Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

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.

18 minutes agovideocam

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

Artificial intelligence

China Economy

China delivers record LNG carrier – is South Korea losing its shipbuilding edge?

The vessel’s completion follows China dominating global shipbuilding orders last year, with South Korea leading in high-value segments.

2 hours ago

Science

China unveils ultra-cheap ‘all-iron flow battery’ for renewable energy storage

Next-generation large-scale energy storage system promises ultra-low cost and record lifespan.

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Society

Hong Kong marks 85th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s arrival with statue and exhibition

Life-size bronze statue unveiled at former site of Lee family home on Nathan Road, alongside exhibition of rare photos and posters.

7 minutes ago

Open Questions

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

China Business

China equities set for boost as Trump-Xi meeting raises hopes of thaw

Investors are betting a Trump-Xi summit will ease tensions, helping Chinese equities close their long-standing valuation gap.

23 minutes ago

Analysts are optimistic that the state visit by US President Donald Trump to China next month could lift sentiment in mainland and Hong Kong equities. Photo: AFP

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’.

27 Apr 2026 - 10:00AM

Politics

Philippine court order over Marcos’ health raises constitutional question

The order for Marcos to reveal his health status comes as Duterte’s supporters continue to cast doubts about the president’s fitness.

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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

World

Baffling Japan tank blast; 5 tests for your biological age: 5 weekend reads

From a baffling Japan tank blast to hints of a Chinese nuclear aircraft carrier, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

5 hours ago

A Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force Type 10 tank (centre) is seen missing its turret after a shell exploded inside on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters

Global Economy

Chinese EVs are making inroads in one of world’s most competitive auto markets

BYD is now one of Korea’s fastest-growing imported EV brands while rivals like Chery look to break into a market long dominated by local giants.

27 Apr 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Law and Crime

14 minors among 120 people arrested in operation targeting online sale of drugs

Police seize 53.7kg of dangerous drugs and Part 1 poisons worth HK$26 million during month-long operation.

1 hour ago

Politics

North Korea, Russia boost anti-West ‘powerful bulwark’ as Ukraine war drags on

At a memorial for fallen North Korean soldiers who fought in Ukraine, Moscow offers to renew a military pact with Pyongyang.

4 hours agovideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivers a speech in Pyongyang on Sunday as Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov (left) and State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin (second left) listen during a ceremony to launch a museum dedicated to North Korean soldiers who fought in the Ukraine war. Photo: KCNA/EPA

Society

Beer, BBQ festivals possible under beach scheme to tap private sector operators

Senior administrator says operators expected to upgrade facilities while drawing visitors, charging reasonable fees and ensuring responsible use.

2 hours ago

A view of Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach in Tsuen Wan. Photo: Eugene Lee

Beachgoers enjoy the sun and surf at Hong Kong’s Big Wave Bay. Photo: Antony Dickson

Science

China launches war on Alzheimer’s that may affect 10% of population by 2050

Chinese biotech firms tackle urgent initiative to create four new pharmaceutical drugs to treat world’s fastest growing form of dementia.

27 Apr 2026 - 9:34AMvideocam

People

Air-sea-land: migrant smugglers target Malaysia entry via Singapore, Thailand

A raid reveals a shift in tactics by syndicates that have long used Malaysia’s porous borders to move undocumented migrants.

5 hours agovideocam

Middle East

Netanyahu’s biggest rivals join forces for Israel’s coming election

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, two former prime ministers of Israel, announce the merging of their parties.

3 hours ago

Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister. Photo: Reuters

Military

Trump factor drives up Asia-Pacific military spending at fastest pace since 2009

Expenditures rose to US$681 billion, as some nations worried that Washington might not be a reliable security partner.

27 Apr 2026 - 6:00AMvideocam

China was one of the biggest spenders along with the US and Russia. Photo: Xinhua

Society

Claims of no foam material regulations ‘unacceptable’, Tai Po fire probe hears

Buildings Department can act against contractors over ‘inappropriate’ use of materials but Wang Fuk Court not under its purview, witness says.

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United States & Canada

Washington shooting exposes gaps in security protocols for Trump

Officials say security perimeter around the president may need expanding after shooter targeted prominent media gala.

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China takes stock as world frets over Mythos

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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

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.

15-MIN READvideocam

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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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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.

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Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

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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.

7-MIN READvideocam

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.

3-MIN READvideocam

China Business

Li Auto targets BMW and Mercedes with premium SUVs in Middle East, Asia-Pacific

Beijing-based EV maker expects overseas deliveries to account for 30 per cent of its total by 2030, president Ma Donghui says.

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Tech Trends

Underwhelming or underrated? DeepSeek V4 shows “impressive” gains

Benchmark shows V4 trailing Kimi and US frontier models, though gains raise hopes of another R1-style breakthrough.

3-MIN READ

While V4 Pro marks a clear improvement on its predecessor, V3.2, it still lags top competitors. Photo: Handout

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.

5-MIN READvideocam

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.

7-MIN READvideocam

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 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.

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

China delivers record LNG carrier – is South Korea losing its shipbuilding edge?

The vessel’s completion follows China dominating global shipbuilding orders last year, with South Korea leading in high-value segments.

China unveils ultra-cheap ‘all-iron flow battery’ for renewable energy storage

Next-generation large-scale energy storage system promises ultra-low cost and record lifespan.

Hong Kong marks 85th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s arrival with statue and exhibition

Life-size bronze statue unveiled at former site of Lee family home on Nathan Road, alongside exhibition of rare photos and posters.

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

China equities set for boost as Trump-Xi meeting raises hopes of thaw

Investors are betting a Trump-Xi summit will ease tensions, helping Chinese equities close their long-standing valuation gap.

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’.

Philippine court order over Marcos’ health raises constitutional question

The order for Marcos to reveal his health status comes as Duterte’s supporters continue to cast doubts about the president’s fitness.

.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.

Baffling Japan tank blast; 5 tests for your biological age: 5 weekend reads

From a baffling Japan tank blast to hints of a Chinese nuclear aircraft carrier, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Chinese EVs are making inroads in one of world’s most competitive auto markets

BYD is now one of Korea’s fastest-growing imported EV brands while rivals like Chery look to break into a market long dominated by local giants.

14 minors among 120 people arrested in operation targeting online sale of drugs

Police seize 53.7kg of dangerous drugs and Part 1 poisons worth HK$26 million during month-long operation.

North Korea, Russia boost anti-West ‘powerful bulwark’ as Ukraine war drags on

At a memorial for fallen North Korean soldiers who fought in Ukraine, Moscow offers to renew a military pact with Pyongyang.

Beer, BBQ festivals possible under beach scheme to tap private sector operators

Senior administrator says operators expected to upgrade facilities while drawing visitors, charging reasonable fees and ensuring responsible use.

China launches war on Alzheimer’s that may affect 10% of population by 2050

Chinese biotech firms tackle urgent initiative to create four new pharmaceutical drugs to treat world’s fastest growing form of dementia.

Air-sea-land: migrant smugglers target Malaysia entry via Singapore, Thailand

A raid reveals a shift in tactics by syndicates that have long used Malaysia’s porous borders to move undocumented migrants.

Netanyahu’s biggest rivals join forces for Israel’s coming election

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, two former prime ministers of Israel, announce the merging of their parties.

Trump factor drives up Asia-Pacific military spending at fastest pace since 2009

Expenditures rose to US$681 billion, as some nations worried that Washington might not be a reliable security partner.

Claims of no foam material regulations ‘unacceptable’, Tai Po fire probe hears

Buildings Department can act against contractors over ‘inappropriate’ use of materials but Wang Fuk Court not under its purview, witness says.

Washington shooting exposes gaps in security protocols for Trump

Officials say security perimeter around the president may need expanding after shooter targeted prominent media gala.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}The View | Asian private wealth an emerging force in property investment

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | In US-China AI race, Southeast Asia is no side act

Opinion | Hong Kong’s civil service accountability system will end buck-passing mentality

Opinion | 122 years on, Mackinder’s ‘heartland’ remains geopolitically decisive

Editorial | Malaysia bourse pact extends Hong Kong’s outreach to Southeast Asia

Hong Kong marks 85th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s arrival with statue and exhibition

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Fatigue sets in for volunteer firefighters battling wildfire in Japan

China equities set for boost as Trump-Xi meeting raises hopes of thaw

Philippine court order over Marcos’ health raises constitutional question

Profile | Meet the Hong Kong chef serving tastes of city’s past using new techniques

Video | Russia honours North Koreans who fought in Ukraine

Gallery | Ka Ying Rising takes record-extending 20th victory in Hong Kong

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

14 minors among 120 people arrested in operation targeting online sale of drugs

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

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?

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.

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

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 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.

Li Auto targets BMW and Mercedes with premium SUVs in Middle East, Asia-Pacific

Beijing-based EV maker expects overseas deliveries to account for 30 per cent of its total by 2030, president Ma Donghui says.

Underwhelming or underrated? DeepSeek V4 shows “impressive” gains

Benchmark shows V4 trailing Kimi and US frontier models, though gains raise hopes of another R1-style breakthrough.

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

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

Letters | In US-China AI race, Southeast Asia is no side act

Video | Fatigue sets in for volunteer firefighters battling wildfire in Japan