Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

A couple participates in a group wedding in August, in China’s Guangdong province. Photo: Getty Images

China’s marriage rebound: will more 2025 knots lead to more baby bumps?

Double-digit jump in registration rate, boosted by policy and cultural tradition, offers modest upturn, but demographers are wary of weak fertility intentions.

34 minutes agovideocam

Baby bust: China births plunge 17% in 2025 to historic low as population shrinks

China's population

Diplomacy

Taiwan tensions poised to be primary flashpoint of Donald Trump’s Beijing agenda

Analysts say they expect ‘exceptionally intense’ strategic manoeuvring on Taipei when US president and Xi Jinping meet in April.

12 Feb 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Military

What is China’s Central Military Commission and how does it function?

The downfall of two more members of the top command body has left just Xi Jinping and one other member active.

2 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Vietnam, mainland China among top Lunar New Year destinations for Hongkongers

South Korea and Japan also popular as some residents make the most of break by taking two days of leave to enjoy nine consecutive days off.

1 hour ago

Open Questions

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

Diplomacy

CIA targets Chinese military officers in new recruitment video

US spy agency’s outreach, depicting a disillusioned mid-level officer, risks unsettling fragile calm before April’s Trump-XI summit.

2 hours agovideocam

The CIA ‌rolled out a video on Thursday in a bid to recruit military informants in China. Image: CIA via YouTube

Diplomacy

Exclusive | China confirms talks with US about Trump visit as trade truce stays on the cards

US president and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping may roll back tariffs for up to a year as officials seek short-term economic wins.

12 Feb 2026 - 5:30PMvideocam

Politics

Why Takaichi’s landslide victory in Japan has North Korea on edge

North Korea has accused Japan of resurrecting its wartime ambitions by expanding its defence and pursuing security alliances.

23 minutes agovideocam

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

Tech

Will Chinese AI chip designer Enflame’s Shanghai IPO be another blockbuster?

Tencent-backed Enflame’s listing on the Star Market could follow successful recent flotations from peers Moore Threads, MetaX and Biren.

2 hours ago

AI chip designer Enflame on Wednesday entered the inquiry stage of its initial public offering on Shanghai’s Star Market. Photo: Handout

United States & Canada

From sanctioned to ‘legitimate’: how China bought Venezuelan oil from the US

After Nicoals Maduro’s January seizure, Washington is selling seized oil globally, with China a key buyer, says Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

5 minutes agovideocam

Military

Xi’s new year greeting reveals PLA Cyberspace Force post in South China Sea

Analyst says deployment signals Chinese military’s cyber warfare capabilities ‘are no longer confined to the mainland’.

12 Feb 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

China

Chief of UN intellectual property agency wins re-election

Daren Tang secured victory despite questions over his leadership and a whistle-blower letter, as US and China stayed largely on sidelines.

3 hours ago

Wipo Director General Daren Tang secured a second term with a decisive 81-2 vote. Photo: Handout

SERIES: Year of the Horse 2026

Feng shui advice for Dogs for a romantic, healthy Year of the Horse 2026

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

2 hours agovideocam

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

China

US, China clash over Peru Chancay megaport after court bars regulator oversight

Ruling limits state supervision of Chinese-controlled hub, prompting sovereignty warning from Washington and sharp rebuttal from Beijing.

5 hours agovideocam

United States & Canada

Trump admin signs trade deal to lower Taiwan’s tariff barriers

The agreement comes ahead of Trump’s planned visit to China in April and suggests deepening economic ties between the US and Taiwan.

2 hours ago

United States & Canada

Tumbler Ridge grieves 8 killed in Canada’s deadliest shooting in years

Details are emerging about the victims, who include the shooter’s mother and stepbrother, as well as five other children and a teacher.

2 hours ago

Candles, flowers, photographs and plush toys are laid out at a makeshift memorial for the victims in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Europe

9 arrested over Louvre ticket fraud scheme involving Chinese tourists

The world-famous museum says it lost nearly US$12 million over the past decade as the result of tickets being reused for different visitors.

6 hours agovideocam

Tourists stand near the Louvre Pyramid, designed by architect I.M. Pei, in Paris in January. Photo: AFP

East Asia

Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat off Nagasaki, arrests skipper

This is the first time since 2022 that Tokyo’s fisheries agency has seized a Chinese fishing vessel.

30 minutes agovideocam

Politics

CK Hutchison pursues ‘all legal options’ on Panama ports, invites consultations

Conglomerate says authorities have ‘advanced steps towards a forced exit’ of Panama Ports Company (PPC) and are preparing to transition port operations.

5 hours ago

OPINION

Nicole Chan

Opinion | ‘Becoming Chinese’ memes reflect a world shaped by China’s ascent

4 minutes ago

Rachel Chan

Opinion | Hong Kong should see the ‘silver economy’ as a golden opportunity

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SCMP Editorial

Editorial | As China and Indonesia strengthen ties, Hong Kong has a role to play

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SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Critical review needed to keep Hong Kong’s rail operations on track

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Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Japan will soon learn how far Takaichi can ride her luck

12 Feb 2026 - 4:30PM

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Bully vs sovereignty: how Manila and Beijing are sharpening their South China Sea messaging

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

12 Feb 2026 - 11:07AMvideocam

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

11 Feb 2026 - 6:14AMvideocam

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

10 Feb 2026 - 9:43AMvideocam

Open Questions series

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

Tech Trends

Open Questions | Jeffrey Ding on why diffusion, not innovation, is the secret to AI success

Professor says a ‘diffusion marathon’, where AI is gradually embedded in an economy over decades, will determine the winner of US-China tech war.

4 Feb 2026 - 3:48PMvideocam

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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

Tech

‘More than 600%’ memory price spike rattles China’s phone and broadband makers

China’s tech sector braces for a “memory winter”, with rising chip costs threatening handset output and slowing broadband rollouts.

12 Feb 2026 - 10:00PM

Big Tech

China’s Lenovo warns of ‘prolonged’ memory crunch, looks to AI for rebound

Tech

Alibaba’s Qwen tops 120 million orders in 6 days amid China’s AI shopping battle

Campaign has sparked a behavioural shift towards AI-powered shopping, which Alibaba says is becoming a more popular lifestyle choice.

12 Feb 2026 - 5:07PM

The number of orders signals growing acceptance of AI-powered shopping. Photo: Getty

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

Diplomacy

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

As 2026 Asean chair, Manila has highlighted its push to finalise within its term a code of conduct covering the contested waters.

11 Feb 2026 - 6:14AMvideocam

Law and Crime

Key dates in Jimmy Lai’s Hong Kong national security case

10 Feb 2026 - 5:00PM

Diplomacy

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

Effective January 17, the framework protects unique marine biodiversity and ecosystems in areas beyond any individual country’s jurisdiction.

10 Feb 2026 - 9:43AMvideocam

China’s marriage rebound: will more 2025 knots lead to more baby bumps?

Double-digit jump in registration rate, boosted by policy and cultural tradition, offers modest upturn, but demographers are wary of weak fertility intentions.

Baby bust: China births plunge 17% in 2025 to historic low as population shrinks

Taiwan tensions poised to be primary flashpoint of Donald Trump’s Beijing agenda

Analysts say they expect ‘exceptionally intense’ strategic manoeuvring on Taipei when US president and Xi Jinping meet in April.

What is China’s Central Military Commission and how does it function?

The downfall of two more members of the top command body has left just Xi Jinping and one other member active.

Vietnam, mainland China among top Lunar New Year destinations for Hongkongers

South Korea and Japan also popular as some residents make the most of break by taking two days of leave to enjoy nine consecutive days off.

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

CIA targets Chinese military officers in new recruitment video

US spy agency’s outreach, depicting a disillusioned mid-level officer, risks unsettling fragile calm before April’s Trump-XI summit.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | China confirms talks with US about Trump visit as trade truce stays on the cards

US president and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping may roll back tariffs for up to a year as officials seek short-term economic wins.

Why Takaichi’s landslide victory in Japan has North Korea on edge

North Korea has accused Japan of resurrecting its wartime ambitions by expanding its defence and pursuing security alliances.

.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.

Will Chinese AI chip designer Enflame’s Shanghai IPO be another blockbuster?

Tencent-backed Enflame’s listing on the Star Market could follow successful recent flotations from peers Moore Threads, MetaX and Biren.

From sanctioned to ‘legitimate’: how China bought Venezuelan oil from the US

After Nicoals Maduro’s January seizure, Washington is selling seized oil globally, with China a key buyer, says Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

Xi’s new year greeting reveals PLA Cyberspace Force post in South China Sea

Analyst says deployment signals Chinese military’s cyber warfare capabilities ‘are no longer confined to the mainland’.

Chief of UN intellectual property agency wins re-election

Daren Tang secured victory despite questions over his leadership and a whistle-blower letter, as US and China stayed largely on sidelines.

Feng shui advice for Dogs for a romantic, healthy Year of the Horse 2026

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

US, China clash over Peru Chancay megaport after court bars regulator oversight

Ruling limits state supervision of Chinese-controlled hub, prompting sovereignty warning from Washington and sharp rebuttal from Beijing.

Trump admin signs trade deal to lower Taiwan’s tariff barriers

The agreement comes ahead of Trump’s planned visit to China in April and suggests deepening economic ties between the US and Taiwan.

Tumbler Ridge grieves 8 killed in Canada’s deadliest shooting in years

Details are emerging about the victims, who include the shooter’s mother and stepbrother, as well as five other children and a teacher.

9 arrested over Louvre ticket fraud scheme involving Chinese tourists

The world-famous museum says it lost nearly US$12 million over the past decade as the result of tickets being reused for different visitors.

Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat off Nagasaki, arrests skipper

This is the first time since 2022 that Tokyo’s fisheries agency has seized a Chinese fishing vessel.

CK Hutchison pursues ‘all legal options’ on Panama ports, invites consultations

Conglomerate says authorities have ‘advanced steps towards a forced exit’ of Panama Ports Company (PPC) and are preparing to transition port operations.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | ‘Becoming Chinese’ memes reflect a world shaped by China’s ascent

Opinion | Hong Kong should see the ‘silver economy’ as a golden opportunity

Editorial | As China and Indonesia strengthen ties, Hong Kong has a role to play

Editorial | Critical review needed to keep Hong Kong’s rail operations on track

Macroscope | Japan will soon learn how far Takaichi can ride her luck

Opinion | ‘Becoming Chinese’ memes reflect a world shaped by China’s ascent

China ‘genius’ girl, 10, invests lucky money in gold to keep parents from spending

China’s marriage rebound: will more 2025 knots lead to more baby bumps?

Vietnam, mainland China among top Lunar New Year destinations for Hongkongers

Exclusive | Box office bust? The show may be over for another Hong Kong cinema

What is China’s Central Military Commission and how does it function?

Bully vs sovereignty: how Manila and Beijing are sharpening their South China Sea messaging

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

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

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.

Open Questions | Jeffrey Ding on why diffusion, not innovation, is the secret to AI success

Professor says a ‘diffusion marathon’, where AI is gradually embedded in an economy over decades, will determine the winner of US-China tech war.

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.

‘More than 600%’ memory price spike rattles China’s phone and broadband makers

China’s tech sector braces for a “memory winter”, with rising chip costs threatening handset output and slowing broadband rollouts.

China’s Lenovo warns of ‘prolonged’ memory crunch, looks to AI for rebound

Top PC maker posts a 21 per cent profit drop amid chip squeeze, but bets on AI-powered devices to sustain growth amid industry upheaval.

Alibaba’s Qwen tops 120 million orders in 6 days amid China’s AI shopping battle

Campaign has sparked a behavioural shift towards AI-powered shopping, which Alibaba says is becoming a more popular lifestyle choice.

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.

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

As 2026 Asean chair, Manila has highlighted its push to finalise within its term a code of conduct covering the contested waters.

Key dates in Jimmy Lai’s Hong Kong national security case

Key dates in Jimmy Lai’s Hong Kong national security case

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

Effective January 17, the framework protects unique marine biodiversity and ecosystems in areas beyond any individual country’s jurisdiction.

Exclusive | China confirms talks with US about Trump visit as trade truce stays on the cards

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Opinion | ‘Becoming Chinese’ memes reflect a world shaped by China’s ascent