Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

An Air France Airbus A319-111 airplane taxis at Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris, as demand for China-Europe flights climbs despite increased fuel prices due to conflict in the Middle East. Photo: Reuters

European airlines adding China flights despite Russian airspace barrier

Demand for China-Europe flights surges as airlines avoid flying over Iranian airspace and divert tourists away from Southeast Asia.

2 hours agovideocam

Canada’s push to rebuild ties with China hits a snag: a lack of direct flights

China airliners

SERIES: Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Why is Beijing on a stronger footing to discuss Taiwan with Trump this time?

The US president ‘needs China’s cooperation on multiple fronts’, mainland-based analyst says.

1 hour agovideocam

Global Economy

Pakistan to tap China debt market with first sale of yuan-priced ‘panda bonds’

Islamabad turns to ‘panda bonds’ to secure cheaper credit and diversify its borrowing into yuan-denominated funding, with a focus on sustainable development.

6 hours agovideocam

Law and Crime

Over 72,000 Hongkongers hit as HKUST, PolyU among institutions in Canvas hack

Breach is part of wider global data leak that has affected universities and schools worldwide, with an estimated 9,000 institutions impacted.

51 minutes ago

Focus

China’s AI ascent leaves Trump a stark choice: escalate or relax chip controls?

SERIES: Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Trump heads to China with Musk, Cook and top CEOs for Xi talks

Business delegation spanning tech, aviation and finance joins Beijing trip as trade, investment and supply chains top agenda.

5 hours agovideocam

Apple CEO Tim Cook (left) and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and expected to join a delegation of US business leaders travelling with President Donald Trump to China this week. Photo: Getty Images

SERIES: Trump’s 2026 trip to China

From ‘Taco’ to ‘Nacho’: Wall Street’s new buzzword as Trump preps for China trip

Traders’ catch-cry ‘Not a chance Hormuz opens’ replaces ‘Trump always chickens out’ as grim predictions swirl over gridlock, oil prices.

4 hours agovideocam

People

Malaysia’s top anti-corruption enforcer exits with legacy in doubt

Malaysia has a new anti-corruption chief. What it doesn’t have yet is a clear answer to the questions that dogged the old one.

1 hour agovideocam

Tech

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

In partnership with:

Huawei

Money News

US$58.3 billion flows into emerging markets as geopolitical panic blows over

China, Hong Kong stock markets may benefit from Xi-Trump meeting as renewed interest in AI shows investors keen to re-engage, analysts say.

2 hours agovideocam

Asia

Philippine pageant debate, Chinese stealth jets in Pakistan: 7 Asia highlights

From controversy about a Philippine pageant winner to Japan’s social recluses, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

3 hours ago

Science

Acclaimed biologist Xu Xianzhong returns to China after arrests in his US lab

Multiple investigations into Chinese researchers at the University of Michigan in recent months involved members of Xu’s laboratory.

12 May 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

Big Tech

SMIC founder warns against ‘blind pursuit’ of cutting-edge nodes

Richard Chang’s rare public remarks highlight importance of mature chips to China’s supply chain security.

12 May 2026 - 7:51AM

An industry veteran has stressed the value of investing in mature nodes and specialty processes, which account for more than 80 per cent of global semiconductor demand. Photo: AFP

Politics

South Korea cautious on blaming Iran for ship strike ahead of US-China summit

Seoul has footage of the May 4 attack on the HMM Namu but analysts say it is biding its time, hoping ‘the dust will settle’.

2 hours ago

Damage to the South Korean cargo ship HMM Namu is seen this undated handout photograph released on Sunday. Photo: South Korea’s Foreign Ministry/AFP

Tech Trends

AI | Kuaishou shares soar as Kling AI eyes US$20b valuation in potential spin-off

The Chinese short-video platform’s shares jumped as much as 10 per cent amid US$20 billion valuation of spin-off, Tencent investor talks.

2 hours ago

Europe

EU rejects Putin’s idea of role for ex-German leader in future security talks

EU ministers dismiss proposed role for Gerhard Schroeder, who has cultivated a close relationship with Russia’s president.

3 hours ago

Wealth

Chinese inherit younger as banks prepare for US$11 trillion wealth transfer

Asia-Pacific’s largest intergenerational wealth transfer in modern times is set to transpire over the next 30 years, financial firm predicts.

6 hours agovideocam

China’s inheriting generation are stepping into responsibility within their families at a younger age, according to Swiss bank UBS which has predicted a US$11 trillion wealth transfer in the Asia-Pacific region over the next 30 years.

Politics

Why flood of AI deepfakes is accusing Singapore of being ‘ungrateful’ to China

Clips on Chinese social media showing speakers disparaging the city state are likely to be deepfakes, experts say.

1 hour agovideocam

A WeChat video saying Singapore is the most miserable country in the world. Photo: WeChat

Economics

Oil crunch drains colour from 1 of Japan’s favourite snacks

Calbee says it is using monochrome designs for some of its products, as the Iran war has caused a shortage of naphtha used in packaging.

57 minutes agovideocam

SERIES: Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Trump’s China visit watched in US for signs of stability – and tangible wins

American business and policy circles seek trade certainty, AI dialogue and signs rivalry can be managed despite wider tensions.

12 May 2026 - 4:27AMvideocam

OPINION

Huang Qingchen

Opinion | The best of Hong Kong as a cultural hub is yet to come

5 hours ago

Brian Y. S. Wong

Opinion | Just because Brics isn’t a coherent bloc doesn’t mean it’s impotent

12 May 2026 - 7:43AM

Letters

Letters | China’s message to Trump is clear: red line of Taiwan must be respected

4 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Trump-Xi summit may not yield a deal but is still significant

12 May 2026 - 7:15AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Hong Kong is treating hantavirus outbreak with reasonable caution

12 May 2026 - 6:45AM

Harry’s View | 12 May 2026

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Southeast Asia

Singaporean pleads guilty to filming colleague with live upskirt camera

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Asia

Video | Philippine lawmaker dodges ICC arrest

Video released by the Senate showed Dela Rosa being chased through the halls of the upper chamber, pursued by members of the National Bureau of Investigation.

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Arts

A female Hamlet, a BMW-driving Hamlet: how Shakespeare’s play is having a moment

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Law and Crime

Man who spiked family’s meal, burned charcoal in flat guilty of attempted murder

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Economics

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Middle East

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Over 72,000 Hongkongers hit as HKUST, PolyU among institutions in Canvas hack

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Trump’s 2026 trip to China

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AI's impact on Hong Kong

Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump were unusually silent over the Taiwan issue when they met in South Korea last October. Photo: Reuters

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Why is Beijing on a stronger footing to discuss Taiwan with Trump this time?

The US president ‘needs China’s cooperation on multiple fronts’, mainland-based analyst says.

3-MIN READvideocam

From ‘Taco’ to ‘Nacho’: Wall Street’s new buzzword as Trump preps for China trip

2-MIN READvideocam

China’s AI ascent leaves Trump a stark choice: escalate or relax chip controls?

8-MIN READvideocam

Open Questions series

Politics

Open Questions | Taiwan’s Cheng Li-wun on cross-strait peace, meeting Xi and managing US ties

Kuomintang chairwoman says hostility towards mainland is a product of political engineering that does not reflect reality of Taiwan.

17-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

13-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

10-MIN READvideocam

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.

15-MIN READvideocam

Key Industries:

Tech

ByteDance raises 2026 capex by at least 25% amid AI boom, sources say

ByteDance is allocating a proportionally larger budget to domestic AI chips to mitigate geopolitical risks and heed Beijing’s call.

2-MIN READ

Global Economy

China’s AI ascent leaves Trump a stark choice: escalate or relax chip controls?

Beijing and Washington are locked in an era-defining contest – and China’s rapid technological progress raises questions about limits of containment.

8-MIN READvideocam

Tech Trends

China deepens footprint at AI conference despite NeurIPS dispute, US tensions

Alibaba, ByteDance, other Chinese tech giants top paper submissions in conference, quelling worries over geopolitics impacting participation.

2-MIN READ

Policy

Huawei’s chip research gains attention ahead of Trump visit to China

Tech giant’s advances in AI and semiconductors reflect Beijing’s push for tech breakthroughs and self-sufficiency amid US sanctions.

2-MIN READ

Huawei’s chip progress is being closely watched for signs of China’s ability to overcome Western export restrictions. Photo: Shutterstock

Diplomacy

Latest US-China rivalry combines undersea dominance with a race to riches

Ahead of leaders’ summit in Beijing next week, experts point to a high-stakes competition that features military and mining technologies.

7-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

After the US$37 billion, 300-plane deal from Trump’s last visit stalled, industry observers say the next one could be more flexible.

6-MIN READvideocam

Diplomacy

Will warming Arctic trigger further chill in US-China relations?

The prospect of opening up new sea lanes presents both challenges and opportunities for the rival powers, analysts say.

6-MIN READvideocam

Society

Will Hong Kong’s lending clampdown wean helpers off debt – and save their dreams?

NGOs say regulations should not be so strict that they deny domestic helpers access to loans since they may have legitimate needs such as family emergencies.

7-MIN READ

European airlines adding China flights despite Russian airspace barrier

Demand for China-Europe flights surges as airlines avoid flying over Iranian airspace and divert tourists away from Southeast Asia.

Canada’s push to rebuild ties with China hits a snag: a lack of direct flights

Why is Beijing on a stronger footing to discuss Taiwan with Trump this time?

The US president ‘needs China’s cooperation on multiple fronts’, mainland-based analyst says.

Pakistan to tap China debt market with first sale of yuan-priced ‘panda bonds’

Islamabad turns to ‘panda bonds’ to secure cheaper credit and diversify its borrowing into yuan-denominated funding, with a focus on sustainable development.

Over 72,000 Hongkongers hit as HKUST, PolyU among institutions in Canvas hack

Breach is part of wider global data leak that has affected universities and schools worldwide, with an estimated 9,000 institutions impacted.

China’s AI ascent leaves Trump a stark choice: escalate or relax chip controls?

Trump heads to China with Musk, Cook and top CEOs for Xi talks

Business delegation spanning tech, aviation and finance joins Beijing trip as trade, investment and supply chains top agenda.

From ‘Taco’ to ‘Nacho’: Wall Street’s new buzzword as Trump preps for China trip

Traders’ catch-cry ‘Not a chance Hormuz opens’ replaces ‘Trump always chickens out’ as grim predictions swirl over gridlock, oil prices.

Malaysia’s top anti-corruption enforcer exits with legacy in doubt

Malaysia has a new anti-corruption chief. What it doesn’t have yet is a clear answer to the questions that dogged the old one.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

US$58.3 billion flows into emerging markets as geopolitical panic blows over

China, Hong Kong stock markets may benefit from Xi-Trump meeting as renewed interest in AI shows investors keen to re-engage, analysts say.

Philippine pageant debate, Chinese stealth jets in Pakistan: 7 Asia highlights

From controversy about a Philippine pageant winner to Japan’s social recluses, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Acclaimed biologist Xu Xianzhong returns to China after arrests in his US lab

Multiple investigations into Chinese researchers at the University of Michigan in recent months involved members of Xu’s laboratory.

SMIC founder warns against ‘blind pursuit’ of cutting-edge nodes

Richard Chang’s rare public remarks highlight importance of mature chips to China’s supply chain security.

South Korea cautious on blaming Iran for ship strike ahead of US-China summit

Seoul has footage of the May 4 attack on the HMM Namu but analysts say it is biding its time, hoping ‘the dust will settle’.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}AI | Kuaishou shares soar as Kling AI eyes US$20b valuation in potential spin-off

The Chinese short-video platform’s shares jumped as much as 10 per cent amid US$20 billion valuation of spin-off, Tencent investor talks.

EU rejects Putin’s idea of role for ex-German leader in future security talks

EU ministers dismiss proposed role for Gerhard Schroeder, who has cultivated a close relationship with Russia’s president.

Chinese inherit younger as banks prepare for US$11 trillion wealth transfer

Asia-Pacific’s largest intergenerational wealth transfer in modern times is set to transpire over the next 30 years, financial firm predicts.

Why flood of AI deepfakes is accusing Singapore of being ‘ungrateful’ to China

Clips on Chinese social media showing speakers disparaging the city state are likely to be deepfakes, experts say.

Oil crunch drains colour from 1 of Japan’s favourite snacks

Calbee says it is using monochrome designs for some of its products, as the Iran war has caused a shortage of naphtha used in packaging.

Trump’s China visit watched in US for signs of stability – and tangible wins

American business and policy circles seek trade certainty, AI dialogue and signs rivalry can be managed despite wider tensions.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | The best of Hong Kong as a cultural hub is yet to come

Opinion | Just because Brics isn’t a coherent bloc doesn’t mean it’s impotent

Letters | China’s message to Trump is clear: red line of Taiwan must be respected

Editorial | Trump-Xi summit may not yield a deal but is still significant

Editorial | Hong Kong is treating hantavirus outbreak with reasonable caution

Singaporean pleads guilty to filming colleague with live upskirt camera

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Philippine lawmaker dodges ICC arrest

A female Hamlet, a BMW-driving Hamlet: how Shakespeare’s play is having a moment

Man who spiked family’s meal, burned charcoal in flat guilty of attempted murder

In-form duo of Teetan and Size combine with Beauty Alliance at Happy Valley

Oil crunch drains colour from 1 of Japan’s favourite snacks

Malaysia’s top anti-corruption enforcer exits with legacy in doubt

Israel pushes ahead with Eichmann-style tribunal for October 7 attackers

Over 72,000 Hongkongers hit as HKUST, PolyU among institutions in Canvas hack

US$58.3 billion flows into emerging markets as geopolitical panic blows over

Why is Beijing on a stronger footing to discuss Taiwan with Trump this time?

The US president ‘needs China’s cooperation on multiple fronts’, mainland-based analyst says.

From ‘Taco’ to ‘Nacho’: Wall Street’s new buzzword as Trump preps for China trip

China’s AI ascent leaves Trump a stark choice: escalate or relax chip controls?

Open Questions | Taiwan’s Cheng Li-wun on cross-strait peace, meeting Xi and managing US ties

Kuomintang chairwoman says hostility towards mainland is a product of political engineering that does not reflect reality of Taiwan.

Open Questions | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

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.

ByteDance raises 2026 capex by at least 25% amid AI boom, sources say

ByteDance is allocating a proportionally larger budget to domestic AI chips to mitigate geopolitical risks and heed Beijing’s call.

China’s AI ascent leaves Trump a stark choice: escalate or relax chip controls?

Beijing and Washington are locked in an era-defining contest – and China’s rapid technological progress raises questions about limits of containment.

China deepens footprint at AI conference despite NeurIPS dispute, US tensions

Alibaba, ByteDance, other Chinese tech giants top paper submissions in conference, quelling worries over geopolitics impacting participation.

Huawei’s chip research gains attention ahead of Trump visit to China

Tech giant’s advances in AI and semiconductors reflect Beijing’s push for tech breakthroughs and self-sufficiency amid US sanctions.

Latest US-China rivalry combines undersea dominance with a race to riches

Ahead of leaders’ summit in Beijing next week, experts point to a high-stakes competition that features military and mining technologies.

Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

After the US$37 billion, 300-plane deal from Trump’s last visit stalled, industry observers say the next one could be more flexible.

Will warming Arctic trigger further chill in US-China relations?

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

AI | Kuaishou shares soar as Kling AI eyes US$20b valuation in potential spin-off

Opinion | The best of Hong Kong as a cultural hub is yet to come

Video | Philippine lawmaker dodges ICC arrest