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SCMP

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Malaysians hit back as McDonald’s franchisee sues over Israel boycott
A lawsuit by a McDonald’s franchisee in Malaysia against a pro-Palestinian boycott movement risks backfiring, after social media users erupted in defence of the consumer embargo of the fast-food chain.
2. Chinese scientists unveil design for new electronic warfare weapon to the world
The intricate design of a new type of electronic warfare weapon has been revealed by a group of scientists from China – and it is something military forces across the globe are keen to get their hands on.

3. ‘Pretty frightening’: survivors recall experience of powerful Japan quake
Survivors of the magnitude-7.6 earthquake that rocked large parts of central Japan on New Year’s Day have described the tremor as the most powerful and frightening they had ever felt.

4. Who is running in Taiwan’s presidential race and what does it mean for Beijing?
In the lead-up to the critical presidential election in Taiwan on January 13, we focus on the three candidates looking to take over the island’s top job from incumbent Tsai Ing-wen and how the result of the poll could affect cross-strait ties.

5. Archaeologists find well-preserved 2,200-year-old China tomb with exact date
Archaeologists in China recently discovered a well-preserved burial site in southwest China from the early Western Han dynasty (202 BC – 25 AD), which contained enough evidence that the team could confidently say the tomb was sealed in 193 BC.

6. How did woman reportedly get on Hong Kong-bound Cathay plane without boarding pass?
Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways is back in the spotlight after a woman managed to get onto a plane in Tokyo reportedly without a boarding pass, raising concerns about how such an incident could occur.

7. Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh welcomes ‘grandson Maxime’ into the world
Film icon Michelle Yeoh has become a “grandmother” after an eventful year in which she became the first Asian to win an Oscar for best actress and also got married.



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SCMP Highlights

Malaysians hit back at McDonald’s, survivors recall Japan earthquake, Michelle Yeoh’s new role: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

A McDonald’s restaurant in Putrajaya, Malaysia in November 2023. McDonald’s is one of the hardest hit by the global boycott over Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Photo: EPA-EFE

Chinese scientists have revealed the design of a new electronic warfare weapon. Photo: EPA-EFE/Xinhua

Destroyed houses in earthquake-hit Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture, on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo News via AP

The DPP’s William Lai, Hou Yu-ih from the Kuomintang and Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan People’s Party are vying for the presidency. Illustration: Henry Wong

This aerial photo shows the archaeological site of a tomb dating back to the Western Han dynasty (202 BC - 25 AD) in Wulong district of southwest China’s Chongqing municipality. Photo: Xinhua/Huang Wei

A Cathay Pacific aircraft sits on the tarmac at Narita International Airport in Tokyo. The carrier has said there was a “case of unauthorised access” during the boarding of a flight last month. Photo: Shutterstock

Michelle Yeoh and husband Jean Todt join his son Nicolas and daughter-in-law Darina after the birth of baby Maxime. Photo: Instagram/nicolastodt

China, Russia test ‘hack-proof’ link, South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun’s suicide sparks outrage: 5 weekend reads you may have missed

Mourners after South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun’s funeral in Seoul. Photo: Reuters

China’s quantum satellite Mozi has opened pathways to develop national and international quantum communication networks. Photo: Chinese Academy of Science

The military has been one of the main targets of President Xi Jinping’s far-reaching anti-corruption campaign. Photo: Handout

Cathay Pacific pilots. Photo: Dickson Lee

Mourners carrying a coffin and portrait of South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun leave after his funeral in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Anita Mui wearing a wedding gown at one of her last concerts in Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters

China invents powerful detonation engine, Mandarin in US schools, renewed MH370 search calls: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

A relative of a missing flight MH370 passenger holds a banner stating “Malaysia Airlines MH370 case” in Chinese after a compensation claim hearing in Beijing on November 27. Photo: EPA-EFE

Illustration: Henry Wong

Abby Choi was reported missing in February before police discovered some of her remains at a village house in Tai Po’s Lung Mei Tsuen. Photo: Instagram/xxabbyc

Chris Martin of Coldplay performs in California earlier this year. The British rock band broke the record in June for most tickets sold in Singapore in a single day. Photo: AP

Hong Kong’s Christmas exodus, China divides Philippine elite: 5 weekend reads you may have missed

Passengers wait to check in for their flights at a packed Hong Kong airport on December 23, 2023. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Dunhuang, in China’s Gansu province, is an ancient city on the Silk Road where scientists have now found evidence of a mixed-race population dating as early as 220AD. Photo: Shutterstock

Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Sindangan tows Philippine navy-operated supply boat M/L Kalayaan after its engines were damaged due to water cannons from Chinese Coast Guard as it approached Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea on December 10, 2023. Photo: Handout

The octogenarian expressed his gratitude to the man, and his family by gifting them all of his property as a token of appreciation for the care they had provided him during the last few years of his life. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

Beijing flexes its muscles in South China Sea, cold spell hits Hong Kong, how to survive Christmas: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

A Chinese coastguard vessel maneuvers beside the Philippine coastguard ship BRP Cabra as they approach the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on November 10. Photo: AP

A rescuer uses a sniffer dog to search for survivors at a collapsed houses following a massive earthquake in Jishishan in Gansu province. Photo: AP

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Hong Kong Observatory advised people to put on warm clothes and ensure indoor ventilation. Photo: Sam Tsang

Illustration: Brian Wang

Christmas and the Lunar New Year can be tricky to get through if you are alone, don’t get on with some family members, face financial pressure or are experiencing grief. Photo: Shutterstock

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From McDonald’s coming under fire on social media in Malaysia to Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh’s new role, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting


From McDonald’s coming under fire from Malaysian social media users to Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh’s new family role, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.


Malaysians hit back at McDonald’s, survivors recall Japan earthquake, Michelle Yeoh’s new role: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}From McDonald’s coming under fire on social media in Malaysia to Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh’s new role, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

1. Malaysians hit back as McDonald’s franchisee sues over Israel boycott

2. Chinese scientists unveil design for new electronic warfare weapon to the world

From McDonald’s coming under fire on social media in Malaysia to Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh’s new role, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting