China's high-quality development will provide more opportunities for cooperation with Brazil, Xi Jinping said.

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, January 23 (Xinhua) — China's high-quality development through high-level opening-up will create more opportunities for cooperation with Brazil, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday during a phone conversation with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He noted that in 2024, together with Leonid Lula da Silva, he announced the elevation of China-Brazil ties to a community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet. Over the past year, the construction of this community has gained steady momentum, with the two countries deepening the alignment of their development strategies and setting an example of unity and cooperation between countries in the Global South, Xi Jinping added.

This year, China begins its 15th Five-Year Plan, the Chinese President noted. Beijing is ready to work with Brasilia to comprehensively deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and promote the further development of bilateral relations, ensuring an even brighter future, he emphasized.

In the current turbulent international situation, China and Brazil, as important countries in the Global South, are a constructive force in safeguarding global peace and stability and improving global governance, Xi Jinping said.

He called on both countries to stand firmly on the right side of history, make greater efforts to protect the common interests of each other and the Global South, and jointly uphold the central role of the UN and international justice.

China intends to always remain a good friend and partner of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, jointly promoting the construction of a China-LAC community with a shared future, Xi Jinping said. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Japan's lower house of parliament has been officially dissolved for elections on February 8.

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

TOKYO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — Japan's House of Representatives (lower house of parliament) was officially dissolved on Friday at the start of its regular session, with general elections scheduled for Feb. 8.

The official campaign will begin next Tuesday. It will last just 16 days, marking a new low for postwar Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on Monday her decision to dissolve the lower house of parliament for early elections, seeking to capitalize on her cabinet's current high approval ratings.

With more than two years remaining in the lower house's term, Sanae Takaichi justified the decision to call early elections by citing the lack of public support for her premiership, which began in October. A new ruling coalition, comprising the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Renewal Society, was formed at that time.

The announcement of new elections was criticized for leaving voters little time to evaluate competing proposals. The opposition also accused Sanae Takaichi of prioritizing political considerations over the budget for the 2026 fiscal year (beginning in April), which the Diet was scheduled to pass during the current session.

This will be Sanae Takaichi's first general election as prime minister. Her ruling coalition currently holds only a narrow majority in the House of Representatives and remains in the minority in the House of Councillors.

Meanwhile, the "Centrist Reform Alliance"—a union of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Komeito Party, comprising 165 lower house deputies—was officially formed on Thursday. The new main opposition force aims to defeat the ruling conservative bloc in the upcoming elections.

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.

Rosneft allocated over 1.5 billion rubles for the development of education in Russia.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

In 2025, Rosneft allocated over 1.5 billion rubles to support educational projects and organizations. The Company implemented 19 infrastructure projects for universities and colleges in nine regions of the country. With the Company's support, educational institutions in Ufa, Tyumen, Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and other cities in the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East upgraded their teaching and laboratory equipment.

In Nizhnevartovsk, under an agreement between Rosneft and the Yugra government, the Simulation and Accreditation Center of the Khanty-Mansiysk State Medical Academy has been modernized. For training students and residents and accrediting physicians, the Center is equipped with a virtual operating room, simulator equipment, and six transforming stations. With the participation of Samotlorneftegaz, a modern simulator complex for practical training in the maintenance and automation of electric power systems was installed at Nizhnevartovsk State University.

With the Company's support, two educational and production clusters under the federal "Professionality" project have opened in Krasnoyarsk Krai to train highly skilled workers in the oil industry. The clusters were created in partnership with major employers: RN-Vankor, Vostsibneftegaz, RN-Bureniye, RN-Service, and TBS-Logistics. The Krasnoyarsk College of Welding Technologies and Energy and the Krasnoyarsk College of Transport and Service served as the main training sites for the clusters. The colleges are equipped with modern laboratories, work areas, and workshops, where 625 students have begun training in conditions as close to production as possible.

Large-scale educational projects have also been implemented in Tomsk, Samara, Orenburg, Ufa, Angarsk, Ryazan, and Komsomolsk-on-Amur, where the Company's subsidiaries have modernized the infrastructure of partner universities and colleges.

Rosneft's Tomsk Research Institute has equipped Tomsk Polytechnic University laboratories with specialized equipment. Using these equipment, scientists are studying droplet deposition processes in oilfield fluids and developing pipeline heating methods.

With support from Orenburgneft, a modular laboratory at Samara State Technical University was renovated and equipped, and computers and office equipment were purchased for classrooms in the Oil and Gas Department of Orenburg State University. Specialized educational equipment was also purchased for Ufa State Petroleum Technological University.

The Syzran Oil Refinery and a branch of the Samara State Polytechnic University have enjoyed a long-standing partnership: every third employee at the plant is a graduate of the university. With the support of the refinery, the university has created an educational complex consisting of four interactive laboratories with computer simulators for training students in the fields of Oil and Gas Processing and Chemical Engineering.

The Angarsk Petrochemical Company annually supports the development of educational infrastructure at two leading regional universities. High-performance computers, specialized software, and multimedia equipment were purchased for the Faculty of Technology at the Angarsk State Technical University. Laboratory equipment was upgraded at the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Irkutsk National Research Technical University.

The Ryazan Oil Refining Company's partnership with the Ryazan State Radiotechnical University, the region's only university training chemical engineers, has a 15-year history. In 2025, with the refinery's support, specialized laboratories for petroleum chemistry, general inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and catalysis were renovated and equipped with unique equipment.

The Komsomolsk Oil Refinery provided assistance with the renovation and equipment of the general chemistry laboratory at Komsomolsk-on-Amur State University. Two classrooms at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Marine Engineering College were renovated, equipped with interactive equipment and laptops.

As part of its corporate continuous education system, "School-College/University-Enterprise," Rosneft collaborates with over 200 educational organizations, including 82 Russian and international universities, 65 colleges, and 56 schools. This corporate program, which has been in effect since 2005, is aimed at developing an external talent pool of schoolchildren and students in the Company's regions of operation.

Rosneft's departments at leading Russian universities offer specialized educational programs, host conferences and internships, and develop and publish teaching materials. Company employees participate in the final state certification for diploma defenses and teach technical subjects, making student learning effective and practice-oriented.

In the Krasnoyarsk Krai, more than 30 specialized training programs have been developed to meet the needs of oil workers. Corporate research institutes and production facilities oversee over 30 specialized departments at the country's leading universities. Their curricula are optimally tailored to the operational needs of the oil and gas sector, and Rosneft's unique corporate software, such as RN-Sigma, RN-KIM, and RN-Geosim, is successfully utilized in the training process.

As part of a comprehensive training program, over 6,000 students completed internships at the Company's facilities in 2025, including those from key partner universities—Lomonosov Moscow State University, MGIMO University, Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University), Far Eastern Federal University, and others. During these internships, undergraduate and graduate students work with cutting-edge equipment, participate in research projects, and acquire the practical skills necessary for a successful career in the industry. This partnership promotes the development of science and education, providing the industry with qualified specialists capable of solving problems of any complexity.

For example, at the corporate Research and Development Center RN-CIR, students studied methods for producing catalysts for oil refining. The corporate Institute of Geology and Geosciences (IGiRGI) runs a unique educational program, "School of Geonavigation," during which students observed the process of remotely controlling well drilling in Siberia from Moscow. University students also learned about the production processes of other Rosneft enterprises, including one of the country's oldest oil refineries, the Saratov Oil Refinery.

To select and motivate the best students, Rosneft enterprises are implementing career guidance projects across the country. In Yakutia, oil workers at Taas-Yuryakh Neftegazodobycha held a series of popular science lectures called "Scientific Microphone" for schoolchildren and students in 2025. The Komsomolsk Oil Refinery, together with a partner university, launched a club called "Young Chemist." In Udmurtia, employees of the Izhevsk Petroleum Research Center demonstrated the VR technologies and laser scanning equipment used at the company's Career Days. Bashneft, in partnership with the Ufa State Petroleum Technological University, held an open school Olympiad, and over 100 students participated in the annual case championship "Landmark of the Future" in Tyumen.

Rosneft also creates conditions for developing the competencies of its research and teaching staff: internships allow teachers to see the production process firsthand, gain valuable practical experience, and become familiar with modern technologies.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft January 23, 2026

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.

China has called on all parties to exercise restraint in response to the US announcement of sending a "large fleet" towards Iran.

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, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — China hopes Iran will maintain national stability and calls on all parties to cherish peace, exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Friday.

A Chinese diplomat made the statement at a daily press conference in response to US President Donald Trump's announcement that the United States was sending a "significant force" of American warships toward Iran. -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.

Chinese Foreign Ministry: Strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and the UK is in the interests of both countries

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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, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — In the current turbulent international environment, strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and the United Kingdom, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, serves the interests of both countries and the world, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday.

The Chinese diplomat made this statement at a regular departmental press conference, answering a question about next steps in the framework of high-level contacts between China and the UK.

Guo Jiakun noted that China will release information on the specific visit in due course. -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.

Combating desertification in the Taklamakan region during the dead of winter

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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

In Kawak village, Moyu county, Hetian prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), large-scale equipment operates in the desert.

In the midst of winter, even though temperatures in Moyu County have already dropped below zero degrees, work to combat desertification is still in full swing here.

Since the completion of the full closure of the ecological protective barrier around the Taklamakan Desert in November 2024, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) has continued to strengthen environmental security in the southern part of the region.

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 Chinese Foreign Ministry called dialogue and negotiations the only correct way to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.

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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, January 23 (Xinhua) — Dialogue and negotiations are the only correct way to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Friday.

According to media reports, the first meeting of the trilateral working group on security issues, involving representatives from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine, will take place on Friday in the United Arab Emirates.

Answering a question at a daily press conference, Guo Jiakun said China's position on the Ukrainian crisis is consistent and clear. -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.

An important and stable constructive force in the global governance system

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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

In summing up China's diplomacy over the past year, it can be noted that the country intends to continue to engage broadly and openly with the international community.

Chairman of the Korea-China Friendly Cities Association of the Republic of Korea Kwon Ki-sik visited Hainan Province to explore the free trade port and witnessed firsthand China's determination to steadily advance high-level opening-up to the outside world.

He noted that over the past year, China has firmly upheld multilateralism and made an active contribution to maintaining global peace and prosperity. "China has always been a defender and practitioner of multilateralism. The global governance initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping has received broad support from the international community. China is a strong force promoting world peace and prosperity."

Chea Munyrith, head of the Cambodian Association for the Study of Cambodia-China Relations, said China's proactive international engagement in 2025 fully demonstrated its commitment to multilateralism.

"China is demonstrating a responsible image of a great power in international affairs, becoming an important and stable constructive force in the global governance system. Recently, China has played a constructive role in strengthening the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, restoring exchanges, rebuilding political mutual trust, improving relations, and maintaining regional peace, which is convincing evidence of China's active participation in international governance."

Anthony Moonsamy, Chief Executive of the Gauteng Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance in South Africa, noted that in today's world, the deficits in peace, development, security, and governance continue to deepen. Humanity faces unprecedented challenges, and global governance has reached a new crossroads. The Global Governance Initiative has contributed to China's efforts to uphold international order and improve global governance.

Susakun Vanchao, editor of the Lao English-language Vientiane Times, visited China in 2025 to attend the Belt and Road Media Cooperation Forum. He noted that, from its strong support for multilateralism to its promotion of improved global governance, China has brought real development opportunities to many developing countries, including Laos, and created a more favorable international environment for the common development of all 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.

Cuban graduate student Leoandris Martinez Serrano: "Russia inspires me"

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Leoandris Martínez Serrano came to St. Petersburg from sunny Cuba to study. He's now a graduate student at the Polytechnic University. We talked about his choice of Russia, amusing linguistic oddities, the rigorous academic discipline, and how to find common ground with northern culture.

Hello, Leoandris! Please tell us about yourself and how you ended up in Russia.

Hello! I'm Leoandris Martínez Serrano from Cuba. After completing my master's degree in Cuba, I decided to continue my education abroad and am now a graduate student at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

— Why did you choose Russia and the Polytechnic University to continue your education?

"Firstly, because of the historical friendship between our countries—it created a sense of security. Secondly, I was specifically looking for a strong engineering school with a global reputation. The St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is exactly that. I really wanted to get to know this legendary academic environment from the inside, and I must say, the curriculum fully met my expectations."

— What challenges did international students face in their first few months? And what advice would you give to newcomers?

"The most important piece of advice is to not lock yourself in the dorm and textbooks. Immerse yourself in the language through TV series, music, and socializing. And be sure to find time for exercise—it helps you recharge and learn more effectively. And the challenges? They were often funny! Once, at the store, my friend and I asked for "one gram of salad" instead of a kilogram. The saleswoman laughed so hard she couldn't speak! And at the bank, because of the language barrier, I spent a long time sincerely answering completely wrong questions. It was awkward, but it was a valuable experience of real, live adaptation."

— What is the most useful academic habit you have acquired here?

The Russian education system taught me discipline and proactivity. I created a strict schedule, trained myself to study regularly, read a lot of scientific literature in Russian, and, most importantly, I stopped being afraid to ask questions if I don't understand something. They also really develop the skill of solving non-standard problems—it's like mental gymnastics, teaching you to look at problems from different angles.

— Is studying at a Russian university difficult?

"It's a profound opportunity to delve deeply into my research interests. Sometimes so deeply that I sacrifice sleep—that's my biggest challenge right now, establishing a routine. But we have tremendous support: the professors at the Polytechnic University are excellent specialists and always open to dialogue. I've also made wonderful friends here, with whom we study together, developing strategies for better mastering both the language and complex subjects."

— Tell me about your research work.

My research area is automation and control in the electric power industry. More specifically, I develop new mathematical methods and algorithms for controlling powerful technical systems, such as national power grids. Implementing these methods will improve the reliability, stability, and quality of electricity in large power systems. This is an important step toward creating "smart grids" that effectively integrate renewable energy sources and are resilient to disruptions. Thus, I work at the intersection of automatic control theory, applied mathematics, and energy science, striving to make the electricity supply more stable and secure.

— What struck you most about Russian culture after Cuba?

— Contrasts. In Cuba, because of the warm climate, life happens outdoors, and people are immediately very open. In Russia, especially in St. Petersburg, people take longer to get to know people, but friendships formed "in the long twilight" become very strong. I've learned to appreciate the local punctuality and the inner resilience, the fortitude that helps people overcome difficulties. It's very inspiring.

— What are your plans for the future?

— To defend my doctoral dissertation here at the Polytechnic University and stay on as a teacher. I want to continue immersing myself in the Russian language and culture. And I sincerely hope that Russia will continue to be as welcoming to international students, especially those from Latin America.

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.

Winning the Hydrogen TechnoLeaders Awards: Contributing to the Future of Energy

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The Polytechnic University project "Methodology for Assessing Hydrogen Embrittlement of Pipe Steels" won the All-Russian scientific and technical competition "Hydrogen Technoleaders" in the "Hydrogen Energy" category.

Hydrogen is being called the fuel of the future. Hydrogen energy projects have already been launched in Russia, focusing on the development of electrolysis technologies, solar energy, and the construction of production stations and transportation infrastructure, including for pressurized gaseous hydrogen.

One of the risks of hydrogen energy infrastructure projects is materials. The use of widely used steels requires confirmation of their resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, while the use of non-metallic materials and coatings requires studies of hydrogen density and permeability.

For the fifth year, the team from the New Technologies and Materials Scientific and Technological Complex at SPbPU (A. S. Tsvetkov, S. E. Dagaev, A. I. Kolotiy, A. D. Evdokimov, O. V. Molina), together with industrial partners from the metallurgical and oil and gas sectors, has been developing test methods and conducting research on steels and coating materials directly in a high-pressure hydrogen-containing gas environment, as well as with their preliminary saturation with hydrogen.

Pipeline transport is being considered for transporting hydrogen and/or methane-hydrogen mixtures. Given the range of pipes used, steel grades, and operating conditions, continued research is essential for the future of hydrogen energy. A prototype of a new research facility for assessing crack resistance was presented at the competition, along with the results of previous work conducted using unique methods on developed test rigs. "Winning the competition is recognition of our work and confirmation that the chosen approach is in demand and truly important for the future of hydrogen energy," said Anton Tsvetkov, project manager for the New Technologies and Materials Scientific and Technical Complex at Polytechnic 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.