President Xi Jinping has emphasized the need for Guangdong province to spearhead high-quality development through comprehensive reform and opening-up. During a two-day inspection tour concluding on Saturday, Xi, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, highlighted Guangdong’s pivotal role in shaping the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). This plan, adopted during the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, outlines China’s developmental trajectory over the next five years. Guangdong, with a GDP of 14.16 trillion yuan ($1.99 trillion) in 2024, has consistently led the nation’s economic rankings for 36 years. Xi urged the province to leverage its strengths in science and technology, foster a modern industrial system, and deepen cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao to advance the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) into a world-class city cluster. The GBA, comprising Hong Kong, Macao, and nine cities in Guangdong’s Pearl River Delta, is seen as a bridgehead for China’s reform and high-level opening-up. Xi’s visit also included a stop in Meizhou, where he inspected efforts to revitalize rural areas and support old revolutionary base areas. Experts noted that Xi’s tour underscores China’s commitment to deepening reform and opening-up, with the GBA playing a crucial role in integrating global industrial chains and driving domestic innovation.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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McIlroy swaps fairways for the fast lane at Yas Marina Circuit
Renowned golfer Rory McIlroy, a Career Grand Slam winner and the reigning Race to Dubai champion, recently swapped the tranquility of the golf course for the high-octane world of motorsport. McIlroy joined professional driver Francesca Pardini at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for an exhilarating experience. The event, captured by European Tour Productions, showcased McIlroy’s transition from the fairways to the fast lane, where he reached speeds of up to 180 mph. The exclusive behind-the-scenes footage highlighted McIlroy’s preparation, from suiting up to walking the track, and the intense forces he experienced during high-speed laps. Integrated WHOOP biometric data provided insights into McIlroy’s heart rate and stress levels, illustrating the adrenaline rush of the experience. This unique event not only highlighted McIlroy’s versatility but also showcased Yas Island as a premier multi-sport destination, offering world-class facilities from championship golf at Yas Links to motorsport at the Yas Marina Circuit.
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Shanghai hosts 6th intl 3E talent fair
Shanghai’s Changning district became a focal point for global talent and innovation as it hosted the 6th International 3E (Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Enterprise) Fair at the Gubei Civic Center on November 8. The event, co-organized by the Changning District Talent Work Leading Group Office, the Changning District Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, and Hongqiao Neighborhood, brought together international professionals, industry leaders, and experts to explore strategies for fostering talent development and community integration in Shanghai. Since its launch in 2020, the 3E Fair has grown into a cornerstone of Shanghai’s talent recruitment efforts, hosting over 60 events, attracting 5,500 participants, and engaging nearly 300 multinational and local enterprises. This year’s edition introduced several innovative initiatives, including the Hongqiao CoLab, a collaborative platform connecting top universities like Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Tongji University with industry leaders in artificial intelligence and frontier technologies. Additionally, the Hongqiao Top HR Association was established to enhance recruitment coordination among 28 leading enterprises, while the Hongqiao Link project was unveiled to support international families through social networks and community-building efforts. The fair also featured updates on visa facilitation and one-stop services, presented by the Changning Public Security Bureau and the Shanghai Hongqiao Overseas Talent Service Center. Chen Feng, director of Hongqiao Sub-district Office, highlighted the event’s role in driving synergy between talent development and regional growth, solidifying its status as a flagship initiative for Hongqiao and Changning.
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Rai overcomes Fleetwood in a play-off to win Abu Dhabi title
Aaron Rai secured his second Rolex Series title at the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after a thrilling play-off victory against Tommy Fleetwood on Sunday. The English golfer, who began the final round with a one-shot lead, faced a challenging start as Fleetwood surged ahead with an early advantage. However, Rai staged a remarkable comeback with four consecutive birdies on the front nine, reclaiming the top spot. The duo engaged in a roller-coaster battle, with Fleetwood regaining control before Rai’s late brilliance on the 16th and 17th holes tied the score heading into the final hole. Despite missing a chance to win in regulation on the 18th green, Rai clinched victory with a decisive birdie putt at the first extra hole, marking his third DP World Tour win. Rai’s final round of 67 included seven birdies and two bogeys, finishing at 25 under par, while Fleetwood carded a bogey-free 66 with an eagle and four birdies. Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy shot a ten-under-par 62, finishing one shot behind in a tie for third with Nicolai Højgaard. Rai, who started the week ranked 55th in the season-long standings, now heads to the DP World Tour Championship as the Tour’s most recent winner. Reflecting on his victory, Rai praised Fleetwood’s sportsmanship and credited his caddie, Jason Timmis, for helping him stay focused after a critical missed putt on the 14th hole. The emotional win was celebrated with his father, Amrik, as Rai expressed gratitude for the unforgettable experience.
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‘I just want to breathe’: Delhi protesters demand action on toxic pollution
In a desperate plea for clean air, dozens of protesters gathered in New Delhi on Sunday, demanding urgent government action to combat the city’s toxic pollution. The Indian capital, home to 30 million people, is frequently ranked among the world’s most polluted cities. A thick haze of hazardous microparticles, known as PM2.5, blanketed the skyline, with levels soaring up to 60 times the United Nations’ daily health limits. These cancer-causing particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream, posing severe health risks. Protesters, including parents with masked children, carried placards with messages like ‘I miss breathing’ and ‘I just want to breathe.’ The demonstration took place near India Gate, where PM2.5 levels were over 13 times the World Health Organization’s recommended maximum. ‘I am here because I don’t want to become a climate refugee,’ said Namrata Yadav, a mother who joined the rally. Tanvi Kusum, a lawyer, expressed frustration, stating, ‘Year after year, it is the same story, but there is no solution.’ Despite government measures such as partial transport restrictions and water trucks spraying mist to clear particulate matter, the pollution crisis persists. A recent study in The Lancet Planetary Health linked 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 to air pollution. The United Nations children’s agency warns that polluted air increases children’s risk of acute respiratory infections. As the protest grew, police detained several activists, confiscating their banners and placards, citing a lack of protest permits. The event underscored the growing public outcry for meaningful action to address Delhi’s deadly air quality crisis.
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Alcaraz off to winning start at ATP Finals with win over De Minaur
Carlos Alcaraz, the top seed, kicked off his ATP Finals campaign with a commanding 7-6(5), 6-2 victory over Australia’s Alex de Minaur in their round-robin match on Sunday in Turin. This marks Alcaraz’s first win in an opening match at the prestigious season-ending championships. Despite a spirited effort from De Minaur, who rallied from a 4-1 deficit to force a tiebreak in the first set, Alcaraz’s resilience and skill proved decisive. The Spaniard broke De Minaur’s serve twice in the second set, securing a 4-1 lead and ultimately closing out the match without allowing a comeback. Both players aimed to improve upon their disappointing performances from last year, where Alcaraz lost two of his three round-robin matches and De Minaur suffered three consecutive defeats. Alcaraz, who is vying to end the year as the world number one, must reach the final with at least one round-robin win or sweep his group matches to secure the top ranking for the second time. Meanwhile, defending champion Jannik Sinner must retain his title to have any chance of finishing the year in the top spot. The ATP Finals, featuring the world’s top eight singles players and doubles teams, boasts a record prize pool of $15.5 million and offers 1,500 ranking points. The tournament will conclude with the final at the Inalpi Arena in Turin on November 16.
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India’s data centre boom confronts a looming water challenge
India’s data centre capacity is on track to skyrocket by 77% by 2027, driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and the country’s burgeoning digital economy. With global tech giants like Google, Amazon Web Services, and Meta pouring billions into the sector, India is poised to become a global hub for data infrastructure. Google’s recent $15 billion investment in Andhra Pradesh underscores the scale of this transformation. However, this explosive growth comes with significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning water and energy consumption.
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Ireland joins calls to ban Israel from European football
Ireland has become the latest nation to advocate for Israel’s exclusion from European football competitions. On Saturday, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) passed a resolution urging UEFA to suspend Israeli clubs and the national team from all European tournaments. The decision followed a proposal from Dublin-based club Bohemians, which accused the Israel Football Association (IFA) of violating UEFA’s anti-racism policies and permitting the establishment of clubs in ‘illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank’ without Palestinian Football Association approval. The FAI’s motion was supported by 74 members, with seven opposing and two abstaining. In a statement, the FAI confirmed it would formally request UEFA’s executive committee to suspend the IFA for breaching two provisions of UEFA’s statutes. This resolution aligns with similar calls from Norway and Turkey, both of which referenced a UN Commission of Inquiry report accusing Israel of genocide during its conflict in Gaza. In September, UEFA postponed discussions on Israel’s potential ban following a ceasefire agreement brokered by former US President Donald Trump. While a European ban would not affect Israel’s participation in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, it could strain relations between UEFA and the United States, co-host of the 2026 World Cup.
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Lives at risk: UAE Filipinos watch in fear as typhoon Fung-wong batters the Philippines
Filipino expatriates in the UAE are gripped with anxiety as Super Typhoon Fung-wong, locally known as Uwan, wreaks havoc across the Philippines. The storm, which intensified rapidly, has already claimed at least two lives and left vast areas of the Bicol region without power. Authorities are racing to evacuate over a million residents from vulnerable areas as the typhoon is expected to make landfall in Aurora province on November 9, 2025. The storm’s ferocity has raised fears of widespread destruction, particularly in regions still recovering from the devastation caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi just days earlier, which killed 188 people and left hundreds missing. For Filipinos abroad, the situation is deeply personal. Fatima S., a 47-year-old nanny in Sharjah, expressed her fears for her family in Isabela province, where light-material homes are highly susceptible to flooding. ‘Every time I hear about the rising waters, I panic. I can’t be there to help. I can only pray and hope they make it through this storm,’ she said. Meanwhile, J.P., a 26-year-old administrative staff member in Dubai, is stranded in Cebu, where power outages have left her reliant on a nearly drained power bank to stay connected with her family. A.T., a 50-year-old writer based in Dubai, is in Metro Manila but remains worried about his family in the Bicol region, where the typhoon continues to unleash its fury. The storm has also disrupted air travel, with AirAsia Philippines and AirAsia Malaysia cancelling over 400 flights to and from Manila on November 9 and 10. Passengers have been advised to monitor flight status updates and rebook their travel within 30 days at no additional cost.
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Adnoc sets sights on global trading dominance with expansion drive
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) is embarking on a transformative journey to solidify its position as a global leader in energy trading. The company’s trading division is set to increase its handling of oil and refined products by nearly two-thirds in the coming years, marking a pivotal phase in its growth trajectory. This ambitious expansion is part of a broader strategy to enhance the UAE’s role in global energy markets and maximize value creation across the energy supply chain. Since its inception in 2018, Adnoc Global Trading has rapidly expanded its footprint, establishing offices in Singapore and Geneva, with plans to open a new hub in Houston by 2027. This global presence enables Adnoc to capture greater value from its production and respond effectively to shifting market dynamics. Adnoc’s trading operations are divided into two complementary arms: Adnoc Trading, focused on crude oil, and Adnoc Global Trading (AGT), a joint venture with Eni and OMV, specializing in refined products like diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline. This dual structure allows the company to operate across the entire value chain, from upstream production to downstream sales, enhancing profitability and flexibility. Market analysts highlight the strategic timing of this expansion, as global energy markets undergo significant transformation due to volatile prices, evolving trade flows, and the energy transition. By scaling its trading operations, Adnoc aims to hedge against price fluctuations and capture downstream value traditionally earned by intermediaries. The planned 60–70% increase in trading volumes will position Adnoc among the elite national oil company traders, such as Saudi Aramco Trading, Equinor, and Shell. The addition of a Houston office is particularly strategic, given the US Gulf Coast’s prominence as a global energy trading and refining hub. This move will provide Adnoc with access to critical market intelligence and trading opportunities in North and Latin America. Adnoc’s expansion aligns with its broader efforts to diversify its energy portfolio, invest in low-carbon solutions, and strengthen partnerships with global energy majors. The company is also transforming its Ruwais Industrial Complex into a world-class refining and chemicals hub, while listing subsidiaries on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange to attract foreign investment. Industry experts view Adnoc’s trading expansion as a logical step in its evolution, enabling the UAE to reinforce its status as a global energy hub. As Adnoc scales its operations and embeds itself in key global markets, it is redefining the role of a 21st-century oil producer — agile, globally connected, and commercially driven.