India reopens Pyongyang embassy in ‘strategic decision’ to monitor Korean peninsula: experts
By Junaid Kathju
India’s reopening of its embassy in North Korea marks a strategic recalibration of New Delhi’s foreign policy, analysts say, aimed at addressing national security concerns linked to missile proliferation and maintaining influence in a region shaped by volatile geopolitics.
According to media reports this week, India has decided to resume normal operations at its Pyongyang embassy, three and a half years after it was closed due to the pandemic, by dispatching technical staff and diplomatic personnel to North Korea.
Abhishek Sharma, a research assistant at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, told This Week in Asia that India’s decision must be considered a strategic decision shaped by three factors.
The first is “concerns regarding the proliferation of nuclear, ballistic, and hypersonic missile technologies to Pakistan, which impacts India’s national security directly”.
The second is “Pyongyang’s rising strategic profile in the Northeast Asian region and Indo-Pacific at large”.
The third is the “possibility of breakthrough negotiations between the US and North Korea which might have global repercussions under the upcoming Trump administration, particularly on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula”.
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By Junaid Kathju
India’s reopening of its embassy in North Korea marks a strategic recalibration of New Delhi’s foreign policy, analysts say, aimed at addressing national security concerns linked to missile proliferation and maintaining influence in a region shaped by volatile geopolitics.
According to media reports this week, India has decided to resume normal operations at its Pyongyang embassy, three and a half years after it was closed due to the pandemic, by dispatching technical staff and diplomatic personnel to North Korea.
Abhishek Sharma, a research assistant at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, told This Week in Asia that India’s decision must be considered a strategic decision shaped by three factors.
The first is “concerns regarding the proliferation of nuclear, ballistic, and hypersonic missile technologies to Pakistan, which impacts India’s national security directly”.
The second is “Pyongyang’s rising strategic profile in the Northeast Asian region and Indo-Pacific at large”.
The third is the “possibility of breakthrough negotiations between the US and North Korea which might have global repercussions under the upcoming Trump administration, particularly on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula”.
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Ukraine capital hit by Russian missiles after cyberattack
By Bloomberg
Ukraine’s capital faced a Russian missile attack for the first time in almost a month, a day after Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin offered to hold talks with US president-elect Donald Trump.
The strikes targeting Kyiv killed one person and injured at least nine others, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Friday on his Telegram channel.
Buildings in four residential areas of the city as well as a warehouse and business centre were damaged by falling debris, Kyiv city’s military administration said.
Air defences downed all five ballistic missiles fired at Kyiv as well as 40 drones targeting other regions of the country, Ukraine’s Air Force command said on Telegram.
The Defence Ministry in Moscow said on Telegram that the attack was in retaliation for a Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Rostov region on Wednesday involving missiles supplied by Kyiv’s Western allies.
It claimed to have been targeting a design bureau involved in missile development, a Ukrainian security service command post and the positions of Patriot air-defence systems.
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By Bloomberg
Ukraine’s capital faced a Russian missile attack for the first time in almost a month, a day after Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin offered to hold talks with US president-elect Donald Trump.
The strikes targeting Kyiv killed one person and injured at least nine others, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Friday on his Telegram channel.
Buildings in four residential areas of the city as well as a warehouse and business centre were damaged by falling debris, Kyiv city’s military administration said.
Air defences downed all five ballistic missiles fired at Kyiv as well as 40 drones targeting other regions of the country, Ukraine’s Air Force command said on Telegram.
The Defence Ministry in Moscow said on Telegram that the attack was in retaliation for a Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Rostov region on Wednesday involving missiles supplied by Kyiv’s Western allies.
It claimed to have been targeting a design bureau involved in missile development, a Ukrainian security service command post and the positions of Patriot air-defence systems.
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In a world fraught with risk, Trump will add to the bumps
By Andrew Sheng
With the return of the highly unpredictable Donald Trump as US president in January next year, how should one manage the coming risks?
Risk can be defined as the possibility of the occurrence of an event or condition that would negatively affect our well-being. One scans for risks to try to avoid or mitigate them. The first thing to remember is that risk cannot be eliminated; it can only be managed or hedged.
In a static zero-sum system, one man’s risk is another man’s opportunity. If you squeeze one side of a balloon, the other side will expand. However, the balloon itself may burst – such risk is not improbable. There are always costs to hedging risks, and if you choose the wrong hedge, you could lose even more when an unexpected event occurs.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report 2024, published in January and based on a global risk perception survey of 1,500 experts, was remarkably comprehensive in laying out the fears of a world being rapidly transformed by accelerating technological changes and beset by climate change and conflict.
The top risks, over the next two years, ranked by severity were misinformation and disinformation, extreme weather events, societal polarisation, cybersecurity threats and interstate armed conflict. Over a 10-year horizon, top risks include some of the aforementioned ones as well as critical changes to our planet’s natural systems, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse and natural resource shortages.
Surprisingly, involuntary migration, interstate armed conflict and geoeconomic confrontation were ranked seventh, 15th, and 16th respectively over the next 10 years. Throughout 2024, migration, nuclear war risks and tariff confrontation were headline concerns affecting elections and the geopolitical environment.
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By Andrew Sheng
With the return of the highly unpredictable Donald Trump as US president in January next year, how should one manage the coming risks?
Risk can be defined as the possibility of the occurrence of an event or condition that would negatively affect our well-being. One scans for risks to try to avoid or mitigate them. The first thing to remember is that risk cannot be eliminated; it can only be managed or hedged.
In a static zero-sum system, one man’s risk is another man’s opportunity. If you squeeze one side of a balloon, the other side will expand. However, the balloon itself may burst – such risk is not improbable. There are always costs to hedging risks, and if you choose the wrong hedge, you could lose even more when an unexpected event occurs.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report 2024, published in January and based on a global risk perception survey of 1,500 experts, was remarkably comprehensive in laying out the fears of a world being rapidly transformed by accelerating technological changes and beset by climate change and conflict.
The top risks, over the next two years, ranked by severity were misinformation and disinformation, extreme weather events, societal polarisation, cybersecurity threats and interstate armed conflict. Over a 10-year horizon, top risks include some of the aforementioned ones as well as critical changes to our planet’s natural systems, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse and natural resource shortages.
Surprisingly, involuntary migration, interstate armed conflict and geoeconomic confrontation were ranked seventh, 15th, and 16th respectively over the next 10 years. Throughout 2024, migration, nuclear war risks and tariff confrontation were headline concerns affecting elections and the geopolitical environment.
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Tencent teams with smartphone maker Honor on AI while Apple searches for a partner
By Coco Feng
Chinese technology giant Tencent Holdings announced on Friday a new strategic partnership with smartphone maker Honor for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI), giving a boost to a domestic rival to Apple, which has yet to settle on a partner to launch AI on iPhones in the country.
Shenzhen-based Tencent said in a post on its official WeChat account that the “long-term collaboration” with Honor, a spin-off smartphone brand from Huawei Technologies, will see the deep integration of its “cloud computing, content platform and gaming technology” with the handset maker’s “terminal devices and AI”.
The deal came after Apple was reported to be in early-stage talks with Tencent Holdings and ByteDance in a bid to introduce Apple Intelligence to mainland China, where releasing generative AI products requires a local partner, according to Reuters.
The iPhone maker has faced hurdles rolling out its AI features in China. It was previously working with internet search giant Baidu, but disputes over access to user data led talks to break down, US tech news outlet The Information previously reported.
The cooperation between Tencent and Honor, which has a similar smartphone market share to Apple in China, proved much easier. The pair rolled out a coding assistant, called CoMagic, for Honor engineers to work more efficiently. So far, some 8,000 software engineers at the company have used the AI assistant, with 30 per cent of their code being AI-generated and 25 per cent of that code eventually being adopted, Tencent said in its WeChat post.
The pair will also enhance cooperation in data processing, search and cloud services, including using Tencent’s Elastic MapReduce, a big-data platform, to help with data preprocessing for training AI models used in the photo gallery and voice assistant apps.
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By Coco Feng
Chinese technology giant Tencent Holdings announced on Friday a new strategic partnership with smartphone maker Honor for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI), giving a boost to a domestic rival to Apple, which has yet to settle on a partner to launch AI on iPhones in the country.
Shenzhen-based Tencent said in a post on its official WeChat account that the “long-term collaboration” with Honor, a spin-off smartphone brand from Huawei Technologies, will see the deep integration of its “cloud computing, content platform and gaming technology” with the handset maker’s “terminal devices and AI”.
The deal came after Apple was reported to be in early-stage talks with Tencent Holdings and ByteDance in a bid to introduce Apple Intelligence to mainland China, where releasing generative AI products requires a local partner, according to Reuters.
The iPhone maker has faced hurdles rolling out its AI features in China. It was previously working with internet search giant Baidu, but disputes over access to user data led talks to break down, US tech news outlet The Information previously reported.
The cooperation between Tencent and Honor, which has a similar smartphone market share to Apple in China, proved much easier. The pair rolled out a coding assistant, called CoMagic, for Honor engineers to work more efficiently. So far, some 8,000 software engineers at the company have used the AI assistant, with 30 per cent of their code being AI-generated and 25 per cent of that code eventually being adopted, Tencent said in its WeChat post.
The pair will also enhance cooperation in data processing, search and cloud services, including using Tencent’s Elastic MapReduce, a big-data platform, to help with data preprocessing for training AI models used in the photo gallery and voice assistant apps.
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‘Resilient’ trade of China’s Shenzhen puts tech hub in position to overtake Shanghai
By Mia Nulimaimaiti
China’s southern tech hub of Shenzhen is poised to surpass long-time foreign-trade champion Shanghai this year, having posted record trade by value and a record growth rate in the first 11 months of 2024.
The strong growth has been buoyed by growing demand for electronics, hi-tech products, and an expansion of cross-border e-commerce, according to the state-run Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, citing customs figures.
For the first time, Shenzhen’s total trade value, including exports and imports, exceeded 4 trillion yuan (US$548.13 billion) from January to November, marking a 17.4 per cent year-on-year increase, which was also an all-time high.
The trade-value figure of 4.11 trillion yuan was about 6 per cent higher than that of Shanghai, which has held the top spot for annual trade value in China over the past decade, according to Post calculations based on data from Shanghai customs.
Shenzhen’s trade growth also accounted for roughly 81 per cent of trade growth in Guangdong province and one-third of the national increase over the 11 months.
Renowned as a flagship city of China’s reform and opening-up efforts, Shenzhen is home to global tech giants such as drone maker DJI, internet giant Tencent, semiconductor and mobile producer Huawei Technologies, and electric vehicle (EV) firm BYD.
Private Chinese enterprises account for more than 70 per cent of Shenzhen’s trade volume, and foreign-invested companies are responsible for nearly 25 per cent. State-owned companies make up the remaining 5 per cent.
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By Mia Nulimaimaiti
China’s southern tech hub of Shenzhen is poised to surpass long-time foreign-trade champion Shanghai this year, having posted record trade by value and a record growth rate in the first 11 months of 2024.
The strong growth has been buoyed by growing demand for electronics, hi-tech products, and an expansion of cross-border e-commerce, according to the state-run Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, citing customs figures.
For the first time, Shenzhen’s total trade value, including exports and imports, exceeded 4 trillion yuan (US$548.13 billion) from January to November, marking a 17.4 per cent year-on-year increase, which was also an all-time high.
The trade-value figure of 4.11 trillion yuan was about 6 per cent higher than that of Shanghai, which has held the top spot for annual trade value in China over the past decade, according to Post calculations based on data from Shanghai customs.
Shenzhen’s trade growth also accounted for roughly 81 per cent of trade growth in Guangdong province and one-third of the national increase over the 11 months.
Renowned as a flagship city of China’s reform and opening-up efforts, Shenzhen is home to global tech giants such as drone maker DJI, internet giant Tencent, semiconductor and mobile producer Huawei Technologies, and electric vehicle (EV) firm BYD.
Private Chinese enterprises account for more than 70 per cent of Shenzhen’s trade volume, and foreign-invested companies are responsible for nearly 25 per cent. State-owned companies make up the remaining 5 per cent.
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Woman and baby die after allegedly falling from Hong Kong flat
By Danny Mok
The bodies of a woman and an infant have been found near a rubbish bin at a public housing estate in Hong Kong, following a suspected fall from a flat on Friday evening.
A security guard at Tai Ping Estate, Sheung Shui called for an ambulance at about 5.40pm after discovering the woman lying on a rubbish bin off Ping Ching House.
A baby boy was found with her.
Ambulance personnel confirmed they were dead at the scene at 5.58pm.
Police are investigating the incident.
If you have suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 18111 for the government-run “Mental Health Support Hotline” or +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans and +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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By Danny Mok
The bodies of a woman and an infant have been found near a rubbish bin at a public housing estate in Hong Kong, following a suspected fall from a flat on Friday evening.
A security guard at Tai Ping Estate, Sheung Shui called for an ambulance at about 5.40pm after discovering the woman lying on a rubbish bin off Ping Ching House.
A baby boy was found with her.
Ambulance personnel confirmed they were dead at the scene at 5.58pm.
Police are investigating the incident.
If you have suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 18111 for the government-run “Mental Health Support Hotline” or +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans and +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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Singapore NRIC saga, apology timing raise questions over communication gaps
By Jean IauKimberly Lim
A saga surrounding the publication of personal identification numbers in Singapore has raised questions over government communication internally and to the public.
The issue gained prominence on December 12 after former journalist Bertha Henson posted on Facebook that identification card numbers of some people could be accessed for free online without signing in through a search function under a revamped business portal, operated by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
A day later the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) explained it intended to change the existing practice of masking identification numbers – or National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), colloquially called “IC” – only after educating the public that it was safe, and ACRA had “run ahead of the government’s intent”.
MDDI added that NRIC numbers were assumed to be known, just as names were known and there should not be any sensitivity in having one’s full NRIC number made public.
However, one week after Henson’s first post, two cabinet ministers held a press conference and apologised, revealing that an internal misunderstanding led to the NRIC numbers being found on the business portal and that the government did not intend to fully unmask the data.
Tracy Loh, a senior lecturer of communication management at the Singapore Management University, said moving away from masked NRICs was a fundamental change which needed to be coordinated well among the various government agencies. The incident exposed a possible lack of coordination and communication between the agencies.
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By Jean IauKimberly Lim
A saga surrounding the publication of personal identification numbers in Singapore has raised questions over government communication internally and to the public.
The issue gained prominence on December 12 after former journalist Bertha Henson posted on Facebook that identification card numbers of some people could be accessed for free online without signing in through a search function under a revamped business portal, operated by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
A day later the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) explained it intended to change the existing practice of masking identification numbers – or National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), colloquially called “IC” – only after educating the public that it was safe, and ACRA had “run ahead of the government’s intent”.
MDDI added that NRIC numbers were assumed to be known, just as names were known and there should not be any sensitivity in having one’s full NRIC number made public.
However, one week after Henson’s first post, two cabinet ministers held a press conference and apologised, revealing that an internal misunderstanding led to the NRIC numbers being found on the business portal and that the government did not intend to fully unmask the data.
Tracy Loh, a senior lecturer of communication management at the Singapore Management University, said moving away from masked NRICs was a fundamental change which needed to be coordinated well among the various government agencies. The incident exposed a possible lack of coordination and communication between the agencies.
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China’s tax agency cracks down on influencers, online merchants amid shrinking revenue
By Coco Feng
China’s tax authority on Friday published a draft regulation that would require the operators of e-commerce, short-video and social media platforms to report the income of merchants and influencers.
Under the current draft, which is soliciting public feedback until January 19, internet platform operators must report the identity, income and other tax-related information about revenue-generating users to the authority on a quarterly basis, the State Taxation Administration (STA) said in a statement on Friday.
Among other information that would have to be turned over upon request under the regulation, which was co-authored by State Administration for Market Regulation, are total revenue, refund amounts, advertising income, and bank account numbers.
The regulation, introduced as an expansion of the 2019 E-Commerce Law, is designed to crack down on tax evasion, as it is difficult for the STA to track the actual income of online influencers and merchants.
At the same time, the measure could add new burdens to people who make their living on China’s largest internet platforms, including Tmall and Taobao owned by Alibaba Group Holding, Douyin from TikTok owner ByteDance, as well as the eponymous short-video platform from Kuaishou Technology. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
The STA is looking to tighten its oversight of online sellers at a time when the country’s tax revenues have slowed significantly. National tax revenue fell 3.9 per cent this year through November compared with the same period last year.
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By Coco Feng
China’s tax authority on Friday published a draft regulation that would require the operators of e-commerce, short-video and social media platforms to report the income of merchants and influencers.
Under the current draft, which is soliciting public feedback until January 19, internet platform operators must report the identity, income and other tax-related information about revenue-generating users to the authority on a quarterly basis, the State Taxation Administration (STA) said in a statement on Friday.
Among other information that would have to be turned over upon request under the regulation, which was co-authored by State Administration for Market Regulation, are total revenue, refund amounts, advertising income, and bank account numbers.
The regulation, introduced as an expansion of the 2019 E-Commerce Law, is designed to crack down on tax evasion, as it is difficult for the STA to track the actual income of online influencers and merchants.
At the same time, the measure could add new burdens to people who make their living on China’s largest internet platforms, including Tmall and Taobao owned by Alibaba Group Holding, Douyin from TikTok owner ByteDance, as well as the eponymous short-video platform from Kuaishou Technology. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
The STA is looking to tighten its oversight of online sellers at a time when the country’s tax revenues have slowed significantly. National tax revenue fell 3.9 per cent this year through November compared with the same period last year.
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Elon Musk gives nod to German far-right party as election looms
By Reuters
US billionaire Elon Musk, set to join president-elect Donald Trump’s administration, waded into Germany’s election campaign on Friday, calling the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) the country’s saviour.
The AfD is running second in opinion polls and might be able to thwart either a centre-right or centre-left majority, but Germany’s mainstream, more centrist parties have vowed to shun support from the AfD at national level.
Europe’s leading power is expected to vote on February 23 after a centre-left coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz collapsed.
“Only the AfD can save Germany,” Musk wrote in a post on his social media platform, X.
Musk, the world’s richest person, has already expressed support for other anti-immigration parties across Europe.
The German government said it had taken note of Musk’s post but declined to give any further comment at its regular press conference.
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By Reuters
US billionaire Elon Musk, set to join president-elect Donald Trump’s administration, waded into Germany’s election campaign on Friday, calling the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) the country’s saviour.
The AfD is running second in opinion polls and might be able to thwart either a centre-right or centre-left majority, but Germany’s mainstream, more centrist parties have vowed to shun support from the AfD at national level.
Europe’s leading power is expected to vote on February 23 after a centre-left coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz collapsed.
“Only the AfD can save Germany,” Musk wrote in a post on his social media platform, X.
Musk, the world’s richest person, has already expressed support for other anti-immigration parties across Europe.
The German government said it had taken note of Musk’s post but declined to give any further comment at its regular press conference.
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How China manages big data is changing, as new state-owned firm takes the helm
By Kandy Wong
China has formed its first state-owned enterprise specialising in data integration and technology, signalling the pivotal role of digitalisation amid the nation’s economic transformation.
The centrally managed firm – an entity under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) – has a registered capital of 10 billion yuan (US$1.37 billion) and aims to build a huge platform for data sharing among highways, railways, waterways, aviation and ports.
Its unveiling came on Thursday, and some of the strategic shareholders include China Poly Group, China Railway Materials, TravelSky Technology and Shanghai Data Group.
“The new company will deepen the work of developing and using data, lower the cost of logistics, and create a more competitive and innovative servicing ecosystem,” said Zhang Yuzhuo, SASAC chairman, at the ceremony in Shanghai, according to state media.
China has been boosting its digital economy and platform companies, and the integration of digital advancements into the real economy is expected to foster new growth drivers.
Since 2019, the SASAC has been reforming state-owned enterprises by ramping up their technological innovation and bolstering their economic contributions.
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By Kandy Wong
China has formed its first state-owned enterprise specialising in data integration and technology, signalling the pivotal role of digitalisation amid the nation’s economic transformation.
The centrally managed firm – an entity under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) – has a registered capital of 10 billion yuan (US$1.37 billion) and aims to build a huge platform for data sharing among highways, railways, waterways, aviation and ports.
Its unveiling came on Thursday, and some of the strategic shareholders include China Poly Group, China Railway Materials, TravelSky Technology and Shanghai Data Group.
“The new company will deepen the work of developing and using data, lower the cost of logistics, and create a more competitive and innovative servicing ecosystem,” said Zhang Yuzhuo, SASAC chairman, at the ceremony in Shanghai, according to state media.
China has been boosting its digital economy and platform companies, and the integration of digital advancements into the real economy is expected to foster new growth drivers.
Since 2019, the SASAC has been reforming state-owned enterprises by ramping up their technological innovation and bolstering their economic contributions.
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Hong Kong’s giant pandas appear as guides in new tourism video
By Wynna Wong
Hong Kong’s six giant pandas have been transformed into tour guides in the Tourism Board’s latest promotional video, as authorities announced the highest non-mainland Chinese visitor numbers in November since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board said the new promotional video, already released online, would begin airing on various television stations beginning on Saturday.
“The giant panda family will take on a new role as Hong Kong’s tourism ambassadors, taking viewers on a journey full of authentic Hong Kong experiences to encourage locals to invite their friends to the city to explore its sights and visit the giant pandas,” the board said on Friday.
The 30-second video features cartoon versions of the city’s six pandas – Ying Ying, Le Le, their two cubs “Elder Sister” and “Little Brother”, as well as the two new adult bears gifted by Beijing, An An and Ke Ke, as they roam around busy streets, eat at a cha chaan teng, dine on specialty dim sum and visit museums.
Two-time Olympic gold-winning fencer Cheung Ka-long was also featured in the video, playfully duelling with one of the pandas at the soon-to-open main stadium at Kai Tak Sports Park.
The new video was released as the board revealed a robust provisional figure of 3.75 million visitors to the city for the month of November. A million of those visitors were not from mainland China.
“[This] is a single-month record since travel fully resumed in Hong Kong [after the pandemic] and is equivalent to a year-on-year increase of about 20 per cent,” the spokesperson said.
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By Wynna Wong
Hong Kong’s six giant pandas have been transformed into tour guides in the Tourism Board’s latest promotional video, as authorities announced the highest non-mainland Chinese visitor numbers in November since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board said the new promotional video, already released online, would begin airing on various television stations beginning on Saturday.
“The giant panda family will take on a new role as Hong Kong’s tourism ambassadors, taking viewers on a journey full of authentic Hong Kong experiences to encourage locals to invite their friends to the city to explore its sights and visit the giant pandas,” the board said on Friday.
The 30-second video features cartoon versions of the city’s six pandas – Ying Ying, Le Le, their two cubs “Elder Sister” and “Little Brother”, as well as the two new adult bears gifted by Beijing, An An and Ke Ke, as they roam around busy streets, eat at a cha chaan teng, dine on specialty dim sum and visit museums.
Two-time Olympic gold-winning fencer Cheung Ka-long was also featured in the video, playfully duelling with one of the pandas at the soon-to-open main stadium at Kai Tak Sports Park.
The new video was released as the board revealed a robust provisional figure of 3.75 million visitors to the city for the month of November. A million of those visitors were not from mainland China.
“[This] is a single-month record since travel fully resumed in Hong Kong [after the pandemic] and is equivalent to a year-on-year increase of about 20 per cent,” the spokesperson said.
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China’s Xi urges Macau to increase exchanges with Portuguese-speaking world
By Natalie WongEmily Hung
President Xi Jinping has asked Macau to increase collaborations with Portuguese-speaking countries and help the country further open up, prompting calls by a business association for a public body to be set up to provide exporters with insurance protection.
Observers said a stronger push for internationalisation of the renminbi would help the country tap into a vast potential market of 279 million Portuguese speakers worldwide and aid Macau in its push for economic diversification.
In a keynote speech on Friday marking the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to Chinese administration, Xi highlighted the city’s role as the “only place in the world that uses Chinese and Portuguese as official languages”, serving as an important commercial and trade service platform.
“[Macau] should further open up, strengthen comprehensive collaborations with Portuguese-speaking countries, be actively involved in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative’s high-quality development and expand the circle of friends internationally,” Xi said.
“[Macau] should serve as an important bridgehead to facilitate the country’s high-level opening up.”
The president called on the city to improve the local business environment, as well as commercial and legal systems, and stimulate the market so it could “attract more international resources”.
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By Natalie WongEmily Hung
President Xi Jinping has asked Macau to increase collaborations with Portuguese-speaking countries and help the country further open up, prompting calls by a business association for a public body to be set up to provide exporters with insurance protection.
Observers said a stronger push for internationalisation of the renminbi would help the country tap into a vast potential market of 279 million Portuguese speakers worldwide and aid Macau in its push for economic diversification.
In a keynote speech on Friday marking the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to Chinese administration, Xi highlighted the city’s role as the “only place in the world that uses Chinese and Portuguese as official languages”, serving as an important commercial and trade service platform.
“[Macau] should further open up, strengthen comprehensive collaborations with Portuguese-speaking countries, be actively involved in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative’s high-quality development and expand the circle of friends internationally,” Xi said.
“[Macau] should serve as an important bridgehead to facilitate the country’s high-level opening up.”
The president called on the city to improve the local business environment, as well as commercial and legal systems, and stimulate the market so it could “attract more international resources”.
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Chinese coastguard expels Philippine aircraft from Scarborough Shoal airspace
By Orange Wang
China expelled a Philippine plane that “illegally intruded” into the airspace over a contested South China Sea shoal on Thursday, according to the China Coast Guard.
“A C-208 plane illegally invaded the airspace of China’s Huangyan Island on Thursday,” coastguard spokesman Liu Dejun said on Friday, using the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal.
“The Chinese coastguard closely monitored, warned and drove the aircraft away according to the law.”
Scarborough Shoal, known as Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, is controlled by Beijing but also claimed by Manila.
It has been a flashpoint between the two countries since last year.
“Huangyan Island is China’s inherent territory, and the actions of the Philippine side severely infringe upon China’s sovereignty and pose high risks of maritime and air incidents,” Liu said.
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By Orange Wang
China expelled a Philippine plane that “illegally intruded” into the airspace over a contested South China Sea shoal on Thursday, according to the China Coast Guard.
“A C-208 plane illegally invaded the airspace of China’s Huangyan Island on Thursday,” coastguard spokesman Liu Dejun said on Friday, using the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal.
“The Chinese coastguard closely monitored, warned and drove the aircraft away according to the law.”
Scarborough Shoal, known as Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, is controlled by Beijing but also claimed by Manila.
It has been a flashpoint between the two countries since last year.
“Huangyan Island is China’s inherent territory, and the actions of the Philippine side severely infringe upon China’s sovereignty and pose high risks of maritime and air incidents,” Liu said.
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US diplomats visit Syria to meet new rulers
By Agence France-Presse
US diplomats are in Syria to meet the country’s new Islamist-led rulers, the state department said on Friday, as outside powers seek assurances they will be moderate and inclusive.
The ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad ended decades of abuses and years of civil war, but it has raised concerns about the rights of minorities, as well as women, and the future of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
On Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators in Damascus demanded democracy and women’s rights, in the first such protest since Assad’s departure.
In northeast Syria’s Qamishli, thousands demonstrated in support of a US-backed, Kurdish-led force that is under pressure from Turkey and allied rebel fighters.
The lightning offensive that forced Assad’s departure was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is rooted in al-Qaeda’s Syria branch but has more recently adopted a moderate tone.
Still, its sudden arrival in the capital has left foreign governments scrambling for a new policy, particularly in some countries where HTS is designated a terrorist group.
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By Agence France-Presse
US diplomats are in Syria to meet the country’s new Islamist-led rulers, the state department said on Friday, as outside powers seek assurances they will be moderate and inclusive.
The ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad ended decades of abuses and years of civil war, but it has raised concerns about the rights of minorities, as well as women, and the future of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
On Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators in Damascus demanded democracy and women’s rights, in the first such protest since Assad’s departure.
In northeast Syria’s Qamishli, thousands demonstrated in support of a US-backed, Kurdish-led force that is under pressure from Turkey and allied rebel fighters.
The lightning offensive that forced Assad’s departure was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is rooted in al-Qaeda’s Syria branch but has more recently adopted a moderate tone.
Still, its sudden arrival in the capital has left foreign governments scrambling for a new policy, particularly in some countries where HTS is designated a terrorist group.
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Vladimir Putin praises China, Brazil and South Africa for ‘balanced’ Ukraine peace efforts
By Enoch Wong
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the “balanced” Ukraine peace drive led by China, Brazil and South Africa, describing it “a genuine attempt to find a solution”.
“We view this as a balanced attempt without imposing anything on either Ukraine or Russia,” Putin said, according to state-owned news agency Tass.
The three countries formally established a “Friends for Peace” group in September along with other developing nations at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Its stated aims are to unite the Global South in promoting peace, calling for a ceasefire and advocating for the resumption of peace talks.
Speaking at his annual press conference, Putin contrasted these “neutral” nations with the West, which he accused of waging “a proxy war” in Ukraine.
The Friends for Peace platform emphasises the need for a balanced, impartial approach, without taking sides or replacing existing diplomatic frameworks. A communique on forming the platform called for a “comprehensive and lasting settlement” through “inclusive diplomacy and political means”.
Earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping met former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, in Beijing, who also praised the group’s proposals.
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By Enoch Wong
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the “balanced” Ukraine peace drive led by China, Brazil and South Africa, describing it “a genuine attempt to find a solution”.
“We view this as a balanced attempt without imposing anything on either Ukraine or Russia,” Putin said, according to state-owned news agency Tass.
The three countries formally established a “Friends for Peace” group in September along with other developing nations at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Its stated aims are to unite the Global South in promoting peace, calling for a ceasefire and advocating for the resumption of peace talks.
Speaking at his annual press conference, Putin contrasted these “neutral” nations with the West, which he accused of waging “a proxy war” in Ukraine.
The Friends for Peace platform emphasises the need for a balanced, impartial approach, without taking sides or replacing existing diplomatic frameworks. A communique on forming the platform called for a “comprehensive and lasting settlement” through “inclusive diplomacy and political means”.
Earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping met former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, in Beijing, who also praised the group’s proposals.
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How China is reaching into the Indo-Pacific with hypersonic missiles
By Seong Hyeon Choi
The Chinese military has “the world’s leading” hypersonic missile arsenal, weapons that are helping it to operate “deeper into the Indo-Pacific region”, according to the Pentagon’s latest assessment of its rival’s armed forces.
In its annual report to the US Congress on Wednesday, the Department of Defence said the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) remained focused on developing abilities to “dissuade, deter, or, if ordered, defeat third-party intervention in the Indo-Pacific region”.
“The PLA continues developing the capabilities to conduct military operations deeper into the Indo-Pacific region and globally,” the report said, adding that the PLA was deploying hypersonic glide vehicles that may be “used to strike foreign military bases and fleets in the Western Pacific”.
Those abilities were part of structural reforms and new military doctrine designed to improve joint operations and test the PLA’s ability beyond the first island chain.
The chain is a series of islands and archipelagos running from the Japanese mainland to the Philippines off the coast of continental Asia and includes the strategic flashpoints of Taiwan and the South China Sea.
The US report said improvements to Chinese air and naval systems enabled its forces to “operate further from the PRC [People’s Republic of China] for longer”.
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By Seong Hyeon Choi
The Chinese military has “the world’s leading” hypersonic missile arsenal, weapons that are helping it to operate “deeper into the Indo-Pacific region”, according to the Pentagon’s latest assessment of its rival’s armed forces.
In its annual report to the US Congress on Wednesday, the Department of Defence said the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) remained focused on developing abilities to “dissuade, deter, or, if ordered, defeat third-party intervention in the Indo-Pacific region”.
“The PLA continues developing the capabilities to conduct military operations deeper into the Indo-Pacific region and globally,” the report said, adding that the PLA was deploying hypersonic glide vehicles that may be “used to strike foreign military bases and fleets in the Western Pacific”.
Those abilities were part of structural reforms and new military doctrine designed to improve joint operations and test the PLA’s ability beyond the first island chain.
The chain is a series of islands and archipelagos running from the Japanese mainland to the Philippines off the coast of continental Asia and includes the strategic flashpoints of Taiwan and the South China Sea.
The US report said improvements to Chinese air and naval systems enabled its forces to “operate further from the PRC [People’s Republic of China] for longer”.
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Scandal-plagued actress Li Xiaolu gains comeback support amid calls for equal tolerance
By Fran Lu
Chinese actress Li Xiaolu is described by many, including herself, as “a person who destroyed her own reputation” after her extramarital affair ruined her blossoming career and marriage some years ago.
Beijing-born Li, 42, whose father is a film director and mother is an actress, began acting in films at the age of three.
She starred in the film Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl directed by Chinese-American actress and director Joan Chen and won the prestigious Golden Horse Best Leading Actress Award at the age of 17.
Li was reported to hold grudges against Chen as she found the film misleading others to think she did nudity, despite the scenes using a body double. She later denied the reports.
Li returned to the spotlight in the 2000s as a successful TV drama actress, starring in multiple hit series such as All the Misfortunes Caused by the Angel (2001) and Struggle (2007).
In a 2017 speech, Li said she was living up to the three life goals she wrote down after the Golden Horse award win – making a phenomenal film, being a successful woman, and living a romantic life.
Li married actor Jia Nailiang in 2012 and gave birth to their daughter, Tianxin, in October the same year. She said she valued her daughter’s happiness more than her career success, as she grew up with her absent parents who were always busy at work.
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By Fran Lu
Chinese actress Li Xiaolu is described by many, including herself, as “a person who destroyed her own reputation” after her extramarital affair ruined her blossoming career and marriage some years ago.
Beijing-born Li, 42, whose father is a film director and mother is an actress, began acting in films at the age of three.
She starred in the film Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl directed by Chinese-American actress and director Joan Chen and won the prestigious Golden Horse Best Leading Actress Award at the age of 17.
Li was reported to hold grudges against Chen as she found the film misleading others to think she did nudity, despite the scenes using a body double. She later denied the reports.
Li returned to the spotlight in the 2000s as a successful TV drama actress, starring in multiple hit series such as All the Misfortunes Caused by the Angel (2001) and Struggle (2007).
In a 2017 speech, Li said she was living up to the three life goals she wrote down after the Golden Horse award win – making a phenomenal film, being a successful woman, and living a romantic life.
Li married actor Jia Nailiang in 2012 and gave birth to their daughter, Tianxin, in October the same year. She said she valued her daughter’s happiness more than her career success, as she grew up with her absent parents who were always busy at work.
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Hong Kong’s Mirror to headline Kai Tak Sports Park’s first concert, testing venue’s readiness
By Harvey KongJohnny Wan
Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park is set to hold its first concert on Friday as a test event, with a star-studded line-up expected to entertain the 5,500-strong crowd.
The “Chill Keng Music Festival” will take place at the indoor Kai Tak Arena and feature a line-up that includes Mirror, Cantopop girl group Collar, and various Thai performers such as Scrubb, Serious Bacon, Atlas, D Gerrard, 4Eve, Jeff Satur and Bowkylion.
Eager fans said they would be gauging the venue based on factors such as acoustics, seating arrangements and regulations.
“I will be paying attention to seating arrangements and whether there is a good view of my favourite artist, as I find that many venues have seating where the view of performers can be obstructed,” said 62-year-old Polly Kwong, who is a fan of Mirror singer Keung To.
“It would be best if the seats are not too steep as well, some people could also be afraid of heights.”
Christy Wong, a 30-year-old fan of several Thai performers at the event, said she was most concerned about acoustics and seating at the venue.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Harvey KongJohnny Wan
Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park is set to hold its first concert on Friday as a test event, with a star-studded line-up expected to entertain the 5,500-strong crowd.
The “Chill Keng Music Festival” will take place at the indoor Kai Tak Arena and feature a line-up that includes Mirror, Cantopop girl group Collar, and various Thai performers such as Scrubb, Serious Bacon, Atlas, D Gerrard, 4Eve, Jeff Satur and Bowkylion.
Eager fans said they would be gauging the venue based on factors such as acoustics, seating arrangements and regulations.
“I will be paying attention to seating arrangements and whether there is a good view of my favourite artist, as I find that many venues have seating where the view of performers can be obstructed,” said 62-year-old Polly Kwong, who is a fan of Mirror singer Keung To.
“It would be best if the seats are not too steep as well, some people could also be afraid of heights.”
Christy Wong, a 30-year-old fan of several Thai performers at the event, said she was most concerned about acoustics and seating at the venue.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
