Philippines’ Teodoro issues ‘wake-up call’ for Asean unity to ‘resist coercion’

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jnr has urged Asean members to strengthen unity, warning that division weakens the bloc's ability to address growing regional security challenges. Teodoro emphasized the need for collective resistance against coercion and greater security cooperation, cautioning against external attempts to split the association.

Analysts interpret Teodoro's speech as a "wake-up call," highlighting that internal divisions within Asean, coupled with China's increasing influence and uncertainty surrounding US policies, risk undermining the bloc's capacity to address Beijing's assertive actions, particularly in the South China Sea. This comes as Beijing has been accused of aggressive tactics against Philippine ships asserting its territorial claims in the disputed waters.

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Japan’s births fall to lowest level since 1899 as fertility crisis worsens

日本新生儿数量再创新低,凸显了该国在老龄化社会中,如何用不断萎缩的纳税人群体来承担不断膨胀的社会保障成本这一日益严峻的挑战。2024年新生儿数量同比下降5%至720,988人,连续第九年下降,创下自1899年有记录以来的最低水平。

与此同时,日本的死亡人数上升1.8%至创纪录的162万人,导致总人口出现有史以来最大的年度降幅。人口持续下降给已经背负发达国家中最重债务负担的日本政府带来了更大的压力,国际货币基金组织报告显示,日本公共债务将达到今年GDP的232.7%。

日本的困境也是全球趋势的一部分。包括韩国、法国和中国在内的其他国家也面临着生育率下降和人口减少的问题,这将进一步加剧劳动力短缺,并对政府财政收入造成长期影响。

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Hong Kong bourse’s 2024 profit rises 10% to a record on surging stock transactions, IPOs

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) reported a record annual profit for 2024, reaching HK$13 billion (US$1.7 billion), a 10% increase from the previous year. This surge in profit, surpassing market expectations, was driven by higher market turnover and a surge in new listings, particularly following a market rally that began in September.

The strong performance in the final quarter of 2024, with a 46% jump in profit, was attributed to falling interest rates and China's stimulus measures aimed at supporting the economy. CEO Bonnie Chan highlighted the strategic progress made in 2024, including initiatives to enhance market microstructure and the listing franchise, which reinforced Hong Kong's position as a leading international financial center. HKEX has proposed a second interim dividend of HK$4.90 per share, bringing the total dividend for the year to HK$9.26, maintaining a payout ratio of 90% of earnings.

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New Zealand FM meets China’s Wang Yi in Beijing, raises PLA live-fire drills

中国外长王毅周三在北京会见新西兰外长Winston Peters时表示,中新两国应成为互信的伙伴,并通过建设性对话解决一些具体分歧。王毅强调,双方应保持对彼此的正确理解,进一步发展友好合作,成为互相信任和支持彼此成就的伙伴。

据新西兰方面发布的声明,双方讨论包括中国最近在塔斯曼海的军事部署。Peters在会后告诉记者,他直接向王毅提出了惠灵顿方面的担忧,即中方事先通知时间太短,并希望中方能考虑这些担忧。他表示,北京方面没有充分提前通知这次实弹海军演习,他认为这是中新两国特殊关系中的一次失败,两国之间的特殊关系始于2008年签署的自由贸易协定。

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Freed Myanmar scam workers desperate to go home: ‘I can finally escape this hell’

大约7000名来自二十多个国家的受害者,他们从缅甸诈骗园区被解救后,目前滞留在缅甸边境城镇苗瓦迪的一个临时拘留中心,等待遣返回国。 拘留中心条件恶劣,过度拥挤,这些年轻人白天忍受着热带高温,夜晚则遭受蚊虫叮咬,生活困苦。

据一名18岁的马来西亚男子描述,拘留中心的厕所和淋浴设施非常脏,根本无法使用。一名中国籍受害者王先生表示,他对于能够离开这里感到非常高兴。这些获救者迫切希望能够尽快与家人联系并返回家园。

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What to expect at China’s ‘two sessions’ and why this year is a bit different

China's upcoming "two sessions" will be crucial in setting the nation's policy agenda, focusing on economic growth, navigating trade tensions, and the tech race with the US. The annual meetings, involving the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the National People’s Congress, will involve key political figures deliberating on and approving policy plans for the economy, military, trade, and other strategic areas.

This year's sessions are expected to prioritize domestic issues such as restoring confidence and addressing economic pressures, while also managing external challenges posed by evolving US policies. The meetings will also address private sector confidence, fiscal strategies, long-term reforms, and bilateral relations, as well as marking the final year of the "Made in China 2025" plan.

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‘So extreme’: China home appliance queen demands eatery replace air con with her brand

Dong Mingzhu, a prominent Chinese businesswoman and chairwoman of Gree Electric, has stirred controversy after admitting she pressured a restaurant owner to replace a non-Gree air conditioner. During a recent interview, Dong recounted her experience at a restaurant where she noticed the air conditioner in her private room was not a Gree product. She questioned the owner and insisted on its immediate replacement, threatening to never return if her demand wasn't met.

Dong's actions have sparked debate about the ethics of using one's influence to promote their own business interests. While she is known for her strong leadership and dedication to Gree Electric, turning it into a global leader in air conditioner manufacturing, critics argue that her behavior was inappropriate and demonstrated a lack of consideration for the restaurant owner's business decisions. The incident highlights the power dynamics at play when influential figures exert pressure on smaller businesses.

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Investing in megaprojects crucial for Hong Kong’s growth despite deficits: Paul Chan

香港财政司司长陈茂波表示,香港必须投资北部都会区等大型项目以推动经济增长,即使这些项目导致财政赤字。他同时呼吁中产阶级理解政府的财政策略,尽管预算案中给中产阶级的优惠措施不多。陈茂波强调,将支出控制在收入范围内应是管理政府运营账户的基础。

陈茂波进一步解释说,虽然政府的目标是在运营账户中实现盈余,但资本账户出现赤字应该被用于未来的投资,包括基础设施项目和扩大经济容量。他认为,在香港发展的关键时刻,抓住机遇投资未来,为未来创造机会是至关重要的,即使这意味着短期内出现赤字,但只要有支持发展的计划并逐步减少赤字,最终恢复平衡,就没有问题。未来五年,香港的资本账户预计将出现赤字,公共项目的平均年度支出将从去年的900亿港元增加到1200亿港元。

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Scam kingpin holds China, Turkey passports, bought 8 condos in Malaysia: police

马来西亚警方逮捕了一名中国籍男子,该男子被指控领导一个国际诈骗集团,并且拥有双重国籍。 这名34岁的男子出生于中国河南省,同时也是土耳其公民,警方正在调查其在其他国家的犯罪活动。

据武吉阿曼商业犯罪调查部主任Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf透露,该嫌疑人使用一名女性团伙成员的名字,以现金购买了价值1600万令吉(约合360万美元)的八套豪华公寓。警方认为他们寻求换汇服务以方便付款,并将联系参与交易的房地产公司和中介。

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Love after accident, marriage deadline plan, Maserati ring toss game: 5 trending stories

This week's trending stories in China include a serendipitous love story sparked by a car accident and a controversial company policy threatening to fire single or divorced employees. A couple's meeting after a car accident in December 2023 has captivated Chinese social media, while a company in Shandong province faced backlash for attempting to boost its marriage rate by threatening unmarried employees.

The Shuntian Chemical Group, employing over 1,200 people, announced in January that single and divorced employees could face termination if they remained unmarried by the end of September, prompting criticism from officials. Another trending topic involves a mother who sparked online debate after disciplining her son with a stick in public after he had a tantrum.

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Will Putin help Trump challenge China’s stranglehold on rare earths?

Donald Trump's plan to secure rare earth minerals from Greenland and Ukraine to challenge China's dominance may not align with global reserve realities, but a potential deal with Russia could offer a solution. Russia's offer to grant the US access to these critical resources, essential for high-tech applications, could circumvent China's tightening export controls on these minerals.

Rare earth minerals, a group of 17 elements vital for electronics, defense systems, and green technology, are unevenly distributed globally. While Greenland holds the eighth-largest reserves, Ukraine isn't listed among countries with significant deposits. Russia, possessing double the reserves of the US, ranks fifth worldwide, making it a potentially crucial partner in the US effort to diversify its supply chain and reduce reliance on China, which holds the world's largest reserves.

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Why urban renewal in Malaysia has stoked racial tensions

马来西亚城市更新法案引发争议,反对派指责政府借此驱逐贫困马来居民。该法案旨在加速破旧城市中心的重建,但反对派穆斯林马来政党担心,这实际上是政府以士绅化为幌子,将弱势群体赶出城市。

快速城市化导致马来西亚部分城市中心出现不安全、不卫生的贫民窟。政府计划通过城市更新法案来解决这个问题,该法案将为重建破旧的住宅楼提供法律依据。然而,反对派议员认为,该法案是政府偏袒开发商(通常是华人),剥夺贫困马来居民的家园的工具,伊斯兰党甚至呼吁举行街头集会反对该法案,称其为“现代殖民主义”。

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China declassifies tech of world’s first high orbit radar satellite, worrying US

China has unveiled the technology behind its Ludi Tance 4-01 (Ludi) satellite, the world's first geosynchronous orbit synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, providing continuous surveillance of one-third of Earth's surface. Launched in August 2023, Ludi orbits at 36,000km, far exceeding the altitude of US remote-sensing radar satellites, and utilizes a unique "space power combination" system to achieve high-resolution radar emissions that can penetrate cloud cover and darkness.

The satellite's technology merges multiple microwave beams in space, enabling stable radar emissions. While Beijing claims Ludi is for civilian use, such as weather observation, disaster prevention, and research in various fields, the US military remains cautious. They suggest Ludi could enhance China's tracking and targeting capabilities when coordinated with other surveillance satellites.

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Aborted airport landings add to series of aviation incidents in the US

An American Airlines flight aborted its landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to avoid a potential collision with another aircraft, marking the latest in a series of recent aviation incidents in the US. Air traffic controllers instructed the plane to perform a "go-around" to maintain safe separation, a standard procedure where the plane repositions for another landing attempt. The flight landed safely, and American Airlines emphasized that such maneuvers are not unusual.

The incident occurred shortly before a Southwest Airlines plane at Chicago Midway International Airport narrowly avoided colliding with a business jet that crossed the runway. Aviation experts explain that go-arounds are relatively common due to various factors, including weather conditions or runway obstructions. While these incidents have raised concerns, they highlight the safety mechanisms in place within the aviation system.

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Hong Kong budget 2025: everything you need to know from AI to basketball betting

香港2025-26年度财政预算案公布,其中一项重要措施是提高机场离境税,预计每年可为政府增加16亿港元的收入。这项调整旨在增加政府财政收入,以应对当前的经济挑战和未来的发展需求。

财政司司长陈茂波表示,提高离境税是经过审慎考虑后做出的决定。政府希望通过这一措施,在不影响香港作为国际航空枢纽竞争力的前提下,增加财政收入,用于改善公共服务和推动经济发展。具体实施细节和时间表将在稍后公布。

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Tumult in Singapore’s Kwek dynasty as battle for CDL’s US$18 billion empire deepens

Singapore's City Developments Limited (CDL) is embroiled in a dramatic family feud, with Chairman Kwek Leng Beng accusing his son, CEO Kwek, of attempting a boardroom coup. This dispute has escalated into a lawsuit and highlights the challenges of generational succession within Asian family-controlled businesses.

The conflict within the Kwek dynasty, which controls an estimated US$18 billion empire, has surprised many, particularly as it coincides with CDL's release of disappointing annual results. This public disagreement has led to the cancellation of press briefings and a halt in trading of the company's shares, underscoring the potential instability caused by such internal strife. The situation is not uncommon in Asia, where succession battles often become public and sometimes lead to legal disputes, as seen in other high-profile cases involving families in Hong Kong and Macau.

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Nvidia beats Wall Street expectations despite DeepSeek’s AI breakthrough

Nvidia's strong first-quarter growth forecast indicates sustained high demand for its artificial intelligence (AI) chips, with CEO Jensen Huang reporting "amazing" orders for the new Blackwell semiconductors. This positive outlook alleviates recent concerns about a potential slowdown in AI hardware spending, sparked by claims from Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek regarding cost-effective AI model development.

Nvidia's transition to the Blackwell chip architecture marks a shift towards selling complete AI computing systems, integrating graphics chips, processors, and networking equipment. Huang emphasized the rapid advancement of AI and the successful large-scale production of Blackwell AI supercomputers, projecting billions of dollars in sales for the first quarter. Despite a slight dip in after-hours trading, Nvidia's stock remains a significant beneficiary of the AI stock rally, having risen over 400% in the past two years.

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Top mathematician Shing-Tung Yau leads China’s bid for 2030 maths Olympics

China is competing with Japan and Britain to host the 2030 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), also known as the maths Olympics. This would be the second time China has hosted the event, the first being in 2002. The initiative is being spearheaded by renowned mathematician Shing-Tung Yau.

Yau, who leads a team of 40 mathematicians, emphasizes the ICM's importance as a platform for researchers to understand global mathematical developments and showcase their achievements. He believes that hosting the ICM in 2030 would be a pivotal moment for Chinese mathematics, inspiring young researchers to excel on the world stage. Yau, a Fields Medal winner, left Harvard in 2022 to teach at Tsinghua University, aiming to bolster China's mathematical capabilities and has established institutions to attract top talent.

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Singapore’s space technology dreams to take flight with US$45 million development boost

Singapore is set to invest an additional S$60 million (US$45 million) over the next two years to bolster its space technology program. This commitment aims to capitalize on the rapidly growing global space economy, projected to reach US$1.8 trillion by 2035, and solidify Singapore's position as a key hub for space innovation and impact.

The investment builds upon a previous S$150 million commitment in 2022, which has already resulted in 14 space-related technology patents filed by local entities. Furthermore, a recent agreement between LeoLabs and ST Engineering's Geo-Insights signals Singapore's ambition to become a regional leader in space situational awareness, potentially establishing the region's first center to protect satellites from collisions and debris.

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FBI says North Korea stole US$1.5 billion from crypto exchange ByBit

美国联邦调查局(FBI)宣布,朝鲜应对从加密货币交易所ByBit盗窃约15亿美元的虚拟资产负责。FBI将朝鲜的这一恶意网络活动称为“TraderTraitor”,并指出该团伙正在迅速行动,已将部分被盗资产转换为比特币和其他虚拟资产,分散在多个区块链上的数千个地址中。

FBI预计,这些资产将被进一步清洗,并最终转换为法定货币。ByBit上周五表示,一名攻击者控制了一个以太坊钱包,并将里面的资产转移到了一个未知的地址。ByBit首席执行官周本表示,被攻击的只是一个以太坊冷钱包,交易所的其他钱包均未受到影响,提款正常进行。

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