North - South Korea

Cuban leader arrives in North Korea on a state visit

President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez has arrived in North Korea on a state visit. The plane of the Cuban leader landed at the Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, a TASS correspondent reported.

The head of Cuba and his spouse were met by North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un, and his wife. The leaders and their spouses shook hands.

The official talks of the two leaders are scheduled for November 5. The program of the visit of the Cuban guest to Pyongyang also includes a meeting with President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea Kim Yong Nam.

As the Cuban press reported ahead of the visit of Diaz-Kanel to Pyongyang, the talks will focus on the interaction of Cuba and the DPRK in international organizations, including the UN. The two countries have a long history of friendship and close political cooperation. In particular, Cuba supports the abolition of international sanctions against the DPRK, and the unification of the North and the South into a single Korean state without foreign intervention.


North Korea Threatens to Revive Nuke Program Over US Sanctions

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier said that sanctions will stay in place until Pyongyang shows its commitment to the process of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

A recent statement by the North Korean Foreign Ministry has said the country may shift back to its policy of "pyongjin", suggesting equal development of the economy and nuclear armaments, if the US does not change its approach and keeps up its sanctions against Pyongyang, AP reported. At present, the DPRK maintains a policy of directing all the country's efforts toward economic development while freezing its nuclear program.

The statement noted that "improvement of relations and sanctions" are two incompatible things and urged Washington to lift economic sanctions in response to the DPRK's "proactive and good-will measures" of unilaterally halting nuclear weapons and intercontinental missiles tests.

"If the US keeps behaving arrogantly without showing any change in its stand, while failing to properly understand our repeated demand, the DPRK may add one thing to the state policy for directing all efforts to the economic construction. The word 'pyongjin' may appear again," the statement said.

In an interview on November 2, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Washington will continue to exert economic pressure on the DPRK until Kim Jong-un fulfills commitments made by him to US President Donald Trump during their joint summit in June. Pompeo also shared that he is planning on meeting his North Korean counterpart in the near future, but hasn't specified when or what the agenda for such a meeting would be.

This is not the first time North Korea has warned the US that denuclearization won't work unilaterally. At the end of September 2018, Pyongyang urged the US to take "simultaneous gradual steps," saying that the principle of "denuclearization first" in combination with economic coercion only "increases [North Korea's] distrust."

Since the DPRK committed itself to abandoning its nuclear armaments research several media reports have suggested that in fact it never did so. This information has never been confirmed by either the US or the DPRK.

The US president and the DPRK's leader met at the Singapore summit in June 2018 to discuss relations between the two countries. The two agreed to start the process of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in exchange for guarantees of safety for the DPRK and lifting of economic sanctions.


S Korea, US to Resume Drills Halted to Foster Peace With Pyongyang - Reports

On November 5, South Korea and the United States will resume regular joint drills under the Korea Marine Exercise Program (KMEP), suspended since May, in order to give way to a diplomatic settlement of the North Korean crisis, the Yonhap news agency reported.

According to the Yonhap news agency, the KMEP drills will last two weeks off the South Korean city of Pohang.

The parties plan to hold 24 rounds of the exercise until September next year, the media added.

The report comes a day after North Korea threatened to revive the nuclear program unless Washington lifts economic sanctions against the DPRK.

South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and US Secretary of Defense James Mattis decided earlier in October to suspend the Vigilant Ace military exercise scheduled for later this year in order to enable the diplomatic process with North Korea to continue.

The long-standing tensions on the Korean Peninsula started to ease after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed his commitment to denuclearize the country, and held historic summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump earlier in the year.

Pyongyang secured Washington's commitment to suspend US-South Korean drills in exchange for a promise to conduct denuclearization of the peninsula. However, the settlement has somewhat slowed down over the past several months.


US, Japan Plan Armed Response to "Chinese Threat" to Disputed Islands – Reports

Japan and the United States are currently holding the biggest joint drills in Japanese history, Keen Sword, having reportedly mobilized about 57,000 marines, sailors, and airmen.

The United States and Japan plan to devise an operations plan for a joint response by their armed forces to potential Chinese threats to the disputed Senkaku Islands (known as Diaoyu in China), The Japan Times reported, citing unnamed government sources.

The two nations are reportedly engaged in discussions on how to respond in emergency scenarios around the group of uninhabited islands, claimed both by Japan and China, in the East China Sea. According to insiders, Tokyo and Washington seek to finish work on the plan by next March.

While Washington has not taken a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the contested islands, President Donald Trump told Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last year that the US was committed to defending Tokyo under Article 5 of the two nations’ security treaty, adding that it also covered the Senkaku Islands.

The Japan Times reported that by crafting a plan to handle a potential armed conflict with China, Tokyo hopes that Washington will determine its position on the sovereignty issue.

The sources told the media outlet that the plan suggested deploying Japan’s Self-Defense Forces in the event of such an emergency as armed Chinese fishermen landing on the islands – after the police are incapable of providing an adequate response.

The talks between the two countries have been taking place within the framework of the 2015 US-Japan defense guidelines, known as the Bilateral Planning Mechanism (BPM).

Under the BPM, the Self-Defense Forces and the US military would “conduct bilateral operations to counter ground attacks against Japan by ground, air, maritime, or amphibious forces.”

In a parallel development, the two nations are holding major joint war games to increase combat readiness and interoperability of US and Japanese Forces.

Tokyo and Washington have reportedly mobilized about 57,000 sailors, marines and airmen for the Keen Sword exercise, joined by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan to lead Japanese destroyers and Canadian warships in the drills.

Japan and China both claim the uninhabited Senkaku Islands, called the Diaoyu Islands in Chinese, in the East China Sea. While Beijing says that they have been part of its territory since antiquity, Tokyo argues that the archipelago has been under its control since 1895.


US carrier leads warships in biggest ever Japan war game

The United States and Japan have continued with the biggest combat readiness exercise ever staged in and around Japan.

The nuclear powered USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier joined Japanese destroyers on Saturday to take part in Keen Sword, a joint military exercise aimed to increase combat readiness and interoperability between the two forces.

The biennial exercise, which kicked off on Wednesday and runs until November 9 and includes a total of 57,000 personnel, involves all three branches of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, as well as the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

"Keen Sword will give U.S. and Japanese forces an opportunity to practice critical air, maritime and amphibious capabilities essential for Japan’s defense and for regional security," claimed Lt. Gen. Jerry P. Martinez, commander of US Forces Japan.

Martinez said the exercise is a show of US-Japan joint force in the regional waters. "Just as important, the exercise is a visible demonstration of the strength and durability of the US-Japan alliance and our shared pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

A Canadian naval supply ship is also taking part in the drill.

Canadian participation is taking a bilateral drill “into the realm of multilateral exercises,” Canada’s defense attache in Japan, Captain Hugues Canuel said in Tokyo.

Participation in the event, launched for the first time in 1986, reflects the Canadian government goal to extend its military presence in Asian waters, he added.

Analysts predict that the US and its allies were preparing for a major military confrontation with China.

The US reportedly wants to stop what it sees as China’s military expansion in the East and South China Seas.

China has repeatedly warned the US against extending it military presence in Asia, describing US military presence as a source of regional instability.
 
China's import expo opens, Xi urges building an open world economy

CIIE.jpg
Chinese President Xi Jinping takes group photos with foreign leaders before the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 5, 2018.(Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the opening of the world's first import-themed national-level expo in Shanghai on Monday, calling it a "trail-blazing" move in the history of international trade development.

A total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations from five continents will showcase their development achievements and international image at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE).

More than 3,600 companies from different countries will hold discussions and seek common development with over 400,000 purchasers from China and overseas.

The CIIE is "a major policy for China to push for a new round of high-level opening-up and a major measure for China to take the initiative to open its market to the world," Xi said when delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

He again underscored the role of economic globalization, saying that it is "an irreversible historical trend" and provides strong momentum for world economic development.

"All countries should be committed to opening up and oppose protectionism and unilateralism in a clear-cut stand," Xi said, calling for joint efforts to build an open world economy.

In a time when the waves of protectionism and unilateralism are threatening global growth, the expo is expected to muster support for free trade and inject certainty to the world economy.

The fair will be the epitome of the global economy, with various quality exhibits ranging from German machine tools, Japanese robots and U.S. medical equipment to Australian wine, Brazilian farm produce and South Sudanese handicrafts.

With the slogan "New Era, Shared Future," the expo is the brainchild of Xi and is set to become a platform for win-win economic cooperation and a landmark project in the country's higher-level opening up.

China will stimulate the potential for increased imports, continue to broaden market access, foster a world-class business environment, explore new horizons of opening up, and promote international cooperation at multilateral and bilateral levels, Xi said.

"We are encouraged to hear from President Xi the reaffirmation of China's support of global trade, and China's plan to further open itself to the world," said Robert Aspell, president of Asia Pacific for the U.S. agribusiness company Cargill, which is an exhibitor at the CIIE and has already decided to participate in the second expo.

"This is a great start of the first CIIE," Aspell said.

The inaugural expo comes at an inflection point as China transitions to high-quality development and shifts from the world's workshop to the world's market, with the world's biggest middle-income population demanding higher-quality consumer products.

Xi announced Monday China's imported goods and services were estimated to exceed 30 trillion U.S. dollars and 10 trillion U.S. dollars, respectively, in the next 15 years. China has been the world's second largest merchandise importer for nine consecutive years.

Joseph Boahen Aidoo, chief executive of Ghana's cocoa industry regulator Cocoa Board, expressed hope that the fair would open a new chapter in the west African country's cocoa exports.

"We believe that we can expand our market horizons in China. We are talking about 1.3 billion people, and even if we can get one percent of that market, it is very huge. So everybody is looking to China," Aidoo said.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, and has seen a flurry of concrete measures taken by the country to open its doors wider.

"China will not close its door to the world and will only become more and more open," Xi said.


Xi Calls on World States to Resist Trade Protectionism Together

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the international community on Monday at the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) to resist trade protectionism and policy of unilateral actions together, avoiding confrontation.

"It is important that all the countries stay open and expand the space for mutually beneficial cooperation, as openness brings progress, while isolation results in underdevelopment… Countries should stand up against trade protectionism and the policy of unilateral actions, and try to increase the level of openness at the multilateral and the bilateral levels," Xi said.

He said that the interdependence of economic and social prosperity was currently increasing amid the rapidly changing international setup.

According to Xi, cooperation is necessary for facing current challenges and threats.

"As the global economy sees profound changes, protectionism and the unilateral actions policy are gaining momentum again, and the multilateralism and the multilateral trade system are menaced, since risks and challenges are constantly increasing," he said.

President Xi Jinping also said that China will import goods and services worth over $30 billion and $10 billion respectively in 15 years.

"It is expected that in the next 15 years, the volume of China's imported goods and services will exceed $30 billion and $10 billion respectively," Xi said.

He went on to say that the measures that he announced in April, aiming at facilitating access to the market, had been mostly implemented, as restrictions were being gradually lifted.

"China constantly promotes even greater openness of its financial sector, while it also maintains the openness of service industry, agriculture, production, telecommunications, culture, and healthcare," Xi added.

The CIIE, hosted by the Chinese Commerce Ministry and Shanghai Municipal People's Government, will last through November 10. The event will be attended by government officials, business officials, exhibitors and professional buyers from across the world. Over 2,800 companies are set to participate in the CIIE.


Medvedev arrives in Shanghai to meet with Xi Jinping

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has arrived in China’s Shanghai where he will stay on an official visit from November 5 to 7, the press service of the Russian government said on Sunday.

"On November 5, the Russian prime minister will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and will attend the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE)," the press service said.

Xi Jinping announced plans to organize this exhibition in May 2017 when he took part in The Belt and The Way summit in Beijing. The exhibition will be held from November 5 through November 10, with more than 2,800 companies from 138 world nations expected to take part.

Along with the exhibition, Shanghai will host numerous sectoral forums, presentations and negotiations.


Russian Prime Minister calls for cooperation under new economic situation

Sanctions and the policy of protectionism have become a reality of the global economy, but there is a need to find new growth points and build an open space for mutually beneficial cooperation, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai on Monday.

Medvedev, who is on an official visit to China, pointed to the wide scope of the exhibition, which involves 130 countries eager to demonstrate their economic abilities and discuss the prospects for global trade.

"There is certainly a need to discuss them. We are facing common tasks - to find new sources of growth for global economy and create an open space for mutual cooperation, free of pressure, sanctions and protectionism, which unfortunately have become a reality of the global economy that we cannot turn a blind eye to," Medvedev said.

The Russian prime minister stressed that trade must be based on free competition and the free movement of goods, services, people and capital. Medvedev noted that it was the principles the both Russia and China abided by. "We welcome our Chinese colleagues’ commitment to long-term partnership and the establishment of trade ties mutually beneficial for all," Medvedev added.

On behalf of Russia, he thanked China for the invitation to take part in the exhibition as a partner country. The prime minister noted that the Shanghai event offered a good opportunity to show the potential of Russia’s economy. In this regard, Medvedev mentioned that
dozens of companies from 40 Russian regions were participating in the expo.



Russian Prime Minister welcomes financing in national currencies between Moscow, Beijing

Moscow and Beijing are doing the right thing boosting credit financing in national currencies, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai on Monday.

Medvedev, who is on an official visit to China, pointed out that relations between Russia and China were strong as never before.

"They don’t depend on the current economic and political situation as they are based on mutual respect, including that of each other’s interests," the Russian prime minister said. "It paves the way for the development of trade, economic and investment ties, as well as for the use of national currencies in trade. I believe it is a right thing to boost credit financing in yuans and rubles," Medvedev said, referring to investment projects.

Moreover, in his words, the use of national currencies "makes it possible to ensure stability of international economic relations and Russian-Chinese ties in a situation where reserve currencies are becoming a less reliable global trade tool.


Kim Jong-un may visit Russia in November, Seoul’s ambassador says

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may visit Russia in November, the Yonhap news agency reported on Monday, citing South Korean Ambassador to Moscow Woo Yoon-keun.

"Russia has requested that the visit take place before the end of the year," the ambassador said. "It seems, North Korea is thinking about the date, location and agenda of talks," he noted, adding that considering a number of circumstances, Kim Jong-un’s visit was very likely to take place in November.

Woo Yoon-keun also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to make a visit to South Korea in the first half of 2019. According to the ambassador, Seoul and Moscow will start discussing preparations for the visit before the year ends.

He pointed out that South Korea and Russia also plan to launch negotiations on a free trade agreement. "Russia will become an important partner that will help Korea advance further in the [Eurasian] continent. There is a need to use Russia’s capabilities to the fullest, particularly given that bilateral relations have improved following President Moon Jae-in’s coming to power," the Yonhap agency quoted Woo Yoon-keun as saying.

Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said earlier following her visit to Pyongyang that the North Korean leader was willing to visit Russia in the near future. Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un may take place before the end of the year. On October 31, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Kim Jong-un’s visit to Russia was under consideration.
 
Bravo Donald Trump for his contribution to denuclearisation of North Korea :rolleyes: The sanctions have been failing to achieve their objective but they did succeed in bringing both Koreas closer.


Fragile peace? N. Korea threatens to produce nukes again if US sanctions remain

Pyongyang may resume building up its nuclear arsenals if Washington’s economic sanctions remain in place, the reclusive state has said amid diplomatic bargaining over the future of Korean peace talks.

“If the US keeps behaving arrogant without showing any change in its stand,” North Korea may restart building up nuclear forces while also pushing for economic development, Pyongyang has said on Friday evening in a statement released by its state-run news agency.

North Korea is widely thought to have obtained enough weapons-grade plutonium to weaponize dozens of warheads. South Korea believes its northern neighbor may have developed 20 to 60 nuclear weapons, according to intelligence data cited by a top official in Seoul.

Earlier reports claimed that Pyongyang had at least eight bombs. At the peak of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the North boasted of having developed an advanced hydrogen bomb and intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the entire US mainland.

The Friday statement stopped just short of threatening to walk away from lingering talks with the US, but nonetheless said the “improvement of relations and sanctions is incompatible.” The issue of economic sanctions came to light again this Friday as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo offered his take on the upcoming actions towards Pyongyang.

Speaking on Fox News, Pompeo said that “we will keep the economic pressure in place until such time as Chairman Kim fulfills the commitment he made to President Trump back in June in Singapore.”

Simultaneously, he shed some light on the upcoming meeting with senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol next week, saying it will mostly revolve around a second summit between Trump and Kim Jong-un.

“The US thinks that its oft-repeated ‘sanctions and pressure’ leads to ‘denuclearization.’ We cannot help laughing at such a foolish idea,” the North Korean statement offered.

Restrictions against the North have added fuel to the simmering rift between Washington and Seoul. South Korea has offered financial and economic aid to the North once sanctions are lifted. President Moon Jae-in, for his part, promised that Seoul will help Pyongyang rebuild roads and railways as a first step to mend ties between the neighbors.

Moreover, South Korea has considered lifting its own economic sanctions designed to force North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons. In early October, the South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha suggested Seoul was willing to lift the restrictions as a goodwill gesture towards the North.

South Korean plans have been given a sharp rebuke from the US. “They won’t do it without our approval. They do nothing without our approval,” Trump commented on Kang’s remarks. Officials in Washington have once again vowed to maintain a “maximum pressure” effort until the North denuclearizes.
 
Bravo Donald Trump for his contribution to denuclearization of North Korea :rolleyes: The sanctions have been failing to achieve their objective but they did succeed in bringing both Koreas closer.

Fragile peace? [URL='https://www.rt.com/news/443033-north-korea-nuclear-sanctions/'] N. Korea threatens to produce nukes again if US sanctions remain[/URL]


I think, all the press hype on "a fragile Peace with North Korea" is an exaggeration of the Pentagon's worse fear? North and South Korea are getting along just fine! While all the paid shrills and mouth pieces are screaming about "the denuclearization of North Korea" not one little peep about the Pentagon's [URL='https://www.upi.com/topic/THAAD/?tps=1']THAAD
battery on the South Korean peninsula? Wasn't the argument for the THAAD installation "to counter North Korea's Rocket man" (even though it's pointed in Russia's direction)? What about the recent investment of a multi-Billion dollar upgrade to the US Army Base, Camp Humphries in South Korea? What would happen to the other 14-15 US Military bases in S. Korea and the 28,000 or so U.S. Troops - if "Peace" were realistically proclaimed with the unification of both Korea's? What excuse is the Pentagon going to fabricate - in keeping a large Military presents in S. Korea?

July 11, 2017 - U.S. Army commander defends THAAD battery in South Korea
U.S. Army commander defends THAAD battery in South Korea

THAAD complements the presence of 28,000 U.S. troops and 625,000 active South Korean armed forces personnel, Vandal said, because the Kim Jong Un regime is developing not only ballistic missiles but also weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

THAAD also intercepts ballistic missiles launched from North Korea that could possibly target U.S. military bases in Japan or Guam.

The expansion of Camp Humphreys cost $10.7 billion. South Korea provided most of the funding and labor for the project, according to Stars and Stripes.


February 8, 2016 - Army base in South Korea gets multi-billion dollar makeover
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/pent...uth-korea-gets-multi-billion-dollar-makeover/

The military services have been dithering with Congress over if and where to reduce their real estate footprint. But there is one spot in the world where the Army is undergoing a major expansion in real estate. Camp Humphries, South Korea is undergoing a multi-billion dollar makeover. Army Assistant Secretary for Installations, Energy and Environment Katherine Hammack joined Pentagon Solutions with details of what’s going on and why.


List and description: US Military Bases (15) in South Korea
US Military Bases in South Korea |15 Bases | Military Bases
[/URL]
 
November 5, 2018 - US-North Korea talks could impact US Military posture in Korea: Dunford
U.S.-North Korea talks could impact U.S. military posture in Korea: Dunford | Reuters


Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, waves as he is recognized by U.S. President Donald Trump at a reception commemorating the 35th anniversary of the attack on the Beirut Barracks in the East Room of the White House, in Washington, U.S., October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Al Drago/File Photo

The top U.S. military officer said on Monday that the United States would have to start making changes to its military posture on the Korean peninsula over time if talks with North Korea advance.

“The more successful we are in the diplomatic track, the more uncomfortable we will be in the military space,” Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a forum at Duke University.

“Because over time, this negotiation will take a form where we’re going to have to start making some changes to the military posture on the peninsula. And we’re prepared to do that in support of Secretary Pompeo,” Dunford said. He did not elaborate on what changes might be expected.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet with senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol in New York on Thursday to discuss North Korea’s denuclearization.

In Washington last week, South Korea’s defense minister said the two countries would decide by December on major joint military exercises for 2019. Vigilant Ace, suspended this month, is one of several such exercises halted to encourage dialogue with Pyongyang, which has criticized joint U.S.-South Korea exercises in the past.

Although larger exercises were suspended, the two countries have continued small-scale drills.

On Monday, U.S. and South Korean marines conducted military drills under the Korean Marine Exchange Program for the first time in months, according to the South Korean ministry of defense.

North Korea has not tested a ballistic missile or nuclear weapon for nearly a year, and has said it has shuttered its main nuclear test site and plans to dismantle several more facilities.

In recent weeks, North Korea has pressed harder for what it sees as reciprocal concessions by the United States and other countries.
 
Medvedev arrives in Shanghai to meet with Xi Jinping

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has arrived in China’s Shanghai where he will stay on an official visit from November 5 to 7, the press service of the Russian government said on Sunday.


Xi meets Russian prime minister

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who attended the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Both China and Russia are in a crucial stage in achieving national development and revitalization, Xi said.

Facing an unprecedentedly complex international environment, it is more important to keep bilateral ties at a high level and reinforce strategic coordination between the two countries, Xi said.

He said a priority for the two sides' work in the next phase is to comprehensively implement the consensus between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin on practical cooperation between the two sides.

Xi welcomed Russia to attend the expo as one of the guests of honor.

China and Russia are firm in pursuing peaceful development and are committed to upholding international fairness and justice, reflecting their resolve and responsible attitude as major countries, Xi said, noting that under new circumstances, China is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with the Russian side and continuously deepen strategic coordination.

Medvedev said Russia is willing to work together with China to implement the important consensus reached by heads of state of the two countries, expand practical cooperation in various areas, carry out closer coordination and cooperation in international affairs, safeguard international rules, and maintain world peace and stability.


Syria participates in China International Import Expo

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday announced the opening of China International Import Expo in Shanghai with the participation of more than 130 states including Syria.

In a speech delivered during the opening ceremony, President Xi described the expo as a pioneer step in the history of developing the international trade.

He affirmed that China’s initiative to broaden the imports isn’t just a temporary experiment, but it is a long-term initiative towards the world and the future which aims at enhancing the joint development.

The Chinese President called upon all the states to adopt a clear stance in which they affirm their adherence to the openness and their rejection of the unilateralism and protectionism and their adherence to the principle of comprehensive development and mutual interests for achieving the joint development.

The five-day expo, in which more than 3000 companies are participating, is the first of its kind in the world as it is specialized in the imports and it embraces expos of states and companies in parallel with holding Hongqiao International Economic and Trade Forum.

The Forum which accompanies the Expo will be attended by more than 2000 government officials and heads of international organizations, in addition to businessmen and pioneer academics from more than 130 states.


Russian export to China to exceed $50 bln in 2018

Russia’s export to China is on track to reach $50-54 bln in 2018, head of the Russian Export Center (REC) Andrey Slepnev said on Monday.

"Russian exports to China amounted to around $26 bln in the first half of the year, a 43% increase compared with the same period last year. That means it will be over $50 bln, $50-54 bln (by the yearend)," he said.

Overall, the Russian-Chinese mutual trade may reach around $100 bln in 2018, Slepnev said, adding that the result might double in coming years.

"We see ties expanding on traditional goods, such as timber, metals, chemistry and the like, agricultural trade has risen 1.5-fold since the beginning of the year. Green cosmetics and children’s goods are becoming increasingly popular. A big number of energy and high-tech projects are implemented. There are agreements regarding a joint project on heavy helicopters, cooperation is developing in space and energy fields," he said.


Russia, China Unveil Full-Scale Mockup of New Passenger CR929 Aircraft (PHOTOS)

Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) presented for the first time a full-scale prototype of CR929 wide-body long-range aircraft at the Zhuhai Airshow, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene.

"Today's event is an opening of the full-scale mockup of our joint aircraft and the opportunity to personally visit the cockpit, look at the organization of space in the first class, business class, economy class. It shows that we have something to get [potential buyers] interested," UAC President Yury Slyusar told journalists.


The full-scale mockup includes the cockpit and three classes of passenger compartment layout. The length of the layout is 22 meters (72 feet), it is 6.5 meters high and 5.9 meters wide. The salon is equipped with two rows of first-class seats, three rows of business-class seats and four rows of economy-class seats, including an entertainment system and interior design in Chinese and Russian styles.


The basic CR929-600 version in a three-class layout will be able to carry 280 passengers over a distance of up to 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles). The aircraft family will also consist of a modification with an extended fuselage (CR929-700) and a shortened fuselage (CR929-500).


The CR929 program is currently at the stage of preliminary design and selection of suppliers of basic systems and equipment, which will be completed before 2020, the chief designer of CR929 program from the Russian side Maxim Litvinov recalled.

He also noted that, according to the agreement with COMAC, the engineering center for the development of wide-body long-haul aircraft will be located in Russia.

Russia and China intend to implement plans to build the CR929 aircraft by 2025-2027. The cost of the program is currently estimated at $13-$20 billion. The maiden flight of the aircraft is expected in 2025.

China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition started in the city of Zhuhai on Tuesday and will last through Sunday.


Russia to Deliver Su-35, S-400 to China No Later Than 2020 - Rostec

Russia and China have concluded contracts on deliveries of weapons to be used in operations on the ground, in the air and in the sea, Viktor Kladov, the head of the delegation of Russian state corporation Rostec at the Zhuhai airshow, told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"We are actively cooperating with China in all defense sectors: land, air and water. In addition to the successful implementation of two contracts for the S-400 and Su-35, we have a lot of other projects. I would not like to go into details, but I’ll say that we have recently signed three more [weapons] contracts with the Chinese side," the official said.

According to Kladov, Russia will complete the contracted deliveries of 24 Su-35 fighter jets and S-400 air defense complexes to China on time, until 2020.

China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition started in the city of Zhuhai on Tuesday and will last through Sunday.
 
Russia to showcase latest medium-range air defense missile system at Airshow China

Russia will demonstrate its latest Viking air defense missile system (the export version of the Buk-M3 complex) for the first time abroad at the Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai on November 6-11, the press office of Russia’s state arms seller Rosoboronexport reported on Tuesday.

The Russian arms exporter will also demonstrate the latest military hardware from its export list: the Il-78MK-90A aerial refueling tanker and the Il-76MD-90A military transport plane, the press office said.

"In Zhuhai, the latest Viking air defense missile system, a follow-up of the family of the famous Buk surface-to-air missile complexes, is on display for the first time at international exhibitions," Rosoboronexport said in a statement.

Russia’s newest military products for the Air Force include the Su-35 multirole super-maneuverable fighter jet, MiG-29M/M2 multi-purpose fighters, the Su-32 fighter-bomber, and also the new products on Rosoboronexport’s list: the Il-78MK-90A aerial refueling tanker and the Il-76MD-90A military transport plane.

At the Airshow China 2018, Russia will also launch a demonstration tour of Mi-171A2 and Ansat helicopters across South-East Asia, Rosoboronexport said.

"The tour will be held by Russian Helicopters [rotorcraft maker] with Rosoboronexport’s support. The visitors and participants in the exhibition at Zhuhai can see the capabilities of these helicopters and ask any questions about their technical and operational characteristics to representatives of both companies," the company’s press office said.

Overall, the Russian arms exporter will demonstrate over 100 weapon systems at its exhibition stand. The Russian exposition at Zhuhai is one of the most representative and biggest displays of all the international exhibitions, in which the company has taken part," the press office said.

Viking air defense missile system

The Viking air defense missile complex is the export modification of the latest Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system accepted for service in the Russian Army. The weapon system is a follow-up of medium-range air defense missile systems and is designed to protect troops and infrastructure facilities against modern and future air attack weapons amid jamming and counter-fire.

As compared to its predecessor, the Buk-M2E, the Viking’s firing range has increased by almost 1.5 times to 65 km. The number of simultaneously engaged targets has risen by 1.5 times to six for each self-propelled launcher while the number of ready-for-launch surface-to-air missiles in a firing position of two combat units has increased from 8 to 18.

The Viking air defense missile system features an option of its integration with the Antey-2500 surface-to-air missile complex. The Viking is capable of striking with high accuracy not only aircraft and elements of precision weapons but also tactical ballistic and cruise missiles and also sea and ground targets.


Russia, China wrap up talks on heavy-lift helicopter

Russia and China have completed talks and are ready to ink a contract on creating a heavy-lift helicopter, Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy at Russia’s Rostec state hi-tech corporation Viktor Kladov told reporters on Tuesday.

"De facto, the negotiations have been completed. The sides are ready to sign a general contract," Kladov said, noting that this is a contract on the helicopter’s design and after it is signed, the design engineering will begin.

"This will be a Chinese helicopter. Most works will be carried out by a Chinese company, and the Chinese side has tasked Russia with developing some key angles and components," he said.


Russian tourism agency: Moscow, Beijing completing preparations of new tourism agreement

A new intergovernmental agreement on the Russian-Chinese cooperation in the tourism field is almost ready, Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism Oleg Safonov said on Tuesday, adding that the document might be signed in the near future.

"We are at the final stage of preparing the intergovernmental agreement. Hopefully the intergovernmental agreement will be signed in the near future," he said, adding that the signing might take place in 2019. "Hopefully it will be signed next year," he said.

Speaking about the working intergovernmental agreement that was signed in 2000, Safonov noted that for many countries it has become a kind of example of organizing tourism cooperation.
 
Russia, China Can Ink Deal on National Currencies Payments by End of Year - Bank

Russia and China can sign an agreement on settlements in national currencies by the end of the year, the head of the Russian state development bank Vnesheconombank, Igor Shuvalov, told reporters on Wednesday.

"We are interested [in this agreement], the Chinese side is no less interested, and perhaps it is even more interested, as yesterday Chinese chairman [President Xi Jinping] said that this agreement should be signed as soon as possible… It would be perfect to be able to sign it by the end of the year," Shuvalov said.

Delivering a speech at the opening of the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said he welcomed a further increase in the mutual lending in national currencies, including loans for the implementation of investment projects.

In May, Russia's largest bank, Sberbank announced plans to develop yuan-denominated loans for Russian companies and was considering issuing yuan-denominated obligations.


PM says Russian-Chinese trade turnover may reach $200 bln

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has set a new level for bilateral trade between Russia and China, saying that a level of $200 billion is quite achievable.

"Bilateral trade is actively developing, and this year we will approach the level of $100 billion, which seemed fantastic to us 10 years ago; now we are speaking about other levels, about the possibility of reaching $200 billion of trade turnover, and I believe this figure to be quite realizable for our countries if we actively promote cooperation in the agreed spheres," Medvedev said at a press conference after the 23rd regular meeting between the Russian and Chinese government heads.

The Russian prime minister reported that he agreed with his Chinese counterpart on a number of additional steps for support for small businesses, the development of electronic trade and the development of payment system. Medvedev also promised to continue work to lift barriers in different spheres, not just in the bilateral format. He stressed the importance of linking the Eurasian Economic Union and the Silk Road Economic Belt.

Medvedev added that the two countries have a number of investment projects in the energy, oil, gas and oil refining industries, high technologies, including manned space navigation, the establishment of new materials and the creation of artificial intelligence. It was decided to pay special attention to issues of developing the Far East and wood processing. There are special prospects in agriculture, Medvedev said. "We increased the exports of Russian agricultural products to China, and at the same time the Chinese partners are working in the same direction, and we are definitely interested in implementing new projects, including exporting Russian soybeans to China and a number of other areas, that is the development of transport-logistics capabilities," the prime minister explained.
 
Russian agency says creating S-300, S-400 maintenance and support center in China viable

Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) believes that it will be economically viable to set up a maintenance center for S-300 and S-400 missile systems in China, FSVTS head Dmitry Shugaev told reporters.

"Considering that China continues to operate S-300 missile systems and given the delivery of new S-400 systems, the creation of a center for the after-sale support of the long-range defense systems would be logical and economically feasible," he noted.

The agency’s director recalled that a maintenance center for the Tor-M1 air defense missile systems had been established last year. "Projects for full service support of helicopters as well as in the field of aircraft engine building are at different stages of development," he added.

According to the FSVTS chief, China has imported a lot of military hardware made in Russia, which is why the creation of a quality, timely and fully convenient after-sale support center is one of the most important issues on the bilateral agenda.

China is hosting a defense exhibition called Airshow China on November 6-11, where Shugaev is heading the Russian delegation.


Russia and China plan to sign contract for joint heavy helicopter soon — source

Russia and China will sign a contract to create a joint Russian-Chinese heavy helicopter AHL (Advanced Heavy Lifter) "in the coming days", a source in the Russian government told TASS.

"The contract will be signed in the coming days. Only technical protocol formalities are left," he said.

First Deputy Chief of the Russian Government Staff Sergei Prikhodko told reporters earlier that Russian Helicopters and China’s Avicopter are expected to sign a framework contract for the development of the AHL (Advanced Heavy Lifter) helicopter.

"It is planned to sign the framework contract and all the sub-contracts on November 7, during the 23rd regular meeting of the Russian and Chinese heads of government," he said in reply to a TASS question.

According to Prikhodko, Russian Helicopters and China’s Avicopter had 24 rounds of talks on a would-be contract in a period from May 2014 to October 2018. In May, the sides initialed all the sub-contracts and finished the work on a master contract and initialed its text in October.

The agreement on the development of the AHL helicopter was signed between Russia and China in June 2016.

Under the agreement, Russian Helicopters Group, part of Russia’s Rostec state hi-tech corporation, will make investments in the program in the form of technologies and design separate systems of the helicopter, while China will be responsible for implementing the program as a whole.

In the summer of 2017, Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy at Russia’s Rostec Corporation Viktor Kladov said that at least 200 AHL helicopters would be built under the contract.

According to data presented earlier, the helicopter will have a maximum takeoff weight of 38.2 tonnes, a service ceiling of 5,700 meters, a range of 630 km (391 miles) and a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). The AHL’s lifting capacity will stand at 10 tons for internal cargo carriage and at 15 tonnes for underslung cargo.


Russia, China to sign contract on AHL helicopter production shortly, says deputy PM

The signing of the state contract with China on production of the Advanced Heavy Lifter (AHL) helicopter is expected in the near future after the Chinese side completes all formalities, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Akimov said Wednesday.

"The situation is absolutely cloudless here, we simply treat the Chinese side’s need to complete all formalities with respect. I expect that in the near future," he said, adding that "there are no unresolved issues on the agreement in the helicopter field."

The Russian-Chinese AHL (Advanced Heavy Lift) helicopter is being co-developed by Russian corporation Russian Helicopters and Chinese corporation AVIC. The machine will have a maximum takeoff weight of 38.2 tonnes, a service ceiling of 5,700 meters, a range of 630 kilometers and a maximum speed of 300 kilometers per hour. The AHL’s lifting capacity will stand at 10 tonnes for internal cargo carriage and at 15 tonnes for underslung cargo.
 
November 7, 2018 - Russia asks U.N. Security Council to discuss North Korea sanctions Thursday
Russia asks U.N. Security Council to discuss North Korea sanctions Thursday | Reuters

UNITED NATIONS - Russia has asked the United Nations Security Council to discuss North Korea sanctions on Thursday, diplomats said, a move that comes after a planned meeting between top U.S. and North Korean officials in New York this week was postponed.

It was not immediately clear why Russia wanted the council to discuss the issue, though China’s foreign ministry said last month that Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang believed it necessary to consider adjusting the U.N. sanctions at an appropriate time.

The 15-member Security Council has unanimously boosted sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke off funding for Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

China and Russia have said the council should reward Pyongyang for the “positive developments” after U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met in June and Kim pledged to work toward denuclearization.

But the United States and other Western powers have said sanctions must be enforced until there is full denuclearization. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has also accused Russia of cheating on U.N. sanctions on North Korea.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been due to meet senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol in New York on Thursday to try to pave the way for a second summit between Trump and Kim and make progress on denuclearization.

The State Department announced on Wednesday that the talks would be rescheduled, but gave no reason for the delay. North Korea’s U.N. mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the postponement of the talks.

North Korea’s foreign minister told the United Nations in September that continued sanctions were deepening its mistrust of the United States and there was no way the country would give up its nuclear weapons unilaterally under such circumstances.

In July, Russia and China delayed a U.S. push for the Security Council’s sanctions committee to order a halt to refined petroleum exports to North Korea, asking for more detail on a U.S. accusation that Pyongyang had breached sanctions, diplomats said.


November 8, 2018 - South Korea to closely coordinate with British Government on NuGen Nuclear project
South Korea to closely coordinate with British government on NuGen nuclear project | Reuters

South Korea’s energy ministry said on Thursday it will closely coordinate with the British government on the NuGen nuclear project in Britain after Toshiba announced plans to liquidate the project to shed troubled assets.

South Korea’s state-run Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO) has been in talks with Toshiba to buy a stake in Britain’s NuGen nuclear project, planned for Moorside in northwest England.

“The ministry plans to closely coordinate with the British government on the Moorside project while monitoring the NuGen liquidation process with KEPCO,” the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a statement.
 
Xi meets Russian prime minister

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who attended the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Both China and Russia are in a crucial stage in achieving national development and revitalization, Xi said.

Facing an unprecedentedly complex international environment, it is more important to keep bilateral ties at a high level and reinforce strategic coordination between the two countries, Xi said.

He said a priority for the two sides' work in the next phase is to comprehensively implement the consensus between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin on practical cooperation between the two sides.

Xi welcomed Russia to attend the expo as one of the guests of honor.

China and Russia are firm in pursuing peaceful development and are committed to upholding international fairness and justice, reflecting their resolve and responsible attitude as major countries, Xi said, noting that under new circumstances, China is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with the Russian side and continuously deepen strategic coordination.

Medvedev said Russia is willing to work together with China to implement the important consensus reached by heads of state of the two countries, expand practical cooperation in various areas, carry out closer coordination and cooperation in international affairs, safeguard international rules, and maintain world peace and stability.


Syria participates in China International Import Expo

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday announced the opening of China International Import Expo in Shanghai with the participation of more than 130 states including Syria.

In a speech delivered during the opening ceremony, President Xi described the expo as a pioneer step in the history of developing the international trade.


A brief note and recent observation on China ...

Since the announcement of President Trump's "Trade War" with China, the American Press has been working overtime to demonize the Country. The tactics are no different then those used against other Countries, like North Korea or the Philippine's, when they got singled out and found themselves in the cross-hairs of the dominating Political climate in the US. One of the first tactics applied is "Sanction's" while the Press and talking News heads issue accusations targeting "Human Right's violations". The accusations are rarely accompanied by factual documentation or references to a secondary verifiable source. Basically, they are "made-up-lies or gossip" or a combination of both. Neither being - fact based.

I could probably pull up a half dozen or more articles on China, currently circulating the various news sites, that allude to Civil and Human Right's violations. We don't live in a perfect World, so I don't totally discount - that there might be some accurate accounts but some reports are outright devious and defy simple logic - like this one ...

November 8, 2018 - Underperforming Chinese workers made to drink urine, eat bugs
Underperforming Chinese workers made to drink urine, eat bugs | Reuters

BEIJING - Workers at a Chinese home renovation company who failed to complete their tasks had to drink urine, eat cockroaches or get whipped by a belt.

Others had to shave their heads or drink water from a toilet bowl and had their salaries withheld by a month, according to images and videos on Chinese social media cited by state media.

The punishments were all publicly meted out in the presence of other staff, state media said, citing workers who had quit the company in the southwestern province of Guizhou.

Forgetful staff who did not wear leather shoes to work or failed to turn up in formal attire were given 50 yuan ($7.20) fines.

Their misdemeanors were duly recorded in little white slips.

But most staff chose to stay despite the punishments, which started this year, state media said.

Three managers at the company were jailed from five to 10 days on the charge of humiliating others, according to a social media post by the local public security bureau.

Labor conditions in China have often been described by activists as harsh and unforgiving, with workers having to work excessive hours and live in cramped quarters on meager wages.

At the Guizhou company, many of the punished showed little outward sign of unhappiness, according to state media, choosing instead to accept their fate.
 
South Korean president vows to support trilateral cooperation with Russia and North Korea

The Republic of Korea will work to create a basis for trilateral economic cooperation with Russia and North Korea, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said during the first Russian-Korean Summit on Interregional Cooperation that was held on Thursday in the city of Pohang.

"The government will lay a stable foundation for economic cooperation in the triangle South Korea - North Korea - Russia. It will help establish peace on the whole Korean Peninsula," the president stressed. He also noted that North Gyeongsang Province will become a key region in trade relations with South Korea’s northern partners.

Moon Jae-in alto thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for "unfailing strong support for the movement toward peace on the Korean Peninsula." He reiterated that the two countries’ leaders agreed during the previously held meeting to establish a forum for the development of bilateral cooperation. Russia’s Far East should play the central role in it.

"Today is the historic day when the first move in this direction was made," Moon Jae-in said. "It will become a turning point in the development of comprehensive cooperation between the regional and central governments of Russia and Korea."

The president stressed that Seoul and Moscow have waited for this day for almost 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between them. He noted that the regions may play a crucial role in the galvanization of economic ties.

The first Russian-Korean Summit on Interregional Cooperation was launched in Pohang on Wednesday and will run until November 9. It involves representatives for nine entities of Russia’s Far Eastern Federal District and 17 regions of the Republic of Korea. At the forum representatives for regional governments, experts and businessmen are discussing prospects for the development of bilateral economic cooperation.


Regular ferry line to link Vladivostok and South Korea’s Pohang

South Korea’s city of Pohang and Russia’s Vladivostok may be linked by a ferry in the near future, Pohang Mayor Lee Kang-Deok said on Thursday at the first Russian-Korean Forum of Interregional Cooperation.

"A direct ferry line is to open soon between Pohang and Vladivostok. It will link these two cities with North Korea’s ports in the future, which will help ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and help all countries develop mutually beneficial economic cooperation," the city mayor stressed.

He noted that the Korean side considers the organization of transport communication between these two ports a major item of interregional cooperation. In particular, it will make it possible to deliver Russian coal for the steel works POSCO, which is located in Pohang, and link the South Korean city with the Northeast Passage.

Lee Kang-Deok called on the South Korean and Russian authorities to create a bilateral platform for constant communication, for example in the form of a secretariat which would make it possible to quickly solve arising issues and problems. The Pohang mayor also noted the necessity to change from raw material trading, which prevails in the bilateral trade turnover, to the joint processing and exports of finished products.

Pohang, a city of 530,000, is located in the south-east of the Republic of Korea. It is the largest steel production center in the country. The city’s commercial seaport provides cargo turnover of 50 million tonnes.

The official part of the forum was launched on November 8. It involves nine entities of the Russian Far Eastern Federal District and 17 regions of the Republic of Korea. At the event representatives for regional governments, experts and businessmen are discussing prospects for the development of bilateral economic cooperation.


China Unveils Stealth Drone for First Time at Zhuhai Airshow (PHOTOS)

Stealth Drone.jpg

On display at the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, otherwise known as the Zhuhai Airshow, is a model of the country's new CH-7 unmanned aerial vehicle ‒ a stealth drone expected to be the first to hit global markets.

Built by the state-owned Chinese Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the drone is expected begin test flights sometime in 2019, with mass production starting in 2022 if all goes well.

China's new-generation stealth drone.jpg
In this Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, file photo, China's new-generation stealth unmanned combat aircraft prototype, the CH-7, is displayed during the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2018, in Zhuhai city, south China's Guangdong province / © AP PHOTO/ KIN CHEUNG

Shi Wen, the CH-7's chief designer, told the AP on Wednesday that the aircraft can "fly long hours, scout and strike the target when necessary."

"[We] can see the CH-7 flying in the blue skies, gradually being a practical and usable product in the future," the designer told the news outlet, adding that the drone will likely be sold abroad. It's unclear what countries might be on the list of potential buyers.

CH-7 China new-generation stealth unmanned combat aircraft.jpg
CH-7 China new-generation stealth unmanned combat aircraft prototype is displayed during the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2018, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Zhuhai city, south China's Guangdong province / © AP PHOTO/ KIN CHEUNG

The single-engine model, which is capable of flying at the speeds of a commercial jet plane, has a wingspan of roughly 72 feet and measures at a length of 33 feet, CBS News reported.

Although other countries are working on developing their own versions of stealth drones, experts have indicated that China's low prices and willingness to share its technology are attracting more attention from interested buyers. According to China Daily, if the CH-7 stays on track with its flight tests, China's UAVs will be the first on the market and the "sole option for buyers wanting to field stealth combat drones."

"It would represent an area of Chinese arms export offerings which no other country offers," aviation expert Justin Bronk told AP.

Also showcased at the outdoor portion of the airshow was China's J-20 stealth fighter and J-10B fighter. And that's not all, folks. Inside was a replica of Beijing's future space station, Heavenly Palace, which is set to replace the International Space Station once it retires in 2024.


China plans to buy six Mi-171A2 helicopters

China plans to buy six Russian Mi-171A2 multipurpose helicopters by 2022, a spokesperson of the Russian Helicopters holding told reporters on Thursday at the AirShow China.

"China General Aviation Service confirmed the intention to buy a batch of Mi-171A2 helicopters," the spokesperson said.

"Deliveries in interests of such a large operator will definitely facilitate awarding further orders," Chief Executive Officer of the holding Andrei Boginsky said. Validation of the certificate for Mi-171A2 in China is underway, the company said.

The multipurpose Mi-171A2 helicopter is a deliverable of deep upgrade of Mi-8/17 helicopter family, with more than 80 changes made in its design. The aircraft can operate day and night, in the environment of high mountains, high and low temperature, higher humidity, and above water surface. Mi-171A2 are fitted with a "glass cabin" avionics package. The crew consists of two persons.


Russian hi-tech firm to team up with China to develop liquid rocket propellants

Russian liquid-fuel rocket engines produced by Energomash.jpg
Russian liquid-fuel rocket engines produced by Energomash / © Alexei Filippov/TASS

Russia’s rocket engine producer Energomash and the Sixth Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation have signed a protocol of cooperation in the development and manufacture of liquid rocket propellants, the Energomash press office reported on Thursday.

The document was signed at the Airshow China 2018 aerospace exhibition, Energomash said.

Under the protocol, both sides can cooperate in the field of rocket engines by developing liquid rocket propellants using the oxygen-kerosene, oxygen-hydrogen and oxygen-methane propellant components," the Energomash said in a statement.

Until the end of 2018, the Chinese side will send technical work requirements to Energomash and in January 2019 both sides will hold consultations to formulate their final version. After that, Energomash will draft and submit a package of documents to Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos for a government resolution on the possibility of cooperation in this area, the statement says.

"The negotiations with the Chinese side lasted several years. But we were restrained in our negotiating process until the end of 2017 as the agreement between the governments of Russia and China, ‘On Measures for Technology Protection in View of Cooperation in the Exploration and the Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes, the Development and the Operation of Launch Vehicles and the Ground-Based Space Infrastructure,’ was not ratified," Energomash CEO Igor Arbuzov said.

"Beginning from 2018, our discussions became substantive and today’s protocol is a switchover of our relations to the practical realm," he added.

The areas of cooperation in the sphere of rocket engines were defined by the protocols of sessions of the Russian-Chinese commission for cooperation in carrier rockets and rocket engines held in 2018 and were approved on September 28, 2018 in Beijing by a protocol of the 19th session of the sub-commission for interaction in outer space of the Russian -Chinese commission for preparing regular meetings of the heads of governments.


China purchases 20 Ansat aircraft at Airshow China

Russian Helicopters inked a contract for supply of 20 Ansat helicopters to the China Association of Emergency Medicine at the Airshow China exhibition, a spokesman of the Russian holding told reporters on Thursday.

"The Russian Helicopters holding made a contract for delivery of 20 Ansat helicopters in the interests of the Association of Emergency Medicine of the People’s Republic of China within the framework of the Airshow China international air show," he said.

Russian Helicopters plan to "validate a certificate in China and supply all helicopters under this contract in 2019-2020," Chief Executive Officer of the holding Andrei Boginsky said.

Helicopters will be handed over to the customer in a multipurpose build. Purchased Ansat helicopters when fitted with a medical module can be used to provide first aid and perform emergency evacuation of patients, including from areas with a hostile terrain.

The Ansat is a lightweight twin-engine multipurpose helicopter. It can carry up to nine people depending on the modification.
 
November 10, 2018 - Seoul says 2 Koreas complete disarming 22 guard posts
Seoul says 2 Koreas complete disarming 22 guard posts

The Koreas plan to destroy 20 of the structures by the end of November, while symbolically leaving one demilitarized guard post on each side.

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South Korean Defense Ministry shows South Korea’s chief delegate Major General Kim Do-gyun shaking hands, amid talks between the two countries to ease longstanding tension. (File/AFP)

SEOUL, South Korea: A South Korean Defense Ministry official says the North and South Korean militaries have completed withdrawing troops and firearms from 22 front-line guard posts as they continue to implement a wide-ranging agreement reached in September to reduce tensions.

The official says soldiers on Saturday completed disarming 11 guard posts on the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone that divides the Koreas.

The official says the ministry believes the North has also finished withdrawing personnel and weapons from 11 guard posts on the northern side of the DMZ.

The Koreas plan to destroy 20 of the structures by the end of November, while symbolically leaving one demilitarized guard post on each side. They plan to jointly verify the results in December.


November 11, 2018 - North and South Korea begin destroying border guard posts
North and South Korea begin destroying border guard posts

  • The moves come as a diplomatic thaw between the former wartime foes gathers pace
  • The militaries on Sunday began destroying the 20 border guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas
SEOUL: The two Koreas began destroying 20 guard posts along their heavily-fortified frontier Sunday under a plan to reduce tensions on the border.

Under an agreement made between their generals in late October, North and South Korea agreed to each remove 10 posts and preserve one on either side of the frontier.

The militaries on Sunday began destroying the 20 border guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas after withdrawing troops and equipment from them, Yonhap news agency reported, citing Seoul’s defense ministry.

South Korea has around 60 such posts along the rest of the border while the North has about 160, Yonhap said.

The border truce village of Panmunjom — or the Joint Security Area (JSA) — is the only spot along the tense, 250-kilometer (155-mile) frontier where soldiers from the two Koreas and the US-led UN Command stand face to face.

But as part of the latest reconciliatory gesture, the two Koreas last month removed all firearms and guard posts from the area, leaving it manned by 35 unarmed personnel from each side.

The moves come as a diplomatic thaw between the former wartime foes gathers pace.

Under dovish South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Seoul has pursued a policy of engagement with its isolated, nuclear-armed neighbor, in contrast with the US which insists pressure should be maintained on Pyongyang until it denuclearizes.

Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed on a broad plan to ease tensions along the border during their third summit in Pyongyang in September.

The two nations technically remain at war after the 1950-53 Korean War that sealed the division of the peninsula and ended with a cease-fire instead of a peace treaty.

But ties improved markedly this year as Moon and Kim took a series of reconciliatory gestures.

Kim and US President Donald Trump also held a historic summit in June in Singapore and signed a vaguely worded deal on denuclearization, but little progress has been made since then, with the two countries sparring over the exact meaning of the agreement.

Planned talks between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and one of Kim’s right-hand men, Kim Yong Chol, were also delayed this week.


November 11, 2018 - Summit bears fruit as South Korea flies tangerines to North
Summit bears fruit as South Korea flies tangerines to North

  • The present comes after the North Koreans gave South Korean President Moon Jae-in two tons of pricey pine mushrooms after a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in September
  • North Korean leader Kim faces continued international pressure over his weapons programs
SEOUL: South Korean military transport aircraft began a tangerine airlift to North Korea on Sunday, the first of a gift of 200 tons of the fruit from the southern island of Jeju, South Korea’s presidential Blue House said.

The present comes after the North Koreans gave South Korean President Moon Jae-in two tons of pricey pine mushrooms after a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in September.

North Korea has pursued nuclear and missile programs in defiance of UN sanctions and South Korean officials said last week they had tested the mushrooms for radiation after an opposition lawmaker complained.

The Jeju tangerines were packed in 20,000 boxes and will be flown to Pyongyang by four C-130 aircraft during multiple flights on Sunday and Monday, the Blue House said in a statement.

Several senior South Korean officials, including Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung and presidential secretary for unification policy Suh Ho, flew to Pyongyang to deliver the first shipment.

North Korean leader Kim faces continued international pressure over his weapons programs.

He vowed to work toward denuclearization during his historic June summit with US President Donald Trump, but Pyongyang’s actions have fallen short of US demands for irreversible steps to scrap its arsenal, including a full disclosure of nuclear facilities and materials.

That has left inter-Korean efforts limited by international and unilateral sanctions that bar many forms of economic interaction with North Korea.

But South and North Korea have conducted a number of inter-Korean projects designed to lower tensions, including joint sports and cultural events, closing some guardposts along their shared border, and regular high-level negotiations.
 
North Korea to Expel US Citizen Detained for Illegally Entering State - Reports

The North Korean authorities have decided to expel a US citizen who was detained in October for illegally entering the country, South Korean Yonhap news agency reported on Friday.

The US national, named Bruce Byron Lowrance, was detained in North Korea in October after he illegally crossed the border from China, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported, citing a message carried by the North Korean state-run News Agency (KCNA).

Lowrance reportedly later confessed that he acted under the guidance of the US Central Intelligence Agency.

No information has been provided about the deportation deadline, according to Yonhap.

In May, North Korea released three US detainees ahead of the June summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump in Singapore.


New North Korea's tactical weapon took over seven years to develop — media

North Korea’s advanced tactical weapon, successfully tested recently, took over seven years to develop, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday, adding that the development effort had started under the country’s late leader Kim Jong-il.

According to the agency, incumbent North Korean leader Kim Jong-un witnessed the weapon’s test conducted at a testing ground belonging to the country’s Academy of Defense Science. KCNA stressed that the newly developed weapon, based on cutting-edge technologies, would ensure a rapid growth in North Korea’s defense capabilities. However, the news agency did not provide any details as to what kind of weapon had been tested and whether its development was part of the country’s nuclear program.

KCNA also released photos of Kim Jong-un surrounded by high-ranking military officers, which had been taken at the testing ground.

In April 2018, North Korea announced the suspension of nuclear and missile tests, seeking to shift priority to the country's economic development and efforts to improve living standards. In May, Pyongyang dismantled the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where six underground nuclear tests had been carried out.

On June 12, Singapore hosted a historic meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump. The parties signed a joint document, in which Pyongyang committed to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula in return for US security guarantees. However, talks on the implementation of the agreements reached by Pyongyang and Washington have come to a standstill in the past few weeks as US officials said on numerous occasions that Washington was unwilling to lift its trade blockade until North Korea completely destroyed its nuclear capabilities.


S Korean Soldier Found With Fatal Gunshot Wound on Border With N Korea - Reports

A South Korean soldier was found on Friday with a fatal gunshot wound to his head at a restroom of the guard post on the border with North Korea, Yonhap reported citing military officials.

According to the Yonhap News Agency, the 21-year-old private first class was still alive when he was found but succumbed to his wound at about 5:38 p.m. local time (08:00 GMT) on the way to a hospital.

An investigation is set to be launched into the incident.

The relations between Seoul and Pyongyang have been showing signs of detente since the beginning of 2018. In January, North Korea reopened a border hotline with the South that had been closed for almost two years, while on April 27, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met at the Panmunjom truce village, where they signed a joint declaration agreeing to renew economic cooperation in several areas.


China, Russia hail positive cooperation, seek 'new achievements'

Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Russian President Vladimir Putin have applauded an expansion of mutual ties after meeting on the sidelines the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Singapore.

"Thanks to the efforts of our governments, trade and economic ties are developing at a noticeable and impressing rate, creating a good basis for our special strategic partnership," said Putin on Thursday.

The Russian president urged regular top-level communication between the countries to be further maintained to advance cooperation in fields of energy, aviation, space, science and technology as well as digital economy.

The Chinese premier, on his part, conveyed President Xi Jinping's greetings to Putin, highlighting the positive outcomes of the two presidents' meetings earlier this year.

Li noted that the China-Russia strategic partnership has been functioning positively at high administration levels and called for added investment opportunities and a reduction of trade restrictions.

Putin and Jinping are expected to meet at the G20 summit in Argentina in late November as the two countries expand ties in the face of heightening aggressive behavior on the part of the United States.

The US has increased troop presence in Eastern Europe and the Asia-Pacific in a bid to "contain" what it describes as a growing threat from the two countries.

Subsequently, heavy American naval buildup in the South China Sea has occasionally led to potentially dangerous standoffs with Chinese forces. Observers believe the US seeks to further exert control over the area's oil and gas-rich waterways.

Speaking at the ASEAN summit on Thursday, US Vice President Mike Pence Pentagon indirectly denounced Chinese presence in the Indo-Pacific, saying that "empire and aggression have no place" in the region.

The US along with NATO have also increased military garrisons and drills around Russia in the past four years, deploying missile systems along the Russian border.

Moreover, Pentagon officials recently announced the withdrawal of thousands of troops from their Africa-based "counter-terrorism operations" in order to relocate more resources to "countering Russia and China".

Russia and China have, however, denied the American maneuvers as destabilizing provocations.


PM says China ready to boost energy cooperation with Russia

Beijing is ready to boost energy and innovation cooperation with Moscow, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Singapore on November 15, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"China is ready to boost energy, innovation, finance and trade cooperation with Russia," Li Keqiang said. "We are interested in expanding the two countries’ access to each other's markets," he added.

According to the Chinese prime minister, Beijing seeks to increase trade and investment cooperation with Moscow and enhance ties in the field of cutting-edge technologies and advanced development. "It will improve the welfare of the people of China and Russia," Li Keqiang pointed out.

He also said that 2018 marked an important stage in high-level relations between China and Russia. The Chinese prime minister was hopeful that the two countries would achieve even more success in their development efforts by boosting bilateral cooperation.


China hopes to strengthen ties with Russia — diplomat

The Chinese authorities express hope for intensifying cooperation with Russia against the backdrop of closer contacts between the two countries’ leadership, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Friday when asked by a TASS correspondent to comment on a recent meeting between Premier of China’s State Council Li Keqiang and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"As for the meeting between Li Keqiang and Vladimir Putin in Singapore, we believe that Russian-Chinese relations are currently at an unprecedentedly high level. The two countries’ leaders constantly use all favorable opportunities <…> to maintain close bilateral contacts and resolve important regional and global issues," she told reporters at a regular press briefing. "We highly appreciate relations between our two counties and hope that China and Russia will use every opportunity to further strengthen cooperation."

According to the diplomat, contacts between Moscow and Beijing are important to ensure universal peace and global development.

The meeting between Putin and Li Keqiang was held on November 15 during the East Asia Summit in Singapore. During the meeting, the Chinese side expressed willingness to intensify cooperation with Russia in a number of key areas of bilateral cooperation, including the energy sector, trade and innovative technologies.
 
Seoul, Pyongyang to Connect Roads in DMZ - Reports

US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun and South Korea Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Lee Do-hoon conducted a working group meeting to strengthen efforts on denuclearization, the US Department of State said in a press release on Tuesday.

"US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun and Republic of Korea Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Lee Do-hoon co-chaired a US-ROK [South Korea] working group in Washington November 20," the release said on Tuesday. "The working group further strengthened close US-ROK coordination on efforts to achieve our shared goal of the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK [North Korea]."

The release said the group also reaffirmed the alliance between South Korea and the United States as the key to peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in the region.

Meanwhile, for the first time in 65 years, North and South Koreas will connect a road in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) on November 22, local media reported Tuesday.

"It will be an unpaved tactical road running through the DMZ… The road will be up to 12 meters [40 feet] wide," the Yonhap news agency reported, citing anonymous sources in the South Korean government.

According to the news outlet, the road project is part of the military agreement, which the defense ministers of the two countries signed after the latest inter-Korean summit. Since October, the two sides have been demining the area to ensure safety ahead of the excavation works.

Relations between Seoul and Pyongyang began to improve after a historic summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in April.

The 3rd inter-Korean summit took place in September and resulted in a number of agreements in various areas, covering such areas as defense, culture and sports. Earlier in October, the two Koreas agreed to launch a joint project to modernize and connect their rail and road systems until the end of the year.


S. Korea Video Shows N. Korea Destroying Guard Posts in Demilitarized Zone (Video)

North Korea destroyed ten guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as part of the peace process between the two nations.

A video released by South Korean medias shows Pyongyang destroying ten of its Guard posts across the borders of its southern neighbor after two countries agreed to dismantle the heavily fortified, 155-mile (248 km) border set up in the wake of the Korean War between the two countries, During a summit in September.

Pyongyang had earlier withdrawn troops and weapons from 11 of their guard posts.

North Korea is still said to have approximately 150 guard posts in the DMZ, which also contains a reported two million landmines.

South Korea has approximately 60 such posts, protected by mines, layers of barbed wires, and heavily armed soldiers on 24-hour patrol.

The dismantling of the posts will take place by both sides after which they are set to verify each other’s work.

Per the agreements signed in September, the countries also agreed to disarm a shared village called Panmunjom.

They have also put a freeze on any live-fire drills along the border and slowly begun the process of disarming landmines in order to search for the dead from the Korean War, which ended in 1953.

Tensions between the countries have eased since the Winter Olympics in February 2018 took place in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The second summit between Mr Moon and Mr Kim could happen as early as next month.


US, South Korea to reduce scope of 'Foal Eagle' military exercise

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said on Wednesday (Nov 21) that a joint military exercise with South Korea called "Foal Eagle" would be reduced in scope next year so it does not harm diplomatic efforts with North Korea.

"Foal Eagle is being reorganised a bit to keep it at a level that will not be harmful to diplomacy," Mattis told reporters.

The Foal Eagle field exercise, which usually involves combined ground, air, naval and special operations troops, takes place every spring.

(This story is developing)


US bombers fly near South China Sea islands militarized by Beijing

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An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber takes off earlier this year from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. GERALD WILLIS / U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO

A pair of Guam-based bombers recently flew near disputed islands in the South China Sea, an Air Force statement said.

The B-52H Stratofortress bombers left Andersen Air Force Base on Monday for the “routine training mission,” the statement said.

“This recent mission is consistent with international law and the United States’ long-standing commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” it added.

The U.S. routinely sends the aircraft to the South China Sea — where more than $1.2 trillion in U.S. trade transits annually — and other parts of the Indo-Pacific as part of its “continuous bomber presence” missions out of Andersen.

Earlier this month, Chinese officials told their U.S. counterparts to stop sending ships and military aircraft close to islands claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea. The U.S. pushed back, insisting it will continue to “fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows.”

Last month, the Chinese destroyer Luyang “conducted a series of increasingly aggressive maneuvers” as the USS Decatur sailed through the sea’s Spratly Islands, according to Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gordon, a spokesman for U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The Luyang came with “45 yards of [the] Decatur’s bow, after which [the] Decatur maneuvered to prevent a collision,” Gordon said. At the time, Gordon called the Luyang’s maneuvers unsafe and unprofessional.


US carrier arrives in Hong Kong SAR

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An F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet takes off on the deck of the US Navy USS Ronald Reagan in the South China Sea on Tuesday. China is allowing a US Navy aircraft carrier and its battle group to make a port call in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after it turned down similar request in September. Photo: AP


With the approval of China, US Navy warships including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday morning for a port visit.

Chinese experts said on Wednesday that the approval is an olive branch from China in the hope of deepening mutual trust and an attempt to create a friendly atmosphere ahead of the G20 summit to be held in Argentina later this month.

President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump are expected to hold talks during the G20 summit.

The Reagan arrived in HKSAR at about 11:25 am, according to information provided by the Marine Department of the HKSAR government, which was released on Wednesday on its website.

US destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur, USS Benfold and cruiser USS Chancellorsville were also expected to dock in Hong Kong, local news website hkcd.com reported Wednesday.

Chinese military experts said that the warships will be resupplied and their crews will be given shore leave.

Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Wednesday that allowing the US carrier and other warships to dock in HKSAR is a barometer indicating the state of relations between the two militaries.

China turned down an application by the US amphibious assault ship Wasp to enter HKSAR in September amid trade frictions between the two countries and US sanctions against a Chinese military agency and its head for allegedly buying Russian fighter jets and a surface-to-air missile system, Reuters reported in September.

The Reagan was allowed to visit HKSAR in October last year, hkcd.com said in the report.

Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, told the Global Times on Wednesday that allowing the US aircraft carrier and its support ships to dock in HKSAR signals China's willingness to seek an improvement in a wide range of ties between the two countries.

"Military relations are a crucial part to the overall ties between China and the US," Li said.

Li said there are frictions and mistrust between the two sides, but leaders from the two countries are keeping communication channels open, which is helping ease tensions.

Frequent military exchanges

Lieutenant General Tan Benhong, commander of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in the HKSAR, was invited to board the Reagan on Tuesday to watch US fighter jets perform a takeoff and landing exercise as the aircraft carrier was sailing toward HKSAR, Hong Kong-based newspaper South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday.

Li said this reflects the willingness of both sides to strengthen military communication and avoid possible misjudgments in the future.

Last week, the PLA and US Army conducted a military exchange centering on humanitarian aid and disaster relief in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province.

Officers and experts said at the time that the operation would help boost mutual trust, making military ties a stabilizer of overall relations between the two countries.

Talks and cooperation between militaries will lead to improved ties in general, Song said, noting that struggles and conflict will result in a lose-lose situation that would be bad for both sides.

Friendly atmosphere

The planned meeting later this month between Xi and Trump in Argentina will mark the first time they will sit down together since the start of the US-China trade frictions, Associated Press said on Tuesday.

Song said that allowing US vessels to dock in HKSAR will also contribute to creating a sociable atmosphere for the two leaders to discuss political and trade issues.

It will be quite challenging to establish a congenial atmosphere at the presidents' meeting considering the intensity and complexity of trade spat between China and the US, said Li.

It is relatively straightforward to use the countries' militaries as icebreakers, Li noted.
 
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