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Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.38 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.38 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, February 26, 2025)

    In order to keep the liquidity adequate in the banking system, the People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB548.7billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on February 26, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Volume

    Rate

    7 days

    RMB548.7 billion

    1.50%

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年02月26日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Travel costs decline as market enters off-peak period

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The domestic tourism market has entered an off-peak period with declining prices of hotel rooms and flight tickets, providing travelers with the opportunity to take trips that cost less and feature smaller crowds.

    After the Spring Festival holiday, the passenger flow of popular domestic tourist cities in various regions has gradually declined, and the prices of flights have dropped accordingly.

    For instance, a one-way flight from Beijing to Chengdu, Sichuan province; Lanzhou, Gansu province; or Harbin, Heilongjiang province, all carry a price tag of around 200 yuan ($27.54), excluding airport construction fees and fuel costs. A one-way flight from Beijing to Haikou or Sanya, in the tropical island of Hainan province, is around 300 yuan, according to Qunar, a Beijing-based online travel agency.

    The elderly who have flexible schedules often embark on trips during this period, and they prefer independent travel and choose destinations largely based on prices. In-depth tours of Yunnan province, Fujian province, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have been favored by senior travelers, Qunar said.

    “The tourism market has entered a long slack season and it will last until the next holiday, which is Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day in early April,” said Xiao Peng, a Qunar researcher. “March will be a period that is inexpensive and not crowded, suitable for college students, senior travelers and office employees who take annual holidays off work to travel.”

    He added that during this period, small towns in China often become popular with tourists. For instance, Zibo in Shandong province and Tianshui in Gansu province became viral online in 2023 and 2024, respectively, with their unique features. Domestic scenic spots should provide good services during the off-peak season so that they can attract more travelers in the peak season.

    Meanwhile, prices of international flights have also dropped significantly after the Spring Festival holiday. In late February, some international flights such as those connecting Tianjin with Osaka, Tokyo and Seoul dropped to 180 yuan for a one-way flight, according to Tianjin Airlines.

    For long-haul flights that connect Tianjin with London or Sydney, the price could be as low as 530 yuan for a one-way flight, and the price reduction of those routes has been higher, the carrier said.

    In addition, as ice and snow tourism is nearing its end, the price declines of flights to some ice and snow tourism destinations have been more significant. Flights from multiple domestic cities to the ice city of Harbin had 90 percent off from their original prices, industry players found.

    From Feb 14 to Feb 28, the prices of hotels near some popular skiing resorts in Heilongjiang province, Jilin province and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, dropped 10 percent on average over the peak period of this skiing season. The price decline can be as high as 50 percent, according to Tongcheng Travel, a Suzhou, Jiangsu province-based online travel agency.

    Despite the skiing season in China coming to an end, the search volume of products to some popular skiing resorts have been growing, Tongcheng Travel said.

    “The consumer groups for skiing are relatively fixed, and their repurchasing rates have been high. Their preference of a certain skiing resort depends on multiple elements such as transportation, accommodation and catering services,” said Cheng Xin, a Tongcheng researcher.

    Feng, a senior skier from Beijing, who has been skiing for nearly 10 years, said he would take skiing trips several times a year.

    “At the beginning of a skiing season, I usually go skiing in suburban Beijing for my regular training as it is easier and saves money. Then, I often go to some more advanced skiing resorts in Heilongjiang or Xinjiang to play and try different techniques,” Feng said.

    In the 2024-25 winter season, the number of passenger trips related to ice and snow tours in China is expected to reach 520 million, with revenue in the ice and snow leisure tourism market likely to exceed 630 billion yuan, the China Tourism Academy said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing conference examines AI’s transformative role

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The 2025 Enterprise Management Annual Conference is held at the National School of Development of Peking University in Beijing on Feb. 23, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

    Entrepreneurs and scholars gathered at the 2025 Enterprise Management Annual Conference in Beijing on Feb. 23 to explore how AI innovations, such as DeepSeek and Unitree Technology’s humanoid robots, are reshaping industries, the workforce and society.

    The conference was co-organized by Enterprise Management magazine, Entrepreneur magazine, and the National School of Development of Peking University.

    During the keynote speech session, Yu Yong, chairman of Hebei Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. (HBIS), highlighted DeepSeek’s groundbreaking role in demonstrating China’s growing strength in AI, elevating the global AI conversation to new heights.

    “AI has ushered in a new technological revolution,” he said. “It has far-reaching implications, especially for manufacturing industries.”

    Yu noted that AI is changing how productivity is generated, emphasizing computational power and data over traditional capital and labor. This fundamental shift is reshaping business management models, replacing hierarchical, assembly-line practices with flat, borderless organizations. AI-driven technologies are making it possible to optimize processes in ways previously unimaginable, both improving efficiency and reimagining how value is created.

    “AI will liberate workers from routine tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-level work,” Yu said. “Human workers will transition into roles such as AI managers and strategists, similar to what we’ve done in our corporation.”

    Over the past two years, HBIS has restructured its business units to integrate AI, ensuring a smooth transition as AI becomes more integral to operations, Yu said.

    Humanoid robots were a key topic in a subsequent roundtable discussion. Zhang Rui, chairman of Beijing Ironman Technology Co. Ltd., discussed the company’s pioneering work in bipedal robots, which began with its founding in 2015 as China’s first company to focus on this field.

    Zhang emphasized the importance of tailoring the use of humanoid robots to industry needs. “A humanoid robot is not always the best solution for every scenario,” he said. “It is important to match the robot’s capabilities with the specific demands of the industry.”

    Zhang Yueqiang, vice president of Yonyou Network Co., Ltd., discussed how AI is already transforming professions. “AI has the potential to replace many jobs in fields such as basic translation, writing and even data analysis,” he said. “By 2030, we will see disruptive changes in the workplace, with nearly half of existing skills becoming obsolete.” The key to staying relevant, Zhang stressed, is to focus on creativity, critical thinking and adaptability — skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

    The discussion also highlighted AI’s growing role in public services. Tian Qunxi, chief innovation officer of Seeyon Internet Software Corp., noted that the government is among AI’s largest beneficiaries due to its extensive databases. Tian emphasized that AI will profoundly impact public services, such as administrative processes, by improving efficiency and accuracy in ways previously unseen.

    The 2025 Enterprise Management Annual Conference provided a platform for deep insights into the ongoing AI revolution. From manufacturing to public services, AI is transforming industries at an accelerating pace. As a transformative force, AI is reshaping how we work, live and interact with the world. The challenge, experts agree, is to not only embrace AI but also prepare for the profound changes it will bring.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Jacky Cheung reaches historic 1,000-concert milestone

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Hong Kong pop legend Jacky Cheung has become the first Chinese-speaking artist in history to hold 1,000 concerts during a remarkable career spanning more than 40 years.

    Jacky Cheung poses at a celebration party in Haikou, Hainan province, Feb. 23, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Universal Music Greater China]

    Known as the “God of Songs” by his fans, Cheung, 63, reached a historic milestone on Feb. 23 as he completed the 218th concert of his current “Jacky Cheung 60+ World Tour” in Haikou, Hainan province. The concert also marked the 1,000th show across his 10 tours, a testament to his impressive singing career. Beginning in 1987 with his first solo tour, the “Jacky Cheung 87 Concert” at the Hong Kong Coliseum, he has performed in more than 100 cities across 18 countries and regions, entertaining over 10 million fans.

    “What does 1,000 concerts mean to me?” Cheung emotionally reflected on stage during the concert on Sunday. “It’s a reflection of the past 40 years, where I’ve spent nearly 3,000 hours standing on this stage. I’ve poured all my sincerity and love into every performance.”

    He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to his fans, saying: “To every fan who has supported me, whether you’re here with me tonight or not, my journey has been shaped by your unwavering love and encouragement. Without you, I would never have had the chance to do what I love most. These 40 years, these 1,000 shows — they were made possible by you.”

    Jacky Cheung performs at his 1,000th concert in Haikou, Hainan province, Feb. 23, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Universal Music Greater China]

    As Adam Granite, executive vice president of market development at Universal Music Group (UMG), pointed out, very few artists in the world have reached this milestone. “Jacky Cheung’s remarkable achievements over the past 40 years have far surpassed the boundaries of the Chinese music industry,” Granite said. “From record-breaking album sales to the global reach of his music and the unparalleled scale of his tours, Cheung has solidified his place as one of the world’s most iconic superstars.”

    Although Cheung has always said that breaking records was never his goal, his tours have consistently set new benchmarks. Notable highlights include: In 1995, his “Jacky Cheung Concert 1995” became the first tour by a Chinese artist to reach 100 shows. His “The Year of Jacky Cheung World Tour” from 2007 to 2008 attracted over 2 million people across 105 concerts. His 2010 “Jacky Cheung 1/2 Century World Tour,” celebrating his 50th birthday, drew over 2 million attendees in a single year, earning a Guinness World Record for the “largest combined audience for a live act in 12 months,” and eventually wrapped up with 146 shows across 77 cities in 18 months, attended by a total of 2.8 million fans. From 2016 to 2019, his “A Classic Tour” set another record with 233 shows — the highest number for a single tour by a Chinese artist — drawing more than 4.5 million people. Now, his ongoing “Jacky Cheung 60+ Concert Tour,” which began in 2023, has already completed 218 performances, with even more expected.

    Jacky Cheung’s music career began in 1984 when he joined PolyGram Records, which later became a subsidiary of UMG, and he has since released more than 50 albums. The superstar was dubbed one of Hong Kong’s “Four Heavenly Kings” in the Cantopop and Mandopop scene in the 1990s, alongside Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai. Over the years, he has mesmerized fans with smash hits such as “Loving You More Every Day,” “Goodbye Kiss,” “True Love” and “Wait Until Flowers Wither.”

    Jacky Cheung receives a plaque marking his 1,000th concert from Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Greater China, in Haikou, Hainan province, Feb. 23, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Universal Music Greater China]

    Regarded as one of the most influential Chinese artists worldwide, he has won numerous prestigious awards, including the World Music Award (1996) for World’s Best-Selling Asian Artist and the Billboard Music Award (1994) for Most Popular Asian Singer. Additionally, seven of his albums have been certified as bestsellers in Hong Kong by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

    Beyond music, Cheung has also had a notable film career, starring in more than 70 movies, including classics like “As Tears Go By,” “The Swordsman” and “July Rhapsody.” He has also ventured into stage musicals, creating the groundbreaking Cantonese Broadway-style production “Snow.Wolf.Lake.” In addition to playing the male lead, he served as the artistic director for the production.

    To commemorate his 1,000th concert milestone — an achievement that not only cemented his unparalleled legacy in the Chinese music industry but also contributed to the global rise of Chinese pop music — UMG executives presented Cheung with a special gift on Feb. 23: a 3-meter-long scroll painting capturing his remarkable journey. The painting intricately depicts the stage design, lighting and iconic look of each of his tours, set against a backdrop of fans holding light signs.

    Jacky Cheung receives a Chinese scroll marking his 1,000th concert from music executives in Haikou, Hainan province, Feb. 23, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Universal Music Greater China]

    “Mr. Cheung is not only our pride but also a defining figure in the Chinese music scene,” said Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Greater China. “His unparalleled artistry, remarkable professionalism and every breakthrough he has achieved in bringing Chinese music to the global stage continue to inspire us. We look forward to many more years of collaboration, promoting the influence of Chinese culture on the world stage.”

    Gary Chan, managing director of Universal Music Hong Kong and senior vice president of Universal Music Greater China, noted that Cheung has become a symbol not just of Hong Kong’s pop music, but of a shared memory for Chinese people globally. “We believe his legacy will continue to serve as a beacon to inspire the next generation of musicians from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, leading them to new heights,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: New light shed on diversity of plateau’s plants

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Aerial photo shows the scenery at Mt Nyanpo Yutse in Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Golog of Northwest China’s Qinghai province. Qinghai province, located in Northwest China, much of which lies on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is the home to the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Chinese scientists have discovered what determined the distribution of unique high-altitude plants across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, thereby answering a major global scientific question.
    Known as the “Roof of the World” and the “Third Pole of the Earth”, the plateau hosts exceptionally rare plants, with over one-third of them found nowhere else on Earth.
    “This makes it a global biodiversity hot spot,” said Wang Tao, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research and the lead author of a related study published recently in the journal Nature Communications.
    “For decades, scientists have tried to understand how these mountain-specific plants developed their unique distribution patterns,” he said.
    Working with researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Peking University, Wang’s team found that historical shifts in tree growth limits — the highest altitude at which trees can survive — played a crucial role.
    The study re-created a model to show how the plateau’s tree line, the upper forest limit, moved over time since the last Ice Age 22,000 years ago.
    Wang said it is widely accepted that the uplift of the plateau played a key role in the origin of its flora, while periodic climate fluctuations during the Quaternary Period 2.6 million years ago drove the diversification of species.
    Earlier studies have warned that global warming pushes trees higher up mountains, squeezing the habitat of alpine plants. This new research reveals that past tree line shifts also left a lasting mark.
    In addition to the Quaternary climate fluctuations, the fluctuations regarding past tree line shifts “have also influenced the diversity of endemic alpine species in alpine areas, a factor that had not been explored before”, Wang said.
    The study found that the average elevation of the tree line in the distant past on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was lowest — roughly 3,426 meters — during the Last Glacial Maximum, which lasted from 29,000 to 19,000 years ago, and highest — about 4,187 meters — during the Holocene Thermal Maximum about 8,000 years ago. The average present-day tree line is at 4,009 meters.
    The fluctuation in tree line elevation between glacial and interglacial periods reached up to 850 meters, causing the habitat area for endemic alpine species during interglacial periods to be about 50 percent of the habitat area during glacial periods.
    “Areas with stable environments over time developed more unique plant mixes. In contrast, regions with frequent tree line changes had simpler, more uniform plant communities,” Wang said.
    Team member Xu Jinfeng said: “Think of environmental changes as a sieve — only the toughest species survive repeated shifts, making plant groups look similar. Stable areas let plants develop special traits, creating richer diversity.”
    According to the study, rapid warming and rising tree lines could threaten the plateau’s unique plants.
    “These species aren’t built to handle double pressures from climate change and invading trees,” said Wang. “Our findings help design better protection plans.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Israeli airstrikes target Damascus, southern Syria

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Powerful explosions were heard in Damascus and its outskirts on Tuesday night as Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes targeting multiple locations in southern Syria, local media and witnesses reported.

    According to state media correspondents, Israeli jets were spotted flying over Daraa province, while residents in Damascus reported hearing low-flying aircraft and the sound of multiple airstrikes.

    Initial reports indicate that four Israeli airstrikes hit the Al-Kiswah area, south of Damascus. Meanwhile, an Israeli military incursion was reported in the village of Ain al-Bayda in the Quneitra countryside, near the Syrian-Israeli border.

    The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that Israeli warplanes targeted border sites between Syria and Lebanon, specifically in the Juroud Nabi Sheet region opposite the Syrian town of Serghaya in rural Damascus.

    The observatory added that an Israeli drone strike earlier in the same area killed two unidentified individuals.

    There has been no immediate comment from the Syrian authorities regarding the strikes. The attacks come amid heightened tensions in the region, accompanied by increased Israeli military activity in recent weeks.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Iran rejects nuclear talks ‘under pressure’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (R) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Iran will not negotiate over its nuclear program while facing external pressure or sanctions, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared Tuesday during a joint press conference with his visiting Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Tehran.

    Araghchi reiterated Iran’s refusal to hold direct talks with the United States unless Washington ends its “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign.

    The U.S. reimposed sanctions after abandoning the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in 2018, prompting Tehran to scale back its nuclear commitments under the accord.

    “Negotiations under pressure, threats, and sanctions are meaningless,” Araghchi said, emphasizing that Iran had engaged in “close consultations” with Moscow on reviving the JCPOA. Efforts to restore the pact commenced in 2021 but resulted in no substantial progress.

    For his part, Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s backing for diplomatic measures to salvage the agreement, stating, “We believe the diplomatic capacity still exists to revive the deal without threats or coercion.”

    He pledged Moscow’s support for solutions and asserted that “the crisis had not been created by Iran.”

    The ministers also addressed regional conflicts, including in Gaza and Syria, with Iran voicing support for Syria’s territorial integrity.

    Lavrov described talks with Araghchi as “comprehensive, fruitful, and constructive,” noting progress in cooperation between the two countries by highlighting a 13-percent surge in bilateral trade in 2024.

    He also criticized unilateral sanctions on Tehran as “unacceptable,” according to Russian state media. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation to counter the sanctions’ effects.

    Lavrov visited Tehran earlier Tuesday for talks spanning energy, trade, and regional security. He then headed to Qatar to continue his working visit in the Middle East.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Problem of delaying release of Palestinian prisoners resolved

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People welcome a released Palestinian prisoner in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Feb. 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    An agreement was reached to resolve the problem of delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be released in the last batch, Hamas said on Tuesday.

    The prisoners would be released simultaneously with the bodies of the Israeli hostages that were agreed to be handed over during the first stage of the Gaza ceasefire deal, Hamas said in a statement.

    A Hamas leadership delegation concluded its visit to Cairo, where it met with Egyptian officials, the statement said, noting that discussions were held on the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the exchange of prisoners, and the prospects for the second phase of negotiations.

    “The delegation of the movement’s leadership stressed its clear position on the necessity of full and precise commitment to all its provisions and stages,” the statement added.

    Israel announced early Sunday that it had postponed the release of Palestinian detainees, who were set to be freed Saturday under the ceasefire agreement until more hostages are released.

    Israel was expected to release more than 600 Palestinian detainees on Saturday after Hamas freed six hostages earlier in the day.

    However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that it had been decided to delay the release of Palestinian detainees scheduled for Saturday “until the release of the next hostages is secured, without the disgraceful ceremonies.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Macron-Trump meeting highlights divide on Ukraine between Europe, US

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron at a joint press conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    French President Emmanuel Macron, following extensive discussions with European leaders over the past few days, met with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump in the White House on Monday in a bid to let the collective voice of Europe on the Ukraine crisis be heard.

    Despite the outwardly cordial atmosphere, the meeting underscored a noticeable divide between Europe and the United States on how to achieve a comprehensive resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

    Noticeable divide

    Trump and Macron on Monday agreed on realizing lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia, but Macron publicly refuted Trump’s claim that the situation was “unfair” to the United States in terms of how the country and its European allies provided aid to Ukraine.

    “Just so you understand, Europe is loaning the money to Ukraine. They’re getting their money back,” Trump said as he made the case for Washington’s ongoing effort to press Ukraine into signing a deal that would give the United States the right to extract Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as a way to recoup the aid money provided by Washington during the conflict.

    Grabbing Trump’s arm to interject, Macron said, “No, in fact, to be frank, we paid. We paid 60 percent of the total effort.” He went on to clarify that European aid to Ukraine was structured similarly to American aid. “It was like the United States: loans, guarantees, grants.”

    Shrugging off Macron’s interjection, Trump said, “If you believe that, it’s OK with me. They get their money back, and we don’t. But now we do.”

    Coveting Ukraine’s mineral wealth

    On Monday, Trump said that he would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “this week or next” at the White House, and that a final deal on “rare earths and various other things” was very close.

    Separately, European Commissioner for Industrial Strategy Stephane Sejourne said on Monday that during a visit to Kiev, together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he offered Ukrainian officials a mutually beneficial agreement on critical minerals.

    “Twenty-one of the 30 critical materials that Europe needs can be provided by Ukraine as part of a mutually beneficial partnership,” Sejourne said after a meeting with Ukrainian officials, AFP reported.

    “The added value that Europe offers is that we will never demand a deal that is not mutually beneficial,” he added.

    A stronger partner

    During his talks with Trump in Washington, Macron said that Europe is ready to become a stronger partner and do more in terms of defense.

    “As Europeans, we have committed to being stakeholders in these security guarantees,” Macron told the press conference.

    For Macron, European peacekeeping troops could be one of the guarantees for a long-standing peace in Ukraine.

    “We want peace swiftly, but we don’t want an agreement that is weak,” he said, adding Europeans understand they need to do more to strengthen regional security.

    For Trump, the cost and burden of security must be borne by Europe and not the United States alone.

    He has made clear that no U.S. boots will be on the ground in Ukraine. However, he assured his French counterpart that Russian President Vladimir Putin would accept the presence of European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine.

    After almost three decades of reducing defense spending, Europe has been stepping up its own defense in recent years.

    According to statistics published by the European Council, between 2021 and 2024, the European Union (EU) member states’ total defense expenditure rose by more than 30 percent. In 2024, it reached an estimated 326 billion euros (341.3 billion U.S. dollars), about 1.9 percent of the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP). Expenditure is expected to rise by more than another 100 billion euros (105 billion dollars) in real terms by 2027.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s top legislator holds talks with Mongolian official

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks with Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan, chairman of Mongolia’s State Great Hural, which is the Mongolian parliament, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Zhao Leji, China’s top legislator, held talks with Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan, chairman of Mongolia’s State Great Hural, which is the Mongolian parliament, in Beijing on Tuesday.

    Zhao, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Mongolia in various fields has achieved fruitful results in recent years.

    China is willing to work with Mongolia to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, use the construction of a China-Mongolia community with a shared future as a guide, and push forward the steady, sustained growth of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, he said.

    Zhao noted that upholding good-neighborliness and friendship is a strategic choice that both sides have made, conforming to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, adding that China and Mongolia should pursue mutual benefits and strengthen cooperation in various fields.

    He said that the two sides should hold history as a mirror, work together to safeguard the UN-centered international system, and defend the victorious outcomes of World War II. The NPC of China is willing to maintain long-term friendly relations with Mongolia’s State Great Hural, and is ready to strengthen China-Mongolia exchange and cooperation between national and local legislatures, as well as special committees, to contribute to the development of the two countries in an improved manner.

    Zhao also spoke about the system of China’s NPC, as the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress is set to open soon.

    Echoing Zhao’s remarks, Amarbayasgalan said that Mongolia adheres firmly to the one-China principle, and stands ready to deepen the synergy of development strategies between the two countries and strengthen cooperation in such fields as transportation ports, energy, agriculture and electric vehicles.

    The Mongolian State Great Hural is willing to strengthen friendly exchange with the NPC of China, give full play to the role of the regular exchange mechanism between the two countries’ legislatures, and make positive contributions to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides, he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Blocks Democrat Attempt to Sabotage Bipartisan Effort to Address Opioid Crisis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today blocked Democrats’ efforts to undermine his Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act on the Senate floor. The HALT Fentanyl Act, supported by Republican and Democrat lawmakers, makes permanent the class-wide scheduling of deadly fentanyl-related substances, set to expire at the end of March. 
    On Thursday, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is planning to vote on the HALT Fentanyl Act. Cassidy led the bill’s introduction on a bipartisan basis with U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). In an effort to undermine this legislative process, Democrats attempted to ram through a bill earlier today that would only temporarily extend the class-wide scheduling. This would create greater uncertainty for law enforcement who rely on the classification to combat the opioid crisis.  
    “For years, Congress has failed to make the Schedule I classification of fentanyl-related substances permanent. Our law enforcement cannot continue to have this uncertainty,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We must pass the HALT Fentanyl Act as soon as possible to make this classification permanent. Democrat attempts to undermine these bipartisan efforts only embolden the drug cartels exploiting our communities with deadly drugs.” 
    After blocking Democrats legislation, Cassidy asked for a Senate vote on the House companion to the Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives this month by a strong bipartisan vote of 312 to 108, with 98 House Democrats voting in favor. Senate Democrats blocked this bipartisan legislation from passing the Senate floor.  
    Click here to watch Cassidy’s full remarks objecting to Democrats’ legislation.       
    See below for the remarks as prepared for delivery. 
    Mr. President,
    For years, Congress has refused to make a definitive, a permanent decision. It has failed to make the Schedule I classification of fentanyl-related substances permanent. Law enforcement needs this permanent change to combat the opioid crisis and go after the criminals flooding our communities with deadly drugs.  
    Congress’ inaction only emboldens China, drug cartels, and other criminals who exploit our communities. That cannot happen. We need a lasting solution. 
    Mr. President, there is no reason to do a temporary extension. We have the bipartisan votes to make the Schedule I classification permanent. 
    This Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee, with the support of Judiciary Chairman Grassley and Senator Heinrich, is marking up the Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act. This legislation permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances.  
    Let’s be clear, the HALT Fentanyl Act is not controversial. For two consecutive Congresses, it passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support. There are enough votes to pass HALT in Judiciary Committee, and on the Senate floor this Congress.  
    My Democrat colleague’s delays that permanency. Schedule I classification will once again be in jeopardy when the next deadline comes around. Our law enforcement cannot continue to have this uncertainty.  
    That is why after my objection, I will ask unanimous consent to pass the HALT Fentanyl Act. This legislation has already passed the House of Representatives and has bipartisan support in the Senate. I hope all my Democrat colleagues join me in supporting this bill. 
    We have a responsibility to provide law enforcement the tools they need to address the scourge of deadly drugs in our communities. Failure to act puts Americans in harm’s way.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Germany business sectors vow to boost cooperation

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Around 200 Chinese and German business leaders came together in Stuttgart, Germany this week with the goal of boosting cooperation between the two nations.

    Representatives from business associations and enterprises met at the China-Germany Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum on Monday.

    The theme of the forum, organized by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), was “New Opportunities for China-Germany Economic and Trade Cooperation in the Context of Global Supply Chain Restructuring.”

    It has been five months since CCPIT organized a Chinese business delegation to visit Germany, said Ren Hongbin, chairman of CCPIT. He emphasized that the visit aims to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries and to deepen practical cooperation between the two nations’ business communities, he said.

    The CCPIT is willing to join hands with German partners to tap into the potential of trade cooperation, and to continue providing opportunities for high-quality German products such as autos and agricultural machinery to enter the Chinese market and strengthen cooperation in industrial and supply chains, Ren said.

    The CCPIT intends to promote the development of bilateral investment, create a good environment for business cooperation, and encourage more competent Chinese companies to invest in Germany, Ren added. This will begin a new chapter in high-level China-Germany economic and trade cooperation, he said.

    Despite the rise of trade protectionism, the trend of economic globalization is irreversible, and all parties should strengthen international cooperation based on trust, said Johannes Jung, director of strategy, commercial law, foreign trade and Europe at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs.

    Increased face-to-face exchanges between the business communities of both countries will help enhance mutual understanding, deepen practical cooperation, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, said Jung.

    “As the second and third largest economies in the world, China and Germany have always been trustworthy partners. They have achieved fruitful cooperation in high-end manufacturing, green energy, technological innovation, finance, and pharmaceuticals,” Chinese Consul General in Frankfurt Huang Yiyang said.

    The economies of China and Germany are highly complementary, and their development philosophies are deeply aligned, allowing both countries to make greater contributions to global economic development, said Huang.

    Also at the forum, Lin Shunjie, chairman of China International Exhibition Center Group Limited, presented the third China International Supply Chain Expo, which is set to kick off on July 16 in China.

    The company signed letters of intent and cooperation memorandums for the exhibition with German partners like Wolqe GmbH and the China Network Baden-Wuerttemberg. Enditem

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shenzhou-19 crew successfully tests pipeline inspection robot on space station

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China’s Shenzhou-19 crew aboard the orbiting Tiangong space station recently completed the in-orbit test of a pipeline inspection robot, laying a solid technical foundation for future pipeline inspections on the space station.
    The astronauts constructed a simulated pipeline in orbit, which included straight pipes, curved pipes and conical pipes of various diameters. Within this simulated pipeline, they conducted tests on the robot’s mobility, its extraction from its contracted state and its extraction after fine-tuning its status, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
    During the test, the robot demonstrated stable and reliable movement through various types of pipelines, validating its autonomous mobility technology designed to suit multiple complex pipeline structures. Additionally, the robot could be easily extracted from complex pipelines even after a power outage, confirming the safety of its passive compliant mechanism.
    As the first in-orbit test of a special-purpose robot conducted on China’s space station, it showcased the robot’s autonomous adaptability and safety in complex pipeline environments, accumulating valuable experience for future practical applications of robots in space station pipelines, the CMSA said.
    The CMSA noted that a pipeline inspection robot faces numerous challenges within pipelines. For instance, it must adapt to the complex structures inside the space station’s pipelines and complete autonomous movements.
    It also needs to ensure its own safety — including maintaining appropriate contact force with pipeline walls, adapting to changes in pipeline diameter and avoiding becoming stuck in the pipeline in unexpected situations.
    To overcome these challenges, researchers developed a biomimetic variable stiffness design for this pipeline inspection robot.
    Inspired by the tube feet of echinoderms such as starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers, which retract into the body when at rest and extend outward during movement, the researchers designed a combined active and passive leg-scissor mechanism for the robot.
    The passive mechanism enables the robot’s legs to swiftly adjust their length in response to changes in pipe diameter, ensuring adaptability to varying pipe sizes.
    Meanwhile, the active mechanism dynamically regulates the pressure between the robot’s feet and the pipe wall, guaranteeing reliable contact and providing sufficient propulsion for the robot to move forward.
    The robot’s intelligent “brain” calculates its posture and position using its full-body sensors and generates a motion strategy. Under the premise of ensuring pipeline safety, it adjusts the positions, speeds and force outputs of all joints to enable smooth movement within the space station’s pipelines.
    During the test, ground personnel monitored the robot’s position, current, contact force and other status data in real-time through ground support software, synchronously observing the robot’s movement. This allowed them to assist astronauts in completing in-orbit operations.
    Also, by analyzing the acquired data, ground personnel assessed the test results, providing a basis for subsequent experiments. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s anti-graft chief urges rule-based discipline inspection, supervision work

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Li Xi, China’s top anti-graft official, on Tuesday urged persistent efforts to make discipline inspection and supervision work more procedure-based, law-based and standardized.
    Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), made the remarks at a mobilization and arrangement meeting for a yearlong campaign to achieve the objective.
    In his remarks, Li called on discipline inspection and supervision agencies at all levels to carry out the campaign through high-caliber and high-quality work, and to foster a contingent of personnel who maintain absolute loyalty to the Party, have moral integrity, demonstrate a keen sense of responsibility, dare to confront difficulties, and are capable of overcoming obstacles.
    Inspection and supervision agencies nationwide should improve comprehensively in terms of political integrity, competence, anti-corruption work, conduct and discipline, and they should never turn a blind eye to internal problems, he said.
    Li also urged efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of case handling in accordance with relevant regulations, disciplines and the law, as well as efforts to enhance the cultivation of discipline inspection and supervision personnel, and to guide them in gaining a rule-of-law mindset and applying that approach to their work.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China intensifies law enforcement in cyberspace

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China has significantly strengthened efforts to clean up its cyberspace environment, with the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Tuesday announcing that over 10,000 illegal websites were shut down in 2024.
    Last year, cyberspace authorities across the country prioritized combating violations in cyberspace, including infringement on minors, online violence and the spread of disinformation. As part of this initiative, they summoned representatives from 11,159 websites and online platforms to talks, and issued warnings or fines to 4,046 that were found to have made relevant violations.
    They also focused on improving the online business environment, and handed penalties to websites, online platforms and online accounts that disseminate illegal information or disrupt online communication.
    Additionally, the cyberspace authorities strengthened law enforcement in critical areas such as cybersecurity, data security and personal information protection, and rectified violations closely related to people’s daily lives, including QR code-enabled consumption and facial recognition. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: A glimpse of Beijng World of Robots

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

    A glimpse of Beijng World of Robots

    Updated: February 26, 2025 08:38 Xinhua
    A robot from Galbot operates in an unattended scenario at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. The Beijng World of Robots is located in the robotics industrial park in Beijing’s Yizhuang and serves as a comprehensive robot exhibition center, showcasing the latest achievements in the robotics industry. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A humanoid robot from the “Walker” series of UBTECH conducts sorting work at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A humanoid robot and a robotic dog from Unitree are displayed at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A “Tiangong” humanoid robot displays running at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A visitor plays gobang with a robot at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit a “Tiangong” humanoid robot at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A humanoid robot from UBTECH is displayed at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A “Tiangong” humanoid robot displays walking at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit a humanoid robot from UBTECH at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit a “Tiangong” humanoid robot at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A robot from Galbot operates in an unattended scenario at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A visitor interacts with the bionic robot Hobbs at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A visitor (L) looks at a humanoid robot from UBTECH at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cruise ship ‘Europa 2’ arrives at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port

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

    Cruise ship ‘Europa 2’ arrives at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port

    Updated: February 26, 2025 08:54 Xinhua
    Foreign tourists are ready for their entry process in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 25, 2025. With more than 460 passengers from Germany, Australia, Austria and other countries and regions, the cruise ship “Europa 2” arrived at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port on Tuesday, marking the first cruise ship visiting ports in Tianjin this year. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Foreign tourists line up for entry process at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A foreign tourist is attracted by lion dance performance at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Foreign tourists take a shuttle bus at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port to visit scenic spots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Foreign tourists take a shuttle bus at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port to visit Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 25, 2025 shows the cruise ship “Europa 2” berthing at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China’s Tianjin Municipality. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 25, 2025 shows the cruise ship “Europa 2” entering Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China’s Tianjin Municipality. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on Stephen Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense Nominee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today chaired a hearing examining the nomination of Mr. Stephen A. Feinberg to be the next Deputy Secretary of Defense.
    In his opening statement, Chairman Wicker discussed the catastrophic national security environment, in which China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly aligned. He added that Feinberg’s experience in the private sector offers an opportunity to advance an agenda prioritizing speed, accountability, and efficiency at the Department, and that Feinberg would play a key role in refocusing the Department on those values.
    Chairman Wicker also raised his landmark defense policy reports – “21st Century Peace Through Strength” and “Freedom’s Forge” as examples of the kind of work required to reform the Pentagon to restore our military and rebuild our defense industrial base.
    Stephen Feinberg is the CEO of Cerberus Capital Management, one of the nation’s top private equity firms. Feinberg also served as Chairman of President Trump’s Intelligence Oversight Board, as well as Chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board from 2018 to 2021.
    Read Senator Wicker’s opening statement as delivered below.
    I thank our guest for being here. And we are here this morning to consider the nomination of Stephen Feinberg, who’s been nominated to be Deputy Secretary of Defense.
    If confirmed, Mr. Feinberg would join the Department of Defense during the most dangerous security environment since World War II. He would oversee the operations of the Department as it faces an emerging Axis of Aggressors. This dangerous coalition, which is characterized by military cooperation between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, presents a complex and far-reaching set of threats. Make no mistake: our enemies do not want a 21st century defined by peace and prosperity for the American people.
    Mr. Feinberg would be a crucial part of the team task with meeting those threats. Unfortunately, the defense investments we’ve made during the Cold War have long since evaporated. Defense spending is near record lows as a percentage of our gross domestic product, and all aspects of our military forces are now in dire need of repair or replacement.
    Our Navy, once the envy of all seafaring nations, is now too small and too old to meet the growing demands of our combatant commanders. Our nuclear forces used to be the most robust and effective on the planet. Now they are decades older than their intended service lives. Our Air Force continues to shrink. We have yet to figure out how to scale innovative weapons into mass production. We have a $200 billion backlog in basic maintenance that leaves our troops living and working in substandard conditions — $200 billion just dealing with living and working conditions. And I could go on.
    Clearly, there are many things that need fixing at the Department of Defense. Fortunately, Mr. Feinberg has spent his entire career fixing things. I believe he will make a very fine Deputy Secretary of Defense.
    Mr. Feinberg ran a highly successful large organization for three decades, making him eminently qualified to run the Pentagon effectively. He brings extensive experience at the intersection of international economics and national security. Mr. Feinberg is remarkably attuned to the scope and scale of the challenges we face, as well as the opportunities we might exploit. His work on National Defense is significant, and has ranged from Subic Bay acquisition to counter-Huawei efforts, and from spectrum sharing to hypersonic testing.
    Unlike the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy does not often make high-profile policy speeches or travel around the world to engage with allies and adversaries. I do not expect to see much of Mr. Feinberg in the news if he is confirmed. But make no mistake: the Pentagon cannot function without a capable Deputy.
    In many ways, the Deputy runs the day-to-day operations of the department – driving the budget process, managing the principal staff assistance, and ensuring the Secretary of Defense is provided with data-driven and thoughtful options.
    In Mr. Feinberg, President Trump has found a deputy who combines cutting-edge private sector skills with a thorough understanding of U.S. national security interests and the Department of Defense.
    Today, we will hear Mr. Feinberg’s views on issues facing the Department of Defense. I look forward to his thoughts on my proposals. Last year I released a report entitled “21st Century Peace Through Strength.” I hope this can serve as a blueprint to reinvigorate and rebuild our military.
    Additionally, I released a Pentagon reform and innovation plan called “Restoring Freedom’s Forge: American Innovation Unleashed.” I hope it brings much needed reforms and fundamentally changes the way the department does business. We must cut red tape and get better weapons to our troops faster, all while maximizing taxpayer dollars.
    So, I thank Mr. Feinberg and his family and his friends for being here today. I believe he has a lot to offer as the Department of Defense directs its focus to lethality, efficiency, speed, and accountability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn on Outbound Investment: It’s High Time China is Held Accountable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) underscored the importance of Congress passing legislation to prohibit investments by American entities in sensitive technologies in China, a priority he has long championed, in order to bolster America’s national security. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

    “At this very moment, American investors—some of these are businesses, some of these are individuals—the investments they’re making are fueling China’s military buildup and modernization by funneling capital into, potentially, dual-use technology and military capabilities that could eventually be used against the United States and our allies.”

    “How can we expect to outcompete or even catch up to Chinese companies if, unbeknownst to us, American dollars are continuing to fuel their rise economically and militarily?”

    “We’re simply not being serious about confronting our greatest strategic adversary if we continue to be blind to the investment of billions of dollars and the very technologies that could be potentially used to kill American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.”

    “There are reasons for optimism that this year will be the time we get these provisions over the finish line, and we’ve worked hard to work with the House’s version and to work with the Senate version that passed overwhelmingly previously to make sure we marry those up and we establish a bill that enjoys bipartisan and bicameral support.”

    “I’ve been working with everyone from the Speaker of the House to the Chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP, John Moolenaar, to Congressman McCaul, as well as Tim Scott, Chairman of the Banking Committee here in the Senate, and we’ve all made input into a piece of legislation that will finally accomplish what we’ve been working on for these last few years.”

    “It will be a home run for all Americans, who can feel safe that American companies and investors are not helping China not only rebuild its economy, but also its military as well.”

    “The only party that stands to lose from this legislation will be the Chinese Communist Party, and it’s high time that they be held accountable.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Chinese dating simulator Love and Deepspace now has a period tracker – it signals a shift in mobile gaming

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Harkin, Lecturer, Games, School of Design, RMIT University

    Papergames

    24/7 companionship. Spend time with him whenever you want.

    This is the promise made by Love and Deepspace, a mobile romance game by the Chinese company Papergames.

    Some think video games are all guns and cars, but romance games or “dating simulators” are immensely popular, especially among young women.

    Love and Deepspace reached 50 million users across more than 170 countries and regions in January. Despite their popularity, dating sims, as they are known for short, usually fly under the radar in discussions about games.

    Meanwhile, a recent major update for Love and Deepspace has furrowed some brows by introducing an unusual new feature: a period tracker.

    Need help keeping track of tasks?

    Dating sims offer a fantasy of romantic, intimate companionship. Otome games (from the word “maiden” in Japanese) are a sub-genre of dating sims that are catered to women. They offer a suite of boyfriends to choose from – each attentive, caring and, of course, incredibly handsome.

    Ideal in every way except being fictional.

    Love and Deepspace is a science-fiction otome game that stands out with its unusual blend of combat, magic, dating and gacha (meaning random rewards) microtransactions – which are controversial for their parallels to gambling.

    Its latest update introduced a Remind Me feature, where players can ask their virtual boyfriends to remind them of daily tasks and special events, as well as their upcoming period. Players input information about their menstrual cycle and the game then generates its own predictive calendar and notifications.

    The player’s in-game boyfriend will offer to pick up some sanitary products or even reach towards the screen and provide an imaginary abdomen massage.

    The millions of users drawn to a fantasy about considerate men says a lot about the frustrations women have with modern dating and dating apps.

    Women are conscious of the conservative gender roles within otome games, but at the same time find pleasure in their focus on the female gaze and ability to explore their sexual desire privately.

    In China, where otome games are especially popular, censorship of explicit content for women has intensified. These games are able to convey sexually suggestive themes that are subtle enough to elude censorship.

    Otome games are not new

    Otome games have been around for three decades.

    Angelique, a game made by an all-women team in 1994, is considered to be the first. It helped set the stage for other boyfriend fantasy media for women as seen in the rising popularity of “boyfriend ASMR” on audio and video platforms today. These are designed to directly address the listener in both sensual and everyday scenarios.

    Video games have changed a lot since then, especially as mobile devices have evolved to be more intimate, accompanying us everywhere.

    Love and Deepspace is introducing more features including “Quality Time”, which rewards players for working or studying with the game open. The rewards come in the form of an animated man sighing and whispering into the player’s headphones.

    ‘Feel his deepening breath, rising heartbeat, and the trickle of sweat. He’s working out together with you!’
    Love and Deepspace/X

    Periods and privacy

    Love and Deepspace’s period reminders mirror existing period tracker apps, though they do not incorporate the usual fertility date predictions or ability to log symptoms and sexual activity. That’s probably a good thing.

    Period tracker apps have faced scrutiny for mishandling users’ data. Popular period tracker app Flo has faced a lawsuit in the British Columbia Supreme Court in Canada for sharing personal data to third-party tech firms, including Facebook and Google, which use the data for targeted advertising.

    Meanwhile, the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States has threatened many people’s bodily autonomy and made them concerned about the legal risks of sharing personal biological information.

    Love and Deepspace’s privacy policy states any menstruation data is only used for the prediction and reminder features, and that it will not be shared with any third parties without the player’s consent.

    The banning of the Chinese-owned platform TikTok in the US was driven by fears of foreign influence and data privacy. Yet our privacy may not be safer with a US company than a Chinese one.

    US-owned companies have been just as liable to sell sensitive information to third parties, such as location data to abortion clinics and gay clubs.

    Australia’s Privacy Act does not just apply to Australian companies. Papergames could be sanctioned if it breaches its privacy policy.

    That said, it is unlikely many users will be familiar with the policy or read future changes made to it. It is best to always practise caution when entering any kind of personal information in platforms, apps or video games.

    A potential shift

    Period tracking is not a core component in the game. But this new feature signals a potential shift towards more mobile games integrating popular app functions, such as health data.

    Instead of a casual time-filler, mobile games like Love and Deepspace are competing for players’ attention over other apps – which is concerning given its controversial gacha random rewards.

    It’s also possible the game’s designers are picking up on a widespread desire for men to care more about their partner’s periods.

    Stephanie Harkin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Chinese dating simulator Love and Deepspace now has a period tracker – it signals a shift in mobile gaming – https://theconversation.com/chinese-dating-simulator-love-and-deepspace-now-has-a-period-tracker-it-signals-a-shift-in-mobile-gaming-250497

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Unleashing private sector’s dynamism for high-quality development

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Half a month before the annual sessions of China’s top legislature and political advisory body, a high-level symposium on private enterprises was convened, sending a signal of strong support for private businesses.

    The symposium, attended by President Xi Jinping, underscored the Chinese authorities’ latest endeavor to bolster confidence and boost the development of the private sector, which is key to the country’s high-quality development.

    Unswerving support

    During the symposium, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that the basic principles and policies for the development of the private sector have been incorporated into the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and “cannot and will not be changed.”

    This message highlighted the country’s unswerving commitment to the sector. During a similar symposium in November 2018, Xi said that private enterprises and private entrepreneurs “belong to our own family” and the sector should only grow stronger instead of being weakened.

    From the symposiums and key meetings that outline plans for the country’s reform and development to Xi’s visits to private companies, the country’s support for the private sector has been evident.

    During a group discussion at the country’s “two sessions” in 2023, after listening to Zeng Yuqun, chairman of private firm CATL, the Chinese leading battery maker, Xi expressed his hope that the country’s new energy industry would seize opportunities and ride the tide, while ensuring both development and security. Xi also urged the authorities to provide support and guidance for private enterprises during times of difficulty.

    Founded in 2011 in Ningde, east China’s Fujian Province, CATL has quickly risen to become one of the world’s leading industry players and its “Shenxing Plus” battery has drawn worldwide attention for high energy density and fast-charging capabilities.

    Among key policies to ramp up the growth of the private sector, China set up a bureau under its top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), in 2023. The country is also pushing forward the legislative process of its first basic law specifically aimed at promoting the development of the private sector.

    Under a nurturing policy environment, the private sector has become a prominent part of the country’s economy, driving innovation, employment and overall economic growth.

    Private firms now make up more than 90 percent of the country’s total enterprises, with their numbers more than quintupling between 2012 and 2024. Their global presence has also expanded, with the number of Chinese private firms in the Fortune Global 500 list rising to around 30.

    Yet the sector’s development is now at a pivotal moment: Domestically, China is battling headwinds, including insufficient demand to reinforce its economic recovery while fostering innovation-driven development; globally, businesses have to navigate escalating trade tensions, rising protectionism, and the latest wave of technological revolution that is transforming industries, production models and lifestyles.

    Despite the difficulties and challenges, it is important to see the path forward and the bright future, stay committed to development, bolster confidence, and maintain an enterprising spirit, Xi said at the latest symposium.

    High-quality development

    The Chinese authorities have encouraged private enterprises to embrace high-quality development, which is viewed as both a strategic imperative and a necessity for them to thrive in the increasingly complex and competitive global landscape.

    On many occasions, Xi has urged private enterprises to unswervingly pursue high-quality development, boost independent innovation and strengthen their core competitiveness.

    Private enterprises have already been the backbone of the country’s innovation drive, accounting for more than 90 percent of high-tech companies.

    The private sector also contributes to more than 70 percent of the country’s technological innovation achievements. Among the country’s national-level “little giant” firms — a term that refers to novel elites of small and medium-sized enterprises engaged in manufacturing, specializing in a niche market and boasting cutting-edge technologies — the proportion of private companies has surpassed 80 percent.

    From competitive electric vehicles and DeepSeek, a rising star in artificial intelligence, to Unitree Robotics, a pioneer in humanoid robot development, private enterprises are at the forefront of China’s economic transformation.

    To empower the sector, the NDRC pledged to further remove market access barriers, revise the market access negative list for private enterprises in a timely manner, and encourage greater private sector participation in major national projects and programs.

    Authorities also vowed to tackle challenges such as difficulties and high costs of financing for private businesses, address payment arrears owed to private enterprises, and effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of private businesses and entrepreneurs in accordance with the law.

    These efforts are not just about clearing hurdles, but fostering an ecosystem which further unleashes private enterprises’ dynamism and ensures that they can fully capitalize on the opportunities in front of them.

    With the rapid development of education, science and technology, a vast and high-caliber talent pool and workforce, well-developed industrial and infrastructure systems, and a supersized market of more than 1.4 billion people with huge potential, the private sector enjoys abundant new opportunities and greater headroom for development, Xi said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Tibet is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world. This is in danger of extinction

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gerald Roche, Lecturer in Linguistics, La Trobe University

    Three days after he was released from prison in December, a Tibetan village leader named Gonpo Namgyal died. As his body was being prepared for traditional Tibetan funeral rites, marks were found indicating he had been brutally tortured in jail.

    His crime? Gonpo Namgyal had been part of a campaign to protect the Tibetan language in China.

    Gonpo Namgyal is the victim of a slow-moving conflict that has dragged on for nearly 75 years, since China invaded Tibet in the mid-20th century. Language has been central to that conflict.

    Tibetans have worked to protect the Tibetan language and resisted efforts to enforce Mandarin Chinese. Yet, Tibetan children are losing their language through enrolment in state boarding schools where they are being educated nearly exclusively in Mandarin Chinese. Tibetan is typically only taught a few times a week – not enough to sustain the language.

    My research, published in a new book in 2024, provides unique insights into the struggle of other minority languages in Tibet that receive far less attention.

    My research shows that language politics in Tibet are surprisingly complex and driven by subtle violence, perpetuated not only by Chinese authorities but also other Tibetans. I’ve also found that outsiders’ efforts to help are failing the minority languages at the highest risk of extinction.

    Tibetan culture under attack

    I lived in Ziling, the largest city on the Tibetan Plateau, from 2005 to 2013, teaching in a university, studying Tibetan and supporting local non-government organisations.

    Most of my research since then has focused on language politics in the Rebgong valley on the northeast Tibetan Plateau. From 2014 to 2018, I interviewed dozens of people, spoke informally with many others, and conducted hundreds of household surveys about language use.

    I also collected and analysed Tibetan language texts, including government policies, online essays, social media posts and even pop song lyrics.

    When I was in Ziling, Tibetans launched a massive protest movement against Chinese rule just before the Beijing Olympics in 2008. These protests led to harsh government crackdowns, including mass arrests, increased surveillance, and restrictions on freedom of movement and expressions of Tibetan identity. This was largely focused on language and religion.

    Years of unrest ensued, marked by more demonstrations and individual acts of sacrifice. Since 2009, more than 150 Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest Chinese rule.

    Not just Tibetan under threat

    Tibet is a linguistically diverse place. In addition to Tibetan, about 60 other languages are spoken in the region. About 4% of Tibetans (around 250,000 people) speak a minority language.

    Government policy forces all Tibetans to learn and use Mandarin Chinese. Those who speak only Tibetan have a harder time finding work and are faced with discrimination and even violence from the dominant Han ethnic group.

    Meanwhile, support for Tibetan language education has slowly been whittled away: the government even recently banned students from having private Tibetan lessons or tutors on their school holidays.

    Linguistic minorities in Tibet all need to learn and use Mandarin. But many also need to learn Tibetan to communicate with other Tibetans: classmates, teachers, doctors, bureaucrats or bosses.

    In Rebgong, where I did my research, the locals speak a language they call Manegacha. Increasingly, this language is being replaced by Tibetan: about a third of all families that speak Manegacha are now teaching Tibetan to their children (who also must learn Mandarin).

    The government refuses to provide any opportunities to use and learn minority languages like Manegacha. It also tolerates constant discrimination and violence against Manegacha speakers by other Tibetans.

    These assimilationist state policies are causing linguistic diversity across Tibet to collapse. As these minority languages are lost, people’s mental and physical health suffers and their social connections and communal identities are destroyed.

    How do Manegacha communities resist and navigate language oppression?

    Why does this matter?

    Tibetan resistance to Chinese rule dates back to the People’s Liberation Army invasion in the early 1950s.

    When the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, that resistance movement went global. Governments around the world have continued to support Tibetan self-determination and combat Chinese misinformation about Tibet, such as the US Congress passage of the Resolve Tibet Act in 2024.

    Outside efforts to support the Tibetan struggle, however, are failing some of the most vulnerable people: those who speak minority languages.

    Manegacha speakers want to maintain their language. They resist the pressure to assimilate whenever they speak Manegacha to each other, post memes online in Manegacha or push back against the discrimination they face from other Tibetans.

    However, if Tibetans stop speaking Manegacha and other minority languages, this will contribute to the Chinese government’s efforts to erase Tibetan identity and culture.

    Even if the Tibetan language somehow survives in China, the loss of even one of Tibet’s minority languages would be a victory for the Communist Party in the conflict it started 75 years ago.

    Gerald Roche has received funding for this research from the Australian Research Council. He is also affiliated with the Linguistic Justice Foundation.

    – ref. Tibet is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world. This is in danger of extinction – https://theconversation.com/tibet-is-one-of-the-most-linguistically-diverse-places-in-the-world-this-is-in-danger-of-extinction-246316

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China pledges global cooperation to address climate change

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

    HANGZHOU, Feb. 25 — China is willing to work with all parties to jointly address the challenges of extreme weather and climate risks, said Chen Zhenlin, head of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

    Chen made the remarks at the 62nd session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an important international platform for the assessment of climate change, that opened on Monday in Hangzhou, capital of east China’s Zhejiang Province.

    In China, actively responding to climate change has become an essential requirement for achieving sustainable development and a responsibility for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

    The CMA has done a lot of work in responding to climate change, including strengthening its integrated land-sea-air-space monitoring capabilities, researching and developing global and regional climate models, and assessing the impacts and risks of climate change, Chao Qingchen, head of the National Climate Center under the CMA, told Xinhua.

    These efforts have greatly contributed to climate change adaptation and mitigation, Chao added.

    In Zhejiang, the meteorological disaster early warning system has further improved its accuracy to the township level, with alerts for sudden strong convective weather now issued 50 minutes in advance.

    The IPCC is meeting in Hangzhou to reach agreement on the outlines of the three working group contributions to the “Seventh Assessment Report” and the “Methodology Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage.” Representatives from over 130 IPCC member countries, relevant observer organizations and international organizations are attending the meeting.

    The IPCC is now in its seventh climate change assessment cycle. Over the past six cycles, it has published a total of 43 assessment reports on climate change.

    Liu Zhenmin, China’s special envoy for climate change, said the IPCC reports reflect humanity’s deepening understanding of climate science, which has advanced global efforts to address climate change and provided an important scientific foundation for continuously strengthening and improving global climate governance.

    Over the years, hundreds of Chinese scientists have participated in writing and reviewing the assessment reports, making significant contributions to scientific, comprehensive and objective assessments of climate change.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Prototype of CR450 bullet train undergoes tests in Beijing

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

    Prototype of CR450 bullet train undergoes tests in Beijing

    Updated: February 26, 2025 07:25 Xinhua
    This photo shows a prototype of CR450 bullet train undergoing tests in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. Prototypes of the CR450 bullet train, with a test speed of up to 450 kilometers per hour and an operational speed of 400 kilometers per hour, were debuted in Beijing recently, highlighting China’s cutting-edge advancements in rail technology and contributions to the global rail industry. The CR450 is significantly faster than the CR400 Fuxing high-speed trains currently in service, which operate at speeds of 350 kilometers per hour. The China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) currently is arranging a series of line tests for the prototypes and optimize technical indicators to ensure the CR450 enters commercial service as soon as possible. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo shows a prototype of CR450 bullet train undergoing tests in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo shows a noise sensor in a prototype of CR450 bullet train in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff workers place a temperature sensor in a prototype of CR450 bullet train in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo shows a prototype of CR450 bullet train undergoing tests in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff worker conducts experiment in a prototype of CR450 bullet train in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo shows multifunctional storage area in a prototype of CR450 bullet train in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff worker conducts experiment in a prototype of CR450 bullet train in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo shows a prototype of CR450 bullet train undergoing tests in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo shows a prototype of CR450 bullet train undergoing tests in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Jintang undersea tunnel under construction in Zhejiang, E China

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

    Jintang undersea tunnel under construction in Zhejiang, E China

    Updated: February 26, 2025 07:32 Xinhua
    Technicians from China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. conduct remote construction management through the intelligent project monitoring and management platform of the Jintang undersea tunnel of Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway in east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 25, 2025. The 16.18-km Jintang undersea tunnel under construction connects the Jintang islet of Zhoushan and the coastal area of Ningbo in Zhejiang Province and is an important facility for a high-speed railway line connecting cities of Ningbo and Zhoushan in the province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A technician from China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. inspects the operation of the “Yongzhou” shield tunneling machine in the Jintang undersea tunnel of Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway in east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A technician from China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. debugs a crane inside the “Yongzhou” shield tunneling machine in the Jintang undersea tunnel of Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway in east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A worker from China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. works in the “Yongzhou” shield tunneling machine in the Jintang undersea tunnel of Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway in east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A technician from China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. inspects the operation of the “Yongzhou” shield tunneling machine in the Jintang undersea tunnel of Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway in east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A worker from China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. works in the “Yongzhou” shield tunneling machine in the Jintang undersea tunnel of Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway in east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Feb. 25, 2025 shows the construction site of the Jintang undersea tunnel of Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Protects American Manufacturing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) in introducing the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act, legislation that would strengthen U.S. trade remedy laws and ensure they remain effective tools to fight against unfair trade practices and protect American businesses.
    This legislation would improve the U.S. trade remedy system and respond to repeat offenders and serial cheaters, leveling the playing field for American manufacturing. It also responds to China’s unfair trade practices, specifically its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which provides subsidies to China-based or China-operated companies doing business in countries outside of China. 
    “China has been bending the rules for decades,” said Sen. Tuberville. “We have to fight back. Alabama’s manufacturers work hard, and as long as the playing field is level, they can outcompete anyone in the world. This bill is one step toward ensuring that the rules are enforced and China has to play fair.”
    “Our bill will protect American jobs and combat China’s unfair trade practices,” said Sen. Young. “China has distorted the free market by dumping undervalued products and subsidizing industries, actions designed to harm American businesses and workers. This legislation will help level the playing field to ensure the United States can outcompete the Chinese Communist Party.”
    U.S. Sens. Tuberville and Young were joined by U.S. Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Jon Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) in introducing the legislation.
    U.S. Representatives Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) and Terri Sewell (D-AL-7) are leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
    The legislation is endorsed by the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Steel Manufacturers Association, and the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association.
    Sen. Tuberville cosponsored this legislation in the 118th Congress. 
    Full text of the legislation can be found here.
    BACKGROUND:
    The Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act would revise the U.S. antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) laws to ensure international trade regulations and requirements do not unfairly favor international competitors, especially in the steel industry. The Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act would update U.S. trade remedy laws to establish the new concept of “successive investigations,” which would improve the U.S. trade remedy system’s efforts to curb circumvention efforts from bad actors designed to undercut our domestic industries and increase market share. 
    American companies are on the receiving end of China’s increasingly predatory economic behavior. In recent years, China’s unfair trade practices have culminated in grave economic consequences that affect American workers. For example, Chinese-supported companies move portions of production to other countries to circumvent American duties, a practice known as “country hopping.” China’s BRI also unfairly subsidizes products made in other countries, rather than just in China. In addition to competing with these unfair trade practices, American companies have to contend with long lead times before the Department of Commerce initiates a new anti-circumvention inquiry.
    Around half of the unfair trade cases are in the steel industry. However, these unfair trade cases also affect industries that make engines, furniture, hardwood plywood, pipes and tubes, wood moldings, magnesium, paper, shrimp, carrier bags, kitchen cabinets, quartz countertops, tires, and many others.
    The Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act pushes back against China’s anti-free market practices by providing the Department of Commerce with more tools to stop circumvention tactics. These tools include:
    Establishing the concept of “successive investigations” under AD and CVD laws. The new AD/CVD investigations would improve the effectiveness of the trade remedy law to combat repeat offenders by making it easier for petitioners to bring new cases when production moves to another country             
    Expediting timelines for successive investigations and creating new factors for the International Trade Commission to consider about the relationship between recently completed trade cases and successive trade cases for the same imported product
    Providing the Department of Commerce the authority to apply CVD law to subsidies provided by a government to a company operating in a different country
    Imposing statutory requirements for anti-circumvention inquiries to clarify the process and timeline
    Specifying deadlines for preliminary and final determinations
    Thanks to the state’s rich natural resources and abundance of mineral deposits, Alabama has a proud history as a metals and manufacturing leader. According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, there are more than 1,100 metal manufacturing companies in the state, including national and global leaders in steel, pipelines, composites, and specialty metals. Those companies employ more than 45,000 Alabamians and export nearly $1.4 billion worth of metal manufactured goods per year. Today, Alabama is home to three of the top seven largest pipe manufacturing companies in the nation.
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Introduces Steve Feinberg, Trump’s Nominee for Deputy Secretary of Defense

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    Feinberg—Co-Founder, Co-CEO & Chief Investment Officer of Cerberus Capital Management—served as Chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board during the first Trump Administration
    WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, today introduced Stephen (Steve) A. Feinberg, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Deputy Secretary of Defense, at the Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing.
    Feinberg previously was co-founder, co-CEO, and chief investment officer of Cerberus Capital Management, a global investment firm. He also chaired President Trump’s Intelligence Advisory Board from 2018 to 2021.
    When Senator Hagerty served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan in the first Trump Administration, he worked closely with Feinberg to prevent Hanjin Shipyard—now Agila Subic Shipyard—at Subic Bay in the Philippines from falling into Communist China’s control.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*
    Remarks as prepared for delivery:
    Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Reed, thank you for holding this important nominations hearing today.
    It is my privilege to introduce my good friend, Steve Feinberg—President Trump’s nominee to be the Deputy Secretary of Defense.
    During the first Trump Administration, from 2018 to 2021, Steve chaired the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, where he brought a fresh perspective and provided expert advice on a range of challenges to U.S. national security.
    Before his nomination, Steve was co-CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Cerberus Capital Management—a global investment firm that he co-founded in 1992 and that today manages some $68 billion in assets.
    At Cerberus, Steve spent 34 years investing in, fixing, and operating a variety of businesses, including those related to national defense and the U.S. Intelligence Community.
    Steve is a Patriot with a great heart—one of the many things that sets Steve apart is his strategic vision and his willingness and desire to invest in ways that not only create and grow value for his investors, but also advance U.S. national security interests.
    Here, I want to quickly share a powerful story based on my own personal experience with Steve’s leadership.
    When I served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, I discovered that two Chinese firms were attempting to acquire the bankrupt Hanjin Shipyard at Subic Bay in the Philippines.
    Subic Bay had previously served as a U.S. Naval base with a deep-water shipyard that is strategically located on the South China Sea.
    For various reasons, the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and other parts of the U.S. government were not in a position to engage and solve this problem.
    So I engaged with top officials in the Trump Administration, and the governments of Japan and the Philippines, as well as with top actors in the private sector—in specific, with Steve Feinberg and Cerberus.
    Working together, we assembled an ad hoc public-private solution to this problem and thwarted China’s efforts to acquire the port.
    Thanks to leadership from the Trump Administration and Steve Feinberg and his team, we succeeded.
    Today, Hanjin Shipyard is known as Agila Subic Shipyard and is owned by American investors.
    As a result, U.S. and Allied firms have a joint presence there now—for example, HD Hyundai, a South Korean firm, will build and maintain vessels at the shipyard, and SubCom, a U.S.-based undersea cable firm, is advancing projects in the region from there.
    The U.S. military and the Armed Forces of the Philippines also have a significant presence there.
    If Steve and his team had not stepped up to solve this problem, the Chinese Communist Party today would likely possess a vital piece of strategic infrastructure in the South China Sea—and the threats to the security of the United States and our partners would be enormous.
    At Cerberus, Steve also worked hard on another issue that I dealt with firsthand as U.S. Ambassador to Japan:  that is, helping the United States and our partners counter China’s threat in 5G telecommunications by investing in commercial alternatives to Huawei and other Chinese telecoms companies.
    Here again, Steve recognized a strategic challenge to the United States and has sought to counter and minimize the influence and access that China could gain from control over spectrum and telecommunications infrastructure.
    On that note, I want to commend the Committee for its strong support for the Defense Department’s efforts to accelerate adoption of 5G and Open RAN technologies in order to provide strategic advantages to the warfighter—including by directing the Pentagon to establish a “Secretary of Defense 5G Cross Functional Team” to accomplish this objective.
    We could not have addressed these problems without Steve Feinberg—an outsider with a fresh perspective who, at the same time, knows how to work on the inside while bringing innovation and ingenuity to the table.
    Steve, if confirmed, will do an outstanding job as the Pentagon’s second highest-ranking civilian official.
    Steve understands the mission.
    He will leverage his leadership, his strategic thinking, his deep knowledge, his decades of experience, his vast professional network, his willingness to listen and learn, and his decisiveness to improve the Defense Department.
    Just as he did at Cerberus for the last 34 years, Steve will work his heart out—every day—at the Defense Department.
    He will ensure that the building, its management, its operations, and its programs run better and more efficiently.
    And he’ll focus on the Department’s goal of providing decisive strategic, operational, and tactical advantages to the warfighter.
    Steve Feinberg is the right man for this job—I look forward to his testimony today and to working with my colleagues to advance his nomination as quickly as possible.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins America’s Newsroom on Fox News to Discuss Trump’s Peace Negotiations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, today joined America’s Newsroom on Fox News to discuss President Donald Trump’s peace negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*
    Partial Transcript
    Hagerty on the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine: “President [Emmanuel] Macron flew here yesterday. You’re going to see [Prime Minister] Keir Starmer from the [United Kingdom] here later this week. [President Volodymyr] Zelensky is trying to get to the United States. I think we’re on the precipice of a deal, and Scott Bessent said yesterday, our Treasury Secretary, that he feels we’re on the one-yard line. So, I think we’re about to get there. President Trump wants to see an end to the carnage; he’s certainly changed the dynamic and the conversation around all of this, from [Former President] Joe Biden’s blank check, ‘as long as it takes’, to bring an end to this now, and I think it’s coming […] I think what President Trump, again, is doing is he is shifting the conversation completely. He’s trying to get to a deal with Russia. He’s not just continuing the Joe Biden process of sticking a stick in Russia’s eye. You see the European leaders that want to just continue down this path. What President Trump wants to do is bring an end to this now, and he’s trying to bring resolution to this. I think what we’re seeing is a shifting [of] sands. Again, you see these European leaders coming to the United States—again, I feel we’re at the precipice of a deal—President Trump is trying to make something happen here, not just go back to talking points that haven’t worked in the past.”
    Hagerty on Trump’s strong negotiating position against Putin: “What I would say is that President [Trump] is actually trying to shift the conversation. President Trump has not lifted any sanctions on Putin. In fact, he’s talking about getting back in the energy business, putting Keystone Pipeline back in. It was Joe Biden that killed the Keystone XL Pipeline and okayed [the] Nord Stream 2 [Pipeline], which funded Russia’s war efforts. So, I think what you’re seeing is still plenty of pressure on Vladimir Putin, but President Trump, again, is shifting the dialogue right now trying to get to a deal.”
    Hagerty on economic opportunities in a deal that could benefit the U.S.: “It’s a situation where I think President Trump is trying to think about this differently. He’s talking about economic development. He’s talking about getting our interests to align more economically. There are critical minerals in Russia, critical minerals in Ukraine. All of this could benefit the United States. China’s licking its chops right now. I think President Trump sees that as well and wants to make certain that the United States taxpayer benefits from what comes out of this, as opposed to the [Chinese Communist Party].”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Introduces Trump’s Nominee for Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    Michael Kratsios will advance U.S. technological dominance and national security
    WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today appeared before a Senate Commerce Committee hearing to introduce Michael Kratsios, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*
    Remarks as prepared for delivery:
    Today, I am privileged to introduce Michael Kratsios, President Trump’s nominee to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
    The OSTP Director advises the President on key “industries of the future,” including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5G, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and more. Indeed, Michael and I worked closely together on 5G and our telecommunications infrastructure when I served in my previous role as U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
    Now, more than ever, emerging technologies present us with immense opportunities to maintain America’s global dominance. At such a critical time, we cannot afford to make policy errors here in Washington.
    That’s exactly why we need a leader of Michael’s caliber serving in this vital role.
    While AI has rapidly ascended to become one America’s most important policy priorities, Michael had the foresight to see this technology’s potential nearly a decade ago. And he has been working tirelessly on the issue ever since.
    His impressive record of public service in the field of science and technology policy include his past service as Chief Technology Officer of the United States and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. In these roles and others, he coordinated public-private partnerships and served as the architect of national strategies on AI and quantum technologies.
    After leaving public service, he served as Managing Director of Scale AI, helping it become one of the most valuable and well respected privately held AI companies in the world.
    Michael’s research outside of the government provided the first quantifiable evidence of how banned Chinese technologies were still procured by state and local governments across the country. He also brought to light the significant risks posed by PRC-manufactured ship-to-shore cranes in American ports.
    America must remain the world leader in scientific and technological innovation. Our national security, our liberty, and our prosperity depend on it. Michael understands this mission, and that’s why I wholeheartedly support his nomination. Thanks to my colleagues here today for giving Michael your careful consideration.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Addresses the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copper

    Source: The White House

    SECURING AMERICA’S COPPER SUPPLY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order launching an investigation into how copper imports threaten America’s national security and economic stability.

    • The Order directs the Secretary of Commerce to initiate a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
    • This investigation will assess the national security risks arising from the United States’ increasing dependence on imported copper, in all its forms, and the potential need for trade remedies to safeguard domestic industry.
    • The investigation will culminate in a report identifying vulnerabilities in the copper supply chain and providing recommendations to enhance the resilience of America’s domestic copper industry.

     
    ADDRESSING THE THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY: President Trump recognizes that an overreliance on foreign copper, in all its forms, could jeopardize U.S. defense capabilities, infrastructure development, and technological innovation.

    • Copper is an essential material for national security, economic strength, and industrial resilience.
      • Copper plays a vital role in defense applications, infrastructure, and emerging technologies like clean energy, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics.
      • Copper is the Defense Department’s second-most utilized material.
    • Despite possessing ample copper reserves, America’s smelting and refining capacity lags behind global competitors like China, which controls over 50% of global smelting.
      • The United States isn’t even in the top five nations in copper smelting capacity.
    • America’s reliance on copper imports has surged from virtually 0% in 1991 to 45% of consumption in 2024, heightening risks to supply chain security.
    • Foreign overcapacity in smelting and refining, coupled with potential export restrictions from other nations, threaten to disrupt copper availability for U.S. defense and industry needs.

     
    STRENGTHENING AMERICAN INDUSTRY: This Executive Order builds on previous actions taken by the Trump Administration to ensure U.S. trade policy serves the nation’s long-term interests.

    • On Day One, President Trump initiated his America First Trade Policy to make America’s economy great again.
    • President Trump signed proclamations to close existing loopholes and exemptions to restore a true 25% tariff on steel and elevate the tariff to 25% on aluminum.
    • President Trump implemented a 10% additional tariff on imports from China in response to China’s role in the border crisis.  
    • President Trump unveiled the “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” on trade to restore fairness in U.S. trade relationships and counter non-reciprocal trade agreements.   

    President Trump signed a memorandum to safeguard American innovation, including the consideration of tariffs to combat digital service taxes (DSTs), fines, practices, and policies that foreign governments levy on American companies.

    MIL OSI USA News –