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SCMP

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. Tokyo spells out part position on Taiwan in bid to ease tension with Beijing
The Japanese government has spelled out its position on Taiwan – although only in part – based on the 1972 document that normalised diplomatic ties to ease tensions, but insists the Taiwan issue should be resolved “peacefully through dialogue”.
2. Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans
Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his “dark forest” theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.
3. China’s growth engines sputter as retail and investment hit in November

China faces mounting pressure to ramp up stimulus as new data shows its growth engines sputtering, with retail sales growth slowing for six straight months and investment showing renewed signs of strain in November despite recent policy support.
4. China’s currency comeback: yuan seen breaking key dollar level in 2026
China’s currency appears poised to break through the psychological 7.0-per-dollar barrier next year, fuelled by US Federal Reserve rate cuts and thawing trade tensions, with some bulls betting that the yuan could strengthen to 6.8.
5. China sanctions Japanese ex-military chief for ‘colluding with separatists’

Beijing has imposed sanctions on Shigeru Iwasaki, former chief of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defence Forces, saying he had “colluded with separatist forces” in Taiwan, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday.
6. Beyond bipolar: why China-US rivalry defies the Cold War model
The world has not slid into a simple US–China bipolar order but has become “two superpowers and many strong powers”, veteran Peking University scholar Wang Jisi has warned, pointing to a relationship plagued by structural confrontation, deep misunderstandings and rising risks of conflict.
7. Sperm quality decline: can an easy-to-use balm from China solve the crisis?

In China, which is mirroring global trends, the decline in sperm quality has become a concerning public health issue due to factors that include unhealthy lifestyle, environmental pollution and work-related stress.


Exhibition on gardens of China, Europe; art director’s top spots: 7 Lifestyle highlights

China builds world’s first ‘coal battery’, war on Alzheimer’s: 7 science highlights

UAE’s Opec exit, why Japan shared Mogami warship design with India: 7 Asia highlights

Cheaper durians for China, Hong Kong helpers camp in tents: 5 weekend reads you missed

SCMP Highlights

Tokyo’s latest bid to ease tensions with Beijing, Liu Cixin on AI: SCMP daily highlights

The Japanese government has spelled out its position on Taiwan – although only in part. Photo: Reuters

On Monday, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi repeated Tokyo’s position on Taiwan – although only in part –  based on the 1972 document that normalised diplomatic ties with Beijing. Photo: AFP

China’s retail sales, a key gauge of consumer spending, grew by only 1.3 per cent in November, year on year, falling well short of consensus expectations. Photo: Getty Images

Shigeru Iwasaki is the former chief of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defence Forces. Photo: Defence Imagery Management Operations Centre

Data from a major sperm bank in Hunan province shows the pass rate for donor sperm was 45.9 per cent in 2006, but had since fallen to around 20 per cent. Photo: Getty Images

China’s scandal-hit Shaolin Temple urged to draw clear line between business and religion

Former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin has been accused of misappropriation and embezzlement of funds and violating celibacy vows, among over misdeeds. Photo: Getty Images

Shi Yinle (centre), Shaolin Temple’s new abbot, previously served at White Horse Temple, another famous Buddhist site in Henan. Photo: Baidu

Why Nvidia’s H200 is unlikely to derail chip ambitions of China’s Huawei, Moore Threads

Nvidia’s H200 artificial intelligence processors will give China a much-needed boost in computing power. Photo: Shutterstock

The H200 is the latest generation of Nvidia’s Hopper-series chips. Photo: Handout

News

China

From Tokyo spelling out in part its position on Taiwan to acclaimed author Liu Cixin discussing AI, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage


From Tokyo spelling out in part its position on Taiwan to acclaimed author Liu Cixin discussing AI, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.


Japan

United States

Taiwan

Tokyo’s latest bid to ease tensions with Beijing, Liu Cixin on AI: SCMP daily highlights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From Tokyo spelling out in part its position on Taiwan to acclaimed author Liu Cixin discussing AI, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage

1. Tokyo spells out part position on Taiwan in bid to ease tension with Beijing

From Tokyo spelling out in part its position on Taiwan to acclaimed author Liu Cixin discussing AI, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage