China

China heads into 2026 with economic strains, uneasy US rivalry: Asia Society

Report says Beijing must juggle control and growth as debt, demographics and US tech tensions shape the year ahead.

China pledges aid to Latin America, Caribbean with no ‘political conditions’

Third strategy paper of its kind released as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in a region Washington actively courts.

China’s consumer prices rise, fighter jet stand-off audio: SCMP daily highlights

From young Chinese rejecting liberal democracy to a growth in China’s consumer prices in November, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Former Nasa chief calls for new US approach to moon landing – much like China’s

Mike Griffin says Artemis programme ‘cannot work’ because of complex design and unproven tech, while Chinese are ‘doing the right things’.

China closes capacity and influence gap with US in Asia, power index finds

Think tank says China may weather geopolitical environment but neighbours are ‘anxious about rising tensions and protectionism’.

China-Russia bomber patrol ‘a serious security’ concern, Japanese minister says

Defence chief Shinjiro Koizumi says the exercise was ‘clearly intended to be a demonstration’ against Japan at a time of heightened tension.

12 killed after fire hits residential building in southern China’s Shantou city

Tuesday night's accident was the first of its kind since the fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district killed 160 people last month.

China’s post-90s shun liberal democracy despite boom years, study finds

Study contradicts decades of assumptions that the economic boom and post-materialism would lead to more support for democratic values.

China and Russia must be on guard to stop Japan causing trouble: ex-diplomat

Wu Hailong tells forum that Tokyo ‘has never truly reflected on or repented its crimes of aggression’ during World War II.

How China pulled off a critical mineral tech revolution in just 10 months

‘Unique’ Chinese efficiency turns European firm’s vision into reality by building the world’s first large-scale silica-removal technology.