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Banking & Finance

Why Hong Kong banks have shut down 40% of branches in recent years

With the ability to transfer funds at 2am and AI to help plan investments, branches on every corner no longer make sense, local bankers say.

A person uses an ATM at a bank branch in Mong Kok. Photo: Eugene Lee

China Economy

Chinese carmakers gain as high petrol prices boost European EV sales

Chinese brands’ share of plug-in hybrid registrations across Europe climbed from about 20 per cent in January to 35.3 per cent in August.

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A BYD electric car on display at Germany’s Essen Motor Show in December. Photo: AP

Health & Environment

Philippines’ short-lived Discord ban exposes cracks in online safety strategy

The abrupt ban following recent school shootings has drawn backlash over ‘performative governance’ and free speech risks.

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The logo of the US company Discord shown on a smartphone and a screen. Philippine officials said the app had servers associated with nihilistic violent extremism and grooming. Photo: AFP

Europe

3 injured after explosion causes building collapse in Athens

The area has many hotels and short-term rentals ⁠and crowds of tourists stroll its narrow streets lined with cafes and souvenir shops.

Debris and rubble lie on parked cars after a two-storey building in the Plaka neighbourhood of central Athens collapses following a violent explosion. Photo: dpa

China

Video | Xi meets Trump at White House

Trade, Middle East, AI and Taiwan among issues discussed during Chinese president’s state visit to US.

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Diplomacy

Xi at White House, trade truce extension, Golden Week travel

This week: Xi Jinping and Donald Trump discuss AI and Taiwan in summit, the trade-war truce is prolonged until January, and China cracks down on fentanyl. Next week: Manufacturing PMI may show third month of contraction, RoboTechnik headlines four Hong Kong IPO debuts, holidaymakers take advantage of National Day golden week, and more.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump arrive for a White House state dinner. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

Why is the National Archives the last stop on Xi and Trump’s summit itinerary?

The presidents and their wives will get a personal view of the National Archives and the documents that define the American system.

The US National Archives will be the last stop on President Xi Jinping’s trip to the United States. Photo: Getty Images

Asia Opinion

Opinion | How Chinese firms can optimise their ‘going out’ strategy in Southeast Asia

While local partners gain valuable technical and marketing skills, Chinese companies must navigate vastly different regulatory and cultural landscapes to succeed.

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An exhibitor chats to visitors at the 23rd China-Asean Expo in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 21. Bilateral trade exceeded US$1 trillion in 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Arts

Zen and the art of flower arranging – how ikebana brings calm to your life

Mindfulness and creativity meet in ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, whose benefits are similar to those of yoga and meditation.

A free-style Ikenobo ikebana arrangement in Tokyo, Japan. Ikenobo is the oldest form of ikebana. Photo: Hiroyuki Okada via AP

Diplomacy

Trump gives Xi a tour of his White House building projects, including ballroom

Viral video shows Donald Trump praising Chinese president as an ‘expert on stone’ during South Lawn walkthrough.

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US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping tour White House grounds after their meeting on Thursday. Photo: AFP
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Economy

More US-China flights? Why US airlines balk at Xi Jinping’s call

Analysts say demand exists for more direct flights, but US carriers will resist while their Chinese peers have an advantage.

An Air China Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner taxis to a runway at Beijing Capital Airport on May 9, 2026. Photo: AFP

Economics

Indonesian coal deal fuels doubts over production quota approvals

The sale of a stake in Bayan came as the coal miner was facing a delay in getting approval for three subsidiaries’ production quotas.

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A tugboat carrying coal barges at a port in Palembang, South Sumatra province, Indonesia. Photo: Antara Foto/Reuters

Business

Asia-Pacific hotels a ‘most compelling’ investment sector: CBRE

Rising air travel bodes well for growth after regional investment rises 21 per cent to US$8 billion in first six months, property firm says.

People visit the Shinjuku district in Tokyo on March 30, 2026. Photo: AFP

Politics

Malaysia’s Najib ‘has no money’ to pay fine for house arrest, lawyer says

The ex-prime minister’s legal team also dismisses a ‘stupid question’ about ‘the billions’ donated by the Saudi royal family.

A supporter of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gesture as she gathers outside his residence in Kuala Lumpur last Friday. Photo: AP

China

Video | Trump and Xi share rare laugh at Joe Biden’s expense

Trump’s autopen remark during a White House tour prompts the Chinese leader to laugh audibly at his host’s mockery of former president Joe Biden.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping look at an image of an autopen signing former U.S. President Joe Biden's signature at the "Presidential Walk of Fame" in the Colonnade of the White House in Washington, D.C., US, September 24, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
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Diplomacy

Xi’s security chief among cohort of rising officials at White House banquet

Zhou Hongxu is one of a group of officials in their 50s and early 60s at the front line of China’s top diplomatic events.

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Zhou Hongxu was one of several relatively young senior Chinese officials who attended the White House banquet on Thursday night. Photo: AP

South Asia

‘Glaciers don’t travel with stamps’: Nepal seeks climate deal with India, China

PM Shah’s proposal aims to address gaps in data-sharing that left mountain communities with virtually no early warning before the disaster hit.

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Houses damaged by recent flash floods stand amid thick layers of sludge, mud and debris in Nepal’s Nuwakot district on September 8. Photo: AP

Tech War

Xi-Trump dinner puts US tech titans in spotlight – what does it mean for ties?

Nvidia, Apple, AMD and Tesla executives secured prime seats at the White House, underscoring the centrality of AI, chips and tech amid persistent tensions.

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AMD CEO Lisa Su, her husband Daniel Lin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, his wife Lori Huang and Apple’s executive chairman Tim Cook attend a state dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump for President Xi Jinping in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Other Sport

Uzbekistan gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, 51, defies the years in Asian Games final

Competing against women young enough to be her daughter, the athlete is appearing in her seventh continental multi-sport event.

Uzbekistan’s Oksana Chusovitina in action during the women’s vault final at the Asian Games. Photo: Xinhua

Health & Environment

Over 1,000 visit Po Pin Chau trail as Mid-Autumn Festival holiday begins

First major holiday test for real-name reservation system as crowds stream towards popular section of High Island Geo Trail on Friday morning.

Tourists at the High Island Reservoir East Dam — the starting point for visiting Po Pin Chau — during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday on Friday. Photo: Edmond So
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Economics

From Suzhou to AI: Singapore, China eye new playbook for economic ties

Both countries should explore cooperation in new areas such as AI and the green economy, says Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.

Staff members work at a semiconductor company at the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, China’s Jiangsu province. Photo: Xinhua

Celebrities

Meet ‘12 to 12’ singer Sombr’s parents, Bennah Serfaty and Andy Boose

The Grammy-nominated singer’s parents met while working at amfAR, and both have impactful careers in philanthropy and event management.

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Sombr with his parents, Bennah Serfaty and Andy Boose, at the 68th Grammy Awards, where he was nominated for Best New Artist. Photo: @sombrontour/Instagram

Middle East

France to protect key Saudi oil terminal as Houthis step up missile attacks

Macron pledges troops and radar systems to defend Red Sea energy hub at Yanbu following aerial barrage.

A digital billboard shows a missile as Houthi supporters stage a protest against Saudi Arabia in Sanaa, Yemen. Photo: EPA

China Economy

Mooncakes for the dog? How China is reinventing its iconic festive snack

China’s consumers appear to be going off the dense Mid-Autumn Festival treat, but tiny mooncakes for pets are a different story.

Dog mooncakes have become a popular new trend ahead of this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival in China. Photo: Handout

Health & Environment

Minister rejects claims mainland nurses are favoured over local candidates

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau says Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority hired 95 per cent of local applicants for nursing positions over past year.

Hong Kong health chief Lo Chung-mau says 95 per cent local nurse applicants were hired in the past year, rejecting claims that mainland recruits are squeezing residents out of jobs. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
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Diplomacy

AI war, Taiwan and translation: SCMP answers your questions from Xi-Trump summit

China Editor Wendy Wu tackles reader queries in this live question-and-answer session, after the two leaders’ closely watched summit.

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US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Oval Office of the White House. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

From wine to ping-pong, Trump and Xi’s state dinner leans on historic symbolism

Trump invokes 1868 Burlingame Treaty to highlight deep roots of relationship; Xi speaks of WWII ‘friendship forged in blood and fire’.

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President Donald Trump and first ladies Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan listen as China’s President Xi Jinping speaks during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House on Thursday. Photo: AP

Society

Hong Kong astronaut Lai Ka-ying sends Mid-Autumn Festival wishes to residents

In Mandarin speech recorded aboard China’s Tiangong space station, city’s first astronaut thanks well-wishers and expresses longing and affection for home.

Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, conveys Mid-Autumn Festival wishes to residents from aboard the Tiangong space station. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong

Asian Games, day 6: city fencers in gold chance, gymnast Ng wins crucial bronze

Mixed doubles squash pairs, esports Fighting Games team also guaranteed bronze after making the semi-finals in Japan.

Hong Kong’s foil team of (from left) Leung Chin-yu, Ryan Choi, Cheung Ka-long and Harris Ho defeated South Korea in their semi-final at Aichi Sky Expo on Friday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Banking & Finance

HSBC, Hang Seng to unify staff benefits in Hong Kong from January, memos reveal

Move follows HSBC’s US$14 billion buyout of remaining Hang Seng shares, with the overhaul targeting US$900 billion in combined synergies by 2028.

HSBC Hong Kong CEO Maggie Ng is pictured in March at the HSBC headquarters. Photo: Jonathan Wong