Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Chinese analysts say Washington’s reckless behaviour under President Donald Trump has alienated allies, weakened its credibility and eroded its global influence. Photo: Reuters

Is the US in decline? Why Iran war might be the surest sign

In going from international rule-maker to ‘predatory hegemon’, the US is risking it all, Chinese state media and observers warn.

3 hours agovideocam

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

US-Israel war on Iran

US

Trump says Navy will ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

Order targets small craft as tensions persist; Pentagon warns clearing advanced mines could take months, raising energy concerns.

43 minutes agovideocam

Tech

Asia’s chipmakers feel the heat as naphtha crunch hits photoresist supply

Japanese suppliers warn of photoresist strain as upstream shocks ripple through Asia’s semiconductor supply chain.

5 hours ago

Politics

China must ‘strengthen education’ of Tibetan Buddhists, Beijing official says

On inspection tour, Li Ganjie urges local authorities to promote new ‘unity’ law to ethnic minority groups.

5 hours agovideocam

Infographic

How fire safety failures worsened Hong Kong’s deadly inferno

Military

Chinese military experts take stock of US munitions weak spot exposed by Iran war

Think tank warns that weapons shortfalls could leave American forces vulnerable in a future conflict – and Chinese observers agree.

23 Apr 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

An American report estimates that the US used about half of its THAAD missiles in the 39 days of its war on Iran before the ceasefire. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

Exclusive | China’s Russia ties mean EU trade deal is off the table, Finland says

Tough talk from foreign minister shows the nation could provide a de facto veto on China’s efforts to launch a deal.

23 Apr 2026 - 7:20PMvideocam

Education

All Hong Kong public universities make Asian league table top 100 for first time

HKU and CUHK retain places in the top 10, while the Education University of Hong Kong and Lingnan University make their debut on the list.

6 hours ago

Tech

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

In partnership with:

Huawei

Middle East

Iran’s exiled crown prince splashed with red substance in Berlin

Reza Pahlavi targeted while leaving a press conference where he said diplomacy with Iran ‘has been given enough chance’.

23 Apr 2026 - 8:21PM

Reza Pahlavi after he was splattered with that appears to be tomato juice or sauce. Photo: dpa

United States & Canada

Millions of Americans may now also be considered Canadian under new law

Under the new law, descendants of Canadians are considered citizens, but they must provide proof to obtain a certificate of citizenship.

4 hours agovideocam

China Economy

China targets greener AI data centres, heavy industry to meet 2030 climate goals

New emission rules for strategic sectors come as the Iran war reinforces the need for energy security.

6 hours agovideocam

Politics

How the Philippines became Japan’s closest security partner in Southeast Asia

Japan’s participation in the Balikatan drill and its new weapon export rules are set to further defence ties between the two countries.

23 Apr 2026 - 8:04PM

A sailor raises the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force ensign on board the JS Ise helicopter destroyer as it docks in Manila last year. Photo: AFP

China Business

China’s premium EVs mount tech-powered challenge to BMW, Mercedes-Benz at expo

10-day show in Beijing, the world’s largest, to feature 1,451 models and exhibition area of 380,000 square metres.

23 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM

A worker puts the finishing touches on the China International Exhibition Centre in Beijing on Wednesday ahead of Auto China 2026. Photo: AFP

China Economy

Beijing’s emphasis on security weighing on US firms’ optimism: AmCham China

White paper recognises improvements and incremental advances, but says data security rules a concern.

4 hours ago

Football

Italy underwhelmed by Trump envoy’s idea they should replace Iran at World Cup

Italian minister says such a move is ‘shameful’ while media says envoy Paolo Zampolli made same suggestion four years ago ahead ⁠of Qatar.

4 hours ago

United States & Canada

Warner Bros investors back US$110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance

Attention now turns to regulatory authorities, with both Washington and London expected to examine the merger’s impact on competition.

3 hours ago

Europe

‘Free Timmy!’: beached whale grips and divides Germany

An initial wave of sympathy has tipped into public anger, spurring elaborate rescue plans, conspiracy theories and death threats.

2 hours ago

The humpback whale moves its fin as it lies stranded on a sandbank in the shallow waters off the Baltic Sea on the island of Poel on April 17. Photo: Reuters

Science

Can Chinese scientists bring Nasa’s ‘space spider’ dream to life?

Shenyang team focuses on how to produce strong structural parts efficiently, and how to connect them reliably.

23 Apr 2026 - 3:18PMvideocam

Middle East

How Iran responded to Trump’s claimed role in saving 8 women from execution

Trump claimed Iran ‘respected my request’ to save the protesters. Iran’s judiciary said he’s ‘fabricating achievements’.

23 Apr 2026 - 4:28PM

OPINION

Burak Elmali

Opinion | China can offer Gulf states more than just a security umbrella

23 Apr 2026 - 8:30PM

Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Why fixing Japan’s monetary policy isn’t getting any easier

23 Apr 2026 - 5:20PM

Ken Ip

Opinion | Hong Kong’s education hub cannot be a one-market wonder

23 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

Kun Tian

Opinion | Hong Kong’s stablecoin roll-out puts banks at the centre of digital money

23 Apr 2026 - 8:26AM

Letters

Letters | If energy crisis drags on, Hong Kong may need to rely on conservation

23 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Harry’s View | 24 Apr 2026

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2 hours ago

United States & Canada

Trump says King Charles’ visit could ‘absolutely’ repair US-UK ties

2 hours ago

Europe

‘Free Timmy!’: beached whale grips and divides Germany

4 hours ago

United States & Canada

Warner Bros investors back US$110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance

4 hours ago

US

Trump says Navy will ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

4 hours ago

Hong Kong

Hong Kong star Ceci Lee eyeing more World Cup glory days after heavy crash

4 hours ago

Diplomacy

Is the US in decline? Why Iran war might be the surest sign

5 hours ago

China Economy

Beijing’s emphasis on security weighing on US firms’ optimism: AmCham China

5 hours ago

Football

Italy underwhelmed by Trump envoy’s idea they should replace Iran at World Cup

5 hours ago

Tech

Asia’s chipmakers feel the heat as naphtha crunch hits photoresist supply

5 hours ago

United States & Canada

Millions of Americans may now also be considered Canadian under new law

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SCMP Series

US-Israel war on Iran

AI's impact on Hong Kong

‘Two sessions’: China’s economic agenda

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

Diplomacy

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

20 Apr 2026 - 10:05AMvideocam

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

Key Industries:

Tech

Can ‘token exports’ give China an edge in the AI era?

As AI tokens emerge as a new commodity, China’s cost advantage is reshaping global model competition, though monetisation gaps remain.

22 Apr 2026 - 11:20PM

Starting this year, models from Chinese companies have intermittently ranked among the global top tier in token usage. Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

China Economy

China targets greener AI data centres, heavy industry to meet 2030 climate goals

New emission rules for strategic sectors come as the Iran war reinforces the need for energy security.

6 hours agovideocam

Tech Trends

Why Anthropic’s Mythos has energised China’s cybersecurity industry

Following the Mythos announcement on April 7, shares of major Chinese cybersecurity firms rose for several consecutive days.

23 Apr 2026 - 8:00PM

China Business

China’s premium EVs mount tech-powered challenge to BMW, Mercedes-Benz at expo

10-day show in Beijing, the world’s largest, to feature 1,451 models and exhibition area of 380,000 square metres.

23 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM

China Economy

How a Chinese plastics hub shapes Tesla’s supply chain – and moulds the modern world

From car components to keyboards, this little-known industrial district in eastern China is crafting the small parts the world relies on.

23 Apr 2026 - 6:54AMvideocam

Politics

Trump’s military push confronts US lawmakers and China’s shipbuilding edge

Congressional resistance, war costs and industrial limits could constrain ambitions, even as Beijing expands its naval capacity.

22 Apr 2026 - 12:55AMvideocam

Politics

How China is reinforcing its ‘legal shield’ against foreign pressure

New rules take aim at sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’, and the Strait of Hormuz crisis could provide a high-stakes testing ground.

21 Apr 2026 - 6:46AM

Diplomacy

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Many believed the transatlantic alliance could weather another term of Trump, but a year and a half on those hopes have largely faded.

19 Apr 2026 - 1:32AMvideocam

Is the US in decline? Why Iran war might be the surest sign

In going from international rule-maker to ‘predatory hegemon’, the US is risking it all, Chinese state media and observers warn.

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Trump says Navy will ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

Order targets small craft as tensions persist; Pentagon warns clearing advanced mines could take months, raising energy concerns.

Asia’s chipmakers feel the heat as naphtha crunch hits photoresist supply

Japanese suppliers warn of photoresist strain as upstream shocks ripple through Asia’s semiconductor supply chain.

China must ‘strengthen education’ of Tibetan Buddhists, Beijing official says

On inspection tour, Li Ganjie urges local authorities to promote new ‘unity’ law to ethnic minority groups.

How fire safety failures worsened Hong Kong’s deadly inferno

Chinese military experts take stock of US munitions weak spot exposed by Iran war

Think tank warns that weapons shortfalls could leave American forces vulnerable in a future conflict – and Chinese observers agree.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | China’s Russia ties mean EU trade deal is off the table, Finland says

Tough talk from foreign minister shows the nation could provide a de facto veto on China’s efforts to launch a deal.

All Hong Kong public universities make Asian league table top 100 for first time

HKU and CUHK retain places in the top 10, while the Education University of Hong Kong and Lingnan University make their debut on the list.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

Iran’s exiled crown prince splashed with red substance in Berlin

Reza Pahlavi targeted while leaving a press conference where he said diplomacy with Iran ‘has been given enough chance’.

Millions of Americans may now also be considered Canadian under new law

Under the new law, descendants of Canadians are considered citizens, but they must provide proof to obtain a certificate of citizenship.

China targets greener AI data centres, heavy industry to meet 2030 climate goals

New emission rules for strategic sectors come as the Iran war reinforces the need for energy security.

How the Philippines became Japan’s closest security partner in Southeast Asia

Japan’s participation in the Balikatan drill and its new weapon export rules are set to further defence ties between the two countries.

China’s premium EVs mount tech-powered challenge to BMW, Mercedes-Benz at expo

10-day show in Beijing, the world’s largest, to feature 1,451 models and exhibition area of 380,000 square metres.

Beijing’s emphasis on security weighing on US firms’ optimism: AmCham China

White paper recognises improvements and incremental advances, but says data security rules a concern.

Italy underwhelmed by Trump envoy’s idea they should replace Iran at World Cup

Italian minister says such a move is ‘shameful’ while media says envoy Paolo Zampolli made same suggestion four years ago ahead ⁠of Qatar.

Warner Bros investors back US$110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance

Attention now turns to regulatory authorities, with both Washington and London expected to examine the merger’s impact on competition.

‘Free Timmy!’: beached whale grips and divides Germany

An initial wave of sympathy has tipped into public anger, spurring elaborate rescue plans, conspiracy theories and death threats.

Can Chinese scientists bring Nasa’s ‘space spider’ dream to life?

Shenyang team focuses on how to produce strong structural parts efficiently, and how to connect them reliably.

How Iran responded to Trump’s claimed role in saving 8 women from execution

Trump claimed Iran ‘respected my request’ to save the protesters. Iran’s judiciary said he’s ‘fabricating achievements’.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | China can offer Gulf states more than just a security umbrella

Macroscope | Why fixing Japan’s monetary policy isn’t getting any easier

Opinion | Hong Kong’s education hub cannot be a one-market wonder

Opinion | Hong Kong’s stablecoin roll-out puts banks at the centre of digital money

Letters | If energy crisis drags on, Hong Kong may need to rely on conservation

Trump says King Charles’ visit could ‘absolutely’ repair US-UK ties

‘Free Timmy!’: beached whale grips and divides Germany

Warner Bros investors back US$110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance

Trump says Navy will ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

Hong Kong star Ceci Lee eyeing more World Cup glory days after heavy crash

Is the US in decline? Why Iran war might be the surest sign

Beijing’s emphasis on security weighing on US firms’ optimism: AmCham China

Italy underwhelmed by Trump envoy’s idea they should replace Iran at World Cup

Asia’s chipmakers feel the heat as naphtha crunch hits photoresist supply

Millions of Americans may now also be considered Canadian under new law

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 | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

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.

Can ‘token exports’ give China an edge in the AI era?

As AI tokens emerge as a new commodity, China’s cost advantage is reshaping global model competition, though monetisation gaps remain.

China targets greener AI data centres, heavy industry to meet 2030 climate goals

New emission rules for strategic sectors come as the Iran war reinforces the need for energy security.

Why Anthropic’s Mythos has energised China’s cybersecurity industry

Following the Mythos announcement on April 7, shares of major Chinese cybersecurity firms rose for several consecutive days.

China’s premium EVs mount tech-powered challenge to BMW, Mercedes-Benz at expo

10-day show in Beijing, the world’s largest, to feature 1,451 models and exhibition area of 380,000 square metres.

How a Chinese plastics hub shapes Tesla’s supply chain – and moulds the modern world

From car components to keyboards, this little-known industrial district in eastern China is crafting the small parts the world relies on.

Trump’s military push confronts US lawmakers and China’s shipbuilding edge

Congressional resistance, war costs and industrial limits could constrain ambitions, even as Beijing expands its naval capacity.

How China is reinforcing its ‘legal shield’ against foreign pressure

Exclusive | China’s Russia ties mean EU trade deal is off the table, Finland says

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Opinion | China can offer Gulf states more than just a security umbrella