Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he warns of potential escalation ahead of a deadline for Iran to accept a peace deal. Photo: AP

Developing | Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz under 2-week ceasefire deal with Trump

Washington receives ‘10-point proposal from Iran’ with US president claiming it could serve as ‘a workable basis on which to negotiate’.

1 hour agovideocam

137

‘A whole civilisation will die tonight’: Donald Trump heightens Iran threats

US-Israel war on Iran

Military

As the war on Iran continues, what is it teaching China about US resilience?

Washington is providing a real-time laboratory of modern warfare and Beijing is paying close attention to the lessons.

4 hours agovideocam

World

Russia and China veto UN resolution aimed at reopening Strait of Hormuz

Beijing and Moscow blocked Gulf-backed resolution hours before the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

1 hour ago

Hong Kong Economy

New research institute to ramp up efforts as Hong Kong pursues ‘AI for all’

Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute’s first meeting will be held as early as this month to formulate city’s AI road map.

1 hour ago

Science

Infrared thermal imaging detector manufactured in China. Photo: Handout

China reports 99% cost cut on military-grade infrared chips

Military

Indonesian fisherman nets surprise catch – a Chinese underwater drone

The device was discovered near the Lombok Strait, a strategically vital deepwater passage closely watched by the US and Australia.

58 minutes ago

Local police haul the item ashore. Photo: Handout

Diplomacy

Brazil blacklists China EV giant BYD for its slave labour conditions

Government officials said staff were working excessively long hours while being kept in degrading circumstances in their accommodation.

5 hours agovideocam

People

Japan’s deportation drive strikes fear into asylum seekers, foreign residents

Rights groups warn the government’s push to remove more undocumented migrants clashes with its duty to protect refugees.

28 minutes ago

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

US

Only virtual talks, no new investment push before Xi-Trump summit: Greer

US Trade Representative underscores US seeks substantial tariffs, unhindered rare earth access, and a stability-preserving leaders’ meeting.

4 hours agovideocam

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks to reporters outside the White House. Photo: AP

Politics

Why Cambodia’s new law may do little to combat its scam centres

Analysts warn the lack of provisions addressing the role officials and networks play in enabling scams may limit the law’s effectiveness.

48 minutes agovideocam

Big Tech

China taps offshore wind, subsea data centres to ease AI computing bottleneck

The underwater data centre, located 10 kilometres off Shanghai’s eastern coast, was built by Shanghai HiCloud Technology.

2 hours ago

Diplomacy

‘Paper tiger’: what’s behind Trump’s renewed Greenland threat?

Europe is likely to stay neutral in the Iran war and could even benefit if America fares poorly in its military campaign, analyst says.

7 Apr 2026 - 11:02PMvideocam

A demonstration against US President Donald Trump’s plans to acquire Greenland, in the capital Nuuk on January 17. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Ostrich escapes animal cafe, sprints down Thai highway

The six-month-old male ostrich was later returned safe to its enclosure at the animal-themed cafe.

7 Apr 2026 - 10:43PM

An ostrich running along a highway in Thailand’s Chonburi province. Photo: AFP courtesy of Chairat Sompong

Hong Kong Economy

Backlash brews for Hong Kong coffee festival over response to bad weather

Muddy grounds and rainy weather cause chaos and frustration at 2026 Coffee Hong Kong @WestK over Easter weekend.

7 Apr 2026 - 11:40PM

Middle East

Iran allows 2 French former detainees to leave country

The green light for them to leave Iran, long sought by France, signalled how Iran is differentiating between nations amid the Iran war.

7 Apr 2026 - 11:13PM

Science

Chinese embassy in US confirms death of semiconductor researcher Wang Danhao

Scientist described by dean as a ‘promising and brilliant young mind’ took own life after questioning by US federal law enforcement.

7 Apr 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Wang Danhao, a postdoctoral researcher at University of Michigan’s College of Engineering since 2022, is reported to have died after a fall on campus late on March 19. Photo: Handout

United States & Canada

Artemis crew snaps historic Earthset photo on way home from moon

The image is a nod to the iconic Earthrise picture taken by Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders in 1968.

8 Apr 2026 - 1:23AM

An image captured by the Artemis II crew shows the Earth setting behind the moon. Photo: Nasa via dpa

Tech

Chinese memory giants seen grabbing market share on lower prices, more capacity

Firms like YMTC and CXMT are scaling NAND and DRAM production, leveraging cost advantages and subsidies to challenge global leaders.

7 Apr 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

Tech Trends

Chinese AI glasses maker Rokid planning Hong Kong IPO: sources

Listing plan comes as giants Apple, Meta, Alibaba, Baidu, Xiaomi and Huawei, plus start-ups like Xreal, Rayneo, anticipate market growth.

7 Apr 2026 - 7:30PM

LATEST

28 minutes ago

People

Japan’s deportation drive strikes fear into asylum seekers, foreign residents

28 minutes ago

China Opinion

Opinion | Chinese youth are embracing Ching Ming with cultural confidence

42 minutes ago

Southeast Asia

Singapore minister: ‘right of passage’ through Hormuz non-negotiable

58 minutes ago

Trending in China

Ancient China lavish toilet routines: nobles used silk, Empress Cixi had 28 maids

58 minutes ago

Society

Mural celebrates Thai culture in Hong Kong under renovation scheme

58 minutes ago

Military

Indonesian fisherman nets surprise catch – a Chinese underwater drone

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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

Chinese memory giants seen grabbing market share on lower prices, more capacity

Firms like YMTC and CXMT are scaling NAND and DRAM production, leveraging cost advantages and subsidies to challenge global leaders.

7 Apr 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

China Business

More foreign marques face a do-or-die moment as Chinese buyers shun petrol cars

Following Skoda’s exit from China, other carmakers with falling sales are also likely to close shop this year, analysts say.

6 Apr 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

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

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;}Developing | Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz under 2-week ceasefire deal with Trump

Washington receives ‘10-point proposal from Iran’ with US president claiming it could serve as ‘a workable basis on which to negotiate’.

‘A whole civilisation will die tonight’: Donald Trump heightens Iran threats

As the war on Iran continues, what is it teaching China about US resilience?

Washington is providing a real-time laboratory of modern warfare and Beijing is paying close attention to the lessons.

Russia and China veto UN resolution aimed at reopening Strait of Hormuz

Beijing and Moscow blocked Gulf-backed resolution hours before the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

New research institute to ramp up efforts as Hong Kong pursues ‘AI for all’

Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute’s first meeting will be held as early as this month to formulate city’s AI road map.

China reports 99% cost cut on military-grade infrared chips

Indonesian fisherman nets surprise catch – a Chinese underwater drone

The device was discovered near the Lombok Strait, a strategically vital deepwater passage closely watched by the US and Australia.

Brazil blacklists China EV giant BYD for its slave labour conditions

Government officials said staff were working excessively long hours while being kept in degrading circumstances in their accommodation.

Japan’s deportation drive strikes fear into asylum seekers, foreign residents

Rights groups warn the government’s push to remove more undocumented migrants clashes with its duty to protect refugees.

.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.

Only virtual talks, no new investment push before Xi-Trump summit: Greer

US Trade Representative underscores US seeks substantial tariffs, unhindered rare earth access, and a stability-preserving leaders’ meeting.

Why Cambodia’s new law may do little to combat its scam centres

Analysts warn the lack of provisions addressing the role officials and networks play in enabling scams may limit the law’s effectiveness.

China taps offshore wind, subsea data centres to ease AI computing bottleneck

The underwater data centre, located 10 kilometres off Shanghai’s eastern coast, was built by Shanghai HiCloud Technology.

‘Paper tiger’: what’s behind Trump’s renewed Greenland threat?

Europe is likely to stay neutral in the Iran war and could even benefit if America fares poorly in its military campaign, analyst says.

Ostrich escapes animal cafe, sprints down Thai highway

The six-month-old male ostrich was later returned safe to its enclosure at the animal-themed cafe.

Backlash brews for Hong Kong coffee festival over response to bad weather

Muddy grounds and rainy weather cause chaos and frustration at 2026 Coffee Hong Kong @WestK over Easter weekend.

Iran allows 2 French former detainees to leave country

The green light for them to leave Iran, long sought by France, signalled how Iran is differentiating between nations amid the Iran war.

Chinese embassy in US confirms death of semiconductor researcher Wang Danhao

Scientist described by dean as a ‘promising and brilliant young mind’ took own life after questioning by US federal law enforcement.

Artemis crew snaps historic Earthset photo on way home from moon

The image is a nod to the iconic Earthrise picture taken by Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders in 1968.

Chinese memory giants seen grabbing market share on lower prices, more capacity

Firms like YMTC and CXMT are scaling NAND and DRAM production, leveraging cost advantages and subsidies to challenge global leaders.

Chinese AI glasses maker Rokid planning Hong Kong IPO: sources

Listing plan comes as giants Apple, Meta, Alibaba, Baidu, Xiaomi and Huawei, plus start-ups like Xreal, Rayneo, anticipate market growth.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Chinese youth are embracing Ching Ming with cultural confidence

Opinion | To beat Cambodia’s scam gangs, US must work with China – not blame it

Editorial | Supporting women in research helps Hong Kong’s gender equality push

As I see it | Why Donald Trump now needs a ‘forever war’

Opinion | For Gulf states, geography is both a generous and treacherous patron

Japan’s deportation drive strikes fear into asylum seekers, foreign residents

Opinion | Chinese youth are embracing Ching Ming with cultural confidence

Singapore minister: ‘right of passage’ through Hormuz non-negotiable

Ancient China lavish toilet routines: nobles used silk, Empress Cixi had 28 maids

Mural celebrates Thai culture in Hong Kong under renovation scheme

Indonesian fisherman nets surprise catch – a Chinese underwater drone

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.

Chinese memory giants seen grabbing market share on lower prices, more capacity

Firms like YMTC and CXMT are scaling NAND and DRAM production, leveraging cost advantages and subsidies to challenge global leaders.

More foreign marques face a do-or-die moment as Chinese buyers shun petrol cars

Following Skoda’s exit from China, other carmakers with falling sales are also likely to close shop this year, analysts say.

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.

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.

Developing | Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz under 2-week ceasefire deal with Trump

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

Opinion | Chinese youth are embracing Ching Ming with cultural confidence