A. Lukashenko emphasized the importance of China's contribution to the development of the Belarusian economy.

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

Minsk, December 19 (Xinhua) — China is making a significant contribution to the development of the Belarusian economy. This was stated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in his address to the Belarusian people and parliament on Thursday during the second session of the Seventh All-Belarusian People's Assembly. The event is taking place from December 18 to 19.

"Thank you, President of China Xi Jinping. China is a great help to our economy," Lukashenko noted, adding that without China's assistance, Belarus would be in dire straits, and its citizens would feel like they were under sanctions.

"The People's Republic of China is Belarus's second-largest trading partner after Russia and today the absolute leader globally. I told the Americans a long time ago: you're exactly 25 years too late, and you can't stop China today. You can't. You can only reach an agreement with China," he said.

A. Lukashenko emphasized the consistency of China's policy. "China is in no hurry, working calmly, but moving toward its goals. It is an ancient civilization, and it should be treated as such," the head of state noted. He also noted that Belarus and China enjoy excellent strategic relations.

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.

Brown University mass shooting suspect found dead

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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

San Francisco, December 19 (Xinhua) — The suspect in last week's mass shooting at Brown University has been found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Fox News reported Thursday.

Citing two law enforcement sources, CBS News reported on Thursday that an arrest warrant had been issued for the suspect in the December 13 shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The incident left two students dead and nine others injured.

Law enforcement officials are investigating a possible connection between the Brown University shooting and the murder of MIT nuclear physics professor Nuno Loureiro, sources said.

The 47-year-old scientist died in hospital on Tuesday from gunshot wounds he received Monday at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts. –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.

The Oreshnik missile system is in Belarus and is taking up combat duty, according to A. Lukashenko.

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

Minsk, December 19 (Xinhua) — The Oreshnik missile system has entered combat service in Belarus. This was announced by President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday in his address to the Belarusian people and parliament during the second session of the Seventh All-Belarusian People's Assembly. The event is taking place from December 18 to 19.

A. Lukashenko noted that Belarus's strategic defense is largely ensured by military cooperation with Russia. "Belarus and Russia are implementing a set of strategic deterrence measures. This includes the deployment of the Russian component of a regional troop group on our territory: if the conflict escalates, armed forces—tens of thousands of troops from western Russia—will immediately join the military action as a second echelon," the Belarusian leader noted.

He recalled that tactical nuclear weapons are also deployed in Belarus. "Furthermore, the first positions have been equipped for the Oreshnik missile system. It has been with us since yesterday and is going on combat duty," the president stated, adding that this step was taken to secure the country and prevent military aggression against it.

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.

During the first quarter of the visa-free regime for Russians at Harbin Taiping Airport, the largest number of VAT refund transactions were processed for tourists from Russia.

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

Beijing, December 19 (Xinhua) — Since China introduced a visa-free regime for Russian citizens with regular passports, as of December 15, customs officials at Harbin Taiping International Airport, the capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeast China, have processed 353 value-added tax (VAT) refunds for Russian tourists exiting China, accounting for 98.1 percent of the total number of such refunds during the reporting period, according to the local newspaper Harbin Daily.

As a reminder, China has introduced a trial visa-free regime for Russian citizens holding regular passports from September 15, 2025 to September 14, 2026.

Russian citizens holding valid passports may visit China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchanging visits, and transit purposes. Their stay in China should not exceed 30 days.

According to data from the Taiping Airport Customs Office, in the first quarter since China introduced visa-free travel for Russian citizens, a total of 360 VAT refund transactions were processed through the office, representing a 185.7 percent increase compared to the previous quarter. In these transactions, goods valued at 1.81 million yuan (approximately $257,200 USD) were inspected for Russian citizens, and VAT refunds totaling 227,000 yuan were issued.

When it comes to Russian tourists' shopping preferences, clothing and household chemicals are their top priorities. VAT refund applications for these items accounted for 97.5 percent of all applications submitted by Russians, and the share of VAT refunds for these items was 95.3 percent. Meanwhile, the share of VAT refund applications for electronics and the VAT refund amount for these items was 2.5 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively.

Taiping Airport Customs is deepening coordination and collaboration with tax authorities by opening dedicated VAT refund processing channels using QR codes at 45 stores in central areas of the city that provide VAT refund services, so that VAT refund applications can be submitted “anytime and anywhere.”

The airport has also set up special VAT refund windows for foreign citizens exiting China, which are open 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Currently, each individual VAT refund transaction must be processed within three minutes.

China began implementing this policy in 2015. Since then, the VAT refund rate for outbound Chinese tourists has continued to grow annually, benefiting even more overseas travelers. -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.

The 22nd China-Russia-Mongolia International Ice and Snow Festival will be held in Manzhouli.

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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, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — The 22nd China-Russia-Mongolia International Ice and Snow Festival kicks off in Manzhouli, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with an opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday at the Frozen Splendor theme park.

The Zhongguo Xinwenshe News Agency website reports that the theme park's three themed entrances and snow walls, which combine the characteristics of China, Russia, and Mongolia, have become iconic structures demonstrating the cultural unity of the three countries.

In the eastern part of the park, monumental snow walls are being erected on both sides, 258 meters long, depicting scenes from the Great Tea Road. The northern zone is dedicated to Russia, with images from Russian folk tales. The southern part is decorated with scenes from the nomadic life of the Mongolian steppes in Mongolian style.

As the main venue for this year's Ice and Snow Festival, the 128,000-square-meter theme park will be open to residents and tourists free of charge.

The park is divided into six distinct sections, each with a poetic name. Visitors will be able to see snow and ice sculptures reflecting the cultures of China, Russia, and Mongolia, as well as explore playgrounds and commercial areas.

On the park's opening day, hot pots (Chinese samovars) and milk tea will be available free of charge. Signature snacks, such as tanghulu (candied fruit and berries on a stick) and oden, will also be sold in the "warm house."

The festival will include cultural and artistic exchanges involving representatives of the three countries, a beauty contest, a meeting of intangible cultural heritage masters from the three countries, a tasting of Russian cuisine, a trade fair, and a New Year's celebration in Manzhouli with the participation of a thousand representatives of the three countries.

The planned events will fully integrate the cultural elements of China, Russia, and Mongolia. The construction of a magnificent snow and ice theme park, the hosting of remarkable cultural and artistic performances, and themed events brimming with exotic flavor will enhance the city of Manzhouli's appeal to Chinese and international tourists.

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.

A direct flight connects Beijing with Blagoveshchensk.

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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 19 (Xinhua) — On Thursday night, the first flight of the Russian airline IrAero from Blagoveshchensk arrived at Daxing International Airport in southern Beijing. This marks the beginning of IrAero's service to Beijing Daxing Airport, opening a direct Beijing-Blagoveshchensk route. This brings the number of Chinese and foreign airlines operating flights to Daxing Airport to 71.

The Zhongguo Xinwenshe news agency website reports that flights on the new route will operate once a week, on Thursdays. The aircraft will land at Daxing Airport at 1:00 AM Beijing Time and depart from Beijing at 2:00 AM. The flights will be operated on Superjet 100 passenger aircraft.

The opening of this air route has established regular direct air service between these two cities. This is the first direct air service between the Chinese capital and Blagoveshchensk.

Blagoveshchensk, the capital of Russia's Amur Oblast, and its neighboring city of Heihe in Heilongjiang Province, separated only by the Heilongjiang River (Amur), are known as the "twin cities of Russia and China."

Daxing Airport currently ranks first in China in terms of both the number of scheduled gateways and the number of scheduled flights to Russia. Several airlines currently operate flights to nine Russian cities from this airport, including Moscow and Vladivostok. The opening of this new route, coupled with the introduction of a mutual visa-free regime between China and Russia, is expected to further enhance convenience for business, professional, and tourist travel between the two cities.

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.

The installed hydropower capacity of Sichuan Province in southwest China has exceeded 100 million kW.

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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

CHENGDU, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — With the last unit of the Yinjiang hydroelectric power station in southwest China's Sichuan Province connecting to the grid on Friday morning, the province's total installed hydropower capacity has exceeded a record 100 million kW, accounting for about a quarter of the country's total.

As a key hub in the country's west-to-east power transmission program, Sichuan exports about one-third of the province's electricity annually.

According to data from the Sichuan Electric Power Company of China National Grid Corporation (State Grid), since 1998, when power transmission outside the province began, Sichuan has supplied over 1.9 trillion kWh of clean electricity to central, eastern, and other regions of China. This volume is enough to cover the combined annual electricity consumption of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces.

The Yinjiang Hydroelectric Power Station is located in Panzhihua City, Sichuan Province, on the Jinsha River. Its total installed capacity is 390,000 kW. Yan Ruiping, chief engineer of the plant's operating company, noted that once fully operational, the station will be capable of supplying over 1.6 billion kWh of clean energy annually, equivalent to a reduction of 1.3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Sichuan, also known as the "Province of a Thousand Rivers," has abundant hydropower resources. -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.

A series of events, “Days of Siberia in China,” took place in Qingdao.

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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

QINGDAO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — A series of events titled "Days of Siberia in China" were held at the China-SCO Regional Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone (hereinafter referred to as the "China-SCO Demonstration Zone") in the coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong Province, east China, from December 17 to 18.

During the events, representatives of government agencies, key enterprises, research and cultural organizations from the relevant regions of Russia's Siberian Federal District held in-depth and pragmatic exchanges with representatives of Chinese companies from sectors such as international trade, supply chains, agriculture, mechanical engineering, culture and tourism, the convention and exhibition industry, and education.

Representatives from the Russian side presented in detail the resources and potential of Siberian regions in areas such as economics and trade, science and technology, humanitarian exchanges, digital trade, and other areas, as well as their industrial advantages and needs for cooperation.

On December 18, the Russian delegation visited the adjacent territories of the China-SCO Demonstration Zone, where they were introduced to key enterprises in the fields of agricultural science and technology, food processing, and mechanical engineering.

The "Days of Siberia in China" series of events was organized by the Interregional Association "Siberian Agreement" with the support of the Russian Embassy in China, the Russian Trade Mission in China, and the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing. These events represent concrete measures to create a new channel for bilateral interaction between China and Russia and promote the deepening and strengthening of interregional cooperation between the two countries.

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.

Exclusive: The CPC Central Committee's proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan serve as an important guide for the Global South on sustainable development and long-term economic transformation, according to an Azerbaijani expert.

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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

Baku, December 19 (Xinhua) — The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's proposals for developing the 15th Five-Year Plan serve as an important guide for countries in the Global South on sustainable development and long-term economic transformation, Shahmar Hajiyev, department head at the Azerbaijani Center for Analysis of International Relations, stated in an exclusive written interview with Xinhua.

From October 20 to 23, 2025, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was held in Beijing. It reviewed and adopted the "Proposals of the CPC Central Committee on the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development." The document outlines the key goals for China's socioeconomic development for 2026–2030.

The expert believes this document offers a useful model for countries in the Global South seeking modernization. "I would like to particularly highlight China's effective and future-oriented development path," stated Sh. Gadzhiev.

He noted that the concept of the Global South is becoming especially relevant as these countries become key players in the global economy. The expert emphasized that sharing experiences in renewable energy, climate change adaptation, and resilient infrastructure is crucial for their shared future.

Noting the document's call to increase the resilience and stability of infrastructure facilities, as well as to promote the modernization of traditional infrastructure and its digital and intellectual transformation, Sh. Gadzhiev called the creation of a modern infrastructure system critically important for countries in the Global South.

“Creating environmentally responsible modernisation pathways supported by technological cooperation, digital innovation and expanded knowledge networks will open up new opportunities for all our countries,” he said.

The expert emphasized that deepening cooperation and realizing shared potential are of paramount importance for the Global South. He believes that in a world of rapid transformation and geopolitical shifts, the ability to share knowledge and learn from each other's experiences will determine the future of development and stability.

"Azerbaijan is increasingly developing cooperation with China in green technologies, including photovoltaic technologies and electric vehicles. Chinese companies are already participating in renewable energy projects in Azerbaijan," the analyst said.

Noting that the document emphasizes promoting high-quality joint implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, Shavkat Hajiyev stated that Azerbaijan and China maintain an effective strategic partnership. The expert stated that his country joined the initiative to diversify its economy and strengthen regional connectivity, and that Azerbaijan's strategic location in the Middle Corridor is essential for realizing the initiative's full potential.

Sh. Gadzhiev believes that the Belt and Road Initiative focuses on development and economic growth, rather than political leverage, and is therefore seen as a pragmatic path to regional economic integration.

"Achieving sustainable growth that benefits the vast population of Eurasia and does not require political strings attached is crucial. This approach could attract more countries to participate in the initiative, thereby increasing its overall significance and effectiveness," he noted.

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.

EU leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan.

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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

Brussels, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — EU leaders agreed on Friday to provide Ukraine with a 90 billion euro loan in 2026-27 to help plug a looming budget deficit, but failed to reach a consensus on using frozen Russian assets to finance the package.

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.