Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • More Chinese cities add artificial hearts to medical insurance coverage

    More Chinese cities add artificial hearts to medical insurance coverage

    Tianjin has joined a growing number of Chinese cities implementing groundbreaking healthcare coverage for artificial heart implantation procedures, marking a significant advancement in cardiovascular treatment accessibility. The policy shift follows national guidelines issued by China’s National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) in March that established standardized pricing and coverage for ventricular assist devices.

    The transformative impact of this policy is exemplified by 69-year-old Sun Jucai, who became Tianjin’s first beneficiary after receiving an artificial heart implant in November. Diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, Sun had endured severe heart failure symptoms that left him breathless during simple conversation. Following successful surgery at TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital using a domestically developed device, Sun has experienced remarkable recovery and now describes the procedure as ‘a second chance at life.’

    Financially, the coverage represents a dramatic reduction in patient burden. Previously costing over 1 million yuan ($142,150), artificial heart implantation now costs approximately 700,000 yuan after insurance reimbursement. ‘The medical insurance covered most of the consumables and surgical expenses, greatly easing my financial burden,’ Sun confirmed after his recent discharge.

    This expansion addresses a critical healthcare challenge: China’s estimated 16 million chronic heart failure patients, with numbers continuing to rise. For advanced-stage patients, conventional treatments offer limited relief, and heart transplantation remains constrained by donor shortages. Artificial hearts have emerged as a viable alternative, though cost previously placed them beyond reach for most citizens.

    Notably, Tianjin’s policy eliminates regional barriers, allowing patients from across China to seek treatment and receive reimbursement within the city. This development follows similar implementations in other major regions including Beijing and Guangdong Province.

    Healthcare experts anticipate broader implications from this policy shift. Dr. Liu Xiaocheng, President of TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, notes that ‘approving reimbursement for this life-saving but costly technology will help speed up the development and wider use of artificial hearts in China.’

    The expansion reflects China’s ongoing commitment to healthcare system development, maintaining approximately 95% enrollment in basic medical insurance with some 20 billion reimbursements processed between 2021 and 2024 according to NHSA statistics.

  • China records continued improvement in child health in 2024

    China records continued improvement in child health in 2024

    China demonstrated marked progress across multiple child welfare indicators throughout 2024, according to an official statistical monitoring report released by the National Bureau of Statistics. The comprehensive assessment reveals substantial improvements in pediatric healthcare infrastructure, food safety standards, and early childhood education accessibility.

    Critical mortality metrics showed consistent decline, with the neonatal mortality rate dropping to 2.5 per thousand—a reduction of 0.3 points from 2023 figures. Similarly, infant mortality decreased to 4.0 per thousand (down 0.5 points), while the under-five mortality rate fell to 5.6 per thousand, representing a 0.6-point improvement over the previous year.

    The nation’s healthcare infrastructure expanded significantly, with 3,073 maternal and child health institutions and 162 specialized children’s hospitals operational by year’s end. Food safety achieved exceptional standards with infant formula milk powder passing safety inspections at a remarkable 99.88% rate.

    Educational access widened as preschool enrollment reached 92.0%, a 0.9 percentage point increase from 2023. Concurrently, digital protection efforts intensified with the removal of over 5.485 million instances of illegal and harmful online content that endangered young users.

    These developments reflect China’s ongoing implementation of the National Program for Child Development (2021-2030), demonstrating coordinated progress across healthcare, nutrition, education, and digital safety sectors.

  • China launches two new satellites into space

    China launches two new satellites into space

    China’s aerospace program has marked another significant achievement with the successful deployment of two advanced technology demonstration satellites. On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at precisely 6:40 AM Beijing Time, a Long March 7A carrier rocket roared to life from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan province, carrying the Shijian-29A and Shijian-29B satellites into predetermined orbits.

    The newly launched satellites represent China’s continued advancement in space-based monitoring systems, specifically designed for experimental verification of cutting-edge space target detection technologies. This mission underscores China’s growing capabilities in space domain awareness and orbital monitoring applications.

    This launch constitutes the 623rd flight mission within the Long March rocket family, demonstrating the reliability and frequent launch cadence of China’s space transportation system. The coastal Wenchang facility continues to serve as a strategic launch site for China’s ambitious space program, leveraging its geographical advantages for orbital deployments.

    The successful mission adds to China’s expanding constellation of specialized satellites, enhancing the nation’s technological footprint in space while contributing to the development of next-generation space surveillance infrastructure. The experimental nature of these satellites suggests they will serve as testbeds for future operational systems in China’s comprehensive space strategy.

  • Hundreds of thousands mourn Bangladesh’s ex-PM at state funeral

    Hundreds of thousands mourn Bangladesh’s ex-PM at state funeral

    Dhaka witnessed an unprecedented outpouring of grief as hundreds of thousands of citizens converged on the capital Wednesday to honor former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who passed Tuesday at age 80 after battling prolonged illness. The nation’s first female premier received final tributes through streets lined with emotional supporters offering prayers and displaying photographs of the iconic leader.

    The solemn procession featuring Zia’s flag-draped cortege moved past parliamentary grounds under enhanced security deployment, with national flags flying at half-mast. The massive gathering transcended mere political demonstration, representing profound national reverence for a figure who shaped Bangladesh’s democratic trajectory.

    International dignitaries including India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel attended funeral ceremonies, underscoring Zia’s regional significance.

    Personal testimonials highlighted Zia’s enduring legacy. BNP activist Setara Sultana traveled extensively “just to say goodbye,” while mother Sharmina Siraj credited Zia’s educational stipend programs for transforming her daughters’ opportunities, calling the late leader “an inspiration.”

    Zia’s political journey began tragically following her husband President Ziaur Rahman’s 1981 assassination. She subsequently led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) through the nation’s first elections in two decades, earning recognition as an “uncompromising leader” for boycotting controversial polls during military rule.

    Her career featured intense rivalry with current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with Zia emerging as the primary opposition symbol during what many consider Hasina’s increasingly authoritarian tenure. Despite recent illness, Zia had been nominated for three parliamentary constituencies in upcoming February elections—the first since last year’s popular revolution unseated Hasina.

    The political landscape now shifts significantly with Zia’s passing. Her son Tarique Rahman, who recently ended 17 years of London exile, recited Quranic verses beside his mother’s body and is positioned to assume party leadership should BNP return to power. Rahman memorialized his mother as “a guiding presence that shaped [Bangladesh’s] democratic aspirations.”

  • AS700 airship receives production certificate, readies for flight services

    AS700 airship receives production certificate, readies for flight services

    China’s aviation sector has achieved a significant breakthrough with the AS700 airship receiving its official production certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on December 31, 2024. This regulatory milestone, granted during a formal ceremony in Jingmen, Hubei province, authorizes the commencement of serial production and delivery operations for what represents China’s largest domestically developed airship.

    The certification marks the culmination of an extensive development program that began in August 2018 under the supervision of the Special Aircraft Research Institute, a subsidiary of state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC). The comprehensive testing phase involved 187 experimental flights accumulating over 600 flight hours, thoroughly validating the aircraft’s performance and safety parameters.

    Technically sophisticated, the AS700 features piston engine propulsion capable of achieving maximum speeds of 100 kilometers per hour with an operational ceiling of 3,100 meters. The airship boasts substantial payload capacity with a maximum takeoff weight of 4.15 metric tons, accommodating one pilot alongside nine passengers. Its design enables extended operational range up to 700 kilometers with endurance capabilities reaching 10 hours continuously.

    While initially conceived for aerial tourism applications, the AS700 demonstrates remarkable operational versatility across multiple sectors. Beyond passenger transportation, designers highlight its suitability for specialized missions including mineral exploration, maritime surveillance, law enforcement patrols, cargo transportation, and emergency response operations.

    The program has already secured substantial market validation with 42 confirmed orders, including the first delivery to Taicang Cultural Tourism Development Group, a state-owned enterprise in Jiangsu province. This initial transfer signals the commencement of commercial aerial sightseeing services, establishing new paradigms for low-altitude tourism experiences across China.

    This achievement represents the second major regulatory milestone for the program following the type certificate received in December 2023, collectively establishing the AS700 as China’s first fully certified manned airship developed through domestic aerospace capabilities.

  • Xinjiang sees record grain, cotton outputs

    Xinjiang sees record grain, cotton outputs

    China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has shattered production records in both cotton and grain harvests for 2025, marking a significant advancement in agricultural productivity. The remarkable yields have been propelled by comprehensive modernization initiatives including large-scale mechanization, enhanced farming techniques, and superior crop varieties.

    Official statistics reveal cotton production reached an unprecedented 6.17 million metric tons, surpassing the 6 million ton threshold for the first time and constituting 92.8% of China’s total output. Simultaneously, grain yields climbed to 8,291.9 kilograms per hectare, maintaining Xinjiang’s position as the national leader for the second consecutive year.

    Wei Fenghua, an official from the National Bureau of Statistics, attributed this agricultural success to multiple factors including extensive mechanized farming operations and sustained favorable cotton market prices that have encouraged continued cultivation expansion. The region’s cotton yield per hectare reached 2,379 kg, exceeding the national average by 150 kg, benefiting from optimal climatic conditions, abundant sunlight, sophisticated field management practices, and genetically improved seed varieties.

    The mechanization revolution has been particularly transformative. In Awat county, Aksu prefecture, the Yuhao Farmers’ Cooperative has automated over 80% of cotton operations from planting to harvesting. Cooperative manager Wang Hongwei explained how land leveling and adoption of high-yield, disease-resistant cotton varieties have enabled large-scale equipment deployment.

    Domestic agricultural machinery has played a crucial role in this transformation. Self-propelled cotton harvesters, predominantly manufactured domestically, can now process 10 hectares daily—equivalent to approximately 100 manual laborers. Local data indicates domestic machinery accounted for over 80% of cotton harvesters in Aksu’s Awat and Shaya counties.

    Agricultural equipment operators have increasingly embraced Chinese-made machinery, noting advantages in maintenance speed, warranty support, and training tailored to local conditions. Hao Jiangshan, who transitioned from imported to domestic harvesters after five years, exemplifies this shift. Yue Xingchun, manager at Shaya Boshiran Intelligent Agricultural Machinery Co, confirmed domestic equipment now matches imported models in performance while being specifically designed for Chinese field dimensions and operational requirements.

    Grain production similarly demonstrated robust growth, with total output reaching 24.32 million tons—an increase of 1.02 million tons from 2024. Over the past five years, Xinjiang’s annual grain output has expanded by 8.49 million tons, contributing 18.7% of China’s total growth during this period—the largest regional increase nationwide.

    Xinjiang’s agriculture department highlighted how approximately 4 million hectares of high-standard farmland have facilitated these achievements through technologies including rational dense planting and precision water-fertilizer regulation. Future plans involve concentrating cotton cultivation in mechanization-friendly zones, expanding local processing capabilities for wheat, corn, and cotton, and continuing yield optimization through technological innovation and improved farming practices.

  • China in elite global manufacturing club

    China in elite global manufacturing club

    China has achieved a historic milestone by entering the top tier of global manufacturing powers, according to a comprehensive report released on December 31, 2025. The nation’s manufacturing sector has surpassed Japan for the first time, positioning itself alongside Germany and the United States in the elite group of industrial leaders.

    The annual manufacturing development assessment, jointly published by the Chinese Academy of Engineering’s Centre for Strategic Studies, the China Academy of Machinery Science and Technology Group Co, and the China Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team, evaluates nine major economies across five critical indicators: scale development, quality and efficiency, structure optimization, innovation capacity, and sustainable development.

    Qin Hanjun, Chairman of the China Academy of Machinery Science and Technology Group Co, announced at a Beijing press conference that China’s manufacturing index has consistently exceeded 120 points for four consecutive years, firmly establishing the country within the second tier of manufacturing nations. The United States maintains a commanding lead with a score of 190.89, while Germany, China, and Japan form a competitive cluster scoring between 120 and 140.

    The report highlights innovation as the primary catalyst behind China’s manufacturing ascent. Research and development investment within the sector has more than doubled since 2012, rising from 0.85% to 1.82% in 2024. This sustained commitment to innovation has yielded tangible results, with China leading globally in Patent Cooperation Treaty applications for both 2023 and 2024.

    China has achieved world leadership in several advanced manufacturing sectors, including information and communication equipment, advanced rail transit systems, electrical power infrastructure, and new energy vehicles. Professor You Zheng, President of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Chinese Academy of Engineering academician, identified key global trends reshaping manufacturing, including a strategic shift from efficiency-focused to security-focused supply chains, accelerated green transformation, and intensifying technological competition.

    Looking toward 2030, China anticipates maintaining world-leading positions in seven core industries while achieving breakthrough innovations in original technologies. By 2035, six additional sectors including new display equipment, robotics, and energy storage systems are projected to join China’s portfolio of globally competitive manufacturing capabilities.

  • Joint operations along Mekong River elevate security, promote well-being

    Joint operations along Mekong River elevate security, promote well-being

    A landmark security initiative along the Mekong River has yielded transformative results, with China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand successfully completing their 160th joint patrol operation. The coordinated effort, conducted from December 27-30, 2025, involved approximately 170 law enforcement personnel and six patrol vessels navigating from Guanlei Port in China’s Yunnan province to Jingha Port.

    The comprehensive patrol mechanism has fundamentally altered the security landscape of this vital waterway. According to Humphan Keovanglat, Political Commissar of Laos’ Luang Namtha military area, “Cross-border travel now occurs smoothly and securely, trade flows without interruption, and local communities report substantially increased feelings of safety and fulfillment.”

    The operation represents one of Southeast Asia’s most successful multinational security collaborations, establishing an intelligence-sharing framework that enables rapid response capabilities. Captain Than Naing Oo of Myanmar’s Patrol Boat 171 emphasized that “this joint mechanism facilitates immediate intelligence exchange, strengthening our collective security cooperation while simultaneously promoting regional development.”

    Chinese veteran officer Ran Xi, who has served with Yunnan’s water patrol division since 2011, confirmed the dramatic security improvements: “Commercial vessels now navigate independently without security concerns, and we’ve witnessed a complete cessation of armed incidents along patrolled sections in recent years.”

    The enhanced security has generated tangible economic and social benefits. Thai tourist Kongkham Khamtip, 51, recently completed a stress-free journey from the Golden Triangle to Guanlei Port, noting “the river feels exceptionally secure, making for a relaxing voyage amid stunning scenery.” Cross-border commerce has similarly flourished, with Myanmar resident Sa Yin, 19, regularly traveling to China to purchase quality animal feed and visit family.

    Local merchant Zhang Yisheng reported significant increases in cross-border shopping, particularly during festival periods when customers from Myanmar routinely spend hundreds to thousands of yuan. The cooperation extends beyond security operations to include cultural exchanges, with personnel from all four nations recently participating in friendship sports events to strengthen interpersonal bonds.

    Jiang Zhida, senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, characterized the initiative as “a crucial safeguard for stability and prosperity throughout the Lancang-Mekong region, establishing the security foundation necessary for building a shared future community.”

  • Huge crowds join funeral prayers for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Bangladesh

    Huge crowds join funeral prayers for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Bangladesh

    DHAKA, Bangladesh — The capital city witnessed an unprecedented outpouring of grief Wednesday as immense crowds gathered outside the national parliament building to pay final respects to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who passed away Tuesday at age 80 following extended health complications.

    From early morning, continuous streams of mourners from Dhaka and distant regions converged on Manik Mia Avenue, transforming the parliamentary precinct into a sea of solemnity. Emotional scenes unfolded as distraught supporters, many referring to Zia as ‘mother,’ traveled overnight from rural areas to participate in the funeral prayers. The collective mourning extended kilometers beyond the main venue, with major thoroughfares filling with citizens offering prayers simultaneously.

    The state funeral attracted international attention, with dignitaries from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal joining representatives from 32 nations according to local media reports. Zia’s flag-draped coffin was transported via security-escorted vehicle from the hospital to her residence before reaching the funeral site, where approximately 10,000 security personnel including military forces maintained order.

    Interim authorities under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus declared a three-day national mourning period and a public holiday for Wednesday, with flags flying at half-mast nationwide. Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in the 1981 military coup.

    Zia’s political journey began following her husband’s assassination, culminating in her 1991 election as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister through a landslide democratic victory that established parliamentary governance. She led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) until her death, maintaining a historic rivalry with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League.

    The political landscape remains charged as Zia’s eldest son, Tarique Rahman, currently leads BNP as the front-running party for February’s elections. Meanwhile, Hasina remains in exile in India since August 2024 after receiving a death sentence in November for crimes against humanity related to last year’s mass uprising.

  • Jailed HK tycoon’s ‘teeth rotting and fingernails falling off’, daughter tells BBC

    Jailed HK tycoon’s ‘teeth rotting and fingernails falling off’, daughter tells BBC

    The deteriorating health of imprisoned Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai has sparked international concern as his family intensifies efforts to secure his release. Lai, a 78-year-old British citizen detained since December 2020, faces life imprisonment following his recent conviction under Hong Kong’s national security legislation.

    According to his daughter Claire Lai, who resides in exile in London, her father’s physical condition has significantly declined during his incarceration. She reports concerning symptoms including substantial weight loss, deteriorating dental health, fingernails that “turn purplish grey and sometimes fall off,” and the development of previously nonexistent cardiac issues. The diabetic octogenarian also experiences severe back and waist pain that occasionally prevents him from standing or leaving his bed.

    These claims contradict official statements from Chinese authorities, whose Foreign Ministry spokesperson in Hong Kong maintains that Lai’s “lawful rights and interests have been fully protected, and he is in good health.” Officials assert that prison authorities provide “a safe, humane, appropriate, and healthy custodial environment in accordance with the law.”

    The case has emerged as a diplomatic flashpoint ahead of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in January 2026—the first such visit by a British leader since 2018. Lai’s family has personally appealed to Starmer to advocate for his release during the upcoming talks.

    Lai’s conviction earlier this month under the National Security Law (NSL) stemmed from allegations that he colluded with foreign forces by lobbying governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China. He received additional convictions under colonial-era legislation for publishing seditious material in his now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper.

    The British government has condemned the prosecution as “politically motivated persecution,” asserting that Lai was “targeted for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.” UK officials have repeatedly called for the NSL’s repeal and cessation of all related prosecutions.

    Chinese authorities have rebuked Western criticism, characterizing external pressure as attempts to “influence judicial verdicts through political pressure [that] blatantly trample on the spirit of the rule of law.” Beijing maintains that the NSL, implemented in 2020 following massive pro-democracy protests, is essential for maintaining stability in Hong Kong, though critics argue it effectively criminalizes dissent.