NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia, Ukraine swap 492 prisoners of war

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Russia and Ukraine on Saturday exchanged 492 prisoners, said the Russian Defense Ministry.

    It said that 246 Russian servicemen were “returned from Kiev-controlled territory,” while 246 Ukrainian prisoners were freed as well.

    It added that Russia has handed over 31 wounded prisoners to Ukraine in exchange for 15 Russian soldiers requiring urgent medical care.

    The swap followed a negotiation process mediated by the United Arab Emirates, the ministry said.

    MIL OSI China News –

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

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    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: Xizang’s foreign trade surpasses 2.3B yuan in Q1

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    In the first quarter of this year, the total import and export value of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region reached 2.308 billion yuan (about 320.25 million U.S. dollars), a 5.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the customs of Lhasa, capital of the region.

    The figure exceeded the national foreign trade growth rate by 4.6 percentage points, Lhasa Customs said.

    Of the total, Xizang’s exports totaled 1.95 billion yuan, remaining stable compared with last year, while its imports amounted to 358 million yuan, marking a 56.7 percent year-on-year increase.

    This year, Xizang has fully leveraged its strategic location as a key gateway to South Asia, effectively connecting with the new western land-sea corridor, with the total volume of import and export cargo reaching 57,100 tonnes, a 27 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

    Customs data shows that among the many exported products, new energy vehicles and agricultural products continued solid performance. In the first quarter, 2,955 new energy vehicles were exported, an increase of 76.7 percent, while agricultural product exports reached 18,000 tonnes, growing by 10.4 percent.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 5th CICPE sees 92B yuan in intended deals

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The 5th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) attracted the participation of a record-breaking 1,767 companies and 4,209 consumer brands from 71 countries and regions this year, according to a press briefing on Friday.

    Events targeting global brands, e-commerce and country-specific suppliers led to 52 intended cooperation agreements, the value of which amounted to approximately 92 billion yuan (about 12.6 billion U.S. dollars), said Zeng Rong, chief economist at Hainan provincial bureau of international economic development.

    Countries including Slovakia, Singapore, Brazil, Armenia and Kazakhstan debuted their national pavilions at this year’s CICPE in south China’s Hainan Province. The United Kingdom, as the 2025 guest country of honor, occupied an exhibition area of over 1,300 square meters, showcasing 53 brands across the fashion, beauty, homeware, health and jewelry industries, doubling its 2024 presence.

    More than 60,000 professional purchasers attended — representing a 10 percent increase from last year. In tandem with the expo, the Ministry of Commerce also launched the “Shopping in China” campaign to stimulate domestic consumption, and introduced a dedicated exhibition to facilitate cooperation between foreign trade firms and domestic purchasers.

    Preparations for the 6th CICPE are underway, with hundreds of companies already registered or signed on to participate in the next edition of this event.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Policy steps key to tackling tariffs impact

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Facing headwinds from the United States’ sweeping tariffs, Chinese policymakers should take both short-term policy steps as well as long-term reform measures to expand domestic demand, tackle issues faced by enterprises and boost confidence among consumers and investors, economists from government-backed think tanks said on Friday.

    Although China’s economy performed better than expected in the first quarter, Wang Yiming, vice-chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, noted that the broader economy is still facing pressing challenges from the volatile tariff policy of the United States and insufficient domestic demand.

    “The foundation for sustained economic recovery is not yet solid,” he told a monthly economic meeting held by the China Center for International Economic Exchanges in Beijing on Friday. “Some enterprises still face production and operational difficulties amid tepid price levels.”

    Looking ahead, Wang said the government should provide both policy stimulus as well as strengthen reform measures to effectively expand domestic demand.

    “In the face of external shocks and mounting uncertainties, it is essential to introduce new incremental policies in a timely manner based on evolving circumstances,” he said.

    “The priority is to take strong measures to comprehensively expand domestic demand and stabilize the fundamentals of the domestic economy … More importantly, breakthroughs must be accelerated in deepening reforms and expanding high-standard opening-up, laying a solid foundation for achieving the annual growth target of around 5 percent this year.”

    According to the Government Work Report, the country will pursue a more proactive fiscal policy and exercise a moderately loose monetary policy this year, with the projected deficit-to-GDP ratio set at 4 percent for 2025, up from 3 percent last year.

    Wang said the country should increase spending on areas related to improving people’s livelihoods, stepping up investment to address weak links in fields such as preschool education, healthcare and elderly care, culture and sports, tourism and leisure, and domestic services.

    More efforts should also be made to further spur consumption, increase the support for enterprises in difficulties and deepen reforms in key areas. Potential moves will include increasing incomes and relieving burdens on low-to-middle-income groups, offering stronger subsidies for people in difficulties, extending reductions on taxes and fees for micro and small businesses and accelerating the legislative process for private economy promotion law, he added.

    At a study session held by the State Council, China’s Cabinet, on Thursday, Premier Li Qiang stressed the importance of improving social expectations and coordinating efforts to address risks and challenges while advancing high-quality development.

    Policies should be targeted and tailored to address specific issues, he said, adding that the timing of policy introductions should be carefully considered to exert positive influence on market expectations.

    He also called for efforts to accelerate the implementation of major strategies and reforms, guide the development of clear and stable market expectations, and improve the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of all business entities.

    During Friday’s economic meeting, Niu Li, deputy director of the Department of Economic Forecasting at the State Information Center, said he believed China’s economy is on track for sustained growth despite facing external challenges, given the nation’s ample policy space, its intensified efforts to deepen reforms and opening-up and the strengthening of new growth drivers.

    “We will strive to achieve the annual growth target this year,” he added. “Facing mounting uncertainties, we also need to accelerate the study of new incremental policy measures.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s installed power generation capacity up 14.6%

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s cumulative installed power generation capacity reached 3.43 billion kilowatts by the end of March, marking a year-on-year increase of 14.6 percent, official data showed on Sunday.

    Solar power generation capacity amounted to 950 million kilowatts by the end of last month, surging 43.4 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the National Energy Administration (NEA).

    Wind power generation capacity stood at 540 million kilowatts by the end of March, rising 17.2 percent year on year, according to the NEA data.

    In the first three months of 2025, China’s major power generation companies invested 132.2 billion yuan (about 18.34 billion U.S. dollars) in power generation projects, down 2.5 percent year on year.

    During the same period, investments in power grid projects reached 95.6 billion yuan, up 24.8 percent year on year, the NEA data showed.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Policy focus on consumption to drive growth

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s pro-consumption initiatives — a top priority of the country’s policy agenda for this year — are expected to shore up consumer confidence and unleash the potential of domestic demand to stimulate economic growth, while hedging the impact of the United States’ tariff hikes, said officials, economists and executives.

    They noted that China has demonstrated firm determination to further vitalize the consumer market and address prominent constraints on consumption by bolstering people’s well-being amid rising trade protectionism and external uncertainties, with a particular focus on stabilizing jobs, increasing household income and alleviating financial burdens.

    A comprehensive policy package to boost consumption will accelerate the country’s shift toward a consumption-driven growth model from an export- and investment-led growth model, they said. The economists and executives also projected a robust recovery for China’s consumer market this year, with concrete measures aimed at strengthening consumers’ ability and willingness to spend gradually taking effect.

    President Xi Jinping has emphasized efforts to expand domestic demand, as well as establish and improve a long-term mechanism for expanding residents’ consumption, so that residents can consume with the help of stable income, dare to consume without worries, and are willing to consume due to the excellent consumption environment and strong sense of gain. Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when attending the second group study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee in January 2023.

    According to the Central Economic Work Conference held in December last year, the foremost priority for policymakers in 2025 is to vigorously boost consumption, improve investment efficiency and expand domestic demand on all fronts. This year’s Government Work Report also listed boosting consumption as a top priority among major tasks for 2025.

    China will make expanding domestic demand a long-term strategy, while solid measures should be taken to stabilize employment, boost incomes and create demand with high-quality supply, Premier Li Qiang said earlier this month when chairing a symposium on the economic situation.

    The fifth China International Consumer Products Expo, which was held last week in Haikou, Hainan province, is a strong testimony to the vitality and resilience of the nation’s consumer market. The event attracted more than 60,000 professional purchasers, a 10 percent increase from last year, with the value of intended deals reaching around 92 billion yuan ($12.6 billion).

    To stimulate domestic demand and solve key challenges weighing on consumer sentiment, the general offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, China’s Cabinet, recently issued a special action plan for boosting consumption.

    Li Chunlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that unlike past policies that primarily targeted the supply side, the new plan places great emphasis on stepping up policy support on the demand side by raising people’s income and reducing financial burdens.

    The plan calls for promoting wage growth by strengthening employment support and raising minimum wage standards in a scientific and reasonable manner, and it includes stabilizing the stock market to expand property income channels, he said, adding that these measures will give consumers more stable expectations and greater confidence in their spending power.

    He said that dedicated efforts have been outlined in the plan to integrate consumption growth with improving people’s livelihoods, such as easing household burdens in areas like child care, education, healthcare and old-age insurance.

    The country is drafting a child care subsidy plan and will expand financial assistance for basic medical insurance.

    “China’s efforts to boost domestic demand can offset the impact of US tariff hikes,” said Sun Xuegong, director of the department of policy study and consultation at the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, an NDRC think tank, while emphasizing that the nation’s economic fundamentals are sound, with a strong manufacturing sector and great market potential.

    Sun highlighted the need for a comprehensive policy mix to spur consumption, including short-term moves such as issuing consumption coupons, as well as long-term spending on strengthening the social security network.

    Pan Helin, a member of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s Expert Committee for Information and Communication Economy, said that expanding domestic demand by boosting consumption could effectively help buffer external headwinds and prop up economic vibrancy.

    The consumer-centered stimulus measures will reduce China’s reliance on exports and investment for growth and facilitate its transition to a more consumption-led economy in the face of an increasingly complicated international situation and sluggish global recovery, Pan said.

    Driving force

    Consumption has become the main driving force behind China’s economic growth. Last year, the final consumption expenditure contributed 44.5 percent to the nation’s GDP growth, surpassing investment and exports, and drove a 2.2 percentage point increase in GDP, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics. Robin Xing, chief China economist at Morgan Stanley, said it would be “a brilliant idea” for China to take bigger reform steps to transfer more State-owned capital to the social security system, in order to enhance migrant workers’ benefits as a key means to driving consumption growth.

    “China is trying something new — a more proactive fiscal policy with a greater focus on consumption,” he said, adding that about one-fourth of this year’s increment in augmented fiscal deficit, worth around 2 trillion yuan, will be spent on consumption-related areas such as subsidizing an expanded consumer goods trade-in program and boosting social welfare.

    Xing said that apart from short-term consumption subsidies, the more fundamental solution lies in social security reforms, such as offering easier access to public housing and healthcare for migrant workers, which will reduce their precautionary saving habits and unleash huge consumption potential.

    According to the 2025 Government Work Report, China will double its ultra-long-term special treasury bonds earmarked for expansion of the consumer goods trade-in program to 300 billion yuan this year, amid a broader drive to boost domestic demand and spur economic growth.

    Data from the NDRC shows that under the trade-in program, retail sales of new energy passenger vehicles nationwide reached around 1.34 million units in the first two months, up 26 percent year-on-year, while sales of home appliances featuring the highest level of energy efficiency surged 36 percent year-on-year to 24.1 billion yuan during the same period.

    Jia Shaoqian, chairman of Chinese home appliance manufacturer Hisense Group, said the country’s trade-in program has not only stimulated the consumer market and bolstered consumption upgrades, but has also significantly promoted the green transformation of the home appliance industry, while improving people’s quality of life.

    Purchasing appetite

    In order to further stimulate the purchasing appetite of consumers, Li Gang, director of the department of market operation and consumption promotion at the Ministry of Commerce, underscored that more efforts will be made to accelerate the development of service-based consumption.

    Efforts will also be made to nurture diversified purchasing scenarios and new types of consumption in the digital, green and intelligent fields, Li added.

    Zou Yunhan, deputy director of the Macroeconomic Research Office at the State Information Center’s Department of Economic Forecasting, said that China’s consumption market is poised for steady growth this year fueled by a series of supportive measures.

    Zou highlighted that new business forms and new models related to consumption can better meet people’s demand for consumption, upgrading and motivating their purchasing enthusiasm, which in turn will provide fresh momentum and robust support for the sustained growth of the consumer market.

    Hideki Ozawa, executive vice-president of Japanese tech company Canon, said, “We are confident that with the support of national consumption promotion policies, we can return to the golden era of the camera market.”

    China’s focus on consumption-led growth serves as a powerful driver of economic stability and will contribute to the country’s overall economic recovery, Ozawa added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Iran’s FM says indirect talks with US ‘constructive’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said the negotiations with U.S. delegations in Rome were held in a “constructive” atmosphere and are making progress, according to Iran’s IRIB news agency.

    He made the remarks at the end of the second round of the Omani-mediated indirect talks between Iranian and U.S. delegations, headed by him and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff respectively, on Iran’s nuclear program and removal of Washington’s sanctions.

    Araghchi described the four-hour meeting as “good” and “forward-moving,” adding that both sides had reached a better understanding of several key principles and objectives.

    He also noted that technical negotiations at the expert level are set to begin in Oman by Wednesday, where the details of the agreement’s framework may be discussed.

    He added that the negotiators would meet in Oman next Saturday again to discuss the result of the experts’ work.

    The just concluded indirect talks were the second round between U.S. and Iranian delegations. The first round of the talks was held last Saturday in the Omani capital Muscat, which were described by both sides as “constructive.”

    The talks 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: Israeli PM says Hamas rejects deal to return half of living hostages

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday evening that Hamas had rejected a proposal for the return of half of the living hostages in Gaza by demanding the end of the war and an Israeli military retreat from Gaza.

    “If we capitulate to the dictates of Hamas now, all the great achievements of the war … will disappear,” said Netanyahu in a recorded video statement.

    In the statement, the Israeli prime minister also dismissed the idea that Israel could deceive Hamas into freeing all the hostages and then resume the war, arguing that the international community would not accept such a move.

    Earlier in the day, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, released a new video showing an Israeli hostage held in Gaza.

    The four-minute video features Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot speaking on a landline phone, seemingly making a call to his family to continue their efforts for his release.

    “My health is not good. I am screaming for death. Please, do this for me,” he said at the end of the recording.

    The Al-Qassam Brigades concluded the video with the message, “They will not return except in a capacity,” in reference to the hostages.

    It remains unclear when the video was recorded.

    Israeli media reported that the video’s release triggered demonstrations in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beersheba, and Haifa, where thousands called on the government to secure the release of captives without delay.

    Meanwhile, Israel’s military operation has been continuing in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that its armored forces killed more than 40 Hamas militants in the Rafah area, southern Gaza Strip, over the weekend.

    MIL OSI China News –

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

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    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: 7th batch of emergency humanitarian aid supplies by Chinese gov’t arrives in quake-hit Myanmar

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The seventh batch of emergency humanitarian aid supplies dispatched by the Chinese government arrives at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The seventh batch of emergency humanitarian aid supplies dispatched by the Chinese government on Sunday arrived at Yangon International Airport, Myanmar, which was hit by a devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake on March 28.

    The aid supplies include 800,000 boxes of amoxicillin capsules, 122,000 bottles of paracetamol and mannitol injection, 225,000 boxes of cefradine capsules, and 480,000 bottles of ibuprofen tablets, with a total weight of 95 tons.

    The earthquake has claimed 3,726 lives and injuring 5,105 people, with 129 others remaining unaccounted for as of April 18, according to Myanmar’s official data.

    MIL OSI China News –

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

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    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: Rising temperatures boost outdoor activities and consumption in China’s Chongqing

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

    Rising temperatures boost outdoor activities and consumption in China’s Chongqing

    Updated: April 21, 2025 07:16 Xinhua
    Runners cross the finish line in a race held in Jiangbei District, southwest China’s Chongqing, April 13, 2025. Eager to break free from the confines of winter, Chinese people are embracing outdoor activities as spring offers seemingly endless opportunities to keep fit and revel in the beauty of nature. As temperatures edge up, marathons, cycling, fishing and camping have transformed parks and commercial districts into vibrant hubs of activity, igniting a dynamic wave of consumption. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People select goods at a Decathlon store on Nanbin Road, Nan’an District, southwest China’s Chongqing, April 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People select goods at a Decathlon store on Nanbin Road, Nan’an District, southwest China’s Chongqing, April 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Renovation project on Beijing’s east sixth ring road opened to traffic

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

    Renovation project on Beijing’s east sixth ring road opened to traffic

    Updated: April 21, 2025 07:26 Xinhua
    A vehicle runs inside a shield tunnel along the east sixth ring road in Beijing, capital of China, April 20, 2025. A renovation project on Beijing’s east sixth ring road was opened to traffic upon full completion on Sunday. The renovated section is about 16.3 kilometers in length, including a 7.4-kilometer-long shield tunnel. The project helps improve expressway transport across the core area of Beijing’s sub-center Tongzhou District. [China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 20, 2025 shows the portals at one end of a shield tunnel along the east sixth ring road in Beijing, capital of China. [China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua]
    Technicians patrol inside the emergency access of a shield tunnel along the east sixth ring road in Beijing, capital of China, April 20, 2025. [China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 20, 2025 shows a shield tunnel along the east sixth ring road in Beijing, capital of China. [China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Security without submarines: the military strategy Australia should pursue instead of AUKUS

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Palazzo, Adjunct Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at UNSW Canberra, UNSW Sydney

    For more than a century, Australia has followed the same defence policy: dependence on a great power. This was first the United Kingdom and then the United States.

    Without properly considering other options, successive federal governments have intensified this policy with the AUKUS agreement and locked Australia into dependency on the US for decades to come.

    A more imaginative and innovative government would have investigated different ways to achieve a strong and independent national defence policy.

    One that, for instance, didn’t require Australia to surrender its sovereignty to a foreign power. Nor require the acquisition of fabulously expensive nuclear-powered submarines and the building of overpriced, under-gunned surface warships, such as the Hunter frigates.

    In fact, in an age of rapidly improving uncrewed systems, Australia does not need any crewed warships or submarines at all.

    Instead, Australia should lean into a military philosophy that I describe in my upcoming book, The Big Fix: Rebuilding Australia’s National Security. This is known as the “strategic defensive”.

    What is the strategic defensive?

    The strategic defensive is a method of waging war employed throughout history, although the term’s use only dates to the early 19th century.

    It doesn’t require a state to defeat its attacker. Rather, the state must deny the aggressor the ability to achieve their objectives.

    The strategic defensive best suits “status quo states” like Australia. The people of status quo states are happy with what they have. Their needs can be met without recourse to intimidation or violence.

    These states also tend to be militarily weak relative to potential aggressors, and aren’t aggressors themselves.

    In short: if war eventuates, Australia’s only goal is to prevent a change to the status quo.

    In this way, strategic defensive would suit very well as the intellectual foundation of Australia’s security policy.

    Strong reasons for a strategic defensive approach

    There are also sound military and technological reasons why Australia should frame its security around the strategic defensive.

    First, defence is the naturally stronger position in war, compared to attack.

    It is harder to capture ground (including sea and airspace) than it is to hold it. All aggressors must attack into the unknown, bringing their support with them. Defenders, by contrast, can fall back onto a known space and the provisions it can supply.

    Military thinkers generally agree that to succeed in war, an attacker needs a three-to-one strength advantage over the defender.

    And the wide water moat surrounding the Australian continent greatly complicates and increases the cost of any aggressor’s effort to harm us.

    Australia could also use weapons now available to enhance the inherent power of being the defending side. Its task need only be making any attack prohibitively expensive, in terms of equipment and human life.

    Long-range strike missiles and drones, combined with sensors, provide the defending nation with the opportunity to create a lethal killing zone around it. This is what China has done in the East and South China Seas.

    Australia can do the same by integrating missiles, drones and uncrewed maritime vessels with a sensor network linked to a command-control-targeting system.

    Missiles and drones are a better buy when compared to the nuclear-powered submarines Australia hopes to acquire from the United States, as well as the warships – including more submarines – the government plans to build in the Osborn and Henderson shipyards.

    And most importantly, they are available now.

    A smarter strategy

    A defensive network also makes strategic sense for Australia, unlike the planned AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines. Australia has no need to operate in distant waters, such as those off the coast of China.

    In addition, Australia can afford so few vessels that their deterrence effect is not credible. Missiles and drones are vastly cheaper, meaning Australia can buy them in the thousands.

    Australia is making the mistake of focusing on the platform – expensive ships and planes – rather than the effect needed: the destruction of a potential enemy with swarms of weapons.

    In fact, the age of large crewed warships, both on and below the sea, is coming to an end. Long-range strike technology means the sea can now be controlled from the land. Rapidly improving sensors make it impossible for attackers to hide on, below or above the surface of the ocean.

    A better bet would be for Australia to invest in uncrewed surface and sub-surface maritime vessels to patrol its approaches, as well as large numbers of land-based launchers and missiles.

    For a small power such as Australia, investing in this makes more sense than a small, bespoke number of extremely expensive and vulnerable warships.

    It’s not too late to rethink

    It is clear Australian leaders have decided to intensify Australia’s dependence on the US rather than seeking to create a military capable of securing the nation on our own .

    The cost is nigh-on ruinous in terms of not just money, but also the entanglement in foreign-led wars and potential reputational loss.

    Perhaps worst of all, the nation is making itself into a target – possibly a nuclear target – if war between the US and China was to eventuate.

    This need not have been the outcome of the government’s recent defence reviews. But it’s not too late to rethink.

    By adopting a different military philosophy as the guide for its security decision-making, Australia could manage its security largely on its own.

    This only requires leaders with a willingness to think differently.

    This is the first piece in a series on the future of defence in Australia.

    Albert Palazzo is not a member of a political party but does occasional volunteer work for The Greens. In 2019, he retired from the Department of Defence. He was the long-serving Director of War Studies for the Australian Army.

    – ref. Security without submarines: the military strategy Australia should pursue instead of AUKUS – https://theconversation.com/security-without-submarines-the-military-strategy-australia-should-pursue-instead-of-aukus-253107

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Games test event concludes

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The 15th National Games Beach Volleyball test event held at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay between April 18 and 20 concluded successfully, the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) said today.

    The three-day test event, with the participation of nine men’s teams and eight women’s teams, was organised by the NGCO and co-organised by the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China, with the China Volleyball Association as adviser.

    Participating teams in the men’s and women’s tournaments first competed in the group stage before they reached the knockout round. Wong Pui-lam and Chong Kei-loi finally triumphed in the men’s tournament, while Tsang Ngok-ling and Wong Man-ching claimed the championship title in the women’s tournament.

    The test event covered a wide array of areas, including the operation and procedures of events, organisation of competition, setup of function rooms, information systems, medical services, security, broadcast arrangements, sports presentation and award presentation, and volunteer services.

    Around 1,300 national games volunteers participated in the three-day test event, providing services including assistance at the event, audience services inside and outside the venue, assistance at accreditation and security check counters.

    Among the volunteers, around 170 were on duty daily throughout the event and responsible for rendering support at the competition venue, such as levelling sand at the main court and side court, retrieving balls and operating manual scoreboards.

    The NGCO and related government departments and units, including the Hospital Authority, the Fire Services Department and the Auxiliary Medical Service as well as the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China, conducted a simulation exercise on April 19 at the venue to enhance the capabilities of each department and unit in dealing with contingencies during the event.

    NGCO Head Yeung Tak-keung said that it will review the event procedures and other details with various related organisations and government departments, with a view to better preparing for the official events to be held in November.

    Click here for information on the National Games.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Instant tax refunds give wings to China Travel

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

    BEIJING, April 20 — At a bustling department store in Guangzhou, south China, a Singaporean surnamed Lee picked up more than just premium Chinese tea for friends and family — he also walked away with a tax refund, pocketed instantly at the point of purchase.

    “Super convenient,” said the tech entrepreneur, who was in town for a tech fair, applauding China’s new refund policy that spares international travelers the long queues at airports and puts money back in their accounts then and there.

    China is expanding the coverage of instant tax refunds to improve the experience for international travelers. In Shanghai, the service has been available in about half of the city’s tax refund partner stores.

    The policy, extended nationwide on April 8, builds on a slew of recent efforts by China to boost global exchanges and mobility, such as easing its visa policies, enhancing payment accessibility, and streamlining customs clearance.

    These shifts have made exploring the country easier than ever, fueling a surge in “China Travel” content on social media platforms. For example, U.S. content creator IShowSpeed documented his kung fu journey at the famous Shaolin Temple in central China, captivating global audiences.

    In 2024, China recorded 64.88 million border crossings by foreign nationals, an 82.9 percent increase year on year. In the first quarter of 2025, this number stood at 17.44 million, up 33.4 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

    During Lee’s ten-day stay in China, he zipped through industrial parks, financial centers, and high-tech hubs across the industrial powerhouse, bringing home not just souvenirs but also promising partnerships.

    Analysts believe that the recent expansion of the tax refund policy will increase spending by inbound travelers, spur growth in China’s tourism sector, and draw more visitors eager to explore the country.

    On the ground, the effects are already visible. At the Grand Pacific, a shopping mall in downtown Beijing, staff reported long queues at tax refund counters. “It’s now routine to see waves of foreign tourists lining up. Some leave with a few items, others with entire hauls,” one employee said.

    Qin Yi, manager of a porcelain shop in Shanghai, noted that foreign tourists who receive instant tax refunds in cash often make additional purchases on the spot — a trend that has helped drive up the store’s overall sales.

    Inbound consumption in China is expected to exceed 1.5 trillion yuan (around 205 billion U.S. dollars) over the next five years, said economist Hong Tao at Beijing Technology and Business University. In 2024, inbound travelers spent over 94.2 billion dollars in China, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

    As U.S. tariffs inflate the cost of Chinese imports, traveling to China makes more economic sense for savvy American shoppers.

    Thanks to the new transit policy for citizens from 54 countries, including the United States, Americans can now stay in the country for up to 240 hours without a visa. Pair that with the freshly expanded refund-upon-purchase policy, and travelers would get a compelling formula: travel, shop, save — and repeat.

    “There’s no middleman taking a cut,” as many put it. And the math checks out: with an 11 percent refund rate, spending 10,000 yuan gets people 1,100 yuan back. Though a service fee is charged, luxury goods, electronics, and other high-value items still look a lot more attractive.

    Far from dimming their allure, U.S. tariffs have thrown a new spotlight on Chinese products, long prized for both quality and affordability.

    “If the high U.S. tariffs persist, we may see the rise of a ‘daigou’ trade,” said Wang Huayu, an associate professor of fiscal and tax law at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, referring to a practice that Americans pay intermediaries to shop in China on their behalf.

    However, delivering a premium shopping experience to attract inbound travelers requires more than policy changes, said experts.

    It is important to bring more shops and a wider range of goods into the refund-upon-purchase program, said Hong.

    Wang Peng, a researcher at Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, pointed to the power of digital contracts to slash the tax refund process down to mere seconds.

    He also highlighted how artificial intelligence could step in to ease peak-hour pressure, standardize shopping services, and close infrastructure gaps across regions.

    In Guangzhou, where Singaporean visitor Lee explored, a commentary carried by a local newspaper on April 10 has called for more efforts to identify choke points to make shopping in China more enjoyable.

    “I’ll visit China again — and next time, I’m bringing my family and friends along,” said Lee.

    MIL OSI China News –

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

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

    WUHAN, April 20 — 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: China expected to achieve higher grain output in 2025: report

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

    BEIJING, April 20 — 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 Asia-Pac: InvestHK visits India to promote Hong Kong’s business advantages and opportunities (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         ​Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) Mr Charles Ng will commence his duty visit to Mumbai and New Delhi in India today (April 20), highlighting Hong Kong’s unrivalled role as a gateway for Indian companies to expand into Mainland China and across North Asia and Southeast Asia.

         A highlight of the visit is the event Gateway to Growth: Exploring Business & Investment Opportunities in and via Hong Kong, jointly organised by InvestHK, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. As a keynote speaker, Mr Ng will update the participants on the latest developments in Hong Kong’s business landscape, as well as the strategic advantages of establishing operations in Hong Kong for Indian companies.

         Mr Ng said, “As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, India is not only a major start-up base but also is home to numerous high-net-worth individuals and wealthy families seeking diversified investment opportunities. Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to meet these needs. Our vibrant start-up ecosystem, boasting nearly 4 700 ventures in AI, healthtech, fintech, Web3 and other cutting-edge fields offers exceptional opportunities for Indian start-ups and investors alike. Moreover, our New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme offers an attractive pathway for Indian wealthy families looking to combine investment with the option of living in the city.”

         Mr Ng’s visit includes high-level discussions with prominent Indian firms and investors focusing on establishing a presence in Hong Kong to capitalise on its strategic advantages for global growth. Hong Kong’s business-friendly environment, characterised by clear and transparent regulations, a simple and low tax regime, robust capital markets and free capital flows, positions the city as the ideal platform for Indian companies exploring expansion opportunities.

         Mr Ng added, “With its unique position at the heart of Asia, world-class financial infrastructure, and deep connectivity with Mainland China and global markets, Hong Kong can empower Indian businesses to scale regionally and compete globally. This visit underscores InvestHK’s commitment to strengthening Hong Kong–India ties by fostering greater investment and innovation between the two places.”

         The economic synergy between Hong Kong and India is profound. In 2024, India ranked as Hong Kong’s ninth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade amounting to approximately US$26 billion. Hong Kong is home to a vibrant and long-standing Indian community of over 42 000 people. Bilateral ties have been further reinforced by the Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, signed in March 2018 and enhanced through a protocol in November 2018, which provides a robust framework for cross-border trade and investment.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WAVES 2025 Animation Film makers Challenge announces top 42 finalists

    Source: Government of India

    WAVES 2025 Animation Film makers Challenge announces top 42 finalists

    WAVES brings to the fore a global showcase of original Animation, VFX, AR/VR & Virtual Productions

    Talented finalists of animation film-making competition to pitch their projects in WAVES 2025

    Posted On: 19 APR 2025 12:03PM by PIB Mumbai

    : Mumbai, April 19, 2025

    The finalists of the Animation Film Makers Competition (AFC) being held as part of the ‘Create in India Challenge Season-1’ of WAVES 2025 has been announced. The best 42 projects, focussing on original storytelling across the entire spectrum of animation, encompassing traditional animation, VFX, Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR), and virtual production, have made it to the final round. These talented participants will now have the opportunity to pitch their original projects during the WAVE Summit which will be held in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025. The top 3 winners will each receive a cash prize of up to INR 5 Lakhs.

    The selection of the top-42 finalists was the result of a rigorous nine-month evaluation process led by the Dancing Atoms team, in collaboration with the WAVES team. The  dedicated efforts of the participants were complemented by the discerning expertise of an esteemed panel of national and international jury members, including:

    ●     Anu Singh

    ●     Farrukh Dhondy

    ●     Dan Sarto

    ●     James Knight

    ●     Jan Nagel

    ●     Gianmarco Serra

    ●     Indu Ramchandani

    The talented finalists, who will now have the opportunity to pitch their original projects in Mumbai, are: Abhijeet Saxena, Anika Rajesh, Anirban Majumder, Anuj Kumar Choudhary, Arundhati Sarkar, Atreyee Poddar, Bhagat Singh Saini, Bhagyashree Satapathy, Bimal Poddar, Catharina Dian Wiraswati S, Gadam Jagadish Prasad Yadav, Gargi Gawthe, Harish Narayan Iyer, Harshita Das, Hirak Jyoti Nath, Isha Chandna, Jacqueline C Ching, Jyothi Kalyan Sura, Khambor Batei Kharjana, Kishore Kumar Kedari, Kiruthika Ramasubramanian, Makam Neha, Martand Anand Ugalmugle, Nandan Balakrishnan, Piyush Kumar, Prasanth Kumar Nagadasi, Prasenjit Singha, Richa Bhutani, Rishav Mohanty, Rohit Sankhla, Sandhra Mary, Sangeeta Poddar, Segun Samson, Shreeyaa Vinayak Pore, Shreya Sachdev, Shrikant S Menon, Srikanth Bhogi, Shubham Tomar, Shweta Subhash Marathe, Sundar Mahalingam, Sukankan Roy, Triparna Maiti, Tuhin Chanda, Vamsi Bandaru, Vetriveare.

     

    The potential economic impact of their projects is significant, with each animated VFX feature film capable of generating employment for 100-300 individuals. WAVES AFC 2025 represents a crucial investment in creative talents of India, fostering job creation and global opportunities. The competition’s ambition extends to fostering international co-productions.

    This groundbreaking global initiative, supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and spearheaded by Dancing Atoms, marks the first time all four verticals of the AVGC sector are represented under one umbrella in such a competition.

    WAVES AFC 2025 garnered an overwhelming response, receiving approximately 1900 registrations and 419 diverse entries from amateur enthusiasts, talented students, and seasoned professionals worldwide. This enthusiastic participation underscores the competition’s vital role in identifying and nurturing fresh creative voices within the animation industry.

    Beyond showcasing talent, the initiative has prioritized mentorship at all stages. All contestants, regardless of their final selection, benefited from invaluable masterclasses led by renowned industry leaders such as Academy Award winner Guneet Monga, acclaimed producer Shobu Yarlagadda, and Saraswathi Buyyala. These sessions focused on refining pitching skills and navigating the complexities of the industry. These projects will be pitched to various OTT platforms and key industry players. Dancing Atoms Studios founder Saraswathi Buyyala is actively engaging with embassies from 17 countries (Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom) to facilitate collaborations for these top- 42 projects. In order to promote these projects, meetings are also being scheduled with prominent distributors. The top 42 projects represent a diverse spectrum, including 12 feature films, 9 TV series, 3 AR/VR experiences, and 18 short films, offering a rich variety for potential viewers and collaborators.

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s crucial support has been instrumental in elevating AFC WAVES 2025 to its current stature. The dedication to fostering original storytelling within the animation, VFX, AR/VR, and virtual production sectors has provided invaluable resources and recognition, empowering emerging talent on a significant platform. This  competition and its rigorous screening processes and enriching learning opportunities, underscored the government’s commitment to nurturing India’s creative potential in the dynamic world of animation. Each selected entry offers a unique narrative and showcases diverse creative approaches, including compelling international submissions. Going forward, the future of animation, VFX, AR/VR, and virtual production storytelling will unfold at WAVES AFC 2025.

    About WAVES

    The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

    Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.

    WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).

    Have questions? Find answers here  

    Stay updated with the latest announcements from PIB Team WAVES

    Come, Sail with us! Register for WAVES now

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE meets Director of General Administration of Sport of China (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Director of the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC), Mr Gao Zhidan, at Government House today (April 19) to exchange views on Hong Kong’s preparations for the 15th National Games. The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, also attended the meeting.
     
    Mr Lee welcomed Mr Gao and his delegation to Hong Kong and expressed gratitude for Mr Gao’s opinions and guidance on the preparation work for the 15th National Games in Hong Kong. Mr Lee said he is pleased to meet Mr Gao again since they last met during his visit to Harbin in February. He thanked the GASC for its continued support for Hong Kong’s sports development and noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will maintain close co-operation with the GASC to further enhance sports exchanges and co-operation, as well as integrated development between Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
     
    Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government will press ahead with the preparation work for the 15th National Games in Hong Kong and continue to conduct test events to ensure readiness for the official events. The HKSAR Government is committed to working closely with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government to conduct a simple, safe and wonderful 15th National Games.
     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Canton Fair sees 20.2 percent rise in overseas buyers

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

    Canton Fair sees 20.2 percent rise in overseas buyers

    Updated: April 20, 2025 16:31 Xinhua
    This photo taken on April 18, 2025 shows the venue of the 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province. The first phase of the 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, concluded here on Saturday. By April 19, a total of 148,585 overseas buyers from 216 countries and regions had attended the event, marking a 20.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Overseas buyers view air cleaner exhibits during the 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, April 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 18, 2025 shows the exhibition zone of new energy vehicles during the 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 16, 2025 shows a scene at the venue of the 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 2025 Asian Forum on Human Rights opens in SW China

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The 2025 Asian Forum on Human Rights opens in Chongqing, southwest China, April 19, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the Human Rights Institute of the Southwest University of Political Science and Law]
    The 2025 Asian Forum on Human Rights opened in Chongqing, southwest China, on April 19, bringing together scholars to explore the relationship between technological advancements and human rights.
    The forum, hosted by the Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL), was organized under the theme “Science & Technology and Human Rights.”
    Jiang Jianguo, executive vice president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, said at the opening ceremony that Asian countries’ shared history, development realities and cultural traditions provide a foundation for human rights discussions. He emphasized continued efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind, placing human survival and development at the center of technological innovation.
    He urged greater application of technological advances in climate, food security and health care, ensuring that innovation benefits all of humanity.
    SWUPL President Lin Wei, who also serves as dean of its Human Rights Institute, spoke about how technology redefines the human experience. Lin said that if human rights are understood as “the conditions that make one human,” then technology is significantly expanding those conditions.
    However, Lin warned that technological innovation poses new challenges to human rights protection. He highlighted emerging technologies such as gene editing and brain-computer interfaces, which, if misused, could create a “biological class divide,” undermining equality and human dignity.
    Lin stressed the need to harmonize technological progress with human rights, affirming that the non-transferable bottom line of human values must be upheld to ensure technology liberates humanity rather than dehumanizes it.
    In his keynote address, Jayanath Colombage, director general of the Institute of National Security Studies of Sri Lanka, discussed artificial intelligence’s influence on human rights, particularly autonomous weapon systems.
    Colombage expressed concerns about the risks of autonomous weapon systems, which could lead to wrongful killings and indiscriminate attacks, threatening the fundamental right to life. He stressed that without the right to life, no other rights can be enjoyed.
    He called for international governance and regulation to establish legal and ethical standards for autonomous weapons deployment.
    Zamir Ahmed Awan, founding chair of the Global Silk Road Research Alliance think tank, examined the relationship between technological competition and justice.
    Awan said access to advanced technologies is a key component of human rights and criticized the United States for limiting opportunities for international students. He condemned the U.S. government’s recent cancellation of visas or legal status for more than 1,000 international students, calling it a human rights violation.
    In contrast, Awan praised the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative for promoting international cooperation, sharing economic development experiences and cultivating high-tech talent through partnerships.
    A key highlight of the forum was the participants’ consensus that technology must be fundamentally oriented toward the protection of human rights.
    Participants said Asia needs to lead regional collaboration on human rights issues in emerging technologies. They called for efforts to build an equitable and inclusive global science and technology framework that advances the fulfillment of human rights.
    The forum also included three parallel sessions on emerging human rights issues in Asia, technology for good and other topics.
    This year’s forum builds on the inaugural Asian Forum on Human Rights held at Renmin University of China in 2022. The first forum centered on the theme of “Environment & Climate Change and Human Rights,” underscoring the vital link between environmental challenges and human rights.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s new cargo spacecraft to make public debut

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

    SHANGHAI, April 20 — Space enthusiasts in Shanghai will have the chance to see a life-size model of China’s next-generation cargo craft Qingzhou, designed for future in-orbit supply delivery, during the upcoming Space Day celebrations.

    Qingzhou, which means “Light Ship” in Chinese, has been designed to be smaller in size and lighter in weight, compared to the existing Tianzhou (Sky Ship) cargo craft.

    Developed by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the new launch vehicle weighs about 5 tonnes and is capable of sending at least 1.8 tonnes of supplies into space. It features an internal volume of 27 cubic meters. It can accommodate up to 300 liters for cold-chain transportation, enabling taikonauts to enjoy more and fresher fruits and vegetables during their space journeys.

    According to Shu Rong, commander of the Qingzhou project, the spacecraft has been developed at a lower cost, thanks to numerous technological innovations and a more efficient launch process.

    Apart from delivering supplies to China’s space station, Qingzhou will also provide commercial cargo services in the future, aiming to bring economic and social benefits, Shu said.

    China designated April 24 as Space Day to mark the successful launch of its first satellite on April 24, 1970.

    This year’s Space Day celebrations include space science exhibitions and cultural forums. Lunar samples collected on the moon’s near and far sides will also be on display at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center from April 24 to May 5.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World’s 1st humanoid half marathon heralds new era of intelligence

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Robotic participant “NOETIX N2” (Front R) is seen after the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeastern Beijing, China, April 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    As the starter pistols sounded on Saturday morning, history was made. On the outskirts of Beijing, servos hummed and joints whirred as 20 bipedal robots bolted from the starting line, kicking off the world’s first humanoid robot half marathon.
    For the very first time, humanoid machines stepped onto a long-distance race track to compete alongside human runners, blurring the line between athletics and invention, and heralding a new era of robotic intelligence.
    Over the past few months, Chinese startup teams have been dominating the global robotics stage with inventions that can perform impressive stunts like dances, backflips, and Tai Chi. Powered by recent exponential leaps in AI, these machines have moved on from mechanical motions to remarkably lifelike movements.
    Their designers believe that now is the perfect moment to showcase China’s growing prowess in robotics manufacturing in a more eye-catching way.
    Saturday’s long-distance race put the durability and stamina of these Chinese inventions to the test, though battery replacements akin to pit stops in the F1 Grand Prix were permitted. Robots navigated diverse terrains, including smooth asphalt, cracked roads, puddles, and both gentle and steep slopes.
    Prior to the highly anticipated race, the robot runners were surrounded by three to four mechanical and software engineers. The air crackled with tension as the final adjustments were made to various mechanicians, with intensive debugging processes continuing right up to the last possible moment.
    Unease lingered among the human competitors, who were uncertain whether the robots would be able to complete the 21-kilometer race — and if they could, whether they would win. Most had been rushed directly from their development labs to the race track, never having completed a full test run.
    “We lightened the robot without compromising its strength, refined its leg design, and improved its thermal conductivity and air-cooling systems to boost stability and endurance,” said Guo Yijie, a technician for the Tien Kung Ultra robot, explaining how his team had adapted the machine for the race.
    Dressed in an orange vest, Tien Kung, which had the fastest time in the 5-kilometer qualifying race, started first and led the group.
    Known for its resilience and constantly evolving athletic capabilities, the 1.8-meter-tall robot had previously set a record by climbing more than 100 consecutive outdoor steps.
    Despite thorough preparations, however, Tien Kung encountered a minor setback when its lower leg component fractured during a pre-race field test, adding even more suspense to the competition.
    In a surprising twist within just 100 meters of the starting line, a robot wearing a lifelike female face mask buckled at the knees and crashed to the ground. It was quickly overtaken by a 75-centimeter-tall robot in a shiny silver suit that had started later.
    Another robot runner, known as Xuanyuan and famed for its diagnostic and emotional recognition AI capabilities, also stumbled shortly after it set off. Luckily, it regained its footing and continued on, albeit at a more cautious pace.
    “When falling, humans can get back up with a few simple movements, but robots require multiple joints to work together, each with high torque requirements,” said Yang Guodong, co-founder of a startup that designed CASBOT SE, another robot competitor.
    The early kilometers of the race revealed the likely outcome: Tien Kung was the obvious robot frontrunner, though its speed was no match for humans. Strictly speaking, the robots’ movements are more like speed-walking, as they cannot quite manage to get both feet off the ground.
    The real drama unfolded at the 16-kilometer mark, where Tien Kung experienced a heart-stopping accident — a sudden, jarring collapse. Its accompanying engineers scrambled, even rolling out a backup machine. A machine swap would have incurred an at least 10-minute penalty, according to the rules of the race.
    Five minutes later, Tien Kung surged back to life and resumed running, its steady rhythm undisturbed and its metal frame catching the sun’s glare as the clouds parted. Ahead of the procession was an olive-green Xiaomi SU7, an electric pace car that guided the machine runners.
    For the first few kilometers, Noetix’s N2 kept close pace with Tien Kung. At just 1.2 meters tall, it has short, broad legs that move with a firm and powerful stride. Its body swings back and forth with ease, giving it a running posture that is more human-like than Tien Kung’s.
    But N2 gradually fell behind, owing to multiple battery swaps and repairs that required engineers to perform frantic hard resets.
    Many of the competing robots weren’t brought to the race to chase medals. They stole the show in their own way, with one humanoid robot showcasing long legs resembling those of a praying mantis, and another wearing a comical black fishing hat.
    The footwear on display during the race also told a story. Some robots were equipped with professional running shoes for shock absorption, while one clomped forward in rain boots for better traction, as it had rained the day prior.
    It didn’t take Booster T1 — another robot racer — long to show off its lively dance skills to onlookers. And a robot resembling a Transformer was quick to slide toward the right-hand railings as soon as the race began, as if attempting to escape.
    Though still impressive to the casual viewer, these amusing moments highlighted that humanoid robotics are still in their infancy. For many robotics startups, the half marathon was both a platform to showcase their inventions and a real-world testing ground.
    The defining moment of the race came 2 hours and 40 minutes in, when Tien Kung stormed triumphantly across the finish line.
    While most human runners had long since completed the race, an eager group of robotics enthusiasts had modulated their pace to form a synchronized procession behind the robot champion. Tien Kung’s average pace came in at approximately 8 kilometers per hour — a milestone achievement in humanoid-robot running history.
    “This performance was pretty much in line with our expectations,” said Xiong Youjun, general manager of the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, Tien Kung’s developer.
    N2 secured second place among the robots competing, and a machine designed by Shanghai-based firm DroidUp came in third. In total, six humanoid robots completed the race.
    “Just being here and participating in this race feels like a victory. Finishing the race should be considered a greater triumph than winning,” Xiong said. “This is the first step toward integrating robots into our daily lives. It’s a historic moment.”
    The half marathon trail included a charming avenue lined with princess trees on both sides, leading to Beijing E-Town — a hub of Chinese innovation, where cutting-edge firms in the robotics, semiconductor, biotech and commercial spaceflight sectors are driving the country’s growth.
    “Humanoid robots consist of thousands of parts, fueling a lengthy industrial chain,” said Liang Liang, an official of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), where Beijing E-Town is located. “China’s robust and diverse manufacturing sectors provide a strong foundation for robot innovation.”
    Not all of China’s leading robotics firms took part in Saturday’s half marathon. UBTECH, headquartered in Beijing E-Town, focuses on deploying robots in factories to complete practical tasks, and its products are already training in auto factories.
    Likewise, Kepler K2 robots from Shanghai, with a dual-arm payload capacity of 30 kilograms, look set to secure careers as logistics workers.
    Currently in China, 470 industrial robots are deployed for every 10,000 manufacturing workers. And in the coming years, humanoid robots are poised to join human workforces, particularly in the handling of open-ended tasks requiring cognitive capabilities.
    “The true purpose of this humanoid robot race is aligned with the eternal marathon of human aspiration,” said Li Quan, another official of the BDA, which co-organized the event.
    This August, a humanoid robot games is scheduled to be held in Beijing.
    “Every physical course will end, but our journey toward human-robot collaboration has no finish tape,” Li said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Photo exhibition on China’s fight against invading Japanese in WWII opens in Moscow

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Guests visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War held at the Chinese Embassy in Moscow, Russia, April 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

    A photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was held at the Chinese Embassy in Russia on Friday.

    The exhibition features 60 photos showcasing the arduous struggles of the Chinese people against Japanese invaders, the combat operations by Soviet volunteer air squadrons in China, the battles of the Soviet Red Army against the Japanese Kwantung Army in Northeast China and military exchanges between China and Russia in recent years.

    “The exhibition is very impressive. I am so delighted to see so many well-preserved file photos,” Russian sinologist Yuri Tavrovsky told Xinhua.

    He hopes that these historical photos could be fully utilized to better tell the touching stories of the two peoples fighting side by side in war and their mutual support.

    The photo exhibition was supported by the Chinese embassy and co-organized by the Eurasia Regional Bureau of Xinhua News Agency, the China Image Group and Zhongchengtong International Investment Co., Ltd.

    A visitor is pictured during a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War held at the Chinese Embassy in Moscow, Russia, April 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

    More than 400 people attended the event, among them were representatives of the descendants of Russian veterans who supported China in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Representatives from Russia’s political, military, academic and media circles, as well as non-governmental organizations, attended as well.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 2025 Kuala Lumpur Dialogue envisions China-Malaysia future

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    More than 20 Chinese and Malaysian think tank experts and scholars gathered in the Malaysian capital on April 17 for the “Envisioning the Future: Kuala Lumpur Dialogue,” focusing on new opportunities for economic cooperation between the two nations.

    Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, speaks at the “Envisioning the Future: Kuala Lumpur Dialogue” held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of ACCWS]

    The event was co-organized by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) and the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research, with support from the Fusion Institute, Malaysia-China Welfare Advisory Society and Bait Al-Amanah. About 200 participants from government agencies, think tanks, universities and businesses from both countries attended.

    Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG) and president of the ACCWS, said in his opening speech that think tanks, as thought leaders, public opinion shapers and exchange facilitators, can strengthen China-Malaysia and China-ASEAN cooperation by researching practical approaches for development strategy alignment, guiding mutual public understanding between the two countries, and building multilateral dialogue platforms.

    “CICG is ready to work with its Malaysian partners to enhance information dissemination, knowledge sharing and youth exchanges, strengthening people-to-people bonds for building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future,” Yu said.

    Datuk Dr. Pamela Yong, chairwoman of the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy, speaks at the “Envisioning the Future: Kuala Lumpur Dialogue” held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of ACCWS]

    Datuk Dr. Pamela Yong, chairwoman of the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy, said current protectionist trends and growing geopolitical competition among major powers highlight ASEAN’s urgent need for strategic reassessment.

    “Diversification serves as a shield against uncertainty, creating opportunities, stimulating growth and enhancing resilience,” she said. “China remains a crucial partner for Malaysia and ASEAN in pursuing strategic diversification. Both sides should fully explore cooperation potential in the digital economy, green development and connectivity to achieve inclusive regional prosperity.”

    YB Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong, Malaysian lawmaker, Malaysian Chinese Association president and former transport minister, said China-Malaysia relations show rare clarity and predictability amid global geopolitical fragmentation and rising protectionism.

    “With the gradual alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and Malaysia’s national development plans, I have confidence that both nations will continue working together as key anchors for regional peace and progress,” he said.

    He also proposed establishing the “Envisioning the Future” dialogue as a permanent annual platform for think tank cooperation and exchanges between the two countries.

    In his keynote speech, former Chinese Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao said China and Malaysia are leveraging their digital and green economies as engines to jointly implement the strategic consensus between their leaders on building a community with a shared future, accelerating cooperation for a “new golden 50 years.”

    “China’s deepening trade with Malaysia and ASEAN reflects the inclusive, equitable and shared development path of economic globalization, proving that protectionist backpedaling cannot reverse the historical trend of globalization,” he said.

    Zhu suggested advancing the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and regional financial safety net, while steadily enhancing the Chiang Mai Initiative’s effectiveness in addressing potential liquidity shocks and maintaining regional economic growth momentum.

    Hu Zhengyue, former assistant minister of foreign affairs of China, said in his keynote speech that China-Malaysia trade has grown nearly twentyfold over the past two decades, now accounting for one-fifth of total China-ASEAN trade.

    “The achievements in China-Malaysia cooperation stem from four pillars, which are strong political relations as the foundation, robust people-to-people networks as the bridge, substantial market demand as the base, and regional collaboration as the driving force,” he said. “With certain major powers’ policies potentially causing severe global governance failures, China must coordinate responses with both ASEAN and Malaysia to maintain positive trade momentum, upgrade industrial cooperation, tap infrastructure and tourism potential, and better safeguard shared interests to expand our cooperation.”

    Participants listen to speeches during the “Envisioning the Future: Kuala Lumpur Dialogue” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of ACCWS]

    Experts also participated in two plenary sessions and a roundtable discussion. The sessions focused on regional cooperation and economic revitalization to advance ASEAN’s stability and prosperity, along with cultural integration and intellectual exchange through education and the arts. The roundtable discussion explored joint efforts toward peaceful development.

    Chinese and Malaysian experts agreed that strengthened China-Malaysia coordination and deeper regional cooperation would help ASEAN address geopolitical challenges while advancing economic integration and sustainable development.

    China and ASEAN can strengthen regional resilience and create mutual benefits by expanding their collaboration in digital technology, green economy and connectivity despite current global uncertainties, experts said.

    They stressed enhancing cultural-educational ties through resource-sharing, youth exchanges, university research and arts cooperation to strengthen regional cultural affinity. Multi-faceted people-to-people exchanges are crucial for building trust and supporting a united, inclusive Asian community with a shared future, they noted.

    Yu concluded the dialogue event by expressing hope that amid complex global changes, think tanks should uphold the principle of seeking common ground while shelving differences, finding consensus amid divergences and resolving disputes through shared understanding. He stated that China and Malaysia think tanks must deepen cooperation to inject certainty and new momentum into bilateral collaboration.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s AG600 large amphibious aircraft obtains type certificate

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

    BEIJING, April 20 — China’s independently developed AG600 large amphibious firefighting aircraft on Sunday obtained its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in Beijing, marking its successful development and approval to enter the market.

    It is a milestone of China’s development capabilities in the large special-purpose aircraft sector and the civil aircraft manufacturing industry, said the aircraft developer Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country’s leading aircraft manufacturer.

    AG600 is China’s first large civil special-purpose aircraft developed in accordance with the requirements of the civil aviation airworthiness regulations.

    It is a type of major aeronautical equipment developed to meet the urgent needs of the national emergency rescue system and the national natural disaster prevention and control system, safeguarding the safety of people’s lives and property.

    AG600 is the world’s largest civil amphibious aircraft in terms of takeoff weight. Its successful development also fills China’s gap in the large-sized amphibious aircraft sector, according to the AVIC.

    Its size is slightly larger than that of the mainstream single-aisle airliners currently in the market. It has a length of 38.9 meters, a height of 11.7 meters, and a wingspan of 38.8 meters, according to data from the developer.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World’s first humanoid half marathon heralds new era of intelligence

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Robotic participant “NOETIX N2” (Front R) is seen after the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeastern Beijing, China, April 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    As the starter pistols sounded on Saturday morning, history was made. On the outskirts of Beijing, servos hummed and joints whirred as 20 bipedal robots bolted from the starting line, kicking off the world’s first humanoid robot half marathon.
    For the very first time, humanoid machines stepped onto a long-distance race track to compete alongside human runners, blurring the line between athletics and invention, and heralding a new era of robotic intelligence.
    Over the past few months, Chinese startup teams have been dominating the global robotics stage with inventions that can perform impressive stunts like dances, backflips, and Tai Chi. Powered by recent exponential leaps in AI, these machines have moved on from mechanical motions to remarkably lifelike movements.
    Their designers believe that now is the perfect moment to showcase China’s growing prowess in robotics manufacturing in a more eye-catching way.
    Saturday’s long-distance race put the durability and stamina of these Chinese inventions to the test, though battery replacements akin to pit stops in the F1 Grand Prix were permitted. Robots navigated diverse terrains, including smooth asphalt, cracked roads, puddles, and both gentle and steep slopes.
    Prior to the highly anticipated race, the robot runners were surrounded by three to four mechanical and software engineers. The air crackled with tension as the final adjustments were made to various mechanicians, with intensive debugging processes continuing right up to the last possible moment.
    Unease lingered among the human competitors, who were uncertain whether the robots would be able to complete the 21-kilometer race — and if they could, whether they would win. Most had been rushed directly from their development labs to the race track, never having completed a full test run.
    “We lightened the robot without compromising its strength, refined its leg design, and improved its thermal conductivity and air-cooling systems to boost stability and endurance,” said Guo Yijie, a technician for the Tien Kung Ultra robot, explaining how his team had adapted the machine for the race.
    Dressed in an orange vest, Tien Kung, which had the fastest time in the 5-kilometer qualifying race, started first and led the group.
    Known for its resilience and constantly evolving athletic capabilities, the 1.8-meter-tall robot had previously set a record by climbing more than 100 consecutive outdoor steps.
    Despite thorough preparations, however, Tien Kung encountered a minor setback when its lower leg component fractured during a pre-race field test, adding even more suspense to the competition.
    In a surprising twist within just 100 meters of the starting line, a robot wearing a lifelike female face mask buckled at the knees and crashed to the ground. It was quickly overtaken by a 75-centimeter-tall robot in a shiny silver suit that had started later.
    Another robot runner, known as Xuanyuan and famed for its diagnostic and emotional recognition AI capabilities, also stumbled shortly after it set off. Luckily, it regained its footing and continued on, albeit at a more cautious pace.
    “When falling, humans can get back up with a few simple movements, but robots require multiple joints to work together, each with high torque requirements,” said Yang Guodong, co-founder of a startup that designed CASBOT SE, another robot competitor.
    The early kilometers of the race revealed the likely outcome: Tien Kung was the obvious robot frontrunner, though its speed was no match for humans. Strictly speaking, the robots’ movements are more like speed-walking, as they cannot quite manage to get both feet off the ground.
    The real drama unfolded at the 16-kilometer mark, where Tien Kung experienced a heart-stopping accident — a sudden, jarring collapse. Its accompanying engineers scrambled, even rolling out a backup machine. A machine swap would have incurred an at least 10-minute penalty, according to the rules of the race.
    Five minutes later, Tien Kung surged back to life and resumed running, its steady rhythm undisturbed and its metal frame catching the sun’s glare as the clouds parted. Ahead of the procession was an olive-green Xiaomi SU7, an electric pace car that guided the machine runners.
    For the first few kilometers, Noetix’s N2 kept close pace with Tien Kung. At just 1.2 meters tall, it has short, broad legs that move with a firm and powerful stride. Its body swings back and forth with ease, giving it a running posture that is more human-like than Tien Kung’s.
    But N2 gradually fell behind, owing to multiple battery swaps and repairs that required engineers to perform frantic hard resets.
    Many of the competing robots weren’t brought to the race to chase medals. They stole the show in their own way, with one humanoid robot showcasing long legs resembling those of a praying mantis, and another wearing a comical black fishing hat.
    The footwear on display during the race also told a story. Some robots were equipped with professional running shoes for shock absorption, while one clomped forward in rain boots for better traction, as it had rained the day prior.
    It didn’t take Booster T1 — another robot racer — long to show off its lively dance skills to onlookers. And a robot resembling a Transformer was quick to slide toward the right-hand railings as soon as the race began, as if attempting to escape.
    Though still impressive to the casual viewer, these amusing moments highlighted that humanoid robotics are still in their infancy. For many robotics startups, the half marathon was both a platform to showcase their inventions and a real-world testing ground.
    The defining moment of the race came 2 hours and 40 minutes in, when Tien Kung stormed triumphantly across the finish line.
    While most human runners had long since completed the race, an eager group of robotics enthusiasts had modulated their pace to form a synchronized procession behind the robot champion. Tien Kung’s average pace came in at approximately 8 kilometers per hour — a milestone achievement in humanoid-robot running history.
    “This performance was pretty much in line with our expectations,” said Xiong Youjun, general manager of the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, Tien Kung’s developer.
    N2 secured second place among the robots competing, and a machine designed by Shanghai-based firm DroidUp came in third. In total, six humanoid robots completed the race.
    “Just being here and participating in this race feels like a victory. Finishing the race should be considered a greater triumph than winning,” Xiong said. “This is the first step toward integrating robots into our daily lives. It’s a historic moment.”
    The half marathon trail included a charming avenue lined with princess trees on both sides, leading to Beijing E-Town — a hub of Chinese innovation, where cutting-edge firms in the robotics, semiconductor, biotech and commercial spaceflight sectors are driving the country’s growth.
    “Humanoid robots consist of thousands of parts, fueling a lengthy industrial chain,” said Liang Liang, an official of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), where Beijing E-Town is located. “China’s robust and diverse manufacturing sectors provide a strong foundation for robot innovation.”
    Not all of China’s leading robotics firms took part in Saturday’s half marathon. UBTECH, headquartered in Beijing E-Town, focuses on deploying robots in factories to complete practical tasks, and its products are already training in auto factories.
    Likewise, Kepler K2 robots from Shanghai, with a dual-arm payload capacity of 30 kilograms, look set to secure careers as logistics workers.
    Currently in China, 470 industrial robots are deployed for every 10,000 manufacturing workers. And in the coming years, humanoid robots are poised to join human workforces, particularly in the handling of open-ended tasks requiring cognitive capabilities.
    “The true purpose of this humanoid robot race is aligned with the eternal marathon of human aspiration,” said Li Quan, another official of the BDA, which co-organized the event.
    This August, a humanoid robot games is scheduled to be held in Beijing.
    “Every physical course will end, but our journey toward human-robot collaboration has no finish tape,” Li said.

    MIL OSI China News –