2 h. ago China’s Wang Yi decries ‘unacceptable’ Israeli attack on Iran, urges diplomacy

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called Israel’s attack on Iran an “unacceptable” breach of international law and urged measures to de-escalate tensions in phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts on Saturday. He told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar that China could play a “constructive role” in the peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue, saying diplomatic solutions remained viable and a peaceful resolution was still achievable, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign...

Politics

2 h. ago Public shock as Taiwan actress reveals face pinned with needles from skin therapy

Taiwanese actress and singer Joe Chen Chiao-en has caused shock by revealing photos of herself after she underwent an all-over acupuncture treatment. The glaring images have sparked controversy on social media in mainland China. Known as the Queen of Idol Dramas, Chen, 46, first rose to fame in 2013 for her portrayal of Dongfang Bubai in the series Swordsman. She solidified her popularity with hit dramas such as Fated to Love You and The Prince Who Turns into a Frog. Her performance in Fated to...

Events

3 h. ago How the next Philippine president could reshape its South China Sea policy

With Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr about halfway through his six-year term, questions are growing over whether his successor will uphold his firmer stance on the South China Sea or, as one senior official has warned, retreat to the symbolic “jet ski” posturing and softer policies seen under his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. Last month’s midterm elections delivered a split Senate, with Marcos-aligned candidates winning five of the 12 contested seats and Duterte allies clinching the...

Politics

6 h. ago Tropical Storm Wutip: Hong Kong’s T3 signal to stay in place for early afternoon

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. A No 3 typhoon warning will remain in force in Hong Kong throughout the early afternoon on Sunday, with local winds expected to ease slightly later in the day, the city’s forecaster has said. The Hong Kong Observatory said that Tropical Storm Wutip continued to weaken and move over inland...

Events

6 h. ago Wutip: Hong Kong’s T3 could be replaced by strong monsoon signal in afternoon

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. A No 3 typhoon warning in Hong Kong could be lowered and replaced by a strong monsoon signal on Sunday afternoon, as Tropical Storm Wutip continues to weaken and move away from the city, the local forecaster has said. The Hong Kong Observatory said that the storm was expected to further weaken...

Politics

7 h. ago China zoo visitors slammed for ‘lucky’ tiger hair pulling, warned over provocation

A group of tourists who pulled out the hair of a tiger at a zoo in China, thinking it would ward off evil spirits, have sparked outrage online. On June 8, a viral video showed several visitors at a zoo in Liaoning province, northeastern China, pulling hair from the big cat’s belly and tail through a metal fence. The incident took place in a special zone where tigers often rest on top of a steel viewing tunnel. In the video, one of the tourists, a woman, is heard saying: “Let’s pull more! Tiger...

Events

14 h. ago China’s top diplomat condemns Israeli attacks on Iran, saying diplomatic means ‘not yet exhausted’

China’s top diplomat condemns Israeli attacks on Iran, saying diplomatic means ‘not yet exhausted’  Anadolu Ajansı

Politics

14 h. ago Beijing ready to play a 'constructive role': Chinese FM talks to Israel, Iran counterparts; affirms suppo

Beijing ready to play a 'constructive role': Chinese FM talks to Israel, Iran counterparts; affirms suppo  Times of India

Politics

16 h. ago China expresses backing for Tehran, opposition to Israeli strikes in separate calls with Araghchi, Sa'ar

China expresses backing for Tehran, opposition to Israeli strikes in separate calls with Araghchi, Sa'ar  The Times of IsraelChina Reacts to Israel's Attack on Iran  NewsweekIsrael's drone strikes in Iran show why US must halt China's land grab here: experts  Fox News

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17 h. ago Chinese FM Wang Yi holds phone conversation with Iranian FM, says Israel’s attack on nuclear facilities ‘sets dangerous precedent’

Chinese FM Wang Yi holds phone conversation with Iranian FM, says Israel’s attack on nuclear facilities ‘sets dangerous precedent’  Global Times

Events

18 h. ago Should Hong Kong hit luxury homeowners with heavier fines for illegal works?

Hong Kong authorities should appeal against the “light” penalties imposed on two property owners for erecting illegal structures at their luxury Redhill Peninsula homes, experts have said, warning that the fines are not hefty enough to deter offenders. The specialists weighed in after the two property owners were told to pay more than HK$110,000 (US$14,015) in total after admitting to carrying out unauthorised building works. Their convictions are the first among 30 prosecutions made against...

Events

21 h. ago In human rights talks, EU warns of ‘deterioration’ of basic freedoms in China

During thorny human rights talks with China on Friday, the European Union voiced concerns about what it called a “deterioration of fundamental freedoms” in the country. The EU cited “government interference” in the succession plan for the Dalai Lama, an ongoing crackdown in Hong Kong, and jailed Uygur and Tibetan activists as examples in its statement on the 40th edition of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels. The bloc accused China of “persistent restrictions on freedom of...

Events

22 h. ago Trump military parade set for Washington, while protests are planned around US

For the first time in more than three decades, the United States is holding a major military parade in the nation’s capital on Saturday – fulfilling a long-standing desire of US President Donald Trump and echoing displays more typically seen in countries like China, France and Russia. Showcasing the nation’s political divisions, though, the display in Washington will come on the same day as mass protests across the US. Trump sparked nationwide outrage just days earlier when he ordered thousands...

Events

26 h. ago Chinese aircraft carriers’ Pacific presence sparks warnings for Philippines

The crossing of a US-designated island chain in the Western Pacific by a Chinese carrier group marks an increase in Beijing’s “operational tempo” that the Philippines should pay heed to, observers say. They warn, however, that a “delicate balance” should still be maintained to avoid any escalation amid calls for vigilance. Regional governments such as Japan and Taiwan have advised increased caution, and a former official in the Joe Biden administration has suggested formalising the so-called...

Events

26 h. ago Taiwan war game triggers US questions over island’s ‘will to fight’

A high-level civilian war game held in Taipei this week has exposed serious vulnerabilities in Taiwan’s defences of its outer perimeter and eastern regions, prompting a retired US admiral to warn that Washington’s involvement depended on “Taiwan’s will to fight”. In the exercise simulating a 2030 cross-strait conflict, Taiwan lost control of key outlying territories – most notably Penghu, a group of islands 50km (30 miles) east of the main island – as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched...

Sport

26 h. ago Taiwan war game triggers US questions over its ‘will to fight’ if PLA attacks

A high-level civilian war game held in Taipei this week has exposed serious vulnerabilities in Taiwan’s defences of its outer perimeter and eastern regions, prompting a retired US admiral to warn that Washington’s involvement depended on “Taiwan’s will to fight”. In the exercise simulating a 2030 cross-strait conflict, Taiwan lost control of key outlying territories – most notably Penghu, a group of islands 50km (30 miles) east of the main island – as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched...

Events

28 h. ago China condemns Israeli strikes on Iran, warns of 'red line' breach

China condemns Israeli strikes on Iran, warns of 'red line' breach  Tehran Times

Events

28 h. ago Chinese envoy urges Israel to halt ‘risky’ Iran attacks, warns of consequences

A senior Chinese diplomat has urged Israel to halt its military actions against Iran as tensions between the two Middle Eastern rivals mount, warning the escalating conflict could have “serious consequences”. Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the UN, told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday that the surging tensions in the region did not serve the interests of any party. “China urges Israel to immediately stop all risky military actions to avoid further escalation of...

Events

28 h. ago Russia, China condemn Israel's attacks on Iran in UN Security Council

Russia, China condemn Israel's attacks on Iran in UN Security Council  Ynetnews

Events

28 h. ago China condemns Israel’ violation of Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity: Chinese envoy to UN

China condemns Israel’ violation of Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity: Chinese envoy to UN  Global Times

Politics