50 h. ago Why Singapore refused to be a ‘Third China’ – and how Lee Kuan Yew made it clear

In his new memoir Ink and Influence: An OB Markers Sequel, Cheong Yip Seng reflects on the intersection of geopolitics, media, and identity through the lens of his long career as editor-in-chief of The Straits Times. In this excerpt, Cheong recounts a revealing moment during an official visit to China in 1976 with then-prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. Among the officials present was S.R. Nathan, later Singapore’s sixth president, who witnessed Lee subtly rebuff a Chinese attempt to influence the...

Politics

4 d. ago Wang Yi tells top EU officials to unite against ‘unilateralism and bullying’

Beijing’s top envoy has called for China and Europe to join forces against “unilateralism and bullying” in a thinly veiled swipe at the United States, after meeting European Union leaders in Brussels. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, before sitting down for marathon political talks with the bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas that were expected to run over dinner. “The world today...

Politics

6 d. ago Chinese sculptor’s giant Buddha Ultraman sparks official probe

A giant stone statue called “Ultraman Grotto” which was crafted by a man in China has captivated social media and triggered an official investigation. The 2.8 metre-high sculpture has a head like the Japanese superhero Ultraman and a body that adopts a sitting Buddha gesture. It is located on a cliff face in Anyue County of Sichuan province, in southwestern China, the news outlet Shangyou News reported. In early June, a blogger surnamed Zhou released a video introducing the sculpture which he...

Politics

7 d. ago Trump Claims Buyers Found for TikTok, Awaits China's Approval

Trump Claims Buyers Found for TikTok, Awaits China's Approval  hypebeast.com

Politics

7 d. ago ‘Play safe’: why are local officials across China saying no to dining out?

Officials across China are avoiding dining out to “play safe”, as the country’s latest austerity drive spirals into an overbearing campaign of excessive control like many similar ones before it. Several officials interviewed said that the lifestyle change, even if temporary, was largely prompted by the ever-shifting local austerity measures, which could be even more stringent than the regulations originating from the central state and party bodies. An official in southwestern Sichuan province...

Politics

8 d. ago China’s No 4 official joins in mourning death of Hong Kong tycoon Charles Ho

China’s No 4 politician was among senior Beijing officials and other heavyweights who sent wreaths to the wake for Hong Kong tobacco and media tycoon Charles Ho Tsu-kwok. The ceremony for Ho, former chairman of the Sing Tao News Corporation who died at the age of 75 earlier this month, was held at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point on Saturday. Ho became a standing committee member of China’s top political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in...

Politics

9 d. ago China purges senior military official Miao Hua from top ruling body

China purges senior military official Miao Hua from top ruling body  NBC News

Events

1 week ago China’s space military tech ‘threat’, EU and rare earths: 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. China moving ‘breathtakingly fast’ in space military tech: US general China is moving “breathtakingly fast” in space military technologies and posing strategic threats to the United States, America’s top space force official said on Tuesday. 2. US-China trade deal is near, expert says: ‘they are going to stabilise this’ The United States and China could...

Events

1 week ago China Doesn’t Hold Upper Hand Against US, Biden Official Says

China Doesn’t Hold Upper Hand Against US, Biden Official Says  Bloomberg.com

Politics

1 week ago China’s Zou Jiayi, a former finance official, elected AIIB president

Former vice-minister of finance Zou Jiayi has been elected president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), leading the lender and its US$100 billion in capital through a decisive moment for globalisation and development finance. The decision was announced at the Beijing-based bank’s annual meeting on Tuesday, held with representatives of its 110 member states and other stakeholders at its headquarters to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Zou, 62, will serve a five-year term which...

Politics

1 week ago Xi urges Singapore to join China on ‘right side of history’ as PM Wong visits

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for Singapore and China to work together to “stand on the right side of history” and push for an equal multipolar world, the latest effort by Beijing to present itself as a stabilising force amid escalating geopolitical and trade tensions. Xi made the remarks on Tuesday morning as he met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is on a five-day official visit to China. Xi said the two countries – which are marking 35 years of diplomatic relations...

Politics

1 week ago ‘Partners, not rivals’: China, India agree to boost ties as top officials meet

China and India affirmed their commitment to improving bilateral ties and maintaining border peace in a meeting in Beijing on Monday between Ajit Doval, the Indian national security adviser, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang said there had been some progress in bilateral relations and it was essential for both sides to further improve communication, build mutual trust, and work towards resolving practical issues, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. He called on both sides...

Politics

1 week ago China exceeds 92GW of new PV in May, cumulative capacity officially surpasses 1TW

China exceeds 92GW of new PV in May, cumulative capacity officially surpasses 1TW  PV Tech

Politics

1 week ago DeepSeek aids China's military and evaded controls, US official says

DeepSeek aids China's military and evaded controls, US official says  Yahoo Finance

Events

1 week ago Exclusive: DeepSeek aids China's military and evaded export controls, US official says

Exclusive: DeepSeek aids China's military and evaded export controls, US official says  Reuters

Events

2 w. ago 'They would be committing suicide': Former Pentagon official explains why China won’t let Iran choke Hormuz lifeline

'They would be committing suicide': Former Pentagon official explains why China won’t let Iran choke Hormuz lifeline  Business Today

Politics

2 w. ago Hotel in China rapped by wildlife officials for using endangered red pandas to wake up guests

Hotel in China rapped by wildlife officials for using endangered red pandas to wake up guests  New York Post

Politics

2 w. ago China’s top HK official says safety will ensure city’s success

China’s top HK official says safety will ensure city’s success  Free Malaysia Today

Politics

2 w. ago China’s Top HK Official Says Security Will Ensure City’s Success

China’s Top HK Official Says Security Will Ensure City’s Success  Bloomberg

Politics

2 w. ago Senior Chilean lawmaker investigated over actions involving Chinese businessman

A high-ranking Chilean lawmaker is facing renewed scrutiny after records showed she helped arrange for a Chinese businessman to join an official parliamentary trip to China, where he coordinated logistics and took part in meetings with mainland authorities. Messages revealed by investigators on Thursday showed Karol Cariola, a member of Chile’s Communist Party and former president of the country’s Chamber of Deputies, may have used her position to benefit a Chinese national on several...

Economics