Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Recent comments by US President Donald Trump (centre), Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (right) have emphasised avoiding conflict with Beijing, according to a top Chinese think tank. Photo: TNS

How China and the US can coexist peacefully while locked in strategic stalemate

In a new paper, top think tank offers a path to avoiding conflict, warning Washington’s stance on Taiwan remains a catastrophic risk.

3 hours ago

Trump leaves China after much pomp and pageantry, but little to show for it

US-China relations

China removes hukou hurdle for migrant workers in social insurance shake-up

Giving migrant and gig workers full social insurance access where they work is latest move to boost free flow of capital and talent.

3 hours agovideocam

China Economy

China’s top trade negotiator urges Apec to grow economic pie, divide it fairly

At ministerial meeting in Suzhou, Li Chenggang urges representatives of 21 economies to ‘reject zero-sum thinking’.

5 hours ago

China Business

China AI firms Zhipu, MiniMax to join Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Tech Index

Additions to the benchmark Hang Seng Index, meanwhile, increase the number of constituents to 93 as the bourse operator presses ahead with expansion to 100.

3 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

US President Donald Trump does a thumbs-up pose during a photo opportunity with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing on May 15. Photo: Pool via AFP

Selfies and symbolism: behind the scenes from Xi’s summit with Trump, Putin

Military

Could all of China’s aircraft carriers soon operate J-35 stealth fighters?

Only one vessel can now host the cutting-edge jet, but satellite images and state media hints indicate that might be changing.

5 hours agovideocam

Analysts say it is highly likely that China’s older two carriers will receive the upgrades needed to host the J-35 stealth fighters. Photo: Xinhua

Diplomacy

US Navy signals pause in Taiwan arms sale, drawing swift reaction from Beijing

Acting navy secretary suggests US$14 billion weapons deal is on hold, but Taipei says it has ‘no information’ about a freeze.

22 May 2026 - 5:52PM

Hong Kong Economy

Revamped Terminal 2 to uplift Hong Kong’s aviation hub status: Airport Authority

Chairman Fred Lam describes facility as ‘milestone’ in airport’s development, prioritising efficiency and user experience.

3 hours agovideocam

International

Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Cityscape Global achieves more than US$63 billion as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a major investment hub for urban development.

In partnership with:

Cityscape Global

China Economy

China overtakes US to become top foreign investor in Germany

Deteriorating transatlantic relationship and high energy and labour costs are making American firms think twice before moving into German market.

22 May 2026 - 4:02PM

President Xi Jinping welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the State Guest House in Beijing on February 25. Photo: DPA

China Business

China cracks down on Tiger and Futu for illegal cross-border stock trading

ADRs of Tiger Brokers’ owner and Futu’s US-listed shares plunge after the suspension of their stockbroking businesses on the mainland.

5 hours ago

Diplomacy

China’s top diplomat to visit US and Canada to boost ties, pave way for Xi trip

Wang Yi set to chair UN Security Council meeting in New York this month before travelling to Ottawa for talks with Canadian counterpart.

4 hours agovideocam

Politics

India’s US$9 billion island megaport sharpens China’s ‘Malacca dilemma’

When completed, the Great Nicobar project would allow India to monitor activities near the Strait of Malacca, a key trade corridor for China.

5 hours ago

A coastline at Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar Island. India is planning a US$9 billion megaport, airport and city on the remote island. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong Economy

K-pop stars BTS to hold 3 concerts at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium in 2027

Boy band will perform on March 4, 6 and 7 as part of their ‘Arirang’ world tour, with tickets to sell for up to HK$3,299 each.

6 hours ago

BTS performs at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, 2026 in Seoul. Photo: Reuters

United States & Canada

PM Carney says Alberta ‘essential’ to Canada, as separatist push advances

Premier Danielle Smith plans to hold a vote that will bring the oil-rich province closer to a referendum on independence.

50 minutes ago

Europe

France’s youngest PM Attal to run for president

Gabriel Attal was just 37 when he became France’s youngest prime minister in 2024.

3 hours ago

Politics

Myanmar’s Wei family go on trial in latest phase of China’s scam farm crackdown

The clan, one of Kokang’s ‘four families’, is accused of a range of crimes including murder, fraud and extortion.

6 hours agovideocam

Wei Huairen pictured at the time of his arrest in January 2024. Photo: Xinhua

Africa

WHO raises risk assessment as DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak spreads ‘rapidly’

Chief of the UN health agency said the risk remains high for regional spread and low at global levels.

4 hours ago

A medical worker checks temperature for a local journalist in Bunia, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

Tech Trends

China’s AI start-up funding triples in first quarter amid bets on LLMs, robotics

The fundraising boom follows years of state-led efforts to channel capital into strategic sectors such as chips, AI and manufacturing.

22 May 2026 - 5:00PM

Tech Trends

Inside the Chinese auto-glass maker whose chairman sat beside Elon Musk

Fuyao Glass, which holds 35 per cent of the world market for automotive glass, banks on automation to cement its position.

22 May 2026 - 5:34PM

OPINION

Zhou Bo

Opinion | Xi-Trump summit a triumph for China

4 hours ago

David Dodwell

Outside In | India and China are cautiously getting closer, thanks to Trump

22 May 2026 - 4:30PM

Tang Meng Kit

Opinion | Boeing went to China to sell planes. Beijing is buying something else

22 May 2026 - 9:30AM

Letters

Letters | Canada’s World Cup role offers model of cooperation in a fraught world

22 May 2026 - 11:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Xi-Putin summit is no less important than Xi-Trump talks

22 May 2026 - 7:15AM

Harry’s View | 23 May 2026

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United States & Canada

PM Carney says Alberta ‘essential’ to Canada, as separatist push advances

2 hours ago

United States & Canada

Chinese fast-fashion juggernaut Shein to buy eco-friendly Everlane

3 hours ago

China Business

China AI firms Zhipu, MiniMax to join Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Tech Index

3 hours ago

China removes hukou hurdle for migrant workers in social insurance shake-up

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Europe

France’s youngest PM Attal to run for president

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Diplomacy

How China and the US can coexist peacefully while locked in strategic stalemate

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Football

North Korean women deny they play ‘rough’ ahead of Asian Champions League final

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China’s top diplomat to visit US and Canada to boost ties, pave way for Xi trip

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Africa

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US President Donald Trump listening to a speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping at a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, last week. Photo: Reuters

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

China will buy at least US$17 billion of US farm goods annually, White House says

The agreement was struck at the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to US fact sheet.

3-MIN READ

How will Beijing judge Trump’s take on Taiwan? Look for 1 critical factor

3-MIN READvideocam

How China and the US felt the weight of history behind Trump and Xi’s meeting

2-MIN READvideocam

Open Questions series

Politics

Open Questions | Mainland China’s Wu Yongping on what the Xi-Trump summit means for Taiwan

Regardless of the meeting’s outcome, the trend towards resolution of the Taiwan question won’t change, according to the Tsinghua academic.

12-MIN READ

Politics

Open Questions | Taiwan’s Cheng Li-wun on cross-strait peace, meeting Xi and managing US ties

Kuomintang chairwoman says hostility towards mainland is a product of political engineering that does not reflect reality of Taiwan.

17-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

13-MIN READvideocam

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.

10-MIN READvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

China’s booming tech exports give Beijing ‘wind in its sails’ for Trump summit

The role of tech products in April’s trade data reflects how computing-related goods are a ‘new and important growth driver’ for exports.

3-MIN READ

Chinese trade received a significant boost from the technology sector in April. Photo: Shutterstock Images

China Business

China AI firms Zhipu, MiniMax to join Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Tech Index

Additions to the benchmark Hang Seng Index, meanwhile, increase the number of constituents to 93 as the bourse operator presses ahead with expansion to 100.

2-MIN READvideocam

Policy

China rejects claims of curbing US tech funding as Beijing pursues self-reliance

While reaffirming Beijing’s openness, the NDRC also stressed its support for home-grown AI and semiconductor industries.

2-MIN READ

Tech Trends

China’s AI start-up funding triples in first quarter amid bets on LLMs, robotics

The fundraising boom follows years of state-led efforts to channel capital into strategic sectors such as chips, AI and manufacturing.

2-MIN READ

AI-related start-ups in China secured more than 110 billion yuan in the first three months of the year. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Science

China swaps Middle East oil for Xinjiang coal. What does it mean for the world?

With the war in Iran choking global oil supplies, China is tapping its 390 billion tonnes of coal reserves to build its own energy source.

7-MIN READvideocam

Science

How a remote patch of Gobi Desert became central to China’s national security

A national energy and chemical hub being built on a 15,500 sq m site in the Gobi Desert is set to modernise coal mining.

6-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Putin is pushing for a ‘serious’ new energy deal in China. Will he get it?

The Russian leader arrives in China days after Trump in search of an energy deal, with yuan settlements, pricing potentially on the table.

6-MIN READvideocam

Science

Is China becoming Europe’s top science partner amid an American brain drain?

‘Massive changes in the global flow of talent’ are creating opportunities, according to the head of Germany’s Max Planck Society.

6-MIN READvideocam

How China and the US can coexist peacefully while locked in strategic stalemate

In a new paper, top think tank offers a path to avoiding conflict, warning Washington’s stance on Taiwan remains a catastrophic risk.

Trump leaves China after much pomp and pageantry, but little to show for it

China removes hukou hurdle for migrant workers in social insurance shake-up

Giving migrant and gig workers full social insurance access where they work is latest move to boost free flow of capital and talent.

China’s top trade negotiator urges Apec to grow economic pie, divide it fairly

At ministerial meeting in Suzhou, Li Chenggang urges representatives of 21 economies to ‘reject zero-sum thinking’.

China AI firms Zhipu, MiniMax to join Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Tech Index

Additions to the benchmark Hang Seng Index, meanwhile, increase the number of constituents to 93 as the bourse operator presses ahead with expansion to 100.

Selfies and symbolism: behind the scenes from Xi’s summit with Trump, Putin

Could all of China’s aircraft carriers soon operate J-35 stealth fighters?

Only one vessel can now host the cutting-edge jet, but satellite images and state media hints indicate that might be changing.

US Navy signals pause in Taiwan arms sale, drawing swift reaction from Beijing

Acting navy secretary suggests US$14 billion weapons deal is on hold, but Taipei says it has ‘no information’ about a freeze.

Revamped Terminal 2 to uplift Hong Kong’s aviation hub status: Airport Authority

Chairman Fred Lam describes facility as ‘milestone’ in airport’s development, prioritising efficiency and user experience.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Cityscape Global achieves more than US$63 billion as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a major investment hub for urban development.

China overtakes US to become top foreign investor in Germany

Deteriorating transatlantic relationship and high energy and labour costs are making American firms think twice before moving into German market.

China cracks down on Tiger and Futu for illegal cross-border stock trading

ADRs of Tiger Brokers’ owner and Futu’s US-listed shares plunge after the suspension of their stockbroking businesses on the mainland.

China’s top diplomat to visit US and Canada to boost ties, pave way for Xi trip

Wang Yi set to chair UN Security Council meeting in New York this month before travelling to Ottawa for talks with Canadian counterpart.

India’s US$9 billion island megaport sharpens China’s ‘Malacca dilemma’

When completed, the Great Nicobar project would allow India to monitor activities near the Strait of Malacca, a key trade corridor for China.

K-pop stars BTS to hold 3 concerts at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium in 2027

Boy band will perform on March 4, 6 and 7 as part of their ‘Arirang’ world tour, with tickets to sell for up to HK$3,299 each.

PM Carney says Alberta ‘essential’ to Canada, as separatist push advances

Premier Danielle Smith plans to hold a vote that will bring the oil-rich province closer to a referendum on independence.

France’s youngest PM Attal to run for president

Gabriel Attal was just 37 when he became France’s youngest prime minister in 2024.

Myanmar’s Wei family go on trial in latest phase of China’s scam farm crackdown

The clan, one of Kokang’s ‘four families’, is accused of a range of crimes including murder, fraud and extortion.

WHO raises risk assessment as DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak spreads ‘rapidly’

Chief of the UN health agency said the risk remains high for regional spread and low at global levels.

China’s AI start-up funding triples in first quarter amid bets on LLMs, robotics

The fundraising boom follows years of state-led efforts to channel capital into strategic sectors such as chips, AI and manufacturing.

Inside the Chinese auto-glass maker whose chairman sat beside Elon Musk

Fuyao Glass, which holds 35 per cent of the world market for automotive glass, banks on automation to cement its position.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Xi-Trump summit a triumph for China

Outside In | India and China are cautiously getting closer, thanks to Trump

Opinion | Boeing went to China to sell planes. Beijing is buying something else

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Canada’s World Cup role offers model of cooperation in a fraught world

Editorial | Xi-Putin summit is no less important than Xi-Trump talks

PM Carney says Alberta ‘essential’ to Canada, as separatist push advances

Chinese fast-fashion juggernaut Shein to buy eco-friendly Everlane

China AI firms Zhipu, MiniMax to join Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Tech Index

China removes hukou hurdle for migrant workers in social insurance shake-up

France’s youngest PM Attal to run for president

How China and the US can coexist peacefully while locked in strategic stalemate

North Korean women deny they play ‘rough’ ahead of Asian Champions League final

China’s top diplomat to visit US and Canada to boost ties, pave way for Xi trip

WHO raises risk assessment as DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak spreads ‘rapidly’

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | What to know about Hong Kong airport’s new Terminal 2

China will buy at least US$17 billion of US farm goods annually, White House says

The agreement was struck at the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to US fact sheet.

How will Beijing judge Trump’s take on Taiwan? Look for 1 critical factor

How China and the US felt the weight of history behind Trump and Xi’s meeting

Open Questions | Mainland China’s Wu Yongping on what the Xi-Trump summit means for Taiwan

Regardless of the meeting’s outcome, the trend towards resolution of the Taiwan question won’t change, according to the Tsinghua academic.

Open Questions | Taiwan’s Cheng Li-wun on cross-strait peace, meeting Xi and managing US ties

Kuomintang chairwoman says hostility towards mainland is a product of political engineering that does not reflect reality of Taiwan.

Open Questions | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

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.

China’s booming tech exports give Beijing ‘wind in its sails’ for Trump summit

The role of tech products in April’s trade data reflects how computing-related goods are a ‘new and important growth driver’ for exports.

China AI firms Zhipu, MiniMax to join Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Tech Index

Additions to the benchmark Hang Seng Index, meanwhile, increase the number of constituents to 93 as the bourse operator presses ahead with expansion to 100.

China rejects claims of curbing US tech funding as Beijing pursues self-reliance

While reaffirming Beijing’s openness, the NDRC also stressed its support for home-grown AI and semiconductor industries.

China’s AI start-up funding triples in first quarter amid bets on LLMs, robotics

The fundraising boom follows years of state-led efforts to channel capital into strategic sectors such as chips, AI and manufacturing.

China swaps Middle East oil for Xinjiang coal. What does it mean for the world?

With the war in Iran choking global oil supplies, China is tapping its 390 billion tonnes of coal reserves to build its own energy source.

How a remote patch of Gobi Desert became central to China’s national security

A national energy and chemical hub being built on a 15,500 sq m site in the Gobi Desert is set to modernise coal mining.

Putin is pushing for a ‘serious’ new energy deal in China. Will he get it?

Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Opinion | Xi-Trump summit a triumph for China

Letters | Canada’s World Cup role offers model of cooperation in a fraught world

Video | What to know about Hong Kong airport’s new Terminal 2