Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

China’s largest scientific AI computing cluster officially entered operation at the national supercomputing network’s core node in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Tuesday. Photo: CCTV

China doubles ‘AI for science’ computing scale in 2 months using no US chips

The Zhengzhou core node becomes the country’s most powerful scientific intelligent computing infrastructure, CCTV says.

30 minutes agovideocam

Chinese team shows quantum tech can disrupt AI in a real-world task

Science

Middle East

US cites optimism over a deal even as Iran threatens to close Red Sea shipping

US Treasury to end Iran oil waivers, warning China – top buyer – that banks risk secondary sanctions as American pressure intensifies.

2 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

US ambassador to UN joined other Washington envoys hailing US-led cost-cutting, efficiency drive and streamlining of UN’s cumulative ‘bloat’.

36 minutes agovideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Exclusive | EU budget chief pushes collaboration, bonds on Hong Kong leg of Asia tour

Piotr Serafin says EU remains open to capital from city and mainland China despite pursuing a ‘de-risking strategy’ in certain key sectors.

15 Apr 2026 - 11:30PM

US-Israel war on Iran

More than 10,000 troops are taking part in the US blockade of Iran, according to the US Central Command. Photo: Handout

Trump says the Iran war is ‘close to over’. Is he just out of options?

Economic Indicators

Despite Iran war, China set for ‘solid’ first-quarter GDP growth: analysts

Flexible growth target means little likelihood of imminent stimulus, but focus will switch to impact of disruptions in second quarter.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

A woman selects fruit at a supermarket in Shanghai on Friday. Photo: EPA

Global Economy

‘No alternative’: Yellen defends dollar dominance, calls to preserve China trade

Former US Treasury secretary, in Hong Kong, discusses China’s ‘serious conflicts’ with other economies in trade, while warning of decoupling risks.

15 Apr 2026 - 11:17PMvideocam

China Business

China’s EV battery giant CATL to set up mining arm to secure supply chain

Global energy shock accelerates CATL’s upstream push as demand for EV batteries and storage systems surges.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:55PM

Business

From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Dow’s digital tracking system in China proves to consumers and businesses how waste can be recycled into new products.

In partnership with:

Dow

Caption: Dow’s Track and Trace Platform makes it possible to follow a recycled bottle’s journey from disposal to its rebirth as a new plastic bottle. Photo: Shutterstock

Global Economy

US officials claim China is ‘hoarding’ oil. What does the data say?

While US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China is stockpiling crude amid the Iran war, the numbers suggest Beijing is facing a supply crunch.

6 hours agovideocam

A woman walks past a giant billboard reading “The Strait of Hormuz remains closed” at Revolution Square in Tehran, Iran. Photo: TNS

Military

Chinese tanker retreats twice from US’ Hormuz blockade in 48 hours

While the Rich Starry didn’t visit an Iranian port, it is on a US blacklist for allegedly helping Tehran evade sanctions.

15 Apr 2026 - 10:14PMvideocam

Military

Can Iran’s small, fast-attack boats challenge US naval blockade of Hormuz?

Iran’s conventional navy might be decimated, but its large fleet of high-speed boats could well pose a threat, analysts in China say.

15 Apr 2026 - 8:13PMvideocam

United States & Canada

Trump posts image of Jesus hugging him amid row with pope over Iran war

The US president had faced backlash just two days earlier for an AI-generated image that portrayed him in a similar manner to Jesus.

6 hours ago

US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks about the conflict in Iran at the White House on April 6. Photo: AFP

Russia & Central Asia

Ukraine unit says it has launched over 100 robot attacks on Russia’s forces

President Zelensky says the ground drones – used in place of human infantry – have helped capture a Russian position.

39 minutes ago

A Ukrainian serviceman prepares a machine gun on a combat ground drone during a training at an undisclosed location in the Zaporizhzhia region. Photo: 65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces via AFP

Tech Trends

From ‘probing minds’ to verified account: how Musk’s stance on TikTok shifted

The billionaire’s surprising return to TikTok reveals his evolving tech diplomacy, with his account quickly gaining 120,000 followers.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

Tech

Amazon bets on Shenzhen smart warehouse to cut merchant storage costs by 45%

Amazon expands China push with smart warehouse model, aiming to retain sellers amid rising competition from Temu and Shein.

15 Apr 2026 - 10:47PM

Arts

How Japan’s kabuki theatre legacies are kept in the family

In the traditional Japanese art form, which featured in the Oscar-nominated Kokuho, names and skills are passed down through generations.

15 Apr 2026 - 5:15PM

(From right) Kabuki actors Kikugoro Onoe VII, his son Kikugoro Onoe VIII and grandson Kikunosuke Onoe. Photo: AP

Africa

Pope Leo stresses message of peace and unity despite another Trump attack

US-born pontiff urges respect for all people, says his travels have shown importance of pursuing dialogue between different communities.

6 hours ago

Pope Leo speaks to members of the media on board a plane on Wednesday en route to Yaounde, Cameroon, amid his apostolic journey. Photo: Reuters

United States & Canada

Trump threatens to fire Fed chair Powell if he doesn’t step down ‘in time’

Powell’s stint as the leader of the central bank expires in May, but his term on Board of Governors does not end until 2028.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:45PM

Europe

EU unveils age-check app amid efforts to better protect children online

The app will allow users to prove their age when accessing online platforms and is ‘completely anonymous’ to ensure data cannot be tracked.

15 Apr 2026 - 8:15PM

OPINION

Gabriela Bernal

Opinion | Why North Korea is rekindling China relations

1 hour ago

James David Spellman

Opinion | Given history of ceasefires, it’s no surprise US-Iran truce is fraying

15 Apr 2026 - 8:30PM

Jeffrey Wu

Opinion | US controls chips in the AI race, but China controls the scoreboard

15 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

Alex Lo

As I see it | KMT chief shows way forward to avoid blind confrontation with Beijing

15 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

Letters

Letters | Hong Kong is the perfect complement to Dubai, not a replacement

15 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Harry’s View | 16 Apr 2026

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China

Exclusive | Quad summit plan turns uneasy as India pushes ahead without top leaders: sources

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Science

China doubles ‘AI for science’ computing scale in 2 months using no US chips

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Asia Opinion

Opinion | Why North Korea is rekindling China relations

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Diplomacy

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

2 hours ago

Russia & Central Asia

Ukraine unit says it has launched over 100 robot attacks on Russia’s forces

4 hours ago

United States & Canada

US high school principal tackles and disarms gunman, dramatic video shows

5 hours ago

Middle East

US cites optimism over a deal even as Iran threatens to close Red Sea shipping

6 hours ago

United States & Canada

Trump posts image of Jesus hugging him amid row with pope over Iran war

15 Apr 2026 - 11:56PM

Law and Crime

Hong Kong police hunt for man behind theft of 2 Pokemon cards worth HK$28,000

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US-Israel war on Iran

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SCMP Series US-Israel war on Iran

Iran war: is the US shifting away from its strategy of precision strikes?

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

9 Apr 2026 - 9:26AMvideocam

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

8 Apr 2026 - 11:10AMvideocam

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

7 Apr 2026 - 2:20AMvideocam

Open Questions series

Science

Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history: Sheng-Wei Wang

Kunyu Wanguo Quantu and maritime artefacts prove China explored the world earlier than Eurocentric accounts suggest, scholar argues.

13 Apr 2026 - 8:15AMvideocam

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

Key Industries:

China Business

Shanghai Gigafactory has potential to build humanoid robots: Tesla China head

Shanghai Gigafactory could be a ‘golden key’ to advancing Elon Musk’s hopes of commercialising the technology swiftly, Tesla China head says.

14 Apr 2026 - 9:02PM

A Tesla robot on display at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Tesla has said it is transforming itself into a physical AI firm. Photo: AFP

China Business

China’s EV battery giant CATL to set up mining arm to secure supply chain

Global energy shock accelerates CATL’s upstream push as demand for EV batteries and storage systems surges.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:55PM

Big Tech

Lightelligence on track with IPO plans as China’s AI photonics race gathers pace

Shanghai-based company aims to become Hong Kong’s first listed AI photonics chipmaker as AI infrastructure buildout drives momentum.

15 Apr 2026 - 7:07PM

China EVs

Brazil blacklists BYD, some foreign brands may exit China: 7 EV reads

From Telsa regaining world’s top spot to Chinese carmakers gaining rapid ground in Europe, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

15 Apr 2026 - 3:30PM

BYD’s electric-vehicle factory construction site in Camaçari, Brazil, in December 2024. Photo: Reuters

China

Exclusive | Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts

War distractions and limited goals risk turning Beijing talks into optics over substance, as expectations shrink and planning falters.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:06AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Why the US may need more than just fixing gaps to rival China on rare earths

Washington’s mining ambitions may be complicated by the erosion of industrial know-how and a weak education pipeline, experts say.

14 Apr 2026 - 8:55AMvideocam

China Economy

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.

11 Apr 2026 - 6:06AM

Military

The US could be moving away from precision strikes in the Iran war. Here’s why

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

9 Apr 2026 - 9:26AMvideocam

China doubles ‘AI for science’ computing scale in 2 months using no US chips

The Zhengzhou core node becomes the country’s most powerful scientific intelligent computing infrastructure, CCTV says.

Chinese team shows quantum tech can disrupt AI in a real-world task

US cites optimism over a deal even as Iran threatens to close Red Sea shipping

US Treasury to end Iran oil waivers, warning China – top buyer – that banks risk secondary sanctions as American pressure intensifies.

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

US ambassador to UN joined other Washington envoys hailing US-led cost-cutting, efficiency drive and streamlining of UN’s cumulative ‘bloat’.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | EU budget chief pushes collaboration, bonds on Hong Kong leg of Asia tour

Piotr Serafin says EU remains open to capital from city and mainland China despite pursuing a ‘de-risking strategy’ in certain key sectors.

Trump says the Iran war is ‘close to over’. Is he just out of options?

Despite Iran war, China set for ‘solid’ first-quarter GDP growth: analysts

Flexible growth target means little likelihood of imminent stimulus, but focus will switch to impact of disruptions in second quarter.

‘No alternative’: Yellen defends dollar dominance, calls to preserve China trade

Former US Treasury secretary, in Hong Kong, discusses China’s ‘serious conflicts’ with other economies in trade, while warning of decoupling risks.

China’s EV battery giant CATL to set up mining arm to secure supply chain

Global energy shock accelerates CATL’s upstream push as demand for EV batteries and storage systems surges.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Dow’s digital tracking system in China proves to consumers and businesses how waste can be recycled into new products.

US officials claim China is ‘hoarding’ oil. What does the data say?

While US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China is stockpiling crude amid the Iran war, the numbers suggest Beijing is facing a supply crunch.

Chinese tanker retreats twice from US’ Hormuz blockade in 48 hours

While the Rich Starry didn’t visit an Iranian port, it is on a US blacklist for allegedly helping Tehran evade sanctions.

Can Iran’s small, fast-attack boats challenge US naval blockade of Hormuz?

Iran’s conventional navy might be decimated, but its large fleet of high-speed boats could well pose a threat, analysts in China say.

Trump posts image of Jesus hugging him amid row with pope over Iran war

The US president had faced backlash just two days earlier for an AI-generated image that portrayed him in a similar manner to Jesus.

Ukraine unit says it has launched over 100 robot attacks on Russia’s forces

President Zelensky says the ground drones – used in place of human infantry – have helped capture a Russian position.

From ‘probing minds’ to verified account: how Musk’s stance on TikTok shifted

The billionaire’s surprising return to TikTok reveals his evolving tech diplomacy, with his account quickly gaining 120,000 followers.

Amazon bets on Shenzhen smart warehouse to cut merchant storage costs by 45%

Amazon expands China push with smart warehouse model, aiming to retain sellers amid rising competition from Temu and Shein.

How Japan’s kabuki theatre legacies are kept in the family

In the traditional Japanese art form, which featured in the Oscar-nominated Kokuho, names and skills are passed down through generations.

Pope Leo stresses message of peace and unity despite another Trump attack

US-born pontiff urges respect for all people, says his travels have shown importance of pursuing dialogue between different communities.

Trump threatens to fire Fed chair Powell if he doesn’t step down ‘in time’

Powell’s stint as the leader of the central bank expires in May, but his term on Board of Governors does not end until 2028.

EU unveils age-check app amid efforts to better protect children online

The app will allow users to prove their age when accessing online platforms and is ‘completely anonymous’ to ensure data cannot be tracked.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why North Korea is rekindling China relations

Opinion | Given history of ceasefires, it’s no surprise US-Iran truce is fraying

Opinion | US controls chips in the AI race, but China controls the scoreboard

As I see it | KMT chief shows way forward to avoid blind confrontation with Beijing

Letters | Hong Kong is the perfect complement to Dubai, not a replacement

Exclusive | Quad summit plan turns uneasy as India pushes ahead without top leaders: sources

China doubles ‘AI for science’ computing scale in 2 months using no US chips

4 of the best vitamin C serums for supple and glowing skin

Opinion | Why North Korea is rekindling China relations

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

Ukraine unit says it has launched over 100 robot attacks on Russia’s forces

US high school principal tackles and disarms gunman, dramatic video shows

US cites optimism over a deal even as Iran threatens to close Red Sea shipping

Trump posts image of Jesus hugging him amid row with pope over Iran war

Hong Kong police hunt for man behind theft of 2 Pokemon cards worth HK$28,000

Iran war: is the US shifting away from its strategy of precision strikes?

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history: Sheng-Wei Wang

Kunyu Wanguo Quantu and maritime artefacts prove China explored the world earlier than Eurocentric accounts suggest, scholar argues.

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.

Shanghai Gigafactory has potential to build humanoid robots: Tesla China head

Shanghai Gigafactory could be a ‘golden key’ to advancing Elon Musk’s hopes of commercialising the technology swiftly, Tesla China head says.

China’s EV battery giant CATL to set up mining arm to secure supply chain

Global energy shock accelerates CATL’s upstream push as demand for EV batteries and storage systems surges.

Lightelligence on track with IPO plans as China’s AI photonics race gathers pace

Shanghai-based company aims to become Hong Kong’s first listed AI photonics chipmaker as AI infrastructure buildout drives momentum.

Brazil blacklists BYD, some foreign brands may exit China: 7 EV reads

From Telsa regaining world’s top spot to Chinese carmakers gaining rapid ground in Europe, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

Exclusive | Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts

War distractions and limited goals risk turning Beijing talks into optics over substance, as expectations shrink and planning falters.

Why the US may need more than just fixing gaps to rival China on rare earths

Washington’s mining ambitions may be complicated by the erosion of industrial know-how and a weak education pipeline, experts say.

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

Exclusive | EU budget chief pushes collaboration, bonds on Hong Kong leg of Asia tour

From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Opinion | Why North Korea is rekindling China relations