Corrupt officials have nowhere to hide, China’s anti-graft watchdog warns
Senior figures told there is ‘no way out’ after the start of a probe into Huang Qifan, who had survived a string of previous scandals.
· Phoebe Zhang
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Strangers and railway staff help Chinese couple bring quintuplets home by train
Despite a previous diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that can make pregnancy challenging, the 24-year-old mother conceived naturally.
· Alice Yan
Strangers and railway staff help Chinese couple bring quintuplets home by train
When a couple from Xinjiang took their quintuplets home on a 36-hour train journey, the babies became favourites of both the train crew and fellow passengers, who took turns caring for them. The five babies were born on February 26 at a major hospital in Wuhan, in central China’s Hubei province. Their father, known …
· Alice Yan
Is China’s Shenzhen ready to host Xi, Trump and Putin during Apec summit?
This is not the first international event hosted by the southern Chinese city but the authorities are taking preparations to new heights.
· Phoebe Zhang
Is China’s Shenzhen ready to host Xi, Trump and Putin during Apec summit?
In Shenzhen, drones are banned, shiny new hotels have opened their doors and taxi drivers are carrying devices that can translate nearly 150 languages. Since President Xi Jinping announced last year that China’s southern tech hub would host Apec meetings in November, the city has done all it can to get ready under t…
· Phoebe Zhang
Pangilinan, Ejercito to Chinese envoy Jing Quan: Go home
MANILA, Philippines — More senators are calling on Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to go back to Beijing after the Chinese embassy dared Filipino lawmakers to declare its envoy persona non grata amid a diplomatic row over his remarks about using force against the Philippines. Sen. JV Ejercito posted a video on his offi…
· Dexter Cabalza
Reporter’s notebook: Kimi’s AI credit card turns spending into computing quotas – with limits
The Kimi card promises to turn everyday spending into access to AI services, including agent usage quotas and coding tools.
· Minxiao Chang
Landmark China trial gets 84% efficacy in treating cancer with clue from waste water tech
For patients with advanced, metastatic cancer that has progressed despite systemic therapy, options remain critically limited. Now, Chinese scientists are pointing to an unconventional therapeutic agent – the element iron. This idea originated in industrial waste water treatment: iron can react with hydrogen peroxid…
· Shi Huang
Landmark China trial gets 84% efficacy in treating cancer with clue from waste water tech
Nano-carbon iron injection halts tumour growth in 16 patients, induces shrinkage in two, with Phase II trial now under way with 52 others.
· Shi Huang
Japan to raise youth awareness about Northern Territories
Such efforts will include attracting school trips to areas close to the islands and sharing relevant information on social media.
· No Author
Security fears in Norway as Chinese smart cars record sensitive military data
Videos recorded by the rentals’ on-board cameras show the personnel using the cars, routes taken and gate codes to military facilities.
· Agence France-Presse
Bury yourself in enzyme baths, Korea’s latest wellness trend
Wellness has become an increasingly prominent part of Korea's lifestyle scene, attracting both locals and tourists. The trend, particularly centered around saunas, encompasses beauty, food, cultural experiences and a range of health and relaxation practices. Enzyme baths are one of the latest trends, having gained a…
· Cha Min-jung
IMF official welcomes Japan’s temporary tax cut plan
Rahul Anand, IMF assistant director and mission chief for Japan, said the approach was "a very welcome step."
· No Author
Hong Kong’s skiers flock to mainland as indoor slopes mushroom nationwide
A rising number of travellers from Hong Kong and Macau are flocking to indoor ski centres in Guangdong province, as new venues mushroom across the mainland amid a winter sports boom. Chinese indoor ski resort operator Bonski said 20 to 30 per cent of visitors to its facility in Guangzhou were now coming from Hong Ko…
· Zhu Wenqian
Hong Kong’s skiers flock to mainland as indoor slopes mushroom nationwide
Indoor ski resorts are springing up across mainland China amid a winter sports boom – and Hongkongers are keen to take advantage.
· Zhu Wenqian
Ruling party lawmaker accuses USFK chief of violating S. Korea's territorial sovereignty
Rep. Kim Byung-joo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Saturday accused the commander of US Forces Korea of infringing on South Korea's territorial sovereignty over recent remarks concerning the Military Demarcation Line. Kim, a retired four-star Army general and member of the National Assembly's National Def…
· Hwang Joo-young
China, Russia quietly moving toward a new Arctic axis
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s advisor Nikolai Patrushev’s recent visit to China points to something more consequential than another round of Russia-China strategic rhetoric: Moscow is trying to turn maritime cooperation with Beijing into infrastructure, technology and logistics that can survive geopolitical pre…
· Adriel Kasonta
Asean’s Myanmar peace push needs Japan’s ‘silent diplomacy’
Japan has long established itself as a pioneer of mediation in Southeast Asia. In 1990, for example, its officials helped broker talks between Cambodia’s warring factions, supplementing international efforts to end conflict in the country. Now, Tokyo is seeking to upgrade its diplomatic toolkit. The Ministry of Fore…
· Hirokazu Omatsu
Asean’s Myanmar peace push needs Japan’s ‘silent diplomacy’
Tokyo knows how to back an Asean-led process without taking ownership of it, as decades of regional mediation show.
· Hirokazu Omatsu
China dares PH to declare envoy persona non grata
MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy in Manila hit back at lawmakers who are threatening to declare the Chinese envoy to the Philippines persona non grata.
· Allen Limos
‘Hong Kong speed’: treasury chief details city’s gold and yuan ambitions | South China Morning Post
Christopher Hui talks to the SCMP about the city’s gold clearing system, regional competition and digital yuan adoption.
Chinese kindergarten owner given life sentence over lead paint poisoning scandal
The owner of a Chinese kindergarten has been jailed for life after more than 200 children were poisoned by lead in the country’s worst food safety scandal for almost two decades. A total of six people were jailed by the Lanzhou Intermediate People’s Court in Gansu province on Friday for making or selling harmful foo…
· Phoebe Zhang
Chinese kindergarten owner given life sentence over lead paint poisoning scandal
Five others were also jailed after more than 200 children in Gansu were poisoned by paint used to improve the appearance of canteen food.
· Phoebe Zhang
China’s latest war epics are AI-generated, minutes long and backed by the state | South China Morning Post
The People’s Liberation Army and state authorities are producing a new wave of AI microdramas to promote Chinese values and history.
Can you read your dog’s mind? South Korea’s pet owners turn to tarot | South China Morning Post
With South Korea’s birth rate persistently low amid soaring living costs, pet ownership is on the rise.
(2nd LD) N. Korea tests new precision-guided torpedo using AI: KCNA
SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Saturday it has conducted an underwa...
· Kim Hyun-soo
S. Korea, US hold first 2+2 meeting of finance, monetary
South Korea and the United States held their first "two-plus-two" meeting of finance and monetary policymakers on the sidelines of a Group of 20 (G20) ministerial gathering to strengthen coordination in responding to external uncertainties, the finance ministry said. Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il and Bank of Korea …
· Yonhap
Chinese man celebrates wedding to one woman, baby with ex-lover at same venue on same day
A man in southwestern China has sparked widespread criticism after holding a wedding with one woman and a celebration for his baby with another at the same venue on the same day. According to The Beijing News, Wu Linfeng, from Liupanshui, Guizhou province, held a wedding ceremony with Kong Sihan on the first floor o…
· Zoey Zhang
Chinese man hosts wedding and ex’s baby banquet at same venue on same day
According to a legal expert, although Wu’s case does not legally constitute bigamy, he could still face civil liability.
· Zoey Zhang
Air rage incidents in Japan surge, led by late check-in ‘flashpoint’
Airline employees in Japan are experiencing a surge in abuse incidents from customers linked to delays or cancellations of flights or from being refused boarding due to late check-in, according to a survey. Some 30 per cent of ground staff or cabin crew reported bearing the brunt of passengers’ anger over such matte…
· Julian Ryall
Air rage incidents in Japan surge, led by late check-in ‘flashpoint’
More cabin crew are experiencing verbal abuse, physical attacks and sexual harassment from Japanese and international passengers.
· Julian Ryall
Foreign banks trim China branch networks as low returns test strategy
Almost two decades after gaining permission to conduct yuan business for local clients, foreign-funded banks are still refining their strategy in China, where the financial sector is dominated by state-owned lenders. While Citi exited its China retail banking business, other foreign banks have continued to close bra…
· Tim Yuen Lingk
Foreign banks shrink China branch networks as growth remains subdued
Foreign lenders are closing branches and shifting to wealth management as weak returns put pressure on their China operations.
· Tim Yuen Lingk
Philippines’ ‘China-free’ manufacturing strategy is a high-risk bet
China and the Philippines recently traded accusations over the medical evacuation of a Philippine serviceman from a grounded naval vessel in the hotly disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident has sparked renewed worries about potential armed skirmishes in a global artery of trade. But Philip…
· Richard Heydarian
Philippines’ ‘China-free’ manufacturing strategy is a high-risk bet
Despite support and progress on the Luzon Economic Corridor and Pax Silica initiatives, Manila faces many challenges and much competition.
· Richard Heydarian
N. Korea conducts underwater test of new precision-guided torpedo using AI: KCNA
North Korea said Saturday it has conducted an underwater test of a new precision-guided torpedo weapon system, noting that the test heralds a "significant" change in the North's naval capabilities. North Korea test-fired the Zam-2.0 super-speed precision-guided torpedo weapon system Thursday to confirm the successfu…
· Yonhap
‘Hot economics, cold politics’: why China gave nod for expanded Japanese trade trip
Beijing’s decision to allow a bigger Japanese business delegation to go to China next month may be cause for some optimism but “hot economics and cold politics” will continue to dominate the strained relationship between the two countries, observers say. Kyodo news agency reported this week that Beijing had agreed t…
· Alyssa Chen
‘Hot economics, cold politics’: why China gave nod for expanded Japanese trade trip
Allowing more executives to visit Beijing shows that China aims to use economic leverage to pressure Tokyo, experts say.
· Alyssa Chen
From Abby Choi to the ‘Hello Kitty’ killing: Hong Kong’s most shocking crimes | South China Morning Post
While Hong Kong has a reputation as one of the world’s safest cities, it has seen its share of gruesome crimes.
Japan’s Takaichi sends offering to controversial Yasukuni war shrine
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday sent a ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, regarded by Japan’s neighbours as a symbol of the country’s past militarism, at the start of its three-day autumn festival. Takaichi, known as a conservative who routinely visited the Shinto shrine before becoming prime min…
· Kyodo
Japan’s Takaichi sends offering to controversial Yasukuni war shrine
Takaichi, who routinely visited the Shinto shrine before becoming prime minister, has refrained from doing so since taking over the helm.
· Kyodo
How China’s macabre practice of human sacrifice in burials came to an end
Archaeologists have long found a disturbing pattern in the graves of ancient rulers: the dead were sometimes accompanied by other dead. Around royal tombs, the remains of people – who appear to have been killed specifically to follow their masters into the afterlife – lie alongside precious objects and weapons. A ne…
· Wee Kek Koon
How China’s macabre practice of human sacrifice in burials came to an end
In China, elites were buried with human companions as far back as the Neolithic period. Over time, symbolic figures replaced real people.
· Wee Kek Koon
Malaysia’s shoppers love Chinese e-commerce. Its factories pay the price
In hindsight, it was only a matter of time before Esha Yusof joined the growing ranks of Malaysian shoppers being drawn to Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo. Esha is a relative newcomer. She signed up in July, more than half a year after the platform launched in Malaysia – and has been smitten with it ever since. R…
· Joseph Sipalan
Malaysia’s shoppers love Chinese e-commerce. Its factories pay the price
Pinduoduo’s arrival has thrilled bargain hunters, but direct shipments from China are pricing out local firms and choking landfills.
· Joseph Sipalan
North Korea says it tested new torpedo with AI tech
North Korea conducted an underwater test of a new torpedo weapon system on Thursday to verify technological upgrades, state news agency KCNA reported on Saturday, describing the test as a success and a significant step in the country’s naval development. The test verified propulsion technology developed through m…
· Reuters
North Korea says it tested new torpedo with AI tech
Artificial intelligence was used for target detection and guidance in the new high-speed precision-guided weapon, state media says.
· Reuters
Intel chief says White House will not meddle in its semiconductor business
Lip-Bu Tan defends Trump stake, assesses chips from China as not far behind US tech
· RYOHTAROH SATOH
Intel chief says contract chip business needs 'strong' government support
Lip-Bu Tan defends Trump stake, assesses chips from China as not far behind US tech
· RYOHTAROH SATOH
China’s tourists flock to experience a pretend typhoon as ‘dark tourism’ flourishes
The concept of ‘paying to suffer’ soars in popularity, with simulated disasters proving a modern twist on visiting sites of historic tragedies When Leon Lv was looking for somewhere to travel last year, she turned to the Chinese social media app RedNote for ideas. The algorithm took her to videos of people strugglin…
· Danny Vincent