Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

German and Chinese national flags flutter on a lamppost at Tiananmen Gate in Beijing. Photo: Shutterstock

German firms in China more optimistic despite Iran war, trade headwinds: survey

Expectations for growth, profits and investment are all up, despite geopolitical turbulence.

18 minutes ago

China-EU investment pact belongs in ‘deep freezer’: outgoing trade chief

China-EU relations

SERIES: Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Trump’s China visit opens door to ‘casual’ networking between business chiefs

Sources say Beijing’s exclusive Capital Club has been reserved for networking opportunities in a ‘less formal’ setting during state visit.

42 minutes agovideocam

Money News

Emerging markets rebound on inflows as Xi-Trump talks eyed for momentum

Mainland China, Hong Kong stock markets may benefit from Xi-Trump meeting as renewed interest in AI shows investors keen to re-engage, analysts say.

1 hour agovideocam

Transport

Uber Hong Kong warns proposed permit cap risks triggering 70% rise in fares

Platform argues cap of up to 15,000 fails to account for growing demand and could result in significant service gap.

2 hours ago

Science

The J-20 or “Mighty Dragon” is seen as China's answer to the American F-22 Raptor. Photo: Captured from 81.com

China’s ‘dark factory’ more than doubles production efficiency for J-20 jets

China Business

Brazil visa-free entry for Chinese visitors sparks South America travel demand

Search volume for Brazil-related keywords has increased by more than 15 times, providing a boost to China’s long-haul travel products.

19 minutes ago

Christ the Redeemer statue at sunrise in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Tech Trends

JD.com reports 53% decline in first-quarter profit to US$750m

The subdued results came after the firm reported its first quarterly loss in the fourth quarter last year amid an ongoing price war.

26 minutes ago

Politics

Police raids reveal Indonesia as new hub for scam, gambling syndicates

Hundreds of foreigners have been arrested in Indonesia recently following crackdowns against crime groups in Cambodia and Myanmar.

49 minutes agovideocam

Tech

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

In partnership with:

Huawei

Policy

Ex-adviser urges China to tackle inequality with higher taxes on ultra-rich

Raising taxes on assets, incomes of high earners will add to state revenues and incentivise protecting property rights, economist says.

2 hours ago

China should tax the ultra-rich’s property and income streams to align government incentives with protecting property rights and stabilising expectations, a prominent economist has said. Photo: Reuters

China Economy

European airlines adding China flights despite Russian airspace barrier

Demand for China-Europe flights surges as airlines avoid Iranian, Russian airspace and divert tourists away from Southeast Asia.

2 hours agovideocam

SERIES: Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Why is Beijing on a stronger footing to discuss Taiwan with Trump this time?

The US president ‘needs China’s cooperation on multiple fronts’, Beijing-based analyst says.

29 minutes agovideocam

China Business

China’s Hengrui seals US$15.2 billion deal with US pharmaceutical giant BMS

Company’s shares jump in Hong Kong and Shenzhen after tie-up that bolsters China’s growing drug innovation profile.

1 hour ago

A worker checks a feeding tray at the Hengrui Biomedical Industrial Park in Lianyungang, east China’s Jiangsu province. Photo: Getty Images

Tech Trends

Unitree debuts US$574,000 ‘mecha’ robot that ‘transforms’ from 2 legs to 4

The GD01 expands the Hangzhou-based company’s portfolio at a time when Chinese manufacturers are significantly outstripping their US rivals.

2 hours ago

The Unitree GD01 ‘mecha’ robot seen in bipedal mode. Photo: Handout

The Unitree GD01 ‘mecha’ robot seen in four legged mode. Photo: Handout

Politics

‘Tentative step’: Asean weighs bringing Myanmar back into the fold

Virtual talks may offer a ‘sensible middle ground’ for reconciliation after Myanmar’s years in the political wilderness, analysts say.

2 hours agovideocam

Business

Hong Kong, mainland China spur surge in Asia-Pacific commercial property deals

Office and retail recovery gains traction in first quarter, as Hong Kong transactions jump 367 per cent and mainland China tops the market.

1 hour ago

Food & Drink

Breadwinner: meet the best baguette maker in Paris

This year’s Grand Prix de la Baguette was won by the owner of the Fournil Didot bakery, who beat more than 140 other bakers.

4 minutes ago

Sithamparappillai Jegatheepan, owner of the Parisian bakery Le Fournil de Didot, is the winner of the 2026 Grand Prix de la Baguette competition. Photo: Michael Evers/dpa

SERIES: Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Trump heads to China with Musk, Cook and top CEOs for Xi talks

Business delegation spanning tech, aviation and finance joins Beijing trip as trade, investment and supply chains top agenda.

12 May 2026 - 10:45AMvideocam

Apple CEO Tim Cook (left) and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and expected to join a delegation of US business leaders travelling with President Donald Trump to China this week. Photo: Getty Images

Europe

UK’s Starmer to ‘get on with governing’, defies calls to quit

At a meeting of his cabinet, there was no official move to trigger a leadership contest.

28 minutes ago

Europe

Zelensky’s ex-chief of staff named as suspect in money-laundering probe

Andriy Yermak was Ukraine’s lead negotiator in talks with the US and left during the scandal.

47 minutes agovideocam

OPINION

Winston Mok

Opinion | Trump has few cards to play against Iran and in China

3 hours ago

Huang Qingchen

Opinion | The best of Hong Kong as a cultural hub is yet to come

12 May 2026 - 10:29AM

Brian Y. S. Wong

Opinion | Just because Brics isn’t a coherent bloc doesn’t mean it’s impotent

12 May 2026 - 7:43AM

Letters

Letters | China’s message to Trump is clear: red line of Taiwan must be respected

12 May 2026 - 11:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Trump-Xi summit may not yield a deal but is still significant

12 May 2026 - 7:15AM

Harry’s View | 12 May 2026

MORE COMMENT

LATEST

4 minutes ago

Food & Drink

Breadwinner: meet the best baguette maker in Paris

13 minutes ago

Technology

Video | China’s Unitree unveils manned mecha

01:02

18 minutes ago

China Economy

German firms in China more optimistic despite Iran war, trade headwinds: survey

19 minutes ago

China Business

Brazil visa-free entry for Chinese visitors sparks South America travel demand

28 minutes ago

Europe

UK’s Starmer to ‘get on with governing’, defies calls to quit

29 minutes ago

Tech Trends

JD.com reports 53% decline in first-quarter profit to US$750m

47 minutes ago

Europe

Zelensky’s ex-chief of staff named as suspect in money-laundering probe

49 minutes ago

Politics

Police raids reveal Indonesia as new hub for scam, gambling syndicates

1 hour ago

Health & Environment

Hong Kong records hottest day of year so far as temperatures top 31.6 degrees

1 hour ago

Africa

Ugandan president, 81, sworn in for new term after 40 years at the helm

MORE LATEST NEWS

SCMP Series

Trump’s 2026 trip to China

China takes stock as world frets over Mythos

US-Israel war on Iran

AI's impact on Hong Kong

The Capital Club is one of Beijing’s most exclusive hangouts for business leaders and diplomats. Photo: Handout

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Trump’s China visit opens door to ‘casual’ networking between business chiefs

Sources say Beijing’s exclusive Capital Club has been reserved for networking opportunities in a ‘less formal’ setting during state visit.

2-MIN READvideocam

Why is Beijing on a stronger footing to discuss Taiwan with Trump this time?

3-MIN READvideocam

From ‘Taco’ to ‘Nacho’: Wall Street’s new buzzword as Trump preps for China trip

2-MIN READvideocam

Open Questions series

Politics

Open Questions | Taiwan’s Cheng Li-wun on cross-strait peace, meeting Xi and managing US ties

Kuomintang chairwoman says hostility towards mainland is a product of political engineering that does not reflect reality of Taiwan.

17-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

13-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

10-MIN READvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

15-MIN READvideocam

Key Industries:

Global Economy

China’s AI ascent leaves Trump a stark choice: escalate or relax chip controls?

Beijing and Washington are locked in an era-defining contest – and China’s rapid technological progress raises questions about limits of containment.

8-MIN READvideocam

China Business

China’s Hengrui seals US$15.2 billion deal with US pharmaceutical giant BMS

Company’s shares jump in Hong Kong and Shenzhen after tie-up that bolsters China’s growing drug innovation profile.

2-MIN READ

Tech Trends

Unitree debuts US$574,000 ‘mecha’ robot that ‘transforms’ from 2 legs to 4

The GD01 expands the Hangzhou-based company’s portfolio at a time when Chinese manufacturers are significantly outstripping their US rivals.

2-MIN READ

Tech Trends

China deepens footprint at AI conference despite NeurIPS dispute, US tensions

Alibaba, ByteDance, other Chinese tech giants top paper submissions in conference, quelling worries over geopolitics impacting participation.

2-MIN READ

Alibaba submitted 135 papers, followed by Huawei with 111, ByteDance with 107 and Tencent Holdings with 94. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

Latest US-China rivalry combines undersea dominance with a race to riches

Ahead of leaders’ summit in Beijing next week, experts point to a high-stakes competition that features military and mining technologies.

7-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

After the US$37 billion, 300-plane deal from Trump’s last visit stalled, industry observers say the next one could be more flexible.

6-MIN READvideocam

Diplomacy

Will warming Arctic trigger further chill in US-China relations?

The prospect of opening up new sea lanes presents both challenges and opportunities for the rival powers, analysts say.

6-MIN READvideocam

Society

Will Hong Kong’s lending clampdown wean helpers off debt – and save their dreams?

NGOs say regulations should not be so strict that they deny domestic helpers access to loans since they may have legitimate needs such as family emergencies.

7-MIN READ

German firms in China more optimistic despite Iran war, trade headwinds: survey

Expectations for growth, profits and investment are all up, despite geopolitical turbulence.

China-EU investment pact belongs in ‘deep freezer’: outgoing trade chief

Trump’s China visit opens door to ‘casual’ networking between business chiefs

Sources say Beijing’s exclusive Capital Club has been reserved for networking opportunities in a ‘less formal’ setting during state visit.

Emerging markets rebound on inflows as Xi-Trump talks eyed for momentum

Mainland China, Hong Kong stock markets may benefit from Xi-Trump meeting as renewed interest in AI shows investors keen to re-engage, analysts say.

Uber Hong Kong warns proposed permit cap risks triggering 70% rise in fares

Platform argues cap of up to 15,000 fails to account for growing demand and could result in significant service gap.

China’s ‘dark factory’ more than doubles production efficiency for J-20 jets

Brazil visa-free entry for Chinese visitors sparks South America travel demand

Search volume for Brazil-related keywords has increased by more than 15 times, providing a boost to China’s long-haul travel products.

JD.com reports 53% decline in first-quarter profit to US$750m

The subdued results came after the firm reported its first quarterly loss in the fourth quarter last year amid an ongoing price war.

Police raids reveal Indonesia as new hub for scam, gambling syndicates

Hundreds of foreigners have been arrested in Indonesia recently following crackdowns against crime groups in Cambodia and Myanmar.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

Ex-adviser urges China to tackle inequality with higher taxes on ultra-rich

Raising taxes on assets, incomes of high earners will add to state revenues and incentivise protecting property rights, economist says.

European airlines adding China flights despite Russian airspace barrier

Demand for China-Europe flights surges as airlines avoid Iranian, Russian airspace and divert tourists away from Southeast Asia.

Why is Beijing on a stronger footing to discuss Taiwan with Trump this time?

The US president ‘needs China’s cooperation on multiple fronts’, Beijing-based analyst says.

China’s Hengrui seals US$15.2 billion deal with US pharmaceutical giant BMS

Company’s shares jump in Hong Kong and Shenzhen after tie-up that bolsters China’s growing drug innovation profile.

Unitree debuts US$574,000 ‘mecha’ robot that ‘transforms’ from 2 legs to 4

The GD01 expands the Hangzhou-based company’s portfolio at a time when Chinese manufacturers are significantly outstripping their US rivals.

‘Tentative step’: Asean weighs bringing Myanmar back into the fold

Virtual talks may offer a ‘sensible middle ground’ for reconciliation after Myanmar’s years in the political wilderness, analysts say.

Hong Kong, mainland China spur surge in Asia-Pacific commercial property deals

Office and retail recovery gains traction in first quarter, as Hong Kong transactions jump 367 per cent and mainland China tops the market.

Breadwinner: meet the best baguette maker in Paris

This year’s Grand Prix de la Baguette was won by the owner of the Fournil Didot bakery, who beat more than 140 other bakers.

Trump heads to China with Musk, Cook and top CEOs for Xi talks

Business delegation spanning tech, aviation and finance joins Beijing trip as trade, investment and supply chains top agenda.

UK’s Starmer to ‘get on with governing’, defies calls to quit

At a meeting of his cabinet, there was no official move to trigger a leadership contest.

Zelensky’s ex-chief of staff named as suspect in money-laundering probe

Andriy Yermak was Ukraine’s lead negotiator in talks with the US and left during the scandal.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Trump has few cards to play against Iran and in China

Opinion | The best of Hong Kong as a cultural hub is yet to come

Opinion | Just because Brics isn’t a coherent bloc doesn’t mean it’s impotent

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | China’s message to Trump is clear: red line of Taiwan must be respected

Editorial | Trump-Xi summit may not yield a deal but is still significant

Breadwinner: meet the best baguette maker in Paris

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | China’s Unitree unveils manned mecha

German firms in China more optimistic despite Iran war, trade headwinds: survey

Brazil visa-free entry for Chinese visitors sparks South America travel demand

UK’s Starmer to ‘get on with governing’, defies calls to quit

JD.com reports 53% decline in first-quarter profit to US$750m

Zelensky’s ex-chief of staff named as suspect in money-laundering probe

Police raids reveal Indonesia as new hub for scam, gambling syndicates

Hong Kong records hottest day of year so far as temperatures top 31.6 degrees

Ugandan president, 81, sworn in for new term after 40 years at the helm

Trump’s China visit opens door to ‘casual’ networking between business chiefs

Sources say Beijing’s exclusive Capital Club has been reserved for networking opportunities in a ‘less formal’ setting during state visit.

Why is Beijing on a stronger footing to discuss Taiwan with Trump this time?

From ‘Taco’ to ‘Nacho’: Wall Street’s new buzzword as Trump preps for China trip

Open Questions | Taiwan’s Cheng Li-wun on cross-strait peace, meeting Xi and managing US ties

Kuomintang chairwoman says hostility towards mainland is a product of political engineering that does not reflect reality of Taiwan.

Open Questions | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

China’s AI ascent leaves Trump a stark choice: escalate or relax chip controls?

Beijing and Washington are locked in an era-defining contest – and China’s rapid technological progress raises questions about limits of containment.

China’s Hengrui seals US$15.2 billion deal with US pharmaceutical giant BMS

Company’s shares jump in Hong Kong and Shenzhen after tie-up that bolsters China’s growing drug innovation profile.

Unitree debuts US$574,000 ‘mecha’ robot that ‘transforms’ from 2 legs to 4

The GD01 expands the Hangzhou-based company’s portfolio at a time when Chinese manufacturers are significantly outstripping their US rivals.

China deepens footprint at AI conference despite NeurIPS dispute, US tensions

Alibaba, ByteDance, other Chinese tech giants top paper submissions in conference, quelling worries over geopolitics impacting participation.

Latest US-China rivalry combines undersea dominance with a race to riches

Ahead of leaders’ summit in Beijing next week, experts point to a high-stakes competition that features military and mining technologies.

Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

After the US$37 billion, 300-plane deal from Trump’s last visit stalled, industry observers say the next one could be more flexible.

Will warming Arctic trigger further chill in US-China relations?

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Opinion | Trump has few cards to play against Iran and in China

Letters | China’s message to Trump is clear: red line of Taiwan must be respected

Video | China’s Unitree unveils manned mecha