Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Analysts say Japanese retailers must adapt more quickly to China’s evolving retail landscape. Photo: Shutterstock

Japanese chains lose ground in north China as competition and deflation bite

Store closures in Beijing and Tianjin highlight mounting pressure from domestic rivals amid shifting consumer habits.

8 minutes ago

Uniqlo Hong Kong chooses upgrades over expansion amid sluggish retail sales

Tianjin

Science

Lead scientist reveals true purpose of China’s ultra-large underwater drone

Huge size of China’s unmanned submersibles has US defence experts worried Beijing may attack vulnerable targets including LA and Seattle.

2 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

Chinese surveillance rolled out in Africa: ZTE, Hikvision, Huawei at the helm

China’s ‘safe city’ project can counter terrorism and curb crime but critics worry it may repress political opposition and peaceful protests.

4 Apr 2026 - 10:30PMvideocam

Education

Closing Hong Kong schools with low numbers hurts special education kids: parents

Students with special educational needs do better in smaller classes and in schools that look beyond academic grades, parents say.

2 hours ago

Focus

What next for the struggling rural mothers in China who helped to build AI?

United States & Canada

Trump gives Iran 48 hours to make deal, as US hunts for missing airman

Iran’s General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi responded by calling the US president’s threat a ‘helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action’.

4 hours agovideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday. Photo: TNS

Middle East

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump sets deadline for deal

Kuwait and Israel say their air defences are responding to the latest attacks from Iran.

5 minutes agovideocam

Lifestyle & Culture

Lute awakening: traditional Malaysian strings have many players but few makers

While young musicians are increasingly drawn to the old instruments, few want to take up the tedious task of crafting them.

38 minutes ago

Business

From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Dow’s digital tracking system in China proves to consumers and businesses how waste can be recycled into new products.

In partnership with:

Dow

Caption: Dow’s Track and Trace Platform makes it possible to follow a recycled bottle’s journey from disposal to its rebirth as a new plastic bottle. Photo: Shutterstock

Health & Wellness

Hate jet lag? How fliers are using apps to beat the common travel trouble

Flying across time zones disrupts your circadian rhythm, which affects functioning and even long-term health. But apps could help.

4 hours ago

The Timeshifter app focuses on resetting the circadian rhythm using light and dark scenarios and calculates a personal schedule based on your itinerary and whether you are a “night owl” or “early bird”. It is one of many apps of the market designed to help people get over jet lag. Photo: timeshifter.com

Diplomacy

Why China is worried by Japan’s plans to change rules on arms sales

The government in Tokyo is considering relaxing its restrictions on exports of lethal weapons amid heightened tensions with Beijing.

4 Apr 2026 - 9:08PMvideocam

Middle East

US commits nearly all of stealthy long-range missiles to Iran war

JASSM-ER cruise missiles are to be pulled from Pacific stockpiles, reducing supplies of systems meant for more capable foes like China.

5 Apr 2026 - 1:53AMvideocam

Economics

Thailand’s fishing industry fights for survival as Iran war hits fuel costs

Half of the fleet is already docked as the fishing association warns the whole sector may ‘collapse like dominoes’.

3 hours agovideocam

A man on a truck brings the ice that keeps the catch fresh. Photo: Aidan Jones

Food & Drink

Forced to stop selling stinky tofu, this Taiwanese restaurant fought back

The owner of Southern California’s Golden Leaf reveals how a neighbour’s vendetta has seen the popular street food dropped from his menu.

5 Apr 2026 - 4:15AM

A plate of stinky tofu. The street food popular in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan is prized for its distinct, potent stench - but for some, the smell is simply too much. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Is Taiwan’s opposition KMT splitting into pro-US and pro-Beijing camps?

Big differences have emerged over defence spending just as the party’s chairwoman prepares to set off for the mainland.

4 Apr 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

United States & Canada

Bomb allegedly left at US base by Alen Zheng was built inside 2 Pepsi bottles

The revelation of the bomb’s make-up comes amid questions of how it sat outside the military installation for six days without being found.

4 hours ago

Military

Iran points finger at Saudis and UAE after Chinese-made drone was shot down

Tehran says it has shot down a Wing Loong II, which could be proof of ‘active complicity’ in the US-Israeli war.

4 Apr 2026 - 6:13PMvideocam

Iran says a Wing Long II drone has been shot down over its territory. Photo: Dickson Lee

Middle East

US arrests niece and grandniece of slain Iran general Qassem Soleimani

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, who were allegedly living a ‘lavish lifestyle’ in Los Angeles, have had their green cards revoked.

5 Apr 2026 - 4:14AMvideocam

Iranian mourners gather during the final stage of funeral processions for slain top general Qasem Soleimani in his hometown Kerman in January 2020. Photo: AFP

Russia & Central Asia

Ukraine and Russia trade fatal strikes as Zelensky travels to Turkey

The war began in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine.

4 Apr 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

Economics

UAE squeezes Iranian economic lifeline in retaliation for attacks

The UAE has quietly banned most Iranians from entering the country or transiting its airports, and cracked down on IRGC-related networks.

4 Apr 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

OPINION

Ningrong Liu

Opinion | How China is transforming Hong Kong into a strategic hub

2 hours ago

Bob Savic

Opinion | China’s growing North Africa presence a structural challenge for Europe

6 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Hong Kong’s high-value tourism pivot makes sense for the city

4 hours ago

Cliff Buddle

My Take | Lunar mission gives a fresh perspective on a troubled world

5 Apr 2026 - 12:00AM

Anthony Rowley

Macroscope | Why dollar and gold prices are looking abnormal amid Iran war

4 Apr 2026 - 5:25PM

Harry’s View | 5 Apr 2026

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Middle East

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump sets deadline for deal

8 minutes ago

Business

Japanese chains lose ground in north China as competition and deflation bite

15 minutes ago

Health & Environment

Observatory warns of thundery showers amid Ching Ming Festival in Hong Kong

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Lifestyle & Culture

Lute awakening: traditional Malaysian strings have many players but few makers

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Traditional Russian wooden dolls depict Chinese President Xi Jinping, then US president-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg, Russia, on November 21, 2024. Photo: AP

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

27 Mar 2026 - 11:40PMvideocam

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

21 Mar 2026 - 2:39PMvideocam

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

20 Mar 2026 - 6:28PMvideocam

Open Questions series

China Economy

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

30 Mar 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Military

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

21 Mar 2026 - 6:18PM

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the company’s global AI conference in San Jose, California, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Big Tech

Competition or ‘co-opetition’: how is convergence shaping Sino-US AI race?

Speech by CEO of Chinese AI start-up at Nvidia event in US highlights symbiotic nature of tech relationship despite geopolitical tensions.

4 Apr 2026 - 10:09AM

Policy

Beijing mandates internal ethics committees for all Chinese AI companies

Since 2022, big tech firms including Alibaba and Baidu have established internal science and technology ethics review committees.

3 Apr 2026 - 9:54PM

Tech

Tencent expands OpenClaw suite with enterprise tool amid China’s ‘lobster’ craze

ClawPro tool promises quick AI agent deployment, giving enterprises control over models, tokens and security.

3 Apr 2026 - 8:00PM

Chinese tech firms are rushing to offer China users easy or inexpensive access to OpenClaw after it went viral. Photo: Getty Images

Society

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:30AM

Science

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

1 Apr 2026 - 9:50AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

Diplomacy

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

29 Mar 2026 - 6:17AM

Japanese chains lose ground in north China as competition and deflation bite

Store closures in Beijing and Tianjin highlight mounting pressure from domestic rivals amid shifting consumer habits.

Uniqlo Hong Kong chooses upgrades over expansion amid sluggish retail sales

Lead scientist reveals true purpose of China’s ultra-large underwater drone

Huge size of China’s unmanned submersibles has US defence experts worried Beijing may attack vulnerable targets including LA and Seattle.

Chinese surveillance rolled out in Africa: ZTE, Hikvision, Huawei at the helm

China’s ‘safe city’ project can counter terrorism and curb crime but critics worry it may repress political opposition and peaceful protests.

Closing Hong Kong schools with low numbers hurts special education kids: parents

Students with special educational needs do better in smaller classes and in schools that look beyond academic grades, parents say.

What next for the struggling rural mothers in China who helped to build AI?

Trump gives Iran 48 hours to make deal, as US hunts for missing airman

Iran’s General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi responded by calling the US president’s threat a ‘helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action’.

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump sets deadline for deal

Kuwait and Israel say their air defences are responding to the latest attacks from Iran.

Lute awakening: traditional Malaysian strings have many players but few makers

While young musicians are increasingly drawn to the old instruments, few want to take up the tedious task of crafting them.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Dow’s digital tracking system in China proves to consumers and businesses how waste can be recycled into new products.

Hate jet lag? How fliers are using apps to beat the common travel trouble

Flying across time zones disrupts your circadian rhythm, which affects functioning and even long-term health. But apps could help.

Why China is worried by Japan’s plans to change rules on arms sales

The government in Tokyo is considering relaxing its restrictions on exports of lethal weapons amid heightened tensions with Beijing.

US commits nearly all of stealthy long-range missiles to Iran war

JASSM-ER cruise missiles are to be pulled from Pacific stockpiles, reducing supplies of systems meant for more capable foes like China.

Thailand’s fishing industry fights for survival as Iran war hits fuel costs

Half of the fleet is already docked as the fishing association warns the whole sector may ‘collapse like dominoes’.

Forced to stop selling stinky tofu, this Taiwanese restaurant fought back

The owner of Southern California’s Golden Leaf reveals how a neighbour’s vendetta has seen the popular street food dropped from his menu.

Is Taiwan’s opposition KMT splitting into pro-US and pro-Beijing camps?

Big differences have emerged over defence spending just as the party’s chairwoman prepares to set off for the mainland.

Bomb allegedly left at US base by Alen Zheng was built inside 2 Pepsi bottles

The revelation of the bomb’s make-up comes amid questions of how it sat outside the military installation for six days without being found.

Iran points finger at Saudis and UAE after Chinese-made drone was shot down

Tehran says it has shot down a Wing Loong II, which could be proof of ‘active complicity’ in the US-Israeli war.

US arrests niece and grandniece of slain Iran general Qassem Soleimani

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, who were allegedly living a ‘lavish lifestyle’ in Los Angeles, have had their green cards revoked.

Ukraine and Russia trade fatal strikes as Zelensky travels to Turkey

The war began in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine.

UAE squeezes Iranian economic lifeline in retaliation for attacks

The UAE has quietly banned most Iranians from entering the country or transiting its airports, and cracked down on IRGC-related networks.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | How China is transforming Hong Kong into a strategic hub

Opinion | China’s growing North Africa presence a structural challenge for Europe

Editorial | Hong Kong’s high-value tourism pivot makes sense for the city

My Take | Lunar mission gives a fresh perspective on a troubled world

Macroscope | Why dollar and gold prices are looking abnormal amid Iran war

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump sets deadline for deal

Japanese chains lose ground in north China as competition and deflation bite

Observatory warns of thundery showers amid Ching Ming Festival in Hong Kong

Lute awakening: traditional Malaysian strings have many players but few makers

Opinion | How China is transforming Hong Kong into a strategic hub

Closing Hong Kong schools with low numbers hurts special education kids: parents

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

Competition or ‘co-opetition’: how is convergence shaping Sino-US AI race?

Speech by CEO of Chinese AI start-up at Nvidia event in US highlights symbiotic nature of tech relationship despite geopolitical tensions.

Beijing mandates internal ethics committees for all Chinese AI companies

Since 2022, big tech firms including Alibaba and Baidu have established internal science and technology ethics review committees.

Tencent expands OpenClaw suite with enterprise tool amid China’s ‘lobster’ craze

ClawPro tool promises quick AI agent deployment, giving enterprises control over models, tokens and security.

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Opinion | How China is transforming Hong Kong into a strategic hub

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?