Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Despite warming sentiment towards the US, nearly 90 per cent of those polled back Beijing taking trade countermeasures against Washington. Photo: AFP

Chinese public warms to US while strongly backing Beijing’s trade stance: survey

‘Substantial’ uptick in favourability towards America compared with previous year, but still lower than scores for Britain, the EU and Asean.

35 minutes agovideocam

How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

US-China relations

Diplomacy

South Korea’s Lee heading to China to ‘push denuclearisation, end culture ban’

Four-day trip starting on Sunday will make Lee Jae-myung the first sitting South Korean president to visit since 2019.

2 hours agovideocam

Science

SpaceX will move 4,400 satellites to a lower orbit after China cited safety risk

Starlink’s Michael Nicolls declares ‘significant reconfiguration’ to be coordinated with regulators, other operators and US Space Command.

3 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Back to the Past, starring Louis Koo and Raymond Lam, smashes Hong Kong record

Historical sci-fi action film earns HK$10.91 million in debut, the most for a Chinese film opening in city.

1 hour ago

Military

Did a PLA stealth fighter approach a key Taiwan airbase? New video sparks debate

China Economy

No ‘piecemeal’ steps: Chinese journal urges more support for property sector

Top Communist Party journal calls on officials to roll out a stronger policy package in one go, rather than following ‘piecemeal-style’ approach.

2 hours ago

People pass by half-finished buildings in Beijing. China’s property market has been mired in a downturn since 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE

Tech Trends

China’s top contract chipmakers pursue acquisitions amid self-sufficiency drive

Hua Hong Semiconductor set to close a US$1.2 billion deal, days after SMIC says it will take full control of a subsidiary for US$5.8 billion.

2 hours ago

Middle East

Trump and Iran official exchange threats after protests turn deadly

Trump says US ‘will come to their rescue’ if ‘peaceful protesters killed’, while Iran’s former parliament speaker blames US and Israel for unrest.

32 minutes agovideocam

Business

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

In partnership with:

MPOC

Palm oil is a versatile ingredient found in a wide range of everyday items, from ice cream and cake to lipstick and biofuel.

Europe

Swiss investigators rush to identify victims of New Year’s fire

Swiss officials say it may take days to identify victims of the Le Constellation fire, as many young revellers suffered severe burns.

3 hours agovideocam

People comfort each other outside Le Constellation bar on Friday, a day, after a fire and explosion killed dozens of people in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Netflix-Warner deal sparks concern in India’s entertainment sector

Films in Indian cinemas could be screened for a shorter period before they move to Netflix’s streaming platform, an association warns.

2 hours ago

Global Economy

China’s diplomatic divide: red carpet for Seoul, cold shoulder for Tokyo firms

While Tokyo’s corporate leaders stay home amid fallout from prime minister’s remarks on Taiwan, Beijing prepares to welcome South Korean president and top executives.

2 hours agovideocam

Politics

Beijing’s peaceful Taiwan reunification push to continue ‘with utmost sincerity’

Mainland China’s top Taiwan affairs official issued vow in new year’s message that came days after a large-scale PLA drill around the island.

46 minutes ago

PLA ground forces take part in long-range live-fire drills targeting waters south of Taiwan as part of the Justice Mission 2025 exercise in December. Photo: via Reuters

Military

Just how close did a PLA drone come to the heart of Taipei during drill?

Footage shared by a mainland military social media account shows Taipei 101 but it’s not clear when it was taken.

2 Jan 2026 - 6:00AMvideocam

A PLA social media account posted imagery showing Taipei 101, purportedly taken from a PLA military drone during military exercises around Taiwan this week. Photo: Handout

China EVs

China’s EV sector doubles down on discounts and cheap financing as growth cools

Carmakers are shifting from straight price cuts to subsidised loans and feature-packed models, as China’s EV price war drags on.

4 hours ago

Military

US Navy aircraft crashes offer lessons for PLA carrier operations, analysts say

Chinese military could learn from rival’s strengths in search and rescue response, but also its weaknesses in maintenance and training.

6 hours agovideocam

Politics

Veteran Hong Kong lawmakers Starry Lee, Ronick Chan to vie for Legco presidency

Lee and Chan are running to succeed Andrew Leung as Legco president, with a vote on January 8.

2 minutes ago

Starry Lee (left) and Ronick Chan at the Legco oath-taking this week. Photo: Elson Li

Tech Trends

DeepSeek proposes fundamental AI shift with ‘mHC’ architecture to upgrade ResNet

The paper comes at a time when most AI start-ups have been focusing on turning AI capabilities in LLMs into agents and other products.

4 hours ago

The DeepSeek paper triggered interest and debate among developers despite its dense technical details. Photo: Reuters

China Economy

China must take action to avoid Japan-style deflation spiral, scholars warn

Unless Beijing introduces more forceful policies, consumers could get locked into a mindset that is ‘nearly impossible to break’, scholars say.

2 Jan 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

Politics

Why the Philippines’ military is betting on South Korean defence systems

The US$27.7 million contract covers combat management systems for two next-generation Philippine Navy frigates.

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OPINION

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Why has Beijing turned down the heat in the Taiwan Strait in the second half of 2025?

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

25 Dec 2025 - 9:58AMvideocam

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

24 Dec 2025 - 9:53PMvideocam

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | How new C100 chief plans to foster ties between Chinese-Americans and China

The Committee of 100’s president Paul Cheung has high hopes for Chinese-Americans’ relationship with China in these uncertain times.

1 Jan 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Paul Cheung, the new president of the Committee of 100, is hoping his organisation can provide context and nuance to the fractious US-China relationship for Chinese-Americans. Photo: Handout

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Political scientist Ivan Krastev on European vertigo in a post-American world

While melancholy Europe frets that the US and China will shape the future, middle powers are jostling for a place at the big table.

29 Dec 2025 - 9:04AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:02AMvideocam

Science

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

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Key Industries:

Tech

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

17 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

The questions in FAI-C were reviewed by a panel of Biblical experts, including theologians, pastors, psychologists and scholars of ethics. Photo: SCMP

Tech Trends

China’s top contract chipmakers pursue acquisitions amid self-sufficiency drive

Hua Hong Semiconductor set to close a US$1.2 billion deal, days after SMIC says it will take full control of a subsidiary for US$5.8 billion.

2 hours ago

Tech Trends

DeepSeek proposes fundamental AI shift with ‘mHC’ architecture to upgrade ResNet

The paper comes at a time when most AI start-ups have been focusing on turning AI capabilities in LLMs into agents and other products.

4 hours ago

Semiconductors

Baidu spin-off Kunlunxin joins wave of Chinese semiconductor IPOs in Hong Kong

Last year, 20 Chinese semiconductor IPOs raised over 45 billion yuan (US$6.4 billion), with six of them listing in December.

6 hours ago

Law and Crime

Hong Kong’s sex offence laws are to be overhauled. What needs to be updated?

Consent and gender issues are key areas the government will look at when it starts the review process.

2 Jan 2026 - 8:34AM

China Economy

How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

Yiwu, one of China’s biggest export hubs, was expected to take a hit from US tariffs. Instead, it has seen trade surge.

1 Jan 2026 - 10:39PMvideocam

Military

Is China’s truck-mounted catapult system enabling merchant aircraft carriers?

Scalable truck-based launch track pictured on modified cargo ship raises questions about drone war potential.

1 Jan 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Politics

‘No fixed identity’: new Chinese-American writers are telling their own stories

They’re not shaped by history like the previous generation, and observer says US-China tensions can give them ‘more space’ to explore issues.

31 Dec 2025 - 8:23AMvideocam

Chinese public warms to US while strongly backing Beijing’s trade stance: survey

‘Substantial’ uptick in favourability towards America compared with previous year, but still lower than scores for Britain, the EU and Asean.

How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

South Korea’s Lee heading to China to ‘push denuclearisation, end culture ban’

Four-day trip starting on Sunday will make Lee Jae-myung the first sitting South Korean president to visit since 2019.

SpaceX will move 4,400 satellites to a lower orbit after China cited safety risk

Starlink’s Michael Nicolls declares ‘significant reconfiguration’ to be coordinated with regulators, other operators and US Space Command.

Back to the Past, starring Louis Koo and Raymond Lam, smashes Hong Kong record

Historical sci-fi action film earns HK$10.91 million in debut, the most for a Chinese film opening in city.

Did a PLA stealth fighter approach a key Taiwan airbase? New video sparks debate

No ‘piecemeal’ steps: Chinese journal urges more support for property sector

Top Communist Party journal calls on officials to roll out a stronger policy package in one go, rather than following ‘piecemeal-style’ approach.

China’s top contract chipmakers pursue acquisitions amid self-sufficiency drive

Hua Hong Semiconductor set to close a US$1.2 billion deal, days after SMIC says it will take full control of a subsidiary for US$5.8 billion.

Trump and Iran official exchange threats after protests turn deadly

Trump says US ‘will come to their rescue’ if ‘peaceful protesters killed’, while Iran’s former parliament speaker blames US and Israel for unrest.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

Swiss investigators rush to identify victims of New Year’s fire

Swiss officials say it may take days to identify victims of the Le Constellation fire, as many young revellers suffered severe burns.

Netflix-Warner deal sparks concern in India’s entertainment sector

Films in Indian cinemas could be screened for a shorter period before they move to Netflix’s streaming platform, an association warns.

China’s diplomatic divide: red carpet for Seoul, cold shoulder for Tokyo firms

While Tokyo’s corporate leaders stay home amid fallout from prime minister’s remarks on Taiwan, Beijing prepares to welcome South Korean president and top executives.

Beijing’s peaceful Taiwan reunification push to continue ‘with utmost sincerity’

Mainland China’s top Taiwan affairs official issued vow in new year’s message that came days after a large-scale PLA drill around the island.

Just how close did a PLA drone come to the heart of Taipei during drill?

Footage shared by a mainland military social media account shows Taipei 101 but it’s not clear when it was taken.

China’s EV sector doubles down on discounts and cheap financing as growth cools

Carmakers are shifting from straight price cuts to subsidised loans and feature-packed models, as China’s EV price war drags on.

US Navy aircraft crashes offer lessons for PLA carrier operations, analysts say

Chinese military could learn from rival’s strengths in search and rescue response, but also its weaknesses in maintenance and training.

Veteran Hong Kong lawmakers Starry Lee, Ronick Chan to vie for Legco presidency

Lee and Chan are running to succeed Andrew Leung as Legco president, with a vote on January 8.

DeepSeek proposes fundamental AI shift with ‘mHC’ architecture to upgrade ResNet

The paper comes at a time when most AI start-ups have been focusing on turning AI capabilities in LLMs into agents and other products.

China must take action to avoid Japan-style deflation spiral, scholars warn

Unless Beijing introduces more forceful policies, consumers could get locked into a mindset that is ‘nearly impossible to break’, scholars say.

Why the Philippines’ military is betting on South Korean defence systems

The US$27.7 million contract covers combat management systems for two next-generation Philippine Navy frigates.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | As the US struggles with affordability, consumer confidence eludes China

Outside In | 2025 was the year of denial. What now?

Opinion | How Hong Kong can take on a more frontier role in China’s development

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | How universities can rein in the abuse of AI

Opinion | Rising markets, falling interest rates and more: 5 investment myths for 2026

2 cats found at Tai Po inferno site a month after Hong Kong blaze, SPCA says

Chinese public warms to US while strongly backing Beijing’s trade stance: survey

Explainer | Hong Kong’s John Lee has sciatica. Here’s what you need to know about the condition

7 dead as Saudi jets strike UAE-backed forces in ‘peaceful’ Yemen operation

Opinion | As the US struggles with affordability, consumer confidence eludes China

China’s top contract chipmakers pursue acquisitions amid self-sufficiency drive

Why has Beijing turned down the heat in the Taiwan Strait in the second half of 2025?

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Open Questions | How new C100 chief plans to foster ties between Chinese-Americans and China

The Committee of 100’s president Paul Cheung has high hopes for Chinese-Americans’ relationship with China in these uncertain times.

Open Questions | Political scientist Ivan Krastev on European vertigo in a post-American world

While melancholy Europe frets that the US and China will shape the future, middle powers are jostling for a place at the big table.

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

China’s top contract chipmakers pursue acquisitions amid self-sufficiency drive

Hua Hong Semiconductor set to close a US$1.2 billion deal, days after SMIC says it will take full control of a subsidiary for US$5.8 billion.

DeepSeek proposes fundamental AI shift with ‘mHC’ architecture to upgrade ResNet

The paper comes at a time when most AI start-ups have been focusing on turning AI capabilities in LLMs into agents and other products.

Baidu spin-off Kunlunxin joins wave of Chinese semiconductor IPOs in Hong Kong

Last year, 20 Chinese semiconductor IPOs raised over 45 billion yuan (US$6.4 billion), with six of them listing in December.

Hong Kong’s sex offence laws are to be overhauled. What needs to be updated?

Consent and gender issues are key areas the government will look at when it starts the review process.

How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

Yiwu, one of China’s biggest export hubs, was expected to take a hit from US tariffs. Instead, it has seen trade surge.

Is China’s truck-mounted catapult system enabling merchant aircraft carriers?

Scalable truck-based launch track pictured on modified cargo ship raises questions about drone war potential.

‘No fixed identity’: new Chinese-American writers are telling their own stories

They’re not shaped by history like the previous generation, and observer says US-China tensions can give them ‘more space’ to explore issues.

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Opinion | As the US struggles with affordability, consumer confidence eludes China

Letters | How universities can rein in the abuse of AI