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

Sofia, February 18 (Xinhua) — Snap elections in Bulgaria will be held on April 19. President Iliana Yotova announced this on Wednesday, adding that she would issue a decree appointing an interim government proposed by Prime Minister Andrej Gyurov.

I. Yotova made the corresponding statement immediately after A. Gyurov proposed the composition of the interim government to her at a meeting broadcast live on television.

“I will issue a decree on the appointment of your cabinet and will await your oath before the People’s Assembly /parliament/, and I will also issue a decree on holding parliamentary elections on April 19, 2026,” I. Yotova stated, addressing A. Gyurov.

"The most important task is to prepare for fair parliamentary elections in accordance with the country's legislation," she emphasized.

According to I. Yotova, other tasks include overcoming the risks facing the country related to the energy system and rising commodity prices, as well as protecting national positions in Europe. –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

Bratislava, February 18 (Xinhua) — The Slovak government declared a state of emergency on Wednesday due to insufficient oil supplies, the Slovak news agency TASR reported.

In the face of disruptions in oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, the Slovak government has decided to release up to 250,000 tons of oil from state reserves for the Slovnaft refinery located in Bratislava. –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

Moscow, February 18 (Xinhua) — On Tuesday, a concert celebrating the Spring Festival (Chunjie, the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year) took place at the Huaming Park Business Center in China. Russian musicians performed 13 classical pieces, presenting a vibrant audiovisual performance to audiences from around the world, capturing the charm of Russian and Chinese cultures.

Before the concert, Zhang Wei, Minister Plenipotentiary of the Chinese Embassy in Russia, stated that in recent years, humanitarian exchanges between the two countries have become increasingly diverse, which has a positive impact on strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between peoples.

"Today's concert is a true celebration of art. We are confident that the joint efforts of the two countries will allow the melodies of Chinese-Russian cooperation to resonate even more deeply in people's hearts," he noted.

The concert was organized by China Construction Bank LLC. The evening's program included the symphony orchestra performing the "Spring Festival" overture and "Jasmine," creating a Chinese New Year atmosphere in the hall. The suite from the ballet "Swan Lake" showcased the artistic qualities and traditions of Russian classical music. Solo performances by Honored Artists of Russia, violinist Ariadna Anchevskaya and singer Elizaveta Pakhomova, made a special impression on the audience.

The evening's culmination was the performance of the song "Me and My Homeland," during which many Chinese audience members stood up and began singing along. The final performance of the "Radetzky March" was a vibrant conclusion to the cultural event and another example of the humanitarian exchange between China and Russia.

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

Moscow, February 18 /Xinhua/ — Negotiations on a Ukrainian settlement in Geneva were difficult, but businesslike. This was stated on Wednesday by Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation at the talks, RIA Novosti reported.

According to him, talks between representatives of Russia, the United States, and Ukraine on Wednesday lasted approximately two hours. A new round of talks on Ukraine will take place soon.

Negotiations on a settlement in Ukraine were held in Geneva on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Russian delegation was headed by Vladimir Medinsky.

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

WUHAN, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) — Twelve people were killed in an explosion at a fireworks shop in central China's Hubei Province, local authorities said.

An explosion occurred around 2:00 PM Wednesday in Zhengji Township, Xiangyang City, Xiangyang Province. The resulting fire covered approximately 50 square meters. Rescuers were dispatched to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 3:30 PM.

The bodies of 12 victims were found at the scene. The cause of the tragedy is being determined. -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

February 18 /Xinhua/ — China will see a significant increase in green loan volumes in 2025, channeling more financial resources into low-carbon industries and providing strong support for accelerating the green and low-carbon transformation of the economy and society, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) said.

According to a report released by the People's Bank of China, the country's outstanding green loans in renminbi and foreign currencies stood at 44.8 trillion yuan (about $6.46 trillion) at the end of last year, up 20.2 percent year-on-year.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), the average annual growth rate of green loans was 30.2 percent, 21.1 percentage points higher than the total loan volume. At the same time, the balance of green loans in total outstanding loans increased from 6.7 percent to 16.2 percent.

According to the report, the total volume of green bond issuance during the period reached 5.2 trillion yuan, with the outstanding balance amounting to 2.4 trillion yuan. This makes China one of the world's largest green bond markets.

In the future, the PBOC will expand support to cover more areas where carbon emissions can be reduced, help unlock the value of resources and environmental assets, and support financial institutions in participating in the development of the carbon market in an orderly manner, the report 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.

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, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday responded to friends in the U.S. state of Iowa with a New Year's card, saying that no matter how the situation develops, the Chinese and American people's aspiration for exchanges and cooperation will not change.

Recalling his visit to Iowa 41 years ago, Xi Jinping said he was warmly received and that those wonderful memories remain fresh in his mind to this day.

Xi Jinping said that the hope for China-US relations lies in the people, their foundation lies in societies, their future depends on young people, and their vitality depends on exchanges at the subnational level, adding that the bonds of mutual understanding and closeness between the youth of the two countries will not change.

Xi Jinping expressed the hope that friends from the US state of Iowa will remain committed to strengthening the friendship between the two peoples, encouraging more young Americans to become heirs of China-US friendship and advocates of peace and friendship, so as to make greater contributions to the development of China-US relations.

Earlier, Luca Berrone wrote a letter to Xi Jinping on behalf of his Iowa friends, conveying Chinese New Year greetings to Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. In his letter, Luca Berrone noted that his Iowa friends value their friendship with the Chinese people and will continue to strengthen it.

L. Barrone, along with Sarah Lande, Gary Dvorchak, Rick Kimberly, former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Bransted, former Chairman of the World Food Prize Fund Kenneth Quinn, and Iowa faculty and students who participated in the 50,000 in 5 Years initiative (an initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over five years), also sent a Chinese New Year card to Xi Jinping and his wife, expressing their willingness to promote friendly exchanges between the two countries and contribute to the development of bilateral ties.

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, February 18 (Xinhua) — "Significant progress" has been achieved in the new round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, US Special Presidential Envoy Steven Witkoff announced on Tuesday on the social media platform X.

"President Trump's success in bringing both sides of this conflict to the negotiating table has led to significant progress," he wrote. "Both sides have agreed to brief their leaders and continue working toward an agreement."

The first day of a new round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia concluded in Geneva on Tuesday and will continue on Wednesday. –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, February 18 (Xinhua) — China's bond market balance under trust management stood at 196.7 trillion yuan (about 28 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of 2025, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) reported.

The central bank's 2025 financial market performance report showed that net government bond financing in 2025 reached 13.8 trillion yuan, up 2.5 trillion yuan from 2024. Net corporate bond financing reached 2.4 trillion yuan, up 482.3 billion yuan from 2024.

Furthermore, as of the end of 2025, foreign institutional investors held 3.5 trillion yuan of funds under trust management in the Chinese bond market, accounting for 1.8 percent of the total amount of funds under trust management.

In 2025, the total issuance volume of panda bonds reached RMB 183.06 billion, and 56 new overseas institutional investors gained access to China's interbank bond market. -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

MANILA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) — Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte announced on Wednesday that she will run for president in 2028.

She officially confirmed her plans to run for the country's highest office at a press conference.

S. Duterte, the daughter of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, said her upcoming campaign will focus on strengthening families, promoting religious values and ensuring good governance.

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.