The opening ceremony of the China-Russia Forum of Media was held on June 25 in St Petersburg, Russia, and cooperation agreements were signed. Liu Qibao (center), head of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, called Sino-Russian ties one of the country's most important bilateral relationships. Ren Qi / China Daily

China, Russia media giants sign deals

Media giants of China and Russia signed a series of cooperation deals and memorandums on June 25 in the city of St Petersburg, Russia, another sign that the two countries are having a closer all-round relationship.

China Central Television, People's Daily, China Radio International and China News Service are among the Chinese joining hands with their Russian counterparts including Russian Today television, Russian Today news agency and TASS news agency.

The deals were inked on the sidelines of the China-Russian Forum of Media. Under the deals, those news organizations will exchange contents and staff as well as co-produce special projects.

Liu Qibao, the head of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, witnessed the signings while acknowledging Sino-Russian ties had become one of the most important bilateral relations.

Chinese scientists honored with award

Three scientists, two Chinese and one American, have been named as recipients of the 2015 Bernd T. Matthias Prize for Superconducting Materials, an international prize awarded for innovative contributions to the field.

The winners are Chen Xianhui of the University of Science and Technology of China, Zhao Zhongxian of the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Zachary Fisk of the University of California-Irvine. The prize, considered as the top on in superconductivity field, was created in 1989 in memory of Bernd T. Matthias, a German-born American physicist noted for his discovery of nearly 1,000 superconducting materials. The award is granted every three years.

Fugitives returned from Indonesia

Six fugitives were returned to China from Indonesia on June 21, the Ministry of Public Security said. They join the 256 fugitives who have been returned to China from more than 30 countries and regions since Operation Fox Hunt started in April.

Interpol had issued notices for three of the six suspects, including one who is suspected of contract fraud involving about 10 million yuan ($1.63 million).

Special care for childless seniors

Beijing is to set up a nursing home to care for senior citizens who have lost their only child and to provide targeted services.

No 5 Welfare Nursing Home was chosen as a pilot project to receive seniors whose only child died because of disease or accident, the Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau said.

The latest official statistics show that, in 2013, 8,781 seniors in Beijing lost their only child.

Third agriculture survey next year

China will conduct its third national agriculture survey in 2016, collecting basic information on agriculture, rural areas and farmers. Central authorities will use the data in decision-making, the State Council said on June 22. Previous surveys were carried out in 1997 and 2006.

Exhibition sets Guinness record

A Tibetan Buddhist shrine in Shangri-La has set a Guinness World Record on June 21 for the largest exhibition of thangka, which are traditional scroll paintings. Guinness representative Gulnaz Ukassova conferred the certificate at the opening of the exhibit of 1,699 paintings, which marked the inauguration of the center.

Regions simplify procedures for imports

Provinces and regions along the proposed Silk Road Economic Belt are working together to boost trade by reducing the red tape required for exports and imports, specifically targeting inspection and quarantine regulations.

The reform, which takes effect on July 1, includes the 10 provinces and regions that stretch the 4,000 kilometers from Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, to Alataw Pass in the northwestern Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The reform aims to "optimize and simplify inspection and quarantine procedures between places of origin and ports of entry, which help lower the burden of companies", said Zhou Jian'an, head of the Shandong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.

Calls for further China, US cultural exchanges

Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong has called for further exchanges in culture and art between China and the United States.

Speaking before the opening concert of the China-US Composers Project in Washington on June 22, she said music has no boundaries and can play a unique role in the exchanges between China and the United States. The composers and performers taking part in the project will find inspiration during such exchanges and their music will help foster a closer bond between the peoples, she added.

Evan Ryan, US assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, said that, over the past year, the US government has sent musicians, dancers, filmmakers, writers and students to China for cultural exchange programs.

Official underlines defense technology

A senior military leader has called for accelerated innovation and development of China's national defense technology.

"China is in a crucial transition from big to strong, and our military's equipment construction is shifting from catchup research to independent innovation," Xu Qiliang, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, said in a statement. He said priorities should be given to research in basic and cutting-edge fields, and research achievements must be transformed into advanced production and combat abilities in a timely fashion.

The remarks came as Xu conducted inspections in Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui.

More policies to encourage rural startups

The State Council has announced policies to encourage migrant workers, college graduates and discharged soldiers to return to their rural hometowns and start small businesses.

Issued on June 21, the policy package is the latest move to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation to boost jobs and drive economic growth.

The government promised to ease the business registration procedure for small businesses and allow them to enter rural infrastructure development and public services that are normally operated by the government.

They will enjoy waivers or reductions of taxes and administrative fees, be considered for government funds for agricultural development, and be offered certain allowances, according to the policies.

The government also promised to introduce startups to private investors and to encourage state-run rural banks to provide loans.

Nadja Santer and Kirsten Palme, both from Austria, show certificates in Vienna on June 22 identifying them as panda fans. Qian Yi / Xinhua

(China Daily European Weekly 06/26/2015 page2)