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As humanity reaches the 5.0 industrial revolution, education plays a critical role in boosting the quality of human resources. This paper reports bibliometric research on emerging TiP during 1993-2022 in the educational field to analyse its development on any level of education during the last three decades. This study employed a Scopus database. The findings are that the trend of TiP publication in educational fields has tended to increase every year during the past three decades and conference paper became the most published document type, the USA is the country which produces the most publications; "Students" being the most occurrences keyword and total link strength. The publication of the TiP is ranked to the Quartile 1, which implies that a publication with the cited performance is a publication with credibility because the publisher has a good reputation. Researchers can find the topics most relevant to other metadata sources such as Web of Science, Publish, and Perish.

This paper draws attention to the current and possible effects of COVID-19 on the mobility trajectories of mainland Chinese students studying in Asia. By drawing on 35 biographical interviews, this paper focuses on their decision to study in Asian countries and regions. Particularly, it calls for more attention to Asia in global student mobilities and discusses whether COVID-19 has changed the position of Asia in the global landscape of student mobility. Results show that even if COVID-19 provides an opportunity for Asian universities to embrace more international students, Asia still lacks the capability to attract great numbers of them. Finally, the study argues that college students' choice of mobility destinations is shaped by their perception of the central-periphery structure of higher education, which is hard to be shaken by the pandemic.

This paper is a complete student-led, student-edited collective writing project (CWP) conducted virtually in Spring 2022 throughout the course Knowledge Socialism taught by professor Michael Peters for the Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal university. The CWP involves 4 international, 5 domestic Ph.D. students, and 2 senior Western scholars as reviewers, revealing their thoughts, arguments, understanding, and criticisms towards the creative economy status in East Asian countries (Japan and China mostly) higher education as reflected in the knowledge socialism narratives. Xiyuan as the lead author, co-editing with Woraport and Stefan, assigned each section to other authors and successfully devoted themself to organizing, proofreading, and revising the paper. Through a month of collective work, the final version of the paper elaborates on the contribution of East Asian creative universities and the economy as a whole to the knowledge socialism through co(labor)ation, with implications to the creative labors cultivation and shifted roles of students.

This paper introduces a relatively novel theoretical approach to investigate cross border student mobilities in East Asia, a region growing in importance as a provider of international education. It does so by bringing Sara Ahmad's writings on the sociality of emotions, with Jacques Derrida's analyses of hospitality. We draw on empirical data from a cross national study to explore the emotions that shape student decisions to choose East Asian study destinations. By problematising the gift of the scholarship, using Derridean understandings of hospitality, we reveal the limits of contemporary forms of international education. Reflecting on histories of Asia-focused student mobilities, the paper highlights the entanglements of hostility and hospitality, and the inseparability of hosts and guests. It is this realisation that will enable ethical, non-exploitative forms of education.

Each year, multitudes respond to the demand for native English speakers to teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Asian countries, particularly China, Japan, and South Korea. These EFL transnationals are often young, new to living abroad, and inexperienced as educators. When they arrive, they often find a community, and an identity waiting for them: that of the expatriate. In this paper, I draw on research on EFL expatriates to produce a figuration, a way of engaging with and highlighting contradiction and disjuncture in the narrative identity of EFL expat taken up by some transnational EFL teachers. This figuration serves as a nexus to which I bring two bodies of theory with which to think. These are the Borderlands Thought of Gloria Anzaldúa and Chen Kwan-Hsing's articulation of Asia as Method. Separately, I bring these into conversation with the figuration of the EFL expat, then consider what emerges when all three are brought together. In doing so, I highlight how the figuration of the EFL expat is outlined by privileged and constrictive colonial, racial, professional, and linguistic dichotomies. The theories of Anzaldúa and Chen help to unravel these binaries, suggesting ways in which transnational English teachers can move on from such constraints to become something more than in-but-not-of their local world. I also consider what it means for Western scholars to work respectfully in theoretical spaces that were not developed by and for them, proposing that such researchers can think of themselves as theoretical expatriates.

Due to global attention on student employability, employers are expected to be involved in institutional governance in higher education and quality assurance (QA). Due to the difficulties in recruiting motivated employers to participate in external QA governance and process, this has become a challenging issue in many Asian nations. The paper aims to explore employer legitimacy in Asian national higher education regulations and EQA system according to a four-dimensional diagram of institutional governance model. There are two major findings. First, Asian governments developed QA policies with a focus on employer engagement but the emerging practice is still ineffective. Second, approaches of employer engagement in QA governance vary context to context, such as HK and Malaysia in the excellence mode; Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand belong to advanced type; and China, Thailand, and Vietnam fall in the intermediate category.

Purpose: It is still unclear how Asian universities incorporate the theory or practice of sustainable development (SD) in their research and education programmes. To address this gap, the purpose of this paper is to report on a study that has examined how universities in Asian countries handle and address matters related to SD. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a bibliometric analysis and an online survey-method. The online survey data were analysed through descriptive analysis and one-sample student's "t"-test. Findings: The study indicates that there is considerable variation among the Asian countries regarding sustainability practices in higher education institutions (HEIs). The HEIs in far eastern countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are perceived to demonstrate more sustainability practices. Research limitations/implications: Even though a substantial number of participants participated in the survey, it did not cover all Asian countries. The online survey was carried out over a limited period of time, and not all HEIs in the field may have received information about the study. Practical implications: Asia is the largest continent facing a number of sustainability challenges. In this context, the contribution of HEIs is very important. The findings of the current study may serve as a baseline for Asian HEIs to take more initiatives towards SD goals, as HEIs are responsible for the education and training of hundreds of thousands of students who will be occupying key positions in industry, government or education in the coming years. Originality/value: The study contributes to the existing literature in two distinct ways. First, it was possible to develop a comprehensive instrument to measure sustainability practices in HEIs. Second, this study has filled the gap of the scarcity of studies regarding sustainability practices in HEIs in Asia.

Background: China exhibits remarkable diversity of the spider genus Belisana Thorell, 1898, with 62 species recorded to date. However, the largest number of Belisana species was found in Yunnan Province (23 ssp.), while only seven species were found in Guizhou Province. New information: In this paper, Belisana wangchengi sp. nov. as a new species is described from Guizhou Province, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paradiplomatic activities carried out by maritime cities in Asia through diverse practices is the core essence of this paper. Asia’s prominence over the global maritime trade has set out an extensive foreign engagement of maritime cities and coastal regions in maritime affairs that deems maritime paradiplomacy as an emerging dimension in Asia. The paper attempts to identify how practice of maritime paradiplomacy among Asian countries is unconventional yet an innovative practice. In an attempt to study Asia’s maritime paradiplomatic practice with a specific focus on China, Singapore, Japan and India, the paper addresses multidimensional approach of maritime cities and coastal regions in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The previous literature suggests that citizens calculate the benefits of immigrants by assessing their impact on economic prospects. This paper argues that a type of social demand–the demand for marriage–also induces support for more liberal immigration policies. We conducted a survey experiment with 3,000 adults in China, where the population faces a shortage of women in the marriage market. The respondents were assigned to four groups, namely, a control group, a group with low-skilled worker shortage cues, a group with high-skilled worker shortage cues, and a group with marriage market crisis cues. We found that the marriage crisis treatment was effective to male respondents but not to female respondents. A supplementary examination of cross-national survey data showed that a gender imbalance at birth can elicit citizens' higher support for immigration in 13 Asian countries/regions. The results show that, other than economic considerations, citizens' concerns about marriage market competition can also stimulate immigration support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Group Model Building (GMB) is a participatory system dynamics method increasingly used to address complex public health issues like obesity. GMB represents a set of well-defined steps to engage key stakeholders to identify shared drivers and solutions of a given problem. However, GMB has not yet been applied specifically to develop multi-duty interventions that address multiple inter-related issues such as malnutrition in all its forms (MIAIF). Moreover, a recent systematic review of empirical applications of a systems approach to developing obesity interventions found no published work from non-western, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this paper we describe adaptations and innovations to a common GMB process to co-develop systemic MIAIF interventions with Chinese decision-makers. Methods: We developed, piloted and implemented multiple cultural adaptations and two methodological innovations to the commonly used GMB process in Fang Cheng Gang city, China. We included formal, ceremonial and policy maker engagement events before and between GMB workshops, and incorporated culturally tailored arrangements during participant recruitment (officials of the same seniority level joined the same workshop) and workshop activities (e.g., use of individual scoring activities and hand boards). We made changes to the commonly used GMB activities which enabled mapping of shared drivers of multiple health issues (in our case MIAIF) in a single causal loop diagram. We developed and used a 'hybrid' GMB format combining online and in person facilitation to reduce travel and associated climate impact. Results: Our innovative GMB process led to high engagement and support from decision-makers representing diverse governmental departments across the whole food systems. We co-identified and prioritised systemic drivers and intervention themes of MIAIF. The city government established an official Local Action Group for long-term, inter-departmental implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the co-developed interventions. The 'hybrid' GMB format enabled great interactions while reducing international travel and mitigating limitations of fully online GMB process. Conclusions: Cultural and methodological adaptations to the common GMB process for an Asian LMIC setting were successful. The 'hybrid' GMB format is feasible, cost-effective, and more environmentally friendly. These cultural adaptations could be considered for other Asian settings and beyond to address inter-related, complex issues such as MIAIF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) can influence the East Asian winter climate by modifying the atmospheric circulation over the western North Pacific (WNP). While the impact on precipitation in southeastern China has been extensively studied, the ENSO signal in surface air temperature (SAT) remains overlooked. In this paper, we identify robust ENSO footprints in the winter daily minimum SAT in southeastern China, with El Niño winters generally accompanied by warmer-than-normal minimum SAT anomalies. In contrast, the responses of maximum SAT are weak and negligible, suggesting a diurnal cycle–dependent ENSO influence. Further analysis indicates that this diurnal cycle dependence stems primarily from the disparate surface radiative heating between day and night induced by ENSO-related local total cloud cover (TCC) change. The warmer minimum SAT occurring in the early morning of El Niño winters is mainly caused by the enhanced surface downward longwave radiative heating as a result of the TCC increase. However, in the afternoon of El Niño winters, although the anomalous horizontal advection of warm air plays a role, there is surface radiative cooling as the weakening of solar radiation due to TCC reflection overwhelms the increase in downward longwave radiation, which leads to a weakened sensible heat flux and thus has a cooling effect on the SAT. Ultimately, these two processes effectively cancel each other out and together produce insignificant maximum SAT responses. Our conclusions carry important implications for the seasonal to interannual winter climate prediction in southeastern China. Significance Statement The purpose of this study is to better understand how ENSO influences winter surface air temperature in southeastern China. Despite insignificant responses of winter daily maximum temperature to ENSO, we find here a robust ENSO influence on the daily minimum temperature, with warm anomalies tending to occur during El Niño events. Further evidence suggests that this diurnal cycle–dependent ENSO influence is mainly caused by ENSO-induced change in local cloudiness, which has a different radiative heating effect between day and night. Our findings are of great importance for improving regional climate prediction, which will benefit social and economic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social media content on Western platforms promoting thinness, or thinspiration, has been found to negatively affect body image perception of users. Less is known about non-Western social media use and its effects on body image concerns. Chinese TikTok, known as Douyin, is a popular short video platform with 600 million daily active users. Recent trends on Douyin encourage users to demonstrate thinness through participation in 'body challenges'. This paper argues that such content is comparable to thinspiration, however, to date hardly any research has been undertaken on these challenges. Thus, this pilot study aimed to analyse the content of three viral challenges and investigate their impact on Douyin users. Methods: Thirty most viewed videos were collected for three challenges (N = 90): the Coin challenge, the A4 Waist challenge, and the Spider leg challenge. Videos were coded for variables relating to thin idealisation, including thin praise, sexualisation and objectification, and analysed through content analytic methods. Video comments (N ≈ 5500) were analysed through thematic analysis, and main themes were identified. Results: Preliminary findings showed that participants who objectified their bodies to a greater extent expressed more negative body image concerns. In addition, comments on the videos had themes of thin praise, self-comparison, and promotion of dieting behaviours. In particular, videos of the A4 Waist challenge were found to incite more negative self-comparison in viewers. Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest all three challenges promote the thin ideal and encourage body image concerns. Further research about the broader impact of body challenges is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Daliang Shan is a tectonic unit that connects the active southeastern Tibetan Plateau with the stable South China block. As a newly generated (formed later than the Xianshuihe–Xiaojiang active fault system) seismotectonic zone induced by the Tibetan tectonics, the detailed constraints of the crustal deformation are central to the understanding of the kinematics and dynamics of the Tibetan expansion. This paper establishes and analyses a high-spatial resolution global positioning system (GPS) velocity field from a dense GPS network in this region. Our modelling results indicate that, in contrast to the equivalent sinistral strike-slip rate of approximately 5 mm yr–1 on the Anninghe–Zemuhe and Daliangshan faults, their inferred interseismic locking depth varies within a large range. The southern segment of the Anninghe Fault and the middle segment of the Daliangshan Fault have deep locking depths of ∼13 km, indicating that the seismic risk is high in these areas. In addition, the detectable counter-clockwise rotation rate of 0.35 ± 0.12° Myr–1 of the Mabian block makes a significant contribution of ∼50 per cent to the strike-slip motion on its boundary faults. This counter-clockwise rotation may be induced by a left-lateral shear gradient with southeastward motion relative to the South China-fixed reference frame, indicating the significance of a simple-shear pattern in exploring the kinematics of the encroachment of the Tibetan tectonics upon a stable block (craton). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the ties between Latin America and Asia by moving beyond the homogenisation of the two regions through elevating the importance of opposition to a third party, in this case an "imperialist" and developed North. In contrast to normative analyses based on outmoded conceptions of world history, it proposes an intellectual exercise that problematises the interregional bond by placing the emphasis on heterogeneities rather than broad bush approaches that ignore the complex and diverse national and regional realities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal raw materials are essential for industrial production. Global metal markets have changed considerably since the start of the twenty-first century, China being the most influential driver of this change. With China's economic rise, metal demand has skyrocketed, and global production shares in metal raw materials and trade volumes have shifted towards the People's Republic. While China has become the dominant location for global metal production and consumption, older industrial economies like the European countries or the US have lost global share. This paper aims to compare the different developments in China, the European Union and the US regarding markets for the base metals aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, tin and zinc as well as iron and steel. The analysis covers movements in industrial production, metal production locations (mining – refined production – refined consumption) and metal trade volumes (ores and concentrates – waste and scrap – refined products and articles thereof). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Green product development is a pivotal way to achieve environmental sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to theorize and empirically test how environmentally specific leadership enhances the green product development performance from the perspective of the HRM system. In this regard, the authors investigate the mediating role of the strength of the HRM system to change with regard to the relationship between environmentally specific leadership and green product development performance. For a substantial explanation of the boundary condition, the authors investigate the moderating role of the green HRM on the relationship between environmentally specific transformational leadership and the strength of the HRM system. Design/methodology/approach: Based on climate strength theory, the authors use the three-wave survey data from 362 top or middle managers in the new energy industry of China. This study uses hierarchical linear regression and bootstrapping method to analyze the mediated moderation effect. Findings: Results confirm a positive effect of environmentally specific leadership and the strength of the HRM system on green product development performance. The authors also found the mediation effect of the strength of the HRM system and the moderation effect of green HRM are all significant. Originality/value: This study integrates the perspectives of both content-focused HRM and process-focused HRM and demonstrates why leadership and the HRM system could jointly enhance green product development performance in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does foreign direct investment increase cooperation among states? This study uses new data on Chinese investment as well as measures of political relations based on United Nations voting data to estimate the international political effect of the Chinese overseas investment boom. Contrary to predictions based on previous "commercial peace" literature, our results show that Chinese overseas investment has a negative effect on bilateral relationships in developed countries, and its influence on those with developing ones is statistically insignificant. We complemented our empirical tests by investigating the mechanisms based on the heterogeneity of ownership status of investors and sectors. The results indicate that the effect is mainly driven by state-owned enterprise investors and investment in natural resource sectors. Our findings offer valuable insights into whether and how economic interdependence affects political relations with a rising power in the current era. In so doing, this paper contributes to the existing literature, bringing a broader perspective to bear on the foreign policy consequences of China's economic rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is considered the largest emerging economy and thus investors perceived as an attractive investment. We examine the spillover effect from Chinese stock exchange to stock exchanges of Asia and Latin America, namely, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil. For empirical purpose, the study employs VARMA-Multivariate Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (MGARCH) model with BEKK, diagonal, Constant Conditional Correlation (CCC), and finally, Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC) specifications. DCC model outperforms among others and identifies two diversification opportunities with Mexican (MEXICAN) and Indian stock market (BSE). Finally, the hedge ratio and portfolio weights have been calculated. The hedge ratios between China and Mexico (SSE/MEX), and China and India (SSE/BSE) were 0.01 and 0.06, respectively. This implies that a $1 long position in Chinese market (SSE) could be hedged with a 1 cent short position in Mexico (MEXICAN) and a 6 cent short position in the Indian Market (BSE). The findings of this paper provide an insight into investors and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world is drawn increasingly into a web of shifting geopolitics, battle lines are being drawn and alliances are re-orienting themselves. Working from the premise that the competition between the United States (U.S.) and the People's Republic of China will define the dynamics of the international system for the foreseeable future, this paper takes a look at the U.S.'s evolving posture of Integrated Deterrence and the likely Chinese response, which would have implications for Asian security. It reviews the contours of 'Integrated Deterrence' as it is laid out in the U.S. National Security Strategy 2022 and how this may shape the policy decisions of the U.S. and its partners, especially Taiwan, as well as how major U.S. regional allies, including India are likely to play their role in support of the U.S. interests. The paper also analyses China's strategic thinking, national defence policy and national security objectives that are likely to influence its choices in the evolving great power competition. Taking Taiwan as the case study, the paper finds that in addition to pursuing more traditional approaches, both the U.S. and China will consider influencing domestic public opinion in China and Taiwan as a key focus of their respective policy considerations; it also finds convergences in the related responses of South Asia's two major players, India and Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financing climate change mitigation and adaptation in Asia is critical for its population and economies but also for those of the world. This editorial provides a commentary and overview of ten articles within this special issue of Climate Policy on 'Green Finance in Asia'. Contributions are diverse in terms of focus and methods. Most of the articles focus on managing transition risk with six of the articles having an energy focus; the dominant themes are the risk of stranded coal assets in China; the role of export finance by China and Japan for fossil fuel-fired power generation assets within Asia; and investment in renewable power generation and the policies to support such investment. The remaining four articles explore various policies in specific country contexts: the effects of green bond policies in China; the greening of monetary policy in China; the governance of sustainable finance in Indonesia; and policies to support investment and finance of off-grid electricity access in Bangladesh. Most of the ten contributions come from researchers in developed countries and principally from non-Asian countries, suggesting there is a need to develop green finance research capability and capacity across Asia. Despite being withing scope of the special issue, this collection does not contain papers on physical risk or adaptation finance. We highlight these as important gaps and priorities for future research. Key policy insights This editorial provides a commentary and overview of ten articles within this special issue of Climate Policy on 'Green Finance in Asia'. Most of the ten contributions come from researchers in developed countries and principally from non-Asian countries. There is a need to develop green finance research capability and capacity across Asia. Most contributions were focussed on transition risk, with limited or no focus on physical risk and adaptation finance. This likely reflects the multiple resource and expertise challenges faced when conducting physical risks assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the stimulus-organism-response theory, the present study aims to investigate the mediating role of environmental self-identity on the relationship of collectivism-organizational culture and green empowerment with employee's workplace green behavior. By adopting procedural remedy and purposive sampling approach, data was collected from 207 administrative employees in higher education institutions of China. Response rate in this study is 41.40%. The authors employed partial least square -structural equation modelling to validate the proposed hypotheses. The current empirical findings confirmed the direct effect of collectivism-organizational culture and green empowerment on employee's environmental self-identity. It is also proven that environmental self-identity significantly and positively influence employee's workplace green behavior. This study concludes with significant positive indirect impact of collectivism-organizational culture and green empowerment on the employees WGB through environmental self-identity. This study enriches the literature on sustainable development by examining the integrated relationship of collectivism-organizational culture, green empowerment, self-identity and green behavior. The limitations and implications have been elaborated at the end of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper mainly focuses on the development process and future outlook of ASEAN-China relations. During the past 30 years, China and ASEAN have achieved political, economic, and cultural communication and cooperation, which have had a positive effect on the economic promotion of both sides and the Asia-Pacific region. Given the existing bilateral relations between China and ASEAN countries, there exist both opportunities and risks in tightening ties. China's growing economic and political power may bring low trust ratings in ASEAN, which may paint both sides into a corner. At the same time, ASEAN is also a corridor for Chinese markets and enterprises to reach out to the world. We are willing to witness that both sides will continue to cooperate and exchange ideas and innovations in the future, face the risks, actively seize the opportunities to promote economic development, and bring more benefits to the whole world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sisyra Burmeister, 1839 is cosmopolitan and the most specious genus of Sisyridae (spongillaflies). Hitherto, there has been only five species of Sisyra recorded from China. Here we present a taxonomic revision of the Chinese species of Sisyra. In total, six valid Sisyra species are reported from China. A new species, Sisyra bowlesi sp. n., is described from China, Laos and Vietnam. Sisyra indica Needham, 1909, S. nikkoana (Navás, 1910) and S. terminalis Curtis, 1854 are firstly recorded from China. Besides, two species from Hainan Island, S. hainana Yang and Gao, 2002 syn. n. and S. nervata Yang and Gao, 2002 syn. n., are herein synonymised with S. indica Needham, 1909; S. aurorae Navás, 1933 syn. n., recorded from eastern China, is synonymised with S. nikkoana (Navás, 1910) known from Japan, Korea and Russian Far East. New provincial records of S. curvata Yang and Gao, 2002 and S. yunana Yang, 1986 from China are added. A key to Sisyra species from Asia is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Only two Otacilia Thorell, 1897 species with troglobitic characteristics have been recorded from Laos and no records of troglobitic Otacilia species from China. New information: A new troglobitic species is reported from Guangxi, China: Otacilia khezu Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀). Photos and morphological descriptions of the new species are presented; the type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS), Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are non-biodegradable substances that can sustain our environment for up to a century. What is more worrying is the incapability of modern technologies to annihilate MPs from om environment. One ramification of MPs is their impact on every kind of life form on this planet, which has been discussed ahead; that is why these substances are surfacing in everyday discussions of scholars and researchers. This paper discusses the overview of the global occurrence, abundance, analysis, and remediation techniques of MPs in the environment. This paper primarily reviews the event and abundance of MPs in coastal sediments and agricultural soil of three major Asian countries, India, China, and Japan. A significant concentration of MPs has been recorded from these countries, which affirms its strong presence and subsequent environmental impacts. Concentrations such as 73,100 MPs/kg in Indian coastal sediments and 42,960 particles/kg in the agricultural soil of China is a solid testimony to prove their massive outbreak in our environment and require urgent attention towards this issue. Conclusions show that human activities, rivers, and plastic mulching on agricultural fields have majorly acted as carriers of MPs towards coastal and terrestrial soil and sediments. Later, based on recorded concentrations and gaps, future research studies are recommended in the concerned domain; a dearth of studies on MPs influencing Indian agricultural soil make a whole sector and its consumer vulnerable to the adverse effects of this emerging contaminant. [Display omitted] • Film & fibre shaped microplastics (MPs) are more abundant in India, China and Japan. • Plastic mulching is the root cause of major MPs pollution in soil and sediment. • Estuarian soil/sediment are more prone to MPs pollution than terrestrial and coastal. • FT-IR is highly used for MPs identification; mass spectrometry & microscopy are least. • MPs work as a vector for metals, PPCPs, surfactants and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]