4 h. ago Singapore’s retail ownership data sparks debate about foreign chains’ influence

When Singapore’s trade minister Gan Kim Yong revealed that locals owned nearly 90 per cent of registered retail businesses in the city state while Chinese nationals came in second at a distant 3 per cent, the figures drew mixed reactions from the public and analysts. The discourse online centred on what the statistics implied – critics felt that though the proportion of foreign-owned entities, especially from China, might be minuscule, most could actually be big brands with multiple outlets,...

Politics

41 h. ago ‘If you don’t die, it’s an adventure’: Hong Kong blogger’s Iran trip sparks travel debate

A Hong Kong travel blogger whose brief disappearance during a solo trip to protest-hit Iran has triggered a heated online debate over the safety of women travelling alone to politically volatile nations. More female solo travellers took to the internet on Sunday to share their experiences and feelings on visiting Iran for leisure, as the country became embroiled in social unrest and was isolated from the rest of the world. Hong Kong authorities on Saturday night confirmed the missing blogger...

Events

41 h. ago Hong Kong blogger’s Iran trip sparks travel debate: ‘if you don’t die, it’s an adventure’

A Hong Kong travel blogger’s brief disappearance during a solo trip to protest-hit Iran has triggered a heated online debate over the safety of women travelling alone to politically volatile nations. More female solo travellers took to the internet on Sunday to share their experiences and feelings on visiting Iran for leisure, as the country became embroiled in social unrest and was isolated from the rest of the world. Hong Kong authorities on Saturday night confirmed the missing blogger known...

Events

67 h. ago As Trump urges cap on credit card rates, could China follow suit for online loans?

US President Donald Trump’s call for American credit card interest rates to be capped at 10 per cent for a year has sparked a debate in China about whether Beijing should impose a similar limit on online loans. The discussion comes as many in China – especially younger people – are being enticed by credit offers amid a weak job market and a boom in online loan services. “Apps now keep luring young people into borrowing,” a finance blogger with nearly 500,000 followers wrote in a social media...

Politics

2 d. ago Scam and corruption cases spark debate in China over cryptocurrencies’ future

The seizure of enormous cryptocurrency caches in two high-profile criminal cases in China – a former head of the central bank’s digital currency research institute accused of corruption, and an alleged scam centre kingpin linked to about US$15 billion in bitcoin – have sparked questions in the country about the safety and future of virtual money. But analysts said the long-term trend for the assets, especially bitcoin, depended on institutional capital, interest rate expectations and the...

Politics

2 d. ago Scam, corruption cases spark Chinese debate about future of virtual money

Scam, corruption cases spark Chinese debate about future of virtual money  South China Morning Post

Politics

4 d. ago Beijing Extends Maternity Benefits to Retirees, Sparking Debate on Older Mothers

Beijing Extends Maternity Benefits to Retirees, Sparking Debate on Older Mothers  Caixin Global

Politics

5 d. ago Hong Kong plan for shopping zone barriers sparks debate over access, congestion

A HK$5 million (US$641,000) plan to install crash barriers in Hong Kong’s bustling Causeway Bay shopping district is expected to improve pedestrian safety, but could also worsen congestion and restrict access for delivery workers and wheelchair users, according to a district councillor and nearby businesses. Wan Chai district councillor Peggy Lee Pik-yee agreed on Wednesday with the government’s plan to introduce about 60 bollards in the area, but said the move needed to meet residential and...

Economics

1 week ago China woman, 62, gets pregnant through IVF after death of only child, sparks debate

China woman, 62, gets pregnant through IVF after death of only child, sparks debate  South China Morning Post

Events

2 w. ago Singapore’s elite schools spark debate; concern for domestic helpers: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Malaysia’s tourism minister urges warmer welcomes after ‘less than friendly’ complaints 2. Japan’s shoplifters hate a simple ‘hello’ more than cameras 3. Debate on Singapore’s elite schools flares as ex-student recalls ‘privileged’ years 4. Netflix-Warner deal sparks...

Politics

2 w. ago Japan gamer, 12, plans to quit school to pursue esports, supported by parents, sparks debate

A 12-year-old Japanese gaming streamer is set to drop out after graduating from primary school to pursue esports full time, sparking controversy online. The youngster, Tarou, began playing video games at the age of three and has since amassed more than 230,000 followers online. On February 8, popular gamer Tarou, 12, announced that he would not attend secondary school, opting instead to pursue a full-time career in esports. “This is the result of a year-long discussion with my family and...

Sport

2 w. ago Did a PLA stealth fighter approach a key Taiwan airbase? New video sparks debate

A video released by the People’s Liberation Army during a military drill this week has sparked debate about whether Taiwan failed to detect a J-20 stealth fighter and how close the aircraft might have come to a key military airport on the island. The video was released by the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command on Tuesday – the second day of the “Justice Mission 2025” joint military exercises around Taiwan. The footage shows a PLA J-20 flying near an unidentified landscape that some observers say...

Events

2 w. ago China tells chipmakers to use homegrown chipmaking tools for 50% of new capacity — decree designed to squeeze foreign suppliers out of supply chain

China tells chipmakers to use homegrown chipmaking tools for 50% of new capacity — decree designed to squeeze foreign suppliers out of supply chain  Tom's Hardware

Politics

3 w. ago Silver’s Historic Breach of $80 Turns Chaotic as China’s Clampdown Sparks Bubble Debate

Silver’s Historic Breach of $80 Turns Chaotic as China’s Clampdown Sparks Bubble Debate  FXLeaders

Politics