Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

The H-6 series of aircraft is the PLA’s primary operational bomber force. Photo: Handout

China’s new H-6J strike bomber: sharper vision, longer range, versatile roles

Naval variant of PLA Air Force’s H-6K is primarily designed as an anti-ship weapon, key to deterring vessels in various conflict scenarios.

18 minutes agovideocam

Chinese military says it is developing over 10 quantum warfare weapons

China's military weapons

China

EU moves to force Huawei out of networks, opening door to wider China tech bans

European Commission plan would make vendor removals mandatory within three years and allow broader curbs if China is deemed a cyber risk.

2 hours agovideocam

China Economy

China has tools to step up trade curbs on Japan amid tensions: Morgan Stanley

But Beijing is likely to conclude that further action would be counterproductive, according to the investment bank.

2 hours agovideocam

Education

HKU ranks seventh globally for education as East Asia ‘makes strides’

Times Higher Education releases latest annual subject rankings, with Peking University entering top 10 for computer science for first time.

1 hour ago

Focus

The West cheered China’s coal-fired export ban. Then came the massive blackouts

Diplomacy

China’s mega embassy in London approved, clearing way for Starmer visit

The prospect that Britain would block the planned new embassy had cast doubt on the prime minister’s planned trip to China this month.

20 Jan 2026 - 10:36PM

A view of the Royal Mint Court, the site of China’s new mega embassy in London. Photo: Reuters

China Business

Harbour BioMed stake in US drug developer shows Chinese firms’ growing clout

Latest example of Chinese drug maker acquiring equity in overseas partner shows they are becoming true development partners, analysts say.

2 hours ago

Health & Environment

Long and short of it: why Okinawa lost crown as Japan’s island of longevity

Okinawan men fell from first to 43rd while women slipped to 16th in the last life expectancy survey, a slide that is expected to continue.

17 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

United States & Canada

Bessent cites trade progress after meeting China’s He Lifeng in Davos

US Treasury chief says rare earths are flowing and China is buying soybeans as talks move towards an April Trump-Xi meeting.

6 hours agovideocam

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Calls for probe after Hong Kong official posts about alleged ferry, hotel perks

Government says hotel upgrade costs did not involve public funds, private ferry cabin incident under investigation.

8 minutes ago

Politics

‘Unprecedented’: Japan’s 1-party era under threat as centrists unite

The new CDP-Komeito pact marks a ‘turning point’ in Japanese politics that could finally end the LDP’s decades-long grip, analysts say.

2 hours ago

Tech Trends

Divergent AI growth paths emerge from China, US amid bubble concerns: CICC

Last year, US venture capital investment in AI reached US$175 billion, nearly 30 times China’s US$6 billion in the same period.

16 minutes ago

The world’s two largest economies are advancing along divergent paths in AI, according to CICC. Photo: Shutterstock

SERIES: Year of the Horse 2026

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Dragons, from career to romance

The Year of the Fire Horse will bring Dragons good luck in terms of career development, but the outlook for romance and health isn’t so rosy.

3 hours ago

Will the Year of the Horse 2026 be a lucky one for Dragons? Fortune-teller Tong Pik-ha shares her predictions for wealth, relationships and health. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

United States & Canada

Canada PM’s blunt message to Davos: the rules-based order is dead

Without naming Trump, Carney said the world is now a place where the powerful pursue their interests using economic integration as a weapon.

4 hours agovideocam

Europe

Train derails near Barcelona, killing driver, just days after deadly Spain crash

37 people were injured in the incident, caused by a containment wall that fell on the track after heavy rain.

2 hours ago

Tech Trends

Memory chip crunch to persist even as Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron boost production

Major vendors are scrambling to expand production, but the scarcity of general-purpose memory chips is forecast to continue well into 2027.

2 hours ago

The global shortage of commodity memory chips is not expected to be addressed any time soon. Photo: Shutterstock

Diplomacy

China sends emergency food aid to Cuba as US sanctions worsen shortages

First batch of rice arrives in Cuba under new Chinese programme while the island reels from abrupt halt in Venezuelan oil shipments.

5 hours agovideocam

Workers in Havana, Cuba stack donated rice that arrived from China on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Big Tech

China Telecom develops MoE models trained entirely on Huawei’s AI chips

The state-owned telecoms network operator trains its TeleChat3 models on Huawei’s Ascend 910B chips.

20 Jan 2026 - 10:54PM

Law and Crime

International Bar Association ‘will speak out’ if US sanctions Hong Kong judges

Chairman Claudio Visco says IBA has consistently spoken out against violations of international law and Hong Kong will not be excluded from monitoring efforts.

1 hour ago

OPINION

Arash Beidollahkani

Opinion | Will Iran’s instability force China to rethink its Middle East strategy?

17 minutes ago

Alex Lo

As I see it | How Donald Trump could break up Canada

4 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Time for Hong Kong marathon to pick up the pace and evolve

3 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | China’s EV industry should focus on consolidation at home, expansion abroad

3 hours ago

Brian Y. S. Wong

Opinion | Why isn’t Trump learning from past foreign policy mistakes?

20 Jan 2026 - 8:30PM

Harry’s View | 21 Jan 2026

MORE COMMENT

LATEST

8 minutes ago

Politics

Calls for probe after Hong Kong official posts about alleged ferry, hotel perks

17 minutes ago

Health & Environment

Long and short of it: why Okinawa lost crown as Japan’s island of longevity

17 minutes ago

Asia Opinion

Opinion | Will Iran’s instability force China to rethink its Middle East strategy?

32 minutes ago

Tech Trends

Divergent AI growth paths emerge from China, US amid bubble concerns: CICC

47 minutes ago

Football

South Korea’s women footballers threaten to boycott matches ahead of Asian Cup

47 minutes ago

Military

China’s new H-6J strike bomber: sharper vision, longer range, versatile roles

MORE LATEST NEWS

SCMP Series

China Inc. goes global

Year of the Horse 2026

Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

Revisiting US-China relations

SCMP Series China Inc. goes global

The US has played its hand in Latin America. Will China’s firms there cash out?

After the abduction of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, many Chinese entrepreneurs in the region say they are staying put – for now.

13 Jan 2026 - 9:55AMvideocam

Why overseas residency is a ‘practical advantage’ for Chinese firms going global

12 Jan 2026 - 11:19AMvideocam

Chinese companies expand globally

12 Dec 2025 - 12:42PM

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Why US raid on Venezuela could ‘work to China’s advantage’: John Mearsheimer

International relations scholar says US could easily take Greenland, while regime change in Tehran would be more difficult.

19 Jan 2026 - 6:57PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

Political scientist says the Western-led global order remains useful, and the Belt and Road Initiative isn’t a geopolitical project.

12 Jan 2026 - 10:06AMvideocam

Global Economy

Open Questions | ‘Embrace the moment’: on China, Daniel Kritenbrink puts pragmatism first

Former US ambassador to Vietnam says a return to the past for US-China relations is unrealistic, but both economic powers benefit from ties.

5 Jan 2026 - 9:11AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | How new C100 chief plans to foster ties between Chinese-Americans and China

The Committee of 100’s president Paul Cheung has high hopes for Chinese-Americans’ relationship with China in these uncertain times.

9 Jan 2026 - 12:37PMvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

China curbs US AI chips, shuns foreign capital in pursuit of tech self-reliance

These restrictions signify a new phase in the US-China tech war where ‘offensive and defensive roles have shifted’, says an analyst.

17 Jan 2026 - 10:46AM

Tech Trends

Divergent AI growth paths emerge from China, US amid bubble concerns: CICC

Last year, US venture capital investment in AI reached US$175 billion, nearly 30 times China’s US$6 billion in the same period.

16 minutes ago

Tech Trends

Memory chip crunch to persist even as Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron boost production

Major vendors are scrambling to expand production, but the scarcity of general-purpose memory chips is forecast to continue well into 2027.

2 hours ago

China Business

Harbour BioMed stake in US drug developer shows Chinese firms’ growing clout

Latest example of Chinese drug maker acquiring equity in overseas partner shows they are becoming true development partners, analysts say.

2 hours ago

Global drug companies no longer view Chinese firms as contract manufacturers, but as development partners, an analyst says. Photo: Shutterstock

China Economy

Hong Kong degree is ‘passport’ to jobs in the world’s third-largest art market

Art graduates from the mainland, looking to expand their horizons and gain an edge in the job market, are flocking to Hong Kong for further study.

20 Jan 2026 - 8:22AMvideocam

Global Economy

Can China’s cosmetics brands rival K-beauty and refashion global markets?

Once the top export market for South Korean cosmetics, Chinese firms lead at home and have made headway overseas – but gaps remain.

18 Jan 2026 - 6:06AMvideocam

Big Tech

China curbs US AI chips, shuns foreign capital in pursuit of tech self-reliance

These restrictions signify a new phase in the US-China tech war where ‘offensive and defensive roles have shifted’, says an analyst.

17 Jan 2026 - 10:46AM

Diplomacy

Counting China’s ‘swing nation’ wins and losses in new era of power rivalry

As US-China race for hi-tech resources heats up across Global South, countries caught in the middle are under pressure to strike a balance.

17 Jan 2026 - 7:43AMvideocam

China’s new H-6J strike bomber: sharper vision, longer range, versatile roles

Naval variant of PLA Air Force’s H-6K is primarily designed as an anti-ship weapon, key to deterring vessels in various conflict scenarios.

Chinese military says it is developing over 10 quantum warfare weapons

EU moves to force Huawei out of networks, opening door to wider China tech bans

European Commission plan would make vendor removals mandatory within three years and allow broader curbs if China is deemed a cyber risk.

China has tools to step up trade curbs on Japan amid tensions: Morgan Stanley

But Beijing is likely to conclude that further action would be counterproductive, according to the investment bank.

HKU ranks seventh globally for education as East Asia ‘makes strides’

Times Higher Education releases latest annual subject rankings, with Peking University entering top 10 for computer science for first time.

The West cheered China’s coal-fired export ban. Then came the massive blackouts

China’s mega embassy in London approved, clearing way for Starmer visit

The prospect that Britain would block the planned new embassy had cast doubt on the prime minister’s planned trip to China this month.

Harbour BioMed stake in US drug developer shows Chinese firms’ growing clout

Latest example of Chinese drug maker acquiring equity in overseas partner shows they are becoming true development partners, analysts say.

Long and short of it: why Okinawa lost crown as Japan’s island of longevity

Okinawan men fell from first to 43rd while women slipped to 16th in the last life expectancy survey, a slide that is expected to continue.

.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.

Bessent cites trade progress after meeting China’s He Lifeng in Davos

US Treasury chief says rare earths are flowing and China is buying soybeans as talks move towards an April Trump-Xi meeting.

Calls for probe after Hong Kong official posts about alleged ferry, hotel perks

Government says hotel upgrade costs did not involve public funds, private ferry cabin incident under investigation.

‘Unprecedented’: Japan’s 1-party era under threat as centrists unite

The new CDP-Komeito pact marks a ‘turning point’ in Japanese politics that could finally end the LDP’s decades-long grip, analysts say.

Divergent AI growth paths emerge from China, US amid bubble concerns: CICC

Last year, US venture capital investment in AI reached US$175 billion, nearly 30 times China’s US$6 billion in the same period.

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Dragons, from career to romance

The Year of the Fire Horse will bring Dragons good luck in terms of career development, but the outlook for romance and health isn’t so rosy.

Canada PM’s blunt message to Davos: the rules-based order is dead

Without naming Trump, Carney said the world is now a place where the powerful pursue their interests using economic integration as a weapon.

Train derails near Barcelona, killing driver, just days after deadly Spain crash

37 people were injured in the incident, caused by a containment wall that fell on the track after heavy rain.

Memory chip crunch to persist even as Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron boost production

Major vendors are scrambling to expand production, but the scarcity of general-purpose memory chips is forecast to continue well into 2027.

China sends emergency food aid to Cuba as US sanctions worsen shortages

First batch of rice arrives in Cuba under new Chinese programme while the island reels from abrupt halt in Venezuelan oil shipments.

China Telecom develops MoE models trained entirely on Huawei’s AI chips

The state-owned telecoms network operator trains its TeleChat3 models on Huawei’s Ascend 910B chips.

International Bar Association ‘will speak out’ if US sanctions Hong Kong judges

Chairman Claudio Visco says IBA has consistently spoken out against violations of international law and Hong Kong will not be excluded from monitoring efforts.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Will Iran’s instability force China to rethink its Middle East strategy?

As I see it | How Donald Trump could break up Canada

Editorial | Time for Hong Kong marathon to pick up the pace and evolve

Editorial | China’s EV industry should focus on consolidation at home, expansion abroad

Opinion | Why isn’t Trump learning from past foreign policy mistakes?

Calls for probe after Hong Kong official posts about alleged ferry, hotel perks

Long and short of it: why Okinawa lost crown as Japan’s island of longevity

Opinion | Will Iran’s instability force China to rethink its Middle East strategy?

Divergent AI growth paths emerge from China, US amid bubble concerns: CICC

South Korea’s women footballers threaten to boycott matches ahead of Asian Cup

China’s new H-6J strike bomber: sharper vision, longer range, versatile roles

The US has played its hand in Latin America. Will China’s firms there cash out?

After the abduction of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, many Chinese entrepreneurs in the region say they are staying put – for now.

Why overseas residency is a ‘practical advantage’ for Chinese firms going global

Chinese companies expand globally

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Open Questions | Why US raid on Venezuela could ‘work to China’s advantage’: John Mearsheimer

International relations scholar says US could easily take Greenland, while regime change in Tehran would be more difficult.

Open Questions | Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

Political scientist says the Western-led global order remains useful, and the Belt and Road Initiative isn’t a geopolitical project.

Open Questions | ‘Embrace the moment’: on China, Daniel Kritenbrink puts pragmatism first

Former US ambassador to Vietnam says a return to the past for US-China relations is unrealistic, but both economic powers benefit from ties.

Open Questions | How new C100 chief plans to foster ties between Chinese-Americans and China

The Committee of 100’s president Paul Cheung has high hopes for Chinese-Americans’ relationship with China in these uncertain times.

China curbs US AI chips, shuns foreign capital in pursuit of tech self-reliance

These restrictions signify a new phase in the US-China tech war where ‘offensive and defensive roles have shifted’, says an analyst.

Divergent AI growth paths emerge from China, US amid bubble concerns: CICC

Last year, US venture capital investment in AI reached US$175 billion, nearly 30 times China’s US$6 billion in the same period.

Memory chip crunch to persist even as Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron boost production

Major vendors are scrambling to expand production, but the scarcity of general-purpose memory chips is forecast to continue well into 2027.

Harbour BioMed stake in US drug developer shows Chinese firms’ growing clout

Latest example of Chinese drug maker acquiring equity in overseas partner shows they are becoming true development partners, analysts say.

Hong Kong degree is ‘passport’ to jobs in the world’s third-largest art market

Art graduates from the mainland, looking to expand their horizons and gain an edge in the job market, are flocking to Hong Kong for further study.

Can China’s cosmetics brands rival K-beauty and refashion global markets?

Once the top export market for South Korean cosmetics, Chinese firms lead at home and have made headway overseas – but gaps remain.

China curbs US AI chips, shuns foreign capital in pursuit of tech self-reliance

These restrictions signify a new phase in the US-China tech war where ‘offensive and defensive roles have shifted’, says an analyst.

Counting China’s ‘swing nation’ wins and losses in new era of power rivalry

As US-China race for hi-tech resources heats up across Global South, countries caught in the middle are under pressure to strike a balance.

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Opinion | Will Iran’s instability force China to rethink its Middle East strategy?

Open Questions | Why US raid on Venezuela could ‘work to China’s advantage’: John Mearsheimer