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Cui Tiankai served as China’s ambassador to the United States from 2013 to 2021. Photo: Reuters

Europe’s real threat is its own inner ‘demon’, not Russia: former Chinese envoy

Beijing’s longest-serving ambassador to the US also claims Nato has outlived its relevance, as Trump ramps up pressure on Greenland.

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

US-China relations
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China Economy

China prioritises export controls, supply chains to shield economy in 2026

Commerce ministry also pledges to boost domestic demand, services and two-way investment over coming year.

Global Economy

‘Soft landing’: China, EU see progress in EV dispute with price floor option

Breakthrough follows duties levied by Brussels in October 2024 as part of investigation into industry subsidies.

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Law and Crime

Hong Kong judges doubtful if Jimmy Lai’s health justifies sentence reduction

High Court justices begin hearing arguments on length of sentences to be handed down to Apple Daily founder and eight others.

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Open Questions
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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

China Economy

China vows more support for ‘little giant’-like firms amid self-sufficiency push

Beijing also aims to collect more industrial data and push manufacturers to embrace digital solutions.

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A humanoid robot is pictured at the 2025 Global Industrial Internet Conference in China’s northeastern Liaoning province. China has identified humanoid robots as one of several strategic future industries that it aims to lead. Photo: Xinhua
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Science

Did a bowl of millet help end a migrant crisis in China 1,500 years ago?

New research suggests that shared food was the primary engine of assimilation for nomadic tribes migrating into central China.

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Society

Hong Kong man plunges to ground after blast at first-floor flat

Man rushed to hospital after explosion at 43 Pak Tai Street in Kowloon City.

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.

Diplomacy

China denounces use of force in Middle East as Trump threatens Iran strikes

Beijing calls for ‘peace and stability’ in the region amid escalating protests in Iran.

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Protesters in London burn images of Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally held on Sunday in solidarity with demonstrations in Iran. Photo: AFP

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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Politics

Japan’s top diplomat heads to Philippines with South China Sea top of mind

The talks are likely to focus on Manila’s push for a South China Sea code with ‘teeth’ as this year’s Asean chair, analysts say.

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China Economy

China’s solar firms, once deemed too competitive, now face monopoly accusations

Major producers are suspected of using Beijing’s anti-involution campaign as an excuse to rig prices.

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Workers carry solar panels at a solar farm under construction in China’s northwestern Ningxia region. Photo: Reuters

Tech Trends

DeepSeek founder’s High-Flyer ranks among China’s top hedge-fund firms in 2025

Hangzhou-based High-Flyer ranks second among China’s 10 top-performing large hedge-fund managers last year.

Quant funds, such as Hangzhou-based High-Flyer, made up the 10 top-performing large hedge-fund firms in China in 2025. Photo: Shutterstock

Europe

UK launches probe into Musk’s X over Grok’s ‘disgusting’ sexualised AI imagery

UK regulator acts after users prompt AI to create sexually intimate deepfakes, fuelling fears of widespread image abuse on the platform.

Economics

Gig workers’ strike in India spurs debate on human cost of delivery race

More than 200,000 gig workers recently staged protests across major Indian cities, prompting concerns about the necessity of quick commerce.

Diplomacy

China’s Wang Yi cites ‘severe risks’ after Somalia dropped from Africa itinerary

In a call with the Somali foreign minister, China’s top envoy reiterates Beijing’s support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.

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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi was supposed to visit Mogadishu as part of his African tour but he instead went to Tanzania on Friday. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong Economy

Producers at Hong Kong toy fair bet on AI-powered plushies to double sales

But some buyers also express concerns over use of the technology in toys for children.

AI-powered plushies were among the highlights at this year’s toy fair. Photo: Sam Tsang

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.

Military

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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OPINION
Chow Chung-yan

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

Chow Chung-yan
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Richard Heydarian

Opinion | US precedent in Venezuela raises Asia’s fears of ‘rule of jungle’

Richard Heydarian
Nicholas Spiro

The View | 3 factors Asia’s real estate investors must watch in 2026

Nicholas Spiro
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
Harry’s View | 12 Jan 2026
January 12, 2026
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Politics

Taiwan targets Beijing-linked infiltration with push for stricter punishment

Tech Trends

DeepSeek founder’s High-Flyer ranks among China’s top hedge-fund firms in 2025

Diplomacy

Europe’s real threat is its own inner ‘demon’, not Russia: former Chinese envoy

Law and Crime

Hong Kong judges doubtful if Jimmy Lai’s health justifies sentence reduction

China Economy

China vows more support for ‘little giant’-like firms amid self-sufficiency push

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Opinion | US precedent in Venezuela raises Asia’s fears of ‘rule of jungle’

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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

Tech Trends

DeepSeek founder’s High-Flyer ranks among China’s top hedge-fund firms in 2025

Hangzhou-based High-Flyer ranks second among China’s 10 top-performing large hedge-fund managers last year.

China Business

Xpeng’s flying car unit readies Hong Kong IPO for take-off

Aridge, formerly AeroHT, eyes listing this year as it aims to accelerate its efforts in the low-altitude market, sources say.

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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.

The volume of Qwen downloads on Hugging Face reinforced its position as the world’s leading open-source ecosystem. Photo: Shutterstock

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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