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Category: China

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 14, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 14, 2025.

    Young detainees often have poor mental health. The earlier they’re incarcerated, the worse it gets
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emaediong I. Akpanekpo, PhD Candidate, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Populist rhetoric targeting young offenders often leads to kneejerk punitive responses, such as stricter bail laws and lowering the age of criminal responsibility. This, in turn, has led to more young people being held in detention.

    PNG police authorised to use lethal force with ‘domestic terrorist’ kidnappers as one hostage escapes
    RNZ Pacific An escape of a 13-year-old girl from a hostage crisis on the border of Papua New Guinea’s Western and Hela provinces has boosted hopes for the rescue of her fellow captives. The group of 10 people was taken captive early on Monday morning at Adujmari. PNG Police Commissioner David Manning has called the

    Political parties can recover after a devastating election loss. But the Liberals will need to think differently
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Bongiorno, Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University Australia has just had its second landslide election in a row. In 2022, there was a landslide against the Liberals, but not to Labor, which fell over the line (as a majority

    NZ celebrates Rotuman as part of Pacific Language Week series
    By Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific journalist Aotearoa celebrates Rotuman language as part of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ Pacific Language Week series this week. Rotuman is one of five UNESCO-listed endangered languages among the 12 officially celebrated in New Zealand. The others are Tokelaun, Niuean, Cook Islands Māori and Tuvaluan. This year’s theme is, ‘Åf’ạkia

    In Indonesia, Albanese has a chance to reset a relationship held back by anxiety and misperceptions
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hangga Fathana, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) Yogyakarta Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has wasted little time taking his first overseas trip since Labor won a historic victory in Australia’s federal election. He’ll head to Indonesia today to meet the country’s new president, Prabowo

    From GPS to weather forecasts: the hidden ways Australia relies on foreign satellites
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cassandra Steer, Chair, Australian Centre for Space Governance, Australian National University Japan Meteorological Agency via Wikimedia You have probably used space at least 20 times today. Satellites let you buy a coffee with your phone, book a rideshare, navigate your way to meet someone, and check the

    Using a blue inhaler alone is not enough to manage your asthma
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Hughes, Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, University of Sydney New Africa/Shutterstock Inhalers have been key to asthma management since the 1950s. The most common, salbutamol, comes in a familiar blue-coloured inhaler (or “puffer”). This kind of “rescue inhaler” brings quick relief from asthma symptoms. You may know

    The pay equity puzzle: can we compare effort, skill and risk between different industries?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gemma Piercy, Lecturer, Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Waikato Getty Images Last week’s move by the government to amend pay equity laws, using parliamentary urgency to rush the reforms through, caught opposition parties and New Zealanders off guard. Protests against the Equal Pay Amendment Bill

    Sussan Ley makes history, but faces unprecedented levels of difficulty
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Kenny, Professor, Australian Studies Institute, Australian National University As if by visual metaphor, Sussan Ley’s task seemed both obvious and impossible in her first press conference as the new Liberal leader. Three years ago this month, Ley had done something uncannily similar to what Ted O’Brien

    View from The Hill: Ley says Liberals must ‘meet the people where they are’, but how can a divided party do that?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Cynics point out that when a party turns to a woman leader, it is often handing her a hot mess. That’s certainly so with the federal Liberals, now choosing their first female leader in eight decades. For the Liberals, and

    It’s a hard job being environment minister. Here’s an insider’s view of the key challenges facing Murray Watt
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Australia’s new environment minister, Murray Watt, is reported to be a fixer. That’s good, because there’s a lot to fix. Being environment minister is a hard gig. It often requires difficult choices between environmental and

    AWPA calls on Albanese to raise West Papuan human rights with Prabowo
    Asia Pacific Report An Australian solidarity group for West Papuan self-determination has called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise the human rights crisis in the Melanesian region with the Indonesian president this week. Albanese is visiting Indonesia for two days from tomorrow. AWPA has written a letter to Albanese making the appeal for

    The US and China have reached a temporary truce in the trade wars, but more turbulence lies ahead
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Draper, Professor, and Executive Director: Institute for International Trade, and Jean Monnet Chair of Trade and Environment, University of Adelaide Defying expectations, the United States and China have announced an important agreement to de-escalate bilateral trade tensions after talks in Geneva, Switzerland. The good, the bad

    Physicists at the Large Hadron Collider turned lead into gold – by accident
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ulrik Egede, Professor of Physics, Monash University Sunny Young / Unsplash Medieval alchemists dreamed of transmuting lead into gold. Today, we know that lead and gold are different elements, and no amount of chemistry can turn one into the other. But our modern knowledge tells us the

    New Caledonia riots one year on: ‘Like the country was at war’
    SPECIAL REPORT: By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/bulletin editor Stuck in a state of disbelief for months, journalist Coralie Cochin was one of many media personnel who inadvertently put their lives on the line as New Caledonia burned. “It was very shocking. I don’t know the word in English, you can’t believe what you’re seeing,”

    New Caledonia riots one year on: ‘Like the country was at war’
    SPECIAL REPORT: By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/bulletin editor Stuck in a state of disbelief for months, journalist Coralie Cochin was one of many media personnel who inadvertently put their lives on the line as New Caledonia burned. “It was very shocking. I don’t know the word in English, you can’t believe what you’re seeing,”

    From nuclear to nature laws, here’s where new Liberal leader Sussan Ley stands on 4 energy and environment flashpoints
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justine Bell-James, Professor, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland Sussan Ley has been elected Liberal leader after defeating rival Angus Taylor in a party room vote on Tuesday. Now the leadership question is settled, the hard work of rebuilding the party can begin. In

    The ‘extroverted’ north and ‘introverted’ south: how climate and culture influence Iranian architecture
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mahsa Khanpoor Siahdarka, PhD Candidate in Built Environment, RMIT University Shutterstock The architecture of northern Iran exhibits an extroverted quality. Buildings are designed to let in the sounds of rain, birds and rustling trees, as well as scents of nature. Architecture in this region is characterised by

    ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 13, 2025
    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 13, 2025.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts Introduces PORCUPINE Act to Support Taiwan’s Self-Defense

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Providing Our Regional Companions Upgraded Protection in Nefarious Environments (PORCUPINE) Act. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) is the lead Democrat sponsor. The PORCUPINE Act will help streamline the process for arms sales to Taiwan regulated by the Arms Export Control Act. Currently, sales to NATO member states and other close allies and partners of the United States have shorter congressional notification timelines and higher threshold values. However, Taiwan is not currently included on that list. The bill will also make it easier for our allies and partners to send U.S.-origin weapons to Taiwan. 

    “On my recent CODEL to Taiwan, I saw a partner ready and willing to provide for its own self-defense in the face of increasing aggression by Communist China,” said Ricketts. “However, our antiquated arms sales process and struggling defense industrial base have prevented Taiwan from getting the weapons it needs in a timely manner. The PORCUPINE Act will make it easier for us to send arms to Taiwan, quicker, while also creating a process for our closest allies and partners to do the same.”

    “Taiwan is on the front lines of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and defending the island and our values requires that we swiftly provide the weapons systems it needs—but in the face of Chinese greyzone pressure and the constant threat of invasion, it takes far too long to deliver these weapons,” said Coons. “China isn’t going to bide its time and wait for arms sales to be completed before launching an attack. Passing the PORCUPINE Act today is the first of many steps we need to take to update our arms sales process and ensure our Taiwanese partners have what they need to defend themselves.”

    The PORCUPINE Act would:

    • Put Taiwan in the NATO-plus category for shorter formal Congressional notification times and higher weapons value thresholds.
    • Require the Secretary of State to establish an expedited decision-making process for blanket third party transfers of defense articles and services from NATO member countries, Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand or Israel to Taiwan, including transfers and re-transfers of U.S. origin grant, FMS, and DCS end-items not covered by an exemption under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

    BACKGROUND:

    Under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), the Department of State (State) submits to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee a notification of a prospective major arms sale before the executive branch takes further formal action. This allows committees to ask questions or raise concerns prior to State initiating a formal notification. State will generally not proceed as long as one of the four corners has a hold on a sale during the informal process. 

    After the informal notification process is complete, the AECA requires the President to formally notify Congress 30 days before issuing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for an Foreign Military Sales(FMS)-administered sale, enhancement, or upgrading of major defense equipment valued at $14 million or more; the sale, enhancement, or upgrading of defense articles or services valued at $50 million or more; or the sale, enhancement, or upgrading of design and construction services valued at $200 million or more. In the case of such sales to NATO member states, NATO, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, or New Zealand, the President must formally notify Congress 15 calendar days before proceeding with the sale. The prior notice threshold values for transfers to these recipients are $25 million for the sale, enhancement, or upgrading of major defense equipment; $100 million for the sale, enhancement, or upgrading of defense articles and defense services; and $300 million for the sale, enhancement, or upgrading of design and construction services.

    A similar process for formal notification times and thresholds exists between NATO-Plus countries and other countries for Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), as well. FMS involves the U.S. government acting as an intermediary, facilitating a government-to-government transaction, while DCS allows direct contracts between US companies and foreign entities. DCS offers more flexibility in contract terms and conditions. FMS often include a “total package” approach, encompassing training, spare parts, and other support, potentially leading to higher initial costs. FMS contracts typically adhere to U.S. military standards, ensuring interoperability with US forces. DCS contracts may offer non-standard configurations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Former China National Petroleum Corporation Chairman Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Bribery

    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 14 (Xinhua) — Former China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Chairman Wang Yilin was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Tuesday for accepting bribes.

    The verdict was handed down by the Intermediate People’s Court of Erdos City in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

    According to the court’s verdict, Wang Yilin was also fined 3 million yuan (US$416,719) and his illegal proceeds will be confiscated and transferred to the state treasury.

    The investigation found that from 1996 to 2020, Wang Yilin abused his position in various positions to assist others in matters such as personnel reshuffles, project contracts, and business activities. In exchange, he illegally received money and material assets totaling more than 35 million yuan. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The 8th meeting of heads of territorial bodies for emergency situations of border regions of SCO member states was held in Shanghai

    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 14 (Xinhua) — The 8th meeting of heads of border emergency management departments of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and an exchange event on emergency management and cross-border cooperation between China and Central Asia were held in Shanghai, east China, from May 11 to 13.

    The meeting discussed approaches to establishing the SCO Emergency Information Exchange System and the China-SCO Emergency Medical Assistance Cooperation Center. In addition, communication mechanisms and information exchange channels were also defined.

    China is willing to work with other SCO countries to continuously promote the establishment of cooperation mechanisms in emergency management in border areas and accelerate the development of cooperation in border areas in such areas as joint forest and grassland fire prevention and control, information exchange, cross-border rescue operations, joint exercises and training, according to Liu Shunzhang, an official with China’s Ministry of Emergency Management.

    The meeting was attended by heads of territorial emergency response agencies of border regions from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and other countries in online and offline formats. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: E. Macron calls for Europe’s strategic independence amid weakening US support

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    PARIS, May 14 (Xinhua) — It would be irresponsible for Europeans not to prepare for strategic independence from the United States within the next five to 10 years, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with TF1 television on Tuesday.

    Because of the systematic “America First” policy, “US interests will become less and less /focused/ on Europe,” he is sure.

    The president pointed to a clear trend of Washington’s disengagement from its European allies over the past 15 years. It began “when the United States decided not to join us in Syria, when they unilaterally withdrew from Afghanistan, and you can see it in recent months,” Macron said, referring to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Calling the current global climate a “moment of geopolitical awakening,” the French leader stressed that the European Union, originally created as a project for peace, must now solve the problem of how to remain “free.”

    Asked how the EU should respond to US tariffs, Macron vehemently opposed a trade war but stressed Europe’s resolve. “We are here and we will fight to the end,” he said. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi congratulates Australian PM Albanese on reelection

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Xi congratulates Australian PM Albanese on reelection

    Xinhua | May 14, 2025

    Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday congratulated Anthony Albanese on his reelection as Australian prime minister.

    Xi said that over the past three years, he had met with Prime Minister Albanese, and engaged with him in in-depth discussions on strategic, comprehensive and directional issues concerning the development of China-Australia relations.

    These discussions led to important consensuses that have provided strategic guidance to improve and grow bilateral ties, he added.

    Strengthening cooperation between China and Australia, Xi said, is of great significance for achieving shared development and promoting world peace and stability.

    The Chinese president also expressed his readiness to work with Albanese to advance the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership in a steady fashion, delivering greater benefits to the people of both countries.

    On the same day, Premier Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Albanese, saying that China is willing to work with the new Australian government to promote a more mature, stable and fruitful China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi holds talks with Brazilian president

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

    Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday.

    Xi said that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil last year, the two sides jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet.

    He called on the two sides to vigorously advance the construction of a China-Brazil community with a shared future, continuously deepen the alignment of development strategies, and jointly promote strengthened solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries.

    Xi stressed that China and Brazil should maintain strategic mutual trust, provide mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and strengthen exchange at all levels and in all respects.

    He called on the two countries to expand cooperation, deepen the effective alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with Brazil’s development strategy, give full play to the role of the various cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, strengthen cooperation in traditional fields such as infrastructure, agriculture and energy, and expand new areas of cooperation in energy transition, aerospace, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

    He said that China and Brazil should enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges, provide more convenience for personnel exchanges between the two sides, and strengthen cooperation on culture, education, tourism, and media, and at the sub-national level.

    He emphasized that the two sides should adhere to multilateral coordination. As the biggest developing country in the Eastern and Western hemispheres respectively, they should enhance coordination and cooperation within multilateral mechanisms, uphold multilateralism, improve global governance, maintain the international economic and trade order, and resolutely oppose unilateralism, protectionism and bullying, Xi added.

    Brazil is willing to deepen strategic cooperation with China and promote the construction of a Brazil-China community with a shared future, Lula said.

    Brazil stands ready to align its development strategy with the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance cooperation between the two countries in areas such as trade, infrastructure, aerospace and finance, Lula added. He also called on the two countries to expand exchange in areas of the youth and culture, and to enhance exchange and friendship between the two peoples.

    Protectionism and tariff abuse cannot promote development and prosperity. Instead, they will lead to chaos. China’s resolute stance in addressing global challenges gives strength and confidence to all countries, Lula noted, adding that Brazil is willing to strengthen strategic coordination with China in international affairs, work with China to safeguard the common interests of the Global South, and safeguard international fairness and justice.

    At the Great Hall of the People, the two heads of state witnessed the signature of 20 cooperation documents covering the fields of development-strategy alignment, science and technology, agriculture, the digital economy, finance, inspection and quarantine, and media.

    The two heads of state also met with the press together.

    China and Brazil issued a joint statement on strengthening the construction of a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet, and on jointly upholding multilateralism, as well as a joint statement on the Ukraine crisis.

    Prior to the talks, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcome ceremony for Lula and his wife, Rosângela Lula da Silva, at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People.

    Xi and Peng also hosted a welcome banquet for Lula and his wife on Tuesday evening. 

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Fentanyl is US’s problem, not China’s: FM spokesperson

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

    China has made it clear more than once that fentanyl is the U.S.’s problem, not China’s, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here Tuesday.

    Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks when asked about details on the next stages of the trade talks with the United States and what talks are planned on the fentanyl issue given that the 20 percent tariffs linked to that remain in place.

    Lin said that China’s competent authorities have released information on the China-U.S. high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs.

    “As for the fentanyl issue, China has made it clear more than once that fentanyl is the U.S.’s problem, not China’s. It’s the U.S.’s responsibility to solve the issue,” Lin said.

    He added that despite the goodwill China has shown, the United States wrongly slapped tariffs on Chinese imports by citing the issue of fentanyl. The move has dealt a heavy blow to China-U.S. dialogue and cooperation on counternarcotics, and gravely hurt China’s interests.

    “If the U.S. truly wants to cooperate with China, it should stop vilifying and shifting the blame on China, and seek dialogue with China based on equality, respect and mutual benefit,” Lin said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China Book Corner inaugurated in Bangladesh

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

    A China Book Corner was officially inaugurated at the National Library of Bangladesh on Sunday in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The unveiling ceremony and subsequent “Reading China” China-Bangladesh Youth Exchange brought together nearly 300 participants, including representatives from governments, media organizations, universities, and enterprises of both countries.

    Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), speaks at the China Book Corner unveiling ceremony in Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 11, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

    In his opening remarks, Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), noted that 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations, and it is also the China-Bangladesh People-to-People Exchange Year. He said he hopes that the book corner and exchange event would deepen cultural ties and mutual understanding. 

    Du said books are vital bridges for the exchange of civilizations, and he encouraged young people to embrace reading and dialogue to better understand other cultures.

    Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, honorable adviser of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh, speaks at the China Book Corner unveiling ceremony in Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 11, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

    Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, honorable adviser of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh, called the book corner a key outcome of the two countries’ leadership exchanges and a model of cultural cooperation. He expressed hope for expanded collaboration in fields such as new media and film.

    Yao Wen, Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, speaks at the China Book Corner unveiling ceremony in Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 11, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

    Yao Wen, Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, highlighted the millennium-old cultural ties between China and Bangladesh, saying the new book corner would serve as a high-quality platform for deepening mutual understanding and promoting cultural exchange.

    Mofidur Rahman, secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh, speaks at the China Book Corner inaugural ceremony in Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 11, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

    Mofidur Rahman, secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh, emphasized that with growing cooperation in infrastructure and economic development, it is the right time to expand into cultural collaboration. He said the book corner would open a new window for the Bangladeshi public to better understand China.

    The China Book Corner is officially inaugurated at the National Library of Bangladesh in Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 11, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

    The book corner received a donation of more than 1,200 books, including titles covering China’s politics, culture, science, and agriculture.

    Jointly hosted by CICG, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, this event was part of CICG’s broader cultural exchange initiative in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations, as well as the China-Bangladesh People-to-People Exchange Year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Readers forum on ‘Xi Jinping: The Governance of China’ held in Bangladesh

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

    Chinese representatives present Bangladeshi counterparts with the books during the China-Bangladesh Readers Forum on “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China” in Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 11, 2025. The forum was held recently here with more than 350 attendees from the political, academic, business and media circles of both China and Bangladesh. [Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua]

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s listed firms log solid Q1 earnings on thriving consumption, tech innovation

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

    Despite global economic uncertainties, China’s listed companies posted solid first-quarter performance in 2025, driven by robust consumer spending and steady advances in technological innovation.

    Among the 5,400 listed companies that have released financial reports for the first quarter (Q1), more than 70 percent were in the black, according to financial information provider Wind.

    The combined net profit attributable to shareholders of all listed firms came in at 1.49 trillion yuan (about 207 billion U.S. dollars), up 3.64 percent from a year ago, the data showed.

    According to analysts, the Q1 reports reflect a surge in emerging consumption trends and booming technological innovation among China’s listed companies, underscoring the country’s ongoing shift toward high-quality development.

    The consumer sector emerged as a bright spot in first-quarter earnings, with listed consumer companies reporting a 4.7 percent year-on-year rise in revenue and a 14.7 percent increase in net profit attributable to shareholders, both outpacing the average growth rate of non-financial firms.

    Appliance makers were among the top gainers, supported by the government-backed trade-in scheme. During the period, the household appliance and consumer electronics segments posted year-on-year growth of 22.8 percent and 107.5 percent, respectively, in net profit attributable to shareholders.

    Last year, China’s consumer goods trade-in program boosted product sales by more than 1.3 trillion yuan, according the Ministry of Commerce. Building on the achievements, the country’s central authorities have recently issued approximately 81 billion yuan in ultra-long special treasury bonds, aiming to increase support for the program this year.

    New consumption models have been reshaping the market. According to Founder Securities, Chinese consumers have been spending more on holidays, ice and snow sports, and buying “guzi”– a homonym for “goods” that refers to various merchandise featuring elements of animation, comics and games (ACG) culture.

    In the first quarter, profits of firms in ice and snow tourism rose 25.8 percent year on year, while companies in the pet industry and those related to “guzi” economy saw earnings jump 58.2 percent and 93.6 percent, respectively.

    Spending on culture, entertainment and tourism also gained momentum among Chinese consumers, fueling business growth across sectors such as aviation, hospitality and film.

    Take the movie industry, for example. As of April 30, 16 film and television production companies had released their first-quarter financial reports, with six of them reporting a year-on-year doubling of net profit attributable to shareholders.

    Yan Xiang, chief economist at Founder Securities, said that the simultaneous rise in profits and revenue among consumer-related firms highlights the immense potential of China’s vast consumer market. As consumption continues to expand steadily, consumer spending is expected to play an increasingly significant role in boosting growth in the country, he added.

    Another key theme emerging from the quarterly reports was tech-driven innovation, with listed Chinese companies emphasizing advancements in smart manufacturing, digital operations and supply chain optimization as part of a broader push to spur growth through technology.

    In line with the trend, China’s listed firms have funneled more funds for research and development (R&D), with data from Wind showing that nearly half of all listed firms increased R&D investments in Q1.

    Breakthroughs in core technologies have also facilitated industrial upgrades. Companies in emerging industries accounted for 40 percent of all firms listed on the Shanghai main board, overtaking traditional sectors like finance to become the market’s leading sectors by market capitalization.

    Zheng Hongda, an analyst with Western Securities, stressed the importance of strong internal momentum among China’s technology firms in the face of a complex external environment.

    For technology companies, their investment plans for the next period should center on key areas such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, which will galvanize the internal driving forces along the industrial chain, Zheng said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Airfreight boom drives new opening-up momentum in inland China

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

    Xi’an, an ancient capital of China and the starting point of the historic Silk Road, is writing a new chapter in global trade as it strives to develop an airfreight-driven economy, with its international air cargo and mail volume doubling in the first four months of 2024.

    From January to April, the inland metropolis handled 17,200 tonnes of cross-border shipments — primarily e-commerce goods — marking a 102.4 percent year-on-year increase.

    The growth was driven by Xi’an’s expanded Eurasian cargo network this year, with more cargo flights to Budapest and the launch of four new freight routes linking Tbilisi, Milan, Debrecen, and Madrid, thereby strengthening the city’s connections with Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, according to Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.

    In February, the airport’s Terminal 5, a 705,500-square-meter “super terminal” larger than the combined area of the previous three terminals, officially opened, adding 115 aircraft parking stands while boosting the city’s air logistics capacity.

    Amid global economic uncertainties, China has continued to advance high-level openness. The country’s total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms expanded 1.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025, demonstrating stable growth and strong resilience, according to the General Administration of Customs.

    Xi’an’s booming airfreight economy is part of China’s broader opening-up drive, contributing to the country’s overall trade expansion.

    In the Airport New City (ANC) of Xixian New Area, where the airport is located, bonded warehouses are stocked with imported daily necessities and cosmetics as workers at a cross-border logistics company busily load orders for delivery.

    “Compared with coastal cities like Hangzhou, Xi’an offers a cost advantage for air cargo to Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, with flight times shortened by around two hours,” said Lan Yibo, the general manager of the company, adding that they have begun exporting Chinese-made light industrial products to Europe starting this year.

    The airport’s high customs clearance efficiency and convenience have attracted a growing number of businesses.

    “By making prior reservations, companies can cut customs clearance times from three or four days to just seven hours,” said Dang Liming, an official of the ANC.

    Benefiting from the airport-oriented economy, the ANC now hosts 13 logistics parks and over 200 leading logistics firms.

    The thriving air logistics has boosted the express delivery and cross-border e-commerce businesses.

    Last year, the Xi’an airport handled over 7.3 million international express shipments, ranking second in China.

    Located within the ANC, the northwest China regional hub of delivery giant YTO Express handled 1 billion parcels last year, up 33.3 percent year on year.

    Shao Xing, a manager at the company, said the Xi’an regional hub has ranked among the top five nationwide in terms of scale.

    “The company will launch a new Silk Road international port project by the end of next year, aiming to expand multimodal transport capabilities and enhance connectivity in Central Asia through integrated logistics networks,” Shao said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China completes testing of heavy, reusable liquid rocket engine

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

    China completes testing of heavy, reusable liquid rocket engine

    Xinhua | May 14, 2025

    China has successfully completed the full-engine testing of a 140-tonne liquid oxygen-methane engine that will power the country’s reusable carrier rockets, the engine’s maker said on Tuesday.

    Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation’s Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology, the rocket engine boasts the largest thrust among China’s current open-cycle liquid oxygen-methane ones.

    It is designed to serve as a crucial power source for reusable rockets and will play a vital role in future space-Earth transportation systems, reusable launch vehicles and heavy-lift rocket development.

    The academy said that the latest successful test marks a breakthrough in the production of China’s hundred-tonne-class liquid oxygen-methane engines. It also highlighted the efficiency of the development process, noting that it was completed in just seven months.

    In December 2024, the state-owned rocket engine developer tested its 90-tonne reusable liquid oxygen-kerosene engine for commercial spacecraft — a milestone achievement since it began focusing on the commercial space sector in 2023.

    The commercial space sector was listed in the country’s 2024 government work report as a “new engine of economic growth.”

    The academy said that more efforts will be dedicated to developing heavier engines, specifically targeting reusable 200-tonne liquid oxygen-methane engines. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Foreign engineer delves into China’s EV industry

    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

    Sitting at his desk, turning on his computer and entering his password, Indian Joseph begins his working day.

    Joseph is an electric drive assembly and testing engineer. This is his third year with Chinese electric vehicle company NIO and his 13th year in China.

    For Joseph, the rapid technological changes in the EV industry are an opportunity to constantly learn new things. “Unlike the traditional automotive industry, there are so many new, constantly improving technologies in EVs. As someone who works at the forefront of R&D, I am constantly exposed to new things, and my technical knowledge and skills are constantly being enriched,” says Joseph.

    Hu Bo, Joseph’s colleague and also an electric drive assembly and testing engineer, praises him: “Joseph has more than ten years of experience in the electric vehicle industry. He is an excellent engineer and has unique methods for solving complex technical problems.”

    “As a global company, overseas engineers are an important part of NIO’s technology ecosystem, helping us better interact with the global market. In order for China’s EV industry to maintain its leading position, it is necessary to attract global innovation resources,” Hu Bo said.

    Thirteen years ago, Joseph, a graduate in automotive engineering from Coventry University in the UK, came to China with hope and excitement.

    Joseph’s initial work was not as an automotive engineer, but at a consulting firm specializing in the automotive industry. “At the time, the Chinese EV industry was in its infancy, and we were mostly doing market analysis,” Joseph says.

    In 2022, Joseph moved to Hefei, Anhui Province, and became an electric vehicle engineer. He believes that, like many Chinese electric vehicle companies, NIO has strong innovation capabilities, and he enjoys challenging and creative work. “Here, I don’t have to follow a template, and I can always implement my ideas.”

    Having worked in China for over a decade, Joseph has witnessed the rapid development of China’s electric vehicle industry: “When I first came here, I never imagined that electric vehicles would develop so quickly in China and would be in every home within a few years.”

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: What will China’s 15th Five-Year Plan be like?

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    The “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan” (2026–2030) – what place will it occupy in the historical coordinates of the Chinese nation’s rejuvenation process and in the era of accelerating, unprecedented changes in the world? What will these five years be like?

    These will be five years marked by important historical events. In 2026, we will celebrate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. In 2027, the 100th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army of China. In 2029, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

    These will be five years of further acceleration of unprecedented changes in the world.

    Beginning with the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan, a new round of scientific, technological and industrial revolution gives a powerful impetus to the development of productive forces.

    The balance of power in the international arena is changing. The main theme remains the confrontation between multilateralism and unilateralism. Local conflicts and instability have become more frequent, global problems have become more acute, and external pressure and containment are increasing.

    China has entered a period characterized by strategic opportunities, risks, and challenges, as well as increasing uncertainty and unpredictability. The trend toward accelerating global changes, unprecedented in the past hundred years, will inevitably continue during the Fifteenth Five-Year Plan period.

    This is one of three key five-year periods on the path to the basic realization of socialist modernization by 2035.

    According to the strategic plans adopted at the 20th CPC National Congress, China aims to basically complete socialist modernization by 2035 by implementing three five-year programs: the Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth. The Fourteenth Five-Year Plan is the starting point, the Sixteenth Five-Year Plan is the finishing line, and the Fifteenth Five-Year Plan is the key transition stage.

    This is the stage of completion of all reform tasks outlined by the 3rd Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

    At the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee held in July last year, more than 300 major reform tasks were proposed and a clear timetable was set: “Complete the reform tasks set out in this decision by the 80th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 2029.”

    2029 is the fourth year of the “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan”. Chinese-style modernization is the theme, and further comprehensive deepening of reform is the content. The Five-Year Plan is a development plan. To implement this plan, it is necessary to actively carry out reforms and adjust production relations.

    The “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan” is destined to become a period of even more large-scale and profound reforms.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The growth rate and potential of the Chinese market are attractive to American companies

    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

    Peng Zhenke, president of Pfizer China and chairman of the executive committee of the pharmaceutical research and development working committee of the China Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, recently announced Pfizer’s plans to invest another US$1 billion in China by 2030. The company has already opened a new research and development center in Beijing and an innovation center in Hangzhou.

    Zhang Jianping, deputy director of the academic committee of the Institute of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce of China, noted that investments by American companies in China can be divided into two main categories:

    First, market-oriented: companies that provide goods and services directly to the Chinese market, such as Tesla, Starbucks, and General Motors, which make significant profits in China.

    Second, global supply chain oriented: companies that use China as an important base for organizing supply chains and creating added value on a global scale, seeking maximum benefit. A typical example is Apple.

    China has enormous growth potential, making it particularly attractive to American companies, especially multinational corporations.

    Cui Shoujun, a professor at the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China, identifies three key aspects that determine the irreplaceable strategic value of the Chinese market for many American companies:

    First, the advantages of a super-large market: China, with a population of over 1.4 billion and a middle-income group of over 400 million, has huge demand. Growing urbanization in China has driven steady growth in demand for home appliances, automobiles, communications, medical services and other consumer goods.

    Secondly, the obvious advantages of the full industrial chain: China has 41 major industrial categories, 207 medium sub-categories and 666 minor sub-categories, being the only country in the world represented in all industrial sectors of the UN classification. China’s supply chain is not only comprehensive and complete, but also extremely flexible and responsive.

    Third, continuous expansion of high-level opening-up and optimization of the business environment: China creates favorable conditions for the development of foreign companies, including American ones.

    Peng Yu, director of the International Trade Research Department at the Institute of World Economy, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, stressed that the Chinese market provides American companies with many business and profit opportunities. China is the largest export market for American soybeans and cotton, the second-largest export market for integrated circuits and coal, and the third-largest export market for medical equipment and automobiles.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM meets Brazilian guests in Beijing

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

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, and Celso Amorim, special advisor to the president of Brazil, in Beijing, capital of China, May 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    BEIJING, May 13 — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira, and Celso Amorim, special advisor to the president of Brazil, in Beijing on Monday.

    Both sides reviewed the frequent exchanges between the two heads of state in recent years, and made preparations for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s visit to China, especially the important talks about to be held between the two heads of state.

    They unanimously agreed to promote the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future in accordance with the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, adhere to multilateralism, safeguard common international rules and the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South, and make contributions to promoting world peace, stability and development.

    The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other issues, expressing support for direct dialogue and negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and pledged to play their role in the Group of Friends for Peace to gather more international consensus for promoting the political settlement of the crisis.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Deepening China-Latin America ties reflected in daily life

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

    People walk past a Chinese supermarket in Chinatown in Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 10, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MEXICO CITY, May 13 — As exchanges and cooperation between China and Latin American countries continue deepening, Chinese elements such as Chinese restaurants, China-made automobiles and China-built subway trains, as well as various Chinese cultural symbols on the streets, are gradually making more presence in the daily lives of locals, turning the vision of deepening interactions between China and Latin American countries into reality.

    Performers demonstrate hanfu attire during an event celebrating the UN Chinese Language Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 19, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People watch a lion dance performance at the fourth edition of the Chinese New Year culture festival, in Mexico City, Mexico, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit the pavilion of China at the 41st Expocomer in Panama City, the capital of Panama, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People have meals at a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown in Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 10, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An electric and combustion dual-power train manufactured by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd. awaits departure at the central station in Santiago, Chile, Jan. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People take an electric bus manufactured by Chinese bus maker Yutong in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, March 31, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Liang Qing (L), a Chinese language teacher at the Confucius Institute of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, instructs a Peruvian student in writing Chinese calligraphy in Lima, capital of Peru, April 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Performers present a dragon dance during the “China in Lujan” festival in Lujan, Argentina, May 4, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A girl performs during the third edition of the Chinese New Year Cultural Festival at the National Center for the Arts (CENART) in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, Feb. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Peng Liyuan and Brazil’s first lady visit China’s National Center for the Performing Arts

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

    Peng Liyuan and Brazil’s first lady visit China’s National Center for the Performing Arts

    Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Rosangela Lula da Silva, wife of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, visit China’s National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, capital of China, May 13, 2025. Rosangela is accompanying the Brazilian president on his state visit to China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    BEIJING, May 13 — Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Rosângela Lula da Silva, wife of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, visited China’s National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing on Tuesday.

    Rosângela is accompanying the Brazilian president on his state visit to China.

    Peng and Rosângela toured the interior architecture of the NCPA, viewed an exhibition of the NCPA’s achievements titled “Stage of Glory,” and learned about the work of the NCPA in promoting international cultural exchange and promoting art popularization. After the visit, Peng invited Rosângela to a performance of excerpts of classic operas, as well as a chorus of Chinese and Brazilian songs.

    Noting that both China and Brazil are major cultural countries, Peng said that people-to-people and cultural exchange between the two sides has been active in recent years, and that mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries have deepened day by day. She also expressed the hope that both sides will maintain this good momentum and bring the two peoples closer.

    Rosângela thanked Peng for her warm and thoughtful arrangements, and praised the singers’ wonderful performance. She spoke highly of China’s development achievements and splendid culture, and expressed her willingness to actively promote people-to-people and cultural exchange between the two countries, and to continue contributing to the deepening of friendship between Brazil and China.

    Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Rosangela Lula da Silva, wife of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, visit China’s National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, capital of China, May 13, 2025. Rosangela is accompanying the Brazilian president on his state visit to China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Brazil issue joint statement on Ukraine crisis

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

    China and Brazil issued a joint statement on the Ukraine crisis on Tuesday, welcoming Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to open peace talks and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s positive response.

    The statement said that China and Brazil hope that Russia and Ukraine will begin a direct dialogue as soon as possible, which is the only way to end the conflict.

    It said that China and Brazil commend recent signals of willingness to engage in dialogue on the Ukraine crisis, and expect relevant parties to initiate fruitful negotiations, build a greater consensus to achieve a political settlement, and address the legitimate concerns of all parties. China and Brazil believe it is necessary to find a solution to the Ukraine crisis by examining its root cause, with the aim of reaching a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement.

    The statement said that to achieve that goal, China and Brazil in May 2024 called on all relevant parties to create the conditions for the resumption of dialogue, and launched the Group of Friends for Peace at the United Nations in September of the same year, with the aim of uniting the countries of the Global South.

    China and Brazil are willing to work with the rest of the Global South to continue making active efforts to resolve the crisis, the statement said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN chief highlights role of UN peace operations

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

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (C, front), German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (R, front) and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (L, front) attend the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025 in Berlin, Germany, May 13, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday highlighted the role of UN peace operations and called for more support from member states.

    Speaking at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025 in Berlin, Germany, Guterres credited peacekeeping operations with helping many countries, calling the efforts “the most globally recognized symbol of the world’s ability to come together to help countries move from conflict to peace.”

    The secretary-general also noted that 4,400 peacekeepers have fallen in the line of duty throughout the decades.

    Guterres also underscored the challenges facing peacekeepers today, including complex conflicts, growing global division, misinformation, terrorism and transnational crime, among others.

    “We are now facing the highest number of conflicts since the foundation of the United Nations, and record numbers of people fleeing across borders in search of safety and refuge,” Guterres said.

    He urged efforts to make peacekeeping operations more adaptable, flexible and resilient, adding that peace operations can only succeed when backed by robust mandates and clear, predictable and sustained contributions.

    The two-day event serves as a political forum gathering representatives from around 130 countries to discuss the future of peacekeeping. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Canadian PM Carney unveils new cabinet

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

    Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled on Tuesday a new cabinet.

    The new cabinet, Carney’s second but his first since being elected, includes a core group of 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state.

    Anita Anand replaced Mélanie Joly as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Joly became Industry Minister.

    Dominic LeBlanc’s new title is president of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, intergovernmental affairs and one Canadian economy.

    François-Philippe Champagne remains Finance Minister and took on the additional role of Revenue Minister.

    Carney’s Liberal Party won the parliamentary elections in Canada last month to form a minority government. The House of Commons’ sitting calendar currently has May 26 listed as the first sitting date for MPs. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China supports UN’s core role in global security governance

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

    China’s Minister of National Defense Dong Jun on Tuesday highlighted the importance of the United Nations peacekeeping efforts, reaffirming China’s support for the UN’s central role and its core position in global security governance.

    During his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Berlin while attending the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025, Dong noted that over the past 80 years since its founding, the UN has played an important role in upholding international fairness and justice. Amid complex and profound changes in the current international landscape, the UN’s role must be strengthened rather than weakened, he said.

    The UN’s peacekeeping operations were born for peace and have played a significant role in maintaining world peace, Dong stressed.

    The minister added that China will announce new peacekeeping commitments, support the reform and transformation of UN peacekeeping efforts, and remain a steadfast supporter and constructive force in UN peacekeeping operations.

    Guterres expressed appreciation for China’s long-standing support for the United Nations, describing the country as an important pillar of multilateralism both now and in the future.

    He said the United Nations highly values the three major global initiatives proposed by China and is committed to close cooperation with China across a wide range of areas, firmly opposing unilateralism based on power politics.

    Guterres also noted China’s increasingly important role in UN peacekeeping and said he looks forward to closer cooperation with China in this field. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Erdogan meets NATO chief, reiterates support for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

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

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Türkiye, on May 13, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his support for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Ankara on Tuesday, according to the Turkish presidency.

    Erdogan said that Türkiye is stepping up its diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, noting that he has spoken with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said a statement issued by the presidency.

    Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye maintains its neutral stance in the conflict and urged that the opportunity for peace should not be missed.

    On Türkiye-NATO relations, Erdogan said that Türkiye places great importance on NATO and will once again assume command of the NATO Kosovo Force. He also called for greater cooperation among NATO allies in the fight against terrorism.

    Rutte, for his part, noted that his meeting with Erdogan comes as preparations are underway for next month’s NATO summit.

    “Türkiye is a staunch and capable ally. We also discussed Ukraine, where there is a real window of opportunity for progress towards peace,” he wrote in a post on social media platform X. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Top players boost tennis culture in China, says Italian Open chief

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

    China now boasts many outstanding players whose performances have fueled a growing tennis culture in the country, and attracted increasing numbers of Chinese spectators to watch matches in Italy, said Italian Open tournament director Paolo Lorenzi in an interview with Xinhua.

    Zheng Qinwen returns a shot during the women’s singles round of 16 match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Bianca Andreescu of Canada at the WTA Italian Open in Rome, Italy, May 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

    The Italian Open is in full swing this May in Rome. Chinese tennis stars including Zheng Qinwen, Wang Xinyu and Bu Yunchaokete have showcased their skills on the clay courts, drawing enthusiastic support from Chinese fans.

    “I believe the atmosphere in Rome is truly unique. For us, it’s very important that players feel warmly welcomed when they come to compete here,” said Lorenzi, who enjoyed a professional tennis career spanning nearly two decades. After retiring, he took on the Italian Open tournament director role in 2024.

    Discussing this year’s tournament improvements, Lorenzi highlighted several upgrades, including a brand-new stadium and a renovated players’ lounge.

    Despite a packed schedule, Lorenzi still carves out time to watch matches and has spoken highly of Chinese players’ performances in recent years.

    “I believe that now there are many good players in China. Zheng Qinwen has won an Olympic gold medal and has been incredible here in Rome. You also have Shang Juncheng, who is very young and strong, though unfortunately he’s injured now. There are many excellent Chinese players, and this is really helping the whole movement,” Lorenzi noted.

    Recent figures show that China’s tennis-playing population has surpassed 25 million — an increase of over 5.5 million compared to that in 2021. Lorenzi said the rise of top professional players has inspired more people to pick up a racquet, while the return of international tournaments to China has also boosted the sport’s development.

    Lorenzi has also noticed a steady rise in Chinese fans at the Italian Open in recent years. “Rome itself is a city full of history, and we have many Chinese tourists visiting. It’s great that we can also give them the chance to watch world-class tennis while they’re here, I think it’s a fantastic combination,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Celta boost Europe hopes with Real Sociedad win

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

    Alfonso Gonzalez’s 43rd-minute goal gave Celta Vigo a 1-0 win away to Real Sociedad on Tuesday night to strengthen the visiting side’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Europa League, while ending Real Sociedad’s European ambitions.

    Gonzalez was the first to react in the Real Sociedad area to prod a loose ball home for three vital points, and a win at home to Rayo Vallecano at the weekend would cap an excellent season for the northwestern outfit.

    Girona’s veteran striker Cristhian Stuani netted 10 minutes from time to give his side three vital points in a 1-0 win away to bottom side Real Valladolid.

    Aunar saw a shot tipped onto the bar from Girona goalkeeper Pablo Gazzaniga with the score at 0-0, although Valladolid’s Karl Hein also made several big saves before Stuani’s goal.

    Girona coach Michel Sanchez said after the game that the three points were a huge step towards avoiding relegation, but that his side still had work to do.

    Sevilla also looks to be almost safe after a nerve-wracking 1-0 win at home to Las Palmas, who could be five points adrift from safety if Alaves beats Valencia on Wednesday.

    Las Palmas ceded possession to Sevilla in the first half, but Sevilla failed to create chances until Garcia Pascual scored the only goal of the match six minutes after the break following a corner.

    The visiting side tried to get back into the match, but lacked the quality to score the goal they so desperately needed, even after 13 minutes of injury time.

    Real Madrid has a host of absentees for Sunday’s game at home to Mallorca, and anything other than a win would mean Barcelona is confirmed as this season’s champion ahead of Thursday’s visit to Espanyol.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China supports UN’s core role in global security governance: defense minister 2025-05-14 08:24:13 China’s Minister of National Defense Dong Jun on Tuesday highlighted the importance of the United Nations peacekeeping efforts, reaffirming China’s support for the UN’s central role and its core position in global security governance.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BERLIN, May 13 (Xinhua) — China’s Minister of National Defense Dong Jun on Tuesday highlighted the importance of the United Nations peacekeeping efforts, reaffirming China’s support for the UN’s central role and its core position in global security governance.

      During his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Berlin while attending the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025, Dong noted that over the past 80 years since its founding, the UN has played an important role in upholding international fairness and justice. Amid complex and profound changes in the current international landscape, the UN’s role must be strengthened rather than weakened, he said.

      The UN’s peacekeeping operations were born for peace and have played a significant role in maintaining world peace, Dong stressed.

      The minister added that China will announce new peacekeeping commitments, support the reform and transformation of UN peacekeeping efforts, and remain a steadfast supporter and constructive force in UN peacekeeping operations.

      Guterres expressed appreciation for China’s long-standing support for the United Nations, describing the country as an important pillar of multilateralism both now and in the future.

      He said the United Nations highly values the three major global initiatives proposed by China and is committed to close cooperation with China across a wide range of areas, firmly opposing unilateralism based on power politics.

      Guterres also noted China’s increasingly important role in UN peacekeeping and said he looks forward to closer cooperation with China in this field. 

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump says US to lift Syria sanctions, inks arms deal with Saudi Arabia

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

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday secured a 600-billion-U.S. dollar investment commitment from Saudi Arabia in Riyadh and vowed to lift sanctions on Syria.

    Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (R) meets with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13, 2025. (Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Xinhua)

    According to a White House statement, the investment commitment involves agreements spanning various sectors, including “energy security, defense industry, technology leadership, and access to global infrastructure and critical minerals.”

    Among the deals was “the largest defense sales agreement in history — nearly 142 billion dollars,” the statement said.

    As part of the defense agreement, the United States will provide Saudi Arabia with “state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen U.S. defense firms.”

    “This deal represents a significant investment in Saudi Arabia’s defense and regional security, built on American systems and training,” the statement added.

    Speaking later at an investment forum, the U.S. president announced that he would lift sanctions on Syria.

    “I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance,” Trump said, noting that the United States had taken the first steps toward normalizing relations with Damascus.

    While praising ties with Saudi Arabia, Trump expressed hope that the kingdom would join the Abraham Accords.

    The Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States during Trump’s first term in office, aimed to normalize relations between Israel and Arab nations.

    U.S. efforts to promote normalization between Israel and Arab countries stalled amid Washington’s support for Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, which has killed more than 52,900 Palestinians since October 2023 and drawn widespread regional criticism.

    On potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would travel to Türkiye later this week to join the negotiations.

    Trump is on a four-day trip to the Middle East from Tuesday to Friday, his first major foreign visit since taking office in January. Saudi Arabia is the first stop of his tour, which will also include Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN eyes reform to modernize itself ahead of 80th anniversary

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

    The United Nations General Assembly convened an informal plenary meeting on Monday to hear a briefing from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the UN80 Initiative, a wide-ranging reform effort launched as the UN approaches its 80th anniversary of founding.

    The UN80 Initiative, introduced in March, aims to modernize the operations of the 193-member body. The reform focuses on identifying efficiencies and improvements within existing frameworks, reviewing how member states’ requests are carried out, and exploring changes to the agency’s structure, said Guterres.

    The changes are expected to yield “meaningful reductions” in the overall budget, said Guterres. The departments for political and peacekeeping affairs could see a 20 percent reduction in staff by eliminating duplication, according to UN.

    The financial strain on the organization is already apparent. As of May, just 1.8 billion U.S. dollars of the 3.5 billion dollars in regular budget assessments for 2025 has been received, which represents a shortfall of roughly 50 percent, according to data from the Fifth Committee of the UNGA.

    Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the UN, said his expectation of this reform initiative is to advance institutional renewal and efficiency enhancement. “This is a task of great importance, and the Secretary-General must exercise strict oversight. China hopes the reform will deliver concrete results.”

    “As the world enters a new period of turbulent transformation marked by rising unilateralism and multiplying global challenges, the role of the United Nations must be reinforced, not diminished,” Fu said.

    It is essential to uphold the authority and status of the United Nations, he said. He added that reform must strengthen rather than weaken the organization.

    “The more complex and volatile the international situation becomes, the more important it is to support the UN in playing its central role and to safeguard the international system with the UN at its core. This must remain the fundamental direction and ultimate goal of the reform, and should be firmly upheld,” the Chinese envoy said.

    “A more streamlined, efficient, responsive, financially accountable, and influential United Nations is in the interest of all parties,” he said.

    As reform concerns the interests of all member states, “it is imperative to enhance transparency, strengthen consultation with member states, build the broadest possible consensus, conduct comprehensive and prudent evaluations, and make responsible decisions,” he added.

    “Reform must not be used as an excuse for the UN to do less or even nothing, nor should it become a justification for certain countries to shirk their financial obligations,” Fu emphasized.

    He stressed that the legitimate interests of developing countries must be fully safeguarded. Their representation and voice must be effectively enhanced. “This is key to the success of the reform,” he said.

    “It is unacceptable for the interests of a few countries to override those of other member states, or for the legitimate rights and interests of the vast number of developing countries to be sacrificed to meet the demands of a minority,” he said.

    Guterres and his predecessors have faced challenges in trying to reform the organization over the past decades. The UN has been criticized for heavy bureaucracy, slow decision-making, and fragmented coordination among agencies. The UN is also heavily dependent on voluntary contributions from member states, which leads to unpredictable funding.

    Abbas Kadhom Obaid, permanent representative of Iraq to the UN, speaking at Monday’s meeting on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, expressed “deep concern” over the dire liquidity situation of the UN.

    He noted that “one single member state, which is also the only beneficiary of the maximum ceiling on the scale of assessments, continues to be responsible for more than 90 percent of arrears to the regular budget.”

    Obaid pointed out that any proposal aimed at achieving efficiencies by reducing duplications and redundancies across the UN system “should not aim at dismantling UN agencies and funds, to the detriment of due support to member states.”

    “We emphasize that any reforms foreseen under this initiative must preserve, first and foremost, the multilateral and inclusive nature of the United Nations, while also avoiding strategy-driven models that may ultimately compromise the effectiveness of our organization, particularly with regard to the implementation of its multiple mandates approved by member states,” he said.

    He added that for small states, a strong and effective multilateral system, underpinned by respect for the UN Charter and international law, is not an option but an existential necessity.

    Burhan Gafoor, permanent representative of Singapore to the UN, speaking on behalf of the Small States Group (SSG), said the world is witnessing a period of geopolitical tension, economic fragmentation and rising nationalism. “We are deeply concerned by the erosion of respect for international law and by efforts to reverse economic integration and globalization,” he said.

    The UN is facing a significant budget shortfall as the United States and other donors scale back humanitarian aid and multilateral funding. U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 includes deep cuts to foreign aid, with signals that U.S. contributions to the UN system could be nearly eliminated.

    Richard Gowan, UN Director at the International Crisis Group, warned in April that the UN may face a 20 percent budget reduction in 2026 due to donor cuts and unpaid member contributions, The New York Times reported.

    In February, Trump signed an executive order calling for a review of U.S. engagement with the UN and withdrew from agencies focused on human rights, reproductive health, climate change, and global health. Other UN donors, including the United Kingdom, are also reducing humanitarian spending.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to adjust tariffs on imported US products on Wednesday

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

    China will adjust tariffs on imported U.S. products from 12:01 p.m. Wednesday, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced on Tuesday.

    China will modify accordingly the application of the additional ad valorem rate of duty on articles of the United States set forth in the Announcement of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council No. 4 of 2025, by suspending 24 percentage points of that rate for an initial period of 90 days, while retaining the remaining additional ad valorem rate of 10 percent on those articles.

    The country will also remove the modified additional ad valorem rates of duty on those articles imposed by the No. 5 and No. 6 announcements issued by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council on April 9 and 11, respectively.

    In last month’s aforementioned announcements, China raised the additional tariffs on products imported from the United States to 84 percent and 125 percent, respectively, as countermeasures against the United States’ “reciprocal tariffs.”

    The commission said that the reduction of bilateral tariffs is in line with the expectations of producers and consumers in both countries, and is conducive to the economic and trade exchange between China and the United States, as well as the global economy. 

    MIL OSI China News –