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South China Morning Post

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China woman dances with eye patch and mask after losing partial jaw, vision in one eye to cancer

A 24-year-old Chinese woman keeps managing to shine on stage despite wearing a patch and a mask after she lost an eye and her left upper jaw to cancer. Han Yifei, from eastern China’s Jiangsu province, has moved many people online and garnered over 7,000 followers on a social media platform with her beautiful ballroom dancing. In videos she uploaded, she always wears an eye patch and sometimes a mask. Han lost part of her jaw and the vision in her left eye to osteosarcoma, a type of bone...

South China Morning Post

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Asia-Pacific to lead global retail sales, weather Middle East conflict

Asia-Pacific is expected to drive global retail sales over the next five years, even as the Middle East conflict is hurting consumer confidence, according to business analysts. The war could continue to weigh on consumer and business sentiment for now due to higher energy prices and supply chain disruption, Anand Ramanathan, Deloitte Asia-Pacific’s retail and consumer products sector leader, said in an interview. “As borrowing costs rise and financial conditions tighten, consumers and businesses...

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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'Incentives needed to boost tourism to Central Asia'

Direct flights and longer visa-free access for travellers will help unleash the potential of tourism across Central Asia, industry representatives said as Chief Executive John Lee concludes his visit to the landlocked region on Friday. SAR passport holders can travel to both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan visa-free, but the length of stay per visit is "borderline", according to Sunny Yip, director of Hong Kong travel agency Goldjoy Travel. Currently, Hong Kong permanent residents can stay in Kazakhstan up to 14 days each time, and 10 days in Uzbekistan. "These countries have a great deal of historical sites. From one site to another takes half a day or more by road," Yip said in an interview with RTHK. "If the countries could consider having 30 days visa-free, which is quite common for Hong Kong travellers to other countries, it would be very advantageous." But he said the real game-changer would be the introduction of direct flights. Hong Kong has never had direct air services to Uzbekistan, while Air Astana, Kazakhstan's flag carrier, used to operate flights between the SAR and Almaty before Covid. Lee on Tuesday announced that a Hong Kong carrier will start operating services to Almaty from the first quarter of 2027, with more details to follow. Sardor Nuritdinov, general director of Marco Polo Central Asia Travel in Uzbekistan, explained the importance of direct flights. "Most number of people travelling to Uzbekistan [from Hong Kong], they are 65-plus-year-old elderly people. For them, the biggest issue for them is the flight time and extra hassle in getting to the destination," he said. "If there is a direct flight ... it will at least increase the number of travellers to Uzbekistan in the first year already at least 10 times than what is right now." Yip said Hong Kong businesses can also actively participate in the development of tourism-related industries in Central Asia. "I would expect our chief executive to encourage more Hong Kong investment into hotel sectors," he said. "The airports are relatively basic. Development will be important to increase capacity." Nuritdinov agreed, noting that while Tashkent has no shortage of five-star hotels, cities like Samarkand and Bukhara lack premium accommodation. "Travellers from Hong Kong, they prefer more comfort compared to what can be offered in Uzbekistan at the moment in terms of accommodation," he said. With China emerging as a major market, Nuritdinov said Putonghua-speaking local guides remain scarce. "The local universities are also starting to think we need to add Chinese language as a course to the classes in the university," he said. "But I think it's a long way ahead. I'm thinking like five, 10 years ahead." Despite these challenges, both Nuritdinov and Yip see enormous potential in the region's tourism industry. Instability in the Middle East, they say, could also drive tourists to Central Asia. Nuritdinov recommended immersive experiences beyond historical sites, be it cooking Kazakhstan's national dish plov with a local family, silk embroidery workshops or dance lessons. Edited by Raymond Yeung

South China Morning Post

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US citizen and journalist charged with acting as Chinese agent

A US citizen who lived and worked for state media in China for several years pleaded guilty on Thursday to acting as a foreign agent for Beijing after allegedly collecting US$100,000 in return for collecting intelligence in the US on “American targets” and American politicians. According to court documents, Thomas Weir Pauken II worked at the “direction and control” of Chinese officials linked to China’s Ministry of State Security from at least 2019 until February 2026, with someone using the...

South China Morning Post

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IT/기술

Chinese satellite company releases images of Nvidia, Apple HQs

After it was sanctioned by the US government for allegedly helping Iran, a Chinese satellite company has released high-definition images of the Nvidia and Apple headquarters in California’s Silicon Valley. They were among photos posted on social media on Monday by Changguang Satellite based in Changchun, in northeast China. The satellite images – captured by the company’s Jilin-1 constellation – offer a detailed bird’s-eye view of the region. They include the futuristic Endeavour and Voyager...

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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CE hails Central Asia trip a major success

Chief Executive John Lee on Thursday declared his trip to Central Asia a major success, revealing that a total of 96 memoranda of understanding and partnership agreements worth an estimated US$1.65 billion have been made. Summing up the tour from the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, Lee said 15 pacts were signed directly on a government-to-government level with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, covering business, education and development projects. Lee also announced that Uzbekistan has agreed to establish a consulate-general in Hong Kong. He added that details for a relaxed travel arrangement – where Hong Kong and Uzbekistan could each allow the other's passport holders to enter visa-free for up to 30 days – will be announced soon. “Both governments are working very hard to implement this visa-free 30-day arrangement. We have overcome the most difficult part, that is both sides work on the details and yesterday we exchanged the notes verbally on this matter,” he said. “With the enthusiastic attitude of both governments, I think we can see very early implementation of the arrangement. I will push my colleagues to work harder, and I received the same assurance by my counterparts in the government of Uzbekistan.” The Chief Executive said that the SAR and Uzbekistan governments also signed an aviation agreement, adding that some SAR airlines are already planning to launch direct flights to Uzbekistan. He noted that the two sides have also initiated talks to establish an avoidance of double taxation agreement to lower fiscal barriers for cross-border businesses. When asked about plans for the next trip, Lee said officials will summarise the experience from the current visit and assess locations that would bring long-term benefits to the SAR's economic and trade development. For his part, Frederick Ma, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), noted that many small doors of business opportunity have opened up in the past few days. One example, he said, was that at least one state-owned Kazakh enterprise has explicitly expressed interest in pursuing a public listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Since arriving in the Uzbek capital on Wednesday, Lee has met with several senior Uzbek officials, including President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. The Chief Executive will attend a business dinner hosted by the SAR government and HKTDC on Thursday night to promote the SAR’s business opportunities to local commercial representatives. On Friday, Lee and his delegation will visit IT Park Uzbekistan – the country's primary technology and innovation hub – before setting off on his return journey to Hong Kong. Edited by Aaron Tam

South China Morning Post

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Chinese carmakers BYD, Chery chart 80% growth overseas as EV demand spikes

Leading Chinese carmakers like BYD and Chery Automobile are reaping rewards from their efforts to boost sales abroad, as they chase higher profitability amid rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs). Chery, which spearheaded the go-global drive among mainland China’s automotive groups and is the country’s largest car exporter, delivered three times as many cars overseas as at home last month. The state-owned company, based in eastern China’s Anhui province, handed 181,571 vehicles to customers...

South China Morning Post

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Part boat, part plane, part sci-fi: China debuts flying watercraft

The Soviet “sea monster” is back – and this time it’s for sale. A Chinese company has completed the maiden flight of a passenger craft that skims just above the water’s surface using ground-effect technology, reviving a concept once associated with the Soviet Union’s giant Cold War-era experimental vehicles. Chinese mobility company Navee on Thursday showcased its WaveFly 5X on Lake Taihu in Suzhou, eastern Jiangsu province, as it raced to commercialise what it said was the world’s first...

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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Observatory issues health warning as extreme heat hits

The Observatory has warned that the weather is expected to be extremely hot over parts of the territory on Thursday and Friday, due to subsiding air associated with a tropical depression. The tropical depression over the northeastern South China Sea is currently within 800 kilometres of Hong Kong. It is expected to develop slightly, but will stay about 500 kilometres or more away from the city, moving generally towards the vicinity of Taiwan. The forecaster said unless the tropical depression strengthens significantly or moves closer to the Pearl River Estuary, the chance of issuing a tropical cyclone warning signal is rather low. The Observatory reminded the public to pay attention to their health amid the heat. Edited by Tony Sabine

South China Morning Post

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Hong Kong braces for heat, showers as tropical depression passes nearby

Hong Kong’s weather forecaster is monitoring a tropical depression that has formed within 800km (497 miles) of the city, but says it is unlikely to issue a typhoon warning signal. The Hong Kong Observatory said on Thursday that an area of low pressure over the northeastern part of the South China Sea had intensified into a tropical depression, which was centred about 530km south-southwest of Kaohsiung and expected to move towards the vicinity of Taiwan. It is forecast to move northeast on...

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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At least 23 injured in three-vehicle crash

At least 23 people were injured in a three-vehicle collision on Fanling Highway on Thursday. The incident happened at around 8am on the route bound for Kowloon near Hakka Wai, involving a minibus, a bus, and a medium goods vehicle. Police said the minibus driver was trapped in the wreckage and was rescued by firefighters. He sustained injuries to his leg. More than 20 people suffered minor injuries, including passengers on the three vehicles as well as the driver of the medium goods vehicle. Among the injured, 18 were taken to North District Hospital and Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po. At 10am, some lanes on the highway still remained closed to traffic. The Transport Department advised motorists to use alternative routes. Edited by Tony Sabine

South China Morning Post

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Booking system considered to protect popular Hong Kong hiking trail from crowds

Authorities are considering a pilot booking system for one of Hong Kong’s most popular hiking routes and creating a new marine park at Sharp Island in Sai Kung, following bigger-than-expected crowds during mainland Chinese holidays. The proposals were outlined in a paper submitted to a Legislative Council ecology and tourism subcommittee ahead of a meeting on Monday. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said visitor numbers at the Po Pin Chau section of Sai Kung East Country...

South China Morning Post

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Typhoon Jangmi churns along Japan’s Pacific coast, leaves dozens hurt

Typhoon Jangmi on Wednesday ripped through the Pacific side of western and eastern Japan after making landfall in the morning, causing flooding and mudslides and leaving dozens of people injured. The typhoon made landfall around 4.30am in the southern part of Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan, after it passed near Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures the past two days. At one point, the weather agency issued its highest level 5 flood warning for the Koza River in Wakayama Prefecture, meaning the...

South China Morning Post

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From fried chicken to flight plans: Alibaba wants Qwen to become China’s digital fixer

In its latest bid to dominate China’s next-generation digital gateway, Alibaba Group Holding is opening its Qwen AI assistant to major brands, allowing users to order everything from fried chicken to bubble tea through simple conversation. The company announced on Wednesday that it was opening Qwen’s ecosystem to third-party partners’ agents. Fast-food giant KFC, tech-driven coffee chain Luckin Coffee, beverage chain Mixue Group and China Eastern Airlines are among the first companies to test...

Hong Kong Free Press

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Police surround performance artist in Causeway Bay on eve of Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

A Hong Kong performance artist has been stopped and searched by plainclothes police after showing up in Causeway Bay holding a red string ahead of the Tiananmen crackdown anniversary. Sanmu Chan appeared at the intersection of Lockhart Road and East Point Road in Causeway Bay at 4.25pm on Wednesday, one day before the 37th anniversary […]

South China Morning Post

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China’s PL-15 missile has downed Rafale jets. Is the PL-16 even more powerful?

China’s latest air-to-air missile, the PL-16, could have a range of more than 300km (186 miles) thanks to a variable-thrust rocket motor, according to an unverified image being circulated online. It comes weeks after the first image emerged of the US Air Force’s new AIM-260 air-to-air missile – a joint advanced tactical missile with a range of at least 193km (120 miles). It is not clear when the AIM-260 will enter service, but US officials have cited China’s PL-15 missile as a key driver for the...

South China Morning Post

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India hotel fire kills at least 21

At least 21 people were killed when a fire ripped through a hotel in New Delhi on Wednesday, police said, in one of the deadliest blazes in the Indian capital in recent years. Building fires are common in India due to a lack of firefighting equipment and routine disregard for safety regulations. The fire broke out in the morning at Flourish Stay, a bed-and-breakfast in a congested neighbourhood in the south of the city, Delhi Police said in a statement. “It is with profound sorrow that 21...

South China Morning Post

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What does Beijing’s response to Tokyo-Manila boundary talks mean for Taiwan?

The mainland Chinese coastguard’s first independent law enforcement patrol east of Taiwan on Monday – in response to the maritime border talks between Japan and the Philippines – marked an expansion of its patrolled area beyond the traditional focus. Since its launch in 2021, the China Coast Guard (CCG) has routinely patrolled in the South China Sea, East China Sea and Yellow Sea. In recent years, apart from routine patrols around a few Taiwan-controlled islands, the CCG has also joined the...

South China Morning Post

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China’s AI chip demand pushes South Korea into a rare surplus with top trade partner

South Korea has emerged as a rare bright spot among East Asian economies trading with China, as booming demand for memory chips pushes its balance with its largest trading partner back into a surplus. The country’s trade position with China had strengthened steadily this year, swinging from a US$764 million deficit in December 2025 to a US$1.1 billion surplus in February, before widening further to US$3.8 billion in May, according to data from South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and...

South China Morning Post

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Hong Kong pitches Northern Metropolis as ASEAN gateway to Greater Bay Area

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Hong Kong is stepping up efforts to position the Northern Metropolis as a platform connecting ASEAN businesses with opportunities across the Greater Bay Area, as diplomats, chamber representatives and business leaders from Southeast Asia were brought on a government-led tour of the mega-development project. The nearly 70-strong delegation, organised by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation (HKAF) in conjunction with the...

뉴스

타임라인 키워드

China woman dances with eye patch and mask after losing partial jaw, vision in one eye to cancer

Asia-Pacific to lead global retail sales, weather Middle East conflict

'Incentives needed to boost tourism to Central Asia'

US citizen and journalist charged with acting as Chinese agent

Chinese satellite company releases images of Nvidia, Apple HQs

CE hails Central Asia trip a major success

Chinese carmakers BYD, Chery chart 80% growth overseas as EV demand spikes

Part boat, part plane, part sci-fi: China debuts flying watercraft

Observatory issues health warning as extreme heat hits

Hong Kong braces for heat, showers as tropical depression passes nearby

At least 23 injured in three-vehicle crash

Booking system considered to protect popular Hong Kong hiking trail from crowds

Typhoon Jangmi churns along Japan’s Pacific coast, leaves dozens hurt

From fried chicken to flight plans: Alibaba wants Qwen to become China’s digital fixer

Police surround performance artist in Causeway Bay on eve of Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

China’s PL-15 missile has downed Rafale jets. Is the PL-16 even more powerful?

India hotel fire kills at least 21

What does Beijing’s response to Tokyo-Manila boundary talks mean for Taiwan?

China’s AI chip demand pushes South Korea into a rare surplus with top trade partner

Hong Kong pitches Northern Metropolis as ASEAN gateway to Greater Bay Area