Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Foreigners check-in to China for hospital expertise

    Foreigners check-in to China for hospital expertise

    China is experiencing a remarkable transformation in global healthcare perceptions as international patients increasingly choose the country for advanced medical treatment, creating what netizens term ‘reverse medical tourism.’ This trend represents a dramatic shift from just a decade ago when Chinese patients sought care abroad.

    The phenomenon is exemplified by high-profile cases such as Oscar Chalupsky, the former captain of South Africa’s Olympic kayaking team and 12-time world champion. After being diagnosed with high-risk multiple myeloma—a severe bone marrow cancer—six years ago, Chalupsky received discouraging prognoses from medical professionals in South Africa, Portugal, and Germany who deemed his condition ‘difficult to treat or even hopeless.’

    Utilizing artificial intelligence tools including ChatGPT and DeepSeek, Chalupsky identified Shanghai’s Ruijin Hospital as possessing ‘the world’s best hematology department.’ The 62-year-old athlete expressed strong confidence in Chinese healthcare, stating he traveled to Shanghai with high expectations rather than merely to ‘have a try.’

    Following online consultations in November, Ruijin Hospital’s international medical department and hematology team accepted Chalupsky for comprehensive pre-treatment evaluation. His December assessment included whole-body PET-MR imaging, bone marrow biopsy, and T-cell function tests, culminating in a personalized treatment plan centered on CAR-T cell therapy.

    This innovative cancer treatment involves extracting T-cells from the patient’s blood, genetically reprogramming them to target cancer cells, and reinfusing them into the body. Chalupsky’s case illustrates China’s growing expertise in specialized medical areas including proton therapy, targeted pharmaceuticals, and cellular immunotherapies.

    Medical experts attribute this reverse medical tourism trend to China’s unique combination of technological sophistication, clinical experience, treatment efficacy, and cost efficiency. Professor Wang Jian’an, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and medical sector political adviser, notes that China has successfully balanced the global healthcare ‘impossible triangle’ of high quality, affordability, and minimal wait times.

    The pattern extends beyond individual cases to include families like the Vietnamese couple who presented a gratitude banner to Shanghai’s Children’s Hospital of Fudan University in September 2024 after their child received successful treatment for Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy. These developments signal China’s ascending position in the global healthcare landscape, attracting international patients seeking solutions for complex medical conditions that prove challenging elsewhere.

  • Forum underlines cross-Strait exchanges

    Forum underlines cross-Strait exchanges

    In a significant diplomatic development, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) successfully reconvened a major think tank forum in Beijing on February 3, 2026, marking the revival of interparty exchanges after a nearly ten-year hiatus. The high-level gathering brought together approximately 100 participants, including policymakers, industry representatives, and academic experts from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

    Song Tao, Director of the CPC Central Committee’s Taiwan Work Office, inaugurated the forum by emphasizing the historical responsibility both parties bear in fostering peaceful cross-Strait relations. “Our shared commitment to upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing Taiwan independence forms the essential political foundation for constructive dialogue,” Song stated, referencing the October message exchange between CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping and KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun.

    The forum organized its deliberations around three comprehensive panels examining tourism revitalization, industrial innovation, and environmental sustainability. These discussions yielded 15 concrete proposals across five critical cooperation areas: normalization of personnel exchanges, emerging industry collaboration, healthcare innovation, environmental protection, and disaster mitigation strategies.

    KMT Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen echoed the necessity of prioritizing civilian welfare through practical cooperation. “The vibrant people-to-people exchanges we witness today genuinely reflect Taiwanese public sentiment,” Hsiao noted, advocating for setting aside differences while seeking common ground.

    Industry representatives presented specific cooperation opportunities during the proceedings. Lai Seh-jen of the Taiwan Tourism Interchange Association urged lifting restrictions on group travel to mainland China, while business leader Chen Yung-feng highlighted synergistic potential in artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing. The joint proposals specifically called for removing barriers imposed by Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party authorities and restoring full direct transportation links across the Strait.

  • HRW Israel-Palestine director resigns, accuses watchdog of ‘cooking the books’

    HRW Israel-Palestine director resigns, accuses watchdog of ‘cooking the books’

    A significant internal rupture has emerged at Human Rights Watch (HRW) following the resignation of its former Israel-Palestine director, Omar Shakir. In a damning resignation letter, Shakir accused the organization’s senior leadership, specifically new Executive Director Philippe Bolopion, of deliberately suppressing a fully-vetted report that concluded Israel is committing crimes against humanity by denying Palestinians their right of return.

    The report, titled “‘Our Souls Are in the Homes We Left’: Israel’s Denial of Palestinians’ Right to Return and Crimes Against Humanity,” was allegedly blocked from publication in late November despite having completed the standard review process. Shakir revealed that the report was so near to release that donors had been briefed, it was coded into HRW’s website, and an embargoed press link was prepared.

    Shakir stated that Bolopion justified halting publication over concerns that detractors would misinterpret it as HRW endorsing a call to ‘demographically extinguish the Jewishness of the Israeli state.’ Shakir condemned this reasoning as ‘cooking the books’ and allowing ‘pragmatism’ to dictate legal findings—a approach he characterized as more typical of politics than principled human rights advocacy. He cited this decision as a fundamental compromise of HRW’s commitment to fact-based reporting and consistent application of international law, which ultimately led to his resignation.

    The right of return is a principle codified in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which HRW itself has upheld in other contexts, such as a 2023 report on the Chagos Islands. The historical context traces back to the 1948 Nakba, where Palestinians were expelled following Israel’s establishment, and further displacements occurred after the 1967 war.

    Shakir also acknowledged the intense scrutiny he faced in his role, particularly following the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza, which has resulted in over 71,800 Palestinian deaths and has been deemed a genocide by numerous UN experts and institutions. He contrasted the suppression of the right-of-return report with the publication of HRW’s 2024 report on the October 7th attacks, which drew backlash from Palestinians but was published because it was ‘the principled thing to do.’

    HRW did not respond to requests for comment on these allegations by the time of publication.

  • ‘We have a text’: US says peace plan for Sudan to be revealed this week

    ‘We have a text’: US says peace plan for Sudan to be revealed this week

    The United States has finalized the text of a comprehensive peace proposal aimed at resolving Sudan’s nearly three-year civil war, with senior presidential advisor Massad Boulos announcing the plan has secured approval from the Quad nations coalition. The diplomatic bloc, comprising the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, has been developing this framework for at least three months as a mutually acceptable solution for both the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

    Boulos revealed the five-pillar structure during a humanitarian fundraising event, outlining components addressing immediate crisis response, civilian protection, ceasefire transition, political processes toward civilian governance, and post-conflict reconstruction funding. While expressing encouragement from engagements with military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Boulos declined to identify specific implementation obstacles despite reporter inquiries.

    The diplomatic landscape reveals significant complexities, with Sudan’s ambassador to the US previously rejecting UAE involvement in mediation efforts due to Abu Dhabi’s alleged support for the RSF. This tension surfaced despite the UAE’s announcement of a $500 million aid package at the same event where Washington pledged an additional $200 million toward a projected $1.5 billion total humanitarian commitment.

    The peace process architecture involves multiple international layers, with plans for UN Security Council endorsement followed by review through President Trump’s Board of Peace—a mechanism originally designed for Gaza conflicts. Boulos characterized the two bodies as “complementary” rather than competitive, emphasizing the Board’s enthusiastic engagement capacity.

    Humanitarian urgency underscores these diplomatic efforts, with UN officials reporting over 21 million Sudanese facing acute shortages amid what the US Under Secretary of State termed “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.” With approximately 10 million internally displaced and four million refugees, the UN targets visible aid progress by Ramadan’s commencement in mid-February.