41 h. ago China suffered $35B losses in natural disasters that killed 763 in 2025

China suffered $35B losses in natural disasters that killed 763 in 2025  Anadolu Ajansı

Events

43 h. ago China's natural disasters led to $35 billion in losses in 2025

China's natural disasters led to $35 billion in losses in 2025  Reuters

Economics

2 d. ago Japan, Philippines tighten ties with new defence pact amid China tensions

Japan and the Philippines signed a defence pact on Thursday that would allow the tax-free provision of ammunition, fuel, food and other necessities when their forces stage joint training to boost deterrence against China’s growing aggression in the region and to bolster their preparation for natural disasters. Japan has faced increasing political, trade and security tensions with Beijing, which was angered by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remark that potential mainland Chinese action against...

Events

6 d. ago Foreign, Hong Kong retailers close stores in mainland China amid changing dynamics

Mainland China’s retail and retail property sectors have suffered another blow amid a fresh wave of store closures by foreign and Hong Kong brands. “The series of closures come as a combined result of their outdated business models and profound changes in the macroeconomic environment,” said Wang Tianshi, an analyst at Shanghai-based LeadLeo Research Institute. “Compared with emerging mainland retailers, Hong Kong and foreign brands often remain under a ‘selling on the mainland’ phase, rather...

Politics

9 d. ago Amid historical tensions with Japan, Hong Kong must engage for the future

I attended a memorial service last month for victims of the Nanking massacre, held at the Hong Kong government offices in Admiralty. Such occasions are solemn reminders of history’s darkest moments, forcing us to pause and reflect on the scale of the tragedy that unfolded after the city was seized on December 13, 1937, and the broader suffering inflicted on China during World War II. Government figures estimate that military and civilian casualties exceeded 35 million, with 21 million lives...

Events

3 w. ago China’s reusable rocket ambitions suffer setback, US blacklists DJI: 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. Second reusable rocket recovery failure in a month puts China 10 years behind US The Long March 12A, China’s first state-owned reusable rocket, made its debut launch on Tuesday morning but the recovery of the first stage was a failure. 2. ‘Urgent’: has mainland China changed tone for Taiwan peaceful reunification? Analysts examine Taiwan-related policy...

Events

3 w. ago Asia’s 2025 in extreme weather and natural disasters, from deadly earthquakes to typhoons

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest stories about extreme weather and natural disasters in Asia. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. ‘It’s like apocalypse’: Myanmar, Thailand quake death toll tops 1,600 The death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked Myanmar and Thailand exceeded 1,600 on March 29, 2025, as rescuers in worst-affected Mandalay clawed chunks of debris with their bare hands to free the city’s trapped victims while ruptured...

Events

3 w. ago Fringe view of China’s history sparks official rebuke after going viral online

A wave of online discussion blaming China’s last imperial dynasty for national historical sufferings has prompted official criticism after touching on sensitive questions, and ignited debate over historical narrative, nationalism and social governance. What began as a fringe literary interpretation of an 18th-century classical novel has evolved in recent weeks to become a viral internet topic, known as the “1644 historical perspective”. The main claim – which has exposed sharp divisions online –...

Politics