https://www.scmp.com/rss/329855/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Your columnist David Dodwell, channelling Ebenezer Scrooge, cautioned that “the future holds possible horrors brought on by consumerism and climate change, and time is running out for prevention of a global catastrophe” (“A Christmas wake-up call: don’t forget your planet”, December 23). And then your year-end online poll, “How are you feeling about 2019”, augured overwhelming pessimism. As a positive antidote, I’d suggest Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, as offering a balm to the... https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/2180334/2018-was-not-best-year-many-hope-lives-2019?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/2180334/2018-was-not-best-year-many-hope-lives-2019?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Jan 2019 09:15:30 +0000 From Russian war games to lava flows on Hawaii to raging fires in California, images gathered from high above Earth by satellites in 2018 delivered a unique perspective on humanity, geopolitics, and the forces of nature that have upended lives and landscape. Here’s a look at eight of the most striking news images captured by satellite imagery company Digital Globe – and photos made by Associated Press photographers who were on the ground: Back to Da Nang: In a message to China, the American... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/2180327/military-might-natures-wrath-these-are-most-memorable-satellite-photos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/2180327/military-might-natures-wrath-these-are-most-memorable-satellite-photos?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Jan 2019 23:59:24 +0000 The year 2018 was rough for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy bloc, after it lost two seats in the legislature to the pro-establishment camp in two by-elections. It was also the year when the government set firm red lines on pro-independence activists, raising concerns over freedom of expression. What will shape the city’s politics and become flashpoints for conflict in 2019? We take a look at just four potential hotspots: 1. Legislation on a national anthem law More than a year in the works, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2180101/what-will-roil-hong-kong-2019-four-potential-flare-ups?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2180101/what-will-roil-hong-kong-2019-four-potential-flare-ups?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Jan 2019 03:32:15 +0000 It is safe to say that 2018 was the year of the trade war, with stories about the United States and China dispute proving a huge draw for readers of the South China Morning Post's Economy section. From the opening gambits of US President Donald Trump's tariffs in July, to a relative ceasefire in Buenos Aires in December, the soap opera has threatened to destabilise the global economy, but has also made for riveting reading. With top level negotiations planned in January and further tariffs on... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/2180149/us-china-trade-war-dominates-scmps-top-10-economy-stories-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/2180149/us-china-trade-war-dominates-scmps-top-10-economy-stories-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Dec 2018 12:05:09 +0000 The numbers have spoken. In a year that saw Apple releasing three new iPhones, Huawei launching its triple-lens P20 Pro, and digital entertainment/streaming becoming more prevalent, statistics suggests that online readers are more interested in stories about Netflix, Chinese smartphone brand Vivo and … whether kaki is a Singaporean or Malay word. 1. Marvel’s Iron Fist Will Colleen Wing, played by British actress Jessica Henwick, be the first Asian leading lady in Iron Fist, one of the Marvel... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/2180088/netflix-chinese-smartphone-brand-vivo-and-worlds-worst-video-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/2180088/netflix-chinese-smartphone-brand-vivo-and-worlds-worst-video-game?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Dec 2018 12:05:07 +0000 TV drama addicts have never had it better, with digital entertainment streaming platform Netflix releasing some of its most popular titles yet (in Mandarin, Korean and Hindi), as well as one stand-out Chinese period drama series that had viewers glued to their TV (or mobile phone) the entire summer. Here is a recap of the hottest Mando- and K-dramas of 2018. Story of Yanxi Palace Chinese TV dramas never looked more slick than this super popular series (which Yazhou Zhoukan named the best TV... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/2180109/your-favourite-chinese-and-korean-tv-dramas-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/2180109/your-favourite-chinese-and-korean-tv-dramas-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Dec 2018 10:50:15 +0000 If there is a single Chinese word to describe China’s economy in 2018, there may be no better one than gang, which translates to dispute and leverage. Beijing started the year with the strong intentions to improve the quality of growth, vowing to reduce deeply troubling risks in the financial system and to control rampant pollution. But in reality it was disputes – either between China and the United States, or with the Chinese private economy and state-owned enterprises – that dominated the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/2180079/surprise-war-and-miscalculations-chinas-turbulent-economy-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/2180079/surprise-war-and-miscalculations-chinas-turbulent-economy-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Dec 2018 10:33:48 +0000 This year’s ladies’ watches offered a lot more than just sparkle and shine. From complications that nod to the vast and beautiful universe to numerous feminine interpretations of the tourbillon, here is a round-up of our favourite ladies’ timepieces of 2018. Richard Mille RM 71-01  Richard Mille charmed the ladies this year when it launched its first automatic tourbillon in its women’s timepiece, the RM 71-01 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman. There are 10 different variations of the watch,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches/article/2180128/best-womens-watches-2018-richard-milles-art-deco-talisman?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches/article/2180128/best-womens-watches-2018-richard-milles-art-deco-talisman?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Dec 2018 09:06:44 +0000 Film-goers spent 60.98 billion yuan (US$88.7 billion) at Chinese cinemas in 2018. If that sounds like good news, the reality is that growth in box office takings in China appears to be slowing. From 2009 to 2015, box office receipts for films in China rose from 6 billion yuan to 44 billion yuan, with growth averaging over 30 per cent a year. Takings in 2016 rose only 3.7 per cent, to 46 billion yuan. In 2017 they grew 13.45 per cent. Ranking every Hong Kong film released in 2018, from worst to... https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2180099/top-10-films-chinese-box-office-and-five-biggest-flops-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2180099/top-10-films-chinese-box-office-and-five-biggest-flops-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Dec 2018 07:03:52 +0000 Under the cloud of the US-China trade war in 2018, Hong Kong worried about business opportunities for the longer term, but more immediate matters dominated the headlines: dubious train structures, an expensive, long-delayed cross-border bridge, an even more expensive high-speed cross-border rail link and horrific road accidents. And then there were the usual political tensions, as the city set out to implement the clear red lines determined by Beijing on not tolerating independence activists or... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2180056/embattled-rail-boss-beleaguered-justice-minister-rejected?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2180056/embattled-rail-boss-beleaguered-justice-minister-rejected?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Dec 2018 04:01:05 +0000 In a year blighted by wars in Syria and Yemen to Facebook data breaches, we want to bring you some good news by looking back at some stories that made us feel all warm and fuzzy. 1. Reconnecting with their Chinese roots In January we brought you the story of a tour group in southern China that’s helping Chinese-Americans reconnect with their past, taking them on emotional tours to Guangdong to seek out their roots. For almost 30 years the non-profit has been helping Chinese Americans discover... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2179908/ten-feel-good-stories-2018-people-overcoming-adversity-inspiring-others?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2179908/ten-feel-good-stories-2018-people-overcoming-adversity-inspiring-others?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Dec 2018 02:09:05 +0000 HOT MESS Hotpot is a huge part of Asian dining culture that’s best enjoyed with friends and family. But the experience of gathering around a steaming vessel of flavourful broth to cook your own vegetables, seafood or meat isn’t always a pleasant one – as a pregnant woman in eastern China’s Shandong province discovered when she found a dead rat in her family’s meal. Rat in hotpot shocks pregnant woman, shuts down restaurant in eastern China A hotpot gathering took a tragic turn in Japan, when a... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/2179730/hotpot-horror-hologram-bride-these-offbeat-asia-stories-were-well-read?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/2179730/hotpot-horror-hologram-bride-these-offbeat-asia-stories-were-well-read?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Dec 2018 08:01:28 +0000 In 2018, Hong Kong lost more than a dozen luminaries from politics, academia and culture who embodied the values of grit, passion and intellectual clarity so badly needed today in the city, say observers remembering those who died this year. “Gone are the times that cultivated traditional and encyclopaedic intellectuals like Jao Tsung-i and Jin Yong. Also gone is the vibrant and complicated ‘big era of politics’ when elites like Chung Sze-yuen became leaders,” said Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2179993/hong-kong-mourned-loss-number-major-figures-2018-marking-end?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2179993/hong-kong-mourned-loss-number-major-figures-2018-marking-end?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Dec 2018 04:02:41 +0000 It is not an easy task to score a government’s overall performance over the course of an entire year. The range of activities is wide. Moreover, in addition to the targets an administration sets for itself, events often arise which are not within its control, so governments are prone to being blown off course. With that caveat, how should we rate the Hong Kong government’s 2018 performance? We can approach the exercise from three different perspectives – policy, personalities, and overall manner... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/hong-kong/article/2179856/one-own-goal-bad-year-teresa-cheng-and-misses-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/hong-kong/article/2179856/one-own-goal-bad-year-teresa-cheng-and-misses-all?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Dec 2018 03:30:15 +0000 Asia has no shortage of challenges as it heads into 2019. The region must react to an ever deepening US-China rivalry, and learn to adjust to new technologies and social pressures. It also faces four crucial elections, and two long-standing security threats. Here are nine issues and news events to watch in the year to come. 1. FOUR ELECTIONS: First, Thailand holds a general election on Feb 24, marking the first time the ruling junta will face voters since seizing power in a military coup in... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2179982/north-korea-legal-marijuana-and-south-china-sea-here-are-nine-big?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2179982/north-korea-legal-marijuana-and-south-china-sea-here-are-nine-big?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Dec 2018 02:30:00 +0000 Unless you live in the United States or South Korea, it’s just about impossible to ignore the aggressive emergence of Chinese smartphone brands in 2018. Huawei is now in the same league as Apple and Samsung (critical and commercial success back this up); another Chinese brand, Xiaomi, expanded into Europe; Oppo, Vivo, and OnePlus – who share the same parent company – grabbed headlines with some wild designs (pop-up cameras; two-screen phones and in-display fingerprint scanners); and every... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/2179803/2018-year-apples-iphone-xs-max-made-android-fan-convert?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/2179803/2018-year-apples-iphone-xs-max-made-android-fan-convert?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Dec 2018 00:45:00 +0000 For ballet lovers in Hong Kong, 2018 was the year of Giselle, with no fewer than three productions on offer. English National Ballet thrilled audiences in a sold out season of Akram Khan’s modern version, distinguished by stunning theatricality, powerful dancing and an ingenious re-imagining of story and score. Milan’s La Scala Ballet brought their fine traditional production to Macau, with stand-out performances in the leading roles by Vittoria Valerio and Claudio Coviello. Instagram is harmful... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2179865/2018-hong-kong-dance-review-look-back-highs-and-lows-and-what?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2179865/2018-hong-kong-dance-review-look-back-highs-and-lows-and-what?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Dec 2018 10:15:28 +0000 As 2018 draws to a close, we look back at the stories from our society reporters that really caught people’s imagination. ‘ICE BOY’ WARMS HEARTS One of our most popular society stories of 2018 was about eight-year-old Wang Fuman from southwest China, who won hearts around the world after a photograph of him arriving at school with his hair covered in icicles went viral online. His bright white headgear was the result of him having to walk 4.5km (2.8 miles) in the freezing cold from his home in a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2179838/cockroach-farms-ice-boy-check-out-our-most-popular-china-society?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2179838/cockroach-farms-ice-boy-check-out-our-most-popular-china-society?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Dec 2018 04:32:00 +0000 From a transgender university lecturer fighting prejudice to an intensive care doctor who treats patients at altitude, we look back at some of 2018’s most worthy role models. 1. Hong Kong transgender lecturer Brenda Alegre Brenda Alegre is a transgender woman who was born and raised in Manila. In 2011 she moved to Hong Kong to teach Sexuality and Gender: Diversity and Society at the University of Hong Kong. In January, Alegre talked candidly to the Post about her fight to be accepted by a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2179829/holocaust-survivor-transgender-university-lecturer-10-most-inspiring?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2179829/holocaust-survivor-transgender-university-lecturer-10-most-inspiring?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Dec 2018 22:01:11 +0000 A year marked by orchestral playing of the highest calibre, top-notch soloists and programming that appealed to seasoned and uninitiated concertgoers alike leaves Hong Kong’s flourishing classical music scene in a healthy state. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra went from strength to strength in 2018 under music director Jaap van Zweden. At its best playing works from the 19th and 20th centuries, its robust and finely polished sound was in evidence in November’s glorious interpretation of... https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2179633/year-sustained-high-notes-classical-music-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2179633/year-sustained-high-notes-classical-music-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Dec 2018 10:04:10 +0000 This year’s most memorable stage productions came mostly from overseas, with Angel’s Bone, a contemporary opera presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department as part of its New Vision Arts Festival, topping the list. Composed by Shanghai-born and New York-based Du Yun, the Pulitzer-winning piece is a hard-hitting commentary on human trafficking and a gritty portrayal of human vulnerability and greed. A cash-strapped couple find a pair of angels that have fallen into their backyard,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2179757/original-evita-irish-swan-lake-best-hong-kong-theatre-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2179757/original-evita-irish-swan-lake-best-hong-kong-theatre-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Dec 2018 07:03:23 +0000 Uncertainty. Volatility. Doubt. These are just some of the feelings that have been unleashed across Asia in the wake of disruptions caused by the US-China trade war, Donald Trump’s presidency and the consequences of climate change. Global instability will be a hallmark of 2019, experts agree, and Asia has been left to wonder what the next 12 months will bring. Five commentators and This Week in Asia’s editor gave us their predictions for the year ahead. SHASHI THAROOR Member of Parliament for... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2179716/asia-2019-watch-out-elections-india-and-indonesia-us-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2179716/asia-2019-watch-out-elections-india-and-indonesia-us-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Dec 2018 01:30:30 +0000 Red Dead Redemption 2 cast an enormous shadow over 2018. One of the most anticipated video games ever shifted rival games’ release dates and dominated conversations. That’s not to say the rest of 2018 was forgettable. Far from it, the year was one of the stronger ones, dominated by sequels and revamps of old standbys. This is the point in a console generation when studios have mastered the hardware, and they’re pushing the limits of what they can offer. Red Dead Redemption 2: first impressions... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/2179621/best-games-2018-top-10-include-red-dead-redemption-2-monster?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/2179621/best-games-2018-top-10-include-red-dead-redemption-2-monster?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Dec 2018 13:00:00 +0000 As 2018 draws to a close, here are some of what I think are Asia's best luxury establishments curated from over 220 hotels, restaurants and spas we've reviewed this year. Yet there will not be any cause for celebration if the environment buckles under the weight of the industry's shortfalls in timely conservation efforts. 9 luxury holiday spots in Thailand, Indonesia and Japan you should stay at As the wind of austerity rises in a world shackled by natural calamities, trade wars and political... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/2179343/our-pick-asias-best-luxury-hotels-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/2179343/our-pick-asias-best-luxury-hotels-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Dec 2018 06:00:15 +0000 Over the past year This Week In Asia has published stories featuring people whose unique experiences reflected the highs and lows of a tumultuous 2018. We caught up with some of these individuals to see how the year turned out for them, and ask about their hopes for 2019. In their own words, here is a look at the year gone by and what is to come. Syed Saddiq and Malaysian politics Syed Saddiq, 25, made history by becoming the youngest cabinet minister in Asia, following 93-year-old Mahathir... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/2179551/newsmakers-people-behind-stories-grabbed-asia-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/2179551/newsmakers-people-behind-stories-grabbed-asia-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Dec 2018 03:02:16 +0000 Even though research shows that adopting a healthy eating plan you can stick to for life is a better tactic than yo-yo dieting, people are always intrigued by the latest strategy for losing weight in a hurry. Google has published a list of the trendiest, most searched diets of 2018. According to our Google searches, there seem to be two key strategies. Dieters seem to be curious about various kinds of high-fat, low-carbohydrate plans such as the keto diet, as well as schemes that ask people to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/2179391/10-hottest-diet-trends-2018-ways-lose-weight-quickly-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/2179391/10-hottest-diet-trends-2018-ways-lose-weight-quickly-and?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Dec 2018 08:33:08 +0000 As the US and China approach the end of the first month of their 90-day truce, both sides have been engaging in intense talks to bring an end to the trade war. While there have been positive signs – China has rolled back tariffs, made large orders on US products and released statements about “new progress” in trade talks – the truce comes after months of heightened tensions and escalating tariffs from both countries. By the time Chinese President Xi Jinping met his US counterpart Donald Trump at... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2179505/us-china-trade-war-timeline-first-tariffs-90-day-truce?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2179505/us-china-trade-war-timeline-first-tariffs-90-day-truce?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Dec 2018 05:30:15 +0000 It’s hard to come up with a list of “best” restaurants in Hong Kong because there’s not one place that’s perfect for everyone for all occasions (if it existed, it would make millions). So here are some of my favourite restaurants that I reviewed in 2018. Best places for a special occasion Uwe I’ve loved Uwe Opocensky’s food since he was chef of the Krug Room at the Mandarin Oriental. Although he’s left the hotel and opened his own, small restaurant, his food remains whimsical and delicious. I’m... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/2179348/best-new-restaurants-2018-hong-kong-casual-meal-special?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/2179348/best-new-restaurants-2018-hong-kong-casual-meal-special?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Dec 2018 10:33:43 +0000 10. Hong Kong fencer Nicholas Choi retires: Olympian reveals on social media he is calling it quits at 25 10 Top Hong Kong fencer Nicholas Choi suddenly called it a day after a successful Asian Games campaign. Choi, who qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games, finished with a silver in both the individual and team foil events in Indonesia, securing the best result for a Hong Kong fencer at the Asiad. At 25, Choi is now reported to be eyeing a career in showbiz. 9. ‘I was a little nervous but I... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2179261/year-review-what-were-top-10-hong-kong-sporting-controversies-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2179261/year-review-what-were-top-10-hong-kong-sporting-controversies-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Dec 2018 01:02:39 +0000 As China increasingly asserts itself on the world stage, its president Xi Jinping has led the country’s sprawling diplomatic overtures on high-profile trips around the globe and promised billions of dollars in investments and aid. The major tête-à-têtes between Xi and world leaders have been portrayed in Chinese state media as significantly bolstering his presence abroad in what was glowingly termed “heads of state” diplomacy. But China’s increasing international footprint – including Xi’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2179309/xi-jinpings-year-diplomacy-butting-heads-donald-trump-cosying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2179309/xi-jinpings-year-diplomacy-butting-heads-donald-trump-cosying?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Dec 2018 00:02:59 +0000 It’s not all about goals, titles and championships. Sometimes it’s best just to have a chuckle at the odd, weird and downright hilarious. Here are the top 10 funniest moments from the world of sports this year, including drinking beer upside down and Neymar being Neymar. 10. Tite gets a bit too excited during Brazil’s World Cup comeback win Tite gets swallowed up in #BRA's Coutinho goal celebration pic.twitter.com/Z1BOFrx4yE — Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) June 22, 2018 9. Juventus defender Mehdi... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2178041/year-review-top-funniest-craziest-unbelievable-sporting-moments-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2178041/year-review-top-funniest-craziest-unbelievable-sporting-moments-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Dec 2018 07:00:15 +0000 1. The OnePlus 6T OnePlus released the US$530 OnePlus 6 back in May, but at this point, you should really be considering the company's latest smartphone, the OnePlus 6T, which debuted in New York on October 29. With a base price of just US$550, the OnePlus 6T is one of the best smartphones you can get for its relatively affordable price. You’re getting a superfast phone with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, which makes multitasking easier, a large display, and a stunning camera system. It does not have... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/2179344/10-best-smartphones-2018-are-totally-worth-your-money?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/2179344/10-best-smartphones-2018-are-totally-worth-your-money?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Dec 2018 05:31:07 +0000 If 2017 was a bad year for Hong Kong film, this year’s output was even more underwhelming – a reminder of how spoiled we were by the golden age of Hong Kong cinema. The 25 best films of 2018, from Avengers: Infinity War to Widows This is our (almost complete) list of Hong Kong films released in 2018, ranked from worst to best. 40. Staycation There are poorly made family comedies, and then there is Staycation, a mind-numbingly abysmal movie. A decade after he revealed his filmmaking flair with... https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2179156/ranking-every-hong-kong-film-released-2018-worst-best?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2179156/ranking-every-hong-kong-film-released-2018-worst-best?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Dec 2018 00:45:41 +0000 Fan Bingbing After disappearing for three months, actress Fan Bingbing – one of the country’s highest paid entertainers – surfaced in October with a grovelling statement on Weibo, China’s Twitter. In her letter, she apologised to fans and the Communist Party for using “split contracts and other tax evasion methods”. She also said she accepted the penalties that had been imposed on her by the tax authorities – nearly 884 million yuan (US$128 million) in overdue taxes and fines. The South China... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2179181/fan-bingbing-metoo-sabrina-meng-big-stories-shook-china-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2179181/fan-bingbing-metoo-sabrina-meng-big-stories-shook-china-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Dec 2018 00:01:47 +0000 While 2018 may be coming to an end, the ups and downs of China’s tech scene are not even close to taking a breather. This year witnessed the continued ascendance of Chinese smartphone brands, wider deployment of Artificial Intelligence technology, e-commerce moving offline, and the first roll out of China’s home grown electric cars. On the downside, there has been a reversal of fortunes in the once high-flying cryptocurrency world, escalating government controls over games, the humbling of... https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/2179027/2018-china-tech-review-look-back-year-when-gaming-was-whacked-ai-moved?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/2179027/2018-china-tech-review-look-back-year-when-gaming-was-whacked-ai-moved?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Dec 2018 22:32:38 +0000 What links the ‘hidden’ sex and sleaze on Singapore’s Orchard Road to Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal, copycat retailers and a debate over the ethnicity of a Filipino Miss Universe? Answer: they’re all among the most popular stories that featured in This Week in Asia in 2018. With the holiday period upon us, the This Week in Asia editors thought it was high time to reflect on the stories that you, the reader, found most interesting during what has been an action-packed year. And what we found was a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/2179146/year-asia-our-most-popular-stories-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/2179146/year-asia-our-most-popular-stories-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Dec 2018 08:01:39 +0000 We’ve eaten at most of Hong Kong’s new restaurants over the past year and it has proved to be a good 12 months – but these are the ones that are fixed in our memory. Scroll below to find our pick of the 10 best new restaurants of 2018. Arbor When: Opened in April Where: H Queen’s, Central What: French-Japanese with a Nordic twist Why We like the ambience of this place designed by Yabu Pushelberg, with high ceilings and a natural warm teal and green decor in the main dining area, which offers... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/2179144/top-10-best-new-hong-kong-restaurants-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/2179144/top-10-best-new-hong-kong-restaurants-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Dec 2018 09:03:58 +0000 Hong Kong’s music scene prevails. Regardless of the beatings it takes from venue closures, rising rents, government bureaucracy, and the difficulty musicians face earning a living in one of the world’s most expensive cities, we are continually amazed and encouraged by the craftsmanship and level of creativity among our independent artists. Last year saw the city’s live music scene witnessed multiple raids at former Kowloon venue Hidden Agenda, the closure of venues such as XXX Gallery, and the... https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2178658/best-indie-music-albums-2018-hong-kong-nine-picks-low-mays-blood-wine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2178658/best-indie-music-albums-2018-hong-kong-nine-picks-low-mays-blood-wine?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Dec 2018 10:02:02 +0000 It was a year of adjustments for Asia as it was dragged deeper into the rivalry between the United States and China, a rift that culminated in a showdown at the Apec summit in Papua New Guinea. For the first time in the summit’s history, there was no joint communique issued. And even as countries tried to position themselves to benefit from changing geopolitical realities, they grappled with their own domestic highs and lows. Here’s a brief recap of the stories that shaped Asia in 2018. TRUMP... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/2179066/trump-and-kims-handshake-1mdb-eight-stories-shaped-asia-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/2179066/trump-and-kims-handshake-1mdb-eight-stories-shaped-asia-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Dec 2018 06:18:43 +0000 As we wrap up another year of great watchmaking, we take a look at some of our favourite launches this year. From revived classics and vintage reinterpretations to wholly new executions of complications, here are 10 watches that defined 2018 for us. 1. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona This one needs no explanation. Photographs of the latest Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona flooded social media in March when it debuted at Baselworld. The 40mm timepiece, which comes in Everose gold,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches/article/2178539/dial-luxury-our-10-picks-2018s-most-desirable-timepieces-men?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches/article/2178539/dial-luxury-our-10-picks-2018s-most-desirable-timepieces-men?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Dec 2018 18:02:10 +0000 Throughout 2018, our editors got down to brass tacks to show you how to create, eat and more. It has been an extremely fruitful year, so here’s a round-up of our top 5 “Today I Learned” stories. 1. How to make tortellini with The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong 2. How The Peninsula Hong Kong decorates a Christmas tree 3. How to make winter solstice tangyuan from Michelin star restaurant Ming Court 4. How to enjoy local craft beer 5. How to do glamorous Halloween devil make-up with Urban... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/2178890/our-pick-top-5-today-i-learned-stories-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/2178890/our-pick-top-5-today-i-learned-stories-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Dec 2018 08:00:30 +0000 I bumped into Santa in a local hostelry in Wyndham Street. Head in hands, looking morosely at his pint of Old C Y’s Finest Bitter, he was mumbling about what a bad year it has been.  Santa has a lot of time on his hands – most of the year in fact, and I often drop in to pick up ideas about markets. Of course, there was one thing on his mind… “Trump’s trade tariffs have been a nightmare,” he said. “Whenever I ship from China to the US, I have to pay the tariffs, but the boys and girls don’t want... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/hong-kong/article/2178835/if-you-thought-2018-was-bad-just-wait-till-next?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/hong-kong/article/2178835/if-you-thought-2018-was-bad-just-wait-till-next?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Dec 2018 06:00:30 +0000 Readers may look back at 2018 as the year when literature did not happen. No Nobel Prize. A J.K. Rowling novel that (gasp) failed to enchant. A George R.R. Martin novel, but not the long-promised new Game of Thrones story. You might be forgiven for thinking 2018 was, all in all, a bit of a let-down. Thank goodness it ended with Margaret Atwood promising us a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. Phew. Perhaps we should begin with something that very definitely did go ahead: Hong Kong’s annual Literary... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/books/article/2178736/best-books-2018-haruki-murakami-keigo-higashino-and-if?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/books/article/2178736/best-books-2018-haruki-murakami-keigo-higashino-and-if?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Dec 2018 12:45:52 +0000 Because I used to be a pastry chef, the dessert recipes I make for the Post Magazine are near and dear to my heart. Here are three of my favourite pastry recipes that I’ve developed in the past year. Susan Jung makes the most of choux pastry’s versatility 1. Cream puffs with maple sugar craquelin and chocolate-maple mousse OK, technically this recipe should have come in a recipe round-up for 2017 because it was published last year on December 31. But I’m sure many of you missed it because you... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/2178470/three-our-best-new-pastry-recipes-cream-puffs-jam-turnovers-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/2178470/three-our-best-new-pastry-recipes-cream-puffs-jam-turnovers-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Dec 2018 13:30:50 +0000 Having gone through our list of the year’s 25 worst films, it’s time to sample some of the best that 2018 had to offer. Here are the 25 best films that the Post critics reviewed this year (up until December 18). Tell us your favourites in the comments. 25. Ash Is Purest White Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke’s latest film is a complex and involving gangster saga. With a mood that swings from violence to humour to melancholy, it is led by the magnetic and irrepressible actress Zhao Tao, and has a... https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2178514/25-best-films-2018-avengers-infinity-war-widows-released-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2178514/25-best-films-2018-avengers-infinity-war-widows-released-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Dec 2018 12:04:35 +0000 The best of SCMP's visual journalism from 2018 in readers views, staff picks and evergreen visual content. Enjoy this special special feature by tapping here https://www.scmp.com/infographics/article/2177965/2018-visuals-south-china-morning-posts-infographic-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/infographics/article/2177965/2018-visuals-south-china-morning-posts-infographic-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Dec 2018 10:00:45 +0000 We watched them all so you didn’t have to. 25. Pitch Perfect 3 The curse of the third-parter strikes again, bringing this previously pleasant franchise about an all-female a cappella group to a close on a resoundingly duff note. It had a bigger budget than the previous outings but none of the charm. Read the full review 24. The Commuter Ten years after kidnap thriller Taken turned Liam Neeson into a geri-action star, the Irishman is still creaking, groaning and wheezing across our screens.... https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2177374/pitch-perfect-3-happytime-murders-worst-films-2018-released-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2177374/pitch-perfect-3-happytime-murders-worst-films-2018-released-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Dec 2018 12:45:00 +0000