Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

An F-15E Strike Eagle takes off for a combat flight during Operation Epic Fury, on March 16, 2026. Photo: Handout

Second US jet said down over Iran, pilot rescued; search on for other lost crew

US launches rescue mission after F-15E downing; one crew member found, another missing in first such combat loss since war began.

3 minutes agovideocam

Iran says shot down F-35 fighter jet with new defence system

US-Israel war on Iran

Science

China’s gravity-detecting SQUID gets closer to spotting US nuclear submarines

Device can spot objects by measuring tiny shifts in gravity, and its compact design means it can be used outside a lab.

3 Apr 2026 - 10:00PM

Politics

Ma Xingrui becomes China’s third Politburo member investigated for corruption

Former Communist Party chief of Xinjiang is under investigation for ‘serious violations of discipline and law’, according to state news agency Xinhua.

3 Apr 2026 - 7:53PMvideocam

Politics

Trump seeks US$1.5 trillion for defence in new budget request amid Iran war

If enacted, it would set military spending at its highest level in modern history, underscoring the US’ ongoing focus on defence investment.

3 hours agovideocam

Science

A plume of smoke in an image shared on Chinese social media after the failed launch of the Tianlong-3 rocket on Friday. Photo: Weibo/ 深圳湾小海盗

China launches heavyweight rocket to challenge SpaceX’s Falcon 9. It fails

Politics

Former KMT chairwoman calls for ‘profound mutual trust’ with mainland China

Social media post from Hung Hsiu-chu comes days ahead of sitting KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s visit to mainland.

3 Apr 2026 - 8:44PM

The Kuomintang’s then-chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu with Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, in Beijing in 2016. Photo: Xinhua

Science

China watching ‘like a hawk’ as US Artemis 2 crew embarks on moon trip

Eyeing a lunar landing by 2030, Beijing will be ‘looking attentively at everything they can glean’ from the American mission, expert says.

3 Apr 2026 - 8:10PMvideocam

Diplomacy

China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz

Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes.

3 Apr 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

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

People & Culture

Why ‘dung collector’ was a highly lucrative profession in ancient China

Faeces from wealthy commanded higher price due to superior diet as door-to-door ‘night soil’ gatherers sold human waste to farmers.

3 Apr 2026 - 6:00PM

In ancient China, the profession of “dung collector” was highly lucrative, with fierce competition to gather “night soil.” Photo: SCMP composite/Baidu/Sohu

Middle East

Iran war: French and Japanese-owned ships make first Hormuz crossings

France and Japan have called for a ceasefire in the conflict, with Macron saying the waterway can only be reopened when the bombing stops.

5 hours agovideocam

Russia & Central Asia

Ukraine asks for Easter truce, 8 die in Russian strikes

President Zelensky has signalled his openness for a potential Easter ceasefire; his nation and Russia both mark the holiday on April 12.

6 hours agovideocam

Military

With an eye on China, Japan looks to kamikaze drones and low-cost missiles

Tokyo plans to introduce loitering munitions with a range of more than 1,000km, according to Japanese media reports citing official sources.

3 Apr 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Tokyo is said to have plans to introduce suicide-style drones that fly to a target, crash into it and explode. Photo: Shutterstock Images

United States & Canada

Artemis II’s moon-bound astronauts share first images of Earth’s blue beauty

The three Americans and one Canadian are on course for a lunar fly-by in their Orion capsule before heading home.

4 hours ago

Earth is seen from inside the Orion capsule in an image released by Nasa on Friday. Photo: Nasa via AP

Law and Crime

Domestic helper arrested after 6-month-old girl dies in Hong Kong

Baby was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious on a bed by her family.

5 hours ago

Health & Environment

Rats versus pets: Hong Kong dog owners want rodent poison in boxes, not bags

Pet owners call for environmental authorities to improve rat extermination methods after one dog accidentally consumes poison three times.

3 Apr 2026 - 8:58PM

United States & Canada

US can take Strait of Hormuz ‘with more time’, says Trump

The president spoke out online while the UAE’s largest gas plant and a key Kuwait oil refinery were among Iran’s latest targets.

3 Apr 2026 - 9:18PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks in the White House on Wednesday. Photo: via TNS

China Economy

Washington launches export initiative to ensure ‘future of AI’ is led by US

Chinese competitors targeted as US companies invited to form consortiums to offer full-stack AI solutions around the world.

3 Apr 2026 - 7:07PM

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in the Oval Office of the White House during an executive order signing event on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

Economics

Malaysia urged to take more aggressive action to tackle energy crisis

Analysts warn of escalating risks to Malaysia’s economy and call for adjusting the subsidy scheme to stop the government from ‘burning cash’.

3 Apr 2026 - 6:17PM

World

Human remains found on Thai ship attacked by Iran in Strait of Hormuz

The Mayuree Naree was hit in March after leaving a port in the United Arab Emirates.

3 Apr 2026 - 6:22PMvideocam

OPINION

Alex Lo

As I see it | The twilight of US hegemony and Israeli expansionism

26 minutes ago

Wenran Jiang

Opinion | How America’s stumble in Iran upends East Asia’s security calculus

3 Apr 2026 - 9:21PM

David Dodwell

Opinion | 3 reasons Xi-Trump summit won’t be a waste of time for China

3 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

Letters

Letters | Why KMT leader’s planned visit to mainland China is significant

3 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Bernard Chan

Opinion | Debate over Jimmy Lai’s sentencing should steer clear of geopolitics

3 Apr 2026 - 10:10AM

Harry’s View | 4 Apr 2026

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World Opinion

As I see it | The twilight of US hegemony and Israeli expansionism

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United States & Canada

US girl dies after being hit on head by metal water bottle, classmate arrested

1 hour ago

Europe

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

3 hours ago

Politics

Trump seeks US$1.5 trillion for defence in new budget request amid Iran war

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US

Second US jet said down over Iran, pilot rescued; search on for other lost crew

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United States & Canada

Artemis II’s moon-bound astronauts share first images of Earth’s blue beauty

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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 | 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

Military

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

21 Mar 2026 - 6:18PM

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the company’s global AI conference in San Jose, California, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Policy

Beijing mandates internal ethics committees for all Chinese AI companies

Since 2022, big tech firms including Alibaba and Baidu have established internal science and technology ethics review committees.

3 Apr 2026 - 9:54PM

Tech

Tencent expands OpenClaw suite with enterprise tool amid China’s ‘lobster’ craze

ClawPro tool promises quick AI agent deployment, giving enterprises control over models, tokens and security.

3 Apr 2026 - 8:00PM

China Economy

Washington launches export initiative to ensure ‘future of AI’ is led by US

Chinese competitors targeted as US companies invited to form consortiums to offer full-stack AI solutions around the world.

3 Apr 2026 - 7:07PM

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

Diplomacy

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

29 Mar 2026 - 6:17AM

Second US jet said down over Iran, pilot rescued; search on for other lost crew

US launches rescue mission after F-15E downing; one crew member found, another missing in first such combat loss since war began.

Iran says shot down F-35 fighter jet with new defence system

China’s gravity-detecting SQUID gets closer to spotting US nuclear submarines

Device can spot objects by measuring tiny shifts in gravity, and its compact design means it can be used outside a lab.

Ma Xingrui becomes China’s third Politburo member investigated for corruption

Former Communist Party chief of Xinjiang is under investigation for ‘serious violations of discipline and law’, according to state news agency Xinhua.

Trump seeks US$1.5 trillion for defence in new budget request amid Iran war

If enacted, it would set military spending at its highest level in modern history, underscoring the US’ ongoing focus on defence investment.

China launches heavyweight rocket to challenge SpaceX’s Falcon 9. It fails

Former KMT chairwoman calls for ‘profound mutual trust’ with mainland China

Social media post from Hung Hsiu-chu comes days ahead of sitting KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s visit to mainland.

China watching ‘like a hawk’ as US Artemis 2 crew embarks on moon trip

Eyeing a lunar landing by 2030, Beijing will be ‘looking attentively at everything they can glean’ from the American mission, expert says.

China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz

Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes.

.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.

Why ‘dung collector’ was a highly lucrative profession in ancient China

Faeces from wealthy commanded higher price due to superior diet as door-to-door ‘night soil’ gatherers sold human waste to farmers.

Iran war: French and Japanese-owned ships make first Hormuz crossings

France and Japan have called for a ceasefire in the conflict, with Macron saying the waterway can only be reopened when the bombing stops.

Ukraine asks for Easter truce, 8 die in Russian strikes

President Zelensky has signalled his openness for a potential Easter ceasefire; his nation and Russia both mark the holiday on April 12.

With an eye on China, Japan looks to kamikaze drones and low-cost missiles

Tokyo plans to introduce loitering munitions with a range of more than 1,000km, according to Japanese media reports citing official sources.

Artemis II’s moon-bound astronauts share first images of Earth’s blue beauty

The three Americans and one Canadian are on course for a lunar fly-by in their Orion capsule before heading home.

Domestic helper arrested after 6-month-old girl dies in Hong Kong

Baby was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious on a bed by her family.

Rats versus pets: Hong Kong dog owners want rodent poison in boxes, not bags

Pet owners call for environmental authorities to improve rat extermination methods after one dog accidentally consumes poison three times.

US can take Strait of Hormuz ‘with more time’, says Trump

The president spoke out online while the UAE’s largest gas plant and a key Kuwait oil refinery were among Iran’s latest targets.

Washington launches export initiative to ensure ‘future of AI’ is led by US

Chinese competitors targeted as US companies invited to form consortiums to offer full-stack AI solutions around the world.

Malaysia urged to take more aggressive action to tackle energy crisis

Analysts warn of escalating risks to Malaysia’s economy and call for adjusting the subsidy scheme to stop the government from ‘burning cash’.

Human remains found on Thai ship attacked by Iran in Strait of Hormuz

The Mayuree Naree was hit in March after leaving a port in the United Arab Emirates.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | The twilight of US hegemony and Israeli expansionism

Opinion | How America’s stumble in Iran upends East Asia’s security calculus

Opinion | 3 reasons Xi-Trump summit won’t be a waste of time for China

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Why KMT leader’s planned visit to mainland China is significant

Opinion | Debate over Jimmy Lai’s sentencing should steer clear of geopolitics

As I see it | The twilight of US hegemony and Israeli expansionism

US girl dies after being hit on head by metal water bottle, classmate arrested

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

Trump seeks US$1.5 trillion for defence in new budget request amid Iran war

Second US jet said down over Iran, pilot rescued; search on for other lost crew

Artemis II’s moon-bound astronauts share first images of Earth’s blue beauty

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 | 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.

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

Beijing mandates internal ethics committees for all Chinese AI companies

Since 2022, big tech firms including Alibaba and Baidu have established internal science and technology ethics review committees.

Tencent expands OpenClaw suite with enterprise tool amid China’s ‘lobster’ craze

ClawPro tool promises quick AI agent deployment, giving enterprises control over models, tokens and security.

Washington launches export initiative to ensure ‘future of AI’ is led by US

Chinese competitors targeted as US companies invited to form consortiums to offer full-stack AI solutions around the world.

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.

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

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

As I see it | The twilight of US hegemony and Israeli expansionism

Letters | Why KMT leader’s planned visit to mainland China is significant