The Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle with the Soyuz MS-28 manned spacecraft successfully launched from Baikonur — Roscosmos

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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

Moscow, November 27 /Xinhua/ — The Russian Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle carrying the Soyuz MS-28 manned spacecraft successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Thursday at 12:28 Moscow time, according to a statement published on the Roscosmos state corporation's Telegram channel.

"The Soyuz MS-28 manned spacecraft has departed for the ISS, with the crew consisting of Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikayev, and Christopher Williams," the statement noted.

The crew is expected to spend 242 days in orbit and return to Earth at the end of July 2026. More than 40 scientific experiments are planned during the eight-month mission, as well as two spacewalks.

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The Tianjin Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries is stepping up pragmatic cooperation with Russia.

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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, November 27 (Xinhua) — The Tianjin Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (TAF) and the Krasnodar Branch of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society (RCFS) recently held a videoconference meeting, during which the parties held an in-depth exchange of views on jointly implementing the results of the SCO summit in Tianjin and promoting pragmatic cooperation.

The website of the Tianjin Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries reports that the association's representative outlined in detail the city's overall economic and social development goals during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, particularly the key tasks and important development areas in the area of high-level opening-up. He expressed hope that both sides would jointly utilize the friendship association platform to promote pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the two regions in areas such as industry, economics, trade, and people-to-people and cultural ties, thereby further deepening mutual understanding and strengthening friendship.

The head of the Krasnodar branch of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society presented the overall economic and social development of the Krasnodar Krai, particularly its strengths in economics and trade, agriculture, industry, education, and tourism. He expressed hope that, building on the previously signed friendship agreement, the parties will advance new practical cooperation projects, fostering shared prosperity and development.

Both sides unanimously expressed their intention to strengthen institutional exchanges and promote pragmatic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between Tianjin and the Krasnodar Territory.

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Hunchun city authorities are issuing consumer coupons to Russian tourists.

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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, November 27 (Xinhua) — From November 24, 2025 to January 3, 2026, the city of Hunchun in Northeast China's Jilin Province will offer Russian tourists consumer coupons worth a total of 500,000 yuan (approximately $70,600), according to the official WeChat account of the Tumenjiang Bao newspaper.

Based on the daily number of people entering China from Russia through the Hunchun checkpoint, a total of 25,000 paper consumer coupons have been issued. Each coupons provides a 20 yuan discount on purchases over 100 yuan. They can be used at many shopping malls and tourist areas throughout the city.

At the passenger service counters at the Hunchun checkpoint, Russian tourists can obtain these consumer coupons upon presentation of their passports, as well as brochures explaining tax refunds upon exiting the country. Interpreters from travel agencies will also issue these coupons to Russian travelers and explain the rules for their use.

As noted by the city's Commerce Department, paper consumer coupons, printed in both Russian and Chinese, facilitate offline payments for Russian tourists in China.

China has introduced a trial visa-free regime for Russian citizens from September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2026. Russian citizens holding regular passports can visit China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchanging visits, and transit purposes, provided their stay in China does not exceed 30 days.

In the two months since the introduction of this innovation, many regions of China, including Hunchun, have seen a significant increase in tourist flow from Russia. -0-

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Chinese Defense Ministry: Hawaii meetings brought positive factors to military relations between China and the United States

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

BEIJING, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) — Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said Thursday that the meetings in Hawaii under the China-U.S. Naval Consultative Agreement (MMCA) have brought positive factors to the establishment of stable and positive bilateral military relations characterized by equality, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

Jiang Bin said at a press conference that the second meeting of the working group and the annual meeting of the MMCA for 2025 were held in Hawaii from November 18 to 20 and were aimed at strengthening contacts and exchanges between the militaries of the two countries, avoiding misunderstandings and miscalculations, and controlling possible risks and crises.

Regarding the subsequent plan for bilateral military contacts, both sides are currently maintaining consultations at the working level and relevant information will be released in due course, he noted. -0-

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The Earth System Parameter Forecasting Research Center was established at Lanzhou University in China.

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

Beijing, November 27 (Xinhua) — A Research Center for Earth System Forecasting has been established at Lanzhou University, located in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, northwest China. This center aims to provide key technical support for China's development of a high-precision Earth system forecasting mechanism and to develop a new scientific and innovative architecture in this field, focusing on western China, serving subscribers nationwide, and covering the Central Asian region.

According to the Zhongguo Xinwenwang news portal, the new research center was officially opened on the sidelines of a symposium attended by more than 200 meteorological experts and scientists in Lanzhou. The symposium focused on key scientific issues in this field and key technologies for forecasting Earth system parameters, particularly those related to the multi-sphere coupling of the Earth system and complex topography in arid regions, as well as strategic national meteorological services related to new energy, modern agriculture, intelligent transportation, and low-altitude economics.

Forecasting Earth system parameters is a cutting-edge interdisciplinary scientific discipline based on mathematical and physical modeling approaches and high-performance computing technologies. It is of vital importance in the national meteorological sphere.

The new center will operate as a permanent research facility led by academicians from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, with the participation of Lanzhou University, the Earth System Forecasting Center of the China Meteorological Administration, and the Gansu Provincial Meteorological Administration (Northeast China).

The Earth System Forecasting Research Center will focus on developing relevant technologies in arid areas, while also providing key technological support for socio-economic development in areas such as new energy, modern agriculture, low-altitude economy, and smart transportation, and will also propose a Chinese meteorological service project for the development of international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, said Zhang Qiang, head of the new center. -0-

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Gazprombank and RUDN University signed a cooperation agreement

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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Gazprombank and RUDN University signed a cooperation agreement. The goal of the partnership is to ensure high-speed and high-quality training of specialists for key economic sectors and to promote the development of innovation and scientific and technical activities in the country.

"Gazprombank has long been systematically working with the education sector, consistently building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with universities across the country. RUDN University and the bank have enjoyed a long-standing, friendly relationship, collaborating across a wide range of areas. The signing of the agreement will provide further impetus to the development of this cooperation," said Andrey Savchenko, First Vice President of Gazprombank.

The parties plan to:

Joint educational projects. Accelerators and startups—programs to support young entrepreneurs among students and graduates; specialized events and internships so that students can work with cutting-edge science and technology while still studying.

Modern model of personnel training

"By actively collaborating with our country's leading universities, Gazprombank strives to expand students' educational opportunities and graduates' professional fulfillment. Creating and promoting new industries and competencies is a significant part of our mission. We are confident that our collaboration with RUDN University will contribute to the development of an effective model for training the workforce of the future and the emergence of exciting innovative projects," said Anastasia Smirnova, First Vice President and Head of Communications and Marketing at Gazprombank.

The signed agreement provides for the implementation of a range of significant initiatives to create and develop new educational technologies, platforms, and innovative digital education models. The collaboration will also focus on the implementation and support of information and event platforms for career guidance and the involvement of RUDN University students in cutting-edge areas of business, science, and technology.

Gazprombank specialists will be involved in the review of RUDN University's teaching and methodological materials and curricula. In turn, university representatives will participate in the development, review, and implementation of corporate training programs implemented at the bank.

"RUDN University's strategy includes systematic collaboration with major businesses and financial institutions in Russia. Therefore, we are particularly pleased to see Gazprombank as one of our key partners. Our joint initiative is systemic in nature. We believe that in the future, it will provide significant potential for expanding educational, scientific, and expert cooperation in the interests of the economy, personnel training, and ensuring the country's technological leadership," said Yulia Ebzeeva, First Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs at RUDN University.

The New Role of AI in Education

The agreement was signed during a roundtable discussion on "Digital Transformation and Technological Leadership: The Role of Financial Institutions and Universities." At the event, experts from RUDN University and Gazprombank discussed the participation of financial institutions in generating new knowledge, supporting technologies, and developing innovative industries. Participants also discussed the challenges associated with students' use of AI and the university's mission in the new reality.

As Yulia Ebzeeva, First Vice-Rector for Educational Activities at RUDN University, noted, the recent panel discussion at the AI Journey conference also focused on the development of education and the use of artificial intelligence.

"This technology allows us to make certain processes faster and more dynamic. And those who master it will be more effective in the marketplace than others. Therefore, our university was one of the first to respond to this challenge and created the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence. It was created primarily as a faculty that would collaborate with other faculties and develop industry leadership in various fields," says Yulia Ebzeeva.

At the same time, according to the Vice-Rector, despite the development of AI technologies, people who can generate ideas on a napkin will always be valued. In her speech, Yulia Nikolaevna also raised the problem that university graduates are often unprepared for field work. Therefore, universities need to prepare students as closely as possible to the challenges they will face in real life. In his report, Gazprombank's First Vice-President also emphasized the need to transform education. According to him, traditional educational formats (essays, independent work) are losing their effectiveness in the age of AI. Testing knowledge and skills is becoming a competition between a teacher and neural networks, raising the question: "How can we evaluate not the student's work, but the thought process?"

"The mission of the university in the new reality is to develop cognitive immunity and a foundation for continuous, voluntary learning. Universities must develop students' broad perspectives and systems thinking, as well as the ability to see problems in an interdisciplinary context. Furthermore, universities must provide students with fundamental cognitive tools: methods of analysis, critical thinking, and information processing, as well as the fundamentals of professional and research ethics for understanding the social impact of technology. Practical skills should not replace, but rather build upon, this foundation," says Igor Turuev, First Vice President of Gazprombank and Doctor of Economics.

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On November 21, 2025, the Ecology Foundation and the Presidential Grants Fund's winning project, "Truth and Myths about Microplastics," will now be at the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia!

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Source: Ecology Foundation

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The Ecology Foundation and the Presidential Grants Fund's winning project, "Truth and Myths about Microplastics," are now at the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia!

November 21, 2025

From November 17th to 28th, the university will host our poster session, which discusses one of the main environmental problems: polymer and microplastic pollution.

For some, this is just a trendy topic, but for Mendeleev chemists, it is an area for real scientific breakthroughs and solutions!

Your knowledge is the key to a clean planet. Let's create such a future together!

Where: D.I. Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology of Russia

When: November 17-28, 2025

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The number of China-Europe and China-Central Asia freight trains through the Alashankou checkpoint has reached 7,000 since the beginning of the year.

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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

ÜRUMQI, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) — A China-Europe freight train loaded with daily goods and auto parts departed the Alashankou border crossing in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Nov. 27, heading for Małaszewicze, Poland. This brings the number of China-Europe and China-Central Asia freight trains that have passed through this border crossing since the beginning of this year to more than 7,000.

Alashankou Customs reported that the number of China-Europe and China-Central Asia freight trains passing through Alashankou continues to grow this year, facilitating the smooth functioning of international industrial and supply chains. More and more goods from the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions are being shipped to markets in Central Asia and Europe via these "steel caravans."

According to Alashankou Customs Officer Wang Min, since the beginning of the year, they have been focusing on the construction of intelligent checkpoints and reforms to simplify customs clearance procedures, continuing to optimize the freight train control model, significantly reducing the transit time for imported and exported cargo.

Currently, China-Europe and China-Central Asia freight trains operate through the Alashankou checkpoint on 128 routes, and the number of countries and cities, including Germany and Poland, with which these routes connect 27 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government has reached 21. The categories of goods transported exceed 200 types. -0-

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A film screening and photo exhibition dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression were held in Georgia.

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

Tbilisi, November 27 (Xinhua) — A film screening and photo exhibition dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War took place in Tbilisi on Wednesday. The event was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Georgia, Grigol Robakidze University, and the Center for China and Southeast Asian Studies.

Before the screening, Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qian delivered a welcoming speech. He emphasized that preserving historical memory plays a key role in strengthening international peace and justice. The ambassador noted that China suffered enormous losses (35 million dead) and made a decisive contribution to the defeat of Japanese militarism and the victory of the global anti-fascist movement.

Zhou Qian recalled that in 1941, after Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union, Japan could no longer advance north due to the ongoing war with China, removing the threat of the USSR waging war on two fronts. He noted that after the outbreak of the Pacific War, Japan's advance south slowed, and plans for cooperation with German forces in the Caucasus and Middle East were thwarted. According to the diplomat, the Sino-Japanese War made a significant contribution to maintaining global peace.

The ambassador emphasized that victory in World War II and the subsequent formation of the international order were made possible by the enormous sacrifices of the world's peoples. He recalled that, following the war, the international community decided to establish the United Nations (UN) and draft the UN Charter, which laid the foundation for the modern international order and established its key norms.

The head of the diplomatic mission also stated that the post-war international order, based on the UN Charter, must be strictly observed, and any attempts to undermine it pose a threat to international security. He emphasized that the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair and does not accept outside interference.

The event featured the screening of the feature film "The Battle of a Hundred Regiments," dedicated to the large-scale offensive by the Chinese 8th Army in 1940. The film recreates key episodes of the nationwide resistance and highlights the determination of the Chinese people in their struggle for national independence. The film screening, held at Grigol Robakidze University, brought together faculty, students, members of the public, and friends from abroad.

Beka Natsvlishvili, Director of the Center for China and Southeast Asian Studies, noted that the film offers a deeper understanding of China's contribution to the victory in World War II and is crucial for preserving historical memory. He stated that the film faithfully and emotionally conveys the atmosphere of those years, demonstrates the resilience and immense sacrifice of the Chinese people, facilitates the transmission of historical truth to younger generations, and serves as an important tool for strengthening international understanding and peace.

Following the screening, a friendly discussion took place between the participants, during which the parties expressed their desire to further strengthen humanitarian exchanges between China and Georgia.

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S. Witkoff's visit to Russia remains on track – S. Ryabkov

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

Moscow, November 27 (Xinhua) — Steven Witkoff's visit to Russia remains on track, but there is no agreement yet on the date of the US presidential envoy's visit to Moscow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.

"As far as I understand, there's no specific date yet. The program will be developed based on that," he told reporters.

Earlier, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov announced that S. Witkoff would arrive in Moscow next week.

“I have no reason to question this,” assured S. Ryabkov.

Russia favors a calm negotiation process with the United States, he added.

"We simply need a normal, calm process, which is what we advocate for," said S. Ryabkov, commenting on the leaked telephone conversations between Yuri Ushakov, US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff, and RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev.

Bloomberg previously published transcripts of conversations between Yuri Ushakov, Sergei Witkoff, and Konstantin Dmitriev. During the call, they allegedly discussed ways to collaborate with the United States on the Ukrainian settlement plan.

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