Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Has mainland China’s Taiwan policy entered a new phase?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

2 hours agovideocam

Taiwan on edge amid Beijing fury over Takaichi’s ‘survival-threat’ remarks

US-China relations

China

Developing | US bars approvals of new models of China’s DJI, all other foreign drones

The FCC move, which does not affect existing DJI models, is a major escalation in Washington’s battles to crack down on Chinese drones.

44 minutes ago

Diplomacy

China says US broke international law by seizing Venezuelan oil tankers

Situation intensifies as Beijing condemns tanker seizures and US security chief calls to remove Nicolas Maduro from power.

1 hour agovideocam

Transport

Police asked to tackle reckless driving on Hong Kong’s new Central Kowloon Bypass

Transport Department says it has informed police of vehicles making U-turns at tunnel entrance and heading in opposite direction.

22 Dec 2025 - 11:19PM

Economy

Vehicles awaiting export at Nanjing Port in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP

China’s record trade surplus could prompt protectionist response in 2026: report

Diplomacy

Mistrial in case of ex-top aide to New York Governor charged as China agent

Linda Sun, ex-deputy chief of staff to Kathy Hochul, walked free after jury was deadlocked on all 19 counts and could not reach a verdict.

28 minutes agovideocam

Linda Sun arrives at US District Court in New York earlier this month. A mistrial was declared on Monday in the case of the former senior New York official charged with acting as a Chinese agent. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

US

‘Missing’ 6-year-old Yuanxin and father reunited, then deported together to China

Activist says separation from son pressured dad to accept deportation so they could be together, despite fear of returning to homeland.

3 hours agovideocam

Military

Xi promotes PLA commanders overseeing Taiwan Strait, Beijing to full general

Announcements suggest the dust has begun to settle following a massive purge in the military over corruption concerns.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:43PMvideocam

Travel & Leisure

The journey ahead: AI paves the way for tourism business of the future

AI travel technology company Dida’s innovative solutions aim to bridge the gap between the industry and travellers.

In partnership with:

Dida

United States & Canada

Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella killed in car crash

The 55-year-old video game developer died on Sunday while driving his Ferrari near Los Angeles, US media reported.

1 hour ago

American video game designer Vince Zampella at The Game Awards in Los Angeles, California on December 10. The Call of Duty co-creator died in a car crash on Monday. Photo: EPA

China

Chinese team smashes robot rival as sparks fly at Abu Dhabi showdown

Deep-Sea Shark 3, built by China’s Fierce Roc team, kicks some bot at the Battle of the Robots at Abu Dhabi’s Games of the Future.

50 minutes ago

United States & Canada

PM Mark Carney names financier Mark Wiseman as Canada’s ambassador to the US

The appointment of Wiseman comes at a critical time as Canada and the US plan to review their free trade agreement.

3 minutes agovideocam

Global Economy

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

Alleging that European subsidies are hurting Chinese producers, Beijing has imposed fees that look to hit French exporters the hardest.

22 Dec 2025 - 11:26PMvideocam

China has slapped provisional anti-subsidy fees of up to 42.7 per cent on European producers of certain dairy products, including various types of cheese and cream. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Beijing ‘firmly opposes’ Japanese lawmakers’ trips to Taiwan

Visits to the island by parliamentary members ‘seriously violate’ political foundations underpinning bilateral relations, Beijing says.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:52PMvideocam

Japanese lawmaker Koichi Hagiuda (left) meets Taiwanese leader William Lai in Taipei on Monday. Photo: Handout

Economy, Trade & Business

Lawmakers want US to disclose any approvals of Nvidia H200 China licences

Democrats ‌Elizabeth Warren and Gregory Meeks also asked for an assessment of the military potential of the AI chips approved for export.

4 hours ago

China Economy

China to hide bad debt records for pandemic-hit borrowers who repay small loans

New policy by the People’s Bank of China applies to one-off debts up to 10,000 yuan incurred since 2020, aiming to help people rebuild credit.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

Science

Chinese researchers show how a word could let spies take control of a robot army

Demonstration at cybersecurity event highlights a flaw that could turn one robot into a ‘Trojan horse’ that can seize control of others.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:06PMvideocam

The team that identified the security flaw has urged manufacturers to establish their own security systems or seek external help. Photo: Xinhua

China

China-South Korea ties, Singapore’s ex-FM on Hong Kong: SCMP daily highlights

From why China-South Korea relations may be cooling to Beijing’s latest bid to boost births, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:15PM

Members of Blackpink perform at a 2023 concert in California. Photo: Getty Images

Diplomacy

Too many US researchers looking at China through American lens, professor warns

Flawed approach to China studies could fuel misunderstandings and lead to misguided policy decisions in Washington, seminar hears.

22 Dec 2025 - 8:19PMvideocam

Diplomacy

China-Japan tension hits holiday travel as flights cancelled on 46 routes

All cancelled flights are operated by Chinese carriers and involve most of the country’s major airlines.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:13PMvideocam

OPINION

David Tingxuan Zhang

Opinion | China’s steel export licensing plan shows will to curb trade frictions

2 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Hong Kong can and must remain competitive with Hainan

35 minutes ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Weigh plans for long-term resettlement of Hong Kong fire victims with care

1 hour ago

Mohammed Sinan Siyech

Opinion | As UK universities lose prestige, Asian institutions stand to benefit

22 Dec 2025 - 9:37PM

Nicholas Spiro

The View | Rebound in Hong Kong’s Central office market could be turning point

22 Dec 2025 - 4:30PM

Harry’s View | 23 Dec 2025

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United States & Canada

PM Mark Carney names financier Mark Wiseman as Canada’s ambassador to the US

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Business

2 Deep Water Bay homes sold for US$283 million in biggest deal in years

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Food & Drink

New restaurant Yurt brings Kazakhstan’s horsemeat tradition to Hong Kong

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Opinion

Editorial | Hong Kong can and must remain competitive with Hainan

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China

Chinese team smashes robot rival as sparks fly at Abu Dhabi showdown

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Why China studies scholars in the West have been left in ‘crisis’ mode

US-China tensions, restricted access and Western-centric thinking seen as key obstacles to gaining ‘full picture of modern China’.

15 Nov 2025 - 7:04AMvideocam

‘Hawkish’ interpretations rise as US, China discourse gets lost in translation

27 Oct 2025 - 11:38PMvideocam

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23 Oct 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Open Questions series

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.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:02AMvideocam

Science

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

15 Dec 2025 - 10:05AMvideocam

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

Key Industries:

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.

17 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

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

China

Chinese team smashes robot rival as sparks fly at Abu Dhabi showdown

Deep-Sea Shark 3, built by China’s Fierce Roc team, kicks some bot at the Battle of the Robots at Abu Dhabi’s Games of the Future.

50 minutes ago

Tech Trends

Unitree G1 humanoids go viral with synchronised frontflip and Musk endorsement

China continues to dominate in humanoid robotics, and its lead over the US is accelerating, according to a recent Morgan Stanley report.

22 Dec 2025 - 8:42PM

AI

DeepSeek’s shock rise, China’s robot boot camps: 7 AI breakthroughs in 2025

From DeepSeek sending shock waves through tech market to China’s robot boot camps, here are some of the major AI developments of the year.

22 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM

DeepSeek is being touted as China’s secret weapon in the artificial intelligence war with the US. Photo: AFP

Politics

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

21 Dec 2025 - 7:35AMvideocam

China Business

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

20 Dec 2025 - 8:57AM

Diplomacy

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

19 Dec 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Military

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

The PLA has been moving fast to modernise its arsenal and warfare strategy, but it’s seen as ‘seriously deficient’ in some areas.

18 Dec 2025 - 6:03AM

Has mainland China’s Taiwan policy entered a new phase?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

Taiwan on edge amid Beijing fury over Takaichi’s ‘survival-threat’ remarks

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Developing | US bars approvals of new models of China’s DJI, all other foreign drones

The FCC move, which does not affect existing DJI models, is a major escalation in Washington’s battles to crack down on Chinese drones.

China says US broke international law by seizing Venezuelan oil tankers

Situation intensifies as Beijing condemns tanker seizures and US security chief calls to remove Nicolas Maduro from power.

Police asked to tackle reckless driving on Hong Kong’s new Central Kowloon Bypass

Transport Department says it has informed police of vehicles making U-turns at tunnel entrance and heading in opposite direction.

China’s record trade surplus could prompt protectionist response in 2026: report

Mistrial in case of ex-top aide to New York Governor charged as China agent

Linda Sun, ex-deputy chief of staff to Kathy Hochul, walked free after jury was deadlocked on all 19 counts and could not reach a verdict.

‘Missing’ 6-year-old Yuanxin and father reunited, then deported together to China

Activist says separation from son pressured dad to accept deportation so they could be together, despite fear of returning to homeland.

Xi promotes PLA commanders overseeing Taiwan Strait, Beijing to full general

Announcements suggest the dust has begun to settle following a massive purge in the military over corruption concerns.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}The journey ahead: AI paves the way for tourism business of the future

AI travel technology company Dida’s innovative solutions aim to bridge the gap between the industry and travellers.

Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella killed in car crash

The 55-year-old video game developer died on Sunday while driving his Ferrari near Los Angeles, US media reported.

Chinese team smashes robot rival as sparks fly at Abu Dhabi showdown

Deep-Sea Shark 3, built by China’s Fierce Roc team, kicks some bot at the Battle of the Robots at Abu Dhabi’s Games of the Future.

PM Mark Carney names financier Mark Wiseman as Canada’s ambassador to the US

The appointment of Wiseman comes at a critical time as Canada and the US plan to review their free trade agreement.

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

Alleging that European subsidies are hurting Chinese producers, Beijing has imposed fees that look to hit French exporters the hardest.

Beijing ‘firmly opposes’ Japanese lawmakers’ trips to Taiwan

Visits to the island by parliamentary members ‘seriously violate’ political foundations underpinning bilateral relations, Beijing says.

Lawmakers want US to disclose any approvals of Nvidia H200 China licences

Democrats ‌Elizabeth Warren and Gregory Meeks also asked for an assessment of the military potential of the AI chips approved for export.

China to hide bad debt records for pandemic-hit borrowers who repay small loans

New policy by the People’s Bank of China applies to one-off debts up to 10,000 yuan incurred since 2020, aiming to help people rebuild credit.

Chinese researchers show how a word could let spies take control of a robot army

Demonstration at cybersecurity event highlights a flaw that could turn one robot into a ‘Trojan horse’ that can seize control of others.

China-South Korea ties, Singapore’s ex-FM on Hong Kong: SCMP daily highlights

From why China-South Korea relations may be cooling to Beijing’s latest bid to boost births, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Too many US researchers looking at China through American lens, professor warns

Flawed approach to China studies could fuel misunderstandings and lead to misguided policy decisions in Washington, seminar hears.

China-Japan tension hits holiday travel as flights cancelled on 46 routes

All cancelled flights are operated by Chinese carriers and involve most of the country’s major airlines.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | China’s steel export licensing plan shows will to curb trade frictions

Editorial | Hong Kong can and must remain competitive with Hainan

Editorial | Weigh plans for long-term resettlement of Hong Kong fire victims with care

Opinion | As UK universities lose prestige, Asian institutions stand to benefit

The View | Rebound in Hong Kong’s Central office market could be turning point

PM Mark Carney names financier Mark Wiseman as Canada’s ambassador to the US

2 Deep Water Bay homes sold for US$283 million in biggest deal in years

New restaurant Yurt brings Kazakhstan’s horsemeat tradition to Hong Kong

Editorial | Hong Kong can and must remain competitive with Hainan

Chinese team smashes robot rival as sparks fly at Abu Dhabi showdown

Editorial | Weigh plans for long-term resettlement of Hong Kong fire victims with care

Why China studies scholars in the West have been left in ‘crisis’ mode

US-China tensions, restricted access and Western-centric thinking seen as key obstacles to gaining ‘full picture of modern China’.

‘Hawkish’ interpretations rise as US, China discourse gets lost in translation

Avoid West’s ‘discourse trap’ when defending China: ex-government adviser

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.

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

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.

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.

Chinese team smashes robot rival as sparks fly at Abu Dhabi showdown

Deep-Sea Shark 3, built by China’s Fierce Roc team, kicks some bot at the Battle of the Robots at Abu Dhabi’s Games of the Future.

Unitree G1 humanoids go viral with synchronised frontflip and Musk endorsement

China continues to dominate in humanoid robotics, and its lead over the US is accelerating, according to a recent Morgan Stanley report.

DeepSeek’s shock rise, China’s robot boot camps: 7 AI breakthroughs in 2025

From DeepSeek sending shock waves through tech market to China’s robot boot camps, here are some of the major AI developments of the year.

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

The PLA has been moving fast to modernise its arsenal and warfare strategy, but it’s seen as ‘seriously deficient’ in some areas.

Developing | US bars approvals of new models of China’s DJI, all other foreign drones

The journey ahead: AI paves the way for tourism business of the future

Opinion | China’s steel export licensing plan shows will to curb trade frictions