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Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leeds City Council participates in international programme to tackle LGBT+ discrimination

    Source: City of Leeds

    Leeds City Council is to partner with Portuguese city Oeiras on a new project to tackle anti-LGBT+ discrimination by improving understanding between different communities.

    The five-month long Rainbow Connections project is funded through the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities (ICC) programme. It will see the two local authorities work with their LGBT+ staff and local non-governmental organisations in a series of awareness-raising sessions bringing together LGBT+ people and the wider community.

    The project will also examine how organisations interact with their own LGBT+ employees and communities and aims to help create good practice and ultimately to produce a training pack that can be shared and applied internationally.

    As part of the project, Leeds City Council will share its experiences and learning on the development of a successful LBGT+ staff network, as well as the development and implementation of the “what makes us different, makes us Leeds” anti-discrimination campaign, which included information and advice for communities to combat homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia,  offering Oeiras valuable insights as it develops its own initiatives in this important area.

    In both cities, the project’s objectives support longer-term plans for communities, where all voices feel included, and no group is left behind or ignored. It is hoped the project will also have a long-term legacy of acting as a catalyst for more regular, honest, and effective conversations between different communities in both local authorities and, indeed, internationally.

    Above: Oeiras Town Hall

    In Leeds, this project closely aligns with already well-established strategies for LGBT+ inclusion and will automatically be built into Leeds’s city-wide strategy.

    Deputy Leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, Councillor Jonathan Pryor, said: “Leeds is committed to being a city where everyone, whatever their identity or background, feels safe, welcomed and included, and that obviously includes our LGBT+ citizens.

    “Working with international partners provides a fresh perspective and an opportunity to exchange of ideas and working practices, so we are excited to work with like-minded cities such as Oeiras on tackling LGBT+ discrimination in all its forms”

    Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Equality, Health and Wellbeing, added

    “Many members of the LGBT+ community still face discrimination in some form, and that’s not the type of city Leeds wants to be. We have a responsibility to lead efforts to stop discrimination in all its forms, both in our city and elsewhere, and one of the best places to start is by encouraging better conversations and understanding.

    “We welcome funding from the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities programme to help us achieve this and further our aim to stop discrimination in all its forms, wherever it happens.”  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.130 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.130 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, July 9, 2025)

    The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB75.5 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on July 9, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Rate

    Bidding Volume

    Winning Bid Volume

    7 days

    1.40%

    RMB75.5 billion

    RMB75.5 billion

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年07月09日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Doing business in conflict zones: what companies can learn from Lafarge’s exit from Syria

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Nathalie Belhoste, Associate professor, EM Lyon Business School

    The world experienced over 60 armed conflicts in 2024, a “historically high” number according to scholars in the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University. Consequently, the risks faced by multinational companies (MNCs) operating in conflict-torn regions, especially the Middle East and North Africa, have significantly intensified. Israel’s recent airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities are another reminder of the escalating violence and instability that are causing loss of life and threatening businesses.

    In response to the increase in international crises and armed violence, the United Nations Global Compact has urged companies and investors to adopt more responsible practices in conflict-affected and high-risk areas, so as to position themselves as crucial actors in providing peace and stability.

    The role of business in conflict zones

    The debate over the role of business in conflict zones is not new but is gaining traction among scholars and practitioners alike. Questions include whether companies can leverage their influence to support peacebuilding efforts, and whether some firms may exploit unstable environments to maximize profit and thus exacerbate conflict.

    MNCs tend to respond to conflict by adopting one of the following strategies:

    1) an exit strategy (ie withdrawing from a conflict zone)

    2) a business-as-usual strategy that merely complies with changing local conditions and regulations

    3) a take-advantage strategy of profiteering from a war economy

    4) or a proactive engagement strategy aimed at contributing to public security

    But, if an MNC decides to stay and continue operating in a conflict zone, it can hardly be guided by a single strategy. Moreover, since strategies evolve in response to unfolding events, their adaptation may lead to unforeseen consequences and possibly far-reaching negative impacts.

    This is clearly demonstrated by our recent study on the case of Lafarge in Syria. Lafarge Cement Syria (LCS), the local subsidiary of the former French multinational construction company Lafarge, continued operating during the Syrian civil war from 2011 until 2014, while most foreign companies withdrew in response to escalating violence and political instability. To maintain production at its Jalabiya plant in northeast Syria, LCS managers established arrangements with various armed groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the al-Nusrah Front (ANF) – “both US-designated foreign terrorist organisations” – providing financial payments called “protection money” and purchasing raw material from suppliers under their control.

    The MNC’s stay-at-all-cost strategy in an active civil war zone culminated in a forced withdrawal from Syria – the night before ISIS took full control over the LCS factory – and subsequent, ongoing legal proceedings in France against Lafarge and LCS for alleged financing of terrorism (at least €13 million paid to armed groups including ISIS), violation of international sanctions against Syria, complicity in crimes against humanity, and endangering the lives of others. In early 2024, a French court dropped the charge against Lafarge of endangering the lives of its Syrian employees.

    In 2022, Lafarge and its Syrian subsidiary pleaded guilty in a US federal court to conspiring to provide material support to foreign terrorist organisations. Lafarge agreed to pay a $778 million fine. The guilty plea came seven years after “what was originally billed as a merger of equals” between Lafarge and its Swiss rival Holcim. The year after LafargeHolcim, amid a growing scandal over the allegations, renamed itself Holcim Ltd.


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    A ‘downward spiral’

    In our study, we examined how some Lafarge and LCS managers navigated Syria’s shifting wartime landscape by analysing the relational, informational and financial strategies they used to engage with various non-state armed groups to sustain operations. Our findings reveal that over the four-year period from 2011 to 2014, a series of short-term, cost-benefit decisions produced a “downward spiral” of strategic responses. Rather than ensuring the company’s survival in an active conflict zone, these strategies increased its dependence on regime-connected intermediaries and war profiteers, and entangled it in the darkness of the Syrian war economy. Ultimately, this led to consequences that extended far beyond mere business failure.

    Four key factors shaped this downward spiral. The first is the diversity and fluidity of non-state armed actors with whom the company engaged. LCS paid “protection money” to a range of armed groups – including Kurdish military factions, insurgent groups and militias – prior to the emergence of jihadist organisations, particularly ISIS, in the vicinity of its cement factory. Initially, threats posed by jihadist groups were overshadowed by the complex, shifting alliances and rivalries among local actors vying for control over the resources in the region.

    The second factor that shaped the downward spiral is the gradual collapse of state authority in Syria, especially in the region near the factory. When the factory began production in 2010, its operations took place in a zone under the control of the Syrian government. This was a certain guarantee of security provided by the regime, which wanted to ensure the continuous payment of LCS local taxes. But after the outbreak of the civil war in 2011, the government started losing control in many parts of the country, including northeast Syria. Faced with this institutional vacuum, LCS managers took security into their own hands by establishing arrangements with various armed groups to safeguard their business.

    The third factor is the level of the subsidiary’s exposure to the conflict. At first, the plant’s exposure to violence was low because of its geographical distance from the heart of the conflict. However, by mid-2012, and especially in 2013, fighting intensified close to the factory, which sat near the strategic M4 highway linking eastern Syria to Turkey and Iraq. The highway was a key route used by the company’s suppliers, but also by local rebel and militia groups.

    The fourth factor relates to the vulnerability of infrastructure and local supply chains. With $680 million invested in the cement plant’s construction and big hopes for a post-war reconstruction boom in the region, Lafarge was determined to protect its assets and access to critical resources. This imperative, coupled with ambitions to merge with Holcim as early as 2013 (the merger was completed in 2015), drove the company to prioritize continued production, even if it meant aligning with local warlords.

    These four factors and their respective dynamics pushed Lafarge and LCS to adopt increasingly unconventional and ethically questionable strategies. In adapting to the unfolding conflict and increasing violence, the company made a series of compromises that ultimately led to negotiations and arrangements with ISIS.

    What lessons should MNCs draw from this case?

    Lafarge’s dismal experience in war-torn Syria highlights a pattern of “organisational shortsightedness” that often affects MNC managers operating in conflict zones. As security deteriorates, firms may become entangled with local power brokers, adapting incrementally to survive, until they are so embedded that withdrawal becomes impossible. To break this cycle, companies must rigorously assess the potential fallout of their strategies and avoid entanglements with armed factions altogether. Moreover, to survive in conflict zones, MNC subsidiary managers need to gain country-specific knowledge and experience, and consider context complexity and dynamics as constituent elements of their strategies.

    Our research serves as a cautionary tale. It warns decision-makers of the dangers of deploying financial and relational strategies in conflict zones that may increase a company’s dependence on non-state armed groups. Such business practices risk compromising objective decision-making and obscuring legal and ethical boundaries and can ultimately backfire. To avoid this, managers should design a responsible withdrawal strategy at the beginning of an armed conflict to ensure employees’ safety. Managers must also adopt ethical and conflict-sensitive practices in strict compliance with the actions for businesses operating in conflict zones recommended by the UN Global Compact.



    À lire aussi :
    Will multinational companies flock to Syria? Maybe, if foreign aid arrives first

    We also encourage corporate leaders to develop “critical geopolitical awareness” by gaining more contextual knowledge and integrating a multilevel political risk analysis into their strategies. This would provide them with a deeper understanding of the complexity and dynamics of an armed conflict and the relevant actors they need to engage with or avoid. Only with informed leadership can managers effectively and responsibly navigate the complex and often hazardous landscape of doing business in conflict zones.

    Les auteurs ne travaillent pas, ne conseillent pas, ne possèdent pas de parts, ne reçoivent pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’ont déclaré aucune autre affiliation que leur organisme de recherche.

    – ref. Doing business in conflict zones: what companies can learn from Lafarge’s exit from Syria – https://theconversation.com/doing-business-in-conflict-zones-what-companies-can-learn-from-lafarges-exit-from-syria-260604

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Minister of Defence tables Budget Vote Speech

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    Minister of Defence tables Budget Vote Speech

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rynGTGZr7Wk

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Algeria deepens trade ties with other African countries as it gears up for Africa’s biggest marketplace

    Source: APO

    Algeria is working towards increasing its share of trade with other African countries by tapping into opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    In a keynote address during the Algeria Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 Business Roadshow, Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion, H.E. Prof. Kamal Rezig stated that this includes enhancing continental connectivity through infrastructure projects such as the Trans-Sahara Highway and the Zouerate Road project linking the Tindouf border with Mauritania and the Nigeria-Algeria gas pipeline and fibre optic cable.

    “In order to improve the business climate in Algeria, the State has endeavoured to ensure a stable, transparent, stimulating and attractive economic and institutional environment for investment. This is in addition to ensuring stability of legislation that regulates local and foreign investment, and simplifying administrative procedures, development and strengthening of the banking system, the capital market and the insurance sector, as well as development of human resources capabilities and skills, with the aim of adapting its economy to global transformations,” H.E. Rezig said, adding that besides developing key sectors, the country is also promoting exports in the continent within the framework of AfCFTA.

    In 2024, Algeria’s share of total intra-African trade stood at 2.2%, marginally growing from 1.9% in 2022, according to African Trade Report 2025 (http://apo-opa.co/44BzJhH). Mineral fuels and oils make up 91.5% of its exports. The country’s top-five African export partners in 2023 based on volumes are Tunisia (70.7%), South Africa (6.7%), Cote d’Ivoire (3.6%), Nigeria (3.1%) and Senegal (2.7%) states the Country at a Glance: Algeria 2024 report (http://apo-opa.co/4m4chRF) while its top-five import partners  are Mauritania (38.8%), Tunisia (32.7%), Cote d’Ivoire (9%), Morocco (6%) and Uganda (2.2%).

    The Algeria IATF2025 Business Roadshow focused on promoting intra-African trade, bringing together government officials, the trade community, including businesses, investors, and executives from African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). Hosted by Afreximbank, in collaboration with the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the roadshow was one of the five roadshows hosted in key cities including Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Lagos in the run up to the fourth edition of IATF, Africa’s premier trade and investment event that is held biennially, scheduled to take place in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 – 10 September 2025 hosted by the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. IATF provides a platform for businesses to showcase goods and exchange trade and investment information within the continent’s single market.

    The Chairman of IATF2025 Advisory Council and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said that intra-African trade presents a huge opportunity for African economies to enhance their resilience in today’s rapidly changing world.

    “Through the IATF, the largest, go-to trade and investment fair on the continent, Africa needs to join hands and build on the gains that have been achieved so far in promoting trade with itself under the AfCFTA framework. AfCFTA provides an opportunity for the continent to achieve economic emancipation and self-reliance and build the Africa We Want. This will help unlock the continent’s vast potential while accelerating industrialisation and job creation,” H.E. Obasanjo added.

    The past three editions of IATF have attracted over 70,000 participants and 4,500 exhibitors, and hosted buyers and sellers from over 130 countries, generating more than $100 billion in trade and investment deals. This provides a glimpse of the immense potential that exists for intra-African trade and investment.

    Afreximbank’s Executive Vice-President, Intra-African Trade & Export Development, Mrs Kanayo Awani noted that whereas conventional wisdom attributes Africa’s low intra-continental trade to infrastructure deficits, a more fundamental barrier is the lack of access to trade and market information.

    “Afreximbank launched the IATF —not merely as an exhibition but as a marketplace for the AfCFTA and a platform to close the trade information gap. Since its inception in 2018, IATF has held three resoundingly successful fairs. In these fairs, Algeria showed up strongly and directly benefited from facilitated trade and investment deals worth over $2 billion. Now, Algeria has the opportunity to host the fourth edition. As Africa’s largest country by land and the fourth-largest economy by GDP, Algeria has both the duty and the opportunity to lead. Algeria’s competitive advantages—energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, financial services, light manufacturing, ICT, and automotive assembly—are all primed for scale and export across the continent,” Mrs Awani said. She challenged businesses and government agencies in Algeria and the North African region to take centre stage at IATF2025, where over 2,000 exhibitors from Africa and beyond will showcase their products to more than 35,000 visitors and buyers from over 140 countries, resulting in trade and investment deals in excess of US$44 billion.

    IATF2025 will feature a trade exhibition by countries and businesses; and the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme spotlighting cultural industries with a dedicated exhibition and summit on fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature, gastronomy and culinary arts. It will also include a four-day Trade and Investment Forum featuring leading African and international speakers; and the Africa Automotive Show for auto manufacturers, assemblers, original equipment manufacturers and component suppliers. Special Days will highlight countries, public and private sector entities, tourism, cultural attractions, and Global Africa Day celebrating ties with the African diaspora. Additional activities include business-to-business and business-to-government matchmaking, the AU Youth Start-Up programme, the Africa Research and Innovation Hub, and the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) to promote local trade and cultural exchanges. The IATF Virtual platform is also live, connecting exhibitors and visitors year-round.

    Planning for IATF2025 is in top gear with significant progress made in ensuring a seamless logistical experience and delivering a successful event.

    The theme of Algeria IATF2025 Business Roadshow was ‘Harnessing Regional and Continental Value Chains: Accelerating Africa’s Industrialisation and Global Competitiveness under the AfCFTA’. It was also attended by H.E Ms. Baleka Mbete, the founder of NaLHISA and former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa; H.E Zitouny El-Tayeb, Minister of Internal Trade; H.E. Selma Mansouri, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of African Affairs; H.E. Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment and Acting Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals; and Mr. Jean Louis-EKRA, former President of Afreximbank and Deputy Chair of the Intra-African Trade Fair Advisory Council.

    To participate in IATF2025 please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

    Media contact: 
    media@intrafricatradefair.com 
    press@afreximbank.com

    About the Intra-African Trade Fair:
    Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent’s transformation through industrialisation and export development. 

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: World Bank Backs Mining as Zambia’s Economic Engine Ahead of African Mining Week (AMW) 2025

    Source: APO


    .

    International financial institution the World Bank has underscored the role the energy transition metals (ETM) value chain plays in unlocking sustainable economic growth in Zambia. In a report released this week, the institution has shown that while Zambia recorded 4% GDP growth in 2024, the country can further accelerate economic growth through scaling-up ETM production, maximizing fiscal potential and adding value to mineral resources.

    The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference – taking place October 1-3 in Cape Town – will feature a country spotlight session on Zambia. The session – titled Zambia: Accelerating Exploration and Development Through License Allocation – will provide insight into the country’s mineral potential, connecting project and investment opportunities with financiers and mining operators. As Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders, AMW 2025 is well-positioned to support Zambian economic growth by facilitating new investment across the mining sector.

    Scaling Energy Transition Metals Production

    To support economic growth in Zambia, the World Bank underscores the need to scale-up the production of ETM. To achieve this, recommendations include the implementation of reforms aimed at boosting mineral output, exploration across new deposits and workforce development. In line with these recommendations, Zambia is already advancing a national plan to increase ETM production, specifically copper, while enhancing seismic data acquisition to support future exploration activities. Zambia has set a national target of increasing annual copper production to three million tons by 2031. In line with this goal, the country saw a 29.9% rise in copper output from Q1, 2024 to Q1, 2025. Major projects are also underway, including the Mimosa Resources-led Kashime copper mine, the relaunch of the Vedanta Resources-led Konkola mine and the International Resources Holding-led Mopani mine. Meanwhile, to support exploration efforts, the country is implementing a nationwide geomapping campaign to better understand its geology and mineral basins. As of June 2025, the campaign was 80% complete.

    Maximizing Fiscal Potential

    As production increases across the ETM sector, the World Bank has underscored the role of improved revenue management and better allocation mechanisms to support fiscal sustainability and sectoral service delivery. Such mechanisms would ensure that mining revenue creates long-term impacts for the economy. In line with these, Zambia’s Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development is operationalizing the Minerals Regulation Commission and restructuring its departments to include dedicated units for Geological Survey, Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) and Large-Scale Investment Promotion. These reforms aim to improve governance, transparency and institutional efficiency. The government also unveiled the Zambia Integrated Mining Information System – a digital platform to track mining company activities, monitor local content and tax contributions and provide public access to data on mineral prospects.

    Adding Value to Mineral Resources

    In addition to ETM production and revenue, the development of Zambia’s copper value chain creates a range of economic opportunities for the country, from job creation to business participation to trade and financing. By redirecting capital to local businesses and downstream projects, the country will be able to address barriers to value-adding activities, thereby stimulating more inclusive economic growth. Progress is already underway in this regard. Zambia plans to establish mineral market centers and washing plants in Mumbwa, Rufunsa, Chisamba and Kasempa to empower small-scale miners, as part of its value addition strategy. A national training program for licensed artisanal miners is also in the pipeline to improve safety, productivity and skills. These efforts seek to support local miners, creating greater value from the ETM value chain.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

    About African Mining Week (AMW):
    African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Acting Libyan Foreign Minister Meets Qatar’s Ambassador

    Source: APO


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    HE Taher Salem Al Baour, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Government of National Unity of the sisterly State of Libya, met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Libya Dr. Khalid Mohammed bin Zaben Al Dosari.

    During the meeting, cooperation relations between the two countries were discussed.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Deputy Representative of United Nations (UN) Secretary-General in Libya Meets Ambassador of Qatar

    Source: APO


    .

    HE Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Political Affairs for Libya in the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Koury met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Libya Dr. Khalid Mohammed bin Zabin Al Dosari.

    The meeting discussed the latest developments in Libya.

    HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Libya reaffirmed during the meeting the State of Qatar’s firm and supportive position in support of Libya’s unity and sovereignty, as well as its commitment to backing all international efforts aimed at achieving security, stability, and development in the country.

    His Excellency also reiterated the State of Qatar’s support for the Libyan political process, relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and all peaceful solutions that preserve Libya’s unity, stability, and sovereignty, while fulfilling the aspirations of the brotherly Libyan people for development and prosperity through free and fair elections.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Panyijiar communities say dialogue and forgiveness key to sustained peace

    Source: APO


    .

    “I lost my husband and three children,” said Tabitha Nyaluak. “But I still believe that we have no way out of repeated conflict if we don’t connect with each other.” 

    Tabitha is one of many community members whose lives have been permanently altered by air strikes in Panyijiar, a county in Unity state.

    She and others tell a patrolling team of peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), about their fatigue with repeated cycles of violence.

    “We keep hearing about better times ahead, but such attacks bring back memories of civil war. That’s why I believe that dialogue is critical for us if we want a peaceful life. Violence only begets more violence,” she added.

    Hiroko Hirahara, Director of the UN Peacekeeping mission’s Civil Affairs Division, agreed.

    “As part of our efforts to protect civilians, we help broker community-led peace agreements,” she explained.

    “Apart from these recent air attacks, Panyijiar also has a history of cattle-related disputes with neighboring counties in Lakes state. So, in September last year we supported a peace dialogue between residents here and several counties from Lakes, including Yirol East, Yirol West, Rumbek East, Rumbek Centre and Rumbek North. These are some of the most conflict-prone locations.”

    Ms. Hirahara revealed that this intervention led to the adoption of a practical, 21-point local resolution, where feuding communities themselves came up with workable solutions to end cyclical violence.

    “Given the current security situation, it is vital that community members recommit to implementing this local level agreement that they themselves negotiated,” she said.

    “While some of the resolutions may need additional resources, others, such as stopping cross-border cattle raids, killing and revenge attacks can be immediately actioned.” 

    What are some of the more resource-heavy elements of such agreements?

    “Some aspects require support from state and national authorities, such as, for example, joint border patrols by the police. As UNMISS, we can and already do help by consistently training and building capacities of security actors across the country,” stated Ms. Hirahara.

    “But the key really lies with community members taking ownership of this existing framework for peace and security. The most powerful solutions for lasting peace come from the people who know what it is to lose everything.” 

    For Nyaroom Ruei, a women’s leader in Panyijiar, efforts for larger political reconciliation are equally essential.

    “While we as community members will try our best to rebuild trust among ourselves, our leaders must make similar efforts to bridge their differences. We have endured enough pain. All of us are convinced that honest political dialogues at the highest level are necessary for South Sudan to be truly peaceful. We hope that the UN and other partners will take our message to the right people.” 

    Amid the sharpest uptick in violence in South Sudan since 2020, Panyijiar communities have a clear message: peace will not take hold unless everyone—political and security actors, women, the disabled, the elderly, traditional leaders, youth, and the larger civil society—forgives past hurts and moves forward in the spirit of compromise.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: China rolls out sweeping employment push for record number of college graduates

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

    Students attend a campus job fair held at Qinghai College of Architectural Technology in Xining, northwest China’s Qinghai Province, April 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China has unveiled a tiered strategy to boost employment prospects for the nation’s 2025 college graduates, a number which is expected to reach a record 12.22 million this year.

    Key national moves include job channel expansion, skills enhancement, and targeted support for disadvantaged students.

    A recent recruitment fair at Guangxi Medical University in south China demonstrated the campaign’s scale, featuring both provincial and national employers across sectors like health care, AI and education.

    “Large fairs like this help us engage directly with employers,” said Huang Chenxi, a student seeking administrative hospital work.

    The number of college graduates in China has been rising steadily, surpassing the 10-million mark for the first time in 2022, when 10.76 million students entered the job market.

    This upward trend has continued, with the number of graduates expected to reach a record 12.22 million this year — an increase of 430,000 compared to last year.

    The key to boosting graduate employment is expanding channels and creating more job opportunities.

    To that end, government authorities have intensified policy support, specifically targeting job retention and creation in private enterprises and small-to-medium-sized businesses.

    In a recent policy innovation, China has for the first time extended its one-time job expansion subsidies — previously available only to enterprises — to include social organizations, incentivizing employers of all types to hire graduates.

    The Chinese government has also been launching “100 counties for 100 universities” recruitment drives since June to bridge information gaps between local enterprises and universities.

    Last month, an event in Ningbo in east China’s Zhejiang Province offered over 7,000 jobs, and another event in Nanning in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region offered over 15,000 jobs. More fairs are also planned for other parts of the country.

    To thrive in today’s rapidly evolving labor market, graduates need more than just degrees — they need industry-relevant skills.

    “New industries, business models and economic paradigms represent a crucial driver of innovation-led development, injecting fresh vitality into China’s economy,” said Wang Peng, an associate researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences.

    “These emerging sectors have created significant employment growth opportunities and are increasingly serving as primary channels absorbing college graduates into the workforce,” Wang noted, highlighting their growing importance in China’s employment landscape.

    Responding to the evolving needs of emerging industries, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has launched a national program to enhance student preparedness. Over 2,600 “micro-major” programs and more than 1,100 professional training courses have been established to sharpen students’ knowledge and competencies in high-demand fields prior to graduation.

    A national employment services platform for college graduates has undergone a digital overhaul, and is now equipped with AI and big-data-powered tools.

    Enhanced algorithms and closer coordination with social recruitment platforms and universities have made it more efficient: To date, the platform has hosted 111 online job fairs and posted over 20 million job openings for the graduating class of 2025.

    Complementing national efforts, provinces across China are also implementing localized solutions. In northeast China’s Jilin Province, for example, 69 human resources officials have been assigned to support 69 local universities, offering tailored guidance and services.

    As we enter July and the graduation season reaches its peak, particular attention is being paid to those who have yet to secure jobs — especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.

    Backed by funding from the Ministry of Finance, the MOE has organized 1,124 dedicated job fairs, offering more than 1.1 million targeted positions for the 2025 graduate cohort.

    Looking ahead, uninterrupted support will continue via the national employment platform. In one example of such support, a special online campaign linking research assistant positions and livestreamed job fairs will remain active through the end of August.

    Together, these efforts reflect China’s commitment to helping graduates move from classrooms to careers, and to ensuring their talents find the opportunities they deserve.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCIO briefing on China’s economic performance in April 2025

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

    中文

    Speakers:

    Mr. Fu Linghui, spokesperson of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and director general of the Department of Comprehensive Statistics of the NBS

    Chairperson:

    Zhou Jianshe, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

    Date:

    May 19, 2025

    Zhou Jianshe:

    Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). This is a regular briefing on China’s economic data. Today, we are joined by Mr. Fu Linghui, spokesperson of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and director general of the Department of Comprehensive Statistics of the NBS. Mr. Fu will brief you on China’s economic performance in April 2025 and then take your questions.

    First, I will give the floor to Mr. Fu for his introduction.

    Fu Linghui:

    Good morning, everyone. As usual, I will start by briefing you on the main economic indicators for this April and then take your questions.

    In April, the national economy withstood pressure and maintained stable growth.

    In April, in the face of a complicated situation marked by increasing external shocks and multiple domestic difficulties and challenges, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, all regions and departments strictly implemented the decisions and arrangements made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, adhered to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, fully and faithfully applied the new development philosophy on all fronts, accelerated efforts to create a new pattern of development, took solid steps to promote high-quality development, stepped up the implementation of more proactive and effective macro policies, and responded to the external shocks effectively. As a result, production and demand grew steadily, employment was generally stable, and new growth drivers accumulated and grew. The national economy maintained stable growth despite pressure, sustaining the new and positive development momentum.

    Fu Linghui:

    First, industrial production grew quickly, with equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing showing good growth momentum.

    In April, the total value added of industrial enterprises above designated size grew by 6.1% year on year, or 0.22% month on month. In terms of sectors, the value added of mining went up by 5.7% year on year, manufacturing up by 6.6%, and the production and supply of electricity, thermal power, gas and water up by 2.1%. The value added of equipment manufacturing increased by 9.8% year on year, and that of high-tech manufacturing increased by 10.0%, which were 3.7 percentage points and 3.9 percentage points faster than that of industrial enterprises above designated size, respectively. In terms of ownership, the value added of state holding enterprises was up by 2.9% year on year; that of share-holding enterprises was up by 6.6%; that of enterprises funded by foreign investors or investors from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan was up by 3.9%; and that of private enterprises was up by 6.7%. In terms of products, the outputs of 3D printing devices, industrial robots and new energy vehicles (NEVs) grew by 60.7%, 51.5% and 38.9% year on year, respectively. In the first four months, the total value added of industrial enterprises above designated size went up by 6.4% year on year. In April, the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index was 49.0%; and the Production and Operation Expectation Index was 52.1%. In the first three months, the total profits made by industrial enterprises above designated size were 1,509.4 billion yuan, up by 0.8% year on year.

    Second, the service sector grew steadily and modern services developed well.

    In April, the Index of Services Production grew by 6.0% year on year. In terms of sectors, that of information transmission, software and information technology services, leasing and business services, wholesales and retails, and finance grew by 10.4%, 8.9%, 6.8% and 6.1% year on year, respectively, which were 4.4 percentage points, 2.9 percentage points, 0.8 percentage point and 0.1 percentage point faster than that of the Index of Services Production. In the first four months, the Index of Services Production increased by 5.9% year on year. In the first three months, the business revenue of service enterprises above designated size went up by 7.0% year on year. In April, the Business Activity Index for Services was 50.1%, and the Business Activity Expectation Index for Services was 56.4%. Specifically, the Business Activity Index for industries like air transportation, telecommunication, broadcast, television and satellite transmission services, internet software and information technology services, and insurance stayed within the high expansion range of 55.0% and above.

    Third, market sales maintained steady growth and trade-in goods grew quickly.

    In April, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 3,717.4 billion yuan, up by 5.1% year on year, or up by 0.24% month on month. Analyzed by different areas, the retail sales of consumer goods in urban areas reached 3,237.6 billion yuan, up by 5.2% year on year; and that in rural areas reached 479.8 billion yuan, up by 4.7%. Grouped by consumption patterns, the retail sales of goods were 3,300.7 billion yuan, up by 5.1%; and the income of catering was 416.7 billion yuan, up by 5.2%. Sales of basic living goods and certain upgraded goods showed sound growth. The retail sales of grain, oil and food and of sports and recreational articles by enterprises above designated size went up by 14.0% and 23.3%, respectively. The effect of trade-in of consumer goods continued to manifest, with the retail sales of household appliances and audiovisual equipment, cultural and office supplies, furniture, and communication equipment by enterprises above designated size growing by 38.8%, 33.5%, 26.9% and 19.9%, respectively. In the first four months, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 16,184.5 billion yuan, up by 4.7% year on year. Online retail sales reached 4,741.9 billion yuan, up by 7.7% year on year. Specifically, the online retail sales of physical goods were 3,926.5 billion yuan, up by 5.8%, accounting for 24.3% of the total retail sales of consumer goods. In the first four months, the retail sales of services grew by 5.1% year on year.

    Fourth, investment in fixed assets continued to expand and investment in manufacturing grew quickly.

    In the first four months, investment in fixed assets (excluding rural households) reached 14,702.4 billion yuan, up by 4.0% year on year; and investment in fixed assets was up by 8.0% with the investment in real estate development deducted. Specifically, investment in infrastructure grew by 5.8% year on year, that in manufacturing grew by 8.8%, and that in real estate development declined by 10.3%. The floor space of newly-built commercial buildings sold was 282.62 million square meters, down by 2.8% year on year; and the total sales of newly-built commercial buildings were 2,703.5 billion yuan, down by 3.2%. By industry, investment in the primary industry increased by 13.2% year on year, that in the secondary industry up by 11.7%, and that in the tertiary industry down by 0.2%. Private investment increased by 0.2% year on year, or increased by 5.8% with the investment in real estate development deducted. In terms of high-tech industries, investment in information services, computer and office device manufacturing, aerospace vehicle and equipment manufacturing, and professional technical services grew by 40.6%, 28.9%, 23.9% and 17.6%, respectively. In April, investment in fixed assets (excluding rural households) increased by 0.10% month on month.

    Fifth, imports and exports of goods kept growing and the trade structure continued to be optimized.

    In April, the total value of imports and exports of goods was 3.84 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.6%. Specifically, the total value of exports was 2.26 trillion yuan, up by 9.3%. The total value of imports was 1.57 trillion yuan, up by 0.8%. In the first four months, the total value of imports and exports of goods was 14.13 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.4%. Specifically, the total value of exports was 8.39 trillion yuan, up by 7.5%. The total value of imports was 5.74 trillion yuan, down by 4.2%. In the first four months, the imports and exports of general trade went up by 0.6%, accounting for 64% of the total value of imports and exports. Imports and exports by private enterprises went up by 6.8%, accounting for 56.9% of the total value of imports and exports, which is 2.3 percentage points higher than that of the same period last year. The exports of mechanical and electrical products grew by 9.5%, accounting for 60.1% of the total value of exports.

    Sixth, employment was generally stable and the surveyed urban unemployment rate declined.

    From January to April, the average surveyed unemployment rate in urban areas remained flat year on year at 5.2%. In April, the national surveyed urban unemployment rate was 5.1%, 0.1 percentage point lower than that of the previous month. The surveyed unemployment rate of population with local household registration was 5.2% and that of population with non-local household registration was 4.8%, of which the rate of population with non-local agricultural household registration was 4.7%. The surveyed urban unemployment rate across 31 major cities was 5.1%, 0.1 percentage point lower than that of the previous month. Employees of enterprises nationwide worked an average of 48.3 hours per week.

    Seventh, the consumer price index (CPI) fell slightly year on year, and the core CPI growth rate was stable.

    In April, the CPI decreased by 0.1% year on year, and increased by 0.1% compared to the previous month. By category, prices for food, tobacco and alcohol went up by 0.3%; clothing up by 1.3%; housing up by 0.1%; household goods and services for daily use up by 0.2%; transportation and communication prices down by 3.9%; education, culture and recreation up by 0.7%; medical services and health care up by 0.2%; and other articles and services up by 6.6%. In terms of food, tobacco and alcohol, prices for fresh vegetables fell by 5%, grain fell by 1.4%, pork up by 5%, and fresh fruits up by 5.2%. The core CPI, excluding the prices of food and energy, grew by 0.5% year on year. In the first four months, the CPI went down by 0.1% year on year.

    In April, the national producer price index (PPI) for industrial products went down by 2.7% year on year and 0.4% month on month. The purchasing price index for industrial producers went down by 2.7% year on year and 0.6% month on month. In the first four months, the national producer price and purchasing price indexes for industrial products both dropped by 2.4% compared with the same period last year.

    Overall, in April, despite increased external pressures, the coordinated efforts of macro policies ensured steady and relatively rapid growth in major indicators, sustaining the upward and improving trend of the national economy. It should also be noted that external instabilities and uncertainties still remain significant, and the foundation for the continuous improvement of the national economy needs to be further consolidated. In the next stage, we must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, resolutely implement the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability. We must fully and accurately implement the new development philosophy, accelerate the construction of a new development paradigm, coordinate domestic economic work and international economic and trade efforts, unswervingly handle our own affairs well, unswervingly expand high-level opening up, focus on stabilizing employment, enterprises, markets and expectations, solidly promote high-quality development, and promote the continuous recovery and improvement of the economy. Thank you.

    Zhou Jianshe:

    The floor is now open for questions. Please identify your media outlet before raising your questions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Wang powers into WTT US Smash last 16, Sun survives

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

    Reigning world champion Wang Chuqin advanced to the men’s singles last 16 with a 3-1 win over Kao Cheng-jui of Chinese Taipei, while women’s world No. 1 Sun Yingsha endured another full-game battle at the World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash on Tuesday.

    As Team China’s only remaining player in the bottom half, Wang started strong with an 11-2 opening game. Kao leveled with an 11-9 win, but Wang responded confidently, taking the next two games 11-6, 11-3 to close out the match.

    Wang Chuqin hits a return during the men’s singles round of 32 match between Wang Chuqin of China and Wong Chun Ting of China’s Hong Kong at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

    “We met many times before, so I was fully prepared for this match, especially considering the uncertainties brought by the venue and table,” said Wang. “When leading in the second game, I was a bit conservative, but after negotiations with my coach, I felt that I needed to stick to my own style of play.”

    French qualifier Lilian Bardet, who upset China’s Liang Jingkun in the previous round, continued his surprise run with a 3-1 victory over Germany’s Ricardo Walther.

    “I’m very happy and very proud of myself for this run. It’s not over yet and I hope to go as far as possible,” said Bardet.

    “Now I just want to carry this confidence and continue to play relaxed and let’s see how it goes,” he added.

    Sixth seed Felix Lebrun won 3-1 in an all-French clash with Simon Gauzy. German seeds Benedikt Duda and Qiu Dang also progressed to the third round.

    Sun Yingsha, who was pushed to five games by Australia’s Liu Yangzi in the opening round, faced another test against 17-year-old Hana Goda. The Egyptian teenager led two-one before Sun rallied with back-to-back 11-7 wins to complete the comeback.

    “Hana is quite young. She posed a huge challenge to me today with determination to win. Facing adversities, I just tried to improve my game with staunch belief,” commented Sun.

    Sun was joined in the women’s last 16 by teammates Chen Xingtong, Kuai Man and Chen Yi, as well as Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and Hina Hayata.

    Kuai also advanced to the mixed doubles quarterfinals with Lin Shidong after the top seeds swept Austria’s Robert Gardos and Sofia Polcanova in straight games.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Rooftop solar innovation powers China’s clean energy shift

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

    On the rooftops of Shuangjing Village in the city of Xuzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, rows of gleaming solar panels shimmer under the summer sun, resembling a vast azure sea from a distance.

    The installation is part of a village-wide distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation initiative led by the State Grid Xuzhou Power Supply Company. With a total installed capacity of 2,709 kilowatts, the network supplies steady renewable power to both the local homes and nearby industrial parks.

    “This village-wide rooftop solar program is very efficient,” said Liu Zhichuang, a company technician. “Farmers contribute their unused roof space and earn reliable rental income in return.”

    Over the solar panels’ lifetime, this village project is expected to generate more than 6.4 million yuan (about 890,000 U.S. dollars) in revenue, Liu explained. “At the same time, it cuts both construction and upkeep expenses by about 22 percent.”

    “Where land is scarce, massive solar farms just aren’t practical,” he noted. “That’s why distributed rooftop solar makes more sense. Xuzhou is proving it works, with panels already installed on 140,000 roofs across the city, leading all of Jiangsu province.”

    Distributed solar power is gaining traction across China, from rural homes to industrial parks. According to the National Energy Administration, by the end of 2024, the cumulative installed capacity of distributed PV had reached 370 gigawatts (GW), 121 times that of the end of 2013.

    Rooftop solar has become a significant player in China’s transition to clean energy. In March, China’s energy authorities highlighted the triple benefits of their initiatives: accelerating power sector reforms, increasing farmers’ earnings, and driving rural revitalization.

    As a major economic and manufacturing hub, Jiangsu boasts a complete photovoltaic industrial chain and has led the nation in distributed solar energy growth. Since 2024, the province has added an average of 1.5 gigawatts of distributed solar capacity per month. It has also developed seven village-wide pilot projects for distributed solar power.

    Factories are also tapping into the sun. At a Xuzhou-based new energy vehicle industrial park, a large digital display screen flashes real-time data on solar power output and carbon dioxide reduction.

    With 52,000 square meters of rooftop panels, the park generates an annual power output of nearly 7 million kilowatt-hours. “It’s enough to offset 2,800 tonnes of coal use and cut carbon emissions by about 7,500 tonnes,” Liu said, adding that businesses in the park have seen energy costs drop by more than 20 percent on average.

    As part of its accelerated green energy transition plan, Shanghai will comprehensively implement the “PV Plus” program, aiming to deploy over 4.5 GW of photovoltaic capacity citywide by 2027.

    In south China’s Guangdong Province, regulations require solar energy coverage on half of newly constructed factory rooftops by 2025, and full coverage by 2030. Existing industrial parks are also undergoing green retrofits to ensure at least 50 percent solar adoption by 2030.

    Technological innovation is further driving the surge of solar power adoption. In Jiangsu’s Wuxi, China’s first industrial park dedicated to perovskite PV — an emerging solar technology — recently opened. Perovskite solar modules can be integrated into building facades, transforming walls into energy generators.

    While solar panels were once confined to rooftops, technological breakthroughs now enable their seamless integration into building structures, said Jiang Weilong, vice president of the perovskite PV project developer.

    Jiang added that the industrial park’s pilot installation features hundreds of meters of boundary walls incorporating over 3,000 perovskite solar modules, which are expected to deliver an estimated annual carbon dioxide reduction of 110 tonnes.

    “Imagine a future where every fence, wall, rooftop, and even footpath doubles as a power generator,” said Jiang. “This will further unlock the space and potential for green transformation.” 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-Egypt practical cooperation yields fruitful outcomes

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

    Under the strategic guidance of leaders of the two countries, China-Egypt relations have, over the past years, made great strides, becoming a model of solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit between China and Arab, African, and other developing countries.

    By aligning China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Egypt’s Vision 2030, the two countries have drawn up a promising blueprint for practical cooperation and achieved remarkable outcomes across various sectors.

    STRATEGIC COOPERATION

    Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang said that since the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership was established in 2014, leaders of both countries have frequently met on bilateral and multilateral occasions, jointly steering Belt and Road cooperation and shaping a shared future in the new era.

    Frequent high-level exchanges have laid a solid foundation for deepening ties, anchored by both countries’ firm support for each other’s core interests, former Egyptian ambassador to China Magdy Amer told Xinhua, adding that under the BRI, bilateral trade has surged, and Chinese investment in Egypt has expanded rapidly.

    Waleed Gaballah, a member of the Egyptian Association for Political Economy, Statistics and Legislation, said that BRI projects, including the Central Business District in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, and the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) located southeast of Cairo, have invigorated Egypt’s economy.

    On July 2, the foundation stone was laid for the Deli Glass production base in the TEDA zone. With a 70 million U.S. dollar investment, its first phase will include a high-grade glass furnace and advanced automated production lines.

    The site will produce high-quality household glassware and evolve into an industrial cluster integrating research and development, manufacturing, advanced processing, packaging, logistics, and export.

    SCZone chairman Waleid Gamal El-Dein said the project marks the latest outcome of deepening cooperation between the zone and global investors, especially Chinese ones, reflecting the growing bilateral relations, political trust and economic collaboration between Egypt and China.

    So far, 185 enterprises have settled in the TEDA zone, bringing total investment to around 3 billion U.S. dollars and generating over 5.3 billion U.S. dollars in sales, with key industries including building materials, petrochemicals, textiles and new energy, among others, according to Cao Hui, executive director of Egypt-TEDA SEZone Development Company.

    After touring Haier Egypt Ecological Park and the welding factory of Jetour Egypt in mid-June, former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf described the projects as the fruits of a long-term partnership, strengthened by Belt and Road cooperation.

    “They reflect the initiative’s aim to promote shared development among participating countries,” he told Xinhua, emphasizing the importance of working with China to modernize Egypt’s industrial base.

    ACHIEVEMENTS ON MULTIPLE FRONTS

    In recent years, China and Egypt have jointly achieved several “firsts”: Chinese companies constructed Africa’s tallest skyscraper in Egypt, built Egypt’s first electrified light rail, and supported Egypt to become the continent’s leading fiberglass base. Chinese technology has also enabled Egypt to become the first African country with full satellite assembly and testing capabilities.

    In addition, Chinese firms helped drill over 680 desert water wells in Egypt over nine years, gradually turning barren land into farmland. Tech company Huawei has trained about 40,000 Egyptian youth through its ICT programs.

    Meanwhile, the flourishing cultural ties between the two countries have enhanced mutual understanding and added vitality to the partnership.

    Chinese has been formally integrated into Egypt’s national education system, with 30 universities offering Chinese courses and more than 20 secondary schools providing Chinese as an elective subject.

    Chinese cultural festivals and events held in Egypt, like “Happy Spring Festival,” “Tea for Harmony,” and “Chinese Film Week,” as well as various music performances, have attracted wide interest in Egypt and greatly promoted cultural interaction.

    Joint archaeological efforts have further deepened. In Luxor’s Karnak Temple complex, a Sino-Egyptian archaeological team revived the Montu Temple ruins, which had remained buried for over 3,000 years. Another collaborative initiative involves the digital documentation and study of thousands of anthropoid coffins discovered in the Saqqara necropolis, alongside efforts to restore the Ramses II statue at Karnak Temple.

    From museums and pyramids to southern temples and Red Sea resorts, Chinese tourists have been arriving in Egypt in growing numbers. To enhance their travel experience, Egypt has introduced Chinese-language signage in famous tourist sites, increased Chinese-speaking guides, and encouraged more hotels to offer Chinese cuisine.

    Last month, Air China announced a new direct flight between Beijing and Cairo, which is to be launched on Wednesday, operating three times weekly.

    “The new route will strengthen people-to-people exchanges and further deepen tourism cooperation between the two nations,” said Ahmed Youssef, chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Insolvency Rules Committee: Reappointment of barrister members

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Insolvency Rules Committee: Reappointment of barrister members

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the reappointments of Oliver Hyams and Daniel Warents as barrister members of the Insolvency Rules Committee for 4 years from 31 October 2025.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the reappointments of Oliver Hyams and Daniel Warents as Barrister Members of the Insolvency Rules Committee for 4 years from 31 October 2025.

    Oliver Hyams biography:

    Olive is a barrister practising from South Square chambers. He specialises in restructuring and insolvency, fraud, and commercial disputes. Oliver Hymans is recommended in both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 and he regularly writes and lectures on insolvency issues.

    He has not declared any political activity.

    Daniel Warents biography:

    Daniel is a Commercial Chancery barrister with a particular interest in insolvency. Since 2010, he has practised as a self-employed barrister at XXIV Old Buildings following the completion of his pupillage. Daniel Warents is a graduate of Downing College, Cambridge where he obtained an undergraduate degree in law followed by an LLM.

    He has not declared any political activity.

    The reappointment of Barrister members of the Insolvency Rules Committee are made, by the Lord Chancellor after consulting the Lady Chief Justice, under Section 413 of the Insolvency Act 1986,

    The appointment of non-judicial members of the Insolvency Rules Committee are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment and reappointment processes comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: When lived experience speaks, everyone listens 

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    When lived experience speaks, everyone listens 

    How ACE drives mission impact at pace in some of the hardest-hitting situations facing government and wider society.

    On June 18th the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) brought together over 80 people across government, industry and academia, to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing government and wider society, with a focus on knife crime.  

    We demonstrated our ability to drive mission impact at pace through a range of work, from Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) to the world of deepfakes.  

    We shared inspirational capabilities, tools and approaches already helping to solve some of these challenges, through 10 suppliers and universities from the ACE community. 

    We provided a collaborative space to have open conversations and share ideas on how we might pull together and intervene, to lead to better outcomes.  

    But there was one part of the day that really hit home. Where the emotion was so raw and the stories so powerful, that everyone stopped and listened. We got to hear stories from three people with lived experience about the devastating impact of knife crime. 

    Martin Cosser, the father of 17-year-old Charlie Cosser, who was murdered almost two years ago, shared his family’s story. Charlie’s death, perpetrated by someone who decided to carry and use a knife, led to the creation of Charlie’s Promise, a campaign against knife crime.  

    Chantell Hayles, a knife crime survivor, spoke about her own experiences of bullying and violence from other young girls, and an abusive relationship which only ended when her partner died suddenly. She now runs Living Without Limits, to provide young people with a platform to be heard and to support those living through similar experiences, especially young girls who are often overlooked in knife crime narratives. 

    Tim Haigh, a former gang member and knife carrier, told how his early potential was derailed by crime, leading to nine years in prison and a near fatal addiction. He now works through Lived Experience Speakers, helping others avoid the path he took. 

    At ACE we create experiences and connections to some of the hardest-hitting situations facing society. We don’t shy away from the cutting emotion or minimise the realities that people face. Instead, we give them a voice, a platform and access to the people that can make a difference and help others avoid similar situations.  

    Lived experiences working alongside industry, academia and government.  

    To find out more, get in touch with the team at ace@homeoffice.gov.uk.  

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: We invite you to the Open Day of the Master’s program of the Institute of Marketing

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Official website of the State –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Since May 27, the State University of Management has held a series of introductory events on master’s degree programs. The final event in this series will be the Open Day of the Master’s program of the Institute of Marketing. Please note that the start time of the event and the connection link have changed.

    Institute of Marketing (IM)

    July 10, 14:00OnlineConnection link: https://my.mts-link.ru/j/12546475/99263282

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ22: Support for public rental housing tenants

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Kingsley Wong and a written reply by Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):

    Question:

    It has been learnt that a number of cases involving deaths of public rental housing (PRH) tenants in their own PRH flats occurred in Hong Kong in the past, in which the deaths of such tenants remained unknown for a long time, and there were even cases where their bodies had been reduced to skeletons by the time they were discovered; and there were also cases in which carers died suddenly in their PRH flats, but the relatives living with them were forced to “stay with the dead bodies” as their relatives were unable to seek assistance and report to the Police due to mental incapacity or other reasons. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the number of cases in each of the past 10 years, in which staff of the Housing Department (HD) found people dead in the flats concerned during home visits or flat recovery work (e.g. breaking into the flats concerned);

    (2) of the number of cases in each of the past 10 years, in which the Social Welfare Department (SWD) found people dead in the flats concerned in the course of following up the welfare service matters of PRH tenants;

    (3) it is learnt that, following the default on rental payment for two consecutive months by PRH tenants, HD will make several attempts to contact the tenants concerned by means of telephone, written notification or home visits, etc., of the criteria adopted by HD for determining whether it is necessary to refer the cases to other departments for follow-up or to report to the Police after repeated unsuccessful attempts to contact the tenants;

    (4) regarding cases in which HD is unable to contact the tenants successfully, whether HD will consider seeking assistance from the Police within a shorter period of time, so as to decide if further actions will be taken in respect of the tenants concerned (e.g. breaking into the flats); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (5) as there are views that enhanced cooperation among different departments will facilitate early detection of death cases in PRH flats and even save lives, whether HD, SWD, the Home Affairs Department and the Police will consider setting up a mechanism for information sharing and cooperation; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (6) whether it will promote and encourage the District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams), management companies and PRH tenants to set up a system for assuring safety, so that PRH tenants who live alone or need relevant support may participate on a voluntary basis;

    (7) given that HD has launched the pilot scheme of Door Sensor Installation for Elderly Households to equip the elderly households who have voluntarily participated in the scheme with the system which allows designated relatives or friends to keep track of the movement of the elderly in and out of their flats, whether the authorities will extend the scheme to cover non-elderly PRH tenants in the future; whether they will promote and encourage the Care Teams and management companies to become one of the designated contact persons, so as to expeditiously follow up the situation of the tenants concerned; and

    (8) given that the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited have joined forces to launch the Gas Guardian Care Network programme, which utilises smart meters to monitor the gas usage patterns of the elderly in real-time, whether the authorities will make reference to the programme and launch other projects in collaboration with the business sector and community organisations to enable carers to check the condition of the elderly, so as to enhance home safety of the elderly?

    Reply:

    President,

    The estate management staff of the Housing Department (HD) will contact public rental housing (PRH) tenants through daily management work, proactively understanding their living conditions in PRH units and will pay special attention to elderly residents living alone. Cases will be referred to other government departments and social welfare organisations as needed to provide assistance. 

    In response to the question raised by the Hon Kingsley Wong, in consultation with the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) and the Home Affairs Department, our reply is as follows:

    (1), (2) and (5) In the past 10 years (i.e. 2015 to 2024), the number of natural deaths recorded in PRH units under the HD is listed in the Annex. These cases are mainly discovered through the HD’s routine management work (such as patrols, home visits, flat recovery operations, etc.), or were reported by the tenants’ relatives, friends, or neighbours to the estate offices, or referred by other government departments including the police and the Social Welfare Department (SWD) or social welfare organisations. The HD does not maintain statistical breakdowns of the means by which these cases are discovered.

    At present, the HD and the SWD have established an inter-departmental referral mechanism to handle special cases of housing assistance for PRH tenants. Liaison groups have been formed at both the headquarters and regional levels to regularly review and improve the cooperation mechanism for housing assistance cases. The HD is also closely collaborating with the LWB and is providing information of PRH tenants under the premise of protecting personal data privacy, with a view to facilitating the LWB to develop a database for following up on hidden and needy elderly individuals.

    (3) and (4) According to Section 19(1)(b) of the Housing Ordinance (Cap. 283), when the Housing Authority (HA) serves a notice-to-quit to tenant, at least one month’s notice for termination of tenancy should be given. Upon expiry of the notice, if the occupier still does not voluntarily surrender the unit, the HD can then deploy staff to proceed flat recovery action in accordance with the Housing Ordinance. For rent arrears cases, a series of actions will be taken initially by the HD before serving notice-to-quit, including communicating with tenants through home visits, phone calls or face-to-face interviews. If the tenants still cannot be reached, HD staff will try to reach their relatives and emergency contacts. For some singleton elderly tenants who live by themselves and have not provided any relatives or other contact persons, we will make every effort to contact them through alternative means, including slipping notes through the door gap and into the letter box to ask the tenants to contact the estate office as soon as possible, instructing security guards to monitor the tenants’ entry into and exit from the building, and recording their water and electricity consumption to more closely monitor their situation. If the tenants are in rent arrears due to financial difficulties, cases may be referred to the SWD for follow-up or be provided with assistance to apply for Rent Assistance Scheme, subject to their consent and fulfilment of eligibilities. If the tenants or any of their relatives still cannot be reached despite multiple attempts, the HD will inquire with other departments such as the SWD to check if the tenants are their care cases and their latest situation; or the Immigration Department to check the tenants’ immigration records, etc.; and will seek assistance from the police if necessary. In addition, if HD staff discover suspicious cases during daily management work (e.g. unusual odours emanating from the unit), they will notify the police immediately to take appropriate action, including breaking into the unit as necessary.

    (6), (7) and (8) In order to encourage property management companies and security service contractors to be more proactive in assisting PRH tenants in need, we give bidders who can provide effective suggestions for caring the tenants, e.g. establishing volunteer teams to provide volunteer services to the community in the estate and to visit the elderly or individuals/ families in need, etc., additional marks during the tender evaluation, thereby increasing their chances of winning the bid. In addition, the HD organises the annual Estate Management Services Contractor Awards and the Best Security Staff election to commend service contractors and security personnel who have performed well and actively assisted needy residents in the estate. This aims to encourage them to go the extra mile and take the initiative to care for the estates’ PRH residents.

    Starting from April this year, the HD launched the pilot scheme of Door Sensor Installation for Elderly Households in Wan Hon Estate in Kwun Tong and Sheung Lok Estate in Ho Man Tin. The elderly households who voluntarily participate in the scheme are equipped with the system which allows designated relatives or friends to keep track of the movement of the elderly in and out of their flats so as to provide timely support when needed. The HD will actively explore the feasibility of implementing other similar schemes in collaboration with other government departments and social welfare organisations, with a view to benefitting more elderly households in other PRH estates.

    In addition, the HA also provides subsidies to eligible elderly tenants for the installation of emergency alarm system (Safety Bell), allowing the tenants to seek help timely in case of emergencies. Elderly tenants who require to install Safety Bell but are not receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance can apply for the Emergency Alarm System (EAS) Grant from the HA. Since February 2021, the grant has been extended to mobile devices, including mobile phones and watches equipped with EAS, smartphones with dedicated EAS mobile app installed and other products, allowing elderly tenants to purchase suitable emergency alarm system products on their own. Since the implementation of the grant scheme, approximately 26 000 applications have been approved. The HD has also installed fall detection systems in accessible toilets in some housing estates on a pilot basis to detect situations such as falls, fainting, prolonged stays, etc.

    The estate offices under the HA actively assist the Care Teams in promoting care activities, organising community events and providing visits and services to families in need (including elderly households). In addition, the HA collaborates with non-governmental organisations annually to organise activities in various PRH estates.  These activities include outreach visits to identify elderly singleton and hidden elders, providing them with support services such as meal delivery, home repair and cleaning services, escort service for medical appointments, etc., so as to help them maintain basic living needs, expand their social networks and provide emotional support.

    The HA will continue to implement the aforementioned measures and will conduct timely reviews, striving to meet the needs of tenants.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Committee on Reserves Summer Plenary Meeting

    Source: NATO

    From 24 to 26 June, the NATO Committee on Reserves (NCR) convened its Summer Plenary Meeting in Kirkenes, Norway, at the invitation of the Norwegian military authorities.

    Highlights included a detailed presentation on Norway’s model for border protection, which features close cooperation between national entities such as the Border Commissioner, the Police, and the Armed Forces. Participants also visited the Parsvik Border Station, where they observed highly skilled and motivated young soldiers guarding the Norwegian-Russian border.

    One of the NCR’s key objectives is the sharing of best practices. Norway, Finland and Sweden presented their national approaches to Total Defence. They outlined how they involve the whole of society in conscription, mobilization, recruitment, education and training, with a strong focus on integrating Reserves into regular Armed Forces structures.

    The meeting also provided a timely opportunity to explore the growing strategic importance of NATO’s Nordic Region and the High North. Delegates left Kirkenes with valuable insights and practical knowledge to help further develop national Reserve capabilities. The Committee will reconvene for its Winter Plenary Meeting in Norfolk, USA, from 26 to 29 January 2026.

    The NCR serves as the Military Committee’s standing advisory body on Reserve matters. It is composed of national representatives along with liaison officers from the International Military Staff (IMS), Allied Command Operations (ACO), and Allied Command Transformation (ACT).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Committee on Reserves Summer Plenary Meeting

    Source: NATO

    From 24 to 26 June, the NATO Committee on Reserves (NCR) convened its Summer Plenary Meeting in Kirkenes, Norway, at the invitation of the Norwegian military authorities.

    Highlights included a detailed presentation on Norway’s model for border protection, which features close cooperation between national entities such as the Border Commissioner, the Police, and the Armed Forces. Participants also visited the Parsvik Border Station, where they observed highly skilled and motivated young soldiers guarding the Norwegian-Russian border.

    One of the NCR’s key objectives is the sharing of best practices. Norway, Finland and Sweden presented their national approaches to Total Defence. They outlined how they involve the whole of society in conscription, mobilization, recruitment, education and training, with a strong focus on integrating Reserves into regular Armed Forces structures.

    The meeting also provided a timely opportunity to explore the growing strategic importance of NATO’s Nordic Region and the High North. Delegates left Kirkenes with valuable insights and practical knowledge to help further develop national Reserve capabilities. The Committee will reconvene for its Winter Plenary Meeting in Norfolk, USA, from 26 to 29 January 2026.

    The NCR serves as the Military Committee’s standing advisory body on Reserve matters. It is composed of national representatives along with liaison officers from the International Military Staff (IMS), Allied Command Operations (ACO), and Allied Command Transformation (ACT).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Background information on the post-2027 MFF – July 2025 – 09-07-2025

    Source: European Parliament 2

    This digest provides a collection of documents prepared by academia, think tanks, other EU institutions and bodies, as well as stakeholders, that can be useful for Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets to stay informed about the debate concerning the next Multiannual Financial Framework, starting in 2028. The document is produced on a monthly basis by the Budgetary Support Unit of DG BUDG and the European Parliamentary Research Service.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xi Jinping, Bolivian President Luis Arce exchange congratulations on 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bolivian President Luis Arce on Wednesday exchanged congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

    Noting that China and Bolivia are good friends and brothers, Xi said that in the 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Bolivia relations have withstood the test of changing international circumstances and always maintained a steady momentum of growth.

    The two sides firmly supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, he said, adding that high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road has produced fruitful results and friendship has taken deeper roots in the hearts of the two peoples.

    Xi Jinping recalled that he had a fruitful meeting with L. Arce last November during the G20 leaders’ summit in Rio de Janeiro, which set the course for the further development of Chinese-Bolivian relations.

    He said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Bolivia relations and is willing to work with the Bolivian President to strengthen the traditional friendship, take the China-Bolivia strategic partnership to a new height, and bring more benefits to the peoples of the two countries.

    In turn, L. Arce noted that over the past 40 years, Bolivia and China have established strong bilateral relations based on mutual respect and friendly cooperation.

    The Bolivian side highly appreciates China’s support and assistance in areas such as infrastructure, technology, energy and health, and welcomes China’s leadership in uniting countries in the Global South, advancing China-Latin America cooperation and working to build a more equitable and inclusive international order, he said.

    Bolivia is ready to continue to deepen the fraternal friendship between the two peoples, he added. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Heihe Port handled record number of cross-border e-commerce parcels in first half of 2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) — A total of 29.596 million pieces of cross-border e-commerce mail were exported through Heihe Port in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province in the first half of 2025, up 4,824.3 percent year on year, the Heihe Daily reported.

    During the reporting period, the total weight of these parcels was 4,302 tons, and their value was 2.38 billion yuan (approximately 332.68 million US dollars), an increase of 482 percent and 1,552.8 percent year-on-year, respectively. Notably, all of these figures reached record highs.

    According to Heihe Customs, the maximum daily number of processed cross-border e-commerce parcels at the border crossing reached 829,000 units.

    The cities of Heihe and Blagoveshchensk are separated by the border river Heilongjiang /Amur/. Due to the geographical advantage and the efficient operation of local customs, it takes only 7-8 days to export postal items through the Heihe automobile checkpoint and undergo customs clearance, which ensures the timeliness of land transportation of goods sold within the framework of cross-border e-commerce.

    Convenient logistics channel allows Heihe to attract many enterprises engaged in cross-border e-commerce. To date, the city has built border warehouses for CET /cross-border e-commerce/ with an area of almost 20 thousand square meters, and 38 e-business entities have been registered. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: AFL Group: Notification of the Removal of the Pillar 2 Requirement (P2R)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    9thJuly 2025

    AFL Group: Notification of the Removal of the Pillar 2 Requirement (P2R)

    On 20 June 2025, the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR) notified Agence France Locale – Société Territoriale (AFL-ST), the parent company of AFL, the bank for local authorities, of the removal of its Pillar 2 own funds requirement (P2R), effective from 1 January 2025.

    During its meeting on 24 October 2024, the ACPR Supervisory College reviewed the prudential profile of AFL-ST as part of its annual Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP). Following this review, the ACPR concluded that the imposition of an additional own funds requirement under Pillar 2 (P2R) was no longer warranted given the institution’s current risk profile. As a result, the authority has decided not to renew this requirement, with effect from 1 January 2025.

    AFL-ST is thus required to maintain own funds sufficient to meet a total capital requirement of 8% under Pillar 1. In addition, it must comply with a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital conservation buffer of 2.5%. It should also be noted that, since 2 January 2024, the French High Council for Financial Stability (HCSF) has set the countercyclical capital buffer applicable to French exposures at 1%.

    As of 31 December 2024, the AFL Group’s capital adequacy ratio stood at 62.75%.

    “This decision reflects the strength of our prudent management framework and will allow the AFL Group to continue its sound and sustainable development in support of French local authorities,” Yves Millardet, Chairman of the Management Board of AFL.

    About AFL, the bank for local authorities

    “To embody responsible finance in order to strengthen the local world’s ability to act, addressing the present and future needs of citizens.”

    The only French bank fully owned (100%) by local authorities, the AFL has a unique and innovative model: a bank created by and for all local authorities. By becoming AFL’s shareholders, local authorities gain access to fast, tailored financing for their local investments while committing to sustainable and responsible finance practices. For local authorities, it is the freedom to invest, with a controlled management of their finances. Since its launch in 2015, the AFL has already granted nearly €11.5 billion in loans, including €2 billion in 2024, and currently has 1,131 shareholders.
    More information: www.agence-france-locale.fr

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ10: Home ownership by public

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    (2) whether it has compiled statistics for each year over the past 10 years on the median monthly income and the median value of monthly mortgage repayment of local owner-occupied households; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (3) as there are views that home ownership can enhance people’s sense of belonging to community and foster strong work values, but according to a research brief published by the Legislative Council Secretariat in March 2021 and data from the Census and Statistics Department, the overall local home ownership rate and the home ownership rate among young people aged below 35 have both declined in recent years, whether the authorities will consider setting a home ownership rate afresh in LTHS in the future; if not, of the reasons for that; and 
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Hong Kong’s housing policy has all along been an important cornerstone of social development. The current-term Government put in place measures to enhance quantity, speed, efficiency and quality in land production. With our unremitting efforts in the past three years, the problem of back-loaded public housing supply (including public rental housing (PRH) and subsidised sale flats (SSF)) has completely turned around. Coupled with Light Public Housing (LPH), the total public housing supply (including also PRH and SSF) in the coming five years (i.e. 2025-26 to 2029-30) will reach 197 000 units, which is a significant increase of 85 per cent as compared with the first five year period since the current-term Government took office (i.e. 2022-23 to 2026-27). In addition, we have successfully capped the waiting time for PRH, which has reduced from the peak of 6.1 years to 5.3 years. The oversubscription rate of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) has also dropped from the peak of 62 times in HOS 2019 to 14 times in HOS 2024. Looking ahead, with the completion of various public housing (including PRH and SSF) as well as LPH projects, the Composite Waiting Time for Subsidised Rental Housing will gradually decline. Therefore, we have more confidence to provide more SSF to further meet the home ownership aspiration of the public.
     
         Currently, about half of the households are residing in accommodations that they own. For most people, buying a property is a major life decision involving many considerations, such as family and childbearing plans as well as the pursuit of a more independent and modern lifestyle, etc. For low- to middle-income persons who cannot afford private housing, SSF is a very suitable first step in realising their dream of home ownership. In this regard, we have all along been striving to enhance the housing ladder through the provision of various types of SSF in response to the home ownership aspiration of households with different income and encourage citizens from all walks of life to move up the social ladder according to their abilities.
     
         In consultation with the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), our reply to the questions raised by Dr the Hon Wendy Hong is as follows:
     
    (1) and (2) Results of the 2016 Population By-census and the 2021 Population Census conducted by C&SD provide statistics regarding home ownership and related demographic and socio-economic characteristics of Hong Kong’s domestic households in the past decade. The number of owner-occupier domestic households by age group of household head and type of housing are listed in Annex 1. Over the past five years, the number of owner-occupier households and households owning SSF increased by over 80 000 and nearly 30 000 respectively, representing growth rates of 6 per cent and 7 per cent. This reflects a rising trend of homeownership among families. The median monthly income and the median mortgage payment and loan repayment of owner-occupier domestic households are listed in Annex 2.
     
         It is worth noting that between 2016 and 2021, only an average of about 4 200 flats were put up for sale under each HOS sale exercise, and the oversubscription rate was as high as about 43 times on average. However, the current-term Government is very determined to tackle the housing problem in Hong Kong. As a result, in the coming five years (i.e. 2025-26 to 2029-30), in addition to PRH/Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) flats, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HS) will have a completion of about 56 500 SSF, averaging about 11 000 units annually. This is 2.6 times of the annual output before the current-term Government took office.
     
    (3) and (4) As stated above, the current-term Government is very determined to resolve housing problem in Hong Kong and we also care about our young people. Therefore, we have introduced a number of policy measures to assist citizens (especially young people) in realising their home ownership aspiration through various aspects, such as supply, allocation and financial arrangements. Since the current-term Government took office, more than 33 000 applicants have purchased SSF, and the difficulties faced by low- and middle-income families in acquiring their own properties over the past decade or so have been clearly reversed by the concerted efforts of the various teams of the current-term Government in providing more land and housing. With the increasing supply of SSF in the coming years, more residents will experience the happiness and sense of fulfillment brought by homeownership over the next decade, enabling more families to settle securely and thrive in our city.
     
         In addition, in terms of supply, the Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the HA would adjust the ratio between PRH (including GSH units) and SSF to gradually adjust the ratio from 7:3 to 6:4 in order to increase the supply of SSF. In the next five years (i.e. 2025-26 to 2029-30), the HA and the HS will complete about 56 500 SSF. As stated above, we believe that a continuous and stable supply of SSF led by the Government is conducive to the upward mobility along the housing ladder and it will help those in need realise their dream of owning a home according to their respective needs and abilities.
     
         At the same time, we have also proposed a series of policy measures to meet the housing needs and demands of different citizens, including revising the ratio between Green Form and White Form in respect of HOS flats from the current 4:6 to 5:5 so as to allow more PRH tenants who would like to purchase HOS flats to move upwards; and increasing the chance of young people and applicants who have made repeated attempts to purchase SSF by optimising the sales arrangements.
     
         Starting from HOS 2024, the HA has implemented the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme which was announced in the 2023 Policy Address. A quota of about 40 per cent of the new flats for sale (i.e. 2 900 flats) under HOS 2024 were set aside for eligible applicants under the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme and the Priority Scheme for Families with Elderly Members for balloting and priority flat selection. During the application period of HOS 2024, the HA received a total of around 106 000 applications. Among them, around 50 000 came from family applicants, in which around 19 000 applied under the Priority Scheme for Families with Elderly Members and Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme, representing around 40 per cent of family applicants. If eligible families applying under the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme fail to purchase a flat under HOS 2024, they may still apply under the Scheme for priority flat selection as long as their children are aged three or below on the closing day of the application of subsequent SSF sale exercises. In addition, following GSH 2024, the HA will allocate an extra ballot number to applicants who had failed to purchase a flat in the last two consecutive sale exercises starting from the next HOS exercise, so as to increase their chances of success in purchasing SSF. Based on the figures of HOS 2024, assuming all factors remain constant (including the number of applicants, their age, etc), the success rate of eligible families applying under the of Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme in purchasing a flat will increase by about 60 per cent, after obtaining an extra ballot number.
     
         The HA has also been assisting low- to middle-income families in purchasing homes through pricing and financial arrangements. First of all, the Government revised the pricing mechanism of SSF in 2018. The pricing of SSF is calculated on the basis of applicants’ affordability, which is delinked from the private housing market. Under the current pricing mechanism, at least 75 per cent of the flats for sale can allow non-owner occupier households earning the median monthly household income to spend no more than 40 per cent of their monthly income on mortgage payment. Based on affordability calculations, the selling prices of the flats offered under latest GSH and HOS sale exercises were set at 60 per cent and 70 per cent of their assessed market value respectively.
     
         On top of this, the HA relaxed mortgage arrangements for SSF in 2024, including extending the maximum mortgage default guarantee from 30 years to 50 years and extending the maximum mortgage repayment period from 25 years to 30 years to enable purchasers of first-hand and second-hand SSF to obtain mortgage loans from banks and authorised financial institutions participating in the provision of mortgage loans for such flats. After the implementation of relevant arrangements, the number of HOS/GSH flats with a residual guarantee period of more than 10 years increased substantially from about 14 per cent to about 98 per cent. As at May 2025, the average number of transactions of second-hand SSF was about 360 per month, which was about 60 per cent higher than the average number of transactions of about 230 per month in the 12 months before the implementation. Besides, after extending the maximum mortgage repayment period for flats sold under the secondary market from 25 years to 30 years, among buyers who applied for mortgages to purchase SSF in the secondary market, more than half of the cases have a repayment period of 25 years or more. This shows that the above measures have successfully revitalised the secondary market and facilitated the turnover of SSF in the secondary market.
     
         For the secondary market, starting from White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) 2024, the HA has also significantly increased the quota by 1 500 to 6 000, all of which will be allocated to young family applicants and one-person applicants aged below 40. Of all the applications for WSM 2024, more than 80 per cent (i.e. about 28 000 applications) were from young applicants who chose to participate in Youth Scheme (WSM), reflecting that the scheme is well received by young people.
     
         In addition, the Government also responds to the home ownership aspirations of higher-income persons who are not eligible for the HOS and yet cannot afford private housing through Starter Homes for Hong Kong Residents (SH) projects. Apart from the first two SH projects offered for sale by the Urban Renewal Authority (i.e. eResidence Towers 1 and 2, as well as eResidence Tower 3) with a total of over 600 SH units sold, the Government is also taking forward a few other SH projects, which will provide a total of around 5 000 SH units from the next few years onwards. Amongst applicants and final purchasers of SH units offered for sale in the past, around 85 per cent were youth aged 40 or below. We believe that this initiative may help another batch of youngsters from the middle class with higher income yet still cannot afford private housing achieve home ownership with more available options.
     
         Having regard to changes in the overall situation of the property market, the current-term Government has since February 2024 abolished all demand-side management measures for residential properties. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has also since October 2024 adjusted the countercyclical macroprudential measures for property mortgage loans. The maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and debt servicing ratio (DSR) limit were reverted to the pre-2009 levels before the countercyclical macroprudential measures were first introduced, with the maximum LTV ratio for all residential properties adjusted to 70 per cent, regardless of the value of the property, and the DSR limit adjusted to 50 per cent, providing facilitation to persons with different needs for property purchase. Individuals may also obtain high LTV ratio mortgage loans through the Mortgage Insurance Programme according to their own needs. In particular, for first-time homebuyers with regular income purchasing properties priced at $10 million or below, the LTV ratio can be up to 90 per cent, which greatly reduces their down payment burden.
     
         Furthermore, to ease the burden on buyers of properties at lower values, the Government has since 26 February 2025 adjusted the value bands of Ad Valorem Stamp Duty payable for sale and purchase or transfer of residential and non-residential properties, raising the maximum value of properties chargeable to $100 stamp duty from $3 million and $4 million, facilitating those who wish to purchase flats. As most SSF units are priced below $4 million, buyers may benefit from the aforementioned reduction in stamp duty to $100, with savings up to over $59 000. According to the information from the Inland Revenue Department, there were 3 780 duly stamped sale and purchase agreements for residential properties valued between $3 million and $4 million from March to May 2025, which represents a significant increase of over 70 per cent as compared to the same period last year (March to May 2024) where 2 183 sale and purchase agreements were duly stamped.
     
         We will continue to review whether there is room to optimise various relevant arrangements having regard to factors including developments of the property market, the home ownership needs of different citizens, etc.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK 🔴 LIVE: Prime Minister’s Questions with British Sign Language (BSL) – 9 July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

    In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

    The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

    Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HouseofCommons
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coSC0NX1QKI

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK 🔴 PMQs LIVE: Prime Minister’s Questions – 9 July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) – https://youtube.com/live/coSC0NX1QKI

    Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

    In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

    The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

    Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HouseofCommons
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TADdw1XCKso

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga tables Budget Vote Speech

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga tables Budget Vote Speech

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhr059JYQng

    MIL OSI Video –

  • Indian NBFCs to clock 25 pc growth in education loan AUM in FY26 amid US uncertainties

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    For non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) in India, education loans have been the fastest-growing asset class, clocking over 50 per cent growth in the assets under management (AUM) over the past few years, a report said on Wednesday. This fiscal (FY26), growth is seen moderating to 25 per cent with AUM reaching Rs 80,000 crore.

    The pace is likely to halve this fiscal as disbursements for pursuing educational courses in the US decelerate following a raft of policy changes in that country, according to the report by Crisil Rating.

    To mitigate the impact, NBFCs are diversifying into new geographies and product adjacencies. While non-performing assets (NPAs) have remained stable so far, asset quality will be monitorable given the global uncertainties and a large proportion of AUM (85) remaining under contractual principal moratorium, the report mentioned.

    The education loan AUM of NBFCs grew a rapid 48 per cent to Rs 64,000 crore last fiscal. That followed an even faster 77 per cent growth in fiscal 2024.

    “Policy uncertainties in the US, combined with measures including reduced visa appointments and the proposed elimination of Optional Practical Training norms have culled newer loan originations. This has led to a 30 per cent decline in total disbursements to that geography last fiscal,” said Malvika Bhotika, Director, Crisil Ratings.

    Disbursements linked to even Canada, the second-largest market, fell as student visa rules turned stricter, including increased financial requirements via proof of available funds, and cap on permits.

    “Consequently, overall education loan disbursements were up only 8 per cent in fiscal 2025, compared with 50 per cent in fiscal 2024, Bhotika mentioned.

    To offset these headwinds, NBFCs have sharpened focus on other geographies.

    Disbursements linked to courses in the UK, Germany, Ireland and smaller countries have doubled in the past fiscal as students opted for alternative destinations.

    The share of such geographies in total disbursements rose to almost 50 per cent in fiscal 2025 from 25 per cent a year ago.

    NBFCs are also looking at domestic student loans and adjacencies such as school funding, loans for skill development, certification and coaching. Given the lower ticket sizes of such loans, their share in the overall portfolio is unlikely to be material, but they may lend some stability in times of global uncertainties.

    “The ability of NBFCs to scale up and maintain asset quality in some of the newer domestic products will bear watching as well,” said Sonica Gupta, Associate Director, Crisil Ratings. Moreover, the agility of the NBFCs to navigate the complexities of the global landscape, characterised by uncertainty and change in preferences of students, will be crucial for sustained growth and success.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Banking: The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting convenes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today joined the ASEAN Foreign Ministers at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting was chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, and was held in both plenary and retreat sessions. The meeting took stock of the progress made after the 46th ASEAN Summit held in Malaysia in May of this year, regarding the ASEAN Community-building efforts, and discussed the state of ASEAN’s external relations as well as regional and global developments. Timor-Leste attended the Meeting as Observer. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Malaysia in realising its Chairmanship deliverables this year under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”

    The post The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting convenes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –