Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

How a punt on an unknown Chinese truck manufacturer paid off in South Africa

Chinese commercial truck builder FAW now outsells major Western and Japanese brands including Toyota, Daimler and Isuzu.

28 minutes agovideocam

China promised zero tariffs for Africa. Why is South Africa missing out?

China-Africa relations

Diplomacy

Why big power rivalry poses ‘main threat’ to Asean maritime security

Smaller players ‘become pawns’ in a bigger geopolitical game as ‘strategic mistrust among major powers’ grows, Asean leaders say in Munich.

2 hours agovideocam

Tech Trends

China’s tech self-sufficiency progress evident in these 2 companies

GigaDevice and Montage carve a niche in the semiconductor sector, with the global memory supercycle boosting their fortunes further.

3 hours ago

Society

Hong Kong’s first 4 babies of Year of the Horse include fifth child for a couple

Among newborns are a girl whose father is a talent visa holder from mainland China and a boy who is the fifth child of a local couple.

9 minutes ago

Infographic

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

Diplomacy

Why the harsh words between China and India over a remote, inhospitable valley?

Verbal sparring has thrown an obscure footnote in border tensions into the limelight and exposed the complexities left behind by history.

6 hours agovideocam

The origins of frictions along China and India’s shared border can be traced to the great power politics of the 19th century and earlier. Photo: Shutterstock

China Economy

Year-end bonuses shrink in China amid slowing growth, report finds

As China heads into the Year of the Horse, its firms’ bonuses have slowed to a trot, with many employees missing out completely.

5 hours agovideocam

Economics

Can Indonesia’s US$762 million Ramadan stimulus boost spending and growth?

The package, which includes fare cuts and food handouts, is meant to keep people travelling and shopping, and help shore up early-growth momentum.

28 minutes ago

Education

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s 20-year evolution ensures it meets world’s fast-changing technological, industrial and societal needs.

In partnership with:

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Asia

Indonesia’s tourist visa, Filipino attacked in Singapore mall: 7 Asia highlights

From scrutiny over Indonesia’s tourist visa to workplace pranks in Japan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

6 hours ago

Tourists walk through a shopping area in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. Photo: EPA

Diplomacy

Why China is being told to integrate commercial space tech with military systems

Appeal comes as strategic rivals such as the US are increasingly eyeing military uses for tech developed by private firms such as SpaceX.

17 Feb 2026 - 8:03AM

Commodities

Strong Lunar New Year demand fuels China’s gold jewellery market

Retailers offer small discounts to spur holiday sales but are set to raise prices after the festival, as investment banks issue bullish outlooks.

4 hours ago

Economics

Battered Cambodia seeks economic reset after Thailand border war

Shuttered borders have choked trade and sent migrant workers home, forcing Phnom Penh to seek new partners and markets.

3 hours agovideocam

Cambodian migrant workers cross from Thailand into Cambodia at the Ban Laem checkpoint in Chanthaburi on July 28, 2025. At least 20,000 people were estimated to be returning to Cambodia amid fighting along the Thai–Cambodian border around that time despite reported peace talks. Photo: dpa

China Business

Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop

The warehouse retailer opened 10 new stores in 2025, accelerating expansion in smaller cities like Zhangjiagang and Yangzhou.

6 hours ago

Shoppers at Sam’s Club in Hangzhou on February 1, 2026. The retailer has introduced products catering to local tastes in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year holiday. Photo: Weibo

Big Tech

China’s Unitree eyes 20,000-robot output after viral success of annual gala

With shipments set to jump and investors watching closely, Unitree is positioning itself at the forefront of China’s humanoid robotics push.

55 minutes ago

Other Sport

Gu ‘doesn’t feel any pressure’ to win China’s first gold medal at Winter Olympics

The 22-year-old, who has two silver medals in Italy so far, will defend her halfpipe gold, starting with qualifiers on Thursday evening.

58 minutes ago

Europe

Belgium summons US ambassador over claims of antisemitism in rare diplomatic row

Ambassador Bill White had called an investigation into illegal circumcisions an ‘unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community’.

29 minutes ago

Pedestrians walk through Brussels’ historic centre around the Grand-Place. Photo: EPA-EFE

Society

Can chatbots tell Hongkongers’ fortunes or just make them up out of thin AI-r?

Astrologer Sunny Fung says he does not believe AI can replace soothsayers, as such chatbots lack a ‘sixth sense’.

2 hours ago

Astrologer Letao Wang says AI cannot grasp the big picture or assess someone’s personality and life direction at a glance from their birth chart. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Economics

Russia emerges as unlikely growth market for Japan tourism as China pulls back

New visa centres in Moscow and St Petersburg reflect a sharp rise in Russian demand as Chinese arrivals fall amid diplomatic tensions.

17 Feb 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

SERIES: Year of the Horse 2026

Which zodiac signs must appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026?

Horses, Rats, Oxen and Rabbits clash with the tai sui in the Year of the Fire Horse. Here’s how you can mitigate the adverse effects.

4 hours agovideocam

LATEST

13 minutes ago

Travel & Leisure

Ponyo exhibition invites visitors into Hayao ⁠Miyazaki’s ocean world

28 minutes ago

Economics

Can Indonesia’s US$762 million Ramadan stimulus boost spending and growth?

28 minutes ago

Celebrities

What you need to know about Daryl Hannah and JFK Jr’s romance

28 minutes ago

Diplomacy

How a punt on an unknown Chinese truck manufacturer paid off in South Africa

29 minutes ago

Europe

Belgium summons US ambassador over claims of antisemitism in rare diplomatic row

55 minutes ago

Big Tech

China’s Unitree eyes 20,000-robot output after viral success of annual gala

MORE LATEST NEWS

SCMP Series

Year of the Horse 2026

Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

China Inc. goes global

Worshippers visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong on February 16, 2026, to pray for good luck in the Year of the Fire Horse. Photo: Sam Tsang

SCMP Series Year of the Horse 2026

How to appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026, and what to watch out for

Horses, Rats, Oxen and Rabbits clash with the tai sui in the Year of the Fire Horse. Here’s how you can mitigate the adverse effects.

4 hours agovideocam

8 lucky Lunar New Year foods to welcome the Year of the Horse

6 hours agovideocam

Beware excessive ‘fire energy’ in Year of the Horse: Hong Kong feng shui masters

5 hours ago

Open Questions series

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

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Lawrence Lau on why China must ‘work smarter’ and how it can invent from scratch

China must shift from quantity to quality by focusing on 12-year schooling, more basic research and GBA integration, renowned economist says.

2 Feb 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

China

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

29 Jan 2026 - 11:50AMvideocam

Key Industries:

China’s AI arms race sees sector brace for major flagship model launch week

A ‘stealth’ model has emerged, while advancements by Alibaba’s Qwen-3.5 and Zhipu’s GLM-5 aim to spur domestic competition following releases by US heavyweights.

9 Feb 2026 - 8:02PM

China’s AI sector is bracing for a monumental week, with a flurry of anticipated model releases. Photo: Shutterstock

Big Tech

China’s Unitree eyes 20,000-robot output after viral success of annual gala

With shipments set to jump and investors watching closely, Unitree is positioning itself at the forefront of China’s humanoid robotics push.

55 minutes ago

Big Tech

Global AI race heats up as Chinese tech giant releases new model

With multimodal capabilities and open weights, Qwen-3.5 signals Alibaba’s ambition to anchor the next phase of global AI deployment.

16 Feb 2026 - 7:05PM

China Economy

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

16 Feb 2026 - 3:58PMvideocam

Big Tech

Humanoids go mainstream as China’s robotics champions appear at CCTV spectacle

ByteDance, Unitree, RedNote, Bilibili and Kuaishou among the firms involved in the unparalleled nationwide marketing opportunity.

2 hours agovideocam

Bot the star of the show: a dancing robot delights during China Central Television’s Spring Festival Photo: CCTV

Military

Will China’s state-backed thriller spill details of little-known spy cases?

‘Scare Out’ depicts leak of PLA jet secrets, and some speculate the plot could be based on true story involving stealth fighter tech.

15 Feb 2026 - 7:00AM

Companies

Pop Mart balances boom and bust: can Labubu’s leap match Molly’s momentum?

As Labubu’s meteoric rise cools, Molly’s longevity highlights the challenge Pop Mart faces in turning hype into stable intellectual property.

14 Feb 2026 - 10:01AM

Diplomacy

How Manila’s ‘naming and shaming’ challenges Beijing’s South China Sea stance

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

12 Feb 2026 - 11:07AMvideocam

How a punt on an unknown Chinese truck manufacturer paid off in South Africa

Chinese commercial truck builder FAW now outsells major Western and Japanese brands including Toyota, Daimler and Isuzu.

China promised zero tariffs for Africa. Why is South Africa missing out?

Why big power rivalry poses ‘main threat’ to Asean maritime security

Smaller players ‘become pawns’ in a bigger geopolitical game as ‘strategic mistrust among major powers’ grows, Asean leaders say in Munich.

China’s tech self-sufficiency progress evident in these 2 companies

GigaDevice and Montage carve a niche in the semiconductor sector, with the global memory supercycle boosting their fortunes further.

Hong Kong’s first 4 babies of Year of the Horse include fifth child for a couple

Among newborns are a girl whose father is a talent visa holder from mainland China and a boy who is the fifth child of a local couple.

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

Why the harsh words between China and India over a remote, inhospitable valley?

Verbal sparring has thrown an obscure footnote in border tensions into the limelight and exposed the complexities left behind by history.

Year-end bonuses shrink in China amid slowing growth, report finds

As China heads into the Year of the Horse, its firms’ bonuses have slowed to a trot, with many employees missing out completely.

Can Indonesia’s US$762 million Ramadan stimulus boost spending and growth?

The package, which includes fare cuts and food handouts, is meant to keep people travelling and shopping, and help shore up early-growth momentum.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s 20-year evolution ensures it meets world’s fast-changing technological, industrial and societal needs.

Indonesia’s tourist visa, Filipino attacked in Singapore mall: 7 Asia highlights

From scrutiny over Indonesia’s tourist visa to workplace pranks in Japan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Why China is being told to integrate commercial space tech with military systems

Appeal comes as strategic rivals such as the US are increasingly eyeing military uses for tech developed by private firms such as SpaceX.

Strong Lunar New Year demand fuels China’s gold jewellery market

Retailers offer small discounts to spur holiday sales but are set to raise prices after the festival, as investment banks issue bullish outlooks.

Battered Cambodia seeks economic reset after Thailand border war

Shuttered borders have choked trade and sent migrant workers home, forcing Phnom Penh to seek new partners and markets.

Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop

The warehouse retailer opened 10 new stores in 2025, accelerating expansion in smaller cities like Zhangjiagang and Yangzhou.

China’s Unitree eyes 20,000-robot output after viral success of annual gala

With shipments set to jump and investors watching closely, Unitree is positioning itself at the forefront of China’s humanoid robotics push.

Gu ‘doesn’t feel any pressure’ to win China’s first gold medal at Winter Olympics

The 22-year-old, who has two silver medals in Italy so far, will defend her halfpipe gold, starting with qualifiers on Thursday evening.

Belgium summons US ambassador over claims of antisemitism in rare diplomatic row

Ambassador Bill White had called an investigation into illegal circumcisions an ‘unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community’.

Can chatbots tell Hongkongers’ fortunes or just make them up out of thin AI-r?

Astrologer Sunny Fung says he does not believe AI can replace soothsayers, as such chatbots lack a ‘sixth sense’.

Russia emerges as unlikely growth market for Japan tourism as China pulls back

New visa centres in Moscow and St Petersburg reflect a sharp rise in Russian demand as Chinese arrivals fall amid diplomatic tensions.

Which zodiac signs must appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026?

Horses, Rats, Oxen and Rabbits clash with the tai sui in the Year of the Fire Horse. Here’s how you can mitigate the adverse effects.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Being Chinese | The great Lunar New Year divide and how I bridged it

Opinion | Bangladesh’s BNP could struggle to enact reforms despite election win

Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

Opinion | Government must reflect on its failures as we enter Year of the Horse

Editorial | Hong Kong will approach Year of the Horse with optimism and resilience

Ponyo exhibition invites visitors into Hayao ⁠Miyazaki’s ocean world

Can Indonesia’s US$762 million Ramadan stimulus boost spending and growth?

What you need to know about Daryl Hannah and JFK Jr’s romance

How a punt on an unknown Chinese truck manufacturer paid off in South Africa

Belgium summons US ambassador over claims of antisemitism in rare diplomatic row

China’s Unitree eyes 20,000-robot output after viral success of annual gala

How to appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026, and what to watch out for

Horses, Rats, Oxen and Rabbits clash with the tai sui in the Year of the Fire Horse. Here’s how you can mitigate the adverse effects.

8 lucky Lunar New Year foods to welcome the Year of the Horse

Beware excessive ‘fire energy’ in Year of the Horse: Hong Kong feng shui masters

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

Open Questions | Lawrence Lau on why China must ‘work smarter’ and how it can invent from scratch

China must shift from quantity to quality by focusing on 12-year schooling, more basic research and GBA integration, renowned economist says.

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

China’s AI arms race sees sector brace for major flagship model launch week

A ‘stealth’ model has emerged, while advancements by Alibaba’s Qwen-3.5 and Zhipu’s GLM-5 aim to spur domestic competition following releases by US heavyweights.

China’s Unitree eyes 20,000-robot output after viral success of annual gala

With shipments set to jump and investors watching closely, Unitree is positioning itself at the forefront of China’s humanoid robotics push.

Global AI race heats up as Chinese tech giant releases new model

With multimodal capabilities and open weights, Qwen-3.5 signals Alibaba’s ambition to anchor the next phase of global AI deployment.

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

Humanoids go mainstream as China’s robotics champions appear at CCTV spectacle

ByteDance, Unitree, RedNote, Bilibili and Kuaishou among the firms involved in the unparalleled nationwide marketing opportunity.

Will China’s state-backed thriller spill details of little-known spy cases?

‘Scare Out’ depicts leak of PLA jet secrets, and some speculate the plot could be based on true story involving stealth fighter tech.

Pop Mart balances boom and bust: can Labubu’s leap match Molly’s momentum?

As Labubu’s meteoric rise cools, Molly’s longevity highlights the challenge Pop Mart faces in turning hype into stable intellectual property.

How Manila’s ‘naming and shaming’ challenges Beijing’s South China Sea stance

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

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Being Chinese | The great Lunar New Year divide and how I bridged it

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