Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

The Kirin 9030 chip was unveiled with the launch of Huawei’s Mate 80 series smartphones in November. Photo: Handout

Huawei’s Kirin 9030 processor shows China’s chip progress despite US curbs

Despite ‘meaningful density improvements’ in its N+3 process, SMIC’s capabilities are still behind leading chipmakers TSMC and Samsung.

3 hours ago

China’s AI sector poised for growth despite US restrictions: venture capitalist

Huawei Technologies

Military

China’s latest stealth endurance drone, CH-7, completes maiden flight

Designer says UAV can quickly penetrate target areas for reconnaissance and rely on stealth to send information from battle front lines.

2 hours agovideocam

Science

Why China’s growing demand for rare-earth steel is bad news for America’s F-35

Advanced product is used in huge infrastructure projects but that has further reduced supply for overseas buyers like the US defence sector.

4 hours agovideocam

Law and Crime

Court finds Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai guilty after landmark national security trial

Lai, 78, was mastermind behind three conspiracies to instigate international sanctions against Hong Kong and mainland China, judges find.

41 minutes agovideocam

Diplomacy

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has spelled out Tokyo’s position on Taiwan as set out in a 1972 joint communique, but did not read out a portion of the relevant clause reflecting Beijing’s position. Photo: AFP

Tokyo spells out part position on Taiwan in bid to ease tension with Beijing

Military

Chinese tank, upgraded for high altitudes, could be sent to border with India

The Type 99B has been designed for ‘rapid and sustained combat operations’ in areas like the Himalayas, according to state media.

5 hours ago

The Type 99B main battle tank has been designed for improved performance at high altitudes, according to state television. Photo: CCTV

China Economy

1 station, 116 million trips: Shenzhen breaks travel record as rail usage booms

Over 116 million passengers have already passed through Shenzhen’s main rail station this year, as trips from Hong Kong continue to rise.

6 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

China and Saudi Arabia pledge deeper hi-tech cooperation despite US pressure

Mohammed bin Salman says the kingdom will work with Beijing in areas ranging from oil to AI to bring ‘greater benefits’ to both countries.

5 hours 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.

China

Japan’s bid to ease tensions with China, Liu Cixin on AI: SCMP daily highlights

From Tokyo spelling out in part its position on Taiwan to acclaimed author Liu Cixin discussing AI, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

5 hours ago

The Japanese government has spelled out its position on Taiwan – although only in part. Photo: Reuters

Law and Crime

Jimmy Lai’s conviction in Hong Kong becomes flashpoint between China, West

Western nations unlikely to hit city with more sanctions as they need Beijing’s cooperation to offset unfair US trade practices, experts say.

24 minutes ago

Law and Crime

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai used personal ties to seek foreign sanctions: court ruling

Former media boss tapped into vast political network for intervention against Beijing and Hong Kong, according to 857-page judgment.

3 hours ago

South Asia

Bangladesh to airlift injured uprising leader to Singapore after shooting

Attackers shot student leader Sharif Osman Hadi shortly after a date was announced for elections, following on from last year’s uprising.

3 hours agovideocam

Members of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union march in Dhaka in Bangladesh on Sunday, demanding the arrest of attackers who shot student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Photo: EPA

Law and Crime

Jimmy Lai trial: Post sketches offer public a glimpse of courtroom moments

Illustrations by Post senior designer Victor Sanjinez captured some of the drama inside the court as Jimmy Lai’s trial progressed.

1 hour ago

The scene inside the court on Monday as Jimmy Lai learned his fate. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Law and Crime

Jimmy Lai’s ‘rabid hatred’ of party led him down ‘thorny path’: Hong Kong court

Judges find former media boss guilty of national security offences, dismissing his ‘inconsistent, contradictory and unreliable’ testimony.

2 minutes agovideocam

Big Tech

Why Nvidia chip is unlikely to derail ambitions of China’s Huawei, Moore Threads

China’s huge demand for AI computing power leaves room for growth for both US and domestic chips, analysts say.

15 Dec 2025 - 7:00PM

United States & Canada

FBI arrests 4 suspects in New Year’s Eve terror plot targeting California

The suspects are members of an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front, police said.

46 minutes ago

An FBI seal. The agency on Monday announced the arrests of four alleged members of an extremist group who are suspected of planning coordinated bombing attacks on New Year’s Eve across Southern California. Photo: AP

Russia & Central Asia

Pussy Riot punk protest group declared ‘extremist’ by Russian court

The ruling outlaws the feminist group from operating in Russia and puts anyone linked with them at risk of prosecution.

2 hours agovideocam

Pussy Riot members perform in Cambridge in Britain in November 2022. Photo: Reuters

Health & Environment

‘It’s life’: ex-NBA star in Singapore for brain cancer treatment exudes hope

Jason Collins, who is seeking an experimental treatment, has progressed from being ‘basically a vegetable’ to taking a two-hour walk.

6 hours ago

China Economy

China’s currency comeback: yuan seen breaking key dollar level in 2026

Analysts bet US Federal Reserve rate cuts and thawing trade tensions will drive China’s yuan past the 7.0 psychological barrier.

15 Dec 2025 - 6:18PM

OPINION

Terry Su

Opinion | US global retreat shows Japan’s folly in defying China

5 hours ago

Nicholas Spiro

The View | After vitalising its property market, India must shore up its weaknesses

15 Dec 2025 - 5:43PM

Jianlu Bi

Opinion | China’s Politburo swaps emergency economic surgery for preventive care

15 Dec 2025 - 5:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Tai Po pet rescues put Hong Kong’s compassion on show

15 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

Letters

Letters | Hong Kong’s ageing buildings need better care under stronger rules

15 Dec 2025 - 11:30AM

Harry’s View | 16 Dec 2025

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United States & Canada

FBI arrests 4 suspects in New Year’s Eve terror plot targeting California

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Law and Crime

Jimmy Lai trial: Post sketches offer public a glimpse of courtroom moments

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Law and Crime

Court finds Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai guilty after landmark national security trial

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United States & Canada

Aid cuts causing millions of refugees ‘unnecessary pain’: UN

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Simon Li, executive director of the Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Centre, with students (from second left) Kavira S. Kazimoto, Gem Peduche and Josue Camarena, at Andrews University’s Hong Kong campus. Photo: Handout

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After The War | Virtual reality and the Nanking massacre: where does historical immersion become trauma?

Amid push in China for museum digitalisation, one educator seeks to help students ‘feel history without being flooded by it’.

14 Dec 2025 - 4:20PM

After The War | How the post-WWII order was formed and why China wants to reshape it

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After The War | Chinese scholars slam Western ‘historical nihilism’ on World War II

2 Sep 2025 - 5:16PM

Open Questions series

Science

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

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

1 Dec 2025 - 3:57PMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | ‘A mistaken view’: US economist Nicholas Lardy on the ‘peak China’ hypothesis

The veteran China watcher talks Beijing’s need for financial reform and how US-China economic convergence could still be on the horizon.

24 Nov 2025 - 10:09AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

China’s DeepSeek challenges Google DeepMind with new AI model

DeepSeek’s V3.2-Speciale equals Google’s Gemini 3 Pro in reasoning capabilities, the Chinese start-up says.

2 Dec 2025 - 4:51PM

A shop advertising DeepSeek in Hong Kong. Photo: Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Tech War

Huawei’s Kirin 9030 processor shows China’s chip progress despite US curbs

Despite ‘meaningful density improvements’ in its N+3 process, SMIC’s capabilities are still behind leading chipmakers TSMC and Samsung.

3 hours ago

China Business

Can Volkswagen regain its China market share with its US$3.5 billion bet?

Volkswagen, which once had 50 per cent of China’s vehicle market, has invested €3 billion in its largest R&D centre outside its home country in Hefei.

15 Dec 2025 - 4:31PM

China EVs

Xpeng steps up ‘go global’ drive with Malaysian assembly hub for Southeast Asia

The Guangzhou-based company said it would partner with Malaysia’s EP Manufacturing to locally assemble intelligent EVs.

15 Dec 2025 - 5:00PM

Workers conduct final checks on an Xpeng new energy car at the firm’s plant in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province, on October 9, 2023. Photo: Xinhua

Military

Why has reference to Taiwan attending Rimpac been removed from US defence bill?

Senators’ bid to ‘strongly encourage’ invitation is removed from compromise bill, raising questions in Taipei.

14 Dec 2025 - 8:40PMvideocam

Some of the naval ships taking part in the 2024 Rimpac exercises, as seen from the Japanese JS Kunisaki. Photo: Reuters

Tech Trends

Sea change: China narrows AI gap with US 3 years after ChatGPT shock

The turning point came when DeepSeek released its V3 and R1 models, which were on par with OpenAI’s GPT and Meta’s Llama models at the time.

14 Dec 2025 - 12:57AM

Science

US green tech retreat echoes mistake of China’s Qing dynasty before collapse

While Washington pulls back on climate, Beijing is making it possible for developing nations to leapfrog into a cleaner energy era.

13 Dec 2025 - 7:07AMvideocam

Diplomacy

First China ore shipment rewards Guinea leader’s push for Simandou alliance

Mining minister says China and Rio Tinto were pressed to work on shared infrastructure because ‘we do not want railways running everywhere’.

11 Dec 2025 - 6:16AMvideocam

Huawei’s Kirin 9030 processor shows China’s chip progress despite US curbs

Despite ‘meaningful density improvements’ in its N+3 process, SMIC’s capabilities are still behind leading chipmakers TSMC and Samsung.

China’s AI sector poised for growth despite US restrictions: venture capitalist

China’s latest stealth endurance drone, CH-7, completes maiden flight

Designer says UAV can quickly penetrate target areas for reconnaissance and rely on stealth to send information from battle front lines.

Why China’s growing demand for rare-earth steel is bad news for America’s F-35

Advanced product is used in huge infrastructure projects but that has further reduced supply for overseas buyers like the US defence sector.

Court finds Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai guilty after landmark national security trial

Lai, 78, was mastermind behind three conspiracies to instigate international sanctions against Hong Kong and mainland China, judges find.

Tokyo spells out part position on Taiwan in bid to ease tension with Beijing

Chinese tank, upgraded for high altitudes, could be sent to border with India

The Type 99B has been designed for ‘rapid and sustained combat operations’ in areas like the Himalayas, according to state media.

1 station, 116 million trips: Shenzhen breaks travel record as rail usage booms

Over 116 million passengers have already passed through Shenzhen’s main rail station this year, as trips from Hong Kong continue to rise.

China and Saudi Arabia pledge deeper hi-tech cooperation despite US pressure

Mohammed bin Salman says the kingdom will work with Beijing in areas ranging from oil to AI to bring ‘greater benefits’ to both countries.

.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.

Japan’s bid to ease tensions with China, Liu Cixin on AI: SCMP daily highlights

From Tokyo spelling out in part its position on Taiwan to acclaimed author Liu Cixin discussing AI, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Jimmy Lai’s conviction in Hong Kong becomes flashpoint between China, West

Western nations unlikely to hit city with more sanctions as they need Beijing’s cooperation to offset unfair US trade practices, experts say.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai used personal ties to seek foreign sanctions: court ruling

Former media boss tapped into vast political network for intervention against Beijing and Hong Kong, according to 857-page judgment.

Bangladesh to airlift injured uprising leader to Singapore after shooting

Attackers shot student leader Sharif Osman Hadi shortly after a date was announced for elections, following on from last year’s uprising.

Jimmy Lai trial: Post sketches offer public a glimpse of courtroom moments

Illustrations by Post senior designer Victor Sanjinez captured some of the drama inside the court as Jimmy Lai’s trial progressed.

Jimmy Lai’s ‘rabid hatred’ of party led him down ‘thorny path’: Hong Kong court

Judges find former media boss guilty of national security offences, dismissing his ‘inconsistent, contradictory and unreliable’ testimony.

Why Nvidia chip is unlikely to derail ambitions of China’s Huawei, Moore Threads

China’s huge demand for AI computing power leaves room for growth for both US and domestic chips, analysts say.

FBI arrests 4 suspects in New Year’s Eve terror plot targeting California

The suspects are members of an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front, police said.

Pussy Riot punk protest group declared ‘extremist’ by Russian court

The ruling outlaws the feminist group from operating in Russia and puts anyone linked with them at risk of prosecution.

‘It’s life’: ex-NBA star in Singapore for brain cancer treatment exudes hope

Jason Collins, who is seeking an experimental treatment, has progressed from being ‘basically a vegetable’ to taking a two-hour walk.

China’s currency comeback: yuan seen breaking key dollar level in 2026

Analysts bet US Federal Reserve rate cuts and thawing trade tensions will drive China’s yuan past the 7.0 psychological barrier.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | US global retreat shows Japan’s folly in defying China

The View | After vitalising its property market, India must shore up its weaknesses

Opinion | China’s Politburo swaps emergency economic surgery for preventive care

Editorial | Tai Po pet rescues put Hong Kong’s compassion on show

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Hong Kong’s ageing buildings need better care under stronger rules

FBI arrests 4 suspects in New Year’s Eve terror plot targeting California

Jimmy Lai trial: Post sketches offer public a glimpse of courtroom moments

Court finds Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai guilty after landmark national security trial

Aid cuts causing millions of refugees ‘unnecessary pain’: UN

Jimmy Lai’s conviction in Hong Kong becomes flashpoint between China, West

Pussy Riot punk protest group declared ‘extremist’ by Russian court

After The War | Virtual reality and the Nanking massacre: where does historical immersion become trauma?

Amid push in China for museum digitalisation, one educator seeks to help students ‘feel history without being flooded by it’.

After The War | How the post-WWII order was formed and why China wants to reshape it

After The War | Chinese scholars slam Western ‘historical nihilism’ on World War II

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.

Open Questions | ‘A mistaken view’: US economist Nicholas Lardy on the ‘peak China’ hypothesis

The veteran China watcher talks Beijing’s need for financial reform and how US-China economic convergence could still be on the horizon.

China’s DeepSeek challenges Google DeepMind with new AI model

DeepSeek’s V3.2-Speciale equals Google’s Gemini 3 Pro in reasoning capabilities, the Chinese start-up says.

Huawei’s Kirin 9030 processor shows China’s chip progress despite US curbs

Despite ‘meaningful density improvements’ in its N+3 process, SMIC’s capabilities are still behind leading chipmakers TSMC and Samsung.

Can Volkswagen regain its China market share with its US$3.5 billion bet?

Volkswagen, which once had 50 per cent of China’s vehicle market, has invested €3 billion in its largest R&D centre outside its home country in Hefei.

Xpeng steps up ‘go global’ drive with Malaysian assembly hub for Southeast Asia

The Guangzhou-based company said it would partner with Malaysia’s EP Manufacturing to locally assemble intelligent EVs.

Why has reference to Taiwan attending Rimpac been removed from US defence bill?

Senators’ bid to ‘strongly encourage’ invitation is removed from compromise bill, raising questions in Taipei.

Sea change: China narrows AI gap with US 3 years after ChatGPT shock

The turning point came when DeepSeek released its V3 and R1 models, which were on par with OpenAI’s GPT and Meta’s Llama models at the time.

US green tech retreat echoes mistake of China’s Qing dynasty before collapse

While Washington pulls back on climate, Beijing is making it possible for developing nations to leapfrog into a cleaner energy era.

First China ore shipment rewards Guinea leader’s push for Simandou alliance

Mining minister says China and Rio Tinto were pressed to work on shared infrastructure because ‘we do not want railways running everywhere’.

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

Opinion | US global retreat shows Japan’s folly in defying China

Letters | Hong Kong’s ageing buildings need better care under stronger rules