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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. Beijing admits Chinese ship destroyed key Baltic gas pipeline ‘by accident’
Beijing has admitted that a Chinese-owned ship damaged a critical Baltic Sea gas pipeline running between Estonia and Finland last October, but says it was an accident.
2. Are Chinese nationals really ‘flocking’ to Malaysia over new visa scheme?

When China announced last year plans to invest 170 billion ringgit (US$35.9 billion) into Malaysia, property players had already started rolling out the red carpet for potential investors and homebuyers looking to join the expected rush to set up shop in the Southeast Asian nation.
3. Beijing’s spy agency ‘destroyed large number’ of Taiwan intelligence networks

Beijing’s top spy agency says it has uncovered more than 1,000 cases of Taiwanese espionage during a crackdown and vowed to keep up the pressure on the island’s pro-independence forces.
4. Hongkongers warned of Japan travel risks after megaquake advisory

Hong Kong authorities updated its existing amber outbound travel alert for Japan, urging city’s residents to closely monitor the situation after the country was hit by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Miyazaki prefecture last Thursday.
5. Why Olympics shows China has mountain to climb to earn West’s sporting respect
China has piled resources into producing individuals who excel in sports where there is only moderate Western opposition. The country’s consistent dominance of diving and table tennis, in particular, is written off in some quarters as the result of China hothousing young athletes to inflate its Olympic medal count.
6. The Hungry Ghost Festival, from folklore to empty dinner tables

The Hungry Ghost Festival is one of the most eerie celebrations in Chinese culture and falls on the 15th day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, that day is August 18. According to Chinese folklore, the gates of hell are said to open on the first of the month, and ghosts and spirits are free to wander the earth.
7. Netizens accuse ‘two-faced’ China skier Eileen Gu over ‘arrogant’ French athlete

China’s Olympic champion skier Eileen Gu is facing criticism online after videos emerged of her dancing intimately with a French swimmer accused of disrespecting a Chinese sports coach.


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SCMP Highlights

Chinese ship destroyed Baltic pipeline, Eileen Gu’s link to French athlete: 7 highlights

China’s freestyle skier Eileen Gu is seen in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games on July 26. Photo: AFP

The pipeline was severed last October in an incident Beijing now admits was caused by a Chinese ship. Photo: Reuters

Residential and commercial buildings in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia, on August 6. Photo: Bloomberg

As tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait, Beijing’s Ministry of State Security has vowed to “pulverise” any attempt to pursue Taiwan independence. Photo: Shutterstock

A collapsed house following an earthquake in Osaki town, Kagoshima prefecture, southwestern Japan, August 8, 2024. Photo: Kyodo

A woman burns incense for the Hungry Ghost Festival at Carpenter Road Park, Kowloon City. The festival is held during the seventh lunar month, when it is said the gates of hell are open. Photo: Edmond So

Champion Chinese skier Eileen Gu is facing online criticism after video emerged of her being initimate with a controversial French swimmer. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/IG@leon.marchand31

Phelps won’t ‘point finger’ at China’s Olympic star Pan, Singapore’s uber-rich: 7 highlights

Pan Zhanle’s scorching swim in the Olympic 100m freestyle final is being met with some scepticism. Photo: Xinhua

PLA engineers are working on a super warship that uses its DC IPS to power ahead of its Western competitors. Photo: PLA Navy

A campaign worker crosses the stage where US Vice-President Kamala Harris and her running mate Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota would be making their first joint appearance in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Sentosa Cove private residential housing on Sentosa Island in Singapore in 2023. Photo: AFP

A child in festive clothes looks at a dog on a wooden bridge at Fenghuang Ancient City ahead of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rabbit. Photo: Getty Images

‘Perfect Hong Kong girl’ Vivian Kong, China’s commercial jets, Singapore row: 7 highlights

Vivian Kong in Paris. She studied international relations at Stanford University in the US, and law at Renmin University of China and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Photo: Xinhua

Illustration: Henry Wong

China’s Yufei Zhang (right) won the bronze medal as United States pair Torri Huske (centre) won the gold and Gretchen Walsh the silver in the women’s 100m butterfly. Photo: Reuters

China’s C919 passenger jet debuted in May 2023 as part of China Eastern Airlines fleet. Photo: CAAC

Visitors enjoying the view at the Merlion statue in Singapore. The city state has been very welcoming of foreigners, but some segments in society, fearing threats to their lifestyles and livelihoods, are starting to resist. Photo: Xinhua

A sad and neglected little girl in China has undergone a remarkable change thanks to the love and care of her stepmother. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

China, Russia bombers enter Alaska, Philippines’ Chinese-infiltration fears: 7 highlights

A Chinese H-6 bomber, similar to the PLA warplanes, was detected along with Russian aircraft in the Air Defence Identification Zone off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

Professor Franklin Tao, formerly of the University of Kansas, has had all four convictions relating to wire fraud and false statement overturned by US courts. Photo: science.org

The test of the Long March-10 moon rocket’s third-stage engine took place at a newly completed facility which is said to be the first of its kind in China and the largest in Asia. Photo: Weibo

Alice Leal Guo, the fugitive mayor of Bamban. Her case appears to be just the tip of the iceberg. Photo: Facebook/AliceLealGuo

A Japanese man who lived on simple food for years in order to save for an early retirement has been given a nasty shock. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/X.com

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From a Chinese ship destroying Baltic gas pipeline ‘by accident’ to Eileen Gu’s link to ‘arrogant’ French athlete, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting


From a Chinese ship destroying Baltic gas pipeline ‘by accident’ to Eileen Gu’s link to ‘arrogant’ French athlete, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.


Chinese ship destroyed Baltic pipeline, Eileen Gu’s link to French athlete: 7 highlights

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}From a Chinese ship destroying Baltic gas pipeline ‘by accident’ to Eileen Gu’s link to ‘arrogant’ French athlete, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

1. Beijing admits Chinese ship destroyed key Baltic gas pipeline ‘by accident’

2. Are Chinese nationals really ‘flocking’ to Malaysia over new visa scheme?

From a Chinese ship destroying Baltic gas pipeline ‘by accident’ to Eileen Gu’s link to ‘arrogant’ French athlete, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting