China’s sixth-gen fighter jet leaves US Air Force officials with ‘choices to make’

US Air Force officials are expressing urgency to accelerate their sixth-generation stealth fighter jet program in response to China's advancements in the field. This comes after the unofficial debut of two Chinese sixth-generation aircraft prototypes in December, suggesting China may be gaining an early lead in the development of advanced air superiority technology.

The discussion took place at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Warfare Symposium, where US Air Combat Commander Kenneth Wilsbach emphasized that inaction is not an option. Wilsbach specifically referenced China's new fighter jet, presumed to be the long-range, stealthy J-36, and its potential implications for air superiority, highlighting the need for the US to respond decisively to maintain its competitive edge.

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More Chinese scam workers repatriated via Thailand as crackdown on fraud centres continues

泰国周四恢复了遣返1400多名中国籍诈骗人员的回国航班。此前,泰国政府正努力打击在其边境地区猖獗的诈骗中心,此次行动旨在表明打击行动正在奏效。据泰国媒体报道,在北部达府的湄索机场,数十名疑似中国籍诈骗人员在登上中国南方航空的飞机前接受了检查。

这批人员是预计将从缅甸妙瓦底地区遣返的1400名中国公民的一部分,妙瓦底是臭名昭著的诈骗中心,与泰国湄索隔界相望。未来几天将有多架航班飞往中国,北京方面正在处理这些国民的身份核实工作。此前,两周前被空运回中国的一批人员被描述为诈骗嫌疑人。

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Hong Kong customs seizes HK$5 million of dried seafood from mainland-bound Tesla

香港海关在港珠澳大桥口岸查获一起走私案件,一名53岁司机试图将价值超过520万港元的干海鲜珍品走私至内地。这些物品包括24公斤燕窝和43公斤花胶,藏在一辆改装过的特斯拉电动车内,该车被发现增加了额外的储物空间。

这辆电动车于2月20日在香港大屿山检查站被拦截,海关人员在车辆前部发现了燕窝,并在车辆底部的电池组附近发现了更多花胶和燕窝。海关表示,如果走私成功,该司机将逃避约60万港元的税款。

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Beijing accuses Pentagon chief Hegseth of raising false China threat fears

中国外交部谴责美国国防部长 Pete Hegseth 的言论,称其挑起意识形态对抗,并炒作“中国威胁论”。此前,Hegseth 在接受 Fox News 采访时表示,面对中国“迅速增长”的军费预算,美国必须保持自身实力以威慑潜在战争。

中国外交部发言人林剑强调,美国不应以霸权逻辑对待中国,摒弃冷战思维看待中美关系,更不应以战略竞争为手段遏制中国。中方立场明确,无论是关税战、贸易战,还是冷战、热战,都不能打,也打不赢。

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Tributes paid as death of Hong Kong director Clarence Fok belatedly confirmed

香港导演霍耀良去世,享年68岁。香港电影工作者总会发言人田启文证实,霍耀良于去年2月在沙田医院去世,他生前患有心脏病和肾癌。霍耀良导演在香港电影和电视行业享有盛誉,他的离世让许多人感到惋惜。

霍耀良在20岁左右就担任导演和制片人,并在香港无线电视台(TVB)执导了多部粤语电视剧,广受欢迎。田启文表示,霍耀良很年轻时就在电视行业获得了认可,他拥有特殊的才能,并以全新的视角进行拍摄。

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Plea for women’s toilets at Japan’s Osaka Expo building site: ‘risk of bladder rupture’

日本2025年大阪关西世博会自诩为“人民生活实验室”,旨在探索可持续的未来,然而,有报道指出该世博会未能保障建筑工地上女性的当前权益。一名在建世博会场馆工作的女性向大阪府政府网站反映,现场仅有男性厕所,缺乏女性设施,导致其只能在早上7点抵达车站和晚上6点下班后才能使用厕所。

该诉求于12月6日提交,1月31日发布在网站上,但管理层是否已采取行动尚不清楚。此事引发了对世博会是否真正关注所有参与者福祉的质疑,与其标榜的可持续发展理念形成对比。

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China facing growing campaign to make it compulsory to label AI-generated content

China is increasingly supporting mandatory labeling of AI-generated content to curb its misuse. A proposal by National People's Congress member Li Dongsheng to label AI-generated content is gaining traction, with backing from a People's Daily commentary, highlighting the need to mitigate the technology's potential for malicious use.

The commentary, authored by Liu Xingliang from the Data Centre of China Internet (DCCI), emphasizes that labeling aligns with social governance needs and promotes the healthy growth of the AI industry. With AI models like DeepSeek becoming more prevalent, concerns are rising about issues like academic fraud and deepfake scams, which could spread misinformation and threaten social stability, thus necessitating regulation to guide the technology's development.

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As DeepSeek shakes up global tech sector, Chinese lawmakers and advisers examine AI risks

Chinese lawmakers and political advisors are increasingly concerned about the risks associated with artificial intelligence, making it a prominent topic at the annual "two sessions" meetings. While companies like DeepSeek have boosted China's tech influence, officials are calling for stronger regulations to address AI-related misinformation, fraud, and security breaches.

Cybersecurity expert Qi Xiangdong highlighted the challenge of balancing technological innovation with security, noting that DeepSeek experienced a significant cyberattack shortly after launching an AI assistant. Qi identified three main AI security risks: vulnerabilities within AI models, AI-driven cyberattacks, and attacks targeting AI systems, proposing measures like emergency response mechanisms and enhanced monitoring.

NPC deputy Li Dongsheng, chairman of TCL, emphasized that the misuse of AI technologies poses a serious societal risk, potentially leading to widespread fraud, misinformation, and even financial instability. These concerns underscore the need for careful regulation and proactive security measures as AI continues to develop and integrate into various aspects of society.

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Turkey ready to send troops to Ukraine ‘if needed’: defence ministry source

土耳其国防部表示,如果需要,土耳其准备向乌克兰派遣军队,作为更广泛的维和任务的一部分。该消息人士称,如果认为有必要建立区域稳定与和平,土耳其将与所有相关方评估为维和任务做出贡献的问题。

这一表态的背景是,在特朗普暂停对基辅的军事援助和情报共享后,欧盟领导人正在布鲁塞尔会见乌克兰总统泽连斯基,寻求加强乌克兰和欧洲防御的方法。此前,巴黎和伦敦也已表示愿意向乌克兰派遣军队,以确保未来可能的停火得到维持。自俄罗斯入侵以来,北约成员国土耳其一直努力与黑海邻国保持良好关系,并曾两次主办旨在结束战争的直接会谈。

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Chinese navy ships round out Australian circuit with sail past base hosting US submarine

A Chinese naval fleet, led by the Type 055 destroyer Zunyi, is nearing completion of its unprecedented circumnavigation of Australia. This voyage included sailing near a strategically sensitive defense facility off Western Australia, raising concerns about intelligence gathering.

The Australian Defence Force has been closely monitoring the fleet, which also includes a frigate and a replenishment vessel, providing regular updates on its location. The deployment coincides with increased US-Australia cooperation under the Aukus defense pact, with a US Navy submarine currently docked at a naval base near Perth. Some analysts believe the Chinese operation goes beyond military posturing, representing a significant PLA Navy presence closer to Australian shores than ever before.

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Shenzhen boosts role as China’s humanoid robotics base with Unitree local venture

Unitree Robotics, a leading Chinese robot maker, is expanding its operations to Shenzhen to capitalize on the city's robust supply chain and supportive policies for the robotics industry. The company has established a wholly-owned venture, Shenzhen Tianyi Technology, to focus on the development, sales, and manufacturing of intelligent and service robots. This move reinforces Shenzhen's growing role as a key hub for humanoid robot manufacturing.

Unitree's expansion aligns with Shenzhen's ambitious plan to cultivate a 100 billion yuan (US$13.8 billion) humanoid robotics sector by 2027, aiming to attract and foster 1,200 related firms. Unitree, known for its innovative robot dogs and humanoid robots, has also set up subsidiaries in Beijing and Shanghai, signaling a broader strategic move to leverage China's emerging tech hubs. Shenzhen's recent introduction of measures to support the robotics field further solidifies its position as a leader in this rapidly growing industry.

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Chinese credit ratings firm downgrades Thailand over crime scandals and economic prospects

中国评级机构中诚信国际下调了泰国的信用评级,原因是近期一系列犯罪丑闻损害了泰国对游客的吸引力,以及美国关税的威胁。此次下调意味着泰国信用风险被重新归类为“正常”而非“低”,其经济和财政状况也被评估为“良好”而非“强劲”。

中诚信国际表示,一系列“跨境犯罪事件”暴露了泰国政府在犯罪治理方面的长期缺陷。该公司还警告称,如果安全危机持续,可能会对旅游业前景和外国投资者的信心产生负面影响。中国是泰国最大的游客来源国,去年约有670万中国公民赴泰旅游。

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Prize-winning computer scientist Quan Guocong picks China post after years in US

Quan Guocong, an award-winning computer scientist specializing in caching technology and network optimization, has joined Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou as an associate professor. After earning his PhD from Ohio State University and working as a research scientist at Meta for eight years, Quan brings significant expertise to the university's computer science department.

Quan's research at Sun Yat-sen University will focus on enhancing distributed caching systems through theoretical analysis and optimization, aiming to improve app loading speeds, video streaming quality, and cloud service reliability. He also plans to apply machine learning techniques to boost network and computing efficiency, optimize internet traffic, and reduce delays in large-scale systems. His previous work, including a best paper award at the IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications for research on improving caching efficiency in unreliable networks, highlights his contributions to the field.

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China eatery owner criticised for telling people earning US$680 a month not to dine out

Banu Hotpot founder Du Zhongbing sparked public outrage in China after suggesting people earning less than 5,000 yuan (US$680) per month shouldn't dine at his high-end restaurants. His comments, made at an industry symposium, were widely shared on social media, drawing criticism for being elitist and out of touch with the average consumer.

Du's initial statement that "hotpot is not intended to cater to grass roots customers" and his suggestion that those with lower incomes should opt for cheaper alternatives like malatang, fueled the backlash. Banu Hotpot, with an average per-person cost of 200 yuan (US$28) across its 140 mainland China locations, is positioned as a premium dining experience. Following the controversy, Du attempted to clarify his remarks, claiming they were misinterpreted and taken out of context.

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Women in Hong Kong face huge retirement income shortfall, Fidelity study shows

A Fidelity International study reveals that nearly half of Hong Kong's working women are concerned about insufficient retirement income. The study, released ahead of International Women’s Day, highlights that women in Hong Kong typically retire earlier than men, at age 62, and anticipate needing an average of HK$24,235 (US$3,120) per month during retirement. This figure represents almost 70% of their current monthly income, underscoring the potential financial strain in their post-work years.

The study, which surveyed over 1,000 Hong Kong residents, emphasizes the importance of early investment and proactive financial planning for women. Charlotte Chan, head of Fidelity's Hong Kong office, encourages women to take a more active role in building their financial future through investing and increasing savings. With rising inflation and increasing life expectancy, adequate retirement preparation is crucial. Fidelity International, a significant player in Hong Kong's pension fund market, manages 4.3% of pension fund assets and provides various investment options.

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9 takeaways from the economic briefing at China’s ‘two sessions’

中国高级经济官员在年度“两会”期间的新闻发布会上,阐述了2025年的工作重点,并对中国经济发展前景表达了信心。国家发展和改革委员会(NDRC)、财政部、商务部、中国人民银行和主要证券监管机构的负责人都出席了会议,显示了中国政府对经济工作的重视。

国家发展和改革委员会主任郑栅洁表示,中国有信心实现今年5%的增长目标,强调中国经济基础稳固,发展势头良好。尽管部分行业面临挑战,但新兴产业正在强劲增长,“新产业和商业模式”目前占中国经济的18%。商务部部长王文涛承认中国出口面临严峻挑战,并表示政府正在采取行动稳定对外贸易,例如帮助跨境电商企业投资海外仓库。政府还将设立“指导基金”,以促进产业转型升级,为经济发展提供更多支持。

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Hong Kong MTR Corp’s profit doubles to HK$15.77 billion driven by ridership, property

香港铁路有限公司(MTR)2024年净利润翻了一番,达到157.7亿港元(20.3亿美元),创下六年来的最佳业绩。这主要得益于房地产开发的强劲贡献以及本地和跨境列车服务的强劲需求。这是该公司自2018年盈利160亿港元以来的最佳业绩。

MTR公司警告称,大部分利润将用于资助未来的项目,包括现有线路的升级和改造,以及新铁路项目的规划和建设。在2025年至2027年期间,支出预计约为908亿港元,主要用于现有铁路的维护工作和新的铁路项目,以及在香港、中国大陆和海外的房地产投资和开发。

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Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Arena fan expulsion fiasco ‘should have been foreseen’

香港世界 Grand Prix 赛事因比赛超时导致观众中途被驱离,引发对赛事组织方和场地提供方协调不足的批评。立法会议员郑泳舜指出,此次事件损害了香港举办大型活动的声誉,尤其是在启德体育园开幕之际,更显得不理想。他强调,赛事组织方应事先与场地运营方达成协议,充分预见比赛超时的可能性,并制定全面的应对计划。

体育及旅游局局长已就此事道歉,并责令赛事组织方和场地运营方允许观众留至比赛结束。郑泳舜认为,组织方应从此次事件中吸取教训,重新审视赛事计划,因为该赛事代表着香港的品牌形象。他建议,组织方应根据首场比赛的时长,调整后续比赛的开始时间,以确保赛事顺利进行。

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Japanese sex scouts: police fight worrying trend of women recruited into prostitution

日本警方正在加大力度打击性工作者招募团伙,原因是越来越多的女性为了偿还娱乐场所的债务而从事卖淫活动。 这些招募团伙通过介绍女性到性服务场所工作来牟取暴利,对社会治安和女性权益造成严重威胁。

东京警方逮捕了27岁的北村达也,他被认为是招募团伙Access的高级成员。他涉嫌违反《职业安定法》,于2024年7月介绍一名20多岁的女性到东京的两家成人娱乐场所工作。据信,Access在过去五年中向约350家性服务场所输送了大量受害者,并通过收取15%的介绍费非法获利70亿日元。该团伙还通过隐蔽的方式收取现金,以掩盖资金流动。

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Malaysian court rules ‘wounding religious feelings’ is a crime

马来西亚高等法院裁定,“伤害他人宗教感情”是一项有效的刑事犯罪。这项具有里程碑意义的裁决与备受争议的电影《Mentega Terbang》有关,该电影触及了宗教敏感性问题。此前,电影制作方对该法律提出了质疑。

这项裁决扩大了法律责任的可能性,马来西亚一直面临着种族、宗教和王室(被称为“3R”)问题,这些都是高度敏感的话题。《Mentega Terbang》于2021年上映,但在两年后被禁,讲述了一名15岁少女质疑不同宗教中关于重生的想法。导演Khairi Anwar和制片人Tan Meng Kheng表示将对该裁决提起上诉。他们的律师N Surendran此前辩称,这项“过时的……独立前立法”——英国人引入的《刑法》第298条——不应被用来对付电影制作人。在法院做出这项裁决之前,已经发生了一系列类似的争议,将媒体和文化卷入了“3R”争议,许多马来西亚人担心这些争议正在改变社会讨论,并有侵蚀言论自由的风险。

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