Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HANOI, April 15 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that he has full confidence in the future of China-Vietnam relations.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when bidding farewell to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam.
Xi also said that his Vietnam visit is fruitful albeit brief.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Xi says China-Vietnam relations rooted in, sustained by and empowered by the people
HANOI, April 15 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China-Vietnam relations are rooted in the people, sustained by the people and empowered by the people.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during his meeting with representatives of the Chinese and Vietnamese People’s Friendship Meeting in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, alongside General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and Vietnamese President Luong Cuong.
Xi said that over the years, the peoples of China and Vietnam have stood together through thick and thin, sharing weal and woe, and have jointly written a glorious chapter in the history of China-Vietnam friendship.
He emphasized that China-Vietnam friendship has taken root and sprouted through mutual support between the two peoples, and has blossomed and borne fruit through their solidarity and coordination.
Committed to the overarching goals characterized by “six mores,” namely, stronger political mutual trust, more substantive security cooperation, deeper practical cooperation, more solid popular foundation, closer coordination and collaboration on multilateral affairs, and better management and resolution of differences, the two countries firmly support each other in pursuing the socialist path suited to their respective national conditions and continue to make new progress in the development of socialist cause, he noted.
Both sides actively implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, firmly uphold international fairness and justice, and consistently stand on the right side of history and on the progressive side of the times, thereby contributing more positive energy to Asia and the world, said Xi.
People are the creators of history, Xi said, adding the endorsement and support of the two peoples provide a solid foundation for building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, Xi said.
Noting that young people are the future and hope of the cause, Xi said that in the next three years, China will invite Vietnamese youth to China for “Red Study Tours.”
For his part, To Lam said that the holding of Chinese and Vietnamese People’s Friendship Meeting is of great significance, as it coincides with Xi’s historic visit to Vietnam, the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
Noting that friendly cooperation has always been the mainstream of China-Vietnam relations, To Lam said the Vietnamese side will always remember that the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people have provided selfless assistance to Vietnam’s national independence, reunification and development process.
The young people are the hope for carrying forward and developing the traditional friendship between the two countries, he said, adding that the Chinese and Vietnamese young people should shoulder the historical mission, ensuring that the traditional friendship nurtured and cultivated by generations of leaders from both countries will be passed down from one generation to the next.
Before the event, Xi, accompanied by To Lam and Luong Cuong, watched a photo exhibition marking the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam.
After the event, the three leaders jointly launched the “Red Study Tours” project.
Xi, To Lam and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, jointly witnessed the launching ceremony of the China-Vietnam railway cooperation mechanism.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, April 15 — The eight-day May Day holiday travel rush will last from April 29 to May 6, with peak passenger flows expected on May 1, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) said on Tuesday.
Tickets for the first day of the holiday travel period will go on sale from Tuesday, according to China Railway.
During this year’s May Day holiday, strong travel demand for family visit, tourism and spring outing purposes is anticipated to drive positive growth in rail passenger volumes, it said.
Railways nationwide will operate under a peak schedule during the period, with plans for over 12,000 passenger trains to operate each day on average.
To meet the high demand, China Railway will boost its transport capacity by adding passenger trains, operating overnight high-speed trains, and attaching additional carriages to already scheduled trains, it said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, April 15 — An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on accelerating the process of building China into a leading country in culture will be published on Wednesday.
The article by Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be published in this year’s eighth issue of Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.
The article states that building China into a leading country in culture bears on the overall Chinese modernization drive, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and the improvement of international competitiveness.
It emphasizes staying committed to the strategic goal of building China into a leading country in culture by 2035, which will lay a solid cultural foundation for building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation.
The article makes requirements for accelerating the building of a leading country in culture from five aspects: staying firmly on the path of a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, inspiring the cultural creativity of the entire nation, prioritizing the people in cultural development, carrying forward Chinese cultural heritage through creative transformation and innovative development, and continuously enhancing China’s cultural soft power and the appeal of Chinese culture.
The article urges Party committees and governments at all levels to place cultural advancement in a prominent position, strengthen leadership, and create a powerful collective force for building a leading country in culture.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
SHANGHAI, April 15 — Shanghai in east China has achieved complete 5G network coverage across its whole metro system, local communications authority announced Tuesday.
This coverage spans all 21 lines with a total length of 896 kilometers and 517 stations in the city’s subway network, and over 80 percent of the system use 5G Advanced (5G-A) technology, according to the Shanghai Communications Administration.
Test results showed average download speeds exceeding 600 Mbps in stations and tunnels, with peak rates surpassing one Gbps. The high-speed network supports improved passenger services while enhancing operational capabilities including smart scheduling, equipment monitoring and emergency response.
Further efforts will be made to optimize the network and expand 5G-A applications to create smarter commuting experiences, according to the administration.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
CAIRO, Egypt, April 15, 2025/APO Group/ —
African Export-Import Bank (“Afreximbank” or the “Group”) (www.Afreximbank.com) has released the consolidated financial statements of the Bank and its subsidiaries, for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Financial Highlights
Afreximbank reported strong financial performance despite a complex global economic landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and elevated interest rate, posting a net income of US$973.5 million for FY 2024, a 29% increase from the previous year – with subsidiaries beginning to make meaningful contributions to the Group’s financial results.
These impressive results highlight Afreximbank’s resilience, systemic relevance and its commitment to delivering on its mandate and the objectives set under its Sixth Strategic Plan. The Group’s total income increased by 23% to reach US$3.3 billion, driven by growth in business volumes and supported by higher market interest rates. As a result, net interest income for FY2024 amounted to US$1.8 billion, a 25% increase compared to FY2023, reflecting the effective and efficient management of borrowing costs.
Despite rising operating expenses, Cost-to-Income ratio improved to 18% in FY 2024, down from 19% in the previous year – demonstrating enhanced operational efficiency. This was achieved even as total operating expenses rose by 21% to US$367.7 million (FY2023: US$304.5 million), primarily due to global inflationary pressures and increased investment in human capital to support expanded business activities.
Group’s total assets, including contingencies, grew by 7.55%, reaching US$40.1 billion as of 31 December 2024, compared to US$37.3 billion at the close of FY’2023. The growth was largely driven by increases in net loans and advances to customers, guarantees and letters of credit, as well as investments at fair value, property and equipment.
The carrying value of property and equipment increased by 33%, rising from US$328.1 million to US$436.4 million, primarily driven by the accelerated construction of the state-of-the-art Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) facilities in Abuja, Nigeria, and Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Group’s Shareholders’ funds grew by 17% in 2024, reaching US$7.2 billion (FY’2023: US$6.1 billion). This growth was largely driven by the Net income of US$973.5 million generated in 2024 which contributed to the increase in equity, while FY’2023 dividends of US$314.5 million were appropriated following the Shareholders’ approval in June 2024. Additionally, the successful capital-raising efforts under the second general capital increase (GCI II) programme, which secured fresh equity contributions totalling US$412.8 million during the year also contributed to the increase in Group shareholders’s funds.
The Bank’s callable capital, a significant proportion of which was credit enhanced as part of the Bank’s Capital Management Strategy, amounted to US$4.3 billion as at 31 December 2024 (FY’2023: US$3.7 billion).
Operating Highlights
In 2024, Afreximbank was ranked number one in all three categories in the Bloomberg Capital Markets League Tables Report for African Capital Markets. The Bank was the top Sub-Saharan Africa bookrunner, administrative agent and mandated lead arranger. These rankings affirm the Bank’s role as a market leader in facilitating capital from within and outside of the continent from a diverse range of investors and stakeholders for financing needs for African member states and organizations.
Afreximbank continued to expand its membership, further deepening its continental and diaspora reach. Libya’s accession to the Establishment Agreement brought the number of African member states to 53 by year-end, and just weeks later, Somalia became the 54th participating state. On the Caribbean front, membership momentum remained strong, with 12 of the 15 CARICOM countries having signed the Bank’s Participating Agreement, paving way for Afreximbank to expand its operations into the region.
The Bank’s subsidiaries also delivered a robust growth and made a significant impact throughout the year. The Fund for Export Development (FEDA), the equity investment subsidiary of the Bank, expanded its impact portfolio to over US$0.5 billion, targeting key sectors such as industrial platforms, financial services, agribusiness, and healthcare. AfrexInsure, the Bank’s specialty insurance subsidiary, successfully deployed its solutions to an expanding customer base across multiple sectors and geographies. By year-end, AfrexInsure had completed transactions in seventeen countries, up from seven the previous year, covering US$3.54 billion in assets. Notably, AfrexInsure was able to place 97% of its premiums with pan-African players, in line with its mandate to keep premiums on the continent.
The Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) continued its upward trajectory in 2024, with 3 additional Central Banks and 50 commercial banks joining the platform, bringing the total number of Central Banks to 16 and commercial banks to 144. In addition, PAPSS launched the African Currency Marketplace (PACM) in 2024, which successfully handled 12 currencies during its pilot phase and becoming a useful platform for large corporates encountering difficulties in repatriating funds across the continent. Work is also progressing towar the launch of the PAPSS card, further enhancing the platform’s capacity to facilitate seamless financial transactions across the continent.
In the last quarter of 2024, the Bank priced its debut Samurai bond, securing a regular 5 tranche JPY 67.2 billion. Concurrently, the Bank launched its inaugural Retail Samurai bond with a 3-year fixed-rated tranche valued at JPY 14.1 billion. The bonds are rated ‘A-’ by Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd and helped with diversifying the Bank’s funding sources.
The fundraising opportunities were further validated by the AAA/Stable rating awarded to the Bank by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI), the highest rating ever granted to an African multilateral financial institution. This prestigious rating not only affirms the Bank’s developmental impact and operational strength but also enhances our ability to diversify funding sources and strengthen our partnership with China, Africa’s largest trading partner.
Afreximbank, in collaboration with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat, and the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria will hold the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria, from 4-10 September 2025. The event, the largest of its kind in Africa, champions the cause of changing the socio-economic landscape of Africa by devising progressive initiatives aimed at promoting intra-African trade, continental integration and a platform for bringing the AfCFTA vision to life.
Mr. Denys Denya, Afreximbank’s Senior Executive Vice President, commented:
“In a challenging and rapidly evolving global geopolitical and economic environment, the Group delivered robust financial performance, exceeding expectations and outperforming prior years. This achievement highlights management’s commitment to executing the 6th Strategic Plan, ensuring operational efficiency, and enhancing value. The Bank’s strong financial position is underpinned by solid liquidity, a well-capitalized balance sheet, and a high-quality asset portfolio. Management remains confident in the Group’s ability to navigate ongoing economic headwinds and sustain growth trajectory. Strategic initiatives to mitigate risks and optimize operations have reinforced the foundation for long-term success. Looking ahead, global economic conditions are expected to remain volatile, with inflationary pressures, tighter financial conditions, and geopolitical uncertainties posing potential risks. The Bank will continue to play its role as a systemically relevant institution, balancing growth, liquidity, profitability, and risk management while pursuing sustainable expansion.”
Highlights of the results for the Group and Bank are shown below:
|
Financial Metrics |
FY-2024 |
FY-2023 |
|
Gross Income (US$ billion) |
3.3 |
2.6 |
|
Operating Income (US$ billion) |
2.0 |
1.6 |
|
Net Income (US$ million) |
973.5 |
756.1 |
|
Total Assets (US$ billion) |
35.3 |
33.5 |
|
Total Liabilities (US$ billion) |
28.1 |
27.3 |
|
Shareholders’ Funds (US$ billion) |
7.2 |
6.1 |
|
Net asset value per share |
US$69,270 |
US$63,683 |
|
Financial Metrics |
FY-2024 |
FY-2023 |
|
Profitability Return on average assets (ROAA) Return on average equity (ROAE) |
2.96% 15.31% |
2.56% 13.31% |
|
Operating Efficiency Net interest spread Cost-to-income ratio |
4.07% 18.35% |
4.09% 19.09% |
|
Asset Quality Non-performing loans ratio (NPL) |
2.33% |
2.47% |
|
Liquidity and capital adequacy Cash/Total assets Capital Adequacy ratio (Basel II) |
13.18% 24% |
16.80% 25% |
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam, attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
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Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, April 15 — An updated mandatory national standard on the safety of electric vehicle batteries in China is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.
The standard is titled “Safety Requirements for Power Batteries Used in Electric Vehicles (GB38031-2025),” according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
The revisions include updates to thermal diffusion testing of batteries, further clarifying the temperature requirements, observation time, and vehicle testing conditions.
A new bottom impact test has been introduced to assess the protective capabilities of the battery upon impact to its base. A new safety test following fast charging cycles has also been added, which requires external short circuit testing after 300 fast charge cycles, mandating no fire or explosion.
The revised version clearly states that the standard applies to power batteries for electric vehicles, excluding non-propulsion batteries.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Churchill Resources Inc. (“Churchill“) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding letter of intent dated April 14, 2025 (the “LOI”) to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Black Raven Antimony Property, located approximately 60 km northwest of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, from property owners Eddie and Roland Quinlan. The property encloses two small-scale past producing mines which operated between 1890 and 1918 exploiting stibnite, gold and arsenopyrite. These past producers and two related occurrences constitute gold, antimony, silver +/- copper, zinc and lead targets in veins and stockworks. The historical mines and other occurrences are located within close proximity to each other, in a larger-scale geological environment containing intense veining and alteration associated with felsic intrusions within a mafic volcanic domain.
Antimony is a critical element for the energy, transportation, and military industries with China, Russia, Tajikstan, and Burma generating over 90% of world production. Since China’s recent export ban (September 15, 2024), the price of antimony has increased roughly five-fold to >$50,000/tonne which is approximately 3x the current price of nickel. Churchill’s Taylor Brook Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-Vanadium-Titanium Property, and Florence Lake Nickel Property, are both in good standing for a number of years, such that further exploration and development can await improved market conditions sentiment while the Company focuses on high-grade antimony-gold and other critical minerals.
The Beaver Brook Antimony Mine owned by China Minmetals, and currently on care and maintenance due to declining resources, is located ~100 km south of Black Raven. It is reported that the owners are actively exploring for more deposits to feed the mill. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/antimony-mine-closure-1.6703205)
The two past-producing mines, as well as the Taylors Room prospect and Western Head porphyry target, are described within the Government of Newfoundland’s Mineral Occurrence Data System (“MODS”), and in assessment reports, as summarized below:
Frost Cove Antimony Mine (MOD # 002E10 SB001) –
Stewart Gold-Antimony Mine (MOD # 002E10 AU001) –
Taylors Room Gold Prospect (MOD # 002E10 AU002) –
Western Head Cu-Mo Porphyry Target (MOD # 002E10 CU005) –
Churchill intends to immediately conduct a re-sampling program on the surface showings and any accessible historical workings, and compilations of all historical data already in progress. The entire property requires modern, helicopter-borne geophysical and LiDAR surveys and Churchill has identified a leading contractor to do this work. Follow-up prospecting and systematic trenching, with channel sampling work as required, are being planned with initiation this coming Spring; the derived geological and geochemical data will used to outline targets along strike and at depth to the historical workings.
The data reported in this News Release is historic in nature and has not yet been verified by a Qualified Person. Churchill has relied on the information supplied in the Government of Newfoundland filed assessment reports and from information found in MODS published by the Newfoundland Department of Natural Resources. The surface grab samples described in this news release are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades of the property. Historical surface antimony and gold results are presented in the following figures.
Black Raven Property
The Black Raven Property is comprised of nine map-staked licenses constituting a single contiguous block of 125 claims that in total which cover 3,125ha or 31.25km2. Churchill and the vendors have agreed to a 4km wide area of interest around the property boundaries as part of this agreement.
LOI Terms
Under the terms of the LOI, the Company shall have the exclusive option for a period of 24 months to acquire an undivided 100% ownership interest in the Black Raven Antimony Property by:
Following the date that the option is deemed to have been exercised in accordance with its terms, Churchill will issue and grant to the Quinlans a 2.0% net smelter royalty on any minerals produced from the claims comprising the Black Raven Antimony Property. If the option is exercised, Churchill will also make a one-time cash payment to the Quinlans in the amount of $100,000 on or prior to the date that is the sixth anniversary of the execution of the Option Agreement.
The transaction, including the issuance of Common Shares to the Quinlans, is subject to all the necessary approvals from the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”). Any securities issued in connection with the transaction will be subject to applicable statutory hold periods.
The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Derek H.C Wilton, P.Geo., FGC, who is a “qualified person” as defined under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). Mr. Wilton is an honourary research professor of Economic Geology at Memorial University in St. John’s and is independent of the Company for the purposes of NI 43-101.
References:
Fogwill, W.D., 1968. Report on a copper prospect at Western Head, Moreton’s Harbour in the Notre Dame Bay Area, Newfoundland. Newfoundland and Labrador Geological Survey, Assessment File 2E/10/0350, 1968, 48 pages
Kruse, Stefan, 2014. Technical Report on the Black Raven Property, Moreton’s Harbour Area Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada for Pleasant Ridge Resources Inc., May 14, 2014
Quinlan E, 2013. First Year Assessment Report for 019872M, Ninth Year Assessment Report for 015553M, and Third Year Assessment Report for 017787M for Exploration within the Black Raven Property, NTS Map Sheet 2E/10. Newfoundland and Labrador Geological Survey Assessment Report, 69 pages
Sheppard, B., 1984. First Year Assessment Report on Geological, Geochemical and Geophyisical Exploration on License 2363 on Claim Blocks 3533-3534 in Moreton’s Harbour Area on New World Island, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador Assessment File 2E/10/0507, 1984, 28 pages.
About Churchill Resources
Churchill Resources Inc. is a Canadian exploration company focused on strategic, critical minerals in Canada, principally at its prospective Taylor Brook, Florence Lake, and Black Raven properties in Newfoundland & Labrador. The Churchill management team, board, and advisors have decades of combined experience in mineral exploration and in the establishment of successful publicly listed mining companies, both in Canada and around the world. Churchill’s Newfoundland and Labrador projects have the potential to benefit from the province’s large and diversified minerals industry, which includes world class nickel mines and processing facilities, and a well-developed mineral exploration sector with locally based drilling and geological expertise.
Further Information
For further information regarding Churchill, please contact:
Churchill Resources Inc.
Paul Sobie, Chief Executive Officer
psobie@churchillresources.com
Tel. 416.365.0930 (o)
647.988.0930 (m)
Alec Rowlands, Business Development & IR
Alec.rowlands1@gmail.com
Tel. 416.721.4732 (m)
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about Churchill’s objectives, goals and exploration activities proposed to be conducted on its properties; future growth potential of Churchill, including whether any proposed exploration programs at any of its properties will be successful; exploration results; and future exploration plans and costs. Wherever possible, words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict” or “potential” or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the entering into of a definitive Option Agreement and other ancillary transaction documents with respect to the Black Raven Antimony Property and the exercise of such option; the number of Common Shares that may be issued in connection with the transactions discussed herein, closing conditions and receive necessary regulatory approvals These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.
Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: exploration results on the Black Raven Antimony Property; the expected benefits to Churchill relating to the exploration proposed to be conducted on its properties; receipt of all regulatory approvals in connection with the transaction contemplated herein; failure to identify any additional mineral resources or significant mineralization; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, including to fund any exploration programs on the Churchill’s properties, if required; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining and mineral exploration; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); the unlikelihood that properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines; geological factors; actual results of current and future exploration; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated; soil sampling results being preliminary in nature and are not conclusive evidence of the likelihood of a mineral deposit; and title to properties. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Churchill cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Churchill assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
An infographic accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9356bd16-4799-4797-a465-84fafebf0cf5
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Sussex, Associate Professor (Adj), Griffith Asia Institute; and Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University
A news report that Russia has sought to base long-range aircraft in Indonesia caught Australia’s political leaders by surprise during an already hectic election campaign.
The military publication Janes reported on Tuesday that Russia had requested permission for its aircraft to be based at the Manuhua Air Force Base in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua.
The base is just 1,300 kilometres away from Darwin.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles issued a statement denying the report, saying his Indonesian counterpart assured him there would be no Russian planes based in Indonesia. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was seeking “further clarification” with Jakarta about the Janes report.
Janes is a respected outlet when it comes to defence news, so it’s likely the Russians did float the idea, even if it might have been done at lower levels.
Since Prabowo Subianto came to power as Indonesia’s new president last October, Moscow and Jakarta have sought to deepen their military ties. In fact, the two countries conducted their first-ever joint naval exercises a month after Prabowo took office.
But this isn’t a totally new strategy by Moscow, which has tried on numerous occasions to pivot to Asia to give itself more economic heft and leverage in the region.
The Kremlin is also cognisant that Europe won’t be a friend for the foreseeable future. As such, it’s even more pressing for Russia to establish itself as a player in the Indo-Pacific region – and with that comes a miltary and security presence.
About ten years ago, for instance, the Russian regime secured an agreement with Vietnam to allow its air force to refuel their aircraft at a former US base in the country. Russia also had interest in reestablishing a submarine base in Vietnam and has sold submarines to the country.
In addition, Moscow has sought to sell defence technology and fighter jets to Indonesia for some time, seeing it as a potentially lucrative market for Russian arms. Beyond defence, the bilateral relationship has also focused on energy and education.
These attempts to deepen Moscow-Jakarta ties form part of a targeted Russian campaign to boost its relationships with a number of Southeast Asian nations.
If the Janes report is accurate, the timing of the purported approach from Russia would be interesting. The report said it came after a meeting between Sergei Shoigu (recently demoted from Russia’s defence minister to an inferior role as secretary of the Russian Security Council) and Indonesia’s defence minister in February of this year.
At the time, the United States was distracted by the first chaotic weeks of US President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
So, if Russia did make such a request, it would be highly opportunistic, especially given Jakarta has been keen to deepen ties with Moscow.
It is also noteworthy that Indonesia recently joined the BRICS, the group of rapidly emerging economies that also includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and Russia, among others.
Read more:
Indonesia’s BRICS agenda: 2 reasons Prabowo’s foreign policy contrasts with Jokowi’s
Even though both Canberra and Jakarta dismissed the report, there was good reason for Australia to be concerned.
Russia’s long-range aviation assets, notably the venerable Tu-95, which is used for reconnaissance as well as strategic bombing, can easily travel over 10,000 kilometres.
From a base in Indonesia, this would give the Russian air force the ability to conduct ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaisance) missions during Australian military exercises, gather data on military installations in the Northern Territory (which also host US Marines), and even conduct surveillance on US military activities in Guam.
Equally, given the closeness of ties between Beijing and Moscow, any Russian intelligence that was gathered could be shared with China.
The reported Russian military interest in Indonesia will also have irritated Australian foreign policy makers, especially since Canberra has invested significant diplomatic capital in boosting Australia-Indonesia ties.
Fortunately, the closeness of the relationship, which includes recently upgraded defence ties, will also have allowed for some plain speaking from Australian interlocutors.
They will doubtless have pointed out that agreeing to any such Kremlin request would cast significant doubt on Indonesian claims about non-alignment. It would also be viewed unfavourably by other regional actors, who have no interest in seeing an enhanced Russian military presence in the region.
The assurance from Jakarta that no Russian planes would be based in Indonesia is therefore a positive development.
But ultimately the reported Russian request is another example of the messy and fragmented world we now live in.
It highlights the reality that Australia will sometimes have to do business with partners who have friends we don’t like. Under those conditions, being firm on issues that threaten our national interests – like the prospective basing of military assets by a hostile power close to our shores – becomes all the more important.
Matthew Sussex has received funding from the Australian Research Council, the Atlantic Council, the Fulbright Foundation, the Carnegie Foundation, the Lowy Institute and various Australian government departments and agencies.
– ref. Does Russia have military interest in Indonesia? Here’s what we know – and why Australia would be concerned – https://theconversation.com/does-russia-have-military-interest-in-indonesia-heres-what-we-know-and-why-australia-would-be-concerned-254601
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Peter Chiarelli, screenwriter behind such movies as “Crazy Rich Asians,” told China.org.cn on April 11 in Macao that recent tensions caused by President Donald Trump’s tariff war against multiple countries, particularly China, won’t deter his — or others’ — commitment to cultural exchange with China.
Peter Chiarelli, American screenwriter and producer, participates in a forum during the second Macao International Comedy Festival, Macao, April 13, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]
“I know what I’m gonna do and it’s not gonna impact how I act. It’s not gonna impact how I feel,” Chiarelli said. “And I can say, I think a lot of people feel the way that I feel rather than the kind of rhetoric that you hear sometimes.”
Chiarelli traveled to Macao to attend the second Macao International Comedy Festival, which was held from April 9 to 13 in the special administrative region and neighboring Hengqin district of Zhuhai, Guangdong province. The festival features various activities, including film screenings, stage performances, industry forums, pitch sessions and a gala night.
In this chaotic world, the American screenwriter emphasized how comedy and cinema can highlight what unites people rather than what divides them. “If there is something important, it’s this idea that I think we’re all more alike than we are different. That’s what I think comedy and film specifically can do,” he said.
Having written Macao into his script for the 2016 movie “Now You See Me 2,” this is actually his first time visiting the city in person, and he’s excited to finally see it for himself. Attending the comedy festival, he expressed his hope to use this platform to exchange ideas with fellow filmmakers. He even joked that he’d love to “steal” inspiration from local culture and other people, later integrating it into his future projects.
“Everybody that comes here loves comedy. So you’ve got to share those ideas, share those thoughts, and then hopefully, we’ll all be stealing from one another, taking inspiration back home and doing better work,” Chiarelli said.
For him, when working on something culturally specific, it’s essential to collaborate with people who understand that culture. “That’s really important to me. Whenever I’m writing something, I want it to be as authentic as possible. I just want to steal from real life,” Chiarelli said.
Actress Fiona Xie, director Jon M. Chu, actress Michelle Yeoh and producer John Penotti pose for a photo at the Chinese premiere of “Crazy Rich Asians” in Beijing, Nov. 24, 2018. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures]
Chiarelli explained that what he loves most about comedy is its ability to address difficult or meaningful topics without feeling heavy-handed.
“It doesn’t feel like homework,” he said. “You’re not watching something because you’re supposed to watch something or it’s a way to talk about these things. Comedy is that you can kind of have a message, but you don’t have to be preachy about it. And you can also just have a good time and laugh and turn it off. Be a little bit better in your day, have a smile on your face when you’re done. That’s what I love about it. That’s what I try and do with everything that I write.”
Source: Government of India
Theme of 15th BRICS Agricultural Ministerial Meeting is “Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture through Cooperation, Innovation, and Equitable Trade among BRICS Countries”
Posted On: 15 APR 2025 10:54AM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is leading the Indian delegation to the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), scheduled to be held on 17th April, 2025 in Brasilia, Brazil. The theme of 15th BRICS AMM is “Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture through Cooperation, Innovation, and Equitable Trade among BRICS Countries”. Agriculture Ministers and senior officials from BRICS member countries, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran are expected to attend the Meeting.
During the visit, Shri Chouhan will hold bilateral meetings with key Brazilian counterparts, including Mr. Carlos Henrique Baqueta Fávaro, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, and Mr. Luiz Paulo Teixeira, Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming (MDA). These meetings will focus on enhancing collaboration between India and Brazil in various areas of agriculture, agri-technology, rural development, and food security.
The Minister will interact with leaders of major Brazilian agribusiness companies and representatives of the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries in São Paulo, exploring avenues for partnership and investment in the agriculture value chain. As part of his visit, the Minister will also participate in a tree plantation drive at the Embassy of India in Brasilia, under the noble initiative “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, aimed at raising environmental consciousness and honouring motherhood. In addition, the Minister will interact with the vibrant Indian diaspora in São Paulo, acknowledging their role as cultural ambassadors and contributors to bilateral ties. This visit reaffirms India’s commitment to deepen cooperation with BRICS nations and to advance South-South cooperation in agricultural innovation, resilience, and sustainability.
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PSF/KSR/AR
(Release ID: 2121725) Visitor Counter : 83
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Volume and Price Statistics of External Merchandise Trade in February 2025
Due to the difference in timing of the Chinese New Year holidays, it is more appropriate to analyse the trade figures for January and February taken together in making year-on-year comparison.
Comparing the first two months of 2025 with the same period in 2024, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 4.6% and 3.6% respectively.
In February 2025, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 13.8% and 9.9% respectively over February 2024.
Comparing the three-month period ending February 2025 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 6.5% and 1.8% respectively.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
As regards price changes in the first two months of 2025 over the same period in 2024, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods both increased by 1.8%.
Comparing February 2025 with February 2024, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 1.5% and 1.6% respectively.
Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade, which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.
The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same periods in 2024, the index decreased by 0.2% in February 2025 and 0.1% in the first two months of 2025.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing February 2025 with February 2024, increases were recorded for the total export volume to Vietnam (112.0%), Taiwan (63.4%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (28.7%). On the other hand, the total export volume to the USA (-19.6%) and India (-27.2%) decreased.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to Taiwan (5.7%), the USA (1.5%), Vietnam (1.0%) and the Mainland (0.8%) increased. On the other hand, the total export prices to India decreased by 2.5%.
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing February 2025 with February 2024, increases were recorded for the import volume from Taiwan (38.1%), the Mainland (19.3%) and Singapore (1.3%). On the other hand, the import volume from Japan (-3.5%) and Korea (-37.3%) decreased.
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from Korea (9.6%), Singapore (2.6%), Taiwan (2.2%) and Japan (0.2%) increased. On the other hand, the import prices from the Mainland decreased by 0.3%.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the February 2025 issue of “Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers”. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020006&scode=230
Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918).
Issued at HKT 16:30
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the 2025 World Tourism Cities Federation Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit today (April 15):
Honourable Governor Maurizio Rasero of Asti Province and Mayor of Asti City, Italy, Honourable Executive Vice Chair Sima Hong of the World Tourism Cities Federation Council and Vice Mayor of Beijing, Honourable Deputy Director Qi Bin of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Honourable Deputy Commissioner Pan Yundong of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, honourable city mayors, vice mayors and institutional leaders from around the world, distinguished guests and friends from the global tourism community, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. Welcome to Hong Kong, and to the 2025 World Tourism Cities Federation Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit.
Fragrant Hills, as you would all know, is a scenic area in Beijing, where the World Tourism Cities Federation is headquartered. “Fragrant hills” also makes me think of Hong Kong as a “fragrant harbour” – the Chinese name of Hong Kong can literally be translated as “fragrant harbour”.
“Fragrant”, let me add, because of Hong Kong’s redolent history as a major trader for incense, particularly agarwood incense and the wood’s varied byproducts.
Over the centuries, the sweet aroma of agarwood, of incense, drifted from harbour to city – and all around the world. From incense and fragrance, to merchandise and capital, Hong Kong has always been a bridge between cultures, cities and continents, bringing out the best of our products on the global arena.
Today, Hong Kong remains a major global trading centre, a centre of free trade. That’s thanks, too, to the Hong Kong Port in our harbour, to the Hong Kong International Airport, and to our varied and seamless transport links to China, our country.
These seamless links, and our singular status as the city where East has long met West, are not going to change. In a world beset by trade woes and geopolitical crises, Hong Kong is determined to continue its dedication to free and open trade.
That has also led us to become one of the world’s greatest centres for tourism. So it is an honour that the World Tourism Cities Federation has chosen Hong Kong for this year’s Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit. The Federation, after all, is the world’s first international tourism organisation to focus its mission and mandate on cities.
Not surprising, then, that this Summit welcomes city mayors, vice mayors and other city officials and delegations from over 40 cities from the Mainland and around the world. Together, we embody the spirit of collaboration beyond geographical boundaries. Together, we unite for the future of tourism.
The theme of this year’s Summit, “Innovate City Branding to Elevate Tourism Excellence”, gives us a good start to discuss how our cities could, through collaboration, achieve high-quality development in tourism and more.
For Hong Kong, long an international metropolis, one key development opportunity certainly comes from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
This cluster city development brings together Hong Kong, Macao and nine southern cities in the Guangdong province, and boasts a population of over 86 million. It also has a combined GDP (Gross Domestic Product) that rivals that of the world’s 10th largest economy.
What it means is a consumer market, and source of tourists, that is over 10 times as large as our own city. What it also means, with our country’s facilitation measures for travellers, is that visitors who choose to visit this part of the world have much more cities to add to their itinerary. We are fast developing in multi-destination tourism for an interconnected world. From a six-day visa for visitors in tour groups led by a Hong Kong travel agent, to the visa-free policy for cruise ship travellers along the country’s coastline.
That said, you can well begin in Hong Kong, where there’s something happening everywhere you look – and at our Victoria Harbour. You need only to see for yourself how open, welcoming and endlessly amazing our city is, to a world of tourism – to you.
Start with Victoria Harbour, and enjoy the refreshing views with our skyline and green hills rising from both sides of the harbour. And do take the Star Ferry. For more than a century, it’s been one of the world’s most unforgettable harbour passages. Leisure travel, timeless memories – in Hong Kong – and for well under US$1 a trip. It’s really good value for money.
Hong Kong, after all, is the world’s mega event city. Last week, UK (United Kingdom) band Coldplay performed four sold-out concerts at our brand-new, state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park. And through next Monday, it’s the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival.
Art lovers will want to catch the exhibition “Picasso for Asia: a Conversation”, at M+ museum, in the West Kowloon Cultural District – one of the world’s largest cultural developments. More than 60 masterpieces by Picasso are shown alongside artworks by Asian artists. Also there, is the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which is now showcasing an exhibition that brings together treasures from Beijing’s Forbidden City and the Palace of Versailles in Paris.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is where cultures meet and thrive, where creativity is well and alive. And you can also count on hills and sea coasts alive with fabulous hiking, and biking trails. After all, country parks make up some 40 per cent of Hong Kong’s total land area.
And when you’re all hiked and biked out, settle into one of our nearly 80 Michelin-starred restaurants, do yum cha (tea and food) with half of Hong Kong, then toast your good fortune at a local brew pub, or get cozy with milk tea at a classic dai pai dong, our traditional cooked food stalls. And don’t leave Hong Kong without a sky-high cocktail, or two, at hotel and city lounges rising from either side of Victoria Harbour. From dim sum dreams to boozy nights, our food paradise glows with true delights.
Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure this year’s Fragrant Hills will bring about global thrills. My thanks to the World Tourism Cities Federation, and this Hong Kong Summit. I’m confident we’ll find a wellspring of innovative and inspiring ways to work together, to reimagine travel for this 21st century packed with promise for global tourism – and for each and every one of our proud and magnificent cities.
Thank you.
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 15 APR 2025 3:13PM by PIB Delhi
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Key Takeaways
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On 11th April 2024, NITI Aayog released a report titled ‘Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains’, launched by Vice Chairman Shri Suman Bery, senior members, and the CEO of NITI Aayog. The report outlines India’s Global Value Chain (GVC) potential in the automotive sector and highlights strategic pathways for global leadership.
India’s automotive industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s manufacturing and economic growth, contributing 7.1% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 49% to manufacturing GDP. As the fourth-largest automobile producer globally, India possesses the scale and strategic depth to emerge as a global leader in the automotive value chain. The sector spans a vast ecosystem, from vehicle assembly and auto component manufacturing to deep interlinkages with critical industries such as steel, electronics, rubber, IT, and logistics. In recent years, India has seen exponential growth in vehicle production, with over 28 million units manufactured in 2023–24 alone. The industry’s contribution goes beyond industrial output, and it supports millions of direct and indirect jobs, spurs innovation, and is central to India’s green mobility transition, industrial ambitions, and trade strategy.
The global automotive component market was valued at $2 trillion in 2022, with $700 billion traded across borders. Despite India’s strong manufacturing base, its share in the globally traded auto component market remains at just 3% (~$20 billion), highlighting a vast scope for expansion. India’s trade ratio in auto components is near-neutral (~0.99), with exports and imports nearly balancing each other. This also underlines the domestic sector’s limited penetration in high-value, high-precision segments such as engine and engine components, along with drive transmission and steering systems, where India holds just 2–4% of the global trade share. Bridging this gap requires structural reforms, strategic investments, and a coordinated industrial policy approach. With the right enabling conditions, India can triple exports to $60 billion, generate a $25 billion trade surplus, and create over 2-2.5 million direct jobs by 2030, propelling it toward becoming a globally competitive, innovation-driven manufacturing hub.
Strategic Importance of the Automotive Sector
India’s Vision for Automotive Industry
This vision aligns with India’s aspirations to become a global manufacturing hub under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Global Trends Shaping the Sector
1. Rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs):
2. Digital and Advanced Manufacturing:
3. Sustainability and Circular Economy:
4. Sectoral Interdependence:
Major Government Interventions
1. Make in India: Launched in 2014, the Make in India initiative has provided a significant boost to the country’s manufacturing sector, particularly in automobiles. This policy promotes domestic manufacturing, reduces reliance on imports, and encourages foreign direct investment.
2.Atmanirbhar Bharat: The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative aims to foster self-sufficiency in manufacturing and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign components. In the automotive sector, this has resulted in increased domestic production of critical components such as engines, transmissions, and EV batteries. The government has also extended support to start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the automotive space, helping them integrate into global supply chains.
3.FAME India Scheme (Phases I & II): The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme has been pivotal in promoting clean mobility in India. Phase II, with an outlay of ₹11,500 crore, focuses on demand incentives for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, and the development of public charging infrastructure. It also aims to promote technology platforms for EVs and create a robust domestic EV ecosystem.
4. PM E-Drive Scheme (2024–26): Launched to accelerate EV adoption and reduce urban pollution, this scheme has a budget of ₹10,900 crore and targets large-scale procurement of electric vehicles:
5. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Auto and ACC Batteries: With a total allocation of ₹44,038 crore (PLI scheme- INR 25,938 crore, PLI scheme for ACC Battery Storage- INR 18,100 crores), this flagship initiative aims to boost the domestic manufacturing of advanced automotive technologies, including EVs, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and advanced battery storage solutions. It provides financial incentives to OEMs and component manufacturers for investing in cutting-edge technologies, achieving economies of scale, and integrating into global supply chains. The scheme also prioritises domestic value addition, export readiness, and job creation through technology-driven innovation.
Key Challenges Hindering the Global Value Chain’s Integration
Proposed Interventions for GVC Integration
Fiscal Measures:
Non-Fiscal Reforms:
Conclusion
India’s automotive sector stands at a decisive inflection point, where focused reforms, policy clarity, and industry alignment can elevate it into the league of global leaders in automotive manufacturing. With the world shifting rapidly towards clean, smart, and connected mobility, India must accelerate its integration into global value chains by building competitiveness in high-precision components, fostering innovation, and deepening its export footprint. Over the next five years, the effective execution of planned interventions—ranging from skilling and infrastructure to R&D and global partnerships- will determine whether India becomes a hub for high-value auto components or remains a low-cost player in traditional segments. With the right mix of ambition and action, India can become a globally recognised supplier of next-generation mobility solutions.
References
· REPORT – Automotive Industry: Powering India’s participation in Global Value Chains –https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-04/Automotive-Industry-Powering-India-participation-in-GVC_Non-Confidential.pdf
· https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2120977
Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains (GVCs)
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Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena / Vatsla Srivastava
(Release ID: 2121826) Visitor Counter : 122
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
Today (April 15) is the National Security Education Day. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance has been in effect for one year since its passage by the Legislative Council (LegCo) in a historic unanimous vote on the Third Reading in March last year, while the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKNSL) will celebrate its fifth anniversary at the end of June this year. The LegCo Secretariat today released a Policy Pulse on “Laws on safeguarding national security”. This issue provides a brief overview of the key points of the dual legislation on national security, namely the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, how the dual legislation properly protects human rights and ensures that the public will not be inadvertently caught by the law, its role in contributing to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, as well as relevant discussions of LegCo along with suggestions by Members.
National security is a matter of top priority for any state. The enactment of laws on safeguarding national security is an inherent right of every sovereign state, and also an international practice. The Policy Pulse outlines the latest situation of national security laws enacted by some foreign countries, including the Countering Foreign Interference Act introduced by Canada in 2024, and the New Zealand Parliament is also scrutinising the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill aimed at addressing foreign interference. Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom each has at least 21 pieces and 14 pieces of national security-related legislation respectively.
The dual legislation on national security, together with the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR, have jointly established a comprehensive and effective legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, reflecting the implementation of national security within the purview of the Central Authorities and as the constitutional duty of HKSAR.
The Policy Pulse also highlights that since the implementation of the dual legislation on national security, Hong Kong ranks highly in a number of international ratings, including global financial centre status, economic freedom, inward foreign direct investment recipient, and world competitiveness. Hong Kong ranked as the world’s freest economy in the Economic Freedom of the World 2024 Annual Report, with the number of overseas companies based in Hong Kong stood at 9 960 in 2024, a nearrly 10 percent rise from the previous year. These achievements reflect the international community’s continued strong confidence in Hong Kong. They also attest to how improved laws and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security help maintain Hong Kong’s political and social stability and cultivate a more secure, liberal, open and expectable business environment, which plays a solid and fundamental role in safeguarding the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, and further enabling the city’s advancement from stability to prosperity.
The Safeguarding National Security Bill was passed by LegCo in a historic unanimous vote on the Third Reading on March 19, 2024. The Policy Pulse outlines LegCo’s scrutiny of the Bill and highlights Member’s views on the follow-up work after the Bill’s passage. Members suggested that various bureaux, departments, statutory bodies, etc., establish codes, procedures or guidelines to ensure that national security is regarded as an important consideration when discharging their day-to-day functions and implementing any programmes or projects. Members also considered that the Administration should ensure that public officers fully understand the contents of national security laws and abide by the requirements of these laws in discharging their duties.
Members suggested the Administration step up public education on all fronts to enable the public, the business sector and investors to understand the implementation of the dual legislation on national security in a clear and easily comprehensible manner. The Administration should also effectively carry out its explanatory work to the international community, including making good use of the networks of overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices and Invest Hong Kong to explain to various overseas sectors how the dual legislation on national security effectively safeguards national security in Hong Kong in accordance with the rule of law principle, while at the same time fully respects and protects human rights. Members expected that the Administration proactively enhance its efforts in attracting enterprises and investment so that Hong Kong could serve as a “super-connector” and a “super value-adder” for the world, as well as continuing to take the initiative to clarify and rebut inaccurate remarks and unwarranted smears against the HKSAR’s work on safeguarding national security.
The detailed content of “Laws on safeguarding national security” is available on the LegCo Website. The Policy Pulse, published by the LegCo Secretariat, covers specific topics, offers a comprehensive overview of related policy developments and summarises key discussions in LegCo.
Source: China State Council Information Office
The Trump administration on Monday announced a freeze on 2.2 billion U.S. dollars in multi-year grants and a 60 million contract to Harvard University, hours after the university rejected a list of demands from the federal government.
Earlier in the day, Harvard refused to comply with the administration’s demands to make sweeping changes to the univeristy’s governance, hiring and admissions practices, noting that it will not “negotiate over its independence or its constitutional rights.”
“We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement,” Harvard University President Alan M. Garber wrote in a letter to members of the Harvard Community. “The administration’s prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government.”
The administration’s demands include: adopting and implementing merit-based hiring and admissions policies, and ceasing all preferences based on race, color and national origin; reforming the recruitment, screening and admissions of international students to prevent admitting students hostile to U.S. values and institutions, including students supportive of terrorism or antisemitism; reforming programs with “egregious records of antisemitism” and shutting down all diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has issued warnings to several top U.S. universities that they could face funding cuts if they do not adjust their policies. The administration’s main demands include eliminating what it describes as anti-Semitism on campus and dismantling diversity initiatives that favor minority groups.
Against the backdrop of the Israel-Palestine conflict, many universities across the United States saw a wave of pro-Palestinian protests last year, drawing increased government attention to alleged anti-Semitic sentiments on campuses.
“The disruption of learning that has plagued campuses in recent years is unacceptable. The harassment of Jewish students is intolerable. It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support,” the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism said in a Monday statement.
Columbia University, which was at the heart of last year’s pro-Palestinian protests, became the first institution to face consequences, losing 400 million dollars in federal funding last month. University officials said they are currently in ongoing discussions with the administration to have the funding reinstated.
Federal funding for other institutions, including Cornell University and Northwestern University, has also been frozen and is currently under investigation.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Iran has confirmed that Muscat, the capital of Oman, will remain the venue for the second round of “indirect” negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
“Following consultations, it was decided that Muscat continues to be the host of the second round of the negotiations, which are scheduled to be held on Saturday,” the semi-official Mehr news agency quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei as saying early Tuesday.
In the first round of Muscat talks on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi engaged in “indirect” discussions with U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, facilitated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. These talks focused on Iran’s nuclear program and the potential removal of U.S. sanctions.
The talks in Muscat followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement in early March that he had sent a letter to Iranian leaders, delivered through the United Arab Emirates, proposing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Iran later agreed on indirect talks.
Iran signed a nuclear deal in July 2015 with six major countries — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. Under the deal, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
However, Trump unilaterally pulled his country out of the deal in May 2018 during his first term, and reimposed sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to scale back its commitments under the deal. Since then, efforts to revive the nuclear agreement have made little progress.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
GUANGZHOU, April 15 — The 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, kicked off on Tuesday, with the number of export exhibitors exceeding 30,000 for the first time in the history of this famous event.
Scheduled to take place from April 15 to May 5 in the southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou, this edition of the fair has attracted about 31,000 participating firms, up by nearly 900 compared with the previous fair.
More than 200,000 overseas buyers from 215 countries and regions have preregistered, with the lineup featuring the likes of retail giants Walmart and Target from the United States, Carrefour from France, Tesco and Kingfisher from Britain, and Germany’s Metro.
This edition of the fair is divided into three phases. The first will focus on advanced manufacturing, the second on quality home furnishings, and the third on products that promote a better quality of life.
The event will involve 172 product zones, including, for the first time, a special zone for service robots focused on showcasing the latest achievements of China’s AI development efforts.
Xinhua reporters at the fair witnessed an exhibition hall becoming packed with participants just after 9 a.m. Notably, the exhibition area focusing on service robots was especially busy. Many overseas buyers used their mobile phones to capture images of robotic dogs, industrial exoskeleton equipment, automatic cruise robots, coffee-making robots and other products, while asking exhibitors for more details about their functions.
“This Canton Fair is held in the year when China’s ’14th Five-Year Plan’ nears completion — which is of great significance in promoting the innovative development of trade, thus ensuring stable foreign trade volume and improving foreign trade quality,” said Zhang Sihong, deputy director of the China Foreign Trade Center.
He noted that the large gathering of global buyers at the fair underlined the trust of the international business community in made-in-China products.
Guo Yanhu with Gree, a leading home appliances enterprise, said that through green technology innovation and AI intelligent upgrading, the company provides users with efficient and low-carbon solutions, having sold products to more than 190 countries and regions in 2024.
The Canton Fair has always been an important driver of global trade, said Andre Rocha, president of the Federation of Industries of the State of Goias, Brazil. Here, people can learn about the major global development trends and cutting-edge technologies, as well as solutions that can actually boost industrial development, he added.
Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. It is the longest-running of several comprehensive international trade events in China and has been hailed as the barometer of China’s foreign trade.
Despite the weak momentum of global economic growth, intensified trade protectionism and geopolitical tensions, China’s foreign trade has maintained stable growth.
According to the General Administration of Customs, China’s total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms expanded 1.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025. China’s exports rose 6.9 percent to 6.13 trillion yuan (about 850.1 billion U.S. dollars) during this period, while imports fell 6 percent to 4.17 trillion yuan.
In addition, the fifth China International Consumer Products Expo, being held on the tropical island province of Hainan in south China this week, has also reaffirmed China’s position as a vital marketplace for global enterprises. It has drawn record participation from over 4,100 brands across 71 countries and regions, reflecting the expanding international appetite for engagement with China’s vast consumer market and its evolving landscape.
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001403/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Christine Anderson (ESN)
Multiple Western intelligence sources and legislative bodies have revived the theory that COVID-19 may have originated from a laboratory incident in China.
– The US Central Intelligence Agency now considers a lab leak to be a plausible origin, though with low confidence.
– In 2020, Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service reportedly assessed that there was an 80–90 % likelihood of an accidental lab leak.
– A 2024 US Congressional report concluded that the virus ‘likely emerged due to a laboratory or research-related mishap’, further revealing that gain-of-function research funded by the National Institute of Health was conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology prior to the outbreak.
Although no scientific consensus has emerged so far, these developments raise serious questions about biosafety, research funding oversight and international accountability.
In this context, I seek clarification on the following points:
Submitted: 7.4.2025
April 15 2025 – Trump’s tariff-led trade war is pushing the world’s two largest economies toward a new front: a currency war— “one that will be gradual, deliberate, and globally disruptive,” warns the CEO of global financial advisory giant, deVere Group (ref. https://www.devere-group.com )
With US tariffs on Chinese goods now averaging 145%, Beijing is under growing pressure to respond. But with traditional trade retaliation options constrained, a new strategy is forming—one based on a controlled, step-by-step weakening of the yuan.
The signs are already clear. The offshore yuan dropped to a record low of 7.4287 against the dollar. Onshore, the currency sank to its weakest since 2007. The People’s Bank of China, while insisting on stability, has been setting the yuan’s midpoint fix at levels not seen in years.
Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, says: “China is unlikely to openly weaponize the yuan.
“But under mounting tariff strain, they’re likely to let it slip—slowly and carefully. It won’t look like a headline war, but it will have headline consequences.”
There’s little appetite in Beijing for a sharp devaluation.
The memory of 2015’s capital exodus—when $700 billion fled Chinese markets after a sudden currency move—still haunts policymakers.
A similar episode today could trigger “damaging capital flight” and erode already fragile domestic confidence.
He continues: “Instead, China is walking a narrow path: using small, incremental devaluations to support exporters without inviting panic. It’s an approach aimed at shielding growth while maintaining the image of financial control. But even a modest yuan decline matters.”
A weaker Chinese currency lowers the real cost of exports, softening the blow from US tariffs. It also pressures other Asian economies to consider devaluing in response, setting off ripple effects through emerging markets. For the US, it complicates inflation dynamics—import prices may fall, but global volatility may rise.
“Currency shifts don’t happen in a vacuum,” explains Nigel Green.
“They reshape capital flows, unsettle risk assets, and provoke reactions from other central banks. For global investors, ignoring this would be a serious error.
“Unlike the free-floating dollar or yen, the yuan is tightly managed.
“This approach fits a broader pattern in modern financial conflict: avoid sudden moves, but gradually change the terms of trade. The goal isn’t shock. It’s attrition.”
The bigger concern is what comes next. If a slow yuan weakening begins to reverse capital inflows, Beijing could be forced to tighten controls further, or accelerate its depreciation. Either route could stoke fresh volatility across currencies, bonds, and equities.
He concludes: “I believe we’re entering a new stage of financial confrontation—less visible, but no less strategic. The yuan is becoming a pressure valve, and investors need to understand what’s coming.
“The trade war may have opened with tariffs, but it won’t end there.”
deVere Group is one of the world’s largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients. It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
The creators of the film “The Amateur” spoke with China.org.cn on April 9 about their adaptation of a 1981 novel for the big screen, presenting an unconventional espionage thriller centered on a heartbroken man’s quest for revenge.
A still from “The Amateur,” which was released in China on April 11, 2025. [Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios]
“The Amateur” was Robert Littell’s debut novel, establishing him as a prominent espionage thriller author before he gained wider fame with “The Company” (2002).
Recognizing the significant evolution of the espionage landscape since the novel’s publication, director James Hawes and his team were deliberate in their approach.
Hawes explained that their approach was to ensure they stayed true to the novel’s core concept and maintain the emotional engine at the heart of the story. “Then we updated it,” he said. “We changed some of the cities where the drama takes place. We updated the technology to be contemporary and near-future, so that it feels like it takes place now, in 2025.”
Starring Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan and Laurence Fishburne, the film follows Charlie Heller (Malek), a brilliant but introverted CIA cryptographer whose life is shattered by the death of his wife in a terrorist attack in London. When the agency refuses to act, Heller embarks on a personal mission to track down those responsible.
In a world accustomed to sleek, highly trained spies on screen, “The Amateur” breaks the mold with its refreshingly unconventional protagonist. This gritty, globe-trotting revenge thriller delivers a clever and deeply human story at the heart of the spy genre — a vision the director describes as celebrating the power of the underdog. “It’s about keeping the vulnerability of Heller as a character — keeping him sometimes clumsy, sometimes failing, but always fighting back,” he said.
In the film, Heller faces off against the CIA, the world’s most powerful intelligence agency. The director believes audiences will wonder: How will he survive and achieve his goal? At each turn, Heller invents new ways to evade his pursuers or eliminate targets. The story stays true to the idea that he’s not a seasoned professional. “He’s an ordinary guy like us. We love to back an underdog, we love an unexpected hero,” Hawes said.
The spy operations portrayed in the film draw inspiration from real CIA practices. “I’m almost scared to say this, but yes, we had technical advisers. We had security advisers throughout the production,” the director revealed to China.org.cn. “Obviously, it’s true that some of the things we invented pushed the edge, because I started from the basis of ‘let’s make this feel real’ — and then gave it a little Hollywood boost. But quite often, we were dreaming up ideas during the scriptwriting process, asking some of the professionals if they were possible. And they would say, ‘Sure, we’ve been doing that for years. Nothing new there.’”
The director noted that Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek has an innate intelligence and was perfect for the lead role. Meanwhile, Malek had been looking to get involved in an action film where the main character possessed both a high IQ and high emotional intelligence.
A still from “The Amateur.” [Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios]
“That’s what drew me to the story and the role,” the actor said. “You don’t often see those two things balanced — in film or in life, necessarily. Maybe they exist, I’m sure they do, but I haven’t seen that on the big screen.”
Rami Malek said that he thinks his character, Charlie Heller, is incredibly human. “This is a very character-driven story where you can actually relate to the protagonist, and that’s something I haven’t seen before. And it still delivers the same heightened impact of scope, scale and explosive intensity that you get and deserve from an action film,” he noted.
For Malek, the film also explores a universal theme of grief and loss. “At its heart, it’s about grief,” he said. “You lose the love of your life, and what length will you go to ensure that your soulmate, that remarkable person who changed your life, is not forgotten?”
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SHENZHEN, China, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced that its subsidiary EngageLab, a world-leading provider of AI-powered omnichannel customer engagement solutions, is honored to support the remarkable growth of a prominent Chinese cross-border B2B e-commerce platform, which recently surged to the #2 spot on the U.S. free iPhone app rankings, second only to ChatGPT. This unprecedented rise highlights the platform’s growing influence in the U.S. market and underscores the importance of cutting-edge email solutions in driving its success.
The platform’s rapid ascent comes amidst heightened interest in Chinese cross-border e-commerce, fueled by viral TikTok videos showcasing Chinese factories and their role in global manufacturing. This surge in visibility has led to a dramatic increase in app downloads, with U.S. downloads growing by 940% in just a few days. EngageLab’s advanced email solutions have played a pivotal role in helping the platform capitalize on this momentum, ensuring seamless communication with its global customer base and driving sustained engagement.
About Aurora Mobile Limited
Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.
For more information, please visit https://ir.jiguang.cn/.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
For more information, please contact:
Aurora Mobile Limited
E-mail: ir@jiguang.cn
Christensen
In China
Ms. Xiaoyan Su
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com
In US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HANOI, April 15 — In a world grappling with growing uncertainty and instability fueled by rising protectionism and unilateralism, China has reaffirmed the continuity and stability of its neighborhood diplomacy and its vision for lasting peace and shared development in Asia.
That was the message delivered by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, as he arrived in Vietnam on Monday for a state visit, the first leg of his five-day, three-nation tour of Southeast Asia. It is also his first overseas trip this year.
“We will stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We will continue to pursue the policy of forging friendship and partnership with our neighbours. And we will steadily deepen friendly cooperation with them to advance Asia’s modernization,” Xi said in a signed article published Monday in the Nhan Dan Newspaper of Vietnam.
Pham Phu Phuc, former deputy head of the World News Desk at the Vietnam News Agency, welcomed China’s diplomatic approach.
In light of unexpected and uncertain changes in the region and across the world in recent years, this vision emphasizes peace, sincerity, mutual benefit and shared development through cooperation, he said.
Xi’s visit came as China and Vietnam mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year. During his talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam on Monday, Xi said that facing the changing and turbulent world, China and Vietnam have stayed committed to peaceful development and deepened their friendly cooperation, bringing much-needed stability and certainty to the world.
In interviews with Xinhua, observers noted that the China-Vietnam partnership embodies a broader Asian ethos championed by China, emphasizing dialogue over confrontation, partnership over rivalry, and development over division.
The Chinese leader’s visit underscores the commitment of both Vietnam and China to peaceful development and regional stability, said Bui Minh Long, managing editor of the Vietnamese daily newspaper Tien Phong (Pioneer). “I believe that closer Vietnam-China relations will become a stabilizing force in Southeast Asia.”
A SHARED VISION
During Xi’s visit to Vietnam in December 2023, the bilateral relationship reached a new height when both sides agreed to build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance on the basis of deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
On Monday, Xi proposed six measures to deepen the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, including lifting strategic mutual trust to a higher level, building stronger security safeguards, expanding higher quality mutually beneficial cooperation, tightening the bond of people-to-people ties, conducting closer multilateral coordination, and engaging in more constructive maritime interactions.
Building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future carries great global significance, Xi said in his meeting with To Lam, noting that as the two countries jointly pursue peaceful development, their combined population of over 1.5 billion is jointly advancing toward modernization, which will contribute to regional and global peace and stability while promoting common development.
For Vietnamese scholars, Xi’s emphasis on the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future underscores a core pillar of China’s neighborhood diplomacy — forging strong partnerships with neighboring countries based on mutual respect, win-win cooperation and long-term commitment.
This approach, they said, reflects China’s broader vision of a peaceful and prosperous region.
Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa, a researcher at the Institute for Asia-Pacific Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, said the effort to build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance reflects both the continuation and the deepening of the enduring friendship between the two countries.
“It is built on the foundation of political trust, the promotion of commonalities and especially the sharing of benefits and mutual concerns,” she said. “The ultimate goal is to bring benefits to the people of both nations, support each country’s development and contribute to regional peace and stability.”
GREATER COMMON DEVELOPMENT
Over the past year, the agreement on building the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance has already injected fresh momentum into the bilateral relationship, said Nguyen Vinh Quang, vice president of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association, noting that businesses from both sides have demonstrated increased confidence in each other.
Chinese direct investment in Vietnam exceeded 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, maintaining strong growth, Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, bilateral trade has surpassed 200 billion dollars for four consecutive years, reaching 260.65 billion dollars in 2024, a 13.5-percent increase year-on-year.
Noting that both countries are committed to opening up, Xi said during his meeting with To Lam on Monday that both countries have played a constructive role in maintaining the stability and smooth operation of regional industrial and supply chains, as well as contributing to the advancement of economic globalization.
Both China and Vietnam are beneficiaries of economic globalization, and the two sides should strengthen strategic resolve, jointly oppose unilateralism and bullying practices, and work together to uphold the global free trade system and maintain the stability of industrial and supply chains, Xi said.
In recent years, the global governance system has faced serious challenges, as some nations have introduced regulations that contravene international law, said Tran Khanh, former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Southeast Asian Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.
China and Vietnam can work together to uphold the global order based on international law, including an international trade system based on established international norms, he said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, April 15 — China’s Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday that it will issue this year’s second batch of renminbi-denominated treasury bonds in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on April 23.
The scale of the bonds will be 12.5 billion yuan (1.74 billion U.S. dollars), according to a statement released by the ministry.
The amount is the same as the previous issuance made on Feb. 19.
Specific issuance arrangements will be announced on the website of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Central Moneymarkets Unit, the ministry said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Foreign enterprises eager to explore China’s vast consumer market via CICPE
Foreign enterprises attending the ongoing China International Consumer Products Expo have expressed aspirations to leverage the platform to engage in China’s vast consumer market.
Source: China State Council Information Office
China’s economy has reported strengthened momentum since the beginning of 2025, despite rising global uncertainty and volatility, with steady growth in foreign trade, robust social financing expansion, and manufacturing activity picking up pace.
Here is a set of the latest data that highlights a continued recovery in the world’s second-largest economy.
— China’s total goods imports and exports in yuan terms expanded 1.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of this year. In particular, exports during the period rose 6.9 percent.
— During the first three months, the newly added social financing amounted to 15.18 trillion yuan (2.11 trillion U.S. dollars), representing a 2.37 trillion yuan increase from a year ago. New yuan loans stood at 9.78 trillion yuan, and the M2, a broad measure of money supply that covers cash in circulation and all deposits, increased 7 percent.
— The purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for China’s manufacturing sector climbed for a second straight month to 50.5 in March, the highest figure since March 2024, indicating continued improvement in industrial sentiment. The non-manufacturing PMI came in at 50.8 in March, up 0.4 percentage points from the previous month.
— China’s foreign exchange reserves have remained higher than 3.2 trillion U.S. dollars for 16 straight months, reflecting resilient economic fundamentals and a strong capacity to handle global turbulence.
— The market of new energy vehicles saw robust expansion in the first quarter, with production surging 50.4 percent year on year to 3.18 million units and sales up 47.1 percent to 3.08 million units. Meanwhile, total auto output and sales also registered double-digit growth in the period.
— China’s express delivery volume has surpassed 50 billion parcels as of April 11, reaching the milestone 18 days earlier than in 2024. The figure translates to roughly 35 packages per person so far this year, with around 500 million parcels crisscrossing the country each day.
— China’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) saw improved business performances, as an industrial index, based on a survey of 3,000 SMEs across eight major industries, stood at 89.5 in the first quarter, 0.5 points higher than in the previous quarter.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
According to the statistics, 473 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total amount of US$2,255,756,000 were approved from January to March 2024. This indicates a decrease of 7.44% in the number of cases, but an increase of 100.20% in FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024.
With regard to inward investment from Mainland China, 6 cases were approved with an amount of US$96,469,000 from January to March 2025. This indicates a decrease of 14.29% in the number of cases, but an increase of 818.52% in the FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024. From July 2009 to March 2025, 1,628 cases were approved with a total investment amount added up to US$2,989,637,000.
In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 186 projects were registered from January to March 2025 with a total amount of US$12,232,898,000, indicating an increase of 3.91% in the number of cases, and an increase of 6.88% in the amount, as compared to the same period of 2024.
As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 46 applications have been approved from January to March 2025, indicating a decrease of 40.26% compared to the same period of 2024. The approved investment amount is US$342,548,000, 62.98% less than he same period in 2024.
Source: ASEAN
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, H.E. Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz received a call by the Director-General of the Department of Arms Control, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Mr. Sun Xiaobo, on 15 April 2025 at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. Both sides exchanged views on regional issues, including cyber security, humanitarian mine action, and ASEAN-China security cooperation.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
For a few hours on Tuesday afternoon, it seemed just possible the Russians might be sending their planes to a base very near us.
A claim on the military and intelligence site Janes that said the Russians were seeking to base several long range aircraft in Papua, a province of Indonesia, caused a massive flurry on the election trail.
It gave heart to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton that national security might be brought into play as an election issue.
Dutton was quick to recall how in 2022 the Labor opposition jumped on the Morrison government for apparently being caught by surprise at what was going on in the Pacific, when a security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands turned into a campaign issue.
Had the Albanese government been caught unawares?
The Janes report said: “Jakarta has received an official request from Moscow, seeking permission for Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) aircraft to be based at a facility in Indonesia’s easternmost province.
“Separate sources from the Indonesian government have confirmed with Janes that the request was received by the office of Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin following his meeting with Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu in February 2025.
“In the request, Russia seeks to base several long-range aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base, which shares a runway with the Frans Kaisiepo Airport, documents that have been presented to Janes reveal.
“The airbase is situated in Biak Numfor in the Indonesian province of Papua, and it is home to the Indonesian Air Force’s Aviation Squadron 27, which operates a fleet of CN235 surveillance aircraft.”
The government sought urgent clarification, while Dutton – now struggling in the polls – sought to score a quick political point without waiting for confirmation. Both government and opposition agreed on one thing, however: nobody wanted to see the Russians get such a foothold.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “We are seeking further information, we obviously do not want to see Russian influence in our region, very clearly.”
“We have a good relationship with our friends in Indonesia, and we’re seeking further clarification.”
Dutton said it would be “a catastrophic failure of diplomatic relations if Penny Wong and Anthony Albanese didn’t have forewarning” about such a Russian move before it was made public.
“This is a very, very troubling development. The prime minister and the foreign affairs minister should have the depth of relationship with Indonesia to have had forewarning of this,” Dutton said.
“My message to President Putin is that he’s not welcome in our neighbourhood. We don’t share any values with President Putin, and we do not want a presence, a military presence, from Russia in our region, which would be destabilising for south-east Asia.”
Late Tuesday, the air went out of the balloon.
In a statement Defence Minister Richard Marles said, “I have spoken to my counterpart, HE Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin the Minister for Defence, and he has said to me in the clearest possible terms, reports of the prospect of Russian aircraft operating from Indonesia are simply not true”.
Earlier Marles said that last year Australia signed a defence cooperation agreement with Indonesia, “which really is the deepest level defence agreement we’ve ever had with Indonesia”.
“We are seeing increasing cooperation between Australia and Indonesia at a defence level.”
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Election Diary: for a few hours, it seemed possible the Russians might be coming – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-for-a-few-hours-it-seemed-possible-the-russians-might-be-coming-254604