Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

CATL reported a net profit of 20.74 billion yuan in the three months to March, up 48.5 per cent from the previous quarter and beating analysts’ estimates. Photo: AFP

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

Hyundai spearheads foreign EV comeback push in China with Ioniq brand

Electric & new energy vehicles

Diplomacy

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

Several clocks are ticking for the American president as he looks for a way out of the deadlock, observers suggest.

15 Apr 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

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.

5 hours agovideocam

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

Science

The Haiyang Dizhi 2 research vessel completed its first deep-sea scientific mission of the year on Saturday, according to China’s Ministry of Natural Resources. Photo: CCTV

China tests submarine cable cutter at 3,500-metre depth

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.

4 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.

6 hours 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.

5 hours ago

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

Middle East

Iran threatens to shut down Red Sea shipping unless US lifts naval blockade

Tehran warned it could target Gulf trade beyond the Strait of Hormuz, saying US actions were putting the ceasefire at risk.

3 hours agovideocam

A vessel is seen in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

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

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

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.

4 hours ago

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

Middle East

Israeli security cabinet to discuss possible Lebanon ceasefire: senior official

Senior Hezbollah official Ibrahim al-Moussawi says diplomatic efforts by Iran and other regional states could produce a ceasefire soon.

4 hours ago

A building is struck during an Israeli attack in Beirut, Lebanon, on March 31. Photo: Reuters

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.

6 hours ago

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.

4 hours ago

United States & Canada

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

Educator Kirk Moore was shot in the leg but managed to stay on top of the suspect until law enforcement arrived.

23 minutes ago

Principal Kirk Moore can be seen struggling with Victor Hawkins, a former student who allegedly carried a firearm onto the campus in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, on April 7. Photo: Pauls Valley Public Schools via AP

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

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

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

Syed Munir Khasru

Opinion | How Pakistan outmanoeuvred India in Iran war diplomacy with China’s help

15 Apr 2026 - 5:30AM

Harry’s View | 16 Apr 2026

MORE COMMENT

LATEST

2 hours ago

United States & Canada

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

3 hours ago

Middle East

Iran threatens to shut down Red Sea shipping unless US lifts naval blockade

4 hours ago

United States & Canada

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

5 hours ago

Law and Crime

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

5 hours ago

Middle East

Israeli security cabinet to discuss possible Lebanon ceasefire: senior official

5 hours ago

Racing

Shum keeps pace with championship leaders after scoring a treble at the Valley

5 hours ago

Rugby

Rugby and racing fans bring party atmosphere of Hong Kong Sevens to Happy Valley

5 hours ago

Africa

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

6 hours ago

Global Economy

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

6 hours ago

Europe

UK PM Starmer says ‘not going to yield’ to Trump’s Mideast war threats

MORE LATEST NEWS

SCMP Series

US-Israel war on Iran

AI's impact on Hong Kong

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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

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

Politics

What next for the struggling rural mothers in China who helped to build AI?

Data-labelling workshops once hailed as a solution in the country’s poverty alleviation campaign face a painful reckoning.

5 Apr 2026 - 6:10AMvideocam

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.

Hyundai spearheads foreign EV comeback push in China with Ioniq brand

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

Several clocks are ticking for the American president as he looks for a way out of the deadlock, observers suggest.

‘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.

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.

China tests submarine cable cutter at 3,500-metre depth

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.

.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.

.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.

Iran threatens to shut down Red Sea shipping unless US lifts naval blockade

Tehran warned it could target Gulf trade beyond the Strait of Hormuz, saying US actions were putting the ceasefire at risk.

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.

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.

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.

Israeli security cabinet to discuss possible Lebanon ceasefire: senior official

Senior Hezbollah official Ibrahim al-Moussawi says diplomatic efforts by Iran and other regional states could produce a ceasefire soon.

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.

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.

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

Educator Kirk Moore was shot in the leg but managed to stay on top of the suspect until law enforcement arrived.

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.

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 | 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

Opinion | How Pakistan outmanoeuvred India in Iran war diplomacy with China’s help

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

Iran threatens to shut down Red Sea shipping unless US lifts naval blockade

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

Israeli security cabinet to discuss possible Lebanon ceasefire: senior official

Shum keeps pace with championship leaders after scoring a treble at the Valley

Rugby and racing fans bring party atmosphere of Hong Kong Sevens to Happy Valley

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

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

UK PM Starmer says ‘not going to yield’ to Trump’s Mideast war threats

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.

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

Earlier programmes focused on infrastructure, but new wave is shaped by demand in e-commerce, digital services and advanced manufacturing.

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

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

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

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