Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Kawasaki’s humanoid robot Kaleido takes out the rubbish as crowds watch during the IREX show in Tokyo. Photo: Wency Chen

Why Japan’s robotic pioneers are ceding the humanoid stage to China and the US

Japan’s university system has long centred on engineering faculties led by manufacturing, resulting in a relative shortage of AI talent.

56 minutes ago

Chinese home appliance giant Midea unveils 6-arm robot for factory work

Robotics

United States & Canada

Police hunt for suspect after 2 students killed in Brown University shooting

Eight others were critically injured in the incident, which US President Trump called ‘terrible’.

2 hours ago

Military

Is the US pushing South Korea to the fore in deterring a war over Taiwan?

Washington’s latest strategy urges allies to spend ‘much more for collective defence’ as it backs Seoul building nuclear-powered submarines.

3 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Speed up innovation, create jobs key facets of next Hong Kong budget: Paul Chan

Finance chief says public consultation for next budget will start soon and he ‘looks forward’ to ideas from residents.

36 minutes ago

Politics

A social media influencer in New York City films a video for RedNote after leaving TikTok in January. Photo: Reuters

Are China’s social media apps the soft power play to win over the West?

Diplomacy

Entrepreneurs vie for Africa’s Business Heroes titles in start-up bonanza

Record 32,000 applications from 54 nations vie for seventh Africa’s Business Heroes awards to recognise 100 start-ups over 10 years.

5 hours ago

A record 32,000 entrepreneurs applied for the 7th Africa’s Business Heroes competition in Kigali, Rwanda, on December 13, 2025. Photo: Handout

China Business

China’s EV battery giants wade into shipbuilding to bolster Beijing’s dominance

CATL and Gotion add momentum to China’s efforts to build new-energy vessels amid an accelerated decarbonisation drive.

6 hours ago

Politics

Southeast Asia barely features in America’s new security strategy

The region appears just twice in the new 32-page US National Security Strategy, raising fears it is being relegated to a ‘bargaining chip’.

3 hours ago

Lifestyle

A nation by design: how Singapore’s creative spirit drives its development

As the city state celebrates its 60th anniversary of independence this year, we look at how design has shaped its growth, from building its modern skyline from the ground up to enhancing the quality of life for an ageing population and allowing citizens to live healthier lives

In partnership with:

DesignSingapore Council

Marina Bay, envisioned as a place for people to live, work and play around the clock, is now home to many of Singapore’s iconic landmarks. This centrepiece of the cityscape has continued evolving to support its sustainable development.

China Business

Cold spots are hot tickets as southern Chinese head north to ski

Ski resorts record big visitor increases as high-speed rail and flight expansions bring in those who have tried the sport in indoor venues.

2 hours ago

Children learn snowboarding at Jiangjunshan International Ski Resort in Altay, in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on December 1, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Politics

Hong Kong’s John Lee to visit Beijing this week for annual duty visit

Hong Kong’s leader will make duty visit to the capital from Monday to Wednesday, less than a month after city’s deadliest fire in decades.

30 minutes ago

China Economy

China’s growing young billionaire class masks innovation hurdles, analysts say

Technological innovation – one of Beijing’s top priorities – is helping to drive wealth creation, report says.

4 hours ago

Politics

Vote to disband Hong Kong’s Democratic Party looms as members weigh ‘rough ride’

Once the biggest opposition party, the Democrats are close to folding, with members reflecting on their struggles since political changes of 2020.

3 hours ago

Democratic Party members meet the press earlier this year. Photo Edmond So

Politics

Security or freedom? Japan’s proposed anti-spy laws raise human rights concerns

Prime Minister Takaichi’s plans to tighten spying and secrecy rules could be used to stifle free speech and media freedom, analysts say.

5 hours agovideocam

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to the media in Tokyo on Monday. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters

SERIES: WWII: 80 years on

After The War | Virtual reality and the Nanking massacre: where does immersion become trauma?

Amid push in China for museum digitalisation, one educator seeks to help students ‘feel history without being flooded by it’.

5 hours ago

Hong Kong Economy

Destroyed homes, cancelled events: Hong Kong counts economic cost of Tai Po fire

Wang Fuk Court flats that went up in flames worth about HK$5 billion, while losses from cancelled mega-events, banquets are likely to rise.

5 hours agovideocam

Tech Trends

Sea change: China narrows AI gap with US 3 years after ChatGPT shock

The turning point came when DeepSeek released its V3 and R1 models, which were on par with OpenAI’s GPT and Meta’s Llama models at the time.

14 Dec 2025 - 12:57AM

Chinese culture

5 of the best-known horses in Chinese legend, from the Red Hare to qilin

Horses play a fascinating role in Chinese folklore, ranging from the downright disturbing – one kidnaps a girl – to the gently auspicious.

14 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

Warlord Lu Bu and his famous horse Red Hare are depicted in the 2013 video game Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends.

Business

Shanghai retail landscape evolves with new malls, shift to experiential shopping

Hang Lung, New World and Swire are renovating and expanding their malls in Shanghai to stay relevant in a competitive environment.

3 hours ago

Russia & Central Asia

Europe fears hidden Russian threat in Trump-backed Ukraine peace plan

Europe worries a US plan for a demilitarised zone in the Donbas region may help Moscow to reinvade Kyiv.

4 hours agovideocam

OPINION

Dennis Lee

Opinion | Frank Gehry’s vision for Hong Kong’s arts hub was an opportunity lost

5 hours ago

Frances Mangosing

Asian Angle | Is the new Philippines-Germany defence pact built to last?

4 hours ago

Letters

Letters | Hong Kong’s ‘coin carts’ are not serving residents who need them most

3 hours ago

Ken Chu

Opinion | How Hong Kong can capitalise on Chinese creative destruction

14 Dec 2025 - 5:30AM

Cliff Buddle

My Take | What Hong Kong can learn from deadly London flats blaze

13 Dec 2025 - 11:36PM

Harry’s View | 14 Dec 2025

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Hong Kong

Gallery | In pictures: International MotorXpo Hong Kong 2025

36 minutes ago

Hong Kong Economy

Speed up innovation, create jobs key facets of next Hong Kong budget: Paul Chan

43 minutes ago

Law and Crime

Hong Kong police arrest 7 in crackdown on credit card theft, fraud syndicate

59 minutes ago

Tech Trends

Why Japan’s robotic pioneers are ceding the humanoid stage to China and the US

59 minutes ago

Watches

Not sure which watch to gift to whom? Here is our ultimate luxury guide

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Trending in China

Japan husband has 520 affairs, wife turns loveless marriage into comic, goes viral in China

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SCMP Series

China Inc. goes global

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How China is telling its own story

Chinese biotech firms set to crack the global market within a decade, according to industry experts. Photo: Getty Images

SCMP Series China Inc. goes global

‘Major breakthroughs’: Chinese biotech firms plan global expansions after domestic success

Strong manufacturing base a driving force behind overseas expansion, but industry leaders and analysts say hurdles remain.

11 Dec 2025 - 3:36PMvideocam

Waste to wealth: why China is building incinerators around the world

11 Dec 2025 - 11:21AM

Why China sees Brazil as ‘last untapped blue ocean market’ for investment boom

11 Dec 2025 - 11:24AMvideocam

Open Questions series

China Economy

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

8 Dec 2025 - 10:07AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

1 Dec 2025 - 3:57PMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | ‘A mistaken view’: US economist Nicholas Lardy on the ‘peak China’ hypothesis

The veteran China watcher talks Beijing’s need for financial reform and how US-China economic convergence could still be on the horizon.

24 Nov 2025 - 10:09AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Chinese economist Lu Feng on why the time is ripe for a consumption rebalance

Peking University professor says China’s next five-year plan could provide the necessary momentum to shift more public resources to households.

17 Nov 2025 - 10:02AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

China’s DeepSeek challenges Google DeepMind with new AI model

DeepSeek’s V3.2-Speciale equals Google’s Gemini 3 Pro in reasoning capabilities, the Chinese start-up says.

2 Dec 2025 - 4:51PM

A shop advertising DeepSeek in Hong Kong. Photo: Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Tech Trends

Why Japan’s robotic pioneers are ceding the humanoid stage to China and the US

Japan’s university system has long centred on engineering faculties led by manufacturing, resulting in a relative shortage of AI talent.

56 minutes ago

Tech Trends

Sea change: China narrows AI gap with US 3 years after ChatGPT shock

The turning point came when DeepSeek released its V3 and R1 models, which were on par with OpenAI’s GPT and Meta’s Llama models at the time.

14 Dec 2025 - 12:57AM

Big Tech

Meta sees role reversal as it adopts Alibaba’s Qwen to train AI models

Throughout 2023 and 2024, Chinese firms keen to catch up with the US used Meta’s Llama to help them build their own models.

13 Dec 2025 - 10:39AM

Science

US green tech retreat echoes mistake of China’s Qing dynasty before collapse

While Washington pulls back on climate, Beijing is making it possible for developing nations to leapfrog into a cleaner energy era.

13 Dec 2025 - 7:07AMvideocam

Diplomacy

First China ore shipment rewards Guinea leader’s push for Simandou alliance

Mining minister says China and Rio Tinto were pressed to work on shared infrastructure because ‘we do not want railways running everywhere’.

11 Dec 2025 - 6:16AMvideocam

Science

How China pulled off a critical mineral tech revolution in just 10 months

‘Unique’ Chinese efficiency turns European firm’s vision into reality by building the world’s first large-scale silica-removal technology.

10 Dec 2025 - 6:09AM

China Economy

Are US, EU and Japan banking on defence spending for an economic boost?

As advanced economies ramp up military expenditures, they have multiple goals - including a reduced reliance on China in defence supply chains.

9 Dec 2025 - 5:28PMvideocam

Why Japan’s robotic pioneers are ceding the humanoid stage to China and the US

Japan’s university system has long centred on engineering faculties led by manufacturing, resulting in a relative shortage of AI talent.

Chinese home appliance giant Midea unveils 6-arm robot for factory work

Police hunt for suspect after 2 students killed in Brown University shooting

Eight others were critically injured in the incident, which US President Trump called ‘terrible’.

Is the US pushing South Korea to the fore in deterring a war over Taiwan?

Washington’s latest strategy urges allies to spend ‘much more for collective defence’ as it backs Seoul building nuclear-powered submarines.

Speed up innovation, create jobs key facets of next Hong Kong budget: Paul Chan

Finance chief says public consultation for next budget will start soon and he ‘looks forward’ to ideas from residents.

Are China’s social media apps the soft power play to win over the West?

Entrepreneurs vie for Africa’s Business Heroes titles in start-up bonanza

Record 32,000 applications from 54 nations vie for seventh Africa’s Business Heroes awards to recognise 100 start-ups over 10 years.

China’s EV battery giants wade into shipbuilding to bolster Beijing’s dominance

CATL and Gotion add momentum to China’s efforts to build new-energy vessels amid an accelerated decarbonisation drive.

Southeast Asia barely features in America’s new security strategy

The region appears just twice in the new 32-page US National Security Strategy, raising fears it is being relegated to a ‘bargaining chip’.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}A nation by design: how Singapore’s creative spirit drives its development

As the city state celebrates its 60th anniversary of independence this year, we look at how design has shaped its growth, from building its modern skyline from the ground up to enhancing the quality of life for an ageing population and allowing citizens to live healthier lives

Cold spots are hot tickets as southern Chinese head north to ski

Ski resorts record big visitor increases as high-speed rail and flight expansions bring in those who have tried the sport in indoor venues.

Hong Kong’s John Lee to visit Beijing this week for annual duty visit

Hong Kong’s leader will make duty visit to the capital from Monday to Wednesday, less than a month after city’s deadliest fire in decades.

China’s growing young billionaire class masks innovation hurdles, analysts say

Technological innovation – one of Beijing’s top priorities – is helping to drive wealth creation, report says.

Vote to disband Hong Kong’s Democratic Party looms as members weigh ‘rough ride’

Once the biggest opposition party, the Democrats are close to folding, with members reflecting on their struggles since political changes of 2020.

Security or freedom? Japan’s proposed anti-spy laws raise human rights concerns

Prime Minister Takaichi’s plans to tighten spying and secrecy rules could be used to stifle free speech and media freedom, analysts say.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}After The War | Virtual reality and the Nanking massacre: where does immersion become trauma?

Amid push in China for museum digitalisation, one educator seeks to help students ‘feel history without being flooded by it’.

Destroyed homes, cancelled events: Hong Kong counts economic cost of Tai Po fire

Wang Fuk Court flats that went up in flames worth about HK$5 billion, while losses from cancelled mega-events, banquets are likely to rise.

Sea change: China narrows AI gap with US 3 years after ChatGPT shock

The turning point came when DeepSeek released its V3 and R1 models, which were on par with OpenAI’s GPT and Meta’s Llama models at the time.

5 of the best-known horses in Chinese legend, from the Red Hare to qilin

Horses play a fascinating role in Chinese folklore, ranging from the downright disturbing – one kidnaps a girl – to the gently auspicious.

Shanghai retail landscape evolves with new malls, shift to experiential shopping

Hang Lung, New World and Swire are renovating and expanding their malls in Shanghai to stay relevant in a competitive environment.

Europe fears hidden Russian threat in Trump-backed Ukraine peace plan

Europe worries a US plan for a demilitarised zone in the Donbas region may help Moscow to reinvade Kyiv.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Frank Gehry’s vision for Hong Kong’s arts hub was an opportunity lost

Asian Angle | Is the new Philippines-Germany defence pact built to last?

Letters | Hong Kong’s ‘coin carts’ are not serving residents who need them most

Opinion | How Hong Kong can capitalise on Chinese creative destruction

My Take | What Hong Kong can learn from deadly London flats blaze

Gallery | In pictures: International MotorXpo Hong Kong 2025

Speed up innovation, create jobs key facets of next Hong Kong budget: Paul Chan

Hong Kong police arrest 7 in crackdown on credit card theft, fraud syndicate

Why Japan’s robotic pioneers are ceding the humanoid stage to China and the US

Not sure which watch to gift to whom? Here is our ultimate luxury guide

Japan husband has 520 affairs, wife turns loveless marriage into comic, goes viral in China

‘Major breakthroughs’: Chinese biotech firms plan global expansions after domestic success

Strong manufacturing base a driving force behind overseas expansion, but industry leaders and analysts say hurdles remain.

Waste to wealth: why China is building incinerators around the world

Why China sees Brazil as ‘last untapped blue ocean market’ for investment boom

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

Open Questions | ‘A mistaken view’: US economist Nicholas Lardy on the ‘peak China’ hypothesis

The veteran China watcher talks Beijing’s need for financial reform and how US-China economic convergence could still be on the horizon.

Open Questions | Chinese economist Lu Feng on why the time is ripe for a consumption rebalance

Peking University professor says China’s next five-year plan could provide the necessary momentum to shift more public resources to households.

China’s DeepSeek challenges Google DeepMind with new AI model

DeepSeek’s V3.2-Speciale equals Google’s Gemini 3 Pro in reasoning capabilities, the Chinese start-up says.

Why Japan’s robotic pioneers are ceding the humanoid stage to China and the US

Japan’s university system has long centred on engineering faculties led by manufacturing, resulting in a relative shortage of AI talent.

Sea change: China narrows AI gap with US 3 years after ChatGPT shock

The turning point came when DeepSeek released its V3 and R1 models, which were on par with OpenAI’s GPT and Meta’s Llama models at the time.

Meta sees role reversal as it adopts Alibaba’s Qwen to train AI models

Throughout 2023 and 2024, Chinese firms keen to catch up with the US used Meta’s Llama to help them build their own models.

US green tech retreat echoes mistake of China’s Qing dynasty before collapse

While Washington pulls back on climate, Beijing is making it possible for developing nations to leapfrog into a cleaner energy era.

First China ore shipment rewards Guinea leader’s push for Simandou alliance

Mining minister says China and Rio Tinto were pressed to work on shared infrastructure because ‘we do not want railways running everywhere’.

How China pulled off a critical mineral tech revolution in just 10 months

‘Unique’ Chinese efficiency turns European firm’s vision into reality by building the world’s first large-scale silica-removal technology.

Are US, EU and Japan banking on defence spending for an economic boost?

As advanced economies ramp up military expenditures, they have multiple goals - including a reduced reliance on China in defence supply chains.

A nation by design: how Singapore’s creative spirit drives its development

After The War | Virtual reality and the Nanking massacre: where does immersion become trauma?

Opinion | Frank Gehry’s vision for Hong Kong’s arts hub was an opportunity lost