뉴스 | 🇭🇰 홍콩 | "PERFORM"

South China Morning Post

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Does Pete Hegseth’s volte-face on China reflect an America in decline?

Listening to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the recently concluded Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, I thought of the iconic Sichuan opera act of face-changing, where performers switch masks in an instant. Last year, Hegseth’s speech at the event was filled with blatant attacks on China. This year, he put on a completely different face, declaring that: “Under President Trump’s leadership, relations between the United States and China are better than they’ve been in many years.” Why this...

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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스포츠

Roberto Losada to lead HK, China football squad

Spaniard Roberto Losada has officially been appointed as the new head coach of the SAR football team, the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) announced on Friday. The 49-year-old took charge of the SAR squad as interim boss in December, following the departure of former head coach Ashley Westwood. Over the past six months, Losada led the team through their final AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against India, as well as the annual Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup. Losada's official appointment comes as the SAR squad take on Mongolia in a friendly at Hong Kong Stadium on Friday. HKFA’s chairman Eric Fok said the association had high hopes for Losada. “We hope the new head coach will bring a clear direction to the team, including establishing a clear style of play, strengthening tactical organisation and improving in-game stability and discipline. We also hope that under the coach's guidance, team cohesion will be strengthened and our players will achieve a higher level of performance,” he said. Losada, who has lived in Hong Kong for 16 years and won three Coach of the Year awards while managing local Premier League club Eastern, said he would give more chances to local young players. “We are going to try to make our squad a little bit more dynamic, a little bit more young. We are not going to have too many naturalised players in the coming three, four years coming in for the squad, so we have to start to trust our young boys,” he said. “Our players that have been working hard to get into the squad, and they deserve the chance. We're going to do it a little bit steady and smooth, try to put some young boys coming up, integrate them in the team with the seniors that we have, and try in a couple of years to have a very competitive squad." A former professional player himself, Losada scored 27 goals in 113 appearances in Spain’s La Liga and won a Hong Kong Footballer of the Year award while playing with local Premier League club Kitchee. Meanwhile, the HKFA also announced that Hong Kong is set to host Division 2 of the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup across the months of September and October. The new tournament features a two-tier format, with Indonesia hosting the top-flight Division 1, and Hong Kong staging the second division, which will see six participating teams. Fok pointed out that the event would be the first time Hong Kong hosted a Fifa-sanctioned international football tournament, saying this is of great significance to football development in the SAR. “They are not just ordinary international friendly matches as the teams will need to compete continuously in a short period of time, facing different opponents under pressure and goals to achieve,” he said. Fok added that since the event is scheduled during the Fifa International Match Calendar, he believes the participating teams would send more complete lineups, further raising the level of competition. Edited by Tony Sabine

South China Morning Post

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정치

‘Brilliant’: US public cheers dancing Unitree robots while Congress looks to ban them

A gulf is emerging between how the American public and lawmakers are viewing Chinese robots, analysts say, following a high-profile performance by Chinese robotics champion Unitree’s humanoid robots on US television show America’s Got Talent, which received a standing ovation from the studio audience. While ratings figures have yet to be announced, the appearance of Unitree’s G1 robots on a prime time American television show in its season premiere could contribute to mainstream acceptance of...

South China Morning Post

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정치

South Korean ruling party’s ‘flawed landslide’ election win dents Lee’s reform drive

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s ruling party swept most of the country’s major local elections, but a narrow defeat in Seoul has given conservatives a foothold to challenge his reform agenda. The loss in the capital, South Korea’s political and property-market centre, has taken the shine off an otherwise dominant performance by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), dealing a blow to Lee’s plans for tougher real estate taxation, according to observers. Across the country, the DPK won...

South China Morning Post

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정치

Trump says Vance and Rubio teaming up for 2028 run would be unbeatable

US President ⁠Donald Trump said ⁠in a podcast interview aired on Wednesday that Vice-President J.D. Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, teaming up for a 2028 presidential run, would be ‌unbeatable. Both men are seen as contenders for the 2028 Republican nomination, and Rubio’s recent turn at the White House podium drew praise from Republicans and even some Democrats who noted his smooth performance, which included quips and ⁠a 1990s hip-hop reference to describe Iran’s negotiating...

Hong Kong Free Press

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사회

Hong Kong police stop another performance artist on eve of Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

Another Hong Kong performance artist has been stopped and searched by plainclothes police after showing up in Causeway Bay on the eve of the Tiananmen crackdown anniversary. Artist Chan Mei-tung appeared with balloons – one shaped like a golden question mark – at around 7:18pm near SOGO department store. The store is near Victoria Park, […]

Hong Kong Free Press

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사회

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 […]

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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문화/연예

Chung King-fai, a giant of HK theatre, dies at 89

Veteran stage actor and director Chung King-fai on Wednesday passed away in his sleep at the age of 89. Affectionately known as "King Sir", Chung was the founding Dean of the School of Drama at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and is best remembered for being a mentor to generations of performers. In a career spanning decades, he worked as an actor, director, drama educator, television producer, host and voice-over artist. On social media, Chung's nephew, Chung Chi-kuen, wrote that he dedicated his entire life to theatre, nurturing countless students and earning deep respect and love from everyone. Former RTHK programme host Serina Ha, who knew Chung for more than 20 years, described him as steady and graceful, and someone who took his work very seriously. "He's a gentleman. Very polite and genuine. Among all the people I know, he is a mentor who truly connected with the times. He gave me the kind of guidance that a senior should. And his attitude – his seriousness – that is something worth learning from," she said. Chung held a bachelor's degree in speech and drama from Oklahoma Baptist University in the United States and and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University. A pioneer in staging Cantonese versions of absurdist dramas and Broadway musicals, he won Best Actor eight times and Best Director four times at the Hong Kong Drama Awards, along with many other accolades throughout his career. In addition to the Academy for Performing Arts, he lectured at Hong Kong Baptist University for 23 years and worked in various local television outlets. In a statement, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law expressed her condolences to Chung's family, saying he dedicated his life to the performing arts with countless productions and contributions to Hong Kong theatre. "His passing is a tremendous loss to Hong Kong's performing arts sector. We will always treasure the memory of this stage veteran and remain deeply grateful for his distinguished contributions to the performing arts in Hong Kong," she said. Edited by Edmond Fong

South China Morning Post

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Fans furious at Travis Scott’s 20-minute Istanbul debut set

US rapper Travis Scott angered fans in Istanbul after a performance that barely lasted 20 minutes, with the audience booing as he left the stage early on Monday, footage on social media showed. On his first tour of Turkey, the 35-year-old hip-hop star made his Istanbul debut late on Sunday and was to hold another event in the western Izmir resort on Monday. The Istanbul event was billed as “a performance that goes beyond a classic concert” with a limited audience of just 2,500 fans, according to...

South China Morning Post

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Chinese EV makers recover in May but competition remains fierce amid overcapacity woes

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in China recovered on solid footing in May, as new models fitted with higher-performance batteries and more advanced driver assistance systems drew consumers amid intensified competition. Zeekr, a premium EV brand owned by Geely Auto, the country’s second-largest carmaker, and Stellantis-backed Leapmotor rewrote their monthly delivery records, the latest sign that local government subsidies have whetted consumers’ buying appetite for big-ticket items. Although...

South China Morning Post

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산업/기업

Hong Kong government’s venture fund eyes bigger bankroll after double-digit return

The government’s investment arm achieved a double-digit internal rate of return last year, greater than many newly established venture capital funds, according to its CEO. “Many overseas funds have a J-curve performance, as they tend to suffer an initial loss before a gain,” said Clara Chan Ka-chai, CEO of Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC). “But we have already bypassed the J-curve, as we have earned HK$2.3 billion [US$293 million] in 2024, while we have achieved a double-digit rate of...

South China Morning Post

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IT/기술

Nvidia, Unitree and Sharpa unite to design humanoid robot that can perform ‘real work’

Nvidia has partnered with Chinese robotics champion Unitree Robotics and Singapore robotic hand maker Sharpa to release a new humanoid robot reference design to accelerate innovation in the global humanoid industry, the US chip giant’s CEO, Jensen Huang, announced on Monday. The new design, called H2+, will support industry-wide humanoid robotics research by streamlining the full development workflow for developers, including data collection, policy training and real-world deployment. “For...

South China Morning Post

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Japan Buddhist monk bar has heaven- and hell-inspired drinks, offers beating service

A Tokyo bar run by Buddhist monks has become an online sensation for its unusual blend of cocktails, chanting and death-themed rituals. At the Vowz Bar in the city’s Shinjuku district, patrons can sip drinks inspired by heaven and hell, seek life advice from the monk staff and listen to sutras performed in a modern musical style. According to a Chinese visitor @kaolababyy, the menu features cocktails such as “Nirvana in the Pure Land”, “Never Ending Suffering in Hell” and “Love and Hate leading...

South China Morning Post

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문화/연예

Italy bans Kanye West concert over security concerns

A concert by the US rapper Kanye West, who was supposed to perform on July 18 in Reggio Emilia in northern Italy, has been banned on public safety grounds, the authorities said. The prefect of the province, Salvatore Angieri, said the decision was made following requests from bodies including the local Jewish community. They had “expressed reservations” about the appearance of the rapper as part of the Pulse of Gaia Festival, the statement released on Friday evening said. Another concert by the...

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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Development chief points to greater use of drones

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said on Sunday that the government is planning to introduce high-performance drones to boost efficiency and safety in public works and emergency response. These would include models capable of carrying heavy loads and equipped with robotic arms. "With their high mobility and ability to quickly gather information from high altitudes, drones play a role in various fields and application scenarios, including aerial surveillance, disaster relief and patrol support," she wrote on her blog. "Now, drones can be combined with artificial intelligence for in-depth analysis, further enhancing departmental efficiency." She said the government is exploring broader drone applications, such as transporting building material and tools at construction sites and infrastructure projects. Linn also suggested the use of drones for slope maintenance, where they could send repair supplies to hard-to-reach areas. The development chief added that drones have overcome physical barriers and captured high-definition images of remote areas, as well as illegal rooftop structures and illegal building renovation works. The initiative is tied to the government's "Regulatory Sandbox X" under the low-altitude economy framework. In April, four pilot projects involving non-traditional aircraft were selected for phased testing, including a Development Bureau project in collaboration with industry players focused on aerial lifting operations. Linn said the authorities are also studying the use of drones for routine maintenance of infrastructures such as dams, reservoirs and surrounding slopes. She also noted that field trials are expected to begin soon. Edited by Edmond Fong

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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Civil service reviews 'to start with some grades'

An enhanced appraisal system for civil servants will only cover some grades in the first stage, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung said on Saturday. The revised system will be implemented starting October 1, under which about five to 10 percent of those deemed to have underperformed would not be granted a salary increment. Yeung told a television programme that a review would be conducted after two years to see if any adjustments needed to be made to the system as well as decide on the number of civil service grades to be included in the second stage of the system's implementation. The government, she added, is ultimately aiming to have all civil servants appraised under the system. "Our first phase does not cover all grades, but all departments have to participate," Yeung said. "Every department, based on their size, has to nominate one or two grades to participate. "These two grades must be from the core of the department, meaning that they carry out its core duties." Yeung was asked whether the move would affect cooperation within the civil service and morale as staff attempt to be the top performers. “In terms of morale, I think if an appraisal is too lenient, then it will affect the morale of those workers who really performed well," she said. "They may strive to perform well but if they get ratings that are equal to those colleagues who have a significant gap with them, this quite affects morale." Implementation of the enhanced appraisal system comes amid the recent release of pay trend survey findings – which the government references in deciding the pay rises for more than 170,000 civil servants in the city – that point the way to possible salary increments of 4.12 percent for seniors, 2.64 percent for middle-ranking staff and 1.17 percent for juniors. While the Executive Council has yet to make the final decision, as the result is only one of the factors that it has to consider, Yeung stressed that the government has to provide attractive salary levels in order to be able to compete with the private sector for talents and retain their services. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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2nd ICH month builds on last year's success

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law on Saturday said the government will continue to collaborate with the community as a way to protect and inherit the city's intangible cultural heritage. Officiating the second Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Month opening ceremony, Law said the nation's 15th five-year plan has called for vigorous cultural development, enhancing protection and inheritance of ICH, as well as strengthening the reach and influence of Chinese culture towards the world. As such, she said, the ICH Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has responded to the call, and an ICH month has been organised every June since last year - aligning with the nation's China Cultural and Natural Heritage Day on the second Saturday of June. Law also said the event will build on last year's success in attracting over 160,000 participants, to allow both residents and tourists to enjoy Hong Kong's rich and diverse culture, and promote the deep integration of culture and tourism. This year's event will offer over 50 performances, 80 promotional booths, as well as 40 site visits that feature more than 100 intangible cultural heritage items, she said. "A total of nine themed tours covering eight selected districts will be offered, such as exploring the art of Guqin in Sham Shui Po, and learning about the craftmanship behind Chiu Chow food making. Participants will have the opportunity to hear the stories and experiences directly from local artisans," Law said. To enrich the tourism experience, the minister said the administration has partnered with the Tourism Board and the airport, launching highlight tours and live demonstrations of Hong Kong-style milk tea making, respectively. The Space Museum will also present a horse-themed light and sound show on its exterior walls every evening from June 11 to 24, marking the Year of the Horse. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

South China Morning Post

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Professor disciplined after saying ‘8 in 10 Korean women’ engaged in prostitution

A professor at a private university in South Korea’s Daejeon has been disciplined and removed from all teaching duties after allegedly making sexually inappropriate remarks to students during class. According to the university on Friday, the school’s foundation recently finalised disciplinary measures against the professor, identified only by the surname B. The university said B has been barred from teaching classes, providing academic counselling and performing other student guidance duties....

South China Morning Post

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정치

US judge orders Trump’s name removed from Kennedy Centre

⁠A judge on Friday ordered the removal of US President Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Centre for the ‌Performing Arts, ruling that the iconic Washington venue cannot be renamed without an act of Congress. US District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington directed the ⁠Trump administration to take down all physical signage ‌bearing Trump’s name and to eliminate any references to a “Trump Kennedy ‌Centre” from official materials within 14 ⁠days. “The ⁠Kennedy Centre’s organic statute makes...

South China Morning Post

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IT/기술

Alibaba AI voice model cracks top 5 globally, outperforming US rivals in regional accents

A new artificial intelligence voice model from Alibaba Group Holding has beaten out Western rivals OpenAI and xAI on a major global benchmark, underscoring its technical edge in capturing complex Chinese dialects and accents. Fun-Realtime-TTS-Preview, developed by Alibaba’s Tongyi Lab, has secured the fifth spot on the Artificial Analysis Speech Arena leaderboard with a score of 1,190. It was the only Chinese-engineered voice system in the global top five. Alibaba owns the South China Morning...

뉴스

타임라인 키워드

Does Pete Hegseth’s volte-face on China reflect an America in decline?

Roberto Losada to lead HK, China football squad

‘Brilliant’: US public cheers dancing Unitree robots while Congress looks to ban them

South Korean ruling party’s ‘flawed landslide’ election win dents Lee’s reform drive

Trump says Vance and Rubio teaming up for 2028 run would be unbeatable

Hong Kong police stop another performance artist on eve of Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

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

Chung King-fai, a giant of HK theatre, dies at 89

Fans furious at Travis Scott’s 20-minute Istanbul debut set

Chinese EV makers recover in May but competition remains fierce amid overcapacity woes

Hong Kong government’s venture fund eyes bigger bankroll after double-digit return

Nvidia, Unitree and Sharpa unite to design humanoid robot that can perform ‘real work’

Japan Buddhist monk bar has heaven- and hell-inspired drinks, offers beating service

Italy bans Kanye West concert over security concerns

Development chief points to greater use of drones

Civil service reviews 'to start with some grades'

2nd ICH month builds on last year's success

Professor disciplined after saying ‘8 in 10 Korean women’ engaged in prostitution

US judge orders Trump’s name removed from Kennedy Centre

Alibaba AI voice model cracks top 5 globally, outperforming US rivals in regional accents