Category: China

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

Helsinki, February 20 (Xinhua) – Norway will not join US President Donald Trump's so-called "Peace Council," the country's Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.

Speaking at the first meeting of the Peace Council at the US Institute of Peace, D. Trump announced that the United States would contribute $10 billion to this initiative and announced that Norway would host the council's event.

According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Norwegian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ane Jørem denied this statement and confirmed that Norway will not join the council.

"Norway has clearly stated that it will not join the Peace Council, and this position remains unchanged," NRK quotes A. Jörem as saying.

She added that Norway plans to host the spring meeting of the Special Liaison Committee, which coordinates aid to the Palestinians and which Norway has long chaired. She said that for this occasion, the country is in contact with the relevant parties to discuss a peace plan for Gaza.

Norway is among several European countries, including France, Germany and the UK, that have not joined the controversial "Peace Council" formally established by Donald Trump on January 22 during the World Economic Forum in Davos. –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

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) — As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins, United Nations humanitarian agencies and their partners in the Gaza Strip on Thursday called for restrictions on the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid to be lifted.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that humanitarian aid deliveries from Egypt remain critically low due to a large number of refusals by Israeli authorities. Partners also continue to advocate for the resumption of intergovernmental convoys from Jordan, which would allow for increased supplies, including food.

As the agency reported on Wednesday, partners coordinated meal preparation and distribution times with Ramadan fasting hours and added additional fresh produce and protein to the meals they delivered. As of mid-February, more than 20 partners were producing and distributing over 1.7 million meals daily in 180 kitchens.

OCHA reported that as of Monday, partners had provided monthly food assistance to approximately 670,000 people in February. However, ration sizes remain reduced by 50 percent, as current stocks in the Gaza Strip are insufficient to cover larger rations until the end of the month.

Regarding temporary shelter, OCHA reported that between February 11 and 17, humanitarian partners provided tents, tarpaulins, weatherization kits, clothing, and other essential items to more than 11,500 households in northern Gaza, Deir el-Balah, and Khan Younis governorates. Shelter agencies reported that the materials used provide limited protection and wear out quickly, leading them to call for more durable shelter materials to be brought into Gaza.

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

Pyongyang, February 20 (Xinhua) — The Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the ruling party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), opened on Thursday. WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Un delivered the opening address, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday.

"This congress will properly review and analyze the work done during the eighth term of the Party Central Committee, determine the direction and policies for developing our socialist construction at a higher level, and take organizational and institutional measures to adjust and strengthen the Party's leadership capacity," KCNA reported, citing Kim Jong-un's speech.

The congress approved three agenda items: summing up the work of the WPK Central Committee, revising the party charter, and electing the central governing body of the WPK, the statement said. –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

New York, February 19 (Xinhua) — The United States' trade deficit will reach a record $1.24 trillion in 2025, up 2.1 percent from the previous year, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Statistics show that the annual value of US goods exports and imports in 2025 was $2.19 trillion and $3.43 trillion, respectively.

Among major trading partners, the U.S. trade deficit with the European Union narrowed by $17.12 billion year-on-year, while the trade deficits with Mexico and Vietnam widened by $25.42 billion and $54.73 billion year-on-year, respectively.

According to the data, the US trade surplus in services amounted to $339.47 billion in 2025, which is $27.6 billion (8.85 percent) more than the previous year.

“The 2025 deficit shows how little impact tariffs have had on the overall deficit so far, distorting monthly trade flows as U.S. businesses adjusted to tariff changes,” MarketWatch quotes Eugenio Aleman, chief economist at Raymond James.

Tariffs have significantly disrupted trade, with the effective tariff rate in the U.S. reaching 7.7 percent in 2025, the highest since 1947, said Erica York, vice president of federal tax policy at the Tax Foundation.

The Trump administration argues that tariffs will help bring back manufacturing jobs and reduce the U.S. trade deficit, as the country imposes additional tariffs on goods from most of its trading partners in 2025. –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

Washington, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) — US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened Hamas with a "harsh response" if the group does not disarm.

"I think Hamas will disarm, as they promised," Trump said, speaking at the first meeting of the Peace Council in Washington, D.C. "If they don't, you know, they're going to face a harsh response."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday the White House agrees that Hamas must disarm and Gaza must be demilitarized before reconstruction of the strife-torn territory can begin, media reports said.

Hamas on Tuesday called on the "Peace Council" to intervene and end ongoing Israeli "violations" of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, warning that Israel could use the council meeting as cover to continue its military campaign.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a televised address on Tuesday that the events of the past four months indicate that Israel has not ended the war, but has merely changed its instruments and forms. He said that "the killings, displacement, siege, and starvation" continue.

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

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran has 10-15 days to reach a nuclear deal or "something really bad" will happen.

"I think this time will be enough," he told reporters on board his plane.

“We either make a deal or it will end badly for them,” Trump said.

Earlier on Thursday, the US leader told the first meeting of the "Peace Council" that the outcome of US-Iran nuclear talks would be decided within the next 10 days, calling Iran "the hot spot at the moment."

"It's become clear over the years that it's not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran. We have to make a meaningful deal or something bad will happen," Trump said.

US Vice President J.D. Vance said the second round of US-Iran talks in Geneva on Tuesday showed "some" positive signs, but key US "red lines" were still not being met.

A Trump adviser estimated the likelihood of strikes within a few weeks if negotiations fail at 90 percent, Axios reported on Tuesday.

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford was approaching Gibraltar on Wednesday, heading from the Caribbean to join the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in waters off Iran, according to local media reports. –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

St. Petersburg, February 20 /Xinhua/ — The 10th school festival in honor of the Chinese New Year took place in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, attracting a large number of local schoolchildren, their parents, and Russian fans of Chinese culture.

The festival was organized by the ChUODO "Academy of Oriental Languages and Culture "Confucius" and the State Budgetary Educational Institution Gymnasium No. 32 "Gymnasium of St. Petersburg Culture" with the support of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Education Committee.

Over 200 children and teenagers from 17 educational institutions across the city performed creative numbers incorporating elements of Chinese culture. The melodic choral rendition of "Jasmine," the graceful "Peacock Dance," and energetic demonstrations by wushu masters drew thunderous applause from the audience.

In addition to the concert program, the festival featured a variety of master classes related to Chinese culture. Children tried their hand at writing the character for "happiness" in ink, mastered traditional crafts such as paper cutting and stamp making, and enjoyed the sounds of the traditional Chinese instrument, the guzheng.

In her welcoming speech, Natalia Mikhailova, Chief Specialist of the Education Development Department of the St. Petersburg Education Committee, noted that interest in learning Chinese has grown significantly in the city in recent years. Currently, over 5,000 St. Petersburg schoolchildren are studying the language. She reminded the audience that the coming Year of the Red Horse symbolizes hard work and diligence. N. Mikhailova also wished the students success in their studies and congratulated everyone in attendance on the New Year in Chinese.

Chinese Consul General in St. Petersburg Luo Zhanhui emphasized that this year marks the China-Russia Year of Education. More exchange events are planned in the future to take bilateral cooperation in this area to a new level.

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

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) — Amid heightened tensions and a strengthened US military presence in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the outcome of US-Iran nuclear talks will be decided within the next 10 days.

D. Trump made the corresponding statement while speaking at the first meeting of the “Peace Council” in Washington.

Local analysts believe the American leader hinted at the possibility of a US strike on Iran within the specified period.

“You’ll find out about that probably in the next 10 days,” said D. Trump, calling Iran “a hot spot right now.”

"We may have to take another step, or maybe not. Maybe we'll make a deal," he noted.

"It's been proven over the years that it's not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran, and we must make a meaningful deal. Otherwise, bad things will happen," Trump added.

The White House said Wednesday that Tehran is expected to provide more details on its negotiating position in the coming weeks.

According to White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt, "diplomacy is always his [D. Trump's] first option." She also noted that "there are many reasons and arguments that can be made for a strike on Iran."

As reported on February 17 by the American news portal Axios, a Trump adviser estimated the likelihood of strikes in the coming weeks if negotiations fail at “90 percent,” adding that the US operation could be a large-scale campaign lasting several weeks. –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

PARIS, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) — The French Foreign Ministry on Thursday expressed surprise at reports that the European Commission (EC) participated in a meeting of US President Donald Trump's so-called Peace Council, saying the European Council had not authorized the EC to attend the event.

As French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavre noted at a regular press briefing, the Peace Council should focus on the situation in the Gaza Strip. The diplomat indicated that France will refrain from participating in this mechanism as long as uncertainty remains regarding its mandate and scope of activities.

P. Confavre added that France was "surprised" by the announcement of an EC representative's presence at the Peace Council meeting, emphasizing that the European Commission "does not have a mandate from the European Council to attend and participate in this meeting." He stated that the EC is expected to provide clarification on this matter after its representative returns from the United States.

According to American media reports, D. Trump held the first meeting of the “Peace Council” in Washington on Thursday.

The President of the United States officially announced the creation of the "Peace Council" on January 22 during a charter signing ceremony held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Several major countries and long-standing US allies declined to join the initiative.

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

Cairo, February 19 (Xinhua) — At least 18 people were killed and three others injured in a collision between two trucks in Egypt's Port Said province, northeast of Cairo, on Thursday, authorities in the northern province of Dakahliyah said in a statement.

The statement said a heavy-duty vehicle collided with a pickup truck transporting workers from Dakahlia to fish farms in Port Said.

Civil defense and security forces, as well as ambulances, were quickly dispatched to the scene. The injured were taken to three hospitals.

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.