65 m. ago Tuition and music: how Hong Kong’s pupils got into their first choice schools

Attending private tuition and relaxing by playing chess and listening to music were among the strategies used by Hong Kong’s Primary Six students to achieve good grades and be part of the record 74 per cent of pupils who got into their most preferred secondary schools through the central allocation system. A primary school principal also said on Tuesday that students had benefited from less competition for entering their first choice institution, helped by the “zero-quota” policy that bans...

Culture

2 h. ago Thai PM’s suspension reignites debate, Malaysia’s new tax: 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. Malaysia’s new ‘luxury’ taxes hit the middle class where it hurts 2. PM’s suspension reignites debate on ‘judicial activism’ of Thailand’s courts 3. Philippines’ Duterte ends womanising era, leaving ‘13 to 27’ lovers behind 4. Chinese ambassador’s ‘grandstanding’...

Economics

2 h. ago Hong Kong’s Metropol Restaurant, with dim sum trolleys, will close in September

A Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong known for serving dim sum from traditional trolleys will close down at the end of September after being in business for 35 years, joining a slew of eateries that have folded in the city in recent months. A staff member of Metropol Restaurant, located at United Centre in Admiralty, told the Post that the establishment would operate until September 27, but did not offer a reason for the decision to shut down. The restaurant opened in 1990 and is one of three...

Politics

3 h. ago As US drops among Chinese study preferences, Singapore beckons

Miya Zheng once aimed to earn a master’s degree when she first arrived in the United States for her undergraduate studies. But now, three years later, the Chinese national has shifted her sights halfway across the world – to Singapore. “After staying here for some time, I realised that this isn’t quite the right place for me in the long run,” said Zheng, who is majoring in economics and statistics in the US and aspires to work outside China after graduating. She has faced increasing hurdles as...

Politics

3 h. ago Status, culture, cost: more Chinese students choosing Singapore as US declines

Miya Zheng once aimed to earn a master’s degree when she first arrived in the United States for her undergraduate studies. But now, three years later, the Chinese national has shifted her sights halfway across the world – to Singapore. “After staying here for some time, I realised that this isn’t quite the right place for me in the long run,” said Zheng, who is majoring in economics and statistics in the US and aspires to work outside China after graduating. She has faced increasing hurdles as...

Politics

5 h. ago Chinese power bank maker suspends production after recall, aviation ban

One of China’s biggest portable power bank makers has suspended production for at least six months and closed its stores on major Chinese e-commerce platforms after a massive recall of its products and the decision by the country’s civil aviation authority to ban unlicensed power banks on flights. Shenzhen-based Romoss Technology, which sells its products in dozens of countries around the world, notified its employees that the company would suspend operations for six months starting on Monday,...

Economics

5 h. ago Chinese design firm converts swimming pool into office, triggers safety probe

A Chinese decoration company has sparked online controversy and amusement after it converted a drained swimming pool into a temporary office. Staff get down to business in the “deep end” before exiting the office using the original poolside ladders. The quirky set-up came to light after an employee from Luban Decoration Group, based in Chengdu, Sichuan province, southwestern China, posted a video online entitled “Swimming Pool Transformed into Office Space”. The clip quickly went...

Politics

6 h. ago Can Xiaomi disrupt the home appliance market like it did with EVs?

When Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi launched its first electric vehicle (EV) in March 2024, few believed it could rival industry leaders like Tesla, BYD, Xpeng and Li Auto. After a surprisingly strong debut and with the company’s EV segment poised to break even this year, however, the Beijing-based firm is now embarking on an ambitious push into another sector to challenge established competitors: the home appliances market. Partly fuelled by Beijing’s aggressive subsidies to boost consumption,...

Politics

6 h. ago With US tariffs looming, China’s panda diplomacy returns as Japan seeks new loan

Panda diplomacy is back in play as Japan seeks to charm visiting Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng with hopes of securing one or two of the endangered bears on loan. The gesture could help soothe bilateral ties and signal regional unity amid growing unease over US trade policy under President Donald Trump, analysts have said. He, a close adviser to President Xi Jinping, is scheduled to attend the World Expo in Osaka for “national pavilion day” at the Chinese pavilion on Friday. The Yomiuri...

Politics

7 h. ago My Take | China could embrace universal basic income as AI takes jobs

My Take | China could embrace universal basic income as AI takes jobs  South China Morning Post

Politics

8 h. ago “Historic opportunity”: why China is betting on a poor province in trade war

The 2025 trade war launched by the United States is shaping up to become a watershed moment for Chinese policymakers. While the country’s economic resilience and role at the centre of global supply chains helped secure a 90-day truce with Washington, Beijing is digging deep to fight a protracted conflict. The forthcoming Five-Year Plan – China’s signature development blueprint – is expected to fortify the domestic economy in the pursuit of global leadership. Provincial leaders are seizing...

Events

11 h. ago Munir denies Indian claim of Chinese assistance in recent conflict, Beijing downplays issue

Munir denies Indian claim of Chinese assistance in recent conflict, Beijing downplays issue  Times of India

Events

11 h. ago ESCP’s New Strategic Plan: A ‘Third Way’ Between U.S. & China In Business Education

ESCP’s New Strategic Plan: A ‘Third Way’ Between U.S. & China In Business Education  Yahoo Finance

Politics

12 h. ago Italy arrests alleged Chinese hacker after US issues warrant

Italy arrests alleged Chinese hacker after US issues warrant  Financial Times

Events

15 h. ago Chinese Ran Campaign to Undermine Rafale Sales: French Intelligence

Chinese Ran Campaign to Undermine Rafale Sales: French Intelligence  The Defense Post

Politics

15 h. ago University of Hong Kong plans to cut size of development site after backlash

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) plans to reduce the size of a development project by 15 per cent following a public backlash, leaving most of a Pok Fu Lam green belt untouched, the Post has learned. A source said on Monday that the university was considering building on a residential plot nearby. The revised proposal for HKU’s Global Innovation Centre will be discussed at a town planning board meeting on Friday, after the university gathers feedback from the community. HKU originally planned...

Politics

16 h. ago China is making rapid gains in space tech. Here’s how the military could use it

The new space race is heating up, with the United States warning that its major rival China is narrowing the gap as it makes rapid technology gains. While China says its ambitious plans remain peaceful and that it rejects the weaponisation of space, some of the technologies it has developed in recent years also have military uses. Here are some of them. BeiDou network The Chinese navigation satellite system provides positioning, navigation and timing services worldwide. Its network of 60...

Events

16 h. ago China is making rapid space tech gains. Here’s how the military could use them

The new space race is heating up, with the United States warning that its major rival, China, is narrowing the gap as it makes rapid technological gains. While China says its ambitious plans remain peaceful and that it rejects the weaponisation of space, some of the technologies it has developed in recent years also have military uses. Here are some of them. BeiDou network The Chinese navigation satellite system provides positioning, navigation and timing services worldwide. Its network of 60...

Events

16 h. ago US Ally Gives Military Shootdown Authorization Against Chinese Drones

US Ally Gives Military Shootdown Authorization Against Chinese Drones  Newsweek

Events

17 h. 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