Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Chinese railways handle 12.24m trips on 1st day of Spring Festival travel rush

    Chinese railways handle 12.24m trips on 1st day of Spring Festival travel rush

    China’s monumental Spring Festival travel period launched with extraordinary momentum as the national railway network recorded approximately 12.24 million passenger journeys on its inaugural day, according to official data released by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. The figures, reported on Tuesday, February 4th, 2026, demonstrate the massive scale of what is routinely described as the planet’s largest annual human migration event.

    The colossal transportation operation, known locally as ‘chunyun,’ extends across a 40-day timeframe concluding on March 13th. By 8:00 AM Tuesday, the state-operated ticketing platform 12306 had already processed a staggering 84.49 million ticket reservations for rail travel throughout this period.

    Anticipating sustained high demand, railway authorities projected 11.15 million passenger trips for the second day of the travel rush. To accommodate the unprecedented movement of people, transportation coordinators have deployed an additional 879 trains across the national network, implementing special scheduling measures to ensure smooth operations.

    The Spring Festival, celebrating the Lunar New Year beginning February 17th, represents China’s most significant traditional holiday with official observances spanning nine days. This year’s travel rush is forecast to generate a historic 9.5 billion inter-regional passenger journeys nationwide, with railway systems expected to manage approximately 540 million of these trips, underscoring the critical role of rail infrastructure in China’s seasonal migration patterns.

  • After retrial, high court sentences man to death

    After retrial, high court sentences man to death

    In a significant judicial reversal, the Yunnan High People’s Court has sentenced Tian Yongming to death for intentional homicide, overturning a previously suspended death penalty. The ruling concludes a protracted legal process stemming from violent crimes committed over two decades ago.

    The court determined that Tian’s extensive criminal history, beginning with a 1996 conviction for the rape and attempted murder of his sister-in-law, demonstrated exceptional severity warranting capital punishment. After serving a nine-year prison term, Tian immediately sought retaliation against his victim upon release in 2002.

    On November 13, 2002, Tian forcibly entered the woman’s residence armed with a knife. When she escaped, villager Liu Mingfu attempted intervention but was fatally stabbed multiple times. Tian subsequently caught his sister-in-law and inflicted severe stab wounds before bystanders halted the assault.

    Following nearly twenty years as a fugitive, technological advancements in surveillance and intelligence analysis enabled authorities to locate and arrest Tian in February 2022 in Changsha, Hunan province. The Yuxi Intermediate People’s Court initially issued a suspended death sentence later that year.

    The case underwent multiple judicial reviews, with the high court initially upholding the suspended sentence in October 2025 under the principle prohibiting increased penalties upon appeal. However, just two days later, the court ordered a retrial citing improper legal application and inappropriate sentencing.

    The final judgment emphasized that Tian’s actions reflected blatant disregard for legal and social norms, demonstrating profound malicious intent and particularly heinous circumstances that posed grave societal threats. The court noted the defendant’s complete lack of remorse despite previous imprisonment.

    The death sentence now proceeds to the Supreme People’s Court for mandatory review, as required by Chinese law. Beijing-based lawyer Xu Hao confirmed that Tian retains the right to submit final appeals and defense statements during this review process.

  • New reforms simplify access to public services

    New reforms simplify access to public services

    Chinese authorities have launched a significant new package of administrative reforms aimed at reducing bureaucratic hurdles and enhancing economic vitality. This latest initiative, comprising 13 specific measures, represents the first batch of reforms for 2026 and the fifth overall since the comprehensive campaign began in 2024, bringing the total number of streamlined procedures to 55.

    The reforms target high-frequency service needs for both individuals and enterprises, transforming traditionally fragmented, multi-step processes into seamless, intelligent experiences through improved inter-departmental data sharing. Key improvements include simplified nursing home registration procedures, easier mobile phone access for international visitors, streamlined annual reviews for technology innovation companies, and more efficient intellectual property transfers.

    Other notable enhancements cover public event security clearances, childcare and elderly welfare subsidies, social insurance payments for flexible workers, and maritime vessel departure procedures. The changes demonstrate a shift from simple physical combination of services toward what Xinhua News Agency describes as a ‘chemical reaction’ of deeply integrated administration.

    The reforms respond to contemporary social trends including pro-fertility policies and increased foreign visitation following relaxed visa transit rules. One particularly impactful change involves streamlined approvals for public events, accelerated by the remarkable success of Jiangsu province’s ‘Suchao’ amateur soccer league, which attracted record crowds of over 28,000 per match and generated 38 billion yuan in consumption revenue last year.

    Academic experts emphasize the broader significance of these measures. Huang Huang, Deputy Dean of Peking University’s School of Government, notes that the campaign serves as a critical driver of high-quality development by reducing institutional costs and improving business efficiency. Professor Zheng Lei from Fudan University’s School of International Relations and Public Affairs adds that these streamlined procedures liberate the public from bureaucratic constraints while enabling businesses to refocus on core activities like research, market expansion, and product innovation.

  • Chinese automakers gain ground in Australia as market share, sales surge

    Chinese automakers gain ground in Australia as market share, sales surge

    The Australian automotive landscape witnessed a remarkable transformation in 2025 as Chinese manufacturers significantly expanded their footprint, capturing nearly one-fifth of all new vehicle sales according to industry data. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), the nation’s premier automotive distribution body, reported that Chinese brands accounted for approximately 18% of total sales, marking a substantial increase from 14% just a year earlier.

    This surge occurred within a robust market that exceeded 1.21 million vehicle sales overall. Three Chinese automakers—Great Wall Motor, BYD, and MG—secured positions among Australia’s top ten bestselling brands, with Chery emerging as the fastest-growing marque after recording an extraordinary 176.8% sales growth. The performance solidifies China’s status as Australia’s third-largest vehicle source nation, particularly significant given Australia’s complete reliance on imports since domestic manufacturing ceased in 2017.

    The ascendancy of Chinese brands coincides with Australia’s accelerating transition toward electrified transportation. FCAI statistics reveal that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) reached 100,000 units sold (8.3% market share), while plug-in hybrids experienced the most dramatic growth—more than doubling to over 50,000 units with a 130.9% year-on-year increase. Hybrid vehicles also gained substantial traction, with approximately 200,000 units sold representing a 15.3% annual growth.

    Peter Griffin, FCAI’s Director of State and Territory Advocacy, attributed this shift to evolving global supply chains and expanding consumer choices: ‘China’s position reflects continued diversification of automotive supply chains and growing product breadth available to Australian consumers across all engine types.’ He noted that Asian manufacturers now supply over 80% of Australia’s new vehicles.

    The electric vehicle sector demonstrated particularly strong Chinese representation, with three BYD models ranking among Australia’s top five bestselling EVs during the first half of 2025, collectively exceeding 18,500 units. According to the Electric Vehicle Council, Australia’s national EV fleet has now surpassed 454,000 vehicles.

    Julie Delvecchio, CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council, highlighted the consumer appeal of EVs: ‘Australians are choosing EVs in record numbers because these are cheaper to run, cleaner and quieter.’ However, she emphasized that achieving Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction targets would require accelerating EV sales to at least 240,000 vehicles annually.

    Industry leaders anticipate continued Chinese brand expansion in the Australian market. Griffin concluded: ‘Australians demand quality vehicles at competitive prices. Thus, we expect Chinese brands to remain an important part of the Australian market in 2026 and into the future, with further growth and new products.’

  • Scientists uncover core stabilizing driver of grassland productivity

    Scientists uncover core stabilizing driver of grassland productivity

    A groundbreaking international study led by Lanzhou University has revealed that species diversity within local grassland communities serves as the fundamental stabilizing mechanism for maintaining productivity in China’s natural grassland ecosystems. Published in Nature Communications, this research provides crucial insights into ecosystem resilience amid global climate change challenges.

    The collaborative investigation between Chinese, Dutch, and Spanish researchers conducted extensive field studies across 235 sampling sites in China’s ecologically significant regions, including the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Inner Mongolia Plateau. The research methodology integrated systematic field measurements of plant species composition, functional traits, and soil properties with decade-long remote sensing data to track vegetation productivity dynamics.

    Professor Liu Xiang from Lanzhou University’s College of Ecology explained that while ecological theory has long suggested that biodiversity promotes ecosystem stability, this study provides empirical evidence at unprecedented spatial scales. The research demonstrates that species richness consistently stabilizes productivity, whereas functional diversity surprisingly contributes to destabilization at local scales.

    The study uncovered regional variations in stabilizing factors. On water-limited Inner Mongolia Plateau, mean annual precipitation emerged as the primary stabilizing factor, while on temperature-constrained Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, local species richness proved most critical. Contrary to previous assumptions, the research found no evidence that differences in species composition or functional traits among communities enhance stability through asynchronous productivity fluctuations at larger spatial scales.

    These findings challenge existing ecological models and provide a new scientific foundation for sustainable grassland management, particularly in arid and cold regions vulnerable to climate change impacts. The integration of large-scale field investigation with long-term remote observation represents a methodological advancement in ecological research, offering more accurate predictive capabilities for ecosystem responses to environmental changes.

  • Muammar Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam, killed in Libya

    Muammar Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam, killed in Libya

    Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi, the once-presumed heir to Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been assassinated by a commando unit at his residence in Zintan, according to his political advisor. The 53-year-old was killed on Tuesday at approximately 2:00 pm local time (1200 GMT) in an operation that saw four unidentified assailants disable security systems before executing the attack.

    His French legal representative, Marcel Ceccaldi, confirmed to AFP that Gaddafi had received security warnings in recent days from close associates about potential threats to his safety. The assassination occurs against the backdrop of Libya’s deeply fractured political landscape, where competing governments in Tripoli and the east vie for control and oil revenues.

    Saif al-Islam had resided in Zintan since his 2017 pardon and release from imprisonment, following his capture during the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that resulted in his father’s death. During the Gaddafi regime, he was widely regarded as the successor-in-waiting and positioned himself as a reformist figure, notably negotiating Libya’s nuclear program abandonment.

    The London School of Economics-educated politician faced serious international charges, including an ICC arrest warrant issued in 2011 for alleged torture of protesters and dissidents. Though convicted in absentia in 2015 for war crimes, he was scheduled to face trial within Libya’s judicial system.

    His death comes at a particularly volatile moment in Libyan politics. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh’s internationally recognized government, which came to power in 2021 with a mandate to organize democratic elections, has struggled to maintain stability while competing with Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based administration for control of the country’s valuable oil resources. No official government statement has yet been issued regarding the assassination.

  • Khalifa Haftar makes landmark visit to Pakistan for security cooperation

    Khalifa Haftar makes landmark visit to Pakistan for security cooperation

    In a significant diplomatic development, Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar undertook an unusual visit to Pakistan this Monday, signaling a potential strategic realignment in regional security partnerships. The eastern Libyan leader, accompanied by his son Saddam Haftar—viewed as his likely successor—and Eastern Libyan Prime Minister Osama Saad Hamad, engaged in high-level talks with Pakistani military and civilian leadership.

    The delegation met with Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where both parties discussed mutual security interests and professional cooperation frameworks. This meeting followed reports by Reuters indicating a substantial $4 billion arms agreement between Haftar’s administration and Pakistan—potentially Islamabad’s largest defense contract—initiated during Munir’s December visit to Benghazi.

    Subsequent discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad emphasized strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in areas of common concern. Both governments expressed commitment to promoting regional peace, stability, and development through deepened partnership.

    Haftar’s journey to South Asia marks a notable expansion of his diplomatic outreach beyond his regular visits to Egypt and Russia. The development occurs against the backdrop of Libya’s political division between the internationally recognized government in Tripoli led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and Haftar’s eastern-based administration.

    This emerging Pakistan-Libya security relationship introduces complex dynamics to regional alliances. Haftar maintains close ties with the UAE and has supported the Abu Dhabi-backed Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, creating tensions with Saudi Arabia and Egypt—both traditional Haftar supporters who now back the opposing Sudanese Armed Forces. Pakistan’s evolving position, balancing relationships with Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Ankara while pursuing new partnerships with Libyan factions, reflects the ongoing recalibration of Middle Eastern and North African security architectures.

  • China’s carbon fiber production line thrives

    China’s carbon fiber production line thrives

    China has achieved a monumental breakthrough in advanced materials manufacturing with the successful establishment of its first large-scale T1000-grade carbon fiber production facility in Shanxi province. This development marks a significant shift from technological dependence to global competitiveness in high-performance materials science.

    The pioneering production line, a collaborative effort between the Institute of Coal Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanxi Huayang Carbon Material Technology Co, boasts an annual capacity of 200 metric tons of T1000-grade carbon fiber. This achievement represents the initial phase of an ambitious plan targeting 1,000 tons annual production capacity.

    Carbon fiber, renowned for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and versatility, serves as a critical component across aerospace, defense, automotive, and sporting goods industries. The material’s unique properties enable substantial weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity in applications ranging from spacecraft and military vessels to athletic equipment.

    Industry analysis from Guoyuan Securities indicates China accounted for over half of global carbon fiber demand in 2024, with domestic production satisfying more than 80% of this demand. Projections suggest this figure will reach 90% by 2026, underscoring the strategic importance of this technological advancement.

    The manufacturing process employs innovative dry-jet wet spinning technology, a significant improvement over traditional methods. This technique involves extruding polyacrylonitrile solution through specialized spinnerets, creating ultrafine filaments that undergo precise oxidation and carbonization processes. The resulting T1000-grade fiber exhibits remarkable properties: with a diameter measuring less than one-tenth of a human hair, it demonstrates strength five times greater than steel while maintaining extreme lightweight characteristics.

    Professor Zhang Shouchun, deputy director of the Institute of Coal Chemistry, illustrates the material’s capabilities: “A bundle of 12,000 one-meter-long T1000 carbon fibers weighs merely 0.5 grams yet can support over 200 kilograms—equivalent to three adult males.”

    This breakthrough concludes a five-decade journey from technological dependency to self-sufficiency. Researchers overcame significant obstacles, including foreign technology embargoes and export controls that previously restricted China’s access to high-end carbon fiber. The development timeline saw Chinese scientists achieving T300 production in 2008—a feat that took Japanese researchers fifteen years—in just three years under intense pressure.

    The successful industrialization resulted from strategic collaboration between government entities, research institutions, and private enterprises. The partnership demonstrates how traditional industries like coal production can transition toward high-tech manufacturing, with Huayang Carbon Material Technology transforming from conventional coal operations to advanced materials production.

    Future applications extend beyond current aerospace and energy sectors into construction and apparel industries. Researchers emphasize that continued innovation and market expansion will be crucial for reducing production costs and maintaining global competitiveness in this rapidly evolving field.

  • Technician’s toil keeps travel rush on track

    Technician’s toil keeps travel rush on track

    As millions embark on their annual pilgrimage home for China’s Spring Festival, an intricate ballet of precision engineering unfolds beneath the carriages of the nation’s rail network. At the heart of this operation stands Gao Bincheng, a 36-year-old technician whose meticulous work ensures the safety of countless travelers during the world’s largest human migration.

    Within the wheel and axle workshop of China Railway Taiyuan Group’s maintenance depot, Gao performs measurements with extraordinary precision—controlling tolerances to within 0.001 millimeters, approximately one-eightieth the diameter of a human hair. Each day, he examines 12-16 wheel sets for conventional trains, taking 21 distinct measurements per unit using specialized micrometers. His steady hands and analytical judgment remain irreplaceable despite technological advancements, as automated systems lack the flexibility to handle unusual wear patterns or select alternative measurement points.

    The 2026 Spring Festival travel period, commencing February 2nd, initiates a 40-day marathon of transportation logistics. While passengers focus on their journeys home, Gao and his colleagues work with the understanding that “millimeters determine safety” in railway maintenance. This philosophy is embedded throughout a rigorous quality control system involving self-inspection, foreman review, departmental quality checks, and final verification by acceptance offices.

    Gao’s connection to railways runs deep—coming from a multigenerational railway family and having joined the depot in 2013 after military service. His dedication has earned him numerous accolades, including recognition as an “advanced worker” and “maintenance star.” Yet despite twelve years of experience, he continues refining his skills during off-hours, recognizing that his behind-the-scenes role carries profound responsibility.

    “There are no shortcuts in this work,” Gao reflects. “It demands continuous practice and refinement. After each shift, I meticulously review the day’s operations—without this ritual, I cannot rest peacefully.” Though distant from the bustling platforms, Gao and his team derive satisfaction from knowing their precision engineering provides passengers with safe passage during this cherished annual tradition.

  • US-Iran drone encounter clouds prospects for talks

    US-Iran drone encounter clouds prospects for talks

    A tense aerial encounter between US and Iranian forces in international waters has cast uncertainty over upcoming diplomatic talks between the longstanding adversaries. The incident occurred Tuesday when a US F-35C fighter jet shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone that the US Central Command stated had “aggressively approached” the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier approximately 800 kilometers from Iran’s coastline.

    The US military characterized the engagement as “an act of self-defense” necessitated by the drone’s “unnecessary maneuvering” toward the carrier. No American personnel were injured nor equipment damaged during the confrontation.

    Iranian media presented a contrasting narrative, with Fars news agency reporting their drone had successfully completed a “surveillance mission” in international waters, monitoring military movements and transmitting real-time data to ground bases. Simultaneously, Tasnim news agency acknowledged Iran had lost contact with one of its drones, with the cause under investigation.

    The aerial confrontation comes amid fragile diplomatic overtures. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced he had instructed the Foreign Ministry to pursue “fair and equitable” negotiations with the United States, responding to a proposal from US President Donald Trump that regional governments had urged Iran to consider. Pezeshkian emphasized any talks must occur within a framework of “dignity, prudence and expediency.”

    Diplomatic preparations face multiple complications. While Turkey has offered mediation services, Iran reportedly prefers Oman as a venue and favors direct bilateral talks rather than a broader format involving Arab and Muslim states. The diplomatic initiative has also drawn resistance from Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office asserting Iran “has repeatedly demonstrated it cannot be trusted to keep its promises.” Israeli officials are reportedly seeking US assurances of “operational freedom of action” against Iran and pressing for complete cessation of Tehran’s ballistic missile program and uranium enrichment.

    Further complicating the diplomatic landscape, Iran faces renewed tensions with the European Union following the bloc’s designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Tehran responded by labeling EU militaries as “terrorist groups” and summoned EU ambassadors to protest the move.

    Domestically, Iranian authorities announced the arrest of 139 foreign nationals in Yazd during recent anti-government protests that began in response to currency depreciation but escalated into violent clashes. Tehran has consistently blamed the United States and Israel for instigating the unrest.