Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Guangzhou to screen all seniors in care homes for early signs of dementia

    Guangzhou to screen all seniors in care homes for early signs of dementia

    The city of Guangzhou, a major metropolitan hub in Southern China’s Guangdong province, has unveiled an ambitious public health initiative to conduct universal cognitive screening for all residents of elderly care facilities. This program represents a significant escalation of the city’s ongoing efforts to combat dementia through early detection and intervention.

    According to disclosures from the Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission, this systematic screening operation will be implemented across all senior care institutions throughout the city by the conclusion of 2027. The initiative emerges in response to policy recommendations advanced during Guangzhou’s January 2025 political consultative sessions.

    The driving force behind these proposals was Ouyang Zhihong, a standing committee member of the Guangzhou Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference who concurrently serves as executive president of the Guangdong Home-Care Services Association. Ouyang presented a comprehensive framework emphasizing the critical importance of community-based screening mechanisms combined with professional clinical assessment to identify early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and high-risk individuals.

    Central to Guangzhou’s dementia prevention strategy is the innovative ‘Hui Ji Yi’ (Wisdom Memory) digital platform—a smart screening mini-program integrated into the municipal government’s digital infrastructure. This technological solution has already facilitated approximately 400,000 preliminary cognitive assessments since its implementation in April 2024, resulting in the identification of 23,000 positive cases that subsequently received early intervention.

    The city’s approach establishes a multi-tiered medical consortium that creates a seamless continuum of care from hospital diagnosis to community and family-based support. Personalized intervention protocols are being developed to address the full spectrum of cognitive conditions, ranging from subjective cognitive decline to mild impairment and advanced dementia.

    At the community level, Guangzhou has embedded dementia prevention within its national basic public health services framework, leveraging family physician teams to maintain ongoing monitoring and support. Through a coordinated alliance of medical institutions, the city has established a district-wide responsibility system encompassing all eleven administrative regions of Guangzhou.

    The ultimate objective of these concerted efforts is to achieve dementia prevention awareness among no less than 80% of the city’s elderly population, representing a substantial public health advancement in addressing the challenges associated with aging and cognitive disorders.

  • Reuniting with their reindeer

    Reuniting with their reindeer

    In the pristine primordial forests of Inner Mongolia, a cultural renaissance is underway as young members of the Ewenki ethnic group return to their ancestral traditions, forgoing urban opportunities to preserve their unique symbiotic relationship with reindeer.

    The Olguya Ewenki ethnic township in Genhe city, home to approximately 300 Ewenki people, maintains one of the world’s most specialized human-animal relationships. Unlike Arctic reindeer herders who primarily raise the animals for meat, the Ewenki utilize reindeer as transportation, milk producers, and spiritual companions deeply woven into their cultural fabric.

    This extraordinary bond faced severe threat of extinction between 2008-2015 as younger generations migrated to cities seeking modern opportunities. Elder tribesman Dekesha Kaertakun, 67, recalls this period with profound concern: “My heart was heavy during those years. I maintained hope by telling peers that as long as reindeer remained in these mountains, Ewenki would return to raise them.”

    The cultural tide has now turned remarkably. Young Ewenki are increasingly returning to their heritage, answering what Kaertakun describes as “the mountains calling their children home.” This reversal represents a significant victory for cultural preservation and demonstrates the powerful pull of ancestral traditions even amidst modernization pressures.

    China’s increased focus on protecting cultural heritage and ecological resources has provided supportive context for this cultural revival. The return of Ewenki youth ensures the continuation of ancient reindeer husbandry techniques and spiritual practices that have defined their ethnicity for generations, preserving a unique chapter of human cultural diversity.

  • Failed flights: Firms probe launch errors

    Failed flights: Firms probe launch errors

    China’s aerospace sector experienced an unusual day of setbacks on Saturday when both state and private space ventures encountered launch failures within hours of each other, highlighting the inherent risks of space exploration.

    The first incident occurred at 12:55 AM when a Long March 3B carrier rocket launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province. The mission, intended to deploy the Shijian 32 multirole satellite into orbit, was compromised by a third-stage booster malfunction during flight. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation confirmed the anomaly resulted in the satellite failing to reach its designated orbit. An investigation has been initiated to determine the precise cause of the failure.

    This malfunction marked the end of an impressive five-year, nine-month success streak for the Long March rocket family, which had completed 296 consecutive successful launches since its last failure in April 2020. The Long March 3B, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, represents one of China’s most reliable workhorse rockets with 115 missions since its 1996 debut. Capable of delivering payloads up to 5.5 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbit, the rocket has also supported medium-Earth orbit and lunar transfer missions.

    In a separate incident at 12:08 PM, Galactic Energy’s Ceres 2 rocket suffered a catastrophic failure during its maiden flight from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Inner Mongolia. The solid-propellant rocket, designed to deploy six commercial satellites, experienced an anomaly shortly after liftoff and crashed according to spectator footage. The Beijing-based private company has launched its own investigation into the cause.

    The Ceres 2 represents China’s growing commercial space sector, featuring three solid-propellant core stages with a liquid-fueled upper stage. Weighing 100 tons, the rocket was designed to deliver up to 1.6 tons to low-Earth orbit at 500 kilometers altitude, with capabilities for both land and sea-based launches emphasizing high carrying efficiency.

    Industry experts emphasized that such setbacks, while disappointing, provide valuable learning opportunities. Wang Yanan, Chief Editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, noted that established rocket manufacturers must avoid complacency despite past success rates, while commercial ventures must acknowledge the high-risk, high-reward nature of space programs. The true competitive advantage, he suggested, lies in systems engineering capabilities that ensure reliability during high-frequency operations.

    Beijing-based industry observer Wu Peixin added that space exploration has never followed a linear progression, with failures serving as unavoidable steps toward progress. China’s space industry sustainability depends on iterative learning through trial and error, with technical data accumulation and industrial chain maturation gradually reducing risks and improving efficiency over time.

  • BCI tech shifts from lab to production

    BCI tech shifts from lab to production

    In a significant advancement for neurotechnology commercialization, Chinese firm NeuroXess has commenced construction on a groundbreaking production facility dedicated to implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) systems. The project, launched on January 13 in Ganjiang New Area, Nanchang, represents a crucial transition from experimental research to standardized manufacturing within China’s strategically prioritized technology sector.

    The manufacturing complex, scheduled for completion in late 2026, constitutes the core industrial component of NeuroXess’ dual-hub operational strategy. This innovative approach maintains research and development activities in Shanghai while establishing production capabilities in Jiangxi province. The facility will not only manufacture implantable BCI devices but also support complementary functions including data processing, rehabilitation training, and artificial intelligence integration.

    Founder and Chief Scientist Tao Hu explained the strategic rationale behind this geographical division: “This configuration optimally leverages Shanghai’s exceptional talent pool and research infrastructure alongside Jiangxi’s competitive advantages in manufacturing ecosystems, labor availability, and operational costs.”

    This development aligns with China’s national technology roadmap, which has designated brain-computer interfaces as one of six priority future industries in its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The project has already established collaborative frameworks with three major Jiangxi medical institutions.

    Medical partnerships include the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, which performed Jiangxi’s first research-oriented BCI implantation in July 2025 and subsequently established the province’s inaugural BCI clinical research ward with NeuroXess. The Second Affiliated Hospital and Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital have also joined collaborative clinical research initiatives.

    Neurosurgeon Zhang Jianzhong of Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital noted that standardized production could expand patient access if clinical studies maintain positive outcomes. “BCI technology remains predominantly in clinical research,” Zhang stated. “Consistent reliability could eventually benefit patients with motor or language impairments.”

    Despite promising developments, significant challenges persist including long-term signal stability, the complexity of neural decoding—particularly for language—and considerations regarding ethics, cost structures, and insurance coverage. China’s progress in BCI technology reflects broader global advancements in this rapidly evolving field.

  • Elderly patients gain accessible cognitive care at memory clinics

    Elderly patients gain accessible cognitive care at memory clinics

    Across Beijing’s neighborhoods, a quiet healthcare revolution is unfolding as community-based memory clinics transform dementia care for elderly residents. Each Wednesday at Hepingli Community Health Service Center, an 88-year-old Alzheimer’s patient engages in cognitive rehabilitation through specialized puzzles and games—a stark contrast to her previous hour-long journeys to distant hospitals for treatment.

    This shift to localized care addresses a critical national challenge: with China’s population aged 60 and above exceeding 310 million—representing over one-fifth of the total population—more than 53 million seniors currently experience cognitive impairment. Neurologist Han Ying from Xuanwu Hospital emphasizes that while Alzheimer’s remains incurable, early intervention through structured cognitive training and medication can delay symptom progression by up to five years, potentially preserving patients’ cognitive function throughout their lifetimes.

    Despite this medical urgency, societal stigma and misconceptions about aging have created significant barriers. Only approximately 20% of dementia patients in China receive formal diagnoses, exacerbating the healthcare challenge. Community memory clinics are bridging this gap by offering accessible screening, expert consultations, and daily rehabilitation services within walking distance of patients’ homes.

    The Hepingli center exemplifies this model, providing free senior health assessments, specialist referrals, and innovative therapies ranging from computer-based cognitive games to group art sessions. These clinics serve dual purposes as both medical facilities and social hubs, combating the isolation that often accompanies cognitive decline. An 86-year-old participant surnamed Feng describes the experience as rejuvenating: ‘I love chatting with everyone—it makes me feel young again.’

    Beijing currently operates over 20 such clinics with plans to expand to 100 by 2030, while Shanghai, Guangdong, and private hospitals like Sunbow Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital are implementing similar initiatives. However, significant disparities persist, as rural areas face equipment shortages, limited medical expertise, and inadequate institutional support.

    The Chinese government’s 2024 action plan on elderly dementia targets having over 50% of suspected cognitive impairment cases seek medical care by 2030. As Li Jianguo, deputy director at Hepingli Center, notes: ‘Greater attention from society as a whole is essential. We hope through continuous efforts, we can awaken awareness among both the elderly and society at large, thereby helping more seniors hold onto their memories.’

  • Scientists develop eco-friendly pigments

    Scientists develop eco-friendly pigments

    A scientific breakthrough from Northeast China promises to eliminate toxic heavy metals from consumer products through innovative rare earth-based pigments. Researchers at Dalian Minzu University have developed a new generation of eco-friendly coloring agents that offer superior safety, durability, and cost-effectiveness compared to conventional alternatives.

    The research team, led by Professor Dong Bin, has successfully harnessed China’s abundant rare earth resources—often termed ‘industrial vitamins’—to create pigments that avoid the health hazards associated with traditional inorganic colorants. For decades, manufacturers have relied on pigments containing lead, mercury, and cadmium, which pose significant health risks including nervous system damage, kidney impairment, and blood production disorders, particularly when these metals leach out under extreme conditions or accidental ingestion.

    The scientific challenge involved overcoming the inherent instability of rare-earth ions, which naturally produce weak, shifting colors. The research team discovered that these ions absorb and reflect light similarly to high-performance pigments but required stabilization within a suitable host material. After extensive experimentation with over 1,000 targeted tests, they identified silicoaluminate as the ideal crystalline structure to house the rare-earth ions.

    Researcher Luo Xixian explained the complexity of predicting where rare-earth ions would settle within the silicoaluminate structure. Through careful adjustment of the chemical environment, the team enabled the ions to move efficiently between energy levels, producing deep, saturated hues that remain consistent under different lighting conditions.

    The resulting pigments demonstrate remarkable heat resistance and aging stability, maintaining their color integrity during prolonged sunlight exposure and high-temperature industrial processing. Economically, the innovation offers substantial advantages, with production costs estimated at approximately 60% lower than comparable high-end eco-friendly alternatives, achieved through the use of abundant minerals and currently underutilized rare earth elements.

    The team has already developed high-saturation pigments across four major color systems: green, yellow, orange, and red. The research represents a significant step toward applying advanced materials technology to everyday consumer goods, including toys, food packaging, and household items.

    Commercialization efforts are underway with a preliminary agreement to establish a 500-metric-ton pilot production line in Liaoning province’s Jinpu New Area. Researchers continue to expand the color range with the ultimate goal of making non-toxic materials the default choice for consumer products worldwide.

  • Sanya rises as magnet for Russian tourists

    Sanya rises as magnet for Russian tourists

    As Siberian winters descend, thousands of Russian citizens are escaping the bitter cold by flocking to the tropical shores of Sanya in China’s Hainan province. This southern Chinese island has transformed into a warm-weather sanctuary for Russians, who now join domestic Chinese tourists from northeastern regions in seeking refuge on its sun-drenched beaches.

    The remarkable surge in Russian visitors directly results from the mutual visa-free policy implemented between China and Russia on September 15, 2025. This agreement permits Russian passport holders to enter China without visas for stays up to 30 days, with the policy currently set to expire in September 2026.

    Travel data reveals dramatic increases in Russian interest following the policy implementation. Aviasales, Russia’s leading flight booking platform, reports China has become one of the most-searched destinations among Russian travelers. Another prominent travel platform, Travelata, indicates Hainan accounted for 88% of its recent China-bound bookings.

    While air connections between Russian cities and Hainan date back to 1997 with the first chartered flight from Krasnoyarsk, transportation links have expanded significantly. Sanya Phoenix International Airport now operates 17 weekly flights connecting to various Russian cities including Vladivostok, Novosibirsk, and St. Petersburg.

    The cultural imprint of Russian tourism is visibly evident throughout Sanya. In the popular Dadonghai scenic area, street signs appear in trilingual format—Chinese, Russian, and English. This crescent-shaped bay attracts visitors with its golden sands, crystalline waters, palm trees, and vibrant atmosphere.

    Statistical evidence demonstrates the dramatic growth: Sanya hotels hosted approximately 170,000 Russian visitors in 2024, but this figure skyrocketed to over 400,000 in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

    For Zakirova Amina, a Russian national who previously lived in China’s Anhui province for nine years, Sanya has become a regular winter destination. Her December trip with parents marked her sixth visit, facilitated by the visa-free policy and convenient direct flights.

    Amina attributes Sanya’s popularity among Russians to its inclusive atmosphere and linguistic accessibility. “Many service staff members in Sanya can speak some Russian, and they are exceptionally friendly,” she noted. “We often joke that Sanya resembles a second home for Russians.”

    Beyond beach relaxation, Russian visitors are exploring diverse aspects of Chinese culture. Many have developed significant interest in traditional Chinese medicine, with services like acupuncture and massage experiencing high demand. At local TCM facilities, appointments frequently book up over a week in advance.

    Yuan Ailin, vice-director of a Sanya traditional Chinese medicine hospital, confirms the trend: “We regularly receive patients from Russian-speaking countries who show particular interest in acupuncture and massage therapy.” In 2025, the hospital and its affiliated sanatoriums recorded 10,693 international visits, with 80% originating from Russian-speaking countries—prompting the hiring of Russian translators in several physiotherapy departments.

    Russian entrepreneur Dmitry Garifulin, who operates a grocery store in Dadonghai selling imported Russian staples, observes: “The increased flight connectivity has directly translated into more Russian tourists here.” Many visitors report that combining sun therapy with TCM treatments in Sanya surpasses their experiences at Black Sea resorts.

  • China’s population falls for fourth straight year

    China’s population falls for fourth straight year

    China’s demographic landscape continues its concerning downward spiral, with official data revealing a fourth consecutive year of population decline in 2025. The National Bureau of Statistics reported the population dropped by 3.39 million to settle at approximately 1.4 billion by year’s end, representing an accelerated decline compared to previous years.

    The critical birth rate metric plummeted to a historic low of 5.63 per 1,000 people—the lowest recording since the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949. Simultaneously, the mortality rate climbed to 8.04 per 1,000 people, reaching heights not seen since 1968. This widening gap between births and deaths underscores the severity of China’s demographic challenge.

    Confronted with both an aging citizenry and economic stagnation, Chinese authorities have implemented numerous policy measures to reverse this trend. The government’s approach has evolved significantly from the 2016 abolition of the notorious one-child policy to the current three-child policy introduced in 2021. More recent interventions include direct financial incentives, offering parents 3,600 yuan annually for each child under three years old, alongside provincial initiatives featuring cash bonuses and extended parental leave provisions.

    However, certain policies have generated public controversy, particularly a new 13% taxation on contraceptive products including condoms and birth control medications. Health advocates have raised concerns that this measure might inadvertently increase unintended pregnancies and potentially affect HIV transmission rates.

    China’s fertility rate remains among the world’s lowest at approximately one child per woman—significantly below the 2.1 replacement level needed for population stability. This pattern mirrors demographic trends seen in other East Asian economies including South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.

    Compounding the problem, China ranks as one of the most financially demanding countries for child-rearing according to the YuWa Population Research Institute’s 2024 analysis. Beyond economic considerations, cultural shifts are influencing reproductive decisions, with many young Chinese citing lifestyle preferences and personal freedom as factors in their choice to remain childless.

    United Nations demographic projections indicate China’s population could diminish by more than half before 2100. This demographic contraction poses substantial economic threats, including workforce reduction, weakened consumer markets, and mounting pressure on pension systems. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences has warned about the sustainability of retirement funds as the elderly population grows increasingly dependent on state support.

  • Japan PM Takaichi set to call snap election

    Japan PM Takaichi set to call snap election

    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is poised to announce a snap parliamentary election less than three months after assuming office, according to government officials speaking anonymously to local media outlets. The anticipated announcement, scheduled for Monday afternoon, would set in motion the process for electing all 465 members of Japan’s powerful House of Representatives.

    Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister and a protégée of the late Shinzo Abe, has maintained remarkably high approval ratings between 60-80% since her October inauguration. Her conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) currently holds 199 seats in the lower house, with its coalition partner Japan Innovation Party providing just enough additional seats to maintain a slim majority.

    The prime minister, often compared to Margaret Thatcher for her staunch conservative stance, has pursued an assertive foreign policy agenda that has significantly strained relations with China. Her November remarks suggesting Japan could deploy self-defense forces in response to potential Chinese aggression toward Taiwan triggered a diplomatic crisis, sending bilateral ties to their lowest point in over a decade.

    Concurrently, Takaichi has strengthened Japan’s alliance with the United States, culminating in a rare earths agreement and a joint declaration heralding a new ‘golden age’ in US-Japan relations during President Donald Trump’s October visit. Domestically, she has championed substantial government-led spending initiatives reminiscent of Abe’s economic stimulus policies, while securing a record ¥9 trillion defense budget amid growing regional security concerns.

    Despite her personal popularity, Takaichi’s electoral gamble carries significant risks. The LDP has experienced considerable instability, with Takaichi representing Japan’s fourth prime minister in five years. Her immediate predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, suffered one of the LDP’s worst electoral performances after calling a snap election that cost the party its parliamentary majority.

    Adding to the challenge, Japan’s opposition forces have recently consolidated with the formation of the Centrist Reform Alliance, a merger between the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, the LDP’s former coalition partner. This new political entity poses a substantial threat to the ruling coalition’s majority in the upcoming election.

  • Blueprint seen as a boon for entire world

    Blueprint seen as a boon for entire world

    China’s forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) has become a cornerstone of President Xi Jinping’s diplomatic engagements, positioning the development blueprint as a stabilizing force in an increasingly volatile global economy. During multiple high-level meetings with international leaders, including recent discussions with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin and newly appointed ambassadors to China, President Xi has consistently emphasized China’s commitment to deepened reforms and elevated opening-up policies.

    The strategic document, adopted during the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, transcends domestic planning to address global economic challenges. President Xi has articulated that China’s modernization drive will generate substantial opportunities for international partners through enhanced trade cooperation, synchronized development strategies, and mutual prosperity initiatives.

    China’s recent economic performance underscores its global economic influence: maintaining position as the world’s largest trader in goods and second largest in services, attracting over $700 billion in foreign investment, and achieving consistent annual outbound investment growth exceeding 5%. The Belt and Road Initiative has evolved into a comprehensive international public good, establishing itself as a premier platform for global cooperation.

    Analysts highlight that China’s commitment to institutional opening-up arrives at a critical juncture for global economic governance. Zheng Haizhen of the China Institute of International Studies notes that China’s stable development provides crucial certainty amid rising global uncertainties, offering both economic stability and enhanced development governance.

    The Ministry of Commerce confirms that high-standard opening-up represents a strategic response to complex global changes, leveraging China’s substantial economic advantages including a massive consumer market of 1.4 billion people with over 400 million middle-income consumers. Concrete policy measures include streamlined foreign investment negative lists, expanded visa-free arrangements, and comprehensive zero-tariff treatment for least-developed nations.

    International observers recognize China’s approach as transformative rather than merely transactional. Nik Mohammad Nikmal, editor-in-chief of The Kabul Times, characterizes China’s stance as “an anchor of stability” against protectionist trends, while Professor Kong Qingjiang notes China’s evolution toward comprehensive institutional alignment with international economic norms, creating a new development paradigm that benefits global stakeholders.