1 hour ago Chinese brain implant reaches landmark clinical trial with operation on amputee

China has become the second country in the world to advance invasive brain-computer interface technology to a human trial, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday. The trial is on a 37-year-old man who had to have all of his limbs amputated after a high-voltage electrical accident more than a decade ago. In March, researchers implanted a device roughly the size of a coin and a series of electrodes into the man’s brain. A few weeks later, he was able to control a cursor on an electronic...

Politics

2 h. ago Is this the end of summer US study trips for Chinese children?

For two decades, it was popular for many Chinese families to send their children on “study tours” overseas – most often to the United States – during the summer. The programmes generally involved summer camps jointly organised by American universities and language institutions, as well as visits to colleges, museums and tourist attractions. In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, around 1.3 million Chinese students spent part of their summer holidays studying overseas, according to a report by...

Politics

2 h. ago Exclusive | Is this the end of summer US study trips for Chinese children?

Exclusive | Is this the end of summer US study trips for Chinese children?  South China Morning Post

Politics

3 h. ago Hong Kong’s 1980s nightlife culture dazzles again at old Club Bboss site

More than a decade after Club Bboss was closed, a new nightspot has launched on the same site where the once-glamorous establishment operated for 28 years, with the goal of attracting tourists and young revellers eager for a glimpse of Hong Kong’s 1980s clubbing heyday. The new spot – known as Big Boss Generation (BBG) – opened for business on Saturday in the old club’s 56,000 sq ft site at the New Mandarin Plaza in Tsim Sha Tsui East. It will use the former occupant’s old Chinese name, which...

Economics

4 h. ago Xi urges Communist Party to learn from pioneer of China’s economic planning

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the ruling Communist Party to learn from the legacy of early party figure Chen Yun – a pioneer of China’s economic planning – in remarks on Friday to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the late statesman’s birth. Xi called on the party to have unwavering confidence when facing “chaotic and complex turbulence”, and to strengthen its ability to cut a path for China’s economy with “objective and thorough” research, according to state news agency Xinhua. The...

Economics

4 h. ago Kind China pupils rush to help crashed delivery rider, pick up scattered lunchboxes

A group of school pupils in China have moved internet users by supporting an electric bicycle and picking up lunchboxes left scattered on the road after a food delivery worker crashed while working. The touching scene was filmed by a camera worn on the chest of delivery man Dong Ziheng while he was riding the electric bike in an alley in Xingtai, northern Hebei province on June 3. Dong fell off the bike as he tried to avoid hitting another electric bike coming in the opposite direction. After...

Events

5 h. ago Hong Kong to explore need for new law covering building repairs by landlords

Hong Kong’s Urban Renewal Authority will examine whether legislation should be introduced requiring landlords to create periodic maintenance plans for their blocks and ensure sufficient funds for the work. The study would also cover the possibility of creating a new statutory body to supervise building restoration and maintenance, according to the authority’s retiring head, Wai Chi-sing. Wai stressed the importance of “preventive maintenance” by homeowners while also pledging the authority would...

Society

7 h. ago Why are mainland Chinese tourists posing in front of MTR stations in Hong Kong?

Surrounded by a stream of passengers on an MTR platform in Hong Kong on a regular weekday, a couple paused to pose for photos next to a station sign to mark their journey. “We took photos at most of the metro stations we visited, just to record our metro route,” said Arale, a 36-year-old tourist who was visiting the city with his wife, Qing, 37, for the first time. Recording such a visual diary is part of a popular trend on Chinese social media in which people travel around Hong Kong to take...

Politics

8 h. ago Chinese aircraft carriers’ Pacific presence sparks warnings for Philippines

The crossing of a US-designated island chain in the Western Pacific by a Chinese carrier group marks an increase in Beijing’s “operational tempo” that the Philippines should pay heed to, observers say. They warn, however, that a “delicate balance” should still be maintained to avoid any escalation amid calls for vigilance. Regional governments such as Japan and Taiwan have advised increased caution, and a former official in the Joe Biden administration has suggested formalising the so-called...

Events

8 h. ago Hong Kong Instagram influencer pleads for release of father arrested in Cambodia

A Hong Kong-based Instagram influencer has written an open letter to Cambodia’s prime minister, calling for the immediate release of her father, who needs urgent medical care. Stephanie Cheng, also known as Laparasian on Instagram, posted a copy of the letter in English, French and Chinese on her social media early Saturday morning. In a separate post the previous day, the influencer said that her father, Cheng Chi-gian, a French citizen, had been “kidnapped in Phnom Penh just before exposing a...

Events

9 h. ago Chinese scientists find first evidence that AI could think like a human

Chinese researchers have confirmed for the first time that artificial intelligence large language models can spontaneously create a humanlike system to comprehend and sort natural objects, a process considered a pillar of human cognition. It provides new evidence in a debate over the cognitive capacity of AI models, suggesting that artificial systems that reflect key aspects of human thinking may be possible. “Understanding how humans conceptualise and categorise natural objects offers critical...

Politics

10 h. ago Chinese envoy urges Israel to halt ‘risky’ Iran attacks, warns of consequences

A senior Chinese diplomat has urged Israel to halt its military actions against Iran as tensions between the two Middle Eastern rivals mount, warning the escalating conflict could have “serious consequences”. Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the UN, told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday that the surging tensions in the region did not serve the interests of any party. “China urges Israel to immediately stop all risky military actions to avoid further escalation of...

Events

11 h. ago China condemns Israel’ violation of Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity: Chinese envoy to UN

China condemns Israel’ violation of Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity: Chinese envoy to UN  Global Times

Politics

12 h. ago End of political chaos in South Korea sparks pickup in Chinese visitors

Chinese tourism to South Korea is picking up with the end of political instability in Seoul and the two nations pledging closer relations shortly before visa exemptions take effect, travel industry sources said this week. Bookings from China – South Korea’s largest source of foreign visitors – for the three months from April to June have been about 24 per cent higher than for the three months ending in February, according to data compiled by the travel marketing and technology company China...

Politics

13 h. ago How US$11 can get you a day trip for 2 plus lunch in pricey Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, one of the world’s most expensive cities, 79 yuan (US$11) will get you a set lunch for one. But, to the surprise of many, it will buy a day tour for two people, with lunch and a visit to several attractions thrown in. With such budget tours becoming increasingly popular among mainland Chinese visitors, especially those from the nearby cities of Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Guangzhou, the Post joined one on a weekday to see how they operated. At 8.30am, a coach packed with about 60...

Economics

13 h. ago China boy, 11, invents 300 hair braids for toddler sister, wins admiration online

An 11-year-old boy in central China, who skilfully braids his toddler sister’s hair each day and has invented over 300 unique styles in just one year, has become a sensation on mainland social media. The siblings, known by the surname Huang, live in Zhuzhou of Hunan province and have garnered significant attention online as their mother frequently shares their heartwarming interactions on a popular social media platform. Most of these videos showcase the brother expertly braiding his...

Politics

13 h. ago Chinese boy, 11, invents 300 hair braids for toddler sister, wins online praise

An 11-year-old boy in central China, who skilfully braids his toddler sister’s hair each day and has invented over 300 unique styles in just one year, has become a sensation on mainland social media. The siblings, known by the surname Huang, live in Zhuzhou of Hunan province and have garnered significant attention online as their mother frequently shares their heartwarming interactions on a popular social media platform. Most of these videos showcase the brother expertly braiding his...

Politics

15 h. ago Beijing blames Japan over close encounters with Chinese jets

Beijing blames Japan over close encounters with Chinese jets  nhk.or.jp

Politics

22 h. ago Chinese AI outfits smuggling suitcases full of hard drives to evade U.S. chip restrictions — training AI models in Malaysia using rented servers

Chinese AI outfits smuggling suitcases full of hard drives to evade U.S. chip restrictions — training AI models in Malaysia using rented servers  Tom's Hardware

Politics

23 h. ago China allows import of eligible pork, poultry products from 106 US plants

China allows import of eligible pork, poultry products from 106 US plants  Reuters

Politics