Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

EngineAI Robotics’ humanoid T800 is capable of delivering Bruce Lee-style roundhouse kicks with great force. Photo: Handout

How China’s US$150,000 robot start-up beat Elon Musk in 2 years

EngineAI robot delivers forceful Bruce Lee-style kicks, while Musk’s Optimus jogs a few steps and falls over while handing out water bottle.

3 hours agovideocam

With one small step for AI, Chinese scientists make giant leap for humanity

Science

Australasia

‘Targeted attack’: 11 shot dead at Bondi Beach during Jewish holiday event

One of the two attackers – described as terrorists by police – was also killed at Sydney’s famous beach, and at least 29 people were injured.

1 hour ago

China Economy

‘Efforts to choke China cannot succeed’: Xi Jinping to top leadership

China’s rise is unstoppable, president tells central economic work conference, hails ‘moral backbone’ in rare allusion to US trade war.

4 hours agovideocam

Society

We want to stay in Hong Kong, say Filipino helpers who survived deadly blaze

Helpers who escaped inferno with children and elderly employers want to remain in city despite upheaval to their lives and emotional toll of tragedy.

43 minutes ago

Politics

Are China’s social media apps the soft power play to win over the West?

Military

Why has reference to Taiwan attending Rimpac been removed from US defence bill?

Senators’ bid to ‘strongly encourage’ invitation is removed from compromise bill, raising questions in Taipei.

5 hours agovideocam

Some of the naval ships taking part in the 2024 Rimpac exercises, as seen from the Japanese JS Kunisaki. Photo: Reuters

Politics

China to cover childbirth costs for all in latest bid to avert population crisis

Aim is to achieve ‘no out-of-pocket expenses’ for baby deliveries, along with better coverage for prenatal check-ups and labour pain relief.

14 Dec 2025 - 5:00PMvideocam

Politics

Could a plunder probe weaken Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s 2028 prospects?

An insider said the filing is less about getting a conviction than opening the door to financial scrutiny that could damage her politically.

14 Dec 2025 - 5:36PMvideocam

Business

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

In partnership with:

MPOC

Palm oil is a versatile ingredient found in a wide range of everyday items, from ice cream and cake to lipstick and biofuel.

Diplomacy

How will China respond to latest West Africa coup as economic footprint expands?

Ouster of Guinea-Bissau leader Umaro Sissoco Embalo has sparked political instability fears, raising stakes for Chinese economic interests.

14 Dec 2025 - 6:35PMvideocam

Then president of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Chinese ambassador Yang Renhuo inspect China-donated airport security equipment, in the capital Bissau on November 21. Embalo was ousted in a military coup days later. Photo: Xinhua

Tech Trends

Why Japan’s robotic pioneers are ceding the humanoid stage to China and the US

Japan’s university system has long centred on engineering faculties led by manufacturing, resulting in a relative shortage of AI talent.

14 Dec 2025 - 2:03PM

Politics

China orders local governments to settle company bills by end of year

Top planning official says repaying debts is ‘moral bottom line’ and biggest step for improving China’s business environment.

4 hours agovideocam

Australasia

‘Worst fears happened’: Bondi shooting feels tragically inevitable to some

Amid firebombing, graffiti and hate speech, which surged during the Gaza war, a special envoy was appointed last year to combat antisemitism.

2 hours ago

A member of Sydney’s Jewish community reacts as he stands near the site of a fatal shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Entrepreneurs vie for Africa’s Business Heroes titles in start-up bonanza

Record 32,000 applications from 54 nations vie for seventh Africa’s Business Heroes awards to recognise 100 start-ups over 10 years.

14 Dec 2025 - 9:38AM

A record 32,000 entrepreneurs applied for the 7th Africa’s Business Heroes competition in Kigali, Rwanda, on December 13, 2025. Photo: Handout

China Economy

China aims to boost imports, exports in 2026 to drive trade: senior official

Beijing also seeks to increase consumption by loosening restrictions, raising incomes and attracting tourist spending, Han Wenxiu says.

14 Dec 2025 - 3:01PM

Politics

End of an era as Hong Kong’s Democratic Party disbands after 31 years

Chairman Lo Kin-hei urges Hongkongers to live with kindness, honesty and integrity, and expresses faith in the city’s democracy movement.

5 hours ago

Europe

No to Nato? Zelensky eyes US, EU guarantees to deter Russian aggression

Ukraine has long seen Nato membership as a way to ensure its future security but has altered its rhetoric amid some nations’ reluctance.

41 minutes ago

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference. File photo: dpa

Companies

High-end car sales sink in China as cheaper brands trump European marques

Many buyers were swayed by a 20,000 yuan (US$2,830 ) trade-in subsidy offered by the government for purchasing electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

14 Dec 2025 - 3:22PM

Porsche’s all-electric Macan Turbo sports car is displayed at the 17th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2024) on April 23, 2025. Photo: Shutterstock

Health & Wellness

She quit her corporate job to walk 5,700km alone across America

Jessica Guo became the first woman to hike a continuous route linking the Continental Divide Trail with the Great Divide Trail.

6 hours ago

Politics

Southeast Asia barely features in America’s new security strategy

The region appears just twice in the new 32-page US National Security Strategy, raising fears it is being relegated to a ‘bargaining chip’.

14 Dec 2025 - 12:00PM

OPINION

Alex Lo

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

3 hours ago

Jianxi Liu

Opinion | US is rewriting its China policy under national security strategy

5 hours ago

Mike Rowse

Opinion | Transparency, accountability essential after Tai Po fire as Hong Kong heals

14 Dec 2025 - 4:30PM

Dennis Lee

Opinion | Frank Gehry’s vision for Hong Kong’s arts hub was an opportunity lost

14 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM

Frances Mangosing

Asian Angle | Is the new Philippines-Germany defence pact built to last?

14 Dec 2025 - 10:30AM

Harry’s View | 15 Dec 2025

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2 hours ago

Australasia

‘Worst fears happened’: Bondi shooting feels tragically inevitable to some

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Europe

No to Nato? Zelensky eyes US, EU guarantees to deter Russian aggression

3 hours ago

Opinion

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Science

How China’s US$150,000 robot start-up beat Elon Musk in 2 years

4 hours ago

Society

We want to stay in Hong Kong, say Filipino helpers who survived deadly blaze

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Law and Crime

Woman, 26, arrested in Hong Kong over military-style drills

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Chinese biotech firms set to crack the global market within a decade, according to industry experts. Photo: Getty Images

SCMP Series China Inc. goes global

‘Major breakthroughs’: Chinese biotech firms plan global expansions after domestic success

Strong manufacturing base a driving force behind overseas expansion, but industry leaders and analysts say hurdles remain.

11 Dec 2025 - 3:36PMvideocam

Waste to wealth: why China is building incinerators around the world

11 Dec 2025 - 11:21AM

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

11 Dec 2025 - 11:24AMvideocam

Open Questions series

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

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.

24 Nov 2025 - 10:09AMvideocam

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.

17 Nov 2025 - 10:02AMvideocam

Key Industries:

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.

2 Dec 2025 - 4:51PM

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

Tech Trends

Why Japan’s robotic pioneers are ceding the humanoid stage to China and the US

Japan’s university system has long centred on engineering faculties led by manufacturing, resulting in a relative shortage of AI talent.

14 Dec 2025 - 2:03PM

Tech Trends

Sea change: China narrows AI gap with US 3 years after ChatGPT shock

The turning point came when DeepSeek released its V3 and R1 models, which were on par with OpenAI’s GPT and Meta’s Llama models at the time.

14 Dec 2025 - 12:57AM

Big Tech

Meta sees role reversal as it adopts Alibaba’s Qwen to train AI models

Throughout 2023 and 2024, Chinese firms keen to catch up with the US used Meta’s Llama to help them build their own models.

13 Dec 2025 - 10:39AM

Science

US green tech retreat echoes mistake of China’s Qing dynasty before collapse

While Washington pulls back on climate, Beijing is making it possible for developing nations to leapfrog into a cleaner energy era.

13 Dec 2025 - 7:07AMvideocam

Diplomacy

First China ore shipment rewards Guinea leader’s push for Simandou alliance

Mining minister says China and Rio Tinto were pressed to work on shared infrastructure because ‘we do not want railways running everywhere’.

11 Dec 2025 - 6:16AMvideocam

Science

How China pulled off a critical mineral tech revolution in just 10 months

‘Unique’ Chinese efficiency turns European firm’s vision into reality by building the world’s first large-scale silica-removal technology.

10 Dec 2025 - 6:09AM

China Economy

Are US, EU and Japan banking on defence spending for an economic boost?

As advanced economies ramp up military expenditures, they have multiple goals - including a reduced reliance on China in defence supply chains.

9 Dec 2025 - 5:28PMvideocam

How China’s US$150,000 robot start-up beat Elon Musk in 2 years

EngineAI robot delivers forceful Bruce Lee-style kicks, while Musk’s Optimus jogs a few steps and falls over while handing out water bottle.

With one small step for AI, Chinese scientists make giant leap for humanity

‘Targeted attack’: 11 shot dead at Bondi Beach during Jewish holiday event

One of the two attackers – described as terrorists by police – was also killed at Sydney’s famous beach, and at least 29 people were injured.

‘Efforts to choke China cannot succeed’: Xi Jinping to top leadership

China’s rise is unstoppable, president tells central economic work conference, hails ‘moral backbone’ in rare allusion to US trade war.

We want to stay in Hong Kong, say Filipino helpers who survived deadly blaze

Helpers who escaped inferno with children and elderly employers want to remain in city despite upheaval to their lives and emotional toll of tragedy.

Are China’s social media apps the soft power play to win over the West?

Why has reference to Taiwan attending Rimpac been removed from US defence bill?

Senators’ bid to ‘strongly encourage’ invitation is removed from compromise bill, raising questions in Taipei.

China to cover childbirth costs for all in latest bid to avert population crisis

Aim is to achieve ‘no out-of-pocket expenses’ for baby deliveries, along with better coverage for prenatal check-ups and labour pain relief.

Could a plunder probe weaken Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s 2028 prospects?

An insider said the filing is less about getting a conviction than opening the door to financial scrutiny that could damage her politically.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

How will China respond to latest West Africa coup as economic footprint expands?

Ouster of Guinea-Bissau leader Umaro Sissoco Embalo has sparked political instability fears, raising stakes for Chinese economic interests.

Why Japan’s robotic pioneers are ceding the humanoid stage to China and the US

Japan’s university system has long centred on engineering faculties led by manufacturing, resulting in a relative shortage of AI talent.

China orders local governments to settle company bills by end of year

Top planning official says repaying debts is ‘moral bottom line’ and biggest step for improving China’s business environment.

‘Worst fears happened’: Bondi shooting feels tragically inevitable to some

Amid firebombing, graffiti and hate speech, which surged during the Gaza war, a special envoy was appointed last year to combat antisemitism.

Entrepreneurs vie for Africa’s Business Heroes titles in start-up bonanza

Record 32,000 applications from 54 nations vie for seventh Africa’s Business Heroes awards to recognise 100 start-ups over 10 years.

China aims to boost imports, exports in 2026 to drive trade: senior official

Beijing also seeks to increase consumption by loosening restrictions, raising incomes and attracting tourist spending, Han Wenxiu says.

End of an era as Hong Kong’s Democratic Party disbands after 31 years

Chairman Lo Kin-hei urges Hongkongers to live with kindness, honesty and integrity, and expresses faith in the city’s democracy movement.

No to Nato? Zelensky eyes US, EU guarantees to deter Russian aggression

Ukraine has long seen Nato membership as a way to ensure its future security but has altered its rhetoric amid some nations’ reluctance.

High-end car sales sink in China as cheaper brands trump European marques

Many buyers were swayed by a 20,000 yuan (US$2,830 ) trade-in subsidy offered by the government for purchasing electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

She quit her corporate job to walk 5,700km alone across America

Jessica Guo became the first woman to hike a continuous route linking the Continental Divide Trail with the Great Divide Trail.

Southeast Asia barely features in America’s new security strategy

The region appears just twice in the new 32-page US National Security Strategy, raising fears it is being relegated to a ‘bargaining chip’.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

Opinion | US is rewriting its China policy under national security strategy

Opinion | Transparency, accountability essential after Tai Po fire as Hong Kong heals

Opinion | Frank Gehry’s vision for Hong Kong’s arts hub was an opportunity lost

Asian Angle | Is the new Philippines-Germany defence pact built to last?

‘Worst fears happened’: Bondi shooting feels tragically inevitable to some

No to Nato? Zelensky eyes US, EU guarantees to deter Russian aggression

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

How China’s US$150,000 robot start-up beat Elon Musk in 2 years

We want to stay in Hong Kong, say Filipino helpers who survived deadly blaze

Woman, 26, arrested in Hong Kong over military-style drills

‘Major breakthroughs’: Chinese biotech firms plan global expansions after domestic success

Strong manufacturing base a driving force behind overseas expansion, but industry leaders and analysts say hurdles remain.

Waste to wealth: why China is building incinerators around the world

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Why Japan’s robotic pioneers are ceding the humanoid stage to China and the US

Japan’s university system has long centred on engineering faculties led by manufacturing, resulting in a relative shortage of AI talent.

Sea change: China narrows AI gap with US 3 years after ChatGPT shock

The turning point came when DeepSeek released its V3 and R1 models, which were on par with OpenAI’s GPT and Meta’s Llama models at the time.

Meta sees role reversal as it adopts Alibaba’s Qwen to train AI models

Throughout 2023 and 2024, Chinese firms keen to catch up with the US used Meta’s Llama to help them build their own models.

US green tech retreat echoes mistake of China’s Qing dynasty before collapse

While Washington pulls back on climate, Beijing is making it possible for developing nations to leapfrog into a cleaner energy era.

First China ore shipment rewards Guinea leader’s push for Simandou alliance

Mining minister says China and Rio Tinto were pressed to work on shared infrastructure because ‘we do not want railways running everywhere’.

How China pulled off a critical mineral tech revolution in just 10 months

‘Unique’ Chinese efficiency turns European firm’s vision into reality by building the world’s first large-scale silica-removal technology.

Are US, EU and Japan banking on defence spending for an economic boost?

As advanced economies ramp up military expenditures, they have multiple goals - including a reduced reliance on China in defence supply chains.

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’