US President Donald Trump speaks by video to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Trump tells Davos he is hopeful about US-China ties as he warns on tariffs

American leader touts ‘very good’ relationship with Xi Jinping amid ‘massive’ trade deficits with Beijing

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Trump tells Davos he wants Xi to help stop Ukraine war – as it happened

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At Davos, Saudi Arabia pitches itself as a new hub for Chinese investment

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Trump tells Davos he wants Xi to help stop Ukraine war – as it happened

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At Davos, Saudi Arabia pitches itself as a new hub for Chinese investment

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Donald Trump has made repeated pledges to regain control of the Panama Canal. Photo: TNS

What does China have to do with Marco Rubio’s trip to Latin America?

The new US secretary of state is departing from recent precedent by not making Asia his first overseas destination.

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With China in focus, Rubio hosts Quad meetings on first day as top US diplomat

US-China relations
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Science

‘Era of supersonic passenger flights’ nears as China firm preps drone debut

As hypersonic tech enters commercial sector, Mach-4 drone looks set to fly next year while high-speed passenger jet expected to soar in 2030.

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China

US lawmakers bring back bill to revoke China’s trade status

Legislation targets permanent normal trade relations designation, which was conferred in 2000 ahead of China’s joining the WTO.

Society

Hong Kong tourist killed by train in Japan while taking photos on tracks

Woman, 61, was reportedly standing on line to take photos of the sea in Otaru city, Hokkaido.

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Diplomacy
Analyses of Chinese-collected water samples from Fukushima showed no unusual concentrations of harmful radioactive nuclides. Photo: Kyodo

Chinese tests on water near Fukushima plant show no impact on marine life

United States & Canada

Emilia Perez film leads Oscar nominations with 13 – read the full list here

Read on for the full list of Academy Award nominations, as well as analysis of the surprise (and not-so-surprise) choices.

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Zoe Saldana in Emilia Perez. Photo: Pathé
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Society

Developers worried over risks in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis project

Authorities urged to bring forward infrastructure work to ensure sites’ development potential is met, reducing uncertainties for investors.

Politics

India’s bet on AI-enabled warships needs boost to counter China, experts say

While India’s first AI-enabled warship enhances its capabilities in the Indian Ocean, experts warn that more vessels are needed to counter China’s growing presence.

7

Tech

Spain’s oldest hospital embraces digital age with smart solutions

Huawei Technologies’ data storage solutions allow Sant Pau in Barcelona to advance research in AI-driven medical image-guided therapy.

In partnership with:
Huawei
Barcelona’s historic Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau park complex, built early in the 20th century and in use until 2009, is listed as a World Heritage site./ Photo: Shutterstock

China

US reliance on China rare earths, Mach-4 drone revealed: SCMP daily highlights

From a Mach-4 drone being unveiled in China to business concerns over rising tensions, here’s a round-up from today’s China and economy coverage.

Soil containing rare earth deposits is transported for shipment at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province. China processes 90 per cent of global rare earth supplies. Photo: Reuters

Law and Crime

New Hong Kong Bar Association chair vows to cultivate more talent for country

Jose-Antonio Maurellet also pledges to uphold the core values of the rule of law and judicial independence.

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Diplomacy

Chinese car giants sue European Commission over electric vehicle tariffs

Tesla and BMW are also taking action over duties imposed after an EU investigation concluded Chinese subsidies were distorting the market.

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Global Economy

Trump wants to wean America off China’s rare earths. Is that possible?

Trump aims to ramp up US production of the critical minerals to reduce its dependence on China. But he may need to hire more federal staff to do so.

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President Donald Trump has vowed to ramp up US production of rare earths to reduce its dependence on Chinese imports. Photo: AP

Chinese Zodiac

How the 12 Chinese zodiac animals were chosen and ordered: a race

According to legend, the Jade Emperor held a race to determine how to name each year, which brought out the best, and worst, in the animals.

Chinese zodiac animals adorn hanging decorations. There are 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Photo: Shutterstock

United States & Canada

US judge temporarily blocks Trump bid to restrict birthright citizenship

The ruling comes after a slew of lawsuits filed by US states, cities and civil rights groups against the president’s executive order.

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Global Economy

Philippine official ‘positive’ on trade with China despite political friction

Trade official says his country can still be a ‘platform’ for China trade, even as US President Donald Trump threatens transshipment tariffs.

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Europe

France’s iconic Louvre museum, in dire state, cries for help

The Paris landmark that houses masterpieces like the Mona Lisa is struggling with leaks, ageing buildings and overcrowded spaces.

Visitors line up in front of the Louvre Pyramid in Paris in July 2024. Photo: AFP

Politics

Rubio says US committed to Philippines but could Trump change course?

Observers welcome Rubio’s statements that they say indicate continuity in US policy and ‘more robust support’ for Manila in South China Sea row.

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US and Philippine Marines fire Howitzer artillery during a live-fire exercise as part of the joint US-Philippines annual military Balikatan drills in Laoag on Luzon island’s northwest coast in May 2024. Photo: AFP

Europe

Italy’s top court upholds Amanda Knox slander conviction

The decision marks the final act of a legal drama that began with the murder of her British flatmate Meredith Kercher in 2007.

Football

Mainland Chinese coach, player rue ‘disrespect’ to Hong Kong in football clash

Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup controversy draws call for understanding from mainland team’s coach, as player says fracas was ‘my fault’.

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OPINION
Yuhan Zhang

Opinion | Beyond quick stimulus, China needs deeper, more fundamental reforms

Yuhan Zhang
SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Stricter Hong Kong law on animal cruelty long overdue

SCMP Editorial
James Borton

Opinion | How the US can challenge China’s dominance over critical minerals

James Borton
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SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Channelling of funds into China markets to bring needed stability

SCMP Editorial
Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Trump’s glaring policy contradictions are both a blessing and a curse

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Harry’s View | 24 Jan 2025
January 24, 2025
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US President Donald Trump gestures as he leaves after speaking in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Trump says he is mulling 10% tariffs on China imports

The US president is framing the possible tariffs as a penalty for the flow of fentanyl from Canada and Mexico.

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Trump tariffs would be bad news for Hong Kong’s biggest exports to US: experts

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Does Indonesia have ‘bargaining chips’ to navigate Trump tariff threat?

Lunar New Year

Chinese Zodiac

What’s ahead for Rabbits in the Year of the Snake, from money to health

Rabbits are in for a lucky financial year and should take chances to boost their career, but also consider buying health and travel insurance.

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Will Rabbits be lucky in the Year of the Snake? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Chinese culture

Survival tips for Monkeys facing evil star in Year of the Snake

Lunar New Year in 2025 means conflict between its guardian deity and some Chinese zodiac signs, including Monkey. What they can do.

Chinese culture

All about the ‘Little New Year’ festival that precedes Lunar New Year

A key part of the Chinese “xiao nian” festival a week before Lunar New Year concerns the Kitchen God, who is also celebrated in Vietnam.

China

What to expect in the Year of the Snake: a visual guide

A complete visual guide as Lunar New Year is celebrated in the Year of the Snake.

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Key Industries:
EVs
AI
Semiconductors
Aerospace
Robotics
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Big Tech

China’s most popular AI app gets facelift with ByteDance’s Doubao 1.5

The closed-source model bested leading models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Alibaba in some benchmark tests.

ByteDance’s ChatGPT-like Doubao bot has emerged as the most popular AI app for Chinese consumers. Photo: Simon Song

Big Tech

China poised to expand AI infrastructure to keep pace with US Stargate project

Chinese local governments, telecommunications firms and Big Tech companies have been building new AI facilities over the past few years.

5

Global Economy

Thai PM’s AI video aims to calm Chinese tourists’ nerves as bookings dip

Abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing sent shock waves through Thailand’s tourism industry, which relies heavily on travellers from China.

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Big Tech

Tencent ramps up global AI efforts with advanced Hunyuan 3D-generation system

The open-source Hunyuan3D 2.0 is expected to lower barriers to entry for using AI models across video gaming, social media and other sectors.

Tencent Holdings’ latest AI-powered system reflects the internet giant’s efforts to advance 3D-content production. Photo: Tencent

Law and Crime

Electric shocks, physical assault: inside Southeast Asia’s forced labour camps

Recent high-profile rescue of mainland actor Wang Xing has put the plight of thousands trapped in compounds in focus.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump unlikely to take initiative on Taiwan as bargaining chip: Bonnie Glaser

Foreign policy analyst Glaser says incoming US president is likely to have learned from his first term in the White House.

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Military

Greenland in cold glare of superpowers as US, China and Russia make moves

Observers doubt the new US president will buy the world’s largest island but his interest underlines its strategic importance.

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Big Tech

Exclusive | Art of the TikTok deal: China softening to potential app sale, sources say

Beijing could be more open to ByteDance selling some shares to American investors to improve US relations, sources and analysts say.

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An iPhone displaying the TikTok page in Apple’s App Store in the US on January 17. Photo: EPA-EFE
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