China sees ‘sudden’ rise in sea water, jobs for Hong Kong top talents: SCMP’s 7 highlights
From top talents in Hong Kong struggling to find work to backlash over eating hotpot in an electric vehicle, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting
![Experts say several highly unusual factors contributed to Monday evening’s tidal event in eastern China. Photo: SCMP](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2024/10/25/bb3523d2-14cb-47e6-8221-f6aa83046ee7_5ac0c842.jpg?itok=CfehNO2r&v=1729817261)
1. China hit by sudden rise of sea water level ‘never seen in history’
Late Monday evening, along the coast of northeastern China’s Bohai Sea, the water began to rise as it normally does when tide comes in. But the water kept rising. It quickly flooded inland areas, prompting emergency responses and shattering official records.
2. ‘Personal’ vs ‘transactional’: Harris and Trump’s Southeast Asia strategies
![Illustration by Lau Ka-kuen Illustration by Lau Ka-kuen](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/10/24/668deaac-22e2-4b32-ab42-28f54fdaba2d_e603c26c.jpg)
While their strategies for the region are expected to be similar, analysts see Kamala Harris taking a more “personal” approach and paying more attention to issues like the South China Sea. Donald Trump might be more assertive on the disputed waterway – potentially worsening tensions and increasing the risk of confrontation with China.
3. US reacts to China-India border thaw; experts say the dispute is not over yet
![More than 30 rounds of negotiations have taken place between China and India since a deadly clash in the Himalayan border region in 2020. Photo: AFP More than 30 rounds of negotiations have taken place between China and India since a deadly clash in the Himalayan border region in 2020. Photo: AFP](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/10/25/24fb4550-bff2-4001-8c02-523117579846_1d64c8fa.jpg)
Washington is closely monitoring developments following New Delhi’s announcement of an agreement with Beijing on patrolling their 3,000km (1,860-mile) disputed border.
4. Leaving Singapore: a look at Lee Hsien Yang and 6 others who chose asylum
![Lee Hsien Yang, younger brother of Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, leaves the supreme court in 2017. Photo: AFP Lee Hsien Yang, younger brother of Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, leaves the supreme court in 2017. Photo: AFP](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/10/25/66fa56b1-5297-4fce-be1c-fdbe2a61badf_4b1b2417.jpg)
5. China auto company VP faces backlash after clip shows him eating hotpot in car
![An auto company vice-president is under fire after a video of him eating hotpot in a car went viral, prompting concerns about practicality and professionalism. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Baidu An auto company vice-president is under fire after a video of him eating hotpot in a car went viral, prompting concerns about practicality and professionalism. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Baidu](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/10/24/415784df-120c-45fe-bb0f-2ccf8734cc5d_a18f5966.jpg)
An auto company senior executive in China sparked significant backlash after sharing a video of himself enjoying a hotpot meal inside a new car model from his firm, aiming to promote its multipurpose use and air filtration system.
6. Where are the jobs? Top talent lured to Hong Kong struggle to find work
Launched in December 2022, Hong Kong’s top talent scheme aimed to attract global top graduates, professionals and entrepreneurs amid the city’s brain drain following the Covid-19 pandemic. Authorities have said that those recruited under the scheme earned a median monthly salary of HK$50,000 (US$6,390) and were estimated to have added HK$34 billion to the economy.
But behind this rosy picture, not all has been smooth sailing.
7. China’s biggest trade fair shows how US, EU buyers may be losing interest
![The Canton Fair is generally seen as a barometer of China’s foreign trade. It is divided into three phases to attract different types of buyers. Photo: Xinhua The Canton Fair is generally seen as a barometer of China’s foreign trade. It is divided into three phases to attract different types of buyers. Photo: Xinhua](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/10/24/57034e34-1bd8-447a-83eb-5d03483095c5_b48da5b4.jpg)
When the autumn edition of China’s oldest and largest trade fair opened its doors last week, many Chinese exporters could not help but notice that Europeans and North Americans were less represented among the bustle of buyers at the twice-yearly event.
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