Three people died in a fire at a building in northern China /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

TAIYUAN, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) — Three people were killed in a fire that broke out in the city of Linfen in north China's Shanxi Province on Wednesday evening, local authorities said Thursday.

A fire broke out in a building in Yaodu District around 8:00 PM on Wednesday, and it was extinguished approximately six hours later. The incident claimed the lives of three people who were in an internet cafe on the second floor of the building, according to the Yaodu District CPC Publicity Department.

Further investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway. -0-

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China urges the EU to stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights – Chinese Foreign Ministry

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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

Xinhua | December 11, 2025

Keywords: China and the EU

Source: Xinhua

China urges the EU to stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

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The annual tourist flow of Kashgar Airport has exceeded 5 million people.

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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

Beijing, December 11 (Xinhua) — As of December 10, the annual passenger throughput at Laining International Airport in Kashgar Prefecture (Kashi) in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) exceeded 5 million, the prefecture's convergent newsroom reported, citing airport administration data.

The airport operates 93 domestic and international air routes, connecting Kashgar with 51 cities in China and abroad, the airport's administration reported.

As part of the airport's efforts to improve air travel efficiency, new passenger routes were launched this year between Kashgar and Zhengzhou, a transportation hub in central China, and between the county and Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

Over the next five years, the airport administration plans to expand infrastructure construction, including a new terminal and taxiway with a rapid exit, increase the number of passenger flights to Islamabad, Bishkek, and Khujand, and open regular direct cargo routes to Dubai and Tbilisi. -0-

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In 2024, 495,000 people who received higher education abroad returned to China, according to the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

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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

SHANGHAI, December 11 (Xinhua) — In 2024, 495,000 people who received higher education abroad will return to China, which is 79,400 people, or 19.1 percent, more than in 2023, the Ministry of Education of China told Xinhua on Thursday.

On this day in Shanghai, at an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Chunhui program and the exchange of entrepreneurship and innovation experiences among those who received higher education abroad under the Chunhui 2025 program, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Education noted that between 1978 and 2024, over 8.88 million Chinese citizens studied abroad. Of these, 7.34 million graduated and received higher education, and 6.44 million returned home.

In particular, since the convening of the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the number of returning citizens who received higher education abroad has reached 5.63 million, accounting for 87 percent of the total number of returning Chinese citizens who received education outside the country since the beginning of the reform and opening-up policy.

The Chunhui Program is an important platform for promoting the integrated development of education, science and technology, and human resources. -0-

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A student from St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering took second place at the Foreign Language Science Festival.

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Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

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Katrina Tomaka

Katrina Tomaka, a student of the Faculty of Architecture at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, took part in the 2nd All-Russian Conference with International Participation of the Nizhny Novgorod Science Festival.

The 2nd All-Russian Conference of the Nizhny Novgorod Science Festival was held in October 2025 and aimed to popularize science and exchange experiences among young scientists of all ages from across Russia. The results were announced at the end of November. The conference brought together researchers from many fields of science, with sections designed for schoolchildren, college and university students, and graduate students.

Katrina Tomaka took second place in the Foreign Language Science section, where participants presented papers on a variety of topics from the natural sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences in English, German, French, and Chinese.

Katrina Tomaka's paper, titled "The Interaction of Natural and Artificial Lighting in the Lighting Scenarios of Public Buildings," was presented in English. In it, the student compared the roles of artificial and natural lighting. Katrina Tomaka noted that natural light is the foundation of architectural expression, determining its rhythm and perception of time, while artificial lighting expands and adapts space. Together, they create a holistic environment—lighting becomes part of the architectural composition.

"I was interested in participating in this event. It's a great platform for schoolchildren, undergraduates, graduate students, and young scientists to share experiences in a foreign language. The festival makes science more accessible and understandable to all audiences and inspires us to make new discoveries," Katrina shared her impressions.

It is important to note that such scientific events play a key role in developing and testing new ideas, enhancing the prestige of the scientific profession, and attracting talented young people to research and development using foreign languages in their professional activities.

Congratulations and we wish you further fruitful work!

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Chinese tourists visiting Russia have become increasingly popular.

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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 a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 1 local time, Chinese citizens can visit Russia visa-free for tourism and business trips until September 14, 2026, inclusive. The visa-free period is 30 days. This news immediately attracted the attention of both tourists and representatives of the Chinese tourism industry.

"The visa-free regime will attract more Chinese tourists to Russia. We expect a significant increase in bookings of air tickets, hotels, and tour packages in Russia. This policy will also contribute to improving the quality and level of cross-border tourism cooperation between China and Russia," said Wang Jingying, an analyst at the Ctrip Research Institute.

Fliggy data shows that after the announcement of visa-free travel, the number of flight searches to Russia on the platform increased significantly. Moscow, Murmansk, St. Petersburg, and other cities have become popular destinations for Chinese tourists.

Li Mengran, marketing and public relations manager for U-Tour, told reporters that the company will focus on developing special tourism routes and products, such as Northern Lights tours in Russia and winter activity programs.

According to Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, the majority of Chinese tourists currently traveling to Russia are in groups. Following the introduction of the visa-free regime, a significant increase in the number of independent travelers is expected.

"Before the introduction of the visa-free regime, the number of requests for tourism products in Russia had already increased significantly, and tourists' desire to visit the country continues to grow," noted SpringTour Deputy General Director Zhou Weihong.

According to her, many winter-themed tours to Russia for the period from January to February 2026, including the Spring Festival, are already sold out. With the introduction of a visa-free regime, the company plans to launch special train tours to Russia, offering tourists the opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of leisurely travel. The company will also explore new tourist destinations in Russia.

According to Cheng Chaogong, chief analyst at Tongcheng Travel Research Institute, the visa-free regime is in effect during the peak winter outbound tourism season, and interest in traveling to Russia is expected to reach a record high during the New Year and Spring Festival holidays next year.

Winter travel across ice and snow in Russia is very attractive. In recent years, it has become especially popular among young Chinese tourists. In some Russian cities, you can observe the northern lights, go snowmobiling, see whales in the Arctic Ocean, and encounter reindeer, offering unique experiences.

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Harbin welcomed tourists with a new "calling card" – a 23.8-meter "Mr. Snowman"

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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

Beijing, December 11 (Xinhua) — A new winter landmark, a 23.8-meter-tall "Mr. Snowman," has appeared at the popular scenic spot on Taiyangdao Island (Sun Island) in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, according to a post on the Heilongjiang Daily newspaper's WeChat account.

The giant snow statue, nearly as tall as an eight-story building, was officially completed on Tuesday. Its creation took four days of intense work and approximately 5,000 cubic meters of snow. The snowman's height—23.8 meters, 3.8 meters taller than its predecessor last year—was chosen by its creators for a reason: the pronunciation of the numbers 2, 3, and 8 in Chinese can evoke the beautiful message of "love flying in all directions."

"Mr. Snowman," as his creators call him, has a humorous appearance. He wears a European top hat and a long red scarf around his neck. He also holds up two thumbs in greeting. He immediately became a new attraction for locals and tourists from around the world, many of whom take pictures with him or take impressive selfies.

"This is not just a gigantic sculpture, but a symbol of the openness and hospitality of the people of Harbin. With its humorous appearance and two thumbs up, the snowman seems to be giving a thumbs-up to a wonderful future, giving visitors a unique pleasure and joy on winter days in romantic Harbin," noted its creators.

A souvenir shop themed after Mr. Snowman has already opened in the square right next to Entrance No. 1 of the scenic area on Taiyang Dao Island. It sells colorful cultural and creative items such as toys, decorative lamps, brooches and pins, and refrigerator magnets.

As a reminder, Harbin has been making significant efforts in recent years to promote winter tourism, actively exploiting its ice and snow resources. Recently, a ceremonial opening ceremony for a festival of ice harvesting took place on a stretch of the Songhua River. The ice blocks will be used, in particular, to create sculptures for the city's iconic seasonal theme park, the "Great World of Ice and Snow."

In addition, every winter, popular tourist events such as the Taiyangdao International Snow Sculpture Art Fair, the Ice and Snow Marathon, and dragon boat races on ice are held here.

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.

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On December 11, 2025, Gazprom-Media's study on the image of the hero in Russian cinema was discussed at a meeting of the Public Council under Roskomnadzor.

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

Audiences seek not only spectacle but also new meanings in film and TV series characters that reflect the current values of Russian society, said Daria Pugacheva, Director of the Research Department at Gazprom-Media Holding.

She presented a large-scale study of the hero's image in Russian films and TV series, conducted by the Holding last year. It was based on interviews with experts, a semiotic analysis of Russian cinema over the past 40 years, and surveys of Russians. The study identified 43 hero archetypes.

"The study has become a useful tool for the Holding's content strategy, and we are already beginning to rely on the created archetype system in film production. Importantly, the meeting participants found much in our study that is useful for solving their professional problems and for further practical application in the industry."

Daria Pugacheva, Director of the Research Department at Gazprom-Media Holding

The meeting was devoted to the preservation and strengthening of traditional Russian values and included presentations from representatives of the expert community.

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The Celestial Empire is even closer – VTB will introduce QR code payments in China.

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Source: Mainfin Bank –

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How will QR code payments work in China?

The launch of payments via QR codes in China is expected to take place in 2026 – the management has not specified the exact dates. VTB It hasn't been announced yet. However, we already know how the technology will work:

Russian and Chinese QR codes will be matched. The customer will need to open the VTB app in the store and scan the QR code from the terminal. The system will send a request to the bank for a secure payment. A successful transaction message will appear on the terminal, completing the purchase.

The service is essential for Russian tourists in China, as traditional bank card payments are restricted abroad: Visa and MasterCard have left due to Russian sanctions, and UnionPay has been suspended. banks from Russia operates in other countries with significant restrictions.

In which other countries is VTB Bank's service available?

China isn't the only country where VTB Bank offers QR code payments to Russians. The financial institution previously launched a similar service in Vietnam. The service operates through the Russian-Vietnamese Bank and is available in 3,000 stores across the country (primarily in tourist areas).

"We continue to develop payment infrastructure in countries popular with Russian tourists: in Vietnam, we plan to expand the coverage area for QR code payments," said VTB CEO Andrey Kostin.

The technology has already been implemented in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan; the list of countries where VTB provides the service may expand in the future. Sberbank, which previously launched payments via Sber Online in Belarus, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, China, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. However, the availability of QR code payments depends on the merchant.

09:00 09.12.2025

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The capital's plant begins full-cycle production of biotech drugs

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Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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The Moscow production site successfully passed an inspection by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and received a certificate of compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practices of the Eurasian Economic Union for the production of monoclonal antibodies. This was announced by the Minister of the Moscow Government and Head of the Moscow Department of Investment and Industrial Policy. Anatoly Garbuzov.

Monoclonal antibodies serve as the active ingredients in medications used to treat cancer, autoimmune, infectious, and other diseases. The company plans to launch its products in the first half of 2026.

"The pharmaceutical industry is one of Moscow's priority areas for industrial development. The city provides all the necessary conditions for companies to master the most complex technologies and produce innovative medicines. For example, the Binnopharm plant has received permission to produce monoclonal antibodies and will introduce the first drug in this series to the market next year. Production of the substance has already begun at the site," said Anatoly Garbuzov.

The first biotech drug to be produced at the plant will be adalimumab, a biological immunosuppressant. It is used for more than 10 medical indications, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, Behçet's disease, and other conditions. The company plans to produce approximately 10,000 packages of this drug per year. Work is also underway to localize the production of several other biotech drugs.

"Successfully passing the inspection by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade is important confirmation that our processes comply with the latest international requirements. The license expansion and the launch of monoclonal antibody production open a new level of technological development for the company. Monoclonal antibodies are an important part of modern therapy for a wide range of diseases, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. Their production requires high-precision equipment, a developed biotechnological infrastructure, and a mature quality system," noted Naala Grivapsh, Corporate Quality Director at Binnopharm Group.

The company is investing additional funds in its development with the support of the city. The plant has industrial complex status, which entitles it to tax breaks, and also benefits from the Moscow Fund for the Support of Industry and Entrepreneurship's interest reimbursement program for investment loans.

Based on the results of the first nine months of 2025, the manufacturer's Moscow site increased its production volume of pharmaceuticals by 34 percent compared to the previous year.

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

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