Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Jiangsu government investigates Nanjing Museum’s handling of donated relics

    Jiangsu government investigates Nanjing Museum’s handling of donated relics

    Authorities in Jiangsu province have established a high-level investigative team to examine the Nanjing Museum’s management practices regarding donated cultural relics and broader collection security concerns. This decisive action follows the unexpected appearance of a celebrated painting from the museum’s collection at a public auction, which sparked widespread public attention and scrutiny.

    The investigation, announced through state media CCTV, brings together expertise from multiple disciplinary bodies including the commission for discipline inspection, supervisory commission, and departments of publicity, political and legal affairs, public security, culture and tourism, and cultural relics management.

    In response to the developing situation, the Nanjing Museum issued an official statement revealing it had initiated an internal review in November 2024 after receiving court documents related to a “gift contract dispute” lawsuit filed by Pang Shuling. According to museum records, the institution accepted 137 donated paintings from Pang Zenghe (Pang Shuling’s father) in January 1959.

    The museum disclosed that five of these donated works, including those currently under dispute, were determined to be forgeries following two separate appraisals conducted in the early 1960s. These artworks were subsequently disposed of during the 1990s in accordance with museum collection regulations then in effect.

    The Nanjing Museum has committed to full cooperation with legal proceedings and pledged to work with relevant authorities should any illegal or non-compliant actions be discovered during the investigation into their disposal practices.

    Concurrently, the National Cultural Heritage Administration has formed its own working group that has already arrived in Nanjing to conduct parallel investigations into the museum’s relic management protocols.

    Provincial authorities have emphasized that any identified illegal activities or regulatory non-compliance will face strict legal measures without tolerance. The investigation results and subsequent actions will be made publicly transparent upon completion.

  • China launches Long March 12A carrier rocket

    China launches Long March 12A carrier rocket

    China achieved a significant milestone in its space program with the inaugural flight of the Long March 12A carrier rocket on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. The launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Inner Mongolia marked both a technical achievement and a learning opportunity for reusable rocket technology.

    The 70.4-meter rocket, China’s tallest space vehicle to date, lifted off at 10:00 AM from a newly constructed service tower. While the second-stage booster successfully reached its predetermined orbital position, the mission encountered a setback when the first-stage booster failed to land at the designated recovery site in Gansu province.

    Engineers from the China National Space Administration have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the recovery failure. Despite this partial setback, the administration emphasized that critical technical data was obtained during the flight, providing valuable insights for future reusable rocket development.

    Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the Long March 12A represents China’s latest advancement in space transportation. The rocket features a 3.8-meter-wide main body and a 4.2-meter-diameter fairing, with a liftoff weight of 437 tons and capacity to deliver at least 6 tons of payload to low-Earth orbit.

    This launch occurs within the context of China’s broader strategy to develop reusable rocket technology, which promises to dramatically reduce launch costs while increasing mission frequency and efficiency. The recent attempt follows similar developments in the global space industry, where reusable rockets have become a focal point for major spacefaring nations and commercial entities.

    Earlier in December, Chinese commercial space company LandSpace experienced a comparable outcome with its ZQ 3 reusable rocket, which reached orbit but failed to recover its first-stage booster. These developments mirror the early experiences of American companies SpaceX and Blue Origin, both of which endured multiple recovery failures before achieving successful booster landings.

    The Long March 12A mission demonstrates China’s growing capabilities in space technology while highlighting the technical challenges inherent in developing reusable launch systems. As the global space industry continues to evolve, such missions contribute valuable data and experience that will shape the future of cost-effective space access.

  • Philippines records 7 firecracker-related injuries ahead of Christmas, New Year’s Eve

    Philippines records 7 firecracker-related injuries ahead of Christmas, New Year’s Eve

    Health authorities in the Philippines have documented a significant reduction in pyrotechnic-related injuries during the current holiday period, with only seven cases reported as of December 23, 2025. This figure represents a substantial 75 percent decrease compared to the 28 incidents recorded during the equivalent monitoring window in 2024.

    The Department of Health’s surveillance data, collected from 62 designated sentinel hospitals nationwide, indicates three new cases emerged between December 21 and the early hours of December 23. Concerningly, four of the seven injured individuals were aged 19 years or younger, with most injuries attributed to popular firecracker types known as ‘Boga’ and ‘5-Star’.

    Despite cultural traditions involving fireworks during New Year’s celebrations, improper handling continues to pose serious health risks. The health agency has intensified its safety campaign, urging immediate hospital treatment for victims and promoting the use of the National Emergency Hotline 911.

    Concurrent with these health initiatives, the Department of Labor and Employment has implemented enhanced safety oversight within the pyrotechnics industry. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers now face stricter compliance requirements and potential penalties for safety protocol violations.

    The monitoring period for firecracker-related incidents will extend through January 5, 2026, as part of broader holiday safety efforts that also address increased risks of road accidents and seasonal health conditions like holiday heart syndrome.

  • Greater interdependence in Asia needed amid rising global conflicts

    Greater interdependence in Asia needed amid rising global conflicts

    Amid escalating global conflicts, the executive director of the Mekong Institute has issued a compelling call for strengthened regional interdependence among Asian nations. Suriyan Vichitlekarn emphasized that neighboring countries must deepen cooperative ties and economic integration as international tensions continue to rise.

    The Mekong Institute, an intergovernmental organization representing all six nations of the Greater Mekong Subregion, serves as a critical platform for regional collaboration. Member countries include Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, representing one of Asia’s most economically dynamic corridors.

    Vichitlekarn’s statement comes at a time of increasing global instability, with multiple conflict zones creating ripple effects across international supply chains and diplomatic relations. The executive director positioned regional cooperation not merely as an economic advantage but as a strategic necessity in the current geopolitical climate.

    ‘The intensification of global conflicts makes it increasingly vital for neighboring countries to deepen interdependence and cooperation,’ Vichitlekarn stated, highlighting how regional solidarity can serve as a buffer against external shocks.

    The Greater Mekong Subregion has historically been a hub of economic growth and cultural exchange, with the Mekong River serving as both a geographical and symbolic connector between nations. The Institute’s work focuses on capacity building, policy dialogue, and development projects that benefit the entire region.

    This call for enhanced cooperation reflects a broader recognition among Asian leaders that regional stability and prosperity require coordinated responses to global challenges, from economic pressures to security concerns. The approach signals a shift toward more self-reliant regional frameworks in the face of international uncertainty.

  • Issue-based integration to bring Asian economies together

    Issue-based integration to bring Asian economies together

    A transformative approach to regional economic cooperation is emerging across Asia, with nations increasingly pursuing integration through targeted issue-based alliances rather than comprehensive multilateral frameworks. According to Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Institute of South Asian Studies, this strategic pivot represents a fundamental reimagining of economic collaboration mechanisms.

    The new paradigm emphasizes concentrated cooperation on specific critical areas such as climate change mitigation, digital trade standardization, and sustainable development initiatives. This thematic approach allows diverse economies with varying development levels and political systems to find common ground on pressing transnational challenges without requiring full policy alignment across all economic sectors.

    Palit suggests that this issue-focused methodology may prove significantly more effective than traditional blanket integration models. By creating flexible coalitions around shared priorities, countries can achieve tangible progress on specific objectives while maintaining sovereignty in other policy domains. This granular approach particularly benefits regions with substantial economic diversity, such as Asia, where unified comprehensive agreements have historically proven challenging to negotiate and implement.

    The shift reflects growing recognition that complex global challenges require specialized, expertise-driven solutions rather than one-size-fits-all frameworks. Digital trade corridors, cross-border carbon markets, and joint renewable energy initiatives represent practical applications where issue-based cooperation is already demonstrating measurable success across Asian economies.

    This evolution in economic diplomacy signals a maturation of regional relations, moving beyond traditional geographic or ideological blocs toward more dynamic, interest-based partnerships that can adapt rapidly to emerging global priorities and technological transformations.

  • Amsterdam-Hyderabad KLM Airlines flight gets bomb threat, lands safely

    Amsterdam-Hyderabad KLM Airlines flight gets bomb threat, lands safely

    Indian aviation authorities have responded to yet another security scare at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport after KLM Airlines Flight KL877 from Amsterdam received a bomb threat via email around midnight. The aircraft landed safely at approximately 1:00 AM local time with all passengers and crew members unharmed, according to official reports.

    Airport security personnel immediately activated established safety protocols upon notification of the threat. Comprehensive security sweeps of the aircraft were conducted, with no suspicious items or devices discovered during the inspection process.

    This incident represents the fourth such security alert at Hyderabad’s aviation facility within a three-week period. On December 6, two separate international flights—British Airways Flight 277 and Kuwait Airways Flight 373—received similar email threats. While the British Airways aircraft completed its journey successfully, the Kuwait Airways flight returned to its departure airport as a precautionary measure.

    The pattern of threats began on December 5 when Emirates Flight EK526 traveling from Dubai to Hyderabad was targeted. The previous day, an IndiGo flight from Madinah, Saudi Arabia, was diverted to Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport following an identical threat. All affected flights in these incidents landed without incident, and thorough investigations revealed each threat to be unsubstantiated.

    Aviation security experts are increasingly concerned about the psychological and operational impacts of such repeated hoaxes, which strain emergency response resources and create unnecessary passenger anxiety. Indian authorities have launched investigations to identify the source of these threatening communications.

  • Pakistan to receive bids for PIA privatisation in televised auction

    Pakistan to receive bids for PIA privatisation in televised auction

    Pakistan has initiated a publicly televised auction process for the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Tuesday, marking a significant step in the government’s economic reform agenda mandated by the International Monetary Fund. This represents the nation’s second attempt to divest the historically significant flag carrier after last year’s televised bidding collapsed due to insufficient offers.

    The auction structure involves two distinct phases for majority stake submissions, with initial bids due at approximately 10:45 AM local time (0545 GMT) followed by a public bid-opening ceremony later the same day. According to Privatisation Minister Muhammad Ali, three domestic entities are anticipated to participate in the competitive process following the withdrawal of military-affiliated Fauji Fertilizer from consideration.

    Notably, the government has structured the transaction to permit up to 100% acquisition of PIA, with any stake exceeding 75% subject to a 15% premium surcharge. This revised approach follows last year’s unsuccessful attempt where the government’s minimum price of $305 million for a 60% stake attracted only a single bid of $36 million from real estate developer Blue World City, which subsequently declined to increase its offer citing financial concerns and operational inefficiencies within the airline.

    The current privatization effort occurs under substantially improved circumstances. The Pakistani government has assumed majority responsibility for PIA’s legacy debt, the carrier has reported its first pre-tax profit in twenty years, and critical flight restrictions to European destinations have been lifted following the removal of a five-year ban by Britain and the European Union. These developments have significantly enhanced PIA’s market valuation potential compared to previous assessment periods.

    This airline divestment constitutes a cornerstone of Pakistan’s broader privatization initiative under its IMF bailout program, which additionally includes planned sales of state-owned banking institutions, power distribution companies, and various other loss-making public enterprises aimed at reducing fiscal burdens and restoring investor confidence in the national economy.

  • Taking university cultural creativity beyond campus

    Taking university cultural creativity beyond campus

    Peking University recently hosted the inaugural University Cultural and Creative Forum, marking a significant milestone in China’s cultural development landscape. The gathering united academic leaders, cultural industry pioneers, and sector specialists to examine the evolving role of educational institutions in shaping cultural innovation.

    The forum established a groundbreaking platform for cross-sector dialogue, addressing both the philosophical foundations and practical applications of cultural creativity within higher education. Participants engaged in comprehensive discussions about how universities can transcend traditional academic boundaries to become active contributors to cultural production and preservation.

    This pioneering initiative comes at a crucial juncture when universities worldwide are redefining their societal roles beyond conventional education. The forum specifically explored how academic institutions can leverage their intellectual resources, historical legacy, and creative talent to develop culturally significant products and experiences that resonate with contemporary audiences.

    The discussions highlighted several key areas including intellectual property development, cultural heritage modernization, creative industry partnerships, and the commercialization of academic cultural assets. Experts emphasized that university cultural creativity represents both an economic opportunity and a cultural responsibility, requiring balanced approaches that honor academic traditions while embracing innovative expression.

    The event’s timing aligns with broader national efforts to enhance cultural soft power and develop creative industries. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the forum facilitated knowledge exchange that could shape policy development and institutional strategies for years to come.

  • Offering flexible pathways to both undergraduate students and professionals

    Offering flexible pathways to both undergraduate students and professionals

    Heriot-Watt University Dubai, celebrating two decades of operations in the UAE, has unveiled comprehensive academic pathway options for its January and September 2026 intakes. The institution, which pioneered as the first British university campus in Dubai, continues to enhance its educational offerings with industry-aligned programmes designed for both traditional undergraduates and working professionals.

    The university provides accelerated undergraduate pathways enabling direct entry into Year 2 studies by September 2026, alongside specialized Foundation programmes preparing students for degrees in Design, Business, Engineering and Computing disciplines. Working professionals benefit from evening classes and part-time study options at the Dubai Knowledge Park campus, allowing career advancement without interrupting employment commitments.

    Postgraduate offerings span multiple high-demand sectors including Business, Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Engineering, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Logistics, Construction, Energy and Design. These programmes are delivered by internationally recognized faculty with strong industry connections and professional accreditation.

    Notable programme introductions include a new Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) for senior executives seeking to enhance strategic leadership capabilities, and an MA (Hons) in Professional Accountancy launching in September 2026, providing specialized pathways into accounting professions with global recognition.

    The institution distinguishes itself through several unique attributes: over 72 CAA-accredited programmes delivering UK degrees recognized internationally; exclusive inter-campus study opportunities at UK and Malaysia campuses through the Go Global Programme; exceptionally diverse student body representing 120+ nationalities; and future-focused curriculum covering emerging fields including Renewable Energy, Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, Data Science, AI, Sustainable Fashion & Textiles, and Smart Construction.

    Heriot-Watt demonstrates strong employment outcomes with a Five-Star Employability Rating from KHDA and 95% of graduates securing employment or further study within six months of completion. The university supports students through substantial scholarship opportunities ranging from 10% to 100% coverage, plus fee reductions up to Dh5,000 for the 2026 intakes.

    According to university representatives, the educational philosophy emphasizes practical, cross-disciplinary learning through industry-sourced challenges, balanced individual and group projects, and dedicated career development services. This approach cultivates not only technical expertise but also essential soft skills including collaboration, conflict resolution, and cultural intelligence.

    Prospective students can contact the admissions office via DubaiEnquiries@hw.ac.uk or +971 4 571 7000 to schedule individual consultations with academic advisors.

  • Beautiful dawn redwood forests protect environment in Kunming

    Beautiful dawn redwood forests protect environment in Kunming

    In the highlands of Yunnan province, an extraordinary ecological transformation is underway as dawn redwood forests create a stunning natural tapestry while serving critical environmental functions. The Dianwei village wetland, located upstream of Dianchi Lake within the Songhua Dam Water Protection Zone, has become the centerpiece of this remarkable conservation success story.

    As early winter descends upon the region, the Metasequoia glyptostroboides forests undergo a spectacular chromatic transformation. The canopy erupts in vibrant hues of crimson and gold, creating a visual spectacle that merges poetically with the morning mist and low-lying clouds. This breathtaking panorama, captured through aerial photography, reveals a landscape where nature’s beauty intersects with purposeful ecological engineering.

    The strategic planting initiative represents a sophisticated approach to watershed management. Local environmental authorities have systematically cultivated dawn redwood trees alongside complementary vegetation to establish robust forest and grassland buffer zones. These carefully designed ecosystems function as natural water filtration systems, significantly enhancing the wetland’s capacity for water purification while simultaneously supporting regional biodiversity.

    Positioned within a critical water protection zone, the project demonstrates how aesthetic environmental enhancements can coincide with functional ecological benefits. The dawn redwood species, known for its rapid growth and adaptive qualities, has proven particularly effective in stabilizing soil structures and improving water quality through natural filtration processes.

    This conservation model showcases how strategic reforestation can address multiple environmental objectives simultaneously—from water resource protection and habitat creation to carbon sequestration and landscape beautification. The success in Dianwei village offers valuable insights for similar ecological restoration projects throughout China and other regions facing water conservation challenges.