Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Donald Trump is expected to visit China later this week. Photo: Reuters

Could military AI use be on the agenda when Chinese and US leaders meet?

The technology has become increasingly important for militaries around the world, but the two sides may struggle to reach a consensus.

10 May 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

US sanctions 9 mainland China and Hong Kong entities over ‘Iran military links’

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Diplomacy

China, US confirm Seoul trade talks days before Trump-Xi summit in Beijing

Meeting follows Paris round in March and a video call in April as both sides prepare for Trump’s state visit.

15 minutes ago

Diplomacy

Exclusive | Buoyed by rare earths, China approaches Trump summit with fresh confidence

Sources say Beijing believes it has the ability to retaliate if Washington steps up the trade pressure.

10 May 2026 - 9:20PMvideocam

Society

Hong Kong villagers accuse authorities of rushed Northern Metropolis evictions

One elderly villager says she fears her family may be separated due to rehousing arrangements.

5 hours ago

Diplomacy

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (left) arrive at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing on April 11. Photo: Reuters

Could Spain’s ‘compliment sandwich’ approach to China work for the EU?

Middle East

Iran war ‘not over’, uranium must be removed, Israel’s Netanyahu says

‘You go in and you take it out,’ the PM said when asked how the nuclear material could be dealt with.

4 hours ago

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the AIPAC policy conference in Washington in March 2018. Photo: Reuters

Military

Underwater anti-mine technology takes centre stage at Chinese defence show

The Chengdu Defence Technology Industry Expo showcases advanced equipment, including submarine-launched drones.

10 May 2026 - 8:00PM

Diplomacy

Why war on Iran may be ‘accelerating end of US hegemony’ and damaging Stargate

Washington is fighting the ‘wrong war’ and Tehran is able to undermine the US president’s key AI strategy, an event in Beijing told.

10 May 2026 - 6:01PMvideocam

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

China Economy

China’s Comac looking to boost C919’s overhead luggage capacity: source

Aircraft maker reviewing new designs to challenge Boeing and Airbus and take better advantage of plane’s slightly wider fuselage.

10 May 2026 - 4:00PM

A flight attendant welcomes passengers on board a China Eastern Airlines C919 at Hong Kong International Airport last year. Photo: Nora Tam

Europe

French evacuee from hantavirus-hit ship shows ‘symptoms’, PM says

All five passengers flown back to France have been placed in strict isolation until further notice.

3 hours ago

East Asia

‘Unidentified aircraft’ hit Korean cargo ship in Hormuz on Monday: Seoul

Iran has denied responsibility for the attack, with its embassy in Seoul stating that it rejects and denies any allegations of involvement.

6 hours agovideocam

Russia & Central Asia

Ukraine reports multiple casualties despite Trump-backed truce with Russia

The Russian army is ‘not even really trying’ to comply with the ceasefire, Ukraine’s President Zelensky says.

3 hours agovideocam

Ukrainian servicemen hold their positions at an undisclosed location near the frontline on Thursday. Photo: 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanised Brigade via AFP

Tech Trends

How Chinese developers bypass restrictions to access top US AI models

One high-volume seller on Xianyu advertises ‘low-latency, no-VPN’ access to the full Claude 3.5 suite.

10 May 2026 - 7:22PM

Tech Trends

Alibaba brings chat-style shopping to Taobao, Qwen amid AI gateway push: source

E-commerce giant is integrating Qwen with Taobao and Tmall, enabling shoppers to use natural-language commands instead of keyword searches.

10 May 2026 - 6:54PM

Middle East

Iran responds to US proposal, as Qatari tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz

The response, sent via Pakistan, focuses on ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon, and on the safety of shipping in the waterway.

4 hours agovideocam

Southeast Asia

321 foreigners arrested in Indonesia online gambling crackdown

The foreigners, mainly from Vietnam, were arrested near Jakarta’s Chinatown section that investigators described as a hub for more than 70 online gambling websites.

6 hours ago

Suspected online gambling operators (in orange) walk towards buses for transfer after a police raid at the Hayam Wuruk Plaza office building in Jakarta on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Science

China’s ‘super catalyst’ turns waste water into fertiliser building block

Researchers transform nitrate pollution into ammonia, used to create plant food, which could strengthen China’s fertiliser supply chain.

10 May 2026 - 2:58PMvideocam

The journal cover depicting catalysts with unprecedented metal loadings. Photo: Han Lili

Health & Wellness

Why tai chi and qigong are great for health, and English classes in Hong Kong

The Chinese ‘internal’ arts of tai chi and qigong offer a host of health benefits and are slowly becoming more accessible to English speakers.

10 May 2026 - 7:15AM

South Asia

Pakistani Taliban splinter group claims suicide attack, 14 police dead

A suicide bomber and several gunmen detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a police station in Bannu, a district bordering Afghanistan.

10 May 2026 - 6:57PMvideocam

OPINION

Alex Lo

My Take | The path to the future is renewables, but not in Donald Trump’s America

6 hours ago

Sophie Wushuang Yi

Opinion | China shouldn’t view a tired US as signifying a Europe ready to pivot

10 May 2026 - 8:30PM

Tony Zhao

Opinion | Can China engineer a price recovery that doesn’t make people feel poorer?

10 May 2026 - 4:30PM

Ian Storey

Asian Angle | 3 reasons Marcos’ South China Sea energy gambit won’t work

10 May 2026 - 12:00PM

Letters

Letters | It’s OK to open up to an AI bot – just don’t stop there

10 May 2026 - 11:30AM

Harry’s View | 11 May 2026

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Russia & Central Asia

Ukraine reports multiple casualties despite Trump-backed truce with Russia

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Europe

French evacuee from hantavirus-hit ship shows ‘symptoms’, PM says

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Middle East

Iran war ‘not over’, uranium must be removed, Israel’s Netanyahu says

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Diplomacy

China, US confirm Seoul trade talks days before Trump-Xi summit in Beijing

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East Asia

‘Unidentified aircraft’ hit Korean cargo ship in Hormuz on Monday: Seoul

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Opinion

My Take | The path to the future is renewables, but not in Donald Trump’s America

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Hong Kong Economy

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Southeast Asia

321 foreigners arrested in Indonesia online gambling crackdown

10 May 2026 - 10:00PM

Military

Could military AI use be on the agenda when Chinese and US leaders meet?

10 May 2026 - 9:22PM

Law and Crime

Ex-owner of bankrupt bakery dies after chasing thief and falling off building

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SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Could military AI use be on the agenda when Chinese and US leaders meet?

The technology has become increasingly important for militaries around the world, but the two sides may struggle to reach a consensus.

4-MIN READvideocam

Trump heads to China weakened as Xi gains leverage ahead of summit

6-MIN READvideocam

Xi-Trump summit: why the Iran war could become fresh point of friction

4-MIN READvideocam

Open Questions series

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

Diplomacy

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

15-MIN READvideocam

Science

Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history: Sheng-Wei Wang

Kunyu Wanguo Quantu and maritime artefacts prove China explored the world earlier than Eurocentric accounts suggest, scholar argues.

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Key Industries:

China EVs

From Beijing to Berlin: Chinese EVs turn heads as brands eye European markets

BYD, Geely and Xpeng showcase eye-catching EVs at Beijing auto show as they build momentum in Europe and target more discerning buyers.

3-MIN READ

A humanoid robot poses at a BYD booth beside an electric vehicle at the Beijing auto show. Photo: Kyodo

Tech Trends

Alibaba brings chat-style shopping to Taobao, Qwen amid AI gateway push: source

E-commerce giant is integrating Qwen with Taobao and Tmall, enabling shoppers to use natural-language commands instead of keyword searches.

2-MIN READ

China Economy

China’s Comac looking to boost C919’s overhead luggage capacity: source

Aircraft maker reviewing new designs to challenge Boeing and Airbus and take better advantage of plane’s slightly wider fuselage.

2-MIN READ

Tech Trends

How Chinese developers bypass restrictions to access top US AI models

One high-volume seller on Xianyu advertises ‘low-latency, no-VPN’ access to the full Claude 3.5 suite.

3-MIN READ

Diplomacy

Latest US-China rivalry combines undersea dominance with a race to riches

Ahead of leaders’ summit in Beijing next week, experts point to a high-stakes competition that features military and mining technologies.

7-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

After the US$37 billion, 300-plane deal from Trump’s last visit stalled, industry observers say the next one could be more flexible.

6-MIN READvideocam

Diplomacy

Will warming Arctic trigger further chill in US-China relations?

The prospect of opening up new sea lanes presents both challenges and opportunities for the rival powers, analysts say.

6-MIN READvideocam

Society

Will Hong Kong’s lending clampdown wean helpers off debt – and save their dreams?

NGOs say regulations should not be so strict that they deny domestic helpers access to loans since they may have legitimate needs such as family emergencies.

7-MIN READ

Could military AI use be on the agenda when Chinese and US leaders meet?

The technology has become increasingly important for militaries around the world, but the two sides may struggle to reach a consensus.

US sanctions 9 mainland China and Hong Kong entities over ‘Iran military links’

China, US confirm Seoul trade talks days before Trump-Xi summit in Beijing

Meeting follows Paris round in March and a video call in April as both sides prepare for Trump’s state visit.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Buoyed by rare earths, China approaches Trump summit with fresh confidence

Sources say Beijing believes it has the ability to retaliate if Washington steps up the trade pressure.

Hong Kong villagers accuse authorities of rushed Northern Metropolis evictions

One elderly villager says she fears her family may be separated due to rehousing arrangements.

Could Spain’s ‘compliment sandwich’ approach to China work for the EU?

Iran war ‘not over’, uranium must be removed, Israel’s Netanyahu says

‘You go in and you take it out,’ the PM said when asked how the nuclear material could be dealt with.

Underwater anti-mine technology takes centre stage at Chinese defence show

The Chengdu Defence Technology Industry Expo showcases advanced equipment, including submarine-launched drones.

Why war on Iran may be ‘accelerating end of US hegemony’ and damaging Stargate

Washington is fighting the ‘wrong war’ and Tehran is able to undermine the US president’s key AI strategy, an event in Beijing told.

.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.

China’s Comac looking to boost C919’s overhead luggage capacity: source

Aircraft maker reviewing new designs to challenge Boeing and Airbus and take better advantage of plane’s slightly wider fuselage.

French evacuee from hantavirus-hit ship shows ‘symptoms’, PM says

All five passengers flown back to France have been placed in strict isolation until further notice.

‘Unidentified aircraft’ hit Korean cargo ship in Hormuz on Monday: Seoul

Iran has denied responsibility for the attack, with its embassy in Seoul stating that it rejects and denies any allegations of involvement.

Ukraine reports multiple casualties despite Trump-backed truce with Russia

The Russian army is ‘not even really trying’ to comply with the ceasefire, Ukraine’s President Zelensky says.

How Chinese developers bypass restrictions to access top US AI models

One high-volume seller on Xianyu advertises ‘low-latency, no-VPN’ access to the full Claude 3.5 suite.

Alibaba brings chat-style shopping to Taobao, Qwen amid AI gateway push: source

E-commerce giant is integrating Qwen with Taobao and Tmall, enabling shoppers to use natural-language commands instead of keyword searches.

Iran responds to US proposal, as Qatari tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz

The response, sent via Pakistan, focuses on ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon, and on the safety of shipping in the waterway.

321 foreigners arrested in Indonesia online gambling crackdown

The foreigners, mainly from Vietnam, were arrested near Jakarta’s Chinatown section that investigators described as a hub for more than 70 online gambling websites.

China’s ‘super catalyst’ turns waste water into fertiliser building block

Researchers transform nitrate pollution into ammonia, used to create plant food, which could strengthen China’s fertiliser supply chain.

Why tai chi and qigong are great for health, and English classes in Hong Kong

The Chinese ‘internal’ arts of tai chi and qigong offer a host of health benefits and are slowly becoming more accessible to English speakers.

Pakistani Taliban splinter group claims suicide attack, 14 police dead

A suicide bomber and several gunmen detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a police station in Bannu, a district bordering Afghanistan.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | The path to the future is renewables, but not in Donald Trump’s America

Opinion | China shouldn’t view a tired US as signifying a Europe ready to pivot

Opinion | Can China engineer a price recovery that doesn’t make people feel poorer?

Asian Angle | 3 reasons Marcos’ South China Sea energy gambit won’t work

Letters | It’s OK to open up to an AI bot – just don’t stop there

Ukraine reports multiple casualties despite Trump-backed truce with Russia

French evacuee from hantavirus-hit ship shows ‘symptoms’, PM says

Iran war ‘not over’, uranium must be removed, Israel’s Netanyahu says

China, US confirm Seoul trade talks days before Trump-Xi summit in Beijing

‘Unidentified aircraft’ hit Korean cargo ship in Hormuz on Monday: Seoul

My Take | The path to the future is renewables, but not in Donald Trump’s America

Small grocers’ neighbourhood links can help them beat price war, experts say

321 foreigners arrested in Indonesia online gambling crackdown

Could military AI use be on the agenda when Chinese and US leaders meet?

Ex-owner of bankrupt bakery dies after chasing thief and falling off building

Could military AI use be on the agenda when Chinese and US leaders meet?

The technology has become increasingly important for militaries around the world, but the two sides may struggle to reach a consensus.

Trump heads to China weakened as Xi gains leverage ahead of summit

Xi-Trump summit: why the Iran war could become fresh point of friction

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.

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history: Sheng-Wei Wang

Kunyu Wanguo Quantu and maritime artefacts prove China explored the world earlier than Eurocentric accounts suggest, scholar argues.

From Beijing to Berlin: Chinese EVs turn heads as brands eye European markets

BYD, Geely and Xpeng showcase eye-catching EVs at Beijing auto show as they build momentum in Europe and target more discerning buyers.

Alibaba brings chat-style shopping to Taobao, Qwen amid AI gateway push: source

E-commerce giant is integrating Qwen with Taobao and Tmall, enabling shoppers to use natural-language commands instead of keyword searches.

China’s Comac looking to boost C919’s overhead luggage capacity: source

Aircraft maker reviewing new designs to challenge Boeing and Airbus and take better advantage of plane’s slightly wider fuselage.

How Chinese developers bypass restrictions to access top US AI models

One high-volume seller on Xianyu advertises ‘low-latency, no-VPN’ access to the full Claude 3.5 suite.

Latest US-China rivalry combines undersea dominance with a race to riches

Ahead of leaders’ summit in Beijing next week, experts point to a high-stakes competition that features military and mining technologies.

Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

After the US$37 billion, 300-plane deal from Trump’s last visit stalled, industry observers say the next one could be more flexible.

Will warming Arctic trigger further chill in US-China relations?

Exclusive | Buoyed by rare earths, China approaches Trump summit with fresh confidence

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

My Take | The path to the future is renewables, but not in Donald Trump’s America