As US and China compete over AI, middle powers can craft a third path
Between American-secured diffusion and Chinese developmental multilateralism, middle powers have space to make their presence felt
· Hao Nan
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Security boosted at Hong Kong reservoir after hikers enter restricted area for photos | South China Morning Post
Viral video on social media triggered criticism, prompting Water Supplies Department to launch investigation.
WATCH: Chinese warships monitored anew on WPS
After China’s false claims of having conducted naval drills in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirms monitoring Chinese warships last July 31 and Aug. 1, 2026. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesman for the West Philippine Sea on Aug. 4 confirmed sighting …
· The Manila Times
Japan sounds alarm over China’s expanding Pacific footprint, vows defence boost
Beijing is strengthening its aircraft carrier force as it improves capacity to operate in more distant seas and airspace, white paper warns
· Gabriel Dominguez
Japan sounds alarm over China’s expanding Pacific footprint, vows defence boost
Beijing is strengthening its aircraft carrier force as it improves capacity to operate in more distant seas and airspace, white paper warns
· Gabriel Dominguez
China’s MiniMax curbs overseas access to new AI video model over copyright disputes
H3 model enters the generative video battleground, but licensing carve-outs restrict use in US, EU, UK and South Korea
· Minxiao Chang
China’s MiniMax curbs overseas access to new AI video model over copyright disputes
H3 model enters the generative video battleground, but licensing carve-outs restrict use in US, EU, UK and South Korea
· Minxiao Chang
3 lions die of suspected heatstroke in Tokyo zoo | South China Morning Post
Officials said they are the first heat-related deaths of the zoo’s lion population in its 62-year history.
China draws up safety rules for autonomous vehicles
BEIJING (AFP) -- China has drawn up new safety rules for the growing number of autonomous vehicles on its roads, including a mandatory deactivation override, the government said Tuesday.
· AFP
Korea, Bangladesh reach preliminary CEPA deal
South Korea and Bangladesh reached a preliminary agreement Tuesday on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement that would cut tariffs on Korean food, vehicles and industrial goods while widening access to each country’s services and infrastructure markets.
· Jo He-rim
China solidifies global shipbuilding lead
CHINA reinforced its global lead in shipbuilding and offshore engineering in the first half of 2026, with new orders for oceangoing vessels surging 105.2 percent year on year, while the value of new offshore engineering equipment orders more than doubled, giving Chinese companies more than 80 percent of the global m…
· Global Times
FTC to fine conglomerate heads for omitting affiliates from regulatory filings
South Korea's fair trade watchdog on Tuesday vowed to impose fines on conglomerate heads when their business groups omit affiliates from regulatory filings to avoid antitrust rules.
· Yonhap
Global Bond Market On Edge As Japanese Yields Soar After "Horrible" 10Y JGB Auction
While much of the market focus has fallen on the US long-end, which saw substantial pressure in the past week, sending 30Y yields to 5.27%, the highest level since 2007, it was Japan again which stole the show overnight. But first, recall that the primary tradeoff for the BOJ preventing it from raising rates and com…
· Tyler Durden
China’s first-of-its-kind boring and blasting rig boosts hard-rock tunnel digging by 30%
Standard tunnel boring machines slow down in extremely hard or fractured mountain rock, which has led to delays in infrastructure projects
· Alice Li
China unveils world’s first hybrid boring-and-blasting tunnel machine
Standard tunnel boring machines slow down in extremely hard or fractured mountain rock, which has led to delays in infrastructure projects
· Alice Li
South Korea’s Lee calls heatwave national disaster, deaths rise to 19
Authorities issued a heatwave warning for all of Seoul on Tuesday while the city of Yangsan recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday
· Reuters
South Korea’s Lee calls heatwave national disaster, deaths rise to 19
Authorities issued a heatwave warning for all of Seoul on Tuesday while the city of Yangsan recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday
· Reuters
South Korea’s Lee urges extra heatwave measures as death toll rises to 16 | South China Morning Post
The country’s president on Tuesday called on officials to protect vulnerable populations and a “fundamental overhaul” of South Korea’s crisis response system, citing a rise in extreme weather.
Abandoned Chinese baby adopted by Swedish couple makes emotional return decades later
When asked about her decision, Gao reflects, ‘I’ve made peace with my past and need to know where my roots are’
· Zoey Zhang
Abandoned Chinese baby adopted by Swedish couple makes emotional return decades later
When asked about her decision, Gao reflects, ‘I’ve made peace with my past and need to know where my roots are’
· Zoey Zhang
Is China’s DF-17 hypersonic glider ready to strike from anywhere at any time?
PLA anniversary series suggests the world’s first operational weapon of its kind may have achieved a ‘constant state of readiness’
· Liu Zhen
Is China’s DF-17 hypersonic glider ready to strike from anywhere at any time?
PLA anniversary series suggests the world’s first operational weapon of its kind may have achieved a ‘constant state of readiness’
· Liu Zhen
Hong Kong clinches grand champion at World Cosplay Championship in Nagoya | South China Morning Post
The victory comes as World Cosplay Summit 2026 marks Hong Kong’s return to the competition after a 3-year hiatus.
Suspected heatstroke kills three lions at Japan zoo
TOKYO — Three lions at a Tokyo zoo have died from suspected heatstroke and others are under treatment, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday, with the big cats struggling with high humidity.
· Agence France-Presse
Chinese naval drills monitored in Bajo de Masinloc
MANILA, Philippines —The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday confirmed that People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warships conducted drills within Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) as Beijing continues to flex its naval muscles in the entire South China Sea.
· Izel Abanilla
Japan proposes tougher income rules for permanent residency
Applicants have to maintain annual household income above the average for Japanese households under the new rules
· Kyodo
Japan proposes tougher income rules for permanent residency
Applicants have to maintain annual household income above the average for Japanese households under the new rules
· Kyodo
S. Korea, Bangladesh reach agreement in principle on CEPA
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Bangladesh on Tuesday reached an agreement in principle on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), Seoul's industry ministry said Tuesday, as Seoul seeks to expand its presence in the South Asian market.
· Kim Han-joo
Three lions die at Japanese zoo amid extreme temperatures
Tue 4 Aug 2026 at 7:33pm
Could China’s new trust tax pull Pan Shiyi’s wealth into capital flight spotlight?
Soho China founder Pan Shiyi’s Cayman trust faces scrutiny as Beijing’s tax overhaul puts offshore wealth strategies in focus
· Emma Ma
Could China’s new trust tax pull Pan Shiyi’s wealth into capital flight spotlight?
Soho China founder Pan Shiyi’s Cayman trust faces scrutiny as Beijing’s tax overhaul puts offshore wealth strategies in focus
· Emma Ma
Women killed in Japan quake aftermath were ordered back into shopping mall to secure cash | South China Morning Post
Executives of Habita, which operates the variety store, have apologised to the family of one of the victims at her wake.
Heat illness cases hit record, two more dead, as Korea swelters
South Korea recorded 186 heat-related illness cases, including two deaths, on Monday, the highest daily figure reported so far this year, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Tuesday.
· Lee Seung-ku
FTC to fine conglomerate heads for omitting affiliates from regulatory filings
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's fair trade watchdog on Tuesday vowed to impose fines on conglomerate heads when their business groups omit affiliates from regulatory filings to avoid antitrust rules.
· Kang Yoon-seung
Japan sees 'urgent' need to boost military
TOKYO — Japan needs to boost its military with a "sense of urgency and crisis," its defense minister said Tuesday, as a new government assessment again highlighted growing risks from China, North Korea and Russia.
· Agence France-Presse
Shenzhen-based AI mathematician Yurii Nesterov wins top prize in applied maths
‘Crazy to stop right now’: researcher rejects retirement to build on his 40-year legacy during the golden age of artificial intelligence
· Shi Huang
Shenzhen-based AI mathematician Yurii Nesterov wins top prize in applied maths
‘Crazy to stop right now’: researcher rejects retirement to build on his 40-year legacy during the golden age of artificial intelligence
· Shi Huang
Heat kills 16 in South Korea this summer — interior ministry
SEOUL — South Korea's summer heat has killed 16 people so far this year, the interior ministry said Tuesday, as the nation swelters in a wave of searing weather.
· The Manila Times
Takaichi’s fiscal push could lift growth — and Japan’s already-rising interest bill
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pushed forward with her plan to slash the consumption tax on food, which reportedly would be the first time the tax will be cut since its implementation in 1989 if she succeeds. On Tuesday, the ruling Liberal Democratic party advanced the bill through key committees, with N…
· Lim Hui Jie
Third-party probe finds Shogakukan ‘encouraged’ human rights violations
A third-party panel at Shogakukan said Monday that the publisher encouraged human rights violations by hiring a male manga artist who had committed sexual misconduct as an author for a new series under a different pseudonym.
· No Author
Project mBridge moves closer to broader commercial use amid cross-border digital yuan push
China’s Project mBridge, the multilateral central bank digital currency platform, is moving closer to broader commercial adoption
· Sylvia Ma
Fresh mBridge progress boosts cross-border digital yuan push
China’s Project mBridge, the multilateral central bank digital currency platform, is moving closer to broader commercial adoption
· Sylvia Ma
With America deranged, President Xi summons overseas Chinese
Keep independent journalism alive
· Han Feizi
China break with tradition by unveiling blue official podium uniforms for 2026 Asian Games
Also for the first time, female athletes will have the option of wearing trousers or skirts, a change that has sparked widespread discussion
· Stephy Zhang
China break with tradition by unveiling blue official podium uniforms for 2026 Asian Games
Also for the first time, female athletes will have the option of wearing trousers or skirts, a change that has sparked widespread discussion
· Stephy Zhang
‘Run us off our feet’: Wallabies’ surprising ploy to prepare for Japanese heat
Not content with sweating their way through training, the Wallabies have been doing added sauna sessions as well as they prepare for Japan to try and use heatwave conditions to their favour on Saturday and run the wilting Australians into submission.
· Iain Payten
PH Blu Girls eye Asian Games medal after World Cup breakthrough
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women’s national softball team is shifting its focus to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after a solid fifth-place finish in Group B of the 2027 Women’s Softball World Cup.
· Nicole Anne D.G. Bugauisan
Japan's Toyota reports hefty profit on cheap yen, car sales
FILE -Toyota dealership, April 30, 2026, in Nashua, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
· Yuri Kageyama
Europe’s new EV power struggle sees Chinese giants seize record market share
Leading Chinese carmakers and an aggressive Tesla together command more than 13% of western Europe’s surging EV market
· Themis Qi
Europe’s new EV power struggle sees Chinese giants seize record market share
Leading Chinese carmakers and an aggressive Tesla together command more than 13% of western Europe’s surging EV market
· Themis Qi