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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. Concerns mount in China’s space sector that Musk’s Starship will be a failure
There are growing doubts within China’s space sector that Starship, the world’s most powerful rocket being developed by SpaceX in the United States, will ever overcome its engineering and financial challenges and deliver for founder and CEO Elon Musk.
2. Chip prodigy Da Bo returns to China after his role in TSMC’s 3nm plant in Japan
A Chinese chip pioneer who made his name in Japan – sweeping its top awards and developing the core components of the world’s most advanced production line – has returned to China, along with his team of researchers.
3. Actress Lin Chi-ling quits Taiwan culture board amid backlash

Chinese authorities praised the decision of Taiwanese actress and model Lin Chi-ling to quit her position as a new board member of the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), after her appointment drew backlash.
4. What India’s ‘unsinkable aircraft carrier’ near Malacca means for its China ties
The global energy crisis stemming from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has added complexity to already competitive China-India maritime relations.
5. Hong Kong principal who swore at Singapore security guards resigns, apologises

A Hong Kong secondary school principal filmed swearing at security guards during a student trip to Singapore has resigned and apologised for his failure to “lead by example”.
6. Malaysia’s ruling coalition faces test over Selangor non-Muslim worship rules
A dispute over where churches and temples can operate in Malaysia’s richest state has become an awkward political test for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling coalition, which came to power promising to protect the country’s multiracial and multi-faith society.
7. China mum makes son pedal sewing machine during homework for focus, sparks debate

A mother in central China has captivated mainland social media with an unconventional homework hack that has her restless son pedalling an old sewing machine while studying.


China doubts Musk’s Starship future; ex-TSMC chip prodigy returns: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Consort Wan’s dark story, the good and bad with GLP-1s: 7 Lifestyle highlights

Xpeng’s driverless cabs; Tesla launches FSD in China; Nio slams price wars: 7 EV reads

Singha beer dynasty scandal, Malaysia’s sunken missile deal: 7 Asia highlights

SCMP Highlights

The Starship and Super Heavy Booster create sound waves on lift-off for the 12th test flight from the SpaceX launch complex in Texas on Friday, May 22. Photo: Reuters


Actress and model Lin Chi-ling at a jewellery promotion event in 2023 in Taipei. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

Lee Cheuk-hing had been on school trip to Singapore when the incident occurred. Photo: Handout

A mother in China has improved her son’s focus while he is doing homework by having him peddle a sewing machine as he works. Photo: Weibo

India’s US$9 billion island megaport sharpens China’s ‘Malacca dilemma’

A coastline at Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar Island. India is planning a US$9 billion megaport, airport and city on the remote island. Photo: AFP

Workers building a road as part of India’s Great Nicobar Island project. Photo: AFP

Two liquefied natural gas tankers sail in the Malacca Strait, Malaysia, in April. Photo: EPA

Ships docked near Campbell Bay at Great Nicobar Island. Photo: AFP

A dense tree cover at the Campbell Bay National Park in Great Nicobar Island. Critics warn of the potential ecological damage caused by India’s planned US$9 billion megaport, airport and city on the island. Photo: AFP

Chinese tourists at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Visitors from China are the biggest contributor to Thailand’s tourism sector. Photo: AFP

An artist’s impression of the Naval Strike Missiles in flight. Malaysia had already paid 95 per cent of the procurement contract value for the missiles. Photo: Kongsberg


A US Navy drone parks beside a Philippine C130 plane at the airport of Zamboanga, southern Philippines last year. Photo: AP

The Singha and Leo brands of the Bhirombhakdi family’s Boon Rawd Brewery account for roughly two-thirds of Thailand’s beer market. Photo: Shutterstock

Tourists visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Thailand has announced the removal of the 60-day visa-free entry for tourists. Photo: Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Images

Leaders Xi, Putin meet over tea; rare earth find in northeast China: SCMP’s 7 highlights

A rare earth mine at Bayan Obo, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region of China, seen in 2011. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin shake hands during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing on May 20. Photo: EPA

Fang Daining died of an illness on February 27, according to an obituary posted on the CAS website. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, pictured in a rare recent photo, will subsidise liver cancer surgery for 200 patients through his foundation’s Love Can Help scheme. Photo: Li Ka Shing Foundation

A famous French bulldog in China known for collecting plastic bottles is facing threats from animal abusers. Photo: Douyin

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From Taiwan actress facing backlash to Hong Kong principal resigning over school trip row, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting


From Taiwan actress facing backlash to Hong Kong principal resigning over school trip row, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.


China doubts Musk’s Starship future; ex-TSMC chip prodigy returns: SCMP’s 7 highlights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From Taiwan actress facing backlash to Hong Kong principal resigning over school trip row, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

1. Concerns mount in China’s space sector that Musk’s Starship will be a failure

From Taiwan actress facing backlash to Hong Kong principal resigning over school trip row, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting