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Beijing slams UK’s ‘irresponsible remarks’ on Hong Kong in 6-monthly report

Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities have condemned a UK report that said the city’s national security law had further eroded the openness underpinning its success as a financial hub. In a statement issued in the early hours of Friday, the Hong Kong government said it must “refute the untruthful remarks, sland…

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Report: Beijing considers sanctions

CHINA is reportedly considering 10 possible countermeasures against the Philippines, including sanctions on Filipino politicians, cuts in fuel and fertilizer supplies, and the removal of a Philippine Navy ship grounded at Ayungin Shoal, amid escalating tensions over the South China Sea and recent remarks by Defense …

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EU’s idea that China is caving to pressure is ‘serious misjudgment’: ex-diplomat

The European Union’s perception that China is yielding to its pressure tactics on trade is a “serious misjudgment”, as Beijing proved during last year’s tariff war with the United States that it will not back down from a confrontation, a former Chinese diplomat has warned. Beijing’s willingness to compromise during …

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HBO Max K-drama Make Me Tingle: Nam Ji-hyun, Kim Jae-young lead tame sex romcom

Lead cast: Nam Ji-hyun, Kim Jae-young South Korea finds itself at an interesting juncture in its social evolution in the mid-2020s. Following the success of works such as the 2016 book Kim Ji-young, Born 1982 and its hit 2019 film adaptation, which brought the country’s gender inequality into sharp focus, the imbala…

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Philippines’ Eala ousted as Rybakina moves into Ningbo Open last 8 on return from injury

Alexandra Eala crashed out in the Ningbo Open last 16 on Thursday as world No 1 Elena Rybakina reached the quarter-finals on her return from injury when opponent Polina Kudermetova retired. Top seed and defending champion Rybakina was cruising 5-0 in eastern China when the world No 105 from Uzbekistan called it quit…

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S. Korea to take on Saudi Arabia, Qatar in Nov. football friendlies

South Korea will face Saudi Arabia and Qatar in two men's football friendly matches next month in Doha, the sport's national federation announced Thursday. The Korea Football Association (KFA) said the Taegeuk Warriors will first take on 55th-ranked Saudi Arabia on Nov. 13 and then play 60th-ranked Qatar on Nov. 17.…

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Europe still has no clear goal on China

This month alone, Europe has threatened China with a trade “kill switch”, rebuked it in parliament, sent its trade commissioner on a much-trumpeted trip to Beijing and announced three new economic security instruments. The sequence exposed a European Union that has no clear goal on China, no hierarchy of priorities …

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Hong Kong targets financial innovation to help ease economic ‘pain points’

Hong Kong’s top banking regulator has called for greater innovation in the city’s financial system to help address “pain points” in the real economy, as the city works with mainland Chinese and Asia-Pacific partners to navigate a host of sustainability, geopolitical and other challenges. “True innovation in finance …

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Who blinked first? Fragile EU-China trade peace sparks new war of words

Less than two weeks after Brussels and Beijing struck a surprise deal to avert an escalating trade dispute, their fragile rapprochement has descended into a battle over who blinked first. In Brussels and Berlin, officials are emboldened by what they consider proof that collective EU pressure can force Chinese conces…

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US-China ties need more working-level dialogues, not just summits: business chamber

The president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) has urged Beijing and Washington to push more negotiations down to working-level officials, saying businesses need greater long-term stability in bilateral ties than leader-level diplomacy alone can provide. Michael Hart, president of the cham…

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China urges opening Bab al-Mandeb in first joint statement with regional nation

In its first formal statement with a Red Sea nation on the fallout from the US-Iran war, China said in a joint communique with Djibouti that it backs “constructive efforts” to ensure international shipping lanes are safe and open. The statement on Thursday was released a day after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi an…

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European EV production drive sees China’s lithium-ion battery exports to EU surge

China’s lithium-ion battery exports to the EU surged in the first three quarters of this year, as Chinese carmakers rush to build factories in Europe amid a tightening of import restrictions on electric vehicles (EVs). Power inverter exports to the bloc’s members also grew strongly despite EU efforts to exclude Chin…

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Chinese public urged to stay confident in domestic innovation after Tesla flying-car debut

Tesla’s “flying” Roadster stunt has set social media alight worldwide, turning a car launch into a debate about technological innovation and China-US rivalry. At an event in Texas on October 15, Tesla unveiled its redesigned sports car, the Roadster, with stunts including a takeoff from a steep, curved ramp and a le…

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Ahead of Communist Party plenum, Xi Jinping warns that China faces a ‘new Long March’

A strong and united party leadership is vital to victory, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a keynote speech on Thursday marking the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March. Speaking days before an important Communist Party meeting known as the fifth plenum, Xi said the party managed to turn the tide of…

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From New York to Jeju Island: an American joins South Korea’s famed female free divers

By Lee Hae-rin For American Kylie Genter, a day at the beach is no longer a day off for sunbathing and swimming. Instead, it is a place where she prays for her safety before diving into the waters to gather abalone and shellfish for a living. What others see as a holiday destination has become, to her, a workplace a…

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China expands tax workforce as tougher enforcement moves into spotlight

Beijing’s plan to recruit more tax officers next year is drawing attention from businesses and wealthy families as tax compliance rises up the policy agenda and authorities intensify enforcement efforts. China’s 2027 national civil service recruitment plan includes 24,013 tax-related positions, accounting for more t…

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Chinese students stand by France study plans despite widespread civil unrest

Social unrest in France is not deterring some Chinese students from pursuing studies there – at least for now. Despite nationwide demonstrations over the rising cost of living and declining public services escalating into violence over the weekend, prospective applicants said they remained committed to their academi…

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Song Hye-kyo, Gong Yoo's 'Tantara' confirmed for Dec. 11 rollout

One of Netflix Korea's biggest K-dramas of 2026, "Tantara," has been confirmed for a Dec.11 rollout. The series features a powerhouse ensemble led by two A-listers: Song Hye-kyo ("The Glory," "Descendants of the Sun") and Gong Yoo ("Guardian: The Lonely and Great God," "The Trunk"). They are joined by a supporting c…

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China’s Gulf oil imports forecast to approach pre-Iran war high as shipments rebound

Chinese crude oil imports from the Gulf region are rebounding amid months of disruption from the US-Israel war on Iran and a sharp decline in domestic inventories. Shipments from the Middle East rose 25.7 per cent month on month to 13.8 million tonnes in September, marking a third consecutive monthly increase, accor…

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Korea to ease E-7-4 visa path for long-serving migrant workers

The Ministry of Justice said Thursday it would reform the E-7-4 skilled worker visa system, which allows eligible E-9 nonprofessional workers and E-10 seafarers to switch to a visa permitting a longer stay. The system assesses applicants’ Korean proficiency, income and employment or residency duration. After the quo…

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Super Typhoon Champi: Hong Kong airlines cancel at least 12 Taiwan, Japan flights

Airlines in Hong Kong have cancelled or rescheduled more than a dozen flights to and from Taiwan and Japan due to Super Typhoon Champi, with further disruption expected in the coming days. Announcements of flight cancellations from Taiwanese airlines also followed, noting flights between Hong Kong and Taipei or Kaoh…

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South Korea’s Arctic shipping trial points to shorter route, operational hurdles

BUSAN — South Korea’s first government-led Arctic shipping trial has shown the potential to cut the distance to Europe by about 35 percent and the transit time by roughly 10 days compared with the Suez Canal route, but participants said ice, severe weather and operational challenges remain obstacles to commercial se…

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Free subway rides for seniors bring social benefits but strain operators: study

Free subway rides for people aged 65 and older in Korea generated an estimated 650.6 billion won ($492 million) in social benefits in 2025, as the growing senior population adds financial pressure on metro operators, a study released Thursday found. The Korean Society of Transportation conducted the study beginning …

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