Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

The torpedo-shaped AJX002 drone was revealed during the Victory Day military parade in Beijing in September. Photo: AP

Could the PLA use minelaying drones in a blockade over Taiwan?

Japan’s islands and the waters of the Philippines could be targeted in a cross-strait operation, according to military magazine.

2 hours agovideocam

Asia’s energy supply at breaking point as US blockades Hormuz

China's military weapons

Diplomacy

Developing | Iran reimposes shipping restrictions on Strait of Hormuz

The waterway has ‘returned to its previous state’, Tehran says, accusing Washington of banditry and maritime piracy.

39 minutes ago

Diplomacy

Is Takaichi putting Japan’s pacifist constitution on the chopping block?

Goal of changing the post-war system has never been closer, but upper house could still be a stumbling block, analysts argue.

4 hours agovideocam

Society

Wang Fuk Court residents prepare for emotional return to site of deadly fire

Grief counsellor and psychologist help residents prepare physically and mentally for the expected ‘sensory shock’ of returning to ravaged homes.

46 minutes ago

Focus

China’s drug makers are speeding up – will AI be their secret weapon?

Diplomacy

How China’s military could learn vital lessons from war in Iran

The US-Israeli attacks are a ‘massive learning opportunity’, a Middle East analyst tells a seminar held in Shenzhen.

49 minutes agovideocam

The US has warned it is ready to resume attacks on Iran. Photo: AFP

LIVE

Hong Kong Sevens: record crowd watching day 2 at Kai Tak Stadium

It’s day two at Kai Tak Stadium, and the battle to make the quarter-finals begins in earnest for some of sport’s biggest names.

2 minutes ago

Health & Environment

Japan warned of ‘hellish summer’ as energy fears mount

A prolonged Iran war, combined with an unusually early spell of hot weather, could leave Japan facing power shortages this summer.

18 Apr 2026 - 10:30AM

Business

How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Government initiative OASES supports GSK and Tigermed as they expand clinical trials and collaboration in mainland China and beyond.

In partnership with:

OASES

Hong Kong has introduced a range of measures to nurture biotechnology start-ups and attract more clinical research projects as part of its plan to become a global health and medical innovation hub. Photo: Shutterstock

Diplomacy

Trump predicts meeting with Xi will be ‘special’ ahead of China visit

The US leader said ‘much will be accomplished’, but one analyst says the war in Iran means he has ‘lost almost all his bargaining chips’.

7 minutes agovideocam

Xi and Trump pictured during their most recent meeting in South Korea last year. Photo: dpa

Society

Hong Kong Housing Society aims to boost supply of subsidised sale flats

Chairman Ling Kar-kan says society will still supply more rental flats.

2 hours ago

Europe

Inside Ukraine’s desperate race to track cultural artefacts looted by Russia

Russia has moved to formalise control over seized collections by adding 77 Ukrainian museums in occupied regions into its national catalogue.

4 hours agovideocam

Tech Trends

Huawei retains lead in China smartphones, Apple shipments surge in first quarter

Apple ranked second in the first quarter with a 19 per cent share, boosted by a 20 per cent surge in shipments, the largest growth among the top six brands.

4 hours ago

Huawei Pura 80 smartphones are displayed at the company’s flagship store in Beijing, June 11, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Crowned in Bangkok, constrained at home: Malaysia’s first Mr Bear winner

Gavin Chow’s victory highlights the contrast between Bangkok’s queer visibility and the pressures still facing LGBTQ people in Malaysia.

5 hours agovideocam

Gavin Chow (center) after being named the winner of the Mr Bear International competition in Bangkok on Monday. Photo: Facebook / Mr Bear International

Global Economy

Hong Kong wants to be a global gold vault. Does the Iran war create an opening?

Geopolitical risk is driving a rethink of where bullion is stored – and Hong Kong’s unique status is drawing attention.

6 hours agovideocam

Science

Chinese robo-diving suit could help users consume almost 40% less oxygen

Advanced algorithm designed to shadow a diver’s every move could also cut the risk of accidents when undertaking complex underwater tasks.

6 hours ago

Diplomacy

Why China is urgently looking to North Africa as the energy crisis rolls on

From Algerian oilfields to Moroccan battery factories and Egypt’s industrial base, Beijing may now fast-track projects across the region.

18 Apr 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

Cargo ships in the Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, UAE, on March 11. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Iranians fear ‘pressure will 100% increase’ after US, Israeli strikes stop

Iranians are worried that an agreement with the US will free the regime to return to asserting control over its people.

5 hours agovideocam

A man sits on a bench in a memorial, set for the students who were killed during a February 28 strike on a school in southern town of Minab, on April 12. Photo: AP

Iranian women walk past a monument for students killed in a February 28 strike on a girls’ primary school in Minab on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Blockchain

Hong Kong seen leading Asia in push to scale stablecoins, HSBC says

Interoperability and real-world applications seen as key hurdles as city looks to unlock tokenisation’s full potential.

3 hours ago

East Asia

Magnitude 5 quake hits Japan’s Nagano prefecture

The 1.20pm quake in Omachi registered an upper 5 on the Japanese seismic scale, strong enough ‌to make movement difficult without support.

18 Apr 2026 - 1:16PM

OPINION

Anthony Rowley

Macroscope | Will Japan’s corporate bond initiative signal a shift in Asia financing?

2 hours ago

Nilufer Oral

Opinion | Passage through the Strait of Hormuz is a right in war and peace

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Hilton Yip

Being Chinese | Growing up Hakka, around a language that few dared to speak publicly

18 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

Wee Kek Koon

Reflections | What an old Chinese snack can teach people about the ‘proper’ way to eat dishes

18 Apr 2026 - 8:15AM

Letters

Letters | Hong Kong’s high fuel prices warrant scrutiny

18 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

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SCMP Series US-Israel war on Iran

Iran war: is the US shifting away from its strategy of precision strikes?

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

9 Apr 2026 - 9:26AMvideocam

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

8 Apr 2026 - 11:10AMvideocam

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

7 Apr 2026 - 2:20AMvideocam

Open Questions series

Science

Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history: Sheng-Wei Wang

Kunyu Wanguo Quantu and maritime artefacts prove China explored the world earlier than Eurocentric accounts suggest, scholar argues.

13 Apr 2026 - 8:15AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

6 Apr 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

30 Mar 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Key Industries:

China Business

China’s drug makers are speeding up – will AI be their secret weapon?

Chinese biotech firms are striking big global deals as drug makers, but could artificial intelligence take them to the next level?

18 Apr 2026 - 11:05AM

Big Tech

ByteDance, Tencent step up AI talent battle amid reports of DeepSeek loss

High-profile departures, disputed compensation claims and start-up spin-outs underscore escalating competition for AI engineers.

18 Apr 2026 - 9:00AM

China Economy

China focuses on car standards to put industry in global driving seat

New five-year plan also emphasised importance of stronger standards in boosting Chinese manufacturers’ competitiveness.

17 Apr 2026 - 6:30PM

Tech

‘Horrible’ for US if DeepSeek AI models run on Huawei chips: Nvidia CEO

DeepSeek on Huawei chips could help China – powered by ‘abundant’ energy and large pool of researchers – catch up with US in AI: Nvidia CEO.

17 Apr 2026 - 6:00PM

Even if China has inferior chips, it can still catch up with the US in AI development given its abundant energy and large pool of AI researchers, according to Jensen Huang. Photo: Handout

China Economy

Iran war energy shock sees Chinese firms recalibrate overseas expansion plans

Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies.

18 Apr 2026 - 6:33AMvideocam

Sport

Rugby’s greatest weekend: 50 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - an infographic

See the world’s top teams compete at Kai Tak Stadium on April 17-19 and celebrate 50 years of Hong Kong Sevens history, tries and triumphs.

16 Apr 2026 - 8:15PM

Tech Trends

How the rise of AI agents could finally make China’s open-source models pay

Free models helped Chinese firms find rapid success – but thin margins are forcing a shift towards hybrid business strategies.

17 Apr 2026 - 8:38PMvideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Are special laws a quick fix for speeding up Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis?

Syncing megaproject with key infrastructure and turning it into a ‘living laboratory’ are equally important to its success, tech experts say.

16 Apr 2026 - 10:18PM

Could the PLA use minelaying drones in a blockade over Taiwan?

Japan’s islands and the waters of the Philippines could be targeted in a cross-strait operation, according to military magazine.

Asia’s energy supply at breaking point as US blockades Hormuz

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Developing | Iran reimposes shipping restrictions on Strait of Hormuz

The waterway has ‘returned to its previous state’, Tehran says, accusing Washington of banditry and maritime piracy.

Is Takaichi putting Japan’s pacifist constitution on the chopping block?

Goal of changing the post-war system has never been closer, but upper house could still be a stumbling block, analysts argue.

Wang Fuk Court residents prepare for emotional return to site of deadly fire

Grief counsellor and psychologist help residents prepare physically and mentally for the expected ‘sensory shock’ of returning to ravaged homes.

China’s drug makers are speeding up – will AI be their secret weapon?

How China’s military could learn vital lessons from war in Iran

The US-Israeli attacks are a ‘massive learning opportunity’, a Middle East analyst tells a seminar held in Shenzhen.

Hong Kong Sevens: record crowd watching day 2 at Kai Tak Stadium

It’s day two at Kai Tak Stadium, and the battle to make the quarter-finals begins in earnest for some of sport’s biggest names.

Japan warned of ‘hellish summer’ as energy fears mount

A prolonged Iran war, combined with an unusually early spell of hot weather, could leave Japan facing power shortages this summer.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Government initiative OASES supports GSK and Tigermed as they expand clinical trials and collaboration in mainland China and beyond.

Trump predicts meeting with Xi will be ‘special’ ahead of China visit

The US leader said ‘much will be accomplished’, but one analyst says the war in Iran means he has ‘lost almost all his bargaining chips’.

Hong Kong Housing Society aims to boost supply of subsidised sale flats

Chairman Ling Kar-kan says society will still supply more rental flats.

Inside Ukraine’s desperate race to track cultural artefacts looted by Russia

Russia has moved to formalise control over seized collections by adding 77 Ukrainian museums in occupied regions into its national catalogue.

Huawei retains lead in China smartphones, Apple shipments surge in first quarter

Apple ranked second in the first quarter with a 19 per cent share, boosted by a 20 per cent surge in shipments, the largest growth among the top six brands.

Crowned in Bangkok, constrained at home: Malaysia’s first Mr Bear winner

Gavin Chow’s victory highlights the contrast between Bangkok’s queer visibility and the pressures still facing LGBTQ people in Malaysia.

Hong Kong wants to be a global gold vault. Does the Iran war create an opening?

Geopolitical risk is driving a rethink of where bullion is stored – and Hong Kong’s unique status is drawing attention.

Chinese robo-diving suit could help users consume almost 40% less oxygen

Advanced algorithm designed to shadow a diver’s every move could also cut the risk of accidents when undertaking complex underwater tasks.

Why China is urgently looking to North Africa as the energy crisis rolls on

From Algerian oilfields to Moroccan battery factories and Egypt’s industrial base, Beijing may now fast-track projects across the region.

Iranians fear ‘pressure will 100% increase’ after US, Israeli strikes stop

Iranians are worried that an agreement with the US will free the regime to return to asserting control over its people.

Hong Kong seen leading Asia in push to scale stablecoins, HSBC says

Interoperability and real-world applications seen as key hurdles as city looks to unlock tokenisation’s full potential.

Magnitude 5 quake hits Japan’s Nagano prefecture

The 1.20pm quake in Omachi registered an upper 5 on the Japanese seismic scale, strong enough ‌to make movement difficult without support.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Macroscope | Will Japan’s corporate bond initiative signal a shift in Asia financing?

Opinion | Passage through the Strait of Hormuz is a right in war and peace

Being Chinese | Growing up Hakka, around a language that few dared to speak publicly

Reflections | What an old Chinese snack can teach people about the ‘proper’ way to eat dishes

Letters | Hong Kong’s high fuel prices warrant scrutiny

Poon looks forward to partnering with a tougher, stronger Mapogo at Sha Tin

Latest K-drama casting news about Lee Hye-ri, Choi Hyun-wook and more

Hong Kong’s Mirror star Keung To urges public to learn from his driving mistakes

Wang Fuk Court residents prepare for emotional return to site of deadly fire

How China’s military could learn vital lessons from war in Iran

Japan, Australia finalise contracts to deliver first 3 of planned frigates

Could the PLA use minelaying drones in a blockade over Taiwan?

Meet Chris Rock’s daughter Zahra Rock, who’s in Netflix’s Roommates

China limbless mum sews with mouth, uses limb stumps for daily tasks, raises 3 kids alone

Hong Kong Housing Society aims to boost supply of subsidised sale flats

Iran war: is the US shifting away from its strategy of precision strikes?

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history: Sheng-Wei Wang

Kunyu Wanguo Quantu and maritime artefacts prove China explored the world earlier than Eurocentric accounts suggest, scholar argues.

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

China’s drug makers are speeding up – will AI be their secret weapon?

Chinese biotech firms are striking big global deals as drug makers, but could artificial intelligence take them to the next level?

ByteDance, Tencent step up AI talent battle amid reports of DeepSeek loss

High-profile departures, disputed compensation claims and start-up spin-outs underscore escalating competition for AI engineers.

China focuses on car standards to put industry in global driving seat

New five-year plan also emphasised importance of stronger standards in boosting Chinese manufacturers’ competitiveness.

‘Horrible’ for US if DeepSeek AI models run on Huawei chips: Nvidia CEO

DeepSeek on Huawei chips could help China – powered by ‘abundant’ energy and large pool of researchers – catch up with US in AI: Nvidia CEO.

Iran war energy shock sees Chinese firms recalibrate overseas expansion plans

Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies.

Rugby’s greatest weekend: 50 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - an infographic

See the world’s top teams compete at Kai Tak Stadium on April 17-19 and celebrate 50 years of Hong Kong Sevens history, tries and triumphs.

How the rise of AI agents could finally make China’s open-source models pay

Developing | Iran reimposes shipping restrictions on Strait of Hormuz

How Hong Kong’s role as innovation hub helps healthcare and biotech firms

Macroscope | Will Japan’s corporate bond initiative signal a shift in Asia financing?