Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • China launches $113 billion free-trade experiment on Hainan island

    China launches $113 billion free-trade experiment on Hainan island

    China has initiated a groundbreaking economic experiment by transforming its southern island province of Hainan into a massive free trade port, marking one of Beijing’s most ambitious market liberalization efforts to date. The newly launched Hainan Free Trade Port, with an economy comparable to the world’s 70th largest nation, has been officially separated from mainland customs processing in a strategic move to establish a Hong Kong-style commercial hub.

    The project represents a significant component of China’s broader strategy to enhance its free-trade credentials and potentially join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Under the new framework, foreign goods achieving at least 30% local value-added content can enter China’s massive consumer market tariff-free, while international firms gain access to service sectors traditionally restricted on the mainland.

    Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng characterized the initiative as a “major strategic decision” and “vital gateway” for China’s new era of global economic engagement. The timing appears strategically significant, coming amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States and China’s efforts to diversify its $19 trillion economy while strengthening its position in global supply chains.

    Economic analysts note that Hainan’s transformation serves multiple strategic purposes: boosting foreign investment amid a 10.4% year-on-year decline in FDI during the first three quarters of 2025, enhancing China’s regional trade connectivity with Southeast Asia, and creating a testing ground for market liberalization policies that could eventually expand nationwide.

    However, experts caution that significant challenges remain. The island province, with its $113 billion GDP, must compete with established hubs like Hong Kong ($407 billion economy) while lacking comparable legal systems and financial openness. Additionally, trade negotiators question whether CPTPP members will view the project as sufficient evidence of China’s commitment to economy-wide reforms required for membership in the high-standard trade bloc.

  • Rights group seeks US sanctions on Bahrain minister for torture of detainees

    Rights group seeks US sanctions on Bahrain minister for torture of detainees

    Human Rights First (HRF), a prominent US-based advocacy organization, has formally submitted a comprehensive dossier to the Trump administration calling for targeted sanctions against Bahrain’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. The submission, delivered on Thursday, presents evidence alleging the minister’s direct oversight of systematic torture practices within Bahrain’s detention facilities since 2011.

    The documentation accuses Minister Al Khalifa, who has led Bahrain’s interior ministry since 2004, of supervising torture and cruel treatment of political prisoners despite Bahrain’s status as a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture. According to HRF’s statement obtained by Middle East Eye, prisoners have faced severe beatings to extract confessions and been systematically denied essential medical care, resulting in multiple fatalities.

    HRF President and CEO Uzra Zeya emphasized that “torture and cruel treatment in Bahrain’s prisons have continued well past the crackdown on the country’s 2011 uprising.” The organization contends that US law mandates visa bans and financial sanctions against foreign officials implicated in gross human rights violations.

    The recommendation builds upon longstanding concerns expressed by senior US lawmakers, including previous communications from figures such as Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Ron Wyden. In 2021 correspondence with the State Department, these legislators expressed alarm about Bahrain’s violent repression and warned that systemic abuses could undermine both domestic stability and US strategic interests, particularly regarding the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain.

    HRF’s submission argues that Minister Al Khalifa meets the legal threshold for sanctions under both the Global Magnitsky Act and Section 7031(c) of US law, which authorizes visa restrictions against foreign officials involved in significant human rights violations. The organization advocates for a policy shift away from what it describes as an “illusion of stability sustained by impunity” toward measures that prioritize accountability and behavioral change.

    This development follows the UN Committee Against Torture’s recent observations expressing deep concern about “consistent reports indicating that persons in custody are subjected to torture or ill-treatment” in Bahrain and the “reported lack of accountability, which contributes to a climate of impunity.” Middle East Eye has contacted both the Bahraini government and US State Department for comment regarding these allegations.

  • DAW Construction showcases PRC infrastructure expertise at Big 5 Global 2025

    DAW Construction showcases PRC infrastructure expertise at Big 5 Global 2025

    Dubai-based Dar Alwd Construction (DAW) made a significant impact at Big 5 Global 2025 by demonstrating its pioneering infrastructure solutions centered on advanced Polymer Resin Concrete (PRC) technology. The event served as a strategic platform for the construction firm to highlight its engineering expertise and sustainable material applications aligned with the UAE’s national development goals.

    In collaboration with Qatar German Pipes Company (QGPC), DAW presented comprehensive case studies showcasing PRC implementation across critical infrastructure projects. This next-generation material exhibits exceptional durability, corrosion resistance, and extended service life while substantially reducing maintenance requirements. Current applications span sewerage networks, stormwater management systems, access chambers, manholes, and pipeline infrastructure across prominent developments including Al Juraiana and Nomad by Shurooq.

    The environmental advantages of PRC position it as a cornerstone material for sustainable infrastructure development. With minimal water absorption characteristics, reduced lifecycle emissions, and a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to conventional concrete, PRC directly supports the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative. The material’s extended operational lifespan further enhances its sustainability credentials while delivering superior performance under demanding conditions.

    Tarek Musbah Abdul Rahman, General Manager of DAW Construction, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation: ‘Big 5 Global enables us to demonstrate how advanced materials transform infrastructure delivery. Our PRC experience proves that material innovation, backed by robust execution capabilities, achieves long-term performance and durability while supporting national infrastructure objectives.’

    Looking toward 2026, DAW plans to expand PRC implementation across upcoming projects, reinforcing its dedication to engineering excellence and sustainable construction practices. The company continues to integrate advanced materials and innovative engineering approaches to develop resilient, future-ready infrastructure solutions throughout the UAE.

  • Pakistan Educational and Cultural Board honoured

    Pakistan Educational and Cultural Board honoured

    DUBAI – The Pakistan Educational and Cultural Board (PECB) has been distinguished with the Gold Category Award during the second phase of the Ethraa Empowerment Programme, an initiative orchestrated by Dubai’s Community Development Authority (CDA). The accolade was presented during a formal ceremony at Emirates Towers on December 17, 2025, in recognition of PECB’s exemplary performance and distinguished social services within the community.

    Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director-General of the CDA, conferred the award and emphasized in her keynote address the critical importance of community partnership, civil society enhancement, and the instrumental role non-profit organizations play in advancing social development—core tenets of both Dubai and the wider UAE national vision.

    The Gold Category Award specifically honors institutions that exhibit superior service quality, sustainable governance frameworks, and the delivery of comprehensive support services to priority demographic groups. PECB, which oversees the Pakistan Education Academy and English Language Private School, stood out for its alignment with these rigorous criteria.

    Chairman Hassan Hokal and Vice-Chairman Rashid Ashraf accepted the award on behalf of PECB. They were accompanied by the principals of both institutions, Shamaela Ahmad and Muhammad Atif.

    In his acceptance speech, Mr. Hokal expressed profound gratitude to the CDA, noting that initiatives like the Ethraa Programme significantly bolster public confidence in non-profit entities while incentivizing continuous improvement in service quality. He described the recognition as a tangible manifestation of the Dubai Government’s commitment to social development, inclusivity, and sustainable community progress.

    Mr. Hokal further attributed this achievement to the concerted efforts of PECB’s leadership, board of governors, management, educators, and staff, acknowledging that support from students, parents, volunteers, and the broader community has been fundamental to their success.

    The Ethraa Programme serves as a strategic platform for promoting social welfare, institutional transparency, and community service, resonating with the vision of the Dubai Government and its leadership. PECB’s gold-tier selection underscores the organization’s successful integration into Dubai’s social development strategy and its substantial contributions to education and communal service.

    Looking forward, PECB reaffirmed its dedication to expanding its educational and social initiatives in accordance with governmental visions centered on tolerance, harmony, and sustainable development, pledging to maintain the highest professional standards in community service.

  • Dembele, Yamal to vie for Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai

    Dembele, Yamal to vie for Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai

    Dubai is set to host football’s elite at the 16th annual Globe Soccer Awards on December 28th at the luxurious Atlantis The Royal hotel. The exclusive ceremony will crown winners across multiple categories following an unprecedented global voting process that garnered over 30 million fan votes.

    The awards feature intense competition across nine core categories including Best Men’s Player, Best Women’s Player, and various club honors. Paris Saint-Germain emerges as a dominant force with multiple nominations following their UEFA Champions League victory. The French club contends for Best Men’s Club alongside Barcelona, Chelsea, Flamengo, and Liverpool.

    Individual accolades showcase fascinating matchups with PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé and young Barcelona phenom Lamine Yamal both vying for top honors. In the coaching category, PSG’s Luis Enrique faces formidable competition from Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Barcelona’s Hansi Flick, and Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca.

    The women’s categories feature Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí attempting an unprecedented third consecutive Best Women’s Player victory against strong contenders including Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo.

    Adding significant star power to the event, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed his attendance. The Al Nassr forward also appears as a finalist in the Best Middle East Player category alongside notable footballers Salem Al-Dawsari, Karim Benzema, and Riyad Mahrez. Organizers promise a game-changing edition filled with surprises as the global football community gathers to celebrate the year’s outstanding achievements.

  • ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ review: Why the Gaza docufiction is a hard watch

    ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ review: Why the Gaza docufiction is a hard watch

    Acclaimed director Kaouther Ben Hania’s groundbreaking docufiction ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ has emerged as one of the most psychologically challenging cinematic experiences of the year, forcing audiences to confront the brutal realities of the Gaza conflict without the comfort of emotional detachment. The film reconstructs the tragic final hours of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who became trapped in a vehicle with six deceased family members after Israeli Defense Forces attacks, through an innovative blend of dramatic reenactment and authentic audio recordings.

    The narrative unfolds primarily through the perspective of Red Crescent rescue workers, whose increasingly desperate attempts to coordinate a safe evacuation reveal the bureaucratic and moral complexities of operating in active war zones. Palestinian actors Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, and Amer Hlehel deliver powerful performances as emergency responders navigating the impossible balance between protocol and human compassion. Hlehel’s portrayal of coordinator Mehdi proves particularly nuanced, presenting a character who must maintain clinical detachment despite overwhelming circumstances.

    Ben Hania’s directorial approach masterfully maintains tension throughout the production, interspersing moments of human connection and even humor among rescue workers with the grim reality of their mission. The film’s most controversial aspect—the incorporation of actual emergency calls and battlefield footage—creates an unprecedented immediacy that has left international audiences and festival jurors deeply affected. Following its Venice Film Festival premiere, the production received a historic 20-minute standing ovation, though many viewers acknowledged difficulty processing the raw emotional impact of the authentic audio elements.

    The director’s deliberate choice to focus on the rescue team’s perspective rather than recreating Hind’s direct experience demonstrates sophisticated narrative restraint, allowing audiences to comprehend the horror through the responders’ emotional breakdowns rather than explicit visual depiction. This technique ultimately creates a more profound meditation on trauma, empathy, and the psychological toll of humanitarian work in conflict zones. The film stands as both a memorial to a tragic individual loss and a broader commentary on the human cost of geopolitical conflicts.

  • Heavy rains, thunderstorms: UAE embassy issues warning to citizens in Oman

    Heavy rains, thunderstorms: UAE embassy issues warning to citizens in Oman

    The UAE Embassy in Muscat has issued an urgent advisory to Emirati citizens residing in or visiting Oman, urging extreme caution as a significant low-pressure system generates severe weather conditions across the Arabian Peninsula. This meteorological disturbance, tracking from west to east, has unleashed heavy rainfall and intense thunderstorms throughout the region, impacting Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman with particular severity.

    In response to the deteriorating conditions, the embassy emphasized the critical need for citizens to exercise utmost vigilance against hazards including flash flooding, waterlogged roadways, and powerful winds. Official safety protocols issued by Omani authorities must be strictly adhered to for personal safety.

    For emergency assistance, the embassy activated dedicated contact channels: 0097180024 and 0097180044444. Furthermore, citizens were strongly encouraged to register with the Tamheed service to ensure timely receipt of critical updates and support.

    This regional weather event has prompted widespread operational changes. Several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, including the UAE, have preemptively implemented remote working arrangements and distance learning programs to mitigate risks and ensure public safety as the unstable conditions persist, significantly disrupting daily life and transportation networks.

  • ‘An Arab won’t check me’: Israeli police beat Palestinian security guard at football match

    ‘An Arab won’t check me’: Israeli police beat Palestinian security guard at football match

    A disturbing incident of police brutality has emerged from Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium, where Qays Haddad, a 21-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel serving as head security guard, was violently assaulted by approximately 13 police officers during a December 8th football derby between Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Jerusalem.

    According to Haddad’s account published by Haaretz, the altercation began when three plainclothes detectives attempted to enter the stadium without properly identifying themselves. When Haddad performed his security duty by extending his hand to slow their entry, one detective reportedly responded with ethnic prejudice, stating “An Arab won’t check me” before revealing his police credentials.

    The situation rapidly escalated as the three detectives initiated the physical assault before summoning uniformed officers who joined the beating. Haddad described being handcuffed, punched repeatedly across his body, and subjected to racist epithets including being called an “Arab son of a bitch.” The violence was so severe that officers’ hands became bloodied from the assault, and Haddad lost consciousness for several minutes.

    Emergency medical response was deliberately delayed according to Haddad, who waited thirty minutes for an ambulance while vomiting blood and struggling to breathe due to choking injuries that left visible marks on his neck.

    When attempting to file an official complaint the following day, Haddad was reportedly told by a policewoman that “There’s no way a brother can file a complaint for another brother.” A formal investigation was eventually opened several days after the incident.

    The attack has left Haddad with lasting physical and psychological trauma, including difficulty eating, sleeping disturbances, and anxiety triggered by police sirens. The incident has sparked fear among Palestinian security personnel throughout Israel, with many reportedly hesitant to continue working alongside police forces.

    Israeli police issued a statement acknowledging a confrontation occurred but provided no details about the excessive force employed, instead suggesting complaints should be directed to “relevant authorities.”

    This case emerges amidst growing concerns about racism and political tensions in Israeli sports, including recent displays of banned extremist symbols at matches, censorship of critical fan expressions, and UEFA sanctions against Israeli teams for discriminatory behavior by supporters.

  • Protesters storm offices of leading Bangladesh dailies after a 2024 uprising activist dies

    Protesters storm offices of leading Bangladesh dailies after a 2024 uprising activist dies

    Bangladesh descended into political turmoil Thursday night as enraged protesters stormed the offices of the country’s two leading newspapers following the death of prominent opposition activist Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore. The violent demonstrations included arson attacks that trapped journalists inside burning buildings.

    Hadi, a spokesperson for the Inqilab Moncho cultural group and vocal critic of both India and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, succumbed to injuries sustained in a targeted assassination attempt one week earlier. The activist was shot while riding a rickshaw in Dhaka by motorcycle-borne assailants who remain at large.

    The assassination has triggered significant diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India. Bangladeshi authorities claim the shooter likely fled to India, prompting reciprocal diplomatic summonses between the neighboring nations. India subsequently summoned Bangladesh’s envoy to express condemnation, while Dhaka demanded clarifications from New Delhi.

    Hadi had planned to run as an independent candidate in February’s national elections—the first since the 2024 uprising that ousted Hasina’s 15-year administration. The Inqilab Moncho group has actively promoted anti-Indian sentiment in the Muslim-majority nation since Hasina’s removal, with the former leader now residing in self-imposed exile in India.

    Thursday’s protests began with hundreds gathering at Dhaka’s Shahbagh Square, chanting religious and political slogans. The demonstrations rapidly escalated as separate groups attacked the headquarters of Prothom Alo (Bangladesh’s leading Bengali-language daily) and The Daily Star (the premier English-language publication). Security forces deployed around the buildings but refrained from intervening as fires trapped staff inside, with one journalist reporting severe smoke inhalation via social media.

    Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim leader who assumed power after Hasina’s August 2024 ouster, addressed the nation promising justice for Hadi’s killers. Yunus declared a national day of mourning for Saturday while urging calm. Critics however blame Yunus’s administration for rising Islamist influence in a country with a troubled history of political violence.

    The interim government has banned all activities of Hasina’s Awami League party, including participation in February’s elections. Last month, a Bangladeshi court sentenced the former prime minister to death for crimes against humanity related to the 2024 uprising. Recent days have seen additional anti-India protests targeting diplomatic facilities, prompting India to suspend tourist visas for Bangladeshis citing security concerns.

  • Research ward at children’s hospital in Shanghai treats over 200 patients with rare diseases

    Research ward at children’s hospital in Shanghai treats over 200 patients with rare diseases

    The Children’s Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai has reached a significant milestone, with its specialized research ward successfully treating more than 200 patients afflicted with difficult-to-diagnose rare diseases since its inauguration in July 2024. This cutting-edge medical facility has drawn patients from across China and internationally, offering hope to families facing complex pediatric health challenges.

    Rare pediatric diseases present particular diagnostic difficulties, with approximately 72% of these conditions having genetic origins. These disorders frequently involve multiple organ systems and contribute significantly to infant mortality, accounting for 35% of such cases worldwide. The diagnostic journey for these conditions typically spans four to eight years from initial symptom manifestation to definitive diagnosis, creating substantial challenges for patients and medical professionals alike.

    Established to address these diagnostic and treatment hurdles, the 3,000-square-meter research ward features 60 patient beds and represents a novel approach to tackling rare diseases. The facility combines clinical care with advanced research capabilities, creating an environment where diagnostic protocols and treatment methodologies can be developed and refined simultaneously.

    Among the recent success stories is a two-month-old infant from South Africa who arrived at the facility with suspected Krabbe disease. Following comprehensive medical evaluation, the infant received a tailored treatment regimen that included hematopoietic stem cell transplantation earlier this month. This case exemplifies the ward’s international reach and its capacity to deliver personalized medical interventions for complex conditions.

    The hospital commemorated these achievements with a special ceremony in May, honoring the recovery of a young patient from Pakistan who had received treatment at the facility. This event underscored the hospital’s growing reputation as a center of excellence for rare disease treatment and its commitment to international medical collaboration.