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Focus
SCMP gets to the heart of the matter with its in-depth analysis on the pressing issues in Hong Kong and around the world.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
US-China relations

What does 2025 hold for China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun?

Key promotions have eluded Dong, two of whose predecessors fell in corruption probes, with implications for Beijing’s military diplomacy.

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Business of climate change

Can China’s solar industry find a solution before it’s too late?

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China manufacturing

Chinese firms face stumbling blocks abroad: competitive mindsets may turn messy

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Chinese overseas

Chinese firms ‘going global’ learn important lesson: integrate, or die

As China’s companies move to emerging markets, they find clients wanting infrastructure and pathways to local development as well as products.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China manufacturing

Amid EV sales surge, China’s BYD hits brakes in Brazil over ‘ill practices’

China’s labour practices are driving a wedge between the world’s biggest EV maker and efforts to expand globally in areas where employee protections are paramount.

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Hong Kong economy

‘High hopes’: how Hong Kong can make waves in the cruise industry

Setting up exhibits at terminals and making sure cruise ships sail in a certain direction to maximise views are among suggestions.

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Hong Kong society

Young Hongkongers say adapting to mainland work culture key to smooth transition

Greater Bay Area youth job scheme offers opportunities, but some struggle to cope with fast pace, long hours.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
China stock market

Taking stock: global investment banks hedge their bets on China market next year

After a forgettable year, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Goldman Sachs and others make their predictions for Chinese equities in 2025.

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Taiwan

Beijing’s pilot zone for economic integration with Taiwan running out of steam

By 2022 there were over 3,000 people and nearly 1,300 enterprises from Taiwan in Pingtan, Fujian, but the cross-strait beacon is dimming.

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Taiwan

Why Beijing’s Taiwan integration experiment in Fujian is starting to fizzle

Beijing invests billions into luring Taiwanese to Fujian’s Pingtan county, but it has yet to translate into political loyalty.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
US-China relations

Trump’s first 100 days: can Beijing stop downwards spiral in US-China ties?

Early contact with new administration seen as an important ‘window of opportunity’ for Beijing to help set the course of future relations.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China's population

Too busy for love in time of baby bust: Chinese students embrace being single

Fears expressed that heavier burdens stemming from a focus on finding a job and making money could add to China’s demographic crisis.

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Artificial intelligence

China catches up fast in AI race, but US chip curbs cast shadow

Abundant investment and an open-source approach have pushed China to the AI forefront, but a lack of advanced chips may prove devastating.

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China manufacturing

In China’s industry, it’s the law of the jungle. How should Beijing intervene?

A storm is gathering strength in China’s overheated industries, and its name is neijuan, as government intervention squares up against the law of the jungle.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
China energy security

As use of roof solar panels becomes more common in China, can the grid keep up?

‘Distributed’ solar power generation on roofs of houses, factories and airports is spreading across country, but curtailment rate is also rising.

Illustration: Davies Christian Surya
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong fossil findings create buzz, but experts cool on ‘dinosaur tourism’ talk

Recent discoveries are significant, but experts say city needs more resources, talent to deal with them.

China's economic recovery

How has Hengqin helped Macau diversify its casino-dominated economy?

Greater Bay Area plan has added impetus to development of neighbouring island in Zhuhai.

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US-China relations

Superpower showdown: how US-China economic warfare could play out under Trump

As US president-elect Donald Trump forms his hawk-filled cabinet, what might China do to counter and deflect a barrage of blows?

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Taiwan

Why mainland China’s ‘second navy’ is becoming increasingly active around Taiwan

As well as stepping up patrols, coastguards are training with the navy triggering speculation about their role in any attack on the island.

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Taiwan

Mainland China is upping the ante on Taiwan’s ‘safe’ east coast. Here’s how

Data compiled from the Taiwanese defence ministry’s daily briefings shows a rise in drone and helicopter activity on the far side of the island.

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Taiwan

‘Patience has a limit’: PLA boosts presence near Taiwan after leadership change

Six months after island’s new leader took over, PLA tracking data shows growing numbers of military exercises and sorties are getting closer to more of Taiwan.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong has slashed liquor tax but can it take on trade hubs like Singapore?

Merchants say tax cut will result in opportunities to bring in more high-end spirits to Hong Kong for trade in Asia, but obstacles remain.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China trade

‘Get down to business’: China, Vietnam set aside maritime disputes for trade

Brisker trade and new investments in factories and infrastructure among the fruits of pragmatic approach to relationship.

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China-EU relations

Open Questions | ‘Only game in town’: ex-Spain minister says China-EU ties can thrive under Trump

Former top diplomat says EU’s problems are not about Trump, and both China and the bloc must choose between maintaining existing trade relations or ‘chaos’.

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Science

The English impediment: why Chinese scientists can’t use Chinese

In the world of science, English is the standard language. But could this be limiting talented Chinese academics?

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Business of climate change

Hong Kong’s status as aviation, maritime hub faces green fuel challenge

Hong Kong has to act fast if it wants to become a green fuel hub for the aviation and maritime sectors, as both Singapore and China are way ahead, analysts say.

Illustration by Henry Wong
China trade

What’s eating at Guangdong? For China’s economic champ, the hits keep coming

Malformed by manufacturing malaise, pummelled by property, and targeted by tariffs, the hits keep coming in the southern powerhouse region.

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Ukraine war

How Trump’s push to end Ukraine war tips his hand on China, Russia

US president-elect likely to encounter difficulties given the three countries’ aligned interests in challenging the West, analysts say.

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