19 h. ago Opinion | Some suggestions for EU if it sincerely wants to reset China ties

Opinion | Some suggestions for EU if it sincerely wants to reset China ties  South China Morning Post

Politics

21 h. ago Tools unearthed in China are first evidence of East Asia’s ‘Wood Age’

The earliest tools used by humans were made of stone, followed by bronze, then iron, and finally steel. But was there a “Wood Age”? This question has been difficult to answer as wood decomposes easily, leaving behind little evidence of ancient wooden tools – especially in East Asia. However, a study published in the top journal Science on Friday suggests that wooden tools were widely used in southwest China 300,000 years ago. These wooden tools, unearthed during excavations in 2015 and 2018,...

Politics

22 h. ago Singapore money laundering: UBS, UOB among banks hit with millions in penalties

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has issued nine banks, capital markets services licence holders and trust companies composition penalties totalling S$27.45 million (US$21.55 million) over breaches tied to a S$3 billion (US$2.36 billion) money-laundering case that shook the city state. MAS said on Friday the latest regulatory moves marked the end of enforcement action against financial institutions with connections to the case. All nine financial institutions have accepted the penalties...

Economics

23 h. ago US aircraft carrier marks South China Sea focus but also ‘crowded’ region

The presence of the USS George Washington aircraft carrier in the South China Sea this week and its port call at Manila signals renewed American commitment to the Philippines, though observers warn that Beijing could view the move as a “containment” effort and ramp up its own naval activity in the disputed waters. Flight deck operations were opened to the media aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered vessel, with commanding officer Captain Timothy Waits telling reporters his ship’s mission...

Transport

23 h. ago USS George Washington’s Manila visit signals US commitment amid ‘crowded’ seas

The presence of the USS George Washington aircraft carrier in the South China Sea this week and its port call at Manila signals renewed American commitment to the Philippines, though observers warn that Beijing could view the move as a “containment” effort and ramp up its own naval activity in the disputed waters. Flight deck operations were opened to the media aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered vessel, with commanding officer Captain Timothy Waits telling reporters his ship’s mission...

Politics

23 h. ago As China, EU eye warm ties, Brussels aims to protect its manufacturing base

Hopes for a long-awaited recovery of factory activity in Europe’s manufacturing powerhouse were uplifted this week as a key indicator of the sector’s health surged to a 34-month high in Germany. But the fact that the country’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index for June still remained at 49.0 – when a reading below 50 suggests a contraction in the sector – underscores the uphill challenge that Germany is facing in trying to regain growth and past glory in its manufacturing activities. The...

Politics

25 h. ago Ties that unbind: will the Philippines finally embrace divorce?

Philippine lawmakers have refiled a long-delayed bill legalising divorce in the country just a few days into the new Congress after its passage fell short in the previous term, with divorce advocates hopeful that the legislation will finally see the light of day. Lawmakers have been trying to pass a divorce law since 2005, but continue to face resistance in the Catholic-majority country. Nearly 79 per cent of Filipinos are Roman Catholic and the Philippines and the Vatican are the only countries...

Sport

25 h. ago ‘A national crisis’: why Philippines is still struggling to legalise divorce

Philippine lawmakers have refiled a long-delayed bill legalising divorce in the country just a few days into the new Congress after its passage fell short in the previous term, with divorce advocates hopeful that the legislation will finally see the light of day. Lawmakers have been trying to pass a divorce law since 2005, but continue to face resistance in the Catholic-majority country. Nearly 79 per cent of Filipinos are Roman Catholic and the Philippines and the Vatican are the only countries...

Events

27 h. ago China nears Airbus deal, famous Hong Kong restaurant chain closes: 7 highlights

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond 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. Most Chinese exporters to stay in Vietnam after US tariff deal, analysts say Chinese manufacturers in Vietnam breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday, after Washington and Hanoi agreed a “better than expected” trade deal that will...

Society

30 h. ago ‘13’ or ‘27’ lovers? Rodrigo Duterte kisses goodbye to his womanising days

Former president Rodrigo Duterte, a self-proclaimed womaniser, once bragged that he had a wife, a second wife and at least two girlfriends. Now, in The Hague facing a war crimes trial that could see him sentenced up to 30 years in jail, the 80-year-old has some advice for the women in his life. “To all his girlfriends – look for somebody else. Somebody with plenty of credit cards,” his son, Congressman Paolo Duterte, told supporters in The Hague on Monday, relaying the patriarch’s words after...

Politics

30 h. ago Philippines’ Duterte ends womanising era, leaving ‘13 to 27’ lovers behind

Former president Rodrigo Duterte, a self-proclaimed womaniser, once bragged that he had a wife, a second wife and at least two girlfriends. Now, in The Hague facing a war crimes trial that could see him sentenced up to 30 years in jail, the 80-year-old has some advice for the women in his life. “To all his girlfriends – look for somebody else. Somebody with plenty of credit cards,” his son, Congressman Paolo Duterte, told supporters in The Hague on Monday, relaying the patriarch’s words after...

Politics

31 h. ago At 90, the Dalai Lama braces for final showdown with Beijing: his reincarnation

At 90, the Dalai Lama braces for final showdown with Beijing: his reincarnation  CNN

Sport

37 h. ago US House passes Trump bill, which heads to White House for president’s signature

The US House of Representatives passed a massive tax-and-spending bill on Thursday that President Donald Trump has sought since returning to the White House, an initiative that fundamentally revamps government spending and jeopardises dozens of planned clean energy projects with ties to China. Passing in a 218 to 214 vote, the sprawling One Big Beautiful Bill Act – which would lock in Trump’s priorities on border and defence financing, and make permanent tax cuts that Congress passed at Trump’s...

Politics

39 h. ago China Set to Cancel Part of EU Summit in Latest Strain on Ties

China Set to Cancel Part of EU Summit in Latest Strain on Ties  Bloomberg.com

Politics

42 h. ago Armenia seeks deeper Chinese ties, Apple’s China story: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Has Apple been trapped by China? Not so fast, analysts say A new book contending that Apple went too far in consolidating its operations in China is prompting debate among analysts of the country – some of whom say the company may have had no realistic alternatives. 2. Armenia looks to deepen ties with China for foreign policy beyond Russia The Armenian...

Politics

43 h. ago Climate action with China aligns with Australia’s security needs

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s coming visit to China later this summer presents a timely chance to reframe Australia–China relations through an increasingly vital lens: climate cooperation. With bilateral ties having largely stabilised since 2022 and a joint Australia–Pacific bid for the 2026 UN climate summit under way, climate action offers a promising platform for stronger engagement. The rationale for cooperation is clear. Australia possesses vast reserves of critical minerals...

Events

43 h. ago Australia should leave politics out of climate collaboration with China

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s coming visit to China later this summer presents a timely chance to reframe Australia–China relations through an increasingly vital lens: climate cooperation. With bilateral ties having largely stabilised since 2022 and a joint Australia–Pacific bid for the 2026 UN climate summit under way, climate action offers a promising platform for stronger engagement. The rationale for cooperation is clear. Australia possesses vast reserves of critical minerals...

Politics

46 h. ago Can Rubio’s Asia tour ease region’s anxiety over looming US tariffs?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to Asia next week on a high-profile diplomatic tour, but his visit is not expected to ease growing anxiety in Southeast Asia, which is bracing itself for the return of steep US tariffs that threaten to derail growth and test ties with Washington. Rubio is expected to fly to Kuala Lumpur for meetings on July 10-11 with foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and other Asia-Pacific countries, according to media reports. He...

Politics

47 h. ago Senior Chinese Diplomat Upbeat on US Ties, Says War Unimaginable

Senior Chinese Diplomat Upbeat on US Ties, Says War Unimaginable  Bloomberg

Politics

49 h. ago Xinhua News | Beijing launches cities alliance to boost global digital economy ties

Xinhua News | Beijing launches cities alliance to boost global digital economy ties  Xinhua

Politics