13 h. ago Chinese brain implant reaches landmark clinical trial with operation on amputee

China has become the second country in the world to advance invasive brain-computer interface technology to a human trial, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday. The trial is on a 37-year-old man who had to have all of his limbs amputated after a high-voltage electrical accident more than a decade ago. In March, researchers implanted a device roughly the size of a coin and a series of electrodes into the man’s brain. A few weeks later, he was able to control a cursor on an electronic...

Politics

13 h. ago Canada to mine more amid geopolitical tensions: former minister Bill Morneau

Canada’s new government will invest more in mining at a time when the country’s economy and manufacturing sector are facing “challenges” related to China’s curbs on rare earth exports, Bill Morneau, former Canadian finance minister, told the Post. “One of the challenges for Canada is that we will need to increase our own mining,” Morneau, who was in office between 2015 and 2020 under then-prime minister Justin Trudeau, said in Shanghai on Friday. “The initiative by new [Prime Minister] Mark...

Politics

15 h. ago In human rights talks, EU warns of ‘deterioration’ of basic freedoms in China

During thorny human rights talks with China on Friday, the European Union voiced concerns about what it called a “deterioration of fundamental freedoms” in the country. The EU cited “government interference” in the succession plan for the Dalai Lama, an ongoing crackdown in Hong Kong, and jailed Uygur and Tibetan activists as examples in its statement on the 40th edition of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels. The bloc accused China of “persistent restrictions on freedom of...

Events

18 h. ago Hong Kong homebuyers snap up Deep Water Pavilia flats amid discounts

The first batch of flats on offer at the Deep Water Pavilia project on the south side of Hong Kong island are expected to sell out, according to property agents, as homebuyers rushed to snap up available units this weekend on the back of discounted pricing and low interest rates. As of 1pm on Saturday, 75 of the 138 flats on offer at the New World Development (NWD)-led luxury residential project in Wong Chuk Hang were snapped up, about four hours after sales started, property agents said. All...

Politics

18 h. ago Hong Kong homebuyers snap up all Deep Water Pavilia flats on offer this weekend

The first batch of flats on offer at the Deep Water Pavilia project on the south side of Hong Kong island sold out on Saturday, according to property agents, as homebuyers rushed to snap up available units on the back of discounted pricing and low interest rates. As of 4 pm, all 138 flats on offer at the New World Development (NWD)-led luxury residential project in Wong Chuk Hang were sold for a grand total of HK$1.53 billion (US$196 million), just seven hours after sales started, property...

Politics

19 h. ago Hong Kong’s mediation centre open to developed nations, Western countries

Western and developed countries are welcome to use services offered by Hong Kong’s newly established global mediation centre, a senior official has said, dismissing concerns over the institute’s founding members being primarily developing nations. Deputy Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan on Saturday also addressed the possible direct competition with other dispute resolution hubs, including Singapore, outlining Hong Kong’s distinct advantages such as its “one country, two systems”...

Politics

24 h. ago Is North Korea’s Kim shoring up navy in strategic bid with allies China, Russia?

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to build a blue-water navy to counter what he described as growing threats from the United States, an ambition that observers say appears to be linked to broader strategic coordination with key Pyongyang allies China and Russia. Kim made the announcement during a launch ceremony at the northeastern port of Rajin for a newly repaired warship, following an earlier failed launch at the same location, state media reported on Friday. The vessel, “Kang Kon”,...

Politics

37 h. ago Smiling, friendly China a perfect antidote to Trump’s angry America

Following the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, China experienced a sharp drop in the number of international visitors and many foreign residents left the country. International tourism was still below pre-pandemic levels as late as 2024. When tourists did not return in large numbers after it reopened its borders in 2023, China began to take measures to reverse the trend and bring foreigners back, rolling out a unilateral 30-day visa-free entry scheme, which now encompasses 47 countries,...

Politics

38 h. ago ‘Any time, any place’: Philippine army to be deployed to South China Sea islands

A senior Philippine military official has revealed a soon-to-be-deployed strategy that would involve an army contingent to support law enforcement units on occupied islands in the South China Sea. Observers said the strategy would align with Manila’s policy shift from an internal to external defence posture aimed at protecting the country’s territorial waters. One expert, however, warned that it could lead to more aggressive moves by the Chinese navy and coastguard if Beijing were to view...

Politics

43 h. ago Veteran lawyer Moses Cheng picked to steer Hong Kong’s maritime hub push

Top government adviser and veteran lawyer Moses Cheng Mo-chi has been appointed to steer a high-level body established to develop Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime hub. Cheng’s appointment as the board chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board (HKMPDB) was announced on Friday. The 74-year-old is a senior consultant at a law firm and a member of the Executive Council, the city’s top decision-making body. Discussing the selection, Secretary for Transport and...

Politics

44 h. ago As Chinese exporters explore home market, how are letters of credit helping?

After the United States imposed so-called reciprocal tariffs on imports from China in April, Beijing took steps to help Chinese exporters sell their products domestically. In addition to the staging of product promotion events across the country and the offering of fiscal and financial incentives, Beijing also encouraged the increased use of letters of credit (L/Cs) to help such businesses switch focus to the domestic market. What is a domestic letter of credit? A letter of credit, also known as...

Politics

47 h. ago Embassy urges Chinese in Iran to stay alert after Israeli airstrikes, explosions

The Chinese embassy in Tehran called Iran’s latest security situation “severe and complicated” following Israel’s military strikes early on Friday, while also warning its citizens and businesses to monitor the situation and take precautions. “The embassy in Iran reminds Chinese citizens and businesses in the country to closely monitor the situation, enhance their safety awareness, and strengthen security measures,” it said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed...

Events

51 h. ago Crypto, China, critical minerals: inside Pakistan army chief’s US visit

Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, was set to arrive in Washington on Thursday, three weeks after his country’s flare-up with neighbouring, nuclear-armed rival India. Munir will stay in the US until June 18 and is expected to attend the US Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations on June 14 in the nation’s capital – a day that coincides with US President Donald Trump’s birthday, according to three people familiar with the matter. The Pakistani general is likely during his visit to travel to...

Politics

52 h. ago Trump seems to reverse course on Chinese students in US, saying he supports them

US President Donald Trump reiterated his support for Chinese students in America on Thursday and pledged to help them remain in the country after graduation, distancing himself from initiatives that his administration has announced to limit or block international students because of national security concerns. “I’ve always been strongly in favour of it. I think it’s a great thing,” Trump said on Thursday, referring to Chinese nationals seeking to study in the US. “It’s also good for our schools....

Politics

59 h. ago Beijing national security authorities carry out operation with police in Hong Kong

Beijing’s national security authorities in Hong Kong launched a joint operation with local counterparts on Thursday over a case of suspected collusion with foreign forces. The investigation is the first publicly known joint operation by Beijing’s national security arm in the city and the local police force. According to authorities, six people and an organisation were suspected of having committed the offence of “collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national...

Events

61 h. ago Customs works with University of Hong Kong to develop crypto transaction tracer

Customs officials are working with the University of Hong Kong to develop a tool that can trace cryptocurrency transactions, with the authority stressing it had recorded seven suspected money laundering cases involving virtual assets and more than HK$9 billion (US$1.1 billion) in recent years. Mario Wong Ho-yin, assistant commissioner for intelligence and investigation at the Customs and Excise Department, said on Thursday it would ramp up collaborations with academics, finance and virtual asset...

Politics

63 h. ago China’s viral Labubu toy has an unlikely fan – the ruling Communist Party

As Chinese companies ponder how best to market their products internationally, the example set by Pop Mart – the Beijing-based brand behind the viral Labubu toy – has been praised by the country’s state media for the creativity that underlies its success. The wide-mouthed, bug-eyed toy’s global fan base is evidence of a shift in priorities for China as it transforms from a producer of low-value goods to a hub of innovation, Qiushi, the Communist Party’s top theoretical journal, said in a...

Politics

65 h. ago Ant International and Ant Digital to seek stablecoin licences in Hong Kong

Singapore-based Ant International and the Hangzhou-based Ant Digital, two affiliates of Chinese tech giant Ant Group, have announced plans to apply for stablecoin issuer licences in Hong Kong once the new ordinance governing fiat-backed cryptocurrencies takes effect in August. “We welcome the passage of the Stablecoins Bill and hope to contribute more to the city’s vision as a global hub for next-gen finance,” Ant International, a spin-off of Ant’s global operations, said in a statement on...

Politics

65 h. ago Hong Kong Airlines cuts Japan routes over sluggish tourism and tremor concerns

Hong Kong Airlines is set to cancel flights to Kagoshima and Kumamoto in Japan in July and August, citing sluggish demand for tourism in the country, while flight schedules between the city and Nagoya will also be adjusted. The carrier announced the flight adjustments on Thursday amid growing concerns about a long-feared megaquake predicted to hit Japan. The airline said affected passengers could rebook to other destinations, including other cities in Japan and mainland China, as well as Taipei,...

Society

65 h. ago Hong Kong flights to 2 Japanese cities cut over sluggish tourism and quake fears

Hong Kong Airlines is set to cancel flights to Kagoshima and Kumamoto in Japan in July and August, citing sluggish demand for tourism in the country, while flight schedules between the city and Nagoya will also be adjusted. The carrier announced the flight adjustments on Thursday amid growing concerns about a long-feared megaquake predicted to hit Japan. The airline said affected passengers could rebook for other destinations, including other cities in Japan and mainland China, as well as...

Politics