Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

China, producer of most of the world’s e-cigarettes, has introduced new regulatory guidelines for the industry. Photo: Getty Images

China bolsters e-cigarette regulations to smoke out non-compliance

The draft policy would cut down on excess capacity within e-cigarette sector and tighten enforcement of standards in production and export.

26 minutes agovideocam

As Germany’s trade deficit with China nears new high, analysts warn of backlash

China manufacturing

Diplomacy

Breaking | Beijing sanctions 20 US defence firms over Taiwan arms sales package

The weapons package, valued at over US$10 billion, would be Washington’s biggest ever to the island.

3 minutes ago

Science

Top biotech scientist Chen Xiaoyuan denies harassment claim, says he will appeal

Professor is the subject of social media claims and counterclaims after NUS alleged his behaviour was ‘unsolicited and unwanted’.

57 minutes agovideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong restaurant sales drop 10% over Christmas as cross-border trips spike

While restaurants struggle to attract diners, one hotel group says its properties recorded 90 per cent occupancy.

2 hours ago

Lifestyle

Find out what is in store for your Chinese zodiac animal in the coming month with predictions from fortune-teller Andrew Kwan. Photo: Shutterstock

Is the Year of the Snake’s 11th month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Science

In world first, Chinese surgeons save patient’s ear with graft onto foot

The ear was torn off in an industrial accident and was successfully reattached to the woman’s scalp several months later.

2 hours agovideocam

The ear spent months grafted to the patient’s foot. Photo: QQ.com

China Economy

China’s Comac to team up with China Eastern for bigger C919 variant, sources say

Comac’s stretched model, expected to be dubbed the C919-800, could target lucrative Asian routes and seat more than 200 passengers.

5 hours agovideocam

Politics

Power, protests and policy shake-ups shape Indonesia’s 2025

President Prabowo Subianto asserts his authority as he navigates the global stage and domestic challenges in his first full year in office.

1 hour 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.

Science

Beijing extends Mars mission lead; stranded crew returns: China’s year in space

From the US-China race to bring rocks back from Mars to a ‘tit-for-tat’ orbital stand-off, here are some of the year’s most notable space stories.

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A Long March-2F carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft and a crew of three astronauts, lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi desert, in northwest China on April 24. Photo: AFP

Politics

China vows to keep up the fight after record ‘tigers’ caught in corruption net

Politburo agrees to push forward campaign and calls for graft-busters to provide ‘guarantee’ for nation’s economic and social development.

5 hours agovideocam

China Business

Beijing municipality eases home purchase curbs to shore up sluggish market

China’s property sector, once a pillar of economic growth, has been on a downward trajectory since the second half of 2021.

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Politics

Israel’s rising air defence sales become its ‘most potent’ foreign policy weapon

With more countries increasingly turning to Israel for their air defence systems, they cannot afford to isolate the Middle East power.

3 hours ago

Flags flutter in front of the Arrow 3 air defence system in Annaburg, Germany. Photo: Reuters

Science

China’s new quantum computer hits stability milestone, beating Google on efficiency

Chinese team is first outside the US to cross key threshold that determines whether practical quantum computers can work reliably at scale.

13 minutes agovideocam

Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China stand in front of the Zuchongzhi 3 superconducting quantum computing system. Photo: Handout

Politics

Developing | Malaysia’s Najib found guilty on all abuse of power, money laundering charges

The ruling came after a years-long trial in the financial fraud that saw more than US$4.5 billion plundered from the state fund.

5 minutes agovideocam

Military

Will Trump’s battleship plan deter China or is it just a pipe dream?

Donald Trump unveils new class of ship meant to ‘inspire fear in America’s enemies’, but analysts say the initiative faces huge hurdles.

26 Dec 2025 - 6:00AMvideocam

Politics

Yoon faces 10-year jail term in South Korea over first of 4 failed coup trials

During a hearing, Yoon appears tense and laughs in disbelief as special prosecutors present the charges in his first trial.

13 minutes ago

South Korea’s then impeached president Yoon Suk-Yeol attends a hearing at the Constitutional Court in Seoul in February. Photo: AP

People

Stay or go? Rohingya see no way out of predicament as Myanmar heads to poll

Myanmar’s phased election, set to start on Sunday, is likely to be steered by the same leaders responsible for driving the Rohingya out.

20 minutes agovideocam

A boat with Rohingya refugees attempts to enter Malaysia from Langkawi in this photo released on January 4. Photo: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency/AP

Lifestyle & Culture

In South Korea, vouchers to curb county’s falling population draw new residents

Officials in Okcheon, however, are looking to identify fake residents who change addresses without moving in.

2 hours agovideocam

SERIES: Year of the Horse 2026

How the horse paintings of Xu Beihong have galloped through history

Known as the father of modern Chinese art and famed for his horse paintings, Xu Beihong blended Western techniques with Chinese tradition.

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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

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23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

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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

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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.

15 Dec 2025 - 10:05AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

8 Dec 2025 - 10:07AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

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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

China Economy

China’s Comac to team up with China Eastern for bigger C919 variant, sources say

Comac’s stretched model, expected to be dubbed the C919-800, could target lucrative Asian routes and seat more than 200 passengers.

5 hours agovideocam

China Business

China’s rising biotech clout on show in flurry of billion-dollar licensing deals

A burst of overseas licensing pacts is spotlighting China’s biotech sector, as Jacobio, Coherent Biopharma and Harbour BioMed land deals.

26 Dec 2025 - 10:47AM

China Business

Mercedes-Benz buys US$191 million stake in Chinese autonomous driving developer

The German carmaker obtains a 3 per cent stake in Chongqing Qianli Technology.

25 Dec 2025 - 9:00PM

Military

How Beijing’s strategy shift explains decreased PLA activity in the Taiwan Strait

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

Politics

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

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

24 Dec 2025 - 9:53PMvideocam

Politics

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

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Politics

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

21 Dec 2025 - 7:35AMvideocam

China bolsters e-cigarette regulations to smoke out non-compliance

The draft policy would cut down on excess capacity within e-cigarette sector and tighten enforcement of standards in production and export.

As Germany’s trade deficit with China nears new high, analysts warn of backlash

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Breaking | Beijing sanctions 20 US defence firms over Taiwan arms sales package

The weapons package, valued at over US$10 billion, would be Washington’s biggest ever to the island.

Top biotech scientist Chen Xiaoyuan denies harassment claim, says he will appeal

Professor is the subject of social media claims and counterclaims after NUS alleged his behaviour was ‘unsolicited and unwanted’.

Hong Kong restaurant sales drop 10% over Christmas as cross-border trips spike

While restaurants struggle to attract diners, one hotel group says its properties recorded 90 per cent occupancy.

Is the Year of the Snake’s 11th month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

In world first, Chinese surgeons save patient’s ear with graft onto foot

The ear was torn off in an industrial accident and was successfully reattached to the woman’s scalp several months later.

China’s Comac to team up with China Eastern for bigger C919 variant, sources say

Comac’s stretched model, expected to be dubbed the C919-800, could target lucrative Asian routes and seat more than 200 passengers.

Power, protests and policy shake-ups shape Indonesia’s 2025

President Prabowo Subianto asserts his authority as he navigates the global stage and domestic challenges in his first full year in office.

.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.

Beijing extends Mars mission lead; stranded crew returns: China’s year in space

From the US-China race to bring rocks back from Mars to a ‘tit-for-tat’ orbital stand-off, here are some of the year’s most notable space stories.

China vows to keep up the fight after record ‘tigers’ caught in corruption net

Politburo agrees to push forward campaign and calls for graft-busters to provide ‘guarantee’ for nation’s economic and social development.

Beijing municipality eases home purchase curbs to shore up sluggish market

China’s property sector, once a pillar of economic growth, has been on a downward trajectory since the second half of 2021.

Israel’s rising air defence sales become its ‘most potent’ foreign policy weapon

With more countries increasingly turning to Israel for their air defence systems, they cannot afford to isolate the Middle East power.

China’s new quantum computer hits stability milestone, beating Google on efficiency

Chinese team is first outside the US to cross key threshold that determines whether practical quantum computers can work reliably at scale.

Developing | Malaysia’s Najib found guilty on all abuse of power, money laundering charges

The ruling came after a years-long trial in the financial fraud that saw more than US$4.5 billion plundered from the state fund.

Will Trump’s battleship plan deter China or is it just a pipe dream?

Donald Trump unveils new class of ship meant to ‘inspire fear in America’s enemies’, but analysts say the initiative faces huge hurdles.

Yoon faces 10-year jail term in South Korea over first of 4 failed coup trials

During a hearing, Yoon appears tense and laughs in disbelief as special prosecutors present the charges in his first trial.

Stay or go? Rohingya see no way out of predicament as Myanmar heads to poll

Myanmar’s phased election, set to start on Sunday, is likely to be steered by the same leaders responsible for driving the Rohingya out.

In South Korea, vouchers to curb county’s falling population draw new residents

Officials in Okcheon, however, are looking to identify fake residents who change addresses without moving in.

How the horse paintings of Xu Beihong have galloped through history

Known as the father of modern Chinese art and famed for his horse paintings, Xu Beihong blended Western techniques with Chinese tradition.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Outside In | As the US pursues unilateralism, China faces challenging task as Apec host

Opinion | West is getting on the same page as China for children’s social media use

Macroscope | Why Wall Street remains bullish on China amid economic slowdown

Opinion | Hong Kong’s new legislators must strengthen child protection laws

Opinion | Seoul holds the key to US-North Korea denuclearisation talks

Breaking | Beijing sanctions 20 US defence firms over Taiwan arms sales package

2 decoration workers remanded in custody over 1 billion yen robbery in Hong Kong

7 of the best New Year’s Eve parties in Hong Kong to see in 2026

China bolsters e-cigarette regulations to smoke out non-compliance

Malaysia’s Perlis state in turmoil after chief minister’s shock resignation

Outside In | As the US pursues unilateralism, China faces challenging task as Apec host

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 | 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.

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

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 Comac to team up with China Eastern for bigger C919 variant, sources say

Comac’s stretched model, expected to be dubbed the C919-800, could target lucrative Asian routes and seat more than 200 passengers.

China’s rising biotech clout on show in flurry of billion-dollar licensing deals

A burst of overseas licensing pacts is spotlighting China’s biotech sector, as Jacobio, Coherent Biopharma and Harbour BioMed land deals.

Mercedes-Benz buys US$191 million stake in Chinese autonomous driving developer

The German carmaker obtains a 3 per cent stake in Chongqing Qianli Technology.

How Beijing’s strategy shift explains decreased PLA activity in the Taiwan Strait

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

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

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

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

Breaking | Beijing sanctions 20 US defence firms over Taiwan arms sales package

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

Outside In | As the US pursues unilateralism, China faces challenging task as Apec host