Regions of Russia and China signed 120 cooperation agreements

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

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China has been Russia's leading trading partner for over 10 years. Despite global market fluctuations and sanctions pressure, bilateral cooperation continues to strengthen, showing significant positive results. This was stated by Dmitry Volvach, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, during the plenary session of the fifth Russian-Chinese Forum on Interregional Cooperation, which was held as part of the ninth Russian-Chinese EXPO in parallel with the INNOPROM industrial exhibition in Yekaterinburg. In total, the Russian-Chinese portfolio includes more than 80 investment projects worth more than $200 billion.

According to the Federal Customs Service of Russia and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, in 2024, trade turnover between the countries reached a historical maximum, increasing by 7.5%. In January-April 2025, these figures will remain the same. "On the instructions of the presidents of our countries, by 2030, our goal is to scale the volume of mutual trade to 300 billion dollars. In this regard, we are actively working to implement the Russian-Chinese Economic Cooperation Plan until 2030," Dmitry Volvach emphasized.

In recent years, Russian-Chinese cooperation has reached a new level, thanks to the large-scale implementation of infrastructure projects, especially in the energy and transport and logistics sectors. Among the largest infrastructure projects of Russia and China, the Deputy Minister named the construction of two gas complexes in the village of Ust-Luga in the Leningrad Region, which will produce up to 144 million tons of liquefied natural gas by 2035. More than 120 cooperation agreements have been concluded between Russian regions and Chinese provinces. In 2024, 311 joint events were held, and in 2025 – already 96. A list of 86 joint projects worth $ 201 billion has been approved. Among the key ones are the creation of the Bely Rast terminal and logistics complex in the Moscow Region and the development of the Dry Port in the Sverdlovsk Region.

The Deputy Minister emphasized the great tourism potential of Russia and China. In the first quarter of 2025, the total tourist flow increased by 20%. To further increase it, the visa regime is being simplified: it is planned to increase the period of stay with an electronic visa from 16 to 30 days. Work is also underway to reduce the minimum composition of a tourist group from five to three people and increase the visa-free period from 15 to 21 days.

Russia is actively promoting tourism products under the Discover Russia brand, and the restoration of air traffic is contributing to the growth of passenger traffic. “We are confident that in the near future we will reach pre-pandemic indicators and reach new heights,” Dmitry Volvach emphasized.

The world's first cross-border cable car between Khabarovsk and Heihe, which will open in 2026, will also be a significant infrastructure project. Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Russia, in his welcoming address to the forum participants, noted: "In recent years, the mechanism of cooperation between the regions of Russia and China has been continuously improved. Recently, the fifth meeting of the Yangtze-Volga Regional Cooperation Council and the meeting of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between Northeast China and the Russian Far East were successfully held in Russia. Exchanges between regional delegations of the two countries have become closer, and interaction between enterprises is developing according to the principle of "mutual striving to meet halfway."

The forum was also attended by Deputy Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region Vasily Kozlov, Vice Governor of Heilongjiang Province Han Shengjian, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan Oleg Korobchenko, Deputy Secretary General of the People's Government of Liaoning Province Sun Wei, Deputy Governor of the Tomsk Region Vasily Potemkin, President of OPORA RUSSIA Alexander Kalinin and Vice President of Xuanyuan Corporation Jiao Jian.

"We expect that joint work within the Forum and other events of the EXPO business program will contribute to the accelerated development of interregional cooperation between Russia and China, because interregional cooperation is the basis for further development of mutual trade, entails mutual cooperation in the market of production, investment and tourism resources. Together, we continue to do one big thing – we strive to create all the necessary conditions for the formation of a fair and multipolar world order, strengthening stability and security," Dmitry Volvach summed up.

Representatives of 35 Russian regions and over 300 Chinese companies took part in the forum. Businessmen and heads of government bodies from 18 Chinese provinces arrived in Russia.

The EXPO business program included discussions on issues of scientific and technical sphere, trade and investment, support of export and urban environment, development of medicine, as well as youth business cooperation. During the INNOPROM exhibition, a contact exchange on key areas of cooperation was held.

The INNOPROM exhibition was attended by delegations of business circles and government bodies from more than 50 countries. National expositions were presented by Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, China, India and others.

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Mikhail Mishustin submitted to the State Duma the candidacy of Andrei Nikitin for the post of Minister of Transport

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, in accordance with Part 2 of Article 112 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, submitted to the State Duma the candidacy of Andrei Nikitin for the post of Minister of Transport. Earlier, on July 7, by decree of the President, he was appointed acting head of the Ministry of Transport.

Andrey Nikitin was born in 1979 in Moscow. He graduated from the State University of Management, specializing in "State and Municipal Management".

From 2011 to 2017, he headed the Agency for Strategic Initiatives to promote new projects.

In February 2017, he was appointed acting governor of the Novgorod region. In September of the same year, he won the gubernatorial elections. In 2022, he was re-elected for a second term.

In February 2025, he became Deputy Minister of Transport. In this position, he oversaw digital transformation, activities on informatization and automation of the country's transport complex, development and implementation of its development strategy.

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Deputy Minister of Economic Development: In the first quarter of 2025, the tourist flow between Russia and the SCO countries exceeded 2 million trips

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

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A meeting of heads of tourism administrations of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in the Chinese city of Qingdao, during which Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Dmitry Vakhrukov noted that direct air traffic between Russia and the SCO states exceeds 1,000 flights weekly.

"The number of direct flights increases every year. Today, the number of flights is already quite significant. Almost 1,000 flights a week between Russia and the SCO countries. At the same time, there is still potential for increasing the number of flights with other SCO countries and expanding the geography of flights between the cities of our countries," Dmitry Vakhrukov said in his speech.

During the meeting, participants also discussed issues of promoting tourism potential, introducing an electronic visa and expanding air traffic.

According to the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, in 2024, the volume of tourist flow between Russia and the SCO countries exceeded 11 million trips, which is 47% more than in 2023. Positive dynamics continue in the current year: in the first quarter of 2025, about 2 million trips were made, which is 28% higher than the same period last year.

"It is typical that the tourist flow is balanced: the number of Russians visiting the SCO countries is approximately equal to the number of tourists from these countries coming to Russia. The growth of tourist flow is largely due to the favorable visa regime. Most SCO countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, have visa-free agreements with Russia. The mechanism of visa-free group trips, which is already in effect with China and Iran, is developing successfully. In the future, a similar scheme may be launched with India. An additional convenience for foreign tourists is the possibility of obtaining a single electronic visa, available to citizens of 64 countries. It is expected that the positive dynamics of tourist exchange between Russia and the SCO countries will continue in the future," Dmitry Vakhrukov emphasized.

During the meeting of the heads of tourism administrations of the SCO member states, flagship investment projects in the tourism industry, new trends in tourism development in the countries of the organization and prospects for cooperation, including on issues of promoting tourism potential and the use of digital technologies in the tourism sector, were also discussed.

Thus, to date, a catalog with more than 30 attractive tourist investment projects has been formed. The total portfolio of projects amounted to more than 15 billion US dollars. These are ski, sea, balneological and health resorts, sports and tourist complexes. Also, a catalog of tourist routes in Russia for foreign tourists Time to travel is already ready. It includes tours in 12 regions of the country. Excursions are conducted only by professional, accredited guides.

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On July 8, Mikhail Mishustin will make a working visit to the Urals Federal District

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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On July 8, Mikhail Mishustin will visit the 15th International Industrial Exhibition "Innoprom" in Yekaterinburg. The Prime Minister will speak at the main strategic session "Technological Leadership: Industrial Breakthrough".

Mikhail Mishustin's schedule also includes a meeting with the acting governor of the Sverdlovsk region, Denis Pasler.

The First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and the Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov will take part in the events of the trip.

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Dmitry Grigorenko: Digital monitoring of a unified plan for achieving national goals ensures its implementation

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko approved the temporary procedure for managing and monitoring the unified plan for achieving Russia’s national development goals for the period up to 2030 and for the long term up to 2036. The unified plan links national goals, state programs and projects, and also determines the logic of their implementation.

A temporary procedure has been prepared to organize the management and monitoring of a single plan. It is implemented using a specialized digital system. Federal executive authorities, regions and organizations involved in the implementation of national projects and state programs are connected to it.

The digital monitoring and management system allows you to see in real time at what stage of implementation the projects are and to control the implementation of activities carried out for their implementation. More than 2.5 thousand such activities are being implemented within the framework of a single plan.

"The uniqueness of the system is that for the first time artificial intelligence technologies have been used to manage a large state strategic program. They allow analyzing large amounts of data and the progress of all activities. This is important for the timely implementation of planned projects, such as the construction of schools, hospitals, and roads. In addition, the system warns in advance of possible risks of non-performance of work, which allows not to solve problems when they have already occurred, but to prevent their occurrence," said Dmitry Grigorenko.

The digital management system has been applied by the Government since 2020 and is used to implement key projects and tasks. It is also used in managing the implementation of Russia's national development goals, national projects and state programs.

The temporary procedure will be in effect until the approval of the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation “On the management system of the Unified Plan for Achieving National Development Goals of the Russian Federation”, which will take place before the end of 2025.

The Unified Plan defines strategic priorities for achieving national goals and indicators characterizing them for the next 12 years. The document is interdepartmental and intersectoral in nature. It interconnects the President's May decree on national goals, 19 national projects formed by the Government, more than 40 state programs, sectoral and regional strategies, and road maps. It also provides for the participation of development institutions, state companies, and corporations in achieving national goals.

The implementation of the unified plan is aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth of the state, increasing citizens’ incomes, increasing the birth rate and life expectancy, and ensuring the technological sovereignty of the country.

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At least 87 dead, dozens missing in Texas floods

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

HOUSTON, July 7 (Xinhua) — The death toll from flash floods in central Texas has risen to 87, with dozens still missing, local authorities said, as search and rescue efforts entered their fourth day.

Mystic, a 99-year-old Christian summer camp for girls located on the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, is mourning the deaths of at least 27 children and counselors after heavy rains caused a series of flash floods in central Texas on July 4 and 5.

The whereabouts of 10 girls and one camp counselor remained unknown as of Monday morning, County Sheriff Larry Leita said at a news conference.

The sheriff added that as of Monday morning, 48 adults and 27 children had been confirmed dead in Kerr County as a result of the massive flooding. Many of the victims were still unidentified.

Four other counties in the central part of the state reported a total of 12 deaths, including several children.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has warned that more rain is expected in the coming days, leaving parts of the state at risk of further flooding. –0–

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Georgia's International Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves Reach $4.7 Billion

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

Tbilisi, July 7 /Xinhua/ — Georgia's international gold and foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 103.3 million in June 2025 to USD 4.7 billion, the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) reported on Monday.

According to the regulator, in the conditions of favorable market conditions, the NBG continues the policy of active replenishment of reserves. In particular, in March, net purchases of foreign currency were made for $101.7 million, in April – for $266.4 million, in May – for $245.4 million. The total volume of net purchases for January-May 2025 amounted to $613.5 million.

It is noted that as of June 2025, the share of gold in the total volume of Georgia's international reserves amounted to 16.1 percent /754.4 million dollars/.

“As a result of the change in the price of gold, the value of monetary gold has increased by 254.4 million US dollars since its acquisition, which underlines the validity of the National Bank’s strategy to diversify reserves,” the Central Bank said in a statement. –0–

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US President announces introduction of 25% tariffs on goods from Japan and South Korea

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

NEW YORK, July 7 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media on Monday that import duties of 25 percent will be imposed on goods from Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) starting Aug. 1.

In letters addressed to the President of the Republic of Korea and the Prime Minister of Japan, published on the social network Truth Social, D. Trump noted that the new tariff will be separate from all other industry duties.

In nearly identical letters, the American leader wrote: “Please understand that a rate of 25 percent is significantly less than what is required to eliminate the trade deficit we have with your country.”

D. Trump warned that if the two countries respond by raising their tariffs, the United States will also increase its own proportionally.

"As you know, there will be no tariffs if Korea or companies in your country decide to build or manufacture products in the United States. In fact, we will do everything we can to get approvals quickly, professionally, and efficiently — in other words, within weeks," Trump wrote in one of the letters.

The US president had previously indicated that he would send similar letters to about a dozen countries on Monday. –0–

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Dry cargo ship Magic Seas sank in the Red Sea – Houthis

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

SANAA, July 7 (Xinhua) — The bulk carrier Magic Seas has completely sunk in the Red Sea about a day after it was attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saria said on Monday.

“The bulk carrier Magic Sea sank completely in the depths of the Red Sea after it was attacked by our armed forces,” Yassir Saria told the Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV channel. The spokesman added that the attack was a response to the ship’s owner’s “repeated violations” of the Houthi-imposed ban on entering Israeli ports.

“The latest of these violations was the entry of three of the company’s ships into occupied Palestinian ports last week, despite warnings from our navy,” said Saria, adding: “The moment of the sinking was recorded in audio and video.” –0–

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Former Russian Transport Minister Found Dead on Day of His Resignation

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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, July 7 (Xinhua) — Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit was found dead on Monday, several hours after he was dismissed from his post the same day, various sources reported.

"Today in the Odintsovo urban district, the body of the former Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation Roman Vladimirovich Starovoit was found with a gunshot wound in his personal car," said Svetlana Petrenko, official representative of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, on Monday. "Investigative bodies of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Moscow Region are working on the scene, establishing the circumstances of the incident. The main version is suicide."

According to a report published earlier on Monday on the Kremlin website, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the same day dismissing R. Starovoit from the post of Minister of Transport. As the press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov told journalists, the wording of the decree does not contain the words “loss of trust.”

Roman Starovoit was born in 1972 in Kursk. In May 2024, he was appointed Minister of Transport of Russia. Before that, he served as Governor of the Kursk Region. –0–

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