Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

3 minutes agovideocam

How Trump’s Beijing bargaining could derail Taiwan’s defence budget

US-China relations

Diplomacy

Germany’s Merz leaves China with stronger ties as Trump trade battle looms

Analysts say German chancellor’s talks in Beijing helped build rapport with Chinese leaders and halt confrontation.

3 hours agovideocam

Politics

China removes 9 military officials ahead of Beijing’s ‘two sessions’

Five full generals, one lieutenant general and three major generals among those taken off the list of deputies.

4 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong records HK$2.9 billion consolidated surplus for 2025-26. Here’s how

Economists optimistic for 2026-27, pointing to stabilised property market and transfer of finances between government funds or accounts.

4 hours ago

Infographic

Breaking down the key figures in Hong Kong 2026-27 budget

United States & Canada

China’s rare earth curbs hit US aerospace, chips hard despite trade truce

American firms face deepening yttrium and scandium shortages, threatening jet engine coatings and 5G chip production.

51 minutes agovideocam

A rare earth mine in Mountain Pass, California. Shortages of yttrium and scandium have plagued US aerospace and semiconductor ⁠firms. Photo: Reuters

Tech

Facebook owner Meta goes ahead with Manus merger despite Beijing probe

Some Manus employees in Singapore move into Meta’s offices and have been given corporate accounts and other access, two sources said.

5 hours ago

Big Tech

Huawei targets global comeback with Mate 80 Pro smartphone, new smartwatch

The handset’s launch in Madrid marks Huawei’s renewed push into the global smartphone market.

1 hour ago

Travel & Leisure

How use of AI will help travel operators transform behaviour of holidaymakers

Experts explore innovative technology’s role in industry’s evolution at ‘Limitless: Dida Engage 2026’ in Shenzhen.

In partnership with:

Dida

Banking & Finance

HKEX to step up listings and reforms as profit rises 36% on turnover and IPOs

Net profit in 2025 rises to HK$17.75 billion (US$2.28 billion), beating market expectations.

26 Feb 2026 - 7:04PM

Hong Kong government officials celebrate the Chinese New Year Market Open Celebration at HKEX in Central on February 20, 2026. Photo: Karma Lo

Tech

Baidu touts AI chips’ potential amid sluggish fourth quarter

Revenue from the company’s AI-related business for the December quarter rises 48 per cent year on year to more than US$1.6 billion.

4 hours ago

China Economy

China adviser sees bright future for yuan payment system in emerging economies

Former ICBC chairman Chen Siqing says alternatives needed due to risk of financial weaponisation in US dollar-centric world.

6 hours agovideocam

Europe

World Economic Forum CEO Brende resigns over Epstein revelations

The former Norwegian foreign minister had business dinners with the sex offender and communicated with him via email.

5 hours agovideocam

World Economic Forum CEO Borge Brende. Photo: Reuters

Global Economy

China’s tech surge leaves Japan and South Korea trailing in global rankings

Propelled by strategic R&D, China’s tech prowess is now the third highest, with key sectors such as batteries and biotech showing big gains over rivals.

26 Feb 2026 - 11:41AMvideocam

A humanoid robot plays piano during a traditional music performance in Beijing on Thursday. China has elevated science and technology to the core of its national development strategy. Photo: AP

Chinese Zodiac

Feng shui advice, a mom’s path to pain-free movement: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a nostalgic trend making a comeback in Hong Kong to exploring China’s Zhongshan, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

26 Feb 2026 - 3:21PM

Other Sport

France eyes badminton success at Olympics as long rebuild starts to pay off

The French believe that in Christo Popov, Alex Lanier and the pair of Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, they have launch pad for Games glory.

43 minutes ago

Politics

‘Hostage diplomacy’ fears mount over arrest of Japanese journalist in Iran

The incident comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with a large American military force positioned near Iran.

26 Feb 2026 - 4:23PM

The aftermath of an Israeli strike on Evin Prison, Iran, in June. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Politics

North Korea’s Kim warns of ‘eternal confrontation’ without US dialogue

As long as Washington acknowledges Pyongyang as a nuclear power, there is ‘no reason not to get along’, the North Korean leader says.

26 Feb 2026 - 4:45PM

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and daughter Ju-ae attend a military parade to commemorate the Ninth Workers’ Party congress on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/AFP

Europe

Poland tells US it won’t be a ‘sucker’ as Trump reshapes Nato

Foreign Minister Sikorski pledged loyalty to Washington but called for greater EU security responsibility amid Trump’s policy shifts.

6 hours ago

Economics

Singapore budget surplus: poor ‘fiscal marksmanship’ or prudent forecast?

MPs have questioned whether the GST rise was necessary after the government projected a US$12 billion surplus in the current financial year.

26 Feb 2026 - 6:30PM

LATEST

21 minutes ago

United States & Canada

Hillary Clinton calls for Trump to testify as she faces US House Epstein panel

1 hour ago

Europe

Jersey votes to approve assisted dying as similar UK bill stalls in parliament

2 hours ago

Big Tech

Huawei targets global comeback with Mate 80 Pro smartphone, new smartwatch

2 hours ago

United States & Canada

China’s rare earth curbs hit US aerospace, chips hard despite trade truce

3 hours ago

Other Sport

France eyes badminton success at Olympics as long rebuild starts to pay off

3 hours ago

Law and Crime

Hong Kong doctor, clinic operator held over illegal hair transplant procedures

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SCMP Series

Year of the Horse 2026

Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

China Inc. goes global

Customers choose colored glaze snake handicrafts for the coming Chinese New Year, the Year of Snake, in Xiye Colored Glaze Studio in Boshan district, Zibo city, Shandong province, China, on Jan. 9, 2025. With a long history of colored glaze, Boshan is regarded as China’s Hometown of Colored Glaze and has 12 colored glaze enterprises and 65 art studios. (Xinhua)
新华社照片，淄博（山东），2025年1月9日
1月9日，消费者在淄博市博山区西冶工坊展销厅内挑选蛇年主题琉璃工艺品。
春节临近，山东省淄博市博山区的琉璃生产企业推出众多蛇年主题创意琉璃制品，受到市场青睐。博山区被誉为“中国琉璃之乡“，琉璃生产历史悠久，当地已发展琉璃生产企业12家、工作室65个。
新华社记者朱峥摄

SCMP Series Year of the Horse 2026

Year of the Horse 2026 feng shui advice for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs to enjoy good luck

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where each Chinese zodiac sign can place items for good luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

21 Feb 2026 - 7:15AMvideocam

Feng shui advice for Snakes for luck in money, health and romance

20 Feb 2026 - 7:15AMvideocam

Why do Chinese love water chestnuts? All about the lucky ‘horse’s hoof’

19 Feb 2026 - 11:15AM

Open Questions series

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

Global Economy

Open Questions | Why Trump’s April trip to China may not deliver ‘grand bargain’: James Zimmerman

The American Chamber of Commerce in China chairman says this year’s expected Trump-Xi meetings can put countries on a ‘visionary’ path.

13 Feb 2026 - 9:03AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump’s ‘imperial’ agenda and the end of the old world order: Luuk van Middelaar

Political theorist says rapid acceleration of the US president’s ‘offensive, almost imperial’ agenda has left Europe disoriented.

9 Feb 2026 - 1:10PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Lawrence Lau on why China must ‘work smarter’ and how it can invent from scratch

China must shift from quantity to quality by focusing on 12-year schooling, more basic research and GBA integration, renowned economist says.

2 Feb 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Tech War

Anthropic’s allegations against Chinese firms expose AI training grey area

The US AI lab says DeepSeek, Moonshot AI and MiniMax AI used its systems to improve their models’ capabilities.

24 Feb 2026 - 9:05PM

Anthropic said that DeepSeek, Moonshot AI and MiniMax AI allegedly used roughly 24,000 fraudulent accounts to generate more than 16 million exchanges with its Claude models. Photo: AFP

Big Tech

Huawei targets global comeback with Mate 80 Pro smartphone, new smartwatch

The handset’s launch in Madrid marks Huawei’s renewed push into the global smartphone market.

1 hour ago

Big Tech

China computing tech stalwarts Hygon, Sugon post revenue surge amid AI boom

Their strong 2025 revenue reflects a broader trend across China to increase support for domestic technology suppliers.

26 Feb 2026 - 5:05PM

Global Economy

China’s tech surge leaves Japan and South Korea trailing in global rankings

Propelled by strategic R&D, China’s tech prowess is now the third highest, with key sectors such as batteries and biotech showing big gains over rivals.

26 Feb 2026 - 11:41AMvideocam

Diplomacy

5 top takeaways from Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address

In a speech that runs nearly two hours, Trump casts himself as a global peacemaker and touts his economic credentials.

25 Feb 2026 - 12:50PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address was the longest to the Congress. Photo: AP

Science

Smaller, faster, smarter: Chinese transistor ready for future AI chips

Breakthrough said to overcome long-standing limitations of traditional ferroelectric transistors, ‘paving way for large-scale application’.

25 Feb 2026 - 6:19AMvideocam

Science

Nearly all advanced nations are part of a defence pact. Will China try to join?

International regime controls defence tech exports but a push for self-reliance has seen Chinese weaponry surpass that of Western nations.

24 Feb 2026 - 9:44AMvideocam

Diplomacy

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?

A decade-long geopolitical chill has kept South Korean entertainers largely locked out of the Chinese market, but fans find ways to connect.

22 Feb 2026 - 6:00AMvideocam

Global K-pop phenomenon BTS has just unveiled plans for their biggest tour yet, but it will not include any stops in mainland China. Photo: Reuters

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

How Trump’s Beijing bargaining could derail Taiwan’s defence budget

Germany’s Merz leaves China with stronger ties as Trump trade battle looms

Analysts say German chancellor’s talks in Beijing helped build rapport with Chinese leaders and halt confrontation.

China removes 9 military officials ahead of Beijing’s ‘two sessions’

Five full generals, one lieutenant general and three major generals among those taken off the list of deputies.

Hong Kong records HK$2.9 billion consolidated surplus for 2025-26. Here’s how

Economists optimistic for 2026-27, pointing to stabilised property market and transfer of finances between government funds or accounts.

Breaking down the key figures in Hong Kong 2026-27 budget

China’s rare earth curbs hit US aerospace, chips hard despite trade truce

American firms face deepening yttrium and scandium shortages, threatening jet engine coatings and 5G chip production.

Facebook owner Meta goes ahead with Manus merger despite Beijing probe

Some Manus employees in Singapore move into Meta’s offices and have been given corporate accounts and other access, two sources said.

Huawei targets global comeback with Mate 80 Pro smartphone, new smartwatch

The handset’s launch in Madrid marks Huawei’s renewed push into the global smartphone market.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}How use of AI will help travel operators transform behaviour of holidaymakers

Experts explore innovative technology’s role in industry’s evolution at ‘Limitless: Dida Engage 2026’ in Shenzhen.

HKEX to step up listings and reforms as profit rises 36% on turnover and IPOs

Net profit in 2025 rises to HK$17.75 billion (US$2.28 billion), beating market expectations.

Baidu touts AI chips’ potential amid sluggish fourth quarter

Revenue from the company’s AI-related business for the December quarter rises 48 per cent year on year to more than US$1.6 billion.

China adviser sees bright future for yuan payment system in emerging economies

Former ICBC chairman Chen Siqing says alternatives needed due to risk of financial weaponisation in US dollar-centric world.

World Economic Forum CEO Brende resigns over Epstein revelations

The former Norwegian foreign minister had business dinners with the sex offender and communicated with him via email.

China’s tech surge leaves Japan and South Korea trailing in global rankings

Propelled by strategic R&D, China’s tech prowess is now the third highest, with key sectors such as batteries and biotech showing big gains over rivals.

Feng shui advice, a mom’s path to pain-free movement: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a nostalgic trend making a comeback in Hong Kong to exploring China’s Zhongshan, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

France eyes badminton success at Olympics as long rebuild starts to pay off

The French believe that in Christo Popov, Alex Lanier and the pair of Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, they have launch pad for Games glory.

‘Hostage diplomacy’ fears mount over arrest of Japanese journalist in Iran

The incident comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with a large American military force positioned near Iran.

North Korea’s Kim warns of ‘eternal confrontation’ without US dialogue

As long as Washington acknowledges Pyongyang as a nuclear power, there is ‘no reason not to get along’, the North Korean leader says.

Poland tells US it won’t be a ‘sucker’ as Trump reshapes Nato

Foreign Minister Sikorski pledged loyalty to Washington but called for greater EU security responsibility amid Trump’s policy shifts.

Singapore budget surplus: poor ‘fiscal marksmanship’ or prudent forecast?

MPs have questioned whether the GST rise was necessary after the government projected a US$12 billion surplus in the current financial year.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Don’t expect Russia’s war on Ukraine to end in its fifth year

Macroscope | Normalisation of Trump’s chaos can only go so far

Opinion | Panama’s ports grab may be politically expedient, but at what cost?

Opinion | How India can lead the charge for inclusive AI

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Extend support for smart food waste bins across Hong Kong

Hillary Clinton calls for Trump to testify as she faces US House Epstein panel

Jersey votes to approve assisted dying as similar UK bill stalls in parliament

Huawei targets global comeback with Mate 80 Pro smartphone, new smartwatch

China’s rare earth curbs hit US aerospace, chips hard despite trade truce

France eyes badminton success at Olympics as long rebuild starts to pay off

Hong Kong doctor, clinic operator held over illegal hair transplant procedures

Year of the Horse 2026 feng shui advice for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs to enjoy good luck

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where each Chinese zodiac sign can place items for good luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

Feng shui advice for Snakes for luck in money, health and romance

Why do Chinese love water chestnuts? All about the lucky ‘horse’s hoof’

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.

Open Questions | Why Trump’s April trip to China may not deliver ‘grand bargain’: James Zimmerman

The American Chamber of Commerce in China chairman says this year’s expected Trump-Xi meetings can put countries on a ‘visionary’ path.

Open Questions | Trump’s ‘imperial’ agenda and the end of the old world order: Luuk van Middelaar

Political theorist says rapid acceleration of the US president’s ‘offensive, almost imperial’ agenda has left Europe disoriented.

Open Questions | Lawrence Lau on why China must ‘work smarter’ and how it can invent from scratch

China must shift from quantity to quality by focusing on 12-year schooling, more basic research and GBA integration, renowned economist says.

Anthropic’s allegations against Chinese firms expose AI training grey area

The US AI lab says DeepSeek, Moonshot AI and MiniMax AI used its systems to improve their models’ capabilities.

Huawei targets global comeback with Mate 80 Pro smartphone, new smartwatch

The handset’s launch in Madrid marks Huawei’s renewed push into the global smartphone market.

China computing tech stalwarts Hygon, Sugon post revenue surge amid AI boom

Their strong 2025 revenue reflects a broader trend across China to increase support for domestic technology suppliers.

China’s tech surge leaves Japan and South Korea trailing in global rankings

Propelled by strategic R&D, China’s tech prowess is now the third highest, with key sectors such as batteries and biotech showing big gains over rivals.

5 top takeaways from Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address

In a speech that runs nearly two hours, Trump casts himself as a global peacemaker and touts his economic credentials.

Smaller, faster, smarter: Chinese transistor ready for future AI chips

Breakthrough said to overcome long-standing limitations of traditional ferroelectric transistors, ‘paving way for large-scale application’.

Nearly all advanced nations are part of a defence pact. Will China try to join?

International regime controls defence tech exports but a push for self-reliance has seen Chinese weaponry surpass that of Western nations.

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?

A decade-long geopolitical chill has kept South Korean entertainers largely locked out of the Chinese market, but fans find ways to connect.

How use of AI will help travel operators transform behaviour of holidaymakers

Opinion | Don’t expect Russia’s war on Ukraine to end in its fifth year

Letters | Extend support for smart food waste bins across Hong Kong