US soybean farmers’ plea to Trump; death of leading AI scientist: SCMP daily highlights

From US farmers urging Trump to tone down rhetoric to Beijing denouncing UK’s sanctions on 11 companies, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage

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A combine harvester brings in soybeans on October 14 in Marion, Kentucky. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Published: 9:15pm, 28 Oct 2025

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. ‘Partnership, not pressure’, US soybean farmers urge Trump before Xi talks

Increasingly desperate US farmers, including many who voted for US President Donald Trump, are urging him to adopt a conciliatory approach rather than a confrontational one if a lasting soy deal can be reached when he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping this week.

2. China sees Europe as indispensable force for stable multipolar world: envoy

China would like to see France lead Europe to become a truly independent power to help build a stable multipolar world, Beijing’s top diplomat to France told the South China Morning Post in an exclusive interview.

3. Leading Chinese AI researcher Liu Haolin dies aged 37 after brief illness

Liu Haolin was taken ill on Friday soon after finishing his day’s teaching. Photo: Handout

Academics and students have paid tribute to Liu Haolin, a leading computer scientist who died at the age of 37 after a sudden illness.

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