Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

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.

29 minutes agovideocam

‘Paper tiger’: what’s behind Trump’s renewed Greenland threat?

China-EU relations

Exclusive | Iran keen on deal with US but has higher ‘pain tolerance’: think tank chief

Mohamed Amersi, who is close to Iranian negotiators, says regime is prepared for long haul and will not give up its missile programme.

2 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

Is Japan’s treaty-day Taiwan Strait warship transit a new flashpoint with China?

The JS Ikazuchi’s passage through the waterway on Friday ‘harmed the feelings of the Chinese people’.

19 Apr 2026 - 11:55PMvideocam

Science

Canada Research Chair chemist Janusz Pawliszyn joins Chinese university

The Polish scientist who invented two widely used analytical chemistry techniques has been hired by one of his former students.

19 Apr 2026 - 10:00PM

Focus

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Film Awards: Ciao UFO wins top prizes as Sons of the Neon Night glows

Sci‑fi drama Ciao UFO named best film while crime thriller Sons of the Neon Night wins eight prizes.

6 hours ago

Tony Leung and Fish Liew were named best actor and best actress. Photo: Edmond So

Middle East

Israel says to use ‘full force’ in Lebanon despite truce if soldiers face threat

Defence Minister Israel Katz also said the military will demolish any structure or roads that were ‘booby-trapped’ and threatened soldiers.

2 hours ago

Science

How hydrogen could help China cut natural gas use and carbon emissions

A large-scale project in Shandong province is part of a national green energy push.

19 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

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

Military

How the PLA may use stealth drones in a swarming boat attack from Taiwan

Beijing could send in GJ-21s – which have long endurance and high manoeuvrability – to counter uncrewed combat boats, military magazine says.

19 Apr 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

A GJ-21 stealth drone pictured on the deck of the Sichuan amphibious landing ship. Photo: Handout

Science

China’s ‘land aircraft carrier’ charges flying drone with microwave beam

While the technology is still at an early stage, it may one day allow drones to fly indefinitely.

19 Apr 2026 - 7:00PM

China Economy

Shanghai mobilises seniors to work longer amid China’s demographic crisis

With one in three residents above retirement age, Shanghai’s 28-department plan aims to mobilise retirees to offset shrinking payrolls and rising pension strains.

19 Apr 2026 - 4:00PM

Europe

UK investigating Iran link to arson attacks on Jewish sites in London

Metropolitan Police said counterterror officers are investigating whether a string of fires at synagogues are the work of Iranian proxies.

3 hours ago

Burnt ambulances along a street in the Golders Green neighbourhood of north London on March 23, after the volunteer ambulances run by a Jewish organisation were set on fire overnight. Photo: AFP

United States & Canada

Canada’s Carney says economic ties with US are a weakness that must be corrected

In a video address, the PM said he plans to give Canadians regular updates on his government’s efforts to diversify away from the US.

3 hours ago

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP

Europe

Allies back Starmer as Mandelson decision leaves UK leader fighting for his job

Deputy PM David Lammy said if Starmer had known of Mandelson’s Epstein ties, ‘he would never, ever’ have appointed him US ambassador.

5 hours agovideocam

Africa

Pope prays at Catholic shrine in Angola that was a centre of African slave trade

Leo, whose ancestors include enslaved people and slave owners, urged the faithful at the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima to build a ‘better’ world.

4 hours ago

United States & Canada

8 children killed in domestic violence mass shooting in Louisiana

The shootings at different homes in Shreveport left victims ranging in age from 1 to 14. The gunman was shot dead by police.

58 minutes ago

Council woman Tabatha Taylor, right, hugs an unknown person outside the scene of a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana on Sunday. Photo: AP

Europe

Police patrol chief quits over ‘shameful’ response to Kyiv shooting

Yevhen Zhukov resigned after 2 officers were seen fleeing the scene when a gunman killed 6 people in the Ukrainian capital on Saturday.

6 hours ago

A special team police officer outside a supermarket following a shooting in Kyiv on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong Sevens a treat for fans but local restaurants hungry for more trade

Over three action-packed days of rugby, a record 113,000 fans pass through the turnstiles.

6 hours ago

Lifestyle & Culture

Meet the Filipino spouses turning their migration journeys into viral content

Women make up 90 per cent of Filipino marriage migrants, moving mainly to the US, Canada, Japan and Australia.

19 Apr 2026 - 3:00PM

OPINION

Mike Rowse

Opinion | Why Hong Kong is hitting pause on basketball betting

59 minutes ago

Alex Lo

My Take | Is China just an emerging electro-state or an electro-civilisation state?

19 Apr 2026 - 9:42PM

Nikola Mikovic

Opinion | As Iran war fallout hits Southeast Asia, US is losing influence to China

19 Apr 2026 - 9:46PM

Kai-Lung Hui

Opinion | As AI evolves, school syllabuses must evolve with it

19 Apr 2026 - 6:52PM

Regina Ip

Opinion | How markets will test Hong Kong’s new economic model

19 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

Harry’s View | 20 Apr 2026

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29 minutes ago

HK Sevens

South Africa end nearly 30 years of hurt to finally grab Hong Kong Sevens crown

29 minutes ago

Diplomacy

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

29 minutes ago

Celebrities

Meet Martha Kelly, who plays Laurie on Euphoria – which earned her an Emmy nod

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Hong Kong Opinion

Opinion | Why Hong Kong is hitting pause on basketball betting

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Middle East

Israel says to use ‘full force’ in Lebanon despite truce if soldiers face threat

3 hours ago

Europe

UK investigating Iran link to arson attacks on Jewish sites in London

4 hours ago

United States & Canada

Canada’s Carney says economic ties with US are a weakness that must be corrected

4 hours ago

Africa

Pope prays at Catholic shrine in Angola that was a centre of African slave trade

5 hours ago

Europe

Allies back Starmer as Mandelson decision leaves UK leader fighting for his job

6 hours ago

United States & Canada

8 children killed in domestic violence mass shooting in Louisiana

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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

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

Big Tech

‘State-of-the-art’ models can struggle with basic office work, says AI executive

Advanced AI can ace Olympiad maths yet falters in routine office tasks as enterprises turn to smaller models for everyday use: David Meyer.

19 Apr 2026 - 6:00PM

China Business

Chinese drug makers take on Western dominance in US$16 billion Parkinson’s race

The future of treating brain diseases could lie in non-invasive technologies, according to Chongqing Haifu Medical Technology.

19 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM

Markets

Asia’s supply chains could give it edge over US in AI race: Granite Asia’s Foo

Asia’s industrial ecosystem could deliver faster deployment of robotics and embodied AI systems, veteran venture capitalist says.

19 Apr 2026 - 2:00PM

The current wave of AI development has entered a new phase where physical applications – from robotics to industrial automation – are becoming increasingly important, playing to Asia’s long-standing manufacturing strengths, according to a veteran venture capitalist. Photo: Xinhua

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

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 Economy

Iran war energy shock sees Chinese firms recalibrate overseas expansion plans

Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies.

18 Apr 2026 - 6:33AMvideocam

Tech Trends

How the rise of AI agents could finally make China’s open-source models pay

Free models helped Chinese firms find rapid success – but thin margins are forcing a shift towards hybrid business strategies.

17 Apr 2026 - 8:38PMvideocam

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}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.

‘Paper tiger’: what’s behind Trump’s renewed Greenland threat?

Exclusive | Iran keen on deal with US but has higher ‘pain tolerance’: think tank chief

Mohamed Amersi, who is close to Iranian negotiators, says regime is prepared for long haul and will not give up its missile programme.

Is Japan’s treaty-day Taiwan Strait warship transit a new flashpoint with China?

The JS Ikazuchi’s passage through the waterway on Friday ‘harmed the feelings of the Chinese people’.

Canada Research Chair chemist Janusz Pawliszyn joins Chinese university

The Polish scientist who invented two widely used analytical chemistry techniques has been hired by one of his former students.

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Hong Kong Film Awards: Ciao UFO wins top prizes as Sons of the Neon Night glows

Sci‑fi drama Ciao UFO named best film while crime thriller Sons of the Neon Night wins eight prizes.

Israel says to use ‘full force’ in Lebanon despite truce if soldiers face threat

Defence Minister Israel Katz also said the military will demolish any structure or roads that were ‘booby-trapped’ and threatened soldiers.

How hydrogen could help China cut natural gas use and carbon emissions

A large-scale project in Shandong province is part of a national green energy push.

.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.

How the PLA may use stealth drones in a swarming boat attack from Taiwan

Beijing could send in GJ-21s – which have long endurance and high manoeuvrability – to counter uncrewed combat boats, military magazine says.

China’s ‘land aircraft carrier’ charges flying drone with microwave beam

While the technology is still at an early stage, it may one day allow drones to fly indefinitely.

Shanghai mobilises seniors to work longer amid China’s demographic crisis

With one in three residents above retirement age, Shanghai’s 28-department plan aims to mobilise retirees to offset shrinking payrolls and rising pension strains.

UK investigating Iran link to arson attacks on Jewish sites in London

Metropolitan Police said counterterror officers are investigating whether a string of fires at synagogues are the work of Iranian proxies.

Canada’s Carney says economic ties with US are a weakness that must be corrected

In a video address, the PM said he plans to give Canadians regular updates on his government’s efforts to diversify away from the US.

Allies back Starmer as Mandelson decision leaves UK leader fighting for his job

Deputy PM David Lammy said if Starmer had known of Mandelson’s Epstein ties, ‘he would never, ever’ have appointed him US ambassador.

Pope prays at Catholic shrine in Angola that was a centre of African slave trade

Leo, whose ancestors include enslaved people and slave owners, urged the faithful at the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima to build a ‘better’ world.

8 children killed in domestic violence mass shooting in Louisiana

The shootings at different homes in Shreveport left victims ranging in age from 1 to 14. The gunman was shot dead by police.

Police patrol chief quits over ‘shameful’ response to Kyiv shooting

Yevhen Zhukov resigned after 2 officers were seen fleeing the scene when a gunman killed 6 people in the Ukrainian capital on Saturday.

Hong Kong Sevens a treat for fans but local restaurants hungry for more trade

Over three action-packed days of rugby, a record 113,000 fans pass through the turnstiles.

Meet the Filipino spouses turning their migration journeys into viral content

Women make up 90 per cent of Filipino marriage migrants, moving mainly to the US, Canada, Japan and Australia.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why Hong Kong is hitting pause on basketball betting

My Take | Is China just an emerging electro-state or an electro-civilisation state?

Opinion | As Iran war fallout hits Southeast Asia, US is losing influence to China

Opinion | As AI evolves, school syllabuses must evolve with it

Opinion | How markets will test Hong Kong’s new economic model

South Africa end nearly 30 years of hurt to finally grab Hong Kong Sevens crown

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

Meet Martha Kelly, who plays Laurie on Euphoria – which earned her an Emmy nod

Opinion | Why Hong Kong is hitting pause on basketball betting

Israel says to use ‘full force’ in Lebanon despite truce if soldiers face threat

UK investigating Iran link to arson attacks on Jewish sites in London

Canada’s Carney says economic ties with US are a weakness that must be corrected

Pope prays at Catholic shrine in Angola that was a centre of African slave trade

Allies back Starmer as Mandelson decision leaves UK leader fighting for his job

8 children killed in domestic violence mass shooting in Louisiana

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.

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?

‘State-of-the-art’ models can struggle with basic office work, says AI executive

Advanced AI can ace Olympiad maths yet falters in routine office tasks as enterprises turn to smaller models for everyday use: David Meyer.

Chinese drug makers take on Western dominance in US$16 billion Parkinson’s race

The future of treating brain diseases could lie in non-invasive technologies, according to Chongqing Haifu Medical Technology.

Asia’s supply chains could give it edge over US in AI race: Granite Asia’s Foo

Asia’s industrial ecosystem could deliver faster deployment of robotics and embodied AI systems, veteran venture capitalist says.

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.

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?

Iran war energy shock sees Chinese firms recalibrate overseas expansion plans

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

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

Opinion | Why Hong Kong is hitting pause on basketball betting