Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

As Beijing seeks to promote further international use of the yuan, the composition of China’s forex reserves is coming under scrutiny. Photo: DPA

Does China need world-leading forex reserves? Globalising yuan revives debate

As Chinese currency ‘becomes more adopted globally’, report says it can replace many functions of a foreign exchange stockpile.

5 hours ago

What 2 new laws at ‘two sessions’ mean for China’s financial superpower push

Yuan

Military

Why is China’s ASN-301 suicide drone more deadly than its Iranian counterpart?

In a conflict over Taiwan or western Pacific, Beijing may overwhelm air defences through sheer numbers in a war of economic attrition.

4 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

Chinese social media is awash with criticisms of the US. Can it go too far?

Online responses range from sarcastic variants on Beijing’s official line to ‘armchair generals’ telling Tehran how best to fight America.

22 Mar 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Amid Iran war, Hongkongers choose short-haul high-speed rail trips

With war raging in the Middle East, tickets for mainland Chinese destinations are being snapped up.

2 hours ago

Science

Workers harvest rice in the fields of Sanhe Farm in Xuyu, Jiangsu province, China. Photo: Xinhua

Can China massively reduce food imports with super-efficient unmanned rice farms?

Diplomacy

Trump’s biggest cheerleader? Why Japan’s Takaichi is making waves in China

White House photo of Japanese prime minister apparently dancing to a band draws derision on Chinese social media.

22 Mar 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reacts to the music as she arrives for a state dinner, at the White House on March 19. Photo: Handout

Tech

OpenClaw, government support fuel rise of 1-person companies in China

Guangdong is the first provincial-level government to roll out comprehensive action plans to support AI-powered OPCs.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:12PM

China Economy

China’s AI edge built on power grid, open-source models: Alibaba’s Joe Tsai

Investment in power and open-source models, plus industrial depth, highlights China’s vast potential for AI applications, Joe Tsai says.

22 Mar 2026 - 7:46PM

Business

How Schneider Electric powers Hong Kong’s ecosystem innovation

InvestHK backs firm’s efforts to optimise energy use in city’s buildings, infrastructure and transport as part of its low-carbon transition.

In partnership with:

InvestHK

A charging station designed for both private and commercial use was one of Schneider Electric’s eMobility solutions showcased at last October’s Innovation Summit Hong Kong 2025. Photo: Schneider Electric

United States & Canada

Trump threatens to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants in Hormuz ultimatum

The US president demands Tehran reopen the shipping lane within 48 hours, making the deadline a ‘ticking time bomb’ for markets.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:08PMvideocam

Israeli security forces and rescuers work at the site struck by an Iranian missile in Arad, southern Israel, on Sunday. Photo: AP

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong arts hub strengthens global links with 12 new partnerships

West Kowloon Cultural District Authority signs MOUs with 12 international institutions from Australia, the UK, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.

6 hours ago

Diplomacy

Vietnam protests as China’s Paracels build-up escalates at Antelope Reef

Satellite images suggest accelerated dredging at the disputed South China Sea reef, sparking formal complaint from Hanoi.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:09PM

Diplomacy

‘iPhone City’ veteran tapped as party boss of China’s Silicon Valley

Jin Lei is appointed Communist Party chief of Shenzhen as the tech hub targets AI-fuelled growth and confronts external pressures.

22 Mar 2026 - 8:37PM

Jin Lei is no stranger to working in a tech-focused city, having previously held positions in Zhengzhou, home to a giant Foxconn facility. Photo: Handout

Middle East

Israeli towns reel from ‘terrifying’ Iranian missile strikes

Missiles hit Arad and Dimona, causing extensive destruction and injuries, as Israel vows to attack ‘our enemies on all fronts’.

22 Mar 2026 - 1:59PMvideocam

A man looks at residential buildings damaged by an Iranian missile strike in Arad, southern Israel, on Sunday. Photo: AP

China Economy

International capital flowing to China as investors seek certainty amid Iran war

Conflict in the Middle East and growing global turbulence following US-Israeli strikes against Iran has seen foreign investors look to China.

22 Mar 2026 - 4:24PMvideocam

Middle East

US may ‘escalate to de-escalate’ attacks against Iran, says Scott Bessent

US Treasury chief made the comment after Trump threatened to ‘obliterate’ Iranian energy plants if Tehran did not open the Strait of Hormuz.

3 hours agovideocam

Middle East

Israel says investigating whether own soldiers shot civilian on Lebanon border

Hezbollah had earlier claimed a rocket that killed one Israeli in the same area, among a series of attacks the group claimed on Sunday.

2 hours ago

Smoke rises from the Lebanese border town of Al Khayam, Lebanon on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Society

Game over for Hong Kong shop selling hand-carved mahjong tiles for 47 years

Kung Yau Cheung Mahjong in Mong Kok will close on March 28.

4 hours ago

Ko Yun-kan has been unable to find a new suitable location for the shop. Photo: Dickson Lee

Southeast Asia

Philippines will allow use of dirtier, cheaper fuel amid US-Iran war

The ‌Philippines has taken steps such as shortening the work week and providing ⁠fuel subsidies to counter the impact of rising costs.

22 Mar 2026 - 7:13PM

Hong Kong

Yu Zidi completes golden hat-trick in China Open Swimming Championships

The 13-year-old fights back to win 200m individual medley, while Tokyo Olympic champion Wang Shun is second on season debut.

4 hours ago

OPINION

Alex Lo

My Take | In China, AI is about job creation and quality, not mass retrenchments

3 hours ago

Albert Bakhtizin

Opinion | Another war, another trade chokepoint crisis. Who is hit the hardest?

6 hours ago

Letters

Letters | Investing in women farmers and fishers is a smart nutrition policy

22 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

Ian Storey

Opinion | Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier is more vanity project than war machine

22 Mar 2026 - 10:00AM

Alice Wu

Opinion | Hong Kong’s education policy must reflect the innovative future it seeks

22 Mar 2026 - 4:30PM

Harry’s View | 23 Mar 2026

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Americas

Cuba is ready for any attack from US amid oil blockade: deputy foreign minister

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Europe

Dutch PM Rob Jetten to dine with Trump in Washington next month, aides confirm

1 hour ago

Europe

Thousands rally in Berlin against online sexual violence, pornographic deepfakes

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United States & Canada

Syrians protest against alcohol sale limits, personal freedom curbs

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SCMP Series AI's impact on Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s bid to win in AI: where are the road map and the guardrails?

Hong Kong’s AI revolution accelerates as policy funds skills training while industries and educators rush to integrate the shift.

16 Mar 2026 - 11:48AM

Exclusive | Hong Kong job openings hit 6-year low in 69% of sectors amid AI’s ascent

13 Mar 2026 - 10:05AM

Is AI displacing young people for entry-level jobs?

16 Mar 2026 - 11:48AM

Open Questions series

Military

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Diplomacy

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

Mainland academic assesses the risks to Chinese investment and diplomacy in the region and what it means for the other main players.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

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

Key Industries:

Big Tech

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

21 Mar 2026 - 6:18PM

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the company’s global AI conference in San Jose, California, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Tech

OpenClaw, government support fuel rise of 1-person companies in China

Guangdong is the first provincial-level government to roll out comprehensive action plans to support AI-powered OPCs.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:12PM

Banking & Finance

China’s Unitree Robotics rides humanoid tide as it targets US$610m IPO

Prospectus reveals that company’s revenue jumped 335 per cent last year, while net profit surged nearly eight times.

20 Mar 2026 - 9:00PM

Tech

Preview of Alibaba’s top AI model leads Chinese peers, lags US rivals

Qwen3.5-Max-Preview enters a global ranking at 15th, behind models from Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.

20 Mar 2026 - 3:00PM

China Economy

AI, flying cars drive economic transition in China’s Kunshan

City at heart of Yangtze River Delta region sees new tech dreams emerge as old ones based on mass production of electronics fade.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:51AM

Military

How long will US-Israel war on Iran last? Chinese analysts offer clues

Iran’s drones gaining edge as opponents burn through costly missiles, analysts note, as one labels the war a ‘serious mistake’ by US.

20 Mar 2026 - 6:00AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Why Beijing has struggled to rally Asia against Japan over PM’s Taiwan remarks

Many in the region harbour security concerns similar to Tokyo’s and prefer to stay neutral between the Asian heavyweights, analysts say.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:16AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Why Japan thinks China’s growing cultural clout is something it needs to counter

The global success of Chinese video games and animation – as well as the appeal of traditional culture – has triggered a reaction in Tokyo.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:33AMvideocam

Does China need world-leading forex reserves? Globalising yuan revives debate

As Chinese currency ‘becomes more adopted globally’, report says it can replace many functions of a foreign exchange stockpile.

What 2 new laws at ‘two sessions’ mean for China’s financial superpower push

Why is China’s ASN-301 suicide drone more deadly than its Iranian counterpart?

In a conflict over Taiwan or western Pacific, Beijing may overwhelm air defences through sheer numbers in a war of economic attrition.

Chinese social media is awash with criticisms of the US. Can it go too far?

Online responses range from sarcastic variants on Beijing’s official line to ‘armchair generals’ telling Tehran how best to fight America.

Amid Iran war, Hongkongers choose short-haul high-speed rail trips

With war raging in the Middle East, tickets for mainland Chinese destinations are being snapped up.

Can China massively reduce food imports with super-efficient unmanned rice farms?

Trump’s biggest cheerleader? Why Japan’s Takaichi is making waves in China

White House photo of Japanese prime minister apparently dancing to a band draws derision on Chinese social media.

OpenClaw, government support fuel rise of 1-person companies in China

Guangdong is the first provincial-level government to roll out comprehensive action plans to support AI-powered OPCs.

China’s AI edge built on power grid, open-source models: Alibaba’s Joe Tsai

Investment in power and open-source models, plus industrial depth, highlights China’s vast potential for AI applications, Joe Tsai says.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How Schneider Electric powers Hong Kong’s ecosystem innovation

InvestHK backs firm’s efforts to optimise energy use in city’s buildings, infrastructure and transport as part of its low-carbon transition.

Trump threatens to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants in Hormuz ultimatum

The US president demands Tehran reopen the shipping lane within 48 hours, making the deadline a ‘ticking time bomb’ for markets.

Hong Kong arts hub strengthens global links with 12 new partnerships

West Kowloon Cultural District Authority signs MOUs with 12 international institutions from Australia, the UK, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.

Vietnam protests as China’s Paracels build-up escalates at Antelope Reef

Satellite images suggest accelerated dredging at the disputed South China Sea reef, sparking formal complaint from Hanoi.

‘iPhone City’ veteran tapped as party boss of China’s Silicon Valley

Jin Lei is appointed Communist Party chief of Shenzhen as the tech hub targets AI-fuelled growth and confronts external pressures.

Israeli towns reel from ‘terrifying’ Iranian missile strikes

Missiles hit Arad and Dimona, causing extensive destruction and injuries, as Israel vows to attack ‘our enemies on all fronts’.

International capital flowing to China as investors seek certainty amid Iran war

Conflict in the Middle East and growing global turbulence following US-Israeli strikes against Iran has seen foreign investors look to China.

US may ‘escalate to de-escalate’ attacks against Iran, says Scott Bessent

US Treasury chief made the comment after Trump threatened to ‘obliterate’ Iranian energy plants if Tehran did not open the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel says investigating whether own soldiers shot civilian on Lebanon border

Hezbollah had earlier claimed a rocket that killed one Israeli in the same area, among a series of attacks the group claimed on Sunday.

Game over for Hong Kong shop selling hand-carved mahjong tiles for 47 years

Kung Yau Cheung Mahjong in Mong Kok will close on March 28.

Philippines will allow use of dirtier, cheaper fuel amid US-Iran war

The ‌Philippines has taken steps such as shortening the work week and providing ⁠fuel subsidies to counter the impact of rising costs.

Yu Zidi completes golden hat-trick in China Open Swimming Championships

The 13-year-old fights back to win 200m individual medley, while Tokyo Olympic champion Wang Shun is second on season debut.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | In China, AI is about job creation and quality, not mass retrenchments

Opinion | Another war, another trade chokepoint crisis. Who is hit the hardest?

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Investing in women farmers and fishers is a smart nutrition policy

Opinion | Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier is more vanity project than war machine

Opinion | Hong Kong’s education policy must reflect the innovative future it seeks

Cuba is ready for any attack from US amid oil blockade: deputy foreign minister

Dutch PM Rob Jetten to dine with Trump in Washington next month, aides confirm

Thousands rally in Berlin against online sexual violence, pornographic deepfakes

Syrians protest against alcohol sale limits, personal freedom curbs

US may ‘escalate to de-escalate’ attacks against Iran, says Scott Bessent

My Take | In China, AI is about job creation and quality, not mass retrenchments

Hong Kong’s bid to win in AI: where are the road map and the guardrails?

Hong Kong’s AI revolution accelerates as policy funds skills training while industries and educators rush to integrate the shift.

Exclusive | Hong Kong job openings hit 6-year low in 69% of sectors amid AI’s ascent

Is AI displacing young people for entry-level jobs?

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

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

Mainland academic assesses the risks to Chinese investment and diplomacy in the region and what it means for the other main players.

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.

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

OpenClaw, government support fuel rise of 1-person companies in China

Guangdong is the first provincial-level government to roll out comprehensive action plans to support AI-powered OPCs.

China’s Unitree Robotics rides humanoid tide as it targets US$610m IPO

Prospectus reveals that company’s revenue jumped 335 per cent last year, while net profit surged nearly eight times.

Preview of Alibaba’s top AI model leads Chinese peers, lags US rivals

Qwen3.5-Max-Preview enters a global ranking at 15th, behind models from Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.

AI, flying cars drive economic transition in China’s Kunshan

City at heart of Yangtze River Delta region sees new tech dreams emerge as old ones based on mass production of electronics fade.

How long will US-Israel war on Iran last? Chinese analysts offer clues

Iran’s drones gaining edge as opponents burn through costly missiles, analysts note, as one labels the war a ‘serious mistake’ by US.

Why Beijing has struggled to rally Asia against Japan over PM’s Taiwan remarks

Many in the region harbour security concerns similar to Tokyo’s and prefer to stay neutral between the Asian heavyweights, analysts say.

Why Japan thinks China’s growing cultural clout is something it needs to counter

The global success of Chinese video games and animation – as well as the appeal of traditional culture – has triggered a reaction in Tokyo.

How Schneider Electric powers Hong Kong’s ecosystem innovation

My Take | In China, AI is about job creation and quality, not mass retrenchments

Letters | Investing in women farmers and fishers is a smart nutrition policy