4 h. ago Philippines eyes multirole fighter jets for ‘credible deterrence’ against China

The Philippines must acquire more advanced fighter jets – and soon – to build a “niche air force” capable of credible deterrence against Chinese intrusions, its air force chief has said, as Manila weighs whether to pursue US-made F-16s or Sweden’s Gripen. Manila last month signed a US$700 million deal to acquire 12 additional FA-50 light combat aircraft from South Korea, expanding the Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s fleet to 24 by the end of the decade. These upgraded models will come with enhanced...

Politics

9 h. ago End of 'Emperor Xi'? Chinese president's disappearance raises questions about who holds reins

End of 'Emperor Xi'? Chinese president's disappearance raises questions about who holds reins  Firstpost

Politics

16 h. ago Emperor’s US$2 billion debt woes reflect Hong Kong’s property market risks

Hong Kong developer Emperor International Holdings’ inability to repay HK$16.6 billion (US$2.1 billion) in loans highlights a growing debt crisis among small and medium-sized developers in the city, prompting analysts to warn of more defaults. “High debt ratios have become a mainstream condition among Hong Kong developers, particularly mid-sized developers” amid dropping valuations, low demand, high vacancy rates, falling rental income and high interest rates, said Glen Ho, national turnaround...

Economics

17 h. ago ‘I’d rather be an arduous reformer than complacent idler’: Hong Kong’s John Lee

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. Hong Kong marks the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty on Tuesday. The day’s events start with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and a reception at the nearby Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will...

Politics

17 h. ago Hongkongers, visitors enjoy discounts, freebies as city marks July 1 anniversary

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. Hong Kong marks the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty on Tuesday. The day’s events started with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and a reception at the nearby Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu...

Politics

17 h. ago Hongkongers, visitors enjoy discounts, freebies as city marks July 1 anniversary – as it happened

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. Hong Kong marked the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty on Tuesday. The day’s events started with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and a reception at the nearby Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu...

Politics

17 h. ago China’s coffee craze creates bottomless cup of rural cafes – can the buzz last?

She seldom visits the same suburban cafe twice. Asa Jin has her cuppa, takes in the view, snaps her share of pictures for social, and then considers which among the rising number of coffee shops she will visit next. “Most rural cafes are leaning into a trendy, influencer-driven vibe, but it’s not sustainable,” said the 37-year-old freelancer from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, explaining that many shops try to lure customers with “unique natural settings” – perfect for coffee-sipping social media...

Politics

20 h. ago Opinion | Global Labubu craze reflects China’s creative and consumption ambitions

Opinion | Global Labubu craze reflects China’s creative and consumption ambitions  South China Morning Post

Politics

28 h. ago From mayor to ‘usurper’: Philippine court rules Alice Guo is a Chinese citizen

A Philippine court has ruled that Alice Guo – a former town mayor who rose to national infamy over her alleged ties to foreign criminal syndicates and questions about her true identity – was never qualified to hold office, declaring her “undoubtedly a Chinese citizen” who had “usurped” her post. The Manila Regional Trial Court ruled on Friday that Guo’s election and assumption of office in Bamban, Tarlac, from 2022 to 2024 were “null and void”. Agreeing with a petition by the Office of the...

Events

29 h. ago Hong Kong sea patrol officers to use body cameras to help in investigations

Sea patrol officers from Hong Kong’s Marine Department will start using body cameras from Tuesday to help them perform their duties more effectively. Frontline officers of the harbour patrol section across all districts would be fully equipped with the devices to help in investigations, evidence collection and documenting maritime conditions during major events at sea for safety purposes, a department spokesman said on Monday. Other government departments that have equipped frontline officers...

Events

30 h. ago Trump’s budget bill is a debt bomb. Can the ‘Pennsylvania Plan’ defuse it?

With the US Senate voting to move an updated version of US President Donald Trump’s sweeping budget legislation – the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” – forward in the legislative process, the controversial bill now comes closer to becoming law. It has also brought the country’s mounting debt back into the spotlight. Rife with spending increases, tax cuts and no additional revenue sources to compensate, the bill has been estimated to add US$3.3 trillion to the nation’s debt over the next decade; a...

Economics

40 h. ago Reaction to Angel Chong’s Miss Hong Kong bid should spark reflection

Despite having been part of our lives for a long time, beauty pageants have come in for heavy criticism in recent years for objectifying women and reducing them to being judged only on their outward appearance. Despite reforms aimed at improving social perception and what constitutes “beauty”, they remain controversial. So, when Angel Chong Nga-ting, a 24-year-old local district councillor, decided to put herself out there and enter the contest for the title of Miss Hong Kong, some in the...

Politics

40 h. ago Why reaction to Angel Chong’s Miss Hong Kong bid is hypocritical

Despite having been part of our lives for a long time, beauty pageants have come in for heavy criticism in recent years for objectifying women and reducing them to being judged only on their outward appearance. Despite reforms aimed at improving social perception and what constitutes “beauty”, they remain controversial. So, when Angel Chong Nga-ting, a 24-year-old local district councillor, decided to put herself out there and enter the contest for the title of Miss Hong Kong, some in the...

Politics

41 h. ago China issues a dark warning to Anthony Albanese: 'This should never have been in question'

China issues a dark warning to Anthony Albanese: 'This should never have been in question'  Daily Mail

Events

50 h. ago Last bite for diners before popular City’super food court closes in Hong Kong

Diners got their fill one last time as a decades-old food court in high-end supermarket City’super in Hong Kong’s Times Square shopping centre served its final customers on Sunday. The closure of the Amazing Food Hall, located in the basement of the upscale Causeway Bay shopping and office complex, marked the end of an era for the premium supermarket chain’s dining ventures. The food court, popular for its offerings of sushi, grilled meats, noodle dishes, a well-stocked wine and sake cellar, and...

Events

57 h. ago Hong Kong handling of taxi/Uber mess has been a decade of disappointment

This week marks the third anniversary of John Lee Ka-chiu taking up the office of chief executive, with just two years to go in the current term. I wonder if we are getting close to a sensible resolution of Hong Kong’s taxi/hired car situation. Though I am an optimist, on the basis of past form, I find it difficult to be confident. After all, 2025 also marks the 11th anniversary of Uber setting up in Hong Kong. Yet here we are – two Hong Kong chief executives have come and gone, and a company...

Politics

59 h. ago Hong Kong Palace Museum’s Egyptian relics show ‘just the start’ of collaborations

A coming Hong Kong Palace Museum exhibition displaying Egyptian relics, including a Tutankhamen statue and feline mummies, is just the beginning of plans for further collaborations and events, the custodian of the African nation’s treasures has said. Dr Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, also told the Post that it would not rule out displaying other notable artefacts and mummies in Hong Kong. The council and the museum, located in the West Kowloon...

Politics

59 h. ago Hong Kong Palace Museum’s Egyptian exhibition ‘just the start’ of collaborations

A coming Hong Kong Palace Museum exhibition displaying Egyptian relics, including a Tutankhamen statue and feline mummies, is just the beginning of plans for further collaborations and events, the custodian of the African nation’s treasures has said. Dr Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, also told the Post that it would not rule out displaying other notable artefacts and mummies in Hong Kong. The council and the museum, located in the West Kowloon...

Politics

61 h. ago Claims of police complicity in mystery of missing Filipino cock fighters

A chilling new claim that police officers and a female celebrity were involved in the disappearance of dozens of missing cockfighting workers in the Philippines has reignited a long-dormant case that once shocked the country and raised questions about a possible cover-up. A suspect in the 2021-22 disappearances of 34 Filipino cock fighters has claimed that at least 30 people, including police officers, were involved in the case. “My estimate is about 10 are civilians, maybe more, while about 20...

Events

3 d. ago BRICS partners sign 12 projects worth $4b at matchmaking event in Beijing

BRICS partners sign 12 projects worth $4b at matchmaking event in Beijing  China Daily

Politics