Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China-Africa economic, trade bonds growing with vibrancy
Economic ties between China and Africa have been growing vibrantly across sectors, with China’s zero-tariff policy massively facilitating Africa’s trade. As African people say, “let’s do business” is what the Chinese model is.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
New Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has named a 34-player squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Alonso has included several players recovering from injury, such as Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rudiger and Eduardo Camavinga.
Kylian Mbappe (R) of Real Madrid vies with Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off second leg football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 19, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
The former Bayer Leverkusen manager has also called up new signings Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, along with 10 players from the club’s B-team.
Real Madrid also announced that Alexander-Arnold will be officially presented to the press on Thursday at the club’s Valdebebas training ground.
The team is set to fly to the U.S. on Thursday. Real Madrid opens the tournament against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal on June 18 in Miami, followed by matches against Mexico’s Pachuca on June 22 and Austria’s RB Salzburg on June 27.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Fran Gonzalez, Sergio Mestre.
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Garcia, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, Dean Huijsen, Youssef, Jacobo, Raul Asencio, Fortea, Diego Aguado.
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Dani Ceballos, Chema, Victor Munoz, Mario Martin.
Forwards: Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim Diaz, Gonzalo.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
At a bustling restaurant in Tianjin’s Xiqing District, signs reading “Save Food” catch the eye. After lunch with her family, a woman surnamed Wang carefully packs up a half-eaten bowl of congee to take home.
“I want my child to learn the value of food from an early age,” she said, tucking the container into her bag, a small act echoing a nationwide push to reduce food waste.
From public awareness campaigns to industry overhauls, China is undergoing a green transformation in how it grows, prepares and consumes food.
Restaurant manager Guo Ke said the nationwide “Clear Your Plate” campaign has led to tangible change in diners’ behavior, while the food service industry is also improving its practices.
“We follow a purchase-on-demand model to avoid overstocking ingredients,” Guo said. “Scientific management in storage and food preparation helps us make the most of every item.”
The restaurant also offers half-size and small portions to encourage customers to order more reasonably, he added.
At the policy level, China has passed a landmark anti-food waste law, forming a robust legal framework to tackle waste from farm to chopsticks. Under the law, catering service providers are required to remind customers to avoid excessive ordering and can charge a disposal fee for large amounts of leftovers.
Additionally, a food security law, implemented in 2023, includes provisions to promote grain conservation, reinforcing the legal foundation for nationwide efforts against waste.
Authorities have also introduced national standards, such as the credit rating evaluation standard for the restaurant industry and the general principles for food waste reduction management in catering services.
“China now boasts one of the world’s most comprehensive anti-food waste systems,” said Wu Bo, associate professor at Tianjin University of Finance and Economics.
Under policy guidance, cities across the country are embracing the shift.
In Beijing, “food banks” have been piloted to give a second life to near-expiry groceries by redistributing them to communities in need. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, the “Clear Your Plate” campaign has taken root in the restaurant industry, helping slash kitchen waste by nearly 50 percent.
By the end of last year, Shanghai had certified 2,950 “green restaurants,” where food safety, low-carbon practices and ethical business standards are taken into consideration.
Beyond the “Clear Your Plate” campaign, efforts to curb food waste now stretch across the entire supply chain, from smarter farming to greener logistics.
At a modern agricultural farm in Tianjin, drones and transplanters work in sync with satellite data to manage rice fields more efficiently, where less grain is wasted during the production.
“A six-person team can manage over 1,300 hectares of rice fields, with yields improving year after year thanks to tailored, eco-friendly solutions,” said Dai Renqiang, farm manager.
Yet, on a macro level, challenges still remain. Data from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, shows 8 percent of China’s grain is lost in the process from production and harvesting to storage, transport and consumption.
To address such issues, China launched a national action plan in late 2024 to build a long-term mechanism for food saving. The plan aims to keep grain production, storage, transport and processing loss rates below the international average by 2027.
“Going beyond simple conservation, China’s green dining transformation reflects a deeper commitment to sustainability — and a vision for safeguarding the future of food and society,” Wu Bo believed.
Source: Panasonic
Headline: Panasonic develops a cooling water circulation pump for data centers – Promoting the strategic enhancement of the pump business
Osaka, Japan, June 12, 2025 – Panasonic Corporation (https://www.panasonic.com/global/home.html) today announced that its Living Appliances and Solutions Company (Panasonic) has marked the 70th anniversary of its pump business. The company’s pump business, which began with home pumps (well pumps) that supply water to homes, has consistently contributed to the realization of comfortable and affluent lifestyles through built-in pumps for water heaters, heating appliances, and bathroom equipment. This time, Panasonic will enter the cooling pump market for data centers, aiming to expand its business areas and contribute to customers.
In recent years, with the evolution of AI technology, the number of data centers has been increasing globally. In generative AI data centers, the heat generated per CPU or GPU chip is rapidly increasing due to advanced computational processes. Previously, air cooling using air conditioners and fans was the mainstream method. However, growing demand for more effective and efficient cooling has brought increased attention to liquid cooling, which has high cooling efficiency.
Panasonic has developed a next-generation cooling water circulation pump specifically for data center cooling, integrating its proprietary technology and system design capabilities refined over 70 years of its pump business. This product is designed for integration into CDUs (Coolant Distribution Units), the core components of cooling systems, and offers high efficiency, a compact form, and long service life. It meets the cooling needs of next-generation infrastructure by simultaneously reducing environmental impact and ensuring stable operation.
Starting with its entry into the data center market, Panasonic will contribute to cooling solutions for infrastructure-related heat countermeasures to expand its pump business, aiming for cumulative shipments of 100 million units by 2035. The company will continue to contribute to safe and comfortable lifestyles and industrial development through reliable technology, while earnestly responding to environmental changes and customer feedback.
New product features
1. High performance
By fully utilizing advanced simulation technologies, such as magnetic field analysis, fluid dynamics analysis, and flow analysis, Panasonic has achieved a 75% improvement in pump performance (from 40 to 70 L/min) while maintaining the same size as conventional pumps. This product contributes to improved energy efficiency across entire data center systems and simplifies cooling system design.
2. Compactness
A compact housing has been achieved by leveraging the company’s design expertise, honed through the development of built-in pumps for equipment. This feature enabled the circulation pump to be housed within CDUs that have limited space. The compact housing offers layout flexibility, significantly increasing the design freedom of CDUs.
3. Long life
The adoption of submersible sliding bearings and optimized structural design ensures long-term stable operation and reduces maintenance workload. This feature supports high reliability and cost optimization in data center operations.
Panasonic pump business – 70 years of progress
Panasonic’s pump business began with the launch of home pumps (well pumps) in 1955.
In 1980, the company began developing and selling built-in AC pumps for water heaters, contributing to enhanced product value (reheating function) provided by them. Since then, the company has been developing products that simultaneously deliver energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, including built-in DC pumps for equipment. In 2025, the pump business has marked its 70th anniversary, with cumulative shipments exceeding 53 million units.
The range of appliances incorporating these pumps extends beyond the company’s own products. Manufacturers in Japan and abroad have also adopted Panasonic pumps in their combustion-type water heaters and heating appliances as well as air-to-water heat pumps. Additionally, the new pump has been adopted in cooling equipment for data centers in the current fiscal year. Panasonic pumps are distributed globally from its Hikone Factory in Shiga Prefecture through customers’ equipment, contributing to comfortable lifestyles around the world.
Media Contact:
Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Panasonic CorporationPublic Relations, Corporate Policy Department, Corporate Planning CenterEmail: las-pr@gg.jp.panasonic.com
About Panasonic Corporation
Panasonic Corporation offers products and services for a variety of living environments, ranging from homes to stores to offices and cities. There are five businesses at the core of Panasonic Corporation: Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Heating & Ventilation A/C Company, Cold Chain Solutions Company, Electric Works Company and China and Northeast Asia Company. The operating company reported consolidated net sales of 3,584.2 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2025. Panasonic Corporation is committed to fulfilling the mission of Life Tech & Ideas: For the wellbeing of people, society and the planet, and embraces the vision of becoming the best partner of your life with human-centric technology and innovation. Learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global/about.html
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Indian benchmark indices opened on a flat note on Thursday as investors remained cautious ahead of key retail inflation data. Early trade witnessed selling pressure in the auto, IT, and PSU Bank sectors.
As of 9:28 a.m., the Sensex was trading 69.22 points, or 0.08 per cent higher, at 82,584.36, while the Nifty rose 23.65 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 25,165.05.
The Nifty Bank index was up 98.65 points, or 0.17 per cent, at 56,558.40. Meanwhile, the Nifty Midcap 100 was trading at 59,267.75, down 120.40 points or 0.20 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 stood at 18,772.35, having declined by 26.40 points or 0.14 per cent.
According to analysts, although the Nifty closed higher in the previous session, it retreated from its intra-day high. Technically, the candle formed was a doji with a slightly extended upper shadow, following the ‘upside-gap two crows’ pattern. Analysts suggest that the bulls now have the responsibility to defend the 25,029 level in the near term.
“If bears manage to push the index below the 24,987–25,029 zone, a test of the 24,800–24,863 range becomes highly probable,” said Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities.
Among Sensex constituents, Asian Paints, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Finserv, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, NTPC, and HDFC Bank emerged as the top gainers. In contrast, Infosys, Eternal, Tata Motors, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, Tata Steel, and IndusInd Bank were among the top losers.
In Asian markets, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Japan were trading in the red, while Seoul and China saw gains.
In the previous trading session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed marginally lower at 42,865.77, down 1.10 points, or 0.00 per cent. The S&P 500 fell 16.57 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 6,022.24, while the Nasdaq dropped 99.11 points, or 0.50 per cent, to close at 19,615.88.
Experts suggest the market’s recent flat trend is likely to persist in the near term due to a lack of clear positive triggers.
“There are reports of a potential agreement between the US and China, but no official confirmation has come from the Chinese side,” noted analysts.
“Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to send letters to trade partners within the next two weeks, outlining universal tariffs. Market participants are waiting for more clarity, as the tariff crisis is far from resolved,” said Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.
On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers, offloading equities worth ₹446.31 crore on June 11. Meanwhile, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers, purchasing equities worth ₹1,584.87 crore.
— IANS
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Australia‘s Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday he was confident the AUKUS submarine pact with the U.S. and Britain would proceed, and his government would work closely with the U.S. while the Trump administration conducted a formal review.
Australia in 2023 committed to spend A$368 billion ($239 billion) over three decades on AUKUS, the country’s biggest ever defence project with the United States and Britain, to acquire and build nuclear-powered submarines.
A Pentagon official said the administration was reviewing AUKUS to ensure it was “aligned with the President’s America First agenda”, on the eve of expected talks between President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
In an Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio interview, Marles said AUKUS was in the strategic interests of all three countries and the new review of the deal signed in 2021 when Joe Biden was the U.S. president was not a surprise.
“I am very confident this is going to happen,” he said of AUKUS, which would give Australia nuclear-powered submarines.
“This is a multi-decade plan. There will be governments that come and go and I think whenever we see a new government, a review of this kind is going to be something which will be undertaken,” Marles told the ABC.
Albanese is expected to meet Trump for the first time next week on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Canada, where the security allies will discuss a request from Washington for Australia to increase defence spending from 2% to 3.5% of gross domestic product.
Albanese has said defence spending would rise to 2.3% and has declined to commit to the U.S. target.
The opposition Liberal party on Thursday pressed Albanese to increase defence spending.
Under AUKUS, Australia was scheduled to make a $2 billion payment in 2025 to the U.S. to help boost its submarine shipyards and speed up lagging production rates of Virginia-class submarines to allow the sale of up to three U.S. submarines to Australia from 2032.
The first $500 million payment was made when Marles met with his U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth in February.
US NOT MEETING PRODUCTION TARGETS
The Pentagon’s top policy adviser Elbridge Colby, who has previously expressed concern the U.S. would lose submarines to Australia at a critical time for military deterrence against China, will be a key figure in the review, examining the production rate of Virginia-class submarines, Marles said.
“It is important that those production and sustainment rates are improved,” he added.
AUKUS would grow the U.S. and Australian defence industries and generate thousands of manufacturing jobs, Marles said in a statement.
John Lee, an Australian Indo-Pacific expert at Washington’s conservative Hudson Institute think tank, said the Pentagon review was “primarily an audit of American capability” and whether it can afford to sell up to five nuclear powered submarines when it was not meeting its own production targets.
“Relatedly, the low Australian defence spending and ambiguity as to how it might contribute to a Taiwan contingency is also a factor,” Lee said.
John Hamre, the president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and a former senior Pentagon official, told a Lowy Institute seminar in Sydney on Thursday there is a perception in Washington “the Albanese government has been supportive of AUKUS but not really leaning in on AUKUS“, and defence spending is part of this.
Under the multi-stage pact, four U.S. commanded Virginia submarines will be hosted at a Western Australian navy base on the Indian Ocean from 2027, which a senior U.S. Navy commander told Congress in April gives the U.S. a “straight shot to the South China Sea”.
Albanese wants to buy three Virginia submarines from 2032 to bring its submarine force under Australian command.
Britain and Australia will jointly build a new AUKUS-class submarine expected to come into service from 2040. Following a recent defence review, Britain said it would boost spending on its attack submarine fleet under AUKUS.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who struck the AUKUS deal with Biden, said on Thursday Australia should “make the case again” for the treaty.
AUKUS would build more submarines across the three partners and was “fundamentally about strengthening collective deterrence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific against potential adversaries”, he wrote on LinkedIn.
(Reuters)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 today (June 12):
Alfred (President of the Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation, Mr Alfred Leung), Vice President Wang (Vice President of the Research Institute of Highway of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China Mr Wang Shuiyin), Tony (Director of Highways, Mr Tony Yau), distinguished guests and speakers, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is a great pleasure to join you today at the inaugural International Conference on Roads and Railways – a timely and important gathering that brings together a distinguished community of policymakers, engineers, academics and industry leaders to explore the future of connectivity and sustainable mobility.
To our guests from the Mainland and overseas, a very warm welcome to Hong Kong.
The future of roads and railways
Roads and railways have long been the backbone of economic growth and social advancement. They are more than just physical infrastructure; they are public goods that connect people, expand opportunities, foster mutual understanding, and enable more inclusive development.
In an era of rapid technological advancement and growing climate urgency, we are called not only to build infrastructure, but to build it smarter and greener. Transportation systems must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in ways that align with the sustainable development goals and meet the needs of future generations.
Around the world, the momentum towards smart and sustainable mobility is accelerating. Emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, to automation and digital twin systems, are transforming how we plan and manage transport infrastructure. These innovations are helping us optimise construction engineering, enable real-time traffic management, and apply AI-powered predictive maintenance that cuts costs, reduces downtime and enhances safety.
In short, we are seeing a profound shift from traditional infrastructure to intelligent assets that adapt, learn and improve over time.
At the same time, the global push for decarbonisation is reshaping the transport landscape, calling for action on multiple fronts such as using low-carbon materials in construction; designing infrastructure to support green logistics; and investing in EV charging networks as critical enablers of clean transport. It also means leveraging smart technologies, such as optimising energy consumption through AI, sensor-based monitoring, modular construction, and more, to reduce emissions across the life cycle of transport assets.
Green infrastructure, once a goal, is now a necessity.
A key strategy in this transition is transit-oriented development, or TOD, which is a planning approach that integrates high-density urban development with efficient public transport systems. It clusters housing, commercial services and amenities around transit hubs, reducing reliance on private vehicles and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Studies show that well-executed TOD can reduce urban carbon emissions by up to 25 per cent, while also enhancing liveability, walkability and economic vitality. In essence, TOD is about building communities that are compact, connected and carbon-conscious.
Hong Kong’s experience
So where does Hong Kong stand in all these – and how can we contribute? I believe there are several areas that Hong Kong can share experience with our peers.
First, technological expertise and professional excellence. Hong Kong’s pathway in transport infrastructure is built on advanced engineering know-how, precision planning, and a commitment to innovation. Mable, our Secretary for Transport and Logistics, will soon provide a detailed account of how we are taking the projects forwards and how we are applying advanced technologies. But allow me to highlight a few unique features of our experience.
Hong Kong is a compact and high-density city, where land is scarce and infrastructure must coexist with tight urban spaces. This has made us a pioneer in TOD, with railways serving as the backbone of urban development. Our railway-led planning integrates transport, housing and commercial uses to create seamlessly connected and lower-emission communities.
A good example is the Northern Metropolis, envisioned as a major innovation and technology hub. With a projected population of 2.5 million and over 650 000 new jobs, its development will be “infrastructure-led” and “capacity-creating” – with key projects such as the Northern Metropolis Highway and the Northern Link driving connectivity and growth in the region.
Given our dense built environment, careful planning and community engagement are essential to avoid undue disruption. While this can be time-consuming, it reminds us of the need to build infrastructure that is responsive to public aspirations and socially inclusive.
Cross-boundary land transport infrastructure is a defining characteristic of Hong Kong. We have nine land boundary control points. From the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to the High Speed Rail, we have experience in integrating different engineering standards, operational models and even legal frameworks. A good example is the co-location of Mainland’s and Hong Kong’s customs, immigration and quarantine facilities at the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. These projects require a high degree of agility, co-ordination with our counterparts and innovation.
Second, smart and green innovation. Hong Kong is committed to making our transport systems smarter and greener, both as an innovator of new technologies and a user of cutting-edge solutions.
On the innovation side, we are investing heavily in four key technology areas: AI and robotics, biotech, fintech, and new energy and materials. Our goal is to become an international innovation and technology hub, with AI at its core.
We already have a vibrant ecosystem of some 4 700 start-ups. In addition, we have been making good progress in attracting strategic enterprises to establish their presence, including R&D centres, here in Hong Kong. These include companies engaged in EVs, autonomous driving, smart traffic management and green materials, many of which are eager to seek global partners to expand their applications.
On the application side, our high-density urban environment demands the use of advanced technologies to maintain efficiency and reliability of the transportation system. The opportunities in this space are vast, and we warmly welcome tech innovators from around the world to share solutions, co-create new applications, and shape the future of mobility together.
Finally, financing the future. Hong Kong’s role as an international financial centre gives us a unique and powerful lever to support infrastructure development globally.
With a full suite of funding options, Hong Kong is where infrastructure projects from around the world can raise funds. This is particularly relevant for green, low-carbon infrastructure projects. We are Asia’s leading green bond market, accounting for nearly half of the region’s total issuance.
And we are also pioneering innovative financing models to unlock capital for infrastructure development. One such example is securitisation of infrastructure loans, a mechanism that transforms mature, revenue-generating brownfield assets into investment products, thereby freeing up capital for new greenfield projects. To date, Hong Kong has issued two such tranches, totalling US$800 million, supporting over 50 projects across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
In regions where infrastructure funding gap remains urgent and significant – particularly in the Global South – Hong Kong offers practical and scalable ways to accelerate the delivery of essential and sustainable transport networks.
Concluding remarks
Ladies and gentlemen, to conclude, I believe the path to smarter and greener mobility is full of potential – and it is through collaboration, innovation and shared commitment that we will realise it.
On this note, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Highways Department, and the Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation for organising this meaningful conference.
I wish the conference every success, and I look forward to the ideas and partnerships that will emerge from these three exciting days. Thank you very much.
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 12 (Xinhua) — South China’s Hainan Province raised its flood and typhoon alert level to III from IV at 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday.
Typhoon Witip’s epicenter was located about 270 kilometers southeast of Sanya at 6 p.m. Wednesday, with winds of up to 18 meters per second and atmospheric pressure at the epicenter of 993 hectopascals, according to the provincial meteorological office.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hainan was placed on typhoon alert level four after a tropical depression over the South China Sea strengthened into its first typhoon this year in the morning.
Strong winds and rainfall have already affected Sansha City, China’s southernmost city, as a maximum of 108.6 mm of rainfall was recorded there between 8:00 a.m. Tuesday and 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, with wind gusts of up to 18.7 meters per second.
Meteorologists predict that Vitip will move west at about 10 km per hour, gradually gaining strength as it approaches the southern coast of Hainan Island. It is expected to make landfall in the area on Friday.
At present, all marine cargo terminals in Sanya have stopped operations and all marine engineering projects have been suspended. According to the city’s Maritime Affairs Bureau, a total of 1,205 people on 11 offshore platforms have been evacuated to safe areas.
Let us recall that China has adopted a four-level emergency response system for flood-related emergencies, where level 1 is the highest.
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
TIANJIN, June 12 (Xinhua) — A signing ceremony for the leasing of the 1,000th ship was held at the Dongjiang Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in north China’s Tianjin City on Wednesday.
As the largest ship financing and leasing center in mainland China, Dongjiang FTZ has officially joined the world’s leasing centers with 1,000 ships under management.
The milestone leased vessel is a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility built in Singapore. The total investment in the project was nearly US$1.8 billion, including about US$1.2 billion in lease financing.
According to Shi Jinfeng, an official with the Dongjiang FTZ administration, the deal marks another milestone in the development of offshore ship leasing in Dongjiang and is the largest cross-border syndicated leasing project in mainland China in terms of both funding volume and number of participants.
Specializing in the leasing industry, Dongjiang FTZ serves over 90 percent of the cross-border leasing transactions of ships and marine engineering equipment in mainland China.
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 12 (Xinhua) — Among the 13.35 million Chinese applicants who took this year’s gaokao, the nationwide college entrance examination, more than 14,000 people with disabilities received the help they needed to realize their dreams of higher education.
This year, China’s Gaokao was held from June 7 to 10. A total of 16 visually impaired examinees in 12 provincial-level administrative units used special examination materials printed in Braille in special rooms with extended time allotted for completing the tasks. All visually impaired examinees were allowed to bring Braille pens, tablets, drawing tools, and other assistive devices.
As for examinees with hearing impairments, they were exempted from listening questions in foreign language tests and were allowed to wear hearing aids, cochlear implants and other hearing devices.
Disabled examinees were guaranteed access to wheelchairs and mobility aids in examination rooms. Applicants who had difficulty writing papers due to upper limb impairments or loss were given 30 percent more time than other examinees.
According to official statistics, in 2025, the number of disabled people in the country who passed the gaokao exams using preferential assistance measures was 140 times more than in 2012. Now, this practice has become more regular and institutionalized. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A construction worker works at a temporary settlement site in Chuimatan Town of Jishishan, northwest China’s Gansu province, Dec. 27, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
China will intensify efforts to optimize its social insurance systems, assist low-income groups and ensure the public has fairer, more balanced and accessible social services in education, medical care, as well as elderly and child care, according to a new guideline.
The general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, China’s Cabinet, jointly released the guideline on Monday. The guideline emphasizes securing and improving people’s livelihoods by addressing pressing issues such as education, social insurance, health care, and care services for children and the elderly.
“China has achieved some historic improvements in people’s livelihoods in the new era,” Xiao Weiming, deputy secretary-general of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday. “So far, we have established the world’s largest social insurance system, with about 1.07 billion people covered by basic pension insurance and 1.32 billion by basic medical insurance. Last year, the average schooling years of new labor force entrants exceeded 14 years, and the average life expectancy reached 79 years.”
Xiao said policies that promote more balanced public services and inclusive benefits are urgently needed to advance Chinese modernization and address challenges including an aging population, a low birthrate and disparities in public services.
The new guideline outlines specific measures to tackle these challenges, including improving incomes for rural residents, refining social insurance payment systems and increasing the number of nursing care beds in elderly care homes.
For example, flexible workers, migrant workers and those in new forms of employment such as food delivery drivers and ride-hailing drivers will be able to join social insurance programs without restrictions tied to the hukou, or household registration system.
Regarding elderly and child care services, the guideline calls for nursing homes to enhance their ability to care for elderly residents who have lost basic living abilities and to expand nursing care bed availability. Newly established nursing homes should have nursing care beds making up more than 80 percent of their total bed capacity.
The guideline also states that within about 10 years, child care services should be available in over 80 percent of residential communities in major cities.
Zhang Wei, an official from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, said at the news conference that the guideline underscores the importance of strengthening assistance to low-income groups to ensure they share in the results of social reform and development.
He said the ministry will work to improve the social assistance system, enhance efforts to identify individuals and families with low incomes and push for laws and regulations on social assistance to offer legal protection for low-income groups.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Non-essential U.S. embassy staff and their dependents have been ordered to leave Iraq due to unspecified security risks, sources from the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday.
“Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our mission in Iraq,” the State Department said in a statement.
“We are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies,” it added.
Aslo on Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the voluntary departure of U.S. military dependents from the Middle East.
The security risks leading to the ordered departure from Iraq are not immediately clear. According to media reports, Iran recently threatened to strike U.S. bases in the region if negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program fail.
U.S. President Donald Trump told a podcast on Wednesday that he was growing less confident in reaching a nuclear deal with Iran.
“I don’t know,” Trump told the “Pod Force One” podcast when asked about talks over the Iran nuclear program. “I don’t know. I did think so, and I’m getting more and more – less confident about it.”
Later on Wednesday, when asked why families of U.S. military personnel were authorized to leave the Middle East, Trump said: “You will have to see.”
White House special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi this weekend for a sixth round of nuclear talks.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
American trio Emma Navarro, Amanda Anisimova and Madison Keys all advanced in the women’s singles round of 16 at the Queen’s Club Championships on Wednesday.
Third seed Navarro came from a set down to defeat Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-4.
The world No. 10 struggled to find her rhythm in the opening set and faced a match point in the grueling second, but the former Wimbledon quarterfinalist gradually raised her level and sealed the win in 2 hours and 47 minutes.
Navarro will face fellow American Anisimova in the quarterfinals after the world No. 15 outplayed British wild card Sonay Kartal 6-1, 6-3.
Australian Open champion Keys overcame a shaky start to defeat Russian qualifier Anastasia Zakharova 6-3, 6-2.
Keys admitted she had trouble early on. “Once I did, I feel like I played really well,” the second seed said during her on-court interview.
Meanwhile, sixth seed Karolina Muchova was knocked out of the WTA 500 event in west London by German qualifier Tatjana Maria, 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-1.
China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen will face American McCartney Kessler in the second round on Thursday.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
As part of its broader strategy to ensure high-quality and sufficient employment, China is combining fiscal support, targeted incentives and the rise of emerging industries to drive employment growth.
Recent official data indicate that China’s job market remains broadly stable. The surveyed urban unemployment rate edged down to 5.1 percent in April from 5.2 percent in March, maintaining an average of 5.2 percent in the first four months of 2025.
Fu Linghui, spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics, credited this steady trend to the country’s improving industrial performance and expanding new growth drivers, along with strengthened assistance for key labor groups.
Recognizing employment as a strategic priority, China’s leadership reaffirmed job stability as a top policy goal at a tone-setting meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee held in April 2025.
As part of these coordinated efforts, multiple government authorities on the same day jointly unveiled measures in a circular aimed at bolstering employment among 2025 college graduates and young jobseekers.
“College graduates and other youths are valuable human resources,” the circular stated, urging maximum efforts to support their employment.
Organizations that employ 2025 graduates, graduates unemployed within the first two years after leaving school or registered unemployed youth aged 16-24, are eligible for a one-off job expansion subsidy, according to the circular. This policy will be in effect until Dec. 31, 2025.
Complementing these youth-focused measures, authorities have extended broader financial support to companies aiming to preserve existing jobs. Key unemployment insurance relief policies, which help companies retain employees and support workers in upgrading their skills, have been extended through the end of 2025.
These supportive policies coincide with robust demand growth in China’s high-tech industries. Notably, industry data highlight significant increases in recruitment activity in fields like industrial automation and digital technologies in the first quarter of 2025.
Data from Zhaopin.com show that vacancies for mechanical and automation engineers in the industrial automation sector had jumped by 40 percent and 10 percent in this period, respectively, while those requiring algorithm engineers and machine learning specialists rose by 44 percent and 18 percent, respectively, reflecting the increasing role of technology-driven growth.
This momentum is echoed by major Chinese enterprises, including tech giants and manufacturing firms, which have recently unveiled ambitious recruitment plans.
Tencent, for instance, announced its largest-ever employment initiative, creating 28,000 internships over three years, many with the prospect of full-time conversion. As of early March this year, the company had employed over 55,000 people — with technology roles accounting for 73 percent of total staff.
Similarly, Alibaba opened over 3,000 roles in its 2026 spring campus recruitment round, nearly half of which are in AI-related fields. Midea Group, a leading home appliance manufacturer, plans to provide more than 2,000 positions through campus recruitment in 2025.
China’s employment strategy goes beyond merely recruitment, but also emphasizes retaining and upgrading talent. Many enterprises have significantly invested in employee training programs, implementing structured pathways to facilitate skills enhancement and career growth.
Fuyao Group, a leading global automotive glass supplier, for example, has developed a comprehensive training system, digitally connecting nearly 30,000 employees through its internal platform, complemented by technical skills programs.
Vocational training across the country is likewise scaling up to match emerging employment demands. Local governments have initiated subsidized training programs targeting crucial sectors — such as advanced manufacturing, eldercare, childcare and modern services.
In Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, a robotics innovation center has trained over 12,000 professionals in advanced robotics alone. Its future plans involve expanded collaboration with universities and industry leaders in fields including artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing.
Such integrated industry-education ecosystems are becoming increasingly common nationwide, and are designed to continuously replenish talent pools in rapidly evolving sectors.
Looking ahead, Chen Yun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Labor and Social Security, suggested maintaining employment-oriented vocational training.
Chen also called for further targeted fiscal, tax, financial, technological and industrial policies tailored specifically to different business conditions — with intensified support for enterprises facing greater difficulties.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University
The Pentagon has announced it will review the massive AUKUS agreement between the United States, United Kingdom and Australia to ensure it’s aligned with US President Donald Trump’s “America first” agenda.
The US undersecretary of defence for policy, Elbridge Colby, is reportedly going to oversee the review.
The announcement has raised concern in Australia, but every government is entitled to review policies that their predecessors have made to consider whether or not there’s a particular purpose.
The UK has launched a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS too, so it’s not actually unreasonable for the US to do the same.
There’s a degree of nervousness in Australia as to what the implications are because Australia understandably has the biggest stake in this.
But we need to consider what Colby has articulated in the past. In his book, The Strategy of Denial: American Defence in the Nature of Great Power Conflict, he made the case the US could “prepare to win a war with China it cannot afford to lose – in order to deter it from happening”.
So, with a deterrent mindset, he sees the need for the US to muscle up militarily.
He’s spoken about the alliance with Australia in very positive terms on a couple of occasions. And he has called himself an “AUKUS agnostic”, though he has expressed deep concern about the ability of the submarine industrial base in the US to manufacture the ships quickly enough.
And that leads to the fear the US Navy would not have enough submarines for itself if Washington is also sending them to Australia.
As part of the deal, Australia would eventually be able to contribute to accelerating the production line. That involves Australian companies contributing to the manufacture of certain widgets and components that are needed to build the subs.
Australia has already made a nearly A$800 million (US$500 million) down payment on expanding the US industrial capacity as part of the deal to ensure we get some subs in a reasonable time frame.
There’s also been significant legislative and industrial reforms in the US, Australia and UK to help facilitate Australian defence-related industries unplug the bottleneck of submarine production.
There’s no question there’s a need to speed up production. But we are already seeing significant signs of an uptick in the production rate, thanks in part to the Australian down payment. And it’s anticipated the rate will significantly increase in the next 12–18 months.
Even still, projects like this often slide in terms of timelines.
I’m reasonably optimistic that, on balance, the Trump administration will come down on the side of proceeding with the deal.
There are a few key reasons for this:
1) We’re several years down the track already.
2) We have more than 100 Australian sailors already operating in the US system.
3) Industrially, we’re on the cusp of making a significant additional contribution to the US submarine production line.
And finally, most people don’t fully appreciate that the submarine base just outside Perth is an incredibly consequential piece of real estate for US security calculations.
Colby has made very clear the US needs to muscle up to push back and deter China’s potential aggression in the region. In that equation, submarines are crucial, as is a substantial submarine base in the Indian Ocean.
China is acutely mindful of what we call the “Malacca dilemma”. Overwhelmingly, China’s trade of goods and fossil fuels comes through the Malacca Strait between Malaysia and Indonesia’s island of Sumatra. The Chinese know this supply line could be disrupted in a war. And the submarines operating out of Perth contribute to this fear.
This is a crucial deterrent effect the US and its allies have been seeking to maintain. And it has largely endured.
Given nobody can predict the future, we all want to prevent a war over Taiwan and we all want to maintain the status quo.
As such, the considered view has been that Australia will continue to support the US to bolster its deterrent effect to prevent such a scenario.
As part of the US review of the deal, we could see talk of a potential slowdown in the delivery rate of the submarines. The Trump administration could also put additional pressure on Australia to deliver more for the US.
This includes the amount Australia spends on defence, a subject of considerable debate in Canberra. Taking Australia’s overall interests into account, the Albanese government may well decide increasing defence spending is an appropriate thing to do.
There’s a delicate dance to be had here between the Trump administration, the Australian government, and in particular, their respective defence departments, about how to achieve the most effective outcome.
It’s highly likely whatever decision the US government makes will be portrayed as the Trump administration “doing a deal”. In the grand scheme of things, that’s not a bad thing. This is what countries do.
We talk a lot about the Trump administration’s transactional approach to international relations. But it’s actually not that different to previous US administrations with which Canberra has had to deal.
So I’m reasonably sanguine about the AUKUS review and any possible negotiations over it. I believe the Trump administration will come to the conclusion it does not want to spike the Australia relationship.
Australia has been on the US side since federation. Given this, the US government will likely make sure this deal goes ahead. The Trump administration may try to squeeze more concessions out of Australia as part of “the art of the deal”, but it won’t sink the pact.
However, many people will undoubtedly say this is the moment Australia should break with AUKUS. But then what? What would Australia do instead to ensure its security in this world of heightened great power competition in which Australia’s interests are increasingly challenged?
Walking away now would leave Australia more vulnerable than ever. I think that would be a great mistake.
From 2015 to 2017 John Blaxland received funding from the US Department of Defense Minerva Research Initiative (subsequently disbanded by the Trump administration). This was used to write a book (with Greg Raymond) entitled “The US Thai Alliance and Asian International Relations” (Routledge, 2021). John currently is a fulltime employee of the ANU.
– ref. Trump may try to strike a deal with AUKUS review, but here’s why he won’t sink it – https://theconversation.com/trump-may-try-to-strike-a-deal-with-aukus-review-but-heres-why-he-wont-sink-it-258798
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 12, 2025.
Trump may try to strike a deal with AUKUS review, but here’s why he won’t sink it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University The Pentagon has announced it will review the massive AUKUS agreement between the United States, United Kingdom and Australia to ensure it’s aligned with US President Donald Trump’s “America first” agenda. The US undersecretary of defence
Why are sunsets so pretty in winter? There’s a simple explanation
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chloe Wilkins, Associate Lecturer and PhD Candidate, Solar Physics, University of Newcastle nelo2309/Shutterstock If you live in the southern hemisphere and have been stopped in your tracks by a recent sunset, you may have noticed they seem more vibrant lately. The colours are brighter and bolder, and
After weeks of confusion and chaos, Tasmania heads back to the polls on July 19
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hortle, Deputy Director, Tasmanian Policy Exchange, University of Tasmania The Tasmanian government has called a state election for July 19, the fourth in a little over seven years. Following days of high drama, Governor Barbara Baker finally granted Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s election request, saying there
Goodbye to all that? Rethinking Australia’s alliance with Trump’s America
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Beeson, Adjunct professor, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney Even the most ardent supporters of the alliance with the United States – the notional foundation of Australian security for more than 70 years – must be having some misgivings about the second coming of Donald
A reversal in US climate policy will send renewables investors packing – and Australia can reap the benefits
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Downie, Professor, Australian National University President Donald Trump is trying to unravel the signature climate policy of his predecessor Joe Biden, the Inflation Reduction Act, as part of a sweeping bid to dismantle the United States’ climate ambition. The Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, is a
‘Hard to measure and difficult to shift’: the government’s big productivity challenge
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Bartos, Professor of Economics, University of Canberra Higher productivity has quickly emerged as an economic reform priority for Labor’s second term. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has laid down some markers for a productivity round table in August, saying he wants it to build the “broadest possible
Extreme weather could send milk prices soaring, deepening challenges for the dairy industry
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milena Bojovic, Lecturer, Sustainability and Environment, University of Technology Sydney Australia’s dairy industry is in the middle of a crisis, fuelled by an almost perfect storm of challenges. Climate change and extreme weather have been battering farmlands and impacting animal productivity, creating mounting financial strains and mental
201 ways to say ‘fuck’: what 1.7 billion words of online text shows about how the world swears
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Schweinberger, Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, The University of Queensland Our brains swear for good reasons: to vent, cope, boost our grit and feel closer to those around us. Swear words can act as social glue and play meaningful roles in how people communicate, connect and express
Were the first kings of Poland actually from Scotland? New DNA evidence unsettles a nation’s founding myth
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Historian, Australian Catholic University An illustration from a 15th-century manuscript showing the coronation of the first king of Poland, Boleslaw I. Chronica Polonorum by Mathiae de Mechovia For two centuries, scholars have sparred over the roots of the Piasts, Poland’s first documented royal
Medical scans are big business and investors are circling. Here are 3 reasons to be concerned
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sean Docking, Research Fellow, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University wedmoments.stock/Shutterstock Timely access to high-quality medical imaging can be lifesaving and life-altering. Radiology can confirm a fractured bone, give us an early glimpse of our baby or detect cancer. But behind the x-ray, ultrasound,
‘Microaggressions’ can fly under the radar in schools. Here’s how to spot them and respond
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Leslie, Lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy with a focus on Educational Psychology, University of Southern Queensland Klaus Vedfelt/ Getty Images Bullying is sadly a common experience for Australian children and teenagers. It is estimated at least 25% experience bullying at some point in their schooling. The
New Zealand’s ‘symbolic’ sanctions on Israel too little, too late, say opposition parties
By Russell Palmer, RNZ News political reporter Opposition parties say Aotearoa New Zealand’s government should be going much further, much faster in sanctioning Israel. Foreign Minister Winston Peters overnight revealed New Zealand had joined Australia, Canada, the UK and Norway in imposing travel bans on Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar
More deaths reported out of Sugapa in West Papua clashes with military
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia’s military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. One of the most recent military operations took place in the early morning of May 14 in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya in Central
Q+A follows The Project onto the scrap heap – so where to now for non-traditional current affairs?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne Two long-running television current affairs programs are coming to an end at the same time, driving home the fact that no matter what the format, they have a shelf life. The Project on Channel
Sanctioning extremist Israeli ministers is a start, but Australia and its allies must do more
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Whyte, Scientia Associate Professor of Philosophy and ARC Future Fellow, UNSW Sydney The Australian government is imposing financial and travel sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers: Itamar Ben-Gvir (the national security minister) and Bezalel Smotrich (finance minister). This is a significant development. While Australia has previously
Malaria has returned to the Torres Strait. What does this mean for mainland Australia?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron Webb, Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney Aspect Drones/Shutterstock Malaria is one of the deadliest diseases spread by mosquitoes. Each year, hundreds of millions of people worldwide are infected and half a million people die from the disease. While mainland Australia was
Is regulation really to blame for the housing affordability crisis?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Gurran, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Sydney ymgerman/Shutterstock The Albanese government has a new mantra to describe the housing crisis, which is showing no signs of abating: homes have simply become “too hard to build” in Australia. The prime minister and senior ministers
NZ’s goal is to get smoking rates under 5% for all population groups this year – here’s why that’s highly unlikely
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janet Hoek, Professor in Public Health, University of Otago Getty Images Next week is “scrutiny week” in parliament – one of two weeks each year when opposition MPs can hold ministers accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. For us, it’s a good time to take stock
Labor’s win at the 2025 federal election was the biggest since 1943, with its largest swings in the cities
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne We now have the (almost!) final results from the 2025 federal election – with only Bradfield still to be completely resolved. Labor won 94 of the 150
What are the ‘less lethal’ weapons being used in Los Angeles?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samara McPhedran, Principal Research Fellow, Griffith University After United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested multiple people on alleged immigration violations, protests broke out in Los Angeles. In response, police and military personnel have been deployed around the greater LA area. Authorities have been using
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
In an exhibition hall at an expo in Yinchuan, the capital of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the rich aroma emanating from a copper hot pot is gaining the attention of visitors. The dish of tender mutton cooked in red wine-added broth is a perfect blend of two of Ningxia’s most famed products.
“Using spring water, red wine and nourishing ingredients removes unpleasant smells, making the mutton delicious and flavorful,” said Tian Feng, who manages the hot pot restaurant operating the booth. The popularity of its red wine hot pot ensures the restaurant is often fully booked on weekends, Tian added.
Across China’s evolving consumer landscape, wine is undergoing a subtle transformation. No longer restricted to formal banquets and professional tasting events, wine is becoming accessible as various consumption scenarios and wine products are created.
This shift in accessibility is evident at the ongoing Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo in Ningxia, which is a renowned wine production region that is promoting a “tipsy economy.”
People visit the Global Wineries Exhibition during the Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo in Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)
Ningxia boasts a unique terroir for the production of top-class wine, with prolonged sunshine hours and a cool, dry climate aiding the cultivation of grapes. After four decades of development, it has become China’s largest wine-producing region. The eastern foot of Helan Mountain is widely regarded as a “golden zone” for grape cultivation and high-end wine production.
By the end of 2024, the region had more than 600,000 mu (about 40,000 hectares) of wine grape plantations and an annual wine output of 140 million bottles. Its wines were exported to over 40 countries and regions.
At the expo, brightly colored canned wines from the Ningxia State Farm Winery have won the favor of many. Compared to bottled wines, canned wines are more convenient to drink and can more easily meet the demands of diverse scenarios such as camping and picnics, said Li Shuang, the winery’s sales manager.
In addition to its canned wines, which have been popular since their launch last year, the company offers innovative products such as creamy jasmine wine, lemon oolong tea wine, black coffee wine and alcohol-free options. These products drove 20 percent of the company’s sales growth in 2024, Li said.
Athletes run past a wine grape plantation during a half-marathon in northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on Sept. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)
Cheeks rosy after tasting a dozen wines at the expo, local visitor Lu Ting is a tourism professional and sommelier who enjoys buying wines to share with family and friends.
“Chardonnay with meat skewers, reds with hot pot — it’s about sharing joy,” said Lu, 42.
The four-day event will run until Thursday and is slated to include a world wine tasting event, a wine and winery exhibition, an innovation competition and an art biennial.
Last month, Yinchuan also hosted a marathon that saw 43 local wineries offer 28,000 runners free vineyard tours, tastings and exclusive discounts for wine purchases. This event-driven approach has created a powerful synergy between tourism and viticulture, resulting in a surge in hotel bookings in the city.
Sommeliers sample glasses of wine during the 32nd Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) in Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Du Juanjuan)
“We’re transforming the entire city into a living wine museum,” said Li Bingjie, director of Yinchuan’s wine industry development service center. “Visitors can fully immerse themselves in the journey from grape to glass.”
Speaking at the expo’s opening ceremony on Monday, Yvette van der Merwe, president of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, said that the organization has for many years observed and supported the rise of China’s grape and wine industry, with the country being an important wine consumer and table grape producer.
“I see the energy that the growth of Ningxia Helan Mountain’s east foothill region has contributed to the Chinese wine industry, and I am confident that it will bring new inspiration and opportunities to the global wine community,” she said.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined America’s Newsroom on Fox News to discuss Iran nuclear talks, along with deporting Chinese nationals that are in the country illegally.
*Click the photo above or here to watch*
Partial Transcript
Hagerty on Iran nuclear talks: “If you think about it, we would not be in this position had we stayed with the ‘Maximum Pressure Campaign’ that President [Donald] Trump put in place in the first administration. When I was Ambassador to Japan, that was part of my role to get the Japanese to stop buying Iranian crude [oil]. We did that all over the world. We brought Iranian reserves down to almost nothing. The pressure was enormous on them. They were ready to deal. [Former President] Joe Biden comes into office, immediately relaxes all of the sanctions. Money starts flowing back to Iran. Terror starts flowing in the region. Iran is the heart of all of the terror that’s happening in the Middle East right now. And this is their tactic. They go back to obfuscating, trying to kick the can down the road, drawing out time. President Trump has dealt with them. He understands this—and I’m certain he’s disappointed with it—but he also strategically needs to bring them back to the table. And Iran needs to understand we will not tolerate their behavior. We’re not going to tolerate their funding [of] terrorism, and they will not have a nuclear weapon.”
Hagerty on the stark difference between Obama’s and Trump’s negotiations with Iran: “If you think about what’s happened since that time, the Bidens allowed a lot more money to flow into Iran. Iran has advanced the ball much further in terms of their enrichment capabilities. That would’ve never happened at President Trump’s state in office. But again, the overarching objective is to stop Iran and stop this regime from funding terror and also do not allow them to get in a position to threaten the rest of the world with nuclear competence. That means they’re not going to get a nuclear weapon. So, the terms broadly are the same. The conditions are quite different though, and they’re much worse thanks to the Biden administration that stepped in and made [it] difficult for President Trump the first time, with the pallets of cash that [Former President Barack] Obama gave them, even though the Iranians never abided by the original negotiation, the original deal that they struck as well.”
Hagerty on deporting illegal Chinese nationals: “This threat wouldn’t exist [had] Joe Biden not collapsed our southern border. These people are here illegally in the first place. The many that have been deported now recently were here illegally coming from China, coming from all over the world, many without our best interests at heart. The other piece of this, though—and let’s not forget what China has done on fentanyl as well—the precursors that continue to flow into this country. They’re waging war on us in multiple ways. This agroterrorism is a part of a biotechnology effort that China has going on, that the [Chinese Communist Party] has going on. I’ve fought hard here with my Biosecure Act to prevent U.S. funds from supporting biotechnology research that would happen here with Chinese equipment. We don’t want them to have access to our DNA data, certainly our genomic data. They’re trying at every front to gain advantage. And this agroterrorism was deeply, deeply concerning. If that had happened, if we’d not caught that, who knows what might’ve happened to our crops. It would’ve been devastating. So, we need to be much more diligent at every level. President Trump’s certainly trying to do that, and by making certain that these Chinese nationals, as well as many others, that are here illegally that may not have our best interest at heart. Sending them back out of the country is the right move.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The Chinese mainland will never tolerate any individuals profiting from the mainland while supporting “Taiwan independence,” a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, was responding to recent remarks from Taiwan’s die-hard separatist Shen Pao-yang about punitive measures taken by the mainland against companies linked to him.
Noting the mainland’s firm stance on the matter, Zhu said there can be no tolerance or leniency for die-hard secessionists or companies associated with them. “Punishment is imperative,” she said.
Secessionist acts, she warned, ultimately backfire, harming not only others but also those who commit these acts. “There is no escaping the law.”
Media reports have said that aside from Shen, other politicians from the Democratic Progressive Party have also profited from the mainland through their family members. They have been widely criticized for their duplicity.
“The public is clear-eyed,” the spokesperson said. “People can tell right from wrong.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
People walk on the street in Gibraltar, March 30, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
Senior officials from the European Union (EU), Spain and the United Kingdom (UK), along with Gibraltar representatives, reached an agreement in Brussels on Wednesday on the core aspects of a future EU-UK treaty concerning Gibraltar, aimed at removing border barriers and promoting regional prosperity.
“The future Agreement is without prejudice to the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom with regard to sovereignty and jurisdiction,” said a joint statement.
The goal of the future agreement is to secure the prosperity of the region by removing all physical barriers, checks and controls on persons and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar, according to the statement.
This will be done while preserving the Schengen area, the EU single market, and custom union.
Regarding the circulation of people, checks at the crossing point between Gibraltar and Spain’s La Linea will be removed for people who cross daily to go to work. Dual checks will be carried out at Gibraltar port and airport.
Regarding goods, a strong cooperation between both custom authorities and lifting checks on goods will lead to a custom union between the EU and Gibraltar.
Other areas to be covered by the future agreement include State aid, taxation, labour, environment, trade and sustainable development, anti-money laundering, transport, environment, cohesion and employment.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Actress Zhang Ziyi poses during a photocall for the film “She’s got no name” at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
After a notable box office boost over the Duanwu Festival holiday — powered by Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” — and with a wave of high-profile films like star-studded “She’s Got No Name” joining the schedule, China’s summer movie season, running from June 1 to Aug. 31, is heating up alongside the weather.
With the Aug. 8 release of Guan Hu’s “Dongji Island” announced on Wednesday, the three-month window — seen by industry observers as China’s most important movie period second only to the Spring Festival holiday — now boasts a lineup of more than 70 domestic and foreign films, ranging from crime thrillers and historical features to animated fantasies and Hollywood imports.
But beneath the packed schedule lies an urgent question: which ones will be this year’s runaway hits? It’s more than a popularity contest. After a 44 percent drop in 2024’s summer takings from the year prior, the Chinese film market is looking to the season for signs of resilience and perhaps revival. That rebound, if it comes, may hinge on whether one or several high-performing films can once again galvanize the public and drive momentum across the board.
Some in the industry see “She’s Got No Name,” set for release on June 21, as the season’s first real momentum builder. “If ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,’ which opened on May 30, served as a soft launch,” film critic and Shandong-based cinema manager Dong Wenxin told Xinhua, “then ‘She’s Got No Name,’ packed with stars, may be the one to spark the summer’s first real surge.”
Directed by Peter Chan and starring Zhang Ziyi, Jackson Yee, Zhao Liying and Lei Jiayin, the highly anticipated noir-tinged thriller is based on a sensational 1945 murder in Shanghai. A sharp re-edit of the 150-minute Cannes version that drew polarized responses last year, the upcoming release runs 96 minutes, now promoted as the first installment of a two-part series. Anticipation remains high: Chan spent eight years on the script, rebuilt historic Shanghai alleyways for the shoot, and framed the story through the lens of gendered violence.
Dong sees the next major box office surge arriving in late July, driven by the release of period comedy “The Lychee Road” on July 25 and historical feature “731,” currently titled “731 Biochemical Revelations” in English, on July 31. In an interview with Xinhua, Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, also expressed particular interest in the two titles, as well as “Dongji Island.”
The Zhao Linshan directed “731,” which stars Jiang Wu and Wang Zhiwen, revisits the horrific World War II-era human experiments conducted by Japan’s Unit 731, documenting a painful chapter of history while portraying the Chinese people’s heroic resistance. Leading all summer titles in advance interest with over 600,000 “want to see” clicks on film platform Maoyan, the film could emerge as a cultural flashpoint for both its emotionally charged subject and patriotic undertones.
Also grounded in history, “Dongji Island,” starring Zhu Yilong, recounts the true story of Chinese fishermen rescuing over 300 British prisoners of war in October 1942, after the Japanese transport ship “Lisbon Maru” was torpedoed and left to sink, despite being secretly packed with more than 1,800 prisoners. The same events were previously explored in Fang Li’s critically acclaimed 2024 documentary, “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru.”
Comedy remains a genre with mass appeal. Based on a popular novel by Ma Boyong, “The Lychee Road” is directed by comedian Da Peng, who also stars in the lead role. The film follows a Tang Dynasty (618-907) official tasked with the near-impossible mission of transporting fresh lychees — typically perishable within days — on a grueling 2,500-km journey from Lingnan in southern China to the capital, Chang’an. His desperate ingenuity in overcoming the logistical challenge becomes a sharp satire of bureaucratic absurdity.
Rao said the film’s source material already boasts a strong fan base, and its TV drama adaptation has helped warm up audiences ahead of the theatrical release. “Comedy films are almost a necessity during summer,” he added, noting the film’s box office potential.
Also among the anticipated local releases are the mystery drama “Malice,” written and supervised by Chen Sicheng, known for his commercial instincts and previous hits in the suspense genre; an animated fantasy from Light Chaser Animation adapted from the Qing Dynasty short story collection “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio;” “The Stage,” a big-screen adaptation of the comedy of the same name by comedian Chen Peisi; and the animated drama “Nobody,” which adapts an episode from the acclaimed “Yao-Chinese Folktales” animation series.
Hollywood titles, despite their waning allure in China, remain an essential piece of the competitive puzzle this summer. “Jurassic World Rebirth” (July 2) brings back dinosaurs and picks up the story after the events of 2022’s “Jurassic World: Dominion.” The franchise’s popularity in China, where each of the three previous entries surpassed 1 billion yuan (139 million U.S. dollars) in box office takings, makes it one of the few American titles with breakout potential.
Other high-profile imports include “How to Train Your Dragon” (June 13), “F1 The Movie” starring Brad Pitt (June 27), and James Gunn’s “Superman” (July 11).
Voicing “cautious optimism” over the summer box office, Rao said the Chinese film market is undergoing structural changes, and that only films with truly “hardcore” cinematic elements, the kind that can only be fully appreciated in a theater for their uniquely immersive audiovisual power as a modern technological art form, can effectively draw large audiences.
From 2017 to 2019, China’s summer box office each surpassed 16 billion yuan, with 2023 setting an all-time seasonal high of 20.62 billion yuan. But 2024 saw a steep drop to 11.64 billion yuan.
“Based on the current slate, this summer is unlikely to reach the heights of 2023 or the pre-pandemic years,” noted industry blog Yingshi Fengxiangbiao. “Still, if a breakout hit surpassing 3 billion yuan emerges, the season could yet outpace last year.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
500 kV power transmission project completes Huaihe River crossing in east China
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
The 8th China (Ordos) International Cashmere & Wool Expo will be held from July 18 to 20, 2025 in Dongsheng District, Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Ordos City is a world-famous agglomeration area of cashmere industry, with more than 360 cashmere enterprises, with an annual processing capacity of 50% of the country and 33% of the world. The market value of Ordos Group is more than 100 billion yuan. This group also took the lead in drafting international cashmere standards.
This year, the exhibition will attract leading international brands from the UK, France, Italy and other countries, as well as domestic leading enterprises. More than 200 exhibitors are expected to take part in the exhibition.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Russia has transferred 1,212 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine, Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky said Wednesday.
Medinsky said on Telegram that 27 bodies of Russian soldiers were returned, adding that the work will continue over the next few days.
Both sides will also begin exchanging seriously wounded prisoners from Thursday, he said.
The repatriation of the deceased was made possible with the help of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other agencies, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Wednesday in a statement.
The agency also expressed gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its support in facilitating the return of the bodies.
The return is part of a deal made during the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Türkiye’s Istanbul on June 2.
During their last round of talks, Russia and Ukraine agreed on an “all-for-all” exchange involving seriously ill and wounded prisoners, as well as soldiers under the age of 25, according to Medinsky.
Under the agreement, the first stage of the prisoner swap was carried out on Monday.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
U.S. multibillionaire and high-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk stepped back from his explosive feud with U.S. President Donald Trump, writing on X that he regrets some of his posts about his onetime ally and that they went “too far.”
Early Wednesday morning, he posted “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”
“Musk’s break with a president whom he spent hundreds of millions of dollars to elect appeared to put an end to his influence in the White House and prompted concerns about effects on his companies,” noted the Los Angeles Times in its report about the development. As a major government contractor, Musk’s businesses could be particularly vulnerable to retribution, and Trump has already threatened to cut Musk’s contracts.
Musk earlier deleted a post in which he claimed without evidence that the government was concealing information about the president’s association with infamous pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, other posts that irritated Trump, including ones in which Musk called the spending bill an “abomination” and claimed credit for Trump’s election victory, remained live.
On Sunday, Trump told NBC that he has no desire to repair their relationship and warned that Musk could face “serious consequences” if he tries to help Democrats in upcoming elections.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
More protests against immigration enforcement raids are planned across the United States this week, after many of the kind have sprung up nationwide from Los Angeles to Seattle, Austin, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C., with some of them peaceful while others resulting in clashes with law enforcement.
Activists are planning more and even larger demonstrations in the coming days, with “No Kings” events across the country on Saturday to coincide with U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned military parade through D.C., according to The Associated Press (AP). The Trump administration said it would continue its program of raids and deportations despite the protests.
“Cities across the United States were bracing for a new round of immigration protests on Wednesday after the Los Angeles mayor imposed an overnight curfew downtown and Governor Gavin Newsom of California blamed President Trump for unrest that began with deportation raids last week,” reported The New York Times.
In San Antonio, protests against immigration raids are planned Wednesday night and on Saturday, but Mayor Ron Nirenberg said that city officials did not ask for the Texas National Guard to be deployed in advance. Governor Greg Abbott’s office said that National Guard troops were “on standby” in areas where demonstrations are planned. That came after police in Austin used chemical irritants to disperse several hundred demonstrators on Monday near the state Capitol.
In Los Angeles, a sixth day of protests is planned downtown and near federal buildings. In Eugene, Oregon, several groups including the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which calls for the end of capitalism, said they planned to hold a solidarity protest in the city. In Mission Viejo, California, a protest is planned for Orange County, according to the local branch of the 50501 Movement, which was formed against the Trump administration’s “anti-democratic” actions.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, hundreds of people are expected to gather in downtown Raleigh Wednesday evening, spurred in part by anger over a state immigration bill. In Seattle, the Party for Socialism and Liberation is among the groups behind a planned “ICE Out” protest in the city against ICE. In St. Louis, Missouri, a “NO ICE” protest is planned for this week, according to U.S. media reports.
Meanwhile, Trump left open the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, which authorizes the president to deploy military forces inside the United States to suppress rebellion or domestic violence or to enforce the law in certain situations. “It’s one of the most extreme emergency powers available to a U.S. president,” noted AP.
Tuesday night, Los Angeles police swiftly enforced a downtown curfew, making arrests moments after it took effect, while deploying officers on horseback and using crowd control projectiles to break up a group of hundreds of demonstrators. Immigration raids across Southern California are rattling the area’s immigrant communities, even among those in the country legally. More than 100 people have been detained since Friday.
New York City police detained more than 80 people during protests around Lower Manhattan’s Foley Square against federal immigration enforcement actions Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the vast majority of demonstrators were peaceful. She blamed smaller groups for causing disorder that required police intervention.
By Tuesday night, demonstrations against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown have intensified and spread far beyond Los Angeles, with thousands of people gathering in at least two dozen U.S. cities, holding banners and chanting slogans like “Stop the Deportation Now” and “Abolish ICE.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Russian gymnasts and judges will return to international competitions as neutral participants, local media reported Wednesday, citing the Russian Gymnastics Federation.
Alisa Medvedeva of Russia competes during the individual all-around qualifications at the 2024 International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 20, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
The participation of Russian athletes and judges has been confirmed in a series of international gymnastics competitions, according to a statement by the federation cited by TASS news agency.
The federation noted that efforts are ongoing for Russian athletes to resume full-fledged participation in international sports.
In March 2022, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) suspended Russian and Belarusian gymnastics from its tournaments. Later, the international federation eased the sanctions, allowing the two countries’ athletes to compete as neutrals.
The Russian Gymnastics Federation said earlier in April that the country’s athletes would not participate in the upcoming FIG competitions despite being granted neutral status, citing “numerous unfounded and biased refusals” to grant such status to athletes.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Manchester City completed the club’s fourth signing of the summer on Wednesday with the announcement that Dutch international midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has joined from AC Milan.
AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders (front) shoots to score during a Serie A football match between AC Milan and Parma in Milan, Italy, Jan. 26, 2025. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Reijnders costs 46.5 million pounds (63 million U.S. dollars) and has agreed a five-year deal.
The 26-year-old arrives soon after City completed the signing of Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyon, and the club insists he will be able to play in the forthcoming FIFA Club World Cup, although the announcement of his arrival was made after the transfer window closed on Tuesday evening.
City coach Pep Guardiola has also seen left back Rayan Ait Nouri and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli added to his squad in a busy start to the summer.
“I am ecstatic to be signing for Manchester City: City are one of the biggest teams in the world, with the best coach, world-class players and outstanding facilities,” said Reijnders on the club website.
“Under Pep Guardiola, City have won so many titles and I want to help keep that going with a lot more success in the coming years,” added the player who has already won 22 caps for the Netherlands.
With the signings of Reijnders and Cherki, Guardiola will hope to have covered the departure of Kevin de Bruyne, while Ait Nouri should give balance at left back after arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Memphis Depay on Tuesday night netted twice for the Netherlands in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Malta (8-0) in Groningen and equaled Robin van Persie as Dutch all-time top scorer.
The 31-year-old opened the scoring against Malta with a penalty in the 9th minute and in the 16th minute he smashed home the second goal. With his 49th and 50th goal for his country, he equaled all-time top scorer Robin van Persie.
Depay debuted for the Netherlands against Türkiye (2-0 win) in October 2013 and produced his first goal at the 2014 World Cup against Australia (3-2 win). His record year was 2021 with 17 goals for his country.
The other goals were scored by captain Virgil van Dijk, Xavi Simons, Donyell Malen (twice), Noa Lang and Micky van de Ven.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Peng Shikun (L) of China spikes the ball during the Pool 3 match between China and Japan at the Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, June 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
World No. 1 Poland started the 2025 Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Xi’an leg on the right foot as it overcame the Netherlands 3-1 on Wednesday, while Japan defeated host China in straight sets.
In the season opener, last year’s bronze medalist, Poland, was tested by 13th-ranked the Netherlands, who delivered a resilient performance and created several tense moments for the world’s top-ranked side.
The first set saw both teams locked at 22-22 before Poland pulled away with three consecutive points to take it 25-22. In a near repeat in the second set, the teams were again tied at 22-22, but this time the Netherlands seized the chance to win 25-22.
“We were leading in almost every set, but at times we lost our focus and allowed them back into the game,” said Poland’s outside hitter Artur Szalpuk, who finished with a game-high 19 points.
The Dutch continued to press in the third and fourth sets, testing Poland’s defense, but the Poles remained composed in the key moments, clinching both sets 25-22 to seal the match.
“It was a tough game for us, because many players had their first match in the VNL. So for sure, it was a lot of emotion for them. It was a hard fight, but I think we played good and we took three points,” Szalpuk added. “Now, we need to take a quick rest, because tomorrow we have another important game [against Japan].”
Host China fell to world No. 6 Japan 25-23, 25-14, 25-22. Although China held a lead midway through the third set, it failed to turn the match around, as China head coach Vital Heynen commented that “we don’t use the chances”.
“If you look at the details of the first set, we played very well. If you look at the statistics, we are better than Japan, but we don’t use the chances. We made a couple of unnecessary mistakes, and that’s a pity. We were not playing smart enough, and we didn’t play together as a team.”
“I was hoping we would play like we do in training – perfectly as a team, knowing each other well and knowing what to do. But today I see a lot of mistakes in the team together. I guess it’s the pressure. The pressure makes you start to doubt things we are doing on training, and that we have to find back,” he added.
China will face Serbia on Thursday, who beat Türkiye 3-1 (12-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23) late Wednesday.