Asia

Asia – NEN Agency

Welcome to the Asia section of NEN Agency, your gateway to the stories and trends shaping the world’s largest and most diverse continent. With tech innovations and Southeast Asia’s cultural vibrance, we deliver news that connects the dots across borders.

Inside This Category

  • Politics & Diplomacy: Regional alliances, conflicts, and leadership changes.

  • Economy & Trade: Market trends, trade agreements, and economic growth.

  • Technology & Innovation: Breakthroughs from Asia’s tech hubs and startups.

  • Culture & Heritage: Traditions, festivals, and cultural exchanges across the region.

  • Pakistan–Asia Relations: Bilateral ties, trade, and regional cooperation.

Why Our Coverage Stands Out
We bring together diverse perspectives, blending local insights with global context to help readers understand Asia’s influence on the world stage.

Asia, Health, International, Medical

China Plans Further Pig Lung Xenotransplant Trials

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Beijing, August 28, 2025, 05:11 PM PKT – China Plans Further Pig Lung Xenotransplant Trials Chinese scientists announced plans for additional pig-to-human lung xenotransplant trials on August 28, 2025, following the world’s first successful transplant of a genetically modified pig lung into a brain-dead patient, reported in Nature Medicine. The procedure, conducted in May 2024, saw the lung function for nine days. Professor He Jianxing, lead researcher at Guangzhou Medical University, told NEN, “We aim to refine genetic edits for safer clinical trials.” The initial transplant used a Bama pig with six CRISPR edits to reduce immune rejection, but challenges like fluid buildup persisted. New trials will target living patients by 2026 . The initiative addresses the global organ shortage, with 8,236 transplants performed worldwide in 2024 against a much higher demand. Clonorgan Biotechnology will supply pigs with enhanced gene edits to minimize rejection risks. “This is a game-changer,” said a health official. Stay updated at nenagency.

Asia, Economy, International

Pakistan and China Reaffirm High-Quality CPEC Cooperation

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Pakistan and China Reaffirm High-Quality CPEC CooperationIslamabad, August 21, 2025 – Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to the high-quality development of the upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during the 6th Strategic Dialogue. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar hosted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Islamabad. � �The ministers reviewed bilateral ties, focusing on trade, economics, and CPEC 2.0. Dar noted complete unanimity on key issues and welcomed Wang’s vision for advancing cooperation. Wang described CPEC as the cornerstone of their partnership, prioritizing it as a “growth corridor, livelihood-enhancing corridor, green corridor, and open corridor.” � �Wang pledged support for industrial, agricultural, and mining sectors, along with projects like Gwadar port, Karakoram Highway realignment, and ML-1 railway. Dar thanked China for backing Pakistan’s sovereignty and highlighted upcoming events, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit for the SCO summit. China also offered humanitarian aid for recent floods. � �Stay updated at nenagency.com. � �

Asia, World

Construction Begins on China-Contracted Mieso–Dire Dawa Expressway in Eastern Ethiopia

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Lead (Dateline & Overview) ADDIS ABABA, August 20, 2025 — Construction has officially commenced on the Mieso–Dire Dawa Expressway, a major infrastructure project within Ethiopia’s Ethio–Djibouti Transport Corridor. The project was inaugurated in Dire Dawa on Tuesday, marking a significant step toward improving regional connectivity and modernizing transportation networks. Project Scope & Strategic Importance The expressway spans 144 km, with construction to be completed in two phases over 48 months under a joint contract by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Sichuan Road and Bridge Group. Objectives & Design Impact Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh emphasized during the ceremony that roads are “critical driving forces for socioeconomic development,” especially given that over 90% of goods and people move by road in Ethiopia. The expressway will connect the Oromia and Somali regions to Dire Dawa, enhancing economic, social, and political integration between these areas. Local Workforce & Skills Transfer CCECC’s general manager, Chen Sichang, noted that 75% of the workers will be recruited locally. Moreover, a mentorship and training program led by Chinese engineers will help equip Ethiopian professionals with advanced international engineering skills. Regional Connectivity & Development Goals The Mieso–Dire Dawa Expressway forms a vital part of the Ethio–Djibouti Transport Corridor—a project essential to reducing travel times to ports and boosting economic activity. The Ethiopian Roads Administration highlighted its role in achieving the national goal of one-day travel from regional capitals to ports.

Asia, International

Books of Xi Jinping on Deepening Reform Published in Two Volumes

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Beijing, 17 August 2025 — The first and second volumes of a comprehensive collection of discourses by Xi Jinping—focusing on the mandate to adhere to and deepen reform in a comprehensive manner—have been officially published. The series was released by Central Party Literature Press and compiled by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee. Volume One: Speeches from 2012 to 2018 The first volume comprises 73 key works by Xi Jinping, expanding on the concept of deepening reform comprehensively during the period December 2012 to December 2018. Volume Two: New Contributions from 2019 to 2025 The second volume includes 92 pieces dated from January 2019 to April 2025, with several speeches being published for the first time. Significance of the Publications Xi Jinping’s latest thoughts, conclusions, and strategic perspectives in these volumes address fundamental questions—why reform must be comprehensive in the modern era, and how to effectively advance it. These works serve as guiding doctrine for further reform as well as for the broader drive toward national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

Asia, International, Politics

Modi Avoided Trump Meeting Fearing Encounter with Pakistan’s Army Chief: Report

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In a surprising diplomatic twist, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly skipped a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump during the recent NATO summit events in Washington D.C., due to concerns about a possible encounter with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir. According to a report published by Bloomberg, Indian officials were aware that General Munir might be present at the event and advised Modi to avoid the meeting altogether to sidestep a potentially tense situation. The report highlighted that the Indian delegation was “uncomfortable” with the idea of both leaders being present at the same time, prompting a strategic cancellation from the Indian side. The Bloomberg report claims this reflects the current high-stakes diplomatic sensitivities in South Asia, particularly after Pakistan’s vocal stance at international forums regarding Kashmir and the ongoing tension across the Line of Control (LoC). Strategic Optics or Diplomatic Snub? While Indian sources have tried to downplay the move, citing scheduling issues, analysts believe this was a calculated political decision to avoid sharing global optics with Pakistan’s top military leadership. General Asim Munir has gained increasing visibility in international diplomacy since taking over as COAS, strengthening Pakistan’s military ties with the United States, China, and Middle Eastern allies. This development raises fresh questions about India-Pakistan relations and the evolving power dynamics in South Asia.

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