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What does the fall of PLA top brass Zhang Youxia say about Beijing’s Taiwan plans?

Investigations into China’s top military commanders have raised questions about the PLA’s battle readiness.

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China’s military redoubles corruption fight in wake of Zhang Youxia’s downfall

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China’s finance sector rocked by another sudden death amid overwork fears

Shen Xianbing is the latest high-profile figure in Chinese finance to die unexpectedly, as concerns rise over stress and overwork in the industry.

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Diplomacy

China’s Dayang Yihao has been surveying the Arabian Sea since December 19, according to SeaLight, a Stanford University-affiliated maritime analysis group. Photo: Handout

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China’s J-10C stars at Singapore Airshow after lead role in India-Pakistan war

Beijing is eyeing the Southeast Asian market after the 4.5-generation fighter raised its international profile by shooting down a Rafale jet.

3 Feb 2026 - 8:36PM

Chinese J-10C aircraft perform at the Singapore Airshow. Photo: Handout

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How a regulatory change could help China’s C919 jet take on Airbus and Boeing

Chinese regulators have opened the door to letting the C919 use narrow runways, which could boost the plane’s prospects in Southeast Asia.

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China Economy

China’s gold trading hub on edge: what is happening – and why now?

Uncertainty spreads in Shuibei as second platform falters, spooking investors.

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Chinese retail investors had rushed to capitalise on the unprecedented rally in global gold prices in recent months, leading many to put their funds into the online metals trading platform JWR. Photo: Xinhua

United States & Canada

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Hard negotiations loom as Democrats seek big changes to immigration operations following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Nicole Good.

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A Royal Danish Navy patrol vessel is moored in Nuuk, Greenland, in January. Photo: AFP

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Chinese megacity ranks in the world’s five most powerful metros after New York, Tokyo and Los Angeles, with a GDP of 5.67 trillion yuan.

3 Feb 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

People walk at the Bund by the Huangpu river with skyscrapers of the Lujiazui financial district in the background, in Shanghai. Photo: Reuters

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US shoots down Iranian drone ‘aggressively’ approaching aircraft carrier

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Chinese journalist Liu Hu detained after report scrutinising local officials

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Liu Hu is an investigative reporter who has covered disputes between private enterprises and local government bodies in China. Photo: Handout

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China’s expat pilots arrived on a red carpet – now, they’re taking a red-eye out

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China’s expat pilots arrived on a red carpet – now, they’re taking a red-eye out

Well-paid foreign pilots once flocked to Chinese airlines – but winds have shifted as domestic talent steps up and airlines limit fleet expansions.

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How will China respond as US expands foreign ship seizures?

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What does the fall of PLA top brass Zhang Youxia say about Beijing’s Taiwan plans?

Investigations into China’s top military commanders have raised questions about the PLA’s battle readiness.

China’s military redoubles corruption fight in wake of Zhang Youxia’s downfall

Why the collapse of the last US-Russia nuclear treaty matters for China

Analysts warn expiry of New Start could trigger vicious circle and three-way arms race between Beijing, Washington and Moscow.

EU launches probe into Chinese wind turbine maker Goldwind

Investigation is being carried out under the bloc’s foreign subsidies regulation, a tool that is expected to be widely used this year.

China’s finance sector rocked by another sudden death amid overwork fears

Shen Xianbing is the latest high-profile figure in Chinese finance to die unexpectedly, as concerns rise over stress and overwork in the industry.

USS Abraham Lincoln is in the Arabian Sea. So is a Chinese vessel

China’s J-10C stars at Singapore Airshow after lead role in India-Pakistan war

Beijing is eyeing the Southeast Asian market after the 4.5-generation fighter raised its international profile by shooting down a Rafale jet.

How a regulatory change could help China’s C919 jet take on Airbus and Boeing

Chinese regulators have opened the door to letting the C919 use narrow runways, which could boost the plane’s prospects in Southeast Asia.

Panama could pay heavy price over CK Hutchison ports ruling, Beijing warns

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office says in a commentary the Panamanian authorities are ‘shooting themselves in the foot’.

.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.

China’s gold trading hub on edge: what is happening – and why now?

Uncertainty spreads in Shuibei as second platform falters, spooking investors.

Trump signs spending bill to end US shutdown, setting stage for ICE fight

Hard negotiations loom as Democrats seek big changes to immigration operations following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Nicole Good.

Trump makes up with Colombia’s Petro in fireworks-free meeting

The two had duelled online for months, with the US president even threatening to topple the Colombian leader like Venezuela’s Maduro.

Nato starts planning for Arctic military mission amid Greenland row with Trump

The defence alliance has said it would boost its presence in the region after the US president’s repeated threats to take over the island.

China’s financial powerhouse Shanghai aims for 5% growth, ‘global influence’

Chinese megacity ranks in the world’s five most powerful metros after New York, Tokyo and Los Angeles, with a GDP of 5.67 trillion yuan.

Disney theme parks chief Josh D’Amaro to succeed Bob Iger as CEO

The 28-year Disney veteran will take the helm of the company after years of overseeing its largest business segment.

US shoots down Iranian drone ‘aggressively’ approaching aircraft carrier

The Iranian Shahed-139 was flying towards the Abraham Lincoln ‍warship ‘with unclear intent’, a US official says.

Chinese journalist Liu Hu detained after report scrutinising local officials

Liu and his assistant reportedly in custody for ‘illegal business operations’ and ‘false accusations’.

The unicorn has been revered for 4,000 years. It still has us under its spell

From ancient Indus Valley seals to Starbucks cups, the unicorn has long served as a symbol of magic and hope.

Jill Biden’s first husband charged with killing wife in domestic dispute

William Stevenson, 77, and the former US first lady were married from 1970 to 1975.

Pupil stabs, critically wounds teacher in France

A teenager has been arrested for the attempted murder of the 60-year-old victim, who was stabbed at least three times.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}As I see it | Epstein files reveal the underbelly of Western elites

Editorial | China well placed to take advantage of the shift away from the US dollar

Opinion | With US-Russia treaty set to expire, threat of a new nuclear arms race grows

Opinion | American allies are finally hedging against American risk

Opinion | China’s real constraint is where to direct limited fiscal resources

The unicorn has been revered for 4,000 years. It still has us under its spell

Editorial | China well placed to take advantage of the shift away from the US dollar

Opinion | With US-Russia treaty set to expire, threat of a new nuclear arms race grows

What does the fall of PLA top brass Zhang Youxia say about Beijing’s Taiwan plans?

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | What the ousting of 2 top generals means for China’s military

Trump makes up with Colombia’s Petro in fireworks-free meeting

The magic of unicorns: why this mythical horned horse still has us under its spell

From ancient Indus Valley seals to Starbucks cups, the unicorn has long served as a symbol of magic and hope.

How Rats can appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026

This 17-year-old Hong Kong show jumper is making a name at home and abroad

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

Open Questions | Jeffrey Ding on why diffusion, not innovation, is the secret to AI success

Professor says a ‘diffusion marathon’, where AI is gradually embedded in an economy over decades, will determine the winner of US-China tech war.

Open Questions | Why US raid on Venezuela could ‘work to China’s advantage’: John Mearsheimer

International relations scholar says US could easily take Greenland, while regime change in Tehran would be more difficult.

‘Optimus chain’: Chinese suppliers form backbone of Tesla’s humanoid robot plans

Tesla’s pivot to producing humanoid robots is expected to engage a network of key Chinese component makers.

Mainland memory firms eye Hong Kong for funds to fuel ‘global ambitions’

Several suppliers aim to follow in the footsteps of Montage Technology, which is set to raise US$896 million and debuts next week.

How a regulatory change could help China’s C919 jet take on Airbus and Boeing

Chinese regulators have opened the door to letting the C919 use narrow runways, which could boost the plane’s prospects in Southeast Asia.

China’s expat pilots arrived on a red carpet – now, they’re taking a red-eye out

Well-paid foreign pilots once flocked to Chinese airlines – but winds have shifted as domestic talent steps up and airlines limit fleet expansions.

China’s expat pilots arrived on a red carpet – now, they’re taking a red-eye out

Well-paid foreign pilots once flocked to Chinese airlines – but winds have shifted as domestic talent steps up and airlines limit fleet expansions.

Exclusive | China’s widebody C929 may take off ahead of schedule, sources say

Maker of the home-grown rival to Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 is working directly with regulators, which analysts said could speed up certification.

The future of AI in music? US and China strike different chords

As generative music tools surge, China turns to state oversight while the US relies on courts, copyright suits and settlements.

How will China respond as US expands foreign ship seizures?

The question is whether high-seas US actions will alarm Beijing into deploying naval safeguards or prompt similar moves in Taiwan Strait.

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

As I see it | Epstein files reveal the underbelly of Western elites

Video | What the ousting of 2 top generals means for China’s military

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