Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Ultra-strong magnet sets world record

    Ultra-strong magnet sets world record

    Chinese scientists have achieved a monumental breakthrough in magnetic field technology by creating the world’s most powerful all-superconducting user magnet, registering an unprecedented central magnetic field strength of 35.6 tesla. This extraordinary achievement, accomplished at the Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility in Beijing’s Huairou district, represents a magnetic force exceeding 700,000 times that of Earth’s natural magnetic field.

    The newly developed magnet stands as the globe’s sole superconducting apparatus capable of generating ultra-strong magnetic fields beyond 30 tesla specifically designed for scientific experimentation. This technological marvel distinguishes itself through its open-access architecture, enabling both domestic and international research teams to conduct cutting-edge material investigations under extreme experimental conditions.

    Superconducting magnet technology offers revolutionary advantages including zero electrical resistance, exceptional operational stability, and significantly reduced energy consumption when maintained at cryogenic temperatures. These characteristics make such instruments vital for advanced scientific infrastructure, medical imaging applications, and national defense technologies.

    The record-breaking performance was realized while maintaining a substantial 35-millimeter bore diameter, achieved through groundbreaking innovations in core technologies. The Institute of Electrical Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences spearheaded revolutionary advances in magnet design and construction methodologies, while their counterparts at the CAS Institute of Physics conquered challenges related to precision measurement and system integration under extreme environmental conditions.

    According to CAS academician Wang Qiuliang, the current bore dimensions adequately accommodate most experimental requirements including nuclear magnetic resonance studies, specific heat measurements, and electrical resistance assessments. Research initiatives are already underway to expand the magnet’s bore diameter to support an even broader spectrum of measurement techniques.

    Professor Luo Jianlin from the Institute of Physics emphasized the significant operational cost advantages of all-superconducting magnets compared to conventional resistive magnets, noting that superconductors eliminate energy loss through their zero resistance properties. Future development plans target surpassing 40 tesla magnetic field strength while enhancing the refrigeration capacity of liquid helium systems to reduce long-term maintenance costs for ultra-low temperature environments.

  • China bans 73 people from soccer for life in latest anti-corruption controversy

    China bans 73 people from soccer for life in latest anti-corruption controversy

    In an unprecedented move to cleanse Chinese football of systemic corruption, authorities have issued lifetime bans to 73 individuals and imposed significant sporting penalties on nine top-flight clubs. The Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced these stringent measures on Thursday as part of its ongoing campaign against match-fixing and financial misconduct.

    Among the most prominent figures permanently barred from all football-related activities are Chen Xuyuan, former president of the CFA, and Li Tie, former national team manager and former Everton midfielder. Both officials were previously convicted in 2024 on corruption charges involving millions of dollars in bribery schemes. Li received a 20-year prison sentence while Chen was handed a life term for their roles in undermining the integrity of Chinese football.

    The disciplinary actions extend beyond individuals to club-level punishments. Shanghai Shenhua, last season’s runners-up, and Tianjin Jinmen Tigers face the most severe sanctions with 10-point deductions and fines of 1 million yuan ($143,788). Defending champions Shanghai Port will begin the 2026 season with a five-point deficit.

    CFA officials emphasized that the severity of punishments reflects ‘the amount, nature, seriousness and social impact of the improper transactions’ involved. This latest crackdown follows September’s disciplinary action that saw 43 officials and players receive lifetime bans, demonstrating the association’s commitment to its zero-tolerance policy against corruption.

    The sweeping measures represent the most comprehensive attempt to reform Chinese football since President Xi Jinping’s call to develop the sport nationwide, addressing deep-rooted issues that have plagued the country’s football development for years.

  • 2025 border crossings hit record high

    2025 border crossings hit record high

    China achieved an unprecedented milestone in cross-border mobility during 2025, with national immigration authorities processing a record-breaking 697 million border crossings—marking a substantial 14.2% increase from the previous year. This remarkable surge was primarily driven by the country’s expansive visa-free policies and enhanced immigration service efficiency.

    Foreign nationals accounted for over 82 million crossings, representing a 26% year-on-year increase, with more than 30 million entries occurring through visa-free channels. This visa-free segment witnessed nearly 50% growth compared to 2024, constituting 73% of all foreign entries into China.

    Domestic travel patterns showed equally impressive growth, with mainland residents making 335 million border crossings (up 15%) and residents from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan accounting for nearly 280 million crossings (a 10% increase).

    The National Immigration Administration’s spokeswoman Lyu Ning attributed this historic movement to comprehensive policy reforms and innovative measures designed to support high-quality development and stimulate economic momentum. Administrative enhancements included expanding the online travel document application pilot to 50 cities, resulting in 457,000 successful digital applications.

    Significant policy expansions featured the inclusion of Indonesia in the 240-hour visa-free transit program and the designation of five additional ports in Guangdong province for the scheme, bringing the national total to 65 eligible ports. Additionally, China launched visa-free entry for tourist groups from ASEAN countries visiting Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan province.

    Through coordinated efforts with relevant departments, China increased its unilateral visa-free countries to 48 and mutual visa exemption partners to 29, with 28 countries now granting unilateral visa-free access to Chinese citizens.

    These initiatives have significantly boosted the ‘Travel in China’ and ‘Shop in China’ campaigns while enhancing China’s global image as an open, inclusive, and dynamic destination. Ministry of Commerce data revealed that expanded visa-free policies and optimized tax refund measures nearly doubled sales of tax-refundable goods.

    China Tourism Academy President Dai Bin characterized 2025 as a landmark year for China’s institutional opening-up in tourism, noting the country’s leadership in tourism exchanges with Belt and Road Initiative partners across Southeast Asia, West Asia, Africa, and Latin America. European tourism exchanges have nearly returned to 2019 levels.

    Looking ahead to 2026 and the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), China is positioned to assume a greater role in global tourism development. The National Immigration Administration has committed to continuing the expansion and deepening of high-level opening-up policies, optimizing immigration measures, and responding to public demands to further drive economic and social development through continuous reform and innovation.

  • Domestic drugmakers take center stage in development, innovation

    Domestic drugmakers take center stage in development, innovation

    In a remarkable transformation of China’s healthcare landscape, domestic pharmaceutical companies are emerging as powerful innovators, delivering breakthrough treatments to patients at unprecedented affordability. The story of Zhang, a 38-year-old thyroid eye disease patient in Beijing, exemplifies this shift. His access to a novel domestic injection—the first new treatment for his condition in China in over seven decades—comes at a fraction of the cost of foreign equivalents, thanks to its inclusion in the national reimbursement drug list.

    This patient-centric revolution stems from comprehensive regulatory reforms, substantial capital investments, and a strategic focus on research innovation. While drug development remains notoriously challenging—typically requiring a decade and approximately $1 billion per successful medication with a 90% failure rate—Chinese companies are defying these odds through systematic advancements.

    China’s regulatory framework now recognizes two distinct categories of novel drugs: improved formulations of existing treatments (such as Zhang’s injection) and truly innovative drugs containing new molecular entities. This classification system has created a structured pathway for pharmaceutical advancement, encouraging both incremental improvements and groundbreaking discoveries.

    The expansion of Beijing’s national reimbursement drug list for 2026 has been instrumental in making cutting-edge treatments accessible to ordinary citizens. Patients who previously faced financial barriers to innovative therapies now receive coverage for domestically developed medications, creating a virtuous cycle that rewards innovation while improving public health outcomes.

    Industry analysts attribute this biopharmaceutical renaissance to three key factors: streamlined regulatory approval processes that reduce development timelines, increased venture capital flowing into life sciences, and a growing pool of scientific talent returning to China from overseas research institutions. This convergence of factors has positioned Chinese drugmakers not just as local providers, but as emerging global competitors in the high-stakes pharmaceutical industry.

  • Restored moat better reflects glory of Xi’an city wall

    Restored moat better reflects glory of Xi’an city wall

    After a monumental 40-year restoration endeavor, Xi’an’s ancient city wall is once again encircled by a pristine moat, marking a significant achievement in urban conservation. The recently completed project has fully reconnected the moat water system for the first time in over seven decades, transforming what was previously considered an urban eyesore and seasonal flood hazard into a breathtaking historical landmark.

    The revitalized moat now presents visitors with a spectacular visual panorama where sunlight dances upon crystal-clear waters against the majestic gray stone fortifications. This transformation has already captivated tourists, with many expressing astonishment at the dramatic improvement in both aesthetic appeal and environmental quality.

    According to Jia Haitao, cultural heritage specialist at the Xi’an City Wall Management Committee, the 14.6-kilometer moat originally served as a critical military defense feature during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). “For centuries, successive dynasties maintained this defensive legacy utilizing both engineered and natural barriers against approaching forces,” Jia explained.

    In contemporary times, the waterway functioned primarily as a storm drainage system until sedimentation and pollution gradually diminished its utility and created unpleasant odors. The restoration initiative launched in 1983 mobilized hundreds of thousands of local volunteers, with additional support coming from 5,000 PLA soldiers in 1998, creating shared community memories of collective civic effort.

    The final 859-meter section near Xi’an Railway Station, completed January 20, 2026, presented particular challenges. Project manager Wang Jie from Sinohydro Corporation Engineering Bureau 15 described how silt accumulation averaging 1.2 meters had compromised drainage capacity and created seasonal flooding that inundated underground facilities.

    The comprehensive rehabilitation included extensive desilting operations and the introduction of water-purifying vegetation including irises and water lilies to establish sustainable ecological circulation. The renewed moat now significantly enhances urban flood control capabilities while providing new green spaces for residents and visitors alike.

    Local residents have welcomed the transformation, with Wang Jianguo recalling childhood memories of polluted waters now replaced by thriving ecosystems attracting waterbirds and surrounded by landscaped pathways. The illuminated nightscape of the ancient wall reflected in the restored waters has further elevated Xi’an’s tourism appeal, with travel content creators highlighting the moat-side experience as an essential attraction rivaling even the famous Terracotta Warriors.

  • China executes 11 members of Myanmar-based syndicate in crackdown on scam operations

    China executes 11 members of Myanmar-based syndicate in crackdown on scam operations

    Chinese authorities have carried out the execution of eleven individuals belonging to a transnational criminal organization based in Myanmar, marking a decisive conclusion to a major case involving extensive scam operations and multiple homicides. The Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court confirmed the executions on Thursday, following the rejection of the defendants’ appeal in November.

    The convicted individuals, including ringleaders Ming Guoping and Ming Zhenzhen, were found guilty of operating sophisticated gambling and financial scam schemes that generated over $1 billion in illicit proceeds. The court identified Zhou Weichang, Wu Hongming, and Luao Jianzhang as key operatives within the criminal network.

    This criminal syndicate was responsible for the deaths of fourteen Chinese citizens, drawing intense scrutiny from Chinese law enforcement. The crackdown began in November 2023 when Chinese authorities coordinated with border security forces to detain the family-operated crime group.

    The case highlights the growing problem of industrial-scale scam operations throughout Southeast Asia, particularly in border regions of Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. These criminal enterprises employ both trafficked and voluntary labor to perpetrate digital fraud schemes targeting victims globally.

    International pressure has been mounting on regional governments to address the proliferation of cross-border criminal activities, with China, the United States, and other nations calling for coordinated action against these transnational networks.

  • Vietnam and the EU upgrade ties as Trump tariffs reshape global trade

    Vietnam and the EU upgrade ties as Trump tariffs reshape global trade

    HANOI, Vietnam — In a significant geopolitical realignment, Vietnam and the European Union formally elevated their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on Thursday. This designation represents Vietnam’s highest tier of diplomatic engagement, placing the EU alongside major global powers including the United States, China, and Russia in terms of diplomatic priority.

    The announcement was made during an official visit to Hanoi by European Council President Antonio Costa, who emphasized the strategic importance of this strengthened alliance. “At a moment when the international rules-based order is under threat from multiple sides, we need to stand side by side as reliable and predictable partners,” Costa stated, characterizing the partnership as fundamentally about “developing spheres of shared prosperity.”

    Vietnamese President Luong Cuong hailed the diplomatic upgrade as a “historic milestone” for the Southeast Asian nation, signaling a deepened commitment to multilateral cooperation. The enhanced partnership comes as both entities seek to recalibrate their economic and trade relationships in response to ongoing disruptions in global finance and supply chains, partly driven by increasing U.S. tariff pressures.

    The agreement builds upon the foundation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) which came into force in 2020, one of the most comprehensive trade pacts between the EU and a developing country. This new strategic framework is expected to expand cooperation beyond trade into areas including security, digital innovation, climate action, and sustainable development, creating a more robust institutional framework for long-term collaboration.

  • France backs IRGC terror designation after leak reveals Macron ‘in line’ with Trump

    France backs IRGC terror designation after leak reveals Macron ‘in line’ with Trump

    The European Union is moving toward formally designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, marking a significant policy realignment after France announced its support for the measure. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed the position shift via social media, stating France would endorse the IRGC’s inclusion on the EU’s terrorist list.

    This development represents a notable departure from France’s traditionally independent Middle East policy, which frequently diverged from Washington’s approach. Historically, France opposed the 2003 Iraq invasion and championed the 2015 nuclear agreement, viewing it as a commercial opportunity for French energy giants including EDF, Framatome, and TotalEnergies.

    The French reversal signals strengthened alignment with United States and Israeli positions regarding Iran. This geopolitical shift was foreshadowed by leaked communications between French President Emmanuel Macron and former U.S. President Donald Trump indicating coordinated thinking on Iran policy.

    Current tensions have escalated dramatically following Trump’s social media threats of ‘precision strikes’ against Iranian officials and military infrastructure. Referencing previous operations against Iran, Trump warned that future actions would be ‘far worse’ if diplomatic demands remain unmet.

    European nations appear to be consolidating their stance alongside Washington amid growing regional instability. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared the Iranian government had ‘lost legitimacy’ and predicted its potential collapse within ‘a matter of weeks,’ citing the regime’s reliance on violence against protesters.

    The IRGC constitutes Iran’s elite military branch, operating separately from conventional armed forces while maintaining direct accountability to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Beyond its military functions, the organization controls substantial economic interests throughout Iran.

    Regional analysts suggest that heightened pressure could potentially strengthen the IRGC’s political position. Former State Department intelligence analyst Joshua Yaphe indicated that escalated conflict might result in a ‘soft coup’ scenario where the Revolutionary Guard assumes greater governmental control.

    The United States previously designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization in 2019, enabling financial sanctions against the group and its international affiliates. While Iran responded with symbolic designations against U.S. military figures, American sanctions maintain greater global impact due to the dollar’s dominance in international finance.

  • Exclusive: Inside the private Dubai party where Nigel Farage praised UAE minister

    Exclusive: Inside the private Dubai party where Nigel Farage praised UAE minister

    Britain’s leading political party in recent polls, Reform UK, is actively cultivating a strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates, a relationship that became prominently visible during leader Nigel Farage’s current visit to the Gulf state. The controversial MP, known for his hardline immigration policies and advocacy for mass deportations, delivered a keynote address at a private GB News event hosted at Dubai’s luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel rooftop.

    The gathering, attended by approximately eighty guests, included prominent Emirati officials such as Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. According to sources present, Farage expressed profound admiration for the UAE’s development, notably remarking that he wished his constituency of Clacton could emulate Dubai’s opulent landscape.

    Central to this emerging alliance is a mutual opposition to political Islam, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood. Farage explicitly praised the UAE’s prohibition of the organization and pledged that a future Reform government would implement similar measures. Addressing Emirati officials directly, he stated, ‘We have a lot to learn from you, my dear sirs. We recognize you are our friends. A Brexit London, a Reform London, will remember you.’

    The event also featured Reform’s London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham and recent Conservative defector Nadhim Zahawi, who maintains significant residential ties to Dubai. This diplomatic courtship follows Farage’s previous visit to Abu Dhabi last month, reportedly funded by the UAE government, and a private donor lunch hosted by Dubai-based billionaire Sunny Varkey.

    This political alignment occurs against the backdrop of the UAE’s increasingly assertive stance against organizations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. In January 2025, the Gulf nation designated eight British groups as terrorist entities despite their legal standing in the UK. Previous investigations have revealed Emirati efforts to discredit Britain’s largest Muslim charity through private intelligence operations seeking to establish connections with political Islamist movements.

  • ASEAN should adhere to rule of law in face of ‘unilateral actions,’ Philippines’ top diplomat says

    ASEAN should adhere to rule of law in face of ‘unilateral actions,’ Philippines’ top diplomat says

    CEBU, Philippines — Southeast Asian diplomats convened Thursday in the Philippine coastal city of Cebu for critical closed-door meetings, where Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro issued a stark warning about escalating threats to the rules-based international order. Addressing the 11-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Lazaro emphasized that aggressive acts across Asia and unilateral actions globally are undermining multilateral institutions without specifying particular nations.

    The ministerial gathering occurs amid growing regional concerns over multiple flashpoints. Several ASEAN members have expressed unease about the U.S.-orchestrated arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, while China’s increasingly assertive posture toward Taiwan and in the contested South China Sea continues to generate apprehension among member states. This places ASEAN in a delicate diplomatic position as both the United States and China represent significant trading and security partners for the bloc.

    Lazaro highlighted the persistent challenges facing the region, stating: ‘Across our region, we continue to see tensions at sea, protracted internal conflicts and unresolved border and humanitarian concerns.’ She further noted that developments beyond Southeast Asia ‘continue to affect regional stability and erode multilateral institutions and the rules-based international order.’

    The Philippines, currently holding ASEAN’s rotating chairmanship after Myanmar’s suspension following the 2021 military coup, faces the complex task of maintaining unity within the diverse bloc. Founded during the Cold War in 1967, ASEAN encompasses governments ranging from vibrant democracies to authoritarian states with varying international alignments.

    Additional agenda items include addressing last year’s deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, advancing a largely unsuccessful five-point peace plan for Myanmar, and concluding negotiations with China on a South China Sea code of conduct before year’s end. China’s expansive maritime claims overlap with those of four ASEAN members: the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei, making the waterway a persistent source of regional tension.