As of April 6, Beijing ports had handled over 5 million cross-border passenger trips this year, marking a 23% year-on-year increase and reaching the 5 million milestone 19 days earlier than last year, according to the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. Among these trips, 1.3 million border crossings were made by foreign nationals, thanks to the continued rollout of immigration policies facilitating cross-border travel. Foreign nationals made 638,000 inbound trips, a 44% year-on-year increase. Those entering China for tourism, business, or family visits accounted for 70% of the total, 1.5 times the proportion in the same period last year. During the recent three-day Qingming Festival holiday, Beijing ports recorded nearly 170,000 inbound and outbound passenger trips. These included 30,000 inbound trips by foreign nationals. On April 6, the last day of the holiday, inbound trips by foreign nationals reached 10,800, setting a new single-day high for foreign entrants so far this year. Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection has created a mini-app to help ensure safe, smooth, and efficient border crossings for both Chinese and foreign travelers.
Several Chinese central state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have rolled out share purchase initiatives, underscoring their robust confidence in the long-term prospects of the country’s economy and capital market.
China National Petroleum Corporation on Tuesday disclosed that it will buy A-shares and H-shares over the next 12 months, with a total investment of up to 5.6 billion yuan (about 777.37 million U.S. dollars), while China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation announced a similar 12-month purchase plan worth up to 3 billion yuan targeting shares listed in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
China Electronics Technology Group Corporation said it had already completed over 2 billion yuan in buybacks for its listed subsidiaries and pledged to accelerate further acquisitions to strengthen sci-tech innovation synergy and safeguard shareholder interests.
Also on Tuesday, China Electronics Corporation expressed firm confidence in China’s capital market, pledging to advance high-level technological self-reliance amid long-term optimism about the country’s economic outlook.
The company, a key player in China’s cyberspace and information technology sector, said it would bolster market value management for its listed units through share purchases, increased holdings, and mergers and acquisitions.
Emphasizing its commitment to driving the green transition and pledging active share purchases, China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd. said that its subsidiary Inner Mongolia MengDian HuaNeng Thermal Power Corp., Ltd. had already initiated share purchases.
China National Coal Group detailed a multi-tiered investment strategy that included respective injections of up to 80 million yuan and 50 million yuan into its subsidiaries China Energy and Shanghai Energy, while it planned to advance ongoing repurchases for Xinji Energy.
Reaffirming their patient capital approaches, central state-owned investment firms, including China Chengtong Holdings Group Ltd. and China Reform Holdings Corporation Ltd., also increased their stock holdings or disclosed plans to accelerate share purchases on Monday.
The 2025 MSI TCCA Esports Cup showcased a strong commitment to connecting with the next generation and fostering vibrant exchanges between youth culture and industry. Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu were delighted to attend the event, experiencing firsthand Taiwan’s cutting-edge esports technologies and the excitement of virtual competition. Michael Wu, President of TCCA, was thrilled to welcome everyone to the inaugural MSI 2025 TCCA Esports Cup. He expressed special thanks to MSI for coming on board as the title sponsor and helping make this event a reality. This tournament marks an exciting new chapter for TCCA as it embraces the next generation and creates new bridges between youth culture and the business community. This event is also a powerful opportunity to spotlight Taiwan’s global influence in the esports industry. With leading brands like MSI commanding a significant market share, Taiwan continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of competitive gaming. In his remarks, DG Wu highlighted that the convergence of technology, competition, and entertainment has fostered a thriving global esports industry. Esports has not only become a professional arena where skill, strategy, and teamwork are celebrated on the global stage but also a powerful platform for creativity, innovation, and meaningful connection—reflecting the diversity and vibrancy of modern society. Taiwan is a powerhouse in the esports industry, demonstrating remarkable strength in both competitive performance and infrastructure. DG Wu especially commended MSI for its key role in driving the continuous growth of Taiwan’s esports ecosystem and recognized it as a leading example of how Taiwanese excellence is shining on the global stage.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Moscow continues to develop its tourism potential. Moscow companies participate in international festivals and exhibitions, negotiations with colleagues from other countries, and promote their projects on foreign industry platforms. This was reported by Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.
“In the last few years alone, capital delegations have visited dozens of countries, held thousands of meetings, and agreed on cooperation in various areas to attract even more travelers. Six business missions are planned for the end of this year, including to China, Qatar, and the Philippines,” noted Natalia Sergunina.
Since the beginning of 2025, Moscow companies have already visited India for the international industry exhibition Outbound Travel Mart. There they agreed to work together to increase tourist flows between the Russian capital and Mumbai.
In addition, representatives of the Moscow tourism industry took part in business negotiations in Vietnam and signed a number of agreements with their colleagues.
Trips to China and Qatar are planned until July. Their goal is to find new business partners and strengthen cooperation.
The capital attracts tourists with its convenient infrastructure, extensive cultural and excursion program, gastronomy, large-scale festivals and other exciting events.
It is planned that by 2030 Moscow will be visited by 52 million people— 35–40 percent of the total number of travelers in Russia. The city will also be able to annually receive approximately 20 million tourists who come without an overnight stay, for one day.
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.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
It also set out to improve its national brand through sports sponsorships of some of the biggest football clubs in the world. These include Arsenal (England), PSG (France) and Bayern Munich (Germany).
Since the end of the 1994 genocide, countries such as the UK, the US and France were willing to give Rwanda a less than critical pass when it was accused of destabilising its bigger neighbour, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They averted their gaze from its domestic heavy handedness, particularly its constraining of democratic space and human rights.
But there has been a sharp turn in sentiment. For the first time, the western powers, as well as China, have begun to call out Rwanda on its behaviour.
Western actors have grown exasperated with Rwanda’s impunity and have been forced to change tack. Quiet shuttle diplomacy, notably by the Biden administration and the EU, has failed to achieve Rwandan restraint. And as a humanitarian crisis grew, they saw more forceful and overt actions as necessary.
Concerned about the rising level of violence and humanitarian catastrophe in the DRC, western powers through the UN general assembly and security council called for restraint, dialogue and de-escalation. France, Belgium, Germany, the US, Canada and the EU also condemned the escalating violence and Rwanda’s role. The growing consensus culminated in firmer and direct sanctions against individual Rwandan actors and entities and suspension of economic and trade cooperation.
I have been a long time scholar of and commentator on African regime types, political governance and conflict, with a focus on Rwanda. It’s my view that Rwanda’s escapades in eastern DRC have had a detrimental impact on the goodwill long extended to the Kigali regime. What happens next will depend on its response.
Rwanda’s role in the DRC
There is little doubt about Rwanda’s involvement in conflict and instability in the eastern DRC. The reports from the security council and UN bodies have provided sufficient evidence of this.
Since 2012, Rwanda has been accused of being the patron behind the Movement of March 23 (M23) rebel group. The M23 and its associated alliances have been fighting the DRC government, purportedly to protect the rights of Congolese Tutsis.
For its part, Rwanda has pointed to the danger posed by remnants of security forces involved in the 1994 genocide. The forces fled into the DRC and are still hell bent on causing instability in Rwanda, Kigali claims. The other grievance is that the forces are backed by the DRC regime and have been responsible for persecuting Congolese Tutsis.
Between 2012 and 2018, the M23 group had a limited level of military success. In 2012 it captured the eastern DRC city of Goma but was forced to relinquish it after just 10 days.
In the latest escalation of fighting the group has made significant gains, recapturing Goma and capturing the bigger Bukavu and other areas.
M23’s success has been attributed to the sustained and systematic support Rwanda has given the group, according to the UN report and security council resolution 2773.
Support has included sophisticated weaponry and boots on the ground, conservatively estimated at over 4,000 soldiers. Faced with demotivated, ill-trained and poorly coordinated DRC military capabilities, the M23 success was almost inevitable.
Germany then froze aid, Belgium’s rebuked the country and the EU called for stronger penalties, among them a ban on Rwanda’s mineral industry. This was to force Rwanda to rein in or rethink its activities in the DRC and be a constructive rather than disruptive partner.
Belgium has had historical relations with both Rwanda and the DRC, having been the last colonial authority. Rwanda took specific exception to Belgium’s action by cutting diplomatic relations. It also took a more belligerent posture in the UN security council.
While this is seen as a non-compromising stance, it is against a lesser western power than the US or the UK. This could be taken as Rwanda saving face while working out an exit strategy to avoid escalating tensions with western powers or provoking far reaching coordinated action.
It is notable that Qatar (and not a western or African power) has taken a lead in chaperoning talks between the conflict parties. This couldn’t have been without the blessing of the US, given the close relationship Qatar enjoys with the US as conflict resolution partners. Qatar is also an investor in Rwanda. This allows Rwanda to avoid being dragged to the negotiating table by critical western powers.
Next steps
The intensity of the conflict has slowed down somewhat, with the M23 rebel alliance having announced a ceasefire and unilateral action to “withdraw” from some of the areas they have recently captured.
Whether this is a strategic compromise in response to the now forceful demand for Rwanda to cease its active support and intervention is unclear. It is notable that Qatar has now directly invited the rebels to the table.
Once known as the darling of the west, most notable for clean and efficient government, a good business environment and unquestioned security and stability, Rwanda may have reached an inflection point with its flagrant DRC intervention. The change in western attitude may mark a more critical epoch in relations.
David E Kiwuwa does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
A Philippine Coast Guard vessel that repeatedly harassed a China Coast Guard ship patrolling waters near Huangyan Dao has been driven away from the area. The Philippine ship made multiple dangerous maneuvers on Sunday and Monday, crossing close to the bow of the Chinese vessel in an apparent act of provocation, according to coast guard authorities, who said the Philippine side had seriously disrupted China’s law enforcement operations. The China Coast Guard responded promptly and professionally, the authorities added, vowing efforts to resolutely counter any infringement and provocation by Philippine vessels to safeguard China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. On Sunday morning, Chinese vessel Chuanshan was monitoring Philippine coast guard ship 4409 near Huangyan Dao in accordance with the law. Without prior warning, the Philippine vessel suddenly reversed course and crossed Chuanshan’s bow. Ignoring a verbal warning, the Philippine vessel crossed Chuanshan’s bow twice more, coming as close as 2 meters to the Chinese ship. In response to this provocation, Chuanshan accelerated and maneuvered to intercept the Philippine vessel’s route, forcing it to reverse and retreat. On Monday morning, the Philippine ship was ultimately repelled from the area, after it once again harassed Chuanshan.
A new type of robot just landed a job at an eldercare service center in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, thanks to its knack for handling the complex emotional needs of seniors. The First Social Welfare Home of Chongqing explained that Peipei, the robot, is identified as a female employee. They described her as gentle, patient and good at listening and an eloquent caregiver. “If you have any questions, just ask ‘Peipei.’ She can answer anything,” said an 86-year-old senior in the home, who gave her surname as Wang. The resident has often interacted with the robot, from chatting to playing e-games, or even asking Peipei to take photos of her and remove any signs of aging in them. Wang said Peipei was emotionally exquisite, not only answering questions, but also taking the initiative to care about her. For example, the robot can notice when she hasn’t been sleeping well or is in a bad mood. The robot gently comforts her, reminding that her granddaughter, who is studying abroad, might not be able to visit often, but she makes a video call every week. Peipei’s name is a homophone of companionship, said Xiang Guohui, a senior algorithm engineer with Mashang Consumer Finance Co., Ltd., the developer of the robot. He said the company integrates cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and AI psychology and uses a multi-modal emotional large model to build the robot system giving her the ability of intelligent emotional companionship, health and safety protection, entertainment and leisure services, and life assistance management. Xiang said that the company’s research team found that the demand for emotional companionship ranks the top for people in senior homes. Should elderly residents struggle with memory and repeat themselves, Peipei tirelessly provides feedback. “For the elderly who enter care institutions, loneliness could lead to isolation. Appropriate intervention is needed in such cases,” said Liu Min, vice president of the institute. She said it was impossible for nursing staff to meet the emotional and psychological needs of every elderly person all the time. While the robot can provide companionship for the elderly 24 hours a day. “The value of elderly care robots is not just to assist the elderly in their lives, but also to provide a window for them to get in touch with new technologies and keep up with the development of digital society,” said Liu, adding that many elderly people took the initiative to learn more about humanoid robots and AI technology after Peipei appeared in their life. “The elderly care robot technology is still in its infancy. With the comprehensive breakthrough of humanoid robots, they can work in all scenarios in the field of elderly care,” Xiang said. By the end of 2024, there were more than 6 million people aged 65 and above in Chongqing, accounting for 18.9 percent of the city’s permanent population. The municipal government has actively explored measures to develop an “intelligent system for senior care services” and make up for the nursing service gap through technical means.
In the face of global financial turbulence, China has unveiled a series of swift and intensive measures aimed at stabilizing the capital markets and restoring investor confidence.
Affected by sweeping global plunges triggered by U.S. tariffs, major Chinese equity indices — including the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, the Shenzhen Component Index, and the ChiNext Index — suffered notable losses on Monday.
In response to the downturn, some state-owned capital operation firms moved quickly to increase their holdings of domestic equities, voicing strong confidence in the long-term outlook of the country’s capital markets. The People’s Bank of China, or the central bank, also announced liquidity support through re-lending facilities on Tuesday.
Central Huijin Investment Ltd., a Chinese state-owned investment company, said it had once again increased its holdings of exchange-traded funds and would continue to do so in the future to “resolutely safeguard” the stable operation of the capital market.
As a controlling or participating shareholder in over 20 financial institutions, Central Huijin reaffirmed its pivotal role in stabilizing the capital markets in a statement Tuesday. Often likened to a “stabilization fund,” the company has been instrumental in bolstering market stability and resilience since 2008.
Following the statement of Central Huijin, the central bank pledged to firmly support the company in increasing its holding of stock index funds and will provide sufficient re-lending support when necessary.
Apart from Central Huijin, multiple state-owned investment firms also increased stock holdings or unveiled plans to accelerate share buybacks, including China Chengtong Holdings Group Ltd., China Reform Holdings Corporation Ltd., and seven listed firms under the China Merchants Group.
Moreover, the National Financial Regulatory Administration on Tuesday announced measures to raise the cap on equity investments by insurance funds, with greater support for equity investments in strategic emerging industries and fostering new quality productive forces.
Analysts believe the coordinated moves sent a clear signal about China’s resolve to support the capital markets.
In a time of heightened uncertainty in the global trade environment and dramatic fluctuations in international financial markets, the timely and decisive action of China’s state capital will effectively guide market expectations and mitigate the impact of external shocks, said Wang Qing, chief macro analyst at Golden Credit Rating.
Financial institutions expressed optimism about the future of the capital markets.
Central Huijin highlighted the steady progress of China’s high-quality development, the dynamic rise of new quality productive forces, and the increasingly solid foundation for sustained economic recovery. These factors provide robust fundamental support for the steady and healthy growth of the capital markets.
With more firms representing new quality productive forces and technological innovation going public, the allure of A-share core assets has been enhanced, and the overall valuations currently stand at relatively low historical levels, the company said.
The company vowed to ramp up investments to give full play its role of patient, long-term capital.
Announcement on Open Market Operations No.66 [2025]
(Open Market Operations Office, April 8, 2025)
The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB167.4 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on April 8, 2025.
China’s financial regulatory authority on Tuesday announced measures to raise the cap on equity investments by insurance funds.
The adjustment, outlined in a circular issued by the National Financial Regulatory Administration, aims to broaden investment channels for insurance funds and inject more equity capital into the real economy.
The upper limit of the equity asset allocation ratio was raised by 5 percentage points for certain insurers, according to the circular. It also encouraged greater support for equity investments in the country’s strategic emerging industries and fostering new quality productive forces.
The administration said it will continue to refine regulations on insurance fund utilization to enhance the sector’s role as a source of long-term, patient capital for the country’s economic and social development.
Following the policy announcement, several major insurers, including China Life Insurance, China Pacific Insurance, and New China Life Insurance, voiced strong support, expressing confidence in China’s economic outlook and capital market.
They pledged to ramp up long-term equity investments, with a focus on strategic emerging industries, contributing patient capital to market stability and the growth of new quality productive forces.
In the face of global financial turbulence, China has unveiled a series of swift and intensive measures aimed at stabilizing the capital markets and restoring investor confidence. Some state-owned capital operation firms moved quickly to increase their holdings of domestic equities.
China’s central bank on Tuesday vowed to resolutely safeguard the stable operation of the country’s capital market.
The People’s Bank of China firmly supports the Central Huijin Investment Ltd. (Central Huijin) to increase its holding of stock index funds, and will provide sufficient re-lending support to the company when necessary, the central bank said in a statement.
Central Huijin, a Chinese state-owned investment company, said Monday that it had once again increased its holdings of exchange-traded funds and would continue to do so in the future to “resolutely safeguard” the stable operation of the capital market.
(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)
Chief Executive John Lee today outlined a seven-pronged strategy that aims to meet any challenges in the face of the US’ move to impose a cumulative 54% tariff on products from Hong Kong.
Meeting the media ahead of this morning’s Executive Council meeting, Mr Lee expressed his concerns over the magnitude of the US tariff measures.
“Last week the US announced the imposition of so-called reciprocal tariff on trading partners around the world, including an additional 34% tariff on Hong Kong products.
“Together with the 20% tariff announced earlier, the total tariff imposed on Hong Kong products is up to 54%.
“The US no longer adheres to free trade, arbitrarily undermining the internationally established rules of world trade.
“Its ruthless behaviour damages global and multilateral trade. The reckless imposition of tariff affects many countries and regions around the world with huge tax rate increases covering a wide range of goods, disrupting the world’s economic and trade order.”
In response, the Chief Executive said that the Government will strengthen its strategy in seven areas.
“First, we shall fully seize the opportunities in our country, China’s development, and actively integrate into the national development.”
He also emphasised that Hong Kong will take full advantage of the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement to attract more foreign companies to set up operations in the city to capitalise on the benefits of “one country, two systems”.
“Second, we shall strengthen international exchanges and deepen regional ties and co-operation. We shall sign more free trade agreements with countries and economies.”
To this end, Mr Lee pointed out that the Government is currently negotiating investment agreements with Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt and Peru, and will continue to push for Hong Kong’s early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
“Third, Hong Kong will accelerate industrial transformation by developing a high value-added, innovation-driven economic model. We will expedite the establishment of a high value-added supply chain service hub and promote the growth of a headquarters economy.
“Fourth, we will intensify efforts to develop technological innovation, attract top-tier talent and further strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness.
“Fifth, we will vigorously advance international financial co-operation to attract investments and capital.
“Sixth, we will seize the world’s major trend of geographical diversification, proactively attracting foreign companies and capitals to establish in Hong Kong because Hong Kong can provide security and stability to investors and enterprises under ‘one country, two systems’.
“Seventh, we will continue to provide various support to help Hong Kong enterprises to cope with the impact of tariff and external challenges.”
A Palestinian man walks past closed stores during a general strike in the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
A general strike took place across the West Bank on Monday against ongoing Israeli assaults on the Gaza Strip.
Shops, markets, schools, universities, banks, and public offices have been closed, and transportation lines have been stopped due to the strike called by Palestinian factions.
In the central West Bank city of Ramallah, hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets to condemn the Israeli “crimes” in Gaza, waving the Palestinian flag and chanting slogans demanding an end to the Israeli assaults as they marched through the streets of the city center.
The strike aims to condemn the Israeli assaults on the Palestinian enclave, which have “killed and destroyed Gaza, with American complicity and support,” and to urge the international community to fulfill its obligations, Issam Bakr, coordinator of the Palestinian National and Islamic Forces in Ramallah, told Xinhua.
Protests against Israel have also been staged outside the West Bank by those in solidarity with the Palestinians, Bakr said. According to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA, such protests were organized in Tunisia, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
According to Gaza-based health authorities, 56 people were killed and 137 others injured in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities and injuries to 1,391 and 3,434, respectively, since Israel ended the January ceasefire and resumed strikes across Gaza on March 18.
The overall death toll in Gaza has reached 50,752, with 115,475 others injured since the very beginning of the Israeli military operations in the enclave on Oct. 7, 2023, the health authorities reported.
In addition, the Israeli strikes further strained Gaza’s health system. According to a statement by Gaza health authorities on Monday, 37 percent of medicines and 59 percent of medical supplies are out of stock in the strip.
It said vital departments in hospitals are running on generators, which are threatened with shutdown due to fuel and spare parts shortages, adding that over half of cancer and blood disease medications are at zero stock, putting patients’ lives at risk.
Meanwhile, Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, warned on social media, “Two million people (in Gaza) are scarred for life with trauma and shock, battling with the invisible wounds of mental health.”
The Trump administration has revoked visas for more than 300 international students across the United States, a move confirmed by universities and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of a nationwide effort targeting foreign students.
“Maybe more than 300 at this point. We do it every day. Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” Rubio said during a press conference in Guyana on March 27.
Over the weekend, the visa revocations were reported by dozens of universities nationwide, including prestigious ones like Columbia, Cornell, Harvard and Stanford.
Many affected students had participated in pro-Palestinian campus protests. But university officials said that others with no connection to protests had also suffered visa revocations without explanation.
At Tufts University, Turkish doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested by masked immigration agents on March 25 while walking near her home. Video of the arrest showed plainclothes officers taking the 30-year-old into custody as she was heading to break her Ramadan fast with friends, according to her attorney.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed Ozturk “engaged in activities in support of Hamas,” though they provided no evidence for this allegation. Ozturk co-authored an opinion piece in the student newspaper criticizing Tufts’ response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The Turkish embassy said it was working with U.S. authorities regarding Ozturk’s detention. “Every effort is being made to provide the necessary consular services and legal support to protect the rights of our citizen,” the embassy stated.
At Columbia University, graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, who has legal permanent residency, was detained by immigration authorities last month.
Khalil said in his Columbia Daily Spectator opinion piece that the school “laid the groundwork for my abduction” and urged the students not to “abdicate their responsibility to resist repression.”
“Since my abduction on March 8, the intimidation and kidnapping of international students who stand for Palestine has only accelerated,” Khalil wrote in Friday’s piece.
The actions extend beyond East Coast schools. The University of Colorado and Colorado State University reported a combined total of 10 students with revoked visas this weekend. Meanwhile, Minnesota State University identified five students whose visas were canceled for unclear reasons.
In California, the situation is equally concerning so far.
University of California, Los Angeles reported nine affected international students, while UC Berkeley confirmed six visa revocations — four for current students and two for recent graduates.
UC Davis officials stated seven students and five recent graduates had their visas terminated, and Stanford University confirmed six visa revocations.
“The federal government has not explained the reasons behind these terminations,” UC Davis said in a statement as reported by NBC News.
Universities are scrambling to support affected students.
“We are focused on supporting the success of all of our students, including international students. Each one of our students is seeking to advance their careers and the lives of their families, and we understand the anxieties that visa revocations cause to impacted students,” reported NBC News, citing University of Colorado.
The Council of University of California Faculty Associations issued a statement Sunday, urgently calling upon the University of California to address the revocation of visas and deportation of international students.
“It has been reported that in the past week alone, at least 44 students across the UC system have had their I-20 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record terminated by the Department of Homeland Security, with at least one deportation occurring,” the statement noted.
Civil rights organizations have condemned the administration’s actions. The American Civil Liberties Union issued an open letter to universities warning: “The federal government cannot mandate student expulsions or threaten funding cuts to suppress constitutionally protected speech.”
College officials worry this crackdown will deter international students from studying in the United States in the future.
The situation is “a far different, unprecedented intrusion by the executive branch” involving “revoking student visas for different reasons than we have seen previously and at higher rates than we have ever seen,” said Violeta Chapin, a University of Colorado Boulder law professor and immigration expert.
Australia has huge reserves of coal and gas – but very little oil. Before the 20th century, this didn’t matter – trains ran on local coal. But as cars and trucks have come to dominate, Australia has become more and more reliant on imported oil.
Imports now account for around 80% of total refined fuel consumption, the highest level on record.
If the flow of oil stopped due to war or economic instability, Australia would have about 54 days worth in storage before we ran out. That would be a huge problem.
But as more drivers switch from petrol and diesel to electric cars, this equation will change. We can already see this in China, where a rapid uptake of electric vehicles has seen oil demand begin to fall.
On one level, ending Australia’s dependence on foreign oil makes sense at a time of great geopolitical uncertainty. But on the other, going electric would lead to more reliance on China, now the world’s largest manufacturer of EVs.
Reducing reliance on oil makes clear sense for climate and national security reasons. But going electric has to be done carefully, to ensure Australia isn’t reliant on just one country.
The last two refineries rely on imported crude oil, as Australian oil from the North-West Shelf largely isn’t suitable for local refining.
As a result, Australia is more reliant than ever on importing fuels from large refineries in Asia such as South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. In 2023, around 45,000 megalitres of fuel were imported from these nations.
Almost three-quarters (74%) of these liquid fuels are used in transport, across road, rail, shipping and air transport. But road transport is the big one – our cars, trucks and other road vehicles use more than half (54%) of all liquid fuels.
In January, Australia had 30 days worth of petrol. Our stores of all types of oil are a bit higher, at 54 days worth. But that’s still well short of the 90 days the International Energy Agency (IEA) requires of member nations.
Electricity made locally
Shifting to electric vehicles promises cleaner air and far lower ongoing costs for drivers, as electricity is much cheaper than petrol or diesel and maintenance is far less.
But there’s another factor – the energy source. Australia’s electricity is all produced and consumed inside its borders, using local resources (sun, wind, water, coal and gas).
In this respect, electric vehicles offer much greater energy security. A war in the Middle East or a trade war over tariffs would not bring Australia to a halt. This is one reason why China has so aggressively gone electric – to end its soaring dependence on foreign oil.
Mainstreaming EVs in Australia will mean accelerating production of renewable electricity further so we can power not just homes and industry but charge cars, trucks and buses, too.
Doing this would boost our energy security, break our dependency on imported oil and drive down emissions.
Ending our dependence on oil will be slow. Australia Institute research estimates 8% of imported fuels could be replaced by local electricity once EVs make up 25% of the passenger car fleet. At 100% EVs, we would reduce oil demand by 33%.
The other two-thirds of demand is largely from trucks, planes and ships. Electric trucks are coming, but the sector isn’t as mature as electric cars. It’s a similar story for planes and cargo ships.
All electricity in Australia is produced locally. For transport, that’s a boon to energy security. Marian Weyo
Energy security and EVs
Australia doesn’t manufacture EVs at scale. As a result, we import EVs from the top manufacturing nations. China is far and away the leader, building 80% of Australia’s new EVs.
Australia is a major producer of critical minerals essential to the manufacture of EVs, as well as other green technologies such as lithium, cobalt and nickel. But China dominates much of the global supply chain for refining these minerals and manufacturing batteries.
There’s a risk in relying largely on one country for EVs, especially given the present geopolitical instability.
EVs unquestionably offer large benefits for Australia’s energy security by steadily reducing our reliance on imports from volatile global oil markets.
But this has to be balanced with other security concerns, such as a heightened reliance on China, as well as the privacy and security risks linked to data collection from digitally connected EVs.
A balanced approach would see authorities emphasise energy independence through renewables and strong support for vehicle electrification through legislative and regulatory frameworks.
This approach would reduce new security risks while unlocking the environmental and economic benefits of widespread EV adoption.
Hussein Dia receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
Central Huijin Investment Ltd. (Central Huijin), a Chinese state-owned investment company, said Tuesday it has complete confidence and sufficient capability to maintain the stable operation of the country’s capital market.
The company released a statement expounding on its decision to once again increase its holdings of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Monday.
With robust asset strength, abundant liquidity and smooth funding channels, Central Huijin has consistently played an important strategic role in ensuring the stability of the capital market, according to the statement.
The company emphasized its firm confidence in the long-term prospects of the capital market, underpinned by its positive outlook on China’s economic future, and noted its full recognition of the current investment value of A-shares.
Central Huijin reaffirmed its commitment to serving as a stabilizer in the capital market and actively mitigating abnormal fluctuations. It would act decisively when needed, the company said.
The company will also steadily increase its holdings of various market-style ETFs, intensify its buying efforts and ensure a balanced investment structure.
Seven listed firms under the China Merchants Group announced on Tuesday plans to accelerate the implementation of share buyback programs based on firm confidence in the companies’ growth prospects.
China’s financial regulatory authority on Tuesday announced measures to raise the cap on equity investments by insurance funds.
The adjustment, outlined in a circular issued by the National Financial Regulatory Administration, aims to broaden investment channels for insurance funds and inject more equity capital into the real economy.
The circular encouraged greater support for equity investments in the country’s strategic emerging industries and fostering new quality productive forces.
The administration said it will continue to refine regulations on insurance fund utilization to enhance the sector’s role as a source of long-term, patient capital for the country’s economic and social development.
China said on Monday that it found no abnormality in the activity concentration of hazardous elements such as tritium, cesium-134, cesium-137 and strontium-90 in seawater and marine life samples the country independently collected from waters nearby the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station.
The samples were collected by domestic laboratories in late February under the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to a statement released by the China Atomic Energy Authority.
“As China has repeatedly pointed out, a single test result showing no abnormalities does not guarantee that future tests will also be problem-free,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday, noting that China’s stance against Japan’s discharge of nuclear-contaminated water has never changed.
“We will continue to work with the international community and relevant professional organizations, such as the IAEA, to urge Japan to earnestly fulfill its commitments and ensure that the ocean discharge is under international supervision,” Lin told reporters at a regular news briefing in Beijing.
According to Lin, during the sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue held in Tokyo last month, the Japanese side reaffirmed that it will accept long-term international monitoring of its discharge of nuclear-contaminated water and Beijing’s independent sampling and monitoring.
It was based on Japan’s fulfillment of its commitment and the fact that no abnormality was found in the analysis that China’s General Administration of Customs held a technical exchange with the Japanese side in Beijing on March 12 regarding the safety of Japanese seafood, the spokesman said.
“The Chinese government always puts its people above all else and is firmly committed to safeguarding the food safety of its people,” Lin said.
China independently collected the samples in October last year and February, after the Japanese government unilaterally started discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean on Aug 24, 2023.
“A Minecraft Movie,” the live-action adaptation of the popular video game, topped China’s box office with 105 million yuan ($14.34 million) during the Qingming Festival holiday. The film also achieved a record-breaking $163 million opening weekend in North America and $313 million globally.
A Chinese poster for “A Minecraft Movie.” [Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures]
The film’s performance made it the top performer during the holiday, marking the first movie to lead daily box office rankings for three consecutive days since the Spring Festival.
Directed by Jared Hess and starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black, “A Minecraft Movie” follows four misfits who are pulled through a portal into the blocky Overworld. To return home, they must master this cubic realm’s rules while defending it from Malgosha, ruler of the hellish Nether dimension, alongside Steve, a skilled crafter.
The family-friendly movie, co-produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, has become the biggest North American debut of the year. It surpassed the $146.4 million three-day North American launch of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” from 2023, setting a new opening weekend record for video game adaptations. The film generated an additional $150 million from international markets, including China, bringing its global debut to $313 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
The success reflects the massive popularity of Minecraft, the sandbox game developed by Swedish studio Mojang in 2011 and acquired by Microsoft in 2014. With over 300 million copies sold and nearly 170 million monthly active players in 2024, it remains the best-selling video game of all time. The game has expanded to multiple platforms and spawned a broader franchise with several spin-off titles.
As part of the prelude events leading up to the 15th Beijing International Film Festival, an exhibition for “A Minecraft Movie,” is hosted at Taikoo Li Sanlitun, a shopping complex in east Beijing. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures]
Films screened during China’s traditional Qingming Festival holiday grossed a combined 378.33 million yuan, with “A Minecraft Movie” leading the pack, according to data from Maoyan, a major Chinese ticketing platform. Realist drama “We Girls,” directed by veteran filmmaker Feng Xiaogang and chronicling the struggles of female ex-prisoners, took second place with 80 million yuan over the three-day holiday.
The unilateral imposition of “reciprocal tariffs” by the United States effectively deprives countries, particularly those in the Global South, of their right to development, and is certain to face widespread opposition from the international community, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
Recently, the United States has imposed tariffs on all its trading partners, affecting over 180 countries and regions worldwide, including some economies classified as the least developed countries by the United Nations. Analysts suggest that these high tariffs will deliver an unprecedented and severe impact on poor nations with simple economic structures and high dependency on exports.
In response to a related query, spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily news briefing that the United States, under the guise of “reciprocity,” acted in a manner that prioritizes its own interests at the expense of other nations’ legitimate benefits. This approach places “America First” above international rules, exemplifying unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying.
Lin added that the Chinese government has issued its position on opposing U.S. abuse of tariffs, making clear its solemn attitude.
Data analysis from the World Trade Organization indicates that, amid economic disparities and unequal power dynamics, U.S. tariff policies will exacerbate the wealth gap among nations, with less developed countries facing particularly severe repercussions. This trend poses a significant threat to the efforts intended to achieve the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Lin said.
The United States’ imposition of differentiated tax rates violates the World Trade Organization’s principle of non-discrimination, severely undermining the normal international economic and trade order, as well as the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, Lin said, adding that this action significantly damages the multilateral trading system, poses a severe threat to the global economic recovery process, and is bound to meet widespread opposition from the international community.
Openness and cooperation are a historical trend, and mutual benefit and win-win outcomes are the aspirations of people. Development is a universal right of all countries, not the privilege of a few, said Lin.
He emphasized that all countries should uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, adhere to true multilateralism, jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core.
This photo taken in December 2024 shows “Three Gorges Antarctic Eye,” a 3.2-metre aperture radio/millimetre-wave telescope, at China’s Zhongshan Station in Antarctica. [Photo/China Three Gorges University] China has unveiled the “Three Gorges Antarctic Eye,” a 3.2-metre aperture radio/millimetre-wave telescope, at a scientific research station in Antarctica. Officially launched at the country’s Zhongshan Station in Antarctica on April 3, the telescope, co-developed by China Three Gorges University (CTGU) and Shanghai Normal University (SHNU), further cemented China’s advancements in Antarctic astronomy. The “Three Gorges Antarctic Eye” has officially begun scientific observations of the Milky Way’s neutral hydrogen and ammonia molecular spectral lines, providing vital data to help unravel the dynamics of interstellar gas and the processes of star formation, CTGU told Xinhua on Monday. “This telescope has broken through key technical bottlenecks in Antarctic observatory construction, laying the foundation for future submillimeter-wave telescopes in Antarctica,” said Zhang Yi, an associate professor at SHNU and a member of China’s Antarctic expedition team currently working in the continent. He added that the device will expand observations across radio to low-frequency millimeter-wave bands, driving technological advancements for next-generation Antarctic astronomy tools. Zeng Xiangyun, an associate professor at CTGU, noted that Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth, and the extreme cold and strong winds pose significant challenges for the development and installation of radio telescopes. Since 2023, CTGU has actively collaborated with SHNU to tackle the challenges of conducting astronomy in extreme environments. Over the past two years, researchers have overcome key technical hurdles, such as adapting equipment to withstand Antarctica’s harsh sub-zero temperatures and hurricane-force winds, Zeng said. He Weijun, Party chief of CTGU, emphasized the significance of the project. “The successful operation of the ‘Three Gorges Antarctic Eye’ showcases our university’s achievements in polar research equipment,” He said. “It reflects the spirit of Chinese scientists scaling new heights in science and technology, as well as the vital role of universities in national innovation,” he added. Once the telescope enters stable operation, CTGU plans to send researchers to Zhongshan Station for on-site scientific expeditions. China has been steadily expanding its astronomical capabilities in Antarctica, leveraging the continent’s pristine atmospheric conditions for infrared and millimeter-wave observations. The deployment of the “Three Gorges Antarctic Eye” builds on China’s earlier initiatives, including the Antarctic Survey Telescopes AST3 and other astronomical instruments, further strengthening global efforts to study cosmic phenomena from one of Earth’s most remote locations.
An aerial drone photo shows farmers operating machines for pest control at a wheat field in Yumin Village of Tongzhou District in Nantong City, east China’s Jiangsu province, Feb. 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] China has unveiled a plan to accelerate building up its strength in agriculture for the period from 2024 to 2035. The plan, issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, sets the main goal of achieving notable progress in building up China’s strength in agriculture by 2027. It also aims for substantial advances in rural revitalization and a new stage of modernization in agriculture and rural areas by 2027. By 2035, the plan envisions decisive progress in all-round rural revitalization, the basic realization of agricultural modernization, and the establishment of modern standards of living in rural areas. According to the plan, China aims to fully establish its agricultural strength by the mid-century. The country seeks to ensure a stable and reliable supply, achieve self-reliance in scientific and technological innovation, build robust infrastructure, and develop efficient, well-integrated rural industrial chains. The plan also envisions building beautiful countryside, improving farmers’ well-being, enhancing the international competitiveness of agriculture, achieving full urban-rural integration and comprehensive rural revitalization, and fully modernizing agriculture and rural areas by mid-century. To achieve these targets, the plan outlines key tasks such as ensuring a more stable and reliable supply, and promoting innovation in agricultural science, technology and equipment. The plan calls for improving the modern agricultural business operating system, promoting better integration of smallholder farmers into modern agricultural practices, and upgrading the entire agricultural industry chain. The tasks also include further deepening international cooperation in agriculture, promoting the building of a beautiful and harmonious countryside that is desirable to live and work in, and improving rural living standards. In addition, the plan emphasizes promoting integrated urban-rural development and narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas.
More than 2.8 billion parcels were handled across China during the three-day Qingming Festival holiday that ended Sunday, the State Post Bureau said on Monday.
Approximately 1.399 billion parcels were collected, marking a year-on-year increase of about 17 percent, according to the bureau.
It noted that about 1.429 billion parcels were delivered, representing a year-on-year increase of about 15 percent.
“Since the beginning of this year, the postal and express delivery industry has continued to maintain steady growth, with average daily business volume approaching 500 million parcels,” said Liu Jiang, an official with the State Post Bureau.
This reflects that China’s consumer market continues to heat up and consumption potential is being released at an accelerated pace, Liu added.
China will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its rights and interests should the United States escalate its tariff measures, the country’s commerce ministry said Tuesday.
The comments were made by a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce after the United States threatened to impose an additional 50-percent tariff on Chinese imports, to which the spokesperson said that China firmly opposes.
“China will fight till the end if the U.S. side is bent on going down the wrong path,” the spokesperson noted.
China’s central bank on Tuesday vowed to resolutely safeguard the stable operation of the country’s capital market.
The People’s Bank of China firmly supports the Central Huijin Investment Ltd. (Central Huijin) to increase its holding of stock index funds, and will provide sufficient re-lending support to the company when necessary, the central bank said in a statement.
Central Huijin, a Chinese state-owned investment company, said Monday that it had once again increased its holdings of exchange-traded funds and would continue to do so in the future to “resolutely safeguard” the stable operation of the capital market.
Photo taken on April 7, 2025 shows a waterlogged area in Frankfort, Kentucky, the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]
At least 21 people have been killed amid fierce storms battering parts of the U.S. Midwest and South with major flooding and powerful tornadoes since Wednesday, according to local media reports on Monday.
Overall, the death toll stood at 10 in Tennessee, three in Missouri, two each in Kentucky, Georgia and Indiana, and one each in Arkansas and Mississippi, said an NBC News report.
The victims included a 9-year-old boy swept away by floodwaters on his way to school in Kentucky, two people killed when a tree fell on them at a golf course in Georgia, a 5-year-old child found in a home in Little Rock, Arkansas, and a 16-year-old volunteer firefighter who died in a car crash when responding to a reported water rescue in Missouri.
AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said on Monday that it is estimated the economic loss from the severe weather and flooding in recent days is between 80 billion and 90 billion U.S. dollars.
“Unless property owners have specific flood insurance, losses and repairs will most likely not be covered by standard policies,” he said.
As of Monday morning, 18 river gauge sites were at major flood stage, and 256 locations across the central United States were at or above flood stage, spanning multiple rivers and tributaries, according to an AccuWeather report.
Rains have ended over the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi river basins, but runoff from 8 to 16 inches of rain over just a few days will continue to surge into larger rivers and lead to moderate to major flooding that could persist for weeks, AccuWeather meteorologists advised.
The amount of rain that fell over a four-day stretch was rare, only occurring once every 100 to 1,000 years over a broad area, based on the historical average, they noted.
Forecasters attributed the recent violent weather to warm temperatures, an unstable atmosphere, strong wind shear and abundant moisture streaming from the Gulf, said a report from the weather.com.
Iran seeks to negotiate only if the United States stops being “dishonorable” and proves that it also wants to negotiate, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said recently.
Commenting on the possibility of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States on the nuclear issue, Pezeshkian said Sunday night that Iran believes in negotiations, but not with one that is as “dishonorable” as the United States, which has placed Iran “under all-out pressure” and is threatening Iran every day, according to a statement published by Pezeshkian’s office on Monday.
“We will negotiate with the entire world and do not want to fight with anybody. However, we will not acquiesce to being dishonored and will not negotiate at any price,” he said. “They (the United States) should also prove they want to negotiate.”
Iran does not want to make “unpeaceful” uses of its nuclear capabilities, he noted.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said here Monday that Iran is ready for any event to unfold and is militarily capable enough to stand against any “aggression or attack.”
Answering a question about Iran’s scenarios facing a potential U.S. attack, Baghaei said Iran will definitely give a “decisive, immediate, and all-out response” if threats against Iran were carried out.
He also called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the constant threats uttered by the United States and Israel against Iran’s “peaceful” nuclear facilities.
The issue will be discussed during an upcoming visit by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to Tehran, he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in early March that he had sent a letter to Iranian leaders via the United Arab Emirates, proposing direct negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear activities.
Pezeshkian later confirmed that in response to the letter, Tehran rejected the proposed face-to-face talks but was open to possible indirect talks.
Trump, in an interview with NBC News late last month, threatened to launch “unprecedented military strikes” on Iran if it refused to negotiate over its nuclear program.
Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with six major countries — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States — in July 2015, accepting restrictions on its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.
However, the United States withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and reinstated sanctions, prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the nuclear deal have not achieved substantial progress.
U.S. President Donald Trump (C) welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at the White House on Monday, focusing on the Gaza hostage crisis and U.S. tariffs on Israeli goods.
In a brief Oval Office session open to reporters, Trump called the release of hostages held in Gaza a “top priority.” He expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations but provided no specific details.
“We’re making progress,” Trump said. “I believe we’ll see all the hostages home soon.”
Netanyahu agreed, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to securing the hostages’ freedom.
They also addressed the shaky ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. While they announced no new agreements, both stressed the importance of reducing violence in the region.
Trump defended his recent 17 percent tariff on imports from Israel, part of his broader trade policy affecting many economies.
Netanyahu reportedly sought relief from these tariffs, highlighting Israel’s efforts to strengthen trade ties with the United States.
In 2024, the total goods trade between the two countries was an estimated at 37.0 billion U.S. dollars, with U.S. exports to Israel at 14.8 billion dollars and imports from Israel at 22.2 billion dollars, resulting in a 7.4 billion dollars U.S. trade deficit.
Netanyahu’s visit to the White House was arranged in a phone call last Thursday between the two leaders when Netanyahu raised the tariff issue, according to Israeli officials.
The White House had initially planned a joint press conference but canceled it without explanation. Instead, reporters asked questions during their brief access to the Oval Office meeting.
Trump did not discuss any long-term plans for Gaza’s redevelopment during this meeting. His administration has previously proposed controversial ideas for the region, which have faced criticism from various groups.
The meeting highlighted the complex relationship between the United States and Israel, balancing security concerns with economic interests. Both leaders pledged to continue working closely on these issues.
Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks with Jussi Halla-aho, speaker of the Finnish parliament, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, held talks with Jussi Halla-aho, speaker of the Finnish parliament, in Beijing on Monday, calling for the joint creation of a favorable and stable legal environment for practical cooperation.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Finland, Zhao said China stands ready to work with Finland to implement the important consensus reached between their heads of state to advance the future-oriented, new-type cooperative partnership between the two countries.
China hopes that Finland will continue to uphold the one-China principle, understand and support China’s legitimate rights to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and consolidate the political foundation of mutual trust, he added.
He said that China is deepening its comprehensive reforms and expanding its high-level opening-up, which will bring new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. He highlighted China’s willingness to deepen exchange between political parties, as well as exchange in the fields of culture and youth, to strengthen public support for bilateral relations.
China hopes that Finland will continue to play a positive role in promoting the development of China-Finland relations and China-Europe relations, Zhao said. He added that the NPC of China is willing to maintain its traditional friendship with the Finnish parliament, and stands ready to strengthen exchange and cooperation among legislative bodies at high levels and among specialized committees, bilateral friendship groups, and NPC deputies and parliamentarians.
He said that both China and Finland possess unique characteristics in areas such as national governance, development concepts and innovation systems. Their two legislative bodies can engage in mutual learning and exchange, fulfilling their legislative and supervisory functions to create a favorable, stable legal environment for practical cooperation, and enhancing coordination on multilateral platforms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Zhao spoke about China’s whole-process people’s democracy, and expressed a willingness to strengthen exchange with the Finnish parliament in developing democracy and improving the rule of law.
Halla-aho said that as a historically significant country, China has achieved remarkable progress in areas such as science and technology, adding that Finland adheres to and will continue to implement the one-China policy, and recognizes the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China.
He said that Finland is committed to advancing practical cooperation, maintaining free trade, and addressing shared challenges based on mutual respect and trust. The Finnish parliament, he added, looks forward to enhancing its engagement with the NPC of China to play a proactive role in deepening Finland-China relations.
