37 h. ago Despite Starmer’s ‘China threat’ rhetoric, Britain seeks tighter Beijing ties

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called China a security threat this week, but analysts said the statement was motivated by domestic politics and did not negate London’s goal of deepening economic ties with Beijing. Meanwhile, disputes around a new Chinese embassy will continue to test this desire for stronger relations as the British leader plans a state visit. Starmer said on Monday that his government would focus on the relationship with China, which would help protect national interests,...

Events

1 week ago Alice Guo gets life in jail; Bali hostel poisoning mystery: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week 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. Alice Guo gets life term for human trafficking linked to Philippine scam hub A Philippine court has found a former mayor guilty of human trafficking and sentenced her to life imprisonment over her role in setting up a scam centre, as Manila and other Southeast Asian...

Events

1 week ago Bali hostel poisoning mystery deepens after Chinese traveller’s death

More than two months after a mass poisoning at a Bali hostel left a young Chinese traveller dead and scores of guests violently ill, the incident remains mired in conflicting accounts and uncertainty. Many of the lingering questions are due to the possibility of overlapping causes behind the tragedy, with medical experts pointing to an unusual mix of symptoms that could reflect severe food poisoning, mismanaged fumigation or both. Amid the scrutiny, the hostel at the centre of the incident has...

Events

2 w. ago Missile defence in focus as China, Russia generals pledge deeper cooperation

The Chinese and Russian militaries have pledged to deepen cooperation in sensitive areas including missile defence, following high-level talks in Moscow involving China’s top general. General Zhang Youxia, the first-ranking vice-chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, met with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov on Thursday, according to China’s defence ministry announcement. The visit – Zhang’s first in two years – signalled a continued strengthening of defence ties between the two...

Events

2 w. ago Growth in China’s tech stocks just getting started: JPMorgan banker

The recovery of China’s tech stocks from their trough is still at an early stage, as the country’s emergence as an artificial intelligence superpower reshapes global platforms and lures Western capital back, according to a senior investment banker at JPMorgan. As Chinese entrepreneurs expanded their businesses globally and deepened their involvement in AI, their companies and fundraising plans were once again drawing the attention of international investors after years of stagnation, said Mark...

Politics

2 w. ago Japan trip refunds after PM’s remark, miners hit gold in China: 5 weekend reads

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Airlines offer Japan trip refunds as row over Takaichi’s Taiwan comments deepens 2. Nexperia civil war erupts as Chinese and Dutch arms trade blows 3. Why Singapore’s PAP is taking aim at opposition WP so soon after an election 4. Why China studies scholars in the West have been left in ‘crisis’...

Events

3 w. ago China keen to pick up pace of cooperation with Canada, top Chinese diplomat says

Beijing is willing to work with Ottawa to deepen communication and accelerate cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Canadian counterpart in another sign of improving ties between the two countries. According to a Chinese foreign ministry statement, Wang told Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in a phone call on Tuesday that the two countries could strengthen coordination in areas including foreign affairs and commerce, and “properly address their legitimate concerns and...

Politics

4 w. ago US government shutdown muddies China trade as agricultural officials miss expo

The ripple effects of the record-breaking US government shutdown have spread beyond Washington, denying US agricultural officials an opportunity to deepen cooperation with Chinese companies at a high-profile trade fair even as bilateral tensions show signs of easing. The Post learned on Thursday that, because of the shutdown, representatives from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) did not attend this year’s China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. This marks the first absence of...

Politics