Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Vocational schools a new front as China backs businesses’ global expansion

Earlier programmes focused on infrastructure, but new wave is shaped by demand in e-commerce, digital services and advanced manufacturing.

4 hours ago

China’s vocational degrees rising as students seek skills over prestige

China education

Politics

US presses Iran as talks gear up in Pakistan under fragile ceasefire

Vice-President J.D. Vance to lead negotiations in Islamabad as Tehran sets preconditions, Trump warns of military action if diplomacy fails.

4 hours agovideocam

Politics

Xi Jinping tells Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun ‘we need peace’

High-profile meeting sees Beijing outline a vision of harmonious relations, shared development outcomes and greater dialogue.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:45PMvideocam

Education

73 public schools join new scheme to hire native English-speaking teachers

Hong Kong Education Bureau’s new scheme offers lower salaries but higher recruitment flexibility.

57 minutes ago

Diplomacy

US President Donald Trump meets Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in Davos, Switzerland, in January. The pair held a closed-door meeting in the White House on April 8. Photo: AFP

What Trump’s Iran war ‘loyalty test’ may mean for Nato’s long-standing alliance

United States & Canada

Artemis II astronauts return home from record-breaking moon mission

Their 13-minute fiery plunge through the atmosphere concluded a historic mission that went deeper into space than anyone had flown before.

2 hours agovideocam

In this image from video provided by Nasa, the Artemis II Orion capsule splashes down in the Pacific Ocean on Friday. Photo: Nasa/AP

Economy, Trade & Business

Trump’s tariff powers tested again as court questions ‘deficit’ justification

Court weighs Section 122 tariffs as plaintiffs warn of shifting tactics and judges probe limits of ‘balance of payments’ claims.

4 hours agovideocam

Politics

Japan’s Middle East oil habit gets an Iran war reality check

Almost all of Japan’s oil comes from the Middle East. A closed strait turned that dependence into a trap.

2 hours agovideocam

Business

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

In partnership with:

Standard Chartered

Health & Wellness

Hypertension’s link to dementia calls for stronger blood pressure control

Links between dementia and hypertension are reasons to keep blood pressure under tighter control – sooner rather than later.

3 hours ago

The links between dementia and hypertension mean getting high blood pressure under control is even more important than previously thought. Photo: Shutterstock

China

High fertiliser prices mean more soybeans for farmers – and greater reliance on China

Analysts question the cost of China deploying ‘fertiliser diplomacy’ and boosting soybean purchases ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.

5 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong will pay diesel subsidies directly to oil firms, look out for abuse

Government will know if oil firms try to take advantage of HK$3 subsidy scheme by increasing prices, official warns.

10 Apr 2026 - 11:42PMvideocam

China

China, Russia rally behind Cuba as US squeezes Havana in deepening crisis

‘China is willing to work with the international community to firmly support Cuba,’ said a Beijing spokesperson.

5 hours agovideocam

Cuba faces a deepening crisis marked by widespread power outages, acute fuel shortages and growing economic strain, as external pressure and limited supplies weigh on daily life. Photo: EPA

Politics

Will Cheng Li-wun’s meeting with Xi Jinping temper cross-strait ties?

It largely depends on Cheng’s Kuomintang regaining power in Taiwan, analysts say.

10 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (centre left) and Communist Party chief Xi Jinping (centre right) meet in Beijing on Friday. Photo: EPA

United States & Canada

Trump unveils plan for his giant triumphal arch: eagles, lions, lots of gold

The president has said that major cities around the world have such monuments, and the US capital is the only one without one.

5 hours ago

United States & Canada

Molotov attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home leads to arrest

‘We should de-escalate the rhetoric and tactics and try to have ‌fewer explosions,’ Altman wrote.

1 hour ago

United States & Canada

Trump tariff refund tool will go live on April 20, US Customs says

The Supreme Court threw out the president’s duties in February, prompting what could be the largest US government repayment in history.

5 hours agovideocam

A cargo ship loaded with shipping containers is seen at the Port of Oakland in California, in February. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

Iranian duo set to lead US ceasefire talks were once on Israeli hit list

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will lead first direct talks since Operation Epic Fury began.

10 Apr 2026 - 10:26PMvideocam

A political billboard in the colours of Iran’s national flag, seen at Tehran’s Valiasr Square on April 8.
Formal US-Iran peace talks are set to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan, this weekend. Photo: EPA

Global Economy

China banks buffer against AI contagions as US sweats over Anthropic’s Mythos

With Beijing prioritising financial stability, analysts say state lenders take a measured approach to generative models amid growing global cybersecurity risks.

10 Apr 2026 - 11:00PM

Rugby

Ex-Wales flanker Parks on ‘dark thoughts’ and going Pole to Pole with Will Smith

Forced to retire from rugby, the Welshman emerged from a period of introspection as an adventurer, polar explorer and guide to Hollywood’s A-list.

2 hours ago

OPINION

Alex Lo

As I see it | Helpful analysts predict China property recovery now, soon and much later

27 minutes ago

Wee Kek Koon

Reflections | Cremation was frowned upon in ancient China, so why was it so widespread?

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SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Cheng’s Beijing visit underscores hope for cross-strait engagement

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Teng Bingsheng

Opinion | China’s next growth engine? An AI-powered intelligence dividend

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Education

73 public schools join new scheme to hire native English-speaking teachers

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Traditional Russian wooden dolls depict Chinese President Xi Jinping, then US president-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg, Russia, on November 21, 2024. Photo: AP

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

27 Mar 2026 - 11:40PMvideocam

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

21 Mar 2026 - 2:39PMvideocam

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

20 Mar 2026 - 6:28PMvideocam

Open Questions series

China Economy

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

6 Apr 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

30 Mar 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

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Tech Trends

Chinese AI rivals clash over Anthropic’s OpenClaw exit amid global token crunch

Chinese companies are competing to offer the cheapest alternatives to premium US services from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.

6 Apr 2026 - 3:58PM

A lobster-shaped cutout representing OpenClaw stands outside the Baidu offices in Beijing, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Tech

China’s Li Qiang hosts Moonshot AI chief, urges faster industrial AI roll-out

Beijing signals stronger push to embed AI in manufacturing as premier meets rising start-up founders and industry leaders.

10 Apr 2026 - 11:30PM

Tech

Tencent moves to rein in AI content flood on WeChat with stricter rules

Updated guidelines target mass-produced and AI-rewritten posts, reflecting growing concern over the spread of low-effort content.

10 Apr 2026 - 9:31PM

Tech Trends

Alibaba takes on Seedance as AI rivalry offers glimpse into race for top talent

HappyHorse’s debut on the global stage has put the spotlight on its creator, Zhang Di, who has been away from Alibaba for five years.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:30PM

HappyHorse 1.0 was developed under the newly formed Alibaba Token Hub (ATH) business group. Photo: Handout

Politics

What next for the struggling rural mothers in China who helped to build AI?

Data-labelling workshops once hailed as a solution in the country’s poverty alleviation campaign face a painful reckoning.

5 Apr 2026 - 6:10AMvideocam

Society

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:30AM

Science

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

1 Apr 2026 - 9:50AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

Vocational schools a new front as China backs businesses’ global expansion

Earlier programmes focused on infrastructure, but new wave is shaped by demand in e-commerce, digital services and advanced manufacturing.

China’s vocational degrees rising as students seek skills over prestige

US presses Iran as talks gear up in Pakistan under fragile ceasefire

Vice-President J.D. Vance to lead negotiations in Islamabad as Tehran sets preconditions, Trump warns of military action if diplomacy fails.

Xi Jinping tells Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun ‘we need peace’

High-profile meeting sees Beijing outline a vision of harmonious relations, shared development outcomes and greater dialogue.

73 public schools join new scheme to hire native English-speaking teachers

Hong Kong Education Bureau’s new scheme offers lower salaries but higher recruitment flexibility.

What Trump’s Iran war ‘loyalty test’ may mean for Nato’s long-standing alliance

Artemis II astronauts return home from record-breaking moon mission

Their 13-minute fiery plunge through the atmosphere concluded a historic mission that went deeper into space than anyone had flown before.

Trump’s tariff powers tested again as court questions ‘deficit’ justification

Court weighs Section 122 tariffs as plaintiffs warn of shifting tactics and judges probe limits of ‘balance of payments’ claims.

Japan’s Middle East oil habit gets an Iran war reality check

Almost all of Japan’s oil comes from the Middle East. A closed strait turned that dependence into a trap.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

Hypertension’s link to dementia calls for stronger blood pressure control

Links between dementia and hypertension are reasons to keep blood pressure under tighter control – sooner rather than later.

High fertiliser prices mean more soybeans for farmers – and greater reliance on China

Analysts question the cost of China deploying ‘fertiliser diplomacy’ and boosting soybean purchases ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.

Hong Kong will pay diesel subsidies directly to oil firms, look out for abuse

Government will know if oil firms try to take advantage of HK$3 subsidy scheme by increasing prices, official warns.

China, Russia rally behind Cuba as US squeezes Havana in deepening crisis

‘China is willing to work with the international community to firmly support Cuba,’ said a Beijing spokesperson.

Will Cheng Li-wun’s meeting with Xi Jinping temper cross-strait ties?

It largely depends on Cheng’s Kuomintang regaining power in Taiwan, analysts say.

Trump unveils plan for his giant triumphal arch: eagles, lions, lots of gold

The president has said that major cities around the world have such monuments, and the US capital is the only one without one.

Molotov attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home leads to arrest

‘We should de-escalate the rhetoric and tactics and try to have ‌fewer explosions,’ Altman wrote.

Trump tariff refund tool will go live on April 20, US Customs says

The Supreme Court threw out the president’s duties in February, prompting what could be the largest US government repayment in history.

Iranian duo set to lead US ceasefire talks were once on Israeli hit list

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will lead first direct talks since Operation Epic Fury began.

China banks buffer against AI contagions as US sweats over Anthropic’s Mythos

With Beijing prioritising financial stability, analysts say state lenders take a measured approach to generative models amid growing global cybersecurity risks.

Ex-Wales flanker Parks on ‘dark thoughts’ and going Pole to Pole with Will Smith

Forced to retire from rugby, the Welshman emerged from a period of introspection as an adventurer, polar explorer and guide to Hollywood’s A-list.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | Helpful analysts predict China property recovery now, soon and much later

Reflections | Cremation was frowned upon in ancient China, so why was it so widespread?

Editorial | Cheng’s Beijing visit underscores hope for cross-strait engagement

Opinion | China’s next growth engine? An AI-powered intelligence dividend

Outside In | My love-hate relationship with Apple as an Android user

Rory McIlroy in total command at the Masters, takes 6-shot lead into the weekend

As I see it | Helpful analysts predict China property recovery now, soon and much later

73 public schools join new scheme to hire native English-speaking teachers

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | How difficult is delivering takeaway in Hong Kong?

How gossip spread in ancient China before newspapers reported on scandals

Molotov attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home leads to arrest

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

Chinese AI rivals clash over Anthropic’s OpenClaw exit amid global token crunch

Chinese companies are competing to offer the cheapest alternatives to premium US services from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.

China’s Li Qiang hosts Moonshot AI chief, urges faster industrial AI roll-out

Beijing signals stronger push to embed AI in manufacturing as premier meets rising start-up founders and industry leaders.

Tencent moves to rein in AI content flood on WeChat with stricter rules

Updated guidelines target mass-produced and AI-rewritten posts, reflecting growing concern over the spread of low-effort content.

Alibaba takes on Seedance as AI rivalry offers glimpse into race for top talent

HappyHorse’s debut on the global stage has put the spotlight on its creator, Zhang Di, who has been away from Alibaba for five years.

What next for the struggling rural mothers in China who helped to build AI?

Data-labelling workshops once hailed as a solution in the country’s poverty alleviation campaign face a painful reckoning.

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

As I see it | Helpful analysts predict China property recovery now, soon and much later

Video | How difficult is delivering takeaway in Hong Kong?

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?