Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Vehicles awaiting export at Nanjing Port in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP

China’s record trade surplus could prompt protectionist response in 2026: report

American researchers say restrictions on Chinese imports could help create complications for Beijing’s economic growth target next year.

6 hours ago

As trade deficit mounts, is EU selling what China wants to buy?

China trade

Military

Xi promotes PLA commanders overseeing Taiwan Strait, Beijing to full general

Announcements suggest the dust has begun to settle following a massive purge in the military over corruption concerns.

6 hours agovideocam

China Economy

China to hide bad debt records for pandemic-hit borrowers who repay small loans

New policy by the People’s Bank of China applies to one-off debts up to 10,000 yuan incurred since 2020, aiming to help people rebuild credit.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

Transport

Police asked to tackle reckless driving on Hong Kong’s new Central Kowloon Bypass

Transport Department says it has informed police of vehicles making U-turns at tunnel entrance and heading in opposite direction.

5 hours ago

Open Questions

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

Science

Chinese researchers show how a word could let spies take control of a robot army

Demonstration at cybersecurity event highlights a flaw that could turn one robot into a ‘Trojan horse’ that can seize control of others.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:06PMvideocam

The team that identified the security flaw has urged manufacturers to establish their own security systems or seek external help. Photo: Xinhua

Diplomacy

Beijing ‘firmly opposes’ Japanese lawmakers’ trips to Taiwan

Visits to the island by parliamentary members ‘seriously violate’ political foundations underpinning bilateral relations, Beijing says.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:52PMvideocam

Global Economy

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

Alleging that European subsidies are hurting Chinese producers, Beijing has imposed fees that look to hit French exporters the hardest.

5 hours agovideocam

Business

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

In partnership with:

MPOC

Palm oil is a versatile ingredient found in a wide range of everyday items, from ice cream and cake to lipstick and biofuel.

Diplomacy

China-Japan tension hits holiday travel as flights cancelled on 46 routes

All cancelled flights are operated by Chinese carriers and involve most of the country’s major airlines.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:13PMvideocam

Visitors take photos against the backdrop of Japan’s Mount Fuji. Tensions have been high between China and Japan since November. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Too many US researchers looking at China through American lens, professor warns

Flawed approach to China studies could fuel misunderstandings and lead to misguided policy decisions in Washington, seminar hears.

22 Dec 2025 - 8:19PMvideocam

Europe

‘Driving Home For Christmas’ singer Chris Rea dies at 74

The British musician, who also had hits with ‘The Road to Hell’ and ‘Let’s Dance’, died in hospital after a short illness, his family said.

4 hours ago

Europe

UK street artist Banksy unveils latest mural in central London

Banksy, whose real identity has not been revealed, posted an image of the Bayswater artwork on his official Instagram account on Monday.

3 hours ago

A new mural by anonymous artist Banksy, in Bayswater, London on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Economy, Trade & Business

Lawmakers want US to disclose any approvals of Nvidia H200 China licences

Democrats ‌Elizabeth Warren and Gregory Meeks also asked for an assessment of the military potential of the AI chips approved for export.

59 minutes ago

China

China-South Korea ties, Singapore’s ex-FM on Hong Kong: SCMP daily highlights

From why China-South Korea relations may be cooling to Beijing’s latest bid to boost births, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:15PM

Europe

UK man, 5 others charged with more than 60 sex offences against woman

Philip Young is charged with drugging and raping his ex-wife; the others are charged with sexual offences against her over a 13-year period.

2 hours ago

United States & Canada

Top Democrat moves to sue over Justice Department’s slow Epstein files release

Chuck Schumer called the incremental and heavily redacted release of records pertaining to the late sex offender ‘a blatant cover-up’.

3 hours ago

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Photo: Getty Images / AFP

Europe

‘Respect our integrity’: Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland envoy

Denmark warns US to respect its borders after Trump names Jeff Landry envoy to Greenland, asserting the mineral-rich island is not for sale.

22 Dec 2025 - 6:59PMvideocam

Protesters gather outside the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland in March. Photo: Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters

Middle East

Ex-Israeli PM accuses Netanyahu of ‘treason’ over alleged Qatar funding to aides

Naftali Bennett called for the PM’s resignation amid the ‘Qatargate’ affair, claiming Netanyahu ‘betrayed the State of Israel in wartime’.

4 hours ago

Big Tech

Exclusive | TikTok owner ByteDance’s valuation hits US$500 billion as US plan advances

Figure marks a record for China’s tech giant, which will divest its US entity into a joint venture that includes Oracle and Silver Lake.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:00PM

OPINION

Mohammed Sinan Siyech

Opinion | As UK universities lose prestige, Asian institutions stand to benefit

22 Dec 2025 - 9:37PM

Nicholas Spiro

The View | Rebound in Hong Kong’s Central office market could be turning point

22 Dec 2025 - 4:30PM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | TikTok deal could show way forward for US-China engagement

22 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

Joseph E. Stiglitz

Opinion | How Trump is hastening the end of American hegemony

21 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM

Letters

Letters | Shenzhen-Hong Kong special zone could better serve national economy

22 Dec 2025 - 11:30AM

Harry’s View | 23 Dec 2025

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10 minutes ago

Middle East

Netanyahu to discuss Iran nuclear activities, next phase of Gaza plan with Trump

1 hour ago

Economy, Trade & Business

Lawmakers want US to disclose any approvals of Nvidia H200 China licences

2 hours ago

Europe

UK man, 5 others charged with more than 60 sex offences against woman

3 hours ago

United States & Canada

Top Democrat moves to sue over Justice Department’s slow Epstein files release

3 hours ago

Europe

UK street artist Banksy unveils latest mural in central London

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Middle East

Ex-Israeli PM accuses Netanyahu of ‘treason’ over alleged Qatar funding to aides

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SCMP Series How China is telling its own story

Why China studies scholars in the West have been left in ‘crisis’ mode

US-China tensions, restricted access and Western-centric thinking seen as key obstacles to gaining ‘full picture of modern China’.

15 Nov 2025 - 7:04AMvideocam

‘Hawkish’ interpretations rise as US, China discourse gets lost in translation

27 Oct 2025 - 11:38PMvideocam

Avoid West’s ‘discourse trap’ when defending China: ex-government adviser

23 Oct 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Open Questions series

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

China Economy

Open Questions | ‘A mistaken view’: US economist Nicholas Lardy on the ‘peak China’ hypothesis

The veteran China watcher talks Beijing’s need for financial reform and how US-China economic convergence could still be on the horizon.

24 Nov 2025 - 10:09AMvideocam

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 Trends

Unitree G1 humanoids go viral with synchronised frontflip and Musk endorsement

China continues to dominate in humanoid robotics, and its lead over the US is accelerating, according to a recent Morgan Stanley report.

22 Dec 2025 - 8:42PM

AI

DeepSeek’s shock rise, China’s robot boot camps: 7 AI breakthroughs in 2025

From DeepSeek sending shock waves through tech market to China’s robot boot camps, here are some of the major AI developments of the year.

22 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM

China Business

China’s approval for L3 self-driving cars to stimulate slowing mainland market

Chinese carmakers could sell about 270,000 semi-autonomous vehicles next year, representing 1 per cent of the total market, Daiwa says.

22 Dec 2025 - 7:30AMvideocam

Semi-autonomous cars with L3 technology are likely to spur sales on the mainland next year. Photo: Reuters

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

China Business

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

20 Dec 2025 - 8:57AM

Diplomacy

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

19 Dec 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Military

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

The PLA has been moving fast to modernise its arsenal and warfare strategy, but it’s seen as ‘seriously deficient’ in some areas.

18 Dec 2025 - 6:03AM

China’s record trade surplus could prompt protectionist response in 2026: report

American researchers say restrictions on Chinese imports could help create complications for Beijing’s economic growth target next year.

As trade deficit mounts, is EU selling what China wants to buy?

Xi promotes PLA commanders overseeing Taiwan Strait, Beijing to full general

Announcements suggest the dust has begun to settle following a massive purge in the military over corruption concerns.

China to hide bad debt records for pandemic-hit borrowers who repay small loans

New policy by the People’s Bank of China applies to one-off debts up to 10,000 yuan incurred since 2020, aiming to help people rebuild credit.

Police asked to tackle reckless driving on Hong Kong’s new Central Kowloon Bypass

Transport Department says it has informed police of vehicles making U-turns at tunnel entrance and heading in opposite direction.

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

Chinese researchers show how a word could let spies take control of a robot army

Demonstration at cybersecurity event highlights a flaw that could turn one robot into a ‘Trojan horse’ that can seize control of others.

Beijing ‘firmly opposes’ Japanese lawmakers’ trips to Taiwan

Visits to the island by parliamentary members ‘seriously violate’ political foundations underpinning bilateral relations, Beijing says.

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

Alleging that European subsidies are hurting Chinese producers, Beijing has imposed fees that look to hit French exporters the hardest.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

China-Japan tension hits holiday travel as flights cancelled on 46 routes

All cancelled flights are operated by Chinese carriers and involve most of the country’s major airlines.

Too many US researchers looking at China through American lens, professor warns

Flawed approach to China studies could fuel misunderstandings and lead to misguided policy decisions in Washington, seminar hears.

‘Driving Home For Christmas’ singer Chris Rea dies at 74

The British musician, who also had hits with ‘The Road to Hell’ and ‘Let’s Dance’, died in hospital after a short illness, his family said.

UK street artist Banksy unveils latest mural in central London

Banksy, whose real identity has not been revealed, posted an image of the Bayswater artwork on his official Instagram account on Monday.

Lawmakers want US to disclose any approvals of Nvidia H200 China licences

Democrats ‌Elizabeth Warren and Gregory Meeks also asked for an assessment of the military potential of the AI chips approved for export.

China-South Korea ties, Singapore’s ex-FM on Hong Kong: SCMP daily highlights

From why China-South Korea relations may be cooling to Beijing’s latest bid to boost births, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

UK man, 5 others charged with more than 60 sex offences against woman

Philip Young is charged with drugging and raping his ex-wife; the others are charged with sexual offences against her over a 13-year period.

Top Democrat moves to sue over Justice Department’s slow Epstein files release

Chuck Schumer called the incremental and heavily redacted release of records pertaining to the late sex offender ‘a blatant cover-up’.

‘Respect our integrity’: Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland envoy

Denmark warns US to respect its borders after Trump names Jeff Landry envoy to Greenland, asserting the mineral-rich island is not for sale.

Ex-Israeli PM accuses Netanyahu of ‘treason’ over alleged Qatar funding to aides

Naftali Bennett called for the PM’s resignation amid the ‘Qatargate’ affair, claiming Netanyahu ‘betrayed the State of Israel in wartime’.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | TikTok owner ByteDance’s valuation hits US$500 billion as US plan advances

Figure marks a record for China’s tech giant, which will divest its US entity into a joint venture that includes Oracle and Silver Lake.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | As UK universities lose prestige, Asian institutions stand to benefit

The View | Rebound in Hong Kong’s Central office market could be turning point

Editorial | TikTok deal could show way forward for US-China engagement

Opinion | How Trump is hastening the end of American hegemony

Letters | Shenzhen-Hong Kong special zone could better serve national economy

Netanyahu to discuss Iran nuclear activities, next phase of Gaza plan with Trump

Lawmakers want US to disclose any approvals of Nvidia H200 China licences

UK man, 5 others charged with more than 60 sex offences against woman

Top Democrat moves to sue over Justice Department’s slow Epstein files release

UK street artist Banksy unveils latest mural in central London

Ex-Israeli PM accuses Netanyahu of ‘treason’ over alleged Qatar funding to aides

Why China studies scholars in the West have been left in ‘crisis’ mode

US-China tensions, restricted access and Western-centric thinking seen as key obstacles to gaining ‘full picture of modern China’.

‘Hawkish’ interpretations rise as US, China discourse gets lost in translation

Avoid West’s ‘discourse trap’ when defending China: ex-government adviser

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.

Open Questions | ‘A mistaken view’: US economist Nicholas Lardy on the ‘peak China’ hypothesis

The veteran China watcher talks Beijing’s need for financial reform and how US-China economic convergence could still be on the horizon.

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.

Unitree G1 humanoids go viral with synchronised frontflip and Musk endorsement

China continues to dominate in humanoid robotics, and its lead over the US is accelerating, according to a recent Morgan Stanley report.

DeepSeek’s shock rise, China’s robot boot camps: 7 AI breakthroughs in 2025

From DeepSeek sending shock waves through tech market to China’s robot boot camps, here are some of the major AI developments of the year.

China’s approval for L3 self-driving cars to stimulate slowing mainland market

Chinese carmakers could sell about 270,000 semi-autonomous vehicles next year, representing 1 per cent of the total market, Daiwa says.

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.

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

The PLA has been moving fast to modernise its arsenal and warfare strategy, but it’s seen as ‘seriously deficient’ in some areas.

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Exclusive | TikTok owner ByteDance’s valuation hits US$500 billion as US plan advances

Opinion | As UK universities lose prestige, Asian institutions stand to benefit