Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Watch: Japan, South Korea leaders drum up viral moment with BTS, KPop Demon Hunters songs

    Watch: Japan, South Korea leaders drum up viral moment with BTS, KPop Demon Hunters songs

    In an unconventional display of diplomatic camaraderie, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung engaged in a post-summit drumming session, creating a viral moment that symbolized their commitment to improved bilateral relations. The leaders, meeting in Japan’s ancient capital of Nara on Tuesday, donned matching blue athletic tops personalized with their names before taking to social media platform X to share their musical collaboration.

    The impromptu performance featured two prominent K-pop compositions: global sensation BTS’s hit ‘Dynamite’ and ‘Golden’ from the Golden Globe-winning animated film ‘KPop Demon Hunters’. Prime Minister Takaichi, who previously drummed in a student heavy metal band, demonstrated considerable proficiency, while President Lee acknowledged initial awkwardness that gradually transformed into rhythmic synchronization.

    Beyond the cultural exchange, the summit yielded substantive diplomatic achievements. Both nations agreed to strengthen cooperation on economic security and address pressing regional and global challenges. Takaichi emphasized the necessity of collaboration to ‘ensure regional stability,’ particularly significant given ongoing tensions with China following her November remarks suggesting potential military intervention if China attacks Taiwan.

    President Lee characterized the Japan-South Korea relationship as ‘neighbors sharing a front yard’ and stressed that cooperation between the two U.S. allies ‘is more important than ever’ within the rapidly evolving international order. This meeting marked a continuation of diplomatic efforts begun under Lee’s predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, though it occurs against the complex backdrop of Japan’s 1910-1945 occupation of the Korean peninsula.

    The leaders concluded their meeting with a visit to one of Japan’s oldest temples in Nara on Wednesday, further emphasizing the cultural and historical dimensions of their renewed partnership.

  • Mainland spokesperson responds to Trump’s latest remarks on Taiwan

    Mainland spokesperson responds to Trump’s latest remarks on Taiwan

    In a firm diplomatic response, Chinese officials have reiterated the nation’s unwavering position on Taiwan following recent remarks by former US President Donald Trump. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, declared on Wednesday that the Taiwan issue remains exclusively China’s internal affair, not subject to external interference.

    The statement came as a direct rebuttal to Trump’s comments during a New York Times interview, where the former president discussed matters concerning the self-ruled island. Zhu emphasized the foundational principle that ‘there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China,’ echoing Beijing’s long-standing policy framework.

    Chinese authorities underscored their commitment to protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity through all necessary measures. The response highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding cross-strait relations and the consistent position maintained by Beijing regarding what it considers internal Chinese matters.

    The exchange occurs amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, where Taiwan continues to be a focal point in Sino-American relations. China’s reaffirmation of its stance demonstrates the government’s continued vigilance regarding any external commentary on matters it considers fundamental to national sovereignty.

  • Malaysian singer Jess Lee: Bridging connections through Cantonese songs

    Malaysian singer Jess Lee: Bridging connections through Cantonese songs

    Malaysian vocalist Jess Lee has ignited meaningful cultural conversations through her recent musical showcase on the acclaimed program ‘Infinity and Beyond.’ Her decision to perform in Cantonese resonated deeply with audiences, creating substantial online engagement and highlighting music’s unique capacity for cultural connection.

    In an exclusive dialogue with China Daily, Lee characterized Cantonese as embodying the very ‘essence of home’—a linguistic touchstone that evokes profound personal and cultural familiarity. She articulated a powerful perspective on artistic expression, noting that shared musical and linguistic heritage possesses an extraordinary ability to forge immediate understanding between people across geographical boundaries.

    The artist’s performance demonstrates how cultural artifacts can transcend their original contexts to become unifying forces. Lee’s approach underscores a growing trend within the entertainment industry where artists leverage their multicultural backgrounds to create art that celebrates diversity while emphasizing common human experiences. This musical bridge-building occurs amid increasing global interest in cultural preservation through contemporary art forms.

    Industry observers note that such cross-cultural expressions contribute significantly to the evolving landscape of international music, where traditional languages find new relevance through modern platforms. Lee’s artistic choice reflects both personal authenticity and strategic cultural diplomacy, offering audiences worldwide a gateway to appreciate Cantonese linguistic heritage within a contemporary framework.

  • Trilateral links will boost growth

    Trilateral links will boost growth

    A powerful economic corridor is rapidly emerging between China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), creating unprecedented opportunities for trilateral collaboration and growth. This strategic partnership is reshaping global economic dynamics and establishing new benchmarks for cross-regional cooperation.

    Andre Kwok, a Hong Kong-based venture capitalist, exemplifies this trend through his monthly travels between these regions. His work spans diverse sectors including food and agriculture, banking, and financial technologies. “We’re witnessing significant capital movement, particularly from Middle East family offices expanding through Singapore and into markets like Indonesia and Malaysia,” noted Kwok, Director of Rainmaker Ventures and Tomorrow City Co-Investment Ltd.

    The economic statistics reveal substantial commercial engagement. In 2024, ASEAN-GCC trade reached $63 billion, positioning GCC as ASEAN’s fifth-largest external trading partner. Simultaneously, China-GCC trade exceeded $288 billion, while China-ASEAN merchandise trade approached the trillion-dollar mark at $982.34 billion.

    According to Muath Seyam, Senior Fellow at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue, these relationships have entered “a new phase of strategic depth and institutionalization.” Seyam emphasizes China’s “dual and catalytic role as both a shared partner and competitive motivator” in this evolving dynamic.

    The convergence of China’s Belt and Road Initiative with ASEAN’s Connectivity Master Plan 2025 and various GCC Vision 2030 reforms creates synergistic opportunities in infrastructure financing, maritime logistics, and digital corridors. This alignment is driving coordinated development across the regions.

    Educational and cultural exchanges represent another growing dimension. Abdullah Al-Hashem, former GCC Assistant Secretary-General, highlights the need for enhanced educational ties, noting the absence of ASEAN universities in GCC nations. “Knowledge sharing and technology transfer are crucial for strengthening relations,” stated Al-Hashem, currently a professor at Kuwait University.

    Abdulrahim Naqi, former Secretary-General of the Federation of GCC Chambers, identifies infrastructure, electricity, water management, and transportation as prime sectors for collaboration. He particularly emphasizes ASEAN’s agricultural expertise as vital for GCC food security initiatives.

    The private sector is positioned to drive this trilateral cooperation forward, with chambers of commerce, Islamic banks, and industrial groups facilitating dialogue and partnership development. As these economic corridors continue to develop, they promise to redefine global trade patterns and create new centers of economic influence.

  • Fossils reveal UAE’s lush grasslands, giant rivers from millions of years ago

    Fossils reveal UAE’s lush grasslands, giant rivers from millions of years ago

    The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is transporting visitors through 13.8 billion years of Earth’s history, with its most compelling exhibits revealing a startling transformation in the United Arab Emirates’ landscape. Fossil evidence demonstrates that the region now characterized by golden sand dunes and rocky mountains once hosted vast savannahs, grasslands, and massive river systems teeming with diverse wildlife.

    According to Dr. Mark Jonathan Beech, acting geoscience section head at the museum, discoveries in Al Dhafra present incontrovertible evidence that Arabia was not always desert terrain. “Few would imagine Abu Dhabi’s western region once featured giant rivers, savannahs, grasslands, and trees,” Beech stated, noting that these fossils completely reshape our understanding of the region’s ecological history.

    The geological timeline reveals even more dramatic changes. Approximately 100 million years ago, the UAE was submerged underwater, with marine remains still being discovered in mountain regions including Sharjah. The Hajar mountains formed mainly between 95-70 million years ago, with subsequent uplift events shaping Jebel Hafit as recently as 25-15 million years ago.

    By 7 million years ago, Al Dhafra supported extensive river ecosystems that sustained elephants, giraffes, antelopes, crocodiles, turtles, and catfish. “It was like being on safari in East Africa,” Beech remarked, emphasizing the remarkable biodiversity that once flourished in what is now desert.

    These fossil records provide more than historical curiosity—they serve as direct evidence of climate change and its devastating impact on species survival. “It shows that when the climate changes, animals become extinct,” Beech explained, highlighting the instructional value of paleontological findings for understanding contemporary environmental challenges.

    The museum utilizes various visual tools, including climate spirals and an Arabia Climate journey, to illustrate climatic oscillations across millennia while documenting the accelerating global warming trend of the past 150-200 years.

    Reflecting on the institution’s broader mission, Beech emphasized: “Our goal is to educate people to become better ambassadors of the future. We need to care for our planet and nature.” The museum’s fossil collections thus serve dual purposes—illuminating a forgotten green past while providing crucial insights for addressing current environmental crises.

  • Japan’s Takaichi plans to dissolve lower house to set up an early snap election

    Japan’s Takaichi plans to dissolve lower house to set up an early snap election

    TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is preparing to dissolve the lower house of Parliament imminently, setting the stage for a snap general election aimed at securing public endorsement for her policy agenda. The announcement came from Shunichi Suzuki, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), following high-level consultations on Wednesday.

    Takaichi, who made history as Japan’s first female premier in October 2023, currently maintains robust approval ratings approaching 70%. Political analysts suggest this strategic move represents an effort to leverage her personal popularity to strengthen the LDP’s parliamentary position. The governing coalition, recently reconfigured following the departure of centrist partner Komeito, currently maintains a fragile majority in the powerful lower chamber.

    The dissolution is expected to occur shortly after Parliament convenes on January 23, with media projections indicating a potential election date as early as February 8. This timeline has drawn criticism from opposition legislators who argue the move would disrupt crucial budget deliberations needed before the new fiscal year begins in April.

    Prime Minister Takaichi seeks electoral validation for several key initiatives, including expansive fiscal stimulus measures to address inflation and support low-income households, alongside accelerated military expansion. The recently approved record 122.3 trillion yen ($770 billion) national budget awaits parliamentary authorization, with the election outcome significantly impacting its passage.

    The governing coalition now incorporates the conservative Japan Innovation Party as its new junior partner, reflecting Takaichi’s hawkish geopolitical stance and socially conservative values. This political realignment aims to recapture conservative voters who have recently supported emerging populist alternatives. Despite these adjustments, the ruling bloc remains a minority in Japan’s upper legislative house.

    The electoral decision coincides with intensified regional diplomacy, coming immediately after Takaichi’s summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Nara. This foreign policy engagement occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions with China following controversial remarks about Taiwan early in Takaichi’s administration.

  • Xi on Party self-governance and anti-graft

    Xi on Party self-governance and anti-graft

    China Daily Information Co (CDIC) has established stringent copyright protection protocols governing all content published across its digital platforms. The comprehensive policy explicitly prohibits unauthorized republication or utilization of any materials—including text, photographs, and multimedia information—without obtaining prior written consent from CDIC.

    The company specifies technical requirements for optimal user experience, recommending display resolutions of 1024*768 or higher for accessing its digital properties. CDIC maintains multiple official licensing credentials, including Publishing Multimedia Online License 0108263 and Registration Number 130349, underscoring its formal operational status.

    Beyond content protection measures, the organization provides clear channels for external engagement through dedicated sections for advertising inquiries, general communications, and employment opportunities—including specific provisions for expatriate recruitment. The policy framework also encourages audience connection through official social media channels, facilitating ongoing dialogue with its readership base.

  • Inter-Korean relations will not change: senior DPRK official

    Inter-Korean relations will not change: senior DPRK official

    In a definitive statement from Pyongyang, senior North Korean official Kim Yo-jong has emphatically declared that inter-Korean relations will remain unchanged, dashing hopes for diplomatic thaw between the two nations. The announcement, reported by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), comes as a direct rebuttal to South Korea’s Ministry of Unification which had previously suggested potential openings for communication and detente.

    Kim, who serves as vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, characterized Seoul’s aspirations for improved relations as “hope-filled wild dreams” that would never materialize. The high-ranking official accused South Korea of committing “grave provocation by infringing upon the sovereignty of the DPRK” through repeated drone incursions into North Korean airspace.

    The diplomatic confrontation centers on allegations that South Korea dispatched surveillance drones over Pyongyang in October 2024 and again at the beginning of the new year. Kim demanded that Seoul authorities “admit and apologize” for these violations and implement measures to prevent recurrence, positioning these actions as prerequisites for any potential dialogue.

    This hardening position represents a significant setback for inter-Korean diplomacy, which had shown tentative signs of possible engagement following Kim’s earlier statement that left room for interpretation regarding communication channels. The latest remarks eliminate any ambiguity about North Korea’s current stance, indicating a return to confrontational rhetoric and emphasizing sovereignty violations as a non-negotiable barrier to relations.

  • US slaps tariffs on Iran partners

    US slaps tariffs on Iran partners

    The United States has dramatically escalated geopolitical tensions by imposing severe economic measures against nations conducting business with Iran. President Donald Trump announced via social media the immediate implementation of a 25 percent tariff on all trade between the US and any country engaging commercially with Iran, coupled with explicit warnings of potential military action.

    This aggressive economic maneuver triggered immediate market reactions, with oil prices climbing significantly due to concerns over disruptions to Iran’s substantial contribution to global oil production. The announcement represents the latest development in an increasingly volatile standoff between Washington and Tehran.

    Iran responded with defiant rhetoric, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating the nation maintains “large and extensive military preparedness” and stands ready for conflict if Washington chooses to “test” military options. Despite this posture, Araghchi indicated communication channels remain open while questioning America’s readiness for “fair and just negotiations.”

    China, a significant trading partner with Iran, swiftly condemned the US measures. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning articulated Beijing’s position, emphasizing that “there are no winners in a tariff war” while vowing to “take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.” Mao further expressed China’s opposition to interference in internal affairs and use of force in international relations.

    The Pentagon has reportedly presented President Trump with an expanded range of military options against Iran, including potential strikes on nuclear facilities and ballistic missile sites, though narrower options such as cyberattacks are considered more likely according to officials familiar with the planning.

    Meanwhile, the US virtual embassy in Iran urged American citizens to depart immediately via land routes to Armenia or Türkiye, reflecting growing concerns about potential conflict. Domestic unrest in Iran continues as well, with both anti-government protests and massive pro-government demonstrations filling Tehran’s streets, each side blaming external actors for the country’s instability.

  • At least 28 killed after crane collapses on train in Thailand

    At least 28 killed after crane collapses on train in Thailand

    A catastrophic construction accident in north-eastern Thailand has resulted in significant casualties after a massive crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train. The incident, which occurred at approximately 09:00 local time (02:00 GMT), claimed 28 lives and left 64 people injured, including eight in critical condition. Among the wounded were passengers ranging from a one-year-old infant to an 85-year-old elderly person.

    The train, traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province with 195 passengers onboard, was struck by the falling crane from an elevated railway construction project. The impact derailed the train and crushed multiple carriages, with one carriage catching fire immediately after the collision. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to evacuate all passengers from the mangled wreckage, transporting the injured to regional hospitals for treatment.

    The construction crane was part of a China-backed infrastructure initiative to connect Bangkok with neighboring Laos through a new railway system. This project parallels the existing Chinese-built high-speed line that already operates between Laos and south-western China.

    Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has demanded accountability for the tragedy, stating that ‘accidents like this can only happen due to negligence, skipped steps, deviations from the design, or the use of incorrect materials.’ The government has launched a formal investigation into the incident, which represents the latest in a series of fatal accidents attributed to safety lapses in Thailand’s construction industry. Survivor Thirasak Wongsoongnern, a train staff member, described being thrown into the air along with other passengers upon impact.

    This tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about construction safety standards in Thailand, where weak enforcement of regulations has previously led to similar deadly incidents.