Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

The Chinese military’s formidable YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile launches from a Type 055 destroyer. Photo: Handout

Does YJ-20 hypersonic sea-based missile give China an edge over US carriers?

The highly manoeuvrable weapon is nearly invulnerable to interception and could sink an aircraft carrier with a single hit.

5 hours agovideocam

PLA showcases YJ-20 anti-ship missiles as US-Japan-Philippines test war moves

China's military weapons

China Economy

Expat pilots hoping to fly in China warned their credentials no longer coveted

China’s aviation market still attracts foreign pilots but they face high competition, rigid standards as overseas experience loses its shine.

6 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

China Economy

China’s record travel volume meets cautious spending in May Day holiday surge

Thousands of domestic train services added on last day of ‘golden week’ to meet record demand, and high energy costs affect consumer spending.

6 May 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Military

China condemns Japan’s first overseas ‘offensive missile’ test since WWII

Beijing says Japan’s ‘neo-militarism’ is a ‘scourge’ that threatens regional peace and stability.

6 hours agovideocam

Science

China’s new marine buoy says goodbye to classic Western design used since WWII

Big Tech

Foxconn, BYD among top exporters as China-listed firms hit overseas revenue mark

Companies such as Foxconn and BYD are among the top performers as overseas revenues account for nearly 17 per cent of total income.

6 May 2026 - 6:33PM

The BYD Datang is displayed at the Beijing Auto Show on April 30. Photo: AFP

Society

Wang Fuk Court administrator to hold online meetings with displaced residents

Residents demand answers on finances, insurance claims and renovation contracts following deadly fire at Hong Kong estate.

4 hours ago

Politics

Vietnam, India seek closer ties to hedge against dependence on superpowers

President To Lam’s agenda during his visit to New Delhi is expected to include a deal for Vietnam to buy India’s BrahMos missiles.

6 May 2026 - 9:04PM

Tech

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

In partnership with:

Huawei

Southeast Asia

Thailand vows strict tourist oversight after public sex incidents

The pledge followed a Monday incident in Phuket where a couple was found performing a sexual act in a popular tourist area.

6 May 2026 - 7:55PMvideocam

A tourist does the traditional Thai greeting during his visit to the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) in Bangkok. Thailand expects about 33.5 million foreign tourists this year, up from nearly 33 million visitors in 2025. Photo: EPA

United States & Canada

FBI reportedly probing leaks behind article on bureau chief Patel’s drinking

Such an investigation would be unusual because it focuses on the journalist rather than the officials who leaked the information.

2 hours ago

Tech

From frenzy to fallout: why the chips are down for Shenzhen’s tech traders

As global memory giants cash in on AI demand, Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei traders are grappling with plunging chip prices and losses.

6 hours ago

Europe

Pope to inaugurate Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia in June trip to Spain

He will also visit a migrant reception centre in the Canary Islands.

5 hours ago

Pope Leo waves during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Entertainment

Review | Mortal Kombat II: Karl Urban leads brainless, outdated action sequel

Little more than a series of cartoonish ultra-violent vignettes, Mortal Kombat II feels as antiquated as the amulet the characters chase.

3 hours agovideocam

(From left) Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jackson “Jax” Briggs, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade and Karl Urban as Johnny Cage in a still from Mortal Kombat II (category III), directed by Simon McQuoid. Photo: Warner Bros

United States & Canada

US firms add 109,000 jobs, the most since early 2025

The figures show a labour market that is finding its footing after an especially harsh year for hiring.

6 hours agovideocam

Health & Environment

Hongkongers to pay only HK$240 a year for leukaemia drug after system shake-up

Hospital Authority says it began subsidising Dasatinib in April, with patients previously paying up to HK$500,000 annually for treatment.

6 May 2026 - 8:05PM

China Economy

EU plan to rip out Chinese hardware will cost massive US$430 billion: report

Brussels’ proposed new Cybersecurity Act would require vast amounts of Chinese equipment to be ripped out and replaced in a slew of industries.

6 May 2026 - 5:04PMvideocam

Tech

Baggage bots: Chinese humanoids clock on at Japanese airports amid labour crunch

Chinese-made humanoids are being deployed at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport as Japan’s aviation industry struggles with a shrinking workforce.

6 May 2026 - 7:30PM

A humanoid robot pushes a cargo container during a media demonstration at Haneda airport in Tokyo. Photo: Reuters

Politics

What the BJP’s historic West Bengal victory means for Modi’s India

Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition now controls roughly 70 per cent of India’s state legislatures, giving him a historic grip on power.

6 May 2026 - 7:00PM

Politics

Exclusive | Wounded volunteer tells of risky clean-up at Chinese fireworks blast scene

Witnesses describe overwhelming smell of burnt gunpowder from site of explosion as authorities assess damage to nearby houses from the blast.

6 May 2026 - 9:02PMvideocam

OPINION

Yogi Putranto

Opinion | As power flows through submarine cables, law of the sea must evolve

6 May 2026 - 8:52PM

Genevieve Donnellon-May

Opinion | Asia must unite to avert an Iran war food crisis

6 May 2026 - 4:30PM

Wenran Jiang

Opinion | The domestic dynamics driving Japan’s remilitarisation

6 May 2026 - 9:30AM

Letters

Letters | Support for Hong Kong business should not stop at fuel subsidies

6 May 2026 - 11:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | With Beijing’s backing, Hong Kong can plan for future energy crises

6 May 2026 - 7:15AM

Harry’s View | 7 May 2026

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Middle East

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United States & Canada

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United States & Canada

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Does YJ-20 hypersonic sea-based missile give China an edge over US carriers?

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SCMP Series

China takes stock as world frets over Mythos

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Anthropic’s strong anti-China stance has increased the possibility that the US could use Mythos-type models to conduct cyberattacks against China, according to a cybersecurity expert. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images

SCMP Series China takes stock as world frets over Mythos

From scepticism to concern: Mythos panic is slowly starting to reach China

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said on its influential social media account that Mythos showed ‘unprecedented cyberattack capabilities’.

3-MIN READ

Why Anthropic’s Mythos has energised China’s cybersecurity industry

3-MIN READ

Anthropic’s Mythos is stoking cybersecurity fears. What does it mean for China?

3-MIN READ

Open Questions series

China Economy

Open Questions | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

13-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

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Diplomacy

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

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Science

Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history: Sheng-Wei Wang

Kunyu Wanguo Quantu and maritime artefacts prove China explored the world earlier than Eurocentric accounts suggest, scholar argues.

16-MIN READvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

As DJI duels Insta360, China sharpens global hardware edge amid US scrutiny

Western competitors like GoPro face shrinking footprints as strategic shifts of Chinese firms disrupt the status quo while navigating FCC-led national security bans.

7-MIN READvideocam

Big Tech

China’s chipmakers rush to embrace DeepSeek’s V4. Which names stand out?

A growing list of Chinese firms – from Huawei to Cambricon – moves fast to integrate DeepSeek’s latest AI model across diverse architectures.

3-MIN READ

China EVs

From Beijing to Berlin: Chinese EVs turn heads as brands eye European markets

BYD, Geely and Xpeng showcase eye-catching EVs at Beijing auto show as they build momentum in Europe and target more discerning buyers.

3-MIN READ

Big Tech

China’s chipmakers pour revenue into R&D, outpacing US ratios

Earnings show Chinese chip designers devote up to half of revenue to research, far above US peers, as Beijing pushes tech self-reliance.

2-MIN READ

Visitors at the Moore Threads booth at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Military

Will new Saudi-Pakistan defence pact give Chinese arms risk-free exposure?

Islamabad’s elevated stature in Middle East security could make it ‘the operational face of Chinese defence systems’ via regional deployment.

5-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

How the Middle East crisis is expanding China’s agrochemical influence

China accounts for about a third of global fertiliser production, and 70 per cent of the raw materials for chemical pesticides.

7-MIN READ

Politics

Faith, hope and ancestry: how Beijing is trying to win over Taiwan’s next generation

Xintian village is symbolic of efforts to reinforce Taiwanese people’s historical and religious links to the mainland.

7-MIN READ

China EVs

Shifting gears: how foreign giants aim to catch up in China’s EV era

International carmakers launch tailored models and accelerate R&D as they scramble to match the speed and sophistication of domestic rivals.

5-MIN READ

Does YJ-20 hypersonic sea-based missile give China an edge over US carriers?

The highly manoeuvrable weapon is nearly invulnerable to interception and could sink an aircraft carrier with a single hit.

PLA showcases YJ-20 anti-ship missiles as US-Japan-Philippines test war moves

Expat pilots hoping to fly in China warned their credentials no longer coveted

China’s aviation market still attracts foreign pilots but they face high competition, rigid standards as overseas experience loses its shine.

China’s record travel volume meets cautious spending in May Day holiday surge

Thousands of domestic train services added on last day of ‘golden week’ to meet record demand, and high energy costs affect consumer spending.

China condemns Japan’s first overseas ‘offensive missile’ test since WWII

Beijing says Japan’s ‘neo-militarism’ is a ‘scourge’ that threatens regional peace and stability.

China’s new marine buoy says goodbye to classic Western design used since WWII

Foxconn, BYD among top exporters as China-listed firms hit overseas revenue mark

Companies such as Foxconn and BYD are among the top performers as overseas revenues account for nearly 17 per cent of total income.

Wang Fuk Court administrator to hold online meetings with displaced residents

Residents demand answers on finances, insurance claims and renovation contracts following deadly fire at Hong Kong estate.

Vietnam, India seek closer ties to hedge against dependence on superpowers

President To Lam’s agenda during his visit to New Delhi is expected to include a deal for Vietnam to buy India’s BrahMos missiles.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Huawei Technologies’ monitoring systems speed up real-time identification of China’s primates, coastal coral, and Norwegian salmon.

Thailand vows strict tourist oversight after public sex incidents

The pledge followed a Monday incident in Phuket where a couple was found performing a sexual act in a popular tourist area.

FBI reportedly probing leaks behind article on bureau chief Patel’s drinking

Such an investigation would be unusual because it focuses on the journalist rather than the officials who leaked the information.

From frenzy to fallout: why the chips are down for Shenzhen’s tech traders

As global memory giants cash in on AI demand, Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei traders are grappling with plunging chip prices and losses.

Pope to inaugurate Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia in June trip to Spain

He will also visit a migrant reception centre in the Canary Islands.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Review | Mortal Kombat II: Karl Urban leads brainless, outdated action sequel

Little more than a series of cartoonish ultra-violent vignettes, Mortal Kombat II feels as antiquated as the amulet the characters chase.

US firms add 109,000 jobs, the most since early 2025

The figures show a labour market that is finding its footing after an especially harsh year for hiring.

Hongkongers to pay only HK$240 a year for leukaemia drug after system shake-up

Hospital Authority says it began subsidising Dasatinib in April, with patients previously paying up to HK$500,000 annually for treatment.

EU plan to rip out Chinese hardware will cost massive US$430 billion: report

Brussels’ proposed new Cybersecurity Act would require vast amounts of Chinese equipment to be ripped out and replaced in a slew of industries.

Baggage bots: Chinese humanoids clock on at Japanese airports amid labour crunch

Chinese-made humanoids are being deployed at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport as Japan’s aviation industry struggles with a shrinking workforce.

What the BJP’s historic West Bengal victory means for Modi’s India

Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition now controls roughly 70 per cent of India’s state legislatures, giving him a historic grip on power.

Exclusive | Wounded volunteer tells of risky clean-up at Chinese fireworks blast scene

Witnesses describe overwhelming smell of burnt gunpowder from site of explosion as authorities assess damage to nearby houses from the blast.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | As power flows through submarine cables, law of the sea must evolve

Opinion | Asia must unite to avert an Iran war food crisis

Opinion | The domestic dynamics driving Japan’s remilitarisation

Letters | Support for Hong Kong business should not stop at fuel subsidies

Editorial | With Beijing’s backing, Hong Kong can plan for future energy crises

Israel strikes Beirut for the first time since Lebanon ceasefire

FBI reportedly probing leaks behind article on bureau chief Patel’s drinking

Review | Mortal Kombat II: Karl Urban leads brainless, outdated action sequel

Newnham continues march towards trainers’ championship, Teetan scores double

CNN founder Ted Turner dies at 87

Hong Kong college’s finance director arrested over HK$770,000 embezzlement

Hong Kong teen lured 4 victims for gang to rob and blackmail, court hears

Pope to inaugurate Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia in June trip to Spain

Bus and oil tanker collide in Indonesia, killing at least 16 people

Does YJ-20 hypersonic sea-based missile give China an edge over US carriers?

From scepticism to concern: Mythos panic is slowly starting to reach China

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said on its influential social media account that Mythos showed ‘unprecedented cyberattack capabilities’.

Why Anthropic’s Mythos has energised China’s cybersecurity industry

Anthropic’s Mythos is stoking cybersecurity fears. What does it mean for China?

Open Questions | Bai Chongen on China’s new economic paradigm and closing the US tech gap

Top economist explains how China has less in common with 1990s Japan than many think – and why talk of Chinese overcapacity is often ‘imprecise’.

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history: Sheng-Wei Wang

Kunyu Wanguo Quantu and maritime artefacts prove China explored the world earlier than Eurocentric accounts suggest, scholar argues.

As DJI duels Insta360, China sharpens global hardware edge amid US scrutiny

Western competitors like GoPro face shrinking footprints as strategic shifts of Chinese firms disrupt the status quo while navigating FCC-led national security bans.

China’s chipmakers rush to embrace DeepSeek’s V4. Which names stand out?

A growing list of Chinese firms – from Huawei to Cambricon – moves fast to integrate DeepSeek’s latest AI model across diverse architectures.

From Beijing to Berlin: Chinese EVs turn heads as brands eye European markets

BYD, Geely and Xpeng showcase eye-catching EVs at Beijing auto show as they build momentum in Europe and target more discerning buyers.

China’s chipmakers pour revenue into R&D, outpacing US ratios

Earnings show Chinese chip designers devote up to half of revenue to research, far above US peers, as Beijing pushes tech self-reliance.

Will new Saudi-Pakistan defence pact give Chinese arms risk-free exposure?

Islamabad’s elevated stature in Middle East security could make it ‘the operational face of Chinese defence systems’ via regional deployment.

How the Middle East crisis is expanding China’s agrochemical influence

China accounts for about a third of global fertiliser production, and 70 per cent of the raw materials for chemical pesticides.

Faith, hope and ancestry: how Beijing is trying to win over Taiwan’s next generation

How AI technology supports conservation of endangered species

Review | Mortal Kombat II: Karl Urban leads brainless, outdated action sequel

Opinion | As power flows through submarine cables, law of the sea must evolve