Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Quzhou Dragon Lantern show captivates in Beijing

    Quzhou Dragon Lantern show captivates in Beijing

    The Olympic Park in Beijing transformed into a vibrant cultural stage during the weekend as the centuries-old Quzhou Dragon Lantern performance captivated audiences. This national intangible cultural heritage from Quzhou county, Handan of Hebei province, became the centerpiece of a special Lantern Festival celebration jointly organized by two prominent museums.

    Against the iconic backdrop of the Bird’s Nest stadium, the air filled with palpable energy as skilled performers maneuvered two magnificent dragons through intricate aerial maneuvers. A brilliant blue dragon, symbolizing prayers for favorable weather conditions, danced alongside a vibrant red dragon representing hopes for abundant harvests. Their synchronized movements created a mesmerizing spectacle that drew enthusiastic responses from the crowd, with numerous spectators capturing the dynamic performance on their mobile devices.

    This distinctive traditional folk dance traces its origins back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and remains exclusive to Quzhou county. The dragon heads, meticulously crafted from flexible bamboo strips, showcase exceptional artistry and convey a majestic presence. The performance features more than twenty distinctive styles, including the visually striking coiled and rolling dragon techniques, demonstrating why this ancient art form continues to be recognized as a spectacular manifestation of China’s living cultural heritage.

  • Yuexiu Temple Fair opens Lantern Festival in Guangzhou

    Yuexiu Temple Fair opens Lantern Festival in Guangzhou

    Guangzhou’s cultural calendar witnessed a spectacular commencement of Lantern Festival festivities as the historic Yuexiu Temple Fair launched its annual celebration on Tuesday. The provincial capital of Guangdong transformed into a mesmerizing showcase of traditional and contemporary Chinese culture, blending millennia-old customs with technological innovations.

    The week-long extravaganza presents an immersive cultural experience featuring diverse regional performances including dynamic Southern Lion dances, robotic martial arts demonstrations, and the distinctive Chaoshan Yingge folk dances. Visitors can indulge in authentic Cantonese culinary specialties while enjoying traditional opera performances and modern song-and-dance productions.

    This cultural convergence attracts both local residents and international visitors, offering a unique perspective on Lingnan region traditions. The fair’s programming carefully balances preservation of intangible cultural heritage with innovative presentations, particularly through the integration of robotic technology in traditional performance arts.

    The event serves as both cultural preservation initiative and tourism catalyst, significantly contributing to Guangzhou’s cultural economy during the spring festival period. Organizers have implemented comprehensive crowd management and visitor experience enhancements to accommodate the anticipated large attendance throughout the festival duration.

  • Prominent feminist activist Yanar Mohammed shot dead in Iraq

    Prominent feminist activist Yanar Mohammed shot dead in Iraq

    In a devastating blow to Iraq’s women’s rights movement, renowned feminist activist Yanar Mohammed was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen outside her Baghdad residence on Monday. The Organization for Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI), which Mohammed co-established in 2003, confirmed her death after emergency medical efforts failed to save her from critical wounds sustained in the attack.

    The assassination has sent shockwaves through civil society circles, with OWFI vowing to continue its mission despite the profound loss. ‘Yanar Mohammed’s legacy will endure through every woman whose life was transformed by her advocacy and every stand taken against violence and discrimination,’ the organization declared in an emotional Facebook statement, committing to maintain safe houses and amplify its defense of women’s right to security and dignity.

    Mohammed’s groundbreaking work positioned her as a formidable opponent of sectarian and discriminatory legislation. She recently led opposition against a controversial family law bill based on Shia religious jurisprudence that would have granted husbands automatic child custody and unilateral divorce rights. While the legislation ultimately passed, public outcry spearheaded by Mohammed and other activists succeeded in removing its most extreme provisions, including a clause that would have permitted marriage for girls as young as nine.

    In a 2024 interview with Middle East Eye, Mohammed characterized such legislative efforts as deliberate distractions from governmental corruption, stating authorities sought to ‘terrorize Iraqi women and civil society with archaic laws that strip away modern rights.’

    This killing continues a alarming pattern of violence against government critics and women’s rights defenders in Iraq. The 2018 assassination of Basra activist Suad al-Ali and the 2020 killing of nutritionist Riham Yacoub underscore the perilous environment for activists. Despite repeated governmental promises to protect activists and prosecute their killers, deep connections between ruling political factions and armed groups have fostered widespread skepticism about accountability.

    The Communist Alternative Organization in Iraq, where Mohammed served on the Central Committee, has explicitly held the government responsible for delivering justice, pledging that her memory would ‘remain a shining flame guiding the struggle for women’s liberation and a world free of injustice.’ No group has yet claimed responsibility for the assassination.

  • Galloping into joyful fair in Weifang this Lantern Festival

    Galloping into joyful fair in Weifang this Lantern Festival

    The ancient city of Weifang in Shandong province transformed into a luminous spectacle during this year’s Lantern Festival, blending traditional cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology. The celebrations featured the iconic Yangjiabu woodblock New Year print ‘Success at a Gallop’ – previously showcased on CCTV – as a central theme throughout the dazzling displays.

    Adding a modern twist to traditional festivities, the event was hosted by virtual AI anchor Douglas through the innovative program ‘AI Broadcast: Weifang Weekly Insights.’ This digital host guided visitors through immersive experiences showcasing intangible cultural heritage performances and interactive activities. The festival provided deep insights into authentic Chinese New Year traditions while demonstrating how technology can enhance cultural preservation.

    The event symbolized the formal conclusion of Spring Festival celebrations, traditionally marked by the consumption of yuanxiao (sweet rice balls). Visitors experienced a unique fusion of ancient woodblock printing artistry, vibrant lantern exhibitions, and AI technology, creating a multidimensional celebration that honored the past while embracing the future of cultural presentation.

  • Explainer: Virtues of planning ahead: Why five-year plans work for China

    Explainer: Virtues of planning ahead: Why five-year plans work for China

    BEIJING – As Chinese legislators convene for the annual parliamentary sessions, attention focuses on the draft 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the latest installment in China’s distinctive approach to national development planning. This comprehensive framework continues a seven-decade tradition of strategic economic guidance that has transformed China from an agrarian society into the world’s second-largest economy.

    The forthcoming blueprint, building on recommendations adopted by the Communist Party of China Central Committee in October 2025, aligns with China’s broader vision of achieving substantial progress by 2035 across economic strength, technological capability, national defense, and global influence. The planning process incorporated unprecedented public participation, with over 3.11 million submissions received during a month-long online consultation period – a demonstration of what Chinese officials characterize as ‘whole-process people’s democracy.’

    China’s planning mechanism has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1950s, transitioning from rigid central planning to a flexible system that strategically combines market forces with government guidance. As described by American scholar John Naisbitt in ‘China’s Megatrends,’ the approach effectively ‘frames the forest and lets the trees grow’ – establishing broad national priorities while allowing sectors and enterprises considerable operational freedom.

    This system has demonstrated particular effectiveness in addressing complex, long-term challenges that often elude shorter political cycles in other nations. The successful poverty elimination campaign under the 13th Five-Year Plan exemplifies this capacity, featuring coordinated implementation that deployed over 3 million officials to rural areas, established comprehensive monitoring systems, and directed substantial infrastructure investment to remote regions.

    China’s advances in artificial intelligence further illustrate the planning system’s forward-looking nature. AI development was incorporated into national planning a decade ago, followed by a dedicated next-generation AI strategy in 2017. By 2025, China’s AI sector had grown dramatically, with over 6,000 specialized firms and a core industry projected to exceed 1.2 trillion yuan. Similar strategic planning underpins China’s leadership in electric vehicles, renewable energy, and 5G infrastructure.

    The system provides crucial predictability for businesses and investors, reducing policy uncertainty through consistent long-term direction. This stability is being further institutionalized through forthcoming legislation that will standardize planning processes and implementation mechanisms.

    According to Dong Yu, executive vice dean of the Institute of China Development Planning at Tsinghua University, ‘China’s five-year plans represent a fully integrated system for transforming strategic goals into concrete reality.’ This integrated approach continues to guide China’s development amid global technological disruption, demographic changes, and evolving international relations.

  • Israel launches ground assault in southern Lebanon

    Israel launches ground assault in southern Lebanon

    Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared the approval of an expanded ground military operation in southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The authorization, coordinated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, empowers Israeli forces to advance beyond previously established positions and secure strategically dominant terrain within Lebanese territory.

    According to official statements released Tuesday, the primary objective of this offensive is to establish enhanced defensive buffers that would prevent direct artillery and rocket fire targeting Israeli border communities. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the deployment of troops deeper into southern Lebanon, exceeding the five positions maintained since the 2024 ceasefire arrangement.

    Military officials characterized the operation as implementing an ‘enhanced forward defense posture’ designed to proactively counter security threats. This development follows a dramatic resurgence of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, triggered by the Lebanese militant group’s rocket barrage targeting northern Israel on Monday.

    Hezbollah claimed its attacks were retaliatory measures responding to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israel subsequently launched intensive airstrikes targeting southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs, resulting in numerous casualties and initiating renewed civilian displacement throughout the region.

    The escalation occurs against the broader backdrop of ongoing conflict involving Iran, further complicating regional security dynamics and raising concerns about potential broader confrontation.

  • Conference promotes Hong Kong as go-to location for education

    Conference promotes Hong Kong as go-to location for education

    Hong Kong has solidified its status as Asia’s premier international education destination during the record-breaking 2026 Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition. Hosted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong from March 1-3, the event attracted over 3,000 educational leaders, scholars and professionals from more than 70 countries and regions—the highest attendance in the conference’s history.

    Professor Venky Shankararaman, president of APAIE, emphasized Hong Kong’s unique positioning as both a global gateway and cultural melting pot. ‘Hong Kong’s open, internationalized environment creates ideal conditions for connecting China with the world,’ Shankararaman stated. ‘The city provides fertile ground for cultivating international talent and fostering diverse innovation through its exceptional connectivity, world-class infrastructure and rich blend of Eastern and Western cultures.’

    The conference coincided with the official launch of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s ‘Study in Hong Kong’ branding initiative. This strategic campaign aims to promote the city’s advantages as a top-tier study destination, highlighting its remarkable concentration of academic excellence—five universities ranked among the world’s top 100 within a metropolitan area of 7.7 million residents.

    Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, noted that Hong Kong’s educational strengths extend beyond rankings. ‘Our advantages include state-of-the-art facilities, groundbreaking research capabilities, innovative talent development programs, and robust technological innovation ecosystems,’ Lo explained. He emphasized that these assets, combined with the HKSAR Government’s proactive talent attraction policies and comprehensive study-to-employment pathways, make Hong Kong uniquely positioned to serve global students.

    The conference’s Youth Forum emerged as a particular highlight, featuring international student representatives from eight countries sharing their transformative educational experiences in Hong Kong. Educational experts at the event noted that Hong Kong’s appeal is magnified by broader macro trends including regional economic integration, technological advancement, demographic changes, and evolving global governance structures.

    Looking forward, the event served not only to showcase Hong Kong’s current educational offerings but also to chart a forward-looking blueprint for Asia-Pacific higher education cooperation. With strong backing from the vast mainland Chinese market and unparalleled international connections, Hong Kong is poised to continue its ascent as a world-leading education hub.

  • Iran hits US embassy in Riyadh as American citizens urged to leave Middle East

    Iran hits US embassy in Riyadh as American citizens urged to leave Middle East

    In a significant escalation of regional hostilities, two Iranian drones successfully struck the US Embassy compound in Riyadh on Tuesday. The attack resulted in a substantial fire and considerable material damage to the facility, according to confirmations from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense.

    Eyewitness sources reported hearing a powerful explosion accompanied by visible flames engulfing sections of the diplomatic compound. Initial assessments indicate no casualties, primarily because the embassy building was reportedly unoccupied at the moment of impact. Hours following the initial strike, additional explosions reverberated through Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter—an area housing numerous international missions—with black smoke seen billowing over the district.

    The embassy assault represents part of Tehran’s coordinated retaliation for the joint US-Israeli military offensive initiated last Saturday, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, multiple senior officials, and hundreds of Iranian civilians. Among the casualties were approximately 150 schoolgirls killed during a strike on an educational facility in southern Iran.

    According to data compiled by the Washington-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the conflict has claimed 742 lives through US and Israeli attacks, while Iranian counterstrikes have resulted in at least 11 fatalities in Israel and five in Gulf states.

    President Donald Trump, addressing the attacks and the reported deaths of six American soldiers, provided cryptic remarks during a NewsNation interview regarding potential retaliation measures: “You’ll find out soon.” The president notably dismissed the likelihood of ground troop deployment within Iranian territory.

    Simultaneously, the US Embassy in Kuwait sustained targeting, prompting authorities to announce its indefinite closure with all consular services suspended. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims to have executed strikes on over 500 US and Israeli sites utilizing 700 drones and hundreds of missiles, with additional attacks reported across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan.

    Amid deteriorating security conditions, the US State Department issued evacuation advisories on Monday, urging American citizens to depart from multiple regional nations including Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Palestinian territories, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, and Gulf states. The US Embassy in Israel concurrently acknowledged its limited capacity to facilitate evacuations or directly assist citizens seeking to leave the country, with Ambassador Mike Huckabee characterizing departure options as “very limited” amid intensifying regional tensions.

  • Regional escalation casts shadow on Gaza ceasefire

    Regional escalation casts shadow on Gaza ceasefire

    The delicate Gaza ceasefire agreement faces mounting pressure as recent military actions by Israel and the United States against Iranian targets raise serious questions about regional stability and diplomatic commitments. Analysts warn that this escalation exposes fundamental contradictions in Washington’s Middle East policy while undermining its credibility as a peace mediator.

    According to security experts, the coordinated strikes have introduced a dangerous new dimension to an already volatile region. Sujata Ashwarya, professor at Jamia Millia Islamia University’s Centre for West Asian Studies, noted that these actions ‘deepen the strategic contradiction at the heart of Washington’s regional policy,’ making it increasingly difficult to sustain credible Gaza diplomacy while expanding direct military engagement.

    The immediate consequences have materialized through the closure of critical border crossings into Gaza, including the vital Rafah crossing. Israel’s COGAT military body announced ‘several necessary security adjustments’ implemented on Sunday, claiming the closures would not affect humanitarian conditions—a statement contradicted by experts who warn that humanitarian concerns are becoming collateral damage in broader escalation.

    Gulf Arab states now find themselves in a precarious position, as their hosting of US military assets makes them vulnerable to Iranian retaliation despite not seeking conflict. The situation creates particular challenges for these nations as they attempt to balance security partnerships with regional de-escalation efforts.

    The political landscape has been further complicated by the killings of Iranian leadership figures, creating uncertainty about succession and internal stability rather than strategic clarity. For Palestinians, the renewed escalation risks pushing Gaza further down the international agenda precisely when humanitarian emergencies are becoming more acute.

    While some analysts, including Elie Al Hindy of the American University in the Emirates, believe the situation is unlikely to escalate into broader regional conflict, the cumulative effect has been to make the Gaza ceasefire increasingly fragile and highlight the complex challenges facing international diplomacy in the region.

  • Lantern Festival in Luoyang: Through lens of a poem

    Lantern Festival in Luoyang: Through lens of a poem

    The timeless verses of ‘The Lantern Festival Night — to the tune of Green Jade Table’ continue to resonate through centuries as China celebrated the traditional Lantern Festival on March 3, 2026. This cultural masterpiece, composed during ancient times, serves as both historical record and artistic inspiration for contemporary celebrations in Luoyang, one of China’s ancient capitals.

    The festival, observed on the 15th day of the first lunar month, transforms the historic city into a living tableau of the poem’s vivid imagery. Through multimedia presentations and cultural exhibitions, visitors experienced the romantic and vibrant scenes depicted in the classical work, bridging the gap between ancient literary tradition and modern cultural practice.

    Luoyang’s celebration exemplifies China’s ongoing efforts to preserve and revitalize traditional cultural expressions. The integration of classical poetry with visual media demonstrates innovative approaches to cultural education, allowing both domestic and international audiences to appreciate China’s rich literary heritage in an immersive format.

    The event forms part of broader nationwide celebrations marking the conclusion of the Spring Festival period, with various regions hosting distinctive activities that blend traditional customs with contemporary interpretations. This cultural phenomenon occurs alongside significant political events, including the convening of China’s National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference sessions.