China’s stratospheric airship, Japan’s competitive eater: SCMP’s 7 highlights

From identifying stealth aircraft to pro-Duterte influencers going dark online, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

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Chinese researchers say they can detect the US-made F-35 fighter jet from more than 1,800km away via its engine exhaust plume. Photo: US Air Force

Published: 12:00pm, 14 Feb 2025

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. China’s ‘top puppet’ Elon Musk poses US national security risks: House Democrats

US House Democrats on Tuesday used a hearing on Chinese port investments in Latin America to blast billionaire Elon Musk and warn of potential national security risks from Republican plans to shut down the US Agency for International Development.

2. China’s stratospheric airship can detect F-35 fighter from nearly 2,000km: study

A stratospheric airship equipped with advanced infrared detection systems could identify stealth aircraft – such as the US-made F-35 fighter jet – from nearly 2,000km (1,240 miles), according to Chinese scientists.

3. Can China’s bet on home-grown jumbo jets challenge the Airbus-Boeing duopoly?

China has long held ambitions of turning global aviation into an “ABC” market: breaking the duopoly of Airbus and Boeing with the entry of world-class Chinese jets.

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