Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

US President Donald Trump says the American navy will block entry to the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: TNS

Breaking | ‘Blown to hell’: Trump announces US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

The US plans to interdict ships and clear mines, warning of military retaliation and raising fears of major escalation.

31 minutes ago

US presses Iran as talks gear up in Pakistan under fragile ceasefire

United States

Diplomacy

‘We have no trust in the other side’: Iran blames US as talks end with no deal

Tehran’s lead negotiator hits out at Washington after Islamabad talks, while Vance says sticking point was lack of nuclear commitments.

2 hours agovideocam

108

Diplomacy

‘You cannot lose if you do not have a goal’: the viral wisdom of ‘Don Tzu’

Ancient strategist Sun Tzu called for preparation and deep knowledge. His modern counterpart takes a different approach.

3 hours agovideocam

Society

Maisy Ho, daughter of late tycoon Stanley Ho, dies ‘surrounded by family’

Siblings Pansy, Daisy, Josie and Lawrence Ho disclose news in statement, but no cause of death given.

38 minutes ago

Science

2D semiconductors have emerged as a leading candidate for post‑Moore chip materials. Photo: Shutterstock

Semiconductor leap: China looks to ‘2D chip’ with 1,000-fold growth speed

Military

Trump faces a dilemma in the aftermath of failed US-Iran peace talks: analysts

The two countries are still far apart on the big issues, with American midterms looming and no quick way out.

2 hours agovideocam

Iran and the United States failed on the weekend to reach an agreement to end the war in the Middle East. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

War of words: China and the US battle it out for African hearts and minds

Rivalry between two global superpowers spills into the media as East meets West head-on in a clash of narratives to win over the continent.

4 hours agovideocam

Economics

Manila vs Hong Kong: the 2 sides of Asia’s housing affordability crisis

Asia is home to 60 per cent of the world’s slum dwellers and some of the planet’s most expensive real estate.

6 hours agovideocam

Business

From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Dow’s digital tracking system in China proves to consumers and businesses how waste can be recycled into new products.

In partnership with:

Dow

Caption: Dow’s Track and Trace Platform makes it possible to follow a recycled bottle’s journey from disposal to its rebirth as a new plastic bottle. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Beijing pledges better Taiwan air and travel links after KMT leader’s trip

The promises form part of a package of measures to boost cross-strait ties unveiled after KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s visit to Beijing.

4 hours agovideocam

KMT leader Cheng Li-wun tours the Palace Museum in Beijing’s Forbidden City. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong Economy

Progress hailed as Hong Kong, Shanghai link digital authentication systems

Push for digital integration has already yielded practical results, Hong Kong official says.

39 minutes ago

China Economy

How China’s fake Titanic sank like a stone – and became a symbol of local excess

In 2014, a Chinese investor raised millions to build a full-scale replica of the Titanic. Now, all that remains is a rusting hull – and vast debts.

6 hours ago

China Economy

‘Eager to explore’: Chinese migrants return to Venezuela after Maduro’s capture

A large chunk of Venezuela’s Chinese community fled overseas during Maduro’s rule. Now, many are returning as they see ‘new opportunities’.

12 Apr 2026 - 10:08AMvideocam

Tech Trends

Colleague Skill: AI tool said to harvest abilities goes viral in China

Project claims to distil co-workers’ skills into downloadable form – not to mention luminaries like Steve Jobs and Buddha.

3 hours ago

Online reactions to Colleague Skill reflected the fears of young workers in China. Photo: Shutterstock

United States & Canada

Over the moon: Artemis astronauts make emotional homecoming after record trip

The travellers were back in Texas on the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 13 launch that made the phrase ‘Houston, we have a problem’ famous.

12 Apr 2026 - 6:20AMvideocam

HK Sevens

Many firsts, new faces as rugby, racing finally share stage on Hong Kong 7s week

Women’s player Haruka Uematsu, four men to make debuts at Kai Tak Stadium; Happy Valley to stage meeting on Wednesday.

3 hours ago

Society

Controversial Hong Kong documentary pulled from Italian film festival

Distributor Golden Scene says To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self will not feature at Far East Film Festival in Udine.

2 hours ago

The documentary’s planned screening has met with a backlash. Photo: Golden Scene

Health & Wellness

She was a 102kg diabetic with a ‘death wish’. After losing 40kg, she’s thriving

Keya Wingfield comfort-ate to morbid obesity after her baby son died. An epiphany led to her losing 40kg and reversing type 2 diabetes.

12 Apr 2026 - 11:15AM

Award-winning chef Keya Wingfield overate to numb her grief after the death of her newborn son in 2021, reaching a weight of 102kg by 2023. She shed 40kg by 2025. Photos: Instagram/keyaandco, courtesy of Keya Wingfield

Military

Does Iran’s wartime resilience offer any lessons for Taiwan?

The recent conflict has raised questions about whether the island could keep fighting if its air defences were targeted by the PLA.

12 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Climate and energy

China’s energy bosses push for tighter rules as overcapacity bites

Calls for tighter approvals highlight how excess capacity is undermining growth despite global demand tailwinds.

12 Apr 2026 - 2:00PM

OPINION

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Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

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Lisa Lim

Language Matters | A Blue Marble, a Pale Blue Dot and now an Earthset – what astronauts see

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Sheheryar Bilal

Opinion | AI pessimism is a luxury the Global South cannot afford

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Joanne Lin

Asian Angle | Doubts about Trump strain Southeast Asia’s US-China balancing act

12 Apr 2026 - 12:00PM

Carolyn Yim

Opinion | Why securing Hong Kong’s economic future is a cultural question

12 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

Harry’s View | 12 Apr 2026

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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 | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

6 Apr 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

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

Key Industries:

Tech Trends

Chinese AI rivals clash over Anthropic’s OpenClaw exit amid global token crunch

Chinese companies are competing to offer the cheapest alternatives to premium US services from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.

6 Apr 2026 - 3:58PM

A lobster-shaped cutout representing OpenClaw stands outside the Baidu offices in Beijing, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Tech Trends

Colleague Skill: AI tool said to harvest abilities goes viral in China

Project claims to distil co-workers’ skills into downloadable form – not to mention luminaries like Steve Jobs and Buddha.

3 hours ago

China Business

Hyundai spearheads foreign EV comeback push in China with Ioniq brand

South Korean carmaker bets on local partnerships and technology as global brands prepare fresh push into China’s fast-moving EV market.

12 Apr 2026 - 1:20PM

Tech

China’s Li Qiang hosts Moonshot AI chief, urges faster industrial AI roll-out

Beijing signals stronger push to embed AI in manufacturing as premier meets rising start-up founders and industry leaders.

10 Apr 2026 - 11:30PM

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged a deeper implementation of the country’s ‘AI plus’ strategy. Photo: AP

Politics

What next for the struggling rural mothers in China who helped to build AI?

Data-labelling workshops once hailed as a solution in the country’s poverty alleviation campaign face a painful reckoning.

5 Apr 2026 - 6:10AMvideocam

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

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Breaking | ‘Blown to hell’: Trump announces US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

The US plans to interdict ships and clear mines, warning of military retaliation and raising fears of major escalation.

US presses Iran as talks gear up in Pakistan under fragile ceasefire

‘We have no trust in the other side’: Iran blames US as talks end with no deal

Tehran’s lead negotiator hits out at Washington after Islamabad talks, while Vance says sticking point was lack of nuclear commitments.

‘You cannot lose if you do not have a goal’: the viral wisdom of ‘Don Tzu’

Ancient strategist Sun Tzu called for preparation and deep knowledge. His modern counterpart takes a different approach.

Maisy Ho, daughter of late tycoon Stanley Ho, dies ‘surrounded by family’

Siblings Pansy, Daisy, Josie and Lawrence Ho disclose news in statement, but no cause of death given.

Semiconductor leap: China looks to ‘2D chip’ with 1,000-fold growth speed

Trump faces a dilemma in the aftermath of failed US-Iran peace talks: analysts

The two countries are still far apart on the big issues, with American midterms looming and no quick way out.

War of words: China and the US battle it out for African hearts and minds

Rivalry between two global superpowers spills into the media as East meets West head-on in a clash of narratives to win over the continent.

Manila vs Hong Kong: the 2 sides of Asia’s housing affordability crisis

Asia is home to 60 per cent of the world’s slum dwellers and some of the planet’s most expensive real estate.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Dow’s digital tracking system in China proves to consumers and businesses how waste can be recycled into new products.

Beijing pledges better Taiwan air and travel links after KMT leader’s trip

The promises form part of a package of measures to boost cross-strait ties unveiled after KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s visit to Beijing.

Progress hailed as Hong Kong, Shanghai link digital authentication systems

Push for digital integration has already yielded practical results, Hong Kong official says.

How China’s fake Titanic sank like a stone – and became a symbol of local excess

In 2014, a Chinese investor raised millions to build a full-scale replica of the Titanic. Now, all that remains is a rusting hull – and vast debts.

‘Eager to explore’: Chinese migrants return to Venezuela after Maduro’s capture

A large chunk of Venezuela’s Chinese community fled overseas during Maduro’s rule. Now, many are returning as they see ‘new opportunities’.

Colleague Skill: AI tool said to harvest abilities goes viral in China

Project claims to distil co-workers’ skills into downloadable form – not to mention luminaries like Steve Jobs and Buddha.

Over the moon: Artemis astronauts make emotional homecoming after record trip

The travellers were back in Texas on the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 13 launch that made the phrase ‘Houston, we have a problem’ famous.

Many firsts, new faces as rugby, racing finally share stage on Hong Kong 7s week

Women’s player Haruka Uematsu, four men to make debuts at Kai Tak Stadium; Happy Valley to stage meeting on Wednesday.

Controversial Hong Kong documentary pulled from Italian film festival

Distributor Golden Scene says To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self will not feature at Far East Film Festival in Udine.

She was a 102kg diabetic with a ‘death wish’. After losing 40kg, she’s thriving

Keya Wingfield comfort-ate to morbid obesity after her baby son died. An epiphany led to her losing 40kg and reversing type 2 diabetes.

Does Iran’s wartime resilience offer any lessons for Taiwan?

The recent conflict has raised questions about whether the island could keep fighting if its air defences were targeted by the PLA.

China’s energy bosses push for tighter rules as overcapacity bites

Calls for tighter approvals highlight how excess capacity is undermining growth despite global demand tailwinds.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

Language Matters | A Blue Marble, a Pale Blue Dot and now an Earthset – what astronauts see

Opinion | AI pessimism is a luxury the Global South cannot afford

Asian Angle | Doubts about Trump strain Southeast Asia’s US-China balancing act

Opinion | Why securing Hong Kong’s economic future is a cultural question

Israeli bombardment kills infant in Lebanon during father’s funeral

Breaking | ‘Blown to hell’: Trump announces US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi-kem gears up for world team table tennis event with 2 silvers

Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

Progress hailed as Hong Kong, Shanghai link digital authentication systems

Ireland police remove farmers, blockades protesting fuel price rises

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 | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

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.

Chinese AI rivals clash over Anthropic’s OpenClaw exit amid global token crunch

Chinese companies are competing to offer the cheapest alternatives to premium US services from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.

Colleague Skill: AI tool said to harvest abilities goes viral in China

Project claims to distil co-workers’ skills into downloadable form – not to mention luminaries like Steve Jobs and Buddha.

Hyundai spearheads foreign EV comeback push in China with Ioniq brand

South Korean carmaker bets on local partnerships and technology as global brands prepare fresh push into China’s fast-moving EV market.

China’s Li Qiang hosts Moonshot AI chief, urges faster industrial AI roll-out

Beijing signals stronger push to embed AI in manufacturing as premier meets rising start-up founders and industry leaders.

What next for the struggling rural mothers in China who helped to build AI?

Data-labelling workshops once hailed as a solution in the country’s poverty alleviation campaign face a painful reckoning.

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.

Breaking | ‘Blown to hell’: Trump announces US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier