Advertisement
Advertisement
SCMP PLUS
Latest
China
Economy
HK
Asia
Business
Tech
Lifestyle
People & Culture
World
Opinion
Video
Sport
-
Latest
China
Economy
HK
Asia
Business
Tech
Lifestyle
People & Culture
World
Opinion
Video
Sport
-
Advertisement
A security guard drinks from a bottle near an ad for e-CNY, or digital yuan, in Beijing on August 31, 2022. Photo: AP

China adds 12 banks to digital yuan system, expanding e-CNY’s economic presence

More than doubling the number of institutions using digital yuan in day-to-day operations, China is deepening the currency's role in its financial system.

videocam

What 2 new laws at ‘two sessions’ mean for China’s financial superpower push

Yuan
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Diplomacy

Trump administration moves to unify AI rules, bolster edge over China

Policy aims to increase federal government’s ability to ⁠fight national security concerns and counter Beijing’s growing dominance in sector.

videocam

Science

From years to a week: China’s superfast software for hypersonic weapon design

China’s new software simulates scramjet physics in one week versus years, marking high-fidelity leap in hypersonic engine research.

videocam
9

Military

How did Iran manage to detect and damage a US F-35? Chinese experts map out ways

US Central Command says stealth fighter was forced to make an emergency landing during a combat mission over Iran.

videocam
27
US-Israel war on Iran
Smoke and flames rise at the site of air strikes on an oil depot in Tehran, capital of Iran, on March 7. Photo: TNS

How long will US-Israel war on Iran last? Chinese analysts offer clues

US

How American Jesse Appell learned to land the punchline in Mandarin

US comedian spent 8 years mastering Chinese comedy, navigating culture, language and fame before Covid forced a return home.

American comedian Jesse Appell performed on China’s version of “Last Comic Standing” in 2020 before leaving the country amid the pandemic. Photo: Handout
Advertisement

China Economy

How China plans to use new law to further its financial superpower ambitions

The draft finance law, released by the Ministry of Justice, central bank and three other regulators, will solicit feedback until April 19.

Society

Residents of Tai Po blaze building misled over renovation project, inquiry told

Ties among companies bidding for work at Wang Fuk Court also suggest possible under-the-table relationships, independent committee hears.

Business

How Schneider Electric powers Hong Kong’s ecosystem innovation

InvestHK backs firm’s efforts to optimise energy use in city’s buildings, infrastructure and transport as part of its low-carbon transition.

In partnership with:
InvestHK
A charging station designed for both private and commercial use was one of Schneider Electric’s eMobility solutions showcased at last October’s Innovation Summit Hong Kong 2025. Photo: Schneider Electric

Middle East

UK allows US to use its bases to strike Iran missile sites targeting Hormuz

Trump has repeatedly attacked British PM Starmer since the conflict started, complaining ⁠he was not doing enough to help.

videocam
A USAF B-1 bomber takes off at RAF Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire, Britain, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Military

Can the US reopen the Strait of Hormuz? Many military analysts are sceptical

Chinese observers question whether air strikes, and even a limited ground presence, will be enough to remove the threat to shipping.

videocam
7

Politics

Trump’s Pearl Harbour joke falls flat in Japan over his ‘disrespectful remarks’

As Japan faces pressure over the Iran war, some observers commend Takaichi for steering her meeting with Trump towards trade deals.

videocam
31

Middle East

Netanyahu compares Jesus and Genghis Khan in Iran war speech, drawing backlash

Christians, in particular, were angered by the Israeli PM’s remarks, which some say suggest a ‘might is right’ approach.

videocam
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on Thursday. Photo: EPA

Banking & Finance

China’s Unitree Robotics rides humanoid tide as it targets US$610m IPO

Prospectus reveals that company’s revenue jumped 335 per cent last year, while net profit surged nearly eight times.

Unitree’s G1 robot is displayed during the World AI Cannes Festival 2026, in Cannes, France, on February 12, 2026. Photo: EPA

United States & Canada

Trump calls Nato ‘cowards’ over lack of support in Iran war, sends more troops

Iran is threatening tourist sites worldwide, renewing fears that Tehran could resort to militant attacks beyond the Middle East.

videocam
10

Global Economy

US loses, Europe gains: what’s happening with China’s rare earth magnet exports?

Latest data shows a persistent drop in US-bound shipments and rising European imports.

China Economy

China’s Russian oil imports spike in early 2026, but Iran war changes outlook

China’s need to bolster crude stockpiles amid rising geopolitical risks likely to have been a factor behind pre-war import surge, analyst says.

An attendant holds a petrol nozzle after refuelling a car at a petrol station in Beijing last week. China imported 159.79 million barrels of Russian crude in the first two months of the year. Photo: Reuters

Europe

Norway crown princess says she was ‘manipulated’ by Epstein

Recent polls show most Norwegians oppose the idea of Mette-Marit ever becoming queen.

videocam
Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s name appears in new Epstein documents released by the US Department of Justice earlier in 2026. Photo: AFP

United States & Canada

Action movie star Chuck Norris dies at 86

His epic fight with kung fu superstar Bruce Lee in ‘The Way of The Dragon’ helped turn Norris into an icon.

5

Politics

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

As Beijing and Washington negotiate new schedule for Trump’s visit, Daines is expected to meet US business leaders in Hong Kong on March 30.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
Lizzi C. Lee,Huiyan Li

Opinion | As China struggles to boost demand, no one-size-fits-all solution will work

Lizzi C. Lee
Huiyan Li
Alex Lo

As I see it | Why the world may now need an Iranian nuclear bomb

Alex Lo
11
Letters

Letters | Hong Kong has a chance to lead the world in marine underwriting

Letters
David Dodwell

Outside In | As Iran war escalates, the US ramps up its trade war

David Dodwell
Bernard Chan

Opinion | Iran war revives pandemic-era shocks – and may go further

Bernard Chan
Harry’s View | 21 Mar 2026
March 21, 2026
MORE COMMENT
LATEST

China Opinion

Opinion | As China struggles to boost demand, no one-size-fits-all solution will work

Diplomacy

Trump administration moves to unify AI rules, bolster edge over China

Middle East

Netanyahu compares Jesus and Genghis Khan in Iran war speech, drawing backlash

Middle East

UK allows US to use its bases to strike Iran missile sites targeting Hormuz

US

How American Jesse Appell learned to land the punchline in Mandarin

Europe

IRA bomb victims drop civil court claim against Gerry Adams

MORE LATEST NEWS
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
SCMP Series
AI's impact on Hong Kong
‘Two sessions’: China’s economic agenda
China Inc. goes global
Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea
Illustration: Henry Wong
SCMP SeriesAI's impact on Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s bid to win in AI: where are the road map and the guardrails?

Hong Kong’s AI revolution accelerates as policy funds skills training while industries and educators rush to integrate the shift.

Exclusive | Hong Kong job openings hit 6-year low in 69% of sectors amid AI’s ascent

Is AI displacing young people for entry-level jobs?

Open Questions series

Military

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

videocam
14
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Strikes on Iran not the biggest threat to China’s belt and road goals: Pan Guang

Mainland academic assesses the risks to Chinese investment and diplomacy in the region and what it means for the other main players.

videocam
8

Global Economy

Open Questions | Top shipbuilding voice Li Yanqing rebukes Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative

China’s national shipbuilding association official calls US port fees ‘absurd’ and politically motivated, while asserting China’s market lead is solid despite global fluctuations.

21

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era

American political scientist on how ‘interdependence’ can be exploited as part of the rivalry between major powers.

videocam
6
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China Future Tech
China Future Tech
Key Industries:
EVs
AI
Semiconductors
Aerospace
Robotics
Biomedicine
Live Q&A webinars

Tech

Can Nvidia’s inference push at GTC help or hinder China’s catch-up efforts?

Nvidia’s Groq 3 LPU chip widens the AI gap with China, but offers Chinese firms niche inference market opportunities, analysts say.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the company’s annual GTC conference in San Jose on Monday. Photo: Bay Area News Group via AP

Banking & Finance

China’s Unitree Robotics rides humanoid tide as it targets US$610m IPO

Prospectus reveals that company’s revenue jumped 335 per cent last year, while net profit surged nearly eight times.

Tech

Preview of Alibaba’s top AI model leads Chinese peers, lags US rivals

Qwen3.5-Max-Preview enters a global ranking at 15th, behind models from Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.

China Business

Global drug giants double down on China amid push for self-reliant supply chains

Multinationals are building self-reliant supply chains in China to insulate local markets from potential trade disruptions, say analysts.

AstraZeneca’s booth at the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, July 17, 2025. Photo: EPA

Diplomacy

Why Beijing has struggled to rally Asia against Japan over PM’s Taiwan remarks

Many in the region harbour security concerns similar to Tokyo’s and prefer to stay neutral between the Asian heavyweights, analysts say.

videocam
12
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Diplomacy

Why Japan thinks China’s growing cultural clout is something it needs to counter

The global success of Chinese video games and animation – as well as the appeal of traditional culture – has triggered a reaction in Tokyo.

videocam
44

Military

How are military helicopters evolving to adapt to the age of drone warfare?

Armed forces such as the US and China are increasingly arming themselves with UAVs, but analysts believe crewed aircraft still have a role.

videocam

Tech Trends

Inside the OpenClaw AI mania in China, as security fears and enthusiasm surge

Appeal of autonomous AI agent spurs rapid adoption across country, from tech pros to retirees seeking a ‘digital staff’, but data wipes mar its rise and trigger warnings.

videocam
Illustration: Henry Wong
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement