标签： Asia

In a significant diplomatic move, eight Muslim-majority nations have issued a forceful joint condemnation of Israel’s controversial closure of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the holy month of Ramadan. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates declared the restrictions constitute a “flagrant violation of international law” and asserted Israel holds “no sovereignty” over the occupied city or its sacred sites.

The coordinated statement, released Wednesday, characterized Israel’s security measures as “illegal and unjustified,” specifically condemning what they termed ongoing “provocative actions” against Muslim worshippers. The ministers demanded immediate reopening of the mosque gates and lifting of access restrictions to Jerusalem’s Old City, urging international pressure on Israel to cease these violations.

The closure initiative emerged following Israel’s recent aerial strikes against Iran in coordination with the United States, an escalation that has heightened regional tensions. Israeli authorities justified the comprehensive shutdown of all religious sites—including the Western Wall and Church of the Holy Sepulchre—as necessary for public safety amid security concerns.

This development has effectively prevented Palestinian worshippers from accessing Islam’s third holiest site during Ramadan’s peak spiritual period, when tens of thousands typically gather for Friday prayers. Palestinian officials accuse Israel of exploiting regional conflicts to impose unprecedented restrictions on Muslim religious rights, with Hamas labeling the move a “dangerous historical precedent.”

The diplomatic communique reinforced that the entire compound remains “exclusively” for Muslim worship under the legal authority of Jordan’s Islamic Waqf administration. This reaffirmation addresses growing concerns about the erosion of long-standing governance arrangements that preserve Al-Aqsa’s Islamic character amid expanding Israeli control and Jewish access to the sensitive site since Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem.

Amid ongoing regional hostilities involving Israel and the United States, many Iranians are confronting anxieties that extend beyond immediate military threats to deeper concerns about national disintegration and ethnic conflict. Citizens across Iran report growing fears that external powers might exploit longstanding ethnic tensions to destabilize the country’s territorial integrity.

These apprehensions have been amplified by recent remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Iran’s borders might not remain unchanged after the current conflict—comments that have circulated widely on Persian-language social media platforms. Particularly alarming to many is the potential involvement of armed Kurdish groups operating from bases in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Keyvan, a 42-year-old Tehran resident, expresses a common concern: “They have been planning to break up Iran for years. Not just Israel, even the United States.”

In recent weeks, unverified reports have circulated about possible preparations by Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in Iraq. While prominent Kurdish figures like Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, have dismissed the likelihood of cross-border operations, other Kurdish leaders have suggested increased probability of action under current conditions.

According to research from Minority Rights Group International, Kurds constitute approximately 10% of Iran’s population, primarily residing in border provinces. Several Iranian Kurdish opposition movements, which Tehran designates as terrorist organizations, have maintained bases in northern Iraq for decades.

The formation of a coalition of Iranian Kurdish opposition parties just before the current conflict began—with the stated aim of overthrowing Iran’s government—has further heightened tensions. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has repeatedly launched strikes against militant camps across the Iraqi border, and a 2023 security agreement between Iran and Iraq aimed to disarm and relocate these groups.

Despite historical grievances and complaints of discrimination among Sunni communities in Iran, many residents emphasize national unity when facing external threats. Bahram, a 65-year-old resident of Sanandaj in Iran’s Kurdistan province, states: “When the issue is Iran, there is no difference between Shia and Sunni, Kurdish or Persian.”

The conflict has caused some Iranians who previously supported foreign pressure on their government to reconsider their positions. Zohreh, a 43-year-old mother, explains: “We were exhausted by the crimes of the Islamic Republic… but now when I listen to the speeches of Israel’s prime minister and the American president, I realise they are criminals too.”

Analysts warn that external conflict could intensify ethnic tensions within Iran if instability spreads across its borders. Although U.S. officials have denied reports suggesting Washington might support Kurdish militant incursions, many Iranians remain deeply skeptical of such assurances, fearing their country could slide into civil war and fragmentation.

China has formally launched a comprehensive five-year strategic plan to propel its marine economy toward high-quality development, with Natural Resources Minister Guan Zhiou outlining the nation’s vision for oceanic advancement. The blueprint prioritizes ecological sustainability, technological innovation, and expanded international cooperation as core pillars for maritime growth.

Minister Guan, speaking during a ministerial passage interview following the conclusion of the National People’s Congress session, emphasized that “the marine represents a strategic frontier for high-quality development.” The initiative aligns with objectives set forth in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), positioning ocean development as crucial to national economic transformation.

The strategy centers on major national programs to enhance deep-sea capabilities, including advanced sensing technologies, exploration systems, and resource development infrastructure. This technological push aims to catalyze industrial modernization and accelerate emerging sectors such as deep-sea equipment manufacturing and blue biomedicine.

Spatial planning and ecological conservation form another critical component, with coordinated land-sea development approaches to optimize bay layouts, improve management efficiency, and cultivate new economic drivers. The plan emphasizes protecting vital coastlines and maintaining water quality while promoting sustainable marine tourism activities including yacht cruising and recreational fishing.

International cooperation features prominently in China’s maritime strategy. Minister Guan committed to expanded marine cultural exchanges and contributing to “a maritime community with a shared future.” This global orientation builds on existing achievements that saw China’s gross ocean product exceed 11 trillion yuan ($1.6 trillion) in 2025, representing 7.9% of national GDP.

Recent accomplishments underscore China’s growing maritime capabilities: the Laoshan Laboratory has become fully operational, the domestically-designed Mengxiang deep-ocean drilling vessel has been commissioned, and the revolutionary Shenhai 1 offshore oil and gas platform has commenced operations. Joint Arctic expeditions by China’s Jiaolong and Fendouzhe submersibles demonstrate advancing polar capabilities.

Environmental protection measures include maintaining natural coastline ratios above 35%, expanding mangrove forests to 31,667 hectares, and establishing the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve for coral reef ecosystem conservation. China has also emerged as a leader in global marine governance, becoming among the first signatories to the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement while establishing blue economy partnerships with over 50 nations and international organizations.

Senior economic officials from the United States and China are scheduled to hold critical discussions in Paris this weekend, marking the latest diplomatic engagement between the world’s two largest economies. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will meet Sunday and Monday to address ongoing trade matters, according to a Thursday announcement from the Treasury Department.

The Paris negotiations represent the continuation of bilateral talks that have previously occurred across multiple global capitals including Geneva, London, Stockholm, Madrid, and Kuala Lumpur. These discussions are widely perceived as preparatory work for a potential state visit by President Donald Trump to Beijing, tentatively scheduled to begin March 31. While China has not formally confirmed either the ministerial talks or the presidential visit, the White House has publicly stated Trump’s intention to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Treasury Secretary Bessent emphasized the positive trajectory of Sino-American relations in an official statement: “Thanks to the bonds of mutual respect between President Trump and President Xi, the trade and economic dialogue between the United States and China is moving forward. Under the guidance of President Trump, our team will continue to deliver results that put America’s farmers, workers, and businesses first.”

This potential visit would mark Trump’s first trip to China since his 2017 state visit during his initial term. The meeting would occur approximately five months after the two leaders convened in Busan, South Korea, where they agreed to a one-year truce in the trade conflict that had previously seen retaliatory tariffs escalate to triple digits before both parties de-escalated tensions.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently characterized 2023 as potentially “a big year” for Sino-American relations, noting that “the agenda of high-level exchange is already on the table” while emphasizing the need for thorough preparations and risk management. Business analysts and market observers are closely monitoring the Bessent-He discussions for indications of potential agreements regarding Chinese purchases of American agricultural products like soybeans, commercial aircraft, and mechanisms to address the persistent trade imbalance between the nations.