Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

China races against US for AI’s holy grail: self-improving tech

Anthropic says its Mythos model is edging closer to ‘recursive self-improvement’ as Chinese developers seek to close gap.

1 hour agovideocam

US Congress warned: AI race winner will rule world, and it must not be China

Artificial intelligence

US

In latest about-face, Trump calls off ‘very hard’ attack on Iran

After warning of imminent military action, US president says an agreement may be days away in a repeat of claims made in recent weeks.

1 hour ago

Diplomacy

US Congress warned: AI race winner will rule world, and it must not be China

As Washington and Beijing battle for global supremacy in artificial intelligence, US must establish next technological edge, Congress told.

29 minutes agovideocam

Business

Hong Kong developers rediscover pricing power amid firmer demand

Developers ‘no longer relying on discounted pricing to drive sales’, with popular projects recording double-digit increases, JLL says.

25 minutes ago

Infographic

A city remembers: the names of the 168 people who died in the Tai Po fire

Diplomacy

US targets Cuba oil giant as Beijing and Havana deepen party ties

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces sanctions on Union Cuba-Petroleo after Havana and Beijing hold positive bilateral talks.

2 hours agovideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces sanctions on Cuba’s state-owned oil and gas company Union Cuba-Petroleo on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

US

Taipei envoy sees US$14 billion arms package moving ahead under Trump

US president has yet to decide on the sale as Taipei presses its case and opposition KMT figures visit Washington.

2 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

China sanctions Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro

Chinese foreign ministry says Teodoro is banned from entering China because of his ‘erroneous remarks’ on the country.

11 Jun 2026 - 10:04PMvideocam

International

Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Cityscape Global achieves more than US$63 billion as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a major investment hub for urban development.

In partnership with:

Cityscape Global

Football

While you were sleeping, World Cup edition: Shakira struts, Mexico score, 3 see red

The 2026 World Cup is under way, and for those of you who didn’t get up at 3am, here’s what happened overnight.

25 minutes ago

Global superstar Shakira performs during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Fifa World Cup at the Azteca Stadium. Photo: dpa

China

Nvidia denies Latin America role in China chip smuggling

Suspicious bulk orders from unfamiliar countries are screened out, Nvidia’s regional chief says, as Chinese capital courts Brazil.

5 hours ago

Politics

What’s behind Beijing’s seabed mapping east of Taiwan?

Expert says knowledge of the waters and seabed could allow ‘more effective submarine and anti-submarine operations’.

11 Jun 2026 - 11:34PMvideocam

SERIES: SpaceX IPO

China’s space start-ups eye IPO boom as SpaceX heads for record listing

China’s emerging aerospace firms are lining up to list as SpaceX’s blockbuster flotation shines a spotlight on the sector.

11 Jun 2026 - 10:00PM

A SpaceX rocket launches from a company facility in the United States. The company's planned US$75 billion IPO is expected to accelerate listing plans among China's emerging commercial space companies. Photo: Reuters

United States & Canada

SpaceX prices record IPO that could make Musk a trillionaire

At US$135 a share, the offering will raise US$75 billion, making it the biggest market debut in history.

1 hour agovideocam

An Elon Musk inflatable stands in New York’s Times Square on Thursday as part of a protest against SpaceX’s Grok AI. Photo: AFP

United States & Canada

Biotech firm WuXi sues US over allegations it supports China’s military

The company says it suffered substantial reputational and operational harm after being placed on a Pentagon blacklist.

2 hours agovideocam

United States & Canada

Trump taps Wall Street top cop Jay Clayton as spy chief after Pulte backlash

The US president had stunned Washington with his previous pick, a loyalist with no intelligence background.

4 hours ago

Society

Minister defends decisions leading up to girl’s death hours after mother’s suicide

Mother and daughter fell from same flat hours apart after reported argument over studies, raising concerns over level of mental support.

4 hours ago

A mother, 48, and her 12-year-old daughter fell from the same flat in Taikoo Shing, just hours apart. Photo: Jelly Tse

Football

Fifa World Cup: Mexico beat South Africa as Azteca Stadium rocks

Co-hosts begin tournament on winning note to get 2026 finals party started in front of 80,824 largely ecstatic fans.

27 minutes ago

Julian Quinones celebrates scoring the opening goal of the 2026 World Cup finals for Mexico against South Africa. Photo: AFP

China Business

China’s BYD challenges iconic auto giants as hybrid demand surges in Germany

A three-fold jump in BYD’s German registrations highlights shift towards lower-tariff models, as company chairman says ‘the worst is over’.

11 Jun 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

United States & Canada

Canadian policeman killed during investigation tied to US consulate shooting

Marc Pinizotto, 43, was shot by a suspect and died of his wounds in hospital.

2 hours ago

OPINION

Lijia Zhang

Opinion | Thanks to Trump, Chinese people have a more realistic view of America

2 hours ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | As charges are laid in the Tai Po fire case, justice must be done

40 minutes ago

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | U-turn on HK$2 fare scheme cap a welcome change of direction

10 minutes ago

James David Spellman

Opinion | Why tech titans’ IPOs matter as much in China as in the US

11 Jun 2026 - 8:30PM

Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Investors expecting a US interest rate rise could be in for a surprise

11 Jun 2026 - 4:30PM

Harry’s View | 12 Jun 2026

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Opinion

Editorial | U-turn on HK$2 fare scheme cap a welcome change of direction

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Arts

Hong Kong animations are finally turning heads. Meet the artists behind them

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While you were sleeping, World Cup edition: Shakira struts, Mexico score, 3 see red

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Business

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US President Donald Trump listening to a speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping at a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, last week. Photo: Reuters

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

China will buy at least US$17 billion of US farm goods annually, White House says

The agreement was struck at the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to US fact sheet.

3-MIN READ

How will Beijing judge Trump’s take on Taiwan? Look for 1 critical factor

3-MIN READvideocam

How China and the US felt the weight of history behind Trump and Xi’s meeting

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Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

He also discusses the economic outlook, youth unemployment and whether the country can overtake the US in science and tech.

14-MIN READvideocam

China Business

Open Questions | Hong Kong must embrace ‘bipolar’ role to thrive in its ‘Stage 3.0’: Charles Li

Veteran deal maker urges an IPO link to lure global resource giants and turn Chinese buyers into owners as city solidifies role as East-West bridge and global capital hub.

9-MIN READvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Stable US-China ties? It won’t last long, Evan Medeiros says

After Trump’s China trip, political scientist gives his assessment on Taiwan, trade leverage, the Iran war and Beijing’s tensions with Tokyo.

9-MIN READvideocam

Politics

Open Questions | Mainland China’s Wu Yongping on what the Xi-Trump summit means for Taiwan

Regardless of the meeting’s outcome, the trend towards resolution of the Taiwan question won’t change, according to the Tsinghua academic.

12-MIN READ

Key Industries:

United States & Canada

US takes step to halt Nvidia AI chip shipments to Chinese overseas subsidiaries

Surprise move suggests US chips may have been making their way to the subsidiaries of Chinese firms based in places such as Malaysia.

2-MIN READvideocam

The Nvidia headquarters in Santa Clara, California. Photo: Getty Images / TNS

China Business

China’s space start-ups eye IPO boom as SpaceX heads for record listing

China’s emerging aerospace firms are lining up to list as SpaceX’s blockbuster flotation shines a spotlight on the sector.

3-MIN READ

China Business

China’s BYD challenges iconic auto giants as hybrid demand surges in Germany

A three-fold jump in BYD’s German registrations highlights shift towards lower-tariff models, as company chairman says ‘the worst is over’.

3-MIN READvideocam

Big Tech

China leads US in everyday AI apps but firms are overvalued, experts say

Chinese labs have unveiled new models that trail closely behind those from US peers such as OpenAI and Anthropic in capabilities.

2-MIN READ

An ad for Doubao, ByteDance’s AI assistant, is seen at the Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport on May 16, 2026. Photo: Getty Images

China Economy

China’s gig economy is an employment reservoir – but is the well drying up?

More than 200 million people in China are flexibly employed, but AI adoption, unstable income and poor social security make positions precarious.

5-MIN READvideocam

US

How Chinese drink chains are testing the limits of soft power

New tea and coffee brands from China are winning customers across America, but their broader influence remains unclear.

6-MIN READvideocam

Health & Environment

‘Silent killer’: the race to beat cancer in Hong Kong

Despite a rising number of cancer cases in Hong Kong, survival rates are improving. Here is what you need to know.

1-MIN READ

Global Economy

China and Japan aren’t talking. Will their rare earth trade go quiet?

With bilateral relations at a low and Beijing already enacting limited export controls on critical minerals, fears of a broader ban grow.

7-MIN READvideocam

China races against US for AI’s holy grail: self-improving tech

Anthropic says its Mythos model is edging closer to ‘recursive self-improvement’ as Chinese developers seek to close gap.

US Congress warned: AI race winner will rule world, and it must not be China

In latest about-face, Trump calls off ‘very hard’ attack on Iran

After warning of imminent military action, US president says an agreement may be days away in a repeat of claims made in recent weeks.

US Congress warned: AI race winner will rule world, and it must not be China

As Washington and Beijing battle for global supremacy in artificial intelligence, US must establish next technological edge, Congress told.

Hong Kong developers rediscover pricing power amid firmer demand

Developers ‘no longer relying on discounted pricing to drive sales’, with popular projects recording double-digit increases, JLL says.

A city remembers: the names of the 168 people who died in the Tai Po fire

US targets Cuba oil giant as Beijing and Havana deepen party ties

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces sanctions on Union Cuba-Petroleo after Havana and Beijing hold positive bilateral talks.

Taipei envoy sees US$14 billion arms package moving ahead under Trump

US president has yet to decide on the sale as Taipei presses its case and opposition KMT figures visit Washington.

China sanctions Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro

Chinese foreign ministry says Teodoro is banned from entering China because of his ‘erroneous remarks’ on the country.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Cityscape Global achieves more than US$63 billion as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a major investment hub for urban development.

While you were sleeping, World Cup edition: Shakira struts, Mexico score, 3 see red

The 2026 World Cup is under way, and for those of you who didn’t get up at 3am, here’s what happened overnight.

Nvidia denies Latin America role in China chip smuggling

Suspicious bulk orders from unfamiliar countries are screened out, Nvidia’s regional chief says, as Chinese capital courts Brazil.

What’s behind Beijing’s seabed mapping east of Taiwan?

Expert says knowledge of the waters and seabed could allow ‘more effective submarine and anti-submarine operations’.

China’s space start-ups eye IPO boom as SpaceX heads for record listing

China’s emerging aerospace firms are lining up to list as SpaceX’s blockbuster flotation shines a spotlight on the sector.

SpaceX prices record IPO that could make Musk a trillionaire

At US$135 a share, the offering will raise US$75 billion, making it the biggest market debut in history.

Biotech firm WuXi sues US over allegations it supports China’s military

The company says it suffered substantial reputational and operational harm after being placed on a Pentagon blacklist.

Trump taps Wall Street top cop Jay Clayton as spy chief after Pulte backlash

The US president had stunned Washington with his previous pick, a loyalist with no intelligence background.

Minister defends decisions leading up to girl’s death hours after mother’s suicide

Mother and daughter fell from same flat hours apart after reported argument over studies, raising concerns over level of mental support.

Fifa World Cup: Mexico beat South Africa as Azteca Stadium rocks

Co-hosts begin tournament on winning note to get 2026 finals party started in front of 80,824 largely ecstatic fans.

China’s BYD challenges iconic auto giants as hybrid demand surges in Germany

A three-fold jump in BYD’s German registrations highlights shift towards lower-tariff models, as company chairman says ‘the worst is over’.

Canadian policeman killed during investigation tied to US consulate shooting

Marc Pinizotto, 43, was shot by a suspect and died of his wounds in hospital.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Thanks to Trump, Chinese people have a more realistic view of America

Editorial | As charges are laid in the Tai Po fire case, justice must be done

Editorial | U-turn on HK$2 fare scheme cap a welcome change of direction

Opinion | Why tech titans’ IPOs matter as much in China as in the US

Macroscope | Investors expecting a US interest rate rise could be in for a surprise

Editorial | U-turn on HK$2 fare scheme cap a welcome change of direction

Hong Kong animations are finally turning heads. Meet the artists behind them

While you were sleeping, World Cup edition: Shakira struts, Mexico score, 3 see red

Hong Kong developers rediscover pricing power amid firmer demand

Editorial | As charges are laid in the Tai Po fire case, justice must be done

SpaceX prices record IPO that could make Musk a trillionaire

China will buy at least US$17 billion of US farm goods annually, White House says

The agreement was struck at the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to US fact sheet.

How will Beijing judge Trump’s take on Taiwan? Look for 1 critical factor

How China and the US felt the weight of history behind Trump and Xi’s meeting

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Open Questions | Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

He also discusses the economic outlook, youth unemployment and whether the country can overtake the US in science and tech.

Open Questions | Hong Kong must embrace ‘bipolar’ role to thrive in its ‘Stage 3.0’: Charles Li

Veteran deal maker urges an IPO link to lure global resource giants and turn Chinese buyers into owners as city solidifies role as East-West bridge and global capital hub.

Open Questions | Stable US-China ties? It won’t last long, Evan Medeiros says

After Trump’s China trip, political scientist gives his assessment on Taiwan, trade leverage, the Iran war and Beijing’s tensions with Tokyo.

Open Questions | Mainland China’s Wu Yongping on what the Xi-Trump summit means for Taiwan

Regardless of the meeting’s outcome, the trend towards resolution of the Taiwan question won’t change, according to the Tsinghua academic.

US takes step to halt Nvidia AI chip shipments to Chinese overseas subsidiaries

Surprise move suggests US chips may have been making their way to the subsidiaries of Chinese firms based in places such as Malaysia.

China’s space start-ups eye IPO boom as SpaceX heads for record listing

China’s emerging aerospace firms are lining up to list as SpaceX’s blockbuster flotation shines a spotlight on the sector.

China’s BYD challenges iconic auto giants as hybrid demand surges in Germany

A three-fold jump in BYD’s German registrations highlights shift towards lower-tariff models, as company chairman says ‘the worst is over’.

China leads US in everyday AI apps but firms are overvalued, experts say

Chinese labs have unveiled new models that trail closely behind those from US peers such as OpenAI and Anthropic in capabilities.

China’s gig economy is an employment reservoir – but is the well drying up?

More than 200 million people in China are flexibly employed, but AI adoption, unstable income and poor social security make positions precarious.

How Chinese drink chains are testing the limits of soft power

New tea and coffee brands from China are winning customers across America, but their broader influence remains unclear.

‘Silent killer’: the race to beat cancer in Hong Kong

Despite a rising number of cancer cases in Hong Kong, survival rates are improving. Here is what you need to know.

China and Japan aren’t talking. Will their rare earth trade go quiet?

With bilateral relations at a low and Beijing already enacting limited export controls on critical minerals, fears of a broader ban grow.

Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Opinion | Thanks to Trump, Chinese people have a more realistic view of America

Open Questions | Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’