Gazprom Neft and Novosibirsk State University are developing a strategic scientific and technological partnership.

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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A Gazprom Neft delegation conducted a working visit to Novosibirsk State University (NSU) as part of the strategic cooperation agreement between the company, NSU, and the Novosibirsk Region Government. Key topics on the agenda included the practical implementation of flagship scientific and technical projects and the expanded participation of the region's scientific and educational complex in the company's technological development. Specifically, the discussion focused on the use of the SKIF synchrotron radiation source to develop technologies for extracting hard-to-recover hydrocarbon reserves, as well as the development of mechanisms at NSU to engage the region's scientific potential in Gazprom Neft projects.

The industrial partner was represented at the working meeting by Alexander Sitnikov, Digital Transformation Advisor at Gazprom Neft; Alexey Pustovskikh, Product Strategy Director at Nedra Digital; and Marina Anisimova, Deputy General Director for Procurement at Gazprom Neft's Scientific and Technical Division. The university was represented by Mikhail Fedoruk, Rector of NSU; Dmitry Churkin, Vice Rector for Research at NSU; and Sergey Golovin, Director of the Gazpromneft-NSU Scientific and Educational Center and Director of the NSU Advanced Engineering School.

During the visit, the company delegation toured NSU's key scientific and educational infrastructure, including the university's new campus, the NSU Advanced Engineering School, and the Small Spacecraft Digital Factory. They also visited the Institute of Hydrodynamics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The visit included a visit to AkademPark and the SKIF synchrotron radiation source construction site. The partners also discussed the development of NSU's specialized educational programs in oil and gas technology, continuing professional education programs, and projects to provide scientific and engineering career guidance to schoolchildren to develop the industry's future talent pool.

A separate working meeting was held with Novosibirsk Region Governor Andrey Travnikov, which confirmed continued support for the implementation of the partnership development strategy and the role of the Gazpromneft-NSU Scientific and Educational Center as a project office and key channel of interaction with Gazprom Neft. The parties agreed on measures to leverage federal and regional support for scientific and technical projects implemented with the participation of the NSU Advanced Engineering School, as well as to develop engineering education and career guidance for schoolchildren in the region.

Reference:

A strategic cooperation agreement between Gazprom Neft, NSU, and the Novosibirsk Region was signed in August 2025 at the Technoprom-2025 international technological development forum. The approved strategy provides for a coordinated development program in three key areas: prioritizing scientific and technical activities for the oil and gas industry; developing systemic tools for interaction between scientific and industrial organizations in the Novosibirsk Region and PJSC Gazprom Neft; and advancing NSU's educational policy in oil and gas technology, including through the Advanced Engineering School.

NSU is a member of the Gazprom Neft University League, a system for interaction between the company and higher education institutions in Russia and other countries. This system facilitates the exchange of scientific and educational information between participants through a single-window system. This cooperation facilitates the creation of new faculties, graduate programs, and laboratories, and stimulates the launch of joint research and grant programs. The League comprises 48 higher education institutions, including representatives from Russia and three universities from China, India, and the UAE.

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China has launched a regime of independent customs operations throughout the Hainan Free Trade Port (detailed version 1).

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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

HAIKOU, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) — China on Thursday launched independent customs operations throughout the Hainan Free Trade Port (HFTP), the world's largest by area, bringing freer entry of foreign goods, expanded zero-tariff coverage and a more favorable business environment.

The move is widely seen as a landmark step in China's ongoing efforts to promote free trade and expand high-level openness amid rising protectionism worldwide.

Under the new regime, the tropical island, covering over 30,000 square kilometers, has been declared a special customs control zone. This marks a new stage in the development of the Hainan Free Trade Zone, which allows for freer flows of goods, capital, personnel, and data thanks to zero tariffs, low tax rates, and a simplified tax system.

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Southern China's largest airport reported record passenger traffic for the year.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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

GUANGZHOU, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) — Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in south China's Guangdong Province on Wednesday announced that its annual passenger throughput exceeded 80 million for the first time, of which more than 16.6 million were foreign travelers.

This achievement was achieved following the commissioning of the third terminal and a new runway on October 30 this year, allowing the airport to operate with three terminals and five commercial runways. This makes it the first civilian airport in China with five commercial runways.

Baiyun Airport's passenger traffic exceeded 70 million in 2019 and is expected to reach 76 million in 2024 amid a recovering aviation market. The airport leverages its strategic location in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to strengthen domestic connections and expand international routes.

With the opening and resumption of more international passenger routes this year, Baiyun Airport's global network has now covered more than 100 destinations. -0-

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China's status as a major global investor is strengthening.

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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

According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, from January to October this year, China's outbound direct investment in other countries and regions totaled 1.03 trillion yuan, up 7% year-on-year. Specifically, non-financial direct investment by Chinese investors in 9,553 enterprises from 152 countries and regions reached 872.6 billion yuan, an increase of 6%.

Analysts believe that high-level openness is openness that places equal emphasis on both "going out" and "attracting." High-quality development of overseas investment by Chinese enterprises not only contributes to the optimal distribution of global factors of production but also to the socioeconomic development of the countries and regions concerned, improving the lives of their populations, thereby enabling greater mutual benefit.

When it comes to overseas activities, many Chinese companies are no longer content with simply "going global." In their internationalization process, they are moving beyond the simple export of goods to a comprehensive strategy that combines the export of goods and services with active overseas investment.

The 2024 China Outward Direct Investment Statistical Bulletin, jointly released by the Ministry of Commerce, the National Bureau of Statistics and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, shows that China has ranked among the world's top three in outward direct investment flows for 13 consecutive years, and its position as a major global investor is becoming increasingly solid.

By the end of 2024, Chinese investors had established 52,000 overseas enterprises in 190 countries and regions, of which 19,000 were located in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. In 2024, nearly 80% of China's outbound direct investment went to Asia, with investment in South America, Europe, and Oceania showing the highest growth rates.

In 2024, China's outbound direct investment was concentrated in five sectors: wholesale and retail trade, rental and commercial services, manufacturing, finance, and mining. Investment in each sector exceeded $10 billion. Investment in construction, information technology/software, and IT services grew rapidly, increasing by 80.5% and 205.5% year-on-year, respectively.

How to fully respect the interests and concerns of all parties, actively promote local development, protect the environment, and improve the lives of local residents is a necessary lesson for companies entering foreign markets. Chinese enterprises have already accumulated a wealth of valuable experience in this regard.

Xue Jun, a professor at the School of International Economics and Trade at Nankai University, believes that under the steady expansion of "going out," Chinese enterprises need to seek ways to further enhance their ability to "go deeper," and pay attention to risk management to ensure "sustainable progress," constantly improving the quality of investment and ensuring its security, so as to lay a solid foundation for high-level opening-up and high-quality development.

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Overview of the key parks of the Hainan Free Trade Port

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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

On December 12, people watched the rocket launch at the Wenchang Commercial Spaceport in Hainan Province. The spaceport is located in the Wenchang International Space City, a key park within the Hainan Free Trade Port.

On December 18, Hainan will officially enter a new phase of implementing the "island-wide independent customs operation" regime. As a pilot site for the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, 13 key parks, thanks to their differentiated positioning, have formed specialized industrial clusters and become a significant driver of Hainan's economic growth.

In the first three quarters of 2025, 13 key parks generated operating income of RMB 1,992.451 billion, up 4.1% year-on-year. Five parks also achieved double-digit growth or higher. Total service imports and exports reached RMB 40.719 billion, up 26.2%, while service exports reached RMB 27.209 billion, up 60.7%.

Photo by a Xinhua News Agency correspondent.

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A Winter Stroll Along Harbin's Central Street: The Ice Capital Glows

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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

Since early December, the city of Harbin, located in Heilongjiang Province, has entered the peak of the winter tourist season. A never-ending stream of tourists has filled the Central Street. A vibrant landmark of the city, the Central Street is particularly captivating with its diverse creative installations and illuminated displays.

The central street was built in 1898; it's 1,450 meters long and paved with over 870,000 cobblestones. Buildings representing various European architectural styles, including Art Nouveau, Baroque, and Renaissance, are concentrated here, leading to it being called a "museum of world architecture." Photo by a Xinhua News Agency correspondent.

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Hainan Free Trade Port: Launch of Independent Customs Operations Island-Wide

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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

russian.china.org.cn | December 18, 2025

Keywords: Hainan Free Trade Port

Source: russian.china.org.cn

Hainan Free Trade Port: Launching Island-Wide Independent Customs Operations The entire island of Hainan will be completely transformed into a special customs control zone with an "inside the country but outside the customs territory" management model.

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Live king crabs from Russia were transported from Jilin Province to Hong Kong for the first time as part of the transit trade.

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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

Changchun, December 18 (Xinhua) — In just nine hours, including customs clearance, 650 kilograms of live king crabs from Russia were airlifted from Changchun Longjia International Airport, capital of Northeast China's Jilin Province, to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). This method of transportation significantly reduced the time required to deliver perishable seafood.

Tuesday's shipment marked the first time that Jilin Province has used the bonded logistics model under a comprehensive bonded zone to handle the transit trade of live king crabs.

Jilin Province's foreign trade has shown steady growth in recent years. According to data, in 2024, approximately 1.5 million king crabs worth approximately 3.31 billion yuan were imported into China through the Hunchun port, accounting for over 80 percent of the country's total seafood imports.

The city of Hunchun is located in the eastern part of Jilin Province, at the junction of the state borders of China, Russia and the DPRK.

According to Huang Jianfeng, deputy director of customs at Longjia Airport, the successful implementation of the live king crab transit trade is due to several factors, including Hunchun's geographical proximity to Russia, the flexibility of the comprehensive bonded zone policy, and the airport's efficient transportation capabilities.

“The new model not only reduces operating costs for enterprises, but also eliminates key bottlenecks in the seafood supply chain,” he said, adding that “this lays the foundation for turning Jilin into a national distribution center for imported king crabs from Russia and connecting with international markets.” -0-

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Marat Khusnullin chaired a meeting of the organizing committee for the 2026 International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum."

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Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

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Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin chaired a regular meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the 2026 International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum." The meeting was attended by the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan, Deputy Chairman of the Forum Organizing Committee Rustam Minnikhanov, representatives of federal ministries and agencies, and other members of the organizing committee.

"This is the fourth time that KazanForum will be held as a federal-level event. The forum has already proven its effectiveness as a unique platform for strengthening multilateral economic and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world. Our priority, in line with the objectives of the national project 'Infrastructure for Life,' will be increasing non-energy exports, as well as financing and developing tourism. The forum program is almost complete. We have agreed to hold several meetings of intergovernmental commissions on its sidelines and are launching an invitation campaign this year. Our shared goal is to organize the 2026 event at the highest level, making it even more meaningful and productive for businesses, regions, and the state. KazanForum attracts more and more participants each year, and it is a valuable tool for export growth and the economies of our countries," said Marat Khusnullin.

The meeting participants discussed in detail the progress of preparations for the forum, which will be held in Kazan in May 2026. The main business program events are scheduled for May 14–15. During the meeting, interim results were reviewed in all key areas: the development of the business program and exhibition display, organizational, transportation, medical support, security, and the cultural and sports program.

"We see growing interest from our domestic and international colleagues in the Kazan platform, which is designed to serve as a venue for meeting, dialogue, and cooperation between our country and the Islamic world. Half of the Republic of Tatarstan's total trade turnover with foreign countries is with countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In the first nine months of this year, it exceeded $5.1 billion. In 2026, KazanForum will be held as part of a significant event: Kazan's status as the cultural capital of the Islamic world. This underscores the city's importance as a center of Islamic culture and heritage, as well as its role in intercultural dialogue. We highly appreciate the contribution of all partners, agencies, and federal executive bodies that submitted their proposals for the forum's business program. I am confident that, through our joint efforts, the upcoming KazanForum will be organized to a high and distinguished standard," noted Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of Russia and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee, announced that the 2026 International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum" will be held under the motto "From Points on the Map to Points of Growth: Combining Technological and Financial Initiatives." He stated that cooperation in these areas is of strategic importance for strengthening Russia's partnership with Islamic countries and transforming individual projects into sustainable centers of economic growth.

"The value of the KazanForum discussion platform lies in creating opportunities to transform geopolitical ties into sustainable economic growth points, ensuring expanded trade and access to new markets in the face of global challenges. The forum's business program is aimed at developing concrete solutions and fostering long-term partnerships in key areas of cooperation, including facilitating the implementation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's instructions to increase non-energy exports to diversify the country's economy," emphasized Anton Kobyakov.

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Financial news: On December 18, 2025, JSC KAVKAZ.RF will hold a deposit auction.

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Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

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Parameters;

The deposit auction date is 18.12.2025. Placement currency is RUB. The maximum amount of funds placed (in the placement currency) is 100,000. Placement term, days – 5. Date of depositing funds is 19.12.2025. Date of return of funds is 24.12.2025. Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum is 13. Terms of the conclusion, urgent or special (Urgent). The minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in the placement currency) is 100,000. The maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1. Auction form, open or closed (Open).

The basis of the Agreement is the General Agreement. Schedule (Moscow time). Preliminary bids from 10:00 to 10:10. Competitive bids from 10:10 to 10:15. The cutoff percentage may be set or the auction may be declared void by 10:25. Additional terms and conditions.

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