Category: 27-7

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

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

Astana, January 8 (Xinhua) — Kazakhstan has approved annual effective interest rate caps on bank loans, Kazinform reported on Thursday.

According to a joint resolution issued by the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market and the National Bank of Kazakhstan, maximum annual interest rates on bank loans have been set at 46 percent for unsecured loans, 35 percent for secured loans, and 25 percent for mortgage loans.

It was also determined that the annual effective interest rate on microloans provided by organizations engaged in microfinance activities should not exceed 46%.

At the same time, for short-term microloans with a term of up to 45 days and an amount of no more than 45 monthly calculation indices, the maximum rate is set at no more than 0.3 percent per day and 179 percent per year. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) — A new book on the historical basis of China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea (SCS) was unveiled at a launch event in the Chinese capital on Thursday.

The book, titled “The South China Sea: History and Real Facts,” is the result of a seven-year research project involving more than 10 scholars and experts from across China.

The book launch was jointly organized by the Huayang Center for Marine Cooperation and Ocean Management in Sanya, Hainan Province, South China, the China South China Sea Research Institute, and Zhejiang Publishing United Group.

According to the publishers, the book draws on a wide range of Chinese and international archival materials and key historical events to explore China's historical presence and activities in the region.

Its aim is to fill the gaps in existing historical research and present the international community with fact-based arguments in support of China's claims in the South China Sea.

The publishers note that the book examines the South China Sea issue from the perspective of various disciplines, including history, international law, international relations, cartography and geography, allowing for a broad analysis of the issue.

Wu Shitsun, the book's lead editor and chairman of the Huayang Center, said at the book's launch that some existing publications on the South China Sea published abroad are riddled with errors and misconceptions.

“In response to this, in 2018 we initiated a project to compile a book that directly addresses and corrects these erroneous statements, thereby restoring the historical truth,” he noted.

Wu Shitsun added that he believes the book will play a constructive role in clarifying the facts regarding the South China Sea issue and strengthening China's position and discourse on the issue internationally.

He also said that there are plans to release an English version of this publication in the future. -0-

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) — No matter how the political situation in Venezuela changes, China's willingness to continuously deepen trade and economic ties with the country will remain unchanged, Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yadong said Thursday.

He made this statement while answering a relevant question at a regular departmental press conference.

He Yadong noted that US hegemonic actions seriously violate international law, infringe on Venezuela's sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America. "China firmly opposes this," he said.

He emphasized that trade and economic cooperation between China and Venezuela is cooperation between sovereign states, protected by international law, as well as the laws of both countries, and no other state has the right to interfere in this.

He Yadong also stated that China always adheres to the principles of equality and mutual benefit in its trade and economic cooperation with Latin American countries, and never seeks to seize spheres of influence or target any third party.

“Economic complementarity provides a solid foundation for China-Latin America trade and economic cooperation that is open, inclusive, and win-win,” he emphasized.

China will continue to respond to changes in the international situation with solidarity and cooperation with Latin American countries, carry out trade and economic cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit, and achieve common development, He Yadong concluded. -0-

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

SHANGHAI, January 8 (Xinhua) — The number of temporary residence registrations of foreign citizens in the eastern Chinese metropolis of Shanghai reached a record high of 7.139 million by the end of 2025, representing a 49.6 percent increase compared to 2024, the Immigration Bureau of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau reported on Thursday.

This figure, which has already doubled in 2024, underlines the city's growing attractiveness to foreign visitors.

Registration at the place of residence is mandatory for foreigners staying in China. In 2025, 94.7 percent of temporary residence registrations for foreign tourists were processed directly at hotels, ensuring a convenient registration process.

Among foreigners living in residential areas of Shanghai, 84.8 percent chose self-registration online through a multilingual platform, which provides an efficient and flexible process.

Furthermore, in 2025, the number of visa documents and residence permits issued to foreigners in Shanghai exceeded 200,000 for the second consecutive year, with the share of long-term permits such as residence permits increasing by 10 percentage points.

Moreover, since the State Administration of Immigration of the People's Republic of China launched the updated version of the permanent resident identity card for foreigners in China, commonly known as the “five-star card,” on December 1, 2023, more than 10,000 documents of this type have been issued in Shanghai.

The document's scope of application has been expanded to cover cultural and everyday life services, including purchasing tickets for sporting events and concerts, registering pets, enrolling in driving courses, and taking traffic tests. Currently, the "Five-Star Card" facilitates access to 64 services in key areas of Shanghai's public life. -0-

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

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

BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) — China's tightening of export controls on dual-use goods to Japan is aimed at curbing Japan's "remilitarization" and attempts to acquire nuclear weapons, which is entirely justified, reasonable and legal, a spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

China is committed to maintaining the stability and security of global production and supply chains, and export control measures will not affect goods intended for civilian use. According to a spokesperson for the country's trade ministry, relevant parties engaged in ordinary civilian trade should have no concerns.

China on Tuesday announced a ban on the export of all dual-use items to Japanese military users, for military purposes, to any other end-users, and for any other end-user purposes that contribute to Japan's military strength. -0-

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) — The United States' arbitrary seizure of foreign vessels in international waters is a serious violation of international law, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Thursday.

Commenting at the media's request on the seizure of a Russian-flagged tanker by US forces in the North Atlantic, Mao Ning noted that China consistently opposes illegal unilateral restrictions that have no basis in international law and are not sanctioned by the UN Security Council.

China opposes any actions that run counter to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and infringe on the sovereignty and security of other countries, she added. -0-

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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

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

Beijing, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) — During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), east China's Jiangsu Province plans to promote the construction of collection and distribution centers for China-Europe rail freight routes in Lianyungang and Xuzhou, and develop Suzhou into a key hub for China-Europe rail freight routes, eventually turning it into a hub for China-Europe international rail freight transportation in the Yangtze River Delta region, Zhongxinshe News Agency reported, citing Wu Yonghong, head of the provincial transportation bureau, at a meeting on Jiangsu Provincial Transportation Work in 2026 held on Wednesday.

According to statistics from the aforementioned department, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), Jiangsu Province handled a total of 10,490 China-Europe trains, an increase of 99.6 percent compared to the previous five years. Specifically, in 2025, the number of China-Europe train arrivals and departures in this province reached 2,308, setting a record for the sixth consecutive year.

Wu Yonghong said that in 2026, the provincial government will make efforts to improve the capacity of international freight service, build a high-standard China-Europe freight train collection and distribution center in Lianyungang and Xuzhou, open another new route, add one overseas warehouse, and create branded routes in intermodal sea and rail container transportation, such as the Lianyungang-Khorgos-Tashkent route.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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, January 8 (Xinhua) — From January 1 to 3, 2026, during the Chinese New Year holiday, Suifenhe, a city in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on the border between China and Russia, experienced a boom in inbound tourism. According to local border control authorities, Suifenhe received 2,600 foreign tourists during the three-day New Year holiday, an increase of 76.8 percent compared to the same period in 2025, according to a statement posted on the official website of the Suifenhe municipal government.

Thanks to the introduction of a mutual visa-free regime between China and Russia, a large number of tourists from both China and Russia came to spend the New Year holidays in the border town of Suifenhe.

According to Russian Kristina, it's very convenient to get a SIM card and exchange currency in Suifenhe. Another Russian tourist, Natalia, said she was delighted by the dragon dances and colorful lanterns.

In response to the influx of foreign tourists, the Suifenhe Border Service and other local departments have taken a series of measures to simplify procedures: adding dedicated channels, installing intelligent screening equipment, and providing consultation services in Chinese and Russian to ensure that the time it takes passengers to clear customs and passport control does not exceed 20 minutes.

During the New Year holidays, a number of local travel agencies in Suifenhe launched new tour products, and the number of booking inquiries nearly doubled compared to the same period in 2025. Furthermore, revenues for the local hotel and restaurant industry also peaked during this period. Most hotels located near the checkpoint saw occupancy rates exceed 90%.

The popularity of this tourist destination continued even after the three-day Chinese holiday. According to data from the Suifenhe Port Authority, between January 1 and 7, 2026, the number of foreign tourists entering and exiting China through the port reached 10,007, an 83% increase year-on-year.

Sun Shan, Deputy Director of the Suifenhe Tourism Development Service Center, said the local government will continue to make efforts in tourism product innovation and service optimization to transform the visa-free travel convenience into a wonderful cross-border travel experience. -0-

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.