He’s the Tokyo mixology master Jeff Bezos flies in to mix his martinis — and now he’s ready to quietly disrupt NYC cocktail culture
See more of our coverage in your search results.
· Mark Ellwood
Follow the story
Asia Pacific
A focused view of neutral reporting on Asia Pacific, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00Japan enshrines male-only succession for the shrinking imperial family
TOKYO — Japan’s parliament enacted a historic revision to the 19th-century Imperial House Law on Friday by insisting only paternal-lineage men can become emperor, sparking concern that the measure could doom the already shrinking imperial family.
· Associated Press
China hints at US restoring Hong Kong's preferential privileges
Containers pile up at Kwai Chung Container terminal in Hong Kong, Apr. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei, File)
· Kanis Leung
US-Iran war highlights vulnerability of Mideast undersea cables
Around 500 undersea cables carry 99% of international data traffic. (NEC)
· Staff Writer
5 aspirants vying for vacant Dasmariñas, Cavite House seat
MANILA, Philippines — Five aspirants are running in the special congressional elections in the lone legislative district of Dasmariñas, Cavite, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Friday.
· Dianne Sampang
Australia shale gas project to start in September, eyeing Japan exports
The remote site in Australia's Northern Territory is expected to produce enough shale gas for exports. (Photo by Subaru Tanaka)
· Staff Writer
Download the South China Morning Post app for full access to SCMP Games, including the .
The PostMag Quick CrosswordSaturday, 18 Julyloading
Download the South China Morning Post app for full access to SCMP Games, including Mini Sudoku.
Mini SudokuSaturday, 18 Julyloading
Download the South China Morning Post app for full access to SCMP Games, including the SCMP Cryptic Crossword.
The SCMP Cryptic CrosswordSaturday, 18 Julyloading
Download the South China Morning Post app for full access to SCMP Games, including Word Search.
Word SearchSaturday, 18 Julyloading
Who is Zhilin Yang? Head of Moonshot AI in focus as Kimi K3 closes gap on US models | The National
Zhilin Yang is head of China-based start-up Moonshot AI, which on Friday launched its newest open-source AI model, Kimi K3, a powerful offering that could challenge the biggest US firms.
· Cody Combs
Who is Zhilin Yang? Head of Moonshot AI in focus as Kimi K3 closes gap on US models | The National
Zhilin Yang is head of China-based start-up Moonshot AI, which on Friday launched its newest open-source AI model, Kimi K3, a powerful offering that could challenge the biggest US firms.
· Cody Combs
A 7.3 earthquake hits Mexico-Guatemala border with no immediate damage reported
TAPACHULA, México (AP) — A strong earthquake struck the southern Mexican Pacific coast on Friday, right on the border with Guatemala, and was felt from Mexico City to El Salvador. Authorities have not immediately reported any severe damage or casualties in any country.
· Edgar H Clemente
PwC South East Asia Consulting appoints Martijn Peeters as CEO
PWC South East Asia Consulting (SEAC) announced Martijn Peeters as its chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2026, succeeding Simon Gealy, who stepped down from his role after six years.
· The Manila Times
Xi: AI shouldn't be dominated by one country
SHANGHAI, China — Artificial intelligence (AI) should not be dominated by a single country, China’s President Xi Jinping said at a major technology conference in Shanghai on Friday, urging international cooperation on its development.
· Agence France-Presse
Taiwan rejects PNG decision to shut office in Port Moresby
TAIPEI — Taiwan said on Thursday that it rejected Papua New Guinea's (PNG) decision to shut down its representative office in the South Pacific nation, a move welcomed by China.
· Agence France-Presse
China defiles China
THROUGH an official mouthpiece, China doodled the Filipino as a monkey and succeeded in shaming itself.
· Ingming Aberia
Japan tweaks imperial rules, but ban on women emperors kept
ERROR 404 page not found Click here to go to the home page
· Agence France-Presse
Hong Kong wraps up probe into 'preventable' deadly fire
ERROR 404 page not found Click here to go to the home page
· Agence France-Presse
Tokyo outlaws flag desecration despite criticism, concern
ERROR 404 page not found Click here to go to the home page
· Agence France-Presse
Rage against China video slur spreads as Philippines files protest
ERROR 404 page not found Click here to go to the home page
· Javier Joe Ismael, Agence France-Presse, Red Mendoza, Aric John Sy Cua, Izel Abanilla, Franco Jose C. Baroña
Asia’s real energy test
SINGAPORE — The past four months have demonstrated just how volatile oil markets can be. In March, Brent crude climbed above $100 a barrel for the first time in four years, reaching $119 on March 9 — its highest level since the 2022 energy crisis — as Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz brought tanker traffic to …
· YASUTO WATANABE
Muji launches new makeup collection in the Philippines
Muji has introduced a new makeup collection in the Philippines, with the line available exclusively at its SM Aura branch.
· The Manila Times
Hong Kong welcomes US move to let national emergency declaration expire
City says decision could help restore normal economic and trade ties after years of tensions over the national security law
· Teresa Elena Frontado
Japan's Rapidus partners with Cadence on AI agent chip design tools
Rapidus President Atsuyoshi Koike said AI agents will play a central role in speeding up chip design. (Photo by Shuhei Ochiai)
· SHUHEI OCHIAI
World Cup of memes: Japan fans, Beckham unbothered and a simmering bromance
A tournament with more teams and more games has been filled with euphoria, heartbreak, and these weird and wonderful viral moments
· Caitlin Cassidy
Chinese shipbuilders snap up more supertanker orders as Iran war turmoil drags on
Industry data shows China’s shipyards secured 82 per cent of tanker orders placed this year, as measured by carrying capacity
· Frank Chen
Chinese shipbuilders snap up more supertanker orders as Iran war turmoil drags on
Industry data shows China’s shipyards secured 82 per cent of tanker orders placed this year, as measured by carrying capacity
· Frank Chen
China's Moonshot AI gains on Anthropic, OpenAI with new low-cost model
Moonshot AI's booth is seen at the World AI Conference in Shanghai on July 17. (Photo by Itsuro Fujino)
· Staff Writer
Biodiversity fears as human-bred hybrid fish integrate into Philippines lake
Escaped flowerhorn cichlids are causing concern for native species and about parasites capable of infecting humans
· Vandy Widyalankara
Japan revises law to expand imperial family, allow women to keep status after marriage | South China Morning Post
Revised law does not address possibility of a woman becoming emperor, despite wide public support.
China blasts ‘unfounded smears’ as Trump’s election claims threaten diplomatic thaw
Donald Trump alleges Beijing stole 220 million voter files, in a prime-time speech potentially clouding Xi Jinping’s planned US visit
· Dewey Sim
China blasts ‘unfounded smears’ as Trump’s election claims threaten diplomatic thaw
In a prime-time speech, Donald Trump alleges Beijing stole 220 million voter files, potentially clouding Xi Jinping’s planned US visit
· Dewey Sim
MAGA-friendly vape firm caught buying toxins from China — as feds crack down on fake ‘made in America’ claims
See more of our coverage in your search results.
· Titus Wu
Philippines urges Beijing to take down racist China Daily video | The wRap
Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
· grabaya0376
China’s Xi Jinping launches new AI alliance: What is it?
It was an artificial intelligence summit with very real-world geopolitical messaging.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Fewer Asian companies list in US, but IPO proceeds outpace last year
Initial public offerings by Chinese and Hong Kong firms have ground to a halt after a two-year boom in the first six months of this year. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
· PAK YIU
NMC: China Daily video can’t change PH rights in West PH Sea
MANILA, Philippines — The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Friday said a racist video published by Chinese state-run outlet China Daily would not alter the Philippines’ legal rights in the West Philippine Sea.
· Gabryelle Dumalag
Airbus sells 55 aircraft – including 15 widebody A350s – to 2 Chinese airlines
Air China says it will purchase 15 widebody A350-900 jets, while subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines will buy 40 narrowbody A320neo aircraft
· Xiaofei Xu
Airbus sells 55 aircraft – including 15 widebody A350s – to 2 Chinese airlines
Air China says it will purchase 15 widebody A350-900 jets, while subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines will buy 40 narrowbody A320neo aircraft
· Xiaofei Xu
Marcos extends 4Ps benefits beyond 7 years
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has extended the maximum seven-year period for qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Malacañang said Friday.
· Catherine S. Valente
Latin American governments prepare for El Niño as drought loom
BOGOTA, Colombia — Governments across Latin America are mobilizing firefighters, activating contingency plans and preparing water, energy and transportation systems as El Niño strengthens across the Pacific, raising concerns about drought, extreme heat, flooding and other climate-related disruptions in the months ah…
· Associated Press
Import prices post surprise gain as costs of goods from China hit highest since 2008
The cost of goods brought into the U.S. posted an unexpected increase in June as the price of goods from China rose by their largest monthly level in more than 18 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
· Jeff Cox
Wang Fuk Court residents hope people ‘learn lessons’ as hearing ends | South China Morning Post
Legal counsel for independent panel investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades delivers closing remarks at final public inquiry session.
China rescuers race to find trapped people after landslide
According to state media, at least nine people had been rescued as emergency teams continued to search through rock, mud and debris. The landslide hit at around 9:08 a.m. local time after heavy rainfall triggered the collapse of a mountainside near the Wujiang River. Hundreds of residents were evacuated as authoriti…
· AfricaNews
Teodoro slams China over 'schizophrenic,' dehumanizing monkey video
MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. did not let China’s video parody of the Philippines pass, describing it as a “schizophrenic” and “dehumanizing” behavior of the Chinese government which reveals its true intentions on the Philippines.
· Izel Abanilla
Tech self-reliance takes the stage at China’s World AI Conference | South China Morning Post
The conference attracted more than 1,100 companies displaying some 3,000 exhibits, with hundreds of products making their global debut.
Palace vows justice in motorcycle rider slay
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday assured the public that justice will be served to the family of a motorcycle taxi rider, who was stabbed by a passenger in a robbery in Caloocan City.
· Catherine S. Valente
Futures Tumble As Latest Chinese "DeepSeek Moment" Sparks Chip Meltdown
A surprise breakthrough from Chinese AI startup Moonshot (which is now at the top of the Frontend code benchmark on Arena) rumbled through global markets, sending chip stocks reeling, as queasiness returned about the industry’s unprecedented spending spree (something we have been warning about for the past year). Mo…
· Tyler Durden
N. Korea warns of 'chain of countermeasures' over US-led RIMPAC exercise
North Korea denounced Friday an ongoing US-led multinational military exercise taking place in Hawaii, calling it a "war rehearsal" that will trigger a "chain of countermeasures" from countries in the region.
· Yonhap