‘Normal’ first summit between Japan’s Ishiba and Trump deemed a success
By Maria Siow
The United States appears satisfied with ally Japan’s goal to steadily increase its defence spending, following a meeting in Washington last week between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and President Donald Trump that is seen by observers as a success.
Though trade tariffs were not mentioned in a joint statement from the talks between Ishiba and Trump at the White House, Japan is still expected to be concerned about such levies.
In their first summit on Friday, the leaders affirmed Washington’s commitment towards Japan’s defence, including through nuclear deterrence, to counter China. They also discussed further multilateral defence cooperation.
While pushing Tokyo to invest in American energy and technology, Trump made clear he wanted to slash Washington’s US$68 billion deficit in the trade balance between the two countries, arguing the issue could be resolved without tariffs.
Before the meeting, there were concerns in Japan that Trump might demand that Tokyo increase its defence spending significantly. At the talks, however, Trump did not demand any such increase and instead praised Japan’s plan to raise defence spending to 2 per cent of Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Japan had long capped defence expenditure at 1 per cent of GDP but in late 2022 pledged to gradually increase the level to 2 per cent by 2027.
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By Maria Siow
The United States appears satisfied with ally Japan’s goal to steadily increase its defence spending, following a meeting in Washington last week between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and President Donald Trump that is seen by observers as a success.
Though trade tariffs were not mentioned in a joint statement from the talks between Ishiba and Trump at the White House, Japan is still expected to be concerned about such levies.
In their first summit on Friday, the leaders affirmed Washington’s commitment towards Japan’s defence, including through nuclear deterrence, to counter China. They also discussed further multilateral defence cooperation.
While pushing Tokyo to invest in American energy and technology, Trump made clear he wanted to slash Washington’s US$68 billion deficit in the trade balance between the two countries, arguing the issue could be resolved without tariffs.
Before the meeting, there were concerns in Japan that Trump might demand that Tokyo increase its defence spending significantly. At the talks, however, Trump did not demand any such increase and instead praised Japan’s plan to raise defence spending to 2 per cent of Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Japan had long capped defence expenditure at 1 per cent of GDP but in late 2022 pledged to gradually increase the level to 2 per cent by 2027.
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Trump’s latest trade offensive is more about power than economics
By Nancy Qian
The opening salvoes of US President Donald Trump’s trade war have sent shock waves around the world. Over the past three weeks, his administration has broken with decades of free-trade orthodoxy, threatening to impose tariffs not only on strategic adversaries like China but also on long-standing allies like Canada and Mexico. Even Denmark – a Nato member and steadfast US ally – has found itself in Trump’s crosshairs.
Trump’s actions have made many in the United States and around the world wonder: what exactly are tariffs and how do they affect global trade? Simply put, tariffs are taxes on imported goods. If a Chinese manufacturer wants to sell shoes in the US, the American government can impose a tariff. If a US retailer pays US$100 for a pair, then a 10 per cent tariff, like the one that Trump recently imposed on goods from China, means that the retailer must pay the US government US$10.
Those US$100 shoes now cost US$110. Who pays the extra US$10? When Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports during his first term, American importers bore most of the cost, particularly when they could not find alternative suppliers. Consequently, retail prices remained relatively stable, at least in the first year.
But the picture becomes more complicated when tariffs remain in place for an extended period. US importers cannot absorb the added costs indefinitely and may go out of business unless they find new suppliers or pass those costs onto consumers, who may then need to cut back on spending.
When one country uses tariffs or other sanctions to damage another country’s economy, the result is often retaliation and a trade war. China, for example, responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing its own tariffs on US imports. Yet, although Chinese and US tariffs are based on similar reasoning, their impact will not necessarily be the same.
During the first US-China trade war, most of the burden of China’s retaliatory tariffs was borne by American exporters rather than Chinese importers. This was because China quickly found alternative suppliers for the goods it had previously sourced from the US. Oil and food – two of the top US exports to China – were readily supplied by Russia and other countries. Meanwhile, the US struggled to replace Chinese imports, forcing American businesses and consumers to bear the brunt of Trump’s tariffs.
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By Nancy Qian
The opening salvoes of US President Donald Trump’s trade war have sent shock waves around the world. Over the past three weeks, his administration has broken with decades of free-trade orthodoxy, threatening to impose tariffs not only on strategic adversaries like China but also on long-standing allies like Canada and Mexico. Even Denmark – a Nato member and steadfast US ally – has found itself in Trump’s crosshairs.
Trump’s actions have made many in the United States and around the world wonder: what exactly are tariffs and how do they affect global trade? Simply put, tariffs are taxes on imported goods. If a Chinese manufacturer wants to sell shoes in the US, the American government can impose a tariff. If a US retailer pays US$100 for a pair, then a 10 per cent tariff, like the one that Trump recently imposed on goods from China, means that the retailer must pay the US government US$10.
Those US$100 shoes now cost US$110. Who pays the extra US$10? When Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports during his first term, American importers bore most of the cost, particularly when they could not find alternative suppliers. Consequently, retail prices remained relatively stable, at least in the first year.
But the picture becomes more complicated when tariffs remain in place for an extended period. US importers cannot absorb the added costs indefinitely and may go out of business unless they find new suppliers or pass those costs onto consumers, who may then need to cut back on spending.
When one country uses tariffs or other sanctions to damage another country’s economy, the result is often retaliation and a trade war. China, for example, responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing its own tariffs on US imports. Yet, although Chinese and US tariffs are based on similar reasoning, their impact will not necessarily be the same.
During the first US-China trade war, most of the burden of China’s retaliatory tariffs was borne by American exporters rather than Chinese importers. This was because China quickly found alternative suppliers for the goods it had previously sourced from the US. Oil and food – two of the top US exports to China – were readily supplied by Russia and other countries. Meanwhile, the US struggled to replace Chinese imports, forcing American businesses and consumers to bear the brunt of Trump’s tariffs.
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Billionaire investor David Tepper boosts China bet to 37% of his firm’s portfolio
By Cao Li
Billionaire investor David Tepper increased his positions in a number of China-related stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) last quarter, despite uncertainties about tariffs and China’s slow economic growth.
The president and founder of Appaloosa Management, who said in September that he would buy “everything” related to China, increased his firm’s holdings in companies including JD.com, Alibaba Group Holding and PDD Holdings in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Tepper’s China buying spree increased Appaloosa’s holdings in JD.com by 43 per cent, Alibaba by 18 per cent, Baidu by 7 per cent, KE Holdings by 18 per cent, and PDD by 1 per cent, according to a filing on Monday. Holdings in two ETFs – KranShares CSI China Internet and iShares China Large-Cap – also increased, by 21.5 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively.
China-linked stocks and ETFs accounted for about 37 per cent of Tepper’s portfolio at the end of December.
Chinese stocks enjoyed a bull run starting in late September when Beijing unveiled a slew of measures to boost the economy. This prompted Tepper’s promise to buy “everything” China-related, although the American did reduce his positions in Alibaba and the iShares China Large-Cap ETF in the third quarter.
The bull run lost momentum through the fourth quarter as investors became frustrated with Beijing’s stimulus implementation, before picking up again last month. More recently, the overnight fame of artificial-intelligence (AI) start-up DeepSeek led to a rally in Chinese technology stocks, pushing the Hang Seng Index to its best weekly performance in four months last week.
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By Cao Li
Billionaire investor David Tepper increased his positions in a number of China-related stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) last quarter, despite uncertainties about tariffs and China’s slow economic growth.
The president and founder of Appaloosa Management, who said in September that he would buy “everything” related to China, increased his firm’s holdings in companies including JD.com, Alibaba Group Holding and PDD Holdings in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Tepper’s China buying spree increased Appaloosa’s holdings in JD.com by 43 per cent, Alibaba by 18 per cent, Baidu by 7 per cent, KE Holdings by 18 per cent, and PDD by 1 per cent, according to a filing on Monday. Holdings in two ETFs – KranShares CSI China Internet and iShares China Large-Cap – also increased, by 21.5 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively.
China-linked stocks and ETFs accounted for about 37 per cent of Tepper’s portfolio at the end of December.
Chinese stocks enjoyed a bull run starting in late September when Beijing unveiled a slew of measures to boost the economy. This prompted Tepper’s promise to buy “everything” China-related, although the American did reduce his positions in Alibaba and the iShares China Large-Cap ETF in the third quarter.
The bull run lost momentum through the fourth quarter as investors became frustrated with Beijing’s stimulus implementation, before picking up again last month. More recently, the overnight fame of artificial-intelligence (AI) start-up DeepSeek led to a rally in Chinese technology stocks, pushing the Hang Seng Index to its best weekly performance in four months last week.
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Paraglider rescued from Hong Kong mountain after landing unconscious
By Lo Hoi-ying
Hong Kong firefighters have rescued a paraglider on Hong Kong’s Ma On Shan mountain after he landed unconscious on the highland, with a helicopter transporting him to hospital.
Police said they received a report at around 1.05pm that a male paraglider had landed on the lawn of Ngong Ping on Ma On Shan.
The man was initially unconscious but woke up afterwards, they added.
The extent of his injury was unknown. His identity and age were also not known.
According to the Fire Services Department, it received a call for a mountain rescue at 12.36pm.
A government helicopter airlifted the man to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan for treatment.
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By Lo Hoi-ying
Hong Kong firefighters have rescued a paraglider on Hong Kong’s Ma On Shan mountain after he landed unconscious on the highland, with a helicopter transporting him to hospital.
Police said they received a report at around 1.05pm that a male paraglider had landed on the lawn of Ngong Ping on Ma On Shan.
The man was initially unconscious but woke up afterwards, they added.
The extent of his injury was unknown. His identity and age were also not known.
According to the Fire Services Department, it received a call for a mountain rescue at 12.36pm.
A government helicopter airlifted the man to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan for treatment.
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Russia shows off fifth-generation jet at India air show, claims it was used in Ukraine war
By Ayman Ragab
Russia showed off its latest fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57E fighter jet at an air show in India on February 10, 2025.
The combat aircraft was described as a model used in the Ukraine war and one Moscow offered for sale overseas.
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By Ayman Ragab
Russia showed off its latest fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57E fighter jet at an air show in India on February 10, 2025.
The combat aircraft was described as a model used in the Ukraine war and one Moscow offered for sale overseas.
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Hong Kong, mainland stars to perform at ‘historic’ Kai Tak Sports Park opening
By Lo Hoi-ying
Athletes and entertainment stars from both Hong Kong and mainland China will take part in a ceremony to celebrate the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park next month.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said on Tuesday that the park’s main stadium would host the “grand” ceremony on the evening of March 1, the official opening date.
The city’s No 2 official also addressed the busy Lunar New Year holiday and said Hong Kong had been bustling with visitors, as January recorded the highest monthly number of tourists in the post-pandemic period.
He hailed the coming ceremony to mark the opening of the sports hub in Kai Tak as a major achievement.
“The official opening of Kai Tak Sports Park is a historic moment for Hong Kong,” Chan said before the weekly meeting of the key decision-making Executive Council.
“There will be representatives from the sports and cultural sectors from the mainland and Hong Kong.”
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By Lo Hoi-ying
Athletes and entertainment stars from both Hong Kong and mainland China will take part in a ceremony to celebrate the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park next month.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said on Tuesday that the park’s main stadium would host the “grand” ceremony on the evening of March 1, the official opening date.
The city’s No 2 official also addressed the busy Lunar New Year holiday and said Hong Kong had been bustling with visitors, as January recorded the highest monthly number of tourists in the post-pandemic period.
He hailed the coming ceremony to mark the opening of the sports hub in Kai Tak as a major achievement.
“The official opening of Kai Tak Sports Park is a historic moment for Hong Kong,” Chan said before the weekly meeting of the key decision-making Executive Council.
“There will be representatives from the sports and cultural sectors from the mainland and Hong Kong.”
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China’s stratospheric airship can detect American F-35 fighter from nearly 2,000km: study
By Stephen Chen
A stratospheric airship equipped with advanced infrared detection systems could identify stealth aircraft – such as the US-made F-35 fighter jet – from nearly 2,000km (1,240 miles), according to Chinese scientists.
The findings suggest a potential vulnerability in America’s fifth-generation stealth technology and mark a significant leap in China’s pursuit of anti-access/area denial capabilities.
Researchers with the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP) – a key player in China’s missile and space programmes – analysed the infrared signature of F-35s in simulated combat scenarios that would involve Taiwan. The research was published in May in the Chinese-language journal Aerospace Technology.
The team found that while the jet’s radar-absorbing coating and exterior cooled to an average 281 degrees Kelvin (7.85 degrees Celsius or 46 Fahrenheit) effectively masked it from traditional detection, its engine exhaust plume, which reaches nearly 1,000 Kelvin, emits mid-wave infrared radiation three orders of magnitude stronger than its airframe.
By focusing on the 2.8-4.3 micrometre wavelength range – where atmospheric interference is minimal – and deploying mercury-cadmium-telluride detectors and 300mm aperture telescopes, the unmanned airship hovering at 20km could spot an F-35’s rear thermal signature more than 1,800km away when the aircraft was viewed from the side or behind.
However, detection from the front remained limited to 350km because of the stealth jet’s reduced forward heat profile.
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By Stephen Chen
A stratospheric airship equipped with advanced infrared detection systems could identify stealth aircraft – such as the US-made F-35 fighter jet – from nearly 2,000km (1,240 miles), according to Chinese scientists.
The findings suggest a potential vulnerability in America’s fifth-generation stealth technology and mark a significant leap in China’s pursuit of anti-access/area denial capabilities.
Researchers with the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP) – a key player in China’s missile and space programmes – analysed the infrared signature of F-35s in simulated combat scenarios that would involve Taiwan. The research was published in May in the Chinese-language journal Aerospace Technology.
The team found that while the jet’s radar-absorbing coating and exterior cooled to an average 281 degrees Kelvin (7.85 degrees Celsius or 46 Fahrenheit) effectively masked it from traditional detection, its engine exhaust plume, which reaches nearly 1,000 Kelvin, emits mid-wave infrared radiation three orders of magnitude stronger than its airframe.
By focusing on the 2.8-4.3 micrometre wavelength range – where atmospheric interference is minimal – and deploying mercury-cadmium-telluride detectors and 300mm aperture telescopes, the unmanned airship hovering at 20km could spot an F-35’s rear thermal signature more than 1,800km away when the aircraft was viewed from the side or behind.
However, detection from the front remained limited to 350km because of the stealth jet’s reduced forward heat profile.
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Ho King-yuen, pioneer of ice cream van in Hong Kong, dies aged 98, leaving sweet legacy
By Sammy HeungJiang Chuqin
Hongkonger Ho King-yuen, who brought the first ice cream van to the city, has died aged 98, leaving a sweet legacy for generations of residents and tourists.
Ho and two friends introduced the first Mister Softee ice cream truck to Hong Kong in 1970 and the iconic vehicles have since become a beloved staple and popular tourist attraction in the city.
“With his experience at [ice cream company] Dairy Farm, he imported the first soft ice cream van to Hong Kong from overseas with his friends and founded Mister Softee [here], which brought many precious sweet memories to many generations of Hongkongers and has become a renowned brand in the city,” an obituary published in a local newspaper on Tuesday said.
“He retired at an old age and transferred the business to another company. He then moved to Perth in Western Australia with his family.”
Mister Softee was founded by William Conway and James Conway in 1956 in Philadelphia. It is one of the largest franchisers of soft ice cream in the United States.
According to local media, Ho and two other people bought the franchise rights after seeing a park filled with ice cream trucks during a visit to the United Kingdom.
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By Sammy HeungJiang Chuqin
Hongkonger Ho King-yuen, who brought the first ice cream van to the city, has died aged 98, leaving a sweet legacy for generations of residents and tourists.
Ho and two friends introduced the first Mister Softee ice cream truck to Hong Kong in 1970 and the iconic vehicles have since become a beloved staple and popular tourist attraction in the city.
“With his experience at [ice cream company] Dairy Farm, he imported the first soft ice cream van to Hong Kong from overseas with his friends and founded Mister Softee [here], which brought many precious sweet memories to many generations of Hongkongers and has become a renowned brand in the city,” an obituary published in a local newspaper on Tuesday said.
“He retired at an old age and transferred the business to another company. He then moved to Perth in Western Australia with his family.”
Mister Softee was founded by William Conway and James Conway in 1956 in Philadelphia. It is one of the largest franchisers of soft ice cream in the United States.
According to local media, Ho and two other people bought the franchise rights after seeing a park filled with ice cream trucks during a visit to the United Kingdom.
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Meta to launch teen accounts on Instagram in Hong Kong this week
By Emily Tsang
Meta will launch an Instagram service for users under 16 in Hong Kong and the rest of the Asia-Pacific this week, with the international technology company saying the new system will require a parent or guardian to oversee their child’s account.
“Starting this week, we’ll begin placing teens who sign up for Instagram into teen accounts, and we’ll notify teens already using Instagram about these changes so we can begin moving them into teen accounts in the coming months,” Head of Instagram at Meta, Adam Mosseri, said on Tuesday morning.
The feature has already been launched in some parts of the world, including in Australia, the United States and Canada since September last year.
The new protections require a parent or guardian to be assigned as an account handler, allowing adults to oversee their children’s online interactions, content consumption and time spent on the platform.
Mosseri acknowledged the ongoing challenge of age verification, admitting the platform was still seeking ways to prevent teens from falsifying their age.
“It depends on the jurisdiction. There are a number of different ways we try to verify age … none of them are foolproof,” Mosseri said, citing methods like ID uploads and face detection and emphasising the company’s focus on collaborating with operating systems to improve verification.
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By Emily Tsang
Meta will launch an Instagram service for users under 16 in Hong Kong and the rest of the Asia-Pacific this week, with the international technology company saying the new system will require a parent or guardian to oversee their child’s account.
“Starting this week, we’ll begin placing teens who sign up for Instagram into teen accounts, and we’ll notify teens already using Instagram about these changes so we can begin moving them into teen accounts in the coming months,” Head of Instagram at Meta, Adam Mosseri, said on Tuesday morning.
The feature has already been launched in some parts of the world, including in Australia, the United States and Canada since September last year.
The new protections require a parent or guardian to be assigned as an account handler, allowing adults to oversee their children’s online interactions, content consumption and time spent on the platform.
Mosseri acknowledged the ongoing challenge of age verification, admitting the platform was still seeking ways to prevent teens from falsifying their age.
“It depends on the jurisdiction. There are a number of different ways we try to verify age … none of them are foolproof,” Mosseri said, citing methods like ID uploads and face detection and emphasising the company’s focus on collaborating with operating systems to improve verification.
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