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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. ‘Big impact’: Russian goods seizures cause havoc on China-Europe rail link
Last week, China’s leaders made promises to support the China-Europe Railway Express – an overland freight link that has become a symbol of Beijing’s ambitious drive to recreate the ancient Silk Road. But the reality is that traffic along the intercontinental rail link has been declining for months.
2. Princeton nuclear physicist, fusion energy expert Liu Chang leaves US for China

After more than a decade in the United States, nuclear physicist Liu Chang, whose research has been crucial in the journey to achieve fusion energy, has left Princeton University for a position at Peking University in Beijing.
3. China’s No 3 returns to public spotlight after missing end of ‘two sessions’
China’s third most senior official, Zhao Leji, has reappeared in public after missing the end of the country’s main political event due to ill health. It was the first time in decades that the NPC closing meeting was not attended by all members of the Politburo Standing Committee.
4. Why Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt is an unlikely online star in China

Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary in history, has emerged as an online celebrity in China over the past month after video clips of the 27-year-old confronting US journalists spread on social media.
5. ‘Frustration’ or arrogance? Cantonese line in Singapore parliament sparks debate
A colourful, Cantonese rebuke of an opposition member by a Singapore minister in parliament has sparked debate on the rare use of dialects in public discourse in the city state, with critics also seizing on the remarks to paint authorities as high-handed.
6. What can Hong Kong do as Singapore secures Lady Gaga for latest superstar gigs?

The economic benefits of hosting shows by US pop star Lady Gaga would have to be weighed against the requirements for securing an exclusive Asian stop, observers in Hong Kong said on Monday after rival Singapore signed up the singer for four dates in May following Taylor Swift’s concerts last year.
7. Top Chinese materials scientist died from ‘insane’ workload, open letter claims
The family of a leading Chinese materials scientist appears to have called for more attention to the health of the research community after the death of their relative aged 47 from what they say was an “insane” workload.


China’s aircon scarce in Europe, Wu Chun’s luggage ordeal: 5 weekend reads you missed

Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa fee hike to affect Chinese: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Dad loses weight for daughter; Dear You’s box office success: 7 Lifestyle highlights

Hidden cost of China’s electric car boom, record-breaking week for sales: 7 EV reads

SCMP Highlights

China-Europe rail link woes, Trump’s unlikely online star: SCMP’s 7 highlights

The China-Europe Railway Express has been disrupted by a series of Russian goods seizures in recent months, causing many companies to lose confidence in the service. Photo: Xinhua

Nuclear physicist Liu Chang, who is conducting research that is considered crucial to achieving viable nuclear fusion energy, has left Princeton University for a position at Peking University in Beijing. Photo: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)

At 27 years old, Karoline Leavitt is the youngest White House press secretary in history. Photo: Reuters

Lady Gaga will perform at Singapore’s National Stadium on May 18, 19, 21 and 24. Photo: AP

Chinese influencer dies, ‘love nest’ scam, DeepSeek founder’s hometown: 5 trending stories

A 24-year-old influencer in China has died after revealing during a live-stream that she had not eaten for two days and was unable to pay her rent. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

A woman in China has given birth to a baby boy just 24 hours after she found out she was 34 weeks pregnant. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin

A scamming woman in China has tricked dozens of men into spending US$140,000 on a “love nest” only to disappear as soon as the deal is done. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

The China hometown of the founder of DeepSeek has become a tourist haven after he shot to international fame. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Wikipedia/Weibo/Douyin/163.com

A Chinese man who was pricked by a left-behind needle on a flight suffers depression and seeks compensation from the airline as a result. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu

China’s innovation blitz, kung fu bot goes open source: 7 science highlights

America’s F-22 jets are known to suffer coating cracks, but China is now using ancient weaving techniques to create a more advance type of coating to solve the problem. Photo: AFP

A Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor flies during a flight demonstration in Seongnam, South Korea on October 18, 2023. Photo: AFP

Chinese mathematician Wang Hong is an associate professor at the New York University Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Photo: Handout

Unitree’s humanoid robots’ abilities are advancing in literal leaps and bounds after the company made its G1 robot open source. Photo: AFP

Nuclear physicist Liu Chang, who is conducting research that is considered crucial to achieving viable nuclear fusion energy, has left Princeton University for a position at Peking University in Beijing. Photo: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

The Hunnic empire reached its zenith under Attila, “the scourge of god”. Photo: Shutterstock

The sun rises near the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Beijing and Washington this week signaled vastly different priorities over their spending on science. Photo: Kyodo

A survey has revealed there could be enough thorium at the Bayan Obo mine to power China for 60,000 years. Photo: Reuters

Chinese maths star solves geometry problem, Hong Kong actor bankrupt: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Premier Li Qiang speaks during the opening session of the NPC in Beijing. Photo: AFP

A former Sritex textile factory worker weeps as she listens to a farewell speech on Friday in Sukoharjo, Central Java. Photo: AFP

Chinese travellers are increasingly skipping traditional Western destinations in favour of the Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia, currency data suggests. Photo: Getty Images

Actor Vinci Wong has been declared bankrupt. Photo: Handout

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From falling traffic on China-Europe rail link to a Princeton nuclear physicist’s big move, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting


From falling traffic on China-Europe rail link to a Princeton nuclear physicist’s big move, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.


China-Europe rail link woes, Trump’s unlikely online star: 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 falling traffic on China-Europe rail link to a Princeton nuclear physicist’s big move, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

1. ‘Big impact’: Russian goods seizures cause havoc on China-Europe rail link

From falling traffic on China-Europe rail link to a Princeton nuclear physicist’s big move, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting