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New energy vehicles at Changan Automobile’s vehicle distribution center in Chongqing, China, November 17, 2024. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Buy local: China directs state bodies to buy more home-made EVs for official use

Beijing’s latest order follows similar notices in 2024 that aim to increase Made in China electric vehicles in government fleets.

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EU tariffs failing to stop flood of Chinese electric vehicles, new trade data suggests

Made in China 2025
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Diplomacy

Amid trade war pause, Trump-Xi direct talks needed soon, ex-US envoy says

Citing ‘horrible’ lack of contact, former American envoy to Russia Michael McFaul says dialogue between two leaders ‘especially important’ for stable ties.

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China Economy

BeiDou, China’s version of GPS, now being used over 1 trillion times per day

The Chinese navigation system has ascended to a dominant position in its home market, driving nearly US$80 billion of economic output last year.

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Health & Environment

Hong Kong to map safety risks of city’s numerous natural slopes using drones

Geotechnical Engineering Office’s Lawrence Shum also says his team will test landslide prediction model this rainy season.

Military
If deployed, the Jiu Tian will contribute to the PLA’s swarming capabilities – in which a large group of networked drones are released to work together. Photo: EPA-EFE

7,000km range, 6 tonnes ammunition: the Chinese UAV dubbed ‘high sky’

Military

India’s Prachand combat helicopter no match for China’s Z-10: report

Indian defence ministry approved order for 156 helicopters while eyeing high-altitude operations where it has issues with China and Pakistan.

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The HAL Prachand is an Indian multi-role light attack helicopter designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under Project Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). Photo: Handout
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Global Economy

China’s economic resilience muffles speculations over imminent fiscal stimulus

China’s exports and industrial output beat market expectations in April, despite the impact of US tariffs.

Economics

India eyes more rice exports over lower tensions with Pakistan, early monsoon

Rice prices have stabilised in Asia after they spiked over supply concerns resulting from the conflict between India and Pakistan.

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Companies

Building inspection tech company RaSpect evolves from Hong Kong start-up to global player

The company and its AI-powered inspection system gained exposure and business connections through HKTDC and its global network.

In partnership with:
HKTDC
Hong Kong-based tech start-up RaSpect has developed an AI-powered, autonomous building inspection process that uses drones and sensors.

Health & Wellness

What’s it like to die? VR experience depicts cancer patient’s emotional end

Developed by Embodied Labs, the experience at the University of Minnesota comes with a warning that ‘strong emotional reactions are common’.

The dying experience at the University of Minnesota is part of a series of immersive, first-person VR simulations developed by Embodied Labs that also cover what it’s like to have dementia, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease; to have lost vision or hearing; to be socially isolated; and to experience ageing as an LGBTQ person. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

‘It’s glorious to save’: how China will trim the fat in new belt-tightening push

New rules to cut wasteful government spending and projects are ‘most stringent’ since austerity drive first launched in 2013, observer says.

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Science

Why this earth scientist sees China as ‘the great hope’ for climate research

Benjamin Horton, the new dean of CityU’s energy and environment school, points to funding, advances in green tech and government support.

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Politics

South Korea’s presidential candidates clash over China, ‘pragmatic’ policy

PPP’s Kim Moon-soo has accused DPK’s Lee Jae-myung of lacking commitment towards the US-South Korea alliance and the THAAD system.

South Korea’s presidential candidates gather before a debate for the 2025 presidential election at SBS studio in Seoul on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

China

Chinese fans query curious case of empty seats at ‘sold-out’ table tennis event

The sight of unfilled arenas leads to media and online commenters suggesting that scalpers bought tickets to re-sell to Chinese fans.

There were empty seats aplenty when Simon Gauzy and Prithika Pavade of France beat German pair Patrick Franziska and Annett Kaufmann 3-1 at Lusail Sports Arena on Sunday afternoon. Photo: WTT

Law and Crime

Hong Kong watchdog flags new scam involving complaints from ‘neighbours’

Watchdog cites six cases in which fake complaints about water leakage or noise used to contact victims for private information.

Big Tech

Nvidia’s Huang teases new Taiwan office, supercomputer plans in Computex speech

In his keynote speech at Computex in Taipei, Jensen Huang said Nvidia secured a lease for a new property and is partnering with local firms, including Foxconn.

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Economic Indicators

China’s manufacturing resilient in April despite US tariffs; consumption softens

China’s industrial output rose 6.1 per cent, beating estimates, while domestic consumption up 5.1 per cent – slightly below expectations.

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China released its figures for industrial output in April, a period when tariffs from the US were at their highest. Photo: AFP

Big Tech

Xiaomi now one of China’s biggest semiconductor investors, founder Lei Jun says

Lei said Xiaomi reached that milestone in April after spending US$2 billion of its 10-year, US$6.9 billion allocation for chip development.

Xiaomi is sharpening its focus on semiconductor development in China. Photo: Shutterstock

Banking & Finance

Exclusive | Leapmotor European production to move from Poland to another Stellantis facility

Leapmotor says move is likely to drive up its European production costs by about 10 per cent, but it has no plans to raise prices.

Travel & Leisure

Cruise trends for 2025, from private islands to super luxury trips

Companies including Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line are placing big bets on where they think the industry is heading.

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OPINION
Nicholas Spiro

The View | What Asian currency rallies mean for the region’s property markets

Nicholas Spiro
Sophie Wushuang Yi

Opinion | How China’s military tech proved its worth in India-Pakistan clashes

Sophie Wushuang Yi
SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Air begins to clear on better EU-China ties

SCMP Editorial
Letters

Letters | Community-centred technology can help Hong Kong’s seniors age well

Letters
Alice Wu

Opinion | Ignoring primary school stress a ticking time bomb for Hong Kong

Alice Wu
Harry’s View | 19 May 2025
May 19, 2025
MORE COMMENT
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China Economy

Buy local: China directs state bodies to buy more home-made EVs for official use

Politics

Workers’ Party names Andre Low, Eileen Chong as Singapore’s NCMPs

Health & Environment

Explainer | How common is prostate cancer in Hong Kong and what can you do to treat it?

Law and Crime

Teen arrested in Hong Kong after dad calls police over ‘space oil’ possession

Politics

‘It’s glorious to save’: how China will trim the fat in new belt-tightening push

South Asia

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US tariff war
Beijing said imports were damaging its domestic industries. Photo: EPA-EFE

China puts heavy 75% tax on US imports of vital engineering plastic

The levy, which also hits firms from the EU, Japan and Taiwan came despite a 90-day truce in the trade war between the two countries.

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Trade war fallout: Chinese e-commerce firms intensify push for Europe’s shoppers

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India’s manufacturers fear becoming collateral damage of US-China trade war

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Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Brics message to ‘ring hollow’ if Pakistan is ‘blocked by India’: Khalil Hashmi

Pakistan’s ambassador in Beijing says China – and Trump – welcome to mediate Kashmir conflict.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Global Economy

Open Questions | As unswerving superpowers meet unsustainable tariffs, Yao Yang breaks down the paradox

From the US-China trade war to China’s economic outlook for the months ahead, the economist and academic – known for his hot takes – talks policy and strategy.

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Diplomacy

Open Questions | Princeton’s Rory Truex unwraps Trump’s gifts to China, from tariffs to tech wars

The Chinese politics specialist says he could imagine Beijing leadership smiling about Washington’s ‘counterproductive’ foreign policy.

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Global Economy

Open Questions | Why Scott Kennedy thinks the US-China trade war is ‘far from the endgame’

The political scientist talks tariffs, a potential deal between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, and why the US dollar has lost some of its lustre.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
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Tech Trends

Huawei, UBTech team up to bring humanoid robots to factories and homes

The partnership aims to establish smart factories, leveraging Huawei’s strengths in self-developed AI processors.

UBTech’s Walker robot seen at the company’s offices in Shenzhen. Photo: Edmond So

China Economy

Buy local: China directs state bodies to buy more home-made EVs for official use

Beijing’s latest order follows similar notices in 2024 that aim to increase Made in China electric vehicles in government fleets.

videocam

Big Tech

Xiaomi now one of China’s biggest semiconductor investors, founder Lei Jun says

Lei said Xiaomi reached that milestone in April after spending US$2 billion of its 10-year, US$6.9 billion allocation for chip development.

Big Tech

Ant Group’s global unit pulls in US$3 billion in revenue ahead of spin-off

Ant International could fetch an IPO valuation of between US$8 billion to US$24 billion if it lists in Hong Kong, analysts say.

The Ant Group logo seen inside the fintech company’s headquarters in Hangzhou, capital of eastern Zhejiang province. Photo: Reuters

Politics

International Museum Day: how China is aiming for cultural superpower status

While investment in cultural heritage is declining in the US and other countries, the ‘unique’ Chinese model is flourishing, observers said.

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Illustration: Davies C. Surya

China Economy

Foreign degree? Think again, say Chinese parents as change of heart shifts focus

Middle-class parents in China long viewed overseas diplomas as the best path to success, so what has changed? And why are overseas students in an ‘increasingly awkward position’?

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China Economy

Why Trump’s drug price promise may fail to protect China’s pharma industry

America is reliant on mainland companies for the raw materials needed to make life-saving drugs, but experts say duties are likely.

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Military

Will satellite dogfights be the final frontier for US-China space rivalry?

Analysts warn of more intense space race as rival powers grappling with low trust and transparency seek both superiority and deterrence.

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Photo: Brian Wang
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