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China, Iran’s largest trading partner, would be among the countries most affected by new US tariffs targeting Tehran’s commercial ties. Photo: Reuters

Will Trump’s Iran tariffs send China searching for new oil sources?

Analysts urge China to protect strategic interests abroad after unexpected announcement, which is likely to push up oil import costs.

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How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

China trade
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Military

US moves for AI dominance to outpace China with new ‘overwhelming’ strategy

Pentagon chief urges preventing adversaries from gaining tech edge as he unveils strategy that includes integrating Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok.

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China Economy

China’s PBOC sets onshore yuan fixing at strongest point in nearly 16 months

Analysts note how Beijing’s policy goals, such as internationalising China’s currency and curbing overcapacity, are aligning with a firmer exchange rate.

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Education

Nearly 1 in 4 Hong Kong students can’t finish homework without AI, study shows

Our Hong Kong Foundation calls for unified AI platform and more comprehensive curriculum to cover students at all academic levels.

Focus
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Expansion to defence’: China firms strategise in Latin America after Venezuela

Diplomacy

How a snap election in Japan could put Takaichi in a stronger position with China

A decisive win could give Tokyo ‘limited room for concessions in its negotiations with Beijing’ and more room to manoeuvre with Washington.

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Media reports have suggested Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may call a snap general election to capitalise on her high approval ratings. Photo: Reuters
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Science

China planning dozens of plants that use coal instead of oil to make plastics

Beijing has approved more than 30 projects to make vital raw materials in an effort to reduce its reliance on imported oil.

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Economics

Germany’s Merz backs India-EU trade deal during first official visit to Asia

The German chancellor and India’s Modi have signed agreements aimed at boosting bilateral trade and enhancing defence cooperation.

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Business

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

In partnership with:
MPOC
Palm oil is a versatile ingredient found in a wide range of everyday items, from ice cream and cake to lipstick and biofuel.

Tech Trends

DeepSeek founder’s latest paper proposes new model training to bypass GPU limits

The development underscores the start-up’s focus on maximising cost efficiency amid a deficit in computational power relative to the US.

The new technical paper will be widely read by industry insiders both in China and the US for signs of progress at DeepSeek. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Law and Crime

Executive of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily ‘regrets’ not standing up to Jimmy Lai

Lawyer for associate publisher of defunct tabloid cites client’s objection to Lai’s idea for satirical online show and praise from industry peers.

Diplomacy

China’s US embassy decries ‘coercion’ after Trump’s Iran tariff move

China’s embassy opposes Washington’s ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ after Trump announces a 25 per cent tariff on countries doing business with Iran.

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Southeast Asia

As Vietnam’s US trade surplus outpaces China, Trump tries to fix ‘imbalance’

Jennifer Wicks McNamara is set to replace Marc Knapper as US ambassador to Vietnam as Hanoi’s trade surplus with US surpasses Beijing for first time.

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US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with oil industry executives at the White House earlier this month. Photo: Reuters

Health & Wellness

At 52, she is stronger than ever. How strength training helps women in midlife

Strength training after 50 helps women counter bone loss post-menopause, build muscle and maintain a healthy weight.

Sarah Baldassaro (left) demonstrates a strength-training regimen with her trainer, Hilary Granat, in Washington. Medical experts say strength training keeps bones and muscles healthy after menopause, when oestrogen loss speeds up a reduction in bone density and contributes to the gradual loss of muscle mass. Photo: AP

Europe

BBC moves to dismiss Trump’s US$10 billion lawsuit over edited January 6 speech

Lawyers for the broadcaster will argue the Florida court lacks jurisdiction and Trump’s 2024 election win proves he suffered no professional harm.

Politics

How Beijing’s clean air success left China’s rural farmers in the cold

In neighbouring Hebei province, rural residents say they cannot afford to heat their homes enough after switch from coal.

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China Business

China’s weight-loss drug war: prices slashed up to 80% as obesity crisis worsens

Foreign, local firms fight for market share as number of overweight or obese adults could top 630 million by 2050, from 400 million in 2021.

There were more than 400 million overweight or obese adults in China in 2021, according to a study. Photo: Getty Images

Americas

Honduras rejects ‘illegal’ recount order of vote won by Trump-backed candidate

Electoral body labels recount decree ‘unconstitutional’, confirming Trump-backed Nasry Asfura as winner despite outgoing president’s protests.

Nasry Asfura delivers a speech as he presents his government plan in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on November 11, 2025. Photo: AFP

People

‘No oil here’: Malaysians turn US embassy space post into foreign-policy satire

The embassy’s International Space Station image prompted self-deprecating jokes about oil, US power and being strategically uninteresting.

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People

Japan’s Princess Kako targeted in viral Grok AI deepfakes trend

Images of the princess in a blue dress during a recent event were used to generate deepfakes, including of her naked and covered in tattoos.

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OPINION
Hao Nan

Opinion | EU-China ties are stuck between interdependence and rivalry

Hao Nan
Fu Fengshan

Opinion | The US wants to block China’s peaceful reunification. It won’t work

Fu Fengshan
4
Chow Chung-yan

Opinion | Forget Venezuela and Greenland – here is the real trillion-dollar question

Chow Chung-yan
7
Letters

Letters | Hong Kong airport has recovered well from the pandemic

Letters
Chan Young Bang

Opinion | Why China now needs North Korea’s denuclearisation

Chan Young Bang
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Harry’s View | 13 Jan 2026
January 13, 2026
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Europe

BBC moves to dismiss Trump’s US$10 billion lawsuit over edited January 6 speech

Football

Ex-Man Utd star Michael Carrick agrees to take charge of club until end of season

China Business

Chinese chain Qdama, known for its night discounts, plans Hong Kong IPO

Health & Wellness

At 52, she is stronger than ever. How strength training helps women in midlife

Education

Nearly 1 in 4 Hong Kong students can’t finish homework without AI, study shows

Hong Kong

Hong Kong government to replace Tai Po district officer Eunice Chan

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SCMP Series
Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy
Year of the Horse 2026
China Inc. goes global
Revisiting US-China relations
Illustration: Henry Wong
SCMP SeriesBeijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

Why has Beijing turned down the heat in the Taiwan Strait in the second half of 2025?

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

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

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

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Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

Political scientist says the Western-led global order remains useful, and the Belt and Road Initiative isn’t a geopolitical project.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Global Economy

Open Questions | ‘Embrace the moment’: on China, Daniel Kritenbrink puts pragmatism first

Former US ambassador to Vietnam says a return to the past for US-China relations is unrealistic, but both economic powers benefit from ties.

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Diplomacy

Open Questions | How new C100 chief plans to foster ties between Chinese-Americans and China

The Committee of 100’s president Paul Cheung has high hopes for Chinese-Americans’ relationship with China in these uncertain times.

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Diplomacy

Open Questions | Political scientist Ivan Krastev on European vertigo in a post-American world

While melancholy Europe frets that the US and China will shape the future, middle powers are jostling for a place at the big table.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
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China Future Tech
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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.

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

Markets

Chinese rocket shares slump after warnings on ‘irrational’ rally

Long-term prospects for sector are ‘very promising’, but market in the short term is ‘mainly driven by speculative sentiment’, analyst says.

China Business

UBS projects rosy view of Chinese stocks in 2026 as investors diversify holdings

‘Chinese assets’ appeal will further increase this year because of a sharpened focus on diversified investments,’ UBS’ Thomas Fang says.

China Business

Novartis, SciNeuro deal offers hope for 55 million suffering from Alzheimer’s

SciNeuro’s anti-amyloid programme is one of the firm’s key strategic research and development priorities to target the brain disease.

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Swiss drugmaker Novartis has gained global rights over SciNeuro’s novel amyloid beta targeted antibody programme. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

How the US raid in Venezuela has triggered Brazilian fury and a Chinese opening

Latin America’s largest economy seeks ‘delicate balance’ between Trump’s ambitions and boosting ties with Beijing, its top trading partner.

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Illustration: Brian Wang

Banking & Finance

What does HSBC’s buyout of Hang Seng Bank mean for its future and investors?

HSBC’s historic US$13.6 billion buyout of Hang Seng Bank aims to cut costs, tackle bad debts and fuel growth, but challenges abound.

Military

China’s role in Korean peninsula stability tested amid nuclear submarine moves

Seoul’s calls for Chinese mediation seen to underscore Beijing’s central role in preserving stability between two Koreas.

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China Economy

Shanghai unveils US$10 billion investment spree as US-China tech race heats up

Shanghai announces 50 new projects across an array of hi-tech industries as China’s cities heed Beijing’s call to double down on innovation.

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Shanghai has unveiled a slew of new investments in hi-tech industries worth more than US$10 billion. Photo: AFP
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