The quiet US-China tech contest for the future Power shifts begin in places most people never see – on assembly lines making batteries and robots, along transmission lines feeding data centre clusters, in local offices selling land and in labs training artificial intelligence models. The United States and China are using these quiet levers to construct different futures. The contest will be decided not by slogans but by who builds the most productive, trusted and durable infrastructure. Those choices will shape billions of lives. The global...

South China Morning Post

Opinion | The quiet US-China tech contest for the future

The competition will be decided by who builds the most productive, trusted and durable infrastructure. Those choices will shape billions of lives.

Chipmaker CXMT eyes US$42 billion Shanghai listing, sources say Chinese memory chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) plans an initial public offering (IPO) in Shanghai as soon as the first quarter of next year, eyeing a valuation of up to 300 billion yuan ($42.12 billion), according to two sources briefed on the matter. Founded in 2016 with government backing, CXMT leads China’s strategic push to build a foothold in a global DRAM market long dominated by companies from Japan, South Korea and the United States. China’s leading manufacturer of dynamic...

South China Morning Post

Chipmaker CXMT eyes US$42 billion Shanghai listing, sources say

IPO plans come as China’s semiconductor stocks surge, with the benchmark CSI CN semiconductor index rallying 49 per cent year-to-date.

Why top Chinese scientist warned public against ‘hubris’ over country’s advances The Chinese people have been urged to stay “calm and objective” about the country’s advances in cutting-edge weapons by a veteran rocket scientist, who warned “a lot of effort” was still needed. An array of advanced rockets, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, featured in last month’s Victory Day parade in Beijing along with other hi-tech weapons, generating considerable public enthusiasm. In an interview for a popular video account, Zhao Ruian, 84, a former researcher with the China...

South China Morning Post

Why top Chinese scientist warned public against ‘hubris’ over country’s advances

Rocket specialist Zhao Ruian has urged the Chinese people to remain calm about hi-tech weapons because ‘true breakthroughs lie in 2050’.

‘Light in our darkest days’: mum of slain Malaysian schoolgirl moved by support Wong Lee Ping, the grieving mother of 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen, whose brutal murder on October 14 shocked Malaysia, has expressed profound gratitude for the outpouring of community support, describing it as a beacon of light in our darkest hour. “We are truly touched and humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and presence from all of you during this painful period. Your care has been a light in our darkest days,” Wong expressed in a touching message shared on social media following her...

South China Morning Post

‘Light in our darkest days’: mum of slain Malaysian schoolgirl moved by support

Heartbroken mum Wong Lee Ping shares a poignant tribute to her murdered daughter, Yap Shing Xuen, while expressing her deep gratitude.

A kiss, then goodbye: France’s ex-president Sarkozy enters jail proclaiming innocence France’s ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy became the first former head of an EU state to be jailed Tuesday, proclaiming his innocence as he entered a Paris prison. France’s right-wing leader from 2007 to 2012 was found guilty last month of seeking to acquire funding from Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya for the campaign that saw him elected. The 70-year-old - who has appealed the verdict - left his home, and after a short drive flanked by police on motorbikes, entered the La Sante prison in the French...

South China Morning Post

A kiss, then goodbye: France’s ex-president Sarkozy enters jail proclaiming innocence

Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, enters a Paris prison to serve a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy involving Libyan funding.

Hong Kong an aviation hub for Greater Bay Area, beyond: Airport Authority chief The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is poised to serve as a major infrastructure for the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and markets beyond, as a fresh surge of Chinese companies moves to expand globally over the next decade, according to the head of the city’s Airport Authority. “We mustn’t see the HKIA just as an airport for Hong Kong,” said Fred Lam Tin-fuk, Airport Authority chairman, in a speech at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Business Summit 2025 on Tuesday. “We very much see it as a...

South China Morning Post

Hong Kong an aviation hub for Greater Bay Area, beyond: Airport Authority chief

The HKIA serves as a vital infrastructure for Chinese firms moving to expand globally, Airport Authority chairman Fred Lam says.

Sea CEO sees path to US$1 trillion market cap with help of AI Sea founder Forrest Li told employees a trillion dollar market capitalisation – an increase of about 10 times – is possible as the Southeast Asia e-commerce leader joins tech companies globally betting on artificial intelligence for growth. In a memo to staff Monday, seen by Bloomberg News, Li compared the rapid growth of AI to the personal computer and smartphone revolutions that expanded consumer access to products and services once available only to the wealthy. But Li said it would not be...

South China Morning Post

Sea CEO sees path to US$1 trillion market cap with help of AI

‘A tech transition like this makes it possible’ for Sea to be a trillion dollar company, Forrest Li says in a memo to staff.

Can Scott Bessent see China’s trade counterstrike with clear eyes? After a video call last Saturday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng are expected to meet in Malaysia this week to hopefully ease tensions before US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping potentially meet on the sidelines of this year’s Apec summit. The meeting was in doubt when Trump threatened to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on China, despite later relenting that it might not be sustainable. Washington blamed Beijing for the escalation,...

South China Morning Post

The View | Can Scott Bessent see China’s trade counterstrike with clear eyes?

China’s export control regime on rare earths isn’t retaliation for recent US restrictions – it’s a response to overall US policy.

Hong Kong’s Legco pulls farewell motion amid concerns over electoral fairness Hong Kong’s legislature will break from another tradition by withdrawing a valedictory motion marking the end of its four-year term, with a veteran lawmaker citing concerns over electoral fairness. Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the Legislative Council’s House Committee, who was supposed to move the farewell motion, revealed on Tuesday that she withdrew it after receiving feedback from some lawmakers. “The election is shaping up to be highly competitive. Some lawmakers worry that having the...

South China Morning Post

Hong Kong Legco’s farewell motion withdrawn amid electoral fairness concerns

House Committee chairwoman Starry Lee pulls motion after feedback from some lawmakers, and notes closeness to election nomination period.

Hong Kong retains top spot in finance, logistics and tourism in Greater Bay Area Hong Kong has retained its leading position in three out of six major industries within the Greater Bay Area, according to an index comparing the relative advantages of 11 cities across the southern Chinese region. Shenzhen held onto its top spot in innovation and technology as well as manufacturing, while Guangzhou remained the leader in real estate. The Greater Bay Area Industry Development Index, compiled by Our Hong Kong Foundation and Dah Sing Bank, surveyed 3,400 companies across 11 cities...

South China Morning Post

Hong Kong retains top spot in finance, logistics and tourism in Greater Bay Area

Greater Bay Area Industry Development Index, compiled by Our Hong Kong Foundation and Dah Sing Bank, surveyed 3,400 companies in 11 cities within r...

Major foreign banks raise China’s GDP forecast, annual target seen as ‘on track’ Several major banks forecast stronger economic growth for China this year, buoyed by third-quarter data showing slightly better-than-expected expansion despite domestic and external headwinds. Investment bank Goldman Sachs raised its full-year gross domestic product forecast for 2025 from 4.8 per cent to 4.9 per cent, noting that the government’s target of “around 5 per cent” remains “largely on track”. The bank also revised its estimate for 2026, up slightly from 4.2 per cent to 4.3 per cent,...

South China Morning Post

Overseas banks raise China GDP forecasts, say Beijing ‘on track’ for 2025 target

Leading banks raise estimates after third-quarter data beats expectations, but some analysts caution more policy support needed.

Palace and UK government under pressure to strip Prince Andrew of titles and home He won’t call himself a duke any more, but that is not enough for many of Prince Andrew’s critics. Buckingham Palace and the British government were under pressure Monday to formally strip Prince Andrew of his princely title and sumptuous home after new revelations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. After discussions with his elder brother King Charles, Andrew agreed on Friday to stop using titles including Duke of York. It was the latest effort to insulate the...

South China Morning Post

Palace and UK government under pressure to strip Prince Andrew of titles and home

Buckingham Palace is bracing for more embarrassing revelations about disgraced Prince Andrew, who still technically holds the title of duke.

Evangelista’s wealth under fire, Singaporeans flock to Johor: 7 Asia highlights We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. US call centre bill threatens Philippines’ US$30 billion outsourcing boom As dusk settles over Angeles City, Justin Cunanan prepares for another long night. While the rest of the Philippines sleeps, he joins millions of his compatriots powering a global industry that is...

South China Morning Post

Evangelista’s wealth under fire, Singaporeans flock to Johor: 7 Asia highlights

From Diwali’s dented gold demand to Asia’s youngest nation poised to join Asean, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Hong Kong runway on standby a day after plane accident, crew to be questioned The north runway of Hong Kong’s airport will be reopened on standby mode by noon on Tuesday, 32 hours after an Emirates cargo plane veered off it and struck a ground vehicle, sending it into the sea and killing two staff members, the airport operator has said. A source also said the Air Incident Investigation Authority was expected to meet the four Turkish crew members on the flight as part of investigations on Tuesday, with police questioning them afterwards. The crew were not prevented from...

South China Morning Post

Hong Kong airport’s north runway reopens after cargo plane crash kills 2

Monday’s incident was fourth in 15 years to involve ACT Airlines, with one accident leaving more than 30 people dead.

Argentina formalises US$20 billion lifeline from Trump as Milei faces poll test Argentina on Monday formalised a currency swap agreement with the United States for up to US$20 billion aimed “at contributing to Argentina’s economic stability,” the South American country’s central bank said. The deal is part of huge financial support from the administration of Donald Trump, a strong backer of Argentine President Javier Milei, who is under pressure ahead of midterm elections on October 26. The peso has been fluctuating wildly ahead of the vote, disrupting the savings and...

South China Morning Post

Argentina formalises US$20 billion lifeline from Trump as Milei faces poll test

Despite the currency swap being formalised by Argentina’s central bank, Trump threatens to withdraw aid if Milei is defeated in the midterms.

China’s rare earth magnet exports to US plunge 29% as tensions simmer The decline in China’s exports of rare earth magnets to the United States accelerated in September – a period predating Beijing’s expansion of controls over the flow of the critical minerals – an indication the prized items remain a major battleground in the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies. China’s total exports to the US of the permanent magnets – essential components in manufacturing for several hi-tech industries, including electric vehicles and defence – reached...

South China Morning Post

China’s rare earth magnet exports to US plunge 29% as tensions simmer

The decline in Chinese shipments to the US accelerated in September, predating Beijing’s new export controls and the flare-up that followed.

Hong Kong woman, 81, loses heart and $5 million to scammer posing as PLA officer An 81-year-old woman in Hong Kong has lost more than HK$5 million after falling victim to an elaborate online romance scam involving a fraudster who posed as a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officer from mainland China. In a post on its CyberDefender social media page on Monday, police said the woman received a WhatsApp message from a man who claimed to be a PLA officer and invited her to visit a military camp. They quickly built an online romantic relationship through frequent affectionate...

South China Morning Post

Hong Kong woman, 81, loses HK$5 million to romance scammer posing as PLA officer

More than 40 online romance scams reported in past 10 days, with total losses nearing HK$40 million.

US shutdown near end after ‘No Kings’ rallies: Hassett The 20-day US federal government shutdown is likely to end this week, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Monday. “I think the Schumer shutdown is likely to end sometime this week,” White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said in an interview on CNBC, referring to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Hassett, the director of the National Economic Council, said his “friends in the Senate” believed it was “bad optics for Democrats to open the government before the ‘No Kings’...

South China Morning Post

US shutdown near end after ‘No Kings’ rallies: Hassett

White House adviser expects shutdown to end this week, citing ‘bad optics’ for Democrats during ‘No Kings’ rallies; hints at cuts if it per...

3D printing trailblazer Chua Chee Kai relocates to China from Singapore hub Singaporean 3D printing pioneer Chua Chee Kai has joined Wuhan University of Science and Technology (WUST) as a full-time distinguished professor, receiving his appointment in a ceremony on October 10, according to the university’s website. For decades, Chua led major 3D printing research initiatives in Singapore, helping to turn the country into a global hub for additive manufacturing technologies used in aerospace, biomedical and electronic applications. In his remarks at the ceremony, Chua...

South China Morning Post

3D printing trailblazer Chua Chee Kai relocates to China from Singapore hub

After decades at the forefront of Singapore’s leadership in the field, he has moved to Wuhan University of Science and Technology.

Colombia recalls ambassador to US as Trump-Petro feud intensifies Colombia’s foreign ministry said early on Monday the country has recalled its ambassador to Washington, after US President Donald Trump said he would raise tariffs on Colombia and stop all payments to the South American nation, in a feud that stems from the US military’s strikes on vessels allegedly transporting drugs. Trump also called Colombian President Gustavo Petro an “illegal drug leader” on Sunday, an accusation Petro’s government said was offensive. “Daniel Garcia-Pena, Ambassador of...

South China Morning Post

Colombia recalls ambassador to US as Trump-Petro feud intensifies

Trump’s rhetoric and tariff threats mark a new low in US-Colombia relations, which the US leader alleges are complicit in the drug trade.