5 h. ago Is Taiwan’s Lai rewriting ROC history ahead of WWII anniversary?

As Taiwan prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, controversy is hanging over the administration of Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te as it faces criticism over its handling of the Republic of China’s (ROC) wartime legacy. The Lai government has used commemorations under the theme “Resist Aggression, Protect the Homeland” to warn retired ranking officers – many affiliated with the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) – not to attend Beijing’s September 3 military...

Events

24 h. ago ‘Powerful’: why Shandong’s visit to Hong Kong is geopolitically significant

As Hong Kong celebrates the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, Beijing has once again deployed a powerful naval fleet, this time spearheaded by the aircraft carrier Shandong, highlighting both symbolic significance and strategic resolve amid escalating geopolitical tensions. China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier and its fleet arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday morning, embarking on a five-day visit, which is set to include public tours this weekend. The Shandong is...

Politics

27 h. ago Hong Kong court rules dance studio must compensate paralysed Mirror dancer Mo Li

A Hong Kong court has found a dance studio liable for compensation after one of its dancers was seriously injured by a giant screen that collapsed during a concert by Cantopop boy band Mirror three years ago. The District Court on Friday ruled in Mo Li Kai-yin’s favour after finding “clear suspicion” that his employer, Studiodanz, evaded civil liability under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance by failing to appear at court proceedings. Judge Phillis Loh Lai-ping said the compensation lawsuit...

Events

31 h. ago Human heart structure beats 21 days in pig embryo in Chinese chimera study

Chinese scientists have, for the first time, cultivated a beating heart structure with human cells in a pig embryo, reporting that the heart continued to beat for 21 days unaided. The study, led by Lai Liangxue’s team from the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was announced at the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s annual meeting in Hong Kong on June 12. Previously, the team had cultivated human kidneys in pigs for up to 28...

Politics

49 h. ago ‘Loyal communist fighter’: China’s party paper hails late premier Li Keqiang

China’s Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily hailed the late former premier Li Keqiang for his steadfast dedication to the party and loyalty to its leadership, in an article published on Thursday to mark what would have been his 70th birthday. The article, attributed to the Institute of Party History and Literature, said Li had “dedicated all his energy to the cause of the party and the state, and made significant contributions to it”. Li was an “outstanding member of the party, time-tested...

Politics

55 h. ago China to hold gala marking 80th anniversary of victory against Japanese aggression, fascism

China to hold gala marking 80th anniversary of victory against Japanese aggression, fascism  Xinhua

Politics

68 h. ago China’s Steady Ascent to the Moon: How Beijing Is Rewriting Lunar Geopolitics

China’s Steady Ascent to the Moon: How Beijing Is Rewriting Lunar Geopolitics  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

Politics

68 h. ago Mainland China chipmaking capacity to outstrip Taiwan by 2030: report

Mainland China is on track to surpass Taiwan in semiconductor foundry capacity by 2030, according to a report from Yole Group, underscoring Beijing’s progress in its push for chip self-sufficiency amid ongoing US tech restrictions. The mainland’s share of global foundry capacity is projected to reach 30 per cent by the end of the decade, up from 21 per cent in 2024, the French market research firm said. Taiwan is currently the market leader with a 23 per cent share last year, while mainland...

Politics

69 h. ago Why Silicon Valley signing up to nationalism puts Asia on edge

A day before the controversial military parade in Washington celebrating the US Army’s 250th anniversary (which, coincidentally, fell on President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday), a more discreet yet significant event took place. On June 13, the US Army swore four C-suite technologists into its reserve ranks with the launch of Detachment 201, its executive innovation corps. The newly commissioned lieutenant colonels are Shyam Sankar, Palantir Technologies’ chief technology officer; Andrew...

Politics

3 d. ago China Focus: Rare archives unveil history of China's airborne remote sensing innovation

China Focus: Rare archives unveil history of China's airborne remote sensing innovation  Xinhua

Politics

3 d. ago China’s Silent Invasion? Experts Warn Beijing Is Plotting Taiwan Spy Operations Like Israel’s Secret War Inside Iran

China’s Silent Invasion? Experts Warn Beijing Is Plotting Taiwan Spy Operations Like Israel’s Secret War Inside Iran  Zee News

Events

3 d. ago ‘Unprecedented’: Taiwan to test war fitness, urban survival under 24/7 live fire

For the first time, Taiwan’s largest annual military exercise will combine conventional war games and urban survival drills under “unprecedented” live-fire conditions when it gets under way next week. The move signals growing concerns in Taipei that Beijing could trigger a prolonged conflict requiring both military defence and civilian resilience. The 41st Han Kuang exercise from July 9 to 18 would test joint operational readiness under “unprecedented 10-day, round-the-clock live-fire...

Events

3 d. ago Potential Taiwan clash on the line as PLA, US military develop new fighter jets

America’s view of China as a “pacing threat” has shaped its defence priorities as the military seeks to maintain an edge over a rapidly modernising PLA. In the second of a three-part series on how US budget tensions will affect efforts to deter China, we look at the race for air superiority. The high-stakes race for air superiority between China and the United States will have profound implications should a conflict break out – including how a war over Taiwan would be fought. Both militaries are...

Events

3 d. ago China’s Xi calls for oversight, Trump’s Golden Dome: 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’s Golden Dome: will the numbers add up to deter China in the Indo-Pacific? The planned defence system could make it harder for the PLA to strike US bases like those in Guam and Okinawa, or warships trying to defend Taiwan. 2. Beijing sanctions South China Sea legal claim architect Francis Tolentino China has sanctioned the former Senate majority...

Politics

4 d. ago For Hongkongers, a skip and a hop to Shenzhen via Heung Yuen Wai checkpoint

Hundreds of Hongkongers have crossed the border for the July 1 holiday, with many favouring the Heung Yuen Wai crossing due to its convenient transport links and easy access to shopping centres in Shenzhen’s Liantang district. Residents streamed into Shenzhen via the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on the 28th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule on Tuesday. Among them was security guard Cheung Ming-fung, 68, who relished the cheap commute between his home in Sheung Shui and...

Politics

4 d. ago Hong Kong residents and tourists revel in handover anniversary festivities

From free museum visits and tram rides to discounted meals and fun runs, residents and tourists took full advantage of offers by thousands of businesses, braving the frequent showers to revel in the celebrations of the city’s 28th anniversary of its handover to Beijing. Rows of bright red national and Hong Kong flags adorned the streets and tourist attractions on Tuesday, as around 3,800 restaurants offered special discounts, hoping to attract diners and boost spending. A parade of about 30...

Politics

4 d. ago From free rides and museum visits to cheap meals, Hong Kong laps up July 1 deals

From free museum visits and tram rides to discounted meals and fun runs, residents and tourists took full advantage of offers by thousands of businesses, braving the frequent showers to revel in the celebrations of the city’s 28th anniversary of its handover to Beijing. Rows of bright red national and Hong Kong flags adorned the streets and tourist attractions on Tuesday, as around 3,800 restaurants offered special discounts, hoping to attract diners and boost spending. A parade of about 30...

Politics

4 d. ago Chinese President Xi calls to regulate exercise of power to fight corruption

President Xi Jinping has called for a “clear, transparent and traceable” mechanism to regulate the exercise of power in China’s anti-corruption drive and boost supervision by the people and the media to better rein in disciplinary and legal violations. Xi made the remarks while presiding over a group study session of the 24-seat decision-making Politburo in Beijing on Monday, a day before the 104th anniversary of the party’s founding, according to Xinhua. Xi spoke on enforcing party discipline...

Politics

4 d. ago Symphony concert held to mark 104th founding anniversary of CPC

Symphony concert held to mark 104th founding anniversary of CPC  People's Daily

Politics

4 d. ago On anniversary of Hong Kong handover, John Lee vows to be a ‘reformer’

Hong Kong’s leader has vowed to be a “reformer” that rises to challenges rather than becoming a “complacent idler” in the face of the economic restructuring and geopolitical tensions, as he enters his fourth year in office. In a speech to mark the 28th anniversary of the city’s handover to Chinese rule, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday also laid down three priorities in his governance: boosting development backed by security; expediting the Northern Metropolis megaproject near the...

Politics