Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

The Pinglu Canal, which stretches 134km (83 miles) across China’s southwestern Guangxi region, is expected to boost trade ties between China and Southeast Asia. Photo: Xinhua

China close to opening US$10 billion canal linking heartlands to Southeast Asia

The vast waterway in China’s southwestern Guangxi region is set to open before the end of 2026, according to state media reports.

5 hours ago

US trade war? China had bigger plans in 2025 as ‘belt and road’ deals surged

Belt and Road Initiative

Science

Can this new tech help China’s stealth bomber break the sound barrier?

Smart system allows flying-wing aircraft to fly 62.5 per cent faster, marking a world record for speed.

26 Jan 2026 - 9:21PM

Global Economy

Beyond borders: Beijing equips Chinese firms for global stage amid trade jitters

Ministry of Commerce unveils new resource to help companies navigate the dos and don’ts of complex international markets, and policies will be rolled out appropriately.

26 Jan 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Law and Crime

Hong Kong prosecutors say anti-China activists’ case not a political trial

Case does not involve adjudication of sensitive political topics, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Ned Lai says.

6 hours ago

Politics

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, has emphasised the need for “self-revolution” to fight corruption and ensure healthy governance. Photo: Xinhua

Why China’s swift ousting of Zhang Youxia is a warning from Xi on party purity

Diplomacy

Beijing issues new Japan travel warning as row over PM’s Taiwan comments drags on

Citizens warned against visiting ahead of Lunar New Year holiday as Chinese airlines extend deadline for refunds or flight changes.

26 Jan 2026 - 8:55PMvideocam

More than 9 million Chinese citizens visited Japan last year. Photo: AFP

Big Tech

How China’s AI video generator Kling challenges Google’s Veo, OpenAI’s Sora

With Kuaishou’s tool headed for US$240 million in annual revenue, the firm is one of the world’s most undervalued AI stocks, JPMorgan says.

26 Jan 2026 - 9:30PM

Middle East

US aircraft carrier enters Middle East region, officials say

Trump claimed last week that a US ‘armada’ was heading towards the region but said he hopes to avoid using it.

3 hours agovideocam

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

United States & Canada

‘Wake-up call’: Obama and Clinton speak out as latest killing shocks US

Two former presidents join the outcry over the shooting of Alex Pretti, as video analysis appears to contradict the government’s statements.

26 Jan 2026 - 5:23PMvideocam

Clashes at the scene where federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

United States & Canada

Trump sends border tsar to Minnesota after second fatal ICE shooting

President tasks Tom Homan with overseeing operations as outcry grows over the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

4 hours ago

Politics

Critics of Marcos step up impeachment calls, cite ‘smoking gun’ letter

An impeachment complaint against Marcos refers to the channelling of health insurance funds to flood control projects.

26 Jan 2026 - 5:23PMvideocam

United States & Canada

Carney links Trump’s new tariff threat to North America trade deal review

Trump has threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports should Ottawa finalise a new trade deal with China.

2 hours agovideocam

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington in October. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / TNS

Military

Shandong’s use of PLA dry dock near South China Sea suggests carrier milestone

China may avoid a ‘carrier gap’ and could support carrier operations along the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and beyond, analysts say.

26 Jan 2026 - 8:25PMvideocam

Analysis by a US geospatial intelligence company says satellite imagery shows the first use by a Chinese aircraft carrier of a new dry dock near the South China Sea. Photo: AllSource Analysis

Politics

China warns against ‘do-nothing’ officials ahead of 2027 leadership reshuffle

State media outlet urges Communist Party to be vigilant against cadres entering ‘sit around and be inactive mode’ during transition period.

26 Jan 2026 - 6:39PM

Tech Trends

Chinese tech giants Tencent and Baidu join fight for Spring Festival spotlight

The two companies launch digital red packet campaigns following tie-up moves by ByteDance and Alibaba with CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala.

26 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM

World

Thailand’s Chinese weapons haul, Blackpink in Hong Kong: 5 weekend reads

From a rapid rise in solo living to Blackpink shows with a Hong Kong flair, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

26 Jan 2026 - 2:18PM

Fans of Blackpink take pictures with the billboards on the way to Kai Tak Stadium on January 24, 2026. Photo: Elson Li

Health & Wellness

When dementia steals the right words, the ‘wrong’ ones speak volumes

Experts say dementia patients often lose the ability to communicate, but the metaphors they use can help carers better understand them.

26 Jan 2026 - 5:15PM

Neuroscientist Dr Sabina Brennan with her mother, who had dementia. “The brain organises knowledge like flowers in a garden, clustered by colour, height, or where they grow best, so patterns, not lists, guide our recall,” Brennan says. Photo: courtesy of Dr Sabina Brennan

Europe

EU lawmakers divided over resuming work on US trade deal after Greenland crisis

The EU, which suspended the deal in protest against Trump’s demand to take over Greenland, has put off a decision until next week.

2 hours ago

China Economy

‘Epoch-making’: Xi Jinping urges home-grown AI breakthroughs – but flags risks

The Chinese leader says emerging technologies bring huge opportunities, while warning officials against blind investment.

26 Jan 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

OPINION

Mark Logan

Opinion | Why UK Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China could be historic

26 Jan 2026 - 9:28PM

Nicholas Spiro

The View | Why Thailand, India and Japan’s hotel sectors deserve a closer look

26 Jan 2026 - 4:30PM

Alice Wu

Opinion | Hong Kong’s children are paying the price for policy gaps in education

26 Jan 2026 - 10:49AM

Letters

Letters | Vulnerable families in Hong Kong simply must master Cantonese

26 Jan 2026 - 11:30AM

Matteo Giovannini

Opinion | Talk of digital yuan challenging dollar dominance misses real power shift

26 Jan 2026 - 5:30AM

Harry’s View | 27 Jan 2026

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32 minutes ago

Companies

China’s Sinochem ‘has proposed a solution’ to end Pirelli governance dispute

2 hours ago

Europe

EU lawmakers divided over resuming work on US trade deal after Greenland crisis

2 hours ago

United States & Canada

Carney links Trump’s new tariff threat to North America trade deal review

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Middle East

US aircraft carrier enters Middle East region, officials say

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Entertainment

Review | Send Help: Rachel McAdams leads bloody island survival satire

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Europe

Ex-Conservative lawmaker Suella Braverman defects to right-wing Reform UK

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SCMP Series

Year of the Horse 2026

China Inc. goes global

Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

Alphabet Inc.â€™s Google debuted an updated version of its artificial intelligence model, Gemini, that executives said represents a â€œmassive jumpâ€ in reasoning and coding ability. (Dreamstime/TNS)

SCMP Series Year of the Horse 2026

Year of the Horse 2026: what does AI predict the ‘Double Fire’ event has in store for us?

With the rise of AI mirroring the Year of the Fire Horse’s restless energy, we ask DeepSeek, Perplexity and Gemini their 2026 predictions.

24 Jan 2026 - 5:15PM

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Snakes, from money to health

23 Jan 2026 - 7:15AM

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Dragons, from career to romance

26 Jan 2026 - 11:52AM

Open Questions series

Tech Trends

Open Questions | Jeffrey Ding on why diffusion, not innovation, is the secret to AI success

Professor says a ‘diffusion marathon’, where AI is gradually embedded in an economy over decades, will determine the winner of US-China tech war.

26 Jan 2026 - 9:31AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Why US raid on Venezuela could ‘work to China’s advantage’: John Mearsheimer

International relations scholar says US could easily take Greenland, while regime change in Tehran would be more difficult.

19 Jan 2026 - 6:57PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

Political scientist says the Western-led global order remains useful, and the Belt and Road Initiative isn’t a geopolitical project.

12 Jan 2026 - 10:06AMvideocam

Global Economy

Open Questions | ‘Embrace the moment’: on China, Daniel Kritenbrink puts pragmatism first

Former US ambassador to Vietnam says a return to the past for US-China relations is unrealistic, but both economic powers benefit from ties.

5 Jan 2026 - 9:11AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Tech Trends

China’s ‘infrastructure first’ effort a major edge in AI arms race: Davos panel

A rapid energy buildout and strategic data centre expansion give China unique advantages in developing its AI industry.

22 Jan 2026 - 5:48PM

China’s “AI Plus” panel discussion at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday included, from left, moderator Guan Xin, Tencent Holdings’ Dowson Tong, Moonshot AI’s Zhang Yutong and Nankai University’s Gong Ke. Photo: SCMP

Big Tech

How China’s AI video generator Kling challenges Google’s Veo, OpenAI’s Sora

With Kuaishou’s tool headed for US$240 million in annual revenue, the firm is one of the world’s most undervalued AI stocks, JPMorgan says.

26 Jan 2026 - 9:30PM

Big Tech

Tencent’s Pony Ma teases new AI social feature for Yuanbao app

The Shenzhen-based firm is sharpening its AI strategy and talent pipeline, after acknowledging rivals are reshaping the pace of development.

26 Jan 2026 - 8:24PM

China Economy

‘Epoch-making’: Xi Jinping urges home-grown AI breakthroughs – but flags risks

The Chinese leader says emerging technologies bring huge opportunities, while warning officials against blind investment.

26 Jan 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

President Xi Jinping addresses the study session at the Central Party School in Beijing on January 20. Photo: Xinhua

China Economy

‘Loneliness economy’: how China is adapting to a rapid rise in solo living

The viral success of check-in app Are You Dead? has exposed the vast demand for services catering to China’s rapidly growing single population.

26 Jan 2026 - 2:12PMvideocam

A user checks in using the viral app Are You Dead?, also known as Demumu in English, which surged to the top of the paid app chart on Apple’s AppStore in China last week. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Why China was so keen to get to alleged cybercrime boss Chen Zhi first

Young tycoon, who was indicted by the US in October, was extradited from Cambodia this month, accused of running a vast scam network.

26 Jan 2026 - 11:35AMvideocam

Science

The West cheered China’s coal-fired export ban. Then came the massive blackouts

Did Beijing’s decision to stop financing overseas coal plants after pressure from US and Europe lead to mass – yet avoidable – power cuts?

21 Jan 2026 - 6:12AMvideocam

China Economy

Hong Kong degree is ‘passport’ to jobs in the world’s third-largest art market

Art graduates from the mainland, looking to expand their horizons and gain an edge in the job market, are flocking to Hong Kong for further study.

20 Jan 2026 - 8:22AMvideocam

China close to opening US$10 billion canal linking heartlands to Southeast Asia

The vast waterway in China’s southwestern Guangxi region is set to open before the end of 2026, according to state media reports.

US trade war? China had bigger plans in 2025 as ‘belt and road’ deals surged

Can this new tech help China’s stealth bomber break the sound barrier?

Smart system allows flying-wing aircraft to fly 62.5 per cent faster, marking a world record for speed.

Beyond borders: Beijing equips Chinese firms for global stage amid trade jitters

Ministry of Commerce unveils new resource to help companies navigate the dos and don’ts of complex international markets, and policies will be rolled out appropriately.

Hong Kong prosecutors say anti-China activists’ case not a political trial

Case does not involve adjudication of sensitive political topics, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Ned Lai says.

Why China’s swift ousting of Zhang Youxia is a warning from Xi on party purity

Beijing issues new Japan travel warning as row over PM’s Taiwan comments drags on

Citizens warned against visiting ahead of Lunar New Year holiday as Chinese airlines extend deadline for refunds or flight changes.

How China’s AI video generator Kling challenges Google’s Veo, OpenAI’s Sora

With Kuaishou’s tool headed for US$240 million in annual revenue, the firm is one of the world’s most undervalued AI stocks, JPMorgan says.

US aircraft carrier enters Middle East region, officials say

Trump claimed last week that a US ‘armada’ was heading towards the region but said he hopes to avoid using it.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}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.

‘Wake-up call’: Obama and Clinton speak out as latest killing shocks US

Two former presidents join the outcry over the shooting of Alex Pretti, as video analysis appears to contradict the government’s statements.

Trump sends border tsar to Minnesota after second fatal ICE shooting

President tasks Tom Homan with overseeing operations as outcry grows over the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Critics of Marcos step up impeachment calls, cite ‘smoking gun’ letter

An impeachment complaint against Marcos refers to the channelling of health insurance funds to flood control projects.

Carney links Trump’s new tariff threat to North America trade deal review

Trump has threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports should Ottawa finalise a new trade deal with China.

Shandong’s use of PLA dry dock near South China Sea suggests carrier milestone

China may avoid a ‘carrier gap’ and could support carrier operations along the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and beyond, analysts say.

China warns against ‘do-nothing’ officials ahead of 2027 leadership reshuffle

State media outlet urges Communist Party to be vigilant against cadres entering ‘sit around and be inactive mode’ during transition period.

Chinese tech giants Tencent and Baidu join fight for Spring Festival spotlight

The two companies launch digital red packet campaigns following tie-up moves by ByteDance and Alibaba with CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala.

Thailand’s Chinese weapons haul, Blackpink in Hong Kong: 5 weekend reads

From a rapid rise in solo living to Blackpink shows with a Hong Kong flair, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

When dementia steals the right words, the ‘wrong’ ones speak volumes

Experts say dementia patients often lose the ability to communicate, but the metaphors they use can help carers better understand them.

EU lawmakers divided over resuming work on US trade deal after Greenland crisis

The EU, which suspended the deal in protest against Trump’s demand to take over Greenland, has put off a decision until next week.

‘Epoch-making’: Xi Jinping urges home-grown AI breakthroughs – but flags risks

The Chinese leader says emerging technologies bring huge opportunities, while warning officials against blind investment.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Why UK Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China could be historic

The View | Why Thailand, India and Japan’s hotel sectors deserve a closer look

Opinion | Hong Kong’s children are paying the price for policy gaps in education

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Vulnerable families in Hong Kong simply must master Cantonese

Opinion | Talk of digital yuan challenging dollar dominance misses real power shift

China’s Sinochem ‘has proposed a solution’ to end Pirelli governance dispute

EU lawmakers divided over resuming work on US trade deal after Greenland crisis

Carney links Trump’s new tariff threat to North America trade deal review

US aircraft carrier enters Middle East region, officials say

Review | Send Help: Rachel McAdams leads bloody island survival satire

Ex-Conservative lawmaker Suella Braverman defects to right-wing Reform UK

Year of the Horse 2026: what does AI predict the ‘Double Fire’ event has in store for us?

With the rise of AI mirroring the Year of the Fire Horse’s restless energy, we ask DeepSeek, Perplexity and Gemini their 2026 predictions.

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Snakes, from money to health

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Dragons, from career to romance

Open Questions | Jeffrey Ding on why diffusion, not innovation, is the secret to AI success

Professor says a ‘diffusion marathon’, where AI is gradually embedded in an economy over decades, will determine the winner of US-China tech war.

Open Questions | Why US raid on Venezuela could ‘work to China’s advantage’: John Mearsheimer

International relations scholar says US could easily take Greenland, while regime change in Tehran would be more difficult.

Open Questions | Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

Political scientist says the Western-led global order remains useful, and the Belt and Road Initiative isn’t a geopolitical project.

Open Questions | ‘Embrace the moment’: on China, Daniel Kritenbrink puts pragmatism first

Former US ambassador to Vietnam says a return to the past for US-China relations is unrealistic, but both economic powers benefit from ties.

China’s ‘infrastructure first’ effort a major edge in AI arms race: Davos panel

A rapid energy buildout and strategic data centre expansion give China unique advantages in developing its AI industry.

How China’s AI video generator Kling challenges Google’s Veo, OpenAI’s Sora

With Kuaishou’s tool headed for US$240 million in annual revenue, the firm is one of the world’s most undervalued AI stocks, JPMorgan says.

Tencent’s Pony Ma teases new AI social feature for Yuanbao app

The Shenzhen-based firm is sharpening its AI strategy and talent pipeline, after acknowledging rivals are reshaping the pace of development.

‘Epoch-making’: Xi Jinping urges home-grown AI breakthroughs – but flags risks

The Chinese leader says emerging technologies bring huge opportunities, while warning officials against blind investment.

‘Loneliness economy’: how China is adapting to a rapid rise in solo living

The viral success of check-in app Are You Dead? has exposed the vast demand for services catering to China’s rapidly growing single population.

Why China was so keen to get to alleged cybercrime boss Chen Zhi first

Young tycoon, who was indicted by the US in October, was extradited from Cambodia this month, accused of running a vast scam network.

The West cheered China’s coal-fired export ban. Then came the massive blackouts

Did Beijing’s decision to stop financing overseas coal plants after pressure from US and Europe lead to mass – yet avoidable – power cuts?

Hong Kong degree is ‘passport’ to jobs in the world’s third-largest art market

Art graduates from the mainland, looking to expand their horizons and gain an edge in the job market, are flocking to Hong Kong for further study.

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Opinion | Why UK Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China could be historic

Letters | Vulnerable families in Hong Kong simply must master Cantonese