34 m. ago Chinese hold nuanced views of US rivalry and Russia, North Korea friendships

Americans tend to believe that China wants to create a new world order to knock the United States off its perch, but the results of a survey released this week suggest Chinese people are far more nuanced and flexible in this view, providing avenues to reduce US-China tension, experts said on Wednesday. The survey of ordinary Chinese, by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and The Carter Centre, depicts a public that is optimistic about their nation’s future, economy, military and culture. They...

Politics

2 h. ago China starts aviation training for Southeast Asia amid C919, home

China is training representatives from Southeast Asia this month in an effort to promote its home-grown civilian aircraft, as the region leads the world in accepting Chinese deliveries despite Airbus and Boeing’s dominance. Twenty participants from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are taking part in the 2025 China-Asean Civil Aviation Management Capacity Enhancement Workshop in Beijing, which started Monday. Organised by the Civil Aviation...

Politics

3 h. ago Masterful take by Hong Kong film The Last Dance on taboos surrounding death rituals

The Last Dance, a Hong Kong movie directed and written by local director Anselm Chan, took the city’s box office by storm after its theatrical release in November last year. The film shattered several domestic box office records, including the biggest single-day takings for a Hong Kong and Chinese-language film. It remains the highest-grossing locally produced movie in Hong Kong. The film also received 18 nominations and clinched five awards at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards in April. The...

Events

3 h. ago Top China tour sites assign staff to limit photo time, triggering mixed reactions

A famous tourist site in eastern China has introduced a time limit for photo-taking, captivating social media, and addressing a common complaint among visitors about long queues for pictures at key attractions. The Huangling Scenery Zone in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi province, implemented this rule in August. Workers now hold a timer near a major attraction, allowing each tourist one minute for photography, as reported by state media CCTV. This location has become an “online-celebrity spot,”...

Politics

4 h. ago Local Chinese government stimulus pushes big spenders to dig in while dining out

A local government in China’s provincial economic powerhouse of Zhejiang has announced plans to subsidise the restaurant meals of high-value consumers, in a move that is intended to stimulate consumption but could raise questions about whether it runs contrary to the central government’s austerity drive. Shaoxing – a city known for its textile industry and a prized variety of cooking wine – will offer subsidies of up to 5,000 yuan (US$700) to banquet holders if they host five or more tables and...

Politics

6 h. ago How an SCO development bank could shift the global financial order

At the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged member states to accelerate the creation of an SCO development bank, a proposal that could mark a turning point in Asia’s financial landscape. While headlines focused on the high-profile presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xi’s proposal points to the SCO’s evolution from a security bloc into a financial actor. Xi also pledged US$1.4...

Economics

7 h. ago US sanctions China’s Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical for alleged fentanyl trafficking

The United States on Wednesday sanctioned a Chinese chemical company that it alleges is manufacturing and coordinating shipments of illicit opioids, such as fentanyl, and chemical agents into the country. The move comes amid recent stepped-up moves in Washington to target China on the fentanyl issue despite stabilising bilateral ties. A Treasury Department statement said sanctions have been placed on Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical, based in China’s southern Guangdong province, and two of the...

Politics

8 h. ago Western leaders parse China military parade displaying authoritarian strength

US and European leaders reacted with veneration, concern and stiffened resolve on Wednesday to China’s epic military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Over 25 foreign leaders – including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un – joined Chinese President Xi Jinping at the showcase event marked by intimidating weaponry and choreographed troop manoeuvres. “I thought it was very, very impressive, but I understood the reason they were doing...

Events

8 h. ago Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US and European leaders reacted with veneration, concern and stiffened resolve on Wednesday to China’s epic military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Over 25 foreign leaders – including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un – joined Chinese President Xi Jinping at the showcase event marked by intimidating weaponry and choreographed troop manoeuvres. “I thought it was very, very impressive, but I understood the reason they were doing...

Events

9 h. ago Washington should lower temperature on Taiwan invasion threat, US report says

As the US Congress works to finish its annual defence authorisation bill, with new measures aimed at countering China’s influence, a report released Wednesday argues that Washington would be better served by toning down rhetoric about Taiwan and reducing defence investments premised on a looming Chinese invasion there. Beijing is “highly unlikely” to invade Taiwan, with its chances of success increasingly improbable, authors of the Stimson Centre report, “Rethinking the Threat: Why China is...

Events

9 h. ago Washington should lower temperature on Taiwan attack threat, US report says

As the US Congress works to finish its annual defence authorisation bill, with new measures aimed at countering China’s influence, a report released Wednesday argues that Washington would be better served by toning down rhetoric about Taiwan and reducing defence investments premised on a looming mainland Chinese attack there. Beijing is “highly unlikely” to attack Taiwan, with its chances of success increasingly improbable, authors of the Stimson Centre report, “Rethinking the Threat: Why China...

Events

12 h. ago Photos show wildfire burning through historic California Gold Rush town settled by Chinese miners

Photos show wildfire burning through historic California Gold Rush town settled by Chinese miners  CBS News

Events

12 h. ago Xi greets veterans at Victory Day gala stressing Chinese narrative of WWII

After holding a massive military parade in the morning to mark 80 years since the end of World War II and showcase its growing military might and rising diplomatic stature, China held a gala at the Great Hall of the People, reinforcing its narrative about the second world war. The hour-and-a-half commemorative gala began at 8pm Wednesday, with President Xi Jinping and members of the Politburo greeting several surviving Chinese veterans of World War II. Their handshakes drew warm applause,...

Events

15 h. ago Beijing’s Victory Day parade, China’s film industry: 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’s military parade, as it happened: new weapons debut in show of deterrence China held a massive military parade along Changan Avenue in central Beijing, showcasing the country’s latest and most advanced weapons to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II. 2. The 5 key takeaways from China’s Victory Day military...

Politics

15 h. ago Paraded mainland China weaponry shows Beijing’s focus on Taiwan: analysts

The latest weapons systems featured in China’s Victory Day parade have shown Beijing’s sharp focus on safeguarding its sovereign integrity over Taiwan and its capability to defend against any attempt to break away, analysts observed. Although Taiwan was not directly mentioned in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s keynote address on Wednesday, it is often used by military observers as a yardstick to measure the People’s Liberation Army’s capabilities and progress. The cutting-edge weapons showcased...

Events

16 h. ago China’s electric vehicle influence expands nearly everywhere – except the US and Canada

China’s electric vehicle influence expands nearly everywhere – except the US and Canada  The Conversation

Science

16 h. ago Malaysia’s Anwar signals support for China’s global vision during 4

Following two days in Tianjin for a regional bloc summit and another day of meetings with top Chinese leaders, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stood on the rostrum at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to witness a spectacular military parade. His appearance underscored Malaysia’s alignment with China’s push for a multipolar global order. Over the past week, China has showcased its growing diplomatic clout and military strength, culminating in Wednesday’s parade, which followed the two-day annual...

Events

16 h. ago China’s allies give top marks for parade but the West is not won over

Brilliant. Pivotal. Very well held. That is how some countries described the massive military parade in the heart of the Chinese capital on Wednesday. But these countries are either some of China’s closest neighbours or part of the developing world – a group that Beijing has long sought to influence. Elsewhere, particularly in the West, the reaction was more muted. The parade had a dual effect – it marked 80 years since the end of World War II and showcased China’s growing military might and...

Politics

17 h. ago Thai Airways defies Chinese tourist slump with global growth

Thai Airways International’s diversified global markets are buffering Thailand’s national carrier from decreasing Chinese tourists to the Southeast Asian country, according to Chief Executive Officer Chai Eamsiri. “It is a different picture between Thailand and Thai Airways,” Chai said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Lingering safety concerns stemming from news of a failed kidnapping near Thailand’s border with Myanmar of Chinese actor Wang Xing early this year continue to weigh on...

Society

18 h. ago More Chinese went to cinemas this summer, but filmmakers still face challenges

China’s film market showed signs of recovery this summer, but industry insiders said it was still grappling with challenges. By the end of last month, this year’s domestic box office totalled 39.23 billion yuan (US$5.5 billion), according to the China Film Administration, with over 900 million film-goers. The summer season generated 11.96 billion yuan in box office revenue, up 2.76 per cent year on year but well down on the 20.62 billion yuan record set in 2023 and the pre-pandemic levels of...

Culture