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Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: Japanese PM sends offering to notorious war-linked shrine

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday sent a ritual offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of the country’s past brutal militarism, on the occasion of its spring festival.

    Ishiba sent the ritual tree, called “masakaki,” on the first day of the three-day ceremony at the war-linked shrine located in central Tokyo’s Chiyoda district.

    He is not expected to visit the shrine in person during the festival, national broadcaster NHK reported.

    The Yasukuni Shrine honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from World War II, including Hideki Tojo. It has long been a source of diplomatic friction for Japan and its neighbors.

    For a long time, some Japanese politicians and members of parliament have insisted on visiting the shrine, which has been strongly opposed by many peace-loving people at home and abroad. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Number of private enterprises in China tops 57M

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The number of private enterprises in China exceeded 57 million by the end of March, accounting for 92.3 percent of the total tally, official data showed Monday.

    In the first quarter, the number of newly established private enterprises in the country reached 1.979 million, marking an increase of 7.1 percent year on year and surpassing the average growth rate of the past three years, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China firmly opposes any deal at expense of its interests

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China firmly opposes any deal between the United States and its trading partners at the expense of Chinese interests, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday.

    If such a situation arises, China will not accept it and will resolutely take corresponding countermeasures, said the spokesperson in a statement, adding that the country has both the resolve and the capability to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

    The spokesperson made the remarks when responding to reports that the United States is preparing to pressure other countries to restrict trade ties with China in exchange for tariff exemptions.

    Under the guise of so-called “reciprocity,” the United States has been recently arbitrarily imposing tariffs on all its trading partners while pressuring them to engage in so-called “reciprocal tariff” negotiations, said the spokesperson.

    “This is essentially using the banner of ‘reciprocity’ as a pretext to pursue hegemonic politics and unilateral bullying in the field of international economy and trade,” the spokesperson said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tougher rules over car battery safety

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China is set to enforce the world’s first mandatory safety regulations for new energy vehicle batteries that explicitly prohibit fire and explosion — a landmark move to address public concerns and solidify its position as a global NEV pioneer.

    Issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology last week and effective from July 1, 2026, the updated standards will replace a 2020 version that only required a five-minute fire-risk warning, shifting the focus to proactive risk elimination.

    The core provision of the regulations stipulates that batteries must not ignite or explode for at least two hours, even during thermal runaway — a self-heating state of lithium-ion cells that is the primary cause of battery-related incidents — and must emit a thermal event alarm while ensuring any smoke produced does not harm occupants.

    The new regulations also introduce several stringent testing requirements, including an underside impact test to assess battery protection in the event of a collision. The update is most relevant, given that an increasing number of batteries are being structurally integrated into vehicles under the cell-to-body design approach.

    Moreover, batteries will need to pass a safety test proving they can withstand 300 rapid charging cycles followed by a short-circuit test.

    According to the MIIT, as of February 2024, 78 percent of the 36 surveyed vehicle and battery companies have the technology to prevent batteries from catching fire or exploding. An additional 14 percent expect to have this capability by 2026-27.

    Yang Hongxin, CEO of battery provider Svolt Energy, said that the company started developing such products two years ago. Currently, all its clients are able to meet the new national battery standard.

    CATL, the leading Chinese battery manufacturer, said its first-generation No Thermal Propagation technology, in production since 2020, meets the new requirements.

    Currently, CATL is developing NP technology, including NP2.0 with high-voltage and smoke separation, and NP3.0 that prevents smoke during thermal runaway.

    “The new standard will effectively reduce the risk of battery fires after collisions in new energy vehicles, better protecting consumers’ lives,” a CATL representative said, emphasizing the need for collaboration between automakers and battery suppliers.

    An Conghui, president of Geely Holding Group and CEO of Zeekr, said: “Safety involves not just the battery cells but the entire system’s safety. Apart from the battery cells, considerations must also extend to the pack, electronic architecture, mechanical structure, as well as sensors and computing power.”

    An said Geely is confident in meeting the new requirements ahead of schedule through R&D in integrated safety systems.

    China’s NEV sector — encompassing electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids — has experienced huge growth, with monthly sales surpassing gasoline cars since 2024.In the first quarter, NEV sales jumped 50.4 percent to 3.08 million units, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers show.

    But recent incidents, such as the fatal crash in March involving a Xiaomi SU7 sedan in Anhui province that caught fire after a collision, have heightened consumer concerns about NEV safety.

    These stringent rules will boost consumer safety and accelerate industry consolidation, pushing smaller players to invest in advanced technologies or exit the market, industry experts said.

    The regulations will also solidify China’s position as a global NEV leader while addressing safety concerns in a rapidly evolving sector.

    To enhance NEV safety performance, the industry must continue efforts in battery material R&D, optimization of battery management systems and vehicle collision safety design, experts added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: First pet terminal set for May opening in Guangzhou

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    An exterior view of the check-in lobby with pet at Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, April 14, 2025. [Photo/China News Service]
    A pet terminal building is set to open in May at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangdong province, offering full-chain air travel services for pets and marking a major step toward creating a more animal-friendly airport environment in China.
    Covering more than 2,000 square meters, the new terminal will provide services including animal quarantine, ticket booking, pet consignment, check-in and boarding hotels. It aims to offer a one-stop, convenient travel experience for passengers flying with their pets, said Du Jie, deputy manager of the airport’s safety and quality department.
    Du said the pet terminal is the first dedicated facility of its kind in the country and reflects the refinement and warmth of Guangzhou’s urban governance.
    The terminal has already begun internal trial operations.
    With living and traveling with pets becoming a growing trend among modern consumers, demand is increasing for pet-friendly services.
    Airport data shows that passengers who are pet owners account for up to 25 percent of total travelers, far exceeding the national average of 14 percent.
    Ma Yingying, who oversees the terminal’s operations, said that an online reservation and full-process service system is now available for passengers traveling with pets. Through a WeChat mini-program, users will be able to book services such as check-in, quarantine processing, cage purchases and airport pickup, tailored to the pet’s type and destination.
    Ma said the terminal is designed to ease the complex procedures of pet transport, reducing the preparation time from one week to just two days.
    In addition to standard services, the terminal will offer a VIP lounge for passengers and their pets, complete with amenities such as lint rollers, massage chairs, hand-ground coffee and drinks. For pets, the terminal will feature cozy sofas, cat scratching boards and fresh food supply stations.
    First-time pet flyers will also receive special attention, including pet-calming essential oils and access to temperature- and humidity-controlled oxygen cabins.
    Once pets arrive at the airport, they can enjoy dry cleaning, grooming and relaxing treatments to relieve travel fatigue, Ma said.
    “This terminal greatly facilitates the travel needs of dog lovers like me,” said Yin Shujun, a doctoral student from the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the South China University of Technology. “I plan to bring my dog to experience the pet terminal’s services when I fly to distant destinations in the future.”
    To meet the boarding needs of long-distance travelers, the first phase of the pet terminal includes six themed sunny cat rooms, four independent dog rooms and seven intelligent pet warehouses. The pet hotel can simultaneously accommodate 17 to 30 pets.
    During their stay, pets will receive fresh food twice daily, enjoy two hours of outdoor activities and have access to professional grooming, 24-hour purified air, surveillance, real-time air quality monitoring and video chats with their owners.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: AI-powered healthcare shines at medical conference

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    An elderly woman (L) tries an AI health detecting device with the assistance of a staff member at a nursing home in Binghu district of Wuxi, east China’s Jiangsu province, April 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Experts gathered in Beijing over the weekend for the 2025 China Medical Development Conference, where the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare has become the center of attention.
    The two-day event, held annually since 2021, brought together leading voices in mathematics, AI, medicine, public health and pharmacy to discuss innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy directions to drive the medicine sector forward in the AI age.
    Attendees emphasized AI’s transformative potential in reshaping medical research and the broader healthcare ecosystem.
    Wang Chen, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), proposed a phased roadmap for integrating AI into medicine.
    According to Wang, in the short term, scenario-based pilot programs will take the lead. The medium term will focus on deeper applications and international collaboration, while the long term aims to establish an AI-driven ecosystem encompassing scientific research, clinical care, and healthcare management.
    Zheng Hairong, vice president of Nanjing University, stressed that breakthroughs in biomedical AI must be underpinned by standardized data and ethical governance. He pointed to fields such as medical imaging and brain-computer interfaces as areas where cross-disciplinary collaboration will be crucial in overcoming technological hurdles.
    In recent years, China has ramped up its “AI Plus” initiative in healthcare, promoting standardized infrastructure, cross-institutional data sharing, and the development of industry-specific AI models to improve the precision and efficiency of diagnostics and treatment.
    Ensuring the safe and responsible deployment of AI technologies in healthcare was a recurring theme throughout the conference. Participants underscored the importance of building a secure, well-regulated environment to maintain public trust.
    Shen Jianfeng, an official with the National Health Commission, called for the creation of high-quality medical datasets and AI language corpora. He also urged stronger policy coordination across disciplines and investment in talent development, with a focus on medical ethics.
    A highlight of the conference was the release of the “Top Medical Advances in China 2024” by the CAMS, a list of 13 breakthroughs selected from over 310,000 research projects — all seen as major steps forward in China’s disease prevention and treatment capabilities.
    Among the standout achievements were a method to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease up to 18 years before symptoms appear, and a gene therapy breakthrough for hereditary deafness.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.75 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.75 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, April 21, 2025)

    The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB176 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on April 21, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Rate

    Bidding Volume

    Winning Bid Volume

    7 days

    1.50%

    RMB176 billion

    RMB176 billion

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年04月21日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 12 killed, 30 injured in US airstrikes on market in Yemen’s capital

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The death toll from fresh U.S. airstrikes on a crowded market in Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Sunday evening has risen to 12, with at least 30 others wounded, Houthi-controlled health authorities said in a statement.

    According to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, the airstrikes targeted the Farwah market in the Shu’ub neighborhood, one of the busiest markets in Sanaa. Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams searching for survivors and victims beneath the rubble.

    The strikes were part of a broader wave of U.S. airstrikes that hit multiple locations in and around Sanaa on Sunday, the Houthi media outlet added.

    The incident came days after the deadly U.S. airstrikes on the Ras Isa fuel port in western Yemen late Thursday night that killed 80 people, wounded 170 others, and caused widespread damage to fuel storage infrastructure, leading to fuel spills into the Red Sea, according to local Houthi health officials.

    Tensions between the Houthi group and the U.S. military have escalated since Washington resumed airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on March 15 to deter the group from attacking Israel and U.S. warships in the Red Sea.

    The Houthis, which control much of northern Yemen, said their attacks aim to press U.S.-backed Israel to stop the offensive against the Gaza Strip and allow the entry of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 69 pct of Gaza under Israeli displacement orders

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said Sunday that 69 percent of the Gaza Strip is under active Israeli displacement orders.

    The Israeli army issued at least 20 displacement orders between March 18 and April 14, UNRWA said in a press statement, adding that the agency “currently operates 115 shelters across Gaza, housing more than 90,000 displaced people.”

    Some 420,000 people have been displaced again since the ceasefire collapsed on March 18, it said, warning that the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening due to Israeli shelling and the seven-week-long aid blockade.

    UNRWA stressed the need for an early ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the unfettered flow of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies into Gaza.

    Israel has blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2. It then ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas on March 18 and resumed deadly air and ground assaults on the enclave.

    The renewed Israeli attacks have so far killed 1,827 Palestinians and injured 4,828 others, Gaza health authorities said Sunday, adding the death toll in the enclave since the war began in October 2023 has risen to 51,201, with 116,869 injured.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Thousands of protesters rally against Trump’s policies

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Demonstrators participate in a rally and march in protest of the Donald Trump administration’s policies in New York City, the United States, on April 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Thousands of protesters on Saturday took to the streets in various cities across the United States in what demonstrators described as part of a “National Day of Action” against President Donald Trump’s policies and perceived threats to democracy.

    Organized on the 250th anniversary of the start of the U.S. Revolutionary War, the demonstrations ranged from marches through midtown Manhattan to rallies outside the White House in Washington, D.C., drawing parallels between historical calls for liberty and today’s demands for executive accountability.

    In New York, people rallied outside the city’s main library carrying signs targeting the U.S. president with slogans like “No Kings in America” and “Resist Tyranny;” in Chicago, demonstrators chanting “Protect our democracy” marched past City Hall; in San Francisco, participants formed a human banner reading “Impeach & Remove” on Ocean Beach.

    Protesters carried signs denouncing rapid deportations of immigrants, mass firings within federal departments, and cuts to Social Security offices, while many also voiced support for transgender rights and stronger climate policies.

    “We are in an unprecedented, dangerous situation in the United States,” said Raymond Lotta, a political economist and writer.

    The Trump administration “is moving quickly to consolidate power, to carry out its horrible agenda, rounding up immigrants, waging a war on the universities, a war on science. They are shredding the rule of law,” he said.

    “Trump is doing illegal things, and he should stop,” said another demonstrator identifying himself only as George. He held a sign reading “Deport Trump” to express his anger.

    Protesters gather during a rally outside the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Calling the current trade war “unnecessary,” Chris, another demonstrator who only gave his first name, said, “Using tariffs is hurting our economy. Especially, it is hurting the world economy. It is causing a lot of disruption across the globe.”

    “We’re already seeing the first signs of a recession,” said Chris, who held a sign reading “tariffs equal recession.”

    Meanwhile, some groups focused on community services, organizing food drives, teach-ins and volunteer work at local shelters.

    Political analysts note that Saturday’s protests marked the second major mobilization against the Trump administration in April, following an earlier wave on April 5, and reflected deepening grassroots frustration with what participants view as an erosion of checks and balances.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China embraces next-gen solid-state battery revolution with tech breakthroughs

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows part of a solid-state lithium metal battery in Yibin, southwest China’s Sichuan province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    In a significant advancement that could reshape the future of electric vehicles, Chinese researchers have identified a mechanism behind solid-state lithium battery failures.
    It came as China has risen to become a global leader in the lithium battery industry. The country is now racing with its international rivals, particularly those from Japan and the Republic of Korea, to embrace the next-generation battery technologies.
    Solid-state batteries, widely regarded as one of the most promising solutions in the coming decade, could revolutionize energy storage. However, overcoming their technical hurdles remains the greatest current challenge.
    Finding root cause
    Unlike liquid electrolytes used in conventional batteries, solid electrolytes struggle to absorb the stresses caused by lithium expansion and contraction during charging cycles.
    These stresses can cause cracking or the formation of dendrites — tiny, needle-like structures that can trigger short circuits — thus posing major challenges to the industrialization of the technology.
    In their new study, the researchers from Tongji University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology found that solid-state battery failures are closely linked to cycle fatigue of the lithium metal anode.
    They also observed that this fatigue adheres to well-defined mechanical principles, like repeatedly bending a paperclip weakens it until it finally breaks.
    This discovery, published on Friday in the journal Science, provides a quantitative framework for predicting battery life cycles and opens new pathways for designing longer-lasting energy storage systems.
    “The work recognizes the importance of fatigue in the performance of lithium metal anodes in solid-state batteries,” noted Jagjit Nanda and Sergiy Kalnaus, two U.S. battery scientists, in a perspective on the research.
    Battery revolution
    This research underscores China’s sustained R&D investments in electrochemistry in recent years. These breakthroughs are now fueling China’s industrial edge and setting the stage for the country to repeat its success in the upcoming revolution in battery technology.
    Solid-state batteries, using solid electrolytes instead of liquid ones, achieve much higher energy density (up to 500 Wh/kg) than traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries (200-300 Wh/kg). This provides more energy in the same volume and reduces battery size.
    They also feature better thermal stability, non-flammability, and no risk of liquid leakage, significantly lowering the risk of self-ignition and explosion.
    Ouyang Minggao, an expert on new energy power systems and a professor at Tsinghua University, predicted that reaching an energy density of 500 Wh/kg will depend on critical advancements in materials science, with 2027 poised to be a pivotal year for breakthrough innovations.
    Chinese battery giants CATL and BYD have set 2027 as their target for small-scale production of solid-state batteries.
    Scientific teams are intensifying their collaboration with frontline battery companies to accelerate the commercialization of technologies.
    The Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences has signed a cooperation agreement with BYD, focusing on cutting-edge areas such as solid-state batteries.
    Sun Huajun, CTO of BYD’s battery division, predicted that solid-state batteries would achieve a large-scale application around 2030.
    China’s edge in mass-producing all-solid-state batteries lies in its vast industry and market scales.
    “With the most complete industrial chain, the largest market, and the most researchers, we are highly confident in China’s approach and roadmap for this technology,” said Zu Sijie, vice president of SAIC Motor.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China boosts public health with immunization progress

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a volunteer (R) helping Yemeni businessman Sufyan Marwan Sufyan Mohanmmed take vaccine reservation receipt for his daughter from a machine by scanning a QR code at a community health service center in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang province, March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    China has made significant progress in vaccine development and immunization, marked by a growing portfolio of domestically produced vaccines and remarkable public health results.
    These achievements were highlighted at the 2025 National Vaccines and Health Conference, held over the weekend in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province in central China, and attended by nearly 3,000 public health officials and medical professionals.
    Over the past years, China has achieved notable breakthroughs in vaccine technology. Milestones include the successful development of homegrown HPV and Ebola vaccines, as well as advances in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines against 13 types of bacteria and shingles vaccines.
    Several Chinese vaccines have received prequalification from the World Health Organization, enabling their distribution in partner countries of the Belt and Road Initiative.
    These advancements underscore a broader shift in China’s vaccine industry — from focusing primarily on domestic needs to increasingly contributing to the global vaccine supply chain, according to Wang Yunfu, head of the Health Commission of Hubei province.
    The global biotechnology landscape has also helped accelerate this transformation, as the participants pointed out. In recent years, breakthroughs in technologies such as mRNA platforms, viral vectors, and nanoparticle delivery systems have opened up unprecedented opportunities for vaccine research and development, significantly improving both efficiency and immune response.
    Alongside scientific innovation, China has placed strong emphasis on safety and regulatory oversight. In 2019, it became the first country to implement a comprehensive vaccine administration law, followed by updated immunization standards introduced in 2023.
    A nationwide traceability system has been set up, ensuring that every dose can be tracked from production to administration, enhancing transparency and public trust.
    China’s national immunization programs have yielded strong public health results.
    The country achieved polio-free status in 2000, eliminated neonatal tetanus by 2012, and has reported no locally transmitted diphtheria cases since 2007. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among children under five declined from nearly 10 percent in 1992 to just 0.3 percent in 2020.
    Routine vaccination coverage has remained above 90 percent nationwide, supported by an extensive healthcare infrastructure that ensures every township has at least one vaccination unit.
    Efforts to expand access and improve service delivery remain a central priority. “Public health should be protected through more accessible and higher-quality vaccine services,” said Li Bin, president of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, adding that this goal was reflected in the conference’s theme.
    For example, in Hubei, girls aged 14 are now eligible for free HPV vaccination, and immunization for newborns is being integrated into the birth registration process to ensure early and timely coverage.
    Looking ahead, China is preparing to refine its immunization strategy and services further.
    Health authorities are considering dynamic adjustments to the national immunization program to prioritize vaccines with high cost-effectiveness or those associated with costly diseases. In some regions, pilots may allow the use of personal health insurance accounts to cover non-mandatory vaccines, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for the public.
    Digital tools will also play an increasing role in modernizing immunization services. Electronic vaccination records are being shared across provinces, while artificial intelligence (AI) is assisting with appointment scheduling. Big data platforms are improving vaccine inventory management and logistics.
    Yin Zundong, head of the Immunization Program Center at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized the role of advanced data technologies.
    “With the help of big data and AI, disease surveillance and early warning systems can become more accurate and efficient,” Yin said. “In the future, data-driven tools will enable precise assessments of vaccine protection efficacy.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN Chinese Language Day celebrated in Yemen’s Aden

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Yemen held its first celebration of UN Chinese Language Day in the southern port city of Aden on Sunday, an event organizers said marked a significant step in cultural exchanges with China amid Yemen’s long-running conflict.

    The event, organized under the auspices of the Chinese Embassy and held at Aden University’s Faculty of Languages and Translation, gathered Yemeni officials, academics, and students, including the first cohort studying Chinese in the city.

    Shao Zheng, the Chinese Embassy’s charge d’affaires, addressed the attendees via video link. “Under the theme ‘Chinese: A Gift Across Time and Space,’ we gather today to experience the unique charm of the Chinese language and witness the depth of cultural exchanges between China and Yemen,” Shao said.

    He noted that Chinese is one of the world’s oldest languages, carrying “the story of Chinese civilization spanning 5,000 years.”

    Mohamed Aqeel Attas, Aden University’s vice-rector, highlighted the launch of Chinese language instruction alongside the celebration. “This represents a remarkable achievement, especially considering Yemen’s current challenging circumstances,” Attas stated, adding the university’s commitment to building partnerships with Chinese institutions.

    Chinese language classes began at the faculty in the second half of 2024, according to Dean Jamal Al-Jaadani. He cited China’s status as the world’s second-largest economy, its role as a permanent UN Security Council member, and student enthusiasm as drivers for introducing the language.

    The celebration featured calligraphy demonstrations and cultural performances. It was followed by Yemen’s first “Chinese Bridge” language proficiency competition for college students, an international contest assessing language skills and cultural knowledge.

    Academics and students emphasised the growing importance of Sino-Arab ties. “The flourishing economic and political ties between China and Arab nations … underscore the importance of deeper engagement with Chinese language and culture,” said Abdulnasser Mohammed Al Naqeeb, a translation professor at the university.

    Zaid Awad, a student, noted the practical benefits: “The expanding diplomatic relations … have created significant demand for qualified translators … This skill opens new professional opportunities for Yemeni youth.”

    UN Chinese Language Day has been observed annually on April 20 since 2010, coinciding with “Guyu” (Grain Rain) in the traditional Chinese calendar to honour Cangjie, credited legendarily with inventing Chinese characters.

    Yemen has been devastated by conflict since late 2014, leading to what the United Nations calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. For many young Yemenis in the impoverished nation, learning foreign languages represents a pathway to improved employment prospects.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Istanbul marks UN Chinese Language Day with cultural celebration

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The UN Chinese Language Day, established in 2010 and observed annually on April 20, has been celebrated in Türkiye’s Istanbul with an event highlighting the beauty and global significance of Chinese culture.

    Under the theme “A Timeless Chinese Gift,” this year’s event was held on Friday by the Confucius Institute at Bogazici University.

    In his opening speech, Gurkan Kumbaroglu, vice president of Bogazici University, noted that the event would deepen Turkish students’ understanding of Chinese culture and enhance educational and cultural cooperation between China and Türkiye.

    During the event, Xu Xufeng, an academic at the Shanghai Calligraphy and Painting Academy, delivered a speech titled “Ode to the Peony,” in which Xu traced the cultural journey of the peony motif from ancient China along the Maritime Silk Road to Persia and Türkiye, illustrating its role in Ottoman and intercultural art.

    The event also featured cultural seminars, performances, and art exhibitions. Among them, the most eye-catching one was a performance by three master puppeteers from Quanzhou, eastern China’s Fujian Province, who showcased the beauty of traditional Chinese string puppetry.

    Meanwhile, an art exhibition was held to display contemporary works by Shanghai-based artists, with styles ranging from ink wash drawing and fine brushwork to vivid color painting, offering visitors a window into modern Chinese artistic expression.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Flying display of cultural ties at Siem Reap’s airport

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Animal images play significant roles in every civilization. In Cambodia, the Naga, a snake deity shared by Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, is seen as the guardian of national prosperity, and symbolizes auspiciousness and peace. In Yunnan province just across the border, cattle enjoyed similar cultural connotations of prosperity and wealth during the Dian kingdom, which existed from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220).

    An ongoing exhibition by the Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia and the Yunnan Provincial Museum in Cambodia’s Siem Reap Angkor International Airport’s China-Cambodia cultural corridor shines a light on the two symbolic animals through 70 photos and 55 items of handicrafts, highlighting a link between Yunnan and Cambodia.

    The photos are of artifacts and folk customs, and the handicrafts include replicas of artifacts and the cultural and creative products derived from them.

    According to Zhang Ruogu, deputy director of the Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia, the display not only highlights the beauty of Dian bronze culture in Yunnan, but also the beauty of ancient Cambodian civilization.

    “Through the two elements of the auspicious cattle and the spirit snake, the exhibition explores the spiritual beliefs associated with them and illustrates the rich history and culture of Yunnan and Cambodia to passengers using the airport,” says Zhang.

    He adds that the cultures of parts of Southeast Asia and Yunnan are closely connected, laying a foundation for dialogue and understanding.

    “China and Cambodia share close geographical proximity and cultural affinity. From the Maritime Silk Road facilitating trade exchange, to Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Admiral Zheng He’s seven voyages (during which he landed in present-day Cambodia), the two countries have a deep friendship cultivated over millennia that exemplifies cultural exchange,” he says.

    Guo Jia, director of the research and exchange department at the Yunnan Provincial Museum, says one of the highlights of the exhibition is a replica bronze animal ritual vessel, one of the museum’s most famous exhibits, which is believed to have been used for sacrifices.

    The vessel is in the form of a large cow, its tail in the grip of a tiger, with a baby cow beneath its belly. It appears to depict a mother cow protecting its calf from attack. “The shape illuminates the ancient Dian people’s concepts of life and death and their mastery of advanced bronze casting techniques,” says Guo.

    She adds that as important source of labor in farming, the Dian viewed cattle as symbols of family wealth. Appearing often on Dian bronzes, they are viewed as symbols of Yunnan’s Bronze Age civilization and this artifact is an outstanding example.

    Likewise in Cambodia, a nation rooted in agriculture, cattle enjoy prominence. They play essential roles in Buddhist culture, and prominently feature on artifacts and in everyday life.

    Snake patterns can be seen at most temples in Cambodia, while the Dian also used snake depiction on their artifacts.

    Siem Reap is famous for the Angkor Wat temple complex, and the Cambodian artifacts on display, including wooden carvings, Buddhist statues and lacquerware, are mostly related to the site.

    “Through the exhibition we are showing the connections and comparisons between the culture around snakes and cattle in Yunnan and Cambodia,” says Zhang.

    The China-Cambodia cultural corridor is located in the international arrival and departure areas of the airport, which was put into use in August last year. From Aug 1 to Jan 31, the corridor received more than 780,000 visits, according to Yang Shaokai, general manager of Yunnan Airinvestment (Cambodia) Airport Management, which runs the airport.

    Neth Pheaktra, Cambodia’s Minister of Information, says the airport “is the first gate through which international passengers enter Siem Reap”. He believes the exhibition will surprise and inform tourists from around the world.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Sinners’ tops N. American box office on opening weekend

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Warner Bros. Pictures’ horror film “Sinners” took the top spot at the North American box office on its opening weekend with an estimated three-day cume of 45.6 million U.S. dollars, data from measurement firm Comscore showed on Sunday.

    Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, the film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers who return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

    The film has received a near-perfect approval rating of 98 percent based on 241 reviews on the review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes. It also earned an “A” on an “A+” to “F” scale from audiences polled by the market research firm CinemaScore.

    Overseas, “Sinners” took in 15.4 million dollars for a global total of 61 million dollars through Sunday.

    In a close second, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ fantasy comedy film A Minecraft Movie generated 41.3 million dollars on its third weekend for a North American cume of 344.6 million dollars.

    Rounding out the top three, Angel Studios’ animated film The King of Kings earned 17.3 million dollars on its second weekend for a North American total of 45.3 million dollars.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese folk art exhibition opens in Sarajevo

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A girl looks at postcards made by Chinese farmer-artists at a Chinese folk art exhibition in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, April 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    A Chinese folk art exhibition titled “Chinese Intangible Heritage, Shared by the World”, opened Saturday in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

    The exhibition, jointly organized by Northwest Normal University and the University of Sarajevo, showcased nearly 60 pieces of traditional Chinese art, including paintings and paper cuttings created by Chinese farmer-artists, as well as faculty and students from Northwest Normal University. The event is held in celebration of the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day and will run until April 23.

    People view artwork at a Chinese folk art exhibition in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, April 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Zhang Xuezhong, director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sarajevo, said the exhibition coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and BiH, and the 10th anniversary of the Confucius Institute, co-founded by the two universities. He expressed hope that cultural exchanges would further strengthen the bonds between the two peoples.

    Dusanka Boskovic, vice-rector of the University of Sarajevo, said that these Chinese folk artworks – often made by farmers – celebrate life and joy, and would be warmly received by local visitors.

    People view artwork at a Chinese folk art exhibition in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, April 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Zhang Guorong, a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts at Northwest Normal University, emphasized that artistic exchange serves as a bridge between cultures.

    In addition to the exhibition, academic lectures and hands-on workshops on Chinese folk art will be held at various local institutions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: AI-powered healthcare takes spotlight at medical conference

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    An elderly woman (L) tries an AI health detecting device with the assistance of a staff member at a nursing home in Binghu district of Wuxi, east China’s Jiangsu province, April 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Experts gathered in Beijing over the weekend for the 2025 China Medical Development Conference, where the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare has become the center of attention.
    The two-day event, held annually since 2021, brought together leading voices in mathematics, AI, medicine, public health and pharmacy to discuss innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy directions to drive the medicine sector forward in the AI age.
    Attendees emphasized AI’s transformative potential in reshaping medical research and the broader healthcare ecosystem.
    Wang Chen, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), proposed a phased roadmap for integrating AI into medicine.
    According to Wang, in the short term, scenario-based pilot programs will take the lead. The medium term will focus on deeper applications and international collaboration, while the long term aims to establish an AI-driven ecosystem encompassing scientific research, clinical care, and healthcare management.
    Zheng Hairong, vice president of Nanjing University, stressed that breakthroughs in biomedical AI must be underpinned by standardized data and ethical governance. He pointed to fields such as medical imaging and brain-computer interfaces as areas where cross-disciplinary collaboration will be crucial in overcoming technological hurdles.
    In recent years, China has ramped up its “AI Plus” initiative in healthcare, promoting standardized infrastructure, cross-institutional data sharing, and the development of industry-specific AI models to improve the precision and efficiency of diagnostics and treatment.
    Ensuring the safe and responsible deployment of AI technologies in healthcare was a recurring theme throughout the conference. Participants underscored the importance of building a secure, well-regulated environment to maintain public trust.
    Shen Jianfeng, an official with the National Health Commission, called for the creation of high-quality medical datasets and AI language corpora. He also urged stronger policy coordination across disciplines and investment in talent development, with a focus on medical ethics.
    A highlight of the conference was the release of the “Top Medical Advances in China 2024” by the CAMS, a list of 13 breakthroughs selected from over 310,000 research projects — all seen as major steps forward in China’s disease prevention and treatment capabilities.
    Among the standout achievements were a method to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease up to 18 years before symptoms appear, and a gene therapy breakthrough for hereditary deafness.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: C909 begins commercial service in Vietnam

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s domestically developed C909 passenger jet has begun commercial operation in Vietnam, further expanding its presence in Southeast Asia, according to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC).

    Two C909 aircraft, wet leased by Chengdu Airlines to Vietnam’s Vietjet Air, began service on Saturday on the Hanoi-Con Dao-Ho Chi Minh City route, the aircraft maker said.

    Wet leasing is a common global aircraft leasing model in which the lessor provides not only the aircraft but also crew, maintenance, insurance, and operational support.

    Vietjet, Vietnam’s first private airline, is a major operator in domestic and Asia-Pacific regional routes. Industry insiders believe that the addition of the C909 jets is expected to boost its fleet capacity and support the development of Vietnam’s aviation market.

    Formerly known as ARJ21, the C909 is a Chinese-developed regional jetliner with a range of 2,225 to 3,700 km.

    In December 2022, this model was delivered to its first overseas client TransNusa, an Indonesian airline. In March this year, COMAC delivered another aircraft to Lao Airlines. Vietjet is the third overseas operator of the aircraft.

    To date, the three overseas airlines have collectively launched 15 routes using the C909 in Southeast Asia, transporting over 250,000 passengers.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Regular freight train route links China’s Chongqing with Central Asia

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A freight train, loaded with polyester chips made in southwest China’s Chongqing, departed from the municipality on Sunday morning heading for Uzbekistan, marking the inauguration of a new regular freight train route from Chongqing to Central Asian countries.

    The train is expected to arrive in the Uzbek capital roughly 4,700 kilometers away in about 12 days. It will exit China through Horgos Port in Xinjiang and pass through Kazakhstan.

    According to the China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd. each month two trains are scheduled to start from Chongqing to Central Asia.

    Xu Meiqiong, an engineer with the China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd., told Xinhua that such regular services could ensure fast customs clearance, timely transportation and reduced costs, so as to guarantee cross-border transportation of better quality.

    It was believed that the regular train route could reduce the transportation duration between Chongqing and Central Asia by 30 percent.

    Cargoes in the freight train on Sunday were from the Chongqing Wankai New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Lin Zheng, the company’s manager in charge of logistics, noted that the launch of the new route would be good for them to expand their market in Central Asia.

    In recent years, Chongqing has been striving to elevate itself into a comprehensive inland hub, with the number of China-Europe freight trains and those heading to Central Asian countries departing from the city, along with cargo volumes, growing.

    As of February, more than 18,000 trains covering over 50 regular routes linking the city with European and Central Asian countries have been dispatched, reaching over 100 hub cities and regions across Asia and Europe. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong tourism strives to grow with new strategies

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    At the recently concluded Hong Kong Tourism Development Forum, many attendees shared the belief that Hong Kong remains an international tourist city deeply desired by travelers.

    The forum, co-hosted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and China Tourism Group, brought together over 600 industry representatives to discuss future trends and directions of Hong Kong’s tourism industry.

    Hong Kong’s tourism sector is uncovering new pathways for cultural tourism transformation, forging ahead toward the goal of becoming a “world-class premier tourism destination.”

    Facing both opportunities and challenges, Hong Kong has been proactive and visionary. Since 2023, China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has prioritized the development of an event economy to attract tourists and stimulate local spending, showcasing the city’s vibrancy as the “Capital of Events.”

    The HKSAR government’s events calendar features a wide range of activities encompassing culture, arts, finance, and trade. The event economy has already shown impressive results.

    In 2024, Hong Kong hosted over 240 events, attracting more than two million visitors. These events generated approximately 7.5 billion HK dollars (about 966 million U.S. dollars) in consumer spending and 4.5 billion HK dollars in economic added value.

    Michael Wong, deputy financial secretary of the HKSAR government, estimated that events in the first half of 2025 will draw about 840,000 tourists, a year-on-year increase of over 50 percent. This is expected to result in 3.3 billion HK dollars in consumer spending and 1.8 billion HK dollars in economic added value.

    At the end of last year, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR government unveiled the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, proposing four development strategies and 133 measures aimed at achieving the vision of “tourism is everywhere,” setting the direction for the next five years.

    According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s latest statistics, the spending of Chinese mainland overnight visitors on entertainment grew by 61.3 percent to 4.19 billion HK dollars last year. Activities such as exhibitions, theater shows, and concerts have become trending attractions for Chinese mainland tourists.

    In 2024, non-Chinese mainland visitors to Hong Kong exceeded 10 million. Research by a globally recognized consumer market consultancy ranked Hong Kong as the fourth most popular city for international tourists worldwide in 2024.

    Dai Bin, director of China Tourism Academy, emphasized that maintaining the prosperity and growth of Hong Kong’s tourism industry is an important part of ensuring the economic and social prosperity of Hong Kong within the framework of “one country, two systems.” Industrial sectors in Hong Kong must strengthen collaboration and embrace global opportunities for tourism development.

    Yiu Pak-leung, a member of the HKSAR Legislative Council, said that enhancing the competitiveness of tourism products and services aligned with ocean, eco-tourism, heritage, sightseeing, and red tourism themes is crucial to boosting Hong Kong’s tourism industry.

    Peter Lam, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, noted that the board will actively collaborate with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to attract more international tourists to experience unique journeys in the GBA. (1 US dollar = 7.76 HK dollars) 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia says repelled Ukrainian attacks amid Easter truce

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday that it repelled Ukrainian attacks overnight amid a unilateral Easter truce declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Ukraine accused Russia of violating the ceasefire.

    The ministry said Russian troops “remained at previously occupied lines and positions” while Ukrainian troops “attempted to attack the positions of Russian troops” in the Donetsk region overnight.

    It added that Ukrainian forces had fired at Russian positions 444 times and counted more than 900 Ukrainian drone attacks.

    Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that 26 Russian assault actions have taken place from 00:00 (2100 GMT on Saturday) to noon (0900 GMT), accusing Russia of violating its self-declared ceasefire.

    Putin said the truce starts from 6 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) on Saturday and lasts until midnight on Sunday into Monday (2100 GMT on Sunday). Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukraine will respond in kind to the ceasefire. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Over 970 sign ‘anti-tariff declaration’ against Trump’s tariff policy

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Over 970 people, including dozens of the world’s top economists have signed an “anti-tariff declaration” criticizing the tariff policy adopted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration as “misguided” while warning of a potential “self-inflicted recession,” reports by media outlets have said.

    The letter, signed by renowned economists including Nobel laureates James Heckman and Vernon Smith, was circulated over the weekend, and by the dawn of Sunday, it had been signed by 976 individuals, the reports said.

    In this “Trade and Tariffs Declaration: A Statement on the Principles of American Prosperity,” the authors denounced Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs that are affecting more than 180 countries and regions around the world. The “reciprocal” tariff rates are “calculated using an erroneous and improvised formula with no basis in economic reality,” the letter said.

    On April 2, Trump announced sweeping tariffs against the U.S. trading partners, calling the day “liberation day.” But only one week later, he ordered a 90-day pause on the highest tariffs while keeping a 10 percent baseline rate for most countries.

    Trump’s tariff policy has triggered massive sell-offs on stock markets, as well as retaliatory tariffs and other countermeasures by countries. “We anticipate that American workers will incur the brunt of these misguided policies in the form of increased prices and the risk of a self-inflicted recession,” the letter said.

    Trump has argued the tariffs are meant to reverse a persistent overall trade deficit and help boost the U.S. manufacturing industry. However, the letter pointed out: “The current administration’s tariffs are motivated by a mistaken understanding of the economic conditions faced by ordinary Americans.”

    The authors urged an end to Trump’s “incoherent and damaging policies” on trade, adding “We remain hopeful, however, that sound economic principles, empirical evidence, and the warnings of history will prevail over the protectionist mythologies of the moment.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Death toll of attacks by suspected herders rises to 56 in central Nigeria

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Coordinated attacks by suspected armed herders in Nigeria’s central state of Benue have left at least 56 people dead so far, as local security agencies and volunteers continue to comb nearby bushes for more bodies, a senior official has said.

    Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, lamented the deadly attacks after an on-the-spot assessment of the havoc wreaked in communities in the Ukum local government area between Thursday and Friday night.

    “Many more are, surely, expected because as we went there, they (local volunteers) were asking for some protection to get back to see how they can retrieve some bodies. So the numbers might even go up,” Alia said while describing the incident as “devastating.”

    At least three local communities were affected by the deadly attacks. The state governor said it was even more regrettable that locals were strategically attacked at the beginning of the farming season to hinder them from cultivating the land.

    He called for urgent action to be taken to address the ugly development and halt the horrendous attacks that have continued to plague local communities in the state.

    Nigeria has witnessed a series of attacks by armed groups in recent months. There have also been recurring incidents of livestock rustling and armed banditry in the country. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Iran serious in talks with US, seeks no delay

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Sunday the country is serious in its indirect negotiations with the United States and wants no delay in the diplomatic process.

    Gharibabadi made the remarks at a meeting with the members of the parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee in Tehran, the official news agency IRNA quoted the committee’s spokesperson, Ebrahim Rezaei, as saying.

    Gharibabadi said that Tehran and Washington, during their second round of indirect talks in the Italian capital Rome on Saturday, discussed and agreed on “the overall framework, agenda, and (subsequent) technical talks.”

    According to Rezaei, the deputy foreign minister has stressed that “all sanctions (on Iran) should be lifted in a way that benefits the Iranian people economically,” while emphasizing that Tehran would not negotiate on its right to enrich uranium, which he said is “among the red lines.”

    The Rome talks and the previous round of Iran-U.S. dialogue that took place in the Omani capital Muscat on April 12 have centered on Tehran’s nuclear program and the removal of Washington’s sanctions.

    The talks, hailed by both sides as “constructive,” followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to bomb Iran if the Middle Eastern country does not accept his offer for talks outlined in a letter sent to Iran’s leadership in early March.

    Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with six major countries — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States — in July 2015, accepting restrictions on its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.

    However, the United States withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and reinstated sanctions, prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the nuclear deal have not achieved substantial progress. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN envoy ‘gravely concerned’ over US airstrikes in, around Yemen’s fuel port

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg on Sunday voiced his grave concern over recent U.S. airstrikes in and around the Ras Isa fuel port northwest of Yemen’s Red Sea city of Hodeidah.

    “Echoing the (UN) Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres), I am gravely concerned about the impact of the U.S. airstrikes in and around Ras Isa port on civilians, particularly truck drivers and port workers, as well as on civilian infrastructure,” Grundberg wrote on social media platform X.

    The cycle of attacks on the Red Sea by Houthis and the United States “jeopardizes peace efforts and risks drawing Yemen further into the regional conflict,” he wrote, urging restraint, de-escalation, and protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure by all sides in accordance with international law.

    Attacks on the Red Sea must stop with “credible guarantees” that protect it from “becoming a prolonged arena of conflict,” which are “essential” for keeping Yemen “from sliding further away from peace” and for global security, he wrote.

    In the deadliest raid since the renewed U.S. airstrikes in mid-March, the U.S. army launched a series of attacks on Thursday night targeting and destroying the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa fuel port and concrete tanks storing imported fuel. According to an update from Houthi-run health authorities early Saturday, at least 80 people were killed and 150 others wounded.

    Among the casualties were port workers and five paramedics, who were reportedly killed in a second wave of airstrikes while arriving on ambulances to assist the wounded.

    Early Saturday, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthi Revolutionary Committee, vowed to retaliate against the renewed U.S. airstrikes. The group said later in the day that it shot down two U.S.-made MQ-9 drones in 24 hours. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: PLA expels Philippine vessel from waters near Huangyan Dao

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China’s military has expelled a Philippine naval vessel that illegally intruded into the territorial waters of China’s Huangyan Dao on Sunday, according to a military spokesperson.

    Senior Captain Zhao Zhiwei, spokesperson for the navy of the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), said that the theater command organized forces to lawfully track, monitor, issue warnings, and expel the Philippine vessel, which entered the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao without authorization from the Chinese government.

    The Philippine actions severely violated China’s sovereignty and contravened both Chinese law and relevant provisions of international law, Zhao said.

    “We sternly warn the Philippines to immediately cease its infringements and provocations; otherwise, it will bear full responsibility for all consequences,” he added.

    Zhao said forces of the Southern Theater Command remain on high alert at all times to resolutely defend national sovereignty and security and firmly uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea region.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China expected to achieve higher grain output in 2025

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A staff checks newly harvested wheat at a storehouse of a grain and oil company in Qitai County, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    China is poised to see a further increase in its grain output in 2025, building on last year’s record-high of 706.5 million tonnes, while also strengthening its capacity to supply grain and other major agricultural products, a report has shown.
    The country’s 2025 grain output is projected to hit 709 million tonnes, pushed up by the increased efforts to boost per unit crop yield on a large scale and growing enthusiasm for grain planting and production, according to the report released by the Chinese Agriculture Outlook Committee, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, on Sunday.
    In 2025, soybean output is expected to grow 2.5 percent year on year to 21.17 million tonnes, the report notes.
    As domestic production rises and consumption growth eases, the imports of bulk agricultural products are expected to decline, according to the report.
    The report projects that China, in the next decade, is expected to experience a breakthrough in agricultural productivity. Improvements will be observed in comprehensive grain production capacity and the ability to mitigate and address major risks and challenges facing the sector.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-ASEAN economic, trade cooperation in fast lane

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    From bustling ports brimming with goods to digital arenas buzzing with new opportunities, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are increasingly coming together in a partnership that promises common prosperity and a shared future filled with boundless potential.

    Since establishing a dialogue relationship more than three decades ago, China and ASEAN have stood together and supported each other through thick and thin, developing a model featuring the most dynamic and fruitful cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

    As the world’s second and fifth-largest economies, respectively, China and ASEAN represent a quarter of the global population, and their commitment to win-win cooperation could offer stability and growth for a world overshadowed by rising economic uncertainty and fragmentation.

    Win-win cooperation

    How fast can a Malaysian fresh durian reach Chinese consumers from its orchard of origin? This time may well be shorter than many can imagine.

    Thanks to an efficient logistics network as well as rapid inspection and expedited clearance procedures between China and the Southeast Asian country, this delicacy can be harvested and appear in a Chinese supermarket thousands of kilometers away within just 24 hours — a sprint that allows consumers to relish the fruit at its freshest.

    Grown across tropical Southeast Asia, durian is known as the “king of fruits,” cherished by consumers for its creamy texture and intense aroma.

    China’s appetite for this thorny fruit has soared in recent years, with its imports reaching a record of 1.56 million tonnes in 2024, according to customs data.

    The story of the durian is just one example of the fruitful outcomes resulting from win-win cooperation between China and ASEAN. Numbers and facts paint the picture of a partnership in full bloom.

    Notably, China and ASEAN have been each other’s largest trading partners for five consecutive years. Bilateral trade value has soared from less than 8 billion U.S. dollars in 1991 to nearly one trillion dollars in 2024. Accumulated two-way investment has also been booming — and it had surpassed 400 billion dollars as of July 2024.

    This vigorous growth has come amid the two sides’ continued efforts to enhance trade and investment facilitation, including upgrading of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA).

    Officials and analysts have seen the CAFTA as a cornerstone of China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation, and are expecting the upgraded CAFTA to take this role a step further, opening up more sectors for trade and investment, while promoting greater regulatory alignment.

    China and ASEAN have substantially concluded upgrade negotiations concerning Version 3.0 CAFTA, and “we believe that with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, economic and trade cooperation between the two sides will surely achieve new and greater development,” Lyu Daliang, spokesperson of China’s General Administration of Customs, said this week.

    Closer bond

    About two hours’ drive from downtown Bangkok, near the Laem Chabang port in eastern Thailand, lies a well-planned industrial zone, known as the Thai-Chinese Rayong industrial zone.

    Jointly built by China’s Holley Group and Amata Group of Thailand in 2006, this industrial zone was one of the first Chinese overseas industrial sites, serving as a witness and contributor to the expanding industrial cooperation between China and ASEAN.

    Now home to 270 companies, most of which are Chinese-invested, the industrial zone has attracted a combined investment of more than 5.2 billion U.S. dollars and provided over 60,000 local jobs, said Zhao Bin, president of the Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Realty Development Co.

    Zhao sees Belt and Road cooperation and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as catalysts for the industrial zone’s development, which not only helps Chinese companies to invest in Southeast Asia, but also facilitates technology transfer to Thailand and skills development in local workforce.

    Belt and Road cooperation, the RCEP and various other arrangements have enhanced partnership between China and ASEAN countries, with the two sides weaving a tighter economic fabric and unlocking new development potential, analysts said.

    Numerous infrastructure projects are having positive impacts across the region, enhancing connectivity and reducing logistics costs.

    In Laos, the over 1,000-km-long China-Laos Railway linking Vientiane, the capital of Laos, with Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, has helped convert the landlocked country into a land-linked hub, and significantly facilitated cross-border movement of people and goods since it started operating in December 2021.

    On the financial front, ASEAN and China are also working to strengthen the regional safety net against financial risks. An ASEAN+3 meeting, featuring ASEAN, China, Japan and Republic of Korea, was held early this month in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during which financial officials reached consensus on deepening policy coordination and strengthening regional financial safeguards.

    Moreover, collaborative efforts span a wide range of activities, with people-to-people and cultural exchanges, such as educational cooperation and visa-free travel arrangements, flourishing.

    Kheang Hong Kry, a Cambodian student studying electrical engineering at Guangxi University in Nanning, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, was excited about the establishment of the China-ASEAN Institute of Energy last month. Calling it “a bridge” of learning and cooperation, he said the institute gives international students access to cutting-edge knowledge in China’s energy and power sectors, laying a foundation for their future career development.

    New cooperation frontiers

    Emerging fields such as digital economy, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and clean energy are adding to the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and ASEAN.

    In Vietnam, Chinese-made agricultural drones are helping farmers spray pesticide, making their work easier and safer, while at Laem Chabang port in Thailand, China’s electric and self-driving trucks have become reliable partners of port workers. In addition, Malaysian national automaker Proton has launched its first electric vehicle model, which was co-developed with Chinese automaker Geely. In Indonesia, the Cirata floating solar power plant, constructed by a Chinese company, has boosted the country’s supply of renewable energy.

    Dato’ Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, told media that emerging fields such as green energy, electric vehicles and digital technology have provided new impetus for the expansion of cooperation between these two countries.

    Such cooperation will help Malaysia improve productivity, promote technology transfer and train talent, and contribute to Malaysia’s development and prosperity, he said.

    Zhou Mi, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, noted that the close ties between China and ASEAN are of great significance — not only to Asia but also to the broader international community.

    Zhou said deepening cooperation between the two sides will effectively facilitate the complementarity of their respective advantages. “It also provides a model for regional economic and trade rules integration, effectively boosting economic globalization.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s FDI inflow rises 13.2% in March

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow saw marginal recovery in March, in contrast to a decline seen in the first three months, official data showed Friday.

    FDI in the Chinese mainland in actual use climbed by 13.2 percent year on year last month, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. In the first three months, FDI inflow totaled 269.2 billion yuan (about 37.35 billion U.S. dollars), down 10.8 percent year on year.

    During the January-March period, 12,603 new foreign-invested enterprises were established nationwide, representing a year-on-year growth of 4.3 percent, the ministry said.

    In breakdown, actual use of FDI in the manufacturing and services industries during the three-month period stood at 71.51 billion yuan and 193.33 billion yuan, respectively.

    Meanwhile, actual use of FDI in high-tech sectors reached 78.61 billion yuan, with FDI in the e-commerce services sector, bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, aerospace equipment manufacturing sector and medical instrument manufacturing sector growing by 100.5 percent, 63.8 percent, 42.5 percent and 12.4 percent, respectively.

    Investments from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries jumped by 56.2 percent during the period, while those from the European Union increased by 11.7 percent, the data showed. Investments from Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the Republic of Korea grew by 76.8 percent, 60.5 percent, 29.1 percent, and 12.9 percent, respectively.

    MIL OSI China News –