34 m. ago Trump’s Chinese drone issue, Viagra’s potential against cancer: 5 weekend reads

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump wants to ground China’s drones – but have they flown too high to reach? 2. New Communist Party rules hint Xi Jinping is delegating more power to deputies 3. Why Singapore refused to be a ‘Third China’ – and how Lee Kuan Yew made it clear 4. Chinese study uncovers cancer-fighting potential...

Politics

65 m. ago Australia’s Albanese to address Darwin Port sale on China visit

When Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives in China next week for his second official visit, he will have more than the typical diplomatic niceties to discuss with President Xi Jinping. A major task on Albanese’s agenda, besides routine topics like trade, will be to explain his country’s stance on Chinese investment – in particular, addressing the controversy over the ownership and potential government-influenced sale of the Darwin the Post has learned from sources with knowledge of...

Politics

65 m. ago The edge that lured flying insect detective Jason Chapman to China

As a world expert on insect migration, Jason Chapman knows a thing or two about the impact of travel. The top British ecologist has now made his own move, a career decision that has underscored the growing prominence of China in the fields of natural science. Chapman’s decision to leave the UK for a full-time position at a Chinese university reflects the country’s expanding global influence in research. This includes a cutting-edge radar that can track flying insects, technology that the...

Politics

1 hour ago Hundreds gather as Hong Kong bids farewell to China’s Shandong

Hundreds of people have flocked to the Hong Kong waterfront to catch a final glimpse of the Shandong aircraft carrier and its fleet as they conclude their five-day port call to the city, with the No 2 official saying the visit has boosted residents’ national pride. During his speech on Monday, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said the port call, which was part of the celebration marking the 28th anniversary of the city’s handover to China, had demonstrated the country’s care and staunch support...

Politics

2 h. ago Why France is toasting China’s new tariff on European brandy

China’s new anti-dumping duty targeting European brandy unexpectedly became the toast of France over the weekend, after Beijing granted exemptions to a string of French cognac makers. The cordial reaction in Paris came as a surprise to many analysts, who had initially predicted that China’s decision to impose the tariff might further raise tensions with the European Union and sour preparations for an upcoming leaders’ summit in Beijing. But French leaders ended up hailing the ruling as a...

Economics

3 h. ago Chinese scientists create visual sensor that adapts to light changes in seconds

A team of Chinese scientists has used semiconductor “quantum dots” to develop a vision sensor that adapts to extreme light changes faster than the human eye. The bionic visual sensor can adapt to extreme changes between dark and light in about 40 seconds, compared to two to 30 minutes for human eyes. Its ability to adjust sensitivity for better object recognition and imaging means the sensor could be used to make next-generation technology, such as more brain-like computing systems. “The sensor...

Politics

4 h. ago As a kid, I wanted to be as American as possible. Now, I want to be more Chinese.

As a kid, I wanted to be as American as possible. Now, I want to be more Chinese.  Business Insider

Politics

5 h. ago Hong Kong manufacturers brace for higher costs as end of trade truce looms

A recent surge in Hong Kong’s exports masks a grim reality for frontline manufacturers, with some facing a sharp drop-off in new orders and bracing for renewed pressure on costs as a 90-day tariff truce between Washington and Beijing ends on Tuesday. Bryant Chan Wan-sing, president of toymaker the Wynnewood Corporation, said the sharp increase in orders during the truce was essentially a reinstatement of ones put on hold or cancelled when tariffs were introduced on US President Donald Trump’s...

Economics

5 h. ago Fake it ‘til you make it? Inside Southeast Asia’s booming counterfeit economy

Persistence is the lifeblood of the counterfeit trade – an attribute Rahul* has in spades. On the bustling, neon-lit streets of Bangkok, the thirty-something from India hawks imitation Rolex watches with a practised ease. “This is nearly as good as the real one,” he says, grinning, before melting into the crowd, a bag of replica Swiss timepieces slung over his shoulder. His trade is illegal, yet it flourishes out in the open – a mere ripple in Southeast Asia’s ocean of counterfeit goods. Now,...

Politics

7 h. ago Hong Kong needs to better understand and balance ‘one country, two systems’

Jiang Enzhu, the first head of the central government’s liaison office in post-handover Hong Kong, famously likened understanding the city to reading a challenging book – one that demands serious attention and effort. At the time, his words served as a cautionary note to mainland officials. Now, Hong Kong having marked the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty, Jiang’s analogy remains apt, though with a significant caveat. The city may still be a book that is difficult to...

Politics

13 h. ago Chinese President Xi Jinping skips BRICS summit for first time. Here’s why it matters

Chinese President Xi Jinping skips BRICS summit for first time. Here’s why it matters  The Indian Express

Politics

14 h. ago Chinese path to modernization brings new ideas to LAC development: Argentine scholar

Chinese path to modernization brings new ideas to LAC development: Argentine scholar  Global Times

Politics

14 h. ago China’s military will need structural change to fend off drone threats: experts

Three military analysts have called for structural changes within the People’s Liberation Army to counter the growing threat of drone attacks. Writing in the PLA Daily, the experts said it was highly likely that the Chinese military would establish specialised counter-drone combat units capable of “rapid responses” to unmanned threats while addressing the inefficiencies of multitasked traditional units. Drones have played an increasingly crucial role in recent regional conflicts, including the...

Events

16 h. ago Why Chinese investors can still expect a warm welcome in many US cities

Most local government officials in the US still welcome Chinese-invested projects despite a rise in trade tensions this year, a Chinese chamber of commerce leader said this week as potential investors weigh up economic benefits and geopolitical risks. City leaders want Chinese investment to help stimulate their local economies, especially in manufacturing projects that are hard to source elsewhere, said Ni Pin, chairman of the China General Chamber of Commerce branch in Chicago. “There are a lot...

Economics

16 h. ago What’s in a name? Why aircraft carrier is called Shandong and has number 17

China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Shandong, arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday for a five-day port call, sparking excitement and lively discussions about its name and hull number. The carrier welcomed the public aboard for the first time, with 2,000 fortunate Hong Kong residents securing tickets in less than a minute during the weekend to mark the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty. Below, the Post unpacks the stories behind vessel numbers and...

Transport

16 h. ago Ukraine’s Win Is China’s Loss! Why Beijing Is The Biggest Roadblock Towards Russia

Ukraine’s Win Is China’s Loss! Why Beijing Is The Biggest Roadblock Towards Russia-Ukraine Peace? OPED  EurAsian Times

Events

17 h. ago ‘Cool’ officers on Chinese aircraft carrier impress Hong Kong visitors

Naval officers on China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Shandong, were popular photo subjects for Hong Kong residents enjoying a rare opportunity to sing and dance with them on the second and final day of the warship’s public opening on Sunday. Visitors queued up to capture on camera the sheer scale of the 70,000-tonne carrier, with its distinctive “ski jump” ramp, fighter jets, likely to be J-15s, and helicopters, and to seize the chance to meet and interact with officers. “The...

Society

17 h. ago Chinese naval officers praise Hong Kong visitors – and feeling is mutual

Naval officers on Chinese warships visiting Hong Kong have praised residents touring their vessels for their behaviour and warmth, while revealing that they had enjoyed some local delicacies in neighbourhood cafes and were impressed by the city’s beauty and prosperity. The officers proved to be popular photo subjects for residents enjoying a rare opportunity to sing and dance with them on the second and final day of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong’s public opening on Sunday. The fleet,...

Events

17 h. ago In retaliatory move, China blocks EU companies from medical device contracts

China has barred European companies from major Chinese government medical device contracts, hitting back against similar EU restrictions imposed on Chinese firms last month. In a notice on Sunday, the Ministry of Finance said that European Union companies without operations in China were excluded from government medical device contracts valued at more than 45 million yuan (US$6.3 million). Taking effect on Sunday, the restriction does not apply to EU-funded companies operating in China. Non-EU...

Politics

17 h. ago China blocks EU companies from medical device contracts in tit

China has barred European companies from major Chinese government medical device contracts, hitting back against similar EU restrictions imposed on Chinese firms last month. In a notice on Sunday, the Ministry of Finance said that European Union companies without operations in China were excluded from government medical device contracts valued at more than 45 million yuan (US$6.3 million). Taking effect on Sunday, the restriction does not apply to EU-funded companies operating in China. Non-EU...

Politics