24 m. ago Why top German diplomat’s China trip aims to manage rivalry but won’t reset ties

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul’s trip to China this week signals a mutual desire to resume high-level dialogue amid mounting economic and geopolitical tensions, according to analysts. But they cautioned that the visit, which could lay the groundwork for a trip by Chancellor Friedrich Merz early next year, should be viewed as pragmatic management of a complex “systemic rivalry”, rather than a major reset in Beijing’s relations with Berlin or Brussels. For Germany, securing access to...

Politics

5 h. ago EU’s US$140 million fine on X riles Rubio’s deputy, stoking tensions

A US$140 million fine on tech tycoon Elon Musk’s social media platform underscores how Europeans undermine US policies even while demanding that the United States provide military protection, one of the top American diplomats wrote on Saturday. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau joined Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other American officials in criticising the European Union’s fine on Musk-owned X as censorship. But Landau went further than Rubio by invoking broader ideological...

Economics

20 h. ago FO° Exclusive: Tensions Over Taiwan Push China and Japan Closer to Conflict

FO° Exclusive: Tensions Over Taiwan Push China and Japan Closer to Conflict  Fair Observer

Events

24 h. ago Macron’s visit and tensions with Japan mark the week in China

Macron’s visit and tensions with Japan mark the week in China  plenglish.com

Politics

40 h. ago EU hits Musk’s X with US$140 million fine, risking Trump’s ire

The European Union hit Elon Musk’s X with a €120 million (US$140 million) fine on Friday for breaking its digital rules, in a move that risks a fresh clash with US President Donald Trump’s administration. The high-profile probe into the social media platform was seen as a test of the EU’s resolve to police Big Tech. US Vice-President J.D. Vance fired a warning against “attacking” US firms through “censorship” before the penalty was even made public. Imposing the first fine under its powerful...

Events

53 h. ago Japan moves to ease tensions; China’s reusable rocket: SCMP’s weekly roundup

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond 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. Japan’s Sanae Takaichi moves to ease weeks of tensions with China over the Taiwan Strait After weeks of turmoil in relations with China, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sought to dial down tensions with Beijing over a...

Events

53 h. ago Chinese boy lost after US detention, helper’s last call in fire: weekly roundup

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond 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. Japan’s Sanae Takaichi moves to ease weeks of tensions with China over the Taiwan Strait After weeks of turmoil in relations with China, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sought to dial down tensions with Beijing over a...

Events

54 h. ago China and France deepen cooperation amid Ukraine and trade tensions

China and France deepen cooperation amid Ukraine and trade tensions  France 24

Events

3 d. ago Hong Kong lawyer who had sex with girl, 12, jailed for 3 years, 7 months

A Hong Kong lawyer has been jailed for three years and seven months for having sex twice with a 12-year-old girl and taking more than 200 photographs and videos of the illegal acts. The District Court on Thursday rejected the claim by Kelvin Luk Kin-ting, 40, that he was in a serious and genuinely loving relationship with the girl, finding instead that he had preyed on her immaturity and curiosity for sex to satisfy his own desires. Deputy Judge Katherine Lo Kit-yee said she was dismayed that a...

Events

3 d. ago 140 private doctors offering free basic healthcare to Hong Kong fire victims

More than 140 private doctors in Hong Kong have signed up to offer free basic healthcare for survivors of last week’s deadly blaze that tore through seven of eight blocks in a housing complex in Tai Po. The government said on Thursday that the scheme spanned doctors across 170 locations, including four private hospitals. The policy allows victims to have three consultations, plus medication, free of charge between now and February 28 next year. The scheme will be coordinated by project managers...

Events

3 d. ago Macron urges China to help end Ukraine war and ease Europe trade tensions

Macron urges China to help end Ukraine war and ease Europe trade tensions  RFI

Events

3 d. ago Beijing confident of Hong Kong’s ability to handle Legco election, fire aftermath

A Beijing official in Hong Kong has voiced confidence in the city’s ability to handle both the coming Legislative Council election and the aftermath of the deadly Tai Po fire, calling local authorities’ decision to proceed with the poll respectful of the constitutional order. Liu Guangyuan, deputy director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said on Thursday that the local government had adopted the “most responsible attitude” by holding the election on Sunday as scheduled, even after last...

Politics

3 d. ago Watch Xi and Macron Meet in Beijing to Discuss Trade Tensions and Taiwan

Watch Xi and Macron Meet in Beijing to Discuss Trade Tensions and Taiwan  Bloomberg.com

Politics

3 d. ago Macron and Xi meet in Beijing to discuss trade tensions and Taiwan

Macron and Xi meet in Beijing to discuss trade tensions and Taiwan  The Japan Times

Politics

3 d. ago Singapore court upholds opposition leader Pritam Singh’s conviction for lying

Singapore’s highest court has upheld a S$14,000 (US$10,820) fine handed to opposition leader Pritam Singh for lying to a parliamentary committee. In February, the Workers’ Party (WP) chief was found guilty of two counts of giving false testimony to a committee scrutinising a lie told by Raeesah Khan, a former member of parliament for the party. Singh, who pleaded not guilty, received the maximum fine of S$7,000 for each charge following a 13-day trial. The 49-year-old appealed against the...

Politics

3 d. ago USMCA urged to form joint mechanism to address China’s national security threats

Witnesses at a US trade agency hearing are pushing officials to put economic security high on the agenda to counter China ahead of a high-stakes review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The hearing convened by the Office of the US Trade Representative on Wednesday – the first public session before next July’s joint review of the free trade deal – kicks off three days of testimony from more than 140 representatives from business, think tanks, academia and advocacy groups. “One...

Events

3 d. ago Japan’s Sanae Takaichi moves to ease weeks of tensions with China over the Taiwan Strait

After weeks of turmoil in relations with China, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sought to dial down tensions with Beijing over a hypothetical conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Responding to a lawmaker’s question on Wednesday, Takaichi told the Japanese parliament that Tokyo’s position on the island remained unchanged and referred to a 1972 commitment that led to the normalisation of ties between Beijing and Tokyo. “The Japanese government’s basic position regarding Taiwan remains as...

Events

3 d. ago China trains industry AI tool using ‘world’s largest’ port operation data set

China is training an artificial intelligence tool to support the country’s port industry using what the National Development and Reform Commission said was the “world’s largest” port operation data set. The AI application draws on data covering “the most comprehensive range of port business scenarios”, according to Li Chao, deputy director of the NDRC’s policy research office. “It will provide strong support for technological research and development as well as verification in areas such as port...

Politics

4 d. ago China, Russia united against ‘Japanese militarism’ as Wang Yi, Shoigu meet

China and Russia had reached a “high degree” of strategic consensus on issues related to Japan and jointly opposed the revival of “Japanese militarism”, a readout from Beijing said after Foreign Minister Wang Yi met chief Kremlin security aide Sergei Shoigu in Moscow. Statements from the World War II allies after Tuesday’s meeting indicated continued solidarity amid growing China-Japan tensions. Shoigu, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, also told Wang that Russia could achieve...

Events

4 d. ago From pandas to nuclear power: what Macron wants from his trip to China

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Beijing for his three-day visit to China on Wednesday – and he is not coming alone. Alongside his wife Brigitte, the French leader is bringing a delegation of more than 80 people, including multiple ministers and nearly 40 CEOs from across the corporate world. Despite rising trade tensions between China and Europe, the long guestlist signals that Macron is travelling to Beijing looking to do business – and hints at France’s likely priorities. From...

Politics