Duterte’s explosive ‘kill senators’ quip ignites controversy in Philippine midterms
<p><strong>菲律宾总统小马科斯支持的12名参议员候选人中，有10名在竞选活动开始后持续领跑民意调查。</strong> 这促使他的竞争对手、前总统杜特尔特开玩笑说，要杀死他们，以便为他支持的候选人让路。</p> <p>在杜特尔特领导的民主人民力量党的一次集会上，杜特尔特介绍了他的九名候选人，并开玩笑说，让他们赢得选举的一个可能方法是“杀死15名参议员”，包括那些在小马科斯的支持下竞选连任的人。这些候选人在集会上誓言要“保护莎拉”，避免她在参议院法庭被定罪，指的是副总统莎拉·杜特尔特-卡皮奥可能面临的弹劾审判。此前，菲律宾国家调查局指控她煽动叛乱，并因涉嫌针对总统的暗杀阴谋而犯下严重威胁罪。</p>
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<p><strong>菲律宾总统小马科斯支持的12名参议员候选人中，有10名在竞选活动开始后持续领跑民意调查。</strong> 这促使他的竞争对手、前总统杜特尔特开玩笑说，要杀死他们，以便为他支持的候选人让路。</p> <p>在杜特尔特领导的民主人民力量党的一次集会上，杜特尔特介绍了他的九名候选人，并开玩笑说，让他们赢得选举的一个可能方法是“杀死15名参议员”，包括那些在小马科斯的支持下竞选连任的人。这些候选人在集会上誓言要“保护莎拉”，避免她在参议院法庭被定罪，指的是副总统莎拉·杜特尔特-卡皮奥可能面临的弹劾审判。此前，菲律宾国家调查局指控她煽动叛乱，并因涉嫌针对总统的暗杀阴谋而犯下严重威胁罪。</p>
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Next phase of Hong Kong’s eMPF reform to start in March with more providers, enhancements
Hong Kong's pension regulator will launch the second phase of reforms to digitalize the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) operations on March 5, expanding the electronic platform to include more providers and implementing other measures. This follows the successful initial phase of the eMPF Platform launched in June, which saw a high digital usage rate, particularly for contribution data and investment changes.
The eMPF platform aims to streamline the management of HK$1.326 trillion in MPF assets by consolidating the operations of 12 different providers onto a single electronic platform accessible via mobile phones or computers. The first phase involved the onboarding of five smaller providers, representing 2% of assets under management, between June and December, paving the way for the broader rollout in the second phase.
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Hong Kong's pension regulator will launch the second phase of reforms to digitalize the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) operations on March 5, expanding the electronic platform to include more providers and implementing other measures. This follows the successful initial phase of the eMPF Platform launched in June, which saw a high digital usage rate, particularly for contribution data and investment changes.
The eMPF platform aims to streamline the management of HK$1.326 trillion in MPF assets by consolidating the operations of 12 different providers onto a single electronic platform accessible via mobile phones or computers. The first phase involved the onboarding of five smaller providers, representing 2% of assets under management, between June and December, paving the way for the broader rollout in the second phase.
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Panda-monium at Ocean Park as crowds flock to see Hong Kong’s twin cubs
By Lo Hoi-ying
More than 1,000 excited fans flocked to Ocean Park on Sunday morning to get their first glimpse of Hong Kong’s locally born pair of giant panda cubs.
Patrons started lining up outside the park before it opened at 10am on Sunday in anticipation of the public debut of “Elder Sister” and “Younger Brother”.
Many were decked out in panda paraphernalia, such as headbands and plushies sold by Ocean Park, and brought along professional cameras to capture the precious moment.
The first visitor in the line, a man surnamed Shum, told local media he had arrived at the park sometime after 6am, saying he felt the cubs’ birth carried a very special meaning for Hong Kong.
Shum also said he planned to visit the twins again when they turned one.
IT worker Walter Chan, who arrived at around 8am, told the Post that he had been looking forward to this day for a decade.
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By Lo Hoi-ying
More than 1,000 excited fans flocked to Ocean Park on Sunday morning to get their first glimpse of Hong Kong’s locally born pair of giant panda cubs.
Patrons started lining up outside the park before it opened at 10am on Sunday in anticipation of the public debut of “Elder Sister” and “Younger Brother”.
Many were decked out in panda paraphernalia, such as headbands and plushies sold by Ocean Park, and brought along professional cameras to capture the precious moment.
The first visitor in the line, a man surnamed Shum, told local media he had arrived at the park sometime after 6am, saying he felt the cubs’ birth carried a very special meaning for Hong Kong.
Shum also said he planned to visit the twins again when they turned one.
IT worker Walter Chan, who arrived at around 8am, told the Post that he had been looking forward to this day for a decade.
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Australia slaps 2-year ban on foreigners buying existing homes as prices soar
By Bloomberg
Australia’s government will ban foreign investors from buying established houses for the next two years as part of an election pitch to tackle surging home prices.
From April 1, foreign investors will be banned from buying established property until March 31, 2027, Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said in a statement on Sunday. The restriction will then be reviewed to determine whether it should be extended.
O’Neil said in comments televised by the Australian Broadcasting Corp that the ban would likely free up around 1,800 properties per year for local buyers.
“These initiatives are a small but important part of our already big and broad housing agenda which is focused on boosting supply and helping more people into homes,” the minister’s statement said.
Australia’s housing is some of the most unaffordable in the world and soaring property prices will be a key election issue amid a broader cost-of-living crisis, especially among young voters who fear they will never be able to buy a home.
In Sydney, housing values have jumped almost 70 per cent over the past 10 years, with the median dwelling price now around A$1.2 million (US$762,000), according to property consultancy CoreLogic Inc. Rents have also been climbing.
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By Bloomberg
Australia’s government will ban foreign investors from buying established houses for the next two years as part of an election pitch to tackle surging home prices.
From April 1, foreign investors will be banned from buying established property until March 31, 2027, Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said in a statement on Sunday. The restriction will then be reviewed to determine whether it should be extended.
O’Neil said in comments televised by the Australian Broadcasting Corp that the ban would likely free up around 1,800 properties per year for local buyers.
“These initiatives are a small but important part of our already big and broad housing agenda which is focused on boosting supply and helping more people into homes,” the minister’s statement said.
Australia’s housing is some of the most unaffordable in the world and soaring property prices will be a key election issue amid a broader cost-of-living crisis, especially among young voters who fear they will never be able to buy a home.
In Sydney, housing values have jumped almost 70 per cent over the past 10 years, with the median dwelling price now around A$1.2 million (US$762,000), according to property consultancy CoreLogic Inc. Rents have also been climbing.
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Trump’s aid freeze will hit Myanmar hard
By Su Mon Thazin Aung
The panic and chaos caused by US President Donald Trump’s executive order to halt foreign aid, followed by the shutdown plan of USAID, have roiled global humanitarian efforts, and Myanmar is no exception.
The United States has been a significant contributor to the country’s emergency and community resilience work. The US Agency for International Development’s shutdown, along with the broader reduction in US government funding, will have far-reaching implications for cross-border and in-country aid operations for Myanmar.
Myanmar accounts for more than US$238 million of the combined portfolios of US$35 billion among 159 countries that received USAID funding in 2024. About 47 per cent of the US$238 million went to the humanitarian sector. The remainder went into sectors such as healthcare, economy and education. The US has traditionally provided significant assistance to hard-to-reach regions in Myanmar through local partners and cross-border assistance. Refugees, internally displaced persons and vulnerable communities in conflict-affected border regions are primary recipients.
Mere days after the aid-freeze decision, people on the Thai-Myanmar border already felt the shock. Several agencies decided to cease essential humanitarian assistance programmes and shut down healthcare services on the Thai-Myanmar border. The Karenni Refugee Camp in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son district was one of the first to close down. Suddenly, its equipment and medicines were unavailable to those who needed it most, including pregnant women and people dependent on oxygen tanks to breathe.
Aid for the Rohingya through Bangladesh will be the only exemption.
Trump’s aid decision will also potentially shake Myanmar’s in-country humanitarian system. Different funding sources currently provide in-country humanitarian and development assistance in Myanmar. Most of the communities rely upon support from multilateral aid, such as provided by United Nations agencies. In 2024, Washington’s contribution accounted for 43 per cent of global humanitarian efforts and 31.6 per cent of Myanmar’s humanitarian response plan in particular. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Programme and the UN Children’s Fund are the top three recipients of USAID funding.
Given the significant UN funding gap between required aid amounts and actual disbursement, the implementation efforts of these agencies may be severely affected. Only critical operations, such as emergency food assistance and critical healthcare, are likely to remain. A return to normalcy would be extremely difficult for people in conflict areas who rely on foreign aid to survive, given the potential reduction in assistance in delivering essential services such as long-term healthcare, education, community resilience and agricultural production.
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By Su Mon Thazin Aung
The panic and chaos caused by US President Donald Trump’s executive order to halt foreign aid, followed by the shutdown plan of USAID, have roiled global humanitarian efforts, and Myanmar is no exception.
The United States has been a significant contributor to the country’s emergency and community resilience work. The US Agency for International Development’s shutdown, along with the broader reduction in US government funding, will have far-reaching implications for cross-border and in-country aid operations for Myanmar.
Myanmar accounts for more than US$238 million of the combined portfolios of US$35 billion among 159 countries that received USAID funding in 2024. About 47 per cent of the US$238 million went to the humanitarian sector. The remainder went into sectors such as healthcare, economy and education. The US has traditionally provided significant assistance to hard-to-reach regions in Myanmar through local partners and cross-border assistance. Refugees, internally displaced persons and vulnerable communities in conflict-affected border regions are primary recipients.
Mere days after the aid-freeze decision, people on the Thai-Myanmar border already felt the shock. Several agencies decided to cease essential humanitarian assistance programmes and shut down healthcare services on the Thai-Myanmar border. The Karenni Refugee Camp in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son district was one of the first to close down. Suddenly, its equipment and medicines were unavailable to those who needed it most, including pregnant women and people dependent on oxygen tanks to breathe.
Aid for the Rohingya through Bangladesh will be the only exemption.
Trump’s aid decision will also potentially shake Myanmar’s in-country humanitarian system. Different funding sources currently provide in-country humanitarian and development assistance in Myanmar. Most of the communities rely upon support from multilateral aid, such as provided by United Nations agencies. In 2024, Washington’s contribution accounted for 43 per cent of global humanitarian efforts and 31.6 per cent of Myanmar’s humanitarian response plan in particular. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Programme and the UN Children’s Fund are the top three recipients of USAID funding.
Given the significant UN funding gap between required aid amounts and actual disbursement, the implementation efforts of these agencies may be severely affected. Only critical operations, such as emergency food assistance and critical healthcare, are likely to remain. A return to normalcy would be extremely difficult for people in conflict areas who rely on foreign aid to survive, given the potential reduction in assistance in delivering essential services such as long-term healthcare, education, community resilience and agricultural production.
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Trump’s rush for Ukraine deal with Russia’s Putin leaves Europe high and dry
By Bloomberg
The groans and the anxious side glances gave way to silence as US Vice-President J.D. Vance took centre stage in Munich to pour contempt on long-standing US allies and cut Europe down to size.
It was an attack of unbridled ferocity in the name of free speech that laid bare the long-stewing hostility that Donald Trump and his most senior aides feel for the European Union – they see the bloc as a symbol of big government that constrains US companies.
But as European diplomats from Berlin to London pick through the rubble of the transatlantic relationship, the reality is that the continent has had eight years since Trump’s last election victory to get its house in order and three since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The wake-up call was a long time coming.
“This is existential,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in an interview on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, where Vance had been speaking.
French President Emmanuel Macron is looking to convene an emergency meeting of European leaders in an attempt to come up with a response.
Europe’s fate has turned on events in the Bavarian capital before, and not only in 1938 when the UK acquiesced to Adolf Hitler’s claims to part of Czechoslovakia in a doomed attempt to avoid war.
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By Bloomberg
The groans and the anxious side glances gave way to silence as US Vice-President J.D. Vance took centre stage in Munich to pour contempt on long-standing US allies and cut Europe down to size.
It was an attack of unbridled ferocity in the name of free speech that laid bare the long-stewing hostility that Donald Trump and his most senior aides feel for the European Union – they see the bloc as a symbol of big government that constrains US companies.
But as European diplomats from Berlin to London pick through the rubble of the transatlantic relationship, the reality is that the continent has had eight years since Trump’s last election victory to get its house in order and three since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The wake-up call was a long time coming.
“This is existential,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in an interview on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, where Vance had been speaking.
French President Emmanuel Macron is looking to convene an emergency meeting of European leaders in an attempt to come up with a response.
Europe’s fate has turned on events in the Bavarian capital before, and not only in 1938 when the UK acquiesced to Adolf Hitler’s claims to part of Czechoslovakia in a doomed attempt to avoid war.
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Could USAID’s closure open the door to greater Chinese soft power in the Global South?
By SCMP Reporter
The sudden closure of the US’ foreign aid agency offers China opportunities to grow its soft power in the Global South, Chinese officials say, while warning that Beijing’s influence should not be overestimated.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced the shutdown of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington’s principal agency for global humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
The USAID website is offline and hundreds of senior staff have been put on leave, leaving grants in jeopardy amid a cost-cutting campaign driven by billionaire Elon Musk. The agency’s closure was temporarily halted by a federal judge’s order but its long-term future remains uncertain.
Beijing has not commented on the drama in Washington but a handful of Chinese officials in central government agencies related to foreign aid, commerce and economics said it was an opportunity for Beijing to grow its influence abroad.
“The retreat of USAID will benefit Beijing in promoting its image and building up its footprint in the developing world,” an economic official said, declining to be named because he was not allowed to speak to the media.
An aid official agreed, saying Beijing would gain room to project its influence if USAID ceased to exist.
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By SCMP Reporter
The sudden closure of the US’ foreign aid agency offers China opportunities to grow its soft power in the Global South, Chinese officials say, while warning that Beijing’s influence should not be overestimated.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced the shutdown of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington’s principal agency for global humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
The USAID website is offline and hundreds of senior staff have been put on leave, leaving grants in jeopardy amid a cost-cutting campaign driven by billionaire Elon Musk. The agency’s closure was temporarily halted by a federal judge’s order but its long-term future remains uncertain.
Beijing has not commented on the drama in Washington but a handful of Chinese officials in central government agencies related to foreign aid, commerce and economics said it was an opportunity for Beijing to grow its influence abroad.
“The retreat of USAID will benefit Beijing in promoting its image and building up its footprint in the developing world,” an economic official said, declining to be named because he was not allowed to speak to the media.
An aid official agreed, saying Beijing would gain room to project its influence if USAID ceased to exist.
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As DeepSeek eats into America’s AI edge, is US dollar dominance at risk?
By Alice Li
Market discussions about the recent rise of Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) dark horse DeepSeek have taken on a new dimension, with some analysts suggesting that China’s rapid technological advances could boost the internationalisation of its yuan currency and weaken the global influence of the US dollar.
Ninety One, a London-based asset management firm, said DeepSeek’s rise could erode one of the key pillars supporting the US dollar’s dominance – the tech-heavy US stock market.
“If DeepSeek’s efficiency gains are verified, it is likely to lead to lower investment requirements and a flattening of technology barriers at a global level,” wrote Alex Holroyd-Jones, its multi-asset portfolio manager, in a news release headlined “How DeepSeek might dethrone the dollar” issued on February 7.
“Both will implicitly benefit energy-poor regions and relative tech laggards, thereby undermining one pillar of US exceptionalism.”
Holroyd-Jones said the United States’ technological leadership was one of three pillars that helped it attract global investors. However, with the rise of DeepSeek – which sparked an American AI stock sell-off in late January and fuelled calls for a re-evaluation of Chinese tech stocks – that technological leadership could face challenges, and that would have an impact on the US dollar’s strength.
He said the other two pillars supporting the US dollar were expansionary government policy and higher US interest rates.
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By Alice Li
Market discussions about the recent rise of Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) dark horse DeepSeek have taken on a new dimension, with some analysts suggesting that China’s rapid technological advances could boost the internationalisation of its yuan currency and weaken the global influence of the US dollar.
Ninety One, a London-based asset management firm, said DeepSeek’s rise could erode one of the key pillars supporting the US dollar’s dominance – the tech-heavy US stock market.
“If DeepSeek’s efficiency gains are verified, it is likely to lead to lower investment requirements and a flattening of technology barriers at a global level,” wrote Alex Holroyd-Jones, its multi-asset portfolio manager, in a news release headlined “How DeepSeek might dethrone the dollar” issued on February 7.
“Both will implicitly benefit energy-poor regions and relative tech laggards, thereby undermining one pillar of US exceptionalism.”
Holroyd-Jones said the United States’ technological leadership was one of three pillars that helped it attract global investors. However, with the rise of DeepSeek – which sparked an American AI stock sell-off in late January and fuelled calls for a re-evaluation of Chinese tech stocks – that technological leadership could face challenges, and that would have an impact on the US dollar’s strength.
He said the other two pillars supporting the US dollar were expansionary government policy and higher US interest rates.
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Philippines must become more self-reliant amid fears of US abandonment
By Richard Heydarian
“Let’s make a deal with China,” declared Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in response to Beijing’s concerns over the deployment of advanced US weapons systems to Philippine military facilities.
“Stop claiming our territory, stop harassing our fishermen and let them have a living, stop ramming our boats, stop water-cannoning our people, stop firing lasers at us, and stop your aggressive and coercive behaviour, and I’ll return the Typhon missiles,” he added, referring to the state-of-the-art missile system capable of targeting military facilities in southern China.
Manila’s more conciliatory approach towards China isn’t taking place in a vacuum. The return of transactionalist Donald Trump as US president and his appointment of isolationist figures to key defence and foreign policy positions have unleashed a wave of hand-wringing among frontline allies like the Philippines.
Key Asian allies such as Japan and Australia have been ramping up their defence spending and cooperation with the Pentagon. Lacking comparable resources, however, the Philippines finds itself in a particularly vulnerable position, reinforcing domestic calls for a more multi-aligned and self-reliant foreign policy posture.
Although Manila enjoys significant strategic empathy among key American officials such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, it can’t risk ending up as a potential pawn in a prospective US-China “grand bargain” under Trump.
In its second iteration, the Trump administration has proven far more unorthodox on foreign policy. Trump is pressing ahead with his disruptive agenda. Ideologically, he represents the “Jacksonian” tradition in American foreign policy, which combines frontier-minded aggression with unapologetic pragmatism.
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By Richard Heydarian
“Let’s make a deal with China,” declared Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in response to Beijing’s concerns over the deployment of advanced US weapons systems to Philippine military facilities.
“Stop claiming our territory, stop harassing our fishermen and let them have a living, stop ramming our boats, stop water-cannoning our people, stop firing lasers at us, and stop your aggressive and coercive behaviour, and I’ll return the Typhon missiles,” he added, referring to the state-of-the-art missile system capable of targeting military facilities in southern China.
Manila’s more conciliatory approach towards China isn’t taking place in a vacuum. The return of transactionalist Donald Trump as US president and his appointment of isolationist figures to key defence and foreign policy positions have unleashed a wave of hand-wringing among frontline allies like the Philippines.
Key Asian allies such as Japan and Australia have been ramping up their defence spending and cooperation with the Pentagon. Lacking comparable resources, however, the Philippines finds itself in a particularly vulnerable position, reinforcing domestic calls for a more multi-aligned and self-reliant foreign policy posture.
Although Manila enjoys significant strategic empathy among key American officials such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, it can’t risk ending up as a potential pawn in a prospective US-China “grand bargain” under Trump.
In its second iteration, the Trump administration has proven far more unorthodox on foreign policy. Trump is pressing ahead with his disruptive agenda. Ideologically, he represents the “Jacksonian” tradition in American foreign policy, which combines frontier-minded aggression with unapologetic pragmatism.
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Will Hongkongers be next to leave US under Trump’s immigration crackdown?
By Connor Mycroft
Some Hongkongers in the United States are at risk of deportation if President Donald Trump scraps the special protection extended to them by previous American leader Joe Biden.
Amid Trump’s high-profile crackdown on immigration, some experts said the future of the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) programme for Hongkongers was uncertain as his administration had already revoked special protections for other groups.
According to a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) document seen by the Post, there were 122 Hongkongers who had been issued final orders to leave the country as of last November. Their current status is not known.
Responding to the Post, the city’s Security Bureau said it had completed the verification of identities and other related procedures concerning the repatriation of Hongkongers from the US.
There were no outstanding cases as of February 14, it said, while declining to elaborate.
It added that the Hong Kong government would “continue to handle any referred cases in accordance with the established mechanisms”.
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By Connor Mycroft
Some Hongkongers in the United States are at risk of deportation if President Donald Trump scraps the special protection extended to them by previous American leader Joe Biden.
Amid Trump’s high-profile crackdown on immigration, some experts said the future of the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) programme for Hongkongers was uncertain as his administration had already revoked special protections for other groups.
According to a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) document seen by the Post, there were 122 Hongkongers who had been issued final orders to leave the country as of last November. Their current status is not known.
Responding to the Post, the city’s Security Bureau said it had completed the verification of identities and other related procedures concerning the repatriation of Hongkongers from the US.
There were no outstanding cases as of February 14, it said, while declining to elaborate.
It added that the Hong Kong government would “continue to handle any referred cases in accordance with the established mechanisms”.
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How DeepSeek’s AI has become a must-have feature in Chinese smart EVs
By Daniel Ren
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers are scrambling to install artificial intelligence (AI) developed by DeepSeek to add to their cars’ digital bells and whistles in a highly competitive market.
More than a dozen carmakers, from EV leader BYD to Stellantis-backed start-up Leapmotor, have announced plans to develop cars fitted with DeepSeek AI features over the past two weeks.
“It is the latest sign of competition emerging on a new front – enticing drivers and passengers with more advanced chatbot tools,” said Phate Zhang, founder of Shanghai-based EV data provider CnEVPost. “Cars without DeepSeek will either lose market share or be edged out of the market.”
The Hangzhou-based start-up seized the world’s attention over the past few weeks after releasing two advanced open-source AI models, DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, at a fraction of the cost and computing power that major tech companies typically require for large language model (LLM) projects. LLM is the technology behind generative AI services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and DeepSeek’s own namesake chatbot.
AI can make cars safer and smarter through advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), enhance in-car infotainment and improve the overall driving experience.
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By Daniel Ren
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers are scrambling to install artificial intelligence (AI) developed by DeepSeek to add to their cars’ digital bells and whistles in a highly competitive market.
More than a dozen carmakers, from EV leader BYD to Stellantis-backed start-up Leapmotor, have announced plans to develop cars fitted with DeepSeek AI features over the past two weeks.
“It is the latest sign of competition emerging on a new front – enticing drivers and passengers with more advanced chatbot tools,” said Phate Zhang, founder of Shanghai-based EV data provider CnEVPost. “Cars without DeepSeek will either lose market share or be edged out of the market.”
The Hangzhou-based start-up seized the world’s attention over the past few weeks after releasing two advanced open-source AI models, DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, at a fraction of the cost and computing power that major tech companies typically require for large language model (LLM) projects. LLM is the technology behind generative AI services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and DeepSeek’s own namesake chatbot.
AI can make cars safer and smarter through advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), enhance in-car infotainment and improve the overall driving experience.
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By Yating Yang
A Japanese man who went viral for mimicking a dog has launched a new business renting out his dog costume to like-minded people.
As a result, he hopes those who share his interests, will be able to fulfil their dream of “becoming an animal”.
The man, known as Toco, from Saitama prefecture, east-central Honshu, Japan, had dreamed of becoming a dog since childhood.
He decided to pursue his dream and, to make it a reality, spent 2 million yen (US$13,000) to buy a costume from a company specialising in film props and designs.
He chose a costume of his favourite dog breed, the collie, which weighs 4kg and features a movable mouth, tail and paws.One of Toco’s fake canines rolls around like a happy, real dog. Photo: Instagram/@ toco.ev
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Japan’s looming crisis: 2035 tipping point for population decline amid ageing society
By Julian Ryall
Japan’s decades-long fears over a contracting population, particularly in rural areas, where many regions are predominantly inhabited by elderly individuals, are about to worsen, with one analyst warning that even the country’s megacities will soon face population loss.
The tipping point for virtually all of Japan’s big cities other than Tokyo would be 2035, wrote Masashi Kawai in Future Atlas: What Happens in Japan with a Declining Population. Additionally, he noted that several smaller cities were expected to experience decline even before then.
In his book, Kawai said population trends indicated that by 2020, nine major cities, including Kitakyushu, Kobe, Kyoto and Osaka had already experienced a population decline compared to 2015. By 2025, Sendai, Yokohama, and Kumamoto will join this group, followed by Nagoya, Sapporo, Hiroshima, and Okayama by 2035.
While some larger cities will avoid contraction by absorbing people from surrounding areas, that source of additional population will be depleted within the next decade, according to Kawai.
Population loss will not be the only challenge for these urban areas by 2035, but also the need to cater to a growing elderly population.
In a decade, 34.8 per cent of Kobe’s residents will be elderly, with Sapporo, Shizuoka and Kitakyushu close behind at 34.6 per cent. Among the 20 designated cities examined by Kawai, all will have an elderly population exceeding 25 per cent.
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By Julian Ryall
Japan’s decades-long fears over a contracting population, particularly in rural areas, where many regions are predominantly inhabited by elderly individuals, are about to worsen, with one analyst warning that even the country’s megacities will soon face population loss.
The tipping point for virtually all of Japan’s big cities other than Tokyo would be 2035, wrote Masashi Kawai in Future Atlas: What Happens in Japan with a Declining Population. Additionally, he noted that several smaller cities were expected to experience decline even before then.
In his book, Kawai said population trends indicated that by 2020, nine major cities, including Kitakyushu, Kobe, Kyoto and Osaka had already experienced a population decline compared to 2015. By 2025, Sendai, Yokohama, and Kumamoto will join this group, followed by Nagoya, Sapporo, Hiroshima, and Okayama by 2035.
While some larger cities will avoid contraction by absorbing people from surrounding areas, that source of additional population will be depleted within the next decade, according to Kawai.
Population loss will not be the only challenge for these urban areas by 2035, but also the need to cater to a growing elderly population.
In a decade, 34.8 per cent of Kobe’s residents will be elderly, with Sapporo, Shizuoka and Kitakyushu close behind at 34.6 per cent. Among the 20 designated cities examined by Kawai, all will have an elderly population exceeding 25 per cent.
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Ukraine says ‘China has a crucial role to play in achieving peace’
A senior Ukrainian official stated that “China has a crucial role to play in achieving peace” following a meeting between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, head of President Zelensky’s office, Andriy Yermak, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Munich Security Conference. Yermak praised China's "principled position" on nuclear threats from Russia, particularly after Moscow's drone attack on the Chernobyl nuclear power station.
Yermak also conveyed Ukraine’s vision for a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace, emphasizing the necessity of Ukraine's participation in any peace negotiations, a sentiment echoed by the Chinese Foreign Minister. This development occurs amidst concerns regarding potential direct negotiations between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to end the war, with questions arising about Europe's involvement and Ukraine's standing in such talks, as highlighted by Trump’s Ukraine special envoy Keith Kellogg.
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A senior Ukrainian official stated that “China has a crucial role to play in achieving peace” following a meeting between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, head of President Zelensky’s office, Andriy Yermak, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Munich Security Conference. Yermak praised China's "principled position" on nuclear threats from Russia, particularly after Moscow's drone attack on the Chernobyl nuclear power station.
Yermak also conveyed Ukraine’s vision for a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace, emphasizing the necessity of Ukraine's participation in any peace negotiations, a sentiment echoed by the Chinese Foreign Minister. This development occurs amidst concerns regarding potential direct negotiations between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to end the war, with questions arising about Europe's involvement and Ukraine's standing in such talks, as highlighted by Trump’s Ukraine special envoy Keith Kellogg.
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Greater Bay Airlines is expected to provide more reliable services
Greater Bay Airlines is working to recover its reputation after cancelling 128 flights in February and March, affecting 5,500 passengers. The airline acknowledged that a newly hired commercial and planning management team failed to follow proper cancellation protocols, leading to poor communication and insufficient consideration of customer service capabilities. The company has since removed the team and implemented stricter management reviews and high-level authorization for future cancellations.
The cancellations were attributed to delays in new aircraft delivery and regular inspections of existing planes, a problem exacerbated by global issues with aircraft manufacturers like Boeing. This incident follows similar disruptions by Cathay Pacific Airways, highlighting the need for all Hong Kong airlines to ensure smooth operations, especially with the airport's new third runway now fully operational. The Secretary for Transport and Logistics has urged Greater Bay Airlines to improve flight scheduling, internal communication, and customer management to maintain Hong Kong's reputation as an international aviation hub.
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Greater Bay Airlines is working to recover its reputation after cancelling 128 flights in February and March, affecting 5,500 passengers. The airline acknowledged that a newly hired commercial and planning management team failed to follow proper cancellation protocols, leading to poor communication and insufficient consideration of customer service capabilities. The company has since removed the team and implemented stricter management reviews and high-level authorization for future cancellations.
The cancellations were attributed to delays in new aircraft delivery and regular inspections of existing planes, a problem exacerbated by global issues with aircraft manufacturers like Boeing. This incident follows similar disruptions by Cathay Pacific Airways, highlighting the need for all Hong Kong airlines to ensure smooth operations, especially with the airport's new third runway now fully operational. The Secretary for Transport and Logistics has urged Greater Bay Airlines to improve flight scheduling, internal communication, and customer management to maintain Hong Kong's reputation as an international aviation hub.
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How China’s adoption laws risk freezing tens of thousands of children out of family life
中国的独生子女政策不仅导致人口老龄化，还造成了严格的收养法，使得大量被遗弃的儿童无法拥有家庭生活。 许多家庭在收养过程中面临重重官僚障碍，即使孩子的亲生母亲同意，有时也无法通过合法途径完成收养。
四川居民何花就遇到了这样的困境。由于身体原因无法生育的她，在2021年得知一个未婚女子怀孕且无力抚养孩子，便决定收养这个孩子。孩子的亲生母亲同意了她的请求，并在成都的医院生下了孩子。然而，当何花试图向当地公安局和民政局办理收养手续时，却被告知她不符合收养条件，这让她非常沮丧。
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中国的独生子女政策不仅导致人口老龄化，还造成了严格的收养法，使得大量被遗弃的儿童无法拥有家庭生活。 许多家庭在收养过程中面临重重官僚障碍，即使孩子的亲生母亲同意，有时也无法通过合法途径完成收养。
四川居民何花就遇到了这样的困境。由于身体原因无法生育的她，在2021年得知一个未婚女子怀孕且无力抚养孩子，便决定收养这个孩子。孩子的亲生母亲同意了她的请求，并在成都的医院生下了孩子。然而，当何花试图向当地公安局和民政局办理收养手续时，却被告知她不符合收养条件，这让她非常沮丧。
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Beijing, Philippines spar over South China Sea claims during Munich conference
At the Munich Security Conference, tensions flared between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea. Former Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Fu Ying stated that Beijing cannot accept the Philippines occupying Second Thomas Shoal and Sabina Shoal, citing violations of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. This declaration, signed by China and ASEAN countries, includes a pledge to avoid actions that complicate disputes, particularly building on uninhabited features.
Fu Ying claimed the declaration's language was weakened at Manila's request to secure their signature. China has specifically denounced the Philippines' efforts to reinforce the BRP Sierra Madre, a deliberately grounded World War II-era ship on the Second Thomas Shoal, as unacceptable. These ongoing disputes highlight the persistent challenges in managing maritime claims and maintaining stability in the region.
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At the Munich Security Conference, tensions flared between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea. Former Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Fu Ying stated that Beijing cannot accept the Philippines occupying Second Thomas Shoal and Sabina Shoal, citing violations of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. This declaration, signed by China and ASEAN countries, includes a pledge to avoid actions that complicate disputes, particularly building on uninhabited features.
Fu Ying claimed the declaration's language was weakened at Manila's request to secure their signature. China has specifically denounced the Philippines' efforts to reinforce the BRP Sierra Madre, a deliberately grounded World War II-era ship on the Second Thomas Shoal, as unacceptable. These ongoing disputes highlight the persistent challenges in managing maritime claims and maintaining stability in the region.
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US, South Korea and Japan reaffirm pledge to seek North Korea denuclearisation
美国、日本和韩国重申了他们寻求朝鲜“完全无核化”的坚定承诺。三国在一份联合声明中表达了这一立场，并对朝鲜的核武器和导弹计划、恶意网络活动以及与俄罗斯日益增长的军事合作表示严重关切。三国强调，绝不容忍任何挑衅或对其本土的威胁。
这份声明是在美国国务卿马可·卢比奥与韩国外长赵兑烈和日本外务大臣岩屋毅在慕尼黑安全会议期间会晤后发布的。三国还承诺维持和加强对平壤的国际制裁，并致力于立即解决被绑架者、被拘留者和未遣返战俘的问题，以及离散家庭的问题。
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美国、日本和韩国重申了他们寻求朝鲜“完全无核化”的坚定承诺。三国在一份联合声明中表达了这一立场，并对朝鲜的核武器和导弹计划、恶意网络活动以及与俄罗斯日益增长的军事合作表示严重关切。三国强调，绝不容忍任何挑衅或对其本土的威胁。
这份声明是在美国国务卿马可·卢比奥与韩国外长赵兑烈和日本外务大臣岩屋毅在慕尼黑安全会议期间会晤后发布的。三国还承诺维持和加强对平壤的国际制裁，并致力于立即解决被绑架者、被拘留者和未遣返战俘的问题，以及离散家庭的问题。
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