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Xi-Trump Summit
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

In Focus | Will Xi and Trump find common ground on AI risk amid an escalating tech war?

Despite US AI leaders’ warnings over the risks of rapid development, they remain locked in a high-stakes race against each other – and China

China’s first lady Peng Liyuan projects glamour and soft power on world stage

China hawks grumble over Trump’s lavish welcome planned for Xi state visit

Developing | Bigger than Busan? US considers China’s ‘bigger deal’ on trade as Xi summit nears

Scott Bessent and He Lifeng held an unscheduled meeting in Washington on Wednesday following Sunday’s productive trade talks.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice-Premier He Lifeng pose for a photograph at their meeting in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: @SecScottBessent/X

Global Economy

US$365 trillion and counting: the world’s total debt hits record high, IIF finds

The US Capitol building is seen following rain showers. The US federal government’s debt alone accounts for more than 10 per cent of all the debt in the world, spanning government, household, financial and non-financial corporate sectors in more than 100 economies, according to the Institute of International Finance. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Xi-Trump summit: China’s state car has already proved a match for the US ‘Beast’

The then US president Joe Biden complimented his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the quality of his car during their summit in California in November 2023. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong to welcome 1.29 million mainland Chinese visitors for National Day break

Immigration Department shares estimate as Hong Kong’s No 2 official says authorities to ‘make good preparations’ for ‘golden week’ break.

Authorities have vowed to ensure visitors’ rights are protected. Photo: Jelly Tse
An aerial view of Po Pin Chau, a popular spot for mainland tourists during past breaks. Photo: Dickson Lee

Politics

Rubio defends Xi’s US visit as essential despite deep disagreements

US secretary of state says Taiwan arms sales must be weighed against America’s military needs and voices hope Vladimir Putin will attend G20.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media in New York on Wednesday. Photo: Pool via Reuters

Military

US Air Force to shut down research centre focusing on Chinese military

The China Aerospace Studies Institute published open-source research on the PLA’s air, space, cyber and missile capabilities.

6
The China Aerospace Studies Institute describes itself as the US Air Force’s “premier centre” for studying China and its aerospace capabilities. Photo: US Air Force

China Economy

Boosting China’s social safety net could address consumption woes: IMF director

The global organisation found that savings of rural households decrease when social and healthcare spending is higher.

People wait outside a busy restaurant in Beijing on Monday. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle

What drives 4 Shaw Prize laureates in pursuit of scientific discovery

In partnership with:The Shaw Prize
Four of this year’s Shaw Prize laureates: (from left) Ken’ichi Nomoto, Stanford Woosley, Camillo De Lellis and Emmanuel Candes.

Middle East

Iran’s Pezeshkian accuses Trump of ‘bullying mentality’, vows no surrender

The president told the UN General Assembly that threats would only harden Tehran’s resolve, but his country remained open to diplomacy.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

US

Americans are warming to China as Xi arrives for high-profile US visit: poll

China’s average rating has risen from 28 to 37 since 2021, with younger Americans and Democrats expressing warmer views.

Washington and Beijing have faced persistent tensions over trade, technology and national security. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

China hawks grumble over Trump’s lavish welcome planned for Xi state visit

Chorus of disapproval rises ahead of the Chinese leader’s arrival, even as others say the welcome is the show, not the deal.

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Members of the US military honour guard rehearse ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the White House in Washington this week. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Indian sailor killed in attack on vessel in Hormuz: India and Oman authorities

A strike on the cargo ship Cape Dao led to a fire in the engine room, and 27 crew members had to be evacuated by the Omani navy.

Iranians walk next to an anti-US billboard carrying a sentence in Persian that reads “The devil army will be drowned in the Persian Gulf” in Tehran on Monday. Photo: EPA

Science

Neurobiologist says his return to China not spurred by Michigan campus tragedy

Prominent researcher takes over Nanjing University’s school of life sciences, rejecting claims US policy prompted his return.

Nanjing University has confirmed that Ye Bing is dean and chair professor at its life sciences school. Photo: Handout

Diplomacy

All you need to know about a state visit, as US rolls out red carpet for Xi

On these grand occasions, which aim to strengthen relationships between countries, it’s more than just pomp and pageantry involved.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump take part in a welcome ceremony for Trump outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during his state visit to China on May 14, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

China

Trump built a US$5 million White House helipad. Don’t expect Xi Jinping to use it

US president might aim to impress during Xi’s state visit, but Chinese protocol discourages its leaders from using helicopters.

US President Donald Trump walks on a new helipad to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Monday. Photo: AP

United States & Canada

Grief and pain flow at hearing for Canadian suicide poison vendor Kenneth Law

Family members of those who killed themselves using chemicals he sold spoke about their loss before the judge deciding on Law’s sentence.

Kenneth Law appears in court in Brampton, Ontario, in May 2023. Courtroom sketch: Alexandra Newbould/The Canadian Press via AP

United States & Canada

Harvey Weinstein gets 15 years in jail for 2006 New York sex crime

His sentencing for sexually assaulting TV production assistant Miriam Haley followed a legal odyssey spanning more than six years.

Harvey Weinstein appears in Manhattan Supreme Court for sentencing on Wednesday in New York. Photo: via AP

Politics

Tesla’s Elon Musk hails Xi Jinping’s leadership, Chinese AI strength

Musk controls SpaceX, a Pentagon and US intelligence contractor, and his business ties with China have drawn scrutiny in Washington.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV published an interview with Elon Musk in which he praised Xi Jinping, Chinese AI capabilities and China’s manufacturing industry. Photo: AP

China Economy

As Chinese carmakers diversify beyond CATL, Beijing warns of market overreaction

MIIT-linked commentary dismisses “de-CATLisation” concerns as normal supplier diversification and warns cutthroat price competition poses a far bigger threat.

CATL is the world’s largest manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in electric vehicles among other consumer electronics. Photo: AFP
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Exclusive

Split on US investments stalls Chinese business visit alongside Xi, sources say

With the window for travel narrowing by the hour, uncertainty surrounds the inclusion of corporate leaders in China’s delegation.

A military honour guard rehearses with the US and Chinese flags at the White House in preparation for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit. Photo: Reuters
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Opinion
Andy Xie
Opinion |

Bad money decisions are coming home to roost for the US and Japan

23 Sep 2026 - 8:30PM
Andy Xie
Michael Jinghan Zeng
Opinion |

Hong Kong needs social science to help deliver on its 5-year plan

23 Sep 2026 - 4:30PM
Michael Jinghan Zeng
Alex Lo
Opinion |

Taiwan might as well give up now

23 Sep 2026 - 9:30AM
Alex Lo
Letters |

Hong Kong’s mental health narrative must instil a sense of hope

23 Sep 2026 - 11:30AM
Vera Yuen
Opinion |

The question Hong Kong charities must answer

23 Sep 2026 - 5:30AM
Vera Yuen
Editorial |

Trump-Xi summit a key step towards managing conflict more wisely

23 Sep 2026 - 7:15AM
Harry’s View | 24 Sep 2026
September 24, 2026
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Russia & Central Asia

Zelensky warns of painful winter for Russia if energy truce talks fail

Celebrities

Remembering Presley Gerber: touching tributes to the model from two of his exes

China

Trump built a US$5 million White House helipad. Don’t expect Xi Jinping to use it

United States & Canada

Grief and pain flow at hearing for Canadian suicide poison vendor Kenneth Law

Diplomacy

All you need to know about a state visit, as US rolls out red carpet for Xi

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