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China Economy

Exclusive | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

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Illustration: Henry Wong

China Opinion

Opinion | China’s Manus block a show of strength ahead of Xi-Trump summit

Beijing’s manoeuvring highlights its resolve and suggests it feels it has the upper hand in negotiations ahead of Trump’s visit.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens

Europe

German Chancellor downplays row with Trump after troop drawdown announced

Friedrich Merz said his criticism of US war planning in Iran did not spark Washington’s plan to reduce its military presence in Germany.

US President Donald Trump, left, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House in Washington in June. Photo: Abaca Press / TNS

Africa

3 dead on Atlantic cruise ship from suspected hantavirus outbreak: WHO

World Health Organization said the respiratory illness, usually transmitted by rodents, broke out on the MV Hondius en route to Cabo Verde.

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The cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cabo Verde, on Sunday after an outbreak of suspected hantavirus. Photo: AFP

Europe

French hard-left politician Melenchon to stand in 2027 presidential election

Melenchon ran for president in 2012, 2017 and 2022, coming third that year behind ⁠far-right leader Marine Le Pen and President Macron.

La France Insoumise leader Jean-Luc Melenchon ahead of an interview on the French TV channel TF1’s evening news programme where he announced his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election, in Boulogne-Billancourt outside Paris on Sunday. Photo: AFP
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United States & Canada

Rubio to visit Pope Leo in Rome in attempt to ‘thaw’ relations after Trump row

The Vatican said the US secretary of state’s meeting would take place on Thursday, weeks after Trump criticised the pope’s anti-war rhetoric.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the US embassy to the Holy See in Rome in May last year. On Sunday, a Vatican source said Rubio would meet Pope Leo in Rome this week. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Trump says US will ‘guide’ stranded ships from the Strait of Hormuz from Monday

The US president added that his representatives are having discussions with Iran that could lead to something ‘very positive for all’.

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Cargo ships near the Strait of Hormuz, viewed from a rocky shoreline near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates on Friday. Photo: AP

Education

Tsinghua University alumni can help Hong Kong serve nation: liaison office chief

Office director Zhou Ji says alumni resources are ‘rich ore’, while city leader John Lee asks graduates to support shift towards education hub.

Liaison office chief Zhou Ji delivers a speech at the Tsinghua Alumni Association of Hong Kong’s 70th Anniversary Summit on Sunday. Photo: Karma Lo

Military

Why a 5-year defence pact between North Korea and Russia could make China uneasy

Rare cooperation plan with Moscow could accelerate Pyongyang’s military modernisation on multiple fronts, analysts say.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks with Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov (seated left) and Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin in Pyongyang on April 26. Photo: KCNA via Reuters

Hong Kong

Hong Kong fencers extend world rankings lead over Japan at FIE Foil World Cup

Teenager Harris Ho played pivotal role in team’s progress to semi-finals, while Ryan Choi was the city’s best performer in individual events.

Teenager Harris Ho (right) was one of the standout performers at the FIE World Cup event. Photo: FIE
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Africa

Vigilantes in Nigeria kill herders amid jihadist tensions, kidnapping gangs

Central and northwestern Nigeria have for years been terrorised by cattle rustling and kidnapping-for-ransom gangs working with local jihadists.

Soldiers carry a coffin during the funeral of Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah and other troops killed by foreign jihadists, in Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria, on April 15. Photo: AFP

Opinion

My Take | Why a resurgent Japan should absolutely scare everyone

Denying war guilt and remilitarisation are but two sides of the same ideological coin for the Japanese far right.

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People visit Yasukuni Shrine during the spring festival in Tokyo, on April 21, 2026. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

The US sanctioned Chinese oil refineries. Now China is really pushing back

Beijing has wheeled out its ‘Blocking Rules’ for the first time, ordering non-compliance with the American action.

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Hengli Petrochemical in Dalian, Liaoning province, has been accused by the United States of links to the Iran oil trade. Photo: Reuters

Racing

Lui keeps in touch with trainers’ championship leaders with Sha Tin double

Veteran handler remains in the title race after bagging a brace with progressive duo Turquoise Velocity and Baby Sakura.

Turquoise Velocity wins narrowly under Keith Yeung. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Tech

From footwear to AI services: China moves up the value chain in exports

In 2025, China’s export growth in telecoms, computer and information services far outpaced exports of traditional goods, such as footwear.

Robots produce automotive body parts at a mold stamping company in Fuzhou, Fujian province, April 16, 2026. Photo: Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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China Opinion

Opinion | World may find itself ‘in a very Chinese time’ of data governance

Beijing’s distinct approach to AI development and its digital economy strategy could help overcome the apparently finite nature of human-generated data.

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Engineers measure and record the temperature of servers on a digital technology industrial estate in Tianjin, on February 26. Photo: Xinhua

Racing

Exciting Sky Jewellery continues upward spiral as Atzeni boots home a treble

John Size’s smart galloper records third straight win to headline 13-time champion trainer’s double.

Sky Jewellery and Andrea Atzeni win at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Society

Calls grow to tap MPF for housing as young Hongkongers’ desire to buy homes wanes

Survey finds city’s high flat prices and long-term financial burden of mortgage payments are driving declining interest.

A residential area in Kai Tak. More than 25 per cent of young residents polled have said they could not ever save enough money for a down payment. Photo: Sam Tsang

Diplomacy

How can China best profit from Trump’s latest rift with traditional US allies?

The US president’s decision to pull troops out of Germany and threats to do the same to Spain and Italy are the latest rift within Nato.

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Germany has the largest US troop presence in Europe. Photo: Handout

China Economy

China’s farmers face dual threats from El Nino and Iran war, analysts say

They warn that country’s fragmented farms are less resilient to natural disasters than bigger, more mechanised operations.

Farmers in Hebi, Henan province, water newly sown corn in June 2024 after an El Nino event that lasted around a year. Photo: Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Law and Crime

Hong Kong police hunt for man over damage to US consulate sign

Officers at scene discover partly dislodged ‘S’ in ‘States’ portion of sign after being contacted by consulate staff.

Authorities are searching for a suspect in connection with the incident. Photo: Handout

Racing

Poon and Thor steal the show with breakthrough Group Three victory at Sha Tin

Local jockey secures feature win with perfectly rated front-running ride on Danny Shum’s import.

Romantic Thor, ridden by Matthew Poon, wins the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m). Photos: Kenneth Chan

Europe

2 dead after boat runs aground in France in failed crossing to UK

The vessel carried 82 people, but ran aground with 65 on board after a French gendarmerie vessel rescued 17.

Migrants walk in the water to board a small boat in an attempt to reach Britain, on November 6 last year, in Gravelines, northern France. Photo: AP

Travel & Leisure

The Irish-American pub helping put a quiet Seoul suburb on the cultural map

Seoul’s Nowon district has never been known for nightlife. Irish-American Brendan Kelly shares how his bar, Kelly’s Pub, is changing that.

Brendan Kelly stands behind the bar at Kelly’s Pub in Seoul’s Nonwon district. The Irish-American expat shares how his bar attracts locals and “foreigners from all over the world” as the face of the neighbourhood changes. Photo: Korea Times

Society

Top civil servants ‘liable if they don’t flag systemic loopholes’ under proposal

Civil service chief also says public perception can play role in decisions on pay adjustments for government employees.

Civil servants leave government headquarters in Tamar during lunchtime. Photo: Sun Yeung
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Diplomacy

How 2 Iranian brothers in China use ancient music as a bridge through wartime

Amid deep geopolitical uncertainty, the Beijing workshop of Majid and Massoud Shamaeezadah preserves and shares Persian culture.

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Majid and Massoud Shamaeezadah (standing) hold a concert at their music workshop in Beijing. Photo: Laura Zhou

Society

‘Nowhere to go’: helpers pushed out of parks spend day off in tents at bus terminus

Helpers describe difficulty of finding places they can gather after some online posts suggested visitors were setting up tents.

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Helpers gather at the Lohas Park Station Public Transport Interchange. Some said they were usually forced to leave other public spaces when they gathered in groups on their day off. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong

Gallery | Hong Kong’s ‘golden week’ tourists: in pictures

Tourists enjoy hotpot at Ham Tin Wan. Photo: Edmond So

Australasia

Takaichi bound for Australia to strengthen economic, security ties

The Prime Minister’s three-day visit will focus on defence, critical minerals and broader economic security as Japan takes a more assertive military stance.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves as she departs on an official trip to Vietnam and Australia, at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Are US Air Force C-17s flying cars into Beijing for Trump’s China trip?

American military cargo planes have been spotted at the Chinese capital’s main airport, suggesting that the high-stakes visit is still on.

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Two US Air Force C-17 transport aircraft have been seen at Beijing Capital International Airport in the past few days. Photo: Handout