Austria to import gas from Germany, Italy after halting of Russian gas supplies

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Austria to import gas from Germany, Italy after halting of Russian gas supplies

2025-01-02 15:02 Last Updated At：23:57

Austria says it plans to import natural gas from Germany and Italy to mitigate the impact of the halting of Russian gas through Ukraine, but rising energy prices remain a concern.

Russian energy giant Gazprom said Wednesday that it had stopped gas supplies transiting through Ukraine due to the expiration of key agreements and the lack of renewal by the Ukrainian side.

Gazprom said Ukraine had repeatedly and unequivocally refused to extend these agreements, leaving the Russian company without the technical and legal means to continue the gas transit through Ukraine.

Austria is one of the European countries directly affected by the end of the supply, and while the Austrian government has sought to give assurances that gas shortages will be avoided through additional imports from Germany and Italy, many believe that higher gas prices are inevitable.

The Austrian Gas Grid Management AG (AGGM) confirmed on Wednesday that gas deliveries through the affected pipeline network have ceased, but stressed that Austria's energy sector had been prepared, and that domestic gas supplies will remain secure.

However, experts from the Energie-Control Austria (E-Control), the Austrian regulatory authority for the electricity and gas markets, forecast a short-term rise of three to ten euros per megawatt-hour (MWh) for natural gas.

Austrian newspaper Wiener Zeitung (WZ) has also reported that while gas prices are unlikely to soar as they did when the Russia-Ukraine crisis erupted in 2022, even a 10 percent increase would represent a significant financial burden for households and businesses, which could further pressure inflation.

The supplies of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory stopped on January 1 at 08:00 Moscow time, Gazprom said Wednesday in a statement.

Ukraine's Ministry of Energy reported that the transit of Russian natural gas through its gas transmission system was stopped at 07:00 Kyiv time Wednesday. The decision was made in the interest of national security, the ministry said, noting that Ukraine had informed its international partners about the move in the prescribed manner.

Zhejiang, Fujian launch cultural activities in run-up to Spring Festival

2025-01-04 23:45 Last Updated At：01-05 00:27

Various fun activities have been launched in parts of east China's Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces in the run-up to the Spring Festival holiday season.

At the Wen'er food bazaar in Hangzhou City of Zhejiang, a distinctive exhibition showcasing paper-cutting, an intangible cultural heritage, draw a large crowd. In addition to shopping for groceries, visitors could also join in paper-cutting classes, drink coffee, and watch exhibitions.

"Today, I made a paper-cut and a paper-carving artwork, featuring the 'Fu' character, to bring good fortune to my home," said Ge Yingyin, a young girl.

Apart from such lively interactions among locals, an exhibition at the market displays over 50 classic fine-grained paper-cutting artworks, which offers the visitors an opportunity to appreciate the charm of intangible cultural heritage up close.

"The market here is full of life, [where intangible cultural heritage items can find their niche]. China's intangible cultural heritage is never divorced from life, but more integrated into the daily life of ordinary people," said Wan Qianyun, a local resident.

Hua'an in Zhangzhou City of Fujian, once a small fishing village, has now transformed into a popular tourist destination. With its rich fishing resources, the county has developed festive activities such as fish banquets and tours to its traditional earthen buildings, attracting flocks of tourists.

As the Spring Festival approaches, Hua'an has also organized events such as a New Year market, a half-marathon and a spinning top competition, all aimed at boosting its tourism industry by leveraging its distinctive culture and agricultural products.

"The Jiulong River is abundant in aquatic products, and many tourists come here to savor those delicacies. Guanshe has 127 guesthouses with a total of 224 beds, and 60 percent of them are pre-booked for the Spring Festival holiday," said Lan Gengyuan, an official of the Guanshe Village of Hua'an.