Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

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.

44 minutes agovideocam

China prioritises regional expertise over language fluency in academic shift

Science

China Economy

Panama out, but study says China investing US$23.9 billion in world’s seaports

Beijing funds 363 ports outside the Panama Canal to safeguard against East-West decoupling and US bid to curb China’s supply chain influence.

34 minutes agovideocam

Diplomacy

Khamenei’s fall exposes China’s military AI lag versus US: Beijing adviser

Zheng Yongnian cites precision strikes on Iran and earlier Venezuela raid to warn about risks posed by deep AI integration in US military.

4 Mar 2026 - 11:01PMvideocam

Society

Relief, joy as first flight back from Dubai brings stranded Hongkongers home

Passengers happy to ‘finally be somewhere safe’ after conflict in Middle East closed airports.

4 hours agovideocam

US-China relations

The US retains formidable economic strength and possesses unparalleled military power globally, according to a leading Chinese political scientist. Photo: Handout

Is the US in decline? After Iran strikes, maybe not, Chinese analysts say

Diplomacy

China in the crosshairs as EU launches sweeping plans to save industrial future

Proposals reveal EU anxiety over competing with Chinese products, security fears linked to Chinese investments and urgency to act.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:43PMvideocam

Half the batteries and inverters used in the EU are made in China, as are 94 per cent of solar panels, a dependence officials describe as unsustainable. Photo: AFP

US

Africa emerges as new arena in US-China competition over artificial intelligence

With a fast-growing digital economy and young population, the continent is becoming a critical front in the global race to shape AI’s future.

3 hours agovideocam

Military

Why China is staying on the sidelines of the US-Iran conflict

Decision based on consideration of Beijing’s own interests as well as its ties with Washington and others, analysts say.

4 Mar 2026 - 8:23PMvideocam

Business

How Standard Chartered’s SME Banking helps Hong Kong arts and crafts design firm’s growth

Deepa Jivan, CEO of J.Gordhan & Co, says bank’s tailored financial solutions and expertise give it the agility to navigate global marketplace.

In partnership with:

Standard Chartered

Deepa Jivan is the founder and CEO of Hong Kong-based arts and crafts products company J.Gordhan & Co.

United States & Canada

Trump’s 15% global tariffs likely to start this week, US Treasury chief says

US president imposed a 10 per cent levy after the Supreme Court invalidated his previous measures, then threatened to raise it further.

6 hours agovideocam

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks at the Economic Club Of Dallas in Texas in February. Photo: AFP

Science

China team’s space laser breakthrough takes communication speeds to high orbit

Experiment sustains uninterrupted high-speed data transmission between satellite and Earth for more than three hours, team reports.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

Big Tech

Alibaba recruits Google DeepMind contributor to join Qwen AI team: sources

Zhou Hao to join as head of post-training research, sources say, as technical lead Lin Junyang departs in reshuffle.

5 Mar 2026 - 12:11AMvideocam

United States & Canada

US agency proposes English proficiency requirement for foreign call centres

The Federal Communications Commission wants to bring call centre jobs back to the US and place guard rails on those that remain abroad.

40 minutes ago

If the proposed rules are approved, the FCC will seek public input on ways customers can request to be transferred to US-based call centres and whether the location of the centre should be disclosed in customer interactions. Photo: AFP

Food & Drink

‘My dad thought I was crazy’: Thai-American chef pushes family joint forward

Justin Pichetrungsi shares how he is transforming Anajak Thai in Los Angeles, which counts John Legend and The Bear actors as regulars.

19 minutes ago

James Beard Award-winning chef Justin Pichetrungsi of Anajak Thai is pictured at his family’s restaurant in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles. Photo: Carter Hiyama

Politics

Hong Kong tycoons say Middle East outlook remains promising despite conflict

New World scion Adrian Cheng highlights city’s status as safe haven for capital; K Wah’s Francis Lui says property and stocks holding firm.

4 Mar 2026 - 11:40PM

Diplomacy

China vows to boost economy ahead of ‘two sessions’ and Trump visit

Beijing sees self-reliant tech growth as vital to innovation, spokesman for top legislature says, noting country will safeguard ‘red lines’.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:50PMvideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Beijing to roll out more measures for Hong Kong as John Lee praised for work

Central government will also make further arrangements in 15th five-year plan to support Hong Kong, National People’s Congress spokesman says.

4 Mar 2026 - 10:54PM

The opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference held today at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

United States & Canada

Google’s Gemini AI chatbot accused of coaching US man to suicide

Jonathan Gavalas’ family has sued the tech giant, saying the AI ‘wife’ told him to let go of his physical form to join it in the metaverse.

4 hours agovideocam

A Google spokesman said that Gemini clarified to Jonathan Gavalas that it was AI and referred him to a crisis hotline many times. Photo illustration: Shutterstock

Formula One (F1)

Wings, power units, sons of DRS: a rough guide to Formula 1 rule changes for 2026

‘Revolutionary’ changes including smaller, lighter and more eco-sustainable cars could make the new season a very different one.

34 minutes ago

Middle East

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

Shockwaves from strikes on Tehran shatter glass and mirrors in the historic Golestan Palace, prompting reaction from the UN.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:24PMvideocam

OPINION

Chow Chung-yan

Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

4 Mar 2026 - 7:28PM

Shen Wei

Opinion | Merz’s China visit shows pragmatic diplomacy still matters

2 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | China steps up its clean energy push with electric ships

49 minutes ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | ‘Symphony of Lights’ bowing out clears stage for new attractions

19 minutes ago

Jawad Khalid

Opinion | Pakistan’s forever war and the politics of exhaustion

4 Mar 2026 - 10:30PM

Harry’s View | 5 Mar 2026

MORE COMMENT

LATEST

19 minutes ago

Opinion

Editorial | ‘Symphony of Lights’ bowing out clears stage for new attractions

19 minutes ago

Food & Drink

‘My dad thought I was crazy’: Thai-American chef pushes family joint forward

34 minutes ago

Formula One (F1)

Wings, power units, sons of DRS: a rough guide to Formula 1 rule changes for 2026

34 minutes ago

China Economy

Panama out, but study says China investing US$23.9 billion in world’s seaports

40 minutes ago

United States & Canada

US agency proposes English proficiency requirement for foreign call centres

49 minutes ago

Opinion

Editorial | China steps up its clean energy push with electric ships

MORE LATEST NEWS

SCMP Series

Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

China Inc. goes global

Year of the Horse 2026

Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

SCMP Series Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

Bully vs sovereignty: how Manila and Beijing are sharpening their South China Sea messaging

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.

12 Feb 2026 - 11:07AMvideocam

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

11 Feb 2026 - 6:14AMvideocam

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

10 Feb 2026 - 9:43AMvideocam

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.

2 Mar 2026 - 5:31PM

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.

13 Feb 2026 - 9:03AMvideocam

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:

Business

Will users stick around after China’s US$1 billion AI marketing battle?

Vouchers, red packets and sponsorships drove a surge in AI users over Chinese New Year, but now the tech giants face a retention test.

3 Mar 2026 - 9:00PM

Red-packet battle: AI tech giants spent a collective US$1 billion on marketing this Chinese New Year. Photo: Getty Images

Big Tech

Alibaba recruits Google DeepMind contributor to join Qwen AI team: sources

Zhou Hao to join as head of post-training research, sources say, as technical lead Lin Junyang departs in reshuffle.

5 Mar 2026 - 12:11AMvideocam

China Business

China’s EV battery leader CATL to step up use of AI in R&D: founder

Billionaire Robin Zeng Yuqun promises higher investment, touts ‘resilient supply chain and ecosystem’ driving export growth.

4 Mar 2026 - 7:00PM

China Business

China biotech outlicensing tops US$52 billion in first 2 months

The latest deals are Sino Biopharmaceutical’s partnership with France’s Sanofi and Antengene’s agreement with Belgium’s UCB.

4 Mar 2026 - 5:52PM

China Economy

How China is using its economic clout to give the US dollar a run for its money

Beijing is using economic clout to reshape its global financial influence – a strategy analysts say could play out over decades.

3 Mar 2026 - 10:08AMvideocam

Science

What cost foreign prestige? China says no to some Western science journal fees

Chinese researchers will no longer be reimbursed for paper publication charges in Nature Communications, among other titles.

2 Mar 2026 - 3:15PMvideocam

China

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

27 Feb 2026 - 1:57AMvideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Breaking down the key figures in Hong Kong 2026-27 budget

A deep dive into the data from Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan’s latest budget announcement, looking at the government’s growing revenue and increasing investment in infrastructure.

26 Feb 2026 - 4:01PM

Breaking down the key figures in Hong Kong 2026-27 budget

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.

China prioritises regional expertise over language fluency in academic shift

Panama out, but study says China investing US$23.9 billion in world’s seaports

Beijing funds 363 ports outside the Panama Canal to safeguard against East-West decoupling and US bid to curb China’s supply chain influence.

Khamenei’s fall exposes China’s military AI lag versus US: Beijing adviser

Zheng Yongnian cites precision strikes on Iran and earlier Venezuela raid to warn about risks posed by deep AI integration in US military.

Relief, joy as first flight back from Dubai brings stranded Hongkongers home

Passengers happy to ‘finally be somewhere safe’ after conflict in Middle East closed airports.

Is the US in decline? After Iran strikes, maybe not, Chinese analysts say

China in the crosshairs as EU launches sweeping plans to save industrial future

Proposals reveal EU anxiety over competing with Chinese products, security fears linked to Chinese investments and urgency to act.

Africa emerges as new arena in US-China competition over artificial intelligence

With a fast-growing digital economy and young population, the continent is becoming a critical front in the global race to shape AI’s future.

Why China is staying on the sidelines of the US-Iran conflict

Decision based on consideration of Beijing’s own interests as well as its ties with Washington and others, analysts say.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How Standard Chartered’s SME Banking helps Hong Kong arts and crafts design firm’s growth

Deepa Jivan, CEO of J.Gordhan & Co, says bank’s tailored financial solutions and expertise give it the agility to navigate global marketplace.

Trump’s 15% global tariffs likely to start this week, US Treasury chief says

US president imposed a 10 per cent levy after the Supreme Court invalidated his previous measures, then threatened to raise it further.

China team’s space laser breakthrough takes communication speeds to high orbit

Experiment sustains uninterrupted high-speed data transmission between satellite and Earth for more than three hours, team reports.

Alibaba recruits Google DeepMind contributor to join Qwen AI team: sources

Zhou Hao to join as head of post-training research, sources say, as technical lead Lin Junyang departs in reshuffle.

US agency proposes English proficiency requirement for foreign call centres

The Federal Communications Commission wants to bring call centre jobs back to the US and place guard rails on those that remain abroad.

‘My dad thought I was crazy’: Thai-American chef pushes family joint forward

Justin Pichetrungsi shares how he is transforming Anajak Thai in Los Angeles, which counts John Legend and The Bear actors as regulars.

Hong Kong tycoons say Middle East outlook remains promising despite conflict

New World scion Adrian Cheng highlights city’s status as safe haven for capital; K Wah’s Francis Lui says property and stocks holding firm.

China vows to boost economy ahead of ‘two sessions’ and Trump visit

Beijing sees self-reliant tech growth as vital to innovation, spokesman for top legislature says, noting country will safeguard ‘red lines’.

Beijing to roll out more measures for Hong Kong as John Lee praised for work

Central government will also make further arrangements in 15th five-year plan to support Hong Kong, National People’s Congress spokesman says.

Google’s Gemini AI chatbot accused of coaching US man to suicide

Jonathan Gavalas’ family has sued the tech giant, saying the AI ‘wife’ told him to let go of his physical form to join it in the metaverse.

Wings, power units, sons of DRS: a rough guide to Formula 1 rule changes for 2026

‘Revolutionary’ changes including smaller, lighter and more eco-sustainable cars could make the new season a very different one.

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

Shockwaves from strikes on Tehran shatter glass and mirrors in the historic Golestan Palace, prompting reaction from the UN.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

Opinion | Merz’s China visit shows pragmatic diplomacy still matters

Editorial | China steps up its clean energy push with electric ships

Editorial | ‘Symphony of Lights’ bowing out clears stage for new attractions

Opinion | Pakistan’s forever war and the politics of exhaustion

Editorial | ‘Symphony of Lights’ bowing out clears stage for new attractions

‘My dad thought I was crazy’: Thai-American chef pushes family joint forward

Wings, power units, sons of DRS: a rough guide to Formula 1 rule changes for 2026

Panama out, but study says China investing US$23.9 billion in world’s seaports

US agency proposes English proficiency requirement for foreign call centres

Editorial | China steps up its clean energy push with electric ships

Bully vs sovereignty: how Manila and Beijing are sharpening their South China Sea messaging

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}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.

Will users stick around after China’s US$1 billion AI marketing battle?

Vouchers, red packets and sponsorships drove a surge in AI users over Chinese New Year, but now the tech giants face a retention test.

Alibaba recruits Google DeepMind contributor to join Qwen AI team: sources

Zhou Hao to join as head of post-training research, sources say, as technical lead Lin Junyang departs in reshuffle.

China’s EV battery leader CATL to step up use of AI in R&D: founder

Billionaire Robin Zeng Yuqun promises higher investment, touts ‘resilient supply chain and ecosystem’ driving export growth.

China biotech outlicensing tops US$52 billion in first 2 months

The latest deals are Sino Biopharmaceutical’s partnership with France’s Sanofi and Antengene’s agreement with Belgium’s UCB.

How China is using its economic clout to give the US dollar a run for its money

Beijing is using economic clout to reshape its global financial influence – a strategy analysts say could play out over decades.

What cost foreign prestige? China says no to some Western science journal fees

Chinese researchers will no longer be reimbursed for paper publication charges in Nature Communications, among other titles.

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

Breaking down the key figures in Hong Kong 2026-27 budget

A deep dive into the data from Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan’s latest budget announcement, looking at the government’s growing revenue and increasing investment in infrastructure.

How Standard Chartered’s SME Banking helps Hong Kong arts and crafts design firm’s growth

Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

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