Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Preparations are already under way for a “European Security Strategy”, an approach that will be the cornerstone of Ursula von der Leyen’s vision. Photo: Reuters

Get realpolitik? Von der Leyen questions Europe’s faith in rules-based order

The EU must become more realistic and interest-driven to keep up with the new world order, bloc chief says.

5 minutes agovideocam

Weaponise EU market against China or face manufacturing collapse: official think tank

China-EU relations

Politics

China extols Myanmar gang executions, pledging to protect citizens abroad

Chief of China’s top court highlights crackdown on Southeast Asia crime rings in annual ‘two sessions’ report.

16 minutes agovideocam

China Economy

More gas from Russia? China flags new pipeline links amid Iran energy crisis

‘Preparatory work’ on pipeline, believed to be the Power of Siberia 2, included in five-year plan – but analysts say more details are needed.

51 minutes agovideocam

Law and Crime

Hong Kong lawmaker Judy Chan fined HK$2,000 for driving against traffic

Eastern Court also suspends Chan, 45, from driving for a month.

47 minutes ago

Open Questions

Strikes on Iran not the biggest threat to China’s belt and road goals: Pan Guang

Science

China’s award-winning mathematician Wan Daqing leaves California for Chongqing

Amid fierce competition among Chinese universities, the former child prodigy has returned to his hometown for his new role.

4 hours agovideocam

Wan Daqing, winner of China’s highest mathematics prize, returned to China to take up his new role in December. Photo: Handout

China Business

Oil above US$100 may persist as Goldman warns rally not over

Investors brace for prolonged disruption after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, sending crude to levels unseen since the 2022 energy shock.

33 minutes ago

Politics

Malaysia’s Anwar risks reformist image as Daim family sues over ‘Zionist’ claims

The prime minister said that a group of Malaysians were working with foreign media and a ‘prominent Zionist group’ to topple the government.

3 minutes agovideocam

Travel & Leisure

How use of AI will help travel operators transform behaviour of holidaymakers

Experts explore innovative technology’s role in industry’s evolution at ‘Limitless: Dida Engage 2026’ in Shenzhen.

In partnership with:

Dida

Middle East

Video shows apparent US strike as Trump blames Iran for school massacre

Footage of a cruise missile hitting near Minab would appear to contradict Trump’s claims of Iranian culpability.

26 minutes agovideocam

A satellite image shows the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School and other structures damaged after being struck. Photo: Planet Labs PBC via Reuters

Diplomacy

Taiwan tensions No 1 in Beijing’s top 10 geopolitical risks of 2026: think tank

Most consequential external security variable may be uncertainty in the US ahead of the midterm elections in November, report warns.

2 hours agovideocam

Politics

Asia’s longest communist revolt is dying, Manila says. The rebels disagree

The Philippine military claims the 56-year insurgency is near the finish line. But veteran rebels say the roots of rebellion remain.

4 hours agovideocam

China Economy

China’s inflation rises after holiday spending spree. Is 2% target reachable?

The consumer price index rose 0.8 per cent in the first two months of 2026, though analysts remain concerned about long-term deflation risks.

49 minutes ago

Shoppers stand near a Chinese New Year display in central Beijing. Photo: AP

World

Cathay fares surge, Hong Kong professor suspended in Australia: 5 weekend reads

From MIT scientist joining Peking University to China’s Wang Yi at ‘two sessions’, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

5 hours ago

Cathay Pacific has been adjusting routes to redirect capacity after suspending services to and from Dubai and Riyadh, the SCMP has learned. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong ‘more than China’s financial sandbox’, Paul Chan says

Finance chief says Hong Kong is driving country’s development, calls on city to ‘get empowered’ by AI.

42 minutes ago

Global Economy

US firms face ‘economic bind’ as China mineral truce fails to ease shortages

Businesses hope US President Donald Trump’s visit to China in late March will ease bottlenecks.

6 hours agovideocam

Middle East

Where things stand after another weekend of war in the Middle East

As Mojtaba Khamenei takes the helm in Tehran, oil prices surge and regional casualties climb in a conflict that enters its 10th day on Monday.

4 hours agovideocam

Flames and smoke rise from an oil storage facility struck in Tehran on Saturday. Photo: ISNA via AP

Diplomacy

Weaponise EU market against China or face manufacturing collapse: official think tank

Beijing’s ‘weakness creates opportunities’ for bloc to use chokepoints and leverage for negotiations, researchers say.

2 hours agovideocam

Container ships are seen at Qingdao port in eastern China. Europe remains the last reasonably open advanced market where China can sell industrial and hi-tech goods. Photo: AFP

Military

Why have China’s arms imports plummeted 72% over the past 5 years?

Neighbours in Asia and Oceania increase their overseas weapons purchases amid ‘fears over China’s intentions’.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Surcharges considered as Hong Kong fuel prices set to rise amid Iran war

Sector representative says surcharges ‘a reluctant step’, adding many drivers have fixed daily commitments that must be met.

3 hours ago

OPINION

Nicholas Spiro

The View | 4 reasons Asia’s property will endure despite Iran war headwinds

1 hour ago

Alice Wu

Opinion | Hong Kong must keep pace with China’s development push

5 hours ago

Letters

Letters | Hong Kong can do more to connect mainland funds with tech stocks

6 hours ago

Matteo Giovannini

Opinion | Why Hong Kong could be the next global hub for gold trading

9 Mar 2026 - 5:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Vital to consolidate executive-led system for Hong Kong’s development

9 Mar 2026 - 7:15AM

Harry’s View | 9 Mar 2026

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LATEST

1 minute ago

Video | Iran war sparks fuel crises in parts of Asia

Clients queue at a gas station amid rising petrol prices in Karachi on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP)

02:00

3 minutes ago

Golf

Korean GC boss Kim ‘very excited’ to be heading to Busan with LIV team on the up

3 minutes ago

Politics

Malaysia’s Anwar risks reformist image as Daim family sues over ‘Zionist’ claims

5 minutes ago

Diplomacy

Get realpolitik? Von der Leyen questions Europe’s faith in rules-based order

9 minutes ago

Southeast Asia

5 die in Indonesia as rubbish mound collapses at nation’s largest landfill

16 minutes ago

Politics

China extols Myanmar gang executions, pledging to protect citizens abroad

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SCMP Series

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Year of the Horse 2026

Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

Staff members dispense medicines at a pharmacy in Wuhan, in central China’s Hubei province, on February 27, 2020. Photo: Xinhua

SCMP Series ‘Two sessions’: China’s economic agenda

Healthcare investors keeping an eye on ‘two sessions’ for clarity on drug pricing

Healthcare and insurance sectors will see policy fine-tuning, ‘moral support’ rather than ‘groundbreaking news’ from Beijing, analysts say.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:05AM

Can China’s ‘two sessions’ find a strategy to fix the property rot?

4 Mar 2026 - 9:18AM

Investors lock onto NPC as markets seek policy lift amid AI jitters

3 Mar 2026 - 7:30AM

Open Questions series

Global Economy

Open Questions | Top shipbuilding voice Li Yanqing rebukes Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative

China’s national shipbuilding association official calls US port fees ‘absurd’ and politically motivated, while asserting China’s market lead is solid despite global fluctuations.

5 Mar 2026 - 5:24PM

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era

American political scientist on how ‘interdependence’ can be exploited as part of the rivalry between major powers.

23 Feb 2026 - 10:05AMvideocam

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.

5 Mar 2026 - 5:25PMvideocam

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

Key Industries:

Policy

China’s 5-year plan emphasises ‘orderly’ AI development amid market volatility

First announced in 2024, the AI Plus initiative includes a target of integrating AI into 90 per cent of China’s economy by 2030.

5 Mar 2026 - 11:57PMvideocam

People watch as robots perform a dance during Lunar New Year celebrations in Beijing on February 18. Photo: Reuters

Markets & Investing

Adrian Cheng maps out investment plan in line with China’s 5-year plan

The former CEO of NWD plans to spend more time in mainland China this year to scope out tech investment targets.

3 hours ago

Big Tech

ZTE’s computing revenue jumps 150% amid AI boom, but profits fall 33%

A boom in computing and data-centre sales helped lift revenue, but weaker demand for traditional telecom equipment weighed on profits.

7 Mar 2026 - 3:38PM

Tech

China’s DeepSeek teams with Tencent, HKU on AI tool to sharpen 3D design

Open-source Pointer-CAD framework, built on Alibaba’s Qwen 2.5 model, enhances accuracy and efficiency in computer-aided design: researchers.

7 Mar 2026 - 11:00AM

The new 3D design method is the third research paper involving DeepSeek so far this year. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

As US universities retreat from China, who is filling the academic void?

Many elite Sino-American ventures have ended under the strain of geopolitics but other, more diverse, programmes are emerging.

8 Mar 2026 - 6:04AMvideocam

China Economy

China works to build slow, steady stock markets, rejecting norm of boom and bust

Beijing is emphasising gradual growth in its policies for capital markets, encouraging dividend payouts and drawing a contrast with the West.

7 Mar 2026 - 8:16AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Takeaways from Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s government work report

Li raises the curtain on the annual session of the National People’s Congress with a series of targets for the economy.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:18PMvideocam

Science

Why China’s anti-corruption push in academia is key to its science and tech aims

Ahead of country’s annual ‘two sessions’ meetings, scientists urge more institutionalised and effective mechanisms to curb abuses of power.

5 Mar 2026 - 6:50AMvideocam

Get realpolitik? Von der Leyen questions Europe’s faith in rules-based order

The EU must become more realistic and interest-driven to keep up with the new world order, bloc chief says.

Weaponise EU market against China or face manufacturing collapse: official think tank

China extols Myanmar gang executions, pledging to protect citizens abroad

Chief of China’s top court highlights crackdown on Southeast Asia crime rings in annual ‘two sessions’ report.

More gas from Russia? China flags new pipeline links amid Iran energy crisis

‘Preparatory work’ on pipeline, believed to be the Power of Siberia 2, included in five-year plan – but analysts say more details are needed.

Hong Kong lawmaker Judy Chan fined HK$2,000 for driving against traffic

Eastern Court also suspends Chan, 45, from driving for a month.

Strikes on Iran not the biggest threat to China’s belt and road goals: Pan Guang

China’s award-winning mathematician Wan Daqing leaves California for Chongqing

Amid fierce competition among Chinese universities, the former child prodigy has returned to his hometown for his new role.

Oil above US$100 may persist as Goldman warns rally not over

Investors brace for prolonged disruption after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, sending crude to levels unseen since the 2022 energy shock.

Malaysia’s Anwar risks reformist image as Daim family sues over ‘Zionist’ claims

The prime minister said that a group of Malaysians were working with foreign media and a ‘prominent Zionist group’ to topple the government.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How use of AI will help travel operators transform behaviour of holidaymakers

Experts explore innovative technology’s role in industry’s evolution at ‘Limitless: Dida Engage 2026’ in Shenzhen.

Video shows apparent US strike as Trump blames Iran for school massacre

Footage of a cruise missile hitting near Minab would appear to contradict Trump’s claims of Iranian culpability.

Taiwan tensions No 1 in Beijing’s top 10 geopolitical risks of 2026: think tank

Most consequential external security variable may be uncertainty in the US ahead of the midterm elections in November, report warns.

Asia’s longest communist revolt is dying, Manila says. The rebels disagree

The Philippine military claims the 56-year insurgency is near the finish line. But veteran rebels say the roots of rebellion remain.

China’s inflation rises after holiday spending spree. Is 2% target reachable?

The consumer price index rose 0.8 per cent in the first two months of 2026, though analysts remain concerned about long-term deflation risks.

Cathay fares surge, Hong Kong professor suspended in Australia: 5 weekend reads

From MIT scientist joining Peking University to China’s Wang Yi at ‘two sessions’, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Hong Kong ‘more than China’s financial sandbox’, Paul Chan says

Finance chief says Hong Kong is driving country’s development, calls on city to ‘get empowered’ by AI.

US firms face ‘economic bind’ as China mineral truce fails to ease shortages

Businesses hope US President Donald Trump’s visit to China in late March will ease bottlenecks.

Where things stand after another weekend of war in the Middle East

As Mojtaba Khamenei takes the helm in Tehran, oil prices surge and regional casualties climb in a conflict that enters its 10th day on Monday.

Weaponise EU market against China or face manufacturing collapse: official think tank

Beijing’s ‘weakness creates opportunities’ for bloc to use chokepoints and leverage for negotiations, researchers say.

Why have China’s arms imports plummeted 72% over the past 5 years?

Neighbours in Asia and Oceania increase their overseas weapons purchases amid ‘fears over China’s intentions’.

Surcharges considered as Hong Kong fuel prices set to rise amid Iran war

Sector representative says surcharges ‘a reluctant step’, adding many drivers have fixed daily commitments that must be met.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}The View | 4 reasons Asia’s property will endure despite Iran war headwinds

Opinion | Hong Kong must keep pace with China’s development push

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Hong Kong can do more to connect mainland funds with tech stocks

Opinion | Why Hong Kong could be the next global hub for gold trading

Editorial | Vital to consolidate executive-led system for Hong Kong’s development

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Iran war sparks fuel crises in parts of Asia

Korean GC boss Kim ‘very excited’ to be heading to Busan with LIV team on the up

Malaysia’s Anwar risks reformist image as Daim family sues over ‘Zionist’ claims

Get realpolitik? Von der Leyen questions Europe’s faith in rules-based order

5 die in Indonesia as rubbish mound collapses at nation’s largest landfill

China extols Myanmar gang executions, pledging to protect citizens abroad

Healthcare investors keeping an eye on ‘two sessions’ for clarity on drug pricing

Healthcare and insurance sectors will see policy fine-tuning, ‘moral support’ rather than ‘groundbreaking news’ from Beijing, analysts say.

Can China’s ‘two sessions’ find a strategy to fix the property rot?

Investors lock onto NPC as markets seek policy lift amid AI jitters

Open Questions | Top shipbuilding voice Li Yanqing rebukes Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative

China’s national shipbuilding association official calls US port fees ‘absurd’ and politically motivated, while asserting China’s market lead is solid despite global fluctuations.

Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era

American political scientist on how ‘interdependence’ can be exploited as part of the rivalry between major powers.

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.

China’s 5-year plan emphasises ‘orderly’ AI development amid market volatility

First announced in 2024, the AI Plus initiative includes a target of integrating AI into 90 per cent of China’s economy by 2030.

Adrian Cheng maps out investment plan in line with China’s 5-year plan

The former CEO of NWD plans to spend more time in mainland China this year to scope out tech investment targets.

ZTE’s computing revenue jumps 150% amid AI boom, but profits fall 33%

A boom in computing and data-centre sales helped lift revenue, but weaker demand for traditional telecom equipment weighed on profits.

China’s DeepSeek teams with Tencent, HKU on AI tool to sharpen 3D design

Open-source Pointer-CAD framework, built on Alibaba’s Qwen 2.5 model, enhances accuracy and efficiency in computer-aided design: researchers.

As US universities retreat from China, who is filling the academic void?

Many elite Sino-American ventures have ended under the strain of geopolitics but other, more diverse, programmes are emerging.

China works to build slow, steady stock markets, rejecting norm of boom and bust

Beijing is emphasising gradual growth in its policies for capital markets, encouraging dividend payouts and drawing a contrast with the West.

Takeaways from Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s government work report

Li raises the curtain on the annual session of the National People’s Congress with a series of targets for the economy.

Why China’s anti-corruption push in academia is key to its science and tech aims

Ahead of country’s annual ‘two sessions’ meetings, scientists urge more institutionalised and effective mechanisms to curb abuses of power.

How use of AI will help travel operators transform behaviour of holidaymakers

The View | 4 reasons Asia’s property will endure despite Iran war headwinds

Letters | Hong Kong can do more to connect mainland funds with tech stocks

Video | Iran war sparks fuel crises in parts of Asia