Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

The U-Boat Worx Super Yacht Sub 3. Chinese engineers are now working on a prototype for the first tourist submersible able to venture as deep as 1,000 metres below sea level. Photo: Handout

China developing first tourist submersible for trips 1,000 metres under the sea

The Chinese prototype would enter commercial operation offering adventure-seeking holidaymakers spectacular deep-sea experiences by 2030.

16 minutes agovideocam

Foreigners flock to China’s ice and snow sights, with 130% inbound tourism spike

China manufacturing

China Economy

Does China need world-leading forex reserves? Globalising yuan revives debate

As Chinese currency ‘becomes more adopted globally’, report says it can replace many functions of a foreign exchange stockpile.

22 Mar 2026 - 10:53PM

Big Tech

What is China’s edge in the AI era’s new ‘tokenomics’?

As tokens are positioned as the AI era’s commodity, China’s energy scale and low-cost models could give it a structural edge.

19 minutes ago

Hong Kong Economy

Exclusive | Hong Kong developer banks on arts and finance synergy in West Kowloon cultural hub

Sun Hung Kai Properties pushes its ‘Central 2.0’ vision in West Kowloon, linking arts, culture and wealth management despite market headwinds.

2 hours ago

Open Questions

Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Middle East

Iran awaits Trump threat to ‘obliterate’ power plants, readies response

Iran has threatened to ‘completely’ close the Strait of Hormuz and hit the region’s infrastructure after Trump’s ultimatum.

33 minutes ago

USAF B-1 bombers at RAF Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire, Britain. Photo: Reuters

Military

Why is China’s ASN-301 suicide drone more deadly than its Iranian counterpart?

In a conflict over Taiwan or western Pacific, Beijing may overwhelm air defences through sheer numbers in a war of economic attrition.

22 Mar 2026 - 11:47PMvideocam

Politics

Can Japan offer Indonesia a ‘credible alternative’ to China on Prabowo’s visit?

Defence and minerals to dominate the agenda as Tokyo offers hi-tech warships and energy pacts to secure Indonesia as a ‘trusted partner’.

1 hour ago

Business

How Schneider Electric powers Hong Kong’s ecosystem innovation

InvestHK backs firm’s efforts to optimise energy use in city’s buildings, infrastructure and transport as part of its low-carbon transition.

In partnership with:

InvestHK

A charging station designed for both private and commercial use was one of Schneider Electric’s eMobility solutions showcased at last October’s Innovation Summit Hong Kong 2025. Photo: Schneider Electric

Health & Wellness

Can poor sleep lead to dementia? What you need to know about the links

Studies link poor-quality sleep to dementia types like Alzheimer’s disease, but experts explain why the picture might be more complex.

3 hours ago

A recent study found that about 13 per cent of dementia cases may have roots in insomnia, and that poor sleep may be as significant a dementia risk factor as hearing loss and hypertension. Photo: Shutterstock

Europe

UK’s Starmer calls emergency meeting on economy as Iran war risks mount

Britain’s high inflation, stretched public finances and dependence on imported natural gas have pushed its government bonds into a decline.

3 hours ago

East Asia

North Korea reappoints Kim Jong-un as supreme leader

State media said the decision to re-elect Kim to the ‘top post’ reflected ‘the unanimous will and desire of all the Korean people’.

1 hour ago

Middle East

US may need to ‘escalate to de-escalate’ Iran war, Bessent says

US Treasury chief defends massive military ramp-up after Trump set a 48-hour deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz.

2 hours ago

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Chinese social media is awash with criticisms of the US. Can it go too far?

Online responses range from sarcastic variants on Beijing’s official line to ‘armchair generals’ telling Tehran how best to fight America.

22 Mar 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Photos of grieving families in Iran have attracted millions of views on Chinese social media. Photo: Reuters

United States & Canada

Trump administration touts plan for ICE at airports amid criticism

The Transportation Security Administration said the government move does not solve what they see as the underlying problem of pay.

4 hours ago

Russia & Central Asia

Ukraine and US teams conclude talks; Zelensky says new prisoner swap possible

Zelensky also urged allies to keep up sanctions pressure on Russia as the US and Ukrainian delegations met in Florida.

5 hours ago

Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill jumps to US$811 million amid Iran war

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said monthly fuel subsidies surged more than fourfold as the conflict chokes global supply routes.

35 minutes agovideocam

A worker pumps fuel at a petrol station in Sarawak, Malaysia. Photo: AFP

Europe

Thousands rally against online sexual violence, pornographic deepfakes in Berlin

The protest highlighted German actress Collien Fernandes, whose ex-partner allegedly created profiles in her name to make contact with men.

6 hours agovideocam

A protester holds a placard that reads “Silence protects abusers” during a rally at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany on Sunday. Photo: EPA

Europe

Socialist Gregoire becomes Paris mayor in France local elections

Emmanuel Gregoire succeeds Anne Hidalgo as mayor of Paris, while the far-right secures a resounding win in Nice.

28 minutes ago

Diplomacy

‘iPhone City’ veteran tapped as party boss of China’s Silicon Valley

Jin Lei is appointed Communist Party chief of Shenzhen as the tech hub targets AI-fuelled growth and confronts external pressures.

22 Mar 2026 - 8:37PM

OPINION

Betty Fung

Opinion | To realise Hong Kong’s cultural potential, a global vision is essential

51 minutes ago

Cui Jianchun

Opinion | As mainland China charts a new course, Hong Kong writes its next chapter

3 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Legco could refer to mainland experience in boosting efficiency

3 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Struggling Hong Kong schools should heed call to plan ahead

4 hours ago

Alex Lo

My Take | In China, AI is about job creation and quality, not mass retrenchments

23 Mar 2026 - 12:41AM

Harry’s View | 23 Mar 2026

MORE COMMENT

LATEST

18 minutes ago

China Business

Hong Kong stocks tumble with Asia as Strait of Hormuz crisis deepens

20 minutes ago

Golf

Emotional Bryson DeChambeau wins in South Africa for back-to-back LIV Golf titles

20 minutes ago

Celebrity Style

Style Edit: The 2026 awards season was all about Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel

21 minutes ago

Fashion News

Style Edit: How the Dior Crunchy bag distils Jonathan Anderson’s vision

21 minutes ago

Fashion News

Style edit: Valentino returns to Rome for Alessandro Michele’s FW 2026 show

21 minutes ago

China Economy

China developing first tourist submersible for trips 1,000 metres under the sea

MORE LATEST NEWS

SCMP Series

AI's impact on Hong Kong

‘Two sessions’: China’s economic agenda

China Inc. goes global

Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

SCMP Series AI's impact on Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s bid to win in AI: where are the road map and the guardrails?

Hong Kong’s AI revolution accelerates as policy funds skills training while industries and educators rush to integrate the shift.

16 Mar 2026 - 11:48AM

Exclusive | Hong Kong job openings hit 6-year low in 69% of sectors amid AI’s ascent

13 Mar 2026 - 10:05AM

Is AI displacing young people for entry-level jobs?

16 Mar 2026 - 11:48AM

Open Questions series

Military

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Strikes on Iran not the biggest threat to China’s belt and road goals: Pan Guang

Mainland academic assesses the risks to Chinese investment and diplomacy in the region and what it means for the other main players.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Global Economy

Open Questions | Top shipbuilding voice Li Yanqing rebukes Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative

China’s national shipbuilding association official calls US port fees ‘absurd’ and politically motivated, while asserting China’s market lead is solid despite global fluctuations.

5 Mar 2026 - 5:24PM

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era

American political scientist on how ‘interdependence’ can be exploited as part of the rivalry between major powers.

23 Feb 2026 - 10:05AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

21 Mar 2026 - 6:18PM

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the company’s global AI conference in San Jose, California, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Tech

OpenClaw, government support fuel rise of 1-person companies in China

Guangdong is the first provincial-level government to roll out comprehensive action plans to support AI-powered OPCs.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:12PM

Banking & Finance

China’s Unitree Robotics rides humanoid tide as it targets US$610m IPO

Prospectus reveals that company’s revenue jumped 335 per cent last year, while net profit surged nearly eight times.

20 Mar 2026 - 9:00PM

Tech

Preview of Alibaba’s top AI model leads Chinese peers, lags US rivals

Qwen3.5-Max-Preview enters a global ranking at 15th, behind models from Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.

20 Mar 2026 - 3:00PM

China Economy

AI, flying cars drive economic transition in China’s Kunshan

City at heart of Yangtze River Delta region sees new tech dreams emerge as old ones based on mass production of electronics fade.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:51AM

Military

How long will US-Israel war on Iran last? Chinese analysts offer clues

Iran’s drones gaining edge as opponents burn through costly missiles, analysts note, as one labels the war a ‘serious mistake’ by US.

20 Mar 2026 - 6:00AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Why Beijing has struggled to rally Asia against Japan over PM’s Taiwan remarks

Many in the region harbour security concerns similar to Tokyo’s and prefer to stay neutral between the Asian heavyweights, analysts say.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:16AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Why Japan thinks China’s growing cultural clout is something it needs to counter

The global success of Chinese video games and animation – as well as the appeal of traditional culture – has triggered a reaction in Tokyo.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:33AMvideocam

China developing first tourist submersible for trips 1,000 metres under the sea

The Chinese prototype would enter commercial operation offering adventure-seeking holidaymakers spectacular deep-sea experiences by 2030.

Foreigners flock to China’s ice and snow sights, with 130% inbound tourism spike

Does China need world-leading forex reserves? Globalising yuan revives debate

As Chinese currency ‘becomes more adopted globally’, report says it can replace many functions of a foreign exchange stockpile.

What is China’s edge in the AI era’s new ‘tokenomics’?

As tokens are positioned as the AI era’s commodity, China’s energy scale and low-cost models could give it a structural edge.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Hong Kong developer banks on arts and finance synergy in West Kowloon cultural hub

Sun Hung Kai Properties pushes its ‘Central 2.0’ vision in West Kowloon, linking arts, culture and wealth management despite market headwinds.

Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Iran awaits Trump threat to ‘obliterate’ power plants, readies response

Iran has threatened to ‘completely’ close the Strait of Hormuz and hit the region’s infrastructure after Trump’s ultimatum.

Why is China’s ASN-301 suicide drone more deadly than its Iranian counterpart?

In a conflict over Taiwan or western Pacific, Beijing may overwhelm air defences through sheer numbers in a war of economic attrition.

Can Japan offer Indonesia a ‘credible alternative’ to China on Prabowo’s visit?

Defence and minerals to dominate the agenda as Tokyo offers hi-tech warships and energy pacts to secure Indonesia as a ‘trusted partner’.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How Schneider Electric powers Hong Kong’s ecosystem innovation

InvestHK backs firm’s efforts to optimise energy use in city’s buildings, infrastructure and transport as part of its low-carbon transition.

Can poor sleep lead to dementia? What you need to know about the links

Studies link poor-quality sleep to dementia types like Alzheimer’s disease, but experts explain why the picture might be more complex.

UK’s Starmer calls emergency meeting on economy as Iran war risks mount

Britain’s high inflation, stretched public finances and dependence on imported natural gas have pushed its government bonds into a decline.

North Korea reappoints Kim Jong-un as supreme leader

State media said the decision to re-elect Kim to the ‘top post’ reflected ‘the unanimous will and desire of all the Korean people’.

US may need to ‘escalate to de-escalate’ Iran war, Bessent says

US Treasury chief defends massive military ramp-up after Trump set a 48-hour deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Chinese social media is awash with criticisms of the US. Can it go too far?

Online responses range from sarcastic variants on Beijing’s official line to ‘armchair generals’ telling Tehran how best to fight America.

Trump administration touts plan for ICE at airports amid criticism

The Transportation Security Administration said the government move does not solve what they see as the underlying problem of pay.

Ukraine and US teams conclude talks; Zelensky says new prisoner swap possible

Zelensky also urged allies to keep up sanctions pressure on Russia as the US and Ukrainian delegations met in Florida.

Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill jumps to US$811 million amid Iran war

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said monthly fuel subsidies surged more than fourfold as the conflict chokes global supply routes.

Thousands rally against online sexual violence, pornographic deepfakes in Berlin

The protest highlighted German actress Collien Fernandes, whose ex-partner allegedly created profiles in her name to make contact with men.

Socialist Gregoire becomes Paris mayor in France local elections

Emmanuel Gregoire succeeds Anne Hidalgo as mayor of Paris, while the far-right secures a resounding win in Nice.

‘iPhone City’ veteran tapped as party boss of China’s Silicon Valley

Jin Lei is appointed Communist Party chief of Shenzhen as the tech hub targets AI-fuelled growth and confronts external pressures.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | To realise Hong Kong’s cultural potential, a global vision is essential

Opinion | As mainland China charts a new course, Hong Kong writes its next chapter

Editorial | Legco could refer to mainland experience in boosting efficiency

Editorial | Struggling Hong Kong schools should heed call to plan ahead

My Take | In China, AI is about job creation and quality, not mass retrenchments

Hong Kong stocks tumble with Asia as Strait of Hormuz crisis deepens

Emotional Bryson DeChambeau wins in South Africa for back-to-back LIV Golf titles

Style Edit: The 2026 awards season was all about Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel

Style Edit: How the Dior Crunchy bag distils Jonathan Anderson’s vision

Style edit: Valentino returns to Rome for Alessandro Michele’s FW 2026 show

China developing first tourist submersible for trips 1,000 metres under the sea

Hong Kong’s bid to win in AI: where are the road map and the guardrails?

Hong Kong’s AI revolution accelerates as policy funds skills training while industries and educators rush to integrate the shift.

Exclusive | Hong Kong job openings hit 6-year low in 69% of sectors amid AI’s ascent

Is AI displacing young people for entry-level jobs?

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

Open Questions | Strikes on Iran not the biggest threat to China’s belt and road goals: Pan Guang

Mainland academic assesses the risks to Chinese investment and diplomacy in the region and what it means for the other main players.

Open Questions | Top shipbuilding voice Li Yanqing rebukes Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative

China’s national shipbuilding association official calls US port fees ‘absurd’ and politically motivated, while asserting China’s market lead is solid despite global fluctuations.

Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era

American political scientist on how ‘interdependence’ can be exploited as part of the rivalry between major powers.

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

OpenClaw, government support fuel rise of 1-person companies in China

Guangdong is the first provincial-level government to roll out comprehensive action plans to support AI-powered OPCs.

China’s Unitree Robotics rides humanoid tide as it targets US$610m IPO

Prospectus reveals that company’s revenue jumped 335 per cent last year, while net profit surged nearly eight times.

Preview of Alibaba’s top AI model leads Chinese peers, lags US rivals

Qwen3.5-Max-Preview enters a global ranking at 15th, behind models from Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.

AI, flying cars drive economic transition in China’s Kunshan

City at heart of Yangtze River Delta region sees new tech dreams emerge as old ones based on mass production of electronics fade.

How long will US-Israel war on Iran last? Chinese analysts offer clues

Iran’s drones gaining edge as opponents burn through costly missiles, analysts note, as one labels the war a ‘serious mistake’ by US.

Why Beijing has struggled to rally Asia against Japan over PM’s Taiwan remarks

Many in the region harbour security concerns similar to Tokyo’s and prefer to stay neutral between the Asian heavyweights, analysts say.

Why Japan thinks China’s growing cultural clout is something it needs to counter

The global success of Chinese video games and animation – as well as the appeal of traditional culture – has triggered a reaction in Tokyo.

Exclusive | Hong Kong developer banks on arts and finance synergy in West Kowloon cultural hub

How Schneider Electric powers Hong Kong’s ecosystem innovation

Opinion | To realise Hong Kong’s cultural potential, a global vision is essential