Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • China offers to resolve Thailand-Cambodia rift

    China offers to resolve Thailand-Cambodia rift

    In a significant diplomatic intervention, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has issued an urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand amid intensifying border hostilities that have resulted in substantial civilian casualties. The high-level diplomatic engagement occurred during separate telephone consultations with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Thursday.

    The border conflict, which reignited on December 7 despite a joint peace declaration signed just two months prior, has claimed the lives of 18 Cambodian civilians according to Xinhua News Agency reports. The timing of this resurgence underscores the fragility of previous diplomatic achievements in the restive border region.

    Minister Wang articulated China’s position as both a friend and close neighbor to both nations, emphasizing Beijing’s profound concern over the escalating violence. “China is most reluctant to see the two nations engage in conflict, and is deeply saddened by the civilian casualties resulting from the clashes,” Wang stated during the exchanges. He characterized the current confrontation as more intense than previous episodes and warned that continued hostilities would damage regional stability and undermine ASEAN unity.

    Concurrent with these diplomatic conversations, China’s Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun embarked on a shuttle diplomacy mission to both capitals, building upon his previous mediation efforts in September. This demonstration of China’s proactive diplomatic approach aims to bridge differences and facilitate dialogue between the conflicting parties.

    Wang emphasized China’s commitment to impartiality in the dispute, stating Beijing’s support for both bilateral resolution efforts and ASEAN’s mediation role. Notably, he also expressed concerns about potential misinformation campaigns that might jeopardize China’s relations with either nation and called for enhanced protection of Chinese projects and personnel in both countries.

    Both Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers acknowledged China’s balanced stance and welcomed Beijing’s diplomatic involvement. In a positive development, the nations have agreed to deploy an ASEAN observer team as part of confidence-building measures, signaling potential openness to third-party mediation in the protracted border dispute.

  • Age limit for blood donors may be raised

    Age limit for blood donors may be raised

    China is poised to significantly revise its blood donation policies by potentially raising the maximum donor age from 55 to 65 years and reducing the minimum donation interval from six months to just 90 days. The National Health Commission announced these proposed changes on Wednesday as part of a draft amendment to the country’s Blood Donation Law, which has remained unchanged since its inception in 1997.

    The initiative aims to align China’s blood donation standards with international practices and contemporary medical research. According to the commission, these adjustments would help address the nation’s persistent blood shortages while maintaining strict safety protocols. All prospective donors will continue to undergo comprehensive health screenings to ensure donation safety.

    The proposed revisions draw support from both global benchmarks and successful regional implementations. The World Health Organization recommends an donor age range of 18-65 years, while several developed nations including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan have either adopted similar upper age limits or eliminated them entirely. Chinese provinces such as Hainan and Jiangxi, along with the city of Shenzhen, have already demonstrated the feasibility of these relaxed standards through local regulations.

    Medical evidence presented by the commission indicates that donating 400 milliliters of blood represents less than 10% of total blood volume in adults, causing no harm to healthy individuals. Blood regeneration typically completes within one to two weeks following donation.

    The draft legislation also introduces enhanced protections and incentives for donors, including financial subsidies, additional paid leave, and prioritized access to medical services. Donors would receive exemptions from blood processing costs, while their immediate family members would qualify for either full exemptions or reduced fees. The proposal further mandates establishing at least one fixed donation station in each county-level region, with additional facilities in high-demand areas.

    Despite a national blood donation rate of 11.4 donors per 1,000 people, China continues to experience seasonal, regional, and blood-type-specific shortages exacerbated by an aging population and evolving lifestyles. The commission emphasized that safeguarding donor health and ensuring blood safety remain fundamental principles throughout this modernization effort.

  • A sunrise crowd gathers at Bondi Beach in solace and defiance after a massacre

    A sunrise crowd gathers at Bondi Beach in solace and defiance after a massacre

    SYDNEY — Five days after a horrific antisemitic shooting claimed 15 lives at a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach, thousands of Sydney residents returned to the iconic waterfront Friday for a powerful demonstration of communal healing and solidarity. The hastily organized gathering marked the first full day of the beach’s reopening since Sunday’s tragedy, with participants forming a massive human circle in the ocean waters as a symbolic gesture of unity.

    Against a backdrop of emerging questions about protection for Jewish communities and concerns about potential Muslim backlash, armed police stood guard at both synagogues and mosques across Sydney. The emotional commemoration saw strangers embracing and weeping along the shoreline, where remnants of crime scene tape and abandoned shoes served as haunting reminders of the panic that unfolded during the attack.

    The ceremony included a minute’s silence honoring the victims, the wounded, and those who risked their lives to save others. Even as grief permeated the gathering, normalcy gradually returned to the famous beachfront, with joggers, dog walkers, and coffee drinkers resuming their daily routines amid the enduring hum of Bondi’s characteristic vitality.

    In a nation where mass shootings remain exceptionally rare, Australians have been particularly shaken by the violence. Many sought comfort in their familiar coastal rituals—dawn swims, surfing, and community connection—expressing fervent hopes that the country’s relaxed way of life would endure undisturbed.

    Heroic narratives have emerged as central to the national response, with particular attention given to Ahmed al Ahmed, an Australian Muslim store owner born in Syria who tackled and disarmed one gunman before being shot by the other. From his hospital bed, al Ahmed delivered a message of unity: ‘They deserve to enjoy and it’s their right… to stand together, all human beings.’ His subsequent declaration of Australia as ‘the best country in the world’ and his spirited ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’ chant have become symbols of national pride.

    The tragedy has sparked both profound solidarity and difficult conversations. Record-breaking blood donations—nearly 35,000 donations with over 100,000 appointments booked—demonstrated the communal response, while Jewish leaders expressed both grief and rage that such violence could occur. As bouquets accumulated at makeshift memorials, residents emphasized the importance of genuine connection over political opportunism in the healing process.

    Bondi Beach’s lifeguards prepared to return to duty Saturday, six days after they responded to the emergency barefoot with first aid kits in hand. The planting of their red and yellow flags in the sand will signal another step toward restoration at Australia’s most famous shoreline.

  • World’s longest expressway tunnel to open to traffic in Xinjiang by year-end

    World’s longest expressway tunnel to open to traffic in Xinjiang by year-end

    URUMQI – A monumental engineering achievement is poised to transform transportation in Northwest China as the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, now recognized as the world’s longest expressway tunnel, prepares to open to traffic by the conclusion of 2025. This 22.13-kilometer engineering marvel will forge a critical new thoroughfare directly through the formidable Tianshan Mountains, effectively bridging the northern and southern regions of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for the first time.

    The announcement was formally made by Guo Sheng, Deputy Director of the regional transport department, during a press conference hosted by the Information Office of the Xinjiang regional government on Thursday. Guo emphasized that the tunnel constitutes the centerpiece of the new Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, a project specifically designed to eliminate a persistent transportation bottleneck. This bottleneck has historically impeded economic integration and coordinated development between the northern and southern areas of the vast region.

    The operational impact of the tunnel will be dramatic. The arduous journey across the central Tianshan range, which previously consumed several hours on treacherous mountain roads, will be reduced to a smooth and safe 20-minute drive. On a broader scale, travel between the regional capital of Urumqi, located north of the mountains, and the major southern city of Korla will be slashed from a seven-hour undertaking to approximately three hours. This unprecedented connectivity is expected to unlock significant economic potential, facilitate cultural exchange, and enhance logistical efficiency across Xinjiang, marking a new chapter in the region’s development.

  • HKSAR govt releases first-ever Chinese medicine development blueprint

    HKSAR govt releases first-ever Chinese medicine development blueprint

    HONG KONG – In a landmark move for healthcare development, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has formally launched its inaugural Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint on December 19, 2024. This comprehensive strategic document represents the region’s first systematic framework for advancing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) within its healthcare ecosystem.

    The blueprint establishes a multi-phase implementation strategy with clearly defined short-term, medium-term, and long-term objectives across five critical domains: TCM clinical services, professional development, pharmaceutical advancement, cultural preservation, and international expansion. The strategic plan specifically emphasizes enhancing clinical service excellence through clearly defining TCM’s role within Hong Kong’s broader healthcare infrastructure.

    A key component of the initiative involves establishing sophisticated interprofessional collaboration mechanisms that will integrate TCM services more effectively with conventional medical practices. The development plan also addresses pharmaceutical quality control, outlining rigorous standards and management protocols to elevate the overall quality and safety of Chinese medicinal products.

    Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau emphasized the blueprint’s dual purpose during the announcement: “This strategic framework aims to provide Hong Kong residents with higher quality, more comprehensive healthcare services through traditional Chinese medicine, while simultaneously positioning Hong Kong as the premier bridgehead for TCM’s global expansion.”

    The development blueprint emerges as part of Hong Kong’s broader commitment to healthcare innovation and cultural preservation, potentially establishing new international standards for traditional medicine integration within modern healthcare systems.

  • Parents in India devastated as children with thalassemia test HIV positive

    Parents in India devastated as children with thalassemia test HIV positive

    A disturbing pattern of HIV transmission through blood transfusions has emerged across India, exposing critical gaps in the nation’s healthcare safety protocols. In Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district, five thalassemia patients aged 3-15 have tested positive for HIV following life-saving transfusion procedures, according to state health authorities. This incident mirrors a similar tragedy weeks earlier in Jharkhand, where five children under eight contracted the virus through contaminated blood at a government hospital.

    Thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder requiring regular transfusions to manage severe anemia, has placed thousands of Indian children in vulnerable positions. Despite routine HIV screening protocols, the window period of infection—when donors carry the virus but test negative—remains a persistent challenge. Health officials confirm the affected children received transfusions at multiple facilities, including both government hospitals and private clinics.

    Dr. Manoj Shukla, Satna’s chief medical officer, emphasized that all blood units from district hospital banks undergo mandatory government testing before release. “In rare cases,” he noted, “donors in early HIV stages may escape detection during initial screenings but test positive later.” The investigation has revealed that in only one case did both parents test HIV-positive; other cases ruled out mother-to-child transmission.

    This crisis has reignited demands for the National Blood Transfusion Bill 2025, which advocates say would establish stricter regulations for blood collection, testing, and transfusion practices. Campaigners—including previously infected patients—describe the legislation as a crucial step toward ensuring quality-assured blood for transfusion-dependent individuals.

    The human impact extends beyond medical concerns. Families face severe social stigma and discrimination alongside their children’s health battles. One Jharkhand family was forcibly evicted from their rented home after their landlord discovered their 7-year-old son’s HIV status, compelling them to relocate to a remote village with limited access to healthcare and education.

    With over 2.5 million Indians living with HIV and approximately 66,400 new infections annually, these incidents highlight systemic vulnerabilities in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. While antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV into a manageable condition, the psychological and social consequences continue to devastate affected families.

  • Ten photos from across China: Dec 12 – 18

    Ten photos from across China: Dec 12 – 18

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  • Turkey asked Russia to take back S-400 system: Report

    Turkey asked Russia to take back S-400 system: Report

    In a significant diplomatic reversal, Turkey has formally requested that Russia repatriate its S-400 air defense systems, signaling Ankara’s renewed efforts to reintegrate into the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program. This strategic pivot occurred during recent high-level discussions between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkmenistan, according to Bloomberg reports.

    The development follows confirmed negotiations between Ankara and Washington regarding Turkey’s potential return to the F-35 co-production initiative, as disclosed by U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack through official communications. Barrack emphasized that ongoing dialogues specifically address both Turkey’s aspiration to rejoin the advanced fighter program and its continued possession of Russian-made defense systems.

    Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 program originated in 2019 following its controversial acquisition of the S-400 system, which triggered bipartisan condemnation in the U.S. Congress. Legislators imposed substantial sanctions and embedded restrictive measures within the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, explicitly prohibiting F-35 transfers unless Turkey verifiably divests from the Russian technology.

    This request represents a notable departure from Turkey’s previous stance, which advocated maintaining the S-400 systems in dormant storage while simultaneously pursuing F-35 acquisition. Earlier proposed compromises involved storing the Russian systems under NATO inspection protocols to ensure non-activation, though Turkey had consistently rejected transferring the technology to third nations.

    The geopolitical landscape has shifted considerably under the Trump administration, which has increasingly valued Turkey’s regional influence regarding Syrian operations and Hamas mediation in Gaza. According to Aaron Stein of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, the potential sale of approximately 40 F-35s to Turkey represents a substantial economic and strategic incentive for renewed cooperation, despite objections from traditional U.S. allies in the region.

  • Asian shares advance after weaker US price data push Wall Street higher, and a rate hike in Japan

    Asian shares advance after weaker US price data push Wall Street higher, and a rate hike in Japan

    Financial markets across Asia exhibited measured gains on Friday following the Bank of Japan’s landmark decision to raise its benchmark interest rate for the first time in three decades. The BOJ’s quarter-point hike brings its policy rate to 0.75%, marking a significant departure from its long-standing negative interest rate policy while remaining substantially lower than rates in other major economies.

    The Nikkei 225 index advanced 1.2% to 49,568.66, propelled primarily by financial sector stocks anticipating improved profitability in a higher-rate environment. Regional indices followed suit with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rising 0.4% and Shanghai Composite adding 0.5%. South Korea’s Kospi climbed 0.5% while Taiwan’s index gained 0.9%, though India’s Sensex dipped marginally by 0.2%.

    This Asian market momentum extended the positive sentiment from Wall Street’s Thursday performance, where the S&P 500 broke a four-day losing streak with a 0.8% gain. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite led gains with a 1.4% surge, bolstered by an encouraging inflation report that showed consumer prices rising at 2.7% annually—still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target but below economist projections.

    The inflation data provided reassurance to markets that the Fed might maintain its projected rate-cutting path next year. Meanwhile, European markets had advanced on Thursday following the Bank of England’s rate cut and the European Central Bank’s decision to maintain steady rates.

    Corporate performances contributed to the positive sentiment, with Micron Technology surging 10.2% after exceeding quarterly profit and revenue expectations. AI-related stocks including Nvidia (1.8%), Oracle (0.9%), and Broadcom (1.1%) posted gains despite growing market scrutiny about AI investment returns and valuation concerns.

    In currency markets, the dollar strengthened to 156.08 yen while the euro edged slightly lower. Bitcoin maintained its position around $86,900 as cryptocurrency markets watched for potential ripple effects from the BOJ’s policy shift.

  • Three arrested for allegedly burning wild elephant in Sri Lanka

    Three arrested for allegedly burning wild elephant in Sri Lanka

    Sri Lankan authorities have taken three men into custody following a brutal incident involving the fatal burning of a wild elephant, an act that has ignited national outrage and international condemnation. The suspects, aged 42 to 50, were apprehended on Thursday after video evidence of the attack circulated widely on social media.

    The tragic event unfolded in a northern village where the men allegedly used flaming torches to chase the animal away. Despite receiving immediate and subsequent veterinary care for severe burns and a gunshot wound to its leg, the male elephant succumbed to its injuries on Tuesday. Reports indicate the same elephant had required veterinary treatment on multiple occasions earlier this year.

    The case has sparked fierce backlash from animal rights advocates and the general public. A petition demanding full prosecution of the perpetrators and stronger preventative measures against animal cruelty has rapidly gathered over 400 signatures since its creation on Thursday.

    This incident highlights the escalating human-wildlife conflict in Sri Lanka. Official statistics reveal nearly 400 elephant fatalities have occurred this year alone, with many deaths attributed to human activities including shootings, train collisions, and the use of ‘jaw bombs’—explosive devices set by farmers to protect crops. Conversely, elephant attacks have claimed the lives of more than 100 people during the same period.

    Elephants hold sacred status in the predominantly Buddhist nation, where they play significant roles in religious ceremonies and represent an important cultural symbol. Under Sri Lankan law, killing an elephant is a capital offense that can carry the death penalty, according to the World Wildlife Fund.