Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

US President Donald Trump has said on social media that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead. Photos: AP

Developing | Trump says Khamenei killed, Iran denies reports as ‘mental warfare’

Accounts of Iran’s leadership being decimated remain sharply contested, as Beijing expresses ‘deep concern’ over on-going situation.

58 minutes agovideocam

China warns citizens in Iran about security risks as nuclear talks end without deal

US-China relations

China Economy

From gala spectacle to job scare: Chinese workers confront the AI threat

The country’s economy – with an expansive public sector – is better positioned to withstand AI shocks, but more government support is needed.

2 hours ago

Politics

Cathay Pacific suspends all Middle East operations after US-Israeli attack on Iran

Hong Kong’s Airport Authority says at least nine flights have been cancelled or postponed.

28 Feb 2026 - 11:30PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Trump urges Iranians to overthrow government after US-Israel strikes

US bases in Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain under attack by Revolutionary Guard, according to Iranian media outlet.

5 hours agovideocam

349

Crisis in Iran

US President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida in December. Photo: via TNS

US-Israel attack on Iran: how it unfolded

Middle East

What to know about Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The cleric who ordered the country’s bloodiest crackdown in decades may have seen his rule ended by a US-Israeli military strike.

1 hour agovideocam

Iraqi Shiites shout slogans as they carry a portrait of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and wave Iranian flags during a protest in Baghdad on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Why US money may not be enough to break China’s rare earths dominance

Washington aims to spend billions in Africa to build up a strategic reserve of key minerals, but analysts warn it may not be so simple.

28 Feb 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

Politics

Build fast, grow rich: To Lam’s blueprint for a rising Vietnam

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief is staking his legacy on 10 per cent growth, domestic megaprojects and an overseas charm offensive.

33 minutes ago

Business

How Standard Chartered’s SME Banking helps Hong Kong arts and crafts design firm’s growth

Deepa Jivan, CEO of J.Gordhan & Co, says bank’s tailored financial solutions and expertise give it the agility to navigate global marketplace.

In partnership with:

Standard Chartered

Deepa Jivan is the founder and CEO of Hong Kong-based arts and crafts products company J.Gordhan & Co.

Health & Wellness

Explainer | All about TCM’s ‘miracle pill’ Angong Niuhuang Wan, and when not to take it

The prized Angong Niuhuang Wan is thought to help stroke victims if taken at the right time. But when is that, and can it harm you?

1 hour ago

Angong Niuhuang Wan is among the most prized traditional Chinese medicine formulas and costs an eye-watering amount. But do the pills actually help prevent and treat strokes, and can they be harmful? A Hong Kong-based TCM practitioner helps us understand more. Photo: Shandong Hongjitang Pharmaceutical Group

Middle East

Missiles streak across Gulf skies as Iran responds to US-Israel attack

The sudden escalation in military operations has left many in the Middle East on edge.

28 Feb 2026 - 11:55PMvideocam

Middle East

Burgers, then war: Trump’s bluffs before Iran strikes

The US president gave mixed signals about whether the attack was coming, but his weekend Mar-a-Lago trip may have been the big giveaway.

2 hours agovideocam

Middle East

US says it used drones based on Iran’s own Shaheds in attack: ‘retribution’

Russia has used over 57,000 similar drones built with Iranian technology in Ukraine, transforming modern warfare.

3 hours ago

A Shahed drone is displayed in Tehran, Iran, on February 11. Photo: WANA via Reuters

United States & Canada

Trump gambles his Iran attack will save flailing Maga agenda

Faced with affordability concerns and plunging approval ratings at home, the US president is waging a war he once promised never to start.

6 hours agovideocam

Military

Taiwan is buying expensive US weapons systems, but are they the right ones?

The pricey arms packages are already facing legislative pushback. Now critics say they may be addressing the wrong threat.

28 Feb 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Middle East

Who are the main players in the US-Iran-Israel crisis?

With the decisions and actions of those involved impacting countless millions, the stakes are high.

28 Feb 2026 - 9:56PMvideocam

Middle East

What military assets does the US have in the Middle East?

Before Saturday’s strikes on Iran, Donald Trump ordered a huge military presence in the region, including warships crewed by thousands.

28 Feb 2026 - 10:13PMvideocam

The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford left the Greek island of Crete on Thursday. Photo: via TNS

Middle East

Airspace closed, flights cancelled amid US-Israel-Iran conflict

Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Syria and the UAE all announced at least partial closures of their skies.

28 Feb 2026 - 11:04PMvideocam

An interior view of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv in Israel on Saturday after the nation closed its airspace to civilian flights following a joint Israeli-US attack on Iran. Photo: Xinhua

Society

Applications miss target as 670 Hongkongers settle in UK with BN(O) visa

Experts also suggest uncertainties over country’s long-term settlement of migrants could deter future applicants.

28 Feb 2026 - 11:37PMvideocam

Politics

CK Hutchison subsidiary slams Panama over ‘unnotified intrusion’ at storage site

Panama Ports Company accuses Panamanian authorities of undermining due process with raid, slams earlier takeover of canal ports as ‘illegal’.

28 Feb 2026 - 8:24PM

OPINION

Kong Qingjiang

Opinion | Why China steers clear of the West’s transactional diplomacy

3 hours ago

Marco Vicenzino

Opinion | US-Israeli strike on Iran signals new phase of global escalation

28 Feb 2026 - 9:20PM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | A deeper solution to child abuse lies in breaking vicious cycles

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SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Hong Kong wants ecotourism, not overtourism

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Cliff Buddle

My Take | Ruling that allows harassment victims to sue has far-reaching implications

1 Mar 2026 - 12:05AM

Harry’s View | 1 Mar 2026

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Customers choose colored glaze snake handicrafts for the coming Chinese New Year, the Year of Snake, in Xiye Colored Glaze Studio in Boshan district, Zibo city, Shandong province, China, on Jan. 9, 2025. With a long history of colored glaze, Boshan is regarded as China’s Hometown of Colored Glaze and has 12 colored glaze enterprises and 65 art studios. (Xinhua)
新华社照片，淄博（山东），2025年1月9日
1月9日，消费者在淄博市博山区西冶工坊展销厅内挑选蛇年主题琉璃工艺品。
春节临近，山东省淄博市博山区的琉璃生产企业推出众多蛇年主题创意琉璃制品，受到市场青睐。博山区被誉为“中国琉璃之乡“，琉璃生产历史悠久，当地已发展琉璃生产企业12家、工作室65个。
新华社记者朱峥摄

SCMP Series Year of the Horse 2026

Year of the Horse 2026 feng shui advice for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs to enjoy good luck

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where each Chinese zodiac sign can place items for good luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

21 Feb 2026 - 7:15AMvideocam

Feng shui advice for Snakes for luck in money, health and romance

20 Feb 2026 - 7:15AMvideocam

Why do Chinese love water chestnuts? All about the lucky ‘horse’s hoof’

19 Feb 2026 - 11:15AM

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era

American political scientist on how ‘interdependence’ can be exploited as part of the rivalry between major powers.

23 Feb 2026 - 10:05AMvideocam

Global Economy

Open Questions | Why Trump’s April trip to China may not deliver ‘grand bargain’: James Zimmerman

The American Chamber of Commerce in China chairman says this year’s expected Trump-Xi meetings can put countries on a ‘visionary’ path.

13 Feb 2026 - 9:03AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump’s ‘imperial’ agenda and the end of the old world order: Luuk van Middelaar

Political theorist says rapid acceleration of the US president’s ‘offensive, almost imperial’ agenda has left Europe disoriented.

9 Feb 2026 - 1:10PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Lawrence Lau on why China must ‘work smarter’ and how it can invent from scratch

China must shift from quantity to quality by focusing on 12-year schooling, more basic research and GBA integration, renowned economist says.

2 Feb 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Tech

Chinese chip firms Cambricon, Moore Threads post sales jump on domestic demand

Cambricon reports first full-year profit since listing in 2020, while Moore Threads’ revenue jumps 243 per cent.

27 Feb 2026 - 10:26PM

Chinese AI chip designer Cambricon posted its first annual profit since listing in 2020. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

China Economy

From gala spectacle to job scare: Chinese workers confront the AI threat

The country’s economy – with an expansive public sector – is better positioned to withstand AI shocks, but more government support is needed.

2 hours ago

Tech

Alibaba to launch new smart glasses powered by Qwen AI assistant at MWC

The coming release marks Alibaba’s second major foray into smart eyewear, following the Quark AI Glasses launched in November 2025.

28 Feb 2026 - 5:16PM

China

Meet Habibi – the Chinese AI uniting 20 Arabic dialects in a Middle East first

Lead author says there are many differences between Arabic dialects and Modern Standard Arabic, which is used in official circumstances.

28 Feb 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

Habibi, a model devised by a Chinese-led team, has “zero-shot” capability, meaning it can clone a dialect’s voice by using short reference audio, according to the researchers. Photo: Shutterstock

China

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

27 Feb 2026 - 1:57AMvideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Breaking down the key figures in Hong Kong 2026-27 budget

A deep dive into the data from Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan’s latest budget announcement, looking at the government’s growing revenue and increasing investment in infrastructure.

26 Feb 2026 - 4:01PM

Diplomacy

5 top takeaways from Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address

In a speech that runs nearly two hours, Trump casts himself as a global peacemaker and touts his economic credentials.

25 Feb 2026 - 12:50PMvideocam

Science

Smaller, faster, smarter: Chinese transistor ready for future AI chips

Breakthrough said to overcome long-standing limitations of traditional ferroelectric transistors, ‘paving way for large-scale application’.

25 Feb 2026 - 6:19AMvideocam

Ferroelectric transistors function similarly to neurons in the human brain, as they integrate memory and processing in a single unit. Photo: Shutterstock

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Developing | Trump says Khamenei killed, Iran denies reports as ‘mental warfare’

Accounts of Iran’s leadership being decimated remain sharply contested, as Beijing expresses ‘deep concern’ over on-going situation.

China warns citizens in Iran about security risks as nuclear talks end without deal

From gala spectacle to job scare: Chinese workers confront the AI threat

The country’s economy – with an expansive public sector – is better positioned to withstand AI shocks, but more government support is needed.

Cathay Pacific suspends all Middle East operations after US-Israeli attack on Iran

Hong Kong’s Airport Authority says at least nine flights have been cancelled or postponed.

Trump urges Iranians to overthrow government after US-Israel strikes

US bases in Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain under attack by Revolutionary Guard, according to Iranian media outlet.

US-Israel attack on Iran: how it unfolded

What to know about Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The cleric who ordered the country’s bloodiest crackdown in decades may have seen his rule ended by a US-Israeli military strike.

Why US money may not be enough to break China’s rare earths dominance

Washington aims to spend billions in Africa to build up a strategic reserve of key minerals, but analysts warn it may not be so simple.

Build fast, grow rich: To Lam’s blueprint for a rising Vietnam

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief is staking his legacy on 10 per cent growth, domestic megaprojects and an overseas charm offensive.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}How Standard Chartered’s SME Banking helps Hong Kong arts and crafts design firm’s growth

Deepa Jivan, CEO of J.Gordhan & Co, says bank’s tailored financial solutions and expertise give it the agility to navigate global marketplace.

Explainer | All about TCM’s ‘miracle pill’ Angong Niuhuang Wan, and when not to take it

The prized Angong Niuhuang Wan is thought to help stroke victims if taken at the right time. But when is that, and can it harm you?

Missiles streak across Gulf skies as Iran responds to US-Israel attack

The sudden escalation in military operations has left many in the Middle East on edge.

Burgers, then war: Trump’s bluffs before Iran strikes

The US president gave mixed signals about whether the attack was coming, but his weekend Mar-a-Lago trip may have been the big giveaway.

US says it used drones based on Iran’s own Shaheds in attack: ‘retribution’

Russia has used over 57,000 similar drones built with Iranian technology in Ukraine, transforming modern warfare.

Trump gambles his Iran attack will save flailing Maga agenda

Faced with affordability concerns and plunging approval ratings at home, the US president is waging a war he once promised never to start.

Taiwan is buying expensive US weapons systems, but are they the right ones?

The pricey arms packages are already facing legislative pushback. Now critics say they may be addressing the wrong threat.

Who are the main players in the US-Iran-Israel crisis?

With the decisions and actions of those involved impacting countless millions, the stakes are high.

What military assets does the US have in the Middle East?

Before Saturday’s strikes on Iran, Donald Trump ordered a huge military presence in the region, including warships crewed by thousands.

Airspace closed, flights cancelled amid US-Israel-Iran conflict

Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Syria and the UAE all announced at least partial closures of their skies.

Applications miss target as 670 Hongkongers settle in UK with BN(O) visa

Experts also suggest uncertainties over country’s long-term settlement of migrants could deter future applicants.

CK Hutchison subsidiary slams Panama over ‘unnotified intrusion’ at storage site

Panama Ports Company accuses Panamanian authorities of undermining due process with raid, slams earlier takeover of canal ports as ‘illegal’.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Why China steers clear of the West’s transactional diplomacy

Opinion | US-Israeli strike on Iran signals new phase of global escalation

Editorial | A deeper solution to child abuse lies in breaking vicious cycles

Editorial | Hong Kong wants ecotourism, not overtourism

My Take | Ruling that allows harassment victims to sue has far-reaching implications

Are new Hong Kong subdivided flat standards triggering a wave of evictions?

VAR expanded, new rules to curb time wasting approved in time for World Cup

Build fast, grow rich: To Lam’s blueprint for a rising Vietnam

What to know about Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Hong Kong’s small landlords turn to co-working, student hostels to survive

Editorial | A deeper solution to child abuse lies in breaking vicious cycles

Year of the Horse 2026 feng shui advice for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs to enjoy good luck

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where each Chinese zodiac sign can place items for good luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

Feng shui advice for Snakes for luck in money, health and romance

Why do Chinese love water chestnuts? All about the lucky ‘horse’s hoof’

Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era

American political scientist on how ‘interdependence’ can be exploited as part of the rivalry between major powers.

Open Questions | Why Trump’s April trip to China may not deliver ‘grand bargain’: James Zimmerman

The American Chamber of Commerce in China chairman says this year’s expected Trump-Xi meetings can put countries on a ‘visionary’ path.

Open Questions | Trump’s ‘imperial’ agenda and the end of the old world order: Luuk van Middelaar

Political theorist says rapid acceleration of the US president’s ‘offensive, almost imperial’ agenda has left Europe disoriented.

Open Questions | Lawrence Lau on why China must ‘work smarter’ and how it can invent from scratch

China must shift from quantity to quality by focusing on 12-year schooling, more basic research and GBA integration, renowned economist says.

Chinese chip firms Cambricon, Moore Threads post sales jump on domestic demand

Cambricon reports first full-year profit since listing in 2020, while Moore Threads’ revenue jumps 243 per cent.

From gala spectacle to job scare: Chinese workers confront the AI threat

The country’s economy – with an expansive public sector – is better positioned to withstand AI shocks, but more government support is needed.

Alibaba to launch new smart glasses powered by Qwen AI assistant at MWC

The coming release marks Alibaba’s second major foray into smart eyewear, following the Quark AI Glasses launched in November 2025.

Meet Habibi – the Chinese AI uniting 20 Arabic dialects in a Middle East first

Lead author says there are many differences between Arabic dialects and Modern Standard Arabic, which is used in official circumstances.

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

Breaking down the key figures in Hong Kong 2026-27 budget

A deep dive into the data from Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan’s latest budget announcement, looking at the government’s growing revenue and increasing investment in infrastructure.

5 top takeaways from Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address

In a speech that runs nearly two hours, Trump casts himself as a global peacemaker and touts his economic credentials.

Smaller, faster, smarter: Chinese transistor ready for future AI chips

Breakthrough said to overcome long-standing limitations of traditional ferroelectric transistors, ‘paving way for large-scale application’.

Developing | Trump says Khamenei killed, Iran denies reports as ‘mental warfare’

How Standard Chartered’s SME Banking helps Hong Kong arts and crafts design firm’s growth

Opinion | Why China steers clear of the West’s transactional diplomacy