Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Smoke rises over Beirut, Lebanon, on Wednesday after several Israeli air strikes. Photo: AP

The Strait of Hormuz is closed again. Is this the end of the Iran-US ceasefire?

Maybe not, analysts say, but much of what happens next rests on ‘wild card’ Israel.

17 minutes agovideocam

Strait of Hormuz: is a Trump‑Iran joint venture really possible?

US-Israel war on Iran

Global Economy

As Iran war jolts global oil, can China’s energy storage tech blunt the impact?

Strong overseas demand, fuelled by the rise of AI-powered systems, could continue amid Iran war pressures, analysts say.

2 hours agovideocam

China Economy

China strengthens oversight of state-owned assets overseas amid global tensions

A new department will guide state-owned enterprises expanding overseas, as China’s firms look outwards for growth opportunities.

3 hours agovideocam

China Economy

More Chinese banks claw back bonuses, cut salaries despite mixed profit recovery

Some lenders are also deferring bonuses and cutting headcount as they tighten their purse strings.

4 hours ago

Science

“Gangtie Jiliang“ weighs about 500 tonnes and measures 8.1 metres wide. Photo: CRCC

China’s 500-tonne ‘underground carrier’ tunnels a kilometre to mine ore

Hong Kong Economy

Japanese band One OK Rock cancels Hong Kong concerts in May

Axing of shows on May 2 and 3 due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’ follows cancellation of May 9 concert in Shanghai.

15 minutes ago

Japanese band One OK Rock has abruptly cancelled the Hong Kong leg of its highly anticipated “Detox” Asia Tour. Photo: Handout

Tech

Unitree to debut cheapest humanoid robot globally via Alibaba: sources

The international launch of the company’s cheapest humanoid robot next week is expected to cover North America, Europe, Japan and Singapore.

2 hours agovideocam

Military

Xi tells senior officers to ‘stay pure’ after Chinese military’s anti-graft drive

Speech live-streamed to PLA’s high-level units calls for resolute political loyalty with no room for self-interest or corruption.

2 hours agovideocam

Business

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

In partnership with:

Standard Chartered

Gingle Wang’s rise, Hong Kong chef’s Canadian bakery: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a colon cancer survivor’s fitness to an exhibition on Chinese-British exchanges, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

3 hours ago

Taiwanese actress Gingle Wang takes part in an interview with the SCMP in Tsim Sha Tsui on April 2, 2026. Her journey from a novice actress to a star highlights her approach to acting. Photo: Karma Lo

People

Will Philippine ex-president Duterte stand trial at the ICC, and for how long?

Judges are set to decide by late April whether to send Duterte’s case to trial, with any proceedings expected to move at a ‘glacial pace’.

56 minutes agovideocam

Economics

US to remain key ally of Asean despite Iran war fallout: diplomat

Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink says the US still has ‘extraordinary’ influence in the region, given its trade and security ties with Asean.

18 minutes ago

Politics

‘No one loses’: why North Korea’s Kim may shake hands with Trump again

At the US-China summit, Beijing may act as a go-between to bring Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un to the negotiating table, analysts say.

2 hours agovideocam

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un talk before a meeting in the demilitarised zone in Panmunjom on June 30, 2019. Photo: AFP

China Business

Data errors push Xin Hua Fund into spotlight after rare central bank warning

The incident marks an unusual intervention by the People’s Bank of China, which typically leaves oversight of mutual funds to the securities regulator.

54 minutes ago

Public criticism of a mutual fund manager by the central bank is uncommon, as oversight of the sector typically falls under the China Securities Regulatory Commission. Photo: Reuters

Science

China team introduced plant-based photosynthesis in sick animals. They recovered

Scientists transplant photosynthetic nanoparticles into rats and rabbits with degenerative diseases to boost energy, restore disrupted cells.

3 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz: is a Trump‑Iran joint venture really possible?

With regime change increasingly out of reach, the US president may pivot towards a business deal with Tehran’s fractured leadership.

9 Apr 2026 - 8:57AMvideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong to roll out subsidies, fee waivers for transport sector amid fuel crisis

Task force being established to cope with local impact of Middle East conflict, insider says, with further details expected soon.

11 minutes ago

Transport firms say rising fuel costs are making it difficult to operate. Photo: Jelly Tse

Science

Is a leading US AI-robot scholar about to join China’s tech talent pool?

Su Hao, of UC San Diego, appears on Fudan University faculty list as professor in electronic information specialising in AI.

9 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

In July 2025, Su Hao co-founded the AI robotics company Hillbot and served as its CTO. Fudan University lists him on its faculty list as a new PhD supervisor. Photo: Handout

Politics

Singapore’s refusal to negotiate over Hormuz creates waves in Malaysia

Singapore said it would not be appealing to Iran for access to the strait as transit through crucial trade waterways was a right.

34 minutes agovideocam

Health & Wellness

Just 1 hour. How a single therapy session can help you overcome a problem

Experts and patients alike praise single-session therapy, which offers a more targeted approach to counselling while saving money and time.

1 hour ago

OPINION

Nicholas Spiro

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Matteo Giovannini

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9 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

Letters

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9 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Tim Parker

Legal Tales | Antisocial media: Meta, Google liable in landmark case for mental health harm

9 Apr 2026 - 10:02AM

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Diplomacy

The Strait of Hormuz is closed again. Is this the end of the Iran-US ceasefire?

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Traditional Russian wooden dolls depict Chinese President Xi Jinping, then US president-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg, Russia, on November 21, 2024. Photo: AP

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

27 Mar 2026 - 11:40PMvideocam

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

21 Mar 2026 - 2:39PMvideocam

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

20 Mar 2026 - 6:28PMvideocam

Open Questions series

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

China Economy

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

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

Key Industries:

Tech Trends

Chinese AI rivals clash over Anthropic’s OpenClaw exit amid global token crunch

Chinese companies are competing to offer the cheapest alternatives to premium US services from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.

6 Apr 2026 - 3:58PM

A lobster-shaped cutout representing OpenClaw stands outside the Baidu offices in Beijing, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Banking & Finance

Mainland China and Hong Kong IPOs drive Citic to the top of banking fee rankings

Citic leads Asia-Pacific in fees in the first quarter as IPOs in Hong Kong and mainland China offset weaker debt and M&A activity.

2 hours ago

Tech

Unitree to debut cheapest humanoid robot globally via Alibaba: sources

The international launch of the company’s cheapest humanoid robot next week is expected to cover North America, Europe, Japan and Singapore.

2 hours agovideocam

China EVs

Volkswagen tests China’s appetite for locally developed EVs

The three models, which will be launched over the next two weeks, use technology developed by Volkswagen’s Chinese partners.

9 Apr 2026 - 11:57AM

Volkswagen unveiled the ID. ERA 9X, ID. AURA T6 and ID. UNYX 08 electric vehicles in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

What next for the struggling rural mothers in China who helped to build AI?

Data-labelling workshops once hailed as a solution in the country’s poverty alleviation campaign face a painful reckoning.

5 Apr 2026 - 6:10AMvideocam

Society

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:30AM

Science

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

1 Apr 2026 - 9:50AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

The Strait of Hormuz is closed again. Is this the end of the Iran-US ceasefire?

Maybe not, analysts say, but much of what happens next rests on ‘wild card’ Israel.

Strait of Hormuz: is a Trump‑Iran joint venture really possible?

As Iran war jolts global oil, can China’s energy storage tech blunt the impact?

Strong overseas demand, fuelled by the rise of AI-powered systems, could continue amid Iran war pressures, analysts say.

China strengthens oversight of state-owned assets overseas amid global tensions

A new department will guide state-owned enterprises expanding overseas, as China’s firms look outwards for growth opportunities.

More Chinese banks claw back bonuses, cut salaries despite mixed profit recovery

Some lenders are also deferring bonuses and cutting headcount as they tighten their purse strings.

China’s 500-tonne ‘underground carrier’ tunnels a kilometre to mine ore

Japanese band One OK Rock cancels Hong Kong concerts in May

Axing of shows on May 2 and 3 due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’ follows cancellation of May 9 concert in Shanghai.

Unitree to debut cheapest humanoid robot globally via Alibaba: sources

The international launch of the company’s cheapest humanoid robot next week is expected to cover North America, Europe, Japan and Singapore.

Xi tells senior officers to ‘stay pure’ after Chinese military’s anti-graft drive

Speech live-streamed to PLA’s high-level units calls for resolute political loyalty with no room for self-interest or corruption.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

Gingle Wang’s rise, Hong Kong chef’s Canadian bakery: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a colon cancer survivor’s fitness to an exhibition on Chinese-British exchanges, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Will Philippine ex-president Duterte stand trial at the ICC, and for how long?

Judges are set to decide by late April whether to send Duterte’s case to trial, with any proceedings expected to move at a ‘glacial pace’.

US to remain key ally of Asean despite Iran war fallout: diplomat

Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink says the US still has ‘extraordinary’ influence in the region, given its trade and security ties with Asean.

‘No one loses’: why North Korea’s Kim may shake hands with Trump again

At the US-China summit, Beijing may act as a go-between to bring Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un to the negotiating table, analysts say.

Data errors push Xin Hua Fund into spotlight after rare central bank warning

The incident marks an unusual intervention by the People’s Bank of China, which typically leaves oversight of mutual funds to the securities regulator.

China team introduced plant-based photosynthesis in sick animals. They recovered

Scientists transplant photosynthetic nanoparticles into rats and rabbits with degenerative diseases to boost energy, restore disrupted cells.

Strait of Hormuz: is a Trump‑Iran joint venture really possible?

With regime change increasingly out of reach, the US president may pivot towards a business deal with Tehran’s fractured leadership.

Hong Kong to roll out subsidies, fee waivers for transport sector amid fuel crisis

Task force being established to cope with local impact of Middle East conflict, insider says, with further details expected soon.

Is a leading US AI-robot scholar about to join China’s tech talent pool?

Su Hao, of UC San Diego, appears on Fudan University faculty list as professor in electronic information specialising in AI.

Singapore’s refusal to negotiate over Hormuz creates waves in Malaysia

Singapore said it would not be appealing to Iran for access to the strait as transit through crucial trade waterways was a right.

Just 1 hour. How a single therapy session can help you overcome a problem

Experts and patients alike praise single-session therapy, which offers a more targeted approach to counselling while saving money and time.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Macroscope | Why investors should beware China safe haven narrative amid Iran crisis

Opinion | Hong Kong’s global future depends on diverse talent

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Policy support is needed to create Asia-specific mental health safety nets

Legal Tales | Antisocial media: Meta, Google liable in landmark case for mental health harm

Mouthing Off | Is stinky tofu ban for US restaurant discrimination or lack of common scents?

The Strait of Hormuz is closed again. Is this the end of the Iran-US ceasefire?

US to remain key ally of Asean despite Iran war fallout: diplomat

China probes ‘national-level bullying’ of dive icon Quan Hongchan amid toxic fan culture

Review | Wellness retreats on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula connect with cultural traditions

Data errors push Xin Hua Fund into spotlight after rare central bank warning

Will Philippine ex-president Duterte stand trial at the ICC, and for how long?

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

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.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

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.

Chinese AI rivals clash over Anthropic’s OpenClaw exit amid global token crunch

Chinese companies are competing to offer the cheapest alternatives to premium US services from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.

Mainland China and Hong Kong IPOs drive Citic to the top of banking fee rankings

Citic leads Asia-Pacific in fees in the first quarter as IPOs in Hong Kong and mainland China offset weaker debt and M&A activity.

Unitree to debut cheapest humanoid robot globally via Alibaba: sources

The international launch of the company’s cheapest humanoid robot next week is expected to cover North America, Europe, Japan and Singapore.

Volkswagen tests China’s appetite for locally developed EVs

The three models, which will be launched over the next two weeks, use technology developed by Volkswagen’s Chinese partners.

What next for the struggling rural mothers in China who helped to build AI?

Data-labelling workshops once hailed as a solution in the country’s poverty alleviation campaign face a painful reckoning.

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Macroscope | Why investors should beware China safe haven narrative amid Iran crisis

Letters | Policy support is needed to create Asia-specific mental health safety nets