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Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to US State Department’s reaffirmation of staunch support for Taiwan in wake of increasing Chinese pressure

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    March 19, 2025  

    In response to media inquiries regarding China’s recent joint combat readiness patrols near the Taiwan Strait, the United States Department of State reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Taiwan across decades and administrations. It stressed that the United States would continue to support Taiwan in the face of China’s military, economic, information, and diplomatic pressure campaigns, as well as reiterating that the United States, along with international partners, staunchly supported cross-strait peace and stability and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. It also pointedly noted that China could not issue brazen and irresponsible threats toward Taiwan and still expect the international community to believe in China’s self-proclaimed role as a stabilizing force in a turbulent world.

     

    Regarding China’s comments on the 20th anniversary of its so-called “Anti-secession Law,” the US State Department cited public remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in which he indicated that the United States would not alter its long-standing position of opposing any unilateral, forced, compelled, or coercive change to the status of Taiwan. The United States further emphasized that what had changed was the threat that China posed to Taiwan, including what Beijing referred to as a set of 22 judicial guidelines to impose criminal punishments on diehard Taiwan independence separatists, issued last year. In particular, the US State Department added that over the past 20 years, China’s intimidation campaign against Taiwan and Taiwan’s supporters in the United States and elsewhere had gone global, threatening free speech, destabilizing the Indo-Pacific region, and eroding norms that had underpinned the cross-strait status quo for decades. The US State Department said that in the face of such provocative and irresponsible actions by China, the United States remained committed to maintaining its ability to deter aggression and resist any use of force or other forms of coercion to protect the Taiwanese people from intimidation and harm. 

     

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung thanks the US State Department for reaffirming the United States’ staunch commitment to Taiwan, opposing the use of force or coercion to alter the status quo, and explicitly calling out China’s brazen and irresponsible threats, as well as its attempts to unilaterally change the status quo. 

     

    Recent actions have repeatedly proven that it is China that causes trouble across the Taiwan Strait and around the globe and seeks to unilaterally change the status quo. The international community sees through China’s ruse of attempting to deflect attention away from its own disruptive behavior and hypocrisy to bolster its reputation. 

     

    Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, will continue to work with the United States to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the region. Taiwan urges nations worldwide to demonstrate collective concern over China’s military threats, lawfare and other gray-zone tactics, and unilateral actions that escalate regional tensions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to defense white paper stressing importance of cross-strait peace to Europe issued by European Commission and EU high representative

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to defense white paper stressing importance of cross-strait peace to Europe issued by European Commission and EU high representative

    • Date：2025-03-20
    • Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    March 20, 2025  

    The European Commission and the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on March 19 issued the joint White Paper for European Defence—Readiness 2030. The paper expressed great concern over China’s rapid military buildup, noting that China was intensifying coercive political, economic, military, cyber, and cognitive measures against Taiwan. It emphasized that a shifting Taiwan status quo raised the risk of a major disruption that would have profound economic and strategic consequences for Europe.

     

    The white paper also underscored the paramount importance of critical raw materials to economic and industrial production, defense capabilities, and competitiveness, adding that they were increasingly a cause for competition and conflict as an aspect of power politics. It pointed out that an escalation of tensions across the Taiwan Strait could cut off EU access to critical materials, technologies, and components. The paper further called attention to the cross-border challenges posed by hybrid threats and cyberattacks, noting that these would be addressed by the EU through greater security cooperation with like-minded partners worldwide.

     

    In June 2023, the European Council summit adopted conclusions that for the first time included content highlighting EU concern over growing tensions across the Taiwan Strait and opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. This affirmed that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are a common concern shared by the 27 EU member states. Last year, the European External Action Service (EEAS) issued statements in prompt response to China’s Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B military drills, stressing the strategic importance of cross-strait peace and stability to regional and global security and prosperity as well as the EU’s direct interest in the preservation of the Taiwan Strait status quo. 

     

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely welcomes and appreciates the EU’s continued close attention to developments across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific, intense concern over all forms of Chinese coercion targeting Taiwan, and staunch support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Minister Lin reiterates that Taiwan will steadily deepen cooperation and exchanges with the EU and other like-minded partners to jointly safeguard the core values of freedom and democracy, uphold the rules-based international order, and demonstrate to the world its determination to defend its democracy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA sincerely thanks Belgian Chamber of Representatives for adopting resolution backing Taiwan and highlighting fact that UNGA Resolution 2758 takes no position on Taiwan

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA sincerely thanks Belgian Chamber of Representatives for adopting resolution backing Taiwan and highlighting fact that UNGA Resolution 2758 takes no position on Taiwan

    • Date：2025-03-21
    • Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    March 21, 2025  

    No. 079  

    The Chamber of Representatives of Belgium adopted a resolution on March 20 expressing concern over the growing threat of China to Taiwan. It passed with an overwhelming majority of 126 votes in favor, none against, and 13 abstentions. The resolution called on the government of Belgium to condemn through diplomatic channels China’s increasingly aggressive stance toward Taiwan and to demand that China alleviate tensions, end all provocations, and respect the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. It further noted that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 did not take a position on Taiwan, and urged the Belgian government to clarify this fact at the United Nations. 

     

    In addition, the resolution advocated for the Belgian government to work with European partners to play an active role in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, and pursue an economic agreement with Taiwan at the European Union-level to strengthen supply chain resilience. It also called on all levels of government in Belgium to collectively foster economic, scientific, and cultural cooperation with Taiwan; support Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and other international organizations; and continue to enhance civil society and media exchanges with Taiwan to jointly combat disinformation. 

     

    The resolution was introduced by Representative Els Van Hoof, Co-president of the Belgium-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Belgian Chamber of Representatives adopted Taiwan-friendly resolutions in November 2015 and July 2020. This latest resolution was the first to condemn China’s threats against Taiwan and the first to be passed by the current Belgian parliament since it opened last July, which was of special significance to the advancement of Taiwan-Belgium relations. 

     

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung thanks the Belgian Chamber of Representatives for its support and emphasizes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will build on the existing solid foundation to steadily deepen substantive exchanges and friendly cooperation between Taiwan and Belgium. (E) 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace in meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace in meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang

    • Date：2025-03-23
    • Data Source：TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

    March 23, 2025

    Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya met with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi in Tokyo on March 22. During the meeting, Minister Iwaya expressed concern over China’s military activities targeting Taiwan and reiterated that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait were of utmost importance to Japan and the international community. He also called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. 

    The government of Japan has repeatedly emphasized the importance of cross-strait peace and stability at major international events in recent years, urging the global community to pay attention to security across the Taiwan Strait. These events included the US-Japan summit and the trilateral meeting between the US secretary of state and the foreign ministers of Japan and the Republic of Korea on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, both in February, as well as the Group of Seven foreign ministers’ meeting in March.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung thanks Japan for continuing to follow security developments across the Taiwan Strait and staunchly supporting cross-strait peace and stability. He stresses that Taiwan has consistently welcomed international actions that contribute to safeguarding regional peace. Taiwan is committed to steadily enhancing its self-defense capabilities and bolstering cooperation with like-minded nations to jointly uphold peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA and Ministry of Agriculture to form new smart agriculture advisory team to promote Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    March 24, 2025
    No. 082

    In a cross-ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) on March 24, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih decided to form a new smart agriculture advisory team. The team will bring together public and private resources from the government, industry, academia, research institutions, the agricultural industry, and other sectors. In the spirit of integrated diplomacy, the new group will jointly implement a smart agriculture flagship plan under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project. 

    Through coordination with diplomatic allies and friendly countries, the plan will enhance AI and digital technology applications in precision agriculture and other areas. Taiwan will work with partner countries to develop new smart agriculture, promote an agricultural Taiwan+n model (where n refers to a growing number of partners), and help the Taiwanese agricultural industry expand globally. Collaboration between Taiwan, partner countries, and friendly nations will also strengthen global food security, improve agricultural sustainability and resilience, and deliver a concerted response to the challenges of climate change.

    During the meeting at MOA, Minister Lin, Minister Chen, and their staff discussed how to expand agricultural cooperation projects with allies and friendly countries and create reciprocal and mutually beneficial business opportunities. They explored ways to assist countries in upgrading and transforming their farming sectors, increasing productivity and competitiveness, and achieving sustainable development. Potential avenues included technical cooperation, professional training, the establishment of demonstration sites, and business and investment matchmaking. The officials also discussed how to train young farmers and specialists in new smart agriculture both in Taiwan and target countries to give them a competitive edge.

    Meanwhile, the ministers deliberated on three key projects—expanding agricultural cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines under the Executive Yuan’s economic diplomacy task force, further promoting smart aquacultural cooperation with Palau to develop its tourism industry, and exploring the possibility of cooperation to establish a seedling center in the Caribbean. They also exchanged views on organizing an agricultural trade goodwill mission to the United States in September.

    The agricultural industry is the bedrock of Taiwan’s economy and food security. President Lai Ching-te’s National Project of Hope includes the promotion of agricultural transformation and advancement to achieve sustainable resilience. The Executive Yuan’s Smart Taiwan 2.0 initiative also develops creative applications across various sectors. Under these policies and based on the new agriculture section of the Five Plus Two Industrial Innovation program, Minister Lin has launched a raft of new initiatives. These include promoting the concept of new smart agriculture; expanding applications of AI and smart solutions in agricultural production, management, and marketing; collaborating with MOA’s smart agriculture alliances; transforming agriculture to become smarter and more sustainable; and creating an international fleet focused on Taiwan’s new smart agriculture.

    Looking ahead, MOFA and MOA will continue working with partners from various sectors to assist diplomatic allies and friendly countries in adopting smart agricultural technology to enhance food security, realize sustainable development, and create shared prosperity and mutual benefits. In line with President Lai’s vision for sustainable resilience, the ministries will further contribute to global agricultural development and food security. MOFA and MOA will jointly support the efforts of Taiwanese agricultural businesses to expand their presence in the international market and ensure that Taiwan remains a thriving global economic powerhouse. (E) 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: TRA widens review of UK’s steel defences

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    TRA widens review of UK’s steel defences

    The TRA has  expanded the scope of its review of the steel safeguard measure to ensure new concerns raised by the UK steel industry are fully considered.

    The TRA has today (Wednesday 26 March) expanded the scope of its review of the steel safeguard measure to ensure new concerns raised by the UK steel industry are fully considered. 

    UK Steel, the trade association for the UK steel industry, submitted evidence to the TRA earlier this month that there have been changes in circumstance that may warrant a change to the current tariff rate quotas imposed. The TRA has therefore decided to examine this new evidence as part of a review already underway into the developing countries excepted from the safeguard measure. This will mean a solution can be found in a timely and efficient manner. 

    UK Steel’s submission noted that the quotas of certain categories of steel (namely categories 4, 7 and 13) are being dominated and exhausted by individual countries. The TRA has also acquired other data which indicates that there are other categories whose residual quotas have been exhausted early in the quarter (categories 5, 16, 17 and 21).  

    The submission also noted that there has been a decline in global demand for steel, both in the UK and globally, including China, where demand has fallen by 3%. The submission points to a fall in demand in the UK, and notes that demand has contracted by 16% between 2018 and 2023. UK Steel claims that against this backdrop, the current safeguard measure does not offer adequate protection to UK industry.  

    The TRA will therefore consider whether the tariff rate quotas to which certain steel products are subject should be varied. 

    Once the TRA has concluded its review of the tariff rate quota, it will publish an intended recommendation, allow interested parties to comment, before submitting a final recommendation to the Secretary of Business and Trade.  

    As a result of the expanded matters being considered in the review, interested parties can now register their interest or provide updated submissions via the TRA’s public file before 9 April 2025. 

    Notes to editors: 

    • The Trade Remedies Authority is the UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports.
    • Trade remedy investigations were carried out by the EU Commission on the UK’s behalf until the UK left the EU. A number of EU trade remedy measures of interest to UK producers were transitioned into UK law when the UK left the EU and the TRA has been reviewing these to assess whether they are suitable for UK needs.
    • UK industries concerned about imports have been able to submit applications for a new trade remedy measure since January 2021. These applications are considered by the TRA to see if there are grounds for an investigation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Crime thriller ‘The River of Fury’ explores love amid horror

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A 2013 news report about thousands of dead pigs floating in Shanghai’s Huangpu River ignited the creative spark behind director Feng Yongqin’s debut crime thriller, “The River of Fury.”

    The cast and crew of “The River of Fury” pose for a photo at the film’s premiere in Beijing, March 19, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Hanna Pictures]

    “At that time, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was some dark secret behind those pigs that couldn’t be revealed,” Feng told China.org.cn. “In reality, the pigs were dumped into the river because of a swine epidemic. During this period in my life, I was also contemplating how a lack of love could breed an ‘epidemic’ in society. If that absence becomes a starting point, it can snowball into countless things, including extreme evil. That’s how the characters in our film came to be, and that’s how this story was born.”

    After seven years of development, “The River of Fury” finally debuted across China on March 22. The film, written by Feng and featuring veteran actors Ning Li, Wang Xun, Liu Mintao, Duan Bowen, Li Chunyuan, and Lyu Xiaolin, follows the disappearance of a young veterinarian. As the investigation unfolds, clues link her case to a suspect in serial murders characterized by a gruesome ear-cutting method 20 years ago. With seven new victims emerging, a detective from the original unsolved case renews his vow to catch the killer. His investigation leads him to suspect the pig farm owner and her three children, ultimately revealing an even more sinister secret.

    “This film is actually an exploration of the dark side of human nature,” the director said. “The subtle point here is that while we have many tools — education, art, and so on — to encourage people to be good, the primal power of humanity’s dark side still cannot be ignored, even after all these years. Through this film, I hope to draw attention to these shadows within human nature while also reminding everyone to protect the kindness in their hearts, that spark of light, no matter the circumstances.”

    Shot in Chongqing, the film is shrouded in the city’s signature misty weather. The director also shared that they chose to focus on family relationships. “Because family is actually a breeding ground for evil in our story, and it’s something close to everyone,” he said.

    The story attracted Huang Bo, a veteran Chinese actor and producer, who included this project in his “HB + U” program designed to support young filmmakers. 

    “Without Mr. Huang Bo, this film would never exist,” Feng said, noting that Huang not only brought in funds but also shared years of filmmaking experience. “I saw the responsibility and dedication of a true filmmaker, and this truly became a source of inspiration for me. I believe this will benefit me for a lifetime.”

    Actor Wang praised Feng for his directorial debut, “The film is brilliant. It has great elements like any commercial film, but it is also profound as if it borrows something from art-house cinema — something that delves deeply into human nature.”

    Wang added that Feng is highly talented, deeply passionate about film and relentless in facing challenges. “I believe many viewers will notice the director’s maturity when watching the film.”

    Wang portrayed a complex villain in the film, a pig farmer struggling with hearing impairment. Upon reading the script, he discovered that the evil character concealed profound inner wounds.

    “I felt there was a lot to explore and dig into with this character. As an actor, the worst thing is playing a role that feels predictable from the start, but this character is clearly not that kind,” he said.

    “I feel that, although the director created a group of villains, he tells a story about what love is,” the actor said. “These are stories that could very well happen around us, ones that we might find hard to accept. Such things definitely exist around us, and some might even be more terrifying than what’s shown in the film — we just don’t know about them. So where does the root of it all lie? It lies precisely in the misunderstanding of love — how to nurture and protect it. When love goes wrong, the consequences can be terrifying.”

    “So, it’s ultimately a film that explores evil to call for love,” he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: An autonomous Europe in times of geopolitical tension: the role of the financial system | Guest contribution in the Handelsblatt

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    The world has been turned on its head and Germany’s economy is stagnating. But in times of geopolitical tensions, a strong German economy is critically important for an autonomous Europe. Public investment will rise sharply now that the special funds have been adopted. While this will unleash positive growth effects, it won’t be enough to significantly expand the economy over a medium to long-term horizon. The German economy itself needs to get match fit to compete internationally – by becoming more agile, more digitalised and more innovative. To achieve this, it is also going to require a great deal more private investment, and that means mobilising vast swathes of private capital. A strong European financial ecosystem is critically important for an autonomous Europe that can be relied on in turbulent geopolitical times.
    In this context, “autonomous” means a European real economy capable of obtaining funding via the European financial ecosystem and reducing its dependencies on non-European sources of capital. Bearing this in mind, a strong financial centre in Germany and Europe is crucially important, as is a more robust capital market culture.
    Germany’s potential growth – a measure of the country’s trend rate of growth – is languishing at a multi-year low. Compared with an average of 1.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) between 2011 and 2019, it is a mere 0.4% today.
    At the same time, Germany is Europe’s number one location for patent applications, and also ranks among the leading countries worldwide on this score – fifth, to be precise. However, much of Germany’s innovation is playing out in sectors characterised by lower growth potential, one of which is the automotive sector.
    What is more, China has emerged as more than just a strong rival in these middle technology sectors, as they are known. Overcapacities in the Chinese economy, including in the car industry, are also rippling out to the European market, exacerbating the competition and price wars further still.
    Why the United States is a high tech leader
    When it comes to high tech sectors boasting strong potential growth, there’s no getting around the United States. Much of this success is down to the fact that capital (including venture capital, which is all important for funding innovation) is far easier to mobilise in US markets. While 0.8% of GDP gets invested in venture capital in the United States, it is only 0.19% in Germany. Incentives would make sense here. In Italy, pension funds benefit from tax relief if they invest 5% or 10% in venture capital funds. Generally speaking, it is important to make it easier for firms to access financing via capital markets. Fingers crossed, then, that measures like the ones envisaged in Germany under the second Future Financing Act (Zukunftsfinanzierungsgesetz II) will be taken up again. These include, for example, making it easier for firms to go public and improving the general tax rules for investment in growth and innovation capital. 
    There are a great many growth markets offering a wealth of opportunities for German firms, like cleantech, pharmaceuticals, bioscience or artificial intelligence. In this respect, it is very welcome to see businesses, associations and government team up as part of the WIN Initiative (Growth and Innovation Capital for Germany) to channel up to €12 billion into the venture capital ecosystem. 
    Sweden: four times more IPOs than Germany
    But what Germany needs besides more venture capital activity is funded pensions. Sweden is a great example of how important this can be for capital markets. That Nordic country, with a population of roughly ten million, has seen 474 IPOs in total since 2015. Germany, with its much larger population, has had just 115. Sweden ranks first in the EU in the number of SME IPOs.
    This striking capital market culture is due, in part, to the country’s funded pension scheme, introduced back in the 1990s. Since its launch, Sweden’s AP7 pension fund has generated an average return of more than 10%. The Netherlands also has an adequate pension system, which is mainly built around capital-funded occupational pensions.
    There are many more countries I could mention that have taken similarly successful measures. A common feature is that two effects come about. First, as society ages, these models take the pressure off government budgets.
    Second, a country’s economy benefits from the capital market activities of its own population, which smooths the domestic funding of innovation and growth.
    German households were holding €9 trillion in capital at the end of last September – that’s a huge amount of potential investment. At present, though, only 17% of the population aged 14 and over hold shares, equity funds or ETFs.
    A strong capital market would benefit the domestic economy, the general public and government alike. It would enable the economy to be funded by the region, for the region, and add substantially to Europe’s autonomy. The general public would get better provision for their old age, one that is furthermore placed on a broader footing. Also, the pressure on government budgets would be reduced, which will be significant in view of the rising expenditure burden.
    In times of distinct geopolitical uncertainty, it is important for Germany and Europe to be autonomous. The capital market has a key role to play in this regard.

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Aurora Mobile’s GPTbots.ai Partners with EasyCraft to Expand AI Agent Markets Abroad

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced that its leading enterprise AI agent platform, GPTbots.ai has recently entered into a strategic collaboration with EasyCraft. The partnership aims to deeply integrate AI-powered agents into business process automation, knowledge management, and multi-platform collaboration, redefining the boundaries of enterprise digital transformation.

    As a leading provider of information and business automation platforms, EasyCraft is dedicated to empowering traditional enterprises with innovative solutions, paving the way for smart office practices in the era of big data and AI. Through its centralized platform, EasyCraft enables companies to optimize operational efficiency, enhance team collaboration, and respond swiftly to market changes. The goal of this strategic alliance is to leverage the strengths of both companies to achieve comprehensive digital transformation in knowledge management, business process automation, and multi-platform collaboration.

    Key Highlights of the Partnership:

    • AI-Powered Workflow Automation: EasyCraft will integrate GPTbots.ai’s AI agents to optimize its workflow management system, offering intelligent approval processes, dynamic task assignments, and data-driven decision support. This solution will significantly enhance operational efficiency, enabling rapid responses and automated management, ensuring that teams can collaborate effectively at every stage.
    • Enhanced Third-Party Integration: GPTbots.ai’s AI agents will collaborate with EasyCraft’s Third-Party Integration Bus, enabling businesses to gain AI-driven insights across various business tools (such as CRM and ERP).
    • Multi-Device AI Accessibility: GPTbots.ai’s AI agent solutions will enhance EasyCraft’s PC and mobile multi-operating system experience. Through AI-driven virtual assistants, users will enjoy seamless interactions and support across different operating systems and devices, allowing for a more flexible working environment.
    • AI-Augmented Low-Code Development: The partnership will develop AI-driven business applications tailored for international markets, assisting enterprises in quickly building intelligent workflows through a low-code platform, unlocking the full potential of AI.
    • Revolutionary Knowledge Management: Leveraging GPTbots.ai’s AI agents, EasyCraft’s Knowledge Management System (KMS) will transform traditional knowledge retrieval methods, allowing enterprises to conduct in-depth, context-aware knowledge searches. With the implementation of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology, businesses will gain more precise insights and analyses from their internal knowledge bases, enhancing intelligent decision-making and supporting flexible application and innovation of knowledge.

    This collaboration will also include joint marketing initiatives, joint participation in international AI and enterprise technology forums, and customized solution packages for various industries, including financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail, further promoting AI adoption in the global markets.

    The deepening collaboration between GPTbots.ai and EasyCraft aims to provide enterprises with more flexible, efficient, and intelligent business solutions, helping them thrive in an AI-driven era. We look forward to exploring new possibilities together in the days ahead, advancing enterprise digital transformation hand in hand.

    About EasyCraft

    EasyCraft is a brand under FORTUNE DUO SDN. BHD. and a leading expert in intelligent digital office solutions. We provide a centralized information and business automation platform designed to empower enterprises with seamless workflow automation, third-party integrations, and low-code development. EasyCraft’s solutions help businesses optimize processes, enhance team collaboration, and swiftly adapt to market changes, driving digital transformation. Our goal is to leverage advanced technology and innovation to support traditional enterprises in thriving in the era of intelligent office solutions.

    About GPTBots.ai

    GPTBots.ai is a complementary general-purpose LLM AI bot featuring private data input and continuous fine-tuning, which can replace ‘rule-based’ chatbots, improve user experience, and reduce costs. GPTBots.ai aims to provide users with an end-to-end business platform that can seamlessly integrate robots into existing applications and workflows via plug-ins. GPTBots.ai also allow users to have great access to, and more efficiently and effectively using, AIGC to improve overall corporate productivity and output quality.

    To know more, please visit https://www.gptbots.ai.

    About Aurora Mobile Limited

    Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.

    For more information, please visit https://ir.jiguang.cn/.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Aurora Mobile Limited 
    E-mail: ir@jiguang.cn

    Christensen

    In China
    Ms. Xiaoyan Su
    Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
    E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com

    In U.S.
    Ms. Linda Bergkamp
    Phone: +1-480-614-3004
    Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed9def4e-b8ad-4e94-a5d3-8e90911504e3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN welcomes Secretary-General of China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) Secretariat in Jakarta

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today welcomed the Secretary-General of China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) Secretariat, Dr. Wei Zhaohui, during a meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat/ Headquarters. The meeting focused on the work plan and preparations for the 22nd CAEXPO, scheduled to take place in Nanning, Peoples’ Republic of China, on 17 to 21 September 2025.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN welcomes Secretary-General of China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) Secretariat in Jakarta appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: RCEP emerges as anchor for free trade amid rising protectionism

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has emerged as an important anchor for global free trade, injecting momentum into the world economy amid rising protectionism and geopolitical uncertainties, according to sources from the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference.

    The RCEP has become a major driving force and institutional pathway for economic globalization, further opening up the regional market and advancing regional liberalization, said Kuang Xianming, deputy head of the China Institute for Reform and Development.

    Three years after its implementation, the trade pact has delivered initial benefits, with the total trade value within the region expanding 3 percent year on year in 2024, a significant figure given the headwinds facing global trade, Kuang said.

    Under the agreement, the RCEP region has become the most dynamic hub for cross-border capital flows, according to Kuang. In 2023, the RCEP region attracted 35 percent of global foreign direct investment and contributed 30 percent of global outbound investment, he added.

    The RCEP, the world’s largest free trade deal to date, covers 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its five free trade agreement partners, namely China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

    The RCEP, as a major achievement of Asian economic integration, has injected new vitality into the member economies, bringing certainty into the uncertain global economy and trade landscape, according to a report released at the BFA.

    The trade pact has integrated the free trade agreement arrangements within the region, optimized the configuration of economic resources, and demonstrated the determination of Asian economies to promote open cooperation, the report said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China makes progress in gov’t budget disclosure

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China has made significant progress in government budget disclosure and fiscal transparency, providing support for the establishment of a modern budget system, according to the Ministry of Finance.

    Central government departments released their 2025 budgets on Wednesday. This is the 16th consecutive year of such disclosures since the practice began in 2010.

    Budget disclosure is a crucial component of government transparency and a key measure to enhance budget management, an official with the Ministry of Finance stated in an online statement.

    In recent years, the ministry has made efforts to timely disclose the central government budget, and has established a dedicated platform for central budget and final account disclosures, facilitating public oversight of government spending, the official said.

    Disclosing performance targets plays a pivotal role in improving public access to information and strengthening fiscal transparency, the official noted.

    In 2017, central government departments released project performance targets for the first time. Since then, the scope of disclosure has seen a significant expansion, with the number of published performance targets increasing from 10 in 2017 to 796 in 2024.

    The ministry pledges to continue expanding performance target disclosures to further improve their quality, the official added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025 in Manila

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025 in Manila

    The UK Government recently hosted UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week in Manila, driving innovation, collaboration and investment.

    His Majesty’s Ambassador Laure Beaufils (second from right) and His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner Martin Kent (rightmost) sign a Strategic Partnership with Fintech Alliance Philippines, represented by Martha Borja and Lito Villanueva, to enhance UK-Philippines cooperation in the fintech sector, driving financial inclusion and technological advancement.

    Under the theme “Bridging Boundaries, Building a Resilient, Innovative, and Inclusive Tech Ecosystem,” the event held from 24 to 25 March 2025 showcased British cutting-edge technology and expertise while fostering partnerships to strengthen the region’s tech landscape.

    His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Martin Kent led the delegation of 12 pioneering British artificial intelligence (AI) and data companies, exploring opportunities for collaboration with Philippine partners in the tech ecosystem. He stated:

    The UK is a global leader in science and technology, with our tech ecosystem worth US$1.2 trillion – the 3rd largest in the world after the US and China.

    I am delighted to lead this delegation of cutting-edge companies to Manila for UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week to represent the UK’s tech prowess. The UK is committed to building opportunities for mutual prosperity with the Philippines, and I look forward to the innovation and new partnerships that will unfold from this week.

    Companies including NCC Group, iProov and Revolut took centre stage during the UK Tech Showcase, demonstrating their latest innovations in cybersecurity, biometric authentication, and digital banking.

    Panel discussions on AI and cybersecurity were conducted, providing insights on latest trends, emerging threats and best practices. The discussions also underscored the need for collaboration to address common challenges.

    Furthering the UK and Philippine tech partnership, His Majesty’s Ambassador Laure Beaufils signed a Strategic Partnership with Fintech Alliance Philippines to enhance cooperation in the fintech sector, driving financial inclusion and technological advancement across the industry. She shared:

    The UK is proud to be a long-standing partner in the Philippines’ digital journey, supporting initiatives that foster innovation, improve cybersecurity resilience and develop a skilled tech workforce.

    British Embassy Manila and Kickstart Ventures, the Philippines’ largest corporate venture capital firm, also launched the UK Tech Growth Programme. This new collaboration is designed to match UK startups to receive potential investment from Kickstart Ventures through The Ayala Corporation Technology Innovation Venture Fund (ACTIVE Fund), the largest venture capital fund to come out of the Philippines.

    Kickstart Ventures Managing Partner and Co-Founder Minette Navarrete said:

    We recognise the vital role of forging partnerships beyond borders in fuelling innovation that benefits all– a commitment we take to heart at Kickstart. Our collaboration with the British Embassy is integral to this commitment, allowing us to lead transformative investments with UK startups and bring in tech-driven solutions that ensure mutual growth.

    Ambassador Beaufils added:

    Technology is not just about infrastructure—it’s about partnerships, trust, and shared progress. The UK is working hand in hand with the Philippines on this, supporting it to expand its tech ecosystem.

    UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025 reaffirms the UK’s commitment to driving innovation, strengthening partnerships, and shaping a resilient and inclusive tech ecosystem across the region.

    The delegation includes British Companies Content Guru, CyberQ Group, Encompass, Intelligent AI Solutions, Kraken IM, Newcastle University, Open Data Institute, Smart Pension, Summatic, Sumsub, Synectics and Veracity Trust Network APAC.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Events in honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory will be held throughout Moscow — Sergei Sobyanin

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The organization of large city festivals and cultural events that transform the capital into a single concert and theater venue is an important area of work for the Moscow Government. In its telegram channel Sergei Sobyanin spoke about the results of the 2024 cultural program and shared plans for 2025.

    “The main theme of this year is the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The central location will traditionally be Poklonnaya Gora,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin

    Thematic events will be held at 12 district venues, in 26 parks of culture and recreation, as well as in theaters, cultural centers, libraries, museums and exhibition halls. There will be concerts of popular performers, performances by theater groups, a broadcast of the military parade on Red Square and recordings of the 1945 Victory Parade. About 10 million people are expected to attend these events.

    Today, you can get acquainted with music, theatre, circus and contemporary art or media art not only in cultural institutions, but also in parks, on streets and boulevards.

    The Theatre Boulevard festival will return to the streets of the capital in the summer. The number of venues and events will increase. Its main goal is to attract a new audience to Moscow’s theatres and concert halls. Festival guests will be able to learn about certain theatres and better study their repertoire.

    Moscow Fashion Week is one of the largest events in the cultural life of the capital. It is held in autumn and spring. In March of this year, the fourth Moscow Fashion Week ended, which was visited by over 65 thousand people. Its participants were not only Russian and foreign fashion industry professionals, but also about 140 students from creative universities of the country. Collections were presented by 186 brands from 27 regions of Russia and nine other countries.

    The city festivals “Summer in Moscow”, “Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030”, “Winter in Moscow”, as well as the first-ever “Theater Boulevard” festival were the highlights of last year – over 1,600 actors from more than 75 theater companies took to the streets.

    “In August 2024, the first

    Moscow International Film Week. 47 countries participated: representatives of film companies, producers, scriptwriters and government officials. Events were held all over Moscow – from film screenings to excursions to the filming locations of famous films,” added Sergei Sobyanin

    In December 2024, the Moscow International Creative Industries Week was held, which was attended by representatives from Brazil, Egypt, India, China, Thailand, Turkey and other countries. Moscow entrepreneurs signed a number of agreements and export contracts with their foreign colleagues in the field of cinema, animation, video games, and interior design. The total amount under these agreements exceeded 700 million rubles.

    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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12546050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.58 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.58 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, March 26, 2025)

    The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB455.4 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on March 26, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Rate

    Bidding Volume

    Winning Bid Volume

    7 days

    1.50%

    RMB455.4 billion

    RMB455.4 billion

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年03月26日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Lai Ching-te’s 17 strategies expose true nature of terror, dictatorship

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te’s 17 strategies lay bare his vile character, which is against peace, dialogue, democracy and humanity, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday.
    Lai’s words and actions are aimed at inciting opposition to and confrontation with the mainland, and obstructing exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.
    “He just wants to wield political terror and impose dictatorship on the island,” Chen told reporters at a press conference in Beijing.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump stands by national security adviser Mike Waltz despite war plan leak in group chat

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday stood by his national security adviser, Mike Waltz, after The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief was accidentally added to Signal group chat where high-level national security officials were discussing military plans in Yemen.

    “Michael Waltz has learned a lesson, and he’s a good man,” Trump said Tuesday in a phone interview with NBC News.

    When asked what he was told about how Goldberg came to be added to the Signal chat, Trump said, “It was one of Michael’s people on the phone. A staffer had his number on there.”

    Trump also said Goldberg’s presence in the chat had “no impact at all” on the military operation against Houthi forces in Yemen.

    Trump’s remarks came one day after Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, said in an article on Monday that senior U.S. national security officials recently added him to a Signal group chat discussing a military strike on Houthi forces in Yemen. He said he became aware of the airstrike plan about two hours before the U.S. operation.

    “I have never seen a breach quite like this,” said Goldberg in the article.

    When asked by media about this, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that “Nobody was texting war plans. And that’s all I have to say about that.” The defense secretary also lashed out at Goldberg, calling him “a deceitful and highly discredited so-called ‘journalist’ who’s made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again.”

    The incident has sparked grave concerns and harsh criticism.

    “If true, this story represents one of the most egregious failures of operational security and common sense I have ever seen,” Jack Reed, the Senate Armed Services Committee’s top Democrat, said in a statement.

    “Military operations need to be handled with utmost discretion, using approved, secure lines of communication, because American lives are on the line. The carelessness shown by President Trump’s Cabinet is stunning and dangerous. I will be seeking answers from the administration immediately,” said the Democratic senator.

    Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the incident as “amateur behavior” and called for “a full investigation into how this happened and the damage it created.”

    “This kind of security breach is how people get killed. How our enemies take advantage. How our national security falls into danger. These people are clearly not up for the job,” he posted on X. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Mainland launches online platform to report ‘Taiwan independence’ activities

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The Chinese mainland has launched an online platform for the public to report vile acts by those advocating “Taiwan independence” and their accomplices in persecuting Taiwan compatriots, a mainland spokesperson said Wednesday.
    The reporting section, added to the official website of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday, is intended to hold key “Taiwan independence” separatists accountable, according to Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the office.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Death toll rises to 18 as deadly wildfires rage in S. Korea’s southeastern region

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The death toll rose to 18, with 19 others injured, as deadly wildfires continued to rage in South Korea’s southeastern region, government compilation showed Wednesday.

    Since last Friday, medium and large wildfires have broken out in six regions, especially in Gyeongsang province, affecting at least 17,534 hectares of land, according to the central disaster and safety countermeasures headquarters.

    Firefighters struggled to contain the rapidly spreading blazes, fueled by strong and dry winds.

    Of the wounded, six people suffered serious injuries.

    The number of affected buildings and structures, such as houses, factories and cultural assets, climbed to 209, while more than 26,000 people remained evacuated.

    The country’s forest service raised the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level while thousands of firefighters as well as helicopters and vehicles were mobilized to combat the wildfires.

    The military also deployed service members and helicopters to help fight the blazes. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US National Security Advisor claims responsibility for leaked chat of Yemen military plan

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has assumed “full responsibility” for a leaked group chat discussing an upcoming strike in Yemen.

    “I take full responsibility. I built the group,” Waltz said in an interview with Fox News Channel on Tuesday.

    “It’s embarrassing. We’re going to get to the bottom of it,” he said on the channel’s “The Ingraham Angle.”

    Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, wrote on Monday that he was invited on March 11 to join a group chat named “Houthi PC Small Group” on Signal, a popular encrypted messaging app used by journalists and government officials.

    Upon joining, he discovered that several high-ranking officials, including Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, were discussing plans for a forthcoming strike on the Houthis in Yemen.

    “According to the lengthy Hegseth text, the first detonations in Yemen would be felt two hours hence, at 1:45 p.m. eastern time,” Goldberg recalled in his article. “So I waited in my car in a supermarket parking lot. If this Signal chat was real, I reasoned, Houthi targets would soon be bombed. At about 1:55, I checked X and searched Yemen. Explosions were then being heard across Sanaa, the capital city.”

    The incident is widely considered a major national security breach, prompting Democratic lawmakers to demand answers from the White House in multiple letters.

    U.S. President Donald Trump defended Waltz in front of reporters at the White House on Monday. “I don’t think he should apologize,” he said. “I think he’s doing his best. It’s equipment and technology that’s not perfect.”

    According to Fox News, Trump has no plan to fire Waltz over the incident.

    During an interview with NBC News on Tuesday, Trump said that a staffer from Waltz’s office inadvertently included Goldberg in the group chat. He also claimed that this had “no impact at all” on the airstrikes in Yemen. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: GAM announces 2024 full year results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    26 March 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 Listing Rules:

    GAM announces 2024 full year results

    Strong progress in implementing turnaround strategy. GAM continues to target profitability in fiscal year 2026.

    Financial Highlights for Full Year 2024

    • IFRS net loss of CHF 70.9 million compared to CHF 82.1 million for FY 2023.
    • Underlying loss before tax of CHF 66.8 million compared to CHF 49.5 million for FY 2023.
    • AuM at CHF 16.3 billion compared to CHF 19.3 billion as at 31 December 2023.
    • Cost optimisation initiatives across the business resulted in a 20% decrease in underlying expenses compared to FY 2023. The full impact of these cost optimisation initiatives will be reflected in FY 2025 and beyond.
    • Successful CHF 100 million rights issue completed in November 2024, which resulted in our anchor shareholder, NJJ Holding SAS (through its holding in Rock Investment SAS (“Rock”)) becoming our majority shareholder.
    • The maturity of the existing CHF 100 million Rock loan facility has been extended until 31 December 2027.
    • GAM is now a highly scalable pure investment platform with strong global distribution capabilities focusing on three core areas to drive sustainable growth and profitability: Specialist Active Investing, Alternative Investing and Wealth Management.
    • GAM continues to target profitability in fiscal year 2026.

    Strategic Highlights

    • Launched GAM Alternatives, providing access to in-house and third-party alternative managers focusing on absolute return strategies and best-in-class talent.
    • A new, high performing and successful European Equity team joins GAM in 2025.
    • Partnering with Sun Hung Kai & Co. Ltd to drive growth and enhance our distribution capabilities across Greater China including Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, and Macau.
    • In 2025, GAM will continue to partner with best-in-class external managers, to include the development of new products and the distribution of their own existing products to GAM clients.

    Elmar Zumbuehl, Group CEO at GAM said: “We have made strong progress in implementing GAM’s turnaround strategy and have now evolved into being a pure play investment management firm, but we are not finished yet. The cost optimisation initiatives implemented in 2024 will yield their full benefit in 2025 and beyond. While we stay focused on further cost optimisation, our main emphasis is growing our AuM and revenues as we continue our turnaround. With an unwavering commitment to our clients, and an expanding suite of innovative and distinctive products, we continue to build positive momentum and strengthen our market position. Backed by our majority shareholder, we continue to target profitability in fiscal year 2026 and remain focussed on delivering for our clients and all our stakeholders.”

    Summary Financials

    In 2024, we reported IFRS net loss after tax of CHF 70.9 million, compared with an IFRS net loss after tax of CHF 82.1 million in 2023. The loss in 2024 was mainly driven by the underlying net loss after tax of CHF 66.9 million.

    Please refer to the ‘Financial Results for FY 2024’ section later in this press release for full information.

    Financial Strength

    In November 2024, GAM completed its CHF 100 million fully underwritten ordinary capital increase by way of a rights issue to support the implementation of GAM’s strategy and provide long-term financial stability. Given Rock’s underwriting commitment, NJJ Holding SA (indirectly) is now the majority shareholder of GAM following the rights issue.

    The existing CHF 100 million Rock loan facility remains in place with its maturity extended to 31 December 2027.

    Strategy Update

    GAM’s strategy is designed to achieve sustainable growth and profitability by delivering best possible investment performance and exemplary service for our clients by focusing on our Investment and Wealth Management capabilities. The four pillars of our strategy remain:

    • Focusing on clients in existing core markets;
    • Amplifying and growing core active equity, fixed income and multi-asset strategies by investing in talent and product ideas;
    • Diversifying into new investment product areas and our Wealth Management offering by leveraging GAM’s heritage in active management, building strategic partnerships, and its alternatives and hedge funds platform; and
    • Enhancing effectiveness by reducing complexity.

    GAM is now focusing exclusively on its Investment (Specialist Active and Alternatives) and Wealth Management businesses, expanding its distribution reach and capabilities, amplifying its core active strategies, and diversifying into new product areas, including building out our higher margin alternatives capabilities.

    We have made strong progress throughout 2024 on our four-pillar strategy to transform GAM into a focused, client-centric, and profitable business.

    Focusing on clients

    Focusing on our clients in our existing core markets has been the most important way to rebuild GAM. In key markets where we have clients, but lack scalable distribution, we have, and will continue to, add partnerships to support our growth strategy and provide a broader range of client’s access to unparalleled investment expertise, opportunities, and exceptional outcomes across specialist active and alternative investment strategies.

    We established a strategic alliance with Sun Hung Kai & Co. Ltd. to grow our client base, distribute our products, and innovate our alternatives offering across the Greater China region, including Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, and Macau.

    We have also enhanced our regional presence and client coverage by hiring new Heads of Distribution across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Iberia, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and France to drive our local market presence. This significant investment into our client facing teams will enable GAM to provide clients with excellent local contacts, strong relationship management and access to unparalleled investment expertise targeting exceptional outcomes.

    We additionally expanded our client reach through opening a second US office in Miami to cover the US international and Latin American markets and we are close to gaining customary approvals to open our planned branches in Paris and Milan.

    Amplifying and growing core active equity, fixed income, and multi-asset strategies by investing in talent and product ideas

    We are enhancing our capabilities by recruiting first-class investment talent in alternatives, systematic and equities teams.

    We have established a multi-asset centre of excellence in a global team to optimise all our multi-asset investment capabilities, enhance client outcomes, and align with evolving market dynamics and client needs. The high quality and excellent performance of this team will allow GAM to grow its wealth management business.

    In February 2025, we announced the hiring of three high performing and successful European Equity team members from Janus Henderson Investors. These strategic hires underscore GAM’s steadfast dedication to providing clients with access to unparalleled investment expertise and exceptional outcomes. The team brings extensive experience, having managed over EUR 6.5 billion in European Equity funds on behalf of institutional and retail clients globally.

    In addition, we have strengthened our sustainability and stewardship practices, meeting the principles of the UK and Swiss Stewardship Codes. Today GAM released its 2024 Sustainability Report which is available at www.gam.com

    Diversifying into new investment products while expanding the wealth management offering by leveraging GAM’s heritage in active management, strategic partnerships, and its alternatives and hedge funds platform

    Randel Freeman joined GAM in 2024 as Co-head / Co-CIO of GAM Alternatives to build out our alternative investments platform to meet growing investor demand with differentiated offerings. In addition, in 2025, we hired two senior sales specialists with deep experience in Alternatives distribution.

    In 2024, we launched GAM funds to introduce and distribute Avenue Capital’s Sports Opportunities fund, plus partnered with Arcus Investment to distribute their Japanese long/short equities fund. GAM also partnered with world leading Trafigura Group’s subsidiary Galena Asset Management to manage the GAM Commodities fund providing best-in-class sector expertise. This provides our clients access to exclusive and attractive commodity investment opportunities.

    We are launching the GAM LSA Private Shares strategy in Europe to provide access for European clients to this award-winning evergreen, late-stage private equity fund.

    Throughout 2025, GAM will be assessing M&A opportunities to enhance existing offerings, attracting best-in-class long-term strategic partnerships, and recruiting top talent to our core business areas globally.

    Enhancing effectiveness by reducing complexity

    Following the transfer of our fund services business for third-party funds we also successfully transitioned our Luxembourg, Irish and Swiss fund management company (ManCo) activities to Apex Group and 1741 Group in Q4 2024. In addition, we consolidated our operations onto our cloud based SimCorp investment management platform. GAM now operates on a global platform that delivers operational efficiencies.

    These implementations pave the way to a much less complex operating model underpinning and delivering best outcomes for our clients.

    GAM is now a highly scalable global investment platform with strong global distribution capabilities focusing on three core areas to drive sustainable growth and profitability: Specialist Active Investing, Alternative Investing and Wealth Management.

    Business Areas

    GAM Investments is focused on three core business areas to drive sustainable growth and profitability:

    • GAM Specialist Active: Deep expertise, experience and specialisms unlocking core and niche returns in equities, fixed income, and multi-asset investing;
    • GAM Alternatives: Access to in-house and third-party alternative investment managers focusing on absolute return strategies and best-in-class talent; and
    • GAM Wealth Management: Multi-asset solutions with tailored portfolios for high-net-worth individuals, charities and trusts, utilising best-of-breed GAM and third-party products.

    These three core business areas share and benefit from GAM’s global platform and agile operating model and modern technology.

    Investment Performance

    GAM has continued to deliver strong overall investment performance across our diverse and distinctive products, with 64% of assets under management (AuM) outperforming their three-year benchmark and 89% outperforming their five-year benchmark, as at 31 December 2024. Despite some weaker short-term performance in equities, the longer-term 5-year performance remains strong.

    Percentage of GAM Fund AuM Outperforming Benchmark

        3 years 3 years 5 years 5 years
    Business Area Asset Class 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023
    Specialist Active Fixed income 94% 98% 95% 91%
    Specialist Active Equity 1% 39% 79% 59%
    Alternatives Alternatives 60% 73% 75% 96%
    Total   64% 78% 89% 81%

    % of AuM in funds outperforming their benchmark (excluding mandates and segregated accounts) across our business areas. Three- and five-year investment performance based on applicable AuM of CHF 9.0 billion and CHF 9.0 billion, respectively.

    Compared to our peer group performance remained strong, 66% of AuM outperformed their three-year Morningstar peer group and 82% outperformed their five-year Morningstar peer group, as at 31 December 2024.

    Percentage of GAM Fund AuM Outperforming Morningstar Peer Group

        3 years 3 years 5 years 5 years
    Business Area Asset Class 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023
    Specialist Active Fixed income 61% 53% 60% 50%
    Specialist Active Equity 20% 51% 89% 89%
    Alternatives Alternatives 91% 89% 95% 96%
    Total   66% 66% 82% 76%

    GAM continues to be recognised for its investment performance, including having been awarded the overall best European small group 2025 by Lipper. Four GAM funds (including two funds of our Swiss Equity strategy) won Lipper’s 2025 top performance awards across multiple countries. For the second time, at the Citywire Investment Performance Awards, GAM Multi-asset won the Best Large Firm Award. GAM won the Wealth Management PAM 2024 award for its growth portfolios. GAM’s Sustainable Climate Bond strategy won and was chosen as the best ESG Investment Fund in the Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds category at the ESG Investing Awards 2024. For further details on these and other awards please visit http://www.gam.com/awards.

    Assets Under Management and Net Flows by Business Area

    Total AuM were CHF 16.3 billion as at 31 December 2024, compared to CHF 19.3 billion as at 31 December 2023. Net outflows of CHF 4.4 billion were partially offset by positive market and foreign exchange movements of CHF 2.0 billion.

    Business Area Opening AuM
    1 Jan 2024    		 Net
    flows    		 Disposal(1) Market/FX
    movements    		 Closing AuM
    31 Dec 2024
    Specialist Active 17.5 (3.9) (0.6) 1.9 14.9
    Alternatives 0.9 (0.4)   – 0.5
    Wealth Management 0.9 (0.1)   0.1 0.9
    Total 19.3 (4.4) (0.6) 2.0 16.3
    (1) In the second half of 2024, the sale of the UK Equity Income Fund to Jupiter Asset Management completed and subsequently is reflected as a disposal. Therefore, net outflows of CHF 0.6 billion in 2024 have been reflected as a disposal.

    Financial Results for FY 2024

    The average management fee margin earned on investment management AuM in 2024 was 40.4 basis points, compared with the average margin for the financial year 2023 of 49.7 basis points. The change in average management fee margin primarily reflects the mix of assets under management across products and sub-advisory agreements with existing and new partners.

    Net management fees and commissions in 2024 totalled CHF 75.9 million, down from CHF 124.4 million in 2023 due primarily to the sale of the third-party fund services business in January 2024, lower average AuM and reduced average management fee margin in investment management.

    Underlying net performance fees totalled CHF 1.9 million, down from CHF 4.8 million in 2023.

    Underlying net other income/expenses includes net interest income and expenses, the impact of foreign exchange movements, net gains and losses on seed capital investments and hedging, as well as fund-related fees and service charges. In 2024, a net loss of CHF 2.3 million was recognised, compared with a CHF 0.4 million net loss in 2023. The 2024 net loss was mainly driven by the interest expenses incurred on the Rock Investment SAS loan facility and the impact of foreign exchange movements. The IFRS net other expense in 2024 amounts to CHF 4.4 million. The difference between the underlying and the IFRS net other expense of CHF 2.1 million mainly relates to a net foreign exchange loss on pension loan note offset by other income driven by the assignment of the UK property lease to a third party.

    Underlying personnel expenses decreased by 26% to CHF 76.6 million in 2024, compared with CHF 96.8 million in 2023. Fixed personnel costs decreased by 28%, driven by lower headcount. Headcount stood at 294 FTEs as at 31 December 2024, compared to 478 FTEs as at 31 December 2023. Variable compensation in 2024 fell to CHF 11.2 million from CHF 13.1 million in 2023, mainly driven by lower management and performance fees which impacted variable compensation arrangements. The underlying personnel expenses compares to IFRS personnel expenses of CHF 81.0 million. The difference between the underlying and the IFRS personnel expenses of CHF 4.4 million primarily relates to a reorganisation charge. (For further information, see note 6 of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements).

    Underlying general expenses in 2024 were CHF 52.1 million, down from CHF 65.0 million in 2023 due to cost optimisations initiatives across the business. This compares to IFRS general expenses of CHF 54.0 million. The difference between the underlying and the IFRS general expenses of CHF 1.9 million mainly relates to the Group’s reorganisation initiatives.

    Underlying depreciation and amortisation charges were CHF 13.8 million in 2024 compared to CHF 16.5 million in 2023. There is no difference between underlying and IFRS amounts.

    The underlying pre-tax loss in 2024 was CHF 66.8 million, compared to a CHF 49.5 million underlying pre-tax loss in 2023. The higher loss was driven mainly by lower net fee and commission income being only partially offset by lower personnel and general expenses. The underlying loss compares to an IFRS net loss before tax of CHF 69.6 million. The difference of CHF 2.8 million mainly relates to the remeasurement of the brand intangible, strategic initiative expenses and foreign exchange loss on pension loan note. (For further information, see note 6 of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements).

    The underlying income taxes in 2024 was a tax expense of CHF 0.1 million compared to a tax expense of CHF 0.3 million in 2023.

    Diluted underlying losses per share in 2024 was a negative CHF 0.25, compared to a negative of CHF 0.32 in 2023. This compares to a diluted IFRS earnings per share of negative CHF 0.27 in 2024. The difference between the diluted underlying and the diluted IFRS earnings per share of CHF 0.02 relates to the lower underlying net loss.

    Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December 2024 were CHF 65.1 million, down from CHF 87.2 million as at 31 December 2023.This reduction was driven by the losses made by the Group partially offset by the proceeds received from the ordinary capital increase made by way of a rights offering in November 2024.

    Adjusted tangible equity as at 31 December 2024 was CHF 58.5 million, up from CHF 20.9 million as at 31 December 2023.The main contributor to this increase was ordinary capital increase by way of a rights issue that took place in November 2024. See page 17 of our Annual Report 2024 for full definition of adjusted tangible equity.

    The Board of Directors proposes to shareholders that no dividend will be paid for financial year 2024 given the underlying net loss in 2024.

    Outlook

    GAM continues to focus on implementing its strategy. Our priority is to achieve sustainable overall positive net inflows by rebuilding GAM’s distribution capabilities with a focus on our existing products and new product launches. The timeline for achieving these net inflows will be driven by our success in delivering our strategy, subject to market conditions. GAM continues to target profitability in fiscal year 2026.

    Additional information

    Results Centre | [FY2024 year report] | [FY2024 Investor presentation] | [FY2024 Investor workbook] | [2024 Sustainability Report] | [GAM corporate calendar]

    Investor Relations        
    Magdalena Czyzowska        
    T +44 (0) 207 917 2508            		 Media Relations        
    Colin Bennett        
    T +44 (0) 207 393 8544

    Visit us: www.gam.com
    Follow us: X and LinkedIn

    About GAM Investments

    GAM Investments is a highly scalable global investment platform with strong global distribution capabilities focusing on three core areas, Specialist Active Investing, Alternative Investing and Wealth Management, that is listed in Switzerland. It delivers distinctive and differentiated investment solutions across its Investment and Wealth Management businesses. Its purpose is to protect and enhance clients’ financial future. It attracts and empowers brightest minds to provide investment leadership, innovation and a positive impact on society and the environment. Total assets under management were CHF 16.3 billion as of 31 December 2024. GAM Investments has global distribution with offices in 14 countries and is geographically diverse with clients in almost every continent. Headquartered in Zurich, GAM Investments was founded in 1983 and its registered office is at Hardstrasse 201 Zurich, 8037 Switzerland. For more information about GAM Investments, please visit www.gam.com

    Other Important Information

    This release contains or may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “aim”, “project”, “forecast”, “risk”, “likely”, “intend”, “outlook”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “continue”, “plan”, “probability”, “indicative”, “seek”, “target”, “plan” and other similar expressions are intended to or may identify forward-looking statements.

    Any such statements in this release speak only as of the date hereof and are based on assumptions and contingencies subject to change without notice, as are statements about market and industry trends, projections, guidance, and estimates. Any forward-looking statements in this release are not indications, guarantees, assurances or predictions of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the person making such statements, its affiliates and its and their directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors and may involve significant elements of subjective judgement and assumptions as to future events which may or may not be correct and may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such statements. You are strongly cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and no person accepts or assumes any liability in connection therewith.

    This release is not a financial product or investment advice, a recommendation to acquire, exchange or dispose of securities or accounting, legal or tax advice. It has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, legal, financial or tax situation and needs of individuals. Before making an investment decision, individuals should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to their own objectives, legal, financial and tax situation and needs and seek legal, tax and other advice as appropriate for their individual needs and jurisdiction.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese animated blockbuster ‘Ne Zha 2’ screened in Cambodian capital

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2,” the highest-grossing animated film of all time, was screened in Phnom Penh on Tuesday evening, attracting hundreds of moviegoers.

    Premiered at the Olympia Mall’s Legend Cinema, “Ne Zha 2” was dubbed in Chinese, with subtitles in both Chinese and English.

    At the event, many moviegoers posed for photos near the “Ne Zha 2” posters in front of the cinema, and some children dressed up as key characters in the movie, such as Nezha and Aobing.

    “Ne Zha 2” continues the tale of the iconic boy god from Chinese mythology, as Nezha and his ally Aobing struggle to rebuild their physical forms and secure their fate with the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren.

    Throughout the screening, enthusiastic viewers were immersed in the film, reacting with laughter, gasps, excitement, applause and admiration.

    Cambodian viewer Kang Sovanthyda, 24, said she was thrilled to watch the film as she was very eager to see it for a long time after hearing that it captivated audiences worldwide.

    “Visual effects are stunning, and there are funny scenes that make us laugh, but there are also emotional scenes that can make us cry,” she told Xinhua.

    Another moviegoer, Yun Seavvay, said the movie was about the fate of Ne Zha, with a lot of thrilling scenes.

    “For this animated film, I think the design of characters fits traditional Chinese mythology, blending with Chinese culture and implying a lot of educational value,” she told Xinhua. “I could say that this film is amazing and unique for this year.”

    Seavvay said the film also showed respect and affection for parents and relatives, and also told about the value and struggle in life.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: From music to mastery, Myanmar students learn Chinese through song

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Ko Si Thu, a 27-year-old engineer from Kyaukphyu in Rakhine state, Myanmar, is on a journey to master the Chinese language.

    With numerous Chinese projects in his hometown, he realized the importance of learning a foreign language to access better opportunities.

    His approach is to join a Chinese singing class at the China Cultural Center in Yangon. He said he began learning Chinese about four months ago.

    “I want to learn Chinese effectively, so I joined the singing class,” he said while waiting for his lesson on Tuesday.

    Although he doesn’t consider himself a singer, he believes music will help improve his pronunciation and tone. “I’ve been learning tones and vocal training in the class,” he said, adding that he enjoys the songs of Teresa Teng.

    Before joining the singing class, he had already taken a Chinese language course at the center. “There are many Chinese-invested projects in Kyaukphyu, so I think mastering a foreign language is essential. Once I become fluent, I want to work in my hometown,” he said.

    Beyond language, Ko Si Thu has also developed a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture. “I feel connected to Chinese traditions. I’m interested in tea-making, calligraphy, and martial arts like Tai Chi,” he said.

    Like Ko Si Thu, Ma Pwint Hayman Tun, a 27-year-old teacher, also joined the vocal class. “I enjoy dancing and singing, so I joined. I’ve been learning Chinese for three and a half years,” she said.

    Coming from a Myanmar-born Chinese family, she has always felt a deep connection to the language and culture. “I also attended Chinese language and cooking courses at the center,” she said.

    “This is my first time learning to sing. Some songs are hard to understand, but I can feel their emotions. I prefer classic songs over modern ones,” she said, adding that she enjoys music by Chinese artists Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo.

    “Chinese is becoming more popular nowadays,” she said. Beyond music, she is also fascinated by Chinese paintings and cuisine, especially Sichuan hotpot and steamed buns (baozi).

    For Ma Su Lae Yadanar, a 24-year-old Chinese bookseller, inspiration came from her elder sister. “I used to accompany my sister to Chinese singing events, which made me want to sing Chinese songs too,” she said.

    Though she attended short-term Chinese classes at temples as a child, she resumed her studies a year and a half ago. “This is my first time in a Chinese singing class. I prefer modern songs over old ones,” she said.

    For her, the class is an opportunity to improve both her language and singing skills.

    The three-month course at the China Cultural Center in Yangon is led by Ko Phyo, a 31-year-old vocal trainer.

    Ko Phyo believes music plays a crucial role in cultural exchange. “My goal is for my students to be able to sing Chinese songs by the end of the course,” he said.

    With over ten years of experience in singing, he emphasized music’s universal nature. “Even if people speak different languages, they can share the same emotions through music. Songs are a way to understand and learn about a culture,” he explained.

    Xiang Jianbo, the center’s director, introduced the singing course to attract young people to Chinese language learning. “Young people in Myanmar are increasingly interested in Chinese songs, so we organized this course to introduce modern Chinese music,” he said.

    He also highlighted the center’s broader mission. “Our goal is to spread Chinese arts and culture. Since music is a powerful medium for cultural exchange, this is our first singing course, and we will offer more if interest continues to grow.”

    The singing course is part of a summer program celebrating the 75th anniversary of China-Myanmar diplomatic relations. “By introducing Chinese culture, from traditional to modern times, we aim to enhance mutual understanding between our people,” Xiang said.

    Given the presence of many Chinese companies in Myanmar, the center also plans to launch a Myanmar singing course for overseas Chinese to further strengthen cultural ties, he said.

    The singing course consists of 19 sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours and held twice a week. It was opened last week and will run until May 29, according to the center.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: High-level dialogue held during Boao Forum for Asia

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

    High-level dialogue held during Boao Forum for Asia

    Updated: March 26, 2025 13:38 Xinhua
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows a scene at a high-level dialogue themed “China’s Reform and Economic Prospect” during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Wu Xiaoqiu, president of China Capital Market Research Institute and dean of the National Finance Research Institute of Renmin University of China, speaks at a high-level dialogue themed “China’s Reform and Economic Prospect” during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province on March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Peng Sen, president of the China Society of Economic Reform, speaks at a high-level dialogue themed “China’s Reform and Economic Prospect” during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province on March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Huang Qifan, academic advisor of the China Finance 40 Forum, speaks at a high-level dialogue themed “China’s Reform and Economic Prospect” during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province on March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Guests attend a high-level dialogue themed “China’s Reform and Economic Prospect” during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province on March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Can renewable energy survive climate change?

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    The race towards renewable energy is accelerating, and for all the looming challenges of the climate crisis, signs of progress are there: Solar panels are beginning to blanket deserts, wind turbines dot coastlines, and hydropower dams are harnessing powerful rivers to churn out clean electricity.

    Yet, even as the push for renewables gains momentum – driven by cheaper technology and an urgent need to slash carbon emissions – experts are waving cautionary flags: Because renewable energy sources depend on weather conditions, climate change is increasingly dictating, and jeopardizing, renewable energy production.

    This trend became more pronounced in 2023, marked by a volatility that disrupted renewable energy generation globally. Temperatures soared 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels, and the shift from La Niña to El Niño altered rainfall, wind patterns, and solar radiation.

    Hamid Bastani, a climate and energy expert with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), provided a stark example of this impact. “In Sudan and Namibia, hydropower output dropped by more than 50 per cent due to unusually low rainfall,” he said in an interview with UN News.

    In Sudan, rainfall totaled just 100 millimeters (less than four inches) in 2023—less than half the national long-term average.

    “This is a country where hydropower makes up around 60 per cent of the electricity mix. These reductions could have significant implications,” Mr. Bastani explained, noting that the power system supports a large and rapidly growing population of about 48 million.

    These shifts were not limited to hydropower. Wind energy, too, showed signs of stress under changing climate conditions.

    China, which accounts for 40 per cent of global onshore wind capacity, saw only a modest 4 to 8 per cent increase in output in 2023, as wind anomalies disrupted generation. In India, production declined amid weaker monsoon winds, while some regions in Africa experienced even sharper losses, with wind output falling by as much as 20 to 30 per cent.

    South America, meanwhile, saw the scale tip in the other direction. Clear skies and elevated solar radiation boosted solar panel performance, particularly in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia.

    As such, the region saw a four to six per cent increase in solar generation – a climate-driven bump that translated to roughly three terawatt-hours of additional electricity, enough to power over two million homes for a year at average consumption rates.

    “This is a good example of how climate variability can sometimes create opportunity,” explains Roberta Boscolo, who leads WMO’s New York Office and formerly the agency’s climate and energy work. “In Europe, too, we are seeing more days with high solar radiation, meaning solar power is becoming more efficient over time.”

    Ms. Boscolo and Mr. Bastani are among the contributors to a recent WMO–IRENA study examining how climate conditions in 2023, shaped by El Niño, global warming, and regional extremes, affected both renewable energy generation and energy demand worldwide.

    ADB/Patarapol Tularak

    Solar power accounted for over 73 percent of all new renewable capacity added globally in 2023, making it the fastest-growing source of energy worldwide.​

    Systems built on stability, in a world that is anything but

    Ms. Boscolo, who has spent years working at the intersection of climate science and energy policy, is quick to point out the vulnerability of renewable energy infrastructure. Dams, solar farms, and wind turbines are all designed based on past climate patterns, making them susceptible to the changing climate.

    Take hydropower. Dams rely on predictable seasonal flows, often fed by snowmelt or glacial runoff. “There will be a short-term boost in hydropower as glaciers melt,” she said. “But once those glaciers are gone, so is the water. And that is irreversible – at least on human timescales.”

    This pattern is already unfolding in regions like the Andes and the Himalayas. If the meltwater disappears, countries will need to replace the way they generate power or face long-term energy deficits.

    A recent report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), for example, pointed out that rising sea levels and stronger storms pose growing risks to energy production facilities, including solar farms located near coastlines.

    Similarly, increasingly intense and frequent wildfires can also take down power lines and black out entire regions, while extreme heat can reduce the efficiency of solar panels and strain grid infrastructure—just as demand for cooling peaks.

    Nuclear power plants are also at risk in the changing climate.

    “We have seen nuclear power plants that could not operate because of the lack of water… for cooling,” Ms. Boscolo said. As heatwaves become more frequent and river levels drop, some older nuclear facilities may no longer be viable in their current locations.

    “This is another thing that should be looked at with different eyes in the future . When we design, when we build, when we project power generation infrastructure, we really need to think about what the climate of the future will be, not what was the climate of the past”.

    IMF/Crispin Rodwell

    Global renewable electricity capacity grew by nearly 50 percent in 2023—the largest annual increase in two decades—with most additions coming from solar and wind.​

    Adapting to the future through data, AI and technology

    The expert underscores that one thing is certain: Our planet is heading towards a future in which electricity, especially from renewable sources, will be central.

    “Our transport is going to be electric; our cooking is going to be electric; our heating is going to be electric. So, if we do not have a reliable electricity system, everything is going to collapse. We will need to have this climate intelligence when we think about how to change our energy systems and the reliability and the resilience of our energy system in the future.”

    Indeed, to adapt, both experts emphasized a need to embrace what they call climate intelligence – the integration of climate forecasts, data, and science into every level of energy planning.

    “In the past, energy planners worked with historical averages,” Mr. Bastani explained. “But the past is no longer a reliable guide. We need to know what the wind will be doing next season, what rainfall will look like next year – not just what it looked like a decade ago.”

    In Chile, for instance, hydropower generation surged by as much as 80 per cent in November 2023, due to unusually high rainfall. While this increase was climate-driven, experts say advanced seasonal forecasting could help dam operators better anticipate such events in the future and manage reservoirs to store water more effectively.

    Similarly, wind farm workers can use forecasts to schedule maintenance during low-wind periods – minimizing downtime and avoiding losses. Grid operators, too, can plan for energy spikes during heatwaves or droughts.

    “We now have forecasts that span from a few seconds ahead to several months,” Mr. Bastani said. “Each one has a specific application – from immediate grid balancing to long-term investment decisions.”

    WMO/Sandro Puncet

    Improved climate forecasting can help energy systems plan days to seasons ahead.

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is lending a hand: Machine learning models trained on climate and energy data can now predict resource fluctuations with higher resolution and accuracy. These tools could help optimize when to deploy battery storage or shift energy between regions, making the system more flexible and responsive.

    “These models can help operators better anticipate fluctuations in wind, rainfall, or solar radiation”, Mr. Bastain explained.

    For example, two recent WMO energy mini projects illustrated how artificial intelligence can be applied in real-world renewable energy planning. In Costa Rica, the agency worked with national energy authorities to develop and implement an AI-based model for short-term wind speed forecasting. The tool is now integrated into the Costa Rican Electricity Institute’s internal energy forecasting platform, helping optimize operations at selected wind farms.

    In Chile, another project focused on floating solar technology, using AI to estimate evaporation rates on reservoirs. The results, now incorporated into Chile’s official Solar Energy Explorer platform, showed that floating solar panels can reduce water evaporation by up to 85 per cent in summer, with a national average of 77 per cent.

    Indeed, the promise and challenge of climate-smart renewable planning are most evident in the Global South. Africa, for instance, boasts some of the best solar potential on the planet, yet only two per cent of the world’s installed renewable capacity is found on the continent.

    Why the gap? Ms. Boscolo points to a lack of data and investment.

    “In many parts of the Global South, there just is not enough observational data to create accurate forecasts or make energy projects bankable,” she said. “Investors need to see reliable long-term projections. Without that, the risk is too high.”

    WMO is working to improve weather and energy monitoring in underserved regions, but progress is uneven. The agency is calling for more funding for local data networks, cross-border energy planning, and climate services tailored to regional needs.

    “This is not just about climate mitigation,” Ms. Boscolo added. “It is a development opportunity. Renewable energy can bring electricity to communities, drive industrial growth, and create jobs if the systems are designed right.”

    Mr. Bastani sees a need for global data sharing between energy companies and climate scientists.

    “There is a huge untapped potential in the data collected by the private sector… integrating historical and real-time observations from power plants – solar, wind, hydropower, even nuclear – can significantly improve weather and climate models. This is a win-win.”

    IMF/Lisa Marie David

    Climate forecasting helps energy companies anticipate weather-driven changes in supply and demand, improving reliability and reducing risk.

    Diversifying the energy portfolio to adapt

    Another key action to guarantee clean energy in the near future is diversification. Relying too heavily on only one renewable source can expose countries to seasonal or long-term shifts in climate, Mr. Bastani explains.

    In Europe, for example, energy planners are increasingly concerned about something called “dunkelflaute”— a period of cloudy, windless weather in winter that undermines both solar power and wind generation. This phenomenon, linked to high-pressure systems known as anticyclonic gloom, has prompted calls for more energy storage and backup power.

    “A diversified mix that includes solar, wind, hydro, battery storage, and even low-carbon sources (like geothermal) is essential,” Mr. Bastani said. “Especially as extreme weather becomes more frequent.”

    Into the future

    As the world races towards a future powered by renewable energy, addressing the challenges posed by climate change is imperative. The volatility experienced in 2023 underscores the need for climate-smart planning and infrastructure that can withstand unpredictable shifts in weather patterns.

    For renewable energy to truly fulfill its promise, the world must invest not only in expanding capacity but also in building a system that is resilient, adaptable, and informed by the best available climate science.

    WMO experts Hamid Bastani and Roberta Boscolo emphasize the importance of integrating climate intelligence into energy systems to ensure their reliability and resilience. By leveraging advanced forecasting and artificial intelligence, we can better anticipate and adapt to these changes, optimizing renewable energy production and safeguarding our future.

    The future of energy is not just about more wind turbines and solar panels, but also about ensuring they can withstand the very forces they are meant to mitigate.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Xinfeng to establish $1.65B industrial complex in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Chinese-funded enterprise XinFeng Egypt signed a land use rights agreement on Tuesday with Egypt’s General Authority of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) to establish a manufacturing complex.

    Under the agreement, Xinfeng Egypt will invest 1.65 billion U.S. dollars to build a manufacturing complex covering 3.75 million square meters in the SCZone’s Ain Sokhna Integrated Zone, the Egyptian cabinet said in a statement.

    Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Industry Kamel al-Wazir, Chairman of the SCZone General Authority Waleid Gamal El-Dein, and other Egyptian officials attended the signing ceremony.

    The complex, planned for completion in two phases over five years, will include nine factories, a solid waste treatment workshop, and an R&D and training center. It will primarily manufacture automobile and transportation parts, industrial standard parts, and industrial non-standard parts.

    Xinfeng Egypt Chairman Tian Haikui said the manufacturing complex, expected to create 8,000 direct jobs, will focus on terminal industrial product manufacturing and high-value-added industries such as automobiles, engineering machinery, and home appliances.

    “This will not only enhance the competitiveness of Egypt’s manufacturing industry but also create a large number of employment opportunities, improve local skills, and promote export growth, which is highly consistent with Egypt’s ‘Vision 2030’ goals,” he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Heraeus launches $83.6M quartz plant in Shenyang

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    German technology company Heraeus Group on Tuesday officially launched its new quartz manufacturing plant in Shenyang, the capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, in its latest move to deepen Sino-German manufacturing cooperation.

    With a total investment of nearly 600 million yuan (about 83.6 million U.S. dollars), the plant is Heraeus’ largest semiconductor project in China. It will focus on the development and production of high-purity and ultra-high-purity synthetic quartz products for the semiconductor industry.

    The new factory’s operations are a strong demonstration of Heraeus’ “In China, for China” strategy, said Frank Stietz, COO and member of the board of managing directors of Heraeus Group.

    With intelligent and environmentally friendly facilities and techniques, the new plant will optimize its logistics, workforce and information flows to enhance production efficiency.

    The plant will also explore new products and techniques in a bid to meet the latest demands of China’s semiconductor clients, the company said.

    Ai Zhouping, president of Heraeus Greater China, said the company will build the new factory into an advanced manufacturing and innovation base to help drive the development of the semiconductor sector and improve the semiconductor industrial chain in China’s northeastern region.

    Heraeus Group, a global Fortune 500 company, operates in various sectors, including environmental protection, electronics, health care and industrial applications. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China sets record for European patent applications in 2024

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese companies and researchers filed a new record of 20,081 patent applications in 2024 at the European Patent Office (EPO), the office’s Patent Index 2024 revealed Tuesday.

    This figure accounts for 10.1 percent of all applications received by the office, securing China’s position as the fourth-largest filer globally.

    While the growth rate of Chinese patent applications registered 0.5 percent in 2024 compared to 2023, the overall number has more than doubled since 2018 and quadrupled since 2014, the EPO noted in its press release.

    In the company ranking, Huawei led the way with 4,322 applications, achieving second place overall at the EPO. In addition to Huawei, five other Chinese companies were among the top 50 filers, “showcasing China’s robust innovation capabilities and active participation in European patent applications,” it said.

    The top three technical fields for Chinese patent filings in 2024 were digital communication, electrical machinery and apparatus, and computer technology — mirroring global trends.

    The fastest-growing sector among Chinese applicants was electrical machinery, apparatus, and energy, which saw a 32.2 percent increase compared to 2023.

    “This was thanks to a surge from China in patent applications for battery-related technologies, up 79 percent from the previous year, with four Chinese companies now among the top 15 applicants in battery technologies,” EPO said.

    Overall, the EPO received 199,264 patent applications from around the world in 2024, with electrical machinery, apparatus, and energy recording the highest growth globally.

    “Despite political and economic uncertainties, companies and inventors from around the world filed a high number of patents last year, underlining their technological prowess and their continued investment in R&D,” said EPO President Antonio Campinos.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Boost U.S. Cultural Trade Amid Competition From China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Cultural Trade Promotion Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation to strengthen America’s creative industries and expand cultural exports. By bolstering the creative economy, this legislation will help U.S. businesses—including Native-owned, small, and rural enterprises—reach new global markets, create jobs, and strengthen America’s influence abroad amidst increasing competition from China.

    “America’s creative industries are a powerful force, driving jobs at home and shaping perceptions of our country abroad. Recently, China has doubled down on promoting its cultural exports, and we’ve been falling behind,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “This bipartisan bill will help us level the playing field by expanding export opportunities for American businesses everywhere from Maui to Memphis so that our creative economy remains the global leader.”

    “We cannot allow China to continue to outpace the United States in overall cultural exports, and Tennessee is home to countless creative entrepreneurs who need support to export their products and grow their businesses,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Cultural Trade Promotion Act would improve access to international shipping services for these small businesses to strengthen our economy and promote high-quality American goods.” 

    Over the past decade, China has aggressively expanded its cultural trade through coordinated government investments and programs. In 2014, China surpassed the United States in overall cultural exports, and it continues to leverage cultural promotion as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Meanwhile, America’s cultural trade surplus has declined, dropping from $31.5 billion in 2019 to $17.8 billion in 2021 before rebounding slightly to $21 billion in 2022, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.

    The Cultural Trade Promotion Act would direct the Foreign Commercial Service to promote U.S. creative economy goods abroad and require the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee to include the creative economy in its annual governmentwide strategic plan. The bill would also improve access to international shipping services for small businesses by facilitating collaboration between the International Trade Administration and the U.S. Postal Service. Additionally, it would promote products from American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses and include a representative of the creative industries on the Department of Commerce’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Giant panda Fu Bao returns after health scare

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Visitors take photos of giant panda Fu Bao on Tuesday at the Shenshuping base of the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Southwest China’s Sichuan province. [Photo/China News]
    After more than 100 days of rest, giant panda Fu Bao returned to public display on Tuesday at the Shenshuping base in Wolong National Nature Reserve in southwest Sichuan province, according to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.
    In December, she was observed trembling while foraging and was immediately subjected to a physical examination and close monitoring by keepers and veterinarians.
    After undergoing a series of medical tests, including blood work and screenings for parasites and infectious diseases, no abnormalities were found. Fu Bao was then moved to a non-exhibit area for rest.
    In January and February, the panda exhibited normal estrus behavior, during which she received meticulous care from keepers and veterinarians. Renowned experts from Beijing were also invited to collaborate with the panda base’s veterinarians for a joint consultation to further investigate potential causes of the trembling.
    The latest test results for Fu Bao show no abnormalities. Experts have determined that she is fit for display based on her current condition and medical examination results.
    Fu Bao was born in July 2020 at South Korea’s Everland theme park in Yongin, about 40 kilometers south of Seoul. She is the first offspring of Hua Ni and Yuan Xin, a pair of giant pandas leased from China to South Korea in 2016.
    Her birth marked the first time a giant panda was born in South Korea, and she quickly became a beloved figure. Everland said that since her public debut in January 2021, she has attracted more than 5.4 million visitors.
    In April last year, in accordance with international agreements, Fu Bao was sent to China. Her departure was met with an emotional farewell from thousands of fans who gathered at Everland to see her off.
    Fu Bao’s arrival in China has also sparked interest among South Korean tourists. Travel agencies have offered “panda tourism” packages to Sichuan, allowing fans to visit her in her new habitat.
    Some avid South Korean panda fans alleged mistreatment of Fu Bao shortly after her arrival in China, pointing to a patch of fur loss on her neck.
    The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda refuted the claims, saying that tests suggested no abnormalities such as allergies, scabs or thickening of the skin. A spokesperson for the center said the Shenshuping base will continue to closely monitor and care for Fu Bao. To ensure her well-being, the base will adjust display times or suspend displays based on her health status and weather conditions.

    MIL OSI China News –