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SCMP Exclusives

SCMP Exclusives
The latest news, analysis and opinion on SCMP Exclusives. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Wang Fuk Court had been undergoing extensive renovation work. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Exclusive | ‘Market is rotten’: Hong Kong fire exposes greedy building renovation business

Skyrocketing costs and stock of old estates turn an industry rife with bid-rigging and collusive conduct into a gold mine, experts say.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Exclusive | What is role of property management giant ISS at blaze-ravaged Hong Kong estate?

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China-Japan relations

Exclusive | Beijing freezes Japan youth exchange programmes over Takaichi Taiwan row

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Exclusive | Hong Kong contractor for fire-hit Tai Po project has record of safety offences

Prestige Construction fined twice for offences in Mid-Levels project in 2023 before taking on renovation work in Tai Po, Post learns.

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Police searched the office of the contractor, Prestige Construction, following the arrest of three men — including its two directors — on suspicion of manslaughter. Photo: Handout
Artificial intelligence

Exclusive | Baidu cuts jobs, restructures AI teams after loss-making quarter

The staff cuts come after the company posted a loss-making third quarter, despite reporting a 50 per cent jump in AI-related revenue.

Hong Kong politics

Exclusive | Hong Kong comeback queen Regina Ip reflects on 50-year career in public service

After bringing a 17-year stint as a lawmaker to a close, Regina Ip also reveals her behind-the-scenes struggles that led to her decision.

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The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Exclusive | Hong Kong football boss Westwood to leave job days after Singapore defeat

Source says head coach to go after 15 months in the post, with departure tied to failure to qualify for 2027 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia.

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Ashley Westwood speaks to the media before the game against Singapore that appears likely to have been his last in charge. Photo: Jonathan Wong
US-China trade war

Exclusive | Top Democrat demands US probe into Chinese firms potentially supplying Nexperia

Letter by Raja Krishnamoorthi to US Commerce Department claims wafers made by China-based suppliers pose safety and reliability concerns.

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China-EU relations

Exclusive | EU set to probe Chinese robotic lawnmowers in escalating trade dispute: sources

Anti-dumping investigation could cut into Chinese exports, trimming their foothold in European market while mowing down trade ties.

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Banking & finance

Exclusive | China’s sovereign fund sidelines executives amid worries over US scrutiny

China Investment Corporation has reassigned three department heads and delayed its 2024 report amid US pressure on foreign inflows.

China Investment Corporation, the country’s primary sovereign wealth fund, has reassigned three of its managing directors. Photo: Shutterstock
Open Questions series

Open Questions | China’s weak consumption and how economist Lu Feng would fix it

With 15th five-year plan promoting consumption, Peking University expert spells out imbalances and contradictions in Chinese economy and ways to resolve them.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Banking & finance

Exclusive | Standard Chartered tailors UAE offerings for wealthy Chinese residents

The United Arab Emirates is a growing hub for people who come to work, set up family offices and start businesses, bank’s wealth CEO says.

Thailand

Exclusive | Thailand’s top diplomat calls for Asean to rethink non-interference principle

In an exclusive interview, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow argues Asean’s consensus model needs reform amid US-China rivalry.

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US-China relations

Exclusive | Democrats demand to know whether Trump-Xi Nexperia deal blindsided Europe

Letter says EU officials ‘appeared unaware of reported breakthrough’ when engaging with Dutch chipmaker and Chinese trade representatives.

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Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia produces an estimated 100 billion semiconductors a year, which are vital to the automotive industry. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Hong Kong and Shanghai are ‘not just rivals’: US business chamber

American Chamber of Commerce president in Shanghai Eric Zheng says Hong Kong will help connect Western investors and mainland China for decades.

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AmCham Shanghai president Eric Zheng says Hong Kong will continue to play an important “superconnector” role for decades. Photo: Vivian Au
Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Which Hong Kong authorities score well on cybersecurity and which don’t?

A ratings agency gives its take but Digital Policy Office says gradings have limitations as they only take into account publicly available information.

Banking & finance

Exclusive | Investor shift from deposits to markets gathers speed: Invesco boss

‘There are a lot of cash deposits held by people in China that will find their way into the markets,’ Andrew Schlossberg says.

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Hong Kong politics

Exclusive | 30% of 161 Hong Kong Legco election candidates linked to mainland Chinese firms

Higher proportion marks significant increase from 2021 poll and reflects growing prominence of mainland capital in Hong Kong’s economy.

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The Legco chamber in Admiralty. Photo: Edmond So
Artificial intelligence

Exclusive | Zhipu AI sees tenfold surge in foreign users as Chinese AI gains traction

The Beijing start-up is leveraging its affordable ‘good enough’ open model to compete in the fast-growing AI coding market.

Education in Hong Kong

Exclusive | University of Hong Kong ‘pursuing plan’ to open Saudi Arabia campus

‘The university sees an opportunity in Saudi Arabia and has a plan to open a campus in Riyadh,’ source says.

China-Latin America relations

Exclusive | China praises Brazil’s forest fund but holds back on cash

As Cop30 begins, Brazilian official says Lula ’would be delighted’ to have China on initiative’s board as an investing country.

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Tropical rainforest vegetation in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. Photo: Xinhua
Family offices

Exclusive | China’s wealthy flock to Hong Kong for global investments, banker says

China Citic Bank International invests in new private banking centre as cross-border wealth customers triple, Wendy Yuen says.

Wendy Yuen, head of personal and business banking with China Citic Bank International, pictured at the bank’s new private banking centre in Citic Tower in Admiralty on October 22, 2025. Photo: May Tse
China-EU relations

Exclusive | German vice-chancellor to lead Social Democrat-Beijing talks as ties fray

Lars Klingbeil’s decision to chair talks comes after the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was forced to cancel a trip to Beijing.

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Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Hong Kong building quality won’t fall by allowing mainland standards: minister

Secretary for development says government is considering pre-approving construction materials regarded as offering good value for money.

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China-EU relations

Exclusive | China sees Europe as indispensable force for stable multipolar world: envoy

Ambassador to France Deng Li says Europeans ‘assume that since China is developing, it must also be seeking hegemony’.

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Chinese ambassador to France and Monaco, Deng Li, says China has always called for a peaceful solution in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy, but that Beijing does not hold the key. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Hong Kong ‘could halt’ commercial land sales for second year over poor demand

Development chief Bernadette Linn also says it is ‘untrue’ that Lantau reclamation plan was shelved because of pressure from developers.

A minister has said a coming megaproject will not focus on creating another central business district. Photo: Jelly Tse
Education in Hong Kong

Exclusive | HKIS pledges to spend HK$2.5 billion on campus as legal fight with LCMS rolls on

Hong Kong International School is opening a HK$1 billion ‘once-in-a-generation’ sports complex as part of its upgrade.

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Banking & finance

Exclusive | Property credit quality issues manageable for Hong Kong banks: HKMA’s Eddie Yue

The banking sector next year has more opportunities than challenges, HKMA’s chief executive says.

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