Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Xinjiang through my eyes: Sparks of craftsmanship

    Xinjiang through my eyes: Sparks of craftsmanship

    Amid the industrial landscapes of China’s Xinjiang region, 31-year-old Shao Xupeng represents a modern generation preserving the ancient values of craftsmanship through welding. As senior welding technician, Xupeng describes his profession with profound purpose: “While doctors save human lives, we safeguard our company’s safe production operations.

    The workshop becomes an arena of collaboration where sparks fly not just from torches but from intellectual exchange. Xupeng and his teammates constantly debate technical solutions, learning collectively through shared challenges. The work demands physical endurance that sometimes brings exhaustion and moments of doubt about continuing in such a demanding field.

    What ultimately sustains him through these challenges is genuine passion for his craft. This dedication transforms potential resignation into persistent striving for excellence. Xupeng’s narrative reflects broader patterns across China’s industrial sectors where skilled technicians increasingly receive recognition for their vital contributions to production safety and quality standards.

    His story emerges as part of ongoing regional development initiatives that highlight vocational excellence alongside technological advancement. These narratives counter previous stereotypes about Xinjiang’s workforce by emphasizing technical proficiency and professional dedication among its diverse population.

  • Netanyahu voices skepticism about potential US-Iran deal, calls for missile curbs

    Netanyahu voices skepticism about potential US-Iran deal, calls for missile curbs

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has articulated profound reservations regarding the prospect of a renewed nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran, emphasizing that any viable deal must impose stringent restrictions on Tehran’s ballistic missile program and curtail its regional proxy networks. These stipulations represent longstanding Iranian red lines, setting the stage for complex diplomatic negotiations.

    The Prime Minister’s comments follow a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, their seventh encounter since the commencement of Trump’s second term. Despite Netanyahu’s advocacy for a hardened stance against Iran, President Trump reaffirmed his administration’s preference for pursuing a negotiated settlement through continued diplomatic channels.

    Concurrently, mixed signals emerge from both capitals regarding the recently resumed nuclear discussions. Iranian officials, including Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, have explicitly denied sending formal communications to Washington while characterizing initial talks as merely preliminary message exchanges facilitated by Omani intermediaries. Larijani further reiterated Tehran’s unwavering position against negotiating its missile capabilities or regional alliances, while simultaneously dismissing the possibility of completely halting uranium enrichment on domestic soil.

    This delicate diplomatic maneuvering unfolds against a backdrop of heightened military preparedness. According to reports, the Pentagon stands ready to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East within a fortnight—a strategic move that would mark the first dual-carrier presence in the region since early 2025. The USS George H.W. Bush could potentially expedite its training exercises off the Virginia coast should President Trump issue an official deployment order.

    The resumption of indirect talks in Muscat last week represented the first diplomatic engagement between the two nations since the U.S. conducted airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities in June of the previous year, underscoring the profoundly tense context in which these negotiations are proceeding.

  • Hong Kong’s population up by 10,200 in 2025

    Hong Kong’s population up by 10,200 in 2025

    Hong Kong’s demographic landscape showed measured growth in 2025, with official statistics revealing a population increase of 10,200 residents. According to provisional data released by the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, the territory’s total population reached 7,510,800 by year’s end, representing a 0.1 percent uptick from the previous year.

    The demographic shift emerged from contrasting trends: a substantial net inflow of 29,100 residents through various migration channels offset a natural population decrease of 18,900. The natural decline resulted from 31,100 births being surpassed by 50,000 deaths throughout the year, continuing a pattern of negative natural growth.

    Detailed breakdowns show that 7,242,400 individuals were classified as usual residents, while 268,400 were categorized as mobile residents—a distinction reflecting Hong Kong’s status as a dynamic international hub.

    A government spokesperson attributed the positive demographic trajectory to strategic initiatives, noting that “various talent attraction and labor importation schemes have helped offset the impact of the natural population decrease.” These programs appear to have effectively counterbalanced the territory’s aging population trends and low birth rates, maintaining Hong Kong’s position as a competitive global center.

    The data provides crucial insights for urban planning and resource allocation, suggesting that targeted immigration policies are yielding measurable results in sustaining Hong Kong’s workforce and economic vitality amid broader demographic challenges.

  • Senior official extends Spring Festival greetings to religious groups

    Senior official extends Spring Festival greetings to religious groups

    In a significant pre-Spring Festival engagement, Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee and member of the CPC Central Committee Politburo Standing Committee, convened with leaders of China’s major religious organizations on February 12, 2026. The high-level meeting served as a platform for extending festive greetings while outlining the government’s vision for religious development aligned with national modernization goals.

    During the cordial gathering, Wang acknowledged the constructive work undertaken by religious groups throughout 2025, emphasizing the necessity of systematic approaches to ensure religions in China maintain distinctly Chinese characteristics. The discussion highlighted the importance of law-based governance in religious affairs, positioning religious communities as contributors to China’s modernization trajectory.

    Representatives from five major religious bodies—the Buddhist Association of China, Taoist Association of China, China Islamic Association, Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, and the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches—participated actively in the dialogue, delivering addresses that reflected their respective community perspectives.

    The senior official urged religious organizations to guide their followers toward developing accurate understandings of national identity, historical context, ethnic relations, cultural heritage, and religious practice. This guidance framework aims to foster closer unity around the Communist Party and government institutions while facilitating the integration of religious practices with China’s fine traditional culture and socialist society adaptation.

  • Macao, HK universities establish joint lab for robotics, embodied intelligence

    Macao, HK universities establish joint lab for robotics, embodied intelligence

    In a landmark collaboration between two special administrative regions, the University of Macau and Hong Kong Polytechnic University have officially established the Joint Laboratory for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence—the first jointly funded research facility between Macao and Hong Kong. The agreement, signed on February 12, 2026, represents a significant advancement in cross-regional academic cooperation.

    The pioneering initiative includes not only the state-of-the-art research facility but also introduces a dual PhD program featuring joint supervision by faculty members from both institutions. This educational component aims to cultivate elite talent capable of driving innovation in emerging technological fields.

    University of Macau Rector Song Yonghua emphasized the strategic alignment of institutional strengths, noting that ‘this collaboration merges UM’s capabilities in interdisciplinary research, artificial intelligence, and engineering with PolyU’s distinguished expertise in applied science and engineering practice.’ The partnership is positioned to accelerate both fundamental research and practical technology transfer in cutting-edge domains including intelligent robotics and embodied artificial intelligence.

    PolyU President Teng Jin-Guang characterized the initiatives as creating ‘a substantial platform for interdisciplinary teams from both universities to conduct impactful research.’ He further highlighted the project’s potential to ‘address challenges in transformative technologies and accelerate the translation of research outcomes for the benefit of Hong Kong, Macao, and the nation overall.’

    This collaboration marks a new chapter in academic integration within the Greater Bay Area, demonstrating how regional partnerships can leverage complementary strengths to advance technological innovation and high-level talent development in strategically important fields.

  • Chinese authorities urge greater safety control on infant formula products

    Chinese authorities urge greater safety control on infant formula products

    In a decisive move to safeguard infant health, Chinese regulatory bodies have mandated enhanced safety protocols across the nation’s infant formula supply chain. The directive from China’s State Council Food Safety Office and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) comes as a responsive measure to a recent precautionary product recall initiated by Nestle China.

    The regulatory action was precipitated by the identification of an emetic toxin, originating from the Bacillus cereus bacterium, within specific production batches of infant formula. While no substantiated cases of infant poisoning have been reported to date, the discovery prompted immediate regulatory intervention.

    Authorities have instructed Nestle China to execute a comprehensive recall of the affected batches distributed across the Chinese mainland. Simultaneously, the SAMR has issued a broader directive to provincial and municipal regulators, compelling a rigorous reassessment of safety practices. This includes enforcing stricter inspection regimes for raw materials, implementing mandatory screening for the specified toxin, and intensifying pre-market quality assurance checks before products are released from manufacturing facilities.

    The overarching objective is to fortify risk management throughout the entire production ecosystem, from sourcing to store shelves, ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety for infant nutrition products in the Chinese market.

  • Indonesia readies up to 8,000 troops in first firm commitment to Gaza peacekeeping force

    Indonesia readies up to 8,000 troops in first firm commitment to Gaza peacekeeping force

    JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Indonesian military has initiated specialized training for a contingent of 5,000-8,000 troops designated for deployment to Gaza as part of an international security force, marking the first tangible commitment to President Donald Trump’s controversial postwar reconstruction framework. This Muslim-majority nation, ranking among the UN’s top ten peacekeeping contributors with extensive experience in Lebanon, now faces domestic criticism over its alignment with Washington’s newly proposed Board of Peace (BoP).

    Despite Indonesia’s historical support for Palestinian statehood and substantial humanitarian investments in Gaza—including hospital funding—President Prabowo Subianto’s rapid embrace of the U.S.-led initiative has sparked concerns about national sovereignty and financial burden. Critics highlight the absence of Palestinian representation on the BoP while Israel maintains membership, questioning whether Indonesia’s participation genuinely advances Palestinian interests.

    The operational ambiguity surrounding the International Security Force (ISF) remains a central controversy. Unlike UN-mandated missions with clearly defined rules of engagement, the BoP-operated force lacks transparent guidelines regarding troop utilization, funding mechanisms, and chain of command. Draft charters suggest Indonesia might bear its own deployment costs plus a potential $1 billion fee for permanent BoP membership.

    Middle East analyst Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat of Jakarta’s Center of Economic and Law Studies warned: “We must ensure our military personnel aren’t indirectly supporting Israeli forces or confronting misguided actors.” This sentiment resonates with an online petition signed by over 9,000 scholars and activists criticizing Trump’s lifetime chairmanship of a body they deem “normatively, structurally and morally illegitimate.”

    Army Chief of Staff Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak confirmed training has commenced for engineering and medical units despite no formal operational guidelines from BoP organizers. The initiative received measured regional endorsement from Hassan Jouni, a Qatar-based analyst and former Lebanese general, who noted Indonesia’s perception as an “honest broker” acceptable to both sides due to its Muslim identity without posing strategic threats to Israel.

    With Prabowo scheduled to attend next week’s inaugural BoP meeting in Washington—where he may finalize a parallel trade deal—observers anticipate further international troop commitments. However, domestic opposition appears unlikely to alter Indonesia’s course as it seeks to leverage internal participation to influence Palestinian rights advocacy within the controversial framework.

  • Hit song transforms metro stop into cultural hot spot

    Hit song transforms metro stop into cultural hot spot

    A poignant musical tribute to a Guangzhou metro station has unexpectedly transformed the transit hub into a nationwide cultural phenomenon. ‘Jiahewanggang,’ performed by Yi ethnic singer Hailai Amu with his distinctive raspy vocals, has captivated Chinese netizens with its melancholic lyrics about parting ways at the station. The track’s emotional resonance has generated over one billion streams since its January 22 release, triggering a pilgrimage trend to the previously ordinary transportation node.

    The Jiahewanggang station, operational since 2010 in Baiyun district, serves as a critical transit junction connecting three metro lines, Baiyun International Airport, and multiple railway stations. Handling approximately 380,000 daily passengers, it ranks among Guangzhou’s busiest transit points. Its geographical significance as a convergence point has historically made it symbolic of separations and new beginnings for the city’s substantial migrant population of 8.2 million.

    Government authorities have strategically embraced the unexpected cultural moment. Guangzhou Mayor Sun Zhiyang officially endorsed the song during the Guangdong People’s Congress session, extending invitations to domestic and international visitors to experience the city’s cultural offerings. The metro administration has enhanced the station with artistic installations showcasing Lingnan cultural elements, including Cantonese opera, porcelain art, and regional architecture.

    Urban culture experts note that metro systems in Chinese megacities have evolved beyond mere transportation infrastructure into cultural landmarks that reflect municipal identity and governance capabilities. The phenomenon parallels similar occurrences at other symbolically-named stations, such as Shenzhen’s Fanshen station, whose name evokes historical narratives of social transformation.

    The station’s management has responded poetically to its newfound fame, installing inspirational messages that acknowledge its emotional significance while offering hopeful sentiments: ‘May your journey ahead be as beautiful as a tapestry of flowers, and may there be a reunion waiting for you.’ This transformation from functional transit space to cultural touchstone demonstrates how organic cultural expressions can reshape urban landscapes and create unexpected community gathering points.

  • TV drama draws visitors to Hangzhou

    TV drama draws visitors to Hangzhou

    The sweeping historical drama ‘Swords into Plowshares’ has triggered an unprecedented tourism boom in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, where the series’ narrative unfolds across ancient Wuyue Kingdom landmarks. Drawing comparisons to ‘Game of Thrones’ for its intricate portrayal of political machinations during China’s Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-960), the production has transformed from mere entertainment into a cultural phenomenon driving substantial visitor increases to historical sites.

    Hangzhou’s tourism infrastructure has capitalized on this surge through innovative collaborations with the series’ producers. The municipality has launched six specialized stamp collection activities at key attractions, curated five thematic travel routes connecting Wuyue cultural relics, and mounted immersive exhibitions at Qianwang Temple—the royal shrine honoring Wuyue’s monarchs. Temple attendance has skyrocketed by 30-40% year-over-year, with daily visitors exceeding 4,000 during peak periods.

    The drama’s central narrative follows the transformation of Qian Hongchu, final ruler of the Wuyue Kingdom, from carefree prince to the sovereign who peacefully surrendered his territory to the unifying Song Dynasty. This historical context has resonated deeply with contemporary audiences, particularly through the series’ juxtaposition of Wuyue’s stability against the Central Plains’ turmoil.

    Tourism analytics from platform Ctrip reveal impressive metrics: Hangzhou experienced a 31% year-on-year increase in overall tourism bookings during the Spring Festival period, complemented by a 26% rise in flight reservations. Professor Wang Jinwei of Beijing International Studies University notes this trend reflects modern travelers’ desire for integrated experiences combining emotional engagement with historical education—a need Hangzhou’s initiatives successfully address by transforming television entertainment into meaningful cultural exploration.

  • China, Central Asia boost desertification measures

    China, Central Asia boost desertification measures

    In a significant ecological initiative, the China-Central Asia Cooperation Center for Desertification Prevention has mobilized a coordinated environmental campaign across four Central Asian nations. The center is deploying cutting-edge technologies developed in China’s Ningxia region to address critical soil and water conservation challenges in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

    The collaboration follows an extensive assessment mission completed in December that identified specific environmental vulnerabilities across the region. The mission revealed distinct ecological challenges in each country, with Uzbekistan struggling with soil salinization and inadequate irrigation infrastructure, while mountainous Tajikistan faces more pressing concerns regarding soil erosion, pest management, and wildfire prevention.

    Feng Zhanwen, director of the center, noted that Central Asian countries have expressed strong appreciation for China’s achievements in combating desertification and related environmental challenges. “China’s experience with desertification prevention and control is of universal value,” Feng stated, emphasizing the center’s mission to share this expertise globally.

    The cooperation framework includes six demonstration bases for technology transfer and project implementation. China’s assistance will involve deploying expert teams, ecological monitoring systems, and specialized training programs that integrate proven strategies from Ningxia’s own environmental transformation.

    Diplomatic support was reinforced during a January meeting in Yinchuan, where Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to China, Farhod Arziev, emphasized that local cooperation represents a vital component of China-Uzbekistan relations. The ambassador expressed willingness to learn from Ningxia’s experience in multiple domains including poverty reduction, water-saving agriculture, and tourism development.

    Liu Jun, vice-chairperson of the Ningxia government, highlighted the global nature of desertification challenges, noting shared experiences with sandstorms between Uzbekistan and Ningxia. “This shared experience is the most solid foundation for cooperation between the two sides,” Liu stated, outlining plans to export mature technologies including multilayered windbreak systems and photovoltaic-powered groundwater desalination to Central Asia.

    The initiative will further involve joint laboratory construction, technical training programs, and mutual talent exchanges, aiming to establish a robust regional ecological security barrier across Central Asia.