Pentagon nominee hints at Aukus changes; kidney transplant first: SCMP daily highlights

From US pick for Indo-Pacific security role saying Taiwan should ‘pay its way’ to an Everest rescue, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage

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A Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the type Australia is set to acquire from the early 2030s under Aukus. Photo: US Navy

Published: 9:15pm, 8 Oct 2025

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. Pentagon nominee hints at Aukus changes, says Taiwan should ‘pay its way’

The Aukus defence technology-sharing pact between the US, Britain and Australia could be made more “sustainable”, according to the Donald Trump administration’s pick as its next assistant defence secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.

2. China’s central bank aids gold’s record-setting run with 11-month buying streak

Even after a record-setting run, the price of gold appears poised for further gains, as China’s central bank extended its buying streak to an 11th straight month and demand for the safe-haven asset continues to grow amid an ongoing US government shutdown.

3. China braces for record travel peak on final day of ‘golden week’

Passengers exit Harbin Railway Station on Tuesday. Authorities said the total number of trips during China’s eight-day holiday was expected to reach a record high of more than 2.4 billion. Photo: Xinhua

China’s transport system braced for a massive travel surge on Wednesday as millions of people returned to work at the end of the annual “super golden week” holiday, one of the busiest times of the year.

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