Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Global K-pop phenomenon BTS has just unveiled plans for their biggest tour yet, but it will not include any stops in mainland China. Photo: Reuters

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?

A decade-long geopolitical chill has kept South Korean entertainers largely locked out of the Chinese market, but fans find ways to connect.

1 hour agovideocam

Pentagon eyes expanded role for South Korea-based US forces to help deter China

China-South Korea relations

Military

Can China find a market for its fifth-generation J-35 warplanes?

Analysts are uncertain how much demand there will be for the fighter in the face of competition from the US F-35 or cheaper alternatives.

21 Feb 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Economy, Trade & Business

Trump says raising US global tariff rate from 10 per cent to 15 per cent

The move comes a day after ⁠the ‌US Supreme Court ruled ‌against ‌the ‌tariffs Trump ⁠imposed under an ⁠economic emergency law.

5 hours ago

Society

Wang Fuk Court buyback plan disappoints some residents despite ‘generous’ offer

Government announces offer to purchase flats destroyed in blaze at HK$8,000 or HK$10,500 per square foot, but some residents prefer redevelopment.

21 Feb 2026 - 11:43PM

US-China relations

US President Donald Trump will be visiting China from March 31 to April 2, his first such trip since returning to office last year. Photo: dpa

Is China’s Xi set to host a weakened Trump after tariffs setback in US court?

Big Tech

China’s tech giants pursue AI, semiconductor talent in US amid fierce rivalry

ByteDance, Baidu, Alibaba Cloud and MiniMax are among the firms now actively recruiting fresh talent in the US.

21 Feb 2026 - 9:00PM

Major Chinese technology companies are ramping up recruitment of artificial intelligence and semiconductor talent in key US tech hubs. Photo: Shutterstock

Science

EU bans Chinese organisations from critical tech programmes, including AI, chips

Chinese space scientist Wu Ji doubts the policy will hurt China much and may instead ‘make Europe appear more isolated’.

21 Feb 2026 - 9:31PMvideocam

Middle East

US ambassador says Israel has right to much of Middle East, sparking uproar

Mike Huckabee’s comments were condemned by Arab and Muslim nations as ‘extremist rhetoric’.

1 hour 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.

Global Economy

As high-speed railways saturate China, how far can their global reach extend?

As Chinese giants eye Eurasia for new infrastructure, analysts speculate on what it will take to keep overseas projects from going off the rails in different host nations.

21 Feb 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

A high-speed train leaves Tegalluar Station, located along the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia. Photo: Xinhua

Russia & Central Asia

Bus with Chinese tourists crashes through ice on Russia’s Lake Baikal, killing 8

A criminal investigation has been launched after reports that the tour had been run by an unregistered operator.

5 hours ago

Big Tech

Why China’s tech giants cannot afford to lose the global AI race

AI rivalry is challenging the traditional strategies of China’s ‘big tech’ firms and how they have monetised their products in the past.

21 Feb 2026 - 11:05AM

Economics

Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence

A global index on corruption perceptions shows the Philippines posting its lowest ranking since 2012.

21 Feb 2026 - 5:00PM

Protesters wearing face masks depicting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice President Sara Duterte take part in an anti-corruption rally in Manila in November. Photo: AFP

United States & Canada

Nasa moon rocket hit by new problem, pushing launch with astronauts into April

The Artemis II mission, set to be humanity’s first lunar flight in decades, is facing a helium flow issue just a day after a successful test.

5 hours agovideocam

Nasa’s Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen in the distance at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Friday. Photo: AFP

China

Eileen Gu forced to wait as heavy snow postpones Olympic halfpipe final

This is the final shot at gold for China’s defending champion, who has won two silver medals so far but failed to top the podium.

4 hours ago

Health & Environment

Calls for better supervision of Hong Kong’s campsites after areas inundated

While authorities have stepped up patrols in recent days, improvements in public education and limits on crowds needed, campers and hikers say.

21 Feb 2026 - 10:43PM

Diplomacy

Date set for US President Donald Trump’s trip to China

Trump’s visit will begin on March 31 and be the first to the country since taking office for a second time.

21 Feb 2026 - 9:35PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping greet each other during their October 2025 summit in Busan, South Korea. Trump will be visiting China from March 31. Photo: AFP

Society

Hong Kong to spend HK$6.8 billion buying back fire-ravaged Tai Po flats

Deputy financial secretary says government offering HK$8,000 or HK$10,500 per square foot and will draw HK$4 billion from public funds.

21 Feb 2026 - 11:16PM

The Tai Po fire claimed 168 lives. Photo: Dickson Lee

China Business

From AI to aerospace: China meme rocket shares take off in race with US

Investors scramble for opportunities to maintain market momentum after the AI frenzy shows signs of losing steam.

21 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM

Science

How China’s Yangtze River fishing ban is also helping finless porpoise recover

Restoration and sustainable aquaculture project held up as model for other major river systems such as the Mekong and Amazon.

21 Feb 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

OPINION

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Social workers handling Hong Kong fire cases should be well supported

17 minutes ago

Gerui Wang

Opinion | Humans vs robots? China begs to disagree

2 hours ago

Cliff Buddle

My Take | Arrest shows that no one is above the law, not even a former British prince

21 Feb 2026 - 10:30PM

Anthony Rowley

Macroscope | Why the IMF is right to press Japan on its fiscal risks

21 Feb 2026 - 4:30PM

Alex Capri

Opinion | Who will save the world from a US-China AI arms race?

21 Feb 2026 - 1:00PM

Harry’s View | 22 Feb 2026

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17 minutes ago

Opinion

Editorial | Social workers handling Hong Kong fire cases should be well supported

1 hour ago

Diplomacy

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?

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Celebrities

Meet Michael Bergin, the ex Calvin Klein model who dated Carolyn Bessette

1 hour ago

Watches

The luxury watch world’s marquetry masterpieces, from Hermès to Patek Philippe

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Middle East

US ambassador says Israel has right to much of Middle East, sparking uproar

2 hours ago

China Opinion

Opinion | Humans vs robots? China begs to disagree

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SCMP Series

Year of the Horse 2026

Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

China Inc. goes global

Customers choose colored glaze snake handicrafts for the coming Chinese New Year, the Year of Snake, in Xiye Colored Glaze Studio in Boshan district, Zibo city, Shandong province, China, on Jan. 9, 2025. With a long history of colored glaze, Boshan is regarded as China’s Hometown of Colored Glaze and has 12 colored glaze enterprises and 65 art studios. (Xinhua)
新华社照片，淄博（山东），2025年1月9日
1月9日，消费者在淄博市博山区西冶工坊展销厅内挑选蛇年主题琉璃工艺品。
春节临近，山东省淄博市博山区的琉璃生产企业推出众多蛇年主题创意琉璃制品，受到市场青睐。博山区被誉为“中国琉璃之乡“，琉璃生产历史悠久，当地已发展琉璃生产企业12家、工作室65个。
新华社记者朱峥摄

SCMP Series Year of the Horse 2026

Year of the Horse 2026 feng shui advice for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs to enjoy good luck

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where each Chinese zodiac sign can place items for good luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

21 Feb 2026 - 7:15AMvideocam

Feng shui advice for Snakes for luck in money, health and romance

20 Feb 2026 - 7:15AMvideocam

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

19 Feb 2026 - 11:15AM

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:

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.

20 Feb 2026 - 7:00PM

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

Big Tech

China’s tech giants pursue AI, semiconductor talent in US amid fierce rivalry

ByteDance, Baidu, Alibaba Cloud and MiniMax are among the firms now actively recruiting fresh talent in the US.

21 Feb 2026 - 9:00PM

Big Tech

Why China’s tech giants cannot afford to lose the global AI race

AI rivalry is challenging the traditional strategies of China’s ‘big tech’ firms and how they have monetised their products in the past.

21 Feb 2026 - 11:05AM

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.

20 Feb 2026 - 11:51PMvideocam

China’s 996 work culture – a schedule of 9am-9pm, six days a week – has become a hot topic for the next generation of tech founders in the United States. However, such military-style management is not for everyone. Photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong Economy

What’s at stake for Hong Kong as reflected in budget 2026-27?

Analysts are upbeat amid city’s booming IPO sector and thriving financial market, but warn of geopolitical headwinds.

20 Feb 2026 - 8:36AM

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

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

“Scare Out”, directed by Zhang Yimou, will debut in mainland China cinemas on February 17. Photo: Weibo

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?

A decade-long geopolitical chill has kept South Korean entertainers largely locked out of the Chinese market, but fans find ways to connect.

Pentagon eyes expanded role for South Korea-based US forces to help deter China

Can China find a market for its fifth-generation J-35 warplanes?

Analysts are uncertain how much demand there will be for the fighter in the face of competition from the US F-35 or cheaper alternatives.

Trump says raising US global tariff rate from 10 per cent to 15 per cent

The move comes a day after ⁠the ‌US Supreme Court ruled ‌against ‌the ‌tariffs Trump ⁠imposed under an ⁠economic emergency law.

Wang Fuk Court buyback plan disappoints some residents despite ‘generous’ offer

Government announces offer to purchase flats destroyed in blaze at HK$8,000 or HK$10,500 per square foot, but some residents prefer redevelopment.

Is China’s Xi set to host a weakened Trump after tariffs setback in US court?

China’s tech giants pursue AI, semiconductor talent in US amid fierce rivalry

ByteDance, Baidu, Alibaba Cloud and MiniMax are among the firms now actively recruiting fresh talent in the US.

EU bans Chinese organisations from critical tech programmes, including AI, chips

Chinese space scientist Wu Ji doubts the policy will hurt China much and may instead ‘make Europe appear more isolated’.

US ambassador says Israel has right to much of Middle East, sparking uproar

Mike Huckabee’s comments were condemned by Arab and Muslim nations as ‘extremist rhetoric’.

.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.

As high-speed railways saturate China, how far can their global reach extend?

As Chinese giants eye Eurasia for new infrastructure, analysts speculate on what it will take to keep overseas projects from going off the rails in different host nations.

Bus with Chinese tourists crashes through ice on Russia’s Lake Baikal, killing 8

A criminal investigation has been launched after reports that the tour had been run by an unregistered operator.

Why China’s tech giants cannot afford to lose the global AI race

AI rivalry is challenging the traditional strategies of China’s ‘big tech’ firms and how they have monetised their products in the past.

Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence

A global index on corruption perceptions shows the Philippines posting its lowest ranking since 2012.

Nasa moon rocket hit by new problem, pushing launch with astronauts into April

The Artemis II mission, set to be humanity’s first lunar flight in decades, is facing a helium flow issue just a day after a successful test.

Eileen Gu forced to wait as heavy snow postpones Olympic halfpipe final

This is the final shot at gold for China’s defending champion, who has won two silver medals so far but failed to top the podium.

Calls for better supervision of Hong Kong’s campsites after areas inundated

While authorities have stepped up patrols in recent days, improvements in public education and limits on crowds needed, campers and hikers say.

Date set for US President Donald Trump’s trip to China

Trump’s visit will begin on March 31 and be the first to the country since taking office for a second time.

Hong Kong to spend HK$6.8 billion buying back fire-ravaged Tai Po flats

Deputy financial secretary says government offering HK$8,000 or HK$10,500 per square foot and will draw HK$4 billion from public funds.

From AI to aerospace: China meme rocket shares take off in race with US

Investors scramble for opportunities to maintain market momentum after the AI frenzy shows signs of losing steam.

How China’s Yangtze River fishing ban is also helping finless porpoise recover

Restoration and sustainable aquaculture project held up as model for other major river systems such as the Mekong and Amazon.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Social workers handling Hong Kong fire cases should be well supported

Opinion | Humans vs robots? China begs to disagree

My Take | Arrest shows that no one is above the law, not even a former British prince

Macroscope | Why the IMF is right to press Japan on its fiscal risks

Opinion | Who will save the world from a US-China AI arms race?

Editorial | Social workers handling Hong Kong fire cases should be well supported

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?

Meet Michael Bergin, the ex Calvin Klein model who dated Carolyn Bessette

The luxury watch world’s marquetry masterpieces, from Hermès to Patek Philippe

US ambassador says Israel has right to much of Middle East, sparking uproar

Opinion | Humans vs robots? China begs to disagree

Year of the Horse 2026 feng shui advice for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs to enjoy good luck

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where each Chinese zodiac sign can place items for good luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

Feng shui advice for Snakes for luck in money, health and romance

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

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}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.

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’s tech giants pursue AI, semiconductor talent in US amid fierce rivalry

ByteDance, Baidu, Alibaba Cloud and MiniMax are among the firms now actively recruiting fresh talent in the US.

Why China’s tech giants cannot afford to lose the global AI race

AI rivalry is challenging the traditional strategies of China’s ‘big tech’ firms and how they have monetised their products in the past.

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.

What’s at stake for Hong Kong as reflected in budget 2026-27?

Analysts are upbeat amid city’s booming IPO sector and thriving financial market, but warn of geopolitical headwinds.

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.

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

Editorial | Social workers handling Hong Kong fire cases should be well supported

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