59 m. 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

3 h. ago Chinese passengers describe aircraft’s violent plunge before emergency landing

Japan Airlines flight JL8696 from Shanghai to Tokyo was forced to make an emergency landing at Kansai Airport on Monday evening after what passengers described as a sudden descent in the aircraft. The aircraft was on a code-share service operated by budget carrier Spring Airlines Japan as IJ004 from Pudong to Narita when it diverted to the airport in Osaka for an emergency landing at around 8.50pm local time. None of the 191 passengers and crew on board the Boeing 737-800 was injured. According...

Politics

3 h. ago Hundreds of mainland visitors in Hong Kong enjoy July 1 celebrations, deals

Hundreds of mainland visitors have made the most of Hong Kong’s holiday marking the city’s return to Chinese rule by flocking to popular tourist sites and enjoying discounts, free museum visits, ferry and tram rides, and cheap tickets at several major attractions. Undeterred by the cloudy and rainy weather on Tuesday, they gathered at popular locations across the city, including Central, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, with many planning to spend good money on the 3,800 restaurants...

Politics

3 h. ago Hundreds of mainland visitors enjoy July 1 celebrations and deals in Hong Kong

Hundreds of mainland Chinese visitors have made the most of Hong Kong’s holiday marking the city’s handover by flocking to popular tourist sites and enjoying discounts, free museum visits, ferry and tram rides, and cheap tickets at several major attractions. Undeterred by the cloudy and rainy weather on Tuesday, they gathered at popular locations across the city, including Central, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, with many planning to spend at the 3,800 restaurants offering...

Politics

3 h. ago China sanctions Philippine leader who probed Chinese spying, contested Beijing’s South China Sea claims

China sanctions Philippine leader who probed Chinese spying, contested Beijing’s South China Sea claims  Firstpost

Politics

3 h. ago Alleged rape of Kolkata student sparks debate over women’s safety in India

The alleged rape of a law student at a Kolkata college – less than a year after a trainee doctor’s rape and murder sparked national outrage – has reignited debate over women’s safety in India and triggered political infighting in West Bengal’s ruling party. The latest case took place on June 25 at South Calcutta Law College, where the student was allegedly lured to stay after hours by Monojit Mishra, a temporary college staff member who is also a former student previously affiliated with the...

Events

3 h. ago China bets on tax perks to win back foreign investors amid global headwinds

China has stepped up efforts to attract foreign investors, as policymakers look to bolster the domestic economy and safeguard its position in global supply chains amid negotiations with major trade partners. New tax breaks unveiled this week aim to encourage foreign firms to reinvest profits locally – part of a broader effort to restore confidence and signal openness as challenging trade talks continue with the European Union and United States. The Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Finance...

Economics

3 h. ago ByteDance pushes recruitment of fresh robotics talent as AI remains a priority

Chinese social media giant ByteDance, the owner of TikTok and Douyin, has ramped up recruitment of fresh talent for robotics development, as a growing number of artificial intelligence (AI) engineers are being lured by high pay to work in the fast-evolving sector. The more than 10 job vacancies recently posted on ByteDance’s website included two directors responsible for robot products and for hardware-embedded AI models. The Beijing-based unicorn also posted vacancies for roles involving “robot...

Politics

4 h. ago Map Shows Major US Naval Presence in West Pacific Amid China Rivalry

Map Shows Major US Naval Presence in West Pacific Amid China Rivalry  Newsweek

Politics

4 h. ago China’s ethnic affairs chief to take Communist Party helm in Xinjiang

A senior Chinese official with a background in water resources and ethnic affairs has been named as the new Communist Party boss of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. In a one-paragraph announcement on Tuesday, state news agency Xinhua said the party’s Central Committee “recently decided” that Chen Xiaojiang would serve as party secretary of Xinjiang. The move might clear the path for Chen, one of the 300 or so members of the Central Committee, to be promoted within the party’s hierarchy, given...

Society

4 h. ago China’s ethnic affairs overseer to take Communist Party helm in Xinjiang

A senior Chinese official with a background in water resources and ethnic affairs has been named as the new Communist Party boss of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. In a one-paragraph announcement on Tuesday, state news agency Xinhua said the party’s Central Committee “recently decided” that Chen Xiaojiang would serve as party secretary of Xinjiang. The move might clear the path for Chen, one of the 300 or so members of the Central Committee, to be promoted within the party’s hierarchy, given...

Society

5 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

6 h. ago For Hongkongers, a skip and a hop to Shenzhen via Heung Yuen Wai checkpoint

Hundreds of Hongkongers have crossed the border for the July 1 holiday, with many favouring the Heung Yuen Wai crossing due to its convenient transport links and easy access to shopping centres in Shenzhen’s Liantang district. Residents streamed into Shenzhen via the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on the 28th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule on Tuesday. Among them was security guard Cheung Ming-fung, 68, who relished the cheap commute between his home in Sheung Shui and...

Politics

6 h. ago 'Tiantan Award Panorama·Sydney' Concludes Successfully, Chinese Films Receive Widespread Acclaim

'Tiantan Award Panorama·Sydney' Concludes Successfully, Chinese Films Receive Widespread Acclaim  GlobeNewswire

Events

6 h. ago China Reveals Details of Dual Aircraft Carrier Operations in West Pacific

China Reveals Details of Dual Aircraft Carrier Operations in West Pacific  Newsweek

Transport

6 h. ago Chinese scientists uncover coal power’s dirty secret in satellite data study

In the first high-precision satellite mapping of carbon dioxide emissions from large international coal power plants, Chinese scientists have found that existing databases are underestimating discharges from facilities across the globe. They include China’s Tuoketuo – the largest coal-fired power station in the world – and Alabama’s James H. Miller Jnr facility, the most polluting plant in the United States, according to a paper published on June 9 by the peer-reviewed Journal of Cleaner...

Politics

7 h. ago Chinese President Xi calls to regulate exercise of power to fight corruption

President Xi Jinping has called for a “clear, transparent and traceable” mechanism to regulate the exercise of power in China’s anti-corruption drive and boost supervision by the people and the media to better rein in disciplinary and legal violations. Xi made the remarks while presiding over a group study session of the 24-seat decision-making Politburo in Beijing on Monday, a day before the 104th anniversary of the party’s founding, according to Xinhua. Xi spoke on enforcing party discipline...

Politics

7 h. ago Chinese President Xi Jinping calls to regulate exercise of power to fight corruption

Chinese President Xi Jinping calls to regulate exercise of power to fight corruption  South China Morning Post

Politics

7 h. ago China’s Xi tells party ‘power is granted by people’ amid corruption crackdown

China must allow for more public and media oversight of the government and the Communist Party to ensure accountability and to uncover abuses of power, according to President Xi Jinping. Addressing a group study session of the 24-member Politburo on Monday, Xi said the country needed a “clear, transparent and traceable” process to oversee the national anti-corruption drive, according to state news agency Xinhua. “To fight corruption, [we must] regulate the exercise of power,” Xi said on the eve...

Politics

7 h. ago Musical Chinese man, 102, strikes up sweet bond with grandma in nursing home

A 102-year-old man in central China has formed a sweet bond with an 85-year-old woman at a nursing home by charming her with his artistic talent, winning the admiration of many online. Centenarian Jiang Weidi has lived at Enjoy Ages Nursing Home in Wuhan for over three years, according to Hubei Daily. His room is filled with books, calligraphy, and paintings. He also plays the hulusi, a traditional Chinese cucurbit flute, and taught himself to play the piano. Carers at the home say Jiang is...

Events