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Category: China

  • MIL-OSI Russia: BRICS countries agree to promote cooperation in transport and sustainable mobility

    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

    BRASILIA, May 15 (Xinhua) — BRICS countries signed a joint declaration on Wednesday pledging to deepen cooperation in transport infrastructure, sustainable mobility and logistics.

    The agreement was reached at a meeting of the BRICS transport working group in Brasilia.

    The declaration includes commitments on decarbonisation, sustainable fuels and integration of different transport modes, while rejecting unilateral restrictions that could impede access to essential technologies.

    A key proposal is the establishment of a BRICS Institute for Sustainable Transport, Mobility and Logistics to promote best practices and design climate-resilient infrastructure.

    Brazil holds the BRICS presidency until December 2025. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Since the beginning of 2025, the volume of cargo transportation through the Khorgos railway checkpoint has exceeded 5 million tons

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    URUMQI, May 15 (Xinhua) — The cargo turnover through the Horgos railway checkpoint on the China-Kazakhstan border in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has exceeded 5 million tons since the beginning of 2025, up 21.1 percent year on year as of May 14, according to data from the Horgos Customs Office.

    During the reporting period, the number of freight trains running on the China-Europe/China-Central Asia international railway freight transportation routes via the Khorgos railway checkpoint continued to increase. A wider range of Chinese-made goods, including daily necessities, electromechanical equipment, electronic products, agricultural products and by-products, are shipped from Xinjiang railway border crossings to Central Asian and European markets.

    At present, a total of over 45,000 China-Europe/China-Central Asia freight trains have passed through the Khorgos railway checkpoint, with the total number of such routes reaching 87, covering 46 cities and regions in 18 countries. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Cortez Masto and Ernst, and Reps. Case and Aumua Amata Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Pacific Partnership Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

     

    Bill to Strengthen Strategic Relationships with Pacific Islands, and Counter Chinese Aggression in the Region

    Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Congressman Ed Case (D-Hawaii-01), and Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata (American Samoa) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill aimed at strengthening the United States’ strategic partnerships with Pacific Island nations, supporting sustainable development, and combating the increasing Chinese aggression in the region. The Pacific Partnership Act would help the U.S. establish a clear, comprehensive strategy to support diplomatic, security, and economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region.

    “Thank you to Senator Cortez Masto, Senator Ernst, and Congressman Case for their focus on these important partnerships that are close to home for my congressional district in the South Pacific,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including as Vice Chairman of its Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific. “We need sustained U.S. engagement for enduring partnerships in the Pacific Islands, keeping China’s influence in check, and strengthening mutual development opportunities.”

    “Our Pacific Partnership Act responds directly to the reality that our country’s and world’s future lies in the Indo-Pacific, and that the islands of the Pacific are our indispensable partners in charting that future,” said Congressman Case. “The Pacific Islands are under increasingly severe economic, environmental and geopolitical stress, and we must expand our generational engagement to assist them where they most need assistance. The Pacific Partnership Act, molded directly on the Pacific Islands’ own blueprint to their collective future, is our roadmap to expanded engagement as well.”

    “Supporting our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific is essential to combating the Chinese Communist Party’s influence and to our long-term national security,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan bill is critical to strengthening our ties with our allies in the Pacific and ensuring they become enduring global relationships.”

    “Strengthening America’s partnerships in the Indo-Pacific is critical to deterring Chinese aggression,” said Senator Ernst. “This bipartisan legislation equips us to work with nations in the Pacific that serve as the first line of defense against the Chinese Communist Party and keep Americans safe at home.”

    The U.S. has a longstanding relationship with the Pacific Islands, and they play a crucial role in U.S. national security, facilitating military operations in support of American allies and partners. Nevada – through the National Guard – collaborates with the Republic of Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga, and the Independent State of Samoa under the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, strengthening security cooperation globally. 

    The Pacific Partnership Act would strengthen these crucial ties by creating a “Strategy for Pacific Partnership.” This strategy, crafted by the President and presented to Congress every four years, would outline U.S. involvement in the Pacific Islands and highlight combined efforts to combat regional challenges including natural disasters, security threats, and economic development.

    The national news release from Sen. Cortez Masto is available here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xi Jinping sends response letter to responsible person of Danish Chamber of Commerce in China /detailed version-1/

    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 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping has responded to the person in charge of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China by calling on the chamber and its member enterprises to make new contributions to strengthening China-Denmark and China-EU friendship and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.

    Xi Jinping praised the chamber’s official’s deep affection for China and the confidence of Danish enterprises operating in China in China’s future development.

    China has been, remains and will be an ideal, safe and promising destination for foreign investors. Believing in China means believing in a better future, and investing in China means investing in the future, Xi Jinping said in his response letter.

    Xi Jinping expressed the hope that the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China and its member enterprises will continue to play the role of a bridge between China and Denmark as well as between China and Europe, thereby contributing to strengthening mutual understanding and friendship and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.

    The person in charge of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China recently wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping on his own behalf and on behalf of the chamber, congratulating him on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark and expressing hope for further deepening cooperation with China. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US homebuilders feel tariffs pain as costs keep rising

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

    Just over a month after the U.S. administration imposed sweeping tariffs on its trading partners, David Truong, manager of the DuiDui Construction in Los Angeles, California, is already grappling with rising costs.

    “The price of almost all building materials has continued to climb in recent months,” Truong said in an interview with Xinhua. “Building new homes is getting more expensive by the day.”

    Truong offered a firsthand look at a construction site in Temple City, Los Angeles County, where the impacts of the tariffs are evident. A faucet, for example, once cost around 160 U.S. dollars, but now retails for at least 200 dollars. A steel-framed window, previously priced just over 300, now sells for over 370.

    Lighting costs have seen some of the sharpest increases. “An LED recessed light, which used to sell for 12 to 15 dollars, now costs around 30 dollars,” he said. “This house needs more than 20 of them, so we’re looking at an extra 300 to 400 dollars just for lighting.”

    According to April’s data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), one of the largest trade associations in the country, a recent surge in tariffs is driving up the cost of building a new home in the United States by nearly 11,000 U.S. dollars.

    “Tariff-induced disruptions are making it harder for builders to price homes accurately and make crucial business decisions,” Robert Dietz, NAHB chief economist, said in a news release in April.

    Construction input prices have now risen at a 9.7 percent annualized rate through the first quarter of 2025, said Anirban Basu, chief economist of the Associated Builders and Contractors, a national construction industry trade association in the United States.

    “While contractors remain busy for the time being … this pace of input price escalation, coupled with rising uncertainty, will cause projects to be delayed and canceled if it persists for any meaningful length of time,” Basu said in a news release.

    Rising costs have squeezed profit margins of Truong’s company, forcing him to raise his quotes. In Temple City, his company’s price of new home construction has risen from 220 to 250 dollars per square foot (0.093 square meter). In more complex locations in some other cities, the cost can soar as high as 280 dollars per square foot (0.093 square meter).

    Truong’s company is not alone in feeling the strain. Many contractors are facing similar challenges, with soaring costs for materials like wires, PVC pipes and cabinets. As a result, many are finding themselves with little choice but to renegotiate contracts with clients to share the financial burden.

    The rising costs are not the only concern for Truong and other builders. The greatest worry, he said, is the potential for material shortages. “What we fear most is that some materials may soon be unavailable, no matter how much we’re willing to pay.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Bologna beat AC Milan to win the Italian Cup

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

    AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez (R) vies with Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini during the final football match of Italian Cup between AC Milan and Bologna in Rome, Italy, May 14, 2025. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NPC Standing Committee Vice Chairman Li Hongzhong Visits Austria

    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

    VIENNA, May 15 (Xinhua) — A Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC Standing Committee), visited Austria from May 11 to 14.

    In Vienna, he attended a welcoming ceremony for the new pair of giant pandas along with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Christian Stocker. Li Hongzhong also held separate talks with the President of the Austrian National Council (lower house of parliament) Walter Rosenkranz, Second President Peter Haubner and Third President Doris Bures.

    The China-Austria friendly strategic partnership continues to develop smoothly under the leadership of the two heads of state, the vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee said. The new round of international cooperation on the protection and research of giant pandas reflects the results of exchanges between the two countries, he added.

    Adhering to the principles of mutual respect and equal treatment, China and Austria should take into account each other’s core interests and concerns, unleash the potential of cooperation and promote mutual benefit and win-win results, Li Hongzhong said.

    According to him, the NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges with the Austrian National Council at all levels and in all fields to promote the development of relations between the two countries.

    The Austrian side said that Vienna values friendly relations with Beijing, will firmly adhere to the one-China principle, and continuously promote practical Austrian-Chinese cooperation and exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Holidays boost household spending in April, but consumer rebound remains sluggish – CBA

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    A soft consumer and global uncertainty have led to a downgrade to GDP expectations, with additional interest rate cuts needed to improve spending momentum.

    The CommBank Household Spending Insights (HSI) Index rose 0.2 per cent in April, a very modest lift following a soft first quarter of spending in 2025. (ref. https://www.commbankresearch.com.au/apex/researcharticleviewv2?id=a0NDo000000wOzu )

    Seven of the twelve HSI categories recorded spending growth for the month, led by Insurance (+1.6 per cent), Hospitality (+1.4 per cent) and Communications & Digital (+0.7 per cent). The increase seen in hospitality spending was likely driven by the Easter-Anzac Day ‘super holiday’ period. April also featured the lead-up to the Federal election, recovery from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, and newly announced tariffs by the Trump administration.

    Spending on Utilities fell 2.0 per cent in the month, the largest decline across all categories, with decreases seen in electricity, gas, water and council services. Transport (-0.8 per cent), Education (-0.7 per cent) and Household Services (-0.7 per cent) also declined.

    “Another soft month for household spending reinforces our view that a slower than expected consumer recovery is unfolding. This trend, along with global economic uncertainty, led us to recently downgrade our Australian GDP forecast for 2025,” said CBA Senior Economist, Belinda Allen.

    “While moderating inflation, February’s RBA rate cut and lower utility and petrol bills are improving purchasing power, households clearly remain deliberate with their spending choices. The recent pause of additional tariffs between the U.S. and China could improve sentiment going forward, however we expect it will take additional interest rates cuts to improve momentum in consumer spending.

    “We maintain our call for the RBA to cut rates by 25 basis points next week , with a forecast end of year cash rate of 3.35 per cent.”  

    The annual rate of spending across home ownership status saw a surprising shift in April – renters have typically recorded the weakest spending over the past two years however this has now switched with renters leading annual growth in spending (+2.4 per cent), followed by those with a mortgage (2.2 per cent) and outright homeowners most sluggish (+0.7 per cent).

    “Renters in particular have increased discretionary spending which suggests that while consumers are making cutbacks in some areas, many are still making trade-offs and allocating a share of their wallet to areas like hospitality and recreation and more so in April given the additional public holidays,” commented Ms Allen.

    Queensland recorded the strongest household spending growth in April of the states and territories, rising 0.8 per cent following a rebound from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred in March, when the state posted the softest growth of all states at just 0.2 per cent.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOEA Minister Kuo attends SelectUSA Investment Summit, visits Texas

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo departed for the United States on May 10 to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Following his participation in related events in Washington, he will travel to Texas to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation with the state.

    According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Minister Kuo will engage with key U.S. business associations and enterprises to explore ways to deepen Taiwan-U.S. supply chain partnerships. He will also participate in various activities at the SelectUSA Summit, leveraging his extensive experience in industry to explore opportunities for enhanced collaboration with U.S. counterparts, particularly in the “Five Trusted Industry Sectors.”

    Last July, Minister Kuo signed the Taiwan-Texas Economic Development Statement of Intent (EDSI) with Texas Governor Greg Abbott. In line with President Lai’s new economic and trade strategy — “Rooted in Taiwan, Expanding Globally, Strengthening Economic Ties with the U.S., Marketed to the World” — Minister Kuo will visit Texas to further promote investment and supply chain partnerships.

    While in Texas, Minister Kuo will attend the completion ceremony of GlobalWafers’ new fab on May 15. He will also assess the local investment environment, meet with key government officials and business leaders, and host business forums with Taiwanese businesses operating in the area. These engagements aim to better understand the challenges they face, relay timely feedback to the Texas government, as well as propose cooperation initiatives to strengthen Taiwan-Texas economic ties.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Indian forces launch Operation Nader against terrorists in Tral, heavy firing exchanged

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Security forces on Thursday launched a joint anti-terror operation in the Nader area of Tral, Awantipora, based on special intelligence input. The Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF were involved in the operation

    The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps confirmed the operation in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “On 15 May 2025, based on specific intelligence input from an agency, a Cordon & Search Operation was launched at Nader, Tral, Awantipora. Upon being challenged, terrorists opened heavy fire. A fierce gunfight ensued. The operation is in progress.”

    On Tuesday, three terrorists — including a local commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba and its proxy outfit The Resistance Front (LeT/TRF) — were killed in an encounter in Shopian. The operation, carried out by the Army along with J&K Police and the CRPF, led to the recovery of AK-series rifles, grenades, and a large cache of ammunition.

    The Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information also confirmed the Shopian encounter, saying that it was launched based on inputs about terrorist presence in Keller Forest.

    India’s ongoing operations build on the success of Operation Sindoor, which involved precise strikes that destroyed terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Over 100 terror operatives were neutralized at key locations, including Bahawalpur, the stronghold of Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Muridke, a prominent training site for Lashkar-e-Taiba.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump signed plenty of contracts in the Middle East, but he’s no closer to the two ‘deals’ he really wants

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shahram Akbarzadeh, Convenor, Middle East Studies Forum (MESF), and Deputy Director (International), Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University

    US President Donald Trump’s visit to Arab states in the Middle East this week generated plenty of multibillion-dollar deals. He said more than US$1 trillion (A$1.5 trillion) worth of deals had been signed with Saudi Arabia alone, though the real total is likely much lower than that.

    Qatar also placed an order for 210 Boeing aircraft, a deal worth a reported US$96 billion (A$149 billion). Trump will no doubt present these transactions as a major success for US industry.

    The trip also helped counter concerns about US disengagement from the Middle East. For more than a decade, local elites have viewed Washington’s attention as shifting away from the region.

    This trip was a reaffirmation of the importance of the Middle East – in particular the Gulf region – to US foreign policy. This is an important signal to send to Middle Eastern leaders who are dealing with competing interests from China and, to a lesser extent, Russia.

    And from a political standpoint, Trump’s lifting of sanctions on Syria and meeting with the former rebel, now president, Ahmed al-Sharaa was very significant – both symbolically and practically.

    Until recently, al-Sharaa was listed by the United States as a terrorist with a US$10 million (A$15 million) bounty on his head. However, when his forces removed dictator Bashar al-Assad from power in December, he was cautiously welcomed by many in the international community.

    The US had invested considerable resources in removing Assad from power, so his fall was cause for celebration, even if it came at the hands of forces the US had deemed terrorists.

    This rapid turn-around is dizzying. In practice, the removal of sanctions on Syria opens the doors to foreign investment in the reconstruction of the country following a long civil war.

    It also offers an opportunity for Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as Turkey, to expand their influence in Syria at the expense of Iran.

    For a leader who styles himself a deal-maker, these can all be considered successful outcomes from a three-day trip.

    However, Trump avoided wading into the far more delicate diplomatic and political negotiations needed to end Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and find common ground with Iran on its nuclear program.

    No solution in sight for the Palestinians

    Trump skirted the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and offered no plans for a diplomatic solution to the war, which drags on with no end in sight.

    The president did note his desire to see a normalisation of relations between Arab states and Israel, without acknowledging the key stumbling block.

    While Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have no love for Hamas, the Gaza war and the misery inflicted on the Palestinians have made it impossible for them to overlook the issue. They cannot simply leapfrog Gaza to normalise relations with Israel.

    In his first term, Trump hoped the Palestinian issue could be pushed aside to achieve normalisation of relations between Arab states and Israel. This was partially achieved with the Abraham Accords, which saw the UAE and three other Muslim-majority nations normalise relations with Israel.

    Trump no doubt believed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreed to just before his inauguration would stick – he promised as much during the US election campaign.

    But after Israel unilaterally broke the ceasefire in March, vowing to press on with its indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, he’s learned the hard way the Palestinian question cannot easily be solved or brushed under the carpet.

    The Palestinian aspiration for statehood needs to be addressed as an indispensable step towards a lasting peace and regional stability.

    It was telling that Trump did not stop in Israel this week. One former Israeli diplomat says it’s a sign Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his leverage with Trump.

    There’s nothing that Netanyahu has that Trump wants, needs or [that he] can give him, as opposed to, say, the Saudis, the Qataris, [or] the Emiratis.

    More harsh rhetoric for Iran

    Trump also had no new details or initiatives to announce on the Iran nuclear talks, beyond his desire to “make a deal” and his repeat of past threats.

    At least four rounds of talks have been held between Iran and the United States since early April. While both sides are positive about the prospects, the US administration seems divided on the intended outcome.

    The US Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have called for the complete dismantling of Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium as a sure safeguard against the potential weaponisation of the nuclear program.

    Trump himself, however, has been less categorical. Though he has called for the “total dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear program, he has also said he’s undecided if Iran should be allowed to continue a civilian enrichment program.

    Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium, albeit under international monitoring, is a red line for the authorities in Tehran – they won’t give this up.

    The gap between Iran and the US appears to have widened this week following Trump’s attack on Iran as the “most destructive force” in the Middle East. The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi called Trump’s remarks “pure deception”, and pointed to US support for Israel as the source of instability in the region.

    None of this has advanced the prospects of a nuclear deal. And though his visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE was marked by pomp and ceremony, he’ll leave no closer to solving two protracted challenges than when he arrived.

    Shahram Akbarzadeh receives funding from Australian Research Council. He is affiliated with the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, a non-profit research centre in Doha, Qatar.

    – ref. Trump signed plenty of contracts in the Middle East, but he’s no closer to the two ‘deals’ he really wants – https://theconversation.com/trump-signed-plenty-of-contracts-in-the-middle-east-but-hes-no-closer-to-the-two-deals-he-really-wants-256778

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi replies to founder of Danish Chamber of Commerce in China

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

    BEIJING, May 15 — Chinese President Xi Jinping has replied to a letter from the founder of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, encouraging the chamber and its member enterprises to make new contributions to enhancing China-Denmark and China-Europe friendship and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.

    Xi expressed appreciation for the founder’s deep affection for China and the confidence of Danish enterprises in China regarding the country’s future development.

    China has been and will remain an ideal, secure and promising destination for foreign investors. Believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future, Xi said in the letter.

    Xi expressed his hope that the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China and its member enterprises will continue to play the role of a bridge between China and Denmark as well as China and Europe, and contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship, as well as deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.

    Recently, the founder wrote to President Xi in both his personal and chamber capacities, congratulating on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark and expressing the hope to continue deepening cooperation with China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Viennese welcome panda pair from China

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

    Children welcome a giant panda pair from China at Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria, May 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    A welcoming ceremony for a pair of Chinese giant pandas took place in Vienna’s Schoenbrunn Zoo on Wednesday, marking the official start of a decade-long stay in the Austrian capital of the panda pair for scientific research purposes and as friendship envoys.

    The two giant pandas — male He Feng and female Lan Yun — arrived in Austria on April 23.

    Addressing the ceremony, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said giant pandas are a symbol of the friendship between his country and China. The cooperation on giant panda protection like this creates trust and brings nations closer together.

    Van der Bellen said that he is very happy to officially welcome the giant pandas to the new home and that the Chinese giant panda is deeply loved by the Austrian people.

    Chinese Ambassador to Austria Qi Mei attended the ceremony.

    As part of the ceremony, the Schoenbrunn Zoo staged a traditional Chinese lion dance performance to celebrate the panda pair’s arrival, to the cheers of the audience. Among the crowds were dozens of local school children holding signs reading “Warmly Welcome” to demonstrate their love for the Chinese giant panda.

    The panda pair’s arrival marks the latest 10-year round of the scientific collaboration between China and Austria on giant panda conservation, which started in 2003. The past years of cooperation saw the birth of five panda cubs in Austria, a record for Europe on breeding, alongside achievements made in disease control, staff training and public education. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU to Open Joint Educational Program in Physics with Chongqing University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Novosibirsk, May 15, 2025: Novosibirsk State University and Chongqing University, one of the leading universities in China, will open a joint educational program in physics in September 2025. The Chinese Ministry of Education approved the application of the two universities. This program will be the first joint program with a Russian university at Chongqing University. The pilot student intake will be 60 people with the prospect of increasing to 120 students.

    The program will be a bachelor’s program, and the training will be conducted according to the 3:1 scheme: students study at Chongqing University for three years, and in the fourth year, two trajectories are provided – to continue their studies in China or to go to Russia.

    — We and our partners have done a lot of preparatory work to collect information and describe the project, and have passed a two-stage selection process. At present, we have received approval from the Ministry of Education of China. This will be an English-language program, it will start working in September 2025, the pilot enrollment will be 60 people. In the future, we plan to double the number — up to 120 people. At least 30% of the disciplines in the curriculum will be taught in person by teachers Physics Department of NSU: they will start going to Chongqing University already in the new academic year, said Evgeny Sagaydak, head of the education export department at NSU.

    The launch of the educational program is part of the comprehensive cooperation between NSU and Chongqing University. In November 2024, the two universities opened a joint center for fundamental research in physics, mathematics and mechanics.

    — It was a smart and strategically correct decision when we simultaneously began working in both the educational and scientific research areas. The teachers and scientists who will come to Chongqing will not only teach students, but also conduct joint scientific research with their Chinese colleagues, — added Evgeny Sagaydak.

    NSU and Chongqing University are also discussing the creation of a master’s program in physics so that students can continue their education at the second stage of higher education. In the future, NSU does not rule out the possibility of opening joint bachelor’s programs in other areas of training.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Justice Minister He Rong Meets with Chairman of Belarus State Forensic Examination Committee

    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 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese Justice Minister He Rong met with Chairman of the State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus (SFE RB) Alexei Volkov in Beijing on Wednesday, according to a statement published on the official website of the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China.

    He Rong expressed readiness to jointly implement the important agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries with the State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus and develop practical cooperation in the field of forensic examination, including scientific research, application of technologies, training and personnel preparation, as well as provide relevant services for the socio-economic development of the two countries.

    Alexey Volkov noted that cooperation between the two sides has achieved fruitful results, and Belarus is ready to further deepen exchanges, mutual learning and cooperation with the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 21 killed in Mexico road accident

    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

    MEXICO CITY, May 14 (Xinhua) — At least 21 people were killed in a major traffic accident in the Mexican state of Puebla on Wednesday, the region’s interior minister Samuel Aguilar said on social media.

    According to him, several more people were injured and are undergoing treatment.

    The accident occurred Wednesday morning at kilometer 31 of the Cuacnopalán-Oaxaca highway. Ambulances and other emergency services are on the scene.

    Local media reported that the truck attempted to overtake another vehicle, crossed into the opposite lane and crashed into a bus, before colliding head-on with a van. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Escalating violence in Tripoli threatens nearly half a million children – UNICEF

    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

    TRIPOLI, May 15 (Xinhua) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday said the escalation of violence in and around the Libyan capital Tripoli over the past two days threatens to affect nearly half a million children.

    “UNICEF has received reports of children, families and medical staff being held for hours in hospitals, including Al-Jalaa Children’s Hospital, as fighting raged nearby. For several hours, emergency services were unable to access the facility to provide the care they needed. Families are reporting that their children are in critical condition due to the ongoing violence,” UNICEF said in a statement.

    The organization urged all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to protect children and their infrastructure.

    “We call for a lasting cessation of hostilities to ensure the safety and well-being of every child,” the statement said.

    Violent clashes broke out in Tripoli on Monday evening between forces loyal to Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh, including the 444th Brigade, and a radical group affiliated with the Presidency Council’s Security and Stability Administration. The escalation was sparked by the reported death of the administration’s chief, Abdelghani al-Kikli, also known as Ghaniwa. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s first RRR cut for financial institutions in 2025 comes into effect

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) — A 0.5 percentage point reduction in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for eligible financial institutions took effect on Thursday, which is expected to provide about 1 trillion yuan (about 139 billion U.S. dollars) of long-term liquidity to the financial market.

    Last week, the People’s Bank of China (the central bank of China) announced it was prepared to cut the RRR, which was the first such move since the beginning of this year.

    The RRR cut is one of a host of support measures, which also include interest rate cuts and increased financial support through additional lending, recently announced by monetary and financial authorities as the world’s second-largest economy steps up efforts to stabilize markets and support the economic recovery amid challenges to the external environment.

    In addition, starting Thursday, the reserve requirement for companies engaged in auto finance and financial leasing fell to zero from the previous 5 percent, effectively increasing their credit supply in these sectors. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Melexis Appoints Two New Directors to Its Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tessenderlo-Ham, Belgium – May 15, 2025

    Melexis NV (Euronext Brussels: MELE), a global supplier of micro-electronic semiconductor solutions, announces the appointment of two new members to the board of directors following the approval by the annual shareholders’ meeting held on May 13, 2025. The announcement of Ms. Ling Qi and Mr. Kazuhiro Takenaka underlines Melexis’ focused ambitions in the Asia-Pacific Region (APAC).

    Ms. Ling Qi has more than 20 years of international business management experience. Currently, she is CEO of two multimedia and animation film companies. Alongside this, she has been consulting for foreign invested companies in China, has extensive experience in the semiconductor industry as a board member for a European headquartered wafer foundry, and has served as a director of a Belgian private bank. Ms. Ling Qi holds a degree in international trade and English from the University of Liaoning, and obtained a certificate of Dutch at University of Antwerp.

    Mr. Kazuhiro Takenaka has a successful career of over 45 years in the semiconductor and electronics engineering industry in renowned companies such as Nissan Motor and Seiko Epson. In his role at Seiko Epson, Mr. Takenaka has also collaborated extensively with international stakeholders, working on partnerships with US companies and building relationships in markets across Europe, Asia, and the USA. He brings valuable insights and a diverse perspective to the Board, particularly in markets beyond automotive.

    This announcement brings the number of board members to seven with Ms. Françoise Chombar serving as chairwoman of the Board of Directors. The new board members will serve for a term of four years starting today and ending immediately after the annual shareholders’ meeting for the financial year ending on December 31, 2028. In addition to the two appointments of new directors, all other resolutions including the reappointment of two directors and the final dividend were approved by a clear majority of shareholders.

    Speaking about the appointments of two new directors, Ms. Chombar commented: “The Asia-Pacific area accounts for over 60% of Melexis’ total sales, with Greater China contributing nearly half of that. With the announcement of Ms. Ling Qi and Mr. Kazuhiro Takenaka, we welcome two highly experienced Asian business leaders whose insights and advice will be invaluable to Melexis implementing its strategic roadmap.”

    Please follow the link below to view Melexis’s latest annual report, which contains detailed information on its current business operations and strategic initiatives.

    About Melexis
    Melexis designs, develops, and delivers edge sensor and driver solutions with a heart for people and the planet. Its mission is to empower engineers to turn their ideas into applications that support the best imaginable future, one that is safe, comfortable, and sustainable.
    Melexis specializes in powertrain, thermal management, lighting, e-brake, e-steering, and battery solutions for the automotive sector. It also expands its presence in the emerging markets of a sustainable world, alternative mobility, robotics, and digital health.
    Founded in 1989 in Belgium, Melexis has grown to employ over 2,000 people in 12 countries, delivering cutting-edge technology to customers worldwide.
    For more information, visit www.melexis.com or follow Melexis on LinkedIn, and YouTube.
    Investors Contact:
    Philip Ludwig
    Investor Relations Director
    Tel: +32 499 41 88 91
    E-mail: plu@melexis.com 

    Media Contact:
    Tom Meynendonckx
    Corporate Communications Director
    Tel: +32 476 29 92 42
    E-mail: otm@melexis.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: 2025 China Internet Civilization Conference to be held in June

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

    The 2025 China Internet Civilization Conference will be held in Hefei, Anhui province, from June 10 to 11, said Yang Jianwen, vice minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China, on Wednesday. The event will feature discussions on artificial intelligence, personal data protection, and other topics.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UNESCO intangible cultural heritage: Farmers’ dance of China’s Korean ethnic group

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

    Editor’s note: The farmers’ dance of China’s Korean ethnic group was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. This listing acknowledges the cultural significance of this dance, which is a central aspect of the Korean ethnic minority’s agricultural traditions in China. The dance, often accompanied by songs and rhythmic music, reflects the community’s agricultural lifestyle and is a vital part of their rituals, social life and labor practices.

    The farmers’ dance is particularly rooted in regions with significant Korean populations, such as Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces. It is performed during agricultural activities, such as planting and harvesting, and is also a feature of important festivals and community gatherings. The dance integrates various cultural elements, such as the interaction between song, movement and community participation, illustrating the harmony between humans and nature in agricultural life.

    The origins of farmers’ dance of China’s Korean ethnic group date back to the early settlements of Korean people in northeastern China. Immigrants from Korea brought with them not only agricultural knowledge but also dance and music traditions that were deeply embedded in their farming lifestyle. Over time, these dances evolved to reflect the specific agricultural practices of the region, taking on new forms and meanings as they adapted to local customs.

    These dances are closely tied to farming seasons and labor, often performed to celebrate the harvest or during community events that mark significant agricultural milestones. The dance incorporates both symbolic and practical elements — its rhythm and movements historically helped coordinate labor tasks, boosting the morale of workers. As such, the dance is both a form of social expression and a tool for enhancing communal work.

    In the 20th century, as modernization and urbanization spread, many rural areas saw a shift away from traditional farming practices, which affected the prominence of these dances. However, efforts to preserve the farmers’ dance have been ongoing, ensuring that its cultural value is maintained.

    Today, the farmers’ dance continues to be an essential part of the cultural identity of China’s Korean ethnic communities, though its role has evolved. It is still performed in rural areas during festivals, cultural celebrations and other communal activities, but the frequency of its performance has decreased as more young people leave farming communities for urban areas. Despite this, efforts to preserve the dance are ongoing, particularly through local cultural centers, schools, and community programs aimed at passing the tradition to younger generations.

    The dance is also featured in various public performances and cultural showcases, helping maintain its relevance and introduce it to wider audiences. In addition, the dance has found new expressions in academic and artistic circles, where it is studied and revitalized as part of a broader effort to preserve the intangible cultural heritage of China’s Korean ethnic group.

    UNESCO’s recognition of the farmers’ dance of China’s Korean ethnic group highlights its cultural significance as a living tradition that has played an important role in shaping the social fabric and agricultural practices of the Korean community in China. UNESCO has praised the dance for its role in fostering unity and community cohesion, as well as for its ability to express the relationship between people and nature through movement, music and song.

    The farmers’ dance is seen as an important cultural practice that promotes social interaction and solidarity within communities. UNESCO has emphasized that the dance’s ability to bring people together, whether for labor or celebration, ensures its ongoing relevance as a means of cultural expression. By including the farmers’ dance on the Representative List, UNESCO seeks to preserve this invaluable tradition for future generations and to raise awareness of its broader cultural importance within global intangible heritage.

    Discover more treasures from China on UNESCO’s ICH list:

    • 2024: Spring Festival

    • 2022: Traditional tea processing

    • 2020: Wangchuan ceremony, taijiquan

    • 2018: Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa

    • 2016: Twenty-four solar terms

    • 2013: Abacus-based Zhusuan

    • 2012: Training plan for Fujian puppetry performers

    • 2011: Shadow puppetry, Yimakan storytelling

    • 2010: Peking opera, acupuncture and moxibustion, wooden movable-type printing, watertight-bulkhead technology of Chinese junks, Meshrep

    • 2009: Yueju opera, Xi’an wind and percussion ensemble, traditional handicrafts of making Xuan paper, traditional firing techniques of Longquan celadon, Tibetan opera, sericulture and silk craftsmanship, Regong arts, Nanyin, Khoomei, Mazu belief and customs, Dragon Boat Festival, Manas, Craftsmanship of Nanjing Yunjin brocade, Xinjiang Uygur Muqam art, Hua’er, China engraved block printing technique, Chinese traditional architectural craftsmanship for timber-framed structures, Chinese paper-cut, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese seal engraving, Grand song of Dong ethnic group, Traditional Li textile techniques, Traditional design and practices for building Chinese wooden arch bridges

    • 2008: Kunqu opera, Guqin, Urtiin Duu

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Beijing releases document with initiatives to improve physical and mental health of schoolchildren

    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 15 (Xinhua) — Beijing recently unveiled a new comprehensive initiative to promote the holistic development of primary and middle school students, highlighting the relationship between physical and mental health.

    According to a person in charge of the Beijing Commission of Education, the new policy consists of five sections and 20 specific measures. The focus is on integrating aspects such as cultivating high moral character, cultivating mental ability and physical skills, developing teamwork and hard work, and strengthening three key types of relationships: peer-to-peer, teacher-student, and parent-child.

    This means that for the first time, relevant departments in the Chinese capital have clearly linked physical health indicators, such as reducing myopia, obesity and spinal curvature, with psychological resilience, which in turn implies synchronous improvement of both aspects.

    Some of the key measures include requiring students to participate in at least one school club, hobby group or extracurricular activity, organizing a “Teacher-Student Dialogue Day” and encouraging parents to spend 15 minutes daily for open conversation and one hour doing activities with their children.

    Under the new policy, schools are encouraged to increase team sports such as football and basketball to develop students’ resilience and persistence. In addition, special psychological support corners and stress-relief rooms will also be set up in common areas of school campuses.

    The document also provides for a division of responsibility between society and government. Professional social workers and volunteers will assist in the implementation of educational programs to improve health, while city authorities will ensure stricter control over online content and the amount of time spent in front of any screen, in close cooperation with students, their parents and educational institutions.

    Notably, Beijing will implement a three-tiered assessment system to monitor progress at the city, district and school levels. The system will use key indicators such as physical fitness data, mental health data and disease prevention dynamics to track trends, refine prevention strategies and intervention methods to ensure policy effectiveness.

    The initiative follows Beijing’s previous reform initiatives, including the introduction of 15-minute breaks between classes and guaranteed daily physical education classes, underscoring the city’s commitment to prioritizing health in education under the principle of “health first.” As a senior official at the Beijing Education Commission emphasized, the new policy is an innovative endeavor aimed at creating a special “Beijing model” that promotes the all-round development of students. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China calls for calm in the Red Sea, political settlement in Yemen

    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 14 (Xinhua) — China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Sun Lei on Wednesday called on all parties to ease tensions in the Red Sea region, resume political dialogue in Yemen and increase humanitarian aid to resolve the country’s worsening crisis.

    “The situation in the Red Sea remains volatile and worrying,” he said at a UN Security Council briefing on Yemen, commenting on recent US and UK airstrikes in the Arab country, as well as exchanges of attacks between the Houthis and Israel, which have led to numerous casualties and destruction of infrastructure.

    Sun Lei welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between the US and the Houthis and praised Oman’s mediation efforts. “We hope all parties will take this as an opportunity to resolve the situation as soon as possible,” he said.

    “China once again calls on all parties to maintain calm and restraint and refrain from any actions that aggravate tensions,” the diplomat added.

    Sun Lei stressed that the crisis in Yemen must be resolved through political means, calling on the parties in the country to engage in dialogue to achieve reconciliation and economic recovery.

    The deputy permanent representative expressed concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen. “Humanitarian activities in Yemen face numerous challenges, such as funding shortages, security threats, and the side effects of a major country’s policies,” he said. China calls for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as the release of all those detained by the Houthis, the diplomat stressed.

    Sun Lei also pointed to the wider regional implications of the tensions in the Red Sea region, linking them to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. “The international community must make achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza a top priority in order to de-escalate the overall situation in the region and restore peace and stability in Yemen and the Red Sea,” he added. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Turkish and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers Discuss Upcoming Peace Talks Between Moscow and Kyiv

    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

    ANKARA, May 15 (Xinhua) — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha in Antalya on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming peace talks between Russia and Ukraine scheduled to be held in Istanbul.

    According to Anadolu Agency, H. Fidan told A. Sibige that Türkiye is ready to provide any support, including holding negotiations, to help achieve peace.

    After the meeting, A. Sybiha wrote on the social network X that he had discussed in detail with his colleague ways to advance a “meaningful peace process.” “I reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to peace, our immediate and unconditional readiness for a full and sustainable ceasefire, as well as our proposal to hold a direct summit meeting between Ukraine and Russia,” he said.

    On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed resuming direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul. On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to meet with Putin in Istanbul.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that the Russian delegation at the upcoming talks would consider political and technical issues, and the topics included in the agenda would determine the composition of the delegation. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: /Economic Review/ From a “transit station” to an “industrial hub” – the development path of the largest land checkpoint on the Chinese-Russian border, Manzhouli

    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

    HOHHOT, May 15 (Xinhua) — Early in the morning, on the production line of Manzhouli Xinfeng Grain and Oil Industry Co., Ltd., newly imported rapeseed from Russia goes through automated peeling and pressing processes, and golden vegetable oil smoothly fills tanks.

    Manzhouli Port (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, North China), the largest land port on the Sino-Russian border, takes advantage of its geographical advantages and innovative policy mechanisms to actively develop new models of economic cooperation through deep processing of agricultural products and used car exports.

    “As soon as this batch of raw materials cleared customs, we immediately launched 24-hour production,” said Deputy General Director Yang Zhihong. Russian rapeseed oil with low acidity and a high smoke point is in particular demand among Chinese producers. The “Russian raw materials – Chinese processing” model facilitates the transition of local enterprises from trade to deep processing.

    According to Yang Zhihong’s calculations, using cross-border trade can save 500 yuan per ton of raw materials, and since last year, it has managed to save over 8 million yuan. Since November 2024, his company has imported 16,000 tons of raw materials from Russia, worth a total of 70 million yuan.

    In the face of tight raw material supply, Manzhouli Xinfeng has recently upgraded its equipment, launched oatmeal production and expanded its production area. “We are focusing on product diversification,” said Yang Zhihong. Last year, his company’s processing volume reached 120,000 tons, 70 percent of its products were supplied to central and western China, and its total profit and tax revenue exceeded 64 million yuan.

    Since the beginning of 2025, the transaction volume in the China-Russia border trade zone in Manzhouli has exceeded 100 million yuan. More than 3,600 local residents are involved in this activity, earning a total income of over 1 million yuan and generating 2 million yuan in tax revenue.

    A used car export showroom in Manzhouli displays neatly polished cars. Liu Dongge, a person in charge of Sanhe, said his company has exported more than 300 cars to Russia.

    So far, 18 companies in Manzhouli have obtained licenses to export used cars, with the total transaction volume of these companies exceeding 300 million yuan. “Manzhouli exported 1,540 cars in 2024, and 764 in the first four months of 2025,” said Bai Zhiping, an official with the Manzhouli City Commerce Bureau.

    In the first quarter of 2025, the cargo throughput through Manzhouli Port was 6.531 million tons, up 10.6 percent year-on-year, and the trade turnover reached 47.67 billion yuan, up 6.1 percent year-on-year.

    From a “transit station” to an “industrial hub,” from deep processing of agricultural products to the export of used cars, Manzhouli’s evolution demonstrates that a modern border economy is built not just on logistics, but also on the deep integration of production, service and innovation chains. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The State Committee for Reconstruction and Development held a symposium with the participation of non-state enterprises to hear their views on the economic situation

    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 15 (Xinhua) — China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Wednesday held a symposium with non-state-owned enterprises to collect their views on the current economic situation and the implementation of policies to stabilize employment and the economy.

    At the symposium, which was chaired by the head of the State Committee for Development and Reconstruction and Development Zheng Shanjie, participants shared their views on the activities of the industry and put forward proposals to stimulate high-quality development of the non-state sector of the economy.

    Representatives of non-state enterprises noted an increase in their ability to counter external risks, emphasizing that they pay special attention to innovation, market diversification and stability of economic activity.

    Despite the complex and volatile external environment, the participants of the symposium expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of enterprises. They noted that the adoption of the Law on the Promotion of the Development of the Non-State Sector of the Economy is considered an important milestone in strengthening legal guarantees for the sector.

    The participants of the symposium proposed to define the priority of support for the non-state sector of the economy in the 15th five-year plan /2026-2030/.

    Zheng Shanjie stressed the need to align macroeconomic policies with the needs of micro entities, promising to improve the ongoing mechanisms for interaction and exchange between the government and enterprises.

    He also promised to speed up the implementation of the developed policies and solve practical difficulties and problems related to the specific sector, and make efforts to stabilize employment, enterprises, the market and expectations.

    The SCRR will advance the development of the 15th Five-Year Plan and ensure effective implementation of policy support measures for non-state enterprises, the official added. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Putin, Trump to skip Ukraine’s peace talks that Russian leader proposed

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated they would not attend what could be the first direct peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv in three years on Thursday, with the Kremlin sending instead a group of experienced technocrats.

    Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday “without any preconditions”. Late on Wednesday, the Kremlin said the delegation would include presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin – but Putin‘s name was not on the list.

    After the Kremlin’s delegation announcement, a U.S. official said Trump, who is on a three-nation tour of the Middle East, would not attend. The U.S. leader had said earlier that he was considering the option to participate.

    While Putin had never confirmed he would attend in person, the absence of the Russian and U.S. presidents lowers the expectations for a major breakthrough in the war that Russia started in February 2022.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had challenged Putin to attend the talks “if he’s not afraid,” in an apparent contest to show Trump who wants peace more, Ukraine or Russia.

    While the Kyiv leader was on his way to Turkey late on Wednesday, a Ukrainian official said, he had said he would take part in the talks only if Putin attended.

    In his nightly video address on Wednesday Zelenskiy said that Ukraine would decide on its steps for peace talks in Turkey once there was clarity on Putin‘s participation.

    “The answers to all questions about this war – why it started, why it continues – all these answers are in Moscow,” Zelenskiy said. “How the war will end depends on the world.”

    Trump wants the two sides to sign up to a 30-day ceasefire to pause Europe’s biggest land war since World War Two, and a Russian lawmaker said on Wednesday there could also be discussions about a huge prisoner of war exchange.

    Zelenskiy backs an immediate 30-day ceasefire, but Putin has said he first wants to start talks at which the details of such a ceasefire could be discussed.

    MORE SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA?

    Trump, who is growing increasingly frustrated with both Russia and Ukraine as he tries to push them towards a peace settlement, said he was “always considering” secondary sanctions against Moscow if he thought it was blocking the process.

    U.S. officials have spoken about possible financial sanctions as well as potential secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil.

    The U.S. delegation to Turkey included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg.

    Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said early on Thursday he had met with Rubio to share Zelenskiy’s peace vision and “coordinate positions during this critical week.”

    Medinsky and Fomin, part of the Russian delegation, took part in the last set of negotiations between the two sides in the first weeks of the war. Other senior military and intelligence officials were also part of the Thursday delegation.

    Direct talks between negotiators from Ukraine and Russia last took place in Istanbul in March 2022, a month after Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in what he calls a “special military operation” to root out neo-Nazis.

    Ukraine and its allies say the invasion was an unprovoked, imperial-style land grab.

    With Russian forces grinding forward in Ukraine and now controlling about a fifth of the country, the Kremlin chief has offered few, if any, concessions so far. In his proposal at the weekend, he said that the talks in Turkey would be aimed at a durable peace.

    He specifically mentioned the 2022 talks and the failed draft deal.

    Under that deal, among others, Ukraine would have agreed to permanent neutrality in return for security guarantees from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, and other nations including Belarus, Canada, Germany, Israel, Poland and Turkey, according to a draft seen by Reuters.

    But officials in Kyiv say agreeing to Ukrainian neutrality is a red line they will not cross.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI China: Small parcels rule exemption gives respite to US customers

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

    The U.S. Commerce Department is seen in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    US customers of Chinese online discount retailers such as Shein and Temu have got a respite from high prices with a reduction in duties on smaller packages.

    The administration of United States President Donald Trump announced on Monday it would reduce tariffs on low-cost packages from China that fall under the de minimis exemption — from 120 percent to 54 percent.

    The de minimis tax law is a loophole that allows low-cost parcels to enter the US duty-free and avoid customs inspections if they have a retail value under $800. The announcement was made on the same weekend when the US and China paused higher tariffs on each other for 90 days.

    A flat fee of $100 will remain on parcels starting Wednesday, while the $200 charge that was to be imposed from next month was canceled.

    Z. John Zhang, a professor of marketing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, told China Daily that Shein and Temu have become popular with US shoppers “because they get the order and then produce it”, allowing them to be “fast, low-cost and have a lot of choices”.

    The move is widely seen as another step in de-escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. It will also enable the companies to import more goods amid the pause.

    “This is great for Shein and Temu, if nothing else, to replenish their US inventory,” Yao Jin, an associate professor of supply chain management at Miami University of Ohio, told USA Today.

    Estimates by Baird Equity Research suggest that in 2018, at least 75 percent of all the packages that entered the US under de minimis were from China. Today, it is more than 60 percent.

    In February, Trump suspended the rule for China by imposing a tax of 120 percent of the package’s value or a planned flat fee of $200.

    The administration initially described it as a “critical step in countering the ongoing health emergency posed by the illicit flow of synthetic opioids into the US”.

    However, the pause sparked confusion as the US Postal Service said on Feb 5 that it would stop accepting parcels from China temporarily. It reversed course 12 hours later, and the service was resumed.

    The Trump administration then delayed the implementation of the rule until the Commerce Department could set up a system to process inspections and levies on the shipments.

    Sufficient systems

    Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed to the administration last month that sufficient systems were in place to collect tariff revenue.

    On April 2, the so-called Liberation Day, Trump signed an executive order to eliminate de minimis for China.

    In fiscal year 2024, at least 1.36 billion shipments utilized de minimis, an increase of 637 million compared with 2020, according to US Customs and Border Protection.

    In 2018, Chinese exports under de minimis were worth $5.3 billion, but rose to $66 billion in 2023, the Congressional Research Service found. Much of the parcels are shipped directly from China to the customer.

    It could have cost US consumers between $11 billion and $13 billion if the rule was eliminated, according to the paper “The Value of De Minimis Imports” by the Department of Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Yale University.

    Zhang, from the University of Pennsylvania, who helps companies on pricing strategies, market entry and channel and retail management, had warned that Temu and Shein might have to adjust their business models if de minimis ended.

    He advised that the way they can keep US-based customers, despite any higher fees, is to keep the ethos of fast fashion alive — such as providing low-cost goods, using automation and shifting more production to the US.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, LatAm brewing stronger coffee biz ties

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

    Agricultural trade and economic ties between China and Latin American countries are deepening, exemplified by Chinese tea and ice cream chain Mixue Group’s 4-billion-yuan ($555.4 million) deal with a Brazilian business on Monday.

    Industry leaders and experts also said they see vast potential for high-value, sustainable cooperation, as closer trade continues to bring a broader range of quality produce to Chinese consumers and enrich the country’s dining tables.

    An MoU was signed on Monday between Mixue and Brazilian trade and investment promotion agency ApexBrasil to deepen cooperation in agricultural trade and accelerate the former’s market entry into the South American country.

    Under the agreement, Mixue will expand the use of Brazilian agricultural products in its global supply chain, such as coffee beans and fruit products, and ApexBrasil will provide support for the company’s business operations and retail expansion in Brazil.

    Mixue plans to invest no less than 4 billion yuan in sourcing agricultural products, primarily coffee beans, from Brazil over the next three to five years.

    The initiative is expected to create around 25,000 jobs in Brazil. Mixue will also open its first store in Brazil this year and begin construction of a local supply chain facility to establish a production and sales model.

    Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, plays a major part in China’s agricultural imports. Coffee has become a key component of Sino-Brazilian trade, particularly amid the rising popularity of ready-to-drink coffee in China.

    Brazil’s coffee exports to China have seen particularly strong momentum. The Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council said Brazilian coffee exports to China surged 186.1 percent year-on-year in the 2023-24 crop year to reach 1.64 million 60 kilogram-bags — the fastest growth among all destination markets — while overall coffee exports from Brazil rose 32.7 percent to a new record high.

    “Latin American coffee — particularly Brazilian beans — is showing strong growth potential in the Chinese market,” said Roolee Lu, director of food and drink, and food services, Mintel China. “As Chinese consumers become more sophisticated in their coffee preferences, quality is taking precedence. At the same time as more brands adopt low-price strategies, Brazilian beans are one of the emerging popular choices that strike a balance between convenience, quality and affordability. Overall, Latin American coffee is gaining wider recognition in China for its value and improving quality.”

    Surging demand for the beans comes from the up-scaling of global operations for Mixue, which launched its ground coffee brand in 2017. The company, which currently operates more than 46,000 stores globally — including over 5,000 across 12 overseas markets — began international expansion with its first store in 2018 in Vietnam.

    In addition, Guo Jinyi, co-founder and CEO of Luckin Coffee, said while attending the China-Brazil Business Seminar in Beijing on Monday that the coffee house is promoting Brazilian coffee culture in China.

    Luckin Coffee, which had already signed a cooperation memorandum with ApexBrasil in November, plans to purchase 240,000 metric tons of Brazilian coffee beans worth 10 billion yuan in the 2025-29 period — the largest procurement plan by the company so far.

    “Brazil is a major agricultural powerhouse, and our collaboration reflects the strong complementarity between Chinese demand and Brazilian supply,” Guo said.

    “We aim to introduce high-quality Brazilian coffee to our 355 million users and build Luckin Coffee into a platform for Sino-Brazilian cultural exchange.”

    Bilateral trade between China and Latin America continues to grow steadily. According to the General Administration of Customs, trade between the two sides reached $518.47 billion in 2024, a 6 percent year-on-year increase. Imports from Latin America surged 46 percent over the past five years to $241.3 billion, reflecting China’s rising demand for high-quality, value-added goods.

    Latin American agricultural products are increasingly present on Chinese dining tables. Imports of Chilean cherries, Ecuadorian bananas, Nicaraguan honey and Honduran white shrimp have surged in recent years.

    During the recent Spring Festival, a period noted for increased fruit consumption and a tradition of gifting cherries, high-end cherry varieties from Chile saw record sales in China. Chile has become China’s second-largest supplier of fresh fruits. According to ProChile’s data, cherry exports for 2024 totaled $3.09 billion, with more than 90 percent destined for the Chinese market.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Foreign investors invested USD 3 billion in the Belarusian economy in the first quarter of 2025 — Belstat

    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

    MINSK, May 15 (Xinhua) — Foreign investors invested $3 billion in the real sector of the Belarusian economy from January to March 2025, the country’s National Statistical Committee (Belstat) reported on Wednesday.

    Foreign direct investment inflows amounted to US$2.4 billion, or 81.2 percent of all capital investment from abroad.

    In January-March 2025, Belarusian organizations sent investments abroad in the amount of 1.3 billion US dollars. Direct investments accounted for 76.3 percent of them. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –