During the Global South Modernization Forum, Qian Chengdan, a distinguished Boya chair professor at Peking University, highlighted the significance of China’s holistic modernization strategy as outlined in the draft recommendations of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). He emphasized that China’s development model provides a wealth of insights for nations in the Global South striving for modernization. Qian underscored the importance of China’s integrated approach, which balances economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability. He noted that this framework could serve as a valuable reference for other developing countries seeking to navigate their own paths toward modernization. The professor’s remarks shed light on the growing recognition of China’s role as a key player in shaping global development paradigms.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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‘In memory of brother’: Russia honours fallen Tejas pilot with missing man formation
The aviation community was left in mourning following the tragic crash of the Indian Air Force’s Tejas aircraft at the Dubai Airshow on November 21, 2025. Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, lost his life when the plane lost altitude and crashed, erupting into flames. The incident brought the airshow to an abrupt halt, leaving fellow aviators and spectators in shock. In a poignant tribute, the Russian Knights aerobatic team performed the solemn ‘Missing Man’ formation on the final day of the event, honoring Syal and other fallen aviators. The US Air Force demonstration team, deeply affected by the tragedy, canceled their performance out of respect for the pilot and his family. The Russian Knights described the crash as ‘impossible to describe’ and dedicated their aerial display to the ‘brothers who did not return from their last flight.’ The ‘Missing Man’ formation, a traditional tribute in aviation, involves four aircraft flying in a ‘V’ formation, with one aircraft breaking away to symbolize the loss of a comrade. The Dubai Airshow, a grand event showcasing aviation excellence, concluded on a somber yet respectful note, highlighting the camaraderie and shared grief within the global aviation community.
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‘Wicked: For Good’ opens to a record Dh830 million globally
The highly anticipated film ‘Wicked: For Good’ has made a monumental impact at the global box office, raking in an impressive Dh830 million during its opening weekend. This cinematic adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical not only broke a nine-week slump in North American ticket sales but also set a new benchmark for film adaptations of stage productions. In the US and Canada alone, the film grossed $150 million (approximately Dh550.8 million), marking the third-best domestic opening weekend for a musical, trailing only Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ (2019) and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (2017).
Directed by Jon Chu and featuring a star-studded cast including Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, ‘Wicked: For Good’ has been hailed as a triumph for Universal Pictures. The film’s success is attributed to its enduring source material, inspired casting, and a robust marketing campaign. Industry analyst Daniel Loria praised Universal’s bold decision to split the musical into two films, calling it a ‘fantastic feat’ that has paid off handsomely.
Despite mixed critical reviews, audiences have embraced the film wholeheartedly, awarding it an A grade from CinemaScore and a 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie’s appeal to younger viewers has been particularly noteworthy, with Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian likening its cultural impact to that of ‘The Sound of Music’ for older generations.
Beyond North America, ‘Wicked: For Good’ garnered an additional $76 million from 78 international markets, bringing its total global opening weekend earnings to $226 million. This performance has revitalized the North American box office, which had struggled to surpass $100 million in ticket sales for nine consecutive weeks. Universal’s president of domestic theatrical distribution, Jim Orr, expressed immense satisfaction with the film’s reception, highlighting the years of dedication from the cast and crew.
‘Wicked: For Good’ is not just a box office success but a cultural phenomenon, proving the enduring power of musical storytelling in cinema.
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Inner Mongolia launches five-month ice-snow season amid China’s winter tourism push
North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has officially launched its five-month ice-snow tourism season, marking a significant step in China’s nationwide push to develop the ice-and-snow economy. The season, which runs from December 20, 2025, to May 2026, will feature 159 cultural activities, 48 sporting events, and 45 themed travel routes, according to local authorities. Key highlights include the 21st Ice and Snow Nadam Fair and the 22nd China-Russia-Mongolia International Ice and Snow Festival in Manzhouli, a border city in Inner Mongolia. This initiative aligns with China’s state-level plan to grow the ice-and-snow economy to a 1.2 trillion yuan ($169 billion) industry by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030. Other regions, such as Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Xinjiang, are also enhancing their winter tourism offerings with expanded attractions, tourism vouchers, and unique incentives like student ‘snow breaks.’ Inner Mongolia cities like Ulanqab and Arxan are promoting local features such as volcanic skiing and snowmobiling, while offering tourism vouchers, ‘ski-hot spring’ combo tickets, and enhanced visitor comfort measures like heated rest areas and extended venue hours.
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China’s cord blood banks to advance research and treatment
China’s seven provincial-level cord blood banks have unveiled a comprehensive action plan to enhance research and clinical applications of cord blood. The initiative was announced at the 12th Cord Blood Symposium, organized by the Chinese Maternal and Child Health Association in Beijing. The participating banks, officially approved by the National Health Commission, are located in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and the provinces of Guangdong, Shandong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang.
The action plan focuses on increasing public awareness about cord blood and cell therapy, improving the quality of cord blood collection, and ensuring high standards in processing and cryopreservation. It also aims to promote the use of cord blood in clinical settings and advance research and applications at medical and scientific institutions.
Cord blood, collected from a newborn’s umbilical cord shortly after birth, has significant potential in treating various diseases. Wei Xiaofei, an official from the Beijing cord blood bank, highlighted that China has over 30 years of experience in cord blood storage and application. The seven official banks have collectively stored more than 2.45 million units of cord blood and released over 45,000 units for clinical use.
‘The action plan enables the seven cord blood banks to leverage their respective strengths, collaborate on targeted research, develop high-quality solutions, and jointly accelerate the translation of scientific achievements into clinical practice,’ Wei stated.
Sun Zimin, a professor from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, noted that cord blood can now be used to treat nearly 80 diseases, including leukemia, aplastic anemia, immunodeficiency disorders, genetic metabolic diseases, and certain neurological conditions. She added that through optimizing pretreatment and supportive care, the stable engraftment rate of cord blood transplantation in clinical practice has risen to over 97 percent.
Sun emphasized the importance of establishing larger and higher-quality public cord blood banks to provide lifesaving opportunities for more patients, especially those in urgent need of a transplant who are unable to find a suitable match.
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Ex-Sichuan vice-governor expelled from Party, public office for corruption
Ye Hanbing, the former vice-governor of Sichuan Province and ex-director of the provincial public security department, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and dismissed from public office due to severe violations of Party discipline and national laws. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision announced the decision on Monday, marking a significant step in China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign.
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Malaysian floods affect 11,000 people across seven states
Torrential rains have triggered widespread flooding across seven Malaysian states, impacting more than 11,000 individuals, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. The affected regions include Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Terengganu, and Selangor, with 3,839 families displaced as of Monday. This annual monsoon season, which runs from October to March, frequently causes severe flooding along Malaysia’s eastern coast, displacing thousands annually. The situation echoes last November’s devastating floods, which forced over 37,000 people to flee their homes within a week. Authorities are working to provide relief and support to those affected, though the recurring nature of these disasters highlights the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.
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Watch: Ronaldo’s incredible bicycle-kick goal sparks frenzy as Al Nassr clinch another win
In a match that will be remembered for its sheer brilliance, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a moment of magic as Al Nassr secured their ninth consecutive victory in the Saudi Pro League 2025/26 season. Facing Al-Khaleej at Al-Awwal Park on Sunday, Ronaldo’s jaw-dropping bicycle kick in the dying moments of the game capped off a dominant 4-1 win for his team. The goal, reminiscent of his iconic strike against Juventus in 2017, served as a testament to the Portuguese superstar’s enduring class, even at the age of 40. The stadium erupted in awe as Ronaldo soared unnaturally high to execute the acrobatic finish, leaving fans and opponents alike in disbelief. Social media platforms were ablaze with praise, with fans hailing Ronaldo as the ‘Greatest of All Time.’ Al Nassr’s official account summed it up perfectly: ‘Call it skill, call it instinct… we call it Ronaldo.’ The match began with Joao Felix opening the scoring in the 39th minute, followed by Wesley doubling the lead just three minutes later. Al-Khaleej briefly rallied with a goal from Murad Al Hawsawi in the 47th minute, but Sadio Mane restored Al Nassr’s two-goal advantage with a lobbed curler in the 77th minute. Ronaldo’s breathtaking goal in stoppage time sealed the victory, taking his league goal tally to 10 and solidifying Al Nassr’s position at the top of the table. With 30 goals in nine matches, Al Nassr continues to dominate the league, while Al-Khaleej remains in sixth place with 14 points. Ronaldo’s remarkable statistics further cement his legacy, with 110 goals in 123 appearances for Al Nassr and 84 goals in 86 Saudi Pro League matches, making him the third-highest scorer in the league’s history.
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Former deputy head of China’s medical products regulator prosecuted for bribery
Chen Shifei, the former deputy head of China’s National Medical Products Administration, has been formally prosecuted on charges of bribery. The Second Branch of the People’s Procuratorate in Shanghai recently filed the lawsuit with the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court, as confirmed by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on Monday. This legal action follows a comprehensive investigation by the National Commission of Supervision into Chen’s alleged misconduct. Chen is accused of exploiting his official positions to grant undue advantages to others and accepting substantial bribes in the form of money and valuables. The case underscores China’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption within its regulatory bodies, reflecting the government’s commitment to maintaining integrity and accountability in public service.
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Former senior discipline regulator expelled for serious Party violations
Wang Huimin, a former high-ranking official in China’s regulatory and disciplinary bodies, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) following an investigation into severe violations of Party discipline and national laws. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission (NSC) announced the decision on Monday, citing multiple breaches of ethical and legal standards. Wang, who previously served as a member of the Party Committee of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and director of the CCDI and NSC’s inspection and supervision group stationed at the CSRC, was found to have abused his authority, deviated from the CPC’s poverty alleviation strategy, and engaged in corrupt practices. Investigations revealed that Wang accepted lavish banquets, failed to report personal matters as required, and allowed relatives and associates to exploit his position for personal gain. Additionally, he used his influence to facilitate benefits for others in areas such as recruitment, corporate listings, and promotions, accepting substantial bribes in return. The CCDI and NSC have stripped Wang of his official privileges, confiscated his illegal gains, and transferred his case to judicial authorities for prosecution. Wang, 66, began his career in 1975 and held various prominent positions, including president of China Construction Bank’s Xinjiang branch and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Xinjiang. His expulsion underscores the CPC’s ongoing efforts to enforce strict discipline and combat corruption within its ranks.