Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Government supporters gather in mourning after state TV officially announces the death of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran on Sunday. Photo: AP

Developing | Trump threatens more hits, Khamenei dead and Israel mounts new attacks

The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and a top security adviser to Khamenei have also been killed, Iranian state media says.

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Special coordinator for Tibetan issues says he seeks to advance US efforts to ‘preserve Tibetans’ precious heritage’.

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US President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida in December. Photo: via TNS

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Chinese firms are in pole position to benefit from a wave of investment in clean energy infrastructure that could be worth trillions of US dollars.

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Workers check solar panels installed on a lake in China’s central Anhui province. Photo: AFP

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In partnership with:

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Deepa Jivan is the founder and CEO of Hong Kong-based arts and crafts products company J.Gordhan & Co.

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Iran ‘internationalises battlefield’ as missiles put Gulf in firing line

Iranian strikes targeting American allies in the Middle East could bolster Arab rulers’ support for US-Israeli military operation.

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Smoke rises from a burning building hit by an Iranian drone strike in Seef district, Manama, Bahrain, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

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Death of Iran’s Khamenei sparks outrage and calls for restraint in Asia

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China’s Xiaomi steps up global push with flagship smartphone 17 series launch

The launch ahead of MWC Barcelona showcases Xiaomi’s push into premium market with new phones, tablet, smartwatch and concept hypercar.

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Xiaomi presents the 17 Ultra ahead of MWC Barcelona on February 28, 2026. Photo: Reuters

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An employee works on the production line of the Tashan hip-assisted exoskeleton at a workshop in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province. Photo: China News Service/VCG via Getty Images

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The European Union has blacklisted hundreds of vessels in a bid to sap Moscow’s war chest.

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Science

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Innovative material defies temperature extremes while offering efficient and stable performance in potential leap from lab to reality.

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Flexible organic materials for batteries are inherently stable and easier to synthesise and recycle. Photo: Shutterstock

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Cathay Pacific suspends all Middle East operations after US-Israeli attack on Iran

Hong Kong’s Airport Authority says at least nine flights have been cancelled or postponed.

28 Feb 2026 - 11:30PMvideocam

A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Explainer | With Khamenei dead, who will be Iran’s next supreme leader?

A council was formed to lead Iran in the transitional period, while a panel selects the new leader, with Khamenei’s son a potential contender.

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Customers choose colored glaze snake handicrafts for the coming Chinese New Year, the Year of Snake, in Xiye Colored Glaze Studio in Boshan district, Zibo city, Shandong province, China, on Jan. 9, 2025. With a long history of colored glaze, Boshan is regarded as China’s Hometown of Colored Glaze and has 12 colored glaze enterprises and 65 art studios. (Xinhua)
新华社照片，淄博（山东），2025年1月9日
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Chinese chip firms Cambricon, Moore Threads post sales jump on domestic demand

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Chinese AI chip designer Cambricon posted its first annual profit since listing in 2020. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

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How China could narrow a tech hub’s income gap – and avoid Silicon Valley’s fate

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Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

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Ferroelectric transistors function similarly to neurons in the human brain, as they integrate memory and processing in a single unit. Photo: Shutterstock

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Developing | Trump threatens more hits, Khamenei dead and Israel mounts new attacks

The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and a top security adviser to Khamenei have also been killed, Iranian state media says.

What to know about Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

As US names Tibet coordinator, is it eyeing China, its minority groups or trade?

Special coordinator for Tibetan issues says he seeks to advance US efforts to ‘preserve Tibetans’ precious heritage’.

Inside Xi Jinping’s new guide to promoting Communist Party officials

Chinese leader targets ‘two-faced’ officials and demands new benchmarks tailored to local needs in newly released speeches.

Travellers stuck at Hong Kong airport as 27 Middle East flights disrupted

Passengers pack city’s airport to inquire about suspended departures to Riyadh, Doha and Qatar as US-Israeli attack on Iran forces airspace closures.

US-Israel attack on Iran: how it unfolded

China poised to earn vast profits from global energy transition: analysts

Chinese firms are in pole position to benefit from a wave of investment in clean energy infrastructure that could be worth trillions of US dollars.

Chinese smartphone makers bet on pivot to AI to weather memory chip crunch

Some Android phone makers are also expected to showcase experimental robots and other AI devices at the annual trade show.

Will Iran collapse without Khamenei or can its regime endure?

Experts see short-term stability, but warn that deeper structural strains could emerge once the immediate shock subsides.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}How Standard Chartered’s SME Banking helps Hong Kong arts and crafts design firm’s growth

Deepa Jivan, CEO of J.Gordhan & Co, says bank’s tailored financial solutions and expertise give it the agility to navigate global marketplace.

Iran ‘internationalises battlefield’ as missiles put Gulf in firing line

Iranian strikes targeting American allies in the Middle East could bolster Arab rulers’ support for US-Israeli military operation.

Death of Iran’s Khamenei sparks outrage and calls for restraint in Asia

Protesters stormed the US consulate in Karachi as leaders, including Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim, condemned the killing and appealed for dialogue.

US-Iran strikes: global shipping braces for hit from Strait of Hormuz closure

Various reports indicate that authorities in Tehran have taken control of the vital energy transport route.

China’s Xiaomi steps up global push with flagship smartphone 17 series launch

The launch ahead of MWC Barcelona showcases Xiaomi’s push into premium market with new phones, tablet, smartwatch and concept hypercar.

How China could narrow a tech hub’s income gap – and avoid Silicon Valley’s fate

As tech mecca Zhejiang province sees wealth soar on the back of robotics, gaming and AI, Beijing hopes to avert a wide income disparity.

Warm winter no match: China’s sportswear sector posts surprise growth

Policy support, Chinese New Year demand and Winter Olympics exposure lift China’s sportswear makers, with Li Ning and Anta leading gains.

Belgium special forces seize Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker

The European Union has blacklisted hundreds of vessels in a bid to sap Moscow’s war chest.

Why Chinese team’s flexible organic battery could revolutionise wearables

Innovative material defies temperature extremes while offering efficient and stable performance in potential leap from lab to reality.

Cathay Pacific suspends all Middle East operations after US-Israeli attack on Iran

Hong Kong’s Airport Authority says at least nine flights have been cancelled or postponed.

Explainer | With Khamenei dead, who will be Iran’s next supreme leader?

A council was formed to lead Iran in the transitional period, while a panel selects the new leader, with Khamenei’s son a potential contender.

‘Time for us’: the Malaysian rapper putting her country on the SXSW map

Zamaera is taking five Malaysian artists to Texas next month after asking herself a simple question: why doesn’t Malaysia have a stage yet?

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | As AI agents advance, Hong Kong should shape the rules now

Asian Angle | Southeast Asia needs AI sovereignty – the Grok scandal proved it

Opinion | Why China steers clear of the West’s transactional diplomacy

Letters | Passports and the idea of belonging in Hong Kong

Opinion | US-Israeli strike on Iran signals new phase of global escalation

131 Hongkongers stranded in Middle East safe as attacks escalate

Romantic Warrior one step closer to the Triple Crown after devastating Gold Cup win

Cathay passengers bemoan refund policies as US, Israel exchange strikes with Iran

Will Iran collapse without Khamenei or can its regime endure?

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Iran’s security chief outlines leadership transition process

Belgium special forces seize Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker

Year of the Horse 2026 feng shui advice for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs to enjoy good luck

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where each Chinese zodiac sign can place items for good luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

Feng shui advice for Snakes for luck in money, health and romance

Why do Chinese love water chestnuts? All about the lucky ‘horse’s hoof’

Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era

American political scientist on how ‘interdependence’ can be exploited as part of the rivalry between major powers.

Open Questions | Why Trump’s April trip to China may not deliver ‘grand bargain’: James Zimmerman

The American Chamber of Commerce in China chairman says this year’s expected Trump-Xi meetings can put countries on a ‘visionary’ path.

Open Questions | Trump’s ‘imperial’ agenda and the end of the old world order: Luuk van Middelaar

Political theorist says rapid acceleration of the US president’s ‘offensive, almost imperial’ agenda has left Europe disoriented.

Open Questions | Lawrence Lau on why China must ‘work smarter’ and how it can invent from scratch

China must shift from quantity to quality by focusing on 12-year schooling, more basic research and GBA integration, renowned economist says.

Chinese chip firms Cambricon, Moore Threads post sales jump on domestic demand

Cambricon reports first full-year profit since listing in 2020, while Moore Threads’ revenue jumps 243 per cent.

Hong Kong-listed Chinese drug firms set to turn corner on rising sales, deals

Chinese pharmaceutical firms are poised for profit growth, driven by innovative drug sales and licensing deals, despite pricing pressures.

How China could narrow a tech hub’s income gap – and avoid Silicon Valley’s fate

As tech mecca Zhejiang province sees wealth soar on the back of robotics, gaming and AI, Beijing hopes to avert a wide income disparity.

From gala spectacle to job scare: Chinese workers confront the AI threat

The country’s economy – with an expansive public sector – is better positioned to withstand AI shocks, but more government support is needed.

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

Breaking down the key figures in Hong Kong 2026-27 budget

A deep dive into the data from Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan’s latest budget announcement, looking at the government’s growing revenue and increasing investment in infrastructure.

5 top takeaways from Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address

In a speech that runs nearly two hours, Trump casts himself as a global peacemaker and touts his economic credentials.

Smaller, faster, smarter: Chinese transistor ready for future AI chips

Breakthrough said to overcome long-standing limitations of traditional ferroelectric transistors, ‘paving way for large-scale application’.

Developing | Trump threatens more hits, Khamenei dead and Israel mounts new attacks

How Standard Chartered’s SME Banking helps Hong Kong arts and crafts design firm’s growth

Opinion | As AI agents advance, Hong Kong should shape the rules now

Video | Iran’s security chief outlines leadership transition process