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Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, Chinese seismologists have warned the region is entering a dangerous new phase. Photo: Xinhua

Magnitude 8 earthquake risk on rise in China, surrounding regions, study warns

As the world reels from the aftermath of the Myanmar earthquake, seismologists have warned there is a heightened danger of further disasters.

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China leads relief for quake-hit Myanmar. But will civil war stymie aid efforts?

Science
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Military

PLA warship may have explored alternative route to Taiwan’s east before drill

Shandong appears to have transited narrower waterways of the Philippines instead of taking Bashi Channel, according to military experts.

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Politics

China battling obesity crisis with 65% forecast to be overweight by 2030

The problems could cost the equivalent of US$57 billion, around 22 per cent of the total national health budget.

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Health & Environment

Hongkongers may soon pay deposits for booked public medical services

Residents might also face no-show charges as part of reforms aimed at cutting down on abuse of healthcare system, minister says.

Focus
Illustration: Henry Wong

What comes next? Europe searches for a new orbit in a post-American order

China Economy

Gold, dollars? China’s middle class unsure where to invest amid market chaos

Chinese investors have no easy options as domestic real estate prices tumble and turbulence roils the financial markets.

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A woman walks by an electronic board displaying Shanghai share prices near a brokerage house in Beijing. Turbulence has rocked China’s stock markets in recent months amid uncertainty over the country’s economic prospects and a potential trade war with the United States. Photo: AP
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United States & Canada

Trump doubles down on tariffs, says China ‘hit much harder’ than US

The US president told Americans to ‘hang tough’, warning them of pain ahead but promising that the United States would ‘win’.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Lamborghini crash in India reignites debate over privilege and impunity

The car’s driver was released on a bail of US$300 after critically injuring two construction workers, sparking accusations of unequal justice.

Business

How two Hong Kong firms’ innovative solutions enhance well-being in belt and road regions

Modern Dental Group and Insilico Medicine keen to use city’s unrivalled global connections to create a healthier world.

In partnership with:
Belt and Road Office
Hong Kong-based health technology firms, such as Modern Dental Group and Insilico Medicine, are leveraging the city’s strategic advantages to drive worldwide healthcare-related collaboration. Photo: Shutterstock

Diplomacy

African designers descend on Shanghai Fashion Week as Chinese market beckons

With China poised to pass the US as the world’s largest apparel market, African fashion brands have showcased their work at SHFW.

Jessica Jane Molebatsi at Shanghai Fashion Week. Photo: Instagram/ jessicajane_molebatsi

Politics

Sinking feeling: is Australia’s navy ready for a Pacific conflict?

For years, Australia assumed it had time on its side. But experts warn its maritime defences are woefully unprepared for a modern conflict.

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China

Snow leopard’s death in suspected hit-and-run sparks Chinese police probe

The animal was found dead on a mountainous stretch of highway in Qinghai province with bloody tyre marks at the scene.

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Europe

EU hits back at Trump’s trade war with US$28 billion in tariffs

The EU’s retaliatory tariffs will hit US products including meat, wine and clothing as well as chewing gum, vacuum cleaners and toilet paper.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (left) and EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Maros Sefcovic (right) before a debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on March 11. Photo: EPA-EFE

Lifestyle & Culture

In South Korea, crushing academic pressures start in kindergarten

Forget play dates – in some parts of Seoul, four-year-olds are already training for the notorious Suneung college entrance exam.

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Kindergarteners listen to their teacher read a story in Seoul. South Korea’s current education system teaches children to ruthlessly compete against one another. Photo: Shutterstock

Family & Relationships

Dating is a fraught affair in Iran, where tradition and modernity collide

In Iran, cultural shifts and societal pressures create challenges for young people eager to find a partner. To succeed they must break rules.

Society

‘I could only cry’: Hong Kong carers pushed to limit, as NGO warns of risks

Suicide Prevention Services says 37 per cent of surveyed carers in high state of stress and nearly 17 per cent have thoughts of suicide, self-harm.

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Middle East

Israel provides new details in killing of 15 Gaza aid workers

The 15 paramedics and emergency responders were shot dead on March 23 and buried in a shallow grave. Another man is still missing.

Members of the Palestine Red Crescent and other emergency services carry bodies of fellow rescuers killed a week earlier by Israeli forces, during a funeral procession at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday. Photo: TNS

Hong Kong Economy

US tariffs to have short-term impact on Hong Kong, finance chief Paul Chan says

Government will prepare for worst and take action to help businesses, finance minister vows, amid ‘heavy pressure’ on global economy.

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The finance minister has pledged that Hong Kong will continue to maintain its free port status. Photo: Jelly Tse

Education

Hong Kong schools record net increase of 4,500 students, reversing outflow trend

Reverse in fortunes for local schools follows departure of more than 80,000 pupils between 2019-20 and 2022-23.

Lifestyle & Culture

Close encounters: inside Japan’s growing fascination with UFOs

Politicians claim sightings, museums report rising visitor numbers – and ‘contact events’ draw thousands seeking alien encounters.

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OPINION
Michael Vatikiotis

Opinion | Whose lives matter? Navigating aid and ethics in a divided world

Alice Wu

Opinion | Premium taxi fleets in Hong Kong not the answer to ride-hailing dilemma

Alice Wu
Regina Ip

Opinion | Hong Kong’s economy needs a lean and mean civil service

Regina Ip
Letters

Letters | What Elon Musk could do if he cared about his legacy

Letters
Lisa Lim

Language Matters | The manosphere and its lexicon explained after Adolescence

Lisa Lim
Harry’s View | 6 Apr 2025
April 6, 2025
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Hong Kong

Hong Kong triathletes earn relay bronze, say ‘phenomenal’ China now team to beat

Southeast Asia

Indonesia will not retaliate against Trump tariff, minister says

Health & Environment

Hongkongers may soon pay deposits for booked public medical services

Racing

Eustace celebrates first HK treble at Sha Tin: ‘it’s very exciting’

China

Snow leopard’s death in suspected hit-and-run sparks Chinese police probe

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong to attract 170,000 visitors with Tourism Board’s 56 MICE events

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Focus
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

With tensions rising in Taiwan, civil defence becomes a high-wire act

Recalling ‘White Terror’ martial law, many regard government-backed civil defence sceptically even as Taipei moves to bolster readiness.

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How Malaysia became the engine powering China’s AI ambitions

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As Trump torches relations with EU, bloc seeks to redefine approach to China

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Open Questions series

Science

Open Questions | China ‘still far behind’ US in maths prowess but is on the rise: Shing-Tung Yau

When the 75-year-old maths genius left Harvard, many thought he would retire. Instead, he is nurturing the next generation of Chinese talent.

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Diplomacy

Open Questions | US sentiment on China does not equal consensus, analyst Rick Waters says

Ex-US Department of State official discusses the role of civil diplomats and whether US should have an end-state goal in its China strategy.

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China Economy

Open Questions | Michael Pettis on China’s consumption paradox and the pitfalls of a trade war

The professor of finance and author talks China’s economy and argues the US dollar’s monopoly role in trade is an ‘unsustainable’ anomaly.

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China Economy

Open Questions | Why China’s economic recovery is captivating investors again: Robin Xing

Morgan Stanley’s chief China economist sees green shoots in China thanks to innovation, but highlights need for social security reform.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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Big Tech

Microsoft shutters AI lab in Shanghai, continuing China retreat

The IoT & AI Insider Lab in the Zhangjiang hi-tech zone likely closed in January or February, nearby workers say.

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Microsoft has closed its research lab in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang hi-tech zone, and has already removed its logo from the entrance. Photo: Wency Chen

Tech Trends

DeepSeek unveils new AI reasoning method amid anticipation for R2 model

In collaboration with Tsinghua University, DeepSeek developed a technique combining reasoning methods to guide AI models towards human preferences.

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Markets

US Treasury chief Bessent: stock market drop a ‘Mag 7’ problem, not a Maga one

The decline has more to do with the emergence of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek than with Trump’s economic policies, Bessent says.

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China Economy

Deconstructing art: as China’s iconic Dafen village reels, AI takes orders

Dafen once supplied over half the world’s oil paintings – then the global economic crisis, pandemic and China’s housing downturn took their toll – and now comes AI.

An artist paints a replica of Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers in a Dafen village alley. Many painters in Dafen, once known for churning out fakes, now sell original works. Photo: AFP

Chinese culture

Explainer | What is the Chinese Ching Ming Festival and how is it marked?

Traditionally a Chinese spring ritual, the tomb-sweeping festival is said to have its roots in an emperor’s cruelty to a follower.

Grave sweepers worship their ancestors at Diamond Hill Cemetery in Kowloon, Hong Kong, on Ching Ming Festival. Photo: Elson Li

Diplomacy

Donald Trump’s pick for Beijing envoy affirms US commitment to one-China policy

David Perdue says pledges to Taiwan will be honoured, while promising ‘some pain’ in White House strategy to deal with its Asian rival.

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Military

Are Beijing’s hypersonic anti-ship missiles in Taiwan Strait a warning for US?

Two YJ-21 missiles were on board an H-6K strategic bomber as it took off from an unidentified airfield in PLA video on opening day of drills.

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China Economy

Fresh US tariffs on China may be ‘too large to absorb, too conspicuous to dodge’

Donald Trump’s deadline for China report has arrived, ahead of his ‘Liberation Day’ to free US economy from what he sees as unfair practices.

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After US President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, he ordered a comprehensive review America’s trade policy, with a focus on China. Photo: TNS
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