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The diplomatic row between China and Japan has spread to Chinese fans of Japanese content at a comic event. Photo: AFP

China CP comic fan event stripped of Japanese content, dozens of booths affected

Organisers of the weekend convention in Hangzhou did not name Japan directly in its pivot to a ‘Chinese style’ theme.

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China-Japan tension hits holiday travel as flights cancelled on 46 routes

China-Japan relations
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Global Economy

As Germany’s trade deficit with China nears new high, analysts warn of backlash

The widening gap, fuelled by a localisation push in China and fierce EV competition, is fuelling fears of political upheaval and rising protectionist sentiment in Berlin.

Science

Second reusable rocket recovery failure in a month puts China 10 years behind US

Chinese state-owned and commercial developers are racing to catch up on a decade of the technology’s deployment.

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Law and Crime

Hong Kong customs arrests 5 in suspected HK$8.9 billion ‘ghost trading’ racket

Suspects laundered crime proceeds over four-year period in first ‘ghost trading’ fraud involving fake shipping websites uncovered by authorities.

Economy
The yuan has seen a notable rise as a settlement currency in China’s international trade flows. Photo: Shutterstock

What China’s global yuan push looks like – and what could hold it back

Diplomacy

China drafts Antarctica activities and environment law to protect interests

Legislation proposes expanding administrative permission system beyond scientific expeditions to include tourism, shipping and fishing.

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The draft law sets out specific requirements for the protection of Antarctic flora and fauna. Photo: AFP
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Health & Environment

Nepal’s plan to tackle uphill task on Mount Everest: clean up waste

Over the years, the authorities have removed a mountain pile of trash and the bodies of climbers on the world’s highest peak.

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Politics

Why Malaysian court ruling against Najib is dividing Anwar’s coalition

A comment by a DAP member that is perceived as celebrating Najib’s legal setback has been slammed by Umno’s leaders.

Business

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

In partnership with:
MPOC
Palm oil is a versatile ingredient found in a wide range of everyday items, from ice cream and cake to lipstick and biofuel.

United States & Canada

5 killed in Texas fog after crash of Mexican plane on medical mission

The Navy plane had a young patient on board, part of a non-profit’s work providing emergency transport to children with life-threatening burns.

A Mexican Navy plane crashed near Galveston in Texas on Monday, killing at least five people. Photo: Sky Decker Jnr via AP

Southeast Asia

Asia’s year in extreme weather and natural disasters, from earthquakes to floods

From the deadly earthquake in Myanmar to tropical cyclones in the Philippines, Asia went through its share of natural disasters in 2025.

Health & Environment

Heavier penalties urged as on-the-job deaths in Hong Kong rise 55% to 118

Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims urges criminal prosecution for manslaughter to send out more effective warning.

Russia & Central Asia

Huge drone barrage ‘strikes Ukraine before Christmas’, killing 3

The latest attack by Moscow came when people want to be with their families ‘at home, in safety’, said President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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A Ukrainian rescuer in the Chernihiv region works to extinguish a fire following the latest drone strikes by Russia. Photo: Handout via AFP

Politics

Fall of Ming dynasty has ignited controversy online – and China has weighed in

Oversimplified discourse on Ming, Qing dynasties risks slide into ‘narrow, Han-centric nationalism’, Zhejiang authorities warn.

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The “1644 perspective” that frames the Ming dynasty as a golden age of prosperity and advancement has been widely shared on China’s social media. Photo: Handout

Big Tech

China’s Kuaishou hit by breach as explicit content floods live-streaming rooms

Short-video platform’s services are thrown into chaos on Monday night after the cyberattack it blames on ‘black and grey industries’.

Health & Environment

Over 99% of Hongkongers have low immunity against ‘super flu’: researchers

University of Hong Kong researchers urge public to get vaccinated against rapidly spreading strain, saying current vaccines are still effective.

Basketball

Pair arrested for faking AI video featuring China women’s basketball star Wang

Two 32-year-old suspects, surnamed Lin and Chen, detained over video using images and manipulated voice of Wang Siyu, head coach Gong Luming.

In the fake video, the manipulated image of Wang Siyu (left) claims to have carried China during the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. Photo: Getty Images

Diplomacy

China says US broke international law by seizing oil tankers off Venezuela

Situation intensifies as Beijing condemns tanker seizures and US security chief calls to remove Nicolas Maduro from power.

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A US military helicopter flies over the Panama-flagged Centuries, which was intercepted by the US Coast Guard on Saturday. Photo: DHS via Reuters

Military

F-16V fighter jet tested as Taiwan presses US and Lockheed Martin for delivery

Taiwan’s air force says it is pushing US side on production speed and quality control amid mounting scrutiny from lawmakers over delays.

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Global Economy

Russian LNG shipments to China surge 143% in November, overtaking Australia

Russian LNG accounted for 23.5 per cent of China’s total shipments, cementing Russia as its top energy partner after President Xi pledged deeper ties.

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OPINION
Hao Nan

Opinion | How the West’s sanctions against Russia are fuelling a protracted war

Hao Nan
Albert Bakhtizin

Opinion | Forget the US dollar. Watch water and energy resources instead

Albert Bakhtizin
David Tingxuan Zhang

Opinion | Why China has moved to curb steel exports

David Tingxuan Zhang
Letters

Letters | Hong Kong’s AI grant for schools shouldn’t leave out teacher training

Letters
SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Hong Kong can and must remain competitive with Hainan

SCMP Editorial
Harry’s View | 23 Dec 2025
December 23, 2025
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Asia

Video | Japanese rocket fails to launch satellite into orbit

Russia & Central Asia

Huge drone barrage ‘strikes Ukraine before Christmas’, killing 3

Arts

Review | Drones meet dancers in Hong Kong performance of Lucie in the Sky

Law and Crime

Hong Kong tram driver gets 4 weeks in jail for crash that killed girl, 3

Society

Hong Kong Red Cross unveils HK$420 million relief fund for Tai Po fire victims

Law and Crime

Hong Kong customs arrests 5 in suspected HK$8.9 billion ‘ghost trading’ racket

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SCMP Series
How China is telling its own story
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Illustration: Henry Wong
SCMP SeriesHow China is telling its own story

Why China studies scholars in the West have been left in ‘crisis’ mode

US-China tensions, restricted access and Western-centric thinking seen as key obstacles to gaining ‘full picture of modern China’.

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‘Hawkish’ interpretations rise as US, China discourse gets lost in translation

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Avoid West’s ‘discourse trap’ when defending China: ex-government adviser

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Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Science

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

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China Economy

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

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Diplomacy

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
China Future Tech
China Future Tech
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Tech

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

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The questions in FAI-C were reviewed by a panel of Biblical experts, including theologians, pastors, psychologists and scholars of ethics. Photo: SCMP

Big Tech

Nvidia aims to start H200 AI chip shipments to China by mid-February: sources

The US chip designer plans to fulfil initial orders from existing stock, with shipments expected to total 40,000 to 80,000 H200 chips.

Banking & Finance

Global firms turn to M&A in EVs and biotech to deepen China investment: KPMG

Survey of multinational corporations finds optimism in life sciences, healthcare and manufacturing, with half forecasting revenue growth.

China

Chinese team smashes robot rival as sparks fly at Abu Dhabi showdown

Deep-Sea Shark 3, built by China’s Fierce Roc team, kicks some bot at the Battle of the Robots at Abu Dhabi’s Games of the Future.

Chinese team Fierce Roc was crowned champion of Battle of the Robots at the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025. Phoo: Handout

Politics

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China Business

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

Diplomacy

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

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Military

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

The PLA has been moving fast to modernise its arsenal and warfare strategy, but it’s seen as ‘seriously deficient’ in some areas.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
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