Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told embassies and consulates to launch coordinated campaigns to boost the country’s image. Photo: Reuters

Washington’s ‘psyop’ propaganda push could backfire, analysts say

Amid slipping global approval, the US is risking its credibility by turning to tactics it once condemned.

52 minutes ago

In Japan, public opinion turns against Trump’s ‘terrible, stupid’ US

United States

Military

Warning over Taiwan? PLA warships make rare transits off southwest Japan

‘Rare passage is a direct deterrent’ to the Japanese military bases along the coast, former PLA instructor says.

45 minutes ago

China Economy

China to fuse software and steel with US$14tr sector to enhance manufacturing

Beijing is overhauling ‘producer services’ with upgrades and more specialisation to avert deindustrialisation and anchor advanced manufacturing.

3 hours agovideocam

Law and Crime

Tough penalties planned to stop unapproved fire system shutdowns in Hong Kong

South China Morning Post learns Security Bureau plans to propose legal amendments to improve oversight following deadly Tai Po fire last November.

31 minutes ago

US-Israel war on Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the US blockade of Iran’s ports violated the ceasefire and amounted to “an act of war”. Photo: Stringer/dpa

Iran war latest: Trump’s new threat, IRGC attacks ship, fuel prices hit flights

Science

How China’s AI carbon accounting model points the finger at the US

The system factors in both production and consumption, lessening the responsibility of exporters such as China.

5 hours agovideocam

China’s new model distributes responsibility by taking into account who actually consumes exported products and the ability of countries’ natural environments to absorb carbon. Photo: Xinhua

Tech

DeepSeek isn’t short of cash: so why has it decided to raise funds anyway?

DeepSeek is raising a small funding round not for cash, but to set a valuation benchmark and retain talent as rivals ramp up poaching.

3 hours ago

Politics

Philippine lawmakers examine gap in VP Sara’s bank statements, declared wealth

A hearing into complaints about the financial position of the vice-president and her husband could potentially lead to her impeachment.

12 minutes agovideocam

Business

Lingxi Games’ Three Kingdoms Tactics hits target with global audience

Chinese game company’s flagship title among raft of nation’s simulation games to resonate with players at home and abroad.

In partnership with:

Lingxi Games

(From left) Hong Kong marketing professional Edmond Woo, mainland Chinese short‑track speed skater Han Tianyu and Beijing-based Italian language teacher and sinologist Cristiano Mazzucco discuss the impact on them of games like Three Kingdoms Tactics.

Europe

UK PM insists he won’t resign over Mandelson scandal

Starmer’s remarks in parliament came as he faced fresh calls to step down over his admitted error of judgment in appointing Mandelson.

21 minutes agovideocam

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer walks outside 10 Downing Street in Britain on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

China Economy

2,700 China-Japan flights axed in March as rift between Asian powers deepens

Nearly half of the planned flights between China and Japan were cancelled last month, as Beijing and Tokyo remain locked in a diplomatic feud.

5 hours agovideocam

Middle East

Iran fires on 3 ships in Strait of Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire

Iran state TV says two ships were attacked by the Revolutionary Guard and are in Iranian custody.

3 hours agovideocam

Markets

Hong Kong, Malaysia exchanges to team up on ETFs, listings, Islamic finance

Development ‘underscores growing demand from investors for cross-border products and diversified regional exposure’, HKEX CEO says.

2 hours ago

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing CEO Bonnie Chan Yiting (left) and Bursa Malaysia CEO Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed appear in a media briefing at the HKEX office in Central on April 22, 2026. Photo: Handout

Health & Environment

Why Japan’s earthquake has Bali on edge over magnitude 9 ‘megathrust’ risk

Bali, Sumba and the Flores Islands are expected to be the worst hit from a megathrust earthquake in the Sumba fault.

6 hours ago

The sun rises behind boats moored at a pier on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on April 12. Bali recorded 547 earthquakes last year. Photo: AFP

China EVs

China’s low-cost EVs to be fitted with lidar systems, usually saved for lux cars

Intense competition, rapid tech advancement and falling costs allow the superior driving systems to be fitted into budget-price vehicles.

1 hour agovideocam

Politics

Does William Lai’s cancelled eSwatini trip show Beijing’s reach in Africa?

Beijing denies using economic coercion to derail Taiwanese leader’s visit to African ally.

3 hours agovideocam

Health & Environment

Asia braces for food shortages as ‘super El Nino’ and Iran war collide

A precarious planting season looms amid suppressed rainfall and soaring fertiliser costs threatening the region’s harvests.

5 hours ago

Women sit and eat rice noodles on the sidewalk in Hanoi, Vietnam, on April 14. Photo: AFP

Trending in China

The Devil Wears Prada 2 slammed for offending China with nerdy ‘Chin Chou’ role

Sequel to hit Hollywood film accused of using ‘racist’ name reminiscent of xenophobic Western tropes of earlier times.

3 hours ago

The Devil Wears Prada 2 has been criticised for offending China by introducing a character named “Chin Chou”, which some say resembles the derogatory term “Ching Chong.” Photo: SCMP composite/IMDb/YouTube/IG@dip_magazine

Science

China names 2 Pakistani astronauts chosen to train for space station mission

Partnership shows Beijing’s attitude to ‘sharing the fruit of its space development’ with international community, state media says.

33 minutes agovideocam

Education

611 elderly Hongkongers default on student loans, owe HK$17,400 each on average

Education Bureau says it recorded 9,838 default cases, involving 8,494 people, under five schemes as of January 31.

45 minutes ago

OPINION

Wang Huiyao

Opinion | How China’s patient diplomacy can help secure peace in Iran

1 hour ago

Warwick Powell

Opinion | Iran crisis casts light on energy security from the US to Asia

4 hours ago

Jinghan (Michael) Zeng

Opinion | It’s time to unlock Hong Kong’s international relations potential

22 Apr 2026 - 10:34AM

Letters

Letters | Hong Kong can’t just build a monorail in Kai Tak and hope for the best

22 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Xiao Qian

Opinion | US-China AI race must strike a balance between security and openness

22 Apr 2026 - 5:30AM

Harry’s View | 22 Apr 2026

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13 minutes ago

Politics

Philippine lawmakers examine gap in VP Sara’s bank statements, declared wealth

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Europe

UK PM insists he won’t resign over Mandelson scandal

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Food & Drink

Meet the women in whiskey breaking the glass ceiling in male-dominated industry

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Companies

WeWork finds new lease of life in Hong Kong as uncertainty drives global demand

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Diplomacy

Washington’s ‘psyop’ propaganda push could backfire, analysts say

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Science

China names 2 Pakistani astronauts chosen to train for space station mission

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Society

Video | Hongkongers rush to snap up HK$30 Cinema Day tickets

Citizens queue to make advance booking for movie tickets on Cinema Day 2026. Pictures taken at Star Cinema in Popcorn, Tseung Kwan O.
22APR26 SCMP/ Sam Tsang

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Law and Crime

Tough penalties planned to stop unapproved fire system shutdowns in Hong Kong

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China’s low-cost EVs to be fitted with lidar systems, usually saved for lux cars

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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

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:

China Business

China’s drug makers are speeding up – will AI be their secret weapon?

Chinese biotech firms are striking big global deals as drug makers, but could artificial intelligence take them to the next level?

18 Apr 2026 - 11:05AM

China EVs

China’s low-cost EVs to be fitted with lidar systems, usually saved for lux cars

Intense competition, rapid tech advancement and falling costs allow the superior driving systems to be fitted into budget-price vehicles.

1 hour agovideocam

Banking & Finance

Biotech-led boom as 8 China firms flock to Hong Kong’s thriving stock market

AI-powered drug developer Metis TechBio leads group that includes developers of autonomous driving technology and industrial robots.

5 hours ago

Tech Trends

Anthropic’s Mythos is stoking cybersecurity fears. What does it mean for China?

Given cybersecurity risks in critical software, Mythos has sparked debate about whether its capabilities should be shared with China.

6 hours ago

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

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.

16 Apr 2026 - 8:15PM

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

Washington’s ‘psyop’ propaganda push could backfire, analysts say

Amid slipping global approval, the US is risking its credibility by turning to tactics it once condemned.

In Japan, public opinion turns against Trump’s ‘terrible, stupid’ US

Warning over Taiwan? PLA warships make rare transits off southwest Japan

‘Rare passage is a direct deterrent’ to the Japanese military bases along the coast, former PLA instructor says.

China to fuse software and steel with US$14tr sector to enhance manufacturing

Beijing is overhauling ‘producer services’ with upgrades and more specialisation to avert deindustrialisation and anchor advanced manufacturing.

Tough penalties planned to stop unapproved fire system shutdowns in Hong Kong

South China Morning Post learns Security Bureau plans to propose legal amendments to improve oversight following deadly Tai Po fire last November.

Iran war latest: Trump’s new threat, IRGC attacks ship, fuel prices hit flights

How China’s AI carbon accounting model points the finger at the US

The system factors in both production and consumption, lessening the responsibility of exporters such as China.

DeepSeek isn’t short of cash: so why has it decided to raise funds anyway?

DeepSeek is raising a small funding round not for cash, but to set a valuation benchmark and retain talent as rivals ramp up poaching.

Philippine lawmakers examine gap in VP Sara’s bank statements, declared wealth

A hearing into complaints about the financial position of the vice-president and her husband could potentially lead to her impeachment.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}Lingxi Games’ Three Kingdoms Tactics hits target with global audience

Chinese game company’s flagship title among raft of nation’s simulation games to resonate with players at home and abroad.

UK PM insists he won’t resign over Mandelson scandal

Starmer’s remarks in parliament came as he faced fresh calls to step down over his admitted error of judgment in appointing Mandelson.

2,700 China-Japan flights axed in March as rift between Asian powers deepens

Nearly half of the planned flights between China and Japan were cancelled last month, as Beijing and Tokyo remain locked in a diplomatic feud.

Iran fires on 3 ships in Strait of Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire

Iran state TV says two ships were attacked by the Revolutionary Guard and are in Iranian custody.

Hong Kong, Malaysia exchanges to team up on ETFs, listings, Islamic finance

Development ‘underscores growing demand from investors for cross-border products and diversified regional exposure’, HKEX CEO says.

Why Japan’s earthquake has Bali on edge over magnitude 9 ‘megathrust’ risk

Bali, Sumba and the Flores Islands are expected to be the worst hit from a megathrust earthquake in the Sumba fault.

China’s low-cost EVs to be fitted with lidar systems, usually saved for lux cars

Intense competition, rapid tech advancement and falling costs allow the superior driving systems to be fitted into budget-price vehicles.

Does William Lai’s cancelled eSwatini trip show Beijing’s reach in Africa?

Beijing denies using economic coercion to derail Taiwanese leader’s visit to African ally.

Asia braces for food shortages as ‘super El Nino’ and Iran war collide

A precarious planting season looms amid suppressed rainfall and soaring fertiliser costs threatening the region’s harvests.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 slammed for offending China with nerdy ‘Chin Chou’ role

Sequel to hit Hollywood film accused of using ‘racist’ name reminiscent of xenophobic Western tropes of earlier times.

China names 2 Pakistani astronauts chosen to train for space station mission

Partnership shows Beijing’s attitude to ‘sharing the fruit of its space development’ with international community, state media says.

611 elderly Hongkongers default on student loans, owe HK$17,400 each on average

Education Bureau says it recorded 9,838 default cases, involving 8,494 people, under five schemes as of January 31.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | How China’s patient diplomacy can help secure peace in Iran

Opinion | Iran crisis casts light on energy security from the US to Asia

Opinion | It’s time to unlock Hong Kong’s international relations potential

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Hong Kong can’t just build a monorail in Kai Tak and hope for the best

Opinion | US-China AI race must strike a balance between security and openness

Philippine lawmakers examine gap in VP Sara’s bank statements, declared wealth

UK PM insists he won’t resign over Mandelson scandal

Meet the women in whiskey breaking the glass ceiling in male-dominated industry

WeWork finds new lease of life in Hong Kong as uncertainty drives global demand

Washington’s ‘psyop’ propaganda push could backfire, analysts say

China names 2 Pakistani astronauts chosen to train for space station mission

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Hongkongers rush to snap up HK$30 Cinema Day tickets

Tough penalties planned to stop unapproved fire system shutdowns in Hong Kong

China’s low-cost EVs to be fitted with lidar systems, usually saved for lux cars

Opinion | How China’s patient diplomacy can help secure peace in 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.

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.

China’s drug makers are speeding up – will AI be their secret weapon?

Chinese biotech firms are striking big global deals as drug makers, but could artificial intelligence take them to the next level?

China’s low-cost EVs to be fitted with lidar systems, usually saved for lux cars

Intense competition, rapid tech advancement and falling costs allow the superior driving systems to be fitted into budget-price vehicles.

Biotech-led boom as 8 China firms flock to Hong Kong’s thriving stock market

AI-powered drug developer Metis TechBio leads group that includes developers of autonomous driving technology and industrial robots.

Anthropic’s Mythos is stoking cybersecurity fears. What does it mean for China?

Given cybersecurity risks in critical software, Mythos has sparked debate about whether its capabilities should be shared with China.

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

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

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Lingxi Games’ Three Kingdoms Tactics hits target with global audience

Opinion | How China’s patient diplomacy can help secure peace in Iran

Letters | Hong Kong can’t just build a monorail in Kai Tak and hope for the best

Video | Hongkongers rush to snap up HK$30 Cinema Day tickets