Category: Russia

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An exhibition of works by students of the Sergei Andriaka School of Watercolors has opened at the My Documents flagship office in the north of the capital.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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A New Year's exhibition of works by students of the Sergei Andriaka Watercolor School has opened at the "My Documents" flagship government services center in the Northern Administrative District. The exhibition includes still lifes and holiday scenes, creating a warm, magical atmosphere and a New Year's spirit.

The school donated paintings from its collection to government service centers. The works, elegantly framed, became a focal point of the office space.

"My Documents has long since evolved into something more than just a government service center. Today, it's a true multifunctional space where residents and the city engage in dialogue about history, art, and patriotism. Collaboration with leading museums, libraries, and the Main Archives of Moscow has become a long-standing tradition. And today, on the eve of the New Year, we're opening another chapter of this partnership—together with the Sergey Andriaka Academy of Watercolor and Fine Arts. The exhibition at our flagship office in the Northern Administrative District is our gift to residents, where they can admire paintings that evoke warmth and fond memories. We thank the Academy for their collaboration and for sharing their art with Muscovites," noted Kristina Sirotinina, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Internal Communications for Moscow's Government Service Centers.

The exhibition is open until February 28, 2026.

In the lead-up to the New Year, residents will also be able to enjoy watercolor painting master classes from the academy's artists. The class schedule will be published on the official messaging channels of the My Documents Moscow government services center. MAX AndTelegram.

The flagship office of SAO is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00 in the Metropolis shopping center at the following address: Leningradskoe Shosse, Building 16a, Building 8.

Get the latest news quickly on official Moscow messaging channels. MAX And Telegram.

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.

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Entrepreneurs decorated 57 Christmas trees for the Journey to Christmas festival.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On Tverskoy Boulevard As part of the "Winter in Moscow" project and the "Journey to Christmas" festival, an exhibition of 57 Christmas trees created by Russian beauty companies is opening. The entrepreneurs created the festive space: each tree reflects their creative vision, aesthetics, and desire to bring beauty and inspiration to the capital.

The exhibition's color palette includes 13 pink, 14 red, 13 silver-white, 13 multicolored, and four golden fir trees. These shades were chosen deliberately. Pink symbolizes care, tenderness, and attention to people, which is especially important during the winter holidays. Red is traditionally associated with warmth and the anticipation of a miracle, white and silver with renewal and hope, gold with radiance and well-being, and the multicolored trees convey the idea of diversity and accessibility of the holiday for everyone.

Trends and classics

The exhibition features dozens of unique compositions, among which several stand out. One of the pink trees is decorated in a pastel, almost ethereal palette: large baubles and glossy accents create a sense of lightness and elegance, inspired by contemporary fashion trends. Another composition uses more saturated hues and mirrored details. This creates the effect of a vibrant photo zone and evokes the shimmering and glittering displays of stores.

Among the red fir trees, a composition featuring matte baubles and textured decorative elements stands out—a modern take on a classic, where contrasting surfaces enhance the depth of color perception. Particularly eye-catching is the tree, decorated with velvet baubles of various sizes, mounted on a glossy garland base: velvet remains one of the season's key trends, creating a feeling of softness and cozy luxury.

Silvery-white fir trees impress with their icy aesthetic. One tree is decorated with crystal-like elements, clear acrylic icicles, and delicate bubbles, creating the image of a magical winter chill. Another composition features a neon light contour, highlighting the fir's silhouette. Neon, a current decorative trend, lends dynamism and a modern, urban feel to the display.

Among the golden fir trees, a composition designed in a "modern chic" style occupies a special place. The warm metallic sheen, smooth balls, and sophisticated minimalism create an inner glow and emphasize the festive mood of the display.

The participation of entrepreneurs in the gallery's design underscores their important role in shaping the city's festive culture. By creating new aesthetic solutions, businesses complement Moscow's spaces with contemporary visual symbols and become co-creators of events that bring residents together. Such projects enable the capital to develop, and residents to see not only functionality but also beauty in their everyday environments.

Winter in Moscow— the main event of the season. The project aims to strengthen social and family ties, create an atmosphere of unity and mutual support, and provide assistance to those currently defending the Motherland. Through a variety of programs, including cultural, educational, and sporting events, it brings together Muscovites and visitors of all ages and interests, creating an environment for creative development, active recreation, and warm communication. Particular attention is paid to supporting participants and veterans of the special military operation and their families, as well as all those providing assistance to the front.

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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.

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Franchise networks have joined Winter in Moscow

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Over 50 chain organizations and franchisees have already joined the "Winter in Moscow" project, hosting events, promotions, and offering discounts at their locations. Most of them are repeat participants. These companies have organized over 1,600 events at their locations for city residents and tourists.

You can join Winter in Moscow bylink, and also onmos.ru portal, where you must select the "On Your Own Site" option. Additionally, businesses can organize their own branded area at central venues, hold events at convenient locations under the city's brand, or participate in seasonal city decoration. All details are available in a special section. "Time of Business Opportunities".

Engage in sales, organize tastings and hold a themed event

Entrepreneurs can sell their products at seasonal event venues and in "Made in Moscow" pavilions, and hold tastings and themed events.

Additionally, entrepreneurs in the food service, retail, services, education, creative arts, beauty, hospitality, culture, and sports industries can invite guests to their venues and receive extensive support from the city. For example, they can host a free event, including a master class, seminar, show, or performance, at their venue, organize a giveaway promotion, or offer a discount.

Entrepreneurs participating in the project will receive a comprehensive advertising campaign—PR support in the media and social media, including publications on mos.ru, as well as promotion through Russpass, Yandex Maps, and 2GIS. They will also receive a winter "Business Box"—a set of tools created by market leaders for business development.

Which companies have joined Winter in Moscow?

Participants in the new season of "Winter in Moscow" include the Shokoladnitsa coffee shop chain, the Yakitoriya, Burger King, and Moremania restaurants, the Zoozavr pet supply chain, the Anderson family cafes, and many other organizations.

The fast-food restaurant chain Grabli has also joined the "Winter in Moscow" campaign. From early December to late January, customers can enjoy seasonal hot non-alcoholic fruit cocktails with a special promo code. The chain's CEO, Ivan Gubanov, said that collaborating with the city on seasonal projects is a viable way to maintain customer traffic.

Beauty industry companies are also participating in the "Winter in Moscow" project. For example, the Persona image laboratory salons are offering special offers for new clients in December, and from January through the end of February, new customers will be able to enjoy discounts on all salon services, bonuses, and other exciting gifts.

"Participating in the project is a powerful marketing tool: we attract a new audience, demonstrate the strength of our brand, and confirm that we remain a leader in the industry and keep up with the times," noted Elena Zemtsova, Marketing and Advertising Director for the management company of the image laboratory chain.

Another participant in the "Winter in Moscow" campaign is the dry cleaner chain Diana, which has prepared a number of offers on a variety of services. For example, during the winter months, from the 1st to the 15th, customers receive a discount on personal technologist services, and from the 16th to the 30th, they receive a discount on fur cleaning.

You can ask questions about participating in the Winter in Moscow project or receive a free consultation from the State Budgetary Institution Small Business of Moscow by phone: 7 495 225-14-14 or online atportal.

State Budgetary Institution "Small Business of Moscow", subordinate Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of the City of Moscow, helps people start and grow their businesses in the capital. Business service centers offer information about financial and non-financial government support measures. Free educational and business events are held for entrepreneurs, including forums, seminars, workshops, and conferences, helping them improve their professional skills and connect with like-minded individuals.

Support for entrepreneurs is provided within the framework of the federal project “Small and Medium Entrepreneurship and Support for Individual Entrepreneurial Initiatives,” which is part of the national project "Efficient and competitive economy", as well as the Moscow Mayor's strategy for supporting Moscow entrepreneurship. More information about Russia's national projects and the capital's contribution can be found atspecial page.

Winter in Moscow— the main event of the season and one of the key drivers of the city's economy. The project unites the efforts of the city and businesses, creating new opportunities for the development of tourism, trade, services, and creative industries. The project was created specifically for the convenience of businesses and effective integration with seasonal events. "Time of Business Opportunities", where you can choose the appropriate format for participation throughout the year. "Winter in Moscow" is an example of successful collaboration between the city and entrepreneurs, making the winter season not only vibrant and festive, but also economically significant for the capital.

Winter in Moscow: How a city project helped businesses attract thousands of customers last yearHow Participation in Urban Seasonal Projects Helps Businesses Grow

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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.

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A special event to promote cross-border trade projects between China and Russia opened in Heihe.

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, December 17 (Xinhua) — A special event for cross-border trade between China and Russia began earlier this week in the border city of Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. 230 business representatives from the two countries will negotiate on 16 of the most in-demand goods, according to the Heihe City Hall.

The five-day event, held under the motto "Focusing on the Population's Urgent Needs, Jointly Expanding Cross-Border Trade Opportunities," aims to create an effective platform for business negotiations between small and medium-sized businesses from both countries. On the first day of the event, 15 companies concluded trade contracts and another 37 signed memorandums of understanding for cooperation.

The event is being held simultaneously online, where entrepreneurs can showcase their products and services through e-commerce platforms, and at offline venues, where they will be able to participate in expert lectures, one-on-one B2B negotiations, and mutual study tours for entrepreneurs from both countries to each other's key retail outlets and businesses.

The organizers intend to hold similar events on a regular basis in the future to dynamically improve the system of services for cross-border trade and promote the high-quality development of trade and economic cooperation between China and Russia. -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.

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In 2025, Russia delivered 19 ships and three submarines to the Navy.

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

St. Petersburg, December 17 /Xinhua/ — Russian shipbuilders will deliver 19 different surface ships and vessels, as well as three submarines, to the Russian Navy in 2025. This was announced on Tuesday in St. Petersburg by Viktor Yevtukhov, Head of the Presidential Administration's Department for State Policy in the Defense Industrial Complex, according to TASS.

During the Navy flag-raising ceremony on the new diesel-electric submarine Velikiye Luki, V. Yevtukhov noted that this year, the modern strategic nuclear-powered missile submarine Knyaz Pozharsky was delivered, as well as two new non-nuclear submarines, the Varshavyanka-class Yakutsk and the modernized Lada-class Velikiye Luki, built at the Admiralty Shipyards.

According to him, Russian developments were used in the construction of each ship, and import substitution in the Russian Navy has reached almost 100 percent. –0–

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Harbin has been awarded the honorary title of "World Outstanding Ice and Snow Tourism City" by the UN Tourism Agency.

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, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) — China's Harbin has been named "World's Outstanding Ice and Snow Tourism City" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).

The official ceremony by the UN Secretary-General for Tourism, recognizing Harbin as a leading and outstanding destination for ice and snow tourism, took place on Tuesday at the 11th World Tourism and Economic Forum – Heilongjiang 2025 in Harbin. Local media reported this.

Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China, is known as the "Ice City" due to its frigid winter climate and is a hotbed of modern winter sports in China. Topping the list of China's top 10 winter tourism cities for eight consecutive years, Harbin boasts a thriving "ice and snow economy" worth over 160 billion yuan (approximately $23 billion).

Moreover, Harbin has also been dubbed the "World Music City," the "International Wetland City," and the "City of Olympic Champions." It also boasts such city hallmarks as the "Capital of East Asian Culture," the "Capital of Western Cuisine in China," and the "Beer Capital of China."

In recent years, Harbin has made significant efforts to promote winter tourism, actively exploiting its ice and snow resources. Recently, a section of the Songhua River hosted the opening ceremony of the 6th Ice Festival, which harvests ice blocks intended, among other things, for use in creating sculptures at the iconic seasonal theme park, the "Great World of Ice and Snow," which opens to the public on December 17.

Furthermore, every winter, popular tourist events are held here, such as the International Snow Sculpture Art Fair on Taiyangdao Island, the Ice and Snow Marathon, and dragon boat races on ice. This winter, Harbin offers tourists 10 exclusive tourist routes and over 200 ice- and snow-themed sports, cultural, and entertainment events.

It's worth noting that Harbin is becoming increasingly popular among Russian tourists in winter. According to statistics, in the 2024-2025 winter season, Harbin welcomed 135 million tourists, of which approximately 6.3 percent were foreign tourists, a significant proportion of whom were from Russia. Industry experts predict that this winter, thanks to China's visa-free regime for Russian citizens, introduced in September, Harbin will see an even greater influx of Russian 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.

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China publishes rules to encourage public reading

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, December 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese State Council Premier Li Qiang recently signed a State Council decree on the publication of the Regulations on Promoting National Reading, which will take effect on February 1, 2026.

The resolution aims to raise the intellectual, moral, scientific and cultural standards of the Chinese people and enhance overall social civility, so as to promote China's efforts to build a socialist cultural power.

The document emphasizes the importance of improving the quality of publishing activities and producing higher quality publications.

The regulations call for the scientific and rational planning and creation of facilities that promote popular reading and support the integration of digital and traditional reading. They also require digital reading service providers to strengthen content management and provide high-quality digital content.

The document also calls for expanding universal reading coverage, with a focus on supporting rural areas, old revolutionary base areas, areas populated by ethnic minorities, border areas, and less developed areas, as well as improving access to reading for minors, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.

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.

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Beijing's PM2.5 concentration fell to a historic low in the first 11 months of 2025.

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, December 17 (Xinhua) — In the first 11 months of this year, the average concentration of PM2.5 particles in Beijing, China's capital, fell to its lowest level since monitoring began, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment reported on Tuesday.

From January to November, the average concentration of PM2.5 particles in Beijing dropped to 26.5 micrograms per cubic meter, down 16.7 percent compared to the same period last year.

During this period, the city recorded 282 days with good air quality, which is 23 days more than during the same period last year.

These improvements are part of the city's ongoing efforts to combat air pollution, including the "0.1 microgram" initiative. The city has promoted the wider adoption of new energy vehicles, implemented emission reduction measures at construction sites, and supported the green transformation of businesses.

In addition, the clean heating modernization project exceeded annual targets, and kitchen fume treatment was improved at 1,401 food service establishments ahead of schedule.

According to authorities, in the future, Beijing will implement targeted measures to address the problem of pollution during the winter months, improve the accuracy of forecasting and analysis, and ensure that air quality targets are met. -0-

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Real incomes of Belarusian citizens increased by 10 percent in the first 10 months of 2025, according to Belstat.

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

Minsk, December 17 (Xinhua) — Real disposable income of the Belarusian population for the period from January to October 2025 amounted to 110 percent of the same period last year, the country's National Statistical Committee (Belstat) reported on Tuesday.

In the total amount of monetary income of Belarusians, wages account for 66.3%, transfers to the population (pensions, benefits, scholarships and others) – 21.9%, income from entrepreneurial and other income-generating activities – 7.4%, income from property and other income – 4.4%.

Cash income is presented net of taxes, fees and contributions, and adjusted for the consumer price index for goods and services. –0–

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Inner Mongolia's wind power capacity exceeds 100 million kW

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

HOHHOT, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) — North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region's installed wind power capacity reached 100.33 million kilowatts (kW) by the end of November this year, making it the first provincial-level region in the country to exceed 100 million kW of wind power capacity.

According to the regional energy administration, by the end of November this year, the total installed capacity of power plants operating on renewable energy sources (RES) in Inner Mongolia reached 154 million kW, allowing it to maintain its leading position.

From January to November, electricity generation at these plants reached 250 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), a 33 percent increase year-on-year. A total of 87 billion kWh of new electricity generated at renewable energy power plants was transmitted to other regions, a 46 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

An estimated 163 billion kWh of the above electricity was consumed locally, accounting for 32.8 percent of the total electricity consumed in the region. -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.