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  • MIL-OSI: HackerRank Transforms Tech Hiring and Upskilling with Latest Product Updates

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CUPERTINO, Calif., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HackerRank, the Developer Skills Company, today shared details from last week’s successful AI Day 2025 event, which included an exclusive look at the company’s latest product innovations plus industry insights from HackerRank CEO Vivek Ravisankar, GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke and Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas.

    AI Day 2025, which attracted over 7,000 attendees, served as a sneak peek for several new groundbreaking features. Starting with the opening keynote from Ravisankar, titled “The Future is Human + AI,” the event explored the trends and changes impacting how developers work and how companies hire and retain developer talent. In this first session, Ravisankar set the stage for the day, introducing the idea of “Service as a Software,” which HackerRank sees as the next wave of innovation. With this new take on the traditional SaaS model, AI-powered services act as autonomous agents able to perform end-to-end tasks.

    From here, the team offered a look at five innovations built directly into the HackerRank platform. These updates include:

    • Proctor mode – Like having a personal proctor for take-home assessments, HackerRank’s Proctor mode guides candidates through the process, enforces compliance and flags integrity violations – ensuring a fair and transparent evaluation. The update also includes session replay and integrity insights for hiring managers and talent teams to help further gain insights.
    • AI interviewer – Designed to conduct first-round interviews, not just evaluate code correctness, HackerRank’s new AI Interviewer closely simulates a real interview experience, giving hints without revealing answers, adapting to the candidate’s skill level and asking follow-up questions to see how candidates think.
    • Engage assistant – To help companies rediscover past candidates and build strong pipelines of qualified talent, HackerRank’s Engage AI Assistant automatically analyzes previous candidate profiles, matches them with current hiring needs and creates targeted marketing campaigns that include an on-brand microsite and developer-friendly email campaign.
    • AI tutor – Designed to help developers improve skills, navigate learning paths and achieve certifications, HackerRank’s AI Tutor provides structured plans, delivers real-world challenges and gives step-by-step guidance without handing out answers.
    • ASTRA benchmark – Built to assess AI models’ ability to perform complex tasks across the software development lifecycle, HackerRank’s ASTRA Benchmark measures correctness, consistency, efficiency, cost and communication. The live leaderboard is available at hackerrank.com/ai/astra.

    Following HackerRank’s product announcements, Ravisankar joined GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke for a discussion about how continued innovation will augment the role of developers rather than replace them. It was here that Dohmke pointed out, “We will never run out of work because we will never run out of ideas.”

    To close out AI Day 2025, Ravisankar sat down with Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas for a fireside chat, which considered what’s next for AI-powered knowledge systems and new concepts shaping the future of tech.

    Reflecting on the day and the products HackerRank previewed to the market, Ravisankar commented, “At HackerRank, we recognize that the future belongs to those who know how to integrate, orchestrate and innovate with AI – and that’s reflected across this release. AI is unlocking new possibilities for developers – and the companies that hire them. It’s time to embrace AI and look toward what’s next.”

    For more information, visit https://www.hackerrank.com/blog/hackerranks-ai-day-2025-product-launch-recap.

    About HackerRank
    HackerRank, the Developer Skills Company, leads the market with over 2,500 customers and a community of over 26 million developers. Having pioneered this space, companies trust HackerRank to help them set up a skills strategy, showcase their brand to developers, implement a skills-based hiring process, and ultimately upskill and certify employees…all driven by AI. Learn more at hackerrank.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Plum and Wilson Announce Strategic Partnership to Help Companies Uncover Deeper Talent Insights

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK and TAMPA, Fla., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Revolutionary talent assessment provider Plum and Wilson, a global integrated talent solutions leader, today shared details of its partnership, designed to offer companies deeper talent insights across the workforce.

    According to research from Gartner, only 21 percent of HR leaders believe their organizations effectively use talent data to shape talent acquisition strategies, improve employee engagement and inform other business decisions. Together, Plum and Wilson give HR and talent leaders a holistic view of the workforce, promoting the ability to scale with flexibility and identify growth opportunities, whether for internal mobility or learning and development.

    Alicia O’Brien, SVP, Innovation and Customer Success at Wilson, commented, “Today’s organizations need access to talent intelligence and analytics to navigate change in real time. Wilson and Plum offer unique but complementary solutions that ensure that HR and talent leaders have the insights they need to attract key talent, close skill gaps and develop their workforce for today, tomorrow and what’s to come.”

    Building on that sentiment, Plum CEO Caitlin MacGregor shared, “Wilson’s integrated talent solutions combined with Plum’s science-backed psychometric solutions provide clarity around the workforce’s durable skills and longer-term potential. With that level of understanding, it becomes possible to elevate talent initiatives and build teams that support the organization’s long-term success.”

    Rose Scaringella-Cappelli, Learning & Development Manager at Arup, shared, “Studies show that as you move up in your career, the more people skills you need. Using this technology is a great way to start understanding the development needs of your workforce. From there, you can facilitate additional conversations about other resources and strategies to implement.”

    To learn more about Plum’s partners, visit https://www.plum.io/partnerships-marketplace.

    About Plum

    Revolutionary workforce solutions provider Plum knows that when people flourish, business thrives. Using objective data backed by scientific insights to measure and match human potential to job needs, Plum provides personalized career insights, improves quality of hire and helps create high-performing teams.

    With unmatched scalability, the award-winning Plum platform enhances talent decisions across the employee lifecycle, making it possible to understand skills, quantify job fit and analyze organizational culture. Visit www.plum.io to learn more.

    About Wilson

    Wilson drives business results through its integrated talent solutions. Powered by talent intelligence, our people partner with some of the world’s most admired brands to build and maintain sustainable workforces that thrive. Visit www.wilson.hr to find out more.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitfarms Completes Strategic Sale of its Yguazu, Paraguay Data Center

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    -Accretive transaction valued at approximately U.S. $85 million-

    -Bitfarms to reinvest capital in U.S. growth opportunities-

    This news release constitutes a “designated news release” for the purposes of Bitfarms’ second amended and restated prospectus supplement dated December 17, 2024, to its short form base shelf prospectus dated November 10, 2023.

    TORONTO, Ontario, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitfarms Ltd. (NASDAQ/TSX: BITF), a global Bitcoin and vertically integrated data center company, today announced the successful completion of the sale of its 200 MW data center in Yguazu, Paraguay to HIVE Digital Technologies, Ltd. (“HIVE”).

    Bitfarms CEO Ben Gagnon stated, “We are pleased to have expeditiously completed the sale of our Yguazu site to HIVE, allowing us to streamline our operations and further rebalance our portfolio towards North America. We now anticipate that our year-end 2025 proforma energy portfolio will be ~80% North American and ~20% international, marking a significant milestone in our transition from an international Bitcoin miner to a North American energy and compute infrastructure company.”

    CFO Jeff Lucas stated, “This accretive sale is expected to significantly reduce our 2025 capex requirements, while reducing our average power costs by 10%. We plan to reinvest the savings and capital from this sale towards our 1.1 GW U.S. growth pipeline for Bitcoin mining and HPC/AI infrastructure, in line with our strategy to grow in the U.S. and diversify beyond Bitcoin mining.”

    About Bitfarms Ltd.

    Founded in 2017, Bitfarms is a global Bitcoin and vertically integrated data center company that sells its computational power to one or more mining pools from which it receives payment in Bitcoin. Bitfarms develops, owns, and operates vertically integrated mining facilities with in-house management and company-owned electrical engineering, installation service, and multiple onsite technical repair centers.

    Bitfarms currently has 15 operating Bitcoin data centers in four countries: the United States, Canada, Paraguay, and Argentina. Powered predominantly by environmentally friendly hydro-electric and long-term power contracts, Bitfarms is committed to using sustainable and often underutilized energy infrastructure.

    To learn more about Bitfarms’ events, developments, and online communities:

    www.bitfarms.com
    https://www.facebook.com/bitfarms/
    https://x.com/Bitfarms_io
    https://www.instagram.com/bitfarms/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitfarms/

    Glossary of Terms

    • HPC/AI = High Performance Computing / Artificial Intelligence
    • GW = Gigawatt

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) that are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release and are covered by safe harbors under Canadian and United States securities laws. The statements and information in this release regarding the sale of the Yguazu, Paraguay Site, the merits of the rebalancing operations to North America, the reinvestment of the proceeds of the sale for growth and projected growth, the North American energy and compute infrastructure strategy and other statements regarding future growth, plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking information. Any statements that involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “prospects”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information.

    This forward-looking information is based on assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time they were made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to: the failure to receive payments owing pursuant to the sale of the Yguazu, Paraguay Site on the terms as announced or at all; the reinvestment of the proceeds of the sale may not occur on an economic basis; the anticipated benefits of the rebalancing of operations to North America and the North American energy and compute infrastructure strategy may not be realized; an inability to apply the Company’s data centers to HPC/AI opportunities on a profitable basis; a failure to secure long-term contracts associated with HPC/AI customers on terms which are economic or at all; the construction and operation of the Company’s facilities may not occur as currently planned, or at all; expansion may not materialize as currently anticipated, or at all; the digital currency market; the ability to successfully mine digital currency; revenue may not increase as currently anticipated, or at all; it may not be possible to profitably liquidate the current digital currency inventory, or at all; a decline in digital currency prices may have a significant negative impact on operations; an increase in network difficulty may have a significant negative impact on operations; the volatility of digital currency prices; the anticipated growth and sustainability of hydroelectricity for the purposes of cryptocurrency mining in the applicable jurisdictions; the inability to maintain reliable and economical sources of power for the Company to operate cryptocurrency mining assets; the risks of an increase in the Company’s electricity costs, cost of natural gas, changes in currency exchange rates, energy curtailment or regulatory changes in the energy regimes in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates and the adverse impact on the Company’s profitability; future capital needs and the ability to complete current and future financings, including Bitfarms’ ability to utilize an at-the-market offering program ( “ATM Program”) and the prices at which securities may be sold in such ATM Program, as well as capital market conditions in general; share dilution resulting from an ATM Program and from other equity issuances; the risk that a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting could result in a misstatement of the Company’s financial position that may lead to a material misstatement of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements if not prevented or detected on a timely basis; any regulations or laws that will prevent Bitfarms from operating its business; historical prices of digital currencies and the ability to mine digital currencies that will be consistent with historical prices; and the adoption or expansion of any regulation or law that will prevent Bitfarms from operating its business, or make it more costly to do so. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to the Company’s filings on www.sedarplus.ca (which are also available on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov), including the restated MD&A for the year-ended December 31, 2023, filed on December 9, 2024. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including factors that are currently unknown to or deemed immaterial by the Company. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information other than as required by law. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, or any other securities exchange or regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Investor Relations Contacts:

    Tracy Krumme
    SVP, Head of IR & Corp. Comms.
    +1 786-671-5638
    tkrumme@bitfarms.com

    Media Contacts:

    Caroline Brady Baker
    Director, Communications
    cbaker@bitfarms.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB, Vinschool Sign First Sustainability-Linked Loan in Viet Nam’s Education Sector

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    HA NOI, VIET NAM (18 March 2025) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has led and signed a $150 million syndicated sustainability-linked loan with Vinschool Joint Stock Company. The loan will be used to expand the Vinschool education system, providing educational facilities for 20,400 students in urban areas of Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), and Hung Yen.   

    “This project marks ADB’s first private sector investment in Viet Nam’s education sector and highlights our commitment to fostering sustainable development in the country,” said ADB Country Director for Viet Nam Shantanu Chakraborty. “By supporting the country’s first sustainability-linked loan in the education sector, we aim to enhance educational infrastructure while contributing to new residential hub development in the country.”

    As the mandated lead arranger and bookrunner, ADB has syndicated and structured a financing package that includes a $40 million loan from ADB Ordinary Capital Resources, a $35 million loan from the Leading Asia’s Private Sector Infrastructure Fund 2 (LEAP 2) administered by ADB, and $75 million in parallel loans.  

    The parallel loans comprise $40 million from ILX, an Amsterdam-based emerging market asset manager, and $35 million from the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund, an emerging market infrastructure debt fund established by the Private Infrastructure Development Group and managed by NinetyOne. The loan has been validated through a second-party opinion from DNV Business Assurance Vietnam Co., Ltd.

    Viet Nam has made significant progress in expanding education coverage, achieving an impressive 98% literacy rate and over 98% primary education enrollment. However, as the nation strives to transition from a developing to a middle-income country, there is a critical need to improve education quality and enhance education access in rapidly urbanizing cities. The private sector, including institutions like Vinschool, is vital in bridging this gap.

    “We are delighted to partner with ADB and other impact focused lenders on this groundbreaking initiative. This investment will enable us to provide high-quality learning opportunities to more students while setting a benchmark for sustainable education in Viet Nam,” said Vinschool Chief Executive Officer Phan Ha Thuy. “This is a project that underscores Vinschool’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance principles, reinforcing its dedication to sustainable development.”

    LEAP 2 is an ADB-managed fund with a $1.5 billion commitment from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It focuses on sustainable private sector infrastructure projects that reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and provide affordable health care, education, and communication services to ADB’s developing member countries.

    Established in 2013, Vinschool is the largest private school system in Viet Nam, offering high quality education from kindergarten to high school. Vinschool currently serves more than 48,000 students across 54 campuses in Ha Noi, HCMC, and four other provinces, offering both national curriculum and Cambridge bilingual programs. Vinschool is a subsidiary of Vingroup Joint Stock Company, one of Viet Nam’s largest conglomerates. 

    ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR DELHI

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 3:34PM by PIB Delhi

    The primary responsibility of undertaking rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in the event of a natural disaster rests with the State Governments concerned. The Central Government, wherever required, supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing logistics and financial support in cases of natural disasters of severe nature and beyond coping capacity of the State resources.

    As per Section 23 (2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the State Executive Committee is responsible for the preparation of Disaster Management Plan (Plan) of its State, after consultation with local authorities, district Authorities and having regard to the guidelines laid down by the National Authority, which is to be approved by the State Authority. Further, as per Section 22 (2) (o) of the Act, the State Executive Committee is mandated to lay down, review and update State level response plans.

    National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in 2016 and further revised in 2019, facilitates State Authorities in preparation of their SDMPs.

    Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has informed that they have prepared a Delhi Disaster Management Plan (DDMP), which has provisions for disaster preparedness and response in case of any disaster in the city including Earthquake Action Plan. The DDMP is available at https://ddma.delhi.gov.in/ddma/ddma-plan-home.

    Further, DDMA has also intimated that in view of the recent Delhi earthquake of 4.0 magnitude on 17.02.2025, a review meeting has been

    taken by Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor with NDMA on 12.03.2025. The agenda included vulnerability and risk assessment of Delhi and Earthquake Preparedness Plan. NDMA submitted the Terms of Reference for Earthquake Preparedness Plan.

    As part of ongoing activities, some important preparedness and capacity building measures taken in Delhi are as under:- 

    1.      NDMA has been actively facilitating the States including Delhi for conducting Multi State Level Mock Exercises on various hazards as per their vulnerability profile.

    2.      NDMA has conducted following Table Top Exercise and Mock Exercise for Delhi:-

    S.No.

    Date

    Name of Disaster

    a

    15, 28 to 30 Jun 2017

    Earthquake Scenario

    b

    12, 27-28 Jun 2019

    Earthquake (Multi State Mock Exercise)

    c

    20 Aug 2020

    Earthquake Scenario (Table Top Exercise)

    d

    22-24 Mar 2023

    Earthquake (Multi State Table Top Exercise)

    3.      After the recent Delhi earthquake on 17.02.2025, in addition to the ongoing awareness generation activities, the following have also been undertaken by NDMA :

    i) the TV panel discussion programme of NDMA- ‘Aapda Ka Samna’ was recorded and broadcasted through Doordharshan TV Network at national and regional levels on 2nd March 2025 and 8th March 2025 respectively;

    ii) NDMA has undertaken a series of street plays (Nukkad Natak) across various areas of Delhi in March 2025;

    iii) various updates and creatives on earthquake have been posted on the social media platforms of NDMA.

    This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

    *****

    RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2112252) Visitor Counter : 45

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Electronics Showcases AI-Powered TV Innovations at the 2025 European Tech Seminar

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics, the world’s leading TV manufacturer for 19 consecutive years, is kicking off the 2025 Tech Seminars in Frankfurt, Germany, from March 18–19, giving media and industry professionals an exclusive first look at its most advanced AI-powered TV and audio innovations before they hit the market.
     
    Now in its 14th year, the seminar provides field experts with hands-on experiences of Samsung’s latest TV lineup ahead of its official release. This year, the seminar will be showcasing technologies related to AI-powered picture quality, immersive sound, and next-generation viewing experiences.
     
     
    Revolutionizing the Screen Experience With AI
    Samsung’s 2025 TVs will feature powerful AI-driven features designed to enhance the user experience. At the heart of this innovation is Vision AI, an advanced platform that personalizes and simplifies the way users interact with their screens. Features such as Click to Search allows viewers to instantly access relevant information about on-screen content, while Live Translate provides real-time audio translations for seamless global viewing. Quick Remote transforms a smartphone into a control hub, offering a more intuitive and connected experience.
     
    Samsung has also introduced a seamless multi-device experience, enabling effortless content sharing and control across Samsung devices. Features like Storage Share, which allows easy file transfers between Galaxy devices and TVs, and Multi Control, which lets users operate multiple Samsung devices with a single keyboard and mouse, create a more connected and streamlined ecosystem.
     
     
    Next-Generation OLED & Neo QLED Picture Quality
    Samsung’s 2025 OLED TVs introduce Glare Free 2.0, minimizing reflections for a crystal-clear and immersive experience. Powered by the NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor and 128 neural networks, AI Upscaling sharpens details with remarkable precision, while OLED HDR technology boosts brightness and contrast.
     
    The 2025 Neo QLED 4K lineup features advanced local dimming for deeper blacks and enhanced HDR accuracy. AI Motion Enhancer, previously exclusive to 8K models, is now available in 4K TVs, delivering ultra-smooth visuals ideal for sports and action-packed content.
     

    Expanding the Lifestyle TV Portfolio
    Samsung’s Lifestyle TV lineup continues to push boundaries of design and innovation, blending cutting-edge technology with personalized home aesthetics.
     
    The Frame Pro redefines both entertainment and home décor, now featuring Mini-LED Local Dimming for enhanced brightness and lifelike picture quality. With access to over 3,000 digital artworks via Samsung Art Store, users can instantly transform their TV into a stunning personal gallery. The addition of Wi-Fi 7 ensures seamless installation, reducing cable clutter for a cleaner, more sophisticated setup.
     
    Meanwhile, The Premiere 5 offers a compact yet powerful projection experience with touch interaction, making it ideal for gaming, education, and immersive home entertainment. Designed for versatility, it delivers immersive visuals in a range of environments, from classrooms to home theaters and much more.
     

    Introducing the Next Era of Immersive Sound
    Samsung is redefining audio innovation with Eclipsa Audio, the industry’s first IAMF 3D sound technology developed in collaboration with Google. This advanced system optimizes spatial sound by analyzing environmental reflections, delivering a deeply immersive surround sound experience.
     
    At the 2025 Tech Seminar, attendees will be among the first to experience Eclipsa Audio firsthand and see its seamless integration with Samsung’s latest soundbars for a next-level home theater experience.
     
    “At Samsung, we’re committed to making all the devices you use smarter and more connected,” said Benjamin Braun, Samsung Europe’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Whether it’s using Vision AI to automatically optimize your TV settings or AI-powered services to make activities such as search or home management simpler, we’re showing how technology can feel more personal and tangible than ever before.”
     
    Following the Frankfurt event, Samsung will bring the Tech Seminar series to key regions including Southeast Asia and Latin America, providing more industry professionals with exclusive hands-on previews of its AI-powered display and audio innovations ahead of their market launch.
     
    ▲ Kevin Cha from Samsung’s Picture Quality Solution Lab explains how Glare Free 2.0 technology and OLED HDR technology enhance viewing comfort.
     
    ▲ Haylie Jung from Samsung’s Picture Quality Solution Lab highlights advanced local dimming and AI-powered enhancements in the 2025 Neo QLED 4K, featuring the NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor.
     
    ▲ Steffen Greb from Samsung’s ECSO demonstrates Vision AI and seamless multi-device connectivity across Samsung products.
     
    ▲ Deokhwan Kim from Samsung’s Picture Quality Solution Lab demonstrates The Premiere 5’s touch capabilities.
     
    ▲ Hyungwoo Kim from Samsung’s Sound Device Lab showcases Eclipsa Audio, Samsung’s 3D audio technology, allowing users to enjoy immersive three-dimensional sound experience.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Announces Official Rollout of One UI 7 Starting From April 7

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics today announced that the official rollout of One UI 7 will start April 7,1 bringing a bold new design for greater personalization and control to the user experience. One UI 7 introduces new interface built for AI, helping users interact with their Galaxy devices more naturally than ever before. The update will be available starting with the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, gradually rolling out to more Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
     

     
     
    Bold New Design for Greater Personalization
    One UI 7 comes with a simple, impactful and emotive design, bringing streamlined and cohesive experience to Galaxy users. A simplified home screen, redesigned One UI widgets and lock screen allow users to intuitively and seamlessly customize their devices.
     
    For added convenience, Now Bar2 provides real-time updates that matter most right on the lock screen. So during a morning run, users can easily check their progress and see what song is playing in your Galaxy Buds — all with a simple swipe, without unlocking their phone.
     
     
    Smarter AI Features for More Intuitive Experience
    One UI 7 introduces seamless AI-driven experiences that help users to stay productive and explore their creativity.
     
    With Galaxy AI, users can simplify everyday tasks, minimizing the need to switch between applications. AI Select3intuitively recommends by understanding context. For example, a user can simple swipe the Edge Panel and click ‘AI Select’ icon when watching a video to save it as a GIF file. Writing Assist4 allows users to easily summarize or automatically format contents in which texts can be selected.

     
    One UI 7 also enables simple edits to give users more creative control and freedom. Drawing Assist5helps bring ideas to life with more than a single input, including combinations of text prompts and images or sketches. Audio Eraser6 makes advanced editing accessible for all, by isolating categories of sounds and removing unwanted noise in videos.

     

     
    With deeper Google Gemini7 integration, controlling the device is as easy as speaking to a friend. Long-press the side button and say, “Find Italian, pet-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating nearby.” Gemini instantly pulls up recommendations in one seamless interaction.
     
    Natural language search8 extends to Settings, making it easier to adjust preferences. Users can simply go into Settings and say “My eyes are feeling tired.” In an instant, recommended options such as adjusting brightness or turning on Eye comfort shield appear.
     
     
    Availability
    One UI 7 will begin rolling out on April 7, expanding to more Galaxy smartphones and tablets in the following weeks,9 including the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5, the Galaxy Tab S10 series and the Galaxy Tab S9 series.
     
    For more details, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, Samsungmobilepress.com and Samsung.com.
     
     
    1 Availability may vary by market.2 Availability of functions supported within the apps may vary by country. Some functional widgets may require a network connection and/or Samsung Account login.3 Results may vary depending on model. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. Requires internet connection and Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language or device model. Availability of supported languages may vary. Certain languages may require language pack download.4 Writing Assist is available for Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5, Galaxy Tab S10 series and Galaxy Tab S9 series.5 Drawing Assist is available for Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5, Galaxy Tab S10 series and Galaxy Tab S9 series. Requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. A visible watermark is overlaid on the image output upon saving in order to indicate that the image is generated by AI. The accuracy and reliability of the generated output is not guaranteed.6 Audio Eraser is available in Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 and Galaxy Tab S10 series. Results may vary per video depending on how sounds present in the video. Samsung Account login required. Certain types of sound can be detected such as voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise. The actual sound detection may vary depending on audio source and the condition of the video. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.7 Internet connection and compatible operating system required. Availability may vary be device, country and language.8 Currently supported languages include Korean, English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. Available in Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 and Galaxy Tab S10 series. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.9 Availability and timing may vary by market.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sahkar se Samriddhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Cooperation

    Sahkar se Samriddhi

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 3:15PM by PIB Delhi

    To achieve the prosperity in the country through the mantra of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” given by the Prime Minister, a pilot project to promote ‘Cooperation among Cooperatives’ was launched by Union Minister of Home and Cooperation on 21st May,2023 in Banaskantha and Panchmahal District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) of Gujarat to promote all financial transactions of Primary Dairy Cooperative Societies (PDCSs) with Rural Cooperative Banks and to strengthen and make the cooperative sector Aatma Nirbhar. Activities taken up under the pilot project are as under:

    1. Dairy cooperative societies were made Bank Mitras of DCCBs: To ensure ease of doing business of PDCSs through digital financial transactions and to promote financial inclusion, micro-ATMs were given to these Bank Mitra PDCS with support from NABARD’s Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) to provide doorstep financial services.
    2. Rupay KCC through DCCBs: To expand the business and reach of DCCBs and to provide necessary liquidity/credit to the members of dairy cooperative societies, RuPay Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) were issued by DCCBs to the members of PDCS and other societies for providing timely credit at comparatively lower interest rates and enabling other financial transactions.
    3. Awareness about the campaign was created through Financial Literacy Camps (FLCs) which was also supported through FIF.

    On the basis of learnings during the pilot project, the campaign was expanded and launched in all districts of Gujarat from 15th January 2024. Achievements during the campaign in the state of Gujarat are provided below:-

    • Over 2,23,994 new RuPay KCCs were issued by DCCBs.
    • 6446 micro-ATMs were distributed to new Bank Mitra PDCS
    • 6529 Bank Mitras were enrolled
    • More than 23 lakh deposit accounts opened
    • Total amount deposited was Rs. 8329 crore

    A Standard Operating Procedure for the nation-wide implementation of the Campaign on ‘Cooperation among Cooperatives’ was launched on 19.09.2024.

    Ministry of Cooperation with active participation of various States/ UTs has taken various initiatives to revitalize and strengthen the cooperative sector across the country ensuring uniform development of Cooperative Societies across all the States, which are enclosed at Annexure. These initiatives also include the measures taken to strengthen cooperative societies in those States where the cooperative movement is not in good position at present.

    To enhance international market access for cooperative based products, Ministry of Cooperation has set up National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL). NCEL will focus on exporting the surpluses available in the Indian cooperative sector by accessing wider markets beyond the geographical contours of the country, thereby, increasing the demand of Indian Cooperative products/services across the globe and fetch best possible prices for such products/services. It will promote exports through various activities including procurement, storage, processing, marketing, branding, labelling, packaging, certification, research and development, etc, and trading of all types of goods and services produced by cooperative societies. 8,863 cooperatives have become member of NCEL.

    *****

    ANNEXURE

    Progress on major initiatives taken by Ministry of Cooperation

    Ministry of Cooperation, since its inception on 6th July, 2021, has undertaken several initiatives to realize the vision of “Sahakar-se-Samriddhi” and to strengthen & deepen the cooperative movement from Primary to Apex level Cooperatives in the country. List of initiatives taken and progress made so far are as follows:

    A. Making Primary Cooperatives economically vibrant and transparent

    1. Model Bye-Laws for PACS making them multipurpose, multidimensional and transparent entities: Government, in consultation with all the stakeholders, including States/ UTs, National Level Federations, State Cooperative Banks (StCBs), District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), etc., has prepared and circulated Model Bye-laws for PACS to all the States/ UTs, which enable PACS to undertake more than 25 business activities, improve governance, transparency and accountability in their operations. Provisions have also been made to make the membership of PACS more inclusive and broad-based, giving adequate representation to women and Scheduled Castes/Schedules Tribes. So far, 32 States/ UTs have adopted Model Bye-laws or their existing bye-laws are in line with Model Bye-laws.
      1. Strengthening of PACS through Computerization: In order to strengthen PACS, project for Computerization of functional PACS with a total financial outlay of ₹2,516 Crore has been approved by the Government of India, which entails bringing all functional PACS in the Country onto a common ERP based national software, linking them with NABARD through StCBs and DCCBs. A total of 67,930 PACS from 30 States/ UTs have been sanctioned under the project. A total of 50,455 PACS have been onboarded on ERP Software and hardware has been procured by 30 States/UTs.
      1. Establishing New Multipurpose PACS/ Dairy/ Fishery Cooperatives in covering all the Panchayats: The Government of India has approved the plan to establish new multipurpose PACS/dairy/fisheries cooperatives, aiming to cover all panchayats and villages in the country over the next five years. This initiative is supported by NABARD, NDDB, NFDB and State/UT Governments. For effective implementation of the initiative, ‘Margadarshika’ has been launched on 19.9.2024, indicating the targets and timelines for stakeholders. As per National Cooperative Database, a total of 12,957 new PACS, Dairy and Fishery Cooperative Societies have been registered as on 27.1.2025 across the country since the approval of the plan on 15.2.2023.
      1. World’s Largest Decentralized Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative sector: Government has approved a plan to create warehouses, custom hiring centers, primary processing units and other agri-infrastructure for grain storage at PACS level, through convergence of various GOI schemes, including AIF, AMI, SMAM, PMFME, etc. This will reduce wastage of food grains and transportation costs, enable farmers to realize better prices for their produce and meet various agricultural needs at the PACS level itself. Under the pilot project, construction of godowns in 11 PACS of 11 States has been completed.
      2. PACS as Common Service Centers (CSCs) for better access to e-services: An MoU has been signed between Ministry of Cooperation, MeitY, NABARD and CSC e-Governance Services India Limited for providing more than 300 e-services such as banking, insurance, Aadhar enrolment/ updation, health services, PAN card and IRCTC/ Bus/ Air ticket, etc. through PACS. So far, 42,080 PACS have started providing CSC services to rural citizens.
      1. Formation of new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by PACS: Government has allowed 1100 additional FPOs to be formed by PACS with the support of NCDC, in those blocks where FPOs have not yet been formed or the blocks are not covered by any other implementing agency. Against this allocation of 1100 blocks, 958 FPOs have been registered/ on-boarded as on 27.01.2025. Apart from this, 730 FPOs have already been formed by NCDC in cooperative sector. As on date, a total of 1,688 FPOs have been registered / on-boarded by NCDC in cooperative sector. This will be helpful in providing farmers with necessary market linkages and get fair and remunerative process for their produce.
      1. PACS given priority for Retail Petrol/ Diesel outlets: Government has allowed PACS to be included in the Combined Category 2 (CC2) for allotment of retail petrol/ diesel outlets. As per information received from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), 286 PACS from 25 States/UTs have applied online for retail petrol/ diesel outlets.
      1. PACS given permission to convert bulk consumer petrol pumps into retail outlets: The existing bulk consumer licensee PACS have been given a one-time option by Oil Marketing Companies to convert into retail outlets. As per information shared by OMCs, 116 wholesale consumer pump licensee PACS from 5 States have given consent for conversion into Retail Outlets, out of which 56 PACS have been commissioned by the OMCs.
      1. PACS eligible for LPG Distributorship for diversifying its activities: Government has now allowed PACS to apply for LPG Distributorships. This will give PACS an option to increase their economic activities and diversify their income stream. As of now, 2 PACS from the state of Jharkhand have applied for LPG distributorship under CC Category.
      1. PACS as PM Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra for improving access to generic medicines at rural level: PACS have been allowed to operate Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya JanaushadhiKendras (PMBJKs), which will provide additional income source to them and ease the access to quality generic medicines for rural citizens. So far, 4,523 PACS/ cooperative societies have applied online for PMBJKs, out of which 2,744 PACS have been given initial approval by Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) and 785 PACS have received drug license from State Drug Controllers and 716 PACS have got store codes from PMBI which are ready to function as PM Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
      1. PACS as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK): PACS have been enabled to operate PMKSK for ensuring easy accessibility of fertilizer & related services to farmers in the country. As per the information shared by Department of Fertilizers (GOI) and States/ UTs, a total of 36,193 PACS are functioning as PMKSK.
      1. PACS to carry out O&M of rural piped water supply schemes (PWS): PACS have been made eligible to carry out the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) of PWS in rural areas. As per information received from States/ UTs, 934 PACS have been identified/ selected by 13 States/ UTs to provide O&M services at Panchayat/ Village level.
      1. Convergence of PM-KUSUM at PACS level: Farmers associated with PACS can adopt solar agricultural water pumps and install photovoltaic modules in their farms.
      2. Micro-ATMs to Bank Mitra Cooperative Societies for providing doorstep financial services: Dairy and Fisheries cooperative societies can be made Bank Mitras of DCCBs and StCBs. To ensure their ease of doing business, transparency and financial inclusion, Micro-ATMs are also being given to these Bank Mitra Co-operative Societies with support from NABARD to provide ‘Door-step Financial Services’. To facilitate effective implementation of the initiative, an SOP has been launched on 19th September 2024. So far, 8,322 Micro-ATMs have been distributed to Bank Mitra cooperative societies in Gujarat.
      1. Rupay Kisan Credit Card to Members of Milk Cooperatives: In order to expand the reach of DCCBs/ StCBs and to provide necessary liquidity to the members of Dairy Cooperative societies, Rupay Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) are being distributed to the members of cooperatives for providing credit at comparatively lower interest rates and to enable them to carry out other financial transactions. To facilitate effective implementation of the initiative, an SOP has been launched on 19th September 2024. So far, 7,43,810 Rupay KCC have been distributed in the State of Gujarat.

    16. Formation of Fish Farmer Producer Organization (FFPO): In order to provide market linkage and processing facilities to fishermen, NCDC has registered 70 FFPOs in the initial phase. In addition, Department of Fisheries, Government of India has allocated the work of converting 1000 existing fisheries cooperative societies into FFPOs to National Cooperative Development Corporation. National Cooperative Development Corporation has identified 997 Primary Fisheries Cooperatives Societies to strengthen as FFPOs, with an approved outlay of Rs. 280.65 crore.

      1. White Revolution 2.0: The Ministry of Cooperation has launched an initiative to usher Cooperative-led “White Revolution 2.0” aimed at expanding cooperative coverage, employment generation and women’s empowerment with an objective “To increase the milk procurement of dairy cooperatives by 50% from the present level over next five years by providing market access to dairy farmers in uncovered areas and increasing the share of dairy cooperatives in organised sector.” The SOP for White Revolution 2.0 was launched on 19.11.2024 by Hon’ble Home & Cooperation Minister in presence of Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. On 25.12.2024 Hon’ble Home & Cooperation Minister in the presence of Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying inaugurated 6,600 newly set up Dairy Cooperative Societies. So far, 8,294 DCSs have been registered in 27 States/UTs.
      2.  Atmanirbharta Abhiyan: Ministry of Cooperation has launched the initiative to incentivize production of pulses (tur, masur and urad) to reduce dependency on imports, and production of maize to be used for production of ethanol for meeting the goal of Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) through National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). Both have developed their own web portal i.e. e-samyukti and e-samridhi respectively for registration of farmers through cooperatives. Both have assured pre-registered farmers of tur, urad, masur and maize to procure 100% of their produce at Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, if market prices exceed the MSP, farmers are free to sell their produce in the open market. A total of 12,64,212 farmers have already registered on the e-samyukti portal of NCCF. Similarly, 6,75,178 farmers have registered themselves on the e-samridhi portal of NAFED.

    B. Strengthening the Urban and Rural Cooperative Banks

    1. Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) have been allowed to open new branches to expand their business: UCBs can now open new branches up to 10% (maximum 5 branches) of the existing number of branches in the previous financial year without prior approval of RBI.
    1. UCBs have been allowed by RBI to offer doorstep services to their customers: Door step banking facility can now be provided by UCBs. Account holders of these banks can now avail various banking facilities at home such as cash withdrawal, cash deposit, KYC, demand draft and life certificate for pensioners, etc.
    1. Cooperative banks have been allowed to make one-time settlement of outstanding loans, like Commercial Banks: Co-operative banks, through board-approved policies, can now provide the process for settlement with borrowers, along with technical write-off.
    1. Time limit increased to achieve Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets given to UCBs: RBI has extended the timeline for UCBs to achieve Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets by two years i.e., up to March 31, 2026.
    1. A Nodal Officer designated in RBI for regular interaction with UCBs: In order to meet the long pending demand of the cooperative sector for closer coordination and focused interaction, RBI has notified a nodal officer.

    24. Individual housing loan limit more than doubled by RBI for Rural and Urban Cooperative Banks:

      1. Housing loan limit of Urban Cooperative Banks has now been doubled from Rs. 30 lakhs to Rs.60 lakhs.
      2. Housing loan limit of Rural Cooperative Banks has been increased to two and a half times to Rs.75 lakhs.

    25. Rural Cooperative Banks will now be able to lend to commercial real estate/ residential housing sector, thereby diversifying their business: This will not only help Rural Cooperative Banks to diversify their business, but will benefit Housing cooperative societies also.

    1. License fee reduced for Cooperative Banks: License fee for onboarding Cooperative Banks to ‘Aadhaar Enabled Payment System’ (AePS) has been reduced by linking it to the number of transactions. Cooperative financial institutions will also be able to get the facility free of cost for the first three months of the pre-production phase. With this, farmers will now be able to get the facility of banking at their home with through biometrics.
    1. Non-scheduled UCBs, StCBs and DCCBs notified as Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) in CGTMSE Scheme to increase the share of cooperatives in lending: Cooperative banks will now be able to take advantage of risk coverage up to 85 percent on the loans given. Also, cooperative sector enterprises will also be able to get collateral free loans from cooperative banks now.
    1. Notification of Scheduling norms for including Urban Cooperative Banks: UCBs that meet the ‘Financially Sound and Well Managed’ (FSWM) criteria and have maintained the minimum deposits required for classification as Tier 3 for the last two years are now eligible to be included in Schedule II of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and get ‘Scheduled’ status.
    1. Monetary ceiling doubled by RBI for Gold Loan: RBI has doubled monetary ceiling from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs.4 lakhs, for those UCBs that meet the PSL targets.
    1. Umbrella Organization for Urban Cooperative Banks: RBI has accorded approval to the National Federation of Urban Co-operative Banks and Credit Societies Ltd. (NAFCUB) for the formation of an Umbrella Organization (UO) for the UCB sector, which will provide necessary IT infrastructure and operational support to around 1,500 UCBs.

    C. Relief to Cooperative Societies in the Income Tax Act

    1. Surcharge reduced from 12% to 7% for co-operative societies having income between Rs. 1 to 10 Cr.: This will reduce the burden of Income Tax on Cooperative Societies and more capital will be available with them to work for the benefit of their members.
    1. MAT reduced for cooperatives from 18.5% to 15%: With this provision, now there is parity between Cooperative Societies and Companies in this regard.
    1. Relief in cash transactions under section 269ST of the Income Tax Act: In order to remove difficulties in cash transactions by cooperatives under Section 269ST of IT Act, Government has issued a clarification that cash transaction of less than Rs. 2 lakhs done by a cooperative society with its distributor in a day will be considered separately, and will not be charged with income tax penalty.
    2. Tax cut for new manufacturing Cooperative societies: Government has decided that a flat lower tax rate of 15% will be charged, compared to an earlier rate of up to 30% plus surcharge, for new cooperatives commencing manufacturing activities by March 31, 2024. This will encourage the formation of new cooperative societies in the manufacturing sector.
    1. Increase in limit of Cash Deposits and Cash Loans by PACS and PCARDBs: Government has enhanced the limit for Cash Deposits and Cash Loans by PACS and Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (PCARDBs) from Rs. 20,000 to Rs.2 lakh per member. This provision will facilitate their activities, increase their business and benefit members of their societies.
    1. Increase in the limit of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) in Cash Withdrawal: Government has increased the cash withdrawal limit of cooperative societies without deduction of tax at source from Rs.1 crore to Rs.3 crore per year. This provision will save Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) for cooperative societies, which will enhance their liquidity.

    D. Revival of Cooperative Sugar Mills

    1. Relief from Income Tax to Sugar Cooperative Mills: Government has issued a clarification that cooperative sugar mills would not be subjected to additional income tax for paying higher sugarcane prices to farmers up to Fair and Remunerative or State Advised Price, from April, 2016 onwards.
    1. Resolution of decades old pending issues related to Income Tax of Sugar Cooperative Mills: Government has made a provision in its Union Budget 2023-24, wherein Sugar cooperatives have been allowed to claim as expenditure their payments to sugarcane farmers for the period prior to assessment year 2016–17, giving them a relief of more than Rs.46,000 crore.
    1. Rs.10,000 crore loan scheme launched for strengthening of Sugar Cooperative Mills: Government has launched a scheme through NCDC for setting up ethanol plants or cogeneration plants or for working capital or for all three purposes. So far, the Ministry has released Rs. 875 crore to NCDC (Rs. 500 crore in FY 2022-23 and Rs. 375 crore in FY 2024-25) under the scheme and as of now, NCDC has sanctioned 80 loans amounting to Rs.9,169.76 crore to 44 CSMs.
    1. Preference to Cooperative Sugar Mills in purchase of ethanol: Cooperative Sugar Mills have now been put at par with private companies for ethanol procurement by Government of India under the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP).
    1. Strengthening of Cooperative Sugar Mills by converting their molasses-based ethanol plants into multi feed ethanol plants: Ministry of Cooperation has taken initiative in consultation with National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd. (NFCSFL) for conversion of existing molasses-based ethanol plants of CSMs into multi feed ethanol plants. The Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs) also produce ethanol from molasses and sugar syrup by installing ethanol production plants. However, the availability of raw material i.e., molasses and sugar syrup for production of ethanol is limited by many factors viz, Government Policy on diversion of sugarcane syrup, B heavy molasses for production of ethanol and duration of sugar cane crushing season and availability of sugarcane depending on rainfall, etc. On account of these limiting factors, the CSMs having ethanol plants are not able to operate them at full capacity round the year. The Government of India has prioritized maize for production of ethanol, therefore, it is prudent for CSMs to convert their existing ethanol production units into multi feed ethanol production units so that they are able to produce ethanol by using maize as raw material.
    1. Reduction in GST on molasses from 28% to 5%: Government has decided to reduce the GST on molasses from 28% to 5% which will enable cooperative sugar mills to earn more profits for their members by selling molasses to distilleries with higher margins.

    E. Three new National Level Multi-State Societies

    43. New National Multi-State Cooperative Seed Society for certified seeds: Government has established a new apex multi-state cooperative seed society under the MSCS Act, 2002, namely Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) as an umbrella organization for quality seed cultivation, production and distribution under a single brand. During the Rabi 2024-25 season, 57 Varieties of 12 Crops were sown/ planted in 5,596 hectares. Similarly, during the Kharif 2024 season, 23 varieties of 8 Crops have been planted on 176.59 hectare of land. So far, 17,425 PACS/ Cooperative Societies have become members of BBSSL.

    1. New National Multi-State Cooperative Organic Society for organic farming: Government has established a new apex multi-state cooperative organic society under the MSCS Act, 2002, namely National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) as an umbrella organization to produce, distribute and market certified and authentic organic products. So far, 5,184 PACS/ cooperative societies have become members of NCOL. NCOL has launched 13 products i.e., Whole Wheat Flour, Moong Dhuli, Moong Whole, Moog Chilka Dal, Moog Split, Arhar/ Toor Dal, Urad Whole, Urad Dal, Masoor Whole, Masoor Malka, Brown Chana, Rajma Chitra, Chana Dal under ‘Bharat Organics Brand’.
    1. New National Multi-State Cooperative Export Society for promoting exports: Government has established a new apex multi-state cooperative export society under the MSCS Act, 2002, namely National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL) as an umbrella organization to give thrust to exports from cooperative sector. So far, 7,933 PACS/ cooperative societies have become members of NCEL. Till date, NCEL has achieved a total export quantity of commodities (rice, sugar, onion, wheat, maize and Jeera) of 12,52,083 Metric tonnes with an exported value of Rs. 5,099.24 crore.

    F. Capacity Building in Cooperatives

    1. Promotion of training and awareness through National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT): By increasing its reach, NCCT has conducted 2,872 training programs and provided training to 2,35,060 participants till December 2024.

    G. Use of Information Technology for ‘Ease of Doing Business’

    1. Computerization of the Central Registrar’s Office: Central Registrar’s office has been computerized to create a digital ecosystem for Multi-State Cooperative Societies, which will assist in processing applications and service requests in a time bound manner.
    1. Scheme for computerization of office of RCSs in States/ Union Territories: To increase ‘ease of doing business’ for cooperative societies and create a digital ecosystem for transparent paperless regulation in all the States/ UTs, a Centrally Sponsored Project for Computerization of RCS Offices has been approved by the Government. Grants are provided for the purchase of hardware, development of software, etc. to the States/ UTs. So far, proposals received from 35 States/ UTs have been sanctioned by GOI.
    1. Computerization of Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs): To strengthen the long-term cooperative credit structure, the project of computerization of 1,851 units of Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs) spread across 13 States/ Union Territories has been approved by the Government. NABARD is the implementing agency for the project. So far, proposals from 10 States/UTs have been received and sanctioned. Further, GOI share amounting to Rs 5.08 crore has been released to 9 States/UTs in FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 for procurement of hardware, digitization and setting up of support system.

    H. Other Initiatives

    1. New National Cooperative Database for authentic and updated data repository: A database of cooperatives in the country has been prepared with the support of State Governments to facilitate stakeholders in policy making and implementation of programmes/ schemes related to cooperatives across the country. So far, data of more than

    8.2 lakh cooperatives across 30 sectors, with approximately 30 crore members, has been captured in the database.

    1. Cooperative Ranking Framework: The Government launched the Cooperative Ranking Framework on 24th January 2025 to rank cooperatives State-wise and sector-wise. The ranking framework enables State RCS to assess Cooperative Societies’ performance based on key parameters, including audit compliance, operational activities, financial performance, infrastructure, and basic identity information. The RCS of the States/ UTs, through login on NCD portal, can generate ranks of Cooperative Societies, initially of 7 major sectors namely PACS, Dairy, Fishery, Urban Cooperative Banks, Housing, Credit and Thrift, and Khadi and Gram Udyog. This ranking system aims to enhance transparency, reliability and competitiveness among cooperative societies, ultimately fostering their growth. Furthermore, top-performing cooperative societies in each sector will be recognized and honoured by the Ministry of Cooperation and respective State/ UT authorities, aligning with the objectives of the International Year of Cooperatives.
    1. International Year of Cooperatives – 2025 in India: The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC 2025) to highlight the role of cooperatives in economic growth, social inclusion, and sustainability. The Ministry of Cooperation has developed an action plan in collaboration with National Cooperative Federations, State Governments, Central Ministries and other stakeholders emphasizing transparency, policy reforms, and rural economic transformation through PACS. Activities include training, board meetings, cooperative flag hoisting, exhibitions, and business expansion workshops at District, State, and National levels. To ensure effective execution, committees at national, state, and district levels have been formed. The National Execution Committee (NEC) and National Cooperative Committee (NCC) will oversee coordination and financial mobilization. State Apex Committees (SAC), along with State and District Cooperative Development Committees (SCDC & DCDC), will organize and manage State/ District/ Village level programs.
    1. Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023: Amendment has been brought in the MSCS Act, 2002 to strengthen governance, enhance transparency, increase accountability, reform electoral process and incorporate provisions of 97th Constitutional Amendment in the Multi State Cooperative Societies.
    1. Cooperative Ombudsman: Following the amendment in the Multi–State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002, Cooperative Ombudsman has been appointed under Section 85A of the said Act vide gazette notification dated 05.03.2024. The Ombudsman office is fully functional and deals with complaints or appeals, from members of the MSCS regarding their deposits, equitable benefits of the Multi–State Co-operative Society’s functioning or any other issue affecting the individual rights of the concerned member.
    1. Cooperative Election Authority (CEA): Following the amendment in the Multi–State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002, the Cooperative Election Authority has been set up to strengthen governance and accountability, with a mandate to conduct free and fair election in all MSCSs. Elections in more than 80 MSCS have been conducted successfully up to December, 2024.
    2. Inclusion of Cooperatives as ‘buyers’ on GeM portal: The Government has permitted cooperatives to register as ‘buyer’ on GeM, enabling them to procure goods and services from over 67 lakh vendors to facilitate economical purchases and greater transparency. So far, 574 cooperative societies have been onboarded on GeM as buyers.
    3. Expansion of National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to increase its range and depth: NCDC has launched new schemes in various sectors such as ‘Swayamshakti Sahkar’ for SHGs; ‘Deerghavadhi Krishak Sahkar’ for long term agricultural credit and ‘Dairy Sahkar’ for dairy. During the current FY 2024-25, so far, total financial assistance of Rs. 84,673.70 crores has been disbursed by NCDC.
    4. Financial assistance by NCDC for Deep Sea Trawlers: NCDC is providing financial assistance for projects related to deep sea trawlers in coordination with the Department of Fisheries, Government of India. NCDC has already sanctioned financial assistance of Rs.

    25.95 crore for purchase of total 44 deep sea trawlers for the Fisheries Cooperative Societies of Maharashtra and Gujarat State.

    1. National Cooperation Policy (NCP): The formulation of New National Cooperation Policy (NCP) has been envisaged to fulfil the mandate of the Ministry of Cooperation – “Sahakar se Samriddhi.” A National level committee was constituted on 2.9.2022 under Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu with experts of the cooperative sector, representatives from National/ State/ District/ Primary level cooperative societies, Secretaries (Cooperation) and RCSs from States/ UTs and officers from Central Ministries/ Departments to formulate the New Cooperation Policy to provide a framework to unlock the true potential of the Cooperative sector. The Committee conducted four regional workshops throughout the country to elicit suggestions from stakeholders. The received suggestions have been incorporated into the draft policy appropriately. The draft policy has been prepared and is under finalization.
    2. Refund to Investors of Sahara Group of Societies: A portal has been launched for making payments to the genuine depositors of the cooperative societies of Sahara Group in a transparent manner. Disbursements have already started after proper identification and submission of proof of their deposits and claims. So far, Rs. 2,025.75 crores have been disbursed to 11.61 lakh applicants.

    This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

    ****

    RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2112225)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Target achieved under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Rural Development

    Target achieved under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 2:57PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry is implementing Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY – NRLM) across the country (except Delhi & Chandigarh) with the objective of organizing the rural poor women households into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and continuously nurturing and supporting them till they attain appreciable increase in incomes over a period of time and improve their quality of life and come out of abject poverty.

    As of 28th February 2025, the Mission is being implemented in 7144 blocks in 745 districts across 28 States and 6 UTs. Cumulatively, 10.05 crore rural women households have been mobilized into more than 90.90 lakh SHGs. A total of Rs. 51368.39 crore of capitalisation support (Revolving Funds and Community Investment Funds) has been provided to SHGs and their federations. From FY 2013-14, an amount of Rs. 10.20 lakh crore bank credit has been accessed by women SHGs under DAY-NRLM.

    The State/UT-wise targets and achievements for the FY 2024-25 under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) is given below.

     The DAY-NRLM scheme under Ministry of Rural Development has taken numerous measures to strengthen marketing support for products made by women Self Help Groups. This includes Saras Melas being organised at National and State levels to promote the sale of SHG products in urban markets. The Ministry in collaboration with Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has created “SARAS Collection” as a Store Front in GeM for marketing of SHG products. Also, Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have been signed between the Ministry and Flipkart Internet Pvt. Ltd., Amazon and Fashnear Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Meesho) to facilitate the Self-Help Group (SHGs) producers including artisans, weavers and craftsmen to access national markets through the Flipkart Samarth programme, Amazon Saheli initiative and Meesho for marketing of SHGs products. A MoU was also signed between MoRD and JioMart for onboarding and marketing of SHGs product. An e-Commerce platform (www.esaras.in) has also been launched by the Ministry for online marketing of SHG products. Further, eSARAS is also live as a Seller Network Participant on ONDC. Curated products of women SHGs are now available on 11 Apps of ONDC network i.e. Paytm, Mystore, Craftsvilla, Jagran, Snapdeal, Novopay, Easypay, Gonuclei, Rubaru, Mappls, Himira etc.

    Annexure

     

    State-wise target and achievement of Amount of capitalization support provided to SHGs under DAY-NRLM for the FY 2024-25 (Rs. in Lakhs)

    Sl No.

    States/UT’s

    Targets

    Achievement

    (as on 28.02.25)

    1

    Assam

    7,174

    14,181

    2

    Nagaland

    1,667

    2,971

    3

    Uttarakhand

    3,667

    6,291

    4

    West Bengal

    52,000

    81,404

    5

    Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli

    150

    223

    6

    Himachal Pradesh

    1,528

    1,986

    7

    Tripura

    7,081

    9,125

    8

    Chhattisgarh

    15,899

    19,977

    9

    Odisha

    20,395

    25,614

    10

    Bihar

    96,389

    1,05,132

    11

    Uttar Pradesh

    1,14,137

    1,23,326

    12

    Ladakh

    247

    263

    13

    Jammu & Kashmir

    2,567

    2,668

    14

    Gujarat

    15,690

    16,179

    15

    Maharashtra

    53,183

    54,719

    16

    Goa

    601

    602

    17

    Karnataka

    22,167

    21,679

    18

    Meghalaya

    7,519

    6,072

    19

    Tamil Nadu

    24,682

    18,362

    20

    Manipur

    5,719

    3,908

    21

    Jharkhand

    41,919

    27,606

    22

    Rajasthan

    30,475

    20,021

    23

    Arunachal Pradesh

    2,232

    1,327

    24

    Puducherry

    744

    420

    25

    Madhya Pradesh

    54,900

    25,590

    26

    Andaman And Nicobar Islands

    233

    103

    27

    Punjab

    5,140

    2,090

    28

    Kerala

    4,539

    1,814

    29

    Mizoram

    958

    357

    30

    Telangana

    1,505

    453

    31

    Haryana

    6,675

    1,918

    32

    Lakshadweep

    43

    12

    33

    Andhra Pradesh

    2,989

    650

    34

    Sikkim

    978

    32

     

    Total

    6,05,787

    5,97,075

     

     

    State-wise target and achievement of amount of Loan disbursed to SHGs for the FY 2024-25 (Rs in Lakhs)

    Sl. No.

    States/UTs

    Targets

    Achievement

    (as on 28.02.25)

    1

    Andaman & Nicobar Islands

    200

    99

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    32,19,000

    34,83,725

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    4,000

    3,093

    4

    Assam

    4,10,000

    4,64,206

    5

    Bihar

    15,58,000

    8,79,591

    6

    Chhattisgarh

    2,14,000

    1,98,214

    7

    Goa

    5,000

    5,570

    8

    Gujarat

    1,22,000

    55,174

    9

    Haryana

    49,000

    49,567

    10

    Himachal Pradesh

    30,000

    17,096

    11

    Jammu & Kashmir

    60,000

    43,563

    12

    Jharkhand

    3,30,000

    3,97,269

    13

    Karnataka

    3,53,000

    16,18,013

    14

    Kerala

    7,63,000

    4,49,610

    15

    Ladakh

    100

    74

    16

    Lakshadweep

    100

    49

    17

    Madhya Pradesh

    3,35,000

    3,24,258

    18

    Maharashtra

    6,38,000

    8,25,995

    19

    Manipur

    5,000

    3,281

    20

    Meghalaya

    15,000

    10,108

    21

    Mizoram

    5,000

    1,391

    22

    Nagaland

    5,000

    4,566

    23

    Odisha

    8,20,000

    10,78,827

    24

    Puducherry

    15,000

    16,996

    25

    Punjab

    20,000

    13,085

    26

    Rajasthan

    2,55,000

    2,15,392

    27

    Sikkim

    5,000

    5,100

    28

    Tamil Nadu

    11,55,000

    14,11,090

    29

    Telangana

    16,10,000

    16,88,421

    30

    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

    600

    75

    31

    Tripura

    40,000

    47,700

    32

    Uttar Pradesh

    2,50,000

    2,50,522

    33

    Uttarakhand

    30,000

    37,304

    34

    West Bengal

    19,90,000

    21,87,156

     

    Total

    1,43,11,000

    1,57,86,181

     

     

    State-wise targets and achievement of Mahila Kisans under Agro-Ecological Practices (AEP) and Mahila Kisans having Agri-Nutri Garden (ANG) during FY 2024-25

    Sr No

    STATE / UTs

    Mahila Kisan under AEP

    Mahila Kisan household having ANG

    Target

    Achievement

    Target

    Achievement

    1

    Andaman And Nicobar

    2,000

    734

    8,000

    1,638

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    8,50,000

    10,43,085

    1,50,000

    1,13,150

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    80,000

    42,396

    90,000

    32,738

    4

    Assam

    3,50,000

    4,29,920

    5,00,000

    5,13,045

    5

    Bihar

    6,00,000

    8,23,463

    2,00,000

    5,50,041

    6

    Chhattisgarh

    2,10,000

    1,82,239

    2,10,000

    1,77,044

    7

    Goa

    660

    982

    330

    826

    8

    Gujarat

    2,50,000

    2,22,360

    2,50,000

    2,19,500

    9

    Haryana

    20,000

    22,411

    20,000

    26,285

    10

    Himachal Pradesh

    70,000

    92,301

    1,00,000

    1,04,553

    11

    Jammu And Kashmir

    1,05,335

    1,00,501

    1,05,000

    74,019

    12

    Jharkhand

    2,32,000

    1,19,924

    1,00,000

    65,024

    13

    Karnataka

    5,00,000

    8,08,241

    4,50,000

    4,67,985

    14

    Kerala

    2,00,000

    1,58,140

    3,00,000

    3,68,789

    15

    Ladakh

    2,200

    444

    2,500

    612

    16

    Madhya Pradesh

    1,50,000

    1,90,640

    3,00,000

    2,68,946

    17

    Maharashtra

    8,00,000

    12,97,051

    3,00,000

    3,33,254

    18

    Manipur

    38,478

    9,706

    19,734

    3,666

    19

    Meghalaya

    80,750

    73,255

    54,510

    48,039

    20

    Mizoram

    4,320

    4,937

    5,590

    7,111

    21

    Nagaland

    30,000

    17,359

    30,000

    17,006

    22

    Odisha

    5,00,000

    89,391

    10,00,000

    1,60,664

    23

    Puducherry

    10,000

    2,833

    56,000

    3,450

    24

    Punjab

    34,000

    48,239

    34,000

    49,133

    25

    Rajasthan

    6,00,000

    9,33,294

    2,00,000

    1,88,241

    26

    Sikkim

    5,000

    3,739

    5,000

    250

    27

    Tamil Nadu

    3,00,000

    2,30,092

    1,00,000

    71,251

    28

    Telangana

    4,00,000

    7,38,936

    4,00,000

    3,62,112

    29

    Tripura

    80,000

    81,948

    50,000

    68,065

    30

    Uttarakhand

    80,000

    95,703

    75,000

    1,02,537

    31

    Uttar Pradesh

    7,00,000

    11,37,950

    16,00,000

    5,88,356

    32

    West Bengal

    3,00,000

    4,35,704

    3,00,000

    1,51,642

     

    Total

    75,84,743

    94,37,918

    70,15,664

    51,38,972

     

    State-wise target and achievement of number of enterprises supported under SVEP in 2024-25

    No.

    State

    Targets

    Achievement
    (as on 28.02.25)

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    0

    30

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh

    300

    107

    3

    Assam

    10200

    9,557

    4

    Bihar

    4300

    1,614

    5

    Chhattisgarh

    2,251

    1,796

    6

    Goa

    1152

    1,002

    7

    Gujarat

    0

    0

    8

    Haryana

    0

    684

    9

    Himachal Pradesh

    706

    612

    10

    Jammu & Kashmir (UT)

    1,376

    1,009

    11

    Jharkhand

    2051

    1,214

    12

    Karnataka

    680

    291

    13

    Kerala

    6952

    5,802

    14

    Madhya Pradesh

    2,200

    1,837

    15

    Maharashtra

    2,220

    1,702

    16

    Manipur

    700

    694

    17

    Meghalaya

    616

    354

    18

    Mizoram

    1769

    946

    19

    Nagaland

    851

    29

    20

    Odisha

    1,301

    0

    21

    Punjab

    1,194

    802

    22

    Rajasthan

    2,452

    1,993

    23

    Sikkim

    400

    279

    24

    Tamil Nadu

    1,429

    1,076

    25

    Telangana

    2,827

    1,797

    26

    Tripura

    1528

    1,207

    27

    Uttar Pradesh

    3,850

    2,831

    28

    Uttarakhand

    960

    696

    29

    West Bengal

    7,180

    4,933

    Total

    61,445

    44,894

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

     

    MG/RN/KSR/2884

    (Release ID: 2112203)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Aadhaar Based Payment System

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 2:56PM by PIB Delhi

    Under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, the Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS) is merely a mode of payment, and the demand for work cannot be denied due to non-linking of account number with APBS. The Ministry continues to monitor its implementation and takes necessary measures to address any challenges faced by workers in receiving their entitlements, ensuring that no eligible beneficiary is deprived of their rightful wages. As and when any issue is flagged by the State/UT or any other stakeholders, same is resolved on priority basis.

    Mahatma Gandhi NREGS is a demand-driven wage employment Scheme. The rural households can register themselves under Scheme and seek employment at multiple fora including the Gram Panchayats. The field authorities have been instructed to organize Rojgar Diwas at least once every month for covering willing unskilled workers.

    State/UT-wise details of percentage of total workers who are not eligible for Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS) under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS), as on 12.03.2025 is given at Annexure-I.

                State/UT-wise details of percentage of active workers who are not eligible for Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS) under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS as on 12.03.2025 is given at Annexure-II.

    Annexure-I

    State/UT-wise total number of workers and percentage who are not eligible for Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS) under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) as on 12.03.2025 is given at Annexure.

    SI. No.

    States/UTs

    Total number of workers

    Percentage who are not eligible for APBS

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    12262973

    1.76

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh

    469919

    23.92

    3

    Assam

    10511449

    41.12

    4

    Bihar

    22900741

    31.39

    5

    Chhattisgarh

    7798425

    3.60

    6

    Goa

    51321

    66.40

    7

    Gujarat

    9702355

    58.72

    8

    Haryana

    2375425

    33.26

    9

    Himachal Pradesh

    2837576

    27.41

    10

    Jammu and Kashmir

    2354477

    21.78

    11

    Jharkhand

    10292182

    38.61

    12

    Karnataka

    17991304

    33.11

    13

    Kerala

    5717603

    17.49

    14

    Ladakh

    50387

    0.77

    15

    Madhya Pradesh

    17547654

    28.27

    16

    Maharashtra

    29734310

    63.97

    17

    Manipur

    913155

    23.85

    18

    Meghalaya

    1223842

    40.45

    19

    Mizoram

    240217

    6.65

    20

    Nagaland

    773310

    65.98

    21

    Odisha

    10465254

    9.68

    22

    Punjab

    2891727

    20.49

    23

    Rajasthan

    23023741

    24.81

    24

    Sikkim

    137183

    15.39

    25

    Tamil Nadu

    10962718

    3.69

    26

    Telangana

    10451136

    33.81

    27

    Tripura

    1223565

    4.85

    28

    Uttar Pradesh

    21903876

    8.23

    29

    Uttarakhand

    1573250

    2.63

    30

    West Bengal

    25627676

    17.01

    31

    Andaman And Nicobar

    52804

    39.24

    32

    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

    41536

    64.43

    33

    Lakshadweep

    16637

    57.75

    34

    Puducherry

    115264

    16.10

     

    Total

    264234992

    27.89

     

    Annexure-II

    State/UT-wise total number of ‘Active workers’ and its percentage who are not eligible for Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS) under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS as on 12.03.2025.

    SI. No.

    States/UTs

    Total number of ‘Active workers’

    Percentage who are not eligible for APBS

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    9718016

    0.04

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh

    352527

    8.23

    3

    Assam

    5383438

    10.29

    4

    Bihar

    9693647

    6.07

    5

    Chhattisgarh

    6339664

    0.93

    6

    Goa

    7393

    11.23

    7

    Gujarat

    2656720

    0.24

    8

    Haryana

    906978

    5.49

    9

    Himachal Pradesh

    1453850

    0.69

    10

    Jammu And Kashmir

    1547630

    1.77

    11

    Jharkhand

    4036445

    2.05

    12

    Karnataka

    8290882

    0.78

    13

    Kerala

    2503818

    0.02

    14

    Ladakh

    38964

    0.35

    15

    Madhya Pradesh

    10106290

    0.13

    16

    Maharashtra

    7943428

    6.08

    17

    Manipur

    700735

    11.95

    18

    Meghalaya

    874158

    24.44

    19

    Mizoram

    219678

    1.29

    20

    Nagaland

    591864

    59.16

    21

    Odisha

    6949228

    1.97

    22

    Punjab

    1566185

    7.29

    23

    Rajasthan

    12460391

    0.11

    24

    Sikkim

    94674

    2.50

    25

    Tamil Nadu

    9175765

    0.08

    26

    Telangana

    5868636

    1.24

    27

    Tripura

    1042520

    1.28

    28

    Uttar Pradesh

    13416321

    2.51

    29

    Uttarakhand

    1046878

    1.00

    30

    West Bengal

    10434225

    13.20

    31

    Andaman And Nicobar

    11248

    10.06

    32

    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

    11579

    0.96

    33

    Lakshadweep

    187

    31.55

    34

    Puducherry

    69756

    2.26

     

    Total

    135513718

    3.48

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

     

    MG/RN/KSR/2969

    (Release ID: 2112201) Visitor Counter : 44

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Transparency and Accountability under PMAY-G

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 2:55PM by PIB Delhi

    The identification of beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) is based on the housing deprivation parameters and exclusion criteria prescribed under Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC)-2011 and due verification by the respective Gram Sabhas and completion of an Appellate Process. These parameters/criteria were applied on SECC 2011 database & Awass+2018 to identify eligibility of beneficiaries under PMAY-G.

     

    The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of PMAY-G for 5 more years (FY 2024-25 to 2028-29) to provide assistance for the construction of 2 crore additional rural houses. The Cabinet has also approved the updating of the Awaas+ List using modified exclusion criteria. A new survey is being conducted by the states/UTs using the technology-based solutions to maximize transparency and ensure sanctity in the process right from the identification to completion of the houses as per the detailed below:

     

    1. Awaas+ 2024 app- a unique app specially designed under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), having features of assisted survey through pre-registered surveyors, housing technology selection, face authentication, Aadhar based e-KYC, data capture of household, conditions of existing house, time stamped, and geo tagged photo capture of existing house proposed site of construction. The app works in online as well as offline mode. “Self-Survey” facility is available for eligible household in Awaas+2024 app Survey for next phase of PMAYG (2024-29).
    2. Usage of AI/ML model to curb fraudulent activity and provide information of possible malpractices.
    3. Recommendation System – This module identifies various house attributes such as pucca wall, pucca roof, kutcha wall, kutcha roof, logo, window, door, and person in the uploaded photos of a completed house and recommends a final photograph for approval.
    4. e-KYC App – The app is integrated with Aadhaar and uses AI-enabled face authentication technology to conduct verification of PMAY-G beneficiaries.
    5. Liveliness Detection: Eye Blink/ Motion detection feature in Awaas App for identification of the beneficiaries.
    6. 100% Aadhaar-Based Payments: Directly transferred to beneficiaries’ accounts.

    The unit assistance provided to beneficiaries under PMAY-G is as per the approval of the Union Cabinet and at present the unit assistance of Rs. 1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs. 1.30 lakh in North Eastern States, Hilly States (including UTs of J&K and Ladakh) is provided. The funding pattern between Centre and the State for the NER States and Himalayan States [Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir (UT)] is 90:10 whereas for the rest of the States is 60:40 and for Union Territories without legislature, 100% funding are borne by the Centre.

     

    In addition to the unit assistance, the beneficiaries are facilitated with 90/95-man days of unskilled labour wages through mandatory convergence with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Support of Rs. 12,000 for construction of toilet is also provided through Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin (SBM-G), MGNREGS or any other dedicated source of funding.

     

    Some of the States/UTs are also providing top-up financial support over and above unit assistance to the PMAY-G beneficiaries for the house construction. To further support affordability, the scheme incorporates State-specific housing designs and promotes the use of local materials, reducing costs and environmental impact.

     

                Under the scheme, to provide PMAY-G beneficiaries with the maximum number of benefits from different schemes, convergence with other schemes is encouraged. The guideline aids with the construction of toilets to be leveraged through convergence with SBM-G, MGNREGS, or any other dedicated source of funding. Convergence for piped drinking water, electricity connection, LPG gas connection, solar lanterns and cleaner cooking energy, solar roof top, fulfillment of requirement of construction material through MGNREGS and linkage with SHGs platform under Government programs is also being done.

                The Ministry allocates targets to the State and further allocation of targets to the Districts/ Blocks/ Gram Panchayats is done by the State Government. The details of target allocated and houses sanctioned in Bhopal, Shahdol, Sidhi and Hathras Parliamentary Constituencies by the States are as under: –

    [Unit in no]

    Parliamentary Constituency (PC)

    Target fixed by the State

    Houses sanctioned by the State

    Houses completed by the State

    Bhopal*

    47,719

    49,971

    35,575

    Shahdol#

    1,94,286

    1,88,178

    1,66,730

    Sidhi $

    136058

    124293

    101908

    Hathras@

    2361

    2361

    2327

    *Bhopal PC covers Bhopal district and Sehore block of Sehore District
    #Shahdol PC covers districts of Anuppur, Umaria and Jaisinghnagar , Burhar blocks of Shahdol

    $Sidhi PC covers Sidhi distrct and Beohari block of Shahdol district
    @Hathras PC covers Hathras, Sadabad, Sikhandrarao blocks of Hathras district and Iglas & Chhara blocks (located in Gangiri) of Aligarh district

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

    MG/RN/KSR/2780

    (Release ID: 2112200) Visitor Counter : 42

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister congratulates Indian Contingent for winning 33 Medals at Special Olympics World Winter Games

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 2:40PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the outstanding performance of Indian athletes at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 held in Turin, Italy. The Indian contingent brought home 33 medals, making the nation proud on the global stage.

    Shri Modi met the athletes in Parliament today and congratulated them for their dedication and achievements.

    The Prime Minister wrote on X;

    “I am immensely proud of our athletes who have brought glory to the nation at the Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Turin, Italy! Our incredible contingent has brought home 33 medals.

    Met the contingent in Parliament and congratulated them for their accomplishments.

    @SpecialOlympics”

    ****

    MJPS/ST

    (Release ID: 2112195) Visitor Counter : 58

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English rendering of PM’s address in the Lok Sabha on Mahakumbh

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 1:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,  

    I am present here to deliver a statement on the grand Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj. Through this esteemed House, I extend my salutations to the millions of countrymen whose contributions made the Mahakumbh a grand success. Many individuals played a crucial role in ensuring the success of Mahakumbh. I congratulate the government, society, and all dedicated workers. I also extend my gratitude to the devotees from across the country, the people of Uttar Pradesh, and especially the citizens of Prayagraj.  

    Mr. Speaker Sir,  

    We all know that bringing the sacred Ganga to Earth required an extraordinary effort. A similar grand effort was witnessed in the magnificent organisation of this Mahakumbh. I had emphasized the importance of ‘Sabka Prayas’ from the Red Fort. The entire world witnessed the vastness of Bharat through the Mahakumbh. This is the true embodiment of ‘Sabka Prayas’. This Mahakumbh was a people’s event, inspired by the devotion and dedication of the masses.

    Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

    We have witnessed the awakening of our national consciousness on a magnificent scale in the grand Mahakumbh. This national consciousness is what drives our country toward new resolutions and inspires us to achieve them. The Mahakumbh has also provided a fitting response to the doubts and uncertainties that some may have had regarding our collective strength.

    Mr. Speaker Sir,  

    Last year, during the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, we all experienced how the nation is preparing itself for the next 1,000 years. Just a year later, the successful organization of the Mahakumbh has further reinforced this belief. This collective consciousness of the nation reflects its immense strength. Throughout history, there have been defining moments that become examples for generations to come. Our nation, too, has witnessed such moments that have given it a new direction and awakened its people. During the Bhakti movement, we saw a spiritual awakening spread across the country. More than a century ago, when Swami Vivekananda delivered his speech in Chicago, it was a resounding declaration of Bharat’s spiritual consciousness, instilling a deep sense of self-respect among Indians. Similarly, our freedom struggle was marked by several such turning points—the Revolt of 1857, the martyrdom of Veer Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s clarion call of “Delhi Chalo,” and Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March. These events inspired the nation and paved the way for independence. I see the Prayagraj Mahakumbh as another such defining moment, where we can see the reflection of an awakened nation.

    Mr. Speaker Sir,

    We witnessed the enthusiasm and spirit of the Mahakumbh in Bharat for nearly a month and a half. Millions of devotees gathered with deep faith, rising above concerns of convenience or hardship. This unwavering devotion is one of our greatest strengths. But this joy and fervour were not confined to Bharat alone. Last week, I was in Mauritius, where I carried sacred water from the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh. When this holy water was offered at the Ganga pond in Mauritius, the atmosphere of devotion, faith, and celebration was truly remarkable. This moment reaffirmed how our traditions, culture, and values are being embraced and celebrated with great intensity.

    Mr. Speaker Sir,

    I also see how seamlessly our cultural values are being passed down from generation to generation. Look at our modern youth today—how deeply they are connecting with the Mahakumbh and other traditional festivals. The young generation of Bharat is proudly embracing its heritage, faith, and traditions with immense pride and devotion.

    Mr. Speaker Sir,

    When a society takes pride in its heritage, we witness grand and inspiring moments like those seen during the Mahakumbh. This strengthens our sense of brotherhood and builds confidence that, as a nation, we can achieve great milestones. The deep connection with our traditions, faith, and legacy is a priceless asset for today’s Bharat.

    Mr. Speaker Sir,

    The Mahakumbh has given us many invaluable lessons, and one of its greatest gifts is the nectar of unity. It was an event where people from every region, every corner of the country, came together as one. Shedding personal egos, they embraced the spirit of वयम (the collective We), rather than मैं (the individual I). People from diverse states became a part of the sacred Triveni. When millions of people from different regions strengthen the spirit of nationalism, the unity of our country grows even stronger. When people speaking various languages chant ‘Har Har Gange’ on the banks of the Sangam, it manifests the essence of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ and strengthens unity. The Mahakumbh demonstrated that there was no distinction between big and small—it reflected Bharat’s immense strength. It reaffirmed that the profound element of unity is deeply ingrained within us. The power of our unity is so great that it can overcome any attempt to divide us. This unwavering spirit of oneness is a blessing for every Indian. At a time when the world is witnessing fragmentation, this grand display of solidarity is our greatest strength. Unity in diversity has always been Bharat’s defining trait—we have always believed in it, felt it, and we experienced its most magnificent form in Prayagraj’s Mahakumbh. It is our responsibility to continue nurturing and strengthening this unique legacy of unity amidst diversity.

    Mr. Speaker Sir,

    The Mahakumbh has also provided us with numerous inspirations. Our country is home to many small and large rivers, some of which are facing serious challenges. Drawing inspiration from the Kumbh, we should consider expanding the tradition of ‘Nadi Utsav’ (River Festivals). This initiative would help the present generation understand the importance of water, promote river cleanliness, and contribute to the preservation of our rivers.

    Mr. Speaker Sir,

    I firmly believe that the nectar of wisdom gained from the Mahakumbh will serve as a strong foundation for achieving our national resolutions. Once again, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved in organizing the Mahakumbh. I bow to all the devotees across the country and convey my best wishes on behalf of this esteemed House.

     

    DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PM-SPECIAL SCHEME

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 2:07PM by PIB Delhi

    The main objective of the PM Special (Training of Geriatric Care Givers) scheme is to bridge the gap in supply and increasing demand in the field of geriatric caregivers so as to provide more professional services to the senior citizens and also to create a cadre of professional caregivers in the field of geriatric. The Scheme will ensure sufficient availability of dedicated, professionally trained manpower of geriatric caregivers who can attend to diverse and dynamic needs of elderly population relating to recreation and holistic well-being.

    32 institutes were empanelled under the Scheme in F.Y. 2023-24, which imparted training to 36,785 trainees. The details of individuals trained under the Scheme State/UT is as under:

    Sl. No.

    State

    Total

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    150

    2

    Bihar

    750

    3

    Chhattisgarh

    200

    4

    Delhi

    100

    5

    Gujarat

    650

    6

    Haryana

    200

    7

    Himachal Pradesh

    1,575

    8

    Jammu & Kashmir

    2,600

    9

    Karnataka

    1,100

    10

    Madhya Pradesh

    12,450

    11

    Maharashtra

    3,200

    12

    Punjab

    850

    13

    Rajasthan

    2,800

    14

    Tamil Nadu

    150

    15

    Telangana

    60

    16

    Uttar Pradesh

    9,750

    17

    Uttarakhand

    200

                TOTAL

    36,785

    Under the Scheme, free of cost training is provided to the trainees. However, the training cost is being given to the training institutes as per common cost norms of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). There is no provision of stipend to individuals undergoing training under the scheme.

    As per Scheme guidelines, the Training Institute are required to tie-up with hospitals, nursing homes, or home-care service providers to facilitate on the job training, wherever applicable, and employment opportunities for trained geriatric caregiver.

    This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

    AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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    VM

    (Lok Sabha US Q2913)

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Leading zero-emission commercial vehicles manufacturer opens global headquarters in Hong Kong (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Leading zero-emission commercial vehicles manufacturer opens global headquarters in Hong Kong (with photo) 
    The company also plans to establish a global research and development centre and intelligent manufacturing centre in Hong Kong and is committed to building a high-quality zero-emission commercial vehicle ecosystem for the world.
     
         Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion for Invest Hong Kong Mr Charles Ng said, “We are excited to welcome Wisdom Motor to Hong Kong. The establishment of its global headquarters is a testament to our city’s unparalleled suitability for technological and product development. With a rich talent pool and a strategic location, Hong Kong provides the perfect foundation for companies like Wisdom Motor to forge international partnerships and expand their presence in both the Asian and global markets.”
     
    The Chief Strategy Officer of Wisdom Motor, Mr Felix Xu, said, “Hong Kong is situated in the heart of Asia and in close proximity to the Mainland. It enables businesses to tap into the multitude of opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and throughout the rest of the region. The city is an ideal base for us to promote our technological achievements to the Greater Bay Area, other parts of the Mainland, and developed overseas countries.”
     
    He also said that the Hong Kong global headquarters is a pivotal hub for developing intelligent and connected vehicle applications, including Vehicle Control Unit or Motor Control Unit electronic control systems and hydrogen fuel systems. The company will collaborate with local university research teams and technology companies to develop carbon-neutral technologies and projects tailored to Hong Kong’s unique conditions.
     
    He added that Wisdom Motor is an all-round enterprise with in-house capabilities in design, engineering, manufacturing, and delivery of class-leading smart zero-emission commercial vehicles. It is also at the forefront of integrating hydrogen fuel cell systems, leveraging advanced composite materials and manufacturing processes to achieve significant lightweight advantages. Wisdom Motor delivered Hong Kong’s first battery electric double-decker bus as well as the world’s first tri-axle hydrogen double-deck bus, paving the way to contribute to Hong Kong’s decarbonisation strategy.
     
    For more information about Wisdom Motor, please visit wisdommotor.com
    To get a copy of the photo, please visit     www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720324481352Issued at HKT 18:45

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CONTRIBUTION OF MOIL

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 2:03PM by PIB Delhi

    During financial year 2023-24, MOIL Ltd. has produced 1.76 million tonne of manganese ore which is 52% of total domestic production of 3.37 million tonne of manganese ore in India.

    MOIL Ltd. ensures welfare and working conditions of mine workers by maintaining several welfare facilities such as residential quarters, canteen, hospital/health care centre and providing support to schools in neighbouring areas of operating mines.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

    ****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: COKING COAL IN STEEL PRODUCTION

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 2:01PM by PIB Delhi

    Steel being a deregulated sector, decisions regarding technological advancements in the steel plants are taken by the individual steel companies based on techno-commercial considerations and market dynamics.

    The following steps have been taken to enhance utilization of indigenous coking coal, improving energy efficiency and decarbonization of Indian steel sector:-

     

    1. Coal companies and Steel industries are focusing on increasing domestic coal washing capacity to reduce ash content of coal and make it fit for use in steel industry. Stamp charged coke oven batteries are also being used in steel plants which will increase usage of domestic coking coal.

     

    1. Ministry of Steel released a comprehensive Report titled “Greening the Steel Sector in India: Roadmap and Action Plan” in 2024, which discusses various pathways for the decarbonization of the steel sector and chalks out the strategy, action plan and roadmap to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions from steel sector. This report is available on website of Ministry of Steel.

     

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel inaugurates the India Innovation Summit – Pioneering Solutions to End TB

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel inaugurates the India Innovation Summit – Pioneering Solutions to End TB

    Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has embraced a multi-sectoral, innovation-driven approach to eliminating TB: Smt. Patel

    “The number of missing cases reduced from 15 lakh in 2015 to 2.5 lakhs in 2023; 25.5 lakh TB cases in 2023 and 26.07 lakh cases in 2024 notified, marking the highest no. of notified cases ever”

    “17.7% decline in incidence rate of TB in India, from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 195 per lakh population in 2023; TB deaths reduced by 21.4% from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023”

    “Innovations are crucial for TB elimination, offering faster and more accurate diagnostics, improved treatment regimens, and better prevention strategies”

    India is resolved to eliminate 5 diseases in the coming 5 years that include: Leprosy, Lymphatic filariasis, Measles, Rubella and Kala-azar: Dr. VK Paul, Member, NITI Aayog

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 2:01PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel inaugurated the India Innovation Summit – Pioneering Solutions to End TB, at Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre, here today. The Summit is being organized jointly by the Department of Health Research-Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR-ICMR) and the Central TB Division (CTD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW). The summit aims to accelerate India’s progress towards TB elimination by 2025.

    Addressing the gathering, Smt. Anupriya Patel highlighted India’s remarkable progress in TB control and the pivotal role of innovation in this mission. She stated that “under the pathbreaking leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, India’s public health landscape has seen a remarkable transformation over the past decade and many of you have played a critical role in ensuring innovations and quality healthcare services reach the last mile.”

    Highlighting the achievements of the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP), Smt. Patel stated that “the Program is steadily progressing towards the goal of eliminating TB by 2025. The number of missing cases has been reduced from 15 lakh in 2015 to 2.5 lakhs in 2023. The programme was able to notify 25.5 lakh TB and 26.07 lakh cases in 2023 and 2024-the highest ever.”

    Citing the WHO’s Global TB Report 2024, Smt. Patel stated that “the incidence rate of TB in India has shown a 17.7% decline from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 195 per lakh population in 2023. TB deaths have reduced by 21.4% from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023.” She also added that “TB treatment coverage in India increased by 32% in last eight years from 53% in 2015 to 85% in 2023.”

    The Union Minister of State also highlighted the new initiatives under NTEP.  She stated that “a shorter and safer oral Bedaquiline-containing drug resistant TB treatment regimen has been rolled out across all State/ UTs that has improved treatment success rates of drug-resistant TB patients from 68% in 2020 to 75% in 2022. A more efficacious treatment regimen, mBPaL (Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid (300mg) has also been introduced for drug-resistant TB which is 80% more efficacious for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB)  and will reduce treatment duration to 6 months.”

    She also highlighted the Energy Dense Nutritional Support (EDNS), offered to under-nourished TB patients during the first 2 months of their treatment along with drugs. Talking about the Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative that was launched with the objectives to provide additional support to TB patients in order to improve treatment outcomes, augment community involvement and leverage Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, Smt. Patel stated that “this initiative was launched to bring together people from all backgrounds into a ‘Jan Andolan’ and escalate the progress toward TB elimination.” She further added that “the Government has doubled the financial assistance under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) for nutritional support to TB patients from Rs 500/per month/per patient to Rs 1,000 per month per patient effective from 1st November 2024 while the Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative has also been expanded wherein food baskets to TB patients and their household contacts are being provided.

    In addition to this, Smt. Patel also underscored the progress of the ongoing TB Mukt Bharat– 100 Days Intensified Campaign. Launched on 7th December 2024, the campaign covers 455 selected high priority districts and involves a comprehensive strategy to mobilise resources, raise awareness and intensify actions against TB across all prioritized districts. The campaign activities involve active TB case finding in vulnerable populations, early diagnosis, prompt treatment initiation and linkage to nutritional care. The report of the campaign will be released on World TB Day on 24th March 2025.

    Underlining the new Innovations rolled out under the program, Smt. Patel stated that “ICMR has validated three indigenous handheld X ray devices, which makes it possible to reach vulnerable population groups for TB screening. Hand-held devices offer advantages of low weight, portability, and low radiation exposure and are being used in the 100-day accelerated programme.” She also added that “ICMR partnered with Institute of Plasma Research, Ahmedabad, to develop DeepCXR, a tool for artificial intelligence-based reporting chest X ray films.  AI tools are expected to be a gamechanger in detecting presumptive TB patients and quick initiation of treatment.  ICMR also validated CyTb skin test for detection of latent TB infection, developed by Serum Institute of India Ltd. against Interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), which is the preferred test for latent TB detection. However, IGRA is expensive and it may not be feasible to be introduced in resource limited countries. Overall performance of CyTb was better than the currently used tuberculin skin test.”

    Smt. Patel further added that “ICMR conducted a multicentric validation of PathoDetectTM an indigenous molecular diagnostic NAAT test which can perform 32 tests simultaneously, detects MTB complex and first line drug resistance to rifampicin (RIF) and Isoniazid (INH) simultaneously as a one step process. Overall, the performance of PathoDetectTM was comparable to other molecular assays. Deployment of this test in the 100-day program, along with the already available TruNat test, has enhanced capacity of molecular diagnosis of TB and early detection of drug resistance. Moreover, the Quantiplus MTB FAST Detection Kit developed by Huwel Lifesciences is the first in world indigenous open system RTPCR kits developed in India and validated by ICMR. In comparison to the gold standard liquid culture, sensitivity of the kit is 86 % and specificity is 96 %. These kits are likely to be low-cost and have a potential to expand the outreach of TB molecular testing, including more than 3300 RTPCR machines used during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

    “Health Technology Assessment India under Department of Health Research has assessed the TB health Technologies like Truenat for TB diagnosis, BPAL/BPALM regime for MDR TB, Techo plus for tracking and managing TB health services, AI enabled chest X-ray diagnosis and TMEAD an adherence monitoring device for TB treatment”, she further added.

    Underlining the role of innovations in TB elimination, Smt. Patel stated that “innovations are crucial for TB elimination, offering faster and more accurate diagnostics, improved treatment regimens, and better prevention strategies. Use of digital health, artificial intelligence, data collection and health promotion will also play a critical role in reaching the “missing millions” of people with TB who go undiagnosed, and therefore untreated, each year.” In her concluding remarks, she encouraged all innovators “to continue their endeavour to develop useful tools for introduction into the program and help achieve the goal of TB elimination.”

    In his address, Dr. V. K Paul, Member NITI Aayog, stated that “the event is an important step in the direction of innovation-led push in achieving the goal of elimination of TB. The Summit is bringing together pioneers in TB research and technology to translate ideas into impactful solutions.

    He stated that “India has achieved tremendous success in the direction of eliminating TB under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.” India is resolved to eliminate 5 diseases in the coming 5 years that include: Leprosy, Lymphatic filariasis, Measles, Rubella and Kala-azar, he further stated.

    Dr. Paul also underlined the need of advanced and better tools for diagnosis of drug-resistant TB and underlined the potential of AI to provide solutions for TB detection and elimination. He further stated that for elimination of TB, technology that can be taken to scale is of high priority along with facilitation of newer technologies and their approval while ensuring funding for important innovations and identify areas for further research.

    He concluded his remarks by stating that “India’s efforts for TB elimination are truly global that will be beneficial globally”. He put emphasis on the need of bringing innovative ideas to the forefront that can “bring speed and scale to TB elimination and added that the summit will also help facilitate spin-offs for elimination of other diseases from the country.

    Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, DHR & Director General, ICMR, highlighted the transformative role of research and indigenous technologies in India’s TB elimination effort. Emphasizing the role of technology in detection, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of TB, he stated that “scientific advancements have been at the forefront of our fight against TB. Through rigorous research, we have validated innovative diagnostics, treatment regimens, and AI-based tools that enhance early detection and improve patient outcomes.” He added that “the summit serves as a crucial platform to bring together stakeholders and fast-track the adoption of these solutions into national TB programs.” He underlined the crucial role played by homegrown innovations benefit not only India but also contribute to the global TB elimination mission.

    The one-and-a-half-day summit features over 200 groundbreaking innovations, including handheld X-ray devices for rapid TB screening, AI-powered diagnostic tools, and new molecular testing technologies. The event provides a platform for innovators to engage with policymakers, regulators, and experts, ensuring that promising solutions are integrated into national TB programs.

    With over 1,200 participants from academia, industry, healthcare, and research, the summit aims to foster crucial collaborations. A key focus is identifying innovations with potential for large-scale implementation and linking them with government initiatives for further development. The India Innovation Summit reaffirms the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating TB by 2025, leveraging scientific advancements and community-driven efforts to accelerate progress toward this ambitious goal.

    More than 200 innovations shaping India’s fight against TB to be showcased at an exhibition along with over 30 scientific sessions on innovations, lectures, roundtable and panel discussions during the summit.

    Former Secretary DHR and DG ICMR Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Joint Secretary DHR Ms Anu Nagar, Sr DDG (Admin) ICMR MS Manisha Saxena and other senior officials and scientists from the Ministry and ICMR also participated in the summit. Among the global participants, Dr. Trevor Mundel, President, Global Health, Gates Foundation and Prof. Guy Marks (the Union) marked their presence at the inaugural event.

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    HFW/MoS inaugurates India Innovation Summit- Pioneering Solutions to End TB /18March2025/1

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Unemployment and underemployment statistics for December 2024 – February 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Unemployment and underemployment statistics for December 2024 – February 2025 
         Comparing December 2024 – February 2025 with November 2024 – January 2025, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in different industry sectors varied. Relatively notable increases were observed in the food and beverage service activities sector, transportation sector, construction sector, and professional and business services sector (excluding cleaning and similar activities). Movements in the underemployment rate in different industry sectors also varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.
     
         Total employment decreased by around 7 100 from 3 716 600 in November 2024 – January 2025 to 3 709 500 in December 2024 – February 2025. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 5 400 from 3 826 700 to 3 821 300.
     
         The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 1 600 from 110 100 in November 2024 – January 2025 to 111 700 in December 2024 – February 2025. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons  decreased by around 2 300 from 43 000 to 40 700.
      
    Commentary
     
       Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, “The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed low at 3.2% in December 2024 – February 2025, though edging up by 0.1 percentage point over November 2024 – January 2025. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.1%. The labour force and total employment were at 3 821 300 and 3 709 500 respectively, declining slightly from the preceding three-month period.”
     
       The unemployment rates of various sectors showed diverse movements in December 2024 – February 2025 compared with the preceding three-month period, but they generally stayed low.
     
       Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, “The labour market should remain largely stable in the near term amidst continued economic expansion, though some businesses would be affected by the uncertainties stemming from the United States’ trade protection measures.”
     
    Further information
     
       The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
     
       In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
     
       The survey for December 2024 – February 2025 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 68 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of December 2024 to February 2025.
     
       Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
     
       Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html 
       For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email:     ghs@censtatd.gov.hk 
    Issued at HKT 16:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Bill 2025 to be gazetted

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Bill 2025 to be gazetted 
    The spokesperson said, “The Amendment Bill seeks to enhance the buildings energy efficiency management regime of Hong Kong. It improves the energy efficiency of buildings to reduce the demand for power consumption and generation, which will not only reduce carbon emissions but also lessen the financial burden on the public for the increased use of clean fuels for electricity generation, thereby assisting Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.”
     
    The Amendment Bill contains five parts, namely regulating the energy efficiency standards of building services installations for all data centres in Hong Kong; requiring more types of buildings to conduct regular energy audits; shortening the intervals of energy audits; disclosing certain technical information in energy audit reports; and including more qualifications eligible for registration as Registered Energy Assessors. If the Amendment Bill is passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) and implemented in full, it is estimated that an additional 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 150 000 three-person households, could be saved in 2035.
     
    The spokesperson added, “The proposed amendments to the Ordinance aims to achieve a win-win scenario of saving electricity cost for buildings, reducing carbon emission, and boosting the development of green economy.”
     
    The EEB has extensively consulted relevant stakeholders on the legislative amendment proposals, which include trade associations, the property management sector, the construction industry, professional bodies, public services bodies, and the LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs. The views received have been incorporated into the Amendment Bill as appropriate. Stakeholders generally support the proposals.
     
    The Amendment Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for first reading and commencement of the second reading debate on March 26. The Government will fully support the work of the LegCo in scrutinising the Amendment Bill and looks forward to the LegCo’s support and passage of the Amendment Bill.
    Issued at HKT 15:08

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Maharashtra’s Rural Local Bodies Receive over ₹620 Crore XV Finance Commission Grants

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 8:00AM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Government has released the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Grants during Financial Year 2024–25, for the  Rural Local Bodies in Maharashtra. Amount released entails 2nd installment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs.611.6913 crores and withheld portion of 1st installment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs.8.4282 crores. These funds are for the 4 eligible District Panchayats, 40 eligible Block Panchayats and 21551 eligible Gram Panchayats of the state.

    The Untied Grants will be utilized by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)/ Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) for location-specific felt needs, under the Twenty-Nine (29) Subjects enshrined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except for salaries and other establishment costs. The Tied Grants can be used for the basic services of (a) sanitation and maintenance of ODF status, and this should include management and treatment of household waste, and human excreta and fecal sludge management in particular and (b) supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling. Government of India through Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) recommends release of Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Grants to States for Rural Local Bodies which is then released by the Ministry of Finance. The allocated Grants are recommended and released in 2 installments in a Financial Year. The devolution of Central Finance Commission (CFC) Grants empowers Panchayati Raj Institutions, enabling them to address their local development needs effectively. Aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Viksit Panchayat Se Viksit Bharat – these grants strengthen grassroot democracy and accelerates rural transformation.

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    Aditi Agrawal

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCIENCE AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR GEOHAZARD RESILIENCE IN THE PACIFIC REGION TOWARDS A MULTI-HAZARD EARLY WARNING SYSTEM – 24th -28th February 2025.

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

    Share this:

    OPENING REMARKS by Dr Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Director UNESCO Pacific Regional Office.

    Dear Honorable Minister T. C. Schuster, Samoa Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE)

    Dear Diplomatic Corps, High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Heads of UN Agencies

    I warmly welcome Dear Representatives from the Pacific Countries who have braved the storm and travelled a long way to be with us today. My most sincere and humble thanks to you. PNG, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, French Polynesia, Tuvalu, Cook Islands and Samoa. Certain experts were held back to monitor the weather situation in their countries.

    These experts and representatives are mainly from National Geological Services, National Tsunami Warning Centers, National Volcano Observatories and National Disaster Management Offices (NDMO).

    I Warmly thank and Welcome, our partners, the Samoa Meteorological Services, Samoa Disaster Management Office, SPREP, UNDRR, regional partners, the Pacific Community (SPC), JICA, USGS and other partners………… connected online. Especially those who were unable to travel due to the current cyclonic weather conditions.

    Dear friends of UNESCO,

    It is my honor and pleasure to address you at the opening ceremony of the Science and partnerships for geohazard resilience in the Pacific region towards a Multi-hazard Early Warning System

    Firstly, let me extend my deep appreciation to the Government of Samoa for hosting this important event and for their flexibility in organizing this event in such uncertain weather conditions and ALLOWING FOR HYBRID SESSIONS.

    Geohazards

    Geohazards are defined as an adverse geologic condition capable of causing damage or loss of property or life. These processes only become hazards when humans get in their way.

    The Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) proximity to the Ring of Fire, where volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis occur, makes it one of the most vulnerable regions to geohazards in the world.

    In celebration of the International Geoscience programme on healing the earth, the 50th Anniversary in 2022 noted and I quote

    ONE HEALTH

    Earth and Ocean Sciences contribution to the implementation of the SDG’s

    The Earth gives and the Earth takes away. It gives humanity the rich tapestry of landscapes within which civilisations and complex societies have flourished, providing the raw materials to build livelihoods and the resources to feed and fuel our modern world.

    It takes away through the disasters that emerge from geological violence In the coming decades our planet faces a geological tipping point that threatens the future of humanity and the natural world that sustains it. Geoscience – the science of planet Earth an the ocean sciences – will be vital in averting that calamity.

    Geosciences and the ocean sciences

    Geoscience studies how our planet works, unravels its four and a half billion year history, and applies that past understanding to present and future societal concerns.

    Geohazards History of the PICTs

    I am told that,

    • 30% of global seismicity is observed in the Southwest Pacific Region

    (Lebellegard et al., 2007) and less than 3% of seismic stations are available for

    real time monitoring within this area (repartition based on GEVN network).

    • 15% of deadly tsunami’s originate from the Southwest Pacific

    • 80% of these tsunamis are caused by an earthquake.

    • 69% of world tsunamis originate from the Pacific Ocean Basin and marginal seas

    • 99% of deaths in the Pacific are caused by local and regional tsunamis.

    • We need not to be reminded by the recent events in Vanuatu on 17th December

    2024 and the 2022 Hunga- Tonga Hunga Ha’apai Volcano Eruption and Tsunami

    Why UNESCO and how can UNESCO support the management of geohazards?

    Vision of a world at peace could not be a world without science

    Since its establishment after WW2, UNESCO promotes international cooperation in the natural sciences, and marine sciences through its inter governmental and international scientific programmes. UNESCO is home to the inter-governmental hydrological programme, international basic sciences and UNESCO is the only organization with a mandate in the earth sciences. This is the S in UNESCO.

    The International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) is the oldest and most successful example of a scientific partnership between a non-governmental organization (the International Union of Geological Sciences; IUGS) and an intergovernmental organization (UNESCO). The IUGS, founded in 1961, with 121 national members representing over a million geoscientists, is one of the world’s largest scientific organizations. It encourages international co-operation and participation in the Earth sciences in relation.

    Since 1972, UNESCO, through the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) and in partnership with the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), has harnessed the intellectual capacity of a worldwide network of geoscientists to lay the foundation for our planet’s future, focusing on responsible and environmental resource extraction, natural hazard resilience and preparedness, and adaptability in an era of changing climate.

    For 60 years, UNESCO’s inter governmental Oceanographic Commission promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the oceans, coasts and marine resources.

    UNESCO, is leading the United Nations OCEAN DECADE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2020-2023 and have launched the Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme (ODTP) in 2021. This is an effort to bolster the global tsunami warning system by reducing response times and enhancing community readiness.

    Its main objectives are to:

    o Enhance systems’ capacity to issue actionable and timely warnings for tsunamis from all identified sources to 100% of coasts at risk;

    o Guarantee that 100% of communities at risk are prepared and resilient to tsunamis by 2030 through efforts like the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme.

    Our UNESCO Natural and Ocean Sciences have joined efforts in convening this Regional Geohazards week-long meeting responding to the call of Pacific Islands Countries and Territories.

    UNESCO recognizes the efforts of Pacific Islands Countries and Territories in their collaboration to better understand the science and geohazards risks under the Oceania Regional Seismic Network (ORSNET), Melanesia Volcano Network (MVN), Pacific Islands Landslide Network and the Regional Working Group on Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System for Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (WG-PICT).

    Therefore in 2023, the inaugural Science and Partnership for Geohazard Resilience Workshop in Nadi, Fiji was launched. Since then, we can review the outcomes:

    • Among PICTs, UNESCO in collaboration with regional and international partners to strengthen PICTs understanding of geoscience and Geohazards through the UNESCO’s.

    o International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) and Global Geoparks

    In collaboration with SPTO and SPC, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tuvalu recently targeted on the establishment of Geoparks.

    o DRR Programme, UNESCO supports Member States.

    In collaboration with SPC, UNDRR, UNICEF and others UNESCO is supporting PICTs ( Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu) on a 2-year Funded project on Information Management.

    o Tsunami Resilience Programme, UNESCO supported;

    The review of National Tsunami SOP in Fiji- a pre-requisite for an FJD 72 million Concessional loan

    Review of National Tsunami warning and response SOP in Tonga, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

    Pacific Wave Exercise 2024 – Regional PICT Exercise and National Tsunami Drills in Fiji and Tonga.

    Official recognition of 6 PICT communities to be UNESCO/IOC Tsunami Ready Community in 2023-2024.

    In December 2023, the PSIDS regional geohazards community of practice discussed the need to better understand the science of geohazards to clearly ascertain threats posed by geohazards among PICTs and the status of:

    a) in-country capability of geohazard monitoring and detection and multi-hazard early warning system.

    b) Volcano, earthquake, tsunami, and landslide sciences among PICTs

    c) seismic data sharing for earthquake, volcano and tsunami monitoring and

    detection

    This Inaugural Science and Partnerships for Geohazards Resilience Meeting identified the need to develop a Regional Geohazards Strategic Framework to inform programmes or projects to address the capacity gaps in scientific hazard monitoring, assessment, warning, and disseminations to enable the public to better understands their risks and threats from a geohazard.

    Since December 2023, the PSIDS regional geohazards community have been exploring opportunities to strengthen the science and scientific data and knowledge that informs geohazard programmes, policies.

    • UNESCO is a major global partner of the UNEW4ALL supporting the four lead

    agencies, UNDRR, WMO, ITU and International Federation of the Red Crescent

    Society,

    • UNESCO recognizes the call of the Pacific Islands Leaders under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and intends to work closely with regional UN and CROP agencies to accelerate progress of PICTs towards achieving the goals of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

    • The PICT geohazards community is critical in advising Pacific Island Leaders on threats posed by Geohazards to PICTs.

    Your meeting this week builds on the outcomes of the inaugural 2023 meeting. But also other scientific and technical meetings organised by the partners.

    • Your meeting this week is timely in order to;

    Identify and consolidate the gaps and needs in your geohazards operations and services.

    Identify spaces for constructive and meaningful engagement (on geohazards scientific and technical advice) with Pacific Islands Leaders through the Pacific DRR Ministers Meeting (in consultation with Pacific Disaster Managers Meeting) and the Pacific Meteorological Ministers Meeting (in consultation with the Pacific Meteorological Council.

    The PSIDS regional geohazards community mostly includes Geological Services with Geohazard Management Units/ Sections are mostly hosted by Meteorological Services or Mining/Mineral/Natural Resources Departments. These are mainly a small team of technical and scientific officers who monitors, detects, and provide public advisories on geohazards. This regional community is mainly coordinated within UNESCO/IOC Tsunami Warning Systems in collaboration with Geoscience Australia, GNS New Zealand and USGS including CROP Agencies such as The Pacific Community (SPC) and SPREP.

    At the regional level, under the Pacific Resilience Programme (PRP), a technical working group on Multi-Hazard Early Warning System have been established to provide the overarching common DRR frameworks as well as guidance and coordination support.

    Scientific applications for seismic monitoring and detection like SeisComP is widely used by PICTs however, its full potential is not realized due to limited staff capacity and capacity development. Current Staffs of Geological Servies need proper scientific training with the support of partners such as USGS, Geoscience Australia, and GNS New Zealand.

    Measuring the impacts on girls and women who bear the burdens of geohazards in a community. A high number of UNESCO’s geoscience projects are led by women Earth scientists, in 2020 women are project leaders in 38% of the active geoscience projects.

    The meeting will also provide a platform to

    i) stock take progress and share learning considering vulnerabilities and level of

    exposure of different members of public to geohazards such as tsunami, volcano, earthquake and landslides.

    ii) The meeting will include sessions of the Inter governmental coordination group

    for the Pacific Tsunami warning and mitigation system

    iii) It will include sessions on Volcano under Melanesia Volcanic Network (MVN) and

    JICA/ volcano research project with Landslides and earthquakes under ORSNET

    Oceania Regional Seismic Network.

    This meeting comes at a critical point as a culmination of all scientific technical workshops held recently with different stakeholders.

    – 2023-UNESCO inaugural science and partnerships for geohazards resilience

    – Pacific Islands Science, Technology and Resources Network (STAR) Conference

    held in Fiji on 20-22nd November 2024 and the

    – Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Hazard and Risk (FORCE) project, Understanding Earthquake Hazard and Risk in the Pacific Region Workshop 18-19th November 2024 gathering national officials from National Geohazards Observatories, National Tsunami Warning Centers and National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).

    Two questions arise:

    i) Should there be a platform for a PSIDS Regional Geohazards Strategy.

    The PSIDS Regional Geohazards Strategy could inform programmes or projects developed at national and regional level and stimulate collaboration and partnerships among government agencies, development partners, universities, CROP Agencies and UN Agencies particularly UNESCO.

    ii) Given the success, momentum on geohazards resilience, should there be a

    Multi-hazard Early Warning system bringing together the different entities

    Thanks

    Specifically thank, our partners UNDRR, SPC, Weather Ready Programme at SPREP, USGS and Tokyo University in supporting this Regional Geohazard Meeting.

    Lastly, this meeting is brought to you by UNESCO’s Natural Science Programme coordinator Susan Schneegans and UNESCO/IOC Tsunami Resilience Programme Coordinator Jiuta Korovulvula, and their team Arti Devi. Other colleagues from UNESCO based here These programmes coordinate this regional gathering of Pacific Islands Countries and Territories Geohazards Community since the Inaugural 2023 Regional Geohazards Meeting in Nadi, Fiji.

    Dear Experts, this is your platform and your meeting. I greatly thank you.

    I thank the Diplomatic Corps and heads of agencies for their presence and time. I have no doubt their participation would lead to further avenues for collaboration with the geohazards community to combat and build back better.

    I am certain that the exchanges that we will hear in the upcoming days will be inspiring and will provide a basis to extend and increase the excellent cooperation between UNESCO and all of you. UNESCOs’ Intergovernmental scientific and international programmes support its Member States to strengthen their national capacity in oceans and geosciences for the management of both geohazards risk reduction.

    Let me end i0 by wishing you all fruitful exchanges and thank once again the Government of Samoa and Honorable Minister Schuster for the great work in converting this into the first Regional meeting on Science and partnerships for geohazard resilience in the Pacific Region: towards a multi- hazard early warning system.

    And before I close I would like to go back to the reflection on science and development

    Vision of a world at peace could not be a world without science

    In 2021 UNESCO’s 193 Member States endorsed the first standard setting instrument Recommendation on Open Science. Open science is a set of principles and practices that aim to make scientific research from all fields accessible to everyone for the benefits of scientists and society as a whole. Open science is about making sure not only that scientific knowledge is accessible but also that the production of that knowledge itself is inclusive, equitable and sustainable.

    Open science:

    • increases scientific collaborations and sharing of information for the benefits of

    science and society;

    • opens the processes of scientific knowledge creation, evaluation and communication to societal actors beyond the traditional scientific community.

    Our interconnected world needs open science to help solve complex social, environmental, and economic challenges and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. By promoting science that is more accessible, inclusive and transparent, open science furthers the right of everyone to share in scientific advancement and its benefits as stated in Article 27.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

    Fa’afetai Lava.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: A.P.T.C. SAMOA GRADUATION 2025 – 27th February 2025.

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

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    KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Honourable Seuula Ioane Tuāau Minister for Education and Culture.

    Acknowledgments

    • Reverend Dr Taipisia Leilua

    • Your Excellency William Robinson, Australia High Commissioner to Samoa;

    • Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa;

    • Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of APTC partners;

    • Chief Executive Officers of Government Agencies and Non-Government Organizations; and Principal of TVET institutions;

    • Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) Samoa and Tonga Country Director, Lagaaia Lealiifano Easter Manila Silipa and staff;

    • APTC Graduands 2025;

    • Esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen

    Introduction

    Tālofa lava and a pleasant good morning to you all.

    On behalf of the Samoan Government, it gives me a great privilege to be here to deliver the keynote address at today’s graduation ceremony.

    Congratulations and Acknowledgements

    Firstly, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of the 89 Samoan women and men on achieving a significant milestone by graduating today.

    The Samoan Government acknowledges and appreciates your hard work and resilience in completing your Australian qualifications and we are proud of your accomplishments.

    Today, you will be conferred with Australian qualifications in seven (7) different vocational programs: drainage, plumbing services, skills for work and vocational pathways, commercial cookery, light vehicle mechanical technology, tourism, and wall and floor tiling.

    To our graduands, as your Minister for Education and Culture, I wish to convey the Government’s sincere congratulations on your achievements.

    Malo le finau! Malo le fai o le faiva!

    Gender Equality

    I am proud to announce that forty (40) of today’s graduates are women who have successfully completed their TVET programs. Notably, ten (10) of these remarkable women have excelled in traditionally male-dominated fields such as drainage and plumbing. Your achievements serve as a powerful testament to your hard work, dedication, breaking barriers and paving the way for future women and girls of Samoa.

    Government Support

    The Government of Samoa is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the Australian Government’s support through APTC, which offers access bursaries for our Samoan people, providing opportunities for them to pursue Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). This supports the priorities of the Samoa Education Sector Plan 2019-2024, including inclusive education and TVET. It also supports the priorities of the Government of Samoa’s disability-inclusive development goals, as outlined in the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities 2021-2031.

    Today we also recognise the 24 graduates from the various government agencies who have partnered with APTC Samoa. These dedicated individuals from the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority, Samoa Water Authority, and the Land Transport Authority have successfully completed the Certificate II in Drainage qualification. This signifies the positive impact of APTC’s support in our community.

    Partnerships

    The Samoan Government acknowledges the Australian Government and APTC for their partnership and support to other various government agencies and NGOs including the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services, Electric Power Corporation, Lakapi Samoa, Nuanua ole Alofa, Samoa Faafine Association, National Youth Council of Samoa and more. Your commitment to enhancing productivity, reducing unemployment, and building stronger communities in Samoa is truly commendable.

    It is great to see a growing number of our people leveraging these skills for improved livelihoods. The Government of Samoa stands committed to working alongside the Australian Government to ensure that our skills training aligns with industry needs, leading to robust employment outcomes for all Samoans. This collaboration has yielded impressive results, with over 3390 Samoans graduating with Australian qualifications since 2007.

    I would like to also highlight APTC’s collaboration with the Samoa Qualifications Authority (SQA) in bolstering Samoan qualifications and expanding our workforce’s global competitiveness, especially in high-demand fields, ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the global market.

    Additionally, APTC’s partnership with the National University of Samoa (NUS) which has been ongoing since 2007, ensures that our training programs are relevant and of high quality. Together, APTC and NUS have developed and accredited various programs and have provided numerous capability development opportunities for students as well as staff.

    I acknowledge and sincerely thank the Australian Government for its unwavering support and collaboration with the Samoa Education sector and TVET organisations through APTC, which has been crucial in nurturing and shaping Samoa’s future.

    Concluding Remarks

    To all our graduates, congratulations once again!

    I am confident that APTC has provided you with the skills and qualifications necessary to become invaluable contributors to Samoa’s expanding workforce. You now join a network of over 25,850 APTC Alumni across the region, and I eagerly look forward to your contributions to the national growth of Samoa.

    For those of you who have trained away from home at other APTC campuses, your dedication to learning sets a powerful example for future generations.

    As TVET role models, you now have the power to transform society’s perception of this valuable pathway to fulfilling careers. Remember, your learning journey does not end here. Continue to grow, both personally and professionally, to contribute to the betterment of Samoa.

    Well done to all the graduates! May you achieve great success in all your future endeavours.

    Faafetai tele lava. Soifua ma ia manuia.

    BACKGROUND OF THE AUSTRALIA PACIFIC TRAINING COALITION

    A centre of training excellence, the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) helps Pacific Island and Timorese citizens gain Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers.

    Over 25,860 Pacific Island and Timorese citizens have graduated with Australian qualifications from APTC campuses in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste. These qualifications range from accredited short courses to diploma level training for various vocational areas, including automotive, manufacturing, construction, electrical, tourism, hospitality, education, management, health and community services.

    These graduates have returned to industry and implemented a range of new skills, with over 90% of employers of APTC graduates reporting their significant contribution to improving workplace productivity.

    APTC collaborates with regional governments, industry and training providers to develop a more skilled, inclusive and productive workforce aligned with domestic and international labour market requirements, to enhance Pacific prosperity.

    APTC’s end-of-program outcomes are:

    1. APTC and partner graduates have improved employment outcomes

    2. Co-investment in skills training increases

    3. Selected TVET partners demonstrate quality TVET provision

    A.P.T.C. is an Australian Government initiative in partnership with the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

    APTC is implemented by TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275).

    Thank you.

    Photo by the Government of Samoa (Leota Marc Membrere)

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Updates Flood Maps in Alameda County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Updates Flood Maps in Alameda County

    FEMA Updates Flood Maps in Alameda County

    OAKLAND, Calif

     – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delivered preliminary flood maps for Alameda County and the cities of Alameda, Oakland, and Piedmont, California

    The maps identify revised flood hazards along Peralta Creek and the Byron Tract delta

    The new maps will help building officials, contractors and homeowners make effective mitigation decisions, thereby contributing to safer and more disaster resilient communities

    Before the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) become effective, a 90-day appeal period will run from March 29, 2025, to June 28, 2025

    During this time, residents and businesses with supporting technical and scientific data—such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic studies—may appeal the flood risk information

    The preliminary maps are available for review at hazards

    fema

    gov/femaportal/prelimdownload/

    Flood hazards are dynamic and change over time due to factors such as weather patterns, erosion, and community development

    FEMA and Alameda County officials worked together to provide updated information that accurately reflects the flood risk

    These updates may also impact future building standards and insurance requirements

    This local mapping project is part of FEMA’s nationwide effort to increase flood risk awareness and support actions that reduce the impact of flooding on new and existing structures

    FEMA encourages residents to review the preliminary flood maps to understand local flood risks, potential future insurance requirements, and to raise any concerns about the information provided

    Flooding is the most common and widespread weather-related natural disaster in the United States

    Ninety-eight percent of counties have experienced a flood event, highlighting the importance of understanding and preparing for flood risks

    For more information, contact Moses Tsang at Alameda County Public Works Agency at (510) 670-5553 or moses@acpwa

    org

     ###FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters

     Follow FEMA Region 9 online at x/femaregion9

    brandi

    richard…
    Tue, 03/18/2025 – 00:11

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: KE Holdings Inc. Announces a Final Cash Dividend of US$0.4 Billion in Aggregate

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KE Holdings Inc. (“Beike” or the “Company”) (NYSE: BEKE; HKEX: 2423), a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services, today announced that its board of directors (the “Board”) approved a final cash dividend (the “Dividend”) of US$0.12 per ordinary share, or US$0.36 per ADS, to holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs of record as of the close of business on April 9, 2025, Beijing/Hong Kong Time and New York Time, respectively, payable in U.S. dollars. The aggregate amount of the Dividend to be paid will be approximately US$0.4 billion, which will be funded by cash surplus on the Company’s balance sheet.

    For holders of ordinary shares, in order to qualify for the Dividend, all valid documents for the transfer of shares accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged for registration with the Company’s Hong Kong branch share registrar, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at Shops 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 9, 2025 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time). Dividend to be paid to the Company’s ADS holders through the depositary bank will be subject to the terms of the deposit agreement. The payment date is expected to be on or around April 22, 2025 for holders of ordinary shares and on or around April 25, 2025 for holders of ADSs.

    Under the Company’s current dividend policy, the Board has discretion on whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, the Company’s shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by the Board. If the Company decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will be based upon the Company’s future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board may deem relevant.

    About KE Holdings Inc.

    KE Holdings Inc. is a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services. The Company is a pioneer in building infrastructure and standards to reinvent how service providers and customers efficiently navigate and complete housing transactions and services in China, ranging from existing and new home sales, home rentals, to home renovation and furnishing, and other services. The Company owns and operates Lianjia, China’s leading real estate brokerage brand and an integral part of its Beike platform. With more than 23 years of operating experience through Lianjia since its inception in 2001, the Company believes the success and proven track record of Lianjia pave the way for it to build its infrastructure and standards and drive the rapid and sustainable growth of Beike.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Beike may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about KE Holdings Inc.’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Beike’s goals and strategies; Beike’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; expected changes in the Company’s revenues, costs or expenditures; Beike’s ability to empower services and facilitate transactions on Beike platform; competition in the industry in which Beike operates; relevant government policies and regulations relating to the industry; Beike’s ability to protect the Company’s systems and infrastructures from cyber-attacks; Beike’s dependence on the integrity of brokerage brands, stores and agents on the Company’s platform; general economic and business conditions in China and globally; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in KE Holdings Inc.’s filings with the SEC and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and KE Holdings Inc. does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please visit: https://investors.ke.com.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    In China:
    KE Holdings Inc.
    Investor Relations
    Siting Li
    E-mail: ir@ke.com

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Jenny Cai
    Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
    E-mail: ke@tpg-ir.com

    In the United States:
    Piacente Financial Communications
    Brandi Piacente
    Tel: +1-212-481-2050
    E-mail: ke@tpg-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Israel-Hamas ceasefire didn’t resolve any deep-seated issues. Now, it’s shattered

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne

    When a ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel finally came into effect on January 19, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief.

    However, that ceasefire agreement, and its associated negotiations, have now been cast aside by new Israeli attacks on Gaza.

    A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes came after Hamas’ “repeated refusals” to “release our hostages”, and the group’s rejection of all proposals presented by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

    Even before Israel cut off all humanitarian aid and electricity to Gaza in the past two weeks, Hamas claimed it had not met the levels of humanitarian aid, shelter and fuel it agreed to provide in the terms of the ceasefire. However, this is a distraction from a larger issue.

    This ceasefire was always more like a strangle contract than a negotiated agreement between equal parties. Israel, as the party with far greater military and political power, has always had the upper hand.

    And while the first phase of the ceasefire, which lasted 42 days, saw the successful release of 33 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners, the ceasefire also enabled Israel to use it for its own political and military ends.

    Buying time

    The most common conventional concern about ceasefires is that the parties to a conflict will use them for their own ends.

    Typically, the worry is that non-state armed groups, such as Hamas, will use the halt in violence to buy time to regroup, rearm and rebuild their strength to continue fighting.

    But states such as Israel have this ability, too. Even though they have standing armies that might not need to regroup and rearm in the same way, states can use this time to manoeuvre in the international arena – a space largely denied to non-state actors.

    Trump’s rise to power in the US has seemingly given the Israeli government carte blanche to proceed in ways that were arguably off limits to previous US presidents who were also largely supportive of Israel’s actions.

    This includes the plan of forcing Gaza’s population out of the strip. This plan was raised earlier in the war by Trump advisor Jared Kushner and Israeli officials as a supposed humanitarian initiative.

    Trump has now repeated the call to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan – or possibly other parts of Africa – and for the US to take “ownership” of the coastal strip and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.

    On the face of it, this plan would be a war crime. But even if it is never fully implemented, the fact it is being promoted by Trump after many years of domestic Israeli and international opprobrium shows how political ideas once thought unacceptable can take on a life of their own.

    Political and military maneouvering

    Israel has also used the ceasefire to pursue larger political and military goals in Gaza, the West Bank, southern Lebanon and Syria.

    Even though the ceasefire did reduce overall levels of violence in Gaza, Israel has continued to carry out attacks on targets in the strip.

    It has also escalated the construction of settlements and carried out increasingly violent operations in the West Bank. In addition, there have been egregious attacks on Palestinian residents in Israel.

    And though nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners were released during the ceasefire, Israel was holding more than 9,600 Palestinians in detention on “security grounds” at the end of 2024. Thousands more Palestinians are being held by Israel in administrative detention, which means without trial or charge.

    During the ceasefire, Israel also accelerated efforts to evict the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, from its headquarters in East Jerusalem. And the Israeli government has also proposed increasingly draconian laws aimed at restraining the work of Israeli human rights organisations.

    On the military front, the ceasefire arguably alleviated some pressure on Israel, giving it time to consolidate its territorial and security gains against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and in Syria.

    In the past two months, two deadlines for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon passed. Israel has instead proposed establishing a buffer zone on Lebanese territory and has begun destroying villages, uprooting olive trees and building semi-permanent outposts along the border.

    In a speech in February, Netanyahu also demanded the “complete demilitarisation of southern Syria” following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. And Defence Minister Israel Katz said this month Israel would keep its troops in southern Syria to “protect” residents from any threats from the new Syrian regime.

    Be careful what you wish for

    While Palestinians are known for their sumud – usually translated as steadfastness or tenacity – there is a limit to what humans can endure. The war, and subsequent ceasefires, have created a situation in which Gazans may have to put the survival and wellbeing of themselves and their families above their desire to stay in Palestine.

    There is a general assumption that ceasefires are positive and humanitarian in nature. But ceasefires are not panaceas. In reality, they are a least-worst option for stopping the violence of war for often just a brief period.

    A ceasefire was never going to be the solution to the decades-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Instead, it has turned out to be part of the problem.

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

    – ref. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire didn’t resolve any deep-seated issues. Now, it’s shattered – https://theconversation.com/the-israel-hamas-ceasefire-didnt-resolve-any-deep-seated-issues-now-its-shattered-249944

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: KE Holdings Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Unaudited Financial Results and a Final Cash Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KE Holdings Inc. (“Beike” or the “Company”) (NYSE: BEKE and HKEX: 2423), a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and also announced a final cash dividend.

    Business and Financial Highlights for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024

    • Gross transaction value (GTV)1 in 2024 was RMB3,349.4 billion (US$458.9 billion), an increase of 6.6% year-over-year. GTV of existing home transactions was RMB2,246.5 billion (US$307.8 billion), an increase of 10.8% year-over-year. GTV of new home transactions was RMB970.0 billion (US$132.9 billion), a decrease of 3.3% year-over-year. GTV of home renovation and furnishing was RMB16.9 billion (US$2.3 billion), an increase of 27.3% year-over-year. GTV of emerging and other services was RMB116.0 billion (US$15.9 billion), an increase of 17.6% year-over-year.
      In the fourth quarter of 2024, GTV was RMB1,143.8 billion (US$156.7 billion), an increase of 55.5% year-over-year. GTV of existing home transactions was RMB744.8 billion (US$102.0 billion), an increase of 59.1% year-over-year. GTV of new home transactions was RMB355.3 billion (US$48.7 billion), an increase of 49.3% year-over-year. GTV of home renovation and furnishing was RMB5.3 billion (US$0.7 billion), an increase of 34.7% year-over-year. GTV of emerging and other services was RMB38.3 billion (US$5.3 billion), an increase of 50.0% year-over-year.
    • Net revenues in 2024 were RMB93.5 billion (US$12.8 billion), an increase of 20.2% year-over-year.
      In the fourth quarter of 2024, net revenues were RMB31.1 billion (US$4.3 billion), an increase of 54.1% year-over-year.
    • Net income in 2024 was RMB4,078 million (US$559 million), a decrease of 30.8% year-over-year. Adjusted net income2in 2024 was RMB7,211 million (US$988 million), a decrease of 26.4% year-over-year.
      In the fourth quarter of 2024, net income was RMB577 million (US$79 million), a decrease of 13.9% year-over-year. Adjusted net income was RMB1,344 million (US$184 million), a decrease of 21.6% year-over-year.
    • Number of stores was 51,573 as of December 31, 2024, a 17.7% increase from one year ago. Number of active stores3 was 49,693 as of December 31, 2024, an 18.3% increase from one year ago.
    • Number of agents was 499,937 as of December 31, 2024, a 16.9% increase from one year ago. Number of active agents4 was 445,271 as of December 31, 2024, a 12.1% increase from one year ago.
    • Mobile monthly active users (MAU)5 averaged 43.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, relatively flat compared to 43.2 million in the same period of 2023.

    Mr. Stanley Yongdong Peng, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Beike, commented, “in 2024, China’s real estate industry is accelerating towards an advanced stage, with customer demand shifting towards reducing decision-making risks and pursuing higher living quality. We empower service providers with technology, enabling optimal decision-making and driving the industry’s leap toward higher service efficiency.”

    “Under the strategy of active growth and ecosystem optimization, we achieved significant growth in several key metrics in 2024. The number of active stores on the platform reached nearly 49,700, an 18.3% increase year-on-year, while the number of active agents surpassed 445,000, a 12.1% increase year-on-year. The total GTV was RMB3,349.4 billion, with net revenues hitting a historic high of RMB93.5 billion, a 20.2% increase year-on-year. GTV of existing home transactions grew 10.8% year-on-year, while net revenues from new home transaction services increased by 10.1% year-on-year. The home renovation and furnishing services saw continuous improvement in scale and delivery capability, achieving net revenues of RMB14.8 billion, a 36.1% year-on-year increase. The home rental services managed over 430,000 units by the end of 2024, generating net revenues of RMB14.3 billion, a 135.0% year-on-year increase, with refined operations improving customer experience. Our Beihaojia business explored driving product strength and reduce risks in the new home industry through the C2M (customer to manufacturing) model.”

    “Looking ahead, we remain committed to our strategic direction of becoming ‘more technology-driven and more human-centric.’ AI-powered technology will enable deeper insights into personalized customer needs and redefine the boundaries of service providers’ capabilities, while a human-centered approach will highlight the value of service. We believe that the integration of technology and human touch will drive a step-change in consumer experience and service efficiency, unlocking new possibilities for the residential services industry,” concluded Mr. Peng.

    Mr. Tao Xu, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Beike, added, “in 2024, both the existing and new home markets saw a significant recovery following the stimulus policies introduced in September. The total volume of existing home transactions saw year-on-year growth in 2024, and structurally, the proportion of existing home transactions within the overall real estate market further increased.

    Facing market opportunities, we continued to make breakthroughs in scale in 2024. Our full-year net revenues reached RMB93.5 billion, up 20.2% year-over-year. Net revenues from existing and new home transaction services both grew year-over-year. Net revenues from non-housing transaction services grew by 64.2% year-over-year, accounting for 33.8% of total net revenues, serving as a new growth engine. Our earnings quality improved as well. Net operating cash inflow in 2024 was RMB9.45 billion, 1.3 times our adjusted net income for the year.

    We placed great emphasis on shareholder returns. We have in aggregate repurchased shares with a total consideration of approximately US$716 million in 2024, which accounted for approximately 3.9% of the Company’s total issued shares at the end of 2023. Meanwhile, we are here to declare our final cash dividend, with an aggregate amount of approximately US$0.4 billion, reaffirming our commitment to sharing long-term value with our shareholders.

    We believe our outstanding financial management capabilities will safeguard our ‘one body, three wings’ strategy and facilitate the steady growth of all business lines.”

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Net Revenues

    Net revenues increased by 54.1% to RMB31.1 billion (US$4.3 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB20.2 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to the increase of total GTV and the expansion of home rental business. Total GTV increased by 55.5% to RMB1,143.8 billion (US$156.7 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB735.6 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to the recovery of housing transaction market driven by the supportive policies and the Company’s proactive growth strategy and enhanced capabilities in market coverage.

    • Net revenues from existing home transaction services were RMB8.9 billion (US$1.2 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024, increased by 47.5% from RMB6.0 billion in the same period of 2023. GTV of existing home transactions increased by 59.1% to RMB744.8 billion (US$102.0 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB468.1 billion in the same period of 2023. The higher growth rate in GTV compared to net revenues in existing home transaction services was primarily attributable to a decrease in the commission rate of existing home sales transaction services, driven by a strategic scaling-down of certain value-added services offerings as the Company prioritized service quality assurance to ensure the premium offerings maintain their value proposition to customers.

      Among that, (i) commission revenue was RMB7.4 billion (US$1.0 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024, increased by 53.0% from RMB4.9 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to the increase of GTV of existing home transactions served by Lianjia stores of 65.7% to RMB311.7 billion (US$42.7 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB188.1 billion in the same period of 2023, partially offset by the decrease in the commission rate of existing home sales transaction services charged by Lianjia stores which was driven by a strategic scale back certain value-added services offerings; and

      (ii) revenues derived from platform service, franchise service and other value-added services, which are mostly charged to connected stores and agents on the Company’s platform increased by 25.0% to RMB1.5 billion (US$0.2 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB1.2 billion in the same period of 2023, mainly due to an increase of GTV of existing home transactions served by connected agents on the Company’s platform of 54.7% to RMB433.2 billion (US$59.3 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB280.0 billion in the same period of 2023, partially offset by incentive-based reductions in platform service and franchise service fees for connected stores.

    • Net revenues from new home transaction services increased by 72.7% to RMB13.1 billion (US$1.8 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB7.6 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily due to the increase of GTV of new home transactions of 49.3% to RMB355.3 billion (US$48.7 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB238.0 billion in the same period of 2023, and the improved monetization capability. Among that, the GTV of new home transactions facilitated on Beike platform through connected agents, dedicated sales team with the expertise on new home transaction services and other sales channels increased by 51.6% to RMB287.5 billion (US$39.4 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB189.7 billion in the same period of 2023, and the GTV of new home transactions served by Lianjia brand increased by 40.4% to RMB67.8 billion (US$9.3 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB48.3 billion in the same period of 2023.
    • Net revenues from home renovation and furnishing increased by 12.8% to RMB4.1 billion (US$0.6 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB3.6 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to a) the increase of orders driven by the synergetic effects from customer acquisition and conversion between home transaction services and home renovation and furnishing business and b) a larger contribution from furniture and home furnishing sales in categories such as customized furniture, soft furnishings, and electrical appliances.
    • Net revenues from home rental services increased by 108.7% to RMB4.6 billion (US$0.6 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB2.2 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to the increase of the number of rental units under the Carefree Rent model.
    • Net revenues from emerging and other services were RMB0.4 billion (US$0.1 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB0.7 billion in the same period of 2023.

    Cost of Revenues

    Total cost of revenues increased by 59.1% to RMB24.0 billion (US$3.3 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB15.1 billion in the same period of 2023.

    • Commission – split. The Company’s cost of revenues for commissions to connected agents and other sales channels increased by 71.7% to RMB8.7 billion (US$1.2 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024, from RMB5.1 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily due to the increase in net revenues from new home transaction services derived from transactions facilitated through connected agents and other sales channels.
    • Commission and compensation – internal. The Company’s cost of revenues for internal commission and compensation increased by 64.8% to RMB6.5 billion (US$0.9 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB3.9 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily due to an increase in the net revenues from existing and new home transactions derived from transactions facilitated through Lianjia agents and the increase in fixed compensation costs mainly driven by the increased number of Lianjia agents and improved benefits for them.
    • Cost of home renovation and furnishing. The Company’s cost of revenues for home renovation and furnishing increased by 9.8% to RMB2.9 billion (US$0.4 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB2.6 billion in the same period of 2023, which was in line with the growth of net revenues from home renovation and furnishing.
    • Cost of home rental services. The Company’s cost of revenues for home rental services increased by 101.8% to RMB4.4 billion (US$0.6 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB2.2 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to the growth of net revenues from home rental services.
    • Cost related to stores. The Company’s cost related to stores increased by 8.1% to RMB0.8 billion (US$0.1 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB0.7 billion in the same period of 2023, primarily attributable to the increased number of Lianjia stores.
    • Other costs. The Company’s other costs increased to RMB0.7 billion (US$0.1 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB0.5 billion in the same period of 2023, mainly due to the increased tax and surcharges in line with the increased net revenues and an increase in provision and funding costs of financial services.

    Gross Profit

    Gross profit increased by 39.4% to RMB7.2 billion (US$1.0 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB5.1 billion in the same period of 2023. Gross margin was 23.0% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 25.5% in the same period of 2023, primarily due to a) a lower contribution margin of existing home transaction services led by the increased fix compensation costs as percentage of net revenues from existing home transaction services and b）a lower contribution margin of emerging and other services.

    Income from Operations

    Total operating expenses increased by 15.8% to RMB6.2 billion (US$0.8 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB5.3 billion in the same period of 2023.

    • General and administrative expenses were RMB3.0 billion (US$0.4 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with RMB2.6 billion in the same period of 2023, mainly due to the increase in personnel costs, partially offset by the decrease of share-based compensation expenses.
    • Sales and marketing expenses increased by 12.7% to RMB2.3 billion (US$0.3 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB2.1 billion in the same period of 2023, mainly due to the increase in sales and marketing expenses for home renovation and furnishing business.
    • Research and development expenses increased by 38.4% to RMB739 million (US$101 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024 from RMB534 million in the same period of 2023, primarily due to the increased headcount of research and development personnel and the increased technical service costs.

    Income from operations was RMB1,011 million (US$139 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to loss from operations of RMB173 million in the same period of 2023. Operating margin was 3.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to negative 0.9% in the same period of 2023, primarily due to the improved operating leverage in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to the same period of 2023.

    Adjusted income from operations6 was RMB1,755 million (US$240 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB856 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted operating margin7 was 5.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 4.2% in the same period of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA8 was RMB2,343 million (US$321 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB1,700 million in the same period of 2023.

    Net Income

    Net income was RMB577 million (US$79 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB670 million in the same period of 2023, primarily due to an increase in income tax expenses.

    Adjusted net income was RMB1,344 million (US$184 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB1,714 million in the same period of 2023.

    Net Income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s Ordinary Shareholders

    Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders was RMB570 million (US$78 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB670 million in the same period of 2023.

    Adjusted net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders9 was RMB1,336 million (US$183 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB1,713 million in the same period of 2023.

    Net Income per ADS

    Basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders10 were RMB0.51 (US$0.07) and RMB0.49 (US$0.07) in the fourth quarter of 2024, respectively, compared to RMB0.58 and RMB0.56 in the same period of 2023, respectively.

    Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders11 were RMB1.19 (US$0.16) and RMB1.14 (US$0.16) in the fourth quarter of 2024, respectively, compared to RMB1.49 and RMB1.44 in the same period of 2023, respectively.

    Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Short-Term Investments

    As of December 31, 2024, the combined balance of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments amounted to RMB61.6 billion (US$8.4 billion).

    Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results

    Net Revenues

    Net revenues increased by 20.2% to RMB93.5 billion (US$12.8 billion) in 2024 from RMB77.8 billion in 2023, primarily attributable to the increase of net revenues from new home transaction services and the expansion of home renovation and furnishing and home rental business. Total GTV increased by 6.6% to RMB3,349.4 billion (US$458.9 billion) in 2024 from RMB3,142.9 billion in 2023, primarily attributable to the Company’s proactive growth strategy and enhanced capabilities in market coverage.

    • Net revenues from existing home transaction services were RMB28.2 billion (US$3.9 billion) in 2024, relatively flat compared with RMB28.0 billion in 2023. GTV of existing home transactions increased by 10.8% to RMB2,246.5 billion (US$307.8 billion) in 2024 from RMB2,028.0 billion in 2023.

      Among that, (i) commission revenue increased by 1.0% to RMB23.1 billion (US$3.2 billion) in 2024, from RMB22.9 billion in 2023, primarily attributable to the GTV of existing home transactions served by Lianjia stores increased by 8.4% to RMB918.5 billion (US$125.8 billion) in 2024 from RMB847.6 billion in 2023, mainly offset by a lower commission rate of existing home transaction services charged by Lianjia stores in Beijing; and

      (ii) revenues derived from platform service, franchise service and other value-added services, which are mostly charged to connected stores and agents on the Company’s platform were RMB5.1 billion (US$0.7 billion) in 2024, relatively flat compared with RMB5.1 billion in 2023, while the GTV of existing home transactions served by connected agents on the Company’s platform increased by 12.5% to RMB1,328.0 billion (US$181.9 billion) in 2024 from RMB1,180.4 billion in 2023. The increase was mainly offset by the decrease in revenues from certain value-added services which were not directly driven by GTV of existing home transactions served by connected agents.

    • Net revenues from new home transaction services increased by 10.1% to RMB33.7 billion (US$4.6 billion) in 2024 from RMB30.6 billion in 2023, primarily due to the improved monetization capability, which was partially offset by the decrease of GTV of new home transactions of 3.3% to RMB970.0 billion (US$132.9 billion) in 2024 from RMB1,003.0 billion in 2023. Among that, the GTV of new home transactions facilitated on Beike platform through connected agents, dedicated sales team with the expertise on new home transaction services and other sales channels decreased by 3.1% to RMB784.4 billion (US$107.5 billion) in 2024 from RMB809.9 billion in 2023, and the GTV of new home transactions served by Lianjia brand decreased by 3.9% to RMB185.6 billion (US$25.4 billion) in 2024 from RMB193.2 billion in 2023.
    • Net revenues from home renovation and furnishing increased by 36.1% to RMB14.8 billion (US$2.0 billion) in 2024 from RMB10.9 billion in 2023, primarily attributable to a) the increase of orders driven by the synergetic effects from customer acquisition and conversion between home transaction services and home renovation and furnishing business, b) a larger contribution from furniture and home furnishing sales in categories such as customized furniture, soft furnishings, and electrical appliances, and c) the shortened lead time driven by enhanced delivery capabilities.
    • Net revenues from home rental services increased by 135.0% to RMB14.3 billion (US$2.0 billion) in 2024 from RMB6.1 billion in 2023, primarily attributable to the increase of the number of rental units under the Carefree Rent model.
    • Net revenues from emerging and other services increased by 8.8% to RMB2.5 billion (US$0.3 billion) in 2024 from RMB2.3 billion in 2023, primarily attributable to the increase of net revenues from financial services.

    Cost of Revenues

    Total cost of revenues increased by 25.8% to RMB70.5 billion (US$9.7 billion) in 2024 from RMB56.1 billion in 2023.

    • Commission – split. The Company’s cost of revenues for commissions to connected agents and other sales channels increased by 11.5% to RMB22.8 billion (US$3.1 billion) in 2024 from RMB20.4 billion in 2023, primarily due to the increase in net revenues from new home transaction services derived from transactions facilitated through connected agents and other sales channels.
    • Commission and compensation – internal. The Company’s cost of revenues for internal commission and compensation increased by 11.1% to RMB18.9 billion (US$2.6 billion) in 2024 from RMB17.0 billion in 2023, primarily due to an increase in the net revenues from new home transactions derived from transactions facilitated through Lianjia agents and the increase in fixed compensation costs mainly driven by the increased number of Lianjia agents and improved benefits for them.
    • Cost of home renovation and furnishing. The Company’s cost of revenues for home renovation and furnishing increased by 32.8% to RMB10.2 billion (US$1.4 billion) in 2024 from RMB7.7 billion in 2023, which was in line with the growth of net revenues from home renovation and furnishing.
    • Cost of home rental services. The Company’s cost of revenues for home rental services increased by 121.0% to RMB13.6 billion (US$1.9 billion) in 2024 from RMB6.2 billion in 2023, primarily attributable to the growth of net revenues from home rental services.
    • Cost related to stores. The Company’s cost related to stores was RMB2.9 billion (US$0.4 billion) in 2024, relatively flat compared with RMB2.9 billion in 2023.
    • Other costs. The Company’s other costs increased by 13.6% to RMB2.1 billion (US$0.3 billion) in 2024 from RMB1.9 billion in 2023, mainly due to the increased tax and surcharges in line with the increased net revenues and an increase in provision and funding costs of financial services.

    Gross Profit

    Gross profit increased by 5.6% to RMB22.9 billion (US$3.1 billion) in 2024 from RMB21.7 billion in 2023. Gross margin was 24.6% in 2024, compared to 27.9% in 2023, primarily due to a) a lower contribution ratio of net revenues from existing home transaction services with a relatively higher margin than other revenue streams; and b) a lower contribution margin of existing home transaction services led by the increased fix compensation costs as percentage of net revenues from existing home transaction services.

    Income from Operations

    Total operating expenses increased by 13.3% to RMB19.2 billion (US$2.6 billion) in 2024 from RMB16.9 billion in 2023.

    • General and administrative expenses increased by 8.8% to RMB9.0 billion (US$1.2 billion) in 2024 from RMB8.2 billion in 2023, mainly due to the increase in personnel costs.
    • Sales and marketing expenses increased by 17.0% to RMB7.8 billion (US$1.1 billion) in 2024 from RMB6.7 billion in 2023, mainly due to the increase in sales and marketing expenses for home renovation and furnishing business.
    • Research and development expenses increased by 17.9% to RMB2.3 billion (US$0.3 billion) in 2024 from RMB1.9 billion in 2023, primarily due to the increased headcount of research and development personnel and the increased technical service costs.

    Income from operations was RMB3,765 million (US$516 million) in 2024, compared to RMB4,797 million in 2023. Operating margin was 4.0% in 2024, compared to 6.2% in 2023, primarily due to a lower gross margin partially offset by the improved operating leverage in 2024, compared to 2023.

    Adjusted income from operations was RMB6,890 million (US$944 million) in 2024, compared to RMB8.7 billion in 2023. Adjusted operating margin was 7.4% in 2024, compared to 11.2% in 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was RMB9,534 million (US$1,306 million) in 2024, compared to RMB11.3 billion in 2023.

    Net Income

    Net income was RMB4,078 million (US$559 million) in 2024, compared to RMB5,890 million in 2023.

    Adjusted net income was RMB7,211 million (US$988 million) in 2024, compared to RMB9,798 million in 2023.

    Net Income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s Ordinary Shareholders

    Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders was RMB4,065 million (US$557 million) in 2024, compared to RMB5,883 million in 2023.

    Adjusted net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders12 was RMB7,198 million (US$986 million) in 2024, compared to RMB9,792 million in 2023.

    Net Income per ADS

    Basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders13 were RMB3.58 (US$0.49) and RMB3.45 (US$0.47) in 2024, respectively, compared to RMB5.01 and RMB4.89 in 2023, respectively.

    Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders14 were RMB6.33 (US$0.87) and RMB6.10 (US$0.84) in 2024, respectively, compared to RMB8.34 and RMB8.13 in 2023, respectively.

    Share Repurchase Program

    As previously disclosed, the Company established a share repurchase program in August 2022 and upsized and extended it in August 2023 and August 2024, under which the Company may purchase up to US$3 billion of its Class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs until August 31, 2025, subject to obtaining another general unconditional mandate for the repurchase from the shareholders of the Company at the next annual general meeting to continue its share repurchase after the expiry of the existing share repurchase mandate granted by the annual general meeting held on June 14, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, the Company in aggregate has purchased approximately 109.1 million ADSs (representing approximately 327.4 million Class A ordinary shares) on the New York Stock Exchange with a total consideration of approximately US$1,625.4 million under this share repurchase program since its launch.

    Final Cash Dividend

    The Company is pleased to announce that its board of directors (the “Board”) has approved a final cash dividend (the “Dividend”) of US$0.12 per ordinary share, or US$0.36 per ADS, to holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs of record as of the close of business on April 9, 2025, Beijing/ Hong Kong Time and New York Time, respectively, payable in U.S. dollars. The aggregate amount of the Dividend to be paid will be approximately US$0.4 billion, which will be funded by cash surplus on the Company’s balance sheet.

    For holders of ordinary shares, in order to qualify for the Dividend, all valid documents for the transfer of shares accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged for registration with the Company’s Hong Kong share registrar, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at Shops 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 9, 2025 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time). Dividend to be paid to the Company’s ADS holders through the depositary bank will be subject to the terms of the deposit agreement. The payment date is expected to be on or around April 22, 2025 for holders of ordinary shares, and on or around April 25, 2025 for holders of ADSs.

    Under the Company’s current dividend policy, the Board has discretion on whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, the Company’s shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by the Board. If the Company decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will be based upon its future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board may deem relevant.

    Conference Call Information

    The Company will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 A.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (8:00 P.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Tuesday, March 18, 2025) to discuss the financial results.

    For participants who wish to join the conference call using dial-in numbers, please complete online registration using the link provided below at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Dial-in numbers, passcode and unique access PIN would be provided upon registering.

    Participant Online Registration:

    English Line: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10045435-su5md1.html

    Chinese Simultaneous Interpretation Line (listen-only mode): https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10045436-c4n72s.html

    A replay of the conference call will be accessible through March 25, 2025, by dialing the following numbers:

    United States: +1-855-883-1031
    Mainland, China: 400-1209-216
    Hong Kong, China: 800-930-639
    International: +61-7-3107-6325
    Replay PIN (English line): 10045435
    Replay PIN (Chinese simultaneous interpretation line): 10045436

    A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company’s investor relations website at https://investors.ke.com.

    Exchange Rate

    This press release contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars (“US$”) at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to US$ were made at the rate of RMB7.2993 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on December 31, 2024, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial information contained in this earnings release.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    The Company uses adjusted income (loss) from operations, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and formulating its business plan. Beike believes that these non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in the Company’s business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that the Company includes in its net income (loss). Beike also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about its results of operations, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by its management in formulating its business plan. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that these non-GAAP financial measures exclude share-based compensation expenses that have been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a significant recurring expense in the Company’s business.

    The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to gross profit, net income (loss) or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of its operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review these non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The non-GAAP financial measures presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to the Company’s data. Beike encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Adjusted income (loss) from operations is defined as income (loss) from operations, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, and (iii) impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. Adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net revenues. Adjusted net income (loss) is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, (v) impairment of investments, and (vi) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments. Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is defined as net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, (v) impairment of investments, (vi) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments, and (vii) effects of non-GAAP adjustments on net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) income tax expense, (ii) share-based compensation expenses, (iii) amortization of intangible assets, (iv) depreciation of property, plant and equipment, (v) interest income, net, (vi) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (vii) impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, and (viii) impairment of investments. Adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is defined as adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating adjusted net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted.

    Please see the “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” included in this press release for a full reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to its respective comparable GAAP measure.

    About KE Holdings Inc.

    KE Holdings Inc. is a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services. The Company is a pioneer in building infrastructure and standards to reinvent how service providers and customers efficiently navigate and complete housing transactions and services in China, ranging from existing and new home sales, home rentals, to home renovation and furnishing, and other services. The Company owns and operates Lianjia, China’s leading real estate brokerage brand and an integral part of its Beike platform. With more than 23 years of operating experience through Lianjia since its inception in 2001, the Company believes the success and proven track record of Lianjia pave the way for it to build its infrastructure and standards and drive the rapid and sustainable growth of Beike.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release, as well as Beike’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Beike may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about KE Holdings Inc.’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Beike’s goals and strategies; Beike’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; expected changes in the Company’s revenues, costs or expenditures; Beike’s ability to empower services and facilitate transactions on Beike platform; competition in the industry in which Beike operates; relevant government policies and regulations relating to the industry; Beike’s ability to protect the Company’s systems and infrastructures from cyber-attacks; Beike’s dependence on the integrity of brokerage brands, stores and agents on the Company’s platform; general economic and business conditions in China and globally; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in KE Holdings Inc.’s filings with the SEC and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and KE Holdings Inc. does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    In China:
    KE Holdings Inc.
    Investor Relations
    Siting Li
    E-mail: ir@ke.com

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Jenny Cai
    Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
    E-mail: ke@tpg-ir.com

    In the United States:
    Piacente Financial Communications
    Brandi Piacente
    Tel: +1-212-481-2050
    Email: ke@tpg-ir.com

    Source: KE Holdings Inc.

    KE Holdings Inc.
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data)
        As of
    December 31,    		   As of
    December 31,
        2023   2024
        RMB   RMB   US$
                 
    ASSETS            
    Current assets            
    Cash and cash equivalents   19,634,716   11,442,965   1,567,680
    Restricted cash   6,222,745   8,858,449   1,213,603
    Short-term investments   34,257,958   41,317,700   5,660,502
    Financing receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of RMB122,482 and RMB147,330 as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively   1,347,759   2,835,527   388,466
    Accounts receivable and contract assets, net of allowance for credit losses of RMB1,681,127 and RMB1,636,163 as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively   3,176,169   5,497,989   753,221
    Amounts due from and prepayments to related parties   419,270   379,218   51,953
    Loan receivables from related parties   28,030   18,797   2,575
    Prepayments, receivables and other assets   4,666,976   6,252,700   856,615
    Total current assets   69,753,623   76,603,345   10,494,615
    Non-current assets            
    Property, plant and equipment, net   1,965,098   2,400,211   328,828
    Right-of-use assets   17,617,915   23,366,879   3,201,249
    Long-term investments, net   23,570,988   23,790,106   3,259,231
    Intangible assets, net   1,067,459   857,635   117,496
    Goodwill   4,856,807   4,777,420   654,504
    Long-term loan receivables from related parties   27,000   131,410   18,003
    Other non-current assets   1,473,041   1,222,277   167,451
    Total non-current assets   50,578,308   56,545,938   7,746,762
    TOTAL ASSETS   120,331,931   133,149,283   18,241,377
     
    KE Holdings Inc.
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
    (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data)
     
        As of
    December 31,    		   As of
    December 31,
        2023   2024
        RMB   RMB   US$
                 
    LIABILITIES            
    Current liabilities            
    Accounts payable   6,328,516   9,492,629   1,300,485
    Amounts due to related parties   430,350   391,446   53,628
    Employee compensation and welfare payable   8,145,779   8,414,472   1,152,778
    Customer deposits payable   3,900,564   6,078,623   832,768
    Income taxes payable   698,568   1,028,735   140,936
    Short-term borrowings   290,450   288,280   39,494
    Lease liabilities current portion   9,368,607   13,729,701   1,880,961
    Contract liability and deferred revenue   4,665,201   6,051,867   829,102
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   5,695,948   7,268,505   995,782
    Total current liabilities   39,523,983   52,744,258   7,225,934
    Non-current liabilities            
    Deferred tax liabilities   279,341   317,697   43,524
    Lease liabilities non-current portion   8,327,113   8,636,770   1,183,233
    Other non-current liabilities   389   2,563   352
    Total non-current liabilities   8,606,843   8,957,030   1,227,109
    TOTAL LIABILITIES   48,130,826   61,701,288   8,453,043
    KE Holdings Inc.
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
    (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data)
        As of
    December 31,    		   As of
    December 31,
        2023     2024  
        RMB   RMB   US$
                 
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
    KE Holdings Inc. shareholders’ equity            
    Ordinary shares (US$0.00002 par value; 25,000,000,000 ordinary shares authorized, comprising of 24,114,698,720 Class A ordinary shares and 885,301,280 Class B ordinary shares. 3,571,960,220 Class A ordinary shares issued and 3,443,860,844 Class A ordinary shares outstanding(1)as of December 31, 2023; 3,479,616,986 Class A ordinary shares issued and 3,337,567,403 Class A ordinary shares outstanding(1)as of December 31, 2024; and 151,354,549 and 145,413,446 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively)   475     461     63  
    Treasury shares   (866,198 )   (949,410 )   (130,069 )
    Additional paid-in capital   77,583,054     72,460,562     9,927,056  
    Statutory reserves   811,107     926,972     126,995  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income   244,302     609,112     83,448  
    Accumulated deficit   (5,672,916 )   (1,723,881 )   (236,171 )
    Total KE Holdings Inc. shareholders’ equity   72,099,824     71,323,816     9,771,322  
    Non-controlling interests   101,281     124,179     17,012  
    TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   72,201,105     71,447,995     9,788,334  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   120,331,931     133,149,283     18,241,377  

    (1)  Excluding the Class A ordinary shares registered in the name of the depositary bank for future issuance of ADSs upon the exercise or vesting of awards granted under our share incentive plans and the Class A ordinary shares repurchased but not cancelled in the form of ADSs.

    KE Holdings Inc.
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

    (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data, ADS and per ADS data)
      For the Three Months Ended   For the Year Ended
      December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$
                           
    Net revenues                      
    Existing home transaction services 6,049,963     8,922,030     1,222,313     27,954,135     28,201,003     3,863,522  
    New home transaction services 7,574,098     13,076,767     1,791,510     30,575,778     33,653,403     4,610,497  
    Home renovation and furnishing 3,640,928     4,106,834     562,634     10,850,497     14,768,947     2,023,337  
    Home rental services 2,194,485     4,580,502     627,526     6,099,747     14,334,479     1,963,816  
    Emerging and other services 744,752     438,974     60,139     2,296,775     2,499,666     342,453  
    Total net revenues 20,204,226     31,125,107     4,264,122     77,776,932     93,457,498     12,803,625  
    Cost of revenues                      
    Commission-split (5,073,602 )   (8,709,790 )   (1,193,236 )   (20,419,577 )   (22,766,957 )   (3,119,060 )
    Commission and compensation-internal (3,917,437 )   (6,456,881 )   (884,589 )   (17,015,927 )   (18,903,786 )   (2,589,808 )
    Cost of home renovation and furnishing (2,628,015 )   (2,884,614 )   (395,190 )   (7,705,325 )   (10,229,696 )   (1,401,463 )
    Cost of home rental services (2,166,138 )   (4,370,712 )   (598,785 )   (6,163,044 )   (13,619,506 )   (1,865,865 )
    Cost related to stores (727,054 )   (785,966 )   (107,677 )   (2,872,093 )   (2,854,988 )   (391,132 )
    Others (547,934 )   (746,958 )   (102,333 )   (1,882,952 )   (2,138,510 )   (292,973 )
    Total cost of revenues(1) (15,060,180 )   (23,954,921 )   (3,281,810 )   (56,058,918 )   (70,513,443 )   (9,660,301 )
    Gross profit 5,144,046     7,170,186     982,312     21,718,014     22,944,055     3,143,324  
    Operating expenses                      
    Sales and marketing expenses(1) (2,080,363 )   (2,344,000 )   (321,127 )   (6,654,178 )   (7,783,341 )   (1,066,313 )
    General and administrative expenses(1) (2,647,739 )   (2,961,294 )   (405,695 )   (8,236,569 )   (8,960,747 )   (1,227,617 )
    Research and development expenses(1) (533,620 )   (738,683 )   (101,199 )   (1,936,780 )   (2,283,424 )   (312,828 )
    Impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets (55,441 )   (115,179 )   (15,779 )   (93,417 )   (151,576 )   (20,766 )
    Total operating expenses (5,317,163 )   (6,159,156 )   (843,800 )   (16,920,944 )   (19,179,088 )   (2,627,524 )
    Income (loss) from operations (173,117 )   1,011,030     138,512     4,797,070     3,764,967     515,800  
    Interest income, net 311,963     283,417     38,828     1,263,332     1,260,163     172,642  
    Share of results of equity investees (18,130 )   6,144     842     9,098     10,192     1,396  
    Impairment loss for equity investments accounted for equity method (4,187 )   –     –     (10,369 )   –     –  
    Fair value changes in investments, net 4,127     125,333     17,171     78,320     312,791     42,852  
    Impairment loss for equity investments accounted for using Measurement Alternative (16,605 )   (971 )   (133 )   (28,800 )   (9,408 )   (1,289 )
    Foreign currency exchange loss (174,459 )   (6,805 )   (932 )   (93,956 )   (34,674 )   (4,750 )
    Other income, net 832,103     192,069     26,313     1,869,300     1,566,038     214,546  
    Income before income tax expense 761,695     1,610,217     220,601     7,883,995     6,870,069     941,197  
    Income tax expense (91,632 )   (1,032,969 )   (141,516 )   (1,994,391 )   (2,791,889 )   (382,487 )
    Net income 670,063     577,248     79,085     5,889,604     4,078,180     558,710  
    KE Holdings Inc.
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

    (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data, ADS and per ADS data)
      For the Three Months Ended   For the Year Ended
      December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$
                           
    Net income attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders (458 )   (7,256 )   (994 )   (6,380 )   (13,280 )   (1,819 )
    Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc. 669,605     569,992     78,091     5,883,224     4,064,900     556,891  
    Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders 669,605     569,992     78,091     5,883,224     4,064,900     556,891  
                           
    Net income 670,063     577,248     79,085     5,889,604     4,078,180     558,710  
    Currency translation adjustments (138,522 )   348,802     47,786     574,223     217,142     29,748  
    Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments, net of reclassification 133,067     (15,206 )   (2,083 )   82,800     147,668     20,230  
    Total comprehensive income 664,608     910,844     124,788     6,546,627     4,442,990     608,688  
    Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders (458 )   (7,256 )   (994 )   (6,380 )   (13,280 )   (1,819 )
    Comprehensive income attributable to KE Holdings Inc. 664,150     903,588     123,794     6,540,247     4,429,710     606,869  
    Comprehensive income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders 664,150     903,588     123,794     6,540,247     4,429,710     606,869  
     
    For the Three Months Ended
    		   For the Year Ended
      December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$
                           
    Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing net income per share, basic and diluted                      
    —Basic 3,449,700,565   3,356,948,233   3,356,948,233   3,521,379,938   3,409,772,592   3,409,772,592
    —Diluted 3,557,221,957   3,525,088,426   3,525,088,426   3,611,653,020   3,537,408,029   3,537,408,029
                           
    Weighted average number of ADS used in computing net income per ADS, basic and diluted                      
    —Basic 1,149,900,188   1,118,982,744   1,118,982,744   1,173,793,313   1,136,590,864   1,136,590,864
    —Diluted 1,185,740,652   1,175,029,475   1,175,029,475   1,203,884,340   1,179,136,010   1,179,136,010
                           
    Net income per share attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders                      
    —Basic 0.19   0.17   0.02   1.67   1.19   0.16
    —Diluted 0.19   0.16   0.02   1.63   1.15   0.16
                           
    Net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders                      
    —Basic 0.58   0.51   0.07   5.01   3.58   0.49
    —Diluted 0.56   0.49   0.07   4.89   3.45   0.47
                           
    (1) Includes share-based compensation expenses as follows:  
    Cost of revenues 138,967   135,358   18,544   502,523   521,293   71,417
    Sales and marketing expenses 51,347   53,410   7,317   180,465   197,320   27,033
    General and administrative expenses 580,363   360,801   49,430   2,345,895   1,821,817   249,588
    Research and development expenses 47,761   45,499   6,233   186,666   185,645   25,433
                           
    KE Holdings Inc.
    UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

    (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data, ADS and per ADS data)
      For the Three Months Ended   For the Year Ended
      December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$
                           
    Income (loss) from operations (173,117 )   1,011,030     138,512     4,797,070     3,764,967     515,800  
    Share-based compensation expenses 818,438     595,068     81,524     3,215,549     2,726,075     373,471  
    Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement 155,039     33,695     4,616     613,307     247,862     33,957  
    Impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets 55,441     115,179     15,779     93,417     151,576     20,766  
    Adjusted income from operations 855,801     1,754,972     240,431     8,719,343     6,890,480     943,994  
                           
    Net income 670,063     577,248     79,085     5,889,604     4,078,180     558,710  
    Share-based compensation expenses 818,438     595,068     81,524     3,215,549     2,726,075     373,471  
    Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement 155,039     33,695     4,616     613,307     247,862     33,957  
    Changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration 546     27,960     3,831     (26,315 )   24,371     3,339  
    Impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets 55,441     115,179     15,779     93,417     151,576     20,766  
    Impairment of investments 20,792     971     133     39,169     9,408     1,289  
    Tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments (6,561 )   (6,495 )   (890 )   (26,243 )   (26,399 )   (3,617 )
    Adjusted net income 1,713,758     1,343,626     184,078     9,798,488     7,211,073     987,915  
                           
    Net income 670,063     577,248     79,085     5,889,604     4,078,180     558,710  
    Income tax expense 91,632     1,032,969     141,516     1,994,391     2,791,889     382,487  
    Share-based compensation expenses 818,438     595,068     81,524     3,215,549     2,726,075     373,471  
    Amortization of intangible assets 158,339     38,041     5,212     627,146     268,684     36,810  
    Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 196,436     238,496     32,674     775,042     743,728     101,890  
    Interest income, net (311,963 )   (283,417 )   (38,828 )   (1,263,332 )   (1,260,163 )   (172,642 )
    Changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration 546     27,960     3,831     (26,315 )   24,371     3,339  
    Impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets 55,441     115,179     15,779     93,417     151,576     20,766  
    Impairment of investments 20,792     971     133     39,169     9,408     1,289  
    Adjusted EBITDA 1,699,724     2,342,515     320,926     11,344,671     9,533,748     1,306,120  
                           
    Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders 669,605     569,992     78,091     5,883,224     4,064,900     556,891  
    Share-based compensation expenses 818,438     595,068     81,524     3,215,549     2,726,075     373,471  
    Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement 155,039     33,695     4,616     613,307     247,862     33,957  
    Changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration 546     27,960     3,831     (26,315 )   24,371     3,339  
    Impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets 55,441     115,179     15,779     93,417     151,576     20,766  
    Impairment of investments 20,792     971     133     39,169     9,408     1,289  
    Tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments (6,561 )   (6,495 )   (890 )   (26,243 )   (26,399 )   (3,617 )
    Effects of non-GAAP adjustments on net income attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders (7 )   (7 )   (1 )   (28 )   (28 )   (4 )
    Adjusted net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders 1,713,293     1,336,363     183,083     9,792,080     7,197,765     986,092  
    KE Holdings Inc.
    UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (Continued)

    (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data, ADS and per ADS data)
      For the Three Months Ended   For the Year Ended
      December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$
                           
    Weighted average number of ADS used in computing net income per ADS, basic and diluted                      
    —Basic 1,149,900,188   1,118,982,744   1,118,982,744   1,173,793,313   1,136,590,864   1,136,590,864
    —Diluted 1,185,740,652   1,175,029,475   1,175,029,475   1,203,884,340   1,179,136,010   1,179,136,010
                           
    Weighted average number of ADS used in calculating adjusted net income per ADS, basic and diluted                      
    —Basic 1,149,900,188   1,118,982,744   1,118,982,744   1,173,793,313   1,136,590,864   1,136,590,864
    —Diluted 1,185,740,652   1,175,029,475   1,175,029,475   1,203,884,340   1,179,136,010   1,179,136,010
                           
    Net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders                      
    —Basic 0.58   0.51   0.07   5.01   3.58   0.49
    —Diluted 0.56   0.49   0.07   4.89   3.45   0.47
                           
    Non-GAAP adjustments to net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders                      
    —Basic 0.91   0.68   0.09   3.33   2.75   0.38
    —Diluted 0.88   0.65   0.09   3.24   2.65   0.37
                           
    Adjusted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders                      
    —Basic 1.49   1.19   0.16   8.34   6.33   0.87
    —Diluted 1.44   1.14   0.16   8.13   6.10   0.84
                           
    KE Holdings Inc.
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

    (All amounts in thousands)   
      For the Three Months Ended   For the Year Ended
      December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024
      RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$
                           
    Net cash provided by operating activities 1,767,804     5,202,518     712,740     11,414,244     9,447,137     1,294,255  
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 3,712,203     (2,015,584 )   (276,133 )   (3,977,440 )   (9,378,025 )   (1,284,784 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (1,475,585 )   1,109,860     152,050     (7,218,210 )   (5,794,635 )   (793,862 )
    Effect of exchange rate change on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (142,337 )   184,196     25,237     44,608     169,476     23,216  
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 3,862,085     4,480,990     613,894     263,202     (5,556,047 )   (761,175 )
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period 21,995,376     15,820,424     2,167,389     25,594,259     25,857,461     3,542,458  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period 25,857,461     20,301,414     2,781,283     25,857,461     20,301,414     2,781,283  
    KE Holdings Inc.
    UNAUDITED SEGMENT CONTRIBUTION MEASURE

    (All amounts in thousands)                 
        For the Three Months Ended   For the Year Ended
        December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024
        RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$
    Existing home transaction services                        
    Net revenues   6,049,963     8,922,030     1,222,313     27,954,135     28,201,003     3,863,522  
    Less: Commission and compensation   (3,355,714 )   (5,315,541 )   (728,226 )   (14,762,910 )   (16,016,079 )   (2,194,194 )
    Contribution   2,694,249     3,606,489     494,087     13,191,225     12,184,924     1,669,328  
    New home transaction services                        
    Net revenues   7,574,098     13,076,767     1,791,510     30,575,778     33,653,403     4,610,497  
    Less: Commission and compensation   (5,574,423 )   (9,723,154 )   (1,332,067 )   (22,455,253 )   (25,304,481 )   (3,466,700 )
    Contribution   1,999,675     3,353,613     459,443     8,120,525     8,348,922     1,143,797  
    Home renovation and furnishing                        
    Net revenues   3,640,928     4,106,834     562,634     10,850,497     14,768,947     2,023,337  
    Less: Material costs, commission and compensation   (2,628,015 )   (2,884,614 )   (395,190 )   (7,705,325 )   (10,229,696 )   (1,401,463 )
    Contribution   1,012,913     1,222,220     167,444     3,145,172     4,539,251     621,874  
    Home rental services                        
    Net revenues   2,194,485     4,580,502     627,526     6,099,747     14,334,479     1,963,816  
    Less: Property leasing costs, commission and compensation   (2,166,138 )   (4,370,712 )   (598,785 )   (6,163,044 )   (13,619,506 )   (1,865,865 )
    (Deficit)/Contribution   28,347     209,790     28,741     (63,297 )   714,973     97,951  
    Emerging and other services                        
    Net revenues   744,752     438,974     60,139     2,296,775     2,499,666     342,453  
    Less: Commission and compensation   (60,902 )   (127,976 )   (17,532 )   (217,341 )   (350,183 )   (47,974 )
    Contribution   683,850     310,998     42,607     2,079,434     2,149,483     294,479  

    1 GTV for a given period is calculated as the total value of all transactions which the Company facilitated on the Company’s platform and evidenced by signed contracts as of the end of the period, including the value of the existing home transactions, new home transactions, home renovation and furnishing and emerging and other services (excluding home rental services), and including transactions that are contracted but pending closing at the end of the relevant period. For the avoidance of doubt, for transactions that failed to close afterwards, the corresponding GTV represented by these transactions will be deducted accordingly.
    2 Adjusted net income (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, (v) impairment of investments, and (vi) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.
    3 Based on our accumulated operational experience, we have introduced the operating metrics of number of active stores and number of active agents on our platform, which can better reflect the operational activeness of stores and agents on our platform.
    “Active stores” as of a given date is defined as stores on our platform excluding the stores which (i) have not facilitated any housing transaction during the preceding 60 days, (ii) do not have any agent who has engaged in any critical steps in housing transactions (including but not limited to introducing new properties, attracting new customers and conducting property showings) during the preceding seven days, or (iii) have not been visited by any agent during the preceding 14 days. The number of active stores was 42,021 as of December 31, 2023.
    4 “Active agents” as of a given date is defined as agents on our platform excluding the agents who (i) delivered notice to leave but have not yet completed the exit procedures, (ii) have not engaged in any critical steps in housing transactions (including but not limited to introducing new properties, attracting new customers and conducting property showings) during the preceding 30 days, or (iii) have not participated in facilitating any housing transaction during the preceding three months. The number of active agents was 397,135 as of December 31, 2023.
    5 “Mobile monthly active users” or “mobile MAU” are to the sum of (i) the number of accounts that have accessed our platform through our Beike or Lianjia mobile app (with duplication eliminated) at least once during a month, and (ii) the number of Weixin users that have accessed our platform through our Weixin Mini Programs at least once during a month. Average mobile MAU for any period is calculated by dividing (i) the sum of the Company’s mobile MAUs for each month of such period, by (ii) the number of months in such period.
    6 Adjusted income (loss) from operations is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as income (loss) from operations, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, and (iii) impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.
    7 Adjusted operating margin is adjusted income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net revenues.
    8 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) income tax expense, (ii) share-based compensation expenses, (iii) amortization of intangible assets, (iv) depreciation of property, plant and equipment, (v) interest income, net, (vi) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (vii) impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets,and (viii) impairment of investments. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.
    9 Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure and defined as net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, (v) impairment of investments, (vi) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments, and (vii) effects of non-GAAP adjustments on net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.
    10 ADS refers to American Depositary Share. Each ADS represents three Class A ordinary shares of the Company. Net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted.
    11 Adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating adjusted net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.
    12 Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure and defined as net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, (v) impairment of investments, (vi) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments, and (vii) effects of non-GAAP adjustments on net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.
    13 ADS refers to American Depositary Share. Each ADS represents three Class A ordinary shares of the Company. Net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted.
    14 Adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating adjusted net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets Commander-in-Chief of US Veterans of Foreign Wars Alfred Lipphardt  

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-02-17
    President Lai meets former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger
    On the morning of February 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger. In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation for demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan through their visit. The president pointed out that increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. He emphasized that only by bolstering our defense capabilities can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. The president stated that moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. He also expressed hope of strengthening the Taiwan-US partnership and jointly building secure and resilient non-red supply chains so as to ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to welcome our good friends Mr. Pottinger and retired US Rear Admiral Mr. Mark Montgomery to Taiwan once again. Last June, Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Ivan Kanapathy came to Taiwan to launch their new book The Boiling Moat. During that visit, they also visited the Presidential Office. We held an extensive exchange of views on Taiwan-US relations and regional affairs right here in the Taiwan Heritage Room. Now, as we meet again eight months later, I am pleased to learn that Mr. Kanapathy is now serving on the White House National Security Council. The Mandarin translation of The Boiling Moat is also due to be released in Taiwan very soon. This book offers insightful observations from US experts regarding US-China-Taiwan relations and valuable advice for the strengthening of Taiwan’s national defense, security, and overall resilience. I am sure that Taiwanese readers will benefit greatly from it. I understand that this is Mr. Montgomery’s fourth visit to Taiwan and that he has long paid close attention to Taiwan-related issues. I look forward to an in-depth discussion with our two friends on the future direction of Taiwan-US relations and cooperation. Increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. One notion we all share is peace through strength. That is, only by bolstering our defense capabilities and fortifying our defenses can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. We also hope to strengthen the Taiwan-US partnership in such fields as security, trade and the economy, and energy. In addition, we will advance cooperation in critical and innovative technologies and jointly build secure and resilient non-red supply chains. This will ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. We believe that closer Taiwan-US exchanges and cooperation not only benefit national security and development but also align with the common economic interests of Taiwan and the US. I want to thank Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Montgomery once again for visiting and for continuing to advance Taiwan-US exchanges, demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan. Let us continue to work together to deepen Taiwan-US relations. I wish you a smooth and fruitful visit.  Mr. Pottinger then delivered remarks, first congratulating President Lai on his one-year election anniversary and on the state of the economy, which, he added, is doing quite well. Mentioning President Lai’s recent statement pledging to increase Taiwan’s defense budget to above 3 percent of GDP, Mr. Pottinger said he thinks that the benchmark is equal to what the US spends on its defense and that it is a good starting point for both countries to build deterrence. Echoing the president’s earlier remarks, Mr. Pottinger said that peace through strength is the right path for the US and for Taiwan right now at a moment when autocratic, aggressive governments are on the march. He then paraphrased the words of former US President George Washington in his first inaugural address, saying that the best way to keep the peace is to be prepared at all times for war, which captures the meaning of peace through strength. In closing, he said he looks forward to exchanging views with President Lai.

    Details
    2024-12-26
    President Lai presides over second meeting of Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee
    On the afternoon of December 26, President Lai Ching-te presided over the second meeting of the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. President Lai stated that the committee’s goal is to enhance overall resilience in terms of national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy through five key areas: civilian force training and utilization, strategic material preparation and critical supply distribution, energy and critical infrastructure operations and maintenance, social welfare, medical care, and evacuation facility readiness, and information, transportation, and financial network protection. That morning, he said, was the first time that central and local government officials, as well as civilian observers, gathered at the Presidential Office to conduct cross-disciplinary tabletop exercises, demonstrating cooperation between central and local governments to jointly enhance social resilience. President Lai also announced that the existing Wan An and Min An Exercises, which are air raid drills and disaster response drills, respectively, beginning from next year will be combined into the 2025 Urban Resilience Exercises, the nomenclature of which matches up with that of similar exercises carried out overseas. The exercises, he said, will strengthen the defensive mechanisms of the non-military sector, and verify the ability of civil defense and disaster preparedness systems to protect our nation’s people. The president emphasized that combining government and private-sector forces is the only way to strengthen Taiwan’s overall defense capabilities, jointly consolidate global democratic resilience, and maintain regional peace and stability. A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows: Today, we are convening the second meeting of the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, implementing the conclusions reached at the last meeting, conducting tabletop exercises, and verifying the preparedness of government agencies to address extreme situations. Looking back over the past year, circumstances at home and abroad have changed rapidly. Authoritarian states around the world continue to converge, threatening the rules-based international order, and they now present a collective challenge to the peace and stability of the entire first island chain. To address threats, whether natural disasters or ambitions for authoritarian expansion, we believe that as long as the government and all of society are prepared, we can respond. With determination, there is no need to worry. With confidence, our people can rest assured. This is the goal of whole-of-society defense resilience. Of course, these preparations are not easy. Taiwan’s society must race against time, and work together to build capabilities to respond to major disasters and threats, and deter enemy encroachment. Therefore, the goal of this committee is to formulate action plans through the five key areas: civilian force training and utilization, strategic material preparation and critical supply distribution, energy and critical infrastructure operations and maintenance, social welfare, medical care, and evacuation facility readiness, and information, transportation, and financial network protection, thereby verifying central and local government capacities to respond in times of disaster, and enhance overall resilience in terms of national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. This morning at the Presidential Office, we conducted the first-ever cross-disciplinary tabletop exercises involving central and local government officials as well as civilian observers. Participating teams from central government departments were all led by deputy ministers, Tainan City Deputy Mayor Yeh Tse-shan (葉澤山) led a team, and Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) also came to participate, demonstrating cooperation between central and local governments to jointly enhance social resilience. The exercises were based on Taiwan’s mature disaster prevention and relief system’s response to comprehensive threats. We had scenarios, but no scripts, so the participating units did not prepare notes in advance, but reacted on the spot. When presented with a problem, they proposed countermeasures, which is closer to a real crisis situation. To address the continued threat of authoritarian expansion to regional stability and order, in the first scenario we simulated that a high-intensity gray-zone operation occurred; for the second scenario, we simulated a state of being on the verge of conflict. The most important core objectives of the exercises were to ensure that people could carry on their daily lives and that society could function normally. I would like to thank our three deputy conveners for serving as exercise commanders, Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) and Minister without Portfolio of the Executive Yuan Chi Lien-cheng (季連成) for serving as deputy exercise commanders, and Deputy Secretary-General to the President Chang Tun-han (張惇涵) as well as National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆) for serving as chief officials. I also want to thank all our advisors, committee members, and colleagues from government agencies at both the central and local levels for coming together to complete tabletop exercises aimed at testing out components of the five key areas. After conducting numerous exercises in the past, many government agencies improved their emergency response capabilities, and I want to recognize those achievements. However, I also want to emphasize that we must identify problems in our current systems, and then make improvements. Whether it be the central or the local level, we cannot just talk about the good things and sweep the unpleasant things under the rug. We have to rigorously ascertain numbers and make sure just how accurate the sources of our information are, because it is always a good thing when we discover problems in our exercises, and find places where improvements are needed. This means that our testing has achieved its purpose, and that there is much room for progress and improvement. I also want to report to you all that, over the past few years, due to the global pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, countries throughout the world have been bolstering their defense resilience. NATO and the European Union, for example, have both adopted guidelines aimed at strengthening whole-of-society resilience. This shows that Taiwan is not a special case. The task of whole-of-society defense resilience is being addressed throughout the world. Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its whole-of-society defense resilience is something the international community at large is wanting to see. This month I visited the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and the Republic of Palau, all of which are Pacific allies of Taiwan, and I made transit stops in the United States islands of Hawaii and Guam. Friends in each of these places expressed firm support for Taiwan and repeatedly said they hope for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We must continue taking action to respond to the international community’s support. Taiwan must have the capability to defend its own security. As president, I want to take this opportunity to emphasize to the international community that Taiwan is determined to defend regional peace and stability. We will accelerate the pace of efforts to build a more resilient Taiwan. I therefore wish to announce that our existing Wan An and Min An Exercises, which are air raid drills and disaster response drills, respectively, beginning from next year will be combined, and we will hold the 2025 Urban Resilience Exercises. This new nomenclature matches up with that of similar exercises carried out overseas, making it easier for others to understand the efforts that Taiwan is putting forth. In addition, the 2025 Urban Resilience Exercises will feature absolutely no reliance on military support, and will have a design that takes the latest international experiences into account. These resilience exercises will be distinct from the Han Kuang military exercises, and yet complementary at the same time. In other words, whole-of-society defense resilience must particularly strengthen the defensive mechanisms of the non-military sector, and must verify the ability of civil defense and disaster preparedness systems to protect our nation’s people. I want to emphasize once again that the more resilient we make Taiwan, like-minded nations around the world will be more willing to coordinate with us in responding to various challenges together. I realize that to defend democracy, we must gather together every bit of strength we have. The task of promoting whole-of-society defense resilience is a massive undertaking. The public sector must adopt a more open-minded attitude and be willing to tap into private-sector human resources, because combining government and private-sector forces is the only way to jointly respond to challenges arising under extreme conditions, and is the only way to strengthen Taiwan’s overall defense capabilities, jointly consolidate global democratic resilience, and maintain regional peace and stability. In just a few moments, Minister Liu will deliver a report on the progress of certain items listed in the first committee meeting, and Deputy Secretary-General Lin will deliver a report on the outcomes of the tabletop exercises held this morning. Next, let us engage in open discussions and examine and verify each component of the tabletop exercises, so that together we can improve whole-of-society defense resilience, make Taiwan more secure, and make the region more stable. Thank you. After listening to the report on the progress of certain items listed in the first committee meeting and the report on the outcomes of the tabletop exercises, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the reports.123

    Details
    2024-11-30
    Presidential Office thanks Biden administration for announcing its 18th military sale to Taiwan
    On November 29 (US EST), the United States government announced that it had notified Congress of the sale to Taiwan of two military packages: a US$320 million sale of spare parts and support for F-16 aircraft and Active Electronically Scanned Array radar spare parts and support; and a US$65 million sale of Improved Mobile Subscriber Equipment Follow-on Support and related equipment. Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) stated that the Presidential Office is sincerely grateful to the US government for its unwavering commitment to continue to strengthen the cooperative partnership between Taiwan and the US and support Taiwan in enhancing self-defense capabilities in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.  Spokesperson Kuo stated that this marks the 18th military sale to Taiwan announced during the Biden administration since 2021, emphasizing that the deepening Taiwan-US security partnership is a critical cornerstone for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The spokesperson said that in the face of mounting security challenges in the region, Taiwan will continue to enhance self-defense capabilities and work alongside like-minded countries to jointly defend the values of freedom and democracy and ensure the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

    Details
    2024-10-26
    Presidential Office thanks Biden administration for announcing its 17th military sale to Taiwan
    On October 25 (US EST), the United States government announced that it had notified Congress of the US$1.988 billion sale to Taiwan of three military packages, including the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System as well as L-band and non-L-band radar turnkey systems. Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) on October 26 stated that strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities is the foundation for maintaining regional stability. The spokesperson said that the Presidential Office is grateful to the US government for continuing to provide Taiwan with the weaponry it needs in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. Spokesperson Kuo stated that this marks the 17th military sale to Taiwan announced during the Biden administration since 2021, as well as the largest single military sale since President Biden took office, demonstrating the unwavering commitment of the US government to the security of Taiwan. She emphasized that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities as it works to maintain the rules-based international order, ensuring the peace, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.

    Details
    2024-09-26
    President Lai presides over first meeting of Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee
    On the afternoon of September 26, President Lai Ching-te presided over the first meeting of the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. As the committee’s convener, the president presented committee members with their letters of appointment, and explained that in order to build up our whole-of-society defense resilience, we will actively engage in comprehensive preparation to make our nation stronger and our people more confident. The president stated that we will enhance Taiwan’s response capabilities and expand cooperation between the public and private sectors. He stated that he looks forward to working together with everyone to establish a platform through which we can communicate and coordinate on our national resilience strategy, fostering a national consensus, and strengthening resilience throughout Taiwan in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. President Lai stated that a more resilient Taiwan will contribute more to global democracy, peace, and prosperity. He emphasized that as our society becomes better prepared, our nation grows more secure; and as Taiwan shows more determination to defend itself, the international community will feel more at ease. He expressed hope that we will engage in wide-ranging discussions and build a fortress of unity, making Taiwan a cornerstone for ensuring regional stability and democratic sustainability. A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows: In order to consolidate forces from various sectors to strategize on national development, at the end of my first month in office, I announced that the Presidential Office will establish three committees in response to three major global issues: climate change, health promotion, and social resilience. Last month we convened the first meetings for two of those committees – the National Climate Change Committee and the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. Today, we are convening the first meeting for the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. I want to thank our three deputy conveners and all advisors and committee members for their joint commitment. I also want to thank our fellow citizens and friends for following the committee’s proceedings online. Climate change, large-scale natural disasters, and the threat to democracy posed by expanding authoritarianism are all challenges not just for Taiwan, but for the entire world. The operations and goals of these three committees are interrelated, and they are closely connected by the issue of national resilience. We intend to build up a more resilient Taiwan, proactively deal with challenges, and bring Taiwan into deeper cooperation with the international community. When former President Tsai Ing-wen was in office, the government took stock of resources in the public and private sectors in order to lay a solid foundation on which to build up our social resilience. Now, we will continue forward, from stocktaking to validation. This will entail three principles for whole-of-society defense resilience. The first principle is “preparedness through vigilance.” We will actively engage in comprehensive preparation to make our nation stronger and our people more confident. That way, in a disaster or emergency, the government and the public can quickly leverage their respective strengths and maintain the normal operation of society. The second principle is “enhanced response, fearlessness in action.” We will expand the training and utilization of civilian forces, enhance our strategic material preparation and critical supply distribution, and reinforce the operations and maintenance of energy and critical infrastructure. We will also improve the readiness of our social welfare, medical care, and evacuation facilities, and ensure the protection of information, transportation, and financial networks. All of this will enhance Taiwan’s response capabilities. The third principle is “orderly execution, methodical action.” At all levels of government, from central to local, we will conduct extensive validation and drilling, and we will expand connections with civil society groups and societal forces so that we can all work together, in a systematic and professional manner, to identify problems, propose solutions, and follow through with implementation. This is how we will resolve problems. The work involved in whole-of-society defense resilience is diverse and complex. Accordingly, this committee needs members from the public and private sectors who can work together in coordination. The members must be guided by practical experience, have interdisciplinary expertise, span different generations, and constitute a balance between the genders. These were the factors we took into consideration when we invited representatives from industry, government agencies, academia, and research institutions to serve as the four advisors and 23 members who make up this committee. Of the total committee membership, 67.7 percent are not government officials, and 32.3 percent are women.  First, I want to thank the committee advisors who have taken on that important responsibility. With us today we have Master Jing Yao (淨耀) of the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China; Huoh Shoou-yeh (霍守業), chairman of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research; and Lin Ming-hsiung (林敏雄), chairman of Chuan Lian Enterprise Co. I thank each of you for your participation, and look forward to seeing you provide the committee with broadly considered, professional views on such matters as civilian force preparedness, strategic frameworks, and supply distribution. I also want to introduce committee members who are here today. We have with us Wang Pao-tzong (王寶宗), chairman of the Holy Glory Temple; Chen Hsin-liang (陳信良), general secretary of the General Assembly Executive Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan; and Yen Po-wen (顏博文), CEO of the Tzu Chi Charity Foundation. I thank you all for your commitment and for giving us all the opportunity to learn how religious groups engage in disaster preparedness and relief efforts. Let me also thank James Liao (廖英熙), president of the National Defense Education Association; Enoch Wu (吳怡農), founder of the Forward Alliance; Hsiau Ya-wen (蕭雅文), honorary chairperson of the Taiwan Development Association for Disaster Medical Team; Liu Wen (劉文), chairperson of the Kuma Civil Defense Education Association; and Tseng Po-yu (曾柏瑜), consultant at Doublethink Lab. You have all been long involved in civil defense education, emergency medicine, and other fields, so I am quite confident that you will help the committee to better understand civilian force training and utilization. Let me also introduce Tu Wen-ling (杜文苓), distinguished professor in the Department of Public Administration at National Chengchi University, and Hsiao Hsu-chun (蕭旭君), associate professor of Computer Science and Information Engineering at National Taiwan University. I thank both of you for generously contributing your expertise to make Taiwan’s energy and critical infrastructure operations more robust. Also, I want to thank Wu Jong-shinn (吳宗信), director general of the Taiwan Space Agency; Kenny Huang (黃勝雄), chairman of the Taiwan Network Information Center; and Dai Chen-yu (戴辰宇), board member of the Association of Hackers in Taiwan. Your involvement will contribute immensely to the protection of information, transportation, and financial networks in Taiwan. Among our committee members we have the following six government representatives: Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄); Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝), who could not attend today’s meeting; Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱); Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季); Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源); and Minister of Ocean Affairs Council Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲). The committee has two executive secretaries, namely Chi Lien-cheng (季連成), minister without portfolio of the Executive Yuan, and Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳). In addition, one member who will be joining us shortly is Bob Hung (洪偉淦), general manager of Trend Micro Taiwan. I also want to introduce one advisor and three committee members who could not attend today. They are, respectively, Robert Tsao (曹興誠), founder of United Microelectronics Corporation; Kuo Chia-yo (郭家佑), president of the Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association; Liu Yu-hsi (劉玉晳), associate professor in the Department of Communications Management at Shih-Hsin University; and Tina Lin (林雅芳), managing director of sales and operations at Google Taiwan. I also thank them for participating in this committee’s operations and for contributing their valuable advice at today’s proceedings in written form. Last Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of the major earthquake that struck Taiwan on September 21, 1999. For the past 25 years, we have worked continuously to improve Taiwan’s disaster preparedness and relief capabilities. Today, our purpose in building up whole-of-society defense resilience is to enable each and every individual to realize, when an emergency arises, where to best make a contribution and how to protect themselves, contribute to society, or deter an approaching enemy. We want to enable all our citizens to feel utterly confident in the continuity and future of Taiwan’s society. Today, in this first meeting of the committee, the National Security Council (NSC) will brief us on the topic of “Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience: Planning and Challenges.” The NSC will familiarize all of us here, as well as our citizens and friends watching online, with the concepts and operations involved in whole-of-society defense resilience, the associated challenges and goals, and the progress we have made toward achieving our tasks. I have said before that a sudden natural disaster is like an acute cold, while climate change is more like a chronic disease. What whole-of-society defense resilience addresses is both the chronic and the acute. In addition to national disasters and emergencies, Taiwan has also been dealing for a long time with the challenges of gray-zone aggression and cognitive warfare. Located in the first island chain, Taiwan stands on the frontline of the democratic world. As such, we have always endeavored to safeguard regional peace and stability. I firmly believe that a more resilient Taiwan will contribute more to global democracy, peace, and prosperity. I also believe that when Taiwan is properly prepared and shows determination, our like-minded partners from around the world will be more willing to help Taiwan, jointly respond to all kinds of challenges, and work in concert to mitigate risks. As the people of Taiwan become more united, our nation grows more stable. As our society becomes better prepared, our nation grows more secure. And as Taiwan shows more determination to defend itself, the international community will feel more at ease. And so, I want to thank all of you once again for taking on the major task of enhancing our whole-of-society defense resilience. I look forward to working together with everyone, as we continue to observe global conditions, to establish a platform through which we can communicate and coordinate on our national resilience strategy, thereby fostering a nationwide consensus and strengthening resilience throughout Taiwan in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. Moving forward, let us engage in wide-ranging discussions, build a fortress of unity, and further empower our whole-of-society defense resilience, making Taiwan a cornerstone for ensuring regional stability and democratic sustainability. Thank you. Following his statement, President Lai presented letters of appointment to the committee members and heard a report from NSC Deputy Secretary-General Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) on the topic of “Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience: Planning and Challenges.” Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the report and the Rules of Procedure for Meetings of the Office of the President Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee.

    Details
    2025-03-13
    President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting
    On the afternoon of March 13, President Lai Ching-te convened a high-level national security meeting, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai introduced 17 major strategies to respond to five major national security and united front threats Taiwan now faces: China’s threat to national sovereignty, its threats from infiltration and espionage activities targeting Taiwan’s military, its threats aimed at obscuring the national identity of the people of Taiwan, its threats from united front infiltration into Taiwanese society through cross-strait exchanges, and its threats from using “integrated development” to attract Taiwanese businesspeople and youth. President Lai emphasized that in the face of increasingly severe threats, the government will not stop doing its utmost to ensure that our national sovereignty is not infringed upon, and expressed hope that all citizens unite in solidarity to resist being divided. The president also expressed hope that citizens work together to increase media literacy, organize and participate in civic education activities, promptly expose concerted united front efforts, and refuse to participate in any activities that sacrifice national interests. As long as every citizen plays their part toward our nation’s goals for prosperity and security, he said, and as long as we work together, nothing can defeat us. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: At many venues recently, a number of citizens have expressed similar concerns to me. They have noticed cases in which members of the military, both active-duty and retired, have been bought out by China, sold intelligence, or even organized armed forces with plans to harm their own nation and its citizens. They have noticed cases in which entertainers willingly followed instructions from Beijing to claim that their country is not a country, all for the sake of personal career interests. They have noticed how messaging used by Chinese state media to stir up internal opposition in Taiwan is always quickly spread by specific channels. There have even been individuals making careers out of helping Chinese state media record united front content, spreading a message that democracy is useless and promoting skepticism toward the United States and the military to sow division and opposition. Many people worry that our country, as well as our hard-won freedom and democracy and the prosperity and progress we achieved together, are being washed away bit by bit due to these united front tactics. In an analysis of China’s united front, renowned strategic scholar Kerry K. Gershaneck expressed that China plans to divide and conquer us through subversion, infiltration, and acquisition of media, and by launching media warfare, psychological warfare, and legal warfare. What they are trying to do is to sow seeds of discord in our society, keep us occupied with internal conflicts, and cause us to ignore the real threat from outside. China’s ambition over the past several decades to annex Taiwan and stamp out the Republic of China has not changed for even a day. It continues to pursue political and military intimidation, and its united front infiltration of Taiwan’s society grows ever more serious. In 2005, China promulgated its so-called “Anti-Secession Law,” which makes using military force to annex Taiwan a national undertaking. Last June, China issued a 22-point set of “guidelines for punishing Taiwan independence separatists,” which regards all those who do not accept that “Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China” as targets for punishment, creating excuses to harm the people of Taiwan. China has also recently been distorting United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, showing in all aspects China’s increasingly urgent threat against Taiwan’s sovereignty. Lately, China has been taking advantage of democratic Taiwan’s freedom, diversity, and openness to recruit gangs, the media, commentators, political parties, and even active-duty and retired members of the armed forces and police to carry out actions to divide, destroy, and subvert us from within. A report from the National Security Bureau indicates that 64 persons were charged last year with suspicion of spying for China, which was three times the number of persons charged for the same offense in 2021. Among them, the Unionist Party, Rehabilitation Alliance Party, and Republic of China Taiwan Military Government formed treasonous organizations to deploy armed forces for China. In a democratic and free society, such cases are appalling. But this is something that actually exists within Taiwan’s society today. China also actively plots ways to infiltrate and spy on our military. Last year, 28 active-duty and 15 retired members of the armed forces were charged with suspicion of involvement in spying for China, respectively comprising 43 percent and 23 percent of all of such cases – 66 percent in total. We are also alert to the fact that China has recently used widespread issuance of Chinese passports to entice Taiwanese citizens to apply for the Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents, permanent residency, or the Resident Identity Card, in an attempt to muddle Taiwanese people’s sense of national identity. China also views cross-strait exchanges as a channel for its united front against Taiwan, marking enemies in Taiwan internally, creating internal divisions, and weakening our sense of who the enemy really is. It intends to weaken public authority and create the illusion that China is “governing” Taiwan, thereby expanding its influence within Taiwan. We are also aware that China has continued to expand its strategy of integrated development with Taiwan. It employs various methods to demand and coerce Taiwanese businesses to increase their investments in China, entice Taiwanese youth to develop their careers in China, and unscrupulously seeks to poach Taiwan’s talent and steal key technologies. Such methods impact our economic security and greatly increase the risk of our young people heading to China. By its actions, China already satisfies the definition of a “foreign hostile force” as provided in the Anti-Infiltration Act. We have no choice but to take even more proactive measures, which is my purpose in convening this high-level national security meeting today. It is time we adopt proper preventive measures, enhance our democratic resilience and national security, and protect our cherished free and democratic way of life. Next, I will be giving a detailed account of the five major national security and united front threats Taiwan now faces and the 17 major strategies we have prepared in response. I. Responding to China’s threats to our national sovereignty We have a nation insofar as we have sovereignty, and we have the Republic of China insofar as we have Taiwan. Just as I said during my inaugural address last May, and in my National Day address last October: The moment when Taiwan’s first democratically elected president took the oath of office in 1996 sent a message to the international community, that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent, democratic nation. Among people here and in the international community, some call this land the Republic of China, some call it Taiwan, and some, the Republic of China Taiwan. The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and Taiwan resists any annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty. The future of the Republic of China Taiwan must be decided by its 23 million people. This is the status quo that we must maintain. The broadest consensus in Taiwanese society is that we must defend our sovereignty, uphold our free and democratic way of life, and resolutely oppose annexation of Taiwan by China. (1) I request that the National Security Council (NSC), the Ministry of National Defense (MND), and the administrative team do their utmost to promote the Four Pillars of Peace action plan to demonstrate the people’s broad consensus and firm resolve, consistent across the entirety of our nation, to oppose annexation of Taiwan by China. (2) I request that the NSC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs draft an action plan that will, through collaboration with our friends and allies, convey to the world our national will and broad social consensus in opposing annexation of Taiwan by China and in countering China’s efforts to erase Taiwan from the international community and downgrade Taiwan’s sovereignty. II. Responding to China’s threats from infiltration and espionage activities targeting our military (1) Comprehensively review and amend our Law of Military Trial to restore the military trial system, allowing military judges to return to the frontline and collaborate with prosecutorial, investigative, and judicial authorities in the handling of criminal cases in which active-duty military personnel are suspected of involvement in such military crimes as sedition, aiding the enemy, leaking confidential information, dereliction of duty, or disobedience. In the future, criminal cases involving active-duty military personnel who are suspected of violating the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces will be tried by a military court. (2) Implement supporting reforms, including the establishment of a personnel management act for military judges and separate organization acts for military courts and military prosecutors’ offices. Once planning and discussion are completed, the MND will fully explain to and communicate with the public to ensure that the restoration of the military trial system gains the trust and full support of society. (3) To deter the various types of controversial rhetoric and behavior exhibited by active-duty as well as retired military personnel that severely damage the morale of our national military, the MND must discuss and propose an addition to the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces on penalties for expressions of loyalty to the enemy as well as revise the regulations for military personnel and their families receiving retirement benefits, so as to uphold military discipline. III. Responding to China’s threats aimed at obscuring the national identity of the people of Taiwan (1) I request that the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), and other relevant agencies, wherever necessary, carry out inspections and management of the documents involving identification that Taiwanese citizens apply for in China, including: passports, ID cards, permanent residence certificates, and residence certificates, especially when the applicants are military personnel, civil servants, or public school educators, who have an obligation of loyalty to Taiwan. This will be done to strictly prevent and deter united front operations, which are performed by China under the guise of “integrated development,” that attempt to distort our people’s national identity. (2) With respect to naturalization and integration of individuals from China, Hong Kong, and Macau into Taiwanese society, more national security considerations must be taken into account while also attending to Taiwan’s social development and individual rights: Chinese nationals applying for permanent residency in Taiwan must, in accordance with the law of Taiwan, relinquish their existing household registration and passport and may not hold dual identity status. As for the systems in place to process individuals from Hong Kong or Macau applying for residency or permanent residency in Taiwan, there will be additional provisions for long-term residency to meet practical needs. IV. Responding to China’s threats from united front infiltration into Taiwanese society through cross-strait exchanges  (1) There are increasing risks involved with travel to China. (From January 1, 2024 to today, the MAC has received reports of 71 Taiwanese nationals who went missing, were detained, interrogated, or imprisoned in China; the number of unreported people who have been subjected to such treatment may be several times that. Of those, three elderly I-Kuan Tao members were detained in China in December of last year and have not yet been released.) In light of this, relevant agencies must raise public awareness of those risks, continue enhancing public communication, and implement various registration systems to reduce the potential for accidents and the risks associated with traveling to China. (2) Implement a disclosure system for exchanges with China involving public officials at all levels of the central and local government. This includes everyone from administrative officials to elected representatives, from legislators to village and neighborhood chiefs, all of whom should make the information related to such exchanges both public and transparent so that they can be accountable to the people. The MOI should also establish a disclosure system for exchanges with China involving public welfare organizations, such as religious groups, in order to prevent China’s interference and united front activities at their outset. (3) Manage the risks associated with individuals from China engaging in exchanges with Taiwan: Review and approval of Chinese individuals coming to Taiwan should be limited to normal cross-strait exchanges and official interactions under the principles of parity and dignity, and relevant factors such as changes in the cross-strait situation should be taken into consideration. Strict restrictions should be placed on Chinese individuals who have histories with the united front coming to Taiwan, and Chinese individuals should be prohibited from coming to Taiwan to conduct activities related in any way to the united front. (4) Political interference from China and the resulting risks to national security should be avoided in cross-strait exchanges. This includes the review and management of religious, cultural, academic, and education exchanges, which should in principle be depoliticized and de-risked so as to simplify people-to-people exchanges and promote healthy and orderly exchanges. (5) To deter the united front tactics of a cultural nature employed by Chinese nationals to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty, the Executive Yuan must formulate a solution to make our local cultural industries more competitive, including enhanced support and incentives for our film, television, and cultural and creative industries to boost their strengths in democratic cultural creation, raise international competitiveness, and encourage research in Taiwan’s own history and culture. (6) Strengthen guidance and management for entertainers developing their careers in China. The competent authorities should provide entertainers with guidelines on conduct while working in China, and make clear the scope of investigation and response to conduct that endangers national dignity. This will help prevent China from pressuring Taiwanese entertainers to make statements or act in ways that endanger national dignity. (7) The relevant authorities must adopt proactive, effective measures to prevent China from engaging in cognitive warfare against Taiwan or endangering cybersecurity through the internet, applications, AI, and other such tools. (8) To implement these measures, each competent authority must run a comprehensive review of the relevant administrative ordinances, measures, and interpretations, and complete the relevant regulations for legal enforcement. Should there be any shortcomings, the legal framework for national security should be strengthened and amendments to the National Security Act, Anti-Infiltration Act, Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong & Macao Affairs, or Cyber Security Management Act should be proposed. Communication with the public should also be increased so that implementation can happen as soon as possible. V. Responding to threats from China using “integrated development” to attract Taiwanese businesspeople and youth (1) I request that the NSC and administrative agencies work together to carry out strategic structural adjustments to the economic and trade relations between Taiwan and China based on the strategies of putting Taiwan first and expanding our global presence while staying rooted in Taiwan. In addition, they should carry out necessary, orderly adjustments to the flow of talent, goods, money, and skills involved in cross-strait economic and trade relations based on the principle of strengthening Taiwan’s foundations to better manage risk. This will help boost economic security and give us more power to respond to China’s economic and trade united front and economic coercion against Taiwan. (2) I request that the Ministry of Education, MAC, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and other relevant agencies work together to comprehensively strengthen young students’ literacy education on China and deepen their understanding of cross-strait exchanges. I also request these agencies to widely publicize mechanisms for employment and entrepreneurship for Taiwan’s youth and provide ample information and assistance so that young students have more confidence in the nation’s future and more actively invest in building up and developing Taiwan. My fellow citizens, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. History tells us that any authoritarian act of aggression or annexation will ultimately end in failure. The only way we can safeguard freedom and prevail against authoritarian aggression is through solidarity. As we face increasingly severe threats, the government will not stop doing its utmost to ensure that our national sovereignty is not infringed upon, and to ensure that the freedom, democracy, and way of life of Taiwan’s 23 million people continues on as normal. But relying solely on the power of the government is not enough. What we need even more is for all citizens to stay vigilant and take action. Every citizen stands on the frontline of the defense of democracy and freedom. Here is what we can do together: First, we can increase our media literacy, and refrain from spreading and passing on united front messaging from the Chinese state. Second, we can organize and participate in civic education activities to increase our knowledge about united front operations and build up whole-of-society defense resilience. Third, we can promptly expose concerted united front efforts so that all malicious attempts are difficult to carry out. Fourth, we must refuse to participate in any activities that sacrifice national interests. The vigilance and action of every citizen forms the strongest line of defense against united front infiltration. Only through solidarity can we resist being divided. As long as every citizen plays their part toward our nation’s goals for prosperity and security, and as long as we work together, nothing can defeat us.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Building energy efficiency mooted

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be published in the Gazette on Friday, seeking to enhance Hong Kong’s buildings energy efficiency management regime and lessen the financial burden on the public.

    The Environment & Ecology Bureau noted that the proposed amendments aim to achieve a win-win scenario of saving electricity costs for buildings, reducing carbon emissions and boosting the development of a green economy.

    The amendment bill contains five parts – regulating the energy efficiency standards of building services installations for all data centres in Hong Kong; requiring more types of buildings to conduct regular energy audits; shortening the intervals of energy audits; disclosing certain technical information in energy audit reports; and including more qualifications eligible for registration as Registered Energy Assessors.

    The bureau said if the amendment bill is passed by the Legislative Council and implemented in full, it is estimated that an additional 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 150,000 three-person households, could be saved in 2035.

    The amendment bill will be introduced into LegCo for first reading and the commencement of second reading debate on March 26.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: New York photo exhibition honors Yue Opera icon Yin Guifang

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Yin Jifang (C), former artistic director of the Kunqu Society of New York and a close friend of Yin Guifang, and other friends and local Yue Opera fans pose for a photo at a retrospective photo exhibition commemorating the 25th anniversary of the passing of Chinese Yue Opera artist Yin Guifang, in New York, the United States, on March 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Black-and-white photos of the Yue Opera artist Yin Guifang line the walls, capturing her grace and passion on stage, as elderly local visitors, speaking in familiar dialects, reminisce about her brilliance and lasting legacy.

    The retrospective photo exhibition, being held in New York City from Sunday to April 10, commemorates the 25th anniversary of the passing of Chinese Yue Opera artist Yin Guifang.

    Nearly 100 attendees gathered for the event in Flushing, Queens borough of New York City, curated by the American Chinese Art & Culture Center (ACACC) and the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe, which was originally established by Yin Guifang in Shanghai in 1946 and relocated to Fujian in 1959.

    The photo exhibition honors Yin’s artistic accomplishments and her lasting impact on Yue Opera both domestically and internationally.

    Yue Opera, one of China’s most popular traditional opera genres originated in Zhejiang Province, is renowned for its soft singing style, graceful performances and rich repertoire. Also known as Shaoxing Opera, after its place of origin, it was officially recognized in 2006 as part of China’s national intangible cultural heritage.

    Among the most revered figures in this art form is Yin Guifang, the founder of the “Yin-style” school of Yue Opera. Yin’s influence remains strong, carried on by her disciples, admirers and fans.

    March 1 marks the anniversary of Yin Guifang’s passing, a day especially significant for Yin Jifang, her close friend of over 60 years. Though not from the Yue Opera genre herself, Yin Jifang, former artistic director of the Kunqu Society of New York, another traditional opera form, shared a deep and enduring friendship with Yin Guifang, from artistic discussions to mentoring future generations.

    Despite their coincidentally similar names, Yin Jifang saw their connection as fate. Now 86, she continues to honor their decades-long bond — this time, through the exhibition.

    Yin Jifang said Guifang’s masterful performances and meticulously crafted characters continue to leave an indelible mark on audiences.

    “When I had this idea of the exhibition, I acted on it immediately,” Yin Jifang said. “The overwhelming support from both New York and Fujian was deeply moving.”

    She worked closely with the ACACC in New York to organize the exhibition, while securing strong backing from the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe, which provided most of the annotated photographs.

    Despite working across time zones, a dedicated six-person team managed to put the exhibition together in just 12 consecutive days.

    The exhibition features a carefully curated selection of photographs — some from Yin Jifang’s personal collection, others from the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe and even treasured clippings preserved by Yue Opera fans over the years, and more cropped from posters or newspapers. These images capture Yin Guifang’s life on and off stage, highlighting her mentorship of young performers and her commitment to preserving Yue Opera.

    “There is no global recognition without cultural identity,” Yin Jifang told Xinhua. Though Yue Opera and Kunqu Opera are niche art forms, their survival depends on the dedication and stewardship of the Chinese people.

    Wang Junan, current artistic director of the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe and direct disciple of Yin Guifang, reflected on her lasting impact.

    “Her artistic spirit has never faded, and our lifelong bond remains strong,” Wang said. She added that her master Yin Guifang once dreamed of bringing Yue Opera to New York. Now, this exhibition stands as a bridge to fulfill that vision.

    “Thanks to everyone’s dedication, this exhibition is more than a remembrance — it is a collective tribute,” Wang said. “Art is an endless river, flowing through generations. We are the current that carries it forward, bringing Yin-style Yue Opera to the world.”

    “Yin Guifang nurtured generations of Yue Opera artists and revitalized traditional Chinese opera. This exhibition is an artistic dialogue that transcends borders,” said Zheng Quan, president of the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe. “Through art as a bridge, we can carry Master Yin’s spirit onto the global stage.”

    “Yue Opera is a regional art form, a niche genre. If we don’t preserve it, it will eventually disappear,” said Shang Jiemin, event organizer and president of the ACACC. He added that commemorative events like this not only celebrate Yue Opera’s presence and influence but also ensure that its legacy continues for future generations.

    “When we founded this organization, it was driven by passion. Our cultural roots are in tradition,” said another organizer, Zhang Huizhu.

    “Our organization has been at the forefront of promoting Chinese culture overseas. We hosted numerous events — from traditional Yue Opera performances to folk music concerts, engaging local audiences in Flushing, Queens, while expanding outreach to Manhattan,” she said.

    She added that for many overseas Chinese, Yue Opera is more than just an art form — it’s a connection to their home country.

    “I never met Yin Guifang,” she said, “but growing up, my mother played Yue Opera at home. In Shanghai’s alleyways, on the streets — if you had a radio, you could hear it.”

    “These traditional melodies offer a sense of comfort and belong to the Chinese people living abroad,” Zhang said.

    MIL OSI China News –