East China Normal University

Hong Kong environmental issues

Chinese team aims to put ‘smart’ diabetes probiotic on US shelves within 2 years

The engineered probiotic, named Gift, can sense high blood sugar and automatically release the glucose-lowering hormone GLP-1.

25 Aug 2026 - 3:26PM

To create a “smart” probiotic that manages diabetes, Chinese scientists implanted a protein that acts like a glucose detector and the gene that encodes GLP-1 into bacteria. Photo: Handout

New DNA tracking helps spot rare ‘Tai O fish’ in Hong Kong waters after 10 years

DNA of rare Chinese bahaba found in Hong Kong waters last September, a month after about 1,300 hatchery-reared juveniles released into Pearl River Estuary.

27 Jul 2026 - 9:49PM

Meet the beautiful Chinese football influencer you need to follow this World Cup

Li Yuhang, known online as ‘Women Football MadeLi’, has been posting videos dancing while wearing different national team jerseys.

4 Jun 2026 - 5:30PM

Banking & finance

How China plans to turn the AI computing boom into a new financial market

Aimed at attracting capital into hi-tech sectors, the move would be a first for the city and comes weeks after US-based CME Group announced a similar plan.

3 Jun 2026 - 9:00PM

A view of Lujiazui, Shanghai’s premier financial district, on May 18. Photo: EPA

Human-shaped object in US military UFO files intrigues Chinese expert

Chinese researcher says the files released by US government contain images and video but lack the hard data needed for further research.

13 Jun 2026 - 9:43PMvideocam

China-Russia relations

China and Russia unite on world order, but Putin departs without concrete gains

Analysts say Beijing’s position in managing three-way ties appears to be strengthened after hosting Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

21 May 2026 - 11:29PM

What the Iran war could tell China about US focus on maritime chokepoints

The Iran war reflects Washington’s greater emphasis on implementing its maritime security strategy, analyst says.

24 Apr 2026 - 8:57AMvideocam

The liquefied natural gas tanker LNG Jia Xing passes through the Strait of Malacca, a route for most of China’s maritime trade and energy imports. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

Closed? Open? Closed? Why is Iran changing course on the Strait of Hormuz?

Tehran is looking for room to manoeuvre on bigger issues as a ceasefire deadline looms next week, observers say.

19 Apr 2026 - 1:26AMvideocam

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz seems to be a tactic by Iran to gain leverage in future talks with the United States. Photo: EU/Coperniucus Sentinal-2 via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says the Iran war is ‘close to over’. Is he just out of options?

Several clocks are ticking for the American president as he looks for a way out of the deadlock, observers suggest.

15 Apr 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Leading Chinese remote-sensing scientist Zhang Jinshui dies at 47

Beijing Normal University professor led major R&D programmes and was instrumental in boosting China’s food security with satellite tech.

19 Mar 2026 - 4:24PMvideocam

Two Sessions 2026

China ‘stands firm as a mountain’ to protect overseas interests, compatriots

Pledge from Foreign Minister Wang Yi at most-watched press briefing comes as global volatility tests supply chains and regional influence.

9 Mar 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

People watch a Chinese New Year performance of traditional Chinese dances with a sculptural flag of the Communist Party seen in the background, in Beijing on March 1. Photo: AFP

China growing trend sees couples calling each other ‘teammate’ or ‘roommate’

‘Comradely’ couples drop lovey-dovey pet names to reflect effort in relationships; critics say trend suggests an ‘unhappy’ marriage.

2 Mar 2026 - 2:00PM

There’s a growing trend among married people in China to call their partners “teammate” or “roommate,” seen as cooler alternatives to traditional terms. Photo: Shutterstock

China ‘parenting parents’ trend sees youth teach adults skills like taking selfies

Young people seek to address their problematic upbringing by turning the tables and becoming ‘mum or dad’ to the people who brought them up.

27 Feb 2026 - 6:00PM

China-Middle East relations

Trump touts US ‘golden age’, avoids direct mention of China before Beijing trip

In nearly two-hour State of the Union speech, American leader focuses on economic strength and global leadership ahead of midterm elections.

25 Feb 2026 - 5:33PMvideocam

Why China is playing the long game in Iran despite Trump’s fresh threats

Beijing is balancing vital energy interests with long-standing diplomatic principles and a cautious Middle East recalibration, analysts say.

22 Jan 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

A giant banner hangs over Enghelab Square in central Tehran as Iran faces threats of US intervention following a brutal crackdown on nationwide economic protests. Photo: Xinhua

US-China ties in focus after Trump labels fentanyl ‘weapon of mass destruction’

Formal designation in new executive order ‘not necessarily bad’ for Beijing amid cooperation with Washington on drug issues, analysts say.

21 Dec 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

Mainland China

China-Canada ties on the mend after Ottawa’s ‘pragmatic’ shift: analysts

Beijing states a willingness to restart dialogue and exchanges ‘at all levels’ as top diplomat Wang Yi meets with Canadian counterpart.

18 Oct 2025 - 10:01PMvideocam

China-Australia relations

US image, morale of China team could suffer after government shutdown: analysts

Washington’s impasse expected to disrupt operations in short term as America’s major political parties grow more polarised.

2 Oct 2025 - 12:10AM

A protester dressed as the Statue of Liberty stands in front of the US Capitol in Washington on Monday as the US government faces a shutdown. Photo: AFP

Foreigners in China

Critics take aim at China’s new K visa for foreign STEM talent

Online commenters raise concerns about the programme’s impact on local employment in a tight job market.

30 Sep 2025 - 11:30PM

The K visa is aimed at young foreign graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as STEM fields. Photo: Shutterstock

Chinese nationals in Australia blindsided by anti-immigration marches

Sweeping rallies in all Australian capital cities protest against immigration, sparked by rising right-wing sentiment and cost-of-living crisis.

24 Sep 2025 - 2:49PMvideocam

Dozens of US-China education programmes ‘must end’, says House Republican report

NYU - East China Normal University physics institute among partnerships targeted in broadside against tie-ups seen helping country modernise.

13 Sep 2025 - 7:50AMvideocam

China girl who begged with blind dad gained national profile; gets university place

Mountain girl from family with tortured history of mental illness, disability sets sights on helping others like herself.

7 Sep 2025 - 6:00PM

A girl in China who once begged with her blind father has gained national attention after being admitted to university. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/ifeng

China-Australia relations

In a first, US-China team turns plastic waste into petrol in 1 step

New method efficiently converts mixed plastic waste into a product that could have a range of applications, according to scientists.

27 Aug 2025 - 9:04AMvideocam

Global cumulative plastic production is said to have reached 10 billion tonnes. Photo: Getty Images

Albanese China trip shows ‘stiffening of Canberra spine’ in face of US pressure

Beijing rolled out the red carpet for the Australian leader this week and the two sides appeared to keep a lid on tensions.

19 Jul 2025 - 6:43AMvideocam