China, Russia clash with US at UN, scientists on ‘benefits of lard’: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing accusing Washington of violating international law to a study on animal fats, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage

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Sun Lei, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, speaks during a Security Council briefing on threats to international peace and security in New York on Tuesday. Venezuela requested a Security Council meeting, citing escalating tensions resulting from “US aggression” against the country. Photo: EPA

Published: 9:15pm, 24 Dec 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. China, Russia clash with US at UN over Venezuela oil seizures and naval pressure

China accused the United States at the United Nations of violating international law and destabilising the Caribbean region, as Washington defended its seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers and vowed to intensify pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government.

2. Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

3. China needs ‘original’ knowledge system on border history to counter West, scholar says

Hostile forces in the West in particular are trying to “use borderland issues to contain China”, deputy director of CASS’ Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies has warned. Photo: Shutterstock

China should establish an “original” knowledge system regarding the history of its border regions to mitigate security risks from “hostile forces in the West”, according to a senior scholar at a prominent state-run think tank.

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