TOPIC

/ location

Xinjiang

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Xinjiang. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Ürümqi

Head of Government

Party Secretary of Xinjiang Ma Xingrui

Employees work on an assembly line producing smartphone holders at a plastic-accessories factory in China’s Guangdong province earlier this month. Rising oil prices are driving up production costs for plastic manufacturers. Photo: Reuters

SCMP Highlights

Hormuz oil crisis hits China; a family of dentists: 5 weekend reads you missed

From how Pakistan paid the price for mediating in the Iran war to a family of dentists, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

13 Apr 2026 - 12:12PM

Science

Chinese crystal ‘paves way’ for GPS-free thorium clock navigation

11 Apr 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Pakistan

Why has China mapped out a third new county in Xinjiang on its western frontier?

11 Apr 2026 - 3:46PMvideocam

Science

2 years on: China’s ‘desert wheat farms’ show the seeds of success

Chinese project turns sand dunes into cropland to combat desertification and strengthen food security.

10 Apr 2026 - 2:34PMvideocam

Chinese farmers have grown wheat in the country’s largest desert, Taklamakan, amid ongoing efforts to turn arid deserts into fertile soil and the drive to strengthen food security.
Photo: Weibo

Science

China’s electric truck revolution: powerful painkiller for the Iran war?

Sales of electric heavy-duty cargo trucks surged by 182 per cent in 2025, with more growth forecast as oil and gas prices soar.

6 Apr 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

13 Apr 2026 - 6:40PMvideocam

100 Top Tables: Cities of Gastronomy

The Chinese Wine Awards shine a spotlight on flourishing mainland vineyards

Local restaurants and the Chinese Wine Awards mark the growing interest in home-grown vintages.

Supported by

Macau Government Tourism Office

Chinese wines are increasing in popularity and holding their own against old world vintages. Photo: AFP

China’s Communist Party

Ma Xingrui becomes China’s third Politburo member investigated for corruption

Former Communist Party chief of Xinjiang is under investigation for ‘serious violations of discipline and law’, according to state news agency Xinhua.

3 Apr 2026 - 7:53PMvideocam

Science

China’s far west site of a new bulwark against Mideast-induced resource woes

Ethylene glycol plant in Xinjiang is equipped with tech that includes green electricity coupling, carbon capture and storage.

1 Apr 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

Corruption in China

China puts Ma Xingrui protege Guo Yonghang under corruption investigation

Fate of ‘right-hand man’ deepens mystery around former Guangdong governor and Xinjiang party chief who has not been seen for months.

28 Mar 2026 - 4:09PMvideocam

Guo Yonghang is suspected of “serious violations of discipline and law”, according to China’s top anti-corruption watchdog. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

China consumption

How ‘salmon’ raised in landlocked Xinjiang is netting fans in China

Aquaculture in the far-western region is expected to grow even more rapidly after a dependence on imported eggs is diminished or ended.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Workers process “Xinjiang salmon” at Xinjiang Tianyun Organic Agriculture’s processing plant in Yili, Xinjiang. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong economy

Amid Iran war, Hongkongers choose short-haul high-speed rail trips

With war raging in the Middle East, tickets for mainland Chinese destinations are being snapped up.

23 Mar 2026 - 1:22AM

China society

Editorial | China’s ethnic unity law can foster a shared sense of belonging

The law seeks to bridge ethnic divides for social stability and national development while safeguarding diversity.

19 Mar 2026 - 7:15AM

Cathay Pacific

Beijing first stop as Cathay launches global drive to hire 3,000 workers

Hong Kong carrier has openings for pilots, flight attendants and engineers as well as vacancies for digital positions.

14 Mar 2026 - 7:55PM

Cathay Pacific has openings for cabin crew among other vacancies. Photo: Eugene Lee

US-China relations

Exclusive | Sanctioned Rubio to visit China with Trump despite earlier missed opportunities

The formerly hawkish US secretary of state has been sanctioned by Beijing and sources say he has previously appeared reluctant to visit.

13 Mar 2026 - 6:18AMvideocam

As a senator, Marco Rubio had cultivated a reputation as a China hawk. Photo: AP

Two Sessions 2026

China codifies ethnic assimilation with new ‘unity’ law as it counters the West

Legal safeguards heed Xi Jinping’s call to foster ‘shared spiritual home’ with an eye on staving off ‘domestic friction’, analysts say.

13 Mar 2026 - 11:02AMvideocam

Two Sessions 2026

How will Hong Kong follow mainland China’s ethnic unity promotion law?

Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress set to be passed at the closing session of 14th National People’s Congress.

12 Mar 2026 - 8:30AM

US-China relations

In world of crisis, China urged to build deep below its western hinterlands

Critical facilities should be embedded deep beneath the Earth’s surface at a safer, less detectable level, energy expert says.

8 Mar 2026 - 4:57PMvideocam

A drive to create underground spaces in China’s rugged western region ties into Beijing’s broader strategy of shifting critical facilities away from the densely populated and more exposed eastern hubs. Photo: Xinhua

Two Sessions 2026

Xinjiang official says region’s textile industry is growing despite US sanctions

Amid China’s annual ‘two sessions’, Wang Kuiran says region will boost legal support for businesses affected by US restrictions.

7 Mar 2026 - 6:17PMvideocam

Retailing

Warm winter no match: China’s sportswear sector posts surprise growth

Policy support, Chinese New Year demand and Winter Olympics exposure lift China’s sportswear makers, with Li Ning and Anta leading gains.

1 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

Diplomacy

China versus the West? Wang Yi tells UN no country is ‘human rights teacher’

Beijing’s top diplomat says issue should not be ‘exploited to adorn democracy’ or to ‘whitewash hegemony’ as he advocates for Global South.

24 Feb 2026 - 6:43PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva, via video link from Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

China has ‘massively expanded’ its nuclear arsenal, claims US State Department

Beijing’s UN ambassador Shen Jian said China opposes the smearing of its nuclear policy and ‘would not engage in any nuclear arms race’.

24 Feb 2026 - 4:48AM

China’s UN ambassador Shen Jian at the annual United Nations Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday. Photo: AFP

Climate change

Opinion | Why China and Europe should care about Central Asia’s water crisis

Central Asian rivers shape Eurasian trade flows, affect global food markets and contribute to geopolitical instability across the region.

3 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

Science

China’s first-of-kind ABF crystal creates most energised solid-state laser beam

Breakthrough could open possibilities in quantum computing, space platforms, precision manufacturing and the chip industry.

2 Feb 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

China-UK relations

China lifted sanctions on British lawmakers after Starmer–Xi meeting, UK says

Prime minister says Beijing has removed 2021 curbs on MPs as part of a wider reset, though sanctions on others appear to remain.

31 Jan 2026 - 3:46AM

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer addresses Chinese and UK business delegations at a reception in Shanghai on Friday. Photo: AFP

Science

China’s man-made forest in Gobi produces good rubber for military use

Experimental cultivation of Chinese medicinal plant pays off as crops thrive in unfamiliar location, boosting national rubber supply.

30 Jan 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Chinese scientists including Zhu Mingqiang (right) of Northwest A&F University are behind a thriving project to plant high-value alternative “rubber trees” in the Gobi Desert. Photo: Handout

US-China relations

Chinese national Guan Heng, who filmed Xinjiang facilities, granted US asylum

The Department of Homeland Security initially sought to deport Guan to Uganda, but dropped the plan after his plight raised public concerns.

29 Jan 2026 - 7:53AMvideocam

China travel

Foreigners flock to China’s ice and snow sights, with 130% inbound tourism spike

Freezing temperatures will not dampen the spirits of snow seekers, as China cements its reputation as the world’s ultimate winter playground.

24 Jan 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

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Xinjiang

Hormuz oil crisis hits China; a family of dentists: 5 weekend reads you missed

From how Pakistan paid the price for mediating in the Iran war to a family of dentists, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Chinese crystal ‘paves way’ for GPS-free thorium clock navigation

Why has China mapped out a third new county in Xinjiang on its western frontier?

2 years on: China’s ‘desert wheat farms’ show the seeds of success

Chinese project turns sand dunes into cropland to combat desertification and strengthen food security.

China’s electric truck revolution: powerful painkiller for the Iran war?

Sales of electric heavy-duty cargo trucks surged by 182 per cent in 2025, with more growth forecast as oil and gas prices soar.

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}The Chinese Wine Awards shine a spotlight on flourishing mainland vineyards

Local restaurants and the Chinese Wine Awards mark the growing interest in home-grown vintages.

Ma Xingrui becomes China’s third Politburo member investigated for corruption

Former Communist Party chief of Xinjiang is under investigation for ‘serious violations of discipline and law’, according to state news agency Xinhua.

China’s far west site of a new bulwark against Mideast-induced resource woes

Ethylene glycol plant in Xinjiang is equipped with tech that includes green electricity coupling, carbon capture and storage.

China puts Ma Xingrui protege Guo Yonghang under corruption investigation

Fate of ‘right-hand man’ deepens mystery around former Guangdong governor and Xinjiang party chief who has not been seen for months.

How ‘salmon’ raised in landlocked Xinjiang is netting fans in China

Aquaculture in the far-western region is expected to grow even more rapidly after a dependence on imported eggs is diminished or ended.

Amid Iran war, Hongkongers choose short-haul high-speed rail trips

With war raging in the Middle East, tickets for mainland Chinese destinations are being snapped up.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | China’s ethnic unity law can foster a shared sense of belonging

The law seeks to bridge ethnic divides for social stability and national development while safeguarding diversity.

Beijing first stop as Cathay launches global drive to hire 3,000 workers

Hong Kong carrier has openings for pilots, flight attendants and engineers as well as vacancies for digital positions.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Sanctioned Rubio to visit China with Trump despite earlier missed opportunities

The formerly hawkish US secretary of state has been sanctioned by Beijing and sources say he has previously appeared reluctant to visit.

China codifies ethnic assimilation with new ‘unity’ law as it counters the West

Legal safeguards heed Xi Jinping’s call to foster ‘shared spiritual home’ with an eye on staving off ‘domestic friction’, analysts say.

How will Hong Kong follow mainland China’s ethnic unity promotion law?

Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress set to be passed at the closing session of 14th National People’s Congress.

In world of crisis, China urged to build deep below its western hinterlands

Critical facilities should be embedded deep beneath the Earth’s surface at a safer, less detectable level, energy expert says.

Xinjiang official says region’s textile industry is growing despite US sanctions

Amid China’s annual ‘two sessions’, Wang Kuiran says region will boost legal support for businesses affected by US restrictions.

Warm winter no match: China’s sportswear sector posts surprise growth

Policy support, Chinese New Year demand and Winter Olympics exposure lift China’s sportswear makers, with Li Ning and Anta leading gains.

China versus the West? Wang Yi tells UN no country is ‘human rights teacher’

Beijing’s top diplomat says issue should not be ‘exploited to adorn democracy’ or to ‘whitewash hegemony’ as he advocates for Global South.

China has ‘massively expanded’ its nuclear arsenal, claims US State Department

Beijing’s UN ambassador Shen Jian said China opposes the smearing of its nuclear policy and ‘would not engage in any nuclear arms race’.

Opinion | Why China and Europe should care about Central Asia’s water crisis

Central Asian rivers shape Eurasian trade flows, affect global food markets and contribute to geopolitical instability across the region.

China’s first-of-kind ABF crystal creates most energised solid-state laser beam

Breakthrough could open possibilities in quantum computing, space platforms, precision manufacturing and the chip industry.

China lifted sanctions on British lawmakers after Starmer–Xi meeting, UK says

Prime minister says Beijing has removed 2021 curbs on MPs as part of a wider reset, though sanctions on others appear to remain.

China’s man-made forest in Gobi produces good rubber for military use

Experimental cultivation of Chinese medicinal plant pays off as crops thrive in unfamiliar location, boosting national rubber supply.

Chinese national Guan Heng, who filmed Xinjiang facilities, granted US asylum

The Department of Homeland Security initially sought to deport Guan to Uganda, but dropped the plan after his plight raised public concerns.

Foreigners flock to China’s ice and snow sights, with 130% inbound tourism spike

Freezing temperatures will not dampen the spirits of snow seekers, as China cements its reputation as the world’s ultimate winter playground.

The Chinese Wine Awards shine a spotlight on flourishing mainland vineyards

Editorial | China’s ethnic unity law can foster a shared sense of belonging

Exclusive | Sanctioned Rubio to visit China with Trump despite earlier missed opportunities