4 h. ago Can the Philippines regain its tourism edge with revival of China e

The Philippines will revive its electronic visa programme for Chinese tourists next month, nearly two years after its abrupt suspension, as part of a broader push to boost lagging visitor arrivals and regain lost ground in the regional tourism race. The Philippine embassy in Beijing confirmed in a statement issued on October 15 that Chinese citizens – including those from Hong Kong and Macau – would again be able to apply for short-stay e-visas online for up to 14 days of travel for tourism or...

Politics

9 h. ago What’s behind the calls for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines?

Calls for Mindanao’s secession from the Philippines have erupted anew after a sitting lawmaker released a viral video echoing rhetoric once championed by former president Rodrigo Duterte, in a move analysts warn risks inflaming tensions and destabilising an already volatile political landscape. Observers say the renewed push, amplified by the ex-president’s allies and a network of online influencers, appears aimed at deflecting attention from corruption scandals and an ongoing International...

Politics

11 h. ago Nexperia crisis: how geopolitics disrupts a global chip supply chain

The ongoing dispute between China and the Netherlands over chipmaker Nexperia has highlighted how geopolitical tensions can disrupt an otherwise smooth global supply chain, according to analysts. Based in Nijmegen, Netherlands, Nexperia exemplifies a typical multinational company with front-end fabrication plants in Hamburg, Germany, and Manchester, UK, as well as back-end assembly facilities across Asia, including Dongguan, China; Laguna, the Philippines; and Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The...

Politics

27 h. ago Will corruption backlash against Marcos reshape Philippine politics?

Public anger over corruption has boiled over in the Philippines, sending President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s approval ratings tumbling and potentially tilting the balance of power with his political rivals. The latest survey by Pulse Asia Research shows that Filipinos are increasingly blaming the government’s recent corruption scandals – from flood control “ghost projects” to lavish spending by politically connected contractors – for their daily struggles, such as inflation and inadequate...

Politics

30 h. ago Evangelista’s wealth under fire, Singaporeans flock to Johor: 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. US call centre bill threatens Philippines’ US$30 billion outsourcing boom As dusk settles over Angeles City, Justin Cunanan prepares for another long night. While the rest of the Philippines sleeps, he joins millions of his compatriots powering a global industry that is...

Events

56 h. ago China’s naval ‘genius’; 2 million Filipinos’ jobs on the line: 5 weekend reads

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. US call centre bill threatens Philippines’ US$30 billion outsourcing boom 2. Chinachem Tower blaze in Hong Kong’s Central put out after 4-hour battle, 4 hurt 3. The aircraft carrier champion and naval genius behind China’s blue sea strategy 4. Man accused of running Cambodian scam farm empire...

Politics

60 h. ago PLA tanker ‘spotted resupplying coastguard vessel’ near Scarborough Shoal

The PLA Navy replenishment ship Qinghaihu was reportedly seen resupplying a China Coast Guard vessel near the disputed Scarborough Shoal last week. The manoeuvre highlights growing coordination between China’s naval and coastguard forces amid heightened tensions with the Philippines in the contested South China Sea. According to a report by Manila-based ABS-CBN news, two Chinese navy warships and four coastguard vessels, as well as several Chinese maritime militia vessels, were monitored by the...

Events

3 d. ago Storm landfall leaves 1 dead as thousands evacuate in Philippines

A tropical storm lashed the northern and central Philippines on Sunday, leaving at least one person dead and forcing more than 22,000 people to evacuate from flood- and landslide-prone villages, officials said. Tropical Storm Fengshen was tracked at midday over Manila Bay with sustained winds of up to 65kph (40 mph) and gusts of up to 90kph (56 mph). It was expected to move away from the main northern Philippine region of Luzon on Sunday night, government forecasters said. A villager drowned on...

Events

3 d. ago Tropical Storm Fengshen kills 8 in Philippines, heads for China

A tropical storm lashed the northern and central Philippines on Sunday, leaving at least eight people dead and forcing more than 22,000 people to evacuate from flood- and landslide-prone villages. Authorities warned that tropical Storm Fengshen may intensify as it heads for China and Vietnam. Known locally as Ramil, the storm caused torrential rains, floods and landslides at the weekend. The fatalities included a family of five who died after a tree crashed into their home, said Junie Castillo,...

Events

3 d. ago Tropical Storm Fengshen kills at least 7 in Philippines, heads for China

A tropical storm lashed the northern and central Philippines on Sunday, leaving at least seven people dead and forcing more than 22,000 people to evacuate from flood- and landslide-prone villages. Authorities warned that tropical Storm Fengshen may intensify as it heads for China and Vietnam. The government’s disaster-mitigation agency said seven deaths were reported. Nearly 14,000 people who evacuated were still displaced from their homes by Monday morning, the agency said. Known locally as...

Events

3 d. ago Survivors of US strike on ‘drug vessel’ to be sent back to Ecuador, Colombia

The two survivors of an American military strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean will be sent to Ecuador and Colombia, their home countries, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday. The military rescued the pair after striking a submersible vessel on Thursday, in what was at least the sixth such attack since early September. “It was my great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking...

Events

3 d. ago Chinese tourists sleep in fast food outlet to save on accommodation

Chinese tourists sleep in fast food outlet to save on accommodation  Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Society

4 d. ago US call centre bill threatens Philippines’ US$30 billion outsourcing boom

As dusk settles over Angeles City, Justin Cunanan prepares for another long night. While the rest of the Philippines sleeps, he joins millions of his compatriots powering a global industry that is now facing threats from both Washington and Silicon Valley. For the next nine hours, the 33-year-old will field customer service calls for a company based in the United States. The night shift is gruelling, but for Cunanan, who previously worked in hospitality, the benefits of a business process...

Economics

4 d. ago US military seizes survivors of strike on alleged drug vessel in Caribbean

The US military is holding two survivors aboard a Navy ship after rescuing them from a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean hit by a US strike that killed two others, three sources familiar with the matter said on Friday. The disclosure, which has not been previously reported, raises the possibility that the survivors from Thursday’s strike are the first prisoners of war in a conflict declared by US President Donald Trump against a “narcoterrorist” threat he says is emanating from...

Events

5 d. ago Best things to eat in Putian, culinary gem in Fujian, and where to eat them

Best things to eat in Putian, culinary gem in Fujian, and where to eat them  South China Morning Post

Politics

5 d. ago 2 missing Filipina domestic helpers in Hong Kong found after 12 days

A pair of Filipina domestic helpers in Hong Kong who had gone missing for nearly two weeks have been found in the city, the Post learned on Thursday. Sources said Aleli Perez Tibay, 33, and Imee Mahilum Pabuaya, 24, were found in Sha Tin. They had been spotted in Lei Muk Shue Estate in Tsuen Wan on October 8, four days after being seen on the Lung Mun Country Trail in the area. Earlier, speaking to the Post from the Philippines, Irene Pabuaya, the elder sister of one of the missing women, said...

Events

5 d. ago 2 missing Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong found after 12 days

A pair of Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong who had gone missing for nearly two weeks have been found in the city, the Post learned on Thursday. Sources said Aleli Perez Tibay, 33, and Imee Mahilum Pabuaya, 24, were found in Sha Tin. They had been spotted in Lei Muk Shue Estate in Tsuen Wan on October 8, four days after being seen on the Lung Mun Country Trail in the area. Speaking to the Post earlier from the Philippines, Irene Pabuaya, the elder sister of one of the previously missing...

Events

5 d. ago Filipino helpers found after search in Hong Kong fired, face being sent home

Two Filipino domestic helpers who were found by Hong Kong police after going missing for two weeks have been fired and face being sent back to their country, Philippine authorities have said. While the search for Aleli Perez Tibay, 33, and Imee Mahilum Pabuaya, 24, was over, questions about their disappearance remained as they had refused to tell police where they were for the past two weeks, sources told the Post on Friday. Some members of the public have questioned whether the pair should be...

Events

5 d. ago China says it expelled Philippine planes from disputed South China Sea reef

China said it had expelled two Philippine aircraft near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Thursday in the second confrontation between the two rival South China Sea claimants in as many days. Liu Dejun, a spokesman for the Chinese coastguard, said two Philippine reconnaissance aircraft had “illegally entered Chinese air space above Huangyan Island” (the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal). He added that the planes had been expelled in “accordance with laws and regulations”. The previous day the...

Politics

6 d. ago ‘Demand for justice’: survey fuels ICC probe into Philippines’ Duterte

Half of Filipinos believe that former president Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for the deaths related to his bloody drug war, with observers pointing out the findings of a new survey could further “lend legitimacy and support” to an international court’s investigation into the ex-leader. The results come amid the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) rejection of the plea by Duterte’s defence counsel to allow his interim release from detention in The Hague. The poll was conducted by...

Politics