International News 18 March 2025
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Foreign CEOs Will Flock to China and Meet Xi Jinping, What's Happening?
Dozens of foreign CEOs are scheduled to attend the China Development Forum in Beijing this month, where they will have the opportunity to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to sources familiar with the matter. The annual forum will be held on March 23-24 and will be attended by CEOs from companies such as FedEx, Siemens, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Executives from mining, engineering, and healthcare companies will also be present. One source mentioned that several selected CEOs, including those from Europe and the UK, may have a meeting with President Xi after the forum. The list of participants and the schedule are subject to change. The event is being held as Beijing actively seeks foreign investment amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Russia to Launch Large-Scale Lithium Production by 2030
Russia aims to produce at least 60,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate by 2030 in an effort to reduce dependence on imports and boost the production of high-capacity electric batteries. This move comes amid growing global interest in lithium and other critical minerals, such as rare earth metals. The inclusion of lithium as a critical mineral in the US Geological Survey list has intensified competition between countries, as the US seeks to counter China’s dominance in this sector by offering production deals to Ukraine and Russia. Russia currently reports having 3.5 million tons of lithium oxide reserves and estimates that the country will have around 1 million tons of lithium reserves by 2024, making it the 14th largest reserve globally. Industrial lithium production in Russia is set to begin in 2030, with the soaring demand for lithium batteries driving the need for mass production.
U.S. Department of Commerce Bans Use of DeepSeek AI on Government Devices
The U.S. Department of Commerce has informed its staff that the use of the DeepSeek artificial intelligence (AI) model from China is prohibited on government devices to safeguard the department’s information systems. Employees have been instructed not to download, view, or access any applications, desktop apps, or websites associated with DeepSeek. The extent of this ban across the U.S. government remains unclear, and the Department of Commerce has not commented on the policy. The low-cost DeepSeek AI model has raised concerns among investors and officials regarding data security and competition in AI technology development, as it is seen as a potential threat to the U.S. dominance in the field.