Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Yoon’s fate to be determined on Feb 19

    Yoon’s fate to be determined on Feb 19

    A Seoul court announced on Wednesday that it will render its verdict on February 19 in the landmark insurrection trial of former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, following prosecutors’ unprecedented demand for capital punishment. The Seoul Central District Court’s declaration came after an exhaustive 17-hour final hearing session, setting the stage for a historic judicial decision that could reshape the nation’s political landscape.

    Prosecutors characterized Yoon’s December 2024 declaration of martial law as “a severe demolition of constitutional order orchestrated by anti-state forces.” The special counsel team asserted that Yoon had weaponized the state of emergency as an instrument to consolidate power and establish prolonged authoritarian rule, actions they described as fundamentally violating national security principles and civil liberties.

    The prosecution emphasized that Yoon had demonstrated no genuine remorse or acceptance of responsibility for the constitutional crisis, compelling them to seek the maximum penalty under South Korean law. During the proceedings, the former president maintained composure, offering a faint smile upon hearing the death penalty request before reiterating his unwavering claim of innocence.

    Yoon contended that his implementation of constitutional emergency powers represented a legitimate presidential action to safeguard national interests rather than an attempted insurrection. He argued the martial law declaration aimed to alert citizens to genuine national security threats rather than establish military dictatorship.

    The Blue House, official residence of current President Lee Jae-myung, issued a statement expressing confidence that the judiciary would deliver a ruling consistent with legal principles and public expectations. Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon affirmed the court’s commitment to adjudicating based strictly on constitutional provisions, statutory law, and evidentiary considerations.

    Legal experts note the symbolic significance of the prosecution’s capital punishment request despite South Korea’s de facto moratorium on executions since 1997. Hongik University law professor Cho Hee-kyong explained that insurrection remains technically punishable by death under the Criminal Act, and anything less than the maximum penalty request might have signaled inadequate seriousness about the constitutional violations.

    While most analysts anticipate a life imprisonment sentence, the court retains discretion to consider historical precedents including the 1996 death penalty verdict against former president Chun Doo-hwan for coup-related offenses, which was later commuted to life imprisonment. Yoon’s persistent denial of wrongdoing may serve as an aggravating factor in sentencing determinations.

  • HKSAR govt pledges full probe into fire

    HKSAR govt pledges full probe into fire

    Hong Kong’s government has committed to a comprehensive investigation into November’s catastrophic Tai Po fire that resulted in 161 fatalities and displaced approximately 2,000 households. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu addressed the eighth-term Legislative Council, vowing to hold all responsible parties accountable regardless of their position or affiliation.

    The tragic incident at Wang Fuk Court housing complex has prompted the administration to propose significant legislative reforms targeting fire safety protocols. Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki revealed plans to integrate fire safety measures into property managers’ statutory duties, effectively establishing property management companies as legal gatekeepers for building safety.

    The proposed reforms include mandatory safety distances for large-scale maintenance projects, requiring Fire Services Department approval before disabling critical safety equipment, and accelerating amendments to construction safety regulations. The revised rules would impose clear legal responsibilities on contractors and subcontractors while implementing strict smoking prohibitions at all construction sites.

    Lee emphasized the government’s commitment to long-term housing solutions for affected families, with working groups analyzing resident surveys to formulate appropriate accommodation plans. The nearly nine-hour legislative session featured 90 lawmakers providing input on recovery efforts, with suggestions ranging from government acquisition of property rights at pre-fire values to enhanced psychological support for displaced residents.

    The administration pledged to implement systemic reforms across all necessary areas while maintaining focus on economic and social development through improved executive-legislative collaboration.

  • Bamboo slips tell stories of ancient eras

    Bamboo slips tell stories of ancient eras

    In a remarkable fusion of archaeology and chemistry, experts at China’s Jingzhou Cultural Relics Protection Center have pioneered groundbreaking techniques to resurrect ancient bamboo and wooden slips from their water-damaged states. These fragile artifacts, which served as primary writing materials in China before the widespread use of paper, emerge from tombs as darkened, mushy fragments after millennia submerged in groundwater.

    The center has developed two revolutionary conservation methods: sodium dithionite decolorization and cetyl alcohol filling dehydration. The first technique chemically restores the slips’ original pale yellow coloration while making inscribed characters clearly visible. The second method replaces water within the cellular structure of the bamboo with stabilizing compounds, transforming the soft, deteriorated material into flexible, preserved artifacts.

    Over three decades, these innovations have enabled the recovery of approximately 180,000 historical fragments nationwide, including extraordinary finds such as the earliest known Nine-Nine Multiplication Table, a previously lost version of The Analects of Confucius, and ancient medical texts detailing treatments for heart conditions, abdominal disorders, and external injuries.

    Jingzhou’s significance in this field stems from its history as the ancient capital of the Chu state during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), where social elites followed customs of burying written records with the deceased. The region has yielded approximately 30,000 slips dating from the Warring States Period through the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220).

    According to Zhao Yang, director of the center’s cultural relics protection department, these texts represent ‘social media posts and notebooks of ancient people,’ offering unparalleled insights into classical literature, medical practices, musical scores, divination, and sacrificial rituals across centuries.

    The conservation technologies, honored with Hubei Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award recognition, now handle over 80% of China’s waterlogged bamboo slip restoration. Each batch requires two to three years of meticulous work before the preserved artifacts can be studied or exhibited, safeguarding what experts describe as ‘the seed of Chinese culture and evidence of its continuity.’

  • Chinese Go legend Nie Weiping passes away

    Chinese Go legend Nie Weiping passes away

    China’s Go community mourns the passing of legendary player Nie Weiping, who died in Beijing on Wednesday at age 73. The iconic figure, who served as honorary president of the Chinese Weiqi Association, leaves behind an unparalleled legacy in the world of competitive Go.

    Born in August 1952, Nie emerged as the central force behind China’s Go renaissance throughout the 20th century. His exceptional skills earned him the prestigious ninth-dan rank in 1982, placing him among the elite players globally. By 1986, he had taken leadership of the Chinese national Go team as head coach, where he mentored and developed multiple world champions.

    Nie’s competitive brilliance shone brightest during the historic China-Japan Super Matches of the 1980s. In a stunning display of strategic mastery, he achieved eleven consecutive victories against Japan’s top players across the first four tournament editions. This extraordinary winning streak against international rivals earned him official recognition as ‘Go Master’ from China’s top sports authorities and the Chinese Weiqi Association.

    Beyond competitive play, Nie dedicated decades to promoting and popularizing Go, transforming the ancient board game from an elite pursuit to a widely enjoyed cultural activity across China. His teaching philosophy and competitive approach influenced generations of players who continue to shape the game’s development internationally.

    The passing of this monumental figure represents the end of an era for Chinese Go, though his foundational contributions ensure his influence will endure through the champions he trained and the millions he inspired to take up the game.

  • Plan aims to clear real estate backlog

    Plan aims to clear real estate backlog

    Chinese authorities are implementing a multi-faceted national strategy to address the country’s substantial housing inventory surplus, combining targeted municipal policies with broader market interventions. The initiative comes as data reveals a critical imbalance, with the average inventory clearance period across 100 major cities reaching 27.4 months in November—nearly double the 14-month threshold considered healthy for a balanced market.

    The approach features distinct regional variations, with first-tier cities averaging 17.1 months of inventory, second-tier cities at 22.6 months, and third- and fourth-tier markets facing a daunting 40.3-month backlog. Housing Minister Ni Hong emphasized the implementation of city-specific measures to manage new supply while reducing existing stock, particularly through the conversion of commercial properties into affordable housing.

    A cornerstone of the strategy involves the innovative use of a 300-billion-yuan ($42.96 billion) relending facility established by the People’s Bank of China to support affordable housing conversions. This financial mechanism, potentially expanded through local government bond allocations, enables the purchase of existing commercial properties for transformation into subsidized housing.

    Concurrently, local governments are deploying creative mechanisms including housing “trade-in” programs and voucher systems for urban redevelopment projects. These initiatives facilitate residents’ transition from older properties to new developments while simultaneously reducing inventory overhang.

    Market analysts highlight the potential for further policy relaxation in core metropolitan areas. Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International, suggested that additional easing of purchase restrictions in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen could generate significant positive ripple effects across smaller markets.

    The long-term vision extends beyond inventory reduction to quality transformation. Minister Ni advocated for constructing “quality homes” with superior design, materials, and maintenance standards, while simultaneously upgrading existing housing stock. Market trends already indicate shifting preferences, with units exceeding 120 square meters comprising 30% of new supply in key cities.

    Experts emphasize that stabilizing the property market is crucial for mitigating negative wealth effects on household consumption. Morgan Stanley’s chief China economist Robin Xing noted that restoring confidence in this key asset class would be instrumental in unlocking broader economic spending power.

  • Singapore’s leader of opposition stripped of title after lying conviction

    Singapore’s leader of opposition stripped of title after lying conviction

    In an unprecedented political development, Singapore’s parliament has formally removed Pritam Singh from his position as Leader of the Opposition following his criminal conviction for providing false testimony under oath. The decisive parliamentary vote occurred on Wednesday, with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) using its substantial majority to pass the motion.

    The resolution stemmed from Singh’s conviction last February for lying to a parliamentary committee investigating a separate case involving former Workers’ Party (WP) lawmaker Raeesah Khan. Despite maintaining his innocence throughout the judicial process and an unsuccessful appeal in December, Singh was found to have committed perjury during committee hearings.

    While Singh retains his parliamentary seat and position as secretary-general of the Workers’ Party, he will forfeit significant privileges including additional financial allowances and priority speaking rights during legislative debates. The opposition leader defended himself during the three-hour debate, stating his “conscience remains clear” and rejecting characterizations of his behavior as “dishonourable and unbecoming.”

    Prime Minister Lawrence Wong declared on Thursday that Singh’s continued tenure as Opposition Leader had become “no longer tenable” given the circumstances. All eleven present WP members voted against the motion, highlighting the partisan divide within the legislature.

    The controversy originated in 2021 when then-WP lawmaker Raeesah Khan fabricated an account of police misconduct toward a sexual assault victim. During subsequent investigations, evidence emerged suggesting Singh had instructed Khan to maintain the false narrative. Khan has since resigned from politics and received fines for her misconduct.

    This case represents one of the rare criminal convictions against a sitting opposition politician in Singapore’s history and has reignited debates about judicial independence in the city-state. Critics have previously alleged that Singapore’s government weaponizes legal mechanisms against political opponents—accusations that authorities consistently deny.

  • US and Taiwan sign $250B trade deal, cutting tariffs on Taiwanese goods

    US and Taiwan sign $250B trade deal, cutting tariffs on Taiwanese goods

    In a landmark economic agreement reached Thursday, the United States and Taiwan have established a comprehensive trade partnership centered on massive technology investments and reduced tariffs. The deal secures $250 billion in Taiwanese commitments to advance U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and artificial intelligence infrastructure while lowering tariff rates on Taiwanese goods to 15%—aligning with rates applied to other Asia-Pacific partners like Japan and South Korea.

    The arrangement, negotiated under the Trump administration’s broader trade rebalancing initiative, represents a strategic economic alignment between the two nations. The U.S. Department of Commerce characterized the agreement as ‘historic,’ emphasizing its potential to catalyze a ‘massive reshoring of America’s semiconductor sector’ through the development of world-class industrial parks.

    Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC stands at the forefront of this investment surge, announcing parallel plans to increase capital expenditures by nearly 40% this year following a stellar quarterly performance. The chipmaker reported a 35% year-over-year profit increase to $16 billion, with revenue climbing to $33 billion in the October-December period.

    While Beijing immediately criticized the agreement as ‘economic plunder,’ Taiwanese officials framed the ‘Taiwan model’ as a vehicle for enhancing global competitiveness and deepening strategic cooperation with the United States. The deal includes targeted exemptions for specific Taiwanese imports such as generic pharmaceuticals and aircraft components, alongside favorable treatment for semiconductor producers investing stateside.

    TSMC’s ambitious expansion strategy includes accelerating construction of its Arizona fabrication plants, with total U.S. investments approaching $165 billion. Company leadership expressed confidence in sustained AI-driven demand despite market concerns about potential technology bubbles, noting that AI adoption ‘is starting to grow into our daily life.’

    Market analysts reinforce TSMC’s dominant position, highlighting its unparalleled pricing power and robust customer backlog that insulates against short-term demand fluctuations. With a market capitalization of $1.4 trillion, TSMC now ranks as Asia’s most valuable listed company—a testament to its critical role in the global technology ecosystem.

  • Aimed at the growing number of young Chinese who live alone, a new app asks: ‘Are you dead?’

    Aimed at the growing number of young Chinese who live alone, a new app asks: ‘Are you dead?’

    A provocative digital innovation has emerged from China’s tech landscape, capturing the attention of solitary urban dwellers worldwide. The application, bluntly titled ‘Are You Dead?’, represents a stark technological response to modern isolation, enabling users to transmit instantaneous proof of life to designated contacts through a single interface interaction.

    Developed by three twenty-something entrepreneurs, the platform operates on a minimalist premise: users activate an oversized green circle on their smartphone displays, automatically notifying selected individuals of their wellbeing. This digital lifeline comes at a nominal cost of 8 yuan (approximately $1.10), offering peace of mind through technological simplicity.

    The application’s meteoric rise saw it become the most downloaded paid application on China’s Apple App Store recently, with significant adoption rates emerging across diverse international markets including Singapore, Netherlands, Britain, India, and the United States. This global resonance underscores the universal nature of contemporary solitude concerns that transcend cultural boundaries.

    Co-developer Ian Lü, 29, drew inspiration from his five-year experience living alone in Shenzhen. ‘Every country has young people who move to big cities to chase their dreams,’ Lü remarked, highlighting the particular appeal for introverted individuals who find daily check-in messages impractical yet desire connection.

    Demographic shifts in China have created fertile ground for such innovations. Recent statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics reveal over 100 million single-person households nationwide, reflecting dramatic social transformation driven by urbanization and economic migration that has dispersed traditional multi-generational living arrangements.

    User testimonials reveal complex relationships with the application. Kunming resident Chen Xingyu, 32, expressed both curiosity and data security concerns, particularly regarding female users’ vulnerability. Shanghai designer Yuan Sangsang, 38, articulated more existential motivations: ‘I just don’t want to die with no dignity, like the body gets rotten and smelly before it is found.’

    Despite its morbid nomenclature—a deliberate challenge to cultural taboos surrounding mortality discourse—the application has sparked meaningful dialogue about contemporary existence. Chinese media commentary interprets its popularity as ‘a darkly humorous social metaphor’ that addresses young people’s need for recognition and understanding beyond mere functionality.

    In a surprising development, the developers recently announced plans to rebrand the application following public feedback, initially selecting the ambiguous ‘Demumu’ before launching a public naming competition with a 666 yuan prize. This evolution demonstrates the creators’ responsiveness to cultural sensitivities while maintaining their mission to serve globally dispersed solitary individuals.

  • A new era for Canada-China relations? Prime Minister Carney’s visit signals change

    A new era for Canada-China relations? Prime Minister Carney’s visit signals change

    BEIJING — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inaugural official visit to China marks a significant diplomatic thaw, signaling a potential renaissance in bilateral relations after an eight-year hiatus in high-level exchanges. The three-day engagement, characterized by substantive dialogues with Chinese leadership, represents a strategic pivot toward reconciliation following years of strained ties.

    During Thursday’s ministerial meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi characterized Carney’s visit as a “turning point” that could unlock new cooperative dimensions between the nations. The Canadian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Anita Anand, conveyed Ottawa’s commitment to charting a renewed trajectory for bilateral engagement across multiple sectors.

    The diplomatic reset comes against the backdrop of prolonged tensions stemming from multiple friction points. The 2018 detention of Huawei Technologies CFO Meng Wanzhou by Canadian authorities at America’s request triggered a bitter diplomatic standoff, prompting China to arrest two Canadian citizens on espionage allegations. More recently, trade tensions escalated when Canada imposed 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and 25% duties on steel and aluminum products, mirroring U.S. trade policies. Beijing retaliated with punitive tariffs targeting Canadian agricultural exports, effectively closing China’s market to Canadian canola products.

    Prime Minister Carney’s diplomatic offensive carries added urgency due to shifting global trade dynamics. With over 75% of Canadian exports currently destined for the American market, the administration seeks to diversify trade partnerships amid concerns about U.S. protectionism under the Trump administration. Carney has articulated an ambitious goal of doubling non-U.S. exports within the next decade.

    The Chinese government perceives current global trade tensions as an opportunity to encourage American allies toward greater foreign policy independence. Beijing has consistently criticized what it characterizes as U.S.-led efforts to contain China’s rise through collective pressure campaigns.

    Carney’s agenda includes high-level meetings with Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping, with discussions expected to address trade normalization, security concerns, and potential cooperation in emerging technology sectors. The Canadian leader emphasized his commitment to building “a new partnership that builds on the best of our past” in social media statements following his arrival.

  • AI cracks the code for faster, better crops

    AI cracks the code for faster, better crops

    At the Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City in Sanya, Hainan province, agricultural innovation is undergoing a radical transformation. The Future Agriculture Nexus (Fan) project, a collaborative endeavor between Yazhou Bay National Laboratory and Huawei Technologies Co., is leveraging artificial intelligence to redefine traditional crop breeding methodologies.

    This groundbreaking initiative represents a paradigm shift from conventional breeding practices that typically required approximately ten years of development. Through advanced computer algorithms and data analytics, the project aims to condense this timeline to just three to four years while simultaneously enhancing crop resilience and yield potential.

    The strategic importance of this technological advancement aligns with China’s national food security objectives, where agricultural self-sufficiency has become increasingly crucial. During his 2022 inspection of the Yazhou Bay facility, President Xi Jinping emphasized the critical need for technological independence in the seed sector, comparing seeds to the ‘chips’ of global agriculture.

    Yuan Xiaohui, a senior scientist at the laboratory, highlighted the project’s mission to develop strategic crop varieties that address practical agricultural demands. However, the implementation faces significant challenges, particularly regarding data integration. ‘While AI demonstrates tremendous potential for agricultural science,’ Yuan noted, ‘data accessibility remains the primary constraint limiting its practical application.’

    Chen Fan, deputy director of the laboratory, explained the fundamental transition occurring within the field: ‘Traditional breeding has historically depended on experiential knowledge. The shift toward precision agriculture necessitates comprehensive analysis of correlations between extensive datasets concerning crop characteristics and genetic information.’

    The project represents a significant step toward establishing a comprehensive system capable of aggregating global field and laboratory data while providing sophisticated analytical capabilities. This development comes at a critical juncture for global food security, particularly as climate variability presents increasing challenges to agricultural production worldwide.