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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. Once thought inevitable, China overtaking US in GDP now far from certain
A few years ago, many confidently predicted China would overtake the US in GDP terms – but a recent downturn suggests these prophecies were premature.
2. ‘Unacceptable and upsetting’: South Korea laments lost edge to China in key tech
China’s advancements in 136 key technologies outpaced those of South Korea for the first time in 2022, according to a recent report by the latter’s Ministry of Science and ICT.
3. Hongkonger involved in scandal-hit party gets 160 hours of community service

A magistrate has handed down a sentence of 160 hours of community service to a Hong Kong marketing executive who misled health officials over an infamous birthday party in 2022 that had top officials in attendance.
4. Malaysians mock Starbucks franchisee’s calls to end boycott over Israel-Gaza war

Malaysian social media has been awash with wry humour and defiance after consumer-goods mogul Vincent Tan appealed for an end to a costly boycott of Starbucks in the country over its alleged links to Israel.
5. Beijing ‘considering’ raising Hong Kong’s duty-free allowance for mainlanders
Beijing is “actively considering” raising Hong Kong’s duty-free shopping allowance for mainland Chinese tourists, as proposed by a majority of the city’s representatives attending the country’s largest annual political gathering in the capital, the Post has learned.
6. Kyoto to ban visitors from geisha district area over ‘out-of-control’ incidents

The local council in Kyoto’s historic Gion will ban sightseers from the district’s narrow backstreets where the Japanese city’s iconic geisha trot daintily between client engagements after a spike in cases of the traditional entertainers being accosted by “out-of-control” tourists.
7. What’s the dining etiquette for different Asian cuisines? This expert knows

Besides being well versed in British, European and American dining, etiquette consultant Piano Mok also has a wealth of knowledge about Asian cuisines.


Xi on North Korean military ties; US blacklists Chinese tech firms: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Tokyo Sézanne’s missing stars; Hongkonger shed 32kg in 8 months: 7 Lifestyle highlights

Chinese carmakers race Tesla on humanoid robots; BYD launches ‘God’s Eye’: 7 EV reads

Philippines’ deadly quake, India’s rise in critical minerals: 7 Asia highlights

SCMP Highlights

China’s GDP gap with US, Malaysians mock Starbucks franchisee, Japan’s geisha visitors ban: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

China’s rise, exemplified by the size of its GDP, was thought to be inevitable. But questions have arisen over whether it will close a gap with the United States that is now widening. Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Celia Wong (second left) and Witman Hung (centre) during the latter’s 53rd birthday party at Reserva Iberica Tapas Bar and Cafe in Wan Chai. Photo: Handout

Vincent Tan pictured in 2013. The now 72-year-old is Malaysia’s 28th richest person, according to Forbes. Photo: AFP

Japanese geisha visit Minamiza Theatre in Kyoto to watch a kabuki performance. Photo: Kyodo

Piano Mok explains how Korean table settings feature chopsticks and an elongated spoon, which is used to eat rice and stew. Photo: Piano Mok

Malaysia seeks to revive MH370 plane search, the Nepalis paid to fight for Russia: 6 weekend reads you may have missed

A person looks at the names of passengers and crew on doomed flight MH370, during a memorial in Malaysia on March 3. Photo: Hadi Azmi

Singapore couple Corinne Chow and Ryan Tan posted a video on TikTok showing their viewers what a day in their life as a DINK couple looks like. Photo: Handout

Khim Bahadur Thapa in a Russian army uniform at an unidentified location. Photo: Khim Bahadur Thapa

A version of the Disney-designed logo which adorned the planes of the Flying Tigers, volunteer American and British fighter pilots who took to the skies to protect Free China from the Japanese during World War II. Photo: EJ Hersom/US Department of Defense

Crowds galore on a Saturday at Tai Po Hui Cooked Food Centre, Tai Po, on January 13, 2024. Photo: Sam Evans

An imperial throne in the Wang Shu Room, at the Humboldt Forum, in Berlin, Germany. Photo: David von Becker

Hong Kong property curbs scrapped, Taylor Swift deal questioned, China’s durian king: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

View of residential buildings at the Mid-Levels. Photo: May Tse

Singer Taylor Swift performs on stage during a concert as part of her Eras World Tour in Sydney, on February 23. Photo: TNS

China’s appetite for the spiky, pungent durian fruit is only set to grow as the global market expands. Photo: Xinhua

The transformation of 57-year-old actor Tang Jianjun was such that his wife did not recognise him. Photo: Xiaohongshu

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China

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Hong Kong

From a Hongkonger involved in a scandal-hit party getting 160 hours of community service to South Korea lamenting its loss to China in key tech, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting


From a Hongkonger involved in a scandal-hit party getting 160 hours of community service to South Korea lamenting its loss to China in key tech, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.
