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Big Tech

Huawei steps up Tau chip roll-out, with Mate XT 2 on track for 1 million sales

The Chinese tech giant plans to use its self-developed advanced chips across the new Mate 90 series as it overcomes stringent US tech curbs.

A salesperson showcases the Huawei Mate 90 Pro Max Premium Edition at a store in Shenzhen on Tuesday. Photo: Iris Deng

Australasia

Australia’s card surcharge ban forces cafes, shops into price increases

The change, one of the biggest shake-ups in decades, comes at a difficult time for businesses already grappling with rising costs.

A customer pays via smartphone at a cafe restaurant. Austrlian cafe owners are raising food and coffee prices to offset bank processing fees as the country bans card payment surcharges. Photo: Shutterstock

Europe

Expert gives grim warning after Swiss glaciers shrink 20% in 5 years

Glaciologist says ice could vanish within 15 years as record summer triggers second-biggest melt on record.

A father and his son look at the melting Plaine Morte Glacier. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

Philippines’ uranium find a ‘vital’ boost for nuclear energy ambitions

The discovery of uranium-bearing minerals in Luzon comes as the country explores integrating nuclear power into its future energy mix.

A motorcyclist drives past the South Luzon Thermal Energy Power Plant in Calaca, Batangas, in the Philippines in October 2025. Photo: AP

Trending in China

Chinese women spend top dollar on male model shoots for brief taste of love

These commercial models and online influencers command fees based on their appearance, height, follower count, and acting ability.

A growing social media trend sees young Chinese women shelling out thousands of yuan for romantic photo shoots with male models, transforming staged intimacy into a booming business. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
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Diplomacy

Xi-Trump rapport is ‘most valuable strategic asset’ in US-China ties: envoy Xie

Beijing’s ambassador remarks on head-of-state diplomacy in a speech marking National Day celebrations at the Chinese embassy in Washington.

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China’s top envoy to the US, Xie Feng says Xi and Trump's support for each other gives "fresh momentum to Asia-Pacific cooperation and global governance”. Photo: Handout

East Asia

Trump touts US$200 billion South Korean energy deal ahead of US midterms

South Korea agreed to invest US$350 billion in the US and boost its purchases of US energy as part of a July 2025 trade deal with Trump.

US President Donald Trump (seated) is accompanied by politicians and energy executives during his announcement of South Korean investments on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

China Economy

As China’s birth rate falls, vacant schools are turned into aged care facilities

Data shows primary and preschool enrolments each fell by 10 per cent last year, leaving classrooms empty while the elderly population grows.

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As China’s birth rate drops and its elderly population grows, vacant schools are being turned into aged care facilities to accommodate this changing demographic. Photo: Xinhua

China Opinion

Opinion | How China became the world’s gold superpower

Beijing built its dominance through innovation and meticulous planning, not superior natural reserves.

Illustration: Davies Christian

Hong Kong

Watch: Hong Kong holds ceremony and reception on China’s National Day

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and senior government officials are attending a ceremony and a National Day reception.

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Flags celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China hang at a footbridge in Tamar. Photo: Edmond So
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Tennis

Asian Games: Eala takes on Wang with gold in her sights, Olympics in her dreams

Alexandra Eala says decision to head to Japan was a tough one, but representing her country ‘very close to my heart’.

Alexandra Eala has opted to play in the Asian Games over the China Open. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong Economy

Retailers expect ‘golden week’ sales growth, but trade groups warn of modest gains

About 1.29 million mainland Chinese visitors are expected over holiday, but trade groups say cautious spending could limit gains across wider sector.

A jewelry shop advertises a National Day offer in Tsim Sha Tsui. Average daily arrivals between October 1 and 7 are projected to exceed last year’s figure by more than 5 per cent. Photo: Karma Lo

Luxury CEOs

Interview: CEO Frédéric Arnault on navigating Loro Piana’s complexities

The LVMH heir talks about the maison’s commitment to fabric development, sustainability goals, non-celebrity campaigns, and resistance to fleeting trends.

Frédéric Arnault joined Loro Piana as its CEO in 2025. Photo: Handout

Banking & Finance

‘China’s Warren Buffett’ adds Moutai shares as baijiu sector seeks bottom

Duan Yongping takes bullish long-term view on ‘irreplaceable’ brand, while analysts see sector becoming ‘zero-sum’ amid falling consumption.

More prudent corporate spending and anti-corruption efforts in recent years have dented demand for baijiu. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Border mine blasts show why both Koreas urgently need to restore communication

With North Korea stepping up fortification works along the border, constant contact is needed to avoid accidental clashes, experts say.

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A North Korean guard post and military fences in the border county of Gaepung is seen from a South Korean observation deck at Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo on July 1. Photo: AFP
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United States & Canada

Woman told Cornell police 2 years ago she was sure she was raped: transcript

The account raises new questions in the high-profile case about the district attorney’s decision not to prosecute anyone at the time.

Students walk and ride across the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Travel

‘Red tourism’: walking in Mao’s footsteps

High-speed rail has made the pivotal locations of China’s modern history easier to reach and transformed remembrance into real-life journeys.

A media tour at a monument of the hammer and sickle, in Nanniwan, in Shaanxi province, some 60km (37 miles) from Yanan, the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party from 1936 to 1947. Photo: AFP

Opinion

Editorial | Hong Kong must balance boosting public housing supply with other goals

The plan to build public housing on part of the Fanling golf course pitted conservation against development and social privilege against community needs.

The Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling in December 2024. Photo: Dickson Lee

Food & Drink

5 new Hong Kong cafes and coffee shops to try in October, plus must-visit events

International Coffee Day on October 1 kicks off a month of new openings and fun events for coffee obsessives and casual drinkers alike.

Rikuto Tanaka is the head barista of Philocoffea in Japan. Photo: Rikuto

Diplomacy

Trump claims he discussed release of political prisoners in China with Xi

US president says he had ‘some very, very important discussions’ with his Chinese counterpart, but did not identify specific cases.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on September 24, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
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Diplomacy

US criticises China’s WTO compliance as industry groups mount complaints

Senior US trade official says Beijing targeting entire industrial sectors for global dominance, while retaining a non-market economic system.

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The headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland. The US has long accused China of failing to meet its WTO commitments. Photo: AFP

China Economy

In Focus | How US sanctions forced Xinjiang’s cotton industry to build a survival model

State support and tech upgrades help producers pivot, but they face tight profit margins, a ‘domestic decoupling’ and EU market spillover.

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Illustration: Henry Wong

United States & Canada

Hegseth says US slashed number of generals and admirals by 20%

Pentagon chief frames purge of senior leadership as long-overdue move against ‘woke’ culture.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

US targets China’s steel capacity at G20 days after Xi’s state visit

Jamieson Greer proposes new global framework that will encourage countries to strengthen trade barriers against steel imports.

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United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says the new global “Milwaukee Framework” will help tackle excess steel production capacity. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong Opinion

Opinion | How Hong Kong’s foreign carer scheme aims to get ahead of ageing city

The pilot scheme to bring in specially qualified carers will upset the market equilibrium, but the shake-up will be to Hong Kong’s benefit.

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A domestic helper assists an elderly person in a wheelchair in Causeway Bay on September 17. The city will introduce a pilot scheme next year to bring in foreign domestic carers to look after older residents as part of a broader package of measures announced in the policy address to deal with an ageing population. Photo: Karma Lo
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Middle East

Netanyahu hails wounded Indian pilot and passengers for averting flydubai crash

Israeli premier praises pilot Smit Machchhar’s ‘extraordinary bravery’ after co-pilot allegedly tried to crash Tel Aviv-bound jet.

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The replacement flydubai flight at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport after bringing passengers home from Saudi Arabia. Photo: EPA

Europe

UK accuses China of using academics to spy on AI and other tech research

MI5 has issued an unprecedented alert, while UK universities have been told to cut ties with the China General Technology Research Institute.

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A flag flies on the roof of the Chinese embassy in London in November 2025. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Brazil’s beef exporters hit a wall in China as 55% tariff kicks in

Surtax on its largest market alarms the industry, which is already locked out of the EU and facing higher US duties.

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A butcher weighs meat at a butcher’s shop in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. China is charging an extra 55 per cent tariff on Brazilian beef starting on Thursday, October 1. Photo: AFP

Europe

UK-France deal targeting migrants crossing English Channel is scrapped

So-called ‘one in, one out’ arrangement ends as France declines UK request to extend cooperation.

Migrants in life jackets prepare to cross the English Channel off the coast of northern France. Photo: Reuters

Harry’s View

Gallery | Harry's View: October 2026

Selected works from SCMP's veteran political cartoonist, Harry Harrison, from October 2026.

October 1, 2026