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Xinjiang

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Xinjiang. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Ürümqi

Head of Government

Party Secretary of Xinjiang Ma Xingrui

Chip expert Da Bo, deeply involved in the building of TSMC’s 3nm plant in Japan, has returned to China with his team. Photo: Handout

SCMP Highlights

Chip prodigy returns to China, hybrid crop grown in desert: 7 science highlights

From the world’s first parallel processor to doubts over Elon Musk’s Starship, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

3 Jun 2026 - 3:30PM

China airliners

Why China’s C909 jet is rapidly being deployed in Xinjiang

3 Jun 2026 - 7:00AMvideocam

US-China relations

Ex-California mayor Eileen Wang pleads guilty to acting as China agent

30 May 2026 - 6:19AM

Science

Why China is weaponising a ‘towering’ hybrid crop to farm where wheat fails

The crop, known as triticale, is easier to grow in challenging conditions and can provide food for both humans and animals.

29 May 2026 - 12:57PMvideocam

The crop can grow up to 1.6 metres high, taller than some humans. Photo: qq.com

Food and Drinks

Discover Aberdeen’s fish market secrets with Hong Kong’s top chefs

PostMag gains rare entry into Aberdeen’s Wholesale Fish Market with the men who supply many of Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred kitchens and the chefs who helm them – just days before the annual fishing moratorium.

22 May 2026 - 1:34PM

Science

China swaps Middle East oil for Xinjiang coal. What does it mean for the world?

With the war in Iran choking global oil supplies, China is tapping its 390 billion tonnes of coal reserves to build its own energy source.

22 May 2026 - 6:57AMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Omega-3 could hurt the brain, China’s new war on deserts: 7 science highlights

From China’s new war on deserts to Singapore-based physicist’s big move, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

21 May 2026 - 2:37PM

A rare earth mine at Bayan Obo, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region of China, seen in 2011. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

Science

How a remote patch of Gobi Desert became central to China’s national security

A national energy and chemical hub being built on a 15,500 sq m site in the Gobi Desert is set to modernise coal mining.

3 hours agovideocam

Science

China’s motorsports industry continues to rev up with first race-grade fuel

The unveiling of the high-octane fuel at the Taklimakan Rally comes on the back of international success for the ZXMOTO motorbike marque.

17 May 2026 - 7:00PM

Science

China launches new war on deserts with technology tested on far side of the moon

Projects meant to help Xinjiang region build ecological barrier to protect its arable land from erosion and desertification.

17 May 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

An apple orchard in China’s western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, along the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Photo: Xinhua

SCMP Exclusives

Exclusive | Un-sanctioned: China to welcome Dutch trade minister amid Nexperia, ASML discord

Source says Beijing has quietly dropped an old sanctioning of Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, who recently spoke of wanting to lead a Dutch trade mission to China.

28 Apr 2026 - 3:02PMvideocam

Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, the Dutch trade minister, is interviewed in The Hague, Netherlands, on April 10. Photo: EPA

China birth rate

In China, a France-sized population loss begins to test coastal powerhouses

Rising pension burdens and social security subsidies are also straining public finances – though trends remain uneven, analysts say.

28 Apr 2026 - 8:00AM

Science

Defects – not jumping tourists – caused deadly Xinjiang bridge collapse: report

‘Wholly man-made disaster’ that killed five at popular scenic area last year blamed on construction and management failures.

23 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

SCMP Highlights

Hormuz oil crisis hits China; a family of dentists: 5 weekend reads you missed

From how Pakistan paid the price for mediating in the Iran war to a family of dentists, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

13 Apr 2026 - 12:12PM

Employees work on an assembly line producing smartphone holders at a plastic-accessories factory in China’s Guangdong province earlier this month. Rising oil prices are driving up production costs for plastic manufacturers. Photo: Reuters

Science

Chinese crystal ‘paves way’ for GPS-free thorium clock navigation

World-first crystal tunes laser light to power ultra-precise, compact nuclear clocks which could guide submarines and deep-space probes.

11 Apr 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

A nuclear clock could enable navigation in places where the Global Positioning System does not work, such as deep space or underwater. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

Pakistan

Why has China mapped out a third new county in Xinjiang on its western frontier?

Cenling county, near Pakistan and Afghan borders and disputed frontier with India, follows Hean and Hekang as Beijing boosts security.

11 Apr 2026 - 3:46PMvideocam

Science

2 years on: China’s ‘desert wheat farms’ show the seeds of success

Chinese project turns sand dunes into cropland to combat desertification and strengthen food security.

10 Apr 2026 - 2:34PMvideocam

Science

China’s electric truck revolution: powerful painkiller for the Iran war?

Sales of electric heavy-duty cargo trucks surged by 182 per cent in 2025, with more growth forecast as oil and gas prices soar.

6 Apr 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

An electric truck at a supercharging station in Yichang, in China’s central Hubei province. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images

China-EU relations

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

13 Apr 2026 - 6:40PMvideocam

100 Top Tables: Cities of Gastronomy

The Chinese Wine Awards shine a spotlight on flourishing mainland vineyards

Local restaurants and the Chinese Wine Awards mark the increasing interest in home-grown vintages.

Supported by

Macau Government Tourism Office

China’s Communist Party

Ma Xingrui becomes China’s third Politburo member investigated for corruption

Former Communist Party chief of Xinjiang is under investigation for ‘serious violations of discipline and law’, according to state news agency Xinhua.

3 Apr 2026 - 7:53PMvideocam

Ma Xingrui abruptly stepped down as party boss of Xinjiang in July and has missed several key events since November. Photo: AP

Science

China’s far west site of a new bulwark against Mideast-induced resource woes

Ethylene glycol plant in Xinjiang is equipped with tech that includes green electricity coupling, carbon capture and storage.

1 Apr 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

Construction has begun on the world’s largest coal-to-ethylene glycol project in Xinjiang’s Turpan prefecture, according to state media. Photo: CCTV

Corruption in China

China puts Ma Xingrui protege Guo Yonghang under corruption investigation

Fate of ‘right-hand man’ deepens mystery around former Guangdong governor and Xinjiang party chief who has not been seen for months.

28 Mar 2026 - 4:09PMvideocam

China consumption

How ‘salmon’ raised in landlocked Xinjiang is netting fans in China

Aquaculture in the far-western region is expected to grow even more rapidly after a dependence on imported eggs is diminished or ended.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Amid Iran war, Hongkongers choose short-haul high-speed rail trips

With war raging in the Middle East, tickets for mainland Chinese destinations are being snapped up.

23 Mar 2026 - 1:22AM

The high-speed rail station at West Kowloon. Photo: Sam Tsang

China society

Editorial | China’s ethnic unity law can foster a shared sense of belonging

The law seeks to bridge ethnic divides for social stability and national development while safeguarding diversity.

19 Mar 2026 - 7:15AM

Ethnic minority delegates leave after a plenary session of the National People’s Congress held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9. Photo: AP

Cathay Pacific

Beijing first stop as Cathay launches global drive to hire 3,000 workers

Hong Kong carrier has openings for pilots, flight attendants and engineers as well as vacancies for digital positions.

14 Mar 2026 - 7:55PM

US-China relations

Exclusive | Sanctioned Rubio to visit China with Trump despite earlier missed opportunities

The formerly hawkish US secretary of state has been sanctioned by Beijing and sources say he has previously appeared reluctant to visit.

13 Mar 2026 - 6:18AMvideocam

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Xinjiang

Chip prodigy returns to China, hybrid crop grown in desert: 7 science highlights

From the world’s first parallel processor to doubts over Elon Musk’s Starship, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

Why China’s C909 jet is rapidly being deployed in Xinjiang

Ex-California mayor Eileen Wang pleads guilty to acting as China agent

Why China is weaponising a ‘towering’ hybrid crop to farm where wheat fails

The crop, known as triticale, is easier to grow in challenging conditions and can provide food for both humans and animals.

Discover Aberdeen’s fish market secrets with Hong Kong’s top chefs

PostMag gains rare entry into Aberdeen’s Wholesale Fish Market with the men who supply many of Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred kitchens and the chefs who helm them – just days before the annual fishing moratorium.

China swaps Middle East oil for Xinjiang coal. What does it mean for the world?

With the war in Iran choking global oil supplies, China is tapping its 390 billion tonnes of coal reserves to build its own energy source.

Omega-3 could hurt the brain, China’s new war on deserts: 7 science highlights

From China’s new war on deserts to Singapore-based physicist’s big move, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

How a remote patch of Gobi Desert became central to China’s national security

A national energy and chemical hub being built on a 15,500 sq m site in the Gobi Desert is set to modernise coal mining.

China’s motorsports industry continues to rev up with first race-grade fuel

The unveiling of the high-octane fuel at the Taklimakan Rally comes on the back of international success for the ZXMOTO motorbike marque.

China launches new war on deserts with technology tested on far side of the moon

Projects meant to help Xinjiang region build ecological barrier to protect its arable land from erosion and desertification.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Un-sanctioned: China to welcome Dutch trade minister amid Nexperia, ASML discord

Source says Beijing has quietly dropped an old sanctioning of Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, who recently spoke of wanting to lead a Dutch trade mission to China.

In China, a France-sized population loss begins to test coastal powerhouses

Rising pension burdens and social security subsidies are also straining public finances – though trends remain uneven, analysts say.

Defects – not jumping tourists – caused deadly Xinjiang bridge collapse: report

‘Wholly man-made disaster’ that killed five at popular scenic area last year blamed on construction and management failures.

Hormuz oil crisis hits China; a family of dentists: 5 weekend reads you missed

From how Pakistan paid the price for mediating in the Iran war to a family of dentists, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Chinese crystal ‘paves way’ for GPS-free thorium clock navigation

World-first crystal tunes laser light to power ultra-precise, compact nuclear clocks which could guide submarines and deep-space probes.

Why has China mapped out a third new county in Xinjiang on its western frontier?

Cenling county, near Pakistan and Afghan borders and disputed frontier with India, follows Hean and Hekang as Beijing boosts security.

2 years on: China’s ‘desert wheat farms’ show the seeds of success

Chinese project turns sand dunes into cropland to combat desertification and strengthen food security.

China’s electric truck revolution: powerful painkiller for the Iran war?

Sales of electric heavy-duty cargo trucks surged by 182 per cent in 2025, with more growth forecast as oil and gas prices soar.

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}The Chinese Wine Awards shine a spotlight on flourishing mainland vineyards

Local restaurants and the Chinese Wine Awards mark the increasing interest in home-grown vintages.

Ma Xingrui becomes China’s third Politburo member investigated for corruption

Former Communist Party chief of Xinjiang is under investigation for ‘serious violations of discipline and law’, according to state news agency Xinhua.

China’s far west site of a new bulwark against Mideast-induced resource woes

Ethylene glycol plant in Xinjiang is equipped with tech that includes green electricity coupling, carbon capture and storage.

China puts Ma Xingrui protege Guo Yonghang under corruption investigation

Fate of ‘right-hand man’ deepens mystery around former Guangdong governor and Xinjiang party chief who has not been seen for months.

How ‘salmon’ raised in landlocked Xinjiang is netting fans in China

Aquaculture in the far-western region is expected to grow even more rapidly after a dependence on imported eggs is diminished or ended.

Amid Iran war, Hongkongers choose short-haul high-speed rail trips

With war raging in the Middle East, tickets for mainland Chinese destinations are being snapped up.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | China’s ethnic unity law can foster a shared sense of belonging

The law seeks to bridge ethnic divides for social stability and national development while safeguarding diversity.

Beijing first stop as Cathay launches global drive to hire 3,000 workers

Hong Kong carrier has openings for pilots, flight attendants and engineers as well as vacancies for digital positions.

Exclusive | Sanctioned Rubio to visit China with Trump despite earlier missed opportunities

The formerly hawkish US secretary of state has been sanctioned by Beijing and sources say he has previously appeared reluctant to visit.

Exclusive | Un-sanctioned: China to welcome Dutch trade minister amid Nexperia, ASML discord

The Chinese Wine Awards shine a spotlight on flourishing mainland vineyards

Editorial | China’s ethnic unity law can foster a shared sense of belonging