NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: UN celebrates Chinese language in New York

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The United Nations this week launched its 16th Chinese Language Day series — “Poetic China: Rhymes and Romance” — at UN headquarters, offering an immersive cultural experience that blends Chinese tea culture, calligraphy and poetry.

    Curated to draw wisdom and inspiration from China’s classical heritage, the two-week celebration seeks to rally cultural strength and a shared vision amid global challenges and change.

    To celebrate the opening on Tuesday, the UN Staff Recreation Council Chinese Book Club hosted an evening reception that drew diplomats, UN staff and international guests.

    Keynote speakers included Cherith Norman Chalet, assistant secretary-general for General Assembly and Conference Management; Chen Li, consul general of China in New York; Zu E, a nationally recognized, intangible cultural heritage representative inheritor; and Ning Hongliang, deputy curator of the National Museum of Chinese Writing.

    Chalet described Chinese Language Day as a vivid expression of the UN’s commitment to multilingualism and thanked the organization’s Chinese-language professionals, whose expertise keeps the UN’s work moving forward “in six languages, advancing peace and understanding”.

    Chen described Chinese as a “golden key” for mutual learning among civilizations, a “new driver” for innovation and a “bridge of hearts” connecting people. Noting that more countries are listing Chinese among their critical languages, he urged learners to master it, share the Confucian wisdom of “harmony without uniformity”, and help create a future of “shared beauty”.

    Ning introduced Between the Lines – The Civilization Codes in Chinese, an exhibition curated by the National Museum of Chinese Writing. Centered on the story of an ancient warrior living during the Shang Dynasty in the 14th century BC, the exhibition illustrates how Chinese characters encode the ideal of “harmony among all nations”.

    Representing the featured artists in the exhibition, Zu noted that the landscapes, flora, fauna and figures portrayed convey both a yearning for harmonious lives and a sincere wish for world peace and human well-being.

    The reception, hosted by Chinese Book Club President Yuxi Zhang and Vice-President Tinghua Zhou, also featured a tea ceremony by Lanfei Tea, a live calligraphy demonstration by master calligrapher Xia Pengcheng, and the unveiling of three bilingual books to enrich cross-cultural dialogue: Classic Poetry and the 24 Solar Terms by Professor Yao Xishuang, Belt and Road in the Eyes of Ambassadors by Sun Chao, and From China With Love: 20 Ancient Chinese Poems in English Translation edited by Ji Chen.

    This two-week series of Chinese Language Day events featured lectures and immersive cultural experiences. On Thursday, linguist Yao will guide audiences through classical poems tied to the 24 solar terms, while tea craftsman Yang Juncheng will explain the cultural depth of Chinese tea.

    On April 24, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine will host an open day showcasing traditional Chinese medicine through talks, exhibitions and interactive sessions.

    By weaving together exhibitions, lectures, music, poetry and interactive encounters, the series highlights both the historical depth and contemporary vitality of Chinese culture. It also underscores the importance of Chinese as one of the UN’s six official languages, adding a rich humanistic dimension to the organization’s 80th anniversary commemorations.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan Welcomes Executive Order on Enhancing American Seafood Competitiveness

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    04.17.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today praised an executive order issued by President Donald Trump to strengthen U.S. and Alaska fisheries. As the chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, Sen. Sullivan has been working with the Trump administration and introducing legislation to address challenges facing Alaska’s fishermen, including global trading practices that disadvantage Alaska fisheries, and regulations that burden Alaska fishermen.

    “Last month in my speech to the Alaska Legislature, I issued a clarion call about the need to go on offense for our fishermen,” said Sen. Sullivan. “These great Alaskans have endured a perfect storm of challenges, which include unfair seafood trade practices by dictatorships like Russia and China, and onerous regulatory burdens from our own federal government. I have been working relentlessly with the Trump administration, including with the Commerce and Agriculture Departments, and the U.S. Trade Representative, to get relief for our fisherman. They listened. Today, President Trump gave our fishermen a major shot in the arm, ordering his administration to remove unnecessary federal red tape and develop an America First Seafood Strategy with measures to enhance the competitiveness of our seafood in global markets and hold bad actors in seafood trade accountable. I appreciate the Trump administration’s continued strong focus on advancing the interests and priorities of Alaska across a range of economic sectors, including our fishermen and coastal communities. I thank President Trump, Secretary Lutnick, and Ambassador Greer for taking decisive action on behalf of our hard-working fishermen, and fighting to ensure more Americans and our trading partners around the world are eating ‘freedom fish’ from Alaska—not ‘communist fish’ from the likes of Russia and China.”

    Below is a timeline of Sen. Sullivan’s recent efforts to advocate on behalf of the competitiveness of Alaska’s seafood industry:

    • On March 11, 2022, as a result of Sen. Sullivan’s advocacy, the Biden administration announced it would prohibit the importation of Russian seafood into the United States, in addition to banning goods from several other signature sectors of Russia’s economy.
    • On December 22, 2023, Sen. Sullivan welcomed a new Executive Order and resulting U.S. Department of the Treasury determination to revise existing guidance that allowed all Russian-origin seafood to bypass an earlier Executive Order banning its import into the United States. 
    • On January 29, 2025, Sen. Sullivan received Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’scommitment to champion the interests of Alaska’s fishermen and seafood industry.
    • On February 24, 2025, Sen. Sullivan reintroduced his Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act to combat foreign illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by blacklisting offending vessels from U.S. ports and waters, bolstering the U.S. Coast Guard’s enforcement capabilities, and advancing international and bilateral negotiations to achieve enforceable agreements and treaties.
    • On March 13, 2025, Sen. Sullivan wrote a letter to Ambassador Jamieson Greer, the United States Trade Representative, urging him to initiate an investigation under Section 301 of theTrade Act of 1974 into Russian and Chinese seafood trade practices.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing speeds up innovative drug approvals with pilot program

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Beijing is significantly accelerating the approval process for innovative drugs, with pilot projects cutting review times for clinical trials to as few as 18 working days, according to the Beijing Municipal Medical Products Administration. 
    Before an innovative drug can be marketed, it must undergo clinical trials to assess its safety and effectiveness. Improving the speed and quality of these trials can help deliver new treatments to patients more quickly.
    The National Medical Products Administration released a pilot plan in July 2024 to optimize the review and approval of clinical trials for innovative drugs. Beijing was selected as a pilot region on Aug. 2.
    On April 7, Beijing introduced new measures to promote high-quality development in innovative medicine, including efforts to deepen the pilot program for reviewing and approving clinical trials. The initiative aims to cut approval times from 60 working days to 30 and to expand the range of drugs and medical devices covered under the program.
    According to the Beijing Municipal Medical Products Administration, 10 trial projects have been included so far. Eight of these have already received clinical trial approval, with an average review time of 23.8 working days and the fastest approval in just 18 working days. This represents an acceleration of up to 70%. The average time from approval to the start of the trial was 6.2 weeks, with the quickest being three weeks, marking a significant increase in efficiency.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: IMF chief warns of ‘costly’ uncertainty amid recent tariff increases

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday warned that uncertainty is “costly” amid recent tariff increases, noting that rising trade barriers have an immediate impact on growth.

    “Putting together all the recent tariff increases, pauses, escalations, and exemptions, it seems clear that the U.S. effective tariff rate has jumped to levels last seen several lifetimes ago,” Georgieva said in a speech before the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings scheduled for next week.

    “The complexity of modern supply chains means imported inputs feed into a broad range of domestic products. The cost of one item can be affected by tariffs in dozens of countries. In a world of bilateral tariff rates, each of which may be moving up or down, planning becomes difficult,” Georgieva said.

    “The result? Ships at sea not knowing which port to sail to; investment decisions postponed; financial markets volatile; precautionary savings up. The longer uncertainty persists, the larger the cost,” she continued.

    The IMF chief noted that rising trade barriers hit growth “upfront,” and protectionism erodes productivity over the long run, especially in smaller economies.

    The IMF will quantify these costs in its new World Economic Outlook, to be released early next week.

    “In it, our new growth projections will include notable markdowns, but not recession. We will also see markups to the inflation forecasts for some countries,” Georgieva said.

    The IMF chief urged policymakers to redouble efforts to “put their own houses in order,” noting that most countries must “take resolute fiscal action to rebuild policy space,” setting out gradual adjustment paths that respect fiscal frameworks.

    She also called for “agile and credible” monetary policy, along with strong financial regulation and supervision.

    Highlighting the importance of “cooperation in a multi-polar world,” the IMF chief emphasized that trade policy must aim for a settlement among the largest players that preserves openness and delivers a more-level playing field – “to restart a global trend toward lower tariff rates while also reducing nontariff barriers and distortions.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong Intl Airport sees 15 percent increase in passenger traffic in Q1

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Airport Authority Hong Kong reported on Thursday a surge in passenger traffic at Hong Kong International Airport during the first quarter of this year, up 15 percent year on year, totaling 14.59 million passengers.

    The number of aircraft movements also rose by 11.3 percent, approaching 96,000, while cargo volume grew by 3.2 percent to 1.17 million tons, the report said.

    Over the past year, the airport has experienced a remarkable 21.6 percent increase in passenger traffic, reaching 54.94 million. Aircraft movements surged by 20.5 percent to 373,000, and cargo throughput climbed 10.3 percent to 4.97 million tons.

    Aviation network expanded further in March, with Cathay Pacific, West Air, and Vietnam Airlines launching new routes connecting Hong Kong with Hyderabad in India, Dali of southwest China’s Yunnan province, and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, enhancing connectivity between Hong Kong and both the Chinese mainland and international destinations, the airport authority said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says China, Cambodia set model for equality, mutual trust, win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China and Cambodia set a model for equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes.

    Xi made the remarks when meeting with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni during his state visit to Cambodia.

    Noting that Cambodia has recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of King Sihamoni’s enthronement and the Khmer New Year, Xi said he is delighted to visit the beautiful country of Cambodia at the invitation of the king, extending his heartfelt New Year greetings to the Cambodian people.

    Xi said that Cambodia’s nation-building is thriving, and he firmly believes that, under the blessings of King Sihamoni, the hardworking and intelligent Cambodian people will surely build an even more prosperous and stronger nation.

    Xi pointed out that China and Cambodia share a millennia-old friendship, with their people having always striven together and thrived together. Regardless of changes in the international landscape, China and Cambodia have stood by each other in good faith and with mutual assistance, offering unwavering support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns.

    China and Cambodia have always been at the forefront of building a community with a shared future for mankind, bringing tangible benefits to the Cambodian people, said Xi.

    He said that China values its friendship with the Cambodian royal family, and spoke highly of the important contributions made by the Cambodian royal family to the cause of China-Cambodia friendship over the years.

    Under the new circumstances, China and Cambodia should cherish and carry forward the ironclad friendship jointly forged by the elder generation of Chinese leaders and King Father Norodom Sihanouk, endow the China-Cambodia community with a shared future with new connotations of the time, serve the development of their respective countries and the well-being of their people, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, said Xi.

    He noted that China firmly supports Cambodia in maintaining stability, accelerating development, improving people’s livelihoods and following a development path that suits its national conditions.

    Xi said that he believes Chinese modernization will bring more opportunities to Cambodia and other neighboring countries and expressed confidence in writing a splendid chapter of building an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era.

    For his part, King Sihamoni said the friendship between Cambodia and China was created and cultivated by the elder generation of leaders of the two countries, adding that with the joint efforts of both sides, cooperation in various fields has become increasingly close and the building of a community with a shared future has been continuously deepened.

    The Cambodian side, he said, firmly adheres to the one-China principle, highly appreciates the three major global initiatives proposed by Xi, and appreciates the huge development opportunities brought to Cambodia via the Belt and Road cooperation.

    He hailed Xi’s visit a historic one, which will deepen the ironclad friendship between the two countries, enrich the cooperation framework of the “Diamond Hexagon,” and take bilateral ties to a new level.

    The king also said his country is ready to enhance coordination and cooperation with China in such multilateral mechanisms as ASEAN-China Cooperation and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, and jointly promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

    The king also presented the National Order of Independence – Grand Collar to Xi.

    He said Xi holds special friendly feelings towards Cambodia and has made outstanding contributions to promoting the development of Cambodia-China relations, adding that Xi is a great friend of Cambodia.

    It is believed that under the leadership of President Xi, China will achieve greater development accomplishments and play a more important role in international and regional affairs, he added.

    Xi said that this medal fully demonstrates Cambodia’s high regard for developing China-Cambodia relations and carries the deep friendship of the Cambodian people towards the Chinese people.

    This honor, he said, belongs not only to him personally, but also to all the friendly people who have cultivated and contributed to the friendship between China and Cambodia. 

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni presents the National Order of Independence – Grand Collar to Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. Xi met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni walk at the Royal Palace after their meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. Xi met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: RBB Bancorp Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.16 Per Common Share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RBB Bancorp (NASDAQ: RBB) and its subsidiaries, Royal Business Bank (“the Bank”) and RBB Asset Management Company (“RAM”), collectively referred to herein as “the Company”, announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per common share. The dividend is payable on May 12, 2025 to common shareholders of record as of April 30, 2025.

    Corporate Overview

    RBB Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had total assets of $4.0 billion. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Royal Business Bank, is a full service commercial bank, which provides consumer and business banking services predominantly to the Asian-centric communities in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Ventura County in California, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan in New York, in Edison, New Jersey, in the Chicago neighborhoods of Chinatown and Bridgeport, Illinois, and on Oahu, Hawaii. Bank services include remote deposit, E-banking, mobile banking, commercial and investor real estate loans, business loans and lines of credit, commercial and industrial loans, SBA 7A and 504 loans, 1-4 single family residential loans, trade finance, a full range of depository account products and wealth management services. The Bank has nine branches in Los Angeles County, two branches in Ventura County, one branch in Orange County, California, one branch in Las Vegas, Nevada, three branches and one loan operation center in Brooklyn, three branches in Queens, one branch in Manhattan in New York, one branch in Edison, New Jersey, two branches in Chicago, Illinois, and one branch in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Company’s administrative and lending center is located at 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90017, and its finance and operations center is located at 7025 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park, California 90621. The Company’s website address is www.royalbusinessbankusa.com.

    Contacts

    Lynn Hopkins, EVP/Chief Financial Officer, (657) 255-3282

    Safe Harbor

    Certain matters set forth herein (including the exhibits hereto) constitute forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s current business plans and expectations and our future financial position and operating results. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance and/or achievements to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures; the potential for additional material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting or other potential control deficiencies of which the Company is not currently aware or which have not been detected; business and economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, nationally and within our current and future geographic markets, including the tight labor market, ineffective management of the U.S. federal budget or debt or turbulence or uncertainly in domestic of foreign financial markets; the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations; adverse developments in the banking industry highlighted by high-profile bank failures and the potential impact of such developments on customer confidence, liquidity and regulatory responses to these developments; our ability to attract and retain deposits and access other sources of liquidity; possible additional provisions for credit losses and charge-offs; credit risks of lending activities and deterioration in asset or credit quality; extensive laws and regulations and supervision that we are subject to, including potential supervisory action by bank supervisory authorities; increased costs of compliance and other risks associated with changes in regulation, including any amendments to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other money laundering statutes and regulations; potential goodwill impairment; liquidity risk; fluctuations in interest rates; risks associated with acquisitions and the expansion of our business into new markets; inflation and deflation; real estate market conditions and the value of real estate collateral; the effects of having concentrations in our loan portfolio, including commercial real estate and the risks of geographic and industry concentrations; environmental liabilities; our ability to compete with larger competitors; our ability to retain key personnel; successful management of reputational risk; severe weather, natural disasters, earthquakes, fires, such as the recent California wildfires; or other adverse external events could harm our business; geopolitical conditions, including acts or threats of terrorism, actions taken by the United States or other governments in response to acts or threats of terrorism and/or military conflicts, including the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, in the Middle East and increasing tensions between China and Taiwan, which could impact business and economic conditions in the United States and abroad; public health crises and pandemics, and their effects on the economic and business environments in which we operate, including our credit quality and business operations, as well as the impact on general economic and financial market conditions; general economic or business conditions in Asia, and other regions where the Bank has operations; failures, interruptions, or security breaches of our information systems; climate change, including any enhanced regulatory, compliance, credit and reputational risks and costs; cybersecurity threats and the cost of defending against them; our ability to adapt our systems to the expanding use of technology in banking; risk management processes and strategies; adverse results in legal proceedings; the impact of regulatory enforcement actions, if any; certain provisions in our charter and bylaws that may affect acquisition of the Company; changes in tax laws and regulations; the impact of governmental efforts to restructure the U.S. financial regulatory system; the impact of future or recent changes in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance assessment rate of the rules and regulations related to the calculation of the FDIC insurance assessment amount; the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices or accounting standards, as may be adopted from time-to-time by bank regulatory agencies, the SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standards setters, including Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 (Topic 326, “Measurement of Current Losses on Financial Instruments, commonly referenced as the Current Expected Credit Losses Model, which changed how we estimate credit losses and may further increase the required level of our allowance for credit losses in future periods; market disruption and volatility; fluctuations in the Company’s stock price; restrictions on dividends and other distributions by laws and regulations and by our regulators and our capital structure; issuances of preferred stock; our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, and the potential resulting dilution of interests of holders of our common stock; the soundness of other financial institutions; our ongoing relations with our various federal and state regulators, including the SEC, FDIC, FRB and California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (“DFPI”); our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items and all other factors set forth in the Company’s public reports, including its Annual Report as filed under Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and particularly the discussion of risk factors within that document. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements except as required by law. Any statements about future operating results, such as those concerning accretion and dilution to the Company’s earnings or shareholders, are for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts, and actual results may differ.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Vancouver, Senator Murray Meets with Local Businesses, ILWU, Port of Kalama to Discuss How Trump’s Chaotic Trade War is Hurting Washington State

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ICYMI: In Tacoma, Senator Murray Meets with Local Businesses, Port Commissioners to Discuss How Trump’s Chaotic Trade War is Hurting Washington State
    ICYMI: In Senate Floor Speech, Senator Murray Hammers Trump and Republicans on Chaotic, Painful Trade War and Steep Tariffs Raising Costs on Families and Small Businesses in WA
    ***PHOTOS and B-ROLL HERE***
    Vancouver, WA— Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable discussion in Vancouver highlighting how local businesses, ports, and the overall economy in Washington state is suffering from President Trump’s senseless and chaotic trade war. Senator Murray was joined for the discussion by John Rudi, CEO of Thompson Metal Fab in Vancouver; Miriam Halliday, CEO of Workforce Southwest Washington; Jared Moultrie, Vice President of the International Longshore & Warehouse Workers’ Union (ILWU) Local 4 in Vancouver; Augusto Bassanini, CEO of United Grain; and Mark Wilson, Executive Director of the Port of Kalama.
    On April 2nd, President Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on nearly every country, including a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imported goods, and country-specific so-called reciprocal tariffs. Just hours after the reciprocal tariff rates took effect last Wednesday, Trump abruptly changed his mind and put a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs. But Trump is still taxing goods from every country, across the board, at 10 percent at least, and he is escalating his trade war with China, with 145 percent tariffs on Chinese goods—which is already leading to higher prices and serious pain for families and small business across Washington state. Senator Murray has always been vocal about the need to out-compete China, but warned that waging an all-out trade war with China on a whim will cause serious economic pain for consumers and small businesses across the country.
    Even with his “pause,” Trump’s new tariff rates are still the highest in decades, and are estimated to cost American families more than $4,000 per year—the largest tax increase since 1968.
    “Trump’s tariffs are a tax—a tax that will hit hardworking Americans the most. Families will be paying higher prices, small businesses will have to lay off workers, and Washington’s ports will be gutted as trade drops. That’s a lot of jobs on the line in our ports like Kalama and Vancouver along the Columbia River,” said Senator Murray. “Congress has the power to step in and put a stop to these senseless tariffs, we can bring back certainty to protect American businesses and the economy.”
    “Businesses can’t function when they are waiting to see if Trump will change his mind again about what countries will have tariffs, and at what rate, as if this should be something decided on a whim,” Senator Murray continued. “Every morning small business owners, port longshoremen, warehouse workers, and families wake up wondering if today will be the day they have to close up shop or will lose their job. Congress needs to step up and put an end to these tariffs—but we need Republicans to join us in order to do that. I will keep shining a light on the consequences of Trump’s painful trade war will bring and amplifying the voices and concerns of people in Washington state.”
    Washington state has one of the most trade-dependent economies of any state in the country, with 40 percent of jobs tied to international commerce. Washington state is the top U.S. producer of apples, blueberries, hops, pears, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries—all of which risk losing vital export markets due to retaliatory tariffs from key trading partners including Canada. Additionally, more than 12,000 small and medium-sized companies in Washington state export goods and will struggle to absorb the impact of retaliatory tariffs.
    Canada is Washington’s largest overall trading partner, accounting for nearly $20 billion in imports and $10 billion in exports. China is the world’s second-largest economy and Washington state exported over $12 billion in goods to China last year—making China Washington state’s top export partner—and imported $11.2 billion in goods, the second-most in imports from any country aside from Canada. Trump’s tariffs during his first term were extremely costly for Washington state—for example, India imposed a 20 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. apples, causing Washington apple shipments to India to fall by 99 percent and growers to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in exports.
    “Tariffs simply add cost to major infrastructure projects, and there are very few ways the additional cost impacts of tariffs can be reduced or mitigated,” said John Rudi, CEO of Thompson Metal Fab, a veteran-owned, Vancouver-based metal fabrication company that makes products for the gas and oil industries, and is entering new markets creating products for nuclear, high-tech, and renewable energies. “There are serious concerns about the impact of tariffs on projects that have already been contracted or bid—and an even larger concern than the direct financial impact of tariffs is the uncertainty it creates. Uncertainly only delays, and possibly freezes, major industrial projects. When work is delayed, highly-skilled workers are lost, resulting in long-term impacts to industrial capacity. And once industrial demand stabilizes and returns to normal, the surge in business can result in inflationary costs due to increased competition for workers and resources… Senator Murray has been a strong and consistent advocate for job creation and infrastructure projects in our region and we are pleased to have her visit today to discuss how businesses and the local workforce are impacted by tariffs.”
    “The continued volatility in international tariff strategies is creating significant challenges for workforce development across industries in Southwest Washington,” said Miriam Halliday, CEO of Workforce Southwest, the Local Workforce Development Board designated as the policy, planning and oversight body for the public workforce system in Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties. “Companies are increasingly hesitant to expand or invest in talent due to rising costs and economic uncertainty. For instance, a mid-sized IT Managed Service Provider located in Vancouver WA is facing a 15% increase in order costs, making it difficult to forecast budgets and commit to workforce growth. Similarly, a mid-sized die casting manufacturer located in Vancouver WA has paused its expansion this quarter—not due to lack of demand, but because financial institutions are withholding loans for new equipment out of recession fears. As a result, plans to hire and upskill workers have been deferred, highlighting how external economic pressures are directly stalling local and regional workforce development.”
    “Our ports face significant challenges and uncertainties in light of potential trade wars,” said Jared Moultrie, Vice President of the International Longshore & Warehouse Workers’ Union (ILWU) Local 4 in Vancouver, representing dock workers in the region. “In 2024, the Port of Vancouver supported nearly 20,000 jobs and generated $2.9 billion in regional economic benefits. United Grain Corporation, Longshoremen, Railroad workers, Tugboat crews, Truck operators, and Farmers from the American West and Midwest facilitated the movement of 5.9 million metric tons of agricultural commodities through the Port of Vancouver. The retaliatory tariffs imposed by China have the potential to significantly reduce employment opportunities for these men and women and diminish the economic benefits within our regionThe Port of Vancouver operates as a breakbulk port, and proposed tariffs would heavily impact everything we handle. Steel is projected to experience an estimated 30 percent decrease, having never recovered from the previous set of tariffs. Currently, we service two aluminum ships per month and conduct weekly aluminum loadouts onto trucks or railcars. The aluminum sector would be seriously jeopardized if tariffs were to deepen. As the number one importer of Subaru vehicles, we are already anticipating around a 20 percent decrease in cars arriving at our dock.”
    “At Local 4, our workers are concerned about job security due to the proposed tariffs. We are already contending with rising car payments, mortgage payments, and costs of goods and services. We worry about whether we will be able to afford our children’s tuition, take planned vacations, make substantial purchases, or even dine out. The trickle-down effect on regional companies, truck drivers, farmers, small businesses, and everyone in between could be devastating,” Moultrie continued. “We extend our gratitude to Senator Murray for her dedication and continued commitment to supporting the ILWU and our ports, working-class individuals, our region, our state, and the United States of America.”
    “We greatly appreciate Senator Murray’s engagement and efforts to understand how the proposed tariffs are impacting American grain exports,” said Augusto Bassanini, CEO of United Grain Corporation, which sources grain and oilseeds from more than 2,000 suppliers in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains. “To help the 2,000 American farmers we work with remain competitive in the global market, we need certainty to navigate a global marketplace so we can continue to create jobs, domestic economic development opportunities and feed the world.” 
    Senator Murray has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s chaotic trade war and has been lifting up the voices of people in Washington state harmed by this administration’s approach to trade. Senator Murray continues to call on Republicans to end Trump’s trade war—which Congress has the power to do—and take back Congress’ Constitutionally-granted power to impose tariffs. Earlier this month, Senator Murray brought together leaders across Washington state who highlighted how Trump’s ongoing trade war is already a devastating hit to Washington state’s economy, businesses, and our agriculture sector. Senator Murray also took to the Senate floor to lay out how Trump’s chaotic trade war is seriously threatening our economy, American businesses, families’ retirement savings, and so much else. Earlier this week, Senator Murray joined her colleagues in pressing U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on how the Trump administration’s tariffs are affecting farmers across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Visits Downtown Vancouver, Highlights Importance of Federal Investment Amid Local Concerns Over Trump Funding Freezes, Tariff Chaos

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ICYMI: In Vancouver, Senator Murray Meets with Local Businesses, ILWU, Port Commissioner to Discuss How Trump’s Chaotic Trade War is Hurting Washington State
    ***PHOTOS and B-ROLL HERE***
    Vancouver, WA— Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, toured businesses in downtown Vancouver, as part of the Main Street Promise project, to see how federal investment has supported their growth and how Trump’s chaotic trade war and federal funding freezes are harming the local economy. Senator Murray was joined for the tour by Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle; Michael Walker, Executive Director of the Vancouver Downtown Association; Chris Harder, Deputy Economic Development Director for the City of Vancouver; Julie Arenz, Small Business Connector and Advocate for the City of Vancouver; Ryan Hart, Chair of Visit Vancouver and Chief External Affairs Officer for the Port of Vancouver; Kelsey Jennings, Owner of Ronald Records in downtown Vancouver; and Crystal Lary, Owner of Eryngium Papeterie in downtown Vancouver.
    During the visit, Senator Murray heard from business owners and leaders at the City of Vancouver about how federal investment in Vancouver has helped lay the groundwork for thriving small businesses and spurred other construction and renovation projects in the downtown core. The City of Vancouver has been working on a 20-year revitalization effort that Senator Murray helped kickstart by securing initial federal funding for the Waterfront Redevelopment Project in 2009. The Main Street Promise Project is one of the last phases of the revitalization effort and was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act Senator Murray played a leading role in crafting as then-Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The major reconstruction project on Main Street broke ground in December 2024—with original planning work done in 1993 with the goal of improving the heart of Vancouver. The Main Street Promise Project will reconstruct Main Street to provide a safe, accessible, and connected transportation system to support existing small businesses along Main Street and attract more visitors to Downtown Vancouver.
    Senator Murray also heard from small business owners and local leaders about how the Trump administration’s illegal withholding of federal funding owed to communities across the country and his reckless trade war is leading to serious uncertainty for businesses, consumers, and communities across Southwest Washington. Trump is currently taxing goods from every country—including close allies like Canada—at a minimum 10 percent tariff rate across-the-board, and he has significantly escalated his trade war with China, with 145 percent tariffs on Chinese goods—meaning higher prices and serious pain for families and small businesses across the country. Even with his 90-day “pause” on reciprocal tariffs, Trump’s new tariffs are still the highest tariff rates in decades, and are estimated to cost American families more than $4,000 per year—the largest tax increase since 1968.
    “It’s wonderful to see how the federal investment I’ve fought to bring to Southwest Washington over the years has helped downtown Vancouver thrive—with so many great small businesses and new infrastructure and renovation projects that are making the heart of Vancouver a destination for shopping, eating, nightlife, and more,” said Senator Murray. “Trump is putting all the progress our communities have made at risk by illegally canceling and holding up federal funding our communities are owed, and he is putting businesses in constant turmoil with his pointless and destructive trade war. I will continue to sound the alarm on the consequences Trump’s illegal funding freezes and his ham-fisted trade war will have for American families, and I will always lift up the voices and concerns of people in Washington state.”
    “The transformation of Vancouver’s downtown into a regional and national destination is years in the making,” said Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “The current reconstruction of Main Street into a pedestrian-centered and vibrant commercial corridor represents downtown Vancouver’s most recent evolution. Over the past 20+ years, Senator Murray has been one of Vancouver’s biggest champions, helping to steer critical federal funds, such as American Rescue Plan Act dollars, to our community to help fund placemaking and infrastructure investments. The City of Vancouver would like to thank Senator Murray for her leadership and we are grateful for her willingness to partner on important local projects like Main Street Promise.”    
    “The Main Street Promise is a realization of a vision that’s been decades in the making. This is the third time our community has tried to bring this project to life, and now—thanks to Senator Patty Murray and the American Rescue Plan—we finally have what we need to get it done,” said Michael Walker, Executive Director of Vancouver’s Downtown Association. “This is the largest investment in Main Street in 116 years, and it’s going to reshape the heart of our downtown into a safer, more connected, and more accessible place for everyone. This project is about building a strong foundation for the future of our downtown—leaving something great for the next generation and beyond. Senator Patty Murray’s steadfast advocacy on behalf of Vancouver has helped us achieve real outcomes in the heart of our community—improving quality of life, supporting local businesses, and strengthening our downtown economy for the long term.”
    “In addition, thanks to the unique opportunity provided by ARPA dollars, we’re able to go beyond traditional infrastructure work,” Walker continued. “We have staff on the ground every day and thoughtful mitigation efforts in place—like block-by-block construction—to help minimize disruption. Businesses are staying open, sidewalks remain accessible, and we’ve built a strong network of peer support to help keep our business community resilient and thriving throughout the process. For a project of this scale, we’re doing everything we can to make sure it’s as smooth and supportive as possible.
    Washington state has one of the most trade-dependent economies of any state in the country, with 40 percent of jobs tied to international commerce. Washington state is the top U.S. producer of apples, blueberries, hops, pears, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries—all of which risk losing vital export markets due to retaliatory tariffs from key trading partners including Canada. Additionally, more than 12,000 small and medium-sized companies in Washington state export goods and will be unlikely to be able to absorb the impact of retaliatory tariffs. Canada is Washington’s largest trading partner, accounting for nearly $20 billion in imports and $10 billion in exports. China is the world’s second-largest economy and Washington state exported over $12 billion in goods to China last year—making China Washington state’s top export partner—and imported $11.2 billion in goods, the most in imports from any country aside from Canada. Trump’s tariffs during his first term were extremely costly for Washington state—for example, India imposed a 20 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. apples, causing Washington apple shipments to India to fall by 99 percent and growers to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in exports.
    Senator Murray has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s chaotic trade war and has been lifting up the voices of people in Washington state harmed by this administration’s approach to trade and calling on Republicans to end Trump’s trade war—which Congress has the power to do—and take back Congress’ Constitutionally-granted power to impose tariffs. Earlier this month, Senator Murray brought together leaders across Washington state who highlighted how Trump’s ongoing trade war is already a devastating hit to Washington state’s economy, businesses, and our agriculture sector. Senator Murray also took to the Senate floor to lay out how Trump’s chaotic trade war is seriously threatening our economy, American businesses, families’ retirement savings, and so much else. Earlier this week, Senator Murray joined her colleagues in pressing U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on how the Trump administration’s tariffs are affecting farmers across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Bulgarian, Chinese students mark language day with classic recital

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    In celebration of International Chinese Language Day, 120 students from Bulgaria and China gathered online on Thursday to recite Chinese classics, bridging cultures through language and literature.

    Children from Sofia and China’s Ningbo city participated in the event from two locations – the China Cultural Center in the Bulgarian capital and the Yinzhou Wuxiang Central Primary School in Ningbo’s Yinzhou District. Connected via livestream, the students took turns reading the Three-Character Classic, one of China’s most revered ancient texts for early childhood education.

    Held under the theme “Chinese Characters, Bonding Hearts; Classics, Spreading Affection,” the event also featured cross-cultural dialogues inspired by the values and lessons embedded in the text. The event was co-organized by the China Cultural Center in Sofia and the relevant departments of Yinzhou District.

    Children from the British School of Sofia (BSS), aged seven to eight, were among the participants. Gulser Fehmi, a coordinator at BSS, told Xinhua the event was a rare and valuable opportunity for students to experience Chinese culture firsthand.

    BSS, with students from more than 40 nationalities, aims to nurture global citizens who embrace diversity and respect different languages and cultures, she said.

    The United Nation’s Language Days, introduced in 2010, promote multilingualism and cultural diversity, ensuring the equal use of the six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Chinese Language Day is celebrated on April 20.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China reinforces documentary heritage protection with new UNESCO designations

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is pictured in Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China has shown the world its unrelenting commitment to protecting humanity’s shared cultural legacy with three new documentary heritage items added to the Memory of the World (MoW) Register of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Thursday.

    With the latest additions — the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng, the Steles of Shaolin Temple (566-1990) and Trilingual Inscription (TribhashaSellipiya) — China now has 18 entries in the international register, which was launched by UNESCO in 1992 to facilitate preservation of the world’s documentary heritage, enable universal access to documentary heritage worldwide and enhance public awareness.

    Dubbed the world’s first “sound-producing music textbook,” the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng, dating back more than 2,400 years, is currently on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in central China. The bronze percussion instrument weighs nearly 5 tonnes, and comprises 65 bianzhong, or chime bells.

    The bells, which are arranged across three tiers and eight groupings at the exhibition, featured 3,755 inscribed Chinese characters — the only known systematic musical treatise from the 5th century B.C.

    In 2024, the museum reported more than 5 million visits. During peak periods, daily visits to the bianzhong exhibition exceeded 30,000 people, said Zhang Xiaoyun, curator of the museum.

    To better preserve such documentary heritage, in 1984, the museum commissioned a full set of replicated chime bells to be used for performances and research, allowing the ancient instrument to resonate beyond museum walls. Three years later, the museum established a bianzhong performance troupe, with its members having performed to over 10 million live spectators worldwide.

    For more than 40 years, specialists in archaeology, metallurgy, acoustics, astronomy, ancient writing, chemistry, music and other fields from across the globe have researched the chime bells and their inscriptions.

    UNESCO’s recognition is also reflected through the continuous conservation work at the Shaolin Temple in the central Henan Province, where 499 ancient steles chronicle the extensive exchanges and interactions between the temple — the birthplace of kung fu — and ancient officials, celebrities, overseas Buddhists and secular society between 556 and 1990.

    The steles distributed at the temple and its surrounding areas are protected according to each monument’s condition and location. “We have installed glass cases around fragile inscriptions or protective railings around exposed pieces,” said Yang Hongrui, the temple’s chief archivist.

    According to Yang, the temple has collaborated with institutions to digitally archive the entire collection and establish a digital archives exhibition hall.

    “During its trial operation last September, the digital archives exhibition hall, spanning approximately 100 square meters, drew overwhelming crowds, averaging 14 visitors per minute with some staying for up to two to three hours,” Yang said.

    Yang added that to celebrate its inclusion in the MoW Register, the hall will officially open to the public ahead of May, and there are plans for international touring exhibitions of these archival treasures at the temple’s 168 overseas cultural centers.

    Similar to the Shaolin steles, Trilingual Inscription (TribhashaSellipiya), jointly submitted by China and Sri Lanka, also provides evidence of China’s interactions with other civilizations.

    The monument, brought to Sri Lanka over 600 years ago by renowned Chinese navigator Zheng He during his third voyage, is held by the national museum in Colombo as one of the most precious collections. It is a testament to cultural exchanges between China and the outside world, as inscriptions written in Chinese, Persian and Tamil recorded ceremonial offerings to a sacred mountain shrine by Zheng’s fleet.

    “The joint efforts underscore the mutual respect and commitment to cultural preservation that Sri Lanka and China have cultivated over the years. Such recognition will undoubtedly encourage further collaborations in fields such as archaeology, education and tourism,” Ruwan Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka’s deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, told Xinhua.

    China made its first application to the MoW Register in 1997, establishing itself as one of the earliest participants and the first nation to create a dedicated national committee for the program.

    “The inclusion in the MoW Register underscores the remarkable richness of Chinese archival heritage. This designation highlights the nation’s wealth of documentary resources worthy of preservation,” said professor Chen Shaofeng from Peking University. He noted that authorities can focus on more ethnic minority documents for future UNESCO nominations.

    To date, China has officially recognized 198 items or groups of archival heritage at the national level. The National Archives Administration of China has further urged provincial-level archives authorities to develop regional catalogues to expand and refine the global memory preservation framework. 

    This undated file photo shows a stele in Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng City, central China’s Henan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Visitors look at the Trilingual Inscription at the Colombo National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 17, 2025.  [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Learning Chinese language opens a lot of doors, says South African student

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    “Learning the Chinese language opens a lot of doors for me,” said Sasha-Leigh Allen, a South African student participating in a vibrant celebration to mark the 2025 International Chinese Language Day.

    The celebration, themed “Chinese Language: Together for a Bright Future,” was held on Thursday at the Iziko Learning Center in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa. More than 100 representatives from the political, business, and academic sectors of China and South Africa, along with faculty and students from universities across Cape Town, came together to celebrate the beauty of the Chinese language.

    Co-hosted by the Confucius Institute at the University of the Western Cape and the Iziko Museums of South Africa, the event offered rich Chinese cultural experiences, featuring “101 Wishes: The Beauty of Chinese Characters” Exhibition, Guzheng (Chinese plucked zither) performance, traditional Chinese tea tasting, and Chinese calligraphy practice.

    In his opening remarks, Bongani Ndhlovu, acting chief executive officer of the Iziko Museums of South Africa, emphasized the multiple layers of significance that Chinese Language Day carries. “Language is not only the carrier of meaning, but also that through it, our values, our cultures, our traditions, our heritage are embedded in each (of us),” he said.

    His remarks were echoed by Tang Chang’an, deputy consul general of the Chinese Consulate-General in Cape Town. “Chinese is more than a language — it is a bridge connecting civilizations, fostering understanding, and promoting cultural change across the world,” said Tang.

    In his speech, Tang noted that the Chinese language reflects the wisdom of a 5000-year-old civilization rooted in values of peace, harmony, and cooperation. “In today’s interconnected world, cultural and linguistic exchanges play a crucial role in building mutual respect and friendship among nations,” he said.

    “Let us take this opportunity to use language as a bridge to deepen mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation. Together, we can build a more just and inclusive world,” he added.

    Sasha-Leigh Allen, a sophomore at the University of the Western Cape who attended the event, has been studying the Chinese language for nearly two years. “I believe that Chinese characters are an art, an art that in the beginning is very difficult to understand, but when you go up close, it’s very simplistic and beautiful,” she told Xinhua.

    “When I learned Chinese characters, it made me more open-minded to understand the Chinese language, Chinese people, their culture, the way they speak, and the different kinds of meanings,” she said, adding that she also encouraged her friends to learn the language.

    Allen went on to talk about the potential benefits that learning the Chinese language could bring to her future career.

    “Personally, for me, learning Chinese characters opens a lot of doors for me, especially in my career. Hopefully, if I’m able to continue learning Han Zi (Chinese characters), it will help a lot,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graham Statement On Supreme Court Hearing Birthright Citizenship Case

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after the Supreme Court of the United States announced it would hear oral arguments on President Donald Trump’s efforts to restrict birthright citizenship, which is a major pull factor for illegal immigration into the United States.

    “I’m very pleased to hear that the Supreme Court will review President Trump’s executive order to end the abuses of birthright citizenship.

    “I have long believed that the 14th amendment does not require granting citizenship to the children of illegal aliens or foreign nationals here on temporary, nonimmigrant visas. To that end, last year I introduced legislation to limit birthright citizenship.

    “One of the greatest pull factors for illegal immigration is birthright citizenship. In addition, birth tourism, particularly involving China, is a large industry where people obtain tourist visas for the purpose of giving birth in the U.S. and establishing U.S. citizenship for that child. It is far past time for the United States to recognize the original, constitutional definition of birthright citizenship, as the current practice is being abused in so many ways.

    “It is my hope the Court will settle this issue once and for all, and that my legislation to stop the abuse of birthright citizenship will pass quickly.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China extends anti-dumping duties on Japanese electrolytic capacitor paper

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s Ministry of Commerce announced Thursday that it would extend anti-dumping duties on imported paper for electrolytic capacitors from Japan for another five years, starting Friday.

    This decision follows a sunset review initiated in April 2024 at the request of China’s electrolytic capacitor paper industry.

    If these anti-dumping measures were terminated, the dumping of imported electrolytic capacitor paper from Japan could continue or recur, potentially causing ongoing or renewed harm to China’s domestic industry, the ministry said.

    Under the extended measures, Japanese companies will continue to face an anti-dumping duty of up to 40.83 percent.

    Electrolytic capacitor paper is used as the base material to absorb electrolytes in electrolytic capacitors, playing a crucial role in the functioning of the capacitors. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Nvidia CEO visits Beijing, stresses importance of China market

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Jensen Huang, CEO of U.S. tech giant Nvidia, arrived in Beijing on Thursday and met with Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

    During the meeting, Huang emphasized that China is a very important market for Nvidia and expressed the company’s willingness to continue cooperation with China.

    This marks Huang’s second visit to Beijing in three months. It came after the U.S. government limited exports of Nvidia’s H20 artificial intelligence chip to China, a key market for one of its most popular chips.

    Nvidia shares have slumped 22 percent this year and its stock fell 7 percent on Wednesday, media reports said. On Wednesday, U.S. stocks fell after Nvidia warned that new restrictions on exports to China will cost it billions of dollars. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China improves cross-border flow of financial data

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China has issued a guideline to facilitate and regulate cross-border flow of financial data amid efforts to boost high-standard opening up of the financial sector, the central bank said Thursday.

    The guideline, released by six departments, including the People’s Bank of China and the National Financial Regulatory Administration, aims to improve efficiency and compliance of cross-border flow of financial data.

    It further clarifies the conditions for data export and specifies the list of data items permitted for cross-border transfer to facilitate smoother data flow.

    Regarding areas such as cross-border payments, remittances, account openings, and shopping, the guideline specifies scenarios where data export is exempt from security assessments for outbound data transfers, where personal information export standard contracts can be signed, or where data export is permitted through personal information protection certification.

    For cases where data cross-border compliance obligations cannot be exempted but practical needs require data export, the guideline has categorized over 60 common financial business scenarios.

    Financial institutions should adopt effective data security protection efforts and technical measures to safeguard data security, according to the guideline.

    Industry experts believe that providing financial institutions with clear regulatory guidance will facilitate safer, more orderly, and efficient cross-border data flow in the financial sector. This will help create a more business-friendly and inclusive environment, further enhancing international competitiveness, as well as influence in rule-making.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s documentary heritage collections enter UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register

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

    China’s documentary heritage collections enter UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register

    The Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is pictured in Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 17, 2025. Three documentary heritage collections submitted by China have been inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization announced on Thursday. Among the 74 newly added entries, China contributed two solo submissions – the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng and the Steles of Shaolin Temple – as well as a joint submission with Sri Lanka: the Trilingual Inscription. [Photo/Xinhua]

    PARIS, April 17 — Three documentary heritage collections submitted by China have been inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization announced on Thursday.

    Among the 74 newly added entries, China contributed two solo submissions – the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng and the Steles of Shaolin Temple – as well as a joint submission with Sri Lanka: the Trilingual Inscription.

    According to UNESCO, the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is a remarkable set of ancient bronze bells unearthed in 1978 from the Tombs of Marquis Yi in Suizhou city, central China’s Hubei Province. These bells not only offer insights into early Chinese musical traditions but also contain inscriptions that are considered the earliest surviving archaeological records illustrating mathematical relationships in music.

    The Steles of Shaolin Temple (566-1990) contain 499 surviving steles of the iconic temple, presenting a relatively complete and coherent sequence of historical documents in the form of stone inscriptions dating back to 1424.

    The third entry, the Trilingual Inscription jointly submitted by China and Sri Lanka, was a stone tablet dated Feb. 15, 1409. The inscription features texts in Chinese, Persian, and Tamil. Installed by Chinese Admiral Zheng He during one of his voyages, the inscription praises Buddha, Vishnu, and Allah. UNESCO describes it as the only known trilingual text combining these three languages and representing three distinct civilizations.

    “Documentary heritage is an essential yet fragile element of the Memory of the World. This is why UNESCO invests in safeguarding it, shares best practices, and maintains this register that records the broadest threads of human history,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

    With the latest additions, the Memory of the World Register now comprises 570 collections, encompassing a wide range of subjects including the scientific revolution, women’s contribution to history, and major milestones of multilateralism.

    This undated file photo shows a stele in Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng City, central China’s Henan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Visitors look at the Trilingual Inscription at the Colombo National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This undated file photo shows a stele in Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng City, central China’s Henan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 17, 2025 shows the Trilingual Inscription exhibited at the Colombo National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is pictured in Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 17, 2025 shows the Trilingual Inscription exhibited at the Colombo National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 17, 2025 shows the Trilingual Inscription (C) exhibited at the Colombo National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This undated file photo shows steles in the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng City, central China’s Henan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is pictured in Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is pictured in Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Two Chinese geoparks enter UNESCO Global Geoparks Network

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

    An aerial drone photo taken on April 28, 2024 shows a view of the Kanbula National Geopark in Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    PARIS, April 17 — Two Chinese geoparks have officially been added to the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization announced on Thursday.

    The decision was made during the 221st session of the Executive Board of UNESCO, which approved a list of 16 new entries into the Global Geoparks Network. Among them are two geoparks from China: Kanbula National Geopark, situated on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and Yunyang Geopark in southwest China.

    Now designated as the Kanbula UNESCO Global Geopark, the site is renowned for its striking geological formations shaped by complex natural processes. Highlights include the Maixiu volcanoes and the Yellow River, according to a UNESCO press release.

    “While the geopark works to preserve this rich geological heritage, it also plays a vital role in protecting local communities from river-related risks, coordinating warning systems and forecasts, and raising awareness on how to respond to flooding and landslides,” UNESCO noted.

    An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 2, 2023 shows a view of the Kanbula National Geopark in Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Yunyang Geopark earned its place in the network for its extraordinary landscapes formed nearly 250 million years ago. The site features the famous “Great Wall of Dinosaur Fossil” – an 18-km stretch of rock layers containing fossils dating back around 170 million years. It also includes dramatic karst formations, such as one of the world’s deepest sinkholes, which plunge 335 meters and serve as a key site for scientific research.

    UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted the broader significance of UNESCO Global Geoparks. “UNESCO Geoparks have become models for the conservation of geological heritage,” she said. “But their role goes much further – they support educational projects, promote sustainable tourism, and keep the knowledge and traditions of these territories alive through the active participation of local and indigenous communities.”

    Established in 2015, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network brings together sites recognized for their significant geological heritage that reflect the Earth’s history, evolution, and climate. With the addition of 16 new geoparks, the network now encompasses 229 sites worldwide.

    An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows the scenery in the Yunyang Geopark in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Releases Statement in Response to USTR Placing Service Fees on Chinese Ships

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) today released the following statement in response to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer announcing actions to restore American shipbuilding and address China’s unreasonable acts to dominate the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries.
    “Thanks to President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for putting America first by placing industry-friendly service fees on Chinese-manufactured ships that carry U.S. farm commodities,” said Senator Marshall. “China has dominated global shipping fleets for too long. This move protects American agriculture, boosts domestic shipbuilding, and strengthens our national security.”
    Background:

    According to the Office of the USTR, the United States only accounts for 0.1% of global shipbuilding while China produces more than the rest of the world combined.
    For nearly three decades, China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance has marginalized America’s shipbuilding capabilities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US-Ukraine-Europe trilateral talks held in Paris

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    France hosted a trilateral meeting on Ukraine on Thursday, marking the first time the United States, Ukraine and Europe sat at the same negotiation table since U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office in January.

    It was the first time Americans, Ukrainians, and Europeans have been “at the same table,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the News Channel LCI.

    Barrot emphasized that the meeting was “essential” as it aimed to advance a shared objective: peace in Ukraine. However, he also stressed, “A lasting peace can only be achieved with the consent and contribution of the Europeans.”

    European leaders have voiced concern and frustration over the Trump administration’s approach to talks on the Ukraine-Russia conflict that leave Kiev and its European backers on the sideline.

    They have consistently emphasized that “no durable peace” can be achieved in Ukraine without European participation in the talks.

    A second round of such talks is scheduled to take place in London next week, according to LCI.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Cambodia agree to build all-weather community with shared future in new era

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

    China, Cambodia agree to build all-weather community with shared future in new era

    Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    PHNOM PENH, April 17 — Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Thursday agreed to build an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era, and designated 2025 the China-Cambodia Year of Tourism.

    Xi said the ironclad friendship between China and Cambodia enjoys a profound history, a solid political foundation and a strong internal driving force, adding that no matter how the international situation changes, the two countries have always been at the forefront of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

    Xi noted that at present, changes unseen in a century are accelerating, saying that deepening the building of the China-Cambodia community with a shared future is fully in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

    China will, as always, support Cambodia in following a development path that suits its national conditions, support the Cambodian government’s successful governance of the country, and back Cambodia in playing a more important role in international and regional affairs, he added.

    Xi called on both sides to take the building of an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era as a new starting point, build on the momentum, continue to implement a new action plan on building the China-Cambodia community with a shared future, strengthen unity and cooperation, and speed up the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

    He also urged the two sides to deepen political mutual trust at a higher level, expand mutually beneficial cooperation of higher quality, consolidate security guarantees of a higher level, carry out people-to-people and cultural exchanges at a higher frequency, and strengthen strategic coordination of higher standards, so as to bring greater benefits to the two peoples.

    The Chinese president called for maximizing the role of the China-Cambodia Intergovernmental Coordination Committee, ensuring the strategic dialogues between the foreign and defense ministers of the two countries a success, strengthening exchanges through such channels as political parties and legislative bodies, jointly addressing risks and challenges, and safeguarding the common interests of both sides.

    The Chinese side, Xi said, is ready to share opportunities and seek common development with Cambodia.

    He called on both sides to vigorously promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and continuously enrich the “Diamond Hexagon” cooperation framework, so as to inject new impetus into their respective modernization efforts.

    China, Xi said, encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest in Cambodia, adding that it will open its mega-market to Cambodia and import more high-quality agricultural products from the country.

    The people of the two countries should enhance mutual understanding and friendly feelings for each other, and promote exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Cambodian civilizations, he added.

    China will continue to offer government scholarships to Cambodia, support the establishment of a dialogue and exchange mechanism for youths between the two countries, and encourage more exchanges at the local level, as well as between media outlets and think tanks, so as to bring the people of the two countries closer and closer, he said.

    He called on the two countries to take stronger and more effective measures to resolutely crack down on online gambling and telecom fraud, and to maintain social stability and the normal order of exchanges among regional countries.

    Xi said China and Cambodia, important forces in the Global South, should stick to the common values of peace, unity and cooperation.

    He called on both sides to oppose unilateral bullying, practice true multilateralism, firmly oppose bloc confrontation, strengthen coordination and cooperation within the frameworks of ASEAN and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, and jointly safeguard hard-won regional peace and development, so as to contribute to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

    For his part, Hun Manet said Cambodia and China have long respected each other and treated each other as equals, hailing China as Cambodia’s most reliable and trustworthy friend.

    He said Xi’s visit is of great significance, which will deepen political mutual trust between the two countries and effectively promote the building of an all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era.

    Hailing China’s achievements in economic and social development, Hun Manet said he firmly believes that under Xi’s strong leadership, China will achieve the Second Centenary Goal as scheduled. He thanked China for its strong support for Cambodia’s economic development and for safeguarding its independence.

    The prime minister said Cambodia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting that Cambodia is firmly committed to its friendship with China and is willing to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic and security cooperation, and deepen the ironclad friendship.

    Noting that China is Cambodia’s largest trading partner and the top source of investment, Hun Manet said Cambodia is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as economy and trade, investment, industrial and supply chains, agriculture and infrastructure, jointly combat online gambling and telecom fraud, strengthen people-to-people exchanges in such fields as education and culture, and ensure the Cambodia-China Year of Tourism a success.

    He said Cambodia highly appreciates China’s active role in international and regional affairs, and supports Xi’s vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as the three major global initiatives and the Belt and Road cooperation proposed by Xi.

    Amid global turbulence caused by unilateralism and shocks to the multilateral trading system, China has played a leading role and provided valuable stability to the world, Hun Manet said, adding that Cambodia is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China to safeguard their common interests.

    After the meeting, leaders of the two countries witnessed the exchange of more than 30 bilateral cooperation documents covering fields including production and supply chain cooperation, artificial intelligence, development assistance, customs inspection and quarantine, as well as health and news.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet jointly witness the exchange of bilateral cooperation documents after their talks in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. Xi held talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China welcomes more US-funded companies to deepen presence in China: vice premier

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

    China welcomes more US-funded companies to deepen presence in China: vice premier

    BEIJING, April 17 — Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with President and CEO of Nvidia Jensen Huang in Beijing on Thursday.

    He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the Chinese market has huge investment and consumption potential, and the industrial transformation and upgrading are accelerating.

    The Chinese market is the best application scenario for the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, and has always been a fertile ground for foreign-funded enterprises to invest and trade, He noted.

    China welcomes more U.S.-funded enterprises, including Nvidia, to deeply cultivate the Chinese market and fully demonstrate their industrial advantages and capabilities in China, thereby gaining the upper hand in global competition, He said.

    Huang expressed optimism about the economic prospects of China and the willingness to continue to deepen presence in the Chinese market and play an active role in promoting economic and trade cooperation between the United States and China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier urges efforts to improve social expectations

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

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang presides over a study session held by the State Council on April 17, 2025. Li Qiang has stressed the importance of improving social expectations and coordinating efforts to address risks and challenges while advancing high-quality development. [Photo/Xinhua]

    BEIJING, April 17 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang has stressed the importance of improving social expectations and coordinating efforts to address risks and challenges while advancing high-quality development.

    Li made the remarks at a study session held by the State Council on Thursday. Also in attendance were He Lifeng and Zhang Guoqing, both of whom are vice premiers, and State Councilor Wu Zhenglong.

    Li emphasized the need to regulate the supply-demand balance, and to pay close attention to expectation management and guidance in macroeconomic governance.

    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.

    Li stressed the importance of strengthening communication with the market to ensure policies truly benefit the people and businesses.

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

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says unilateralism, hegemonism receive no support of the people

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

    Building China-Cambodia community with shared future a choice of history, the people: Xi

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Cambodian People’s Party President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    PHNOM PENH, April 17 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future is a choice of history and the people.

    Xi made the remarks when meeting with Cambodian People’s Party President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

    China and Cambodia are not only friendly neighbors but also ironclad friends, he said, noting that both countries are currently at a critical stage of national development.

    Xi said that the two sides should keep in mind the well-being of their people and the progress of humanity, strive to set an example for building a community with a shared future for mankind in the course of advancing their respective modernization endeavors, and join hands to become forces for peace, stability and progress in a world undergoing profound transformations unseen in a century.

    China believes that Cambodia’s road to national development and revitalization will become wider and wider, and will, as always, support the Cambodian People’s Party in leading the Cambodian people to maintain national stability and economic development, Xi said, adding that China supports Cambodia in playing a more important role in the regional and international arena.

    The Chinese president said that the two sides should make good use of the newly established “2+2” strategic dialogue mechanism between foreign ministers and defense ministers of the two countries to strengthen strategic coordination.

    The two sides should deepen practical cooperation across various fields, advance the construction of Cambodia’s Industrial and Technological Corridor and Fish and Rice Corridor, and strengthen collaboration in energy, transportation and other key sectors, enabling Cambodia to share more in China’s development opportunities, Xi said.

    Xi emphasized that China is willing to engage in exchanges and mutual learning with Cambodia on major issues such as strengthening party building and advancing reform and development, and to deepen friendly cooperation between China’s National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference with National Assembly and Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

    Unilateralism and hegemonism receive no support of the people, Xi said.

    History has shown the unstoppable trend toward a multipolar world, economic globalization, and cultural diversity, Xi said, adding that no country wants to return to isolation.

    The trade wars undermine the multilateral trading system and disrupt global economic order, Xi said, urging all countries to unite and firmly keep the reins of national security and development in their own hands, uphold mutual respect, pursue win-win cooperation and common development, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

    As Asia embarks on a new journey of collective revitalization, Xi noted, China will continue to follow the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the policy of developing friendship and partnership with neighboring countries, maintain the continuity and stability of its neighborhood diplomacy, deepen friendly cooperation with neighboring countries, so as to share the fruits of Chinese modernization more widely across the region, promote the building of a community with a shared future with neighboring countries, and work together to advance Asia’s modernization.

    For his part, Hun Sen said this visit is of great significance to Cambodia.

    Noting that China is Cambodia’s most steadfast supporter and most reliable partner, Hun Sen said China’s support has made significant contributions to Cambodia’s economic and social development and improvement of people’s lives, for which the Cambodian side expresses its deep gratitude.

    Cambodia firmly adheres to the one-China policy, supports China’s positions on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang and Xizang, and opposes any forces’ interference in China’s internal affairs, he said.

    China and Cambodia are ironclad friends, and the two countries’ decision to build a China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era will make further progress, promoting high-level, high-quality and high-standard development of bilateral relations, Hun Sen said.

    The two countries will always move forward hand in hand, stand together through thick and thin and share a common destiny, he added.

    Hun Sen said that Cambodia is willing to strengthen strategic security cooperation with China and expand bilateral trade.

    Cambodia welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country, and will join hands with China to promote the deepening of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and intensify the crackdown on online gambling and telecom fraud, he added.

    The Cambodian side highly appreciates China’s constructive role in promoting world peace and sustainable development, and supports the Belt and Road cooperation and the three major global initiatives proposed by China, which are conducive to safeguarding the common interests of the international community and promoting world peace, security and stability, Hun Sen said.

    Trade wars and tariff wars have undermined the legitimate interests of all countries and triggered turmoil in the international situation, Hun Sen said, adding that Cambodia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China and jointly address various risks and challenges.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Cambodian People’s Party President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says China, Cambodia set a model for equality, mutual trust, win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes

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

    Xi says China, Cambodia set model for equality, mutual trust, win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    PHNOM PENH, April 17 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China and Cambodia set a model for equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes.

    Xi made the remarks when meeting with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni during his state visit to Cambodia.

    Noting that Cambodia has recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of King Sihamoni’s enthronement and the Khmer New Year, Xi said he is delighted to visit the beautiful country of Cambodia at the invitation of the king, extending his heartfelt New Year greetings to the Cambodian people.

    Xi said that Cambodia’s nation-building is thriving, and he firmly believes that, under the blessings of King Sihamoni, the hardworking and intelligent Cambodian people will surely build an even more prosperous and stronger nation.

    Xi pointed out that China and Cambodia share a millennia-old friendship, with their people having always striven together and thrived together. Regardless of changes in the international landscape, China and Cambodia have stood by each other in good faith and with mutual assistance, offering unwavering support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns.

    China and Cambodia have always been at the forefront of building a community with a shared future for mankind, bringing tangible benefits to the Cambodian people, said Xi.

    He said that China values its friendship with the Cambodian royal family, and spoke highly of the important contributions made by the Cambodian royal family to the cause of China-Cambodia friendship over the years.

    Under the new circumstances, China and Cambodia should cherish and carry forward the ironclad friendship jointly forged by the elder generation of Chinese leaders and King Father Norodom Sihanouk, endow the China-Cambodia community with a shared future with new connotations of the time, serve the development of their respective countries and the well-being of their people, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, said Xi.

    He noted that China firmly supports Cambodia in maintaining stability, accelerating development, improving people’s livelihoods and following a development path that suits its national conditions.

    Xi said that he believes Chinese modernization will bring more opportunities to Cambodia and other neighboring countries and expressed confidence in writing a splendid chapter of building an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era.

    For his part, King Sihamoni said the friendship between Cambodia and China was created and cultivated by the elder generation of leaders of the two countries, adding that with the joint efforts of both sides, cooperation in various fields has become increasingly close and the building of a community with a shared future has been continuously deepened.

    The Cambodian side, he said, firmly adheres to the one-China principle, highly appreciates the three major global initiatives proposed by Xi, and appreciates the huge development opportunities brought to Cambodia via the Belt and Road cooperation.

    He hailed Xi’s visit a historic one, which will deepen the ironclad friendship between the two countries, enrich the cooperation framework of the “Diamond Hexagon,” and take bilateral ties to a new level.

    The king also said his country is ready to enhance coordination and cooperation with China in such multilateral mechanisms as ASEAN-China Cooperation and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, and jointly promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

    The king also presented the National Order of Independence – Grand Collar to Xi.

    He said Xi holds special friendly feelings towards Cambodia and has made outstanding contributions to promoting the development of Cambodia-China relations, adding that Xi is a great friend of Cambodia.

    It is believed that under the leadership of President Xi, China will achieve greater development accomplishments and play a more important role in international and regional affairs, he added.

    Xi said that this medal fully demonstrates Cambodia’s high regard for developing China-Cambodia relations and carries the deep friendship of the Cambodian people towards the Chinese people.

    This honor, he said, belongs not only to him personally, but also to all the friendly people who have cultivated and contributed to the friendship between China and Cambodia.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni walk at the Royal Palace after their meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. Xi met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni presents the National Order of Independence – Grand Collar to Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. Xi met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi meets Cambodian Queen Mother

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

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Cambodia’s Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    PHNOM PENH, April 17 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk is a witness and promoter of the China-Cambodia friendship.

    In his meeting with the Queen Mother at the Royal Palace, Xi said she has special friendly feelings towards the Chinese people, and she is well-deserved to be awarded the Friendship Medal of the People’s Republic of China.

    Xi also said that China is her second home, adding that she is welcome to come to China at any time.

    Cambodia’s King Father Norodom Sihanouk was a banner of the China-Cambodia friendship, said Xi, adding that together with the elder generation of Chinese leaders, he personally forged an unbreakable ironclad friendship between China and Cambodia.

    “We will always remember the historic contributions he made,” Xi added.

    For her part, the Queen Mother said Xi is the greatest friend of Cambodia, and it is a great pleasure to see that the China-Cambodia friendship forged by the elder generation of leaders of the two countries has been continuously consolidated and developed.

    The Queen Mother said she believes that the ironclad friendship between the two countries will grow even deeper and more unbreakable.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Applauds USTR’s Action to Revitalize American Shipbuilding, Protect U.S. Workers from Unfair Chinese Trade

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) applauds the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for enacting measures to protect American jobs, national security and the American shipbuilding industry with much-need relief measures.

    Along with other allies in labor, the IAM helped lead a Section 301 petition to USTR and has worked collaboratively with allies and two administrations.

    “The IAM Union is pleased to see meaningful remedies put forward to reinvigorate domestic shipbuilding,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant, who recently testified at the USTR’s hearing on Section 301 proposed remedies to China’s aggressive targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. “We will continue to work to ensure these policies are properly implemented so that we are successful in creating high-quality jobs for IAM members in the shipbuilding and ship repair industries.”

    The USTR shipbuilding remedies include targeted fees on Chinese-built vessels when they dock at U.S. ports, and include higher charges for Chinese-owned and operated ships.

    In January, IAM Union and its labor partners welcomed a comprehensive report from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) of its investigation on commercial shipbuilding and its findings that PRC engaged in a broad range of tactics designed to dominate and control the maritime, shipbuilding and logistics sectors.

    The report illustrates how the PRC decimated U.S. shipbuilding, maritime and logistics capabilities, contributing to the loss of thousands of jobs. These illegal trade practices, including subsidies, preferential sourcing policies and unfair labor practices, also significantly weakened the nation’s economic and military strength. 

    In March, IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan joined U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) for a press conference at the IAM-represented Mare Island Dry Dock. The coalition called for action against China’s unlawful trade and promoted Garamendi’s SHIPS for America Act to help rebuild America’s shipbuilding industry and empower American workers. 

    “Today marks a major achievement for policy to reinvigorate domestic shipbuilding, but the IAM will continue to fight to make sure these policies usher in real results,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “We will continue to fight for high-quality shipbuilding jobs across the country and to advance this industry forward for the sake of economic and national security.”

    The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

    goIAM.org | @IAM_Union

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bahamian Alien Smuggler Sentenced to 20 Months in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – A federal district judge in Miami sentenced a Bahamian national to 20 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to alien smuggling in January.

    On Nov. 8, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers interdicted an alien smuggling vessel approximately six miles off the coast of Miami, Florida. The CBP vessel intercepted Keith Kevin Russell, 46, while he was transporting 18 individuals on his boat from The Bahamas to the United States. Russell initially refused to stop, only stopping when CBP officers shot warning flares near the vessel. The CBP officers brought the individuals from Russell’s boat onboard the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Richard Etheridge and confirmed that all the individuals were aliens who did not have authorization to enter the United States. The aliens on the vessel were from China, Haiti, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. The Coast Guard officers and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents also determined that Patrick Angelo Percentie, 45, was a Bahamian alien that had been previously removed from the United States after a conviction for an aggravated felony.

    USCG officers brought Russell and Percentie to shore to face charges. The rest of the aliens were returned to the Bahamas. Percentie also pled guilty and received a 16-month prison sentence.

    U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of HSI, Miami Field Office, announced the sentence.

    HSI Miami investigated the case with assistance from CBP and USCG, 7th Coast Guard District. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl is prosecuting the case.

    You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-20514.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Juan de Fuca Marine Trail remains closed, day-use areas open in park

    The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail will remain closed throughout summer to repair extensive damage caused by multiple fall and winter storms, but people can still enjoy day-use areas in Juan de Fuca Park.

    Several key sections of the 47-kilometre trail have been washed away or blocked by fallen trees, making the trail impassable and unsafe for hikers. There is also extensive damage to bridges, boardwalks, shelters and campsites. 

    Five backcountry campgrounds along the trail remain closed, including Bear Beach, Chin Beach, West Sombrio Beach, Little Kuitsche Creek and Payzant Creek. People can still enjoy backcountry camping and day use at Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach. The day-use area is also open at China Beach and Botanical Beach.

    A phased reopening of the trail and backcountry campsites is planned as repairs are completed. For future updates about trail repairs and reopening timelines, people are encouraged to check here: https://bcparks.ca/juan-de-fuca-park/

    Spanning part of Vancouver Island’s southwest coast, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is designed for challenging day or multi-day hikes through rugged, coastal terrain that is often affected by wet and extreme weather.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chinese National Sentenced for Taking $95,000 from Elder Fraud Victim

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge John A. Ross on Thursday sentenced a man from China who took $95,000 in cash from a 79-year-old Missouri fraud victim to 21 months in prison.

    Judge Ross also ordered Dongyi Guo, 28, to repay the money.

    Guo was part of a conspiracy that targeted elderly victims. Members of the conspiracy began contacting the victim in March of 2024. In phone calls and electronic messages, they claimed to represent her financial institutions and/or the Social Security Office and falsely claimed that her financial accounts had been compromised. They told her that she needed to pay to prevent her money from being stolen, and that a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) employee would pick up the money.

    Guo flew from New York City to Chicago and then rented a car to drive to the woman’s home. On March 4, 2024, he picked up $40,000 in cash. He took another $35,000 in cash the next day, and $20,000 on March 6. Guo’s co-conspirators continued to pressure the victim into providing more money. Guo was arrested on March 7 while trying to pick up $15,000 more.

    In a letter to the court, a daughter of the victim said her mother died seven months after Guo took her money, and that the crime “unquestionably contributed” to her death. After clicking on a link that said, “You’ve been hacked. Call (this number) for assistance,” her mother was tricked and shamed into withdrawing cash and placing it in shoeboxes that she them turned over to Guo. The scammers claimed Guo would “keep her money secure while this matter was resolved.” She responded by to the crime by refusing medication, food and exercise and declining to attend church. She was left “mentally and physically broken, alone, and wanting to die.”

    Guo pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in November to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

    The Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman prosecuted the case.

    If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting and provide resources and referrals. Reporting frauds can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. The Federal Trade Commission also provides a hotline at 877-FTC-HELP and a website at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov for consumer complaints.

    MIL Security OSI –