Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, the United Arab Emirates, last month. Photo: AP

Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels

Move eases oil fears, but US blockade stays; ships face Iranian routing rules as questions over enforcement, tolls and China’s role linger.

19 minutes agovideocam

Europe tests ‘third way’ on Hormuz without the US, Israel and Iran. Will it work?

US-Israel war on Iran

Big Tech

Chinese LED chipmaker’s purchase of Dutch firm collapses after US opposition

The failed Lumileds deal highlights the growing hurdles Chinese tech firms face in overseas acquisitions under tightening US policy.

4 hours ago

Diplomacy

China, Vietnam vow to ‘better’ navigate South China Sea disputes

Joint communique indicates wish to keep maritime disputes from jeopardising ties and caps To Lam’s trip.

6 hours ago

Society

Gloomy weather can’t take shine off Hong Kong Sevens for visiting rugby fans

Rugby tournament kicks off 50th anniversary edition with spectators in party mood.

4 hours agovideocam

Exclusive

Shipping data shows a Hong Kong-flagged ship passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Hong Kong-flagged tanker passes through Strait of Hormuz in test of US blockade

Diplomacy

Iran has opened Strait of Hormuz but will the US ease its economic squeeze?

Chinese analysts say Tehran has long shown resilience in the face of sanctions and other US tactics.

3 hours agovideocam

With a two-week ceasefire to expire next week, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth says the US will attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure if diplomatic efforts fail. Photo: AFP

Global Economy

Iran war energy shock threatens Southeast Asia’s supply chains. A win for China?

US and European importers are shifting some orders back to China – but not everyone is optimistic.

5 hours agovideocam

Science

Chinese trucks could go 100% electric, halving road transport oil use: industry

China’s industrial supply chains and engineering expertise provide a distinct competitive advantage, CiDi CEO Albert Hu says.

6 hours agovideocam

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

Politics

Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel’s ‘hegemony’

Pakistan is the regional go-between to help maintain the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and push for a conclusive deal to end the Iran war.

6 hours ago

Displaced people make their way back to their home on Friday crossing the bridge in Qasmiyeh linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country as a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Iran war: France and UK to lead ‘defensive’ force for Strait of Hormuz

Trump, meanwhile, says he received a Nato offer to help secure the key waterway but told the alliance to ‘STAY AWAY’.

1 hour ago

United States & Canada

US Congress extends controversial surveillance law by 10 days

The short-term fix comes after a Trump-backed bid to secure a longer-term extension failed in the House.

12 minutes ago

Europe

Chinese ring used 500 locations in Germany for illegal sex work: prosecutors

Five suspects are accused of organised smuggling of foreigners for their roles in operating the syndicate over the past three years.

3 hours ago

Scores of Chinese women were smuggled into Germany for illegal sex work, with five suspects facing charges for operating the ring. Photo: Shutterstock

SERIES: Year of the Horse 2026

Is the Year of the Horse’s third month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs in health, love, work and finances.

17 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

How’s your luck in the Year of the Fire Horse’s third month? Feng shui master Andrew Kwan gives his predictions for all 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs. Photo: Shutterstock

Diplomacy

China complains of ‘harassment’ from New Zealand aerial patrols near coastline

Beijing said the plane had been operating over the Yellow and East China Seas and urged Wellington not to put civilian aircraft in danger.

17 Apr 2026 - 7:58PMvideocam

Hong Kong Economy

Cathay Pacific, HK Express passenger counts rise despite impact of Mideast war

Group attributes growth to spate of mega-events in city, such as Art Basel and Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.

4 hours ago

Diplomacy

China slams Japan for sending warship through Taiwan Strait

Beijing calls move a ‘deliberate provocation’ that undermines peace and stability in the strait.

6 hours agovideocam

The Japanese Self-Defence Forces will send approximately 1,400 personnel, multiple warships, aircraft and Type 88 anti-ship missile systems to the annual US-Philippine military drills next week. Photo: AP

Military

Will South Korea’s ‘Goldilocks’ missile dent China’s Middle East arms ambitions?

The Cheongung-II has reportedly achieved a 96.7% intercept rate against Iranian drones and ballistic missiles.

17 Apr 2026 - 8:02PMvideocam

South Korea is poised to benefit in arms sales to the Middle East. Photo: Shutterstock

Policy

Chinese platforms fined 3.6b yuan over ‘ghost’ takeaways amid cutthroat rivalry

The fines follow a period of intense competition that drove down prices and stalled profit-making at China’s food delivery platforms.

17 Apr 2026 - 7:25PM

Tech Trends

How Amazon uses closer China supply ties to counter tariffs, Shein and Temu

Amazon’s warehousing hub in Shenzhen streamlines shipping for Chinese sellers, cutting costs and delays amid rising competition and tariffs.

17 Apr 2026 - 7:00PM

OPINION

Alex Lo

As I see it | Vietnam and China are now perfectly aligned

6 hours ago

David Dodwell

Outside In | Debunking the myth of the lonely, isolated Hong Kong retiree

17 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

Bernard Chan

Opinion | With Art March, Hong Kong is firmly on the global cultural map

17 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | 50 years of Sevens: Hong Kong’s festival of fun awaits the world’s rugby fans

17 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

Letters

Letters | Amid elevated oil prices, Hong Kong’s stable energy system is a boon

17 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Harry’s View | 18 Apr 2026

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LATEST

12 minutes ago

United States & Canada

US Congress extends controversial surveillance law by 10 days

1 hour ago

Middle East

Iran war: France and UK to lead ‘defensive’ force for Strait of Hormuz

1 hour ago

Africa

Pope urges Cameroon to reject violence at mass that draws 120,000 people

3 hours ago

Hong Kong

Hong Kong in Sevens heaven as dazzling display marks start of 50th year

3 hours ago

Europe

Chinese ring used 500 locations in Germany for illegal sex work: prosecutors

3 hours ago

Hong Kong

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens: Hong Kong coach sees ‘positive’ in women’s escape

3 hours ago

Politics

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

4 hours ago

Hong Kong

‘Epic’ Hongkonger Ceci Lee claims UCI Track World Cup silver for career high

4 hours ago

Hong Kong

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens: Australia, New Zealand set for inevitable showdown

4 hours ago

Asia

Video | Myanmar frees thousands of prisoners, including former president

Released prisoners look out from a bus after it came out from Insein Prison, as relatives gather around it searching for their loved ones, during an amnesty to mark Myanmar’s new year in Yangon on April 17, 2026. More than 4,300 prisoners were slated for release on April 17 to mark Myanmar’s Thingyan new year, one of the country’s many public holidays when forgiveness orders are regularly announced. (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP)

01:32

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SCMP Series

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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.

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Shanghai Gigafactory has potential to build humanoid robots: Tesla China head

Shanghai Gigafactory could be a ‘golden key’ to advancing Elon Musk’s hopes of commercialising the technology swiftly, Tesla China head says.

14 Apr 2026 - 9:02PM

A Tesla robot on display at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Tesla has said it is transforming itself into a physical AI firm. Photo: AFP

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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

China Economy

VietJet Air to lease up to 10 C909 jets in boost for Chinese aircraft maker

Deal follows talks between Chinese and Vietnamese presidents in Beijing this week.

17 Apr 2026 - 3:00PM

A C909 in VietJet livery at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport in April last year. Photo: Reuters

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

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

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.

6 hours agovideocam

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

China

Exclusive | Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts

War distractions and limited goals risk turning Beijing talks into optics over substance, as expectations shrink and planning falters.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:06AMvideocam

Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels

Move eases oil fears, but US blockade stays; ships face Iranian routing rules as questions over enforcement, tolls and China’s role linger.

Europe tests ‘third way’ on Hormuz without the US, Israel and Iran. Will it work?

Chinese LED chipmaker’s purchase of Dutch firm collapses after US opposition

The failed Lumileds deal highlights the growing hurdles Chinese tech firms face in overseas acquisitions under tightening US policy.

China, Vietnam vow to ‘better’ navigate South China Sea disputes

Joint communique indicates wish to keep maritime disputes from jeopardising ties and caps To Lam’s trip.

Gloomy weather can’t take shine off Hong Kong Sevens for visiting rugby fans

Rugby tournament kicks off 50th anniversary edition with spectators in party mood.

Hong Kong-flagged tanker passes through Strait of Hormuz in test of US blockade

Iran has opened Strait of Hormuz but will the US ease its economic squeeze?

Chinese analysts say Tehran has long shown resilience in the face of sanctions and other US tactics.

Iran war energy shock threatens Southeast Asia’s supply chains. A win for China?

US and European importers are shifting some orders back to China – but not everyone is optimistic.

Chinese trucks could go 100% electric, halving road transport oil use: industry

China’s industrial supply chains and engineering expertise provide a distinct competitive advantage, CiDi CEO Albert Hu says.

.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.

Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel’s ‘hegemony’

Pakistan is the regional go-between to help maintain the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and push for a conclusive deal to end the Iran war.

Iran war: France and UK to lead ‘defensive’ force for Strait of Hormuz

Trump, meanwhile, says he received a Nato offer to help secure the key waterway but told the alliance to ‘STAY AWAY’.

US Congress extends controversial surveillance law by 10 days

The short-term fix comes after a Trump-backed bid to secure a longer-term extension failed in the House.

Chinese ring used 500 locations in Germany for illegal sex work: prosecutors

Five suspects are accused of organised smuggling of foreigners for their roles in operating the syndicate over the past three years.

Is the Year of the Horse’s third month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs in health, love, work and finances.

China complains of ‘harassment’ from New Zealand aerial patrols near coastline

Beijing said the plane had been operating over the Yellow and East China Seas and urged Wellington not to put civilian aircraft in danger.

Cathay Pacific, HK Express passenger counts rise despite impact of Mideast war

Group attributes growth to spate of mega-events in city, such as Art Basel and Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.

China slams Japan for sending warship through Taiwan Strait

Beijing calls move a ‘deliberate provocation’ that undermines peace and stability in the strait.

Will South Korea’s ‘Goldilocks’ missile dent China’s Middle East arms ambitions?

The Cheongung-II has reportedly achieved a 96.7% intercept rate against Iranian drones and ballistic missiles.

Chinese platforms fined 3.6b yuan over ‘ghost’ takeaways amid cutthroat rivalry

The fines follow a period of intense competition that drove down prices and stalled profit-making at China’s food delivery platforms.

How Amazon uses closer China supply ties to counter tariffs, Shein and Temu

Amazon’s warehousing hub in Shenzhen streamlines shipping for Chinese sellers, cutting costs and delays amid rising competition and tariffs.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | Vietnam and China are now perfectly aligned

Outside In | Debunking the myth of the lonely, isolated Hong Kong retiree

Opinion | With Art March, Hong Kong is firmly on the global cultural map

Editorial | 50 years of Sevens: Hong Kong’s festival of fun awaits the world’s rugby fans

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Amid elevated oil prices, Hong Kong’s stable energy system is a boon

US Congress extends controversial surveillance law by 10 days

Iran war: France and UK to lead ‘defensive’ force for Strait of Hormuz

Pope urges Cameroon to reject violence at mass that draws 120,000 people

Hong Kong in Sevens heaven as dazzling display marks start of 50th year

Chinese ring used 500 locations in Germany for illegal sex work: prosecutors

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens: Hong Kong coach sees ‘positive’ in women’s escape

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

‘Epic’ Hongkonger Ceci Lee claims UCI Track World Cup silver for career high

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens: Australia, New Zealand set for inevitable showdown

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Myanmar frees thousands of prisoners, including former president

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.

Shanghai Gigafactory has potential to build humanoid robots: Tesla China head

Shanghai Gigafactory could be a ‘golden key’ to advancing Elon Musk’s hopes of commercialising the technology swiftly, Tesla China head says.

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.

VietJet Air to lease up to 10 C909 jets in boost for Chinese aircraft maker

Deal follows talks between Chinese and Vietnamese presidents in Beijing this week.

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

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

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

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

As I see it | Vietnam and China are now perfectly aligned

Letters | Amid elevated oil prices, Hong Kong’s stable energy system is a boon

Video | Myanmar frees thousands of prisoners, including former president