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Venezuela had Chinese JY-27A radar systems among its air defences but the US military blinded and disrupted its defences to attack and abduct Nicolas Maduro at the weekend. Photo: Weibo

Venezuela attack seen as reminder for China to boost air defence, intelligence

Lessons for Beijing include the need to upgrade hardware, protect state secrets and prevent infiltration, experts say.

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China, Russia won’t ‘dare test’ US, says Hegseth after Venezuela military op

US-Venezuela conflict
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Global Economy

Chinese business owner in Venezuela warns of spillover after Maduro’s abduction

Chinese entrepreneurs have returned to South American nation in recent years, but some fear consequences after Washington’s intervention.

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Politics

Bid to change Taiwan law that prompted Beijing to warn of war risk collapses

Critics warn that the proposed change to a law concerning mainland China risks Beijing’s anger by moving towards de jure independence.

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Society

Hong Kong think tank backs call to make bid‑rigging a crime after fatal fire

Bid-rigging is currently classified as ‘serious anticompetitive conduct’ under Competition Ordinance and punishable only by fines.

Focus
Illustration: Henry Wong

‘Real and accelerating’: China-Japan military tensions surge amid missile race

Diplomacy

Why Iran may not be the next Venezuela despite twin threat of protests and Trump

The volatile situation in the Middle East and the greater role played by China in the region may give the US pause for thought.

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An anti-US mural on a street in Tehran, pictured on January 3. US President Donald Trump has previously threatened the Iranian leadership directly. Photo: EPA
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Diplomacy

Li Qiang and Lee Jae Myung back free trade and multilateralism in Beijing talks

In meeting with visiting South Korean president, Chinese premier calls for cooperation in AI, new energy and high-end manufacturing.

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Diplomacy

China, Russia won’t ‘dare test’ US, says Hegseth after Venezuela military op

US Secretary of Defence believes show of ‘absolute deterrence’ sends clear message to their ‘enemies’ and the ‘world is taking notice’.

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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.

China Economy

Not just oil: is Trump’s Venezuela takeover also about critical minerals?

Venezuela, Greenland and Colombia all have large deposits of rare earths and other minerals needed by US technology and defence companies.

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US President Donald Trump, flanked by senior members of his administration, speaks to the press following American military strikes on Caracas, Venezuela. Photo: TNS

Diplomacy

BBC journalists reportedly told to avoid saying US ‘kidnapped’ Venezuela’s Maduro

Leaked memo from British broadcaster also instructs staff to use ‘captured’ when referring to America’s description of the military raid.

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Global Economy

China bans exports of military-related goods to Japan as dispute intensifies

Shipments of select goods – which could include drones and rare earths – to entities associated with the Japanese military have been restricted.

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United States & Canada

Medical groups win right to challenge RFK Jnr’s Covid-19 vaccine policies

Judge lets medical groups challenge Kennedy’s CDC vaccine changes, citing health risks to public health and unlawful panel influence.

Kennedy has long claimed, against scientific evidence, that childhood vaccines are harmful, raising concerns about increased preventable diseases. Photo: EPA

Business

Morgan Stanley lifts Hong Kong property to ‘attractive’ as stars align

City’s home prices are expected to rise around 10 per cent in 2026, with an ongoing rebound heralding the start of a new upcycle.

Hong Kong’s property sector is at the beginning of an upcycle, with prices likely to trend higher this year, according to Morgan Stanley. Photo: Dickson Lee

Science

China’s sensitive technology at risk after Trump abducts Venezuela leader Maduro

From oil infrastructure to telecommunications, Chinese investments in the country have been long-standing and extensive.

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Americas

Brazil’s Bolsonaro has brain injury after falling and hitting head in prison

The ex-president had a ‘crisis’ while sleeping in his cell, his wife said in a social media post.

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong toy fair unveils new pavilion for collectors and global brands

150 local and international IP collectibles to be showcased at Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, which will run alongside baby products and stationery exhibitions.

A figurine of a character from Hong Kong’s sci-fi animation film Another World. Photo: Eugene Lee

Entertainment

Hollywood in 2026: what to expect, from movies and China focus to ‘Dunesday’

Hollywood faces a pivotal year of change in 2026, with the potential Netflix/Warner deal, AI actors and nostalgia fever among key factors.

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Robert Downey Jnr attends the Marvel Studios Panel at SDCC in San Diego, California, in 2024. Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled to release on December 18, 2026. Photo: Getty Images

Law and Crime

19 Pokemon cards worth HK$200,000 snatched from Hong Kong seller during deal

Seller handed over cards to young man to check them, but the suspect ran off with them and vanished, police say.

Health & Environment

Nestle Hong Kong recalls 21 batches of baby milk formula over toxin fears

Consuming contaminated products may cause vomiting and diarrhoea, Centre for Food Safety warns.

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OPINION
Thomas O. Falk

Opinion | The US now owns more than just Venezuela’s oil

Thomas O. Falk
Mark Andrews

Opinion | Innovation and exports will winnow China’s car industry in 2026

Mark Andrews
Letters

Letters | The US’ unilateral Venezuela strikes should worry the world

Letters
Jianlu Bi

Opinion | The dawn of a new American empire without the burden of responsibility

Jianlu Bi
Ying Xu,Weishi Zhang

Opinion | With Hetao tech hub, Hong Kong is reimagining its economic future

Ying Xu
Weishi Zhang
Harry’s View | 7 Jan 2026
January 6, 2026
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Health & Environment

Nestle Hong Kong recalls 21 batches of baby milk formula over toxin fears

United States & Canada

Medical groups win right to challenge RFK Jnr’s Covid-19 vaccine policies

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong toy fair unveils new pavilion for collectors and global brands

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SCMP Series
Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy
Revisiting US-China relations
Year of the Horse 2026
China Inc. goes global
Illustration: Henry Wong
SCMP SeriesBeijing’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.

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

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

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Open Questions series

Global Economy

Open Questions | ‘Embrace the moment’: on China, Daniel Kritenbrink puts pragmatism first

Former US ambassador to Vietnam says a return to the past for US-China relations is unrealistic, but both economic powers benefit from ties.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Diplomacy

Open Questions | How new C100 chief plans to foster ties between Chinese-Americans and China

The Committee of 100’s president Paul Cheung has high hopes for Chinese-Americans’ relationship with China in these uncertain times.

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Diplomacy

Open Questions | Political scientist Ivan Krastev on European vertigo in a post-American world

While melancholy Europe frets that the US and China will shape the future, middle powers are jostling for a place at the big table.

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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.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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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.

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

China Business

China’s CATL, Nio deepen partnership to develop extended-life EV batteries

Joint effort highlights urgency as industry – including 40 million EV owners – braces for costly replacements.

China Business

Alibaba’s Amap muscles up on ‘world models’ in push beyond text-based AI

Alibaba’s mapping arm Amap is pushing into ‘world models’ with FantasyWorld, betting spatial AI can power navigation and new services.

China Business

Nvidia chooses China’s Hesai for lidar in Hyperion autonomous driving platform

Hesai will supply lidar sensors for Nvidia’s Drive Hyperion, targeting L4 self-driving, as the firm accelerates global expansion.

Hesai, whose clients include premium electric vehicle maker Li Auto and Geely, said it would double its lidar production capacity to 4 million units in 2026. Photo: Getty

Diplomacy

Why China is turning down the nationalist heat in its row with Japan

With economic stakes high, Beijing seen as ‘more cautious in handling external frictions’, avoiding fanning of ‘uncontrollable’ nationalism.

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Military

Just how close did a PLA drone come to the heart of Taipei during drill?

Footage shared by a mainland military social media account shows Taipei 101 but it’s not clear when it was taken.

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Law and Crime

Hong Kong’s sex offence laws are to be overhauled. What needs to be updated?

Consent and gender issues are key areas the government will look at when it starts the review process.

China Economy

How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

Yiwu, one of China’s biggest export hubs, was expected to take a hit from US tariffs. Instead, it has seen trade surge.

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Vendors work at the Yiwu International Trade Market, a vast emporium for wholesale goods often dubbed the “world’s supermarket”, in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. The city has recorded strong growth in exports this year despite the US-China trade war. Photo: AFP
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