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Drones

Drones
The latest news, analysis and opinion on drones, especially Chinese drone makers and drone usage.
A fire at a civilian plant following Russian powerful attacks on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv early on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Ukraine bombarded by deadly Russian strikes as peace talks falter

At least four people were killed and dozens more injured in attacks targeting Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city.

US-China relations

Trump moves to block foreign drone makers from selling new models in US

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Hong Kong police

Hong Kong police launch first drone patrols in urban areas

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s food delivery scene soars with drone services to Ma On Shan

Keeta starts delivering orders from two fast-food restaurants in Science Park to Ma On Shan Promenade.

The launch of the delivery route follows the company’s completion of its first low-altitude instant delivery order in March. Photo: Jonathan Wong
The Philippines

Philippines aims to counter China’s drone swarm capacity, learn from Ukraine war

Its military says drones armed with explosives or used for surveillance have become a focus of joint exercises with allies such as the US.

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Ukraine war

Russia unleashes deadly strikes on Ukraine in response to ‘terrorism’

Capital city Kyiv among targets, as massive aerial barrage leaves at least four dead, including emergency responders, and wounds dozens, including doctors.

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Ukraine war

In Trump call, Putin vows retaliation for Ukraine attacks on Russia airfields

The presidents also discussed the Middle East conflict and how Moscow could help deal with Iran and its nuclear programme.

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A satellite image shows destroyed aircraft in the aftermath of a drone strike at the Belaya air base in Russia’s Irkutsk region. Image: Maxar Technologies via Reuters
Ukraine war

Ukraine says it attacked Crimean Bridge, as Russia halts traffic

Kyiv’s agents detonated mines on underwater supports, targeting a key transport link between the annexed peninsula and the Russian mainland.

Ukraine war

Russia contends with drone damage to strategic arsenal as Ukraine’s reach grows

Ukraine’s unprecedented drone strike on airbases deep inside Russia showcases its advanced capabilities.

Hong Kong society

Editorial | Drone use by police in Hong Kong welcome as long as safeguards in place

If privacy and safety concerns are properly addressed, there is no reason why Hong Kong should not expand the use of unmanned aircraft for purposes including law enforcement.

Police are launching drone patrols in parts of Hong Kong. Photo: Sun Yeung
Ukraine war

Ukraine strikes Russian airbases in long-range drone assault on eve of talks

Ukraine said it damaged US$7 billion worth of Russian aircraft parked at four airbases in ‘operation Spider’s Web’.

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In this image taken from video released June 1, 2025, by a source in the Ukrainian Security Service shows a Ukrainian drone striking Russian planes deep in Russia’s territory. Photo: SBU via AP
Artificial intelligence

China’s smart cities are streets ahead, but same challenges apply the world over

Data handling concerns and a lack of community engagement are addressed in different ways, with Beijing district a model, analysts said.

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Middle East

Israel hits Houthi targets including last plane at Yemen’s Sanaa airport

The airport, Yemen’s largest, was mainly being used by UN aircraft and the plane destroyed in the latest Israeli strikes.

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Science

China’s next-gen turbine blade promises supercharged jet power

Thermotolerant jet engine blade is designed for more thrust and fuel efficiency, strengthening China’s aviation self-reliance.

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The WS-10 Taihang engine, which is used by Chinese fighter jets, is displayed at the Zhuhai air show in 2018. A patent for advanced turbine blade manufacturing was issued in late April. Photo: SCMP / Dickson Lee
Ukraine war

Trump says Putin ‘playing with fire’ as he weighs sanctions over Ukraine war

The US president says ‘really bad things’ would already have happened to Russia if not for him, as he shows frustration with stalled talks.

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US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signaled that his patience with Russia’s Vladimir Putin is running thin. File photos: AFP
Ukraine war

Russia planning new Ukraine offensive after record drone strikes, Zelensky says

Russia fired 355 drones including decoys between Sunday night and early Monday, in the largest drone attack of the invasion.

Ukraine war

Russia, Ukraine complete prisoner swap after Moscow launches aerial assault

Russia’s Defence Ministry said each side exchanged 303 soldiers. Hours earlier, at least 12 people were killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese hydrogen-powered drone maker HiTS eyes Hong Kong as new hub

Company also aiming for a Hong Kong listing in one to two years, chief financial officer says.

A HiTS drone powered by a hydrogen fuel cell cleans dust off roof-top solar panels. Photo: Handout
China technology

Chinese drone maker EHang sees regular flying taxi services by 2030

EHang, which is conducting trials in Guangzhou and Hefei, will offer services in restricted corridors in these two cities by year-end.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Drones set to take to Hong Kong skies to fight crime from Friday

Superintendent says drones will fly 60 metres above buildings to monitor potential criminal activities.

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US-China relations

US military faces ‘readiness crisis’ to modernise as China advances: Pentagon

Top brass eye speeding up integration of manned and unstaffed systems to overcome shortfalls in shipbuilding, other areas.

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US President Donald Trump stands in front of an MQ-9 Reaper drone before addressing military personnel at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Thursday. Photo: AP
India

Opinion | Rapid escalation of India-Pakistan clashes a warning of new tech dangers

Drones, long-range missiles and related technologies spare soldiers from live combat but also allow conflicts to be escalated in almost no time.

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People inspect a market damaged in cross-border shelling before the India-Pakistan ceasefire came into effect, in Jura village, Neelum Valley, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, on May 12. Photo: EPA-EFE
China's military weapons

7,000km range, 6 tonnes ammunition: the Chinese UAV dubbed ‘high sky’

Super-high altitude UAV with 7,000km range and ability to release up to 100 units of small drones will take off on first mission by June-end.

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China’s Communist Party

China uses carrots and sticks to boost military ranks and discourage dodgers

A 20-year-old who sought to escape armed police force after signing up is hit with suite of punishments and restrictions.

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Science

Chinese student Xu Yang breaks ‘impossible’ microdrone world speed record

With help from other drone speedsters, Xu comes up with his own 3D-printed propellers for his superfast small quadcopter.

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Xu Yang’s Prowess microdrone weighed less than 250 grams and reached a speed of 340.78km/h on March 23 in Huizhou, Guangdong province. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese carmakers race to develop flying cars after rivalry in EV market

The government forecasts the low-altitude mobility economy will increase more than fivefold to US$486 billion by 2035 from last year.

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Xpeng’s AeroHT conducts a test flight during the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024. Photo: Xinhua
Germany

3 Germans go on trial over hi-tech spying for China

Prosecutors say they collected information on boat engines, sonar, propulsion systems for armoured vehicles and military-grade drones.

Ukraine war

Putin’s 3-day ceasefire begins as Ukraine reports violations

Temporary truce coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the World War II defeat of Nazi Germany.

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