Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, last month. Iran has effectively closed the waterway through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply is transported. Photo: Reuters

Strait of Hormuz: are France and Germany just out to ‘manage their irrelevance’?

The European powers are leading calls for de-escalation but analyst notes ‘the age of soft power as a substitute for hard capacity is over’.

2 hours agovideocam

How Asean’s neutral stance in Iran war protects its energy security

US-Israel war on Iran

US

‘Keep bombing’: Trump claims Iranians want more US strikes for ‘freedom’

US leader said he was unsure if the war was escalating or easing, but warned of sweeping strikes if no deal is reached by Tuesday at 8pm EST.

1 hour agovideocam

Politics

Why KMT leader’s planned Beijing visit is under scrutiny in Taiwan

Meeting with Xi Jinping is expected on six-day trip, the first such encounter between the two parties’ leaders in a decade.

6 Apr 2026 - 9:13PMvideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong restaurant revenues drop over Easter as departures outnumber arrivals

Estimated 6 to 7 per cent year-on-year dip in catering sector business over long weekend amid exodus of locals, F&B trade representative says.

6 Apr 2026 - 8:53PM

Focus

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

Middle East

Iran rejects ceasefire, wants permanent end to the war

Mediators had proposed ⁠a ceasefire plan and peace settlement. Iran will only accept ‘end of the war’ with guarantee of no further attacks.

6 Apr 2026 - 11:57PMvideocam

This video grab taken on Friday from images shared on social media on April 1, 2026, shows thick plumes of smoke following airstrikes in Iran’s central Isfahan province. Photo: via AFP

China Economy

China’s yuan may be going global faster than Western data suggests, analysts say

Many yuan transactions are now routed through China’s own global payment system, which often does not show up in traditional data sets, analysts say.

6 Apr 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

Society

Anxious days, sleepless nights for young Iranians in Hong Kong as war rages on

Peace of mind is elusive for young Iranians, who wait helplessly for news of loved ones and fight disinformation amid flood of contradictory reports.

6 Apr 2026 - 5:30PM

Business

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

In partnership with:

Standard Chartered

United States & Canada

Artemis II astronauts break record, travelling further into space than any human

Before beginning Monday’s lunar fly-around, the 4 astronauts surpassed the distance record of 400,171km set by Apollo 13 in 1970.

4 hours agovideocam

The moon is seen from a camera outside the Orion Spacecraft after the Artemis II astronauts surpassed the furthest distance ever travelled by humans from Earth, on Monday. Photo: Nasa via AP

Americas

Venezuela’s government, opposition may cooperate to safeguard US assets

Lawyers for both sides have requested a 45-day pause in the US asset seizure case as Venezuela seeks ⁠to protect holdings from creditors.

4 hours ago

United States & Canada

Supreme Court clears path to overturn conviction of ex-Trump aide Steve Bannon

Bannon served 4 months in prison in 2024 for refusing to testify before a congressional panel investigating the January 6 Capitol attack.

4 hours ago

Tech Trends

Chinese AI rivals clash over Anthropic’s OpenClaw exit amid global token crunch

Chinese companies are competing to offer the cheapest alternatives to premium US services from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.

6 Apr 2026 - 3:58PM

A lobster-shaped cutout representing OpenClaw stands outside the Baidu offices in Beijing, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Europe

Pressure mounts on UK government to ban Kanye West after festival backlash

Conservatives urged the home secretary to bar the Wireless Festival headliner from entering Britain over the US rapper’s antisemitic remarks.

26 minutes ago

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 2. Photo: Invision / AP

Diplomacy

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

6 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Russia & Central Asia

Ukraine has proposed energy truce to Russia via US mediators, Zelensky says

Russia’s defence ministry on Monday said it had attacked energy facilities, as well as factories producing missile components, in Ukraine.

2 hours ago

United States & Canada

Video sheds light on Minnesota ICE shooting after charges against men collapsed

Authorities initially accused 2 Venezuelan men of beating an ICE officer during a chase and scuffle in Minneapolis in January.

2 hours agovideocam

Police officers stand amid tear gas at the scene of a reported shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 14. Photo: AP

Health & Wellness

Are trends like ‘fibermaxxing’ and ‘proteinmaxxing’ actually healthy?

Experts say more is not always best when it comes to protein and fibre. Here’s some advice on balanced nutrition and gut health.

18 minutes ago

Viral diet trends like “proteinmaxxing” and “fibermaxxing” promise health benefits, but experts warn against extreme optimisation. Photo: Shutterstock

East Asia

South Korea aims to send ships to Saudi port for oil to bypass Hormuz

Special envoys will also sail to Oman and Algeria to try to secure oil via other routes, said lawmaker Ahn Do-geol.

6 Apr 2026 - 6:01PMvideocam

Arts

‘A system of slavery’: ex-geisha apprentice on the dark side of the tradition

Kiyoha Kiritaka says she left Kyoto’s geisha world after experiencing sexual harassment, physical and verbal abuse, and more.

6 Apr 2026 - 5:15PM

OPINION

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Travellers recognise the strengths of Hong Kong International Airport

48 minutes ago

Muhammad Faizan Fakhar

Opinion | The danger in the Global South’s pursuit of AI as a magical cure

2 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Vape possession ban is vital for protecting Hong Kong’s youth

48 minutes ago

Alex Lo

America has always been a rogue state

6 Apr 2026 - 9:15PM

Jianxi Liu

Opinion | In closing airspace to US, Europe opens an existential debate over Nato

6 Apr 2026 - 8:30PM

Harry’s View | 7 Apr 2026

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3 minutes ago

Health & Environment

Hong Kong hospital uses VR tour to ease children’s fears ahead of operations

18 minutes ago

Health & Wellness

Are trends like ‘fibermaxxing’ and ‘proteinmaxxing’ actually healthy?

26 minutes ago

Europe

Pressure mounts on UK government to ban Kanye West after festival backlash

48 minutes ago

Opinion

Editorial | Vape possession ban is vital for protecting Hong Kong’s youth

48 minutes ago

Opinion

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Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz: are France and Germany just out to ‘manage their irrelevance’?

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Traditional Russian wooden dolls depict Chinese President Xi Jinping, then US president-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg, Russia, on November 21, 2024. Photo: AP

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

27 Mar 2026 - 11:40PMvideocam

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

21 Mar 2026 - 2:39PMvideocam

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

20 Mar 2026 - 6:28PMvideocam

Open Questions series

China Economy

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

6 Apr 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

30 Mar 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Diplomacy

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

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

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

China Business

More foreign marques face a do-or-die moment as Chinese buyers shun petrol cars

Following Skoda’s exit from China, other carmakers with falling sales are also likely to close shop this year, analysts say.

6 Apr 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Tech Trends

Chinese AI rivals clash over Anthropic’s OpenClaw exit amid global token crunch

Chinese companies are competing to offer the cheapest alternatives to premium US services from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.

6 Apr 2026 - 3:58PM

China Economy

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

6 Apr 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

Politics

What next for the struggling rural mothers in China who helped to build AI?

Data-labelling workshops once hailed as a solution in the country’s poverty alleviation campaign face a painful reckoning.

5 Apr 2026 - 6:10AMvideocam

Society

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:30AM

Science

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

1 Apr 2026 - 9:50AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

Strait of Hormuz: are France and Germany just out to ‘manage their irrelevance’?

The European powers are leading calls for de-escalation but analyst notes ‘the age of soft power as a substitute for hard capacity is over’.

How Asean’s neutral stance in Iran war protects its energy security

‘Keep bombing’: Trump claims Iranians want more US strikes for ‘freedom’

US leader said he was unsure if the war was escalating or easing, but warned of sweeping strikes if no deal is reached by Tuesday at 8pm EST.

Why KMT leader’s planned Beijing visit is under scrutiny in Taiwan

Meeting with Xi Jinping is expected on six-day trip, the first such encounter between the two parties’ leaders in a decade.

Hong Kong restaurant revenues drop over Easter as departures outnumber arrivals

Estimated 6 to 7 per cent year-on-year dip in catering sector business over long weekend amid exodus of locals, F&B trade representative says.

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

Iran rejects ceasefire, wants permanent end to the war

Mediators had proposed ⁠a ceasefire plan and peace settlement. Iran will only accept ‘end of the war’ with guarantee of no further attacks.

China’s yuan may be going global faster than Western data suggests, analysts say

Many yuan transactions are now routed through China’s own global payment system, which often does not show up in traditional data sets, analysts say.

Anxious days, sleepless nights for young Iranians in Hong Kong as war rages on

Peace of mind is elusive for young Iranians, who wait helplessly for news of loved ones and fight disinformation amid flood of contradictory reports.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

Artemis II astronauts break record, travelling further into space than any human

Before beginning Monday’s lunar fly-around, the 4 astronauts surpassed the distance record of 400,171km set by Apollo 13 in 1970.

Venezuela’s government, opposition may cooperate to safeguard US assets

Lawyers for both sides have requested a 45-day pause in the US asset seizure case as Venezuela seeks ⁠to protect holdings from creditors.

Supreme Court clears path to overturn conviction of ex-Trump aide Steve Bannon

Bannon served 4 months in prison in 2024 for refusing to testify before a congressional panel investigating the January 6 Capitol attack.

Chinese AI rivals clash over Anthropic’s OpenClaw exit amid global token crunch

Chinese companies are competing to offer the cheapest alternatives to premium US services from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.

Pressure mounts on UK government to ban Kanye West after festival backlash

Conservatives urged the home secretary to bar the Wireless Festival headliner from entering Britain over the US rapper’s antisemitic remarks.

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

Ukraine has proposed energy truce to Russia via US mediators, Zelensky says

Russia’s defence ministry on Monday said it had attacked energy facilities, as well as factories producing missile components, in Ukraine.

Video sheds light on Minnesota ICE shooting after charges against men collapsed

Authorities initially accused 2 Venezuelan men of beating an ICE officer during a chase and scuffle in Minneapolis in January.

Are trends like ‘fibermaxxing’ and ‘proteinmaxxing’ actually healthy?

Experts say more is not always best when it comes to protein and fibre. Here’s some advice on balanced nutrition and gut health.

South Korea aims to send ships to Saudi port for oil to bypass Hormuz

Special envoys will also sail to Oman and Algeria to try to secure oil via other routes, said lawmaker Ahn Do-geol.

‘A system of slavery’: ex-geisha apprentice on the dark side of the tradition

Kiyoha Kiritaka says she left Kyoto’s geisha world after experiencing sexual harassment, physical and verbal abuse, and more.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Travellers recognise the strengths of Hong Kong International Airport

Opinion | The danger in the Global South’s pursuit of AI as a magical cure

Editorial | Vape possession ban is vital for protecting Hong Kong’s youth

America has always been a rogue state

Opinion | In closing airspace to US, Europe opens an existential debate over Nato

Hong Kong hospital uses VR tour to ease children’s fears ahead of operations

Are trends like ‘fibermaxxing’ and ‘proteinmaxxing’ actually healthy?

Pressure mounts on UK government to ban Kanye West after festival backlash

Editorial | Vape possession ban is vital for protecting Hong Kong’s youth

Editorial | Travellers recognise the strengths of Hong Kong International Airport

Strait of Hormuz: are France and Germany just out to ‘manage their irrelevance’?

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

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

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

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.

More foreign marques face a do-or-die moment as Chinese buyers shun petrol cars

Following Skoda’s exit from China, other carmakers with falling sales are also likely to close shop this year, analysts say.

Chinese AI rivals clash over Anthropic’s OpenClaw exit amid global token crunch

Chinese companies are competing to offer the cheapest alternatives to premium US services from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

What next for the struggling rural mothers in China who helped to build AI?

Data-labelling workshops once hailed as a solution in the country’s poverty alleviation campaign face a painful reckoning.

Is it time to call an end to Hong Kong’s boar war?

Wild boar numbers have dropped by half in recent years, prompting calls from experts for an end to aggressive control measures such as culling.

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Editorial | Travellers recognise the strengths of Hong Kong International Airport

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?