Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

China State Shipbuilding Corporation said it had achieved “full self-sufficiency across the entire process, from design and manufacturing to testing and validation”. Photo: Weibo/单手搓核弹

China’s next generation of warships will be propelled by a 50MW gas turbine

The advanced technology is part of Beijing’s push to establish a self-reliant supply chain for sectors deemed critical to national security.

10 minutes ago

What the Fujian’s design flaws mean for China’s next aircraft carrier

China's military weapons

Politics

China expels former intelligence official Gao Yichen from party for corruption

Discipline watchdog condemns ‘retired but not resting’ vice-minister for taking bribes and ‘wantonly’ amassing wealth after leaving office.

1 hour ago

China Economy

China’s consumers refuse to open their wallets. Is ‘luxury-phobia’ the problem?

Chinese households are not splashing out on luxury goods partly because they feel ‘stigmatised’ for doing so, scholar argues.

3 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong’s jobless rate holds steady at 3.8% amid growth outlook

Movements in unemployment rate in different industry sectors varied for October to December period, but magnitudes were generally small.

50 minutes ago

Diplomacy

US President Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire for Greenland to become part of the United States. Photo: Reuters

Don’t expect Greenland crisis to realign EU with China, former US diplomat says

Science

First contact: in quest for moon water, Chinese team flags risk in touching ice

Scientists warn water on the moon is locked in frozen soil, not exposed to air and held in place only by cold and vacuum.

3 hours agovideocam

The Chang’e-7 mission is expected to touch down on the rim of Shackleton crater near the lunar south pole this year as part of China’s search for water on the moon. Photo: Handout

Russia & Central Asia

Is the Trump-Greenland dispute a win for Russia?

Russia eyes Trump’s Greenland bid straining Nato ties, and while the Kremlin mocks Europe’s dilemma, Moscow fears US unpredictability in the Arctic.

40 minutes agovideocam

Economics

US drone demand puts Indonesia’s strategic balance to the test

According to a leaked document, Washington proposed lowering tariffs if Indonesia bought US-made drones and publicly announced the purchase.

17 minutes agovideocam

Education

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s 20-year evolution ensures it meets world’s fast-changing technological, industrial and societal needs.

In partnership with:

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Business

Labubu maker Pop Mart surges after buy-back in show of confidence

Repurchase signals management’s confidence and healthy balance sheet, analysts say, though stock remains 40 per cent below last year’s peak.

1 hour ago

Investors have welcomed Pop Mart’s move. Photo: Xinhua

Politics

Crossing a line: did military spies help a student fly drones into North Korea?

What began as a student’s claim of hunting radioactive waste has spiralled into a scandal linking military spies to dangerous border flights.

44 minutes ago

Law and Crime

Families of Hong Kong ferry crash victims say verdict won’t bring closure

Alice Leung, who lost 23-year-old brother in Lamma ferry disaster, says she knows inquest findings will not provide all the answers.

10 minutes ago

Policy

China signals global AI push as MiniMax CEO joins meeting with Premier Li Qiang

Last January, DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng met the Chinese premier in the same setting following the start-up’s rapid rise to prominence.

4 hours ago

Premier Li Qiang on Monday met with leading figures from China’s business, culture and education spheres. Photo: CCTV

Law and Crime

Hong Kong set to receive long-awaited inquest verdict on 2012 Lamma ferry crash

Coroner’s Court set to deliver verdict on ferry disaster that claimed the lives of 39 people more than a decade ago.

1 hour ago

The 2012 ferry crash killed 39 people. Photo: Handout

Asia

Malaysian road rage video goes viral, Pakistan’s arms deals: 7 Asia highlights

From visa suspensions to Pakistan’s arms deal, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

5 hours ago

Politics

Bangladeshi student leaders ousted Hasina. Now their political future is unsure

The party born of protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina now finds itself overshadowed by a resurgent Jamaat-e-Islami.

53 minutes agovideocam

China Economy

Shanghai unveils road map to rival world cities in finance, tech and innovation

Economic powerhouse has sights set on AI, advanced manufacturing and global financial services, reflecting a national 5-year plan’s first explicit financial-centre directive.

20 Jan 2026 - 11:00AM

A view of the Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai’s Pudong district is seen through an installation on October 27. The city has its sights set on financial and developmental advancements in the coming years. Photo: AFP

Tech Trends

DeepSeek’s AI technique for long texts questioned by new research

AI models face a critical limitation known as the long-context bottleneck, which restricts their ability to process lengthy documents.

6 hours ago

The DeepSeek-OCR technique handles large and complex documents by using visual perception as a compression medium. Photo: Reuters

Trending in China

‘Mad to boost birth rate’: China lets retirees claim prenatal exam costs, sparks mockery

Following move to tax condoms, contraceptives, online observers deride Beijing move as desperate attempt to boost birth rates.

10 minutes ago

Law and Crime

Ex-Hong Kong logistics head denied award as 3 staff face action in water scandal

Civil service chief Ingrid Yeung says staff failed to perform duties, lacking awareness, judgment and analytical ability to identify issues.

4 minutes ago

OPINION

James David Spellman

Opinion | How generational wealth transfer will reshape China’s economy

1 hour ago

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Opinion | China’s focus is on stability as the US rocks the global boat

20 Jan 2026 - 10:10AM

Letters

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20 Jan 2026 - 11:30AM

Lisa Cam

Opinion | In Chinese astrology, why are benefactors and networking so important?

20 Jan 2026 - 7:34AM

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Middle East

Israel’s demolition of UN compound in East Jerusalem raises legal concerns

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Military

China’s next generation of warships will be propelled by a 50MW gas turbine

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‘Mad to boost birth rate’: China lets retirees claim prenatal exam costs, sparks mockery

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Football

Rodri and Gerard Pique congratulate Hong Kong’s newest boss

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Economics

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Russia & Central Asia

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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.

13 Jan 2026 - 9:55AMvideocam

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Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Why US raid on Venezuela could ‘work to China’s advantage’: John Mearsheimer

International relations scholar says US could easily take Greenland, while regime change in Tehran would be more difficult.

19 Jan 2026 - 6:57PMvideocam

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.

12 Jan 2026 - 10:06AMvideocam

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.

5 Jan 2026 - 9:11AMvideocam

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.

9 Jan 2026 - 12:37PMvideocam

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Big Tech

China curbs US AI chips, shuns foreign capital in pursuit of tech self-reliance

These restrictions signify a new phase in the US-China tech war where ‘offensive and defensive roles have shifted’, says an analyst.

17 Jan 2026 - 10:46AM

China Economy

Shanghai unveils road map to rival world cities in finance, tech and innovation

Economic powerhouse has sights set on AI, advanced manufacturing and global financial services, reflecting a national 5-year plan’s first explicit financial-centre directive.

20 Jan 2026 - 11:00AM

China Business

Exclusive | China challenges US in AI drug race, but rivals still reliant on each other

While US biotech firms increase use of Chinese clinical data, Chinese firms need US counterparts for monetisation, investor and scientist says.

20 Jan 2026 - 11:16AM

China Business

Chinese automotive suppliers speed up localisation to boost global market share

International carmakers’ orders from Chinese vendors are an endorsement of the quality and competitiveness of their products, analyst says.

20 Jan 2026 - 7:30AM

BYD’s plant in Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan province. Photo: Xinhua

Global Economy

Can China’s cosmetics brands rival K-beauty and refashion global markets?

Once the top export market for South Korean cosmetics, Chinese firms lead at home and have made headway overseas – but gaps remain.

18 Jan 2026 - 6:06AMvideocam

Big Tech

China curbs US AI chips, shuns foreign capital in pursuit of tech self-reliance

These restrictions signify a new phase in the US-China tech war where ‘offensive and defensive roles have shifted’, says an analyst.

17 Jan 2026 - 10:46AM

Diplomacy

Counting China’s ‘swing nation’ wins and losses in new era of power rivalry

As US-China race for hi-tech resources heats up across Global South, countries caught in the middle are under pressure to strike a balance.

17 Jan 2026 - 7:43AMvideocam

China Economy

A Chinese tech hub eyes 3- to 7-nanometre chip breakthroughs to beat US curbs

Province’s five-year plan backs national push for tech independence – but can it succeed?

16 Jan 2026 - 11:14AMvideocam

China is world’s largest chip manufacturer, demonstrating the country’s superiority in global supply chain. Photo: Shutterstock

China’s next generation of warships will be propelled by a 50MW gas turbine

The advanced technology is part of Beijing’s push to establish a self-reliant supply chain for sectors deemed critical to national security.

What the Fujian’s design flaws mean for China’s next aircraft carrier

China expels former intelligence official Gao Yichen from party for corruption

Discipline watchdog condemns ‘retired but not resting’ vice-minister for taking bribes and ‘wantonly’ amassing wealth after leaving office.

China’s consumers refuse to open their wallets. Is ‘luxury-phobia’ the problem?

Chinese households are not splashing out on luxury goods partly because they feel ‘stigmatised’ for doing so, scholar argues.

Hong Kong’s jobless rate holds steady at 3.8% amid growth outlook

Movements in unemployment rate in different industry sectors varied for October to December period, but magnitudes were generally small.

Don’t expect Greenland crisis to realign EU with China, former US diplomat says

First contact: in quest for moon water, Chinese team flags risk in touching ice

Scientists warn water on the moon is locked in frozen soil, not exposed to air and held in place only by cold and vacuum.

Is the Trump-Greenland dispute a win for Russia?

Russia eyes Trump’s Greenland bid straining Nato ties, and while the Kremlin mocks Europe’s dilemma, Moscow fears US unpredictability in the Arctic.

US drone demand puts Indonesia’s strategic balance to the test

According to a leaked document, Washington proposed lowering tariffs if Indonesia bought US-made drones and publicly announced the purchase.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s 20-year evolution ensures it meets world’s fast-changing technological, industrial and societal needs.

Labubu maker Pop Mart surges after buy-back in show of confidence

Repurchase signals management’s confidence and healthy balance sheet, analysts say, though stock remains 40 per cent below last year’s peak.

Crossing a line: did military spies help a student fly drones into North Korea?

What began as a student’s claim of hunting radioactive waste has spiralled into a scandal linking military spies to dangerous border flights.

Families of Hong Kong ferry crash victims say verdict won’t bring closure

Alice Leung, who lost 23-year-old brother in Lamma ferry disaster, says she knows inquest findings will not provide all the answers.

China signals global AI push as MiniMax CEO joins meeting with Premier Li Qiang

Last January, DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng met the Chinese premier in the same setting following the start-up’s rapid rise to prominence.

Hong Kong set to receive long-awaited inquest verdict on 2012 Lamma ferry crash

Coroner’s Court set to deliver verdict on ferry disaster that claimed the lives of 39 people more than a decade ago.

Malaysian road rage video goes viral, Pakistan’s arms deals: 7 Asia highlights

From visa suspensions to Pakistan’s arms deal, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Bangladeshi student leaders ousted Hasina. Now their political future is unsure

The party born of protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina now finds itself overshadowed by a resurgent Jamaat-e-Islami.

Shanghai unveils road map to rival world cities in finance, tech and innovation

Economic powerhouse has sights set on AI, advanced manufacturing and global financial services, reflecting a national 5-year plan’s first explicit financial-centre directive.

DeepSeek’s AI technique for long texts questioned by new research

AI models face a critical limitation known as the long-context bottleneck, which restricts their ability to process lengthy documents.

‘Mad to boost birth rate’: China lets retirees claim prenatal exam costs, sparks mockery

Following move to tax condoms, contraceptives, online observers deride Beijing move as desperate attempt to boost birth rates.

Ex-Hong Kong logistics head denied award as 3 staff face action in water scandal

Civil service chief Ingrid Yeung says staff failed to perform duties, lacking awareness, judgment and analytical ability to identify issues.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | How generational wealth transfer will reshape China’s economy

Opinion | China’s focus is on stability as the US rocks the global boat

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Prioritise scam victims’ well-being in fighting transnational cybercrime

Opinion | In Chinese astrology, why are benefactors and networking so important?

Editorial | China-EU compromise over EVs bodes well for trade and overall ties

Israel’s demolition of UN compound in East Jerusalem raises legal concerns

China’s next generation of warships will be propelled by a 50MW gas turbine

‘Mad to boost birth rate’: China lets retirees claim prenatal exam costs, sparks mockery

Rodri and Gerard Pique congratulate Hong Kong’s newest boss

US drone demand puts Indonesia’s strategic balance to the test

Is the Trump-Greenland dispute a win for Russia?

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.

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

Chinese companies expand globally

Open Questions | Why US raid on Venezuela could ‘work to China’s advantage’: John Mearsheimer

International relations scholar says US could easily take Greenland, while regime change in Tehran would be more difficult.

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.

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.

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.

China curbs US AI chips, shuns foreign capital in pursuit of tech self-reliance

These restrictions signify a new phase in the US-China tech war where ‘offensive and defensive roles have shifted’, says an analyst.

Shanghai unveils road map to rival world cities in finance, tech and innovation

Economic powerhouse has sights set on AI, advanced manufacturing and global financial services, reflecting a national 5-year plan’s first explicit financial-centre directive.

Exclusive | China challenges US in AI drug race, but rivals still reliant on each other

While US biotech firms increase use of Chinese clinical data, Chinese firms need US counterparts for monetisation, investor and scientist says.

Chinese automotive suppliers speed up localisation to boost global market share

International carmakers’ orders from Chinese vendors are an endorsement of the quality and competitiveness of their products, analyst says.

Can China’s cosmetics brands rival K-beauty and refashion global markets?

Once the top export market for South Korean cosmetics, Chinese firms lead at home and have made headway overseas – but gaps remain.

China curbs US AI chips, shuns foreign capital in pursuit of tech self-reliance

These restrictions signify a new phase in the US-China tech war where ‘offensive and defensive roles have shifted’, says an analyst.

Counting China’s ‘swing nation’ wins and losses in new era of power rivalry

As US-China race for hi-tech resources heats up across Global South, countries caught in the middle are under pressure to strike a balance.

A Chinese tech hub eyes 3- to 7-nanometre chip breakthroughs to beat US curbs

Province’s five-year plan backs national push for tech independence – but can it succeed?

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Opinion | How generational wealth transfer will reshape China’s economy

Letters | Prioritise scam victims’ well-being in fighting transnational cybercrime