Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Screen shows red and blue opposing unit “indicators”, represented by aircraft and ships, manoeuvring near the coasts of Cuba and Mexico in footage recorded at a PLA wargaming event held in China’s Henan province. Photo: CCTV

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated.

7 minutes agovideocam

Pentagon says China’s ‘historic’ military build-up has made US ‘vulnerable’

China’s military drills

Global Economy

China expands digital-yuan push to Singapore and Asean trade routes

PBOC pledges to integrate e-CNY into the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, boost adoption in Southeast Asia via China’s CIPS payment network.

39 minutes ago

Politics

Taipei mayor cuts Shanghai visit short to oversee security following stabbing

Chiang Wan-an has trimmed his visit to joint forum, one of only a few events attended by officials from Taiwan and mainland China.

1 hour agovideocam

Law and Crime

Hong Kong customs seizes counterfeit goods worth HK$36 million in crackdown

Customs warn criminals using high demand over holiday season as ‘smokescreen’ to move illicit goods.

2 hours ago

Focus

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

Military

Top PLA Air Force duo miss key military event led by Xi as graft fight rolls on

Generals Chang Dingqiu and Guo Puxiao were not present at PLA promotions ceremony on Monday, footage broadcast by CCTV shows.

2 hours agovideocam

President Xi Jinping (centre), also chairman of the CMC, poses with top military officers at the promotions ceremony in Beijing on Monday. Pictured at the back are newly promoted generals Yang Zhibin (left) and Han Shengyan. Photo: AP

Global Economy

Burglary of JD.com warehouse in France prompts investigation, speculation

The theft, with over 50,000 items stolen by some estimates, casts a shadow over the Chinese e-commerce giant’s first Christmas in France.

3 hours agovideocam

Economics

India’s new law to fuel energy needs, drive nuclear power growth

The new law, which will end years of near-exclusive state control, could unlock stalled investment and boost nuclear capacity, analysts say.

3 hours agovideocam

People & Culture

How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

Mamadou Amadou Ly and Uri Wilensky help transform teaching and learning through multilingual education and computational thinking.

In partnership with:

Yidan Prize Foundation

The 2025 Yidan Prize laureates Professor Uri Wilensky (left) and Mamadou Amadou Ly help remove barriers to education by transforming how learners access and engage with knowledge.

Science

7 scientists, mathematicians, physicists and experts who moved to China in 2025

From a world-leading statistician to a mathematics luminary, here are some experts who made the move.

4 hours ago

(From left) Joshua Zahl, Chen Jing and Zhou Ming. Photo: Handout/Tsinghua University

China Economy

China’s Xi urges state giants to be pillars of national development

The president instructs central SOEs to drive industrial upgrading while securing critical technologies and supply chains in the face of geopolitical risks.

24 Dec 2025 - 12:48PMvideocam

Diplomacy

China, Russia partnership ‘stronger than ever’ despite Western sanctions: envoy

Moscow’s ambassador tells Beijing forum that relations between the two countries have reached their ‘highest level in history’.

38 minutes agovideocam

Tech Trends

ByteDance, other major Chinese tech firms lead local consumer AI market: report

ByteDance-owned Doubao remains the country’s top consumer AI app, as DeepSeek’s namesake chatbot takes the No 2 spot.

9 minutes ago

ByteDance’s top-ranked Doubao AI app. Photo: Shutterstock

Russia & Central Asia

Moscow blast kills 2 police near site of Russian general’s car bombing

Moscow hit by second bombing in three days, following a series of assassinations Russia blames on Ukraine.

4 hours ago

Law enforcement officers block the road near the scene of Wednesday’s deadly explosion. Photo: Reuters

Military

Pentagon says China’s ‘historic’ military build-up has made US ‘vulnerable’

America does ‘not seek to strangle, dominate, or humiliate China’ but PLA’s growing arsenal is a direct security threat, report states.

5 hours agovideocam

People

Indian doctor suspended, charged after allegedly assaulting patient

Dr Raghav Narula is accused of speaking disrespectfully to a patient at a hospital in Shimla, but has denied wrongdoing in the confrontation.

34 minutes ago

East Asia

US to grant Seoul exception on nuclear submarine fuel supply

Seoul to formalise right to build nuclear-powered submarines via Aukus-style waiver requiring approval from Trump and US Congress.

2 hours ago

US Navy officers stand aboard a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine in Western Australia in February. Photo: AFP

Europe

Zelensky details US-backed 20-point peace plan for Russia and Putin

Zelensky weighs land concessions to Putin in a US-backed deal, seeking a ceasefire and a demilitarised zone in Donetsk to end Russia’s war.

3 hours ago

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine last week. Photo: EPA

Health & Environment

Thai marines rescue starving lions, bears from Cambodian border casino

Officials say the two lions, two Asiatic black bears and one sun bear suffered from underfeeding and prolonged neglect at Thmor Dar Casino.

2 hours ago

Diplomacy

China, Russia clash with US at UN over Venezuela oil seizures and naval pressure

Venezuela turns to UN as Trump’s oil crackdown intensifies and Caracas advances a law targeting those in support of naval blockades.

24 Dec 2025 - 7:46AMvideocam

OPINION

Alex Lo

As I see it | China is now the good guy in climate change

24 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | China’s resolve to invest in people is economic good sense

24 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

Letters

Letters | To kick our social media habit, let’s start with the adults

24 Dec 2025 - 11:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Christmas spirit of compassion can help a Hong Kong that is still healing

24 Dec 2025 - 6:45AM

Jake Sullivan

Opinion | US and China must get serious about AI risk

24 Dec 2025 - 8:23AM

Harry’s View | 24 Dec 2025

MORE COMMENT

LATEST

7 minutes ago

Military

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

9 minutes ago

Tech Trends

ByteDance, other major Chinese tech firms lead local consumer AI market: report

34 minutes ago

People

Indian doctor suspended, charged after allegedly assaulting patient

39 minutes ago

Hong Kong

Hong Kong tops global daily step rankings again, with average of more than 10,000

39 minutes ago

Global Economy

China expands digital-yuan push to Singapore and Asean trade routes

54 minutes ago

Health & Wellness

How laughter is good for your heart, immune system, pain – even if it’s fake

MORE LATEST NEWS

SCMP Series

Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

China Inc. goes global

How China is telling its own story

Chinese scientists return home

SCMP Series Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

Can Beijing count on Taiwan’s KMT to advance reunification plans?

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

24 Dec 2025 - 10:10AMvideocam

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:02AMvideocam

Science

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

15 Dec 2025 - 10:05AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

8 Dec 2025 - 10:07AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

1 Dec 2025 - 3:57PMvideocam

Key Industries:

Tech

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

17 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

The questions in FAI-C were reviewed by a panel of Biblical experts, including theologians, pastors, psychologists and scholars of ethics. Photo: SCMP

Tech Trends

ByteDance, other major Chinese tech firms lead local consumer AI market: report

ByteDance-owned Doubao remains the country’s top consumer AI app, as DeepSeek’s namesake chatbot takes the No 2 spot.

9 minutes ago

China Business

China’s Deep Robotics joins IPO rush as embodied intelligence sector heats up

The Hangzhou robot maker has entered the IPO ‘guidance’ phase, becoming the latest embodied intelligence start-up to eye an A-share listing.

4 hours ago

China EVs

BYD’s big plans in Brazil, Xpeng tries to go global: 7 EV reads

From EV battery giants in China venturing into shipbuilding to BYD’s ambitious plans in Brazil, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

5 hours ago

BYD’s confidence in Brazil was reinforced in October with the opening of the company’s large passenger vehicle factory in Camacari, in the northeastern state of Bahia. Photo: Handout

Politics

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Politics

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

21 Dec 2025 - 7:35AMvideocam

China Business

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

20 Dec 2025 - 8:57AM

Diplomacy

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

19 Dec 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Beijing wants to fill the void as Washington steps back from its leadership role on the world stage under US President Donald Trump and his “America first” policy. Photo: Reuters

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated.

Pentagon says China’s ‘historic’ military build-up has made US ‘vulnerable’

China expands digital-yuan push to Singapore and Asean trade routes

PBOC pledges to integrate e-CNY into the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, boost adoption in Southeast Asia via China’s CIPS payment network.

Taipei mayor cuts Shanghai visit short to oversee security following stabbing

Chiang Wan-an has trimmed his visit to joint forum, one of only a few events attended by officials from Taiwan and mainland China.

Hong Kong customs seizes counterfeit goods worth HK$36 million in crackdown

Customs warn criminals using high demand over holiday season as ‘smokescreen’ to move illicit goods.

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

Top PLA Air Force duo miss key military event led by Xi as graft fight rolls on

Generals Chang Dingqiu and Guo Puxiao were not present at PLA promotions ceremony on Monday, footage broadcast by CCTV shows.

Burglary of JD.com warehouse in France prompts investigation, speculation

The theft, with over 50,000 items stolen by some estimates, casts a shadow over the Chinese e-commerce giant’s first Christmas in France.

India’s new law to fuel energy needs, drive nuclear power growth

The new law, which will end years of near-exclusive state control, could unlock stalled investment and boost nuclear capacity, analysts say.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

Mamadou Amadou Ly and Uri Wilensky help transform teaching and learning through multilingual education and computational thinking.

7 scientists, mathematicians, physicists and experts who moved to China in 2025

From a world-leading statistician to a mathematics luminary, here are some experts who made the move.

China’s Xi urges state giants to be pillars of national development

The president instructs central SOEs to drive industrial upgrading while securing critical technologies and supply chains in the face of geopolitical risks.

China, Russia partnership ‘stronger than ever’ despite Western sanctions: envoy

Moscow’s ambassador tells Beijing forum that relations between the two countries have reached their ‘highest level in history’.

ByteDance, other major Chinese tech firms lead local consumer AI market: report

ByteDance-owned Doubao remains the country’s top consumer AI app, as DeepSeek’s namesake chatbot takes the No 2 spot.

Moscow blast kills 2 police near site of Russian general’s car bombing

Moscow hit by second bombing in three days, following a series of assassinations Russia blames on Ukraine.

Pentagon says China’s ‘historic’ military build-up has made US ‘vulnerable’

America does ‘not seek to strangle, dominate, or humiliate China’ but PLA’s growing arsenal is a direct security threat, report states.

Indian doctor suspended, charged after allegedly assaulting patient

Dr Raghav Narula is accused of speaking disrespectfully to a patient at a hospital in Shimla, but has denied wrongdoing in the confrontation.

US to grant Seoul exception on nuclear submarine fuel supply

Seoul to formalise right to build nuclear-powered submarines via Aukus-style waiver requiring approval from Trump and US Congress.

Zelensky details US-backed 20-point peace plan for Russia and Putin

Zelensky weighs land concessions to Putin in a US-backed deal, seeking a ceasefire and a demilitarised zone in Donetsk to end Russia’s war.

Thai marines rescue starving lions, bears from Cambodian border casino

Officials say the two lions, two Asiatic black bears and one sun bear suffered from underfeeding and prolonged neglect at Thmor Dar Casino.

China, Russia clash with US at UN over Venezuela oil seizures and naval pressure

Venezuela turns to UN as Trump’s oil crackdown intensifies and Caracas advances a law targeting those in support of naval blockades.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}As I see it | China is now the good guy in climate change

Editorial | China’s resolve to invest in people is economic good sense

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | To kick our social media habit, let’s start with the adults

Editorial | Christmas spirit of compassion can help a Hong Kong that is still healing

Opinion | US and China must get serious about AI risk

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

ByteDance, other major Chinese tech firms lead local consumer AI market: report

Indian doctor suspended, charged after allegedly assaulting patient

Hong Kong tops global daily step rankings again, with average of more than 10,000

China expands digital-yuan push to Singapore and Asean trade routes

How laughter is good for your heart, immune system, pain – even if it’s fake

Can Beijing count on Taiwan’s KMT to advance reunification plans?

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

ByteDance, other major Chinese tech firms lead local consumer AI market: report

ByteDance-owned Doubao remains the country’s top consumer AI app, as DeepSeek’s namesake chatbot takes the No 2 spot.

China’s Deep Robotics joins IPO rush as embodied intelligence sector heats up

The Hangzhou robot maker has entered the IPO ‘guidance’ phase, becoming the latest embodied intelligence start-up to eye an A-share listing.

BYD’s big plans in Brazil, Xpeng tries to go global: 7 EV reads

From EV battery giants in China venturing into shipbuilding to BYD’s ambitious plans in Brazil, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

As I see it | China is now the good guy in climate change

Letters | To kick our social media habit, let’s start with the adults