8 m. ago Chinese vessel grounding: concern in Philippines over new grey

A recent case of a Chinese militia vessel running aground on a strategic island in the disputed South China Sea has raised concerns from the Philippine side of another wave of so-called grey-zone activities by Beijing, even as Manila’s officials acknowledge the incident could be down to inclement weather. Observers point to the Philippines having adopted the same strategy to stake claim over the Second Thomas Shoal when it permanently grounded the war vessel BRP Sierra Madre in 1999. The recent...

Politics

84 m. ago U.S. defense chief: Beijing undecided on Taiwan invasion, drills suggest intent

U.S. defense chief: Beijing undecided on Taiwan invasion, drills suggest intent  Focus Taiwan

Events

1 hour ago Japan weighs tightening rules on visa popular among Chinese nationals

Japan is considering increasing the minimum investment threshold for its business manager visa in a bid to make it harder for foreigners to obtain residence status and launch commercial operations in the country, as the scheme becomes increasingly popular with Chinese nationals. The visa, which offers relatively accessible entry for foreign entrepreneurs, permits stays of up to five years for those who either invest 5 million yen (US$34,711) or hire two full-time employees while maintaining an...

Politics

4 h. ago Mainland China scientists build electronic war game for Taiwan and nearby waters

A PLA mobile electronic warfare platform deployed southeast of Taiwan activates its emitter, shattering the electromagnetic silence with powerful pulses, which are initially blocked by the island’s towering central mountain range. But while the key eastern military bases are unaffected at first, gradually the signals navigate the complex terrain, reflecting like mirrors off slopes and scattering across rough surfaces. Eventually, they cross the peaks to blanket the entire island and its...

Events

5 h. ago Communist Beijing doubles down on Dunleavy over Alaska's outreach to democracy

Communist Beijing doubles down on Dunleavy over Alaska's outreach to democracy-loving Taiwan  Must Read Alaska

Politics

11 h. ago Struggling Hong Kong taxi driver ‘accidentally’ put into chokehold, inquest told

A Hong Kong police officer seen putting a taxi driver who later died into a chokehold has told an inquest that he came into contact with the man’s neck “accidentally” during a struggle. Constable Lam Wai-wing was part of a police team handling a report made by taxi driver Chan Fai-wong on November 11, 2012, and his subsequent arrest for assault. Lam told the Coroner’s Court on Wednesday that his initial attempt to move Chan into a police vehicle was unsuccessful, with surveillance footage...

Politics

16 h. ago Hong Kong Red Cross tightens blood donor rules for recent inmates

The Hong Kong Red Cross has banned anyone who has been locked up for 72 hours or more in the past 12 months from donating blood for a year, citing the risk of infections such as hepatitis C and HIV. The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service said on Wednesday the guidelines had been revised based on suggestions made by the internationally recognised certification bodies that conducted a review of the centre last year. A spokeswoman for the service, which is operated by the Hospital...

Events

17 h. ago DJI launches US$10,000 enterprise drone that can avoid power lines at night

DJI, the world’s biggest maker of consumer drones, this week launched a US$10,000 enterprise flagship model, the Matrice 400, with extended flight time and an obstacle-sensing system to avoid buildings, mountains and high-voltage power lines at night. The new enterprise drone offers a 59-minute flight time, a payload capacity of up to 6kg, and a powerful lidar and mmWave radar-based obstacle-sensing system that makes this a versatile drone for applications such as emergency air response, power...

Events

17 h. ago China ‘respects Panama Canal neutrality’ as CK Hutchison ports deal looms

China’s foreign ministry has said it respects Panama’s sovereignty and recognises its canal as a neutral international waterway, after the head of the strategic channel warned that the CK Hutchison ports deal could jeopardise its impartiality. Panama Canal Authority administrator Ricaurte Vasquez said in an interview published on Tuesday that the US$23 billion deal between CK Hutchison Holdings and a consortium led by BlackRock and MSC could result in a concentration of operators that would be...

Politics

18 h. ago From AI to chips: China courts private tech firms to help drive next 5

China has signalled growing support for the private sector, as the head of the government department that oversees economic reform sat down with representatives of the tech industry to gather input ahead of Beijing’s next five-year development blueprint, analysts said. Zheng Shanjie, chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), met leaders from five private enterprises to “gather opinions and suggestions for the scientific formulation of the ‘15th Five-Year Plan’, with a...

Economics

18 h. ago US$900 million seized as China helps Malaysia dismantle Tedy Teow’s scam empire

Chinese and Malaysian police have seized over 3.8 billion ringgit (US$900 million) of assets – including yachts and property – from a syndicate alleged to have duped millions of people throughout the Asia-Pacific with promises of high-return investments. The Ponzi scheme, which operated mainly in Penang state, is believed to be linked to the MBI Group, started by Malaysian Tedy Teow Wooi Huat, who was extradited to China last year after hiding in Thailand. Seventeen people were arrested last...

Economics

19 h. ago Beijing slams Washington for supporting jailed Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong

China’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong on Wednesday voiced its disapproval of the United States’ “blatant support” of jailed activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung, while accusing Washington of smearing police’s enforcement actions. Last Friday, Hong Kong national security police levelled a fresh charge against Joshua Wong Chi-fung, accusing him of conspiring with fugitive ex-lawmaker Nathan Law Kwun-chung to collude with foreign forces five years ago. A US Department of State spokesman strongly...

Events

21 h. ago How Indonesian fintech firm is bridging funding gaps for women entrepreneurs

Across Indonesia’s vast archipelago, millions of women running small businesses in rural areas remain locked out of traditional banking – a gap increasingly filled by fintech firms offering microloans as economic pressures mount. One of the most prominent players in this space is Amartha, a Jakarta-based lending platform that connects borrowers in remote communities with financial institutions. Founded in 2010, it now counts about 3 million active borrowers – 99 per cent of them women operating...

Economics

22 h. ago Game on for Hong Kong economy as Kai Tak Stadium proves to be a roaring success

Hong Kong should capitalise on the success of the Asian Cup qualifier at Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday night by maximising the potential of the venue and engagement with business sectors to boost the economy, according to analysts. A total of 42,570 football fans witnessed Hong Kong’s 1-0 victory over India, packing the stands with a sea of red and roaring chants as the team hosted an international match for the first time at the new stadium. Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, vice-chairman of the major...

Sport

22 h. ago Chinese aircraft carriers in Pacific show country's 'expansionist' aims, Taiwan says

Chinese aircraft carriers in Pacific show country's 'expansionist' aims, Taiwan says  Reuters

Transport

24 h. ago Mobile game advocating Hong Kong independence disappears from Apple’s App Store

A mobile game application banned for advocating Hong Kong and Taiwan independence can no longer be found on Apple’s App Store, according to checks by the Post, following its earlier removal from the Google Play Store. Reversed Front: Bonfire, a war-themed game developed by ESC Taiwan and launched in April, did not appear in search results on Wednesday, despite being available for download on the store the previous day. On Tuesday evening, Hong Kong police warned residents against downloading the...

Events

30 h. ago As the PLA adopts civilian technology, Chinese bureaucracy could hinder progress

For decades, China’s talk of letting the private sector bid for defence orders had mostly been just that: talk. State-owned conglomerates had dominated the sector for decades, but in the middle of 2016, Beijing started to step up its military-civilian fusion strategy, publishing an official list of the sectors where private firms were being encouraged to contribute, such as swarming drone technologies. The plan is a central pillar of China’s ambition to develop a modernised military by 2035 and...

Politics

33 h. ago Two Chinese Aircraft Carriers Are Operating Beyond The First Island Chain For The First Time

Two Chinese Aircraft Carriers Are Operating Beyond The First Island Chain For The First Time  The War Zone

Transport

40 h. ago Hongkongers warned not to download mobile game ‘promoting secessionist agenda’

Hong Kong police have warned residents against downloading a mobile game application advocating Hong Kong and Taiwanese independence or risk breaking national security laws. The force also said on Tuesday that action had been taken under the Beijing-imposed national security law to allow police to require the relevant electronic platforms to remove access to the game Reversed Front: Bonfire, which was developed by ESC Taiwan and released in April. Individuals who downloaded the app could be...

Events

41 h. ago What are Hong Kong’s best deals, discounts for this year’s July 1 celebrations?

Hong Kong residents and tourists will be able to enjoy plenty of discounts, giveaways and other deals when the city celebrates the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule on July 1. From Star Ferry fares to must-see museums, the Post gives a rundown of what the city has to offer for the occasion. Free transport Commuters will have a chance to win one of the 71,000 MTR tickets available in a raffle being held on July 1 via the rail operator’s mobile app. The tickets are valid until January...

Politics