6 d. ago Big shipowners take wind out of US sails, continue to order vessels from China

While a US port fee targeting ships linked to China has made some vessel buyers hesitant, major shipping companies – including Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest – are opting to continue working with Chinese shipyards, saying their competitiveness cannot be easily matched in the short term. Despite the United States’ determination to challenge China’s dominance in global shipbuilding, MSC senior vice-president Marie-Caroline Laurent told the Nor-Shipping Forum in Oslo this...

Politics

7 d. ago AI might solve China’s labour woes, but could also fuel deflation, report says

While the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is set to mitigate an expected shortage of labour in China in the long run, market observers differ on its impact on deflationary pressures in the near term. The wider adoption of AI in China could exacerbate “China’s prevailing deflationary pressures” by disrupting an already-weak employment market, as the labour displacement effects of the technology might dominate in the short term, Morgan Stanley analysts said in a research report published last...

Politics

1 week ago XPrize founder Diamandis projects hope for AI, biotech amid US

Peter Diamandis, the entrepreneur behind the XPrize Foundation, has long championed a future of technological promise, building a career on innovation competitions meant to solve grand challenges. But in a recent conversation in Hong Kong, a subtle shift in tone emerged as he addressed the current complexities of global scientific collaboration, clouded by geopolitical tensions and the looming threat of technological decoupling. “One of the things that is important to realise is that human...

Politics

1 week ago Hong Kong’s John Lee meets new liaison office chief, vows to pursue fresh growth

Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to identify fresh areas for economic growth as he expressed confidence in working with the newly appointed director of Beijing’s liaison office to speed up the city’s development. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made the remarks as he met office director Zhou Ji at Government House on Saturday. They exchanged views on the city’s challenges and opportunities and discussed ways to promote its long-term prosperity and stability. The State Council, China’s cabinet,...

Politics

1 week ago US visa crackdown echoes Trump’s first term, but China’s reply marks tone shift

Washington’s visa crackdown on Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party closely mirrors restrictions imposed during US President Donald Trump’s first administration, which at the time prompted Beijing to accuse the US of “regime change”. However, this time, Beijing’s response has been notably restrained, with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday denouncing the move as “discriminatory” and lodging diplomatic protests. Despite Beijing’s unease over discussions about party...

Politics

1 week ago US export controls: a delay, but not a grounding, for China’s aircraft engines

Washington’s technology-export restrictions targeting Chinese plane makers this week will delay China’s jet engine indigenisation process in the near term, but any setback will only harden resolve in Beijing for tech self-reliance to test and launch a home-grown engine, analysts said on Friday. United States officials have reportedly suspended some sales of technologies linked to jet engines that could be built for Chinese state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China’s (Comac) civilian...

Politics

1 week ago Trump’s visa crackdown plunges 275,000 Chinese students into uncertainty

Trump’s visa crackdown plunges 275,000 Chinese students into uncertainty  The Washington Post

Politics

2 w. ago China's Xi Jinping Blasts Trump In Blistering Attack; Beijing Rains Fire Over Visa Crackdown | Watch

China's Xi Jinping Blasts Trump In Blistering Attack; Beijing Rains Fire Over Visa Crackdown | Watch  Times of India

Events

2 w. ago Beijing slams Trump’s visa crackdown on Chinese students as ‘political and discriminatory’

Beijing slams Trump’s visa crackdown on Chinese students as ‘political and discriminatory’  Malay Mail

Politics

2 w. ago China’s translations ‘never right’, EU companies’ gloom: 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 offers visa-free travel to 4 Gulf countries following landmark summit China extended its short-term stay visa exemption policy to four Persian Gulf countries on Wednesday, a day after a landmark summit with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Southeast Asian countries. 2. Record levels of pessimism among EU businesses in China, survey...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump’s Harvard Ban Echoes USSR’s Historic Mistake To China’s Long

Trump’s Harvard Ban Echoes USSR’s Historic Mistake To China’s Long-Term Gain  CleanTechnica

Politics

3 w. ago Alibaba lands US$250 million convertible bonds deal with selfie app giant Meitu

Chinese photo-editing app operator Meitu saw its shares in Hong Kong rise to a seven-year high on Wednesday, following the announcement of its strategic partnership with Alibaba Group Holding and the issuance of US$250 million in convertible bonds to a subsidiary of the e-commerce giant. After trading hours on Tuesday, Alibaba.com China conditionally agreed to subscribe to the convertible bonds for a term of three years, “at an initial conversion price of HK$6 per conversion share”, according to...

Economics

3 w. ago China counts on 3 strategies to survive US tariff and tech war

China’s growth prospects face three major long-term threats – debt, decoupling and demographic challenges – and many observers are curious about how Beijing will respond to these issues. After years of trial and adjustment, policymakers have settled on three key strategic directions – a decision that has been reinforced by US President Donald Trump’s tariff war and technology restrictions against China. First, China will not repeat its old playbook of unleashing massive stimulus and shoring up...

Events

3 w. ago China's CATL raises $4.6 billion in Hong Kong listing, term sheet shows

China's CATL raises $4.6 billion in Hong Kong listing, term sheet shows  Reuters

Economics

4 w. ago Lower tariffs remain too costly for soybeans and other US sectors, Congress hears

Soybeans, leading US export to China, have yet to recover from President Trump’s first-term trade war, industry chief tells senators.

Economics