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Tourists visit the Forbidden City complex inside Beijing’s Palace Museum. China’s major cultural venues are focusing on generating more revenue from merchandise sales as they strive to turn a profit. Photo: Shutterstock

China’s museums find a solution to their cash flow woes: viral souvenirs

Museums are rushing to launch new ranges of themed merchandise as they try to tap into China’s ‘emotional consumption’ trend.

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China warns of blind box ‘addiction’ among country’s youth

China consumption
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Diplomacy

Why China may be keeping a close eye as Trump gets drawn into the Middle East

China may gain in long term as Iran strikes reveal US retreat from stable leadership, but ‘sudden’ move from Beijing unlikely, analyst says.

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Diplomacy

China to stay cautious as Iran seeks aid amid US, Israel clashes: Mideast expert

Scholar Pan Guang says neither Beijing nor Washington has enough sway to stop Iran and Israel from pursuing their strategic ambitions.

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Society

Keung To jibes reflect ‘double-edged sword’ of social media: Hong Kong experts

Experts say social media platforms allow young celebrities to connect with their fans but increasing their direct exposure to hostility.

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Focus
Illustration: Henry Wong

Palace intrigue conquers global screens: has China cast its new soft power?

Politics

‘Play safe’: why are local officials across China saying no to dining out?

Austerity push has gone into overdrive, officials say, with top-down escalation in full play as local authorities seek to prove loyalty.

Over-zealous local implementation of austerity drive led by President Xi Jinping has been described as the latest instance of “ceng ceng jia ma” or “adding layer upon layer of control”. Photo: AFP
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Middle East

Iran could enrich uranium again ‘in matter of months’: UN nuclear watchdog

Another key question is whether Iran was able to relocate its stockpile of highly enriched uranium before Israeli and US attacks.

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People

Claims of police complicity in mystery of missing Filipino cock fighters

Suspect ‘Totoy’ also claims a popular female celebrity is among those who knew about the disappearance of 34 cock fighters in 2021-22.

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Travel & Leisure

If Hong Kong was a dish, what would it be? Top chefs plate up their answers

Luke Armstrong of L’Envol at The St Regis Hong Kong and Alicia Castillo of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, share how the city inspires them.

In partnership with:
Luxury Group by Marriott International
Chefs Luke Armstrong of L’Envol at The St Regis Hong Kong and Alicia Castillo of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, draw inspiration from the city to create new dishes.

Commodities

China’s rare earth curbs spur overseas projects, says US developer

Analysts say buildouts to be costly and protracted, could require subsidies and tariffs to stave off Chinese competition.

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A rare earths mine in Inner Mongolia. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Japanese angered by Trump’s Iran strike comparison to atomic bombings

Donald Trump’s comments have been slammed as ‘unacceptable’ by officials of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and survivors of the 1945 bombings.

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Politics

Will New Zealand’s ‘patronising’ aid freeze push Cook Islands closer to China?

The funding cut leaves the Cook Islands facing a sudden financial shortfall, prompting warnings that Wellington’s approach could backfire.

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World

AI is no longer artificial as models show ability to lie and blackmail

Advanced models exhibit fraudulent behaviours, posing challenges as researchers try to understand and regulate these new threats.

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Experts have urged transparency and safety research to tackle AI deception. Photo: Shutterstock

Military

Why Israel’s spy tactics against Iran have sparked fears in Taiwan

Analysts warn that Beijing could adopt similar methods to infiltrate political and defence systems on the island, where espionage cases have surged.

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Observers say Beijing could try to replicate Israeli tactics used against Iran to hit Taiwanese infrastructure. Photo: IRCS

Science

Trailblazing mathematician Yitang Zhang leaves US for job at Chinese university

Zhang, known for his pioneering work on prime numbers, has been appointed to Sun Yat-sen University’s new research centre in Hong Kong.

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United States & Canada

Trump says US won’t tolerate Netanyahu’s prosecution over corruption trial

The US president said the case could hinder Israel’s negotiations with Iran and Hamas.

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Southeast Asia

Malaysia chases US$1 billion in global assets linked to late tycoon Daim

Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency said it will work with foreign authorities to obtain more information such as the source of funds.

Daim Zainuddin arrives at a court in Kuala Lumpur last January. Photo: EPA-EFE

Health & Wellness

Resilience helps us deal with stress and loss, but how to build it up?

Positive psychologist Maria Sirois explains how to learn resilience from others and shares tips on overcoming future challenges.

Resilience is the ability to adapt to change, loss and adversity. Developing resilience requires flexibility and a change of mindset. Photo: Shutterstock

Tech War

China catching up fast with US in algorithms: ex-Microsoft AI head

While the US is still far ahead in AI chip technology, China is following very closely in algorithms, says computer scientist Harry Shum.

Middle East

Thousands mourn Iranian commanders and scientists killed in Israeli strikes

Crowds chanted ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel’ as the caskets were driven through downtown Tehran.

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OPINION
Ken Chu

Opinion | Now that Hong Kong has its mojo back, what next?

Ken Chu
Tang Meng Kit

Opinion | To rival Boeing and Airbus, China’s C929 needs more than top engineering

Tang Meng Kit
Letters

Letters | Precious public input needed to protect Hong Kong’s biodiversity

Letters
SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Payment Connect can boost Hong Kong as a hub for international finance

SCMP Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Editorial | High marks for Hong Kong’s hotels as student accommodation

SCMP Editorial
Harry’s View | 29 Jun 2025
June 29, 2025
MORE COMMENT
LATEST

United States & Canada

Trump’s US$4.5 trillion tax cut bill clears crucial Senate vote

Today in Photos

Gallery | World’s largest Legoland set to open in Shanghai, China

K-drama

8 of the best new K-drama series to watch in July 2025

Society

Keung To jibes reflect ‘double-edged sword’ of social media: Hong Kong experts

People

Claims of police complicity in mystery of missing Filipino cock fighters

Politics

‘Play safe’: why are local officials across China saying no to dining out?

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US tariff war
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice-Premier He Lifeng shake hands before the start of the bilateral trade talks in London on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

China, US reach agreement on export controls as trade talks bear fruit

Announcement follows high-level negotiations in London and comes amid intensifying competition over strategic technologies.

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White House says US reaches ‘understanding’ with China on rare earth shipments

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‘They are going to stabilise this’: US-China trade deal is near, expert says

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Open Questions series

China Economy

Open Questions | Veteran banker Jin Liqun on leading AIIB during its formative first 10 years

With his tenure as Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank president drawing to a close, the financier surveys the landscape for multilateral development.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump and Xi to act tough but won’t allow free fall in US-China ties: Ryan Hass

Think tank expert and former diplomat discusses Donald Trump’s approach to China and why his ‘bromance’ with Xi Jinping might be one-sided.

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Global Economy

Open Dialogue | Is the US dollar’s decline inevitable? Kenneth Rogoff and Yu Yongding weigh in

The two economists reflect on how the Trump administration’s recent actions have harmed the US dollar – and handed China a golden opportunity.

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Politics

Open Questions | How US tech curbs pushed China to innovate, and where a ‘super AI’ could emerge

Law professor says regulating AI is ‘like buying insurance’ and precautions must be taken, especially by pioneers in the field.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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Tech Trends

OpenAI: Zhipu AI is fuelling China’s global push for US tech alternatives

The Beijing-based start-up is racing to secure clients in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, the ChatGPT maker says.

A Zhipu AI booth during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Photo: Handout

Tech War

China catching up fast with US in algorithms: ex-Microsoft AI head

While the US is still far ahead in AI chip technology, China is following very closely in algorithms, says computer scientist Harry Shum.

Big Tech

Alibaba unveils new AI model for more precise image creation

Qwen VLo adds to the intense competition in China’s AI landscape, where Alibaba has pursued an open-source approach to gain users.

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China Business

Cloudy with a chance of bankruptcy: US tariffs hurt China’s solar firms

One-third of China’s 121 listed solar producers are in the red; more than 50 along the supply chain have filed for bankruptcy this year.

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Illustration by Henry Wong

Global Economy

Boom goes the deal? China’s Iran investments under fire, but Middle East beckons

Mideast is crucial to China’s belt and road plan, but amid the Iran-Israel war, a question resurfaces: how safe are Chinese assets there?

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Science

Exclusive | China has begun issuing rare earth export licences to European firms: EU sources

Development comes as bloc continues push for structural solution to tense issue that has leapt atop bilateral agenda.

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Politics

Hong Kong’s new bounce, 5 years post-national security law

There are signs that the city has bounced back, but worsening US-China tensions keep storm clouds lingering.

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Diplomacy

‘Chinese will have to be careful’: US trade truce may come, but risks remain

Before respite ends in August, Washington wants rare earth exports to resume, while Beijing seeks more organised dialogue with Trump team.

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Illustration: Davies C. Surya
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