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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. Is China flexing its intelligence muscle by tracking US military moves near Iran?
A Chinese private company has drawn the attention of security watchers after detailing US military deployments near Iran, a move experts say underlines Beijing’s intelligence abilities.
2. ‘Chinese everywhere’: why tourists ditch Tokyo for Seoul as Japan ties sour

3. Empty shops, falling rents: commercial property suffers in China retail slump
China’s shop rents have slid back to 2018 levels as subdued consumer spending continues to weigh on the retail sector, with analysts expecting the pressure to persist for another one to two years.
4. Budget reveal: Hong Kong government plays a stronger hand in shaping economy

Hong Kong’s finance chief on Wednesday lived up to his credentials as a chartered accountant when he produced a surprisingly robust budget, flush with surpluses and full of initiatives to be funded through substantial means at his disposal.
5. Germany’s Merz leaves China with stronger ties as Trump trade battle looms
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has concluded his first visit to China, hailing the “good cooperation” with Beijing as Berlin seeks to rebalance ties with its biggest trading partner amid the unpredictability of the Trump administration.
6. Viral video of child being shoved at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing stokes anger

A video of a young girl being shoved while posing for a photo at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing has amassed over 9 million views in one day and ignited an online row over safety, manners and tourist behaviour.
7. ‘Shameless’: China influencer slammed for profiting from wife’s childbirth video

A Chinese influencer with more than 12 million followers has sparked controversy after filming his wife’s 23-hour childbirth and posting the video online.


Chinese coal mine accident, Cathay Pacific flight turbulence: 5 weekend reads you missed

Selfies and symbolism: behind the scenes from Xi’s summit with Trump and Putin

Leaders Xi, Putin meet over tea; rare earth find in northeast China: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Shenzhen’s 24-hour spa, a glimpse of 1970s Hong Kong: 7 Lifestyle highlights

SCMP Highlights

Chinese tourists flock to Seoul, child shoved in Tokyo crossing: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Visitors wear traditional Korean attire in Seoul on February 17. South Korea saw a sharp influx of Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday period that ended on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

The American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford docks at the Greek island of Crete on Tuesday. Photo: AFP


Visitors wear traditional Korean attire in Seoul on February 17. South Korea saw a sharp influx of Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday period that ended on Monday. Photo: EPA

Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivers his budget at Legislative Council in Admiralty. Photo: Eugene Lee

Screenshots from a viral video posted by an social media user on Wednesday showing her daughter being shoved while attempting to take a photo at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing. Photo: Instagram / peipeilin527

A Chinese influencer with 12 million followers has been slammed for live-streaming his wife’s childbirth. He has been accused of profiting from privacy. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin

Chinese zodiac feng shui tips; a mom’s path to pain-free movement: 7 Lifestyle highlights

How can those born under each Chinese zodiac sign use feng shui to improve their luck in love, money and health this coming year? Feng shui practitioner Andrew Kwan shares advice. Photo: Shutterstock

Kavita Biswas could barely walk short distances before she started physiotherapy and resistance training to strengthen the muscles around her knee. Now the osteoarthritis sufferer can walk for up to 45 minutes at a time and manages her daily life independently. Photo: Kavita Biswas

Zhongshan, in China’s Guangdong province, has developed rapidly in recent years, going from having not a lot to do to being a vibrant epicurean and cultural hub. Photo: Xinhua

Tourists gather around an old-school display at a Wellcome supermarket in Hong Kong’s Yau Ma Tei neighbourhood. Similar retro-themed displays are popping up all over the city. Photo: Dickson Lee

Betty Loh Ti (second from right) and Ivy Ling Po (right) in a still from The Love Eterne (1963), directed by Li Han-hsiang. Photo: Shaw Brothers Studio

EU’s tech ban, China’s mysterious Nantianmen project: 7 science highlights

The EU has barred most organisations based in China from applying for its Horizon Europe grants in “critical areas”. Image: Shutterstock

Computational biologist Bao Zhirong has joined the Southern University of Science and Technology as a chair professor with its life sciences school. Photo: Handout

Arthur Konnerth is a leading figure in neuroscience whose work has helped transform the understanding of how the brain processes information. Photo: Handout

A CCTV report said the “space-sky integrated” fighter jets of the sci-fi Nantianmen Project would one day become reality. Photo: CCTV

Chinese scientists are working on a green-friendly and safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries which have been known to explode and cause fires. Photo: Getty Images

South Korean ex-president sentenced, Buddha’s early life: 7 Asia highlights

A woman walks past a television screen in Seoul broadcasting a news report on Yoon Suk-yeol’s sentencing on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Archaeologists at work in Tilaurakot, Lumbini, Nepal. Photo: Department of Archaeology, Nepal

Singapore’s tourism board is inviting US-based singles to be paired by “aunties” for a chance to win a four-night trip to the city state. Photo: Shutterstock

(From left) Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Prince Hisahito, Princess Nobuko and Princess Akiko attend the traditional new year’s greeting ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Photo: AFP

News

World

From China tracking military moves near Iran to why tourists are ditching Tokyo for Seoul, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting


From China tracking military moves near Iran to why tourists are ditching Tokyo for Seoul, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.


Chinese tourists flock to Seoul, child shoved in Tokyo crossing: 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 tracking military moves near Iran to why tourists are ditching Tokyo for Seoul, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

1. Is China flexing its intelligence muscle by tracking US military moves near Iran?

From China tracking military moves near Iran to why tourists are ditching Tokyo for Seoul, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting