Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
This photo shows pieces of the Li brocade weaved by students displayed at Hainan Minzu Technical School in Wuzhishan City, south China’s Hainan province, June 10, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
China’s intangible cultural heritage workshops are proving a powerful force for rural revitalization, with over 11,000 such workshops preserving traditional crafts, creating jobs and boosting local economies, official data shows.
These workshops are distributed across 2,005 county-level regions, including 670 formerly impoverished counties and 135 key counties designated to receive rural revitalization assistance, and have generated employment for more than 1.2 million people in related industries.
Notably, over 4,300 workshops operate directly in villages, providing flexible work arrangements particularly suited to elderly residents, women, and people with disabilities through home-based production and daily wage models.
The Chinese government has actively promoted the role of intangible cultural heritage in cultural preservation and economic development. In December 2021, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and other central government departments issued a policy document specifically guiding the establishment and operation of these workshops, emphasizing talent cultivation, job creation and industrial support.
At the local level, 18 provinces have introduced policies to certify and manage these workshops, offering funding, marketing assistance and resource coordination.
In Zhejiang province, for example, the Xiaoshan district has paired workshops with villages. The provincial-level Xiaoshan pickled radish intangible cultural heritage workshop has connected over 40,000 farmers through contract-based production, generating an output value of 300 million yuan (about 42 million U.S. dollars) in 2024.
As of March this year, the number of national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors has grown to nearly 4,000.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Tong Defa (C-R) hands over a medical device to Ghana’s Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (C-L) during a donation ceremony at Lekma Hospital in Accra, Ghana, on June 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
The Chinese government, through its 14th medical team to Ghana and in collaboration with the local Chinese business community, on Monday donated a range of medical equipment and supplies to Lekma Hospital in Accra, Ghana’s capital, to enhance healthcare services.
The donation, including ultrasound devices, transducers, surgical instruments, and other medical tools, is expected to boost the hospital’s diagnostic and treatment capacity.
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Tong Defa described the gesture as another concrete support and action of love from the Chinese government and people to Ghana.
“Healthcare cooperation is one of the key areas in China-Ghana relations. China is pleased to see that, through joint efforts, both sides have achieved fruitful results in epidemic prevention and control, vaccine rollout, and public health capacity building,” Tong said at the donation ceremony.
Ghana’s Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh welcomed the donation as another shining example of the Ghana-China collaboration and “an enduring testament to the strength of our partnership.”
Akandoh lauded the Chinese government for sending 14 medical teams to Ghana since 2009.
As Ghana seeks to achieve universal health coverage by 2030, the minister said cooperation with China remains vital. “When we talk about herbal medicine, innovation, infrastructure, and financing facilities, it is China that comes to mind,” he said.
Yang Yongguang, head of the 14th Chinese medical team to Ghana, said, “We stand ready to deepen the China-Ghana health cooperation through technology and resources, working hand-in-hand to forge a broad path towards health for all and shared prosperity.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Iran launched a fresh missile attack on Israel on Monday night, causing no casualties, Israeli officials said.
The attack triggered air raid sirens in dozens of cities and communities in central and southern Israel, including Tel Aviv, according to the Israeli military.
A security official told Xinhua that the attack included about two missiles, which were apparently intercepted or landed in open areas.
Israel’s national rescue service Magen David Adom said there were no immediate reports of injuries or direct hits.
The attack, announced by Iran’s state media earlier as a new wave of strikes targeting Tel Aviv and Haifa, marked the latest exchange in the ongoing aerial conflict between Israel and Iran, now in its fourth day. The escalation began with Israeli airstrikes on Iran on June 13.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Palestinians are seen in the Sudaniya area, northern Gaza City, on June 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
The internet outage which paralyzed humanitarian aid in Gaza has ended, but the famine threat and the killings of food-seeking Palestinians continue as fuel dips critically low, UN humanitarian said on Monday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said telecommunications cables in Gaza were repaired over the weekend, allowing internet services to resume after days of complete outage.
The office said that the cut-off halted most aid operation communications and the ability of many Gazans to receive safety warnings and evacuation orders from the Israeli authorities.
OCHA said communications were restored after the Israeli authorities allowed access for telecommunications company teams to repair damaged cables, following repeated denials.
Partners reported on Monday that there was another outage in central and southern Gaza, but urgent repairs were coordinated between the repair teams and the authorities to restore connectivity.
The humanitarian office said that attacks on civilians continued, including the reported killing and injury of people seeking food or other aid from the militarized distribution centers run by Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Partners working on child protection say several children were temporarily separated from their families due to mass movements around the hubs. The partners are working to reduce risks for children near the depots.
OCHA said life-saving aid must reach people in need in line with humanitarian principles, and humanitarians must be allowed to do their work. More essential supplies must be allowed to enter.
The humanitarians said that Israeli authorities continue to deny many humanitarian movements. Seven out of 17 attempts to coordinate such movements were denied on Monday, including for trucking water and removing solid waste.
The office said the United Nations and its partners managed on Saturday to collect nearly 100 truckloads from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem border crossing, carrying wheat flour and other food supplies. The partners continue to send supplies to the checkpoint where the Israeli authorities are channeling the shipments.
On Sunday, humanitarians said they were able to transport more than 50 Israeli-approved truckloads to the crossing from Israel. The payloads await clearance into Gaza.
The office said its humanitarian partners continue to warn of the risk of famine in Gaza amid catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity. The partners provide support with whatever supplies remain available. Last week, a daily average of 200,000 meals were delivered through 44 community kitchens.
Prices in Gaza continue to skyrocket. OCHA said that last week in Gaza City, a 25kg bag of flour was sold for 1,600 shekels (about 450 U.S. dollars) on the commercial market.
Fuel stocks are at critically low levels. The office said more fuel is urgently needed for essential services, such as adequate water supplies. In the south of Gaza, diesel supplies are almost running out.
“Today (Monday), Israeli authorities once again denied an attempt to coordinate the collection of some fuel supplies from Rafah,” OCHA said. “Partners are rationing the stocks they have as they continue attempting to coordinate access.”
The office said that humanitarian, communications and banking activities may soon halt unless the supply of fuel resumes immediately or the United Nations is enabled by the Israeli authorities to retrieve available stocks from areas inside Gaza that require coordination with authorities for routes and access.
OCHA said another continuing problem in Gaza, displacement orders, is increasing people’s shelter needs and driving further overcrowding at displacement sites. For more than 100 days, the Israeli authorities have banned the entry of any shelter materials into Gaza. The materials require frequent replenishment, as they wear out quickly or may be left behind when people are forced into another displacement.
The UN Population Fund said pregnant mothers are living on a fraction of the food they need to survive. A growing number of mothers suffer from malnutrition, and one in three expectant mothers experiences a high-risk pregnancy at a time when half of essential maternal health medicines are no longer in stock.
The United Nations and its humanitarian partners on Monday launched a “hyper-prioritized global appeal.” It is for 114 million people globally facing life-threatening needs due to funding cuts. OCHA said that of the 4.07 billion U.S. dollars being sought for about 3 million people in the occupied Palestinian territory, only 16 percent of it is funded.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chelsea kicked off its Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win against LAFC in a half-empty Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Chelsea was the better side, although LAFC looked to move the ball around against a rival that started the match with three of its four new signings on the bench.
Liam Delap (3rd R) of Chelsea vies with Timothy Tillman (2nd R) of Los Angeles FC during the Group D match between Chelsea of England and Los Angeles FC of the United States at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Chelsea had to withstand a bright start from LAFC in a ground where there were far too many empty seats, but after around 15 minutes the Conference League champions began to get control of midfield.
The more Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson got involved, the more danger Chelsea created, with Palmer, now wearing the number 10 shirt, curled an effort just after 20 minutes.
Jackson was involved in the opening goal with a smart pass to Pedro Neto, who left his marker on the floor before beating Hugo Lloris with a cool finish in the 34th minute.
LAFC had to replace Nathan Ordaz with David Martinez two minutes later after the El Salvador international suffered a knock on the head.
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca had said he didn’t want his side to treat the game like a friendly, but at times the pace seemed labored from both sides and Maresca was obviously thinking about keeping his players fresh when he replaced Reece James and Romeo Lavia with Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez at the break, while Olivier Giroud came on for LAFC against one of his former clubs.
Jackson had a chance to double Chelsea’s lead when his goal-bound header was deflected just wide, while at the other end Denis Bouanga produced a moment of power and skill to draw a good save from Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez in a rare attack.
Chelsea brought Liam Delap, one of the club’s summer signings on for Jackson in the 64th minute and after Ryan Hollingshead fired over for LAFC, Delap capped his debut with an assist as he whipped in a cross for Fernandez to score from close range to secure the win.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters says countries have the right to choose who enters their borders in response to reports that the Trump administration is planning to impose travel restrictions on three dozen nations, including three in the Pacific.
But opposition Labour’s deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni says the foreign minister should push back on the US proposal.
Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu have reportedly been included in an expanded proposal of 36 additional countries for which the Trump administration is considering travel restrictions.
The plan was first reported by The Washington Post. A State Department spokesperson told the outlet that the agency would not comment on internal deliberations or communications.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Peters said countries had the right to decide who could cross their borders.
“Before we all get offended, we’ve got the right to decide in New Zealand who comes to our country. So has Australia, so has . . . China, so has the United States,” Peters said.
US security concerns He said New Zealand would do its best to address the US security concerns.
“We need to do our best to ensure there are no misunderstandings.”
Peters said US concerns could be over selling citizenship or citizenship-by-investment schemes.
Vanuatu runs a “golden passport” scheme where applicants can be granted Vanuatu citizenship for a minimum investment of US$130,000.
Peters says citizenship programmes, such as the citizenship-by-investment schemes which allow people to purchase passports, could have concerned the Trump administration. Image: 123rf/RNZ Pacific
Peters said programmes like that could have concerned the Trump administration.
“There are certain decisions that have been made, which look innocent, but when they come to an international capacity do not have that effect.
“Tuvalu has been selling passports. You see where an innocent . . . decision made in Tuvalu can lead to the concerns in the United States when it comes to security.”
Sepuloni wants push back However, Sepuloni wants Peters to push back on the US considering travel restrictions for Pacific nations.
Labour Party Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni . . . “I would expect [Peters] to be pushing back on the US and supporting our Pacific nations to be taken off that list.” Image: RNZ/Angus Dreaver
Sepuloni said she wanted the foreign minister to get a full explanation on the proposed restrictions.
“From there, I would expect him to be pushing back on the US and supporting our Pacific nations to be taken off that list,” she said.
“Their response is, ‘why us? We’re so tiny — what risk do we pose?’”
Wait to see how this unfolds – expert Massey University associate professor in defence and security studies Anna Powles said Vanuatu has appeared on the US’ bad side in the past.
“Back in March Vanuatu was one of over 40 countries that was reported to be on the immigration watchlist and that related to Vanuatu’s golden passport scheme,” Dr Powles said.
However, a US spokesperson denied the existence of such a list.
“What people are looking at . . . is not a list that exists here that is being acted on,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said, according to a transcript of her press briefing.
“There is a review, as we know, through the president’s executive order, for us to look at the nature of what’s going to help keep America safer in dealing with the issue of visas and who’s allowed into the country.”
Dr Powles said it was the first time Tonga had been included.
“That certainly has raised some concern among Tongans because there’s a large Tongan diaspora in the United States.”
She said students studying in the US could be affected; but while there was a degree of bemusement and concern over the issue, there was also a degree of waiting to see how this unfolded.
Speculation is swirling around the future of the A$368 billion AUKUS agreement, following Washington’s decision to review the nuclear submarine deal to ensure it meets President Donald Trump’s “America first” agenda.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was planning to use talks with Trump at the G7 to demand the US continue to back the deal – but the meeting has been cancelled.
With the Pentagon taking another look at AUKUS, we ask five experts whether the government should rethink Australia’s own commitment to the pact.
Jennifer Parker
Expert Associate, National Security College, Australian National University
Absolutely not. Another review would consume time and capacity better spent delivering AUKUS on its tight timelines.
To understand why, we must put the decision in context.
The leaked details of the US Department of Defense review does not alter the position of any of the three AUKUS partners. Much of the commentary has missed the broader picture: Washington is undertaking its regular review of defence strategy.
It makes sense the Pentagon would also assess AUKUS – a central element of its Indo-Pacific posture.
While some have fixated on Colby’s supposed scepticism, the reality is different. In March, Colby told the US Senate Armed Services Committee the US should do everything in its power to make AUKUS work.
Why now? Because the strategy review is being accelerated under the new administration. As for the leak, it is plausible it was designed to apply pressure to Australia over its defence spending commitments.
The more important question is: what is the likely outcome? While nothing is certain, AUKUS enjoys strong bipartisan support in the US, as it does in Australia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called it a “blueprint” for cooperation, echoed by other senior officials.
Crucially, the real driver of this so-called “America First” review is what the US gets out of AUKUS. The answer is quite a lot. It secures access to Southeast and Northeast Asia from a location beyond the range of most Chinese missiles, adds a fourth maintenance site for Virginia-class submarines, and delivers an ally with an independent nuclear-powered submarine industrial base.
Beyond AUKUS, Australia has expanded its support for Marine and bomber rotations and other posture initiatives. Australia is central to US strategy in the Indo-Pacific. They need us as much as we need them. All signs point to a constructive outcome from this short, sharp review.
While AUKUS carries risks and Australia must remain clear-eyed, alarmism is unhelpful. Much of the public debate has taken that tone. Nothing fundamental has changed since the optimal pathway was announced in 2023. The risks we face now were known then.
There is no basis for an Australian review at this point. It would only distract from delivering this ambitious program. If core assumptions materially change, then a review may be warranted. But until then, such talk is a distraction.
Albert Palazzo
Adjunct Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at UNSW Canberra, UNSW Sydney
The AUKUS review should be welcomed by all Australians as an opportunity for the Albanese government to scrap the agreement and wean itself off US dependency.
The review is a chance for our political leaders to exercise their most important responsibility: asserting the nation’s sovereignty and equipping Australia to provide for its national security on its own.
Since AUKUS already contains clauses the US could use to cancel the pact, a termination now would benefit Australia. It would save the nation huge sums of money, and force the government to formulate a more useful and appropriate security policy.
Elbridge Colby has previously questioned the logic of “giving away” America’s “crown jewels”, namely its nuclear-powered submarines, and argued the US will need all its boats against China.
Elbridge Colby is in charge of the AUKUS review.
More alarmingly, in his book The Strategy of Denial, Colby concludes the ideal way for the US to deny China regional hegemony is to use its allies to minimise its own “risks, commitment and expense”. Additionally, he says the US needs to retain the opportunity to walk away from a China conflict if that proves to be in America’s best interest.
Colby’s track record suggests he will recommend Australia make a larger military contribution to the alliance — as his boss Pete Hegseth demanded at the Shangri-La Dialogue. This is even as the US reserves its right to desert us at a time of its own choosing, as the United Kingdom did during the second world war with the Singapore Strategy.
At one time, the existing defence policy of reliance on the US made a degree of sense. But that is no longer the case. Instead, Australia’s leaders have an opportunity to recalibrate defence policy from one of dependency to one of self-defence.
As I outline in my forthcoming book, The Big Fix, Australia should adopt the philosophy of “strategic defensive”. This is a method of waging war in which the defender only needs to prevent an aggressor from achieving its objectives.
This would eliminate the risks and enormous cost of AUKUS while securing the nation’s future. A strategic defensive approach is well within Australia’s capabilities to implement on its own.
While it would be an ironic act of dependency if the US was to save Australia from itself by either cancelling AUKUS or by making it too unpalatable to swallow, the chance to reconsider should not be missed.
AUKUS remains an affront to Australian sovereignty.
Ian Langford
Executive Director, Security & Defence PLuS and Professor, UNSW Sydney
Australia should not walk away from AUKUS in light of the Pentagon’s newly announced review. However, it should seize the moment to increase defence spending to meet short-term challenges not addressed by the submarine deal.
Despite the noise, AUKUS remains Australia’s most straightforward path to acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, deepening strategic interoperability with the United States and United Kingdom, and embedding itself in the advanced defence technology ecosystems of its closest allies.
But clinging to AUKUS without confronting the deeper risks it now exposes would be a strategic mistake. From an Australian perspective, the submarine pathway is on a slow fuse: first deliveries are not expected until the early 2030s.
Meanwhile, the risk of major power conflict in the Indo-Pacific is accelerating, with a potential flashpoint involving China and the US as early as 2027. Naval brinkmanship in the Taiwan Strait and the South and East China Seas is already routine.
Submarines that arrive too late do little to shape the strategic balance in the next five years. Canberra must therefore confront a hard truth: AUKUS may enhance Australia’s deterrence posture in the 2030s, but it does little to prepare the ADF for a near-term fight.
That fight, should it come, will demand capabilities the ADF currently lacks in sufficient quantity: long-range missiles, deployable air defence, survivable command and control, and more surface combatants.
Yet under current spending plans, Australia is trying to fund both the AUKUS build and short-term deterrence within a constrained budget. It will not work. Even after recent increases, defence spending remains around 2% of GDP. This is well below the level needed to fund both long-term deterrence and immediate readiness.
Without a step change – closer to 2.5–3% of GDP – or a major reprioritisation of big-ticket programs, the ADF faces a dangerous capability gap through the second half of this decade.
Australia should hold firm on AUKUS. The strategic upside is real, and the alliance commitments it reinforces are indispensable. But we should not pretend it is cost-free.
Unless the defence budget is significantly expanded, AUKUS risks hollowing out the rest of the Defence Force. The result would be a future submarine fleet paired with an underpowered ADF, unready to meet the threats of today.
In reaffirming AUKUS, Australia must confront the complex reality that it won’t address the threats of this decade, and should plan accordingly.
Maria Rost Rublee
Professor, International Relations Social and Political Sciences, The University of Melbourne
Let’s be honest – Australia is not going to withdraw from AUKUS.
The United States is our most important military and diplomatic partner; in the words of the 2024 National Defence Strategy, “our alliance with the US remains fundamental to Australia’s national security”.
Unilaterally extracting ourselves from AUKUS would significantly damage our relationship with the US. Given the bipartisan and public support for the alliance within Australia, it simply won’t happen.
As we navigate the complexities of AUKUS under Trump 2.0, we should remember that as a defence industrial agreement, AUKUS creates numerous benefits for Australia. In both Pillar I (nuclear submarines) and Pillar II (advanced defence capabilities), Australia is developing deep partnerships, collaboration and even integration with both the US and the UK in shipbuilding, advanced technology, and stronger supply chains.
In addition, a rarely discussed benefit of AUKUS is the total life-cycle climate impacts, given nuclear submarines are superior to diesel alternatives. Diesel is a non-renewable energy source with significant global warming potential, while nuclear power is generally acknowledged to be low-carbon.
However, AUKUS does offer very significant risks for Australia. Flexibility is baked into the arrangement for the three partner nations – leading to the very situation we are in today. There are significant concerns Washington may not sell nuclear Virginia-class submarines to Australia in the 2030s, as agreed.
We have known for years the US is not producing enough nuclear attack submarines for its own domestic use, but we seem to have hoped this would change or the US would sell us the subs anyway.
The current US review of AUKUS makes it clear Australia needs to think seriously about other options for submarines. Without the Virginia-class, we will be without any subs at all, at least until the SSN-AUKUS submarines are delivered by the mid-2040s.
Our current ageing Collins-class subs, already beset with operational problems, will not be fit for purpose much past mid-2030. At this point, the most likely viable option is off-the-shelf conventional submarines from Japan or South Korea.
The fact is, while Australia is unlikely to withdraw from AUKUS, the US may force the issue by refusing to sell us its nuclear-powered submarines. Refusing to acknowledge this does not change the risks.
President Donald Trumps wants US allies to lift their defence spending. Rawpixel/Shutterstock
David Andrews
Senior Manager, Policy & Engagement, Australian National University
I want AUKUS to succeed. It offers a unique opportunity to substantially upgrade Australia’s maritime capabilities with access to world-leading submarine technology and a suite of advanced and emerging technologies.
However, we cannot realistically pursue “AUKUS at any cost”. There must be an upper limit to how much time, effort and resources are committed before the costs – financial, political and strategic – outweigh the potential long-term benefits.
Of course, the government must not be hasty. Any decision should wait until the completion of the US review. Likewise, AUKUS should not be abandoned merely because it is being reviewed.
Reviews are not inherently negative processes. A review after four years of a project of this size and significance is not a particularly surprising development. As seen in the UK, reviews can refocus efforts and commit greater resources, if needed.
However, it doesn’t look like that’s what the US review is setting out to do. Rather, it’s focused on ensuring AUKUS is aligned with the America First agenda. That indicates an altogether different set of considerations.
People often describe Trump as a “dealmaker” or “transactional”, but these are misleading euphemisms. This review, and recent language from senior US officials, gives the impression of a shakedown – of coercion, not partnership.
The need to “win” and extract money from alliances is antithetical to their purpose. It misunderstands their nature and the fundamental importance of trust between partners. AUKUS is not an ATM.
Past behaviour suggests no deal Trump makes will last without further demands being imposed. No amount of money is likely to be satisfactory. Even if Australia’s defence spending was lifted to 3.5% of GDP, the question would be “why isn’t it 5%?” For AUKUS, there is no such thing as an offer he cannot refuse.
I do not say this lightly, but if the outcome of this process is a series of gratuitous or untenable demands by the US, the Albanese government should strongly consider walking away from AUKUS.
The consequences would be significant, so the threshold of such a decision would need to be similarly calibrated. But no single project should be put above the integrity of our wider defence enterprise and the sovereign decision-making of our government.
David Andrews has not personally received funding from any relevant external bodies, but he has previously worked on projects funded by the Australian Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Home Affairs, and Defence. David is a member of the Australian Labor Party and Australian Institute of International Affairs, and previously worked for the Australian Department of Defence.
Albert Palazzo is not a member of a political party but does occasional volunteer work for The Greens. In 2019, he retired from the Department of Defence. He was the long-serving Director of War Studies for the Australian Army.
Ian Langford is affiliated with Security & Defence PLuS, a collaboration between the University of New South Wales, Arizona State University and Kings College, London.
Maria Rost Rublee has received grant funding from the Australian Department of Defence and the US Institute of Peace. She is affiliated with Women in International Security-Australia and Women in Nuclear-Australia.
Jennifer Parker 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.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 16 — China’s intangible cultural heritage workshops are proving a powerful force for rural revitalization, with over 11,000 such workshops preserving traditional crafts, creating jobs and boosting local economies, official data shows.
These workshops are distributed across 2,005 county-level regions, including 670 formerly impoverished counties and 135 key counties designated to receive rural revitalization assistance, and have generated employment for more than 1.2 million people in related industries.
Notably, over 4,300 workshops operate directly in villages, providing flexible work arrangements particularly suited to elderly residents, women, and people with disabilities through home-based production and daily wage models.
The Chinese government has actively promoted the role of intangible cultural heritage in cultural preservation and economic development. In December 2021, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and other central government departments issued a policy document specifically guiding the establishment and operation of these workshops, emphasizing talent cultivation, job creation and industrial support.
At the local level, 18 provinces have introduced policies to certify and manage these workshops, offering funding, marketing assistance and resource coordination.
In Zhejiang Province, for example, the Xiaoshan district has paired workshops with villages. The provincial-level Xiaoshan pickled radish intangible cultural heritage workshop has connected over 40,000 farmers through contract-based production, generating an output value of 300 million yuan (about 42 million U.S. dollars) in 2024.
As of March this year, the number of national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors has grown to nearly 4,000.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China welcomes Vietnam to join as a BRICS partner country, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on the news that the BRICS chair Brazil announced the formal admission of Vietnam as a partner country of the group on Friday.
China welcomes Vietnam to join the BRICS as a partner country, Guo said, noting that Vietnam’s participation in BRICS cooperation will not only benefit its own development but also align with the common interests of BRICS and the Global South.
“We believe that Vietnam will make positive contributions to the BRICS mechanism,” the spokesperson added.
A new partner to the BRICS family marks a further expansion of the mechanism’s representativeness and highlights its appeal and influence, Guo said, noting that China stands ready to work with other member and partner countries to build a more comprehensive, close, practical, and inclusive partnership, advance the high-quality development of “BRICS Plus” cooperation, and make greater contributions to upholding multilateralism, defending fairness, and promoting shared development.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
An explosion at a fireworks factory in central China’s Hunan Province on Monday had left one person dead, six missing and nine injured as of 5 p.m., local authorities said.
The explosion occurred at Shanzhou Fireworks Co., Ltd. in Linli County under Changde City at approximately 8:23 a.m. Monday, the county Party committee’s publicity department said, adding that all the injured are receiving medical treatment, with non-life-threatening conditions.
The blast site is a single-story reinforced concrete structure. Established in July 2017, the factory employs over 150 people, most of whom were outside the explosion zone when the accident occurred.
Immediately following the accident, emergency teams at various levels were mobilized to the scene. Rescue efforts remain focused on locating the missing, treating the injured, evacuating nearby residents, and investigating the cause of the accident.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China has always supported Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Panama, in upholding their independence and autonomy and opposing hegemony, bullying and foreign interference, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks in response to reports that the U.S. Embassy in Panama stated the United States will work with Panama to install seven new communications towers with U.S. technology, replacing Chinese company Huawei’s equipment. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has urged the U.S. embassy to refrain from making public declarations regarding decisions made solely by the Panamanian government.
Addressing a regular press briefing, Guo said that the United States has long conducted surveillance and cyberattacks in Latin America and the Caribbean, causing adverse effects across the Western Hemisphere and leaving countries in the Americas feeling insecure.
He added that while carrying out friendly cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries, China has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, openness, inclusiveness and win-win collaboration. “China never seeks spheres of influence, nor does it engage in geopolitical competition, let alone coerce other countries into taking sides,” the spokesperson said.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are not anyone’s backyard, Guo urged the United States to stop politicizing economic, trade, and scientific and technological issues, stop interfering in other countries’ internal affairs and undermining their sovereignty and independence, stop coercing other countries into taking sides or restricting cooperation with China, and instead focus on promoting regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
At the upcoming Second China-Central Asia Summit to be held later this week, heads of state will jointly draw a new blueprint for future cooperation, open up new space for Belt and Road cooperation and build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in Beijing on Monday.
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a press briefing when answering a related query.
Noting Central Asia is not only the place where the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first proposed, but also a pace-setter in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Guo said that all five Central Asian countries have signed BRI cooperation documents with China, and China and Central Asian countries have implemented a series of signature projects designed to boost development and make lives better for the people.
Trade between China and Central Asian countries hit a record high of 674.15 billion yuan in 2024, up by 116 percent compared with that of 2013. Guo said that all sides have found a new model of mutually beneficial cooperation through the China-Kazakhstan Crude Oil Pipeline project and the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline project. The China-Tajikistan highway, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway have taken regional connectivity to new levels, and practical cooperation is expanded to digital economy and green transition.
“China has mutual visa exemption with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Luban Workshops project is picking up speed. People-to-people and cultural exchanges have moved onto the fast lane and brought our peoples close to each other,” Guo said, pointing out that high-quality Belt and Road cooperation is increasingly becoming a key focus of China-Central Asia cooperation.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The opening ceremony of Kazakhstan’s “China Tourism Year” was held on Monday at the National Museum of Kazakhstan, with around 300 guests from China and Kazakhstan in attendance.
Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli and Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov delivered speeches at the event.
As a major highlight of the “China Tourism Year” in Kazakhstan, the exhibition titled “Silk and the Silk Road: From China to Kazakhstan” also opened on the same day at the National Museum.
The exhibition is divided into three sections, “The Origin of Silk,” “The Road of Silk,” and “The Use of Silk”, aiming to showcase the historical richness and modern development of Silk Road culture, as well as the friendship and cultural exchange between China and countries along the Silk Road.
The exhibition will run through August 8.
The opening ceremony also featured cultural performances, a Hanfu fashion show, and hands-on experiences with intangible cultural heritage. In addition, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the China National Silk Museum and the National Museum of Kazakhstan.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese car brands accounted for 10.12 percent of total vehicle registrations in Spain during the first five months of 2025. The figure more than doubled the 23,235 units registered in the same period last year, the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers (ANFAC) announced on Monday.
Felix Garcia, ANFAC’s director of communications and marketing, described the May sales figures as “very positive.” “More than 112,000 units sold and the growth of over 18 percent show that it was the best May since 2019, before the pandemic began,” he said in a statement.
ANFAC’s data includes not only Chinese carmakers such as Chery and BYD, but also European brands owned by Chinese automotive groups, such as Volvo under the Geely group and MG under SAIC Motor.
According to a recent survey conducted by online car dealer Coches.net and the Spanish vehicle distributors’ association Ganvam, seven out of ten Spaniards expressed a favorable opinion of Chinese brand cars, saying they would consider buying one.
BYD, the world’s largest plug-in car manufacturer, sold 7,788 units in Spain by the end of May, marking a dramatic rise from just 54 units sold two years ago. In May, BYD overtook Tesla as the best-selling electric car brand in the country.
The rising popularity of Chinese vehicles aligns with the broader growth in electrified vehicle sales, including pure electric and plug-in hybrids, which have taken 20 percent of the Spanish market, according to ANFAC.
“Pure electric vehicles went up to 8 percent, while other electrified vehicles now exceed 11 percent. Together, they account for around 19 percent of the market share. This is key to rejuvenating the country’s Motor Vehicle Fleet and reducing emissions,” Garcia added.
The Spanish government’s MOVES incentive program also plays a role in encouraging electric vehicle purchases, offering subsidies of up to 7,000 euros for buyers.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Lei Jun, founder and chairman of Xiaomi, speaks to the media at Xiaomi’s automobile factory in Beijing, capital of China, June 16, 2025. Located in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, China’s tech giant Xiaomi’s automobile factory sprawls across over 700,000 square meters. Integrating research, testing, production and sales, the factory is open to the public to showcase its cutting-edge automotive production capabilities. [Photo/Xinhua]
Inside a workshop at Chinese tech giant Xiaomi’s electric vehicle (EV) factory, the scene is a stark contrast to what one might expect to see on a factory floor.
With few workers in sight, robotic arms move with precision and speed, seamlessly assembling vehicle body components. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) glide across the floor, efficiently transporting materials to their designated stations.
Xiaomi entered the EV market in 2021, setting up a state-of-the-art factory spanning some 720,000 square meters in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town — a key innovation hub for China’s autonomous driving industry. The market newcomer unveiled its SU7 model in March 2024.
Every 76 seconds, a new Xiaomi vehicle rolls off the production line at the factory, with over 700 robots operating around the clock to enable the full automation of key processes such as large-scale die casting.
The factory embodies Xiaomi’s vision for smart manufacturing, in which intelligent machines take the lead and automation fuels both quality and efficiency.
To Lei Jun, founder and chairman of Xiaomi, the importance of sustained investment in innovation is self-evident.
“Upholding our unwavering principle of ‘technology as the foundation,’ Xiaomi has invested over 100 billion yuan (about 13.93 billion U.S. dollars) in R&D over the past five years, making significant strides in many core capabilities. In the next five years, we plan to invest another 200 billion yuan to pursue new heights in global next-generation hard tech,” Lei said.
“Over the past five years, we have steadfastly pursued our high-end strategy,” Lei noted, adding that amid intense competition in the auto market, Xiaomi remains committed to long-term thinking — strengthening its core competitiveness, meeting diverse consumer demands, and advancing up the value chain in close collaboration with industry partners in an expansive, fast-evolving market.
Since March 2024, Xiaomi has delivered over 250,000 vehicles, quickly emerging as a key player in China’s rapidly growing new energy vehicle market by leveraging advanced smart manufacturing and a favorable policy environment to fuel its rapid ascent.
“Xiaomi owes its growth and success to the fertile ground for innovation that Beijing provides,” Lei said. “Supportive ‘soft’ environments and robust ‘hard’ policies have nurtured a group of innovative companies like Xiaomi, enabling them to forge ahead on new development tracks.”
Data shows that Beijing’s R&D intensity — measured as the ratio of total R&D spending to GDP — has remained above 6 percent for six consecutive years, reflecting the city’s strong commitment to innovation. This dedication is also recognized globally: according to a report released earlier this year, Beijing ranks among the world’s top 10 innovation cities.
The report, published in January, was compiled by the Shenzhen International Science and Technology Information Center, the Center for Industrial Development and Environmental Governance of Tsinghua University, and research publishing and information analytics company Elsevier.
“Manufacturing is the foundation of our nation and the cornerstone of a strong country. As both a contributor to and a beneficiary of China’s manufacturing development, we aim not only to bring the benefits of technology to consumers, but also to continue advancing on the path of innovation,” Lei noted.
Robots work at Xiaomi’s automobile factory in Beijing, capital of China, June 16, 2025. Located in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, China’s tech giant Xiaomi’s automobile factory sprawls across over 700,000 square meters. Integrating research, testing, production and sales, the factory is open to the public to showcase its cutting-edge automotive production capabilities. [Photo/Xinhua]
Visitors learn about a new energy vehicle at Xiaomi’s automobile factory in Beijing, capital of China, June 16, 2025. Located in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, China’s tech giant Xiaomi’s automobile factory sprawls across over 700,000 square meters. Integrating research, testing, production and sales, the factory is open to the public to showcase its cutting-edge automotive production capabilities. [Photo/Xinhua]
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
U.S. stocks ended higher on Monday, recovering from Friday’s sharp losses as investors’ concerns over ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran eased somehow.
Escalation of conflicts between Iran and Israel had briefly rattled markets — oil prices surged, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) spiked, and gold prices rose as investors sought safe havens. However, Monday’s action suggested confidence remained intact. High-yield credit spreads widened by just 2 basis points.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 317.30 points, or 0.75 percent, to 42,515.09. The S&P 500 added 56.14 points, or 0.94 percent, to 6,033.11. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 294.39 points, or 1.52 percent, to 19,701.21.
Seven of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in green, with communication services and technology leading the gainers by adding 1.53 percent and 1.52 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, utilities and health led the laggards by losing 0.50 percent and 0.40 percent, respectively.
Market history supports the idea that geopolitical shocks are often short-lived in their market impact. According to Deutsche Bank analysts Parag Thatte and Binky Chadha, the S&P 500 typically drops around 6 percent in the three weeks following a geopolitical event, but usually recovers those losses in the next three weeks.
Deutsche Bank’s Henry Allen added in a Monday note that geopolitical events tend to have lasting effects on equities only when they disrupt the real economy, either by slowing growth or driving inflation. So far, investors seem to be betting that neither scenario is likely in the near term.
Despite lingering geopolitical concerns, historically low equity positioning and resilient fundamentals may be keeping a broader sell-off at bay, allowing risk appetite to return for now. “Focus will remain on geopolitical headlines, but as long as the conflict stays limited between Israel and Iran, it’s unlikely to materially impact the markets,” said Tom Essaye at the Sevens Report.
Tesla rose more than 1 percent on Monday, while Meta Platforms climbed 2.9 percent, helping power the broader market. Palantir, often seen as a beneficiary of rising geopolitical instability due to its defense and AI ties, rose near 3 percent.
The rising move comes ahead of a key week for monetary policy. Investors digested a weaker-than-expected manufacturing survey released Monday morning by the New York Fed, adding to signs of slowing momentum in the industrial sector. Still, the data did little to shift expectations ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision on Wednesday.
According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, futures markets are pricing in a 100 percent chance that the Fed will hold rates steady, despite renewed pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates.
However, elevated oil prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East are expected to keep inflation risks on the Fed’s radar and reduce the likelihood of rate cuts in the near term. “Markets got a reminder that tariffs aren’t the only potential source of market volatility,” said Chris Larkin at E*Trade from Morgan Stanley. “Right now, markets are signaling they expect the situation in the Middle East will remain contained, but any surprises could have an oversized impact on sentiment.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China’s postal sector handled 86.18 billion parcels from January to May 2025, a 17.6 percent year-on-year increase, according to data released Monday by the State Post Bureau.
Express delivery services accounted for 78.77 billion of these parcels, surging 20.1 percent from the same period last year.
In terms of business revenue, China’s postal industry witnessed stable growth, with revenue rising 8 percent year on year to 718.73 billion yuan (about 100.12 billion U.S. dollars).
The significant growth in parcel deliveries is a sign of a thriving consumer market. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, retail sales of consumer goods in China increased by 5 percent year on year from January to May, up from the 4.7-percent growth in the first four months of the year.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Sao Paulo has sacked Argentine manager Luis Zubeldia after a poor start to the Brazilian Serie A season, the club said on Monday.
Sao Paulo is currently 14th in Brazil’s 20-team top-flight standings with just two wins from 12 games so far. The club has fared better in the Copa Libertadores, finishing top of its group to advance to the last 16, where it will meet Colombia’s Atletico Nacional over two legs in August.
“By mutual agreement and in an amicable manner, it was decided that Luis Zubeldia will not remain in charge of the team,” Sao Paulo said in a statement on its official website.
Zubeldia guided Sao Paulo to 38 wins, 27 draws and 20 losses after taking charge in April last year.
Media reports said former Argentina striker Hernan Crespo was the frontrunner to assume the vacant position. Crespo, who had an eight-month spell in charge of the club in 2021, has been out of work since parting ways with United Arab Emirates outfit Al Ain last November.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
This video screenshot taken at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on May 22, 2025 shows Shenzhou-20 astronaut Chen Dong leaving China’s orbiting space station for extravehicular activities. (Xinhua/Li Yanchen)
Imagine living and working hundreds of miles above Earth for over 50 days. This sci-fi scene has been a reality for China’s Shenzhou-20 crew — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie — aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
Far from a quiet getaway, a short video released by China’s state television broadcaster CCTV on Monday showed their “space business trip,” which is packed with vital scientific work, health checks, and station upkeep, all of which are crucial for future space exploration.
The astronaut trio are in good condition and the multi-disciplinary space science experiments are advancing smoothly, according to the CCTV report.
The crew, commanded by veteran astronaut Chen Dong, was launched into orbit on April 24 for a six-month mission.
Over the past week, they devoted substantial time to space medicine research. During their research, they have explored fundamental aspects of cognitive function in microgravity, focusing on teamwork dynamics, self-awareness in isolation and how astronauts perceive motion, depth, and relationships absent Earth’s gravity. These studies are critical for ensuring safe operations during spacewalks and complex tasks.
In addition, they also conducted routine vascular ultrasound scans tracked changes in cardiovascular function over time and used apparatus to capture subtle changes in control and coordination during precise tasks like equipment operation or sample handling, according to the report.
On the front of life science, they focused on the “effects and mechanisms of space microgravity on microorganisms” experiment.
The video showed that in Tiangong’s specialized biotechnology experiment rack, the crew observed the growth, developmental patterns, and bioactive compound synthesis of Streptomyces bacteria in weightlessness.
This research is expected to reveal new biological adaptations and potential applications for space-based pharmaceutical research.
The crew carefully sampled liquid cultures, preserving the samples for their eventual journey back to Earth.
Another highlight of their daily routine, in addition to the meticulous space station upkeep, is their rigorous exercise to counter the physical toll of microgravity. The video captures the astronauts running on a treadmill in the space module.
Beyond exercise, the crew undergoes regular checkups like detailed heart monitoring and blood pressure tracking. They also participate in unique health assessments based on traditional Chinese medicine principles, according to the report.
China’s space station has now hosted over 200 scientific projects, with nearly 2 tonnes of scientific materials and applied equipment sent to orbit and nearly 100 experimental samples returned to Earth, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China-Africa trade reached a record 295.56 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up 4.8 percent year-over-year, marking the 16th consecutive year China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner.
Currently, with the support of the 10 partnership action plans, Chinese and African businesses are enhancing collaboration across the industrial chain, propelling the advancement of relations and providing fresh impetus for sustainable economic growth.
This photo taken on May 27, 2025 shows workers checking cocoa processing equipment at the cocoa processing complex in the PK24 Industrial Park on the northwestern outskirts of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)
BOOSTING LOCAL PRODUCTION
In Cote d’Ivoire, the PK24 Industrial Park outside Abidjan, the country’s economic capital, is abuzz with activity. A newly built cocoa processing complex, the country’s first state-owned modern plant, is about to launch.
Built by China Light Industry Nanning Design Engineering Co., Ltd., the facility can process 50,000 tonnes of cocoa annually and store 140,000 tonnes. It marks a major milestone in the country’s drive to advance up the global value chain.
“We’re finally processing cocoa on our own land,” said Ettien Kouakou Camille, a local farmer beaming with pride. “In the past, cocoa was exported without being processed. Now, Chinese companies are helping us change that.”
Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, Cote d’Ivoire’s Minister of State and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Chinese companies are not just building factories — they are bringing integrated solutions to help us upgrade our agricultural value chains. “China’s agricultural development experience is a vital reference for African countries,” he said.
A staff member sorts chili peppers in Nyagatare District, Rwanda, on May 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Ji Li)
Similar transformations are taking shape across the continent. In Rwanda’s Eastern Province, Gashora Farm PLC is expanding chili production with support from China’s Hunan Modern Agriculture International Development Co., Ltd. The partnership includes infrastructure upgrades, such as cold storage, drying facilities, and expanded farmland.
“The Chinese market is enormous. We saw strong demand for Rwandan dried chili,” said Dieudonne Twahirwa, managing director of Gashora Farm PLC.
To date, China has established capacity cooperation with 15 African countries and is involved in over 50 industrial parks across the continent, attracting global investment and strengthening Africa’s industrial base.
“China has become not only a major trade partner for Africa, but also a key supporter in capacity building and technology transfer,” said Humphrey Moshi, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam.
People work in a workshop of China’s Inner Mongolia King Deer Cashmere Group on the southern outskirts of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, March 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)
DEVELOPING SKILLED TALENT
Alongside infrastructure, China-Africa cooperation has emphasized vocational training and talent development.
On the southern outskirts of Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo, more than 3,000 local workers at a cashmere garment plant owned by China’s Inner Mongolia King Deer Cashmere Group transform high-end yarn into export-ready products.
“Since the factory’s inception, we have trained over 20,000 textile professionals across various roles,” said Xia Yonghai, general manager of the company. “Many now work in local textile enterprises, holding key technical and managerial positions.”
For 50-year-old Rivoherimanitra Niaina Rado, who has worked at the factory for nearly two decades, the journey is incredible. “I started as a trainee and now became a foreman … What I’m most proud of is helping bring advanced technology to Madagascar.”
Chinese companies are also driving demand for vocational skills across Africa. Flagship initiatives like the Luban Workshops promote hands-on, industry-oriented learning in several countries.
Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, said that Chinese investment and long-term engagement in Africa have not only created employment but also significantly raised the technical capacity of the local workforce through systematic training.
Chinese enterprises have made vital contributions to Africa’s talent development, laying a solid foundation for Africa’s sustainable growth, Adhere added.
Staff members of Kilimall sort goods at a warehouse in Mlolongo, Kenya, on June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)
CONNECTING GLOBAL MARKETS
China-Africa cooperation is also facilitating the export of African products to global markets through various platforms.
In Kenya, Chinese-founded e-commerce platform Kilimall has become one of East Africa’s leading online retailers. One of its top merchants, Hoswell Macharia, sells locally produced TVs by Chinese-invested firm Vitron, generating annual sales of 96 million Kenyan shillings (about 745,000 U.S. dollars).
“Around 40 percent of our components are now locally sourced, and we plan to further increase localization based on market demand,” said Hu Zhaoyang, executive director of Vitron, home to Chinese investment.
Vice President of Kilimall Wu Mixiang said the growing presence of Chinese manufacturers in Africa means local retailers have access to better-quality and more affordable products, which translates into real benefits for consumers.
Other Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu are also expanding in Africa, connecting local businesses to the global digital economy.
China continues to open its market to African exports. It granted zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of product categories to all least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including 33 African countries, starting from Dec. 1, 2024. Events like the China International Import Expo, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) and the Canton Fair further support African exporters.
“The Chinese market really has an appetite for Kenyan products … We are working with various stakeholders to consolidate consignments for Hass avocado sourced countrywide,” said avocado exporter Newton Ngure at a Kenya-focused CAETE promotional event in April. “It is an opportune moment for us to venture into the Chinese market.”
From infrastructure and training to production and global sales, China-Africa industrial cooperation is deepening. As the continent moves from raw material exports to shared value creation, this partnership is helping lay the foundation for long-term, independent growth and a brighter future.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hold talks at the presidential palace in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that China stands ready to work with Kazakhstan to contribute more to regional and world peace and development with stability and positive energy of bilateral ties.
Xi made the remarks when meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ahead of the second China-Central Asia Summit.
Xi pointed out that China-Kazakhstan relations have withstood the test of international changes and have consistently maintained a high level of development. This is due to the geographical proximity and the long-standing friendship between the two peoples, as well as the inevitable choice for the two countries to pursue development together, he said.
In recent years under joint planning of the two leaders, Xi said, the China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future has become more substantial and richer in content, with tangible and people-centered outcomes continuously emerging, effectively enhancing the sense of fulfillment among the two peoples.
China has always viewed and developed its relationship with Kazakhstan from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is willing to work together with Kazakhstan to unswervingly consolidate the friendship between the two countries, he said.
Xi emphasized that both China and Kazakhstan are at crucial stages of their respective development and revitalization, and the two countries should work together to advance comprehensive cooperation.
First, high-level strategic mutual trust should guide the development of bilateral relations, Xi said, urging both countries to continue to support each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns, to promote synergy of their development strategies, to be strong supporters of each other amid the turbulent international situation, and to be helpful partners in their respective development and revitalization.
Second, he said, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation should be used to improve bilateral cooperation. Efforts should be made to consolidate strengths of traditional cooperation in trade, investment and energy, advance the construction of cross-border railway projects and the upgrading of port infrastructure, promote connectivity, high-tech cooperation as well as green and sustainable development, Xi said.
Third, he said, comprehensive security cooperation should be carried out to safeguard peace and stability of the two countries. This includes expanding law enforcement and defense exchanges, jointly combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, and deepening cooperation in emergency management as well as disaster prevention and mitigation, Xi said.
Fourth, Xi noted, diversified people-to-people exchanges should be carried out to solidify the foundation of China-Kazakhstan friendship. He also called for organizing well the China tourism year in Kazakhstan and encouraging more exchanges among youth, media and think tanks as well as at the local level.
Xi pointed out that in the face of the international situation intertwined with changes and chaos, China and Kazakhstan should firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, practice true multilateralism, and resolutely safeguard the common interests of developing countries.
China commends Kazakhstan for the extensive preparatory work it has done for the second China-Central Asia Summit, and believes that this meeting will write a new chapter in cooperation between China and Central Asia, Xi said.
Meanwhile, as the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), China is willing to work with all member states to take this year’s Tianjin summit as an opportunity to strengthen the organization and demonstrate new development, new breakthroughs and new looks.
For his part, Tokayev said that China is a friendly neighbor, close friend and reliable partner of Kazakhstan.
The Kazakhstan-China permanent comprehensive strategic partnership is entering a new golden age, driving the sustainable economic and social development of both countries, benefiting the two peoples, and serving as a model of relations between countries, he said.
Noting that Kazakhstan and China share a strong political will to enhance cooperation, Tokayev said the two countries have always supported each other on issues concerning their core interests, such as sovereignty and security, regardless of changes in the international landscape.
Under the wise leadership of President Xi, great achievements have been made in the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, he said.
Kazakhstan is sincerely glad for these achievements and firmly believes that China will continue to achieve greater development accomplishments, Tokayev said, adding that Kazakhstan is willing to deepen strategic mutual trust and all-round mutually beneficial cooperation with China and elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
The two sides should jointly advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expand cooperation in fields such as trade, investment, industry, agriculture, energy and transportation, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges in culture, education, sports and tourism, he added.
The Kazakh side highly appreciates and actively supports China’s commitment and efforts to safeguard international fairness and justice, and is ready to continue close cooperation and mutual support with China within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the SCO, BRICS, the China-Central Asia mechanism, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, so as to push forward the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.
Following the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the exchange of more than 10 bilateral cooperation documents covering areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, customs, tourism, and media.
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SINGAPORE (June 12, 2025) Capt. John-Paul Tamez, left, Deputy Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF 73), presents the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal to Lt. Michael Sanza, assigned to COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF 73, during an awards ceremony on Sembawang Naval Installation, June 12, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional Allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China-Central Asia Summit to draw new blueprint for future cooperation: spokesperson
BEIJING, June 16 — At the upcoming Second China-Central Asia Summit to be held later this week, heads of state will jointly draw a new blueprint for future cooperation, open up new space for Belt and Road cooperation and build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here Monday.
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a press briefing when answering a related query.
Noting Central Asia is not only the place where the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first proposed, but also a pace-setter in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Guo said that all five Central Asian countries have signed BRI cooperation documents with China, and China and Central Asian countries have implemented a series of signature projects designed to boost development and make lives better for the people.
Trade between China and Central Asian countries hit a record high of 674.15 billion yuan in 2024, up by 116 percent compared with that of 2013. Guo said that all sides have found a new model of mutually beneficial cooperation through the China-Kazakhstan Crude Oil Pipeline project and the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline project. The China-Tajikistan highway, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway have taken regional connectivity to new levels, and practical cooperation is expanded to digital economy and green transition.
“China has mutual visa exemption with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Luban Workshops project is picking up speed. People-to-people and cultural exchanges have moved onto the fast lane and brought our peoples close to each other,” Guo said, pointing out that high-quality Belt and Road cooperation is increasingly becoming a key focus of China-Central Asia cooperation.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 16 — China will roll out its departure tax refund policy in Dalian, a coastal city in northeast China, and in Hubei Province in central China from July 1, the Ministry of Finance said on Monday.
The policy allows overseas tourists to claim back value-added tax on eligible purchases made at designated tax refund stores before leaving China. Eligible regions can adopt the policy after filing with relevant government organs.
China began implementing the departure tax refund policy for overseas travelers in 2015. Since then, the scale of departure tax refunds has grown year by year, benefiting an increasing number of overseas travelers.
On April 27 this year, the country introduced a package of measures to optimize the policy, including measures lowering the minimum purchase threshold for refunds, raising the cash refund ceiling, expanding the network of participating stores, and broadening the range of products covered.
The country is also promoting a refund-upon-purchase service model, allowing eligible tourists to receive tax refunds instantly at retail outlets rather than waiting until they leave the country.
Official data shows that between April 27 and May 26, the number of departure tax refund transactions processed by the country’s tax authorities jumped 116 percent year on year, and sales at tax refund stores climbed 56 percent.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The Group of Seven (G7) leaders met for the first day of the two-day summit in Kananaskis in the province of Alberta, Canada, on Monday with emerging disagreements.
According to CNN, U.S. President Donald Trump does not intend to sign a joint statement calling for de-escalation between Israel and Iran.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa held a press conference Sunday night saying that Israel has a right to defend itself and that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were also hoping to finalize a consensus among the leaders about the Middle East situation.
Trump’s decision not to sign on to the statement set up an immediate divide with his counterparts, said the report, although a senior Canadian official said that European leaders are still engaged in the hopes of reaching a consensus.
In the meantime, trade issues are to dominate discussions with Trump, and observers are watching to see whether he will soften his position.
After meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump was asked what is holding up a trade-security deal with Canada, and he replied that it’s not a matter of it being held up, but rather “different concepts.”
“I have a tariff concept and Mark has a different concept,” Trump said. “We will see if we can get to the bottom of it today.”
“I think Mark has a more complex idea, but also very good. We are going to look at both and we’ll see what we will come out with,” said Trump.
Trump also said it was a mistake to boot Russia from the G8 table, making it the current G7 and that there wouldn’t be war in Ukraine if Russia hadn’t been ejected.
The G7 summit unveiled its slimmed-down agenda on Sunday, prioritizing discussions on the global economy and energy security.
Originally scheduled to begin over the weekend, the summit has been shortened to two days and officially started on Monday.
The G7 is an informal bloc comprising seven of the world’s advanced economies — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, and the United States — along with the European Union.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled on Monday that Israel will not halt its offensive against Iran, not even for negotiations, saying that toppling Iran’s leadership “could certainly be the outcome” of the ongoing aerial warfare.
Netanyahu made the remarks during a press conference, as Iran called on U.S. President Donald Trump to push for a ceasefire in the aerial conflict that began with Israel’s surprise attack on Friday.
“If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential,” Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on the social media platform X.
“Israel must halt its aggression… It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu. That may pave the way for a return to diplomacy,” Araghchi wrote.
In response, Netanyahu said Israel has no intention of stopping the campaign, declaring that the country is on the “path to victory.”
Asked whether Israel would agree to stop the war, Netanyahu replied, “We gave it a chance — 60 days while they held talks with the Americans.”
He said Israel would not end its attacks before achieving three objectives: eliminating Iran’s nuclear program, its ballistic missile arsenal, and what he described as “the terror axis” formed by Iran and its regional allies.
Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes across Iran since Friday, damaging military targets and residential areas. At least 244 people have been killed and 1,277 injured, over 90 percent of them civilians, according to Iran’s Health Ministry.
Netanyahu said Israel inflicted “very heavy damage” on Iran’s main nuclear facility in Natanz, a claim that has not been verified by Iranian sources. Additional strikes targeted centrifuge and uranium enrichment facilities, as well as missile stockpiles and launchers. He claimed Iran had “thousands” of explosive drones and that half were destroyed in the strikes.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Manchester City have arrived in the United States for the Club World Cup with four new signings: Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. But it is attacking midfielder Cherki who is drawing the most attention ahead of Wednesday’s opening match against Morocco’s Wydad AC.
While Cherki’s comments have endeared him to City fans, they are unlikely to be welcomed by rivals Manchester United.
The Frenchman was part of the Olympique Lyon side that collapsed at Old Trafford in the Europa League quarterfinals, conceding three goals in injury time to lose 5-4 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate, after having held a 6-4 lead.
Cherki scored in both legs and admitted both his frustration at the defeat and his desire for revenge.
“I didn’t like it when Manchester United won the game against Lyon because I am from Lyon. Now I am waiting for the game to kill them,” he said, in remarks likely to raise eyebrows in Manchester.
The 20-year-old added that he wants “to win every game,” and highlighted the opportunity to work with Pep Guardiola as a key reason for his move.
Seen by some as a potential successor to Kevin De Bruyne – who joined Napoli on a free transfer – Cherki made clear that he respects the Belgian star.
“I’m not Kevin De Bruyne, he is the legend… I’m here to help the team and to write my own story.”
“The system, the club, the city is very good. I want to win and I think Manchester City wants to win it all,” he added.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen has climbed to a career-high world No. 4 in the latest WTA rankings.
The 22-year-old’s rise was fueled by a strong showing at the Queen’s Club Championships last week, a key grass-court warm-up event ahead of Wimbledon.
Zheng Qinwen of China returns the ball during the women’s singles first round match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 28, 2023. (Photo by Julien Mattia/Xinhua)
Zheng, the reigning Olympic champion, reached the semifinals on grass for the first time in her career, highlighted by a 6-2, 6-4 win over home favorite Emma Raducanu.
The achievement builds on her momentum from earlier this month at the French Open, where Zheng reached the quarterfinals for the first time with a 7-6 (5), 1-6, 6-3 victory over Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Sweden’s Armand Duplantis set his 12th pole vault world record on home soil, clearing 6.28 meters to win the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm on Sunday.
The 25-year-old began the competition at 5.60m, then cleared 5.80m, 5.90m, and 6.00m – all on his first attempts – to secure the title. He then raised the bar to 6.28m, one centimeter higher than his previous world record set in February, and once again soared over it on his first try.
It marked the first time Duplantis has broken the world record in his home stadium.
“I’m just going to enjoy this, enjoy the moment right now. There’s not much between me and 6.30m, technically. I’m just a perfect day away from it,” he said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone refused to blame the scorching temperatures at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl for his side’s heavy 4-0 loss to Paris Saint Germain in their Club World Cup opener on Sunday.
Atletico was outplayed for most of the game, with Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha giving PSG a 2-0 lead at halftime. Late goals from Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-in sealed the win, while Atletico finished with 10 men following Clement Lenglet’s red card.
“The first half, we didn’t play as we should have,” admitted Simeone, who acknowledged the team improved after the break, but noted that “Lenglet’s sending off made things more complicated.”
“They (PSG) have a very young team, and they rounded it off in a great way,” said the Atletico coach. He dismissed suggestions that the 30-plus degree heat was a factor.
“It’s the same heat in August (in Spain), so I don’t blame that, and it was hot for both sides,” he said, while praising PSG for their quality.
“They played better than us, they play a team game with very young players and wingers who can change a game … they won the Champions League, the League, the Cup,” said Simeone, who admitted Atletico must now “get good results” in upcoming matches against Seattle Sounders and Botafogo.
Botafogo moved into second place in the group later in the day with a narrow 2-1 win over Seattle, who tested the Brazilian side throughout the match.
