Author: MIL OSI

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

Moscow, May 31 /Xinhua/ — The Russian government has approved amendments to the regulations on conducting an exam in Russian as a foreign language, Russian history and the fundamentals of Russian legislation for foreigners. This was reported on Saturday in the Telegram channel of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.

According to the amendments, in particular, it is envisaged that the examination versions in Russian as a foreign language, Russian history and the fundamentals of Russian legislation will be updated monthly, and that the examination versions will no longer be made publicly available.

Currently, foreign citizens planning to work in Russia are required to confirm their proficiency in the Russian language, knowledge of Russian history and the basics of Russian legislation. The relevant exam can be taken in all regions of the country at one of the 92 authorized government agencies, the list of which has been approved by the Russian government. –0–

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

Moscow, May 31 /Xinhua/ — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a telephone conversation with Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov on Saturday, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

"The parties discussed current issues of bilateral relations, as well as upcoming contacts and international events. Particular attention was paid to ways to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas," the statement on the Russian Foreign Ministry website says. –0–

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) — Chinese and foreign scientists have called on the global scientific community to unite and make greater contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by further exploring the frontiers of science and technology.

This was announced on Saturday in Beijing at a symposium on “Sustainable Development and Inclusive Cooperation: Responsibility of the Scientific Community,” organized in honor of the 70th anniversary of the academic departments of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

As ANC President Hou Jianguo noted, global challenges such as climate change, environmental pollution, resource scarcity and food security are becoming increasingly interconnected, and the opportunities and challenges of the new technological revolution are profoundly reshaping the landscape of global sustainable development.

He said that ANC, as a national scientific research institution of China, has been steadily enhancing its research activities in fields such as environmental conservation, life sciences, health care and energy technology for many years, exploring new ways and solutions to apply emerging technologies for sustainable development.

Looking ahead, Hou Jianguo stressed that the CPC will continue to adhere to the principle of opening up to the outside world, and work closely with partners and leading scientists around the world to deepen international cooperation in key research areas. He assured that the CPC will also expand talent exchanges and joint training, conduct consultative assessments on sustainable development, promote open data sharing to ensure sustainability, and harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI).

Reflecting on five decades of personal engagement with Chinese scientists and the development of institutional links between Australia and China, Australian Academy of Science President Chennupati Jagadish, for his part, highlighted the enduring power of inclusive bilateral and multilateral scientific cooperation.

He particularly noted the potential of science to overcome geopolitical boundaries and enhance global cooperation, especially in transformative areas such as quantum technologies and AI.

Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Sergey Chernyshev, in turn, stated that RAS gives priority attention to cooperation with China. According to him, future cooperation between RAS and ANC will be key to overcoming global challenges and strengthening bilateral relations.

International Science Council (ISC) President Peter Gluckman noted that the ISC has become a true leader in global science not only through its research contributions but also through its strengthened partnerships and commitment to science as a global endeavor.

As P. Gluckman pointed out, the WNC is also committed to promoting international scientific cooperation, protecting the principles of science and ensuring its further progress to solve global problems.

The event was attended by more than 60 people, including heads of national academies of sciences and responsible persons of international scientific organizations from 14 countries and regions, as well as domestic and foreign members of the ANC. –0–

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian –

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

DUSHANBE, May 31 (Xinhua) — Shen Yueyue, vice-chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and chairwoman of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Committee on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, visited Tajikistan from May 30 to 31. During the visit, she met with President Emomali Rahmon.

Shen Yueyue conveyed warm greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to E. Rahmon and noted that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Tajikistan comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era has maintained good momentum of development. China is willing to work with Tajikistan to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state and promote in-depth and practical cooperation to build a community with a shared future for China and Tajikistan. China is an activist and participant in global environmental governance and glacier protection, and is willing to work with all parties to fulfill common but differentiated responsibilities and build a clean and beautiful world.

E. Rahmon asked Shen Yueyue to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping and reaffirmed that Tajikistan will actively participate in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road, firmly support the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and jointly build the China-Central Asia mechanism. Tajikistan is willing to deepen cooperation with China in various fields and international cooperation on issues such as combating climate change.

Shen Yueyue attended and delivered a speech at the First International High-Level Conference on Glacier Protection, met with the Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli (lower house of parliament) of the Republic of Tajikistan Faizali Idizoda, and also participated in the opening ceremony of the Center for China-Tajik Cooperation on the Prevention of Blindness within the framework of the “Health Express”. –0–

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

TEHRAN, May 31 (Xinhua) — Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) chief Mohammad Eslami said on Saturday that there has been "some progress" in the proxy talks on the nuclear program between his country and the United States, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported.

He made the remarks at a national conference in the northern province of Mazandaran, referring to ongoing Oman-facilitated indirect talks between Tehran and Washington on Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions against the latter.

As Eslami pointed out, although some progress has been made in indirect talks with the United States, some American officials continue to talk about Iran's zero enrichment level, and such statements, in his words, are just rhetoric of "enemies aimed at appeasing Israel."

Speaking about the production of nuclear electricity in Iran, he noted that the country has a 1,000 MW nuclear power plant in the southern province of Bushehr, which generated more than 7 billion kWh of electricity during the previous Iranian calendar year that ended on March 20, 2025.

M. Eslami also specified that by 2028, the country's total nuclear power capacity will reach 3,000 MW, indicating that Iran has allocated sites for the construction of two nuclear power plants in the northern and southern parts of the country.

The head of the AEOI said that Iran plans to generate 20,000 MW of nuclear electricity by 2041 and stressed that the radiopharmaceuticals produced in the country are not inferior to their foreign counterparts.

Since April, Iran and the United States have held five rounds of proximity talks: three in the Omani capital Muscat and two in Rome.

In recent days, US officials have repeatedly demanded that Iran completely stop enriching uranium, to which Tehran has responded with a resolute refusal. –0–

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

Xinhua | 01. 06. 2025

Keywords: China

Source: Xinhua

China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the US Defense Secretary's negative statements toward China at the Shangri-La Dialogue — Chinese Foreign Ministry China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the US Defense Secretary's negative statements toward China at the Shangri-La Dialogue — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

GAZA, May 31 (Xinhua) — Palestinian Hamas movement on Saturday said it has conveyed to mediators its response to the recent ceasefire proposal in the Gaza Strip put forward by U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steven Witkoff.

“After holding a round of national consultations and out of deep responsibility to our people and their suffering,” Hamas sent the mediators its response to Witkoff’s latest proposal, the movement said in a statement.

"Under the agreement, ten living Israeli hostages held by Hamas will be released, and the bodies of 18 dead hostages will also be handed over in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners," the movement said.

It added that the proposal was aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and ensuring the flow of aid to the enclave's population.

Hamas politburo member Basem Naim said in a statement on Thursday that the movement had received Israel's response to the US proposal.

According to him, Israel's position does not take into account the basic demands of the Palestinians, including a complete cessation of hostilities and the lifting of the long-term blockade of Gaza. -0-

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

MINSK, May 31 (Xinhua) — The "Tea for World Harmony" festival was held in Minsk on Saturday. Representatives of Tianjin demonstrated their cultural traditions and folk customs to residents and guests of the city at the Freedom Square of the Belarusian capital. The bright and large-scale event attracted spectators.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan particularly noted at the opening of the event that the festival has become a brand of humanitarian exchange between China and Belarus. "Every year at the very beginning of summer, we gather here to enjoy the taste of tea together, learn about the cultural traditions and folk customs of China. This year, we were lucky to invite friends from Tianjin," the ambassador noted.

Zhang Wenchuan drew attention to the fact that all guests of the event have the opportunity to try Tianjin jasmine tea, the history of which goes back more than 200 years, as well as traditional Chinese treats. “Everyone can also get acquainted with the unique examples of the intangible cultural heritage of Tianjin, enjoy the fiery performances of Chinese and Belarusian folklore groups, take part in a variety of interactive events dedicated to traditional Chinese culture. I am confident that this event will become another grand event in the cultural dialogue of our countries,” the ambassador said.

He also told the festival participants the history of the formation of the tea tradition of China and how it influenced the philosophy of the way of life of the Chinese people. According to the ambassador, tea has become a cultural symbol of Chinese-Belarusian friendship and a link for mutual cultural enrichment of the two peoples. "As all-weather and comprehensive strategic partners, China is ready to preserve and develop tea culture together with Belarus, write new pages in the modern history of "friendship through tea", strengthen humanitarian ties and mutually beneficial cooperation through tea culture and exchanges, drawing spiritual strength from it to build a community of a common destiny for mankind," Zhang Wenchuan summed up.

In turn, the first deputy chairperson of the Minsk City Executive Committee Nadezhda Lazarevich noted that Belarus and China are building comprehensive cooperation based on mutual respect. "We have a very long friendship. It connects us not only from the economic side, but also from the cultural side. Today at this event we see how many Belarusians are interested in the culture of the PRC," N. Lazarevich noted.

She also drew attention to the fact that there are many objects in Minsk that were built thanks to technical and economic assistance from China. “We are grateful for this. Many innovative projects at Belarusian industrial enterprises were created with the help of China. We once again say a huge thank you to our great friend for passing on your culture and history to us through such ceremonies,” N. Lazarevich summed up.

The organizers of the festival “Tea for World Harmony” were the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Belarus and the Minsk City Executive Committee. –0–

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

CANBERRA, May 31 (Xinhua) — Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell on Saturday called U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to double tariffs on steel and aluminum an "unreasonable" act of economic "self-harm."

On Friday, D. Trump announced that he plans to raise the tariff rate on steel and aluminum imports to the United States from 25 percent to 50 percent starting June 4 to protect American industry from foreign competition.

Commenting on the statement, D. Farrell stressed that Australia's position remains "consistent and clear" and the federal government will continue to advocate strongly for the removal of the relevant tariffs.

“These tariffs are unjustified and not an act of friendship,” the Australian minister said in a statement. “They are an act of economic self-harm that will only hurt consumers and businesses that rely on free and fair trade,” he added.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose Labor Party won a second straight general election on May 3 by a landslide, in turn described Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs in April as "an unfriendly act."

The US administration decided in March not to exempt Australia from steel and aluminium tariffs. At the time, Mr Albanese also said that the decision was contrary to the “strong friendship” between the two countries. –0–

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

ABUJA, May 31 (Xinhua) — The death toll from devastating floods triggered by heavy rains in Nigeria's central Niger state has risen to at least 151, local authorities said Saturday.

Ibrahim Hussaini, head of operations at the Niger State Disaster Management Agency, told Xinhua by telephone that more than 50 more bodies were found in Mokwa district, where the disaster occurred, on Saturday.

I. Hussaini said 11 victims were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital. “So far, 318 people have been affected, as well as at least 503 households.

He added that the search for bodies continues, with local divers and volunteers assisting in the rescue operation.

Heavy rains on Thursday night caused chaos in Mokwa, flooding and washing away dozens of residential buildings, some of which still had people inside, I. Hussaini told reporters on Thursday.

Earlier this week, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency issued a forecast warning of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the central part of the country, including Niger State. The agency said more rainfall was expected in the next 24 hours, with localized showers also possible in the southern region. –0–