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China
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Should Beijing use its maritime militia as backup force in South China Sea?

On the sidelines of the Xiangshan Forum, a leading Chinese researcher says there could be a role for the vessels at critical moments.

A China Coast Guard ship (right) uses a water cannon on a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel near Scarborough Shoal in 2023. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard vias AFP
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John Lee boosts Hong Kong baby bonuses and internships, delivers historic 5-year plan

John Lee is speaking in the Legco chamber. Photo: Dickson Lee
SERIES: Xi’s 2026 trip to US

Defence chief Dong Jun omits Taiwan in milder Xiangshan Forum address

China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun attends the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Wednesday. Photo: X.com/XiangshanForum

Science

Chinese scientists build world’s smallest CT scanner, weighing just 6kg

Compact and portable device can be used to analyse fossils and archaeological relics in the field, developer says.

A typical hospital scanner is roughly 2 metres tall and wide and weighs around two tonnes (2.2 tons). Photo: Handout

Business

ISO 9001 update for first time in a decade, with China shaping AI, cybersecurity

Global organisation says China will play a greater role in writing tech rules which pave the way to a more ‘inclusive, sustainable future’.

China praised by the International Organization for Standardisation for its leadership and vision in raising AI and cybersecurity standards. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Growing stronger’: India and Russia push to expand defence ties

Analysts say offers of Su-57 stealth jet tech and BrahMos upgrades signal an exit from simple buyer-seller deals.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Brics summit in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: Kremlin/dpa
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin at the Brics summit in New Delhi on Sunday. Photo: India’s Ministry of External Affairs / AFP

Economy

China’s economy to see slower loan growth amid sluggish consumption, investment

Loans reverse record contraction a month earlier but fall far short of expectations as property slump drags and deposits rise.

Pedestrians walk past a branch of Bank of China in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle

What drives 4 Shaw Prize laureates in pursuit of scientific discovery

In partnership with:The Shaw Prize
Four of this year’s Shaw Prize laureates: (from left) Ken’ichi Nomoto, Stanford Woosley, Camillo De Lellis and Emmanuel Candes.

Middle East

Israel prepared to ‘finish job’ in Gaza and remove Palestinians, minister says

Israel Katz says the IDF is prepared to resume fighting, eliminate Hamas and implement ‘the migration plan’.

Palestinian children play volleyball amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza City. Photo: Reuters

China Business

GSK’s US$750 million cancer drug deal highlights China’s rise as biotech player

The acquisition is the latest in a string of major licensing deals involving Chinese biotechnology firms.

GSK has agreed a deal worth up to US$750 million to license a T-cell engager from a Chinese biotechnology firm. Photo: Reuters

China Business

Investors await ‘super-central-bank week’ as US rate increase appears done deal

Traders are bracing for central bank decisions in the US, the UK and Japan and are weighing whether a Fed rate increase marks one-off move or new cycle.

The Federal Reserve building in Washington. Photo: TNS

Military

Fragility and cooperation: takeaways from Dong Jun’s Xiangshan Forum speech

The Chinese defence minister officially opens the security conference with a warning about ‘zero-sum’ mindsets.

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun delivers remarks on the second day of the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Middle East

‘Red line’: Saudi coalition accuses Houthis of targeting Mecca with drone

Drone intercepted heading towards the Saudi holy city, but Houthi official rejects claim as a ‘worn-out lie’.

Burning military vehicles during fighting in al-Jawf governate, Yemen. Photo: Ansarullah Media Centre via AFP

Diplomacy

How will the Okinawa governor’s race result reshape China’s local messaging?

Analysts say the election is a reality check for Beijing, which has sought to leverage local opposition to US-Japan military ties.

Genta Koja (right) celebrates his gubernatorial win in Naha, capital of Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, on September 13, 2026. Photo: Kyodo

Politics

Singapore ministers earn millions. What do other Asian leaders make?

Political pay structures elsewhere in Asia are shaped by factors including bureaucratic hierarchy, austerity and symbolic restraint.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s annual pay benchmark will rise to S$3.6 million (US$2.83 million) on October 15. Photo: Reuters

Military

Xiangshan Forum: China’s defence chief on security in a fragile world – as it happened

Dong Jun makes no mention of Taiwan or the South China Sea in his address, just days before the US-China summit.

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Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun addresses Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Banking & Finance

Hong Kong rated Asia’s top financial hub for fourth straight year: report

Hong Kong also ranked third globally in the Global Financial Centres Index as Asian hubs strengthened their positions in the top 10.

Hong Kong has retained its ranking as Asia’s top financial hub for a fourth consecutive year. Photo: Jelly Tse

Tech Trends

How ByteDance’s AI-enhanced short-drama app leapfrogged Chinese streaming giants

Acknowledging format’s popularity, award-winning director Jia Zhangke defends short dramas as valid art that can move audiences.

The headquarters of ByteDance in Beijing. Photo: AFP

Politics

Top Chinese official leads 87-member committee for Tung Chee-hwa state funeral

Shi Taifeng, Politburo member and No 1 vice-chairman of CPPCC, is funeral committee head, with vigil on Saturday and public memorial service on Sunday.

Tung Chee-hwa died peacefully in hospital with family members by his side last Tuesday at the age of 89. Photo: Robert Ng
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Economy

China launches Pinglu Canal, slashing transit time to Southeast Asia

Newly opened Pinglu Canal will allow cargo from inland provinces to reach the Gulf of Tonkin, avoiding a 560km detour, deepening trade ties.

A trial vessel moving through the Pinglu Canal in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Photo: Xinhua
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Opinion
Ziang Liu
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Why China’s industrial powerhouse is built to withstand tariffs

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As the global order fragments, at least Asean is still talking

16 Sep 2026 - 5:30AM
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Letters |

How Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis should be judged

16 Sep 2026 - 8:00AM
Editorial |

To combat scams, Hong Kong needs stronger crackdowns, greater vigilance

16 Sep 2026 - 7:15AM
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Opinion |

National security will always remain Hong Kong’s top priority

15 Sep 2026 - 9:30AM
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Alex Lo
Opinion |

The world is not so much embracing China as recoiling from Trump’s US

15 Sep 2026 - 8:30PM
Alex Lo
Harry’s View | 16 Sep 2026
September 16, 2026
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Southeast Asia

Singapore court rejects 90-year-old’s spousal support claim against ex-wife, 89

China EVs

Tesla’s China discounts; Iran war drives shift to electric cars: 7 EV reads

Middle East

Israel prepared to ‘finish job’ in Gaza and remove Palestinians, minister says

Business

ISO 9001 update for first time in a decade, with China shaping AI, cybersecurity

Military

Should Beijing use its maritime militia as backup force in South China Sea?

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