Author: Dr Arif

Russian-Chinese Energy Business Forum (RCEBF) Held in Moscow to Deepen Bilateral Cooperation, to Expand Investment Energy Partnership Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping sent welcoming addresses to the participants.  Bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas, coal and energy sectors is being systematically expanded: President Putin Bilateral cooperation in the energy sector is becoming mature, stable and solid, bringing real and tangible benefits to the peoples of China and Russia: President Xi Jinping China and Russia have pledged to deepen their investment and energy cooperation, further enhancing bilateral ties Energy accounts for over 70% of Russian exports…

Advancing win-win cooperation and realizing the prosperity of both nations is the “only right choice” for China and Japan, and Tokyo “should maintain strategic autonomy and reject bloc confrontation”, said Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao. Wu, who is also a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, made the comments in a recent exclusive interview with China Daily. When asked about major items on the bilateral agenda this year, Wu referred to the consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their meeting in San Francisco in November.…

Strolling down the streets of Wuxi City in east China’s Jiangsu Province, one can find self-driving minibuses that can accommodate six to eight people and have no steering wheel or accelerator in sight. With LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors and cameras installed, the minibus can observe the flow of people and traffic around it in a 360-degree panorama, automatically make a stop at red lights, and identify road conditions ahead in advance. Behind the minibus is Wuxi’s complete industrial chain of Internet of Things (IoT), covering chips, sensors, connectivity, platforms, applications and security. Nestled on the shores of Taihu…

President Ilham Aliyev, in his extensive speech at the 2nd Shusha Global Forum, themed “Unmasking False Narratives: Confronting Disinformation,” confirmed ongoing discussions with Ukraine, the EU, and Russia to continue gas supply. These discussions, crucial for European energy security, could provide a reliable alternative to the current gas supply dynamics. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy aims to secure Azerbaijani gas to maintain Ukraine’s role in gas transit and support Western energy security. The five-year deal on Russian gas transit to Europe between Moscow and Kyiv expires after Dec. 31, 2024. Aliyev reiterated that the European Union and Ukraine have asked Azerbaijan…

Significant repairs are nearing completion on the 64-kilometer road connecting the villages of Kuryk and Jetibay in the Mangistay region of Kazakhstan, Azernews reports citing the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan. The Kuryk-Jetibay road is critical as it provides access to the Kuryk seaport, an integral part of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor). Upon completion, all transit traffic will be directed through the Kuryk port. Previously, drivers had to stop in Aktau, but now they can travel directly to the seaport via Jetibay village. “The road, serving for over half a century, required extensive reconstruction. We are nearing…

Azerbaijan’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved the “Rules for the Transportation of Passengers, Baggage, and Cargo by Rail,” Azernews reports. Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed the new resolution, which aims to regulate the relationships arising from the organization and implementation of passenger, baggage, and cargo transportation by rail within Azerbaijan. Under the new regulations, children under the age of 7 accompanied by an adult passenger can travel free of charge on suburban trains. However, children over 7 years will be required to pay the applicable fare.

As part of preparations for COP29 to be held in Baku this November, the Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Azerbaijan organized a symposium themed “One Health Uncovered: Preparing for COP29 with Intersectoral Insights,” Report informs. The event brought together local and international partners to understand the One Health approach and its important role in developing sustainable strategies to reduce threats at the human-animal-environment interface. The symposium proposed a comprehensive framework document for developing sustainable strategies that reduce potential hazards, address the health impacts of climate change and promote resilience in all sectors. The event highlighted the need…

Metallurgical Group Corp (Mcc) of China Starts Copper Extraction Operation at Mes Aynak Copper in Afghanistan Afghanistan to provide full security for the contracting company, MCC, and there are no hindrances to the project’s practical implementation; Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister The commencement of practical work at Mes Aynak Copper project will boost Kabul-Beijing trade and economic cooperation: Zhao Xing, the Chinese ambassador Trade worth one billion dollars was conducted between Afghanistan and China: Envoy Mes Aynak Copper is the largest copper mine in the Afghanistan, and the second largest copper mine in the world Mes Aynak Copper…

Chinese Firm Hangeng Trading Building Modern Slaughterhouse with Investment of 50 million USD in Gwadar Free Zone, Pakistan The state-of-the-art livestock project will enable Pakistan to export goods 30 million dollars annually after the completion Delegation of Hangeng Trading Company, led by Chairman Zhang Bin, Meets with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif PM directs Gwadar Port Authority to facilitate Chinese companies Prime Minister said no delay will be tolerated in the implementation of MoUs on cooperation with China By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia Islamabad: Hengeng Trading Company of China is constructing a state-of-the-art slaughterhouse in Gwadar at a cost of 50 million…

Editor’s note: Gao Lei, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Center for Xi Jinping Thoughts on Opening-up, Research Institute of Globalization and China’s Modernization, University of International Business & Economics. Gao Yuxiang is a post-graduate student at the School of Marxism, University of International Business & Economics. Xia Lu, a special commentator for CGTN, is a research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, National Academy for Development & Strategy, the Academy of Xi Jinping Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Renmin University of China. The article reflects the authors’ opinions…