By SCMP
Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China and economy stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
After retaking the White House last month, US president-elect Donald Trump celebrated his victory by attending an Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight bout with his friend and UFC president, Dana White, alongside billionaire ally Elon Musk.
The US Supreme Court said on Wednesday that it had agreed to review a US law that mandates a nationwide ban of the popular Chinese-owned video app TikTok if it fails to secure a non-Chinese buyer by January 19.
China has not only expanded its number of operational nuclear warheads to 600 but improved the diversity and sophistication of its arsenal, the Pentagon said in a report released on Wednesday.TikTok faces a potential US ban. Photo: TNS
via SCMP Full Text Feed
China’s H-20 long-range stealth bomber will not appear until the 2030s: Pentagon
By Zhao Ziwen
China’s H-20 stealth bomber is unlikely to make its debut until the 2030s, the Pentagon said in an annual defence report released on Wednesday.
“[China] is developing a new generation of long-range bombers, likely named the H-20 … which may debut sometime in the next decade,” the China Military Power Report said, offering Washington’s latest evaluation of the widely discussed advanced Chinese stealth bomber.
The Pentagon report, mandated by the US Congress and released annually for the past two years, is seen as the US defence ministry’s most comprehensive unclassified report on China’s military advancements.
The H-20 programme was first revealed by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in 2016 as a “new generation of long-range bombers”, seen as Beijing’s answer to America’s B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider bombers.
According to the Pentagon, the H-20 will have a range of “more than 10,000km (about 6,214 miles)”, “enabling the [PLA Air Force] to cover the second island chain and into the western region of the Pacific”.
It also added that the bomber was expected to employ both conventional and nuclear weaponry and “feature a stealthy design”.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Zhao Ziwen
China’s H-20 stealth bomber is unlikely to make its debut until the 2030s, the Pentagon said in an annual defence report released on Wednesday.
“[China] is developing a new generation of long-range bombers, likely named the H-20 … which may debut sometime in the next decade,” the China Military Power Report said, offering Washington’s latest evaluation of the widely discussed advanced Chinese stealth bomber.
The Pentagon report, mandated by the US Congress and released annually for the past two years, is seen as the US defence ministry’s most comprehensive unclassified report on China’s military advancements.
The H-20 programme was first revealed by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in 2016 as a “new generation of long-range bombers”, seen as Beijing’s answer to America’s B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider bombers.
According to the Pentagon, the H-20 will have a range of “more than 10,000km (about 6,214 miles)”, “enabling the [PLA Air Force] to cover the second island chain and into the western region of the Pacific”.
It also added that the bomber was expected to employ both conventional and nuclear weaponry and “feature a stealthy design”.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Too early to think about retirement, president of Hong Kong’s legislature says
By Harvey Kong
The president of Hong Kong’s legislature has said it is too early to think about retirement, as he praised lawmakers for passing nearly 50 per cent more government bills in the first three years of the body’s current term than their predecessors did.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen predicted lawmakers would be “very busy” in 2025 vetting numerous bills aimed at boosting the economy and resident’s livelihood before their term ended next December.
“We have another year to go, so I think it is too early for any members to think of plans for 2026,” said Leung, who was elected to the position in 2016. “I think the government is working very hard together with Legco. Hopefully there are plenty of bills to get Hong Kong into a better economic situation or direction, [and] there are a lot of bills to help to improve the livelihood of Hong Kong citizens.
“So I think we are going to have a very busy year.”
Legco has been without opposition lawmakers since 2020. The bloc’s legislators resigned as a group ahead of Beijing’s overhaul of the electoral system in 2021 to ensure only “patriots” held political power.
Responding to questions about his retirement plans, Leung said every lawmaker would be focused on the remaining year of their term, and the future would be considered at an appropriate time.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Harvey Kong
The president of Hong Kong’s legislature has said it is too early to think about retirement, as he praised lawmakers for passing nearly 50 per cent more government bills in the first three years of the body’s current term than their predecessors did.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen predicted lawmakers would be “very busy” in 2025 vetting numerous bills aimed at boosting the economy and resident’s livelihood before their term ended next December.
“We have another year to go, so I think it is too early for any members to think of plans for 2026,” said Leung, who was elected to the position in 2016. “I think the government is working very hard together with Legco. Hopefully there are plenty of bills to get Hong Kong into a better economic situation or direction, [and] there are a lot of bills to help to improve the livelihood of Hong Kong citizens.
“So I think we are going to have a very busy year.”
Legco has been without opposition lawmakers since 2020. The bloc’s legislators resigned as a group ahead of Beijing’s overhaul of the electoral system in 2021 to ensure only “patriots” held political power.
Responding to questions about his retirement plans, Leung said every lawmaker would be focused on the remaining year of their term, and the future would be considered at an appropriate time.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
China’s youth-unemployment pressure eases as index falls for third straight month
By Alice Li
China’s youth-unemployment pressure showed signs of easing in November as rates declined for the third consecutive month, according to official data. But job market uncertainty is still driving graduates to chase stable public-sector jobs.
The unemployment rate for the 16-24 age group, excluding students, was 16.1 per cent last month, down from 17.1 per cent in October, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for the 25-29 age group, excluding college students, also fell slightly to 6.7 per cent last month, compared with 6.8 per cent in October.
China’s youth-unemployment rate has now posted three consecutive monthly declines since the index shot up to 18.8 per cent in August, when a bumper class of fresh graduates entered the job market.
That August peak was the highest youth-unemployment level China had recorded since the government changed the way it measured the rate last year.
China temporarily stopped publishing its youth-unemployment data in August 2023, after recording a record-high rate of 21.3 per cent two months earlier. It then rejigged its calculation method to exclude students from the data.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Alice Li
China’s youth-unemployment pressure showed signs of easing in November as rates declined for the third consecutive month, according to official data. But job market uncertainty is still driving graduates to chase stable public-sector jobs.
The unemployment rate for the 16-24 age group, excluding students, was 16.1 per cent last month, down from 17.1 per cent in October, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for the 25-29 age group, excluding college students, also fell slightly to 6.7 per cent last month, compared with 6.8 per cent in October.
China’s youth-unemployment rate has now posted three consecutive monthly declines since the index shot up to 18.8 per cent in August, when a bumper class of fresh graduates entered the job market.
That August peak was the highest youth-unemployment level China had recorded since the government changed the way it measured the rate last year.
China temporarily stopped publishing its youth-unemployment data in August 2023, after recording a record-high rate of 21.3 per cent two months earlier. It then rejigged its calculation method to exclude students from the data.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Xi Jinping tells Hong Kong’s John Lee country has ‘very high expectations’
By Natalie WongEmily Hung
Chinese President Xi Jinping has met Hong Kong’s leader for the second time in a week, telling him the country has “very high expectations” of the city and urging officials to go “all out” to boost the economy.
The pair spoke at a closed-door meeting on Thursday afternoon in Macau, as Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu joined Xi on the second day of his visit to the casino hub for celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of its return to Chinese administration.
“The country has very high expectations of Hong Kong. [I] hope Lee and the administration will govern firmly and steadily, make all out efforts to boost the economy and strive for development and create a brighter future for Hong Kong,” Xi said, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Xi also reportedly told Lee that Hong Kong and Macau should “learn from each other” and “strengthen exchanges and cooperation”, as the implementation of the “one country, two systems” governing principle entered a new stage.
Lee voiced his gratitude to Xi and pledged to lead the city’s push to develop the economy, improve livelihoods and integrate further into the Greater Bay Area.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Natalie WongEmily Hung
Chinese President Xi Jinping has met Hong Kong’s leader for the second time in a week, telling him the country has “very high expectations” of the city and urging officials to go “all out” to boost the economy.
The pair spoke at a closed-door meeting on Thursday afternoon in Macau, as Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu joined Xi on the second day of his visit to the casino hub for celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of its return to Chinese administration.
“The country has very high expectations of Hong Kong. [I] hope Lee and the administration will govern firmly and steadily, make all out efforts to boost the economy and strive for development and create a brighter future for Hong Kong,” Xi said, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Xi also reportedly told Lee that Hong Kong and Macau should “learn from each other” and “strengthen exchanges and cooperation”, as the implementation of the “one country, two systems” governing principle entered a new stage.
Lee voiced his gratitude to Xi and pledged to lead the city’s push to develop the economy, improve livelihoods and integrate further into the Greater Bay Area.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
North Korea’s Kim Jong-un visits father Kim Jong-il’s grave on 13th death anniversary
By Danielle Popov
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a mausoleum for his father Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim Il-sung on Tuesday, to pay tribute to his father.
State media images showed Kim at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where his father and grandfather lie in state. The visit took place on the 13th anniversary of Kim Jong-il’s death.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Danielle Popov
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a mausoleum for his father Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim Il-sung on Tuesday, to pay tribute to his father.
State media images showed Kim at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where his father and grandfather lie in state. The visit took place on the 13th anniversary of Kim Jong-il’s death.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong’s MTR rides city’s bear craze with launch of panda-themed trains
By Winnie Wong
Panda-themed trains will run in southern Hong Kong, to and from the airport as well as on the high-speed rail to Shenzhen and Guangzhou as the city ramps up promoting the bears’ presence to drive tourism.
Two trains operating on the South Island Line connecting Admiralty and Ap Lei Chau and a thematic Airport Express train debuted on Thursday with the panda designs.
The service running from West Kowloon terminus to neighbouring Shenzhen and Guangzhou will start in January next year.
“I hope this encourages local passengers and tourists to travel around and brings joy and vibrancy to our city,” said Jeny Yeung Mei-chun, the managing director of the MTR Corporation.
Inside the train cabins, a row of six seats is covered with panda-themed stickers depicting various images of the bears, some wearing navy and shark hats while others are shown eating bamboo leaves.
Around the train windows, there are pandas dressed in the yellow jumpsuit similar to the one worn by late martial arts superstar Bruce Lee, complete with bamboo nunchucks.
The city is promoting the bears’ presence following the birth of twin cubs by Ocean Park’s female giant panda, Ying Ying, and male partner, Le Le, in August, as well as the arrival of another pair, male An An and female Ke Ke, gifted by Beijing in September.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Winnie Wong
Panda-themed trains will run in southern Hong Kong, to and from the airport as well as on the high-speed rail to Shenzhen and Guangzhou as the city ramps up promoting the bears’ presence to drive tourism.
Two trains operating on the South Island Line connecting Admiralty and Ap Lei Chau and a thematic Airport Express train debuted on Thursday with the panda designs.
The service running from West Kowloon terminus to neighbouring Shenzhen and Guangzhou will start in January next year.
“I hope this encourages local passengers and tourists to travel around and brings joy and vibrancy to our city,” said Jeny Yeung Mei-chun, the managing director of the MTR Corporation.
Inside the train cabins, a row of six seats is covered with panda-themed stickers depicting various images of the bears, some wearing navy and shark hats while others are shown eating bamboo leaves.
Around the train windows, there are pandas dressed in the yellow jumpsuit similar to the one worn by late martial arts superstar Bruce Lee, complete with bamboo nunchucks.
The city is promoting the bears’ presence following the birth of twin cubs by Ocean Park’s female giant panda, Ying Ying, and male partner, Le Le, in August, as well as the arrival of another pair, male An An and female Ke Ke, gifted by Beijing in September.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Apple in talks with Tencent, ByteDance to bring AI to iPhones in China, report says
By Wency Chen
Apple is in early-stage talks with Tencent Holdings and ByteDance in a bid to introduce its Apple Intelligence to mainland China, where the smartphone maker is required to partner with a local AI model provider, Reuters reported on Thursday.
Apple has faced a slow process in trying to bring its new AI features to mainland iPhone users. The company was previously working with internet search giant Baidu, but that collaboration faced roadblocks owing to disputes over user data, US tech news outlet The Information previously reported. Baidu had sought access to certain iPhone user data to enhance AI performance, a request that violates Apple’s privacy policy, according to the report.
Tencent, Baidu, ByteDance and Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Tencent’s share price gained 2.3 per cent in Hong Kong on Thursday, while Nasdaq-listed Baidu fell 2 per cent in pre-trading.
An AI partnership between Tencent and Apple could give a boost to both companies. Tencent launched its foundational AI model, Hunyuan, in September last year, with continuous updates since then. Tencent debuted its Yuanbao AI chatbot in May, trailing behind competitors. In October, Yuanbao’s web platform attracted 1.16 million visits, according to QuestMobile data.
ByteDance, the owner of Douyin and TikTok, has been competing fiercely in AI by lowering the price of its Doubao large model and ramping up advertising for its chatbot, also named Doubao, across Chinese social media platforms. As of October, the web version of Doubao garnered 16.88 million visits, while its app had 48.39 million monthly active users, positioning it as a front-runner in the market, according to QuestMobile.
ByteDance CEO Liang Rubo, in outlining his objectives for the fourth quarter, said the company would “keep expanding [its] advantage in current key [generative AI] applications” and “reinforce several vertical fields”, the Post reported last week.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Wency Chen
Apple is in early-stage talks with Tencent Holdings and ByteDance in a bid to introduce its Apple Intelligence to mainland China, where the smartphone maker is required to partner with a local AI model provider, Reuters reported on Thursday.
Apple has faced a slow process in trying to bring its new AI features to mainland iPhone users. The company was previously working with internet search giant Baidu, but that collaboration faced roadblocks owing to disputes over user data, US tech news outlet The Information previously reported. Baidu had sought access to certain iPhone user data to enhance AI performance, a request that violates Apple’s privacy policy, according to the report.
Tencent, Baidu, ByteDance and Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Tencent’s share price gained 2.3 per cent in Hong Kong on Thursday, while Nasdaq-listed Baidu fell 2 per cent in pre-trading.
An AI partnership between Tencent and Apple could give a boost to both companies. Tencent launched its foundational AI model, Hunyuan, in September last year, with continuous updates since then. Tencent debuted its Yuanbao AI chatbot in May, trailing behind competitors. In October, Yuanbao’s web platform attracted 1.16 million visits, according to QuestMobile data.
ByteDance, the owner of Douyin and TikTok, has been competing fiercely in AI by lowering the price of its Doubao large model and ramping up advertising for its chatbot, also named Doubao, across Chinese social media platforms. As of October, the web version of Doubao garnered 16.88 million visits, while its app had 48.39 million monthly active users, positioning it as a front-runner in the market, according to QuestMobile.
ByteDance CEO Liang Rubo, in outlining his objectives for the fourth quarter, said the company would “keep expanding [its] advantage in current key [generative AI] applications” and “reinforce several vertical fields”, the Post reported last week.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai denies his call for Xi to step down equals incitement
By Brian Wong
Former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has told his national security trial in Hong Kong that the Covid-19 pandemic showed mainland China would be a “danger” to the world unless the regime changed by accepting Western democratic values and granted greater freedoms to its people.
Lai on Thursday also dismissed a notion raised during the proceedings that he had incited public hatred towards Chinese President Xi Jinping by suggesting the Communist Party could solve the tensions the country had with overseas governments by him stepping down and ceasing to dictate the direction of the party
On the 21st day of oral testimony at West Kowloon Court, the Apple Daily tabloid founder continued to offer justifications for his allegedly offensive remarks made in the online broadcast series “Live Chat with Jimmy Lai”, in which he shared his political views with mostly overseas guests.
The 77-year-old has denied two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces under the national security law, and a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications in breach of colonial-era legislation.
Prosecutors have alleged the shows formed part of a conspiracy by Lai and Apple Daily staff to instigate international sanctions and incite public hatred towards central and local authorities.
In an episode aired on September 17, 2020, Lai echoed a guest speaker’s analogy drawing similarities between the coronavirus pandemic and the Pearl Harbour attack, saying the mainland’s threat to the world was akin to the danger posed to the United States by Japan during wartime.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Brian Wong
Former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has told his national security trial in Hong Kong that the Covid-19 pandemic showed mainland China would be a “danger” to the world unless the regime changed by accepting Western democratic values and granted greater freedoms to its people.
Lai on Thursday also dismissed a notion raised during the proceedings that he had incited public hatred towards Chinese President Xi Jinping by suggesting the Communist Party could solve the tensions the country had with overseas governments by him stepping down and ceasing to dictate the direction of the party
On the 21st day of oral testimony at West Kowloon Court, the Apple Daily tabloid founder continued to offer justifications for his allegedly offensive remarks made in the online broadcast series “Live Chat with Jimmy Lai”, in which he shared his political views with mostly overseas guests.
The 77-year-old has denied two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces under the national security law, and a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications in breach of colonial-era legislation.
Prosecutors have alleged the shows formed part of a conspiracy by Lai and Apple Daily staff to instigate international sanctions and incite public hatred towards central and local authorities.
In an episode aired on September 17, 2020, Lai echoed a guest speaker’s analogy drawing similarities between the coronavirus pandemic and the Pearl Harbour attack, saying the mainland’s threat to the world was akin to the danger posed to the United States by Japan during wartime.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong Fringe Club revives Fringe Festival to foster East-meets-West cultural exchange
By Enid Tsui
The Hong Kong Fringe Club is relaunching its annual festival after a gap of 27 years.
A new Fringe Festival will take place from January 2-25, 2025 at the non-profit arts centre under the club’s new management team, selected in December 2023 to run the club on behalf of the government, which owns the historic building it occupies – the now 111-year-old South Block of the Old Dairy Farm Depot at 2 Lower Albert Road, Central.
Giving details of the festival at a news conference on December 19, the club’s chairwoman, Regina Leung Tong Ching-yee, wife of former Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying, said the festival would continue the Fringe Festival’s tradition of inclusiveness.
“We hope that the festival will promote a new generation of Hong Kong artists and Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West cultural exchange hub,” she said.
While the festival programme remains loyal to the open nature of international fringe festivals, a selection process was required because of the limited space and time frame, Leung added.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Enid Tsui
The Hong Kong Fringe Club is relaunching its annual festival after a gap of 27 years.
A new Fringe Festival will take place from January 2-25, 2025 at the non-profit arts centre under the club’s new management team, selected in December 2023 to run the club on behalf of the government, which owns the historic building it occupies – the now 111-year-old South Block of the Old Dairy Farm Depot at 2 Lower Albert Road, Central.
Giving details of the festival at a news conference on December 19, the club’s chairwoman, Regina Leung Tong Ching-yee, wife of former Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying, said the festival would continue the Fringe Festival’s tradition of inclusiveness.
“We hope that the festival will promote a new generation of Hong Kong artists and Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West cultural exchange hub,” she said.
While the festival programme remains loyal to the open nature of international fringe festivals, a selection process was required because of the limited space and time frame, Leung added.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Chinese university investigates forged Cambridge invitation that led to visa rejections
By William Zheng
A prestigious Chinese university is investigating after media reports alleged a staff member leading an exchange programme fabricated invitation letters from Cambridge University, resulting in more than 20 students being rejected for visas and facing a future ban by Britain.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Zhejiang University’s school of economics said it had filed police reports after receiving student complaints on December 6 regarding alleged fraud in their visa applications to attend a joint forum in Britain, causing a mass rejection of their visas.
Acknowledging the incident as a grave concern for the school and students, the university said it had also set up a team to conduct an in-depth investigation of the incident and “make every effort to safeguard the rights and interests of students”.
It said the team would “continue to negotiate in various directions and through multiple channels under the guidance of superior foreign affairs departments”, and strive to minimise the impact on students. It also vowed to “sternly punish” anyone found guilty of illegal behaviour.
The school’s statement came days after several mainland media outlets said a staff member in charge of the international exchange programme and a visa agent allegedly fabricated an invitation letter from a Cambridge University professor.
The students had their visas rejected and said the alleged fraud jeopardised the chances of students who wanted to do further study in Britain.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By William Zheng
A prestigious Chinese university is investigating after media reports alleged a staff member leading an exchange programme fabricated invitation letters from Cambridge University, resulting in more than 20 students being rejected for visas and facing a future ban by Britain.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Zhejiang University’s school of economics said it had filed police reports after receiving student complaints on December 6 regarding alleged fraud in their visa applications to attend a joint forum in Britain, causing a mass rejection of their visas.
Acknowledging the incident as a grave concern for the school and students, the university said it had also set up a team to conduct an in-depth investigation of the incident and “make every effort to safeguard the rights and interests of students”.
It said the team would “continue to negotiate in various directions and through multiple channels under the guidance of superior foreign affairs departments”, and strive to minimise the impact on students. It also vowed to “sternly punish” anyone found guilty of illegal behaviour.
The school’s statement came days after several mainland media outlets said a staff member in charge of the international exchange programme and a visa agent allegedly fabricated an invitation letter from a Cambridge University professor.
The students had their visas rejected and said the alleged fraud jeopardised the chances of students who wanted to do further study in Britain.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong scientists to build robot for China’s Chang’e-8 moon mission
By Holly Chik
Hong Kong-based scientists will take the lead in building a lunar surface robot for China’s 2028 moon mission, according to Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The research team plans to create a robot capable of scientific exploration, instrument deployment, and installation tasks for the Chang’e-8 mission.
The robot will pave the way for a long-term unmanned facility in the lunar polar region as part of China’s ambitions to set up an international research station on the moon, HKUST said.
The robot will include a mobile charging station, which is expected to power other lunar devices, improving the efficiency of lunar exploration and collaborative operations.
“The project will propel technology for deep space exploration and lay the groundwork for future scientific research at an international lunar research station,” HKUST said.
Yu Hongyu, director of the Space Science and Technology Institute at HKUST, said the team aimed to create an innovative robot with advanced materials and manufacturing techniques.
He added that the robot should be equipped with temperature management systems to ensure it can operate in the extremely low temperatures at the lunar south pole.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Holly Chik
Hong Kong-based scientists will take the lead in building a lunar surface robot for China’s 2028 moon mission, according to Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The research team plans to create a robot capable of scientific exploration, instrument deployment, and installation tasks for the Chang’e-8 mission.
The robot will pave the way for a long-term unmanned facility in the lunar polar region as part of China’s ambitions to set up an international research station on the moon, HKUST said.
The robot will include a mobile charging station, which is expected to power other lunar devices, improving the efficiency of lunar exploration and collaborative operations.
“The project will propel technology for deep space exploration and lay the groundwork for future scientific research at an international lunar research station,” HKUST said.
Yu Hongyu, director of the Space Science and Technology Institute at HKUST, said the team aimed to create an innovative robot with advanced materials and manufacturing techniques.
He added that the robot should be equipped with temperature management systems to ensure it can operate in the extremely low temperatures at the lunar south pole.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong customs seizes HK$160 million worth of drugs in run up to Christmas
By Danny Mok
Hong Kong customs has seized HK$160 million (US$20.6 million) worth of narcotics, hidden by international drug syndicates in a variety of items including a porcelain Christmas snowman decoration and a baby car seat ahead of the year-end holiday season.
Various drugs weighing a total of 373kg (822lbs) were seized in 83 cases detected at the Hong Kong International Airport by the Customs and Excise Department between November 1 and Monday, leading to the arrest of 22 people.
In one case, a snowman decoration that arrived on November 16 from Germany raised suspicions during an X-ray scan.
Inside the snowman, officers found a powder-like substance later confirmed to be ketamine. The 8.5kg haul was estimated to have a street value of HK$4.12 million.
Separately, on December 7, a shipment from Germany labelled as containing a baby car seat was found to have a cracked component and a hidden compartment in the cushion.
Officers discovered 2.5kg of concealed Ecstasy pills, with an estimated market value of HK$420,000.
The greatest quantity by weight among the drugs seized was cannabis, with a total haul of 100kg – an increase of more than 60 per cent from the same period last year.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Danny Mok
Hong Kong customs has seized HK$160 million (US$20.6 million) worth of narcotics, hidden by international drug syndicates in a variety of items including a porcelain Christmas snowman decoration and a baby car seat ahead of the year-end holiday season.
Various drugs weighing a total of 373kg (822lbs) were seized in 83 cases detected at the Hong Kong International Airport by the Customs and Excise Department between November 1 and Monday, leading to the arrest of 22 people.
In one case, a snowman decoration that arrived on November 16 from Germany raised suspicions during an X-ray scan.
Inside the snowman, officers found a powder-like substance later confirmed to be ketamine. The 8.5kg haul was estimated to have a street value of HK$4.12 million.
Separately, on December 7, a shipment from Germany labelled as containing a baby car seat was found to have a cracked component and a hidden compartment in the cushion.
Officers discovered 2.5kg of concealed Ecstasy pills, with an estimated market value of HK$420,000.
The greatest quantity by weight among the drugs seized was cannabis, with a total haul of 100kg – an increase of more than 60 per cent from the same period last year.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Bakery assault video sparks anti-Chinese backlash in Indonesia, exposing deep-rooted prejudices
By Johannes Nugroho
A video showing a female bakery employee being assaulted by an ethnic Chinese man has gone viral in Indonesia, igniting an online firestorm that experts say reflects entrenched prejudices against the Chinese-Indonesian community and long-standing historical traumas within the country’s multi-ethnic society.
The assailant, identified as 35-year-old Cakung resident George Sugama Halim – the son of the bakery chain’s owners – was taken into custody on Monday.
The victim, 19-year-old bakery employee Dwi Ayu, testified under oath before a parliamentary committee that she was attacked on October 17 after refusing to deliver George’s online food order to his bedroom because she did believe it was part of her job responsibilities.
Her lawyers had lobbied MPs to give her a hearing, amid speculation—though unconfirmed—that George’s family is said to be on good terms with the police.
This situation has raised concerns about the police’s slow response, which has come under public scrutiny. The police have denied any claims of inaction, emphasising their commitment to managing the situation effectively.
“I threatened him I would report him to the police”, Dwi told the committee on Tuesday. “But he jeeringly replied, ‘You’re a poor nobody, and I’m rich and above the law, so dream on!’”
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Johannes Nugroho
A video showing a female bakery employee being assaulted by an ethnic Chinese man has gone viral in Indonesia, igniting an online firestorm that experts say reflects entrenched prejudices against the Chinese-Indonesian community and long-standing historical traumas within the country’s multi-ethnic society.
The assailant, identified as 35-year-old Cakung resident George Sugama Halim – the son of the bakery chain’s owners – was taken into custody on Monday.
The victim, 19-year-old bakery employee Dwi Ayu, testified under oath before a parliamentary committee that she was attacked on October 17 after refusing to deliver George’s online food order to his bedroom because she did believe it was part of her job responsibilities.
Her lawyers had lobbied MPs to give her a hearing, amid speculation—though unconfirmed—that George’s family is said to be on good terms with the police.
This situation has raised concerns about the police’s slow response, which has come under public scrutiny. The police have denied any claims of inaction, emphasising their commitment to managing the situation effectively.
“I threatened him I would report him to the police”, Dwi told the committee on Tuesday. “But he jeeringly replied, ‘You’re a poor nobody, and I’m rich and above the law, so dream on!’”
via SCMP Full Text Feed
