Unburned structural elements of the Progress MS-31 spacecraft fell into the Pacific Ocean.

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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

St. Petersburg, March 17 /Xinhua/ — The Progress MS-31 cargo spacecraft was deorbited on Monday, reentered the atmosphere, and disintegrated. Unburned components of its structure fell into the South Pacific Ocean, the Russian state corporation Roscosmos reported on its Telegram channel.

On Monday at 4:24 PM Moscow time, Progress MS-31 undocked from the Poisk small research module of the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS). Then, at 7:42 PM Moscow time, the engine was activated for deorbit burn, causing the spacecraft to reenter the dense layers of the atmosphere and disintegrate. The non-combustible components of the spacecraft fell into a non-navigable area of the South Pacific Ocean.

Progress MS-31 was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 3, 2025, aboard a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle and docked with the Poisk module of the Russian segment of the ISS on July 6. It delivered 2,625 kg of cargo to the ISS.

The launch of the Progress MS-33 spacecraft from Baikonur is scheduled for March 22, 2026. –0–

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Politicians and experts from around the world: The Global Governance Initiative brings stability to the world

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

On March 13, a thematic session entitled "China and the Global Governance Initiative" was held as part of the 13th Global Baku Forum. Participants from various countries expressed the view that China's proposed Global Governance Initiative brings stability to a world experiencing turmoil and instability.

Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov stated that President Ilham Aliyev witnessed the launch of the Global Governance Initiative during his participation in the 2025 SCO summit, and Azerbaijan supports this initiative. He noted that the existing international order faces serious challenges, and China offers solutions to maintain global stability.

Former Slovenian President Borut Pahor noted that, through the Global Governance Initiative, China is promoting the reform of international organizations and the international order, giving countries in the Global South a greater voice. He emphasized that China avoids conflicts, demonstrating a high degree of stability and predictability, and serving as an important pillar of global stability.

According to Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, unlike the so-called "rules-based order" promoted by individual countries, the Global Governance Initiative allows for the formation of a broader consensus. China seeks to uphold the principles followed by the international community rather than pursue its own selfish interests.

Josef Mundl, former director of the China Competence Center at the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), noted that the Global Governance Initiative represents a platform-based and results-oriented approach to governance that avoids ideological divisions and instead encourages the participation of all parties through flexible mechanisms. As a result, it quickly gained widespread support and was particularly resonant in countries of the Global South.

Former Special Representative of the Chinese Government for European Affairs, Wu Hongbo, stated that the global governance deficit continues to grow. China's proposed Global Governance Initiative emphasizes a commitment to the principle of sovereign equality, respect for international law and multilateralism, as well as a people-centered approach and an emphasis on practical action. This represents a firm commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and an active response to the shared expectations of the international community. He noted that China welcomes the active participation of the international community in the Global Governance Initiative.

The 13th Global Baku Forum was held from March 12 to 14 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The forum focused on issues such as global security, multilateralism, digital governance, and sustainable development. The theme of the forum was "Bridging Divides in a Transforming World."

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Children with congenital heart defects from Tajikistan have begun undergoing surgery in the city of Qingdao.

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

QINGDAO, Shandong Province, March 17 (Xinhua) — Children from Tajikistan who came to China for treatment of congenital heart defects began receiving surgery on Monday after undergoing a comprehensive preoperative examination at Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital.

Nine young patients from Tajikistan suffering from congenital heart defects arrived at Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital last Friday, accompanied by their parents and medical experts from their country, to receive professional treatment at a Chinese medical institution.

The treatment is being carried out within the framework of the SCO cooperation program. The hospital has developed an individualized treatment plan based on each child's various symptoms.

Operations are currently proceeding smoothly as planned and all operations are expected to be completed this week.

The Chinese city of Qingdao and the capital of Tajikistan are sister cities. The two cities regularly exchange and collaborate, including in the field of medicine.

Specialists from the Qingdao Women's and Children's Hospital's cardiology center traveled to Dushanbe to treat patients with congenital heart disease. It was this long-standing, deep mutual trust that enabled these "heartfelt" wishes to come true.

As it became known, a green channel was launched at the local hospital, aimed at providing universal services in a one-stop format, including examination, hospitalization, and surgical intervention, in order to do everything possible to ensure the successful provision of medical care.

At the same time, the Chinese medical institution has formed a team of highly qualified specialists and selected medical staff and volunteers with foreign language communication skills to provide comprehensive services and ensure an effective and smooth treatment process.

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.

Salmon are taking up residence in the deep mountains of Guizhou Province.

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

Since 2021, Cengong County in Guizhou Province has been actively developing organic salmon farming, capitalizing on local high-quality aquatic resources. Significant progress has been made across the entire production chain—from water quality adaptation and egg incubation to environmentally friendly farming, allowing this marine fish to "settle" deep in the mountains.

Currently, over 150,000 salmon are raised at the Cengong facility, with an annual production volume of 800,000–1 million kg. This project has provided jobs for over 50 local residents and is contributing to the revitalization of rural areas.

Photo by a Xinhua News Agency correspondent.

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'Turn off the lights for the birds': Shenzhen is building a bird-friendly city

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

Recently, a netizen on the "Wenzhen Shenzhen" platform (a citizen-driven petition platform) wrote that during evening walks in Shenzhenwan Park, some sections of the paths are too dimly lit and suggested installing additional lights to brighten the park. Another user suggested allowing seagull feeding to make the walks more enjoyable.

The Shenzhen Parks Administration's response was unexpected – both proposals were firmly rejected.

The reasons were clearly stated. The refusal to install additional lights is explained by the fact that excessive bright lighting could disrupt the natural ecological balance in the Shenzhenwan area, particularly affecting the wintering and migration patterns of migratory birds. The ban on feeding birds stems from the fact that human food does not meet the birds' nutritional needs, could disrupt their natural migration patterns, and even increase the risk of disease spread.

At first glance, this seemingly "strict" decision received almost unanimous support from netizens: "Leaving the night to nature—that's the poetry of Shenzhen," "A city that allows birds to rest peacefully becomes warmer."

As the correspondent discovered, Shenzhenwan Park is located in the middle section of one of the world's nine major bird migration routes—the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. It is an important international stopover for migratory birds. Every year, from November to March, over 100,000 birds stop here for the winter. For example, the endangered black-faced spoonbill: according to the 2024 global census, its global population has recovered to 6,988 individuals, of which 375 were recorded in the Shenzhenwan area.

For migratory birds, artificial lighting can be a real "ecological killer." Bright light disrupts their circadian rhythms, increases energy expenditure, and sometimes leads to collisions with glass building facades.

At the same time, the park has retained basic lighting at its main entrances, transportation hubs, and some key pedestrian routes to ensure residents' safety at night. This precise management system—"light where needed, dark where needed"—is a sign of mature urban policy.

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The World Bank will provide Uzbekistan with a $10.6 million grant to reduce gas leaks.

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

Tashkent, March 16 (Xinhua) — The World Bank (WB) has approved a $10.6 million grant to Uzbekistan to reduce leaks in its aging gas transportation infrastructure, according to a WB report published Monday.

As noted by the international financial institution, Uzbekistan's gas transportation infrastructure has deteriorated over time due to insufficient investment in maintenance and repairs, leading to gas leaks and financial losses. Without the necessary work, cumulative gas losses are estimated to reach 1.75 billion cubic meters by 2030, equivalent to approximately $228 million in lost revenue.

The project, funded by grants from the World Bank's Associated Petroleum Gas Flaring and Methane Emissions Reduction Trust Fund, will help establish processes to identify and eliminate most leaks in gas transmission networks operated by the state-owned company Uztransgaz.

By 2029, it is planned to prevent approximately 47,500 metric tons of gas leaks annually through repairs. The saved gas will be distributed to consumers and businesses, and the reduced losses will save approximately $18 million annually.

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 China-Central Asia Publishing Center opened in Kazakhstan.

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

Almaty, March 16 (Xinhua) — The China-Central Asia Publishing Center opened on Monday in Almaty at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU). It became the first physical office of the Chinese publishing industry in Central Asia.

The China-Central Asia Publishing Center, established jointly by Xi'an Jiaotong University Press and KazNU, will promote cooperation in areas such as educational book publishing, mutual translation of classical works from China and Central Asian countries, the creation of a digital publishing platform, cooperation in copyright and publishing services, academic exchanges, and personnel training.

The opening ceremony included the signing of cooperation agreements, the donation of books, and the presentation of the new book, “International Legal Regulation of Transboundary Rivers.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Su Fangqiu, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Almaty, stated that humanitarian cooperation plays an increasingly important role in Chinese-Kazakh relations and contributes to strengthening trust and friendship between the peoples of the two countries. He stated that the new publishing center will become an important platform for joint publishing projects, expanding translation activities and disseminating scientific knowledge, and will promote humanitarian exchanges and dialogue between civilizations between China and the countries of Central Asia.

KazNU Rector Zhanseit Tuimebayev noted that, through books, knowledge, and science, the center will bring the peoples of China and Central Asia closer together and will become an intellectual platform and cultural bridge, continuing the spiritual traditions of the Great Silk Road.

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The German Chancellor ruled out the involvement of German armed forces in ensuring the safety of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

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

Berlin, March 16 (Xinhua) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday ruled out any military involvement by his country in protecting oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a "defensive alliance," not an "invasion alliance."

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, F. Merz stated that the conflict with Iran is not within NATO's purview.

The statements came after US President Donald Trump called on NATO allies to support efforts to secure oil shipments through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Responding to the American leader, F. Merz noted that as long as the conflict continues, Germany will not participate in military measures to ensure freedom of navigation in the strait. He also pointed out the current absence of any feasible concept for such an operation.

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US and Israeli strikes on Iran killed 226 women and 204 children, media reports

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

Tehran, March 16 (Xinhua) — US-Israeli strikes on Iran have killed 226 women and 204 children, the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on Monday, citing Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani.

According to F. Mohajerani, the attacks claimed the lives of 17 medical workers, as well as 206 teachers and students.

The official spokesperson added that since the beginning of the conflict in Iran, more than 61,000 civilian properties have been damaged, including over 18,000 residential and commercial properties in the capital, Tehran.

Tensions in the region escalated following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28. Iran and its allies responded with missile and drone strikes against Israeli and US targets across the Middle East.

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China and France agreed to deepen financial and economic cooperation

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

PARIS, March 16 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and French Minister of Economy and Finance, Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure held an in-depth discussion in Paris on Monday, discussing the development of China-France economic and financial cooperation and other issues of common interest.

He Lifeng, the Chinese coordinator of the China-France High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue, stated that China intends to work with France to implement the important agreements reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron. The Vice Prime Minister called for further deepening exchanges and cooperation in the economic and financial spheres and promoting the stable and sustainable development of bilateral economic ties.

He Lifeng also briefed the French side on the progress of the China-US trade and economic consultations held earlier that day.

R. Lescure, who is the coordinator of the dialogue on the French side, in turn indicated that France attaches great importance to cooperation with China and is ready to develop practical cooperation in the economic and financial spheres together with the Chinese side, achieving even greater progress. –0–

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