Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Smoke rises above RIyadh amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Since the war began on February 28, Iranian missiles and drones have targeted key Saudi infrastructure. Photo: Reuters

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note.

23 minutes agovideocam

Trump extends Iran ceasefire, claims interception of ‘gift from China’

US-Israel war on Iran

Politics

Trump effect? Taiwan poll reveals deep doubts about US military protection

Results also suggest a more pragmatic public mood on cross-strait relations, with many respondents favouring dialogue over confrontation.

2 hours agovideocam

Global Economy

The Iran war’s unlikely winner: China’s shipyards

China already dominates global shipbuilding orders – and the Strait of Hormuz crisis appears to be boosting demand.

4 hours ago

LIVE

Polyfoam use left unchecked amid gap in supervision, Tai Po fire probe hears

Fire service official Michael Yung says responsibility for flagged hazards lies with Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit and Labour Department.

3 minutes ago

Exclusive

Jaime FlorCruz said relations should be “stable and predictable”. Photo: Handout

China and Philippines taking ‘baby steps’ towards better relations: ambassador

Diplomacy

Trump extends Iran ceasefire, claims interception of ‘gift from China’

Strait blockade stays as US seizes vessel said to be carrying ammunition for Iran; Beijing denies role and talks face fresh doubt.

4 hours agovideocam

126

Cargo ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

Iran war latest: Trump’s ceasefire reversal and tensions simmer with China

US president says he will indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran but it is still not clear if Tehran will take part in peace talks.

2 hours agovideocam

Economics

Indonesia’s state energy firm raises fuel prices, risking subsidy strain

Analysts warn the price increases could encourage better-off consumers to switch to products meant for lower-income households.

2 hours ago

Business

How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Government initiative OASES supports GSK and Tigermed as they expand clinical trials and collaboration in mainland China and beyond.

In partnership with:

OASES

Hong Kong has introduced a range of measures to nurture biotechnology start-ups and attract more clinical research projects as part of its plan to become a global health and medical innovation hub. Photo: Shutterstock

China Business

Hong Kong stocks retreat after Trump extends Iran war ceasefire

Investors need more conviction about material progress on a ceasefire and the normalisation of oil flow, analyst says.

1 hour ago

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing in Exchange Square, Central. Photo: Jelly Tse

Middle East

Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire, testing Lebanon truce as talks loom

The incidents are among several that have occurred since a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect last Thursday.

1 hour ago

Banking & Finance

Greater China private equity set for patchy recovery, modest fundraising boost

China’s private equity market recovers selectively amid geopolitical tensions, with yuan funds leading and exits reaching record highs.

5 hours ago

Diplomacy

Chinese student charged with illegally taking photos of US military planes

Student taken into custody after allegedly photographing sensitive military aircraft near key air force base in Nebraska during US road trip.

4 hours agovideocam

The US Air Force’s E-4B Nightwatch plane can act as a “flying Pentagon” in the case of a national emergency. Photo: Handout

Military

PLA’s new Type 076 ‘drone carrier’ set for South China Sea training drills

China’s next-level amphibious warship, the Sichuan, in same waters where US, Japan and the Philippines are conducting joint military exercises.

4 hours agovideocam

China’s first drone-carrying Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, on its maiden sea trial last November. Photo: CCTV

Lifestyle & Culture

Subsidies for dating apps latest tactic to battle low birth rates in rural Japan

Kochi prefecture says residents aged between 20 and 39 can receive a US$125 subsidy to use certified matchmaking apps.

3 hours ago

Europe

UK agrees ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2008

UK lawmakers approve generational tobacco sales ban, setting the stage for it to become law.

1 hour ago

Law and Crime

Scammers trick overseas students out of gold in fake money-laundering probes

Hong Kong police say at least nine victims studying in UK, Australia and other countries have fallen prey to the scams.

4 hours ago

The students were tricked into buying gold for fake investigations. Photo: Getty Images

China Business

CATL to drive electrification with faster-charging, higher-performing batteries

World’s largest EV battery producer reveals third-gen product that charges in under six-and-a-half minutes, easing drivers’ range anxiety.

3 hours agovideocam

People look at a model of CATL’s Chocolate 26# Battery during the CATL Tech Day event ahead of the Beijing Auto Show in Beijing on April 21. Photo: AFP

Health & Wellness

At 94kg, he wanted to start a family. He lost 20kg to become a ‘fit dad’

Shashank Gangil had high cholesterol, signs of fatty liver and plantar fasciitis. Here’s how he got in top shape before his twins were born.

1 hour ago

United States & Canada

US court allows Texas public schools to display Ten Commandments

Texas Attorney General ⁠Ken Paxton calls the decision a victory for ⁠state and moral values.

38 minutes ago

OPINION

Jinghan (Michael) Zeng

Opinion | It’s time to unlock Hong Kong’s international relations potential

2 hours ago

Letters

Letters | Hong Kong can’t just build a monorail in Kai Tak and hope for the best

53 minutes ago

Xiao Qian

Opinion | US-China AI race must strike a balance between security and openness

22 Apr 2026 - 5:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Public input is key in setting out Hong Kong’s first five-year plan

6 hours ago

Alex Lo

As I see it | How ancient Chinese philosophers make sense of modern headaches

21 Apr 2026 - 8:30PM

Harry’s View | 22 Apr 2026

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11 minutes ago

Southeast Asia

Singaporean man charged after viral Lucky Plaza assault on Filipino woman

18 minutes ago

Society

Residents leave prayers and flowers on third day of return to Wang Fuk Court

23 minutes ago

Diplomacy

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

23 minutes ago

100 Top Tables

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for April 24-26

38 minutes ago

United States & Canada

US court allows Texas public schools to display Ten Commandments

1 hour ago

Europe

UK agrees ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2008

1 hour ago

Special Reports

Hong Kong, East Asia’s thriving art hub – from Art Basel to West Kowloon

1 hour ago

Health & Wellness

At 94kg, he wanted to start a family. He lost 20kg to become a ‘fit dad’

1 hour ago

Middle East

Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire, testing Lebanon truce as talks loom

2 hours ago

Society

Polyfoam use left unchecked amid gap in supervision, Tai Po fire probe hears

MORE LATEST NEWS

SCMP Series

US-Israel war on Iran

AI's impact on Hong Kong

‘Two sessions’: China’s economic agenda

SCMP Series US-Israel war on Iran

Iran war: is the US shifting away from its strategy of precision strikes?

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

9 Apr 2026 - 9:26AMvideocam

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

8 Apr 2026 - 11:10AMvideocam

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

7 Apr 2026 - 2:20AMvideocam

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

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.

20 Apr 2026 - 10:05AMvideocam

Science

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.

13 Apr 2026 - 8:15AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

6 Apr 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

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

Key Industries:

China Business

China’s drug makers are speeding up – will AI be their secret weapon?

Chinese biotech firms are striking big global deals as drug makers, but could artificial intelligence take them to the next level?

18 Apr 2026 - 11:05AM

China Business

CATL to drive electrification with faster-charging, higher-performing batteries

World’s largest EV battery producer reveals third-gen product that charges in under six-and-a-half minutes, easing drivers’ range anxiety.

3 hours agovideocam

China Economy

Learn from the East, says economist Justin Lin, refuting ‘overcapacity’ rhetoric

Former World Bank economist defends Beijing’s industrial strategy amid ‘overcapacity’ allegations, points to Germany and a ‘double standard’.

21 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

China Economy

China confronts Middle East supply shock, as State Council mulls energy strategy

Premier Li Qiang urges ‘bottom-line mentality’ to secure power as Beijing sees coal and Russian gas among options to offset reliance on imported crude.

21 Apr 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Premier Li Qiang presides over a State Council group study session on energy development on Monday. Photo Xinhua

Politics

Trump’s military push confronts US lawmakers and China’s shipbuilding edge

Congressional resistance, war costs and industrial limits could constrain ambitions, even as Beijing expands its naval capacity.

22 Apr 2026 - 12:55AMvideocam

Politics

How China is reinforcing its ‘legal shield’ against foreign pressure

New rules take aim at sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’, and the Strait of Hormuz crisis could provide a high-stakes testing ground.

21 Apr 2026 - 6:46AM

Diplomacy

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Many believed the transatlantic alliance could weather another term of Trump, but a year and a half on those hopes have largely faded.

19 Apr 2026 - 1:32AMvideocam

Sport

Rugby’s greatest weekend: 50 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - an infographic

See the world’s top teams compete at Kai Tak Stadium on April 17-19 and celebrate 50 years of Hong Kong Sevens history, tries and triumphs.

16 Apr 2026 - 8:15PM

Rugby’s greatest weekend: 50 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - an infographic

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note.

Trump extends Iran ceasefire, claims interception of ‘gift from China’

Trump effect? Taiwan poll reveals deep doubts about US military protection

Results also suggest a more pragmatic public mood on cross-strait relations, with many respondents favouring dialogue over confrontation.

The Iran war’s unlikely winner: China’s shipyards

China already dominates global shipbuilding orders – and the Strait of Hormuz crisis appears to be boosting demand.

Polyfoam use left unchecked amid gap in supervision, Tai Po fire probe hears

Fire service official Michael Yung says responsibility for flagged hazards lies with Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit and Labour Department.

China and Philippines taking ‘baby steps’ towards better relations: ambassador

Trump extends Iran ceasefire, claims interception of ‘gift from China’

Strait blockade stays as US seizes vessel said to be carrying ammunition for Iran; Beijing denies role and talks face fresh doubt.

Iran war latest: Trump’s ceasefire reversal and tensions simmer with China

US president says he will indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran but it is still not clear if Tehran will take part in peace talks.

Indonesia’s state energy firm raises fuel prices, risking subsidy strain

Analysts warn the price increases could encourage better-off consumers to switch to products meant for lower-income households.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Government initiative OASES supports GSK and Tigermed as they expand clinical trials and collaboration in mainland China and beyond.

Hong Kong stocks retreat after Trump extends Iran war ceasefire

Investors need more conviction about material progress on a ceasefire and the normalisation of oil flow, analyst says.

Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire, testing Lebanon truce as talks loom

The incidents are among several that have occurred since a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect last Thursday.

Greater China private equity set for patchy recovery, modest fundraising boost

China’s private equity market recovers selectively amid geopolitical tensions, with yuan funds leading and exits reaching record highs.

Chinese student charged with illegally taking photos of US military planes

Student taken into custody after allegedly photographing sensitive military aircraft near key air force base in Nebraska during US road trip.

PLA’s new Type 076 ‘drone carrier’ set for South China Sea training drills

China’s next-level amphibious warship, the Sichuan, in same waters where US, Japan and the Philippines are conducting joint military exercises.

Subsidies for dating apps latest tactic to battle low birth rates in rural Japan

Kochi prefecture says residents aged between 20 and 39 can receive a US$125 subsidy to use certified matchmaking apps.

UK agrees ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2008

UK lawmakers approve generational tobacco sales ban, setting the stage for it to become law.

Scammers trick overseas students out of gold in fake money-laundering probes

Hong Kong police say at least nine victims studying in UK, Australia and other countries have fallen prey to the scams.

CATL to drive electrification with faster-charging, higher-performing batteries

World’s largest EV battery producer reveals third-gen product that charges in under six-and-a-half minutes, easing drivers’ range anxiety.

At 94kg, he wanted to start a family. He lost 20kg to become a ‘fit dad’

Shashank Gangil had high cholesterol, signs of fatty liver and plantar fasciitis. Here’s how he got in top shape before his twins were born.

US court allows Texas public schools to display Ten Commandments

Texas Attorney General ⁠Ken Paxton calls the decision a victory for ⁠state and moral values.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | It’s time to unlock Hong Kong’s international relations potential

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Hong Kong can’t just build a monorail in Kai Tak and hope for the best

Opinion | US-China AI race must strike a balance between security and openness

Editorial | Public input is key in setting out Hong Kong’s first five-year plan

As I see it | How ancient Chinese philosophers make sense of modern headaches

Singaporean man charged after viral Lucky Plaza assault on Filipino woman

Residents leave prayers and flowers on third day of return to Wang Fuk Court

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for April 24-26

US court allows Texas public schools to display Ten Commandments

UK agrees ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2008

Hong Kong, East Asia’s thriving art hub – from Art Basel to West Kowloon

At 94kg, he wanted to start a family. He lost 20kg to become a ‘fit dad’

Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire, testing Lebanon truce as talks loom

Polyfoam use left unchecked amid gap in supervision, Tai Po fire probe hears

Iran war: is the US shifting away from its strategy of precision strikes?

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

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.

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

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.

China’s drug makers are speeding up – will AI be their secret weapon?

Chinese biotech firms are striking big global deals as drug makers, but could artificial intelligence take them to the next level?

CATL to drive electrification with faster-charging, higher-performing batteries

World’s largest EV battery producer reveals third-gen product that charges in under six-and-a-half minutes, easing drivers’ range anxiety.

Learn from the East, says economist Justin Lin, refuting ‘overcapacity’ rhetoric

Former World Bank economist defends Beijing’s industrial strategy amid ‘overcapacity’ allegations, points to Germany and a ‘double standard’.

China confronts Middle East supply shock, as State Council mulls energy strategy

Premier Li Qiang urges ‘bottom-line mentality’ to secure power as Beijing sees coal and Russian gas among options to offset reliance on imported crude.

Trump’s military push confronts US lawmakers and China’s shipbuilding edge

Congressional resistance, war costs and industrial limits could constrain ambitions, even as Beijing expands its naval capacity.

How China is reinforcing its ‘legal shield’ against foreign pressure

New rules take aim at sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’, and the Strait of Hormuz crisis could provide a high-stakes testing ground.

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Opinion | It’s time to unlock Hong Kong’s international relations potential

Letters | Hong Kong can’t just build a monorail in Kai Tak and hope for the best