Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

A display shows the design of the BeiDou satellite navigation system in eastern China’s Shandong province. Photo: Getty Images

China’s GPS rival, BeiDou, dominates at home. Now, it aims to convert the world

China is overhauling its home-grown satellite navigation system as part of a push to expand the network’s global influence.

45 minutes agovideocam

UK blocks China wind project on ‘national security’ amid tense business climate

China technology

Science

China team releases world’s first bamboo drone flight control software – for free

Breakthrough in low-cost, eco-friendly UAVs as researchers unveil open-source software to enhance development.

21 minutes agovideocam

China Economy

Australia’s 180-degree shift from 5 years ago: China in favour; US out

Aussie comedian exposes the truth about nation’s feelings towards US president, democracy and public safety.

4 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Society

Thousands of Hongkongers brave heavy rain for Shenzhen trip on day 2 of Easter

More than 150,000 residents crossed the border on Saturday morning drawn by wider range of shopping, dining and entertainment options.

10 minutes ago

Infographic

Seeking answers to a tragedy Hong Kong could have avoided

US

What 2 downed jets mean for US vulnerability in the Iran war

US launches rescue mission after F-15E downing; one crew member found, another missing in first such combat loss since war began.

4 Apr 2026 - 9:57AMvideocam

114

An F-15E Strike Eagle takes off for a combat flight during Operation Epic Fury, on March 16, 2026. Photo: Handout

Middle East

Israel sets sights on Lebanon’s Hezbollah sites after blowing up crucial bridges

Lebanon was drawn into the Iran war when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

3 hours agovideocam

Economics

UAE squeezes Iranian economic lifeline in retaliation for attacks

The UAE has quietly banned most Iranians from entering the country or transiting its airports, and cracked down on IRGC-related networks.

2 hours agovideocam

Business

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

In partnership with:

Standard Chartered

Diplomacy

In a time of war, Chinese museums are a safe haven for ancient treasures of Iran

Cultural exchanges established with the Middle East are underscoring China’s role as a safe harbour for vulnerable global heritage.

5 hours agovideocam

An image showing damage to a room in Tehran’s Golestan Palace. Photo: AP

Big Tech

Competition or ‘co-opetition’: how is convergence shaping Sino-US AI race?

Speech by CEO of Chinese AI start-up at Nvidia event in US highlights symbiotic nature of tech relationship despite geopolitical tensions.

4 Apr 2026 - 10:09AM

Law and Crime

Probe launched after Hospital Authority data breach involving 56,000 patients

Head of IT federation rues ‘spilt milk’ of data leak but urges vigilance as patients’ names, identity card numbers and medical history compromised.

41 minutes ago

Business

Taiwan’s chip windfall redraws wealth landscape as global banks carve out roles

From family offices to ETFs and cross-border deals, global lenders are targeting different layers of a chip-fuelled boom.

5 hours ago

The capital generated by Taiwan’s technology boom is today spreading across multiple layers of the economy. Photo: EPA

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysian bookshop hits on novel idea to hook readers addicted to ‘brain rot’

BookXcess’ ‘Brain Un-Rot Library’ turns 100 books into short TikTok clips similar to the type of videos blamed for wrecking attention span.

4 hours ago

A couple reads using different methods at a Kuala Lumpur Reads event. Photo: Instagram/kualalumpurreads

Middle East

Rights groups raise alarm after Iran executes 2 more opposition group members

The hangings are the latest targeting members of the banned People’s Mojahedin of Iran after four others were executed earlier in the week.

2 hours agovideocam

East Asia

Safety fears bloom in Japan as ageing cherry trees collapse in Tokyo parks

People love walking or picnicking under the trees during the cherry blossom viewing season.

4 hours agovideocam

Politics

South Korea and Indonesia’s fighter jet is ready. But will it sell?

Only a handful of nations have ever built a supersonic fighter jet from the ground up.

4 Apr 2026 - 10:00AM

The first mass-produced KF-21 fighter jet is unveiled during a ceremony at the headquarters of Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon on March 25. Photo: Yonhap/EPA

Society

KMB told to probe machines that gave free bus rides as new HK$2 scheme launched

Faulty machines offered full rebates to customers who tapped their Octopus cards, rather than charging them HK$2 or 20 per cent of trips above HK$10.

1 hour ago

Passengers at a bus stop at Nathan Road in Yau Ma Tei. Photo: Jelly Tse

Politics

Softly, softly: why South Korea, France prefer diplomacy over force in Hormuz

Presidents Lee and Macron have agreed to cooperate on safety in the strait but they are likely to wade in only after the war, analysts say.

4 Apr 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

Health & Environment

Hong Kong airport opens sensory space for passengers with invisible disabilities

Room near Gate 10 in Terminal One designed for passengers with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, claustrophobia and dementia.

4 Apr 2026 - 8:30AM

OPINION

Anthony Rowley

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15 minutes ago

Lijia Zhang

Being Chinese | Chinese overseas need not keep to ourselves. I certainly don’t

4 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

Dicky Yordan

Asian Angle | Hormuz is sending Southeast Asia a warning – and we can no longer ignore it

5 hours ago

Wee Kek Koon

Reflections | History of Chinese flatbreads reflects how food has echoes of faraway places

4 Apr 2026 - 8:15AM

Letters

Letters | Hong Kong consumers need not be at sea when it comes to oysters

5 hours ago

Harry’s View | 4 Apr 2026

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World Opinion

Macroscope | Can world markets ride out the rest of Trump’s reign?

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China’s GPS rival, BeiDou, dominates at home. Now, it aims to convert the world

56 minutes ago

Southeast Asia

Malaysia mourns death of former transport minister Ling Liong Sik at 82

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Society

Thousands of Hongkongers brave heavy rain for Shenzhen trip on day 2 of Easter

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Arts

How Seoul’s National Museum of Korea is pulling in record crowds

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Economics

UAE squeezes Iranian economic lifeline in retaliation for attacks

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Traditional Russian wooden dolls depict Chinese President Xi Jinping, then US president-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg, Russia, on November 21, 2024. Photo: AP

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

27 Mar 2026 - 11:40PMvideocam

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

21 Mar 2026 - 2:39PMvideocam

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

20 Mar 2026 - 6:28PMvideocam

Open Questions series

China Economy

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.

30 Mar 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Military

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

21 Mar 2026 - 6:18PM

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the company’s global AI conference in San Jose, California, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Big Tech

Competition or ‘co-opetition’: how is convergence shaping Sino-US AI race?

Speech by CEO of Chinese AI start-up at Nvidia event in US highlights symbiotic nature of tech relationship despite geopolitical tensions.

4 Apr 2026 - 10:09AM

Policy

Beijing mandates internal ethics committees for all Chinese AI companies

Since 2022, big tech firms including Alibaba and Baidu have established internal science and technology ethics review committees.

3 Apr 2026 - 9:54PM

Tech

Tencent expands OpenClaw suite with enterprise tool amid China’s ‘lobster’ craze

ClawPro tool promises quick AI agent deployment, giving enterprises control over models, tokens and security.

3 Apr 2026 - 8:00PM

Chinese tech firms are rushing to offer China users easy or inexpensive access to OpenClaw after it went viral. Photo: Getty Images

Society

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:30AM

Science

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

1 Apr 2026 - 9:50AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

Diplomacy

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

29 Mar 2026 - 6:17AM

China’s GPS rival, BeiDou, dominates at home. Now, it aims to convert the world

China is overhauling its home-grown satellite navigation system as part of a push to expand the network’s global influence.

UK blocks China wind project on ‘national security’ amid tense business climate

China team releases world’s first bamboo drone flight control software – for free

Breakthrough in low-cost, eco-friendly UAVs as researchers unveil open-source software to enhance development.

Australia’s 180-degree shift from 5 years ago: China in favour; US out

Aussie comedian exposes the truth about nation’s feelings towards US president, democracy and public safety.

Thousands of Hongkongers brave heavy rain for Shenzhen trip on day 2 of Easter

More than 150,000 residents crossed the border on Saturday morning drawn by wider range of shopping, dining and entertainment options.

Seeking answers to a tragedy Hong Kong could have avoided

What 2 downed jets mean for US vulnerability in the Iran war

US launches rescue mission after F-15E downing; one crew member found, another missing in first such combat loss since war began.

Israel sets sights on Lebanon’s Hezbollah sites after blowing up crucial bridges

Lebanon was drawn into the Iran war when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

UAE squeezes Iranian economic lifeline in retaliation for attacks

The UAE has quietly banned most Iranians from entering the country or transiting its airports, and cracked down on IRGC-related networks.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

In a time of war, Chinese museums are a safe haven for ancient treasures of Iran

Cultural exchanges established with the Middle East are underscoring China’s role as a safe harbour for vulnerable global heritage.

Competition or ‘co-opetition’: how is convergence shaping Sino-US AI race?

Speech by CEO of Chinese AI start-up at Nvidia event in US highlights symbiotic nature of tech relationship despite geopolitical tensions.

Probe launched after Hospital Authority data breach involving 56,000 patients

Head of IT federation rues ‘spilt milk’ of data leak but urges vigilance as patients’ names, identity card numbers and medical history compromised.

Taiwan’s chip windfall redraws wealth landscape as global banks carve out roles

From family offices to ETFs and cross-border deals, global lenders are targeting different layers of a chip-fuelled boom.

Malaysian bookshop hits on novel idea to hook readers addicted to ‘brain rot’

BookXcess’ ‘Brain Un-Rot Library’ turns 100 books into short TikTok clips similar to the type of videos blamed for wrecking attention span.

Rights groups raise alarm after Iran executes 2 more opposition group members

The hangings are the latest targeting members of the banned People’s Mojahedin of Iran after four others were executed earlier in the week.

Safety fears bloom in Japan as ageing cherry trees collapse in Tokyo parks

People love walking or picnicking under the trees during the cherry blossom viewing season.

South Korea and Indonesia’s fighter jet is ready. But will it sell?

Only a handful of nations have ever built a supersonic fighter jet from the ground up.

KMB told to probe machines that gave free bus rides as new HK$2 scheme launched

Faulty machines offered full rebates to customers who tapped their Octopus cards, rather than charging them HK$2 or 20 per cent of trips above HK$10.

Softly, softly: why South Korea, France prefer diplomacy over force in Hormuz

Presidents Lee and Macron have agreed to cooperate on safety in the strait but they are likely to wade in only after the war, analysts say.

Hong Kong airport opens sensory space for passengers with invisible disabilities

Room near Gate 10 in Terminal One designed for passengers with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, claustrophobia and dementia.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Macroscope | Can world markets ride out the rest of Trump’s reign?

Being Chinese | Chinese overseas need not keep to ourselves. I certainly don’t

Asian Angle | Hormuz is sending Southeast Asia a warning – and we can no longer ignore it

Reflections | History of Chinese flatbreads reflects how food has echoes of faraway places

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Hong Kong consumers need not be at sea when it comes to oysters

Macroscope | Can world markets ride out the rest of Trump’s reign?

China’s GPS rival, BeiDou, dominates at home. Now, it aims to convert the world

Malaysia mourns death of former transport minister Ling Liong Sik at 82

Thousands of Hongkongers brave heavy rain for Shenzhen trip on day 2 of Easter

How Seoul’s National Museum of Korea is pulling in record crowds

UAE squeezes Iranian economic lifeline in retaliation for attacks

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

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.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

Competition or ‘co-opetition’: how is convergence shaping Sino-US AI race?

Speech by CEO of Chinese AI start-up at Nvidia event in US highlights symbiotic nature of tech relationship despite geopolitical tensions.

Beijing mandates internal ethics committees for all Chinese AI companies

Since 2022, big tech firms including Alibaba and Baidu have established internal science and technology ethics review committees.

Tencent expands OpenClaw suite with enterprise tool amid China’s ‘lobster’ craze

ClawPro tool promises quick AI agent deployment, giving enterprises control over models, tokens and security.

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Macroscope | Can world markets ride out the rest of Trump’s reign?

Letters | Hong Kong consumers need not be at sea when it comes to oysters