Saturday at an event hosted by Huagong Technology Industry Co., Ltd. (Hgtech), one of the robot’s developers, in Wuhan, capital of central China’s Hubei Province.

    Equipped with data models covering thousands of crop and weed varieties and an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered computer vision system, the robot can dynamically and precisely adjust the laser intensity to kill weeds without damaging crops, said Xiong Bian, head of the AI algorithms department at the company’s research institute.

    “The robot is expected to replace chemical herbicides, known as the ‘number one soil killer,’” Xiong Bian said.

    The technology, which removes weeds with an efficiency of over 95 percent, not only completely eliminates the threat of crop damage from traditional chemical herbicides by stopping their use, but also blocks the penetration of toxic chemicals into soil and water bodies, significantly reducing pollution of the agricultural environment.

    According to Hgtech, the highest-performance weeding configuration for the robot is equipped with 32 laser heads, which allows it to kill up to 320,000 weeds per hour, which is five to nine times more effective than traditional methods that combine manual labor and herbicides.

    The recognition and targeting process takes less than five milliseconds – from the moment the image is captured to the elimination of the weed.

    Hgtech Chairman Ma Xinqiang noted that forming a new development architecture and promoting high-quality development requires strengthening innovation as the core driving force more than ever.

    He added that their company will continue to increase investments in innovation, increase the number of talented specialists and expand the network of like-minded friends in the field of innovation.

    According to Hgtech, the weeding robot has already completed algorithm validation in experimental fields in Yunnan and Heilongjiang provinces, and global pre-orders for the device are now open.

    Mass production of the Hg LaserWeeder is planned for 2026, Hgtech added. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A special priority for Russian shipbuilding is to increase the group of nuclear icebreakers – Russian President V. Putin

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Moscow, June 29 /Xinhua/ — Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his congratulations to workers and veterans of the shipbuilding industry, emphasized that a special priority for the development of the Russian fleet is to increase the number of nuclear icebreakers for navigation in the Arctic and along the Northern Sea Route.

    “A special priority is to increase the group of universal nuclear icebreakers, ice-class vessels necessary for year-round navigation along the Transarctic Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route. I expect that the United Shipbuilding Corporation and our other companies and enterprises will make a significant contribution to this large, systematic work,” Putin was quoted as saying in a message on the Kremlin website.

    The Russian President noted that the shipbuilding industry faces large-scale, timely tasks: upgrading existing and deploying new production capacities, mastering competitive technologies, deepening international cooperation, and training qualified personnel. According to the Russian leader, their solution is of fundamental importance for ensuring the security of Russia’s maritime borders and the comprehensive, balanced development of the fleet.

    “The development of shipbuilding had a huge impact on the development of Russia as a maritime power, opened up broad opportunities for strengthening its economic, industrial, defense, and scientific potential, and the names and achievements of outstanding domestic shipbuilders have forever entered the history of our country,” added V. Putin.

    In 2025, the Russian government updated the Strategy for the Development of the Shipbuilding Industry. The new version of the document provides for an increase in the share of domestically produced civilian fleet. By 2036, it should amount to 61 percent, and by 2050, 64 percent. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: View of Zangke river scenic area in Liupanshui, China’s Guizhou

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

    View of Zangke river scenic area in Liupanshui, China’s Guizhou

    Updated: June 29, 2025 22:02 Xinhua
    This aerial drone photo taken on June 28, 2025 shows a view of the Zangke river scenic area in Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This aerial drone photo taken on June 28, 2025 shows a view of the Zangke river scenic area in Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2025 shows a view of the Zangke river scenic area in Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This aerial drone photo taken on June 28, 2025 shows a view of the Zangke river scenic area in Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2025 shows a view of the Zangke river scenic area in Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2025 shows a view of the Zangke river scenic area in Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2025 shows a view of the Zangke river scenic area in Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China launches flood emergency response in three provincial-level regions

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) — China’s Ministry of Water Resources on Sunday activated a Level 4 emergency response to floods in Chongqing City, Sichuan Province and Gansu Province amid a new round of heavy rain.

    Heavy rainfall is expected in the three provincial-level administrative units over the next few days, which may lead to rising river levels.

    The relevant departments of the above-mentioned regions are called upon to strengthen real-time monitoring of rivers and precipitation, promptly issue early warning information and, if necessary, carry out evacuations to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property, the ministry said in a statement.

    Let us recall that China has adopted a four-tier emergency response system for flood-related emergencies, with level 1 being the highest. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ningxia-Hunan ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project starts official operation

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

    Ningxia-Hunan ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project starts official operation

    Updated: June 29, 2025 19:00 Xinhua
    An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Zhongning converter station, the sending end of the Ningxia-Hunan ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project in Zhongwei, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 29, 2025. After a 168-hour trial, the ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project, which brings electricity from northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to central China’s Hunan Province, kicked off its official operation at the capability of 4-million-kilowatt on Sunday. This power line project spans 1,616 kilometers and is scheduled to be fully completed and put into operation at the designed transmission capability of 8-million-kilowatt in September this year. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Zhongning converter station, the sending end of the Ningxia-Hunan ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project in Zhongwei, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows the cross-Yellow River section of the Ningxia-Hunan ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project in Zhongwei, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows a photovoltaic farm as part of the Ningxia-Hunan ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project in Zhongwei, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows the cross-Yellow River section of the Ningxia-Hunan ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project in Zhongwei, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Zhongning converter station, the sending end of the Ningxia-Hunan ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project in Zhongwei, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows a night view of the Zhongning converter station, the sending end of the Ningxia-Hunan ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project in Zhongwei, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China activates emergency response to flooding in 3 provincial-level regions

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

    BEIJING, June 29 — The Ministry of Water Resources on Sunday activated a Level-IV emergency response to flooding in Chongqing, Sichuan and Gansu amid a new round of heavy rainfall.

    Over the next few days, these three provincial-level regions are forecast to experience torrential rains that could push river levels above warning thresholds.

    Authorities in these regions have been urged to enhance real-time monitoring of rivers and rainfall, issue timely warnings, and carry out evacuations if necessary to protect lives and property, the ministry said.

    China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.

    MIL OSI China News –