3 h. ago Debate rages over ancient crater after China returns rocks from moon’s far side

A year after China returned the first rock samples from the moon’s far side, scientists are debating whether the mission has answered a central question in lunar science – and whether the country’s rising scientific dominance is challenging who gets to tell the story of the moon’s past. While a team of Chinese researchers believes they may have nailed down the age of the moon’s largest and oldest crater – a colossal impact basin that could hold clues to the early solar system – other scientists,...

Politics

4 h. ago Chinese colonialism? Beijing forcing 1 mn Tibetan children into boarding schools, erasing cultural identity

Chinese colonialism? Beijing forcing 1 mn Tibetan children into boarding schools, erasing cultural identity  Firstpost

Culture

5 h. ago China, Egypt deepen ties as Beijing ups influence in bid to solve Mideast crises

Upon his arrival at Cairo International Airport on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang recalled the enduring legacy of the ancient Silk Road, a centuries-old link that laid the groundwork for close trade and cultural exchanges between China and Egypt. That connection now thrives as China recreates the network through its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, attracting billions into Egypt’s infrastructure and various sectors. Chinese companies in Egypt have notably built Africa’s tallest...

Politics

5 h. ago China healthcare graduate sells ice cream, upset alma mater forces clip removal

A woman in China who graduated from medical school and is now selling ice cream on the street has captivated mainland social media after alleging that her alma mater urged her to delete her videos because her story made it feel “embarrassed”. The woman, surnamed Li, graduated three years ago from the privately-run Zhongshan College of Dalian Medical University in Liaoning province, northeastern China, earning a bachelor’s degree in medical imaging. Her experience gained significant attention...

Politics

5 h. ago Chinese company Landspace aims to debut its reusable methane rocket this year (video)

Chinese company Landspace aims to debut its reusable methane rocket this year (video)  Space

Events

6 h. ago Jimmy O. Yang and John Lee bonded over their time at Hong Kong’s Wah Yan College

City leader John Lee Ka-chiu and renowned Hong Kong-American stand-up comedian Jimmy O. Yang met to discuss their time at Wah Yan College and the future of local showbusiness, it has been revealed. Lee graduated from Wah Yan College, Kowloon, while O. Yang attended Wah Yan College, Hong Kong. Joining the duo at the gathering was Commissioner for Belt and Road Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, who was O. Yang’s classmate. The recent meetup was revealed in a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo by...

Politics

7 h. ago Chinese lead poisoning scandal sparks backlash, echoing earlier controversies

A lead poisoning scandal at a kindergarten in northwest China – and the local government’s attempt to cover up wrongdoing – has sparked public backlash, and observers say the case highlights a familiar pattern often seen in the wake of high-profile safety incidents. Liu Qifang, the father of a girl who attended the kindergarten at the centre of the scandal, received a phone call from an unknown caller last week, according to South Reviews magazine on Tuesday. The caller confirmed Liu’s identity,...

Politics

7 h. ago Plunging pork and poultry prices put pressure on Chinese farmers

China’s major protein categories – from pork to poultry – fell into a severe state of oversupply in the first half of this year, with prices declining across the board and widespread losses throughout the supply chain. Analysts said weak end-market demand and high inventory levels are weighing heavily on the breeding sector, and that while marginal improvements are expected in the second half of the year, the overall scope for recovery remains limited. The trend highlights the fragility of...

Events

7 h. ago China ‘luckiest driver’ survives after truck balances on edge of collapsed bridge

Less than 10 days after a Chinese truck driver narrowly escaped a landslide that left his vehicle precariously balanced on a collapsed bridge, he returned to the disaster-stricken area to assist with relief efforts, moving many online. The 44-year-old driver from Jiangxi province, You Guochun, earned the title of “China’s luckiest driver” from the online community after miraculously surviving a landslide in southwestern Guizhou province. On that fateful day, incessant heavy rainfall triggered a...

Events

8 h. ago Penny Wong 'softening up' the Chinese ahead of Albanese’s Beijing trip

Penny Wong 'softening up' the Chinese ahead of Albanese’s Beijing trip  MSN

Politics

8 h. ago Economy main focus at Hong Kong leader John Lee’s meetings with advisers

Hong Kong’s leader held meetings with his advisers, including a mainland Chinese economist and two tech experts from a Hangzhou start-up known as “Six Little Dragons”, ahead of his annual policy blueprint to gauge views on how to maintain the city’s status amid growing geopolitical tensions. The John Lee Ka-chiu-led lunch meetings took place between Wednesday and Friday, marking the first official gathering of the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers, following the appointments of Han Bicheng,...

Politics

8 h. ago Cutting red tape in focus at Hong Kong leader’s meetings ahead of policy address

Hong Kong’s leader has held meetings with advisers, including two tech bosses from Hangzhou’s “Six Little Dragons” and a top mainland Chinese economist, to gauge their views on the city’s development ahead of his annual policy blueprint, with cutting red tape coming up in the discussions. A source familiar with the meetings, chaired by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and held between Wednesday and Friday, said that a major topic of discussion was improving government efficiency to boost Hong...

Politics

10 h. ago Chinese foreign minister criticizes 'flawed' South China Sea ruling

Chinese foreign minister criticizes 'flawed' South China Sea ruling  chinadailyasia.com

Politics

12 h. ago Chinese law firms in ‘pivotal moment’ as they answer the call to go global

Chinese lawyers are making inroads into the global legal services market in response to growing demand from their compatriots abroad and a push from Beijing. They say that as more Chinese companies expand their footprint overseas many prefer to get legal support from Chinese lawyers and have more trust in them, but winning over clients from elsewhere is a challenge at a time of rising geopolitical tensions. Beijing has been pressing for more legal professionals to offer their services abroad to...

Politics

13 h. ago US officer urges closer South Korea, Japan defence ties amid North threat

America’s highest-ranking military officer has called for closer trilateral defence ties with South Korea and Japan in response to what he described as an “unprecedented” military build-up by North Korea and China. The remarks by General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, come amid growing pressure on Seoul to shoulder more of the cost of hosting 28,500 US troops and to support their expanded role beyond the Korean peninsula – a move that could test South Korea’s willingness to...

Events

13 h. ago Chinese biotech firms eye foreign pharma’s fat profits in weight loss drug market

When Hong Kong office worker W.K. Chan began putting on weight as a teenager, her doctor said it was due to hormonal imbalances that slowed her metabolism. She reached a peak weight of 100kg about a year ago, but has since lost 25kg. The secret to losing a quarter of her weight? Chan, who asked not to be identified by her full name, was one of the city’s first 200 chronic obesity patients to receive access to a new weight loss drug, originally developed for diabetes. At a cost of HK$2,700...

Economics

14 h. ago Chinese man spikes colleague’s drink with ‘truth serum’ to steal work plan, jailed

An employee in China shocked many by spiking a colleague’s drink with a “truth serum” on three separate occasions in an attempt to steal his work plan. The scheme began when a man surnamed Li, from Shanghai, came across a so-called “truth serum” during a business trip. The seller claimed, “Just a few drops will make people tell the truth.” This intrigued Li, motivating him to test its effects. Although it remains unclear what type of company Li worked for and the significance of the work plans,...

Events

15 h. ago Wang Yi reiterates Beijing’s rejection of South China Sea ruling

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi restated Beijing’s rejection of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling on Friday, on the eve of the ruling’s ninth anniversary, amid renewed tensions and growing speculation about a potential second legal challenge. Calling the decision a “farce”, Wang said the case, brought by the Philippines against China’s South China Sea claims and ruled on by a tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, was “orchestrated and manipulated by external...

Politics

15 h. ago Wang Yi dismisses South China Sea ruling as ‘farce’ ahead of ninth anniversary

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi restated Beijing’s rejection of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling on Friday, on the eve of the ruling’s ninth anniversary, amid renewed tensions and growing speculation about a potential second legal challenge. Calling the decision a “farce”, Wang said the case, brought by the Philippines against China’s South China Sea claims and ruled on by a tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, was “orchestrated and manipulated by external...

Politics

17 h. ago China pays high environmental price for rare earth minerals dominance

China pays high environmental price for rare earth minerals dominance  CBS News

Economics