14 m. ago Chinese lead poisoning scandal sparks backlash, echoing earlier controversies

A lead poisoning scandal at a kindergarten in northwest China – and the local government’s attempt to cover up wrongdoing – has sparked public backlash, and observers say the case highlights a familiar pattern often seen in the wake of high-profile safety incidents. Liu Qifang, the father of a girl who attended the kindergarten at the centre of the scandal, received a phone call from an unknown caller last week, according to South Reviews magazine on Tuesday. The caller confirmed Liu’s identity,...

Politics

14 m. ago Plunging pork and poultry prices put pressure on Chinese farmers

China’s major protein categories – from pork to poultry – fell into a severe state of oversupply in the first half of this year, with prices declining across the board and widespread losses throughout the supply chain. Analysts said weak end-market demand and high inventory levels are weighing heavily on the breeding sector, and that while marginal improvements are expected in the second half of the year, the overall scope for recovery remains limited. The trend highlights the fragility of...

Events

14 m. ago China ‘luckiest driver’ survives after truck balances on edge of collapsed bridge

Less than 10 days after a Chinese truck driver narrowly escaped a landslide that left his vehicle precariously balanced on a collapsed bridge, he returned to the disaster-stricken area to assist with relief efforts, moving many online. The 44-year-old driver from Jiangxi province, You Guochun, earned the title of “China’s luckiest driver” from the online community after miraculously surviving a landslide in southwestern Guizhou province. On that fateful day, incessant heavy rainfall triggered a...

Events

74 m. ago Sack of bones, Duterte drug war add to growing Philippine cock fighters mystery

Three sacks weighted with sandbags recovered from the depths of a Philippine volcanic crater lake have added a dramatic new twist to the chilling case of at least 34 missing cock fighters, bolstering claims by a whistle-blower that the killings were orchestrated by a gambling tycoon with powerful political and police connections. The first sack, pulled from the murky waters of Taal Lake on Thursday, contained charred bones, according to the Department of Justice. Forensic tests have yet to...

Events

85 m. ago Economy main focus at Hong Kong leader John Lee’s meetings with advisers

Hong Kong’s leader held meetings with his advisers, including a mainland Chinese economist and two tech experts from a Hangzhou start-up known as “Six Little Dragons”, ahead of his annual policy blueprint to gauge views on how to maintain the city’s status amid growing geopolitical tensions. The John Lee Ka-chiu-led lunch meetings took place between Wednesday and Friday, marking the first official gathering of the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers, following the appointments of Han Bicheng,...

Politics

2 h. ago ‘Caught off guard’: China’s garment makers cut out of US market as tariffs bite

‘Caught off guard’: China’s garment makers cut out of US market as tariffs bite  South China Morning Post

Economics

3 h. ago Chinese foreign minister criticizes 'flawed' South China Sea ruling

Chinese foreign minister criticizes 'flawed' South China Sea ruling  chinadailyasia.com

Politics

4 h. ago Hang Seng Index News: Markets Eye 25,000 as Beijing Unveils Fresh Stimulus – Weekly Recap

Hang Seng Index News: Markets Eye 25,000 as Beijing Unveils Fresh Stimulus – Weekly Recap  FXEmpire

Politics

4 h. ago China's Foreign Minister's statement about not wanting Russia to be defeated in Ukraine contradicts Beijing's public statements

China's Foreign Minister's statement about not wanting Russia to be defeated in Ukraine contradicts Beijing's public statements - ISW  Українські Національні Новини

Politics

5 h. ago Chinese law firms in ‘pivotal moment’ as they answer the call to go global

Chinese lawyers are making inroads into the global legal services market in response to growing demand from their compatriots abroad and a push from Beijing. They say that as more Chinese companies expand their footprint overseas many prefer to get legal support from Chinese lawyers and have more trust in them, but winning over clients from elsewhere is a challenge at a time of rising geopolitical tensions. Beijing has been pressing for more legal professionals to offer their services abroad to...

Politics

6 h. ago Chinese biotech firms eye foreign pharma’s fat profits in weight loss drug market

When Hong Kong office worker W.K. Chan began putting on weight as a teenager, her doctor said it was due to hormonal imbalances that slowed her metabolism. She reached a peak weight of 100kg about a year ago, but has since lost 25kg. The secret to losing a quarter of her weight? Chan, who asked not to be identified by her full name, was one of the city’s first 200 chronic obesity patients to receive access to a new weight loss drug, originally developed for diabetes. At a cost of HK$2,700...

Economics

7 h. ago Chinese man spikes colleague’s drink with ‘truth serum’ to steal work plan, jailed

An employee in China shocked many by spiking a colleague’s drink with a “truth serum” on three separate occasions in an attempt to steal his work plan. The scheme began when a man surnamed Li, from Shanghai, came across a so-called “truth serum” during a business trip. The seller claimed, “Just a few drops will make people tell the truth.” This intrigued Li, motivating him to test its effects. Although it remains unclear what type of company Li worked for and the significance of the work plans,...

Events

8 h. ago Wang Yi reiterates Beijing’s rejection of South China Sea ruling

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi restated Beijing’s rejection of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling on Friday, on the eve of the ruling’s ninth anniversary, amid renewed tensions and growing speculation about a potential second legal challenge. Calling the decision a “farce”, Wang said the case, brought by the Philippines against China’s South China Sea claims and ruled on by a tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, was “orchestrated and manipulated by external...

Politics

8 h. ago Wang Yi dismisses South China Sea ruling as ‘farce’ ahead of ninth anniversary

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi restated Beijing’s rejection of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling on Friday, on the eve of the ruling’s ninth anniversary, amid renewed tensions and growing speculation about a potential second legal challenge. Calling the decision a “farce”, Wang said the case, brought by the Philippines against China’s South China Sea claims and ruled on by a tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, was “orchestrated and manipulated by external...

Politics

16 h. ago Exclusive | Sen. Joni Ernst tucks ban on Chinese, Russian lab research into national defense bill

Exclusive | Sen. Joni Ernst tucks ban on Chinese, Russian lab research into national defense bill  New York Post

Events

18 h. ago Rubio meets China's foreign minister, sees ‘areas of potential cooperation’ amid trade tensions

Rubio meets China's foreign minister, sees ‘areas of potential cooperation’ amid trade tensions  France 24

Politics

18 h. ago Firm suspended from bidding for Hong Kong contracts after worker killed on site

Hong Kong authorities have temporarily barred a contractor from bidding for public road and drainage contracts following an accident in which a worker was killed by a falling steel beam at a site near the cross-border bridge to Macau and Zhuhai on Thursday. The Development Bureau said on Friday that the temporary ban was effective immediately and it had ordered the contractor to conduct an independent safety audit and submit an improvement action plan. The bureau said it would consider lifting...

Economics

18 h. ago Rubio stresses cooperation in talks with China's foreign minister at ASEAN forum in Malaysia

Rubio stresses cooperation in talks with China's foreign minister at ASEAN forum in Malaysia  AP News

Politics

18 h. ago Rubio meets Wang Yi, China’s maglev train makes debut: 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. Odds high of Xi-Trump meeting, Rubio says after talks with Wang Yi at Asean US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the odds for a summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping this year were “high” after concluding “constructive” talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of a regional meeting. 2. ‘I cook instant...

Politics

19 h. ago China must ‘play the long game’ with trade partners as US bullies, analysts say

With US President Donald Trump sending more tariff letters to trade partners, Beijing has stepped up efforts – like rallying its own trade partners – to collectively push back against Washington’s trade protectionism. The world’s second-largest economy will provide considerable development opportunities – from broader market access to greater regional integration – while being mindful of US threats, according to statements this week following a string of overseas visits by Chinese...

Politics