China’s C909 jet, Apple iPhone Air, Hong Kong’s global talent ranking: SCMP’s 7 highlights

From a pioneering mathematician’s return to China to flood control protests in the Philippines, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

Reading Time:2 minutes

C909 passenger aircraft and C919 passenger aircraft taxi ahead of the Airshow China on November 9, 2024, in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

Published: 2:46pm, 12 Sep 2025Updated: 5:08pm, 12 Sep 2025

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. China’s aircraft maker Comac wins one of its biggest overseas orders for C909 jets

Chinese-made aircraft are set to spread their wings further in Southeast Asia after Air Cambodia announced what could become the largest ever overseas order for C909 passenger jets.

2. After 40 years in US, pioneering mathematician Zhongwei Shen returns to China

Mathematician Zhongwei Shen says he hopes to keep pushing forward the problems that have defined his career, and also return to classroom. Photo: Handout

Pioneering Chinese-American mathematician Zhongwei Shen has left the United States to take up a chair professorship at Westlake University in Hangzhou.

3. Hong Kong shoots up global talent ranking to No 4: John Lee

Hong Kong has climbed five places to secure its highest-ever global ranking of fourth spot for talent, the city’s leader revealed at a summit organised by the Post, as he called for the further bolstering of ties with “like-minded” partners such as Asean amid rising unilateralism.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00