Asia News Summary: Crew of China's "Shenzhou-19" Spaceship Returns, Plus Additional Stories
Here are some notable stories from across Asia that you might not have caught this week.
TroibNews 
Here are some stories from around Asia that you may have overlooked this week.
China's Shenzhou-19 Spaceship Crew Returns to Earth
The crew of China’s Shenzhou-19 spaceship, consisting of taikonauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze, landed safely at the Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia on Wednesday. Medical personnel on-site reported that the astronauts were in good health. The China Manned Space Agency declared the Shenzhou-19 manned mission a success. Launched on October 30 last year from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the spacecraft carried out a rapid automated rendezvous and docked with the Chinese space station. The astronauts spent 183 days in orbit and completed three spacewalks, breaking the previous record for the longest single spacewalk set by the Shenzhou-18 crew. The Shenzhou-19 team achieved this record during their first extravehicular activity on December 17, 2024, which lasted nine hours.
South Korea's Wildfires Made Twice as Likely by Climate Change, Researchers Say
On Thursday, scientists reported that climate change doubled the likelihood of the severe wildfires that struck South Korea in March, with projections indicating that such events may become increasingly common if temperatures keep rising. The fires, which affected the southeast region, raged for nearly a week, resulting in 32 fatalities and the destruction of approximately 5,000 buildings before being brought under control in late March. Local officials noted that the region was facing below-average rainfall and was impacted by strong winds following South Korea's hottest year on record in 2024. According to World Weather Attribution, "twice as likely and about 15 percent more intense" hot, dry, and windy conditions feeding the flames were attributed to human-caused climate change.
Four Killed in Sri Lanka While Paying Homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic
In Kandy, Sri Lanka, four individuals lost their lives last Friday while paying homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic, housed in the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage site locally known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Believed by devotees to be a tooth of the Buddha, the relic attracted nearly 450,000 pilgrims—more than double the anticipated number—resulting in severe overcrowding during a rare public display last Thursday. Over the past week, approximately 300 people were admitted to Kandy National Hospital, many suffering from dehydration and respiratory issues. The relic was publicly displayed for the first time since 2009, with the exhibition concluding on Sunday.
Volcano in the Central Philippines Spews 4.5 km High Column of Ash
A volcano in the central Philippines, Mount Bulusan, released an ash column reaching heights of 4.5 kilometers on Monday morning, prompting authorities to raise the alert level and caution residents against entering a 4-kilometer danger zone. Located in Sorsogon province, around 400 kilometers from Manila, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology elevated Bulusan's alert status from 0 to 1 on its five-level scale, indicating low-level volcanic unrest and cautioning of potential eruptions. The institute recorded 53 volcanic earthquakes within a 24-hour period before the eruption.
Vietnamese Celebrate 50 Years Since the End of the Vietnam War
On Wednesday, thousands of Vietnamese gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam War. The celebrations kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring an aerial display with helicopters and fighter jets, followed by parades and marches. “All the Vietnamese are the descendants of Vietnam. They have the right to live and work, to have the freedom to pursue happiness and love in this country,” stated To Lam, the general secretary of the Vietnam Communist Party. He emphasized that Vietnam has learned valuable lessons from its historical struggles and, under the Party's guidance, has concentrated on national reconstruction and development.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
China's Shenzhou-19 Spaceship Crew Returns to Earth
The crew of China’s Shenzhou-19 spaceship, consisting of taikonauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze, landed safely at the Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia on Wednesday. Medical personnel on-site reported that the astronauts were in good health. The China Manned Space Agency declared the Shenzhou-19 manned mission a success. Launched on October 30 last year from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the spacecraft carried out a rapid automated rendezvous and docked with the Chinese space station. The astronauts spent 183 days in orbit and completed three spacewalks, breaking the previous record for the longest single spacewalk set by the Shenzhou-18 crew. The Shenzhou-19 team achieved this record during their first extravehicular activity on December 17, 2024, which lasted nine hours.
South Korea's Wildfires Made Twice as Likely by Climate Change, Researchers Say
On Thursday, scientists reported that climate change doubled the likelihood of the severe wildfires that struck South Korea in March, with projections indicating that such events may become increasingly common if temperatures keep rising. The fires, which affected the southeast region, raged for nearly a week, resulting in 32 fatalities and the destruction of approximately 5,000 buildings before being brought under control in late March. Local officials noted that the region was facing below-average rainfall and was impacted by strong winds following South Korea's hottest year on record in 2024. According to World Weather Attribution, "twice as likely and about 15 percent more intense" hot, dry, and windy conditions feeding the flames were attributed to human-caused climate change.
Four Killed in Sri Lanka While Paying Homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic
In Kandy, Sri Lanka, four individuals lost their lives last Friday while paying homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic, housed in the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage site locally known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Believed by devotees to be a tooth of the Buddha, the relic attracted nearly 450,000 pilgrims—more than double the anticipated number—resulting in severe overcrowding during a rare public display last Thursday. Over the past week, approximately 300 people were admitted to Kandy National Hospital, many suffering from dehydration and respiratory issues. The relic was publicly displayed for the first time since 2009, with the exhibition concluding on Sunday.
Volcano in the Central Philippines Spews 4.5 km High Column of Ash
A volcano in the central Philippines, Mount Bulusan, released an ash column reaching heights of 4.5 kilometers on Monday morning, prompting authorities to raise the alert level and caution residents against entering a 4-kilometer danger zone. Located in Sorsogon province, around 400 kilometers from Manila, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology elevated Bulusan's alert status from 0 to 1 on its five-level scale, indicating low-level volcanic unrest and cautioning of potential eruptions. The institute recorded 53 volcanic earthquakes within a 24-hour period before the eruption.
Vietnamese Celebrate 50 Years Since the End of the Vietnam War
On Wednesday, thousands of Vietnamese gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam War. The celebrations kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring an aerial display with helicopters and fighter jets, followed by parades and marches. “All the Vietnamese are the descendants of Vietnam. They have the right to live and work, to have the freedom to pursue happiness and love in this country,” stated To Lam, the general secretary of the Vietnam Communist Party. He emphasized that Vietnam has learned valuable lessons from its historical struggles and, under the Party's guidance, has concentrated on national reconstruction and development.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
Find more stories on the environment and climate change on TROIB/Planet Health
