20 h. ago Chinese ambassador’s ‘grandstanding’ advice for Australia raises eyebrows

The Chinese ambassador to Canberra has urged Australia not to be “incited” by Nato’s support for demands by the US to raise defence spending sharply and instead should cooperate with Beijing to resolve regional disputes. Analysts say the “unsolicited advice” is unlikely to sway Canberra and could backfire by reinforcing distrust of Beijing, ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to China and amid an ongoing debate in Australia over its defence spending. In an opinion article published...

Politics

20 h. ago Why Singapore refused to be a ‘Third China’ – and how Lee Kuan Yew made it clear

In his new memoir Ink and Influence: An OB Markers Sequel, Cheong Yip Seng reflects on the intersection of geopolitics, media, and identity through the lens of his long career as editor-in-chief of The Straits Times. In this excerpt, Cheong recounts a revealing moment during an official visit to China in 1976 with then-prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. Among the officials present was S.R. Nathan, later Singapore’s sixth president, who witnessed Lee subtly rebuff a Chinese attempt to influence the...

Politics

37 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

57 h. ago Climate action with China aligns with Australia’s security needs

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s coming visit to China later this summer presents a timely chance to reframe Australia–China relations through an increasingly vital lens: climate cooperation. With bilateral ties having largely stabilised since 2022 and a joint Australia–Pacific bid for the 2026 UN climate summit under way, climate action offers a promising platform for stronger engagement. The rationale for cooperation is clear. Australia possesses vast reserves of critical minerals...

Events

57 h. ago Australia should leave politics out of climate collaboration with China

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s coming visit to China later this summer presents a timely chance to reframe Australia–China relations through an increasingly vital lens: climate cooperation. With bilateral ties having largely stabilised since 2022 and a joint Australia–Pacific bid for the 2026 UN climate summit under way, climate action offers a promising platform for stronger engagement. The rationale for cooperation is clear. Australia possesses vast reserves of critical minerals...

Politics

62 h. ago China aircraft carrier 'Shandong' draws crowds in first Hong Kong visit

China aircraft carrier 'Shandong' draws crowds in first Hong Kong visit  Reuters

Transport

67 h. ago China says Premier Li to visit Egypt after BRICS Brazil trip

China says Premier Li to visit Egypt after BRICS Brazil trip  The New Arab

Politics

2 d. ago New memoir reveals Lee Kuan Yew’s respectful strategy for China relations

Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew recognised early on that China demanded respect and equality in diplomacy – a posture that earned him Beijing’s enduring trust, according to veteran newspaper editor Cheong Yip Seng. In his newly released memoir Ink and Influence: An OB Markers Sequel, Cheong reflects on Lee’s deft handling of China relations, drawn from personal experience covering his landmark 1976 visit to Beijing and later working closely with him as editor-in-chief of...

Politics

2 d. ago Developing | Chinese aircraft carrier’s visit shows national security ‘rock

Developing | Chinese aircraft carrier’s visit shows national security ‘rock-solid’: John Lee  South China Morning Post

Events

3 d. ago 2 Hong Kong students, both 12, arrested after knife used in school fight

Two 12-year-old pupils have been arrested in Hong Kong after they allegedly got into a fight and one slashed the other with a knife. Police said on Wednesday they received a report from staff at Tang Shiu Kin Primary School in Tuen Mun that a boy and girl had become embroiled in an argument. During the altercation, the girl allegedly attacked the boy with a knife while he was said to have hit back with his hands. The boy sustained an injury to one hand and the girl reported shoulder pain. The...

Events

5 d. ago Will Trump visit China for WWII victory parade? Optimism as speculation swirls

Speculation that US President Donald Trump may visit Beijing in September has sparked “cautious optimism” among some Chinese analysts about a possible diplomatic breakthrough as trade ties between the rival powers teeter on the edge of a fragile truce. A Kyodo report on Sunday citing unnamed sources said that China was planning to invite Trump to its Victory Parade in Tiananmen Square on September 3, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. When asked to comment on the report on...

Politics

5 d. ago Hong Kong school told to submit report on alleged student harassment in Shenzhen

Hong Kong education authorities have requested a detailed report from a secondary school following complaints that its teachers failed to promptly intervene when four drunk men reportedly harassed two female students during a study tour in Shenzhen. The incident came to light on Sunday after students from Chang Pui Chung Memorial School revealed it in a post on the social media platform Threads. According to the post, the two Form Five students encountered the men in a hotel corridor one night...

Events

5 d. ago Hong Kong school ordered to submit report after students harassed in Shenzhen

Hong Kong education authorities have requested a detailed report from a secondary school following complaints that its teachers failed to promptly intervene when four drunk men reportedly harassed two female students during a study tour in Shenzhen. Sudents from Chang Pui Chung Memorial School revealed the incident in a post on the social media platform Threads. According to the post, the two Form Five students encountered the men in a hotel corridor one night during the tour while they were on...

Events

7 d. ago China visit strengthens BNP's relation with Beijing: Fakhrul

China visit strengthens BNP's relation with Beijing: Fakhrul  Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)

Politics

8 d. ago China’s Top Diplomat to Visit Europe as Tensions With US Linger

China’s Top Diplomat to Visit Europe as Tensions With US Linger  Bloomberg

Politics

9 d. ago Rare earths, Taiwan discussed in Wang Yi’s embassy visit to meet EU envoys

China and the European Union should enhance mutual trust and stick to cooperation to elevate their ties to “a new level”, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday amid widening trade tensions. In a meeting with EU diplomatic envoys in Beijing, Wang said that China and the EU “have both the responsibility and capability to provide much-needed stability and predictability to a world fraught with turbulence”, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout. “Both sides should enhance mutual...

Politics

9 d. ago Rare earths, Taiwan discussed as Wang Yi meets EU envoys at Polish embassy

China and the European Union should increase mutual trust and stick to cooperation to elevate ties to “a new level”, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday amid widening trade tensions with the bloc. In a meeting with EU diplomatic envoys in Beijing, Wang said that China and the EU “have both the responsibility and capability to provide much-needed stability and predictability to a world fraught with turbulence”, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout. “Both sides should enhance...

Politics

9 d. ago Hong Kong DSE documentary star gets probation after second theft offence

A Hong Kong student who starred in a popular web documentary about secondary school public exams has been placed on probation after a court agreed to give him “one last chance” following his second shoplifting offence in a year. Eastern Court accepted a probation officer’s recommendation and handed Tang Ngai-hong a 12-month probation order on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to theft earlier this month. The 19-year-old admitted stealing a bag of fruit and two packets of potato chips worth a...

Politics

1 week ago 35th Hong Kong Book Fair serves up food culture, targets 1 million visitors

The organisers of Hong Kong’s annual book fair have said they hope the number of visitors this year will surpass 1 million and break the record set in 2024, with the latest iteration set to focus on food culture. The 35th Hong Kong Book Fair, which has the theme of “food culture and future living”, will be held at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai between July 16 and 22. The venue will also host three other events at the same time, with all four expected to bring in more than 770...

Society

1 week ago Xi urges Singapore to join China on ‘right side of history’ as PM Wong visits

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for Singapore and China to work together to “stand on the right side of history” and push for an equal multipolar world, the latest effort by Beijing to present itself as a stabilising force amid escalating geopolitical and trade tensions. Xi made the remarks on Tuesday morning as he met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is on a five-day official visit to China. Xi said the two countries – which are marking 35 years of diplomatic relations...

Politics