94 m. ago China set to up Iran support, cyborg bee is unveiled: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure interests Beijing is likely to step up support for Tehran as it tries to secure its strategic interests in the Middle East, analysts say, amid concerns over how the recent Iran-Israel war will reverberate across the resource-rich region. 2. ‘Whatever they do is wrong’: Chinese exporters...

Politics

1 hour ago Chinese Spies in Ukraine — Beijing to Conduct an Investigation

Chinese Spies in Ukraine — Beijing to Conduct an Investigation  112.ua

Events

1 hour ago Chinese business owners now in US see American dream become reality of hardship

As the US wields tariffs in a bid to lure manufacturers back home, an erratic trade policy, a controversial immigration crackdown and weakening consumer demand have taken the shine off the American dream for some Chinese investors already stateside. On Monday, President Donald Trump postponed the roll-out of a new round of his so-called reciprocal tariffs – originally slated for July 9 – pushing the effective date to August 1. His latest measures include tariffs of up to 40 per cent on imports...

Politics

2 h. ago Why do young Chinese join the Communist Party? For many, it’s practical.

Why do young Chinese join the Communist Party? For many, it’s practical.  The Washington Post

Politics

2 h. ago Detention of two Chinese spies in Ukraine: Beijing verifies information

Detention of two Chinese spies in Ukraine: Beijing verifies information  Цензор.НЕТ

Politics

3 h. ago China blasts ‘immoral’ US trade practices, courts Asean on free trade unity

China’s top diplomat drew sharp contrasts in trade practices between Beijing and Washington as he pressed Southeast Asian countries to protect free trade and not undermine the interests of “the third party” while the region confronts sweeping US tariffs. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called US trade practices “unreasonable and immoral” during a meeting on Thursday in Malaysia with Md. Touhid Hossain, adviser for foreign affairs of the interim government of Bangladesh. “China-Bangladesh...

Events

3 h. ago Beijing responds to the detention of Chinese in Kyiv on suspicion of espionage

Beijing responds to the detention of Chinese in Kyiv on suspicion of espionage  news.liga.net

Politics

4 h. ago Hong Kong customs seizes fake medicinal products worth HK$1.1 million, arrests 5

Hong Kong customs has seized counterfeit Chinese proprietary medicine and other items worth HK$1.1 million (US$140,127) in raids on four shops in commercial districts, and arrested a company director and four staff members. The Customs and Excise Department said on Thursday the counterfeit medicines included Angong Niuhuang pills and Ricqles Peppermint Cure, as well as skincare and cosmetic products found in stores in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Sheung Shui. “We have noticed that these...

Economics

5 h. ago Map Shows Where China is Accused of Targeting Rivals With Lasers

Map Shows Where China is Accused of Targeting Rivals With Lasers  Newsweek

Events

5 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Two Chinese nationals arrested in Neptune missile espionage case

Ukraine war briefing: Two Chinese nationals arrested in Neptune missile espionage case  The Guardian

Events

6 h. ago ‘Still verifying,' says Beijing on arrest of 2 Chinese citizens in Ukraine

‘Still verifying,' says Beijing on arrest of 2 Chinese citizens in Ukraine  Yeni Şafak

Events

6 h. ago China’s military mouthpiece warns of ‘moral pitfalls’ of humanoid fighters

The official newspaper of the Chinese military has warned of potential ethical concerns associated with the use of humanoid fighters. On Thursday, an analysis in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Daily said that the military should conduct “ethical and legal research” on humanoid robots to “avoid moral pitfalls”. “Military humanoid robots are the most humanlike weapons to date, and their large-scale, normalised use could lead to indiscriminate killings and accidental deaths, which would...

Events

6 h. ago Beijing verifying info as Ukraine detains Chinese duo for 'spying' | Daily Sabah

Beijing verifying info as Ukraine detains Chinese duo for 'spying' | Daily Sabah  Daily Sabah

Politics

6 h. ago Beijing verifying info as Ukraine detains Chinese duo for 'spying'

Beijing verifying info as Ukraine detains Chinese duo for 'spying'  Daily Sabah

Politics

7 h. ago Samsung to fend off Chinese foldable phone rivals with slimmer model

Samsung to fend off Chinese foldable phone rivals with slimmer model  Reuters

Technology

8 h. ago Why dozens of Chinese firms are joining the weight loss drugs fray

Sales of weight-loss drugs in the West have soared in recent years, driven by the approval of a new class of more effective medication, the rapid growth in obese populations owing to poor diet and lack of exercise, and endorsements by celebrities and social media influencers. In China, over 60 late-stage drugs are undergoing clinical trials. In the coming years, these may compete with the products of incumbents such as Denmark’s Novo Nordisk and US-based Eli Lilly, Boston-based global...

Economics

8 h. ago China creates first cyborg bee with world’s lightest brain controller

Worker bees carry nectar sacks weighing 80 per cent of their body mass. When airborne, they tuck their hind legs like landing gear to cut wind drag. And they can fly 5km (3 miles) with no need for rest, an example of how nature’s genius shames human machinery. Until now. At Beijing Institute of Technology, Professor Zhao Jieliang’s team has built the world’s lightest insect brain controller. At 74 milligrams, it is lighter than a sack of nectar. Strapped to the bee’s back, the device pierces its...

Politics

10 h. ago Chinese TV uses AI to translate broadcasts into sign language. It’s not going well

Chinese TV uses AI to translate broadcasts into sign language. It’s not going well  theregister.com

Politics

10 h. ago Chinese nationals in Africa ‘vulnerable to kidnappings’ as cases rise

Chinese nationals are being targeted by kidnappers in African countries as more investors are drawn to the continent in areas ranging from infrastructure development to minerals extraction. Cases of kidnapping for ransom are being seen across Africa. China’s embassy in South Africa issued a warning on Sunday about a rise in kidnappings of Chinese women. In Somalia and Ghana, piracy cases targeting Chinese fishing vessels have involved ransom demands. And the Democratic Republic of Congo and...

Events

12 h. ago Can catlike US tariffs chase China’s manufacturing mouse out of the Asean maze?

Chinese exporters like Huang Yongxing are desperate for some straight answers so they can start making and shipping goods from their factories in either China or Southeast Asia. And the answers – or at least updates – that Huang does get, he shares on his social media account via weekly updates that have gained traction among owners of small and medium-sized businesses as disruptive and volatile tariff policies out of Washington continue to redraw the profitability lines for manufacturers. They...

Economics