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Middle East
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Middle East

Middle East
Middle East
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Middle East. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Hong Kong’s dense, chaotic urban environment is not a flaw; it is an invaluable living laboratory for innovation. Photo: Getty Images / iStockphoto
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can beat Singapore as the launch pad for Chinese firms

Chinese enterprises going global is this decade’s economic story. Hong Kong needs a system to guide them through each stage of their journey.

Donald Trump

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

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US, Israel war on Iran

Closed? Open? Closed? Why is Iran changing course on the Strait of Hormuz?

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US, Israel war on Iran

How China’s military could learn vital lessons from war in Iran

The US-Israeli attacks are a ‘massive learning opportunity’, a Middle East analyst tells a seminar held in Shenzhen.

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The US has warned it is ready to resume attacks on Iran. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iranians fear ‘pressure will 100% increase’ after US, Israeli strikes stop

Iranians are worried that an agreement with the US will free the regime to return to asserting control over its people.

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Banking & finance

Hong Kong wants to be a global gold vault. Does the Iran war create an opening?

Geopolitical risk is driving a rethink of where bullion is stored – and Hong Kong’s unique status is drawing attention.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong minister urges long-term view, says Middle East investment unaffected

Minister Algernon Yau urges businesses to avoid short-term thinking, says Hong Kong entrepreneurs are discerning in assessing opportunities.

Dubai cityscape. The trade between Hong Kong and the Middle East accounted for 1.5 per cent of the city’s total trade volume. Photo: Getty Images
Malaysia

Gloves are off: Malaysian makers warn hospitals of price hikes, output cuts

Sustained disruption to naphtha supply chains from the Iran war could lead to glove shortfall by late May, analysts say.

Japan

Japan warned of ‘hellish summer’ as energy fears mount

A prolonged Iran war, combined with an unusually early spell of hot weather, could leave Japan facing power shortages this summer.

China manufacturing

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.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: France and UK to lead ‘defensive’ force for Strait of Hormuz

Trump, meanwhile, says he received a Nato offer to help secure the key waterway but told the alliance to ‘STAY AWAY’.

A vessel is seen at the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam province, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels

Move eases oil fears, but US’ Iran blockade remains amid questions over enforcement and China’s role, as Trump claims to have ended 10 wars.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israeli attacks killed over 38,000 women, girls in Gaza since October 2023: UN

About 11,000 women and girls survived the war with injuries that will result in lifelong disabilities.

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Palestinian women and girls elbow their way to receive cooked rice from a charity kitchen in Gaza City. Photo: AFP
China exports

Iran war energy shock threatens Southeast Asia’s supply chains. A win for China?

US and European importers are shifting some orders back to China – but not everyone is optimistic.

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Workers at an auto parts factory in Sihong, in eastern China’s Jiangsu province, on March 3. Photo: AFP
United States

Iran has opened Strait of Hormuz but will the US ease its economic squeeze?

Chinese analysts say Tehran has long shown resilience in the face of sanctions and other US tactics.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel’s ‘hegemony’

Pakistan is the regional go-between to help maintain the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and push for a conclusive deal to end the Iran war.

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Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific, HK Express passenger counts rise despite impact of Mideast war

Group attributes growth to spate of mega-events in city, such as Art Basel and Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.

A Cathay Pacific Airways plane approaches Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Eugene Lee
US, Israel war on Iran

‘Everybody’s suffering’: Kazakhstan seeks UN reforms amid fragile Iran truce

President Tokayev told the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that multilateralism is being undermined as major decisions move outside the UN framework.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar chats with US Muslim streamer – is it a populist move?

Anwar spoke with Sneako about issues ranging from Malaysia’s multi-religious society and Israel to the ‘very condescending’ American mindset.

US, Israel war on Iran

Asian airlines face ‘major headwind’ from jet fuel costs, forcing flight changes

Fuel has jumped from 25 per cent of total operating costs for airlines to nearly 45 per cent in a matter of weeks, analysts say.

Aircraft queue up on the tarmac before taking off at Mumbai airport. Photo: AFP
China's military weapons

Will South Korea’s ‘Goldilocks’ missile dent China’s Middle East arms ambitions?

The Cheongung-II has reportedly achieved a 96.7% intercept rate against Iranian drones and ballistic missiles.

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South Korea is poised to benefit in arms sales to the Middle East. Photo: Shutterstock
China-Middle East relations

Exclusive | Hong Kong-flagged tanker passes through Strait of Hormuz in test of US blockade

AVA 6 passage marks at least the second transit of a China-linked tanker through the waterway since the US military operation began.

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SCMP Highlights

China’s 3-satellite surveillance network, C919 faces ‘final exam’: 7 highlights

From Chinese AI cracking decade-old maths problem to Japan eyeing Nato partnership, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Hong Kong economy

Letters | Amid elevated oil prices, Hong Kong’s stable energy system is a boon

Readers discuss the city’s electricity regime, the significance of Russian oil, and the KMT leader’s visit to mainland China.

The night view of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, taken from The Peak in August 2025. Photo: Sam Tsang
United States

Video | Israel, Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire

Pause may ease tensions with Iran, with Trump eyeing White House talks, though doubts linger over prospects for a lasting peace deal.

Trump announces Israel and Lebanon agreement to 10-day ceasefire
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Hong Kong economy

Bars gearing up for bumper Hong Kong Sevens weekend

Bar operators dismiss concerns that higher airfares because of Middle East war will deter rugby fans from visiting city.

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North Korea

Nuclear defiance: North Korea’s Kim signals he won’t be the next Iran

Kim Jong-un’s increased appearances at military drills show his confidence in Pyongyang’s nuclear deterrence, analysts say.

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