Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Ships under construction at China Merchants Industrial Nanjing Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China, on April 16. Photo: Getty Images

The Iran war’s unlikely winner: China’s shipyards

China already dominates global shipbuilding orders – and the Strait of Hormuz crisis appears to be boosting demand.

2 hours ago

Stern rebuke: China shrugs off 2025 US threats to anchor shipbuilding dominance

China shipbuilding

Diplomacy

Trump extends Iran ceasefire, claims interception of ‘gift from China’

Strait blockade stays as US seizes vessel said to be carrying ammunition for Iran; Beijing denies role and talks face fresh doubt.

2 hours agovideocam

113

Diplomacy

Exclusive | China and Philippines taking ‘baby steps’ towards better relations: ambassador

Jaime FlorCruz says both sides want stable ties, but closer economic relations must not be used as ‘leverage’ in the South China Sea dispute.

4 hours agovideocam

Law and Crime

Scammers trick overseas students out of gold in fake money-laundering probes

Hong Kong police say at least nine victims studying in UK, Australia and other countries have fallen prey to the scams.

2 hours ago

Focus

Trump’s military push confronts US lawmakers and China’s shipbuilding edge

Diplomacy

Iran war latest: Trump’s ceasefire reversal and tensions simmer with China

US president says he will indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran but it is still not clear if Tehran will take part in peace talks.

41 minutes agovideocam

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US blockade of Iran’s ports violated the ceasefire and amounted to “an act of war”. Photo: Stringer/dpa

China Business

Hong Kong stocks retreat after Trump extends Iran war ceasefire

Hang Seng Index drops 0.9 per cent to 26,242.56 by 9.30am.

7 minutes ago

Economics

Indonesia’s fuel price jump sparks concern about shift to subsidised LPG

Analysts warn the price increases could encourage better-off consumers to switch to products meant for lower-income households.

2 hours ago

Business

How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Government initiative OASES supports GSK and Tigermed as they expand clinical trials and collaboration in mainland China and beyond.

In partnership with:

OASES

Hong Kong has introduced a range of measures to nurture biotechnology start-ups and attract more clinical research projects as part of its plan to become a global health and medical innovation hub. Photo: Shutterstock

Military

PLA’s new Type 076 ‘drone carrier’ set for South China Sea training drills

China’s next-level amphibious warship, the Sichuan, in same waters where US, Japan and the Philippines are conducting joint military exercises.

1 hour agovideocam

China’s first drone-carrying Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, on its maiden sea trial last November. Photo: CCTV

Banking & Finance

Greater China private equity set for patchy recovery, modest fundraising boost

China’s private equity market recovers selectively amid geopolitical tensions, with yuan funds leading and exits reaching record highs.

3 hours ago

Diplomacy

Chinese student charged with illegally taking photos of US military planes

Student taken into custody after allegedly photographing sensitive military aircraft near key air force base in Nebraska during US road trip.

1 hour agovideocam

China Business

CATL to drive electrification with faster-charging, higher-performing batteries

World’s largest EV battery producer reveals third-gen product that charges in under six-and-a-half minutes, easing drivers’ range anxiety.

37 minutes agovideocam

People look at a model of CATL’s Chocolate 26# Battery during the CATL Tech Day event ahead of the Beijing Auto Show in Beijing on April 21. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Subsidies for dating apps latest tactic to battle low birth rates in rural Japan

Kochi prefecture says residents aged between 20 and 39 can receive a US$125 subsidy to use certified matchmaking apps.

1 hour ago

A couple admires the autumn leaves in Japan. Japanese youth are increasingly turning to matchmaking apps to find life partners. Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Big Tech

Can new Apple CEO John Ternus replicate Tim Cook’s success in China?

Market researcher IDC says the Apple CEO transition marks ‘the most consequential leadership change in consumer technology in years’.

21 Apr 2026 - 10:00PM

United States & Canada

Trump reads from Bible after high-profile clash with pope

The US president has faced rare criticism from his evangelical supporters for sharing a meme in which he appears as a Jesus-like healer.

2 hours agovideocam

United States & Canada

Canadian who was detained by China warns against Carney’s EV deal

Ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig was imprisoned for three years after Canada arrested Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou on a US extradition request.

5 hours agovideocam

Michael Kovrig, an adviser with the International Crisis Group, speaks during an interview in Hong Kong in March 2018. Photo: AP

Arts

‘Raw honesty’: new museum preserves Thai-Chinese art rebel’s remarkable legacy

The Tang Chang Private Museum opens on May 1 as the Bangkok-born artist’s family aims to show the world his work before it’s too late.

3 hours ago

A partial view of “October 14” (1973), by Tang Chang. The Thai-Chinese artist’s self-portrait was painted in the wake of a 1973 crackdown in Bangkok that left dozens of pro-democracy protesters dead and hundreds more injured. The canvas is on show at the Tang Chang Private Museum, which will open in Nakhon Pathom on May 1. Photo: Tang Chang Private Museum

Education

Number of Hong Kong school leavers seeking education elsewhere hits 14-year low

Only 2,671 of 40,948 Form Six graduates pursuing full-time courses chose to study outside Hong Kong last year, the lowest level since 2012.

21 Apr 2026 - 11:55PM

People & Culture

Chinese New Year bamboo greeting cards date back over 2,000 years to Han dynasty

Sending festive messages in ancient times took time and often servants would deliver ‘flying letters’ from their masters to remote friends.

1 hour ago

OPINION

Jinghan (Michael) Zeng

Opinion | How Hong Kong can actively shape the foreign policy debate

31 minutes ago

Xiao Qian

Opinion | US-China AI race must strike a balance between security and openness

5 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Public input is key in setting out Hong Kong’s first five-year plan

3 hours ago

Alex Lo

As I see it | How ancient Chinese philosophers make sense of modern headaches

21 Apr 2026 - 8:30PM

William Figueroa

Opinion | China’s diplomacy succeeds even if it doesn’t bring Middle East peace

21 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

Harry’s View | 22 Apr 2026

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Chinese New Year bamboo greeting cards date back over 2,000 years to Han dynasty

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SCMP Series US-Israel war on Iran

Iran war: is the US shifting away from its strategy of precision strikes?

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

9 Apr 2026 - 9:26AMvideocam

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

8 Apr 2026 - 11:10AMvideocam

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

7 Apr 2026 - 2:20AMvideocam

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

20 Apr 2026 - 10:05AMvideocam

Science

Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history: Sheng-Wei Wang

Kunyu Wanguo Quantu and maritime artefacts prove China explored the world earlier than Eurocentric accounts suggest, scholar argues.

13 Apr 2026 - 8:15AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

6 Apr 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

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

Key Industries:

China Business

China’s drug makers are speeding up – will AI be their secret weapon?

Chinese biotech firms are striking big global deals as drug makers, but could artificial intelligence take them to the next level?

18 Apr 2026 - 11:05AM

China Business

CATL to drive electrification with faster-charging, higher-performing batteries

World’s largest EV battery producer reveals third-gen product that charges in under six-and-a-half minutes, easing drivers’ range anxiety.

37 minutes agovideocam

China Economy

Learn from the East, says economist Justin Lin, refuting ‘overcapacity’ rhetoric

Former World Bank economist defends Beijing’s industrial strategy amid ‘overcapacity’ allegations, points to Germany and a ‘double standard’.

21 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

China Economy

China confronts Middle East supply shock, as State Council mulls energy strategy

Premier Li Qiang urges ‘bottom-line mentality’ to secure power as Beijing sees coal and Russian gas among options to offset reliance on imported crude.

21 Apr 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Premier Li Qiang presides over a State Council group study session on energy development on Monday. Photo Xinhua

Politics

How China is reinforcing its ‘legal shield’ against foreign pressure

New rules take aim at sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’, and the Strait of Hormuz crisis could provide a high-stakes testing ground.

21 Apr 2026 - 6:46AM

Diplomacy

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Many believed the transatlantic alliance could weather another term of Trump, but a year and a half on those hopes have largely faded.

19 Apr 2026 - 1:32AMvideocam

Sport

Rugby’s greatest weekend: 50 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - an infographic

See the world’s top teams compete at Kai Tak Stadium on April 17-19 and celebrate 50 years of Hong Kong Sevens history, tries and triumphs.

16 Apr 2026 - 8:15PM

China Business

China’s drug makers are speeding up – will AI be their secret weapon?

Chinese biotech firms are striking big global deals as drug makers, but could artificial intelligence take them to the next level?

18 Apr 2026 - 11:05AM

The Iran war’s unlikely winner: China’s shipyards

China already dominates global shipbuilding orders – and the Strait of Hormuz crisis appears to be boosting demand.

Stern rebuke: China shrugs off 2025 US threats to anchor shipbuilding dominance

Trump extends Iran ceasefire, claims interception of ‘gift from China’

Strait blockade stays as US seizes vessel said to be carrying ammunition for Iran; Beijing denies role and talks face fresh doubt.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | China and Philippines taking ‘baby steps’ towards better relations: ambassador

Jaime FlorCruz says both sides want stable ties, but closer economic relations must not be used as ‘leverage’ in the South China Sea dispute.

Scammers trick overseas students out of gold in fake money-laundering probes

Hong Kong police say at least nine victims studying in UK, Australia and other countries have fallen prey to the scams.

Trump’s military push confronts US lawmakers and China’s shipbuilding edge

Iran war latest: Trump’s ceasefire reversal and tensions simmer with China

US president says he will indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran but it is still not clear if Tehran will take part in peace talks.

Hong Kong stocks retreat after Trump extends Iran war ceasefire

Hang Seng Index drops 0.9 per cent to 26,242.56 by 9.30am.

Indonesia’s fuel price jump sparks concern about shift to subsidised LPG

Analysts warn the price increases could encourage better-off consumers to switch to products meant for lower-income households.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Government initiative OASES supports GSK and Tigermed as they expand clinical trials and collaboration in mainland China and beyond.

PLA’s new Type 076 ‘drone carrier’ set for South China Sea training drills

China’s next-level amphibious warship, the Sichuan, in same waters where US, Japan and the Philippines are conducting joint military exercises.

Greater China private equity set for patchy recovery, modest fundraising boost

China’s private equity market recovers selectively amid geopolitical tensions, with yuan funds leading and exits reaching record highs.

Chinese student charged with illegally taking photos of US military planes

Student taken into custody after allegedly photographing sensitive military aircraft near key air force base in Nebraska during US road trip.

CATL to drive electrification with faster-charging, higher-performing batteries

World’s largest EV battery producer reveals third-gen product that charges in under six-and-a-half minutes, easing drivers’ range anxiety.

Subsidies for dating apps latest tactic to battle low birth rates in rural Japan

Kochi prefecture says residents aged between 20 and 39 can receive a US$125 subsidy to use certified matchmaking apps.

Can new Apple CEO John Ternus replicate Tim Cook’s success in China?

Market researcher IDC says the Apple CEO transition marks ‘the most consequential leadership change in consumer technology in years’.

Trump reads from Bible after high-profile clash with pope

The US president has faced rare criticism from his evangelical supporters for sharing a meme in which he appears as a Jesus-like healer.

Canadian who was detained by China warns against Carney’s EV deal

Ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig was imprisoned for three years after Canada arrested Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou on a US extradition request.

‘Raw honesty’: new museum preserves Thai-Chinese art rebel’s remarkable legacy

The Tang Chang Private Museum opens on May 1 as the Bangkok-born artist’s family aims to show the world his work before it’s too late.

Number of Hong Kong school leavers seeking education elsewhere hits 14-year low

Only 2,671 of 40,948 Form Six graduates pursuing full-time courses chose to study outside Hong Kong last year, the lowest level since 2012.

Chinese New Year bamboo greeting cards date back over 2,000 years to Han dynasty

Sending festive messages in ancient times took time and often servants would deliver ‘flying letters’ from their masters to remote friends.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | How Hong Kong can actively shape the foreign policy debate

Opinion | US-China AI race must strike a balance between security and openness

Editorial | Public input is key in setting out Hong Kong’s first five-year plan

As I see it | How ancient Chinese philosophers make sense of modern headaches

Opinion | China’s diplomacy succeeds even if it doesn’t bring Middle East peace

Trump effect? Taiwan poll reveals deep doubts about US military protection

Style Edit: Tag Heuer reimagines the chronograph for Watches and Wonders

Hong Kong stocks retreat after Trump extends Iran war ceasefire

Pacific Islanders skip food, medicine amid global fuel shortage from Iran war

Opinion | How Hong Kong can actively shape the foreign policy debate

CATL to drive electrification with faster-charging, higher-performing batteries

Iran war latest: Trump’s ceasefire reversal and tensions simmer with China

Subsidies for dating apps latest tactic to battle low birth rates in rural Japan

Chinese New Year bamboo greeting cards date back over 2,000 years to Han dynasty

New Zealand minister under fire for ‘butter chicken tsunami’ remarks

Iran war: is the US shifting away from its strategy of precision strikes?

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history: Sheng-Wei Wang

Kunyu Wanguo Quantu and maritime artefacts prove China explored the world earlier than Eurocentric accounts suggest, scholar argues.

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

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.

China’s drug makers are speeding up – will AI be their secret weapon?

Chinese biotech firms are striking big global deals as drug makers, but could artificial intelligence take them to the next level?

CATL to drive electrification with faster-charging, higher-performing batteries

World’s largest EV battery producer reveals third-gen product that charges in under six-and-a-half minutes, easing drivers’ range anxiety.

Learn from the East, says economist Justin Lin, refuting ‘overcapacity’ rhetoric

Former World Bank economist defends Beijing’s industrial strategy amid ‘overcapacity’ allegations, points to Germany and a ‘double standard’.

China confronts Middle East supply shock, as State Council mulls energy strategy

Premier Li Qiang urges ‘bottom-line mentality’ to secure power as Beijing sees coal and Russian gas among options to offset reliance on imported crude.

How China is reinforcing its ‘legal shield’ against foreign pressure

New rules take aim at sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’, and the Strait of Hormuz crisis could provide a high-stakes testing ground.

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Many believed the transatlantic alliance could weather another term of Trump, but a year and a half on those hopes have largely faded.

Rugby’s greatest weekend: 50 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - an infographic

Exclusive | China and Philippines taking ‘baby steps’ towards better relations: ambassador

How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Opinion | How Hong Kong can actively shape the foreign policy debate