Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

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

Congressional resistance, war costs and industrial limits could constrain ambitions, even as Beijing expands its naval capacity.

1 hour agovideocam

Trump seeks US$1.5 trillion for defence in new budget request amid Iran war

US-China relations

Diplomacy

Developing | US forces intercepted ‘gift from China’ to Iran, Donald Trump says

US president says Beijing had sent something ‘that wasn’t very nice’ even though he thought he had an ‘understanding’ with Xi Jinping.

1 hour agovideocam

Diplomacy

China warns of ‘moves towards militarism’ after Japan eases arms export rules

Tokyo approves plan to scrap restrictions, prompting warnings that this could undermine the country’s pacifist constitution.

4 hours agovideocam

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’.

4 hours ago

US-Israel war on Iran

US President Donald Trump says he won’t lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz until there is a deal with Iran. Photo: TNS

Trump, Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: here’s what happened overnight

Policy

Hidden office, fractured bone: violent clashes in China’s food safety crackdown

Details of secrecy, obstruction and violence emerge from a probe into 67,000 ‘ghost’ bakeries across China’s biggest e-commerce platforms.

6 hours ago

Regulators have imposed the heaviest fine of 1.51 billion yuan on PDD and suspended it from adding new bakery merchants for nine months. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Taiwan’s leader Lai delays Africa trip after 3 nations revoke flight permission

Taiwan blames Beijing for the move, which forced William Lai to put off visit to eSwatini, the island’s sole remaining partner in Africa.

5 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong Economy

First AI driverless trucks deployed to tackle Hong Kong port labour shortage

Six autonomous trucks used to improve efficiency at Kwai Tsing Terminal, handling more than 8,000 container movements since January.

4 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

China urges US ‘sincerity’ on Iran, warns of Japan’s nuclear ambitions

Beijing also outlines progress in disarmament and its long-standing policies in first such report since 2021.

21 Apr 2026 - 7:24PMvideocam

People inspect the site of an American-Israeli air strike on a police station in Tehran, Iran, on March 3. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks as a map of the Strait of Hormuz is displayed during a press briefing at the Pentagon, in Washington on April 16. Photo: AFP

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’.

5 hours ago

Business

No records, no role: HSBC rejects Iran-linked money laundering claim

Chairman Brendan Nelson says bank is not a party to alleged Iran-linked case and holds no records, as US court seeks information.

5 hours ago

Global Economy

China’s CRRC drops bid for Lisbon metro deal as EU finds ‘billions’ in subsidies

Polish firm to replace state-backed Chinese giant as Brussels uses regulatory powers to curb what it says is market-distorting foreign aid.

5 hours agovideocam

Workers operate on a production line at an assembly workshop of CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive in China’s Hunan province. Photo: Xinhua

People

South Korean police seek arrest warrant for Hybe’s Bang after travel request

The US embassy in Seoul reportedly asked authorities to allow Bang to travel while under investigation for fraudulent stock trading.

21 Apr 2026 - 7:09PMvideocam

Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk answers reporters’ question upon his arrival at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on September 15, 2025. Photo: Newsis/AP

Science

Can Chinese plasma mill give it key tech advantage over US?

New technology may allow the microscopic powders used in advanced weapon systems to be produced on a much larger scale.

5 hours ago

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

Health & Environment

Big one coming? Japan issues megaquake advisory after magnitude 7.7 shock

The Japan Meteorological Agency has upped the risk of a megaquake to 1 per cent, compared to 0.1 per cent at other times.

21 Apr 2026 - 5:33PMvideocam

An electronic signboard in Ofunato city, Iwate prefecture, displays a sign saying “Hokkaido and Off the Sanriku Coast Aftershock Advisory” early on Tuesday. Photo: Jiji Press/AFP

Entertainment

Review | Michael: ‘King of Pop’ biopic features all the hits, none of the controversy

While the film is packed with great performances, it is an utterly sanitised view of Michael Jackson’s life and the allegations he faced.

2 hours agovideocam

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in a still from Michael (category IIA), directed by Antoine Fuqua. Juliano Krue Valdi and Colman Domingo co-star. Photo: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate

Business

Hong Kong property investment soars on lower funding costs, rising demand

Hong Kong’s commercial property market draws US$1.6 billion in the first quarter, driven by office, retail and hotel demand amid lower Hibor rates.

6 hours ago

Big Tech

Open or closed? Moonshot AI keeps its code out in the open

Open-source push continues with Kimi K2.6, but pressure to monetise is nudging some Chinese AI firms behind closed doors.

6 hours ago

OPINION

Alex Lo

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

6 hours ago

William Figueroa

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

21 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

Brian Y. S. Wong

Opinion | The world can look to Hong Kong as a pioneer of ethical AI

21 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

Letters

Letters | How Hong Kong can attract talent and capital from the Middle East

21 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | As Tai Po fire victims return to flats, Hong Kong looks for closure

21 Apr 2026 - 6:45AM

Harry’s View | 22 Apr 2026

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Middle East

Israel jails soldiers for vandalising Jesus statue in Lebanon

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United States & Canada

Trump’s pick for Fed chief, calls for ‘regime change’ at US central bank

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Other Sport

Zhao Xintong sets up showdown with Ding Junhui at snooker world championships

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

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Education

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

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Former Hong Kong trade office chief contesting UK local elections for Reform

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Football

Bayern Munich pledging to deliver ‘the best’ summer football in Hong Kong

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

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Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong aiming to curb illicit fuel trade with tougher penalties: source

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Southeast Asia

Myanmar president seeks peace talks by July 31, 2 rebel groups reject offer

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SCMP Series

US-Israel war on Iran

AI's impact on Hong Kong

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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 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’.

5 hours ago

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

China EVs

Jump in EU EV sales amid Iran war boosts Chinese brands’ fortunes

Chinese-made EVs accounted for 16 per cent of the EU market in the year’s first two months, up from 12.2 per cent in 2025, CPCA data shows.

21 Apr 2026 - 7:30AM

Sales of battery electric vehicles in the EU climbed 51 per cent month on month in March. Photo: EPA

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

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

Congressional resistance, war costs and industrial limits could constrain ambitions, even as Beijing expands its naval capacity.

Trump seeks US$1.5 trillion for defence in new budget request amid Iran war

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Developing | US forces intercepted ‘gift from China’ to Iran, Donald Trump says

US president says Beijing had sent something ‘that wasn’t very nice’ even though he thought he had an ‘understanding’ with Xi Jinping.

China warns of ‘moves towards militarism’ after Japan eases arms export rules

Tokyo approves plan to scrap restrictions, prompting warnings that this could undermine the country’s pacifist constitution.

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, Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: here’s what happened overnight

Hidden office, fractured bone: violent clashes in China’s food safety crackdown

Details of secrecy, obstruction and violence emerge from a probe into 67,000 ‘ghost’ bakeries across China’s biggest e-commerce platforms.

Taiwan’s leader Lai delays Africa trip after 3 nations revoke flight permission

Taiwan blames Beijing for the move, which forced William Lai to put off visit to eSwatini, the island’s sole remaining partner in Africa.

First AI driverless trucks deployed to tackle Hong Kong port labour shortage

Six autonomous trucks used to improve efficiency at Kwai Tsing Terminal, handling more than 8,000 container movements since January.

.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.

China urges US ‘sincerity’ on Iran, warns of Japan’s nuclear ambitions

Beijing also outlines progress in disarmament and its long-standing policies in first such report since 2021.

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’.

No records, no role: HSBC rejects Iran-linked money laundering claim

Chairman Brendan Nelson says bank is not a party to alleged Iran-linked case and holds no records, as US court seeks information.

China’s CRRC drops bid for Lisbon metro deal as EU finds ‘billions’ in subsidies

Polish firm to replace state-backed Chinese giant as Brussels uses regulatory powers to curb what it says is market-distorting foreign aid.

South Korean police seek arrest warrant for Hybe’s Bang after travel request

The US embassy in Seoul reportedly asked authorities to allow Bang to travel while under investigation for fraudulent stock trading.

Can Chinese plasma mill give it key tech advantage over US?

New technology may allow the microscopic powders used in advanced weapon systems to be produced on a much larger scale.

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.

Big one coming? Japan issues megaquake advisory after magnitude 7.7 shock

The Japan Meteorological Agency has upped the risk of a megaquake to 1 per cent, compared to 0.1 per cent at other times.

Review | Michael: ‘King of Pop’ biopic features all the hits, none of the controversy

While the film is packed with great performances, it is an utterly sanitised view of Michael Jackson’s life and the allegations he faced.

Hong Kong property investment soars on lower funding costs, rising demand

Hong Kong’s commercial property market draws US$1.6 billion in the first quarter, driven by office, retail and hotel demand amid lower Hibor rates.

Open or closed? Moonshot AI keeps its code out in the open

Open-source push continues with Kimi K2.6, but pressure to monetise is nudging some Chinese AI firms behind closed doors.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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

Opinion | The world can look to Hong Kong as a pioneer of ethical AI

Letters | How Hong Kong can attract talent and capital from the Middle East

Editorial | As Tai Po fire victims return to flats, Hong Kong looks for closure

Israel jails soldiers for vandalising Jesus statue in Lebanon

Trump’s pick for Fed chief, calls for ‘regime change’ at US central bank

Zhao Xintong sets up showdown with Ding Junhui at snooker world championships

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

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

Former Hong Kong trade office chief contesting UK local elections for Reform

Bayern Munich pledging to deliver ‘the best’ summer football in Hong Kong

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

Hong Kong aiming to curb illicit fuel trade with tougher penalties: source

Myanmar president seeks peace talks by July 31, 2 rebel groups reject offer

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?

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.

Jump in EU EV sales amid Iran war boosts Chinese brands’ fortunes

Chinese-made EVs accounted for 16 per cent of the EU market in the year’s first two months, up from 12.2 per cent in 2025, CPCA data shows.

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

Developing | US forces intercepted ‘gift from China’ to Iran, Donald Trump says

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

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