60 m. ago Taiwan war game triggers US questions over island’s ‘will to fight’

A high-level civilian war game held in Taipei this week has exposed serious vulnerabilities in Taiwan’s defences of its outer perimeter and eastern regions, prompting a retired US admiral to warn that Washington’s involvement depended on “Taiwan’s will to fight”. In the exercise simulating a 2030 cross-strait conflict, Taiwan lost control of key outlying territories – most notably Penghu, a group of islands 50km (30 miles) east of the main island – as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched...

Sport

2 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

2 h. ago ‘Probe under way on whether Beijing will take over collusion case in Hong Kong’

Beijing’s national security arm in Hong Kong conducted its first publicly known joint operation with the city’s police to determine whether a suspected collusion case is complex to the extent that it requires mainland China to take over, the security minister has revealed. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Saturday that no arrests had been made so far, adding it would require the central government’s approval if the case were to be handed over. His remarks were made after the...

Politics

3 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

5 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

5 h. ago Is North Korea’s Kim shoring up navy in strategic bid with allies China, Russia?

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to build a blue-water navy to counter what he described as growing threats from the United States, an ambition that observers say appears to be linked to broader strategic coordination with key Pyongyang allies China and Russia. Kim made the announcement during a launch ceremony at the northeastern port of Rajin for a newly repaired warship, following an earlier failed launch at the same location, state media reported on Friday. The vessel, “Kang Kon”,...

Politics

6 h. ago Aukus pact up in the air but US to stay focused on China: analysts

The United States may be rethinking its Indo-Pacific strategy with its review of the Aukus security agreement, but its focus on countering China is unlikely to change, according to analysts. The pact with Australia and the United Kingdom has been thrown into doubt with the Pentagon’s announcement this week that it is reviewing the US’ role in the Biden-era agreement to supply nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. Some observers suggested that this could be cause for celebration in Beijing,...

Politics

6 h. ago Aukus pact up in the air but US to stay focused on countering China: analysts

The United States may be rethinking its Indo-Pacific strategy with its review of the Aukus security agreement, but its focus on countering China is unlikely to change, according to analysts. The pact with Australia and the United Kingdom has been thrown into doubt with the Pentagon’s announcement this week that it is reviewing the US’ role in the Biden-era agreement to supply nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. Some observers suggested that this could be cause for celebration in Beijing,...

Politics

6 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

6 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

6 h. ago Severe Tropical Storm Wutip: Hong Kong issues T3 signal as winds intensify

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster has issued the No 3 typhoon warning signal, as strong winds from a severe tropical storm are intensifying. The Hong Kong Observatory raised the alert at 12.20pm on Saturday as Severe Tropical Storm Wutip entered within 800km (497 miles) of the city. It is...

Events

6 h. ago EU pushes for China trade "rebalancing" as Trump factor looms

EU pushes for China trade "rebalancing" as Trump factor looms  KrASIA

Politics

6 h. ago China and India Agree to Resume Direct Flights and Resolve Trade Issues, Surging Bilateral Relations and Travel Between Mumbai, Delhi, Beijing, and Shanghai

China and India Agree to Resume Direct Flights and Resolve Trade Issues, Surging Bilateral Relations and Travel Between Mumbai, Delhi, Beijing, and Shanghai  Travel And Tour World

Transport

8 h. ago Israel's drone strikes in Iran show why US must halt China's land grab here: experts

Israel's drone strikes in Iran show why US must halt China's land grab here: experts  Fox News

Events

9 h. ago Former Dem VP pick Tim Walz claims China may have world's 'moral authority' after Israel attacks Iran

Former Dem VP pick Tim Walz claims China may have world's 'moral authority' after Israel attacks Iran  New York Post

Politics

9 h. ago Japan Calls Out China Over Unusual Maneuvers, Warns It Could Lead to Accidental Collision

Japan Calls Out China Over Unusual Maneuvers, Warns It Could Lead to Accidental Collision  USNI News

Events

10 h. ago Tim Walz: Maybe China can negotiate a Middle East peace deal

Tim Walz: Maybe China can negotiate a Middle East peace deal  Jewish Insider

Politics

10 h. ago Busiest US seaport takes hit from 145% China tariffs, worries remain

Busiest US seaport takes hit from 145% China tariffs, worries remain  Reuters

Events

12 h. ago Beijing CBD Forum: Chairman of Cedrus Group: China already a hotspot for foreign investment

Beijing CBD Forum: Chairman of Cedrus Group: China already a hotspot for foreign investment  news.cgtn.com

Politics

12 h. ago Bunge's $34 billion Viterra merger clears final China hurdle

Bunge's $34 billion Viterra merger clears final China hurdle  Reuters

Economics