Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, recently hosted a gathering of mayors and city planners from across the globe to exchange insights on green transformation, cultural heritage preservation, and smart governance. The event, held on Wednesday, highlighted Nanjing’s commitment to sustainable urban development and its rich historical legacy. Participants visited Yuhuatai High School to witness a campus soccer match, showcasing the city’s emphasis on youth engagement and sports infrastructure. Nanjing’s dedication to fostering a soccer culture was evident in its 294 national youth campus soccer specialty schools and the construction of 180 new soccer fields over the past five years. Alessandro Rapinese, Mayor of Como, Italy, praised Nanjing’s energy and competitiveness, which he experienced firsthand on the soccer field. The delegation also explored the Nanjing City Wall Museum and Zhonghua Gate Wengcheng, marveling at the city’s meticulous preservation of its Ming Dynasty heritage. The Nanjing City Wall, built in 1366, remains the world’s longest and best-preserved ancient city wall, while Zhonghua Gate Wengcheng stands as a testament to China’s architectural ingenuity. Over the three-day visit, participants embarked on a diverse itinerary, including a research vessel tour to observe finless porpoises, a visit to a bug studio to study insect traces, and a tour of Nanjing Iron and Steel Group Company to witness its green transformation efforts. The event also featured a World Literature Salon, where mayors read Chinese and English poetry, fostering cross-cultural dialogue. Mohamed Higazy, a board member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, lauded Nanjing as a model city that balances heritage preservation with forward-looking development. Thomas Himmler, Director of Foreign Affairs in Dietfurt, Germany, expressed his admiration for Nanjing’s warmth and cultural richness, emphasizing his goal to bridge understanding between Germany and China.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Chinese innovations hog limelight at Dubai air show
The Dubai Airshow 2025 became a stage for Chinese aviation innovations, as a wide array of cutting-edge products, from domestically developed jetliners to advanced drones, made their debut. This event significantly bolstered China’s presence in the global aviation sector. The Aero Engine Corporation of China showcased its latest technologies, marking the company’s most extensive overseas exhibition of homegrown aero engines to date. Among the highlights were the C919 and C909 passenger jets, which made their first appearances in the Middle East. The C919, operated by China Southern Airlines, features a modern cabin design with eco-friendly materials and a theme of ‘oriental grace.’ Visitors and industry professionals alike praised the aircraft for its comfort and stability. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is actively seeking potential overseas clients, with over 170 C909 jets already delivered to domestic and foreign customers. The event also featured the Lanying R6000, the world’s first 6-ton-class tiltrotor aircraft, which holds significant potential for heavy-lift scenarios in the Middle East. Additionally, Chinese-manufactured unmanned aerial vehicles and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft garnered substantial attention, further solidifying China’s role as a key player in the global aviation industry.
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Flying hospital now ready for eye and ENT surgeries
China’s pioneering ‘flying hospital,’ a collaborative initiative between the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, has achieved a significant milestone. Equipped with a newly upgraded Class 1 clean operating room, the aircraft is now capable of performing both ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology surgeries. This advancement marks a critical step in China’s efforts to establish a high-level aviation medical system and enhance precision healthcare delivery via air platforms. The project, which began with a focus on ophthalmology, has now expanded to include ENT services, setting a global precedent in aviation medicine. The flying hospital, operating from a domestically manufactured aircraft, completed its first mission on September 5, transporting over 30 medical professionals from Shanghai to Shihezi in Xinjiang. During this mission, the aircraft provided advanced diagnostic services to nearly 50 patients, leveraging 5G technology for remote consultations with specialists in Shanghai. The addition of the operating room aligns with directives from the National Health Commission to improve cataract surgery capabilities in rural areas and accelerate in-flight surgical development. The operating room features customized domestic equipment and a bolt-free design, enabling rapid installation within eight hours. Innovations such as a variable wind speed laminar flow module have overcome technical challenges, making it possible to integrate surgical functions into the aircraft cabin. The hospital plans to begin with cataract surgeries, addressing high demand in underserved regions, and expand to common ENT procedures like nasal polyp and sinusitis operations. This initiative not only improves access to quality healthcare in remote areas but also strengthens China’s emergency medical response capabilities.
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Russian hacking suspect wanted by the FBI arrested on Thai resort island
A 35-year-old Russian national, suspected of orchestrating cyberattacks on U.S. and European government agencies, has been arrested in Phuket, Thailand, following a tip from the FBI. The suspect, identified as Denis Obrezko from Stavropol, entered Thailand on October 30 and was apprehended earlier this month at his hotel. Thai authorities seized laptops, mobile phones, and digital wallets during the arrest, with FBI officials present. Obrezko is now detained pending a potential extradition to the United States. Russian state media confirmed the arrest, and his relatives are reportedly planning to contest the extradition. The U.S. Department of Justice and State Department have declined to comment on the case. Russian diplomats have visited Obrezko in custody, and the Russian consulate in Phuket acknowledged the arrest but provided no further details. The extradition process is underway, though its duration remains uncertain.
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Resilience and recovery
In a remarkable display of resilience and scientific ingenuity, rare red-flowered black mangroves (Lumnitzera littorea) in Hainan province, China, are on the path to recovery following the devastating impact of Typhoon Kajiki. The storm, which struck on August 24, unleashed winds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, severely damaging the coastal regions of Hainan. Among the casualties were six of the only 14 known mother trees of this rare mangrove species in China.
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Scientific study drives law to protect ecology of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
The second Qinghai-Tibet scientific expedition has significantly influenced the formulation of ecological protection legislation for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, as highlighted by academicians during a recent news conference in Lhasa, the capital of the Xizang autonomous region. The expedition’s top 10 application achievements, unveiled at the event, span ecological conservation, disaster prevention, resource exploration, carbon accounting, traffic safety, and border area development. Yao Tandong, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized that the expedition’s core legislative recommendations—such as enhancing glacier change monitoring, protecting ecological barriers, and promoting integrated environmental management—were integrated into the new legislation. This led to the adoption of the ‘Measures for the Implementation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Ecological Protection Law’ by the 15th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 12th People’s Congress of Xizang in March, which took effect on August 1. Beyond legislative impact, the expedition has deepened scientific understanding of the plateau’s unique ecological challenges, particularly concerning the Asian Water Tower, a vital water source for over 2 billion people. Research indicates a significant increase in water supply capacity, with runoff from major basins projected to rise by 49% by the century’s end. However, the region faces growing threats from cryosphere disasters, such as glacier avalanches and glacial lake outburst floods, which have increased in frequency and severity. To address these challenges, the expedition team has established a comprehensive Earth system multisphere observation platform and developed an intelligent monitoring and early warning system for cryosphere-related disasters. These innovations aim to provide precise solutions for disaster prevention and mitigation, safeguarding major projects and local communities.
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JUNO yields first results, searches for ‘new physics’
The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), the world’s largest liquid scintillator neutrino detector, has unveiled its first set of experimental results, marking a significant milestone in particle physics. Located 700 meters underground in Guangdong, China, this state-of-the-art facility has achieved unprecedented precision in measuring neutrino properties, offering new insights into the fundamental nature of these elusive particles.
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Japan’s meddling in Taiwan fiercely opposed
China has issued a stern warning against Japan’s recent comments on Taiwan, emphasizing that such interference in China’s internal affairs is unacceptable. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, addressed the media on Wednesday, condemning Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks about the Taiwan Strait. Takaichi had suggested that China’s actions toward Taiwan could pose a ‘survival-threatening situation’ for Japan, hinting at potential military intervention. Zhu labeled these comments as an attempt to revive militarism and undermine the achievements of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). She reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and called on Japan to cease its provocative actions. Zhu also criticized Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for colluding with external forces to pursue ‘independence,’ warning that such efforts are futile and will be met with firm countermeasures. Over 30 civil groups in Taiwan joined in condemning Takaichi’s remarks, rejecting any role as victims of Japanese militarism. Additionally, Zhu opposed Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te’s reported plans to transit through the United States, urging the U.S. to adhere to the one-China principle and avoid sending wrong signals to ‘Taiwan independence’ forces.
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Philippine court convicts dismissed town mayor, allegedly a Chinese, of human trafficking charges
A Philippine court has handed down a life sentence to Alice Guo, a former mayor accused of being a Chinese national, for her involvement in a large-scale human trafficking and online scam operation. The Pasig City Regional Trial Court in metropolitan Manila convicted Guo and seven other Filipino and Chinese co-accused, imposing a fine of 2 million pesos ($34,000) each and ordering compensation for trafficking victims. Guo, who denies all allegations and claims Filipino citizenship, allegedly facilitated the establishment of an illegal online gaming complex in northern Tarlac province, where hundreds of foreign nationals were forced to conduct financial scams. The court revealed that the operation used parcels of land and buildings to house trafficked workers, coercing them into fraudulent activities. This case highlights the growing issue of online scam centers in Southeast Asia, particularly in border areas like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, where hundreds of thousands have been trapped in virtual slavery. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken steps to combat these operations, banning hundreds of Chinese-run online gaming businesses linked to crimes such as financial scams, human trafficking, and kidnapping. While many centers have been raided and shut down, officials acknowledge that more remain operational. Senator Risa Hontiveros, who led Senate inquiries into the scam operations, hailed Guo’s conviction as a victory against transnational crimes but emphasized that the fight is far from over. Hontiveros also raised concerns about potential espionage activities linked to Chinese nationals operating these centers, amid escalating territorial conflicts between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Guo, dismissed from her mayoral post last year for grave misconduct, fled to Indonesia but was arrested and deported back to the Philippines, where she remains in detention.
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Australians worry markedly more about US interference: new poll
Australians continue to value their alliance with the United States, but a new poll reveals growing skepticism and critical views toward the relationship. Conducted by the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, the survey of 2,045 respondents highlights a significant shift in public opinion. For the first time in five years, more Australians (57%) believe the US, rather than China (51%), would pressure Australia to take sides in their rivalry. This reflects a broader awareness that pressure can come from allies as well as adversaries. Concerns about US interference in Australia have surged to 54%, a nearly 20-point increase since 2021, narrowing the gap with concerns about interference from China and Russia, which remain steady at 64%. The poll also indicates that nearly two-thirds of Australians fear a second Trump presidency would heighten the likelihood of conflict with China. Economic perceptions have shifted dramatically, with 72% of respondents now viewing the US as using trade for political punishment, compared to 70% for China. Despite these concerns, Australians’ views of China have softened since 2021. While mistrust of the Chinese government persists, it has declined from 76% to 64%, and two-thirds of Australians now see China as a security concern, the lowest level in five years. Regional tensions, particularly in the South China Sea, remain a focal point, with 72% of respondents viewing China’s actions there as a threat to Australia’s interests. Support for defense spending has reached a record high of 72%, though this drops to 55% when trade-offs with health or education are considered. The AUKUS defense pact, which includes plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, is supported by half of Australians as a means to enhance national security. On Taiwan, opinions are divided: 37% would support sending troops if China attacked, while most prefer neutrality or non-military engagement. In a hypothetical US-China conflict over Taiwan, 50% of Australians would favor neutrality, and 47% would back supporting the US. The survey also reveals that China policy is increasingly influencing Australian voters, with 37% citing it as a factor in the 2025 federal election, up 10 points from 2022. Overall, Australians are adopting a more nuanced approach to managing their relationships with both China and the US, balancing economic interests with strategic concerns.