Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses a debate on the urgent action required to boost EU competitiveness, deepen the single market and reduce the cost of living, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Free trade or fortress Europe? The battle for the soul of the EU economy

European leaders meet to address the bloc’s economic woes, reliance on China and US, and shielding key industries from protectionist policies.

19 minutes agovideocam

Exclusive | Cold shoulder? China, EU in diplomatic stand-off ahead of Munich showdown

China-EU relations

Diplomacy

Exclusive | Trump and Xi expected to extend trade truce at Beijing summit

Leaders may roll back tariffs for up to a year as China resumes soybean buys and officials seek short-term economic wins before US midterms.

12 Feb 2026 - 5:43AMvideocam

Global Economy

Nexperia faces 6-month inquiry as CEO Zhang’s suspension upheld by Dutch court

Investigation into firm’s governance could last six months, with one analyst warning of damage to bilateral ties.

18 minutes agovideocam

Hong Kong Economy

11.38 million expected to cross Hong Kong borders over Lunar New Year period

Projected figure marks 16 per cent increase from last year, according to the Immigration Department.

3 hours ago

Focus

How Manila’s ‘naming and shaming’ challenges Beijing’s South China Sea stance

Military

China’s Middle East arms edge overshadowed by Turkey and South Korea in Riyadh

Analysts note Chinese inroads in military UAV market but political challenges for its jet fighters at the World Defence Show.

2 hours agovideocam

A Wing Loong-X unmanned aerial vehicle on display at the World Defence Show in Riyadh on Monday. Photo: AFP

Military

US establishes new army foothold in Southeast Asia to ‘contain China’: analyst

US deploys new rotational force to Southeast Asian ally, a move experts say is aimed at deterring China and supporting Typhon missile system.

3 hours ago

People

Malaysia’s Anwar defends anti-corruption chief over new share scandal

MACC chief Azam Baki has clarified that he had openly declared the shares and held on to them for less than a year.

24 minutes agovideocam

Education

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s 20-year evolution ensures it meets world’s fast-changing technological, industrial and societal needs.

In partnership with:

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Politics

Philippines plans population boost in Spratly Islands amid diplomatic dispute

Filipino leaders from Kalayaan and Chinese embassy officials in Manila have clashed over entry bans for personnel on either side.

2 hours agovideocam

Construction takes place on the Philippine-occupied Thitu island, locally called Pagasa, in November 2024. Photo: AP

Transport

MTR Corp urged to probe possible human error after Hong Kong Island line shutdown

‘Unless they encountered an unprecedented mechanical failure, the chances of human error are nowhere near low,’ ex-lawmaker Gary Zhang says.

3 hours ago

Politics

The US dropped proposal of Iran regime change. Could a nuclear deal be next?

Both sides appear amenable to a deal limiting some of Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities after last week’s diplomatic re-establishment.

2 hours agovideocam

China

Dutch world champ says Games dream ‘ripped apart’ after clash with Chinese skater

Lian Ziwen is disqualified and later apologises over tangle with Joep Wennemars, who says the incident in the 1,000m cost him a medal.

2 hours ago

The Netherlands’ Joep Wennemars (left) and China’s Lian Ziwen after their pairs race in the speed skating 1000m event at the Milano Cortina Games on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Business

Hong Kong tycoon Joseph Lau’s kin sell Mid-Levels flat for US$12.8 million

Entity controlled by Lau’s eldest son Lau Ming-wai and former partner Yvonne Lui turns profit on deal amid firming prices in luxury segment.

54 minutes ago

The seller of the flat in The Albany in Mid-Levels made a 66 per cent gain on the property. Photo: Google

Trending in China

Why your brain needs fat, advice for Year of the Horse: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From navigating romantic hurdles in Hong Kong to feng shui advice for the Lunar New Year, here are five stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

49 minutes ago

China Economy

‘The Trump factor’ could be luring more foreign investors to China. Here’s why

Global volatility is forcing a rethink of traditional safe havens, creating opportunities for Beijing, prominent investor says.

5 hours ago

Diplomacy

What will headline the Xi-Trump summit? Nicholas Burns weighs in

There is no substitute for top-level engagement given the issues at stake, Nicholas Burns says.

12 Feb 2026 - 2:24AMvideocam

The presidents of the United States and China last met in South Korea in October. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

‘We didn’t cry easily’: Philippine senator slammed for calling Gen Z ‘weak’

Robin Padilla was criticised for downplaying depression and not being sensitive to the social and economic problems faced by young Filipinos.

31 minutes agovideocam

Philippine Senator Robin Padilla carrying a cardboard cutout of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte on a bus. Photo: handout

Health & Environment

Rat in Don Don Donki sushi chiller sparks outcry over Hong Kong public hygiene

Video on social media shows shopper recoiling as rodent scurries across boxes of sushi in display chiller at Tuen Mun supermarket.

20 minutes ago

United States & Canada

Canada school shooter was 18-year-old with mental health issues

Police had previously visited the home of Jesse Van Rootselaar multiple times before the rampage in Tumbler Ridge that left nine dead.

2 hours ago

OPINION

Nixie Lam

Opinion | Hong Kong’s civil service won’t benefit from a universal retirement age hike

6 hours ago

Bernard Man

Legal Tales | How Hong Kong law deals with the complicated matter of divorce

12 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM

Letters

Letters | Why cardiovascular health is an economic imperative for Asia

5 hours ago

Zhihua Zheng

Opinion | Will Japan’s election result trigger a security spiral with China?

12 Feb 2026 - 8:38AM

Andrew Sun

Mouthing Off | The least romantic thing to do on Valentine’s Day? Go to a restaurant

12 Feb 2026 - 8:15AM

Harry’s View | 12 Feb 2026

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Celebrities

Meet Sturla Holm Lægreid, the Olympian who admitted to cheating on his girlfriend

7 minutes ago

Luxury News

How Style by SCMP celebrated 20 years with Hong Kong’s top tastemakers

19 minutes ago

Diplomacy

Free trade or fortress Europe? The battle for the soul of the EU economy

24 minutes ago

People

Malaysia’s Anwar defends anti-corruption chief over new share scandal

31 minutes ago

Lifestyle & Culture

‘We didn’t cry easily’: Philippine senator slammed for calling Gen Z ‘weak’

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Trending in China

Why your brain needs fat, advice for Year of the Horse: 7 Lifestyle highlights

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Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

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SCMP Series Challenges and pathways in the South China Sea

Bully vs sovereignty: how Manila and Beijing are sharpening their South China Sea messaging

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.

5 hours agovideocam

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

11 Feb 2026 - 6:14AMvideocam

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

10 Feb 2026 - 9:43AMvideocam

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

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.

9 Feb 2026 - 1:10PMvideocam

Diplomacy

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.

2 Feb 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

China

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

29 Jan 2026 - 11:50AMvideocam

Tech Trends

Open Questions | Jeffrey Ding on why diffusion, not innovation, is the secret to AI success

Professor says a ‘diffusion marathon’, where AI is gradually embedded in an economy over decades, will determine the winner of US-China tech war.

4 Feb 2026 - 3:48PMvideocam

Key Industries:

China’s AI arms race sees sector brace for major flagship model launch week

A ‘stealth’ model has emerged, while advancements by Alibaba’s Qwen-3.5 and Zhipu’s GLM-5 aim to spur domestic competition following releases by US heavyweights.

9 Feb 2026 - 8:02PM

China’s AI sector is bracing for a monumental week, with a flurry of anticipated model releases. Photo: Shutterstock

Banking & Finance

Capital injection: China backs AI drug makers in self-reliance drive

A wave of government-linked investment is boosting Chinese AI drug makers, underscoring Beijing’s drive to build its own biotech ecosystem.

11 Feb 2026 - 5:14PM

China Business

WuXi Biologics earnings jump as ‘follow and win the molecule’ strategy pays off

Chinese contract drug maker forecasts 46.3 per cent profit rise and signals continued growth despite US political scrutiny.

11 Feb 2026 - 4:26PM

Big Tech

China’s SMIC expects flat revenue as drop in low-end orders offsets AI growth

The contract chipmaker’s profit falls short of analyst estimates amid ‘challenges’ brought on by memory supply crunch.

11 Feb 2026 - 4:28PM

Diplomacy

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

As 2026 Asean chair, Manila has highlighted its push to finalise within its term a code of conduct covering the contested waters.

11 Feb 2026 - 6:14AMvideocam

Law and Crime

Key dates in Jimmy Lai’s Hong Kong national security case

10 Feb 2026 - 5:00PM

Diplomacy

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

Effective January 17, the framework protects unique marine biodiversity and ecosystems in areas beyond any individual country’s jurisdiction.

10 Feb 2026 - 9:43AMvideocam

China

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

Discover the characteristics of people born in the Year of the Horse and why the coming Year of the Fire Horse is so revered in Chinese culture. Find out your Chinese zodiac animal sign, learn about the ancient river race that decided the zodiac order, and uncover the real historical roots of the zodiac system.

8 Feb 2026 - 11:00AM

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

Free trade or fortress Europe? The battle for the soul of the EU economy

European leaders meet to address the bloc’s economic woes, reliance on China and US, and shielding key industries from protectionist policies.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Cold shoulder? China, EU in diplomatic stand-off ahead of Munich showdown

Exclusive | Trump and Xi expected to extend trade truce at Beijing summit

Leaders may roll back tariffs for up to a year as China resumes soybean buys and officials seek short-term economic wins before US midterms.

Nexperia faces 6-month inquiry as CEO Zhang’s suspension upheld by Dutch court

Investigation into firm’s governance could last six months, with one analyst warning of damage to bilateral ties.

11.38 million expected to cross Hong Kong borders over Lunar New Year period

Projected figure marks 16 per cent increase from last year, according to the Immigration Department.

How Manila’s ‘naming and shaming’ challenges Beijing’s South China Sea stance

China’s Middle East arms edge overshadowed by Turkey and South Korea in Riyadh

Analysts note Chinese inroads in military UAV market but political challenges for its jet fighters at the World Defence Show.

US establishes new army foothold in Southeast Asia to ‘contain China’: analyst

US deploys new rotational force to Southeast Asian ally, a move experts say is aimed at deterring China and supporting Typhon missile system.

Malaysia’s Anwar defends anti-corruption chief over new share scandal

MACC chief Azam Baki has clarified that he had openly declared the shares and held on to them for less than a year.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s 20-year evolution ensures it meets world’s fast-changing technological, industrial and societal needs.

Philippines plans population boost in Spratly Islands amid diplomatic dispute

Filipino leaders from Kalayaan and Chinese embassy officials in Manila have clashed over entry bans for personnel on either side.

MTR Corp urged to probe possible human error after Hong Kong Island line shutdown

‘Unless they encountered an unprecedented mechanical failure, the chances of human error are nowhere near low,’ ex-lawmaker Gary Zhang says.

The US dropped proposal of Iran regime change. Could a nuclear deal be next?

Both sides appear amenable to a deal limiting some of Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities after last week’s diplomatic re-establishment.

Dutch world champ says Games dream ‘ripped apart’ after clash with Chinese skater

Lian Ziwen is disqualified and later apologises over tangle with Joep Wennemars, who says the incident in the 1,000m cost him a medal.

Hong Kong tycoon Joseph Lau’s kin sell Mid-Levels flat for US$12.8 million

Entity controlled by Lau’s eldest son Lau Ming-wai and former partner Yvonne Lui turns profit on deal amid firming prices in luxury segment.

Why your brain needs fat, advice for Year of the Horse: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From navigating romantic hurdles in Hong Kong to feng shui advice for the Lunar New Year, here are five stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

‘The Trump factor’ could be luring more foreign investors to China. Here’s why

Global volatility is forcing a rethink of traditional safe havens, creating opportunities for Beijing, prominent investor says.

What will headline the Xi-Trump summit? Nicholas Burns weighs in

There is no substitute for top-level engagement given the issues at stake, Nicholas Burns says.

‘We didn’t cry easily’: Philippine senator slammed for calling Gen Z ‘weak’

Robin Padilla was criticised for downplaying depression and not being sensitive to the social and economic problems faced by young Filipinos.

Rat in Don Don Donki sushi chiller sparks outcry over Hong Kong public hygiene

Video on social media shows shopper recoiling as rodent scurries across boxes of sushi in display chiller at Tuen Mun supermarket.

Canada school shooter was 18-year-old with mental health issues

Police had previously visited the home of Jesse Van Rootselaar multiple times before the rampage in Tumbler Ridge that left nine dead.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Hong Kong’s civil service won’t benefit from a universal retirement age hike

Legal Tales | How Hong Kong law deals with the complicated matter of divorce

Letters | Why cardiovascular health is an economic imperative for Asia

Opinion | Will Japan’s election result trigger a security spiral with China?

Mouthing Off | The least romantic thing to do on Valentine’s Day? Go to a restaurant

Meet Sturla Holm Lægreid, the Olympian who admitted to cheating on his girlfriend

How Style by SCMP celebrated 20 years with Hong Kong’s top tastemakers

Free trade or fortress Europe? The battle for the soul of the EU economy

Malaysia’s Anwar defends anti-corruption chief over new share scandal

‘We didn’t cry easily’: Philippine senator slammed for calling Gen Z ‘weak’

Why your brain needs fat, advice for Year of the Horse: 7 Lifestyle highlights

Bully vs sovereignty: how Manila and Beijing are sharpening their South China Sea messaging

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

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.

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

Open Questions | Jeffrey Ding on why diffusion, not innovation, is the secret to AI success

Professor says a ‘diffusion marathon’, where AI is gradually embedded in an economy over decades, will determine the winner of US-China tech war.

China’s AI arms race sees sector brace for major flagship model launch week

A ‘stealth’ model has emerged, while advancements by Alibaba’s Qwen-3.5 and Zhipu’s GLM-5 aim to spur domestic competition following releases by US heavyweights.

Capital injection: China backs AI drug makers in self-reliance drive

A wave of government-linked investment is boosting Chinese AI drug makers, underscoring Beijing’s drive to build its own biotech ecosystem.

WuXi Biologics earnings jump as ‘follow and win the molecule’ strategy pays off

Chinese contract drug maker forecasts 46.3 per cent profit rise and signals continued growth despite US political scrutiny.

China’s SMIC expects flat revenue as drop in low-end orders offsets AI growth

The contract chipmaker’s profit falls short of analyst estimates amid ‘challenges’ brought on by memory supply crunch.

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

As 2026 Asean chair, Manila has highlighted its push to finalise within its term a code of conduct covering the contested waters.

Key dates in Jimmy Lai’s Hong Kong national security case

Key dates in Jimmy Lai’s Hong Kong national security case

Why High Seas Treaty could change ‘rules of the game’ in South China Sea row

Effective January 17, the framework protects unique marine biodiversity and ecosystems in areas beyond any individual country’s jurisdiction.

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

Exclusive | Cold shoulder? China, EU in diplomatic stand-off ahead of Munich showdown

Academic innovation can help budding entrepreneurs overcome future challenges

Opinion | Hong Kong’s civil service won’t benefit from a universal retirement age hike