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Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships of France

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Thani Mohamed Soilihi, Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships of France, on 6 June 2025. Both sides discussed ways and means to enhance the ASEAN-France Development Partnership as ASEAN and France celebrate the fifth anniversary of their partnership this year.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships of France appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Treasury debt ratio declines by 5% upon settlement of HF-Fund

    Source: Government of Iceland

    The proposal for the settlement of HF-Fund was presented at meetings held on 10 April 2025 with bondholders in series HFF34 and HFF44. It was approved by a majority of votes. The value of the HFF bonds in the settlement is estimated at ma.kr 651.

    Thereafter, in a proposed fiscal budget supplement, authorisation for settlement was requested in accordance with the proposal. The proposed budget supplement was recently passed by Parliament.

    The settlement of HF-Fund’s obligations will take place on 12 June 2025. In connection with the settlement, the Treasury will issue nine new Treasury bond series (see table) with a combined nominal value of ISK 487 bn.

     

    Nominal value

    RIKS 29 0917

    67,000,000,000

    RIKS 34 1016

    60,353,539,382

    RIKS 36 0815

    59,000,000,000

    RIKS 39 1115

    49,000,000,000

    RIKS 41 0815

    50,000,000,000

    RIKS 44 1017

    50,313,049,596

    RIKS 47 1115

    48,000,000,000

    RIKS 50 0915

    47,000,000,000

    RIKB 32 1015

    56,000,000,000

    With the delivery of the said bonds, the Treasury will pay in full the loans granted to it by HF-Fund in 2020 and 2021, in the combined amount of ISK 238 bn.

    The Treasury will also deliver EUR 378 m (about ISK 55 bn) from foreign currency deposits financed with a recent Eurobond issue.

    Upon settlement, the Treasury will receive HF-Fund´s assets other than those used for the settlement, including The New Housing Fund bonds, as well as a loan portfolio, and bonds issued by leasing company Bríet, in the total amount of ISK 222 bn.
    The net effect on the Treasury Part A debt ratio (according to Maastricht criteria) is to lower the debt ratio by just over 5% of GDP.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • ‘Bridges of hope’: PM Modi hails Chenab and Anji as symbols of India’s bright future

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated a series of landmark railway projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge at Anji. The Prime Minister also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra, marking a major leap forward in rail connectivity between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.
     
    Addressing a public gathering, PM Modi said the newly inaugurated bridges are not just engineering structures but “living symbols of India’s strength” and a reflection of the nation’s aspirations and capabilities. “These are not just made of brick, cement, steel, and iron. They stand as testaments to India’s bright future and bold ambitions,” he remarked.
     
    Highlighting the transformative impact of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, Modi called it a “proclamation of Jammu and Kashmir’s new strength and a symbol of India’s growing capabilities.” He added, “Today, Kashmir Valley has been connected to the national rail network. We have often spoken of India from ‘Kashmir to Kanyakumari’—today, that idea has become a reality in rail connectivity as well.”
     
    The Prime Minister expressed pride that this long-awaited project was completed under his government’s tenure. “Many generations in Jammu and Kashmir dreamt of railway connectivity. Even former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah recently recalled waiting for this project to be completed since he was in Class 7 or 8. This dream of lakhs has now been fulfilled. It is my good fortune that our government gave this project the momentum it needed and brought it to completion.”
     
    PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for a new medical college in Jammu, and announced that development projects worth ₹46,000 crore are currently underway in the Union Territory.
     
    Discussing the challenges faced during the USBRL project, the Prime Minister noted, “This was one of the most difficult railway projects in India. But our government believes in facing challenges head-on. From the Sonmarg tunnel to the Chenab and Anji bridges, we are committed to building all-weather infrastructure in this region.”
     
    He described his personal experience of walking on the newly completed bridges, calling it a moment that reflected the “lofty intentions of India and the courage of our engineers and workers.”
     
    Speaking about the Chenab Rail Bridge, Modi emphasized its global stature. “This is the tallest railway arch bridge in the world, even higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Just as tourists visit the Eiffel Tower, I am confident people will come to witness this marvel in Jammu and Kashmir. It will soon become a major tourist destination.”
     
    He also praised the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, as another example of cutting-edge engineering.
     
    “These bridges will not only strengthen connectivity but also boost the local economy,” Modi added. “They will promote tourism and benefit multiple sectors, creating new economic opportunities for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
     
    Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station, providing direct and faster rail connectivity between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.
     

  • MIL-OSI Banking: RN-Uvatneftegaz Achieves Economic Effect of over 3.6 Billion Roubles from Implementation of Innovations

    Source: Rosneft

    Headline: RN-Uvatneftegaz Achieves Economic Effect of over 3.6 Billion Roubles from Implementation of Innovations

    In 2024, RN-Uvatneftegaz (part of Rosneft’s oil production complex) achieved economic benefits of more than 3.6 billion roubles thanks to projects developed to improve production efficiency, with new projects accounting for 47% of this effect.

    In 2024, RN-Uvatneftegaz specialists developed and implemented 29 innovative solutions. The greatest impact has been achieved through the installation of mobile modular substations in remote fields, reducing the time required to connect cluster sites to the grid and the capital expenditure required to build energy facilities. The economic effect of the project was 181 million roubles.

    Significant economic benefits were also achieved by reducing well completion time through improvements in drill string design.  The solution optimised the drilling of the directional section of the well and increased the drilling speed of long horizontal sidetracks. At the same time, the well recovery period was reduced by almost half to 59 hours. The economic effect of the project was 91 million roubles.

    Over the six years that the production efficiency improvement system has been in operation, RN-Uvatneftegaz specialists have developed 140 projects to improve production efficiency. The total economic effect of the implemented solutions exceeded 18.6 billion roubles.

    Systematic work to improve the operating efficiency at facilities is one of the key elements of the Rosneft-2030 Strategy. The Company is undertaking extensive work to reduce the operating costs of its production facilities and optimise capital investments, including the introduction of advanced technological solutions.

    For reference:

    N-Uvatneftegaz, a Rosneft subsidiary, is engaged in the exploration and development of the Uvat group of fields located in Tyumen Region and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District—Yugra. The Uvat project comprises 19 licence areas. The total area of the project exceeds 25 square kilometres. At the beginning of 2025, the cumulative production of RN-Uvatneftegaz reached 145 million tonnes of oil.

    Department of Information and Advertising
    Rosneft
    April 8, 2025

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Hobbycraft Trading Limited Company Voluntary Arrangement: Information for employees

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Hobbycraft Trading Limited Company Voluntary Arrangement: Information for employees

    Hobbycraft Trading Limited entered a Company Voluntary Arrangement on 13 May 2025. The company is continuing to trade as it restructures its operations.

    This page provides information on how to claim redundancy pay for those affected.  

    Anthony John Wright and Geoffrey Paul Rowley of FRP Advisory Trading Limited, who had previously been appointed Joint Nominees on 23 April 2025, became Joint Supervisors of the Company Voluntary Arrangement. 

    If you are an affected employee, this page will provide you with information on how to claim redundancy. 

    Information for employees: 

    If you have been dismissed 

    If you have been dismissed, you might be entitled to statutory redundancy pay, and compensatory notice pay,  from the Insolvency Service. 

    Information about your rights, how to apply and how we calculate payments is available on GOV.UK. 

    Who is eligible 

    You can apply to the Insolvency Service for redundancy and other payments if you worked for the company under an employment contract. 

    Workers and self-employed contractors who provided services to the company are not eligible to apply. Instead, these individuals should contact the Company Voluntary Arrangement supervisors at erateam@frpadvisory.com  

    Company directors 

    Check if you can apply for redundancy payments if you have been dismissed and were a director. 

    How to apply 

    The supervisors will give details about how to apply and will also give you a case reference number (example: CN12345678). Once you have this information, you can apply online. 

    Paying your claim 

    On average it takes 14 days to process and pay claims. However, sometimes we need to get additional information from the individual or from the supervisors, which can take a bit of time. We will contact you directly if we need anything further from you. We always try to pay eligible claims within 6 weeks of receiving the application. 

    To allow us to deal with everyone’s application as quickly as possible, please do not contact us to check the status of your application until after the 6 weeks have passed. 

    Getting help with your application for redundancy payments. 

    If you need help completing your application, you can contact the Redundancy Payments helpline on 0330 331 0020. 

    When calling, please have your case reference number (Example: CN12345678) and National Insurance number to hand. If you do not have a case reference number, please contact the administrator. 

    You can email us on redundancypaymentsonline@insolvency.gov.uk. Please include your name, your case reference number, and your telephone number in your email. 

    If you need to email us after submitting your claim, only use the email address you gave on your application form. Otherwise, we will not be able to respond to you for security reasons. 

    Other support available to you 

    Factsheet: finding a new job, managing your finances and benefits available to you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fines imposed for building regulations breach

    Source: City of Coventry

    Coventry Magistrates’ Court have imposed fines and costs totalling £756 on the owner of a property in Coventry.

    On Wednesday 7 May 2025, the defendant, pleaded guilty of failing to comply with the Building Regulations 2010 and to provide information to Coventry City Council about one of her properties when served with a notice requiring her to do so.

    On the 25 September 2024, a Registered Building Inspector from the Council’s Building Control Team carried out an inspection of the property in response to information that building work had been undertaken. During the inspection it was noted that a new roof had been installed without the benefit of Building Regulation approval, which is an offence under Section 35 of The Building Act 1984.

    As part of its investigation into potential breaches of the Building Regulations, the Council served a Requisition for Information Notice under section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and provided the defendant with information on how they could rectify the matter by submitting a regularisation application, however they failed to respond to the notice or submit a Building Regulation application.

    Along with the fines and court costs, the defendant is now required to submit a regularisation application, which is significantly more expensive than a standard application.

    Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader, at the Council, said: “This prosecution sends a clear message. If you don’t follow the building control procedures set out for handling your building work, or you carry out building work which does not comply with the requirements contained in the building regulations, the Council will not hesitate to prosecute those who choose to ignore their legal obligations.” 

    Kate Rich, Head of Building Control for the Council said: “Building regulations are crucial for ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of building occupants and visitors, as well as tackling causes and consequences of climate change. They set standards for design and construction, covering aspects like structural integrity, fire safety, accessibility, and energy performance.”  

    If you have undertaken building work without applying for Building Regulations, then this can be rectified by submitting a Regularisation application to the Council, details of which can be found on our website. www.coventry.gov.uk/building-control

    Friday, 6th June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The Bundesbank’s forecast for Germany: Economic recovery slowly getting started | US tariffs initially weigh on economic growth; fiscal policy provides impetus from 2026

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    The recovery of the German economy is being delayed by uncertainty surrounding international trade policy. Only gradually will economic activity be boosted by fiscal measures. The German economy will continue to tread water in the current year. The new US tariffs and uncertainty about future US policy are dampening economic growth for the time being, said Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel, presenting the Bundesbank’s new Forecast for Germany. This has hit German industry at a time when it had begun to stabilise after a long period of weakness. However, the sharp rise in government defence and infrastructure expenditure is likely to cause a marked surge in demand and an increase in gross domestic product (GDP) from 2026 onwards. Moreover, according to the new forecast, inflationary pressures in Germany are continuing to ease. The Forecast for Germany thus also provides good news for consumers and the economy, Mr Nagel said.
    Calendar-adjusted GDP is expected to stagnate in 2025. However, the Bundesbank’s experts expect stronger growth rates of 0.7 % and 1.2 % for 2026 and 2027. Compared with the December Forecast for Germany, the growth outlook is thus revised downwards for 2025 and upwards for 2027. According to the Bundesbank’s experts, the outlook is clouded in the short term by the protectionist trade policy of the United States and the associated uncertainty. Overall, exports will decline significantly in 2025 and increase only slightly next year. Reduced momentum in industrial production due to tariffs will contribute to a slowdown in the labour market and weigh on wage growth. From 2026 onwards, the expansionary fiscal policy and the lessened growth-dampening impact of US economic policy will lead to a marked recovery for the German economy.
    Following the easing of the debt brake, fiscal policymakers are financing a substantial portion of spending, particularly on defence and government infrastructure, via loans. Government consumption and, above all, government investment will therefore rise steeply from 2026 onwards. We expect the additional government spending on defence and infrastructure to significantly increase GDP growth by the end of 2027, said Bundesbank President Nagel.
    Although the government deficit ratio is likely to decline further this year, it will then rise sharply to just over 4 % by 2027. The significant increase is largely attributable to the fiscal package, which includes not only higher spending on defence and government infrastructure, but also tax cuts, increased subsidies and transfers to enterprises and households. The Maastricht debt ratio will rise to around 66 % by 2027. It had already reached 62.5 % at the end of 2024. Germany’s public finances can cope with a temporary increase in the deficit and debt ratios, Mr Nagel said.
    The rise in inflation as measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) will slow to 2.2 % as an annual average in 2025. Inflation is then likely to decline temporarily to 1.5 % in 2026 due to energy prices, before rising again to 1.9 % in 2027. The core rate (excluding energy and food) will fall to 2.6 % this year and thus remain markedly higher. It will then fall to 1.9 % in 2026. From 2026 onwards, the core rate will settle at around 2 %,” Bundesbank President Nagel said. The reasons for this decline are the decreasing price pressures from labour costs and the initially still weak demand. We’re also seeing the delayed effect of the Eurosystem’s tight monetary policy up to 2024.
     
    Projection June 2025

    Year-on-year percentage change

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    Real GDP, calendar adjusted

    − 0.2

    0.0

    0.7

    1.2

    Real GDP, unadjusted

    − 0.2

    − 0.1

    1.0

    1.3

    Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices

    2.5

    2.2

    1.5

    1.9

    Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices excluding energy and food

    3.2

    2.6

    1.9

    2.0

    Source: Federal Statistical Office (data as at 21 May 2025). Annual figures for 2025 to 2027 are Bundesbank forecasts.

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni at second edition of ‘Il giorno de La Verità’

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    5 Giugno 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, attended the second edition of the ‘Il giorno de La Verità’ event in Rome today, where she was interviewed by the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Maurizio Belpietro.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Organised drug trafficker has sentence increased

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Organised drug trafficker has sentence increased

    A member of an organised crime operation that trafficked cocaine across the Southwest has had his sentence increased, after the Solicitor General intervened.

    Stephen Wills, 36, from Bridford, Exeter, has had his sentence increased by five years under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, following an intervention by the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP.

    The court heard that between 2019 and 2020, Wills was part of two organised crime groups that trafficked tens of thousands of pounds-worth of cocaine across the country.

    The group delivered drugs from a foreign crime group operating in London to drug dealers around Exeter.

    Wills played a significant role operating from the rented farmhouse where he lived with his family, using the outbuildings to store and package cocaine and to harvest and produce cannabis.

    Police discovered this when the offender was stopped in his vehicle and arrested on 1 May 2020.

    A subsequent investigation of the property found several firearms, ammunition and more than a quarter kilogram of cocaine, with a wholesale value of over £46,000.

    The court also heard that Wills had 33 previous convictions, including for firearm offences. Wills was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition for five years in 2018. In 2021, he was convicted for three offences relating to possession of an air rifle and ammunition

    The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

    This offender was part of two organised crime gangs which trafficked significant quantities of drugs across the country.

    We know that the impact of organised crime on our communities is devastating and I welcome the Court’s decision to increase Wills’ sentence following my intervention.” 

    On 13 March 2025, Stephen Wills was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment at Exeter Crown Court after he was sentenced for conspiracy to supply and possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs and possession of a prohibited firearm.

    On 5 June 2025, Wills’ sentence was increased from nine years to 14 years after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More than 100 attend event to strengthen support for Island children 6 June 2025 More than 100 attend event to strengthen support for Island children and young people

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    More than 110 people from across the Isle of Wight came together for the Together for Children: Collaboration and Partnership Conference, held earlier this week.

    The event focused on how local organisations can work better together to help children and families on the Island.

    The Isle of Wight has many brilliant community and voluntary groups that offer important services — from parenting support and youth clubs to food banks and activities for children with disabilities.

    The conference was a chance to celebrate their work and look at how they can keep improving.

    The day started with a welcome from Maria Thacker of The Bay Youth Project and former High Sheriff Graham Biss.

    During his time as High Sheriff, Mr Biss worked closely with local organisations and saw the value of bringing people together to share ideas and support one another.

    His involvement in the conference helped turn that vision into reality, in collaboration with the Isle of Wight Council’s Family and Community Services team.

    Ashley Whittaker, who leads children’s services at the council, delivered the keynote address. He said: “This conference was a fantastic opportunity to bring together the people and organisations who are making a real difference in our communities.

    “By working together, we can build on our strengths and ensure that every child and family on the Island has the support they need to thrive.”

    Attendees took part in group sessions throughout the day. The first set of sessions looked at the needs of different age groups, from babies to young adults. The second set focused on key topics like mental health, education, safety, and helping young people aim high.

    Each session was led by experienced staff from a range of organisations, and everyone had a chance to share ideas and learn from each other. There was also time for networking and visiting information stands from local organisations.

    The day ended with a summary of the main points raised by delegates and their ideas for next steps. Many attendees said they found the event useful and inspiring.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Republic of Lithuania: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 6, 2025

    A Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country. Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic developments.

    The authorities have consented to the publication of this statement. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    Washington, DC – June 6, 2025: Lithuania has proved resilient to multiple shocks in recent years. However, new challenges are emerging—including further increases in defense expenditure adding to the existing long-term spending pressures—while long-standing structural issues still require attention. Lithuania needs to reignite its reform momentum to boost productivity while addressing these challenges. A comprehensive strategy is needed to preserve fiscal space through revenue mobilization, enhanced spending efficiency, and limiting further spending pressures by strengthening the multi-pillar pension system. Structural reforms should focus on facilitating investments and accelerating the adoption of new technologies to boost productivity growth, supplemented by labor market policies, including reducing skills mismatches. Financial sector policies should continue to safeguard financial stability and integrity.

    Recent Developments, Outlook, and Risks

    The economy grew strongly in 2024. Growth accelerated to 2.7 percent—well above peers—driven by private consumption supported by significant real income gains. The recovery was broad-based across sectors, including manufacturing and high value-added services, despite sluggish productivity growth. While inflation remained low for the most part of the year, it has risen since late 2024, driven by higher energy prices and excise duties.

    While fiscal performance exceeded expectations, the deficit widened, and the debt ratio is increasing. The deficit almost doubled from 0.7 percent of GDP in 2023 to 1.3 percent of GDP in 2024, reflecting increased public wages and pensions. Higher revenues supported by robust aggregate wage growth and lower-than-anticipated expenditure, mainly from the accrual correction in defense spending, prevented the deficit from increasing further. However, pre-payments for additional orders of defense equipment and the continued buildup of the general government cash buffer contributed to an increase in the debt-to-GDP ratio from 37.3 percent in 2023 to 38.2 percent in 2024, for the first time since 2020.

    The banking sector remains financially sound, with high capitalization, ample liquidity buffers, and low non-performing loan (NPL) ratios. Banks continue to be highly profitable, although profitability eased in 2024 compared to the record high levels seen in the previous year, against lower interest rates driven by ECB monetary policy easing.

    There are signs of gradual financial expansion. Reflecting decreasing lending rates and recovering credit demand, loan growth to both non-financial corporations and households recovered in 2024 and early 2025, and credit-to-GDP ratios have increased moderately. House price growth stabilized in 2024, down from the 2022 peak. Nevertheless, house prices are likely not significantly above levels justified by fundamentals, given the recent robust demand while housing supply is increasing, and affordability has improved.

    The economy is expected to grow at 2.8 percent in 2025 while inflation will increase to 3.1 percent. Growth will be supported by private consumption and rising investment related to EU funds. External demand will remain subdued reflecting uncertainty regarding trade policies, despite the positive outlook of information and communication technologies (ICT) and professional activities. Increased excise duties and persistently high wage growth will keep headline and core inflation above pre-pandemic averages in the coming years. The labor market will tighten reflecting negative labor force dynamics affected by the normalization of migration flows.

    Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside. As a small open economy, Lithuania is exposed to high uncertainty around trade policies and geopolitical risks. A severe downturn in its main trade partners would worsen the external performance and domestic activity. In the medium term, weaker demographics pose risks to labor supply which could add pressures on wages and competitiveness if productivity growth fails to accelerate. In the absence of sufficient measures, the fiscal position is subject to considerable medium-term risk with higher defense spending needs adding to the already high existing long-term pressures.

    Fiscal Policy

    A moderately less expansionary fiscal stance than currently expected would be helpful in 2025, and the strategy should shift to preserving fiscal space. The deficit is projected to rise to 2.8 percent of GDP in 2025, due to significant increases in pension spending and higher public sector wages. However, with a small and decreasing negative output gap under staff projections and considering mounting spending pressures in the medium term, going forward, a moderately tighter fiscal stance to reduce deficits and stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio would be appropriate. With a view to safeguarding fiscal buffers and minimize the need for larger adjustments in later years, any unused spending or revenue overperformance this year should be saved to limit the deficit increase.

    A stronger fiscal adjustment will be required if defense spending rises notably from current levels. The envisaged increase in defense spending to 5-6 percent of GDP in 2026-30 from the current level of 3 percent would raise financing needs significantly. In the absence of additional fiscal measures, debt could reach 60 percent of GDP by 2030. The proposed tax policy changes to accommodate these spending needs are welcome, but the revenue yield is estimated to be modest. Greater efforts will therefore be needed to maintain debt dynamics on a sustainable path in the medium term to preserve fiscal space to absorb possible future shocks. An average annual adjustment of about 0.5 percentage points of GDP in the general government balance over 2026-30, with the majority of additional defense spending financed by front-loaded increases in tax revenues, would help stabilize debt at around 50 percent of GDP by 2030.

    Financing options for additional defense spending should be anchored by revenue mobilization. While temporary measures and productivity-enhancing capital expenditure could be deficit-financed, a sizable part of the additional defense spending is likely to be permanent, warranting higher revenues or lower spending in other areas. The tax policy change proposal appropriately targets a mix of taxes, but there is further scope to raise additional revenues while improving the system, including increasing progressivity and efficiency. This could include raising revenues through making the personal income tax (PIT) system more progressive and streamlining the tax schedules to prevent higher marginal tax rates for lower income earners, limiting exemptions in corporate income taxes (CIT) and property taxes, and reducing the value added tax (VAT) compliance gap while improving VAT efficiency.

    Revenue mobilization should be complemented by spending measures. Fiscal savings could be generated by improving spending efficiency, including in healthcare and education. Hospital network rationalization could enhance the quality of service while reducing costs. The teacher-student ratio is relatively high for secondary education and there is room to rationalize the school network while improving quality.

    Strengthening the multi-pillar pension system will limit some of the additional spending pressures in the medium-term. The current pension system implies significant increases in public pension expenditure over the next two decades, driven by adverse demographics, while replacement ratios will remain low. The Pillar II reform proposal under discussion, entailing participation to become voluntary and increased options to opt out and suspend participation, is likely to further reduce the replacement rate. These changes could have a material impact on the entire pension system and the public finances. Staff urges the authorities to allow sufficient time to carefully consider all potential ramifications, including through further thorough analysis of the social and fiscal sustainability of the broader pension system.

    Financial Sector Policies

    Financial sector policies should continue to focus on safeguarding financial stability. Bank profitability is expected to moderate further but to remain high in 2025. Financial conditions are likely to ease in 2025 due to declining ECB policy rates and increased competition in financial sector, such as from the increasing footprint of fintech companies. Solvency and liquidity stress tests conducted by the Bank of Lithuania suggest that banks can withstand adverse macroeconomic scenarios and unexpected liquidity shocks. While some smaller banks require enhancing capitalization and closer oversight, all in all, financial stability risks arising from the banking system are broadly contained. With an increased frequency of cyberattacks on banks in recent years, cyber resilience should continue to be strengthened, including the full implementation of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) regulation.

    The current macroprudential stance is broadly appropriate, but continued vigilance is warranted. Financial cycles including residential real estate and private sector credit so far have exhibited no major signs of overheating, but the sustained pace of expansion requires close monitoring and readiness to act in case early signs of an excessive financial expansion emerge. Despite the low exposure of banks, the commercial real estate market continues to require attention as risks of price corrections remain due to the persistent imbalance between supply and demand. In the event of a significant adverse financial shock with the potential to trigger widespread losses in the banking sector, the relaxation of capital-based measures would be appropriate to minimize credit supply disruptions and support lending to the economy.

    The AML/CFT framework has been strengthened significantly, but continued effective implementation is essential. The third national risk assessment identified virtual asset service providers (VASPs), and electronic money institutions (EMI), and payment institutions (PI) as posing significant ML/TF risks. The authorities should continue AML/CFT efforts to mitigate cross-border risks, including Bank of Lithuania’s oversight and market controls for newly licensed VASPs under MiCAR regime, supervision of payment service institutions, and AML/CFT measures for CENTROlink members.

    Structural Reforms

    Lithuania faces structural headwinds limiting productivity and long-term growth. The recent recovery has been largely driven by higher labor accumulation enabled by temporary net migration, while the contributions from capital and total factor productivity (TFP) growth remained smaller than those observed during earlier periods of faster income convergence. Given expected population declines in the coming years, structural reforms to facilitate greater capital deepening and higher productivity growth are essential.

    Higher investment is needed to support potential growth. Low capital intensity remains a key barrier to productivity growth and the transition towards a higher value-added oriented economy. Development of risk capital, co-financing and mechanisms for risk sharing tailored to enhance the flow of credit to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), targeted credit guarantee schemes and integrating digital solutions can help alleviate constraints related to the lack of access to finance experienced by some firms. In this context, the expanded role of the state-owned institution ILTE—previously INVEGA—can play a role, complementing the private banking sector in supporting investment in areas such as high value-added sectors, innovation, energy efficiency, and strategic infrastructures. To consolidate the institution’s role as a national development bank, it is essential to ensure effective monitoring and transparency of ILTE operations. More fundamentally, deepening the EU’s single market—combined with stronger incentives to develop domestic capital markets—would help support access to finance of corporates and further productive investments in the country.

    Inefficiencies in the education system contribute significantly to the persistent skills mismatches in Lithuania’s labor market. As one of the countries with the highest skills mismatches in Europe, Lithuania faces ongoing challenges despite measures including the government’ active labor market policies and their evaluation and the smart specialization multi-year program aimed at enhancing workforce skills. Critical shortages persist in essential sectors, including nursing, engineering, and scientific fields, highlighting the urgent need for strategic reforms in education and training to better align with market demands.

    Ensuring effective integration of migrants into the labor market is crucial to sustain the labor force. Recent immigrants have been successfully absorbed into the Lithuanian labor market and legislative amendments have enabled easier migration for high-skilled workers despite the reduction of the non-EU workers quota in 2025. Policies should focus on integrating migrants in the most productivity-enhancing way possible while facilitating the participation of foreign professionals in those sectors with the largest shortages.

    Further investment in digitalization and AI preparedness has the potential to boost productivity growth. Lithuania has invested significantly in digitalizing its economy in recent years, becoming one of the main fintech hubs in Europe. However, despite progress in digitalization and in AI preparedness, its digital infrastructure remains close to the EU average. To unlock possibly substantial productivity gains, policies should aim to facilitate technological diffusion, job transition and AI adoption among firms, while introducing measures to mitigate associated risks in terms of possible job replacements and inequality deepening. In this respect, the recent initiatives included in the START plan aimed at promoting digitalization and the deployment of AI both in the private sector and in public administration will support these efforts.

    Energy security has been reinforced in the last years. The Baltic countries joined the European electricity grid in 2025, completely disconnecting from the Russian electricity system. Moreover, Lithuania has diversified its energy sources and import dependency has been lowered through the intensification of domestic electricity production from renewable sources in the recent years. Still, being susceptible to risks associated with climate change, Lithuania needs to accelerate the green transition, particularly for adaptation. In this respect, future investment in new technologies and defense initiatives should not thwart efforts to reduce economy-wide emissions, such as the recently adopted policies in the context of the updated National Energy and Climate Action Plan (NECP) for the period 2021–2030.

    The IMF team is grateful for the warm hospitality of the Lithuanian authorities and would like to thank all its interlocutors in government, the Bank of Lithuania, the European Central Bank, the private sector, unions, and business associations for constructive and fruitful discussions.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Boris Balabanov

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/06/mcs662025-lithuania-staff-concluding-statement-2025-article-iv-mission

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to SFC Advisory Committee announced

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appointments to SFC Advisory Committee announced 
         The membership of the SFC Advisory Committee for the new term is as follows:
     
    New appointees
    ——————
    Mr Vincent Chui Yik-chiu
    Mr Lam Chi-ki
    Ms Elisa Ng Ka-li
    Ms Katherine Ng Kit-shuen
    Mr Xu Tao
     
    Reappointed members
    ————————–
    Professor Cai Hongbin
    Dr Jia Hongrui
    Ms Li Tong
    Mr Phillip Meyer
    Ms Fion Ng Siu-mui
    Mr Tse Yung-hoi
    Mr Harold Wong Tsu-hing
     
         The Government also expressed gratitude to the outgoing members, Ms June Wong Wai-man and Mr Wilfred Yiu Ka-yan, for their valuable contributions during their terms.
     
         A Government spokesman said, “The SFC Advisory Committee comprises members from different professions. They possess extensive operational experience and professional knowledge of the financial markets. We are confident that they will provide independent and professional advice to the SFC on matters related to the SFC’s policy and market regulation.”
     
         The SFC Advisory Committee was established under Section 7 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance to advise the SFC on policy matters regarding its regulatory objectives and functions. In addition to the 12 appointed members, the SFC Advisory Committee comprises the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and two Executive Directors of the SFC.
    Issued at HKT 17:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Edison Awards_Bronze Featureless-Secure Encryption System for IOT(MIRDC)

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    In an era where cybersecurity has become a core focus of global industrial development, the MIRDC once again demonstrates Taiwan’s innovation strength in information security. Its self-developed “Featureless-Secure Encryption System for IoT (FSESI)” has been honored with the Bronze Award at the 2025 Edison Awards for Innovation. The technology overcomes long-standing limitations of chaotic encryption, offering a revolutionary solution for secure data transmission across IoT and international digital infrastructure.

    Chaotic encryption, known for its high randomness and theoretical unbreakability, has long been viewed as a promising approach to data security. However, its real-world application has been hindered by sensitive parameter dependencies, complex key management, high computational costs, and data length constraints. With FSESI, MIRDC has addressed these challenges by creating a next-generation encryption system featuring untraceable, high-entropy keys, a lightweight algorithm, and real-time synchronized encryption and decryption. This dramatically enhances both the practicality and security of chaotic encryption.

    At the core of FSESI is the use of multiple dynamically selected chaotic systems to generate keys that closely approximate true randomness. A specially designed sliding synchronization algorithm enables the rapid convergence of encryption and decryption systems, instantly generating identical key streams on both ends without requiring key transmission. This eliminates one of the most vulnerable points in traditional encryption: the key exchange process.

    Technically, FSESI also discretizes the continuous differential equations of chaotic systems and applies carefully selected parameters, reducing computational load by approximately 60%. This significantly lowers CPU/GPU resource consumption, enabling high-performance, low-power encryption protection. Meanwhile, encrypted data undergoes dynamic random topic transformation, making it completely unidentifiable during transmission and highly resistant to data interception and reverse engineering.

    FSESI is particularly suitable for environments requiring secure, synchronized communication across multiple devices and domains-such as IoT systems, blockchain nodes, drones, intelligent transportation, and medical data transmission. The system has already passed real-world validation through field testing with metal product manufacturers and equipment suppliers. It has also been successfully licensed to automation service integrators, helping manufacturing sectors strengthen the cybersecurity of their operational technology (OT) systems.

    More than just an evolution in encryption technology, FSESI represents a paradigm shift in cybersecurity-from identity-based defense to stealth-based protection. With its dynamic, featureless, and decentralized security architecture, FSESI offers robust defense against modern threats while preserving data privacy across digital ecosystems. Looking ahead, the system will continue expanding into global applications in manufacturing, healthcare, and smart cities, supporting industries in achieving higher levels of digital trust and security resilience.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: EMSD announces latest sampling results for legionella at fresh water cooling towers

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (June 6) announced that the department tested 70 water samples collected from cooling towers in 45 buildings in its routine inspections in May 2025. Three samples were detected to have a total legionella count at or above the upper threshold, which is 1 000 colony-forming units per millilitre. The latest statistics are set out in Annex 1.

    The cooling towers in which the samples were collected are located at 571 Canton Road, Yau Tsim Mong; Harbour Crystal Centre, 100 Granville Road, Yau Tsim Mong; and 294-296 King’s Road, Eastern. The EMSD has issued nuisance notices under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance to the owners of the cooling towers requiring appropriate disinfection work to be done. Disinfection of the cooling towers in these cases have already been completed by the owners. Details of the cases can be found in Annex 2.

    The EMSD publishes the latest statistics of the above information on a half-monthly basis on its website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/other_regulatory_services/cooling_towers/water_sampling/index.html).

    The EMSD reminds the owners of fresh water cooling towers that they have the responsibility to design, operate and maintain cooling towers properly. They should arrange regular inspections, timely maintenance and periodic testing of the water quality in their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers issued by the department to prevent the proliferation of legionella.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defense on May 29, 2025 2025-06-06 Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of May 29, 2025.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

    By Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND)

    Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of May 29, 2025. (mod.gov.cn)

    (The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)

    Zhang Xiaogang: Friends from the media, good afternoon, welcome to this month’s regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China

    I have a piece of news to release at the top.

    The PLA National Defense University (NDU) sent a delegation to attend the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) upon invitation on May 29. The visit is scheduled till June 2, during which the delegation will also have exchanges with military and civilian units in Singapore.

    Journalist: Not long ago, the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum was held in Beijing. President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered an important speech. Could you please provide more details about military cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries?

    Zhang Xiaogang: Recently, President Xi Jinping attended the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum and delivered a keynote address. He summarized the best practices for developing China-LAC relations, and announced the launch of five programs of Solidarity, Development, Civilization, Peace and People-to-People Connectivity. In the speech, President Xi has charted the course for building a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future.

    China-LAC cooperation has withstood winds and rains, and transcended mountains and oceans across half a globe. The cooperation has bolstered economic growth and improved the livelihoods of the LAC region, bringing tangible benefits to the local people. In recent years, the Chinese and LAC militaries have had frequent high-level exchange, and conducted numerous working level meetings. Events such as the China-LAC States Defense Forum, China-LAC Military Medicine Forum and Seminar for Senior Military Officers from LAC Countries have been held multiple times. China-LAC defense cooperation has been productive, deepening our friendship and mutual trust. The Chinese side stands ready to work with the defense establishments and militaries of LAC countries to act on the Global Security Initiative, and deepen substantive cooperation in such areas as mutual visits, professional exchanges and personnel training. Together, we will promote sustained and solid progress in building a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future.

    Journalist: In his recent speech, Lai Ching-te said that Taiwan would continue to strengthen its defenses and avoid war by preparing for it. Will the PLA conduct military exercises as countermeasures as before?

    Zhang Xiaogang: As long as Lai Ching-te continues his provocations for “Taiwan independence”, there will be no tranquility in the Taiwan Strait and no stability for our Taiwan compatriots. We warn the DPP authorities that “Taiwan independence” separatists will come to no good end. The PLA will remain combat-ready at all times, enhance combat readiness, and safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Journalist: The US recently unveiled plans for the Golden Dome missile defense system, and announced that it would be completed in 3 years. May I have your comments on this?

    Zhang Xiaogang: The US presses ahead with the Golden Dome system and deploys space-based weapons, continuously expands its military build-up and stokes an arms race in outer space. Such acts violate relevant principles of the Outer Space Treaty, heighten the risk of turning the space into a war zone and triggering a space arms race, and shake the international security and arms control regime. Its actions will once again open the Pandora’s box. This proves again that no country has done more than the US in militarizing the space and making it a battlefield. We urge the US side to stop expanding military build-up in space, and take concrete actions to uphold global strategic stability.

    Journalist: I have two questions. The first one is that Japan’s Defense Ministry recently announced that Chinese aircraft carrier PLANS Liaoning conducted take-off and landing operations of ship-borne aircraft in the East China Sea. Officials of the Japan Self-Defense Forces said that similar activities were conducted by Chinese aircraft carriers before, but this training occurred in waters closer to Japan. The Japanese Defense Ministry therefore decided to make it public and this is the first time for the Ministry to release such information. What’s your comment on this?

    The second question is that the US President Donald Trump recently said that the US was mass-producing hypersonic missiles. As one of the major countries that develop hypersonic technologies, how does the Chinese side view the impact on the global arms control regime caused by the US accelerating its deployment of such strategic weapons?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On the first question, the task fleet led by PLANS Liaoning conducted training in relevant waters, which does not target any specific country or entity and is in line with international law and practice. I think the Japanese side overreacted.

    On your second question, We pursue a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, never engage in arms race with any other country, and are committed to global strategic stability.

    Journalist: I have two questions. The first one is that the US Carrier Strike Group led by USS Nimitz re-entered the South China Sea through the Singapore Strait on May 26 after its visit to Malaysia. What’s your comment on this?

    The second question is that reports suggest that the Indian side recovered an undetonated PL-15E air-air missile during the India-Pakistan conflict. Can you confirm this? Will this give the Indian side assess to relevant military technology?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, activities to flex its muscle and stir up troubles in the South China Sea will find no support. The Chinese side will firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

    On your second question, the type of missile you mentioned is for export and has also been exhibited in international and domestic defense expos multiple times.

    Journalist: I have two questions. The first is the Commander of the US Army Pacific recently claimed that China’s increasingly aggressive behavior in the Indo-Pacific had made the situation more dangerous. He said that no one would have imagined that Beijing would conduct drills simulating a blockade of Taiwan five years ago, but now such moves were commonplace. In addition, head of the US Indo-Pacific Command said that the Chinese side was conducting comprehensive exercises in preparation for recovering Taiwan and was increasingly active in other regions of the Pacific. May I have your comments on this?

    The second question is that according to Taiwan media reports, the DPP authorities have stepped up its procurement of the Patriot missiles, drawn personnel from its Marine Corps to form combat units for the “Greater Taipei Area”, and launched several drills on responses to the so-called “PLA attacks on Taiwan”. Public opinion in Taiwan believes that these actions are preparing for Lai Ching-te’s desertion in the face of war. Do you have any comment?

    Zhang Xiaogang: For your first question, Taiwan is part of China. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese, which brooks no external interference. For the cross-Strait situation, there is no factor more destabilizing than the provocations made by the “Taiwan independence” separatists and the disruptions by foreign forces. It’s legitimate, necessary, lawful and justified for the Chinese side to take actions to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We urge the US side to stop fanning the flames on the Taiwan question. Such behaviors would only backfire.

    For your second question. Don’t be fooled by Lai Ching-te’s reckless provocations now. When the day comes, people like him will be the first to run away. For the PLA, defeating military elements of the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces is like shooting fish in a barrel. Those notorious separatists have no chance to escape.

    Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of May 29, 2025. (mod.gov.cn)

    Journalist: I have two questions. Firstly, you just announced that the PLA NDU sent a delegation to attend this year’s SLD. Why didn’t the Chinese side send higher level military officials to attend the dialogue? The US Department of Defense has already announced its attendance at the dialogue, and said that the US was a more credible regional partner than China. What’s your comment on that? My second question is that this year marks the 80th year of the World Anti-Fascist War. Many European countries have held celebrations commemorating this victory. September 3rd marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Many people are expecting the Chinese side to hold a military parade to commemorate this anniversary. What’s your comment on that?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, China consistently engages in constructive dialogues to articulate our vision and initiatives. We are committed to enhancing mutual trust and deepening cooperation through these exchanges, contributing Chinese wisdom to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The PLA NDU delegation attending this year’s SLD will have in-depth exchanges with participating parties to build more consensus.

    As for the second question, I have no information to release here.

    Journalist: What is the Chinese Ministry of National Defense’s assessment on the equipment supplied by the Chinese military to Pakistan in the recent conflict between India and Pakistan? An Indian official said that China provided satellite and air defense systems for Pakistan, but these systems performed below average. What’s your comment on that?

    Zhang Xiaogang: Pakistan and India are neighbors who cannot move away from each other. We call on the both sides to keep calm, exercise restraint and avoid complicating the situation. China will continue to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.

    Journalist: It’s reported that US Defense Secretary recently said that the US side would build up its military to meet China’s “threat” at every turn, and counter China in the Indo-Pacific. In addition, Commander of the US Army Pacific said that the US army was building agile new units in response to potential conflicts with China. What’s your comment on

    Zhang Xiaogang: Conflict and confrontation should not be the choice of either side. Mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation is the right way for China and the US to deal with each other. The US side should stop conjuring up a powerful enemy for itself whether intentionally or unintentionally. Such imagination is not rational and extremely dangerous. The Chinese military will make all-out efforts to enhance our combat readiness, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

    Journalist: Some US and Israeli media outlets call on the US to stop its military assistance to Egypt, because of Egypt’s close cooperation with China. What’s your comment on this?

    Zhang Xiaogang: China-Egypt cooperation is not aimed at any third party, nor will it be interfered by any third party. The Chinese and Egyptian militaries will continue to deepen friendship, mutual trust and practical cooperation.

    Journalist: As China’s first aircraft carrier with catapult system, PLANS Fujian is undergoing a series of intensive sea trials. What kind of signal does that send out?

    Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of May 29, 2025. (mod.gov.cn)

    Zhang Xiaogang: The sea trial is a necessary part for the construction of aircraft carriers. PLANS Fujian will conduct relevant tests as planned.

    Journalist: According to a satellite image revealed last week, H-6 bombers and a KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft were seen on Yongxing Dao of Xisha Qundao. What is the purpose of this deployment? Some experts suggest that it is to send signals to the Philippines and Vietnam. What’s your comment on that?

    Zhang Xiaogang: I am not aware of the information you mentioned. I want to emphasize that the Xisha Qundao is an inherent part of the Chinese territory. We oppose the hype about relevant military activities.

    Journalist: An African Young Officers Delegation visited China recently. Some commentary regarded the trip as one that combines culture, technology and friendship. Could you please provide more details on this?

    Zhang Xiaogang: The African Young Officers Delegation concluded its 10-day visit to China on May 15. During the visit, nearly a hundred military officers from over 40 African countries, including Egypt, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya, came to cities such as Beijing, Changsha and Shaoshan. They visited military units, academies and high-tech enterprises, attended themed lectures and seminars, toured the Museum of the Communist Party of China and the former residence of Comrade Mao Zedong, and had in-depth exchanges with their Chinese counterparts. Members of the delegation expressed how impressive and inspiring this visit was. This is the 4th African Young Officers Delegation invited to China by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense. This visit deepened the traditional friendship between the Chinese and African militaries, and advanced the building of an All-weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.

    Journalist: I have two questions. The first one is that the US Indo-Pacific Commander reportedly said that China was outpacing the US in the production of warships and other equipment. He said that the rates of changes on the depth and breadth of PLA’s exercises was what kept him up at night. May I have your comments on this?

    The second question is that it’s reported that China’s third large hospital ship PLANS Ark Auspicious has been commissioned, marking the deployment of large ocean-going hospital ship to the Eastern Theater Command, South Theater Command and North Theater Command respectively. What’s your comment on this?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, China does not engage in arms race with any other country. We develop our military to defend China’s national sovereignty, security and development interests and to bring stability and positive energy to global peace and security.

    On your second question, PLANS Ark Auspicious is the third 10,000-ton-class ocean-going hospital ship domestically designed and built by China. It features a combat-oriented layout and is equipped with advanced medical equipment. PLANS Ark Auspicious, together with Ark Peace and Ark Silk Road, not only forms the backbone of medical support on the sea, but also executes tasks of international humanitarian medical services, emergency medical rescue in major disasters, and foreign exchanges and cooperation on military medicine. PLAN hospital ships will help the Chinese military materialize the vision of building a maritime community with a shared future and offer the world more public security goods of higher quality.

    Journalist: Does the Chinese delegation plan to meet with any other delegations on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue? Is there any planned meeting with the US delegation?

    Zhang Xiaogang: Regarding this, we will release information in due course. The Chinese side values our defense relations with the US military and is open to communications at different levels. We hope the US side will earnestly respect China’s core interests and major concerns, work with us in the same direction, and promote the steady and sound development of military-to-military relations.

    Journalist: Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun recently visited France and Germany, and attended the 6th UN Peacekeeping Ministerial. Please provide further details about this.

    Zhang Xiaogang:Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun led a delegation to visit France and Germany and attend the 6th UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin from May 11 to 17. Minister Dong held talks with French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu and German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius respectively. The leaders had an in-depth exchange of view on international and regional issues of mutual interests, and reached consensus on strengthening substantive engagements and cooperation between the Chinese and French and the Chinese and German militaries. Minister Dong also met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Under Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix on the sidelines of the 6th UN Peacekeeping Ministerial. In his speech delivered at the conference, Minister Dong emphasized that the Chinese side will work with different parties to act on the Global Security Initiative, uphold the core position of the UN, redouble efforts on the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKOs), support the training of professional peacekeepers, optimize the composition and capabilities of Chinese Peacekeeping Standby Force, advance continuous innovation of UNPKOs, and contribute more to UNPKOs.

    Journalist: Lately, official new media accounts of PLA theater commands and services and arms have been opened on the ‘China Bugle” app. What’s your comment on that?

    Zhang Xiaogang: China Bugle is the mobile flagship platform of information release launched by the PLA News Media Center. As of now, the PLA Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and the PAP, as well as the PLA Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern and Central Theater Commands have opened their official new media accounts on this app. This demonstrates the deep integration of different forms of military media, and provides an important channel for the public to learn about defense and military development in an all-round manner. Going forward, more military units and media outlets will join the “China Bugle” app to form an integrated new media platform for military news.

    Journalist: The draft of the Japanese defense ministry’s Defense White Paper 2025 was revealed. The draft claims that China is ramping up its nuclear, missile, maritime and aviation capabilities; that PLA’s activities near Taiwan demonstrate that Beijing is trying to improve its combat capabilities; and strengthened China-Russia military cooperation is a concern for Japan. What’s your comment on this?

    Zhang Xiaogang: In the draft of its Defense White Paper, the Japanese side repeats its irresponsible comments about China’s military development, and points fingers at China’s legitimate military activities and external military cooperation. We are strongly opposed to this. This year marks the 80th year of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. At this special historical juncture, it’s even more important for Japan to reflect on its behaviors, instead of making unfounded smears and accusations against others. We urge the Japanese side to follow the path of peaceful development, act prudently in the domain of military and security, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the rest of the international community with concrete actions.

    Journalist: Head of Taiwan’s defense authorities Koo Li-hsiung reportedly said in an interview that US forces and alliances across Asia was crucial for holding Beijing in check. He also expressed hope for the US to expedite arms sales to Taiwan to help Taiwan address military threats from China.What’s your comments on this?

    Zhang Xiaogang: The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China, which brooks no interference. We will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and greatest effort. However, should the “Taiwan independence” separatists make provocations, challenge our bottom lines, or even cross the red lines, we will have to take decisive measures. The US side supports “Taiwan independence” separatists through arms sales. Such acts are self-defeating and will push Taiwan into the abyss of war.

    Journalist: Recently, the Chinese and Cambodian militaries successfully held the Golden Dragon 2025 joint exercise. Please provide more details.

    Zhang Xiaogang: The Chinese and Cambodian armed forces conducted the Golden Dragon 2025 joint exercise in Kampong Chhnang Province and the airspace and waters off the Sihanoukville Port from May 14 to 28. As the 7th iteration of the Golden Dragon series, this year’s exercise has three highlights. First, it focused on counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance operations, conducting drills on relevant subjects. Second, the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream provided support for drills on the sea for the first time. Air force helicopters took part in the exercise for the first time. Land, naval, air and joint logistic support components from both sides conducted drills together. Third, the exercise consisted of two parts: naval & air operations and ground & air operations. Participating troops were organized into mixed groups to learn from each other during tactical training and comprehensive drills, which helped to enhance command coordination and emergency response capabilities of the two sides. During the joint exercise, the PLA contingent also donated school supplies and provided free medical services to the local community. China and Cambodia are iron-clad friends with rock-solid relations. The Chinese and Cambodian militaries will work in concert to act on the important consensus between leaders of the two countries, and make greater contributions to building a China-Cambodia All-weather Community with a Shared Future for the New Era, and to preserving regional security and stability.

    Journalist: The Philippine Coast Guard said that the Coast Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Coast Guard conducted a joint patrol in waters off Palawan, which reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to maritime security and the “rule-based international order”. What’s your comment on this?

    Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of May 29, 2025. (mod.gov.cn)

    Zhang Xiaogang: At present, the situation in the South China Sea remains generally stable. The freedom of navigation and overflight entitled to all countries under international law has never been an issue. Some countries provoke confrontation in the name of cooperation, flex muscles under the guise of freedom, and create chaos with the pretext of order. They have become the biggest source of risks that undermines peace and stability in the South China Sea. We urge relevant countries to stop ganging up and stirring up troubles in the South China Sea, and stop harming regional peace and stability.

    Journalist: I have two questions. The first question is about the PLA aircraft carrier Liaoning and its task fleet. They are currently off the southeast coast of Taiwan. The Taiwan authority said that they have taken joint intelligence means to monitor relevant operations throughout the whole process. Some people suggest that the PLA will probably conduct military exercises before or after the Dragon Boat Festival. Can you confirm whether the PLA has relevant plans? My second question. According to media reports, the CIA is about to release its annual report, suggesting that the Chinese mainland poses the greatest threat to the world and increasing menace against Taiwan. It also said that the rapid modernization of the PLA would prevent the US from entering the Pacific. What’s your comment on this?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question. Relevant military activities organized by the PLA recently are routine arrangements according to our annual training plan.

    On your second question, as we all know, China is unwavering in our commitment to peace, development and international order. The biggest threat to the current cross-Strait situation comes from separatist activities for “Taiwan independence” and support from foreign forces. If relevant countries truly care about stability in the Taiwan Strait, they should abide by the one-China principle and unequivocally oppose “Taiwan independence”.

    If there are no other questions, this concludes today’s press conference. Thank you.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Official: China to expand cooperation with South Asian countries

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

    China will explore new cooperation areas with South Asian countries in emerging fields such as energy transition, digital economy, low-carbon development, and smart manufacturing, and jointly safeguard the stability of industrial and supply chains, said Yan Dong, vice minister of commerce, on Friday at a press conference in Beijing.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Millions vie for college spots as reforms boost fairness and opportunities

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

    As a rare hush replaces the usual rustle of pages and scribbled notes, 13.35 million students in China close their textbooks one final time, moving from intense preparation to the calm before the storm.

    On Saturday, bright young minds from across the country will participate in the college entrance exam, seeking the best possible opportunities to chase their dreams and casting a vote of confidence in the country’s higher education system.

    Since its reinstatement in 1977, the unified exam, known as the gaokao, has transformed millions of lives through merit-based selection. As a powerful social equalizer, it reinforces the belief that with hard work and determination, any student can shape a successful future.

    While the intense competition has long been a subject of national attention — once likened to “thousands of troops crossing a single-plank bridge” — reforms over the past decade have gradually expanded students’ choices in the matriculation system, while maintaining a strong commitment to fairness.

    According to the latest available figures from the Ministry of Education, China’s gross enrollment rate in higher education had surpassed 60 percent by 2023. More than 47 million students studied at colleges and universities that year.

    Prior to this year’s gaokao, one of the country’s vice premiers inspected an enrollment and examination center and an exam site at a school in north China’s Shanxi Province.

    Noting that the exam concerns the immediate interests of millions of families, Ding Xuexiang said that fairness and equity must be upheld, calling them the “lifeline” of the gaokao.

    To ensure smooth traffic for students, cities across China are stepping up efforts with temporary traffic controls around test centers, keeping the roads clear and congestion at bay. For students facing travel difficulties, many cities are rolling out free ride services to make sure no one is left behind.

    Silence will also be the order of the day — honking around exam venues will be banned, and nearby construction will come to a halt.

    Within certain exam halls, technicians are busy fine-tuning AI-powered surveillance systems that can flag unusual behavior and rule violations in real time, effectively eliminating any opportunity for cheating.

    Liu Boyang, a student from southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, will sit the gaokao on Saturday. He hopes to study medicine. “I might choose a major related to intelligent medical engineering, as smart technology is the direction of future development,” he said.

    This year, universities and colleges have introduced 29 new majors, including low-altitude technology and engineering, geriatric medicine and health, and carbon neutrality science and engineering.

    “A lot of these new majors are tied to national strategies and really open doors to the careers of tomorrow,” said Fu Xiaoying, a college admissions advisor.

    There are about 3,000 colleges and universities across the country. In recent years, the government has elevated the status of vocational education, bringing it on par with general education. Key measures include extending bachelor’s degree programs to the vocational education system and allowing secondary vocational students to take the gaokao.

    In some cases, higher education vocational programs may be more appealing than traditional university degrees.

    A vocational-and-technical college in Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan Province, recently made headlines for requiring applicants to already possess a bachelor’s degree to apply for its high-speed rail equipment testing program, even though the diploma awarded is an associate degree.

    This unusual requirement reflects strong job prospects and the high level of technical skills these roles represent, said Chen Zhiwen, a member of the academic committee at Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy.

    As society becomes more diverse, Chinese students can pursue their ambitions through pathways beyond traditional academic routes. The gaokao is no longer a single-plank bridge but a wide junction of diverse paths.

    Though it remains imperfect, this matriculation system is considered one of the most efficient ways to achieve fairness in education for a population of 1.4 billion.

    “I think the gaokao really levels the playing field for most students in China,” said Chen Hanting, an 11th grader from Beijing’s Chaoyang District.

    “After all, my family can’t fund an elephant conservation trip to Africa or land me an internship with a foreign politician to boost my college application,” said Chen, whose father runs a video game studio and whose mother is a senior editor at a newspaper.

    For years, rumors spread that graduates from China’s elite universities were heading abroad in large numbers. However, experts and university officials clarified to the media that there hasn’t been a mass exodus — rather, the fact is that fewer students are now choosing to pursue studies abroad.

    At Tsinghua University, for example, the proportion of graduates continuing their education overseas dropped from about 15 percent in 2018 to just 8 percent in 2023, according to the university.

    “For the advancement of science and technology, we need to encourage greater international exchange in both the humanities and scientific fields,” said Zhang Chao, former director of student career development at Tsinghua.

    China has experienced a noticeable decline in the willingness of students to pursue international education, reversing the surge in the early 2000s.

    A report from the Institute of International Education revealed that the number of students from the Chinese mainland studying in the United States fell 4.2 percent year-on-year to approximately 277,000 in the 2023-2024 academic year, a level last seen in 2013-2014.

    The decline is particularly pronounced at the undergraduate level, with a year-on-year drop of 12.8 percent, according to the report.

    Experts point to uncertainties arising from geopolitical tensions and disruptive measures, such as the threat of sudden visa cancellations for students.

    Chen Zhiwen attributed this shift to rising national pride, driven by two decades of economic growth, improved living standards, and — perhaps most importantly — increasing confidence in domestic higher education.

    “We’re unlikely to go abroad for undergraduate studies. Right now, studying at a Chinese university is hands down the most cost-effective option,” said Chen Hanting’s father. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s new satellite industry city takes shape with ground station project approved

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

    China’s new satellite industry city takes shape with ground station project approved

    A new satellite industry city is taking shape in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, following the approval of a commercial satellite ground station project in Meishan, which is working to become a new powerhouse of the industry in China.

    The newly approved project, the largest of its kind in Sichuan, marked a critical step in advancing the region’s aerospace ecosystem and promoting the country’s development of commercial satellite networks as well, Yang Zhenyu, deputy general manager of the Huantian Wisdom Technology Co., Ltd., owner of the new infrastructure, told Xinhua on Friday.

    “It is expected to complete the last piece of Meishan’s aerospace industry layout, making the city one of the few places in China with comprehensive capabilities in satellite research and development, monitoring and control, application, and data transmission,” he said.

    The ground station, covering 872 square meters near a local reservoir, will feature a 12-meter-diameter antenna and auxiliary facilities.

    Its construction is scheduled to commence in mid-June, with an anticipated completion date in the third quarter of this year, followed by official operations by year-end, said Yang.

    “This infrastructure is pivotal for satellite operations,” he said.

    It aims to address data transmission bottlenecks by enabling autonomous tracking, telemetry, and command for the Huantian Constellation satellites, a major commercial satellite constellation in China for agricultural monitoring, ecological protection and smart city construction, ending the area’s reliance on leased external stations, he explained.

    Once operational, the ground station will significantly enhance the satellite’s data transmission and reception capabilities and stability, he said.

    MEISHAN’S PLAN

    In the past three decades, China’s space industry has rapidly advanced, marked by the launch of landmark space missions such as Shenzhou and Chang’e. As a result, numerous cities known for their related industries have popped up across the country.

    In the realm of satellite technology, regions beyond traditional strongholds like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an are now making significant strides in this sector, particularly in commercial satellites. Cities such as Meishan have emerged as new hubs for the satellite industry.

    Yang noted that once established, the ground station can not only reduce data usage costs for local enterprises but also attract supporting projects from upstream and downstream sectors. This will help to further expand the “satellite plus” industrial cluster in Meishan, which is just about 70 kilometers away from the provincial capital of Chengdu.

    The city now hosts a satellite industrial park, a satellite monitoring and control center and 10 high-resolution optical satellites under Huantian Constellation’s phase 1.

    Meishan unveiled its satellite industry development plan (2024-2030) last year, outlining a strategic roadmap to build a globally competitive satellite industry cluster by 2030, targeting an industrial scale exceeding 10 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars).

    Leveraging the Huantian Constellation project as its cornerstone, the city will drive integrated development across satellite applications, operations, manufacturing, and experimental launch capabilities.

    Key tasks include diversifying satellite applications, enhancing ground system capabilities, developing satellite assembly integration, and exploring innovative aerospace information technologies, according to the plan.

    VISION OF THE CONSTELLATION

    Launched in 2022, the Huantian Constellation orbits 535 km above Earth, capturing over 1 TB daily data, equivalent to 200,000 HD images, and covering 70 million square kilometers globally with a 120-minute revisit capability, according to Yang.

    Leveraging its “sky-air-ground” service framework, the company has driven breakthroughs in farmland monitoring, ecological protection, and disaster prevention. In 2024, it reported revenue of 430 million yuan and profits of 36 million yuan, surging 30 percent and 20 percent year-on-year, respectively, he said.

    Last year, as the leader of the satellite industrial park in west China, Huantian Wisdom led the establishment of a commercial satellite alliance. This allowed for the integration of 148 satellites nationwide, expediting the development of the industrial cluster and uniting the satellite industry with the low-altitude economy.

    “We plan to launch 10 more satellites this year,” Yang said.

    Looking ahead, the satellite constellation plans to expand to 30 to 50 satellites in phase 2, further enhancing data acquisition and global revisit efficiency, said Yang, adding that their long-term goals include integrating 6G, AI, and space-ground fusion tech to build smart commercial platforms and advance low-altitude economy applications.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Four years after a 15% global minimum tax deal, the world remains divided on how to implement it – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mend Mariwany, Producer, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    Dilok Klaisataporn/Shutterstock

    In October 2021, 136 countries agreed to establish new tax rules requiring large multinational companies to pay at least 15% in corporate tax. Nearly four years later, this ambitious agreement is finally being implemented around the world, but its success faces big challenges.

    The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) tax framework aims to end the so-called race to the bottom, where corporations pit countries against each other to pay less tax and shift profits to jurisdictions with lower tax rates.

    In the second part of The 15% solution from The Conversation Weekly podcast, we examine progress towards implementing the global tax deal.

    The OECD’s two-pillar system fundamentally changes how multinationals are taxed. Pillar One determines where companies pay taxes. Pillar Two establishes how much they must pay: a minimum of 15% for any multinational with yearly revenues above US$850 million. The innovative aspect of the system is that it is self-enforcing. If a company pays less than 15% in any country, other nations where it operates can charge a supplementary tax to meet that minimum.

    However, implementation faces significant obstacles. So far around 140 countries have signed up. President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the negotiations in February 2025. China supports the framework in theory but is slow to fully implement it. And some low- and middle-income countries have also not signed up, citing technical complexity or bias toward higher-income countries.

    Martin Hearson, a research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies in the UK, explains that for countries with fewer legal and administrative resources, even good rules can be counterproductive due to their complexity. This has led some countries to look for alternatives, including a new UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, for which negotiations began in February 2025.

    Despite these challenges, the OECD expects that approximately 80% of profits previously taxed at low rates will now be appropriately taxed.

    Listen to part two of The 15% solution on The Conversation Weekly podcast. Part one is available here.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Mend Mariwany. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Newsclips in this episode from DW News, Arirang News, and Bloomberg.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available on Apple Podcasts.

    Martin Hearson’s research has been supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the Gates Foundation, the Intergovernmental Group of 24, the World Bank, the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs, and ActionAid International.

    – ref. Four years after a 15% global minimum tax deal, the world remains divided on how to implement it – podcast – https://theconversation.com/four-years-after-a-15-global-minimum-tax-deal-the-world-remains-divided-on-how-to-implement-it-podcast-257695

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • Senior RCB official among four arrested in Bengaluru stampede case

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Bengaluru Police on Friday arrested four individuals, including senior Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) official Nikhil Sosale and three event managers, in connection with the stadium stampede that killed 11 and injured several others earlier this week.

    According to the police, the arrests were made in a joint operation by the Cubbon Park police and the Central Crime Branch (CCB) at the Kempegowda International Airport as the accused were reportedly attempting to leave for Mumbai.

    Police identified the other three arrested as Sunil Matthew, Kiran, and Sumanth, all staffers of DNA Entertainment. The accused are currently being interrogated at the Cubbon Park Police Station by the Seshadripuram Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

    Raids were also conducted at the residences of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary Shankar and treasurer Jayaram.

    According to the FIR filed by police, the RCB franchise, along with DNA Entertainment and the KSCA’s administrative committee, went ahead with organizing a “victory celebration” despite being denied official permission for the event. The event was promoted on social media by Sosale and the official RCB handle.

    The announcement, which claimed that free tickets would be distributed at Gates 9 and 10 of the stadium at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, led to an uncontrollable crowd gathering. Police said no proper arrangements were made for ticket distribution, and only three of the 21 stadium gates were opened, leading to chaos.

    The social media post was later deleted, but by then, lakhs had gathered at the stadium premises. “DNA acted on the instructions of Sosale,” police said in the FIR.

    On Thursday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the suspension of five senior police officers, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and DCP (Central) Ramesh Banoth, citing serious lapses in crowd management.

    “This is one of the most unfortunate incidents I’ve seen in public life,” Siddaramaiah said at a press briefing. “We are deeply saddened, and strict action will be taken against all responsible.”

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee Statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee Statement

    Summary of a joint statement following the second meeting of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee on 3 June 2025

    Alongside the OECD 2025 Ministerial Council Meeting held in Paris, Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Honourable Don Farrell and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, met on 3 June 2025, for the second meeting of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee.

    The Ministers celebrated the strong trade and investment relationship between the UK and Australia.  Two-way trade between our economies reached AUD36bn or GBP23bn in 2024.

    As of 2024, the stock of UK Foreign Direct Investment in Australia reached AUD156bn or GBP77bn, and Australian Foreign Direct Investment in the UK rose to AUD210bn or GBP104bn – an increase of 6.5% and 11.5% respectively on the previous year.

    The strong uptake of the Agreement’s benefits is resulting in real savings for businesses, workers and consumers.

    Since entry into force on 31 May 2023, AUD4.7 bn or GBP2.4bn worth of traded goods benefited from preferential tariff access, i.e. around 70% of goods traded between the UK and Australia made use of available preferences.

    Between June 2023 and December 2024:

    • AUD3.4bn or GBP1.8bn (65%) of eligible goods imports into Australia from the UK made use of an FTA tariff preference.

    Had this trade occurred at standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates, up to an additional GBP89m or AUD172m in duties would have been collected.

    • GBP662m or AUD1277m (77%) of eligible goods imports into the UK from Australia made use of FTA tariff preferences.

    Had these occurred at standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates, up to an additional GBP139m or AUD269m in duties would have been paid.

    The Ministers noted that free and inclusive trade is a cornerstone of prosperity in both countries.

    Recognising that open markets, and reliable legal and regulatory frameworks are essential for trade, the Ministers committed to strengthening the rules-based trading system.  

    Ministers also noted progress on recognition of professional qualifications in key sectors through the FTA’s Professional Services Working Group, and the ongoing work under the FTA’s Innovation Chapter to explore the potential for a ‘biobridge’ between our countries to expedite new and innovative medicines, diagnostics, and therapeutics to market. 

    The Ministers agreed to continue working together to strengthen the role that free trade plays in increasing prosperity and reinforcing resilience against economic turbulence and share the benefits of trade to all including through the World Trade Organization, OECD and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). 

    Note to editors:

    Figures reported are from UK Official Statistics and Australian official sources.

    Australian trade data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/international-trade/international-trade-supplementary-information-calendar-year/2024

    UK trade data sourced from the ONS publication of UK total trade: all countries seasonally adjusted October to December 2024 data.

    Trade asymmetries exist between the UK and Australia official trade statistics, but this does not mean that either country is inaccurate in their estimation. Differences can be caused by a range of conceptual and measurement variations between the estimation practices of different countries.

    Investment data is sourced from the Australia Bureau of Statistics https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/international-trade/international-investment-position-australia-supplementary-statistics/2024

    The underlying data for the imports into the UK preference utilisation figures were sourced from HM Revenue and Custom’s (HMRC) UK goods imports by tariff regime, April 2025 data. This data is provided on a country of origin basis.

    The methodology used to calculate UK preference utilisation rates can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods-technical-annex/preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods-official-statistics-technical-annex#methodology-note-for-preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods

    Estimated duty savings are based on exchanged country tariff schedules and preference utilisation data. For UK imports, these are all calculated using the Ad Valorem, Specific, or Compound tariffs applied at the CN8 level. Where appropriate, Ad Valorem Equivalent tariffs were used (source: MacMap). The Bank of England spot exchange rates (June 2023-December 2024) was used to convert from GBP to AUD.

    Estimates of Australia’s preference utilisation and duty savings for the June 2023 to December 2024 period are drawn from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade calculations using ABS trade data and DFAT tariff schedule data.

    Investment data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

    UK-AUS total goods trade values may not equal the sum of UK goods imports and AUS goods imports due to rounding and methodological differences in calculating preference eligible imports.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland Games set to return to Hazlehead Park

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Summer in Aberdeen is set to begin with the return of the Aberdeen Highland Games to Hazlehead Park next Sunday.  

    The Aberdeen Highland Games, taking place on 15 June from 10am to 5:30pm, promises to be a day of fun that all ages can enjoy.  

    The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Dr David Cameron, and The Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair George Gordon, who will be the Chieftain of the games, will officially open the Games.

    The Lord Provost said: “Aberdeen’s Highland Games are a celebration of our heritage and showcases the strength and spirit of the North East.

    “I am looking forward to welcoming back visitors and locals to our city for a day that the whole family can enjoy.” 

    This year’s Games will feature traditional Scottish Highland Games competitions including caber tossing and weight over the bar, as well as a selection of fine food and drink from local producers and high quality trade and charity stalls.  

    A range of fun and free activities, including an assault course, climbing wall, segways and TechFest will also be available for all ages to show off their skills and try something new. 

    Stage entertainment will also be on throughout the day from popular children’s act Mr Bloom from CBeebies and music by Aberdeen Music Service, The Rock Choir and Vienna. 

    Dogs are welcome to attend alongside their owners, so long as they remain on a lead at all times and can visit the dog activity zone.

    Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased in advance via our website or on the day. For more information visit our website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic experts held a project session on the development of the RAU Development Program

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Polytechnic University continues active interaction with the development teams of Slavic universities. In the last week of May, SPbPU experts held a Project-analytical session at the Russian-Armenian University (RAU) to prepare the RAU Development Program for 2026-2030.

    Polytechnic Expert Group

    Nikita Golovin, Head of the Project Office “Slavic Universities”, Deputy Head of the UMS Natalia Ivanova, Chief Accountant, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics Elena Vinogradova, Director of the Department of Economics and Finance, Professor of the Higher School of Industrial Management Ekaterina Pavlova, Leading Specialist of the Department of Strategic Planning and Development

    The following representatives of RAU participated in the project session: Vice-Rectors Marina Khachatryan and Parkev Avetisyan, Financial Director Meruzhan Galstyan, and heads of the administrative, educational and scientific departments of the university.

    The work began with an introduction to the key educational and scientific departments of RAU and a discussion of the goals and objectives of the session with RAU Rector Edward Sandoyan. At the meeting with the Rector, Nikita Golovin briefly presented the format of the session and the expected results. The Rector described his vision of the directions of RAU development, existing barriers and ways to overcome them.

    Our university has very serious educational and scientific results. We have achieved a lot, including thanks to long-term partnership with leading universities, such as the Polytechnic University. But we also have huge potential for further development. We are confident that such joint project sessions not only facilitate the exchange of experience, but also create real opportunities for determining the priorities for the further development of science and education at RAU and, importantly, the formation of mechanisms and tools for achieving the goals set, – noted Edward Sandoyan.

    For three days, the SPbPU expert team and the RAU development team consistently built the future image of the university. The session participants were divided into four thematic groups – education, research, human capital and economy, infrastructure and digitalization. In three steps, the experts went from analyzing current results to forming an ambition and a target model for 2030. Each step began with an introductory speech by SPbPU experts, at which they defined methodological approaches to designing a development program, principles of interrelation between different university processes, tasks for the step and expected results. At each stage, SPbPU experts accompanied the group work, actively involving participants in the discussion, sharing their own experience and examples that could be taken into account when developing the university’s fundamental policies.

    Elena Vinogradova and Natalia Ivanova worked with the group on economic and infrastructure policy, as well as on human capital management policy. Ekaterina Pavlova joined the discussions of the educational policy of RAU, and Nikita Golovin built communication in the group on scientific research policy. He also accompanied the work of all four groups, encouraging colleagues from RAU to openly talk about current positions, barriers to development and ways to overcome them. After each stage of group work, the leaders of the thematic groups presented the results of their work at the plenary session and answered questions from their colleagues and Polytechnic experts.

    On the last day of the PAS, the groups presented summary reports in which they described the current positions of RAU in four areas of activity, the image of the target model of the university and the steps aimed at achieving it. Everyone was unanimous in the fact that RAU is a research classical university (educational, scientific and technological center) with a wide range of areas, having an interstate status. Of course, to achieve this goal, much still needs to be rethought, changed and launched. But RAU has all the necessary base and, most importantly, the desire of the team to change.

    Concluding the session, Nikita Golovin noted: One of the key tasks of our project-analytical session has been completed – we were able to launch internal communication between team members at RAU. The development team began to jointly form the image of the future of their university, find solutions to those tasks that will allow transforming RAU into a leading research university in both Armenia and Russia.

    Next comes the painstaking work of drafting the Development Program document, defining target characteristics and indicators. The presentation and defense of the Program at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation is planned for this fall.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University has become a platform for dialogue with leaders of nuclear science

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    A meeting of students and teachers with representatives of the National Center of Physics and Mathematics (NCPM) and the Russian Federal Nuclear Center – VNIIEF (RFNC-VNIIEF) took place at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    The event was held as part of an all-Russian series of meetings with scientific directors of RFNC-VNIIEF, organized with the support of the State Corporation Rosatom in the year of the 80th anniversary of the Russian nuclear industry.

    The delegation included leading experts from the nuclear industry and the scientific community:

    Svetlana Moskaleva, Head of the Department of Human Resources Management and Social Development Programs of the Directorate for the Nuclear Weapons Complex of the State Corporation Rosatom, presented a report entitled “Career Trajectories of the Nuclear Weapons Complex and the Nuclear Industry”; Vladimir Voevodin, Director of the Sarov Branch of Moscow State University, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, presented a lecture entitled “Supercomputer Technologies Changing the World”; Egor Davydov, Head of Department of RFNC-VNIIEF, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Executive Secretary of the Scientific and Technical Council of the NCFM, presented a report entitled “RFNC-VNIIEF — NCFM: Science and Scientific Personnel of the Future”; Andrey Grebennikov, Deputy Head of the Mathematics Department at RFNC-VNIIEF, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, spoke about “Mathematical Modeling and Supercomputer Technologies at RFNC-VNIIEF”; Evgeny Mikheev, Head of the HR Department at RFNC-VNIIEF, and Ksenia Kuzmina, Head of the HR and Educational Projects Department at NCFM, held a joint Q&A session on employment.

    RFNC-VNIIEF is one of the key scientific institutes of the Russian nuclear complex, located in Sarov. The center conducts fundamental and applied research in the field of physics, mathematics, modeling of complex physical processes, as well as the development and operation of supercomputers. As the lead organization in the framework of work to ensure the country’s defense capability, RFNC-VNIIEF actively develops scientific cooperation with leading universities and institutes of Russia. The center not only solves problems of national scale, but also acts as one of the flagships of high-tech developments in the civilian sector, including nuclear energy, materials of the future and digital technologies.

    The event was attended by the First Vice-Rector of SPbPU Vitaly Sergeev, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation of SPbPU Alexey Borovkov, Director of the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity Dmitry Zegzhda, Acting Director of the Institute of Physics and Mechanics Nikolay Ivanov, as well as students and postgraduates of the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity and the Institute of Physics and Mechanics.

    The meeting at the Polytechnic was part of a federal initiative to popularize science among students at the country’s leading technical universities. It not only allowed young scientists and engineers to become familiar with the cutting-edge areas of Russian science, but also emphasized the growing role of cooperation between universities, research centers, and industry in strengthening Russia’s technological independence.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Scientific Regiment. Tamara Smirnova: LISI first-year student and intelligence officer

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    Tamara Smirnova

    For her unparalleled courage and heroism, the nineteen-year-old first-year student of the construction department of the Leningrad Institute of Civil Engineering (now St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering), medical instructor of the Baltic Fleet Marine Brigade Tamara Smirnova was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. Seriously wounded and bleeding, she crawled across the front line for 28 hours and was able to convey valuable information to the command. In 1942, the fighting Baltic delegated her to the All-Union Anti-Fascist Rally of Soviet Women.

    Tamara Smirnova went to the front as a volunteer marine. She received her baptism of fire in a landing operation: she rushed to attack across a river with the Red Navy sailors on a dark autumn night. Despite the cold, icy water, wet clothes and shoes, the group reached the opposite bank. Only then did the enemy notice them and open heavy fire. With the support of artillery and machine guns, the Red Navy sailors found themselves behind enemy lines, breaking through a line of pillboxes. Tamara was with them until the last minute of the battle.

    Tamara proved her fearlessness and impeccable performance of combat missions again and again. One frosty day, Tamara was assigned to track the location of fire weapons on the enemy’s front line. The girl made her way through the forest, crawled across all the open spaces and lay unnoticed all day a few steps from the enemy, and at night she went to the rear of the Germans with the Red Navy sailors. Our artillery struck the fire points she had marked, and our troops soon captured the enemy’s fortified lines.

    She was on the front lines and with scouts made her way under the German barbed wire, passed through minefields, and went behind enemy lines. Once, a group of sailors was conducting a night reconnaissance in force. The sailors-scouts needed to take a fascist bunker. The enemy was illuminating everything around with rockets, so the main thing was to seize the moment to attack. However, one fighter did not have enough patience, and he rushed forward… While bandaging the wounded, Tamara received serious wounds to the head, chest, thigh, and lay unconscious for several hours literally twenty meters from the fascists’ location. Having come to, overcoming the pain, she made her way to her own for another 28 hours.

    After the war, Tamara Smirnova completed her studies at the university and worked in her specialty in Belgorod. Her son also studied at our university.

    Other materials of the project “Scientific Regiment”

    Our graduate built the Road of Life

    The pioneering work of architect Alexander Nikolsky

    A scientist who developed science in besieged Leningrad

    Fights of student Klinov

    Engineer of the 3rd Belorussian Front

    The path of a volunteer: from front-line roads to space developments

    Ivan Solomakhin: “The most memorable battle is for this Devil’s Height!”

    Fiery Dnieper of the Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Prygunov

    Bringing Victory Closer

    Fyodor Komal’s Front: From the First Minutes of War to Victory

    Junior Political Instructor Boris Gubanov: “The shells whistled, and the earth flew up nearby”

    Viktor Kvyatkovsky – radio operator-intelligence officer of the Baltic Fleet

    How Chief Architect Nikolai Baranov “Hid” Leningrad from the Enemy

    Architect Nikolay Khomutetsky: Four years on the front lines

    Semyon Shifrin thwarted the Nazis’ plans to leave Leningrad without water

    LISI in the post-war years

    Nineteen-year-old machine gunner stormed Berlin

    Abdulla Mangushev: Four Years at the Front and a Life in Science

    The Zazersky architects built and defended the city on the Neva

    LISI graduate Mikhail Zherbin is a design engineer and composer

    He went from being a technical lieutenant to a galaxy of mathematicians

    Konstantin Sakhnovsky: from a cadet of the Russian Empire to an academician of the USSR

    Military architect of the front line of defense and engineering reconnaissance

    A world-renowned scientist, an outstanding engineer and a national champion

    An outstanding urban planner who lived and worked in besieged Leningrad

    Scientific Regiment. Projects of the architect Sergey Evdokimov: from defensive structures and city restoration to metro stations

    Volunteer Mikhail Laletin: “After the front – to university, and then, perhaps, to become an officer”

    Architect Alexander Sokolov preserved and restored cultural heritage

    Scientific Regiment. David Goldgor – architect and sapper

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Edison Awards_ Silver AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment(MIRDC)

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MIRDC has received a prestigious Silver Award for creative groundbreaking innovation has been honored with a Silver Award at an international innovation competition for its groundbreaking development-the “AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment”. This advanced pioneering system integrates artificial intelligence (AI) with AIoT cloud-based management, adaptable parameters control (APC)introducing self-adaptive parameter tuning and real-time compensation mechanisms. The result is a comprehensive upgrade of traditional electrical discharge machining (EDM), significantly enhancing both process efficiency and machining precision, and propelling high-end manufacturing into the era of smart production.

    EDM is an essential process in industries such as aerospace, especially for machine high-precision, complex materials. Traditionally, EDM operations relied on the manual expertise of skilled technicians to fine-tune dozens of parameters, resulting in unstable quality, prolonged processing times, and limited scalability. The AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment leverages AI to automatically assess machining conditions and make real-time adjustments to critical parameters. This eliminates the instability and inefficiency of manual operation, introducing predictive capabilities and highly stable process control.

    Equipped with microsecond-level data acquisition technology, AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment can capture over one million pulse signals per second. It analyzes seven key machining features in real time-such as spark frequency, peak current, and gap voltage-and applies AI models to assess machining quality and optimize parameters. This dramatically reduces finishing time from 12 hours to less than 4 hours, while increasing machining precision from the conventional 10 microns to under 5 microns-and in some cases, with some applications achieving sub-micron precision (0.5 micrometre)- a benchmark suitable for aerospace-grade components.

    In addition to hardware innovation, the technology further integrates an AIoT cloud-based architecture that enables comprehensive process data traceability, remote monitoring, and anomaly detection. Users can access the cloud platform to monitor real-time equipment status and machining quality across global operations, allowing rapid response to supply chain disruptions. This enhances manufacturing flexibility and operational efficiency, aligning perfectly with the smart manufacturing demands of high-end industries such as aerospace, electric vehicles, and semiconductors.

    The technology has received eight domestic and international patents and has been successfully implemented by over ten companies-including OSCARMAX and YAWJET-in applications ranging from high-end EV connector terminal molds and critical aerospace engine components. The system has not only improved manufacturing efficiency and product yield but also helped partner companies secure major international contracts, generating substantial commercial returns.

    The “AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment” is more than a technological upgrade- it represents a paradigm shift in manufacturing. It symbolizes Taiwan’s shift from traditional contract manufacturing to a position of global leadership in innovation-driven smart manufacturing. Looking forward, this technology is set to expand into additional high-precision sectors such as space, new energy vehicles, and medical devices, continuing to fuel industrial innovation and strengthen Taiwan’s presence on the global stage.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Sibylle Léonard, PhD student at CEVIPOF, welcomed to Oxford University as part of the OxPo PhD exchange programme

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    The School of Research is pleased to announce that Sibylle Léonard, a PhD student in political science at CEVIPOF – Sciences Po’s Centre for Political Research, has been selected to participate in the exchange programme between Sciences Po and the University of Oxford.

    As part of this programme, she will hold a visiting academic position at Oxford, where she will be affiliated with the Department of Politics and International Relations and will continue her doctoral research on the political effects of labour market transformations, at the intersection of political sociology, political theory and political economy.

    The Oxford–Sciences Po PhD exchange programme, established many years ago between the two institutions, aims to promote mobility among doctoral students and stimulate scientific collaboration. It offers participants an exceptional research environment, enabling them to enrich their work and expand their international academic network.

    Find out more

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Thomas Charrayre, PhD student at CEVIPOF, selected for the CamPo PhD exchange programme with the University of Cambridge

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    The School of Research is pleased to announce that Thomas Charrayre, a PhD student in political science at CEVIPOF – Sciences Po’s Centre for Political Research, has been selected to participate in the CamPo (Cambridge-Sciences Po) PhD exchange programme.

    As part of this academic partnership of excellence between Sciences Po and the University of Cambridge, Thomas Charrayre will join the prestigious British institution as a visiting PhD student. He will continue his doctoral research there, which focuses on the intellectual history of conservatism, particularly the relationship between conservative thinkers and liberalism, and the plurality of their epistemological approaches.

    Thesis topic: Cartographier la pensée conservatrice. Une histoire comparée des philosophies de Leo Strauss, Michael Oakeshott et Raymond Aron.

    Launched in 2017, the CamPo programme is one of the pillars of scientific collaboration between Cambridge and Sciences Po. Initially focused on the humanities and social sciences, it has gradually expanded to other disciplines such as architecture, geography, business and science and technology. This interdisciplinary dynamic aims to encourage innovative projects with a strong impact.

    Find out more

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Joséphine Lechartre, Winner of the Prestigious Gabriel A. Almond Research Award

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    My work focuses on the long-term legacies of wars on political participation in post-conflict societies. During civil wars, it is not uncommon to see the emergence of alternative forms of social orders at the local level, under the control of armed actors such as paramilitaries, rebel groups, state counterinsurgent forces, and others.

    These actors often impose new norms of civilian behaviour, organisation, and seek to instil new political ideologies in the populations under their control. Although we now understand well how these orders emerge and function across the globe, we still lack an understanding of how they reshape the organisation and political subjectivities of civilians. These new social relations and political subjectivities regularly endure well beyond the end of the conflict, with important implications for state-society relations, peacebuilding, and political representation post-conflict. 

    Through a rigorous comparison of Mayan indigenous communities who survived the civil war (1960-1996) and the Mayan genocide (1980-1983) in Northern Guatemala along the Mexican border, I compare how the control of state forces, rebel actors, and humanitarian actors in refugee camps in Mexico ushered in the emergence of alternative forms of social orders during the war. Using in-depth interviews with survivors, extensive archive evidence, and an original household survey embedded in nine months of ethnographic fieldwork, I show that these social orders durably shaped the forms of organisation and the political thinking of local civilian populations.

    I find that, after the war, these legacies endured to shape patterns of indigenous engagement in protests and electoral politics, but also their capacity to resist the encroachment of organised crime and dispossession by agribusiness. These differences have fundamental implications for survivor access to representation, public goods and services, and the continuity of indigenous self-determination in Norther Guatemala. 

    While I focused on Guatemala, these findings have important implications for other war-ridden countries, and my book project will include a comparative study of Colombia’s internal conflict, while future projects will incorporate cases from other world regions. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Improving the way services for young people with SEND are inspected

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Improving the way services for young people with SEND are inspected

    Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have today published the outcome of a review of the way local area services for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are inspected.

    The aim of the review was to identify enhancements that could be made to the current inspection framework to help drive improvements in the SEND system, without diluting accountability.

    To carry out the review, Ofsted and CQC consulted stakeholders across the sector, including young people with SEND and their families, as well as inspectors themselves and colleagues at the Department for Education (DfE) and NHS England.

    Read the ‘Area SEND review: what we heard and how we are improving’

    Alongside the review, Ofsted has also published a report summarising findings from the first 2 years of inspections under the current framework. This includes common challenges such as the timeliness and/or quality of education, health and care (EHC) plans.

    Ofsted heard some positive feedback about the current inspection framework, with many across the sector finding it a more supportive process than the previous framework. The focus on the experiences and views of young people and their families was highlighted as a particularly positive change. However, the review also found there was a strong desire from children, young people, families and representative groups to have more opportunities to share their experiences with inspectors. Some local areas also highlighted that inspections can be resource-intensive, which can have an impact on their ability to carry out day-to-day activities.

    There was positive feedback from children, young people and their families about the way inspectors engage with them during inspections, with many saying they felt comfortable openly sharing their thoughts. Meanwhile, feedback both internally and from the sector highlighted the importance of continuing to develop inspectors’ expertise, with inspectors saying that they would value more frequent opportunities to refresh their knowledge.

    As a result of the review, Ofsted and CQC have committed to a series of improvements to the way area SEND inspections are carried out, including:

    • ensuring that inspectors have sufficient time on inspections and providing more opportunities for young people and their families to engage with inspectors during full inspections
    • communicating better with children, young people and their families to ensure they understand how to share their thoughts with inspectors by improving the surveys used to gather their views
    • simplifying the data inspectors ask for at the start of the inspection
    • making engagement meetings more supportive and adjusting the frequency of these meetings
    • where appropriate, specifying more clearly which member of the partnership should take forward areas for improvement
    • exploring how inspection reports can be made more accessible and sharing a summary of survey findings with local area partnerships and family representative groups to support strategic planning
    • updating and increasing the frequency of inspectors’ training
    • exploring the creation of a national pool of Ofsted education inspectors to increase the consistency and expertise of inspection teams
    • working with the Ofsted Academy to continue recruiting inspectors with relevant experience in SEND and alternative provision

    In the longer term, Ofsted and CQC will also consider options for further developing the area SEND framework, including exploring the introduction of an inspection report card after the first cycle of inspections ends in December 2027.

    Lee Owston, Ofsted’s National Director for Education, said:

    We recognise that the SEND system is under significant pressure, and many of the factors contributing to this pressure are outside the control of any local area. But it’s also a fact that services for children with SEND have fallen short for too long, and it is vital that we hold providers to account where improvements need to be made. If we can make sure that we are getting support right for children with SEND, then we know that we’re getting it right for everyone.

    It has been great to hear some positive feedback about our area SEND inspections, and in particular the shift in focus to the experiences and outcomes of children and young people. But we know that we can continue to improve the way that we inspect local areas, by working closely with the sector and government to make sure the framework evolves and develops in response to feedback from the sector and any future government reforms.

    Lucy Harte, CQC’s Deputy Director for Multiagency Operations, said:

    A system of regulation that delivers on the needs of the families and practitioners who use and work in services, is one that is built around their voices and experiences. Hearing that children, young people and their families value the increased focus on their views and experience is wonderful feedback and gives us the opportunity to further develop how we engage with them and make the most of their insight.

    While people told us that examples of good practice in our reports help them to identify strategies to improve the care they offer – there is a clear desire for reports to better highlight where collaboration is making a difference, and where the local area partnerships are facing challenges. Working with Ofsted, we will continue to develop our approach and take advantage of the feedback and opportunities to drive better outcomes for children, young people and their families.

    Notes to editors

    Area SEND monitoring inspections were temporarily paused while this review was completed. Monitoring inspections will start again this term.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 6 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –