Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Montage and GigaDevice are capitalising on the global memory supercycle, with the industry in the grip of a massive supply crunch. Photo: Shutterstock

How China’s GigaDevice and Montage earned a place in the memory chip market

GigaDevice and Montage carve a niche in the semiconductor sector, with the global memory supercycle boosting their fortunes further.

25 minutes ago

Why cooling is the new chips: China pivots to AI’s heat challenge

Semiconductors

China Economy

Year-end bonuses shrink in China amid slowing growth, report finds

As China heads into the Year of the Horse, its firms’ bonuses have slowed to a trot, with many employees missing out completely.

39 minutes agovideocam

Diplomacy

Why China is being told to integrate commercial space tech with military systems

Appeal comes as strategic rivals such as the US are increasingly eyeing military uses for tech developed by private firms such as SpaceX.

6 hours ago

Society

Festive buzz in Hong Kong as visitors pour in for Lunar New Year

‘I always come to Hong Kong with my husband, so this time I brought the whole family to spend the holiday here and show them around for the first time,’ visitor Ruby Luo says.

28 minutes ago

Infographic

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

Diplomacy

Why the harsh words between China and India over a remote, inhospitable valley?

Verbal sparring has thrown an obscure footnote in border tensions into the limelight and exposed the complexities left behind by history.

2 hours agovideocam

The origins of frictions along China and India’s shared border can be traced to the great power politics of the 19th century and earlier. Photo: Shutterstock

Asia

Indonesia’s tourist visa, Filipino attacked in Singapore mall: 7 Asia highlights

From scrutiny over Indonesia’s tourist visa to workplace pranks in Japan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

2 hours ago

Lifestyle & Culture

A match made in Singapore? ‘Aunties, not algorithms’ aims to woo US singles

Burnt-out US-based singles could win a free luxury trip if they ditch the dating apps and opt to let outspoken older women play Cupid.

1 hour ago

Education

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s 20-year evolution ensures it meets world’s fast-changing technological, industrial and societal needs.

In partnership with:

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Commodities

Strong Lunar New Year demand fuels China’s gold jewellery market

Retailers offer small discounts to spur holiday sales but are set to raise prices after the festival, as investment banks issue bullish outlooks.

28 minutes ago

Customers look at gold rings at a jewellery store in Shanghai. Photo: Reuters

China Business

Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop

The warehouse retailer opened 10 new stores in 2025, accelerating expansion in smaller cities like Zhangjiagang and Yangzhou.

2 hours ago

SERIES: Year of the Horse 2026

Beware excessive ‘fire energy’ in Year of the Horse: Hong Kong feng shui masters

Soothsayers warn of potential volatility in coming lunar year, with city having to navigate geopolitical tensions even as its economy improves.

1 hour ago

Economics

Russia emerges as unlikely growth market for Japan tourism as China pulls back

New visa centres in Moscow and St Petersburg reflect a sharp rise in Russian demand as Chinese arrivals fall amid diplomatic tensions.

3 hours agovideocam

Foreign tourists wearing Japanese traditional kimono clothes pose for a photograph near Sensoji temple at Asakusa district, a popular sightseeing spot in Tokyo. Photo: Reuters

SERIES: Year of the Horse 2026

Which zodiac signs must appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026?

Horses, Rats, Oxen and Rabbits clash with the tai sui in the Year of the Fire Horse. Here’s how you can mitigate the adverse effects.

13 minutes agovideocam

Worshippers visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong on February 16, 2026, to pray for good luck in the Year of the Fire Horse. Photo: Sam Tsang

Australasia

Sydney stabbing: man killed in ‘random’ attack on busy shopping street

Emergency services rushed to the Merrylands shopping strip after reports that a man had stabbed multiple people before fleeing on foot.

2 hours ago

Cryptocurrency

Can Hong Kong lead a digital gold trading revolution with blockchain innovation?

Beyond banks, asset managers, fintechs and crypto firms are racing to launch innovative tokenised gold products for investors.

4 hours ago

SERIES: Year of the Horse 2026

8 lucky Lunar New Year foods to welcome the Year of the Horse

From dumplings shaped like gold ingots to longevity noodles, these traditional Lunar New Year dishes are eaten to invite good fortune.

2 hours agovideocam

A traditional shared Lunar New Year dish, poon choi is made from layers of premium ingredients and signifies fullness and prosperity. Photo: Ser Wong Fun

United States & Canada

Unique Pokemon card smashes world record with US$16.5 million sale

Previously bought by US YouTuber Logan Paul for US$5.28 million in 2021, the card sold for three times that amount at an auction on Monday.

1 hour ago

The Pokemon card that fetched a record US$16.5 million at an auction in the US on Monday. Photo: Kyodo

Politics

Okinawa voters shift away from concerns over US military presence

Analysts point to a shift in priorities among younger Okinawans as a possible factor in the alliance’s bruising defeat in the election.

3 hours agovideocam

China

China’s Gu ‘really proud’ of big air silver after inspired Oldham wins Games gold

Canada’s Megan Oldham gets the better of defending champion Eileen Gu, who becomes five-time Winter Olympics medallist.

17 Feb 2026 - 7:41AM

LATEST

13 minutes ago

Chinese Zodiac

Which zodiac signs must appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026?

27 minutes ago

Hong Kong Economy

How Hong Kong is galloping towards prosperity with Lunar New Year fireworks show

28 minutes ago

Commodities

Strong Lunar New Year demand fuels China’s gold jewellery market

28 minutes ago

Tech Trends

How China’s GigaDevice and Montage earned a place in the memory chip market

33 minutes ago

Europe

‘I have to be worried’: Ukraine’s Olympic sign bearer was a Russian woman

43 minutes ago

Tennis

Coleman Wong progresses to second round of Delray Beach Open

MORE LATEST NEWS

SCMP Series

Year of the Horse 2026

Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

China Inc. goes global

SCMP Series Year of the Horse 2026

How to appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026, and what to watch out for

Horses, Rats, Oxen and Rabbits clash with the tai sui in the Year of the Fire Horse. Here’s how you can mitigate the adverse effects.

13 minutes agovideocam

8 lucky Lunar New Year foods to welcome the Year of the Horse

2 hours agovideocam

Beware excessive ‘fire energy’ in Year of the Horse: Hong Kong feng shui masters

1 hour ago

Open Questions series

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

China

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

29 Jan 2026 - 11:50AMvideocam

Key Industries:

China’s AI arms race sees sector brace for major flagship model launch week

A ‘stealth’ model has emerged, while advancements by Alibaba’s Qwen-3.5 and Zhipu’s GLM-5 aim to spur domestic competition following releases by US heavyweights.

9 Feb 2026 - 8:02PM

China’s AI sector is bracing for a monumental week, with a flurry of anticipated model releases. Photo: Shutterstock

Big Tech

Global AI race heats up as Chinese tech giant releases new model

With multimodal capabilities and open weights, Qwen-3.5 signals Alibaba’s ambition to anchor the next phase of global AI deployment.

16 Feb 2026 - 7:05PM

China Economy

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

16 Feb 2026 - 3:58PMvideocam

Big Tech

Humanoids go mainstream as China’s robotics champions appear at CCTV spectacle

ByteDance, Unitree, RedNote, Bilibili and Kuaishou among the firms involved in the unparalleled nationwide marketing opportunity.

16 Feb 2026 - 11:11PM

Bot the star of the show: a dancing robot delights during China Central Television’s Spring Festival Photo: CCTV

Big Tech

Humanoids go mainstream as China’s robotics champions appear at CCTV spectacle

ByteDance, Unitree, RedNote, Bilibili and Kuaishou among the firms involved in the unparalleled nationwide marketing opportunity.

16 Feb 2026 - 11:11PM

Military

Will China’s state-backed thriller spill details of little-known spy cases?

‘Scare Out’ depicts leak of PLA jet secrets, and some speculate the plot could be based on true story involving stealth fighter tech.

15 Feb 2026 - 7:00AM

Companies

Pop Mart balances boom and bust: can Labubu’s leap match Molly’s momentum?

As Labubu’s meteoric rise cools, Molly’s longevity highlights the challenge Pop Mart faces in turning hype into stable intellectual property.

14 Feb 2026 - 10:01AM

Diplomacy

How Manila’s ‘naming and shaming’ challenges Beijing’s South China Sea stance

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.

12 Feb 2026 - 11:07AMvideocam

How China’s GigaDevice and Montage earned a place in the memory chip market

GigaDevice and Montage carve a niche in the semiconductor sector, with the global memory supercycle boosting their fortunes further.

Why cooling is the new chips: China pivots to AI’s heat challenge

Year-end bonuses shrink in China amid slowing growth, report finds

As China heads into the Year of the Horse, its firms’ bonuses have slowed to a trot, with many employees missing out completely.

Why China is being told to integrate commercial space tech with military systems

Appeal comes as strategic rivals such as the US are increasingly eyeing military uses for tech developed by private firms such as SpaceX.

Festive buzz in Hong Kong as visitors pour in for Lunar New Year

‘I always come to Hong Kong with my husband, so this time I brought the whole family to spend the holiday here and show them around for the first time,’ visitor Ruby Luo says.

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

Why the harsh words between China and India over a remote, inhospitable valley?

Verbal sparring has thrown an obscure footnote in border tensions into the limelight and exposed the complexities left behind by history.

Indonesia’s tourist visa, Filipino attacked in Singapore mall: 7 Asia highlights

From scrutiny over Indonesia’s tourist visa to workplace pranks in Japan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

A match made in Singapore? ‘Aunties, not algorithms’ aims to woo US singles

Burnt-out US-based singles could win a free luxury trip if they ditch the dating apps and opt to let outspoken older women play Cupid.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s 20-year evolution ensures it meets world’s fast-changing technological, industrial and societal needs.

Strong Lunar New Year demand fuels China’s gold jewellery market

Retailers offer small discounts to spur holiday sales but are set to raise prices after the festival, as investment banks issue bullish outlooks.

Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop

The warehouse retailer opened 10 new stores in 2025, accelerating expansion in smaller cities like Zhangjiagang and Yangzhou.

Beware excessive ‘fire energy’ in Year of the Horse: Hong Kong feng shui masters

Soothsayers warn of potential volatility in coming lunar year, with city having to navigate geopolitical tensions even as its economy improves.

Russia emerges as unlikely growth market for Japan tourism as China pulls back

New visa centres in Moscow and St Petersburg reflect a sharp rise in Russian demand as Chinese arrivals fall amid diplomatic tensions.

Which zodiac signs must appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026?

Horses, Rats, Oxen and Rabbits clash with the tai sui in the Year of the Fire Horse. Here’s how you can mitigate the adverse effects.

Sydney stabbing: man killed in ‘random’ attack on busy shopping street

Emergency services rushed to the Merrylands shopping strip after reports that a man had stabbed multiple people before fleeing on foot.

Can Hong Kong lead a digital gold trading revolution with blockchain innovation?

Beyond banks, asset managers, fintechs and crypto firms are racing to launch innovative tokenised gold products for investors.

8 lucky Lunar New Year foods to welcome the Year of the Horse

From dumplings shaped like gold ingots to longevity noodles, these traditional Lunar New Year dishes are eaten to invite good fortune.

Unique Pokemon card smashes world record with US$16.5 million sale

Previously bought by US YouTuber Logan Paul for US$5.28 million in 2021, the card sold for three times that amount at an auction on Monday.

Okinawa voters shift away from concerns over US military presence

Analysts point to a shift in priorities among younger Okinawans as a possible factor in the alliance’s bruising defeat in the election.

China’s Gu ‘really proud’ of big air silver after inspired Oldham wins Games gold

Canada’s Megan Oldham gets the better of defending champion Eileen Gu, who becomes five-time Winter Olympics medallist.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Being Chinese | The great Lunar New Year divide and how I bridged it

Opinion | Bangladesh’s BNP could struggle to enact reforms despite election win

Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

Opinion | Government must reflect on its failures as we enter Year of the Horse

Editorial | Hong Kong will approach Year of the Horse with optimism and resilience

Which zodiac signs must appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026?

How Hong Kong is galloping towards prosperity with Lunar New Year fireworks show

Strong Lunar New Year demand fuels China’s gold jewellery market

How China’s GigaDevice and Montage earned a place in the memory chip market

‘I have to be worried’: Ukraine’s Olympic sign bearer was a Russian woman

Coleman Wong progresses to second round of Delray Beach Open

How to appease the tai sui in the Year of the Horse 2026, and what to watch out for

Horses, Rats, Oxen and Rabbits clash with the tai sui in the Year of the Fire Horse. Here’s how you can mitigate the adverse effects.

8 lucky Lunar New Year foods to welcome the Year of the Horse

Beware excessive ‘fire energy’ in Year of the Horse: Hong Kong feng shui masters

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}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.

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

China’s AI arms race sees sector brace for major flagship model launch week

A ‘stealth’ model has emerged, while advancements by Alibaba’s Qwen-3.5 and Zhipu’s GLM-5 aim to spur domestic competition following releases by US heavyweights.

Global AI race heats up as Chinese tech giant releases new model

With multimodal capabilities and open weights, Qwen-3.5 signals Alibaba’s ambition to anchor the next phase of global AI deployment.

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

Humanoids go mainstream as China’s robotics champions appear at CCTV spectacle

ByteDance, Unitree, RedNote, Bilibili and Kuaishou among the firms involved in the unparalleled nationwide marketing opportunity.

Humanoids go mainstream as China’s robotics champions appear at CCTV spectacle

ByteDance, Unitree, RedNote, Bilibili and Kuaishou among the firms involved in the unparalleled nationwide marketing opportunity.

Will China’s state-backed thriller spill details of little-known spy cases?

‘Scare Out’ depicts leak of PLA jet secrets, and some speculate the plot could be based on true story involving stealth fighter tech.

Pop Mart balances boom and bust: can Labubu’s leap match Molly’s momentum?

As Labubu’s meteoric rise cools, Molly’s longevity highlights the challenge Pop Mart faces in turning hype into stable intellectual property.

How Manila’s ‘naming and shaming’ challenges Beijing’s South China Sea stance

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Being Chinese | The great Lunar New Year divide and how I bridged it

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