I travelled by bus across Iran to seek out the world’s most famous fire temple – and I found it. The city of Yazd lies in the central part of the country and looks as if it has grown out of the sand itself.
“Here you will find a fire that has burned uninterrupted since the year 470,” my guidebook told me.
My anticipation grew with every mile until the city finally appeared with its low mud-brick houses. In the evening sun the unruly settlement took on a warm yellow-brown glow. “The city has half a million inhabitants and is surrounded by salt flats and stony deserts,” I read further. That last part was perfectly true.
“Why have you come here?” the hotel receptionist asked.
“Because I want to see the sacred fire.”
Early the next morning I set out for Atash Behram, as the temple is called; it means “Fire of Victory.” Before Iran was conquered by Islam in the seventh century, the inhabitants followed Zarathustra. He is believed to have lived more than 2,500 years ago and made fire the centre of people’s religious life. The religion he founded was even the state religion for around a thousand years.
Kinaforum
tirsdag 17. mars 2026
Japan’s Takaichi faces Iran war test at Trump summit Thursday
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to the United States for a summit with President Donald Trump on March 19 was never going to be easy. Now, with Trump calling upon Japan and other countries to send warships to ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz, she increasingly faces a no-win situation.
“No decision has been made whatsoever regarding the dispatch of escort vessels,” Takaichi said Monday at a Budget Committee meeting in the upper House of Councillors. “We are currently examining what Japan can do independently and what is possible within the legal framework.”“
Legally speaking, this is very difficult,” she said. “We are carefully examining what can be done within the scope of current laws and what is the best course of action at this time. At the same time, we are continuing to engage with Iran to help deescalate the situation while also exchanging information with various countries.” It bears mentioning that Japan has diplomatic relations with Iran.
“No decision has been made whatsoever regarding the dispatch of escort vessels,” Takaichi said Monday at a Budget Committee meeting in the upper House of Councillors. “We are currently examining what Japan can do independently and what is possible within the legal framework.”“
Legally speaking, this is very difficult,” she said. “We are carefully examining what can be done within the scope of current laws and what is the best course of action at this time. At the same time, we are continuing to engage with Iran to help deescalate the situation while also exchanging information with various countries.” It bears mentioning that Japan has diplomatic relations with Iran.
What Trump’s Hormuz coalition call really means for China
Trump called on China and several other countries over the weekend to join his proposed naval coalition for securing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Iran war.
He then told the Financial Times the following day that “I think China should help too because China gets 90% of its oil from the Straits [sic]…We’d like to know before [my trip to China at month’s end]. It’s [two weeks is] a long time. We may delay.” This substantially raises the stakes of his demand. If China doesn’t comply and Trump delays his trip, the fragile Sino-US trade truce could unravel, worsening the global economic uncertainty caused by the oil crisis. On the other hand, compliance would lend legitimacy to his proposed naval coalition and likely be seen by Iran as hostile.
Iran has already clarified that the strait is closed only to unfriendly countries – a category that presently does not include China – and a proposal was also reportedly floated for China to begin paying for Iranian oil with yuan.
He then told the Financial Times the following day that “I think China should help too because China gets 90% of its oil from the Straits [sic]…We’d like to know before [my trip to China at month’s end]. It’s [two weeks is] a long time. We may delay.” This substantially raises the stakes of his demand. If China doesn’t comply and Trump delays his trip, the fragile Sino-US trade truce could unravel, worsening the global economic uncertainty caused by the oil crisis. On the other hand, compliance would lend legitimacy to his proposed naval coalition and likely be seen by Iran as hostile.
Iran has already clarified that the strait is closed only to unfriendly countries – a category that presently does not include China – and a proposal was also reportedly floated for China to begin paying for Iranian oil with yuan.
Gulf crisis to strengthen, not weaken, China’s industrial edge
Geopolitical crises rarely produce only short-term economic shocks. More often they reshape how governments think about long-term economic security and industrial resilience. A serious disruption in the Persian Gulf could therefore have consequences far beyond temporary oil price spikes.
When such instability coincides with the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence-driven economies, policymakers are forced to reconsider how their industries will be powered in the future. In a world increasingly defined by electricity-intensive technologies, China’s ability to supply large, reliable and affordable power systems will gain a strategic advantage.
When such instability coincides with the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence-driven economies, policymakers are forced to reconsider how their industries will be powered in the future. In a world increasingly defined by electricity-intensive technologies, China’s ability to supply large, reliable and affordable power systems will gain a strategic advantage.
How China’s analysts view the US-Iran war
The United States and Israel launched a “pre-emptive” joint missile attack on Iran on Feb. 28, in what has been described as “the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation.”Named Operation Epic Fury, the strikes followed “dissatisfaction” with the progress of nuclear talks with Iran, spiraling into “decapitation” attacks that killed most of Iran’s top leadership within 48 hours, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran launched a fierce retaliation in response, vowing “no leniency.” Initially believed to end in weeks, US President Donald Trump now says the war will end when he “feels it in (his) bones.”
As the conflict escalates, eyes have turned to China, which inked a US$400 billion deal with Iran in 2021. While criticizing a war that should “never have happened,” China clarified its official stance as “objective and impartial,” upholding “non-interference” in international affairs.
Iran launched a fierce retaliation in response, vowing “no leniency.” Initially believed to end in weeks, US President Donald Trump now says the war will end when he “feels it in (his) bones.”
As the conflict escalates, eyes have turned to China, which inked a US$400 billion deal with Iran in 2021. While criticizing a war that should “never have happened,” China clarified its official stance as “objective and impartial,” upholding “non-interference” in international affairs.
China: 'Ethnic unity' law sparks fears of forced integration
Critics see the law as allowing authorities in Beijing more room to frame ethnic groups' demands for cultural autonomy as a push towards "separatism." China's National People's Congress (NPC) last week approved by an overwhelming majority a law that had been submitted to the legislature three years ago: the Law Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. There were 2,756 votes in favor of this "ethnic unity" law, three abstentions and three votes against.
Some 442 delegates from ethnic minority groups took part in the vote, accounting for around 14% of all members of parliament. Beijing claims the law will promote national unity, and eliminate the disadvantages faced by ethnic groups in social life.
China, a multi-ethnic state of 1.4 billion people, officially recognizes 56 ethnic groups. Fifty-five of them are classified as "minorities" because the largest group — the Han Chinese — makes up 92 % of the population, with just under 1.2 billion people.
Some 442 delegates from ethnic minority groups took part in the vote, accounting for around 14% of all members of parliament. Beijing claims the law will promote national unity, and eliminate the disadvantages faced by ethnic groups in social life.
China, a multi-ethnic state of 1.4 billion people, officially recognizes 56 ethnic groups. Fifty-five of them are classified as "minorities" because the largest group — the Han Chinese — makes up 92 % of the population, with just under 1.2 billion people.
US-China trade talks 'stable' despite mutual accusations
Top trade officials from the US and China were set to conclude their two-day summit in Paris on Monday, with officials telling Reuters news agency that the discussions had been "remarkably stable" despite barbs from both camps on the sidelines of the talks.
Earlier in the day, French news agency AFP reported that Beijing had accused Washington of "erroneous" claims that China tacitly condones forced labor. The US has even launched an official investigation into the matter. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the probe was "discriminatory" and nothing more than an attempt at "trade manipulation."
At the same time, President Donald Trump threatened to delay a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping planned for later this month unless Xi agrees to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic in the key waterway for oil tankers has come to an almost complete standstill due to the US and Israel-led war on Iran. Beijing relies on oil from the Middle East for much of its energy.
Earlier in the day, French news agency AFP reported that Beijing had accused Washington of "erroneous" claims that China tacitly condones forced labor. The US has even launched an official investigation into the matter. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the probe was "discriminatory" and nothing more than an attempt at "trade manipulation."
At the same time, President Donald Trump threatened to delay a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping planned for later this month unless Xi agrees to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic in the key waterway for oil tankers has come to an almost complete standstill due to the US and Israel-led war on Iran. Beijing relies on oil from the Middle East for much of its energy.
South Korea uneasy as US moves air defenses to Middle East
Reports indicate the US is redeploying some Patriot and THAAD air defense batteries from South Korea to the Middle East. The move comes as Pyongyang continues saber rattling.
North Korea fired a salvo of 10 ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Saturday, highlighting the need for South Korea to retain a credible missile defense. Unfortunately, the launch coincides with reports that the US is withdrawing some missile defense systems from South Korea to enhance its capabilities in the Middle East amid the ongoing war with Iran.
Citing US officials, The Washington Post reported on March 9 that the Pentagon was transferring Patriot and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile batteries from US Forces Korea (USFK) to the Middle East. South Korean media have also reported on an unusually high number of flights by US military transport aircraft from Osan Air Base, although the US is remaining tight-lipped about its actions.
North Korea fired a salvo of 10 ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Saturday, highlighting the need for South Korea to retain a credible missile defense. Unfortunately, the launch coincides with reports that the US is withdrawing some missile defense systems from South Korea to enhance its capabilities in the Middle East amid the ongoing war with Iran.
Citing US officials, The Washington Post reported on March 9 that the Pentagon was transferring Patriot and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile batteries from US Forces Korea (USFK) to the Middle East. South Korean media have also reported on an unusually high number of flights by US military transport aircraft from Osan Air Base, although the US is remaining tight-lipped about its actions.
How Trump’s War With Iran Is Impacting Asia’s Economy—and Why That Matters for the World
The economic fallout from the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran is rippling across the world, but the effects are especially pronounced in Asia.
From New Delhi to Bangkok, governments are bracing for a new wave of inflation driven by disruptions in the world’s most important energy corridor, the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively shut by Iran in retaliation for American and Israeli attacks. Across a number of Asian countries, officials have closed schools, told workers to stay home, and asked people to adopt other fuel-saving measures as they anticipate surging oil prices to push up the prices of nearly everything from food to transport to electricity.
“The conflict threatens to trigger a new wave of cost-of-living pressures that embattled governments and central banks around the world will struggle to deal with, especially coming from the supply-side,” Heron Lim, a lecturer of economics with ESSEC Business School, tells TIME.
From New Delhi to Bangkok, governments are bracing for a new wave of inflation driven by disruptions in the world’s most important energy corridor, the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively shut by Iran in retaliation for American and Israeli attacks. Across a number of Asian countries, officials have closed schools, told workers to stay home, and asked people to adopt other fuel-saving measures as they anticipate surging oil prices to push up the prices of nearly everything from food to transport to electricity.
“The conflict threatens to trigger a new wave of cost-of-living pressures that embattled governments and central banks around the world will struggle to deal with, especially coming from the supply-side,” Heron Lim, a lecturer of economics with ESSEC Business School, tells TIME.
Vietnam: How much Assembly dissent will To Lam allow?
On March 15, 2026, nearly 73.5 million Vietnamese voters headed to the polls to elect 500 deputies to the 16th National Assembly and members of People’s Councils at all levels.
Of 864 candidates standing for the National Assembly, 65 were non-Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) candidates, and only five were self-nominated. The outcome was thus never really in question.What matters more is what kind of legislature will take shape under a new political order led by General Secretary To Lam. Though the CPV operates through collective leadership, To Lam has arisen as a strongman leader, having secured a full five-year term at the January 2026 14th Party Congress.
Of 864 candidates standing for the National Assembly, 65 were non-Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) candidates, and only five were self-nominated. The outcome was thus never really in question.What matters more is what kind of legislature will take shape under a new political order led by General Secretary To Lam. Though the CPV operates through collective leadership, To Lam has arisen as a strongman leader, having secured a full five-year term at the January 2026 14th Party Congress.
søndag 15. mars 2026
Torbjørn Færøvik: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is far more dangerous than the Iranian ayatollahs
While Donald Trump rages against Iran’s defiant ayatollahs, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is laughing louder than ever. And why not? North Korea has long since become a nuclear power, and Trump – supposedly the greatest man under heaven – has no choice but to accept it.
Earlier this week, “the Supreme Leader” sent yet another long-range missile into the sky. According to North Korean media, the test launch was “highly successful.” “With a deafening roar and a raging tail of fire, the missile announced that North Korea will not be subdued,” reports from the capital Pyongyang declared. Kim watched the event from a control room together with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae. It is being speculated that the 13-year-old girl has been designated as her father’s successor.
That the test launch took place while the United States is trying to bomb Iran into capitulation was hardly a coincidence. Kim Jong-un wants to tell the world that he himself feels secure, and that no power, not even the United States, will be able to force him to his knees.
And that is not all: North Korea’s missile program has become so advanced that the country’s intercontinental missiles can strike targets in the United States. Designed to fly up to 15,000 kilometers, they could in the worst case destroy several of America’s largest cities, even Washington, D.C. How precise and reliable the missiles would be in wartime is uncertain, but the program has clearly progressed far enough for North Korea to feel safer than ever.
Earlier this week, “the Supreme Leader” sent yet another long-range missile into the sky. According to North Korean media, the test launch was “highly successful.” “With a deafening roar and a raging tail of fire, the missile announced that North Korea will not be subdued,” reports from the capital Pyongyang declared. Kim watched the event from a control room together with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae. It is being speculated that the 13-year-old girl has been designated as her father’s successor.
That the test launch took place while the United States is trying to bomb Iran into capitulation was hardly a coincidence. Kim Jong-un wants to tell the world that he himself feels secure, and that no power, not even the United States, will be able to force him to his knees.
And that is not all: North Korea’s missile program has become so advanced that the country’s intercontinental missiles can strike targets in the United States. Designed to fly up to 15,000 kilometers, they could in the worst case destroy several of America’s largest cities, even Washington, D.C. How precise and reliable the missiles would be in wartime is uncertain, but the program has clearly progressed far enough for North Korea to feel safer than ever.
US warned of China rare earth curbs if Section 301 tariffs expand
Beijing could resume restrictions on rare-earth exports and halt purchases of United States soybeans if Washington insists on “making trouble” by proceeding with new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act, according to Chinese commentators and policy observers.
The unofficial warnings came after the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Thursday announced the initiation of Section 301 investigations into the trade practices of 16 countries, including China. The USTR also launched separate Section 301 probes into 60 economies to determine whether they have failed to curb imports of goods produced with forced labor, such as cotton from Xinjiang.
The unofficial warnings came after the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Thursday announced the initiation of Section 301 investigations into the trade practices of 16 countries, including China. The USTR also launched separate Section 301 probes into 60 economies to determine whether they have failed to curb imports of goods produced with forced labor, such as cotton from Xinjiang.
Vietnam: Polls open in one-party election
Polls opened in Vietnam on Sunday as millions of voters queued up to cast ballots to elect 500 members of the National Assembly from a list of candidates who mostly belong to the ruling Communist Party.
Out of 864 candidates for the 500-seat parliament, only 65, or 7.5%, are independents — down from 8.5% in 2021. About 73.5 million registered voters are expected to take part in the elections, choosing both national and local representatives. In Vietnam's one-party system, the most powerful posts are usually determined by senior Communist leaders ahead of the vote.
The current legislature is comprised of 97% Communist Party members with virtually no opposition, giving the party sweeping powers to decide on parliamentary proceedings.
Out of 864 candidates for the 500-seat parliament, only 65, or 7.5%, are independents — down from 8.5% in 2021. About 73.5 million registered voters are expected to take part in the elections, choosing both national and local representatives. In Vietnam's one-party system, the most powerful posts are usually determined by senior Communist leaders ahead of the vote.
The current legislature is comprised of 97% Communist Party members with virtually no opposition, giving the party sweeping powers to decide on parliamentary proceedings.
Vietnam holds general election, 93% candidates from ruling Communist Party
Voters in Vietnam have cast their ballots for members of the National Assembly, the country’s top legislative body, which serves mainly to ratify decisions by the governing Communist Party.
Nearly 93 percent of the 864 parliamentary candidates in Sunday’s election are Communist Party members, while 7.5 percent are independents, according to the national election council, down from 8.5 percent in 2021. The five-yearly elections in the tightly controlled one-party state will see more than 73 million voters elect 500 members of the National Assembly and representatives for local councils.
The Communist Party, which has ruled the Southeast Asian nation of 100 million people unopposed for decades, holds 97 percent of the parliamentary seats.
Nearly 93 percent of the 864 parliamentary candidates in Sunday’s election are Communist Party members, while 7.5 percent are independents, according to the national election council, down from 8.5 percent in 2021. The five-yearly elections in the tightly controlled one-party state will see more than 73 million voters elect 500 members of the National Assembly and representatives for local councils.
The Communist Party, which has ruled the Southeast Asian nation of 100 million people unopposed for decades, holds 97 percent of the parliamentary seats.
North Korea fires 10 ballistic missiles during U.S.-South Korea military drills
North Korea fired more than 10 ballistic missiles into the sea on Saturday, South Korea’s military said, as the U.S. and South Korean forces conducted military drills and U.S. President Donald Trump renewed overtures towards Pyongyang for dialogue. Japan’s coast guard said it had detected what could be a ballistic missile that fell into the sea. It appeared to have fallen outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, public broadcaster NHK said, citing the military.
The missiles were launched from an area near the capital Pyongyang, around 1:20 p.m. (0430 GMT) towards the sea off the country’s east coast, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
North Korea has test-launched a wide range of ballistic and cruise missiles for more than two decades in a push to develop the means to deliver nuclear weapons, which it is believed to have successfully built.
The missiles were launched from an area near the capital Pyongyang, around 1:20 p.m. (0430 GMT) towards the sea off the country’s east coast, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
North Korea has test-launched a wide range of ballistic and cruise missiles for more than two decades in a push to develop the means to deliver nuclear weapons, which it is believed to have successfully built.
US-China trade talks open in Paris, paving the way for Trump-Xi summit
Representatives from Beijing and Washington began their economic and trade talks in Paris on Sunday, paving the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in about two weeks.
The delegations, led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, convened in the French capital in the morning, China’s official news agency Xinhua reported. The White House has said that Trump will travel to China from March 31 to April 2, though Beijing has not officially confirmed it. Bessent said on Thursday that his team will continue to deliver results that put America’s farmers, workers and businesses first. The U.S. Treasury Department said Bessent will meet He on Sunday and Monday.
The delegations, led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, convened in the French capital in the morning, China’s official news agency Xinhua reported. The White House has said that Trump will travel to China from March 31 to April 2, though Beijing has not officially confirmed it. Bessent said on Thursday that his team will continue to deliver results that put America’s farmers, workers and businesses first. The U.S. Treasury Department said Bessent will meet He on Sunday and Monday.
Counterespionage thriller is first Chinese movie to get backing of intelligence agency
Dodging glass-walled skyscrapers, a drone joined a high-octane chase as a spy tried to evade the agents in pursuit. In moments, the unmanned aircraft knocks him down. The drama happened in China’s southern city of Shenzhen and has been seen by millions of people domestically and abroad, including in the United States.
But it was not real. It was one of the scenes from “Scare Out,” a recently released Chinese movie that marks the first motion picture to be endorsed by China’s secretive and powerful Ministry of State Security.
A movie about a mole inside an intelligence agency is not new in many countries, but it is in China, where the authorities — especially those with links to security — are used to keeping strict control over what is shared.
But it was not real. It was one of the scenes from “Scare Out,” a recently released Chinese movie that marks the first motion picture to be endorsed by China’s secretive and powerful Ministry of State Security.
A movie about a mole inside an intelligence agency is not new in many countries, but it is in China, where the authorities — especially those with links to security — are used to keeping strict control over what is shared.
lørdag 14. mars 2026
China doesn't want to catch up with the USA in tech. It aims to lead
In an era marked by US overseas military actions and trade turbulence, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is counting on a plan to shield his country from the storm: driving innovation to transform China into the world’s leading tech superpower.
Over the next five years, China seeks to upgrade its already powerful industrial sector, strengthen tech “self-sufficiency” and incubate sectors that will help accelerate the country’s tech supremacy, from artificial intelligence and robotics to aerospace and quantum computing.
“For the first time, China wants to lead in a number of technologies. Previously, the focus was always catching up with the West,” said Dan Wang, China director at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group.
Over the next five years, China seeks to upgrade its already powerful industrial sector, strengthen tech “self-sufficiency” and incubate sectors that will help accelerate the country’s tech supremacy, from artificial intelligence and robotics to aerospace and quantum computing.
“For the first time, China wants to lead in a number of technologies. Previously, the focus was always catching up with the West,” said Dan Wang, China director at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group.
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