Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Most of the deals signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday are symbolic, according to analysts. Pool photo: Reuters via AP

China and Russia unite on world order, but Putin departs without concrete gains

Analysts say Beijing’s position in managing three-way ties appears to be strengthened after hosting Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

4 hours ago

Substance for Putin, ‘face’ for Trump as China, Russia deepen strategic alliance

China-Russia relations

China Economy

As Chinese supertankers cross Strait of Hormuz, is the crisis starting to ease?

Two Chinese tankers were among group of vessels transiting vital waterway on Wednesday, but was it a one-off or the start of a new trend?

5 hours agovideocam

Climate and energy

AI gives China ‘God’s-eye view’ of green sector as data-centre demand booms

Alibaba and Peking University map nation’s extensive green-energy sites – a move that could help stabilise national grid amid surge in computing-power needs.

21 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Military

China’s J-10CE jets defeat Eurofighters 9-0 in mock battles, CCTV confirms

While state broadcaster does not identify the drill, details appear to match a 2024 exercise in Qatar involving Pakistan.

21 May 2026 - 8:05PM

Diplomacy

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and US President Donald Trump are expected to meet again this year. Photo: AP

Xi’s back-to-back meetings with Trump and Putin: everything you need to know

Science

Can China team’s Greek dig unveil an untold truth in ancient world history?

A joint archaeological project between Greece’s culture ministry and a Chinese team of researchers is breaking new ground.

21 May 2026 - 5:00PM

The Aetolia-Acarnania region in Greece held particular significance during the Hellenistic period when there were extensive cultural exchanges across Eurasia. Photo: Wikipedia

Society

Operation targeting fire safety in old Hong Kong buildings extended for 2 years

Initial two-month scheme resulted in 75 prosecutions, with fire service aiming to check another 5,000 buildings following Tai Po blaze.

4 hours ago

Tech Trends

What is YMTC, the latest contender in China’s memory-chip IPO push?

As China’s memory-chip giants YMTC and CXMT progress towards IPOs, they shine a spotlight on Beijing’s tech self-sufficiency ambitions.

2 hours ago

International

Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Cityscape Global achieves more than US$63 billion as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a major investment hub for urban development.

In partnership with:

Cityscape Global

Diplomacy

Why a Trump-Lai call could trigger ‘turbulence’ between Washington and Beijing

Such a move would cross Beijing’s red line and undo progress from recent summit with Xi, analysts warn.

6 hours agovideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press after stepping off Air Force One, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Africa

DR Congo police fire warning shots in burial dispute after suspected Ebola death

Residents set fire to tents at an Ebola centre in Rwampara after a victim’s family were stopped from retrieving his body for burial.

1 hour ago

Global Economy

China breaks ground on Gulf aviation megaproject in shadow of Iran war

A state-owned firm has launched work on a massive aviation complex, signalling continued confidence amid regional conflict.

21 May 2026 - 7:00PM

Banking & Finance

Hong Kong set to be ousted by Nasdaq as world’s biggest IPO market

International investors remain interested in Hong Kong tech listings due to attractive valuations, UBS and JPMorgan say.

21 May 2026 - 9:00PM

Nasdaq is set to become the world's biggest IPO market this year with the SpaceX listing. Photo: Reuters

Interiors & Living

How buildings and cities shape our lives, from ancient Rome to Hong Kong today

Architectural scholar Stefan Al compresses 2 million years of human habitation into 258 pages in his new book, Dwelling on Earth.

21 May 2026 - 6:15PM

General view in Central district of Hong Kong. Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office has called on HK to improve its executive-led governance model, arguing the legislative and judicial branches should support the government as they perform “on the same stage” and should not undermine each other. 26JAN26 SCMP / Jelly Tse

Health & Environment

Hong Kong issues red travel alert for DR Congo as Ebola outbreak spreads

139 suspected deaths and 600 suspected cases have been recorded in DR Congo and Uganda, with numbers expected to rise.

4 hours ago

Europe

Mother arrested after young French boys abandoned in Portugal

The boys, aged 4 and 5, were rescued by a passing motorist who found them alone and crying near the resort town of Comporta.

2 hours ago

Southeast Asia

Philippine justice chief orders arrest of senator wanted by ICC

Senator Ronald dela Rosa is a former national police chief who enforced then-president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody crackdown against drugs.

6 hours agovideocam

Senator Ronald dela Rosa attends a senate session in Manila last week. Photo: AFP

Tech

China unveils first humanoid robot for household chores, ready as early as 2027

Companies are still improving data required for robots to perform complex household tasks, some of which require embodied AI.

21 May 2026 - 5:22PM

A humanoid robot, the SeeLight S1, performs a household chore. Photo: Changjiang Daily

South Asia

Young Indians protest through parody ‘cockroach’ party

The Cockroach Janta Party echoes a broader trend across South Asia, where youths have played a central role in anti-government movements.

3 hours ago

Europe

Court annuls leadership of Turkey’s main opposition party

The move to oust Ozgur Ozel triggered a stock market sell-off and could strengthen President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s grip on power.

2 hours ago

OPINION

Bob Savic

Opinion | What Putin, Trump summits say about China’s role in world affairs

6 hours ago

Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Bond market sell-off raises stakes for Asia’s tech-driven economies

21 May 2026 - 5:26PM

Phoebe Zhang

Opinion | A Teochew hit film shows what’s ailing Chinese entertainment

21 May 2026 - 9:30AM

Victor Dawes

Legal Tales | The weight of silk: what the honour means for the Inner Bar as an institution

21 May 2026 - 9:30AM

Letters

Letters | In medical incident probes, stats and facts are as vital as transparency

21 May 2026 - 11:30AM

Harry’s View | 22 May 2026

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Arts

Hong Kong-born Elim Chan becomes first woman to lead San Francisco Symphony

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Europe

Mother arrested after young French boys abandoned in Portugal

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Africa

DR Congo police fire warning shots in burial dispute after suspected Ebola death

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Europe

Court annuls leadership of Turkey’s main opposition party

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Politics

Historic Legco trip to Beijing to include tech sector tours, seminars and visits

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Society

Mobile ice cream vendor in Central told to stop selling product due to bacteria

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Diplomacy

China and Russia unite on world order, but Putin departs without concrete gains

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Society

Operation targeting fire safety in old Hong Kong buildings extended for 2 years

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US President Donald Trump listening to a speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping at a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, last week. Photo: Reuters

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

China will buy at least US$17 billion of US farm goods annually, White House says

The agreement was struck at the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to US fact sheet.

3-MIN READ

How will Beijing judge Trump’s take on Taiwan? Look for 1 critical factor

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How China and the US felt the weight of history behind Trump and Xi’s meeting

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Open Questions series

Politics

Open Questions | Mainland China’s Wu Yongping on what the Xi-Trump summit means for Taiwan

Regardless of the meeting’s outcome, the trend towards resolution of the Taiwan question won’t change, according to the Tsinghua academic.

12-MIN READ

Politics

Open Questions | Taiwan’s Cheng Li-wun on cross-strait peace, meeting Xi and managing US ties

Kuomintang chairwoman says hostility towards mainland is a product of political engineering that does not reflect reality of Taiwan.

17-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

13-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

10-MIN READvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

China’s booming tech exports give Beijing ‘wind in its sails’ for Trump summit

The role of tech products in April’s trade data reflects how computing-related goods are a ‘new and important growth driver’ for exports.

3-MIN READ

Chinese trade received a significant boost from the technology sector in April. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Tech Trends

What is YMTC, the latest contender in China’s memory-chip IPO push?

As China’s memory-chip giants YMTC and CXMT progress towards IPOs, they shine a spotlight on Beijing’s tech self-sufficiency ambitions.

3-MIN READ

Climate and energy

AI gives China ‘God’s-eye view’ of green sector as data-centre demand booms

Alibaba and Peking University map nation’s extensive green-energy sites – a move that could help stabilise national grid amid surge in computing-power needs.

2-MIN READvideocam

Tech

China unveils first humanoid robot for household chores, ready as early as 2027

Companies are still improving data required for robots to perform complex household tasks, some of which require embodied AI.

2-MIN READ

China Economy

Putin is pushing for a ‘serious’ new energy deal in China. Will he get it?

The Russian leader arrives in China days after Trump in search of an energy deal, with yuan settlements, pricing potentially on the table.

6-MIN READvideocam

Science

Is China becoming Europe’s top science partner amid an American brain drain?

‘Massive changes in the global flow of talent’ are creating opportunities, according to the head of Germany’s Max Planck Society.

6-MIN READvideocam

Economy

Trump and his CEOs want China’s business – but has Asia moved on?

The US delegation went to Beijing looking for deals, but a ‘super cycle’ of capital expenditures across Asia is already fuelling enormous growth.

6-MIN READvideocam

Diplomacy

Why tougher US visa rules for skilled foreign workers may end in ‘brain drain’

Trump administration is targeting several visa categories, including popular H-1B pathway, with bias towards fewer numbers and more revenue.

7-MIN READvideocam

China and Russia unite on world order, but Putin departs without concrete gains

Analysts say Beijing’s position in managing three-way ties appears to be strengthened after hosting Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Substance for Putin, ‘face’ for Trump as China, Russia deepen strategic alliance

As Chinese supertankers cross Strait of Hormuz, is the crisis starting to ease?

Two Chinese tankers were among group of vessels transiting vital waterway on Wednesday, but was it a one-off or the start of a new trend?

AI gives China ‘God’s-eye view’ of green sector as data-centre demand booms

Alibaba and Peking University map nation’s extensive green-energy sites – a move that could help stabilise national grid amid surge in computing-power needs.

China’s J-10CE jets defeat Eurofighters 9-0 in mock battles, CCTV confirms

While state broadcaster does not identify the drill, details appear to match a 2024 exercise in Qatar involving Pakistan.

Xi’s back-to-back meetings with Trump and Putin: everything you need to know

Can China team’s Greek dig unveil an untold truth in ancient world history?

A joint archaeological project between Greece’s culture ministry and a Chinese team of researchers is breaking new ground.

Operation targeting fire safety in old Hong Kong buildings extended for 2 years

Initial two-month scheme resulted in 75 prosecutions, with fire service aiming to check another 5,000 buildings following Tai Po blaze.

What is YMTC, the latest contender in China’s memory-chip IPO push?

As China’s memory-chip giants YMTC and CXMT progress towards IPOs, they shine a spotlight on Beijing’s tech self-sufficiency ambitions.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Cityscape Global achieves more than US$63 billion as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a major investment hub for urban development.

Why a Trump-Lai call could trigger ‘turbulence’ between Washington and Beijing

Such a move would cross Beijing’s red line and undo progress from recent summit with Xi, analysts warn.

DR Congo police fire warning shots in burial dispute after suspected Ebola death

Residents set fire to tents at an Ebola centre in Rwampara after a victim’s family were stopped from retrieving his body for burial.

China breaks ground on Gulf aviation megaproject in shadow of Iran war

A state-owned firm has launched work on a massive aviation complex, signalling continued confidence amid regional conflict.

Hong Kong set to be ousted by Nasdaq as world’s biggest IPO market

International investors remain interested in Hong Kong tech listings due to attractive valuations, UBS and JPMorgan say.

How buildings and cities shape our lives, from ancient Rome to Hong Kong today

Architectural scholar Stefan Al compresses 2 million years of human habitation into 258 pages in his new book, Dwelling on Earth.

Hong Kong issues red travel alert for DR Congo as Ebola outbreak spreads

139 suspected deaths and 600 suspected cases have been recorded in DR Congo and Uganda, with numbers expected to rise.

Mother arrested after young French boys abandoned in Portugal

The boys, aged 4 and 5, were rescued by a passing motorist who found them alone and crying near the resort town of Comporta.

Philippine justice chief orders arrest of senator wanted by ICC

Senator Ronald dela Rosa is a former national police chief who enforced then-president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody crackdown against drugs.

China unveils first humanoid robot for household chores, ready as early as 2027

Companies are still improving data required for robots to perform complex household tasks, some of which require embodied AI.

Young Indians protest through parody ‘cockroach’ party

The Cockroach Janta Party echoes a broader trend across South Asia, where youths have played a central role in anti-government movements.

Court annuls leadership of Turkey’s main opposition party

The move to oust Ozgur Ozel triggered a stock market sell-off and could strengthen President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s grip on power.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | What Putin, Trump summits say about China’s role in world affairs

Macroscope | Bond market sell-off raises stakes for Asia’s tech-driven economies

Opinion | A Teochew hit film shows what’s ailing Chinese entertainment

Legal Tales | The weight of silk: what the honour means for the Inner Bar as an institution

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | In medical incident probes, stats and facts are as vital as transparency

Hong Kong-born Elim Chan becomes first woman to lead San Francisco Symphony

Mother arrested after young French boys abandoned in Portugal

DR Congo police fire warning shots in burial dispute after suspected Ebola death

Court annuls leadership of Turkey’s main opposition party

Historic Legco trip to Beijing to include tech sector tours, seminars and visits

Mobile ice cream vendor in Central told to stop selling product due to bacteria

China and Russia unite on world order, but Putin departs without concrete gains

Operation targeting fire safety in old Hong Kong buildings extended for 2 years

Player equity, fewer events at heart of LIV Golf plan for post-PIF future

What is YMTC, the latest contender in China’s memory-chip IPO push?

China will buy at least US$17 billion of US farm goods annually, White House says

The agreement was struck at the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to US fact sheet.

How will Beijing judge Trump’s take on Taiwan? Look for 1 critical factor

How China and the US felt the weight of history behind Trump and Xi’s meeting

Open Questions | Mainland China’s Wu Yongping on what the Xi-Trump summit means for Taiwan

Regardless of the meeting’s outcome, the trend towards resolution of the Taiwan question won’t change, according to the Tsinghua academic.

Open Questions | Taiwan’s Cheng Li-wun on cross-strait peace, meeting Xi and managing US ties

Kuomintang chairwoman says hostility towards mainland is a product of political engineering that does not reflect reality of Taiwan.

Open Questions | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

China’s booming tech exports give Beijing ‘wind in its sails’ for Trump summit

The role of tech products in April’s trade data reflects how computing-related goods are a ‘new and important growth driver’ for exports.

What is YMTC, the latest contender in China’s memory-chip IPO push?

As China’s memory-chip giants YMTC and CXMT progress towards IPOs, they shine a spotlight on Beijing’s tech self-sufficiency ambitions.

AI gives China ‘God’s-eye view’ of green sector as data-centre demand booms

Alibaba and Peking University map nation’s extensive green-energy sites – a move that could help stabilise national grid amid surge in computing-power needs.

China unveils first humanoid robot for household chores, ready as early as 2027

Companies are still improving data required for robots to perform complex household tasks, some of which require embodied AI.

Putin is pushing for a ‘serious’ new energy deal in China. Will he get it?

The Russian leader arrives in China days after Trump in search of an energy deal, with yuan settlements, pricing potentially on the table.

Is China becoming Europe’s top science partner amid an American brain drain?

‘Massive changes in the global flow of talent’ are creating opportunities, according to the head of Germany’s Max Planck Society.

Trump and his CEOs want China’s business – but has Asia moved on?

Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Opinion | What Putin, Trump summits say about China’s role in world affairs

Letters | In medical incident probes, stats and facts are as vital as transparency