Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Train tickets for 2026 chunyun go on sale, with 539m trips expected

    Train tickets for 2026 chunyun go on sale, with 539m trips expected

    China’s monumental Spring Festival travel period commenced on Monday with the launch of ticket sales for the 2026 chunyun season, setting the stage for what officials project to be 539 million passenger journeys across the nation’s railway network. The annual migration, recognized as the world’s largest periodic movement of people, will officially span from February 2 to March 13, 2026, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

    The anticipated volume represents a significant 5% increase compared to the 2025 travel rush, reflecting growing mobility as millions of Chinese citizens working or studying away from their hometowns prepare to reunite with families for the Lunar New Year celebrations. This year’s Spring Festival falls on February 17, creating a concentrated travel window that traditionally tests China’s transportation infrastructure.

    In response to the massive demand, railway authorities have implemented several service enhancements designed to improve the passenger experience. Notable improvements include a limited-time free refund policy for mistakenly purchased tickets, expanded availability of ‘quiet carriage’ options for travelers seeking reduced noise environments, and continued discounted fare programs for student travelers.

    The chunyun phenomenon encapsulates both the cultural significance of family reunion in Chinese tradition and the practical challenges of managing unprecedented passenger volumes. Railway operators have developed sophisticated forecasting models and operational plans to accommodate the surge while maintaining safety and service standards across the world’s most extensively used rail network.

  • Bridging East and West for a cure

    Bridging East and West for a cure

    Hong Kong is strategically advancing its role as an international nexus for the modernization and global integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), leveraging its unique position as a bridge between Eastern medical traditions and Western healthcare standards. The movement gains momentum as patients worldwide increasingly seek integrative approaches to healthcare, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Case studies demonstrate TCM’s practical benefits: individuals like Chris Li, who experienced persistent long COVID symptoms despite negative test results, found significant relief through TCM treatments tailored to specific symptom patterns. Such successes illustrate the growing recognition of TCM’s complementary advantages alongside Western medical approaches.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has implemented substantial policy measures to support this development. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s 2025 Policy Address introduced the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the permanent Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute facility, representing over 60,000 square meters of dedicated infrastructure that commenced initial operations last month.

    Concurrently, the government launched the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint, outlining comprehensive short, medium, and long-term strategies for industry advancement. This document represents Hong Kong’s first dedicated policy framework for TCM development, emphasizing enhanced regulatory standards and global healthcare integration.

    Modernization efforts focus on technological innovation, including AI-driven data analysis for treatment optimization, advanced extraction methods for rare medicinal materials, and digital transformation of traditional practices into evidence-based frameworks. Experts like Shen Qianyi note that modernization encompasses not only technological advancements but also evolving public perception and growing cultural confidence in TCM’s relevance.

    The Greater Bay Area collaboration emerges as a critical catalyst, with streamlined registration processes for Hong Kong and Macao medicines on the mainland and policies encouraging cross-border practice by TCM professionals. Market data reveals the mainland accounts for over 70% of Hong Kong’s proprietary Chinese medicine exports, representing a market exceeding 450 billion yuan ($64.49 billion).

    Despite these advancements, challenges remain in achieving global recognition, particularly regarding differences between TCM’s theoretical frameworks and Western evidence-based medicine standards. Hong Kong’s internationally recognized healthcare standards and new specialized facilities position the city to address these challenges while facilitating TCM’s global dissemination.

  • Two dead, 84 injured, eight missing after blast at steel factory in Inner Mongolia

    Two dead, 84 injured, eight missing after blast at steel factory in Inner Mongolia

    A catastrophic explosion has rocked a major industrial facility in northern China, resulting in multiple casualties and triggering a massive emergency response. The blast occurred at approximately 3:03 pm local time on Sunday, January 18, 2026, within the steel-making division of Baogang United Steel’s rare earth steel plate factory in Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

    Local authorities confirmed the grim statistics during a press briefing on Monday morning: two fatalities, 84 individuals sustaining injuries, and eight personnel reported missing following the industrial accident. The incident has mobilized an extensive multi-agency response involving fire and rescue services, emergency management, law enforcement, medical professionals, and market regulation officials.

    Medical authorities report that among the 84 hospitalized victims, five remain in critical condition while the other 79 suffered minor injuries. A specialized medical team from the regional health commission is overseeing treatment protocols, with all patients currently reported as stable.

    In response to the tragedy, investigation teams have been immediately constituted to determine the precise cause of the explosion and establish accountability. Government representatives have unequivocally stated that negligent parties will face strict legal consequences, with preliminary legal actions already initiated against relevant company personnel.

    Search and rescue operations continue unabated as emergency teams work to locate the eight missing individuals while providing ongoing medical care to the injured. The explosion at this strategically significant rare earth steel production facility has raised serious concerns about industrial safety protocols in China’s critical manufacturing sector.

  • Xinjiang prunes transform desert to oasis

    Xinjiang prunes transform desert to oasis

    In a remarkable environmental transformation, the barren Gobi desert of China’s Xinjiang region has been converted into lush, productive oasis land through an innovative agricultural initiative centered on prune cultivation. The astonishing metamorphosis, occurring within just a decade, represents one of China’s most successful desert reclamation projects.

    Associate Professor Yusufujiang Yusuyin, who has studied the transformation firsthand, confirmed the dramatic change: “The oasis you see today was barren Gobi desert just about 10 years ago.” The statement underscores the magnitude of an ecological revival that has defied conventional expectations about desert rehabilitation.

    The miracle crop behind this environmental success story is the Xinjiang prune, a specialized variety that has demonstrated extraordinary adaptability to arid conditions. Grown primarily in Jiashi county, these prune orchards have not only stabilized previously shifting sands but have also created microclimates conducive to additional vegetation growth.

    The scientific methodology behind this transformation involves strategic planting patterns that reduce wind erosion, improve soil water retention, and gradually build organic matter in previously infertile ground. The deep root systems of prune trees have proven particularly effective at accessing subsurface moisture while preventing further desertification.

    Beyond environmental benefits, the prune cultivation initiative has generated substantial economic opportunities for local communities. What began as an ecological restoration project has evolved into a thriving agricultural industry, providing employment and export revenue through premium prune products.

    The success in Xinjiang offers a replicable model for other arid regions facing desertification challenges, demonstrating how targeted agricultural interventions can reverse environmental degradation while creating sustainable economic development.

  • US-led Gaza board triggers backlash

    US-led Gaza board triggers backlash

    The Trump administration’s newly announced “Board of Peace” for Gaza has ignited significant criticism from multiple stakeholders, raising questions about its legitimacy and operational transparency. President Donald Trump unveiled the initiative as part of his comprehensive 20-point plan to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory, establishing both a broader Board of Peace that he will personally chair and a specialized “Gaza Executive Board” to implement specific stabilization measures.

    The White House revealed that the executive board includes prominent figures such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, and Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel. According to official statements, these members will oversee critical portfolios including governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction efforts, investment attraction, and large-scale funding mobilization.

    However, the announcement encountered immediate resistance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the board membership “was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy,” with instructions given for the Foreign Affairs Minister to contact the US Secretary of State regarding the matter.

    Palestinian factions expressed stronger objections. The Islamic Jihad Movement condemned the initiative as serving “Israeli interests” and aligning with “occupation specifications,” viewing it as indicative of negative intentions regarding ceasefire implementation. Meanwhile, the parallel formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocrat committee led by Ali Shaath, hailed by the US as a “vital step forward,” failed to alleviate concerns.

    Critics highlighted fundamental flaws in the approach. Ashish Prashar, former aide to Tony Blair, criticized board members for having a “strong track record of endorsing and arming Israel’s project of genocide” and emphasized that “the future of Palestine should only be decided by Palestinians.” Academic expert Abdul Wahed Jalal Nori of the International Islamic University Malaysia questioned the mechanism’s credibility, legitimacy, and intent, stating that any peace initiative “while excluding Palestinians from meaningful consultation is fundamentally flawed.”

    The emerging consensus among critics suggests the board is perceived less as a genuine peace mechanism and more as an administrative tool designed to manage the consequences of destruction rather than address root causes of the conflict, with particular concern about the documented history of military intervention and political cover for Israel’s actions among proposed board members.

  • Philippine president announces new gas find in waters facing the disputed South China Sea

    Philippine president announces new gas find in waters facing the disputed South China Sea

    MANILA, Philippines — In a significant development for national energy security, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has confirmed the discovery of a substantial new natural gas reservoir adjacent to the existing Malampaya field in the West Philippine Sea. The find promises to mitigate potential power shortages while reinforcing domestic energy independence.

    The newly identified deposit, designated Malampaya East 1, is situated approximately 5 kilometers east of the primary production site northwest of Palawan province. Initial assessments indicate the reservoir contains an estimated 98 billion cubic feet of natural gas, with preliminary testing demonstrating a potential daily extraction capacity of 60 million cubic feet.

    President Marcos characterized the discovery as crucial for extending Malampaya’s operational lifespan and ensuring stable electricity generation for Luzon, the nation’s most populous region. The field’s output could potentially power over 5.7 million households annually while yielding valuable condensate fuels.

    This discovery arrives as the original Malampaya field, operational since 2001 and responsible for generating more than 20% of Luzon’s electricity, faces projected production declines. Last year, Marcos extended exploration rights at Malampaya for an additional 15 years to prevent energy shortfalls.

    The geological find occurs within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, where the nation maintains sovereign resource rights under international law. However, the discovery highlights ongoing regional complexities, as similar exploration attempts at Reed Bank—another prospective area within the West Philippine Sea—remain stalled due to territorial disputes with China.

    Beijing’s expansive claims over the South China Sea have previously complicated energy exploration efforts by multiple nations, including Vietnam and Malaysia. While the Malampaya East 1 site falls unequivocally within Philippine jurisdiction, its discovery underscores the strategic importance of domestic energy resources amid geopolitical tensions in the contested waterways.

  • Return capsule of Shenzhou XX spaceship safely returns to Earth

    Return capsule of Shenzhou XX spaceship safely returns to Earth

    China’s ambitious space program marked another significant achievement on January 19, 2026, as the return capsule of the Shenzhou XX spacecraft completed its journey back to Earth, touching down safely at the Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The successful recovery operation, documented by photographer Wang Jiangbo, demonstrates China’s growing capabilities in space exploration and spacecraft retrieval technology.

    The landing represents the culmination of a meticulously planned mission that underscores China’s advancing position in the global space community. The return capsule’s descent through Earth’s atmosphere and subsequent parachute-assisted landing required precise engineering and coordination between ground control teams and the autonomous systems aboard the spacecraft.

    Located in North China, the Dongfeng landing site has previously served as the recovery zone for multiple Chinese space missions, with infrastructure specifically designed to support these complex operations. The site’s remote characteristics provide ideal conditions for spacecraft recovery while minimizing potential risks to populated areas.

    The Shenzhou program, which began in the 1990s, has evolved into a cornerstone of China’s space ambitions, encompassing both crewed and uncrewed missions. This latest successful return further validates the program’s technical maturity and operational reliability as China continues to expand its activities in space, including the development of its Tiangong space station and planned lunar exploration missions.

  • Factory blast in China’s Inner Mongolia kills 2, missing rises to 8, 84 injured

    Factory blast in China’s Inner Mongolia kills 2, missing rises to 8, 84 injured

    A catastrophic industrial explosion has rocked Baotou City in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, resulting in multiple casualties and triggering a massive emergency response. The incident occurred at 3:03 PM local time on Sunday at a plate manufacturing facility operated by Baogang United Steel, one of the region’s major industrial enterprises.

    According to official statements from Baotou executive vice mayor Lin Li, the disaster originated from the sudden detonation of a 650-cubic-meter saturated water and steam spherical tank. The explosion’s force caused significant damage to the facility and resulted in substantial human casualties.

    The current casualty figures indicate two confirmed fatalities, with eight individuals remaining unaccounted for. Medical facilities across the region are treating 84 injured personnel, including five patients in critical condition. The majority of injuries consist of facial wounds and soft tissue contusions, with all affected individuals reported to be in stable condition under the care of leading medical specialists.

    Emergency response teams have established a comprehensive rescue headquarters to coordinate multi-departmental efforts involving fire control, public security, health services, and market supervision authorities. The local government has implemented immediate safety measures, including the suspension of operations at the affected plant and initiating a city-wide safety inspection across all industrial and trade enterprises.

    Environmental monitoring agencies have conducted preliminary assessments indicating no adverse effects on surrounding air quality, soil conditions, or water systems. Utility services and residential heating in adjacent areas continue to operate normally without disruption.

    Regional authorities have formed a specialized investigation team to determine the precise cause of the accident and assess potential liabilities. Legal proceedings have been initiated against responsible parties within the enterprise management structure.

  • Vietnam sees rapid growth despite tariffs

    Vietnam sees rapid growth despite tariffs

    As Vietnam commences its 14th National Congress this week, economic analysts are spotlighting the nation’s remarkable resilience as an emerging Southeast Asian powerhouse. Defying significant trade headwinds, Vietnam achieved an impressive 8.02% GDP expansion in 2025, positioning it as the fastest-growing economy within ASEAN and among global leaders.

    Burkhard Schrage, interim head of the Management Department at RMIT University Vietnam’s Business School, characterized the achievement as “a landmark accomplishment” and “a bright spot amid continued global volatility.” The congress, running through Sunday, is anticipated to mark a strategic pivot toward a quality-focused growth model emphasizing sustainability and technological sovereignty rather than pure quantitative expansion.

    This transformational shift is reflected in the draft political report which, for the first time, positions science, technology, and innovation at the core of Vietnam’s national development strategy. Schrage described the gathering as “a historic turning point, marking the transition into a new era of national strength and self-reliance.”

    According to Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Vietnam’s economic momentum stems from multiple drivers: robust export performance, heightened foreign direct investment, accelerated infrastructure development, and diversified consumption strategies. Despite facing 20% tariffs imposed by the United States since August, Vietnam’s exports surged 20% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, reaching $475 billion annually—a 17% overall increase. Disbursed FDI inflows simultaneously rose 9% to $27.6 billion, marking a five-year high.

    Hiep noted that 2026 will provide clearer insights into the tariffs’ comprehensive impact on exports and the broader economy. In response, Vietnamese authorities are implementing strategic countermeasures including export diversification away from the US market. “In these efforts, China is also featured significantly in Vietnam’s plans,” Hiep emphasized, noting Hanoi’s intention to increase exports to China to reduce its trade deficit and offset potential declines in shipments to Western economies.

    Infrastructure development represents another critical frontier, with Vietnam increasingly collaborating with China on connectivity projects. Hiep highlighted the logical progression of integrating Vietnam’s infrastructure network with China’s robust systems, noting that such connections would “boost the efficiency and potential of these projects to contribute to the overall economic development of Vietnam.” The state-run Vietnam News Agency recently identified infrastructure breakthroughs as a “foundational pillar” for achieving double-digit growth in 2026.

    Looking toward the future, Schrage projected that Vietnam is entering a “defining decade” that could reshape Southeast Asia’s economic hierarchy, potentially overtaking Thailand as ASEAN’s third-largest economy by 2026 or 2027. By 2030, Vietnam’s economic standing will likely be defined by its transition toward high middle-income status, solidifying its position as a regional economic leader.

  • Urumqi to host youth winter games

    Urumqi to host youth winter games

    Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is poised to become the epicenter of winter sports development as it prepares to host the National Youth Winter Games from January 28 to February 1. The event will showcase young athletic talent across five disciplines: figure skating, speed skating, 3-on-3 ice hockey, snowboard slalom, and cross-country skiing.

    This competition forms part of the broader ‘Happy Run’ initiative, a national fitness program launched in 2021 through collaboration between China’s General Administration of Sport, the Ministry of Education, and other institutions. The program aims to promote physical activity among children and adolescents nationwide.

    Official registration data reveals significant participation, with 862 young athletes and 140 coaches from across China set to compete. Jiang Qingguo, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport’s youth sports division, announced these figures during a January 8 press conference in Urumqi.

    Xinjiang has strategically invested in winter sports infrastructure and development in recent years. Aert, Director of the Regional Sports Bureau, emphasized that the games will demonstrate Xinjiang’s advanced sports facilities and services while simultaneously boosting winter tourism, sports training programs, and equipment sales.

    The region has witnessed remarkable growth in youth participation. During Xinjiang’s inaugural ‘snow break’ for primary and secondary students from December 1-5, Urumqi’s six major ski resorts recorded approximately 61,000 student visits. The Silkroad Mountain Resort experienced particularly high demand, with daily attendance reaching 20,000 visitors and nighttime attendance doubling compared to previous periods. In Altay Prefecture, ski resorts reported over 21,000 student visits, with about 16,000 students enrolling in skiing or snowboarding lessons.

    Xinjiang’s institutional approach includes designating 213 schools as winter sports specialty institutions. Among these, Miaoergou Middle School in Shuixigou Town has pioneered the region’s first regular high school winter sports program since 2024. The program currently enrolls 72 students across two cohorts who balance standard academic coursework with professional training in speed skating, ice hockey, alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Six students have already advanced to train with regional professional teams.

    The program’s innovative structure allows students to pursue both academic and athletic excellence. Gu Xinxiang, the school’s Vice-Principal, noted that this balanced approach has received enthusiastic support from both students and parents.

    Bi Xihao, a 15-year-old speed skater training with the Xinjiang team, exemplifies this dual-path success. In just over a year, he has reduced his 500-meter time from 41 seconds to 37.8 seconds. Based full-time at the Xinjiang Winter Sports Training Center in Shuixigou Town, Bi maintains his academic studies through online evening classes in mathematics and English, supplemented by independent study of history and Chinese literature.

    The Training Center itself offers world-class facilities, situated at 1,650 meters above sea level—making it one of the world’s highest-altitude ice rinks. Li Shunyi, Deputy Director of the center’s venue management office, explained that the rink features precision-controlled ice with low friction characteristics. The subplateau environment and dry climate combine to create optimal training conditions.

    Han Fang, a coach with the Xinjiang speed skating team, confirmed that the center’s advanced facilities and altitude advantage have produced demonstrable competitive results. The program’s success is further evidenced by three athletes currently training with the national team for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.