Behind the Story
In-depth discussions with SCMP journalists and editors about how they are covering the world’s biggest news, and what’s happening behind the scenes.
30 Aug 2023
While many Western nations have Halloween, in Asia there’s the Hungry Ghost Festival. In this episode, Post reporter Lisa Cam shares what she learned from a feng shui practitioner who helps ghosts move on to the next realm – a spiritual negotiator some call an “exorcist”. Listen to find out how you know if you are haunted by spirits, and 10 things people should not do during the festival season.
26:48
24 Mar 2023
China recently wrapped up the “two sessions'' of its national legislature and top political advisory body. Beyond the confirmation of an unprecedented third term for President Xi Jinping and the unveiling of his new leadership team, the annual gatherings in Beijing are key indicators of the country's economic, military and foreign policy direction. China expert and veteran journalist Chow Chung-yan, the South China Morning Post’s executive editor, breaks it down for us. In this episode of Talking Post, he sits down with chief news editor Yonden Lhatoo to provide a real insider’s perspective.
1:04:02
1 Feb 2023
53:31
18 Jan 2023
China is struggling to contain the fallout from suddenly ending its draconian Covid-control regime. How bad is the situation and what’s next for the world’s second-largest economy?
Former SCMP editor-in-chief Wang Xiangwei, one of the most credible China experts on the scene, sits down with chief news editor Yonden Lhatoo to break it down.
57:10
25 Nov 2022
Former Singapore foreign minister and long-time Hong Kong resident George Yeo has been called a “China whisperer” for his ability to explain Beijing’s ambitions and perspective to the rest of the world. In this extended version of Talking Post, Yeo sits down with chief news editor Yonden Lhatoo to discuss rising tensions between Beijing and Washington, Singapore’s role in the region and what the Singapore-Hong Kong rivalry means for the two financial hubs. Watch the Talking Post video version on the SCMP YouTube channel and at SCMP.com/video.
37:35
21 Nov 2022
Dr Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of the most recognizable and renowned science communicators in the world. He is famous for combining wisdom and wit to break down complex ideas for the masses and was recently interviewed for SCMP’s Talking Post video series. Here is an extended version of the Talking Post, where Tyson sits down with SCMP chief news editor Yonden Lhatoo to discuss China-US competition in space, UFOs and life after death and his new book ‘Starry Messenger: A Cosmic Perspective on Civilisation’. Watch the Talking Post video version on SCMP’s YouTube channel as well as SCMP.com.
57:49
21 Sep 2021
Online feature: https://sc.mp/5mx0
51:47
17 Dec 2020
Original stories by Chris Lau; script by James Legge; presented by Bong Miquiabas; produced by Jarrod Watt
15:49
30 Oct 2020
Upon this Halloween the staff of the SCMP gather around a candle-lit microphone to tell some of Hong Kong's legendary ghost stories. Hear about the curse of the Seven Sisters, the haunted movie soundtrack that Hong Kong radio DJs call 'the Forbidden Song', the Girl with the Single Braid and the legendary tale of the Congee Delivery Boy and the Headless Mahjong Party. Presented by Kinling Lo, with voice talents from John Carter, Gigi Choy, Zinnia Lee, Brian Peach, Heidi Yeung, and Nadeem Shad. Written and produced by Jarrod Watt.
15:38
15 Nov 2019
How hard is it to quit alcohol if it defines your lifestyle? Patrick Blennerhassett moved to Hong Kong and quickly became immersed in a culture of long work hours and even longer hours drinking each night. Listen as he shares his journey and the people he met along the way as he quit alcohol, changed his lifestyle and began training for a marathon next year.
26:33
18 Oct 2019
The "Godfather of Canto-pop" left an indelible mark on Hong Kong culture with a prolific career that began in the 1970s, and his anthems are still being sung to unite protesters today.
23:14
4 Feb 2019
James Legge speaks to SCMP journalists, video producers and editors about what stories always come around for Lunar New Year and what stories they’ve found for the coming Year of the Pig
29:30
16 Nov 2018
Zhou Xin talks about the cultural impact of Louis Cha's wuxia novels in mainland China as well as his pivotal role as founder and editor of Ming Pao.
20:19
23 Sep 2018
Hear first-hand accounts of the most powerful storm Hong Kong has faced since records began.
1:10:40
A Hong Kong exorcist and the Festival of Hungry Ghosts
Your trusted briefings about Hong Kong, China and Asia from the SCMP newsroom. Twice a day, five days a week. News Briefings combines cutting-edge AI audio synthesis with SCMP’s defining newsroom reporting to deliver a fast, curated digest of top Hong Kong, China and Asia headlines anywhere you go.
For years, the world has dismissed China's tech ambitions with many believing the industry had hit a glass ceiling. Then came the launch of Chinese AI company DeepSeek’s first ultra-efficient reasoning model in January 2025. The debut did more than just rattle Silicon Valley. It exposed the limitations of Western strategies to contain the sector and may have been a catalyst for a new wave of self-sufficient innovation in China.
In this three-part series, Post tech desk journalists take you inside the After DeepSeek era. They discuss why old assumptions about China's technological prowess no longer apply, and what recent changes mean for the nation’s tech talent pool, the global AI race and China's tech-first future.
Want to learn more about China first-hand, from reporters on the ground? In every episode, we take a deep-dive into a specific topic, mixing independent reporting and exclusive interviews to bring you unique insights into an emerging potential superpower. Now, we’re featuring regular updates on the coronavirus pandemic from across the country. Brought to you by the South China Morning Post.
Let’s talk… About Asia by looking deep into the stories unfolding on the world’s most populous continent. Each episode showcases the reportage of SCMP’s journalists across Asia and in-depth interviews with experts, putting context and analysis to current affairs.
Eat Drink Asia is an award-winning podcast by the South China Morning Post that deep dives into the forgotten history of some of Asia's most popular dishes that have gone global. Discover the human story behind some of Asia's most loved foods, drinks and condiments with SCMP journalists, as they speak with chefs, restaurateurs and food experts from across the region.
Stay ahead of the game with the Hong Kong Racing Weekly podcast, brought to you by the South China Morning Post. Whether you're after news, expert views or tips, join the Post's racing team as they take a deep dive into the 2024-25 season.
SCMP presents Charmaine Chan in conversation with authors from around the world, talking about their books, their craft and what inspires them to write. Charmaine is the South China Morning Post’s Literary Editor and an award-winning journalist. Each episode of the Post Books Podcast is accompanied by related articles in SCMP's Post Magazine.
Inside China Tech is brought to you by the South China Morning Post's on-the-ground reporters who explore China's ever-evolving tech scene, bringing essential tech background, trends, and analysis from China straight to listeners.
Each month a team of reporters and editors take an in-depth look at a country or region in Asia. Joining them, our correspondents provide on-the-ground context to major developments and ongoing issues.
Whether you run, jump, cycle, swim or climb, listen in each fortnight as your hosts Mark Agnew and Mary Hui chat with key figures in trail running and adventure sports about the big issues they are facing.
Morning Studio podcasts are brought to you by the South China Morning Post's commercial content team. In partnership with global brands, we aim to bring you engaging storytelling, featuring influential voices that are making a mark on the future of Asia.
What better way to amplify the voices of our city's youth than a podcast featuring Hong Kong students? From personal reflections to opinions on the metaverse, this bite-sized podcast will feature a different student every episode, tackling one topic at a time. With Snack for the Soul, give your eyes a break from the screens for a few minutes, and tune in to hear the stories, reflections and opinions of our hosts.