Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • China to boost elderly care and silver economy amid aging population: draft govt work report

    China to boost elderly care and silver economy amid aging population: draft govt work report

    China has announced a sweeping initiative to confront its demographic challenges through enhanced elderly care services and economic opportunities for seniors. The newly released draft government work report outlines a multi-faceted approach to address the nation’s rapidly aging population, which now exceeds 323 million citizens aged 60 and above.

    The comprehensive plan emphasizes expanding public-interest elderly care services, with particular focus on improving rural infrastructure and support systems. A key innovation involves the introduction of specialized care vouchers for seniors experiencing moderate to severe functional impairments, ensuring targeted assistance reaches those most in need.

    Concurrently, China aims to capitalize on the substantial potential of its senior demographic by developing what officials term the ‘silver economy.’ This initiative recognizes that many individuals in the 60-64 age bracket maintain robust health and strong social engagement desires. The strategy includes creating supportive policies for senior-friendly products, pension finance systems, and specialized wellness relocation services.

    The national blueprint further incorporates significant healthcare enhancements, including the expansion of rehabilitation services and advancement of long-term care insurance programs. Special attention will be directed toward vulnerable groups such as seniors living alone and individuals with physical or cognitive challenges.

    Complementing these aging population measures, the report details parallel initiatives to address demographic balance through fertility support systems. These include fostering positive attitudes toward marriage and childbearing, enhancing housing support for newlyweds and first-time parents, and expanding subsidized childcare services alongside parental leave systems.

  • Farrell backs scrumhalf Gibson-Park as a perfect fit before his 50th Ireland test

    Farrell backs scrumhalf Gibson-Park as a perfect fit before his 50th Ireland test

    DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland’s head coach Andy Farrell has delivered a resounding endorsement of scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park ahead of his 50th test cap against Wales in the Six Nations championship. While acknowledging French superstar Antoine Dupont as a “generational player” who might be considered the greatest ever, Farrell emphasized that Gibson-Park’s unique qualities make him the perfect fit for Ireland’s system.

    The coach’s comments come as Gibson-Park mirrors Ireland’s tournament progression through varied performances. After a difficult opening match in Paris where Ireland fell 36-14 to France, Gibson-Park was moved to the bench against Italy. His second-half introduction at 10-10 proved transformative, providing the assurance and energy needed for Ireland to secure a 20-13 victory.

    Gibson-Park’s career highlight moment arrived at Twickenham just days after his 34th birthday, where his heads-up try and dominant performance earned him Player of the Match honors in Ireland’s record 42-14 demolition of England. Demonstrating true sportsmanship, his first post-match comments were to congratulate Maro Itoje on his 100th England test.

    Farrell highlighted Gibson-Park’s competitive mentality, describing him as “hard as nails” and the ideal protector in any crisis situation. “He’d probably bite their ankles off first and then do whatever he wanted,” Farrell remarked. “He’s that type of competitor. He’s the full box of tricks.”

    The New Zealand-born player came through the Kiwi system before moving to Ireland in 2016. After becoming Ireland-qualified in 2019 and a dual citizen in 2023, Gibson-Park supplanted Conor Murray as first-choice scrumhalf. He has been instrumental in Ireland’s greatest recent triumphs, including the series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand, the 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam, the 2024 title, a drawn series in South Africa, and 17 consecutive victories. His form earned him the British and Irish Lions starting scrumhalf position in Australia last year.

    Farrell attributes Gibson-Park’s success to exceptional fitness that allows mental clarity under pressure. “He plays quick because he’s unbelievably fit, but because of that speed and that fitness he’s able to play nice and calm within his head and see things that others don’t,” Farrell explained. The coach believes Gibson-Park is now demonstrating he belongs among the world’s elite players.

  • England opts to bowl first against India in second T20 World Cup semifinal

    England opts to bowl first against India in second T20 World Cup semifinal

    Cricket’s most anticipated showdown materialized at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium as England and India faced off in a gripping Twenty20 World Cup semifinal clash on Thursday. The match presented a dramatic narrative of recent tournament history between these cricketing powerhouses.

    England’s stand-in captain Harry Brook won the crucial coin toss, making the strategic decision to field first against the host nation. This choice appeared tactically astute given the evening dew conditions expected to favor the chasing team later in the match.

    Team India maintained an unchanged lineup from their convincing victory against the West Indies last Sunday, displaying confidence in their current combination. England, meanwhile, made one significant alteration to their playing XI, recalling pace bowler Jamie Overton in place of spinner Rehan Ahmed to adapt to the pitch conditions.

    The iconic Wankhede surface promised an entertaining spectacle for spectators, with conditions ideally suited for high-scoring batting performances. The victor of this intense contest would advance to face New Zealand in Sunday’s championship final at Ahmedabad.

    This encounter marked the third consecutive T20 World Cup semifinal meeting between these cricketing rivals, adding another chapter to their growing postseason rivalry. England dominated their 2022 semifinal clash in Sydney with a comprehensive 10-wicket victory that propelled them to their second title. India exacted revenge in the most recent 2024 Georgetown semifinal, delivering a commanding 68-run triumph that paved their path to a second championship.

    The defending champion Indian squad entered the match with just one blemish on their tournament record—a solitary defeat against South Africa. England’s campaign similarly featured only one setback, an early-round loss to the West Indies at this same Mumbai venue.

    Lineups:
    India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
    England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

  • China to accelerate push for science and technology self-reliance in 2026: draft govt work report

    China to accelerate push for science and technology self-reliance in 2026: draft govt work report

    China has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to accelerate its pursuit of scientific and technological self-reliance throughout 2026, according to a draft government work report presented to the National People’s Congress on Thursday. The comprehensive strategy outlines a multi-faceted approach to establishing China as a global innovation leader through systemic reforms and targeted investments.

    The blueprint emphasizes enhancing fundamental innovation capabilities to create a robust scientific foundation supporting the nation’s high-quality development objectives. Central to this initiative is the strategic mobilization of national resources to achieve critical breakthroughs in core technologies across pivotal sectors. The government plans to implement major science and technology megaprojects while strengthening planning mechanisms for strategic and frontier domains to stimulate original advancements.

    A significant policy shift involves increasing the proportion of research and development expenditure allocated to basic research, ensuring sustained long-term support for foundational scientific inquiry. The strategy further calls for structural reforms within research institutions and improved coordination between national laboratories and major scientific programs to bolster strategic scientific capabilities.

    The integration of technological innovation with industrial application represents another cornerstone of the plan. Beijing, Shanghai, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will be developed into international hubs for scientific innovation, with enterprises playing a leading role in innovation consortia and national-level projects.

    The government will establish pilot-scale testing platforms, enhance intellectual property protection in emerging fields, accelerate technology commercialization, and improve financial services tailored for innovation-driven enterprises. Simultaneously, the plan emphasizes the synergistic development of education, science, and talent cultivation through improved coordination mechanisms.

    Higher education reforms will advance through categorized approaches with adjustments to academic disciplines aligned with economic and social needs. New initiatives will establish world-class universities and interdisciplinary research centers while cultivating top-tier domestic innovators. The talent development strategy includes fostering professionals with strategic expertise, attracting elite scientists and promising young scholars, and training exceptional engineers and highly skilled technical workers.

    The comprehensive approach extends to developing high-standard talent hubs, deepening institutional reforms for talent development, establishing improved assessment systems, and facilitating smoother talent mobility across sectors and regions.

  • Perspective on the two sessions

    Perspective on the two sessions

    Amid growing global economic fragmentation, the strategic partnership between China and Australia is emerging as a crucial stabilizing force in the Asia-Pacific region. According to Warwick Powell, an adjunct professor at Australia’s Queensland University of Technology, this bilateral relationship possesses unique capabilities to counteract the disruptive effects of trade wars and economic decoupling trends.

    The symbiotic economic relationship offers substantial mutual benefits that extend beyond conventional trade parameters. China provides Australian industries with unprecedented market access opportunities, cutting-edge technological expertise, and substantial investment capital. Conversely, Australia delivers premium raw materials, maintains a predictable regulatory framework, and contributes advanced agricultural innovations to the partnership.

    Professor Powell emphasized that this collaboration is particularly vital in developing resilient, diversified supply chains within critical future industries. The clean energy and biotechnology sectors stand to benefit significantly from the complementary strengths of both nations’ economies. This strategic alignment comes at a pivotal moment when global supply networks face unprecedented pressures and reorganization.

    The China-Australia economic partnership represents more than mere bilateral trade—it serves as a structural foundation for regional economic stability and technological advancement. As nations worldwide grapple with supply chain vulnerabilities, this collaboration offers a model for how major economies can create mutually reinforcing economic ecosystems that withstand global market disruptions.

  • Nepalis vote in first election since Gen Z uprising for change

    Nepalis vote in first election since Gen Z uprising for change

    Nepal has conducted its first general election following the youth-led uprising that toppled the government in September, marking a pivotal moment for the Himalayan nation’s political future. Nearly 19 million registered voters, including approximately one million first-time participants, cast ballots on March 5th in an election dominated by concerns over corruption, economic stagnation, and systemic inequality—the very issues that sparked last year’s deadly protests claiming 77 lives.

    The electoral contest represents a fundamental clash between Nepal’s political establishment and a new generation of leaders appealing to disillusioned Gen Z voters. Prominent candidates include former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, whose government was ousted in the protests, and Balen Shah, a former rapper and Kathmandu mayor who resigned to challenge Oli in the crucial Jhapa 5 constituency. Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has captured the imagination of young voters seeking radical change from decades of coalition governments dominated by three major parties.

    Election proceedings unfolded peacefully under substantial security presence across the country’s challenging mountainous terrain. The voting process selects 275 parliamentary seats through a dual system: 165 via first-past-the-post contests and 110 through proportional representation. Officials anticipate results will require several days to compile due to logistical challenges in ballot transportation and manual counting procedures.

    Despite establishment parties like Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal UML and Gagan Thapa’s Nepali Congress claiming responsiveness to youth demands, many young activists remain skeptical. Rakshya Bam, a Gen Z leader, noted that no party had adequately incorporated the government-protestor pact into their manifestos, accusing traditional parties of exploiting youth movement terminology for political gain.

    The election outcome will determine whether Nepal continues its pattern of coalition governance or embraces untested leadership promising to address brain drain, corruption, and regional development disparities beyond the capital. The new government will face immediate pressure to implement substantive reforms addressing the systemic issues that ignited September’s historic protests.

  • NPC deputy’s proposals lead to national action in finless porpoise protection

    NPC deputy’s proposals lead to national action in finless porpoise protection

    China’s ecological conservation efforts have achieved a landmark victory as the Yangtze River’s finless porpoise population demonstrates extraordinary recovery, reaching 1,426 individuals in 2025 according to the latest census data. This remarkable resurgence represents a significant turnaround for a species once teetering on the brink of extinction.

    The dramatic population increase is largely attributed to China’s comprehensive 10-year fishing ban implemented in 2021, which has facilitated the restoration of the river’s ecological balance. The ban has allowed fish stocks to replenish, providing adequate food resources for the porpoises while reducing accidental bycatch deaths that previously threatened the species.

    At the forefront of this conservation success story stands Wang Qiong, a National People’s Congress deputy and chief engineer at Zongguan Waterworks in Wuhan. With three decades of experience monitoring Yangtze River water quality, Wang has leveraged her expertise to champion porpoise protection through annual legislative proposals since her 2023 election to the NPC.

    “The fishing ban has created unprecedented conditions for ecological recovery,” Wang stated. “We’re witnessing how targeted policy interventions can reverse environmental degradation when implemented with scientific precision and enforcement rigor.”

    Wang’s ongoing advocacy during the current Two Sessions political gatherings emphasizes the need for sustained conservation measures beyond the initial fishing moratorium. Her proposals include enhanced monitoring systems, expanded protected habitats, and community engagement programs to ensure long-term species viability.

    The finless porpoise’s recovery serves as an indicator species success story, reflecting broader improvements in Yangtze River water quality and ecosystem health. Conservation experts highlight how this achievement demonstrates China’s growing capability in balancing economic development with environmental protection priorities.

    International environmental organizations have begun recognizing China’s Yangtze conservation model as a potential blueprint for endangered aquatic species protection worldwide. The combination of strict regulatory measures, scientific monitoring, and legislative advocacy has created a replicable framework for ecosystem restoration.

  • Chinese mainland reaffirms commitment to one-China principle and cross-Strait peace in government work report

    Chinese mainland reaffirms commitment to one-China principle and cross-Strait peace in government work report

    In a significant policy declaration delivered to China’s national legislature, Premier Li Qiang reinforced Beijing’s firm position on cross-strait relations during the ongoing Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress. The government work report, presented Thursday, emphasized the mainland’s continued adherence to the foundational one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus as non-negotiable pillars of its Taiwan policy.

    The comprehensive address outlined a multi-faceted approach that combines resolute opposition to what it termed ‘Taiwan independence separatist activities’ and ‘external interference’ with constructive proposals for enhanced cooperation. The policy framework promotes peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait through increased cultural exchanges, economic integration, and implementation of measures ensuring equal treatment for Taiwanese compatriots.

    Beyond immediate political concerns, the report positioned cross-strait relations within broader national objectives, calling for collective efforts to preserve Chinese cultural heritage and advance the overarching mission of national rejuvenation. The policy direction signals both continuity in Beijing’s fundamental principles and evolving approaches to foster connectivity while maintaining clear boundaries against moves toward formal independence.

  • China advances blockchain technology with homegrown innovations, national legislator says

    China advances blockchain technology with homegrown innovations, national legislator says

    China has achieved significant technological independence in blockchain development through groundbreaking domestic innovations, according to statements made by a national legislator during the National People’s Congress sessions in Beijing.

    Dong Jin, deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress and director of the Beijing Academy of Blockchain and Edge Computing, revealed that China has successfully developed and deployed indigenous blockchain technologies across multiple critical sectors. This represents a substantial shift from the pre-2019 era when most blockchain applications in China relied exclusively on foreign technologies without domestic core capabilities.

    The breakthrough came following a strategic initiative launched by the Beijing municipal government in late 2019, which assembled hundreds of top scientists worldwide to establish a dedicated research institute. Through collaborative efforts, Dong’s team developed two revolutionary technologies: the world’s first software-hardware integrated blockchain operating system, featuring 3 million lines of completely open-source code, and the world’s inaugural 96-core dedicated acceleration chip specifically designed for blockchain applications.

    These innovations have produced remarkable performance improvements, with the specialized chip enhancing blockchain processing capabilities by fiftyfold while successfully addressing the computational bottlenecks that previously constrained large-scale blockchain networks. The development marks a significant milestone in China’s digital infrastructure advancement, providing what Dong described as a ‘Chinese core’ for the nation’s technological ecosystem.

    Currently, these homegrown blockchain technologies have been implemented across 16 central government departments and 27 state-owned enterprises. In practical application, China’s taxation system now processes tens of billions of invoices annually through this domestically developed blockchain, ensuring complete authenticity, trustworthiness, and traceability for every transaction.

    The expansion of these applications has culminated in the establishment of a comprehensive national blockchain network that safeguards China’s high-value core data related to cross-border trade and global payment systems, positioning the country at the forefront of blockchain technology implementation and security.

  • Iranian warship sunk by the US was sailing home after taking part in an exhibition hosted by India

    Iranian warship sunk by the US was sailing home after taking part in an exhibition hosted by India

    A significant naval incident has unfolded in the Indian Ocean as Sri Lankan authorities confirmed the recovery of 87 bodies and the rescue of 32 sailors from the sunken Iranian frigate IRIS Dena. The vessel met its fate in international waters off Sri Lanka’s coast following a torpedo attack by a U.S. submarine—marking one of the rare instances of submarine warfare since World War II.

    The sunken warship had previously participated in naval exercises hosted by India, according to New Delhi’s statements. The IRIS Dena took part in both the International Fleet Review and the multilateral MILAN 2026 naval exercises organized by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam from February 15-25, which saw participation from 74 nations.

    U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized the sunken Iranian vessel as a ‘prize ship,’ while President Donald Trump reiterated that eliminating Iran’s naval capabilities remains a key objective of ongoing military operations. The Pentagon released video footage showing the precise moment of the torpedo impact, depicting an underwater explosion that caused the vessel to break apart amid a massive plume of water.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attack as ‘an atrocity at sea’ and warned that the United States ‘will come to bitterly regret’ the action. The incident has ignited serious concerns in India about maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, where New Delhi maintains substantial naval presence.

    Indian opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi of the Indian National Congress party, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for its silence regarding the incident. Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal noted that while India wasn’t politically or militarily responsible for the attack, the country held moral responsibility since the Iranian vessel had been operating in regional waters under India’s invitation.

    The sinking has underscored how U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran are expanding beyond the Middle East, while simultaneously highlighting the complex diplomatic balancing act India must maintain between its relationships with the United States and Iran.