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Category: China

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by CE at World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit (English only) (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by CE at World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit (English only) (with photo) 
    Honourable Wang Yong (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference), Honourable Zhuang Rongwen (Minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China), Honourable Zheng Yanxiong (Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Honourable Ren Xianliang (Secretary General of the World Internet Conference), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good morning. I’m delighted to welcome you to Hong Kong, and the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit.
     
    And I am honoured to say that the Asia-Pacific Summit, taking place over these next two days in Hong Kong, marks the first time the World Internet Conference has held an international summit outside Mainland China.
     
    That, ladies and gentlemen, is a testament to Hong Kong’s rising role as an international innovation and technology hub. It also reflects our deepening integration with our country’s national development.   
     
    That will become abundantly clear over these next two days. Like the World Internet Conference itself, this Summit offers high-level dialogue for the global internet community – for you – the nearly 1 000 professionals here from 30 countries and regions.
     
    You are senior government officials and business leaders, industry association heads, academics and researchers and professionals from different disciplines. And you’re here to expand your international connections, create business opportunities and help build the interconnected digital future.
     
    Hong Kong’s rise as an I&T hub has been fast-tracked by our vibrant economy, which is powered by free trade and boasts the world’s third-largest financial centre. It helps, too, that Hong Kong has long been a key business conduit between the Mainland and the rest of the world.
     
    And it all comes together under our unique “one country, two systems” framework.
     
    This cardinal governing principle gives Hong Kong the best of both worlds: access to the vast opportunities of the Mainland market, while maintaining the advantages of our unmatched connectivity of our common law system, free flow of information, capital, goods and people. This unmatched connectivity has brought you here.
     
    There are many good examples. A shining example is the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster, which ranks second, globally, in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index. It shows how, with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, we can converge Hong Kong’s excellent research and development and world-class, international business environment, with the innovative prowess of the Mainland’s technology industry.
     
    We are building Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, which straddles the small river that separates Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The Hong Kong Park within this Co-operation Zone smartly embodies the virtues of the “one country, two systems” principle and cross-boundary co-operation.
     
    Last month, I attended the topping-out ceremony for the Park’s first three buildings – two wet laboratories and a talent accommodation complex. The Park will enter its operational phase this year, with the first tenants – from life and health technology, artificial intelligence, to data science and other pillar industries – moving in.
     
    The development of another five buildings is in full swing. We have earmarked some US$500 million to expedite the Park’s two-phase development.
     
    We need, of course, strategic companies and talent to take full advantage of the Park’s opportunities – and other of Hong Kong’s far-reaching prospects. And we’re getting them. Under the enhanced talent admission regime we rolled out in 2022, we have already approved more than 300 000 talent admission applications. Over 200 000 of them, i.e. two-thirds, have already arrived here.
     
    Meanwhile, over 80 strategic enterprises from around the world in the booming industries of life and health technology, AI and data science, fintech and more, have joined us. They will invest over US$6 million and create over 20 000 jobs here in the coming years.
     
    The Park is situated in the Northern Metropolis, an entirely new economic engine for Hong Kong. The Northern Metropolis, which makes up one-third of Hong Kong’s area, straddles our land boundary with Shenzhen.
     
    I’m confident that our collaborative efforts with Shenzhen, and throughout the Greater Bay Area, will see the rise of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone as a world-class I&T hub, creating a critical source of new quality productive forces for the country.
     
    AI is central to Hong Kong Park’s research and development. It’s no less central to Hong Kong’s future.
     
    In December last year, the first phase of Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre became operational. Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship, Cyberport is home to more than 330 start-ups specialising in AI and big data.
     
    Hong Kong is determined to maximise AI’s immense potential for new industrialisation, and to further society’s digital transformation.
     
    We have, for example, set up funding schemes to help local manufacturers switch to smart manufacturing and strategic industries to establish smart production facilities here in Hong Kong. 
     
    And our HK$10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund, amounting to nearly US$1.3 billion, channels market capital to invest in industries of strategic importance, including AI and robotics. 
     
    There’s more.  We aim to establish, by the next financial year, the Hong Kong AI R&D Institute, having reserved nearly US$130 million to get it up and running. The Institute will spearhead Hong Kong’s R&D and drive AI-based industrial applications.
     
    AI will also promote smart government. Not only driving document digitalisation and automation, and payments and business processes, but, more important, how we go about making policy and delivering public services.
     
    All that, and much more, will fuel discussion and debate at today’s main forum and the three sub-forums taking place tomorrow.
     
    This Summit matters. Co-operation matters. Especially during these challenging times to geopolitics and trade relations. Hong Kong champions free trade and multilateralism. We believe in teamwork and offer a range of welcoming programmes for investors, companies, researchers and other strategic talent. Hong Kong welcomes all business interests from those who are keen to pursue development with us. In this global city, we will make a decided difference for you, and your future.
     
    I am grateful to the World Internet Conference for hosting the Asia-Pacific Summit here in Hong Kong. Grateful, too, to our Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and other government offices for organising this high-profile global event.
     
    I wish you all an inspiring Summit, and the best of business, and health, through this endlessly challenging, but promising, year.
     
    Thank you.
    Issued at HKT 12:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit – Main Forum on the Digital Intelligence Future (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by FS at World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit – Main Forum on the Digital Intelligence Future (English only)
    Professor Francis Gurry (Vice-Chairman of the World Internet Conference), (Secretary General  of the World Internet Conference, Mr Ren Xianliang),  (Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Qi Bin), (Chief Engineer of the Cyberspace Administration of China, Ms Sun Weimin), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

    It is a great pleasure to join you all at the Asia-Pacific Summit of the World Internet Conference. The WIC has long served as a vital platform for global dialogue, enabling policymakers, business leaders, scholars and innovators to come together and explore the digital challenges and opportunities of our time, and to find new ways of working together. It is an honour for Hong Kong to host this event for the first time.

    The global digital landscape

    The Internet stands as the most transformative force of connection of our time.  It is also a story of continuous reinvention, from static content in Web 1.0 to social media, e-commerce in Web 2.0, and to the age of Web 3.0 underpinned by blockchain technologies. Coupled with artificial intelligence (AI), this next-generation Internet is once again transforming the way we live and do business. AI-powered tools are enabling governments and businesses to deliver smarter and more responsive services. Decentralised finance and tokenisation, for example, are substantially reducing the cost and improving the efficiency of financial and business transactions.

    The digital era today has created significant opportunities for new entrants.  Consider the DeepSeek Moment. While global headlines often focus on the AI rivalry between the two great nations, it also reminds us of the innovative prowess and agility of startups, and the multiple pathways to technological progress. It has opened up a future where development will not be decided simply by size or resources, but also by creativity and the courage to pursue visionary ideas.

    Despite the enormous progress, equitable digital access remains a global issue.  Today, nearly one-third of the world’s population – or some 2.6 billion people – are still offline. For these communities, the absence of digital access means fewer opportunities for education, economic advancement and social inclusion.

    Governments and regulators worldwide are also facing mounting challenges such as cybersecurity, data privacy and complexities of cross-border regulatory arbitrage. For example, it is estimated that cybercrime could cost the global economy over US$10 trillion in 2025 alone.  This amount, ironically, exceeds the GDP of most nations. Yet, across jurisdictions, governance frameworks are still struggling to keep pace with the speed of technological change.

    Currently, a more urgent concern is digital fragmentation. The trade war initiated by the United States is likely to extend beyond tariffs.  We can foresee more barriers, “larger yards” and “higher walls”, which could stifle innovation and jeopardise global technological progress.

    Hong Kong’s vision

    Ladies and gentlemen, now allow me to turn to Hong Kong.  How can we navigate these complex global dynamics to foster a more inclusive and interconnected digital environment?  I hope our perspectives and experience can contribute to the current discussions on global digital development.

    Our digital strategy is founded on the principles of openness and global connectivity. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, we champion the free flow of data and information – just as we do with goods and capital – as a cornerstone of our competitiveness and status as a free and open economy.

    To seize new opportunities brought by the digital economy and address the associated challenges, we need a comprehensive and forward-looking strategy. That’s why, over the past two years, the HKSAR Government has put in place a concrete action plan, covering such areas as digital infrastructure and governance, digital transformation, cross-boundary flow of data and talent development.

    A key part of this strategy is to enhance economic inclusiveness through digitalisation. For example, we are supporting SMEs in their digital transformation.  At the same time, we have strengthened the sharing of data held by government departments with financial institutions, on a consent basis, to enhance the efficiency of credit assessments.

    Another strategic objective is to unlock the full value of data. Hong Kong’s unique position as a convergence point for both Mainland and international data gives us a distinct advantage. This will help us not only in developing data-driven industries such as AI and health tech but also a data trading market in Hong Kong.

    As we enter the “AI+” era, we will develop AI as a core industry for Hong Kong by the deep integration of AI across industries.  Our efforts  focus on five key fronts: computing power, algorithms, data, capital and talent.  With our international connectivity, we also aim to position Hong Kong as a global hub for AI exchange, promoting dialogues, research collaboration and thought leadership.

    A shared future in cyberspace

    Ladies and gentlemen, looking forward, we believe there are several key priorities that must be addressed at the global level to ensure the healthy and inclusive development of the Internet.

    The first is digital governance. As emerging technologies become more powerful and pervasive, our regulatory frameworks must evolve accordingly, addressing issues such as cybersecurity, data privacy and ethical use of AI.  In Hong Kong, we advocate for a balanced, pro-innovation regulatory approach, putting in place appropriate safeguards while encouraging innovation.  Our approach to Web 3 and digital assets is a good case in point.

    The second is bridging the digital divide. For many developing economies, digital access is a powerful enabler for inclusive growth – improving education, expanding financial inclusion and enhancing public service delivery. I’m glad to report that in Hong Kong, many of our startups have developed innovative and robust solutions in these areas.  They are eager to share their technologies with emerging economies.

    The third is talent development. In the age of AI, digital literacy is no longer optional – it is essential. This imperative goes beyond formal education and calls for partnerships between the public and private sectors. In Hong Kong, we are working closely with leading tech companies – including Tencent, Alibaba, Lenovo, SenseTime, and startups at Science Park and Cyberport – to deliver technology training and share their entrepreneurial experience with students. Our aim is to cultivate the interest of the next generation and prepare them for a dynamic and innovation-led future.

    Concluding remarks

    Ladies and gentlemen, the challenges and opportunities of the digital age transcend borders. In this era of rapid technological transformation, what we need is more dialogue, sharing and co-operation so that we can drive the development in Internet, AI and other emerging technologies for the common good of humanity.

    On that note, I wish this Summit every success, and I hope each of you will find the discussions ahead insightful, productive and inspiring. Thank you very much.
    Issued at HKT 16:36

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Díaz-Balart, Giménez, Salazar Applaud President Daniel Noboa’s Leadership, U.S.-Ecuador Security Cooperation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), House Appropriations Vice Chair and Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee; Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security of the House Committee on Homeland Security; and María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following joint statement commending Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa’s leadership as a valued and key partner in the region: 

    “We commend President Daniel Noboa’s leadership and continued commitment to advancing regional security and stability. Under his Administration, Ecuador has become a valued partner in combatting transnational drug trafficking, countering Communist China’s malign influence, and addressing the illegal and damaging fishing activities near the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

    “As the people of Ecuador prepare to cast their votes in this crucial election on Sunday, April 13, it is imperative that Ecuador continue strengthening its democratic institutions and deepening its commitment to transparency and the rule of law. We look forward to our countries continuing to expand our defense and security cooperation, which will enhance joint efforts to address critical challenges in the region while upholding our shared democratic values.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU journals entered the first and second quartiles of the international ranking

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    In April 2025, the ranking quartiles were updated. The Fangular Magazine Rank. This indicator reflects the popularity and authority of publications of journals included in the Scopus database since 1996. It takes into account not only the number of citations, but also their quality, assessing the prestige of the journals from which the citations were obtained.

    Published by Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Terra Lingoustics entered the first quartile (Q1) in the Linguistics and Language subject area.

    It is noteworthy that this magazine was included in Scopus MNDB only in December 2024. The journal is also included in the HAC List and has the scientific significance category K1, indexed in the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Index Copernicus International, ROAD and CyberLeninka databases.

    The first quartile is a goal for any scientific journal, as it is recognition of its authority and significance in the scientific community. A humanities journal requires much more effort and time to reach this peak, but editor-in-chief Valeria Evgenyevna Chernyavskaya and the Center for Scientific Publications, which publishes the journal, set the bar high enough at the start and achieved an excellent result, commented Vice-Rector for Research at SPbPU Yuri Fomin.

    Another highly rated publication is Technology And Language, included in Scopus in 2023, received the second quartile (Q2) in the subject areas of Cultural Studies and History and Philosophy of Science. The journal, whose editor-in-chief is the director of the Humanities Institute, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences Natalia Chicherina, publishes studies on various relationships between technology and language from the perspective of history, linguistics, cultural studies, anthropology, philosophy, literary studies and media studies.

    For journals participating in the rating for the first time, this is a very high and honorable result. These indicators show the great work of editors-in-chief, reviewers, authors and the editorial team. Now, inclusion in the White List has become a global task for many Russian publications, but it is also important to strengthen their positions in international databases, which is what Polytechnic publications are actively striving for, noted Ekaterina Linnik, Director of the Scientific Publications Center.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China unveils guidelines to strengthen civil affairs services workforce

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A medical worker measures blood pressure for an elder at Shenyang Haiman Specialist Care Retirement Home in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    China on Monday released new guidelines aimed at enhancing the country’s high-skilled workforce in the civil affairs services sector.
    The document — the first jointly issued by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security — sets out a comprehensive framework to improve talent development, evaluation, and utilization, in addition to incentive mechanisms for individuals working in civil affairs-related fields.
    By 2030, the policy envisions a more capable, better-structured workforce in the sector with significantly enhanced qualifications, stable income growth, and greater public recognition.
    It also seeks to foster a more supportive policy environment and strengthen societal respect for careers in civil affairs services.
    In a related policy released the same day, the two ministries announced plans to accelerate skill certification for eldercare workers.
    The goal is to significantly expand the number of credentialed eldercare professionals in China by 2030, with over 80 percent of caregivers for seniors expected to hold professional certifications.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Singapore lowers 2025 GDP forecast amid global trade hit from US tariffs

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Monday revised down its full-year GDP growth forecast for 2025 for the country to a range of 0.0 to 2.0 percent, citing the far-reaching impact of sweeping U.S. tariffs on global trade and economic activity.

    The previous forecast projected growth of between 1.0 and 3.0 percent.

    In a statement, the ministry said the regional economic outlook will be weakened by falling external demand, in part due to the broader repercussions of the tariffs on global trade flows and growth. “Business and consumer sentiments will also be dampened, thereby crimping domestic consumption and investments in many economies,” it noted.

    For Singapore, the MTI assessed that the external demand outlook has “weakened significantly” for the rest of the year, negatively affecting the outlook for outward-oriented sectors. The manufacturing sector is expected to be particularly impacted by slowing global demand. This, along with weakening global trade, will likely weigh on the performance of the wholesale trade sector.

    Similarly, the transportation and storage sector is projected to face headwinds, as reduced global trade volumes drag down demand for shipping and air cargo services.

    The finance and insurance sector could also see softer performance. Weaker trading activity amid heightened risk-off sentiment may depress net fees and commission income across banking, fund management, foreign exchange, and securities trading.

    In addition, the uncertain economic environment is likely to dampen firms’ capital investment plans and constrain credit intermediation activity.

    Payments firms may also experience slower growth, in tandem with subdued business activity and weaker consumer spending, the MTI added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi arrives in Hanoi for state visit to Vietnam

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People welcome General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. Xi arrived in Hanoi on Monday to pay a state visit to Vietnam. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hanoi on Monday to pay a state visit to Vietnam.

    In a written statement upon his arrival at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Xi said he was very pleased to start his fourth state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and Vietnamese President Luong Cuong.

    On behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and people, Xi extended his sincere greetings and best wishes to the brotherly CPV, the Vietnamese government and the Vietnamese people.

    Noting that this year marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPV, the 80th anniversary of the founding of Vietnam and the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South, Xi said the CPV has united and led the Vietnamese people in steadfast pursuit of realizing the two goals set for the centenary of the party and the country, respectively.

    Xi added that the Chinese side is pleased to see that living standards in Vietnam have steadily improved, Vietnam’s global and regional influence has continued to grow, and the country has made notable progress in advancing its socialist industrialization and modernization drive.

    Xi expressed his belief that under the strong leadership of the CPV Central Committee led by To Lam, Vietnam will surely pursue the socialist path suited to its national conditions, fulfill the tasks set forth by the 13th National Congress of the CPV, set the stage for the 14th National Congress, and continue to break new ground for the development of its Party and the country.

    General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. Xi arrived in Hanoi on Monday to pay a state visit to Vietnam. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Phase Two of Tech4Nature Jaguar Protection Project Launched in Mexico

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Phase Two of Tech4Nature Jaguar Protection Project Launched in Mexico

    [Merida, Mexico, April 14, 2025] At the recent 2025 Tech4Nature Summit, Huawei, International Union of Conservation for Nature (IUCN), and local partners launched Phase Two of the Mexico Tech4Nature project, which aims to strengthen the protection of jaguars in Dzilam de Bravo State Reserve and study the effects of climate change on biodiversity.
    Alongside Huawei and IUCN, the launch was officiated by Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the State Government of Yucatán, and local partner C-Minds.
    “In Mexico, 42% of our country’s ecosystems face some degree of degradation that we have to work towards solving. This involves monitoring and a lot of restoration work, but it also means something more important, which is precisely what we’re seeing thanks to this alliance,” said Dr. Marina Robles García, Undersecretary of Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration for the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in Mexico.
    Aligned with Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative and the IUCN Green List, Tech4Nature is a global partnership launched by Huawei and IUCN in 2020 to scale up success in nature conservation through technological innovation.
    “Today we celebrate a shared vision, a vision that understands that conservation can no longer depend solely on good intentions or isolated policies. We need science, technology, empowered communities, and committed governments,” said Joaquín Díaz Mena, Governor of Yucatán in Mexico, at the 2025 Tech4Nature Summit.
    Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, the jaguar is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. To contribute to its conservation, the first phase of the project installed 60 audio devices and more than 20 camera traps in Dzilam de Bravo State Reserve. Using trained AI models, the system is able to recognize the vocalizations and images of species that inhabit the reserve. By April 2025, the solution had identified a total of 147 species and confirmed the presence of nine jaguars in the territory.
    The second phase of the project focuses on gathering data about the distribution of jaguar populations, and providing data-driven insights to support decision-making and improve reserve management with a view to creating a biological corridor.
    The 2025 Tech4Nature Summit brought together experts, scientists, and conservation leaders from around the world to share advances and strategies in technology-driven nature conservation.
    “Digital technology is making biodiversity conservation much more efficient and helping governments and conservationists take faster, more targeted action,” said Tao Jingwen, Director of the Board and Director of the Corporate Sustainable Development Committee for Huawei. “I want to call on more of our partners to join the Tech4Nature initiative to make digital technology a common tool for global ecosystem conservation.”
    As well as Mexico, the summit explored Tech4Nature Phase Two projects in Brazil, China, Spain, Kenya, and Türkiye, showcasing how digital technologies and AI analytics can be adapted to the specific needs of diverse ecosystems.
    “Building on our momentum so far, we look forward to the second phase of this partnership with great anticipation. This new chapter will address six countries, promoting transformative change for species, ecosystems, and their communities,” said Úrsula Parrilla, Director, Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (ORMACC) for IUCN. “By integrating technology into large-scale conservation, we contribute to global goals that seek to put nature at the center of decision-making for sustainable development.”
    Tech4Nature phase two projects
    Brazil will study the impact of climate change on Marajó Island and monitor the mangrove crab as an indicator of ecosystem health.
    China uses networked digital solutions and AI analytics to track and support the repopulation of the world’s rarest primate, the Hainan gibbon, just 42 of which remain in existence.
    Spain aims to protect the Bonelli’s eagle in Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park by using digital technologies to analyze the impact of park visitors on the eagles’ reproductive success.
    Kenya aims to improve monitoring in protected marine areas and coral reef in Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Reserve to help tackle issues such as illegal fishing and pressure from tourism, and monitor the parrot fish, which helps coral survive.
    Türkiye represents a pioneering collaboration between NGOs, the private sector, and the government to evaluate biodiversity protection, with a focus on large mammals, including the fallow deer and wild goat in two pilot sites.
    The 2025 Tech4Nature Summit attested to how collaboration between the technology sector, NGOs, governments, academic institutions, and local communities has created a new paradigm for protecting biodiversity and ecosystems.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Phase Two of Tech4Nature Jaguar Protection Project Launched in Mexico

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Phase Two of Tech4Nature Jaguar Protection Project Launched in Mexico

    [Merida, Mexico, April 14, 2025] At the recent 2025 Tech4Nature Summit, Huawei, International Union of Conservation for Nature (IUCN), and local partners launched Phase Two of the Mexico Tech4Nature project, which aims to strengthen the protection of jaguars in Dzilam de Bravo State Reserve and study the effects of climate change on biodiversity.
    Alongside Huawei and IUCN, the launch was officiated by Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the State Government of Yucatán, and local partner C-Minds.
    “In Mexico, 42% of our country’s ecosystems face some degree of degradation that we have to work towards solving. This involves monitoring and a lot of restoration work, but it also means something more important, which is precisely what we’re seeing thanks to this alliance,” said Dr. Marina Robles García, Undersecretary of Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration for the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in Mexico.
    Aligned with Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative and the IUCN Green List, Tech4Nature is a global partnership launched by Huawei and IUCN in 2020 to scale up success in nature conservation through technological innovation.
    “Today we celebrate a shared vision, a vision that understands that conservation can no longer depend solely on good intentions or isolated policies. We need science, technology, empowered communities, and committed governments,” said Joaquín Díaz Mena, Governor of Yucatán in Mexico, at the 2025 Tech4Nature Summit.
    Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, the jaguar is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. To contribute to its conservation, the first phase of the project installed 60 audio devices and more than 20 camera traps in Dzilam de Bravo State Reserve. Using trained AI models, the system is able to recognize the vocalizations and images of species that inhabit the reserve. By April 2025, the solution had identified a total of 147 species and confirmed the presence of nine jaguars in the territory.
    The second phase of the project focuses on gathering data about the distribution of jaguar populations, and providing data-driven insights to support decision-making and improve reserve management with a view to creating a biological corridor.
    The 2025 Tech4Nature Summit brought together experts, scientists, and conservation leaders from around the world to share advances and strategies in technology-driven nature conservation.
    “Digital technology is making biodiversity conservation much more efficient and helping governments and conservationists take faster, more targeted action,” said Tao Jingwen, Director of the Board and Director of the Corporate Sustainable Development Committee for Huawei. “I want to call on more of our partners to join the Tech4Nature initiative to make digital technology a common tool for global ecosystem conservation.”
    As well as Mexico, the summit explored Tech4Nature Phase Two projects in Brazil, China, Spain, Kenya, and Türkiye, showcasing how digital technologies and AI analytics can be adapted to the specific needs of diverse ecosystems.
    “Building on our momentum so far, we look forward to the second phase of this partnership with great anticipation. This new chapter will address six countries, promoting transformative change for species, ecosystems, and their communities,” said Úrsula Parrilla, Director, Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (ORMACC) for IUCN. “By integrating technology into large-scale conservation, we contribute to global goals that seek to put nature at the center of decision-making for sustainable development.”
    Tech4Nature phase two projects
    Brazil will study the impact of climate change on Marajó Island and monitor the mangrove crab as an indicator of ecosystem health.
    China uses networked digital solutions and AI analytics to track and support the repopulation of the world’s rarest primate, the Hainan gibbon, just 42 of which remain in existence.
    Spain aims to protect the Bonelli’s eagle in Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park by using digital technologies to analyze the impact of park visitors on the eagles’ reproductive success.
    Kenya aims to improve monitoring in protected marine areas and coral reef in Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Reserve to help tackle issues such as illegal fishing and pressure from tourism, and monitor the parrot fish, which helps coral survive.
    Türkiye represents a pioneering collaboration between NGOs, the private sector, and the government to evaluate biodiversity protection, with a focus on large mammals, including the fallow deer and wild goat in two pilot sites.
    The 2025 Tech4Nature Summit attested to how collaboration between the technology sector, NGOs, governments, academic institutions, and local communities has created a new paradigm for protecting biodiversity and ecosystems.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: I&T collabs create productivity: CE

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Executive John Lee

    I am delighted to welcome you to Hong Kong, and the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit.

     

    And I am honoured to say that the Asia-Pacific Summit, taking place over these next two days in Hong Kong, marks the first time the World Internet Conference has held an international summit outside Mainland China.

     

    That, ladies and gentlemen, is a testament to Hong Kong’s rising role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. It also reflects our deepening integration with our country’s national development.  

     

    That will become abundantly clear over these next two days. Like the World Internet Conference itself, this summit offers high-level dialogue for the global internet community – for you – the nearly 1,000 professionals here from 30 countries and regions.

     

    You are senior government officials and business leaders, industry association heads, academics and researchers and professionals from different disciplines. And you are here to expand your international connections, create business opportunities and help build the interconnected digital future.

     

    Hong Kong’s rise as an I&T hub has been fast-tracked by our vibrant economy, which is powered by free trade and boasts the world’s third-largest financial centre. It helps, too, that Hong Kong has long been a key business conduit between the Mainland and the rest of the world.

     

    And it all comes together under our unique “one country, two systems” framework.

     

    This cardinal governing principle gives Hong Kong the best of both worlds: access to the vast opportunities of the Mainland market, while maintaining the advantages of our unmatched connectivity of our common law system, free flow of information, capital, goods and people. This unmatched connectivity has brought you here.

     

    There are many good examples. A shining example is the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster, which ranks second, globally, in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index. It shows how, with the development of the Greater Bay Area, we can converge Hong Kong’s excellent research and development and world-class, international business environment, with the innovative prowess of the Mainland’s technology industry.

     

    We are building Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, which straddles the small river that separates Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The Hong Kong park within this co-operation zone smartly embodies the virtues of the “one country, two systems” principle and cross-boundary co-operation.

     

    Last month, I attended the topping-out ceremony for the park’s first three buildings – two wet laboratories and a talent accommodation complex. The park will enter its operational phase this year, with the first tenants – from life and health technology, artificial intelligence (AI), to data science and other pillar industries – moving in.

     

    The development of another five buildings is in full swing. We have earmarked some US$500 million to expedite the park’s two-phase development.

     

    We need, of course, strategic companies and talent to take full advantage of the park’s opportunities – and other of Hong Kong’s far-reaching prospects. And we are getting them. Under the enhanced talent admission regime we rolled out in 2022, we have already approved more than 300,000 talent admission applications. Over 200,000 of them, ie two-thirds, have already arrived here.

     

    Meanwhile, over 80 strategic enterprises from around the world in the booming industries of life and health technology, AI and data science, fintech and more, have joined us. They will invest over US$6 million and create over 20,000 jobs here in the coming years.

     

    The park is situated in the Northern Metropolis, an entirely new economic engine for Hong Kong. The Northern Metropolis, which makes up one-third of Hong Kong’s area, straddles our land boundary with Shenzhen.

     

    I am confident that our collaborative efforts with Shenzhen, and throughout the Greater Bay Area, will see the rise of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone as a world-class I&T hub, creating a critical source of new quality productive forces for the country.

     

    AI is central to the Hong Kong park’s research and development. It is no less central to Hong Kong’s future.

     

    In December last year, the first phase of Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre became operational. Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship, Cyberport is home to more than 330 startups specialising in AI and big data.

     

    Hong Kong is determined to maximise AI’s immense potential for new industrialisation, and to further society’s digital transformation.

     

    We have, for example, set up funding schemes to help local manufacturers switch to smart manufacturing and strategic industries to establish smart production facilities here in Hong Kong.

     

    And our HK$10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund, amounting to nearly US$1.3 billion, channels market capital to invest in industries of strategic importance, including AI and robotics.

     

    There is more. We aim to establish, by the next financial year, the Hong Kong AI R&D Institute, having reserved nearly US$130 million to get it up and running. The institute will spearhead Hong Kong’s research and development, and drive AI-based industrial applications.

     

    AI will also promote smart government. Not only driving document digitalisation and automation, and payments and business processes, but, more important, how we go about making policy and delivering public services.

     

    All that, and much more, will fuel discussion and debate at today’s main forum and the three sub-forums taking place tomorrow.

     

    This summit matters. Co-operation matters. Especially during these challenging times to geopolitics and trade relations. Hong Kong champions free trade and multilateralism. We believe in teamwork and offer a range of welcoming programmes for investors, companies, researchers and other strategic talent. Hong Kong welcomes all business interests from those who are keen to pursue development with us. In this global city, we will make a decided difference for you, and your future.

     

    I am grateful to the World Internet Conference for hosting the Asia-Pacific Summit here in Hong Kong. Grateful, too, to our Innovation, Technology& Industry Bureau and other government offices for organising this high-profile global event.

     

    I wish you all an inspiring summit, and the best of business, and health, through this endlessly challenging, but promising, year.

     

    Chief Executive John Lee gave these remarks at the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit on April 14.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.70 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.70 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, April 14, 2025)

    The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB43 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on April 14, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Rate

    Bidding Volume

    Winning Bid Volume

    7 days

    1.50%

    RMB43 billion

    RMB43 billion

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年04月14日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘The sky won’t fall’ for China’s export: customs official

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Despite a complex and challenging external environment, “the sky won’t fall” for China’s export, a Chinese customs official told a press conference on Monday.

    China’s total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms expanded 1.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of this year, data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed on the same day.

    In recent years, China has made steady progress in diversifying its foreign trade markets and deepening industrial and supply chain cooperation with partners around the world, according to Lyu Daliang, an official with the GAC.

    “These efforts have not only supported our partners’ development but also enhanced our own resilience,” Lyu said.

    He emphasized that China’s vast domestic market remains a strong backup for the economy, adding that the country will turn domestic certainty into a buffer against global volatility. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Suspect in custody for arson at US Pennsylvania governor’s residence

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An arson suspect was arrested on Sunday afternoon, hours after the Pennsylvania governor’s official residence was blazed and partly damaged in the state’s capital city of Harrisburg, said Pennsylvania State Police.

    The suspect was identified as Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old man from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher Paris told a press conference.

    The suspect hopped over a fence around the governor’s residence and forcibly entered the building before setting it on fire early Sunday morning, according to the state police.

    The attack was “targeted” but its specific motive is still unknown, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said at the conference.

    Shapiro said that he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family that had celebrated Passover on Saturday were inside the home when they “woke up to bangs on the door from Pennsylvania State Police” around 2:00 am (0600 GMT) on Sunday.

    Balmer will face charges including attempted murder, terrorism, arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person, said Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo at the press conference.

    No one was injured by the fire, but parts of the residence sustained a “significant amount of damage”, said the state police in a statement earlier on Sunday.

    Shapiro, 51, a Democrat, is considered a potential contender in the 2028 U.S. presidential race.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says looking forward to in-depth exchanges with Vietnamese leaders on issues of strategic significance

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that he looks forward to having an in-depth exchange of views with Vietnamese leaders on issues concerning ties between the two parties and countries that have a global impact, determine future direction, and possess strategic significance, as well as on international and regional issues of common concern.

    Xi made the remarks in a written statement upon his arrival at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.

    The Chinese leader added that he also expects to take his visit as an opportunity to work with the Vietnamese side to draw up a new blueprint for the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Full text of Xi’s signed article in Vietnamese newspaper

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

    BEIJING, April 14 — A signed article by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping titled “Building on past achievements and making new advances in pursuit of shared goals” was published Monday in the Nhan Dan Newspaper of Vietnam as he is traveling to Vietnam for a state visit to the country.

    The following is the full text of the article:

    Building on past achievements and making new advances in pursuit of shared goals

    Xi Jinping

    General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of the People’s Republic of China

    Late spring is full of vitality. As China and Vietnam celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, I will soon pay a state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Comrade To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Vietnamese President Comrade Luong Cuong. This will be my fourth visit to this beautiful country since I became General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China. I look forward to renewing friendship with Vietnamese leaders, discussing ways of boosting cooperation, and drawing up a new blueprint for the China-Vietnam community with a shared future in the new era.

    China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbours sharing the same ideals and extensive strategic interests. The profound friendship between the two parties and two peoples, forged decades ago, has grown stronger as we explore a socialist path suited to our respective national conditions and advance our respective modernization drive. Building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance serves the common interests of our two countries and is conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity in our region and beyond. It conforms with the trend of history. And it is the choice by our peoples.

    The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is inherited from our distinctive revolutionary traditions. During modern times, pioneers of Chinese and Vietnamese revolutions together explored a path to national salvation and made important contribution to the Third World’s victory in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism. The historical site of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League in Guangzhou and the site of the office of the League for Independence of Vietnam in Jingxi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region bear witness to the revolutionary friendship between China and Vietnam. President Ho Chi Minh joined and supported the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Yan’an, Guilin, Chongqing and Kunming. China sent military and political advisers in support of the Vietnamese people’s War Against French Occupation. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government and people gave full support for Vietnam’s just War Against U.S. Aggression to Save the Nation. The well-known line: “The friendship between Vietnam and China is so profound because we are both comrades and brothers,” is etched on our shared revolutionary memory.

    The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is based on strong political mutual trust. In recent years, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders and I have visited each other many times, steering the course for building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. Our two parties and two countries have kept close high-level engagement. Mechanisms such as the steering committee for bilateral cooperation, the party-to-party theoretical symposium, the border defence friendship exchange, and the conference on crime control between the two public security ministries are functioning smoothly. High-level mechanisms including the joint committee between the National People’s Congress of China and the National Assembly of Vietnam have been established. The “3+3” strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defence and public security between our two countries has been held successfully. China and Vietnam hold similar positions on many regional and international issues and have engaged in close coordination on them.

    The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is rooted in our fruitful cooperation. China and Vietnam have pursued closer cooperation on industrial and supply chains amid a sluggish global economic recovery. China has been Vietnam’s biggest trading partner for over 20 years in a row, with total bilateral trade exceeding 260 billion USD in 2024. More and more quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as durian and coconut are available to Chinese consumers. Railway connectivity and the smart port development project are being steadily advanced. Solar panels, waste-to-energy plants and other bilateral clean energy projects have boosted electricity supply in Vietnam. The Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line built by a Chinese company makes public transport in Hanoi more convenient. Contributing to each other’s success and pursuing common development, China and Vietnam have set an example of solidarity and cooperation in the Global South.

    The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is advanced by close people-to-people exchanges. Over the years, we have seen ever more people-to-people exchanges that foster increasingly closer ties between Chinese and Vietnamese peoples. Chinese tourists made more than 3.7 million visits to Vietnam in 2024. With the official launch of the Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall Cross-Border Tourism Cooperation Zone and the opening of several cross-border road trip routes, visiting two countries in a single day has become possible. Chinese film and television productions and video games are popular among young Vietnamese, and more people in Vietnam are learning Chinese. Many Vietnamese songs are now on hot search lists on social media in China, and many Chinese diners relish pho and other Vietnamese delicacies.

    Today, global, epoch-making and historical changes are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulent transformation. Despite the headwinds of mounting unilateralism and protectionism, the Chinese economy expanded by five percent in 2024, contributing around 30 percent to the global economy. It remains a key engine of the world economy. China’s new energy sector, artificial intelligence and animated films have come into global spotlight. China will continue to provide more opportunities to the world with its high-standard opening up, and will contribute to the development of all countries with its high-quality development.

    Asia represents a new elevation in global cooperation and development. At a new starting point toward revitalisation of the whole region, Asia faces both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. China will ensure continuity and stability of its neighbourhood diplomacy. 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.

    China is going all out to build a great modern socialist country and achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by pursuing Chinese modernization. Vietnam will usher in a new epoch of national development toward the two goals set for the centenary of the party and the country respectively. China always gives Vietnam high priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy. Our two countries should strengthen our efforts on all fronts to build the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and contribute more to peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and the world at large.

    — We should deepen strategic mutual trust and advance the socialist cause. The two sides should act on the guidance of the leaders. The China-Vietnam steering committee for bilateral cooperation should coordinate our interactions more effectively to boost party, government, military, law enforcement and security cooperation; jointly tackle external risks and challenges; and uphold political security. China is ready to enhance exchanges of governance practices with Vietnam, explore and enrich together socialist theory and practices, and promote the steady development of the two countries’ socialist cause.

    — We should continue win-win cooperation and deliver more benefit to our two peoples. We should create greater synergy between our development strategies, implement well the cooperation plan between the two governments on synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, and build more platforms for economic and technological cooperation. China stands ready to advance cooperation with Vietnam on the three standard-gauge railways in northern Vietnam and the smart port. China welcomes more quality Vietnamese products in the Chinese market and encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Vietnam. Our two countries should step up cooperation on industrial and supply chains, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as 5G, artificial intelligence and green development to create more benefits for the two peoples.

    — We should strengthen people-to-people exchanges and forge a closer bond between our peoples. This year is the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and we should use this opportunity to promote people-to-people exchanges in diverse forms. China welcomes Vietnamese visitors to travel across China and encourages Chinese tourists to visit scenic sites in Vietnam. Our two countries should carry out more activities that will bring our two peoples together such as the friendly meeting between youth and festive events in border areas. We should further tap into our revolutionary resources and tell stories of friendship that resonate with our two peoples, so as to pass on the baton of China-Vietnam friendship from generation to generation.

    — We should enhance multilateral collaboration and promote Asia’s prosperity and revitalization. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Our two countries should firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. It is important that we pursue the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative. It is also important that we promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We should work together with the Global South to uphold the common interests of developing countries. Trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere. Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment. We should strengthen coordination in mechanisms such as East Asia cooperation and Lancang-Mekong cooperation so as to ensure more stability for a changing and turbulent world and inject more positive energy in it.

    — We should properly manage differences and safeguard peace and stability in our region. The successful delimitation of our boundaries on land and in the Beibu Gulf demonstrates that with vision, we are fully capable of properly settling maritime issues through consultation and negotiation. The two sides should implement the common understanding reached between the leaders of the two parties and the two countries. We should make good use of the maritime negotiation mechanism so as to properly manage maritime differences, expand maritime cooperation, and build up conditions for the final resolution of the disputes. We should fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and actively advance the consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. We should be impervious to all interference; bridge differences and expand common ground; and make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

    Standing at this new starting point of history, China is ready to work with Vietnam to build on past achievements, write a new chapter in building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and contribute even more to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Ageas reaches agreement with Bain Capital to acquire esure and establish a top-3 UK personal lines platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Ageas reaches agreement with Bain Capital to acquire esure and establish a top-3 UK personal lines platform

    Ageas and Bain Capital agree GBP 1.295 billion (EUR 1.510 billion) cash transaction for esure
    Combination creates multi-channel motor and home insurer with broad customer appeal across the UK

    Ageas announces today that it has reached an agreement with Bain Capital to acquire esure 1, a leading digital personal lines insurer with strong positioning on price comparison websites (PCW) in the UK. The proposed transaction is fully aligned with Ageas’s strategic priorities for M&A in Europe under Elevate27. It increases Ageas’s European markets presence through the acquisition of a controlled entity, reinforces its positioning in the UK, generates shareholder value from the realisation of synergies and enhances the cash generation of the Group.

    The combination of Ageas UK and esure will create the third largest UK personal lines platform with a balanced and diversified distribution spanning Direct, PCW, brokers and partnerships. The acquisition of esure will enable Ageas UK to accelerate the diversification of its distribution strategy into the important PCW channel in the UK market. Its underwriting footprint will widen Ageas UK’s target customer demographics and enable growth to a top-line of GBP 3.25 billion (EUR 3.8 billion) by 2028.

    Ageas UK has established itself as an accomplished insurer over the past four years by focusing on profitable growth solely in the personal lines business with a specialism in broker distribution, outstanding technical insurance skills and technology, and successfully delivering insurance solutions for its distribution partners and over 4 million customers.

    esure is a leading UK personal lines insurer with a fully digital distribution model through the PCW channel and three popular brands – esure, Sheilas’ Wheels and First Alternative. In 2024, esure had more than 2.1 million policies and GWP of GBP1 billion (EUR 1.2 billion).

    The acquisition of esure creates significant potential for operational synergies and capital benefits to be realised in the medium term. We expect economies of scale in our UK personal lines portfolio and the accelerated implementation of the EIS IT platform, including esure’s complementary claims module, to drive operational efficiencies and cost avoidance for Ageas UK. Continued focus on technology, data and AI is expected to create further competitive advantages. In addition, capital benefits from enhanced diversification and the inclusion of esure in Ageas’s partial internal model are expected to emerge over time.

    Under the terms of the transaction, Ageas will pay Bain Capital a cash consideration of GBP 1.295 billion (EUR 1.510 billion) for esure, respecting a Solvency II target ratio of 150% as at year-end 2024. The Group’s capital position will remain robust with Solvency II ratio expected to decrease by approximately only 10pp thanks to the inclusion of around EUR 1 billion of Own Funds instruments in the financing mix.

    The transaction will be financed through a combination of surplus cash and newly issued senior and hybrid debt and/or equity within the existing authorisations and subject to market conditions. A fully underwritten 2-year bridge facility is provided by BofA Securities and Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A..

    The integration of Ageas UK and esure is anticipated to be completed, in all material respects, during the Elevate27 strategic cycle. Entering the next strategic period, we project that the transaction will generate a full cost saving potential in excess of GBP 100 million (c. EUR 115 million) per annum, before tax. On a run-rate basis, this transaction is expected to generate an unlevered return on investment of over 12% for Ageas and an uplift in the Return on Equity of more than 1pp. It will become Holding Free Cash Flow accretive per share of c. 10% as from 2028.

    The completion of the transaction is expected to occur in 2H 2025 and remains subject to regulatory approvals.

    Commenting on the agreement, Hans De Cuyper, Ageas Group CEO, said: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement to acquire esure. In recent years, Ageas has experienced significant growth in the UK, making it an increasingly important part of the Group. This transaction will allow us to offer competitive value propositions to a wider customer profile via a multi-channel distribution model, positioning Ageas UK as one of the top three personal lines insurers. Acquiring esure also supports our strategic ambitions of re-balancing our Group profile towards businesses with high cash conversion. We remain, of course, committed to our Elevate27 financial objectives, including our commitment to a progressive dividend policy, and will observe the full synergies of this transaction in the forthcoming strategic period.”

    Ant Middle, Ageas UK CEO, said: “esure is a significant addition to the Ageas UK business and aligns perfectly with our growth strategy. As demand for motor and home insurance grows, Ageas will be perfectly positioned to gain market share and become the insurer of choice for our existing and new customers. The combined Ageas and esure franchise will benefit from an outstanding customer offering, through market leading technology and prominent brands, that will drive our expansion into new customer demographics. Under Elevate27, we want to continue to grow our broker and partnerships personal lines business in the UK, and esure will help us to rapidly expand our direct distribution, our customer reach, and our scale overall. esure’s technical capabilities will match Ageas UK’s and will enable us to develop our well-balanced business at greater pace and serve a wider range of customers. We’re really excited for the potential this brings our UK business and wider Group.”

    David McMillan, esure Group CEO, said: “This transaction brings together two highly complementary businesses and creates an even stronger platform for continued innovation, growth and excellent delivery for our customers. Combining Ageas’s scale, financial strength and excellent broker relationships with esure’s strong retail brands, market-leading data capabilities and strength on PCWs, alongside a shared technology platform, will enhance our combined ability to invest in our customer proposition and open up new opportunities for growth. I am deeply proud of what the esure team has achieved to date. We look forward to working alongside the Ageas team to build the UK’s leading personal lines insurer.”

    Luca Bassi, Partner at Bain Capital, said: “We are pleased to have supported esure through its transformation and growth journey. During our ownership, esure has built the leading tech platform in UK insurance and their highly efficient operations have set a new standard for the industry. This transaction is a testament to esure’s strong market position and the state-of-the-art technology platform built under Bain Capital’s tenure, with the business now at record levels of profitability. We are confident that Ageas is the right partner to continue this legacy of success and innovation.”

    BofA Securities is acting as financial adviser and Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP is acting as legal counsel to Ageas in relation to the transaction.

    Fenchurch Advisory Partners LLP and Goldman Sachs International served as financial advisers to Bain Capital and esure. Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP served as legal adviser and Norton Rose Fulbright LLP served as regulatory adviser to Bain Capital and esure.

    Further information:

    For Ageas

    Michaël Vandenbergen, Ageas, michael.vandenbergen@ageas.com, +3225575736

    Chris Sibbald / James Leviton, FGS Global, ageas-uk@fgsglobal.com, +447855955531

    For Bain Capital

    Sean Palmer, Camarco, baincapital@camarco.co.uk, +447591760844

    For esure group

    esure@teneo.com

    For analysts:

    An analyst meeting regarding this transaction will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 am CET (9:00 to 10:00 am UKT). The Teams call can be accessed using the following link: https://ageas.com/en/esure-2025

    Note to editors:

    To support its expansion, in 2024 Ageas UK announced a partnership with Saga, growing its offering to the over-50s segment, which is strategically in line with Ageas’s focus on an ageing population.

    Ageas is a listed international insurance Group with a heritage spanning of 200 years. It offers Retail and Business customers Life and Non-Life insurance products designed to suit their specific needs, today and tomorrow, and is also engaged in reinsurance activities. As one of Europe’s larger insurance companies, Ageas concentrates its activities in Europe and Asia, which together make up the major part of the global insurance market. It operates successful insurance businesses in Belgium, the UK, Portugal, Türkiye, China, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries and long-term partnerships with strong financial institutions and key distributors. Ageas ranks among the market leaders in the countries in which it operates. It represents a staff force of about 50,000 people and reported annual inflows of EUR 18.5 billion in 2024.

    esure Group is one of the UK’s leading providers of Motor and Home insurance products through the esure, Sheilas’ Wheels and First Alternative brands. Founded in 2000, esure Group has the scale, heritage and expertise capable of inspiring the trust and confidence of their 2.1m customers, combined with the entrepreneurial mindset and agility of an insurtech. esure Group is focused on using their market-leading technology platform, insights and data, alongside fantastic customer service, to deliver more personalised experiences that meet the evolving needs and expectations of customers.

    Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. The firm has a significant history in Europe, starting with the establishment of a London office in 2000 and expanding to include other European locations, with a focus on private equity, credit and special situations investments. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com. Follow @BainCapital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

    Bank of America Europe DAC (“BofA Securities”) is acting as financial adviser exclusively for Ageas and for no one else in connection with the transaction and will not be responsible to anyone other than Ageas for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the transaction or any other matters referred to in this announcement.

    1 Under the terms of the transaction, Ageas will acquire 100% of the issued and to be issued share capital of Blue (BC) Topco Limited, a holding company for esure Group plc and its subsidiaries.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s railway cargo transportation volume up in Q1

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s railway network transported 970 million tonnes of cargo in the first three months of 2025, up 3.1 percent year on year, the railway operator said Sunday.

    Daily loading amounted to a total of 179,000 cars, an increase of 4.2 percent year on year, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

    The railway network also facilitated cross-border trade in this period. Notably, China-Central Asia freight trains operated a total of 3,582 services, marking a year-on-year surge of 25.5 percent, the railway operator revealed.

    The China-Laos Railway, which links Kunming in southwest China’s Yunnan Province and the Laotian capital Vientiane, transported 1.51 million tonnes of cross-border cargo in the first quarter of 2025, up 10 percent year on year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: British parliament passes emergency law to save British Steel

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The British Parliament Saturday passed an emergency law granting the government sweeping powers to take control of British Steel, the last in Britain capable of producing steel from iron ore.

    The Scunthorpe facility supplies the vast majority of the country’s rail tracks. The legislation was introduced in response to British Steel’s plan to shut down its blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, citing unsustainable financial losses.

    In an extraordinary Saturday sitting, the first in over four decades, both Houses of Parliament returned from Easter recess to fast-track the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, which received royal assent the same day.

    The new law empowers the Business Secretary to intervene directly in steel operations, order the procurement of raw materials, mandate the payment of workers, and even seize assets “using force if necessary.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China issues 9.78 trillion yuan in new loans in first 3 months

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China issued 9.78 trillion yuan (1.36 trillion U.S. dollars) in new yuan-denominated loans in the first three months of 2025, central bank data showed on Sunday.

    At the end of March, outstanding yuan loans amounted to 265.41 trillion yuan, up 7.4 percent year on year, according to the People’s Bank of China.

    In the first quarter, household loans increased by 1.04 trillion yuan. Loans to enterprises increased by 8.66 trillion yuan, of which medium and long-term loans increased by 5.58 trillion yuan.

    The M2, a broad measure of money supply that covers cash in circulation and all deposits, increased by 7 percent year on year to 326.06 trillion yuan at the end of last month.

    The M1, which covers cash in circulation, demand deposits and clients’ reserves of non-banking payment institutions, stood at 113.49 trillion yuan at the end of March, up 1.6 percent year on year.

    In the first three months, China’s yuan-denominated deposits increased by 12.99 trillion yuan, with household deposits accounting for 9.22 trillion yuan of this rise.

    At the end of March, the total social financing stock in China reached 422.96 trillion yuan, marking an 8.4 percent increase from the previous year.

    During the first three months, the newly added social financing amounted to 15.18 trillion yuan, representing a 2.37 trillion yuan increase from the corresponding period of the prior year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese NEVs gain popularity abroad

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China-made new energy vehicles are becoming popular in overseas markets, which is expected to fuel the upward spiral of the country’s vehicle exports.

    In March, NEV makers operating in the country, including foreign ones such as Tesla, shipped more than 143,000 vehicles overseas, up 6.4 percent compared with same period last year, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association.

    The continuous rise came when exports of passenger cars fell 8 percent to 391,000 units that month.

    For NEVs, Europe and Southeast Asia are among the top destinations. Last week, BYD introduced its alternative premium brand, Denza, to the European market with a brand launch in Milan, Italy.

    Denza unveiled the Z9 GT station wagon at the Milan Design Week, which ran from April 6 to 13. The model is expected to hit European showrooms in the fourth quarter.

    The model impressed attendees with its signature features, including parking assist, high-speed tire blowout stability control, extreme steering capabilities, a tight turning circle, and intelligent crab walking capabilities.

    Since 2024, the brand has entered several Asian markets, including China’s Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It also plans to enter dozens of European countries within the next two years.

    State-owned GAC also made a splash at the Milan Design Week, where the Aion UT made its European debut. The electric hatchback, born in the carmaker’s Milan Advanced Design Center, harmonizes Italian design aesthetics with local market preferences.

    Among other things, it features a 14.6-inch central touch screen, an 8.88-inch digital instrument display, and Level 2 driving assistance.

    Its second-generation Magazine Battery enables fast charging from 30 percent to 80 percent in just 24 minutes. Analysts say the model will take on local European models like the Volkswagen ID.3.

    Thomas Schemera, chief operating officer of GAC International, said: “By empowering production through design, we aim to deliver products with outstanding design, top-tier quality, and pioneering technology — ultimately creating better mobility experiences for European consumers.”

    The growing popularity of Chinese NEVs is expected to boost the country’s total vehicle exports this year.

    The trade conflict between the United States and China won’t have much effect on domestic automakers, as the US is a tiny market for Chinese cars, the CPCA said.

    China shipped a total of 6.41 million vehicles overseas in 2024, a surge of 23 percent year-on-year. The top five countries driving China’s growth in vehicle exports were Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Belgium and Saudi Arabia.

    Meanwhile, some carmakers are stepping up efforts to produce vehicles in overseas markets.

    Chery was the first to establish a European manufacturing plant. Located in Barcelona, Spain, the plant will produce Chery’s Omoda 5 SUV, among other models.

    Chery, the partner of British premium carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, is also planning to set up a $1 billion plant in Turkiye, Bloomberg reported in late March, citing the country’s industry ministry.

    It will make EVs and components at the new facility in Samsun, which will have an annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles, said the media group.

    These strategic moves underscore Chinese automakers’ dedication to establishing a robust international presence, leveraging technological innovation, and localized production to navigate the complexities of global trade and meet diverse consumer preferences, said analysts.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges US to cancel ‘reciprocal tariffs’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The U.S. side should completely cancel the wrong practice of “reciprocal tariffs” and return to the right path of resolving differences through mutual respect and equal dialogue, China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Sunday.

    The U.S. side has released a memorandum exempting certain products such as computers, smartphones, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and integrated circuits from “reciprocal tariffs.” China is assessing the related impact of this move, a spokesperson with the ministry said.

    It should be noted that this is a small step for the U.S. side to correct its wrong practice of unilateral “reciprocal tariffs,” which hasn’t solved the United States’ problems but seriously undermined the international economic and trade order, disrupted the normal production and operation of enterprises, and affected people’s daily consumption, the spokesperson said.

    China’s position on China-U.S. economic and trade relations is consistent, the spokesperson said, adding that there is no winner in a trade war and no way out for protectionism.

    China urges the U.S. side to take seriously the rational voices of the international community and domestic parties, and take a big step forward in correcting wrongdoings, the spokesperson said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Death toll from Russian attack on Ukraine’s Sumy rises to 34

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The death toll from a Russian ballistic missile attack on Ukraine’s northeastern city of Sumy has risen to 34, while 117 people were injured, according to a statement from Ukraine’s State Service for Emergencies.

    Two children were among the dead, and 15 other children were wounded in the attack, the statement said.

    According to Sumy regional governor Volodymyr Artyukh, most of the deaths occurred in a trolleybus that was hit by the strike. The attack also caused damage to the local university and nearby apartment buildings.

    Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, said Russian forces launched two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles at Sumy from Russia’s Kursk and Voronezh regions on Sunday morning.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCO dialogue partners eye deeper cooperation with China

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    At a recent investment promotion event in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, Turkish businessman Mehmet Sahin was seen exchanging business cards with entrepreneurs from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries.

    This undated file photo shows a view of the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna district of Suez province, Egypt. (TEDA Investment Holding Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua)

    “I really appreciate attending this event,” said Sahin, vice president of global purchasing and logistics at Hattat Holding A.S., a Turkish company engaged in energy, automotive, agricultural and real estate development. He noted his assurance that the event would help him meet with potential Chinese and Russian investors and cooperation partners.

    The China-SCO Sustainable Development Industrial Investment Promotion Event, which concluded on Friday, saw Sahin’s company engage in negotiations with the China Coal Technology & Engineering Group to explore investment opportunities in potential coal-cleaning projects.

    Broader cooperation with Chinese enterprises is also underway in sectors such as engine assembly, production and sales, as well as wind power generation, according to Sahin.

    “This event has been a good start, and the upcoming SCO summit will further promote mutual understanding and future planning among all participating countries,” he said.

    China will host an SCO summit in Tianjin this autumn. Among the summit’s advance events, the promotional event Sahin attended has brought fresh momentum to economic and trade cooperation between China and SCO member states, observer states and dialogue partners.

    Türkiye, Sri Lanka, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia were among the participating SCO dialogue partners.

    During the event, the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone disclosed significant progress.

    The Tianjin TEDA Electric Power Company announced a partnership with SCZone Utilities S.A.E., and revealed that the China-Africa TEDA Investment Co., Ltd., which developed the cooperation zone, will build a 200-megawatt substation.

    This critical infrastructure project aims to resolve power supply constraints for major projects in the cooperation zone, lower business costs for enterprises while drawing in premium investors, and accelerate industrial clustering in the zone, according to Wang Weihua, general manager of the Tianjin TEDA Electric Power Company.

    Established in 2008, the zone has become Egypt’s most competitive industrial hub, serving as a benchmark of China-Egypt cooperation.

    “Tianjin TEDA is one of our best partners,” said Ahmed Salaheldin Abdelfattah Elhomosani, general manager of SCZone Utilities S.A.E., noting that the cooperation zone has attracted a significant amount of investment.

    Trade between China and SCO member states, observer states and dialogue partners came in at a record high of 890 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, accounting for approximately 14.4 percent of China’s total foreign trade that year, according to official statistics.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US exempts smartphones, computers from ‘reciprocal tariffs’

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced in an updated guidance late Friday that the government has exempted smartphones, computers and other electronic products from its “reciprocal tariffs.”

    The document stated that the exemption applies to electronic products entering the United States after April 5, and “reciprocal tariffs” already paid can be refunded upon request.

    “This is a massive U-Turn in tariff policy,” said the Kobeissi Letter, a financial newsletter on social media X.

    The latest announcement could potentially cushion consumers from sticker shock while benefiting electronics giants including Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., according to Bloomberg.

    The broad and unpredictable tariff policies have triggered turbulence in financial markets and even drawn criticism from key figures within the Republican Party, including former Vice President Mike Pence.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China vows to uphold multilateral trading system

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China is committed to safeguarding an open, inclusive, transparent and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system, said Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Friday during a video call with Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

    During the video call, the two sides exchanged views on issues such as responding to the so-called “reciprocal tariffs” imposed by the United States, maintaining the multilateral trading system, and giving play to the role of the WTO, according to a statement released by China’s commerce ministry on Saturday.

    Wang said the fabrication of “reciprocal tariffs” out of thin air by the United States is a typical practice of unilateral bullying. These tariffs will inflict serious harm on developing countries, especially the least developed nations, and could even trigger humanitarian crises.

    Wang called on WTO members to unite and counter unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying practices through openness, cooperation, and multilateralism.

    Okonjo-Iweala said that escalating trade tensions have posed serious challenges to global trade and economic growth prospects. WTO members should work together to defend an open, rules-based multilateral trading system and resolve differences through dialogue and cooperation under the WTO framework.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China imports first batch of fresh coconuts from Indonesia

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The first 200-kilogram batch of fresh coconuts imported from Indonesia arrived in Fuzhou, the capital city of east China’s Fujian Province, on Saturday.

    The arrival of the imported coconuts is the latest highlight of the deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and Indonesia this year, which marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

    In November 2024, the General Administration of Customs announced that it would allow imports of fresh coconuts from Indonesia that meet relevant requirements.

    In recent years, China’s coconut imports have shown an upward trend, and its import markets are becoming increasingly diversified, now including Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. China’s huge market demand provides broad export space for coconuts from Indonesia, which is one of the world’s largest coconut producers.

    According to customs statistics, the volume of bilateral trade between China and Indonesia exceeded 1 trillion yuan (about 138.72 billion U.S. dollars) for the first time in 2024. In January and February 2025, that volume totaled 172.57 billion yuan, up 4.7 percent year on year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong’s InnoEX 2025 draws record global exhibitors, spotlights low-altitude economy

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The third edition of InnoEX, a four-day innovation and technology expo, kicked off in Hong Kong on Sunday, spotlighting cutting-edge advancements in AI, robotics, low-altitude economy, cybersecurity, and smart mobility.

    Co-organized by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the event aims to foster global collaboration in tech innovation, focusing on the theme of “Innovate, Automate and Elevate”.

    Sun Dong, secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said the expo brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders worldwide through exhibitions, networking sessions, and seminars, creating opportunities for international partnerships.

    HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong said this year’s InnoEX features over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, including first-time participants such as Australia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates, alongside expanded showcases from Japan, Thailand, and the UK.

    Running concurrently, the 21st Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) focuses on smart home solutions, health tech, and wearable devices.

    As core events of Hong Kong’s International I&T Business Week 2025, the twin expos have drawn more than 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions.

    Ida Liu, marketing director of Seagull (Suzhou) Flying Car Limited, said in an interview that the company is leveraging Hong Kong’s global connectivity to expand its international presence and explore partnerships.

    Derek Chim, head of Startup Ecosystem and Development at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), said the InnoEX has become a flagship innovation and technology exhibition in Asia, attracting industry experts, investors and buyers from around the world.

    “We will seize this opportunity to accelerate the expansion of tech enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region and global markets,” he added.

    The expo also features four themed days, each hosting forums on trending tech topics, further enriching the exchange of ideas. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China expands pilot programs to accelerate service opening up

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China will expand its comprehensive pilot programs to more cities to accelerate the opening up of the service sector, according to the State Council on Friday.

    Nine additional cities — Dalian, Ningbo, Xiamen, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Hefei, Fuzhou, Xi’an, and Suzhou — will be able to carry out comprehensive pilot programs, the State Council said in its approval of a work plan that aims to expand comprehensive pilot programs.

    Efforts should be made to expand voluntary opening up in an orderly manner, tap into the potential of China’s supersized market, promote high-quality development of the service sector, and contribute to building new institutions for a higher-standard open economy, according to the State Council.

    The pilot programs will cover key sectors such as finance and healthcare and include measures like improving social security services for foreign residents and promoting inter-hospital data sharing, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

    China’s annual trade in services exceeded $1 trillion for the first time last year, demonstrating significant potential for further growth.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s courier sector sees robust growth in parcel handling

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s express delivery volume has surpassed 50 billion parcels as of April 11 this year, reaching the milestone 18 days earlier than in 2024, according to data released by the State Post Bureau on Saturday.

    The figure translates to roughly 35 packages per person so far this year, with around 500 million parcels crisscrossing the country each day.

    A series of pro-consumption policies has supported steady growth in consumer spending, fueling continued expansion in the express delivery market, the bureau said.

    Under the country’s consumer goods trade-in initiative, 100.35 million new home appliances were sold by April 10, driving the surge in parcel volumes.

    Local specialties are reaching broader markets at a faster pace. For instance, Yunnan coffee is now served in coffee shops across the country, Zhejiang’s tea is being enjoyed nationwide, and seasonal agricultural products such as spring bamboo shoots and ornamental plants are reaching consumers more swiftly, thanks to improved logistics and spring promotions from e-commerce platforms, the bureau said.

    The robust growth in parcel deliveries reflects a steadily recovering consumer market, accelerated industrial upgrading, and a stable, improving economy, said Liu Jiang, an expert with the Development Research Center of the bureau.

    In 2024, China’s express delivery sector handled more than 174.5 billion parcels and generated over 1.4 trillion yuan (about 193 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue, marking year-on-year increases of 21 percent and 13 percent, respectively. The country has maintained its position as the world’s largest express delivery market for 11 consecutive years.

    Looking ahead, as pro-consumption policies continue to take effect and new growth drivers gather momentum, the courier sector is expected to further facilitate the smooth flow of economic activity and enhance the efficiency of the real economy, injecting stronger momentum into high-quality development, the bureau said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 130 families lose homes in western Mongolia due to strong winds, dust storms

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    At least 130 families lost their homes in the western Mongolian province of Govi-Altai due to strong winds and dust storms, the country’s National Emergency Management Agency said Sunday.

    Meanwhile, roofs of around 17 apartments were taken down in the dust storms that hit the province on Saturday, the agency said.

    In addition, the dust storms disrupted power supply to some households, mainly in the western parts of the country, it added.

    Mongolia has a harsh continental climate as strong winds, snow and dust storms are common in spring.

    Climate change-related desertification is the main factor behind the increasing frequency of dust storms in Mongolia in recent years, according to the country’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

    Around 77 percent of Mongolia’s total territory has been affected by desertification and land degradation, according to official data.

    MIL OSI China News –