An international conference dedicated to strengthening the strategic partnership between China and Armenia was held in Yerevan.

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

Yerevan, December 18 /Xinhua/ — An international conference entitled "Strengthening China-Armenia Strategic Partnership: Dialogue on Governance Experience Exchange" was held in the Armenian capital on Wednesday.

The event, organized at the initiative of the Confucius Institute at Bryusov State University, was attended by diplomats, experts, and representatives of scientific and academic circles.

Chinese Ambassador to Armenia Li Xinwei stated at the conference that Chinese-Armenian relations have reached a new level of development. He stated that China and Armenia are partners in pursuing peaceful development and global governance. "China is ready to share its development experience. We are hopeful of witnessing Armenia's bright future," he noted.

Speaking via video link, Armenian Ambassador to China Vahe Gevorgyan emphasized that the establishment of a strategic partnership between Armenia and China reflects the consensus of both countries on the principles, agenda, and vision of cooperation. The diplomat noted that Armenia and China mutually support their respective Belt and Road and Crossroads of the World initiatives.

Rector of Bryusov State University David Gyurjinyan called the conference's theme relevant, given China's Global Governance Initiative, which calls on all countries to pursue shared development and harmonious coexistence.

Khachatur Gazeyan, Rector of the Public Administration Academy of the Republic of Armenia, noted that strengthening and deepening Armenian-Chinese strategic cooperation has become a key topic on Armenia's development agenda. He stated that this conference is not only a platform for exchanging ideas but also an opportunity to jointly reflect on how to strengthen the scientific foundation of public service and develop a culture of managerial thinking in government agencies, educational institutions, and society at large.

Gohar Iskandaryan, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, believes that Armenian-Chinese relations have entered a qualitatively new stage of development, characterized by the intensification of political dialogue, the expansion of economic ties, as well as the deepening of educational, scientific, and cultural cooperation. –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.

Rosneft won three awards at the AZS of Russia competition.

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Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Rosneft won the national "AZS of Russia" award, taking home three nominations: "Best Coffee at a Gas Station," "Best Fuel Quality Monitoring System," and "Best Gas Station Communications Campaign." The awards ceremony took place on December 17 in Moscow.

The "AZS Rossii" award is one of the most prestigious industry awards. It is awarded based on a popular vote and expert assessments from the professional community.

In the "Best Fuel Quality Control System" category, the jury recognized the Company's comprehensive approach, including a risk-based Quality Management System across all stages—from production to sales. This system includes regular sampling and analysis in stationary laboratories, rapid inspections using mobile laboratories, and continuous monitoring of vehicles and gas station operations. This ensures impeccable fuel quality, ensures safety and cost-effectiveness, and maintains customer trust.

Rosneft won the "Best Gas Station Coffee" award for selling exclusive Venezuelan coffee in its retail network. Since 2023, Rosneft has been supplying Venezuelan coffee beans, and today, this unique drink with its soft notes of vanilla, chocolate, and ripe fruit is available to customers at gas station cafes in Moscow and the Moscow region, Sochi, St. Petersburg, and the Leningrad region, as well as in city parks and at concert and festival venues through a mobile cafe under the "Zerno" brand. The coffee can also be purchased on the marketplace for home brewing.

The "Best Communications Campaign" award was given for Rosneft's systematic efforts to develop domestic automobile tourism. In 2025, the Company introduced 19 new auto routes that pass through Rosneft gas stations. Since 2023, 52 routes have been launched in collaboration with regional authorities, covering 24 regions of the Russian Federation.

Route information is published on the Company's website, partner platforms, and its own digital platform, "Horizons of Russia." This platform not only offers pre-designed routes but also allows users to plan their own trips based on Rosneft's road infrastructure.

Winning awards in the national "AZS Rossii" award categories confirms Rosneft's comprehensive approach to retail network development, which places equal emphasis on fuel quality, expanding service offerings, and creating unique customer solutions.

Reference:

Rosneft's retail network is the largest in the Russian Federation in terms of geographic coverage and quantity, spanning 62 regions and comprising nearly 3,000 stations. The Rosneft gas station brand is one of the leaders in Russia in terms of recognition and fuel quality.

The All-Russian "Gas Stations of Russia" competition is held annually and aims to foster competition, improve customer service, and create an accessible and convenient refueling infrastructure. The competition is organized by the "Reliable Partner" association and has been supported by the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy since 2023.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 18, 2025

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From 34th to 6th place: Polytechnic University strengthened its position in the "TOP 1000 University Startups" ranking.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University was ranked among the top universities in the 2025 annual "TOP 1000 University Startups" ranking, which is conducted as part of the University Technological Entrepreneurship Platform of the federal "Technologies" project of the national "Efficient and Competitive Economy" project.

Startups from students, employees, and graduates of higher education institutions in the last three years are eligible to participate in the competition.

In terms of the number of projects among the top 35 universities, Polytechnic University ranks sixth with 21 projects. In 2024, the university ranked 34th (nine projects).

The winners included students from various SPbPU institutes: PISh "Digital Engineering" (13 projects), IMMiT (3 projects), IBSiB (2 projects), IKNK (1 project), ISI (1 project), IPMET (1 project).

Maxim Gorbuk, a student at the Higher School of Computer Technology and Information Systems at the Institute of Computer Science and Culture (IKNSC), scored the highest score among polytechnic students—78.59. His project, "MedAI: A Mobile App for Vaccinating Children Receiving Immunosuppressive Therapy," placed 57th among the competition's winners.

Three projects by Elina Goricheva and two by Georgy Shkolnik made it into the rankings. Both participants are students from the Higher School of Technological Entrepreneurship (PSTE) at St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. A total of 40 projects were submitted to the competition by the HSTE.

SPbPU's high ranking is the result of systematic efforts to develop and promote student entrepreneurship (the Polytechnic University's Technological Entrepreneurship Model was among the top three at the Startup Summit Awards — Ed.), which aligns with the Concept of Technological Development of the Russian Federation until 2030.

Winners of the competition from Polytechnic

Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering":

Elina Goricheva, DeepSelf, SmartMatch Assist, and Movent projects; Georgy Shkolnik, "Integration of a Set of Artificial Intelligence Technologies into the Educational and Career Guidance Process" and "All-Russian Engineering Day" projects; Yaroslav Nikitin, "Cherdak" project; Denis Romanovsky, "Yoy-Kod" project; Anton Zykov, "Development of a Composite Ceramic Composition for 3D Printing of Casting Molds" project; Anton Aitov, "Embedded Wearable IoT System for Smart Clothing with Adaptive Functions" project; Nikita Korobov, "Embedded Onboard Module of Autonomous and Energy-Efficient Navigation for Aircraft-Type UAVs" project; Timofey Sokolov, "RavNer – a Digital Twin for Creating a Highly Efficient Domestic Hydrogen Cell" project; Daria Kuzmenkova, "AR Projector for Teaching and Entertaining Children on the Road in a Car" project; postgraduate student Anastasia Tsytsyna, "Embedded Wearable IoT System for Smart Clothing with Adaptive Functions" project; "Software for optimizing the performance of graphic editors (accelerating calculations when performing rendering and real-time tasks)."

Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport:

Mikhail Gnibeda, "E-Cigarette Sensor" project — a system for monitoring air quality in public places; Artem Yurikov, "Autonomous Vessel for Cleaning the Surface of Water Bodies from Microplastics and Cyanobacteria" project; Semyon Zimin, "Morf.VisionAI" project.

Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnologies:

Hayk Akopyan, project "Development of a platform for preliminary assessment of the economic benefits of a construction tender", Alexander Barashkov, project "Perimeter protection system for the IGLA facility".

Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity:

Maxim Gorbuk, project "MedAI – a mobile application for vaccinating children receiving immunosuppressive therapy."

Civil Engineering Institute:

Arina Mokhireva, project "Normastroy – IT service for digital assessment of building projects."

Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade:

Ilya Bodrov, project "Development of a medical service with gamification elements aimed at preventing atherosclerosis and its complications."

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.

Rosneft awarded winners of a large-scale IT competition marathon

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Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Rosneft has announced the results of its large-scale IT Marathon, a series of high-tech competitions in which participants compete to solve production problems.

In 2025, the Ufa Research Institute and the Center for the Development and Implementation of Science-Intensive Technologies (CIT) organized seven competitions under the auspices of the IT Marathon: information modeling competitions, the Additive Technology and Reverse Engineering Cup, the Student Hackathon, the Academic Tournament, and the Geosteering League. The intellectual competitions brought together over 900 participants from 71 cities, 80 companies, and 92 universities, demonstrating the high interest of the professional and student community in the technological challenges of the oil and gas industry. The winners of all IT Marathon competitions met at the grand finale in Moscow.

Information modeling competitions were held in May among Rosneft's research and development institutes and production facilities. Teams developed information models and presented best practices for applying existing models in production.

Participants in the Additive Manufacturing Cup who passed the online qualifying round competed in September at the TNF Industrial and Energy Forum. The students designed an impeller for a centrifugal pump used in oil refineries: they scanned the sample, created a digital model, and 3D-printed the parts from plastic. Based on the results of bench tests, the jury selected the Cup winners. The winners were participants from St. Petersburg, Tyumen, and Ufa.

A student hackathon in November brought together over 340 participants from 45 Russian cities. In 48 hours, teams developed computer vision models to automatically highlight areas with different oil well placement patterns on a map. The authors of the 10 best solutions presented their projects to the hackathon jury. The top three winners included students from Moscow State University, Central University, and ITMO National Research University.

The Academic Tournament broke its own record for the number of participants in its three years of existence. A total of 154 representatives from 62 organizations in 25 cities participated in the scientific relay race. Teams developed algorithms and programs to accelerate the solution of systems of linear equations of a special type. The task has practical application in modeling fluid filtration processes in porous media, taking into account changes in the properties of an oil-saturated formation. Based on the results of the preliminary testing, 10 teams advanced to the competition finals. Following the testing and presentation of their results, the jury determined the winners of the Academic Tournament: Team Testv took first place, Yars took second place, and RESHALA took third place. The tournament's best solutions will be integrated into Rosneft's science-intensive software: RN-SIGMA, RN-KIM, and RN-GRID.

This year's Geosteering League brought together over 300 professionals and students from over 100 universities and organizations. The virtual horizontal well drilling championship was held using the RN-HORIZON corporate software suite. Following online qualifying rounds, 23 professional and 22 student finalists were determined. For the first time, the final qualifying round for professionals was held live. The top participants met at the finals in Moscow. In real time, they analyzed the geological situation based on incoming data, assessed risks, and plotted a well trajectory in a corporate simulator, promptly responding to unforeseen situations. The top three student winners were: Eldar Nigmatullin (Tyumen State University), Kirill Kosarev (Irkutsk State University), and Egor Nikitin (Tyumen Industrial University). Among the professionals, the best results were demonstrated by: Leonid Sivkov, Nikolai Kruglov, Lenar Sabirov (all from IGiRGI).

Representatives from leading universities and major Russian companies spoke at the IT Marathon finals. The speakers focused on breakthrough technologies, artificial intelligence trends, and aspects of information modeling in the oil and gas industry.

Over the past seven years, the Company's IT Competition Marathon has become a significant platform for identifying and supporting talented specialists, implementing innovative solutions in production processes, and strengthening partnerships between educational, industrial, and scientific organizations. Since 2019, Rosneft has held 24 competitions, attracting over 7,500 participants from 13 countries and 140 cities.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 18, 2025

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China to tighten regulations on photovoltaic production capacity in 2026

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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, December 18 (Xinhua) — In 2026, regulation of photovoltaic (PV) power generation capacity will be strengthened to ensure the orderly decommissioning of outdated capacity and achieve a dynamic balance between supply and demand in the sector through market-based and legal measures, Yang Xudong, director of the Electronic Information Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, announced at an annual industry meeting on Thursday.

The official described 2026 as a period of addressing the most complex challenges for project management in the photovoltaic sector, outlining several key tasks for the coming year: improving price monitoring mechanisms, strengthening product quality control, stimulating innovative development, increasing self-discipline in the industry, and promoting deeper international cooperation. -0-

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SCO countries are stepping up trade and economic cooperation with China's Shandong Province.

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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, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) — A roundtable and business meeting titled "China (Shandong) – SCO Countries: Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation and Interaction in Industrial and Supply Chains" was held on Wednesday at the China-SCO Regional Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone in the coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong Province, east China.

According to the website of the Zhongguo Xinwenshe news agency, the event attracted representatives from more than 50 special economic zones and specialized industrial parks from SCO countries, while representatives from more than 180 Chinese and foreign enterprises held individual negotiations on more than 60 specific cooperation needs, such as petrochemicals, engineering equipment, construction materials, and agricultural food products.

During the event, the Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce signed memorandums of trade and economic cooperation with the Naryn Region of Kyrgyzstan, the Fergana Region of Uzbekistan, and the Mogilev Region of Belarus.

In his video address, SCO Deputy Secretary-General T.R. Midhun noted that global economic development is currently facing challenges, and the international architecture is undergoing profound changes. Holding this event against this backdrop is crucial for building sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation.

According to him, Shandong Province, which has a strong industrial base, advanced technologies, and significant geographical advantages, is a reliable partner for SCO countries in developing regional trade and economic cooperation.

Shandong Provincial Commerce Director Wang Lei noted that Shandong places great importance on developing trade and economic cooperation with SCO countries. In the first three quarters of this year, the province's foreign trade turnover with SCO countries reached $62.17 billion.

Shandong is ready to cooperate with all SCO parties in establishing a new mechanism for trade and economic cooperation, raising the level of industrial cooperation, expanding new space for trade cooperation, and jointly working to create a demonstration platform for regional trade and economic cooperation to take it to a new level, Wang Lei added. -0-

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China and the EU are holding consultations on electric vehicles, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China said.

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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, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) — China and the European Union (EU) have started consultations on the electric vehicle issue, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

China's principles and position remain consistent, and China is ready to properly resolve differences with the EU through dialogue and consultation and facilitate the achievement of a pan-industry solution, said He Yadong, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, at a regular press conference.

He said China hopes the EU will move toward China, faithfully implement the agreements reached by the leaders of the two sides, and demonstrate genuine sincerity. -0-

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Qingxian County, Hebei Province: Makeup brushes are driving a 3 billion yuan beauty industry

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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

On December 4, employees of a makeup brush manufacturing plant in Qingxian County, Hebei Province, process bristles in a workshop.

The makeup brush industry in Qingxian County began in the 1990s, evolving from contract manufacturing (OEM) to creating its own brands.

In recent years, Qingxian has fostered the continuous improvement of this industry through the establishment of industry alliances, the development of new materials, and the expansion of cross-border e-commerce platforms. For these achievements, it was awarded the title of "Makeup Brush Capital of China" by the China Federation of Light Industry. Currently, the annual turnover of businesses in this industry in Qingxian is approximately 3 billion yuan. Small brushes make a stable contribution to the county's economy.

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.

2025: Creating New Advantages and New Drivers of Economic Growth

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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

The year 2025 marks the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan and is of significant significance in China's modernization process. This year, the economy has performed well overall, achieving progress while maintaining stability. Key economic and social development goals are expected to be successfully achieved. These achievements are inextricably linked to the consistent advancement of high-quality development.

At the end of last year, the Central Economic Work Conference defined economic objectives for 2025. Particular attention was paid to such areas as the active development of the "debut economy," the "ice and snow economy," and the "silver age economy," stimulating the healthy development of the "platform economy," the comprehensive development of the "county economy," and the active development of the "maritime economy" and the "bay region economy."

Over the past year, these new forms of economic activity have continued to grow and strengthen, becoming a living practice of the Chinese economy and a clear demonstration of its qualitative development.

The debut economy is constantly evolving: Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and other cities are strengthening policy support measures, attracting many first stores and brands with new products, which has become an important tool for unlocking the potential of domestic demand.

The ice and snow economy continues to gain momentum, gradually transforming from a “seasonal boom” to a “year-round popularity,” and the industry is expected to exceed one trillion yuan by 2025.

The silver age economy has broad prospects: new forms and models of pension services are constantly emerging, and the consumption market for the elderly is growing steadily.

The platform economy is developing under a regime of structured regulation: through consumer product innovation policies, platform companies are strengthening technological innovation and improving the consumer experience, which contributes to improving the quality of consumption and taking it to a new level.

The county economy is demonstrating sustainable development: the county-level consumer market is not only expanding but also improving in quality. Urban-rural integration is deepening. This provides a powerful impetus for balanced regional development and comprehensive rural revitalization.

The maritime economy is demonstrating quantitative and qualitative growth: China maintains its global leadership in shipbuilding and marine engineering equipment market share, and consistently ranks first in the world in aquaculture production.

The economies of the bay areas are developing on an innovative basis: the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is experiencing dynamic growth, and the pace of industrial transformation and modernization is constantly accelerating, allowing it to act as a key driver of high-quality regional economic development.

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Sobyanin: More than 1,350 km of wires have been removed underground over the 10 years of the Clear Sky project.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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Over the course of 10 years, more than 1,350 kilometers of overhead power lines have been moved underground. This was reported on their channel inMAX messenger Sergei Sobyanin reported.

"Thanks to this, Moscow has literally been transformed—overhanging power lines no longer mar the city's appearance. First, we renovated the city's iconic streets. Then we moved on to sites in other districts and the main highways," the Moscow Mayor wrote.

Source: Sergei Sobyanin's channel inMAX messenger

This year the work was carried out on Profsoyuznaya Street, 60th Anniversary of October Avenue, Marxist, Krasnoprudnaya and Bolshaya Cherkizovskaya Streets, Volgogradsky Prospect, Shchelkovskoye Highway, Academician Sakharov Avenue, as well as on the territory of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex and other facilities.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the project also offers important practical benefits. The cables are installed underground in conduits. They are easily accessible through cable manholes for repairs and new line connections. The cables are protected from adverse weather conditions, extending the lifespan of the networks. Furthermore, emergency response capabilities are expanded. medical helicopters can land even on narrow streets.

Subscribe to Sergei Sobyanin's official channels on messengers MAX AndTelegram.

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.