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The Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is seen on Thursday in China’s Zhejiang province. The nation’s trade resilience has been attributed to its fastest-growing sectors having limited exposure to the United States. Photo: Xinhua

Developing | As China’s US exports plunge, Beijing banks on diversification for 2026 growth

Shipments to Asean and Africa surged to drive a record US$1.19 trillion surplus for China, offsetting headwinds as leaders push to boost local demand.

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China prioritises export controls, supply chains to shield economy in 2026

China trade
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Diplomacy

‘Strategic patience’ key for Beijing in South China Sea and other disputes

SCSPI’s Hu Bo said maritime disagreements with Manila and Tokyo would continue but that Beijing had ‘overwhelming advantages’.

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Politics

China warns of covert mapping by foreign forces to steal sensitive geodata

Counter-espionage agency says ‘anti-China’ actors are gathering information on natural resources, energy facilities and terrain in key areas.

LIVE

Hong Kong’s URA to step up inspections to curb bid-rigging, officials tell Legco

City leader John Lee highlights national integration and post-disaster relief work for Wang Fuk Court as key tasks for new Legco and government.

Focus
Illustration: Henry Wong

Can China’s cheap, renewable energy help it outrun the US in the AI race?

China

Chinese student numbers at Harvard rise despite Trump visa crackdown

Enrolment from mainland China grew 4.5% in 2025 even as Washington tightened vetting and revoked thousands of student visas.

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Harvard is continuing its fight against the Trump administration with two legal challenges over funding cuts and foreign student enrolment restrictions. Photo: Getty Images
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Diplomacy

US government approves Nvidia H200 chip exports to China

Trump administration on Tuesday gave the green light to China-bound sales of Nvidia’s second most powerful AI chips.

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Politics

Trump vs Iran: Gulf allies fear US ‘help’ may unleash chaos

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are urging against military action, even as the US president teases that ‘help is on its way’.

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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.

This Week in Asia

Developing | Crane collapses on train in Thailand, killing at least 22

The equipment at a China-backed high-speed rail line hit the passing train, causing it to derail in Nakhon ‌Ratchasima province.

The train accident took place on ‍Wednesday in the Sikhio district of Thailand’s Nakhon ‌Ratchasima province. Photo: Facebook/DDPMNews

China Business

Chinese solar firms eye price hikes amid silver surge, scrapping of tax rebate

China exported 206 gigawatts of photovoltaic modules in the first nine months of 2025, up 10 per cent from a year earlier.

Diplomacy

Not ‘Trump-compatible’? China expert Rudd exits Australia’s US ambassador role

Kevin ‌Rudd left his post a year ‍earlier than planned following criticism from US President Donald Trump at White House meeting in October.

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Politics

South Korea’s Yoon could become ‘martyr’ if given death penalty: analysts

While prosecutors have demanded death for the disgraced ex-president over his martial law debacle, a life imprisonment sentence is seen as more likely.

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A protester punches an effigy of Yoon Suk-yeol outside the National Assembly in Seoul in 2024. Photo: AFP
SERIES: Year of the Horse 2026

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Dogs, from success at work to love

Harmony with the tai sui deity means Dogs’ wealth will grow in the Year of the Fire Horse, but certain relationships will need nurturing.

Will the Year of the Horse 2026 be a lucky one for Dogs? Fortune-teller Tong Pik-ha shares her predictions for wealth, relationships and health. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

United States & Canada

At least 4 migrants have died in US ICE custody since start of 2026

Reported deaths occurred in the first 10 days of the year; two of them attributed to ‘heart-related health issues’.

Tech Trends

DeepSeek stays mum on next AI model release as technical papers show frontier innovation

Hangzhou-based start-up’s technical papers bode well for potential advances in its next major AI models.

Business

Hong Kong commercial property set for 10% rise in 2026, Colliers says

‘Measured recovery’ is in progress as mainland investment hits a half-decade high, consultancy says.

Workers clean the windows of a building in Tamar, with reflections of Wan Chai office towers reflected in the glass, on April 30, 2025. Photo: May Tse

Travel & Leisure

What’s fuelling South Korea’s running boom? A look at the fitness obsession

From office workers to ultra-marathoners, South Korea’s running boom is reshaping streets, travel and retail as millions hit the pavement.

Runners set off during the DMZ International Peace Marathon, in the Demilitarized Zone in Gangwon province, in South Korea, on September 21, 2025. Some 10 million South Koreans now identify as runners, according to industry and tourism data, roughly double the figure from 2015. Photo: The Korea Times

Health & Wellness

Singaporean pro boxer uses skills from the ring to dominate life’s other fights

Efasha Kamarudin credits boxing for helping her build self-confidence, tackle body-size hang-ups and bounce back from new motherhood blues.

United States & Canada

Trump flips off factory worker after Epstein taunt

The White House defended the US president’s gesture as an ‘appropriate’ response to a ‘lunatic’ heckler at a Michigan auto plant.

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OPINION
Alex Lo

As I see it | The Chinese century may already be here

Alex Lo
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SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Review of Meta-Manus deal a reminder of what’s at stake in US-China rivalry

SCMP Editorial
Letters

Letters | The strategic calculations behind Trump’s Venezuela raid

Letters
Gaurav Kumar

Opinion | Is India fuelling an arms race in Asia or closing a deterrence gap?

Gaurav Kumar
SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Hong Kong’s biodiversity strategy must be clear and comprehensive

SCMP Editorial
Harry’s View | 14 Jan 2026
January 14, 2026
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Travel & Leisure

What’s fuelling South Korea’s running boom? A look at the fitness obsession

Tennis

Coleman Wong beats Pablo Llamas Ruiz to edge closer to Australian Open main draw

United States & Canada

At least 4 migrants have died in US ICE custody since start of 2026

100 Top Tables

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for January 16-18

This Week in Asia

Developing | Crane collapses on train in Thailand, killing at least 22

Politics

Trump vs Iran: Gulf allies fear US ‘help’ may unleash chaos

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SCMP Series
China Inc. goes global
Year of the Horse 2026
Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy
Revisiting US-China relations
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
SCMP SeriesChina Inc. goes global

The US has played its hand in Latin America. Will China’s firms there cash out?

After the abduction of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, many Chinese entrepreneurs in the region say they are staying put – for now.

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Why overseas residency is a ‘practical advantage’ for Chinese firms going global

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Chinese companies expand globally

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
China Future Tech
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

Tech Trends

DeepSeek stays mum on next AI model release as technical papers show frontier innovation

Hangzhou-based start-up’s technical papers bode well for potential advances in its next major AI models.

China Economy

Can China’s cheap, renewable energy help it outrun the US in the AI race?

China’s energy buildout means cheap, green and reliable electricity fuels its manufacturing and tech industries, giving it an edge over rivals.

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Big Tech

Alibaba reaffirms open-source AI commitment as it hails successes

‘Building with the community’ is crucial to the success of the Qwen family of large language models, company says.

Leaning into the open-source approach has helped developers build AI applications faster and at lower cost, company says. Photo: Shutterstock

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

Global Economy

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

After the abduction of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, many Chinese entrepreneurs in the region say they are staying put – for now.

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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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Illustration: Henry Wong
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