From pandas to postboxes: hotspots for selfies in Hong Kong over Christmas
By Winnie WongDenise Tsang
Hong Kong’s skyline and street views have been transformed over Christmas, with the city boasting colourful new attractions this holiday season.
From giant panda exhibitions to bustling indoor malls and vividly decorated postboxes, there are no lack of new offerings for Christmas excursions, with opportunities for selfies to burnish social media photo galleries.
The Post highlights five places to enjoy the seasonal splendour.
Stalls selling trinkets line both sides of Pottinger Street, one of the city’s oldest streets widely known as “stone slab street”, creating an atmosphere of festival cheer and nostalgia.
The stalls are filled with ornaments and decorations for sale, ranging from traditional red-and-white Santa Claus hats, to green, gold and red Christmas globes.
Stroll past colourful stalls and their paraphernalia along the street’s shallow, wide granite steps and catch the jingles that play as trams arrive at the nearby station.
The songs will ring out till January 1.
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By Winnie WongDenise Tsang
Hong Kong’s skyline and street views have been transformed over Christmas, with the city boasting colourful new attractions this holiday season.
From giant panda exhibitions to bustling indoor malls and vividly decorated postboxes, there are no lack of new offerings for Christmas excursions, with opportunities for selfies to burnish social media photo galleries.
The Post highlights five places to enjoy the seasonal splendour.
Stalls selling trinkets line both sides of Pottinger Street, one of the city’s oldest streets widely known as “stone slab street”, creating an atmosphere of festival cheer and nostalgia.
The stalls are filled with ornaments and decorations for sale, ranging from traditional red-and-white Santa Claus hats, to green, gold and red Christmas globes.
Stroll past colourful stalls and their paraphernalia along the street’s shallow, wide granite steps and catch the jingles that play as trams arrive at the nearby station.
The songs will ring out till January 1.
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Chinese classicists battling to save Greek, Roman works from online conspiracy theories
By Dannie Peng
Chinese academics studying the Western classics are battling an increasingly popular conspiracy theory that Greek and Roman literature, philosophy and even famous monuments are hoaxes.
The pseudo-historical school – as its detractors have called it – has been around for years, but what was once a fringe position has become increasingly prominent online with some noted nationalist intellectuals helping to amplify conspiracy theories, with some even questioning whether Aristotle and his surviving works were real.
Mantineia Liu, a postgraduate student studying Western classical philosophy at Shanghai’s Fudan University, said that over the past 10 years she had seen this idea spreading from small groups in certain chat groups to something her older relatives keep bringing up when she went home for family gatherings such as Lunar New Year.
But she feels that since 2017, the conspiracy theory had “suddenly expanded”. More than once older family members have said to her: “I’ve heard that all these Western historical and cultural relics are faked, is it possible? ”
An associate professor studying classical Western philosophy at a top Chinese university echoed Liu’s comments.
“People who are really interested in ancient philosophy, thought or history don’t buy this kind of view, and it’s often taken as a joke in academia, but it has a huge market among the general public,” the academic, who asked not to be named, said.
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By Dannie Peng
Chinese academics studying the Western classics are battling an increasingly popular conspiracy theory that Greek and Roman literature, philosophy and even famous monuments are hoaxes.
The pseudo-historical school – as its detractors have called it – has been around for years, but what was once a fringe position has become increasingly prominent online with some noted nationalist intellectuals helping to amplify conspiracy theories, with some even questioning whether Aristotle and his surviving works were real.
Mantineia Liu, a postgraduate student studying Western classical philosophy at Shanghai’s Fudan University, said that over the past 10 years she had seen this idea spreading from small groups in certain chat groups to something her older relatives keep bringing up when she went home for family gatherings such as Lunar New Year.
But she feels that since 2017, the conspiracy theory had “suddenly expanded”. More than once older family members have said to her: “I’ve heard that all these Western historical and cultural relics are faked, is it possible? ”
An associate professor studying classical Western philosophy at a top Chinese university echoed Liu’s comments.
“People who are really interested in ancient philosophy, thought or history don’t buy this kind of view, and it’s often taken as a joke in academia, but it has a huge market among the general public,” the academic, who asked not to be named, said.
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By Alice Yan
The wife of China’s Olympic boxing champion Zou Shiming has sparked a heated discussion on hormone treatment after she decided to give growth injections to their teenage son, who appeared to have stayed at the same height for years.
Zou’s wife Ran Yingying, a former TV hostess and now an online influencer, said in mid-December that she and her husband had been anxious about one of their their sons, nicknamed Haohao, for two years.
This prompted them to take him to hospital for hormone treatment to make him grow taller, the Shanghai Morning Post reported.
The couple, who are both 162cm tall, have three sons. Haohao, 11, is 136.6cm in height, about 30cm shorter than his brother who is two years older.
Ran said she noticed Haohao seemed not to grow at all over the past two years.Haohao’s parents became anxious after their son failed to grow over a two-year period. Photo: Baidu
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Crowds throng at busy Hong Kong airport as residents depart for holidays
By Jiang Chuqin
The Hong Kong International Airport experienced busier-than-usual traffic on Sunday morning as residents left in droves for the Christmas holidays, with the estimated waiting time between security checks and departure gate access exceeding two hours.
Expecting heavier traffic and longer queues, many passengers arrived at the airport hours in advance to avoid rushing before their scheduled flights,
Hongkongers interviewed by the Post said they were taking several days off from work before the public holidays to create a week-long getaway, while many domestic helpers were travelling back to their home countries, some for the first time since the pandemic.
Adelaide Tsoi, a 30-year-old educator, decided to take 2½ days off work to extend her holiday into a six-day getaway.
She and her husband were heading to Malaysia with their daughter and would visit KidZania, an educational theme park where children can learn through interactive role-play, among other places. They had not set a specific budget for themselves, with Tsoi saying they simply wanted to “chill for several days”.
“I think compared to other holiday times, the airport today does not seem too hectic,” said Tsoi.
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By Jiang Chuqin
The Hong Kong International Airport experienced busier-than-usual traffic on Sunday morning as residents left in droves for the Christmas holidays, with the estimated waiting time between security checks and departure gate access exceeding two hours.
Expecting heavier traffic and longer queues, many passengers arrived at the airport hours in advance to avoid rushing before their scheduled flights,
Hongkongers interviewed by the Post said they were taking several days off from work before the public holidays to create a week-long getaway, while many domestic helpers were travelling back to their home countries, some for the first time since the pandemic.
Adelaide Tsoi, a 30-year-old educator, decided to take 2½ days off work to extend her holiday into a six-day getaway.
She and her husband were heading to Malaysia with their daughter and would visit KidZania, an educational theme park where children can learn through interactive role-play, among other places. They had not set a specific budget for themselves, with Tsoi saying they simply wanted to “chill for several days”.
“I think compared to other holiday times, the airport today does not seem too hectic,” said Tsoi.
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Trump says he might demand Panama hand over canal
By Reuters
US president-elect Donald Trump on Saturday accused Panama of charging excessive rates for the use of the Panama Canal and said that if Panama did not manage the canal in an acceptable fashion, he would demand the US ally hand it over.
In an evening post on Truth Social, Trump also warned he would not let the canal fall into the “wrong hands,” and he seemed to warn of potential Chinese influence on the passage, writing the canal should not be managed by China.
The post was an very rare example of a US leader saying he could push a sovereign country to hand over territory. It also underlines an expected shift in US diplomacy under Trump, who has not historically shied away from threatening allies and using bellicose rhetoric when dealing with counterparts.
The United States largely built the canal and administrated territory surrounding the passage for decades. But the US government fully handed control of the canal to Panama in 1999 after a period of joint administration.
“The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US,” Trump wrote in his Truth Social post.
“It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question.”
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By Reuters
US president-elect Donald Trump on Saturday accused Panama of charging excessive rates for the use of the Panama Canal and said that if Panama did not manage the canal in an acceptable fashion, he would demand the US ally hand it over.
In an evening post on Truth Social, Trump also warned he would not let the canal fall into the “wrong hands,” and he seemed to warn of potential Chinese influence on the passage, writing the canal should not be managed by China.
The post was an very rare example of a US leader saying he could push a sovereign country to hand over territory. It also underlines an expected shift in US diplomacy under Trump, who has not historically shied away from threatening allies and using bellicose rhetoric when dealing with counterparts.
The United States largely built the canal and administrated territory surrounding the passage for decades. But the US government fully handed control of the canal to Panama in 1999 after a period of joint administration.
“The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US,” Trump wrote in his Truth Social post.
“It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question.”
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Relocating to Hengqin: Macau residents tell of the woes and perks of settling in the zone
By Emily Hung
When Macau residents Amy Leong and Danniel Ng embarked on a plan to relocate for retirement, they hit an unexpected hurdle: finding affordable moving services proved challenging because of the extra charges for customs clearance.
They had decided to move from the casino hub, where they had lived for decades, to Hengqin, a neighbouring island jointly managed by the Guangdong and Macau governments.
A residential project exclusively for Macau residents, the Macau New Neighbourhood, was rolled out last year.
The couple in their 60s bought a three-bedroom flat for about 3 million yuan (US$411,180), which they said was more expensive than other homes in Zhuhai, but still cheaper than in the casino city.
“Hiring a mover is even more expensive than buying all [the furniture] over again from the mainland,” Leong said. The couple decided to move their belongings using their own car, making multiple trips between Macau and Hengqin.
“It was quite a headache, we had to throw away many pieces of furniture that couldn’t fit in our car,” Leong said. “Why couldn’t the two governments sit down and work out a plan to help us move easier?”
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By Emily Hung
When Macau residents Amy Leong and Danniel Ng embarked on a plan to relocate for retirement, they hit an unexpected hurdle: finding affordable moving services proved challenging because of the extra charges for customs clearance.
They had decided to move from the casino hub, where they had lived for decades, to Hengqin, a neighbouring island jointly managed by the Guangdong and Macau governments.
A residential project exclusively for Macau residents, the Macau New Neighbourhood, was rolled out last year.
The couple in their 60s bought a three-bedroom flat for about 3 million yuan (US$411,180), which they said was more expensive than other homes in Zhuhai, but still cheaper than in the casino city.
“Hiring a mover is even more expensive than buying all [the furniture] over again from the mainland,” Leong said. The couple decided to move their belongings using their own car, making multiple trips between Macau and Hengqin.
“It was quite a headache, we had to throw away many pieces of furniture that couldn’t fit in our car,” Leong said. “Why couldn’t the two governments sit down and work out a plan to help us move easier?”
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2 US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent ‘friendly fire’ incident
By Associated Press
Two US Navy pilots were shot down on Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent “friendly fire” incident, the US military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Both pilots were recovered alive, with one suffering minor injuries, but the shootdown underlines just how dangerous the Red Sea corridor has become over the ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis despite US and European military coalitions patrolling the area.
America’s military had conducted air strikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the time, though the US military’s Central Command did not elaborate on what their mission was and did not immediately respond to questions from Associated Press.
The F/A-18 shot down had just flown off the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, Central Command said. On December 15, Central Command acknowledged the Truman had entered the Middle East, but hadn’t specified that the carrier and its battle group was in the Red Sea.
“The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” Central Command said in a statement.
From the military’s description, the aircraft shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.
It wasn’t immediately clear how the Gettysburg could mistake an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, particularly as ships in a battle group remain linked by both radar and radio communication. However, Central Command said that warships and aircraft earlier shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels.
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By Associated Press
Two US Navy pilots were shot down on Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent “friendly fire” incident, the US military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Both pilots were recovered alive, with one suffering minor injuries, but the shootdown underlines just how dangerous the Red Sea corridor has become over the ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis despite US and European military coalitions patrolling the area.
America’s military had conducted air strikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the time, though the US military’s Central Command did not elaborate on what their mission was and did not immediately respond to questions from Associated Press.
The F/A-18 shot down had just flown off the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, Central Command said. On December 15, Central Command acknowledged the Truman had entered the Middle East, but hadn’t specified that the carrier and its battle group was in the Red Sea.
“The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” Central Command said in a statement.
From the military’s description, the aircraft shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.
It wasn’t immediately clear how the Gettysburg could mistake an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, particularly as ships in a battle group remain linked by both radar and radio communication. However, Central Command said that warships and aircraft earlier shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels.
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Beijing lodges ‘serious protest’ with US after latest arms pledge for Taiwan
By Amber Wang
Beijing said on Sunday it had lodged a protest with Washington against its latest military assistance and arms sale to Taiwan, and vowed to take all necessary measures.
The remarks in a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry came after the White House on Friday [US time] announced military support worth US$571.3 million to Taiwan, along with an additional US$295 million in arms sales approved by the State Department.
“The decision is a severe breach of the US leaders’ commitment of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence’, and sends a gravely wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces,” read the statement attributed to the ministry spokesperson.
“China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it and lodged serious protests at once with the US,” it said.
The statement also urged the United States to “immediately stop arming Taiwan and stop the dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”, while vowing to “firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity”.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of China to be reunited, by force if necessary. The US, like most countries, does not recognise the self-governed island as an independent state, but is opposed to any attempt to take it by force and is legally committed to arming it for defence.
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By Amber Wang
Beijing said on Sunday it had lodged a protest with Washington against its latest military assistance and arms sale to Taiwan, and vowed to take all necessary measures.
The remarks in a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry came after the White House on Friday [US time] announced military support worth US$571.3 million to Taiwan, along with an additional US$295 million in arms sales approved by the State Department.
“The decision is a severe breach of the US leaders’ commitment of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence’, and sends a gravely wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces,” read the statement attributed to the ministry spokesperson.
“China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it and lodged serious protests at once with the US,” it said.
The statement also urged the United States to “immediately stop arming Taiwan and stop the dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”, while vowing to “firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity”.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of China to be reunited, by force if necessary. The US, like most countries, does not recognise the self-governed island as an independent state, but is opposed to any attempt to take it by force and is legally committed to arming it for defence.
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Malaysia’s new wave chefs drive Kuala Lumpur’s culinary boom
By Joseph Sipalan
When Zack Sze left for Hong Kong four years ago, Kuala Lumpur’s fine dining scene was rather predictable, dominated by familiar culinary trends that offered little in terms of innovation.
Back then, molecular gastronomy and deconstructed dishes were limited to a highly exclusive clientele, with most diners still bound by Western traditional tastes of what constituted a fancy meal – typically meticulously prepared French dishes, elegantly plated and paired with expensive wines.
But when Sze moved back earlier this year, he found an entirely different landscape – a vibrant scene driven by the adventurous new tastes of young Malaysians and bursting with restaurants and pop-ups offering an astonishing variety of food by local chefs, all showcasing their own unique interpretations of Malaysian food and flavours.
“I was shocked. Four years ago, where was all this?” Sze said over a serving of hanwoo beef tartare flavoured with sambal hijau, a local chilli condiment typically served at Malay homes and restaurants.
Malaysia is now moving up the food chain, and competing with its neighbours – Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – for Michelin recognition and the wave of enthusiastic tourists that the acclaimed badge can bring.
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By Joseph Sipalan
When Zack Sze left for Hong Kong four years ago, Kuala Lumpur’s fine dining scene was rather predictable, dominated by familiar culinary trends that offered little in terms of innovation.
Back then, molecular gastronomy and deconstructed dishes were limited to a highly exclusive clientele, with most diners still bound by Western traditional tastes of what constituted a fancy meal – typically meticulously prepared French dishes, elegantly plated and paired with expensive wines.
But when Sze moved back earlier this year, he found an entirely different landscape – a vibrant scene driven by the adventurous new tastes of young Malaysians and bursting with restaurants and pop-ups offering an astonishing variety of food by local chefs, all showcasing their own unique interpretations of Malaysian food and flavours.
“I was shocked. Four years ago, where was all this?” Sze said over a serving of hanwoo beef tartare flavoured with sambal hijau, a local chilli condiment typically served at Malay homes and restaurants.
Malaysia is now moving up the food chain, and competing with its neighbours – Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – for Michelin recognition and the wave of enthusiastic tourists that the acclaimed badge can bring.
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Top NYPD officer abruptly resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations
By Associated Press
The highest-ranking uniformed officer in the New York Police Department has resigned amid allegations he demanded sex from a subordinate in exchange for opportunities to earn extra pay.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch accepted Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey’s resignation on Friday night, effective immediately, according to a department statement on Saturday.
Chief of Patrol John Chell will take over as interim chief of department, and Philip Rivera will assume Chell’s duties as the head of the patrol division, the NYPD said.
Late on Saturday, Tisch replaced the head of the internal affairs bureau, which investigates alleged police misconduct, saying in a statement that the unit “must always be dedicated to preserving integrity and rooting out corruption in all its forms.”
She appointed Edward Thompson as interim chief after Miguel Iglesias was relieved of his command.
The NYPD declined to comment on the allegations against Maddrey other than to say it “takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and will thoroughly investigate this matter.”
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By Associated Press
The highest-ranking uniformed officer in the New York Police Department has resigned amid allegations he demanded sex from a subordinate in exchange for opportunities to earn extra pay.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch accepted Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey’s resignation on Friday night, effective immediately, according to a department statement on Saturday.
Chief of Patrol John Chell will take over as interim chief of department, and Philip Rivera will assume Chell’s duties as the head of the patrol division, the NYPD said.
Late on Saturday, Tisch replaced the head of the internal affairs bureau, which investigates alleged police misconduct, saying in a statement that the unit “must always be dedicated to preserving integrity and rooting out corruption in all its forms.”
She appointed Edward Thompson as interim chief after Miguel Iglesias was relieved of his command.
The NYPD declined to comment on the allegations against Maddrey other than to say it “takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and will thoroughly investigate this matter.”
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Hong Kong travellers opt for short-haul holiday season deals in snowy locales
By Ng Kang-chung
Hong Kong travellers have begun leaving the city over the Christmas holiday season, opting for short-haul, value-for-money destinations in South Korea, Japan and northeast mainland China, particularly snowy locales.
Companies organising short-haul tours experienced a 30 per cent increase in bookings for Christmas and New Year – a return to pre-pandemic levels – while those specialising in long-haul luxury travel reported slow business over the same period as residents chose deals that were more affordable.
The Travel Industry Council, a federation of local travel trade associations, estimated about 1,800 tour groups would be departing the city during the holiday season, about the same number as last year.
Fanny Yeung, the council’s executive director, said: “The most popular destinations are Japan, South Korea, and northeastern China. People tend to look for a white Christmas.
“Tour prices in general are relatively lower than last year due to resumption of short-haul flight capacity, which increases the supply.”
The Immigration Department, meanwhile, estimated that over 13 million passengers, including locals and visitors, would pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the Christmas and New Year period, from December 21 to January 1.
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By Ng Kang-chung
Hong Kong travellers have begun leaving the city over the Christmas holiday season, opting for short-haul, value-for-money destinations in South Korea, Japan and northeast mainland China, particularly snowy locales.
Companies organising short-haul tours experienced a 30 per cent increase in bookings for Christmas and New Year – a return to pre-pandemic levels – while those specialising in long-haul luxury travel reported slow business over the same period as residents chose deals that were more affordable.
The Travel Industry Council, a federation of local travel trade associations, estimated about 1,800 tour groups would be departing the city during the holiday season, about the same number as last year.
Fanny Yeung, the council’s executive director, said: “The most popular destinations are Japan, South Korea, and northeastern China. People tend to look for a white Christmas.
“Tour prices in general are relatively lower than last year due to resumption of short-haul flight capacity, which increases the supply.”
The Immigration Department, meanwhile, estimated that over 13 million passengers, including locals and visitors, would pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the Christmas and New Year period, from December 21 to January 1.
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Lara Trump says she’s removing herself from consideration to be Florida senator
By Associated Press
Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of US president-elect Donald Trump, said on Saturday that she was removing herself from consideration to be a Florida senator – ending speculation that she could replace Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who has been tapped to be the incoming administration’s secretary of state.
“After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate,” Lara Trump posted on X.
Instead, she promised a “big announcement to share in January.”
The announcement comes weeks after Trump announced that she was stepping down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, a move which raised questions about whether she might be vying for a Senate seat.
If Rubio is confirmed, his replacement – who would be chosen by Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis – would serve for two years until the next regularly scheduled election in 2026.
Elected as RNC co-chair in March, Trump was a key player in the Republican Party retaking the White House and control of the Senate, while maintaining a narrow House majority.
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By Associated Press
Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of US president-elect Donald Trump, said on Saturday that she was removing herself from consideration to be a Florida senator – ending speculation that she could replace Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who has been tapped to be the incoming administration’s secretary of state.
“After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate,” Lara Trump posted on X.
Instead, she promised a “big announcement to share in January.”
The announcement comes weeks after Trump announced that she was stepping down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, a move which raised questions about whether she might be vying for a Senate seat.
If Rubio is confirmed, his replacement – who would be chosen by Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis – would serve for two years until the next regularly scheduled election in 2026.
Elected as RNC co-chair in March, Trump was a key player in the Republican Party retaking the White House and control of the Senate, while maintaining a narrow House majority.
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Scientists find key nutrient missing in China-grown durian
By Holly Chik
Durians grown in China could be missing or extremely low in some key nutrients, according to a study into the nutritional profile of the tropical fruit taking root in Hainan.
In the first study of its kind, scientists found that, compared with durians grown in Southeast Asia, the Chinese-grown fruit displayed a surprisingly different nutritional profile.
For example, Monthong, or golden pillow, durian grown in China did not contain the antioxidant quercetin at all, while its Thai counterpart contained huge amounts, researchers at the Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences found.
In fact, the only Hainan durian variety that was found to have quercetin was the long-stemmed Kan Yao, but it was at a level 520 times lower than the same variety grown overseas and 540,000 times lower than the levels in the Thai Monthong.
As for gallic acid, a compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, the team said it was not detected in Kan Yao, a result that was consistent with previous studies. But its levels in Monthong were “significantly lower than the levels previously reported”.
A 2008 study of Thai durians reported 2,072 micrograms of gallic acid per 100 grams in Monthong, 906 times higher than the 22.85 nanograms per gram of the Chinese-grown fruit.
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By Holly Chik
Durians grown in China could be missing or extremely low in some key nutrients, according to a study into the nutritional profile of the tropical fruit taking root in Hainan.
In the first study of its kind, scientists found that, compared with durians grown in Southeast Asia, the Chinese-grown fruit displayed a surprisingly different nutritional profile.
For example, Monthong, or golden pillow, durian grown in China did not contain the antioxidant quercetin at all, while its Thai counterpart contained huge amounts, researchers at the Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences found.
In fact, the only Hainan durian variety that was found to have quercetin was the long-stemmed Kan Yao, but it was at a level 520 times lower than the same variety grown overseas and 540,000 times lower than the levels in the Thai Monthong.
As for gallic acid, a compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, the team said it was not detected in Kan Yao, a result that was consistent with previous studies. But its levels in Monthong were “significantly lower than the levels previously reported”.
A 2008 study of Thai durians reported 2,072 micrograms of gallic acid per 100 grams in Monthong, 906 times higher than the 22.85 nanograms per gram of the Chinese-grown fruit.
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Almost 1 in 2 Koreans of child-bearing age are OK with not having a family, survey shows
By The Korea Times
By Lee Hae-rin
Nearly half of Korean adults of child-bearing age believe it is acceptable to go through life without having children, according to a new report.
The findings revealed that the preference for a childless lifestyle was more prevalent among women, particularly those in their twenties, and non-regular workers with unstable employment.
The report was presented at the Population Forum held in Seoul on December 20, organised by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA). The survey, conducted by KIHASA, gathered responses from 4,000 men and women aged 19 to 79 nationwide between November 3 and December 6.
The results showed that more than half, or 52.6 per cent of the respondents, said they wouldn’t mind not having children, while only 30.2 per cent said having children is better than having none; and 10.3 per cent said they must have one.
The number of women who answered they wouldn’t mind living without children was 63.5 per cent, higher than that of men’s 41.2 per cent.
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By The Korea Times
By Lee Hae-rin
Nearly half of Korean adults of child-bearing age believe it is acceptable to go through life without having children, according to a new report.
The findings revealed that the preference for a childless lifestyle was more prevalent among women, particularly those in their twenties, and non-regular workers with unstable employment.
The report was presented at the Population Forum held in Seoul on December 20, organised by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA). The survey, conducted by KIHASA, gathered responses from 4,000 men and women aged 19 to 79 nationwide between November 3 and December 6.
The results showed that more than half, or 52.6 per cent of the respondents, said they wouldn’t mind not having children, while only 30.2 per cent said having children is better than having none; and 10.3 per cent said they must have one.
The number of women who answered they wouldn’t mind living without children was 63.5 per cent, higher than that of men’s 41.2 per cent.
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Reform the only answer to securing Hong Kong’s prosperous future
By Ningrong Liu
Reform has become the buzzword in Hong Kong, a term that has been associated with China for the past four decades. With Hong Kong’s economy sputtering and US president-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House, rapid change is badly needed. Where can Hong Kong find its new uniqueness to navigate through the turmoil?
Hong Kong must put its past successes behind it and focus on the future while emphasising structural changes. While this long-term development strategy is crucial for the city, it will take time to articulate and implement. Therefore, we need to address specific issues that were once considered impossible but now require urgent attention.
First, Hong Kong has long been known for its adherence to laissez-faire capitalism, which emphasises minimal government intervention in economic affairs. The time has come to undertake radical changes to find the right balance between government intervention and free-market principles. This will be a key challenge for policymakers in Hong Kong as the city navigates complex geopolitical changes.
There has been a noticeable shift in the approach to government intervention on economic issues in the United States, where neoliberal capitalism prevailed for decades. In recent years, some have argued for greater government involvement in industrial policy, strategic planning and targeted investments in key sectors to promote competitiveness.
The US Chips and Science Act serves as a good example of this shift. Through the Chips Act, the US government is providing financial support to semiconductor manufacturers to build new fabrication facilities and invest in research and development. This is seen as crucial for ensuring a stable and secure semiconductor supply chain, promoting technological leadership and enhancing national security.
In today’s Hong Kong, consolidating and enhancing the city’s traditional status as an international financial, shipping and trading hub with new thinking and a fresh approach is important. Developing the city as a regional education and hi-tech hub requires a combination of forward-looking initiatives and top-down government intervention.
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By Ningrong Liu
Reform has become the buzzword in Hong Kong, a term that has been associated with China for the past four decades. With Hong Kong’s economy sputtering and US president-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House, rapid change is badly needed. Where can Hong Kong find its new uniqueness to navigate through the turmoil?
Hong Kong must put its past successes behind it and focus on the future while emphasising structural changes. While this long-term development strategy is crucial for the city, it will take time to articulate and implement. Therefore, we need to address specific issues that were once considered impossible but now require urgent attention.
First, Hong Kong has long been known for its adherence to laissez-faire capitalism, which emphasises minimal government intervention in economic affairs. The time has come to undertake radical changes to find the right balance between government intervention and free-market principles. This will be a key challenge for policymakers in Hong Kong as the city navigates complex geopolitical changes.
There has been a noticeable shift in the approach to government intervention on economic issues in the United States, where neoliberal capitalism prevailed for decades. In recent years, some have argued for greater government involvement in industrial policy, strategic planning and targeted investments in key sectors to promote competitiveness.
The US Chips and Science Act serves as a good example of this shift. Through the Chips Act, the US government is providing financial support to semiconductor manufacturers to build new fabrication facilities and invest in research and development. This is seen as crucial for ensuring a stable and secure semiconductor supply chain, promoting technological leadership and enhancing national security.
In today’s Hong Kong, consolidating and enhancing the city’s traditional status as an international financial, shipping and trading hub with new thinking and a fresh approach is important. Developing the city as a regional education and hi-tech hub requires a combination of forward-looking initiatives and top-down government intervention.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Beijing takes aim at ‘deceptive’ Pentagon report on Chinese military
By Hayley Wong
Beijing hit back on Saturday at a US Defence Department report on the Chinese military, labelling the report deceptive and calling the United States the “largest threat to global security”.
Chinese defence ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said China expressed “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition” to the annual report, which was released on Wednesday.
The report “misinterpreted China’s defence policy ... spread rumours, slandered the Chinese military, and exaggerated the ‘China military threat’,” Zhang said in a ministry statement.
The China Military Power Report has been released each year for the past two decades and is the Pentagon’s most comprehensive unclassified report on China’s defences.
The 182-page document relates mostly to developments in China up to December last year but does cover some major events in 2024, including a new section on corruption investigations of defence officials.
It also highlighted an expansion in quantity and type of weapons in China’s nuclear arsenal, saying the number of nuclear warheads had grown by about 20 per cent to 600 in the year to mid-2024.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Hayley Wong
Beijing hit back on Saturday at a US Defence Department report on the Chinese military, labelling the report deceptive and calling the United States the “largest threat to global security”.
Chinese defence ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said China expressed “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition” to the annual report, which was released on Wednesday.
The report “misinterpreted China’s defence policy ... spread rumours, slandered the Chinese military, and exaggerated the ‘China military threat’,” Zhang said in a ministry statement.
The China Military Power Report has been released each year for the past two decades and is the Pentagon’s most comprehensive unclassified report on China’s defences.
The 182-page document relates mostly to developments in China up to December last year but does cover some major events in 2024, including a new section on corruption investigations of defence officials.
It also highlighted an expansion in quantity and type of weapons in China’s nuclear arsenal, saying the number of nuclear warheads had grown by about 20 per cent to 600 in the year to mid-2024.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
