The Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China called for reforming the standardization work to stimulate high-quality development.

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, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday called for accelerating reform and upgrading of standardization work to promote the improvement of the real economy and continuously strengthen the domestic momentum of high-quality development.

Li Qiang made the remarks while presiding over the 16th Thematic Study of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. State Council Vice Premiers Ding Xuexiang, Zhang Guoqing, and Liu Guozhong also delivered speeches at the event.

According to Li Qiang, standards are an important basic system that plays a key role in building a modernized industrial system and creating a unified national market.

He emphasized the need to optimize the supply of standards, maintain close alignment with the real needs of socio-economic development, build on the capabilities of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies, and systematically promote the development and revision of standards.

The head of the Chinese government called for stepping up the implementation of standards, creating a list of responsibilities for implementing mandatory standards, and guiding enterprises toward compliance with high-level standards. According to Li Qiang, it is also important to increase the level of internationalization of standards and consistently expand their institutional openness.

As Li Qiang pointed out, reform and innovation are the key driving forces for comprehensively raising the overall level of standards and effectively regulating standardization.

He emphasized the need to properly structure the relationship between the state and the market, ensuring a more significant role in the development of standards for market forces such as enterprises and industry associations. –0–

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The share of Russian gas in European countries' imports has more than halved, according to the Russian Deputy Prime Minister.

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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, October 15 /Xinhua/ — The share of Russian gas in European countries' imports has fallen from 44 percent to 19 percent. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak at the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow.

He noted that Russia is prepared to increase gas supplies to Europe if requested. However, he asserted that reorienting Russian energy supplies to the East is not a necessary measure, but a strategy determined by the country's president.

A. Novak also stated that Russia's economy and energy sector are successfully adapting to all global changes. Energy infrastructure, the domestic market, and partnerships with many countries continue to develop.

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 Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring information about possible difficulties in the operation of the checkpoint system on the Russian-Kazakh border.

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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, October 15 (Xinhua) — The Russian Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring reports of potential difficulties with the checkpoint system on the Russian-Kazakh border and is responding promptly to the situation through diplomatic channels. This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Wednesday, responding to a Xinhua reporter's question regarding media reports of queues of trucks, including those carrying goods from China, forming at the Russian-Kazakh border.

"The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring any information about possible difficulties in the operation of the border crossing system between the two countries and is responding promptly through diplomatic channels," she said.

As M. Zakharova noted, Kazakhstan is a strategic partner and key ally of Russia in Central Asia. "One of the central areas of bilateral cooperation is the creation of a unified Eurasian transport and logistics framework, which will ensure the safe and secure transit of goods within the framework of bilateral and international trade. And, of course, special attention is being paid to improving cross-border infrastructure, including the reconstruction and modernization of border crossing points," the Russian diplomat emphasized.

M. Zakharova stated that all activities of Russian customs authorities are organized in strict accordance with regulations and are aimed exclusively at protecting the economic interests of the Russian Federation, the lives and health of Russian citizens, and the interests of consumers of goods.

“We can assure you that for bona fide participants in foreign economic activity, there are no obstacles to the free movement of goods within the framework of mutual trade,” the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded. –0–

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Xi Jinping's article on promoting global initiatives will be published in the journal "Qiushi" /more details/

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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, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) — An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on promoting the implementation of the Initiative for Global Development, the Initiative for Global Security, the Initiative for Global Civilization, and the Initiative for Global Governance will be published in Qiushi, the leading journal of the CPC Central Committee, on Oct. 16.

The article by Xi Jinping, who is also the President of the People's Republic of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, will appear in the magazine's 20th issue this year.

The publication contains excerpts from the Chinese leader's key statements from September 2021 to September 2025.

As noted in the article, the above initiatives were put forward to solve global problems, promote the construction of a better world and create a brighter future for the people of all countries.

The Global Development Initiative aims to ensure that growth opportunities are accessible to all, development paths become more inclusive, and the benefits of development are shared by all peoples, the publication emphasizes.

The Global Security Initiative calls for strengthening development and security through cooperation and building a more balanced, effective and resilient security architecture.

In today's world, where the destinies of all countries are closely intertwined, the Global Civilization Initiative aims to promote inclusiveness and mutual learning among different civilizations and advocates for respect for the diversity of world civilizations.

As the article further notes, today, as the world enters a new period of instability and transformation, it is especially important to remain true to the original aspiration for peaceful coexistence and strengthen confidence in win-win cooperation. To this end, China has launched the Global Governance Initiative, which aims to work with all countries to promote a more just and reasonable system of global governance and build a community with a shared future for humanity.

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.

October 15, 2025 Winter is coming. The bison need our help!

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Source: Ecology Foundation

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Winter is coming. The bison need our help!

October 15, 2025

When the first snow falls, bison face a difficult time. Their favorite grasses and shoots are hidden under snowdrifts, and food becomes scarce. To survive the winter, they need our support.

The Klyazminsko-Lukhsky Nature Reserve in the Vladimir Region is home to a herd of bison whose history began in 1989 with the arrival of just nine animals. Thanks to your support, 13 bison calves were born last year alone!

But difficult months lie ahead. To ensure the bison receive supplementary feeding and survive the winter, we need 927,600 rubles. So far, we've raised 22,992 rubles. Every donation brings us closer to our goal!

How to help:

Make a donation on the foundation's website. Share this news to help more people learn about bison!

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 shared look into the future: Polytechnic University and KRSU have developed a development program

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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An intensive three-day project-analytical session concluded at the B.N. Yeltsin Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University (KRSU), culminating nearly a year of work by the KRSU development team with the support of SPbPU and other Russian universities. The session brought together KRSU leadership, leading faculty, the most active members of the student community, and experts from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The main objective of these three days was to translate KRSU's ambitious development strategy through 2030 (with a view to 2040) from concepts into concrete actions and measurable results.

The Polytechnic University expert group included Maria Vrublevskaya, Vice-Rector for Human Resources Policy; Maxim Pasholikov, Vice-Rector for Information, Youth Policy, and Security; Nikita Golovin, Head of the Slavic Universities Project Office and Deputy Head of the International Cooperation Office; Ivan Kurta, Head of the Directorate for Continuing Education and Industry Partnerships; and Anna Kondakova, Deputy Head of the Strategic Planning and Development Department. Polytechnic University experts have been working with the KRSU team for over a year to develop approaches to the qualitative transformation of the engineering education system at the Kyrgyz university and, more generally, to develop a development strategy. The process of developing a development program and a roadmap for its implementation through 2030 has now begun.

Work was conducted across five key project tracks, each responsible for a fundamental area of development: modern education and relevant educational programs, science and innovation, investment in human capital, progressive youth policy, and comprehensive pre- and postgraduate professional education. Additionally, attention was paid to issues of comprehensive infrastructure development, including the new KRSU campus, and effective financial management.

Over the course of three days, the KRSU development team, which included representatives of the university's administrative structures, as well as deans, faculty, and students from various faculties, consistently worked through the tasks of translating strategic goals into specific operational initiatives and activities. Implementation tools and performance indicators were developed for each initiative, and responsible individuals were selected. At each session, SPbPU experts supported the group work, actively engaging participants in discussion, sharing their own experiences and examples that could be considered when developing fundamental university policies and implementation mechanisms. Following each stage of the group work, the leaders of KRSU's thematic groups presented their findings in a plenary session, answered questions, and received suggestions that they incorporated. On the final day of the PAS, the groups presented summary reports outlining their proposals for KRSU's transformation and the achievement of strategic development goals. KRSU Rector Sergey Volkov actively participated in the final plenary session: he asked clarifying questions, commented, immediately provided feedback on the proposals put forward, and clarified what needed to be taken into account immediately after the project-analytical session.

But the main achievement was the birth of a new culture of interaction. As KRSU Rector Sergey Volkov noted, this session was a crucial step in building a modern managerial and academic culture at the university.

It's important for us not just to write a strategy, but to live by it. Strategizing means looking at the university from the outside, seeing its development and potential. Dream. Without a dream, there is no forward movement—either for the individual or for the university," he emphasized, setting the tone for a bold, ambitious vision of the future.

Experts' views only confirmed the positive changes taking place. Maria Vrublevskaya, SPbPU Vice Rector for Human Resources, noted the progress: "I see tremendous progress. Lively discussions, mutual respect, new ideas, and new faces have emerged. A culture of partnership and horizontal interaction is being developed at the university. This means that strategic thinking is already becoming the norm here."

These words are direct evidence that a new philosophy is being formed at KRSU, based on partnership and joint responsible movement towards a common goal.

It's important to understand that the session just concluded is not the final point, but rather a powerful start to extensive and systematic work. All the developed materials, initiatives, and projects will form the basis of a detailed KRSU Development Program for 2026–2030 and a corresponding roadmap. These documents will serve as a tangible management tool with clear indicators, deadlines, and designated implementers. Implementation of this program is expected to lead to tangible changes for everyone: updating educational programs and strengthening scientific potential, developing youth initiatives, creating a modern, comfortable infrastructure, and, ultimately, creating new, unique opportunities for every student and faculty member of the B.N. Yeltsin Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University.

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.

Breaking: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a temporary ceasefire for 48 hours from 6 p.m. Wednesday, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said.

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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

Islamabad, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) — Following a request from the Afghan government, Pakistani and Afghan authorities have agreed to a temporary ceasefire for 48 hours, effective Wednesday at 6 p.m. local time (9 p.m. Beijing time), according to a statement released by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry on the same day.

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: Over the past five years, despite all the objective difficulties, China has managed to maintain high rates of economic growth – Russian 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

Moscow, October 15 (Xinhua) — During the 14th Five-Year Plan, China faced a number of objective challenges. However, despite all the difficulties, the country managed to maintain high growth rates. This was stated by Andrei Vinogradov, a Russian sinologist and director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary China at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

"Over the past five years, China has managed to maintain a relatively high rate of economic growth, despite all the objective circumstances," A. Vinogradov said in an interview with Xinhua. He cited challenges such as the impact of the coronavirus epidemic, energy market volatility, and the US-led trade war.

"All these circumstances seriously complicated the development of the Chinese economy during the 14th Five-Year Plan. Under these conditions, China managed to maintain growth rates above 5 percent. This is a very significant achievement," noted A. Vinogradov.

According to him, ensuring high rates of economic growth will remain one of China's most important tasks during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Given the ineffectiveness of international economic institutions and the rise of protectionism worldwide, maintaining high growth rates primarily through foreign trade is becoming increasingly difficult.

A. Vinogradov noted that China is addressing this issue by stimulating domestic demand and developing new markets along the Belt and Road. "I believe that some decisions aimed at stimulating the economy could be made, which will help maintain the necessary rate of economic growth," the Russian expert stated.

In connection with the transition to high-quality development—and, according to the Russian orientalist, this thesis will be repeated as a key one in the 15th Five-Year Plan—social programs, human capital development, education systems, and social security will be a priority. Among the top priorities, the expert added, will be innovative development, the advancement of science and technology, and environmental issues.

"As for the policy of openness, I think it will continue during the 15th Five-Year Plan. This is a strategic course, and China will not abandon it. If only because, for 40 years, all Chinese reforms have been linked to openness," A. Vinogradov emphasized.

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.

Tourism Week at the Polytechnic: New Learning Formats, Inclusiveness, and Career Guidance

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The Higher School of Service and Trade of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade held a series of events dedicated to World Tourism Day.

Tourism Week kicked off at the Institute of Secondary Vocational Education at SPbPU, with the active participation of faculty from the Higher School of Service and Trade of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade. Open lectures were followed by interactive business games, where college students not only gained theoretical knowledge but also applied it in a setting as close to professional work as possible. HSSIT Associate Professor Ksenia Pasternak gave a lecture on the methodological foundations of creating unique tourism products, focusing on innovative approaches and creative strategies. The business game "Generating Hotel Ideas Using the Osterwalder-Pignet Model," organized by HSSIT Associate Professor Boris Lyamin and HSSIT Master's student Margarita Yanchevskaya, generated considerable interest. Participants had the opportunity to simulate business processes through play, developing their strategic thinking and teamwork skills. The final stage of the career guidance program was a presentation by Vladimir Vasiliev, a master's student at the Higher School of Social and Technical Studies, in which he highlighted the prospects for further education and professional growth at the Polytechnic University.

The next important stage of the program was the intellectual quiz "Traveling with Peter 2.0." Organized by Tatyana Khnykina, head of the Tourism and Hotel Management programs, Elmira Kutyeva, associate professor at HSE, and students majoring in Tourism, the event included a variety of tasks, from logic puzzles to questions on the history of tourism and the cultural traditions of various regions. The participants demonstrated their erudition and team spirit, and the team of third-year Tourism students deservedly won.

The final event was a scientific and practical seminar, "Engineering the Inclusive Tourism Ecosystem: A Technical, Economic, and Pedagogical Discourse." Representatives of the legislative branch, leading scientists, heads of social organizations, and industry practitioners spoke at the seminar. Oksana Miroshnichenko, head of the Russian Ministry of Labor's resource center, presented a detailed analysis of legislative changes aimed at creating an accessible environment for tourists with disabilities. Irina Skupchenko, an expert with the All-Russian Society of Disabled People, described the methodology for conducting barrier-free environment assessments, and Maria Bondar, co-founder of the travel company "Liberty," shared her practical experience in organizing inclusive services using the example of a specialized travel agency. Representatives from SPbPU made a special contribution to the scientific discussion. Dmitry Efanov, professor at the Higher School of Cyber-Physical Systems Management at the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity, presented a promising concept for integrating physical and digital infrastructures to create comfortable conditions for people with disabilities. Vyacheslav Potekhin, associate professor at the Higher School of Management and Social Sciences, spoke about the implementation of smart technologies in the hotel industry, while ISI graduate students Maria Plekhanova and Yesenia Elina presented innovative projects in the field of architecture and automation of tourism infrastructure.

Summing up a busy and productive week, Olga Voronova, Director of the Higher School of Service and Trade, noted the importance of a comprehensive, systemic approach aimed at creating a holistic educational ecosystem that facilitates the harmonious integration of secondary vocational and higher education. She emphasized the importance of implementing advanced teaching methods, game-based formats, and closely linking curricula to the real needs of the tourism sector. This strategic approach enables the development of well-rounded, highly qualified specialists capable of effectively influencing the development of Russia's tourism industry.

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A RUDN University professor spoke at the FINOPOLIS 2025 forum about the opportunities and risks of using AI in fintech.

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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The FINOPOLIS 2025 Forum of Innovative Financial Technologies, organized by the Bank of Russia, took place in Sochi. One of the key topics of the event was the impact of artificial intelligence on the financial market.

Viktor Dostov, Professor of the Department of Applied Artificial Intelligence at RUDN University and Chairman of the Electronic Money Association (EMA), presented at the session "Digital Divide: AI – the 'Great Equalizer' or the 'Great Divider'?" The discussion was moderated by Mikhail Mamuta, Head of the Bank of Russia's Service for Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion.

Session participants discussed key challenges associated with the use of AI, including the risk of increasing inequality, the problem of imposing decisions on clients, and the issue of trust in algorithms.

In his speech, Viktor Leonidovich touched on a fundamental aspect of technological development, noting that any new technology is initially inferior to traditional solutions, but it is precisely in this "weakness" that lies the potential for a future breakthrough.

"AI still leads to some leveling, and therefore contributes to progress," says Viktor Dostov.

The expert also presented his view on the future of the financial sector, where traditional credit institutions are being transformed by artificial intelligence.

"At the same time, we will truly get new banks—AI agents in place of traditional credit institutions. This transformation will ultimately benefit all market participants, and most importantly, consumers, who will receive more personalized, efficient, and accessible financial services," says Viktor Dostov.

Also at the session, representatives from the Bank of Russia, the State Duma, and leading financial companies (such as Sber, Alfa-Bank, T-Bank, Yandex, and others) discussed the need for legislative regulation of AI, the importance of maintaining customer trust, and ethical risks, including the potential for manipulation of consumer behavior. There was no consensus on whether AI is a "divider" or an "equalizer," but all experts agreed that the impact of artificial intelligence on the financial sector will only increase.

Viktor Leonidovich's participation in the FINOPOLIS 2025 forum underscored the importance of the RUDN University scientific community in shaping the expert agenda in the field of AI and its practical application in the Russian economy. Our university's Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, supported by a grant from the Ministry of Digital Development, continues to expand and strengthen its academic and professional ties to implement top-level educational programs in this field.

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.