Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Chinese journalist Nan Xianghong interviews a resident of Chongshan village in Zhejiang province, who recounts witnessing Japanese soldiers performing vivisections on plague victims during World War II. Photo: Handout

Why Chinese victims of Japan’s WWII bio-warfare are still waiting for justice

Dark chapter’s telling complicated by Tokyo’s official denials, Washington’s immunity deals and Beijing’s shifting diplomatic priorities.

1 hour ago

China urged to sue over Japanese royal’s role in Unit 731 crimes

China-Japan relations

Politics

What next for Taiwan’s Lai as US$37 billion defence boost blocked by KMT, allies?

Procedural blockade for eight-year military spending package has also stalled 2026 general budget review, piling up pressure on ruling DPP.

3 hours agovideocam

China Business

Dozens of Chinese EV makers under pressure to fold or trim operations: analysts

Grappling with expiring cash subsidies and tax incentives, China’s car market is forecast to see deliveries slump next year.

4 hours ago

Hong Kong Economy

Can Hong Kong mature as a wine hub? French vineyard owner calls for new focus

Seventh-generation winemaker Erwan Faiveley encourages city to up logistical and storage services during first post-Covid fact-finding trip.

1 hour ago

Science

The development could given China an edge in the development of 6G technology. Photo: Shutterstock

Chinese 6G smart surface could allow stealth jets to use radar as a power source

Politics

‘Military has destroyed our lives’: Myanmar votes in election amid civil war

The multiphase election, which the junta insists is ‘free and fair’, comes nearly four years after it took power in a coup.

1 hour agovideocam

A voter shows her inked finger as she leaves a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday. Photo: AP

China Business

Greater Bay Area assets poised to lead surge in China’s expanding C-REIT market

By the end of last month, China had nearly 80 C-REITs, raising a total of over US$28.3 billion, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

2 hours ago

Economics

Can Japan’s space industry regain thrust after H3 rocket failure?

Failure is inevitable, aerospace experts say, so Japan needs to be less afraid of making mistakes and move on.

3 hours agovideocam

Business

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

In partnership with:

MPOC

Palm oil is a versatile ingredient found in a wide range of everyday items, from ice cream and cake to lipstick and biofuel.

Military

China-Pakistan jet deal with Libyan group ‘may help expand Beijing’s influence’

The agreement will supply the Libyan National Army with 16 fourth-generation JF-17 fighters.

27 Dec 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

The JF-17 jet was jointly developed by China and Pakistan. Photo: AP

Society

5,000 Hong Kong workers idle as new scaffold net safety regime hits 200 projects

Development Bureau says it will consider amending a law to strengthen supervision over external works involved in major building repairs.

4 hours ago

Science

Chinese nuclear experts believe Japan could build nukes in less than 3 years

Late US statesman Henry Kissinger’s dire warning about Tokyo aiming to become a nuclear power by 2028 is being re-examined by Beijing.

27 Dec 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

134

Entertainment

How Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars season 2 stays ‘true to the original essence’

Amid off-screen scrutiny on one of the show’s judges, season two of Culinary Class Wars returns with a focus on its intense cooking battles.

1 hour agovideocam

A poster for Netflix’s cooking show Culinary Class Wars season two. The Netflix hit cooking competition returned on December 16. Photo: Netflix

Russia & Central Asia

Zelensky looks to secure peace deal at Trump meet as Russian offensive mounts

Discussions at Trump’s Florida resort will cover security guarantees and territorial concessions.

1 hour agovideocam

Ukrainian recruits complete basic military training at an undisclosed location in the Zaporizhzhia region on Saturday. Photo: 65th Mechanised Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces/AFP

Americas

Brazil’s former president Bolsonaro has surgery to treat hiccups, wife says

Bolsonaro, 70, had been hospitalised on Wednesday for hernia surgery. In September, he was jailed for 27 years for ‍plotting a coup.

6 hours ago

Politics

Requests for help after 2 Hongkongers reportedly killed in Ukraine war

Two men reportedly volunteered to fight for Ukraine in war, but died in Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

28 Dec 2025 - 12:29AM

Europe

2 dead as Storm Johannes batters Nordic nations, thousands left without power

One person was killed after being hit by a falling tree near Sweden’s Kungsberget ski resort, police said.

28 Dec 2025 - 4:41AM

People walk in heavy snow as departures are cancelled at the train station in Are, Sweden on Saturday. Photo: TT News Agency via AP

China EVs

Chilean firms partner to form giant company to exploit lithium

Last month China approved the planned partnership between state-owned Codelco and private firm SQM, which features Chinese capital.

28 Dec 2025 - 5:17AM

A mining truck loads lithium sulphate at the Atacama salt flat in Chile. Photo: Anadolu via Getty Images

Europe

Ukraine peace requires ‘a willing Russia’, says Canada’s PM Carney

Carney denounced the ‘barbarism’ of Moscow’s latest attack on Kyiv as Zelensky stopped in Nova Scotia before flying to Florida to meet Trump.

28 Dec 2025 - 3:38AM

Tech Trends

Untapped global demand to drive next phase of robotic vacuum growth: Dreame

Europe is Dreame’s largest market for robotic vacuum cleaners, with more than half of its revenue there generated by premium products.

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OPINION

Letters

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Wei Wei

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SCMP Series Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

Why has Beijing turned down the heat in the Taiwan Strait in the second half of 2025?

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

25 Dec 2025 - 9:58AMvideocam

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

24 Dec 2025 - 9:53PMvideocam

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:02AMvideocam

Science

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

15 Dec 2025 - 10:05AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

8 Dec 2025 - 10:07AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

1 Dec 2025 - 3:57PMvideocam

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Tech

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

17 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

The questions in FAI-C were reviewed by a panel of Biblical experts, including theologians, pastors, psychologists and scholars of ethics. Photo: SCMP

China Business

Dozens of Chinese EV makers under pressure to fold or trim operations: analysts

Grappling with expiring cash subsidies and tax incentives, China’s car market is forecast to see deliveries slump next year.

4 hours ago

Big Tech

Nexperia China eyes new wafer suppliers amid legal fight with Dutch chipmaker

Nexperia owner Wingtech says the China unit produced more than 11 billion chips since mid-October, despite wafer supply constraints.

27 Dec 2025 - 6:36PM

China Economy

Soaring to the top: China appoints first female captain for C919 flights

Promotion of former Boeing 737 pilot Yu Yue, who holds a ‘zero error’ record, called an inspiration to women across the nation.

27 Dec 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

Yu Yue has been appointed as made the first female captain pilot of the C919. Photo: China Southern Airlines

China Economy

Wild goose chase? France works to rouse China’s appetite for foie gras imports

French producers hope their famed pate can win a slice of China’s market, but price sensitivities and domestic competition could mean their goose is cooked.

27 Dec 2025 - 6:09AMvideocam

Military

How Beijing’s strategy shift explains decreased PLA activity in the Taiwan Strait

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

25 Dec 2025 - 9:58AMvideocam

Politics

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

24 Dec 2025 - 9:53PMvideocam

Politics

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Why Chinese victims of Japan’s WWII bio-warfare are still waiting for justice

Dark chapter’s telling complicated by Tokyo’s official denials, Washington’s immunity deals and Beijing’s shifting diplomatic priorities.

China urged to sue over Japanese royal’s role in Unit 731 crimes

What next for Taiwan’s Lai as US$37 billion defence boost blocked by KMT, allies?

Procedural blockade for eight-year military spending package has also stalled 2026 general budget review, piling up pressure on ruling DPP.

Dozens of Chinese EV makers under pressure to fold or trim operations: analysts

Grappling with expiring cash subsidies and tax incentives, China’s car market is forecast to see deliveries slump next year.

Can Hong Kong mature as a wine hub? French vineyard owner calls for new focus

Seventh-generation winemaker Erwan Faiveley encourages city to up logistical and storage services during first post-Covid fact-finding trip.

Chinese 6G smart surface could allow stealth jets to use radar as a power source

‘Military has destroyed our lives’: Myanmar votes in election amid civil war

The multiphase election, which the junta insists is ‘free and fair’, comes nearly four years after it took power in a coup.

Greater Bay Area assets poised to lead surge in China’s expanding C-REIT market

By the end of last month, China had nearly 80 C-REITs, raising a total of over US$28.3 billion, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

Can Japan’s space industry regain thrust after H3 rocket failure?

Failure is inevitable, aerospace experts say, so Japan needs to be less afraid of making mistakes and move on.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

China-Pakistan jet deal with Libyan group ‘may help expand Beijing’s influence’

The agreement will supply the Libyan National Army with 16 fourth-generation JF-17 fighters.

5,000 Hong Kong workers idle as new scaffold net safety regime hits 200 projects

Development Bureau says it will consider amending a law to strengthen supervision over external works involved in major building repairs.

Chinese nuclear experts believe Japan could build nukes in less than 3 years

Late US statesman Henry Kissinger’s dire warning about Tokyo aiming to become a nuclear power by 2028 is being re-examined by Beijing.

How Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars season 2 stays ‘true to the original essence’

Amid off-screen scrutiny on one of the show’s judges, season two of Culinary Class Wars returns with a focus on its intense cooking battles.

Zelensky looks to secure peace deal at Trump meet as Russian offensive mounts

Discussions at Trump’s Florida resort will cover security guarantees and territorial concessions.

Brazil’s former president Bolsonaro has surgery to treat hiccups, wife says

Bolsonaro, 70, had been hospitalised on Wednesday for hernia surgery. In September, he was jailed for 27 years for ‍plotting a coup.

Requests for help after 2 Hongkongers reportedly killed in Ukraine war

Two men reportedly volunteered to fight for Ukraine in war, but died in Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

2 dead as Storm Johannes batters Nordic nations, thousands left without power

One person was killed after being hit by a falling tree near Sweden’s Kungsberget ski resort, police said.

Chilean firms partner to form giant company to exploit lithium

Last month China approved the planned partnership between state-owned Codelco and private firm SQM, which features Chinese capital.

Ukraine peace requires ‘a willing Russia’, says Canada’s PM Carney

Carney denounced the ‘barbarism’ of Moscow’s latest attack on Kyiv as Zelensky stopped in Nova Scotia before flying to Florida to meet Trump.

Untapped global demand to drive next phase of robotic vacuum growth: Dreame

Europe is Dreame’s largest market for robotic vacuum cleaners, with more than half of its revenue there generated by premium products.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Why lapses in the Tai Po tragedy are both shocking and familiar

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Quiet courage of ordinary people can rebuild a world in crisis

Editorial | Keep humans in mind as China races ahead in robotics

Editorial | Plane recycling opens new horizons for Hong Kong aviation

Opinion | Asia needs AI talent to fuel its future growth

Gallery | In pictures: Hong Kong’s Christmas 2025 in lights

How Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars season 2 stays ‘true to the original essence’

Can Hong Kong mature as a wine hub? French vineyard owner calls for new focus

Why Chinese victims of Japan’s WWII bio-warfare are still waiting for justice

Zelensky looks to secure peace deal at Trump meet as Russian offensive mounts

Hong Kong hospital staff rally for Operation Santa Claus with active spirit

Why has Beijing turned down the heat in the Taiwan Strait in the second half of 2025?

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

Dozens of Chinese EV makers under pressure to fold or trim operations: analysts

Grappling with expiring cash subsidies and tax incentives, China’s car market is forecast to see deliveries slump next year.

Nexperia China eyes new wafer suppliers amid legal fight with Dutch chipmaker

Nexperia owner Wingtech says the China unit produced more than 11 billion chips since mid-October, despite wafer supply constraints.

Soaring to the top: China appoints first female captain for C919 flights

Promotion of former Boeing 737 pilot Yu Yue, who holds a ‘zero error’ record, called an inspiration to women across the nation.

Wild goose chase? France works to rouse China’s appetite for foie gras imports

French producers hope their famed pate can win a slice of China’s market, but price sensitivities and domestic competition could mean their goose is cooked.

How Beijing’s strategy shift explains decreased PLA activity in the Taiwan Strait

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Letters | Why lapses in the Tai Po tragedy are both shocking and familiar

Opinion | Quiet courage of ordinary people can rebuild a world in crisis