3 h. ago US$900 million seized as China helps Malaysia dismantle Tedy Teow’s scam empire

Chinese and Malaysian police have seized over 3.8 billion ringgit (US$900 million) of assets – including yachts and property – from a syndicate alleged to have duped millions of people throughout the Asia-Pacific with promises of high-return investments. The Ponzi scheme, which operated mainly in Penang state, is believed to be linked to the MBI Group, started by Malaysian Tedy Teow Wooi Huat, who was extradited to China last year after hiding in Thailand. Seventeen people were arrested last...

Economics

32 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

59 h. ago Asia stocks rise as investors digest China inflation data, await Beijing

Asia stocks rise as investors digest China inflation data, await Beijing-Washington trade talks  CNBC

Economics

3 d. ago Labubu craze sweeps globe, highlights power China, Asia stars have on consumer trends

Asian and Chinese stars are rewriting the fashion industry playbook, turning niche favourites into global must-haves. The Post explores how celebrity choices shape style and consumption while reflecting the values of today’s fans. Lisa Labubu At 28, Lisa of the South Korean girl band Blackpink has more than 100 million social media followers and more than 1.9 billion online streams for her solo debut Lalisa. In April 2024, the Thai star posted photos with a Labubu plush toy and a matching...

Politics

3 d. ago Labubu craze sweeps globe, highlights power of China, Asia stars have on consumer trends

Asian and Chinese stars are rewriting the fashion industry playbook, turning niche favourites into global must-haves. The Post explores how celebrity choices shape style and consumption while reflecting the values of today’s fans. Lisa Labubu At 28, Lisa of the South Korean girl group Blackpink has more than 100 million social media followers and over 1.9 billion online streams for her solo debut, Lalisa. In April last year, the Thai star posted photos with a Labubu plush toy and a matching...

Politics

3 d. ago China as a global conflict mediator: from ambition to action

China has increasingly taken on the role of conflict mediator on the world stage – hosting negotiations, proposing peace plans and even deploying personnel to oversee ceasefires. Once reluctant to engage in United Nations peacekeeping activities, it now provides more troops than any other permanent member of the Security Council. These are dramatic shifts for a country that was once a staunch advocate of non-interference. As its economic and security interests now reach far beyond its borders,...

Events

4 d. ago Loitering with intent: Beijing’s new silent South China Sea strategy?

When a Chinese coastguard vessel appeared off the coast of Zambales province in late May, it didn’t fire a shot or issue a threat. Instead, it lingered – uninvited, silent and unmoving. To analysts in Manila, the message was loud and clear: Beijing was testing new tactics in the South China Sea, one quiet incursion at a time. The coastguard vessel was detected roughly 76 nautical miles (140km) off Palauig Point – well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and about 220km southeast of...

Politics

4 d. ago L’Oreal sees Middle East and Southeast Asia as next growth engines as China slows: ‘Eventually demographics have to win’

L’Oreal sees Middle East and Southeast Asia as next growth engines as China slows: ‘Eventually demographics have to win’  Fortune

Politics

5 d. ago China and India lead modest revival in Asia thermal coal imports

China and India lead modest revival in Asia thermal coal imports  Reuters

Politics

5 d. ago China and India lead modest revival in Asia thermal coal imports: Russell

China and India lead modest revival in Asia thermal coal imports: Russell  Reuters

Politics

5 d. ago Will Sri Lanka and China push for FTA or just engage in economic diplomacy?

A long-delayed free-trade agreement (FTA) between Sri Lanka and China appears to be back on the agenda, even as analysts warn that the crisis-hit South Asian nation is not expected to benefit much from it for years after its implementation. Sri Lanka’s officials are cautiously optimistic the FTA could help narrow the country’s huge trade deficit with China. First proposed in 2014, talks between both sides for an FTA have been on hold for the past six years because Sri Lanka did not agree to some...

Economics

5 d. ago Indonesian villagers urge China to stop funding mine project after permit loss

An Indonesian community in North Sumatra is calling on Beijing to withdraw financial backing for a China-linked zinc and lead mine in the earthquake-prone region after the project lost its environmental permit. On May 23, Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry formally revoked the approval it had granted in 2022 to Dairi Prima Mineral (DPM), an Indonesian joint venture seeking to build an underground mine in the Dairi regency. The move was in line with a Supreme Court ruling ordering...

Politics

6 d. ago China issues bounty for hackers it says are linked to Taiwan , Asia News

China issues bounty for hackers it says are linked to Taiwan , Asia News  AsiaOne

Politics

7 d. ago US Pressuring Vietnam to Downgrade Economic Ties With China: Report

US Pressuring Vietnam to Downgrade Economic Ties With China: Report  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

Economics

8 d. ago Bridgewater Taps China’s Wealthy With a 21% Return Asia Strategy

Bridgewater Taps China’s Wealthy With a 21% Return Asia Strategy  Bloomberg

Politics

8 d. ago China ‘has a lot of trust building to do’ in South China Sea, Philippines says

The Philippines’ defence chief has called on Beijing to engage in good-faith negotiations over the South China Sea, stressing that China still has a long way to go to earn Manila’s trust. Observers warn that trust goes both ways, however, pointing to factors such as growing cooperation between Manila and Washington, and the reduced Chinese presence at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore over the weekend. At the security summit, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr rebuked a Chinese...

Politics

8 d. ago Military mishap risks rise with PLA’s ‘grey zone operations’: Taiwan ex

The risks of a cross-strait military accident are on the rise as Beijing steps up pressure on Taiwan, a former Taiwanese defence official has warned, citing the lack of direct communication channels between the two sides. Andrew Yang Nien-dzu, who served as Taiwan’s deputy defence minister for four years and briefly held the role of minister, spoke to the South China Morning Post on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier security conference. Yang raised concerns over the...

Events

8 d. ago Hegseth urges Asia to up defense spending citing China threat

Hegseth urges Asia to up defense spending citing China threat  USA Today

Events

9 d. ago More attention coming to China advancements in AI, humanoid tech: Morgan Stanley

China’s advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and humanoid technology will continue to capture the imaginations of investors as the world turns its focus to the region, according to Morgan Stanley’s director of pan-Asia research. “The DeepSeek announcement has shifted the fundamental discussion about China to technological innovation,” said Magdalena Stoklosa in an interview last month. “This theme is multi-year and incredibly important.” Her team identified technological diffusion and...

Politics

9 d. ago China and US exchange verbal shots, Indian food in Hong Kong: 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. US ‘destabilising Asia-Pacific’: China fires back at Shangri-La Dialogue 2. Meet India’s answer to Pakistan’s Chinese jets: the AMCA stealth fighter 3. Bitterness reimagined: Bali bomber seeks a second chance through coffee 4. Harvard Chinese student’s graduation speech strikes a chord as Trump...

Politics