Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

The Qingzhou features a “plug-and-play” payload platform allowing for a range of experimental and technological payloads in a single launch, according to the academy behind its design. Photo: IAMCAS

China’s Qingzhou tests space debris capture and clean-up

Robotic cargo spacecraft reported to have also conducted a suite of in-orbit experiments designed to sustain long-duration missions.

24 minutes agovideocam

Can China commercial satellite’s ‘octopus tentacle’ pass low-orbit refuel test?

Science

Commodities

Geopolitics to drive Hong Kong mining fundraising amid ‘supercycle’, experts say

Hong Kong could see more mining IPOs as global demand for resources accelerates, though national security issues may slow deals: experts.

1 hour ago

Diplomacy

China says embassy intrusion, bomb threat are among ‘grave violations’ in Japan

Acting head of embassy lists incidents he describes as ‘a threat to the safety of Chinese diplomatic personnel and premises’.

1 hour agovideocam

Markets

Hong Kong, mainland China equities see largest US investor inflows in 3 years

Asia now accounts for 24 per cent of all US investors’ foreign holdings – the highest share in over a decade.

1 hour ago

US-China Relations

China has advised travellers to avoid entry to the US via Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after about 20 academics were denied entry to attend a conference. Photo: AP

China warns travellers to avoid Seattle airport after academics denied entry to US

Politics

Chinese drone exposes Indonesia’s ‘insufficient’ undersea capabilities

Indonesia is likely to resolve the drone issue through ‘quiet diplomacy’ and not escalate it into a major row, analysts say.

1 hour ago

A torpedo-like object, discovered by a fisherman near the Lombok Strait, is towed ashore onto a beach on Gili Trawangan, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, on April 6. Photo: AFP

China Economy

China fast-tracks hydrogen strategy to ‘scale-up’ phase to boost energy security

China targets ‘bold innovation’ as falling renewable-energy costs allow it to leverage 50 per cent share of global green hydrogen production capacity.

2 hours agovideocam

Economics

‘New normal’: Malaysia and Australia strike energy supply pledge amid Iran war

The deal creates a mutual spillover valve, allowing the partners to swap surplus energy once domestic demand is satisfied.

52 minutes agovideocam

Business

How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Government initiative OASES supports GSK and Tigermed as they expand clinical trials and collaboration in mainland China and beyond.

In partnership with:

OASES

Hong Kong has introduced a range of measures to nurture biotechnology start-ups and attract more clinical research projects as part of its plan to become a global health and medical innovation hub. Photo: Shutterstock

Sport

Rugby’s greatest weekend: 50 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - an infographic

See the world’s top teams compete at Kai Tak Stadium on April 17-19 and celebrate 50 years of Hong Kong Sevens history, tries and triumphs.

10 minutes ago

Rugby’s greatest weekend: 50 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - an infographic

Tech

Black market workarounds scale up for Claude as Anthropic tightens ID checks

Chinese developers are bypassing new ID checks as demand for Claude remains strong despite official restrictions.

25 minutes ago

Europe

Europe running low on jet fuel, stoking fears of flight cancellations

IEA executive director Birol said the Hormuz blockade-induced energy crisis will hit nations including Japan, China and India harder.

40 minutes agovideocam

Diplomacy

Why China’s trade with Africa benefits from Trump’s policy volatility

Continent is China’s fastest growing export market in first quarter of 2026, with machinery and hi-tech shipments leading US$60 billion surge.

3 hours agovideocam

Motor vehicles bound for export to Ivory Coast are loaded on a cargo ship at Yantai port in China’s eastern Shandong province on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Americas

Lula blasts Trump’s fear-based rule, calls for ‘great maturity’

‘Trump has no right to wake up in the morning and threaten a country,’ Brazil’s president says.

2 hours agovideocam

A woman walks next to an anti-US mural on a street in Tehran, Iran, on Sunday. Photo: WANA via Reuters

Big Tech

TSMC targets over 30% revenue surge in 2026, ramps up capex amid AI boom

AI dominates TSMC revenues as foundry giant pivots from smartphones to high-performance computing.

1 hour ago

Society

We failed to check if workers smoked at Wang Fuk Court, firms tell fire hearing

Engineering firms also say replacing fireproof windows with movable boards was unnecessary.

12 minutes agovideocam

Politics

Xi stresses ‘patience’ on Taiwan reunification in talks with opposition leader

In rare meeting, Communist Party chief said resolving cross-strait issues would take time, according to Cheng Li-wun and delegation member.

4 hours agovideocam

Kuomintang chairwoman Cheng Li-wun and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping meet in Beijing on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

Lifestyle & Culture

Bali wants illegal rentals to be legitimate as operators flag red tape

Authorities want to help unregistered accommodation providers secure permits to plug the tax collection gap.

3 hours agovideocam

Tourists walk at a shopping area in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. Photo: EPA

Diplomacy

China’s Wang Yi calls on Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through strait

In phone call with Iran’s top envoy, China’s foreign minister says situation is at ‘critical stage of transition between conflict and peace’.

6 hours agovideocam

Global Economy

China trims US Treasury holdings as global ownership hits record

Beijing slightly pares its sovereign US debt position as private investors and certain financial hubs drive demand up.

5 hours ago

OPINION

Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | How the rupee’s fall shows India’s struggle to overcome vulnerabilities

3 hours ago

Phoebe Zhang

Opinion | By voicing their needs, Chinese women are normalising them

16 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

Letters

Letters | Iran war is not just a short-term energy disruption

16 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Eugene Yim

Legal Tales | How the law protects when a parent abducts their child across borders

16 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

Gabriela Bernal

Opinion | After years of neglect, China emerges as North Korea’s ‘top priority’

16 Apr 2026 - 7:33AM

Harry’s View | 16 Apr 2026

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2 minutes ago

Hong Kong

Owner of luxury Hong Kong home fined HK$110,000 over illegal structures, pool

10 minutes ago

Sport

Rugby’s greatest weekend: 50 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - an infographic

24 minutes ago

Science

China’s Qingzhou tests space debris capture and clean-up

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Tech

Black market workarounds scale up for Claude as Anthropic tightens ID checks

40 minutes ago

Europe

Europe running low on jet fuel, stoking fears of flight cancellations

52 minutes ago

Economics

‘New normal’: Malaysia and Australia strike energy supply pledge amid Iran war

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Politics

Chinese drone exposes Indonesia’s ‘insufficient’ undersea capabilities

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Law and Crime

Hong Kong police arrest 5 over shoplifting syndicate targeting Muji stores

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K-drama

Yumi’s Cells season 3: Kim Go-eun returns for a final romantic chapter

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Big Tech

TSMC targets over 30% revenue surge in 2026, ramps up capex amid AI boom

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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

Big Tech

TSMC targets over 30% revenue surge in 2026, ramps up capex amid AI boom

AI dominates TSMC revenues as foundry giant pivots from smartphones to high-performance computing.

1 hour ago

China Economy

China fast-tracks hydrogen strategy to ‘scale-up’ phase to boost energy security

China targets ‘bold innovation’ as falling renewable-energy costs allow it to leverage 50 per cent share of global green hydrogen production capacity.

2 hours agovideocam

Tech

Chinese investors cheer Tesla’s AI chip progress, boosting shares of suppliers

Shanghai Beite Technology saw the largest share spike among suppliers, up as much as 4.6 per cent on Thursday morning.

1 hour ago

Employees work inside the Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai during a government-organised media tour on April 14. Photo: Reuters

China

Exclusive | Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts

War distractions and limited goals risk turning Beijing talks into optics over substance, as expectations shrink and planning falters.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:06AMvideocam

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

China’s Qingzhou tests space debris capture and clean-up

Robotic cargo spacecraft reported to have also conducted a suite of in-orbit experiments designed to sustain long-duration missions.

Can China commercial satellite’s ‘octopus tentacle’ pass low-orbit refuel test?

Geopolitics to drive Hong Kong mining fundraising amid ‘supercycle’, experts say

Hong Kong could see more mining IPOs as global demand for resources accelerates, though national security issues may slow deals: experts.

China says embassy intrusion, bomb threat are among ‘grave violations’ in Japan

Acting head of embassy lists incidents he describes as ‘a threat to the safety of Chinese diplomatic personnel and premises’.

Hong Kong, mainland China equities see largest US investor inflows in 3 years

Asia now accounts for 24 per cent of all US investors’ foreign holdings – the highest share in over a decade.

China warns travellers to avoid Seattle airport after academics denied entry to US

Chinese drone exposes Indonesia’s ‘insufficient’ undersea capabilities

Indonesia is likely to resolve the drone issue through ‘quiet diplomacy’ and not escalate it into a major row, analysts say.

China fast-tracks hydrogen strategy to ‘scale-up’ phase to boost energy security

China targets ‘bold innovation’ as falling renewable-energy costs allow it to leverage 50 per cent share of global green hydrogen production capacity.

‘New normal’: Malaysia and Australia strike energy supply pledge amid Iran war

The deal creates a mutual spillover valve, allowing the partners to swap surplus energy once domestic demand is satisfied.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Government initiative OASES supports GSK and Tigermed as they expand clinical trials and collaboration in mainland China and beyond.

Rugby’s greatest weekend: 50 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - an infographic

See the world’s top teams compete at Kai Tak Stadium on April 17-19 and celebrate 50 years of Hong Kong Sevens history, tries and triumphs.

Black market workarounds scale up for Claude as Anthropic tightens ID checks

Chinese developers are bypassing new ID checks as demand for Claude remains strong despite official restrictions.

Europe running low on jet fuel, stoking fears of flight cancellations

IEA executive director Birol said the Hormuz blockade-induced energy crisis will hit nations including Japan, China and India harder.

Why China’s trade with Africa benefits from Trump’s policy volatility

Continent is China’s fastest growing export market in first quarter of 2026, with machinery and hi-tech shipments leading US$60 billion surge.

Lula blasts Trump’s fear-based rule, calls for ‘great maturity’

‘Trump has no right to wake up in the morning and threaten a country,’ Brazil’s president says.

TSMC targets over 30% revenue surge in 2026, ramps up capex amid AI boom

AI dominates TSMC revenues as foundry giant pivots from smartphones to high-performance computing.

We failed to check if workers smoked at Wang Fuk Court, firms tell fire hearing

Engineering firms also say replacing fireproof windows with movable boards was unnecessary.

Xi stresses ‘patience’ on Taiwan reunification in talks with opposition leader

In rare meeting, Communist Party chief said resolving cross-strait issues would take time, according to Cheng Li-wun and delegation member.

Bali wants illegal rentals to be legitimate as operators flag red tape

Authorities want to help unregistered accommodation providers secure permits to plug the tax collection gap.

China’s Wang Yi calls on Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through strait

In phone call with Iran’s top envoy, China’s foreign minister says situation is at ‘critical stage of transition between conflict and peace’.

China trims US Treasury holdings as global ownership hits record

Beijing slightly pares its sovereign US debt position as private investors and certain financial hubs drive demand up.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Macroscope | How the rupee’s fall shows India’s struggle to overcome vulnerabilities

Opinion | By voicing their needs, Chinese women are normalising them

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Iran war is not just a short-term energy disruption

Legal Tales | How the law protects when a parent abducts their child across borders

Opinion | After years of neglect, China emerges as North Korea’s ‘top priority’

Owner of luxury Hong Kong home fined HK$110,000 over illegal structures, pool

Rugby’s greatest weekend: 50 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - an infographic

China’s Qingzhou tests space debris capture and clean-up

Black market workarounds scale up for Claude as Anthropic tightens ID checks

Europe running low on jet fuel, stoking fears of flight cancellations

‘New normal’: Malaysia and Australia strike energy supply pledge amid Iran war

Chinese drone exposes Indonesia’s ‘insufficient’ undersea capabilities

Hong Kong police arrest 5 over shoplifting syndicate targeting Muji stores

Yumi’s Cells season 3: Kim Go-eun returns for a final romantic chapter

TSMC targets over 30% revenue surge in 2026, ramps up capex amid AI boom

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.

TSMC targets over 30% revenue surge in 2026, ramps up capex amid AI boom

AI dominates TSMC revenues as foundry giant pivots from smartphones to high-performance computing.

China fast-tracks hydrogen strategy to ‘scale-up’ phase to boost energy security

China targets ‘bold innovation’ as falling renewable-energy costs allow it to leverage 50 per cent share of global green hydrogen production capacity.

Chinese investors cheer Tesla’s AI chip progress, boosting shares of suppliers

Shanghai Beite Technology saw the largest share spike among suppliers, up as much as 4.6 per cent on Thursday morning.

Exclusive | Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts

War distractions and limited goals risk turning Beijing talks into optics over substance, as expectations shrink and planning falters.

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

How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Macroscope | How the rupee’s fall shows India’s struggle to overcome vulnerabilities

Letters | Iran war is not just a short-term energy disruption