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Hong Kong pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong Chi-fung and Brian Leung Kai-ping visited New York from September 13-15, 2019, sparking rallies by not only their supporters but also staged by groups who support the Chinese central government.
Hong Kong pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong Chi-fung and Brian Leung Kai-ping visited New York from September 13-15, 2019, sparking rallies by not only their supporters but also staged by groups who support the Chinese central government.
Linda Feinstein has been playing mahjong, a Chinese tile-based game, since she was nine years old. Now 71, Feinstein runs a popular American mahjong club in New York that attracts hundreds of players every Monday. Mahjong was invented in ancient China and spread to the US in the 1920s. Its popularity waned as more women went to work, but it’s made a comeback after 9/11.
Linda Feinstein has been playing mahjong, a Chinese tile-based game, since she was nine years old. Now 71, Feinstein runs a popular American mahjong club in New York that attracts hundreds of players every Monday. Mahjong was invented in ancient China and spread to the US in the 1920s. Its popularity waned as more women went to work, but it’s made a comeback after 9/11.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam has announced that she will formally withdraw a contentious extradition bill which has sparked 13 weeks of mass protests that have frequently turned violent.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam has announced that she will formally withdraw a contentious extradition bill which has sparked 13 weeks of mass protests that have frequently turned violent.
More than 100 people took part in a protest outside a Hong Kong secondary school on September 4, 2019, amid concerns that students taking part in an anti-government class boycott class could be punished. The protesters vandalised facilities outside the Chinese Foundation Secondary School (CFFS) in northeastern Hong Kong Island, after claims posted online saying the school had warned it would expel students and dismiss staff who took part in protests against the government’s now-shelved extradition bill.
More than 100 people took part in a protest outside a Hong Kong secondary school on September 4, 2019, amid concerns that students taking part in an anti-government class boycott class could be punished. The protesters vandalised facilities outside the Chinese Foundation Secondary School (CFFS) in northeastern Hong Kong Island, after claims posted online saying the school had warned it would expel students and dismiss staff who took part in protests against the government’s now-shelved extradition bill.
In the midst of an ongoing trade war, the US put Huawei on an entity list in May, 2019 that effectively banned the Chinese telecoms giant from buying American-made technology. Huawei has faced cybersecurity allegations from the US and its allies that its infrastructure equipment may enable surveillance by the Chinese government. Huawei Technologies’ Chief Security Officer addressed these concerns during an interview with the South China Morning Post.
In the midst of an ongoing trade war, the US put Huawei on an entity list in May, 2019 that effectively banned the Chinese telecoms giant from buying American-made technology. Huawei has faced cybersecurity allegations from the US and its allies that its infrastructure equipment may enable surveillance by the Chinese government. Huawei Technologies’ Chief Security Officer addressed these concerns during an interview with the South China Morning Post.
Tensions flared outside Hong Kong’s Tin Shui Wai police station in the early morning of July 31. Hundreds of protesters gathered after at least two people were arrested earlier at a nearby Lennon Wall. Videos circulating on social media showed fireworks being fired out of a moving vehicle into the protesting crowd, disrupting traffic and causing a car crash.
Tensions flared outside Hong Kong’s Tin Shui Wai police station in the early morning of July 31. Hundreds of protesters gathered after at least two people were arrested earlier at a nearby Lennon Wall. Videos circulating on social media showed fireworks being fired out of a moving vehicle into the protesting crowd, disrupting traffic and causing a car crash.
Li Na became the first Asian-born player to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 20. She was enshrined along with France’s Mary Pierce and Russia’s Yevgeny Kafelnikov in an on-court ceremony in Rhode Island. Li, from Wuhan, China, enthralled the world after winning two Grand Slams and reached a career-high ranking of No 2 female tennis player in the world on Feb 17, 2014.
Li Na became the first Asian-born player to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 20. She was enshrined along with France’s Mary Pierce and Russia’s Yevgeny Kafelnikov in an on-court ceremony in Rhode Island. Li, from Wuhan, China, enthralled the world after winning two Grand Slams and reached a career-high ranking of No 2 female tennis player in the world on Feb 17, 2014.
The US government's actions to counter intellectual property theft are driving what Chinese scientists and engineers describe as a witch-hunt. Chinese-American physicist Xiaoxing Xi told the South China Morning Post that Washington’s policies risk shutting the US off from an exchange of ideas that is essential to basic research. Professor Xi was arrested on charges of sending American technology to China in 2015. He faced a maximum penalty of 80 years in prison and a US$1 million fine before the charges were dropped four months later. Xi has sued the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for fabricating evidence and is speaking against “racial profiling”.
The US government's actions to counter intellectual property theft are driving what Chinese scientists and engineers describe as a witch-hunt. Chinese-American physicist Xiaoxing Xi told the South China Morning Post that Washington’s policies risk shutting the US off from an exchange of ideas that is essential to basic research. Professor Xi was arrested on charges of sending American technology to China in 2015. He faced a maximum penalty of 80 years in prison and a US$1 million fine before the charges were dropped four months later. Xi has sued the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for fabricating evidence and is speaking against “racial profiling”.
Demonstrations draw hundreds in New York and Washington as Hongkongers abroad show their support, in display that Chief Executive Carrie Lam has failed to appease the public at home or abroad.
Demonstrations draw hundreds in New York and Washington as Hongkongers abroad show their support, in display that Chief Executive Carrie Lam has failed to appease the public at home or abroad.
Hundreds of protesters rallied in New York to support the millions of people who marched through the streets to demand a full withdrawal of the extradition bill. Frances Hui, a student from Hong Kong who’s now studying in the US, told the Post why Hongkongers overseas feel the urge to unite in support of their home city.
Hundreds of protesters rallied in New York to support the millions of people who marched through the streets to demand a full withdrawal of the extradition bill. Frances Hui, a student from Hong Kong who’s now studying in the US, told the Post why Hongkongers overseas feel the urge to unite in support of their home city.
Major US agriculture states including Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois are bracing for one of the wettest planting seasons in more than a hundred years. For Lake Benton, a small town of 683 people in southern Minnesota, the stress is compounded by a plunge in prices and an escalating US-China trade war that has grounded the soybean trade to a virtual halt. The double blow of flooding and tariffs has hit farmers like Jon and Bob Worth, but they say they are willing to endure the short-term pain to support President Donald Trump.
Major US agriculture states including Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois are bracing for one of the wettest planting seasons in more than a hundred years. For Lake Benton, a small town of 683 people in southern Minnesota, the stress is compounded by a plunge in prices and an escalating US-China trade war that has grounded the soybean trade to a virtual halt. The double blow of flooding and tariffs has hit farmers like Jon and Bob Worth, but they say they are willing to endure the short-term pain to support President Donald Trump.
Demonstrators around the globe rallied in support of a huge Hong Kong protest against a proposed change to the city’s extradition law.
Demonstrators around the globe rallied in support of a huge Hong Kong protest against a proposed change to the city’s extradition law.
San Francisco became the first US city to ban local police use of facial recognition technology. The ban does not apply to personal, business or federal government use. It’s part of broader oversight legislation that orders local agencies to spell out details of any surveillance currently in use. Supporters say facial recognition technology is a serious threat to civil rights. Opponents say it helps fight crimes.
San Francisco became the first US city to ban local police use of facial recognition technology. The ban does not apply to personal, business or federal government use. It’s part of broader oversight legislation that orders local agencies to spell out details of any surveillance currently in use. Supporters say facial recognition technology is a serious threat to civil rights. Opponents say it helps fight crimes.
Zumret and Humar Isaac lost contact with their parents in November 2018. Since then, the two Uygur sisters from Xinjiang, China, have been on a quest to find out what happened. A phone call from someone claiming to work for the community affairs centre led the sisters to believe that their parents were sent to one of Xinjiang’s “re-education” facilities, where according to the UN, an estimated one million Uygurs are being held. The sisters launched a social media campaign calling for their release. In late March, their parents resurfaced and resumed contact, but the sisters were left with more questions than answers.
Zumret and Humar Isaac lost contact with their parents in November 2018. Since then, the two Uygur sisters from Xinjiang, China, have been on a quest to find out what happened. A phone call from someone claiming to work for the community affairs centre led the sisters to believe that their parents were sent to one of Xinjiang’s “re-education” facilities, where according to the UN, an estimated one million Uygurs are being held. The sisters launched a social media campaign calling for their release. In late March, their parents resurfaced and resumed contact, but the sisters were left with more questions than answers.
A Chinese student’s family allegedly paid consultant William ‘Rick’ Singer US$6.5 million to get her into Stanford University. Zhang Yusi is one of several Chinese students caught up in a US college admission scandal. A video of Zhao from 2017, before she started school, has resurfaced on Chinese social media. “I tested into Stanford through my own hard work,” she says in the footage. US prosecutors say Singer fabricated Zhao’s athletic accomplishments and donated US$500,000 to the Stanford sailing team after her acceptance. Zhao’s mother said in a statement she was “misled” into donating to Singer’s charity which he presented to her as a legitimate non-profit foundation funding student scholarships at Stanford.
A Chinese student’s family allegedly paid consultant William ‘Rick’ Singer US$6.5 million to get her into Stanford University. Zhang Yusi is one of several Chinese students caught up in a US college admission scandal. A video of Zhao from 2017, before she started school, has resurfaced on Chinese social media. “I tested into Stanford through my own hard work,” she says in the footage. US prosecutors say Singer fabricated Zhao’s athletic accomplishments and donated US$500,000 to the Stanford sailing team after her acceptance. Zhao’s mother said in a statement she was “misled” into donating to Singer’s charity which he presented to her as a legitimate non-profit foundation funding student scholarships at Stanford.
In this tiny village deep in the mountains of western Japan, the streets are often void of people. Yet, Nagoro appears busy with life-sized dolls, which outnumber living humans 10 to one. Ayano Tsukimi, a 69-year-old villager, has been making them to counter the emptiness and loneliness in Nagoro. Like many other Japanese villages, Nagoro has been decimated by depopulation. Japan has been struggling to manage its shrinking population, low birth rate and long life expectancy.
In this tiny village deep in the mountains of western Japan, the streets are often void of people. Yet, Nagoro appears busy with life-sized dolls, which outnumber living humans 10 to one. Ayano Tsukimi, a 69-year-old villager, has been making them to counter the emptiness and loneliness in Nagoro. Like many other Japanese villages, Nagoro has been decimated by depopulation. Japan has been struggling to manage its shrinking population, low birth rate and long life expectancy.
The University of Minnesota has suspended ties with Chinese tech giant Huawei in February, shortly after ending a nearly 10-year relationship with the Confucius Institute, a Chinese government programme promoting its language and culture overseas. As China-US relations hit a new low, Washington accuses Beijing of using organisations like Huawei and the Confucius Institute to undermine American interests. For the University of Minnesota, it’s a choice between rejecting these organisations or losing federal government funding. SCMP visited Minnesota to find out how the decision impacts the faculty and students.
The University of Minnesota has suspended ties with Chinese tech giant Huawei in February, shortly after ending a nearly 10-year relationship with the Confucius Institute, a Chinese government programme promoting its language and culture overseas. As China-US relations hit a new low, Washington accuses Beijing of using organisations like Huawei and the Confucius Institute to undermine American interests. For the University of Minnesota, it’s a choice between rejecting these organisations or losing federal government funding. SCMP visited Minnesota to find out how the decision impacts the faculty and students.
A gunman rampaged through two mosques during afternoon prayers, killing 49 worshippers and wounding dozens more in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15. The attack shocked the Muslim population in New Zealand and the rest of world. Many countries have condemned the grotesque attack and some reacted with protests.
A gunman rampaged through two mosques during afternoon prayers, killing 49 worshippers and wounding dozens more in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15. The attack shocked the Muslim population in New Zealand and the rest of world. Many countries have condemned the grotesque attack and some reacted with protests.
Overdoses linked to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin, killed nearly 30,000 people in the United States in 2017. Authorities say most fentanyl sold in the state of Pennsylvania can be traced back to China. We went to Kensington, an area considered a “ground zero” of America’s opioid crisis, in the Pennsylvanian city of Philadelphia, to find out how a drug funneled through from China is fueling a health crisis half a world away.
Overdoses linked to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin, killed nearly 30,000 people in the United States in 2017. Authorities say most fentanyl sold in the state of Pennsylvania can be traced back to China. We went to Kensington, an area considered a “ground zero” of America’s opioid crisis, in the Pennsylvanian city of Philadelphia, to find out how a drug funneled through from China is fueling a health crisis half a world away.
China’s petitioners try to solve their problems by directly contacting major authority figures – but they have little chance of success. Instead, some, like 54-year-old Bai Jiemen of Shanghai, go to great lengths to catch the attention of Chinese officials visiting the US. But Bai’s attempt to reach the motorcade of Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He, who was in Washington for trade talks in January, led to a US Secret Service officer being injured. Bai may now face more than seven years of jail time for allegedly assaulting the officer.
China’s petitioners try to solve their problems by directly contacting major authority figures – but they have little chance of success. Instead, some, like 54-year-old Bai Jiemen of Shanghai, go to great lengths to catch the attention of Chinese officials visiting the US. But Bai’s attempt to reach the motorcade of Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He, who was in Washington for trade talks in January, led to a US Secret Service officer being injured. Bai may now face more than seven years of jail time for allegedly assaulting the officer.
Millions of Chinese families tuned in to watch the Spring Festival Gala on the eve of Lunar New Year. The five-hour-long variety show features music, dance and skits produced by state broadcaster CCTV. It’s been ranked the most viewed entertainment show in the world, garnering more than one billion viewers in 2018. Watching the gala has been a new year ritual since the 1980s for many Chinese, including those overseas. But this year, many complained that the performances were outdated and too political.
Millions of Chinese families tuned in to watch the Spring Festival Gala on the eve of Lunar New Year. The five-hour-long variety show features music, dance and skits produced by state broadcaster CCTV. It’s been ranked the most viewed entertainment show in the world, garnering more than one billion viewers in 2018. Watching the gala has been a new year ritual since the 1980s for many Chinese, including those overseas. But this year, many complained that the performances were outdated and too political.
US businessman Chris Alonzo grows 19 million pounds of mushrooms a year on his family farm called Pietro Mushrooms in Chester County, Pennsylvania. At the invitation of China’s Funan county, Alonzo is building a mushroom farm even bigger than his own in eastern China’s Anhui province. He wants to teach Chinese farmers how to grow mushrooms with higher food safety and productivity standards. Alonzo talks to the SCMP about his thoughts on foreign companies’ fear of forced technology transfers in China and why he wants to eventually build a US$200 million US-China joint venture despite rising trade tensions between the two countries.
US businessman Chris Alonzo grows 19 million pounds of mushrooms a year on his family farm called Pietro Mushrooms in Chester County, Pennsylvania. At the invitation of China’s Funan county, Alonzo is building a mushroom farm even bigger than his own in eastern China’s Anhui province. He wants to teach Chinese farmers how to grow mushrooms with higher food safety and productivity standards. Alonzo talks to the SCMP about his thoughts on foreign companies’ fear of forced technology transfers in China and why he wants to eventually build a US$200 million US-China joint venture despite rising trade tensions between the two countries.
Overdoses linked to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin, killed nearly 30,000 people in the United States in 2017. Authorities say most fentanyl sold in the state of Pennsylvania can be traced back to China. We spoke to Anja Lesniak, a 21-year-old woman living in an area considered a “ground zero” of America’s opioid crisis – Kensington, in the Pennsylvanian city of Philadelphia – about her fight against fentanyl addiction.
Overdoses linked to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin, killed nearly 30,000 people in the United States in 2017. Authorities say most fentanyl sold in the state of Pennsylvania can be traced back to China. We spoke to Anja Lesniak, a 21-year-old woman living in an area considered a “ground zero” of America’s opioid crisis – Kensington, in the Pennsylvanian city of Philadelphia – about her fight against fentanyl addiction.
Over the past decade, Beijing has regressed on market reform and trade practices in a way that is “very disturbing”, according to Charlene Barshefsky, the former US trade representative who helped China join the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In a wide-ranging interview with SCMP about China’s economic growth and relations with Washington, Barshefsky points to Beijing’s deviation from market principles and inaction by previous US administrations for contributing to the current impasse.
Over the past decade, Beijing has regressed on market reform and trade practices in a way that is “very disturbing”, according to Charlene Barshefsky, the former US trade representative who helped China join the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In a wide-ranging interview with SCMP about China’s economic growth and relations with Washington, Barshefsky points to Beijing’s deviation from market principles and inaction by previous US administrations for contributing to the current impasse.
A mysterious bird has become one of New York’s most unlikely attractions. The beautiful male Mandarin duck caught the attention of bird watchers in Central Park in October. Soon after, one of the surprised visitors – David Barrett, who runs the Twitter account Manhattan Bird Alert – posted a video of the fowl online, and it immediately went viral. Now the duck is drawing flocks of fans from all over the US, attracted by his feisty personality and the mystery of how a bird native to East Asia made it to middle of Manhattan.
A mysterious bird has become one of New York’s most unlikely attractions. The beautiful male Mandarin duck caught the attention of bird watchers in Central Park in October. Soon after, one of the surprised visitors – David Barrett, who runs the Twitter account Manhattan Bird Alert – posted a video of the fowl online, and it immediately went viral. Now the duck is drawing flocks of fans from all over the US, attracted by his feisty personality and the mystery of how a bird native to East Asia made it to middle of Manhattan.
China’s largest online music entertainment platform, Tencent Music Entertainment, debuted on the New York Stock Exchange on December 12, 2018. Betty Liu, the NYSE executive vice chairman, told South China Morning Post that US investors are still bullish on Chinese tech IPOs despite trade tensions. She also said that many Chinese technology start-ups are pivoting to Southeast Asia and away from the United States in their expansion plans, in a clear shift to avoid getting in the middle of the trade war.
China’s largest online music entertainment platform, Tencent Music Entertainment, debuted on the New York Stock Exchange on December 12, 2018. Betty Liu, the NYSE executive vice chairman, told South China Morning Post that US investors are still bullish on Chinese tech IPOs despite trade tensions. She also said that many Chinese technology start-ups are pivoting to Southeast Asia and away from the United States in their expansion plans, in a clear shift to avoid getting in the middle of the trade war.
A second Canadian has been detained in China on accusations of “endangering national security”. China confirmed on December 13 that Michael Spavor, a businessman who runs tours from China to North Korea, is being held for investigation. Chinese authorities detained Michael Kovrig, another Canadian and former diplomat, on December 10, following rising tensions over the high-profile arrest of Sabrina Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of China’s tech giant Huawei.
A second Canadian has been detained in China on accusations of “endangering national security”. China confirmed on December 13 that Michael Spavor, a businessman who runs tours from China to North Korea, is being held for investigation. Chinese authorities detained Michael Kovrig, another Canadian and former diplomat, on December 10, following rising tensions over the high-profile arrest of Sabrina Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of China’s tech giant Huawei.
Chinese police have detained a prominent pastor and more than 100 worshippers in a crackdown on “illegal” religious assemblies. Coordinated raids were carried out in Chengdu the evening of December 9 as the Early Rain Covenant Church gathered for service. Among those held was prominent church leader Wang Yi, who had met US president George W. Bush at the White House in 2006. Tens of millions of Chinese Christians worship at independent, unregistered churches like Early Rain.
Chinese police have detained a prominent pastor and more than 100 worshippers in a crackdown on “illegal” religious assemblies. Coordinated raids were carried out in Chengdu the evening of December 9 as the Early Rain Covenant Church gathered for service. Among those held was prominent church leader Wang Yi, who had met US president George W. Bush at the White House in 2006. Tens of millions of Chinese Christians worship at independent, unregistered churches like Early Rain.
A Chinese researcher claims that he has helped make the world's first genetically modified babies, Lulu and Nana. The researcher, He Jiankui, says the twin girls’ DNA was altered with the CRISPR gene-editing tool to switch off an HIV-related gene so they would be born with an immunity to HIV viruses. Chinese health regulators have said they were “in the dark” about the experiment until it was announced and have launched an investigation. He’s announcement also triggered a flood of condemnation from scientists at home and abroad.
A Chinese researcher claims that he has helped make the world's first genetically modified babies, Lulu and Nana. The researcher, He Jiankui, says the twin girls’ DNA was altered with the CRISPR gene-editing tool to switch off an HIV-related gene so they would be born with an immunity to HIV viruses. Chinese health regulators have said they were “in the dark” about the experiment until it was announced and have launched an investigation. He’s announcement also triggered a flood of condemnation from scientists at home and abroad.
Tens of thousands of supporters across Taiwan gathered to cheer for the candidates they support on Friday ahead of voting day. Key races include mayoral offices in the capital, Taipei, and southern port of Kaohsiung, where the Nationalists and ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) were fighting for votes alongside independent candidates and those from smaller parties. President Tsai Ing-wen appealed to supporters for help to safeguard Taiwan’s sovereignty and democracy by casting their votes. A total of 19 million voters on the island of more than 23 million are expected to cast their ballots for more than 11,000 local officials.
Tens of thousands of supporters across Taiwan gathered to cheer for the candidates they support on Friday ahead of voting day. Key races include mayoral offices in the capital, Taipei, and southern port of Kaohsiung, where the Nationalists and ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) were fighting for votes alongside independent candidates and those from smaller parties. President Tsai Ing-wen appealed to supporters for help to safeguard Taiwan’s sovereignty and democracy by casting their votes. A total of 19 million voters on the island of more than 23 million are expected to cast their ballots for more than 11,000 local officials.