Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Spain refuses to join Trump’s Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ over breach of international law

    Spain refuses to join Trump’s Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ over breach of international law

    In a significant diplomatic development, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has formally declined an invitation for his country to participate in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed ‘Board of Peace’ initiative. The decision, announced during a speech at EU headquarters in Brussels, reflects growing international concern about the board’s structure and objectives.

    Prime Minister Sánchez emphasized that Palestinian representation remains fundamental to any legitimate peace process, stating unequivocally that ‘The future of Palestine as a whole should be settled by Palestinians.’ This position aligns Spain with several key U.S. allies including the United Kingdom and France, all of which have expressed reservations about joining the controversial board in its current form.

    The initiative faced additional turbulence as Trump unexpectedly rescinded Canada’s invitation through a Truth Social post directed at Prime Minister Mark Carney. The public disinvitation came shortly after Carney delivered critical remarks about U.S. policy and hegemony at the World Economic Forum in Davos, though the Trump administration provided no explicit justification for the reversal.

    Conceived as an international organization aiming to ‘promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in conflict-affected regions,’ the Board of Peace has drawn scrutiny for its vague mandate and potential to undermine existing international institutions. Critics argue the board’s composition—which includes Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio—lacks appropriate Palestinian representation despite its stated focus on Gaza reconstruction.

    Notably, while the board proposes appointing a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee to oversee Gaza’s transition, no Palestinians currently sit on its executive board. This omission has raised questions about the initiative’s commitment to genuine Palestinian self-determination.

    Despite European hesitancy, several Middle Eastern nations including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan have reportedly agreed to participate alongside Israel. The development unfolds against the tragic backdrop of more than 71,500 Palestinian casualties in Gaza since October 2023, highlighting the urgent need for credible peace mechanisms that command broad international legitimacy.

  • Xinjiang reports highest foreign trade growth in China

    Xinjiang reports highest foreign trade growth in China

    China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has emerged as the nation’s top-performing foreign trade hub, achieving unprecedented growth of 19.9% year-on-year in 2025. According to official data released by Urumqi Customs District, the region’s total import-export volume reached a historic 520.4 billion yuan ($74.7 billion), marking the highest growth rate among all Chinese provinces and autonomous regions.

    The export sector demonstrated particularly robust performance, surging 25% to 460.7 billion yuan, while imports experienced a moderate decline of 8.9% to 59.6 billion yuan. Over the comprehensive Five-Year Plan period from 2021 to 2025, Xinjiang’s cumulative foreign trade exceeded 1.71 trillion yuan, representing a remarkable 144.3% increase compared to the previous five-year cycle.

    Customs officials attribute this exceptional performance to strategic policy implementations throughout 2025. Deputy Director Li Qinghua highlighted that targeted measures to enhance port development and advance the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone significantly optimized foreign trade structures. The region simultaneously accelerated smart port construction initiatives, creating a more efficient trade ecosystem.

    Xinjiang’s international trade network has expanded substantially, maintaining particularly strong economic ties with Belt and Road Initiative partner nations. Trade with these countries reached 458.4 billion yuan, constituting 88.1% of Xinjiang’s total foreign trade volume. Central Asian countries accounted for over half of this trade, while ASEAN markets witnessed explosive 98.3% growth to 67.4 billion yuan—crossing the 10% threshold of Xinjiang’s total trade for the first time.

    The region’s export composition has undergone significant transformation, with high-tech and high-value-added products driving growth. Mechanical and electrical product exports reached 186.5 billion yuan, while automobiles, automotive parts, electrical equipment, and electronic components demonstrated particularly strong performance. Advanced equipment related to new quality productive forces and green technology products including new energy vehicles and lithium batteries grew by approximately 70%.

    Agricultural exports also flourished, increasing 25.4% due to rising international demand for dried and fresh products such as walnuts and grapes.

    Private enterprises played a pivotal role in this success story, contributing 92.8% of Xinjiang’s total foreign trade volume. Their import-export value reached 482.7 billion yuan with 20.1% year-on-year growth. Notably, self-branded goods exports surged 40.3% to 52.11 billion yuan, with proprietary products accounting for significant portions of electrical equipment (33%), lithium batteries (81.1%), and textile machinery (25%) shipments.

    Chief Inspector Huang Qun confirmed that Urumqi Customs District will continue supporting private businesses through enhanced regulatory efficiency, targeted policy guidance, and responsive service improvements to sustain this growth trajectory.

  • Global research project on AI guardrails launched in Beijing

    Global research project on AI guardrails launched in Beijing

    A landmark international research initiative titled “Building Global Consensus on AI Guardrails” was formally inaugurated in Beijing on Friday, bringing together prominent scholars from China, the United States, and other nations. The project addresses the urgent need for coordinated global action to establish safeguards for responsible artificial intelligence development and deployment.

    Professor Jia Qingguo, Director of the Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding at Peking University, emphasized the critical nature of this endeavor in a video address. “Given our existing understanding of AI risks, the stakes are very high,” he stated. “We must address the challenges and risks AI poses to avoid ending up in a disaster unparalleled in history. Since AI is a global phenomenon, effective risk management presents significant challenges that demand international cooperation.”

    The ambitious project will develop a comprehensive policy and implementation blueprint that maps existing AI governance frameworks worldwide. Its primary objectives include identifying areas of convergence and divergence across different regulatory approaches and proposing concrete mechanisms to build global consensus on implementing responsible AI safeguards.

    Professor Wang Dong, Executive Director of the same institute, highlighted the current fragmentation in global AI governance. He noted persistent divisions among nations regarding risk assessment methodologies, technological boundaries, and governance implementation pathways. This research initiative aims to bridge these gaps through scholarly collaboration and evidence-based policy recommendations, creating a foundation for more harmonized international AI governance standards that balance innovation with ethical considerations and risk mitigation.

  • Magnitude 5.1 earthquake hits southern Iran at 10km depth

    Magnitude 5.1 earthquake hits southern Iran at 10km depth

    A moderate earthquake registering 5.1 on the Richter scale struck southern Iran on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, according to seismic monitoring authorities. The seismic event occurred at precisely 3:18 PM UAE time, with the National Seismic Network of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) confirming the tremor’s details.

    The United States Geological Survey (USGS), which maintains global seismic monitoring systems, reported the earthquake originated at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers. Shallow-focus earthquakes typically generate more noticeable surface shaking compared to deeper seismic events of similar magnitude.

    The precise epicenter location within southern Iran’s seismically active regions has not been immediately specified in initial reports. The region sits within a complex tectonic zone where the Arabian and Eurasian plates converge, creating frequent seismic activity that periodically results in significant tremors.

    Initial reports indicate no immediate casualties or structural damage, though comprehensive assessment operations are typically conducted following seismic events of this magnitude. Iranian authorities have not issued any tsunami warnings following the tremor, which is standard procedure for inland earthquakes.

    Seismologists note that earthquakes of magnitude 5.0-5.9 are considered moderate and capable of causing damage to poorly constructed buildings, particularly in populated areas near the epicenter. The impact largely depends on numerous factors including local construction standards, population density, and specific geological conditions.

    This event marks the latest in Iran’s long history of seismic activity, as the country experiences frequent earthquakes due to its position along major fault lines. The National Seismic Network continues to monitor aftershocks, which commonly follow moderate seismic events.

  • Partnering with China, embracing opportunities

    Partnering with China, embracing opportunities

    China Daily Information Co. (CDIC) maintains rigorous copyright protection over all content published across its digital platforms. The organization asserts exclusive ownership of all multimedia materials, including textual articles, photographs, and other informational assets. Republication or utilization of any content in any form is expressly prohibited without obtaining prior written authorization from CDIC. The company additionally recommends that visitors utilize browsers with a screen resolution of 1024*768 or higher for an optimal viewing experience. This policy underscores CDIC’s commitment to safeguarding its intellectual property rights in the digital domain. The notice also provides reference to its official publishing license (0108263) and registration number (130349), further establishing its credentialed status as a media entity. The footer of the website directs users to sections including corporate information, advertising opportunities, contact details, and career offerings, highlighting the platform’s operational scope.

  • China’s cyberspace regulators announce measures for protection of minors

    China’s cyberspace regulators announce measures for protection of minors

    Chinese authorities have unveiled comprehensive classification measures for online content potentially affecting minors’ physical and mental health, marking a significant advancement in digital protection frameworks. The Cyberspace Administration of China announced these measures on Friday, developed through interagency collaboration involving cyberspace, publishing, film, education, industrial technology, public security, cultural tourism, and broadcasting authorities.

    The regulatory framework, scheduled for implementation on March 1, establishes four distinct categories of online information based on their potential impact on young users’ wellbeing. This systematic classification approach addresses both established concerns—such as unauthorized use of minors’ images—and emerging technological challenges including algorithmic recommendation systems and generative artificial intelligence applications.

    Under the new provisions, internet platforms and content creators must implement proactive prevention mechanisms and countermeasures against harmful content. The measures align with China’s existing Regulations on the Protection of Minors Online, creating a cohesive legal ecosystem for youth digital safety.

    The Cyberspace Administration emphasized its ongoing commitment to purifying the online environment, stating it will intensify supervision of platform responsibilities and content governance. This initiative aims to foster a cleaner, healthier digital space specifically tailored for young internet users while accommodating rapid technological evolution in the digital landscape.

  • Outlook names Dr Ajayya Kumar among 50 visionary leaders of the $5 trillion economy

    Outlook names Dr Ajayya Kumar among 50 visionary leaders of the $5 trillion economy

    In a prestigious acknowledgment of transformative leadership, Outlook magazine has distinguished Dr. Ajayya Kumar, Chief Operating Officer of Emircom, as one of fifty visionary figures instrumental in shaping the trajectory of the $5 trillion economy. This recognition celebrates his multidisciplinary impact across corporate governance, personal development, and socio-cultural initiatives.

    Dr. Kumar’s influential work, particularly his recent publication ‘Zero to Success in 369 Days’—previously featured in Forbes India—serves as a cornerstone of this accolade. The book introduces a structured methodology for achieving clarity-led growth, emphasizing personal discipline, purposeful action, and behavioral consistency as fundamental components of sustainable leadership and economic advancement. His innovative 369 framework prioritizes introspection, ethical principles, and enduring habit formation to cultivate leadership from within. Supplementing this approach is a digital platform that leverages artificial intelligence to provide reflective tools, merging technological innovation with human development.

    Beyond corporate spheres, Dr. Kumar’s influence extends to mindful parenting advocacy, cultural stewardship through the Sarvamangala Trust, and creative narrative production via Firefly Films. His recent cinematic venture, ‘Sarvam Maya,’ has achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim upon its global release, resonating with audiences across diverse cultures. This multifaceted engagement underscores his conviction that robust economies are fundamentally built upon the strength of individuals, families, and cultural heritage.

    The inclusion of Dr. Kumar in Outlook’s esteemed list signals an emerging consensus within economic thought leadership: sustainable growth is increasingly driven by values-based leadership characterized by clarity, discipline, and purposeful vision.

  • Beijing’s ‘Rocket Street’ promoted at aerospace conference

    Beijing’s ‘Rocket Street’ promoted at aerospace conference

    Beijing has positioned itself at the forefront of commercial aerospace innovation with the official promotion of its groundbreaking ‘Rocket Street’ project during a high-profile industry conference held Friday at E-Town. The event, themed ‘Harnessing Forces to Develop the Aerospace Industry,’ brought together government officials, research institutions, leading enterprises, and financial representatives to chart the sector’s technological transformation.

    The conference showcased significant developmental milestones, including the announcement of nine major production-capacity projects, six satellite programs, and the establishment of six specialized industrial platforms under the Rocket Street initiative. These revelations coincided with the presentation of strategic opportunities anticipated during China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

    Ma Chao, Deputy Director of the Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing Industry Bureau at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, emphasized the conference’s role in expanding industrial development space and strengthening sector support through shared platforms. ‘This gathering significantly boosts new productivity and reinforces confidence in our industry’s development trajectory,’ Ma stated.

    Corporate participants expressed strong appreciation for E-Town’s comprehensive ecosystem, which includes targeted policies, robust industrial infrastructure, and enhanced synergistic capabilities. Xia Dongkun, Executive Vice-President of Galactic Energy—a prominent commercial aerospace firm with research and development facilities in the area—noted: ‘The district provides precisely calibrated policies covering talent acquisition, investment facilitation, and insurance solutions. The shared platforms substantially improve industrial coordination, operational efficiency, and financial capacity.’

    In a notable development, Galaxy Space co-founder Liu Chang revealed plans to establish a massive satellite manufacturing facility in Beijing with an annual production capacity of 500 satellites. This installation would represent China’s largest mass-production center for low Earth orbit satellites, incorporating advanced technologies including intelligent driving systems and embodied intelligent robots.

    The 145,000-square-meter Rocket Street complex has completed final inspections and is now transitioning to operational status, cementing its position as the nation’s premier commercial space research and production base.

  • People of Determination lead the UAE’s first anti-plastic awareness film

    People of Determination lead the UAE’s first anti-plastic awareness film

    In a groundbreaking initiative combining environmental advocacy and social inclusion, The Monk restaurant chain has launched the UAE’s first anti-plastic awareness film exclusively led by People of Determination. The project, titled ‘Raising Awareness with Rising Spirits,’ supports Dubai Government’s plastic ban directive while pioneering a new model of inclusive environmental activism.

    Directed by Binesh Babu Panicker, the film represents the cornerstone of SHARE TO CARE by The Monk—a comprehensive movement integrating sustainability, inclusion, and community engagement. The production breaks new ground by placing individuals with disabilities not merely as participants but as narrative leaders in environmental storytelling.

    “This production demonstrates that when society’s most inspiring voices deliver crucial messages, the impact resonates profoundly,” Panicker stated. “Our cast of People of Determination guided the entire narrative framework, creating an authentic embodiment of reverse inclusion where they educate us about planetary stewardship and mutual care.”

    The Monk’s operations manager Gene Bacolod emphasized the brand’s alignment with government sustainability directives: “Sustainability and inclusion form the core of our identity. We’ve systematically eliminated plastic carry bags and cutlery across all outlets, replacing them with fully recyclable alternatives. Having People of Determination champion this message adds profound significance for our team and customers alike.”

    This innovative approach to environmental campaigning represents a significant advancement in both disability representation and ecological activism within the region. The initiative establishes a new paradigm for how businesses can collaborate with marginalized communities to address pressing environmental concerns while promoting social inclusion.

  • Russian passenger flight makes emergency landing in Lanzhou

    Russian passenger flight makes emergency landing in Lanzhou

    A Russian-operated Boeing 757-200 aircraft performed an emergency landing at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport in China’s Gansu province on Friday afternoon, following the activation of an international distress signal during its flight through Chinese airspace.

    The Azur Air flight ZF2998, traveling from Phuket International Airport in Thailand to Barnaul, Russia, declared an emergency situation while over Chinese territory. The crew transmitted transponder code 7700, the universal aviation distress signal, indicating an onboard emergency requiring priority handling.

    Flight tracking systems captured the aircraft’s precautionary maneuvers as it circled near Lanzhou while executing fuel jettison procedures to reduce landing weight and minimize potential fire risk. The aircraft touched down safely at 4:51 PM local time without incident.

    Airport authorities confirmed that all 239 passengers and 7 crew members aboard the aircraft emerged unharmed from the emergency operation. The airport maintained normal takeoff and landing operations throughout the incident, demonstrating effective emergency response coordination.

    Chinese aviation officials are now coordinating subsequent arrangements for passengers and crew while investigating the circumstances that necessitated the emergency landing. The successful handling of the incident highlights international aviation cooperation protocols and China’s emergency response capabilities for foreign aircraft in distress.