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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. Ethnic Chinese top scorer rejected by Malaysian universities reignites quota debate
Malaysia’s university admissions system is facing scrutiny after an ethnic Chinese student with a “near-perfect” academic record was denied entry into six accounting courses.
2. Pete Hegseth signalled ‘significant shift’ in US China policy, says ex-Pentagon official
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s comments that Washington is not seeking conflict with China marks a “significant shift” in policy.
3. Trump extends TikTok deadline again ahead of talk with China’s Xi Jinping
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended the deadline for TikTok’s US shutdown for the fourth time in his second term ahead of a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping
4. Singaporean’s HK$30,400 herb bill sparks warning over Hong Kong pharmacy malpractices

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog recorded 548 complaints against pharmacies over malpractice in the first eight months of this year, including a Singaporean woman who was charged 100 times the normal price for the herbs she bought.
5. In South Korea, Trump’s US$350 billion demand threatens financial meltdown
In Seoul, alarm bells are ringing. Washington is demanding an eye-watering US$350 billion in direct investment, a sum so vast that economists warn it could tip South Korea into a crisis unseen in its modern history.
6. Tech war: Huawei trumpets AI computing breakthrough for China ahead of Xi-Trump call
Huawei Technologies unveiled hardware that it said could deliver world-class computing power without using Nvidia’s advanced chips, in a breakthrough that could potentially free the supply chokehold that constrains China’s aspirations in artificial intelligence.
7. Malaysian MPs targeted by deepfake sex video blackmail demanding US$100,000 payments

Authorities in Malaysia are hunting the suspect behind a blackmail attempt on at least 10 lawmakers who received emails demanding payments to avoid the release of deepfake sex videos using their likenesses.


Philippine pageant debate, Chinese stealth jets in Pakistan: 7 Asia highlights

Xi’s leverage ahead of Trump meet, Hong Kong schools: 5 weekend reads you missed

Shanghai’s changing expats, Hong Kong trail sign fallout: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Exhibition on gardens of China, Europe; art director’s top spots: 7 Lifestyle highlights

SCMP Highlights

Trump extends TikTok deadline, Huawei hails AI computing breakthrough: SCMP’s 7 highlights

A screenshot of one of the deepfake videos used to try and blackmail MPs shared in a social media post by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. Photo: X/Fashmi_Fadzil

The Huawei booth during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, July 26, 2025. Photo: Reuters


Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has recorded 548 complaints against pharmacies over malpractice in the first eight months of this year. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

China’s C909 jet, Apple iPhone Air, Hong Kong’s global talent ranking: SCMP’s 7 highlights

The Hong Kong International School’s Repulse Bay campus is owned by the church. Photo: May Tse

C909 passenger aircraft and C919 passenger aircraft taxi ahead of the Airshow China on November 9, 2024, in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

Mathematician Zhongwei Shen says he hopes to keep pushing forward the problems that have defined his career, and also return to classroom. Photo: Handout

Apple CEO Tim Cook holds an iPhone Air, as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino, California, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Protesters hold placards, including a picture of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, during a rally to condemn corruption in flood control projects outside the Department of Public Works and Highways in Manila on Thursday. Photo: AP

A Chinese woman was surprised to discover that the owner of a diner she went to was her first love from 16 years ago. They quickly decided to get engaged. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Chinese mother dies, leaves 2 daughters born in US via IVF with mainland passport issues

Following the death of a Shanghai woman last year, her two US-born daughters faced mainland passport issues due to expired documents. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Baidu

The girls’ grandfather, who is 81 years old, went to court to seek guardianship of the pair. Photo: Sina

The court heard that the mother was suspected of having given birth to the girls via in vitro fertilisation. Photo: Shutterstock 

The court eventually ruled that the grandfather was fit and able enough to be the girls’ legal guardian. Photo: Getty Images

US satellite spies on Chinese space station and more. China spies back

An image of WorldView Legion 2, a satellite operated by US-based Maxar Intelligence. Credit: Handout

News

World

From Malaysia’s lawmakers being blackmailed to Pete Hegseth’s China policy shift, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting


From Malaysia’s lawmakers being blackmailed to Pete Hegseth’s China policy shift, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.


Trump extends TikTok deadline, Huawei hails AI computing breakthrough: 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 Malaysia’s lawmakers being blackmailed to Pete Hegseth’s China policy shift, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

1. Ethnic Chinese top scorer rejected by Malaysian universities reignites quota debate

From Malaysia’s lawmakers being blackmailed to Pete Hegseth’s China policy shift, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting