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A Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Block 3, pictured carrying Chinese PL-15 missiles. Photo: Handout

Chinese arms exporters may be the big winners in any Pakistan-Saudi JF-17 talks

But observers also expressed doubts over a reported potential deal proceeding, citing US security concerns and potential F-35 sales.

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China set to supercharge radar, engine and AI in fifth-gen J-20 stealth fighter

China's military weapons
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SERIES: China Inc. goes global

Why overseas residency is a ‘practical advantage’ for Chinese firms going global

Local residency is becoming an essential asset for China’s business owners as they go abroad, granting benefits and networking opportunities.

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Science

China to define lunar time with world’s first timekeeping software for the moon

New tech allows moon events to be accurately synchronised from Earth, paving the way for more spacecraft and people to work on the satellite.

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Law and Crime

Jimmy Lai may complete non-national security jail terms by June: prosecutor

Prosecutor says with one-third guilty plea discount factored in, Lai may finish sentences for four other criminal cases on June 11.

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Open Questions
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

World

China’s militarism call, Malaysia-Singapore border chaos: 5 weekend reads

From China’s underground engineering triumph to calls to curb Japan militarism, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

China and the US should work together to thwart any plot to revive the spectre of militarism in Japan, according to a Chinese embassy official in Washington. Photo: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
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Big Tech

Alibaba’s Qwen family hits 700 million downloads to lead open-source AI adoption

Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen family is the world’s most widely used open-source AI system as of January, Hugging Face data shows.

People

Next appointment, 2027: US visa squeeze hits India’s tech talent

With H-1B renewals stalled, a new generation of Indian professionals is questioning whether to pursue their American dreams.

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Business

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

In partnership with:
MPOC
Palm oil is a versatile ingredient found in a wide range of everyday items, from ice cream and cake to lipstick and biofuel.
SERIES: Year of the Horse 2026

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Monkeys, from love to health

In the Year of the Fire Horse, Monkeys should focus on travel and avoid places with heavy yin energy, fortune-teller Tong Pik-ha says.

The Year of the Horse 2026 will be a time for those born in the Year of the Monkey to expand networks abroad. But married Monkeys are at risk of feeling alienated from their spouse. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Science

China applies to put up 200,000 satellites after calling Starlink a crash risk

US Federal Communications Commission says it approved SpaceX to launch 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites.

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Big Tech

China’s AI unlikely to surpass US soon despite progress, researchers say

China’s top AI scientists warn of chip deficits and resource limits, though some predict breakthroughs within five years.

5

Americas

Trump says might keep Exxon out of Venezuela after CEO called it ‘uninvestable’

US president voices displeasure with the US company’s response to his initiative for Venezuela’s oil industry.

The downtown skyline and the Cota 905 neighbourhood in Caracas, Venezuela. Photo: AP

East Asia

Japan launches world’s first mission to lift rare earth from deep sea

Tokyo has been reducing its dependence on China for the critical minerals amid a major diplomatic dispute with Beijing.

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Japan’s deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu is anchored at a pier in Shimizu port, Shizuoka prefecture, in 2013. Photo: AFP

China Business

Foreign, Hong Kong retailers shut mainland China stores amid fierce competition

High-profile store closures included those of Lane Crawford, Ikea, Triumph, Zara Home and Zara.

Business

Financial firm Ares doubles Hong Kong office footprint as outlook improves

Rents for prime offices in Central could rise up to 5 per cent, according to JLL, while Knight Frank expects a gain of as much as 8 per cent.

United States & Canada

US surges hundreds more agents to Minneapolis amid furore over ICE killing

Kristi Noem defends actions of the ICE agent who shot Renee Nicole Good, a killing that has sparked renewed protests nationwide.

A woman reacts after a federal immigration officer used a battering ram to break down a door before making an arrest in Minneapolis on Sunday. Photo: AP

Entertainment

KPop Demon Hunters wins 2 Golden Globes, including best song for ‘Golden’

Netflix’s hugely popular KPop Demon Hunters scooped best animated feature and best original song, beating competition from Avatar and Wicked.

(From left) Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami, who provide the singing voices for the three main characters in KPop Demon Hunters, are pictured at the 83rd Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, California, on January 11, 2026. The Netflix animated hit picked up two awards at the ceremony. Photo: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Southeast Asia

Singapore teen who made peer soak genitals in chilli oil given probation

The 18-year-old impersonated a woman online to deceive another teenager into performing degrading acts, then blackmailed him with the videos.

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Politics

‘Gang of hooligans’: rebuke from North Korea signals icy ties with South

The unusually coarse language from Kim Jong-un’s sister shows that Pyongyang has no intention of reconciling with Seoul, experts say.

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OPINION
Chow Chung-yan

Opinion | Forget Venezuela and Greenland – here is the real trillion-dollar question

Chow Chung-yan
4
Alice Wu

Opinion | Hong Kong courts cross-border drivers – then traps them in licence queues

Alice Wu
Letters

Letters | Educate visiting hikers and seriously deter them from littering

Letters
Kun Tian

Opinion | Hong Kong’s fertile ground for AI IPOs aligns with China’s tech strategy

Kun Tian
Alex Lo

My Take | The days of EU and Nato may be numbered under von der Leyen and Kallas

Alex Lo
21
Harry’s View | 12 Jan 2026
January 12, 2026
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Global Economy

China pledges green-energy push with Global South, signals wider market opening

Big Tech

Alibaba’s Qwen family hits 700 million downloads to lead open-source AI adoption

Asia

Video | Dozens missing in deadly landfill avalanche in Philippines

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Society

Hong Kong DAB chief urges respect for Tai Po fire survivors’ community ties

Southeast Asia

Singapore teen who made peer soak genitals in chilli oil given probation

Military

Chinese arms exporters may be the big winners in any Pakistan-Saudi JF-17 talks

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SCMP Series
Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy
Year of the Horse 2026
China Inc. goes global
Revisiting US-China relations
Illustration: Henry Wong
SCMP SeriesBeijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

Why has Beijing turned down the heat in the Taiwan Strait in the second half of 2025?

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

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Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

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‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

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Open Questions series

Global Economy

Open Questions | ‘Embrace the moment’: on China, Daniel Kritenbrink puts pragmatism first

Former US ambassador to Vietnam says a return to the past for US-China relations is unrealistic, but both economic powers benefit from ties.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Diplomacy

Open Questions | How new C100 chief plans to foster ties between Chinese-Americans and China

The Committee of 100’s president Paul Cheung has high hopes for Chinese-Americans’ relationship with China in these uncertain times.

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Diplomacy

Open Questions | Political scientist Ivan Krastev on European vertigo in a post-American world

While melancholy Europe frets that the US and China will shape the future, middle powers are jostling for a place at the big table.

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Diplomacy

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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Tech

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

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The questions in FAI-C were reviewed by a panel of Biblical experts, including theologians, pastors, psychologists and scholars of ethics. Photo: SCMP

Big Tech

Alibaba’s Qwen family hits 700 million downloads to lead open-source AI adoption

Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen family is the world’s most widely used open-source AI system as of January, Hugging Face data shows.

Big Tech

China’s AI unlikely to surpass US soon despite progress, researchers say

China’s top AI scientists warn of chip deficits and resource limits, though some predict breakthroughs within five years.

5

Tech Trends

Chinese smart eyewear makers shine at CES with focus on challenging Meta

‘The rise of smart glasses is riding directly on advances in AI,’ LLVision founder and CEO Wu Fei says.

Visitors flock to Hangzhou-based Rokid’s eye-catching exhibition booth at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. Photo: Wency Chen

Diplomacy

How the US raid in Venezuela has triggered Brazilian fury and a Chinese opening

Latin America’s largest economy seeks ‘delicate balance’ between Trump’s ambitions and boosting ties with Beijing, its top trading partner.

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Illustration: Brian Wang

Banking & Finance

What does HSBC’s buyout of Hang Seng Bank mean for its future and investors?

HSBC’s historic US$13.6 billion buyout of Hang Seng Bank aims to cut costs, tackle bad debts and fuel growth, but challenges abound.

Military

China’s role in Korean peninsula stability tested amid nuclear submarine moves

Seoul’s calls for Chinese mediation seen to underscore Beijing’s central role in preserving stability between two Koreas.

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China Economy

Shanghai unveils US$10 billion investment spree as US-China tech race heats up

Shanghai announces 50 new projects across an array of hi-tech industries as China’s cities heed Beijing’s call to double down on innovation.

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Shanghai has unveiled a slew of new investments in hi-tech industries worth more than US$10 billion. Photo: AFP
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