Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump meet in the Oval Office on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Trump slams European allies, praises China and continues to justify Iran attack

US president blasted Spain for denying access to its military bases for his bombing campaign, but boasts of ‘good relationship with China’.

3 hours agovideocam

Europe divided, on edge as US-Israel strikes on Iran ripple across the continent

US-Israel war on Iran

Diplomacy

China urges Israel to end war in Iran as regional tensions escalate

Beijing says US-Israeli strikes were in bad faith and calls for an immediate halt, a return to talks and opposition to unilateral action.

2 hours agovideocam

Business

Can China’s ‘two sessions’ find a strategy to fix the property rot?

China signals shift from debt-driven housing growth, but sweeping stimulus seen as unlikely.

1 hour ago

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong inflation risks grow as war in Middle East escalates, experts warn

Residents may face higher energy and dining costs as analysts stress the city cannot remain immune to surging oil prices.

2 hours ago

Focus

China’s war on corruption – is this just the end of the beginning?

Global Economy

Maritime mayhem: shipping firms halt Gulf routes amid regional military strikes

Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz see vessels diverted and bookings suspended, as companies impose emergency fees of up to US$4,000 per unit.

20 minutes agovideocam

Cosco Shipping Lines has instructed all of its Persian Gulf-bound vessels to reduce speed, proceed to safe waters, or head to designated anchorages to await further notice amid regional disruptions. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Will Iran feature in foreign policy talks at China’s ‘two sessions’?

The focus is on economics and the five-year plan but the turmoil could prompt a rethink in some areas, analysts say.

3 Mar 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

People

Japanese gang leader’s house on sale for US$330,000 or more – will anyone bite?

Set to be sold off due to a court order, the house was the target of a drive-by shooting and an arson attack in recent years.

15 minutes agovideocam

Business

How Standard Chartered’s SME Banking helps Hong Kong arts and crafts design firm’s growth

Deepa Jivan, CEO of J.Gordhan & Co, says bank’s tailored financial solutions and expertise give it the agility to navigate global marketplace.

In partnership with:

Standard Chartered

Deepa Jivan is the founder and CEO of Hong Kong-based arts and crafts products company J.Gordhan & Co.

China Business

Healthcare investors looking to ‘two sessions’ for clarity on drug pricing

Healthcare and insurance sectors will see policy fine-tuning, ‘moral support’ rather than ‘groundbreaking news’ from Beijing, analysts say.

1 hour ago

Staff members dispense medicines at a pharmacy in Wuhan, in central China’s Hubei province, on February 27, 2020. Photo: Xinhua

China Economy

China should up education spending to help population adapt to AI era: economist

Prominent Chinese economist says it is imperative to ensure the next generation can withstand the changes being driven by AI.

3 hours agovideocam

Markets

US investors now own 23% of Taiwan’s equity market amid AI boom

US investors currently hold about 23 per cent of the Taiwan Stock Exchange’s total market capitalisation.

32 minutes ago

Middle East

Iran will not ‘automatically’ fall after Khamenei’s death, shah’s widow says

Farah Pahlavi, Iran’s last empress, has lived in exile in Paris since being driven from the country with her husband in the 1979 revolution.

4 Mar 2026 - 2:07AMvideocam

Women protest and chant anti-US and anti-Israel slogans in Magam town in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

How will China adjust Israel ties as US-led strikes on Iran reshape Middle East?

Beijing is unlikely to abandon ‘balanced diplomacy’ in the region despite killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, analysts say.

4 Mar 2026 - 12:12AMvideocam

Men inspect the ruins of a police station on Tuesday in Tehran, Iran. Photo: AP

Politics

Duterte allies use Iran war threat to attack Philippines’ US ties

Social media posts claim US bases in the Philippines are like ‘bullseyes on Filipino soil’, prompting the military to debunk the disinformation.

1 hour agovideocam

Australasia

Australia’s best-paid jobs are twice as likely to go to men as to women

Industries that pay the most, such as mining and construction, tend to have the largest gender wage gaps, according to a report.

44 minutes ago

Southeast Asia

Thousands of passengers ‘stuck’ in Indonesia’s Bali after war grounds planes

With foreigners at risk of overstaying their visas, the Bali immigration office has introduced a free same-day emergency stay permit.

1 hour ago

Passengers await news of their flights at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport amid disruptions from Israeli-US strikes on Iran on Monday. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

‘Social morals are dying’: Japan’s under-20s are getting high like never before

The relaxed attitude towards ‘fashionable’ drugs has been cited as one reason for more young Japanese arrested for cannabis offences.

2 hours agovideocam

People take part in a march in Tokyo in 2023 calling for the legalisation of cannabis. Photo: AFP

China Economy

Not just oil: Iran war disrupts China’s imports of key industrial material

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking off China’s imports of methanol – a vital input for the country’s industrial sector.

3 Mar 2026 - 11:36PMvideocam

Travel & Leisure

Paying for a ‘head orgasm’: ASMR spas are taking off in the United States

Scratchy, raspy, feathery and tingly: more people than ever are paying for spa-like sensory experiences to induce ‘the tingles’ in the brain.

3 hours ago

OPINION

Alex Lo

As I see it | Under Trump, the US has unleashed its own wolf warriors

5 hours ago

Ying Xia

Opinion | The quiet revolution in animal rights in China

50 minutes ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Hong Kong is a beacon of stability for global talent and capital

3 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Hong Kong must ensure law on basic housing serves its intended purpose

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Sameed Basha

Opinion | US war on Iran isn’t likely to go as planned

3 Mar 2026 - 9:50PM

Harry’s View | 4 Mar 2026

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15 minutes ago

China Business

Surging oil prices drive Hong Kong stocks to 6-month low on inflation jitters

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People

Japanese gang leader’s house on sale for US$330,000 or more – will anyone bite?

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Global Economy

Maritime mayhem: shipping firms halt Gulf routes amid regional military strikes

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Australasia

Australia’s best-paid jobs are twice as likely to go to men as to women

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SCMP Series Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

Bully vs sovereignty: how Manila and Beijing are sharpening their South China Sea messaging

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.

12 Feb 2026 - 11:07AMvideocam

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

11 Feb 2026 - 6:14AMvideocam

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

10 Feb 2026 - 9:43AMvideocam

Open Questions series

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.

2 Mar 2026 - 5:31PM

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.

23 Feb 2026 - 10:05AMvideocam

Global Economy

Open Questions | Why Trump’s April trip to China may not deliver ‘grand bargain’: James Zimmerman

The American Chamber of Commerce in China chairman says this year’s expected Trump-Xi meetings can put countries on a ‘visionary’ path.

13 Feb 2026 - 9:03AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump’s ‘imperial’ agenda and the end of the old world order: Luuk van Middelaar

Political theorist says rapid acceleration of the US president’s ‘offensive, almost imperial’ agenda has left Europe disoriented.

9 Feb 2026 - 1:10PMvideocam

Key Industries:

Tech

Chinese chip firms Cambricon, Moore Threads post sales jump on domestic demand

Cambricon reports first full-year profit since listing in 2020, while Moore Threads’ revenue jumps 243 per cent.

27 Feb 2026 - 10:26PM

Chinese AI chip designer Cambricon posted its first annual profit since listing in 2020. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

China Business

Healthcare investors looking to ‘two sessions’ for clarity on drug pricing

Healthcare and insurance sectors will see policy fine-tuning, ‘moral support’ rather than ‘groundbreaking news’ from Beijing, analysts say.

1 hour ago

Markets

US investors now own 23% of Taiwan’s equity market amid AI boom

US investors currently hold about 23 per cent of the Taiwan Stock Exchange’s total market capitalisation.

32 minutes ago

Business

Will users stick around after China’s US$1 billion AI marketing battle?

Vouchers, red packets and sponsorships drove a surge in AI users over Chinese New Year, but now the tech giants face a retention test.

3 Mar 2026 - 9:00PM

Red-packet battle: AI tech giants spent a collective US$1 billion on marketing this Chinese New Year. Photo: Getty Images

China

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

27 Feb 2026 - 1:57AMvideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Breaking down the key figures in Hong Kong 2026-27 budget

A deep dive into the data from Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan’s latest budget announcement, looking at the government’s growing revenue and increasing investment in infrastructure.

26 Feb 2026 - 4:01PM

Diplomacy

5 top takeaways from Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address

In a speech that runs nearly two hours, Trump casts himself as a global peacemaker and touts his economic credentials.

25 Feb 2026 - 12:50PMvideocam

Science

Smaller, faster, smarter: Chinese transistor ready for future AI chips

Breakthrough said to overcome long-standing limitations of traditional ferroelectric transistors, ‘paving way for large-scale application’.

25 Feb 2026 - 6:19AMvideocam

Ferroelectric transistors function similarly to neurons in the human brain, as they integrate memory and processing in a single unit. Photo: Shutterstock

Trump slams European allies, praises China and continues to justify Iran attack

US president blasted Spain for denying access to its military bases for his bombing campaign, but boasts of ‘good relationship with China’.

Europe divided, on edge as US-Israel strikes on Iran ripple across the continent

China urges Israel to end war in Iran as regional tensions escalate

Beijing says US-Israeli strikes were in bad faith and calls for an immediate halt, a return to talks and opposition to unilateral action.

Can China’s ‘two sessions’ find a strategy to fix the property rot?

China signals shift from debt-driven housing growth, but sweeping stimulus seen as unlikely.

Hong Kong inflation risks grow as war in Middle East escalates, experts warn

Residents may face higher energy and dining costs as analysts stress the city cannot remain immune to surging oil prices.

China’s war on corruption – is this just the end of the beginning?

Maritime mayhem: shipping firms halt Gulf routes amid regional military strikes

Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz see vessels diverted and bookings suspended, as companies impose emergency fees of up to US$4,000 per unit.

Will Iran feature in foreign policy talks at China’s ‘two sessions’?

The focus is on economics and the five-year plan but the turmoil could prompt a rethink in some areas, analysts say.

Japanese gang leader’s house on sale for US$330,000 or more – will anyone bite?

Set to be sold off due to a court order, the house was the target of a drive-by shooting and an arson attack in recent years.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How Standard Chartered’s SME Banking helps Hong Kong arts and crafts design firm’s growth

Deepa Jivan, CEO of J.Gordhan & Co, says bank’s tailored financial solutions and expertise give it the agility to navigate global marketplace.

Healthcare investors looking to ‘two sessions’ for clarity on drug pricing

Healthcare and insurance sectors will see policy fine-tuning, ‘moral support’ rather than ‘groundbreaking news’ from Beijing, analysts say.

China should up education spending to help population adapt to AI era: economist

Prominent Chinese economist says it is imperative to ensure the next generation can withstand the changes being driven by AI.

US investors now own 23% of Taiwan’s equity market amid AI boom

US investors currently hold about 23 per cent of the Taiwan Stock Exchange’s total market capitalisation.

Iran will not ‘automatically’ fall after Khamenei’s death, shah’s widow says

Farah Pahlavi, Iran’s last empress, has lived in exile in Paris since being driven from the country with her husband in the 1979 revolution.

How will China adjust Israel ties as US-led strikes on Iran reshape Middle East?

Beijing is unlikely to abandon ‘balanced diplomacy’ in the region despite killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, analysts say.

Duterte allies use Iran war threat to attack Philippines’ US ties

Social media posts claim US bases in the Philippines are like ‘bullseyes on Filipino soil’, prompting the military to debunk the disinformation.

Australia’s best-paid jobs are twice as likely to go to men as to women

Industries that pay the most, such as mining and construction, tend to have the largest gender wage gaps, according to a report.

Thousands of passengers ‘stuck’ in Indonesia’s Bali after war grounds planes

With foreigners at risk of overstaying their visas, the Bali immigration office has introduced a free same-day emergency stay permit.

‘Social morals are dying’: Japan’s under-20s are getting high like never before

The relaxed attitude towards ‘fashionable’ drugs has been cited as one reason for more young Japanese arrested for cannabis offences.

Not just oil: Iran war disrupts China’s imports of key industrial material

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking off China’s imports of methanol – a vital input for the country’s industrial sector.

Paying for a ‘head orgasm’: ASMR spas are taking off in the United States

Scratchy, raspy, feathery and tingly: more people than ever are paying for spa-like sensory experiences to induce ‘the tingles’ in the brain.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}As I see it | Under Trump, the US has unleashed its own wolf warriors

Opinion | The quiet revolution in animal rights in China

Editorial | Hong Kong is a beacon of stability for global talent and capital

Editorial | Hong Kong must ensure law on basic housing serves its intended purpose

Opinion | US war on Iran isn’t likely to go as planned

Surging oil prices drive Hong Kong stocks to 6-month low on inflation jitters

Japanese gang leader’s house on sale for US$330,000 or more – will anyone bite?

Maritime mayhem: shipping firms halt Gulf routes amid regional military strikes

Australia’s best-paid jobs are twice as likely to go to men as to women

Opinion | The quiet revolution in animal rights in China

Thousands of passengers ‘stuck’ in Indonesia’s Bali after war grounds planes

Bully vs sovereignty: how Manila and Beijing are sharpening their South China Sea messaging

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}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.

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.

Open Questions | Why Trump’s April trip to China may not deliver ‘grand bargain’: James Zimmerman

The American Chamber of Commerce in China chairman says this year’s expected Trump-Xi meetings can put countries on a ‘visionary’ path.

Open Questions | Trump’s ‘imperial’ agenda and the end of the old world order: Luuk van Middelaar

Political theorist says rapid acceleration of the US president’s ‘offensive, almost imperial’ agenda has left Europe disoriented.

Chinese chip firms Cambricon, Moore Threads post sales jump on domestic demand

Cambricon reports first full-year profit since listing in 2020, while Moore Threads’ revenue jumps 243 per cent.

Healthcare investors looking to ‘two sessions’ for clarity on drug pricing

Healthcare and insurance sectors will see policy fine-tuning, ‘moral support’ rather than ‘groundbreaking news’ from Beijing, analysts say.

US investors now own 23% of Taiwan’s equity market amid AI boom

US investors currently hold about 23 per cent of the Taiwan Stock Exchange’s total market capitalisation.

Will users stick around after China’s US$1 billion AI marketing battle?

Vouchers, red packets and sponsorships drove a surge in AI users over Chinese New Year, but now the tech giants face a retention test.

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

Breaking down the key figures in Hong Kong 2026-27 budget

A deep dive into the data from Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan’s latest budget announcement, looking at the government’s growing revenue and increasing investment in infrastructure.

5 top takeaways from Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address

In a speech that runs nearly two hours, Trump casts himself as a global peacemaker and touts his economic credentials.

Smaller, faster, smarter: Chinese transistor ready for future AI chips

Breakthrough said to overcome long-standing limitations of traditional ferroelectric transistors, ‘paving way for large-scale application’.

How Standard Chartered’s SME Banking helps Hong Kong arts and crafts design firm’s growth

As I see it | Under Trump, the US has unleashed its own wolf warriors

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