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A humanoid robot is pictured, with a big AI logo on the ceiling, at the 2025 Global Industrial Internet Conference in China’s Liaoning province on September 6. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

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With AI in the driving seat, China moves to rein in job displacement risks

China's economic recovery
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Science

Top neuroscientist Arthur Konnerth leaves Germany for full-time role in China

The Brain Prize winner, known for pioneering brain imaging techniques, joins the rapidly expanding Shenzhen Bay Laboratory.

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Big Tech

Robot variety show: tech brands to take part in China’s most-watched broadcast

ByteDance, Unitree, RedNote, Bilibili and Kuaishou among the firms involved in the unparalleled nationwide marketing opportunity.

Politics

‘Move with agility, steadiness’ in Year of the Horse, John Lee tells Hongkongers

In his Lunar New Year message, city leader describes the horse as an animal that ‘boldly charges ahead’, a symbol of ‘speed and stamina’.

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Diplomacy
Chinese military activities – and the need to respond to them – have been framed as a major driver of cooperation between US allies during this year’s Munich Security Conference. Photo: Xinhua

In Munich, US urges ‘collective strength’ among allies to deter China

China Economy

‘Disgusting’: pre-made Lunar New Year meals lose lustre for Chinese families

Food fight between star influencer and restaurant chain becomes a hot potato at reunion dinner tables as hosts pick quality over convenience.

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The Xibei scandal sparked debate about pre-made meals with many Chinese families planning to ditch the popular option in favour of hosting home cooked reunion dinners this Lunar New Year. Photo: Shutterstock
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Politics

8 dead in fireworks shop blast at start of China’s Lunar New Year holiday

Urgent call for all regions to step up safety checks on pyrotechnics, which are at their most popular at this time of year.

Politics

Probe into anti-corruption chief revives doubts about Malaysia’s reform drive

The government has ordered an investigation as critics question whether oversight mechanisms are strong enough.

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Education

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s 20-year evolution ensures it meets world’s fast-changing technological, industrial and societal needs.

In partnership with:
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, in eastern China, helps its students develop an entrepreneurial mindset to prepare them for a dynamic, technology-driven world.

World

Star Cruises apologises, China goes visa-free for UK, Canada: 5 weekend reads

From the Munich Security Conference to Star Cruises’ fiasco, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

The Chinatown area of Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Shutterstock

Society

Exclusive | Epstein funded AI pioneer, helped get him Hong Kong government grants

US government documents show financier’s funding support for Ben Goertzel, who once led AI and robotics projects in city.

Commodities

UBS China venture faces wrath of silver investors after valuation change

More than 200,000 people file complaints as UBS SDIC’s attempted remedy for sudden change of fund’s price benchmark falls flat with some.

Economics

Crude business for Indonesia amid West’s squeeze on Russian oil

Analysts say Indonesia’s energy demand could draw scrutiny as Moscow seeks new buyers, potentially complicating US trade talks.

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A Pertamina worker climbs on a gauge at a crude oil well on Bunyu island in Indonesia’s East Kalimantan province. Photo: Reuters

Health & Wellness

How the cancer that killed James Van Der Beek is threatening more under-50s

No one knows what is causing the rise in colorectal cancer cases in younger adults. Here are the symptoms and who is most at risk.

Photo: @vanderkimberly/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/C6U5VHXLcPw/?hl=en&img_index=1

Diplomacy

How AI, quantum computing could help US overcome China’s rare earths advantage

Technologies for synthesising substitutes or alloys could cut time required to secure critical materials to just a few years.

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Australasia

Australian police recover stolen Egyptian artefacts after museum heist

The man is accused of stealing a mummy mask, collar, necklace and wooden cat from a museum in Caboolture, Queensland.

Banking & Finance

Hong Kong banks lure wealthy clients with gold, mahjong sets, fireworks

HSBC, Hang Seng Bank, Standard Chartered, Citibank and DBS offer the metal to select clients while it hovers near a record high.

A limited-edition mahjong set is among the incentives HSBC is offering. Photo: Handout

China

China star Fan Zhendong loses for third time in past 4 matches with German club

Latest defeat comes while playing for Saarbrücken in doubles, the Olympic champion’s first such match in almost two years.

Chinese table tennis star Fan Zhendong saw his team squander a 2-0 lead against Borussia Düsseldorf on Sunday. Photo: Tischtennis Bundesliga

Diplomacy

China allows visa-free entry to British, Canadian nationals

Move leaves US citizens as the only ones from the Five Eyes alliance who still cannot enter China without a visa.

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China Business

Hong Kong stocks rise to wrap up best lunar-year performance in eight years

As market closes for Lunar New Year, benchmark hits 32 per cent gain since the Year of the Snake began in January 2025.

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OPINION
Sophie Wushuang Yi

Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

Sophie Wushuang Yi
Alice Wu

Opinion | Government must reflect on its failures as we enter Year of the Horse

Alice Wu
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SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Hong Kong will approach Year of the Horse with optimism and resilience

SCMP Editorial
Letters

Letters | Pets or no pets, may different lifestyles coexist calmly

Letters
Alex Lo

My Take | China and the UN are not the problem in Ukraine and Palestine – the West is

Alex Lo
22
Harry’s View | 16 Feb 2026
February 16, 2026
MORE COMMENT
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Big Tech

Alibaba rolls out Qwen-3.5, ratcheting up the global AI race

Video | Man takes out his anger on Hong Kong airport kiosks

Viral video shows man toppling self-check-in kiosks with a stanchion before being arrested.
00:25

Entertainment

Review | Night King: Dayo Wong, Sammi Cheng lead enjoyably fluffy nightclub comedy

Business

Kerry Properties secures Hong Kong’s latest residential plot for US$177 million

Southeast Asia

Thailand’s economy rebounds despite tourism decline, pandemic

Politics

Probe into anti-corruption chief revives doubts about Malaysia’s reform drive

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SCMP Series
Year of the Horse 2026
Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea
Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy
China Inc. goes global
What is the best day to head back to work after the Lunar New Year break? A feng shui master reveals which dates are the luckiest and which to avoid. Photo: Shutterstock
SCMP SeriesYear of the Horse 2026

The best days to start work after the Lunar New Year 2026 break for good fortune

Kick-start the Year of the Horse by returning to work on an auspicious day. A Hong Kong feng shui master reveals which days to avoid.

Editorial | Hong Kong will approach Year of the Horse with optimism and resilience

Feng shui advice for Oxen for love, health and money in the Year of the Horse

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Open Questions series

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.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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.

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Diplomacy

Open Questions | Lawrence Lau on why China must ‘work smarter’ and how it can invent from scratch

China must shift from quantity to quality by focusing on 12-year schooling, more basic research and GBA integration, renowned economist says.

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China

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China Future Tech
China Future Tech
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Live Q&A webinars

China’s AI arms race sees sector brace for major flagship model launch week

A ‘stealth’ model has emerged, while advancements by Alibaba’s Qwen-3.5 and Zhipu’s GLM-5 aim to spur domestic competition following releases by US heavyweights.

China’s AI sector is bracing for a monumental week, with a flurry of anticipated model releases. Photo: Shutterstock

Big Tech

Alibaba rolls out Qwen-3.5, ratcheting up the global AI race

With multimodal capabilities and open weights, Qwen-3.5 signals Alibaba’s ambition to anchor the next phase of global AI deployment.

China Economy

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

videocam

Big Tech

Robot variety show: tech brands to take part in China’s most-watched broadcast

ByteDance, Unitree, RedNote, Bilibili and Kuaishou among the firms involved in the unparalleled nationwide marketing opportunity.

A rehearsal for China Central Television’s Spring Festival Gala 2026. Photo: Handout

Military

Will China’s state-backed thriller spill details of little-known spy cases?

‘Scare Out’ depicts leak of PLA jet secrets, and some speculate the plot could be based on true story involving stealth fighter tech.

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“Scare Out”, directed by Zhang Yimou, will debut in mainland China cinemas on February 17. Photo: Weibo

Companies

Pop Mart balances boom and bust: can Labubu’s leap match Molly’s momentum?

As Labubu’s meteoric rise cools, Molly’s longevity highlights the challenge Pop Mart faces in turning hype into stable intellectual property.

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Diplomacy

How Manila’s ‘naming and shaming’ challenges Beijing’s South China Sea stance

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

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Diplomacy

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

As 2026 Asean chair, Manila has highlighted its push to finalise within its term a code of conduct covering the contested waters.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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