Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Neighbors’ cross-border clashes spike

    Neighbors’ cross-border clashes spike

    Tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have dramatically escalated into declared open warfare, with both nations reporting significant military casualties and engaging in reciprocal airstrikes against military installations. The conflict reached a critical juncture on Friday when Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif declared that “our cup of patience has overflowed,” explicitly characterizing the situation as “open war” between the neighboring nations.

    According to security sources, Pakistani forces conducted targeted airstrikes against Afghan military offices and strategic positions across multiple provinces including Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. Simultaneously, ground operations intensified at various locations along the shared border region. The Taliban-led Afghan government confirmed these strikes while launching retaliatory attacks against Pakistani military installations, though simultaneously calling for diplomatic resolution to the escalating crisis.

    Visual evidence disseminated by Pakistani security officials depicted intense artillery exchanges illuminating night skies along the frontier, while footage from Kabul revealed substantial plumes of black smoke rising from targeted sites with significant fires visible throughout the capital. Pakistani government spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi characterized these operations as counterstrikes responding to what he described as “unprovoked Afghan attacks.”

    The human cost of the conflict remains sharply disputed between the two nations. Pakistani military spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry reported at least 12 Pakistani soldiers killed while claiming 274 Taliban officials and militants neutralized since Thursday night. Conversely, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid asserted 55 Pakistani soldiers killed and 19 posts captured, with eight Taliban fighters killed and both military and civilian casualties reported in Nangarhar Province.

    The international community has responded with growing concern to the border crisis. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely monitoring developments while urging compliance with international law and civilian protection. Russian authorities have called for immediate cessation of cross-border attacks and diplomatic resolution, while China has emerged as a key mediation force through its diplomatic channels.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning emphasized that both nations “are neighbors that cannot be moved away” while expressing profound concern about the escalation. Beijing has positioned itself as a constructive mediator, advocating for ceasefire implementation, restraint, and dialogue-based conflict resolution. Historical context reveals this escalation follows similar hostilities in October that required mediation by Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh’s foreign office confirming ongoing discussions about tension reduction.

    The core dispute centers on Pakistan’s longstanding accusations that Afghanistan harbors militants conducting cross-border attacks—claims consistently denied by Afghan authorities who maintain that Pakistan’s security challenges constitute an internal matter. This fundamental disagreement continues to fuel one of South Asia’s most volatile border conflicts despite international intervention attempts.

  • Press center for two sessions opens

    Press center for two sessions opens

    Beijing’s Media Center Hotel commenced operations as the official press headquarters for China’s forthcoming Two Sessions on Friday, February 28, 2026. The facility will support comprehensive media coverage of the nation’s most significant annual political gatherings, with registration figures exceeding 3,000 domestic and international journalists.

    The press center will facilitate reporting on the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), scheduled to commence on March 5, and the parallel session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), opening March 4. Official statistics indicate the NPC currently comprises nearly 3,000 deputies, while the CPPCC National Committee maintains over 2,100 members.

    Media representation demonstrates substantial international interest, with more than 1,000 journalists from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign news organizations joining over 2,000 mainland-based reporters. The press center has committed to operating with transparency while providing extensive logistical support and professional services to all accredited media personnel.

    Key agenda items include the preliminary review of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) framework and the draft government work report. This legislative session holds particular significance as it marks the inaugural year of the new five-year development cycle.

    Three major press conferences will address critical policy areas: economic development, social welfare initiatives, and foreign affairs. Senior officials from relevant State Council departments will elaborate on policy directions and address matters of both domestic and international concern.

    Veteran Hong Kong journalist Kai Lei of Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group, with over two decades of Two Sessions coverage experience, emphasized his particular focus on regional integration strategies. ‘We’re closely monitoring how Hong Kong can enhance its role as an international bridge during the 15th Five-Year Plan period,’ Lei stated, highlighting special interest in technological innovation opportunities following December’s Central Economic Work Conference proposal to establish the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as an international sci-tech innovation hub.

  • China balances GDP growth with air quality

    China balances GDP growth with air quality

    China has accomplished a remarkable environmental milestone by simultaneously boosting economic output and dramatically reducing air pollution levels throughout its 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). Official data from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment reveals unprecedented progress in the nation’s atmospheric conditions while maintaining robust economic growth.

    According to Li Tianwei, Director of the Ministry’s Department of Atmospheric Environment, China achieved a 30 percent expansion in Gross Domestic Product while reducing the national average concentration of PM2.5 particulate matter by 20 percent during the five-year timeframe. This dual accomplishment demonstrates the effectiveness of China’s integrated approach to environmental management and economic development.

    The statistical evidence shows substantial improvements across multiple metrics. The number of urban centers meeting national air quality standards increased significantly from 206 to 246 cities. Particularly noteworthy is the performance of China’s economic powerhouses—the 29 cities with GDP exceeding 1 trillion yuan ($145.8 billion)—which achieved an average PM2.5 concentration of 27.8 micrograms per cubic meter, surpassing the national average.

    Beijing’s transformation stands as a particularly compelling case study. Through twelve years of sustained pollution control measures, the capital reduced its annual average PM2.5 density from 89.5 mcg/cu m in 2013 to just 27 mcg/cu m in 2025. This represents one of the most dramatic air quality improvements recorded in any major global city.

    The Ministry is implementing upgraded air quality standards effective March 1, establishing a transitional annual limit of 30 mcg/cu m for PM2.5 until 2030, with plans to tighten this further to 25 mcg/cu m thereafter. These standards represent a significant enhancement over the previous 2012 benchmark of 35 mcg/cu m.

    Additional indicators confirm the comprehensive nature of China’s air quality achievements. During summer 2025, the nation recorded 97 consecutive days with air quality indexes below 100—the first time such an extended period of consistently good air quality has been documented. Nationwide, cities at prefecture level and above achieved an average PM2.5 concentration of 28 mcg/cu m in 2025, with heavy pollution days accounting for just 0.9 percent of the year. Excluding dust weather impacts, the proportion of days with good air quality reached 89.3 percent, establishing new records across all three monitoring indicators.

  • Pakistan says it killed more than 300 Afghan forces in dayslong airstrikes inside Afghanistan

    Pakistan says it killed more than 300 Afghan forces in dayslong airstrikes inside Afghanistan

    The volatile Pakistan-Afghanistan border has erupted into intense military confrontation, with both nations exchanging lethal airstrikes and artillery fire across the Torkham border region. The conflict escalated dramatically when Pakistani forces, utilizing air power and heavy artillery, targeted Afghan military installations deep inside Afghan territory overnight into Saturday.

    According to Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, these operations resulted in devastating losses for Afghan forces, with over 300 casualties and more than 500 wounded. Pakistani authorities reported the destruction of 102 Afghan military posts, capture of 22 additional positions, and elimination of 163 tanks and armored vehicles across 37 locations.

    The current cycle of violence began Thursday night when Afghan forces launched retaliatory strikes against what they described as Pakistani military aggression. Islamabad maintains its initial operations targeted seven training camps and hideouts of the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistan alleges receives sanctuary from Afghanistan’s Taliban government—a claim both the TTP and Afghan authorities consistently deny.

    Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry countered with claims of successful attacks on Pakistani military bases in Miranshah and Spin Wam, destroying installations and inflicting heavy casualties. Local Afghan officials additionally accused Pakistan of striking civilian areas, reporting at least 11 civilian deaths and destruction of residential properties—allegations Pakistan denies, insisting it exclusively targets military infrastructure.

    The rhetorical warfare matches the intensity of physical combat. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid declared their strikes delivered “a message that our hands can reach their throats,” while Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif stated unequivocally on social media: “Our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us.”

    The human toll extends beyond combatants, with hundreds of border residents fleeing to safer areas and Afghan refugees stranded at crossing points. Civilian testimonies describe families trapped by fighting and struggling to obtain food during Ramadan. Multiple international actors including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and China have initiated mediation efforts to de-escalate tensions, with Qatari officials already engaging both nations’ foreign ministers.

  • China to accelerate lunar mission plans this year

    China to accelerate lunar mission plans this year

    China has officially intensified its lunar exploration timeline, announcing a major acceleration in infrastructure development critical to its ambitious manned moon mission program. The China Manned Space Agency confirmed on Friday that 2026 will witness a full-throttle push to complete essential facilities at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province.

    The comprehensive development encompasses not only launch infrastructure but also sophisticated ground support systems including advanced telemetry, tracking networks, command centers, communications technology, and landing site preparations. This infrastructure surge supports the concurrent development of the program’s flagship vehicles: the Long March 10 heavy-lift carrier rocket, the Mengzhou crew spacecraft, and the Lanyue lunar lander.

    Technical milestones already achieved include successful pad abort and maximum dynamic pressure escape tests for the Mengzhou spacecraft, along with comprehensive landing and takeoff demonstrations for the Lanyue lander. The Long March 10 rocket has completed critical static ignition and low-altitude flight tests, demonstrating substantial progress toward operational readiness.

    The mission architecture involves a sophisticated orbital dance: two separate Long March 10 launches will deliver the Lanyue lander and Mengzhou spacecraft to lunar orbit. After achieving orbital synchronization, the vehicles will dock, allowing two astronauts to transfer to the lander for descent to the lunar surface. Surface operations will utilize the Tansuo rover for scientific exploration and sample collection before the crew returns to the orbiting spacecraft for Earth return.

    In a parallel development, the agency revealed that astronauts selected from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions will likely undertake their inaugural spaceflights this year. This historic inclusion follows China’s June 2024 selection of its fourth astronaut cohort, which for the first time included payload specialists from these regions. The 2026 schedule also includes two manned spaceflights and one cargo mission to the Tiangong space station, underscoring China’s broad commitment to space exploration.

  • Three-time Melbourne Cup-winning horse Makybe Diva dies at 26

    Three-time Melbourne Cup-winning horse Makybe Diva dies at 26

    MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian horse racing community is mourning the loss of an unparalleled champion as Makybe Diva, the only thoroughbred in history to claim three consecutive Melbourne Cup victories, has passed away at age 26. The legendary mare succumbed to a sudden onset of colic at her retirement stable near Geelong, outside Melbourne, on Saturday.

    Owner Tony Santic, who named the champion horse by combining the first two letters of five employees’ names (Maureen, Kylie, Belinda, Diane, and Vanessa), confirmed the passing in an emotional statement. The Croatian-born tuna fisherman turned racing magnate described Makybe Diva not merely as a racehorse but as cherished family, emphasizing the profound joy she brought daily alongside her historic racing achievements.

    Makybe Diva’s extraordinary career spanned from 2003 to 2005, during which she dominated Australia’s most prestigious racing event—the 3,200-meter Melbourne Cup held annually at Flemington racecourse. This iconic competition, established in 1861 and celebrated as a public holiday in Victoria state, earns its reputation as ‘the race that stops a nation.’ The champion mare accumulated approximately 14 million Australian dollars (equivalent to $10 million USD) in prize money throughout her celebrated career.

    Jockey Glen Boss, who partnered with Makybe Diva for all three historic victories, reflected on their partnership last year, acknowledging that his role was simply to avoid disappointing the exceptional athlete. The racing legend’s passing has triggered an outpouring of tributes across Australia’s sporting community, with Victorian Racing Club chairman Neil Wilson noting that Makybe Diva ‘transcended the sport of racing’ and created ‘among the most iconic achievements in Australian sporting history.’

  • China has sent attack drones to Iran, as it discusses ballistic missile sales

    China has sent attack drones to Iran, as it discusses ballistic missile sales

    Amid escalating tensions and a potential US military confrontation with Iran, China is significantly expanding its military support to Tehran by supplying both offensive loitering munitions and advanced air defense systems, according to three officials familiar with the matter who spoke with Middle East Eye.

    Intelligence sources confirm that Beijing has delivered kamikaze drones—small, offensive unmanned aerial systems—alongside additional defensive weaponry. This strategic arms transfer occurs as the United States maintains its largest military presence in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion, featuring dual aircraft carrier strike groups and advanced fighter squadrons in the region.

    The comprehensive military assistance includes HQ-16 and HQ-17AE surface-to-air missile batteries, which Iran urgently sought following substantial losses to its air defense network during conflicts with Israel. Beyond immediate defensive needs, China and Iran are reportedly negotiating more sophisticated offensive capabilities, including CM-302 anti-ship cruise missiles with a 290-kilometer range and the advanced DF-17 hypersonic glide missile system capable of evading modern air defenses.

    This deepening military partnership operates through an oil-for-arms arrangement, with approximately 90% of Iran’s crude exports reportedly flowing to China as payment. Notably, Beijing has indirectly communicated these transfers to US-aligned Arab governments, potentially signaling China’s commitment to Tehran’s defense and attempting to deter American military action.

    The arms relationship represents a significant shift in regional dynamics, with China potentially filling gaps left by Russia’s diverted attention to its war in Ukraine. While Russia recently agreed to supply Iran with Verba man-portable air defense systems, China’s dominance in drone manufacturing (producing 80% of global components) positions it as Tehran’s most capable military supplier amidst international sanctions and domestic production challenges.

  • The son of Obama’s 2015 JCPOA rises from the Iran negotiations

    The son of Obama’s 2015 JCPOA rises from the Iran negotiations

    The latest round of indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded in Geneva with mediator Oman announcing ‘significant progress’ had been achieved. However, a closer examination reveals a substantially weakened American negotiating position and growing fractures within international alliances.

    The evolving agreement, increasingly resembling a modified version of the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), represents a significant scaling back of original US demands. American negotiators have abandoned previous requirements regarding Iran’s ballistic missile program, support for regional proxies, and human rights issues, focusing exclusively on nuclear enrichment limitations.

    This concessionary approach has created diplomatic tensions, particularly with Britain—traditionally America’s closest ally. The UK has explicitly withdrawn support for potential military operations against Iran, including denying access to strategic bases critical for US long-range bomber operations. This extends to facilities such as Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, a crucial refueling station for aircraft like the B-2 Spirit bomber.

    The negotiations now transition to technical talks in Vienna under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Director General Rafael Grossi has attempted to bridge the gap between Washington’s initial ‘zero enrichment’ position and Tehran’s insistence on its ‘peaceful nuclear rights,’ reportedly proposing limited enrichment for medical purposes—though this contradicts current medical isotope production standards that utilize low-enriched uranium.

    Simultaneously, the US has initiated precautionary measures, with Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee ordering non-essential personnel and diplomatic families to evacuate as military options remain under active consideration. Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper recently briefed President Trump on potential military actions, despite warnings from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine about significant risks.

    The emerging agreement, dubbed ‘Son of JCPOA’ by observers, faces an uncertain future regarding international ratification. While potentially offering temporary constraints on Iran’s nuclear program, it appears to accept the continuation of the current regime while leaving unresolved fundamental disagreements about the duration and scope of limitations.

  • North Korea’s Kim gifts rifles to officials and his daughter takes aim after party congress

    North Korea’s Kim gifts rifles to officials and his daughter takes aim after party congress

    In a significant display of political theater following North Korea’s recently concluded Workers’ Party congress, leader Kim Jong Un has presented high-caliber sniper rifles to top government and military officials as tokens of his “absolute trust.” The gesture, reported by state media on Saturday, came as Kim’s teenage daughter made another conspicuously public appearance at a shooting range, further fueling speculation about her potential role as heir apparent to the dynastic leadership.

    The weeklong party congress, which ended Wednesday in Pyongyang, served as a meticulously orchestrated celebration of Kim’s leadership and nuclear weapons development agenda. During the proceedings, Kim reinforced his commitment to expanding North Korea’s nuclear arsenal while maintaining a hardline stance toward South Korea, though leaving diplomatic avenues with the United States conditionally open.

    Notable among the political reshuffling announced was the promotion of Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, to general affairs director of the party’s central committee. This position grants her expanded authority over internal party operations and administrative matters, solidifying her status as one of the regime’s most influential figures.

    The leader’s daughter, believed to be approximately 13-year-old Kim Ju Ae, has increasingly appeared alongside her father at high-profile events since her November 2022 debut at a long-range missile test. Her presence at the shooting range demonstration, captured in state media photographs wearing a leather coat reminiscent of her father’s style, represents the latest in a series of public appearances that analysts interpret as potential succession signaling.

    Despite widespread speculation that the congress might formalize her political role, no official appointment was announced. Party regulations stipulate that members must be at least 18 years old, potentially explaining the absence of an immediate formal designation. Experts suggest that any move to position her as successor would likely involve subtle symbolic gestures rather than explicit declarations at this stage.

  • ‘Not superficial’: Support for Palestinians in US surpasses sympathy for Israelis

    ‘Not superficial’: Support for Palestinians in US surpasses sympathy for Israelis

    A groundbreaking Gallup survey released Friday reveals a historic reversal in American public opinion: for the first time in nearly a quarter-century of tracking, U.S. citizens now express greater sympathy for Palestinians than Israelis. The findings indicate this shift transcends generational divides and carries significant political implications.

    The comprehensive poll shows 41% of Americans now sympathize more with Palestinians, compared to 36% who favor Israelis—a five-point margin that, while statistically narrow, marks a dramatic departure from Israel’s consistent 24-year advantage. Ten percent of respondents expressed no opinion, while 9% sympathized with neither side and 4% supported both equally.

    The most pronounced divergence appears along partisan lines. Democratic voters demonstrate overwhelming support for Palestinians at 65%, contrasted with merely 17% backing Israelis—the widest gap recorded among demographic groups. This trend accelerated following Hamas’s 2023 attacks on southern Israel and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in over 72,000 Palestinian fatalities according to documented figures that experts consider undercounted.

    Reed Brody, a veteran war crimes prosecutor and Counsel for Human Rights Watch, characterized the findings as a ‘wake-up call for Democratic leaders,’ warning that their ‘unwavering support for—and complicity in—Israel’s atrocities in Gaza is alienating their own voters.’ This assessment aligns with a leaked autopsy of the 2024 presidential election concluding that Kamala Harris lost meaningful support due to the Biden administration’s unconditional backing of Israel’s actions.

    Independent voters emerged as the critical drivers of this sentiment shift, with 41% now favoring Palestinians compared to prior years when they consistently supported Israelis. Academic analysts attribute the change not only to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis but also to strategic alliances built by Palestinian advocates with organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union, Black Lives Matter, and Jewish Voice for Peace over the past two decades.

    Nizar Farzakh, former adviser to Palestinian leadership and George Washington University lecturer, notes these connections ‘helped associate Palestinians with the working class while Israel is perceived as the elites.’ The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement’s rights-based framework, he argues, facilitated broader recognition of Israeli practices regarding ‘suppression of speech [and] racism.’

    Even among traditionally pro-Israel Republicans, sympathy for Israelis has declined to 70%—a 10-point drop from 2004 and the lowest support level in 22 years. Only 13% of Republicans expressed Palestinian sympathy.

    The generational divide remains stark: 53% of 18-34-year-olds favor Palestinians versus 23% supporting Israelis (a record low for this demographic). Most dramatically, Americans aged 35-54 show a ‘near-reversal’ from 2025, with 46% now supporting Palestinians versus 28% backing Israelis.

    Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian-American academic and former Democrat who joined Trump’s administration, observes that Americans are ‘seeing an ugly face of Israel they’ve not perceived before.’ This sentiment manifests politically through candidates rejecting funding from AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee), despite the organization spending tens of millions to counter this trend in the upcoming 2026 midterms.

    However, Tariq Kenney-Shawa, US policy fellow at Al-Shabaka, cautions that while significant, these attitude shifts haven’t translated into policy changes regarding US aid to Israel. ‘Advocates must now focus on converting passive sympathies into active opposition,’ he notes.

    Concurrently, Israel’s favorability rating has plummeted to 45%—approaching its historical low of 1989—while Palestinian territories achieved their highest rating at 37%. Support for the two-state solution remains steady at 57%, though implementation grows increasingly impractical due to Israeli settlement expansion and moves toward annexing the entire West Bank.

    The survey, conducted via 1,001 telephone interviews with U.S. adults from February 2-16, 2026, carries a ±4% margin of error at 95% confidence level.