6 h. ago China set to up Iran support, cyborg bee is unveiled: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure interests Beijing is likely to step up support for Tehran as it tries to secure its strategic interests in the Middle East, analysts say, amid concerns over how the recent Iran-Israel war will reverberate across the resource-rich region. 2. ‘Whatever they do is wrong’: Chinese exporters...

Politics

7 h. ago Global AI conference in Shanghai to showcase China’s prowess, vision

China is set to showcase its artificial intelligence (AI) prowess, as well as its vision of how to manage the disruptive technology, at a conference in Shanghai as the country is stepping up its competition against the US for AI supremacy. The annual three-day World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), which starts on July 26, would showcase more than 3,000 hi-tech products, 40 large language models, 50 AI-powered devices and 60 intelligent robots, according to the organisers. Most of the...

Politics

13 h. ago China creates first cyborg bee with world’s lightest brain controller

Worker bees carry nectar sacks weighing 80 per cent of their body mass. When airborne, they tuck their hind legs like landing gear to cut wind drag. And they can fly 5km (3 miles) with no need for rest, an example of how nature’s genius shames human machinery. Until now. At Beijing Institute of Technology, Professor Zhao Jieliang’s team has built the world’s lightest insect brain controller. At 74 milligrams, it is lighter than a sack of nectar. Strapped to the bee’s back, the device pierces its...

Politics

29 h. ago China deflation worries, top Chinese oncologist’s death: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China denies giving Iran air defence systems after conflict with Israel China has denied transferring surface-to-air missile batteries to Iran following Israel’s attacks on the Islamic Republic last month. 2. Export ban for Taiwan firms a stern warning for separatist forces: Beijing Beijing has banned the export of dual-use items to eight Taiwan-based...

Events

36 h. ago BYD and Geely bank on big discounts, Xpeng’s ‘super AI’ SUV : 7 EV reads

We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. BYD, Geely bank on big discounts to set record car sales, dent smaller rivals China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) makers from BYD to Geely Auto sustained their strong sales last month as big price cuts lured new buyers, helping boost their market share and heaping pressure on...

Politics

51 h. ago New German chancellor set for first China visit later this year, source says

New German chancellor set for first China visit later this year, source says  Reuters

Politics

54 h. ago East Asia faces fresh US tariffs, China rare earth curbs: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Apparently impatient Trump slaps 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea US President Donald Trump, apparently impatient with the slow progress of negotiations, on Monday slapped 25 per cent unilateral tariffs on Japan and South Korea and equal or higher import taxes on several other nations ahead of a self-imposed Wednesday deadline. 2. Rare earth dominance: why...

Politics

3 d. ago Chinese AI scientists, Beijing’s message to Brics: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump vows tariff boost for ‘anti-American’ policies as China urges Brics action US President Donald Trump has threatened to slam an additional 10 per cent tariffs on countries supporting what he calls “anti-American policies” after the leaders of Brics nations condemned unilateral tariffs. 2. Australia’s Albanese to address Darwin Port sale on China...

Politics

3 d. ago All eyes on Beijing as Taiwan set to attend Japan’s WWII memorials in a first

Taiwan is set to join Japan’s memorial ceremonies next month for the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, marking the island’s first-ever participation in the annual events. Observers said Beijing was likely to take a dim view of the matter, though the scale of its response might depend on the rank of the Taiwanese attendees. Nagasaki mayor Shiro Suzuki said on Saturday that the city had accepted Taiwan’s request to attend the August 9 ceremony in memory of the victims...

Events

3 d. ago NATO chief predicts how China could set off World War III: ‘Let’s not be naive about this’

NATO chief predicts how China could set off World War III: ‘Let’s not be naive about this’  New York Post

Events

4 d. ago Brics leaders condemn strikes on Iran and tariffs, but avoid direct mention of US, Israel

Brics leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro condemned recent bombing campaigns against Iran in their final summit statement, calling the strikes a “violation of international law” and “deliberate attacks” on civilian infrastructure, but avoided direct mentions of the US and Israel. The joint declaration, coming against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs of 100 per cent on imports from Brics countries, underscores an apparent effort to state the members’ position...

Politics

5 d. ago Donald Trump says US and China will hold talks on TikTok deal early next week

US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his interest in visiting China and announced that talks between Beijing and Washington were set to start early next week on a possible TikTok deal that could determine the future of the popular video-sharing platform. The fate of TikTok, which faces a potential ban in the US over national security concerns, has long been a sticking point in US-China relations. Under a law passed by the US Congress last year, ByteDance Ltd, the Beijing-based parent company...

Politics

5 d. ago Trump says US and China will hold talks on TikTok deal early next week

US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his interest in visiting China, while announcing that bilateral talks are set to start early next week on a possible TikTok deal that could determine the future of the popular video-sharing platform. The fate of TikTok, which faces a potential ban in the US over national security concerns, has long been a sticking point in US-China relations. Under a law passed by the US Congress last year, ByteDance Ltd, the Beijing-based parent company of the social...

Politics

7 d. ago China Set to Cancel Part of EU Summit in Latest Strain on Ties

China Set to Cancel Part of EU Summit in Latest Strain on Ties  Bloomberg.com

Politics

7 d. ago China's industry ministry is set to tackle price war in solar sector

China's industry ministry is set to tackle price war in solar sector  Reuters

Events

7 d. ago Armenia seeks deeper Chinese ties, Apple’s China story: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Has Apple been trapped by China? Not so fast, analysts say A new book contending that Apple went too far in consolidating its operations in China is prompting debate among analysts of the country – some of whom say the company may have had no realistic alternatives. 2. Armenia looks to deepen ties with China for foreign policy beyond Russia The Armenian...

Politics

8 d. ago Now, China Is Set To Break All Records Of Summer Travel: Reasons Being Unusually High Competition And Low Airplane Fares

Now, China Is Set To Break All Records Of Summer Travel: Reasons Being Unusually High Competition And Low Airplane Fares  Travel And Tour World

Politics

8 d. ago BYD, Geely bank on big discounts to set record car sales, dent smaller rivals

China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) makers from BYD to Geely Auto sustained their strong sales last month as big price cuts lured new buyers, helping boost their market share and heaping pressure on smaller, unprofitable rivals. BYD, the world’s largest EV builder, delivered 382,585 vehicles in June for its best month this year, the Shenzhen-based company said in a filing on Tuesday. While deliveries were little changed from May, they jumped 12 per cent from a year earlier. Geely, China’s...

Economics

9 d. ago China’s Xi calls for oversight, Trump’s Golden Dome: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump’s Golden Dome: will the numbers add up to deter China in the Indo-Pacific? The planned defence system could make it harder for the PLA to strike US bases like those in Guam and Okinawa, or warships trying to defend Taiwan. 2. Beijing sanctions South China Sea legal claim architect Francis Tolentino China has sanctioned the former Senate majority...

Politics

9 d. ago Digital economy conference in Beijing to highlight international collaboration

Digital economy conference in Beijing to highlight international collaboration  China Daily - Global Edition

Politics