NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: Eco-friendly burials in China honoring life beyond death

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Amid the crisp spring air in Anji County in east China’s Zhejiang Province, with emerald bamboos swaying gently in the breeze, Xia Yuanfeng, a village official, stood holding a bouquet of white chrysanthemums.
    Traditional Chinese funerals usually follow well-established customs, featuring elaborate caskets, lavish floral arrangements, the billowing smoke of burning incense and offerings, and an array of other rituals.
    However, Xia was not visiting a towering gravestone; her father’s peaceful rest lay beneath the gentle embrace of the whispering bamboo grove.
    Just days earlier, after a year in the funeral home, her father’s ashes, along with those of eight others, were laid to rest in a collective green burial, returning to the earth beneath the swaying bamboo stalks.
    “One should embrace life and death as a return to nature,” Xia recalled her father’s words as dewdrops slid off the bamboo leaves. “You have always been good to me, and that’s what matters. What happens after I’m gone isn’t important.”
    Since 2015, Anji County has championed green burials, offering alternatives like bamboo, tree, lawn and flower burials — methods that forgo traditional gravesites in favor of returning ashes to nature. Over the past 11 years, 130 individuals have chosen to rest beneath the bamboo.
    “We promote green burials through policy support and incentives, creating a diverse ecological burial system,” said an official from Anji’s civil affairs bureau. “Public acceptance of these space-saving, eco-friendly options is growing each year.”
    Across the country, families like Xia’s are embracing greener farewells, choosing harmony with nature over elaborate tombs.
    For some, tree burials allow loved ones to take root in the soil, blooming with the seasons. For others, sea burials set them free upon the tides.
    Yu Xiaohua, director of the Longshan Cemetery in Jinhua City, noted that there’s a surprising popularity of sea burials inland. “To date, nearly 900 people have opted for it, many taking a five-hour round trip to Mount Putuo’s shores. Elderly family members still insist on witnessing the farewell.”
    He Cuifang, a 60-year-old retired high school teacher from Wuyi County in Jinhua, chose a sea burial for her brother He Guorong after his passing. Wuyi now offers a 20,000-yuan (about 2,782 U.S. dollars) subsidy for each sea burial, a generous amount compared to many other regions.
    “My philosophy is simple — cherish loved ones while they’re alive, so there are no regrets when they’re gone,” she said. “The body is just a vessel. It comes from nature, and the best farewell is to let it return where it belongs.”
    An avid hiker, she winced at mountainsides crowded with tombstones. “Some of them are made of granite, which won’t decompose for millennia. It disrupts nature,” she said. “With 1.4 billion people, imagine the land consumed if everyone had a traditional grave.”
    For centuries, lavish burials were considered the only true demonstration of filial piety, a cultural belief now being reconsidered.
    “When my time comes, I’ll tell my son to lay me to rest at sea,” He Cuifang said. “It’s enough to be remembered in his heart.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Panasonic decides to invest in UUUO, an enterprise that developed the “UUUO” fishery market connected by technology, through the Panasonic Kurashi Visionary Fund

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic decides to invest in UUUO, an enterprise that developed the “UUUO” fishery market connected by technology, through the Panasonic Kurashi Visionary Fund

    Tokyo, Japan, April 4, 2025 – Panasonic Corporation (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Masahiro Shinada; hereinafter referred to as Panasonic) today announced that it has invested in UUUO, inc. (Head Office: Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima; CEO: Kazutomo Itakura; hereinafter referred to as UUUO), an enterprise that developed the UUUO fishery market connected by technology, through a corporate venture capital fund, commonly known as the Panasonic Kurashi Visionary Fund, jointly managed by Panasonic and SBI Investment Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, Chairman and President: Yoshitaka Kitao).
    In response to the diversification in food distribution (e-commerce, direct sales by producers, etc.), in order to increase producers’ income and effectively meet consumer needs, the Wholesale Market Act and the Act on Promoting the Improvement of Food Distribution Structure have been recently revised. This enabled intermediate wholesalers, who serve as intermediaries between wholesalers and retailers, to purchase food items directly from production areas and allowed markets to mutually fulfill each other’s needs according to supply and demand conditions, accelerating the digital transformation (DX) of the food distribution market through improved operational efficiency and the emergence of new businesses.
    Under the vision “Bringing the riches of the ocean to your hometown,” UUUO has developed and provides the UUUO smartphone application, which allows shippers in production areas to trade fishery products directly with wholesalers, intermediate wholesalers, and retailers in the market anytime, anywhere, and with ease. UUUO users can specify their preferred fishery products from fishing harbors and markets throughout Japan. With over 100 wholesalers, intermediate wholesalers, and retailers registered, the application ensures a stable supply of fishery products that users wish to purchase without changing their business partners. The easy order system facilitates DX in purchasing operations, ensuring efficiency as well as the variety, quantity, and freshness of fishery products handled. UUUO continues to expand its services as a new fishery market connecting individual harbors and markets throughout Japan.
    In the area of food infrastructure, Panasonic provides cooking appliances, along with a wide range of B2B cold chain products, mostly in Japan and the US, including commercial freezers and refrigerated showcases. With the aim of contributing to the cold chain industry by providing value to both producers and end consumers, the company will work to verify synergy effects in fresh fish distribution through this collaboration.Panasonic aims to establish food infrastructure, where necessary food items are provided in the required quantities while maintaining freshness and palatability. It also strives to ensure the safety of people’s daily diet, and create a sustainable society.
    With a mission to contribute to the wellbeing of people, society, and the planet, Panasonic aims to be the best partner in supporting people’s lives with human-centric technology and innovation. The company will continue to strengthen its open innovation initiatives through strong partnerships by investing in promising startups both in Japan and abroad that excel in areas closely related to people’s lives, such as energy, food infrastructure, spatial infrastructure, and lifestyle.

    ■Comments from Kunio Gohara, General Manager of the Corporate Venture Capital Office, Panasonic Corporation

    With lifestyle changes and diversified diets, we are witnessing the evolving needs of consumers. In order to address the universal need to deliver good food, we aim to make contributions beyond the scope of the industry. Particularly in the environment surrounding fishery products, challenges have emerged, including a decline in fish catches, imbalanced market conditions, and unsold products due to suddenly worsened weather conditions. It is more crucial than ever, from both an environmental and economic perspective, to address these social issues and provide fresh, savory fishery products without waste. Through our investment in UUUO, we look forward to providing new value to producers and consumers, and developing a sustainable food value chain together.

    ■Comments from Kazutomo Itakura, Chief Executive Officer of UUUO, inc.

    By combining Panasonic Corporation’s cold chain technology and solutions with our platform, we will achieve sustainable distribution in the fishing industry and accelerate business growth, further promoting our vision of “Bringing the riches of the ocean to your hometown.” Taking this opportunity, we will strive to deliver value to more individuals involved in fishery product distribution and contribute to the fishing industry.

    ■Overview of UUUO, inc.

    Company name

    UUUO, inc.

    Representative

    Kazutomo Itakura

    Address

    5th Floor, Otemachi Takahashi Building,2-1-6 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima

    Establishment

    July 2016

    Business

    Planning, development, and operation of the “UUUO” fishery market connected by technology

    URL

    https://uuuo.co.jp/en

    About Panasonic Corporation
    Panasonic Corporation offers products and services for a variety of living environments, ranging from homes to stores to offices and cities. There are five businesses at the core of Panasonic Corporation: Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Heating & Ventilation A/C Company, Cold Chain Solutions Company, Electric Works Company and China and Northeast Asia Company. The operating company reported consolidated net sales of 3,494.4 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2024. Panasonic Corporation is committed to fulfilling the mission of Life Tech & Ideas: For the wellbeing of people, society and the planet, and embraces the vision of becoming the best partner of your life with human-centric technology and innovation. Learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global/about.html

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese children’s books foster cultural exchanges through stories

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The 62nd Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) has once again brought together the global children’s publishing community, attracting more than 1,500 exhibitors from over 90 countries and regions.

    As one of the most influential events in the professional publishing calendar, this year’s fair — held from March 31 to April 3 — is expected to draw over 20,000 industry visitors. Among the key highlights, Chinese children’s books stood out for their cultural richness, creative storytelling, and growing appeal in international markets.

    Led by China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Corporation, the Chinese delegation brought together more than 40 prominent publishers, offering a wide selection of titles ranging from picture books and children’s literature to science education. At the center of the exhibition hall, the China Pavilion’s “Premium Chinese Children’s Books” section featured acclaimed original works, including popular properties such as Ne Zha.

    “Children’s books serve as an important window for the world to understand Chinese culture,” said Elena Pasoli, director of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. She noted the increasing global attention Chinese books have received in recent years due to their diverse content, innovative formats, and cultural depth.

    This year, China’s presence at the fair was particularly strong. Many publishers introduced new titles and engaged in rights negotiations aimed at broadening their global footprint. Among the most anticipated projects was Let’s Retrace the Silk Roads, a science-themed picture book co-developed by Beijing Step By Step International Publishing Co. Ltd and UNESCO. Through engaging narratives and vivid illustrations, the series brings to life the cultural exchanges, historical transformations, and folklore of the ancient Silk Road.

    “The Silk Road is more than just an ancient trade route; it symbolizes cultural fusion,” said Mehrdad Shabahang, head of the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme. “We hope these stories will help children worldwide appreciate the diversity of civilizations and the value of mutual respect.”

    Fan Liang, chairman of Step By Step Publishing, said the book series has already been translated into five languages and published in multiple countries. Following its debut at Bologna, four more international publishers have expressed interest in acquiring the rights.

    Beyond book exhibitions, the fair continues to serve as a vital platform for industry dialogue. Key topics this year included the so-called “reading crisis,” the impact of artificial intelligence, and the future of sustainable publishing.

    Children’s book markets around the world are grappling with major challenges. According to the Italian Publishers Association (AIE), sales of children’s and young adult books in Italy totaled 258.2 million euros (286.91 million U.S. dollars) in 2024 — a decline for the first time since 2020. The data also showed that 74 percent of Italian children aged 0-14 read fewer than six printed books per year, while four percent do not read at all. Screen time on digital devices now triples the time spent reading.

    In Britain, The Bookseller magazine reported that teen reading frequency has fallen to its lowest level in two decades, as digital entertainment continues to compete for young readers’ attention. At the same time, artificial intelligence is reshaping the publishing landscape, influencing both illustration and production models.

    In response to these trends, Chinese publishers are actively exploring new approaches — from cross-border collaborations to digital innovation. Phoenix Publishing and Media Group set up an independent booth at the fair, presenting key titles such as The Three-Body Problem graphic novel, Moving Dinosaurs pop-up book, and the Loving Bridge picture book series. The company also launched the “Oriental Doll Original Picture Book Award,” inviting global submissions to foster creative exchange.

    On the evening of March 31, China received further recognition as the Bologna Children’s Book Fair awarded the Bologna Prize for Best Children’s Publishers of the Year to Chinese publisher Everafter Books. The honor marks a significant milestone for China’s growing influence in international publishing.

    “China’s publishing industry still has vast potential in global markets,” said Zhang Mingzhou, former president of the International Board on Books for Young People. “To succeed, we must deepen our understanding of global readers and refine our storytelling approaches.”

    Former Italian Ambassador to China Alberto Bradanini underscored the importance of children’s books in promoting intercultural understanding. “Investing in children’s development is investing in the future,” he told Xinhua, adding that Chinese children’s books are playing an increasingly vital role in global cultural exchange. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Video game ‘Minecraft’ brought to life on silver screen

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

          

    A scene in the upcoming film “A Minecraft Movie” features several giant pandas in a bizarre, cubic wonderland. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures]

    “A Minecraft Movie,” the first live-action film adaptation of the popular video game “Minecraft,” will be released simultaneously across the Chinese mainland and North America on April 4.

    Starring Hollywood actors Jason Momoa and Jack Black, the film follows four misfits who find themselves struggling with ordinary problems until they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre, cubic wonderland. To return home, they must master this world, protect it from evil forces, and embark on a magical quest.

    Jointly produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, the film held a preview screening in Beijing on March 31, with several cinema locations replicating scenes from the movie.

          

    The film stars Jason Momoa (center), Jack Black (left) and Sebastian Hansen. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures]

    As part of the prelude events leading up to the 15th Beijing International Film Festival, an exhibition for the film has also been hosted at Taikoo Li Sanlitun, a shopping complex in east Beijing.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US’ reciprocal tariffs spark global backlash

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of new reciprocal tariffs on imports from all trading partners has drawn backlash from countries around the world, with countermeasures already pledged by some.

    The universal tariffs imposed by the United States — a 10-percent “minimum baseline tariff” to be imposed on all imports — will take effect on April 5, and the “individualized reciprocal higher tariff” on the countries and regions with which the United States “has the largest trade deficits” will take effect on April 9, according to a White House document.

    “Resentment Day”

    On social media platform X, Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukas Vlcek called Trump’s new tariffs a “mistake.” Also, Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People’s Party and a member of the European Parliament, called April 2 — the new tariff announcement day dubbed by Trump as “liberation day” for the United States — as “resentment day.”

    “Donald Trump’s tariffs don’t defend fair trade: They attack it out of fear and hurt both sides of the Atlantic,” he said.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday expressed deep regret over the U.S. move in a statement, calling it “a major blow to the world economy,” and warned against a devastating impact. “The global economy will massively suffer,” she said. “Uncertainty will spiral and trigger the rise of further protectionism. The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe.”

    Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo on Thursday said the United States’ new tariffs are “unfair and unjustified” in an interview with radio station RNE, adding that the Spanish government will take action to protect companies and consumers from the effects of the tariffs.

    Speaking to local media on Thursday morning, British Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he is “disappointed” by the additional tariffs imposed on Britain, noting the 10-percent tariff is not a “fair reflection of how we currently trade.”

    In Asia, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi on Thursday expressed “serious concern” about the U.S. decision to impose reciprocal tariffs, saying the new tariffs could have a “big negative impact” on the global economy and the multilateral trade system.

    South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is serving as acting president following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, told an emergency meeting on economic security in Seoul: “As the global tariff war is coming to a reality, the government should pour out all of its capabilities to overcome a trade crisis.”

    The German Institute for Economic Research in a statement issued on Wednesday ahead of Trump’s new tariffs announcement warned that the United States has made a significant departure from multilateralism in its trade policy. The introduction of new, extensive tariffs poses a serious threat to global supply chains.

    Grave concerns among businesses

    Business leaders in Britain voiced concerns on Wednesday that the new tariffs on their exports, even at 10 percent, could weigh heavily on British industries. Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said: “There are no winners in a trade war. Today’s announcements are deeply troubling for businesses and will have significant ramifications around the world.”

    The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) believed small exporters in the country would be hard hit, as 59 percent of them trade with the United States. “Tariffs will cause untold damage to small businesses trying to trade their way into profit,” said Tina McKenzie, the FSB’s policy chair.

    The Manufacturers Association of Israel (MAI) said in a statement Thursday that the United States imposing a 17-percent tariff on imports from Israel is worrying. “The decision of the U.S. President to apply the tariff policy to Israel could harm Israel’s economic stability, deter foreign investment in the economy, and weaken the competitiveness of Israeli companies in the U.S. market,” it said in a statement.

    On Tuesday, Israel announced the lifting of all tariffs imposed on imports from the United States, but the move failed to avert the new tariffs imposed by the United States.

    Countermeasures pledged

    In Paris, French government spokesperson Sophie Primas said on Thursday the European Union (EU) is ready for a trade war, with retaliatory tariffs to be imposed on all goods and service products from the United States by the end of April.

    The initial levies in retaliation to the U.S. tariffs on EU steel and aluminum products would be put in place around mid-April, and the tariffs targeting all American imports are expected to be ready probably by the end of April, she said when speaking to the broadcaster RTL on Wednesday.

    In response to the U.S. tariffs, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer told business leaders gathering at 10 Downing Street on Thursday morning that the close ally of the United States is “prepared.” “Decisions we take in the coming days and weeks will be guided only by our national interest. In the interest of our economy,” Starmer said.

    On Wednesday before Trump’s announcement of the new tariffs, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated her call for negotiations to avoid a trade war with the United States, while signaling a shift away from her previous opposition to European retaliatory tariffs.

    “We must work in every way to avert a trade war,” she said during a cultural event. “But this obviously does not rule out considering appropriate responses to defend our industries if necessary.”

    In Brazil, the National Congress passed legislation allowing the South American country to impose reciprocal trade and environmental measures in response to foreign restrictions, on Wednesday just hours after Trump’s announcement of the sweeping tariffs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US behind cyberattacks on China during Asian Winter Games

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The United States and its allies were the main source of cyberattacks against China during the ninth Asian Winter Games, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, citing a newly released report.

    The report was released by China’s National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and National Engineering Laboratory for Computer Virus Prevention Technology on Thursday.

    It disclosed that the information systems of competition and critical network infrastructures in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, were subjected to a large number of network attacks from abroad. The attacks were traced to countries and regions including the United States, the Netherlands, and Singapore.

    “We take note of the report and express serious concerns over the malicious cyber activity it has exposed,” spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a daily news briefing.

    He said that the report once again shows that around the world, China is one of the main victims of cyberattacks.

    China urges the United States to adopt a responsible attitude, reflect on itself and refrain from slandering others, Guo said, adding that China will continue to take necessary measures to protect its own cybersecurity. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: North China’s wildlife park reports a bear on the loose

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A bear escaped from the Foshan wildlife park in the city of Handan, north China’s Hebei Province on Wednesday, and remains missing as of 3 p.m. on Thursday, according to the local authorities.

    Following the incident, control measures were implemented around the park, and staff have been searching both within the park and in nearby villages. However, the bear’s escape route and current whereabouts remain unknown.

    The escaped bear is about two years old and relatively small in size. Authorities have advised tourists and residents to avoid the park and its surrounding areas.

    The wildlife park has been temporarily closed, and its reopening date has yet to be determined. Search efforts are currently ongoing. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: How living legacy of Qingming captures global hearts

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    For Malaysian Chinese Goh Ee Xuan, Qingming Festival has always pulsed with ancestral echoes and meant honoring ancestors through time-honored rituals like burning incense and offering symbolic paper gifts.

    Even while living in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin this year, she maintained the tradition through a heartfelt video call with relatives back home.

    “Growing up in a Malaysian Chinese household, Qingming rituals like tomb-sweeping were part of my childhood fabric,” Goh explained. “My parents taught me to remember my roots.”

    With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China’s enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.

    Qingming rituals persist with remarkable vitality in most Chinese communities across Southeast Asia, observed folk culture expert Ma Zhiyao, adding that this demonstrates the custom’s enduring cultural resonance.

    Wang Yi, associated professor of cultural studies at Tianjin University, noted that as China’s cultural influence expands, traditional Chinese festivals like Qingming are gaining increasing global recognition.

    “Their cultural depth speaks to universal human values – making them not just Chinese traditions, but shared touchstones of remembrance and renewal,” she said.

    Qingming’s reflections on mortality, kinship and nature speak to all humanity, according to Wang. “As foreigners learn about and even participate in its rituals, they will see how deeply our cultures connect, and how much we can learn from each other.”

    From Mexico’s Day of the Dead, brought to life by the 2017 Academy Award-winning animated film Coco, to the Obon Festival in Japan, cultures worldwide have their own takes on ancestral worship. Despite different traditions, all share a deep respect for life and the departed.

    Cultural symbolism transcends borders. Both ancient Egyptians and Chinese traditions associate plants with rebirth. Egyptians adorned tombs with symbolic palms and lotuses, while Qingming’s willow branches, prized for their early spring vitality, represent nature’s enduring cycle of renewal.

    Ahmed Mohamed Saleh, an Egyptian student in Tianjin, shared his cultural perspective.

    “In Egypt, we prepare ritual offerings and special foods for tomb visits, and plant symbolic vegetation by the graveside to represent life’s cyclical nature,” he said. “Both cultures believe honoring the past helps us live better futures, rather than dwell in perpetual sorrow.”

    Qingming Festival embodies a poignant duality of emotions, as solemn remembrance is intertwined with spring’s rejuvenating joy. This is beautifully captured in classical poetry.

    Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu’s iconic “Qingming” paints the sorrow: A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day; the mourner’s heart is going to break on his way.

    Yet another poem reveals the season’s brighter essence: When pear blossoms ride the warm eastern winds, half the city empties as the hunt for spring begins.

    International students in China follow Qingming traditions in their own ways. Shin Gisong from the Republic of Korea hiked through spring landscapes, while Comorian student Mroivili Faouzia visited cultural sites.

    “Even though our customs might be different, the idea of honoring those who came before us is the same,” Faouzia said.

    “I believe that a festival to remember our ancestors can touch people everywhere. It reminds us that family, history and respect for our roots are values shared by many cultures around the world,” she added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China revises list of Chinese aviation martyrs during WWII

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China on Thursday released its second revised list of Chinese aviation martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, expanding it to 1,470 names, according to the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall in east China’s Jiangsu Province.

    The latest update adds the information of two newly verified heroes while correcting and supplementing details — including names, hometowns, birth and death dates for 12 martyrs.

    The updates followed last year’s release of information about 1,468 verified Chinese anti-Japanese aviation heroes, which was met with widespread attention and support.

    “After receiving the application of inscription and information about martyrs, the memorial hall conducted verification of materials, finally inscribed the name of two martyrs,” said Dou Ruoqi, a staff member of the memorial hall.

    “The addition and correction aims to better the list of anti-Japanese aviation heroes. It is not only a deep memory of the heroes, but also respect and inheritance of history,” said Dou.

    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Also on Thursday, a solemn ceremony honoring anti-Japanese aviation heroes was held, one day before Qingming Festival, a Chinese traditional festival to mourn ancestors and heroes.

    Cao Zhiqin is a relative of an aviation martyr. His grand-uncle Cao Xugui lost his life during a training mission in the United States at the age of 21 on Nov. 24, 1944 and was buried there.

    “Our family found his resting place after decades of relentless efforts. Since then, we longed to see his name honored among China’s anti-Japanese aviation heroes. Today, that decades-old yearning is fulfilled,” Cao said, after bowed to the monument where the name of his grand-uncle had been newly inscribed.

    The Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall houses a rich collection of historical materials documenting the joint efforts of air forces of China, the Soviet Union, the United States, and other countries during World War II to fight the invading Japanese troops.

    The names of 4299 Chinese and foreign anti-Japanese aviation martyrs have been engraved on the monument in the memorial hall. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World War II shell found in NE China

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A Japanese artillery shell believed to be from World War II was recently discovered in Sunwu County, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, local authorities said on Thursday.

    The shell, measuring approximately 40 centimeters in length and 15 centimeters in diameter, was found near a key cultural heritage site that once served as the underground hideout of Japanese troops in Sunwu County of the city of Heihe.

    The local cultural heritage department and police jointly moved the shell to a safe place. Further analysis of the shell will be conducted to potentially uncover valuable information about Japanese military deployment during the invasion.

    The discovery of this artillery shell provides new physical evidence for studying the history of the invasion of China by Japanese troops, and helps to further restore details of Japanese military activities and aggression in Sunwu. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Smartphones shed light on depression detection

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Smartphones have the potential to aid depression detection through digital phenotyping and feature extraction by utilizing the massive data they collect, according to Chinese scientists at Lanzhou University.

    This has particular significance and potential for modern people suffering from high stress as smartphones can timely sense people’s mental and physical conditions, according to their study newly published in the journal Proceedings of the IEEE.

    The large amount of data generated by smartphones can continuously track users’ mental state, with multiple advantages such as universality and objectivity, according to Yang Minqiang, associate professor of the School of Information Science and Engineering of Lanzhou University.

    “Smartphones can help realize the timely identification of psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety,” added Yang.

    Smartphones contain a wealth of sensors, such as GPS, gyroscope, microphone, ambient light sensor and more. These sensors can help record people’s movement, social interactions, sleep, rhythm and other behavioral states, and can be used to identify and track psychological disorders.

    Notably, smartphones have been widely used as portable data collectors for wearable and healthcare sensors that can passively collect data streams related to the environment, health status and behavior.

    Recent research shows that the collected data can be used to monitor not only the physical states but also the mental health of individuals. However, extracting the features of digital phenotypes that characterize major depressive disorder (MDD) is technically challenging and may raise significant privacy concerns.

    This study carried out a comprehensive analysis of several key issues related to ubiquitous sensing for use in detecting MDD, according to Yang.

    Researchers specifically analyzed existing methodologies and feature extraction algorithms used to detect MDD through digital phenotyping from smartphone data.

    They summarized and explained five types of features of smartphone data, namely, location, movement, rhythm, sleep, and social and device usage.

    These data record the patterns of an individual’s daily activities, including social interactions and mobile phone usage. Despite its limitations, this study opens the door for further research and engineering exploration of smartphone data, according to Yang.

    “Early identification could help early intervention on depression. We anticipate that smartphone manufacturers could realize smartphone-based mental health diagnosis and treatment, all while protecting user privacy,” Yang said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: National Aquatics Center marks 15th annual ‘Light It Blue’ autism awareness event

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The National Aquatics Center in Beijing illuminates its iconic blue lights on April 2, 2025, to mark World Autism Awareness Day. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
    The National Aquatics Center in Beijing, a venue that has hosted two Olympics, illuminated its facade in blue on Wednesday to mark World Autism Awareness Day for the 15th consecutive year. The event seeks to raise public awareness and promote inclusivity for people with autism.
    This year’s event underscored the values of fairness, unity and perseverance — core principles of sportsmanship — while spreading the message “Respect differences, light up hope.”
    Since its inception in 2011, the venue has been a hub for autism awareness initiatives. Over the past decade, it has hosted public art exhibitions featuring over 5,000 paintings created by children with autism and youth volunteers. Additionally, it has organized more than 10 sports events for disabled individuals, drawing over 6,000 in-person attendees and generating over 450,000 online interactions.
    In 2025, the “Light It Blue” campaign expanded nationwide, with many landmark buildings across China joining in to illuminate their facades in blue. Notable participants included the National Speed Skating Oval, Shanghai Jinmao Tower and Shanghai Pudong Library, all of which displayed their exteriors in blue and broadcast autism awareness messages.

    Children with autism and their families try out curling at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, April 2, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
    Activities at the National Aquatics Center included a range of diverse events. The “family day” featured an interactive curling experience at the Center’s underground ice sports arena, encouraging family bonding through friendly competition. An art exhibition showcased 200 artworks created by young artists with autism, volunteers and musicians, promoting creative expression and communication.

    Artworks by individuals with autism on display at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, April 2, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
    Additionally, a social welfare workshop incorporated art therapy activities such as tactile clay painting and traditional Chinese velvet flower crafts. These activities aimed to enhance sensory development and improve fine motor skills for children with autism.

    Children with autism and their parents engage in a handcraft workshop at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, April 2, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
    A notable highlight was a forum examining the role of technology in creating a more inclusive society for individuals with autism. Speakers from special education, rehabilitation and psychology discussed innovative ways to utilize artificial intelligence to improve inclusive education and support services for individuals with autism. Participants underscored their commitment to ensuring equal opportunities in education, health care, employment and community involvement.
    The “Light It Blue” campaign’s impact extended beyond Beijing, with parallel events held nationwide. In Nanjing, Jiangsu province, families and volunteers participated in a charity market, selling handmade crafts and artwork to fund autism support programs. Additionally, experts and parents gave public lectures to share insights on autism care.
    In Shanghai, hundreds of paintings by autistic youth were exhibited at the Shanghai Jinmao Tower observatory and a cultural and art development center in the Pudong New Area.
    In Zhuhai, Guangdong province, autism families, social workers and non-profits from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area gathered for a screening of China’s first autism-themed documentary, “Uniquely You.” An accompanying art exhibition highlighted the experiences and aspirations of autistic children, advocating for greater societal acceptance and support.
    As the “Light It Blue” campaign expands, the National Aquatics Center remains dedicated to its social responsibility of promoting inclusivity for individuals with autism.
    Looking ahead, the venue will continue to champion autism awareness and explore innovative ways to promote a more inclusive environment for all.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese scientists use AI model in colorectal cancer treatment

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese researchers have used artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce unnecessary surgical resection in colorectal cancer patients after local excision, the South China University of Technology (SCUT), located in Guangdong Province in south China, said on Wednesday.
    The team developed and validated an AI prediction model to assess the risk of recurrence following local excision of colorectal cancer, using pathological images of endoscopically or transanal surgically resected T1 rectal cancer (RC) specimens.
    Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for around 10 percent of all cancer cases. For patients with early-stage colorectal cancer, local resection serves as the primary treatment. However, some high-risk patients still require additional surgeries to prevent recurrence, which not only increases the physical burden but also significantly diminishes their quality of life.
    Researchers from the SCUT and Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital developed an artificial neural network model to predict recurrence risk in T1 RC patients — thereby providing physicians and patients with guidance for post-excision decision-making.
    The AI-based prediction model has helped reduce unnecessary additional surgeries by about 34.9 percent in all enrolled patients, compared with the current U.S. guideline in this regard.
    The model not only aids physicians in decision-making but also demonstrates the remarkable performance and potential of histopathology image-based AI in predicting tumor behavior, researchers said.
    The study has been published in the European Journal of Surgical Oncology. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese study unravels genetic secrets of all-female snake

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese researchers have decoded the DNA of a unique snake species that reproduces without males, uncovering their fascinating genetic adaptations.
    The findings were published on Thursday Beijing time in the journal Science Advances by a team from the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
    The flowerpot snake (Indotyphlops braminus), one of the Earth’s smallest snakes measuring less than 20 cm, gets its name from its tendency to hide in potted plant soil. Unlike most animals, every known flowerpot snake is female and can reproduce independently.
    Using multi-omics techniques, the team led by the researcher Li Jiatang of the institute revealed that the ancestral genome underwent a rapid speciation event approximately 41 million years ago, when different chromosomes fused together.
    Scientists discovered that the snake’s certain genes for fighting diseases and making sperm have become inactive. These changes appear to help its different sets of DNA work together smoothly, making it possible for females to reproduce successfully without males.
    Special “DNA repair” genes, such as ALKBH2 and MDC1, work overtime in the snakes’ ovaries, acting like quality controllers to ensure the single-parent reproduction quality. This helps maintain healthy offspring despite the lack of genetic mixing that normally occurs with two parents.
    By uncovering the genomic mechanisms behind the flowerpot snake’s all-female reproduction, this study challenges traditional views that asexual reproduction inevitably leads to an evolutionary dead end. Instead, it provides a new perspective on how all-female species may maintain genetic diversity and adapt to diverse environments without the need for male contribution, Li said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: AI boom paves way for smarter future in Xiong’an

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Dressed in a black bow tie and apron, an AI-powered robotic barista at Migu Cafe in Xiong’an New Area, north China’s Hebei Province, skillfully crafts exquisite coffees, completing each order in just five minutes.
    “It precisely replicates the techniques of world-class masters, having undergone visual training with millions of data samples and 30,000 hours of dual-arm testing,” said Wang Ying, operations manager of the cafe, adding that with sufficient raw materials, it can work tirelessly.
    Since its introduction in 2023, the robot has become a local sensation, drawing in curious customers eager to enjoy its work. “I came here specially for the robot-made coffee, and it tastes pretty good,” a customer commented online.
    In Xiong’an, AI-powered applications have steadily expanded as part of the city’s push to develop future-oriented industries and build a smart, livable city that is innovative, green and free from “urban ills.”
    Official data shows that Xiong’an has attracted over 50 AI-related companies to date.
    One such high-tech business is Pulong Technology Co., Ltd., which settled in Xiong’an in 2019, and it has since become a manufacturer of AI inspection robots.
    Equipped with sensors, high-precision cameras, and cutting-edge computing chips, these robot monitors can identify on-site information and provide real-time alerts and warnings. “They can replace manual inspections in dangerous environments with more accuracy and efficiency, thus reducing potential safety risks,” said Zhao Yan, Pulong Technology’s marketing director.
    Currently, the company’s products are widely used in Xiong’an’s electricity sector, especially in power distribution rooms. The achievement, Zhao noted, wouldn’t have been possible without governmental backing. “We have enjoyed customized working facilities and expanded market opportunities in the city,” Zhao said.
    In addition to policy support, the construction of digital infrastructure, represented by the Xiong’an Urban Computing Center, has laid a solid foundation for the R&D and application of AI in the city.
    As the “smart brain” of the city, the center has used AI and other advanced technologies to achieve real-time, refined, and intelligent urban management. It has also recently integrated the DeepSeek large model to enhance its services for residents.
    From digital roads that calculate traffic flow and improve traffic efficiency to the AI-powered platforms helping community workers spot and resolve urban management issues promptly, these innovations have enabled residents to enjoy a higher-quality life in a smarter city, said Li Nan, a supervisor at Xiong’an Cloud Network Technology Co., Ltd.
    As a resident, Wang is confident about the future of AI in Xiong’an. “With more use cases and talents, I believe the city will become a global exemplar of AI integration in urban governance,” she said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China steps up hospice care to enable peaceful, dignified end-of-life journeys

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Whenever Chen Yun misses her father, she gazes at a photo from his 94th birthday celebration in the hospice ward of Jiangsu Province Hospital in east China. In the picture, her father, wearing a birthday hat, smiles as he enjoys longevity noodles, surrounded by dishes like ribs and tofu, and a birthday cake.
    In April 2024, Chen’s father was urgently hospitalized due to cancer-related pleural effusion. He was struggling to breathe and unable to lie down.
    The hospice team, including geriatrics, oncology and nutrition specialists, swiftly intervened with a thoracic puncture to drain the pleural effusion, restoring his ability to rest and sleep. They adjusted his chemotherapy dosage to suit his age and tolerance, focusing on symptom control and comfort rather than eliminating cancer cells. Paired with pain relief, this strategy stabilized his condition and eased the breathing difficulties.
    In hospital, nurses monitored his condition daily, offering comfort and guidance whenever he felt fearful or anxious, thus improving the health of the patient both emotionally and physically. He regained strength and began walking around the ward, while his appetite returned.
    After nine months, Chen’s father passed away peacefully in the ward. “We thought he had only days left after the diagnosis, but the hospice team gave us another precious nine months,” Chen said. “My father passed away painlessly in his sleep, leaving us with no regrets.”
    Hospice care, which provides comprehensive support for the terminally ill and elderly, aims to manage pain, improve quality of life, and ensure a decent, peaceful passing through multidisciplinary care.
    Driven by rising quality of life and education levels, more patients and families in China are seeking hospice services, with decisions by patients to forgo treatment being respected when their quality of life can no longer be guaranteed, according to Duan Yu, director of the geriatric medicine department at the hospital.
    To bolster its hospice care team, the hospital has gathered over 300 medical professionals from geriatrics, oncology, pain management and other fields to form an interdisciplinary clinical team. They also promote hospice care concepts across the hospital through consultations and referrals.
    Beyond clinical duties, Duan and her colleagues are committed to educating medical students on hospice care, thereby disseminating hospice concepts and knowledge to future medical workers.
    Yet, China’s aging society still faces a significant gap in terms of hospice care access, with less than 7 percent of patients having received such services by late 2023, noted Wang Yan, president of Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University in east China.
    Since 2019, Jiangsu Province Hospital has partnered with more than 20 hospitals and community health centers to establish a two-way referral system, linking hospitals with communities and families.
    Through training, community medical teams can provide basic symptom control, such as pain relief, sedation and bronchodilation, as well as care services like feeding and cleaning. If patients opt for community or home care, doctors can refer them for transfer to nearby qualified facilities.
    A cancer patient, diagnosed at the provincial hospital, wished to spend his final days at home. The hospital collaborated with a community facility to develop a follow-up plan for the patient, including regular check-ups and medication adjustments. With a pain-relief pump in place, the patient returned home, celebrated his birthday with family, and later passed away peacefully.
    Since 2017, China’s National Health Commission has launched hospice care pilot programs in 185 cities and districts. Many local governments are prioritizing hospice infrastructure. The city of Nanning, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, aims to have at least one hospice area per county or development zone by 2025, while Beijing plans to provide 1,800 hospice beds by the end of this year.
    The Third People’s Hospital of Zhenjiang in Jiangsu Province is set to open a new building with about 140 hospice beds this year. This beige structure will feature a brick walkway leading to a serene garden and lake with ducks swimming in it.
    Ge Chunhua, head nurse of this hospital’s hospice department, looks forward to the opening of the new building, because patients there will be able to immerse themselves in natural surroundings to gain comfort.
    “Patients often feel lonely and helpless at life’s end. Even a simple touch or conversation can bring them strength,” said Ge. “My job is really meaningful, as it can support patients through their final passage in peace and dignity.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Tomb-sweeping Day blends tech, eco-tributes

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    As China marks Qingming (Tomb Sweeping) Festival on Friday, a day for honoring one’s ancestors, new digital tools and eco-friendly practices are reshaping how millions observe the ancient tradition.

    A person pays tribute to martyrs at a martyrs’ cemetery in Jurong, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 3, 2025. People across the country attended various activities to pay tribute to martyrs ahead of the Qingming Festival, which falls on April 4 this year. (Photo by Zhong Xueman/Xinhua)
    An hour’s drive to the north of downtown Beijing lies the town of Shisanling, which gets its name from 13 imperial mausoleums of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Today, its green valleys are home to public cemeteries where common people are buried.
    For the convenience of those who could not come to site to pay tribute to their ancestors, authorities of the town have launched a “cloud memorial” mini-program on the social media platform WeChat, enabling them to offer online tributes.
    Users can upload photos and videos of their loved ones, create personalized digital memorial albums, and even generate AI-powered avatars to preserve memories of their ancestors.
    “As Qingming arrives once again, I present this bunch of virtual flowers to you. Though free from any sweet scent, they carry with them my grief and longing,” read one message posted on the mini-program.
    Chinese people hold a deep and enduring reverence for ancestral traditions. In 2008, the government designated Qingming Festival as a public holiday — a decision that carried both cultural and practical significance.
    As waves of urbanization drew millions away from their hometowns to study or work, the holiday provided not only a moment to honor ancestors at family grave sites, but also an opportunity to return home and reunite with loved ones.
    However, not everyone can make the long journey home. At Shisanling, an innovative solution has been offered.
    The digital memorial program also supports “digital tombstones” – virtual profiles tied to physical graves via unique QR codes – providing convenient access to memorial services.
    More than 100,000 people have used the platform, with over 20,000 digital tombstones created.
    Many mourners have expressed their appreciation for the service, as they can now commemorate their ancestors without the need to undertake arduous journeys, said one cemetery worker.
    While the centuries-old Qingming custom of burning joss paper persists in China, an eco-conscious movement is reshaping ancestral remembrance.
    The Fushouyuan cemetery in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, offers water-soluble stationery for mourners to write messages to the departed, reducing the environmental impact of such rituals.
    Funerals are of great importance in China, and the extravagance of one’s funeral and tomb was once used to judge the filial piety of one’s descendants. However, the concept of green burials, aiming at curbing extravagance and advocating eco-friendly burials, is gaining in popularity.
    Fushouyuan conducted a ceremony to bury six biodegradable urns beneath ceremonial lawns ahead of this year’s Qingming. Since 2010, over 6,300 deceased individuals across Ningxia have opted for various forms of green burials.
    Shenyang, the capital city of Liaoning, China’s northernmost coastal province, will cover the cost of up to 5,300 sea burials this year. Municipal authorities will also extend monetary incentives for tree pod burials, lawn interments and floral burials, offering more options for eco-friendly funerary solutions.
    “From incense smoke rising at grave sites to digital offerings in cloud memorials, China’s ancestral rites are embracing the advancement of society and technology,” said Qi Xin, a researcher with the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences. “While the expressions of remembrance vary, what never fades is that timeless human thread — cherishing the memories of our loved ones.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 7 killed, 1 injured in car accident in Chongqing

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A total of seven people were killed and one injured in a traffic accident in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality on Thursday, local authorities said.
    The accident occurred at about 3:20 p.m. when a car, driven by a man surnamed Xia, rear-ended a heavy semi-truck on a highway connecting the city’s downtown area with Changshou District.
    The injured individual is receiving treatment at a hospital and is not in life-threatening condition.
    The cause of the accident is under investigation. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 5 Chinese nationals killed in Myanmar earthquake

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar confirmed that as of 11:00 Beijing time (0300 GMT) on Friday, the powerful earthquake in Myanmar has resulted in the deaths of five Chinese citizens and injuries to 13 others.

    The death toll from the 7.9-magnitude earthquake has risen to 3,145, with 4,589 others injured and 221 missing, the Myanmar Radio and Television reported on Thursday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China accelerates humanoid robot development for diverse applications

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

    BEIJING, April 4 — At the Zhongguancun International Innovation Center in Beijing, the humanoid robot Kuavo has become a familiar sight, effortlessly handling reception duties, responding to visitor inquiries, and guiding guests in finding their way through the facility.

    “Standing 1.7 meters tall with advanced cognitive capabilities, Kuavo is our next-generation service robot,” said Guo Da, sales manager at Shenzhen-based Leju Robotics. “Currently deployed in universities, exhibition halls and automotive plants, the model is set to enter homes and offer services in the future.”

    The recently concluded 2025 Zhongguancun Forum highlighted China’s progress in robotics, featuring nearly 100 humanoid models performing tasks ranging from musical performances to event hosting.

    Driven by rapid advancement in embodied intelligence, China’s humanoid robots are evolving at an accelerated pace, extending their reach into both industrial and household applications.

    Industry data underscores China’s growing leadership in the relevant field. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the country holds over 190,000 active robotics patents, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the global total.

    According to the Chinese Institute of Electronics, China’s humanoid robot market is projected to reach 870 billion yuan (about 120 billion U.S. dollars) by 2030.

    Several advanced models are already entering commercial use. Developed by the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robots, the Tiangong Ultra robot is capable of running at 12 km per hour and climbing 35-cm steps, and is preparing for an upcoming humanoid robot marathon.

    Meanwhile, Walker S1, developed by the Shenzhen-based tech company UBTECH, is undergoing precision quality inspections at an Audi production facility.

    Government support is further accelerating development. Beijing recently unveiled a three-year action plan for embodied intelligence innovation and industrial growth, backed by a 100-billion-yuan fund. Similar initiatives are underway in Guangdong, Sichuan and Shanxi provinces.

    Beijing has identified embodied intelligence as a key focus for next-generation AI development, now transitioning from research to commercialization, said Su Guobin, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology.

    The development prospects of the industry have been impressive. Leju Robotics Chairman Leng Xiaokun noted that Kuavo received 250 orders in the first quarter, surpassing the company’s half-year target.

    Unitree Robotics Vice General Manager Wang Qizhou has emphasized efforts to boost production efficiency while shifting from pre-trained to autonomous adaptive systems.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Farmers busy harvesting tea leaves before Qingming Festival across China

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

    Farmers busy harvesting tea leaves before Qingming Festival across China

    Updated: April 4, 2025 14:00 Xinhua
    Villagers pick tea leaves from ancient tea trees in Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, April 2, 2025. Farmers were busy harvesting tea leaves shortly before the Qingming Festival to produce the Mingqian (literally “pre-Qingming”) tea, which are made of the very first tea sprouts in spring and considered to be of high quality. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on April 3, 2025 shows farmers picking tea leaves at a tea base in Wuhu, east China’s Anhui Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member processes tea leaves at a tea workshop in Ruyang County of Luoyang, central China’s Henan Province, April 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on April 3, 2025 shows farmers picking tea leaves at a tea base in Yuyao, east China’s Zhejiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on April 3, 2025 shows farmers picking tea leaves at a tea plantation in Lujiang County of Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on April 2, 2025 shows farmers picking tea leaves at a tea plantation in Pu’er, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A farmer displays freshly picked tea leaves at a tea plantation in Xuyi County of Huai’an, east China’s Jiangsu Province, on April 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Tenth Conference of the Digital Industry of Industrial Russia (CIPR)

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The tenth conference of the Digital Industry of Industrial Russia (CIPR) will be held on June 3-6, 2025 – the main business event on the digital economy and technologies in Russia.

    All events within the framework of the 10th anniversary of the conference will be held in Nizhny Novgorod on the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod Fair and the youth center “Vysota”. The halls of the Main Fair House will also be used for the business program sessions. The exhibition with Russian IT solutions will be located in mirror pavilions, and a separate pavilion will be built for international participants; negotiations are underway on the participation of foreign companies from China, India, and the Middle East. A large-scale festival for participants and city residents will unfold on the street territory of the Nizhny Novgorod Fair.

    Since 2016, the topic of digital development has been on the periphery of the state and business agenda. At that time, interest in the digitalization of Russian industrial organizations was just emerging, and a platform was needed to unite representatives of government agencies, industry and IT – this is how the conference “Digital Industry of Industrial Russia” was born. Over 10 years, CIPR has grown from an industry project to an international event. The conference is attended by guests and market leaders from all regions of Russia and the countries of the EAEU, SCO and BRICS.

    Since 2022, the CIPR has been hosting a large technology festival, CIPR Tech Week, for young people, the DECIPRALAND art exhibition with the participation of digital artists from all over the world, cyber championships and phygital games that combine real and virtual competitions, and on the last day of the event, the CIPR exhibition opens its doors to guests and residents of the city.

    Today, CIPR is the main event on the digital economy in Russia, where strategically important government decisions are made, initiatives for the development of the IT industry are discussed, and ways to achieve the country’s technological sovereignty in systemically important areas of the economy are determined.

    CIPR promotes the formation of a global digital business environment and opens up broad opportunities for finding partners in the Russian and foreign high-tech markets. Traditionally, CIPR hosts international agreements, investment deals, and an exhibition of digital solutions and high-tech equipment for key industries, where companies demonstrate innovations in AI, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, smart city technologies, etc. The conference also promotes export support for Russian technological solutions.

    — For 10 years, CIPR has been creating a platform for effective dialogue between regulators and key market experts, and has also united the best intellectual IT resources of the country under its leadership. Now we have a responsible task – not only to present the anniversary conference as a reflection and systematization of valuable long-term experience in the digital environment, but also to form a vector for further development of the industry taking into account strategic initiatives and adaptation to changed scenarios of the global economic landscape, including ensuring dialogue with partner countries in the international market, — noted Olga Piven, director of the conference.

    Employees Research Center in the Field of Artificial Intelligence of NSU will take part in the upcoming conference. They also took part in the conference last year. The center has existed since 2023. The main goal of the Center is to develop and prepare for implementation a set of “smart city” technologies using artificial intelligence that would improve the quality of life of citizens and the efficiency of urban economy.

    The event is held with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

    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: Hungary set for economic leap with launch of Chinese megaprojects: FM

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Hungary is poised for a major economic leap in 2025, driven by the start of production at multiple Chinese industrial megaprojects across the country, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said on Thursday.

    “Several world-leading Chinese giants will begin production this year or early next, giving a serious boost to our economy and turning 2025 into a breakthrough year,” he said at a press conference in Budapest, noting that the arrival of tech leaders like BYD and CATL marks a new chapter in Hungary’s economic transformation.

    “These major Chinese investments have made it possible for Hungary to move from being a follower to becoming a global frontrunner in the technological revolution transforming the automotive industry,” Szijjarto said.

    In the past decade, large-scale Chinese business projects have created more than 30,000 direct jobs, he said, reaffirming Hungary’s ambition to attract not only large-scale manufacturing, but also Chinese R&D and service investments in the years ahead. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Australian PM: Nowhere ‘safe’ after remote islands hit by US tariffs

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that “nowhere on Earth is safe” after remote island territories belonging to Australia were singled out for new U.S. tariffs.

    Among countries and territories listed in U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping new tariffs in Washington on Wednesday local time were the Australian territories of the Heard and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island.

    The Heard and McDonald Islands — an uninhabited territory in the Indian Ocean, around 6,000 km southwest of Australian capital Canberra and some 1,500 km to the Antarctica — was specified as being subject to Trump’s baseline 10 percent tariffs.

    Norfolk Island — about 1,900 km northeast of Canberra in the South Pacific Ocean with a population of about 2,000 — was hit with a 29 percent tariff, which the U.S. administration said was in response to a 58 percent tariff it faced from the island.

    Responding to the tariffs on Thursday, Albanese said he was “not sure” why Norfolk Island had been singled out.

    “I’m not quite sure that Norfolk Island, with respect to it, is a trade competitor with the giant economy of the United States,” he said.

    “But that just shows and exemplifies the fact that nowhere on earth is safe from this.”

    Authorities on Thursday night confirmed that Norfolk Island had no known exports to the U.S., with tourism its main industry.

    “I’ve got no idea why Trump has given us a tariff,” Leah Honeywood, Norfolk Island’s Chief Magistrate, told the Australian Financial Review.

    “If any export is done, it’s been on a personal level. Our industry is tourism — there’s no industry that exports to the U.S.,” he added.

    Norfolk Island has been an Australian territory since 1914 and the Heard and McDonald Islands since 1947.

    Christmas Island, another Australian territory in the Indian Ocean near Indonesia with a population of about 1,600, was also singled out for a baseline 10 percent tariff, as was the nearby small archipelago of the Cocos, or Keeling, Islands, which has been an Australian territory since 1955. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 5.0-magnitude quake hits 59 km NNE of Calama, Chile: USGS

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 jolted 59 km NNE of Calama, Chile, at 20:58:02 GMT on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

    The epicenter, with a depth of 110.9 km, was initially determined to be at 21.99 degrees south latitude and 68.63 degrees west longitude.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Japan PM calls U.S. tariffs ‘national crisis’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Friday that tariffs imposed on Japanese goods by the U.S. administration are a “national crisis.”

    Speaking in a parliamentary session, Ishiba said the slap of a 24-percent levy on Japanese imports “can be called a national crisis and the government is doing its best with all parties.”

    On Thursday, Ishiba told reporters that U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to impose the “reciprocal tariffs” is extremely regrettable and disappointing despite calls from Tokyo at various levels not to take the unilateral measure.

    The prime minister argued that his export-oriented country has been the world’s largest investor in the U.S. since 2019, noting Japanese carmakers have made direct investments worth about 418 million U.S. dollars and created 2.3 million jobs in the United States.

    Ishiba said that U.S. tariff hikes will have a significant impact not only on bilateral economic relations, but also on the global economy and the multilateral trade system.

    He said he is seriously concerned about whether the tariff plan is consistent with World Trade Organization rules and the Japan-U.S. trade agreement.

    Ishiba signaled that the government will closely examine how domestic industries will be impacted and provide full-fledged assistance measures. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US announcement of reciprocal tariffs causes worldwide backlash

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of new reciprocal tariffs on imports from all trading partners has drawn backlash from countries around the world, with countermeasures already pledged by some.

    The universal tariffs imposed by the United States — a 10-percent “minimum baseline tariff” to be imposed on all imports — will take effect on April 5, and the “individualized reciprocal higher tariff” on the countries and regions with which the United States “has the largest trade deficits” will take effect on April 9, according to a White House document.

    “Resentment Day”

    On social media platform X, Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukas Vlcek called Trump’s new tariffs a “mistake.” Also, Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People’s Party and a member of the European Parliament, called April 2 — the new tariff announcement day dubbed by Trump as “liberation day” for the United States — as “resentment day.”

    “Donald Trump’s tariffs don’t defend fair trade: They attack it out of fear and hurt both sides of the Atlantic,” he said.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday expressed deep regret over the U.S. move in a statement, calling it “a major blow to the world economy,” and warned against a devastating impact. “The global economy will massively suffer,” she said. “Uncertainty will spiral and trigger the rise of further protectionism. The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe.”

    Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo on Thursday said the United States’ new tariffs are “unfair and unjustified” in an interview with radio station RNE, adding that the Spanish government will take action to protect companies and consumers from the effects of the tariffs.

    Speaking to local media on Thursday morning, British Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he is “disappointed” by the additional tariffs imposed on Britain, noting the 10-percent tariff is not a “fair reflection of how we currently trade.”

    In Asia, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi on Thursday expressed “serious concern” about the U.S. decision to impose reciprocal tariffs, saying the new tariffs could have a “big negative impact” on the global economy and the multilateral trade system.

    South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is serving as acting president following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, told an emergency meeting on economic security in Seoul: “As the global tariff war is coming to a reality, the government should pour out all of its capabilities to overcome a trade crisis.”

    The German Institute for Economic Research in a statement issued on Wednesday ahead of Trump’s new tariffs announcement warned that the United States has made a significant departure from multilateralism in its trade policy. The introduction of new, extensive tariffs poses a serious threat to global supply chains.

    Grave concerns among businesses

    Business leaders in Britain voiced concerns on Wednesday that the new tariffs on their exports, even at 10 percent, could weigh heavily on British industries. Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said: “There are no winners in a trade war. Today’s announcements are deeply troubling for businesses and will have significant ramifications around the world.”

    The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) believed small exporters in the country would be hard hit, as 59 percent of them trade with the United States. “Tariffs will cause untold damage to small businesses trying to trade their way into profit,” said Tina McKenzie, the FSB’s policy chair.

    The Manufacturers Association of Israel (MAI) said in a statement Thursday that the United States imposing a 17-percent tariff on imports from Israel is worrying. “The decision of the U.S. President to apply the tariff policy to Israel could harm Israel’s economic stability, deter foreign investment in the economy, and weaken the competitiveness of Israeli companies in the U.S. market,” it said in a statement.

    On Tuesday, Israel announced the lifting of all tariffs imposed on imports from the United States, but the move failed to avert the new tariffs imposed by the United States.

    Countermeasures pledged

    In Paris, French government spokesperson Sophie Primas said on Thursday the European Union (EU) is ready for a trade war, with retaliatory tariffs to be imposed on all goods and service products from the United States by the end of April.

    The initial levies in retaliation to the U.S. tariffs on EU steel and aluminum products would be put in place around mid-April, and the tariffs targeting all American imports are expected to be ready probably by the end of April, she said when speaking to the broadcaster RTL on Wednesday.

    In response to the U.S. tariffs, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer told business leaders gathering at 10 Downing Street on Thursday morning that the close ally of the United States is “prepared.” “Decisions we take in the coming days and weeks will be guided only by our national interest. In the interest of our economy,” Starmer said.

    On Wednesday before Trump’s announcement of the new tariffs, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated her call for negotiations to avoid a trade war with the United States, while signaling a shift away from her previous opposition to European retaliatory tariffs.

    “We must work in every way to avert a trade war,” she said during a cultural event. “But this obviously does not rule out considering appropriate responses to defend our industries if necessary.”

    In Brazil, the National Congress passed legislation allowing the South American country to impose reciprocal trade and environmental measures in response to foreign restrictions, on Wednesday just hours after Trump’s announcement of the sweeping tariffs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: S. Korea’s constitutional court upholds President Yoon’s impeachment

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People watch live broadcast of the ruling on the impeachment against President Yoon Suk-yeol by South Korea’s constitutional court in Seoul, South Korea, April 4, 2025. South Korea’s constitutional court upheld a motion by the National Assembly to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol over his short-lived martial law imposition, live TV broadcast showed Friday. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

    South Korea’s constitutional court upheld a motion by the National Assembly to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol over his short-lived martial law imposition, a live TV broadcast showed Friday.

    Moon Hyung-bae, acting chief of the court, read a ruling on Yoon’s impeachment, saying it was a unanimous decision of eight justices.

    The acting chief said Yoon broke his duty of protecting the constitution as he damaged the constitutional institutions, such as the parliament, and violated the basic rights of people by mobilizing the military and the police.

    Moon stressed that the benefit of protecting the constitution through Yoon’s dismissal will overwhelmingly exceed the national loss from his dismissal.

    Yoon declared an emergency martial law on the night of Dec. 3 last year, but it was revoked by the opposition-led National Assembly hours later.

    Throughout the midnight hours of the botched martial law attempt, military helicopters landed at the National Assembly, and hundreds of armed special forces troops broke into the parliamentary building.

    By law, the ruling comes into force immediately after the reading and a snap presidential election is required to be held within 60 days. The election is expected to fall in late May or early June.

    The conservative leader officially lost all presidential power, becoming the country’s second sitting president to be forcibly removed from power following former conservative President Park Geun-hye’s ouster through impeachment in 2017.

    Yoon also became the third president to be impeached by the National Assembly in the country’s constitutional history. Late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun was reinstated in the presidency after impeachment by the National Assembly in 2004.

    Since the passage of Yoon’s impeachment motion on Dec. 14 last year, a total of 11 hearings have been held in the constitutional court until Feb. 25.

    It took 111 days before the constitutional court’s final verdict, compared to 92 days for Park’s impeachment and 64 days for Roh’s impeachment.

    Yoon was apprehended in the presidential office on Jan. 15 and was indicted under detention on Jan. 26 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection, becoming the country’s first sitting president to be arrested and prosecuted.

    If convicted of being the insurrection ringleader, Yoon could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

    He was released on March 8 as the prosecution decided not to appeal against a court’s release approval.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Road in Guyana criticized by Rubio not built by China: FM

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A road in Guyana that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized and attributed to Chinese construction was actually not built by any Chinese companies, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

    Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular news briefing in response to a media query about Rubio’s recent complaint about a poorly constructed road in Guyana.

    “According to what I learned, the road project the U.S. side referred to was not built by any Chinese companies and the Guyanese side has made clarifications on that,” Guo said. “I wonder why Mr. Secretary of State told falsehoods like this?”

    “They’d better do something tangible and deliver for countries in the region rather than vilify China and sow discord by distorting the facts,” the spokesperson said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China addresses Filipino espionage arrests

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s judicial and relevant authorities will strictly, and in accordance with the law, handle a case of suspected espionage activities conducted by Philippine nationals in China, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday.

    China’s state security authorities said earlier in the day that it had recently discovered a case of suspected espionage, prompting the arrest of three Philippine nationals on spying charges.

    When asked to comment on the case, Guo said that China’s judicial and relevant authorities will strictly handle the case in accordance with the law, and protect the lawful rights and interests of those involved.

    He said that recently the Philippines had concocted a series of so-called Chinese spy cases.

    “This is a typical act of stigmatization and politicization based on presumption of guilt in the absence of clear evidence. We firmly oppose that, and has lodged protests against the Philippines more than once,” Guo said.

    China urges the Philippines to stop shadow-chasing and making false accusations, handle the cases concerning Chinese citizens in a just manner and in accordance with the law, and effectively protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines, he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –