标签： Asia

In response to the escalating demands of an aging population, Chinese authorities have introduced a nationwide initiative to engage retired medical workers in integrated medical and elderly care institutions. This program, spearheaded by the National Health Commission and four other government bodies, aims to leverage the expertise of retired professionals to enhance the quality of care for seniors. Ten provincial-level regions, including Beijing, Chongqing, Hebei, Jilin, and Jiangsu, have been selected as pilot zones to develop scalable models for nationwide implementation. The initiative operates on a voluntary basis, allowing retired doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians, and administrative staff to contribute their skills in areas such as diagnosis, rehabilitation, nursing, and mental health support. With China’s elderly population surpassing 310 million in 2024, accounting for 22% of the total population, the integration of medical and elderly care has become a critical strategy. The program also encourages partnerships between care facilities and local hospitals, particularly those specializing in geriatric medicine, rehabilitation, and hospice care. Retired professionals will be offered flexible working hours, competitive remuneration, and additional benefits, ensuring their rights and well-being are protected. The initiative not only addresses the growing care needs but also provides retirees with meaningful opportunities to remain active in their field. Wei Qingzhuo, a retired medical professional from Shandong province, shared his positive experience working at a private elderly care center in Beijing, highlighting the convenience and harmonious work environment. By 2027, authorities aim to establish at least one integrated medical and elderly care institution in every county-level region, marking a significant step forward in addressing China’s demographic challenges.

The 15th National Games has witnessed an unexpected phenomenon as the mascots, Xi Yangyang and Le Rongrong, inspired by the Chinese white dolphin, have captured the hearts of audiences across the three host regions. Designed by Liu Pingyun, the creative mind behind the Beijing Winter Olympics’ Bing Dwen Dwen, these mascots showcase a significant evolution in athletic expressiveness. Unlike Bing Dwen Dwen’s limited mobility, Xi Yangyang and Le Rongrong feature a two-heads-tall proportion, enabling smoother and more dynamic movements. This design enhancement not only allows for versatile graphic depictions of various sports but also provides live performers inside the costumes with greater flexibility. Their energetic performances, including break dancing, rapid tail spins, and headstands, have electrified venues like the Dongguan Basketball Center, driving the crowd into a frenzy of cheers. Social media has been ablaze with viral videos and memes of their antics, with many hailing them as the most energetic mascots ever seen. The performers, a group of 23 martial artists from the Foshan Huangfeihong International Martial Arts School, were selected for their physical prowess, discipline, and teamwork. Their rigorous training since late July has paid off, bringing the mascots to life with natural and lively portrayals. The Chinese white dolphin, the mascots’ biological inspiration, carries profound symbolic meaning. Known as the ‘giant panda of the sea,’ it represents the maritime culture of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and embodies unity, perseverance, and endeavor. The dolphins’ annual return to the Pearl River Estuary symbolizes a deep connection to their homeland, reflecting the strong bonds among the people of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. This symbolism is particularly relevant given the Games’ historic joint hosting, marking a new era of regional cooperation. Liu Pingyun emphasized the challenge of transforming the unfamiliar marine creature into approachable, engaging characters. The final design features rounded bodies, human-like limbs, and distinctive blue, green, and yellow adornments atop their heads, representing water spraying from their blowholes. Despite their design, the mascots have sparked a wave of online humor, with many affectionately dubbing them the ‘great bay chickens,’ a nod to Cantonese cuisine and culture. This grassroots rebranding has made the mascots more approachable, drawing people in and helping them connect more deeply with the cultural and athletic spirit they represent.

For Cindy Zhong and countless young Chinese women, a quiet evening once meant immersing themselves in the world of Danmei, a genre of same-sex romance stories primarily written and consumed by straight women. However, this literary escape is now under threat as the Chinese government intensifies its crackdown on the genre, leading to the disappearance of beloved authors and their works. Danmei, often referred to as ‘Boys Love’ in English, has long served as a space for women to explore idealized relationships, free from the constraints of traditional gender roles. Scholars suggest that these stories resonate with Chinese women as a form of escapism from societal pressures to marry and conform. Aiqing Wang, a senior lecturer at the University of Liverpool, notes, ‘Women turn to Danmei for pure love, especially as they face pressure from families, peers, and society to get married and have kids.’ The genre, once a niche subculture, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with novels adapted into blockbuster TV series and translated into Western languages. However, its growing visibility has also drawn the attention of Chinese authorities. Over the past year, dozens of Danmei writers have been interrogated, arrested, and charged with producing and selling obscene materials. Many have stopped publishing, and websites hosting these stories have either shut down or removed content, leaving only the tamest narratives behind. ‘Chinese female readers can no longer find a safe, uncensored space to place our desires,’ lamented Zhong, an educator in her 30s. Despite the crackdown, Danmei’s influence persists, with some authors publishing their work abroad and readers finding creative ways to access it. Experts argue that the genre’s impact on female consciousness and the desire for unapologetic storytelling is irreversible. ‘The awakening of female consciousness, the desire of reading and not being ashamed of what they want to read is irreversible,’ said Xi Tian, an associate professor of East Asian Studies at Bucknell University.

In a startling discovery, South Korea’s Jeju Island has become the focal point of a significant drug smuggling operation involving ketamine disguised as Chinese tea. Since September, residents have reported finding small foil-wrapped packages labeled with the Chinese character for ‘tea’ washed ashore. Upon investigation, authorities confirmed these packages contained ketamine, a potent anesthetic with severe health risks when misused. Approximately 28kg (62 lbs) of the drug have been recovered in at least eight separate incidents, with the largest haul—20kg—discovered by a beach cleaner in Seogwipo on October 15. The Jeju Coast Guard has mobilized a specialized team to trace potential sea and land routes used for smuggling. Authorities have issued warnings to residents, urging them to avoid touching suspicious objects and to report findings to the police. A massive search operation involving over 800 soldiers, police officers, and civilian volunteers was conducted this week along Jeju City’s northern coast. Investigators are exploring the possibility that ocean currents carried the drugs to Jeju, with similar discoveries reported in Pohang, South Korea, and Tsushima Island, Japan. Professor Yoon Heung-hee of Hansung University suggested that criminal syndicates may be employing a ‘sea bump’ method, dropping drug bundles equipped with trackers into the ocean for later retrieval. Residents have expressed concern over the presence of illicit drugs on their coastlines, with one parent voicing fears about children accidentally encountering the substances. Authorities are under pressure to enhance inspections at airports and ports to prevent further smuggling attempts.

A tragic incident unfolded in Bucheon, South Korea, on Thursday when a truck collided with pedestrians at a bustling outdoor market, resulting in two fatalities and 18 injuries, according to local fire and police authorities. The driver, a man in his 60s whose identity remains undisclosed, was promptly taken into custody for questioning. Preliminary investigations revealed that he was neither under the influence of alcohol nor drugs, as confirmed by Bucheon police official Son Byeong-sam. Witnesses recounted that the vehicle initially reversed approximately 28 meters (92 feet) before accelerating forward for about 150 meters (492 feet), striking numerous pedestrians along its path. The driver attributed the incident to a mechanical malfunction, a claim currently under scrutiny as officials analyze security camera footage. Among the injured, 11 sustained severe injuries, though the extent of their conditions remains unclear. The chaotic aftermath of the crash was captured in photographs, depicting the truck lodged into a storefront amidst scattered debris, including overturned boxes, clothing, and shattered signboards. The vehicle’s front left side was severely damaged, and its windows were completely broken. Authorities later removed the truck from the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.