Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks on so-called reciprocal tariffs during an event in the Rose Garden last April. Photo: AFP

US Supreme Court rules against Trump’s tariffs ahead of China visit

Decision upends administration’s trade agenda and weakens US leader’s bargaining hand going into Beijing summit with Xi Jinping.

17 minutes agovideocam

Real possibility of US tariff refunds is sure to stir up a giant ‘mess’

US-China trade war

Diplomacy

Is China’s ‘reverse Great Firewall’ quietly blocking global access to official data?

Study finds many government websites in China inaccessible from abroad, suggesting bid to prevent open-source intelligence gathering.

1 hour agovideocam

AI

China’s extreme 996 work schedule meets US tech’s hustle culture

Why advocates believe 996, the controversial 9am to 9pm, six-day-a-week culture popularised in China, can give American firms decisive edge.

1 hour agovideocam

China Economy

Why looming US-China trade talks could hinge on an obscure metal: gallium

China’s ban on exports of the vital metal could kick in again in November – and the US still has no realistic alternative supplier.

2 hours agovideocam

Politics

In China, hundreds or even thousands of applicants may vie for a position that offers a light workload alongside strong career prospects. Photo: China News Service/VCG via Getty Images

Why ‘ghosts’ are most dangerous foes in China’s cutthroat civil service exams

China Economy

Why more foreign medical patients are opting for ‘China speed’

The speed, efficiency and affordability of treatment in China is attracting foreign patients, but some bottlenecks need to be cleared.

20 Feb 2026 - 2:23PM

Specialists perform orthopaedic surgery using a robotic system at the Tongzhou branch of Beijing Anzhen Hospital in Beijing on February 3. Photo: Xinhua

Diplomacy

What next for China ties as Japan’s Takaichi targets Chinese ‘coercion’?

Analysts say Japanese leader is walking a fine line to ensure Trump’s support ahead of US visit while also hedging her stance on Beijing.

58 minutes agovideocam

Society

Tai Po fire owners to get buy-back offer of up to about HK$10,000 per square foot

Government sources say acquisition prices will range from about HK$8,000 to HK$10,000 per square foot, higher than previously estimated.

2 hours ago

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.

Big Tech

How Chinese AI put a new spin on Winter Olympics action

Chinese tech firms have been using the Milano Cortina Games to showcase their capabilities to a global audience.

6 hours ago

Figure skater Ilia Malinin, from the United States, competes in the men’s singles free skating team event at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on February 8. Photo: AFP

Military

China scrambles fighters to confront US warplanes based in South Korea

The American warplanes made a rare approach towards China’s air defence identification zone over the Yellow Sea, local media reported.

5 hours agovideocam

Military

PLA, Chinese firm release images showing US military build-up around Iran

Imagery of combat aircraft and support planes at bases in the region comes amid reports that Washington appears ready to strike Tehran.

20 Feb 2026 - 6:00PM

Diplomacy

Merz the latest European leader to visit China amid tensions with US

Trade deficit is likely to be top priority for German chancellor on his first official visit to China since taking office.

3 hours agovideocam

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to visit Beijing’s Forbidden City and tour Chinese and German companies during his trip to China next week. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Europe

Spain’s Sagrada Familia reaches full height 144 years after first stone laid

The Sagrada Familia became the world’s tallest church last October, rising over the spire of Germany’s Ulmer Munster.

2 hours ago

A crane places the upper arm of the cross onto the central tower of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona on Friday. Photo: EPA

Global Economy

China defends WTO’s ‘equal treatment’ rule – what it means for global trade

Beijing warns that ending non-discrimination in global trade rules could see powerful countries dominate smaller ones.

4 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

China congratulates North Korea on party conclave, vows to work together: Xinhua

Message from Communist Party of China’s Central Committee lauds Workers’ Party for helping to develop North Korean economy, improving lives.

6 hours agovideocam

Explained

Bangladesh faces daunting post-election challenges in economy, garment sector

A key concern for Dhaka is the upgrade to developing nation status, with the key garment sector set to face stiffer competition.

5 hours ago

Garment workers tailor clothes in a factory in Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Plan B is war’: Gaza truce faces late April test despite Trump’s peace push

Observers say the unresolved question of Hamas’ disarmament leaves the fragile truce vulnerable to collapse.

20 Feb 2026 - 4:57PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump raises the gavel during the “Board of Peace” meeting in Washington on Thursday. Photo: EPA

Global Economy

What would blocking the Strait of Hormuz mean for global oil and LNG shipments?

Tehran temporarily and partially closed the strategic waterway during a military drill, prompting speculation over an extended blockade.

20 Feb 2026 - 5:15PM

China

Wang Xindi king of aerials as China’s golden week continues at Winter Olympics

Country’s athletes have won four gold medals in past two days after going winless for first 12 during Milano Cortina Games.

1 hour ago

OPINION

Chenjie Song

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

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David Dodwell

Outside In | Try as it might, the US alone can’t reverse the tide of globalisation

20 Feb 2026 - 5:20PM

Daryl Ng

Opinion | Building Asean ties puts Hong Kong on path to long-term growth

20 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM

Wang Huiyao

Opinion | The 21st-century order has outgrown 20th-century institutions

20 Feb 2026 - 7:20AM

Letters

Letters | An orderly Hong Kong can remain open and outward-looking

20 Feb 2026 - 11:30AM

Harry’s View | 21 Feb 2026

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Diplomacy

Is China’s ‘reverse Great Firewall’ quietly blocking global access to official data?

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Wang Xindi king of aerials as China’s golden week continues at Winter Olympics

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Europe

Spain’s Sagrada Familia reaches full height 144 years after first stone laid

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US Supreme Court rules against Trump’s tariffs ahead of China visit

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How can those born in the Year of the Snake use feng shui to improve their luck in love, money and health this coming year? Feng shui practitioner Andrew Kwan shares advice. Photo: Shutterstock

SCMP Series Year of the Horse 2026

Year of the Horse 2026 feng shui advice for Snakes for luck in money, health and romance

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where Snakes can put lucky coloured items at home and work for luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

20 Feb 2026 - 7:15AMvideocam

Why do Chinese love water chestnuts? All about the lucky ‘horse’s hoof’

19 Feb 2026 - 11:15AM

On the Menu | What do an American reality TV show and Chinese aunties have in common?

19 Feb 2026 - 8:15AM

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

AI

China’s extreme 996 work schedule meets US tech’s hustle culture

Why advocates believe 996, the controversial 9am to 9pm, six-day-a-week culture popularised in China, can give American firms decisive edge.

1 hour agovideocam

Big Tech

How Chinese AI put a new spin on Winter Olympics action

Chinese tech firms have been using the Milano Cortina Games to showcase their capabilities to a global audience.

6 hours ago

Big Tech

The next interface race: how AI is bringing smart glasses into focus

LLVision CEO Wu Fei explains how advances in AI and hardware are pushing smart glasses closer to everyday use.

20 Feb 2026 - 2:38PM

LLVision’s Leion Hey2 focuses on real-time translation at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas. Photo: Wency Chen

Military

Everything we know about China’s mysterious, futuristic Nantianmen Project

Is it a storytelling vehicle for imaginative military hardware, blending science fiction with reality, or is it a glimpse of the future?

17 Feb 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

A CCTV report said the “space-sky integrated” fighter jets of the sci-fi Nantianmen Project would one day become reality. 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.

17 Feb 2026 - 4:46PMvideocam

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

US Supreme Court rules against Trump’s tariffs ahead of China visit

Decision upends administration’s trade agenda and weakens US leader’s bargaining hand going into Beijing summit with Xi Jinping.

Real possibility of US tariff refunds is sure to stir up a giant ‘mess’

Is China’s ‘reverse Great Firewall’ quietly blocking global access to official data?

Study finds many government websites in China inaccessible from abroad, suggesting bid to prevent open-source intelligence gathering.

China’s extreme 996 work schedule meets US tech’s hustle culture

Why advocates believe 996, the controversial 9am to 9pm, six-day-a-week culture popularised in China, can give American firms decisive edge.

Why looming US-China trade talks could hinge on an obscure metal: gallium

China’s ban on exports of the vital metal could kick in again in November – and the US still has no realistic alternative supplier.

Why ‘ghosts’ are most dangerous foes in China’s cutthroat civil service exams

Why more foreign medical patients are opting for ‘China speed’

The speed, efficiency and affordability of treatment in China is attracting foreign patients, but some bottlenecks need to be cleared.

What next for China ties as Japan’s Takaichi targets Chinese ‘coercion’?

Analysts say Japanese leader is walking a fine line to ensure Trump’s support ahead of US visit while also hedging her stance on Beijing.

Tai Po fire owners to get buy-back offer of up to about HK$10,000 per square foot

Government sources say acquisition prices will range from about HK$8,000 to HK$10,000 per square foot, higher than previously estimated.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}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.

How Chinese AI put a new spin on Winter Olympics action

Chinese tech firms have been using the Milano Cortina Games to showcase their capabilities to a global audience.

China scrambles fighters to confront US warplanes based in South Korea

The American warplanes made a rare approach towards China’s air defence identification zone over the Yellow Sea, local media reported.

PLA, Chinese firm release images showing US military build-up around Iran

Imagery of combat aircraft and support planes at bases in the region comes amid reports that Washington appears ready to strike Tehran.

Merz the latest European leader to visit China amid tensions with US

Trade deficit is likely to be top priority for German chancellor on his first official visit to China since taking office.

Spain’s Sagrada Familia reaches full height 144 years after first stone laid

The Sagrada Familia became the world’s tallest church last October, rising over the spire of Germany’s Ulmer Munster.

China defends WTO’s ‘equal treatment’ rule – what it means for global trade

Beijing warns that ending non-discrimination in global trade rules could see powerful countries dominate smaller ones.

China congratulates North Korea on party conclave, vows to work together: Xinhua

Message from Communist Party of China’s Central Committee lauds Workers’ Party for helping to develop North Korean economy, improving lives.

Bangladesh faces daunting post-election challenges in economy, garment sector

A key concern for Dhaka is the upgrade to developing nation status, with the key garment sector set to face stiffer competition.

‘Plan B is war’: Gaza truce faces late April test despite Trump’s peace push

Observers say the unresolved question of Hamas’ disarmament leaves the fragile truce vulnerable to collapse.

What would blocking the Strait of Hormuz mean for global oil and LNG shipments?

Tehran temporarily and partially closed the strategic waterway during a military drill, prompting speculation over an extended blockade.

Wang Xindi king of aerials as China’s golden week continues at Winter Olympics

Country’s athletes have won four gold medals in past two days after going winless for first 12 during Milano Cortina Games.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

Outside In | Try as it might, the US alone can’t reverse the tide of globalisation

Opinion | Building Asean ties puts Hong Kong on path to long-term growth

Opinion | The 21st-century order has outgrown 20th-century institutions

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | An orderly Hong Kong can remain open and outward-looking

Is China’s ‘reverse Great Firewall’ quietly blocking global access to official data?

Wang Xindi king of aerials as China’s golden week continues at Winter Olympics

Spain’s Sagrada Familia reaches full height 144 years after first stone laid

US Supreme Court rules against Trump’s tariffs ahead of China visit

Why looming US-China trade talks could hinge on an obscure metal: gallium

What next for China ties as Japan’s Takaichi targets Chinese ‘coercion’?

Year of the Horse 2026 feng shui advice for Snakes for luck in money, health and romance

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where Snakes can put lucky coloured items at home and work for luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

Why do Chinese love water chestnuts? All about the lucky ‘horse’s hoof’

On the Menu | What do an American reality TV show and Chinese aunties have in common?

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.

China’s extreme 996 work schedule meets US tech’s hustle culture

Why advocates believe 996, the controversial 9am to 9pm, six-day-a-week culture popularised in China, can give American firms decisive edge.

How Chinese AI put a new spin on Winter Olympics action

Chinese tech firms have been using the Milano Cortina Games to showcase their capabilities to a global audience.

The next interface race: how AI is bringing smart glasses into focus

LLVision CEO Wu Fei explains how advances in AI and hardware are pushing smart glasses closer to everyday use.

Everything we know about China’s mysterious, futuristic Nantianmen Project

Is it a storytelling vehicle for imaginative military hardware, blending science fiction with reality, or is it a glimpse of the future?

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.

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

Letters | An orderly Hong Kong can remain open and outward-looking