79 m. ago Pressured by US tariffs, Chinese exports expand in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia

Chinese exports to major industrial centres in Southeast Asia rose by double-digit percentages in the first five months of the year to satisfy growing consumer markets, feed offshore factory investments and offset losses from high US tariffs. Shipments to factory-magnet Vietnam increased by 18.8 per cent from January to May, compared with the same period in 2024, according to official data released on Monday. Meanwhile, exports to Thailand grew by 20.9 per cent, and Indonesia took 16.8 per cent...

Events

1 hour ago Former residence of South Korea’s Yoon under scrutiny over ‘pet pool’

A shallow pool inside South Korea’s presidential residence has sparked a debate among lawmakers over whether it was used by former president Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife for their pets. There has been increasing speculation that the pool was used for pets and not humans, said Representative Kim Byoung-joo at a meeting held on Monday by the Democratic Party, which became the country’s ruling party following President Lee Jae-myung’s election win last week. “I’ve looked around the space inside the...

Politics

2 h. ago Malaysia’s new luxury tax a hard sell for Anwar as popularity wanes

Many Malaysians may find life’s little indulgences suddenly beyond their reach from next month, when fresh taxes bite on premium goods and services like salmon and silk – and even haircuts – after the cash-strapped government said it would raise revenue from so-called luxury spending. Taxes of between 5 and 10 per cent will be imposed on “discretionary and non-essential goods” as well as financial and beauty services and private education from July 1, the Finance Ministry said in a statement...

Events

3 h. ago Megaquake scare in Japan, Philippines boosts air power: 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. Japan on alert as Hokkaido tremors reignite megaquake fears A string of moderate earthquakes off the coast of Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido has reignited concerns among experts and residents about the risk of a catastrophic seismic event – though scientists stress...

Politics

4 h. ago Concern in Japan as police investigation uncovers possible yakuza

A police investigation into alleged organised crime activity in Japan has uncovered what experts say could be signs of cooperation between a domestic yakuza faction and Hong Kong’s 14K triad, one of Asia’s most powerful criminal networks. The concern centres around a video found on a mobile phone seized during an arrest in September last year, which shows individuals sharing glasses of sake – a traditional ritual that experts say can symbolise an oath of loyalty or alliance. According to Jiji...

Events

5 h. ago As 2 Hong Kong art chiefs step down, what’s next for city’s culture scene?

Para Site and Asia Art Archive (AAA), two long-standing independent cultural institutions in Hong Kong, are simultaneously seeking new executive directors at a pivotal moment for the city’s cultural scene. On June 2, Para Site in Quarry Bay announced that Billy Tang had stepped down as executive director and curator after concluding his three-year contract. The British-born former senior curator of Shanghai’s Rockbund Art Museum took over from Cosmin Costinas – who had run Para Site for 11 years...

Culture

5 h. ago Nara’s famed deer could face food crisis in winter as acorn trees cut down

A move to cut down acorn-bearing trees in Japan’s Nara Park has sparked concern among researchers about the survival of the attraction’s free-roaming deer during the harsh winter. Acorns serve as a vital food source for deer, while the trees also provide critical shelter, with the animals often gathering beneath dense canopies for warmth and protection in the colder months. “The base of these trees becomes a critical place that determines whether the deer can survive winter,” said Shiro...

Events

6 h. ago Japan spots Chinese navy’s show of force in west Pacific amid maritime row

China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier has for the first time ventured into the easternmost edge of Japan’s exclusive economic zone, in what is seen as a show of force aimed at Tokyo, Washington and the broader region. The Liaoning – Beijing’s first aircraft carrier – and at least three accompanying warships were spotted on Saturday around 300km southwest of Minamitori, a remote Japanese island in the western Pacific, which serves as a bulwark for Tokyo to assert its maritime claims. The group, which...

Politics

7 h. ago US students discover Unit 731 horrors, and an American war crime cover

As thousands of students gather this week for the finals of the National History Day contest in the US state of Maryland, one research project may stand out – not only as a sobering reminder of an infamous, often forgotten Japanese military unit, but also for America’s role in keeping its war crimes quiet. The project, a documentary produced by four students from a New Mexico high school, is an investigation of Unit 731 – a secret group that carried out unspeakable experiments on people in China...

Events

7 h. ago Chinese soldier, famed for striking resemblance to actress Dilraba, is elite sniper

A woman soldier from northwestern China who is known for her resemblance to a famous actress has developed into an outstanding sniper. Buzainafu Yasenjiang looks strikingly similar to Dilraba Dilmurat, one of China’s top entertainers, who has more than 81 million followers on social media. The 33-year-old actress and singer is a native of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in the northwest of the country. She is celebrated for her unique beauty and talent, and has even been praised by the...

Events

8 h. ago Beijing Issues Framework for Liquidating Seized Crypto vis Hong Kong

Beijing Issues Framework for Liquidating Seized Crypto vis Hong Kong  Regulation Asia

Politics

8 h. ago Beijing Issues Framework for Liquidating Seized Crypto via Hong Kong

Beijing Issues Framework for Liquidating Seized Crypto via Hong Kong  Regulation Asia

Politics

14 h. ago US Pentagon orders 700 Marine Corps troops to Los Angeles as unrest spreads

The US Pentagon ordered hundreds of Marine Corps members to Los Angeles to quell unrest that has led to a political stand-off between Washington and officials in the West Coast state. Earlier on Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom threatened to sue US President Donald Trump for dispatching National Guard troops to America’s second-most-populous city without state authorisation. Chinese and Asian residents in the economically powerful state expressed concern amid fear that, having already...

Politics

14 h. ago US Pentagon deploying 700 Marines to quell Los Angeles unrest

The US Pentagon ordered hundreds of Marine Corps members to Los Angeles to quell unrest that has led to a political stand-off between Washington and officials in the West Coast state. Earlier on Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom threatened to sue US President Donald Trump for dispatching National Guard troops to America’s second-most populous city without state authorisation. Chinese and Asian residents in the economically powerful state expressed concern amid fear that, having already...

Politics

14 h. ago Trump deploying 700 Marines and 2,000 more National Guard to quell LA unrest

The US Pentagon ordered hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles and an additional 2,000 National Guard members on Monday to quell unrest that has led to a political stand-off between Washington and officials in the West Coast state. Earlier in the day, California Governor Gavin Newsom threatened to sue US President Donald Trump for dispatching National Guard troops to America’s second-most populous city without state authorisation. Chinese and Asian residents in the economically powerful state...

Politics

14 h. ago Trump orders 700 Marines, more National Guard to quell LA unrest

The US Pentagon ordered hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles and an additional 2,000 National Guard members on Monday to quell unrest that has led to a political stand-off between Washington and officials in the West Coast state. Earlier in the day, California Governor Gavin Newsom threatened to sue US President Donald Trump for dispatching National Guard troops to America’s second-most populous city without state authorisation. Chinese and Asian residents in the economically powerful state...

Politics

16 h. ago America Relies on Chinese Minerals, and Beijing Wants to Keep it That Way

America Relies on Chinese Minerals, and Beijing Wants to Keep it That Way  MSN

Politics

17 h. ago Feature: How China's porcelain capital is attracting international talent

Feature: How China's porcelain capital is attracting international talent  China.org.cn

Politics

19 h. ago Study shows how robots replaced master workers in Chinese military drone factory

In a Beijing defence drone facility, a black carbon-fibre body frame sits on a workstation ready for drilling. The material is light and strong, but a fractional error in angle or positioning could affect stealth performance and lead to the scrapping of the entire part. Master technicians once performed this task – breath held, hands steady – relying on years of muscle memory. Despite their skill, human limitations capped the speed of production and kept costs high. That changed with a...

Events

19 h. ago US and China begin crunch trade talks in London amid simmering tensions

Top economic officials from China and the United States have kick-started a crucial round of trade talks in London, as the world watches closely to see if the two sides can agree to roll back their “chokehold” controls over critical minerals and advanced technologies. The Chinese and American delegations – led by China’s vice-premier, He Lifeng, alongside US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer – met Monday afternoon, local...

Events