33 y. ago The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 12

The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 12  Newspapers.com

Politics

2 h. ago Extravagant Chinese TV host Li Xiang mingles with royalty, spends US$10,000 on food

A popular Chinese television host has sparked fresh online controversy after it was revealed that the sticky rice dumplings she ate during the Dragon Boat Festival cost 1,000 yuan (US$140) each. Li Xiang, 49, who was born in Hunan province, central China, first rose to fame in 1997 as the host of the hit variety show Happy Camp. In the 2000s, she won the Most Popular Host award three times and received the Golden Mic Award, the highest honour for television anchors and hosts in China. As her...

Economics

2 h. ago China backs South Africa against ‘hegemony and bullying’ amid US tensions

Beijing is ready to work with South Africa to oppose global “hegemony and bullying”, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun said on Tuesday, amid growing tensions between Pretoria and Washington over South Africa’s ties to Russia and controversial US asylum policies. The remarks came during a meeting in Beijing with General Rudzani Maphwanya, chief of the South African National Defence Force, according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of National Defence. It was Dong’s first public...

Events

3 h. ago Living in China’s shadow has become ‘very dangerous’ for Filipino islanders

Living in China’s shadow has become ‘very dangerous’ for Filipino islanders  South China Morning Post

Politics

5 h. ago Former residence of South Korea’s Yoon under scrutiny over ‘pet pool’

A shallow pool inside South Korea’s presidential residence has sparked a debate among lawmakers over whether it was used by former president Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife for their pets. There has been increasing speculation that the pool was used for pets and not humans, said Representative Kim Byoung-joo at a meeting held on Monday by the Democratic Party, which became the country’s ruling party following President Lee Jae-myung’s election win last week. “I’ve looked around the space inside the...

Politics

7 h. ago Malaysia’s new luxury tax a hard sell for Anwar as popularity wanes

Many Malaysians may find life’s little indulgences suddenly beyond their reach from next month, when fresh taxes bite on premium goods and services like salmon and silk – and even haircuts – after the cash-strapped government said it would raise revenue from so-called luxury spending. Taxes of between 5 and 10 per cent will be imposed on “discretionary and non-essential goods” as well as financial and beauty services and private education from July 1, the Finance Ministry said in a statement...

Events

7 h. ago China's Xi urges respect, 'right track' in call with South Korean counterpart

China's Xi urges respect, 'right track' in call with South Korean counterpart  Reuters

Politics

11 h. ago Hong Kong Observatory may raise No 1 typhoon signal on Wednesday morning

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. The Hong Kong Observatory is expected to issue the No 1 typhoon warning signal on Wednesday morning at the earliest and assess the need to raise the alert to a higher level the following day. The forecaster said a broad area of low pressure over the central part of the South China Sea was...

Politics

11 h. ago Hong Kong Observatory could issue No 1 typhoon signal on Wednesday morning

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. The Hong Kong Observatory is expected to issue the No 1 typhoon warning signal on Wednesday morning at the earliest and assess the need to raise the alert to a higher level the following day. The forecaster said a broad area of low pressure over the central part of the South China Sea was...

Politics

11 h. ago Chinese soldier, famed for striking resemblance to actress Dilraba, is elite sniper

A woman soldier from northwestern China who is known for her resemblance to a famous actress has developed into an outstanding sniper. Buzainafu Yasenjiang looks strikingly similar to Dilraba Dilmurat, one of China’s top entertainers, who has more than 81 million followers on social media. The 33-year-old actress and singer is a native of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in the northwest of the country. She is celebrated for her unique beauty and talent, and has even been praised by the...

Events

22 h. ago US China trade talks, L.A., National Guard tensions, Trump, Musk fight: Live Updates

US China trade talks, L.A., National Guard tensions, Trump, Musk fight: Live Updates  Fox Business

Politics

24 h. ago Breaking | US and China begin crunch trade talks in London amid simmering tensions

Breaking | US and China begin crunch trade talks in London amid simmering tensions  South China Morning Post

Events

26 h. ago China maths genius opens first social media account, gains 23 million fans in 5 days

Chinese mathematics prodigy Wei Dongyi has recently launched his first social media account, capturing widespread attention due to concerns about his appearance and dental health, while amassing an impressive 23 million followers in just five days. The 33-year-old, originally from Shandong province in eastern China, serves as an assistant professor in the mathematics department at the esteemed Peking University. Despite his remarkable achievements, Wei prefers a life centred on research and...

Economics

26 h. ago ByteDance’s China head of content quality leaves amid stricter censorship requirements

ByteDance’s China head of content quality leaves amid stricter censorship requirements  South China Morning Post

Politics

28 h. ago Investors underinvested in China, though many express interest: Morgan Stanley

Investors underinvested in China, though many express interest: Morgan Stanley  South China Morning Post

Economics

30 h. ago Egypt is replacing Cairo – and China is helping build the new capital

Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, located in the heart of the desert just 45km (28 miles) east of the capital Cairo, is taking shape, with China at the centre of its construction, operation and maintenance. Chinese state-owned construction giant, China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), is not only the primary contractor for the central business district of the new city but will now operate and maintain it in a deal between China and Egypt. The new 700 sq km (270 square mile)...

Politics

30 h. ago ‘Landmark kid’: Japan dad spends US$700,000 on ads featuring cute son’s photos

A Japanese father who runs a real estate company has gone viral for spending 100 million yen (US$700,000) to plaster advertisements bearing his son’s photos on footbridges, buses and convenience stores. The boy, who is known as Yu-kun, is well known in the Adachi area of Tokyo and has been affectionately dubbed “The Landmark Kid” by local residents. His smiling image is everywhere, from massive footbridge banners and parking signs to city buses. His image even appears in convenience store...

Economics

30 h. ago 30 Hong Kong workers complain as King Parrot Group debt hits HK$5 million

More than 30 of about 120 employees affected by the sudden closure of nine restaurants operated by a giant Hong Kong catering group have sought help from labour authorities, with a representative saying the debt involved has increased to HK$5 million (US$637,155). The workers have sought help after 33-year-old restaurant chain King Parrot Group closed its nine eateries on Friday. It ran over 20 brands and more than 30 themed restaurants at its peak. The manager of a China House restaurant in Mei...

Economics

30 h. ago South Korea’s probes into Yoon, wife: search for truth or ‘political revenge’?

The passage of three laws mandating special investigations into corruption and abuse of power allegations involving impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol and his controversial wife marks a significant setback for South Korea’s conservatives, according to analysts. Former first lady Kim Keon-hee was long considered beyond the reach of law enforcement, largely due to her outsize influence over her husband and state affairs. But that “untouchable” status appears to be fading following a change in...

Politics

30 h. ago South Korea’s probes of Yoon, wife: search for truth or ‘political revenge’?

The passage of three laws mandating special investigations into corruption and abuse of power allegations involving impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol and his controversial wife marks a significant setback for South Korea’s conservatives, according to analysts. Former first lady Kim Keon-hee was long considered beyond the reach of law enforcement, largely due to her outsize influence over her husband and state affairs. But that “untouchable” status appears to be fading following a change in...

Politics