NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu Celebrates 2025 Lunar New Year with Ryde City in Eastwood

    Source: Republic Of China Taiwan 2

    The 2025 Lunar New Year Festival at Eastwood Oval, hosted by the City of Ryde, was a great success. Thousands gathered at Eastwood Oval to enjoy the spectacular dragon dance and high-pole lion dance.Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu was honoured to join the Grand Opening and Lion Eye-Dotting Ceremony alongside Mayor Trenton Brown, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, and VIPs from Federal and NSW Parliaments, Ryde City Council, academia, the cultural industry, and the NSW Consular Corps.
    PM Albanese emphasized that “people” are Australia’s most valuable asset. He highlighted that Australia’s diverse communities are not only the backbone of society and co-authors of the Australian story but also play a key role in connecting Australia to the world, strengthening its international image and influence.
    Mayor Trenton Brown and NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed their gratitude to communities of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds for their contributions. They recognized the energy and vibrancy these communities bring to the economy and how they embody Australia’s spirit of diversity and inclusivity.
    The Taiwanese community once again seized the opportunity to showcase Taiwan’s unique cultural traditions. We were proud to see the Taiwanese Indigenous group “Formosa”, in collaboration with DCS International of NSW and Australia, deliver a stunning performance that earned resounding applause.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing’s new mega exhibition center to hold first event

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Beijing’s Capital International Convention and Exhibition Center will hold the 35th China International Audio Service, Products & Equipment Exhibition from Feb. 21 to 24, making it the first exhibition held in the center since its completion at the end of last year.
    The exhibition center is the largest single-building comprehensive convention and exhibition venue in Beijing, featuring the most complete range of functions. It has 210,000 square meters of indoor exhibition space and 50,000 square meters of outdoor exhibition space. 
    The venue consists of a conference center, a hotel, nine exhibition pavilions and three entry halls. The conference center covers some 15,000 square meters, capable of accommodating 9,000 attendees simultaneously.
    The auto equipment exhibition scheduled for late February will include a variety of categories, including car modifications and smart electronic products, recreational vehicles and accessories, outdoor camping products, automotive cockpit electronics and premium items, car beauty and maintenance products, auto lubricants, and car wash equipment.
    Nearly 6,000 companies are expected to participate in the exhibition and showcase over 180,000 products, including more than 5,000 brand new wares, which account for 80% of the industry’s annual new product releases. The event is anticipating attendance of 150,000 industry professionals and nearly 100,000 general attendees.
    In addition to the auto showcase, the exhibition center will stage six more major exhibitions in the first half of this year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Elon Musk-led group submits $97.4B bid for OpenAI

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A team of investors led by Elon Musk submitted a 97.4-billion-U.S.-dollar bid to buy the non-profit that controls OpenAI, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

    Musk’s attorney Marc Toberoff said that he had presented the bid to OpenAI’s board of directors, according to the Journal.

    Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 alongside Sam Altman and others but left the company in 2018. The Musk-led team is positioning the move as an effort to refocus OpenAI on open-sourced artificial intelligence (AI).

    “It’s time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was. We will make sure that happens,” Musk said in a statement on Monday.

    In November 2024, Musk’s legal team filed a motion for an injunction as part of a lawsuit against OpenAI, challenging its effort to transition from nonprofit status.

    Musk’s own AI firm, xAI, is involved in the bid, fueling speculation that a successful acquisition could lead to a merger of the two companies.

    In response to Musk’s offer, Altman wrote on the social platform X on Monday, “No thank you but we will buy Twitter for 9.74 billion dollars if you want.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Traditional folk dance as cultural link

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Drawn by the rhythmic beats of drums and spirited shouts, Thanita Raemee, a 20-year-old Thai exchange student, navigated through winding streets and bustling alleys until she arrived at the dynamic training grounds of the Ximen Women’s Yingge Dance Team.

    Founded in 1952, this pioneering all-female team is the first of its kind in the Chaoshan region of south China’s Guangdong Province, with members ranging from teenagers to nearly 80-year-olds. Performers come from all walks of life — spirited young girls, agile middle-aged men, and even food delivery workers dancing between shifts.

    The Yingge dance, or “dance to the hero’s song,” is a form of folk dance popular in south China’s Guangdong Province. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), this traditional dance is often performed during traditional Chinese festivals. As a dynamic blend of theater, dance, and martial arts, it was listed among the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006.

    Once a traditional folk performance, Yingge dance saw a recent surge in popularity. Videos of its energetic routines have flooded social media, earning it the title of the “ultimate Chinese New Year atmosphere booster.”

    While men’s Yingge performances are inspired by the legendary “Water Margin,” one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature, the women’s routines often draw from the tales of legendary Chinese heroines like Mu Guiying and Hua Mulan.

    Thanita watched in awe as the dancers moved in perfect unison, their forms embodying both strength and grace.

    “Incredible! How do they stay so synchronized? Compared to traditional Thai dance, this feels much more powerful and rhythmic — it’s exhilarating!” she exclaimed.

    “Most of our members are under 20, balancing their studies and work. They train purely out of passion,” said the team’s coach Wu Yanhua, who left her job as a kindergarten teacher to focus on the team’s revival in 2011.

    That passion was evident in every interaction. “My teammates take turns helping me with childcare. Yingge dance is part of my life — I even dream about it,” said a team member Zhou Yixiang while gently rocking her five-month-old baby in a stroller.

    Six-year-old Huang Kexin eagerly demonstrated snake-dance moves she had just learned, hopping and twirling with a delightful burst of playful energy. Meanwhile, 11-year-old Lin Yahan patiently taught Thanita how to grip the Yingge hammer properly, while her twin sister nodded in encouragement.

    During the recently concluded Spring Festival holiday, homestay tourism flourished across China. Shantou, a key city in Chaoshan known for its rich New Year traditions, saw bookings soar 13 times from last year. Lion dance, Yingge dance and other traditional performances have become festival favorites.

    Thanita has family roots in Chaoshan — her father is an overseas Chinese descendant. For her, Yingge dance serves as a bridge between Chinese and Thai cultures. In fact, many in Thailand are already familiar with the dance.

    In early 2023, a Thai Yingge team’s electrifying performance at a shopping mall in Thailand went viral, and later that year, the Yingge cultural exchange group from Thailand visited Chaoshan to engage with local dancers.

    This year, Yingge dance teams from Shantou have also been invited to perform on multiple overseas stages for the Spring Festival celebrations.

    Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, the 25-member Yingge team toured Germany and France from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4. They performed in cities like Hanau, Frankfurt, Paris, and Lyon, sharing the vibrant charm of Yingge dance.

    Studying international Chinese education at Shantou University, Thanita deeply admires the dedication and enthusiasm of Yingge performers.

    “One of my goals in coming to China was to explore the traditions my ancestors once lived by. Yingge has expanded my understanding of Chaoshan and Chinese culture while revealing the cultural ties between China and Thailand,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.26 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.26 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, February 11, 2025)

    In order to keep liquidity adequate in the banking system, the People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB33 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on February 11, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Volume

    Rate

    7 days

    RMB33 billion

    1.50%

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年02月11日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores American Competitiveness and Security in FCPA Enforcement

    Source: The White House

    ELIMINATING UNDUE BARRIERS TO U.S. SUCCESS: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to restore American competitiveness and security by ordering revised, reasonable enforcement guidelines for the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) of 1977.

    • The Order directs the Attorney General to pause FCPA actions until she issues revised FCPA enforcement guidance that promotes American competitiveness and efficient use of federal law enforcement resources.
      • Past and existing FCPA actions will be reviewed.
      • Future FCPA investigations and enforcement actions will be governed by this new guidance and must be approved by the Attorney General.

    AMERICAN SECURITY REQUIRES AMERICAN ECONOMIC STRENGTH: American national security depends on America and its companies gaining strategic commercial advantages around the world, and President Trump is stopping excessive, unpredictable FCPA enforcement that makes American companies less competitive.

    • U.S. companies are harmed by FCPA overenforcement because they are prohibited from engaging in practices common among international competitors, creating an uneven playing field.
    • Strategic advantages in critical minerals, deep-water ports, and other key infrastructure or assets around the world are critical to American national security.
    • FCPA overenforcement infringes upon the President’s Article II authority to conduct foreign affairs, necessitating this review and new enforcement policies.
    • Over time, FCPA interpretation and enforcement by U.S. prosecutors has broadened, imposing a growing cost on our Nation’s economy.
      • In 2024, the DOJ and SEC filed 26 FCPA-related enforcement actions, and at least 31 companies were under investigation by year end.
      • Over the past decade, there has been an average of 36 FCPA-related enforcement actions per year, draining resources from both American businesses and law enforcement.

    PUTTING AMERICA FIRST: President Trump is committed to prioritizing American economic and security interests and ensuring U.S. businesses have the tools to succeed globally.

    Since returning to office, President Trump has signed several executive actions aimed at enhancing American economic competitiveness, including an Executive Order to strengthen U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China to protect the American people.   a 10-to-1 deregulation initiative, ensuring every new rule is justified by clear benefits

    President Trump renegotiated trade deals, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to secure better terms for American workers and businesses.

    President Trump has worked to cut burdensome regulations that hinder U.S. businesses, ensuring they can operate efficiently and competitively on the world stage.

    President Trump: “We have to save our country. Every policy must be geared toward that which supports the American worker, the American family, and businesses, both large and small, and allows our country to compete with other nations on a very level playing field…”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Adjusting Imports of Steel into The United States

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-center”>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
     
    A PROCLAMATION

    1. On January 11, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on the Secretary’s investigation into the effect of imports of steel mill articles (steel articles) on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862) (section 232).  The Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that steel articles are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.
    2. In Proclamation 9705 of March 8, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), I concurred in the Secretary’s finding that steel articles, as defined in clause 1 of Proclamation 9705 (as amended by clause 8 of Proclamation 9711 of March 22, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States)), are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States, and decided to adjust the imports of steel articles by imposing a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on such articles imported from most countries.  Proclamation 9705 further stated that any country with which the United States has a security relationship is welcome to discuss alternative ways to address the threatened impairment of the national security caused by imports from that country, and noted that, should the United States and that country arrive at a satisfactory alternative means to address the threat to the national security such that the President determines that imports from that country no longer threaten to impair the national security, I may remove or modify the restriction on steel articles imports from that country and, if necessary, adjust the tariff as it applies to other countries, as the national security interests of the United States require.
    3. In Proclamation 9705, I also directed the Secretary to monitor imports of steel articles and inform me of any circumstances that in the Secretary‘s opinion might indicate the need for further action under Section 232, as amended, with respect to such imports.  Pursuant to Proclamation 9705, the Secretary was authorized to provide relief from the additional duties, based on a request from a directly affected party located in the United States, for any steel article determined not to be produced in the United States in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or of a satisfactory quality, or based upon specific national security considerations.

    In subsequent proclamations, I noted the conclusion of discussions or the agreement on certain measures with the Argentine Republic (Argentina), Proclamation 9759 of May 31, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States); the Commonwealth of Australia (Australia), Proclamation 9759; the Federative Republic of Brazil (Brazil), Proclamation 9759; Proclamation 10064 of August 28, 2020 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States); Canada, Proclamation 9894 of May 19, 2019 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States; the United Mexican States (Mexico), Proclamation 9894; and the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Proclamation 9740 of April 30, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States).  President Biden noted the conclusion of discussions or the agreement on certain measures with the European Union (EU) on behalf of its member countries, Proclamation 10328 of December 27, 2021 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States); Proclamation 10691 of December 28, 2023 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States); Japan, Proclamation 10356 of March 31, 2022 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States); and the United Kingdom (UK), Proclamation 10406 of May 31, 2022 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), on alternative ways to address the threat to the national security.  In addition, then-President Biden acknowledged the close relationship with Ukraine and exempted steel articles from Ukraine from the tariff. Proclamation 10403 of May 27, 2022 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States); Proclamation 10588 of May 31, 2023 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States); Proclamation 10771 of May 31, 2024 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States).  In Proclamation 10783 of July 10, 2024 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), President Biden noted that imports of steel articles from Mexico had increased significantly as compared to their levels at the time of Proclamation 9894.  Accordingly, he implemented a melt and pour requirement for imports of steel articles that are products of Mexico and increased the section 232 duty rate for imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles that are products of Mexico that are melted and poured in a country other than Mexico, Canada, or the United States.

    • The Secretary has informed me that the initial 25 percent ad valorem tariff imposed by Proclamation 9705 has been an effective means of reducing imports, encouraging investment and expansion of production by domestic steel producers, and mitigating the threatened impairment of U.S. national security.  Following the initial imposition of 25 percent ad valorem tariffs, the U.S. steel capacity utilization rate increased to above 80 percent.
    • The Secretary has also informed me that, notwithstanding the impact of the tariff imposed by Proclamation 9705, imports of steel articles from certain countries exempted from the tariff or subject to alternative agreements have increased significantly, while excess capacity in the global steel industry has begun to increase again in recent years.  For example, imports from Canada increased 18 percent since Canada was excluded from the section 232 tariffs.  According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), global steel excess capacity is projected to reach approximately 630 million metric tons by 2026, more than total steel production in all OECD countries.  At the same time, exports of steel from the People’s Republic of China (China) have recently surged, exceeding 114 million metric tons through November 2024 while displacing production in other countries and forcing them to export greater volumes of steel articles and derivative steel articles to the United States. 
    • Total steel imports as a share of U.S. consumption increased significantly in 2024, reaching nearly 30 percent, similar to the import share of U.S. consumption at the time the Secretary issued his January 11, 2018, report.  Imports from countries with which the United States has reached alternative agreements have increased significantly as a share of total imports, from 74 percent in 2018 to 82 percent in 2024, while imports from countries subject to quantitative restrictions remain elevated regardless of changing U.S. demand conditions and the substantial investments made to expand the capabilities of the domestic industry.  Increasing and persistently high import volumes from countries exempted from the duties or subject to other alternative agreements like quotas and tariff-rate quotas have captured the benefit of U.S. demand at the domestic industry’s expense and transmitted harmful effects onto the domestic industry.  As steel import market share has increased, the domestic industry’s performance has been depressed, resulting in capacity utilization rates persistently lower than the 80 percent target level highlighted in the Secretary’s report. 
    • The Secretary has informed me that imports of steel articles from Canada and Mexico have increased significantly to levels that once again threaten to impair U.S. national security.  Volumes from both Canada and Mexico increased overall, from 7.77 million metric tons in 2020 to 9.14 million metric tons in 2024.  Imports have also surged in excess of historical norms of trade across numerous key product lines, such as long reinforcing bars, which have experienced import increases of 1,678 percent from Mexico and 564 percent from Canada.  These surges have occurred while authorities in those countries have supported otherwise uncompetitive producers with subsidies and other interventions that have exacerbated the global excess capacity crisis.  In addition, increasing import volumes and including Mexico’s imports from China, support a conclusion that there is transshipment or further processing of steel mill articles from countries that remain subject to the additional ad valorem tariff proclaimed in Proclamation 9705, or from countries seeking to evade quantitative restrictions.
    • The Secretary has also informed me that alternative agreements with trading partners including Australia, the members of the EU, Japan, and the United Kingdom have been less effective in eliminating the threatened impairment of U.S. national security than the additional ad valorem tariff proclaimed in Proclamation 9705.  As a result, imports of steel articles from these countries have increased as a share of total U.S. steel imports from 18.6 percent in 2020 to 20.7 percent in 2024.  In addition, from 2022 to 2024, imports from countries subject to quotas (Argentina, Brazil, and South Korea) increased by approximately 1.5 million metric tons, even as U.S. demand declined by more than 6.1 million tons during the period.  Argentina has continued to export steel to the United States at unsustainable quantities, especially a recent surge of semifinished products. Furthermore, Argentina’s lack of data transparency has continued to be of concern for the United States.  From official trade statistics released by Argentina, it is difficult to assess the levels of steel being imported from places like China and Russia, and other potential sources of excess capacity. Brazilian imports from countries with meaningful levels of overcapacity, specifically China have grown tremendously in recent years, more than tripling since the institution of this quota arrangement. 
    • At the same time, these alternative agreements have not resulted in sufficient action by these trading partners to address non-market excess capacity caused primarily by China, or sufficient cooperation by these trading partners on issues like trade remedies and customs matters or monitoring bilateral steel trade.  Some countries have also welcomed steel industry investments from non-market producers in countries like China seeking to exploit the agreements to obtain preferential access to the U.S. market.  The agreements have therefore been detrimental to U.S. steel production and national security.
    • The Secretary has informed me of similar problems with respect to the temporary exemption for imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles from Ukraine.  Rather than supporting the Ukrainian steel industry and alleviating the economic harm caused by the ongoing conflict, the benefits of this temporary exemption have accrued primarily to producers in EU member countries, which have significantly increased duty-free exports to the U.S. market of steel articles processed from Ukrainian semi-finished steel.  Since 2021, imports from Ukraine have remained steady at 0.5 percent of total U.S. imports, while imports from the European Union have increased 11.2 percent to 14.8 percent.  As a result of the temporary exemption, these imports enter the U.S. market subject to neither the ad valorem tariff proclaimed in Proclamation 9705, nor the tariff-rate-quota system applicable to other imports of steel articles from EU producers as proclaimed in Proclamation 10328.  This has facilitated evasion of both the section 232 measures and of antidumping duties that would be paid if the finished products were imported directly from Ukraine.
    • The Secretary has informed me that producers in countries that remain subject to the program have continued to evade the measures by processing covered steel articles into additional downstream steel derivative products that were not included in the additional ad valorem tariffs proclaimed in Proclamation 9705 and Proclamation 9980 of January 24, 2020 (Adjusting Imports of Derivative Aluminum Articles and Derivative Steel Articles Into the United States).  Imports of products such as fabricated structural steel, prestressed concrete strand, and others, have increased significantly since the issuance of Proclamation 9705 and Proclamation 9980, eroding the domestic industry’s customer base and resulting in depressed demand for steel articles produced in the United States.
    • The Secretary has also informed me of certain ongoing challenges with the product exclusion process authorized by Proclamation 9705, Proclamation 9777 of August 29, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), and Proclamation 9980 and implemented by subsequent regulations.  This process has resulted in exclusions for a significant volume of imports, in a manner that undermines the purpose of the section 232 measures and threatens to impair national security.  Certain general approved exclusions remain in effect for entire tariff lines of steel articles, notwithstanding the domestic industry’s potential to produce many excluded products. 
    • I determine that these developments and modifications to the tariffs announced in Proclamation 9705 have undermined the program’s national security objectives by preventing the domestic steel industry from achieving sustained production capacity utilization of at least 80 percent, as determined necessary in the Secretary’s report of January 11, 2018.  I also determine that they have failed to achieve their articulated objectives.  As a result, I determine that they have resulted in significantly increasing imports of steel articles that threaten to impair the national security.    
    • In light of the Secretary’s findings regarding the alternative agreements with South Korea proclaimed in Proclamation 9740; Argentina, Australia, and Brazil proclaimed in Proclamation 9759; Canada and Mexico proclaimed in Proclamation 9894; EU countries proclaimed in Proclamation 10328; Japan proclaimed in Proclamation 10356; and the United Kingdom proclaimed in Proclamation 10406, I have revisited the determinations in these proclamations.  In my judgment, the arrangements with these countries have failed to provide effective, long-term alternative means to address these countries’ contribution to the threatened impairment to the national security by restraining steel articles exports to the United States from each of them, limiting transshipment and surges and distorted pricing, and discouraging excess steel capacity and excess steel production. Thus, I have determined that steel articles imports from these countries threaten to impair the national security, and I have decided that it is necessary to terminate these arrangements as of March 12, 2025.  As of that date, all imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, EU countries, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom shall be subject to the additional ad valorem tariff proclaimed in Proclamation 9705 with respect to steel articles and Proclamation 9980 with respect to derivative steel articles.  In my judgment, these modifications are necessary to address the significantly increasing share of imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles from these sources, which threaten to impair U.S. national security.  Replacing the alternative agreements with the additional ad valorem tariffs will be a more robust and effective means of ensuring that the objectives articulated in the Secretary’s January 11, 2018, report and subsequent proclamations are achieved.
    • For the same reasons, I have also revisited the determinations in Proclamation 10403, Proclamation 10558, and Proclamation 10771.  In my judgment, the arrangement with Ukraine has failed to provide effective, long-term alternative means to address Ukraine’s contribution to the threatened impairment to our national security by restraining steel articles exports to the United States from Ukraine, limiting transshipment and surges, and discouraging excess steel capacity and excess steel production. Thus, I have determined that steel articles imports from Ukraine threaten to impair the national security and have determined that it is necessary to terminate the temporary exemption for imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles from Ukraine as proclaimed in Proclamation 10403, Proclamation 10558, and Proclamation 10771.  In my judgment, terminating this exemption will prevent abuses that have resulted in significantly increasing imports from sources other than Ukraine, will prevent evasion of antidumping duties, and will support the domestic steel industry without harming Ukraine’s economic recovery. 
    • In light of the information provided by the Secretary that significantly increasing imports of certain derivative steel articles have depressed demand for steel articles produced by domestic steel producers, I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate in light of U.S. national security interests to adjust the tariff proclaimed in Proclamation 9705 and Proclamation 9980 to apply to additional derivative steel articles.  As of March 12, 2025, the additional derivative steel articles covered by this proclamation, as set out in Annex I to this proclamation, shall be subject to the ad valorem duties proclaimed in Proclamation 9705 and Proclamation 9980, except for derivative steel articles processed in another country from steel articles that were melted and poured in the United States.  For any derivative steel article identified in Annex I that is not in Chapter 73 of the HTSUS, the additional ad valorem duty shall apply only to the steel content of the derivative steel article.  The Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register to this effect, including Annex I to this proclamation. 
    • The Secretary has informed me that his findings with regard to the product exclusion process present circumstances that in the Secretary’s opinion indicate the need for further action by the President under section 232.  Accordingly, as of the date of this proclamation the Secretary is no longer authorized to provide relief from the additional duties set forth in clause 2 of Proclamation 9705 for any steel article determined not to be produced in the United States in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or a satisfactory quality or based on specific national security determinations, and the product exclusion process as authorized in clause 3 of Proclamation 9705, clause 1 of Proclamation 9777, and clause 2 of Proclamation 9980 is terminated, effective immediately.  I have determined that terminating product exclusions is necessary to ensure that overly broad exclusions do not allow high volumes of imports to undermine the objectives articulated in the Secretary’s January 11, 2018, report and relevant subsequent proclamations.  This change will also relieve the administrative burden that the process has created.  Following this proclamation, and subject to any restrictions set forth in or pursuant to other provisions of applicable law, imports of any steel article or derivative steel article from any source and in any quantity will be available to U.S. importers, provided that the additional ad valorem tariffs are paid upon entry or withdrawal from warehouse for consumption.
    • Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, authorizes the President to take action to adjust the imports of an article and its derivatives if the President concurs with the Secretary’s finding that the article is being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security. 
    • Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), authorizes the president to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction.

    20.  The United States will monitor the implementation and effectiveness of these actions in addressing our national security needs, and I may revisit this determination, as appropriate.

         NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, and section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, do hereby proclaim as follows: 

    • The provisions of Proclamation 9740 with respect to imports of steel articles from South Korea; Proclamation 9759 with respect to imports of steel articles from Argentina, Australia, and Brazil; Proclamation 10064 with respect to imports of steel articles from Brazil; Proclamation 9894 with respect to imports of steel articles from Canada and Mexico; Proclamation 10783 with respect to imports of steel articles from Mexico; Proclamation 10328 and Proclamation 10691 with respect to imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles from the EU; Proclamation 10356 with respect to imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles from Japan; Proclamation 10406 with respect to imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles from the United Kingdom; and Proclamation 10403, Proclamation 10558, and Proclamation 10771 with respect to steel articles and derivative steel articles from Ukraine shall be ineffective as of 12:01 a.m. eastern time on March 12, 2025.  The provisions of clause 1 of Proclamation 9740 as applicable to imports of steel articles or derivative steel articles from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and EU member countries shall be ineffective as of 12:01 a.m. eastern time on March 12, 2025.  The provisions of clause 1 of Proclamation 9980 as applicable to imports of derivative steel articles from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea shall be ineffective as of 12:01 a.m. eastern time on March 12, 2025.  As of 12:01 a.m. eastern time on March 12, 2025, all imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles from these countries shall be subject to the additional ad valorem tariffs proclaimed in Proclamation 9705 and Proclamation 9980.
    • Clause 2 of Proclamation 9705, as amended, is revised to read as follows:

    “(2)(a)  In order to establish certain modifications to the duty rate on imports of steel articles, subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is modified as provided in the forthcoming annex to this proclamation set out in a subsequent Federal Register notice and any subsequent proclamations regarding such steel articles.

         (b)  Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, or in notices published pursuant to clause 3 of this proclamation, all steel articles imports covered by heading 9903.80.01, in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, shall be subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, as follows: (i) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on March 23, 2018, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and the member countries of the European Union; (ii) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on June 1, 2018, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and South Korea; (iii) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on August 13, 2018, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, and Turkey; (iv) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on May 20, 2019, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, and Turkey; (v) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on May 21, 2019, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea; (vi) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on January 1, 2022, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea, and except the member countries of the European Union through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on December 31, 2023, for steel articles covered by headings 9903.80.65 through 9903.81.19, inclusive; (vii) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on April 1, 2022, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea, and except the member countries of the European Union through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on December 31, 2023, for steel articles covered by headings 9903.80.65 through 9903.81.19, inclusive, and from Japan, for steel articles covered by headings 9903.81.25 through 9903.81.80, inclusive; (viii) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on June 1, 2022, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and Ukraine through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on June 1, 2023, and except the member countries of the European Union through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on December 31, 2023, for steel articles covered by headings 9903.80.65 through 9903.81.19, inclusive, and from Japan and the United Kingdom (UK), for steel articles covered by subheadings 9903.81.25 through 9903.81.78 and heading 9903.81.80, and from the member countries of the European Union, for steel articles covered by heading 9903.81.81; (ix) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on June 1, 2023, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and Ukraine through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on June 1, 2024, and except the member countries of the European Union through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on December 31, 2023, for steel articles covered by headings 9903.80.65 through 9903.81.19, inclusive, and from Japan and the UK, for steel articles covered by subheadings 9903.81.25 through 9903.81.78 and heading 9903.81.80, and from the member countries of the European Union, for steel articles covered by heading 9903.81.81, and from the member countries of the European Union where the steel used in the manufacture of the steel article is melted and poured in Ukraine through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on June 1, 2024, (x) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on January 1, 2024, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea, and except for Ukraine in accordance with the relevant proclamation as amended, and except the member countries of the European Union in accordance with the relevant proclamation as amended, for steel articles covered by headings 9903.80.65 through 9903.81.19, inclusive, and from Japan and the UK , in accordance the relevant proclamation as amended, for steel articles covered by subheadings 9903.81.25 through 9903.81.78 and heading 9903.81.80, and from the member countries of the European Union in accordance with the relevant proclamation as amended, for steel articles covered by heading 9903.81.81, and from the member countries of the European Union where the steel used in the manufacture of the steel article is melted and poured in Ukraine in accordance with the relevant proclamation as amended, and (xi) from all countries on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on March 12, 2025, unless suspended. Further, except as otherwise provided in notices published pursuant to clause 3 of this proclamation, all steel articles imports from Turkey covered by heading 9903.80.02, in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, shall be subject to a 50 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on August 13, 2018, and prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern time on May 21, 2019.  These rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported steel articles, shall apply to imports of steel articles from each country as specified in the preceding three sentences.“

    • The first two sentences of clause 1 of Proclamation 9980 are revised to read as follows:

    “In order to establish increases in the duty rate on imports of certain derivative articles, subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is modified as provided in Annex I and Annex II to this proclamation.  Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, all imports of derivative aluminum articles specified in Annex I to this proclamation shall be subject to an additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty, and all imports of derivative steel articles specified in Annex II to this proclamation shall be subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty, with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, as follows: (i) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 8, 2020, these rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported derivative aluminum articles or steel articles, shall apply to imports of derivative aluminum articles described in Annex I to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, the Commonwealth of Australia (Australia), Canada, and the United Mexican States (Mexico), and to imports of derivative steel articles described in Annex II to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea; (ii) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on January 1, 2022, these rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported derivative aluminum articles or steel articles, shall apply to imports of derivative aluminum articles described in Annex I to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Canada, the member countries of the European Union, and Mexico, and to imports of derivative steel articles described in Annex II to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the member countries of the European Union, Mexico, and South Korea; (iii) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on April 1, 2022, these rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported derivative aluminum articles or steel articles, shall apply to imports of derivative aluminum articles described in Annex I to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Canada, the member countries of the European Union, and Mexico, and to imports of derivative steel articles described in Annex II to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the member countries of the European Union, Japan, Mexico, and South Korea; (iv) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on June 1, 2022, these rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported derivative aluminum articles or steel articles, shall apply to imports of derivative aluminum articles described in Annex I to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Canada, the member countries of the European Union, Mexico, and the UK, and to imports of derivative steel articles described in Annex II to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the member countries of the European Union, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the UK, and except from Ukraine through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on June 1, 2023; (v) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on March 10, 2023, these rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported derivative aluminum articles or steel articles, shall apply to imports of derivative aluminum articles described in Annex I to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Canada, the member countries of the European Union, Mexico, the UK, and Russia, and to imports of derivative steel articles described in Annex II to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the member countries of the European Union, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the UK, and except from Ukraine through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on June 1, 2023; (vi) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on June 1, 2023, these rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported derivative aluminum articles or steel articles, shall apply to imports of derivative aluminum articles described in Annex I to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Canada, the member countries of the European Union, Mexico, the UK, and Russia, and to imports of derivative steel articles described in Annex II to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the member countries of the European Union, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the UK, and except from Ukraine om accordance with the relevant proclamation as amended; and (vii) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on March 12, 2025, unless suspended, these rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, taxes, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported derivative steel articles, shall apply to imports of derivative steel articles described in Annex II to this proclamation from all countries.”

    • Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, all imports of derivative steel articles specified in Annex I to this proclamation or in any subsequent annex to this proclamation, as set out in a subsequent notice in the Federal Register, shall be subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty, with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on the Commerce certification date in clause 8. These rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, taxes, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported derivative steel articles, shall apply to imports of derivative steel articles described in Annex I to this proclamation from all countries, but shall not apply to derivative steel articles processed in another country from steel articles that were melted and poured in the United States. The Secretary shall continue to monitor imports of the derivative articles described in Annex I to this proclamation, and shall, from time to time, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative, review the status of such imports with respect to the national security of the United States.
    • For purposes of implementing the requirements in this proclamation, importers of steel derivative articles shall provide to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol within the Department of Homeland Security (CBP) any information necessary to identify the steel content used in the manufacture of steel derivative articles imports, covered by this Proclamation. CBP shall implement the information requirements as soon as practicable.
    • Within 90 days after the date of this proclamation, the Secretary shall establish a process for including additional derivative steel articles within the scope of the ad valorem duties proclaimed in Proclamation 9705, Proclamation 9980, and clause 4 of this proclamation.  In addition to inclusions made by the Secretary, this process shall provide for including additional derivative steel articles at the request of a producer of a steel article or derivative steel article, or an industry association representing one or more such producers, where the request establishes that imports of a derivative steel article have increased in a manner that threatens to impair the national security or otherwise undermine the objectives set forth in the Secretary’s January 11, 2018, report or any Proclamation issued pursuant thereto.  When the Secretary receives such a request from a domestic producer or industry association, the Secretary shall issue a determination regarding whether or not to include the derivative steel article or articles within 60 days of receiving the request. 
    • The provisions of clause 3 of Proclamation 9705, clause 1 of Proclamation 9777, clause 2 of Proclamation 9980, or any other provisions authorizing the Secretary to grant relief for certain products from the additional ad valorem duties or quantitative restrictions set forth in prior proclamations are hereby revoked.  As of 11:59 p.m. eastern time on the date of this proclamation, the Secretary shall not consider any product exclusion requests or renew any product exclusion requests in effect as of that date.  The Secretary shall take all necessary action to rescind the product exclusion process, including publication in the Federal Register.  Granted product exclusions shall remain effective until their expiration date or until excluded product volume is imported, whichever occurs first.  The Secretary shall terminate all existing general approved exclusions as of March 12, 2025.   
    • The modifications made by this proclamation in clause 4 shall be effective upon public notification by the Secretary of Commerce, that adequate systems are in place to fully, efficiently, and expediently process and collect tariff revenue for covered articles.
    • Any steel article or derivative article, except those eligible for admission under “domestic status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, that is subject to the duty imposed by this proclamation and that is admitted into a U.S. foreign trade zone on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on March 12, 2025, must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.41, and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading.  Any steel article or derivative steel article, except those eligible for admission under “domestic status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, that is subject to the duty imposed by this proclamation, and that was admitted into a U.S. foreign trade zone under “privileged foreign status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.41, prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on March 12, 2025 , will likewise be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading added by this proclamation.  Pursuant to clause 8, the duties on steel derivatives established by clause 4 of this Proclamation shall be suspended until public notification by the Secretary of Commerce that adequate systems are in place to fully, efficiently, and expediently process and collect tariff revenue applicable to covered articles.
    • Any product listed in Annex Ito this proclamation or any subsequent annex published in the Federal Register pursuant to this Proclamation, that is subject to the additional duties imposed by this proclamation, and that is admitted into a U.S. foreign trade zone, except any product that is eligible for admission under “domestic status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, may only be admitted as “privileged foreign status,” as defined in 19 CFR 146.41, effective as of the date that the additional duties are imposed.
    • The Secretary, in consultation with the Commissioner of CBP, Security, and the heads of other relevant executive departments and agencies, shall revise the HTSUS so that it conforms to the amendments and effective dates directed in this proclamation within ten days of March 12, 2025.  The Secretary is authorized and directed to publish any such modification and future modifications to the HTSUS in the Federal Register.
    • CBP shall prioritize reviews of the classification of imported steel articles and derivative steel articles and, in the event that it discovers misclassification resulting in non-payment of the ad valorem duties proclaimed herein, it shall assess monetary penalties in the maximum amount permitted by law and shall not consider any evidence of mitigating factors in its determination.  In addition, CBP shall promptly notify the Secretary regarding evidence of any efforts to evade payment of the ad valorem duties proclaimed herein through processing or alteration of steel articles or derivative steel articles prior to importation.  In such circumstances, the Secretary shall consider the processed or altered steel articles or derivative steel articles for inclusion as derivative steel articles pursuant to clause 5 of this proclamation.
    • No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this proclamation.

    (14)  The Secretary may issue regulations and guidance consistent with this proclamation, including to address operational necessity.

    (15) Any provision of a previous proclamation or Executive Order that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

    tenth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Whether we carve out an exemption or not, Trump’s latest tariffs will still hit Australia

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scott French, Senior Lecturer in Economics, UNSW Sydney

    US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have stated an exemption for Australia from Trump’s executive order placing 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imported into the US is “under consideration”. But prospects remain uncertain.

    Albanese would do well to secure an exemption using similar arguments as then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull did in 2018.

    If Australia cannot obtain a carve-out from the tariffs, the main group affected will be the Australian producers of steel and aluminium. But the size of the hit they will take is difficult to predict.

    Regardless of whether Australia gets an exemption, the world economy – and Australians – will be affected by Trump’s latest round of tariffs.

    Producers will be hit

    If ultimately imposed by the US, these tariffs will make steel and aluminium produced in Australia more expensive for US manufacturers relative to domestically produced alternatives. This will certainly result in reduced demand for the Australian products.

    However, three factors will help limit the effects:

    1. The price of metals produced in the US will rise

    It will take time to ramp up US production to fill the gap of reduced imports, and the extra production will likely come from less efficient domestic producers. This means that US manufacturers will continue to buy imported metals, despite the higher prices.

    2. The US is not a huge market for Australian steel and aluminium

    Australia produced A$113 billion of primary and fabricated metal in the 2022-23 financial year, according to the ABS.

    By comparison, less than $1 billion of steel and aluminium was exported to the US in 2023, according to data from UN Comtrade, consisting of about $500 million of aluminium and less then $400 million of steel. Exports to the US account for about 10% of Australia’s total exports of these metals.

    3. Major markets

    If major markets such as China and the European Union enact retaliatory tariffs on US metals, this could make Australian metals more competitive in these markets.

    Some stand to benefit

    While workers in Australian steel and aluminium plants will be watching the news with trepidation, some of Australia’s biggest manufacturing companies may be less concerned.

    For example, BlueScope Steel has significant US steel operations, and saw its share price increase on news of the tariffs.

    US-based Alcoa, which owns alumina refineries in Western Australia and an aluminium smelter in Victoria, will also expect to see its US operations benefit.

    And Rio Tinto will be most concerned about its substantial Canadian operations. Its Canadian hub is responsible for close to half of its global aluminium production.

    Demand for iron ore could fall

    The US tariffs will also have wider ranging effects on the Australian economy, regardless of whether Australia’s products are directly targeted.

    While aluminium is Australia’s top manufacturing export, it still makes up only about 1% of total exports, and steel makes up less than half that.

    Iron ore, by contrast, makes up more than 20% of Australia’s exports, with aluminium ores making up an additional 1.5%.

    This means the effect of the tariffs on demand for the raw materials to make steel and aluminium may have the largest detrimental effect on the Australian economy.

    Because the tariffs will make steel and aluminium more expensive to US manufacturers, they will seek to reduce their use of them. This means global demand for the metals, and the ores used to produce them, will decline.

    Investors appear to be betting on this, with shares of Australian miners like Rio Tinto and BHP falling since Trump announced the tariffs.

    Imported goods will become more expensive

    Many of the things Australians buy are likely to get more expensive.

    All US products that use steel and aluminium at any stage of the production process will also become more expensive. Tariffs will raise the cost of steel and aluminium for US manufacturers, both directly and by reducing overall productivity in the US.

    About 11% of Australia’s imports come from the US. And about half of this consists of machinery, vehicles, aircraft, and medical instruments, which typically contain steel and aluminium. Further, these goods are used by manufacturers around the world to produce and transport many of the other things Australians buy.

    Scott French 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. Whether we carve out an exemption or not, Trump’s latest tariffs will still hit Australia – https://theconversation.com/whether-we-carve-out-an-exemption-or-not-trumps-latest-tariffs-will-still-hit-australia-249493

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Dongfeng, Changan revamp to give global edge to automakers

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The planned restructuring of Wuhan, Hubei province-headquartered Dongfeng Motor Corp and Chongqing-based Changan Automobile is expected to create a more integrated and competitive automaker capable of competing with global giants like Toyota, Volkswagen and Tesla in the coming years, said analysts on Monday.

    A number of listed subsidiaries of State-owned Dongfeng Motor and CSGC, the parent company of Changan Automobile, including Dongfeng Automobile Co and Harbin Dongan Auto Engine Co, announced possible changes to their controlling shareholders on Sunday.

    The listed companies under CSGC announced that they had received a notice from their parent company regarding ongoing restructuring plans with other State-owned enterprises.

    They said that while the restructuring could result in changes to their controlling shareholders, it would not affect the ultimate controlling entity. They also emphasized that the plan remains subject to approval from the relevant authorities.

    Even though Dongfeng Motor and CSGC have not explicitly named each other as restructuring partners, market watchers said that there is a high possibility of integration among China’s State-owned automakers’ passenger vehicle businesses.

    Currently, Changan Automobile, in partnership with Chinese technology company Huawei Technologies Co, maintains a leading position in the transition to new energy vehicles and intelligent mobility development, said Zhang Xiang, an auto industry researcher at the Beijing-based North China University of Technology.

    “Therefore, it is expected that Changan Automobile will play a leading role in the future integration of the passenger vehicle businesses owned by centrally administered SOEs,” Zhang said.

    Dongfeng Motor reported vehicle sales of 2.48 million units in 2024, reflecting a 2.5 percent year-on-year increase, according to information released by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the country’s Cabinet.

    Meanwhile, Changan Automobile achieved total sales of 2.68 million vehicles last year, marking a 5.1 percent growth compared to the previous year. Notably, the company’s NEV sales surpassed 734,000 units, representing a 52.8 percent year-on-year surge.

    Based on their production capacity, the restructuring will effectively enhance the competitiveness of Chinese vehicle brands on the global stage, Zhang added.

    In terms of component integration, the restructuring of these two SOEs will significantly expand the procurement scale, enhancing their bargaining power with component suppliers. This is expected to cut procurement costs and improve the overall efficiency of the supply chain, said Ding Rijia, a professor specializing in industrial economy at the China University of Mining and Technology in Beijing.

    Further, if both companies integrate their component technologies, it will enhance the technical sophistication and performance of vehicle components, Ding said.

    Speaking at a news conference in Beijing last month, Lin Qingmiao, head of the SASAC’s bureau of enterprise reform, said the government’s key focus will be on the restructuring and integration of central SOEs this year, in order to further promote the optimization of the State-owned economy’s structural adjustment going forward.

    Lin said that China will speed up the allocation of State capital to critical industries related to national security and the lifeline of national economy, public services, emergency response capabilities, public welfare and strategic emerging industries.

    Eager to enrich user experience, Dongfeng Motor announced last week the successful integration of the full range of DeepSeek’s open-source large language model. Its brands, such as M-Hero and Nano Box, are set to incorporate and deploy this technology in their vehicles soon.

    Among these, the intelligent cockpit of the M-Hero 917, one of Dongfeng Motor’s luxury models, has already integrated the DeepSeek-R1 model, with an over-the-air update scheduled for April 2025.

    Through continuous customized model distillation and AI training, M-Hero owners will enjoy a significantly enhanced smart cockpit, featuring faster voice recognition, improved semantic understanding and humanlike responses, as well as expanded functionality for offroad driving scenarios, said Dongfeng Motor.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Reformist ink artist’s works on display at Shenzhen Art Museum

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Romance and reforms, an ink master revived tradition with great courage.

    The year was 1956. Late ink artist Li Keran was painting by the scenic West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, when rain drops fell on the paper he was drawing on. The parts smudged by the rain didn’t make Li panic, rather, gave him new ideas.

    While he continued to blend the marks made by the raindrops into his layering and shading, he also felt that it was a clue, a sign from nature for him to reform the ink painting tradition.

    Li was then in the middle of an ambitious project to invent new approaches to classic Chinese painting. He traveled extensively throughout the country in the 1950s to gather varying views, watch and imbibe different folk customs, and sketch outdoors.

    The fruits of these journeys were a collection of paintings in which Li introduced a modern context to the centuries-old ink tradition, addressing new aesthetic demands.

    Wandering in the Rain, an exhibition now on at the Shenzhen Art Museum, in Guangdong province, running until Feb 16, looks back on Li’s courageous efforts at that time. The paintings are from the collection of the Li Keran Foundation in Beijing.

    Li’s works present a majestic and romantic mood that is different from those created by his predecessors in ancient times, for which he was judged by conservatives. His endeavors were also critiqued by those who then questioned whether ink art could be modernized.

    But time has proved that Li’s reforms have been highly recognized, and continue to inspire more followers.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tesla battery Megafactory in Shanghai launches production

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    This photo shows a production launch ceremony of U.S. carmaker Tesla’s Megafactory in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    U.S. carmaker Tesla’s new Megafactory in Shanghai, dedicated to manufacturing its energy-storage batteries, known as Megapacks, launched production on Tuesday, marking a significant expansion of the company’s presence in China.

    With an initial annual production capacity of 10,000 units, or roughly 40 gigawatt-hours of energy storage, this Megafactory is set to significantly contribute to Tesla’s global energy storage goals. The company anticipates a year-on-year increase of 50 percent in energy storage deployments in 2025.

    Covering an area of approximately 200,000 square meters, the new Shanghai plant represents a total investment of about 1.45 billion yuan (around 202 million U.S. dollars), according to the administration of the Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, where this Tesla facility is located.

    Notably, mass production at the factory commenced just eight months after construction began, serving as a new example of “Tesla speed” in China, with the Shanghai Gigafactory, Tesla’s first plant in the country’s eastern financial hub, having been built and inaugurated within a year in 2019.

    “We’ve witnessed the incredible speed of Shanghai and Tesla once again. I’m excited to have this factory kick off an exciting year for Tesla,” said Mike Snyder, vice president of Tesla, at the launch ceremony on Tuesday, expressing confidence that the new factory will become a cornerstone of Tesla’s global production network. 

    An aerial drone photo shows U.S. carmaker Tesla’s Megafactory in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    This photo shows a commercial energy-storage system at U.S. carmaker Tesla’s Megafactory in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    This photo shows U.S. carmaker Tesla’s Megafactory in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US judge extends freeze on Trump’s massive ‘buyout’ plan

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    A U.S. federal judge on Monday extended a pause on the deadline for roughly two million federal workers to accept the Trump administration’s “buyout” offer, which gives seven months of salary to those who opt to leave their jobs.

    On Thursday, just hours before the acceptance deadline, Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts temporarily halted the administration’s “buyout” plan.

    After a hearing on Monday, the federal judge said that the pause would continue until he ruled on the legality of the “deferred resignation” plan.

    The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced the program in a statement on Jan. 28, with the original deadline set for Feb. 6. “If you resign under this program, you will retain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily workload and will be exempted from all applicable in-person work requirements until September 30, 2025,” the statement read.

    More than 60,000 employees have already agreed to resign as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to rapidly reduce the government workforce, according to a report by NBC news. That accounts for roughly 3 percent of the 2 million federal employees deemed eligible for “deferred resignation.”

    Labor unions have challenged the “buyout” program, arguing that OPM overstepped its authority by guaranteeing pay and benefits until the end of September, especially since Congress had only approved funding for most federal agencies until March 14.

    The unions also argue that the offer does not take into account potential negative impacts on the government’s operational capabilities, imposes an unreasonably tight deadline, and serves as a pretext for dismissing and replacing workers based on ideological reasons.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia-US ties ‘on verge of rupture’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Russian national flag waves at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Relations between Russia and the United States are “on the verge of rupture,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday.

    Moscow has repeatedly warned that bilateral relations were on the brink of rupture, Ryabkov said, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to the White House could lead to a change in U.S. foreign policy.

    At a press briefing, the diplomat also said there were currently no plans for contact between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump.

    “However, the topic does exist, and as the situation becomes clearer, I believe there will be agreements on this matter and they will be announced … at the appropriate time,” Ryabkov said.

    At the same time, Ryabkov said that the new U.S. administration has expressed interest in resuming dialogue with Moscow.

    “Trump’s team, despite the conflicting statements made by him and his people, has at least shown interest in resuming dialogue with Russia, which was interrupted by the Democrats,” Ryabkov said.

    He reiterated that Moscow remains ready for dialogue, including discussions on a potential settlement of the Ukraine crisis, however, such dialogue would only be possible based on equality and mutually acceptable terms.

    “A small window of opportunity” has emerged under the Trump administration for normalizing bilateral ties, he said, adding that Washington must decide whether to take advantage of this.

    The use of ultimatums, provocative remarks, or attempts to pressure Moscow into accepting unreasonable demands will not be effective for Russia-U.S. relations or dialogue between the two countries, he added.

    The New York Post reported late Saturday that Trump said he had discussed the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine by phone with Putin.

    However, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday he could “neither confirm nor deny” that Putin and Trump had been in touch when asked by reporters if the two leaders had spoken by phone.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Fossils found in south China identified as duck-billed dinosaur

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    This undated file photo provided by Xing Lida, a paleontologist at the China University of Geosciences (Beijing), shows a set of skeletal dinosaur fossils discovered in Sihui City, south China’s Guangdong Province. (Xinhua)

    Scientists have confirmed that a set of skeletal fossils discovered in southern China belonged to duck-billed dinosaurs from over 70 million years ago, expanding the region’s fossil record of these large, toothy creatures that likely migrated from North America.

    The bones were found in May 2009 by a Chinese amateur fossil hunter at a construction site in Taipinggang, Sihui City, Guangdong Province, and he donated them to a local museum.

    After cleaning and restoration, researchers in 2020 identified the fossilized skeleton comprising dorsal and caudal vertebrae, a humerus, ilium, femur and tibia. They believe the fossils belong to the tribe Lambeosaurini, a subfamily of plant-eating Hadrosauroidea dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous period.

    The study, led by paleontologists from China and Canada, was published in the journal Historical Biology in late January.

    According to the research team, Hadrosauroidea is renowned for its distinctive duck-billed mouth structure. These dinosaurs had thousands of teeth well arranged within their jaws, enabling them to exhibit strong chewing efficiency and viability.

    Lambeosaurini also possesses a unique cranial structure featuring narrow hollow nasal bones, which is likely responsible for their ability to make trumpet-like sounds that they use for communication.

    First author Wang Donghao, a PhD student from China University of Geosciences (Beijing), noted that the research team had identified long and narrow neural spines on the fossil specimen, which is an extremely rare feature. However, the fossils are mainly fragmentary bones and were not well-preserved, lacking substantial biological information about the dinosaur’s cranial structure.

    The researchers estimated that the creatures were not yet fully grown, measuring about 8 meters in length. They identified them as a more derived clade of Lambeosaurini dinosaurs that migrated from North America back to Asia via the Bering Strait, as their tall and narrow neural spines are a common trait among North American dinosaurs.

    The fossilized bones are the first record of Lambeosaurini in south China, and “they represent the only evidence suggesting a potential migration of North American dinosaurs to the region in Late Cretaceous,” co-author Xing Lida, a paleontologist from the university told Xinhua on Monday, noting that the study will help understand the ecological conditions across various regions before the mass extinction during the Late Cretaceous period.

    This image provided by Xing Lida, a paleontologist at the China University of Geosciences (Beijing), shows a restoration drawing of the dinosaurs based on the skeletal fossils discovered in Sihui City, south China’s Guangdong Province. (Xinhua)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release: Fatal crash, Greta Valley

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police can now name the two women who died in a crash on State Highway 1, Greta Valley on 19 December.

    They were Lu-Yao Lin from China, and Siriyakorn Sovitayasakul from Thailand.

    Both women were aged 28 and were in New Zealand on working holidays.

    Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones in their home countries, and their friends and colleagues in New Zealand.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese arts troupe brings ‘Happy Spring Festival’ celebration to Zagreb

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A Chinese artist performs during the “Happy Spring Festival” celebration in Zagreb, Croatia, on Feb. 10, 2025. The “Happy Spring Festival” performance by an arts troupe from central China’s Hubei Province captivated audiences at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZSEM) in the Croatian capital on Monday. (Xinhua/Li Xuejun)

    The “Happy Spring Festival” performance by an arts troupe from central China’s Hubei Province captivated audiences at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZSEM) in the Croatian capital on Monday.

    Artists from the Hubei Provincial Performing Arts Group presented a rich variety of traditional performances, including the folk music ensemble “Prosperous National Music,” suona solo “A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix,” and a guzheng and pipa duet “Spring River Moon Night.”

    The program also featured Hubei folk songs such as “Dragon Boat Tune,” Han Opera’s “Drunken Concubine,” and the guzheng and dance piece “High Mountains and Flowing Water.”

    In addition to musical and operatic performances, the show also included magic acts, Sichuan face-changing, and breathtaking Wudang martial arts displays.

    “It was a wonderful, absolutely fascinating performance in celebration of the Chinese New Year,” ZSEM dean Mato Njavro said, expressing his pleasure and honor in hosting the event.

    More than 500 guests from various fields attended the performance, including former Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, former Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa, former Deputy Speaker Davorko Vidovic, and Chinese Ambassador to Croatia Qi Qianjin.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Art exhibition at Grand Egyptian Museum showcases creativity of Arab artists

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A visitor looks at an artwork during the sixth edition of Art Cairo at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, on Feb. 10, 2025. The sixth edition of Art Cairo, currently underway at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), is captivating art lovers with a stunning array of contemporary Arab art. Running from Feb. 7 to 11 under the theme “Peace to All Nations,” the event brings together over 300 artists and 35 galleries from across the Arab world and Europe, showcasing more than 3,500 works of art. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

    The sixth edition of Art Cairo, currently underway at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), is captivating art lovers with a stunning array of contemporary Arab art.

    Running from Feb. 7 to 11 under the theme “Peace to All Nations,” the event brings together over 300 artists and 35 galleries from across the Arab world and Europe, showcasing more than 3,500 works of art.

    The exhibition features a diverse range of artistic expressions, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and mixed-media pieces such as intricate embroidery on canvas. The event also showcases a mix of artistic styles, from abstract paintings and realistic portraits to conceptual pieces that challenge ideas and spark discussion.

    A major highlight of Art Cairo is the “Egyptian Sarcophagi” series by Syrian contemporary artist Nizar Sabour, featuring paintings of iconic Egyptian figures such as singer Umm Kulthum, Nobel laureate novelist Naguib Mahfouz, and composer Mohamed Abdel Wahab.

    These elongated vertical portraits are inspired by Phoenician anthropoid sarcophagi and ancient Egyptian funerary traditions, with a halo of light circling each honored figure, reminiscent of sacred iconography.

    His “Egyptian Sarcophagi” is part of a larger artistic exploration project following his previous “Syrian Sarcophagi” and “Lebanese Sarcophagi.”

    Sabour stressed the importance of artistic gatherings like Art Cairo in the Arab world, calling them a vital platform for exchanging expertise.

    “We need such spaces for artistic communication, where artists can meet, interact, and assess their artworks. These gatherings not only enrich Arab art but also foster direct engagement between Arab artists,” he said.

    Among the Egyptian artists participating in Art Cairo is Mohamed Abla, a renowned visual artist known for his contributions to contemporary Egyptian art.

    “This event is important, and we fully support it. It’s great to see strong participation from Arab countries this year, and I hope this diversity continues to grow in the future,” Abla said.

    Abla underscored the connection between ancient and contemporary art through holding the fair at the GEM, whose official opening is approaching, noting that attendance has been strong, with a noticeable presence of young people.

    Jon Kapp, an American visitor from New York who lives and works in Egypt, expressed his excitement to explore the art in the Arab world.

    “I am excited to discover the different stories being told through the artworks,” Kapp said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China records 6.1m marriage registrations in 2024

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China recorded a 20 percent decline in marriage registrations in 2024, while the number of divorces slightly increased, according to recent figures unveiled by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
    The ministry’s figure shows that in 2024, the number of registered marriages was about 6.1 million, falling by 20.5 percent from that in 2023, which was 7.68 million. The number of registered divorces, however, increased by 1.1 percent year-on-year to 2.62 million in 2024.
    The nation’s registered marriages had seen a downward trend from 2014, with numbers falling to 6.84 million in 2022 before noting a brief rise in 2023 to 7.68 million.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China unveils ground-air dual-mode robot for Mars exploration

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A research team from the Harbin Institute of Technology has developed a ground-air dual-mode robot prototype, opening new possibilities for planetary exploration. Weighing just 300 grams — about the same as an average apple — the robot features innovative mobility, capable of rolling on the ground and taking off to overcome obstacles, CCTV News reported.
    Designed for extreme environments, the robot comes in multiple configurations, including dual-wheel and spherical designs, allowing it to adapt to diverse terrains. It can also be equipped with robotic arms for specialized tasks. With energy efficiency as a priority, the robot is particularly suited for Mars exploration, where minimal power consumption is crucial.
    The research team has developed multiple versions of the dual-mode robot, achieving an endurance time more than six times that of similar-sized devices. By rolling along the ground, the robot conserves energy, significantly extending its operational time. Its modular and lightweight structure allows for customization in tasks such as environmental monitoring, defect detection, and equipment maintenance.
    Beyond space exploration, the technology has potential applications in underground environments, such as coal mines and subway systems, where it could aid in construction and exploration of unknown spaces, according to Professor Zhang Lixian from the institute. The prototype has fully achieved these desired features and is ready for broader deployment, Prof Zhang said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese Tencent Cloud launches Middle East cloud region

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Chinese Tencent Cloud Company has launched its first Middle East Cloud Region in Saudi Arabia, featuring two availability zones with full redundancy, advanced cloud services, and AI capabilities.

    In a statement on Sunday, the company revealed that the new availability zones, expected to be operational in 2025, will integrate Saudi Arabia into Tencent Cloud’s global network of over 50 availability zones across 21 regions. It will enable the delivery of an expanded suite of cutting-edge Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solutions, including advanced analytics, AI, digital media innovations, superapp technologies, and more.

    Hu Dan, vice president of Tencent Cloud International for the Middle East and North Africa, hailed the new Cloud Region as a milestone in Tencent Cloud’s Middle East growth story.

    He said the new Cloud Region will strengthn Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation efforts across key sectors, including digital media and streaming, video gaming, esports, e-commerce, tourism, financial services, telecommunications, and more.

    For his part, Mohammed Alrobayan, deputy minister for technology at Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, said, “Tencent Cloud’s decision to launch its first cloud region in Saudi Arabia represents a significant milestone for digital transformation in the Middle East.”

    “This new cloud region will enhance the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure and accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies. It also reflects confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global hub for digital solutions and smart technology, fostering an economy driven by innovation and knowledge,” he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shanghai to host 2025 China Humanoid Robot Ecology Conference

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A humanoid robot displays its weight-bearing ability in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, Feb. 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The 2025 China Humanoid Robot Ecology Conference will take place from April 25 to 26 in Shanghai, offering both online and offline participation. The event promises to play a pivotal role in the field of robotics, according to the organizers.

    The conference will feature 10 forums, comprising one main forum and nine sub-forums, covering critical areas such as humanoid robot product development, market expansion, investment and financing strategies, industry-academia-research collaboration, battery technology and diverse application scenarios.

    It will bring together global experts, academic leaders, top industry executives and experienced investors to showcase the latest scientific advancements and cutting-edge technologies. Participants will have the opportunity to share industry trends, exchange market insights and promote international collaboration.

    As one of the pivotal representatives of cutting-edge technology, humanoid robots are experiencing unprecedented and rapid growth. Evolving from rudimentary simulations to advanced intelligence, they demonstrate significant potential for applications in industrial production and service sectors. Moreover, they are pioneering new frontiers in a variety of fields, including entertainment and competitive sports.

    Aimed at driving the high-quality development of the humanoid robotics industry and accelerating its application across diverse fields, the conference will highlight the rapid growth and potential of humanoid robots.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tech hub unveils measures to boost innovation

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The exhibition area of humanoid robots is pictured at the third Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Sept. 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The eastern Chinese tech city of Hangzhou, home to e-commerce giant Alibaba and rising AI star DeepSeek, has announced a series of measures to further elevate its status as a high-level innovation hub.

    The measures are aimed at enhancing high-level innovation platforms, promoting the technology transfer and application, and strengthening the role of enterprises as the main drivers of technological innovation, Lou Xiuhua, head of the municipal bureau of science and technology, said at a press conference.

    Among the measures is a partnership plan, which encourages collaboration between tech innovation platforms, universities, enterprises and industrial chains.

    The city will accelerate its construction of facilities and foundational projects such as large-scale models and computing power infrastructure. More computing power vouchers will also be allocated, Lou said.

    Computing power vouchers are a government subsidy tool designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access more computing resources at lower costs, aiming to promote innovative applications of AI technologies and digital transformation.

    Additionally, Hangzhou will launch an “AI+” initiative to promote the integration and application of AI across industries. It will also introduce a reform related to the application of technological achievements, encouraging universities and research institutions to license their technological fruits to SMEs under a “use first, pay later” model.

    Hangzhou, the capital of the economic powerhouse province of Zhejiang, has developed itself as an important hub in the internet and tech industries, driving advancements in e-commerce, AI and digital transformation.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tesla’s Shanghai battery Megafactory launches production

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 15, 2024 shows a view of Tesla’s megafactory in east China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]

    U.S. carmaker Tesla’s new Megafactory in Shanghai, dedicated to manufacturing its energy-storage batteries Megapacks, launched production on Tuesday, marking a significant expansion of the company’s presence in China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Equipment upgrade, consumer goods trade-in programs deliver fruitful results

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Customers apply for subsidies under the trade-in program for consumer goods in Hangzhou City, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Oct. 31, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in programs yielded fruitful results last year, driving strong growth in both investment and consumption, official data showed on Monday.

    The programs, which kicked off last March, drove equipment purchases and investment up by 15.7 percent in 2024, contributing 67.6 percent to overall investment growth, and boosted sales of bulk durable consumer goods by over 1.3 trillion yuan (about 181 billion U.S. dollars), according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

    Equipment upgrades and sales of green products have saved energy equivalent to approximately 28 million tonnes of standard coal, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 73 million tonnes, the commission noted.

    In 2024, over 37 million consumers purchased more than 62 million eligible home appliances, with total sales reaching 270 billion yuan. Items at the highest level of energy efficiency accounted for over 90 percent of the total sales revenue.

    In the auto sector, more than 6.8 million vehicles were traded in for new ones, driving sales by 920 billion yuan. Over 60 percent of consumers opted for new energy vehicles.

    To maintain this momentum, China last month announced a raft of measures to expand the scope of its consumer goods trade-in program, including new subsidies for electronic product trade-ins, as well as an increased number of categories on its trade-in list for eligible home appliances.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: French PM survives another no-confidence vote

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou delivers his general policy speech at the National Assembly in Paris, France, on Jan. 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou survived another no-confidence vote on Monday, initiated by the hard-left party La France Insoumise (LFI).

    Lacking support from its ally, the Socialist Party (PS), or the far-right National Rally (RN), the motion received only 115 votes – far below the 289 needed to remove Bayrou, according to National Assembly Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet.

    On Feb. 5, after surviving two no-confidence votes, Bayrou once again invoked his special constitutional power to push through the second part of the Social Security financing bill. In response, LFI filed the latest no-confidence motion, which was put to a vote on Monday.

    Shortly after the vote’s failure, Bayrou again invoked Article 49.3 of the French Constitution to bypass parliament and force through the “spending” section of the Social Security financing bill for 2025.

    According to Le Figaro, the bill includes a 2.6 percent increase in health spending, bringing the total to 264.2 billion euros (272 billion U.S. dollars).

    Bayrou was appointed prime minister by French President Emmanuel Macron on Dec. 13 after Michel Barnier was ousted in a no-confidence vote. (1 euro = 1.03 U.S. dollar)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Europe vows to defend interests amid new US tariff threats

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Flags of the European Union fly outside the Berlaymont Building, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The European Commission on Monday rejected the rationale for new U.S. tariffs on European exports, vowing to protect businesses, workers, and consumers across the bloc.

    The statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25-percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, reigniting fears of a transatlantic trade war.

    European Union (EU) leaders swiftly condemned the proposed tariffs, which are expected to be formally announced later on Monday. The Commission said there is “no justification” for the U.S. measures, calling them unlawful and economically harmful, particularly given the deeply integrated EU-U.S. supply and production chains.

    With European leaders signaling their readiness to retaliate, concerns are growing that the looming trade dispute could strain economic ties and disrupt global markets.

    Tariffs could backfire

    The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, strongly criticized the proposed tariffs, warning they would ultimately hurt U.S. businesses and consumers.

    “Tariffs are essentially taxes,” it said in a statement, emphasizing that the move would increase costs for American companies, drive inflation, heighten economic uncertainty, and disrupt global market integration. Given the deep interdependence between European and American industries, the EU warned that such measures would be counterproductive, effectively imposing taxes on U.S. citizens as well.

    European officials fear a repeat of 2018, when Trump’s previous steel and aluminum tariffs triggered swift EU retaliation. At the time, Brussels imposed countermeasures on U.S. goods such as whiskey, motorcycles, and orange juice.

    With the formal announcement of the new U.S. tariffs expected later on Monday, European leaders are bracing for another escalation in trade tensions.

    EU weighs retaliation

    France was among the first to respond to Trump’s tariff threat, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warning on Monday that the EU would retaliate if the proposed tariffs take effect.

    “There is no hesitation when it comes to defending our interests,” Barrot told French television TF1, recalling how the EU countered similar tariffs in 2018 and vowing to take the same approach if necessary.

    Germany, Europe’s largest economy, is also preparing for action. A spokesperson for the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action stated that while the EU and Germany are working to prevent the tariffs, they stand ready to implement countermeasures if needed.

    During a televised debate on Sunday ahead of upcoming elections, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that the EU could “act within an hour” if Trump proceeds with tariffs on European goods.

    Industry leaders are also pushing for a firm response. Gunnar Groebler, president of the German Steel Association, urged the EU to react in a “united, strategic, and swift manner” to counter the tariff threat. “The U.S. is the largest buyer of European steel, importing around 1 million tonnes of mostly special steels from Germany alone each year,” he noted.

    A lose-lose scenario

    French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned that tariffs on EU goods would not be in the interests of the United States.

    “If Washington imposes tariffs across multiple sectors, it will drive up the cost of goods and fuel inflation in the United States,” Macron said, pointing out that European savings play a crucial role in financing the U.S. economy.

    Economic experts share Macron’s concerns. Paul Johnson, director of the London-based Institute for Fiscal Studies, warned that Trump’s planned tariffs could push up interest rates worldwide, having ripple effects on global monetary policy.

    “It is going to create additional inflation, at the very least, in the United States, and that will have knock-on effects globally, particularly on interest rates,” Johnson explained.

    Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, a German automotive expert, argued that Trump is leveraging economic power to siphon off jobs and prosperity from other countries through his tariff policies. “He knows no friends or enemies. Even U.S. car manufacturers GM and Ford would suffer considerably from tariffs on cars from Canada and Mexico,” he said.

    Dudenhoeffer noted that U.S. net vehicle imports totaled 5.6 million units in 2024. “Trump might ask how many jobs could be created if all these vehicles were produced domestically,” he said.

    Despite the growing alarm, some analysts hold that the impact of Trump’s tariffs may be limited. Christian Helmenstein, chief economist of the Federation of Austrian Industries, described Trump’s plan as an “unfriendly pinprick” but not a severe blow.

    He told the Austrian newspaper Kurier that the U.S. imports about a quarter of its steel needs, with much of it coming from Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and South Korea rather than Europe.

    But Harald Oberhofer, an economist at the Austrian Institute of Economic Research, described Trump’s tariff plans as “an economically high-risk game.”

    He pointed out that the United States was Austria’s largest export growth market last year amid weak overall exports and a trade war could further weaken Austria’s already fragile economy, which is projected to grow by just 0.6 percent this year.

    As Trump moves closer to making his tariff announcement official, European leaders are making their stance clear: if the U.S. imposes new trade barriers, the EU stands ready to defend its economic interests with countermeasures.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Israel orders military readiness

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Relatives of a released hostage hug each other when a helicopter carrying the hostage arrives at a medical center in Ramat Gan, Israel, on Feb. 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Israel has ordered the military to prepare for “any possible scenario in the Gaza Strip” after Hamas announced Monday that the handover of hostages scheduled for Saturday would be postponed until further notice.

    In a statement issued by his office, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz denounced Hamas’ announcement as “a complete violation of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.”

    Katz said he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces to “prepare at the highest level of readiness for any possible scenario in Gaza and to defend the communities near the enclave.”

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is convening a situation assessment meeting with ministers and security officials, Israel’s Ynet news site reported, citing the Prime Minister’s Office.

    Earlier on Monday, Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said in a statement that during the past three weeks, the resistance leadership has monitored Israel’s failures to abide by the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

    The failures included delaying the return of displaced people to northern Gaza and targeting them with shelling and gunfire, as well as not bringing in relief supplies in all their forms as agreed upon, the statement added, stressing the resistance has implemented all its obligations.

    Accordingly, the handover of the hostages will be postponed until further notice and until Israel ensures adherence to the deal and compensates for the past weeks retroactively, it noted. “We affirm our commitment to the terms of the agreement as long as the occupation commits to them,” said the spokesman.

    Displaced Palestinians who take their way home from the southern Gaza Strip to the north, are seen near the Netzarim Corridor in the central Gaza Strip, on Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Meanwhile, Israel’s Hostages, Missing Persons, and Returnees Directorate, a government body, said in a statement that Israel “insists on the full implementation of the agreement as written and views any violation with the utmost seriousness.”

    These developments came hours after an Israeli delegation returned from Qatar, where indirect talks were held regarding the next phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

    Under the current ceasefire, which took effect on Jan. 19 after 15 months of war, 21 hostages — 16 Israelis and five Thais — were released from Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees freed from Israeli jails. During the first phase of the agreement, which spans six weeks, 33 Israeli hostages and about 2,000 Palestinian detainees are expected to be released.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China Development Bank issues 1.53 trillion yuan in infrastructure loans

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China Development Bank issued 1.53 trillion yuan (about 213.37 billion U.S. dollars) in infrastructure loans across the country in 2024, the bank said on Monday.

    The loans were granted for major infrastructure areas such as industrial upgrading, urban development and national security, the bank noted.

    Last year, China Development Bank strengthened its support for medium and long-term financing, and helped advance the implementation of the 102 key projects listed in the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).

    It also supported projects to implement major national strategies and build security capacities in key areas, as well as the implementation of large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs.

    The bank has also been actively supporting the construction of information infrastructure, integrated infrastructure and innovation infrastructure, all of which have broad application potential, strong enabling capabilities and significant driving effects.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China Harbour’s moduling building factory begins operations in Saudi Arabia

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A moduling building factory under China Harbour Engineering Company’s (CHEC) Sedra project in Saudi Arabia has officially commenced operations.

    Spanning approximately 200,000 square meters, the factory will supply prefabricated components for the Sedra project’s fully modular villas, while laying the industrial foundation for future prefabricated construction initiatives in Saudi Arabia, the CHEC announced in a statement on Sunday.

    The facility is equipped with an independently developed production management system and advanced robotics, enabling a fully digitalized workflow covering design, production, and storage.

    At the inauguration ceremony on Sunday, Iain McBride, head of commercial at Saudi ROSHN Real Estate Company, praised the factory’s remarkable speed of completion, commending its design, construction quality, and safety standards.

    “We look forward to deepening our collaboration with China Harbour in alignment with Vision 2030, the subsequent phases of the Sedra project, and expansion plans, working together to create a new chapter of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia,” he said.

    Yang Zhiyuan, general manager of CHEC (Middle East), said China Harbour will continue working closely with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and ROSHN to establish a leading prefabricated construction production base in the Middle East.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shanghai to issue consumption vouchers for service sector

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Tourists admire the skyline view of Lujiazui area at the Bund in Shanghai, east China, Jan. 6, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Shanghai will allocate 500 million yuan (about 69.73 million U.S. dollars) from its municipal budget to issue vouchers for the service sector, local officials announced at a press briefing on Monday.

    As part of an effort to boost spending, the vouchers will mainly support catering, tourism, cinemas and sports. The funds will be distributed as follows: 360 million yuan for catering, 90 million yuan for tourism, 30 million yuan for cinemas, and 20 million yuan for sports.

    Consumers can register for the lottery to receive catering and tourism vouchers starting Feb. 22. All vouchers will be valid for redemption starting from March 1 and will be fully distributed by the end of June.

    According to Zhu Min, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, spending in the service sector is key to enhancing and upgrading Shanghai’s consumption market, as well as driving commodity consumption.

    In 2024, Shanghai issued 500 million yuan worth of vouchers for the catering, accommodation, cinema and sports sectors.

    MIL OSI China News –