https://www.scmp.com/rss/327420/feed With a population of more than 24 million, Shanghai, is a major centre for finance, business and economics, science and technology, and fashion, among other disciplines. It is home to the Port of Shanghai, the world’s busiest container port, and Shanghai Pudong International Airport, one of the world’s 10 busiest airports by passenger traffic. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Julie Zhang Julie Zhang Non-invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCI) that read neural signals through the skin could help patients manage symptoms for some brain conditions, according to BrainCo, a Harvard-incubated start-up. BrainCo’s BCI technology could “read brain neural signals and translate them into commands to control machines to modulate brain function and help cure some brain diseases”, said Nyx He, a partner and senior vice-president of BrainCo, at the HSBC Global Investment Summit on Thursday. The... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3350315/braincos-brain-computer-interface-wows-hsbc-summit-mind-controlled-hand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3350315/braincos-brain-computer-interface-wows-hsbc-summit-mind-controlled-hand?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:10:34 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng Chinese suppliers of parts for Tesla’s electric vehicles (EVs) and robots saw their stock prices gain on Thursday morning as the US tech giant announced that its AI5 artificial intelligence inference chip was 45 days ahead of schedule. After a nearly 7.7 per cent jump in Tesla’s Nasdaq-listed stock on Wednesday, shares of the company’s Chinese suppliers were up by as much as 4.6 per cent on Thursday. Shanghai-listed Ningbo Tuopu Group and Shenzhen-listed Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls,... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3350279/chinese-investors-cheer-teslas-ai-chip-progress-pushing-shares-local-suppliers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3350279/chinese-investors-cheer-teslas-ai-chip-progress-pushing-shares-local-suppliers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:36 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian Mainland China’s first-tier home prices edged up 0.2 per cent in March, rising after nine months of losses and no change in February, but it is too soon to declare the property market stable without sustained improvement in homebuying demand, according to analysts. Compared with a month earlier, March home prices were flat in Beijing, rose 0.3 per cent in Shanghai and Guangzhou, and gained 0.2 per cent in Shenzhen, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3350276/new-home-prices-chinas-biggest-cities-record-first-rise-10-months?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3350276/new-home-prices-chinas-biggest-cities-record-first-rise-10-months?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:20 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Shares of Chinese energy storage system (ESS) maker Sigenergy Technology jumped 103 per cent on their Hong Kong trading debut, as concerns surrounding energy security due to the conflict in the Middle East boost demand for renewable-energy solutions. The Shanghai-based company’s shares opened at HK$581, versus its offer price of HK$324.20. It climbed further and closed at HK$659.50. The firm raised HK$4.4 billion (US$560 million) from its initial public offering. On the grey market on Wednesday... https://www.scmp.com/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3350260/sigenergy-jumps-83-hong-kong-debut-rising-energy-storage-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3350260/sigenergy-jumps-83-hong-kong-debut-rising-energy-storage-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:23:05 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial China is at the forefront of a global economy undergoing massive, accelerated digital transformation. Whether it’s artificial intelligence (AI) or blockchain-driven financial technology, new products, services and business models are emerging to provide new opportunities and careers while boosting productivity. This digital economy is, by its very nature, highly integrative. It makes sense for the authorities in Hong Kong and mainland China to expedite this integration to achieve sustainable... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350119/digital-cooperation-vital-link-greater-bay-area-integration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350119/digital-cooperation-vital-link-greater-bay-area-integration?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:45:07 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), China’s electric vehicle (EV) battery king, plans to earmark 30 billion yuan (US$4.4 billion) to establish a subsidiary to manage and expand mining assets, after the global energy shock paved the way for a quicker entry into the world’s automotive and energy storage system (ESS) markets. The investment arm, in line with CATL’s long-term growth strategy, would integrate existing mining assets, pursue high-quality mineral projects at home and abroad, and... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350213/chinas-catl-invest-us44-billion-mining-arm-secure-ev-battery-supply-chain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350213/chinas-catl-invest-us44-billion-mining-arm-secure-ev-battery-supply-chain?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:50:49 +0000 Minxiao Chang Minxiao Chang Silicon photonic computing chips – long overlooked in the artificial intelligence hardware stack – are emerging as a new focal point in mainland China’s semiconductor push, as domestic companies move towards public listings amid intensifying US-China competition and surging demand for next-generation computing infrastructure. Shanghai-based Lightelligence, the first company globally to achieve large-scale deployment of hybrid optical-electronic computing, passed its Hong Kong listing hearing on... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3350183/lightelligence-track-ipo-plans-chinas-ai-photonics-race-gathers-pace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3350183/lightelligence-track-ipo-plans-chinas-ai-photonics-race-gathers-pace?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:00:31 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Shanghai-listed Huaqin, one of the world’s largest consumer electronics original design manufacturers (ODMs), kicked off a Hong Kong share sale on Wednesday, aiming to raise up to HK$4.55 billion (US$580 million). The electronics giant – the latest mainland-listed firm to tap Hong Kong’s stock market with Beijing’s backing – is offering 58.55 million shares, with 10 per cent earmarked for retail investors and the rest for international placement. The maximum offer price of HK$77.70 per share... https://www.scmp.com/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3350132/huaqins-us580-million-hong-kong-share-sale-attracts-jpmorgan-and-ubs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3350132/huaqins-us580-million-hong-kong-share-sale-attracts-jpmorgan-and-ubs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:51 +0000 Fan Chen Fan Chen The US naval blockade of Iranian ports is not a tactic to force China to pressure Iran into a peace deal, according to analysts. Rather, the US aimed to end the war through showing its maritime supremacy over the world’s most vital energy chokepoint, they argued. Washington began to enforce the blockade on Monday, drawing threats of retaliation from Tehran. It remains unclear how fully the blockade can be enforced. The US Navy currently has at least 15 ships in the region, including an aircraft... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3350087/us-trying-pressure-china-hormuz-blockade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3350087/us-trying-pressure-china-hormuz-blockade?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Cao Jiaxuan Cao Jiaxuan Negotiating teams from America and Iran could return to Islamabad as early as the end of this week, days after 21 hours of talks in the Pakistani capital ended without a deal, Reuters reported. US President Donald Trump on Monday said that “we’ve been called by the other side” and “they want to work a deal”. A limited or temporary settlement remained possible as the two sides were cautiously approaching a de-escalation despite a total deficit of trust, according to analysts. But they warned that... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3350077/will-next-round-us-iran-talks-bring-peace-or-more-confrontation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3350077/will-next-round-us-iran-talks-bring-peace-or-more-confrontation?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:00:21 +0000 Zhu Wenqian,Daniel Ren Zhu Wenqian,Daniel Ren Chinese companies – from sectors as diverse as bubble tea, budget retail and cars – are expanding their presence in Brazil, with analysts saying the robust trade ties between China and Latin America’s biggest economy could help pave the way for further investment. Mixue Group, known for its affordable ice cream and beverages, opened its first Brazil outlet on Saturday, drawing large crowds in Sao Paulo, the country’s largest city. The opening marked its third store in the Americas after... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349982/chinese-firms-target-brazil-it-becomes-magnet-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349982/chinese-firms-target-brazil-it-becomes-magnet-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:57:44 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwanese industry groups and businesses have broadly welcomed Beijing’s package of 10 measures to promote cross-strait exchanges across economic sectors. They said the proposals from the Communist Party’s Taiwan affairs authorities could help ease pressures weighing on local industries in recent years. Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang, also appeared relieved that the measures focused largely on economic and livelihood issues rather than politically sensitive themes. The Taiwan... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349938/taiwan-industries-cheer-beijings-10-point-plan-boost-cross-strait-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349938/taiwan-industries-cheer-beijings-10-point-plan-boost-cross-strait-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:52:47 +0000 Ann Cao,Themis Qi Ann Cao,Themis Qi Printed circuit boards (PCBs) – unsung core components in all electronic devices – are emerging as the latest source of excitement in China’s chip supply chain, as domestic companies capitalise on surging global demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure to pursue share listings. Victory Giant Technology, a PCB supplier to US chip champion Nvidia, kicked off bookbuilding in Hong Kong on Monday for an initial public offering (IPO) that aims to raise up to HK$17.49 billion (US$2.2... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3349924/victory-giant-joins-ipo-push-chinas-circuit-board-makers-amid-ai-frenzy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3349924/victory-giant-joins-ipo-push-chinas-circuit-board-makers-amid-ai-frenzy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:00:08 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian Shanghai’s secondary housing market surged over the weekend, with 1,632 transactions on Saturday – the highest daily total in five years – as activity in higher-value properties picked up. Analysts, however, remained cautious about how long the rebound could last, warning that performance was likely to diverge across cities, regions and individual projects. The latest tally surpassed earlier peaks this year, including 1,585 transactions on March 28 and 1,472 on March 14, according to the... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349885/shanghai-home-sales-hit-5-year-high-spring-surge-outlook-stays-fragile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349885/shanghai-home-sales-hit-5-year-high-spring-surge-outlook-stays-fragile?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:02:45 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu Faltering confidence in the US dollar has handed China a “golden window of opportunity” to promote the global use of its currency, according to a former head of the Chinese central bank. “The core driving force behind the current changes in the international monetary system is the United States’ own policy choices,” Zhou Xiaochuan was quoted as saying in a report published on Sunday by the New Economist, a Chinese think tank. He cited the broad application of American tariffs, the frequent use... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3349868/yuans-golden-window-open-former-pboc-governor-says-us-dollar-credibility-teeters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3349868/yuans-golden-window-open-former-pboc-governor-says-us-dollar-credibility-teeters?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:59:34 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren China’s tea-drink market, with estimated annual sales of 370 billion yuan (US$54.2 billion), has become yet another example of involution as brutal price competition threatens to expel thousands of unprofitable small players. The dire scenario represents a rude reminder to those who hope to strike it rich by investing in a fast-growing business in mainland China’s vast consumer market, which abounds with boom-to-bust cycles. “Bubble tea is a dynamic market, and it is never easy to make money... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349847/chinas-tea-drink-shops-thirst-profits-price-wars-dry-prospects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349847/chinas-tea-drink-shops-thirst-profits-price-wars-dry-prospects?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:35:43 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s aviation authorities have mobilised a range of resources to support European certification of the C919, the home-grown airliner aiming to take on Boeing and Airbus, with steady progress made in recent months, multiple sources said. Technicians and pilots from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have set up shop in Shanghai for more checks and in-flight tests in recent months, according to a source who took part in some technological exchanges with the agency. “They now stay... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349669/eu-tests-chinas-c919-speed-pilots-stay-shanghai-permanently-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349669/eu-tests-chinas-c919-speed-pilots-stay-shanghai-permanently-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:00:11 +0000 Zhang Shidong Zhang Shidong Investors betting on a China reflation trade may be in for a reality check, as rising government bond prices and lacklustre equities point to lingering doubts about whether inflation in the world’s second-largest economy can be sustained. Yields on China’s one-year sovereign bonds have fallen by 5.5 basis points over the past three weeks, while 10-year yields are down 1.6 basis points. Over the same period, the benchmark CSI 300 Index has slipped about 1 per cent. Bond yields move inversely to... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349701/chinas-reflation-narrative-under-scrutiny-bond-market-signals-caution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349701/chinas-reflation-narrative-under-scrutiny-bond-market-signals-caution?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:12 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi While China’s electric vehicle (EV) makers are struggling amid fierce competition, battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) is consolidating its dominance, building its profits while erecting technological barriers to increase its pricing power. Amid the oil crisis, CATL’s market capitalisation hit an all-time high of HK$2.7 trillion (US$345 billion) on Monday, after its shares rewrote records multiple times in both Shenzhen and Hong Kong, touching 433.33 yuan and HK$701,... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3349723/how-chinas-ev-battery-king-catl-powers-profits-while-ev-makers-struggle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3349723/how-chinas-ev-battery-king-catl-powers-profits-while-ev-makers-struggle?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:00:13 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong and Shanghai have taken a significant step in the digital integration of the two financial hubs by linking authentication systems, while five mainland Chinese enterprises have established operations in the city, officials have said. Both sides highlighted the progress on Sunday during the first annual meeting of the Working Group on Shanghai and Hong Kong Digital Cooperation. They gathered in Hong Kong to review a deepening partnership over the past year aimed at tackling technical... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349811/progress-hailed-hong-kong-shanghai-link-digital-authentication-systems?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349811/progress-hailed-hong-kong-shanghai-link-digital-authentication-systems?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:25:53 +0000 Ben Jiang Ben Jiang An open-source artificial intelligence project aimed at harvesting human capabilities into reusable AI “skills” has gone viral in China, gaining traction as a meme among the country’s uneasy young workers as they face growing job insecurity amid rapid AI advances. Supposedly, certain skills of luminaries such as Steve Jobs, spiritual figures like Gautama Buddha and ordinary office workers have been extracted into digital form and uploaded online, making these skills – such as Jobs’ product... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3349790/colleague-skill-ai-job-fears-china-set-viral-spread-supposed-ability-harvester?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3349790/colleague-skill-ai-job-fears-china-set-viral-spread-supposed-ability-harvester?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:31:10 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang Beijing has promised to restore direct flights between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan following a visit by the leader of the main opposition party. The 10-point measures, which also include a pledge to ease restrictions on individuals travelling to the island, were announced on Sunday as Kuomintang chairwoman Cheng Li-wun concluded her visit to the mainland. Her trip, which began on Tuesday, included a meeting with Xi Jinping – the first between the leaders of the Communist Party and KMT in... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349782/beijing-pledges-better-taiwan-air-and-travel-links-after-kmt-leaders-mainland-china-trip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349782/beijing-pledges-better-taiwan-air-and-travel-links-after-kmt-leaders-mainland-china-trip?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:07:49 +0000 Jane Cai Jane Cai “I can’t wait to watch the game – it’s Lion’s Head Meatballs versus Hairy Crab!” Liu Jieling, a 42-year-old company executive from Suzhou, joked about a derby clash pitting a side inspired by her city’s signature crustacean cuisine against one by Yangzhou’s steamed meatballs. The 2026 season of the Jiangsu City Football League – popularly known as the Su Super League – kicks off on Saturday, and the amateur tournament in Jiangsu, a province in eastern China, is already generating huge buzz... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349732/winners-chinas-growing-intercity-football-rivalries-may-surprise-you?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349732/winners-chinas-growing-intercity-football-rivalries-may-surprise-you?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:00:17 +0000 Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu Fang Liu, a partner at global law firm Clifford Chance, counts among his clients many technology companies that are keen to list in Hong Kong, but find the current requirements cumbersome. Clifford Chance has helped more than a dozen innovative companies raise funds under the new listing regime since 2018, when Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) introduced reforms for pre-revenue biotech firms and companies with weighted voting rights (WVR), where one class of shareholders carries more... https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3349647/hong-kongs-listing-reform-20-can-it-outshine-global-rivals-innovative-firms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3349647/hong-kongs-listing-reform-20-can-it-outshine-global-rivals-innovative-firms?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 03:00:12 +0000 Zhang Shidong Zhang Shidong China will allow pre-profit technology companies to list on the ChiNext board in Shenzhen and introduce market makers to improve liquidity, as regulators step up efforts to bolster the mainland’s second-largest stock exchange and advance the country’s push for technological self-reliance. Under the new rules, emerging-industry companies with an estimated market value of at least 3 billion yuan (US$439 million) and revenue no less than 200 million yuan in the most recent financial year would be... https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3349675/china-opens-chinext-exchange-pre-profit-tech-firms-push-boost-innovation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3349675/china-opens-chinext-exchange-pre-profit-tech-firms-push-boost-innovation?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:13:53 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian American fried chicken chain Popeyes made a comeback in Beijing on Friday, as its first new store in the city drew long queues of diners more than 20 years after the brand closed its original Beijing outlets in 2002 and exited the Chinese market in 2003. Building on its initial return to China in 2020, the chain was now ready to accelerate its expansion this year, as consumer tastes had evolved significantly and it was bullish about growth potential fuelled by young consumers, it said. Analysts... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349659/popeyes-returns-beijing-after-24-years-global-chains-double-down-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349659/popeyes-returns-beijing-after-24-years-global-chains-double-down-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:00:12 +0000 Raymond Ma,Neil Denslow Raymond Ma,Neil Denslow Communist Party chief Xi Jinping said he was “fully confident” of closer ties with Taiwan as he met a leader of the island’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party for the first time in almost a decade. “The historical trend that compatriots of both sides of the strait will get closer and get together will not change,” Xi said at the start of his discussion with Cheng Li-wun. “This is a certainty of history, and we are fully confident.” Cheng called for a “systemic solution” to avoid war in the... https://www.scmp.com/plus/news/china/politics/article/3349645/xi-holds-landmark-taiwan-meeting-iran-war-ceasefire-gdp-update?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/news/china/politics/article/3349645/xi-holds-landmark-taiwan-meeting-iran-war-ceasefire-gdp-update?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:26 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao China’s stocks climbed on Friday, with key benchmarks in mainland China and Hong Kong briefly returning to levels last seen about two weeks ago, as signs of a possible ceasefire between the US and Iran helped boost sentiment. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.6 per cent to 25,893.54 at the close, after gaining as much as 1.3 per cent to briefly top the 26,000 mark – a level not seen since March 18. The Hang Seng Tech Index advanced 0.8 per cent. On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349590/china-stocks-surge-shanghai-and-hong-kong-benchmarks-reclaim-key-levels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349590/china-stocks-surge-shanghai-and-hong-kong-benchmarks-reclaim-key-levels?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 02:32:16 +0000 Shi Jiangtao Shi Jiangtao A temporary but fragile ceasefire is in place after US President Donald Trump pulled back from the brink of a wider Iran war. For Beijing, as it prepares for Trump’s high-stakes visit planned for next month, the key question is what the Iran crisis reveals about Trump’s governing style, and whether it has left him emboldened or simply more unpredictable and volatile. The episode is the latest example of what Chinese observers call Trump’s “split” style: abrupt swings between conciliatory talk of... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349519/how-can-beijing-prepare-trumps-drunken-boxing-style-his-china-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349519/how-can-beijing-prepare-trumps-drunken-boxing-style-his-china-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:00:08 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei Taiwan can learn from the way mainland China uses artificial intelligence, Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun said during her visit to Shanghai. The Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman visited the headquarters of Meituan on Wednesday, where she was welcomed by founder and CEO Wang Xing. The company, which goes by Keeta outside the mainland, operates China’s biggest online takeaway platform, as well as offering grocery delivery, bike rental and other services. The company uses AI extensively to... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349540/taiwan-should-learn-mainland-ai-kmt-head-cheng-li-wun-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349540/taiwan-should-learn-mainland-ai-kmt-head-cheng-li-wun-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:37 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Japanese band One OK Rock has abruptly cancelled the Hong Kong leg of its Asian tour in early May due to “unforeseen circumstances”, leaving local fans disappointed. The announcement on Thursday followed a similar move in early March, when the band cancelled its May 9 concert in Shanghai. Led by frontman Taka, the band, which has 3 million Instagram followers, was originally slated to perform at the Central Harbourfront Event Space on May 2 and 3 as part of its “Detox” Asia Tour 2026. “This... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349517/japanese-band-one-ok-rock-cancels-hong-kong-concerts-may-no-specific-reason-given?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349517/japanese-band-one-ok-rock-cancels-hong-kong-concerts-may-no-specific-reason-given?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:01:09 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng Unitree Robotics, one of China’s largest robot makers, will debut the R1, its cheapest humanoid model, on the international market via Alibaba Group Holding’s AliExpress marketplace next week, according to two sources familiar with the matter on Thursday. The launch would cover major overseas markets including North America, Europe, Japan and Singapore, one of the sources said. The product would later be available on other channels, the second person said. The R1, launched in mainland China last... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3349489/chinas-unitree-debut-cheapest-humanoid-robot-globally-alibaba-site-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3349489/chinas-unitree-debut-cheapest-humanoid-robot-globally-alibaba-site-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:30:11 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Zhejiang China Commodities City Group, operator of the marketplace that was once the epicentre of global consumer goods trading, is planning an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong to support overseas expansion, as the wave of mainland Chinese firms looking to raise funds in the city continues. The state-owned company, which runs the Yiwu international trade market in east China’s Zhejiang province, said in a filing to the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Wednesday that a share sale in Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349483/operator-yiwu-market-former-mecca-global-consumer-goods-trade-eyes-hong-kong-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349483/operator-yiwu-market-former-mecca-global-consumer-goods-trade-eyes-hong-kong-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:03:52 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Behind the scenes at menswear brand Feng Chen Wang’s 10th anniversary show at Shanghai Fashion Week, amid the sound of camera flashes going off every second and the overpowering smell of hairspray, the first thing that strikes me is the vibrant range of hair colours on display. One model’s hair is white as snow; another is of a fiery red hue. A third one has strands in an electric shade of blue. Everyone looks eccentric, but no one feels out of place. All the models appear radically different in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3349482/feng-chen-wang-10-years-fashion-and-chinamaxxing-it-was-cool-interview?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3349482/feng-chen-wang-10-years-fashion-and-chinamaxxing-it-was-cool-interview?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:54:38 +0000 Shi Huang Shi Huang China looks set to claim another coup in its mission to build AI talent, with one of the world’s top scholars in artificial intelligence for robots listed among PhD supervisors at a Shanghai university. Su Hao, who holds two doctorates – one in mathematics and one in computer science – has appeared on Fudan University’s faculty list as a professor in electronic information specialising in AI. The list, published on March 31, names 322 PhD supervisors appointed this year. Previously, Su was a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3349408/one-americas-top-ai-robot-scholars-about-join-chinas-tech-talent-pool?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3349408/one-americas-top-ai-robot-scholars-about-join-chinas-tech-talent-pool?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:00:08 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang China’s biopharmaceutical sector is seeing an uptick in deal-making, with sovereign wealth funds from Singapore and the United Arab Emirates joining Chinese state-backed investors to back next-generation drug developers. Shanghai-based Everest Medicines agreed to spend US$250 million to acquire a Singapore company holding rights to 14 chronic-disease treatments across the Asia-Pacific region, according to a stock exchange filing on Wednesday. Its Singapore unit will acquire 100 per cent of... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3349390/china-biotech-flow-picks-everest-seals-us250-million-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3349390/china-biotech-flow-picks-everest-seals-us250-million-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Christopher DeWolf Christopher DeWolf Greenery used to be a nice thing to have in an architectural project. Now it’s the star of the show. In many Asian cities, new developments are treating nature as more than just decoration, orienting themselves around green spaces that are at once useful to humans and beneficial to the environment. At least, that’s the idea. Reality is more complicated. Integrating nature and architecture “[is] always a challenge”, says Stephen Buckle, design director of Chinese studios for Aspect, a global... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/article/3349397/rewilding-city-urban-forests-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/article/3349397/rewilding-city-urban-forests-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:17 +0000 Mandy Zuo,Daniel Ren Mandy Zuo,Daniel Ren Billionaire investor and philanthropist Ray Dalio has called the US-China relationship the single most critical factor for global well-being, as the war on Iran shakes the world order and leaders of the two superpowers prepare to meet next month. Strong ties between Beijing and Washington could unlock immense progress for humanity, while bad relations could cause catastrophic damage, Dalio warned at an event for his non-profit ocean exploration initiative OceanX in Shanghai on Wednesday. “We are... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349393/ray-dalio-says-us-china-ties-are-critical-world-enters-dangerous-new-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349393/ray-dalio-says-us-china-ties-are-critical-world-enters-dangerous-new-era?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:00:08 +0000 Ann Cao Ann Cao The latest bill proposed by US lawmakers to further restrict China’s access to advanced chipmaking equipment marks a fresh escalation in Washington’s efforts to throttle the country’s semiconductor ambitions, as it seeks to bring allies such as the Netherlands and Japan into closer alignment on export controls, analysts said. Introduced last week by Republican Representative Michael Baumgartner, the Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls in Hardware (Match) Act aims to close “critical... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3349413/washington-pushes-allies-match-tougher-china-chip-curbs-under-new-bill?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3349413/washington-pushes-allies-match-tougher-china-chip-curbs-under-new-bill?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:02:26 +0000 Sylvia Ma Sylvia Ma As the French central bank repatriates gold reserves from the United States, analysts say China should seize this “strategic window” to develop itself into the next global gold hub. They added that Beijing can leverage policy stability, alongside Hong Kong’s strengths in fintech such as blockchain, to build a modern gold trading centre, particularly as policy volatility under US President Donald Trump’s second term heightens global concerns and deepens the de-dollarisation trend. “I think [the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349343/france-pulls-gold-us-how-can-china-develop-next-global-gold-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349343/france-pulls-gold-us-how-can-china-develop-next-global-gold-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:00:08 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) batteries are set to become safer and more powerful, as carmakers including SAIC Motor and Chery Automobile outline road maps for the commercialisation of solid-state technology. Solid-state batteries – which use a solid electrolyte to conduct ions between electrodes – are widely seen as a superior alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries that rely on liquid or gel-based materials. Analysts say the technology promises higher energy density, improved safety... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349348/safer-longer-range-evs-sight-china-accelerates-solid-state-battery-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349348/safer-longer-range-evs-sight-china-accelerates-solid-state-battery-push?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:00:08 +0000 David Frazier David Frazier Doi Chiang Dao is one of Thailand’s most stunning mountains, a 2,175-metre limestone peak that rises like a behemoth from flat farmland. Every February, it becomes the backdrop to a 10-day festival called Shambhala in Your Heart. Organised by a group of silver-haired, 1960s purist Japanese hippies, the event is set in an Edenic campsite in northern Thailand, where shade trees flank a cool running stream and open-air hot springs are just a 10-minute walk away. In recent years, Shambhala has... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3349356/chinese-youths-find-freedom-thailands-shambhala-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3349356/chinese-youths-find-freedom-thailands-shambhala-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:15:40 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao China’s fast-growing energy storage sector is drawing fresh interest from capital markets, with Sigenergy Technology becoming the latest to tap Hong Kong for funding, as companies ride a global push for renewable energy. The Shanghai-based firm was seeking to raise about HK$4.4 billion (US$561.6 million) via an initial public offering (IPO), according to its prospectus on Wednesday, as investor appetite builds around battery storage and smart energy systems that complement solar and electric... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349346/chinas-sigenergy-technology-seeks-us5616-million-hong-kong-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349346/chinas-sigenergy-technology-seeks-us5616-million-hong-kong-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:48:25 +0000 Iris Deng,Ann Cao Iris Deng,Ann Cao China is ramping up efforts in the AI race, as tech giants Alibaba Group Holding and Huawei Technologies deploy massive computing clusters in the push to develop home-grown infrastructure. E-commerce giant Alibaba has announced the deployment of a 10,000-card intelligent computing cluster powered by the Zhenwu AI chips developed by its T-Head semiconductor design arm. Launched in collaboration with China Telecom in the Shaoguan data centre in Guangdong province, the “fully domestic” cluster was... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3349335/ai-race-us-intensifies-chinas-alibaba-launches-10000-card-computing-cluster?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3349335/ai-race-us-intensifies-chinas-alibaba-launches-10000-card-computing-cluster?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:30:08 +0000 Ann Cao Ann Cao China is looking to the ocean to power its artificial intelligence computing ambitions, as it seeks new ways to meet soaring demand for computing power through underwater data centres in eastern and southern China. Shanghai’s Lingang Special Area, a government-designated free-trade zone designed to attract advanced manufacturing and hi-tech industries, recently saw an underwater data centre (UDC) begin operation, marking the first such facility in the world to be directly linked to an offshore... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3349280/china-turns-offshore-wind-farms-subsea-data-centres-ease-ai-computing-bottleneck?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3349280/china-turns-offshore-wind-farms-subsea-data-centres-ease-ai-computing-bottleneck?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:30:08 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng As the global memory industry rides an unprecedented “super cycle” fuelled by AI demand, China’s leading memory chipmakers are leveraging lower pricing and expanding production to capture a bigger market share, according to analysts. “Chinese manufacturers often enjoy a price advantage of more than 15 per cent for products of the same specifications, which is highly attractive to the price-sensitive general-purpose server and consumer markets,” said Arisa Liu, chief director and research fellow... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3349266/chinese-memory-giants-gain-market-share-lower-prices-expanded-capacity-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3349266/chinese-memory-giants-gain-market-share-lower-prices-expanded-capacity-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:30:08 +0000 Vincent Chow Vincent Chow Chinese tech companies are engaged in a public war of words as they compete to capitalise on US start-up Anthropic’s decision to pull its industry-leading Claude models from open-source AI agent tool OpenClaw. The development comes as AI agents have triggered a huge increase in demand for AI tokens – the core metric of AI usage – raising questions about the long-term ability of industry players to meet this demand amid a growing global crunch in computational power. On Sunday, Anthropic... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3349146/chinese-ai-rivals-clash-over-anthropics-openclaw-exit-amid-global-token-crunch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3349146/chinese-ai-rivals-clash-over-anthropics-openclaw-exit-amid-global-token-crunch?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:58:08 +0000 Dannie Peng Dannie Peng For marketing manager Wang Yuan, who sells electric heavy-duty cargo trucks in the rugged landscapes of Xinjiang in western China, business is riding a new and powerful wave. The commercial vehicle company he works for is a major player in the domestic market. The lion’s share of its electric heavy trucks are destined for coal-rich provinces including Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, apart from Xinjiang itself. In Xinjiang alone, according to Wang, sales across all brands reached around 16,700 units... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3348742/chinas-electric-truck-revolution-powerful-painkiller-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3348742/chinas-electric-truck-revolution-powerful-painkiller-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:00:08 +0000 Zhang Shidong Zhang Shidong Initial public offerings (IPOs) on mainland Chinese markets surged 56 per cent in the first quarter from a year earlier, as the securities regulator relaxed curbs on equity financing to support the nation’s push for technological innovation. Twenty-nine companies raised a combined 25.7 billion yuan (US$3.7 billion) from the Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing stock exchanges in the first three months, according to Bloomberg data. That compared with 16.5 billion yuan raised by 27 companies in the same... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348945/china-ipos-jump-56-regulator-eases-restrictions-drive-tech-innovation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348945/china-ipos-jump-56-regulator-eases-restrictions-drive-tech-innovation?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:00:11 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai From glimmering floral-patterned glassware to the vivid colours of intricately designed Persian carpets, artefacts from Iran have captivated visitors to a museum in northern China, where they have avoided the risks of damage in the war waged by the US and Israel. The relics, on display at the Inner Mongolia Museum in the regional capital Hohhot since December, have drawn growing attention since the start of the conflict in the Middle East and highlighted a cultural exchange that has been quietly... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348939/time-war-chinese-museums-are-safe-haven-ancient-treasures-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348939/time-war-chinese-museums-are-safe-haven-ancient-treasures-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 04:00:13 +0000