NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-OSI Russia: US Trade Court Bans Trump from Imposing Import Tariffs

    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

    NEW YORK, May 29 (Xinhua) — The New York-based U.S. Court of International Trade on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency powers law.

    The ruling comes after a series of lawsuits alleging that Trump overstepped his authority by imposing sweeping tariffs on imports.

    A three-judge panel ruled that executive orders imposing fentanyl-related tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China, as well as tariffs on countries around the world, announced April 2, “will be rescinded and permanently terminated.”

    The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize any of the orders, the court said.

    “The worldwide retaliatory tariff orders exceed any authority that IEEPA gives the President to regulate imports through tariffs. Tariffs imposed in response to smuggling do not work because they do not address the threats outlined in these orders,” the report concluded.

    The judges ruled on two lawsuits against the U.S. federal government filed by five companies on April 14 and by 12 states on April 23.

    “Unelected judges should not decide the appropriate response to a national emergency. President Trump has promised to put America first, and the administration intends to use every lever of the executive branch to address this crisis and restore America to greatness,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Aurora Mobile Limited Announces First Quarter 2025 Unaudited Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: JG), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

    • Revenues were RMB89.0 million (US$12.3 million), an increase of 38% year-over-year.
    • Cost of revenues was RMB30.1 million (US$4.2 million), an increase of 66% year-over-year.
    • Gross profit was RMB58.8 million (US$8.1 million), an increase of 27% year-over-year.
    • Total operating expenses were RMB60.6 million (US$8.3 million), an increase of 14% year-over-year.
    • Net loss was RMB1.6 million (US$0.2 million), compared with a net loss of RMB2.6 million for the same quarter last year.
    • Net loss attributable to Aurora Mobile Limited’s shareholders was RMB2.6 million (US$0.4 million), compared with a net loss attributable to Aurora Mobile Limited’s shareholders of RMB2.4 million for the same quarter last year.
    • Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) was RMB1.2 million (US$0.2 million), compared with a RMB1.3 million adjusted net loss for the same quarter last year.
    • Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was RMB0.5 million (US$63 thousand), compared with RMB0.2 million for the same quarter last year.

    Mr. Weidong Luo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aurora Mobile, commented, “We have had a great start to 2025. Our Q1’2025 performance and numbers are very impressive.

    • Firstly, our EngageLab business had a “Monster Quarter” where we closed out more than RMB63 million worth of contract value in just one quarter. This brings the total cumulative EngageLab contract value in excess of RMB110 million by March 31, 2025.
    • Secondly, the Group’s revenue this quarter reached RMB89.0 million, achieving a remarkable 38% growth year-over-year. EngageLab’s recognized revenue also grew by 127% year-over-year.
    • Thirdly, our Financial Risk Management business had its best quarter in history, recording the highest quarterly revenue of RMB22.2 million, revenue grew by 64% year-over-year.
    • Fourthly, gross profit grew strongly by 27% year-over-year, achieving the highest gross profit for the past 9 quarters. Gross margin has also improved 520 basis points quarter-over-quarter!
    • Fifthly, we recorded another Adjusted EBITDA profit in this quarter. This marks the 7th consecutive quarterly positive Adjusted EBITDA we have had.

    With these numbers above, we are equally excited about 2025. This has no doubt set a great momentum for the rest of the 2025 ! The progress in our performance and our solid financial position enable us to invest more resources into the development of our enterprise AI agent platform and its global expansion.”

    Mr. Shan-Nen Bong, Chief Financial Officer of Aurora Mobile, added, “In Q1’2025, our revenue grew by 38% year-over-year, gross profit grew by 27% whilst operating expenses grew by 14%. Overall, we are pleased to see how the operating expenses have been trending in view of the revenue and gross profit growth. This is a sustainable growth model on a long-term basis.”

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Revenues were RMB89.0 million (US$12.3 million), an increase of 38% from RMB64.5 million in the same quarter of last year, attributable to a 39% increase in revenue from Developer Services and a 35% increase in revenue from Vertical Applications. In particular, the revenues from Value-Added Services within Developer Services increased by 269% compared to the same quarter of last year.

    Cost of revenues was RMB30.1 million (US$4.2 million), an increase of 66% from RMB18.2 million in the same quarter of last year. The increase was mainly due to a RMB5.6 million increase in media cost, a RMB1.6 million increase in short messaging cost, and a RMB4.7 million increase in other direct costs related to revenue generation.

    Gross profit was RMB58.8 million (US$8.1 million), an increase of 27% from RMB46.4 million in the same quarter of last year.

    Total operating expenses were RMB60.6 million (US$8.3 million), an increase of 14% from RMB53.0 million in the same quarter of last year.

    • Research and development expenses were RMB24.6 million (US$3.4 million), an increase of 8% from RMB22.7 million in the same quarter of last year, mainly due to a RMB0.9 million increase in personnel costs and a RMB0.8 million increase in cloud cost.
    • Sales and marketing expenses were RMB23.3 million (US$3.2 million), an increase of 34% from RMB17.4 million in the same quarter of last year, mainly due to a RMB5.2 million increase in personnel costs.
    • General and administrative expenses were RMB12.7 million (US$1.7 million), a decrease of 2% from RMB12.9 million in the same quarter of last year, mainly due to a RMB0.6 million decrease in share-based compensation expenses.

    Loss from operations was RMB1.5 million (US$0.2 million), compared with RMB5.1 million in the same quarter of last year.

    Net Loss was RMB1.6 million (US$0.2 million), compared with RMB2.6 million in the same quarter of last year.

    Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) was RMB1.2 million (US$0.2 million), compared with RMB1.3 million in the same quarter of last year.

    Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was RMB0.5 million (US$63 thousand) compared with RMB0.2 million for the same quarter of last year.

    The cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were RMB113.6 million (US$15.7 million) as of March 31, 2025 compared with RMB119.5 million as of December 31, 2024.

    Business Outlook

    For the second quarter of 2025, the Company expects the total revenue to be between RMB87.5 million and RMB90.5 million, representing year-over-year growth of approximately 10% to 14%.

    The above outlook is based on the current market conditions and reflects the Company’s current and preliminary estimates of market and operating conditions and customer demand, which are all subject to change.

    Update on Share Repurchase

    As of March 31, 2025, the Company had repurchased a total of 295,179 ADS, of which 16,322 ADSs, or around US$170.5 thousand were repurchased during the first quarter in 2025.

    Conference Call

    The Company will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 7:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (7:30 p.m. Beijing time on the same day).

    All participants must register in advance to join the conference using the link provided below. Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. Conference access information will be provided upon registration.

    Participant Online Registration:
    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI47c63565ef284b3784a50da74dc4a38e

    A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Aurora Mobile’s website at https://ir.jiguang.cn/. 

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses two non-GAAP measures, adjusted net (loss)/income and adjusted EBITDA, as a supplemental measure to review and assess its operating performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company defines adjusted net (loss)/income as net loss excluding share-based compensation. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as net loss excluding interest expense, depreciation of property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, income tax expenses/(benefits) and share-based compensation.

    The Company believes that adjusted net (loss)/income and adjusted EBITDA help identify underlying trends in its business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that it includes in loss from operations and net loss.

    The Company believes that adjusted net (loss)/income and adjusted EBITDA provide useful information about its operating results, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the management in their financial and operational decision-making.

    The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using adjusted net (loss)/income and adjusted EBITDA is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the Company’s operations. Further, the non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.

    The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company’s performance. The Company encourages you to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

    Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure are included at the end of this press release.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    About Aurora Mobile Limited

    Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.

    For more information, please visit https://ir.jiguang.cn/.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Aurora Mobile Limited

    ir@jiguang.cn

    Christensen

    In China

    Ms. Xiaoyan Su

    Phone: +86-10-5900-1548

    E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com 

    In U.S.

    Ms. Linda Bergkamp

    Phone: +1-480-614-3004

    Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com 

    Footnote:

    This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB7.2567 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of March 31, 2025.

     
    AURORA MOBILE LIMITED
    UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
    (Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”), except for number of shares and per share data)
                     
        Three months ended
        March 31, 2024   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2025
        RMB   RMB   RMB   US$
                     
    Revenues   64,524     93,153     88,961     12,259  
    Cost of revenues   (18,152 )   (36,468 )   (30,117 )   (4,150 )
    Gross profit   46,372     56,685     58,844     8,109  
    Operating expenses                
    Research and development   (22,681 )   (24,326 )   (24,607 )   (3,391 )
    Sales and marketing   (17,391 )   (24,583 )   (23,303 )   (3,211 )
    General and administrative   (12,932 )   (11,392 )   (12,676 )   (1,747 )
    Total operating expenses   (53,004 )   (60,301 )   (60,586 )   (8,349 )
    Other operating income   1,579     3,393     197     27  
    Loss from operations   (5,053 )   (223 )   (1,545 )   (213 )
    Foreign exchange (loss)/gain, net   (23 )   (62 )   38     5  
    Interest income   2,187     288     236     33  
    Interest expenses   (6 )   (42 )   (39 )   (5 )
    Other income/(loss)   15     (805 )   –     –  
    Gains from fair value change   23     45     38     5  
    Loss before income taxes   (2,857 )   (799 )   (1,272 )   (175 )
    Income tax benefits/(expenses)   244     105     (336 )   (46 )
    Net loss   (2,613 )   (694 )   (1,608 )   (221 )
    Less: net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (214 )   372     944     130  
    Net loss attributable to Aurora Mobile Limited’s shareholders   (2,399 )   (1,066 )   (2,552 )   (351 )
    Net loss per share, for Class A and Class B common shares:                
    Class A and B Common Shares – basic and diluted   (0.03 )   (0.01 )   (0.03 )   (0.00 )
    Shares used in net loss per share computation:                
    Class A Common Shares – basic and diluted   62,687,345     63,200,100     63,254,710     63,254,710  
    Class B Common Shares – basic and diluted   17,000,189     17,000,189     17,000,189     17,000,189  
    Other comprehensive income/(loss)                
    Foreign currency translation adjustments   78     1,357     (82 )   (11 )
    Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax   78     1,357     (82 )   (11 )
    Total comprehensive (loss)/income   (2,535 )   663     (1,690 )   (232 )
    Less: comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (214 )   372     944     130  
    Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Aurora Mobile Limited’s shareholders   (2,321 )   291     (2,634 )   (362 )
                     
    AURORA MOBILE LIMITED
    UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))
                 
        As of
        December 31, 2024   March 31, 2025
        RMB   RMB   US$
    ASSETS            
    Current assets:            
    Cash and cash equivalents   119,171     113,267     15,609  
    Restricted cash   376     375     52  
    Accounts receivable   50,804     54,071     7,451  
    Prepayments and other current assets   14,264     17,354     2,391  
    Total current assets   184,615     185,067     25,503  
    Non-current assets:            
    Long-term investments   113,506     113,458     15,635  
    Property and equipment, net   4,573     4,331     597  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   17,146     15,892     2,190  
    Intangible assets, net   13,767     12,788     1,762  
    Goodwill   37,785     37,785     5,207  
    Deferred tax assets   131     167     23  
    Other non-current assets   6,510     6,503     895  
    Total non-current assets   193,418     190,924     26,309  
    Total assets   378,033     375,991     51,812  
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
    Current liabilities:            
    Short-term loan   3,000     –     –  
    Accounts payable   32,691     34,114     4,701  
    Deferred revenue and customer deposits   147,111     156,929     21,625  
    Operating lease liabilities   4,461     4,152     572  
    Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities   74,370     66,407     9,151  
    Total current liabilities   261,633     261,602     36,049  
    Non-current liabilities:            
    Operating lease liabilities   13,376     12,292     1,694  
    Deferred tax liabilities   3,059     2,891     398  
    Other non-current liabilities   567     567     78  
    Total non-current liabilities   17,002     15,750     2,170  
    Total liabilities   278,635     277,352     38,219  
    Shareholders’ equity:            
    Common shares   50     51     7  
    Treasury shares   (1,674 )   (2,898 )   (399 )
    Additional paid-in capital   1,045,221     1,047,375     144,332  
    Accumulated deficit   (995,715 )   (998,267 )   (137,565 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income   20,040     19,958     2,750  
    Total Aurora Mobile Limited’s shareholders’ equity   67,922     66,219     9,125  
    Noncontrolling interests   31,476     32,420     4,468  
    Total shareholders’ equity   99,398     98,639     13,593  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   378,033     375,991     51,812  
                 
    AURORA MOBILE LIMITED
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS
    (Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))
                     
        Three months ended
        March 31, 2024   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2025
        RMB   RMB   RMB   US$
    Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net (Loss)/Income:              
    Net loss   (2,613 )   (694 )   (1,608 )   (221 )
    Add:                
    Share-based compensation   1,268     795     407     56  
    Adjusted net (loss)/income   (1,345 )   101     (1,201 )   (165 )
    Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA:                
    Net loss   (2,613 )   (694 )   (1,608 )   (221 )
    Add:                
    Income tax (benefits)/expenses   (244 )   (105 )   336     46  
    Interest expenses   6     42     39     5  
    Depreciation of property and equipment   380     197     266     37  
    Amortization of intangible assets   1,369     1,052     1,019     140  
    EBITDA   (1,102 )   492     52     7  
    Add:                
    Share-based compensation   1,268     795     407     56  
    Adjusted EBITDA   166     1,287     459     63  
                     
    AURORA MOBILE LIMITED
    UNAUDITED SAAS BUSINESSES REVENUE
    (Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))
                     
                     
        Three months ended
        March 31, 2024   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2025
        RMB   RMB   RMB   US$
                     
    Developer Services   44,749     70,998     62,322     8,588  
    Subscription   42,351     54,687     53,467     7,368  
    Value-Added Services   2,398     16,311     8,855     1,220  
    Vertical Applications   19,775     22,155     26,639     3,671  
    Total Revenue   64,524     93,153     88,961     12,259  
    Gross Profits   46,372     56,685     58,844     8,109  
    Gross Margin   71.9%     60.9%     66.1%     66.1%  
                     

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Coach Almada leaves Pachuca before Club World Cup

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

    Pachuca parted ways with Uruguayan manager Guillermo Almada on Wednesday, just three weeks before the club’s debut at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

    The decision comes after Pachuca was eliminated in the quarterfinals of Mexico’s Liga MX Clausura tournament earlier this month by Club America.

    “Manager Guillermo Almada concluded his brilliant tenure at the helm of our team today, bidding goodbye to players, staff, directors and collaborators with an emotional farewell,” Pachuca said in a statement.

    Almada led Pachuca to 72 wins, 39 draws and 45 losses after taking charge of the club in December 2021.

    The 58-year-old guided the club to the 2022 Liga MX Apertura title, the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup and a runner-up finish to Real Madrid at the 2024 Intercontinental Cup.

    “Today I close a wonderful stage of my life, and I do so with a heart overflowing with gratitude,” said Almada.

    Pachuca will begin its Club World Cup campaign against Red Bull Salzburg in Cincinnati on June 18 before also facing Al-Hilal and Real Madrid in the group stage.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi’s speech at China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting published

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Xi’s speech at China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting published

    Xinhua | May 29, 2025

    Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum has been published as a booklet.

    The speech was titled “Writing a New Chapter in Building a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future.”

    The booklet, published by the People’s Publishing House, is available at Xinhua Bookstore outlets across the country. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Love, loss, and song: Chinese animated film tugs at heartstrings

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

    “Endless Journey of Love,” a new and original Chinese animated film set for release during the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival holiday, tells a poignant love story in a fantasy world centered on time manipulation and features a touching theme song performed by pop star Zhou Shen.

    A promotional image of Zhou Shen’s theme song for Chinese animated film “Endless Journey of Love.” [Image courtesy of Universal Music China]

    Zhou’s new song and music video, “Dreaming of You,” was released on May 26. His pure and delicate voice conveys the sense of destiny woven into the film’s narrative. Using “dreams” as metaphor key, the song unlocks the shared past of the film’s protagonists, Shi Qi and Qian Xiao, whilstexploring the universal themes of connection, farewell, and reunion. The song captures the human longing to control time, relive lost moments, and transforms unsaid goodbyes. into transcendent reunions across time.

    “This song can find its way into everyone’s life. Farewell is a mandatory lesson in life,” Zhou said, recalling several very important goodbyes in his life as he resonated with the film and song. “Many vivid stories may ultimately end at a gentle point. Just like the lyrics say, maybe one day we will meet again in a dream.”

    The theme song serves as the first single and beginning of a partnership between Universal Music China (UMC) and Brave Music, a label founded by the acclaimed Chinese composer and producer Qian Lei, who wrote and produced “Dreaming of You.” On May 26, the two companies announced a multi-year global distribution deal for UMC to distribute future releases from Brave Music, leveraging Universal Music Group’s global network. 

    Crew and voice cast pose for a group photo at the premiere of “Endless Journey of Love” in Beijing, May 27, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Bravo Entertainment]

    “Endless Journey of Love,” written and directed by the couple Yu Ao and Zhou Tienan, follows Qian Xiao, a seashore village girl in 1930s China. She gains control of time from a magical device called the “Wheel of Time.” As powerful forces pursue her, she meets Shi Qi, a cold-faced assassin who is also after the wheel. The two form a one-day partnership and embark on a thrilling, romantic and tear-jerking journey with plenty of twists. Their relationship shifts from rivals to allies as the wheel pursuers try to shape their fate. The stellar voice cast includes Karry Wang, Liu Xiaoyu, and singer Zhou Shen himself, along with movie stars Huang Bo and Jia Bing.

    The film is a blend of human nature, time control and the romantic courage to defy fate. The original plot offers a fresh idea, emotional depth, all amplified by a retro Shanghai-style setting. Directors Yu Ao and Zhou Tienan said that the five-year production tested their physical and mental endurance. From scriptwriting to voice acting and refining more than 2,000 shots, the team’s shared journey through time has brought the fantasy story to life.

    Director Yu Ao said at the premiere in Beijing on May 27: “farewell is the central theme of the entire film, yet being together ‘in this very moment’ gives us the courage to face parting.”

    According to co-director Yu, the inspiration for “Endless Journey of Love” came from an unexpected farewell to their beloved dog. Learning to let go of that pain, alongside the regrets, forged the starting point for their writing. Through a fantasy story about time, the creators aim to impart a much more important lesson to viewers, this being, to “seize the moment” and not waste time. 

    Sun Lingyu, the film producer who guided its development, said that “Endless Journey of Love” is a work infused with love and hope. These principles are in the the film’s very DNA. It is her hope that this film will help people reflect on their own lives and remember their loved ones.

    A poster for “Endless Journey of Love.” [Image courtesy of Maoyan Entertainment]

    The film is scheduled for nationwide release in China on May 30, ahead of the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival and International Children’s Day holiday starting May 31.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How the North West Shelf expansion risks further damage to Murujuga’s 50,000-year-old rock art

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Smith, Professor of Archaeology (World Rock Art), School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia

    Yesterday, new environment minister Murray Watt approved an extension for the North West Shelf liquefied natural gas project. The gas plant at Karratha, Western Australia, will run until 2070.

    This expansion – and the pollution it will release – has led to a recommendation by the International Council on Monuments and Sites to defer UNESCO’s decision on the world heritage listing of the nearby Murujuga rock art.

    Two of the recommendations prior to renomination of the site are to “ensure the total removal of degrading acidic emissions” and “prevent any further industrial development adjacent to, and within, the Murujuga Cultural Landscape”.

    Murujuga has more than one million petroglyphs, some up to 50,000 years old.

    It has the oldest depictions of the human face in the world and records the lore and traditions of Aboriginal Australians since the first human settlement of this continent. It is strikingly beautiful and is of enormous cultural and spiritual importance to the Traditional Owners.

    Despite the immense significance of the site, a large industrial precinct has been built at its centre.



    Read more:
    Green light for gas: North West Shelf gas plant cleared to run until 2070

    Concerns about the Murujuga Rock Art report

    On Friday, the Western Australian Government released the long awaited Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program Year 2 report. This report examines the effect of industrial pollution upon one of the world’s most significant rock art sites.

    We have conducted our own independent project into the impact of industrial emissions on Murujuga since 2018. Many of our findings support the details in this report but the government’s report summary and subsequent political commentary downplays the ongoing impacts of acidic emissions from industry on the world unique rock art.

    The most significant findings are the Weathering Chamber results. These subjected all rock types from Murujuga to the air pollutants released by industry. The results showed that all were degraded, even with relatively low doses of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).

    The second highly significant finding is that “there is statistically significant evidence of elevated porosity of granophyre rock surfaces”. This is centred on the industrial precinct in Murujuga. The report acknowledges industrial pollution is the most likely cause.

    This degradation and elevated porosity of the rocks puts the survival of the petroglyphs at risk.

    On our research team, Jolam Neumann’s still to be published PhD thesis at the University of Bonn, Germany, considered the impacts of industrial pollution on Murujuga rocks.

    He used actual samples of gabbro and granophyre rock collected from Murujuga and simulated six years of weathering under current pollution conditions. He found elevated porosity in both rock surfaces. He also collected the residue to understand what was eroded from the rock and how.

    He found there was significant degradation of birnessite (manganese) and kaolinite (clay) from the surface. The dark red/brown surface of the rock became porous and started to break down.

    His work confirms industrial emissions are the cause of the elevated porosity in the report. His work shows the seriousness of the porosity: it is symptomatic of a process causing the rapid disintegration of the rock surface.

    Damage is ongoing

    With Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program report showing evidence of damage to the art from pollution, the state government chose to emphasise in their report summary that a defunct power plant from the 1970s and 1980s was likely the culprit.

    The report’s data suggests this power plant produced about 3,600 tonnes of NO₂ per year, and less than 400 tonnes of SO₂ per year. Current industry in the immediate area produces more than 13,000 tonnes of NO₂ per year and more than 6,500 tonnes of SO₂.

    If the old power plant damaged the art then contemporary industrial emissions will be damaging the rock art at least five times faster.

    Neumann also gained access to a piece of rock collected in 1994 by archaeological scientist Robert Bednarik, and stored in his office in Melbourne for the past 30 years.

    The area where this rock came from now has elevated porosity, but the Bendarik rock shows no signs of it. This means the bulk of the industrial damage is likely more recent than 1994 – and is ongoing.

    Losing 50,000 years of culture

    The rock art was formed by engraving into the outer thin red/brown/black surface of the rock, called rock varnish, exposing the blue-grey parent rock beneath.

    This rock varnish was made in a process that involved the actions of specialised microbes called cyanobacteria. They concentrate manganese and iron from the environment to form an outer sheath to protect themselves from the harsh desert environment.

    The rock varnish forms at an incredibly slow rate: 1 to 10 microns in 1,000 years (a human hair is about 100 microns).

    These organisms can only thrive when the rock surface acidity is near neutral (pH 6.5–7). Their manganese sheaths are crucial to the integrity of the rock varnish, it binds it together and holds it to the underlying rock.

    If you lose the manganese you lose the rock varnish and the rock art.

    Neumann found the proportion of manganese in the Bednarik rock sample was 18.4% by weight. In samples collected in the same area in 2021, the manganese content had fallen to 9.6%. The depth of the varnish was reduced, and the varnish layer was full of holes where the manganese had been degraded.

    The damage by industry over the last 26 years was clearly visible.

    Increased porosity is reducing the density of the rock varnish layer and leading to its eventual degradation. There is also an absence of cyanobacteria close to the industrial sites, but not at more distant sites, suggesting industrial emissions are eliminating the varnish-forming microbes.

    Where to next?

    Industrial pollution has degraded the rock art and will continue to do so until the industrial pollution levels at Murujuga are reduced to zero.

    There are two well-recognised ways to eliminate NO₂ emissions. One uses selective catalytic reduction to convert NO₂ to nitrogen and water. The second method is to replace all gas burning heat production processes with electricity.

    The use of such technologies should form part of the conditions to the ministerial approval of the North West Shelf extension.

    Benjamin Smith receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations. Neither of these funding bodies provided funding for the research discussed here and the views expressed here may not reflect those of these funding bodies. The research upon which this Conversation piece is based was funded solely by private donations from concerned citizens. We received no funding for this research from either industry or government.

    John Black is retired and receives no government or industry funding. The research upon which this Conversation piece is based was funded solely by private donations from concerned citizens. We received no funding for this research from either industry or government.

    – ref. How the North West Shelf expansion risks further damage to Murujuga’s 50,000-year-old rock art – https://theconversation.com/how-the-north-west-shelf-expansion-risks-further-damage-to-murujugas-50-000-year-old-rock-art-257615

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: RASPP proposes to create a joint Russian-Chinese platform for trading in used cars

    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

    CHENGDU, May 29 (Xinhua) — The Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RAUIE) proposes to create a joint Russian-Chinese platform for trading in used cars, RAUIE Executive Director Georgy Ryabtsev said Wednesday at the first Sichuan fair to connect suppliers and buyers in the used car export sector.

    The event was held in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province (southwest China). It was attended by representatives of nearly 40 trade organizations and enterprises from 10 countries, including Russia, Iran, Vietnam and Nigeria.

    “This is not only an important milestone in Sichuan Province’s entry into the global used car market, but also a key opportunity to rebuild the international automotive trade chain,” commented Ryabtsev, calling the event a “bridge” that connects the advantages of China’s supply chain with global market demand.

    “We are particularly pleased with the event’s focus on the used car market – one of the most promising areas for growth in Russian-Chinese economic cooperation,” he emphasized.

    According to him, today the automotive industry is undergoing large-scale changes: electric vehicles are transforming the global car market, and the rapid growth of sales of Chinese cars with new energy sources is opening up new prospects for the used car trade.

    “The Russian used car market is one of the largest in Eurasia. Last year alone, the volume of used car sales exceeded 5 million units,” explained G. Ryabtsev, noting the ever-growing interest in Chinese cars in Russia, as well as the growth in the import of used cars from China – both European and Chinese brands, which have already earned a reputation for being reliable, economical and meeting consumer demands.

    According to G. Ryabtsev, RASPP proposes to create a joint Russian-Chinese platform for trading in used cars. This initiative involves the creation of a single digital platform combining B2B and B2C models, with a unified legal, logistics and service infrastructure.

    “Russian consumers increasingly rely on digital channels: they are used to choosing, buying and even making transactions online. And the active development of electronic platforms, remote car diagnostic systems, logistics and legal services creates a favorable environment for the export of Chinese cars,” he added.

    On the sidelines of the fair, agreements were signed on seven major cooperation projects worth a total of more than 1 billion yuan (about 139 million US dollars).

    China began exporting used cars in May 2019, and will fully lift restrictions in this area in March 2024. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: /China Focus/ China Builds Satellite Constellations to Provide Intelligent Communications from Space

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) — China is boosting its presence in low Earth orbit to support growing demand for smart device connectivity, launching four new satellites this month to expand its Tianqi constellation.

    On May 19, China successfully launched a commercial carrier rocket, CERES-1, from a platform in the sea off Shandong Province, east China, placing a group of four satellites in the Tianqi constellation into their planned orbit.

    Following SpaceX’s lead, a growing number of Chinese aerospace companies have begun building Starlink-style satellite networks in recent years. Some of these commercial space firms specialize in developing critical digital infrastructure for the Internet of Things (IoT).

    The Tianqi satellite constellation developed and operated by GuoDianGaoKe Technology has reached the first phase of deployment, with 37 satellites in orbit forming a global network providing services in the fields of smart cities, marine monitoring, emergency communications and environmental monitoring.

    The launch of four new satellites will reduce the constellation’s orbital period, a key factor for real-time data transmission, to five minutes, increasing operational efficiency by 37.5 percent.

    “Tianqi has filled the technological gap in China’s low-orbit IoT satellite field. Its technical systems, system performance and terminal performance have reached the world level,” said Lu Qiang, chairman of GuoDianGaoKe Technology.

    Tianqi is currently exploring the consumer markets for smartphones, smart cars and wearables. The second phase of the project involves developing and launching additional satellites to improve consumer-grade applications.

    Another commercial satellite constellation project, funded by a leading Chinese automaker, aims to revolutionize intelligent vehicle connectivity through space.

    Geely’s Future Mobility Constellation, developed by its space subsidiary Geespace, has deployed 30 satellites across three orbital planes.

    The deployment provided 90 percent global coverage, making Geespace the first Chinese commercial enterprise to offer low-orbit satellite communications services to international users.

    “The group focuses on intelligent driving, smart mobility and consumer electronics scenarios,” said Geespace founder and CEO Wang Yang.

    Geely’s Future Mobility Constellation project is divided into three phases: 72 satellites for global real-time data transmission (phase one), 264 satellites for direct smartphone connectivity (phase two), and 5,676 satellites for global broadband access (phase three).

    Thanks to the satellite constellation, Geely’s Zeekr and Galaxy electric vehicles are equipped with space communications, allowing users to send messages via satellite when terrestrial networks fail.

    In June 2024, Geely’s satellite constellation began international commercial operation in the Middle East, and is scheduled to expand to North Africa in 2025, marking a new milestone for Chinese commercial space companies on the global stage. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Launches New Satellite into Space

    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

    JIUQUAN, May 29 (Xinhua) — China’s Long March-4B carrier rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:12 p.m. Beijing Time on Thursday, successfully sending the new satellite Shijian-26 into its designated orbit.

    The spacecraft will be mainly used in national land resources research, environmental management and other fields, providing information services to support national economic development.

    This flight was the 579th for the Changzheng series of launch vehicles. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Harvard University Should Set 15% Cap on International Students – D. Trump

    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

    WASHINGTON, May 29 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the number of international students at Harvard University should be capped at about 15 percent, while continuing to press the university to submit its list of international students.

    “Harvard needs to show us their lists,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “They have international students. About 31 percent of their students are international. Almost 31 percent. We want to know where these students are coming from. Are they troublemakers?”

    D. Trump claims that many of these students were involved in disturbances “caused by the radical left-wing lunatics in this country.”

    “I think there should be a cap, about 15 percent, not 31 percent, because we have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools that they can’t go to because we have foreign students there,” the president said.

    Since returning to the White House, Trump has targeted many US universities, warning that those who do not adjust their policies will face funding cuts. The Trump administration’s top demands include rooting out anti-Semitism on campuses and ending diversity initiatives that favor minority groups.

    According to Harvard, international students accounted for more than 27 percent of the total undergraduate student body as of fall 2023. The university currently has about 6,800 international students and scholars from more than 140 countries and regions, most of whom are pursuing graduate studies. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: D. Trump warns B. Netanyahu against actions towards Iran amid nuclear talks

    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

    WASHINGTON, May 29 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against any action that could jeopardize ongoing talks between the Trump administration and Iran on a new nuclear deal, media reported.

    “Well, I’d like to be honest. Yes, I did,” Trump said when asked if he warned Netanyahu against striking Iran to avoid disrupting the talks, The Hill reports.

    “I said I don’t think it’s appropriate. We’re having very good discussions with them, and I don’t think it’s appropriate right now,” the US president added.

    D. Trump also told reporters that the situation “could change at any moment — could change with a phone call,” CNN reports.

    “I think they want to make a deal. And if we can make a deal, I will save a lot of lives,” the message said.

    The fifth round of proximity talks between Iran and the United States ended last week in Rome with “some but not final progress,” said Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud al-Busaidi, who is mediating the talks. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Relations between Brazil and the US are not unconditional – Foreign Minister

    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

    RIO DE JANEIRO, May 29 (Xinhua) — Brazil’s relations with the United States are not unconditional, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told a committee of the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, amid concerns that new U.S. restrictions could affect Brazilian citizens.

    The Foreign Minister expressed concern over the recent decision by the US government to suspend issuance of new visas to foreign students. “This is a worrying situation. We have a large number of Brazilian students at US universities, and we will have to monitor developments,” he said.

    The Minister stressed that, in accordance with international agreements, host countries are required to issue visas for participation in multilateral events, including those held by the UN or the Organization of American States (OAS).

    The US visa suspension has raised concerns in Brazil over the potential disruption to academic ties. Officials have warned that the move could hinder talent exchanges and slow scientific collaboration between the two countries.

    Access to higher education abroad remains a key element of Brazil’s labor force development and innovation strategy, said M. Vieira. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival weekend, the Khorgos checkpoint saw an increase in passenger traffic

    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

    URUMQI, May 29 (Xinhua) — The passenger flow at Horgos Port on the China-Kazakhstan border in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has increased ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the port administration said.

    According to her data, the daily number of border crossings through the checkpoint currently exceeds 3,000 people. It is expected that during the above-mentioned weekend the figure will reach approximately 4,000 people.

    Since the introduction of the visa-free regime between China and Kazakhstan in November 2023, there has been an increase in the number of border crossings through Khorgos. According to Ge Jianhua, an employee of the checkpoint administration, this year the incoming and outgoing tourist flow at the Khorgos checkpoint has exceeded 500 thousand people-times.

    Meanwhile, the number of tourists crossing the Chinese-Kazakh border by car is growing. There are currently 7 bus routes connecting Xinjiang with various regions of Kazakhstan.

    The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. This year, it will be celebrated on May 31, and the days from May 31 to June 2 will be declared holidays in the country. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump’s global trade plans are in disarray, after a US court ruling on ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Stone, Credit Union SA Chair of Economics, University of South Australia

    A US court has blocked the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs that US President Donald Trump imposed on imported goods from around 90 nations. This puts implementation of Trump’s current trade policy in disarray.

    The Court of International Trade ruled the emergency authority Trump used to impose the tariffs could not override the role of Congress, which has the right to regulate commerce with other countries.

    Tariffs imposed via other legislative processes such as those dealing with cars, steel and aluminium continue to stand. But the broad-based “reciprocal” tariffs will need to be removed within 10 days of the court’s ruling. Trump administration officials have already filed plans to appeal.

    The ruling calls into question trade negotiations underway with more than 18 different nations that are trying to lower these tariffs. Do these countries continue to negotiate or do they wait for the judicial process to play out?

    The Trump administration still has other mechanisms through which it can impose tariffs, but these have limits on the amount that can be imposed, or entail processes which can take months or years. This undermines Trump’s preferred method of negotiation: throwing out large threats and backing down once a concession is reached.

    Emergency powers were a step too far

    The lawsuits were filed by United States importers of foreign products and some US states, challenging Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.

    The lawsuits argued the national emergencies cited in imposing the tariffs – the trade deficit and the fentanyl crisis – were not an emergency and not directly addressed by the tariff remedy. The court agreed, and said by imposing tariffs Trump had overstepped his authority.

    The ruling said the executive orders used were “declared to be invalid as contrary to law”.

    The act states the president is entitled to take economic action in the face of “an unusual and extraordinary threat”. It’s mainly been used to impose sanctions on terrorist groups or freeze assets from Russia. There’s nothing in the act that refers to tariffs.

    The decision means all the reciprocal tariffs – including the 10% tariffs on most countries, the 50% tariffs Trump was talking about putting on the EU, and some of the Chinese tariffs – are ruled by the court to be illegal. They must be removed within 10 days.

    The ruling was based on two separate lawsuits. One was brought by a group of small businesses that argued tariffs materially hurt their business. The other was brought by 12 individual states that argued the tariffs would materially impact their ability to provide public goods.

    Some industry tariffs will remain in place

    The ruling does not apply to tariffs applied under Section 201, known as safeguard tariffs. They are intended to protect industries from imports allegedly being sold in the US market at unfair prices or through unfair means. Tariffs on solar panels and washing machines were brought under this regulation.

    Also excluded are Section 232 tariffs, which are applied for national security reasons. Those are the steel and aluminium tariffs, the automobile and auto parts tariffs. Trump has declared all those as national security issues, so those tariffs will remain.

    Most of the tariffs against China are also excluded under Section 301. Those are put in place for unfair trade practices, such as intellectual property theft or forced technology transfer. They are meant to pressure countries to change their policies.

    Other trade investigations are still underway

    In addition, there are current investigations related to copper and the pharmaceuticals sector, which will continue. These investigations are part of a more traditional trade process and may lead to future tariffs, including on Australia.

    The Trump administration is still weighing possible sector-specific tariffs on pharmaceuticals.
    Planar/Shutterstock

    Now for the appeals

    The Trump administration has already filed its intention to appeal to the federal appeals court. This process will take some time. In the meantime, there are at least five other legal challenges to tariffs pending in the courts.

    If the appeals court provides a ruling the Trump administration or opponents don’t like, they can appeal to the Supreme Court.

    Alternatively, the White House could direct customs officials to ignore the court and continue to collect tariffs.

    The Trump administration has ignored court orders in the past, particularly on immigration rulings. So it remains to be seen if customs officials will release goods without the tariffs being paid in 10 days’ time.

    The administration is unlikely to lay down on this. In addition to its appeal process, officials complained about “unelected judges” and “judicial overreach” and may contest the whole process. The only thing that continues to be a certainty is that uncertainty will drive global markets for the foreseeable future.

    Susan Stone 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.

    – ref. Trump’s global trade plans are in disarray, after a US court ruling on ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs – https://theconversation.com/trumps-global-trade-plans-are-in-disarray-after-a-us-court-ruling-on-liberation-day-tariffs-257812

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China Film outlines its achievements, ambitions

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

    China Film Co. Ltd. has been named one of China’s top 30 cultural enterprises for the 17th time in a list jointly released by Guangming Daily and Economic Daily.

    Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Co. Ltd., poses for a photo after a ceremony recognizing China’s top 30 cultural enterprises for 2025, Beijing, May 26, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Film Co. Ltd.]

    Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Co. Ltd., accepted the award at a ceremony in Beijing on May 26. The company also released a press release underscoring its remarkable achievements over the past year along with its innovations and global ambitions.

    The statement noted that behind this significant honor lies the company’s steadfast role as a national leader in cinema, demonstrating its commitment to innovation across multiple fronts including quality productions, technological advancement and market revitalization.

    China Film Co. Ltd. maintains a people-centered creative approach, emphasizing meaningful themes, compelling storytelling and high-quality productions, according to the press release. In 2024, the company released 46 films, accounting for 70.19% of China’s total domestic box office revenue. Nine of these titles ranked among the year’s top 10 highest-grossing Chinese films. The productions have earned more than 140 domestic and international honors.

    Notable releases include “The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death,” portraying the heroic efforts during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea; the visually poetic dance film “A Tapestry of a Legendary Land,” adapting traditional Chinese culture through cross-media artistry; the dramas “Promise of Decades” and “Revisit,” commemorating the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return; and “Snow Leopard,” winner of multiple international awards.

    The film company is driving reform to boost productivity and innovation, integrating its operations in investment, development, production and distribution through deep convergence of production and operational systems. This creative-centered approach unleashes youthful vitality and a pioneering spirit. Through its Young Filmmakers Initiative, the company is fostering a new generation of creative studios and empowering young directors to boldly create and innovate.

    China Film Co. Ltd. said it has consistently led technological innovation in cinema amid the convergence of technology and culture. In 2024, the company unveiled a two-year film technology innovation plan and achieved several breakthroughs in core technologies, developing China’s own high-format cinema system covering projection equipment, production processes and front-end shooting. Its 10-meter Cinity LED screen became the world’s first DCI-certified LED projection system, marking China’s leadership in direct-view display technology. Following the opening of the Cinity LED Mastering Center in Beijing, an overseas counterpart has also been completed and put into operation in Hollywood. Over 200 Cinity theaters operate domestically, with more than 30 overseas. On May 16, the world’s first 14-meter Cinity LED screen debuted in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, delivering groundbreaking audiovisual experiences.

    China operates the world’s most extensive digital film distribution network covering both urban and rural areas. As the country’s largest distributor, China Film Co. Ltd. has implemented a range of measures to ensure robust film supply. In 2024, the company handled distribution for 646 films, accounting for 87.52% of China’s total box office revenue. Notably, it distributed all of the 10 highest-grossing domestic films and 98% of imported foreign titles, further solidifying its market dominance.

    The company has actively responded to policies for stimulating consumption and domestic demand to unlock market potential. In 2024, it partnered with China Media Group to pioneer cinema live broadcasts, holding over 1,000 screening events that attracted 64,000 viewers. The “Games Wide Open” initiative, bringing Olympic events to cinemas, became a cultural phenomenon.

    The company has also accelerated global outreach, with several films receiving overseas releases and selection at international film festivals. Through its alliance booths at various film events and festivals, it has facilitated 68 participating organizations in exhibitions and negotiations, brokered 11 international cooperation deals and promoted nearly 200 films. The addition of new documentary and stage art film categories further diversified China’s cinematic exports.

    As the vanguard of China’s film industry, China Film Co. Ltd. stated it will continue to advance high-quality development through proactive measures in production, distribution, exhibition, technology and services.

    China Film Co. Ltd., China Publishing Group, Tencent, iQiyi, iFlytek and 25 other enterprises were named to this year’s list of China’s top 30 cultural enterprises. These industry leaders reported total net assets of 695.2 billion yuan in 2024, with combined operating revenue of 639.8 billion yuan from their core businesses — breaking the 600-billion-yuan threshold for the first time.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Harbin embraces sci-fi-themed events

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

    A sci-fi-themed-book fair was held in Harbin, Heilongjiang province from May 22 to 26 alongside the 2025 Children Science Fiction Convention. Writers, publishers, editors and industry professionals examined developments in the children’s publishing sector.

    Publishing leaders and event organizers launch a sci-fi book fair in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, May 23, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    During the fair, themed forums, reading lectures, book launches and signing sessions created a platform to promote public reading and showcase achievements in this field. This not only marks a strategic enhancement of Harbin’s soft power, but pioneers a new model for China’s sci-fi creation and the promotion of nationwide reading among children.

    At the opening ceremony, six authors launched a public reading initiative, alongside six institutions releasing the 2024 list of outstanding Chinese popular science books. Additionally, the Taofen Foundation donated books valued at 2 million yuan (about $277,808) to primary and secondary schools in Harbin. 

    In recent years, children’s science fiction writing has flourished in China. To better summarize the experiences, events like the Children Science Fiction Convention have also been launched. This not only gives enthusiasts something to look forward to, but serves as a great enabler for future industry development. 

    “The era of sci-fi has truly arrived,” said Bai Yunpeng, an organizer and chairman of Harbin Huiwen Academy Cultural Media Group and president of the Harbin Publication Distribution Industry Association. “We’ve now entered an age where science, science fiction and popular science education form an integrated three-in-one.”

    Bai expected that the authors, critics, publishers, and reading promoters participating in this inaugural sci-fi book fair will come up with fresh content, formats, and ideas through intellectual exchanges, providing valuable experience for future exhibitions.

    A photo captures the China International Communications Group booth at a sci-fi book fair in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, May 23, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    Yin Chuanhong, deputy secretary of the Chinese Science Writers Association, observed that contemporary children’s sci-fi is demonstrating both diversified genres and a convergence of science and culture. 

    “This genre pushes beyond traditional boundaries, evolving from sensory narratives dominated by scientific wonders to more complex expressions rich in cultural depth and intellectual substance that embody Chinese characteristics and contemporary spirit.” he said, “It provides fertile ground for Chinese sci-fi’s cultural identity and academic framework in the new era.”

    Popular science and science fiction leader Dong Renwei, founder of the Children’s Science Fiction Nebula Awards, delivered a work report for the Children’s Science Fiction Reading Promotion Alliance, which he also chairs. He highlighted the achievements of the alliance, including collaborating with 11 publishers and 39 established and emerging Chinese science fiction authors to produce original and innovative works. The alliance also published award-winning titles from the Children’s Science Fiction Nebula Awards while expanding reading promotion programs to 20 provincial-level regions across China.

    Participants gather for a group photo during the 2025 Children Science Fiction Convention held in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, May 23, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    He said the Children’s Science Fiction Nebula Awards aim to strengthen the key position of children’s science fiction in the broader industry ecosystem. The event aims to build multidimensional collaboration platforms, promote the development of Chinese and global children’s science fiction, amplify China’s voice in the international sci-fi community, and contribute Chinese solutions to the joint effort of building a beautiful future for humanity.

    The 2025 Children’s Science Fiction Nebula Awards were presented on May 23 in Harbin, with prominent writers Chen Qiufan and Wu Yan receiving top honors in the novel and short story categories.

    Sci-fi critic Cui Xinping, vice chair of the Shanxi Writers Association, highlighted children’s science fiction in China shows three trends: The first is how Chinese sci-fi works integrate elements from popular science, mythology, history, and military education. The second is the support from awards and talent programs for both new and experienced writers. The third, symbolic of Chinese long-term planning, where publishers develop expansive sci-fi universes around award-winning authors, allowing for rapid serialization and continued growth. All of this expands narrative boundaries and pushes for cross-genre innovation. 

    A photo captures “The Three-Body Problem” booth at a sci-fi book fair in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, May 23, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    Roundtable forums with the themes of “Focusing on Sci-fi, Strengthening Collaboration, and Seeking Growth” and “The ‘Sci-fi Vision’ in Children’s Science Fiction,” along with new book launches, were also held later that day.

    Zheng Zhong, president of Zhejiang Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House, said science and literature have long been promoted in China. “If we were to identify a literary genre that unifies and embodies both scientific and humanistic literacy, it would be science fiction. That’s why science fiction literature is an essential nutrient for the growth of children in the new era and is absolutely indispensable.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Elon Musk leaving US govt role

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

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday that he is leaving his government role as an adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump.

    “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk posted on X.

    “The DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency) mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” he said.

    U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday thanked Musk for his work and promised to pursue more spending cuts in the future, posting on X that “Elon Musk and the entire DOGE team have done INCREDIBLE work exposing waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government.”

    “The House is eager and ready to act on DOGE’s findings so we can deliver even more cuts to big government that President Trump wants and the American people demand,” Johnson wrote.

    The billionaire will rededicate himself to companies like Tesla and rocket manufacturer SpaceX. Musk said earlier that he will step back from political spending, because “I think I’ve done enough.”

    In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Musk criticized Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” describing the legislation, a mix of tax cuts and enhanced immigration enforcement, as a “massive spending bill” that increases the federal deficit and “undermines the work” of DOGE.

    Trump on Wednesday defended his bill, saying, “I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects of it.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Early voting begins in South Korea for snap presidential election

    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

    SEOUL, May 29 (Xinhua) — Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea’s snap presidential election, officially scheduled for June 3.

    Early voting, which was adopted in 2013 and first applied to the 2014 local elections, will take place over two days through Friday.

    Of the 44,391,871 eligible voters, those who wish to cast their ballot before Election Day will be able to vote at 3,568 polling stations across the country from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.

    As of 09:00, turnout in early voting was 3.55 percent, exceeding the previous maximum of 2.19 percent in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

    This figure was also higher than the turnout for early voting in the 2022 presidential election of 2.14 percent. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • US curbs chip design software, chemicals, other shipments to China

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United States has ordered a broad swathe of companies to stop shipping goods to China without a license and revoked licenses already granted to certain suppliers, said three people familiar with the matter.

    The new restrictions – which are likely to escalate tensions with Beijing – appear aimed at choke points to prevent China from getting products necessary for key sectors, one of the people said.

    Products affected include design software and chemicals for semiconductors, butane and ethane, machine tools, and aviation equipment, the people said.

    Many companies received letters from the U.S. Department of Commerce over the last few days informing them of the new restrictions.

    Firms that supply electronic design automation (EDA) software for semiconductors were sent letters last Friday that licenses would now be needed to ship to Chinese customers, two of the sources said.

    The electronic design automation software makers include Cadence, Synopsys and Siemens EDA, one said.

    The two sources said the Commerce Department will review requests for licenses to ship to China on a case-by-case basis, suggesting the action was not an outright ban.

    It is unclear whether the new restrictions are part of a broader strategy to create leverage for trade talks during a pause in the imposition of higher tariffs.

    The Commerce Department said it is reviewing exports of strategic significance to China, while noting “in some cases, Commerce has suspended existing export licenses or imposed additional license requirements while the review is pending.”

    The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Shares of Cadence, which declined to comment, closed down 10.7% and shares of Synopsys fell 9.6%.

    Synopsys’ CEO Sassine Ghazi said in a call with analysts that the company had not received a letter nor had it heard from the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, which enforces export controls.

    “We are aware of the reporting and speculations, but Synopsys has not received a notice from BIS … We have not received a letter,” Ghazi said.

    After the market closed, Synopsys reaffirmed its revenue forecast for 2025. Its shares and those of Cadence bounced back 3.5% in trading after the close.

    Siemens EDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Any move to strip the software makers of their Chinese customers could deal a blow to their bottom line and to their Chinese chip design customers, which heavily rely on top-of-the-line U.S. software.

    “They are the true choke point,” said a former Commerce Department official, who added that rules restricting the export of EDA tools to China have been under consideration since the first Trump administration, but were ruled out as too aggressive.

    Synopsys relies on China for about 16% of its annual revenue, and China accounts for about 12% of annual revenue for Cadence.

    Synopsys, which partners with chip companies such as Nvidia, Qualcomm and Intel, provides software and hardware used for designing advanced processors.

    The Financial Times earlier reported that the Trump administration had ordered the software firms to stop selling their services to Chinese groups.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pelosi at San Francisco AAPI Roundtable: “Our seniors and children are not waste, fraud and abuse.”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

    San Francisco – Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi hosted an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month roundtable with San Francisco’s Asian Pacific Islander Council, bringing together community leaders to address the devastating impacts of the Trump Administration’s budget cuts on AAPI communities.

    The roundtable featured key speakers, including Cally Wong, Executive Director of the API Council; Lance Toma, CEO of the San Francisco Community Health Center; Dr. Jian Zhang, CEO of Chinese Hospital; Jon Osaki, Executive Director of JCYC; Judy Young, Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Development Center; Luisa Antonio, Executive Director of the Bayanihan Equity Center; and Tammy Hung, Deputy Director of Programs at the Chinatown Community Development Center.

    The event highlighted how Republican attacks on health care, housing and educational resources have compounded the challenges facing AAPI communities—particularly in San Francisco. Participants shared firsthand accounts of the real-world consequences of these policy decisions and emphasized the urgency of standing united to defend the health, dignity and opportunity of AAPI families.

    Watch the full roundtable here. View photos from today’s event here.

    Read excerpts of Speaker Emerita Pelosi’s remarks as delivered below:

    Speaker Emerita Pelosi. Good afternoon. It is my privilege to join this distinguished group of AAPI leaders for this important roundtable discussion.

    Thank you for your leadership in so many ways. And to each of you—thank you. We’ve had our interactions at your places of leadership and service. Thank you for what you all do.

    To the AAPI leaders who are gathered here for this roundtable discussion: I salute Cally Wong for her tireless leadership at the API Council, an unyielding voice for equity and justice in the Bay Area and well beyond that.

    It’s a thrill to be here at the Japanese Community Youth Council. Thank you, Jon, for your leadership as a model of culture and diversity in the Bay Area.
    …
    How special it is that we gather during AAPI Heritage Month.
    …
    Asian Pacific Americans’ entrepreneurial spirit, courage and patriotism has strengthened the foundation of our nation and made America more American.
    …
    We take great pride in our vibrant, diverse—very diverse—community, as we can see here. And the Bay Area has been so enriched by the community. And you know that. We’ll hear more about that.

    Now then, I want to just say that—you know, we’re in a situation right now where the Republicans have said, ‘Whatever you want to do for your communities, it cannot have anything to do with health, education, the arts, museums, libraries, diversity…’ I mean, they’re just undermining the culture that is America. Because diversity, of course, is our strength.

    But I was able to get the Southeast Asian Development Center to help purchase a new building with $1 million, and $850,000 for AsianWeek Foundation. But what they’re doing is such an insult.

    It’s because the cuts that are in the budget already—and I say already because I’ll get to another point—help older Asian American adults learn to use digital technology. They’re cutting that. Combat anti-Asian hate? They’re cutting that. Advise low-income tenants facing eviction? They’re cutting that.

    Here at the JCYC, President Trump’s budget cuts $2.6 million in funding, which provides college advising and preparation services for thousands of low-income youth in San Francisco. They’re cutting that.

    Republicans are hurting our most vulnerable communities to provide tax cuts for the richest people in the country.

    At the same time, they’re pushing a bill through Congress that slashes $300 billion from SNAP. Food out of the mouths of babies to give billionaires a tax cut. $700 billion from Medicaid. That means $1 trillion in cuts just from those two things.

    Now, the Congressional Budget Office—the CBO, which we’re supposed to obey (but they have said they’re not necessarily going to do that)—has said with those cuts, it generates $500 billion in cuts to Medicare. Medicaid: $700 billion. Medicare: $500 billion. SNAP: $300 billion.

    In meeting the needs of people—and you know what they call it? ‘Waste, fraud, and abuse.’ We say back to them: Our seniors, our children—they are not waste, fraud, and abuse! You’ve got a claim? Show us what it is. But we haven’t seen that yet.

    In any event—it’s Robin Hood in reverse. Take from the needy and give to the rich. That’s the Republican Robin Hood in reverse.
    …
    And when they say ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’—show us. What is it? We don’t want any waste, fraud and abuse. But we don’t consider feeding our children waste, fraud and abuse. Or helping our people with disabilities. Or our seniors who need long-term health care and the rest of that. We don’t consider that waste, fraud and abuse.

    If you do—because you want to give tax cuts to billionaires—that’s your waste, fraud, and abuse. Because that’s not what our—A budget should be a statement of values.

    What is important to us as a nation should be reflected in our budget. For our children, their health, their education, the economic security of their families, safe, clean neighborhoods in which they can thrive—including from gun violence—and a world at peace in which they can thrive.

    That’s not what this budget is about. It’s about tax cuts for the wealthiest people.

    Now, you may recall that when—what’s his name—was in office before, and the Republicans had the majority for two years until we, with your help, defeated them—they had one bill that Republicans only passed.

    It was their tax bill. And it gave 83% of the benefits to the top 1%. Eighty-three percent of the benefits to the top 1%. And added $2 trillion to the national debt.

    Oh, big talk: ‘Oh, we’re fiscally responsible.’ $2 trillion in national debt. Not creating jobs or anything—just a tax cut.

    This time, they’re going beyond that. They’ll probably add closer to $4 trillion to the national debt to give a bigger tax cut to the high end—while they cut SNAP. Food—taking food from the mouths of babies—to give a tax cut to the richest people.

    So this is about their lack of values.

    And you know, I’ve been in Congress a long time—thanks to all of you—and we’ve had our disagreements [with Republicans] about policy and the rest, and that’s legitimate, to have disagreement.

    But this is criminal.

    It’s not only criminal. It’s illegal in terms of what the law requires them to do.

    So again—we don’t agonize. We organize. And that’s what we’re going to talk about today.
    …
    And we can only do so much inside maneuvering. The outside mobilization—know your power in all of this.

    And that’s why I want to hear freshly what you have to say. Every day it makes a difference.
    …
    But again, Jon, thank you for your hospitality. It’s great to be here. It looks good. Place looks good. And the JCYC—just so remarkable.

    But so are all of you here.

    Now, Cally Wong has been the Executive Director of the API Council. Some of us have been together when we’ve had these meetings before. And she has led the way—as she will today.

    Cally, thank you. Cally, thank you for your leadership.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Market open in green; Sensex tops 81,500, Nifty near 24810

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian benchmark indices opened higher on Thursday amid positive global cues, as buying was seen in the IT and metal sectors in the early trade.

    At 9:29 am, the BSE Sensex was up 237.56 points or 0.29 per cent at 81,549.88, while the NSE Nifty rose 57 points or 0.23 per cent to trade at 24,809.45.

    Sectoral indices also showed strength, with the Nifty Bank gaining 86.95 points or 0.16 per cent to 55,503.95. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was up 105.80 points or 0.19 per cent at 57,247.20, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 rose by 85.20 points or 0.48 per cent to 17,869.20.

    Despite the Nifty declining for the past two sessions, analysts noted a drop in the India VIX, indicating a lack of demand for downside protection—typically not seen when investor sentiment is bearish.

    “The 24,462 level remains crucial to determine whether this is a temporary dip or the beginning of a deeper correction. As long as the Nifty holds above this level, it remains a buyer’s market,” said Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities.

    Among the top performers in the Sensex pack were Infosys, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, Sun Pharma, HCL Tech, Tata Motors, HDFC Bank, Power Grid, TCS and L&T. Bajaj Finance was the only stock in the red during early trade.

    Asian markets also opened in the green, with indices in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, China, and Japan trading higher. Jakarta was the only notable exception, trading lower.

    On Wall Street, the previous session ended in losses. The Dow Jones closed at 42,098.70, down 244.95 points or 0.58 per cent. The S&P 500 fell 32.99 points or 0.56 per cent to 5,888.55, while the Nasdaq slipped 98.23 points or 0.51 per cent to 19,100.94.

    Market sentiment remained sensitive to global developments, including U.S. tariff-related news. “The U.S. Federal Court striking down the reciprocal tariffs sends a strong message—that the President cannot act unilaterally against the interests of the market and the economy,” said Dr. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

    On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers on May 28, purchasing equities worth ₹4,662.92 crore. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also continued their buying spree, picking up stocks worth ₹7,911.99 crore.

    — IANS

  • MIL-OSI Global: After a chaotic 6 months, South Koreans will elect a new president – and hope for bold leadership

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Alexander M. Hynd, Lecturer, Korean Politics/International Relations, The University of Melbourne

    On June 3, South Koreans will head to the polls to choose the country’s new president. The election may draw to a close one of the most chaotic and contentious periods in the country’s post-1987 democratic era.

    South Korea has been embroiled in a political crisis since December, when former President Yoon Suk Yeol disastrously declared martial law.

    Yoon ordered security forces to block lawmakers from entering the National Assembly, leading to a dramatic late night confrontation. His unconstitutional decree was overturned after just six hours.

    The fall-out was equally dramatic: Yoon was impeached and removed from office in a drawn-out process that was not finally resolved until April.

    This period coincided with massive street demonstrations both opposing and supporting Yoon, a far-right assault on a courthouse and a physical stand-off between investigators and Yoon’s personal security team.

    The country, meanwhile, has cycled through three short-lived caretaker leaders.

    With weak economic growth and high costs of living, in addition to an equally challenging security environment, South Korea is in desperate need of bold and effective leadership.

    Who are the candidates?

    The Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung is the clear frontrunner to be the next president, after finishing a close second in the previous 2022 election.

    Recent polling put the veteran left-leaning politician at around 49% support as the race entered the final week.

    This is a double-digit lead over his main conservative opponent, Kim Moon-soo, polling at 35%. Another conservative candidate, Lee Jun-seok, is polling at 11%. Notably, for the first time since 2007, there are no female candidates standing to be president.

    The high levels of support for Lee Jae-myung suggest a widespread desire among the public to repudiate Yoon’s martial law declaration.

    Kim, the labour minister in Yoon’s administration, has apologised for December’s declaration. But his opponents have continued to question him about it.

    Kim’s challenge has been to build a coalition of moderates and mainstream conservatives who firmly opposed the martial law declaration, while also winning support from those who believe far-right conspiracy theories around election fraud. Yoon, the former president, is continuing to promote these narratives.

    Lee’s compelling background

    Lee Jae-myung’s personal story has uplifting parallels with South Korea’s own history of economic and political development.

    Lee was born into poverty; the exact date of his birth is not known. He worked in factories from a very young age and permanently injured his left arm in an industrial accident when he was still a child.

    Lee went on to earn a scholarship to study law and, by the late 1980s, had established himself as a labour lawyer and activist.

    This activist image was highlighted when he live-streamed himself dramatically scaling a fence to enter the National Assembly and vote down Yoon’s martial law declaration in December. He has previously compared himself to populist, progressive US Senator Bernie Sanders.

    More recently, however, he has moderated his political rhetoric and policy platform to appeal to centrists and even some conservative voters.

    This shift may also help shield Lee from the “red-baiting” claims left-leaning South Korean candidates typically face from conservative opponents that they are “communists”, “pro-China”, or “pro-North Korea”.

    But Lee is also plagued by legal troubles, including corruption charges linked to a land development project. These charges, frequently highlighted by his opponents, risk derailing his administration if he wins the election.

    What are the main issues?

    Some international commentators have focused on how the next president will handle North Korea. South Koreans, however, are more interested in the candidates’ plans to fix the country’s troubled economy.

    Lee Jae-myung has pledged to immediately establish an emergency economic taskforce if he takes office.

    There has also been a vigorous debate over South Korea’s future energy policy. Kim favours expanding nuclear energy production to around 60% of the country’s energy mix. Lee has voiced safety concerns about nuclear power, arguing “the era of building more reactors should come to an end”.

    Additionally, questions remain over potential constitutional reform to end South Korea’s so-called “imperial presidency” system, which has been blamed for centralising too much power in the hands of the president.

    The system dates back to the rewriting of the constitution following mass protests in 1987. This established direct presidential elections and a single, five-year term.

    Both Lee and Kim support changing this to a four-year, two-term presidential system, similar to the United States.

    Big challenges lie ahead

    On the international stage, the new leader will face an uphill battle negotiating with US President Donald Trump over his punitive tariffs. Trump imposed 25% tariffs on South Korean goods in April, but lowered them temporarily to 10% until early July.

    Before his impeachment, Yoon was widely reported to be practising his golf skills to attempt to find common ground with Trump, much as former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did.

    The new leader will also face massive challenges bringing South Korean society together in the current climate. Political polarisation and the spread of disinformation worsened under Yoon’s presidency – and these trends will be hard to reverse.

    Alexander M. Hynd 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.

    – ref. After a chaotic 6 months, South Koreans will elect a new president – and hope for bold leadership – https://theconversation.com/after-a-chaotic-6-months-south-koreans-will-elect-a-new-president-and-hope-for-bold-leadership-257348

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell on Trade Court Decision Striking Down Trump’s Global Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    05.28.25

    Cantwell on Trade Court Decision Striking Down Trump’s Global Tariffs

    EDMONDS, WA– Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, praised the U.S. Court of International Trade for striking down Donald Trump’s global tariffs, which amounted to massive new taxes on American consumers:

    “I am glad the Court of International Trade unanimously recognized that the President exceeded his authority. We need trade to flow through our ports. The remaining 10 percent global tariffs on Europe and 30 percent tariff on China should be lifted to lower prices for American families and to stabilize supply chains for US manufacturers. And Congress and the courts should take a close look at the other tariffs the president has planned.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Indonesia and France strengthen ties

    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

    JAKARTA, May 29 (Xinhua) — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday received French President Emmanuel Macron in Jakarta for high-level talks on key sectors including defense, energy, economy, investment, education and transportation.

    “Today we agreed to move forward by adopting a common vision to celebrate 100 years of Indonesian-French relations by 2050,” P. Subianto said at a joint press conference following the meeting.

    In the defense sector, both countries pledged to strengthen cooperation, including efforts to build human resource capacity. On the economic front, both leaders expressed support for more balanced trade and investment ties.

    “Our ties are strengthening in various areas, especially in energy, food security, free food and maritime affairs,” the Indonesian president said.

    Bilateral relations have also improved in the areas of culture, creative economy, transport and education, he added.

    During the visit, a total of 21 cooperation documents were signed or presented, reflecting a strong commitment to bilateral cooperation.

    These agreements cover a variety of formats and areas, such as defence, agriculture, essential minerals, sustainable forestry, creative and cultural industries, disaster risk management, transport and sport. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The principle of “two states for two peoples” is under threat of failure: UN envoy

    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

    UNITED NATIONS, May 28 (Xinhua) — The United Nations special coordinator a.i. for the Middle East peace process Sigrid Kaag on Wednesday warned that the “two states for two peoples” solution is in danger of being undermined, calling for collective action to restore it.

    “The principle of ‘two states for two peoples’ is in danger of being disrupted. Its revival requires collective action,” said S. Kaag. “Peace cannot be a deal or a partial, temporary agreement. It must be based on international consensus and legitimacy, moving from conflict management to its end.”

    There can be no sustainable peace in the Middle East without a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The region’s future will remain linked to its unresolved past unless bold political will and solutions break the vicious circle, she told the Security Council.

    Palestinian statehood is a right, not a reward, she said. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Promotes Digital Transformation of Electronic Information Manufacturing Sector

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) — China has released a plan to implement digital transformation of the electronic information manufacturing industry, setting a target for large enterprises to have the digital management ratio at key stages of the production process exceed 85 percent by 2027.

    The plan, released jointly by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other government agencies, stressed that the electronic information production industry is a strategic, fundamental and innovative sector of the national economy.

    According to the plan, this industry, characterized by large scale, long industrial chains and wide coverage, plays a key role in integrating the real economy and the digital economy, promoting new-type industrialization, and cultivating and building up new-quality productive forces.

    The plan also notes that by 2027, a new type of information infrastructure will be established that will greatly promote the digital transformation and intelligent upgrading of the electronic information production industry. Through this infrastructure, advanced computing and artificial intelligence will be deeply integrated into the development of the industry.

    It is expected that by 2030, a relatively advanced data infrastructure system for the electronic information production industry will be established, and the industrial database will be basically formed. In addition, by this time, a series of flagship intelligent products will also be developed and a digital ecosystem will be formed.

    The efficiency and quality of digital transformation will be significantly improved, with further breakthroughs expected in its expansion to the top of the global value chain by 2030, the plan says.

    According to the document, efforts will also be made to promote digital transformation across the entire industrial chain and accelerate the testing and deployment of innovative products such as smart wearables and smart robots. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Board of Commissioners

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

     Our Board:

    sets our strategic direction, makes decisions about funding allocations and provides guidance on our operations
    monitors the performance of the Chief Executive and the organisation
    oversees management of strategic risk.

    Dr Alan Bollard CNZM, Chair

    Alan Bollard is Chair of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. He is New Zealand Governor of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, a Director of China Construction Bank (NZ), and Chair of the New Zealand Pacific Economic Cooperation Council.
    He has been Chair of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Professor of Pacific Region Business at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, and Chair of the Centres for Asia-Pacific Excellence.
    Alan was the Director of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research from 1987 to 1994, Chair of the New Zealand Commerce Commission from 1994 to 1998, and the Secretary to the Treasury between 1998 and 2020. From 2002 to 2012, he was the Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. He was the Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Singapore from 2012 to 2018.
    Alan has published a number of economics and popular books. He is a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, a Fellow of Royal Society Te Apārangi, and has honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Auckland and Massey University.
    Robin Hapi CNZM, Deputy Chair

    Robin Hapi was a former Commissioner of the Tertiary Education Commission from 2007 to 2013 and joins TEC for a second time from February 2025. This follows a term of 12 years as Amokapua/Chair of Te Wānanga o Raukawa. He has served on several Boards and led a range of commercial and not-for-profit entities.
    Robin is currently Chair of Tū Ātea Ltd and Co-Chair of the Pūhoro STEMM Academy. His previous service includes positions on the Boards of Te Mātāwai, Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities, WorkSafe NZ and the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency; he has also been Chair of the Māori Economic Development Advisory Board, Chair of BERL and Deputy Chair of Callaghan Innovation. 
    Robin is an old boy of Hato Pāora College and an alumni of Massey University, where he graduated with a Master of Business Administration with Distinction. In December 2015 Robin was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in recognition of his contribution to governance, community and Māori, and in 2022 he received the Dame Mira Szászy Lifetime award from the University of Auckland Business School for his contribution to governance. Robin is also a Distinguished Fellow of the NZ Institute of Directors.
    Robin is of Ngāti Kahungunu descent and affiliates to Kahurānaki Marae, Te Hauke.
    Dr Alastair MacCormick, Commissioner, Chair Whatitata Whakau – Risk and Assurance Committee

    TEC’s longest serving Commissioner, Alastair was first appointed to the TEC Board of Commissioners in May 2017, and appointed as Chair of the Whatitata Whakau – Risk and Assurance Committee in August 2017.
    Alastair is an Emeritus Professor of the University of Auckland. He holds a Doctorate in Management Science from Yale University and an MCom in Economics and a BSc in Mathematics and Physics from Auckland. For a decade he was Dean of Business and Economics at the University of Auckland and subsequently Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
    Alastair also served over nine years on the Grants Committee of Callaghan Innovation for the Government support of Private Sector R&D and is a professional director with global experience in both public, private and listed companies.
    Alastair’s generosity with his time and expertise is demonstrated in his role as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Elizabeth Knox Home and Hospital (a voluntary role which Alastair has supported for almost 40 years) along with founding the New Zealand Education and Scholarship Trust in 1991. He has also spent 14 years on the Board of Trustees for Auckland Grammar School, serving as Chair of the Board for six years.
    Alastair was awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in The Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours for services to tertiary education and the community.
    Kirk Hope, Commissioner

    “People are our greatest asset and the drivers of our economy.  Business needs a training and development system to ensure everyone can reach their potential and New Zealand continues to prosper”. 

    Appointed in November 2019, Kirk brings strong current business sector knowledge to the TEC Board table. Kirk is the Chief Executive of the Financial Services Council. Previously, he was the Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, New Zealand’s largest business advocacy group with approximately 80,000 business connections.
    It is not just his knowledge and understanding of business that Kirk brings to TEC. He has held the positions of CEO of the New Zealand Bankers’ Association, Executive Director of the Financial Services Federation, along with several executive positions in both government and banking industries.
    The pairing of business acumen with a strong financial base, a Master’s in Law, an honours degree in political science, easily makes Kirk a great fit for TEC.
    Kirk’s passion is giving back, so sometime in the future we could see him sharing his wealth of knowledge and business expertise through teaching – perhaps that will be after he finishes PhD in economic history (a long term goal) or when he isn’t surfing.
    Samuelu (Sam) Sefuiva, Commissioner, Chair Ohu Tangata – People and Culture Committee

    Sam has over 30 years’ experience in public policy, strategic and business advice, cultural and economic development and executive leadership. He has a strong professional and personal interest in the Pacific region particularly in human rights, social enterprise and public policy. Sam joined the TEC Board in January 2023.
    Sam has mentored, led and facilitated senior executives in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific in improving international, regional and domestic non-government and community enterprise environments. His strengths are in high level policy advice and relations, strategic thinking, business planning and facilitation.
    Currently his leadership roles include: Mana Whakapai-AMPTI (consortium) Manager, Auckland Māori and Pasifika Trades Training Initiative; Trustee, Digital Wings Trust; and Trustee Black Grace (Dance) Trust. Previously, Sam was Chief Advisor to the Race Relations Commissioner at the NZ Human Rights Commission.
    Sam enjoys spending time with his family and including grandchildren, his wider Samoan fanau and village (Salani, Falealili), as well as some passive recreational activities such as reading, surfing, fishing.
    Deidre Shea, Commissioner

    “Accessible, quality educational opportunities for all New Zealanders throughout their lives are key to the health and success of our communities and our nation. I am privileged to be able to contribute to this as a member of TEC’s board.”

    Commissioned in 2023, Deidre received her Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday honours for services to Education.
    Deidre held leadership roles with Ōnehunga High School (OHS) from 1995 and was Principal from 2007 until 2022. Her leadership extended to the Auckland Secondary School Principals’ Association from 2008 to 2015 and the Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand (SPANZ) 2014 to 2023. She became President of SPANZ from 2019 to 2021, leading through numerous challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Deidre is committed to excellent, lifelong educational opportunities for all. She has overseen the establishment of a Construction School at OHS in 2005, followed by a Services Academy in 2007 and later a Health Science Academy. OHS operates the nation’s largest school-based Adult and Community Education programme.
    Deidre has chaired Te Hikoi (formerly the AIMHI Alternative Education consortium) for the past decade. 
    Bharat Guha, Commissioner

    Bharat Guha is the current Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Invercargill Licensing Trust. He is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in the education and hospitality sector.
    Bharat has held numerous senior positions as CEO, Deputy CEO and CFO in different New Zealand and overseas organisations. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Bharat was based in London, working as the Group CFO for an LSE-listed company with branches in the UK, Malaysia, Singapore and Nepal.
    Bharat was recognised as a Fellow of the Australia New Zealand Chartered Accountants for his financial work on the Zero Fee Scheme for the Southern Institute of Technology. In addition, he has developed and led successful government–private tertiary institution partnerships for attracting international students to New Zealand.
    Bharat is a graduate of the University of Otago, undertaking a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Information Systems) and a Master in Business Administration. He also completed the Executive Leadership Programme at Oxford University and the Southland Leadership Academy.
    Bharat is committed and passionate about ensuring the future growth of tertiary education in New Zealand.
    Sharon McGuire, Commissioner

    Sharon McGuire has a strong commercial background and knowledge of the polytechnic and broader tertiary sector. She also has governance experience with several entities. Her tertiary experience includes being a director for regional economic development with the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology.
    Sharon’s commercial experience includes working as a general manager in the hotels sector, as a director of a major sports franchise, work with Chambers of Commerce, and as a business owner specialising in project services and advising on business viability.
    Sharon has held senior executive roles and is an experienced Director in the Not-for-Loss sector. Sharon is a great supporter of community organisations, and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow for services to Rotary and the wider community.
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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: President Xi on children’s development

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

    Editor’s note: Children are the future of the country and the hope of the Chinese nation. The growth and wellbeing of children always weigh heavily on the mind of President Xi Jinping. As International Children’s Day approaches, China.org.cn revisits President Xi’s remarks on fostering the all-round development of children.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Two-state solution is on life support: UN envoy

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

    The UN Security Council holds a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The interim UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process warned on Wednesday that the two-state solution is on life support, calling for collective action to revive it.

    “The two-state solution is on life support. Reviving it requires collective action,” said Sigrid Kaag. “Peace cannot be a transaction or a partial, temporary arrangement. It needs to be built on international consensus and legitimacy, moving it from managing the conflict to ending it.”

    There can be no sustainable peace in the Middle East without a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The region’s future will remain bound to its unresolved past, unless bold political will and decisions break the cycle, she told the Security Council.

    Palestinian statehood is a right, not a reward, she said.

    The upcoming high-level international conference in June, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, presents a critical opportunity. It must not be another rhetorical exercise. It must launch a path toward ending the occupation and realizing the two-state solution based on international law, UN resolutions and previous agreements, said Kaag. “We need to pivot ourselves from declarations to decisions. We need to implement rather than adopt new texts.”

    Humanitarian aid and assistance urgently need to reach all civilians across Gaza. Essential services, livelihoods, and human dignity need to be restored. Forced displacement of civilians must be rejected and prevented. Post-war Palestinian governance and appropriate security arrangements in Gaza are needed. The territorial and political unity of Gaza and the West Bank must be preserved. Hostages need to be unconditionally released, said the UN envoy.

    While war-torn Gaza rightly captures the world’s attention, the West Bank is on a dangerous trajectory, she warned.

    “Developments are best described as accelerating de facto annexation through settlement expansion, land seizures, and settler violence. If not reversed, this will make the two-state solution physically impossible,” she said.

    International engagement and alignment are critical, said Kaag. “We need to act now to reverse the current trajectory. A well-defined, widely supported and timebound political process, accompanied by safeguards and guarantees, is essential.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Early voting begins for S. Korea’s snap presidential election

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

    Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea’s snap presidential election scheduled for June 3.

    The early voting, which was adopted in 2013 and first applied to the 2014 local election, will be carried out for two days through Friday.

    Among 44,391,871 eligible voters, those who wish to cast ballots before the election day will be allowed to vote at 3,568 polling stations across the country from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.

    At 9:00 a.m., the early voting turnout was 3.55 percent, surpassing the previous high of 2.19 percent for the parliamentary election in 2024.

    It was also higher than the 2022 presidential election’s early voting turnout of 2.14 percent for the same time.

    MIL OSI China News –