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Big Tech

Nvidia asks chipmaker TSMC to ramp up H200 production amid China demand: sources

Chinese tech companies place orders for more than 2 million H200 chips for 2026, according to sources.

The exact additional volume of H200 chips Nvidia intends to order from semiconductor foundry TSMC remains unclear. Photo: Shutterstock

Policy

China rolls out trade-in funding for 2026 as campaign to spur spending continues

The programme, which has helped stimulate consumption increases, will continue to subsidise purchases of big-ticket goods and refurbishments.

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China’s consumer goods trade-in programme subsidises, among others, the purchases of big-ticket items such as automobiles and home appliances. Photo: Getty Images

Politics

‘Clear advantage’: why return of Zia’s son may influence Bangladesh’s election

The death of ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia may have boosted voter support for her son Tarique Rahman, who is contesting in the election.

Then acting Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman addresses his supporters after his return from London in Dhaka on December 25. Photo: Reuters

China Opinion

Opinion | How China’s home-grown luxury labels took on Western brands

Chinese brands are gaining ground at home and worldwide as domestic consumers increasingly turn to labels with Chinese imagery and values.

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People walk past Christmas decorations outside a store of Swiss luxury watchmaker Rolex along a shopping street in Beijing on December 15. Photo: AFP

China Business

Beijing renews trade-in subsidy scheme amid domestic car market’s gloomy outlook

Buyers who replace their petrol and electric cars with new vehicles will receive a cash subsidy of up to US$2,858 per unit.

A BYD electric car at an exhibition in Shanghai. Buyers of an electric vehicle for replacement purposes would get a subsidy equivalent to 12 per cent of the newly bought car’s price. Photo: AFP
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Travel & Leisure

2026 is a stellar year for supermoons and eclipses: what to look out for

The coming year is packed with cosmic events, from a ‘ring of fire’ eclipse to two six-planet line-ups to several supermoons.

A “ring of fire” solar eclipse seen from Tahai, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile, in 2024. In 2026, another will occur in February, but over the Antarctic. Photo: AP

Racing

Who wins at Sha Tin? Circuit Grand Slam can be a knockout bet

Owen Goulding runs through his tips ahead of a bumper Group Three card on New Year’s Day.

Circuit Grand Slam makes a winning Hong Kong debut. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Celebrities

Meet Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova – Ilya’s friend Svetlana in Heated Rivalry

A model and trained dancer, the native Russian speaker’s credits also include The Boys and Slip.

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Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova plays Svetlana Vetrova in the hit series Heated Rivalry. Photo: @kseniadaniela/Instagram

Hong Kong

Gallery | The most striking photos from SCMP photographers in 2025

Around 4,000 swimmers compete in the Victoria Harbour Race 2025 on November 22, starting from the public pier off Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and finishing at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui . Photo: Dickson Lee

Law and Crime

Hong Kong police officer jailed for forging statements to close 10 cases

According to probation officer’s report, Wong Yiu-chung failed to manage stress at work, driving him to forge statements from complainants.

The defendant’s lawyer said in mitigation that his client had made a “stupid mistake”, having hoped to avoid responsibility at work. Photo: Sun Yeung
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Hong Kong

Gallery | In pictures: scores of purple tabebuia in full bloom in Hong Kong

Purple tabebuia in full bloom at Tamar Park in Admiralty. Photo: Eugene Lee

Science

How China cracked US ‘super code’, health benefits of lard: 7 science highlights

From China building world’s largest smart transformer to health benefits of lard, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

China’s Southern Regional Electricity Market, the world’s largest unified power market, has fully switched to the homegrown Tianquan solver, which is 14 per cent faster than US rivals. Photo: EPA-EFE

Food & Drink

Where an Italian likes to eat pizza, pasta and Peking duck in Hong Kong

Lorenzo Antonio Iosco from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra loves Chinese dumplings and Peking duck, and he has to have good coffee.

A Margherita pizza from Little Napoli in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district. Little Napoli is a favourite destination for Hong Kong clarinettist and conductor Lorenzo Iosco. Photo: Kylie Knott

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong restaurants, bars gear up for packed 2026 countdown parties

Lan Kwai Fong’s restaurants and bars nearly 90 per cent booked, while seaview eateries in Kowloon could take a hit from cancelled fireworks show.

The countdown event and light show on Charter Road are expected to draw large crowds of residents and tourists. Photo: Edmond So

Southeast Asia

Malaysian forced to scam Hongkongers recalls nightmare in Myanmar

Chew said he would be ‘beaten, electrocuted or starved for more than a week’ if he ‘failed’ in his task.

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Myanmar soldiers raid a scam centre in Myawaddy township, Karen state, in October. Photo: Myanmar Military True News Information Team via AP
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Other Sport

China boat honouring Min River takes Sydney to Hobart title after French penalty

Jiang Lin and Alexis Loison had initially finished second, but French entry BNC was penalised for ‘inappropriate use of spinnaker’.

Min River, sailed by Jiang Lin and Alexis Loison, approaches the finish of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Photo: AP

Americas

CIA behind drone strike on ‘big facility’ in Venezuela: sources

Sources divulge details of a US strike mentioned by Trump, as Colombia’s president says US bombed a suspected cocaine factory.

Personnel work on a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone at Rafael Hernandez Airport in Puerto Rico. Photo: Reuters

Society

Tourist killed after fall from 70-metre cliff while taking photos in Hong Kong

Post learns victim was tourist from Guangzhou who was hiking on Po Pin Chau with three friends.

The accident took place at Po Pin Chau, which forms part of Hong Kong’s Unesco Global Geopark. Photo: Sam Tsang

Muay Thai

Yod-IQ Pimolsri secures contract, eyes rematch with Abdulla Dayakaev

Thai striker earned a permanent place on ONE Championship’s main roster, hopes to compete at ONE 175 in Tokyo.

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Yod-IQ Pimolsri, right, earned a US$100,000 contract and a permanent place on ONE Championship’s main roster. Photo: Handout

Diplomacy

Tokyo expresses concern to Beijing over military drills around Taiwan: report

Amid tension over Takaichi’s comments, Japan says Chinese coastguard patrolled near Diaoyu Islands for a record number of days this year.

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The Japanese government reportedly expressed concern to Beijing over conducted around Taiwan on Monday and Tuesday. Photo: AFP
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Economics

Muslim businesses in China target Malaysia as global halal gateway

The growing presence of China’s Muslim entrepreneurs at a festival in Kuala Lumpur reflects their trust in Malaysia’s strong halal standards.

A vendor grills skewered meats at the Pasar Eatai Chinese Muslim Festival at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof

Luxury News

Explainer: Why gold prices fluctuated in 2025, hitting highs and plunging

The Fed’s rate cuts and global unrest pushed gold to record prices in 2025, but the end of the year tends to be volatile.

Gold prices surged past US$4,500 per ounce amid rising global conflicts and Fed cuts. Photo: AFP

100 Top Tables

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for January 2-4

A chance to catch up on openings you may have missed – and if you’re taking a break from alcohol, we’ve got you covered too.

Floral Fusion at the Orchard, which offers eau de vie cocktails in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

Trending in China

‘Cycle of goodwill’: Chinese ex-soldier saves woman from river where he was once rescued

‘Superhero’ dad with bleeding feet drags drowning elderly woman to safety; tells her grateful, tearful daughter of amazing coincidence.

A retired soldier in China has saved an elderly woman from the same river where he was rescued by a passer-by 35 years ago. Photo: Douyin/Weibo

Tennis

Alcaraz, Sinner set to elevate rivalry, Sabalenka chasing more grand slams

The new season gets under way on Friday with the mixed-teams United Cup in Perth and Sydney, featuring Iga Swiatek and Alexander Zverev.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will play an exhibition in South Korea on January 10. Photo: AFP
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Racing

Charm ‘the best we’ve had him’ says Eustace ahead of return to 1,400m

The promising five-year-old is a five-time winner over the course and distance as he looks for his first Group victory at Sha Tin on Thursday.

Light Years Charm (white, purple and green) gets up to beat Aeris Nova at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Africa

Junta leader declared winner of Guinea’s presidential election

Mamady Doumbouya claims a landslide victory in the west African nation after sidelining major rivals.

Guinea’s leader, General Mamady Doumbouya, with his wife, Lauriane Doumbouya. Photo: AP

100 Top Tables

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for January 2-4

Ring in 2026 with a seafood buffet, a winter set menu that celebrates Ningbo cuisine or a limited edition bourbon-aged steak.

Seafood at The Place, Cordis, Hong Kong – the hotel is now offering a special buffet. Photo: Handout

Politics

Cosco executive Zhang Yong made deputy in Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong

Executive vice-president of Chinese shipping giant Cosco Shipping Group will replace Qi Bin, who is set to take up role in Beijing advisory body.

Zhang Yong, a senior executive at Chinese shipping giant Cosco Shipping Group, has been appointed a deputy director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

IPO Quote Profile

China’s DRAM giant CXMT plans US$4.2 billion IPO on Shanghai’s Star Market

Listing aims to fund wafer expansion and DRAM upgrades as Beijing drives tech self-reliance.

CXMT is China’s largest and the world’s fourth-largest DRAM manufacturer. Photo: Handout