Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

The US-China trade war 1 year on: who really holds the upper hand?

A fragile truce prevented all-out confrontation, but Beijing and Washington remain locked in a struggle few analysts see easing any time soon.

24 minutes agovideocam

With Trump’s China trip in limbo, further trade talks loom: analysts

US-China trade war

Diplomacy

What will the US do next in its war on Iran? Chinese pundits point to a likely path

With no truce in sight, American forces might be preparing for a short, sharp option, analysts say.

2 Apr 2026 - 11:54PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

2 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

How Trump’s plan to take Iran’s Kharg Island could come unhinged

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize the key Iranian oil hub, with latest speech heightening fears.

2 Apr 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Shipping containers wait to be transported along a railroad at the port of Los Angeles in Long Beach, California, one of the busiest gateways for US trade. Photo: Reuters

As Xi-Trump summit approaches, tariffs continue to choke direct trade

Tech Trends

Anthropic’s AI code leak ignites frenzy among Chinese developers

Chinese developers have been having a field day, scrambling to download copies of the leaked code and poring over files to learn detail.

2 Apr 2026 - 9:58PM

Anthropic has not made its services available in mainland China, citing national security concerns. Photo: dpa

Society

Tai Po blaze probe: property firm failed to identify, follow up on fire hazards

Senior staff of property management firm ISS EastPoint declined to testify, hearing also told.

6 hours agovideocam

Business

New World pulls back on Causeway Bay acquisition amid uneven recovery

Developer steps back from consolidating three commercial sites as high costs and patchy demand weigh on redevelopment decisions.

2 Apr 2026 - 7:34PM

Business

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

In partnership with:

Standard Chartered

Middle East

Iran war: music and barbecues in Tehran despite Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threats

Families celebrate the last day of the Persian new year holidays, even as the US president vows to hit the country hard.

2 hours ago

Iranian men smoke waterpipes as they sit in Tehran’s Mellat Park on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Science

How to take down a US F-35 over Iran? Chinese engineer’s tutorial goes viral

Striking phenomenon emerges from China as technically skilled civilians volunteer expertise online to help Iran counter US military might.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Military

PLA upgrades ageing tanks with protection system for potential Taiwan operation

Type 96A main battle tanks from Eastern Theatre Command now have APS to counter drones and anti-tank missiles, according to state media.

2 Apr 2026 - 7:00PM

United States & Canada

Hegseth ousts army’s top uniformed officer, even as US wages war on Iran

Chief of Staff Randy George has been asked to take early retirement, in the latest of over a dozen firings of top generals and admirals.

1 hour ago

US Army Chief of Staff General Randy George speaks to American soldiers in southern Germany in February. Photo: AFP

United States & Canada

Nasa’s Artemis crew gets green light to make big push to the moon

The four astronauts have approval to fire up the Orion capsule engine for the first crewed lunar fly-by in half a century.

30 minutes agovideocam

The Artemis II crewed lunar mission lifts off from the Kennedy Space Centre on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

United States & Canada

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US attorney general, amid Epstein files furore

The US president was also reportedly frustrated that she was not moving quickly enough to prosecute his critics and foes.

4 hours ago

Transport

40,000 taxi drivers sign up for e-payment systems as new rules come into force

Widespread coverage is good news ahead of coming holiday for mainland visitors who have solely been using e-wallets for years.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:21PM

Entertainment

Why fierce mothers and violent monsters star in Joe Hsieh’s animations

Taiwanese director Hsieh reflects on the strength of women, preferring hand-drawn animation over AI, and using violence in film.

3 Apr 2026 - 12:01AM

A still from Praying Mantis (2025), an animated short film co-directed by Taiwanese director Joe Hsieh and Hong Kong arthouse auteur Yonfan. Image: handout

Big Tech

Chinese AI giants pivot toward proprietary models to drive revenue, performance

This week, Alibaba released three proprietary models that were all accessible only via its official cloud platform or chatbot website.

2 Apr 2026 - 10:23PM

People walk past the Alibaba Qwen booth at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, March 2, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

Lifestyle & Culture

Bali rocked by spate of murder cases – is Indonesian island more dangerous now?

The cases allegedly involving foreign suspects have spurred concerns that gang disputes have moved from other countries to the island.

2 Apr 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

Entertainment

‘Like a TikTok trend’: how micro dramas leave big studios in their dust

The head of a Chinese micro drama company shares how studios behind short-form shows for phones use data to keep viewers hooked.

2 Apr 2026 - 5:15PMvideocam

OPINION

Richard Harris

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

1 hour ago

Hao Nan

Opinion | Iran war is changing East Asia’s energy and strategic plays

2 Apr 2026 - 9:44PM

Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Asian central banks largely powerless in face of Iran war energy shock

2 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

Ken Chu

Opinion | Hong Kong’s next 5 years must take city from alignment to action

2 Apr 2026 - 9:35AM

Letters

Letters | Hong Kong needs to start charging all bus passengers by distance

2 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

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Traditional Russian wooden dolls depict Chinese President Xi Jinping, then US president-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg, Russia, on November 21, 2024. Photo: AP

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

27 Mar 2026 - 11:40PMvideocam

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

21 Mar 2026 - 2:39PMvideocam

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

20 Mar 2026 - 6:28PMvideocam

Open Questions series

China Economy

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

30 Mar 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Military

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

21 Mar 2026 - 6:18PM

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the company’s global AI conference in San Jose, California, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Big Tech

Chinese AI giants pivot toward proprietary models to drive revenue, performance

This week, Alibaba released three proprietary models that were all accessible only via its official cloud platform or chatbot website.

2 Apr 2026 - 10:23PM

Tech Trends

Anthropic’s AI code leak ignites frenzy among Chinese developers

Chinese developers have been having a field day, scrambling to download copies of the leaked code and poring over files to learn detail.

2 Apr 2026 - 9:58PM

China Business

China EV makers surge back in March as subsidies and financing spur demand

Carmakers report strong month-on-month gains as policy support and new financing schemes lift buyer sentiment.

2 Apr 2026 - 6:00PM

The EV rebound has been underpinned by renewed policy support at the local level. Photo: AFP

Science

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

1 Apr 2026 - 9:50AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

Diplomacy

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

29 Mar 2026 - 6:17AM

Politics

How a Tang dynasty tablet became a test for China-Japan restitution

Fresh calls involving Tokyo’s Imperial Palace could spell turning point for repatriating looted war relics after decades of inertia.

28 Mar 2026 - 3:50PM

The US-China trade war 1 year on: who really holds the upper hand?

A fragile truce prevented all-out confrontation, but Beijing and Washington remain locked in a struggle few analysts see easing any time soon.

With Trump’s China trip in limbo, further trade talks loom: analysts

What will the US do next in its war on Iran? Chinese pundits point to a likely path

With no truce in sight, American forces might be preparing for a short, sharp option, analysts say.

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

How Trump’s plan to take Iran’s Kharg Island could come unhinged

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize the key Iranian oil hub, with latest speech heightening fears.

As Xi-Trump summit approaches, tariffs continue to choke direct trade

Anthropic’s AI code leak ignites frenzy among Chinese developers

Chinese developers have been having a field day, scrambling to download copies of the leaked code and poring over files to learn detail.

Tai Po blaze probe: property firm failed to identify, follow up on fire hazards

Senior staff of property management firm ISS EastPoint declined to testify, hearing also told.

New World pulls back on Causeway Bay acquisition amid uneven recovery

Developer steps back from consolidating three commercial sites as high costs and patchy demand weigh on redevelopment decisions.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Bank’s financial services and partnership with consultancy Altios help Singapore-headquartered company TFE expand into India.

Iran war: music and barbecues in Tehran despite Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threats

Families celebrate the last day of the Persian new year holidays, even as the US president vows to hit the country hard.

How to take down a US F-35 over Iran? Chinese engineer’s tutorial goes viral

Striking phenomenon emerges from China as technically skilled civilians volunteer expertise online to help Iran counter US military might.

PLA upgrades ageing tanks with protection system for potential Taiwan operation

Type 96A main battle tanks from Eastern Theatre Command now have APS to counter drones and anti-tank missiles, according to state media.

Hegseth ousts army’s top uniformed officer, even as US wages war on Iran

Chief of Staff Randy George has been asked to take early retirement, in the latest of over a dozen firings of top generals and admirals.

Nasa’s Artemis crew gets green light to make big push to the moon

The four astronauts have approval to fire up the Orion capsule engine for the first crewed lunar fly-by in half a century.

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US attorney general, amid Epstein files furore

The US president was also reportedly frustrated that she was not moving quickly enough to prosecute his critics and foes.

40,000 taxi drivers sign up for e-payment systems as new rules come into force

Widespread coverage is good news ahead of coming holiday for mainland visitors who have solely been using e-wallets for years.

Why fierce mothers and violent monsters star in Joe Hsieh’s animations

Taiwanese director Hsieh reflects on the strength of women, preferring hand-drawn animation over AI, and using violence in film.

Chinese AI giants pivot toward proprietary models to drive revenue, performance

This week, Alibaba released three proprietary models that were all accessible only via its official cloud platform or chatbot website.

Bali rocked by spate of murder cases – is Indonesian island more dangerous now?

The cases allegedly involving foreign suspects have spurred concerns that gang disputes have moved from other countries to the island.

‘Like a TikTok trend’: how micro dramas leave big studios in their dust

The head of a Chinese micro drama company shares how studios behind short-form shows for phones use data to keep viewers hooked.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Opinion | Iran war is changing East Asia’s energy and strategic plays

Macroscope | Asian central banks largely powerless in face of Iran war energy shock

Opinion | Hong Kong’s next 5 years must take city from alignment to action

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Hong Kong needs to start charging all bus passengers by distance

The US-China trade war 1 year on: who really holds the upper hand?

Meet Shaquille O’Neal’s youngest daughter Me’Arah, who just broke dad’s record

Beyond Omega: redefining space watches for a new era of exploration

Nasa’s Artemis crew gets green light to make big push to the moon

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Hegseth ousts army’s top uniformed officer, even as US wages war on Iran

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

Chinese AI giants pivot toward proprietary models to drive revenue, performance

This week, Alibaba released three proprietary models that were all accessible only via its official cloud platform or chatbot website.

Anthropic’s AI code leak ignites frenzy among Chinese developers

Chinese developers have been having a field day, scrambling to download copies of the leaked code and poring over files to learn detail.

China EV makers surge back in March as subsidies and financing spur demand

Carmakers report strong month-on-month gains as policy support and new financing schemes lift buyer sentiment.

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

How a Tang dynasty tablet became a test for China-Japan restitution

Fresh calls involving Tokyo’s Imperial Palace could spell turning point for repatriating looted war relics after decades of inertia.

SMEs leverage Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise to achieve growth

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Letters | Hong Kong needs to start charging all bus passengers by distance