Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

For more than a decade, “naked officials” have been banned from leadership positions in state or Communist Party organs, and insiders say the restrictions are tightening. Photo: AFP

Exclusive | China widens anti-corruption net to catch ‘quasi-naked officials’

Top graft-busters quietly step up scrutiny of officials with children living overseas, with some losing promotion opportunities and jobs.

5 hours agovideocam

Hainan official who helped build South China Sea reefs faces corruption probe

Corruption in China

China Economy

China targets foreign tourists for Lunar New Year ‘consumption feast’

Beijing sees huge untapped potential in spending by inbound travellers as it strives to drive up demand over the crucial nine-day holiday.

6 hours ago

Military

Chinese coastguard reveals growing reliance on drones at Scarborough Shoal

Lunar New Year post gives rare look at the role of uncrewed aircraft in training and operations near disputed South China Sea reef.

6 hours ago

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year fireworks dazzle as visitor numbers gallop ahead

City leader John Lee vows to carry out reforms at full speed, says to public ‘let’s march forward bravely and confidently together’ in new year.

3 hours agovideocam

Infographic

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

China

Tears flow as Su Yiming, Xu Mengtao finally make it a golden Games for China

Su Yiming upgrades the slopestyle silver he won in Beijing four years ago, while compatriot Xu Mengtao defends women’s aerials title.

4 hours ago

Su Yiming cries tears of joy after winning men’s snowboard slopestyle gold at the Winter Olympics. Photo: EPA

Politics

12 killed in China’s second deadly Lunar New Year firework explosion

The blast in Hubei came days after a similar incident in Jiangsu that prompted calls from the government to prevent a repetition.

18 Feb 2026 - 8:23PM

Diplomacy

Exclusive | Trump’s claim of Chinese, Russian ships near Greenland ‘not supported by facts’

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, the ex-president of Iceland, also says it’s ‘important not to use scaremongering to justify major policy changes’.

18 Feb 2026 - 6:01PMvideocam

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

Tech Trends

China’s humanoid robot orders surge after Spring Festival spotlight

Interest also spiked in Noetix’s Bumi, a companion robot that appeared in a family-themed comedy sketch at the gala.

18 Feb 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Robots perform during China Central Television’s Spring Festival Gala 2026 on Monday. Photo: Handout

Politics

India, France elevate defence ties in push for strategic autonomy

The deal reflects India’s shift from ‘transactional defence buying’ amid expanding security engagement with Europe, analysts say.

6 hours ago

Southeast Asia

Thailand wants to act as ‘bridge’ for Myanmar’s return to Asean fold

Myanmar’s junta leaders have been excluded from Asean summits since the 2021 military coup that toppled a democratic administration.

5 hours ago

United States & Canada

US factory output surges by most in nearly a year

Manufacturing has been hobbled by Trump’s tariffs, which business leaders say have raised costs for factories and consumers.

3 hours ago

Line workers assemble a chassis of a General Motors pickup truck at the Flint Assembly plant in Michigan. Photo: AFP

China

Open-source sci-fi beloved in China tech circles sends geeks to ‘fix’ late Ming

The Morning Star of Linggao has attracted attention in the US but has remained outside the Chinese mainstream.

18 Feb 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

A poster for open-source time-travel novel The Morning Star of Linggao which has been continuously added to by often anonymous contributors for nearly 20 years. Photo: Handout

Russia & Central Asia

Russia demands ‘concrete’ proof that it poisoned Navalny with dart frog toxin

Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands claim Russia had the ‘means, motive and opportunity’ to kill its opposition leader.

5 hours ago

Tech Trends

Moonshot AI targets US$12 billion valuation as revenue surges for Kimi models

The latest round was jointly led by existing investors including Alibaba, Tencent, Andon and 5Y Capital, according to a source.

18 Feb 2026 - 8:00PM

People

‘Wake-up call’: child deaths in Indonesia spotlight gaps in social aid

Experts warn many other such cases may not be recorded, and urge educators to be more vigilant to signs of emotional distress among students.

18 Feb 2026 - 6:30PM

Nationwide health screening in Indonesia has revealed that 10 million children are at risk of mental illness, according to the country’s health minister. Photo: Shutterstock

Australasia

Australian citizen in Syria with alleged Isis ties banned from returning home

This is the first known use of a temporary exclusion order introduced in 2019 to prevent high-risk citizens from returning to Australia.

18 Feb 2026 - 8:16PM

Australian family members of suspected Isis militants walk toward a van bound for the airport during the first repatriation operation of the year at Roj Camp in eastern Syria on Monday. Photo: AP

China Business

Lab monkey price tag climbs to US$20,000 thanks to China’s biotech boom

The cost of a single monkey exceeds the average annual salary in China and approaches a pandemic-era spike amid growth in drug licensing deals.

6 hours ago

Tech

Colour matters: how AI is changing car premiums and services in China

Car colour, driving habits and location influence insurance premiums, according to a digital solutions provider using ByteDance’s AI model.

18 Feb 2026 - 4:00PM

OPINION

Tian Shichen

Opinion | Europe’s selective defence of the global order will sway no one

5 hours ago

Alex Lo

My Take | Forget Canada, the real 51st American state appears to be gullible Australia

6 hours ago

Futao Huang

Opinion | Universities in Japan and China are becoming tools of national strategy

18 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM

Lijia Zhang

Opinion | Why trade alone won’t make China beloved in South America

18 Feb 2026 - 7:06AM

Chang Zi Qian

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

17 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM

Harry’s View | 19 Feb 2026

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United States & Canada

US factory output surges by most in nearly a year

3 hours ago

Society

Japan travel warning after Hongkonger beaten with beer bottle in Sapporo

5 hours ago

Southeast Asia

Thailand wants to act as ‘bridge’ for Myanmar’s return to Asean fold

5 hours ago

Racing

SCMP Best Bets: Champion can be crowned for punters at Sha Tin

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Racing

Who wins at Sha Tin? Gabriel to sprout wings en route to Hong Kong Derby

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Politics

Exclusive | China widens anti-corruption net to catch ‘quasi-naked officials’

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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

Giving red packets (also called lai see or hong bao) is a Lunar New Year tradition, but when should you open them? Photo: Getty Images

SCMP Series Year of the Horse 2026

When is the best time to open Lunar New Year red packets in the Year of the Horse 2026?

It is considered rude to open lai see in front of the giver but don’t leave the red packets unopened for more than a couple of months.

18 Feb 2026 - 8:15AMvideocam

Feng shui advice for Rabbits for luck in money, health and romance

18 Feb 2026 - 7:15AMvideocam

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

17 Feb 2026 - 2:15PMvideocam

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

Tech Trends

Moonshot AI targets US$12 billion valuation as revenue surges for Kimi models

The latest round was jointly led by existing investors including Alibaba, Tencent, Andon and 5Y Capital, according to a source.

18 Feb 2026 - 8:00PM

Tech Trends

China’s humanoid robot orders surge after Spring Festival spotlight

Interest also spiked in Noetix’s Bumi, a companion robot that appeared in a family-themed comedy sketch at the gala.

18 Feb 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

China Business

Lab monkey price tag climbs to US$20,000 thanks to China’s biotech boom

The cost of a single monkey exceeds the average annual salary in China and approaches a pandemic-era spike amid growth in drug licensing deals.

6 hours ago

Founder Securities expects the annual domestic supply of experimental monkeys in China to range between 49,000 and 52,400 animals from 2025 to 2027. Photo: Shutterstock

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.

17 Feb 2026 - 4:46PMvideocam

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

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | China widens anti-corruption net to catch ‘quasi-naked officials’

Top graft-busters quietly step up scrutiny of officials with children living overseas, with some losing promotion opportunities and jobs.

Hainan official who helped build South China Sea reefs faces corruption probe

China targets foreign tourists for Lunar New Year ‘consumption feast’

Beijing sees huge untapped potential in spending by inbound travellers as it strives to drive up demand over the crucial nine-day holiday.

Chinese coastguard reveals growing reliance on drones at Scarborough Shoal

Lunar New Year post gives rare look at the role of uncrewed aircraft in training and operations near disputed South China Sea reef.

Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year fireworks dazzle as visitor numbers gallop ahead

City leader John Lee vows to carry out reforms at full speed, says to public ‘let’s march forward bravely and confidently together’ in new year.

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

Tears flow as Su Yiming, Xu Mengtao finally make it a golden Games for China

Su Yiming upgrades the slopestyle silver he won in Beijing four years ago, while compatriot Xu Mengtao defends women’s aerials title.

12 killed in China’s second deadly Lunar New Year firework explosion

The blast in Hubei came days after a similar incident in Jiangsu that prompted calls from the government to prevent a repetition.

Exclusive | Trump’s claim of Chinese, Russian ships near Greenland ‘not supported by facts’

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, the ex-president of Iceland, also says it’s ‘important not to use scaremongering to justify major policy changes’.

.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.

China’s humanoid robot orders surge after Spring Festival spotlight

Interest also spiked in Noetix’s Bumi, a companion robot that appeared in a family-themed comedy sketch at the gala.

India, France elevate defence ties in push for strategic autonomy

The deal reflects India’s shift from ‘transactional defence buying’ amid expanding security engagement with Europe, analysts say.

Thailand wants to act as ‘bridge’ for Myanmar’s return to Asean fold

Myanmar’s junta leaders have been excluded from Asean summits since the 2021 military coup that toppled a democratic administration.

US factory output surges by most in nearly a year

Manufacturing has been hobbled by Trump’s tariffs, which business leaders say have raised costs for factories and consumers.

Open-source sci-fi beloved in China tech circles sends geeks to ‘fix’ late Ming

The Morning Star of Linggao has attracted attention in the US but has remained outside the Chinese mainstream.

Russia demands ‘concrete’ proof that it poisoned Navalny with dart frog toxin

Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands claim Russia had the ‘means, motive and opportunity’ to kill its opposition leader.

Moonshot AI targets US$12 billion valuation as revenue surges for Kimi models

The latest round was jointly led by existing investors including Alibaba, Tencent, Andon and 5Y Capital, according to a source.

‘Wake-up call’: child deaths in Indonesia spotlight gaps in social aid

Experts warn many other such cases may not be recorded, and urge educators to be more vigilant to signs of emotional distress among students.

Australian citizen in Syria with alleged Isis ties banned from returning home

This is the first known use of a temporary exclusion order introduced in 2019 to prevent high-risk citizens from returning to Australia.

Lab monkey price tag climbs to US$20,000 thanks to China’s biotech boom

The cost of a single monkey exceeds the average annual salary in China and approaches a pandemic-era spike amid growth in drug licensing deals.

Colour matters: how AI is changing car premiums and services in China

Car colour, driving habits and location influence insurance premiums, according to a digital solutions provider using ByteDance’s AI model.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Europe’s selective defence of the global order will sway no one

My Take | Forget Canada, the real 51st American state appears to be gullible Australia

Opinion | Universities in Japan and China are becoming tools of national strategy

Opinion | Why trade alone won’t make China beloved in South America

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

US factory output surges by most in nearly a year

Japan travel warning after Hongkonger beaten with beer bottle in Sapporo

Thailand wants to act as ‘bridge’ for Myanmar’s return to Asean fold

SCMP Best Bets: Champion can be crowned for punters at Sha Tin

Who wins at Sha Tin? Gabriel to sprout wings en route to Hong Kong Derby

Exclusive | China widens anti-corruption net to catch ‘quasi-naked officials’

When is the best time to open Lunar New Year red packets in the Year of the Horse 2026?

It is considered rude to open lai see in front of the giver but don’t leave the red packets unopened for more than a couple of months.

Feng shui advice for Rabbits for luck in money, health and romance

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

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.

Moonshot AI targets US$12 billion valuation as revenue surges for Kimi models

The latest round was jointly led by existing investors including Alibaba, Tencent, Andon and 5Y Capital, according to a source.

China’s humanoid robot orders surge after Spring Festival spotlight

Interest also spiked in Noetix’s Bumi, a companion robot that appeared in a family-themed comedy sketch at the gala.

Lab monkey price tag climbs to US$20,000 thanks to China’s biotech boom

The cost of a single monkey exceeds the average annual salary in China and approaches a pandemic-era spike amid growth in drug licensing deals.

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.

Exclusive | China widens anti-corruption net to catch ‘quasi-naked officials’

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Opinion | Europe’s selective defence of the global order will sway no one