Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • China’s ocean-floor push blurs the line between mining and war

    China’s ocean-floor push blurs the line between mining and war

    China is accelerating a comprehensive deep-sea exploration initiative across the Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans that combines scientific research with strategic military preparation, according to recent intelligence assessments. Dozens of state-linked research vessels have conducted extensive seabed surveys near critical maritime zones including Taiwan, Guam, the Philippines, and key international chokepoints.

    These missions, documented by multiple international news organizations, involve sophisticated mapping of underwater terrain, deployment of sensor arrays, and collection of hydrographic data on temperature, salinity, and acoustic conditions. Analysis of vessel movements reveals concerning patterns including frequent disabling of tracking systems and operations beyond licensed zones, suggesting military-civil fusion objectives under China’s strategic MCF doctrine.

    Senior U.S. naval commanders testified before Congress that China is developing an ‘Underwater Great Wall’—a layered surveillance architecture integrating fixed sensors, unmanned systems, and data networks. Vice Admiral Richard Seif stated this system aims to contest U.S. submarine advantages through detailed bathymetric knowledge and seabed sensing capabilities. Rear Admiral Mike Brookes added that environmental data collection directly enhances sonar performance and enables persistent detection in strategic waterways.

    The strategic implications extend beyond military preparedness. China currently holds five of the International Seabed Authority’s 31 exploration contracts, positioning itself as a leader in the emerging deep-sea mining industry. This expansion aligns with China’s dominance in rare earth elements, controlling 60% of global supply and 85% of processing capacity. According to RAND Corporation analysis, China’s seabed mining activities focus on securing critical mineral supply chains and establishing early influence in this developing sector.

    Particular concern centers on Taiwan’s vulnerability, as the island relies almost entirely on undersea internet cables. Experts warn China’s detailed seabed knowledge could enable selective cable disruption, potentially creating a ‘digital quarantine’ that cuts bandwidth by 99% during conflict scenarios. Additionally, China’s nuclear submarine expansion benefits from extensive hydrographic mapping, enabling operations beyond the First Island Chain into the broader Pacific and Indian Oceans.

    This integrated approach represents a fundamental shift in undersea competition, blurring boundaries between commercial exploration and military preparation while creating new dependencies in critical mineral supply chains.

  • China launches national long-term care insurance program

    China launches national long-term care insurance program

    China has officially implemented a nationwide long-term care insurance system following a decade of successful pilot programs, creating what authorities describe as the “sixth pillar” of the country’s social security framework. This landmark initiative aims to alleviate the burden on families caring for China’s rapidly aging population.

    The comprehensive framework, established through joint guidelines issued by the General Offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, sets an ambitious three-year timeline to develop a unified system that encompasses the entire population, irrespective of employment status.

    According to official statistics, preliminary pilot programs have already provided coverage for over 3.3 million disabled citizens while reducing collective caregiving expenses by more than 100 billion yuan (approximately $14.5 billion). The insurance scheme is specifically designed to deliver both services and financial assistance for daily living and medical requirements of individuals experiencing sustained disabilities, typically those lasting six months or longer.

    Wang Wenjun, Deputy Director of the National Healthcare Security Administration, emphasized the transformative impact during a recent press conference: “Professional care services can substantially enhance quality of life for disabled individuals. Basic needs including bathing, haircuts, meal assistance, and dressing changes—previously distant aspirations for bedridden patients—are now becoming accessible, bedside realities through attentive care.”

    Funding mechanisms will incorporate contributions from employers, individual participants, and government subsidies under established regulations, maintaining a consolidated contribution rate of approximately 0.3%. The program additionally permits employed workers to utilize personal medical insurance accounts for premium payments covering immediate family members.

    A fundamental principle of the new insurance system is urban-rural integration. Wang confirmed that “all participants, whether from rural or urban regions, will draw from the same fund pool and receive identical benefits.”

    The initiative also functions as an economic catalyst for associated industries. Wang noted that the system’s establishment has already stimulated new business models and economic growth drivers, including development and leasing of assistive devices, dependency-level assessment services, and private sector involvement in program administration. Since pilot initiatives commenced in 2016, the insurance framework has attracted over 60 billion yuan in private investments toward related sectors.

    This program constitutes a crucial component of Beijing’s broader strategy to address emerging demographic challenges through an expanded national safety net, ensuring sustainable care solutions for China’s aging society.

  • Nepal’s newly elected parliament is sworn in months after a youth-led revolt

    Nepal’s newly elected parliament is sworn in months after a youth-led revolt

    KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal’s political establishment witnessed an unprecedented transformation on Thursday as newly elected parliamentarians took their oaths of office, with a remarkable two-thirds majority belonging to a party established less than four years ago. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), fronted by former rapper turned political phenomenon Balendra Shah, achieved a landslide victory in the nation’s first electoral contest following last year’s youth-led uprising.

    The 275-member House of Representatives, which constitutes the powerful lower chamber of Nepal’s parliament, will see these representatives serve five-year terms. The RSP secured an overwhelming mandate through both direct elections and proportional representation, capturing 125 directly elected seats supplemented by 57 additional seats through the proportional system. This combined total of 182 seats dramatically surpasses the second-place Nepali Congress party, which managed only 38 seats.

    Shah, anticipated to be formally nominated as prime minister following a party leadership confirmation, is scheduled to assume office on Friday after presidential appointment. His political ascent began with a surprising victory in the 2022 Kathmandu mayoral race before emerging as a central figure in the 2025 popular revolt that ultimately unseated former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli.

    The RSP’s extraordinary electoral performance represents a direct challenge to Nepal’s traditionally dominant political forces, notably the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist). Last year’s widespread demonstrations, initially sparked by government-imposed social media restrictions, rapidly evolved into a full-scale uprising addressing systemic corruption and governance failures. The protests turned deadly when security forces opened fire on demonstrators attacking government installations, resulting in numerous fatalities and hundreds injured.

  • Ex-Taiwan presidential hopeful sentenced to 17 years for corruption

    Ex-Taiwan presidential hopeful sentenced to 17 years for corruption

    In a landmark judicial ruling that has sent shockwaves through Taiwan’s political landscape, former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je has been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment following his conviction on corruption and campaign finance violations. The Taipei District Court found the 65-year-old political maverick guilty of accepting approximately NT$17.1 million (US$535,000) in bribes connected to a real estate development project during his mayoral tenure, alongside charges of misreporting political donations during his 2024 presidential campaign.

    Ko, who founded the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) and emerged as a significant third-force in Taiwanese politics, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. His legal team had vigorously contested the allegations, characterizing them as politically motivated maneuvers by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to eliminate opposition voices.

    The sentencing fell significantly short of the 28-year term prosecutors had initially sought, though it nonetheless represents one of the most severe penalties ever imposed on a Taiwanese political figure of Ko’s stature. The former mayor, who was arrested in 2024 but released on bail last September, now faces the prospect of extensive incarceration unless his anticipated appeal proves successful.

    Ko’s political trajectory had been remarkable: his 2024 presidential bid captured over 25% of the popular vote, finishing a competitive third behind winner Lai Ching-te (40%) and another opponent. This performance demonstrated substantial voter appetite for alternatives to the traditional DPP-Kuomintang (KMT) dichotomy that has long dominated Taiwan’s politics.

    Outside the courthouse, tensions flared as supporters gathered to protest what they decried as judicial persecution. Kenny Yang, a 52-year-old supporter, told AFP that regardless of the verdict, Ko’s backers would ‘continue to support him and help him seek justice,’ adding that they ‘cannot allow Taiwan to become a society without a sense of right and wrong.’

    The case has ignited intense debate about political justice in Taiwan, with Ko’s TPP allies accusing the ruling administration of weaponizing the judicial system against opponents. Current TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang has consistently denounced the charges as baseless and politically driven.

    Prior to his legal troubles, Ko had positioned himself as a pragmatic alternative to both the Beijing-skeptic DPP and the China-friendly KMT, criticizing the former for escalating cross-strait tensions while faulting the latter for excessive deference to Beijing. Despite this setback, Ko had previously expressed intentions to pursue the presidency again in 2028, though his political future now appears uncertain.

  • HK’s safe-haven appeal to capital lauded

    HK’s safe-haven appeal to capital lauded

    Amid escalating geopolitical tensions and shifting international dynamics, Hong Kong is reinforcing its position as a premier safe harbor for global capital through its unique combination of institutional stability, growth potential, and technological advancement. The special administrative region’s appeal was prominently showcased during the fourth Wealth for Good Summit, which attracted approximately 400 family office decision-makers and successors from across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and Africa.

    Co-hosted by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau alongside Invest Hong Kong, the ‘Building Lasting Legacies’ themed summit facilitated cross-sector dialogues exploring innovative approaches to intergenerational wealth management, cultural legacy development, philanthropic initiatives, and technological innovation.

    Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po emphasized Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages during the summit’s gala dinner, stating: ‘Families seeking to preserve their legacy look for a safe haven—not merely a place to park capital, but a environment offering institutional strengths, legal clarity and credible commitments.’

    The data substantiates Hong Kong’s growing prominence: assets under management surged 13% annually to exceed $4.5 trillion in 2024—equivalent to 11 times the city’s GDP. This momentum persisted through 2025, with Hong Kong-domiciled funds recording robust net inflows of $45.8 billion. The city currently ranks as the world’s second-largest hub for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

    Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun highlighted the city’s fundamental attractions: ‘Our common law legal system, independent judiciary, open economy, free capital flow, freely convertible currency, straightforward tax regime, and dynamic financial market collectively create an ideal environment for global family offices.’

    Significant regulatory enhancements are underway, with the SAR government preparing to expand preferential tax regimes for funds, family-owned investment holding vehicles, and carried interest by June. These reforms will grant family offices increased flexibility as qualifying investment vehicles expand to include private credit, precious metals, commodities, carbon credits, insurance-linked securities, and digital assets.

    The government has additionally implemented tax incentives to encourage philanthropic activities, while maintaining the absence of estate duty, capital gains tax, or dividend taxes—features particularly appealing to family office managers.

    Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu affirmed: ‘Hong Kong offers the safe harbor, policy stability, and sophisticated ecosystem that ambitious families require to transform vision into lasting impact. We remain fully committed to strengthening this foundation to position Hong Kong as a nexus of legacies and innovation.’

    The results are already materializing: Under Secretary Joseph Chan Ho-lim reported that over 20 family offices utilized InvestHK’s assistance to establish or expand their Hong Kong operations in January and February alone. As of February’s conclusion, InvestHK has facilitated 242 family offices in establishing or expanding their local presence—a 20% increase since September 2023. An additional 156 family offices are presently preparing or have committed to establishing operations in Hong Kong, with 60% originating from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, and the remainder from Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and other regions.

    Chan further noted that established family offices can leverage Hong Kong’s efficient refinancing platform for share placements, bond issuances, and diverse business operations, thereby expanding market breadth and depth. The evolving family office ecosystem is maturing into a powerful network that connects various family offices with alternative or impact investing opportunities, enabling effective resource integration.

  • Chinese researchers develop high-efficiency thin-film photovoltaic for space energy

    Chinese researchers develop high-efficiency thin-film photovoltaic for space energy

    Chinese researchers have made a significant advancement in photovoltaic technology with the development of a high-efficiency thin-film solar cell specifically designed for space applications. The breakthrough comes from the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where scientists have achieved a certified efficiency rating of 16.6% for their CZTSSe photovoltaic technology.

    This innovation addresses critical needs in space infrastructure development and deep-space exploration, where solar technology must meet stringent requirements including lightweight design, radiation resistance, long operational lifespan, and sustainable resource utilization. The CZTSSe technology, composed of abundant elements including copper, zinc, and tin, offers distinct advantages over conventional solar solutions through its environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and natural resistance to space radiation.

    Led by researcher Meng Qingbo, the team overcame fundamental challenges in material crystallization, atomic structure, and defect control. Their novel approach involved developing an atomic vacancy strategy that guides the precise positioning of copper and zinc atoms within the material matrix. This breakthrough fundamentally reduces defect activity and minimizes internal energy losses, resulting in significantly improved performance.

    The research team has already developed flexible cells and modules based on this technology, with the current efficiency level providing a solid foundation for industrial applications. Scientists project that once cell efficiency approaches 20% and module efficiency reaches 18%, enabling mass production, the technology will become commercially competitive and widely applicable in aerospace equipment and other advanced scenarios.

  • China to open 10 major scientific facilities to international academia in 2026

    China to open 10 major scientific facilities to international academia in 2026

    In a groundbreaking move for global scientific collaboration, China has announced it will grant international researchers access to ten of its most advanced scientific facilities throughout 2026. The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference in Beijing, marking a significant step in international scientific cooperation.

    The facilities opening to global academia represent China’s cutting-edge research infrastructure, including the remarkable Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) in Guizhou province—the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope. Also available will be the Space Environment Simulation and Research Infrastructure in Heilongjiang province and the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak nuclear fusion research facility in Anhui province, among other premier installations.

    This initiative forms part of the Action Plan for International Cooperation in Open Science, launched collaboratively by China and international partners in 2025. The program aims to establish a more transparent, equitable, and non-discriminatory global environment for scientific and technological advancement. The move aligns with China’s broader strategy of driving innovation through high-level international partnerships, as outlined in the recently released 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development.

    The policy framework emphasizes creating an open innovation ecosystem with global competitiveness while supporting collaborative efforts among scientists worldwide to address fundamental and frontier scientific challenges. This unprecedented access to China’s scientific infrastructure represents a new chapter in global research cooperation, potentially accelerating breakthroughs across multiple scientific disciplines.

  • Data product IPs drive value creation in Shanghai

    Data product IPs drive value creation in Shanghai

    Shanghai has emerged as a pioneering force in data intellectual property commercialization, generating approximately 19.6 billion yuan ($2.84 billion) in economic value through its groundbreaking data product IP registration system. The municipal initiative, launched in December 2024 as China’s first comprehensive data IP framework, has transformed how digital assets are valued, traded, and leveraged within the commercial ecosystem.

    The Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration (SIPA) revealed that 837 registered data products have facilitated economic activity through licensing agreements, market transactions, and service fees as of February 2026. Beyond direct monetization, the program has enabled 16 enterprises to secure 355 million yuan in loans using their data IP as collateral, demonstrating the tangible asset value now attributed to processed digital resources.

    Industry analysts characterize the IP registration mechanism as the critical bridge converting raw data from mere resource to recognized asset class. The framework establishes legal rights for individuals and entities over data resources that undergo substantial processing and innovation, creating commercially valuable intellectual assets. These rights encompass three primary categories: data processing collections, processed data products, and proprietary technical algorithms.

    SIPA officials emphasized that data has evolved into a fundamental production factor within modern economies, with proper ownership confirmation and registration serving as essential prerequisites for value creation. The administration has received over 1,500 registration applications since program inception, granting certification to more than 1,100 qualified data products from nearly 600 legal entities and 200 individuals.

    The applicant pool reflects Shanghai’s innovative economic structure, with over 80% representing high-technology enterprises or specialized innovative firms according to Xu Shang, head of SIPA’s strategic planning division. Registered products predominantly address artificial intelligence and biopharmaceutical applications—sectors aligned with Shanghai’s strategic industrial priorities—while also spanning financial services, educational resources, cultural content, and transportation systems.

    Notably, the judicial system has recognized data IP certificates as valid evidence in infringement cases. A landmark 2025 ruling by Nanjing Intermediate People’s Court awarded Taobao 30 million yuan in damages after the e-commerce platform successfully demonstrated proprietary rights over its processed data products. The case involved malicious data scraping through unauthorized browser plugins that circumvented Taobao’s commercial data services, generating approximately 23 million yuan in illicit revenue.

    This legal precedent reinforces the program’s significance in protecting data innovation investments while establishing clear ownership frameworks for derivative data products. Shanghai’s model demonstrates how systematic data IP management can accelerate digital economic growth while providing legal protection for increasingly valuable digital assets.

  • Australians worry about fuel supplies

    Australians worry about fuel supplies

    Australia is confronting a severe fuel supply crisis as escalating Middle East tensions trigger widespread panic buying and send gasoline prices to unprecedented levels. The situation has prompted authorities to implement emergency measures while urging consumers to avoid stockpiling behaviors that exacerbate shortages.

    According to New South Wales’ official fuel monitoring platform, Premium 95 gasoline reached a record A$2.58 per liter on Monday, significantly exceeding the previous high of A$2.27 recorded just twelve days earlier. Gas stations across the nation are displaying substantially higher prices while implementing purchase limitations and anti-hoarding notices. National broadcaster ABC reports that rural and regional stations are experiencing particularly acute shortages due to consumer stockpiling.

    Despite the visible disruptions, government officials maintain that adequate fuel supplies continue entering the country. The crisis stems primarily from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted crude oil shipments from Australia’s primary suppliers in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Financial expert Lurion De Mello of Macquarie University warned that panic purchasing “risks creating the very shortages we are worried about,” noting that while gasoline supplies remain relatively secure, Australia’s diesel-dependent economy faces greater vulnerability to supply chain interruptions.

    University of Sydney supply chain management professor Ben Fahimnia characterized the situation as “primarily an upstream supply disruption” exacerbated by consumer behavior. He explained that panic buying creates false demand signals that ripple through the entire supply chain, ultimately driving prices higher across transportation and production systems.

    In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol and announced the release of 20% of national fuel reserves following agency recommendations. The government has implemented additional measures to secure supply chains and address distribution challenges.

    The Middle East conflict has simultaneously disrupted global liquefied natural gas supplies, driving international prices upward. ABC reports the Australian government is considering implementing a “windfall tax” on the domestic LNG industry to address resulting economic pressures.

  • ‘Hydrogen pony’ bikes gaining traction

    ‘Hydrogen pony’ bikes gaining traction

    In the streets of Chengdu, Sichuan province, a transportation revolution is quietly unfolding as residents embrace a novel form of clean mobility. The city has become the testing ground for hydrogen-powered shared bicycles, locally nicknamed ‘hydrogen ponies,’ which are transforming urban transportation with their innovative technology and impressive performance metrics.

    Qinglv Technology, a Chengdu-based startup, has deployed 11,000 hydrogen bicycles since August, accumulating over 550,000 registered users and facilitating more than 3.5 million rides. This represents one of the world’s first large-scale commercial operations of hydrogen-powered mobility solutions.

    The bicycles operate on a sophisticated hydrogen fuel cell system that generates electricity to power the vehicle. Each unit carries a compact storage tank containing 100 grams of hydrogen, enabling an impressive range of nearly 100 kilometers—approximately double the distance of conventional shared e-bikes. The pricing structure remains accessible at 2.5 yuan (36 cents) for the initial 10 minutes, with an additional one yuan charged for every subsequent five minutes.

    According to Yang Hao, co-founder of Qinglv Technology, the hydrogen bicycles employ groundbreaking solid-state hydrogen storage technology that combines hydrogen with a specialized metal powder. This innovative approach maintains internal pressure at just 2 MPa, significantly lower than conventional high-pressure hydrogen tanks that operate at 35-70 MPa. ‘This technology ensures that even in the unlikely event of a leak, it would occur gradually and pose minimal safety risks,’ Yang explained.

    The technological advantages become particularly evident in colder climates. While lithium batteries experience rapid energy depletion in low temperatures, hydrogen fuel cells maintain consistent performance regardless of temperature variations, making them ideally suited for northern winters.

    With strong governmental support, Qinglv Technology plans to expand its fleet by 15,000-30,000 additional bicycles within Chengdu this year. The company has also established partnerships to launch services in multiple Chinese cities including Hangzhou, Jinan, Sanya, Shenyang, and Ganzhou.

    International interest has surged, with the company securing orders for 50,000 units from markets across the Middle East, Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia. These export models will require design modifications to accommodate local preferences and regulations.

    To support this growing demand, the company is constructing a new production facility in Xindu dedicated to manufacturing small-power hydrogen fuel cell systems specifically for bicycles. The facility, scheduled for completion by July, will boast an annual production capacity of 300,000 units.

    Yang acknowledges that current market penetration faces challenges due to the higher costs associated with onboard power generation and hydrogen storage systems. However, he projects that achieving mass production scale will drive costs down to levels comparable with lithium battery-powered alternatives.

    This innovation emerges against the backdrop of China’s massive electric bicycle market, which reached 380 million units in operation as of September 2025 according to the China Bicycle Association. LeadLeo Research Institute forecasts continued market expansion, with annual sales expected to grow from 51.2 million units in 2025 to 59.3 million units by 2030.

    ‘Our objective isn’t to replace lithium battery-powered bicycles with hydrogen alternatives,’ Yang emphasized. ‘There exists ample space for both technologies to coexist and complement each other within the evolving urban mobility landscape.’