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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. Apparently impatient Trump slaps 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea
US President Donald Trump, apparently impatient with the slow progress of negotiations, slapped 25 per cent unilateral tariffs on Japan and South Korea and equal or higher import taxes on several other nations ahead of a self-imposed Wednesday deadline.
2. Hong Kong ‘bomb’ turns out to be cannon barrel that could date to 19th century

A British-made cannon barrel discovered in Tsim Sha Tsui could date to the 19th century and is the city’s first such archaeological find in nearly two decades. The barrel, which prompted the force to temporarily cordon off busy Granville Road and call in explosive disposal experts, was discovered on Mody Road near the west area of Urban Council Centenary Garden in East Tsim Sha Tsui.
3. China’s visa-free policy pays dividends as overseas entries soar in 2025
China’s expansion of visa-free entry to nationals from dozens of countries appears to have yielded substantial results, with tourists arriving in droves from overseas and providing a much-needed boost to the country’s consumption in the first half of the year.
4. China tried to cut lavish spending. Now some officials fear ordering coffee

Millions of Chinese state-sector workers have been impacted by a government austerity drive that has sent shock waves across the country in recent weeks, hitting businesses hard and sparking concern in the corridors of Beijing.
5. Malaysian police hunt Hindu priest accused of molesting beauty queen

Malaysian police have launched a manhunt for a Hindu priest accused of molesting a beauty queen under the pretence of giving her a blessing at a temple. The incident occurred at Mariamman Temple in Sepang, a short distance from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
6. Hong Kong’s Metropol Restaurant to close in September as HKUST buys the space
A restaurant known for serving dim sum from traditional trolleys will close at the end of September after the venue was acquired by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) for HK$354.4 million (US$45 million).
7. Top Chinese oncologist and director of Jilin Cancer Hospital, Cheng Ying, dies

A top Chinese oncologist and physician-scientist, Cheng Ying, has died suddenly aged 62, according to multiple sources. There has been no official statement about the doctor’s death, and the cause of death is not known.


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Trump’s China trip assessed, South Korea’s AI problem: 5 weekend reads you missed

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China hosts Trump at Temple of Heaven; Hong Kong sushi parasite video: SCMP’s 7 highlights

SCMP Highlights

Trump’s new tariffs, Hong Kong bomb scare over British cannon barrel: SCMP’s 7 highlights

An expanded visa-free entry policy has provided a much-needed boost to China’s overseas tourism. Photo: Xinhua

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shows a letter on tariffs from US President Donald Trump to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, during a press briefing at the White House on Monday. Photo: Reuters

A cannon barrel has been found at a construction site on Mody Road. Photo: Handout

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Malaysian beauty queen, actor and television host Lishalliny Kanaran alleges she was assaulted by a Hindu priest at a temple near Kuala Lumpur International Airport on July 5. Photo: Instagram/lishallinykanaran

In her career oncologist and Jilin Cancer Hospital diector Cheng Ying received the Chinese Physician Award and named Outstanding Hospital President. Photo: Handout

Chinese reaction to US-Vietnam trade deal, Philippines’ tourism woes: SCMP’s 7 highlights

The logo of Airbus is pictured outside the Airbus facility in Saint-Nazaire, France, November 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A worker stitches clothes at a garment factory in Vietnam. Vietnam has agreed a trade deal with the United States, which will lower US tariffs on the country’s goods to 20 per cent. Photo: AFP

Chinese troops march during a military parade in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 2019 to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan will not be the focus of this year’s parade, but the display is intended to send messages. Photo: AFP

People swim at White Beach on Boracay island, Philippines. Boracay was named the world’s leading luxury island destination at the 2024 World Travel Awards. Photo: Getty Images

As the population ages and people live for longer, age-related hearing loss is expected to become more prevalent, particularly in men. Photo: AFP

A failed pilot evaluation at China Southern Airlines appears to have ignited a work dispute the ended with a pilot attacking colleagues before jumping to his death, according to police. Photo: AFP

US-China rare earth agreement, Xi set to miss Brics summit: SCMP’s 7 highlights

A handout photo from the Swiss Foreign Ministry shows US and Chinese flags before a bilateral meeting on trade relations, in Geneva, on May 10. Photo: AFP


People celebrate the ceasefire between Iran and Israel at Enghelab Square in Tehran, Iran, on June 24. The ceasefire was declared on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

Vietnamese tycoon Truong My Lan was convicted last year of plundering US$12.5 billion from the Saigon Commercial Bank. Photo: EPA-EFE

The integrated Meteor-1 system features fully self-developed architecture. Photo: Handout

Keung To is among the 12 members of Mirror, which rose to fame in 2018 after the group was assembled from contestants on the ViuTV reality talent show. Photo: Facebook/Keung To

China’s 6G-powered warfare system, Xi urges ceasefire in Middle East: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Newly developed system can deliver significant advantages against modern military radars, according to researchers involved in the project. Photo: Shutterstock

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Photo: Shutterstock

A vet developed symptoms of the tick-borne SFTS virus after treating a cat at his practice in Japan’s Mie prefecture in May. Photo: Shutterstock

Photo shows US dollar and Chinese yuan banknotes in Fuyang city, East China’s Anhui province. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

A woman emerges from a drainage hole in Makati City in the Philippines. Photo: William Roberts

China’s non-binary AI chip breakthrough, DJI unveils robotic cleaner: SCMP’s 7 highlights

The latest image of a Chinese J-36 fighter started circulating on social media on Saturday. It is also the first to show the aircraft on the ground, reportedly on a Chengdu Aircraft Corporation tarmac. Photo: X/@WZZJWZ

The breakthrough overcomes fundamental barriers in traditional computing by merging binary and probability-based logic while sidestepping US chip restrictions. Photo: Shutterstock

Egypt’s new capital city, known as the New Administrative Capital or New Cairo, is being built by a Chinese construction giant. Photo: Shutterstock

Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, who unified the various warring states into a single empire. Photo: Wikipedia

Chinese student’s Harvard speech, Hokkaido tremors spark quake worry: SCMP’s 7 highlights

The Customs and Excise Department confirmed it has received complaints and is investigating the abrupt closure of the club. Photo: 1880 Hong Kong

A speech by Yurong “Luanna” Jiang, the first Chinese woman chosen as Harvard University’s student commencement speaker, has raised questions about a lack of access to elite schools for many ordinary students. Photo: AP

Beijing has carried out at least three rounds of large-scale military drills near Taiwan since May 2024, and PLA warplanes continue to fly near the island on a daily basis. Photo: Weibo/PLA Eastern Theatre Command

A damaged port in Anamizu, Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture, after a strong earthquake on January 1 last year. Photo: Kyodo

DF-5 missiles pictured during a parade in Beijing in 1984. Photo: Handout

Growing numbers of men in Japan are adopting strict lifestyle routines in a bid to stay forever young. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com

News

World

From China’s visa-free policy paying dividends to the death of a top oncologist, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting


From China’s visa-free policy paying dividends to the death of a top oncologist, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.


Trump’s new tariffs, Hong Kong bomb scare over British cannon barrel: 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 China’s visa-free policy paying dividends to the death of a top oncologist, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

1. Apparently impatient Trump slaps 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea

From China’s visa-free policy paying dividends to the death of a top oncologist, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting