2025-5-14 Xinwen Lianbo Text Version
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2025-5-14 Xinwen Lianbo Text Version

Xi Jinping Meets Colombian President

On the morning of May 14, President Xi Jinping met with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who was in China to attend the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping noted that Colombia is an important country in Latin America, and China has always viewed the development of bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Colombia. Standing at a new historical starting point, China is willing to work with Colombia to promote greater development of their strategic partnership, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries. Both sides should consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen strategic communication, and maintain the direction of bilateral relations. They should seize the opportunity of Colombia's official entry into the big family of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to upgrade bilateral cooperation. China is willing to import more high-quality Colombian products and support Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Colombia and participating in infrastructure construction. Both sides can further expand cooperation in emerging fields such as wind energy, new energy vehicles, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence, to jointly achieve green and low-carbon transformation. They should organize successful celebrations for the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties, strengthen cooperation in education, culture, tourism, and other fields, intensify people-to-people exchanges, and consolidate the public opinion foundation for friendship between the two countries. Xi Jinping emphasized that China-Latin America cooperation is an important part of South-South cooperation, conforming to the general trend of world development and historical trends, and serving the common interests of China and Latin American countries. The successful Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum sent a positive signal to the world about seeking common development and revitalization. As the rotating presidency of CELAC, Colombia made significant contributions to the success of the meeting. China is willing to work with Latin American countries, including Colombia, to continuously deepen the building of a China-Latin America community with a shared future, bringing more benefits to the people of China and Latin America. Petro stated that the friendly relationship between Colombia and China has a long history, and Colombia looks forward to deep development of relations with China. Both sides should deepen political mutual trust and strengthen mutual support. They should jointly build the "Belt and Road," expand cooperation in trade, infrastructure, new energy, artificial intelligence, and other fields to improve people's lives. Currently, the international situation is complex and volatile, and the self-serving actions of individual countries are detrimental to the world; all countries should unite to respond. Colombia is willing to work closely with China to uphold international fairness and justice and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. After the meeting, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of the "Cooperation Plan between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Colombia on Jointly Promoting the Construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road." Wang Yi participated in the above activities.

Xi Jinping Meets Chilean President

On the morning of May 14, President Xi Jinping met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who was in China to attend the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Chile. Fifty-five years ago, the older generation of leaders of the two countries, with foresight, broke through the gloom of the Cold War and pioneered the establishment of diplomatic relations between New China and South American countries. For more than half a century, no matter how the international situation changed, the ship of China-Chile relations has always braved the wind and waves, leading the development trend of China's relations with Latin American countries. China and Chile should continuously enrich the contemporary connotation of their comprehensive strategic partnership, build a model of common development between China and Latin America, and an example of South-South cooperation, and jointly promote the cause of human peace and progress. Xi Jinping emphasized that China is willing to work with Chile to consolidate political mutual trust, adhere to mutual respect, equal treatment, and win-win cooperation, strengthen exchanges on governance experience, firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, and safeguard their respective sovereignty, security, and development interests. Both sides should implement the cooperation plan for jointly building the "Belt and Road," deepen cooperation in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery, industrial investment, infrastructure, green minerals, and other fields, and foster new growth points such as astronomy, polar regions, artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and the digital economy. China supports more Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Chile and welcomes more high-quality Chilean products into the Chinese market. Both sides should strengthen exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, carry out exchange activities in education, culture, media, youth, and other fields, facilitate personnel exchanges, and lay a good social and public opinion foundation for the long-term development of bilateral relations. Currently, the international situation is complex and volatile, and unilateralism and protectionism are surging against the tide, seriously impacting the international economic and trade order. As firm defenders of multilateralism and free trade, China and Chile should strengthen multilateral coordination and safeguard the common interests of the Global South. Boric stated that Chile attaches great importance to its relations with China. China has become Chile's most important trading partner, and bilateral cooperation has benefited the people of both countries. Chile will firmly adhere to the One-China principle and looks forward to further expanding cooperation with China in trade, investment, artificial intelligence, and other fields, high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road," strengthening people-to-people exchanges, and promoting more tangible results in Chile-China relations. Countries should adhere to free trade and win-win cooperation, and trade should not only serve the self-interest of one country; launching trade wars is a dead end. Chile is willing to work with China to firmly uphold multilateralism and the authority of the United Nations, adhere to resolving differences through dialogue, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice. Wang Yi participated in the meeting. During Boric's visit to China, both sides signed multiple bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of economy, publishing, inspection and quarantine, and media think tanks.

Li Qiang Congratulates Canadian Prime Minister Carney

On May 13, Premier Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Carney on his assumption of office as Prime Minister of Canada. Li Qiang stated that China attaches importance to the development of China-Canada relations. I am willing to work with Prime Minister Carney, taking the opportunity of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Canada this year, to promote the China-Canada relationship to move forward in the correct direction of improvement and development on the basis of equality and mutual respect, bringing better benefits to both countries and their peoples.

Zhao Leji Meets Latin American Parliamentary Speaker

Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, met with Gabriela Montaño, President of the Latin American Parliament, in Beijing on May 14. Zhao Leji stated that President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum and delivered a keynote speech, proposing five major projects for jointly building a China-Latin America community with a shared future, charting the direction for the development of China-Latin America relations from a strategic height. The National People's Congress of China is willing to take this meeting as an opportunity to deepen friendly relations with the Latin American Parliament and promote the implementation and effectiveness of the meeting's outcomes. He believes that the Latin American Parliament will, as always, firmly adhere to the One-China principle. Both sides should enhance political mutual trust, jointly create a sound legal environment and public opinion foundation for high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" between China and Latin America, strengthen communication in multilateral parliamentary organizations, and contribute to the steady and long-term development of a China-Latin America community with a shared future from the legislative level. Montaño stated that the Latin American Parliament firmly adheres to the One-China principle and is willing to contribute to the implementation of the meeting's outcomes and the promotion of the building of a Latin America-China community with a shared future.

Zhao Leji Meets Central American Parliamentary Speaker

Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, met with Amílcar Pop Hernández, President of the Central American Parliament, in Beijing on May 14. Zhao Leji stated that the keynote speech delivered by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum elaborated on the rich connotations, practical achievements, and broad prospects of the important concept of a China-Latin America community with a shared future, injecting strong impetus into China-Latin America solidarity and progress. The National People's Congress of China is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the Central American Parliament, solidify the political foundation of bilateral relations, promote practical cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination, and contribute to the joint construction of a China-Latin America community with a shared future. Adherence to the One-China principle is a matter of international justice, popular sentiment, and an irreversible trend. He believes that the Central American Parliament will continue to adhere to the One-China principle and firmly support China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Hernández stated that the Central American Parliament firmly adheres to the One-China principle and fully supports the five major projects for jointly building a Latin America-China community with a shared future proposed by President Xi Jinping, and is willing to make unremitting efforts toward this goal. Peng Qinghua participated in the meeting.

Wang Huning Meets Colombian President

Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who was in China to attend the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, in Beijing on May 14. Wang Huning stated that President Xi Jinping held a fruitful meeting with you, and jointly witnessed the signing of important cooperation documents, including Colombia's joining the "Belt and Road" Initiative. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Colombia. China is willing to work with Colombia to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, promote the China-Colombia strategic partnership to deepen and solidify, and benefit the people of both countries. The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is willing to play an active role in this regard. Petro stated that the current world is turbulent, and all countries should work together to safeguard peace and promote common human development. Latin America and China have a natural affinity and should stand together even more. Colombia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and continuously promote the development of Colombia-China and Latin America-China relations.

Wang Huning Meets Zimbabwean Speaker of Parliament

Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of the Zimbabwean Parliament, in Beijing on May 14. Wang Huning stated that last year, President Xi Jinping had in-depth and friendly exchanges with President Mnangagwa, who was in China to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and for a state visit, providing new strategic guidance for the development of China-Zimbabwe relations. China is willing to work with Zimbabwe, guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and taking the implementation of the summit's outcomes as an opportunity, to enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and jointly build a high-level China-Zimbabwe community with a shared future. The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is willing to contribute to promoting the development of bilateral relations. Mudenda stated that Zimbabwe adheres to the One-China principle and sincerely thanks China for its valuable support, hoping that both sides will continuously strengthen exchanges at all levels, including government and people-to-people, and deepen cooperation in fields such as energy, humanities, and the digital economy. The Parliament of Zimbabwe is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and jointly contribute to promoting the economic and social development of both countries. Hu Chunhua and Wang Dongfeng participated in the above meeting.

Cai Qi Meets Mongolian People's Party Delegation

On May 14, Cai Qi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, met with a delegation led by Sukhbaatar Sodbaatar, General Secretary of the Mongolian People's Party, in Beijing. Cai Qi stated that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, China-Mongolia relations have maintained a good momentum of development, steadily moving towards building a community with a shared future characterized by peaceful coexistence, mutual assistance, and win-win cooperation. China is willing to strengthen exchanges and dialogue between ruling parties with Mongolia, deepen strategic mutual trust, promote practical cooperation in various fields, expand friendly exchanges between the people, especially the youth, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on party building, and jointly uphold international fairness and justice. Sodbaatar stated that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Mongolia and China has become a model for neighborly relations, and developing long-term good-neighborly friendship between Mongolia and China is a priority of Mongolia's foreign policy. Mongolia appreciates and supports China's neighborhood diplomacy concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, and is willing to play the role of political parties to continuously deepen political and strategic mutual trust and the alignment of development strategies between Mongolia and China.

Ding Xuexiang Attends and Addresses Opening Ceremony of 2025 World Digital Education Conference

Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Digital Education Conference in Wuhan on the afternoon of May 14. Ding Xuexiang stated that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of digital education. President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to deeply implement the national digital education strategy, build a learning society, and promote the emergence of talents of various types and levels. China is accelerating the construction of a strong education nation and will continue to promote the digital transformation and intelligent upgrading of education, establish and improve a modern digital education system that is fairer, higher quality, more intelligent, and serves lifelong learning for all, better leveraging education's fundamental and strategic supporting role in comprehensively building a socialist modern country. Ding Xuexiang proposed four suggestions for deepening international cooperation in digital education: First, jointly build a high-level international open cooperation system for digital education, strengthen communication on digital education strategies and policies among countries, and accelerate the formation of a new pattern of international cooperation. Second, jointly promote digital technology empowerment for educational transformation and reform, strengthen joint research on common digital education technologies, and launch more services and products that meet different needs. Third, jointly promote the universal sharing of digital education achievements, help developing countries advance digital education, and bridge the development gap. Fourth, jointly strengthen ethical and security safeguards for digital education, strengthen supervision of intelligent education products, tools, and services, and ensure the standardized and orderly development of digital education. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Hang Chuon Naron, attended and addressed the opening ceremony. Before the opening ceremony, Ding Xuexiang visited the exhibition of digital education achievements and interacted with the representatives of participating units.

Han Zheng Meets Chilean President

Vice President Han Zheng met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who was in China to attend the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, in Beijing on May 14. Han Zheng stated that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Chile and the 20th anniversary of the signing of their free trade agreement. For more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have maintained a good momentum of development, consistently ranking at the forefront among Latin American and Caribbean countries. President Xi Jinping just held a fruitful meeting with you, injecting strong impetus into the development of China-Chile relations. China is willing to work with Chile to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continuously solidify political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, strengthen multilateral strategic coordination, promote the development of the China-Chile comprehensive strategic partnership, and make new contributions to building a China-Latin America community with a shared future. Boric stated that the prospects for Chile-China relations are broad. Chile is willing to actively participate in the joint construction of the "Belt and Road," strengthen practical cooperation with China in economic, cultural, social, scientific, and technological fields, jointly address climate change, and uphold multilateralism and world peace.

April Financial Indicators Accelerate, Strongly Supporting Real Economy

Data released by the People's Bank of China today (May 14) shows that in April, major financial indicators saw significantly faster growth compared to the previous month, providing strong support for the real economy. At the end of April, the outstanding social financing scale was approximately 424 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.7%; the balance of broad money (M2) was approximately 325 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.0%, maintaining a high level. From January to April, renminbi loans increased by 10.06 trillion yuan. The credit structure continued to improve, supporting the transformation of the economic structure. In April, inclusive small and micro loans and medium- and long-term manufacturing loans increased by 11.9% and 8.5% year-on-year, respectively, both higher than the growth rate of all loans during the same period. The total financial volume is growing, and financing costs are decreasing. In April, the average interest rate for new corporate loans was approximately 3.2%, about 4 basis points lower than the previous month, remaining at a historically low level.

On the Fields of Hope: China Sees Large-Scale Summer Oil Crop Harvest, Yield Expected to Exceed Last Year

China's summer oil crops are mainly winter rapeseed, and rapeseed oil production accounts for 40% of domestically produced edible vegetable oil. Currently, winter rapeseed in major producing areas has begun large-scale harvesting, and this year's yield per unit area is expected to be higher than last year. The latest agricultural survey by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs shows that over 40% of the national winter rapeseed harvest has been completed. In recent days, Hunan's 22.58 million mu of rapeseed is undergoing large-scale harvesting, with an expected increase of over 140 million jin. In the Zixing rice-oil rotation ten-thousand-mu demonstration area, experts conducted actual yield measurements on winter rapeseed planted using reasonable close-planting new technology, and the yield was better than expected. Sichuan's 21.75 million mu of rapeseed harvest is entering its peak. This year, the local area has built 190 new rapeseed thousand-mu high-yield demonstration plots and 70 hundred-mu ultra-high-yield breakthrough plots, driving large-area balanced yield increase through demonstration. In the Santai County hundred-mu ultra-high-yield breakthrough plot, the rapeseed yield per mu reached 450 jin. Hubei's more than 19 million mu of rapeseed are successively maturing, with an expected increase of over 5%, possibly setting a new historical high. In Jingmen, the local area is fully promoting the two-stage harvesting technology, first cutting and drying the rapeseed, and then picking up and threshing it, reducing the machine harvesting loss rate from 30% during one-time harvesting to within 8%. Guizhou's 8.63 million mu of rapeseed have entered the concentrated harvest period. This year, the local area is focusing on promoting 15 sets of high-yield technologies and 21 excellent varieties to promote large-area yield improvement. In Xingyi, a county that has comprehensively promoted rapeseed yield improvement, the high-oil and high-yield varieties show a clear increasing trend. This year, the central government has allocated over 3 billion yuan in project funds, including rewards for major oil-producing counties, crop rotation, green high-quality and efficient actions, and yield improvement for large-scale operating entities, specifically supporting rapeseed production. The area of winter rapeseed is expected to exceed 110 million mu, achieving high-level growth. At the same time, the state is deeply implementing the large-area yield improvement action for rapeseed, and is promoting more than 30 sets of green and efficient technical models adapted to local conditions. According to field surveys by experts, the yield per unit area of winter rapeseed is expected to be further improved.

US Adjusts Tariffs on Chinese Goods

According to the "Executive Order on Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Discussions with the People's Republic of China" issued by the U.S. White House on May 12, the U.S. side, at 0:01 AM EDT on May 14, revoked the 91% tariffs imposed on Chinese goods (including goods from Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR) under Executive Order 14259 of April 8, 2025, and Executive Order 14266 of April 9, 2025. It also modified the 34% reciprocal tariff measures imposed on Chinese goods (including goods from Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR) under Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, where 24% of the tariffs are suspended for 90 days, retaining the remaining 10%. At the same time, the U.S. side also lowered or revoked tariffs imposed on small parcels from China (including small parcels from Hong Kong SAR), reducing the ad valorem rate for international mail from 120% to 54%, and revoking the measure originally scheduled to increase the specific duty from $100 per piece to $200 per piece starting from June 1, 2025. In view of the U.S. side revoking, suspending, or adjusting relevant tariffs on China based on the consensus reached during high-level China-U.S. economic and trade talks, China will accordingly adjust its relevant tariff and non-tariff countermeasures against the U.S.

2025 China Cyber Civilization Conference to be Held in Hefei, Anhui

The State Council Information Office held a press conference today (May 14), where relevant officials from the Cyberspace Administration of China and Anhui Province introduced the preparations for the "2025 China Cyber Civilization Conference." The conference, with the theme of "Gathering Positive Energy on the Internet, Leading a New Trend of the Times," will be held in Hefei, Anhui, from June 10 to 11. It will include an opening ceremony and main forum, 14 sub-forums, and a "Technology Illuminates Cyber Civilization Time and Space" thematic event. Currently, all preparatory work is basically ready. According to reports, the conference will also release outstanding cases of cyber civilization construction in 2025, a youth cyber civilization initiative, and launch the 2025 National Digital Literacy and Skills Improvement Month activity.

Domestic News Briefs

In the first four months, imports and exports of the 9 mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area maintained stable growth. According to statistics from the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs, in the first four months of this year, the imports and exports of the 9 mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area totaled 2.85 trillion yuan, an increase of 5.4%, accounting for 96.4% of Guangdong's total imports and exports. In terms of exports, "new three items" (electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar cells) and motorcycles saw an increase of over 40%; in terms of imports, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, computers and components, and some consumer goods for daily use grew rapidly. China successfully launched the Space Computing Satellite Constellation. At 12:12 PM today (May 14), China successfully launched the first batch of 12 satellites of the Space Computing Satellite Constellation into their predetermined orbits using a Long March 2D carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The Space Computing Satellite Constellation plans to build a space computing infrastructure composed of 2,800 satellites to achieve "computing power in space and in-orbit networking" to meet the growing demand for real-time space computing. "Hualong One" Global First Reactor Achieves 1,000 Consecutive Days of Safe Operation. Journalists learned from China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) that from 2022 to date, Unit 5 of the Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant, the global first reactor of "Hualong One," has achieved 1,000 consecutive days of safe operation, generating a cumulative total of 37 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, marking that China's nuclear power technology possesses sustainable operational capabilities and further verifying the safety and advancement of China's independent third-generation nuclear power technology "Hualong One." Daidongxiang Water Conservancy Project Generates Over 20 Billion Kilowatt-Hours of Electricity. Since the first unit started generating electricity at the end of April 2020, as of 5:00 AM today (May 14), the Daidongxiang Water Conservancy Project located in Guiping City, Guangxi, has generated a cumulative total of over 20 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to saving 6.6 million tons of standard coal. The Daidongxiang Water Conservancy Project has a total installed capacity of 1.6 million kilowatts and is an important node project of the national water network. China's First "Single-Bill" Cross-Border Rail-Sea Intermodal Train Departs. This afternoon (May 14), a cross-border train loaded with goods from South Korea departed from Yantai Port in Shandong province, heading for Kyrgyzstan. This is China's first "single-bill" cross-border rail-sea intermodal train. Because the entire journey only requires one waybill, reducing multiple transfer procedures, the transportation time has been shortened from the previous 25 days to about 12 days.

Hand in Hand, Writing a New Chapter in Building a China-Latin America Community of Shared Future – Latin American Circles Highly Praise President Xi Jinping's Keynote Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum

Various sectors in Latin America highly praised President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum. People from various Latin American circles stated that the speech expounded on the rich connotations, practical achievements, and broad prospects of the important concept of a China-Latin America community with a shared future, and proposed new initiatives and measures for the development of Latin America-China relations, charting the direction for Latin America and China to work hand in hand, seek common development and revitalization, and compose a new chapter for the Latin America-China community with a shared future. Latin American figures pointed out that China and Latin American and Caribbean countries are important members of the Global South and are comprehensive partners for equal mutual benefit and common development. In the current major changes in the world, stronger solidarity and coordination between Latin America and China, practicing true multilateralism, set an example for South-South cooperation.

Israeli Military Airstrikes Gaza Strip, 56 Dead

According to the Palestinian Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli forces launched airstrikes in northern Gaza and other areas early this morning (May 14), killing 56 people and injuring more than 100. UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Gaza humanitarian situation. On May 13, the UN Security Council held an emergency open meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. UN Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths stated that the entire Gaza Strip faces famine, a collapsed healthcare system, and blocked humanitarian aid, and he called on the Security Council to take decisive action. Yemen's Houthi rebels claim to have attacked Israeli targets. According to a statement issued by Yemen's Houthi rebels, from May 13 to 14, the group carried out three missile attacks on Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. Air raid sirens sounded in several areas of Israel today. The Israeli military stated that it intercepted missiles from the direction of Yemen today. The Israeli military also intercepted missiles launched from Yemen on May 13.

International News Briefs

Russia and Ukraine separately stated preparations for talks in Turkey. Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on May 13 that Russia is preparing for talks with Ukraine to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 15, and will announce the Russian representative at an appropriate time. The Ukrainian Presidential Office said on the same day that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to go to Turkey for negotiations, but Zelensky will not hold talks with any other Russian representatives besides Russian President Vladimir Putin. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) lowers growth forecast for the region. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) released its latest "Regional Economic Prospects" report on May 13, stating that due to factors such as uncertainty caused by U.S. tariff policies and weak external demand, it has lowered its economic growth forecast for its operating region, including Central and Eastern Europe, by 0.2 percentage points to 3% for 2025. This is the second time the EBRD has lowered this forecast after a 0.3 percentage point reduction in February. On the same day, the German Institute for Economic Research released a report stating that due to factors such as U.S. tariff policies, the German economy is expected to shrink by 0.2% this year, which would be the third consecutive year of contraction for the German economy. Attorneys general from 20 U.S. states sue federal government for unconstitutionality. On May 13, the attorneys general of 20 U.S. states, including California and Illinois, jointly sued the U.S. federal government, accusing the U.S. government of using federal grants as leverage to demand states cooperate with immigration enforcement actions, which they claim is unconstitutional. According to U.S. media reports, the current U.S. administration's policies on tariffs, immigration, and agency restructuring have sparked controversy and numerous lawsuits within the United States. As of now, related lawsuits have reached 203. Italy's Mount Etna erupts again. Mount Etna, a volcano in southern Italy, erupted again recently, spewing lava flows and volcanic ash. According to local media reports, volcanic ash fell on nearby towns. Mount Etna, with an altitude of over 3,300 meters, is Europe's highest and most active volcano, and has experienced more than 10 violent activities in recent months.

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