China has presented its first comprehensive policy paper outlining its position on WTO reform.

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

Beijing, February 19 (Xinhua) — China recently submitted a document to the World Trade Organization (WTO) outlining its position on reforming the WTO under the current circumstances, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

This is the first policy paper submitted by China to the WTO since the launch of the necessary WTO reform process in June 2022, which comprehensively and systematically sets out China's position on WTO reform, the ministry's official said.

He also noted that China had taken the lead in pushing for needed WTO reforms by publishing a position paper in 2018 and submitting a proposal paper in 2019.

In response to the serious challenges and development needs currently facing the multilateral trading system, China submitted a new position paper to the WTO that comprehensively takes into account its own demands and the concerns of other members.

The position paper, based on multilateralism, development-focused and future-oriented, systematically sets out China's general principles and proposals for reforming the WTO under the current circumstances.

On multilateralism, it clearly articulates China's support for inclusive economic globalization and its active position in defending the multilateral trading system, while emphasizing the importance of further advancing WTO reform in the current environment.

The document emphasizes that development should be placed at the center of the reform agenda, helping developing member countries seize growth opportunities in areas such as the digital economy, green transformation and artificial intelligence.

It also emphasizes the need to discuss government measures that have a distorting effect on international trade, respect the differences in the economic systems of participating countries and their stages of development, strive for consensus on issues of fair competition and create international trade conditions that are more consistent with the needs of industrial development, the official said. -0-

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Biodiversity decline halted after Yangtze River fishing ban, study finds

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

Beijing, February 19 (Xinhua) — A comprehensive 10-year fishing ban imposed in the Yangtze River basin has successfully reversed a 70-year decline in fish stocks and initiated ecological recovery, according to a study recently published in the journal Science.

To improve biodiversity in regions along the Yangtze River, China imposed a complete fishing ban in 332 protected areas in the river basin in January 2020. This protection was later expanded to a 10-year fishing moratorium along the river's main channels and major tributaries, which took effect on January 1, 2021.

A team of researchers from the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with colleagues from China and abroad, assessed the initial results of the ban using systematic monitoring data collected from 2018 to 2023.

The study conducted a comprehensive analysis of dynamic changes in fish communities in the river's mainstem before and after the ban across several parameters, including species richness, biomass, abundance, evenness, and beta diversity. The researchers also quantified the ecological mechanisms through which multiple stressors, including water quality, hydrology, climate change, land use, shoreline development, shipping, and fishing, influence fish diversity.

The results showed significant improvements in key indicators, including fish biomass, fish condition index, species diversity, and the first signs of recovery in endangered species. According to the study, a significant increase in biomass was observed in large fish species, while condition indices improved in both large and small fish species.

Some species, such as the small-eyed flathead (Cynoglossus gracilis), a ray-finned flatfish, have seen population growth since the ban was introduced, with their range expanding upstream.

According to official data released in January 2026, the Yangtze finless porpoise population increased to 1,426 individuals, an increase of 177 individuals compared to 2022. The Yangtze finless porpoise is a first-category protected species in China, and its population status serves as a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River.

The researchers identified the fishing ban as the primary and direct factor influencing the initial recovery of fisheries resources and the Yangtze River ecosystem. Furthermore, mitigating shipping pressure, creating buffer zones of coastal vegetation, and improving water quality provided a synergistic effect.

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Kazakhstan's Senate approved a law ratifying the renewable energy agreement with China.

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

Astana, February 19 (Xinhua) — The Senate of Kazakhstan's parliament approved a law ratifying an intergovernmental agreement with China on the implementation of renewable energy projects, the Kazinform news agency reported on Thursday.

As Senator Olga Bulavkina noted, the agreement was signed in November 2024 during the COP29 climate conference and is aimed at developing mutually beneficial cooperation between Kazakhstan and China in the field of renewable energy and sustainable development.

According to the document, Kazakhstan plans to build three large renewable energy facilities with a total installed capacity of 1.8 GW, including two wind farms with a combined capacity of 1.5 GW and one solar power plant with a capacity of 300 MW. The projects will be implemented in the Pavlodar, Karaganda, and Turkestan regions, with completion scheduled for 2027-2029. Samruk-Energy, the Kazakh national company, will act as a co-investor in the projects.

According to O. Bulavkina, the projects' implementation will attract more than $2 billion in investment and create over 200 permanent and approximately 2,000 temporary jobs.

As noted, Kazakhstan intends to increase the share of renewable energy sources in electricity production to 15 percent by 2030 as part of its strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. –0–

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J. M. Balcázar elected as the new president of Peru

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Lima, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) — Peru's Congress (parliament) on Wednesday elected Congressman José María Balcázar as its new leader, who assumes presidential powers in the country in accordance with the constitution.

J. M. Balcázar was sworn in as President of Peru shortly after the vote. His term will run until July 28, 2026, in accordance with the current presidential mandate.

J. M. Balcazar, 83, a lawyer by training, was elected to Congress in 2021.

On Tuesday, Peru's Congress removed José Jeri from his positions as President of Congress and President of the country.

According to the Peruvian Constitution, if the president of the country is temporarily or permanently unable to perform his or her duties, his or her powers devolve to the first vice president. In the absence of the first vice president, his or her powers devolve to the second vice president. If both vice presidents are unable to perform their duties, the president of Congress assumes the presidential powers. If the inability to perform his or her duties is permanent, the president of Congress immediately calls elections.

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Former South Korean President Yun Seok-yul has been sentenced to life imprisonment for plotting a coup.

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

SEOUL, February 19 (Xinhua) — Former South Korean President Yun Seok-yul has been sentenced to life imprisonment for inciting rebellion following his declaration of a state of emergency. The announcement was made live on television.

The Seoul Central District Court issued its ruling, stating that the crux of the case regarding martial law imposed by Yun Seok-yul was that troops were deployed outside the National Assembly building.

The court explained that declaring martial law constitutes rebellion if it infringes on the powers of the National Assembly, noting that Yun Seok-yeol had attempted to prevent the parliament from functioning normally for a significant period of time.

Yun Seok-yeol was also accused of mobilizing troops and police operating under martial law to obstruct the implementation of the National Assembly's decision to lift martial law, as well as attempting to detain key political figures, namely the leaders of major political parties and the Speaker of the House. –0–

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D. Trump criticized the UK for leasing the Diego Garcia military base amid tensions with Iran.

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called Britain's leasing of the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean a "big mistake," saying it could be critical if tensions with Iran escalate.

On May 22, 2025, the United Kingdom and Mauritius signed an agreement formally transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. Under the agreement, Mauritius will lease the Diego Garcia military base to the United Kingdom and the United States.

In 1965, the United Kingdom separated the archipelago from Mauritius (then a British colony) to create the British Indian Ocean Territory. In 1966, the United Kingdom leased Diego Garcia to the United States as a joint US-British military facility.

Noting that "the United States may need to use Diego Garcia" if nuclear talks with Iran fail, Trump claimed on the social media platform Truth Social that he had warned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer against entering into a lease agreement.

"Prime Minister Starmer must not, for any reason, lose control of Diego Garcia by entering into a tenuous, at best, 100-year lease," Trump wrote, warning that losing control would be "a stain on the reputation of our great ally."

In response to Trump's criticism, the British Foreign Office stated that the Chagos agreement "is crucial for the security of the UK and our key allies, and for the safety of the British people."

“The agreement we have reached is the only way to guarantee the long-term future of this vital military base,” the UK Foreign Office said in a statement. –0–

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The idyll of rural life for Russian horsewoman Sasha in China's Anhui province

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HEFEI, February 19 (Xinhua) — In the picturesque bamboo thickets of southern Anhui Province, eastern China, a spring breeze gently caresses cheeks. Here, amidst the magnificent scenery, Alexandra Timofeeva (Sasha) from Russia has found a home and a quiet happiness, along with her family and beloved horses.

Sasha has a deep connection with China. After studying in Shanghai, she traveled to Europe to hone her equestrian skills. There, fate brought her together with Vasily Ivanov (Vasil), a show jumping trainer from Belarus. Their love blossomed, they married, and became parents to a wonderful daughter, Maya. In 2023, Vasil was invited to teach at the Yangtze River Delta International Equestrian Center in Dongting, Anhui Province. Alexandra's family decided to move to this cozy Chinese town to begin a new chapter in their lives.

Upon arrival in Dongting, Sasha's family was greeted with generous gifts by the locals. This warm welcome instantly dispelled the weariness of the journey and brought them closer to the place through the genuine kindness and hospitality of the villagers.

"Horseback riding has always been my favorite pastime," Sasha shared, still remembering the feeling of overcoming her first obstacle. "That moment was truly magical." Now, living near the equestrian center, she trains daily in show jumping, takes her beloved horse on leisurely walks, and sometimes assists and supports the horses' training sessions at the center.

At the racetrack, Sasha overcomes barriers with full dedication, pouring all her energy into every movement. In her daily life, she actively participates in traditional folk events, immersing herself in the local customs of Guangde, and even mastering culinary secrets, such as how to cook braised pork with radish.

Meanwhile, their daughter Maya is growing happily, attending the local kindergarten, learning Chinese and playing with local peers. Her husband, Vasily, is successfully pursuing a career as a horseback riding instructor and is highly respected by his students. All these factors help Sasha feel at home in this once unfamiliar land.

As a professional rider, Sasha has also witnessed the remarkable growth of equestrian sports in China. Even in remote corners like their current home, high-tech facilities capable of hosting international competitions exist, attracting more and more amateur and professional equestrians to train each year.

With the arrival of the Year of the Horse, Sasha harbors a simple yet sincere wish. "I hope to participate in more equestrian competitions this year and also spend more time with my family," she said, adding that her parents are planning to visit China soon. She looks forward to showing them the picturesque landscapes and introducing them to the rich cultural heritage of southern Anhui Province.

The daily life of this international family of three not only illustrates the authentic experience of foreigners settling in rural China and gradually integrating into the local community, but also reflects the unique warmth of human relationships and natural beauty inherent in this region. It offers a glimpse into the diverse possibilities of life in modern Chinese villages.

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Total R&D investment by China's centrally-controlled state-owned enterprises exceeded 1 trillion yuan for the fourth consecutive year.

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

BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) — China's state-owned enterprises, which are directly managed by the central government, have increased their spending on research and development (R&D, or R&D) in 2025.

Total R&D investment exceeded 1 trillion yuan for the fourth consecutive year, reaching 1.1 trillion yuan (approximately $159 billion) last year. R&D intensity, the percentage of revenue reinvested in R&D, was 2.86 percent.

1.44 million people at centrally-controlled state-owned enterprises are engaged in research and development. They have established 474 state-level R&D platforms.

The committee also noted that there has been an increase in the role of this category of state-owned enterprises in promoting joint innovations with the participation of businesses, universities, and research institutes. -0-

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Progress has been made on some issues at the Geneva peace talks, according to Zelensky.

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

Kyiv, February 19 (Xinhua) — Some progress has been made on military issues at peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made this statement, Ukrinform reported on Wednesday.

He clarified that the discussion concerns, in particular, methods for monitoring the ceasefire.

V. Zelenskyy added that it was also agreed at the meeting that the United States would definitely be involved in the monitoring process.

At the same time, the Ukrainian President noted that the parties' positions on all sensitive political issues, including issues of territory and management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, remain divergent.

The next round of peace talks involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia took place in Geneva on February 17-18. –0–

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The thousand-year-old image of the horse in art

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russian.china.org.cn | February 19, 2026

Keywords: Year of the Horse

Source: russian.china.org.cn

The Horse's Thousand-Year-Old Art From Han Dynasty bronzes to Tang Dynasty clay figurines, from palace paintings to folk crafts, the horse has shaped China's unique artistic tradition.

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