tass--2020-12-16--Hainan's Haikou becomes best city for New Year festivities with media support

HAIKOU , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
The administrative center of Hainan this month received the status of `` the city most suitable for celebrating the New Year '' in China .
Haikou was awarded this honorary title thanks to the action initiated by the main party newspaper of the country , People 's Daily .
At the same time , in city , located on the northern coast of the island , a program was launched to promote recreation during the winter season : in the near future , the authorities plan to hold more than 200 cultural and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by many commercial organizations , including multinational companies .
It is assumed that thanks to the assistance of the authorities and business , Haikou will experience a real consumer boom during the New Year holidays .
Local travel agencies advise tourists to not only visit shows , festive performances , numerous shops , and restaurants offering a wide range of traditional dishes for every taste , but also to pay attention to picturesque landscape attractions located both within the city and beyond .
In addition , a New Year 's festival will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satellite TV channel of Hunan Province ( central part of the country ) , which will bring musical bands and stars all across China .
At the same time , there will be football matches , a sailing ship parade , youth roller skating competitions .
Duty free stores , which were significantly expanded by the end of 2020 , will become one of the important incentives for consumption in the city .
Thanks to this , Hainan residents and guests will be able to purchase high-quality products from the ever-increasing list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading brands at relatively low prices .
According to the plan of the Chinese government , the southernmost province of China should become a popular destination for almost all categories of tourists , from the youngest to the elderly .
The authorities are actively working to find new ways to boost Hainan as an advanced international consumer zone .

HAIKOU, December 16. /TASS/. The administrative center of Hainan this month received the status of "the city most suitable for celebrating the New Year" in China. Haikou was awarded this honorary title thanks to the action initiated by the main party newspaper of the country, People's Daily.
At the same time, in city, located on the northern coast of the island, a program was launched to promote recreation during the winter season: in the near future, the authorities plan to hold more than 200 cultural and entertainment events. The project was supported by many commercial organizations, including multinational companies. It is assumed that thanks to the assistance of the authorities and business, Haikou will experience a real consumer boom during the New Year holidays.
Local travel agencies advise tourists to not only visit shows, festive performances, numerous shops, and restaurants offering a wide range of traditional dishes for every taste, but also to pay attention to picturesque landscape attractions located both within the city and beyond.
In addition, a New Year's festival will be held in Haikou, organized by the satellite TV channel of Hunan Province (central part of the country), which will bring musical bands and stars all across China. At the same time, there will be football matches, a sailing ship parade, youth roller skating competitions.
Duty free stores, which were significantly expanded by the end of 2020, will become one of the important incentives for consumption in the city. Thanks to this, Hainan residents and guests will be able to purchase high-quality products from the ever-increasing list of the product range of the world's leading brands at relatively low prices.
According to the plan of the Chinese government, the southernmost province of China should become a popular destination for almost all categories of tourists, from the youngest to the elderly. The authorities are actively working to find new ways to boost Hainan as an advanced international consumer zone.


tass--2020-12-16--‘Comical’: Russia’s EU envoy derides Navalny’s claims about being tailed by intel services

MOSCOW , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny ’ s allegations that he was followed on his trips by agents of the special services , who were trying to poison him , sound ridiculous , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said at an online briefing on Wednesday .
Criminal case on Navalny incident can not be opened in Russia so far , says Putin When asked by the reporters to comment on Navalny ’ s latest video in which he blames the Russian special services for his poisoning , Chizhov noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` On the one hand , it looks comical , '' the diplomat said .
`` On the other hand , [ this situation ] brings up numerous questions about who initially stood to benefit from that . ''
`` It is obvious that against a backdrop of pandemic and other news , Navalny ’ s fate has begun receding into the shadows .
Perhaps , the man felt offended and decided to keep up the interest [ in his affair ] , '' Chizhov assumed .
`` It is also interesting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our special services , but now his focus has shifted to the other . ''

MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. Russian blogger Alexei Navalny’s allegations that he was followed on his trips by agents of the special services, who were trying to poison him, sound ridiculous, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said at an online briefing on Wednesday.
Criminal case on Navalny incident cannot be opened in Russia so far, says Putin
When asked by the reporters to comment on Navalny’s latest video in which he blames the Russian special services for his poisoning, Chizhov noted that those allegations had no logic.
"On the one hand, it looks comical," the diplomat said. "On the other hand, [this situation] brings up numerous questions about who initially stood to benefit from that."
"It is obvious that against a backdrop of pandemic and other news, Navalny’s fate has begun receding into the shadows. Perhaps, the man felt offended and decided to keep up the interest [in his affair]," Chizhov assumed. "It is also interesting that originally he put the blame on one of our special services, but now his focus has shifted to the other."


tass--2020-12-16--Hainan authorities vow to search for new opportunities to develop free trade port

HAIKOU , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
Shen Xiaoming , Hainan 's Party Secretary , ordered to look for new opportunities to boost the development of the regional free trade port , announced the administration of the island on Wednesday .
`` It is necessary to liberate thinking , boldly experiment , be ready for innovation .
In order to create Hainan 's free trade port , we have to get rid of the old way of thinking , '' the head of the island 's administration emphasized .
According to him , a new breakthrough may occur in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of government structures at all levels , taking into account the innovative ideas of Chinese President Xi Jinping .
The provincial leader recalled that the progress in development Hainan has managed to achieve over the past 30 years has become possible primarily due to modernization and new thinking .
`` Only this '' magic weapon `` can pave the way for us to build a free port with Chinese features , '' said Shen Xiaoming .
The secretary of the party committee specified that the future success of the southernmost Chinese province also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the true essence of things , learn from successful examples , and study the experience of both China and other countries . ''
`` We must resolutely avoid those innovations that can not bring us any practical benefit , or will have a limited positive effect on socio-economic development , '' the official said .
In April 2018 , President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province .
By 2050 , according to the authorities , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an advanced economy , developed tourism , top-notch scientific , technical and financial potential , and modern medicine .
The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan .

HAIKOU, December 16. /TASS/. Shen Xiaoming, Hainan's Party Secretary, ordered to look for new opportunities to boost the development of the regional free trade port, announced the administration of the island on Wednesday.
"It is necessary to liberate thinking, boldly experiment, be ready for innovation. In order to create Hainan's free trade port, we have to get rid of the old way of thinking ," the head of the island's administration emphasized. According to him, a new breakthrough may occur in the near future thanks to the coordinated efforts of government structures at all levels, taking into account the innovative ideas of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The provincial leader recalled that the progress in development Hainan has managed to achieve over the past 30 years has become possible primarily due to modernization and new thinking. "Only this" magic weapon "can pave the way for us to build a free port with Chinese features," said Shen Xiaoming.
The secretary of the party committee specified that the future success of the southernmost Chinese province also depends on "the ability to see the true essence of things, learn from successful examples, and study the experience of both China and other countries." "We must resolutely avoid those innovations that cannot bring us any practical benefit, or will have a limited positive effect on socio-economic development," the official said.
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province. By 2050, according to the authorities, the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy, developed tourism, top-notch scientific, technical and financial potential, and modern medicine. The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan.


tass--2020-12-16--Press review: US Electoral College confirms Biden win and Navalny points finger at FSB

The US Electoral College officially confirmed Democrat Joe Biden ’ s election victory on December 14 .
The Democrat received 306 votes , while incumbent President Donald Trump secured 232 votes , Izvestia informs , adding that despite this , incumbent US President Donald Trump still has not conceded the election .
It seems that Trump plans to contest the election results further .
Experts quizzed by Izvestia point out that although the Electoral College has cemented Biden ’ s win , the political situation will begin to stabilize only in January 2021 , when the Congress confirms the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on December 15 , Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Biden on his win .
That said , the Trump team continues to contest the results of the election in court .
President of the American University in Moscow Edward Lozansky told the paper that the incumbent president ’ s lawyers filed several additional lawsuits , including one submitted to the US Supreme Court .
`` However , it is clear at this point that this is useless .
While the majority of Conservative members of the Supreme Court think that the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News , 77 % of Republicans and 10 % of Democrats are of this opinion ) , they decided to sacrifice their principles and save the country from large-scale riots and violence , as Trump supporters are not known for this , unlike the left .
If the Supreme Court took Trump ’ s side , the country would plunge into chaos , '' the expert said .
President of the Center on Global Interests in Washington Nikolai Zlobin told the paper that the US public has different opinions on Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s doing a great job , he fights like a lion using all legal means , spending money and energy .
Some think that the man does not know how to lose , which is a disadvantage for a politician , he needs to move on to a new fight instead of going on about the old one .
Many don ’ t like this , including the Republicans .
We have entered uncharted territory .
A large share of Trump supporters think that the election was a fraud , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Zlobin stated .
In many ways , the development of the political situation will depend on what Trump thinks the future holds for him .
If he wants to stay in politics , for example , and establish his wing within the Republican Party and be the leader of ‘ Trumpism ’ , he needs to act in accordance with US tradition , the expert noted .
However , it is unclear so far how his behavior affects the position of Republicans in general .
On December 15 , Russian opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be launched into his alleged poisoning attempt after an investigation by The Insider and Bellingcat allegedly linking Russia ’ s FSB to the case was published , Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports , noting that this activity may be timed to coincide with the annual press conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin set for December 17 .
Earlier , The Insider , Bellingcat and CNN , aided by Germany ’ s Der Spiegel daily and Navalny himself , published an investigation which claimed that a group of active FSB agents are involved in the opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of the Central Committee of the Russian Communist Party Sergei Obukhov told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that investigations involving accusations against Putin and details of his personal life have become a common affair .
`` A desacralization and even demonization of the head of state is underway , '' he said , listing several possible factors behind it .
One of the versions is a split within the Russian establishment , he said , while the second version is geopolitical : `` It is clear that stability is pinned to the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well , and perhaps , there may be special , influential groups that decided to strike at [ Putin ’ s ] underpinning .
Obviously , the FSB can not hold such investigations alone , '' Obukhov stated .
The politician added that the investigation into Navalny ’ s poisoning was published in the run-up to Putin ’ s annual press conference for a reason .
`` The liberal opposition simply used this situation to distract from the pro-government agenda .
It was clear that the president was planning to reassure the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being practically a terrorist state . ''
For his part , President of the Russian Association of Political Consultants Alexei Kurtov assumed that the timing of the publication may be accidental .
`` Usually , such things are in the works for a long time , foreign intelligence takes months to prepare , and there were reports about it a couple of months ago . ''
However , if someone did try to time the accusations to the president ’ s press conference , they might have struck out , Kurtov said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters fast , and the questions during the press conference are `` 100 % scrutinized beforehand , so there can be no accidents . ''
The expert said that he would look for interested parties abroad .
`` Of course , this is not an initiative of Navalny and the opposition , but Navalny is using the situation for his own PR .
If he plans to return to Russia and work in politics , he needs protection , including media protection , '' the expert pointed out .
Lately , relations between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharply , Izvestia reports .
Earlier , the EU decided to expand sanctions against Turkey for drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean .
Washington also hammered out a set of restrictive measures to punish Ankara for purchasing Russia ’ s S-400 missile systems .
The Turkish government has taken a rather restrained reaction to the unfriendly steps of its allies so far .
In any case , Turkey does not intend to leave NATO , since this is not in its interest , Turkish political analyst Serkan Demirtas told Izvestia .
Ankara has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy has close ties to the West , he noted , adding that the alliance does not want to ruin relations with Turkey completely either .
The political commentator added that the looming US presidency of Joe Biden promises a more stable Transatlantic partnership .
According to Demirtas , European leaders noted that the EU would coordinate issues relating to Turkey and the situation in Eastern Mediterranean with the US , which means that Brussels will wait and see how the relationship between Turkey and the US is going to develop under a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Ankara , as it needs a stronger Turkey , Senior Researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations Vladimir Avatkov told Izvestia .
`` However , at the same time , the increasing independence of Ankara does not mean that it will have a more positive policy on Russia .
Moreover , it can act more aggressively due to a lack of resources to carry out an offensive-dominated foreign policy , '' the expert said .
Russian peacekeepers have settled an incident in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in favor of Baku , with the territory marked as Azerbaijanian on a new map .
A video published on Telegram channels showed Armenian soldiers handing over their guns .
It turns out that the conflict sides have a different interpretation of the statement made by Russian , Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders on November 10 .
Baku is confident that the Armenian forces must leave the entire region of Nagorno-Karabakh , while Yerevan thinks that the agreement only concerns the territories around the unrecognized republic , Kommersant reports .
`` Yes , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peacekeepers , '' Azerbaijani political analyst and an expert with the Valdai Discussion Club Farkhad Mammadov told Kommersant .
`` The Azerbaijani public has focused on the fourth provision of the November 10 agreement , which says that `` the peacekeeping contingency of the Russian Federation is deployed at the same time as the pullout of the Armenian Armed Forces . ''
We see that the peacekeeping mission has been deployed fully , in addition , a hospital has been opened , and an inter-agency humanitarian center , but there are still armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We think that they represent a threat not only to the Azerbaijanis , but first and foremost to the Russian peacekeepers . ''
Yerevan interprets the text of the agreement differently : according to Kommersant ’ s Armenian sources , the first provision is the one that should take precedence .
The provision says that after a full ceasefire at midnight on November 10 , Azerbaijan and Armenia keep their positions .
That is , the provinces near Hadrut should remain under the control of the Armenian and Nagorno-Karabakh forces .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kommersant that this interpretation is wrong and that Armenia should pull out its forces from the entire territory of Nagorno-Karabakh .
Armenian political analyst Vigen Akopyan said that the government ’ s stance on this demand depends on whether it came as a surprise or not .
`` If this was an unpleasant surprise for them , this is one thing .
But if it was a secret agreement , for example , in a package with a prisoner swap , the relations won ’ t be affected , '' he noted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a prisoner exchange , with 44 Armenian prisoners swapped for 14 Azerbaijani ones .
However , Akopyan added that `` the Armenian government is not in a position right now to change its stance on the Russian peacekeepers . ''
Russia ’ s unemployment rate has reached a high not seen in a decade , Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports .
Millions of unemployed workers have made their voices heard by applying to employment services .
The SuperJob recruitment portal told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that the real unemployment numbers are much higher than the official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mln people in Russia may be jobless .
The main lesson of 2020 is that workers should learn to adapt to new work formats , the paper says .
`` According to the SuperJob portal , there are twice as many jobless Russians that are not registered at unemployment offices and do not receive benefits than those who are officially unemployed .
That is , the number of registered unemployed workers should be multiplied by three to get the real picture on the labor market , '' representatives of the company told Nezavisimaya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be about 10.5 mln unemployed people in Russia right now .
`` We expect that in 2021 , the number of new employment offers will go down , so the search for a new job may take longer .
It is likely that many companies will wait for the crisis trends to end before resuming an active search for employees , '' Anna Mikheeva , an HR director at Hays recruitment company , told the paper .
Besides , the situation with working from home has shown how quickly Russian companies have managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the key trends that has had a huge effect on the labor market and will continue to have it is the telework format , '' Mikheeva said .
`` The approval of the telework law , which has practically cemented the relations between employers and employees , will facilitate it .
It is likely that after the restrictions are lifted , a hybrid working format will remain in place , when employees work from the office some days , and some days they work from home . ''
TASS is not responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviews .

Izvestia: Democrat Joe Biden officially wins US presidential race
Read also Putin congratulates Joe Biden on US presidential election victory
The US Electoral College officially confirmed Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory on December 14. The Democrat received 306 votes, while incumbent President Donald Trump secured 232 votes, Izvestia informs, adding that despite this, incumbent US President Donald Trump still has not conceded the election. It seems that Trump plans to contest the election results further. Experts quizzed by Izvestia point out that although the Electoral College has cemented Biden’s win, the political situation will begin to stabilize only in January 2021, when the Congress confirms the results of the electoral college vote. Meanwhile, on December 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Biden on his win. That said, the Trump team continues to contest the results of the election in court. President of the American University in Moscow Edward Lozansky told the paper that the incumbent president’s lawyers filed several additional lawsuits, including one submitted to the US Supreme Court. "However, it is clear at this point that this is useless. While the majority of Conservative members of the Supreme Court think that the election was stolen from them (according to Fox News, 77% of Republicans and 10% of Democrats are of this opinion), they decided to sacrifice their principles and save the country from large-scale riots and violence, as Trump supporters are not known for this, unlike the left. If the Supreme Court took Trump’s side, the country would plunge into chaos," the expert said. President of the Center on Global Interests in Washington Nikolai Zlobin told the paper that the US public has different opinions on Trump’s behavior. "Some say: he’s doing a great job, he fights like a lion using all legal means, spending money and energy. Some think that the man does not know how to lose, which is a disadvantage for a politician, he needs to move on to a new fight instead of going on about the old one. Many don’t like this, including the Republicans. We have entered uncharted territory. A large share of Trump supporters think that the election was a fraud, and they can consider Biden an illegitimate president," Zlobin stated. In many ways, the development of the political situation will depend on what Trump thinks the future holds for him. If he wants to stay in politics, for example, and establish his wing within the Republican Party and be the leader of ‘Trumpism’, he needs to act in accordance with US tradition, the expert noted. However, it is unclear so far how his behavior affects the position of Republicans in general. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Bellingcat investigation links Russia’s FSB to Navalny’s alleged poisoning
Read also Criminal case on Navalny incident cannot be opened in Russia so far, says Putin
On December 15, Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny demanded that criminal proceedings be launched into his alleged poisoning attempt after an investigation by The Insider and Bellingcat allegedly linking Russia’s FSB to the case was published, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports, noting that this activity may be timed to coincide with the annual press conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin set for December 17. Earlier, The Insider, Bellingcat and CNN, aided by Germany’s Der Spiegel daily and Navalny himself, published an investigation which claimed that a group of active FSB agents are involved in the opposition figure’s alleged poisoning attempt. Secretary of the Central Committee of the Russian Communist Party Sergei Obukhov told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that investigations involving accusations against Putin and details of his personal life have become a common affair. "A desacralization and even demonization of the head of state is underway," he said, listing several possible factors behind it. One of the versions is a split within the Russian establishment, he said, while the second version is geopolitical: "It is clear that stability is pinned to the president’s ratings. It is clear abroad as well, and perhaps, there may be special, influential groups that decided to strike at [Putin’s] underpinning. Obviously, the FSB cannot hold such investigations alone," Obukhov stated. The politician added that the investigation into Navalny’s poisoning was published in the run-up to Putin’s annual press conference for a reason. "The liberal opposition simply used this situation to distract from the pro-government agenda. It was clear that the president was planning to reassure the population, and there are accusations of Russia being practically a terrorist state." For his part, President of the Russian Association of Political Consultants Alexei Kurtov assumed that the timing of the publication may be accidental. "Usually, such things are in the works for a long time, foreign intelligence takes months to prepare, and there were reports about it a couple of months ago." However, if someone did try to time the accusations to the president’s press conference, they might have struck out, Kurtov said, noting that Putin never comments on such matters fast, and the questions during the press conference are "100% scrutinized beforehand, so there can be no accidents." The expert said that he would look for interested parties abroad. "Of course, this is not an initiative of Navalny and the opposition, but Navalny is using the situation for his own PR. If he plans to return to Russia and work in politics, he needs protection, including media protection," the expert pointed out. Izvestia: EU, US mull widening sanctions against Turkey
Lately, relations between Ankara and its NATO allies have deteriorated sharply, Izvestia reports. Earlier, the EU decided to expand sanctions against Turkey for drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean. Washington also hammered out a set of restrictive measures to punish Ankara for purchasing Russia’s S-400 missile systems. The Turkish government has taken a rather restrained reaction to the unfriendly steps of its allies so far. In any case, Turkey does not intend to leave NATO, since this is not in its interest, Turkish political analyst Serkan Demirtas told Izvestia. Ankara has no alternatives to NATO, and the Turkish economy has close ties to the West, he noted, adding that the alliance does not want to ruin relations with Turkey completely either. The political commentator added that the looming US presidency of Joe Biden promises a more stable Transatlantic partnership. According to Demirtas, European leaders noted that the EU would coordinate issues relating to Turkey and the situation in Eastern Mediterranean with the US, which means that Brussels will wait and see how the relationship between Turkey and the US is going to develop under a new administration. NATO is increasing pressure on Ankara, as it needs a stronger Turkey, Senior Researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations Vladimir Avatkov told Izvestia. "However, at the same time, the increasing independence of Ankara does not mean that it will have a more positive policy on Russia. Moreover, it can act more aggressively due to a lack of resources to carry out an offensive-dominated foreign policy," the expert said. Kommersant: Armenia, Azerbaijan clash over interpretation of ceasefire agreement
Read also Pashinyan says Baku’s actions in Karabakh aimed against Russian peacekeepers
Russian peacekeepers have settled an incident in the Nagorno-Karabakh villages of Hin Tager and Htsaberd in favor of Baku, with the territory marked as Azerbaijanian on a new map. A video published on Telegram channels showed Armenian soldiers handing over their guns. It turns out that the conflict sides have a different interpretation of the statement made by Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders on November 10. Baku is confident that the Armenian forces must leave the entire region of Nagorno-Karabakh, while Yerevan thinks that the agreement only concerns the territories around the unrecognized republic, Kommersant reports. "Yes, there was dissatisfaction with the activity of the peacekeepers," Azerbaijani political analyst and an expert with the Valdai Discussion Club Farkhad Mammadov told Kommersant. "The Azerbaijani public has focused on the fourth provision of the November 10 agreement, which says that "the peacekeeping contingency of the Russian Federation is deployed at the same time as the pullout of the Armenian Armed Forces." We see that the peacekeeping mission has been deployed fully, in addition, a hospital has been opened, and an inter-agency humanitarian center, but there are still armed people [Armenians - Kommersant]. We think that they represent a threat not only to the Azerbaijanis, but first and foremost to the Russian peacekeepers." Yerevan interprets the text of the agreement differently: according to Kommersant’s Armenian sources, the first provision is the one that should take precedence. The provision says that after a full ceasefire at midnight on November 10, Azerbaijan and Armenia keep their positions. That is, the provinces near Hadrut should remain under the control of the Armenian and Nagorno-Karabakh forces. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva told Kommersant that this interpretation is wrong and that Armenia should pull out its forces from the entire territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian political analyst Vigen Akopyan said that the government’s stance on this demand depends on whether it came as a surprise or not. "If this was an unpleasant surprise for them, this is one thing. But if it was a secret agreement, for example, in a package with a prisoner swap, the relations won’t be affected," he noted. On December 14, Azerbaijan and Armenia held a prisoner exchange, with 44 Armenian prisoners swapped for 14 Azerbaijani ones. However, Akopyan added that "the Armenian government is not in a position right now to change its stance on the Russian peacekeepers." Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Millions of Russians left jobless in 2020
Read also Number of unemployed in Russia due to coronavirus may grow to 8 mln


tass--2020-12-16--World's oldest hospitality school to help Hainan in personnel training

HAIKOU , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
Lausanne School of Hospitality Management ( EHL ) will organize the programs for highly qualified personnel in the southern Chinese province of Hainan , Xinhua announced on Tuesday .
The school signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Hainan province to develop the education system and train high-level specialists .
The Swiss university will open its own independent office there and set up international undergraduate programs .
Cooperation agreements with Hainan in the field of education were also signed by leading Chinese universities : the China-European International Business School ( centrally subordinated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University ( Shenzhen city , Guangdong province ) , Nankai University ( centrally subordinated to Tianjin ) and Henan University ( Kaifeng City , Henan Province ) .
Lausanne School of Hospitality Management was founded in 1893 and is the world 's first educational institution specializing in the hotel business .
This university is considered one of the best educational institutions in the field of hotel management .
According to the information portal `` Top Universities '' , in 2019 and 2020 , the school topped the list of the best universities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the implementation of Hainan 's free trade port projects , the local administration pays great attention to training and attracting highly qualified personnel to the province .
In order to do so , the Chinese authorities create attractive conditions for investors and form a developed research infrastructure in the province .
According to the government plan , by 2050 , this region will become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy with the campuses of leading universities , advanced laboratories and the headquarters of world corporations .

HAIKOU, December 16. /TASS/. Lausanne School of Hospitality Management (EHL) will organize the programs for highly qualified personnel in the southern Chinese province of Hainan, Xinhua announced on Tuesday.
The school signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Hainan province to develop the education system and train high-level specialists. The Swiss university will open its own independent office there and set up international undergraduate programs.
Cooperation agreements with Hainan in the field of education were also signed by leading Chinese universities: the China-European International Business School (centrally subordinated to Shanghai), Southern Science and Technology University (Shenzhen city, Guangdong province), Nankai University (centrally subordinated to Tianjin) and Henan University (Kaifeng City, Henan Province).
Lausanne School of Hospitality Management was founded in 1893 and is the world's first educational institution specializing in the hotel business. This university is considered one of the best educational institutions in the field of hotel management. According to the information portal "Top Universities", in 2019 and 2020, the school topped the list of the best universities in the world in its category.
As part of the implementation of Hainan's free trade port projects, the local administration pays great attention to training and attracting highly qualified personnel to the province. In order to do so, the Chinese authorities create attractive conditions for investors and form a developed research infrastructure in the province. According to the government plan, by 2050, this region will become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy with the campuses of leading universities, advanced laboratories and the headquarters of world corporations.


tass--2020-12-17--Putin pledges to solve Crimea’s water supply problem

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Enough money will be allocated in order to resolve the water supply problem @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin said at his annual news conference on Thursday .
`` We will solve @ @ @ @ @ is allocated .
The government definitely won ’ t skimp on that , '' Putin @ @ @ @ @ a question about Crimea ’ s water supply .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Enough money will be allocated in order to resolve the water supply problem in Crimea, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his annual news conference on Thursday.
"We will solve the problem, the money has been allocated. The government definitely won’t skimp on that," Putin pointed out in response to a question about Crimea’s water supply.


tass--2020-12-17--Arms race is already in progress, says Putin

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
The arms race began with the United States ’ pullout from the anti-ballistic missile treaty , Russian President Vladimir Putin told the year-end news conference on Thursday .
When asked what would happen and whether there was any risk an arms race would follow if the United States refused to prolong the New START treaty , Putin said : `` It has already begun .
This is obvious .
Everything began after the US pullout from the ABM treaty . ''
`` One country is creating an ‘ umbrella ’ for itself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential to zero , '' Putin said .
`` What were we obliged to do in response ?
We were obliged to do everything to prevent this from happening .
Either creating our own missile defense system or developing weapons capable of penetrating the missile defense .
And we did that .
We made the hypersonic weapons , including the Avangard . ''
The anti-ballistic missile treaty was concluded between the Soviet Union and the United States in 1972 .
In December 2001 , the United States declared it was unilaterally quitting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treaty its actual termination happened six months later , in June 2002 .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. The arms race began with the United States’ pullout from the anti-ballistic missile treaty, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the year-end news conference on Thursday.
When asked what would happen and whether there was any risk an arms race would follow if the United States refused to prolong the New START treaty, Putin said: "It has already begun. This is obvious. Everything began after the US pullout from the ABM treaty."
"One country is creating an ‘umbrella’ for itself. This is tantamount to setting our nuclear potential to zero," Putin said. "What were we obliged to do in response? We were obliged to do everything to prevent this from happening. Either creating our own missile defense system or developing weapons capable of penetrating the missile defense. And we did that. We made the hypersonic weapons, including the Avangard."
The anti-ballistic missile treaty was concluded between the Soviet Union and the United States in 1972. In December 2001, the United States declared it was unilaterally quitting the agreement. Under the terms of the treaty its actual termination happened six months later, in June 2002.


tass--2020-12-17--Key points from Vladimir Putin's annual news conference

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin held his customary year-end news conference on Thursday .
This time , amid the coronavirus pandemic restrictions , the event was held online .
Also , it incorporated some features of the question-and-answer program called Direct Line with Vladimir Putin , in which the head of state is asked questions from audiences across the nation .
TASS has collected the top takeaways from Putin 's conference : Putin thinks that Russia has tackled the COVID-19 pandemic well , perhaps better than other states .
`` Not a single [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scale that we encountered .
There is simply no system like that .
< ... > Compared to what was going on in the world , of course , our system turned out to be more effective . ''
`` Russia is the first country in the world , which has invented , we could say , and started to produce the vaccine of both the Gamaleya scientific institute and the Novosibirsk-based Vector center .
And we have a good vaccine [ that is ] both safe and effective - over 95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its level of protection reaches 96-97 % '' Putin hopes the coronavirus situation will improve in the next 6 months .
Putin said , that Alexei Navalny , who is currently undergoing medical treatment in Germany , has the support of US intelligence agencies but it ’ s not a reason to poison him .
`` The patient at a Berlin hospital has the support of US intelligence agencies in this case .
If so , it ’ s a curious fact and intelligence agencies should keep an eye on him .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poison him , why would anyone do that ? ''
Had someone wanted to poison Navalny , they would have gotten it done , Putin noted .
Putin hopes that at least some problems in Russian-US relations will be solved under Joe Biden ’ s administration .
`` We presume that the newly elected US president will understand what is going on - he is a person , who has experience in both domestic and foreign policy .
We expect that all problems , which emerged , or at least some of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration , '' Putin said .
Putin said the amendments to the Russian Constitution were adopted at a right time , when the situation became ripe .
`` Everything is good in due time .
The fight against price hikes should be conducted in due time .
The same goes for amendments to the basic law .
It was impossible to do a lot of things earlier , '' Putin said .
According to the president , some things were impossible to do before , including cementing social guarantees in the Constitution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ equaling the minimum wage to the minimum subsistence level , he said .
Putin added that the fundamentals of the Constitution remained unchanged .
On probe into his life Putin has excoriated a so-called investigative report about his life , castigating it as nothing but copy-pasting that was unreadable to the end .
`` The second part that is about my family - it was impossible to read this material .
I looked through it just because it is about me but it was such a cut-and-paste job , everything was lumped together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way to the end , '' he said .
GDP contraction in Russia equals 3.6 % , which is less than in all leading European countries and the US , Putin said .
`` GDP contraction is 3.6 % as of now , '' he said , adding that it is less than in almost all leading EU countries where GDP contraction totaled up to 9 % in a number of states .
Moreover , the Russian economy is faring better than the US economy , the president noted .
Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 % by now mainly due to the oil price , he added .
`` Due to the OPEC+ deal , we have cut production , which affected [ Russia ’ s ] total results , '' Putin explained .
The project for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is economically profitable for Europe and , in particular , for Germany , Putin said .
Putin also expects that the new US administration , led by President-elect Joe Biden , will respect the interests of Europe .
The Russian president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stream 2 gas pipeline will be completed .
`` There are around 165 km left , '' he said .
‘ That 's it , it is almost completed .
I think we will finish the work , '' Putin said Russia is `` harmless and squeaky-clean '' compared to Western countries , Putin said .
`` Now , about us being harmless and squeaky-clean .
Compared to you , yes , it is a fact , we are harmless and squeaky-clean because we agreed to release from an unequivocal Soviet dictate those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independently .
We heard your assurances that NATO won ’ t expand to the East but you didn ’ t keep your promises , '' he said in response to a question of a BBC reporter .
The president noted that those were not written guarantees but verbal promises yet emphasized that none of them were kept as a result .
The arms race began with the United States ’ pullout from the anti-ballistic missile treaty , according to Putin .
`` It has already begun .
This is obvious .
Everything began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treaty , '' Putin said .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin held his customary year-end news conference on Thursday. This time, amid the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, the event was held online. Also, it incorporated some features of the question-and-answer program called Direct Line with Vladimir Putin, in which the head of state is asked questions from audiences across the nation. TASS has collected the top takeaways from Putin's conference: On Russia's fight against COVID-19 Putin thinks that Russia has tackled the COVID-19 pandemic well, perhaps better than other states. "Not a single [healthcare] system worldwide was ready for the scale that we encountered. There is simply no system like that. <...> Compared to what was going on in the world, of course, our system turned out to be more effective."
Read also Putin promises to take COVID-19 vaccine at the earliest opportunity
Putin highlighted 97% effectiveness of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine. "Russia is the first country in the world, which has invented, we could say, and started to produce the vaccine of both the Gamaleya scientific institute and the Novosibirsk-based Vector center. And we have a good vaccine [that is] both safe and effective - over 95% and higher - and specialists say its level of protection reaches 96-97%" Putin hopes the coronavirus situation will improve in the next 6 months. On the Navalny case Putin said, that Alexei Navalny, who is currently undergoing medical treatment in Germany, has the support of US intelligence agencies but it’s not a reason to poison him. "The patient at a Berlin hospital has the support of US intelligence agencies in this case. If so, it’s a curious fact and intelligence agencies should keep an eye on him. But it’s not a reason to poison him, why would anyone do that?" Had someone wanted to poison Navalny, they would have gotten it done, Putin noted. On Russia-US relations under Biden Putin hopes that at least some problems in Russian-US relations will be solved under Joe Biden’s administration. "We presume that the newly elected US president will understand what is going on - he is a person, who has experience in both domestic and foreign policy. We expect that all problems, which emerged, or at least some of them will be ironed out under the new administration," Putin said. On amendments to Russian Constitution Putin said the amendments to the Russian Constitution were adopted at a right time, when the situation became ripe.
Read also Amendments to Russian Constitution adopted at right time, Putin believes
"Everything is good in due time. The fight against price hikes should be conducted in due time. The same goes for amendments to the basic law. It was impossible to do a lot of things earlier," Putin said. According to the president, some things were impossible to do before, including cementing social guarantees in the Constitution. This includes adjusting pensions for inflation and equaling the minimum wage to the minimum subsistence level, he said. Putin added that the fundamentals of the Constitution remained unchanged. On some 'investigative' journalism scrutinizing his life Putin has excoriated a so-called investigative report about his life, castigating it as nothing but copy-pasting that was unreadable to the end.
Read also Putin brands probe into his life as unreadable cut-and-paste job


tass--2020-12-17--Treason charges against Ivan Safronov not tied to his journalist activity, says Putin

`` It is up to the investigation to get to the bottom of whether [ Safronov ] used information from open or classified sources .
He is not being tried for his journalist activity , that ’ s the gist of what is going on , '' the president said , answering a question from journalist Andrei Kolesnikov , who vouched for Safronov during the press conference .
MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Charges of treason against Roscosmos advisor and ex-journalist Ivan Safronov are not tied to his journalist activities , Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Safronov ] is not some dissident journalist fighting the authorities , who got nailed , grabbed and tossed in prison .
This has nothing to do with his professional journalist activity , '' the president noted .
According to Putin , the criminal case `` is tied to the rather lengthy period of his work as a [ Roscosmos CEO Dmitry ] Rogozin ’ s aide , when he worked both in the government and in Roscosmos . ''
The former reporter of Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers , Roscosmos CEO aide Ivan Safronov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was charged with treason , but he denies all charges .
According to the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) , Safronov was recruited by the Czech intelligence in 2012 , and completed his mission in 2017 .
His allegedly gathered and relayed information about military-technical cooperation with African countries and Russian military activities in the Middle East .
In July , Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin told TASS that Safronov had no access to classified information during his work in the state corporation .

"It is up to the investigation to get to the bottom of whether [Safronov] used information from open or classified sources. He is not being tried for his journalist activity, that’s the gist of what is going on," the president said, answering a question from journalist Andrei Kolesnikov, who vouched for Safronov during the press conference.
MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Charges of treason against Roscosmos advisor and ex-journalist Ivan Safronov are not tied to his journalist activities, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his annual press conference Thursday.
"[Safronov] is not some dissident journalist fighting the authorities, who got nailed, grabbed and tossed in prison. This has nothing to do with his professional journalist activity," the president noted.
According to Putin, the criminal case "is tied to the rather lengthy period of his work as a [Roscosmos CEO Dmitry] Rogozin’s aide, when he worked both in the government and in Roscosmos."
The former reporter of Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers, Roscosmos CEO aide Ivan Safronov was apprehended and arrested on July 7. He was charged with treason, but he denies all charges. According to the Federal Security Service (FSB), Safronov was recruited by the Czech intelligence in 2012, and completed his mission in 2017. His allegedly gathered and relayed information about military-technical cooperation with African countries and Russian military activities in the Middle East.
In July, Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin told TASS that Safronov had no access to classified information during his work in the state corporation.


tass--2020-12-17--Online learning may have affected quality of education in Russia, Putin admits

MOSCOW , December 17./TASS/ .
The online format of learning may have affected the quality of education in Russia , President Vladimir Putin told the annual news conference on Thursday .
`` There are certain pluses , when there is a possibility to listen to big heads of world science , but maybe [ the quality of education ] is affected to a certain extent in the current work .
That is why , it is better , of course , to have a mixed system , '' the president said .
Putin said he understood the students who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its cost .
He also said that the issue of closing or merging higher educational establishments in Russia must be addressed cautiously .
`` If we take the structure of expenses of a higher educational establishment , salaries account for about 70 % .
That is why , higher educational establishments have no ‘ nest egg ’ for lowering the price of education in the online format .
Or we will have to shut down some higher educational institutions , '' Putin said .
`` Some specialists believe that there are too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities , and they must be merged in any case .
This issue was brought up by specialists in higher and secondary education a long time ago , '' the president stressed .
He said that he was approaching the problem very cautiously .
`` There must be no dramatizing here , no putting the cart before the horse , '' the president warned .

MOSCOW, December 17./TASS/. The online format of learning may have affected the quality of education in Russia, President Vladimir Putin told the annual news conference on Thursday.
"There are certain pluses, when there is a possibility to listen to big heads of world science, but maybe [the quality of education] is affected to a certain extent in the current work. That is why, it is better, of course, to have a mixed system," the president said.
Putin said he understood the students who were complaining about the remote format of learning and its cost. He also said that the issue of closing or merging higher educational establishments in Russia must be addressed cautiously.
"If we take the structure of expenses of a higher educational establishment, salaries account for about 70%. That is why, higher educational establishments have no ‘nest egg’ for lowering the price of education in the online format. Or we will have to shut down some higher educational institutions," Putin said.
"Some specialists believe that there are too many of them, specifically in capital cities, and they must be merged in any case. This issue was brought up by specialists in higher and secondary education a long time ago," the president stressed. He said that he was approaching the problem very cautiously. "There must be no dramatizing here, no putting the cart before the horse," the president warned.


tass--2020-12-17--Russia is ‘harmless and squeaky-clean' compared to the West, Putin says

The BBC representative asked a question about reasons for worsening relations between Russia and the West and wondered whether the Russian leader felt himself responsible for it , at least partially , or Russia is `` harmless and squeaky-clean . ''
`` Now , about us being harmless and squeaky-clean .
Compared to you , yes , it is a fact , we are harmless and squeaky-clean because we agreed to release from an unequivocal Soviet dictate those countries and nations that wanted to develop independently .
We heard your assurances that NATO won ’ t expand to the East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promises , '' the Russian leader responded .
The president noted that those were not written guarantees but verbal promises yet emphasized that none of them were kept as a result .
Putin then continued to compare Russian policy with the actions of the Western countries over past decades .
`` Did we withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty ?
It wasn ’ t us who did that .
And we are forced to respond by creating new weapon systems that curb threats .
Then our colleagues withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
No , that was our American partners .
Accordingly , we said that we won ’ t produce and deploy such weapon systems as long as American weapons don ’ t arrive in Europe .
Yet nobody responds to this , nobody reacts .
Then they withdrew from the Open Skies Treaty .
What are we supposed to do then ?
I don ’ t want to ask you this question but what are we supposed to do after this ?
Just let it be ?
So you , as a NATO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report everything to the American partners and we will be deprived of this opportunity regarding American territory , '' he said , addressing the Western journalist .
`` Why do you think that we are idiots ?
Why do you think that we can not see some obvious things ?
There are some other issues that cause our concern .
We are forced to react to them , '' the Russian leader added .

The BBC representative asked a question about reasons for worsening relations between Russia and the West and wondered whether the Russian leader felt himself responsible for it, at least partially, or Russia is "harmless and squeaky clean."
"Now, about us being harmless and squeaky clean. Compared to you, yes, it is a fact, we are harmless and squeaky clean because we agreed to release from an unequivocal Soviet dictate those countries and nations that wanted to develop independently. We heard your assurances that NATO won’t expand to the East but you didn’t keep your promises," the Russian leader responded.
The president noted that those were not written guarantees but verbal promises yet emphasized that none of them were kept as a result.
Putin then continued to compare Russian policy with the actions of the Western countries over past decades. "Did we withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty? It wasn’t us who did that. And we are forced to respond by creating new weapon systems that curb threats. Then our colleagues withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Was it us who withdrew? No, that was our American partners. Accordingly, we said that we won’t produce and deploy such weapon systems as long as American weapons don’t arrive in Europe. Yet nobody responds to this, nobody reacts. Then they withdrew from the Open Skies Treaty. What are we supposed to do then? I don’t want to ask you this question but what are we supposed to do after this? Just let it be? So you, as a NATO country, will fly over us and report everything to the American partners and we will be deprived of this opportunity regarding American territory," he said, addressing the Western journalist.
"Why do you think that we are idiots? Why do you think that we cannot see some obvious things? There are some other issues that cause our concern. We are forced to react to them," the Russian leader added.


tass--2020-12-17--Nord Stream 2 will be completed with around 165 km left, says Putin

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that construction of the Nord Stream 2 @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There are around 165 km left , '' he said .
‘ That @ @ @ @ @ almost completed .
I think we will finish the work , '' Putin said at @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
Construction of Nord Stream 2 in German waters resumed on December 11 after @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will be completed.
"There are around 165 km left," he said. ‘That's it, it is almost completed. I think we will finish the work," Putin said at an annual news conference on Thursday.
Construction of Nord Stream 2 in German waters resumed on December 11 after an almost year-long shutdown.


tass--2020-12-17--Russian hackers did not interfere with US elections, Putin says

MOSCOW , December 17./TASS/ .
Russian hackers have not interfered with domestic affairs of the US , nor did they help Donald Trump to get elected , President Vladimir Putin told the annual news conference on Thursday .
`` Why Russian hackers didn ’ t help Trump to be elected this time ? ''
he repeated the question from a reporter .
`` I think this is not a question on your part , but a provocation .
Russian hackers did not help the so far sitting president of the United States , or interfered in the domestic affairs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These allegations `` are conjectures , reasons for marring relations between Russia and the US , the reason for not recognizing the legitimacy of the so far incumbent president of the US for internal American considerations '' .
`` In this sense , Russian-American relations have become a hostage to the domestic policy of the US , '' the Russian president went on to say .
`` In my opinion , this is bad for them , but this is their choice , let them do whatever they want to , '' @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 17./TASS/. Russian hackers have not interfered with domestic affairs of the US, nor did they help Donald Trump to get elected, President Vladimir Putin told the annual news conference on Thursday.
"Why didn’t Russian hackers help Trump to get elected this time?" he reiterated, as he began to reply to a reporter’s question. "I think this is not a question on your part, but a provocation. Russian hackers did not help the so far sitting president of the United States, or interfered in the domestic affairs of this great power," Putin stressed.
These allegations "are conjectures, reasons for marring relations between Russia and the US, the reason for not recognizing the legitimacy of the so far incumbent president of the US for internal American considerations".
"In this sense, Russian-American relations have become a hostage to the domestic policy of the US," the Russian president went on to say. "In my opinion, this is bad for them, but this is their choice, let them do whatever they want to," he added.


tass--2020-12-17--Amendments to Russian Constitution adopted at right time, Putin believes

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
The amendments to the Russian Constitution were adopted at a right time , when the situation became ripe , Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his annual press conference Thursday .
`` Everything is good in due time .
The fight against price hikes should be conducted in due time .
The same goes for amendments to the basic law .
It was impossible to do a lot of things earlier , '' Putin said , answering a question regarding why the Constitution was amended in 2020 .
He added that the fundamentals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 1993 Constitution was adopted in difficult circumstances of civil standoff , during , to put it bluntly , armed hostilities in Moscow .
People were dying , automatic weapons were used , tanks were firing at the Parliament [ building ] , these were the circumstances when the Constitution was adopted , '' the head of state underscored .
Meanwhile , Putin noted that the 1993 Constitution played a stabilizing role , helped to restore civil peace and laid the groundwork for political development .
According to the president , some things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cementing social guarantees in the Constitution .
This includes adjusting pensions for inflation and equaling the minimum wage to the minimum subsistence level , according to the president .
`` Now , we can cement all this in the basic law , the situation is ripe for that now .
We did it and we did it on time , '' the president said .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. The amendments to the Russian Constitution were adopted at a right time, when the situation became ripe, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his annual press conference Thursday.
"Everything is good in due time. The fight against price hikes should be conducted in due time. The same goes for amendments to the basic law. It was impossible to do a lot of things earlier," Putin said, answering a question regarding why the Constitution was amended in 2020.
He added that the fundamentals of the Constitution remained unchanged.
"The 1993 Constitution was adopted in difficult circumstances of civil standoff, during, to put it bluntly, armed hostilities in Moscow. People were dying, automatic weapons were used, tanks were firing at the Parliament [building], these were the circumstances when the Constitution was adopted," the head of state underscored.
Meanwhile, Putin noted that the 1993 Constitution played a stabilizing role, helped to restore civil peace and laid the groundwork for political development. According to the president, some things were impossible to do before, including cementing social guarantees in the Constitution. This includes adjusting pensions for inflation and equaling the minimum wage to the minimum subsistence level, according to the president.
"Now, we can cement all this in the basic law, the situation is ripe for that now. We did it and we did it on time," the president said.


tass--2020-12-17--Putin emphasizes he works for the sake of the country, not for a good image abroad

`` As far as fake news is concerned , there is nothing surprising about it as a matter of fact .
Such attempts always occurred in the past and they will always take place in the future .
That ’ s what information struggle is all about .
Remember the dramatic events in the Caucasus , the struggle against international terrorism , and the way yours truly was presented in the foreign media and , regrettably , in this country , too .
Some pictured me with bare fangs .
I remember this very well . ''
MOSCOW , December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin has said that he found nothing surprising in attempts to sell negative fake news .
He stressed that he was working not for the sake of having a nice image abroad .
`` I always proceed from the understanding what I must do and what I believe is crucial to our country , and not for the sake of having a nice image abroad , '' Putin said .
About the media investigations about his private life Putin said all of them were compilations he was unable to read to the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it concerns me , only to find out it was an erratic complication .
Everything is messed up in one heap .
I did not bother to read it to the very end , '' Putin said .
`` It contained several mentions of the president ’ s ‘ son-in-law ’ , but in the end the same person was referred to as a ‘ former son-in-law.
’ Yet the reader is forced to think he is a son-in-law after all , '' Putin said about the rumors found in such probes @

"As far as fake news is concerned, there is nothing surprising about it as a matter of fact. Such attempts always occurred in the past and they will always take place in the future. That’s what information struggle is all about. Remember the dramatic events in the Caucasus, the struggle against international terrorism, and the way yours truly was presented in the foreign media and, regrettably, in this country, too. Some pictured me with bare fangs. I remember this very well."
MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he found nothing surprising in attempts to sell negative fake news. He stressed that he was working not for the sake of having a nice image abroad.
"I always proceed from the understanding what I must do and what I believe is crucial to our country, and not for the sake of having a nice image abroad," Putin said.
About the media investigations about his private life Putin said all of them were compilations he was unable to read to the end.
"I leafed through one, because it concerns me, only to find out it was an erratic complication. Everything is messed up in one heap. I did not bother to read it to the very end," Putin said. "It contained several mentions of the president’s ‘son-in-law’, but in the end the same person was referred to as a ‘former son-in-law.’ Yet the reader is forced to think he is a son-in-law after all," Putin said about the rumors found in such probes.


tass--2020-12-17--Number of COVID cases in Azerbaijan up to over 191,000, with over 2,088 deaths

BAKU , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 4,124 novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Azerbaijan over the past day , or by 47 cases more than on the previous day , the coronavirus response headquarters under the Azerbaijani government said on Thursday .
The overall number of coronavirus cases in Azerbaijan has reached 191,460 , or 1.9 % of the country ’ s population of ten million .
The effective reproduction number ( Rt ) , or the average number of people who become infected by an infectious person , is 0.9 .
Thirty-eight coronavirus-related deaths were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall number of coronavirus-related fatalities standing at 2,088 .
A total of 127,064 coronavirus patients have recovered , with 4,205 recoveries reported in the past day .
As many as 62,308 patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals .
As many as 1,016,003 tests for the coronavirus infection have been made in the country , including 17,426 in the past day .
A total of 20.5 % of the country ’ s population has been tested for the coronavirus infection .
The first coronavirus case was confirmed in Azerbaijan on February 28 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-August , with a dramatic growth being reported from October 9 .
The highest daily tally of newly confirmed coronavirus cases ( 4,451 ) was registered on December 13 .
In view of the worsening epidemic situation , with the morbidity rates exceeding those in the spring , the country ’ s authorities have imposed a number of restrictions effective from October 19 .
Thus , operation of metro in the capital city of Baku was suspended , educational establishments were closed for vacations , and up to 70 % of employees of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
A nationwide quarantine has been extended until January 31 , 2021 .
A strict quarantine will be in place from December 14 to January 18 , with public catering and trading outlets being closed , except food stores and pharmacies .
People will have to obtain a special SMS-permit to leave their home .
Entry to and exit from 17 big cities and districts , including Baku , is restricted .

BAKU, December 17. /TASS/. As many as 4,124 novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Azerbaijan over the past day, or by 47 cases more than on the previous day, the coronavirus response headquarters under the Azerbaijani government said on Thursday.
The overall number of coronavirus cases in Azerbaijan has reached 191,460, or 1.9% of the country’s population of ten million. The effective reproduction number (Rt), or the average number of people who become infected by an infectious person, is 0.9.
Thirty-eight coronavirus-related deaths were reported during the day, with the overall number of coronavirus-related fatalities standing at 2,088.
A total of 127,064 coronavirus patients have recovered, with 4,205 recoveries reported in the past day. As many as 62,308 patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals. As many as 1,016,003 tests for the coronavirus infection have been made in the country, including 17,426 in the past day. A total of 20.5% of the country’s population has been tested for the coronavirus infection.
The first coronavirus case was confirmed in Azerbaijan on February 28. The morbidity rate began to go up in mid-August, with a dramatic growth being reported from October 9. The highest daily tally of newly confirmed coronavirus cases (4,451) was registered on December 13.
In view of the worsening epidemic situation, with the morbidity rates exceeding those in the spring, the country’s authorities have imposed a number of restrictions effective from October 19. Thus, operation of metro in the capital city of Baku was suspended, educational establishments were closed for vacations, and up to 70% of employees of government institutions were switched to work from home. A nationwide quarantine has been extended until January 31, 2021. A strict quarantine will be in place from December 14 to January 18, with public catering and trading outlets being closed, except food stores and pharmacies. People will have to obtain a special SMS-permit to leave their home. Entry to and exit from 17 big cities and districts, including Baku, is restricted.


tass--2020-12-17--Russia weaning itself off oil and gas dependency, says Putin

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/ TASS / .
Despite its dependence on revenues from fossil fuels , Russia has @ @ @ @ @ ‘ oil needle ’ , said Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his annual year-end @ @ @ @ @ `` Seventy percent of the Russian budget is already formed not based on oil and @ @ @ @ @ that we are not fully there yet , but still we are starting to get @ @ @ @ @ gas needle , '' President Putin said .
He especially noted that `` if someone @ @ @ @ @ as a gas station , well that image is no longer valid . ''
At @ @ @ @ @ president acknowledged that `` the dependence [ on oil and gas revenues ] is still @ @ @ @ @ this factor must be taken into account .

MOSCOW, December 17. / TASS /. Despite its dependence on revenues from fossil fuels, Russia has started weaning itself off the ‘oil needle’, said Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his annual year-end press conference on Thursday.
"Seventy percent of the Russian budget is already formed not based on oil and gas reserves. This means that we are not fully there yet, but still we are starting to get off the so-called oil and gas needle," President Putin said.
He especially noted that "if someone wants to still view us as a gas station, well that image is no longer valid." At the same time, the president acknowledged that "the dependence [on oil and gas revenues] is still very large," and this factor must be taken into account.


tass--2020-12-17--Putin says Erdogan always keeps his word despite differing views

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said at his annual press conference on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ see eye to eye with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan but the Turkish leader @ @ @ @ @ `` President Erdogan and I often see things differently , we even have opposing views @ @ @ @ @ is a man of his word , '' Putin pointed out .
`` If he @ @ @ @ @ for his country , he will push through with it , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ is very important as it helps you understand who you are dealing with , '' @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said at his annual press conference on Thursday that he does not always see eye to eye with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan but the Turkish leader always keeps his word.
"President Erdogan and I often see things differently, we even have opposing views on some issues but he is a man of his word," Putin pointed out. "If he believes that something is beneficial for his country, he will push through with it," he added.
"The factor of predictability is very important as it helps you understand who you are dealing with," the Russian president noted.


tass--2020-12-17--Putin says has business, trust-based relations with Chinese leader

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described his relations with his Chinese counterpart , @ @ @ @ @ and trust-based .
According to the Russian leader , Moscow and Beijing have similar interests @ @ @ @ @ Maybe thanks to this fact , or , maybe , thanks to personal vibe , @ @ @ @ @ the same time trust-based relations with the Chinese president , '' Putin told the annual @ @ @ @ @ , it helps us in our work .
`` .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described his relations with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, as working and trust-based.
According to the Russian leader, Moscow and Beijing have similar interests in many areas. "Maybe thanks to this fact, or, maybe, thanks to personal vibe, I have business but at the same time trust-based relations with the Chinese president," Putin told the annual news conference. "Naturally, it helps us in our work.".


tass--2020-12-17--EU extends economic sanctions against Russia

BRUSSELS , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
The European Union has extended sanctions against Russia expiring on January 31 for six months economic , the EU Council said on Thursday .
`` The Council today decided to prolong the restrictive measures currently targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy until 31 July 2021 , '' the EU Council said .
`` The sanctions limit access to EU primary and secondary capital markets for certain Russian banks and companies and prohibit forms of financial assistance and brokering towards Russian financial institutions , '' the document reads .
`` The measures also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ export or transfer of all defense-related materiel and establish a ban for dual-use goods for military use or military-end users in Russia .
The sanctions further curtail Russian access to certain sensitive technologies that can be used in the Russian energy sector , for instance in oil production and exploration , '' according to the document .
The European Union introduced sanctions against Russia related to developments in Ukraine and reunification of Crimea with Russia in 2014 .
Restrictive measures were repeatedly expanded and renewed since then .
Russia in its turn introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union .

BRUSSELS, December 17. /TASS/. The European Union has extended economic sanctions against Russia expiring on January 31 for six months, the EU Council said on Thursday.
"The Council today decided to prolong the restrictive measures currently targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy until 31 July 2021," the EU Council said.
"The sanctions limit access to EU primary and secondary capital markets for certain Russian banks and companies and prohibit forms of financial assistance and brokering towards Russian financial institutions," the document reads. "The measures also prohibit the direct or indirect import, export or transfer of all defense-related materiel and establish a ban for dual-use goods for military use or military-end users in Russia. The sanctions further curtail Russian access to certain sensitive technologies that can be used in the Russian energy sector, for instance in oil production and exploration," according to the document.
The European Union introduced sanctions against Russia related to developments in Ukraine and reunification of Crimea with Russia in 2014. Restrictive measures were repeatedly expanded and renewed since then. Russia in its turn introduced the ban on foods import from the European Union.


tass--2020-12-17--Russian army among world’s most efficient, Putin says

`` With the state of the army in 1993 , was it possible [ to speak about the inviolability of @ @ @ @ @ is possible to say anything on this score .
Could we have provided it with @ @ @ @ @ use an atomic bomb for every occasion , that ’ s right .
Our conventional @ @ @ @ @ could not collect 50,000 effective troops across the country to fight international terrorism in the @ @ @ @ @ s strength was over 1 million people , '' the Russian president said , speaking @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 compared to the 1993 document .
`` Now the situation is different and @ @ @ @ @ : ‘ Yes , its size has decreased but it has become much more effective.
@ @ @ @ @ has one of the world ’ s most efficient armies nowadays , '' Putin said @

"With the state of the army in 1993, was it possible [to speak about the inviolability of Russian territory]? It is possible to say anything on this score. Could we have provided it with? You won’t use an atomic bomb for every occasion, that’s right. Our conventional forces actually disintegrated. We could not collect 50,000 effective troops across the country to fight international terrorism in the Caucasus while the Army’s strength was over 1 million people," the Russian president said, speaking about the Constitutional amendments adopted in 2020 compared to the 1993 document.
"Now the situation is different and even our opponents already say: ‘Yes, its size has decreased but it has become much more effective.’ At present, Russia has one of the world’s most efficient armies nowadays," Putin said.


tass--2020-12-17--No need to poison Navalny only because he has support of US intelligence agencies - Putin

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Blogger Alexei Navalny , who is currently undergoing medical treatment in Germany , @ @ @ @ @ intelligence agencies but it ’ s not a reason to poison him , Russian President @ @ @ @ @ annual news conference on Thursday .
`` The patient at a Berlin hospital has the @ @ @ @ @ in this case .
If so , it ’ s a curious fact and intelligence @ @ @ @ @ on him .
But it ’ s not a reason to poison him , why @ @ @ @ @ '' Putin said with a laugh .
Had someone wanted to poison Navalny , they @ @ @ @ @ , Putin noted .
`` When his wife contacted me , I immediately handed down @ @ @ @ @ to take him to Germany for treatment , '' the president added .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Blogger Alexei Navalny, who is currently undergoing medical treatment in Germany, has the support of US intelligence agencies but it’s not a reason to poison him, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his annual news conference on Thursday.
"The patient at a Berlin hospital has the support of US intelligence agencies in this case. If so, it’s a curious fact and intelligence agencies should keep an eye on him. But it’s not a reason to poison him, why would anyone do that?" Putin said with a laugh.
Had someone wanted to poison Navalny, they would have gotten it done, Putin noted. "When his wife contacted me, I immediately handed down instructions to make it possible to take him to Germany for treatment," the president added.


tass--2020-12-17--Great Norilsk Expedition results: Scientists forecast nature cleanup in Norilsk Region

The Great Norilsk Expedition surveyed very closely how the fuel spill had affected the tundra ’ s flora and fauna .
Despite alarming expectations , the tundra has not suffered greatly , rare species have not been affected , and most probably in 2021 the nature will recover .
Experts point to a peculiar fact : the sulfur dioxide contamination favors bigger numbers of animals .
The Expedition ’ s leader of a team in biodiversity , an expert of the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch Mikhail Telyatnikov said in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flora ’ s cleanup levels in the Norilsk Region .
According to him , during the expedition , experts faced the task to identify and describe problems with plants .
“ We have made 114 comprehensive geo-botanical descriptions both in the contaminated and in clean areas , having similar flora , ” he said .
“ We have made a collection of 201 herbarium lists , 65 herbarium packets of mosses and lichens .
Our studies were along the Bezymyannyi and Daldykan Brooks , the Ambarnaya River , in sources of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pyasina and Dudypta Rivers , the Pyasina and Tareya Rivers , in the mouth of the Pyasina River , where it runs into the Kara Sea , ” he said .
Scientists have come to a conclusion about a major decrease of phytodiversity along the Bezymyannyi and Daldykan Brooks , as well as along the Ambarnaya River .
However , in sources of the Pyasina River , the levels are aligning .
Further down , towards the Kara Sea , the background communities have not been affected .
“ Next summer ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the disruptions have been recovering .
Grasses above the soil have been affected a lot .
In perennial grasses , the upper part anyway dies , but roots remain .
If the roots have not been completely destroyed by diesel fuel , then next year they will be able to form new sprouts , and thus the tundra will return to life and turn green .
We expect even next year there will be a tangible recovery of natural ecosystems , '' he continued .
“ The fuel spill has affected only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are still some areas that have not been contaminated .
The main spread was in the high water season , and the vegetation has been affected right at those levels .
However , when the water retreated , the vegetation that was shorter , has not been affected , because the diesel fuel was higher on the water .
Thus , we have seen contaminated strips along the shores .
Their area takes approximately 10 % and not more than 50 % of the floodplains along the Bezymyannyi and Daldykan Brooks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Red Data Book have been affected , though some species on the list come from the Norilsk Region .
In the areas , where the expedition worked , there were no even local rare species , the scientist stressed .
Impact on biodiversity is not catastrophic In response to a question about the accident ’ s impact on the biodiversity , the scientist confirmed the damage , highlighting it is not catastrophic .
“ Botanical objects are able for bigger transformation after contacts with oil products , than animals , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in case of unfavorable conditions animals may migrate to similar though safer areas .
Whereas plants can not migrate .
After contacts with diesel fuel they degrade partially or die .
Let ’ s , for example , look at the population dynamics in small mammals in 2017 and in 2020 .
The population of red vole in 2020 decreased insufficiently , by 9 animals , and the population of vole housekeeper remained unchanged .
When we tested the internal organs of gray voles caught in the diesel fuel spill zone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feed on the green mass of sedge-grass plants , which are typical for the Ambarnaya riverbed .
When we analyzed the internal organs of all captured animals , we did not see any infectious or metabolic pathology processes .
Nor have we found expected typical external changes like chronically affected internal organs , which could have been caused by anthropogenic influences or the fuel spill.
” According to the expert , wild reindeer have not been affected .
“ There is no influence on wild reindeer , as the fuel spread developed exclusively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The other plants were in conditions close to the background levels from the perspective of oil products .
Reindeer ’ s feed base is mostly lichens , that do not grow on floodplains , ” he added .
“ Near Norilsk , there are no migration routes of wild reindeer – the routes are in a distance.
” “ We can observe more southern animals , which find the feed base there , like , for example , the white-tailed eagle that settles in trees , or the shaggy-legged buzzard .
Mosses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as deer , for example .
Although deer also feed on grasses in spring and summer , ” he said in conclusion .

The Great Norilsk Expedition surveyed very closely how the fuel spill had affected the tundra’s flora and fauna. Despite alarming expectations, the tundra has not suffered greatly, rare species have not been affected, and most probably in 2021 the nature will recover. Experts point to a peculiar fact: the sulfur dioxide contamination favors bigger numbers of animals. The Expedition’s leader of a team in biodiversity, an expert of the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch Mikhail Telyatnikov said in an interview with TASS about unexpected conclusions and about the flora’s cleanup levels in the Norilsk Region.
According to him, during the expedition, experts faced the task to identify and describe problems with plants. “We have made 114 comprehensive geo-botanical descriptions both in the contaminated and in clean areas, having similar flora,” he said. “We have made a collection of 201 herbarium lists, 65 herbarium packets of mosses and lichens. Our studies were along the Bezymyannyi and Daldykan Brooks, the Ambarnaya River, in sources of the Pyasina River, in the confluences of the Pyasina and Dudypta Rivers, the Pyasina and Tareya Rivers, in the mouth of the Pyasina River, where it runs into the Kara Sea,” he said.
Phytodiversity levels are aligning
Scientists have come to a conclusion about a major decrease of phytodiversity along the Bezymyannyi and Daldykan Brooks, as well as along the Ambarnaya River. However, in sources of the Pyasina River, the levels are aligning. Further down, towards the Kara Sea, the background communities have not been affected.
“Next summer (in 2021), we would observe how the disruptions have been recovering. Grasses above the soil have been affected a lot. In perennial grasses, the upper part anyway dies, but roots remain. If the roots have not been completely destroyed by diesel fuel, then next year they will be able to form new sprouts, and thus the tundra will return to life and turn green. We expect even next year there will be a tangible recovery of natural ecosystems," he continued. “The fuel spill has affected only floodplain vegetation and only partially. Anyway, there are still some areas that have not been contaminated. The main spread was in the high water season, and the vegetation has been affected right at those levels. However, when the water retreated, the vegetation that was shorter, has not been affected, because the diesel fuel was higher on the water. Thus, we have seen contaminated strips along the shores. Their area takes approximately 10% and not more than 50% of the floodplains along the Bezymyannyi and Daldykan Brooks and the Ambarnaya River.”
No species on the Red Data Book have been affected, though some species on the list come from the Norilsk Region. In the areas, where the expedition worked, there were no even local rare species, the scientist stressed.
Impact on biodiversity is not catastrophic
In response to a question about the accident’s impact on the biodiversity, the scientist confirmed the damage, highlighting it is not catastrophic. “Botanical objects are able for bigger transformation after contacts with oil products, than animals,” he said. “The reason is that in case of unfavorable conditions animals may migrate to similar though safer areas. Whereas plants cannot migrate. After contacts with diesel fuel they degrade partially or die. Let’s, for example, look at the population dynamics in small mammals in 2017 and in 2020. The population of red vole in 2020 decreased insufficiently, by 9 animals, and the population of vole housekeeper remained unchanged. When we tested the internal organs of gray voles caught in the diesel fuel spill zone, we saw that the animals continued to feed on the green mass of sedge-grass plants, which are typical for the Ambarnaya riverbed. When we analyzed the internal organs of all captured animals, we did not see any infectious or metabolic pathology processes. Nor have we found expected typical external changes like chronically affected internal organs, which could have been caused by anthropogenic influences or the fuel spill.”
According to the expert, wild reindeer have not been affected. “There is no influence on wild reindeer, as the fuel spread developed exclusively along two brooks and one river. The other plants were in conditions close to the background levels from the perspective of oil products. Reindeer’s feed base is mostly lichens, that do not grow on floodplains,” he added. “Near Norilsk, there are no migration routes of wild reindeer – the routes are in a distance.”
“We can observe more southern animals, which find the feed base there, like, for example, the white-tailed eagle that settles in trees, or the shaggy-legged buzzard. Mosses and lichens are needed for the tundra species, such as deer, for example. Although deer also feed on grasses in spring and summer,” he said in conclusion.


tass--2020-12-17--Sanya's business district signs a set of agreements on services and tourism

HAIKOU , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
The business center of Hainan 's leading resort city of Sanya has been collectively negotiating strategic investment agreements and plans to implement ten more key projects in tourism , modern services and advanced technologies in the near future , according to the local administration .
According to the administration 's WeChat page , the signed agreements represent the next phase of a provincial capital investment program .
During the ceremonies held in various places , the Hainan authorities issued investments worth 39 billion yuan ( $ 5.9 billion at the current exchange rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to said projects in Sanya .
According to statement , among the companies interested in doing business in the central business district , there are corporations included in the list of the 500 most competitive companies in the world , as well as promising enterprises with foreign capital .
They are supposed to `` ensure the optimization of the sectoral structure and long-term growth of the city 's economy . ''
According to official estimates , since April 13 , 2018 , when the Hainan province celebrated its 30th anniversary , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90 of which are included in the list of half a thousand commercial organizations in the world with the most powerful capitalization .
Since the beginning of 2020 alone , tax payments from companies based in the city , including those from Russia , have exceeded 1.4 billion yuan ( $ 214 million ) .
Their investments in fixed assets amounted to about 12.16 billion yuan ( $ 1.86 billion ) , and the volume of newly attracted foreign capital investments amounted to about 92.52 million yuan ( $ 14.15 million ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the authorities launch a number of important projects .
Such regular events are expected to create many new jobs and significantly increase the gross regional product of China 's Hainan .

HAIKOU, December 17. /TASS/. The business center of Hainan's leading resort city of Sanya has been collectively negotiating strategic investment agreements and plans to implement ten more key projects in tourism, modern services and advanced technologies in the near future, according to the local administration.
According to the administration's WeChat page, the signed agreements represent the next phase of a provincial capital investment program. During the ceremonies held in various places, the Hainan authorities issued investments worth 39 billion yuan ($ 5.9 billion at the current exchange rate). Part of this amount falls to said projects in Sanya.
According to statement, among the companies interested in doing business in the central business district, there are corporations included in the list of the 500 most competitive companies in the world, as well as promising enterprises with foreign capital. They are supposed to "ensure the optimization of the sectoral structure and long-term growth of the city's economy."
According to official estimates, since April 13, 2018, when the Hainan province celebrated its 30th anniversary, more than 2,300 enterprises have registered in Sanya, 90 of which are included in the list of half a thousand commercial organizations in the world with the most powerful capitalization. Since the beginning of 2020 alone, tax payments from companies based in the city, including those from Russia, have exceeded 1.4 billion yuan ($ 214 million). Their investments in fixed assets amounted to about 12.16 billion yuan ($ 1.86 billion), and the volume of newly attracted foreign capital investments amounted to about 92.52 million yuan ($ 14.15 million).
Hainan from time to time hosts events where the authorities launch a number of important projects. Such regular events are expected to create many new jobs and significantly increase the gross regional product of China's Hainan.


tass--2020-12-17--Putin brands probe into his life as unreadable cut-and-paste job

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has excoriated a so-called investigative report about his life @ @ @ @ @ but copy-pasting that was unreadable to the end .
`` The second part that is @ @ @ @ @ was impossible to read this material .
I looked through it just because it is @ @ @ @ @ such a cut-and-paste job , everything was lumped together .
I could n't read it @ @ @ @ @ end , '' he said .
He also drew attention to the fact that his @ @ @ @ @ is referred to as his son-in-law throughout the investigation .
`` It keeps on repeating @ @ @ @ @ s son-in-law , the president ’ s son-in-law ’ only to mention at the very @ @ @ @ @ former son-in-law , although it is being drilled into the readers ’ mind throughout the @ @ @ @ @ son-in-law , '' Putin added .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has excoriated a so-called investigative report about his life, castigating it as nothing but copy-pasting that was unreadable to the end.
"The second part that is about my family - it was impossible to read this material. I looked through it just because it is about me but it was such a cut-and-paste job, everything was lumped together. I couldn't read it all the way to the end," he said.
He also drew attention to the fact that his daughter’s former husband is referred to as his son-in-law throughout the investigation. "It keeps on repeating, ‘the president’s son-in-law, the president’s son-in-law’ only to mention at the very end that he is a former son-in-law, although it is being drilled into the readers’ mind throughout the text that he is a son-in-law," Putin added.


tass--2020-12-17--No evidence to prove allegations that any country spread coronavirus, says Putin

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
There is no evidence to prove allegations that any country deliberately spread the @ @ @ @ @ Putin said at his annual news conference on Thursday .
`` As for the origin @ @ @ @ @ , there are many rumors but I would like to refrain from making statements about @ @ @ @ @ the world to hear , particularly because we don ’ t see evidence proving allegations @ @ @ @ @ pointed out .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. There is no evidence to prove allegations that any country deliberately spread the coronavirus, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his annual news conference on Thursday.
"As for the origin [of the virus], there are many rumors but I would like to refrain from making statements about for all the nation and the world to hear, particularly because we don’t see evidence proving allegations against anyone," Putin pointed out.


tass--2020-12-17--Russia to build up support for Donbass, Putin says

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will continue to upscale support for Donbass , Russian President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ news conference on Thursday .
`` We , Russia , will support Donbass the way @ @ @ @ @ will even build up our support for Donbass .
That concerns support for production , @ @ @ @ @ issues and so on , '' the head of state said .
`` Without a @ @ @ @ @ assured that we realize the complexity of the situation in Donbass , '' Putin stressed @ @ @ @ @ the issue .
`` I repeat that not only will we [ continue to provide @ @ @ @ @ will continue to do so as far as direct cooperation is concerned . ''

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russia will continue to upscale support for Donbass, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters at an annual news conference on Thursday.
"We, Russia, will support Donbass the way we did before. We will even build up our support for Donbass. That concerns support for production, solving social problems, infrastructure issues and so on," the head of state said.
"Without a doubt, you may rest assured that we realize the complexity of the situation in Donbass," Putin stressed responding to a question on the issue. "I repeat that not only will we [continue to provide] humanitarian assistance. We will continue to do so as far as direct cooperation is concerned."


tass--2020-12-17--Putin: Parliament’s new authorities increase lawmakers’ responsibility for cabinet’s work

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
New authorities of the Russian parliament increase the significance of its members ’ @ @ @ @ @ for the work of government , Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his annual news @ @ @ @ @ asked how the 2021 election to the State Duma ( the lower house of parliament @ @ @ @ @ previous election , Putin said , `` As for the election to the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ certainly there will be some differences .
First and foremost , what they involve is @ @ @ @ @ to the constitution , which means that the parliament was given more authorities in a @ @ @ @ @ including the formation of the government of the Russian Federation . ''

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. New authorities of the Russian parliament increase the significance of its members’ work and lawmakers’ responsibility for the work of government, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his annual news conference on Thursday.
When asked how the 2021 election to the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) would differ from the previous election, Putin said, "As for the election to the country’s parliament in 2021, certainly there will be some differences. First and foremost, what they involve is that we have approved amendments to the constitution, which means that the parliament was given more authorities in a wide range of fields, including the formation of the government of the Russian Federation."