Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

The Chinese military’s nuclear missile formation takes part in a parade in Beijing on September 3. Photo: Xinhua

Pentagon says Chinese aircraft carriers, 6th-gen fighters make US ‘vulnerable’

Report adds that Americans’ security is threatened by Beijing’s development of its ‘historic military build-up’, including nuclear arsenal.

6 hours agovideocam

129

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

US-China relations

China Economy

Hard work, long hours fuelled China’s rise. Now, it weighs longer breaks

China, one of the world’s hardest-working countries, is adopting incentives to increase time off – and potentially boost consumer spending.

24 Dec 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

Diplomacy

China vows to retaliate against ‘unreasonable’ US semiconductor tariffs

Beijing has pledged to ‘take corresponding measures’ in response to the levy, which Washington says is designed to counter economic threat.

6 hours agovideocam

Society

Christmas Eve crowds gather in Hong Kong but festive atmosphere ‘more subdued’

Families at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront say celebrations are more muted this year after the deadly Tai Po fire last month.

6 hours ago

Focus

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

China

Brazil weighs visa-free entry for Chinese tourists and business travellers

Brazil saw nearly 80 per cent growth in Chinese tourists in 2024 and would join only two neighbours offering visa-free entry.

4 hours agovideocam

If confirmed, the visa waiver would simplify travel for Chinese visitors to Brazil and could accelerate arrivals to destinations such as Iguazu Falls. Photo: Handout

Global Economy

China expands digital-yuan push to Singapore and Asean trade routes

PBOC pledges to integrate e-CNY into the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, boost adoption in Southeast Asia via China’s CIPS payment network.

24 Dec 2025 - 7:30PM

Law and Crime

Hong Kong police make another arrest over deadly Tai Po blaze

Man, 48, arrested on suspicion of manslaughter is 16th person detained in connection with fire.

5 hours ago

People & Culture

How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

Mamadou Amadou Ly and Uri Wilensky help transform teaching and learning through multilingual education and computational thinking.

In partnership with:

Yidan Prize Foundation

The 2025 Yidan Prize laureates Professor Uri Wilensky (left) and Mamadou Amadou Ly help remove barriers to education by transforming how learners access and engage with knowledge.

Military

Top PLA Air Force duo miss key military event led by Xi as graft fight rolls on

Generals Chang Dingqiu and Guo Puxiao were not present at PLA promotions ceremony on Monday, footage broadcast by CCTV shows.

24 Dec 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

Military

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated.

24 Dec 2025 - 8:02PMvideocam

Middle East

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

The city where Christians believe Jesus was born had cancelled celebrations for the past two years.

3 hours ago

Politics

Taipei mayor cuts Shanghai visit short to oversee security after mass stabbing

Chiang Wan-an has trimmed his visit to joint forum, one of only a few events attended by officials from Taiwan and mainland China.

24 Dec 2025 - 8:40PMvideocam

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has said that ensuring the safety of citizens remains the “top priority” in the aftermath of a fatal mass stabbing incident in the city. Photo: Handout

Europe

Explainer | Trump vs EU: the European laws curbing big tech and irking US

The US is challenging EU digital regulations, accusing them of censorship and targeting American tech firms.

4 hours ago

The EU’s tough tech laws clash with Trump’s stance as fines reshape Big Tech’s future in Europe. Photo: AFP

China

China, Russia clash with US at UN; Taipei mayor visit: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing accusing Washington of violating international law to a study on animal fats, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

24 Dec 2025 - 9:15PM

Law and Crime

Hong Kong customs seizes counterfeit goods worth HK$36 million in crackdown

Customs warn criminals using high demand over holiday season as ‘smokescreen’ to move illicit goods.

24 Dec 2025 - 6:28PM

Africa

Algeria brands French colonisation a crime, demands reparations, apology

Deepening the rift with Paris, lawmakers unanimously list torture and nuclear tests as crimes requiring compensation for 132 years of rule.

5 hours ago

The Algerian flag flies outside the National Assembly as parliament members vote on a bill seeking to criminalise France’s colonisation. Photo: AP

Science

7 scientists, mathematicians, physicists and experts who moved to China in 2025

From a world-leading statistician to a mathematics luminary, here are some experts who made the move.

24 Dec 2025 - 4:15PM

(From left) Joshua Zahl, Chen Jing and Zhou Ming. Photo: Handout/Tsinghua University

United States & Canada

Trump says comedian Colbert should be ‘put to sleep’

Colbert’s show, in which he often takes aim at the US president, is scheduled to end soon, a decision fans say smacks of censorship.

2 hours ago

Basketball

Who are the NBA’s ‘most viewed’ players and where does rookie Cooper Flagg rank?

Nine of the list of 10 players most watched across the league’s social media platforms this season will be in action on Christmas Day.

6 hours ago

OPINION

Alex Lo

As I see it | China is now the good guy in climate change

24 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | China’s resolve to invest in people is economic good sense

24 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

Letters

Letters | To kick our social media habit, let’s start with the adults

24 Dec 2025 - 11:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Christmas spirit of compassion can help a Hong Kong that is still healing

24 Dec 2025 - 6:45AM

Jake Sullivan

Opinion | US and China must get serious about AI risk

24 Dec 2025 - 8:23AM

Harry’s View | 25 Dec 2025

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2 hours ago

United States & Canada

Trump says comedian Colbert should be ‘put to sleep’

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Middle East

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

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China

Brazil weighs visa-free entry for Chinese tourists and business travellers

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Europe

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Law and Crime

Hong Kong police make another arrest over deadly Tai Po blaze

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SCMP Series

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SCMP Series Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

Can Beijing count on Taiwan’s KMT to advance reunification plans?

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

6 hours agovideocam

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:02AMvideocam

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

Key Industries:

Tech

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

17 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

The questions in FAI-C were reviewed by a panel of Biblical experts, including theologians, pastors, psychologists and scholars of ethics. Photo: SCMP

Tech Trends

Chinese AI champion iFlytek forms new entity to expand into semiconductor design

Shandong Yixun Information Technology’s scope of operations includes integrated circuit design and other AI-related fields.

6 hours ago

Companies

AI-for-Science start-up DP Technology raises US$114 million in Series C round

The Beijing-based AI-for-Science firm said the Series C round would fund hiring and R&D, as interest grows in using AI to speed up scientific discovery.

24 Dec 2025 - 9:24PM

Tech Trends

ByteDance, other major Chinese tech firms lead local consumer AI market: report

ByteDance-owned Doubao remains the country’s top consumer AI app, as DeepSeek’s namesake chatbot takes the No 2 spot.

24 Dec 2025 - 8:31PM

ByteDance’s top-ranked Doubao AI app. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Politics

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

21 Dec 2025 - 7:35AMvideocam

China Business

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

20 Dec 2025 - 8:57AM

Diplomacy

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

19 Dec 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Beijing wants to fill the void as Washington steps back from its leadership role on the world stage under US President Donald Trump and his “America first” policy. Photo: Reuters

Pentagon says Chinese aircraft carriers, 6th-gen fighters make US ‘vulnerable’

Report adds that Americans’ security is threatened by Beijing’s development of its ‘historic military build-up’, including nuclear arsenal.

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Hard work, long hours fuelled China’s rise. Now, it weighs longer breaks

China, one of the world’s hardest-working countries, is adopting incentives to increase time off – and potentially boost consumer spending.

China vows to retaliate against ‘unreasonable’ US semiconductor tariffs

Beijing has pledged to ‘take corresponding measures’ in response to the levy, which Washington says is designed to counter economic threat.

Christmas Eve crowds gather in Hong Kong but festive atmosphere ‘more subdued’

Families at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront say celebrations are more muted this year after the deadly Tai Po fire last month.

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

Brazil weighs visa-free entry for Chinese tourists and business travellers

Brazil saw nearly 80 per cent growth in Chinese tourists in 2024 and would join only two neighbours offering visa-free entry.

China expands digital-yuan push to Singapore and Asean trade routes

PBOC pledges to integrate e-CNY into the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, boost adoption in Southeast Asia via China’s CIPS payment network.

Hong Kong police make another arrest over deadly Tai Po blaze

Man, 48, arrested on suspicion of manslaughter is 16th person detained in connection with fire.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

Mamadou Amadou Ly and Uri Wilensky help transform teaching and learning through multilingual education and computational thinking.

Top PLA Air Force duo miss key military event led by Xi as graft fight rolls on

Generals Chang Dingqiu and Guo Puxiao were not present at PLA promotions ceremony on Monday, footage broadcast by CCTV shows.

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated.

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

The city where Christians believe Jesus was born had cancelled celebrations for the past two years.

Taipei mayor cuts Shanghai visit short to oversee security after mass stabbing

Chiang Wan-an has trimmed his visit to joint forum, one of only a few events attended by officials from Taiwan and mainland China.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | Trump vs EU: the European laws curbing big tech and irking US

The US is challenging EU digital regulations, accusing them of censorship and targeting American tech firms.

China, Russia clash with US at UN; Taipei mayor visit: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing accusing Washington of violating international law to a study on animal fats, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Hong Kong customs seizes counterfeit goods worth HK$36 million in crackdown

Customs warn criminals using high demand over holiday season as ‘smokescreen’ to move illicit goods.

Algeria brands French colonisation a crime, demands reparations, apology

Deepening the rift with Paris, lawmakers unanimously list torture and nuclear tests as crimes requiring compensation for 132 years of rule.

7 scientists, mathematicians, physicists and experts who moved to China in 2025

From a world-leading statistician to a mathematics luminary, here are some experts who made the move.

Trump says comedian Colbert should be ‘put to sleep’

Colbert’s show, in which he often takes aim at the US president, is scheduled to end soon, a decision fans say smacks of censorship.

Who are the NBA’s ‘most viewed’ players and where does rookie Cooper Flagg rank?

Nine of the list of 10 players most watched across the league’s social media platforms this season will be in action on Christmas Day.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}As I see it | China is now the good guy in climate change

Editorial | China’s resolve to invest in people is economic good sense

Letters | To kick our social media habit, let’s start with the adults

Editorial | Christmas spirit of compassion can help a Hong Kong that is still healing

Opinion | US and China must get serious about AI risk

Trump says comedian Colbert should be ‘put to sleep’

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

Brazil weighs visa-free entry for Chinese tourists and business travellers

Explainer | Trump vs EU: the European laws curbing big tech and irking US

Hong Kong police make another arrest over deadly Tai Po blaze

Algeria brands French colonisation a crime, demands reparations, apology

Can Beijing count on Taiwan’s KMT to advance reunification plans?

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

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.

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

Chinese AI champion iFlytek forms new entity to expand into semiconductor design

Shandong Yixun Information Technology’s scope of operations includes integrated circuit design and other AI-related fields.

AI-for-Science start-up DP Technology raises US$114 million in Series C round

The Beijing-based AI-for-Science firm said the Series C round would fund hiring and R&D, as interest grows in using AI to speed up scientific discovery.

ByteDance, other major Chinese tech firms lead local consumer AI market: report

ByteDance-owned Doubao remains the country’s top consumer AI app, as DeepSeek’s namesake chatbot takes the No 2 spot.

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

Explainer | Trump vs EU: the European laws curbing big tech and irking US

As I see it | China is now the good guy in climate change