Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

China accounted for 71 per cent of US rare earth element imports from 2021 to 2024, according to the US Geological Survey. Photo: Reuters

Exclusive | Could China’s rare earth supplies dictate how long US strikes on Iran go on?

The American military’s dependence on Chinese sources gives Beijing leverage in the lead-up to Trump’s trip, sources say.

5 hours agovideocam

Exclusive | Trump’s China visit confined to Beijing due to schedule, security needs: sources

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Diplomacy

Hegseth vows to enact ‘most intense’ day of US war on Iran so far

US Defence Secretary predicts ‘the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes’, adding Trump will decide on war’s final timeline.

58 minutes agovideocam

Tech Trends

China issues second warning on OpenClaw risks amid adoption frenzy

Cybersecurity agency cautions that improper installation and use of the AI agent carry severe security and data risks.

3 hours ago

Global Economy

Why the ‘China threat’ was barely mentioned in Germany’s latest state election

Baden-Wurttemberg’s car industry is facing steep job losses amid intense Chinese competition. But local candidates largely avoided blaming China.

10 Mar 2026 - 5:30PMvideocam

Economy

Cargo containers and ships at a port in Qingdao, Shandong province, on March 3. Photo: AFP

China’s exports surge 21.8% to start 2026 – biggest gain in 4 years

Military

How cheaply can China fend off a drone swarm with its latest microwave weapon?

HPM technology has become cost-effective enough to be applied against drones in public security situations, state media report.

10 Mar 2026 - 7:00PM

China’s urban police anti-drone swarm microwave defence system. Photo: CCTV

Military

Stability comes first: Chinese defence chief signals Beijing’s strategic caution

Dong Jun’s remarks stressing prudence as Xi-Trump summit looms and amid Iran war suggest no military action on Taiwan for now, analysts say.

10 Mar 2026 - 8:05PMvideocam

Transport

Councillors oppose ferry fare rises for Hong Kong’s outlying island routes

Members of Islands District Council also raise concerns that another fare increase could be sought in response to soaring fuel prices.

5 hours ago

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.

Diplomacy

How China plans for greater power projection in Xinjiang and Tibet

China aims to finish two highways spanning all nine land-border provinces, advance a highway on east coast and upgrade three highways into Tibet.

10 Mar 2026 - 7:36PMvideocam

According to China’s draft 15th five-year plan released last week, the country will strengthen infrastructure in border areas. Photo: Xinhua

Politics

Will Iran war push Indonesia to quit Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?

Critics have urged Jakarta to leave the board and reconsider related policies, amid concerns the country may be losing ‘strategic autonomy’.

10 Mar 2026 - 7:24PMvideocam

Diplomacy

China-North Korea rail link restored as neighbours try to get ties back on track

Restoring tourist travel has been seen as a litmus test of Pyongyang’s willingness to rebuild relations with its biggest trading partner.

10 Mar 2026 - 10:16PMvideocam

Diplomacy

From ‘love and hate’ to nationalism, can Xi and Trump rebalance ties?

Chinese scholars say the US-China relationship has changed, and there’s a chance for the two powers to steer away from confrontation.

4 hours agovideocam

US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Beijing and meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the end of the month. Photo: TNS

Science

China’s 2030 moon landing: scientists suggest a site long on Nasa’s radar

Research team cites abundant mare basalts, river-like valleys formed from surface lava flows and deposits of volcanic materials.

10 Mar 2026 - 2:55PMvideocam

A Nasa image shows a close-up of a small fresh crater in the highlands near Rima Bode II. An international team of scientists says it has identified four possible landing sites for China’s first crewed mission to the moon. Photo: Nasa

Diplomacy

Why China sees stability in hardliner Mojtaba Khamenei’s rise to lead Iran

Continuity over change seen in cleric whom analysts anticipate could double down on policies against the US and Israel.

10 Mar 2026 - 9:39PMvideocam

United States & Canada

Shots fired at US consulate in Toronto, Canada, premier hints at Iran war link

No one was injured, but security will be boosted at American and Israeli embassies and consulates, police say.

4 hours ago

United States & Canada

Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams condemns racist, homophobic fan comments

The Canadian show about a romance between two male hockey players has become a global phenomenon but also stirred an online frenzy.

4 hours ago

Hudson Williams poses on the red carpet at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, California, in January. Photo: Reuters

Global Economy

China’s oil-import surge seen shielding economy with 120-day buffer

Crude volumes rose sharply in January and February as Beijing amassed reserves, pre-empting Mideast risks, and analysts say it provides a strong buffer for global supply disruptions.

10 Mar 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

A crude oil tanker is guided to a berth at a terminal in China’s Shandong province on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Tech

Memory price hikes ‘the new normal’ as AI fuels storage demand, Seagate says

Explosive growth in AI workloads is forcing the storage industry to pack more data onto disks to meet demand from cloud giants.

3 hours agovideocam

Russia & Central Asia

Russia, Ukraine both claim frontline success while US-led talks on hold

Washington is now focusing on the Iran war, drawing the spotlight from Ukraine’s four-year fight to see off Russia’s bigger army.

3 hours agovideocam

OPINION

Abdul Moiz Khan

Opinion | Iran strikes are a wake-up call to regulate military AI

10 Mar 2026 - 8:30PM

Winston Mok

Opinion | How China can put brakes on local cadres’ blind pursuit of GDP growth

10 Mar 2026 - 6:53PM

Letters

Letters | Iran war has underlined benefits of China’s ‘energy realism’ approach

10 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

Kun Tian

Opinion | Why China’s economic reset is a credibility test for Hong Kong

10 Mar 2026 - 9:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | High-level US-China dialogue is good for global stability

10 Mar 2026 - 7:15AM

Harry’s View | 11 Mar 2026

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Middle East

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Middle East

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Staff members dispense medicines at a pharmacy in Wuhan, in central China’s Hubei province, on February 27, 2020. Photo: Xinhua

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Healthcare investors keeping an eye on ‘two sessions’ for clarity on drug pricing

Healthcare and insurance sectors will see policy fine-tuning, ‘moral support’ rather than ‘groundbreaking news’ from Beijing, analysts say.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:05AM

Can China’s ‘two sessions’ find a strategy to fix the property rot?

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Investors lock onto NPC as markets seek policy lift amid AI jitters

3 Mar 2026 - 7:30AM

Open Questions series

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

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.

5 Mar 2026 - 5:25PMvideocam

Key Industries:

Tech Trends

OpenClaw fever: why is China rushing to ‘raise a lobster’?

Chinese consumers are using OpenClaw for everything from stock picking and report writing to slide decks, emails and coding.

8 Mar 2026 - 10:33PMvideocam

OpenClaw has been dubbed “raise the lobster” by Chinese consumers. Photo: Shutterstock

Tech

Memory price hikes ‘the new normal’ as AI fuels storage demand, Seagate says

Explosive growth in AI workloads is forcing the storage industry to pack more data onto disks to meet demand from cloud giants.

3 hours agovideocam

Tech Trends

China issues second warning on OpenClaw risks amid adoption frenzy

Cybersecurity agency cautions that improper installation and use of the AI agent carry severe security and data risks.

3 hours ago

Tech

Chinese tech giants offer cheap, easy access to OpenClaw amid ‘lobster fever’

Shares of Hong Kong-listed MiniMax and Zhipu AI surge after launching OpenClaw tools.

10 Mar 2026 - 5:00PM

OpenClaw was launched last year and acquired by OpenAI in February, sparking global hype. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images

Diplomacy

As US universities retreat from China, who is filling the academic void?

Many elite Sino-American ventures have ended under the strain of geopolitics but other, more diverse, programmes are emerging.

8 Mar 2026 - 6:04AMvideocam

China Economy

China works to build slow, steady stock markets, rejecting norm of boom and bust

Beijing is emphasising gradual growth in its policies for capital markets, encouraging dividend payouts and drawing a contrast with the West.

7 Mar 2026 - 8:16AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Takeaways from Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s government work report

Li raises the curtain on the annual session of the National People’s Congress with a series of targets for the economy.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:18PMvideocam

Science

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.

5 Mar 2026 - 6:50AMvideocam

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Could China’s rare earth supplies dictate how long US strikes on Iran go on?

The American military’s dependence on Chinese sources gives Beijing leverage in the lead-up to Trump’s trip, sources say.

Exclusive | Trump’s China visit confined to Beijing due to schedule, security needs: sources

Hegseth vows to enact ‘most intense’ day of US war on Iran so far

US Defence Secretary predicts ‘the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes’, adding Trump will decide on war’s final timeline.

China issues second warning on OpenClaw risks amid adoption frenzy

Cybersecurity agency cautions that improper installation and use of the AI agent carry severe security and data risks.

Why the ‘China threat’ was barely mentioned in Germany’s latest state election

Baden-Wurttemberg’s car industry is facing steep job losses amid intense Chinese competition. But local candidates largely avoided blaming China.

China’s exports surge 21.8% to start 2026 – biggest gain in 4 years

How cheaply can China fend off a drone swarm with its latest microwave weapon?

HPM technology has become cost-effective enough to be applied against drones in public security situations, state media report.

Stability comes first: Chinese defence chief signals Beijing’s strategic caution

Dong Jun’s remarks stressing prudence as Xi-Trump summit looms and amid Iran war suggest no military action on Taiwan for now, analysts say.

Councillors oppose ferry fare rises for Hong Kong’s outlying island routes

Members of Islands District Council also raise concerns that another fare increase could be sought in response to soaring fuel prices.

.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.

How China plans for greater power projection in Xinjiang and Tibet

China aims to finish two highways spanning all nine land-border provinces, advance a highway on east coast and upgrade three highways into Tibet.

Will Iran war push Indonesia to quit Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?

Critics have urged Jakarta to leave the board and reconsider related policies, amid concerns the country may be losing ‘strategic autonomy’.

China-North Korea rail link restored as neighbours try to get ties back on track

Restoring tourist travel has been seen as a litmus test of Pyongyang’s willingness to rebuild relations with its biggest trading partner.

From ‘love and hate’ to nationalism, can Xi and Trump rebalance ties?

Chinese scholars say the US-China relationship has changed, and there’s a chance for the two powers to steer away from confrontation.

China’s 2030 moon landing: scientists suggest a site long on Nasa’s radar

Research team cites abundant mare basalts, river-like valleys formed from surface lava flows and deposits of volcanic materials.

Why China sees stability in hardliner Mojtaba Khamenei’s rise to lead Iran

Continuity over change seen in cleric whom analysts anticipate could double down on policies against the US and Israel.

Shots fired at US consulate in Toronto, Canada, premier hints at Iran war link

No one was injured, but security will be boosted at American and Israeli embassies and consulates, police say.

Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams condemns racist, homophobic fan comments

The Canadian show about a romance between two male hockey players has become a global phenomenon but also stirred an online frenzy.

China’s oil-import surge seen shielding economy with 120-day buffer

Crude volumes rose sharply in January and February as Beijing amassed reserves, pre-empting Mideast risks, and analysts say it provides a strong buffer for global supply disruptions.

Memory price hikes ‘the new normal’ as AI fuels storage demand, Seagate says

Explosive growth in AI workloads is forcing the storage industry to pack more data onto disks to meet demand from cloud giants.

Russia, Ukraine both claim frontline success while US-led talks on hold

Washington is now focusing on the Iran war, drawing the spotlight from Ukraine’s four-year fight to see off Russia’s bigger army.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Iran strikes are a wake-up call to regulate military AI

Opinion | How China can put brakes on local cadres’ blind pursuit of GDP growth

Letters | Iran war has underlined benefits of China’s ‘energy realism’ approach

Opinion | Why China’s economic reset is a credibility test for Hong Kong

Editorial | High-level US-China dialogue is good for global stability

Mainland Chinese see Taiwan positively, won’t retreat from US trade war: survey

Will Trump ‘Taco’ on Iran? Analysts say he’s looking for a way out

WHO warns of toxic ‘black rain’ in Iran after strikes on oil facilities

Hegseth vows to enact ‘most intense’ day of US war on Iran so far

Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams condemns racist, homophobic fan comments

Shots fired at US consulate in Toronto, Canada, premier hints at Iran war link

Healthcare investors keeping an eye on ‘two sessions’ for clarity on drug pricing

Healthcare and insurance sectors will see policy fine-tuning, ‘moral support’ rather than ‘groundbreaking news’ from Beijing, analysts say.

Can China’s ‘two sessions’ find a strategy to fix the property rot?

Investors lock onto NPC as markets seek policy lift amid AI jitters

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.

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.

OpenClaw fever: why is China rushing to ‘raise a lobster’?

Chinese consumers are using OpenClaw for everything from stock picking and report writing to slide decks, emails and coding.

Memory price hikes ‘the new normal’ as AI fuels storage demand, Seagate says

Explosive growth in AI workloads is forcing the storage industry to pack more data onto disks to meet demand from cloud giants.

China issues second warning on OpenClaw risks amid adoption frenzy

Cybersecurity agency cautions that improper installation and use of the AI agent carry severe security and data risks.

Chinese tech giants offer cheap, easy access to OpenClaw amid ‘lobster fever’

Shares of Hong Kong-listed MiniMax and Zhipu AI surge after launching OpenClaw tools.

As US universities retreat from China, who is filling the academic void?

Many elite Sino-American ventures have ended under the strain of geopolitics but other, more diverse, programmes are emerging.

China works to build slow, steady stock markets, rejecting norm of boom and bust

Beijing is emphasising gradual growth in its policies for capital markets, encouraging dividend payouts and drawing a contrast with the West.

Takeaways from Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s government work report

Li raises the curtain on the annual session of the National People’s Congress with a series of targets for the economy.

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.

Exclusive | Could China’s rare earth supplies dictate how long US strikes on Iran go on?

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

Opinion | Iran strikes are a wake-up call to regulate military AI