As the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting draws near in the Republic of Korea, China Daily’s Xia Ji explores the culinary threads weaving together the youth of China and South Korea. From the spicy allure of tteokbokki to the numbing heat of mala tang, these shared flavors are transforming two neighboring nations into natural gastronomic allies. The streets of both countries buzz with the exchange of recipes, food trends, and a mutual appreciation for each other’s cuisines. This culinary camaraderie not only satisfies taste buds but also fosters cultural understanding and strengthens diplomatic ties. As young people bond over their favorite dishes, the food scene becomes a vibrant testament to the enduring friendship between China and South Korea. What’s your go-to Chinese or South Korean dish? Share your thoughts below!
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Scientists: Dinosaur resurrection highly possible
The ‘China Dinosaurs: International Symposium on China’s Dinosaurs,’ a four-day event, commenced in Shanghai on October 28, bringing together over 20 leading paleontologists from across the globe. The symposium aimed to delve into the future of paleontology, with a particular focus on the potential resurrection of dinosaurs. Scientists at the event expressed optimism, stating that advancements in protein research, artificial intelligence, and gene editing technologies could make the revival of dinosaurs a reality within the next 100 to 200 years. However, they emphasized that ethical considerations and the respect for life pose more significant challenges than the technological hurdles. The discussions highlighted the delicate balance between scientific progress and moral responsibility, underscoring the need for careful deliberation as humanity edges closer to the possibility of bringing extinct species back to life.
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‘An assault on history’: Censorship of author Susan Abulhawa roils Oxford Union
The Oxford Union, renowned as the world’s most prestigious debating society, is at the center of a heated controversy following accusations of censoring Palestinian-American author Susan Abulhawa’s speech. The dispute erupted after the society’s members voted to upload Abulhawa’s full speech from November 2024, defying alleged pressure from the union’s trustees. Despite the vote, the video remains unpublished, with union president Moosa Harraj claiming his hands are tied due to legal concerns. Abulhawa has since filed a lawsuit against the union, accusing it of discrimination and copyright infringement. The controversy has sparked outrage among union members, who argue that the censorship violates the society’s foundational commitment to free speech. The union, founded in 1823, has a long history of hosting influential debates, but this incident has raised questions about its independence and integrity. Abulhawa, a celebrated writer, has condemned the censorship, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical records and intellectual property. The case has drawn comparisons to historic Oxford Union speeches by civil rights leaders Malcolm X and James Baldwin, underscoring the broader implications of the current controversy.
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Openness and integrated development key to Asia-Pacific miracle
The Asia-Pacific region’s remarkable economic growth has been fueled by openness and integrated development, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun. Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Guo emphasized that these principles are not only the foundation of the region’s success but also the key to overcoming future challenges and fostering a shared future. This statement comes as international institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), caution that rising tariffs and protectionism could undermine the region’s economic resilience. Despite these concerns, the Asia-Pacific remains the fastest-growing area globally, with the IMF projecting a 4.5% growth rate for 2025. China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have solidified their economic partnership, maintaining their status as each other’s largest trading partners for five consecutive years. The recent signing of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol underscores this deepening collaboration, which is expected to bolster economic growth both regionally and globally. Guo also highlighted China’s commitment to aligning with high-standard international trade rules and upgrading existing free trade agreements. By promoting regional economic integration through high-level opening-up, China aims to build an Asia-Pacific community characterized by openness, inclusiveness, innovation, connectivity, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
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Former Qinghai senior official receives life for bribery
Yang Fasen, a former high-ranking official in Qinghai province, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting bribes exceeding 147 million yuan ($20.7 million). The verdict was announced by the Hanzhong Intermediate People’s Court in Shaanxi province on Wednesday. In addition to the life sentence, Yang has been permanently stripped of his political rights, and all his personal assets have been confiscated. The court has also mandated that his illicit gains and related interests be transferred to the state treasury.
Between March 2005 and July 2024, Yang exploited his positions in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qinghai to grant favors to individuals and businesses in exchange for bribes. The court emphasized that the scale of his corruption warranted severe punishment, describing the amount involved as ‘extremely large.’ However, the court noted that Yang’s voluntary surrender to anti-corruption authorities, his disclosure of previously unknown bribes, and the full restitution of his illicit gains were factors that led to some leniency in sentencing.
Yang, a 54-year-old native of Gansu province, began his career in 1990 and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Qinghai Provincial Committee in 2023. His downfall began in October 2024 when an investigation was launched, culminating in his expulsion from the Party and removal from public office in March. He was formally charged with bribery in June, and his case was publicly heard in September.
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‘Want to be more like him’: Ibrahim on being compared to father Saif Ali Khan
Ibrahim Ali Khan, the rising star of Bollywood, has opened up about the inevitable comparisons to his father, veteran actor Saif Ali Khan, and his journey to establish his own identity in the film industry. Despite being just a few films into his career, Ibrahim has already faced the weight of expectations, given his lineage as the son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, and the grandson of legendary actress Sharmila Tagore. In a candid interview, Ibrahim revealed that he views these comparisons as a compliment rather than a burden. ‘For years, I’ve been told I look just like my father. When you’re constantly fed something like that, it becomes a standard for you. You want to be more and more like him,’ he shared. Ibrahim expressed deep admiration for his father’s resilience, noting how Saif overcame early skepticism to become one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors. ‘There were a lot of people who doubted him in the beginning. He took quite a few films to find his feet,’ he added. Ibrahim made his acting debut earlier this year with *Nadaaniyan*, a Netflix release that, despite its star-studded cast, received lukewarm reviews. His second film, *Sarzameen*, also failed to make a significant impact. Undeterred, Ibrahim is now gearing up for *Diler*, a sports drama directed by Kunal Deshmukh, which is slated for release in 2026. The film, co-starring Sreeleela, tells the story of a marathon runner and marks Ibrahim’s next step in his quest to prove his mettle in Bollywood.
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Israeli who fought in Gaza barred from entering Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has denied entry to an Israeli reservist after French authorities issued a criminal alert against him, according to Israeli media reports. The unnamed individual, who served in conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, was detained at Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport for several hours before being informed of the entry ban. Czech officials cited a Schengen-wide warning issued by France, which prohibits his entry into all European Union countries. The man and his wife were approached by armed police at passport control, who explained that the ban stemmed from French accusations of his involvement in ‘serious crimes.’ The reservist speculated that the alert might be linked to his military service or identity theft, though he claimed never to have visited France. Despite efforts to seek assistance from the Israeli embassy in Paris, the couple was compelled to return to Israel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry clarified that the refusal was unrelated to his military service. This incident follows a pattern of travel restrictions faced by Israeli military personnel globally. In December 2024, two Israeli soldiers were barred from entering Australia after being required to complete a detailed 13-page form, while in January, an Israeli soldier accused of war crimes fled Brazil amid an investigation. Additionally, New Zealand introduced a policy mandating Israeli visa applicants to disclose military service details. Amid growing scrutiny, the Israeli army has reportedly implemented measures to conceal soldiers’ identities to avoid arrest warrants and investigations related to alleged war crimes in Gaza.
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China ramps up control of non-CO2 greenhouse gases
China is accelerating its efforts to control emissions of non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases, including methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, as part of its 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Xia Yingxian, director of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment’s department of climate change, highlighted that this marks the first time China’s NDCs explicitly include non-CO2 gases in its total emission control framework. Recent years have seen steady progress in reducing these emissions through targeted policies. In late 2023, the ministry issued an action plan for methane emission control, leading to advancements in energy, agriculture, and waste treatment sectors. Improvements include better utilization of coal mine gas, progress in livestock manure recycling, and enhanced control of methane emissions from rice paddies. China has also shared its methane control achievements at global platforms like the United Nations Climate Change Conference and the 2024 Global Methane Forum. Additionally, an action plan for nitrous oxide emissions in the industrial sector was released in August, aiming to guide future control efforts and accelerate the transition to greener industries. The ministry is leveraging the voluntary greenhouse gas emissions trading market to encourage companies to reduce non-CO2 emissions, with six methodologies related to these gases set to be issued by the end of 2025. Xia emphasized that China will further strengthen the implementation of these plans and expand cross-sector cooperation to contribute to global climate action.
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China to drive higher education upgrade over next 5 years
China has announced a comprehensive strategy to enhance and expand its higher education system over the next five years, as outlined in the recently adopted 15th Five-Year Plan (2025-2030) for economic and social development. The plan, approved during a key plenum of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasizes increasing enrollment in high-quality undergraduate programs and improving educational equity. This initiative builds on the achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, during which China’s higher education gross enrollment rate reached 60.8%, with 55 million students graduating from colleges and universities. Zhang Nanxing, director of the Institute for Higher Education at the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, highlighted that the new measures provide a clear strategic direction for reforming higher education and cultivating talent. Zeng Tianshan, deputy director of the Institute for Curriculum and Textbook under the Ministry of Education, emphasized that the plan will extend high-quality educational resources to broader demographics, fostering innovation and addressing societal needs. Universities are expected to align their programs with national strategies, enhancing the relevance and adaptability of talent development to support economic and social progress.
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Amazon addresses layoff reports, confirms 14,000 corporate job cuts
Amazon has officially announced plans to reduce its corporate workforce by approximately 14,000 employees, addressing widespread speculation about large-scale layoffs. The decision, communicated by Beth Galetti, Senior Vice-President of People Experience and Technology, underscores the company’s strategic shift to streamline operations and reallocate resources toward its most critical growth areas. Galetti emphasized that the move aims to reduce bureaucracy, eliminate redundant layers, and focus on initiatives that align with customer needs and future demands. Affected employees will have 90 days to seek internal roles, with Amazon prioritizing internal recruitment to facilitate transitions. Those unable to secure new positions will receive severance packages, outplacement services, and continued health insurance benefits. Galetti attributed the restructuring to the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), which she described as the most transformative technology since the internet. She noted that AI’s integration necessitates a leaner organizational structure to enhance agility and efficiency. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy previously highlighted the profound impact of generative AI on the workforce, predicting a reduction in corporate roles as the company leverages AI for operational gains. Jassy urged employees to embrace AI, experiment with its applications, and contribute to Amazon’s reinvention. The company plans to continue hiring in strategic areas while identifying opportunities to increase ownership and efficiency. This announcement reflects Amazon’s commitment to adapting to technological advancements and maintaining its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.