标签: Asia

亚洲

  • Handan University tai chi teacher wows on national stage

    Handan University tai chi teacher wows on national stage

    A 34-year-old tai chi instructor from Handan University’s School of Tai Chi Culture has become a national sensation following her breathtaking performance on China’s most-watched television event. Li Yunyun, who now boasts over two million online followers, delivered a mesmerizing demonstration of traditional martial arts during the 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, showcasing the dynamic potential of this ancient practice.

    Her journey to national recognition began unexpectedly at age seven when she was reportedly ‘tricked’ into attending a martial arts school. What started as childhood curiosity evolved into a lifelong passion that would eventually propel her to professional mastery. Today, as a university-level instructor, Li combines traditional teaching methods with modern digital outreach strategies.

    Through carefully produced video content featuring diverse tai chi movements, Professor Li has revolutionized public perception of the discipline. Her social media presence demonstrates that tai chi transcends mere physical exercise—it represents a living cultural heritage that can be both aesthetically captivating and physically demanding. The viral nature of her content has introduced tai chi to younger demographics who might otherwise have considered it an activity exclusively for older generations.

    Her television appearance marks a significant milestone in the modernization of traditional Chinese cultural practices, proving that ancient arts can find renewed relevance through contemporary presentation methods while maintaining their philosophical depth and technical precision.

  • Innovation, integration help Tianjin’s Spring Festival tourism revenue jump 10%

    Innovation, integration help Tianjin’s Spring Festival tourism revenue jump 10%

    Tianjin’s tourism sector experienced a remarkable upswing during the recent Spring Festival holiday, recording a substantial 10% year-on-year growth in both visitor numbers and tourism revenue. This success story emerged from a comprehensive development strategy that combined cultural innovation, regional integration, and enhanced visitor services.

    According to Wang Zhiping, deputy Party secretary of Xiqing district and a deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress, the city’s systematic approach to tourism development has yielded impressive results. The district, designated as a provincial all-for-one tourism demonstration zone, has strategically connected cultural assets including the historic Yangliqng Ancient Town and the legendary Jingwu Martial Arts culture associated with Huo Yuanjia.

    The ancient town itself witnessed extraordinary performance metrics, with visitor numbers climbing 12.7% and comprehensive revenue skyrocketing by 78.6%. This success was driven by innovative programming including the 29th Yangliqng Lantern Show, large-scale immersive performances, and specialized marketplace installations.

    Complementing these cultural initiatives, Tianjin implemented significant infrastructure improvements to enhance visitor experience. Municipal authorities coordinated to create over 6,000 public parking spaces and deployed numerous mobile restroom facilities throughout tourist areas.

    The city has particularly focused on attracting younger demographics through contemporary tourism offerings. Development of trendy attractions like the ‘Night of the Haihe River’ and creation of themed accommodations including boutique homestays represent Tianjin’s commitment to modernizing its tourism appeal.

    Chen Bing, deputy director-general of the Tianjin Culture and Tourism Bureau, emphasized the city’s strategic vision to establish itself as a ‘metropolitan, experiential, youth-oriented destination rich in cultural heritage.’ This includes innovative approaches to intangible cultural heritage, such as study-tour experiences for Yangliqng woodblock New Year paintings and youth-focused cultural products.

    Looking forward, Tianjin is advancing additional measures including deepened coordination within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei regional cluster and continued promotion of all-for-one tourism concepts. These comprehensive initiatives position Tianjin to solidify its status as a premier domestic tourism destination.

  • Schools, hospitals, playgrounds: Iran’s civilian sites hit by US-Israeli strikes

    Schools, hospitals, playgrounds: Iran’s civilian sites hit by US-Israeli strikes

    A devastating humanitarian crisis is unfolding across Iran as civilian infrastructure bears the brunt of ongoing military operations initiated by the United States and Israel. Despite official assertions that strikes exclusively target military and leadership installations, extensive evidence reveals a pattern of attacks on protected civilian sites including educational institutions, medical facilities, and residential areas.

    The offensive, which commenced on Saturday, has resulted in staggering civilian casualties according to Tasnim news agency, reporting over 1,230 fatalities to date. Among the most tragic incidents was the destruction of Shajareh Tayyebeh primary school in Minab, where 165 children aged 7-12 perished in what witnesses describe as a ‘double-tap’ strike pattern—a tactic involving consecutive attacks on the same location.

    Medical infrastructure has suffered systematic damage with the World Health Organization verifying attacks on at least 13 healthcare facilities. The Gandhi Hospital fertility clinic in Tehran sustained severe damage, potentially destroying years of IVF treatment for numerous couples. Healthcare workers reported scrambling to evacuate newborns amid collapsing structures and spreading fires.

    Cultural and sports venues have not been spared either. Tehran’s 400-year-old Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sustained significant damage from nearby explosions. The Azadi sports complex’s 12,000-seat stadium was reduced to rubble, prompting Iran’s Sports Minister to condemn the attack as a violation of international law and the Olympic Charter.

    Iranian officials and international observers have raised concerns about potential use of artificial intelligence in target selection without adequate human oversight. Commentator Trita Parsi highlighted the bombing of a public park mistakenly identified as a government target through apparent algorithmic error.

    The growing similarities between targeting methodologies in Iran and previous operations in Gaza have drawn criticism from humanitarian organizations, with the International Red Cross emphasizing that the destruction of educational, medical, and sports facilities constitutes explicit violations of wartime protections.

  • Qatar warns war on Iran could ‘bring down’ world economies

    Qatar warns war on Iran could ‘bring down’ world economies

    Qatar’s Energy Minister has issued a stark warning that escalating military conflicts between the US-Israel alliance and Iran could precipitate a worldwide economic crisis. Saad al-Kaabi stated that recent attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure could force regional exporters to declare force majeure within days, potentially driving oil prices to $150 per barrel.

    The minister emphasized that continued hostilities would cripple global GDP growth, create energy price surges worldwide, and trigger supply chain disruptions affecting manufacturing sectors globally. Recent Iranian drone strikes have already impacted critical energy facilities in Qatar’s Ras Laffan and Mesaieed industrial cities, prompting Qatar Energy—the world’s largest LNG producer—to suspend liquefied natural gas production.

    Financial markets have already responded to the escalating tensions, with Brent crude climbing 2.5 percent to $87.6 per barrel on Friday, reaching its highest level since the conflict began. The minister projected that blockade scenarios involving the Strait of Hormuz—through which one-fifth of global oil and gas passes—could push crude prices to $150 within weeks.

    Additionally, Kaabi predicted natural gas prices could quadruple to $40 per million British thermal units, while warning that broader trade disruptions between Gulf states and global partners would create significant economic repercussions for all trading nations. The situation represents the most serious threat to global energy security since the beginning of the conflict.

  • Memories of twin inspire Paralympian Patrick Halgren to spread good vibes — one sticker at a time

    Memories of twin inspire Paralympian Patrick Halgren to spread good vibes — one sticker at a time

    Paralympic skier Patrick Halgren has transformed personal tragedy into triumphant inspiration at the Milan Cortina Paralympics, honoring his late twin brother through both his athletic performance and a deeply personal movement. Upon arriving in Italy, Halgren began placing distinctive blue-and-yellow “SvendIt” stickers throughout Cortina d’Ampezzo—on chairlifts, water bottles, and even restaurant bathrooms—as a tribute to his brother Lucas Sven Halgren, who died in a 2016 motorcycle accident.

    The phrase “SvendIt,” a playful twist on the skiing term “send-it,” embodies Halgren’s approach to life and sport. His brother Sven had initially encouraged him to pursue adaptive skiing after Halgren lost his left leg above the knee in his own motorcycle crash in 2013. Now competing in his second Paralympics across five standing division events, Halgren carries his brother’s spirit both literally and figuratively—with the words tattooed across his abdomen.

    Halgren’s journey to Cortina represents a victory in itself after a season marked by multiple crashes. His parents traveled from Connecticut to witness his competitions, which he’s approaching with characteristic flair—planning to dye his hair red and blue to complement his blonde braids for different events.

    The athlete leads an unconventional lifestyle, splitting time between his Ford camper van and Colorado Springs home. During ski season, he parks near Winter Park Resort, where he announces races for children, assists with mountain maintenance, and trains. Halgren has also expanded into filmmaking, contributing to “Us and Them,” a project showcasing adaptive skiing from athletes’ perspectives.

    Reflecting on his brother’s legacy, Halgren shared: “I’ve got a lot of really good friends messaging me and saying, ‘He’d be so proud of you.’ When there’s a ray of sunshine on the mountain, I’ve got to believe that it’s him up there showing me the way.”

    The globally distributed “SvendIt” stickers—found from Norwegian slopes to Colorado weather stations—represent more than just memorial; they symbolize Halgren’s philosophy: “Basically, if you’re going to do something, you’ve just got to go for it. Go have some fun and live your life. Have something to talk about later.”

  • World’s highest bridge boosts Guizhou tourism beyond expectations

    World’s highest bridge boosts Guizhou tourism beyond expectations

    The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou province, officially recognized as the world’s highest bridge, has triggered an extraordinary tourism boom that has surpassed all initial projections. Standing at a staggering 625 meters above water level with a total length of 2,890 meters, this engineering marvel has become an unexpected catalyst for regional economic development since its inauguration in September last year.

    During the recent Spring Festival holiday in February, the infrastructure phenomenon recorded approximately 300,000 visitor arrivals and over 70,000 vehicle transits, establishing unprecedented traffic records according to data from Guizhou Communications Investment Group (GCIG). The bridge’s revolutionary impact has reduced travel duration between Anshun and Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture from two hours to merely two minutes, effectively creating a transformative ‘one-hour golden tourism circle’ that interconnects multiple scenic attractions including Huangguoshu Waterfall and Shuangru Mountain.

    Yin Hengbin, NPC deputy and Mayor of Anshun, emphasized that the bridge represents both China’s remarkable developmental achievements and a distinctive new emblem for Guizhou’s tourism sector. Concurrently, Huang Xingwen, governor of Qianxinan and fellow NPC deputy, revealed strategic plans to leverage the bridge as an integrative force connecting additional scenic spots such as Malinghe Canyon and Wanfenglin scenic area, thereby fostering synergistic development between cultural, tourism, and sports initiatives.

    Zhang Shenglin, GCIG manager and NPC deputy, highlighted the unique convergence of Guizhou’s karst topography with the bridge’s architectural grandeur, creating spectacular visual experiences that have enabled innovative tourism offerings. These include sightseeing elevators, vertigo-inducing glass walkways, cable tower cafes, and extreme activities like waterfall bungee jumping—amenities that transcend conventional bridge functionality.

    The structure additionally serves as an educational resource, with its advanced materials and construction methodologies providing valuable learning opportunities for basic education students through organized science excursions. Zhang noted that this multifaceted bridge-tourism integration, facilitated by unique geographical conditions and specialized design features, has yielded outcomes that exceeded conventional expectations, pointing toward exceptionally promising development prospects for integrated infrastructure tourism.

  • Iraqi journalist: China brings peace to the world

    Iraqi journalist: China brings peace to the world

    BEIJING – Amid extensive international media coverage of China’s annual Two Sessions, Iraqi journalist Al-Obaidi Ameen from China-Arab TV has commended China’s persistent dedication to fostering global peace and development. The seasoned correspondent, who previously covered significant events including the Victory Day parade and appeared at the 2026 CMG Spring Festival Gala, shared his perspectives during the ongoing session of China’s top legislature.

    In an interview with China Daily reporter Yan An, Ameen emphasized China’s unwavering commitment to peace advocacy worldwide. “China has been working tirelessly to champion peace across the world,” stated the Iraqi journalist, who further expressed his hope that more international journalists would help communicate China’s authentic narrative to global audiences.

    Ameen noted that despite current global instability, China demonstrates remarkable confidence and stability in determining its future trajectory through the Two Sessions framework. The journalist added that this steadfast approach has generated admiration internationally, remarking that “people in many countries envy you” in reference to China’s political process and development model.

    The Two Sessions, referring to the annual meetings of China’s National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, have attracted widespread attention from both domestic and foreign media outlets covering China’s policy directions and development priorities.

  • US investigators ‘say American strike most likely responsible’ for Iranian school massacre

    US investigators ‘say American strike most likely responsible’ for Iranian school massacre

    Multiple investigative reports are converging on the conclusion that U.S. military forces were responsible for a devastating attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in the Iranian city of Minab, which resulted in 165 fatalities. The incident, which occurred last Saturday, is being characterized as a ‘double-tap’ strike—a tactic where an initial explosion is followed by a second strike targeting first responders and survivors.

    According to two U.S. officials speaking to Reuters, while the investigation remains ongoing and no final conclusion has been reached, initial findings point toward U.S. responsibility. This assessment aligns with separate investigations conducted by The New York Times and Middle East Eye (MEE), which utilized satellite imagery, open-source evidence, and verified video footage. Their analysis confirms the school was severely damaged by a precision strike that coincided with attacks on a nearby Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval base.

    The MEE investigation specifically revealed that the school was hit by two separate strikes, with the second missile killing civilians, including children, who had sought shelter or arrived to aid victims. The BBC later corroborated these findings, reporting based on satellite data that the area suffered ‘multiple simultaneous or near-simultaneous strikes.’

    Earlier misleading claims on social media, which attempted to attribute the bombing to the IRGC, have been thoroughly debunked. In response to the allegations, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that ‘the Iranian regime targets civilians and children, not the United States of America,’ noting that the Department of War is investigating the matter. Israel, another actor in the regional conflict, has also announced it is looking into the incident.

    The severity of the attack has prompted international concern. The UN human rights office has called for a transparent investigation into the strike. ‘The onus is on the forces that carried out the attack to investigate it,’ stated spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani during a press briefing in Geneva, without explicitly assigning blame.

  • Is Nepal’s ex-rapper mayor on track to be new PM?

    Is Nepal’s ex-rapper mayor on track to be new PM?

    Nepal stands on the brink of a political transformation as early election results indicate a commanding lead for Balendra Shah, the 35-year-old rapper-turned-mayor who now appears poised to become the nation’s next prime minister. His centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is currently leading in over two-thirds of the directly elected parliamentary seats according to BBC Nepali reports.

    The Thursday general election pitted Shah against established political veterans including former Prime Minister KP Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal UML and Gagan Thapa of the Nepali Congress, both of whom trail significantly in current tallies. The election commission estimates approximately 60% turnout among Nepal’s nearly 19 million registered voters.

    Shah’s remarkable rise from the Nepali hip-hop scene to political prominence represents a dramatic departure from Nepal’s traditional political landscape. Popularly known as Balen, the structural engineer-turned-rapper gained national recognition through socially conscious music, including his viral YouTube hit “Balidan” (Sacrifice) that garnered millions of views.

    His political momentum surged during last year’s widespread protests against social media bans, corruption, unemployment, and economic stagnation. The demonstrations resulted in 77 fatalities, primarily protesters shot by police, and ultimately forced then-Prime Minister Oli’s resignation. Shah’s vocal support for protesters, including his characterization of Oli as a “terrorist,” resonated strongly with youth voters but drew criticism from establishment figures.

    As Kathmandu mayor until January, Shah’s administration faced criticism from human rights groups for heavy-handed tactics against street vendors and unlicensed businesses. His campaign strategy notably avoided media engagement, with Shah bypassing journalists while wearing signature black sunglasses on election day.

    The electoral process incorporates both first-past-the-post and proportional representation systems, with voters casting two ballots to determine 275 parliamentary members. Final results may require days due to Nepal’s challenging topography, with helicopters deployed to collect ballots from remote mountainous regions. The 2022 election required over two weeks for complete results.

    This election marks a potential watershed moment for Nepali politics, which has been characterized by unstable coalition governments dominated by three major parties for over three decades. With 800,000 first-time voters and numerous independent candidates, the political landscape demonstrates a clear appetite for change among Nepal’s youthful electorate.

  • Xi visits political advisers, joins discussion at annual session

    Xi visits political advisers, joins discussion at annual session

    Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in substantive discussions with political advisers during a joint group meeting at the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Friday. The meeting brought together representatives from the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, the Jiusan Society, and professionals from medicine, health, welfare, and social security sectors.

    In his capacity as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, President Xi actively participated in the dialogue, carefully considering the recommendations and insights presented by the advisers. The exchange focused on critical national development priorities and policy enhancements across multiple sectors.

    The interaction demonstrated the continued importance of multi-party cooperation and political consultation in China’s governance framework. Advisers presented well-researched proposals addressing current challenges and opportunities in healthcare reform, social welfare enhancement, and sustainable development strategies.

    This high-level engagement occurs during the annual legislative sessions, where political advisers provide specialized expertise to shape national policies. The participation of sector-specific professionals underscores the government’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and inclusive governance approaches that incorporate diverse perspectives from across Chinese society.