Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Footage of the test aired by state broadcaster CCTV shows a vehicle flashing across the maglev track, leaving a trail of mist in its wake. Photo: CCTV

China’s military maglev achieves 0-700km/h acceleration in less than 2 seconds

Feat seen to catapult China into global top tier of ultra-high-speed maglev technology and unlock new possibilities for hyperloop transport.

3 hours agovideocam

China aims to deploy maglev rocket launch pad by 2028, challenging SpaceX

Science

Diplomacy

Tracing China’s long links with Kenya, from Admiral Zheng He to belt and road

National museum in Nairobi celebrates 620th anniversary of Ming dynasty navigator’s voyages and 62 years of modern bilateral ties.

5 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

China sharpens criticism of Japan ‘neo-militarism’, warns of ‘dangerous signal’

Amid heightened tensions, commentator says Beijing has sufficient policy tools in reserve should Tokyo endanger China’s core interests.

6 hours agovideocam

Transport

Hong Kong to extend Lo Wu and Shenzhen Bay checkpoint hours for New Year’s Eve

Lo Wu checkpoint to stay open until 2am next day while Shenzhen Bay will operate overnight to manage post-countdown crowds.

2 hours ago

Focus

How Beijing’s strategy shift explains decreased PLA activity in the Taiwan Strait

Politics

4 Chinese defence firm chiefs among 8 sacked from top advisory body CPPCC

National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference endorsed removals at meeting on Wednesday, Xinhua reports.

25 Dec 2025 - 4:18PMvideocam

CPPCC members are the latest to fall from grace amid China’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign that has led to the removal of dozens of top generals and senior executives. Photo: EPA-EFE

Hong Kong Economy

Japan popular with Hong Kong travellers over Christmas, Harbin gaining appeal

Despite row with China, Japan remains popular with Hongkongers, with mainland cities such as Harbin and Yunnan gaining appeal.

2 hours ago

China Economy

China’s offshore yuan breaks major benchmark as appreciation momentum builds

For the first time since 2024, the currency strengthened past the threshold of seven per US dollar – and did it again the next day.

25 Dec 2025 - 1:48PM

People & Culture

How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

Mamadou Amadou Ly and Uri Wilensky help transform teaching and learning through multilingual education and computational thinking.

In partnership with:

Yidan Prize Foundation

The 2025 Yidan Prize laureates Professor Uri Wilensky (left) and Mamadou Amadou Ly help remove barriers to education by transforming how learners access and engage with knowledge.

People

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

The High Court will rule on abuse of power and money laundering charges, with Najib facing the prospect of lengthy prison terms if found guilty.

6 hours ago

Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak attends the verdict of his house arrest bid at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in Malaysia on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Society

Thousands stuck for hours at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge on Christmas Day

Immigration Department figures show Hong Kong residents made about 644,000 outbound trips by 9pm on Thursday.

53 minutes ago

Tech Trends

Xiaomi’s 17 Ultra, backed by Leica, challenges Apple’s iPhone Pro Max in imaging

The 17 Ultra’s US$998 starting price is nearly 8 per cent higher than the previous generation owing to the soaring cost of memory chips.

2 hours ago

Russia & Central Asia

‘Ball in French court’: Russia makes ‘proposal’ over jailed NGO researcher

Laurent Vinatier is in prison in Russia and facing more spying allegations, but Moscow says it has reached out to Paris.

1 hour agovideocam

French citizen Laurent Vinatier sits in a cage prior to a court session in Moscow in October 2024. Photo: AP

Science

Bronze Age cemetery offers clues on how ancient Chinese brewed red rice wine

Vessels found in tombs at Mogou in modern-day Gansu contain traces of a fermentation starter of the type still used to make sake today.

25 Dec 2025 - 5:07PM

Processes similar to Bronze Age brewing techniques are still used today. Photo: Shutterstock

Society

‘Holding on to hope’: Hong Kong fire survivors make New Year wish for a home

Fire-hit residents wish for long-term resettlement, saying they ‘are more concerned about having a roof over their head’.

25 Dec 2025 - 1:51PM

Europe

Andrew’s daughters join UK royals for traditional Christmas Day service

Their father, who was recently stripped of his titles ‍over ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was absent from the church.

2 hours agovideocam

Economics

Duopoly of Air India, IndiGo to face challenge from 2 new airlines

The approval for Al Hind Air and FlyExpress to operate in India comes amid mounting calls to challenge the dominance of Air India and IndiGo.

25 Dec 2025 - 5:43PM

Aircrafts queue up on the tarmac before taking off at Mumbai airport. Photo: AFP

Russia & Central Asia

‘Christmas under fire’: Ukraine, Russia report fatal air strikes

Ukraine has been warding off a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022.

4 hours agovideocam

Ukrainian rescuers work to extinguish a fire on Thursday following a drone strike by Russia in the Chernihiv region. Photo: Handout via Ukrainian Emergency Services/AFP

Military

Fujian enters service, J-10C impresses: 10 China military developments in 2025

From hardware on show at China’s military parade to anti-drone systems, here are some of the year’s most notable People’s Liberation Army stories.

25 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM

Policy

China broadens foreign investment list in renewed pitch for overseas capital

The catalogue, which lists the sectors carrying policy incentives for overseas investors, has hundreds of new entries, many in advanced manufacturing.

6 hours ago

OPINION

Grenville Cross

Opinion | Hong Kong’s new legislators must strengthen child protection laws

25 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM

Hannan Hussain

Opinion | Seoul holds the key to US-North Korea denuclearisation talks

25 Dec 2025 - 5:30AM

Letters

Letters | Let 2026 be the year we are kinder to animals

25 Dec 2025 - 11:30AM

Alex Lo

As I see it | China is now the good guy in climate change

24 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | China’s resolve to invest in people is economic good sense

24 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

Harry’s View | 26 Dec 2025

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Russia & Central Asia

‘Ball in French court’: Russia makes ‘proposal’ over jailed NGO researcher

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Football

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Europe

Andrew’s daughters join UK royals for traditional Christmas Day service

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Transport

Hong Kong to extend Lo Wu and Shenzhen Bay checkpoint hours for New Year’s Eve

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China’s military maglev achieves 0-700km/h acceleration in less than 2 seconds

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Why has Beijing turned down the heat in the Taiwan Strait in the second half of 2025?

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

25 Dec 2025 - 9:58AMvideocam

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

24 Dec 2025 - 9:53PMvideocam

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Open Questions series

Diplomacy

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:02AMvideocam

Science

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

15 Dec 2025 - 10:05AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

8 Dec 2025 - 10:07AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

1 Dec 2025 - 3:57PMvideocam

Key Industries:

Tech

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

17 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

The questions in FAI-C were reviewed by a panel of Biblical experts, including theologians, pastors, psychologists and scholars of ethics. Photo: SCMP

China Business

Mercedes-Benz buys US$191 million stake in Chinese autonomous driving developer

The German carmaker obtains a 3 per cent stake in Chongqing Qianli Technology.

4 hours ago

China Business

UBTech’s US$237 million Fenglong deal tightens humanoid robot supply chain

Hong Kong-listed UBTech is buying a 43 per cent stake in Zhejiang Fenglong, as China’s robotics firms increasingly eye A-share acquisitions.

5 hours ago

China EVs

CATL poised to bring Yichun lithium output back online after licence lapse

With battery costs again under the spotlight, regulators are set to green light CATL’s restart of the Yichun mine in eastern China.

25 Dec 2025 - 4:04PM

A restart of the Yichun lithium mine could strengthen CATL’s output capacity at a time when carmakers are pushing suppliers to cut costs. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

23 Dec 2025 - 3:43PMvideocam

Politics

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

21 Dec 2025 - 7:35AMvideocam

China Business

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

20 Dec 2025 - 8:57AM

Diplomacy

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

19 Dec 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Beijing wants to fill the void as Washington steps back from its leadership role on the world stage under US President Donald Trump and his “America first” policy. Photo: Reuters

China’s military maglev achieves 0-700km/h acceleration in less than 2 seconds

Feat seen to catapult China into global top tier of ultra-high-speed maglev technology and unlock new possibilities for hyperloop transport.

China aims to deploy maglev rocket launch pad by 2028, challenging SpaceX

Tracing China’s long links with Kenya, from Admiral Zheng He to belt and road

National museum in Nairobi celebrates 620th anniversary of Ming dynasty navigator’s voyages and 62 years of modern bilateral ties.

China sharpens criticism of Japan ‘neo-militarism’, warns of ‘dangerous signal’

Amid heightened tensions, commentator says Beijing has sufficient policy tools in reserve should Tokyo endanger China’s core interests.

Hong Kong to extend Lo Wu and Shenzhen Bay checkpoint hours for New Year’s Eve

Lo Wu checkpoint to stay open until 2am next day while Shenzhen Bay will operate overnight to manage post-countdown crowds.

How Beijing’s strategy shift explains decreased PLA activity in the Taiwan Strait

4 Chinese defence firm chiefs among 8 sacked from top advisory body CPPCC

National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference endorsed removals at meeting on Wednesday, Xinhua reports.

Japan popular with Hong Kong travellers over Christmas, Harbin gaining appeal

Despite row with China, Japan remains popular with Hongkongers, with mainland cities such as Harbin and Yunnan gaining appeal.

China’s offshore yuan breaks major benchmark as appreciation momentum builds

For the first time since 2024, the currency strengthened past the threshold of seven per US dollar – and did it again the next day.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

Mamadou Amadou Ly and Uri Wilensky help transform teaching and learning through multilingual education and computational thinking.

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

The High Court will rule on abuse of power and money laundering charges, with Najib facing the prospect of lengthy prison terms if found guilty.

Thousands stuck for hours at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge on Christmas Day

Immigration Department figures show Hong Kong residents made about 644,000 outbound trips by 9pm on Thursday.

Xiaomi’s 17 Ultra, backed by Leica, challenges Apple’s iPhone Pro Max in imaging

The 17 Ultra’s US$998 starting price is nearly 8 per cent higher than the previous generation owing to the soaring cost of memory chips.

‘Ball in French court’: Russia makes ‘proposal’ over jailed NGO researcher

Laurent Vinatier is in prison in Russia and facing more spying allegations, but Moscow says it has reached out to Paris.

Bronze Age cemetery offers clues on how ancient Chinese brewed red rice wine

Vessels found in tombs at Mogou in modern-day Gansu contain traces of a fermentation starter of the type still used to make sake today.

‘Holding on to hope’: Hong Kong fire survivors make New Year wish for a home

Fire-hit residents wish for long-term resettlement, saying they ‘are more concerned about having a roof over their head’.

Andrew’s daughters join UK royals for traditional Christmas Day service

Their father, who was recently stripped of his titles ‍over ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was absent from the church.

Duopoly of Air India, IndiGo to face challenge from 2 new airlines

The approval for Al Hind Air and FlyExpress to operate in India comes amid mounting calls to challenge the dominance of Air India and IndiGo.

‘Christmas under fire’: Ukraine, Russia report fatal air strikes

Ukraine has been warding off a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022.

Fujian enters service, J-10C impresses: 10 China military developments in 2025

From hardware on show at China’s military parade to anti-drone systems, here are some of the year’s most notable People’s Liberation Army stories.

China broadens foreign investment list in renewed pitch for overseas capital

The catalogue, which lists the sectors carrying policy incentives for overseas investors, has hundreds of new entries, many in advanced manufacturing.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Hong Kong’s new legislators must strengthen child protection laws

Opinion | Seoul holds the key to US-North Korea denuclearisation talks

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Let 2026 be the year we are kinder to animals

As I see it | China is now the good guy in climate change

Editorial | China’s resolve to invest in people is economic good sense

‘Ball in French court’: Russia makes ‘proposal’ over jailed NGO researcher

Grandfather encouraged me to play for Algeria, says son of French legend Zidane

Andrew’s daughters join UK royals for traditional Christmas Day service

Hong Kong to extend Lo Wu and Shenzhen Bay checkpoint hours for New Year’s Eve

Xiaomi’s 17 Ultra, backed by Leica, challenges Apple’s iPhone Pro Max in imaging

China’s military maglev achieves 0-700km/h acceleration in less than 2 seconds

Why has Beijing turned down the heat in the Taiwan Strait in the second half of 2025?

PLA warplanes and ships have been less active around the island in the second half of the year, Taiwanese data shows.

Beijing is pinning hopes for Taiwan reunification on KMT – but not all of them

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

Mercedes-Benz buys US$191 million stake in Chinese autonomous driving developer

The German carmaker obtains a 3 per cent stake in Chongqing Qianli Technology.

UBTech’s US$237 million Fenglong deal tightens humanoid robot supply chain

Hong Kong-listed UBTech is buying a 43 per cent stake in Zhejiang Fenglong, as China’s robotics firms increasingly eye A-share acquisitions.

CATL poised to bring Yichun lithium output back online after licence lapse

With battery costs again under the spotlight, regulators are set to green light CATL’s restart of the Yichun mine in eastern China.

‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification?

Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy announcements, a new commemoration day and military posturing for clues to Beijing’s intent.

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

How this year’s Yidan Prize laureates reshape modern literacy and skills worldwide

Opinion | Hong Kong’s new legislators must strengthen child protection laws

Letters | Let 2026 be the year we are kinder to animals