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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. South Korea lifts president’s martial law decree after lawmakers vote against it
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s government lifted the martial law he imposed during a tense night of political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Yoon said his government withdrew military personnel following a bipartisan parliamentary vote that rejected martial law, and the measure was formally lifted during a cabinet meeting.
2. Help from Asean nations to counter China is unlikely: ex-Philippine Navy officer

Manila should strengthen coordination with Southeast Asian nations on its policy towards China, a retired Philippine naval officer said on Monday, as engagement with Washington alone risks potential stronger resistance by Beijing over the contested South China Sea.
3. Hiker dies in Hong Kong hours after being attacked by stinging insects
A 63-year-old hiker has died in Hong Kong hours after he and three others were attacked by stinging insects in the Tai Po countryside. The four hikers – two men and two women – were exploring Pat Sin Leng along the Wilson Trail at about 4pm when they were attacked by the flying insects.
4. Chiung Yao, Taiwanese romance novelist, dies aged 86

Taiwanese romance novelist Chiung Yao has died at the age of 86. She committed suicide in her home in Tamsui, New Taipei City, on December 4, Taiwanese media reported.
5. US blasts China’s export ban on key minerals, vows ‘necessary steps’
Washington condemned Beijing’s new export restrictions on key dual-use materials – gallium, germanium and graphite – which are vital for military and civilian technologies, and pledged to take “necessary steps” to prevent further “coercive” measures.
6. Scottish DJ says she was sexually harassed at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap

A Scottish DJ has said she was sexually harassed by audience members during her performance at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap music festival, accusing security staff of failing to intervene despite complaints. Simone Murphy, better known as Sim0ne, said a group of men at the front of the crowd were making obscene hand gestures throughout her set.
7. Chinese tourists leave Japan guest house in disarray, sparking price hike proposal

Public outrage erupted in both Japan and China after a group of mainland Chinese tourists was found to have transformed an Osaka guest house into a “junkyard” following a three-day stay.


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US, Iran sign peace deal; China’s C919 jets grounded for safety checks: SCMP’s 7 highlights

SCMP Highlights

South Korea’s martial law, US blasts China’s export ban on key minerals: 7 highlights

Photos shared by the blogger depict a dishevelled scene, with empty food packages and various debris strewn across the three-bedroom homestay. Photo: SCMP composite/X.com

People watch as South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declares martial law during a televised briefing in Seoul on December 3, 2024. Photo: AP

A Chinese military vessel fires a water cannon at a Philippine resupply boat on its way to the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea in March. Photo: Reuters

Taiwanese romance novelist Chiung Yao, who has died at the age of 86. Photo: Weibo/@会火

Edinburgh-born Simone Murphy was named as one of “dance’s future stars” for 2024 by BBC Radio 1. Photo: Instagram/sim0ne

China boosts fighter jet afterburner, tycoon offloads luxury flats: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Former Chinese gymnast Wu Liufang saw her Douyin follower count explode after posting a series of photos on the Chinese social media site. Photo: Douyin/ Wu Liufang

A Chinese development can improve the afterburner efficiency in fighter jets to 99 per cent. Photo: CCTV

Taiwan’s military is training 100 reservists in urban warfare at National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taipei this week. Photo: Handout

The nursing crunch is not unique to Malaysia as there has been a global shortage of such workers. Photo: AP

The chairman of Agile Group Holdings has sold all nine units he owned in Hamburg Villa this month. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Japan’s street prostitution, high-flying Malaysian student: 7 Asia highlights

A man approaches a woman near Okubo Park in Tokyo’s Kabukicho district, presumably to solicit sexual services. Photo: Eric Fior

Advertisements for a host club in Kabukicho, Tokyo. Photo: EPA-EFE

Ahmad Khidir Ahmad Nazri received five top awards for academic excellence from his school. Photo: Facebook/hengeehighschool.penang

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr shakes hands with US President Joe Biden at the White House. Photo: AP

The surge in data centre business in Johor has also driven up property transactions in the Malaysian state. Photo: EPA-EFE

The percentage of married women aged 15 to 49 without children rose from 7 per cent in 2019 to 8.2 per cent in 2022. Photo: Shutterstock

Undocumented Chinese nationals seen inside a dredger vessel off Bataan. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

A Ukrainian soldier drives a tank during military drills at a training ground in Chernihiv region, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

China unveils rock-catching spacecraft, ‘Jay Chou of fitness world’: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Jordan Yeoh is one of the featured experts at the 2024 Hong Kong Fitness and Wellness Expo. Photo: Jordan Yeoh

As China gets closer to launch date for its Tianwen-3 Mars mission, scientists have designed a device to safely capture rock samples for the all-important return back to Earth. Photo: Shutterstock


Beijing says there are “strict controls” on the export of Chinese military drones. Photo: Kyodo

The number of Chinese studying in the US has steadily declined since the 2019-20 academic year. Photo: AP

Guests attend the opening ceremony of a new Chagee outlet in Kuching, Malaysia. Photo: Facebook/my.chagee

China reels from deadly Zhuhai car attack, Trump’s Taiwan demands: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Photo: Shutterstock

A man lights a candle near flowers placed outside the “Zhuhai People’s Fitness Plaza” where a man deliberately rammed his car into people exercising at the sports center, killing some and injuring others in southern China’s Guangdong province on November 12, 2024. Photo: AP

The court earlier heard that Patrik Tobias Ekstrom came home drunk on the day of the attack and sexually assaulted the victim. Photo: Elson Li

Former US president Donald Trump speaks at an agricultural policy event in Smithton, Pennsylvania, on September 23. Photo: Reuters

A young Japanese couple at a garden in Tokyo. Photo: Shutterstock

Hollywood star Pike has gained respect and support from Chinese people around the world. Photo: Instagram/chinesebridge2002

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World

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East Asia

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Military

From political turmoil in South Korea to Chinese tourists leaving a mess in Japan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting


From political turmoil in South Korea to Chinese tourists leaving a mess in Japan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.


South Korea martial law 2024

South Korea’s martial law, US blasts China’s export ban on key minerals: 7 highlights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From political turmoil in South Korea to Chinese tourists leaving a mess in Japan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

1. South Korea lifts president’s martial law decree after lawmakers vote against it

From political turmoil in South Korea to Chinese tourists leaving a mess in Japan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting