Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Tokyo is said to have plans to introduce suicide-style drones that fly to a target, crash into it and explode. Photo: Shutterstock Images

With an eye on China, Japan looks to kamikaze drones and low-cost missiles

Tokyo plans to introduce loitering munitions with a range of more than 1,000km, according to Japanese media reports citing official sources.

41 minutes agovideocam

Japan upgrades ship with Tomahawk missiles. Why it might pose a threat to China

China-Japan relations

Politics

Breaking | Ma Xingrui the third Politburo member investigated by China’s graft-busters

Former party chief of Xinjiang is under investigation for ‘serious violations of discipline and law’, according to state news agency Xinhua.

35 minutes ago

China Economy

China to boost frozen pork reserves as hog prices tumble to multi-year troughs

The national average hog price fell to an eight-year low of 10.68 yuan per kg in the fourth week of March.

2 hours ago

Health & Environment

Rats versus pets: Hong Kong dog owners want rodent poison in boxes, not bags

Pet owners call for environmental authorities to improve rat extermination methods after one dog accidentally consumes poison three times.

41 minutes ago

Science

A plume of smoke in an image shared on Chinese social media after the failed launch of the Tianlong-3 rocket on Friday. Photo: Weibo/ 深圳湾小海盗

China launches heavyweight rocket to challenge SpaceX’s Falcon 9. It fails

Diplomacy

Beijing hails US cooperation as ICE returns suspected drug smuggler to China

With Xi and Trump set to meet next month, Beijing says handoff signals ‘progress in bilateral counternarcotics law enforcement’.

2 hours agovideocam

A drug smuggling suspect was returned to China by US ICE via cooperation channels between the two countries, Chinese state media says. Photo: AP

Politics

Indonesia and Malaysia require geo-tracking for civil servants working from home

As governments roll out work-from-home policies to cut fuel use, civil servants face location tracking and other productivity measures.

2 hours agovideocam

Economics

Malaysia urged to take more aggressive action to tackle energy crisis

Analysts warn of escalating risks to Malaysia’s economy and call for adjusting the subsidy scheme to stop the government from ‘burning cash’.

24 minutes ago

Business

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

In partnership with:

Standard Chartered

People & Culture

Why ‘dung collector’ was a highly lucrative profession in ancient China

Faeces from wealthy commanded higher price due to superior diet as door-to-door ‘night soil’ gatherers sold human waste to farmers.

41 minutes ago

In ancient China, the profession of “dung collector” was highly lucrative, with fierce competition to gather “night soil.” Photo: SCMP composite/Baidu/Sohu

China Economy

Chinese airlines shed weight, add flights over Russia to trim fuel costs

Some carriers have even removed non-essential items like in-flight magazines from their planes.

2 hours ago

Economics

Helium supply shock threatens Asian chipmakers as economic slowdown fears mount

Iranian attacks on Qatar’s LNG facilities are curbing the supply of helium, a crucial gas used in chipmaking.

12 minutes agovideocam

World

Human remains found on Thai ship attacked by Iran in Strait of Hormuz

The Mayuree Naree was hit in March after leaving a port in the United Arab Emirates.

19 minutes agovideocam

The cargo ship Mayuree Naree, engulfed in smoke, in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Health & Environment

Hong Kong committed to helping mainland China’s health standards ‘go global’

Health minister Lo Chung-mau also hails city’s first time hosting of China Chest Pain Centres Congress as occasion of ‘great significance’.

1 hour ago

The event marks a first for Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

Tech

China moves to cut AI computing costs for SMEs as cloud prices surge

Policy push comes as surging token consumption strains supply and pushes up cloud computing costs.

41 minutes ago

Politics

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US president’s frustration with bad news grows

Attorney general’s removal follows the ouster of Trump’s homeland security and border patrol chiefs amid a wave of negative headlines.

3 hours ago

Global Economy

The US-China trade war 1 year on: who really holds the upper hand?

A fragile truce prevented all-out confrontation, but Beijing and Washington remain locked in a struggle few analysts see easing any time soon.

3 Apr 2026 - 6:15AMvideocam

Politics

From general to Myanmar president: Min Aung Hlaing’s ‘cosmetic’ rebrand

His transition from top general to president is a ‘veneer’ that poses a challenge for Asean, which has long shunned him, critics say.

6 minutes agovideocam

Myanmar’s parliament elected junta chief Min Aung Hlaing as president on Friday. Photo: AFP

Economics

Indonesia rebalances energy policy as Iran war spurs new projects

As oil prices surge, Indonesia aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and intensify the use of crude palm oil for diesel blending.

4 hours ago

Law and Crime

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$280,000 worth of dried shark fins from Panama

Officers say goods declared as dried fish maw and weighed about 162kg.

48 minutes ago

OPINION

David Dodwell

Opinion | 3 reasons Xi-Trump summit won’t be a waste of time for China

2 hours ago

Letters

Letters | Why KMT leader’s planned visit to mainland China is significant

3 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Bernard Chan

Opinion | Debate over Jimmy Lai’s sentencing should steer clear of geopolitics

3 Apr 2026 - 10:10AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Trump’s Iran address fails to set minds at ease or clearly signal direction

3 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

Richard Harris

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

3 Apr 2026 - 5:30AM

Harry’s View | 3 Apr 2026

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People

New Zealand doctor invoices US embassy for rising fuel costs

19 minutes ago

World

Human remains found on Thai ship attacked by Iran in Strait of Hormuz

36 minutes ago

Politics

Breaking | Ma Xingrui the third Politburo member investigated by China’s graft-busters

41 minutes ago

Military

With an eye on China, Japan looks to kamikaze drones and low-cost missiles

41 minutes ago

Economics

Malaysia urged to take more aggressive action to tackle energy crisis

41 minutes ago

Health & Environment

Rats versus pets: Hong Kong dog owners want rodent poison in boxes, not bags

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Traditional Russian wooden dolls depict Chinese President Xi Jinping, then US president-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg, Russia, on November 21, 2024. Photo: AP

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

27 Mar 2026 - 11:40PMvideocam

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

21 Mar 2026 - 2:39PMvideocam

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

20 Mar 2026 - 6:28PMvideocam

Open Questions series

China Economy

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

30 Mar 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Military

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

21 Mar 2026 - 6:18PM

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the company’s global AI conference in San Jose, California, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

China Business

Tesla outraces China’s BYD in pure electric car sales to regain world’s top spot

Shrinking subsidies, new taxes sap China’s EV demand, giving Tesla an edge in global deliveries for first time since fourth quarter of 2024.

5 hours ago

China Business

Leapmotor targets global growth with Europe R&D hub, eyes Canada assembly

Chinese EV maker lifts overseas sales target as rising fuel costs and easing tariffs boost demand abroad.

3 Apr 2026 - 10:00AM

Big Tech

Chinese AI giants pivot toward proprietary models to drive revenue, performance

This week, Alibaba released three proprietary models that were all accessible only via its official cloud platform or chatbot website.

2 Apr 2026 - 10:23PM

People walk past the Alibaba Qwen booth at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, March 2, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

Society

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:30AM

Science

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

1 Apr 2026 - 9:50AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

Diplomacy

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

29 Mar 2026 - 6:17AM

With an eye on China, Japan looks to kamikaze drones and low-cost missiles

Tokyo plans to introduce loitering munitions with a range of more than 1,000km, according to Japanese media reports citing official sources.

Japan upgrades ship with Tomahawk missiles. Why it might pose a threat to China

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Breaking | Ma Xingrui the third Politburo member investigated by China’s graft-busters

Former party chief of Xinjiang is under investigation for ‘serious violations of discipline and law’, according to state news agency Xinhua.

China to boost frozen pork reserves as hog prices tumble to multi-year troughs

The national average hog price fell to an eight-year low of 10.68 yuan per kg in the fourth week of March.

Rats versus pets: Hong Kong dog owners want rodent poison in boxes, not bags

Pet owners call for environmental authorities to improve rat extermination methods after one dog accidentally consumes poison three times.

China launches heavyweight rocket to challenge SpaceX’s Falcon 9. It fails

Beijing hails US cooperation as ICE returns suspected drug smuggler to China

With Xi and Trump set to meet next month, Beijing says handoff signals ‘progress in bilateral counternarcotics law enforcement’.

Indonesia and Malaysia require geo-tracking for civil servants working from home

As governments roll out work-from-home policies to cut fuel use, civil servants face location tracking and other productivity measures.

Malaysia urged to take more aggressive action to tackle energy crisis

Analysts warn of escalating risks to Malaysia’s economy and call for adjusting the subsidy scheme to stop the government from ‘burning cash’.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

Why ‘dung collector’ was a highly lucrative profession in ancient China

Faeces from wealthy commanded higher price due to superior diet as door-to-door ‘night soil’ gatherers sold human waste to farmers.

Chinese airlines shed weight, add flights over Russia to trim fuel costs

Some carriers have even removed non-essential items like in-flight magazines from their planes.

Helium supply shock threatens Asian chipmakers as economic slowdown fears mount

Iranian attacks on Qatar’s LNG facilities are curbing the supply of helium, a crucial gas used in chipmaking.

Human remains found on Thai ship attacked by Iran in Strait of Hormuz

The Mayuree Naree was hit in March after leaving a port in the United Arab Emirates.

Hong Kong committed to helping mainland China’s health standards ‘go global’

Health minister Lo Chung-mau also hails city’s first time hosting of China Chest Pain Centres Congress as occasion of ‘great significance’.

China moves to cut AI computing costs for SMEs as cloud prices surge

Policy push comes as surging token consumption strains supply and pushes up cloud computing costs.

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US president’s frustration with bad news grows

Attorney general’s removal follows the ouster of Trump’s homeland security and border patrol chiefs amid a wave of negative headlines.

The US-China trade war 1 year on: who really holds the upper hand?

A fragile truce prevented all-out confrontation, but Beijing and Washington remain locked in a struggle few analysts see easing any time soon.

From general to Myanmar president: Min Aung Hlaing’s ‘cosmetic’ rebrand

His transition from top general to president is a ‘veneer’ that poses a challenge for Asean, which has long shunned him, critics say.

Indonesia rebalances energy policy as Iran war spurs new projects

As oil prices surge, Indonesia aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and intensify the use of crude palm oil for diesel blending.

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$280,000 worth of dried shark fins from Panama

Officers say goods declared as dried fish maw and weighed about 162kg.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | 3 reasons Xi-Trump summit won’t be a waste of time for China

Letters | Why KMT leader’s planned visit to mainland China is significant

Opinion | Debate over Jimmy Lai’s sentencing should steer clear of geopolitics

Editorial | Trump’s Iran address fails to set minds at ease or clearly signal direction

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

New Zealand doctor invoices US embassy for rising fuel costs

Human remains found on Thai ship attacked by Iran in Strait of Hormuz

Breaking | Ma Xingrui the third Politburo member investigated by China’s graft-busters

With an eye on China, Japan looks to kamikaze drones and low-cost missiles

Malaysia urged to take more aggressive action to tackle energy crisis

Rats versus pets: Hong Kong dog owners want rodent poison in boxes, not bags

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

Tesla outraces China’s BYD in pure electric car sales to regain world’s top spot

Shrinking subsidies, new taxes sap China’s EV demand, giving Tesla an edge in global deliveries for first time since fourth quarter of 2024.

Leapmotor targets global growth with Europe R&D hub, eyes Canada assembly

Chinese EV maker lifts overseas sales target as rising fuel costs and easing tariffs boost demand abroad.

Chinese AI giants pivot toward proprietary models to drive revenue, performance

This week, Alibaba released three proprietary models that were all accessible only via its official cloud platform or chatbot website.

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

Breaking | Ma Xingrui the third Politburo member investigated by China’s graft-busters

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Opinion | 3 reasons Xi-Trump summit won’t be a waste of time for China