Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

An elderly resident interacts with a humanoid robot at a care home in Shenzhen, China’s southern Guangdong province. Photo: Xinhua

China and South Korea team up on a vexing issue: their fast-ageing populations

After years of tense relations, the two nations are finding common ground over their need to adapt to an era of ‘super-aged societies’.

1 hour ago

‘Loneliness economy’: how China is adapting to a rapid rise in solo living

China's population

Companies

Sofa so bad: China’s home-furnishing sector hits a do-or-die stretch

Falling home prices and relentless price competition are forcing small decor firms into a battle for survival.

5 hours ago

Military

English language instruction in Chinese military is outdated, unbalanced: report

Senior lecturers warn that troops are not being given the communication skills they need to operate on the international stage.

4 hours agovideocam

Society

‘Stay vigilant even in peace,’ rural leader says in Lunar New Year prophecy

After drawing the No 22 fortune stick, Kenneth Lau also calls on city to drive innovation in economic development.

1 hour ago

Infographic

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

Business

Budweiser and Heineken face polar opposite fates in China as punters stay home

Beer drinkers in China are veering away from bars and high-end restaurants, instead opting for cheaper stay-at-home options, analysts say.

3 hours agovideocam

Heineken beers are becoming a popular choice for stay-at-home drinkers in China, according to the end of year sales results. China was one of the top three contributors to Heineken’s net profit in 2025. Photo: Reuters

Military

US offers more details on claim China conducted secret nuclear weapons test

State Department official says China’s alleged 2020 test was ‘a singular explosion’, confirms US will return to nuclear testing.

18 Feb 2026 - 8:27AMvideocam

Politics

Speaking Trump’s language: Iran frames nuclear deal as ‘trillion-dollar’ US win

Tehran is dangling access to its vast oil, gas and mineral reserves, but analysts warn that even this may fail to ‘move the needle’ in talks.

2 hours agovideocam

Education

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s 20-year evolution ensures it meets world’s fast-changing technological, industrial and societal needs.

In partnership with:

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

SERIES: Year of the Horse 2026

When should you open your Lunar New Year red packets? The luckiest time, and why

It is considered rude to open lai see in front of the giver but don’t leave the red packets unopened for more than a couple of months.

18 Feb 2026 - 8:15AMvideocam

Giving red packets (also called lai see or hong bao) is a Lunar New Year tradition, but when should you open them? Photo: Getty Images

Diplomacy

Exclusive | Hasan Piker talks about his controversial China trip – and ‘thinking Chinese thoughts’

One of the most influential political commentators among young Americans, Piker claims Americans are ‘taught to hate China’, calling it ‘stupid’.

18 Feb 2026 - 4:24AMvideocam

Politics

Bipartisan push grows for Quad summit before Trump’s China trip

Lawmakers urge White House to rally Indo-Pacific partners ahead of high-stakes Xi meeting, citing leverage and coordination concerns.

18 Feb 2026 - 6:23AM

Blockchain

‘Sentiment is bleak’: bitcoin declines amid geopolitical tensions

Bitcoin prices drop as much as 3.2 per cent to US$66,604 on Tuesday, before paring the decline.

56 minutes ago

Many bitcoin investors see US$60,000 as a key support level for the world’s leading cryptocurrency. Photo: Shutterstock

Americas

‘This is great’: first-ever Antarctic sleeper shark filmed in frigid waters

Filmed at 490-metre depth, the sighting challenges beliefs about shark habitats in the Southern Ocean.

4 minutes ago

A sleeper shark swims into the spotlight of a video camera in Antarctica in January 2025. Photo: Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish, Kelpie Geoscience via AP

Diplomacy

Peru President Jose Jeri ousted in ‘Chifagate’ scandal tied to China contractor

Late-night meeting with Chinese businessman at a restaurant in Lima fuelled a probe and created major cross-party revolt.

18 Feb 2026 - 5:22AMvideocam

Europe

Germany’s Merz says he can’t stand applause for Rubio at Munich conference

The German chancellor described the US secretary of state’s speech at the event as Trump ‘in friendlier packaging’.

2 hours agovideocam

Companies

Ford plans US$30,000 budget EV line to take on Chinese rivals

Ford shrinks battery size while extending driving range in bid to launch the new EV by 2027 for the same price as a conventional petrol car.

4 hours ago

Ford CEO Jim Farley has called Chinese competition an “existential threat”. Photo: AP

China

China’s men claim historic team pursuit bronze, but wait for Games gold goes on

Speedskaters Liu Hanbin, Wu Yu and Li Wenhao reach podium for first time, while Italy stun favourites US in race for top spot.

5 hours ago

China trio (from left) Liu Hanbin, Wu Yu and Li Wenhao sprung a surprise in the men’s team pursuit. Photo: Xinhua

Russia & Central Asia

Zelensky says Trump’s peace demands focused only on Ukraine ‘not fair’

The president said Ukrainians ‘can’t understand why’ they would be asked to cede additional land to Russia.

4 hours agovideocam

Politics

‘A very good thing’: Japan’s Takaichi steps back from Liancourt Rocks pledge

Analysts say Takaichi’s decision not to send a cabinet minister to the event shows she is ‘protecting ties’ with Seoul amid regional tensions.

6 hours ago

OPINION

Futao Huang

Opinion | Universities in Japan and China are becoming tools of national strategy

6 hours ago

Lijia Zhang

Opinion | Why trade alone won’t make China beloved in South America

18 Feb 2026 - 7:06AM

Chang Zi Qian

Being Chinese | The great Lunar New Year divide and how I bridged it

17 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM

Liu Zongyi

Opinion | Bangladesh’s BNP could struggle to enact reforms despite election win

17 Feb 2026 - 9:51AM

Sophie Wushuang Yi

Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

16 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

Harry’s View | 18 Feb 2026

MORE COMMENT

LATEST

2 minutes ago

Other Sport

Sports data revolution: AI reshaping athletes’ performances, boosting fan fun

4 minutes ago

Americas

‘This is great’: first-ever Antarctic sleeper shark filmed in frigid waters

28 minutes ago

Society

Man, 92, dies after allegedly choking on glutinous rice balls

36 minutes ago

Asia

Video | TikTokkers hungry for Indonesian man’s ‘mini-food empire’

56 minutes ago

Blockchain

‘Sentiment is bleak’: bitcoin declines amid geopolitical tensions

1 hour ago

China Economy

China and South Korea team up on a vexing issue: their fast-ageing populations

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SCMP Series

Year of the Horse 2026

Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

China Inc. goes global

SCMP Series Year of the Horse 2026

When is the best time to open Lunar New Year red packets in the Year of the Horse 2026?

It is considered rude to open lai see in front of the giver but don’t leave the red packets unopened for more than a couple of months.

18 Feb 2026 - 8:15AMvideocam

Feng shui advice for Rabbits for luck in money, health and romance

18 Feb 2026 - 7:15AMvideocam

Which zodiac signs must appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026?

17 Feb 2026 - 2:15PMvideocam

Open Questions series

Global Economy

Open Questions | Why Trump’s April trip to China may not deliver ‘grand bargain’: James Zimmerman

The American Chamber of Commerce in China chairman says this year’s expected Trump-Xi meetings can put countries on a ‘visionary’ path.

13 Feb 2026 - 9:03AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump’s ‘imperial’ agenda and the end of the old world order: Luuk van Middelaar

Political theorist says rapid acceleration of the US president’s ‘offensive, almost imperial’ agenda has left Europe disoriented.

9 Feb 2026 - 1:10PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Lawrence Lau on why China must ‘work smarter’ and how it can invent from scratch

China must shift from quantity to quality by focusing on 12-year schooling, more basic research and GBA integration, renowned economist says.

2 Feb 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

China

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

29 Jan 2026 - 11:50AMvideocam

Key Industries:

China’s AI arms race sees sector brace for major flagship model launch week

A ‘stealth’ model has emerged, while advancements by Alibaba’s Qwen-3.5 and Zhipu’s GLM-5 aim to spur domestic competition following releases by US heavyweights.

9 Feb 2026 - 8:02PM

China’s AI sector is bracing for a monumental week, with a flurry of anticipated model releases. Photo: Shutterstock

Big Tech

China’s Unitree eyes 20,000-robot output after viral success of annual gala

With shipments set to jump and investors watching closely, Unitree is positioning itself at the forefront of China’s humanoid robotics push.

6 hours agovideocam

Big Tech

Global AI race heats up as Chinese tech giant releases new model

With multimodal capabilities and open weights, Qwen-3.5 signals Alibaba’s ambition to anchor the next phase of global AI deployment.

16 Feb 2026 - 7:05PM

China Economy

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

16 Feb 2026 - 3:58PMvideocam

Big Tech

Humanoids go mainstream as China’s robotics champions appear at CCTV spectacle

ByteDance, Unitree, RedNote, Bilibili and Kuaishou among the firms involved in the unparalleled nationwide marketing opportunity.

17 Feb 2026 - 4:46PMvideocam

Bot the star of the show: a dancing robot delights during China Central Television’s Spring Festival Photo: CCTV

Military

Will China’s state-backed thriller spill details of little-known spy cases?

‘Scare Out’ depicts leak of PLA jet secrets, and some speculate the plot could be based on true story involving stealth fighter tech.

15 Feb 2026 - 7:00AM

Companies

Pop Mart balances boom and bust: can Labubu’s leap match Molly’s momentum?

As Labubu’s meteoric rise cools, Molly’s longevity highlights the challenge Pop Mart faces in turning hype into stable intellectual property.

14 Feb 2026 - 10:01AM

Diplomacy

How Manila’s ‘naming and shaming’ challenges Beijing’s South China Sea stance

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.

12 Feb 2026 - 11:07AMvideocam

China and South Korea team up on a vexing issue: their fast-ageing populations

After years of tense relations, the two nations are finding common ground over their need to adapt to an era of ‘super-aged societies’.

‘Loneliness economy’: how China is adapting to a rapid rise in solo living

Sofa so bad: China’s home-furnishing sector hits a do-or-die stretch

Falling home prices and relentless price competition are forcing small decor firms into a battle for survival.

English language instruction in Chinese military is outdated, unbalanced: report

Senior lecturers warn that troops are not being given the communication skills they need to operate on the international stage.

‘Stay vigilant even in peace,’ rural leader says in Lunar New Year prophecy

After drawing the No 22 fortune stick, Kenneth Lau also calls on city to drive innovation in economic development.

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

Budweiser and Heineken face polar opposite fates in China as punters stay home

Beer drinkers in China are veering away from bars and high-end restaurants, instead opting for cheaper stay-at-home options, analysts say.

US offers more details on claim China conducted secret nuclear weapons test

State Department official says China’s alleged 2020 test was ‘a singular explosion’, confirms US will return to nuclear testing.

Speaking Trump’s language: Iran frames nuclear deal as ‘trillion-dollar’ US win

Tehran is dangling access to its vast oil, gas and mineral reserves, but analysts warn that even this may fail to ‘move the needle’ in talks.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s 20-year evolution ensures it meets world’s fast-changing technological, industrial and societal needs.

When should you open your Lunar New Year red packets? The luckiest time, and why

It is considered rude to open lai see in front of the giver but don’t leave the red packets unopened for more than a couple of months.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Hasan Piker talks about his controversial China trip – and ‘thinking Chinese thoughts’

One of the most influential political commentators among young Americans, Piker claims Americans are ‘taught to hate China’, calling it ‘stupid’.

Bipartisan push grows for Quad summit before Trump’s China trip

Lawmakers urge White House to rally Indo-Pacific partners ahead of high-stakes Xi meeting, citing leverage and coordination concerns.

‘Sentiment is bleak’: bitcoin declines amid geopolitical tensions

Bitcoin prices drop as much as 3.2 per cent to US$66,604 on Tuesday, before paring the decline.

‘This is great’: first-ever Antarctic sleeper shark filmed in frigid waters

Filmed at 490-metre depth, the sighting challenges beliefs about shark habitats in the Southern Ocean.

Peru President Jose Jeri ousted in ‘Chifagate’ scandal tied to China contractor

Late-night meeting with Chinese businessman at a restaurant in Lima fuelled a probe and created major cross-party revolt.

Germany’s Merz says he can’t stand applause for Rubio at Munich conference

The German chancellor described the US secretary of state’s speech at the event as Trump ‘in friendlier packaging’.

Ford plans US$30,000 budget EV line to take on Chinese rivals

Ford shrinks battery size while extending driving range in bid to launch the new EV by 2027 for the same price as a conventional petrol car.

China’s men claim historic team pursuit bronze, but wait for Games gold goes on

Speedskaters Liu Hanbin, Wu Yu and Li Wenhao reach podium for first time, while Italy stun favourites US in race for top spot.

Zelensky says Trump’s peace demands focused only on Ukraine ‘not fair’

The president said Ukrainians ‘can’t understand why’ they would be asked to cede additional land to Russia.

‘A very good thing’: Japan’s Takaichi steps back from Liancourt Rocks pledge

Analysts say Takaichi’s decision not to send a cabinet minister to the event shows she is ‘protecting ties’ with Seoul amid regional tensions.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Universities in Japan and China are becoming tools of national strategy

Opinion | Why trade alone won’t make China beloved in South America

Being Chinese | The great Lunar New Year divide and how I bridged it

Opinion | Bangladesh’s BNP could struggle to enact reforms despite election win

Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

Sports data revolution: AI reshaping athletes’ performances, boosting fan fun

‘This is great’: first-ever Antarctic sleeper shark filmed in frigid waters

Man, 92, dies after allegedly choking on glutinous rice balls

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | TikTokkers hungry for Indonesian man’s ‘mini-food empire’

‘Sentiment is bleak’: bitcoin declines amid geopolitical tensions

China and South Korea team up on a vexing issue: their fast-ageing populations

When is the best time to open Lunar New Year red packets in the Year of the Horse 2026?

It is considered rude to open lai see in front of the giver but don’t leave the red packets unopened for more than a couple of months.

Feng shui advice for Rabbits for luck in money, health and romance

Which zodiac signs must appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026?

Open Questions | Why Trump’s April trip to China may not deliver ‘grand bargain’: James Zimmerman

The American Chamber of Commerce in China chairman says this year’s expected Trump-Xi meetings can put countries on a ‘visionary’ path.

Open Questions | Trump’s ‘imperial’ agenda and the end of the old world order: Luuk van Middelaar

Political theorist says rapid acceleration of the US president’s ‘offensive, almost imperial’ agenda has left Europe disoriented.

Open Questions | Lawrence Lau on why China must ‘work smarter’ and how it can invent from scratch

China must shift from quantity to quality by focusing on 12-year schooling, more basic research and GBA integration, renowned economist says.

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

China’s AI arms race sees sector brace for major flagship model launch week

A ‘stealth’ model has emerged, while advancements by Alibaba’s Qwen-3.5 and Zhipu’s GLM-5 aim to spur domestic competition following releases by US heavyweights.

China’s Unitree eyes 20,000-robot output after viral success of annual gala

With shipments set to jump and investors watching closely, Unitree is positioning itself at the forefront of China’s humanoid robotics push.

Global AI race heats up as Chinese tech giant releases new model

With multimodal capabilities and open weights, Qwen-3.5 signals Alibaba’s ambition to anchor the next phase of global AI deployment.

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

Humanoids go mainstream as China’s robotics champions appear at CCTV spectacle

ByteDance, Unitree, RedNote, Bilibili and Kuaishou among the firms involved in the unparalleled nationwide marketing opportunity.

Will China’s state-backed thriller spill details of little-known spy cases?

‘Scare Out’ depicts leak of PLA jet secrets, and some speculate the plot could be based on true story involving stealth fighter tech.

Pop Mart balances boom and bust: can Labubu’s leap match Molly’s momentum?

As Labubu’s meteoric rise cools, Molly’s longevity highlights the challenge Pop Mart faces in turning hype into stable intellectual property.

How Manila’s ‘naming and shaming’ challenges Beijing’s South China Sea stance

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Exclusive | Hasan Piker talks about his controversial China trip – and ‘thinking Chinese thoughts’

Opinion | Universities in Japan and China are becoming tools of national strategy

Video | TikTokkers hungry for Indonesian man’s ‘mini-food empire’