分类： society

In Tainan, Taiwan, a significant cultural exhibition recently honored the legacy of Shen Baozhen, a prominent Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) official renowned for modernizing the island’s coastal defenses. The 15-day event, organized by the Tainan Culture Association, commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Eternal Golden Castle—a formidable fortress constructed under Shen’s supervision between 1874 and 1876 to protect against Japanese invasions.

The exhibition featured materials borrowed from mainland China, highlighting Shen’s critical role in strengthening Taiwan’s military infrastructure. The Eternal Golden Castle proved instrumental during the Sino-French War of 1884 and again in 1895 when local forces resisted Japanese naval attacks.

Zhou Chih-ju, head of the Tainan Culture Association, voiced strong criticism against current Taiwan authorities for their apparent neglect of Qing-era historical figures while emphasizing colonial-era narratives. She specifically contrasted the official silence surrounding Shen’s contributions with the highly publicized commemoration of Japanese engineer Yoichi Hatta, which was attended by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te in May.

According to Zhou, educational materials have reduced Qing Dynasty history to mere paragraphs, creating what she describes as ‘cultural amnesia.’ In response, her organization distributed 1,000 illustrated manuals to local teachers to provide students with a more comprehensive historical perspective. The association additionally conducts regular educational tours at historical sites throughout Tainan, aiming to present what they consider a complete and accurate historical narrative to younger generations.

‘History must be upheld in its correctness; it cannot be fragmented,’ Zhou stated. ‘We shouldn’t decide which part of history the next generation chooses; we should present the entire historical context.’

South Korea has unveiled plans to completely terminate its foreign adoption program by 2029, marking a significant policy shift following mounting international pressure over decades of systemic human rights violations. The announcement from Seoul’s Health Ministry came just hours after United Nations investigators issued a stark condemnation of the country’s failure to provide adequate truth-finding mechanisms and reparations for adoptees subjected to widespread fraud and abuse.

Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Seuran confirmed the five-year phase-out plan during a Friday briefing, emphasizing the government’s commitment to restructuring child welfare policies toward domestic solutions. The move represents a dramatic decline from South Korea’s peak adoption exports in the 1980s, when over 6,000 children were sent abroad annually, to just 24 foreign adoptions approved in 2025.

The UN human rights office had earlier released a damning assessment citing ‘serious concerns’ about South Korea’s inadequate response to historical adoption abuses. Investigators highlighted the case of Yooree Kim, a 52-year-old adoptee sent to France in 1984 with falsified documents describing her as an orphan despite having biological parents. Kim endured severe physical and sexual abuse by her adoptive family and has become a central figure in seeking accountability from both South Korean and French authorities.

UN special rapporteurs criticized Seoul for suspending a government fact-finding investigation into past adoption abuses and for failing to provide adoptees effective access to remedies for serious violations that may amount to enforced disappearances. They specifically noted concerns about the ‘possible denial of their rights to truth, reparations, and memorialization.’

In its response, South Korea pointed to past reforms including a 2011 law that reinstated judicial oversight of foreign adoptions and recent steps to centralize adoption authority. However, the government acknowledged that further investigations and reparations would require future legislation, offering no concrete measures to address the vast backlog of inaccurate records that prevent many adoptees from reconnecting with birth families.

Human rights lawyer Choi Jung Kyu, representing Kim and multiple plaintiffs suing over historical abuses, characterized South Korea’s response as ‘perfunctory,’ noting that promised reparations remain unclear in draft legislation. The government previously vetoed an April bill that would have removed statutes of limitations for state-related human rights violations.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission had recognized Kim and 55 other adoptees as victims of human rights violations in March, acknowledging state responsibility for facilitating a foreign adoption program ‘rife with fraud and abuse’ driven by efforts to reduce welfare costs. However, the commission halted its investigation weeks later due to internal disputes, leaving 311 cases unresolved pending potential legislative action.

Historical records show that South Korea’s military governments passed special laws promoting foreign adoptions, removing judicial oversight and granting extensive powers to private agencies that often manipulated children’s backgrounds. Western nations largely ignored these abuses while maintaining high demand for adoptable children, resulting in approximately 200,000 Korean children sent overseas through questionable means over several decades.

As 2025 draws to a close, a retrospective examination reveals a year remarkably characterized by profound human connections and selfless acts that transcended geographical and cultural boundaries. Across China and beyond, ordinary individuals demonstrated extraordinary compassion through both subtle gestures of kindness and courageous interventions that captured global attention.

This year’s most memorable incidents collectively painted a mosaic of human resilience, ranging from spontaneous community responses to natural disasters to organized volunteer efforts supporting vulnerable populations. These narratives not only provided emotional solace during challenging times but also reinforced fundamental social values through practical action rather than mere rhetoric.

Documented instances included grassroots initiatives addressing educational disparities, environmental conservation efforts driven by local communities, and cross-generational solidarity movements that bridged traditional divides. The cumulative impact of these developments suggests a growing societal recognition that meaningful change often originates from individual actions rather than institutional directives alone.

Visual documentation through various media platforms has preserved these ephemeral moments, creating an archival record that future generations may study as evidence of 2025’s distinctive social fabric. This compilation serves not as comprehensive chronology but as representative sampling of how contemporary challenges were met with innovative empathy and collective determination.

KABUL, Afghanistan — The iconic Ariana Cinema, a cultural landmark that withstood decades of revolution and warfare in Afghanistan’s capital, has been completely demolished by municipal crews, marking the end of an era for Afghan cinema enthusiasts. The demolition began on December 16 and within one week, the historic structure was reduced to rubble.

Established in 1963 during Afghanistan’s liberalizing monarchy, the cinema represented modernization efforts with its sleek architecture and became a cherished entertainment venue featuring Bollywood films and American action movies. Despite surviving Soviet invasion, civil war, and previous Taliban rule, the cinema couldn’t withstand the current administration’s urban development plans.

The Taliban government, which seized power in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces, has implemented strict interpretations of Islamic law that prohibit most forms of entertainment. Earlier this year, the regime formally dissolved the Afghan Film Administration and ordered all cinemas to cease operations.

Kabul municipal authorities justified the demolition by citing commercial development priorities. Niamatullah Barakzai, municipal spokesman, stated: ‘The area represents prime commercial real estate with significant market potential. Our objective is to generate substantial municipal revenue through strategic development of city-owned properties.’

For Afghan artists and cinema enthusiasts, the destruction represents more than architectural loss. Amir Shah Talash, an Afghan film director and actor now residing in France, described the demolition as ‘devastatingly painful news.’ Talash, whose childhood visits to the Ariana inspired his cinematic career, noted: ‘They’re not merely destroying bricks and cement but eradicating the resilience of Afghan cinema lovers who persisted through immense security challenges and hardships.’

The cinema had previously been destroyed during civil conflicts and was rebuilt in 2004 with French assistance following the Taliban’s initial ouster. It had recently served as a cultural hub where Kabul residents sought respite from daily struggles through film. ‘It provided mental and emotional relief during difficult times,’ Talash recalled. ‘This demolition signifies regression in our cultural development.’

The loss resonates internationally among South Asian cinema enthusiasts. Pakistani film lover Sohaib Romi recounted traveling to Kabul in 1974 to watch Indian films during periods of cultural prohibition in Pakistan. ‘My most cherished memories now lie buried beneath the Ariana’s rubble,’ Romi lamented.

Despite the physical destruction, Talash maintains hope for Afghan artistic expression: ‘While buildings may collapse, authentic art persists within people’s hearts and minds. The future appears challenging but not entirely hopeless.’

A distressing incident unfolded at Islam’s holiest site on December 25, 2025, when an individual attempted suicide by jumping from an upper floor of Masjid Al Haram in Mecca. According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior, security personnel from the Special Force for the Security of the Grand Mosque immediately responded to the emergency situation.

During the intervention, a security officer sustained injuries while attempting to break the fall of the individual. Both the would-be suicide victim and the injured officer were promptly transferred to medical facilities for emergency treatment. Authorities confirmed that all necessary legal procedures have been completed following the incident.

The Haram security forces issued an official statement clarifying: ‘There was an incident of a person attempting to take his own life from the upper floors of the Grand Mosque. A security officer was injured while trying to prevent him from hitting the ground at the moment of his fall.’ The statement emphasized that both individuals received immediate medical attention and that official protocols were followed.

This event marks a rare security and humanitarian challenge at one of the world’s most frequently visited religious sites, which typically sees millions of worshippers annually during pilgrimage seasons. The incident highlights both the ongoing mental health challenges in society and the dedication of security forces tasked with protecting visitors to the holy site.

The United Arab Emirates has taken a decisive step toward safeguarding its younger generation with the introduction of comprehensive legislation designed to protect children from digital risks. This pioneering law establishes a robust framework to ensure the secure and responsible use of technology among minors, addressing growing concerns about online safety in an increasingly digital world.

The legislation mandates strict guidelines for technology providers, educational institutions, and parents to collaboratively create a protected digital environment. It encompasses measures against cyberbullying, inappropriate content exposure, data privacy violations, and other potential threats that children might encounter online. The law also emphasizes digital literacy programs to empower children with the knowledge to navigate the digital landscape safely.

Concurrently, Dubai continues its tradition of spectacular celebrations with announcements of an expansive New Year’s Eve display for 2026. The emirate plans to illuminate the sky with 48 synchronized fireworks displays across 40 different locations, creating a breathtaking panorama that will be visible throughout the city. This ambitious project underscores Dubai’s position as a global hub for tourism and grand-scale events, combining technological innovation with cultural celebration.

The simultaneous revelation of these developments presents a striking contrast between the UAE’s forward-thinking approach to digital child protection and its commitment to maintaining its reputation for world-class entertainment and tourism experiences.