Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Emergency personnel work at the site of a strike on a residential building, in Tehran on March 16. Photo: via Reuters

What if US ground forces march into Iran? Chinese experts weigh the risks

Seizing Kharg Island may ‘give the US greater leverage to pressure Iran into making concessions’: South China Sea analyst.

2 hours agovideocam

‘Getting worse each day’: why Southeast Asia is vulnerable to the fuel crisis

US-Israel war on Iran

Diplomacy

Trump signals de-escalation in Iran, but experts say 5-day halt can’t end war

Donald Trump says US will pause military strikes on power plants following talks, but Iranian official denies negotiations.

1 hour agovideocam

China Economy

What does Iran war mean for China’s export machine?

Crisis sparks debate: will it cripple global demand or show that China’s supply-side resilience, proven during pandemic, remains in place?

3 hours ago

Tech Trends

Alibaba unveils AI agent platform to automate global e-commerce for small businesses

The agents work as ‘virtual employees’ to tackle various tasks, including market analysis, design, sourcing and inventory monitoring.

4 hours ago

Science

From coal to cures: Chinese scientists bring a 160-year-old dream to life

Politics

Hong Kong makes it illegal to deny device passwords in national security probes

Under amended rules to national security law, authorities can order removal of dangerous online messages but give assurance people’s daily lives unaffected.

2 hours ago

Hong Kong authorities can punish those who refuse to provide passwords for electronic devices during national security investigations under new rules. Photo: Sam Tsang

Diplomacy

White eagles and Persian cats: Chinese AI satire of US war on Iran goes viral

China’s state broadcaster shares wuxia-style animation based on the conflict, triggering a wave of user-made spin-offs.

4 hours agovideocam

Middle East

Explainer | With hacking of street cameras before and during war – who’s watching who?

For years, cybersecurity experts have warned that street cameras could be hacked. Now, AI advances help governments sift through footage.

2 hours agovideocam

Business

How Schneider Electric powers Hong Kong’s ecosystem innovation

InvestHK backs firm’s efforts to optimise energy use in city’s buildings, infrastructure and transport as part of its low-carbon transition.

In partnership with:

InvestHK

A charging station designed for both private and commercial use was one of Schneider Electric’s eMobility solutions showcased at last October’s Innovation Summit Hong Kong 2025. Photo: Schneider Electric

China Economy

As OpenClaw sparks security fears, China vows new AI safeguards – what are they?

Tackling challenges will require coordinated action from providers, end users and regulators, official says.

5 hours agovideocam

A person visits the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 26, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Education

Non-local pupils could face HK$350,000 in fees at Hong Kong semi-private schools

Education consultant says proposed fees exceed those of premium British boarding school in Malaysia or Thailand.

3 hours ago

Tech

Inside Unitree’s landmark IPO: what to know about China’s humanoid giant

Listing, if approved, would be a bellwether of investor appetite for so-called embodied AI companies.

4 hours agovideocam

Tech

Tencent adds ClawBot plug-in to WeChat amid OpenClaw boom and privacy warnings

With over 1 billion users, WeChat becomes Tencent’s biggest OpenClaw campaign, bringing into focus opportunity and regulatory caution.

3 hours ago

Tencent is seeking to capitalise on the OpenClaw craze. Photo: Reuters

China Business

Drivers in China rush to fill up before biggest petrol price hike this year

Beijing will raise refined oil prices for the fifth time this year at midnight but puts in place a temporary control to reduce the impact.

6 hours ago

Motorists queue to fill their tanks ahead of a petrol price adjustment expected on Monday, at a petrol station in Suzhou, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province on Sunday. Photo: CN-STR/AFP

Europe

Italian voters reject judicial reform in a setback for PM Giorgia Meloni

The Italian premier is also facing growing scrutiny over her controversial alignment with Trump and his increasingly unpopular war on Iran.

22 minutes ago

Tech

DJI sues rival Insta360 for alleged patent infringement ahead of new drone debut

DJI claims some of the patents were based on inventions made by one or more former employees within one year of them leaving the company.

6 hours ago

Military

‘Deny, delay, degrade’: Taiwan reveals long-range strategy to hold off PLA

Focus is on building sustained and scalable combat capability, defence minister tells legislature as procurement report is tabled.

5 hours agovideocam

Defence ministry report to Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan says the military will aim to disrupt an attack before incoming forces can reach the island’s shores. Photo: EPA-EFE

Diplomacy

‘No dispute’: Beijing defends construction on Paracels in South China Sea

China says living conditions and local economy stand to benefit, days after Vietnam states opposition to land-reclamation activities.

5 hours ago

China and Vietnam have competing territorial claims over the Paracels, which Beijing calls the Xisha Islands and Hanoi calls the Hoang Sa Islands. Photo: Shutterstock

Diplomacy

Not like Venezuela: why Iran is likely to survive US-Israeli strikes

Islamic Republic’s government is expected to prove resilient despite attacks that have targeted many of its top leaders.

3 hours ago

Food & Drink

Hong Kong’s chefs receive top honours in 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide

The Michelin-equivalent list published by Meituan knighted two Hong Kong chefs, Vicky Cheng and Terry Ho, with special awards.

6 hours ago

OPINION

Emma Zang

Opinion | Why China’s AI automation push is a risky social experiment

5 hours ago

Nicholas Spiro

The View | War-induced interest rate shocks unlikely to upset Asia’s property markets

23 Mar 2026 - 4:30PM

Betty Fung

Opinion | To realise Hong Kong’s cultural potential, a global vision is essential

23 Mar 2026 - 9:30AM

Letters

Letters | How Hong Kong can prepare to bring its transport blueprint to life

23 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

Cui Jianchun

Opinion | As China charts a new course, Hong Kong writes its next chapter

23 Mar 2026 - 12:30PM

Harry’s View | 24 Mar 2026

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22 minutes ago

Europe

Italian voters reject judicial reform in a setback for PM Giorgia Meloni

2 hours ago

Middle East

Explainer | With hacking of street cameras before and during war – who’s watching who?

2 hours ago

Military

What if US ground forces march into Iran? Chinese experts weigh the risks

2 hours ago

Celebrities

Meet Beau Garrett, who plays Abby Reese in Taylor Sheridan’s The Madison

2 hours ago

Society

Hong Kong raises Iran, Israel travel alerts to black, expands amber warning

3 hours ago

Education

Non-local pupils could face HK$350,000 in fees at Hong Kong semi-private schools

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SCMP Series AI's impact on Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s bid to win in AI: where are the road map and the guardrails?

Hong Kong’s AI revolution accelerates as policy funds skills training while industries and educators rush to integrate the shift.

16 Mar 2026 - 11:48AM

Exclusive | Hong Kong job openings hit 6-year low in 69% of sectors amid AI’s ascent

13 Mar 2026 - 10:05AM

Is AI displacing young people for entry-level jobs?

16 Mar 2026 - 11:48AM

Open Questions series

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

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Strikes on Iran not the biggest threat to China’s belt and road goals: Pan Guang

Mainland academic assesses the risks to Chinese investment and diplomacy in the region and what it means for the other main players.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Global Economy

Open Questions | Top shipbuilding voice Li Yanqing rebukes Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative

China’s national shipbuilding association official calls US port fees ‘absurd’ and politically motivated, while asserting China’s market lead is solid despite global fluctuations.

5 Mar 2026 - 5:24PM

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

Tech

Inside Unitree’s landmark IPO: what to know about China’s humanoid giant

Listing, if approved, would be a bellwether of investor appetite for so-called embodied AI companies.

4 hours agovideocam

Tech Trends

Alibaba unveils AI agent platform to automate global e-commerce for small businesses

The agents work as ‘virtual employees’ to tackle various tasks, including market analysis, design, sourcing and inventory monitoring.

4 hours ago

Tech

DJI sues rival Insta360 for alleged patent infringement ahead of new drone debut

DJI claims some of the patents were based on inventions made by one or more former employees within one year of them leaving the company.

6 hours ago

China Economy

AI, flying cars drive economic transition in China’s Kunshan

City at heart of Yangtze River Delta region sees new tech dreams emerge as old ones based on mass production of electronics fade.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:51AM

Military

How long will US-Israel war on Iran last? Chinese analysts offer clues

Iran’s drones gaining edge as opponents burn through costly missiles, analysts note, as one labels the war a ‘serious mistake’ by US.

20 Mar 2026 - 6:00AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Why Beijing has struggled to rally Asia against Japan over PM’s Taiwan remarks

Many in the region harbour security concerns similar to Tokyo’s and prefer to stay neutral between the Asian heavyweights, analysts say.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:16AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Why Japan thinks China’s growing cultural clout is something it needs to counter

The global success of Chinese video games and animation – as well as the appeal of traditional culture – has triggered a reaction in Tokyo.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:33AMvideocam

What if US ground forces march into Iran? Chinese experts weigh the risks

Seizing Kharg Island may ‘give the US greater leverage to pressure Iran into making concessions’: South China Sea analyst.

‘Getting worse each day’: why Southeast Asia is vulnerable to the fuel crisis

Trump signals de-escalation in Iran, but experts say 5-day halt can’t end war

Donald Trump says US will pause military strikes on power plants following talks, but Iranian official denies negotiations.

What does Iran war mean for China’s export machine?

Crisis sparks debate: will it cripple global demand or show that China’s supply-side resilience, proven during pandemic, remains in place?

Alibaba unveils AI agent platform to automate global e-commerce for small businesses

The agents work as ‘virtual employees’ to tackle various tasks, including market analysis, design, sourcing and inventory monitoring.

From coal to cures: Chinese scientists bring a 160-year-old dream to life

Hong Kong makes it illegal to deny device passwords in national security probes

Under amended rules to national security law, authorities can order removal of dangerous online messages but give assurance people’s daily lives unaffected.

White eagles and Persian cats: Chinese AI satire of US war on Iran goes viral

China’s state broadcaster shares wuxia-style animation based on the conflict, triggering a wave of user-made spin-offs.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | With hacking of street cameras before and during war – who’s watching who?

For years, cybersecurity experts have warned that street cameras could be hacked. Now, AI advances help governments sift through footage.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How Schneider Electric powers Hong Kong’s ecosystem innovation

InvestHK backs firm’s efforts to optimise energy use in city’s buildings, infrastructure and transport as part of its low-carbon transition.

As OpenClaw sparks security fears, China vows new AI safeguards – what are they?

Tackling challenges will require coordinated action from providers, end users and regulators, official says.

Non-local pupils could face HK$350,000 in fees at Hong Kong semi-private schools

Education consultant says proposed fees exceed those of premium British boarding school in Malaysia or Thailand.

Inside Unitree’s landmark IPO: what to know about China’s humanoid giant

Listing, if approved, would be a bellwether of investor appetite for so-called embodied AI companies.

Tencent adds ClawBot plug-in to WeChat amid OpenClaw boom and privacy warnings

With over 1 billion users, WeChat becomes Tencent’s biggest OpenClaw campaign, bringing into focus opportunity and regulatory caution.

Drivers in China rush to fill up before biggest petrol price hike this year

Beijing will raise refined oil prices for the fifth time this year at midnight but puts in place a temporary control to reduce the impact.

Italian voters reject judicial reform in a setback for PM Giorgia Meloni

The Italian premier is also facing growing scrutiny over her controversial alignment with Trump and his increasingly unpopular war on Iran.

DJI sues rival Insta360 for alleged patent infringement ahead of new drone debut

DJI claims some of the patents were based on inventions made by one or more former employees within one year of them leaving the company.

‘Deny, delay, degrade’: Taiwan reveals long-range strategy to hold off PLA

Focus is on building sustained and scalable combat capability, defence minister tells legislature as procurement report is tabled.

‘No dispute’: Beijing defends construction on Paracels in South China Sea

China says living conditions and local economy stand to benefit, days after Vietnam states opposition to land-reclamation activities.

Not like Venezuela: why Iran is likely to survive US-Israeli strikes

Islamic Republic’s government is expected to prove resilient despite attacks that have targeted many of its top leaders.

Hong Kong’s chefs receive top honours in 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide

The Michelin-equivalent list published by Meituan knighted two Hong Kong chefs, Vicky Cheng and Terry Ho, with special awards.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why China’s AI automation push is a risky social experiment

The View | War-induced interest rate shocks unlikely to upset Asia’s property markets

Opinion | To realise Hong Kong’s cultural potential, a global vision is essential

Letters | How Hong Kong can prepare to bring its transport blueprint to life

Opinion | As China charts a new course, Hong Kong writes its next chapter

Italian voters reject judicial reform in a setback for PM Giorgia Meloni

Explainer | With hacking of street cameras before and during war – who’s watching who?

What if US ground forces march into Iran? Chinese experts weigh the risks

Meet Beau Garrett, who plays Abby Reese in Taylor Sheridan’s The Madison

Hong Kong raises Iran, Israel travel alerts to black, expands amber warning

Non-local pupils could face HK$350,000 in fees at Hong Kong semi-private schools

Hong Kong’s bid to win in AI: where are the road map and the guardrails?

Hong Kong’s AI revolution accelerates as policy funds skills training while industries and educators rush to integrate the shift.

Exclusive | Hong Kong job openings hit 6-year low in 69% of sectors amid AI’s ascent

Is AI displacing young people for entry-level jobs?

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.

Open Questions | Strikes on Iran not the biggest threat to China’s belt and road goals: Pan Guang

Mainland academic assesses the risks to Chinese investment and diplomacy in the region and what it means for the other main players.

Open Questions | Top shipbuilding voice Li Yanqing rebukes Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative

China’s national shipbuilding association official calls US port fees ‘absurd’ and politically motivated, while asserting China’s market lead is solid despite global fluctuations.

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.

Inside Unitree’s landmark IPO: what to know about China’s humanoid giant

Listing, if approved, would be a bellwether of investor appetite for so-called embodied AI companies.

Alibaba unveils AI agent platform to automate global e-commerce for small businesses

The agents work as ‘virtual employees’ to tackle various tasks, including market analysis, design, sourcing and inventory monitoring.

DJI sues rival Insta360 for alleged patent infringement ahead of new drone debut

DJI claims some of the patents were based on inventions made by one or more former employees within one year of them leaving the company.

AI, flying cars drive economic transition in China’s Kunshan

City at heart of Yangtze River Delta region sees new tech dreams emerge as old ones based on mass production of electronics fade.

How long will US-Israel war on Iran last? Chinese analysts offer clues

Iran’s drones gaining edge as opponents burn through costly missiles, analysts note, as one labels the war a ‘serious mistake’ by US.

Why Beijing has struggled to rally Asia against Japan over PM’s Taiwan remarks

Many in the region harbour security concerns similar to Tokyo’s and prefer to stay neutral between the Asian heavyweights, analysts say.

Why Japan thinks China’s growing cultural clout is something it needs to counter

The global success of Chinese video games and animation – as well as the appeal of traditional culture – has triggered a reaction in Tokyo.

Explainer | With hacking of street cameras before and during war – who’s watching who?

How Schneider Electric powers Hong Kong’s ecosystem innovation

Opinion | Why China’s AI automation push is a risky social experiment