Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

World Gold Council says nine out of 10 central banks will increase their gold holdings as the de-dollarisation trend continues. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Central banks expand bullion holdings as US dollar’s world dominance falls

World Gold Council states about nine in 10 central banks will increase holdings as de-dollarisation trend continues amid global instability.

15 minutes agovideocam

Hong Kong emerges as top listing hub for global tech firms, HKEX says

Banking & finance

Economic Indicators

China sees first retail sales drop in over 3 years, prompting talk of stimulus

Despite surge in exports, the economy remained under pressure in May, with first decline in retail sales seen since end of Covid lockdown in late 2022.

2 hours ago

Science

Could a diamond wafer as wide as a basketball be China’s trump card in AI race?

From wedding gems to supercomputers, China’s giant synthetic diamonds may reshape the global computing competition.

2 hours agovideocam

Politics

Xia Baolong begins Hong Kong visit with housing, Northern Metropolis tours

Beijing official is set to visit Northern Metropolis tech sites, including Yuen Long microelectronics centre and Hetao hub.

58 minutes ago

Focus

‘It’s absurd’: how the EU’s new carbon tariff is causing havoc in China

US

US, Iran sign preliminary Hormuz deal ahead of formal ceremony

Terms of the accord remain secret nearly a day after the announcement to end the conflict, with leaders due in Switzerland on Friday.

16 Jun 2026 - 5:18AMvideocam

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, linking the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes. Photo: Reuters

Big Tech

Alibaba eyes physical world with its first suite of AI models for robots

Alibaba unveils Qwen robot models to push AI beyond chatbots, as embodied intelligence becomes the next frontier in global AI.

6 minutes ago

Politics

No victory, no defeat: Iran war pauses with a fragile freeze

Thousands dead, hundreds of billions lost and an agreement many analysts expect to collapse. The Iran ceasefire, explained.

57 minutes agovideocam

International

Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Cityscape Global achieves more than US$63 billion as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a major investment hub for urban development.

In partnership with:

Cityscape Global

Asia

Korean’s racist World Cup experience, India’s military revamp: 7 Asia highlights

From Lawrence Wong’s trip to Russia to a racist encounter at the World Cup, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

58 minutes ago

Left: South Korean YouTuber Yoon Su-jin, who posts under the handle InoCat, filming fans at a World Cup match in Guadalajara. Right: A man identified as Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes apologising for making an offensive gesture towards her in a later video. Photos: Instagram / inocat_t / latinus_us

Business

China’s first-tier new home prices rise for third month as measures take hold

Price gains in tier-one cities in May suggest confidence returning as policy support steadies sentiment.

24 minutes ago

Politics

Takaichi’s G7 mission: bridge Trump-bloc divides, polish ‘Iron Lady’ image

The Japanese leader also proposed a strategic mineral stockpiling plan during the summit to counter China and boost Tokyo’s global role.

2 hours agovideocam

Middle East

Shipowners hold off on Hormuz transit until US-Iran deal becomes ‘material’

The CEO of Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said shipping through the waterway ‘may take at least ⁠a couple of weeks’ to restart.

49 minutes agovideocam

Ships in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, last month. Photo: Kyodo

Middle East

‘Terrible’ US-Iran deal could deepen Netanyahu’s rift with Trump

The Israeli PM, facing an autumn election he is projected to lose, may be more willing to defy the US president amid falling public ratings.

4 hours agovideocam

An Iranian woman waves a national flag in Tehran on Monday. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Politics

Taiwan’s website for intelligence tips from mainland China spurs debate

‘Contact window’ launched for political, military, economic and social intelligence but critics say disinformation will be a challenge.

5 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

Can India react to Gulf deaths in same way China did after 1999 embassy bombing?

Beijing’s reaction to the Belgrade incident could be a template for New Delhi, but some analysts warn it faces very different circumstances.

47 minutes agovideocam

China Business

Chinese metal producer MMG to raise US$1.6 billion selling stocks and bonds

Firm to capitalise on AI-led price spike of critical metals used to create chips, generate electricity and support computing power.

1 hour agovideocam

MMG copper mine in Las Bambas, Peru. The Chinese metal producing firm hopes to raise a combined US$1.6 billion selling placement shares and convertible bonds to fund its business expansion. Photo: MMG

Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore wants Dear You in Mandarin, not Teochew. What’s lost in translation?

Linguists and the local Teochew community say watching the hit Chinese film in its original form can help sustain cultural diversity.

2 hours ago

A still from “Dear You”, the hit Chinese film shot in southern Teochew dialect. Photo: Handout

Politics

Why Japan is trying to get in on Europe’s flagship drone programme

Analysts said Japan could bring precision manufacturing to the European project aimed at building a home-grown alternative to US-made drones.

4 hours agovideocam

China Business

Can Hong Kong investors weather US$274 billion lock-up expiry wave?

A surge of freed shares will challenge Hong Kong’s stock market, with analysts pointing to inflows and corporate support as key buffers.

16 Jun 2026 - 7:00AM

OPINION

Chow Chung-yan

Opinion | Can Hong Kong break London’s maritime insurance grip?

5 hours ago

Letters

Letters | What Singaporeans can gain from embracing regional integration

3 hours ago

Nicholas Spiro

The View | What Japanese outbound investment says about Asia’s top property market

16 Jun 2026 - 6:24AM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | 5-year-plan will help Hong Kong hone its strengths to serve the nation

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SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Managing Hong Kong ecotourism is to everyone’s benefit

16 Jun 2026 - 6:45AM

Harry’s View | 16 Jun 2026

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Hong Kong

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Big Tech

Alibaba eyes physical world with its first suite of AI models for robots

22 minutes ago

Environment

China’s Miao people believe trees symbolise human birth, hardship, death

22 minutes ago

Banking & Finance

Central banks expand bullion holdings as US dollar’s world dominance falls

32 minutes ago

Business

China’s first-tier new home prices rise for third month as measures take hold

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Middle East

Shipowners hold off on Hormuz transit until US-Iran deal becomes ‘material’

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SCMP Series

SpaceX IPO

Confronting cancer in Hong Kong

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China and Central Asia

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is displayed outside the company’s facility in Hawthorne, California, on June 8. Photo: AFP

SCMP Series SpaceX IPO

The SpaceX factor: Hong Kong stocks face liquidity test from mega IPO

Listing adds to headwinds for Asia’s third-largest market as US$97 billion in lock-up expirations loom.

3-MIN READ

As Musk becomes first trillionaire from SpaceX IPO, will next come from China?

2-MIN READ

China’s space start-ups eye IPO boom as SpaceX heads for record listing

3-MIN READ

Open Questions series

China Economy

Open Questions | AIIB head Zou Jiayi on multilateralism as ‘infrastructure of global trust’

As the Beijing-based development bank marks its 10th anniversary, its president says institutions like hers ‘create certainty amid uncertainty’.

15-MIN READ

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

He also discusses the economic outlook, youth unemployment and whether the country can overtake the US in science and tech.

14-MIN READvideocam

China Business

Open Questions | Hong Kong must embrace ‘bipolar’ role to thrive in its ‘Stage 3.0’: Charles Li

Veteran deal maker urges an IPO link to lure global resource giants and turn Chinese buyers into owners as city solidifies role as East-West bridge and global capital hub.

9-MIN READvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Stable US-China ties? It won’t last long, Evan Medeiros says

After Trump’s China trip, political scientist gives his assessment on Taiwan, trade leverage, the Iran war and Beijing’s tensions with Tokyo.

9-MIN READvideocam

Key Industries:

United States & Canada

US takes step to halt Nvidia AI chip shipments to Chinese overseas subsidiaries

Surprise move suggests US chips may have been making their way to the subsidiaries of Chinese firms based in places such as Malaysia.

2-MIN READvideocam

The Nvidia headquarters in Santa Clara, California. Photo: Getty Images / TNS

Big Tech

Alibaba eyes physical world with its first suite of AI models for robots

Alibaba unveils Qwen robot models to push AI beyond chatbots, as embodied intelligence becomes the next frontier in global AI.

2-MIN READ

China Economy

China credit data shows demand dip, household deleveraging amid weak investment

But while traditional industries are mired in a downturn, hi-tech firms look to expand – many through direct financing.

2-MIN READvideocam

Tech

China is a step closer to self-reliance in quantum computing production: Beijing

The country is pushing for self-reliance in important industries amid competition with the US over advanced technology fabrication.

2-MIN READ

CNNC said on Monday that one of its research institutes had successfully mass-produced silicon-28 isotope with a purity level exceeding 99.99 per cent. Photo: CNNC Weibo

Politics

Dear You – the Chinese migration film igniting a propaganda debate in Southeast Asia

Some are worried that the Teochew-language drama represents a new, softer era of propaganda targeting the diaspora.

7-MIN READvideocam

Tech War

Could the AI ‘self-evolution’ trend add fuel to the China-US tech war?

Anthropic says its Mythos model is edging closer to ‘recursive self-improvement’ as Chinese developers seek to close gap.

6-MIN READvideocam

Football

A comprehensive visual guide to the 2026 Fifa World Cup

Explore the beautiful game – now bigger, more competitive and expanded to 48 teams.

1-MIN READ

Diplomacy

How a US prosecutor’s private diaries documented Nanking Massacre evidence

Disclosure came ahead of Donald Trump’s high-stakes visit to China and amid Japan’s recent attempts to erode lessons of post-WWII tribunal.

5-MIN READvideocam

Central banks expand bullion holdings as US dollar’s world dominance falls

World Gold Council states about nine in 10 central banks will increase holdings as de-dollarisation trend continues amid global instability.

Hong Kong emerges as top listing hub for global tech firms, HKEX says

China sees first retail sales drop in over 3 years, prompting talk of stimulus

Despite surge in exports, the economy remained under pressure in May, with first decline in retail sales seen since end of Covid lockdown in late 2022.

Could a diamond wafer as wide as a basketball be China’s trump card in AI race?

From wedding gems to supercomputers, China’s giant synthetic diamonds may reshape the global computing competition.

Xia Baolong begins Hong Kong visit with housing, Northern Metropolis tours

Beijing official is set to visit Northern Metropolis tech sites, including Yuen Long microelectronics centre and Hetao hub.

‘It’s absurd’: how the EU’s new carbon tariff is causing havoc in China

US, Iran sign preliminary Hormuz deal ahead of formal ceremony

Terms of the accord remain secret nearly a day after the announcement to end the conflict, with leaders due in Switzerland on Friday.

Alibaba eyes physical world with its first suite of AI models for robots

Alibaba unveils Qwen robot models to push AI beyond chatbots, as embodied intelligence becomes the next frontier in global AI.

No victory, no defeat: Iran war pauses with a fragile freeze

Thousands dead, hundreds of billions lost and an agreement many analysts expect to collapse. The Iran ceasefire, explained.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Cityscape Global achieves more than US$63 billion as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a major investment hub for urban development.

Korean’s racist World Cup experience, India’s military revamp: 7 Asia highlights

From Lawrence Wong’s trip to Russia to a racist encounter at the World Cup, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

China’s first-tier new home prices rise for third month as measures take hold

Price gains in tier-one cities in May suggest confidence returning as policy support steadies sentiment.

Takaichi’s G7 mission: bridge Trump-bloc divides, polish ‘Iron Lady’ image

The Japanese leader also proposed a strategic mineral stockpiling plan during the summit to counter China and boost Tokyo’s global role.

Shipowners hold off on Hormuz transit until US-Iran deal becomes ‘material’

The CEO of Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said shipping through the waterway ‘may take at least ⁠a couple of weeks’ to restart.

‘Terrible’ US-Iran deal could deepen Netanyahu’s rift with Trump

The Israeli PM, facing an autumn election he is projected to lose, may be more willing to defy the US president amid falling public ratings.

Taiwan’s website for intelligence tips from mainland China spurs debate

‘Contact window’ launched for political, military, economic and social intelligence but critics say disinformation will be a challenge.

Can India react to Gulf deaths in same way China did after 1999 embassy bombing?

Beijing’s reaction to the Belgrade incident could be a template for New Delhi, but some analysts warn it faces very different circumstances.

Chinese metal producer MMG to raise US$1.6 billion selling stocks and bonds

Firm to capitalise on AI-led price spike of critical metals used to create chips, generate electricity and support computing power.

Singapore wants Dear You in Mandarin, not Teochew. What’s lost in translation?

Linguists and the local Teochew community say watching the hit Chinese film in its original form can help sustain cultural diversity.

Why Japan is trying to get in on Europe’s flagship drone programme

Analysts said Japan could bring precision manufacturing to the European project aimed at building a home-grown alternative to US-made drones.

Can Hong Kong investors weather US$274 billion lock-up expiry wave?

A surge of freed shares will challenge Hong Kong’s stock market, with analysts pointing to inflows and corporate support as key buffers.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Can Hong Kong break London’s maritime insurance grip?

Letters | What Singaporeans can gain from embracing regional integration

The View | What Japanese outbound investment says about Asia’s top property market

Editorial | 5-year-plan will help Hong Kong hone its strengths to serve the nation

Editorial | Managing Hong Kong ecotourism is to everyone’s benefit

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Gallery | In pictures: heavy rain lashes Hong Kong

Alibaba eyes physical world with its first suite of AI models for robots

China’s Miao people believe trees symbolise human birth, hardship, death

Central banks expand bullion holdings as US dollar’s world dominance falls

China’s first-tier new home prices rise for third month as measures take hold

Shipowners hold off on Hormuz transit until US-Iran deal becomes ‘material’

The SpaceX factor: Hong Kong stocks face liquidity test from mega IPO

Listing adds to headwinds for Asia’s third-largest market as US$97 billion in lock-up expirations loom.

As Musk becomes first trillionaire from SpaceX IPO, will next come from China?

China’s space start-ups eye IPO boom as SpaceX heads for record listing

Open Questions | AIIB head Zou Jiayi on multilateralism as ‘infrastructure of global trust’

As the Beijing-based development bank marks its 10th anniversary, its president says institutions like hers ‘create certainty amid uncertainty’.

Open Questions | Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

He also discusses the economic outlook, youth unemployment and whether the country can overtake the US in science and tech.

Open Questions | Hong Kong must embrace ‘bipolar’ role to thrive in its ‘Stage 3.0’: Charles Li

Veteran deal maker urges an IPO link to lure global resource giants and turn Chinese buyers into owners as city solidifies role as East-West bridge and global capital hub.

Open Questions | Stable US-China ties? It won’t last long, Evan Medeiros says

After Trump’s China trip, political scientist gives his assessment on Taiwan, trade leverage, the Iran war and Beijing’s tensions with Tokyo.

US takes step to halt Nvidia AI chip shipments to Chinese overseas subsidiaries

Surprise move suggests US chips may have been making their way to the subsidiaries of Chinese firms based in places such as Malaysia.

Alibaba eyes physical world with its first suite of AI models for robots

Alibaba unveils Qwen robot models to push AI beyond chatbots, as embodied intelligence becomes the next frontier in global AI.

China credit data shows demand dip, household deleveraging amid weak investment

But while traditional industries are mired in a downturn, hi-tech firms look to expand – many through direct financing.

China is a step closer to self-reliance in quantum computing production: Beijing

The country is pushing for self-reliance in important industries amid competition with the US over advanced technology fabrication.

Dear You – the Chinese migration film igniting a propaganda debate in Southeast Asia

Some are worried that the Teochew-language drama represents a new, softer era of propaganda targeting the diaspora.

Could the AI ‘self-evolution’ trend add fuel to the China-US tech war?

Anthropic says its Mythos model is edging closer to ‘recursive self-improvement’ as Chinese developers seek to close gap.

A comprehensive visual guide to the 2026 Fifa World Cup

Explore the beautiful game – now bigger, more competitive and expanded to 48 teams.

How a US prosecutor’s private diaries documented Nanking Massacre evidence

Disclosure came ahead of Donald Trump’s high-stakes visit to China and amid Japan’s recent attempts to erode lessons of post-WWII tribunal.

Global real estate event in Riyadh sees record transactions amid growing influence in sector

Opinion | Can Hong Kong break London’s maritime insurance grip?

Gallery | In pictures: heavy rain lashes Hong Kong