Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Philippines says fishermen hurt, boats damaged as China fired water cannon

    Philippines says fishermen hurt, boats damaged as China fired water cannon

    Tensions flared in the disputed South China Sea waters on Friday as Chinese coast guard vessels employed aggressive tactics against Philippine fishing boats near Sabina Shoal, resulting in injuries to three Filipino fishermen and substantial damage to two vessels. According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), nearly two dozen Filipino fishing boats encountered water cannon attacks and deliberate blocking maneuvers by Chinese maritime authorities.

    The confrontation intensified when a smaller Chinese coast guard vessel severed anchor lines of multiple Philippine boats, creating hazardous conditions for the crews. The PCG issued a formal statement condemning the actions, urging China to ‘adhere to internationally recognized standards of conduct that prioritize preservation of life at sea over questionable law enforcement pretensions.’

    Despite repeated attempts to provide assistance, Philippine coast guard vessels faced continued obstruction from Chinese ships before finally reaching the injured fishermen on Saturday morning. Medical attention and essential supplies were delivered to those affected by the incident.

    The contested Sabina Shoal (known as Xianbin Reef in China and Escoda Shoal in the Philippines) lies within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, approximately 150 kilometers west of Palawan province. This latest incident occurs against the backdrop of China’s expansive claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, despite a 2016 international arbitral ruling that found these claims without legal basis under international law—a decision Beijing continues to reject.

    China’s coast guard had previously stated on Friday that it had implemented ‘control measures’ against Philippine vessels, which Manila interprets as an admission of responsibility for the aggressive actions. The Chinese embassy in Manila had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.

  • Delhi air quality turns ‘severe’, worst of the season; India steps up pollution measures

    Delhi air quality turns ‘severe’, worst of the season; India steps up pollution measures

    India’s capital has activated its highest-level pollution emergency protocol as Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to its worst levels this season, prompting severe public health measures. On Sunday, official monitoring stations recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) readings exceeding 450—categorized as ‘severe’—marking a significant escalation from Saturday’s 430 reading and representing the most hazardous atmospheric conditions witnessed this winter.

    The Commission for Air Quality Management implemented Stage Four of the Graded Response Action Plan on Saturday evening, triggering comprehensive restrictions across the National Capital Region. The emergency measures include prohibiting entry of older diesel trucks into the city, suspending all construction activities including public infrastructure projects, and transitioning educational institutions to hybrid learning models.

    Meteorological conditions have significantly contributed to the crisis, with elevated moisture levels and shifting wind patterns creating atmospheric conditions that trap pollutants and prevent their dispersion. This meteorological phenomenon, combined with emissions from vehicles, construction sites, and agricultural burning in neighboring states, has enveloped the 30-million-person metropolitan area in a thick layer of smog.

    Health authorities have issued urgent advisories recommending all residents, particularly children and individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions, to remain indoors. Those venturing outside have been advised to utilize protective masks as the particulate matter concentration reaches levels deemed most hazardous to human health. The region consistently ranks among the world’s most polluted urban centers during winter months, presenting chronic public health challenges that intensify with seasonal meteorological changes.

  • Xi Focus: Navigating headwinds and charting new blueprint

    Xi Focus: Navigating headwinds and charting new blueprint

    Beijing has concluded its high-level Central Economic Work Conference, establishing a comprehensive roadmap for China’s economic strategy as the nation prepares to launch its 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Chaired by President Xi Jinping, the conference outlined key priorities including implementing proactive macroeconomic policies, expanding domestic demand, optimizing supply chains, and developing a unified national market.

    The meeting occurred against a backdrop of global trade tensions and domestic challenges, yet China’s economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Daily economic indicators reveal substantial vitality: approximately 24,000 new businesses emerge nationwide each day, while over 120 billion yuan worth of goods cross borders daily. Cloud data transmission exceeds 1.43 million gigabytes per second, with approximately 6,000 parcels entering logistics networks every second.

    International financial institutions have responded positively to China’s economic performance. The International Monetary Fund recently raised its 2025 growth forecast for China to 5%, with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and OECD subsequently increasing their projections. “China’s economy has shown notable resilience despite facing multiple shocks in recent years,” noted IMF representative Sonali Jain-Chandra.

    Throughout the year, President Xi conducted extensive inspections across China’s economic landscape, from northeastern industrial bases to eastern innovation hubs. These visits emphasized the critical importance of maintaining the real economy as the nation’s backbone while advancing manufacturing through high-end, intelligent, and green development pathways.

    Private sector development received particular attention, with enacted legislation promoting private economy growth, targeted measures stimulating private investment, and accelerated clearance of overdue payments to companies. Technological innovation emerged as a central focus, exemplified by companies like Infinigence AI, which has rapidly expanded its cloud capacity to over 25,000 petaflops across 53 data centers in 26 cities.

    The strategy emphasizes that reform and opening-up remain China’s primary tools for navigating challenges and unlocking growth potential. Recent symbolic inspections of Hainan Free Trade Port and Guangdong province highlighted China’s commitment to high-standard opening-up and comprehensive reform. In 2025, key measures included accelerating unified market development, enforcing anti-unfair competition laws, and further trimming negative lists for foreign investment.

    Multinational corporations have demonstrated continued confidence in China’s market. FAW-Volkswagen produced its 30 millionth vehicle in October, while Tesla launched its first overseas Megafactory in Shanghai. Siemens Healthineers is constructing new facilities in Shenzhen, and Airbus inaugurated its second Final Assembly Line in Tianjin.

    President Xi has personally reassured international business representatives of China’s commitment to widening market access, ensuring equal treatment for foreign businesses, and maintaining fair competition. The forthcoming five-year plan emphasizes opening wider to the outside world, promoting innovative trade development, expanding two-way investment cooperation, and pursuing high-quality Belt and Road collaboration.

    Spanish economist Pedro Barragán characterized China’s five-year plan as “an anchor of stability” in an unsettled global environment, noting that “as China manages to maintain orderly economic growth and advance reforms, its role as an engine of the global economy will be strengthened.”

  • Poyang Lake water levels fall below extreme low threshold

    Poyang Lake water levels fall below extreme low threshold

    China’s largest freshwater lake has reached a critical hydrological milestone as Poyang Lake’s water levels dropped below the extreme low threshold on Sunday morning. According to data from Xingzi Station, the key monitoring point, water levels fell to eight meters at 6 am on December 14, 2025, marking a severe environmental challenge for the Jiangxi province ecosystem.

    The current water surface connecting Poyang Lake to the Yangtze River has dramatically shrunk by 90% compared to peak levels, continuing a troubling pattern of earlier and more prolonged dry periods. This year, the lake dipped below the 12-meter mark on August 8—87 days ahead of the historical average—and has experienced 217 days of below-threshold water levels in 2023 alone.

    Scientific data reveals an accelerating trend of hydrological extremes. Since 2022, when water levels hit a record low of 4.6 meters, Poyang Lake has consistently broken records for early onset, extended duration, and severity of low-water periods. The transition from high to low water levels has become increasingly abrupt, with 2024 witnessing unprecedented daily drops of 0.45 meters and weekly declines of 2.68 meters.

    The ecological consequences are substantial. Hydrological experts warn that hundreds of thousands of migratory birds—including protected species like white cranes and oriental storks—face severe wintering challenges. The Yangtze finless porpoise and other aquatic species similarly confront breeding and survival threats due to the shrinking habitat.

    Local authorities have implemented emergency measures to address the crisis. At Guanhu Water Plant, all ten water pumps operate at maximum capacity, with additional pumps installed to extract water from the receding lake. Enhanced inspection protocols and water quality testing ensure safe drinking water for approximately 160,000 residents in surrounding communities.

    Environmental managers are employing scientific water management strategies, including dredging operations and ecological water replenishment projects, to mitigate the impact of persistent low-water conditions. Continuous monitoring and adaptive management approaches remain crucial for balancing ecological protection and human water security needs.

  • South Korea to become the world’s first country to enforce AI law

    South Korea to become the world’s first country to enforce AI law

    South Korea is poised to make regulatory history by implementing the world’s first comprehensive artificial intelligence legislation. The AI Framework Act, scheduled to take effect on January 22, 2026, establishes groundbreaking requirements for AI development and deployment while creating new governance structures for the rapidly evolving technology.

    The legislation mandates the formation of a national AI committee charged with overseeing the country’s artificial intelligence strategy. This body will develop and implement a comprehensive three-year AI plan addressing safety protocols, transparency standards, and disclosure obligations for certain AI systems. The framework represents the most structured approach to AI governance yet implemented by any nation.

    While the European Union previously passed AI-related legislation, its full implementation faces delays until 2027 due to industry pressure and competitive concerns. South Korea’s earlier enforcement timeline positions it as the definitive pioneer in formal AI regulation.

    However, the ambitious schedule has raised significant concerns within Korea’s technology sector. Industry associations report that 98% of local AI startups lack established compliance systems for the impending regulations. A recent survey of 101 AI startups revealed that nearly half remain unfamiliar with the law’s具体要求, while another 48.5% acknowledge awareness but inadequate preparation.

    Industry officials warn that the compressed timeline—with enforcement decrees expected just before the law takes effect—creates particular challenges for smaller companies and startups. Some fear services may require abrupt modification or suspension once the regulations take force.

    The regulatory pressure is already influencing business decisions, with growing numbers of Korean AI startups considering expansion to markets with softer governance approaches. Japan’s voluntary compliance model has emerged as a particularly attractive alternative for companies concerned about Korea’s stringent requirements.

    This pioneering legislation represents a critical test case for balancing innovation promotion with responsible AI development, potentially setting global standards for how nations approach artificial intelligence governance.

  • Haruki Murakami honored with awards and a jazzy tribute in New York

    Haruki Murakami honored with awards and a jazzy tribute in New York

    NEW YORK — The literary world converged in Manhattan last week to celebrate Haruki Murakami, the renowned 76-year-old Japanese author, through a series of events blending music, literature, and cross-cultural recognition. The acclaimed novelist, a perennial contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature, received dual honors highlighting his profound impact on global fiction and US-Japan relations.

    The Center for Fiction bestowed upon Murakami its prestigious Lifetime of Excellence in Award during a gala at Cipriani 25 Broadway. This distinction places him alongside previous recipients including Nobel laureates Toni Morrison and Kazuo Ishiguro. The ceremony featured a poignant tribute by legendary musician Patti Smith, who performed her ballad “Wing” and shared her personal connection to Murakami’s work, holding aloft his debut novel Hear the Wind Sing and reciting its iconic opening line about the imperfection of both writing and despair.

    Two days later, the Japan Society co-hosted “Murakami Mixtape” at The Town Hall—a sold-out, bilingual celebration that merged literary readings with jazz performances. The event honored Murakami with its annual award recognizing individuals like Yoko Ono and Caroline Kennedy who have strengthened US-Japan ties. Jazz pianist Jason Moran, translator Motoyuki Shibata, and scholar Roland Kelts curated an evening that explored both Murakami’s famous works and lesser-known pieces, including the short story “The 1963/1982 Girl from Ipanema” and early essays about New York written before the author had ever visited.

    The program delved into Murakami’s deep connection with jazz, which began in 1963 when he first heard Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers perform in Japan. This musical thread culminated in a special appearance by 88-year-old bassist Reggie Workman, the last surviving member of Blakey’s band, who joined Moran for an improvisational jam session.

    Murakami himself reflected on his complex relationship with America, recalling his first visit in 1991 during a period of intense “Japan bashing” when protesters would encourage destroying Japanese cars. He described feeling culturally isolated during those early years, noting the absence of contemporary Japanese literature in American bookstores. However, he expressed optimism about Japan’s emerging cultural identity, celebrating how young Japanese creators across literature, film, and anime are now gaining international recognition—marking what he sees as Japan’s true cultural emergence despite economic challenges.

  • UAE jobs: Can an employee take company to court for withdrawing offer letter?

    UAE jobs: Can an employee take company to court for withdrawing offer letter?

    A significant employment dilemma has emerged in the United Arab Emirates regarding the legal status of job offer letters and employee protections when offers are rescinded. This complex situation involves a Dubai mainland company worker who faced severe professional consequences after a prospective employer withdrew an employment offer following his resignation from his previous position.

    The case involves an employee who received a formal job offer from a private company, subsequently resigned from his current employment, completed his mandatory one-month notice period, and then discovered the new employer had withdrawn the offer citing organizational restructuring. This left the individual without employment and facing visa cancellation procedures.

    Under UAE legal framework, specifically Ministerial Decree No. 46 of 2022 and Administrative Resolution No. 38 of 2022, offer letters occupy a unique position in employment law. While these documents represent formal agreements between employers and prospective employees, they do not constitute legally binding contracts in the traditional sense. The distinction is critical: all contracts are agreements, but not all agreements qualify as legally enforceable contracts.

    The regulatory environment mandates that employers must utilize standardized electronic forms provided by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for all offer letters and employment contracts. These documents must clearly outline employment terms and conditions, with provisions allowing additional benefits for employees beyond those specified in the original offer.

    Legal experts indicate that affected individuals may pursue litigation through appropriate UAE judicial channels to seek compensation for financial losses and damages resulting from unilateral rescission of employment offers. The pathway involves demonstrating measurable economic harm directly attributable to the withdrawn offer, including lost wages and relocation expenses.

    Professionals facing similar circumstances are advised to seek immediate counsel from MOHRE or qualified legal practitioners specializing in UAE employment law to evaluate their specific situation and determine the most appropriate course of action.

  • Dubai prime real estate: Ultra-luxury villas drive global elite investment wave

    Dubai prime real estate: Ultra-luxury villas drive global elite investment wave

    Amid a cooling global luxury property market, Dubai emerges as a spectacular exception, establishing itself as the world’s premier destination for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. The emirate has witnessed an unprecedented influx of wealth, attracting approximately 10,000 millionaires in 2025 alone while achieving nearly 200% prime property price appreciation over a five-year period.

    This remarkable growth stems from a fundamental structural shift rather than temporary market conditions. According to the Henley & Partners Private Wealth Migration Report, the UAE is projected to absorb $63 billion in private wealth through migrant millionaires in 2025, building upon the 7,200 wealthy individuals who relocated in 2024. These migrants are increasingly becoming permanent residents, drawn by Dubai’s unique combination of tax-free living, investor-friendly regulations, geopolitical stability, and world-class luxury amenities.

    The ultra-luxury villa segment dominates market activity, representing nearly 70% of sales exceeding $10 million. Prestigious communities including Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Hills, and Downtown Dubai have become epicenters of luxury living, with annual appreciation rates reaching 15-30% for prime properties. The market demonstrated extraordinary momentum in Q3 2025, recording 59,044 sales transactions valued at Dh169 billion—the highest quarterly total in Dubai’s history.

    Several structural advantages underpin Dubai’s sustained appeal. Over half of prime transactions are cash-based, insulating the market from interest rate fluctuations. The regulatory framework offers 100% foreign ownership, zero property taxes, and the security of the Golden Visa program. Additionally, rental yields between 4-7% significantly outperform global hubs like London and New York.

    Demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly in the ultra-prime segment, as Dubai’s population surpasses 4 million. Developers are responding with ambitious projects, such as Sunteck Realty’s Dh15 billion pipeline including a flagship Dh5 billion development near Burj Khalifa. While analysts forecast moderated price growth of approximately 3% in 2026, Dubai’s fundamental advantages—steady wealthy immigration, constrained luxury supply, and strong yields—position it as a enduring global wealth magnet where luxury living and investment convergence redefine modern elite lifestyle.

  • Myanmar calls on countries to take back citizens held in crackdown on scam centers

    Myanmar calls on countries to take back citizens held in crackdown on scam centers

    Myanmar’s military government has issued an urgent appeal to the international community regarding the repatriation of foreign nationals detained during extensive crackdowns on cyber scam operations in Kayin state. The operations, concentrated near the Thai border town of Myawaddy, have resulted in the detention of thousands from multiple countries.

    Authorities revealed that since January, 13,272 foreigners from 47 countries have been apprehended in raids targeting major scam centers including KK Park and Shwe Kokko. While most detainees have been deported, 1,655 individuals remain in custody facing logistical challenges in repatriation.

    Colonel Min Thu Kyaw, who led the security operations, emphasized the complexities of managing detainees with diverse nationalities, religions, and cultural backgrounds. “We want the international community to come and call them quickly,” he stated, highlighting the strain on detention facilities.

    The majority of remaining detainees are Chinese nationals (over 500), with significant numbers from Indonesia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Kenya, and India. Officials cite particular difficulties in repatriating citizens from African countries without diplomatic representation in Myanmar or Thailand, with some cases requiring up to five months for processing.

    Myanmar has gained notoriety for hosting sophisticated cyber scam operations that generate nearly $40 billion annually according to UN estimates. These schemes typically involve romantic ploys to establish trust before funneling victims into fraudulent investment schemes.

    The crackdown has involved dramatic demolitions of scam compound buildings using explosives and bulldozers, broadcast on state television. However, critics question the effectiveness of these measures, noting that scam operators continue functioning in other locations under protection from ethnic militias.

    The region’s complex security situation involves multiple armed groups including the military-backed Border Guard Force and the resistance-aligned Karen National Union, both denying involvement in scam operations despite government allegations.

  • Second Thai province placed under curfew amid border clashes

    Second Thai province placed under curfew amid border clashes

    Thai military authorities have escalated security measures by implementing overnight curfews in a second eastern province following renewed border hostilities with neighboring Cambodia. The Royal Thai Army issued an official directive on Sunday imposing immediate restrictions across five districts within Trat Province, effective from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM daily.

    The affected regions include Khlong Yai, Bo Rai, Laem Ngop, Khao Saming, and Mueang Trat, where residents are now mandated to remain indoors during specified hours. This decisive action comes in response to a security incident occurring Saturday night, during which three M79 grenades targeted the Marine Corps Task Force headquarters in Trat. Preliminary investigations indicate the projectiles were launched from within Thai territory, though they detonated in unpopulated areas without causing casualties.

    This development represents the second provincial curfew enactment since the recent escalation of cross-border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Earlier last Wednesday, similar restrictions were imposed across four border districts of Sa Kaeo Province, indicating a pattern of heightened military response to regional instability. The consecutive security measures demonstrate Thailand’s increasingly cautious stance toward border security management amid ongoing diplomatic challenges with Cambodia.

    The implementation of curfews in multiple provinces suggests military authorities are preparing for potential prolonged engagement while working to ensure civilian safety in potentially vulnerable border regions. Both nations have experienced periodic border disputes, particularly around contested temple areas, though the current exchange represents a significant escalation in military activity.