Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China’s trade with African countries hit a record high in the first five months of this year, official data showed Monday.
The China-Africa trade volume increased 12.4 percent year on year in the January-May period to 963.21 billion yuan (about 134 billion U.S. dollars), accounting for 5.4 percent of the country’s total foreign trade, according to the General Administration of Customs.
China’s exports to Africa rose 20.2 percent from a year ago to 599.57 billion yuan in the first five months, while its imports gained 1.6 percent to 363.64 billion yuan.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Paraguay manager Gustavo Alfaro said Sunday that his side will approach its crucial World Cup qualifier against Brazil with the belief that a place on the sport’s grandest stage is within reach.
Paraguay, which last featured at the World Cup in 2010, is third in the 10-team South American group with 24 points, two ahead of fourth-placed Brazil.
The top six teams will qualify directly for next year’s showpiece in the United States, Mexico and Canada while the seventh-ranked side will earn a playoff spot.
“These are the kinds of matches in which we have everything to win and nothing to lose,” Alfaro said ahead of Tuesday’s clash at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.
“Brazil is always a difficult opponent but at the same time we know that if we win we could get the outcome that we’ve been striving for. It’s a dream that has been put on hold for 15 years,” he added.
Paraguay is unbeaten in nine games since Alfaro replaced Daniel Garnero as manager last August.
While accepting that Brazil would pose a stern test under new head coach Carlo Ancelotti, the Argentine expressed confidence that his team had the mindset to overcome the five-time world champions.
“I have no doubt that our attitude is what stands us apart and that we can maintain the same determined approach in every game we play,” he said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
TEHRAN, June 9 (Xinhua) — Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib announced Sunday that the country has received a “valuable collection” of strategic, operational and scientific data and documents from Israel, which he said will be made public soon.
In an interview with Iran’s state news agency IRIB, Khatib called the acquisition a “great intelligence achievement” for his ministry.
He said the documents cover Israel’s nuclear program as well as its relations with the United States, Europe and other countries, stressing that some of the intelligence files could enhance Iran’s offensive capabilities.
He refrained from detailing the methods used to transfer the documents to Iran, saying the methods were as important as the documents themselves and would remain protected.
E. Khatib added that a “complex, large-scale, comprehensive and lengthy” operation was developed and carried out to obtain them.
IRIB said in a statement on Saturday that the blackout was necessary to ensure the safe transfer of the documents, noting that the volume of data was so large that it took weeks to study it. –0–
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 9 (Xinhua) — China’s total import and export of goods in yuan terms rose 2.5 percent year on year to 17.94 trillion yuan (about 2.5 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first five months of this year, official data showed Monday.
The growth rate was 0.1 percentage points higher than the level recorded in the first four months of 2025, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China.
In January-May this year, China’s exports grew 7.2 percent year-on-year to 10.67 trillion yuan, while imports fell 3.8 percent to 7.27 trillion yuan.
In May alone, the country’s foreign trade volume in yuan terms grew by 2.7 percent year-on-year.
In particular, exports of goods grew by 6.3 percent year-on-year, while imports fell by 2.1 percent, the agency’s data showed. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Foreign-invested firms in China recorded a 4 percent year-on-year growth in exports and imports in May, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth, official data showed Monday.
The total trade volume of foreign enterprises in China reached 1.11 trillion yuan (over 154.47 billion U.S. dollars) last month, according to the General Administration of Customs.
In the first five months of 2025, over 73,000 foreign enterprises in China were involved in export and import activities, the highest number for the same period in five years.
The combined trade volume of these companies reached 5.21 trillion yuan, up 2.3 percent year on year, accounting for 29 percent of the country’s total trade and contributing 0.7 percentage points to the overall trade growth during the same period.
Monday’s data also showed that China’s total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms rose to 17.94 trillion yuan in the first five months of 2025, up 2.5 percent year on year.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
This photo taken on March 29, 2023 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released its latest Economic Outlook on June 3, projects global GDP growth to decelerate from 3.3% in 2024 to 2.9% for both this year and the next. The United States economy is expected to see a significant slowdown, with growth dropping to 1.6% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026. So, what’s behind this slowdown? Let’s take a closer look at the role of trade barriers.
First, let’s get a handle on the current state of trade barriers. In recent years, the U.S. has been at the forefront of implementing a series of protectionist trade measures. These include imposing tariffs and erecting various trade barriers. For example, on May 23, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed directly imposing a 50% tariff on EU products starting from June 1. Products manufactured or produced in the U.S. would be exempt from this tariff. However, according to the latest news, after a phone call between President Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, it was decided to postpone the implementation of the 50% tariff on EU products until July 9. While the intention might have been to shield domestic industries and jobs, the reality has turned out to be quite different.
Trade barriers have had a profound impact on U.S. exports. As a major export-oriented economy, the U.S. relies heavily on international markets for many of its industries. However, these barriers have diminished the competitiveness of U.S. products abroad. In retaliation for U.S. protectionist moves, other countries have also raised tariffs on U.S. goods. This has left U.S. exporters grappling with higher costs and shrinking market shares. Take U.S. agricultural exports, for example. Due to retaliatory tariffs from other nations, U.S. agricultural products have found it increasingly difficult to penetrate international markets. In 2024, the export value of U.S. soybeans was $24.5 billion, lower than the $27.7 billion in 2023 and the record high of $34.4 billion in 2022. This has led to a drop in domestic agricultural prices and a decline in farmers’ incomes.
Trade barriers have also wreaked havoc on supply chains. In today’s globalized world, many U.S. industries depend on intricate global supply chains. These barriers have caused these supply chains to fracture and reconfigure. Numerous companies have had to scramble to find new suppliers, incurring additional costs and experiencing reduced production efficiency. For instance, U.S. manufacturing firms often rely on imported components. Trade barriers have disrupted the supply of these parts, forcing companies to spend more time and money seeking alternatives. This not only affects production but also drives up product prices. The manufacturing PMI for May shows that the prices index was as high as 69.4%. Although it slightly decreased compared to last month, it still remained at a high level, indicating that raw material costs have been rising for eight consecutive months.
Trade barriers have led to a decline in business investment. Amid the uncertainty of the trade environment, many companies have become wary of future market prospects. They fear that escalating trade barriers could further erode their profits. As a result, they have cut back on investments in new projects and equipment. This not only hampers long-term corporate development but also has a negative impact on economic growth. For example, some U.S. tech companies had planned to expand production, but they have had to either delay or shelve these plans due to the impact of trade barriers. Green energy projects have also been suspended to varying degrees, with major clean energy projects not being spared. Flagship projects that have been put on hold include the $1 billion solar panel factory in Oklahoma by Italy’s Enel Green Power, the $2.3 billion battery storage facility in Arizona by South Korea’s LG Energy Solution, and the $1.3 billion lithium refinery in South Carolina by the world’s largest lithium miner, U.S.-based Albemarle.
Lastly, trade barriers have eroded consumer confidence. Consumers are a vital part of the economy, and their spending behavior directly affects economic growth. Trade barriers have caused product prices to rise, increasing the cost of living for consumers. For example, in April 2025, the U.S. CPI increased by 3.4% year on year. At the same time, trade barriers have led to job losses, with unemployment in the U.S.at 4.2% in April, heightening consumers’ concerns about the economic outlook. This has led consumers to cut back on spending, which in turn has had a negative impact on economic growth.
So, what does the future hold for the U.S. economy in the face of these trade barriers? In the short term, the U.S. economy is likely to continue facing the pressure of slower growth. The impact of trade barriers won’t vanish overnight, and companies will need time to adapt to the new trade landscape. In the long run, the U.S. will need to reassess its trade policies and seek more open and cooperative trade relations. Only by strengthening international cooperation and reducing trade barriers can sustainable economic growth be achieved.
In summary, trade barriers are a key factor in the projected U.S. economy slowdown. They have affected U.S. exports, disrupted supply chains, reduced business investment and eroded consumer confidence. The U.S. must take proactive measures to address these challenges.
The author is an associate professor in economics at Beijing International Studies University.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
MAOMIN, Guangdong Province, June 7 (Xinhua) — The lychee harvest season has begun in Maoming City, south China’s Guangdong Province, which has long been known for growing the fruit.
In 2024, the city’s lychee production volume reached 502,100 tons.
MAOMIN, Guangdong Province, June 7 (Xinhua) — The lychee harvest season has begun in Maoming City, south China’s Guangdong Province, which has long been famous for growing the fruit.
In 2024, the city’s lychee production volume reached 502,100 tons.
MAOMIN, Guangdong Province, June 7 (Xinhua) — The lychee harvest season has begun in Maoming City, south China’s Guangdong Province, which has long been famous for growing the fruit.
In 2024, the city’s lychee production volume reached 502,100 tons.
MAOMIN, Guangdong Province, June 7 (Xinhua) — The lychee harvest season has begun in Maoming City, south China’s Guangdong Province, which has long been famous for growing the fruit.
In 2024, the city’s lychee production volume reached 502,100 tons.
MAOMIN, Guangdong Province, June 7 (Xinhua) — The lychee harvest season has begun in Maoming City, south China’s Guangdong Province, which has long been famous for growing the fruit.
In 2024, the city’s lychee production volume reached 502,100 tons.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
LOS ANGELES, June 9 (Xinhua) — More than 200 protesters clashed with National Guard troops in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday during fresh demonstrations against immigration enforcement raids that took place across California over the weekend.
Xinhua reporters at the scene saw National Guard troops, along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security officials, repeatedly use tear gas and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd. Several protesters and journalists were injured in the clashes.
“We want to protest peacefully. But the Trump administration just sent soldiers to fight against us. Is it really necessary?” one protester told Xinhua.
Shortly after the clashes, California Governor Gavin Newsom called on protesters to remain calm.
“California! Don’t give Donald Trump what he wants. Speak up. Keep the peace. Keep calm,” Newsom wrote in an online post. “Be non-violent and respect the law enforcement officers who are doing everything they can to keep the peace.”
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Xinhua) — At least 15 people were killed when a bus carrying students collided with a multi-purpose vehicle on the East-West Highway in Malaysia’s Perak state early Monday, authorities said.
The clash, which was reported at 1:10 p.m. local time, left 48 people injured, 13 of whom were found dead at the scene, civil defense forces said in a statement.
Two more victims died in hospital, Malaysia’s Bernama news agency reported.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed condolences to the families of all those killed in the plane crash and instructed the Ministry of Higher Education to coordinate the provision of appropriate assistance to the families of the victims. –0–
However, this process of re-shoring is complex and requires years of investment and planning – far too slow for the world of ultra-fast fashion, where brands are used to reacting in weeks, not years.
Many clothing companies started to move production out of China during Trump’s first term. They relocated to countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia when the initial China-specific tariffs hit.
This trend accelerated with the newer “reciprocal” tariffs. Instead of re-shoring production, many fashion brands are simply sourcing from whichever country offers the lowest total cost after tariffs. The result? The ultra-fast fashion machine adapted quickly and became even more exploitative.
From Guangzhou to your wardrobe in days
Platforms such as Shein and Temu built their success by offering trend-driven clothing at shockingly low prices. A $5 dress or $3 top might seem like a bargain, but those prices hide a lot.
Much of Shein’s production takes place in the so-called “Shein village” in Guangzhou, China, where workers often sew for 12–14 hours a day under poor conditions to keep pace with the demand for new items.
When the US cracked down on Chinese imports, the intention was to make American-made goods more competitive. This included raising the tariff on Chinese goods as high as 145% (since paused), and closing the “de minimis” loophole, which had allowed imports under US$800 to enter tariff-free.
But these tariffs did not halt ultra-fast fashion. They just rerouted production to countries with lower tariffs and even lower labour costs. The Philippines, with a comparatively low tariff rate of 17%, emerged as a surprising alternative. However, the country can’t provide the industrial scale and infrastructure to match what China can offer.
Australia still allows most low-value imports to enter tax-free, and platforms such as Shein and Temu have taken full advantage. Australian consumers are among the most frequent Shein and Temu buyers per capita globally.
Just 3% of clothing is made in Australia and most labels rely on offshore manufacturing. This makes Australia an ideal target market for ultra-fast fashion imports. We have high purchasing power, lenient import rules and strong demand for low-cost style, especially due to the cost-of-living crisis.
The hidden costs of cheap clothes
The environmental impact of fast fashion is well known. However, amid the chaos of Trump’s tariff announcements, far less attention has been paid to how these policies – together with the retreat from climate commitments – worsen environmental harms, including those linked to fast fashion.
The irony is that the tariffs meant to protect American workers have, in some cases, worsened conditions for workers elsewhere. Meanwhile, consumers in Australia now benefit from faster delivery of even cheaper goods as Temu, Shein and others have improved their shipping capabilities to Australia.
Factory workers bear the brunt of cost-cutting. In the race to stay competitive, many manufacturers reduce wages and overlook hazardous working conditions.
Will ethical fashion ever compete?
Fixing these problems will require a global rethink of how fashion operates.
Governments have a role in regulating disclosures about supply chains and enforcing labour standards.
Brands need to take responsibility for the conditions in their factories, whether directly owned or outsourced. Transparency is essential.
Alternatives to fast fashion are gaining traction. Clothing rentals are emerging as a promising business model that help build a more circular fashion economy. Charity-run op shops have long been a sustainable source of second-hand clothing.
Australia’s new Seamless scheme seeks to make fashion brands responsible for the full life of the clothes they sell. The aim is to help people buy, wear and recycle clothes in a more sustainable way.
Consumers also matter. If we continue to expect clothes to cost less than a cup of coffee, change will be slow. Recognising that a $5 t-shirt has hidden costs, borne by people on the factory floor and the environment, is a first step.
Some ethical brands are already showing a better way and offer clothes made under fairer conditions and with sustainable materials. These clothes are not as cheap or fast, but they represent a more conscious alternative especially for consumers concerned about synthetic fibres, toxic chemicals and environmental harm.
Trump reshuffled the deck, but did not change the game
Trump’s trade rules aim to re-balance global trade in favour of American industry, yet have cost companies more than US$34 billion in lost sales and higher costs. This cost will eventually fall on US consumers. In ultra-fast fashion, it mostly exposed how fragile and exploitative the system already was.
Today, brands such as Shein and Temu are thriving in Australia. But unless we address the systemic inequalities in fashion production and rethink the incentives that drive this market, the true cost of cheap clothing will continue to be paid by those least able to afford it.
Mona Mashhadi Rajabi receives funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand (AFAANZ), and a Business Research Grant from the University of Technology Sydney.
Lisa Lake previously received funding from NSW Department of Education Innovation and Collaboration grant to establish the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion + Textiles.
Martina Linnenluecke receives funding from The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian Research Council. Her work is also supported by a Strategic Research Accelerator Grant from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Yun Shen 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.
China’s May export growth slowed to a three-month low as U.S. tariffs slammed shipments, while factory-gate deflation deepened to its worst level in two years, heaping pressure on the world’s second-largest economy on both the domestic and external fronts.
The global trade war and the swings in China-U.S. trade ties have in the past two months sent Chinese exporters, along with their business partners across the Pacific, on a roller coaster ride and hobbled world growth.
Exports expanded 4.8% year-on-year in value terms in May, slowing from the 8.1% jump in April and missing the 5.0% growth expected in a Reuters poll, customs data showed on Monday, despite a lowering of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods which had taken effect in early April.
Imports dropped 3.4% year-on-year, deepening sharply from the 0.2% decline in April and worse than the 0.9% downturn expected in the Reuters poll.
Exports had surged 12.4% year-on-year and 8.1% in March and April, respectively, as factories rushed shipments to the U.S. and other overseas manufacturers to avoid U.S. President Trump’s hefty levies on China and the rest of the world.
While exporters in China found some respite in May as Beijing and Washington agreed to suspend most of their levies for 90 days, tensions between the world’s two largest economies remain high and negotiations are underway over issues ranging from China’s rare earths controls to Taiwan.
Trade representatives from China and the U.S. are meeting in London on Monday to resume talks after a phone call between their top leaders on Thursday.
“Export growth was likely stalled by heavy customs inspections in May due to tightened export control efforts,” said Xu Tianchen, senior economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit, noting that rare earth exports nearly halved last month, while electric machinery exports also slowed significantly.
Underscoring the U.S. tariff impact on shipments, customs data showed that China’s exports to the U.S. slumped 34.5% year-on-year in May in value terms, widening from a 21% drop the previous month. Imports to the U.S. also lost further ground, dropping 18.1% from a 13.8% slide in April.
China’s May trade surplus came in at $103.22 billion, up from the $96.18 billion the previous month.
Other data, also released on Monday, showed China’s import of crude oil, coal, and iron ore dropped last month, underlining the fragility of domestic demand at a time of rising external headwinds.
Beijing in May rolled out a series of monetary stimulus measures, including cuts to benchmark lending rates and a 500 billion yuan low-cost loan program for supporting elderly care and services consumption.
The measures are aimed at cushioning the trade war’s blow to an economy that relied on exports in its recovery from the pandemic shocks and a protracted property market slump.
China’s markets showed muted reaction to the data. The blue-chip CSI300 Index CSI300 and the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index SSEC were up around 0.2%.
DEFLATIONARY PRESSURES
Producer and consumer price data, released by the National Bureau of Statistics on the same day, showed that deflationary pressures worsened last month.
The producer price index fell 3.3% in May from a year earlier, after a 2.7% decline in April and marked the deepest contraction in 22 months, while consumer prices extended declines, having dipped 0.1% last month from a year earlier.
Cooling factory activity also highlights the impact of U.S. tariffs on the world’s largest manufacturing hub, dampening faster services growth as suspense lingers over the outcome of U.S.-China trade talks.
Sluggish domestic demand and weak prices have weighed on China’s economy, which has struggled to mount a robust post-pandemic recovery and has relied on exports to underpin growth.
Retail sales growth slowed last month as spending continued to lag amid job insecurity and stagnant new home prices.
U.S. coffee chain Starbucks said on Monday it would lower prices of some iced drinks by an average of 5 yuan in China.
The core inflation measure, excluding volatile food and fuel prices, registered a 0.6% year-on-year rise, slightly faster than a 0.5% increase in April.
However, Zichun Huang, China economist at Capital Economics, said the improvement in core prices looks “fragile”, adding “we still think persistent overcapacity will keep China in deflation both this year and next.”
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
LOS ANGELES, June 8 (Xinhua) — The number of jobs at the Port of Los Angeles, the largest and busiest port in the United States, has been cut in half due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs that have crippled trade with the Asia-Pacific region, local media reported Saturday.
Over the last 25 shifts, only 733 jobs were available for the 1,575 dockworkers seeking work, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, adding that the port handled 25 percent less cargo than projected for May.
“They haven’t been laid off, but they’re working a lot less than they were before,” Seroka said. “We’ve actually seen a decline in work since the tariffs were put in place, in May,” he added.
J. Seroka attributed the job losses to the decrease in the volume of cargo passing through the port.
The Port of Los Angeles has been the largest container port in the United States every year since 2000. In California alone, nearly 1 million jobs are tied to trade through the port. –0–
Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
The Government’s Tourism Boost invested funding into Tourism New Zealand to drive international visitor numbers in the short term. This additional funding will encourage more visitors from New Zealand’s core markets of Australia, the United States and China over the medium to longer term.
This is the first investment in the Government’s Tourism Growth Roadmap, which sets the path for Government and industry to work together and double the value of tourism exports by 2034.
International visitors bring billions of dollars into the economy. This investment is expected to deliver an extra 72,000 international visitors, generating around $300 million in spending.
Funding comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) for 2025/26.
The Indian benchmark indices opened higher on Monday amid positive global cues, as buying was seen in the IT, PSU banks and auto sectors in the early trade.
At around 9.26 am, Sensex was trading 379.01 points or 0.46 per cent up at 82,568 while the Nifty added 116.15 point or 0.46 per cent at 25,119.20.
Nifty Bank was up 273.35 points or 0.48 per cent at 56,851.75. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 59,405.95 after rising 395.65 points or 0.67 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 18,711.90 after climbing 129.45 points or 0.70 per cent.
According to analysts, the monetary bazooka fired by the RBI last week will keep the market spirits alive in the near-term.
But this may not be sufficient to sustain the rally, and more important is the trend in earnings growth, they added.
“Q4 results indicate better earnings growth for midcaps. FY26 earnings are unlikely to reach mid teens, which is necessary for the market to remain resilient and move up,” said Dr VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Ltd.
Meanwhile, in the Sensex pack, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Infosys were the top gainers. Whereas, Titan, Tata Steel and Eternal were the top losers.
After a positive opening, Nifty can find support at 25,000, followed by 24,900 and 24,800. On the higher side, 25,100 can be an immediate resistance, followed by 25,200 and 25,300, said experts.
Given the current market dynamics and lingering global uncertainties, traders are advised to maintain a disciplined approach. It is prudent to avoid taking large overnight positions and instead focus on short-term trading opportunities, backed by strict stop-losses and robust risk management, said Hardik Matalia from Choice Broking.
The foreign institutional investors (FIIs) purchased equities worth Rs 1,009.71 crore on June 6, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) extended their buying on the 14th day, as they bought equities of Rs 9,342.48 crore on the same day.
In the Asian markets, Hong Kong, Bangkok, China, Seoul and Japan were trading in green.
In the last trading session, Dow Jones in the US closed at 42,762.87, up 443.13 points, or 1.05 per cent. The S&P 500 ended with a gain of 61.06 points, or 1.03 per cent, at 6,000.36 and the Nasdaq closed at 19,529.95, up 231.51 points, or 1.20 per cent.
A new $13.5 million investment in international tourism marketing is expected to deliver an extra 72,000 international visitors to our shores, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
“The additional funding into Tourism New Zealand will drive international visitor numbers and will be targeted towards our core markets of Australia, the United States and China over the next few years” Louise Upston says.
“We know how important marketing is to attract visitors, with around 14 per cent of international holiday visitors directly influenced by Tourism New Zealand’s marketing activity.
“This is the first investment in the Government’s Tourism Growth Roadmap, which sets out a series of Government initiatives and investments for the Government and industry to work together to double the value of tourism exports by 2034.
“International visitors bring billions of dollars into the economy and these markets are the driving force behind our tourism sector.
“This investment is expected to generate around $300 million in spending, which is a very strong return on investment. International visitor numbers continue to climb and this boost will help drive further economic growth throughout the entire country.
“Encouraging more visitors means more people staying in our hotels, eating in our cafés, spending in our shops and visiting our attractions. This creates jobs and drives economic growth.
“We want people to know New Zealand is open for business and we welcome visitors with open arms.”
Funding comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) for 2025/26.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Russian air defenses shot down 131 Ukrainian drones in the last 24 hours, including 73 devices outside the air defense zone, the Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
The ministry further said that the drones were destroyed over the Tula, Bryansk, Kaluga, Oryol, Belgorod, Kursk, and Moscow regions as well as Crimea.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China’s consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, was down 0.1 percent year on year in May, official data showed on Monday.
On a monthly basis, the CPI dipped 0.2 percent last month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, climbed 0.6 percent year on year in May, accelerating from a rise of 0.5 percent registered in April.
For the January-May period, the country’s CPI averaged a 0.1-percent decline compared with the same period last year, according to the NBS.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China’s producer price index (PPI), which measures costs for goods at the factory gate, went down 3.3 percent year on year in May, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Monday.
On a month-on-month basis, the PPI dropped 0.4 percent in May, according to the NBS data.
NBS statistician Dong Lijuan attributed the decline of PPI to falling international crude prices, which drove down domestic prices in petroleum-related industries, as well as a seasonal slowdown in demand for energy and raw materials, with coal prices easing and construction activity disrupted by hot and rainy weather in southern regions.
In May, the purchasing prices for industrial producers dropped by 3.6 percent year on year, the NBS data showed.
China’s consumer price index, a main gauge of inflation, was down 0.1 percent year on year in May.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
France’s proposed crackdown on ultra-fast fashion risks derailing billions of euros in trade with China, as experts accuse the bill of targeting Chinese e-commerce giants under the veneer of environmental concern.
They made the comments as the bill, now under heated debate in the French National Assembly, claims to address the environmental footprint of cheap, disposable clothing. But its wording and intention have sharpened into singling out e-commerce giants like Shein, Temu and AliExpress, all of which are deeply embedded in China’s garment supply chain.
“This isn’t about sustainability anymore,” said Wang Peng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences. “It’s about weaponizing policy to suppress rising Chinese players and destabilize global free trade.”
The French Trade Council and the Confederation of French Trade are among the most vocal backers. In a joint open letter, supported by 14 federations and over 230 brands, they called for the government to immediately delist the three Chinese platforms, claiming that “85 percent to 95 percent” of their goods fail to meet EU standards.
But critics argue the legislation is too targeted to be purely environmental. Chen Jin, professor of the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that instead of regulating environmental impact across the board, the bill seems surgically designed to curb China’s growing dominance in fast fashion.
It also echoed Audrey Millet, a fashion historian and University of Oslo scholar who was nominated for the Renaudot Essay Prize in 2022, who said that the bill is no longer about sustainability and it is possibly aimed at galvanizing votes ahead of the European Parliament elections.
France has long relied on China as its top clothing supplier. According to the French Institute for Economic Research, the proposed bill could hike clothing prices by 5 to 10 euros per item—costs that would likely fall on French consumers.
“Hostile policy moves like this won’t just hurt Chinese firms,” Wang warned. “They’ll hit French shoppers and shake the very foundation of bilateral trade”.
Those foundations are already showing cracks. In February 2025, French cognac exports to China plummeted 72 percent year-on-year, according to Socialist Party lawmaker Fabrice Barusseau, who represents France’s cognac-producing region. China accounts for a quarter of France’s total cognac sales.
Beyond spirits, Chinese consumers are propping up France’s entire luxury sector. LVMH’s top executive also warned French lawmakers that 80 percent of French cognac exports are sold in just two markets—China and the US—and that continued hostilities could upend the industry.
Chinese consumers have fueled a historic rally in France’s CAC 40 index, with LVMH, Hermès, Kering and L’Oréal accounting for over a third of the index’s gains in 2023.
“If Paris insists on pushing forward with a bill that’s seen as discriminatory and politically charged, Beijing won’t stay silent,” said Wang. “And when the response comes, it won’t just be Shein, Temu and Aliexpress that feel the sting—it could be French luxury brands, too.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A French couple Tristan and Anouk Masselin visit Yuyuan Garden area in east China’s Shanghai, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Driven by burgeoning inbound tourism and robust growth in the knowledge-intensive service sector, China’s trade in services registered swift expansion in the first four months of the year, underscoring the country’s efforts in fostering new growth drivers amid rising trade barriers, analysts said.
Although uncertainties still cloud tariff negotiations with the United States, China is committed to opening its door even wider and enhancing its global competitiveness to respond to intensifying protectionism, they added.
From January to April, China’s trade in services continued to grow at a relatively fast pace, with the total import and export value reaching 2.63 trillion yuan ($366 billion), a year-on-year increase of 8.2 percent, the Ministry of Commerce said in a news release on Friday.
China’s trade in knowledge-intensive services recorded a steady increase during this period, with total imports and exports reaching over 1 trillion yuan, up 5.5 percent year-on-year, the ministry said.
The export of travel services, in particular, grew 79.9 percent year-on-year during the first four months, recording the fastest growth among all subsectors, it added.
Expanding openness
The surge in the travel service sector is largely attributed to China’s unilateral visa exemption for citizens of 43 countries and its 144-hour visa-free transit policy for citizens from 54 countries. These measures have fostered a more convenient climate for foreign tourists coming to China, according to experts.
“China’s willingness to invite the world in demonstrates the nation’s commitment to expanding openness even when certain countries practice unilateralism,” said Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies of the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.
In addition, the country recently upgraded its instant tax refund system for foreign visitors, which, coupled with its improved payment services, makes China an appealing destination for both travel and shopping.
While the US is attempting to reshape global supply chains through tariffs, China is taking a totally different approach, Chen said.
China has reduced the minimum purchase threshold for tax refunds to 200 yuan from 500 yuan as part of the nation’s broader efforts to strengthen the clout of its consumer market and, thereby, cement its position in global supply chains, he said.
“This will compel other countries and global companies to carefully weigh the costs of decoupling from China against the dividends of engaging with the Chinese market,” he added.
Meng Pu, chairman of Qualcomm China, said: “Amid China’s fast-growing trade in services, we not only see greater efficiency and innovative applications brought by technology, but also the tremendous potential for win-win cooperation. Technology can only unleash its maximum value within an open and collaborative ecosystem.”
Top negotiators from Beijing and Washington are scheduled to hold the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism during Vice-Premier He Lifeng’s visit to the United Kingdom from Sunday to Friday.
The meeting will come after the two countries held economic and trade talks in May in Geneva, Switzerland, during which they agreed on a 90-day pause on triple-digit tariffs to allow further negotiations.
Zhao Jinping, vice-president of the China Association of Trade in Services, said that with the uncertain prospects of US tariffs on China’s trade in goods, it is crucial for China to tap into its trade in services as a means of buffering potential headwinds.
Looking ahead, China will push for the high-standard opening-up of its services trade by actively aligning with international high-standard economic and trade rules, and go ahead with the implementation of the negative list for cross-border trade in services, he added.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Cristiano Ronaldo scored again as Portugal claimed its second UEFA Nations League title, overcoming Spain 5-3 on penalties after a tense 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday.
Having scored the winner against Germany in the semifinal, Ronaldo equalized in the 61st minute of the final to bring Portugal back into the game for a second time. This extended his record of international goals to 138 in 221 appearances.
Spain, who had stunned France 5-4 in the semifinal, started brightly and were rewarded in the 21st minute when Martin Zubimendi scored from close range following a clever pass from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. Portugal responded swiftly through Nuno Mendes, whose angled drive beat goalkeeper Unai Simon just five minutes later.
Spain regained the lead moments before halftime when Pedri played a defense-splitting pass to Mikel Oyarzabal, who finished confidently to make it 2-1. However, Ronaldo leveled the match with a scrappy but vital finish after Mendes’ cross caused chaos in the Spain box.
Despite both sides pressing for a winner, the match was dragged into extra time, where fatigue began to take its toll. Substitute Diogo Jota almost won it for Portugal in the final minute, but his header went just over the bar.
In the penalty shootout, both teams converted their first three attempts. The turning point came when Spain’s late substitute Alvaro Morata saw his tame effort saved by goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Ruben Neves then stepped up and fired home the winning penalty, sparking scenes of jubilation on the Portuguese bench.
“Our fighting spirit helped us clinch the title. We knew it would be a tough game; Spain is a very strong team and plays some of the best football in the world. But we also know that when we stick together and play as a team, we are very hard to beat,” said Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen says she is refocusing her efforts on the upcoming grass-court season after defeat in the quarterfinals at the French Open.
Zheng, 22, lost to world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at Roland Garros on Tuesday.
Zheng Qinwen of China attends a training session at the 2024 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
“I blew so many chances during the match,” recalled Zheng on Sunday, after having triumphed on the same clay court at the Paris Olympics last year. “I did learn a lesson from the defeat. I hope whenever I’m in the same situation again, I can keep calm and control my nerves.”
After spending some time with friends after her defeat, Zheng said she felt much better and is ready to move on to the grass-court season.
“There is a new tournament coming and I cannot allow myself to dwell on the past,” said the world No. 5 Zheng, who will compete at the HSBC Championships in London – which precedes Wimbledon – as the top seed.
“I really look forward to playing at the Queen’s Club. I know it’s a club with great history and I’m thrilled that there is a women’s tournament here this year,” said Zheng.
Despite suffering first-round exits at Wimbledon in the past two years, Zheng says she remains confident in her ability on grass.
“I believe I can perform well on a grass court. Last year I was injured while playing at Wimbledon and one year earlier I didn’t prepare well as I was working with a new team,” said Zheng. “I think I can be much stronger this year if I prepare well.”
Zheng has received a bye in the first round and will start her campaign against either Britain’s Francesca Jones or McCartney Kessler of the United States in the second round.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Veteran midfielder Casemiro says Brazil will look to rediscover its attacking instincts when it meets Paraguay in a FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Brazil held Ecuador to a goalless draw in Guayaquil on Thursday in Carlo Ancelotti’s debut as manager, showing defensive discipline but little attacking threat.
Casemiro, recalled by Ancelotti to the national squad after an absence of almost two years, said Brazil would need to take a more proactive approach to break down an in-form Paraguay at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.
“Each game is a different story,” said the 33-year-old, who played under Ancelotti at Real Madrid before his 2022 move to Manchester United.
“It will be a game with a lot of possession and Paraguay wanting to play on the counterattack. We will need to be switched on mentally and take our chances when they come.
“Brazil’s main characteristic is always to attack, but having defensive solidity is already a step forward. There’s no point in me saying here that we’re playing well but the team’s attitude in the last game was good. Now we have to prioritize the offensive aspect a little more.”
Casemiro also praised Ancelotti’s early impact on the squad, saying the Italian had brought “experience” and “peace” to a team in transition.
The former Sao Paulo and Porto player said he is enjoying his best form in years after a turbulent start to his spell at Manchester United.
“This has been one of the most important years of my career,” he said. “I never stopped working and that has allowed me to come back stronger. Hard work always pays off and now I’m here, not because I know the coach, but because I earned it.”
The winner of the clash will secure a ticket to next year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada – but only if Uruguay beats Venezuela in Montevideo the same day.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
American-turned-“Chinese son-in-law” Adrian Brill left a teaching job in Chengdu to become a pizza maker in the quiet village of Nanxingan, nestled at the foot of the Huangshan Mountains in Anhui Province. In 2017, he and his wife moved to her hometown of Huangshan City. “This is a chance to build the life I’ve always wanted, which is to live in greater harmony with nature, community, and personal well-being,” he said.
“Chinese Son-in-Law” Adrien Makes Pizza with Fermented Maotofu Bean Curd (Source: Screenshot from video)
In 2021, Adrien gained attention for sharing his home-style and rustic cuisine on social media and opened a local pizzeria. “I didn’t choose the restaurant business, the business chose me,” he says. His signature pizzas are two types that combine unique Anhui flavors: the savory Chinese snapper and the fermented tofu (maotofu). “It’s not just food, it’s a cultural exchange. My family is half American and half Chinese, and the most beautiful thing is what’s born between the two cultures,” he says. Today, Adrien is not only a chef but also a mentor to the neighborhood’s youth, giving him a sense of belonging to different identities that lie at the intersection of Chinese and Western food cultures.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
On May 30 local time, the Symposium on Public Administration and Dialogue on People-to-People Exchanges between China and Central Asian Countries – 2025 was held in Astana (Republic of Kazakhstan).
In the photo: Deputy Director of the CPC Central Committee’s Propaganda Department Hu Heping delivers a speech.
Hu Heping noted that China is comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization, and the Central Asian countries are also tirelessly seeking a path of development and revival with their own national characteristics. And on this path of modernization, China and the Central Asian countries are fellow travelers and good partners. The parties need to raise the level of cooperation within the framework of the joint construction of the “One Belt, One Road” (hereinafter referred to as OBOR), support each other in choosing a development path that meets national realities, promote the construction of a more equitable international order, and strengthen international humanitarian exchanges and cooperation.
In the photo: Director General of the China International Civil Aviation Authority (CICG) Du Zhanyuan delivers a speech.
Du Zhanyuan said that China and the five Central Asian countries are developing countries. Their exchanges and cooperation in many areas such as public administration have deep historical roots, a solid foundation of public opinion and a wide range of practical needs. Looking to the future, the two sides should focus on issues such as modernization, poverty alleviation and environmental protection, continue to promote ideological convergence and exchanges on the China-Central Asia concept, and strengthen the cultural foundation of the China-Central Asia community with a shared future through mutual enrichment of ideas.
Pictured: Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin delivers a speech.
In the photo: Executive Secretary of the Amanat Party of Kazakhstan Daulet Karibek gives a speech.
In the photo: Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Kairat Sarybay delivers a speech.
In the photo: Vice Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Yevgeny Kochetov gives a speech.
In the photo: Secretary General of the China-Central Asia format Sun Weidong delivers a video address.
During the symposium, guests from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and other countries held in-depth exchanges of views on the topic of the event. Jiang Yonggang, Director of the Europe and Asia Broadcasting Center (Renmin Huabao Publishing House) under the Foreign Languages Publication and Distribution Administration of the People’s Republic of China, acted as the host of the event.
In the photo: guests give speeches
In the photo: sites of four thematic sections
In the photo: the event site
On May 29 local time, a presentation of the Kazakh edition of the 4-volume collection “Xi Jinping on State Governance” was also held in Astana under the auspices of the PRC Foreign Language Publication and Dissemination Office and the National Ethnic Affairs Committee of the PRC. Du Zhanyuan delivered a speech at the ceremony.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Climb the Great Wall of China to admire the majestic scenery; stroll along the central axis of Beijing and immerse yourself in the ancient Chinese civilization; stroll along the Liangmahe River embankment with an international atmosphere to enjoy the city’s nightlife charm… More than 270 tour operators from over 40 countries and regions around the world recently gathered in Beijing to “discover Beijing” for 48 hours and fully experience the dynamics and energy of China travel.
“This is my first visit to Beijing and China, everything here pleasantly surprises me!” exclaims Anya from Munich, filming what she saw on her mobile phone. She told reporters that she was very impressed by climbing the Great Wall of China, listening to the Kunqu opera and tasting Peking duck. “I am so glad that I came here. Next year I hope to visit China with my family to discover even more interesting things,” she said.
From June 1 to 2, the Beijing Cultural and Tourism Administration invited tour operators from the United States, Britain, France, Italy and other countries to get acquainted with new tourism products, locations and services in the capital of the PRC.
As China continues to optimize its entry policy and expand the list of countries whose citizens can enter China without a visa, “China travel” is becoming increasingly popular, and “China shopping” is becoming a new fashion trend. Since the beginning of this year, Beijing’s inbound tourism has shown accelerated growth, with the number of tourists and their consumption rates increasing sharply. Data show that Beijing received 1.46 million foreign tourists from January to April this year, up 57.1% year-on-year.
The 2025 Beijing Inbound Tourism Development Conference focuses on topics such as transportation, payment, accommodation, shopping, entertainment and technology, and introduces overseas tour operators to services and innovative products aimed at facilitating inbound tourism.
According to the information provided, Beijing will continuously expand its tourism products such as world heritage tours, hutong tours, night city tours and other specialized and immersive tourism products. Ten themed inbound tourism routes will be launched to enrich the diversity of tourism products and meet the needs of different markets and tourist groups.
“Some American tourists are not familiar with China, and the new measures taken by Beijing will help them travel around the city more conveniently,” said Justin Lipsky from the United States. “I like to visit places like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Drum Tower and Wangfujing Street, where you can experience the unique history and culture of Beijing. I will also recommend these places to tourists from the United States.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China unveiled its first deep-sea testing site in Hainan province on Sunday, which was World Oceans Day, to boost the research and development of deep-sea equipment and drive the growth of the marine economy, officials said.
“Deep-sea regions are crucial strategic resource areas for countries around the world, and deep-sea manufacturing stands as the linchpin for advancing deep-sea exploration and exploitation,” Cui Xiaojian, deputy director of the Hainan Provincial Oceanic Administration, said in Haikou, the provincial capital.
Deep-sea regions are renowned for their abundant mineral, biological and energy resources. The testing site, located about 200 kilometers southeast of Sanya in Hainan, sits at water depths between 1,300 and 1,500 meters across 400 square km. Cui said the site will feature an integrated service platform encompassing technology research and development, testing verification, industrial incubation and certification evaluation.
“By closely aligning with diverse application scenarios reflecting real-world demands, this initiative strives to catalyze deep-sea industrial upgrades, hasten the development of new high-quality productive forces in the marine sector, and inject new momentum into the high-quality development of the marine economy,” Cui said.
Hainan administers around two-thirds of China’s ocean area, covering 2 million sq km. With tropical marine depths averaging over 1,200 meters, it offers unique and strategically scarce resources nationwide, characterized by high pressure and low temperatures, Cui said.
The establishment of the new deep-sea testing site in Hainan, along with existing sites in Shandong, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, represents a comprehensive national layout of marine testing sites spanning north, east and south, covering areas from shallow seas to deep oceans, said Chu Jun, deputy director of the marine early warning and monitoring division of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The layout took into account the locations and characteristics of each marine area and acts as a pivotal bridge for translating marine scientific and technological achievements into tangible products. This approach also provides essential support for the collaborative development and sharing of marine resources, facilitating the building of a strong maritime nation, Chu said.
“Many maritime enterprises and institutions in our country have introduced novel equipment and products, necessitating immediate sea-based performance testing,” Chu said. “The construction of marine testing sites can provide the requisite environment and conditions for relevant enterprises and institutions to test their deep-sea equipment, so they could play a leading role in fostering the growth of the marine economy.
“As the only deep-sea testing site, the new one can facilitate scientific research, the development of investigative equipment and the exploration of renewable energy resources in the deep sea,” he said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Rough-toothed dolphin Yang Yang is returned to the sea in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, June 8, 2025. Yang Yang, a rough-toothed dolphin, was successfully returned to the sea off Sanya’s coast on Sunday following a rescue and rehabilitation program. The marine mammal initially stranded at Yalong Bay on April 24. As Yang Yang regains health after receiving specialized care, experts have decided to return it to a sea area deemed suitable for its future life. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
An aerial drone photo taken on April 9, 2024 shows the scenery of Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. [Photo/Xinhua]
The South China Sea Tsunami Advisory Center (Hainan) started operation in south China’s Hainan province on Sunday, aiming to provide marine disaster early warning services for regional countries.
The center, located in the coastal city of Sanya during the current trial operation, was established by the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center and the Hainan provincial oceanic administration. It seeks to develop a comprehensive multi-hazard early warning system for tsunamis, marine heatwaves, harmful algal blooms and other hazards.
It also aims to serve as a platform for international cooperation in marine forecasting and warning.
On the same day, a deep-sea test site was also launched in Sanya to support fundamental deep-sea scientific research, technological innovation and the development of related industries.
The South China Sea region is prone to tsunamis and other marine hazards due to its complex tectonic setting, including active fault lines and frequent undersea earthquakes in nearby areas.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday exchanged congratulations on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In his message, Xi said that over the past 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the “Paukphaw” (fraternal) friendship between China and Myanmar has stood the test of time and grown even stronger.
Upholding the jointly advocated Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit, the two countries have been committed to good neighborliness, deepened mutually beneficial cooperation, and firmly supported each other on issues regarding their respective core interests and major concerns, setting a fine example of friendly exchange between countries, he said.
Xi recalled his meeting with Min Aung Hlaing in Russia in May, when the two leaders reached important consensus on building the China-Myanmar community with a shared future.
China attaches great importance to the development of its ties with Myanmar and stands ready to work with Myanmar to take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to accelerate high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative and push for solid progress in building the China-Myanmar community with a shared future, so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples, Xi stressed.
For his part, Min Aung Hlaing said that Xi’s historic visit to Myanmar in 2020 opened a new chapter in building the Myanmar-China community with a shared future.
After a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar earlier this year, the Chinese government and people offered humanitarian assistance promptly, fully demonstrating the deep friendship between our two peoples in standing together through thick and thin and helping each other in times of difficulties, he said.
Min Aung Hlaing hailed his meeting with Xi in Moscow as fruitful, as they reached important consensus on deepening strategic cooperation. He also expressed gratitude to China for its firm support of Myanmar’s efforts to achieve peace and stability, national reconciliation and economic development.
The Myanmar leader said he looks forward to accelerating cooperation with China across various fields and forging a stronger, more resilient and mutually beneficial partnership.
Also on Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang exchanged congratulations with Min Aung Hlaing.
Li said that over the past 75 years, thanks to joint efforts from both sides, significant progress has been made in friendly exchanges and practical cooperation in various fields.
Li voiced his readiness to work with Min Aung Hlaing to deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries and advance solid progress in building the China-Myanmar community with a shared future, so as to inject new momentum into respective development.
Under the guidance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, steady growth has been achieved in Myanmar-China relations, said Min Aung Hlaing, voicing willingness to work with China to jointly build the community with a shared future so as to better benefit the two peoples.