Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

The DeepSeek app is seen on a mobile phone screen in Beijing on January 27, 2025. Photo: AFP

China’s DeepSeek prices new V4 AI model at 97% below OpenAI’s GPT-5.5

DeepSeek’s move aims to attract more enterprise clients, developers and agent-based users, according to an academic.

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OpenClaw adds DeepSeek V4 models as tech world assesses Huawei tie-up

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Diplomacy

Why experts say trade wins aren’t enough for Xi-Trump summit in May

Former diplomat warns ‘malpractice-like’ lack of preparation for meeting could hollow out potential for productive talks.

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Diplomacy

Trump and Iran trade red lines as Putin enters the diplomatic crossfire

Message via Pakistan outlines terms on nuclear work and Strait of Hormuz, as Moscow signals support and Washington considers next move.

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Health & Environment

Hong Kong to block off parts of Sharp Island shore to protect corals over break

Authorities expect 1,000 visitors in the area each day during the coming Labour Day ‘golden week’ holiday.

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Focus

Why tougher US visa rules for skilled foreign workers may end in ‘brain drain’

Diplomacy

2 months into the Iran war, who holds the upper hand?

Analysts are divided on who has the most to lose as the conflict drags on.

27 Apr 2026 - 10:08PMvideocam

The war in Iran is dragging on in part because both sides remain confident that time is on their side, according to one analyst. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Hezbollah disarmament ‘must happen’, Lebanese minister tells US think tank

Haneen Sayed said in Washington that the process would take time, as the group was a ‘community’, not merely a militant organisation.

5 hours agovideocam

Science

Chinese supercomputers help crack mystery of Yellowstone volcanic plumbing

Scientists who started research in the US make breakthrough after returning to China and gaining access to domestic computing power.

27 Apr 2026 - 10:21PMvideocam

Tech

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

In partnership with:

Huawei

China Economy

China outlines new labour protection plan for nation’s 200 million gig workers

The 12-point document pledges stronger protections for gig-economy workforce, which has rapidly grown amid China’s economic slowdown.

27 Apr 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

A group of delivery riders for the Chinese online platform Meituan takes a break in Chongqing, southwest China. Photo: Getty Images

Big Tech

China blocks Meta’s Manus deal after months-long probe, thwarting purchase

Economic planner asks both parties to withdraw from deal for AI firm, in move with wider implications for other start-ups operating overseas.

27 Apr 2026 - 7:35PMvideocam

United States & Canada

‘Looming’ risk of nuclear arms race, UN proliferation meeting hears

With atomic powers at loggerheads over safeguards, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned trust is wearing thin.

2 hours ago

United States & Canada

Suspect in Washington dinner shooting charged with trying to assassinate Trump

Cole Tomas Allen, who has referred to himself as the ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’ could face a life sentence if convicted.

1 hour agovideocam

Policed detain Cole Tomas Allen after a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington on Saturday. Photo: Donald J Trump via Truth Social / Handout via Reuters

United States & Canada

Trump demands immediate sacking of TV host Jimmy Kimmel over ‘despicable’ joke

Trump joined his wife Melania in calling for ABC to fire Kimmel after the comedian said the first lady had a ‘glow like an expectant widow’.

5 hours agovideocam

US TV host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Photo: AFP

Health & Wellness

The 10-minute morning exercise workout that millions of Japanese people do

Over 20 million people in Japan practice a Radio Taiso session at least once a week in a country with one of the highest life expectancies.

12 minutes agovideocam

Society

Fire risks not spotted due to old inspection guidelines, Tai Po blaze inquiry told

Government surveyors were following outdated guidelines that didn’t require them to examine renovation works in person at Wang Fuk Court, committee hears.

28 Apr 2026 - 12:27AMvideocam

China Business

China’s CATL touts landmark energy-storage order for sodium-ion batteries

Deal for massive grid storage system shows that CATL has ‘overcome all the challenges in mass-producing sodium-ion batteries’, company says.

27 Apr 2026 - 9:52PMvideocam

Electricity arcs in a cold-environment demonstration of CATL’s sodium-ion battery technology during Auto China 2026 in Beijing on April 25, 2026. Photo: AP Photo

United States & Canada

King Charles arrives in US for trip overshadowed by Iran quarrel and shooting

The state visit, the most consequential of Charles’ reign, marks 250 years since the US declaration of independence from British rule.

6 minutes ago

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, right, greet King Charles and Queen Camilla at the White House in Washington on Monday. Photo: AFP

Europe

Pope meets first female Archbishop of Canterbury in symbolic Vatican encounter

Sarah Mullally, the first woman to serve as spiritual leader of the Church of England, and the pope exchanged gifts and prayed together.

6 hours agovideocam

Global Economy

Guangdong’s rule as China’s GDP king faces an unprecedented threat to the crown

A rival provincial powerhouse, with a GDP as big as some G7 nations, is becoming a hub for strategic emerging sectors while outpacing the national economic growth rate.

27 Apr 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

OPINION

Sophie Wushuang Yi

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SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Online privacy guidelines underscore key role of parents and teachers

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SCMP Series

China takes stock as world frets over Mythos

US-Israel war on Iran

AI's impact on Hong Kong

Anthropic’s strong anti-China stance has increased the possibility that the US could use Mythos-type models to conduct cyberattacks against China, according to a cybersecurity expert. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images

SCMP Series China takes stock as world frets over Mythos

From scepticism to concern: Mythos panic is slowly starting to reach China

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said on its influential social media account that Mythos showed ‘unprecedented cyberattack capabilities’.

3-MIN READ

Why Anthropic’s Mythos has energised China’s cybersecurity industry

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Anthropic’s Mythos is stoking cybersecurity fears. What does it mean for China?

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Open Questions series

China Economy

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

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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.

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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.

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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.

9-MIN READvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

As DJI duels Insta360, China sharpens global hardware edge amid US scrutiny

Western competitors like GoPro face shrinking footprints as strategic shifts of Chinese firms disrupt the status quo while navigating FCC-led national security bans.

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Tech Trends

China’s DeepSeek prices new V4 AI model at 97% below OpenAI’s GPT-5.5

DeepSeek’s move aims to attract more enterprise clients, developers and agent-based users, according to an academic.

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Tech Trends

Chinese optical chipmaker’s profit soars 1,153% on strong AI demand

Yuanjie Semiconductor Technology’s profit gain matches its elevenfold share price increase over the past year.

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Tech Trends

Chinese robotaxi firms accelerate global roll-outs as cost edge drives expansion

Pony AI and WeRide harness China’s supply chain strength to cut costs, boost efficiency and scale robotaxi fleets worldwide.

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A Pony AI robotaxi is displayed at the Beijing Auto Show. Photo: DPA

Science

Will China’s mathematicians join a global effort to boycott the United States?

Question hovers as world’s premier mathematics conference faces revolt over American visa rules and foreign policies.

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Big Tech

As DJI duels Insta360, China sharpens global hardware edge amid US scrutiny

Western competitors like GoPro face shrinking footprints as strategic shifts of Chinese firms disrupt the status quo while navigating FCC-led national security bans.

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Tech

Prognosis positive: how AI could help China bridge the medical resources gap

Hospitals, medical professionals and patients stand to benefit as country pushes to integrate AI into healthcare sector.

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Hong Kong

How fire safety failures worsened Hong Kong’s deadly inferno

The second round of hearings from April 8 to April 17 exposed a series of failures that allowed the fire equipment and alarm system in Wang Fuk Court to be deactivated for months, and eventually contributed to the heavy death toll.

1-MIN READ

How fire safety failures worsened Hong Kong’s deadly inferno

China’s DeepSeek prices new V4 AI model at 97% below OpenAI’s GPT-5.5

DeepSeek’s move aims to attract more enterprise clients, developers and agent-based users, according to an academic.

OpenClaw adds DeepSeek V4 models as tech world assesses Huawei tie-up

Why experts say trade wins aren’t enough for Xi-Trump summit in May

Former diplomat warns ‘malpractice-like’ lack of preparation for meeting could hollow out potential for productive talks.

Trump and Iran trade red lines as Putin enters the diplomatic crossfire

Message via Pakistan outlines terms on nuclear work and Strait of Hormuz, as Moscow signals support and Washington considers next move.

Hong Kong to block off parts of Sharp Island shore to protect corals over break

Authorities expect 1,000 visitors in the area each day during the coming Labour Day ‘golden week’ holiday.

Why tougher US visa rules for skilled foreign workers may end in ‘brain drain’

2 months into the Iran war, who holds the upper hand?

Analysts are divided on who has the most to lose as the conflict drags on.

Hezbollah disarmament ‘must happen’, Lebanese minister tells US think tank

Haneen Sayed said in Washington that the process would take time, as the group was a ‘community’, not merely a militant organisation.

Chinese supercomputers help crack mystery of Yellowstone volcanic plumbing

Scientists who started research in the US make breakthrough after returning to China and gaining access to domestic computing power.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

China outlines new labour protection plan for nation’s 200 million gig workers

The 12-point document pledges stronger protections for gig-economy workforce, which has rapidly grown amid China’s economic slowdown.

China blocks Meta’s Manus deal after months-long probe, thwarting purchase

Economic planner asks both parties to withdraw from deal for AI firm, in move with wider implications for other start-ups operating overseas.

‘Looming’ risk of nuclear arms race, UN proliferation meeting hears

With atomic powers at loggerheads over safeguards, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned trust is wearing thin.

Suspect in Washington dinner shooting charged with trying to assassinate Trump

Cole Tomas Allen, who has referred to himself as the ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’ could face a life sentence if convicted.

Trump demands immediate sacking of TV host Jimmy Kimmel over ‘despicable’ joke

Trump joined his wife Melania in calling for ABC to fire Kimmel after the comedian said the first lady had a ‘glow like an expectant widow’.

The 10-minute morning exercise workout that millions of Japanese people do

Over 20 million people in Japan practice a Radio Taiso session at least once a week in a country with one of the highest life expectancies.

Fire risks not spotted due to old inspection guidelines, Tai Po blaze inquiry told

Government surveyors were following outdated guidelines that didn’t require them to examine renovation works in person at Wang Fuk Court, committee hears.

China’s CATL touts landmark energy-storage order for sodium-ion batteries

Deal for massive grid storage system shows that CATL has ‘overcome all the challenges in mass-producing sodium-ion batteries’, company says.

King Charles arrives in US for trip overshadowed by Iran quarrel and shooting

The state visit, the most consequential of Charles’ reign, marks 250 years since the US declaration of independence from British rule.

Pope meets first female Archbishop of Canterbury in symbolic Vatican encounter

Sarah Mullally, the first woman to serve as spiritual leader of the Church of England, and the pope exchanged gifts and prayed together.

Guangdong’s rule as China’s GDP king faces an unprecedented threat to the crown

A rival provincial powerhouse, with a GDP as big as some G7 nations, is becoming a hub for strategic emerging sectors while outpacing the national economic growth rate.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Without diplomacy, deterrence in Asia is a path to escalation

Editorial | Online privacy guidelines underscore key role of parents and teachers

Editorial | New tactic on water seepage can help keep Hong Kong buildings safe

Opinion | Reopen Strait of Hormuz by reframing Iran’s tolls as reconstruction

The View | Asian private wealth an emerging force in property investment

Editorial | Online privacy guidelines underscore key role of parents and teachers

The 10-minute morning exercise workout that millions of Japanese people do

Hong Kong to block off parts of Sharp Island shore to protect corals over break

100 Top Tables 2026: the finest restaurants and bars in Hong Kong

Editorial | New tactic on water seepage can help keep Hong Kong buildings safe

Why experts say trade wins aren’t enough for Xi-Trump summit in May

China’s DeepSeek prices new V4 AI model at 97% below OpenAI’s GPT-5.5

The Devil Wears Prada: the film’s impact then and now

‘Looming’ risk of nuclear arms race, UN proliferation meeting hears

Opinion | Without diplomacy, deterrence in Asia is a path to escalation

From scepticism to concern: Mythos panic is slowly starting to reach China

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said on its influential social media account that Mythos showed ‘unprecedented cyberattack capabilities’.

Why Anthropic’s Mythos has energised China’s cybersecurity industry

Anthropic’s Mythos is stoking cybersecurity fears. What does it mean for China?

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

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.

As DJI duels Insta360, China sharpens global hardware edge amid US scrutiny

Western competitors like GoPro face shrinking footprints as strategic shifts of Chinese firms disrupt the status quo while navigating FCC-led national security bans.

China’s DeepSeek prices new V4 AI model at 97% below OpenAI’s GPT-5.5

DeepSeek’s move aims to attract more enterprise clients, developers and agent-based users, according to an academic.

Chinese optical chipmaker’s profit soars 1,153% on strong AI demand

Yuanjie Semiconductor Technology’s profit gain matches its elevenfold share price increase over the past year.

Chinese robotaxi firms accelerate global roll-outs as cost edge drives expansion

Pony AI and WeRide harness China’s supply chain strength to cut costs, boost efficiency and scale robotaxi fleets worldwide.

Will China’s mathematicians join a global effort to boycott the United States?

Question hovers as world’s premier mathematics conference faces revolt over American visa rules and foreign policies.

As DJI duels Insta360, China sharpens global hardware edge amid US scrutiny

Western competitors like GoPro face shrinking footprints as strategic shifts of Chinese firms disrupt the status quo while navigating FCC-led national security bans.

Prognosis positive: how AI could help China bridge the medical resources gap

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Opinion | Without diplomacy, deterrence in Asia is a path to escalation

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros