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China
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China’s stamp duty on stock sales jumps over 80% as AI frenzy drives trading

Average daily trading values on mainland China’s stock markets rose 72 per cent in first eight months of the year.

The Ministry of Finance headquarters in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

Science

China tests first practical submarine solar farm at 10-metre depth in open sea

Two submerged PV units were carried by a submerged mini-robot to charge lithium-ion batteries at diverse depths underwater. Photo: Handout

Business

Mainland China’s stock exchanges mount charm offensive amid Hong Kong IPO boom

Buildings in Shanghai tower over a pedestrian bridge where a sign displays stock index information on August 18, 2025. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

Big Tech

In Focus | Will US cloud computing restrictions rain on China’s AI parade?

If Washington expands its tech blockade to include cloud networks, China’s AI sector will face its most severe choke point since the chip bans.

Illustration: Huy Truong

Diplomacy

US announces AI dialogue with China, launches Board of Trade

Key outcomes released after eight-hour marathon meeting in New York.

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng arrives to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at JPMorgan Chase’s global corporate headquarters in New York on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Commodities

As China’s consumption of gold jewellery slumps 34%, sellers pivot abroad: WGC

Domestic gold jewellers are seeking to leverage advanced crafting techniques as market sees turbulence, says China CEO of the World Gold Council.

A pure gold decorative fan ornament, is displayed at the Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong fair at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday. Photo: Kit Lai

East Asia

Suspected landmine blast injures South Korean soldiers in DMZ

Three people were hospitalised by the explosion, though who planted the device has yet to be confirmed.

Visitors use binoculars to look at the North Korean side of the demilitarised zone dividing the two Koreas. Photo: Sopa Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

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.

Society

3 stray mongrels captured after cyclist dies in suspected dog attack

Authorities say not immediately clear whether dogs involved in woman’s death on Saturday, sidestep question on possible land resumption link.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department worked alongside police to capture the dogs. Photo: Handout

East Asia

Japan asks for US$43 million to weed out cherry tree-devouring longhorn beetle

Further growth in the ‘invasive’ beetle population could make it difficult to enjoy cherry blossom viewing in the spring.

A Koshigaya city government employee explains the damage caused to a tree by the invasive red-necked longhorn beetle species in Soka, Saitama prefecture, on June 16. Photo: Kyodo

Health & Wellness

Why dementia is preventable – and the new tools that can reduce your risk

On World Alzheimer’s Day, a look at advances in dementia diagnosis and treatment, and why much of the risk may be within our own control.

A group of elderly people gather to swim. Research increasingly shows that dementia is anything but inevitable and that we have more control over the risks than once believed. Photo: Shutterstock

China Economy

Chinese province urges firms to capitalise on warm US ties before Xi-Trump talks

Eastern manufacturing centre Zhejiang asks traders to find opportunities for US exports in rare period of detente in run-up to leaders’ summit.

On the morning of August 28, U.S. Senator Steve Daines led a delegation to visit Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, touring the Future Learning Center. Photo: Zhejiang University

Hong Kong

The story begins …

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s final policy address for his current term lays out five major development opportunities and 25 key livelihood measures, from targets for Northern Metropolis to family friendly policies.

Southeast Asia

First Singapore money laundering auction brings in US$862,000

The frenzied bidding is in sharp contrast to the lacklustre reception for luxury real estate tied to the same illicit network.

A rare Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama pumpkin bag sells for US$68,000 at an online bidding on Sunday. Photo: Hotlotz

Society

Barristers dismiss calls for solicitors to gain senior counsel status in Hong Kong

Bar Association labels push to expand elite title ‘premature’, while Law Society argues appointments should be merit-based.

Barristers pose for a photo after their appointment as senior counsel at the Court of Final Appeal in Central. The Law Society is calling for the higher status for its solicitors as lawmakers scrutinise the latest round of omnibus legislative updates in Hong Kong. Photo: Yik Yeung-man.

Other Sport

Developing | Asian Games, day 2: Hung adds bronze to city’s medal haul, after Sham’s golden start

Howard Hung picks up medal in men’s kata, after triathletes secure crucial podium and Lydia Sham wins city’s first gold in Nagoya.

Lydia Sham celebrates women’s wushu changquan gold at the Asian Games. Photo: AP

East Asia

South Korea steps up to plug Europe’s jet fuel deficit

South Korea is the latest large source of jet fuel shipments to Europe, exporting 129,000 barrels per day, the highest since October 2022.

Planes are parked on the tarmac at Rome’s Fiumicino airport on June 6. European airlines are monitoring higher jet fuel costs and supply concerns linked to tensions in the Middle East. Photo: Reuters

Tech Trends

Chinese AI chipmaker Hygon plots expansion to robotics market

New chip targets range of physical AI applications, where machines interact directly with their environments.

A girl interacts with a humanoid robot at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 19, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

Economics

Upgraded but underperforming: Philippines’ growth lags behind

High living costs and delayed public works drag growth projections down far behind regional front runners.

People cross a road in Manila, the Philippines, on September 8. Photo: EPA
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Open Questions

‘Trade is never free’: former WTO chief Pascal Lamy on the EU’s China challenge

He says Chinese authorities’ lack of interest in addressing structural macroeconomic imbalance a ‘huge problem’ for European Union.

Illustration: Henry Wong
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Opinion
Alice Wu
Opinion |

Hong Kong’s 5-year plan could have been more ambitious

3 hours ago
Alice Wu
Letters |

What Hong Kong educators can learn from Yidan Prize winners

1 hour ago
Alex Lo
Opinion |

Pacific island states are trapped in Cold War 2.0

21 Sep 2026 - 5:30AM
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Editorial |

Tung’s legacy helps lay foundations for better tomorrows

6 hours ago
Gabriela Bernal
Opinion |

New North Korea-Russia bridge delivers a powerful message to China

20 Sep 2026 - 8:30PM
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Hao Nan
Opinion |

Middle powers don’t have to wait for a Trump-Xi-Putin summit

20 Sep 2026 - 4:30PM
Hao Nan
Harry’s View | 21 Sep 2026
September 21, 2026
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World

China’s 3-nm chip progress; how much sex couples should have: 5 weekend reads

Travel & Leisure

Tapestry depicting England’s ‘most important event’ back in UK after 1,000 years

Celebrities

Meet Sophie Cunningham’s rumoured new beau, Frank Adams

Today in Photos

Gallery | In pictures: leopardus tilcayo, the first new cat species in over a century

China

Video | Trump to greet Xi on airfield tarmac

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Hyrox athlete apologises after mid-race incontinence incident, forfeits points
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Hyrox offers refunds to Beijing participants affected by athlete who soiled herself
Early evacuation heads off casualties from huge landslide in China’s Sichuan province
Early evacuation heads off casualties from huge landslide in China’s Sichuan province
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