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Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: China sees robust increase in EV charging facilities

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 8, 2024 shows new energy vehicles charging at a charging station in Changsha County, central China’s Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

    China saw a significant surge in electric vehicle charging facilities in 2024, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

    By the end of last year, the total number of electric vehicle charging poles in the country had reached 12.82 million, marking a 49.1 percent year-on-year increase.

    Of these, public charging poles accounted for approximately 3.58 million, while private charging poles neared 9.24 million.

    In 2024, China added more than 4.22 million electric vehicle charging poles.

    The expansion of charging facilities comes amid surging demand for new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China, with both production and sales surpassing 12 million units in 2024.

    China has maintained its position as the world’s leading NEV market for 10 consecutive years.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s oil, gas output exceeds 400M tonnes for 1st time

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s crude oil and natural gas output exceeded 400 million tonnes of oil equivalent for the first time in 2024, according to the National Energy Administration.

    The country’s crude oil and natural gas output has sustained a robust annual growth streak of over 10 million tonnes for the eighth consecutive year, the administration said.

    Crude oil production reached 213 million tonnes in 2024, an increase of 24 million tonnes from 2018, while natural gas production reached 246.4 billion cubic meters, with an average annual growth of over 13 billion cubic meters in the past six years.

    Offshore and unconventional reserves have become the primary contributors to production growth. For example, China’s shale oil output surged to 6 million tonnes in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of over 30 percent.

    Meanwhile, China’s shale gas production remained strong, exceeding 25 billion cubic meters, according to the administration.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Press Conference “Risks in BaFin’s Focus”, 28 January 2025

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    Check against delivery.

    A warm welcome from me too!

    The environment facing the German financial sector in 2025 will be challenging.

    At the moment, there is no single key risk. The situation is multifaceted and complex. Companies are having to deal with a diverse range of risks. Risks that are sometimes closely interconnected. Many of these risks can have immediate impacts, while some will only materialise in the long term. This situation is described in the fourth edition of our “Risks in BaFin’s Focus”, which we are publishing today. The picture is also very dynamic. While some risks remain consistently high – for example the strained situation on the commercial real estate markets – the risk situation in market-driven areas can change rapidly. Since going to press, we have seen a kind of party mood develop in certain parts of the financial markets. And as we all know: the bigger the party, the bigger the hangover.

    Over the next few minutes, I would like to discuss three topics. These three topics are very different, but they all make one thing clear: some of the challenges we are facing today are the result of new risk drivers. In other words, they are the result of developments that cannot be precisely gauged – in part because we lack relevant historical experience. This makes risk management more difficult. For the supervised entities, but also for us. The trend arrows for the risks I will address today are pointing in the wrong direction, symbolising a growing risk.

    The first topic I would like to address today is sustainability. Or, to be more precise: the physical risks of climate change. Still fresh in all our minds are the images of the devastating fires around Los Angeles. A tragic disaster with thousands of destroyed buildings, tens of thousands of people evacuated and more than two dozen fatalities. It is estimated that the potential property damage and economic losses could be as high as 150 billion US dollars. This will of course have an impact on the financial sector, especially on insurers’ loss amounts. Rating agencies estimate that in Europe, too, more than 30 percent of reinsurers annual loss budget for natural disasters could already be used up – and that within the first few days of the year.

    For disasters of this kind to occur, many factors have to come together. While regional weather patterns undoubtedly play a role, experts tell us that climate change is increasingly creating the conditions for these kinds of catastrophic fires. Conditions such as long periods of drought.

    Companies in the financial sector must therefore continue to address the physical risks of climate change – and they need to address these risks more intensively. That is to say, the specific effects of global warming, such as extreme weather events like droughts and flooding. Of course, the transition risks posed by the journey to a sustainable, low-carbon economy will also remain relevant.

    But I would say that in comparison, regulation and supervision have not paid sufficient attention to physical risks up to now. At BaFin, we will be putting a particular focus on these risks in 2025 – climate change is forging ahead. According to Copernicus, the EU’s Earth observation programme, the global average temperature in 2024 was more than 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels for the first time. Physical risks, which will have an impact on banks’ loan portfolios or insurers’ loss amounts, are continuing to rise. Think of the Spanish region of Valencia, where severe flooding last autumn caused extensive damage. According to estimates, the ratios of non-performing loans in Spanish banks’ portfolios will rise in the coming quarters.

    We are therefore taking a close look at how physical risks are addressed at the companies we supervise – such as banks and insurers that are particularly at risk due to extreme weather, supply chain dependency or concentrated credit and market risks. We have found that the companies have generally made progress in managing their sustainability risks, but there is still room for improvement.

    For example, when it comes to integrating and processing data on physical climate risks. This is important for banks and insurers to be able to assess individual natural hazards. And that means they need to draw on several sources of information. We have found that many companies lack important data. In the case of banks, this is often customer-related location data – combined with an allocation of the physical risks to an exact address, such as possible flooding due to heavy rain. Insurers have gaps in their data, for example, in terms of public flood protection measures or the building regulations of the respective cities and municipalities. It is our impression that banks, in particular, are still in the early stages in this regard. They are currently focusing on building up their data basis.

    This is very important work. Supervised companies need to manage the increasing physical risks of climate change. Take regional banks, for example. If an extreme weather event were to occur in their home region, many of their customers could be affected at the same time. Not to mention numerous employees. This geographical concentration can be problematic. It can also particularly affect insurers and banks with specialised business models, for example in agriculture and forestry. The situation is made even more difficult by the sometimes very close links between banks and insurers through risk transfers. Just think of real estate loans and the protection of properties against natural disasters. These risks in particular are becoming increasingly difficult to assess: how likely are they to occur? How severe could potential damage be? And: will the property even be insurable for a reasonable price in future? In several areas of some US states, such as Florida or California, this is no longer a possibility . Climate change is one reason for this. Such insurance gaps not only raise political and social questions, but also questions about the financial viability and recoverability of real estate loans.

    It is important to realise that historical data is only of limited value – the risk situation is changing rapidly. Depending on the scenario one takes , one neighbouring country might be almost completely under water by the end of the century. It also seems plausible to me that climate change could become a driver of another highly charged geopolitical issue: migration.

    For BaFin, one thing is certain: supervised companies must continue to address in detail the physical risks of climate change and, especially, integrate these risks into all areas of their risk management. We should not wait for the next disaster. A forward-looking approach will not only protect the solvency of insurers and banks, but also be able to drive prevention measures forward. If risks are properly priced, it is more likely that they will be mitigated. The more trouble we have getting climate change under control, the more we will have to accept that physical risks are increasing and that prevention and risk avoidance are becoming more and more essential.

    The second topic I would like to address today is the risk arising from the profound technological change taking place in the financial industry. Here, too, historical experience is not particularly helpful. New technologies – such as generative artificial intelligence or, in future, quantum computing – are driving the transformation of the industry forward. These technologies have tremendous potential. For companies. And for customers. But they also entail very significant risks.

    At the top of the list are potential cyber incidents or major IT failures. Large banks, insurers and clearing houses play an extremely important role and have highly sensitive and therefore valuable data. This makes them particularly susceptible to cyber incidents. Data presented by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also confirms this. According to the IMF report, almost a fifth of all global cyber incidents over the past 20 years affected companies in the financial sector. The damage amounts to almost 12 billion US dollars.

    The threat of cyber incidents is globally very high. And it is continuing to rise. This is also due to the tense geopolitical situation. Many companies in the financial sector and their key service providers form part of the critical infrastructure. They are thus an attractive target for state-initiated attacks. But the threat is also rising due to the many new technological possibilities.

    For example, through generative AI. More and more companies in the financial sector are using generative AI or testing its use. And of course, criminals are also using such technologies – to develop new attack methods or malicious code, for example. High quality phishing messages can be created quickly using AI, which makes it much more difficult to identify fraudulent messages.

    Many companies are aware of all these risks and have invested in their IT security. That’s good news. But we cannot become complacent. It is important to us that companies continuously monitor current developments and threats. That they adapt their security measures. And that they prepare for crisis situations. They are currently well positioned to do so: the financial institutions reported strong earnings in 2024. They should use these earnings to invest further in their IT security. This is what we expect of them. It is also what their customers expect of them.

    It goes without saying that our work as a supervisory authority is increasingly being defined by the risks arising from technological change. Just to give one example: in the first three quarters of 2024, we received 258 reports of IT incidents in payment services. This is a significant increase compared to previous years. In two out of three incidents, the cause was not at a supervised financial institution, but at one of its service providers.

    We are also continuing to identify numerous serious IT shortcomings in our IT inspections at supervised companies.

    This is why the topics of IT security, cybersecurity and outsourcing remain high on our agenda. This year, we are planning more than 30 IT inspections, including follow-up inspections and inspections focusing on IT security.

    We will also be more closely monitoring multi-client service providers that offer services to a significant extent in the European financial market, service providers that this market also relies on. In addition, we are preparing to participate in joint examination teams led by the European Supervisory Authorities; these teams monitor critical IT service providers. Among others, the focus here will be on cloud hyperscalers.

    We need strong and effective supervision in the IT sector. At the same time, we need to keep an eye on emerging technologies. Technologies that are not yet available today, but which we know could have a very significant impact on the future of the financial sector. One such technology is quantum computing.

    Some people might argue that there aren’t yet any mass-produced quantum computers. Maybe so. There are still a few technological hurdles to overcome. But research and development are making rapid progress. You may remember that a few weeks ago, in December, Google presented a new quantum chip. In less than five minutes, this chip performed a calculation that would take one of today’s fastest supercomputers 10 quadrillion years. That is a one with 25 zeros. An unimaginable number that far exceeds the age of the universe.

    We don’t yet know when powerful quantum computers will be widely available. But there is much to suggest that we will see a breakthrough happen.

    Companies in the financial sector need to get ready for this development. They need to get ready today.

    Why do I emphasise this so strongly? Because quantum computers will be able to overcome conventional encryption technologies. Current cryptography methods such as RSA1 , which form the basis of IT security in the financial sector today, will no longer be an obstacle for quantum computers. This will pose a massive threat to data security in the financial industry. The cryptography currently used for the largest cryptoassets is probably not quantum-resistant either. Now, please be aware that this is not only some future scenario we are talking about. This risk is already relevant today. Data can already be stolen and stored today, to be decrypted later.

    Companies must not underestimate the risks that this poses. They must take protective measures – now. Especially for security-relevant data designed to have long-term validity. This is the only way they can protect this data in the long term.

    This may remind some of you, at least the older ones among us, of the millennium bug. That was a major issue at the end of the 90s. And the situation is similar today. Only this time we don’t have a target date we can work towards.

    So what exactly needs to be done? Companies must identify the data that could be jeopardised by quantum computing. And then develop a protection plan that takes existing technical possibilities and standards for post-quantum cryptography into account. A protection plan must of course be flexible by design. To ensure that IT risk management can react to future developments. And to ensure that it is in a position to implement future safety recommendations and standards.

    The fact that quantum computing is jeopardising data security is nothing new. The BSI pointed this out a good five years ago. The German government has also addressed the topic in its cybersecurity strategy. So today, I would like to emphasise once again: the time to act is now. When the first powerful quantum computers are for sale, it will be too late.

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    In addition to the physical risks associated with climate change and the risks arising from technological changes in the financial sector, we also need to talk about the current economic situation – and the risks that this situation is giving rise to.

    As you all know, the German economy is stagnating. Last year, GDP fell by 0.2%. For 2025, the German Council of Economic Experts (Sachverständigenrat) is expecting slight economic growth of 0.4%. This shows that the economic situation remains difficult.

    Geopolitical risks are currently a key factor clouding the growth prospects of the German economy. This is because the German financial system is highly susceptible to geopolitical shocks. And the risk of such shocks is currently high. For example in the area of trade policy. We are seeing a global trend towards more protectionism. In particular, an intensification of the trade dispute between the US and China would have considerable consequences for the global economy, but especially for Europe. US import tariffs on German and European goods would also have direct impacts on the German economy.

    The number of corporate insolvencies in Germany rose significantly in 2024 – by 16.8% compared to the previous year. As a consequence, the risk that companies will partially or completely default on their loans also rose. The ratio of non-performing loans at German banks rose sharply in the third quarter of 2023 and has continued to increase since then. The aggregate NPL ratio increased from 1.38% to 1.76% in the third quarter of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023. We have seen this trend in both large and less significant institutions. And we expect the proportion of problematic loans to continue rising – in part due to the weak economy. In all probability, the impact of higher value adjustments will also become evident in institutions’ earnings in the foreseeable future. Banks’ loan books are a reflection of the health of the economy.

    Loan loss provisions at German banks likewise continued to rise, but have remained at a low level. In the third quarter of 2024, the loan loss provision ratio, i.e. the ratio of cumulative loan loss provisions to the loan portfolio, was 1.41%.

    The increased credit default risks are not only relevant for banks. Insurers also have to deal with these risks. After all, insurers also grant loans to companies. And they invest in private debt funds.

    BaFin will be taking a particularly close look at the risks arising from corporate loan defaults in 2025 – at banks and at insurance companies. In particular, we will be keeping a close eye on institutions that are heavily involved in sectors that could be significantly affected by an economic downturn or by geopolitical tensions. We will also be monitoring the investment behaviour of insurers, with a particular focus on the risk management of alternative investments such as private debt.

    Macroprudential measures also remain important for the resilience of the German financial sector. These measures include instruments such as the countercyclical capital buffer, which currently stands at 0.75% of domestic risk exposure. In December 2024, the Financial Stability Committee assessed this level and once again deemed it appropriate.

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    As you can see, the financial sector is operating in a very challenging environment. This is in part because, for many risk drivers, we cannot draw on past experience. Physical climate risks, quantum computing, deglobalisation, geopolitical upheavals – the proverbial look in the rear-view mirror doesn’t help much when it comes to such developments. This makes it all the more important for companies in the financial sector to manage their risks wisely and to think in terms of scenarios. They must ask themselves: What can the risk situation mean for us? Where are we vulnerable? And how can we prepare for this? And, of course, they need to be highly resilient to potential shocks. More than anything else, this means keeping well-stocked capital and liquidity buffers. That is what we expect of them – and we will be paying particularly close attention to this over the course of the year.

    Now I look forward to your questions!

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ROC (Taiwan) government congratulates Donald Trump and JD Vance on inauguration as 47th president and 50th vice president of United States

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan 3

    ROC (Taiwan) government congratulates Donald Trump and JD Vance on inauguration as 47th president and 50th vice president of United States

    Date：2025-01-21
    Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

    January 21, 2025No. 024Donald John Trump and James David Vance were sworn into office as the 47th president and 50th vice president of the United States, respectively, on January 20. The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) sincerely congratulates President Trump and Vice President Vance on their inauguration. Building on the friendly and solid relations that exist between Taiwan and the United States, and in accordance with the principles of mutual trust, reciprocity, and mutual benefits, the government of Taiwan looks forward to working with the Trump administration to strengthen the close bilateral partnership in such domains as security, the economy and trade, technology, and education so as to enhance the well-being of both peoples and advance peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific and the world. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Festive atmosphere everywhere as Spring Festival comes

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

    Festive atmosphere everywhere as Spring Festival comes

    Updated: January 28, 2025 16:45 Xinhua
    A performance is staged at the Hetou ancient street scenic area in Tangshan, north China’s Hebei Province, Jan. 26, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists visit a Spring Festival lantern fair in Nantong, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Residents buy Spring Festival decorations at a fair in Xingtai, north China’s Hebei Province, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A Sichuan Opera performer interacts with spectators in Qianjiang District, southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Residents buy Spring Festival decorations in Qiaocheng District, Bozhou, east China’s Anhui Province, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit a flower market in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists pose for a selfie at a flower market in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists walk through a passageway decorated with red lanterns at the Longmen Grottoes scenic area in Luoyang, central China’s Henan Province, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Residents buy Spring Festival decorations at a fair in Xingtai, north China’s Hebei Province, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Residents shop at a flower market in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shenzhou-19 astronauts send Spring Festival greetings from space station

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This video snapshot shows Shenzhou-19 astronauts Cai Xuzhe (C), Song Lingdong (R) and Wang Haoze sending their Spring Festival greetings from China’s Tiangong space station on New Year’s Eve. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Shenzhou-19 astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze sent their Spring Festival greetings from China’s Tiangong space station in a video released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on New Year’s Eve.
    The trio, dressed in blue jumpsuits adorned with red traditional auspicious cloud patterns, held two pieces of Chinese paper-cutting featuring the character “fu,” symbolizing good luck.
    “At this moment, I miss my family and friends even more. I wish you all a prosperous Year of the Snake, filled with good fortune and happiness,” said Cai, the crew commander.
    This is Cai’s second time working and living in China’s space station, but his first time celebrating the Spring Festival there. In 2022, he spent six months in the space during the Shenzhou-14 mission.
    “I am fortunate to have lived in a great era and fulfilled my space dream,” said Song, as he wished young people a bright and promising future.
    Wang, with her hands forming a heart shape above her head, said, “In the new year, may all your dreams come true.”
    Song and Wang are China’s first post-90s astronauts to enter the space station. Wang is also the first female space engineer to work in the space station.
    The astronauts have decorated the space station, orbiting about 400 km above Earth, with red couplets and the character “fu.” Their New Year’s Eve dinner includes dumplings, symbolizing reunion and prosperity, alongside a variety of dishes such as roast chicken, smoked fish, beef and lettuce. They will also enjoy staple foods and soups like eight-treasure rice pudding, snow fungus soup, and tomato egg soup, complemented by orange juice and a candy gift pack.
    The three astronauts entered the space station on Oct. 30, 2024. In nearly three months, they conducted a series of scientific experiments and technical tests, and completed tasks such as the installation of space debris protection devices on the space station during two spacewalks.
    According to the CMSA, they will carry out 86 space science research and technology experiments during the six-month stay, covering various fields including space life science, microgravity fundamental physics, space material science, space medicine and new space technologies. They will also engage in science education, public interest activities, and other payload tests.
    This is the third Spring Festival since the full completion of the Chinese space station. Nine crew members from Shenzhou-15, Shenzhou-17 and Shenzhou-19 have welcomed the New Year and the Spring Festival in space. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: S. Korea’s Go association apologizes over disputed rules

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    South Korea’s Go association on Tuesday apologized over disputed rules that led Chinese Go player Ke Jie to withdraw from the decisive third game of the LG Cup finals last week.

    The Korea Baduk Association (KBA) said in a statement that it apologizes to the Go fans who had high expectations for the Jan. 23 final match between world-class players Ke and South Korea’s Byun Sang-il.

    The winner of the LG Cup, governed by South Korea’s Go rules, was determined in an unprecedented manner due to a violation regarding where to place captured stones.

    The KBA acknowledged that the rules, revised in November, had been pre-notified but said Chinese players may not have had sufficient time to adapt.

    Expressing hope that the incident would not damage trust between South Korea and China, the KBA called for the issues to be resolved smoothly. The association also pledged to hold discussions with Chinese and Japanese Go associations to establish unified rules for the game, known as weiqi in China and baduk in South Korea.

    The controversy erupted during the third game of the finals when Ke was penalized for failing to place a captured stone on the lid of the container. He requested a rematch, which was denied, and then withdrew from the match.

    Ke had also been penalized during the second game for lifting stones without placing them on the container’s lid. He lost that game to Byun.

    According to the revised Go rules of South Korea, if a captured stone is not placed on the lid of the container, the player will receive a warning and a 2-point penalty. Two warnings will lead to a forfeit.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Macao SAR hosts diverse celebrations for Chinese New Year

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) is hosting a series of celebrations combining traditional and modern elements to welcome the Chinese New Year, or the Year of the Snake, which will fall on Wednesday.
    The New Year Market, organized by the SAR’s Municipal Affairs Bureau at Tap Seac Square, started last Wednesday and will last seven consecutive days. In addition to booths offering New Year gifts, festive flowers, and snacks, the event also featured cultural performances, a large floral exhibition, and New Year decorations.
    From the end of January to the end of February, in Macao’s Barra District, the “Barra Lucky Blessing Market” was to bring a selection of workshops for New Year prints from Beijing’s Prince Kung’s Palace Museum, popular music performances, and booths of trendy goods.
    James Wong, a market participant and a representative of small and medium-sized enterprises, told Xinhua that the market had given him a platform to meet more people and expand his business.
    Several cultural and artistic venues have exhibitions on display, adding to the festive vibe. For example, the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) held the “Palace of Double Brilliance: Special Exhibition from the Palace Museum,” lasting until March 2.
    The MAM exhibition coordinator, Zhao Kaixin, told Xinhua that the MAM has been cooperating with the Palace Museum for many years. She said she hopes this year’s exhibition will provide residents and visitors with historical treasures and articulate the beauty of the Chinese culture.
    According to the SAR’s tourism office, the Chinese New Year Parade will be held on Jan. 31 and Feb. 8 in the evening. The parade floats will also be displayed at the Macao Fisherman’s Wharf and Tap Seac Square.
    As a signature celebration of Macao during the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year fireworks displays will be performed on the Seafront of Macao Tower in three editions on Jan. 31, Feb. 4, and Feb. 12, said the tourism office.
    As indicated by the SAR’s Public Security Police Force, during the Chinese Spring Festival holiday, it was estimated that Macao will see between 5.04 million and 5.36 million entries and exits, with an average of 630,000 to 670,000 people daily. This represents a 3 percent or more increase compared to 2024.
    Ms. Shangguan, from Shanghai, traveled to Macao with her friends before the Spring Festival. She expressed that she was fortunate to participate in various New Year celebrations and had a great experience. “These past few days, I’ve felt the strong festive atmosphere,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese celebrate Spring Festival with traditions, travels and shopping spree

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    With traditional fairs and shopping and travel booms over this year’s extended holiday, China is about to ring in the Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake, the first since its inclusion into the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.
    For Chinese across the world, the Spring Festival is a time for family reunions, festive traditions, holiday shopping and diverse cultural and tourism activities. This year, it falls on Jan. 29 with hundreds of millions of people traveling to reunite with families in the world’s largest annual human migration.
    Celebrations today highlight both traditional and modern elements, from temple fairs, lantern displays, lion dances and intangible cultural heritage bazaars to village galas, light and drone shows, museum exhibitions, and travels at home and abroad.
    This year, festive glee and activities are further boosted by the UNESCO recognition, pro-consumption policies and the extension of the traditional seven-day holiday by an extra day.

    A performance is staged at the Hetou ancient street scenic area in Tangshan, north China’s Hebei Province, Jan. 26, 2025. China is alive with vibrant celebrations with the Spring Festival just around the corner. (Photo by Liu Mancang/Xinhua)
    FAMILY REUNIONS AND TRADITIONAL FESTIVITIES
    For migrant workers like Zhang Changfu, a native of Baise in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, south China, the Spring Festival offers a rare opportunity for a family reunion.
    “I’ve been working away from home for 20 years, but I return home every Spring Festival,” said Zhang, 41, who works as a machinist in the southwestern metropolis of Chengdu, adding that he is looking forward to taking his family to the local temple fair.
    The temple fair, a panoply of folk performances, local delicacies and traditional handicrafts, is a familiar sight at this time of year. While such activities contain more traditional elements in the countryside, large cities like Beijing and Shanghai have a tradition of holding large-scale fairs.
    For others, like Lin Jia who works in Nanjing, capital of east China’s Jiangsu Province, Spring Festival is the perfect time for a family tour. Lin’s parents and grandmother have traveled from Hunan Province to join her for the holiday.
    Lin plans to take them sightseeing around the city after a New Year’s Eve dinner at a hotpot restaurant. “It’s both a reunion and a mini vacation,” she said.
    This year, many cities are holding more traditional festive activities, motivated by the inscription of the Spring Festival on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December. The southwestern megacity of Chongqing has planned more than 100 intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, bazaars and performances during the holiday.
    “We hope visitors can feel the strong festive ambiance and the special charm of our cultural heritage,” said Tang Mao, the organizer of a cultural heritage bazaar in Chongqing’s bustling Jiefangbei commercial area, where over 40 artisans display traditional crafts like paper-cutting, New Year picture drawing and sugar-figure making.
    HOLIDAY SHOPPING
    For centuries, shopping has been a crucial part of Spring Festival preparations: from nice food to new clothes and carefully chosen gifts.
    Liu Fengmei, a woman in her 70s in Shanghai, traveled over an hour by subway to First Foodhall, a time-honored food store on the iconic Nanjing Road, to stock up on traditional holiday snacks.
    A long queue is seen outside the store, which, like many across the country at this time of the year, is filled with festive decorations and a dazzling array of traditional foods.
    Following the UNESCO recognition, Chinese consumers also appear to be particularly interested in goods with a cultural festival flair.
    Li Gang with the Ministry of Commerce said sales of neo-Chinese-style jewelry and goods featuring intangible cultural heritages have grown by 52.6 percent and 26.6 percent in the month-long online shopping event for the festival initiated by the ministry.
    In recent years, the Spring Festival shopping lists have included more imported goods, reflecting Chinese people’s rising purchasing power and growing appetite for imported quality goods.
    Earlier this month, a cargo ship loaded with 20,000 tonnes of Chilean cherries arrived at the Nansha Port in south China’s Guangzhou, perfectly timed to offer a festive treat for millions ahead of the Spring Festival.
    “Chilean cherries, Australian lobsters and Russian snow crabs … the prices of imported products are quite attractive, so I plan to prepare a New Year’s Eve dinner that blends both Chinese and foreign flavors,” said a customer surnamed Guo at a store of fresh-food chain Freshippo in Beijing.
    Driven by government-subsidized trade-in programs, mobile phones, wearable devices, and green and smart home appliances are also highly sought-after items ahead of the festival, according to the ministry.
    “Spending on New Year’s goods can offer a glimpse into the resilience and vitality of consumption throughout the year,” said Hong Tao, director of the Institute of Business Economics at Beijing Technology and Business University, who expects a new wave of holiday consumption growth.
    Tourists take a selfie at Jiangjunshan Ski Resort in Altay, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 21, 2025. As the Spring Festival approaches, Altay in Xinjiang has ushered in peak tourist season. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
    HOLIDAY TRAVEL
    In addition to local festivities, many are venturing farther afield to make the most of the eight-day Spring Festival holiday.
    Fang Xue, a resident of Shanghai, plans to take her parents on a holiday trip to Shantou, a coastal city in Guangdong Province. “Traveling during the Spring Festival has become quite fashionable,” Fang said. “My parents in their 80s are very eager to travel.”
    The extended holiday has given a boost to the travel industry. While tourist cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Chengdu are attracting large numbers of holidaymakers, smaller cities are also getting more travelers who wish to savor celebrations with local flavors, according to Fliggy, a leading online travel agency.
    “Expectations for intangible cultural heritage activities are especially high during the first Spring Festival after the UNESCO recognition,” said Wang Liyang, operations manager at Fliggy.
    Thanks to China’s further easing of visa policies, many Chinese cities are also witnessing an influx of international visitors, with many eager to experience the festival traditions.
    “The UNESCO heritage status gives Spring Festival worldwide recognition and increases its appeal to international tourists,” said Zhou Huijie, an analyst at Trip.com research institute.
    Trip.com Group has estimated that inbound bookings would jump by 203 percent during the Spring Festival, with tourists from the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, the United States, Australia, Thailand and Britain topping the list.
    Lukas Muller from Germany is traveling in northeast China’s Jilin Province for skiing and to experience the Spring Festival.
    “My friends and I will experience Chinese New Year up close, including eating dumplings, putting up spring couplets, setting off fireworks, and many other customs I’m not familiar with yet,” he said, also praising China’s visa-free policy that facilitated his trip.
    Spring Festival serves as the most direct cultural window to understand the Chinese people and it is also a traditional festival with the most Chinese cultural characteristics, said Feng Jicai, a renowned Chinese writer who has long championed intangible cultural heritage protection. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Spring Festival: A Chinese tradition with growing global appeal

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Set against a vibrant orange backdrop, a bold green snake rises proudly on a commemorative stamp issued by La Poste Group, France’s postal service, earlier this month to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. 2025 marks the 21st consecutive year France has celebrated the Spring Festival with zodiac-themed stamps.

    Actors perform the lion dance during the Lunar New Year celebration at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Jan. 24, 2025. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)
    At the close of 2024, UNESCO added the Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of traditional new year, to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A year earlier, the 78th UN General Assembly recognized the Chinese New Year as an official UN holiday, underscoring the festival’s growing global presence.
    Spring Festival customs are now celebrated in nearly 200 countries and regions, with almost 20 nations designating it as an official public holiday. Each year, around one-fifth of the global population takes part in this cherished tradition.
    CUSTOMS WITH GLOBAL APPEAL
    Spring Festival’s core customs — celebrating family reunions, wishing for good fortune and creating traditional crafts — captivate cultural enthusiasts worldwide with its unique approach to welcoming the new year.
    In the Hungarian capital of Budapest, the streets of Chinatown bustled with a two-day Spring Festival celebration. Visitors took part in dumpling-making, calligraphy workshops and lantern crafting. This vibrant celebration mirrors a global trend where Spring Festival traditions are increasingly embraced across diverse cultures.
    “It’s amazing to see the performances and learn about traditions that are so different yet so universal,” said Kata Szabo, a local resident who attended the event with her young daughter.

    People watch a demonstration of sugar figure art during a temple fair celebrating the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year in Budapest, Hungary, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Hao)
    To Giacomo Bechini, a 29-year-old web designer from Florence, Italy, this year’s Spring Festival is more than a holiday: It is an opportunity to connect with his wife’s Chinese heritage and immerse himself in the festival’s traditions.
    His fascination with the Chinese Lunar Calendar, a lunisolar dating system, has deepened his appreciation even further. “It’s incredible how the Spring Festival is tied to a different calendar. I’ve been learning about its symbolic meanings and how the festivities last for days,” Bechini said.
    For Tichaona Zimuto, a 34-year-old professional acrobat from Zimbabwe, Spring Festival traditions have evolved from a simple interest into a meaningful practice. About two weeks ago, Zimuto and his group, Blackstar Acrobatics, captivated a local audience in Harare with a rhythmic lion dance performance during a Spring Festival celebration.
    The lion dance, which originated in ancient China, blends dance, music and martial arts, with performers mimicking a lion’s movements in elaborate costumes. This traditional art has grown on Zimuto over the past year.
    “When I was wearing the lion dance costume, I just felt excited. I just felt great, something special. I just felt like a lion, a real lion,” he said.

    A lion dance performance is staged at the 4th edition of the Chinese New Year cultural festival at the National Arts Center in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, Jan. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)
    The Chinese New Year and its rich cultural heritage are also being shared in exciting new ways. Disney California Adventure Park recently launched its 2025 Lunar New Year celebrations, offering a lively blend of Asian cultural performances. Legendary Chinese warrior Mulan and her quick-witted dragon sidekick, Mushu, led the Lunar New Year procession, celebrating family, friendship and the hope for a prosperous year ahead.
    Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia recently hosted a one-of-a-kind Spring Festival Market at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh, which buzzed with energy during its two-day run. The Chinese e-sports zone was a standout attraction, featuring popular titles such as “Black Myth: Wukong” and “Honor of Kings.”
    Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, president of the Saudi National E-Sports Association, said e-sports are a powerful way to connect young people around the globe.
    “We can create games about Saudi culture and bring them to China and the world,” he said.
    VALUES OF UNIVERSAL RESONANCE
    Beneath its traditional customs, the Chinese New Year carries a universal resonance of hope, family unity and aspirations for a better life — values that underpin its global appeal.
    People believe that celebrating the Chinese New Year will bring them good luck, good fortune and happiness in the new year, said Heoun Thary, a 32-year-old Cambodian housewife.
    She was referring to the recent Lunar New Year festivities in Phnom Penh, which drew hundreds of revelers. Thary noted that the event not only introduced Cambodians to Chinese traditions but also strengthened the bond between the two nations.
    In Tanorn village, 60 km south of Phnom Penh, Cambodian villagers participating in a China-aided poverty alleviation project also embraced the spirit of the Spring Festival. The celebration featured red lanterns and couplets.
    “People believe that celebrating the Chinese New Year can help increase their luck, promoting their business to make more money,” said Khlok Chamroeun, a 62-year-old deputy chief of the village.

    People watch a lion dance performance at the 2025 Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day in Auckland, New Zealand, Jan. 25, 2025. The event was held here on Saturday. (Photo by Wu Jiaxiang/Xinhua)
    In New Zealand, a Year of the Snake concert put together Eastern and Western musical traditions. Musicians from China’s Yijing Chamber Ensemble of the Central Conservatory of Music and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra performed in Christchurch, blending the pipa, erhu and bamboo flute with classical symphonies. “Music knows no boundaries. The unique qualities of Eastern and Western music can truly resonate with each other,” said Chinese Consul General He Ying.
    This vision of harmony came alive at the United Nations in New York on Friday night. At a Lunar New Year celebration, Miguel Angel Moratinos, UN under-secretary-general and high representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, delivered Lunar New Year wishes in Chinese, “Chunjie Kuaile (Happy Spring Festival),” in the lobby of the main building at the UN Headquarters.
    “The Lunar New Year marked the beginning of the Year of the Snake, which is associated with characteristics like wisdom, caution and strategy, and signifies transformation and growth,” he said.
    “With the numerous challenges the world is facing, the spirit embodied by the Lunar New Year offers us a beacon of hope and positivity,” Moratinos said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tesla, BMW challenge EU tariffs on Chinese EVs

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Tesla and BMW have joined Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers in challenging the European Union’s (EU) tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, filing cases with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), according to the court’s website.

    The automakers’ lawsuits follow similar filings last week by Chinese EV manufacturers BYD, Geely, and SAIC, contesting the EU’s additional import tariffs of up to over 35 percent.

    European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill confirmed at a press conference on Monday that the EU is prepared to respond to the case in court.

    Despite strong opposition from industry stakeholders in EU member states, the Commission moved forward with its proposal to impose countervailing tariffs on Chinese EVs in October.

    Under the EU tariff scheme, U.S. automaker Tesla, which manufactures vehicles in China, faces a duty of 7.8 percent after requesting an individual review. BMW, which also produces certain models in China, is subject to a 20.7-percent duty. Tariffs for Chinese manufacturers vary: 17 percent for BYD, 18.8 percent for Geely, and 35.3 percent for SAIC.

    China appealed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November last year against the EU’s final ruling on countervailing measures targeting Chinese EVs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 15th National Games athletics (marathon) test event to be held on February 23

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    15th National Games athletics (marathon) test event to be held on February 23
    15th National Games athletics (marathon) test event to be held on February 23
    *****************************************************************************

         The 2025 Shenzhen-Hong Kong marathon and the 15th National Games (NG) athletics (marathon) test event will be held in Shenzhen and Hong Kong on February 23 (Sunday) morning. The event is organised by the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, and hosted by the Executive Committee for the 15th NG, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) in Shenzhen and the People’s Government of Nanshan District, Shenzhen, with the support of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality, as well as the Guangdong Athletics Association. The Chinese Athletic Association serves as an advisor, while the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates and a Shenzhen agency act as the executive units.     The Shenzhen Bay Bridge will serve as a link connecting Shenzhen and Hong Kong during the event. A closed-loop arrangement will be adopted throughout the event. To ensure the smooth running of the event, operating hours of the Shenzhen Bay Port will be adjusted as appropriate on the event day. The Executive Committee for the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG in Shenzhen and the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) will announce later the details of closure time of the Bridge and arrangements for vehicles and traffic.     Members of the public and visitors are advised to pay attention to the relevant announcements and duly arrange their itineraries that day.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, January 28, 2025Issued at HKT 15:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: DeepSeek shatters beliefs about the cost of AI, leaving US tech giants reeling

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael J. Davern, Professor of Accounting & Business Information Systems, The University of Melbourne

    Almost A$1 trillion (US$600 billion) was wiped off the value of artificial intelligence microchip maker Nvidia overnight on Monday, when a little-known Chinese start up, DeepSeek, threatened to upend the US tech market.

    While Nvidia suffered the biggest one-day loss in sharemarket history, other tech giants – Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon, who are investing heavily in competing AI tools including ChatGPT and Gemini – were also hit.

    The rout was caused by investors’ shock at the claimed performance of DeepSeek’s new R1 chatbot. The Chinese AI was reported to be more advanced than its competitors and less expensive to develop.

    DeepSeek R1 has soared, becoming the top free downloaded app on Apple’s app store, as US technology and related stock prices fell dramatically.

    Why tech stocks took a deep dive

    The market was surprised by DeepSeek providing what amounts to cheaper technology but comparable performance.

    This has dramatically changed the market’s expectations of computing power, showing more can be done for less. It has also compromised the competitiveness of the US tech companies’ existing AI products and developments.

    Stock prices are driven by market expectations. The claimed performance of DeepSeek R1 prompted a major revision of expectations about what was technologically possible and about how cheaply AI could be developed and operated.

    Investors have rapidly incorporated the news of a low-cost Chinese AI competitor into stock prices, anticipating this new entrant could disrupt the market and erode the competitive advantage of existing leaders.

    Who is DeepSeek and what is R1?

    DeepSeek was founded in 2023 by Chinese hedge fund High Flyer, which had been exclusively using AI in trading since 2021.

    DeepSeek develops large language models (LLMs) that can underpin chatbots and other AI-based tools. R1 is the latest iteration of DeepSeek’s chatbot and underlying model. It builds on earlier versions of generative AI models developed by DeepSeek, and considerable amounts of data, but is a surprising leap forward in performance and cost.

    CAPTION TO GO HERE.
    Koshiro K/Shutterstock

    Technology investors believe R1 matches or outperforms competitors, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4.o1 on numerous benchmarks.

    However, there are some key differences:

    1. The model underlying R1 operates in a much less intensive manner. It is much cheaper to develop and run, requiring less data and computing power.

    2. The training of the model was possible despite the US export ban preventing Chinese companies such as DeepSeek from accessing chips from US companies such as Nvidia. The Biden administration had introduced laws restricting the sale of certain computer chips and machinery to China, in a move intended to block its rival from accessing some of the world’s most advanced technology.

    3. The training data and data uploaded to R1 sit on servers in China. Given concerns about data privacy and intellectual property have already been raised about US-based companies, having data under jurisdiction of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is arguably even more concerning.

    4. The chatbot program code is free to download, read and modify, unlike ChatGPT. This is however somewhat a false transparency – what matters more is the underlying model, not the Chatbot code.

    5. R1 is known to censor its responses in line with Chinese Communist Party values.

    The future of AI and tech stocks

    It is unknown whether this crash in price of tech stocks is an irrational panic that will reverse, or whether it simply reflects correct pricing. The future costs and benefits of AI are still uncertain.

    This is both a technological and an economic question.

    In technological terms, it is yet to be seen whether R1 really does require less computing power and less data to train and use.

    Economically, there are potential winners and losers. AI users may win with cheaper access to AI, and LLMs in particular, leading to increased adoption and associated productivity gains. Existing producers such as Nvidia may lose out in what was a market with few real competitors.

    More broadly, society may benefit from less computationally intensive, and therefore more energy-efficient, AI. However, the geopolitical risk of a single country capturing the market, together with concerns about data privacy, intellectual property and censorship may outweigh the benefits.

    Michael J. Davern has previously received funding from CPA Australia for industry research into Artificial Intelligence.

    Matt Pinnuck 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. DeepSeek shatters beliefs about the cost of AI, leaving US tech giants reeling – https://theconversation.com/deepseek-shatters-beliefs-about-the-cost-of-ai-leaving-us-tech-giants-reeling-248424

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tensions remain high in DR Congo amid rebellion attacks in major city

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The United Nations (UN) staff and their family are seen outside the UN peacekeeping mission bureau in Goma, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Tensions remained high in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Tuesday as the March 23 Movement (M23) rebellion advanced in the country’s North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

    President of the DRC Felix Tshisekedi is expected to address the nation amid the humanitarian crisis and major advances by the rebellion in the eastern part of the country, a DRC official said late Monday. However, he did not specify the exact time of the president’s national address.

    Vital Kamerhe, president of the National Assembly, the country’s lower house of parliament, made the announcement after a high-level meeting chaired by Tshisekedi on the humanitarian and security situation in Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province, which is currently facing attacks by the rebels.

    Since Sunday evening, gunfire has been heard across Goma, a city with over 700,000 internally displaced people living on its outskirts. On Monday morning, fighting intensified in various parts of the city, including areas near the border with Rwanda, local sources told Xinhua.

    “Active combat zones have spread to all neighborhoods of the city,” Bruno Lemarquis, the deputy U.N. envoy and top U.N. humanitarian official in the DRC, told a news conference on Monday. The situation in Goma remains “fast-evolving,” he added.

    Other local sources said the rebels gained the upper hand after capturing Mount Goma, a strategic hill 1,500 meters above sea level in the city’s center. Several M23 columns entered neighborhoods in the city, and residents saw their movement along both major and minor roads.

    According to UN sources, the border between Rwanda and the DRC near Goma was closed Monday morning. For several days, a significant number of Goma residents crossed the border to seek refuge in Gisenyi, a Rwandan town bordering the DRC, where panic has been mounting amid reports of gunfire.

    In its latest statement released early Monday, M23 announced that the “liberation of the city has been completed” and that “the situation is under control” following a 48-hour ultimatum given to Congolese soldiers.

    According to sources in the UN peacekeeping mission, the rebel group has taken over several important facilities, including the airport, the port, and a DRC military base. The latest report from a UN group of experts said the rebels have also seized several towns and established a parallel administration.

    A second emergency meeting of the UN Security Council is expected to be held on Tuesday over the security situation in eastern DRC.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday that he was deeply concerned by the escalating violence in eastern DRC and reiterated his strongest condemnation of the M23 armed group’s ongoing offensive and advances towards Goma.

    Guterres called on the M23 to immediately cease all hostile actions and withdraw from occupied areas. More than 400,000 people have been displaced since the start of 2025 in the eastern DRC, according to the UN.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi Story: Celebrating traditional new year with the people

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

    BEIJING, Jan. 28 — Red lanterns swayed above doorways, their vibrant tassels dancing in the biting winter breeze. Inside the modest village homes, the warmth of friendship and tradition crackled like a well-tended hearth as families opened their doors to an unexpected guest: President Xi Jinping.

    Xi traveled to Liaoning Province in northeast China last week, where he joined ordinary people in the traditions that define Spring Festival, the country’s most important holiday. He mingled with residents who were writing Spring Festival couplets, weaving intricate Chinese knots, and performing the spirited Yangge dance. Like millions across the country at this time of year, Xi threw himself into customs that have been cherished by generations.

    Given its rich heritage, Spring Festival — the social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional new year — was acknowledged by UNESCO in December with its inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

    This year is not the first time that Xi has headed to the grassroots to join Spring Festival celebrations. Indeed, his pre-festival inspections have become a tradition in their own right, and provide a glimpse into the vibrant, diverse customs of the Chinese people.

    DECORATION OF HOMES

    Much like the people in the West who decorate their houses for Christmas, Chinese families prepare for the Spring Festival by cleaning and adorning their homes. The color red, symbolizing joy, enthusiasm and energy, fills every corner.

    When Xi stopped by a traditional courtyard house in Beijing in the lead-up to the Spring Festival in 2019, he found the atrium bustling with neighbors who had come seeking Spring Festival couplets, known as “chunlian,” written by septuagenarian Hou Yaming.

    People usually hang “chunlian” and the calligraphy “fu” on their gates. “Chunlian” features poetic lines that express good wishes and blessings, while the character “fu”, meaning “good fortune,” is traditionally handwritten on red, diamond-shaped paper.

    Lanterns hung under the eaves, red paper-cuttings adorned the windows, and the air was filled with festive cheer. Xi joined in by picking up a large “fu” written in golden ink and pasting it on a door himself. “May everyone here always be happy.”

    NEW YEAR GOODIES

    Ahead of the Spring Festival, people typically stock up on food, gifts, new clothes, and firecrackers. In 2015, these preparations were particularly meaningful for Xi as he returned to Liangjiahe, a village in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, where he had spent seven transformative years working the land as a young man.

    For him, this visit was a heartfelt homecoming to the place that shaped his life and values.

    That year, Xi brought with him a bounty of new year essentials including flour, rice, oil, meat products, and Spring Festival couplets and paintings. As he handed out his gifts, his thoughts returned to the immense care and love he had received during his time living and working in the village.

    “I will never forget Liangjiahe,” he said, “the villagers here, and the people in the old revolutionary base.” Xi’s gifts to the villagers are not mere common new year goodies, but rather a symbol of the bonds between him and the people.

    FESTIVE FOODS

    Homemade dishes and treats are a hallmark of the Spring Festival, embodying family prosperity, good fortune and reunion. The variety of festive foods highlights the diversity of Chinese culture.

    During a visit to another family in Beijing in 2019, Xi joined them in making fennel jiaozi (dumplings). “My family prefers the fennel filling too,” he shared as he deftly encased the filling with the dough into shapes resembling ancient silver ingots. “I haven’t made them in years due to my schedule, but you see — the more I make, the better I get at it. As is life.”

    For the people of Shenshan, a mountainous village in east China’s Jiangxi Province, the season is marked by the busy preparation of glutinous rice cakes known as ciba.

    Xi had the opportunity to try his hand at making this local speciality in the run-up to the Spring Festival in 2016. After joining villagers in pounding the rice with a mallet for a while, Xi joked that doing so for 10 minutes each day could be a good workout.

    CELEBRATIONS

    The Spring Festival is a celebration brimming with joy and energy. Temple fairs, much like carnivals, offer a cornucopia of traditional snacks, toys and entertainment. Streets and squares come alive as stilt walkers, dragon dances and lion dances captivate onlookers.

    As Xi departed from a recently renovated residential community in Shenyang, Liaoning, on Thursday, residents performed a local Yangge dance in a unique goodbye gesture.

    Yangge dance is believed to have originated in the ancient fields, with farmers singing to ease the strain of their toil. Today, people perform it in both villages and towns to express their joy and hope for a better life.

    Dressed in richly-colored costume, residents of the Chang’an apartment complex danced with red fans in hand, moving to the lively rhythms of gongs, drums, and suona horns.

    HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

    Family reunion lies at the heart of the Spring Festival. Each year, hundreds of millions of travelers hit the road around this time to celebrate the occasion with their families, a phenomenon known as chunyun, the largest annual migration of people on the planet.

    Ahead of the Spring Festival in 2013, Xi visited steel bar setter Fan Yong at a temporary home provided by his employer at a subway construction site in Beijing. Fan had chosen to stay and work rather than return home for the festival, and his wife and children joined him in the city.

    Xi took stock of their living conditions and spoke highly of the invaluable role migrant workers like Fan play in the country. “It was not easy to make the trip to Beijing. Take some time to explore the city and enjoy a happy reunion,” he told the family.

    For Xi, a wonderful Spring Festival marks a good start to the new year. “When every household is filled with happiness and people of all ages are celebrating, that is true beauty.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese New Year drives up demand for New Zealand dairy exports

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese New Year is driving demand for New Zealand dairy ingredients as bakeries, pizza chains and other food retailers stock up.

    Chinese New Year typically is a boost for New Zealand dairy exports, New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra’s Vice President for Foodservice in Greater China Justin Dai, said on Tuesday.

    Demand for food service ingredients in China has been robust over this period, and Fonterra’s food service sales in China are expected to continue to grow rapidly, Dai said, adding that global dairy commodity prices have climbed nearly 5 percent since October 2024.

    “Chinese New Year is all about family gatherings and celebrating with loved ones. Chinese consumers love shopping and dining during this time, which is great for our Foodservice channel,” he said.

    Applications like strawberry cream cake for instance are becoming more popular, as Chinese consumers love red-theme food during this time of the year because red is associated with prosperity and good luck, Dai said, adding the growth in demand has also been driven by restaurants developing new dishes and tasty treats for the new year, which is a big part of the food service industry in China.

    Some of these applications are developed at Fonterra’s six applications centers in China, he said, adding the Fonterra team of chefs at these centers work closely with customers to co-create applications that cater to the local taste, which is crucial for the cooperative’s food service supplying to more than 500 cities in China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Detainee returns to HK

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Security Bureau today said that a Hong Kong resident who was recently rescued after being detained in Myanmar, where he was forced to work illegally, returned to Hong Kong from Thailand with the bureau’s dedicated task force last night.

    The task force travelled to Bangkok on confirmation of the Hong Kong resident concerned having arrived there from Myanmar. Its co-ordination and liaison with various other parties resulted in the man being reunited with his family in Hong Kong before the Lunar New Year.

    The task force expressed gratitude to the Thai authorities for their humane handling of the case, saying it had allowed him to return to Hong Kong as soon as possible.

    The bureau also thanked the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand; the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chiang Mai; the Consulate-General of Myanmar in Hong Kong; the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Hong Kong; and the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Bangkok.

    The task force is following up on the cases of the remaining 10 cases of 10 individuals who have not yet returned to Hong Kong. It is exchanging intelligence with directors of special investigations and human trafficking in Thailand’s Ministry of Justice.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese provinces set tailored plans to support emerging, future industries

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese provinces have outlined plans this year to strengthen support for tech-intensive industries, most of which are tailored to local conditions.
    In their annual government work reports delivered at local “two sessions” this month, regional policy-makers unveiled more details on where the provincial economic landscape will be shifting for the year ahead.
    At least five provinces or municipalities, including Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang and Liaoning, proposed blueprints to boost the semiconductor industry, considered a critical “bottleneck” sector in China. Beijing is set to accelerate production capacity for major integrated circuit projects while supporting relevant firms to withstand external pressures.
    In the new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing field, where China holds a technological edge, Guangdong and Shanghai are gearing up to solidify their advantages. The Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta regions, where Guangdong and Shanghai are located, serve as China’s major NEV hubs.
    A southwestern economic circle that covers Sichuan and Chongqing is prioritizing smart and connected vehicle technologies, another innovation that drives the automotive industry forward. The country’s southern province of Guangdong is pushing to build pilot cities for the national “vehicle-road-cloud integration” initiative.

    An automatic assembly line is pictured at a smart factory of Changan Auto in Chongqing, southwest China, Jan. 9, 2025. Chongqing, a key hub of the country’s automotive industry, boasts a complete auto industrial chain and has registered a rapid growth in new energy vehicle (NEV) production in recent years. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)
    Multiple provinces have introduced “AI plus” plans, with Beijing targeting the construction of two 10,000-card intelligent computing clusters. Guangdong is focusing on enhancing the application of general and industry-specific large language models (LLMs).
    Shanghai and Sichuan have identified brain-computer interfaces as a key technological frontier, while Anhui targets building a fusion reactor research facility.
    China’s local governments tend to develop innovation and industrial roadmaps based on their unique strengths. The eastern province of Anhui is advancing an international lunar research station project, while Shanghai, home to the C919 aircraft manufacturing, is pushing to grow its large aircraft industry.
    Hainan, China’s southern island province, has prioritized marine-related industries in its development strategy, accelerating offshore wind farm construction while pioneering a landmark offshore wind-to-hydrogen demonstration project.
    Anhui, Zhejiang and Hainan plan to build pilot platforms to foster the convergence of technological and industrial innovations.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Arab health exhibition showcases Chinese innovations in medical technology

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People visit the booth of a Chinese company during the 50th Arab Health Exhibition in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 27, 2025. The 50th Arab Health Exhibition opened on Monday at the Dubai World Trade Center, featuring over 4,000 exhibitors from various countries, including more than 800 Chinese companies. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian)

    The 50th Arab Health Exhibition opened on Monday at the Dubai World Trade Center, featuring over 4,000 exhibitors from various countries, including more than 800 Chinese companies.

    The four-day event showcases medical devices, equipment, home healthcare products, and portable health solutions. Chinese companies have garnered considerable attention from attendees due to their innovative technologies, including blood purification, respiratory therapy, smart health management systems, and comprehensive healthcare solutions.

    Gao Guangyong, chairman of Chongqing SWS Medical Co., a Chinese medical equipment manufacturer, said Chinese companies are emerging as key players in the global health industry, citing their strengths in technological innovation, full-chain solutions, and cost efficiency.

    Ahead of the exhibition, Yuwell Group, a Chinese household healthcare manufacturer, signed a strategic investment and cooperation agreement with U.S. oxygen concentrator manufacturer Inogen in Dubai.

    “This partnership will drive the global adoption of high-quality respiratory products and contribute to advancing the healthcare sector worldwide,” said Wu Qun, chairman of Yuwell Group.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Intl brands launch limited editions for Year of Snake

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Hainan’s duty-free shops are full of snakes — but there is no cause for alarm! Shoppers are flocking to the island province drawn by Chinese new year themed products from top international brands, a major highlight of this year’s Spring Festival season.

    This year will be the Year of the Snake. To attract customers during the nation’s most important holiday, which starts on Jan. 29 this year, international brands are vying to incorporate snake-themed designs and elements of Chinese culture into their products.

    Limited-edition products designed specifically for the Chinese market — including clothing, jewelry and bags — are particularly popular with Chinese consumers in the duty-free shops in Haikou, capital of Hainan.

    He Shuai, a university student in Hainan returning home for the Chinese New Year, was picking gifts for her family at a Swarovski store. She quickly spotted a necklace and a pair of earrings from the Year of the Snake limited edition.

    “These international brands really know how to appeal to consumers. Since it’s the Year of the Snake, people are more drawn to these new designs,” she said.

    According to Wang Xiaohong, a salesperson at Swarovski, the brand has launched zodiac-themed collections in previous years. This year’s snake collection is selling very well.

    Some brands have even launched holiday-themed children’s clothing.

    Snake-themed T-shirts, jackets and other clothing are prominently displayed at Burberry Kids’ store.

    “The collection features the letter ‘B’ formed by a snake, symbolizing our brand. The red color fits well with the festive mood,” said the salesperson Li Xin, adding that some sizes have already sold out.

    The Adidas store was bustling with shoppers selecting newly launched shoes and apparel.

    Lu Yun, a tourist from Guangzhou, bought a pair of red shoes from the collection that featured an embroidered “fa” character, which means gaining wealth.

    “It’s perfect for the festival, and I hope these shoes bring prosperity in the new year,” she said.

    Lu said that she really likes the products that incorporate Chinese elements. “They combine the style of international brands with traditional Chinese culture, which makes them very fashionable.”

    Nowadays, duty-free shopping has become a key sector for luxury goods consumption worldwide. As a tropical island destination, Hainan is gradually becoming an important luxury consumption center.

    According to the Haikou Customs, the total amount of duty-free shopping in 2024 reached 30.94 billion yuan (about 4.32 billion U. S. dollars).

    The Chinese market, one of the world’s largest consumer markets, holds immense potential. Organizations like the World Bank and IMF have recently upgraded China’s GDP growth forecasts.

    According to Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum (WEF), China will continue to be a major engine for global economic growth.

    In recent years, international brands have increasingly turned their attention to the Chinese Spring Festival market, launching limited-edition products to resonate with local consumers and enhance their presence in the Chinese market.

    This strategy of the international brands underscores the importance of the Chinese market and reflects their confidence in its enormous potential.

    China aims to build Hainan into a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Italy resumes controversial migrant transfers to Albania

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Italy has restarted its contentious program of sending asylum seekers picked up in the Mediterranean to Albania, months after judges in Rome ruled against the transfers.

    On Sunday, an Italian Navy vessel transported 49 male asylum seekers to Albania. The program involving Albania is part of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s strategy to curb the number of migrants coming to Italy.

    The plan is controversial as Albania is outside the European Union, meaning the refugees are not protected under EU asylum rules.

    Domestic critics in Italy said the program is costly and ineffective, considering its projected expense of 800 million euros (around $840 million) will address only a tiny fraction of the migrant influx to Italy each year.

    According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 66,000 asylum seekers landed on Italian shores in 2024, down dramatically from nearly 158,000 in the previous year. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Monday for talks over the development of the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in Gaza, an Egyptian security source told Xinhua.

    The negotiations will focus on the new batch of Palestinian prisoners who will be released on Saturday in exchange for the release of three Israeli hostages, the anonymous source said.

    The release of Israeli female hostage Arbel Yehud, who is expected to be released on Wednesday or Thursday, will also be discussed, the source added.

    Efforts to consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza will also be discussed, according to the source.

    Earlier in the day, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to release six Israeli hostages this week and allow displaced Gaza residents to return from southern to northern areas of the strip.

    Yehud and two others will be released before Friday and three more hostages will be released on Saturday by Hamas, Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on X.

    “Additionally, Israel will provide a list of 400 individuals detained since Oct. 7, 2023, every Sunday during the first phase of the agreement,” Al Ansari added.

    On Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced the completion of the second phase of a prisoner-hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel, implemented under the initial terms of a ceasefire agreement.

    The first stage of the six-week ceasefire took effect on Jan. 19.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Denmark boosts Arctic defence following US interest in Greenland

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Denmark has unveiled plans to bolster its military presence in the Arctic amid rising concerns over the U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland, a Danish-owned territory.

    Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced late Monday that the government will allocate 14.6 billion Danish krona (approximately $2 billion) to boost the defence of Greenland, Arctic Sea and Northern Atlantic. The decision follows an agreement among Danish political parties.

    The plans will include three new arctic naval vessels and two long-range drones, increased surveillance and crisis training for the local residents. Poulsen said in a press conference that these preparations are just the initial phase, with further plans expected to be finalized by summer.

    According to Danish Broadcasting Corporation, the new vessels would enter service within five or six years, expected to replace existing vessels.

    When questioned about whether these measures would “calm down” U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland, Poulsen refrained from a direct response, underlining the importance of co-operation with NATO allies, including Canada, the United States and Norway.

    President Trump has recently reiterated the U.S. interest in Greenland, which remains an autonomous area under Danish sovereignty.

    Referring to an upcoming meeting on Tuesday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Europe is in a serious situation. “With war on the continent and changes in the geopolitical reality. In such a time, unity is crucial.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Algeria welcomes Chinese tourists ahead of Spring Festival

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Chinese Embassy in Algeria and the Algerian Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts on Monday held a special welcome ceremony at the international airport in Algiers for Chinese tourists arriving to spend the Spring Festival in the North African nation.

    During the event, local performers dressed in traditional attire greeted the tourists with singing and dancing, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.

    The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday in China, symbolizing renewal, family reunions, and prosperity.

    Rachid Ben Nacer, secretary-general of the Algerian tourism ministry, emphasized Algeria’s commitment to fostering cultural and intellectual exchanges with China.

    He expressed his honor in celebrating the Chinese New Year with the tourists and encouraged them to explore Algeria’s stunning landscapes, especially the enchanting Sahara Desert, as well as the country’s diverse customs and rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years.

    Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Dong Guangli extended his holiday greetings to the tourists, highlighting the deep-rooted friendship between China and Algeria. He encouraged travelers to share their experiences upon returning home, helping more Chinese people learn about Algeria and promoting the enduring story of China-Algeria friendship.

    Algeria is known for its rich tourism resources, boasting seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the magnificent ancient Roman ruins and the vast, mysterious desert landscapes.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Nasdaq celebrates Chinese New Year with closing bell

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Nasdaq, a major stock exchange in the world, celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year on Monday afternoon by holding a closing bell ceremony in partnership with the Chinese Consulate General in New York.

    Marking the 16th year of celebrating the Spring Festival at Nasdaq, Chen Li, the Chinese consul general in New York, rang the closing bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, New York City, one of the most populous cities in the United States.

    “The Spring Festival embodies values of reunion, renewal and resilience, which are essential as we work together to deepen economic ties between China and the United States,” Chen said.

    It is also meaningful to celebrate these values here at the heart of the global commerce center, Chen added.

    “We welcome more investors and friends from the United States and beyond to explore opportunities in China… It is inspiring to see more Chinese enterprises listed on Nasdaq with the blessings of the Year of the Snake. I hope China-U.S. economic ties can be stronger and bring greater benefits to the world,” Chen said.

    “The Lunar New Year has always been a time to express gratitude for our partnerships and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025,” said Robert H. McCooey, Jr., vice chairman of Nasdaq, at the ceremony.

    “Nasdaq’s commitment to China remains very strong and we are extremely proud to be the home of over 250 innovative Chinese companies who embody the entrepreneurial spirit that will help our two great nations continue to grow together,” said McCooey.

    According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Spring Festival falls Wednesday this year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Thousands of displaced Palestinians return to Gaza

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Displaced people are seen on their way home to the north of the Gaza Strip, near al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Tens of thousands of Palestinians began returning to their homes in Gaza City and the northern parts of the coastal enclave on Monday after 15 months of forced displacement.

    The return follows an announcement by Qatar on Sunday evening that Hamas and Israel had reached an agreement to release Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud and two others by Friday. On Saturday, Hamas is expected to release three additional hostages.

    Under the agreement, Israel has permitted displaced residents to return to the northern Gaza Strip starting Monday morning.

    The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated early Monday, “Hamas has conceded and agreed to proceed with an additional phase of hostage releases, scheduled for next Thursday following firm and determined negotiations.” The statement outlined that this phase will involve the release of Yehud, a soldier called Agam Berger, and another hostage. Additionally, three more hostages are set to be freed on Saturday as part of the agreement.

    Israel has also received from Hamas a list detailing the conditions and status of all hostages to be released in the initial phase of the deal.

    For many displaced families, the journey back to northern Gaza is bittersweet. While there is relief at the prospect of returning to familiar surroundings, there is also apprehension about what remains of neighborhoods now reduced to rubble.

    “We have to walk about 8 kilometers on foot, but we are happy that, finally, we will be able to return to our areas, even if they are completely destroyed,” said Mohammed Hamda, a Gaza resident, while making his way along the coastal route between Gaza City and southern Gaza. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cultural traditions shine at Spring Festival reception in Brunei

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Chinese Embassy in Brunei hosted the 2025 Spring Festival Reception on Sunday, featuring Chinese calligraphy, lion dances, Chinese classical music, and other cultural traditions.

    The event was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, with over 400 guests from all walks of life. Guests watched traditional Chinese cultural demonstrations and performed calligraphy together to extend their best wishes for the Spring Festival.

    Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo delivered warm regards and thanked the guests for their efforts over the past year in actively promoting China-Brunei relations, stressing that bilateral ties have reached a new starting point.

    He pledged that the Chinese side will work with the Brunei side to push forward bilateral relations in the direction of building a community with a shared future between the two nations.

    Brunei’s Legislative Council member Queenie Chong Chin Yee said in her speech that the recognition of the Spring Festival by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity has lent the celebration global significance.

    “Five thousand years of cultural traditions continue to thrive. We must now shoulder the responsibility to carry them forward,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Terracotta Warriors welcoming Chinese New Year with extended hours, more tickets

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    People visit an exhibition, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the discovery and excavation of the iconic Terracotta Warriors, at the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, Sept. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, home to the renowned Terracotta Warriors located in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, will extend their opening hours and offer more tickets to accommodate the expected surge of visitors during the Spring Festival holiday.

    From Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, the museum will add 90 minutes to its daily schedule, opening from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the daily ticket limit raised by 10,000 to 75,000, according to the museum.

    Other museums in the provincial capital Xi’an, including Shaanxi History Museum and Xi’an Beilin Museum, have also announced extended opening hours during the holiday.

    The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the country’s most important traditional holiday. The festival falls on Jan. 29 this year, with an eight-day public holiday from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4. During the period, tens of millions of people will travel across the country to celebrate with family and explore cultural landmarks.

    Xi’an, a city with over 3,100 years of history, is one of China’s most renowned tourist destinations. As the capital of 13 ancient dynasties, it is home to iconic sites, such as the Terracotta Warriors, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower.

    By extending hours and increasing ticket availability, the museums aim to make their treasures more accessible, allowing domestic and international visitors to immerse themselves in the ancient capital’s history during this special time of the year.  

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Academy Awards venue in Los Angeles rings in Chinese New Year

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    People in traditional Chinese costumes pose for a group photo during Chinese New Year celebrations in Hollywood’s Ovation Mall, California, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Hollywood’s Ovation Mall and Dolby Theatre, normally home to the Academy Awards, for the first time ushered in the Chinese New Year with a delightful celebration that merged Eastern and Western cultural traditions.

    The celebration, which was held in Los Angeles on Sunday, featured three fashion shows, dancing performances, cultural events, music and a special art gallery show on Shanghai life in the 1930s.

    “Tourists come to LA from all over to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Chinatown, and now Hollywood and Ovation Mall are giving them an even more upscale and luxurious Chinese New Year destination to enjoy,” the event’s program director Evelyn Xu told Xinhua.

    “It was a terrific event,” Rob Martin, a tourist, told Xinhua. “My wife and I stumbled upon it by accident and really enjoyed all the colorful and beautiful fashion shows and the cool Chinese performances.”

    This high-profile event began with a stunning fashion show staged on the iconic Academy steps sweeping down from high above, where icons of cinema walk down after receiving their Academy Awards.

    Twenty gorgeous models floated down the Award steps, revealing the elegant new evening wear line from celebrity fashion designer Kiki Wang.

    “I consider myself an ambassador between Eastern and Western cultures,” Wang told Xinhua. “Fashion and beauty can unite our cultures — in fact, I want to unite the whole world with fashion!”

    Wang’s new “East Meets West” collection was designed entirely in red, with shimmering red silks, satins, gossamer and chiffons, and decorated with exquisite embroidery and brocade in gold, greens and blues.

    A second fashion show showcased the exquisite flowing robes and pastel colors of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

    Models perform in a fashion show during Chinese New Year celebrations in the Dolby Theatre, which is part of the Ovation Hollywood complex in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Also featured was the Miss LA Chinatown Qipao Fashion and Beauty Show, reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s, when these stylish and iconic, form-fitting dresses first became popular.

    To prepare for the Chinese New Year celebration, organizers also did rehearsals and selected dresses, models, dancers and songs, with many groups and community members coming together to help this cross-cultural tradition shine in this new venue.

    “Everything on display today from Chinese culture is unique and beautiful and so interesting because it is very different from a traditional American New Year celebration,” Xu told Xinhua. “That’s fun for people looking for something new.”

    “It’s all so elegant and gorgeous!” said actress and spectator Cici Lau, who came all the way from San Gabriel to enjoy the Chinese New Year festivities. “It’s so cultural and a wonderful delight for everyone.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s delivery services at full throttle to meet festival shopping boom

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The file photo shows workers unload e-commerce parcels from a bullet train at Shuangliu West Railway Station in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

    When Wang Lijun returned to his hometown in Hebei for the Spring Festival this year, he didn’t carry the usual load of holiday goods, as his New Year purchases — juicy navel oranges from Jiangxi and wild vegetables from the northeast — had already arrived at his doorstep via express delivery.

    “Returning home for the Spring Festival used to be physically exhausting, but now it’s a breeze,” said the 50-year-old man, who spent eight months constructing cliffside roads deep in the Taihang Mountains.

    Wang’s shipments were just a fraction of the billions of parcels crisscrossing China as people shop for gourmet treats, festive goods and gifts for the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. With e-commerce now an integral part of daily life, the holiday season has become one of the busiest times for the country’s delivery network.

    At Sanya Phoenix International Airport, a major hub in China’s tropical island province of Hainan, packages of mangoes, dragon fruits and coconuts are flown across the country to eager holiday shoppers.

    “Over 70 percent of the air-shipped parcels are fruits, and during peak times, more than 70 tonnes are dispatched daily,” said Zhao He from the YTO Express branch at the airport. Even in the snow-covered northeastern regions, deliveries can arrive in as little as 24 hours.

    Data from JD.com, a leading e-commerce platform, showed that Chinese consumers are enjoying a greater variety of specialties from across the country for the festival. For instance, the sales of local products from the coastal city of Shanghai have surged by 277 percent year on year in the inland Qinghai Province on the platform.

    Driven by the holiday shopping frenzy, China’s express delivery network has been operating at high capacity since the beginning of this year, according to the State Post Bureau.

    During the first three days of the Spring Festival travel rush, which kicked off in mid-January, the daily average of express deliveries handled nationwide exceeded 670 million, a 29 percent jump from the same period in 2024, according to the bureau.

    Festive shopping gained momentum as China tapped into its growing domestic consumption potential, driven by the rise of online retail and the rapid expansion of its delivery network. In 2024, the country’s courier sector handled 174.5 billion parcels, with 974 million Chinese people shopping online by year-end.

    In the distribution center of Yunda Express in Shanghai, the pre-holiday delivery is in full swing. To handle the surge in parcels, the company has activated all of its smart sorting lines in the center, expanded its fleet of vehicles and upgraded the equipment.

    “We are also considering hiring more temporary workers to meet the business demand,” said Yang Shuai, who is in charge of the center.

    Logistics companies may face further challenges as many delivery workers, like all fellow Chinese, are returning to their hometowns for the Spring Festival, leading to a seasonal manpower shortage.

    According to Ye Wenhui, manager of ZTO Express’s Fengxian branch in Shanghai, only 30 percent of the couriers in the branch will stay on their post during the eight-day holiday which starts on Tuesday.

    To boost staffing, couriers will be paid three times their usual pay during the holiday, with bonuses that guarantee daily incomes of 400 to 600 yuan (about 56 to 84 U.S. dollars) for delivering 200 to 300 packages. They’ll also be able to take time off once their colleagues return.

    Ye said that innovative solutions have been put in place to address the staff shortage, such as setting up unattended pickup stations and adding delivery lockers to courier stores.

    Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, has further alleviated labor shortages by deploying unmanned delivery vehicles.

    These automated systems would handle the most labor-intensive transportation tasks, allowing on-site workers to focus on sorting and last-mile deliveries. A dedicated operation team has been established to ensure smooth functionality of unmanned vehicles during the holiday period.

    According to a Cainiao delivery manager in east China’s Hangzhou, this year, six unmanned vehicles will handle the transportation work, allowing 60 percent of the staff to enjoy their Spring Festival holiday, significantly higher than about 30 percent in past years.

    Wang Lei, manager of a YTO Express branch in Shanghai’s Xuhui District, said that a decline in delivery volumes is expected in the first three days of the holiday. “But it will surge afterward as people ship local specialties back to the metropolitan cities like Shanghai where they reside and work.”

    MIL OSI China News –