Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

A worker loads sulphur at a storage yard on a wharf in China’s Jiangsu province in April. Photo: AFP

China defies Hormuz crisis with record monthly export value in April

Exports rose 14.1 per cent year on year, well above market forecasts.

22 minutes ago

Exiting China market a ‘self-inflicted wound’ for US tech, think tank warns

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Banking & Finance

Trump’s pick for Fed chair says he’ll stay independent. Does he mean it?

Kevin Warsh said at a confirmation hearing he would not become the US president’s ‘human sock puppet’, but concerns over interference persist.

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Diplomacy

Trump trade chief says US wants balanced trade, not change to China’s system

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer wants key meeting in Beijing to help ‘achieve more balance’ economically between the two countries.

9 May 2026 - 3:13AMvideocam

Hong Kong Economy

2 bike-sharing apps vie for Hong Kong riders amid industry’s erratic development

Home-grown Locobike and mainland China’s Helloride must navigate a challenging landscape where bicycle lanes and parking facilities are limited.

23 minutes ago

Focus

Latest US-China rivalry combines undersea dominance with a race to riches

Politics

Mogami momentum: why Japan’s warship is winning over New Zealand

Japan’s Mogami and Britain’s Type 31 are the top two contenders, but Australia may have already tipped the scales.

2 hours ago

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force frigate JS Mogami sailing in an undisclosed location. Photo: Australian Defence Force / AFP

Education

Hong Kong schools record net student rise for 2 years straight

Figures shift from net decrease to net increase after Top Talent Pass Scheme launched and annual quota for another key admission scheme removed.

3 hours ago

Politics

Decoding this year’s US-Japan-Philippines Balikatan drills

Analysts say this year’s drills, which stress tested a new generation of mobile strike capabilities, were a pointed display of resolve.

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Tech

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

In partnership with:

Huawei

Science

Ke Tao, China’s remote sensing expert ‘devoted’ to national defence, dies at 48

The Wuhan University professor specialised in taking measurements from images and received a military award in 2015.

8 May 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Ke Tao’s particular expertise was photogrammetry and its application to aerospace, aviation, and in low-altitude, close-range environments. Photo: Handout

Diplomacy

China plan to be global arbitration hub fighting Western distrust: experts

China’s newly revised Arbitration Law marks the most significant overhaul of the country’s commercial dispute framework since 1994.

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Europe

Beginning of the end? Trump announces 3-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal

US president says ceasefire will include suspension of all ‘kinetic activity’ and an exchange of prisoners.

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Economics

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

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Health & Wellness

This fit former bodybuilder thought pole would be easy. He was wrong

Hong Kong-born LA resident Ray Kayan found that gym strength means little on the fitness pole, an activity he finds ‘empowering’.

5 hours agovideocam

Ray Kayan performs graceful moves on a fitness pole, which require great strength and flexibility. Pole performance has been growing as a form of fitness since the 58-year-old started, even among men. Photo: Facebook/Ray Leung

Diplomacy

Trump appeals latest court loss on tariffs as chaos and uncertainty amp up

Trump administration on Friday appealed court ruling that 10 per cent global tariff imposed in February was not justified by 1970s trade law.

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Global Economy

How a China-backed highway may turn landlocked Laos into a trade gateway

The project is part of wider efforts to build overland trade corridors linking southern China with the Mekong region.

5 hours ago

China Business

Chinese EV maker Leapmotor taps Stellantis’ Spanish plant for EU production

Hangzhou carmaker’s overseas strategy highlights how Chinese brands are leveraging idle plants to scale globally while easing trade barriers.

8 May 2026 - 9:40PM

A Leapmotor Lafa5 Ultra is on display at the Beijing Auto Show on April 24. Photo: AFP

Politics

Why the UK won’t shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict

Analysts say British authorities will prioritise stable ties with Beijing given current geopolitical uncertainties.

8 May 2026 - 10:47PMvideocam

Hong Kong’s economic and trade office in London. Photo: Google Maps

Southeast Asia

2 Singaporeans, 1 Indonesian still missing after Mount Dukono eruption

The volcano in Indonesia’s North Maluku province began erupting on Friday morning, spewing ash as ‌high as 10km.

1 hour agovideocam

Tech Trends

Exclusive | DeepSeek to soon close first external fundraising in US$50b valuation: sources

Backers include AI-focused affiliates under the third phase of the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, sources say.

9 May 2026 - 12:17AMvideocam

OPINION

Alex Lo

As I see it | Has China just ended the end of history?

3 hours ago

Letters

Letters | Legco must preserve Hong Kong’s natural heritage before it’s too late

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Wee Kek Koon

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Southeast Asia

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Economic Indicators

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Rising fibre prices and surging output cement China’s role as the backbone of global optical connectivity for AI.

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In 2025, China accounted for 59 per cent of global optical preform output, 57 per cent of optical fibre production and 47 per cent of optical cable output, making it the world’s largest supplier across the chain, Huatai Securities’ data showed. Photo: Shutterstock

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Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

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Will new Saudi-Pakistan defence pact give Chinese arms risk-free exposure?

Islamabad’s elevated stature in Middle East security could make it ‘the operational face of Chinese defence systems’ via regional deployment.

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China defies Hormuz crisis with record monthly export value in April

Exports rose 14.1 per cent year on year, well above market forecasts.

Exiting China market a ‘self-inflicted wound’ for US tech, think tank warns

Trump’s pick for Fed chair says he’ll stay independent. Does he mean it?

Kevin Warsh said at a confirmation hearing he would not become the US president’s ‘human sock puppet’, but concerns over interference persist.

Trump trade chief says US wants balanced trade, not change to China’s system

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer wants key meeting in Beijing to help ‘achieve more balance’ economically between the two countries.

2 bike-sharing apps vie for Hong Kong riders amid industry’s erratic development

Home-grown Locobike and mainland China’s Helloride must navigate a challenging landscape where bicycle lanes and parking facilities are limited.

Latest US-China rivalry combines undersea dominance with a race to riches

Mogami momentum: why Japan’s warship is winning over New Zealand

Japan’s Mogami and Britain’s Type 31 are the top two contenders, but Australia may have already tipped the scales.

Hong Kong schools record net student rise for 2 years straight

Figures shift from net decrease to net increase after Top Talent Pass Scheme launched and annual quota for another key admission scheme removed.

Decoding this year’s US-Japan-Philippines Balikatan drills

Analysts say this year’s drills, which stress tested a new generation of mobile strike capabilities, were a pointed display of resolve.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

Ke Tao, China’s remote sensing expert ‘devoted’ to national defence, dies at 48

The Wuhan University professor specialised in taking measurements from images and received a military award in 2015.

China plan to be global arbitration hub fighting Western distrust: experts

China’s newly revised Arbitration Law marks the most significant overhaul of the country’s commercial dispute framework since 1994.

Beginning of the end? Trump announces 3-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal

US president says ceasefire will include suspension of all ‘kinetic activity’ and an exchange of prisoners.

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

This fit former bodybuilder thought pole would be easy. He was wrong

Hong Kong-born LA resident Ray Kayan found that gym strength means little on the fitness pole, an activity he finds ‘empowering’.

Trump appeals latest court loss on tariffs as chaos and uncertainty amp up

Trump administration on Friday appealed court ruling that 10 per cent global tariff imposed in February was not justified by 1970s trade law.

How a China-backed highway may turn landlocked Laos into a trade gateway

The project is part of wider efforts to build overland trade corridors linking southern China with the Mekong region.

Chinese EV maker Leapmotor taps Stellantis’ Spanish plant for EU production

Hangzhou carmaker’s overseas strategy highlights how Chinese brands are leveraging idle plants to scale globally while easing trade barriers.

Why the UK won’t shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict

Analysts say British authorities will prioritise stable ties with Beijing given current geopolitical uncertainties.

2 Singaporeans, 1 Indonesian still missing after Mount Dukono eruption

The volcano in Indonesia’s North Maluku province began erupting on Friday morning, spewing ash as ‌high as 10km.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | DeepSeek to soon close first external fundraising in US$50b valuation: sources

Backers include AI-focused affiliates under the third phase of the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, sources say.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | Has China just ended the end of history?

Letters | Legco must preserve Hong Kong’s natural heritage before it’s too late

Reflections | Succession struggles in China’s past echoed in Malaysia’s 2026 royal crisis

Opinion | Thanks to Trump, the gloves are off. There may be no new global order

Opinion | China unsurprisingly puts its own interests first. Can Europe do the same?

Malaysia resorts to cloud seeding to save rice crop from drought

2 bike-sharing apps vie for Hong Kong riders amid industry’s erratic development

Decoding this year’s US-Japan-Philippines Balikatan drills

2 Singaporeans, 1 Indonesian still missing after Mount Dukono eruption

China defies Hormuz crisis with record monthly export value in April

Mogami momentum: why Japan’s warship is winning over New Zealand

Singapore pair test negative for hantavirus after cruise ship outbreak

As I see it | Has China just ended the end of history?

Hong Kong schools record net student rise for 2 years straight

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | How China’s malls are trying to stay relevant

Latest US-China rivalry combines undersea dominance with a race to riches

Ahead of leaders’ summit in Beijing next week, experts point to a high-stakes competition that features military and mining technologies.

Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

China tells close Trump ally its wish list ahead of US leader’s Beijing trip

Open Questions | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history: Sheng-Wei Wang

Kunyu Wanguo Quantu and maritime artefacts prove China explored the world earlier than Eurocentric accounts suggest, scholar argues.

From Beijing to Berlin: Chinese EVs turn heads as brands eye European markets

BYD, Geely and Xpeng showcase eye-catching EVs at Beijing auto show as they build momentum in Europe and target more discerning buyers.

Chinese EV maker Leapmotor taps Stellantis’ Spanish plant for EU production

Hangzhou carmaker’s overseas strategy highlights how Chinese brands are leveraging idle plants to scale globally while easing trade barriers.

Exclusive | DeepSeek to soon close first external fundraising in US$50b valuation: sources

Backers include AI-focused affiliates under the third phase of the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, sources say.

How Nvidia’s Corning pact sheds light on China’s key role in global fibre supply

Rising fibre prices and surging output cement China’s role as the backbone of global optical connectivity for AI.

Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

After the US$37 billion, 300-plane deal from Trump’s last visit stalled, industry observers say the next one could be more flexible.

Will warming Arctic trigger further chill in US-China relations?

The prospect of opening up new sea lanes presents both challenges and opportunities for the rival powers, analysts say.

Will Hong Kong’s lending clampdown wean helpers off debt – and save their dreams?

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Exclusive | DeepSeek to soon close first external fundraising in US$50b valuation: sources

As I see it | Has China just ended the end of history?

Video | How China’s malls are trying to stay relevant