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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (left) shakes hands with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao before talks on Monday. Photo: dpa

German foreign minister calls for end to ‘uncertainty’ on Chinese rare earths, chips

Critical minerals, semiconductors and other commodities dominate talks as Johann Wadephul kicks off trip to China aimed at addressing trade.

Why top German diplomat’s China trip aims to manage rivalry but won’t reset ties

China-Germany relations
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China Economy

Chinese minister calls for more opening-up as key planning meeting looms

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao’s remarks echo similar calls by other senior officials ahead of annual central economic work conference.

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Global Economy

Macron’s trade ultimatum to China goes public: fix surplus or face tariffs

French president says EU could copy American protectionism, warning that a lopsided flow of goods results in China ‘effectively killing their own customers’.

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Politics

From ‘Ne Zha’ to ‘Queen of Votes’: Christine Fong’s path to Hong Kong Legco win

After five failed attempts, 59-year-old Fong finally clinches Legco seat with 58,828 votes.

Economy
A drone photo taken on December 4 shows a cargo ship loaded with containers departing from Qingdao Port in east China’s Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua

China’s trade surplus tops record US$1 trillion, defying trade war uncertainty

Global Economy

China leans on German carmakers to help break Brussels tariff deadlock

Commerce vice-minister urges German industry leaders to leverage their clout to push the European Commission towards a compromise on the anti-subsidy probe.

Labourers work on an assembly line at a factory in Chongqing, China, in May. Beijing has pressed German carmakers to help resolve disputes over the European Union’s anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Photo: EPA-EFE
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Military

US defence chief touts ‘flexible realism’ with China ahead of strategy document

Pete Hegseth says US is committed to putting ‘America first’ and avoiding involvement in foreign entanglements.

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Politics

Why a leading party in Bangladesh is facing uncertainty as election looms

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s leadership crisis threatens to undermine its advantage ahead of the February election, analysts say.

Lifestyle

A nation by design: how Singapore’s creative spirit drives its development

As the city state celebrates its 60th anniversary of independence this year, we look at how design has shaped its growth, from building its modern skyline from the ground up to enhancing the quality of life for an ageing population and allowing citizens to live healthier lives

In partnership with:
DesignSingapore Council
Marina Bay, envisioned as a place for people to live, work and play around the clock, is now home to many of Singapore’s iconic landmarks. This centrepiece of the cityscape has continued evolving to support its sustainable development.

Politics

New faces win nearly half of 90 Legco seats as Hong Kong turns to reforms

Turnout rate of 31.9 per cent slightly higher than in 2021, but city leader says election will have profound impact on reforms after Tai Po fire.

Winners and their supporters pose for pictures in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on Monday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Diplomacy

China-Japan ferry halts service as tensions over Takaichi remarks flare

The ferry, named after monk seen as symbol of cultural exchange, has been suspended ‘due to a request from the Chinese side’, operator says.

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China Economy

China warns internet platforms not to shift tax burden onto gig workers

Celebrities and high-profile influencers also under scrutiny, with regulators pursuing hundreds of such cases in recent years.

People

In Philippines, Marcos’ ratings sink as anti-corruption drive ‘backfires’

A new survey shows Marcos’ satisfaction ratings at only 21 per cent – his lowest since taking office in 2022.

A protester holds a slogan during an anti-corruption rally in Quezon City on November 16. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’ satisfaction ratings fell to 21 per cent in November – his steepest decline since February this year. Photo: AP

Military

Japan keeps tabs on 4 Chinese navy ships near Okinawa after weekend stand-off

China’s ‘capabilities in long-range, unmanned combat operations mean we can neutralise any threat with precision’, commentator tells CCTV.

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Japan’s Self-Defence Forces says China’s Liaoning carrier, pictured in 2021, and three guided missile destroyers are continuing drills in waters near Japan. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Policy

China’s Politburo pledges action to tackle trade ‘struggles’ in 2026

Analysts said the decision-making body’s phrasing on the international trade environment suggests a cautious stance next year despite US truce.

Politics

Thailand launches air strikes on Cambodia after soldier killed

Thailand says the F-16 strikes were ‘executed with caution’ against military targets to neutralise a threat to national security.

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Tech Trends

Chinese open-source models account for 30% of global AI use: report

Producing globally competitive models makes China a close peer of the US in AI development.

Open-source AI models from Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen and DeepSeek are driving the international adoption of Chinese large language models. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Malaysian ex-minister Rafizi challenges PM Anwar’s anti-corruption credentials

He alleged that anti-corruption officers targeted PKR candidates who challenged the prime minister’s daughter in party polls.

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Left: Former Malaysian economy minister Rafizi Ramli on his Yang Berhenti Menteri (The Minister Who Quit) podcast. Right: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Photos: Facebook / Rafizi Ramli and AFP

Big Tech

China AI chipmaker MetaX draws more IPO investors than Moore Threads

More than 5 million investors vied for allotments in the chipmaker’s share offering, which aims to raise US$594 million.

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People

‘Like a market’: Chinese marriage brokers hunt for brides in Nepal

China’s bachelor crisis meets Nepal’s poverty in a trade that blurs the lines between arranged marriage and coercion.

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OPINION
Sebastian Contin Trillo-Figueroa

Opinion | Macron’s trip exposes Europe’s fractured China policy

Sebastian Contin Trillo-Figueroa
Nicholas Spiro

The View | Asia’s housing affordability squeeze shows no signs of slowing

Nicholas Spiro
Michael Tai

Opinion | Despite their strong ties, Russia and China are emotional opposites

Michael Tai
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Alice Wu

Opinion | After Hong Kong fire, new lawmakers will have to hit the ground running

Alice Wu
SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Persistence of scams targeting students in Hong Kong shows need for vigilance

SCMP Editorial
Harry’s View | 8 Dec 2025
December 8, 2025
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Tech Trends

DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng cleans up on chip firm Moore Threads’ IPO

Africa

63 children among 114 dead in strikes on Sudan kindergarten, hospital: WHO

Global Economy

China leans on German carmakers to help break Brussels tariff deadlock

Diplomacy

German foreign minister calls for end to ‘uncertainty’ on Chinese rare earths, chips

China Opinion

Opinion | Macron’s trip exposes Europe’s fractured China policy

Hong Kong

Video | New makeshift altar for Tai Po fire victims appears after previous shrine cleared

tai po
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SCMP Series
China’s alcohol economy
Chinese scientists return home
How China is telling its own story
Illustration: Henry Wong
SCMP SeriesChina’s alcohol economy

Pursuit of hoppiness: why China’s cash-conscious drinkers have embraced craft beers

As discerning alcohol consumers seek ‘wallet-friendly’ products, premium beers are winning out over higher-end options.

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After peaking, decline of China’s European wine imports worries makers

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China’s liquor capital faces long march to rebirth as ‘liquid gold’ glory wanes

Open Questions series

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.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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.

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China Economy

Open Questions | Chinese economist Lu Feng on why the time is ripe for a consumption rebalance

Peking University professor says China’s next five-year plan could provide the necessary momentum to shift more public resources to households.

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Politics

Open Questions | Silkpunk creator Ken Liu takes on AI, modernity and what it means to be American

The sci-fi sensation compares the new technology to the early days of the camera and predicts a long period of transition for the new medium.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China Future Tech
China Future Tech
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Live Q&A webinars

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.

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

Tech Trends

DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng cleans up on chip firm Moore Threads’ IPO

Liang’s quantitative hedge fund, High-Flyer, subscribes to more than 80,000 Moore Threads shares, which saw a stellar trading debut in Shanghai.

Global Economy

China leans on German carmakers to help break Brussels tariff deadlock

Commerce vice-minister urges German industry leaders to leverage their clout to push the European Commission towards a compromise on the anti-subsidy probe.

Big Tech

China AI chipmaker MetaX draws more IPO investors than Moore Threads

More than 5 million investors vied for allotments in the chipmaker’s share offering, which aims to raise US$594 million.

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Founded in 2020, MetaX is viewed as one of China’s best hopes to develop chips that can rival Nvidia’s high-performance AI processors. Photo: Handout

China

Boiling point: China’s pre-made meals are testing trust at the table

In a nation with famously high food standards, restaurant goers say they must choose between taste, transparency and industrial efficiency.

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Pre-made meals are taking off in China, but many diners are increasingly incensed about the premium prices and lack of disclosure. Photo: Shutterstock

Diplomacy

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

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China Economy

Why China sees Brazil as ‘last untapped blue ocean market’ for investment boom

Chinese investment in Brazil is soaring as firms eye the vast potential growth in South America’s ‘blue ocean market’.

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China Economy

How Chinese lifestyle brands are finding fans abroad with toys, tea and trends

From milk tea to blind boxes, China’s lighter consumer brands are winning worldwide recognition – though time will tell if the craze will last.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
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