Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

The Japanese Self-Defence Forces will send approximately 1,400 personnel, multiple warships, aircraft and Type 88 anti-ship missile systems to the annual US-Philippine military drills next week. Photo: AP

China slams Japan for sending warship through Taiwan Strait

Beijing calls move a ‘deliberate provocation’ that undermines peace and stability in the strait.

7 minutes ago

What does Japan’s role in a US-Philippine military drill mean for Taiwan?

China-Japan relations

China Economy

China focuses on car standards to put industry in global driving seat

New five-year plan also emphasised importance of stronger standards in boosting Chinese manufacturers’ competitiveness.

37 minutes ago

Science

China’s space station crew to ‘maximise opportunities’ with extra month in orbit

The Shenzhou-21 astronauts were embroiled in drama last year after their probe was used in an emergency mission for the previous crew.

35 minutes agovideocam

Society

Tai Po fire: owners’ group repeatedly protested use of flammable materials

Former management committee chair says ‘we couldn’t find anything in Hong Kong law to justify our demands. We were very helpless.’.

25 minutes ago

Exclusive

Shipping data shows a Hong Kong-flagged ship passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Hong Kong-flagged tanker passes through Strait of Hormuz in test of US blockade

Military

Will South Korea’s ‘Goldilocks’ missile dent China’s Middle East arms ambitions?

The Cheongung-II has reportedly achieved a 96.7% intercept rate against Iranian drones and ballistic missiles.

2 hours agovideocam

South Korea is poised to benefit in arms sales to the Middle East. Photo: Shutterstock

Policy

China’s e-commerce platforms hit with 3.6b yuan fine for food safety violations

Seven platforms, including Meituan, Taobao and Tmall, were fined and ordered to ‘rectify illegal activities’ following an investigation.

54 minutes ago

Economics

Asian airlines face ‘major headwind’ from jet fuel costs, forcing flight changes

Fuel has jumped from 25 per cent of total operating costs for airlines to nearly 45 per cent in a matter of weeks, analysts say.

17 minutes 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

Tech Trends

How Amazon uses closer China supply ties to counter tariffs, Shein and Temu

Amazon’s warehousing hub in Shenzhen streamlines shipping for Chinese sellers, cutting costs and delays amid rising competition and tariffs.

7 minutes ago

Amazon officially opened the world’s first global warehousing and distribution facility in Shenzhen to more sellers on Wednesday. Photo: dpa-Zentralbild/dpa

Tech

‘Horrible’ for US if DeepSeek AI models run on Huawei chips: Nvidia CEO

DeepSeek on Huawei chips could help China – powered by ‘abundant’ energy and large pool of researchers – catch up with US in AI: Nvidia CEO.

1 hour ago

China Economy

Tycoon Pan Shiyi slams China property ‘Ponzi’ as Evergrande boss pleads guilty

Writing from US in a since-deleted post, Soho China founder warns that property recovery is impossible without buyer trust, as new data shows home sales still plunging.

2 hours agovideocam

China Economy

VietJet Air to lease up to 10 C909 jets in boost for Chinese aircraft maker

Deal follows talks between Chinese and Vietnamese presidents in Beijing this week.

4 hours ago

A C909 in VietJet livery at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport in April last year. Photo: Reuters

Business

Hot tips, cold reality: China targets online stock scams luring novice investors

Crackdown targets social media accounts offering bogus stock tips, paid groups and AI-driven tools amid surge in retail scams.

24 minutes ago

Chinese authorities have shut down around 10 social media accounts for illegally recommending individual stocks. Photo: Reuters

LIVE

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens: city’s women, Denmark draw thriller, men up next

The first leg of the HSBC SVNS World Championship gets under way in Hong Kong as the city’s sevens celebrates its 50th year.

10 minutes ago

South Asia

Pakistan oil tanker becomes first to exit through Hormuz since US blockade began

Transits through the narrow waterway have been mostly in single digits since US and Israeli strikes began at the end of February.

3 hours agovideocam

Society

Hong Kong to scrap fax messaging between police and fire services for emergencies

Security chief Chris Tang says system to be digitised after Tai Po fire inquiry reveals use of fax for sharing emergency appeals gathered online.

51 minutes ago

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Authorities will also increase phone lines at call centres, after an inquiry into the inferno revealed a bottleneck for call referrals. Photo: Jelly Tse

China Business

China’s Warren Buffett calls Pop Mart a long-term buy, hints at owning stake

Duan Yongping sees Pop Mart as a promising long-term investment, praising its growth potential and unique business model.

2 hours ago

Labubu dolls are on display at the Pop Mart store at the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

Europe tests ‘third way’ on Hormuz without the US, Israel and Iran. Will it work?

Coalition of more than 30 nations to meet in Paris for a summit to find a ‘credible proposal’ to restore shipping through the strait.

17 Apr 2026 - 12:26PMvideocam

Lifestyle & Culture

Indonesia’s Surabaya cracks down on absentee fathers for dodging child support

The city’s child support laws have drawn overseas interest, including Australia, as single mothers urge more help for their legal redress.

1 hour agovideocam

OPINION

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Outside In | Debunking the myth of the lonely, isolated Hong Kong retiree

3 hours ago

Bernard Chan

Opinion | With Art March, Hong Kong is firmly on the global cultural map

17 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

SCMP Editorial

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17 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

Letters

Letters | Amid elevated oil prices, Hong Kong’s stable energy system is a boon

17 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

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As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

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Shanghai Gigafactory has potential to build humanoid robots: Tesla China head

Shanghai Gigafactory could be a ‘golden key’ to advancing Elon Musk’s hopes of commercialising the technology swiftly, Tesla China head says.

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A Tesla robot on display at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Tesla has said it is transforming itself into a physical AI firm. Photo: AFP

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China focuses on car standards to put industry in global driving seat

New five-year plan also emphasised importance of stronger standards in boosting Chinese manufacturers’ competitiveness.

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‘Horrible’ for US if DeepSeek AI models run on Huawei chips: Nvidia CEO

DeepSeek on Huawei chips could help China – powered by ‘abundant’ energy and large pool of researchers – catch up with US in AI: Nvidia CEO.

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VietJet Air to lease up to 10 C909 jets in boost for Chinese aircraft maker

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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.

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How the rise of AI agents could finally make China’s open-source models pay

Free models helped Chinese firms find rapid success – but thin margins are forcing a shift towards hybrid business strategies.

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Are special laws a quick fix for speeding up Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis?

Syncing megaproject with key infrastructure and turning it into a ‘living laboratory’ are equally important to its success, tech experts say.

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War distractions and limited goals risk turning Beijing talks into optics over substance, as expectations shrink and planning falters.

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China slams Japan for sending warship through Taiwan Strait

Beijing calls move a ‘deliberate provocation’ that undermines peace and stability in the strait.

What does Japan’s role in a US-Philippine military drill mean for Taiwan?

China focuses on car standards to put industry in global driving seat

New five-year plan also emphasised importance of stronger standards in boosting Chinese manufacturers’ competitiveness.

China’s space station crew to ‘maximise opportunities’ with extra month in orbit

The Shenzhou-21 astronauts were embroiled in drama last year after their probe was used in an emergency mission for the previous crew.

Tai Po fire: owners’ group repeatedly protested use of flammable materials

Former management committee chair says ‘we couldn’t find anything in Hong Kong law to justify our demands. We were very helpless.’.

Hong Kong-flagged tanker passes through Strait of Hormuz in test of US blockade

Will South Korea’s ‘Goldilocks’ missile dent China’s Middle East arms ambitions?

The Cheongung-II has reportedly achieved a 96.7% intercept rate against Iranian drones and ballistic missiles.

China’s e-commerce platforms hit with 3.6b yuan fine for food safety violations

Seven platforms, including Meituan, Taobao and Tmall, were fined and ordered to ‘rectify illegal activities’ following an investigation.

Asian airlines face ‘major headwind’ from jet fuel costs, forcing flight changes

Fuel has jumped from 25 per cent of total operating costs for airlines to nearly 45 per cent in a matter of weeks, analysts say.

.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.

How Amazon uses closer China supply ties to counter tariffs, Shein and Temu

Amazon’s warehousing hub in Shenzhen streamlines shipping for Chinese sellers, cutting costs and delays amid rising competition and tariffs.

‘Horrible’ for US if DeepSeek AI models run on Huawei chips: Nvidia CEO

DeepSeek on Huawei chips could help China – powered by ‘abundant’ energy and large pool of researchers – catch up with US in AI: Nvidia CEO.

Tycoon Pan Shiyi slams China property ‘Ponzi’ as Evergrande boss pleads guilty

Writing from US in a since-deleted post, Soho China founder warns that property recovery is impossible without buyer trust, as new data shows home sales still plunging.

VietJet Air to lease up to 10 C909 jets in boost for Chinese aircraft maker

Deal follows talks between Chinese and Vietnamese presidents in Beijing this week.

Hot tips, cold reality: China targets online stock scams luring novice investors

Crackdown targets social media accounts offering bogus stock tips, paid groups and AI-driven tools amid surge in retail scams.

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens: city’s women, Denmark draw thriller, men up next

The first leg of the HSBC SVNS World Championship gets under way in Hong Kong as the city’s sevens celebrates its 50th year.

Pakistan oil tanker becomes first to exit through Hormuz since US blockade began

Transits through the narrow waterway have been mostly in single digits since US and Israeli strikes began at the end of February.

Hong Kong to scrap fax messaging between police and fire services for emergencies

Security chief Chris Tang says system to be digitised after Tai Po fire inquiry reveals use of fax for sharing emergency appeals gathered online.

China’s Warren Buffett calls Pop Mart a long-term buy, hints at owning stake

Duan Yongping sees Pop Mart as a promising long-term investment, praising its growth potential and unique business model.

Europe tests ‘third way’ on Hormuz without the US, Israel and Iran. Will it work?

Coalition of more than 30 nations to meet in Paris for a summit to find a ‘credible proposal’ to restore shipping through the strait.

Indonesia’s Surabaya cracks down on absentee fathers for dodging child support

The city’s child support laws have drawn overseas interest, including Australia, as single mothers urge more help for their legal redress.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Outside In | Debunking the myth of the lonely, isolated Hong Kong retiree

Opinion | With Art March, Hong Kong is firmly on the global cultural map

Editorial | 50 years of Sevens: Hong Kong’s festival of fun awaits the world’s rugby fans

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Amid elevated oil prices, Hong Kong’s stable energy system is a boon

Opinion | Without restraint, Beijing and Manila can’t deliver the South China Sea code

China slams Japan for sending warship through Taiwan Strait

How Amazon uses closer China supply ties to counter tariffs, Shein and Temu

Asian airlines face ‘major headwind’ from jet fuel costs, forcing flight changes

Tai Po fire: owners’ group repeatedly protested use of flammable materials

Drink in Focus: Wattleseed cocktail at Bourke’s

China focuses on car standards to put industry in global driving seat

Hong Kong authorities use drones to help raid illegal Yuen Long slaughterhouse

China’s space station crew to ‘maximise opportunities’ with extra month in orbit

‘Horrible’ for US if DeepSeek AI models run on Huawei chips: Nvidia CEO

Meet Aimee Carrero, who stars in Apple TV’s Your Friends & Neighbors

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 | 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.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

Shanghai Gigafactory has potential to build humanoid robots: Tesla China head

Shanghai Gigafactory could be a ‘golden key’ to advancing Elon Musk’s hopes of commercialising the technology swiftly, Tesla China head says.

China focuses on car standards to put industry in global driving seat

New five-year plan also emphasised importance of stronger standards in boosting Chinese manufacturers’ competitiveness.

‘Horrible’ for US if DeepSeek AI models run on Huawei chips: Nvidia CEO

DeepSeek on Huawei chips could help China – powered by ‘abundant’ energy and large pool of researchers – catch up with US in AI: Nvidia CEO.

VietJet Air to lease up to 10 C909 jets in boost for Chinese aircraft maker

Deal follows talks between Chinese and Vietnamese presidents in Beijing this week.

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.

How the rise of AI agents could finally make China’s open-source models pay

Free models helped Chinese firms find rapid success – but thin margins are forcing a shift towards hybrid business strategies.

Are special laws a quick fix for speeding up Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis?

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

Outside In | Debunking the myth of the lonely, isolated Hong Kong retiree

Letters | Amid elevated oil prices, Hong Kong’s stable energy system is a boon