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SCMP Series

China Inc. goes global

Year of the Horse 2026

Beijing’s recalibration of its Taiwan policy

Revisiting US-China relations

SCMP Series China Inc. goes global

The US has played its hand in Latin America. Will China’s firms there cash out?

After the abduction of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, many Chinese entrepreneurs in the region say they are staying put – for now.

6-MIN READvideocam

Why overseas residency is a ‘practical advantage’ for Chinese firms going global

4-MIN READvideocam

China Economy

Can China’s cheap, renewable energy help it outrun the US in the AI race?

China’s energy buildout means cheap, green and reliable electricity fuels its manufacturing and tech industries, giving it an edge over rivals.

14 Jan 2026 - 9:14AMvideocam

Diplomacy

How the US raid in Venezuela has triggered Brazilian fury and a Chinese opening

Latin America’s largest economy seeks ‘delicate balance’ between Trump’s ambitions and boosting ties with Beijing, its top trading partner.

11 Jan 2026 - 6:04AMvideocam

Global Economy

‘Expansion to defence’: China firms strategise in Latin America after Venezuela

After the abduction of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, many Chinese entrepreneurs in the region say they are staying put – for now.

13 Jan 2026 - 9:55AMvideocam

Banking & Finance

What does HSBC’s buyout of Hang Seng Bank mean for its future and investors?

HSBC’s historic US$13.6 billion buyout of Hang Seng Bank aims to cut costs, tackle bad debts and fuel growth, but challenges abound.

10 Jan 2026 - 10:00AM

Global Economy

Why China may buy Nvidia’s AI chips as US eases curbs – and replace them later

As the US reverses Biden-era restrictions, Beijing likely to take advantage – without compromising own industry, analysts say.

5 hours agovideocam

Policy

Beijing opens antitrust investigation into Trip.com before Lunar New Year break

The Trip.com case shows how China’s regulatory inquiries into various online platforms have become the norm.

3 hours ago

Business

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

In partnership with:

MPOC

Palm oil is a versatile ingredient found in a wide range of everyday items, from ice cream and cake to lipstick and biofuel.

Middle East

Explainer | Who are Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and what is their role in the crackdown?

Reporting directly to Ayatollah Khamenei, this ‘empire within an empire’ wields immense wealth, intelligence, and suppresses dissent.

14 Jan 2026 - 5:50PM

Members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps give a military salute during a military parade in the capital Tehran in 2019. Photo: Iranian Presidency/AFP

United States & Canada

Trump says ‘unacceptable’ if US does not control Greenland

Trump’s latest comments come hours before Vice-President J.D. Vance was to host Danish and Greenlandic officials for talks.

2 hours ago

China Economy

‘Structurally hurt’: why are Chinese tourists spending less abroad than before?

China’s outbound travel sector has bounced back from the pandemic, but the era of duty-free shopping sprees appears to be over.

14 Jan 2026 - 4:04PMvideocam

Middle East

Iran signals fast trials and executions for detained protesters

As the death toll surpasses 2,500, Iran’s judiciary chief calls for fast action for suspects arrested over protests.

3 hours ago

Iranian security forces watch over a pro-government rally in Tehran on Monday. Photo: Getty Images via TNS

Politics

Taiwan names DPP stalwart new cross-strait chief amid Beijing’s scepticism

Taipei touts former speaker of the island’s legislature as having ‘laid a solid foundation for Taiwan-Japan friendship’ in his previous role.

6 hours agovideocam

Su Jia-chyuan has been appointed to chair the Straits Exchange Foundation, the semi-official group that manages ties with Beijing. Photo: CNA

Politics

Singapore MPs back motion deeming Pritam Singh unfit to be opposition leader

The 11 WP MPs present opposed the motion, while the rest of the House, mainly PAP MPs, voted to remove Singh in his role.

2 hours ago

Tech War

Zhipu AI breaks US chip reliance with first major model trained on Huawei stack

Zhipu claims GLM-Image achieved industry-leading scores among open-source models for text rendering and Chinese character generation.

5 hours ago

Russia & Central Asia

How Putin’s focus on Ukraine war leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba exposed

Russia’s war in Ukraine leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba vulnerable, exposing security failures and eroding trust in Moscow’s global influence.

6 hours ago

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the Kremlin during their May 2025 meeting in Moscow. Photo: Reuters

China Economy

Why mortgage subsidies could be key to getting China’s consumers spending

Beijing is striving to boost household spending amid an economic slowdown. But first it needs to stabilise the housing market, scholars say.

39 minutes agovideocam

Cranes tower above an unfinished apartment building in Beijing. Photo: Getty Images

Banking & Finance

Growth in sovereign investors’ China exposure slows amid political tensions

Inflows fall 58 per cent as sovereign wealth funds grow cautious, yet outlook signals selective opportunities ahead, experts say.

5 hours ago

China Business

China’s stock rally on AI optimism to stretch fundraising frenzy in 2026

Tech companies on Shanghai, Shenzhen exchanges now trade nearly 40 per cent above the Nasdaq 100, boosting the appeal of going public.

14 Jan 2026 - 4:18PM

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South China Morning Post

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South China Morning Post

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Chow Chung-yan / Executive Editor,
South China Morning Post

Highlights from SCMP Plus

FactSheet

China’s US$1.2 trillion trade surplus

China Future Tech Briefing

AI | Humanoid robot guides to hiker exoskeletons: CES 2026 round-up

Politics

Hong Kong Cantopop singer Raymond Lam cancels 2 concerts in Japan

55 minutes ago

Diplomacy

Brazil-China trade hits record US$171 billion in 2025 as US tariffs prompt pivot

1 hour ago

Racing

Lui joins elite group of trainers on 1,000 wins after Dragon’s Valley victory

1 hour ago

Hong Kong

Gaps laid bare by deadly Hong Kong fire focus of first Legco meeting of new term

2 hours ago

Other Sport

Tiger’s lost tooth, Bode Miller’s one-ski show among tales from Olympic slopes

2 hours ago

Diplomacy

Could the Iran crisis push Global South blocs to deepen security ties?

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Wednesday, January 14, 2026