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The MQ-9 Reaper has been deployed as part of the US military’s surveillance network in the Indo-Pacific. Photo: Reuters

Why the growing network of American MQ-9 drones is a challenge for China

Reapers can carry out both reconnaissance and strike missions and an increasing number of US allies and partners are buying them.

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PLA urged to find a way to operate effectively under the gaze of US and Japan

China's military weapons
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Science

Steve Durst – the US citizen space diplomat who reached out to China

Durst, who has died aged 82, bridged a political divide for the ‘shared excitement of exploring the cosmos’.

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Big Tech

Global AI race heats up as Chinese tech giant releases new model

With multimodal capabilities and open weights, Qwen-3.5 signals Alibaba’s ambition to anchor the next phase of global AI deployment.

China Economy

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

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Diplomacy
Chinese military activities – and the need to respond to them – have been framed as a major driver of cooperation between US allies during this year’s Munich Security Conference. Photo: Xinhua

In Munich, US urges ‘collective strength’ among allies to deter China

Science

China’s first man in space Yang Liwei officially retires from active duty

First Chinese astronaut to reach Earth’s orbit says he and his cohort are ready to return to space ‘if our motherland needs us’.

Yang Liwei emerges from the Shenzhou-5 re-entry capsule in October 2003. Photo: Handout
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Society

Thousands flock to Hong Kong temple for Lunar New Year incense stick ritual

Wong Tai Sin Temple throws open its doors as worshippers pray for prosperity and health in the Year of the Horse.

Politics

Chinese journalists who accused a party official of corruption released

Case in Sichuan province raises fresh concerns about abuse of power and the shrinking space for media oversight and public expression.

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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
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, in eastern China, helps its students develop an entrepreneurial mindset to prepare them for a dynamic, technology-driven world.

Science

China’s green energy leader Inner Mongolia is working on ‘flexible’ power plants

The two plants will use coal as a backup to renewable sources such as wind and solar power in a major strategic shift.

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Inner Mongolia provides 57 per cent of the country’s exploitable wind power. Photo: Handout

Politics

ICC naming of Duterte’s allies sharpens Philippines’ political fault lines

Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Christopher Go named as alleged ‘co-perpetrators’ in the former president’s crimes against humanity case.

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United States & Canada

Trump slams clean energy deal between California and the UK, calls Newsom a ‘loser’

The agreement pledged cooperation on technologies such as offshore wind. Trump said it was ‘inappropriate’ for the UK to ‌deal with Newsom.

Law and Crime

Hong Kong customs arrests 4, seizes HK$140 million of smuggled illicit medicines

Suspects aged between 26 and 61 held as officers uncover smuggled slimming and cosmetic injections as well as erectile dysfunction pills.

The Customs and Excise Department seized HK$140 million worth of slimming and cosmetic injections, along with erectile dysfunction pills. Photo: Handout

Science

Top neuroscientist Arthur Konnerth leaves Germany for full-time role in China

The Brain Prize winner, known for pioneering brain imaging techniques, joins the rapidly expanding Shenzhen Bay Laboratory.

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Arthur Konnerth is a leading figure in neuroscience whose work has helped transform the understanding of how the brain processes information. Photo: Handout

China Economy

‘Disgusting’: pre-made Lunar New Year meals lose lustre for Chinese families

Food fight between star influencer and restaurant chain becomes a hot potato at reunion dinner tables as hosts pick quality over convenience.

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Middle East

US lawmakers push for VPN funding so Iranians can access internet

Government officials have advocated for funding anticensorship technology to help Iranians access the internet amid the Islamic Republic’s restrictions.

China

Sudden Xi-Trump call, secret nuclear testing claims: 7 US-China relations reads

From China’s grip on minerals to the US’ Apec plans, here are highlights from our overseas correspondents in the first half of February 2026.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio holds a press conference during the Critical Minerals Ministerial at the State Department in Washington DC on February 4, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Europe

Austria files charges against suspect over planned 2024 Taylor Swift attack

Prosecutors said the now 21-year-old suspect planned to carry out an Islamist militant attack at a concert by the US singer in Vienna.

Taylor Swift concerts planned in Vienna in 2024 were cancelled ‌at short notice after Austrian authorities said they had ⁠foiled an Islamist terror ⁠attack. Photo: Invision / AP

Southeast Asia

Thai court clears Australian writer after Malaysian defamation case withdrawn

Independent writer Murray Hunter said that he believes he was improperly arrested by Thai police for articles he had written about Malaysia in his online newsletter.

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Politics

Bangladesh’s outreach to India ‘a good beginning’ for easing strained ties

Dhaka’s invitation to attend the swearing-in and Modi’s message of support show both sides are ready to turn the page, analysts say.

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OPINION
Sophie Wushuang Yi

Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

Sophie Wushuang Yi
Alice Wu

Opinion | Government must reflect on its failures as we enter Year of the Horse

Alice Wu
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SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Hong Kong will approach Year of the Horse with optimism and resilience

SCMP Editorial
Letters

Letters | Pets or no pets, may different lifestyles coexist calmly

Letters
Alex Lo

My Take | China and the UN are not the problem in Ukraine and Palestine – the West is

Alex Lo
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Harry’s View | 17 Feb 2026
February 16, 2026
MORE COMMENT
LATEST

United States & Canada

Trump slams clean energy deal between California and the UK, calls Newsom a ‘loser’

Europe

Austria files charges against suspect over planned 2024 Taylor Swift attack

Society

Thousands flock to Hong Kong temple for Lunar New Year incense stick ritual

Health & Environment

Few signs of littering as Hong Kong campsites fill up for Lunar New Year break

Southeast Asia

Thai court clears Australian writer after Malaysian defamation case withdrawn

Law and Crime

Hong Kong coach driver charged over Shenzhen Bay Bridge crash

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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
Sammi Cheng (left) and Dayo Wong in a still from Night King (category IIB, Cantonese), directed by Jack Ng. Louise Wong co-stars.
SCMP SeriesYear of the Horse 2026

Review | Night King movie review: Dayo Wong, Sammi Cheng lead enjoyably fluffy nightclub comedy

While slightly disjointed and overlong, Night King delivers a fun blend of romance and nostalgic glamour set in Hong Kong’s nightclub scene.

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What are the best days to start work after the Lunar New Year break?

Editorial | Hong Kong will approach Year of the Horse with optimism and resilience

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.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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.

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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.

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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.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China Future Tech
China Future Tech
Key Industries:
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Live Q&A webinars

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.

China’s AI sector is bracing for a monumental week, with a flurry of anticipated model releases. Photo: Shutterstock

Big Tech

Global AI race heats up as Chinese tech giant releases new model

With multimodal capabilities and open weights, Qwen-3.5 signals Alibaba’s ambition to anchor the next phase of global AI deployment.

China Economy

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

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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.

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.

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“Scare Out”, directed by Zhang Yimou, will debut in mainland China cinemas on February 17. Photo: Weibo

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.

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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.

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Diplomacy

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

As 2026 Asean chair, Manila has highlighted its push to finalise within its term a code of conduct covering the contested waters.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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