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President Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Politburo of China’s Communist Party, held in advance of the annual central economic work conference. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Politburo pledges action to tackle trade ‘struggles’ in 2026

Analysts said the decision-making body’s phrasing on the international trade environment suggests a cautious stance next year despite US truce.

As China’s central bank projects confidence, are rate cuts on the back burner?

China's economic recovery
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Surprises and defeats in Hong Kong Legco election

DAB chairman Gary Chan defends party’s strategy of fielding two candidates in some geographical constituencies, says ‘it’s a thorough decision’.

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Economic Indicators

China’s trade surplus tops record US$1 trillion, defying trade war uncertainty

November outbound shipments increased 5.9 per cent, surpassing forecasts – though exports to US extended sharp decline.

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Politics

Thailand launches air strikes on Cambodia after soldier killed

Thailand says the F-16 strikes were ‘executed with caution’ against military targets to neutralise a threat to national security.

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Open Questions
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Military

Japan keeps tabs on 4 Chinese navy ships near Okinawa after weekend stand-off

‘Our capabilities in long-range, unmanned combat operations mean we can neutralise any threat with precision,’ commentator tells CCTV.

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Japan’s Self-Defence Forces says China’s Liaoning carrier, pictured in 2021, and three guided missile destroyers are continuing drills in waters near Japan. Photo: Handout via Reuters
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Tech Trends

Chinese open-source models account for 30% of global AI use: report

Producing globally competitive models makes China a close peer of the US in AI development.

People

‘Like a market’: Chinese marriage brokers hunt for brides in Nepal

China’s bachelor crisis meets Nepal’s poverty in a trade that blurs the lines between arranged marriage and coercion.

Business

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

In partnership with:
MPOC
Palm oil is a versatile ingredient found in a wide range of everyday items, from ice cream and cake to lipstick and biofuel.

China Economy

‘A big opportunity’: why Spain’s new electric car plan hands an opening to China

Madrid’s ambitious strategy may hinge on attracting more Chinese investment, giving China’s firms greater leverage, analysts say.

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The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra electric car is displayed at the 2025 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Chinese electric vehicle brands have rapidly gained ground in Europe in recent months. Photo: Xinhua

Politics

Malaysian ex-minister Rafizi challenges PM Anwar’s anti-corruption credentials

He alleged that anti-corruption officers targeted PKR candidates who challenged the prime minister’s daughter in party polls.

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Science

China trials unmanned trucks on world’s highest mine, 5,600m from sea level

Lead-zinc mine in Kunlun Mountains of Xinjiang sits at an altitude surpassing the world’s highest human settlement, in the Peruvian Andes.

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East Asia

Trump drops North Korea denuclearisation goal, hinting at talks with Kim

Trump strategy omits North Korea denuclearistation; Pyongyang calls goal meaningless, demands US drop ‘absurd pursuit’ of its nuclear weapons.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (right) and US President Donald Trump inside the demilitarized zone separating South and North Korea in June 2019. Photo: TNS

Science

China’s lab fungus produces low-cost, meat-like protein to replace chicken farms

Genetic modification improves environmental credentials of ‘particularly promising’ substitute that outperforms poultry, study finds.

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Chickens are among the farm animals with the least impact on the environment. Photo: Shutterstock

Society

From dream to disaster: mum’s nearly paid-off flat destroyed in Hong Kong blaze

Moon Li, 40, was close to paying off her flat when Tai Po blaze destroyed her home, leaving her family struggling to rebuild their lives.

Diplomacy

Why Chinese firms are taking operational risks on African projects

Public-private partnerships or PPP model for African infrastructure tipped to grow as ‘bankable’ projects can attract global finance.

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Europe

UK’s bold defence plans face doubt over funding as security challenges rise

Military chiefs worry the UK will have to scale back its defence ambitions amid concerns about what the country can afford.

The deck of the HMS Severn, with the Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy in the distance off the UK coast, in an undated photo. Photo: UK Ministry of Defence via AP

Chinese Zodiac

Why the Year of the Fire Horse 2026 could bring chaos but also great progress

Chinese astrological and feng shui calculations dictate that 2026 will be a particularly ‘fiery’ year. Why could this be both bad and good?

The Year of the Fire Horse begins on February 17, 2026. Being a “double fire” year, it could mean drastic change ahead. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

4 incumbents lose re-election as Hong Kong’s Legco sees 43.8% turnover

DAB’s Edmund Wong and FTU’s Kwok Wai-keung among those who failed to secure another term in Sunday’s poll.

Travel & Leisure

This Japanese farm homestay lets you get involved in producing organic food

Part of the global Wwoof programme, the Sho Farm near Tokyo lets visitors get their hands dirty and learn all about organic farming.

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OPINION
Nicholas Spiro

The View | Asia’s housing affordability squeeze shows no signs of slowing

Nicholas Spiro
Michael Tai

Opinion | Despite their strong ties, Russia and China are emotional opposites

Michael Tai
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Alice Wu

Opinion | After Hong Kong fire, new lawmakers will have to hit the ground running

Alice Wu
SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Persistence of scams targeting students in Hong Kong shows need for vigilance

SCMP Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Macron’s visit to China a counterpoint to rising tensions

SCMP Editorial
Harry’s View | 8 Dec 2025
December 8, 2025
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LATEST

Politics

New faces win nearly half of 90 Legco seats as Hong Kong turns to reforms

China

Gallery | In pictures: France’s Macron visits China amid rising tensions

Tech Trends

Chinese open-source models account for 30% of global AI use: report

Society

Video | Scaffold net sample ignites despite meeting safety standards

SCMP
05:15

Chinese Zodiac

Why the Year of the Fire Horse 2026 could bring chaos but also great progress

East Asia

Trump drops North Korea denuclearisation goal, hinting at talks with Kim

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SCMP Series
China’s alcohol economy
Chinese scientists return home
How China is telling its own story
Illustration: Henry Wong
SCMP SeriesChina’s alcohol economy

Pursuit of hoppiness: why China’s cash-conscious drinkers have embraced craft beers

As discerning alcohol consumers seek ‘wallet-friendly’ products, premium beers are winning out over higher-end options.

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After peaking, decline of China’s European wine imports worries makers

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China’s liquor capital faces long march to rebirth as ‘liquid gold’ glory wanes

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China Economy

Open Questions | ‘A mistaken view’: US economist Nicholas Lardy on the ‘peak China’ hypothesis

The veteran China watcher talks Beijing’s need for financial reform and how US-China economic convergence could still be on the horizon.

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China Economy

Open Questions | Chinese economist Lu Feng on why the time is ripe for a consumption rebalance

Peking University professor says China’s next five-year plan could provide the necessary momentum to shift more public resources to households.

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Politics

Open Questions | Silkpunk creator Ken Liu takes on AI, modernity and what it means to be American

The sci-fi sensation compares the new technology to the early days of the camera and predicts a long period of transition for the new medium.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China Future Tech
China Future Tech
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Aerospace
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Live Q&A webinars

Big Tech

China’s DeepSeek challenges Google DeepMind with new AI model

DeepSeek’s V3.2-Speciale equals Google’s Gemini 3 Pro in reasoning capabilities, the Chinese start-up says.

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A shop advertising DeepSeek in Hong Kong. Photo: Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Tech Trends

Chinese open-source models account for 30% of global AI use: report

Producing globally competitive models makes China a close peer of the US in AI development.

China Economy

‘A big opportunity’: why Spain’s new electric car plan hands an opening to China

Madrid’s ambitious strategy may hinge on attracting more Chinese investment, giving China’s firms greater leverage, analysts say.

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China Economy

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China

Boiling point: China’s pre-made meals are testing trust at the table

In a nation with famously high food standards, restaurant goers say they must choose between taste, transparency and industrial efficiency.

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Pre-made meals are taking off in China, but many diners are increasingly incensed about the premium prices and lack of disclosure. Photo: Shutterstock

Diplomacy

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

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China Economy

Why China sees Brazil as ‘last untapped blue ocean market’ for investment boom

Chinese investment in Brazil is soaring as firms eye the vast potential growth in South America’s ‘blue ocean market’.

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China Economy

How Chinese lifestyle brands are finding fans abroad with toys, tea and trends

From milk tea to blind boxes, China’s lighter consumer brands are winning worldwide recognition – though time will tell if the craze will last.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
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