Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Diving to discover details of distant past dependant on weather

    Diving to discover details of distant past dependant on weather

    For underwater archaeologist Tseung Pak-long, the ocean’s surface tranquility often masks the volatile conditions that determine the success or failure of his missions. Recently traveling nearly eight hours from Hong Kong to Pingtan Island in Fujian province, Tseung arrived to assist with specialized diving training despite an approaching typhoon threatening to disrupt operations.

    The delicate dance between archaeology and meteorology becomes most apparent during typhoon season, which spans May through November with peak intensity from July to September. Paradoxically, this period of heightened weather risk offers the most favorable underwater conditions for archaeological work. ‘Temperature and seabed conditions reach their optimal state during these months,’ Tseung explained, highlighting the profession’s inherent contradictions.

    As Typhoon Wipha prompted Hong Kong’s highest hurricane warning, Tseung maintained hope that Fujian’s distance from the storm’s eye might spare their operations. This optimism proved short-lived as powerful gusts greeted his arrival, signaling the challenging conditions ahead.

    The following day brought deceptive sunshine, but Tseung’s experience told a different story. ‘Favorable conditions for underwater work aren’t about surface weather,’ he clarified. ‘Everything depends on current intensity and subaquatic visibility.’

    Underwater archaeology operates under stringent safety protocols that prioritize diver security above all discoveries. The discipline mandates buddy systems, strict time limitations, defined operational ranges, and precise workflows. Tseung gestured toward the seemingly calm sea, noting its appearance belied the turbulent currents churning beneath—the aftermath of the passing typhoon creating dangerous and murky conditions.

    Accustomed to weather-related disappointments, Tseung philosophically compared underwater excavation to ‘opening a mystery box’ where even reaching a shipwreck site doesn’t guarantee significant findings. This unpredictability makes every successful dive particularly valuable.

    The expedition’s fate was sealed by evening when rough seas forced all vessels to designated safe zones, canceling the next day’s planned operations. Accepting nature’s authority with equanimity, Tseung reflected that being at mercy of the elements simply represents the norm in his profession.

  • Nation’s underwater archeology uncovered

    Nation’s underwater archeology uncovered

    On the coastal frontier of Pingtan Island in Fujian province, where terrestrial landscapes merge with oceanic expanses, an unassuming four-story crimson structure houses China’s premier Underwater Archaeology Training Base. This facility represents the vanguard of the nation’s systematic efforts to reclaim its submerged cultural heritage from oceanic depths.

    The discipline of underwater archaeology has evolved from specialized pursuit to established scientific practice in China, with veteran practitioners like retired archaeologist Cui Yong—among the nation’s pioneering figures in submerged cultural exploration—witnessing its transformative journey. As former deputy director of the Guangdong Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Cui embodies the dedication driving China’s maritime preservation initiatives.

    Recent exhibitions, including the display of salvaged relics from the renowned Nanhai One shipwreck at Hong Kong’s Heritage Discovery Centre in August 2024, demonstrate the growing public engagement with these archaeological recoveries. The fourteenth-century merchant vessel, discovered in 1987 and meticulously excavated from the South China Sea, has become a symbolic representation of China’s maritime historical legacy, yielding over 180,000 cultural artifacts that illuminate ancient trade networks.

    China’s methodological approach combines advanced sonar mapping, remotely operated vehicles, and specialized diver training to investigate shipwrecks spanning from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). These scientific endeavors not only recover physical artifacts but reconstruct historical narratives of maritime commerce, technological exchange, and cultural interaction along ancient trade routes.

    The national investment in underwater archaeology reflects broader recognition of oceanic heritage as an integral component of cultural preservation, with training programs developing new generations of archaeologists equipped to handle the unique challenges of submerged excavation and conservation.

  • Nuclear reactor owned by Fukushima plant operator TEPCO suspends hours-old restart

    Nuclear reactor owned by Fukushima plant operator TEPCO suspends hours-old restart

    Japan’s ambitious nuclear energy revival faced an unexpected setback Thursday when the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant—the world’s largest such facility—was abruptly suspended mere hours after commencing operations. This marked the first attempted reactivation since the catastrophic 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

    The suspension resulted from a technical anomaly involving control rods, critical components responsible for the safe initiation and shutdown of nuclear reactors. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), the plant’s operator, confirmed the interruption while emphasizing that no safety compromises occurred. Company officials are conducting thorough investigations to determine the cause, with no definitive timeline provided for resuming the restart process.

    This development carries profound significance as TEPCO simultaneously manages the ongoing Fukushima cleanup—a project estimated at 22 trillion yen ($139 billion)—while working to restore its operational credibility. Both governmental and independent investigations had previously attributed the Fukushima catastrophe to TEPCO’s deficient safety protocols and inappropriate collusion with regulatory bodies.

    The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, located approximately 220 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, represents TEPCO’s inaugural return to nuclear power generation since the 2011 disaster. While fourteen other reactors across Japan have successfully resumed operations during this period, this particular restart symbolizes a critical milestone in Japan’s broader energy strategy. The nation, resource-deficient and facing escalating electricity demands, is actively accelerating atomic power utilization to ensure energy security.

    The No. 6 reactor, once operational, promises to generate 1.35 million kilowatts of electricity—sufficient to power over one million households in the capital region. Despite the plant’s total capacity reaching 8 million kilowatts across seven reactors, TEPCO currently plans to recommission only two units in the foreseeable future. All seven reactors have remained inactive since 2012, following radiation contamination that rendered extensive areas surrounding Fukushima uninhabitable.

  • Dog weddings — how new industry laps up puppy love

    Dog weddings — how new industry laps up puppy love

    A remarkable social phenomenon is emerging across urban centers in China, where extravagant wedding ceremonies for pets are rapidly evolving into a sophisticated industry. This trend reflects the deepening emotional bonds between pet owners and their animal companions, transforming conventional pet care into elaborate celebrations of companionship.

    The market for pet weddings has witnessed exponential growth, with specialized event companies now offering comprehensive packages including venue decoration, custom attire, professional photography, and gourmet pet-friendly catering. These events typically range from intimate gatherings to lavish productions costing thousands of dollars, demonstrating the significant economic potential of this niche market.

    Shanghai resident Sun Yongning exemplifies this trend, having recently organized a wedding ceremony for her poodle Alice, who ‘married’ Max, a canine companion belonging to family friends. “Their meeting was extraordinarily dramatic—we encountered Max and his owners at a pet gathering, and the two dogs immediately developed a special connection,” Sun recounted. The subsequent discovery that the dogs shared familial ties through pedigree certificates added an unexpected dimension to their relationship, creating what Sun described as “a narrative worthy of literary fiction.”

    Industry analysts attribute this phenomenon to several socioeconomic factors: rising disposable incomes, changing family structures, and the increasing treatment of pets as family members. Urban professionals, particularly younger generations and middle-aged empty nesters, are driving demand for premium pet services that acknowledge the emotional significance of their animal companions.

    Beyond the ceremonial aspects, these events facilitate social networking among pet owners, creating communities centered around shared interests in animal welfare and luxury pet care. The trend has also stimulated adjacent market sectors including pet fashion, specialized confectionery, and event planning services specifically tailored for animal celebrations.

    While some critics question the extravagance of such ceremonies, proponents argue they represent meaningful expressions of companionship in increasingly digital and isolated urban environments. The industry shows no signs of slowing, with market researchers predicting continued expansion into related services and experiences that celebrate the human-animal bond.

  • Efficient medical care draws foreigners

    Efficient medical care draws foreigners

    A growing number of international patients are bypassing lengthy wait times in their home countries by seeking medical treatment in China, where they report receiving high-quality, efficient care at significantly lower costs. This emerging trend, highlighted by the experience of a British content creator named Amie, demonstrates China’s evolving position in the global healthcare landscape.

    Amie’s case exemplifies this phenomenon. Facing a two-week wait for a general practitioner consultation in Britain for persistent stomach pain, she instead booked a flight to Beijing. Within five days of arrival, she consulted a gastroenterologist at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, completed comprehensive diagnostic tests including a sedated endoscopy, and received a definitive diagnosis of chronic gastritis with prescribed medication. The entire process cost approximately £300 for medical services—just one-tenth of what she would have paid through Britain’s National Health Service.

    Even including £1,500 in travel expenses, Amie reported the overall experience remained cost-effective while providing exceptional efficiency. “It feels like a well-oiled machine here. The efficiency and quality of care are outstanding,” she noted in social media posts that garnered significant attention.

    This medical tourism trend primarily attracts expatriates and former long-term residents familiar with China’s healthcare system. While China’s visa-free policy doesn’t specifically cover medical visits, many foreigners arrange treatment during permitted stays for tourism or business. Currently, travelers from 55 countries can utilize China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy at 65 entry ports.

    Medical experts attribute China’s healthcare efficiency to sophisticated interdepartmental coordination and digital integration. “When a gastroenterologist orders a procedure, the lab quickly runs blood tests, the cardiology department performs an electrocardiogram, and anesthesiology handles preoperative assessment. The whole process is seamlessly integrated,” explained Lin Siyong, head of medical affairs management at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital.

    Foreign patients typically seek care at either private hospitals or international medicine departments within public hospitals. Wang Yiqun, deputy director of Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital’s international medicine department, emphasized that while public hospitals prioritize domestic patients’ basic healthcare needs, they’ve established international divisions to support Beijing’s development as a global exchange hub. National guidelines cap international medical services at approximately 10% of total capacity.

    The trend extends beyond Beijing to other major cities. Di Yue, an ophthalmologist at Shanghai Children’s Hospital, has noticed a significant increase in overseas patients, particularly overseas Chinese from Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia. Specializing in treating trachomatous trichiasis, he notes that even including travel and accommodation expenses, treatment in China often proves more cost-effective than abroad.

    This influx of international patients not only provides revenue for hospitals but also reflects China’s growing medical capabilities. With the expansion of telemedicine and social media, healthcare professionals anticipate continued growth in medical tourism to China.

  • Arrival of Losar brings joy, good fortune to Tibetans

    Arrival of Losar brings joy, good fortune to Tibetans

    Across the high-altitude landscapes of Xizang Autonomous Region, vibrant celebrations for Losar—the traditional Tibetan New Year—are unfolding with profound cultural significance and communal joy. The festival, marked by intricate rituals and symbolic preparations, demonstrates the enduring preservation of Tibetan heritage amidst modern development.

    In Lhasa’s historic Barkhor district, a sprawling seasonal market operating from January 14 to February 16 has become the epicenter of festive commerce. Two hundred forty stalls offer specialized goods ranging from ceremonial barley sprouts and artisanal dairy products to regional delicacies from Qinghai and Xinjiang. The market embodies a fusion of traditional practices with contemporary convenience, creating a comprehensive shopping experience for residents preparing for the celebrations.

    Cultural symbolism permeates every aspect of Losar preparations. The Chemar Box, containing sacred tsampa (roasted barley flour), represents aspirations for abundance and prosperity. Elaborately painted barley ear decorations (Losar metok) and vibrant door curtains serve as traditional talismans believed to invite warmth and good fortune into households.

    This year’s astronomical alignment creates a rare temporal proximity between Losar and the Spring Festival, with merely one day separating the two celebrations. Tibetan calendrical expert Tobgayl explains that this synchronization results from complex lunar calculations, with the festivals sometimes coinciding or occurring weeks apart depending on annual celestial variations.

    Regional diversity characterizes Losar observances across Xizang. While most communities celebrate on the first day of the Tibetan calendar’s first month, residents of Shigatse and Nagchu traditionally observe the holiday at the commencement of the twelfth month—a distinction reflecting local agricultural cycles and geographical conditions.

    Perhaps most poignant are the celebrations in Tsakhor village, where residents displaced by last year’s 6.8 magnitude earthquake are now observing Losar in newly constructed Tibetan-style homes. “We are finally celebrating in our new homes without worries,” expressed villager Pema Chungdak, capturing the collective resilience of communities rebuilding amidst preservation of cultural traditions.

    From urban markets to rural villages, the pervasive spirit of renewal and cultural continuity defines this year’s celebrations, demonstrating how ancient traditions continue to shape contemporary life across the Tibetan plateau.

  • Outrage after Indian man drowns in open pit after begging for help for hours

    Outrage after Indian man drowns in open pit after begging for help for hours

    A devastating incident in Noida has exposed critical failures in urban infrastructure and emergency response systems, triggering nationwide outrage. Yuvraj Mehta, a 27-year-old IT professional, met a tragic end when his vehicle plunged into a waterlogged construction pit that lacked proper safety markings during dense winter fog last Friday midnight.

    The catastrophe unfolded when Mehta’s car reportedly struck a low boundary wall near the excavation site—a stalled construction project that had remained unsecured for years. Trapped in rapidly sinking conditions, the non-swimmer managed to climb onto the car roof and contacted his father via mobile phone. For nearly two hours, Mehta desperately signaled for help using his phone’s flashlight while his father coordinated emergency services.

    Despite rescue teams arriving at the scene, procedural delays and inadequate equipment hampered recovery efforts. Authorities cited near-zero visibility, submerged debris, and freezing temperatures as complicating factors. A civilian delivery worker named Moninder attempted a heroic rescue by diving into the hazardous waters with a makeshift rope system, but couldn’t locate the victim in the murky conditions.

    The incident has ignited furious public demonstrations at the accident site, with protesters condemning systemic negligence in urban governance. Following formal complaints from Mehta’s family, Noida police have registered cases against real estate developers and arrested construction site owner Abhay Kumar under charges of culpable homicide due to negligence.

    The Uttar Pradesh government has taken disciplinary action by removing a senior official from the local development authority and initiating a comprehensive investigation into rescue protocols and construction site safety compliance. Law enforcement officials acknowledge that further arrests are anticipated as investigations progress.

    This tragedy has amplified existing concerns about India’s road safety standards, with social media platforms flooded with personal accounts of similar hazardous conditions nationwide. Citizens are demanding urgent reforms in urban planning regulations, improved emergency response capabilities, and stricter enforcement of construction site safety norms to prevent such preventable fatalities.

  • Chinese EVs, batteries gain world market share as Trump backs oil

    Chinese EVs, batteries gain world market share as Trump backs oil

    China has solidified its position as the undisputed leader in clean-energy supply chains, capturing approximately 70% of both the global electric vehicle and battery markets in 2025. This remarkable dominance comes as U.S. energy policy under former President Donald Trump continues to prioritize traditional oil and gas resources, creating a stark contrast in global energy strategies.

    According to the China New Energy Vehicle Industry Development White Paper (2026) jointly published by the Beijing-based Yiwei Institute of Economics (EVTank) and the China Battery Industry Research Institute, China accounted for 70.3% of global new-energy vehicle sales last year. Global sales reached 23.54 million units, representing a significant 29.1% year-on-year increase.

    The report reveals divergent trends across major markets. European EV sales surged 30.5% to 3.77 million units, while the United States experienced minimal growth at just 1.72%, reaching 1.60 million units. The U.S. market stagnation was largely attributed to expired federal tax credits, with monthly sales dropping to approximately 80,000 units in the final quarter of 2025 and market penetration remaining at 9.6%.

    China’s supremacy extends to the power-battery sector, where Chinese companies commanded 69.4% of global installations in the first eleven months of 2025. Data from South Korea’s SNE Research shows six Chinese firms ranking among the world’s top ten suppliers, with CATL leading at 38.2% market share, followed by BYD at 16.7%.

    This shifting balance has prompted experts like Dang Wang, a research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, to argue that global energy and manufacturing dynamics are decisively tilting toward China. In a New York Times opinion piece titled “Trump Is Obsessed With Oil, But Chinese Batteries Will Soon Run the World,” Wang contends that China’s electrification strategy is fundamentally reshaping global competition.

    The geopolitical landscape continues to evolve as nations adopt different approaches to Chinese EV imports. While the U.S. maintains 100% tariffs and the EU has implemented anti-subsidy duties ranging from 17.4% to 38.1%, Canada recently reduced its tariffs to 6.1% and increased import quotas. The United Kingdom, post-Brexit, has never imposed additional tariffs on Chinese EVs.

    Market projections indicate sustained growth, with global new-energy vehicle sales expected to reach 28.5 million units in 2026 and 42.7 million by 2030, potentially exceeding 40% market penetration worldwide.

  • Campaigning starts for Bangladesh’s first national election after Hasina’s ouster

    Campaigning starts for Bangladesh’s first national election after Hasina’s ouster

    DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh has commenced official campaigning for its first general elections since the 2024 uprising that culminated in the removal of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The February 12 parliamentary vote represents a historic turning point for the South Asian nation, occurring under an interim administration led by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Muhammad Yunus.

    The electoral landscape has been fundamentally reshaped by the exclusion of Hasina’s formerly dominant Awami League party, which the interim government banned from participation. This development has created an unprecedented political vacuum, with the historically influential Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a ten-party alliance led by the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami organization emerging as primary contenders.

    Adding to the complex political dynamic is the National Citizen Party (NCP), a new political entity formed by student leaders who played instrumental roles in the July 2024 uprising. The alliance between Jamaat-e-Islami—long criticized by secular groups for challenging Bangladesh’s foundational secular principles—and the progressive NCP demonstrates the unusual political realignments characterizing this election.

    Tarique Rahman, chairman of the BNP and son of recently deceased former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has returned from seventeen years of exile in the United Kingdom and is widely perceived as a frontrunner for the premiership. Rahman commenced his campaign in Sylhet with plans for nationwide rallies, capitalizing on substantial support rooted in his mother’s political legacy.

    The interim government has repeatedly committed to ensuring peaceful and credible elections despite concerns about law and order following the violent crackdown that resulted in hundreds of casualties during the uprising. Yunus assumed leadership three days after Hasina departed for India on August 5, 2024.

    A distinctive feature of this electoral process involves a concurrent national referendum on the July National Charter, a proposed framework seeking constitutional reforms that would establish term limits for legislators, enhance presidential authority to counterbalance the prime minister’s power, and implement measures against corruption and money laundering. While the charter currently remains nonbinding, its supporters advocate for constitutional incorporation through the referendum process.

  • Rising coal demand overshadows Southeast Asia’s transition to renewable energy

    Rising coal demand overshadows Southeast Asia’s transition to renewable energy

    Southeast Asia has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing coal consumption region, creating significant obstacles to global carbon reduction initiatives. According to the International Energy Agency’s latest findings, regional coal demand continues to escalate at over 4% annually through 2030, primarily driven by Indonesia and Vietnam’s expanding electricity requirements across their combined population exceeding 600 million.

    This upward trajectory casts substantial doubt on the viability of the $15.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) established in 2022 to facilitate renewable energy transitions. The political landscape has further complicated these efforts, with potential U.S. policy reversals under the Trump administration adding another layer of uncertainty to climate change mitigation strategies.

    Coal currently generates over one-third of Southeast Asia’s electricity, positioning the region as the world’s third-largest coal consumer after China and India. While global coal demand shows signs of plateauing, Southeast Asia moves counter to this trend due to compelling economic and energy security considerations.

    Katherine Hasan, an analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, encapsulates the regional dilemma: “We’re standing on two opposite grounds—wanting to build clean energy, but not letting go entirely of coal.”

    Indonesia, the world’s largest coal exporter and Southeast Asia’s biggest carbon emitter, has notably reversed its climate commitments. The nation abandoned its pledge to phase out coal by 2040, with Special Climate Envoy Hashim Djojohadikusumo explicitly stating: “There will be no phase-out of fossil fuels. We’re sticking with a phase-down.” This policy shift was demonstrated when Indonesia’s attempt to retire a West Java coal plant collapsed last month.

    Vietnam presents a contrasting yet equally complex scenario. The nation has achieved remarkable solar capacity expansion—growing from 4 megawatts in 2015 to 16 gigawatts currently—with ambitious targets reaching 295 gigawatts by 2050. Despite these renewable energy advances, Vietnam recorded unprecedented coal imports exceeding 65 million metric tons in 2025, reflecting concerns about power reliability after 2023’s drought-induced shortages caused $1.4 billion in economic losses.

    Energy infrastructure limitations present additional challenges. Vietnam’s power grid requires approximately $18 billion in upgrades by 2030 to accommodate renewable expansion, while current funding covers only a fraction of this need. The region’s public sentiment increasingly favors delaying coal abandonment until 2030 or 2040, prioritizing immediate energy security over climate considerations.

    As Putra Adhiguna of the Energy Shift Institute observes, “JETP was basically a brute force attempt to do a transition. Governments were trying to bulldoze through… But fundamentally there are things that take a bit of time and political commitment to happen.” With Indonesia canceling coal plant retirements and potential U.S. withdrawal from JETP, the initiative’s momentum appears increasingly uncertain, leaving Southeast Asia’s climate future hanging in the balance.