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Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s top diplomat meets US ambassador to China

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

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with new U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue in Beijing, capital of China, June 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday welcomed David Perdue to his new post as the ambassador of the United States to China and expressed the hope that he will play an active role in promoting the healthy, steady and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

    Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Perdue in Beijing, voicing the hope that Perdue will serve as a reliable communicator, a mediator of differences and a promoter of cooperation between the two countries.

    China-U.S. relations are currently at an important and critical juncture, Wang said. Looking back on the journey of nearly half a century filled with twists and turns since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the most important revelation is that equality and respect are the prerequisites for exchanges between the two sides, and dialogue and cooperation are the only correct choice, Wang said.

    Wang stressed that after the bilateral economic and trade talks in Geneva, China has earnestly and strictly implemented the consensus reached by both sides. But, it is regrettable that the United States has since introduced a series of negative measures for groundless reasons, infringing upon China’s legitimate rights and interests. China firmly opposes such actions, he noted.

    Wang said the U.S. side should meet China halfway, earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their phone call in January this year, and create necessary conditions for the return of bilateral relations to the right track.

    Perdue said President Donald Trump has great respect for President Xi Jinping, noting that it is very important for the two heads of state to maintain positive and constructive exchanges.

    Perdue also said that, as the U.S. ambassador to China, he is willing to maintain close communication with the Chinese side in the spirit of mutual respect and attentive dialogue.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Kremlin says meeting between Putin, Trump, Zelensky unlikely soon

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

    A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is unlikely to take place anytime soon, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

    Peskov said that while the Russian leader remains open to holding high-level talks, he believes that such a meeting should only happen after agreements have been reached and worked out at the technical level.

    Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul on Monday for a second round of direct talks, during which the two sides agreed to a major prisoner swap, discussed humanitarian issues, and exchanged draft peace proposals outlining concrete terms for settling the Ukraine crisis.

    “Of course, it would be wrong to expect any immediate decisions or breakthroughs,” Peskov said when commenting on the latest meeting.

    Peskov stated that certain important agreements were reached on Monday in Istanbul and that Moscow will await Kiev’s response to the peace memorandum that Russian officials handed to the Ukrainian side.

    At the same time, he said that discussions about “compromises” in the draft proposals should be conducted directly with Kiev, noting that the details would not be made public. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Dutch PM announces resignation of his gov’t

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

    Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced the resignation of his government on Tuesday, saying that he will formally submit his resignation to the King.

    The decision came after the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) announced its withdrawal from the ruling coalition.

    Speaking at a press conference in The Hague, Schoof said he would formally submit his resignation to King Willem-Alexander later in the day.

    He said that he would remain in office as caretaker prime minister and continue working to address the major challenges currently facing the Netherlands.

    Schoof also criticized the PVV’s withdrawal, calling it “irresponsible and entirely unnecessary.”

    The Dutch government led by Schoof took office on July 2, 2024, and has been in power for less than a year. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Global gene banks add over 11,000 seed samples to Svalbard Vault

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

    Staff members transport seed samples into the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, on June 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Fourteen gene banks from around the world are depositing more than 11,200 seed samples this week at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, underscoring the critical role of crop diversity in future food security.

    Nestled in the Arctic permafrost on Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, the Seed Vault is the world’s largest secure backup facility for crop diversity. To date, it safeguards over 1.3 million seed samples from across the globe.

    This 67th deposit includes vegetables and traditional crops that are not only vital for nutrition and climate resilience, but also for maintaining cultural identities, the Crop Trust, a managing partner of the facility, said in a press release on Tuesday.

    Among the new deposits are South Korea’s perilla and adzuki bean, Dutch heritage cabbage and spinach varieties, and Benin’s ancient cereal fonio and melon — examples of the profound link between seeds and cultural traditions worldwide.

    “These additions offer another snapshot of the rich diversity now held in the Seed Vault,” said Stefan Schmitz, executive director of the Crop Trust. They reflect how cultural heritage is intertwined with the survival of often-overlooked plant varieties — varieties that are vital to the future of food, he added.

    In total, 31 boxes of seeds are being deposited this week by gene banks from Austria, Benin, Kenya, Lebanon, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Poland, Slovakia, South Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vietnam, and Zambia.

    “The value of these seeds is immense,” said Hanne-Berit Brekken, Norway’s state secretary at Ministry of Agriculture and Food. “They will support scientists, breeders, and farmers in preparing our food systems to face both natural and human-made challenges.”

    Established in 2008, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault aims to protect the genetic diversity of the world’s food crops from threats such as war, climate change, and natural disasters. With a capacity to store up to 4.5 million distinct seed varieties, it serves as a global insurance policy for agriculture, housing duplicates from gene banks worldwide — as well as new varieties yet to be collected. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Israel launches airstrikes in S. Syria amid rising border tensions

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

    Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes overnight on southern Syria, targeting military positions in Quneitra and Daraa provinces, following reports of a projectile launched from western Daraa toward the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

    According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, explosions rocked the city of Quneitra and the countryside around Daraa, with loud blasts heard across Izraa, Tel al-Mal, and Tel al-Sha’ar.

    The observatory said the strikes reportedly hit the 175th Regiment base and other strategic locations.

    The strikes mark a significant escalation in an already fragile region, representing one of several incidents this week following months of relative quiet.

    The observatory said the Israeli response followed the firing of a single projectile toward Israeli territory, a claim the foreign affairs authorities said in a statement it could not confirm.

    “We have not verified the origin of the reported fire toward the Israeli side,” the Syrian statement said, adding that “there are parties who seek to destabilize the region for their own benefit.”

    The statement reiterated that Syria “did not and will not pose a threat to any side in the region,” affirming that its priority in the south is to reassert state authority and disarm non-state actors.

    Earlier in the night, Israeli drone activity was reported over the Yarmouk Basin, a rugged area long considered a stronghold for militant groups. The observatory noted that this week’s strikes mark the first artillery fire from southern Syria toward Israel since the collapse of the former regime in December.

    The escalation has renewed concerns of a broader conflict. Since January, Israel has launched at least 56 strikes on Syrian territory, according to the observatory, including airstrikes and ground assaults, primarily targeting weapons depots, militia outposts, and command centers.

    In its statement on Tuesday night, Syria’s foreign affairs authorities condemned the latest Israeli bombardment, calling it a “blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty” and warning that the attacks would only “deepen regional instability at a time when de-escalation is urgently needed.”

    It called on the international community to hold Israel accountable and support efforts to restore calm and security to Syria and the wider region. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Brazil feeling Ancelotti effect

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

    Defender Marquinhos has praised the early impact of Carlo Ancelotti on Brazil’s national team, expressing confidence that the newly appointed manager can inject a spark into the squad as it prepares for crucial World Cup qualifiers.

    Ancelotti, who officially took charge last week after leaving Real Madrid, will lead Brazil for the first time on Thursday when the Selecao confronts Ecuador in Guayaquil. Five days later, Brazil will host Paraguay in Sao Paulo.

    Wins in both matches will all but secure the five-time world champion a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Brazil currently sits fourth in South America’s qualifying standings, with the top six teams earning direct entry.

    Carlo Ancelotti (L), head coach of Brazil’s national football team, receives a Brazil national team jersey with his name from Samir Xaud, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, during a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 26, 2025. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua)

    “The expectations, desire and ambition are the best possible,” Marquinhos told a news conference from Brazil’s training base in Teresopolis, near Rio de Janeiro, on Tuesday.

    “The new manager has already shown the strength he has and what he can do in football, the intelligence he has. That’s what the national team needs.”

    The 31-year-old said the squad had already begun to respond to the Italian’s leadership and charisma.

    “You can see already that Carlo brings a certain energy,” the former Corinthians and Roma player said. “There is a feeling of something new and that something is coming. This short period before the [2026] World Cup is going to be very important.

    “But it’s just a start and we know that everything will depend on what we do on the pitch. When we start winning we can also get the fans and the press on our side and everything will be easier. Hopefully this good energy can help us to get the job done on the pitch.

    Marquinhos arrived in Brazil less than three days after captaining Paris Saint-Germain to its first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan at Allianz Arena in Munich.

    “My voice is coming back a little now. But these were days and nights of great emotion,” he said. “I think it’s worth mentioning that Paris believed in a project for 12 years, even back when it seemed distant. Having managed to achieve a goal in such a way was very special. Being part of that was gratifying.

    “There’s only one year to go until the World Cup and within PSG I’ve already seen that the dynamics within a team can change very quickly. I hope that happens here in the national team as well.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World Aquatics adopts bylaw against doping enablers

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

    World Aquatics has adopted a new bylaw aimed at protecting sport from doping, swimming’s global governing body announced Tuesday following a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

    Nic Fink (C) of Team the United States competes during the mixed 4X100m medley relay final of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)

    “Under the new Bylaw, individuals who support, endorse, or participate in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods will not be eligible to hold positions with World Aquatics or to participate in any World Aquatics competitions, events, or other activities,” World Aquatics said in a statement.

    The bylaw is widely seen as a direct response to the Enhanced Games, which is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, United States, in May 2026.

    The event allows athletes to use performance-enhancing substances without testing, and World Aquatics confirmed that athletes who participate will face bans. “People, organizations and competitions that promote or enable doping have no place in aquatics,” the organization stated.

    “Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,” said World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam in the statement. “This new Bylaw ensures that we can continue to protect the integrity of our competitions, the health and safety of our athletes, and the credibility of the global aquatics community.”

    World Aquatics added that its Bureau will make decisions regarding ineligibility on a case-by-case basis.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s prodigy set to make bigger splashes

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

    Six years ago, she was just another kid frolicking at water parks to escape the summer heat. However, at the recent Chinese National Swimming Championships, Yu Zidi stood atop China’s swimming elite — and the world is struggling to believe she’s only 12.

    The swimming prodigy emerged as the brightest young star at the championships held from May 17 to 24 in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, after producing a string of eye-popping performances.

    Yu Zidi, 12, has already secured three “A” cut qualifying spots for the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore in July. XINHUA

    On May 24, sporting her signature swim cap adorned with a cartoon dog pattern, Yu clinched the women’s 400m individual medley title by a staggering margin of almost two seconds. She dominated a competitive field, setting a personal best time of 4:35.53, impressively surpassing the world championships qualifying standard of 4:43.06.

    Her time ranked as the fifth fastest time of the year, a feat that would have secured her fourth place at the Paris Olympics.

    Just three days earlier, Yu claimed gold in the 200m butterfly event with an incredible time of 2:06.83, also the fifth fastest globally this year and another that would have garnered a fourth place in Paris.

    That prompted the global governing body, World Aquatics, to post: “12-year-old sensation alert!” on social media.

    “My lungs were about to explode! I didn’t know my time; I just focused on my pace, stroke by stroke,” Yu recounted.

    She started the week-long China championships by taking second in the 200m individual medley behind Paris Olympian Yu Yiting, with another worlds-qualifying time of 2:10.63.

    Yu Zidi performances secured her three “A” cut qualifying spots for the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore this July.

    “I’m really excited and hope to achieve good results, but since I have never been to the World Aquatics Championships before, I’ll just focus on doing my best,” she said.

    Yu Zidi started swimming at six years old during a summer vacation.

    “That summer was too hot, so I went to the water park with my dad for fun. Later, because it was a long vacation, I often went to a swimming pool to cool off, and a coach noticed me there. At the time, I thought, why not give it a try? So I tried, and here I am now,” Yu Zidi recalled.

    After that, she began training as part of a swimming team every day after school.

    “It was crazy busy — barely any time to play, but fulfilling,” said Yu Zidi.

    Li Chao is the coach who first spotted Yu Zidi in 2019.

    “She has a great feel for the water and isn’t afraid, even when diving,” Li recalled. “At first, Yu (Zidi) trained alongside kids five or six years older than her. What stood out the most was her incredibly strong legs.”

    Yu Zidi’s idol is China’s middle-distance freestyle swimmer Li Bingjie. In one of her school essays, she expressed her aspirations: “I hope to become an Olympic champion like her when I grow up — I want to experience that feeling for myself. Even though it’s tiring, as long as I can keep swimming, I’ll continue striving to bring glory to our country.”

    Yu Zidi shared how Li Bingjie personally coached her on poolside techniques — from refining turns, to underwater kicks — and patiently explained training plans that she initially found challenging to grasp.

    Despite being just 12 years old, Yu Zidi has already developed her own life philosophy through her daily training: “The most challenging moments often arise when you are on the brink of achieving your goal — that’s when perseverance is crucial. I firmly believe that giving my all in every training session will ultimately lead to good results.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Magnum’ primed for shot with ‘Bullet’

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

    Out-sized and overpowered? UFC’s strawweight queen Zhang Weili dismisses the physical challenge of her ambitious division leap, drawing on her finesse to punch above her weight.

    Ever since she tamed American challenger Tatiana Suarez in February to successfully defend her strawweight title a third straight time, Zhang has not been shy about expressing her desire to try her hand in the heavier, and more brutal, flyweight class, currently ruled by Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan.

    Riding on the momentum from her successful title defense against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in February, China’s reigning strawweight champion Zhang Weili is primed to step up her challenge as she calls on the Las Vegas-based MMA promotion’s flyweight belt holder Valentina Shevchenko for a ‘super fight’ between two fearsome champs before the end of 2025. XINHUA/ZUFFA/LLC

    The proud Chinese striker, who’s almost done it all in the 115-pound (52kg) class with two championship reigns, has again called on the Las Vegas-based promotion and Shevchenko to book a date for a mouthwatering “super fight” between two formidable champs.

    If all goes to plan, the “Magnum” hopes to take her shot at a second belt before the end of this year.

    “I wish we could get it settled as soon as possible, hopefully before the end of 2025,” Zhang told China Daily after the UFC announced last month that it will bring its Fight Night back to Shanghai for the first time since 2017.

    “The negotiation, as far as I know, is going on right now. I think Valentina is also interested in it because that’s what the fans would want to see.

    “Now it’s up to the UFC to decide whether they are going to make it happen,” said Zhang, who will have to muscle up by more than four kilograms to match the standard in the 125-pound flyweight division.

    “I won’t have size or power on my side heading into the flyweight division, but I believe I can be competitive there with the right adjustments tactically and mentally.

    “I need to fight more with my brain and my heart, going with more precision and finesse.”

    The returning Fight Night, scheduled on Aug 23 at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium, is the Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts promotion’s first live event in the Chinese mainland since August 2019, when Zhang wrested the strawweight belt from Brazilian grappler Jessica Andrade with a first-round TKO in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

    Neither Zhang nor Shevchenko, however, will be fresh enough to fight in Shanghai in just over two months, with both having only just defended their respective titles.

    Zhang’s unanimous decision win over Suarez at UFC 312 in Sydney has borne witness to her evolution into a more complete mixed martial artist. The 35-year-old champ, who developed her early career in China’s sanda, or kickboxing, system, fended off 14 of the wrestling specialist’s 15 takedown attempts, and outstruck the challenger 251-61, to retain her title as the “betting underdog” before the bout.

    Zhang is now tied with retired legend Joanna Jedrzejczyk for most strawweight title fight wins at six.

    Known as “Bullet” in the Octagon, Shevchenko also clinched a unanimous decision win over challenger Manon Fiorot at UFC 315 last month, showing quite an impressive momentum that has left the entire MMA community eagerly anticipating a cross-division clash with Zhang.

    Following Shevchenko’s successful defense, Zhang wasted no time offering her congratulations along with a statement hinting at her pursuit of a second title, saying in an Instagram post: “Everything has lined up perfectly, it’s destiny.”

    Shevchenko admitted during a recent ESPN interview that she’s accepted that a bout with Zhang seems almost inevitable in her near future.

    “On the other side, you can see the champion in strawweight, Weili Zhang, and it’s kind of like she built up her career,” Shevchenko said of her next fight options during the post-event show after UFC Fight Night on ESPN on Saturday.

    “She deserves so much, because all of her title defenses. Definitely, I feel that, at this point, she deserves this fight more than anyone.

    “Weili has the same passion for martial arts (as me) … and she’s very loyal and feels good about mixed martial arts. This is what I like about her.

    “I’m hearing from my fans that this is what they want to see.”

    Still, Shevchenko stressed that she will wait until she’s fully recovered from her win over Fiorot, and won’t rush to set a date with Zhang until she’s physically and mentally set to start a camp again.

    Not everyone is convinced, however, that Zhang has what it takes to be a legitimate contender in the higher class.

    “I think Weili would be very similar to Namajunas,” said American Erin Blanchfield, the fourthranked contender in flyweight, who claimed a unanimous decision win over former strawweight belt holder Rose Namajunas in November last year.

    “I think she could win some fights at flyweight, because she’s very good, but I don’t see her being a champ. I don’t even see her really being top-five at 125.

    “I mean, Rose was able to beat her twice and knock her out once, and Rose is a little bit bigger than Weili, at least height-wise. So, being even shorter, Weili has even less of an advantage at 125.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Drones empower China’s medical emergency systems

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

    Shen Jun (C), vice president of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, receives emergency blood supply delivered by a drone during a simulated test flight at the hospital’s Binhai branch in Tianjin, north China, May 21, 2025. (Xinhua)

    China is rapidly integrating drone technology into its medical emergency systems, with breakthroughs in multiple cities demonstrating enhanced efficiency in critical care logistics.

    North China’s Tianjin Municipality launched its first medical drone route in late May, marked by a successful simulated emergency blood supply test flight. The flight connected a blood station at the Binhai New Area and the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital’s Binhai branch.

    “The drone route creates an emergency blood lifeline for patients in critical conditions,” said Shen Jun, vice president of the hospital.

    Carrying a 5kg payload, the drone is equipped with a temperature-controlled medical box that allows for temperature, location and flight status monitoring in real-time. Its efficient point-to-point delivery avoids delays caused by road traffic, saving precious time for emergency treatment.

    Amid the rapid growth of China’s low-altitude economy, low-altitude medical services, as a niche sector, are expanding their applications, driving an unprecedented transformation in healthcare.

    In November 2024, the National Healthcare Security Administration added “air medical transport” to the national medical service price catalog, mandating standardized pricing in the country’s provincial areas by the end of May this year. Commercial health insurance providers are also encouraged to explore coverage for these services. The guideline has accelerated the adoption of low-altitude aircraft in medical applications.

    Bolstered by technology and policy support, Chinese provinces like Zhejiang, Guangdong and Fujian are actively exploring the application of drones in their medical systems, transporting test samples, blood, emergency supplies and medicine, which are crucial for saving critical treatment times.

    In the city of Zigong, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, drones have become a routine part of medical services.

    According to the municipal health commission, the city has opened 25 low-altitude routes linking 28 sites for medical transport. As of May 27, drones had completed 5,270 flights for medical use.

    The drones are automated, cloud-controlled models built for urban operations. Cruising at 72km per hour with an 18-km range, they operate 70 percent to 80 percent faster than ground transport.

    “Usually, it takes at least 30 to 40 minutes from the hospital branch of Bancang to the headquarters by ground transportation. Drones cut this to 11 minutes,” said Huang Yuting, transport manager at Zigong First People’s Hospital, referring to a case in which a drone delivered a drug for emergency use last August.

    Hao Jihui, president of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital, said the low-altitude transport system breaks geographical barriers, enhances emergency response, and significantly improves medical resource efficiency by cutting costs and transportation times.

    “We’ll expand drone applications to enhance cross-regional medical resource allocation and meet multi-level health service demands,” Hao added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: SW China mountainous county brews global matcha success

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

    An aerial drone photo taken on May 15, 2025 shows Wei Yong (C) explaining key points of planting to tea farmers in Jiangkou County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

    In Jiangkou County, nestled in southwest China’s mountainous Guizhou Province, a centuries-old tea tradition is fueling a modern global boom.

    In 2024, the county’s matcha sales exceeded 1,200 tonnes with an output value surpassing 300 million yuan (about 41.7 million U.S. dollars), while its products have been exported to overseas markets including Japan, the United States and France.

    As a major matcha-producing country, China is poised to produce over 5,000 tonnes of matcha in 2025. Notably, Guizhou, leveraging its high-altitude tea farms, low latitude and misty climate, accounts for one quarter of China’s national output and exports to more than 40 countries and regions.

    Jiangkou County, located at the foot of Guizhou’s UNESCO-listed Fanjing Mountain, was once a poverty-stricken region but is now a pioneer in the field of matcha production. This turnaround began in 2017, when cutting-edge matcha industrial technology was introduced to this area.

    Led by industry leaders in partnership with allied enterprises and local farmers, this initiative has established a province-wide matcha industrial network in Guizhou — spanning 22 counties and empowering nearly 100,000 tea growers via increased incomes.

    The county’s tea fields currently cover 160,000 mu (about 10,667 hectares), with 20 percent dedicated to matcha production.

    “We control every step from farming to processing — to ensure premium quality,” said Meng Zude, chairman of Gui Tea Group, a leading tea company that manages the industrial cluster in Jiangkou.

    Meng explained that farmers focus on cultivation while allied partners process leaves. Gui Tea Group then refines leaves into premium matcha. From field to factory, free technical support ensures EU-standard compliance across the supply chain, Meng added.

    Jiangkou County has adapted Japanese matcha techniques to local conditions through both collaborations with experts and in-house research and development. Farmers now implement fertilization protocols, eco-friendly pest control and precision pruning — critical steps that ensure high-quality tencha leaves.

    Four tonnes of matcha have already been exported to Japan in 2025, while another six tonnes are scheduled for shipment to this traditional matcha hub this year, according to Chen Xiaoming, deputy director of Gui Tea’s foreign trade business.

    “Domestic clients now approach us directly, while Japanese buyers seek raw material supplies,” Chen said, adding that inquiries have grown significantly.

    “Matcha isn’t just a drink,” said Chen. “It’s a lifestyle China now leads.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China rising in rankings of universities

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

    China Daily | June 4, 2025

    Students take selfies during the 8th International Culture Festival of Tianjin Foreign Studies University in North China’s Tianjin, April 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The global higher education landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, as China shows consistent improvement in academic output while universities in the United States face downward pressure in global rankings amid recent student visa policies, experts said.

    China has surpassed the US for the first time in the number of universities listed in the latest Global 2000 university rankings. Chinese institutions now account for 17 percent of the list, up from 324 last year to 346 this year, while the number of ranked US universities dropped from 329 to 319.

    The World University Rankings 2025, released on Monday by the Center for World University Rankings, revealed that 98 percent of Chinese universities improved their positions — a surge attributed to enhanced research performance and sustained government investment in higher education.

    Tsinghua University rose six places to rank 37th, excelling in employability and research. Peking University advanced three places to the 44th, while the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences jumped four places to 46th — surpassing Shanghai Jiao Tong University in the 61st place and Zhejiang University in the 68th position.

    Nadim Mahassen, president of the Center for World University Rankings, said that China is well represented among the world’s top universities, and further financial backing from the government will allow the country to be more competitive in the rapidly evolving global academic landscape.

    Although the US still has eight of the world’s top 10 universities — led by Harvard, MIT and Stanford — 83 percent of its listed institutions declined in rank. The United Kingdom’s Cambridge and Oxford secured the fourth and fifth places, respectively.

    Mahassen said that while the US still boasts the top universities in the world, the decline in ranking of the vast majority of its higher education institutions on the list is concerning.

    “At a time when Chinese universities are reaping the rewards of years of generous financial support from their government, American institutions are grappling with slashed federal funding and disputes over academic freedom and free speech,” he said.

    Recent controversies, such as the Trump administration’s move to revoke enrollment of international students at Harvard, later blocked by a federal judge, highlight the challenges facing US higher education.

    “For many years, American universities were able to attract a large number of international students, particularly from China. But with China’s extraordinary ascent in the rankings, coupled with the recent visa policies of the US, the situation may change soon,” Mahassen said.

    Liu Wei, senior vice-president of New Channel International Education Group and CEO of its overseas study division, said that China has been gaining ground in multiple international ranking systems — including QS, Times Higher Education and the Academic Ranking of World Universities — showing consistent improvement in academic output and global research influence.

    He emphasized that recent US visa policies toward Chinese students, such as the announcement of revoking the visas of some of those studying in “critical fields”, are also influencing the global higher education landscape and may affect the future rankings of US and Chinese institutions.

    “Stricter visa policies have introduced uncertainty for Chinese students seeking to study in the US, prompting many to consider alternatives,” Liu said.

    Countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore, as well as some European countries, have ramped up efforts to attract international students, particularly those diverting from the US.

    Universities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region also moved quickly to offer assistance when Harvard’s ability to admit international students was curtailed.

    Chen Zhiwen, a member of the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy, said that Chinese students contribute significantly to research productivity and academic exchanges on US campuses, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, as well as among postgraduate students.

    A decline in the number of Chinese students due to visa policies could have an impact on academic output in US higher education, Chen said. Chinese universities could benefit from this in the long term, as students who planned to study in the US may instead enroll in top domestic institutions, boosting China’s academic and research environment, he added.

    “Since 2018, the proportion of Tsinghua University graduates pursuing overseas studies has shown a declining trend,” he said, adding that the trend could usher in a more multipolar higher education system, reducing the US’ historical dominance.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SEE to attend National Event on the Environment Day 2025 in Chongqing

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, will depart for Chongqing this afternoon (June 4) to attend the National Event on the Environment Day 2025 to be held tomorrow (June 5).
     
    June 5 is the Environment Day. The National Event on the Environment Day is a large-scale environmental protection publicity event jointly organised by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Central Office of Spiritual Civilization Construction, and the people’s government of the province/ municipality directly under the Central Government of the organising place each year that day. This year, the event will be held in Chongqing.
     
    The theme of the Environment Day 2025 is “Beautiful China: I am a Pioneer”. The National Event this year will showcase the achievements in promoting the construction of Beautiful China Pilot Zones across the country and advocate for the active participation of the public in the construction of a beautiful China.
     
    Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong in the evening tomorrow. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, will be the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: While Taiwanese man travels alone, mainland netizens shower him with affection

    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

    “Help! Dad flew to Shenyang alone!”

    “He doesn’t know how to use Alipay or WeChat, and he’s not even good with his phone in Taiwan,”

    “He only took cash,”

    “He’s already on the plane now”…

    Recently, a post asking for help from a Taiwanese netizen on the Xiaohongshu platform caused a heated reaction and discussion in the comments: “Has Uncle arrived yet? Should I meet him?”, “It’s okay, he won’t get lost!”, “I’m a local, contact me if anything happens.”

    A solo Taiwanese traveller and an online message sent from across the strait began the story of touching concern shown by mainland internet users.

    Seven months ago, Taipei resident Chen Zhaohong and his wife took their first trip to Shenyang, accompanied by their daughter. The leisurely pace of life and affordable delicacies inspired him to return here after retirement for a “deep dive” into the local culture. And so, in the middle of this month, his journey began.

    Chen Zhaohong, 61, is “not very good with his phone and doesn’t know how to use social apps.” That’s why his daughter in Taiwan was very worried when her father went on a trip alone. Neither father nor daughter expected such warm support from the entire city of Shenyang that followed the post online. To ensure that the guest didn’t get lost on the way to his pre-booked accommodation, local netizens posted detailed guides “accurate to the meter”; concerned about his lack of a travel plan, they began leaving recommendations in the comments for visiting “secret” attractions and the best restaurants in the city; remembering that upon arrival in the north, a resident of a warm region may not immediately adapt to the northern climate, users reported weather information and clothing advice in real time… More than 4,000 comments turned into countless touching and useful recommendations.

    While traveling around Shenyang, Chen Zhaohong noticed that any problems that arose were quickly resolved. He told his daughter that the locals were friendly, sincere, and open: “Even just walking along the streets is a pleasure.”

    “I visited a lot of museums this time!” Chen Zhaohong visited five museums in seven days. At the Shenyang Palace Complex, he took a photo with ancient blue and white Qinghua porcelain in the background. At the Shenyang Museum of Chinese Industry, the old workshops and equipment made him feel nostalgic. At the September 18th History Museum, thanks to a tour guide, he learned details about important historical events of the past for the first time.

    Chen Zhaohong also immersed himself in the daily life of Shenyang, pushing his way through the crowds of bustling morning markets and farmers’ markets, sampling fluffy steamed buns and crispy pancakes; chatting with vendors at a flower, bird and fish market, observing the locals’ daily lives; and visiting Beiling Park, where he saw elderly people writing poetry with water, beautifully writing characters on the ground with a brush.

    He tried all the local delicacies: chicken carcasses, shashlik, stews cooked in cast iron pots – and only repeated with a smile: “The only problem is that the portions are too big!”

    More than twenty years ago, Chen Zhaohong had the chance to visit Nanjing, Hangzhou and do home care in Dongguan. Years later, a return visit to Shenyang left a huge impression on him: “Mainland China has changed a lot – it has become more modern, and people’s living standards have improved significantly.”

    “It’s impossible to see all the sights of Shenyang in a few days! Let’s leave something for next time,” – before leaving, he did not return the remaining amount on the metro card, saying: “I’ll leave it for a future trip.”

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China launches service consumption season

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

    A staff member works at an oil-paper umbrella shop in Huangling Village of Wuyuan County, east China’s Jiangxi Province, July 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    This year’s national service consumption season was launched on Tuesday in Nanjing, capital city of east China’s Jiangsu Province, marking a major initiative to boost growth in the service sector.

    Co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and China Media Group, the initiative aims to cultivate new consumption hotspots while fostering a virtuous cycle between supply and demand in China’s service economy.

    The campaign brings together government departments, industry associations and leading companies to jointly hold more than 160 key events, so as to innovate consumption scenarios, unlock consumer potential, expand high-quality service supply, and meet diversified public demand.

    Jiangsu’s service consumption expenditure accounted for 46.3 percent of its total consumer spending in 2024, 0.2 percentage points higher than the national average. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese carmakers lead Israel’s imported vehicle market in Jan.-May

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

    Chinese car manufacturers accounted for the largest share of Israel’s imported passenger car sales in the first five months, selling 39,582 gasoline and electric vehicles, according to figures issued by the Israel Vehicle Importers Association on Tuesday.

    BYD Auto led electric vehicle (EV) sales in Israel, selling 3,813 units between January and May, driven by its subcompact crossover Atto 3 and the mid-size Seal U SUV.

    Chinese automaker Xpeng Motor secured the second place with 3,650 EVs sold across three models. MG Motor, a Chinese-owned British brand, ranked third with 1,694 EVs sold, followed by China’s Chery, 1,675.

    Chinese automakers also dominated Israel’s EV market during the five months, accounting for 82.4 percent of total EV sales with 19,193 units delivered.

    South Korea and Japan were positioned as Israel’s second- and third-largest suppliers of imported cars in January-May, with 27,210 and 22,438 units sold, respectively, the data indicated. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US Disney laying off hundreds of employees worldwide

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

    The Walt Disney Co., a U.S. mass media and entertainment conglomerate, is laying off several hundred employees worldwide as it looks to trim some costs and adapt to evolving industry conditions.

    The exact number of jobs being cut is unknown, but layoffs will occur across several divisions, including television and film marketing, TV publicity, casting and development, and corporate financial operations. No entire teams will be eliminated, The Associated Press quoted official source as confirming on Tuesday.

    Last month Disney posted solid profits and revenue in the second quarter as its domestic theme parks thrived and the company added well over a million subscribers to its streaming service. The company also boosted its profit expectations for the year, according to the report.

    Disney has also been riding a wave of box office hits, including “Thunderbolts*” and “Lilo & Stitch,” which is now the second-highest grossing movie of the year with 280.1 million U.S. dollars in domestic ticket sales. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Norwegian official hails Chinese innovation, calls for deeper maritime ties

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

    Even Tronstad Sagebakken (2nd L, Front), state secretary at Norway’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, tours the China Pavilion at Nor-Shipping 2025 in Lillestrom, Norway, on June 3, 2025. A Norwegian official has praised the green technologies and innovative solutions showcased by Chinese companies at Nor-Shipping 2025, expressing hope for enhanced maritime cooperation between Norway and China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    A Norwegian official has praised the green technologies and innovative solutions showcased by Chinese companies at Nor-Shipping 2025, expressing hope for enhanced maritime cooperation between Norway and China.

    After visiting the China Pavilion, Even Tronstad Sagebakken, state secretary at Norway’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, said he was impressed by the technological progress demonstrated by Chinese shipbuilders.

    It is impressive to see not only the innovation but also the practical implementation of green solutions by Chinese shipbuilders, Sagebakken said. “They are at the forefront of technology development… the advancements we need to drive the green transition in the maritime sector.”

    Sagebakken highlighted the long-standing collaboration between Norwegian and Chinese maritime firms, noting that many Norwegian suppliers are already involved in China’s shipbuilding industry. “It’s a partnership that goes way back, has developed over time, and is very much appreciated by the Norwegian side.”

    He expressed optimism that this cooperation will grow even stronger in the future, delivering further progress for both countries.

    Held in Lillestrom, about 20 km east of Oslo, Nor-Shipping is one of the world’s premier maritime trade fairs. Established in 1965 and held biennially, the four-day event runs through June 6, drawing nearly 1,000 companies and organizations from over 50 countries and regions.

    This year’s China Pavilion features more than 60 Chinese enterprises — both major state-owned and private companies, marking the largest Chinese presence in the event’s history. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Sabalenka weathers Zheng storm to reach French Open semis

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

    China’s tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen lost to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the French Open women’s singles quarterfinals on Tuesday.

    The 22-year-old Zheng, the eighth seed, broke first in the first set before the 27-year-old Sabalenka came back to win a tie-breaker. The top seed maintained the momentum in the second set to seal the victory.

    Zheng Qinwen reacts during the women’s singles quarterfinal between Zheng Qinwen of China and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

    Zheng has delivered her career best performance at the French Open by reaching the quarterfinals.

    “That was a true battle, and honestly I have no idea how I was able to break her back and get back in the first set. I was just trying to fight and put as many balls as I could back because I didn’t start well. I am really glad that I found my rhythm and won this match,” Sabalenka said after the game.

    At the Italian Open quarterfinals last month, the Paris 2024 Olympic champion Zheng defeated the three-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka for the first time. This time at Roland Garros, also on the clay, Sabalenka took the match against Zheng as a revenge.

    “I have to say that last tournament I was pretty exhausted, and honestly at the end of the match I was actually glad that I lost that match, because I needed a little break before Roland Garros. Today, I was just more fresh, and I was ready to battle,” Sabalenka explained.

    As the best result for Sabalenka at the French Open before was the semifinals in 2023, she hopes to make breakthroughs this time, “Everyone wants that beautiful trophy. I am really glad that I have another opportunity, another semifinal to do better than I did last time. I really hope that by the end of the clay season this year, I will be very proud of myself.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: New-look China women’s volleyball team opens VNL campaign in Beijing

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

    A revamped Chinese women’s volleyball team is set to begin its 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) campaign on home soil, as the Beijing leg of the tournament kicks off Wednesday at the National Indoor Stadium.

    At a pre-tournament press conference Tuesday, newly appointed head coach Zhao Yong and team captain Gong Xiangyu expressed both hope and determination ahead of their opening match against Belgium.

    “Playing at home brings both pressure and motivation, but the motivation is greater,” said Zhao, 49, who took over as head coach last month, succeeding Cai Bin. “It has been years since a major international tournament was held in Beijing, and for this new generation of players, it is more of an encouragement.”

    China’s 18-player squad for the Beijing leg features a host of newcomers, with more than half making their national team debut. The roster includes Wu Mengjie, Zhuang Yushan, Tang Xin, and Dong Yuhan as outside hitters; Wang Yuanyuan, Wan Ziyue, Shan Linqian, Chen Houyu, and Wang Aoqian as middle blockers; Gong Xiangyu, Yang Shuming, and Fan Boning as opposites; Zou Jiaqi, Yin Xiaolan, and Zhang Zixuan as setters; and Ni Feifan, Wang Mengjie, and Zheng Xinyi as liberos.

    “All the athletes have shown great commitment and a strong desire to bring honor to the country and the team,” Zhao said. “We hope to grow and improve through tough competition.”

    Gong, 28, now in her 10th year with the national team, said the players are supporting one another as they embrace a new chapter.

    “We are a completely new team. Every chance to play against world-class opponents is a valuable learning opportunity,” she said. “The encouragement among teammates is our greatest strength.”

    China will face Belgium in its opening match. The two teams last met at the 2022 FIVB Women’s World Championship, where China earned a straight-set victory (25-18, 25-18, 27-25). In that match, Belgium’s outside hitter Britt Herbots posted a match-high 21 points.

    “Belgium has a very strong and complete outside hitter,” Gong said. “We are fully focused on this match and hope to give our best performance in front of home fans.”

    Herbots, 25, missed nearly two years of international play due to injury but is now back with the Belgian national team. “Every VNL match is difficult for us,” she said. “I hope to help the younger players enjoy the game and keep improving. I’m very happy to be back, and as an experienced player, I’ll try to help the team with my experience.”

    The five-day Beijing leg features six teams: China, Belgium, Poland, Thailand, Türkiye, and France. All six will be in action Wednesday, with France taking on Türkiye and Thailand facing Poland.

    After the opener against Belgium, China will meet Poland on Thursday, face France on Saturday, and wrap up with Türkiye on Sunday.

    China, a traditional powerhouse in women’s volleyball, has a decorated international history, with three Olympic gold medals (1984, 2004, 2016), two World Championship titles (1982, 1986), and five World Cup titles (1981, 1985, 2003, 2015, 2019).

    At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, China advanced through the group stage undefeated but fell short of the podium following a quarterfinal loss to Türkiye.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Brentford sign goalkeeper Kelleher from Liverpool

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

    Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has left Premier League champions Liverpool to join Premier League rivals Brentford, the south London club confirmed on Tuesday.

    Kelleher has signed a five-year contract with Brentford for an initial fee of around 15 million U.S. dollars and leaves after making 25 Premier League appearances and over 40 appearances in various cup competitions for Liverpool since joining five years ago.

    Liverpool’s goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher looks dejected as Plymouth Argyle scores from a penalty-kick during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Plymouth Argyle FC and Liverpool FC in Plymouth, Britain, on Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua)

    The Irishman replaces Mark Flekken, who has left Brentford to sign for Bayer Leverkusen, while Georgian international Giorgi Mamardashvili has moved to Liverpool from Valencia.

    “I don’t think it was very difficult for me to leave. I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a number one and to play every week,” Kelleher told the Brentford website.

    “I heard of some interest a number of weeks ago. Once I knew Brentford was in for me, it was definitely one I was really excited about and wanted to do as quickly as possible,” continued the goalkeeper.

    Brentford Director of Football Phil Giles celebrated the signing: “When Mark Flekken had the opportunity to move to Bayer Leverkusen, we immediately thought about Caoimhin as his replacement.”

    “As well as being a very good goalkeeper, I’ve rarely met a player for whom everybody has such positive words to say about his personality and character. I’m therefore confident he’ll be an excellent addition to the squad,” he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chelsea sign Essugo in time for Club World Cup

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

    Chelsea has finalized the signing of Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting CP. The 20-year-old joins the newly crowned UEFA Conference League winners for a fee of 18 million pounds (24.3 million U.S. dollars) and has signed a contract through June 2033.

    Essugo, known for his tough tackling, spent last season on loan at La Liga side Las Palmas, where he made 27 appearances and was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign that ended in relegation.

    The Portugal under-21 international made history as the youngest ever player to debut for Sporting’s first team, breaking the record previously held by Luis Figo when he took the field at 16 years and six days old. He also spent the 2023-24 season on loan with Chaves, appearing in 14 matches.

    The deal was initially agreed upon in March but was completed with the reopening of the transfer window ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. Essugo will join Chelsea’s squad for the tournament, which kicks off with a match against Los Angeles Galaxy on June 16.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Kimmich nears 100th cap for Germany

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

    Preparing for his 100th appearance with the German national team this Wednesday against Portugal, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich is reflecting on his journey in football.

    Ahead of the UEFA Nations League semifinal, the 30-year-old is set to face one of the sport’s all-time greats, Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Joshua Kimmich (L) of Bayern Munich controls the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart in Munich, Germany, May 8, 2022. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

    Kimmich was just eight years old when the Portuguese legend made his international debut in August 2003, and nine when Ronaldo competed in his first major tournament, the 2004 UEFA European Championship.

    “Going into my 100th game is special, but it feels like I’m still far away from what he’s accomplished over the past 20 years,” said Kimmich, a 2020 treble winner with Bayern.

    The German international praised Ronaldo as “someone I watched as a boy, and he’s still competing at a very high level.”

    Ronaldo, 40, has amassed 220 caps and 136 goals for Portugal-figures Kimmich described as “incredible” as he reflected on his own career and the so-called “title-less generation” of German players.

    “We have the chance to win a smaller title with the Nations League,” said Kimmich, with one year remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His only international title so far is Germany’s 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup victory. He emphasized his desire to add a major trophy soon.

    Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann will be without several key players in the semifinal, including Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rüdiger and Kai Havertz. But Kimmich said the Nations League title is meaningful for “us, because we can prove we can beat big nations.”

    He stressed that the tournament has implications beyond 2025. “The World Cup preparation doesn’t start in a few months-it starts now,” Kimmich said, noting that winning a major title remains a constant goal.

    Kimmich, who has played at a world-class level as both a fullback and midfielder-according to German legend Lothar Matthaus-has endured highs and lows in the national team shirt, including early World Cup exits in 2018 and 2022.

    Now, with Nagelsmann’s generational overhaul, Germany is reemerging as a contender. The team is revitalized by young talent, but still light on experience. “There aren’t 15 players who have already won a lot,” Kimmich said.

    For him, facing Ronaldo marks more than just a personal milestone-it’s a symbol of a new chapter. “Everyone’s determination to win some silverware is tangible. Everyone is joining the team trying to prove their class.”

    Kimmich also spoke of a new atmosphere and a stronger winning mentality-qualities Ronaldo has embodied for two decades. The Portuguese forward’s record continues to inspire Kimmich and his teammates to pursue long-overdue international success.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Hong Kong and New Zealand, the easiest jurisdictions for doing business in APAC, says GBCI 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI), recently launched by TMF Group, analyses the business environment of 79 jurisdictions, accounting for 94% of the world’s GDP. It also ranks them based on over 250 indicators of business complexity, with the jurisdiction ranked 1st as the most complex and the jurisdiction ranked 79th, the least.

    Among the world’s 10 least complex jurisdictions for doing business, Hong Kong, SAR remains the 4rth easiest jurisdiction for the second year in a row. The jurisdiction offers a favourable business environment, characterised by a straightforward and low tax regime that appeals to international businesses.

    New Zealand, also included in the 10 easiest jurisdictions worldwide, maintains its reputation as a straightforward place for business operations. This is largely due to the government’s proactive approach in welcoming foreign investments and streamlined administrative processes.

    Meanwhile, business complexity in India (18th) is mainly driven by recent regulatory changes, according to this year’s GBCI report. Over the past year, India has introduced numerous regulatory amendments aimed at boosting transparency and accountability. Although these are expected to bring benefits in the long term, they have added layers of complexity for businesses operating in the country, requiring constant adaptation to new compliance needs.

    Japan is ranked 43rd in this year’s GBCI, showing a decrease in complexity from last year’s position (38th). This decrease in complexity is partly due to recent simplifications and governmental initiatives to provide English-language support to international financial service companies. These measures facilitate easier operations and reduce barriers for foreign businesses, improving investment attractiveness.

    Singapore, ranking 48th, continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in its trade corridors. This jurisdiction invests heavily in technology and infrastructure upgrades, reinforcing its status as a regional hub.

    China’s Mainland (10th) enters the top 10 most complex jurisdictions for businesses in 2025. According to the report, the complexity is driven by its frequent regulatory changes and regional disparities. Despite these challenges, the government continues to offer incentives to attract investment and to promote infrastructure development to enhance trade logistics.

    TMF Group’s Head of APAC, Shagun Kumar, commented: “We’re seeing a growing effort by decision-makers and businesses across APAC to reduce unnecessary burdens for doing business in the region — these have in the past delayed development, leading to complex evaluations for investment. Such efforts contribute to unlocking the region’s drive towards economic growth, and we expect businesses to adapt and continue to leverage the potential of APAC as a key contributor for their global strategies.”

    Top and bottom ten (1= most complex, 79= least complex) 
    1. Greece  79. Cayman Islands 
    2. France  78. Denmark 
    3. Mexico  77. New Zealand 
    4. Turkey  76. Hong Kong, SAR 
    5. Colombia  75. Jersey 
    6. Brazil  74. Netherlands 
    7. Italy  73. Jamaica 
    8. Bolivia  72. British Virgin Islands 
    9. Kazakhstan  71. Curaçao 
    10. China’s Mainland  70. Czech Republic 
       

    Media Contacts
    Marina Llibre Martin
    marina.llibremartin@tmf-group.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Secretary of Defense Visits Sembawang Naval Installation, May 30, 2025 [Image 3 of 3]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

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    SINGAPORE (May 30, 2025) Yeoman 2nd Class Ayana Blake, center, assigned to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73, shakes hands with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after physical fitness training aboard the foc’sle of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105), May 30, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 05.30.2025
    Date Posted: 05.31.2025 02:28
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    This work, Secretary of Defense Visits Sembawang Naval Installation, May 30, 2025 [Image 3 of 3], by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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  • MIL-OSI China: Lee Jae-myung elected S. Korea’s president

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

    Lee Jae-myung of South Korea’s majority liberal Democratic Party was elected president, the ongoing vote count by the National Election Commission showed on Wednesday.

    With 94.4 percent of the votes counted after midnight, Lee won 48.8 percent and his major rival Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party took 42.0 percent, the National Election Commission data showed.

    Even if all the remaining uncounted votes go to Kim, Lee will win the presidential by-election, confirming his victory.

    Local broadcaster JTBC and three terrestrial broadcasters including KBS, MBC and SBS forecast earlier that Lee was certain to be elected the country’s 21st president.

    Preliminary voter turnout reached 79.4 percent, marking the highest in 28 years since the voting rate recorded 80.7 percent in 1997.

    Out of about 44.39 million eligible voters, some 35.24 million cast their ballots at 14,295 polling stations across the country.

    The voter turnout, which included those who participated in early voting last Thursday and Friday, was up from 77.1 percent tallied in the previous presidential election in 2022. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Dragon boat races spark rise in tourism spending during ancient Chinese festival

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

    Villagers compete during a dragon boat race at Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, on May 31, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    In the watery maze of Diejiao Village in Foshan, south China’s Guangdong Province, dragon boat teams race through S-curves, L-bends and tight C-turns with breathtaking precision. Spectators gasp and cheer as the 25-meter-long boats spin around corners at full speed, water spraying in their wake.

    A popular Cantonese saying captures the spirit of the event: “Ning ho bou laan, bat ho paa maan,” meaning, “It’s better to crash the boat than to paddle slowly.” It’s no surprise, then, that Chinese social media users have dubbed this tradition the “F1 on water,” with thrilling clips of races going viral across the country and beyond during the recent Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

    The festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month each year, and in 2009, it became the first Chinese holiday to be inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. People throughout China and all over the world celebrate the festival, which has a history stretching more than 2,000 years.

    Festivities vary from region to region but usually share several features: a memorial ceremony offering sacrifices to an ancient Chinese patriotic poet is combined with sporting events such as dragon boat races, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) feasts, and folk entertainments such as opera performances.

    These rich traditions are increasingly influencing how people choose their travel destinations. Across China, more tourists are seeking out immersive cultural experiences, and the Dragon Boat Festival offers both vibrant celebrations and a focus on deep-rooted heritage.

    This year’s holiday — May 31 to June 2 — turned Foshan into a travel magnet, with its total tourist bookings up 167 percent year on year. Hotel reservations jumped 145 percent, and airline ticket sales rose 110 percent.

    “Chinese dragon boat racing has long gone global,” said Chen Xiaolin, a Chinese-Canadian and the leader of a dragon boat team from Victoria, Canada, that joined an international dragon boat competition in east China’s Suzhou city on May 31.

    Chen originally founded the team in Victoria to connect with the local Chinese community. But over time, more and more local residents joined. “That might be because residents in Victoria really enjoy water sports like kayaking and canoeing, which have similarities to dragon boat racing,” she said.

    Yvonne Christine Ann Sharpe, a 70-year-old team member, had eight years of canoeing experience before she tried her hand at dragon boat racing. Sharpe told Xinhua that canoeing allows paddlers to switch hands, making it a bit easier than dragon boat racing, which has a complex technique and requires full team synchronization to maintain balance and speed.

    “Hard connectivity, soft connectivity and economic ties lay the foundation for tourism, but cultural connectivity is key to sustaining its appeal,” said Tang Jinwen, an associate professor at the Management College of Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University. Tang noted that traditional festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival are becoming cultural events that connect China with the world.

    Traditional Chinese festival experiences are drawing growing numbers of international visitors to explore and connect with Chinese culture firsthand, particularly following the country’s rollout of its visa-free travel policies.

    According to data from the National Immigration Administration, 231,000 foreign nationals entered China during this year’s Dragon Boat Festival holiday under these new policies — a 59.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

    Hotel searches for inbound international tourism during the holiday more than doubled this year, according to data from online travel giant Trip.com. The top-10 source countries for related inbound travel were Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, Russia, Japan, Britain, Australia and France.

    Beijing, China’s capital city, welcomed 67,000 international tourists during the holiday, a year-on-year increase of 35.8 percent. These visitors spent a total of 720 million yuan (about 100 million U.S. dollars), which was 41.1 percent higher than the same period last year.

    China has been vigorously boosting its domestic consumption, notably in its culture and tourism sectors. Since the beginning of 2025, local governments have rolled out a variety of incentives, ranging from cultural vouchers to ticket discounts, aiming to unlock spending potential.

    These efforts intensified during the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival. In central China’s Hubei Province, more than 160 A-level scenic areas offered ticket discounts, pass bundles and family deals. Shandong Province distributed 50 million yuan in cultural tourism vouchers covering attractions, hotels and cultural products.

    As China’s economy reaches a certain level, a growing emphasis is being placed on exploring traditional culture and, in particular, how it is reflected in consumption, said Wang Qing, who works at a market economy institute under the Development Research Center of the State Council.

    Elements of traditional culture are likely to play increasingly important roles in shaping consumption in China, Wang said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China slams EU’s protectionist move targeting Chinese medical device firms

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

    China firmly opposes the EU’s protectionist move to limit Chinese medical device firms from participating in major EU public procurement tenders, the Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday.

    The statement came in response to the EU member states’ decision to block Chinese companies from participating in public procurement tenders in the medical device sector for contracts valued over 5 million euros (about 5.72 million U.S. dollars) under the bloc’s International Procurement Instrument. The plan, reportedly approved on Monday, would prohibit Chinese firms from bidding on such contracts for a five-year period.

    The EU’s decision and discriminatory measures harm the interests of Chinese enterprises, and also undermine fair competition and set up new trade barriers through unilateral tools, the ministry noted, stressing that China firmly opposes such a protectionist move.

    The global economic order is facing severe challenges from unilateralism and protectionism, the ministry said.

    As responsible major economies, China and the EU should adhere to WTO rules, uphold the principles of fairness, transparency and non-discrimination, address challenges through mutual openness, and resolve differences through cooperative dialogue to jointly safeguard the healthy development of China-EU economic and trade relations, the ministry added.

    It is hoped that the EU will rectify its misguided approach, the ministry said, stressing that China will closely monitor the EU’s subsequent actions and take necessary measures to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Inaugural edition of Kung Fu Film Festival successfully concluded in Toronto (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) supported the inaugural edition of the Kung Fu Film Festival (Festival), which has presented six screenings of martial arts movies across the Greater Toronto Area from May 31 to June 1 (Toronto time) to celebrate the 50 years of Hong Kong’s kung fu cinema heritage and its influence on global film culture.

    To mark the festival’s debut, Toronto ETO hosted an opening ceremony in Markham on May 31 with the presence of Canada Hong Kong Intercultural Association President and the Festival Chair, Ms Connie Yu, Secretary Manager of Southern Film Culture Foundation and the Festival Curator, Ms Catherine Lam, along with the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto, Mr Luo Weidong, Senator Mr Woo Yuen-pau, Member of Parliament of Canada Mr Michael Ma and about 50 guests from the local film, cultural and business communities. Some of them also graced the closing ceremony before the screening of the Hong Kong production “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” directed by Soi Cheang and starring Louis Koo, Raymond Lam and Philip Ng in Toronto on June 1.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Acting Director of the Toronto ETO, Mr Gavin Yeung, highlighted Hong Kong’s position as an international hub for the arts, cultural and creative industries.

         “Each film featured in this festival is a gem of Hong Kong’s film industry,” Mr Yeung shared. “Over the decades, Hong Kong movies and film talents have won numerous international awards. Many Hong Kong actors, directors, cinematographers and producers have become household names at global level.”

    Mr Yeung also reaffirmed the commitment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to supporting the cultural and creative industries, noting that significant funding has been approved through the Film Development Fund for film projects. He added that the Toronto ETO would continue to bring more Hong Kong films to participate in various international film festivals across Canada.

    The two-day festival curated a selection of six Hong Kong martial arts films produced between 1974 and 2024, including “The Shaolin Temple” (including a special AI anime version), “Martial Club”, “Ip Man 3”, “Kids from Shaolin”, “Hapkido”, and “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In”, offering Canadian audience a dynamic view into the evolution of Hong Kong-produced kung fu cinema.

    In addition, a student seminar with Q&A session was held during the festival at Cineplex Cinemas Scarborough on June 1. The audience actively engaged in the discussion and shared their views on Hong Kong’s martial arts movies.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Trump Administration Adds Two DOE Lithium Processing Projects to Federal Permitting Dashboard

    Source: US Department of Energy

    ICYMI— The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) announced increased transparency and accountability for the federal permitting of two Department of Energy (DOE) lithium processing projects, advancing President Trump’s commitment to bolster domestic production of minerals and support American jobs.

    The projects — Kings Mountain and Liberty Owl — increase lithium processing in the United States. Currently, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) controls 70% of the market, with lithium as a key component in many energy storage and defense applications. Once completed, these projects will help to develop more secure domestic supply chains, strengthening our national security and our economic security.

    The Kings Mountain, NC Project is owned by Albemarle Corporation, a leading provider in lithium that has established extensive capabilities in chemical manufacturing. The Kings Mountain Lithium Material Processing Plant is receiving a $150 million federal award through DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC). This project supports the construction of a new, commercial scale processing facility that will have the capacity to produce 350,000 tons per year of lithium oxide concentrate.

    The Liberty Owl Project in the Texarkana region is owned by TerraVolta, a US-based critical minerals and resources company. This project is receiving a $225 million award through MESC for the construction of a commercial scale lithium extraction and refining facility to produce battery grade lithium from domestic brine resources from the Smackover region.

    These additions to the Federal Permitting Dashboard reflect the Trump Administration’s commitment to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals and materials, reduce dependence on foreign sources and advance President Trump’s bold agenda for American energy dominance through a more secure, affordable and reliable U.S. energy system.

    The Department looks forward to working with federal partners, project sponsors, and developers to ensure these projects move forward with increased transparency, clear project timelines, expedited reviews, and the support needed to strengthen domestic supply chains, drive economic growth and deliver on President Trump’s commitment to unleashing American energy and economic security.

    MIL OSI USA News –