49 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 Chinese foreign minister criticizes 'flawed' South China Sea ruling

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

Politics

3 h. ago China has a plan: Technological innovation to secure its place on the geopolitical stage

China has a plan: Technological innovation to secure its place on the geopolitical stage  EL PAÍS English

Politics

4 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

5 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

6 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

7 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

7 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

15 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

15 h. ago Would USDA plan prevent China's ownership of farmland in Oklahoma?

Would USDA plan prevent China's ownership of farmland in Oklahoma?  The Oklahoman

Politics

17 h. ago Hong Kong doctor jailed for issuing Covid jab exemptions without medical checks

A Hong Kong doctor has been jailed for nine months for issuing Covid-19 vaccination exemption certificates to four people without making a proper medical diagnosis, as a court heard how he raked in more than HK$4.6 million (US$585,980) from those who wanted to avoid the inoculations. The District Court on Friday sentenced Dr Wong Ping-leung for his dishonest use of the government’s electronic health record system to generate the certificates at his clinic in Chai Wan’s Hing Wah Plaza between...

Science

17 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 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

18 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

19 h. ago Asean leaders renew call to revive stalled peace plan for Myanmar

Southeast Asian leaders have renewed calls to revive a stalled peace plan for Myanmar while urging calm in the South China Sea and backing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza – reflecting the Asean bloc’s cautious efforts to address some of the region’s most pressing security and humanitarian challenges. Their positions were outlined in a sweeping 160-point joint communique issued at the conclusion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur,...

Politics

19 h. ago Fulfil ‘wish list’ for peace before holding election, Asean urges Myanmar junta

Southeast Asian leaders have called on the Myanmar junta to refrain from holding elections until it satisfies a “wish list” for peace by the country’s stakeholders, as the Asean bloc wraps up a meeting of foreign ministers. In closing remarks on Friday, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations outlined three wishes from parties, including Myanmar’s government in exile and warring factions, amid renewed calls to revive a stalled peace plan. “We are saying that [the election] is not a priority...

Politics

20 h. ago Hong Kong authorities pursue missing MPF payments for Michelin

Hong Kong’s pension authority is looking into HK$100,000 (US$12,740) in missing payments for 20 employees from the Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant Xin Dau Ji, following the chain’s abrupt closure of its Kowloon Bay branch on Wednesday. The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority said on Friday that it was pursuing the failed contributions in April and May. Lawmaker Kwok Wai-keung confirmed the restaurant’s closure on July 9 and that about 20 affected staff had reached out to the Labour...

Events

21 h. ago Beijing to Shanghai in 2½ hours: the maglev marvel redefining high

A Chinese-built maglev train that will be the nation’s fastest-ever ground transport vehicle has made its public debut in Beijing – an ambitious project that is expected to drastically reduce travel times and cement China’s reputation as a world leader in high-speed rail networks. The train – which can reach speeds of 600km/h (373mph) – was unveiled this week at the 17th Modern Railways exhibition, offering a futuristic glimpse of China’s rail transport aspirations. Developed by the China...

Politics

21 h. ago US, China must find ‘correct way’ to get along, Wang tells Rubio

China and the United States agreed to strengthen dialogue “at all levels” and deepen cooperation during “constructive” talks between their top diplomats on Friday, according to Beijing. Foreign Minister Wang Yi told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio he hoped Washington would approach China “in an equal, respectful and mutually beneficial manner” and “find a correct way for China and the US to get along”, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. The statement said both sides described...

Politics

22 h. ago US may cut dependence on China rare earths by 2028, CEO says – but at what cost?

The United States is scrambling to reduce its dependence on rare earths from China, with the Pentagon splashing out US$400 million on Thursday to become the largest shareholder in American miner MP Materials. While some say the move will help wean the US off the Chinese supply, a senior American industry executive has warned that a variety of hurdles face US and European mining efforts – from securing the necessary midstream technology to obtaining government permits for what can be a highly...

Economics