https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/305785/feed Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Taiwan, covering politics, economy, society and the island's relationship with mainland China. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Shi Jiangtao,William Zheng Shi Jiangtao,William Zheng Kurt Campbell is a veteran US diplomat and strategist who has played a leading role in shaping Washington’s approach to China and the Indo-Pacific for more than a decade. He served as the White House coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs from 2021 to 2024 and as US deputy secretary of state from 2024 to 2025. Previously, he served as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs from 2009 to 2013 and was a key architect of the Obama administration’s “pivot to Asia”. Often... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370485/kurt-campbell-us-deterrence-quad-aukus-and-taiwan-after-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370485/kurt-campbell-us-deterrence-quad-aukus-and-taiwan-after-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Oct 2026 22:00:15 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwan’s military is grappling with a worsening manpower shortage, with its volunteer staffing rate remaining below the 80 per cent target for a third consecutive year and concerns mounting over the impact on combat readiness, according to the island’s legislature. The shortages extend deep into frontline formations – including infantry, artillery, missile and air defence units – raising questions over whether Taiwan will have enough trained personnel to operate and maintain the vast quantities... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3370477/how-taiwans-military-manpower-shortage-undermining-its-ability-fight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3370477/how-taiwans-military-manpower-shortage-undermining-its-ability-fight?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Oct 2026 10:00:12 +0000 Howard Liu Howard Liu Japanese semiconductor materials giant Sumitomo Bakelite plans to expand production of advanced chip packaging materials in China and Singapore, marking the second such announcement for its Chinese operations in less than four months as artificial intelligence drives demand for more sophisticated semiconductors. The Tokyo-based company said on Friday that it would add production lines for mould underfill (MUF) materials and compression-moulding granules at its facilities in Suzhou, eastern... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3370468/japans-sumitomo-bakelite-expands-china-chip-packaging-materials-output-amid-ai-boom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3370468/japans-sumitomo-bakelite-expands-china-chip-packaging-materials-output-amid-ai-boom?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Oct 2026 03:04:32 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te has welcomed talks between Washington and Beijing aimed at reducing the risk of conflict. Lai’s annual Double Tenth address on Saturday, marking the anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name, also called for democracies to work together to safeguard regional peace and for the Taiwanese people’s right to exist to be respected. He also warned that mainland China was trying to put pressure on the island to change the status... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3370442/taiwanese-leader-welcomes-talks-between-washington-and-beijing-reduce-risk-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3370442/taiwanese-leader-welcomes-talks-between-washington-and-beijing-reduce-risk-war?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 10:09:31 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang Recent interactions involving the US and Taiwan are not expected to derail the current momentum in relations between Washington and mainland China, according to diplomatic analysts. Beijing was taking a pragmatic approach to navigating the complexities of the Taiwan issue, they said, but the fate of a US$14 billion arms package for the island remained a key concern. During President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to the United States, Xi urged his hosts to “adhere to the correct position of opposing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3370402/will-taiwan-issue-derail-washington-and-beijings-latest-reset-analysts-are-sceptical?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3370402/will-taiwan-issue-derail-washington-and-beijings-latest-reset-analysts-are-sceptical?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 03:00:12 +0000 Holly Chik Holly Chik One of the world’s biggest network service providers has opened a new subsea route between Taipei and Hong Kong to strengthen the system against repeated underwater cable disruptions around the island. Britain-headquartered RETN said the new route would take its total to six serving Taiwan: four connecting Taipei and Hong Kong, and two linking Taipei and Tokyo. “Like many island economies, Taiwan’s international connectivity relies heavily on subsea cables, which creates exposure to risks such... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3370149/new-taipei-hong-kong-subsea-route-opened-cut-risk-and-meet-ai-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3370149/new-taipei-hong-kong-subsea-route-opened-cut-risk-and-meet-ai-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 01:00:06 +0000 Shi Jiangtao,William Zheng Shi Jiangtao,William Zheng Kurt Campbell is a veteran US diplomat and strategist who has played a leading role in shaping Washington’s approach to China and the Indo-Pacific for more than a decade. He served as the White House coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs from 2021 to 2024 and as US deputy secretary of state from 2024 to 2025. Previously, he served as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs from 2009 to 2013 and was a key architect of the Obama administration’s “pivot to Asia”. Often... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370379/kurt-campbell-us-china-focus-indo-pacific-quad-risks-ai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370379/kurt-campbell-us-china-focus-indo-pacific-quad-risks-ai?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:01:05 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim When China and the United States agreed in May to frame their relationship as a “constructive relationship of strategic stability”, the phrase left many observers trying to guess what it actually meant. Four months on, they have added an elaboration that offers further insight into the two sides’ respective priorities. After presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump met in Washington last month, the two sides pledged to build a “constructive relationship of strategic stability on the basis of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370323/what-are-concerns-and-priorities-behind-new-language-used-define-china-us-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370323/what-are-concerns-and-priorities-behind-new-language-used-define-china-us-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 22:00:09 +0000 Iris Deng Iris Deng Notebook manufacturers are being forced to rethink their shift out of China and consider moving production back to the manufacturing hub, as skyrocketing component costs squeeze profit margins, according to market research firm TrendForce. The Taiwan-based firm projected that the share of global notebook production outside mainland China would decline to 21 per cent this year from about 24 per cent in 2025, and drop below 20 per cent in 2027. “This suggests that brands are reassessing the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3370341/soaring-component-costs-force-laptop-makers-rethink-shift-away-china-report?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3370341/soaring-component-costs-force-laptop-makers-rethink-shift-away-china-report?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:30:07 +0000 Gabriel Dominguez Gabriel Dominguez China is running the most systematic effort of any outside power to learn from the drone war in Ukraine, with military and defence-industry analysts typically writing up new battlefield techniques within about four months, according to a new analysis. But it usually took a year or more before those lessons showed up publicly in People’s Liberation Army (PLA) training, equipment or force structure, Lilly Min-Chen Lee and Kateryna Bondar wrote in a commentary published on October 7 by the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3370212/how-quickly-china-learning-ukraine-wars-latest-drone-tactics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3370212/how-quickly-china-learning-ukraine-wars-latest-drone-tactics?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 01:00:07 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi Seong Hyeon Choi Washington’s policy towards Taiwan is increasingly tied to its relationship with Beijing, according to former American officials who also warn that the war on Iran is weakening US military readiness for a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. During a fireside chat in an annual symposium hosted by the Global Taiwan Institute in Washington on Wednesday, Brent Christensen, former director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), said Washington’s policy towards the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/article/3370204/washingtons-transactional-taiwan-policy-puts-indo-pacific-risk-ex-us-officials-warn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/article/3370204/washingtons-transactional-taiwan-policy-puts-indo-pacific-risk-ex-us-officials-warn?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:00:21 +0000 Gabriel Dominguez Gabriel Dominguez Japan and the United States will rehearse moving anti-ship missiles, air defences and communications networks onto islands near Taiwan this month in an expanded military exercise that analysts say could complicate Beijing’s planning for a Taiwan or East China Sea conflict. Keen Sword 27, which runs from October 19 to 29, will involve about 45,000 Japanese personnel, 6,100 vehicles, 40 ships and 260 aircraft, up from about 33,000 personnel, 30 ships and 250 aircraft in 2024. About 12,000 US... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3370210/how-expanded-japan-us-military-exercises-could-complicate-pla-planning-over-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3370210/how-expanded-japan-us-military-exercises-could-complicate-pla-planning-over-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:16 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian Fast Retailing, the parent company of Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo, has defied the ongoing political tensions between Beijing and Tokyo and soft consumer sentiment in China to log a rebound in sales and profits on the Chinese mainland. The Japanese firm said the 2026 financial year, which ended in August, had been a period in which its mainland China business had “made steady progress, with encouraging steps indicating a return to growth”, according to its annual report released on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3370187/uniqlo-sees-profits-soar-china-despite-beijing-tokyo-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3370187/uniqlo-sees-profits-soar-china-despite-beijing-tokyo-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 09:15:41 +0000 Neil Denslow,Raymond Ma Neil Denslow,Raymond Ma US President Donald Trump pressed Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during last month’s summit to end a deep freeze in relations with Japan’s Sanae Takaichi, the South China Morning Post reported. Trump raised Japan’s grievances over Chinese restrictions imposed following Takaichi’s comment in November that the Japanese military might intervene in the event of conflict in the Taiwan Strait, according to Thursday’s report, which cited people familiar with the discussions. Beijing regards Taiwan as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370186/trump-pushed-xi-end-japan-freeze-chinese-leader-unmoved?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370186/trump-pushed-xi-end-japan-freeze-chinese-leader-unmoved?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 09:11:27 +0000 Chong Ming Lee Chong Ming Lee US artificial intelligence company Anthropic has introduced Chinese-language options to its Claude chatbot in supported markets, even as it continues to block users from mainland China. Checks by the South China Morning Post on Thursday confirmed that Claude’s web interface now lets users select simplified and traditional Chinese as their preferred on-screen language. China also briefly appeared as a billing country option before disappearing from the settings. Users on X have shared screenshots... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3370154/us-ai-firm-anthropic-enables-chinese-language-options-claude-chatbot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3370154/us-ai-firm-anthropic-enables-chinese-language-options-claude-chatbot?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 07:38:25 +0000 Junjie Wang Junjie Wang – https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370135/xi-trump-summit-outcomes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370135/xi-trump-summit-outcomes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 06:30:28 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian China’s biggest sportswear maker, Anta Sports, has strengthened its challenge to global rivals such as Nike and Adidas by becoming the largest shareholder in Puma, the German brand recognised worldwide for its sports and casual footwear. The Hong Kong-listed company completed the acquisition of a 29.06 per cent stake in Puma from Artemis, the investment vehicle of France’s Pinault family, in an all-cash deal valued at €1.51 billion (US$1.7 billion). “The stake is expected to boost Puma’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3370148/how-puma-fits-chinese-sportswear-maker-antas-plan-challenge-global-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3370148/how-puma-fits-chinese-sportswear-maker-antas-plan-challenge-global-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 06:10:59 +0000 Chow Chung-yan Chow Chung-yan This year’s Chinese National Day reception in Washington felt noticeably jollier than those I have attended in recent years. The mood was more relaxed and Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng’s opening speech was upbeat. He even joked about the panda ambassadors at his own expense. The cheerful tone followed President Xi Jinping’s short but successful state visit to the US, during which his counterpart, President Donald Trump, gave him an unprecedented high-level reception that would have flattered even... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3369893/beyond-summit-how-us-china-relations-could-still-unravel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3369893/beyond-summit-how-us-china-relations-could-still-unravel?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 01:00:10 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim US President Donald Trump pressed his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to roll back China’s export curbs on Japan during their meeting in the US, urging talks between the Chinese and Japanese leaders as Tokyo seeks to manage mounting pressure from Beijing. People familiar with the discussions told the South China Morning Post that Xi also warned Trump about the growing risks of Japanese militarism during their sit-down in Washington last month. According to the people, while the issue was not one... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370064/trump-urged-xi-talk-takaichi-and-lift-export-curbs-japan-sources-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370064/trump-urged-xi-talk-takaichi-and-lift-export-curbs-japan-sources-say?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 22:00:11 +0000 Finbarr Bermingham Finbarr Bermingham The European Parliament voted for a significantly tougher China position on Wednesday, despite strong and long-standing lobbying from Beijing to tone down its official stance. The chamber backed stronger actions against Beijing, stating it is a “decisive enabler” of Russia, calling for a “continuous [European] naval presence and joint exercises” in and around the Taiwan Strait, and urging swift action to counter Beijing’s industrial policy, which it described as an “existential threat to the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370075/no-more-dumping-no-more-spying-european-parliament-hardens-line-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370075/no-more-dumping-no-more-spying-european-parliament-hardens-line-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:48:55 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Two combat-tested American drones could become part of Taiwan’s expanding unmanned arsenal as the island seeks to build a “drone shield” against the People’s Liberation Army. California-based defence technology company Aevex Aerospace is working with Taiwan’s Coretronic Intelligent Robotics Corporation (CIRC) to produce its Vandal and Onyx drones locally, combining lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine with the island’s electronics and manufacturing capabilities. Both aircraft have been tested... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369929/us-firm-make-battle-tested-drones-taiwan-boosting-supply-chain-resilience?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369929/us-firm-make-battle-tested-drones-taiwan-boosting-supply-chain-resilience?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang In 2019, President Xi Jinping became the first Chinese leader to publicly call for the exploration of detailed proposals for governing Taiwan after reunification. Seven years later, the first proposals from a handful of the mainland’s leading research institutes have either been finalised or are nearing completion, the South China Morning Post has learned. Rather than setting out a single fixed model, scholars involved in those studies told the SCMP there should be different scenarios based on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3369782/beijings-policy-advisers-map-out-how-post-reunification-taiwan-could-be-governed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3369782/beijings-policy-advisers-map-out-how-post-reunification-taiwan-could-be-governed?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 01:30:05 +0000 Nayan Seth,Han Li Nayan Seth,Han Li The United States has accused mainland China of hiring an American citizen of Chinese origin to surveil the family of Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te, days after President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington. The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Sunday arrested 34-year-old Zhang Wanying at Los Angeles International Airport, alleging that she attempted to flee the country and charged her with acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government. The FBI accused her of surveilling... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3369844/us-accuses-mainland-china-targeting-taiwan-leaders-family-surveillance-case?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3369844/us-accuses-mainland-china-targeting-taiwan-leaders-family-surveillance-case?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:16:58 +0000 Mark Magnier Mark Magnier Mainland Chinese prefer coercion over military force to settle the “reunification question” with Taiwan, and their opinion of the US remains low, although they favour engaging with Washington on trade and security. These are the results from the latest survey of mainland citizens, conducted between April 16 and June 26. This straddled the first summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing but came before the second one in Washington last month. “The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369842/mainland-chinese-favour-diplomacy-achieve-taiwan-reunification-caveats-survey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369842/mainland-chinese-favour-diplomacy-achieve-taiwan-reunification-caveats-survey?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:14:15 +0000 Gabriel Dominguez Gabriel Dominguez Built to hunt tanks and support ground troops, the People’s Liberation Army’s main attack helicopter is increasingly being prepared for operations at sea. Crews of the Z-10 are training to fly from ships – a shift that could give Beijing extra firepower in an amphibious assault on Taiwan. Manufactured by AVIC subsidiary the Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation, the Z-10 entered service with the PLA Army in late 2010. It began documented shipboard trials in 2014, when Chinese navy imagery... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369775/why-plas-z-10-attack-helicopter-taking-bigger-role-sea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369775/why-plas-z-10-attack-helicopter-taking-bigger-role-sea?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung A reported plan to station US defence personnel inside Taiwan’s military headquarters would take mutual cooperation into the heart of defence planning, potentially angering Beijing while raising questions over Taipei’s policymaking autonomy and military secrecy. According to Taiwanese media reports at the weekend, the Pentagon plans to send one official from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defence for Policy and one expert from the Institute for Defence Analyses (IDA) to work on a long-term... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369795/us-defence-experts-work-inside-taiwan-military-hq-under-reported-pact?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369795/us-defence-experts-work-inside-taiwan-military-hq-under-reported-pact?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:45:06 +0000 Khushboo Razdan Khushboo Razdan Taipei’s foreign minister is in Arizona this week to open a de facto consulate and tour the state’s semiconductor corridor, just days after US President Donald Trump wrapped up the pageantry of a state visit for President Xi Jinping. Lin Chia-lung, Taiwan’s foreign minister, arrived in Phoenix late on Saturday for a three-day visit that highlights the deepening economic ties between Washington and Taipei. His visit will not include stops in Washington or meetings with anyone at the State... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369770/days-after-xi-trump-summit-top-taiwan-diplomat-opens-de-facto-consulate-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369770/days-after-xi-trump-summit-top-taiwan-diplomat-opens-de-facto-consulate-us?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 07:13:01 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. ‘No brainer’: growing trend of Chinese tourists booking business-class flights 2. US to deploy NMESIS anti-ship system on Japanese island closest to Taiwan 3. Chinese art takes long march home from US museums 4. Malaysia offers Chinese buyers Singapore’s comfort at prices lower than Thailand 5.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/article/3369745/chinese-travellers-go-premium-malaysia-appeals-investors-5-weekend-reads-you-missed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/article/3369745/chinese-travellers-go-premium-malaysia-appeals-investors-5-weekend-reads-you-missed?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 05:03:44 +0000 Orange Wang,Carol Yang Orange Wang,Carol Yang Zheng Yongnian is a political scientist in China and a government adviser. His academic work is mainly about contemporary China, particularly politics, the country’s transformation and its external relations. This interview first appeared in SCMP Plus. For other interviews in the Open Questions series, click here. Many have offered a lukewarm assessment of the Xi-Trump summit in Washington, citing the lack of a breakthrough. What is your take? There are two primary views right now. One is... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369686/zheng-yongnian-china-us-realism-and-battling-upper-hand-next-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369686/zheng-yongnian-china-us-realism-and-battling-upper-hand-next-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Oct 2026 22:00:17 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taipei’s dilemma over its history during World War II appeared to deepen as Beijing and Washington looked to the Flying Tigers as a source of connection and goodwill during last month’s Xi–Trump summit. US President Donald Trump’s description of China as an American ally during the war has raised concerns in Taiwan that what could have been a valuable historical connection with the United States ended up benefiting Beijing’s ties with Washington. The dilemma resurfaced after Trump and Chinese... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3369692/taipeis-dilemma-over-history-deepens-xi-trump-praise-wwii-flying-tigers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3369692/taipeis-dilemma-over-history-deepens-xi-trump-praise-wwii-flying-tigers?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Oct 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang The US is set to deploy one of its signature anti-ship missile systems to the Japanese island closest to Taiwan, an unprecedented move that comes as tensions in the region between Beijing and Tokyo continue to simmer. The ground-based US uncrewed missile platform known as the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) will be deployed on Yonaguni Island in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture during biennial joint exercises this month, according to the regional bureau of the Japanese... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369666/us-deploy-nmesis-anti-ship-system-japanese-island-closest-taiwan-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369666/us-deploy-nmesis-anti-ship-system-japanese-island-closest-taiwan-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2026 13:45:24 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth US Republican Senator Steve Daines, a close aide to President Donald Trump and a key interlocutor between Washington and Beijing, has called on the two capitals to stay engaged and “not retreat” over differences on issues including rare earth supply chains. Daines told the South China Morning Post that both sides still had issues that predated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington last week and that they would continue working on them after the summit. “So that’s again why... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369505/no-retreat-key-trump-ally-urges-continued-us-china-engagement-rare-earths?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369505/no-retreat-key-trump-ally-urges-continued-us-china-engagement-rare-earths?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:00:09 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) used water cannons to expel a mainland Chinese fishing vessel near Dongsha Island, authorities said on Friday. The incident occurred on October 1, 27 nautical miles east of the Taiwanese-controlled Dongsha Island, also called Pratas Island, in the South China Sea, the agency revealed. The CGA’s patrol vessel Yunlin directed its water cannon towards the fishing boat Jin Sha’s wheelhouse for about 90 seconds after initially spraying water into the air for... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3369634/taiwan-coastguard-uses-water-cannons-warn-mainland-chinese-fishing-vessel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3369634/taiwan-coastguard-uses-water-cannons-warn-mainland-chinese-fishing-vessel?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 18:33:28 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump condemns ‘sick conspiracy’ against AI, says he is only guardrail needed US President Donald Trump downplayed growing concerns about artificial intelligence, claiming America already has guardrails to regulate the industry and warning that casting doubt on development only benefits... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369257/america-back-ai-conspiracy-chinas-laos-deal-7-global-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369257/america-back-ai-conspiracy-chinas-laos-deal-7-global-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:00:15 +0000 Gabriel Dominguez Gabriel Dominguez Taiwan has hailed the much-delayed arrival of two F-16V fighter jets as a demonstration of continuing American military support, despite a US presidential hold put on a separate multibilllion-dollar arms package. The two single-seat aircraft, which reached Chihhang Air Base in the eastern county of Taitung on Friday, are the first new F-16s received by the island since deliveries of its original F-16A/B fleet began in 1997. Compared with the earlier versions, the F-16V configuration incorporates... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369584/taiwan-hails-f-16v-delivery-sign-us-support-holds-after-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369584/taiwan-hails-f-16v-delivery-sign-us-support-holds-after-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:00:48 +0000 Orange Wang,Carol Yang Orange Wang,Carol Yang Zheng Yongnian is a political scientist in China and a government adviser. His academic work is mainly about contemporary China, particularly politics, the country’s transformation and its external relations. SCMP Plus readers get early access to articles in the Open Questions series. Many have offered a lukewarm assessment of the Xi-Trump summit in Washington, citing the lack of a breakthrough. What is your take? There are two primary views right now. One is nihilism, which holds that China and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369546/zheng-yongnian-what-expect-future-xi-trump-meetings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369546/zheng-yongnian-what-expect-future-xi-trump-meetings?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:02:11 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. What did we actually learn from US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s two days of diplomacy in Washington? Perhaps less than the ceremony suggested – but more than what first appeared to be the case. There were grand words, handshakes, a state dinner and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3369433/outcome-trump-xi-summit-was-quieter-grand-bargain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3369433/outcome-trump-xi-summit-was-quieter-grand-bargain?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 03:30:08 +0000 Edmund Lee Edmund Lee Japanese director Sabu’s Arrested Memory leads the race for the 63rd Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan with 11 nominations, including best picture, best director and acting nods for Ethan Juan Ching-tien and Akira Huang Guan-zhi. The crime thriller, which recently premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, is closely followed by Girl. A coming-of-age drama marking the feature directorial debut of Taiwanese actress Shu Qi, the film secured 10 nominations, including best picture and best new... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3369500/golden-horse-awards-2026-nominations-full-arrested-memory-and-girl-lead-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3369500/golden-horse-awards-2026-nominations-full-arrested-memory-and-girl-lead-race?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 03:08:23 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen A potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait could see crossfire exchanged between two mobile rocket systems: the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars), and its mainland Chinese counterpart, the PHL-16, also known as the PCL-191. Taiwan is set to receive all 29 Himars systems from its initial orders by the end of this year, with another 82 systems approved for purchase in a follow-on deal, bringing the planned total to 111. This does not include the US military’s Himars systems... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369442/why-us-himars-missile-shortfalls-raise-stakes-potential-taiwan-strait-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369442/why-us-himars-missile-shortfalls-raise-stakes-potential-taiwan-strait-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:00:31 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering US-China relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trade, Taiwan and ‘strategic stability’: key Xi-Trump takeaways overall Here are the key takeaways from Chinese President Xi Jinping’s whirlwind 43-hour trip to the United States, his first state visit to the country in more than a decade, after US President Donald Trump pulled out all the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369255/xi-trump-meetings-takeaways-successes-and-fallout-7-us-china-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369255/xi-trump-meetings-takeaways-successes-and-fallout-7-us-china-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:00:21 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering Latin American relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China pledges to ‘firmly support’ Cuba as US escalates pressure on Havana China will stand by Cuba in defending its sovereignty and resisting outside interference, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said as Washington stepped up its campaign to force political change in Havana. Read... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369252/china-backs-cuba-beijings-panama-threat-new-un-chief-7-latin-america-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369252/china-backs-cuba-beijings-panama-threat-new-un-chief-7-latin-america-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:00:14 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Revellers packed promenades along Victoria Harbour to watch a 23-minute National Day fireworks display that illuminated Hong Kong’s skyline on Thursday night with cascading ribbons of light, red hearts and smiley faces. At the Wan Chai Ferry Pier, crowds clapped and cheered in awe, raising their arms to capture the spectacle on their phones. Fanny Yao, 34, travelled with her family from Fujian province to Hong Kong for a third consecutive year to watch the celebrations. Yao, who is a fan of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369461/hong-kong-crowds-brave-heat-secure-spots-national-day-fireworks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369461/hong-kong-crowds-brave-heat-secure-spots-national-day-fireworks?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:08:13 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth The Chinese ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, has described the personal rapport and “mutual respect” between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump as the “most valuable strategic asset in our bilateral relations”. “Their personal connection and in-depth dialogue have helped keep China-US relations on course at critical moments,” Xie said during a speech on Wednesday marking National Day celebrations at the Chinese embassy in Washington. “Head-of-state diplomacy... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369402/xi-trump-rapport-most-valuable-strategic-asset-us-china-ties-envoy-xie-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369402/xi-trump-rapport-most-valuable-strategic-asset-us-china-ties-envoy-xie-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 01:58:50 +0000 Han Li Han Li At a hearing reviewing China’s compliance with its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments, a senior US trade official said Beijing was targeting entire industrial sectors for global dominance while retaining a non-market economic system. Terry McCartin, Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for China, Mongolia and Taiwan Affairs, said China’s anticompetitive behaviour posed a major challenge to the global trading system. “More critically, after 25 years of WTO membership, China still... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369395/us-criticises-chinas-wto-compliance-industry-groups-mount-complaints?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369395/us-criticises-chinas-wto-compliance-industry-groups-mount-complaints?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 22:43:04 +0000 William Zheng,Alyssa Chen William Zheng,Alyssa Chen Chinese President Xi Jinping projected a message of confidence about the country’s ability to overcome challenges during his annual National Day address, issuing a rallying call for robust economic growth and more certainty amid geopolitical complications. Xi’s address, delivered at a state reception in Beijing on Wednesday evening to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic, was his first to the nation following his state visit to the US last week. It came weeks ahead... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3369370/xi-projects-confidence-national-day-speech-rallying-call-economic-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3369370/xi-projects-confidence-national-day-speech-rallying-call-economic-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 13:46:50 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage of the Xi-Trump summit. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Why Xi Jinping skipped the UN after his Trump summit Han Zheng, China’s vice-president, called on “major countries” to respect the sovereignty and security of Middle Eastern nations and bring about a two-state solution for the “Palestinian question” on Saturday at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in an implicit dig at the US and Israel. 2. ‘Right... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369360/taiwan-takaichi-geopolitical-fallout-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369360/taiwan-takaichi-geopolitical-fallout-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:30:10 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang Disagreement over how to prevent conflicts could explain why Chinese and US accounts characterised discussions at last week’s summit so differently, analysts said. Speaking at a White House arrival ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the two militaries should maintain regular dialogue and “improve mechanisms for crisis communication and prevention”. In a statement issued after the summit, China’s foreign ministry said the countries’ militaries had agreed “to conclude a memorandum of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369359/did-beijing-and-washington-agree-crisis-prevention-deal-or-not?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369359/did-beijing-and-washington-agree-crisis-prevention-deal-or-not?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:01:04 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwan’s military plans to spend more than NT$27 billion (US$850 million) to quadruple critical ammunition stocks to 120 days’ supply, strengthening its ability to sustain combat operations during a wartime blockade. The proposed six-year “urgent ammunition replenishment” programme, running from this year until 2031, comes as Taipei seeks to strengthen its ability to keep fighting if a cross-strait conflict cuts external supply lines. The spending proposal was revealed on September 26 and still... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369212/taiwan-plans-us850-million-ammunition-spend-prepare-potential-pla-blockade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369212/taiwan-plans-us850-million-ammunition-spend-prepare-potential-pla-blockade?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 02:00:17 +0000 Han Li Han Li Chinese President Xi Jinping’s three-day state visit to Washington is over, but China watchers in Congress and the US-China policy community are still parsing a wide range of outcomes, with two more leadership summits expected before the end of the year. The talks between Xi and US President Donald Trump produced a series of joint announcements, including an extension of the US-China trade truce, investment commitments, an agreement to continue an AI dialogue and high-level engagement, as well... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369261/hold-status-quo-us-congress-members-review-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369261/hold-status-quo-us-congress-members-review-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 01:01:52 +0000 Gabriel Dominguez Gabriel Dominguez The US Navy has set up a dedicated command to turn its growing array of aerial, surface and underwater drones into an integrated fighting force – a capability US commanders have linked to disrupting a PLA attack on Taiwan. The Robotic and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Centre, formally established on September 24 in Virginia, will develop doctrine and tactics for unmanned systems, train sailors to use them, and test whether they can keep operating under realistic conditions. In a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369223/us-navy-launches-drone-command-could-reshape-taiwan-war-planning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3369223/us-navy-launches-drone-command-could-reshape-taiwan-war-planning?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Sep 2026 14:00:12 +0000