Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Taiwanese conscripts carry rocket launchers during a drill inside a military base in Tainan City, Taiwan in November 2024. Washington’s latest weapons package to Taiwan includes medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones. Photo: EPA-EFE

Developing | Beijing sanctions 20 US defence firms over Taiwan arms sales package

The weapons package, valued at over US$11 billion, would be Washington’s biggest ever to the island.

20 minutes ago

Beijing condemns Washington’s landmark US$11 billion arms sale to Taiwan

US-China relations

Diplomacy

China opens shopping centre on Woody Island in disputed Paracels

6,000 square metre complex is latest Chinese civilian facility on South China Sea island after first hardware store and hotpot restaurant.

40 minutes ago

Policy

China bolsters e-cigarette regulations to smoke out non-compliance

The draft policy would cut down on excess capacity within e-cigarette sector and tighten enforcement of standards in production and export.

2 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong restaurant sales drop 10% over Christmas as cross-border trips spike

While restaurants struggle to attract diners, one hotel group says its properties recorded 90 per cent occupancy.

12 minutes ago

Lifestyle

Find out what is in store for your Chinese zodiac animal in the coming month with predictions from fortune-teller Andrew Kwan. Photo: Shutterstock

Is the Year of the Snake’s 11th month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Science

Top biotech scientist Chen Xiaoyuan denies harassment claim, says he will appeal

Professor is the subject of social media claims and counterclaims after NUS alleged his behaviour was ‘unsolicited and unwanted’.

1 hour agovideocam

The National University of Singapore has confirmed it has terminated the tenure of Chen Xiaoyuan after investigating harassment allegations. Photo: Handout

Science

In world first, Chinese surgeons save patient’s ear with graft onto foot

The ear was torn off in an industrial accident and was successfully reattached to the woman’s scalp several months later.

4 hours agovideocam

Politics

Developing | Malaysia’s Najib convicted of abuse of power, money laundering in 1MDB scandal

The ruling came after a years-long trial in the financial fraud that saw more than US$4.5 billion plundered from the state fund.

40 minutes agovideocam

People & Culture

How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

Mamadou Amadou Ly and Uri Wilensky help transform teaching and learning through multilingual education and computational thinking.

In partnership with:

Yidan Prize Foundation

The 2025 Yidan Prize laureates Professor Uri Wilensky (left) and Mamadou Amadou Ly help remove barriers to education by transforming how learners access and engage with knowledge.

IPO Quote Profile

Launch window opens for China’s space companies as LandSpace advances IPO

LandSpace has completed IPO tutoring with Chinese regulators, putting it a step closer to a Shanghai Star Market listing.

1 hour ago

The Zhuque-3 rocket blasts from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone on December 3, 2025. Photo: Getty

Politics

Power, protests and policy shake-ups shape Indonesia’s 2025

President Prabowo Subianto asserts his authority as he navigates the global stage and domestic challenges in his first full year in office.

3 hours agovideocam

China Economy

China’s Comac to team up with China Eastern for bigger C919 variant, sources say

Comac’s stretched model, expected to be dubbed the C919-800, could target lucrative Asian routes and seat more than 200 passengers.

26 Dec 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Politics

China vows to keep up the fight after record ‘tigers’ caught in corruption net

Politburo agrees to push forward campaign and calls for graft-busters to provide ‘guarantee’ for nation’s economic and social development.

26 Dec 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

A record 63 high-ranking officials were placed under investigation on suspicion of corruption this year. Photo: Robert Ng

Science

Beijing extends Mars mission lead; stranded crew returns: China’s year in space

From the US-China race to bring rocks back from Mars to a ‘tit-for-tat’ orbital stand-off, here are some of the year’s most notable space stories.

4 hours ago

A Long March-2F carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft and a crew of three astronauts, lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi desert, in northwest China on April 24. Photo: AFP

Science

China’s new quantum computer hits stability milestone, beating Google on efficiency

Chinese team is first outside the US to cross key threshold that determines whether practical quantum computers can work reliably at scale.

1 hour agovideocam

Tech War

Shanghai to double down on open-source AI amid push for tech self-sufficiency

Shanghai is headquarters for AI model developers MiniMax and SenseTime, as well as AI chip developers such as Biren Technology and Enflame.

37 minutes ago

Politics

Yoon faces 10-year jail term in South Korea over first of 4 failed coup trials

During a hearing, Yoon appears tense and laughs in disbelief as special prosecutors present the charges in his first trial.

13 minutes ago

South Korea’s then impeached president Yoon Suk-Yeol attends a hearing at the Constitutional Court in Seoul in February. Photo: AP

Entertainment

The Hong Kong films released in 2025 ranked from worst to best

It was a rough year for Hong Kong cinema – only Another World made more than HK$14 million locally – but there were still some gems released.

29 minutes ago

A still from Another World, ranked by the Post’s film editor Edmund Lee as the second-best Hong Kong film of 2025.

China Business

Beijing municipality eases home purchase curbs to shore up sluggish market

China’s property sector, once a pillar of economic growth, has been on a downward trajectory since the second half of 2021.

3 hours ago

Politics

Israel’s rising air defence sales become its ‘most potent’ foreign policy weapon

With more countries increasingly turning to Israel for their air defence systems, they cannot afford to isolate the Middle East power.

4 hours ago

OPINION

David Dodwell

Outside In | As the US pursues unilateralism, China faces challenging task as Apec host

2 hours ago

Bernard Chan

Opinion | West is getting on the same page as China for children’s social media use

26 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM

Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Why Wall Street remains bullish on China amid economic slowdown

26 Dec 2025 - 7:50AM

Grenville Cross

Opinion | Hong Kong’s new legislators must strengthen child protection laws

25 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM

Hannan Hussain

Opinion | Seoul holds the key to US-North Korea denuclearisation talks

25 Dec 2025 - 5:30AM

Harry’s View | 26 Dec 2025

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29 minutes ago

Entertainment

The Hong Kong films released in 2025 ranked from worst to best

31 minutes ago

Southeast Asia

Thailand rediscovers ‘extinct’ flat-headed cat after three decades

37 minutes ago

Tech War

Shanghai to double down on open-source AI amid push for tech self-sufficiency

40 minutes ago

Diplomacy

China opens shopping centre on Woody Island in disputed Paracels

40 minutes ago

Trending in China

China aircraft carrier allows use of naked flames for TCM therapy popular with troops

1 hour ago

Society

Hong Kong Jockey Club plans fourth public riding school in Tseung Kwan O

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SCMP Series Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

Why has Beijing turned down the heat in the Taiwan Strait in the second half of 2025?

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

25 Dec 2025 - 9:58AMvideocam

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

24 Dec 2025 - 9:53PMvideocam

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:02AMvideocam

Science

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

15 Dec 2025 - 10:05AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

8 Dec 2025 - 10:07AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

1 Dec 2025 - 3:57PMvideocam

Key Industries:

Tech

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

17 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

The questions in FAI-C were reviewed by a panel of Biblical experts, including theologians, pastors, psychologists and scholars of ethics. Photo: SCMP

Tech War

Shanghai to double down on open-source AI amid push for tech self-sufficiency

Shanghai is headquarters for AI model developers MiniMax and SenseTime, as well as AI chip developers such as Biren Technology and Enflame.

37 minutes ago

IPO Quote Profile

Launch window opens for China’s space companies as LandSpace advances IPO

LandSpace has completed IPO tutoring with Chinese regulators, putting it a step closer to a Shanghai Star Market listing.

1 hour ago

China Economy

China’s Comac to team up with China Eastern for bigger C919 variant, sources say

Comac’s stretched model, expected to be dubbed the C919-800, could target lucrative Asian routes and seat more than 200 passengers.

26 Dec 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

A C919 jet operated by China Eastern Airlines takes off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on January 1. Photo: Xinhua

Military

How Beijing’s strategy shift explains decreased PLA activity in the Taiwan Strait

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

25 Dec 2025 - 9:58AMvideocam

Politics

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

24 Dec 2025 - 9:53PMvideocam

Politics

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Politics

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

21 Dec 2025 - 7:35AMvideocam

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Developing | Beijing sanctions 20 US defence firms over Taiwan arms sales package

The weapons package, valued at over US$11 billion, would be Washington’s biggest ever to the island.

Beijing condemns Washington’s landmark US$11 billion arms sale to Taiwan

China opens shopping centre on Woody Island in disputed Paracels

6,000 square metre complex is latest Chinese civilian facility on South China Sea island after first hardware store and hotpot restaurant.

China bolsters e-cigarette regulations to smoke out non-compliance

The draft policy would cut down on excess capacity within e-cigarette sector and tighten enforcement of standards in production and export.

Hong Kong restaurant sales drop 10% over Christmas as cross-border trips spike

While restaurants struggle to attract diners, one hotel group says its properties recorded 90 per cent occupancy.

Is the Year of the Snake’s 11th month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Top biotech scientist Chen Xiaoyuan denies harassment claim, says he will appeal

Professor is the subject of social media claims and counterclaims after NUS alleged his behaviour was ‘unsolicited and unwanted’.

In world first, Chinese surgeons save patient’s ear with graft onto foot

The ear was torn off in an industrial accident and was successfully reattached to the woman’s scalp several months later.

Developing | Malaysia’s Najib convicted of abuse of power, money laundering in 1MDB scandal

The ruling came after a years-long trial in the financial fraud that saw more than US$4.5 billion plundered from the state fund.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

Mamadou Amadou Ly and Uri Wilensky help transform teaching and learning through multilingual education and computational thinking.

Launch window opens for China’s space companies as LandSpace advances IPO

LandSpace has completed IPO tutoring with Chinese regulators, putting it a step closer to a Shanghai Star Market listing.

Power, protests and policy shake-ups shape Indonesia’s 2025

President Prabowo Subianto asserts his authority as he navigates the global stage and domestic challenges in his first full year in office.

China’s Comac to team up with China Eastern for bigger C919 variant, sources say

Comac’s stretched model, expected to be dubbed the C919-800, could target lucrative Asian routes and seat more than 200 passengers.

China vows to keep up the fight after record ‘tigers’ caught in corruption net

Politburo agrees to push forward campaign and calls for graft-busters to provide ‘guarantee’ for nation’s economic and social development.

Beijing extends Mars mission lead; stranded crew returns: China’s year in space

From the US-China race to bring rocks back from Mars to a ‘tit-for-tat’ orbital stand-off, here are some of the year’s most notable space stories.

China’s new quantum computer hits stability milestone, beating Google on efficiency

Chinese team is first outside the US to cross key threshold that determines whether practical quantum computers can work reliably at scale.

Shanghai to double down on open-source AI amid push for tech self-sufficiency

Shanghai is headquarters for AI model developers MiniMax and SenseTime, as well as AI chip developers such as Biren Technology and Enflame.

Yoon faces 10-year jail term in South Korea over first of 4 failed coup trials

During a hearing, Yoon appears tense and laughs in disbelief as special prosecutors present the charges in his first trial.

The Hong Kong films released in 2025 ranked from worst to best

It was a rough year for Hong Kong cinema – only Another World made more than HK$14 million locally – but there were still some gems released.

Beijing municipality eases home purchase curbs to shore up sluggish market

China’s property sector, once a pillar of economic growth, has been on a downward trajectory since the second half of 2021.

Israel’s rising air defence sales become its ‘most potent’ foreign policy weapon

With more countries increasingly turning to Israel for their air defence systems, they cannot afford to isolate the Middle East power.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Outside In | As the US pursues unilateralism, China faces challenging task as Apec host

Opinion | West is getting on the same page as China for children’s social media use

Macroscope | Why Wall Street remains bullish on China amid economic slowdown

Opinion | Hong Kong’s new legislators must strengthen child protection laws

Opinion | Seoul holds the key to US-North Korea denuclearisation talks

The Hong Kong films released in 2025 ranked from worst to best

Thailand rediscovers ‘extinct’ flat-headed cat after three decades

Shanghai to double down on open-source AI amid push for tech self-sufficiency

China opens shopping centre on Woody Island in disputed Paracels

China aircraft carrier allows use of naked flames for TCM therapy popular with troops

Hong Kong Jockey Club plans fourth public riding school in Tseung Kwan O

Why has Beijing turned down the heat in the Taiwan Strait in the second half of 2025?

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

Shanghai to double down on open-source AI amid push for tech self-sufficiency

Shanghai is headquarters for AI model developers MiniMax and SenseTime, as well as AI chip developers such as Biren Technology and Enflame.

Launch window opens for China’s space companies as LandSpace advances IPO

LandSpace has completed IPO tutoring with Chinese regulators, putting it a step closer to a Shanghai Star Market listing.

China’s Comac to team up with China Eastern for bigger C919 variant, sources say

Comac’s stretched model, expected to be dubbed the C919-800, could target lucrative Asian routes and seat more than 200 passengers.

How Beijing’s strategy shift explains decreased PLA activity in the Taiwan Strait

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

The party’s new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun has adopted a mainland-friendly tone but it remains to be seen if she can live up to Beijing’s hopes.

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

Developing | Beijing sanctions 20 US defence firms over Taiwan arms sales package

How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

Outside In | As the US pursues unilateralism, China faces challenging task as Apec host