Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Rendezvous with rich heritage

    Rendezvous with rich heritage

    In an inspiring fusion of tradition and modernity, Yang Yuxiao has transformed her career path from international trade to cultural preservation. After five years working as a Paris-based trader specializing in crafts and artworks, the French-educated professional made a pivotal decision in 2016 to return to her roots in Linhai, Zhejiang province. Her mission: to reinvigorate the ancient art of Linhai paper-cutting, recognized as part of Zhejiang’s intangible cultural heritage since 2007.

    Yang assumed leadership of the Zhang Xiujuan Paper Cutting Museum, founded by her mother who serves as a respected bearer of this cultural tradition. Confronting the challenges of preserving delicate paper artworks vulnerable to humidity and fading, Yang pioneered innovative solutions that have secured 13 national patents. Her breakthrough came with developing paper-cutting techniques using alternative materials including silk and cashmere cotton, creating both durable and marketable products.

    Beyond material innovations, Yang has strategically expanded the art form’s applications through contemporary product designs featuring traditional patterns. Her creations now adorn functional items including fashion accessories, bags, coasters, and traditional Chinese cloud shoulders (shawls). This commercial approach has generated sustainable revenue through gift orders while preserving artistic integrity.

    The enterprise operates through a multi-tiered production system: collectible pieces crafted by Yang and her mother, alongside cultural gifts produced by approximately 30 project-based artisans. Yang has additionally established educational initiatives that provide vocational training to local villagers, having conducted over 150 sessions with more than 2,000 participants. Her international outreach includes livestreamed classes attracting global students from the United States, Spain, Hungary, and beyond, complemented by cultural exchange programs including a recent visit to South Korea.

    At 36, Yang balances innovation with tradition, stating: ‘To sustain our intangible cultural heritage work, we need products that can support us financially.’ Her vision continues to evolve toward making Linhai paper-cutting relevant to younger generations through everyday integration rather than merely wall decorations, ensuring this family legacy thrives through contemporary relevance.

  • High-skilled generation

    High-skilled generation

    In a remarkable display of dedication to professional excellence, China’s young skilled workers are redefining vocational achievement through intense preparation and national competition. The recently concluded Third Vocational Skills Competition in Zhengzhou, Henan province, served as the culminating platform for these efforts, featuring 3,420 competitors across 106 specialized events.

    The story of Li Minghui, a 29-year-old instructor from Henan Technician College of Medicine and Health, exemplifies the extraordinary commitment required to excel in these prestigious competitions. For nearly two years, Li maintained a rigorous training schedule that blurred the lines between weekdays and weekends, often working until 10 PM nightly. Her perseverance culminated in a gold medal achievement in early childhood care—a category demanding both technical precision and emotional intelligence.

    Li’s preparation extended far beyond basic technical rehearsal. She dedicated countless hours to mastering subtle techniques, including the exact pressure required to support an infant’s head, neck, and spine, and developed specialized methods for infant care using only wrist strength and hollow palm techniques. “The smallest details matter tremendously in this profession,” Li emphasized, noting that procedures like artificial respiration require complete mouth and nose coverage while maintaining perfect rhythm.

    The competition itself presented multifaceted challenges across six rounds covering four core modules. Participants demonstrated expertise in artificial feeding, environmental disinfection, medication administration, and traditional Chinese infant massage (tuina), while also performing CPR with exact compression depth requirements. Beyond technical execution, competitors had to maintain emotional connections with simulated infants and respond professionally to standardized ‘parents’ identifying potential safety concerns.

    This national skills showcase represents China’s strategic investment in vocational education, backed by substantial resources, legal reforms, and focused development of high-end skills for emerging industrial sectors. With 66 events serving as selection trials for the WorldSkills Competition, the event highlights China’s growing emphasis on vocational excellence as a cornerstone of national development.

  • National games for the disabled boost regional ties

    National games for the disabled boost regional ties

    In an unprecedented demonstration of regional collaboration, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has launched the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities alongside the 9th National Special Olympic Games. This landmark event, which commenced on Monday, represents the first joint hosting of China’s premier disability sports competitions across multiple administrative regions, signaling a new era of coordinated development and social inclusion.

    The games feature an extensive competitive program comprising 46 major sporting categories and 1,876 subevents, blending 11 mass participation sports with nine Paralympic disciplines. A record-breaking contingent of 7,824 athletes from 34 national delegations has registered for the events, supported by over 11,000 participants including technical officials, coaches, and support staff—marking a substantial 30 percent increase from previous editions.

    Executive deputy-general Yong Zhijun emphasized the event’s significance beyond athletic competition, noting it showcases China’s advancements in disability support during the 14th Five-Year Plan period while strengthening regional integration. ‘This collaboration powerfully demonstrates the strengths of the “one country, two systems” framework while promoting coordinated growth throughout the Greater Bay Area,’ Yong stated at a Guangzhou press conference.

    Infrastructure preparation has been comprehensive, with Guangdong utilizing 36 competition venues—22 repurposed from last month’s 15th National Games and 14 specifically configured for disability sports. All facilities meet rigorous national accessibility standards, featuring ramps, tactile paving, adapted toilets, wheelchair seating, sign language interpretation systems, and smart information services to ensure full participation.

    Regional cooperation extends beyond Guangdong, with Hong Kong hosting four events including boccia, wheelchair fencing, and Paralympic table tennis, while Macao oversees badminton competitions. Both special administrative regions have implemented specialized support systems, with Macao establishing green channels at border ports for expedited clearance and Hong Kong emphasizing the games’ role in breaking down physical and administrative barriers through resource sharing.

    The human dimension remains central to the event, with approximately 1,500 volunteers receiving specialized training in sign language communication and assistance techniques for participants with varying disabilities. These volunteers will provide comprehensive support across competition services, venue logistics, and hospitality functions throughout the games period.

  • Key mechanism on crop improvement unlocked

    Key mechanism on crop improvement unlocked

    Chinese researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in plant biology by identifying a fundamental mechanism that governs the function of plant stem cells. This breakthrough, published in the prestigious journal Science, reveals how mechanical properties of plant cell walls regulate stem cell activity—a finding with profound implications for future crop improvement strategies.

    The research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences demonstrated that the cell wall, traditionally considered a static structural component, dynamically participates in plant development. They discovered that pectin, the primary cell wall component, exhibits a bimodal distribution in stem cell regions at plant shoot tips. Mature cell walls maintain rigidity through highly methylesterified pectin, while newly formed walls during cell division remain soft and flexible due to de-methylesterified pectin.

    Central to this process is the identification of PME5, a key enzyme that softens pectin through precise regulation. The researchers uncovered a sophisticated nuclear sequestration mechanism where PME5 messenger RNA remains confined within the nucleus until cell division occurs. During division, nuclear disassembly releases the mRNA, enabling immediate translation into the PME5 enzyme that targets new cell walls at exactly the right time and location.

    This decade-long research project revealed that this regulatory mechanism is not unique to PME5 but shared by several related enzymes. The bimodal wall pattern was observed across diverse crop species, indicating it represents a fundamental aspect of plant growth architecture. The findings provide both theoretical foundation and technological pathway for programming stem cell activity to optimize plant structures, potentially leading to enhanced crop yields, improved quality, and greater resilience against environmental stresses.

    The discovery opens new avenues for agricultural innovation, offering scientists the ability to potentially design plants with larger grains, increased tillers, and bigger fruits. This advancement holds significant promise for addressing global food security challenges by enabling more precise control over crop development processes.

  • Guangdong blueprint aims to drive GBA’s integrated growth

    Guangdong blueprint aims to drive GBA’s integrated growth

    Guangdong Province has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to propel the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), positioning itself as the primary engine for regional advancement. The blueprint, released as part of the province’s recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), outlines ambitious plans to transform the 11-city cluster into a global innovation and industrial hub through enhanced collaboration with Hong Kong and Macao.

    The strategic framework emphasizes three core pillars for achieving deeper integration: strengthening infrastructure connectivity, aligning regulatory mechanisms, and fostering people-to-people exchanges. Guangdong will work closely with the two special administrative regions to establish multilayered consultation channels and develop a comprehensive cooperation architecture that facilitates seamless regional coordination.

    Key cooperation platforms in Qianhai, Hengqin, and Nansha will receive heightened focus as testing grounds for policy innovation and regional integration. The Hengqin cooperation zone will accelerate integration with Macao through an optimized ‘separate line management’ system and accelerated development of four target industries: sci-tech research and high-end manufacturing, traditional Chinese medicine, cultural tourism and conventions, and modern finance. This initiative directly supports Macao’s strategic objective of economic diversification.

    Nansha will evolve into a hub for high-tech and port-adjacent industries, while Guangzhou’s free trade zone transforms into a comprehensive service center for Chinese enterprises expanding overseas.

    Academic experts highlight the GBA’s potential to emerge as the world’s largest economic hub and a global leader in technological innovation by 2035. Professor Zheng Yongnian of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) notes that while Guangdong still faces technological gaps, the province should focus on building large-scale scientific systems to nurture productive forces and accelerate applied technology commercialization.

    However, challenges remain in cross-boundary factor flows, including professional qualification recognition, cross-boundary financing, and data transfer mechanisms. As Assistant Professor Dai Zhipeng of Shenzhen MSU-BIT University observes, ‘Cross-boundary integration not only involves regulatory frameworks but also social and administrative systems. The fundamental breakthrough lies in system and rule alignment.’

  • US isn’t winning trade war despite drop in its imports from China

    US isn’t winning trade war despite drop in its imports from China

    Despite imposing aggressive tariffs on Chinese imports since April, the United States finds itself confronting an unexpected outcome: China’s global trade surplus has surged to unprecedented levels rather than diminishing. Over the eight-month period following President Trump’s tariff implementation, Chinese exports to the US witnessed a dramatic 26% year-on-year decline. However, this apparent victory for American trade policy has been overshadowed by China’s remarkable adaptability in global markets.

    Analysis of the recently released US National Security Strategy reveals a notable moderation in tone toward China, suggesting administration officials may be acknowledging the complex realities of the trade conflict. The document, while critical of previous administrations’ China policies, emphasizes aspirations for ‘balance’ and ‘reciprocity’ rather than confrontational rhetoric. This represents a significant departure from earlier hardline positions.

    The strategic report acknowledges China’s recycling of approximately $1.3 trillion in trade surpluses into loans across developing nations, creating new economic and security challenges for the US and its allies. It calls for coordinated efforts with European and Asian partners to address China’s economic practices while advocating for reforms in multilateral development institutions to better serve American interests.

    Chinese analysts have detected this subtle shift in Washington’s approach, interpreting the moderated language as recognition of China’s growing economic resilience. Despite the substantial decline in direct US-China trade, Chinese manufacturers have successfully diversified export routes through ASEAN nations, the European Union, and other markets. This strategic pivot has enabled China to achieve a 5.4% increase in overall exports, reaching $3.41 trillion in the first eleven months of the year, with a record trade surplus of $1.08 trillion.

    The complex trade dynamics continue to evolve as both nations reassess their positions. While the US maintains its focus on protecting economic interests, China’s demonstrated capacity to navigate trade barriers suggests the conflict may be entering a new phase of strategic recalibration rather than resolution.

  • China is watching Trump’s Venezuela campaign closely

    China is watching Trump’s Venezuela campaign closely

    The Trump administration’s escalating campaign against Venezuela has reached a critical juncture with the U.S. president declaring the nation’s airspace ‘closed’—a move historically associated with impending military interventions. This development has triggered significant geopolitical repercussions, particularly from China, which has firmly opposed the declaration as a violation of international norms and national sovereignty.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian articulated Beijing’s position on December 3, emphasizing rejection of any pretext for interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs. This stance aligns with China’s broader strategy to expand its influence across Latin America, a region traditionally dominated by U.S. interests. The Trump administration’s threats potentially jeopardize China’s substantial economic and political investments throughout the hemisphere.

    China’s deepening ties with Latin America represent a decades-long expansion, with Brazil exemplifying this strategic partnership. Despite initial expectations that President Jair Bolsonaro’s right-wing government would align with Washington, China emerged as Brazil’s largest trading partner by 2020, accounting for over 30% of its exports. This relationship has only strengthened under Bolsonaro’s successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, particularly as the U.S.-China trade war made Brazil a crucial alternative source of agricultural products like soybeans.

    Venezuela itself has become increasingly dependent on Chinese markets, with China becoming the primary destination for Venezuelan oil. Current estimates suggest China purchases approximately 268,000 barrels daily, though actual figures may be higher due to mislabeling practices aimed at circumventing U.S. sanctions. This energy relationship supports China’s efforts to diversify its natural resource sources and maintain manufacturing advantages.

    The White House’s December 2 statement reaffirming commitment to the Monroe Doctrine—and introducing a new ‘Trump Corollary’ emphasizing U.S. control in the hemisphere—signals a deliberate challenge to Chinese influence. However, China’s primarily economic engagement in Latin America remains transactional rather than alliance-based, creating potential strains with regional partners who might expect stronger support during crises.

    Despite military non-interventionism, China stands to benefit from increased regional tensions through expanded arms sales. Venezuela already purchases Chinese military equipment ranging from riot gear to missiles, with other nations including Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador following similar paths. As the Trump administration recalibrates U.S. military presence per its National Security Strategy, China carefully monitors developments that could affect its carefully cultivated influence in Latin America.

  • Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting at the border?

    Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting at the border?

    The fragile peace agreement brokered by former US President Donald Trump between Thailand and Cambodia has completely unraveled, triggering the most severe military confrontation along their disputed border since July. The renewed violence has resulted in significant casualties, with at least three Thai soldiers and seven Cambodian civilians confirmed dead since hostilities reignited on Monday.

    This latest escalation represents a dramatic breakdown of the Kuala Lumpur peace accord signed in October under Trump’s mediation. Thailand suspended the agreement just two weeks after its signing, and by December, full-scale fighting had resumed. Both nations have exchanged contradictory accounts of how the violence originated, with each accusing the other of initiating hostilities.

    Thailand’s military command reported that their forces responded to Cambodian gunfire in Ubon Ratchathani Province that killed a Thai soldier, subsequently launching airstrikes against military targets along the contested frontier. Conversely, Cambodia’s defense ministry maintains that Thai forces attacked first in Preah Vihear province, claiming they exercised restraint by not retaliating initially.

    The conflict escalated further when Thailand accused Cambodia of deploying multiple-launch rocket systems, bomb-dropping drones, and kamikaze drones against Thai positions, with some projectiles allegedly striking civilian areas. Cambodia countered with allegations that Thailand fired indiscriminately into civilian zones in Pursat Province.

    This border dispute has historical roots stretching back over a century to when French colonial authorities demarcated the boundaries between the two nations. Tensions dramatically intensified in 2008 when Cambodia sought UNESCO World Heritage status for an 11th-century temple located in the contested territory. The current crisis began escalating in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed, plunging bilateral relations to their lowest point in over a decade.

    Prior to the July clashes, both nations had implemented reciprocal border restrictions, with Cambodia banning Thai agricultural imports and cutting off power and internet services. Both countries had also been reinforcing their military presence along the border in recent weeks.

    The October peace agreement had stipulated the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the disputed region and establishment of an interim observer team. The next phase was supposed to include the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained in Thailand. With the ceasefire now collapsed, the future of these diplomatic arrangements remains uncertain.

    International travel advisories have been updated, with the British Foreign Office currently recommending against all but essential travel within 50 kilometers of the entire Thailand-Cambodia border region.

  • Court awards MH370 victims 2.9m yuan each

    Court awards MH370 victims 2.9m yuan each

    In a landmark ruling, a Beijing court has mandated Malaysia Airlines to pay approximately 2.9 million yuan ($409,813) to each of eight families who lost relatives in the mysterious disappearance of Flight MH370. The first-instance judgment delivered on Monday represents a significant development in the decade-long legal battle surrounding one of aviation’s most perplexing tragedies.

    The compensation award comes as Malaysian authorities announced the imminent resumption of search operations for the missing aircraft. Malaysia’s transport ministry confirmed that marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity will recommence seabed exploration on December 30, committing to 55 days of intermittent search activities in the area deemed most likely to contain the aircraft’s remains.

    The ill-fated Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard. The Boeing 777’s disappearance triggered the most extensive and costly search operation in aviation history, yet the aircraft’s main wreckage has never been located. Among those on board, approximately two-thirds were Chinese citizens, with the remainder comprising passengers from Malaysia, France, Australia, Indonesia, India, the United States, Ukraine, Canada, and other nations.

    The legal proceedings involved 78 separate cases filed in 2016 by families of 75 passengers against Malaysia Airlines and its parent company Malaysia Airlines Berhad. Through court-mediated negotiations, 47 cases reached settlement agreements and were subsequently withdrawn. The recent judgment addresses eight cases where passengers had been legally declared deceased, while 23 cases remain pending judicial review for families who haven’t completed legal death declaration procedures.

    The court determined the compensation amount in accordance with the Montreal Convention and relevant Chinese legislation, encompassing death compensation, funeral expenses, mental anguish damages, and associated costs. Malaysian authorities emphasized their continued commitment to “providing closure to the affected families” through both the ongoing search efforts and the legal resolution process.

  • HK election hailed as a milestone for democracy

    HK election hailed as a milestone for democracy

    Hong Kong has ushered in a new political era with the successful conclusion of its Legislative Council elections, widely recognized as a significant milestone for the region’s democratic development. The electoral process culminated on Monday with the announcement of all 90 members who will comprise the eighth-term Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

    The composition of the new council reflects the enhanced electoral framework, with 40 members elected by the Election Committee, 30 through functional constituencies, and 20 via geographical constituencies through direct elections. Official figures indicate robust voter participation, with over 1.3 million citizens exercising their democratic rights during Sunday’s polling.

    Central authorities in Beijing have applauded the electoral outcome as a testament to Hong Kong’s high-quality democracy and a crucial reinforcement of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. A spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office emphasized that the newly elected legislators represent patriots dedicated to serving both the nation and Hong Kong, possessing the capability and commitment to advance the region’s interests.

    The incoming lawmakers face immediate challenges, including addressing the devastating aftermath of November’s Tai Po fire tragedy that claimed 159 lives and displaced approximately 2,000 families. Legislative priorities will encompass accelerated disaster recovery, long-term economic development, and deeper integration with national development strategies.

    Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu extended congratulations to the successful candidates, expressing confidence that the new council would actively engage with communities, understand public concerns, and collaborate with the SAR government to implement meaningful reforms.

    Prominent among the newly elected members is Olympic gold medalist fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai, who secured victory in the tourism constituency. Veteran politician Starry Lee Wai-king, simultaneously serving on China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, retained her seat representing Kowloon Central.

    The newly constituted Legislative Council is scheduled to commence its four-year term on January 1, marking a new chapter in Hong Kong’s governance under the revamped electoral system grounded in the ‘patriots administering Hong Kong’ principle.