Download the South China Morning Post app for full access to SCMP Games, including Mini Sudoku.
Mini SudokuSaturday, 8 Augustloading
Follow the story
Asia
A focused view of neutral reporting on Asia, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00Download the South China Morning Post app for full access to SCMP Games, including the SCMP Cryptic Crossword.
The SCMP Cryptic CrosswordSaturday, 8 Augustloading
Download the South China Morning Post app for full access to SCMP Games, including Word Search.
Word SearchSaturday, 8 Augustloading
Japan pension whale GPIF reaps record $150bn in mainly AI-driven gains
The Government Pension Investment Fund's assets under management stood at 317.76 trillion yen in June, surpassing 300 trillion yen for the first time. (Photo by Jumpei Kinefuchi)
· Staff Writer
Caskets with anti-China banners found in NCR
CASKETS draped with anti-China banners were left in at least five different sites in Metro Manila on Friday.
· Izel Abanilla, Arlie O. Calalo, Aric John Sy Cua, Javier Joe Ismael, Allen Limos, Franco Jose C. Baroña
Caskets with anti-China banners found in Metro Manila sites
CASKETS draped with anti-China banners were left in at least five different sites in Metro Manila on Friday.
· Izel Abanilla, Arlie O. Calalo, Aric John Sy Cua, Javier Joe Ismael, Allen Limos, Franco Jose C. Baroña
Pacific nations fail to agree on missile-test statement
SUVA, Fiji — Pacific diplomats gathered in Fiji failed on Friday to agree on a joint statement condemning China’s recent test of a nuclear-capable missile in the region, with New Zealand’s top diplomat accusing them of appeasing “outsiders.”
· Agence France-Presse
Caskets with anti-China banners found in NCRCaskets with anti-China banners found in Metro Manila sites
ERROR 404 page not found Click here to go to the home page
· Izel Abanilla, Arlie O. Calalo, Aric John Sy Cua, Javier Joe Ismael, Allen Limos, Franco Jose C. Baroña
Cebu Pacific to boost international flights in Q4
CEBU Pacific on Friday said it would be increasing direct flights to key cities in China, Vietnam, and Japan in the fourth quarter to allow travelers access to more destinations in the upcoming holiday season.
· Ed Paolo Salting
Chinese drone exports take off in Southeast Asia, other emerging markets
A Chinese drone on display at a trade show in Shanghai on July 22. (Photo by Itsuro Fujino)
· Staff Writer
China overtakes US to lead global R&D spending, hitting $615bn
China's jump in R&D spending was driven by corporate investment in computers and electronics. © Reuters
· KENTO FUKUI
Wallabies need to handle the heat as Les Kiss era begins in sweltering Japan | Jack Snape
Australia’s new head coach refused to cool expectations before a rugby international in Osaka with a short runway to hosting the 2027 World Cup
· Jack Snape
Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ organisation
A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’
· Mark Magnier
In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc
A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’
· Mark Magnier
Japan's Eneos to buy Texas chemical maker TPC in US push
Oil major Eneos Holdings is looking for opportunities in the U.S. chemical market, which is eight times larger than the one in Japan. (Photo by Takashi Miyazaki)
· Staff Writer
US weapons shortages could leave America vulnerable to China, historian warns
Dr. Kobi Barda, a historian specializing in American politics, warned on Friday that strains on US military stockpiles could leave Washington vulnerable if another major power, particularly China, were to enter a conflict.
· 103FM
Chinese exam fraud ring helped candidates cheat their way to government-funded jobs
Candidates for postings in Henan were found to have paid officials for an advance look at the questions in an entrance exam
· Dannie Peng
Chinese exam fraud ring helped candidates cheat their way to government-funded jobs
Candidates for postings in Henan were found to have paid officials for an advance look at the questions in an entrance exam
· Dannie Peng
Chinese breakthrough paves way for production of graphene-based quantum chips
Researchers overcome instability problem of a rare form of the material long prized for its remarkable properties
· Zhang Tong
Chinese breakthrough paves way for production of graphene-based quantum chips
Researchers overcome instability problem of a rare form of the material long prized for its remarkable properties
· Zhang Tong
US universities report more Chinese applicants despite visa crackdown
Survey finds that 65 per cent of higher-education institutions have seen increases or no drop-off in number of applications from China
· Ralph Jennings
US universities report more Chinese applicants despite visa crackdown
Survey finds that 65 per cent of higher-education institutions have seen increases or no drop-off in number of applications from China
· Ralph Jennings
Cambricon posts 108% surge in first-half revenue amid China’s massive AI chip drive
The Chinese AI chip giant saw revenue reach 6 billion yuan in the first half of the year, as Beijing pushes to replace foreign hardware
· Ann Cao
Cambricon posts 108% surge in first-half revenue amid China’s massive AI chip drive
The Chinese AI chip giant saw revenue reach 6 billion yuan in the first half of the year, as Beijing pushes to replace foreign hardware
· Ann Cao
The world that made Confucius – and the China he made
China’s most enduring philosophical tradition didn’t merely revere the past; it drew upon history to construct the future
· Alex Lo
The world that made Confucius – and the China he made
China’s most enduring philosophical tradition didn’t merely revere the past; it drew upon history to construct the future
· Alex Lo
Futures Rise Ahead Of Closely Watched Jobs Report
US futures grind higher in a European session devoid of newsflow ahead of nonfarm payrolls. As of 815am ET, S&P futures rose 0.2% while Nasdaq futures gained 0.4%, with some of yesterday’s beaten up tech names such as Sandisk and Western Digital getting some reprieve in the premarket. Asian stocks swung between a lo…
· Tyler Durden
Indonesia holds military-style boot camps for minimarket workers as part of job training | South China Morning Post
The new military boot camps are organised through a programme to prepare managers to run minimarkets in Indonesia’s rural areas.
Students hide under desks during Thai school shooting | South China Morning Post
Police say the suspect also killed his grandparents before opening fire at the Debsirin Nonthaburi School near Bangkok.
Where do China-Israel ties stand after closure of consulate in Chengdu?
Amid recent bilateral friction, Beijing has no intention of maliciously damaging relations with Middle East country, analyst says
· Fan Chen
Where do China-Israel ties stand after closure of consulate in Chengdu?
Amid recent bilateral friction, Beijing has no intention of maliciously damaging relations with Middle East country, analyst says
· Fan Chen
China’s lab-grown diamonds get an AI boost as industry rides demand for chip cooling
Exports surge in first half of year, as the superior heat dissipation of diamonds expands market beyond jewellery, positioning China for further growth
· Emma Ma
China’s lab-grown diamonds get an AI boost as industry rides demand for chip cooling
Exports surge in first half of year, as the superior heat dissipation of diamonds expands market beyond jewellery, positioning China for further growth
· Emma Ma
Three bidders submit final offers for KDB Life
Korea Investment Holdings, Hanwha Life Insurance and Heungkuk Life Insurance submitted final bids for KDB Life Insurance on Friday, giving fresh momentum to Korea Development Bank's seventh attempt to sell the insurer.
· Jie Ye-eun
China plans to increase mine output in world’s largest rare earth deposit by 50%
Chinese mining company to invest US$74 million in Bayan Obo in Inner Mongolia, expanding its output from 10 million to 15 million tonnes
· Chao Kong
China plans to increase mine output in world’s largest rare earth deposit by 50%
Chinese mining company to invest US$74 million in Bayan Obo in Inner Mongolia, expanding its output from 10 million to 15 million tonnes
· Chao Kong
China is gaining ground in AI. But the U.S. still has a major advantage
This report is from this week's The Tech Download newsletter. Like what you see? You can subscribe here.
· Kai Nicol-Schwarz
Backlash as China’s Tsinghua graduate, 38, wins medical school spot at Peking University
Li expresses initial concerns about taking a spot from younger candidates and using limited educational resources
· Alice Yan
Backlash as China’s Tsinghua graduate, 38, wins medical school spot at Peking University
Li expresses initial concerns about taking a spot from younger candidates and using limited educational resources
· Alice Yan
Solar stocks shine after Trump extends China tariffs to polysilicon products
U.S. solar stocks jumped in premarket trading Friday, after U.S. President Donald Trump opened a new front in his trade war with China, imposing new tariffs on imported products made from a key material used to make solar panels.
· Hugh Leask
As US-China pharma rivalry heats up, can Hong Kong’s US$8b fund be the global bridge?
Hong Kong Investment Corporation is stepping up its efforts to position itself amid Beijing’s challenge to US pharmaceutical dominance
· Julie Zhang
As US-China pharma rivalry heats up, can Hong Kong’s US$8b fund be the global bridge?
Hong Kong Investment Corporation is stepping up its efforts to position itself amid Beijing’s challenge to US pharmaceutical dominance
· Julie Zhang
China confirms sailors died in 2025 West PH Sea collision
BEIJING, China — Beijing has quietly confirmed the deaths of two Chinese sailors in a collision in the contested West Philippine Sea, according to government statements nearly a year after the incident.
· Agence France-Presse
Is Japan eyeing Ukraine-style asymmetric warfare against China in defence shift?
Analysts detect a notable change in emphasis in Tokyo’s latest white paper which they attribute to lessons from Ukraine
· Gabriel Dominguez
Is Japan eyeing asymmetric warfare against China in defence shift?
Analysts detect a notable change in emphasis in Tokyo’s latest white paper which they attribute to lessons from Ukraine
· Gabriel Dominguez
Hong Kong’s Hang Lung Properties names former Starbucks China head Leo Tsoi as new CEO
Tsoi’s appointment marks Hang Lung’s first CEO change since Adriel Chan took over from his father Ronnie Chan as chairman in 2024
· Zhu Wenqian
Hang Lung Properties names former Starbucks China head Leo Tsoi as new CEO
Tsoi’s appointment marks Hang Lung’s first CEO change since Adriel Chan took over from his father Ronnie Chan as chairman in 2024
· Zhu Wenqian
From EU compliance to export edge: China’s battery makers race for zero-carbon estates
With the EU’s binding carbon cap taking effect as early as 2028, the route to compliance for Chinese firms could offer a long-term advantage
· Huizhao Huang