23 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

44 h. ago China calls on Niger to tackle disputes with energy firms through dialogue

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Niger’s junta government to resolve disputes with Chinese energy companies operating in the West African nation through dialogue. Wang made the remarks during talks with his Nigerien counterpart Bakary Yaou Sangaré in the central Chinese city of Changsha on Wednesday. “The two sides should properly handle the differences and problems encountered in cooperation through dialogue,” Wang said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout of the meeting, which...

Politics

6 d. ago South Korea’s president faces tough balancing act between allies, adversaries

Around six months after president Yoon Suk-yeol’s ousting, Liberal Party candidate Lee Jae-myung was elected as South Korea’s new president following a snap election on June 3. Lee’s victory marks a significant political shift, not just in domestic governance, but also in how South Korea may seek to navigate its ever-worsening relations with North Korea. In his inaugural address at the National Assembly, Lee stated his intention to deter military provocations from the North and also “open a...

Politics

7 d. ago ‘Cannibalised by Aukus’: is Australia risking its defence for future submarines?

Since the end of World War II, Australia has repeatedly revised its defence strategy in anticipation of evolving threats. For more than 15 years, China’s rise has been viewed with growing trepidation, and since 2020, Australians have been warned they face their most precarious strategic outlook for nearly a century. Yet despite the warnings and numerous white papers, observers say Australia remains alarmingly underprepared for conflict, with the country’s political class often criticised as more...

Events

7 d. ago Hong Kong’s top judge urges new senior counsels to defend rule of law

Hong Kong’s top judge has called for newly minted senior counsels to defend the rule of law when it is under threat and ensure “unimpeded” access to the city’s courts for every individual to safeguard public trust in the legal system. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok, who spoke separately at the senior counsel admission ceremony on Saturday, urged the new silks to tackle three challenges facing the profession: the use of artificial intelligence, synergy with mainland China’s legal system...

Events

7 d. ago Hong Kong’s top judge urges new senior counsel to defend rule of law

Hong Kong’s top judge has called for newly minted senior counsel to defend the rule of law when it is under threat and ensure “unimpeded” access to the city’s courts for every individual to safeguard public trust in the legal system. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok, who spoke separately at the senior counsel admission ceremony on Saturday, urged the new silks to tackle three challenges facing the profession: the use of artificial intelligence, synergy with mainland China’s legal system...

Events

1 week ago 'Trust and confidence:' China, US must increase engagement, Singapore defense minister urges

'Trust and confidence:' China, US must increase engagement, Singapore defense minister urges  Breaking Defense

Politics

2 w. ago Australia's defence minister urges greater military openness from China

Australia's defence minister urges greater military openness from China  Reuters

Events

2 w. ago US military personnel in Taiwan, paraglider cheating death: 7 highlights

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. US’ 500 military personnel in Taiwan an ‘open test’ of Beijing’s red lines Washington’s disclosure that around 500 US military personnel are stationed in Taiwan signals more open and substantial defence support for the island – a...

Events

2 w. ago US Military Pullback in Africa Opens Door for China and Russia

US Military Pullback in Africa Opens Door for China and Russia  Newsweek

Events

3 w. ago ‘Universities in Hong Kong should help banned international students from Harvard’

Education minister Christine Choi urges ‘proactive’ support after bombshell Trump administration move targeting Ivy League university.

Society

3 w. ago US and China must continue talks, avoid ‘economic nationalism’: former top diplomat

South Korea’s former foreign minister urges powers to ‘inject stability’ into ties, warns against ‘retreat into isolationism’.

Politics