New Zealand takes a page from Singapore’s foreign investment playbook to propel economy
新西兰总理克里斯托弗·卢克森宣布，将放宽外资投资规则，以刺激经济增长和增加就业机会。这一举措出现在新西兰经济在第三季度意外陷入衰退的背景下，政府希望通过引入更多外资来扭转不利局面。
卢克森在年度国情演讲中提到，将设立“投资新西兰”作为外资投资的一站式服务平台，借鉴爱尔兰和新加坡的成功经验，简化投资流程并为外国投资者提供个性化支持。此举预计将促进银行、金融科技、交通、能源和制造业等领域的资本投资，帮助新西兰实现更多初创企业和首次公开募股，提升收入水平。与此同时，新西兰中央银行自八月份以来已将官方现金利率下调125个基点，并预期在下月的会议上再次下调50个基点，以应对经济活动收缩和通胀放缓的双重挑战。
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新西兰总理克里斯托弗·卢克森宣布，将放宽外资投资规则，以刺激经济增长和增加就业机会。这一举措出现在新西兰经济在第三季度意外陷入衰退的背景下，政府希望通过引入更多外资来扭转不利局面。
卢克森在年度国情演讲中提到，将设立“投资新西兰”作为外资投资的一站式服务平台，借鉴爱尔兰和新加坡的成功经验，简化投资流程并为外国投资者提供个性化支持。此举预计将促进银行、金融科技、交通、能源和制造业等领域的资本投资，帮助新西兰实现更多初创企业和首次公开募股，提升收入水平。与此同时，新西兰中央银行自八月份以来已将官方现金利率下调125个基点，并预期在下月的会议上再次下调50个基点，以应对经济活动收缩和通胀放缓的双重挑战。
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China breaks durian import record as Vietnam, Malaysia nip at Thailand’s heels
By Mia Nulimaimaiti
With China’s durian imports breaking records in 2024 – reaching nearly US$7 billion in value – competition for its market, the world’s largest, has intensified as Vietnam and Malaysia ramp up their efforts to dethrone Thailand as chief provider of the beloved tropical fruit.
According to customs data, China imported a record 15.6 billion kilograms of durian in 2024, up 9.4 per cent year on year. Import value rose 4.1 per cent to an all-time high of US$6.99 billion – though this was slow compared to the explosive 66 per cent growth rate observed in 2023 after Vietnam entered the market in earnest.
In December, China brought in almost US$160 million worth of the fruit for its domestic supply – still sourced almost entirely from abroad – for a 12 per cent year-on-year increase.
Imports of the fruit from Thailand saw a 7.6 per cent increase year-on-year in December, despite a 12 per cent decline last year overall for a total value of US$4 billion.
Thailand has long dominated China’s durian market, accounting for 68 per cent of imports in 2023. However, its market share in China dropped to 57 per cent last year, a fall attributed to quality issues from the overuse of industrial plantations and a decline in production following a bout of extreme heat.
China’s General Administration of Customs mandated Thailand and Vietnam provide test reports for their durian crops after detecting excessive levels of the chemical dye Basic Yellow 2 – a known carcinogen – according to a report by Thai media outlet Bangkok Insight earlier this month. Since January 10, Chinese authorities have inspected random samples of the fruits at all border crossings.
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By Mia Nulimaimaiti
With China’s durian imports breaking records in 2024 – reaching nearly US$7 billion in value – competition for its market, the world’s largest, has intensified as Vietnam and Malaysia ramp up their efforts to dethrone Thailand as chief provider of the beloved tropical fruit.
According to customs data, China imported a record 15.6 billion kilograms of durian in 2024, up 9.4 per cent year on year. Import value rose 4.1 per cent to an all-time high of US$6.99 billion – though this was slow compared to the explosive 66 per cent growth rate observed in 2023 after Vietnam entered the market in earnest.
In December, China brought in almost US$160 million worth of the fruit for its domestic supply – still sourced almost entirely from abroad – for a 12 per cent year-on-year increase.
Imports of the fruit from Thailand saw a 7.6 per cent increase year-on-year in December, despite a 12 per cent decline last year overall for a total value of US$4 billion.
Thailand has long dominated China’s durian market, accounting for 68 per cent of imports in 2023. However, its market share in China dropped to 57 per cent last year, a fall attributed to quality issues from the overuse of industrial plantations and a decline in production following a bout of extreme heat.
China’s General Administration of Customs mandated Thailand and Vietnam provide test reports for their durian crops after detecting excessive levels of the chemical dye Basic Yellow 2 – a known carcinogen – according to a report by Thai media outlet Bangkok Insight earlier this month. Since January 10, Chinese authorities have inspected random samples of the fruits at all border crossings.
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Explosive new wildfire erupts near Los Angeles, forcing mass evacuations
洛杉矶周边爆发新一轮大火,数十万人受威胁。该地区仍在经历两起致命烈火的阴影,引发了对新的大火威胁的恐惧。
近日,一场新的野火在洛杉矶北部肆虐,席卷了卡斯提克湖附近的丘陵地带,风力凶猛,火势迅速扩散,仅几小时内就覆盖了超过3800公顷(9400英亩)的土地。强劲的干旱的圣安娜风吹散了火焰,推进了火焰前的烟尘和烟囱。
由于风力强劲,卡斯提克湖周边的31万人被强制疏散,该湖位于洛杉矶56公里(35英里)以北,邻近圣克里斯托弗市。被疏散的人在疏散的同时,也表现出极大的担忧,其中一人对传媒表示,"我只希望我的房子不被烧了"。
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洛杉矶周边爆发新一轮大火,数十万人受威胁。该地区仍在经历两起致命烈火的阴影,引发了对新的大火威胁的恐惧。
近日,一场新的野火在洛杉矶北部肆虐,席卷了卡斯提克湖附近的丘陵地带,风力凶猛,火势迅速扩散,仅几小时内就覆盖了超过3800公顷(9400英亩)的土地。强劲的干旱的圣安娜风吹散了火焰,推进了火焰前的烟尘和烟囱。
由于风力强劲,卡斯提克湖周边的31万人被强制疏散,该湖位于洛杉矶56公里(35英里)以北,邻近圣克里斯托弗市。被疏散的人在疏散的同时,也表现出极大的担忧,其中一人对传媒表示,"我只希望我的房子不被烧了"。
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Rubio backs Manila, condemns Beijing’s ‘dangerous’ actions in South China Sea
美国国务卿马尔科·鲁比奥在首次与菲律宾外长恩里克·马纳洛通话中重申了华盛顿对马尼拉的承诺，并谴责北京在南海的“危险和不稳定”行为。鲁比奥在通话中强调了美国在与菲律宾的共同防御条约下的坚定承诺，表示华盛顿将继续支持其最古老的亚洲盟友。
通话中，鲁比奥与马纳洛讨论了包括中国在南海的“危险和不稳定行为”在内的“共同关切问题”。这些评论凸显了随着两国间紧张局势的上升，鲁比奥对中国的直接批评。菲律宾最近对中国海警船在黄岩岛附近的存在表示强烈谴责，而中国则指责马尼拉在区域争端中“夸大”问题。此外，上周中国军方在南海进行了两天的战斗准备巡逻，恰逢菲律宾与美国的首次双边海上演习，进一步加深了双方的紧张关系。
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美国国务卿马尔科·鲁比奥在首次与菲律宾外长恩里克·马纳洛通话中重申了华盛顿对马尼拉的承诺，并谴责北京在南海的“危险和不稳定”行为。鲁比奥在通话中强调了美国在与菲律宾的共同防御条约下的坚定承诺，表示华盛顿将继续支持其最古老的亚洲盟友。
通话中，鲁比奥与马纳洛讨论了包括中国在南海的“危险和不稳定行为”在内的“共同关切问题”。这些评论凸显了随着两国间紧张局势的上升，鲁比奥对中国的直接批评。菲律宾最近对中国海警船在黄岩岛附近的存在表示强烈谴责，而中国则指责马尼拉在区域争端中“夸大”问题。此外，上周中国军方在南海进行了两天的战斗准备巡逻，恰逢菲律宾与美国的首次双边海上演习，进一步加深了双方的紧张关系。
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CTF Life partners with Kai Tak Sports Park to promote sports, culture and tourism
By Advertising partner
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.]
In recent years, Hong Kong athletes have achieved unprecedented success on the international stage.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, they secured a historic six-medal haul, including one gold, two silver and three bronze.
The 2024 Paris Olympics saw them reach new heights with a record two gold and two bronze medals – the city’s highest Olympic gold medal tally to date.
Among the medalists were Cheung Ka-long, who won his second consecutive Olympic medal in fencing, and Vivian Kong Man-wai, who clinched bronze in the women’s épée, further solidifying Hong Kong’s presence in international sports.
This success stems not only from the dedication and talent of Hong Kong’s athletes but also from strong government support and investments in sports infrastructure.
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By Advertising partner
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.]
In recent years, Hong Kong athletes have achieved unprecedented success on the international stage.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, they secured a historic six-medal haul, including one gold, two silver and three bronze.
The 2024 Paris Olympics saw them reach new heights with a record two gold and two bronze medals – the city’s highest Olympic gold medal tally to date.
Among the medalists were Cheung Ka-long, who won his second consecutive Olympic medal in fencing, and Vivian Kong Man-wai, who clinched bronze in the women’s épée, further solidifying Hong Kong’s presence in international sports.
This success stems not only from the dedication and talent of Hong Kong’s athletes but also from strong government support and investments in sports infrastructure.
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17 Filipinos among 25 Galaxy Leader crew members freed by Yemen’s Houthis
By Associated Press
Yemen’s Houthi rebels said on Wednesday they released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier seized in November 2023 at the start of their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Gaza war.
The move by the Iranian-backed Houthis marks their latest effort to de-escalate their attacks following a ceasefire in Gaza. It comes as the White House announced US President Donald Trump was reinstating a terrorism designation he made on the group late in his first term that had been revoked by former president Joe Biden.
Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday that sets in motion a process for re-establishing the foreign terrorist organisation designation. Biden lifted the designation early in his term, citing the humanitarian threat that the sanctions posed to ordinary Yemenis.
The rebels said they released the sailors after mediation by Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula that has long been an interlocutor with the Houthis.
Oman’s foreign ministry later confirmed that the crew had flown from Sanaa to Muscat aboard an Omani air force plane.
The Houthis also said Hamas separately requested the release of the ship’s crew of 25, who included mariners from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Mexico.
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By Associated Press
Yemen’s Houthi rebels said on Wednesday they released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier seized in November 2023 at the start of their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Gaza war.
The move by the Iranian-backed Houthis marks their latest effort to de-escalate their attacks following a ceasefire in Gaza. It comes as the White House announced US President Donald Trump was reinstating a terrorism designation he made on the group late in his first term that had been revoked by former president Joe Biden.
Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday that sets in motion a process for re-establishing the foreign terrorist organisation designation. Biden lifted the designation early in his term, citing the humanitarian threat that the sanctions posed to ordinary Yemenis.
The rebels said they released the sailors after mediation by Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula that has long been an interlocutor with the Houthis.
Oman’s foreign ministry later confirmed that the crew had flown from Sanaa to Muscat aboard an Omani air force plane.
The Houthis also said Hamas separately requested the release of the ship’s crew of 25, who included mariners from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Mexico.
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China directs pension, insurance funds into nation’s A shares to anchor stock market
By Cao Li
China’s financial regulators are channelling pension and insurance funds into the nation’s equities to establish medium and long-term holdings and stabilise Asia’s largest capital market.
Starting this year, 30 per cent of the annual insurance premium earned from new coverage policies will be put into yuan-denominated A shares, said Wu Qing, the chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, during a press conference in Beijing.
Investments of A shares by pension funds must increase by 10 per cent every year over the next three years, he said.
The directives will deliver a much-needed jolt to the capital market, which had been beset with malaise over a lackluster economy, a prolonged property slump and tepid corporate earnings.
The CSI 300 index, which tracks the 300 largest stocks on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges, jumped 1.1 per cent in early trading after Wu’s announcement.
Accompanying Wu at the press conference are several financial regulators, including Deputy Finance Minister Liao Min and PBOC official Zou Lan.
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By Cao Li
China’s financial regulators are channelling pension and insurance funds into the nation’s equities to establish medium and long-term holdings and stabilise Asia’s largest capital market.
Starting this year, 30 per cent of the annual insurance premium earned from new coverage policies will be put into yuan-denominated A shares, said Wu Qing, the chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, during a press conference in Beijing.
Investments of A shares by pension funds must increase by 10 per cent every year over the next three years, he said.
The directives will deliver a much-needed jolt to the capital market, which had been beset with malaise over a lackluster economy, a prolonged property slump and tepid corporate earnings.
The CSI 300 index, which tracks the 300 largest stocks on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges, jumped 1.1 per cent in early trading after Wu’s announcement.
Accompanying Wu at the press conference are several financial regulators, including Deputy Finance Minister Liao Min and PBOC official Zou Lan.
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Hong Kong not to extend border operating hours during Lunar New Year holiday
香港在农历新年期间的边境检查站将不会延长工作时间。当局呼吁游客提前规划行程，并建议在城内过夜。政府预计在此期间，游客人数将显著增加，为此，行政长官陈国基承诺将确保访客的顺畅体验。
预计在1月28日至2月4日的“黄金周”期间，约867万人，包括香港居民和游客，将通过海陆空控制点入境。其中，约730万人将通过陆路口岸进入香港。政府预计农历新年第三天和第五天的出入境客流量将达到高峰，分别有约567,000和640,000名乘客通行，且在这八天内将有约2,000个境外旅游团访问香港。尽管游客人数激增，但政府表示今年的边境检查站不会有特殊的工作时间安排。
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香港在农历新年期间的边境检查站将不会延长工作时间。当局呼吁游客提前规划行程，并建议在城内过夜。政府预计在此期间，游客人数将显著增加，为此，行政长官陈国基承诺将确保访客的顺畅体验。
预计在1月28日至2月4日的“黄金周”期间，约867万人，包括香港居民和游客，将通过海陆空控制点入境。其中，约730万人将通过陆路口岸进入香港。政府预计农历新年第三天和第五天的出入境客流量将达到高峰，分别有约567,000和640,000名乘客通行，且在这八天内将有约2,000个境外旅游团访问香港。尽管游客人数激增，但政府表示今年的边境检查站不会有特殊的工作时间安排。
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Japan mum hopes Trump will get Kim to release her daughter after 48 years in North Korea
日本一名在1977年被北朝鲜特工绑架的少女的家人呼吁美国总统特朗普介入，促请平壤释放她和其他被绑架者。88岁的横田早纪在特朗普宣誓就职后发表声明，希望他能利用与北朝鲜领导人金正恩的关系，安排她女儿梅古美的回归。
横田早纪表示：“我希望特朗普总统能敦促金正恩实现绑架受害者的救援和归还。”她的弟弟横田拓也也呼吁日本政府与新任美国政府合作，向平壤施加压力。尽管特朗普曾与金正恩会面并表示支持他们的运动，但分析人士指出，全球地缘政治形势的变化使得获释的可能性变得渺茫。
特朗普在2017年和2019年访问东京时曾与横田家人会面，并承诺会向金正恩提出此事。然而，自2019年河内峰会失败后，美朝关系恶化，涉及导弹试验和对乌克兰战争的支持等多重问题，使得任何进展的机会都变得更加复杂。
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日本一名在1977年被北朝鲜特工绑架的少女的家人呼吁美国总统特朗普介入，促请平壤释放她和其他被绑架者。88岁的横田早纪在特朗普宣誓就职后发表声明，希望他能利用与北朝鲜领导人金正恩的关系，安排她女儿梅古美的回归。
横田早纪表示：“我希望特朗普总统能敦促金正恩实现绑架受害者的救援和归还。”她的弟弟横田拓也也呼吁日本政府与新任美国政府合作，向平壤施加压力。尽管特朗普曾与金正恩会面并表示支持他们的运动，但分析人士指出，全球地缘政治形势的变化使得获释的可能性变得渺茫。
特朗普在2017年和2019年访问东京时曾与横田家人会面，并承诺会向金正恩提出此事。然而，自2019年河内峰会失败后，美朝关系恶化，涉及导弹试验和对乌克兰战争的支持等多重问题，使得任何进展的机会都变得更加复杂。
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Rising US-China tensions top concerns of American firms in China, US trade group finds
By Carol Yang
Among American companies operating in China, US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has coincided with growing concerns about a further deterioration in relations between the world’s two largest economies, according to findings outlined in the annual survey report of a US business lobby.
And respondents increasingly identified the escalation of US-China tensions as their top challenge over the past five years.
In all, 51 per cent of 368 member companies concurred on the issue – the highest percentage in five years, according to the report from the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in China, which was based on a survey conducted from October 21 to November 15, spanning a four-week period that overlapped with Trump’s November 5 election.
“US-China relations remain the most consequential bilateral dynamic in the world today, and understanding the perspectives of our members has never been more important,” AmCham China chair Alvin Liu said. “A stable and constructive relationship, grounded in economic and trade ties, is critical not only for the prosperity of our two nations but also for global economic stability.”
The escalating bilateral tensions have intensified the reluctance of US companies to invest in China. While 48 per cent of respondents viewed China as one of the top-three global investment priorities, the proportion of companies that no longer considered China a preferred investment destination has sharply increased – from 10 per cent before the pandemic to 21 per cent in the latest poll.
Meanwhile, the percentage of companies relocating production or procurement operations away from China has increased to 17 per cent of surveyed participants, up from 11 per cent a year prior
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By Carol Yang
Among American companies operating in China, US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has coincided with growing concerns about a further deterioration in relations between the world’s two largest economies, according to findings outlined in the annual survey report of a US business lobby.
And respondents increasingly identified the escalation of US-China tensions as their top challenge over the past five years.
In all, 51 per cent of 368 member companies concurred on the issue – the highest percentage in five years, according to the report from the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in China, which was based on a survey conducted from October 21 to November 15, spanning a four-week period that overlapped with Trump’s November 5 election.
“US-China relations remain the most consequential bilateral dynamic in the world today, and understanding the perspectives of our members has never been more important,” AmCham China chair Alvin Liu said. “A stable and constructive relationship, grounded in economic and trade ties, is critical not only for the prosperity of our two nations but also for global economic stability.”
The escalating bilateral tensions have intensified the reluctance of US companies to invest in China. While 48 per cent of respondents viewed China as one of the top-three global investment priorities, the proportion of companies that no longer considered China a preferred investment destination has sharply increased – from 10 per cent before the pandemic to 21 per cent in the latest poll.
Meanwhile, the percentage of companies relocating production or procurement operations away from China has increased to 17 per cent of surveyed participants, up from 11 per cent a year prior
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How Hong Kong can ride the ‘China travel’ wave to boost tourism
香港旅游业正经历强劲复苏，2023年接待游客近4500万，较前一年增长31%。这一增长主要得益于来自中国大陆的游客，同时非大陆游客数量也显著上升，达到1050万，增长了44%。长途游客的到访增加超过50%，菲律宾游客数量更是创下120万的纪录。
根据Euromonitor的统计，香港在国际游客中排名第四，2023年国际游客人数达2050万，较前一年增加19%。尽管这些数据反映出香港旅游业向好发展的趋势，但要持续并最大化这一复苏仍面临挑战。此外，随着中国大陆国际旅游的复苏，去年外国人进出中国的旅行次数接近6500万，较去年增长83%，其中约2000万人享受了免签待遇。
香港似乎可以借鉴上海的经验，后者吸引了大量韩国游客，形成了“迷你首尔”的氛围。这为香港提供了一个潜在的盈利机会。此外，香港的美食文化也在不断吸引游客，79家餐厅被列入2024年米其林指南，其中包括七家三颗星的餐厅。政府计划推出18个区的美食指南，并举办大型美食节，以吸引全球的美食爱好者。
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香港旅游业正经历强劲复苏，2023年接待游客近4500万，较前一年增长31%。这一增长主要得益于来自中国大陆的游客，同时非大陆游客数量也显著上升，达到1050万，增长了44%。长途游客的到访增加超过50%，菲律宾游客数量更是创下120万的纪录。
根据Euromonitor的统计，香港在国际游客中排名第四，2023年国际游客人数达2050万，较前一年增加19%。尽管这些数据反映出香港旅游业向好发展的趋势，但要持续并最大化这一复苏仍面临挑战。此外，随着中国大陆国际旅游的复苏，去年外国人进出中国的旅行次数接近6500万，较去年增长83%，其中约2000万人享受了免签待遇。
香港似乎可以借鉴上海的经验，后者吸引了大量韩国游客，形成了“迷你首尔”的氛围。这为香港提供了一个潜在的盈利机会。此外，香港的美食文化也在不断吸引游客，79家餐厅被列入2024年米其林指南，其中包括七家三颗星的餐厅。政府计划推出18个区的美食指南，并举办大型美食节，以吸引全球的美食爱好者。
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Overseas RedNote users impress by cooking ‘new world-famous’ Chinese steamed eggs
By Fran Lu
Ask a user of the social media app RedNote what the new “world-famous” Chinese dish is, they will almost without exception say Chinese steamed eggs.
This is thanks to a trend of cooking steamed eggs, which some people mistakenly call “egg custard”, among domestic and international users on the app recently.
The trend began after a RedNote Chinese cooking influencer with 100,000 followers, @qunzidefan, posted a video recipe of the dish on January 18.
She added boiled water into whisked eggs, before putting the bowl of mix on the steamer rack for 15 minutes, achieving a perfectly silky, bubble-free steamed egg.
Her video seemed to spark the curiosity and competitiveness of other users, including the millions of new international netizens that flowed to the platform due to a potential ban on the Tiktok social media platform.
The outlawing of the platform has subsequently been put on hold by US President Donald Trump.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Fran Lu
Ask a user of the social media app RedNote what the new “world-famous” Chinese dish is, they will almost without exception say Chinese steamed eggs.
This is thanks to a trend of cooking steamed eggs, which some people mistakenly call “egg custard”, among domestic and international users on the app recently.
The trend began after a RedNote Chinese cooking influencer with 100,000 followers, @qunzidefan, posted a video recipe of the dish on January 18.
She added boiled water into whisked eggs, before putting the bowl of mix on the steamer rack for 15 minutes, achieving a perfectly silky, bubble-free steamed egg.
Her video seemed to spark the curiosity and competitiveness of other users, including the millions of new international netizens that flowed to the platform due to a potential ban on the Tiktok social media platform.
The outlawing of the platform has subsequently been put on hold by US President Donald Trump.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Shady, violent operations of Southeast Asian scam farms back in spotlight
By Jess Ma
University graduate Ariyan* is still haunted by his trip to Thailand last summer.
The 25-year-old could not have imagined his visit to the country to start a new job would include a terrifying journey to an unknown location in cars loaded with guns and armed guards.
Soon after landing in Bangkok, he and a few friends were whisked away to a compound deep in the mountains of Myanmar’s Kayin state, just across the border from Thailand.
Their ordeal started with the offer of a supposedly lucrative data entry job for a Chinese construction company in Thailand. But the job offer was a scam.
Like thousands of others, including Hongkongers, they had been lured to Southeast Asia for forced labour, where their job was to swindle people across the globe in so-called scam farms, offering everything from get-rich-quick schemes to fake romance online.
“When we said we didn’t want to work here, we wanted to go back, at this moment, the Chinese [man] was very angry. He took out an electric shock machine and touched our bodies for an electric shock for like 10 seconds,” recalled Ariyan, a Bangladeshi.
The plight of victims such as Ariyan – and the shady and often violent operations of scam farms run by criminal syndicates in lawless areas of countries such as Myanmar and Cambodia – has again been thrust into the spotlight by the recent high-profile rescue of mainland Chinese actor Wang Xing.
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By Jess Ma
University graduate Ariyan* is still haunted by his trip to Thailand last summer.
The 25-year-old could not have imagined his visit to the country to start a new job would include a terrifying journey to an unknown location in cars loaded with guns and armed guards.
Soon after landing in Bangkok, he and a few friends were whisked away to a compound deep in the mountains of Myanmar’s Kayin state, just across the border from Thailand.
Their ordeal started with the offer of a supposedly lucrative data entry job for a Chinese construction company in Thailand. But the job offer was a scam.
Like thousands of others, including Hongkongers, they had been lured to Southeast Asia for forced labour, where their job was to swindle people across the globe in so-called scam farms, offering everything from get-rich-quick schemes to fake romance online.
“When we said we didn’t want to work here, we wanted to go back, at this moment, the Chinese [man] was very angry. He took out an electric shock machine and touched our bodies for an electric shock for like 10 seconds,” recalled Ariyan, a Bangladeshi.
The plight of victims such as Ariyan – and the shady and often violent operations of scam farms run by criminal syndicates in lawless areas of countries such as Myanmar and Cambodia – has again been thrust into the spotlight by the recent high-profile rescue of mainland Chinese actor Wang Xing.
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Worst snowstorm in 130 years plunges US South into frigid chaos
美国南部正经历130年来最糟糕的雪暴，数百万居民被迫涌向取暖中心。从佛罗里达到德克萨斯州，异常低温和创纪录的降雪正在对当地交通和日常生活造成严重影响。新奥尔良 recorded up to 25cm的降雪，打破了1963年的纪录，同时气温骤降至26华氏度（-3摄氏度）。
此次雪暴使得超过1800架航班取消，多地机场陷入混乱。休斯顿的乔治·布ush洲际机场有420架航班被取消，造成37%的出境航班受到影响。南方的机场通常缺乏足够的设备应对除冰和清理跑道的需求。此外，在亚特兰大，尽管降雪不足一英寸，冰冻的道路导致许多通勤者发生事故，交通十分危险。
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美国南部正经历130年来最糟糕的雪暴，数百万居民被迫涌向取暖中心。从佛罗里达到德克萨斯州，异常低温和创纪录的降雪正在对当地交通和日常生活造成严重影响。新奥尔良 recorded up to 25cm的降雪，打破了1963年的纪录，同时气温骤降至26华氏度（-3摄氏度）。
此次雪暴使得超过1800架航班取消，多地机场陷入混乱。休斯顿的乔治·布ush洲际机场有420架航班被取消，造成37%的出境航班受到影响。南方的机场通常缺乏足够的设备应对除冰和清理跑道的需求。此外，在亚特兰大，尽管降雪不足一英寸，冰冻的道路导致许多通勤者发生事故，交通十分危险。
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China’s super app WeChat bolsters e-commerce credentials via gift-giving feature
WeChat's new gift-giving feature is significantly boosting e-commerce sales, with reports indicating that over 80% of transactions for platforms like East Buy are now made through this function. The feature, recently adopted by East Buy, allows users to purchase gifts via the app, leading to sales exceeding 1 million yuan (approximately US$136,586) for the firm.
This innovative shopping feature enables users to search for products using keywords, with a unique process where recipients must accept the gift and provide a shipping address within 24 hours to complete the transaction. The feature, launched in December, has gained traction as consumers gear up for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, a peak shopping season in China. With nearly 1.4 billion monthly active users, WeChat's e-commerce capabilities are poised for further growth.
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WeChat's new gift-giving feature is significantly boosting e-commerce sales, with reports indicating that over 80% of transactions for platforms like East Buy are now made through this function. The feature, recently adopted by East Buy, allows users to purchase gifts via the app, leading to sales exceeding 1 million yuan (approximately US$136,586) for the firm.
This innovative shopping feature enables users to search for products using keywords, with a unique process where recipients must accept the gift and provide a shipping address within 24 hours to complete the transaction. The feature, launched in December, has gained traction as consumers gear up for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, a peak shopping season in China. With nearly 1.4 billion monthly active users, WeChat's e-commerce capabilities are poised for further growth.
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China vows to protect overseas interests as hurdles and uncertainties mount
By Carol Yang
Beijing has vowed to better protect its overseas interests, as the world’s second-largest outbound investor navigates a landscape marked by escalating geopolitical tensions and trade disputes.
And experts have warned that supply chains that relocated to avoid US tariffs during President Donald Trump’s first term may encounter new difficulties.
In 2024, China’s non-financial outbound director investment reached US$143.85 billion, up by 10.5 per cent, year on year, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the value of its new contracts for overseas projects hit a record high of US$267.3 billion, and the number of labour personnel dispatched abroad increased by 17.9 per cent, year by year, to around 409,000.
In addition to enhancing the quality and return of overseas investments, the ministry also mandated at its meeting on Tuesday that commerce departments at all levels must bolster risk controls and safeguard overseas interests.
When negotiating bilateral deals and country-level cooperation agreements, such as free-trade deals, the protection of China’s interests, including those of enterprises and individuals, should be taken into consideration, said Chen Fengying, former director of the Institute of World Economic Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.
State-owned enterprises are better equipped to protect their employees’ safety and interests in overseas projects, benefiting from support from the Chinese government, Chen said. And she noted that, in contrast, private companies pursuing overseas development are confronted with greater challenges and are less prepared for uncertainties, such as those arising from local unrest and corruption.
Additionally, she pointed out that, in countries and regions in turmoil or with weak governance, collaborative enforcement with China could serve as a practical solution for both sides to uphold laws and regulations.
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By Carol Yang
Beijing has vowed to better protect its overseas interests, as the world’s second-largest outbound investor navigates a landscape marked by escalating geopolitical tensions and trade disputes.
And experts have warned that supply chains that relocated to avoid US tariffs during President Donald Trump’s first term may encounter new difficulties.
In 2024, China’s non-financial outbound director investment reached US$143.85 billion, up by 10.5 per cent, year on year, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the value of its new contracts for overseas projects hit a record high of US$267.3 billion, and the number of labour personnel dispatched abroad increased by 17.9 per cent, year by year, to around 409,000.
In addition to enhancing the quality and return of overseas investments, the ministry also mandated at its meeting on Tuesday that commerce departments at all levels must bolster risk controls and safeguard overseas interests.
When negotiating bilateral deals and country-level cooperation agreements, such as free-trade deals, the protection of China’s interests, including those of enterprises and individuals, should be taken into consideration, said Chen Fengying, former director of the Institute of World Economic Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.
State-owned enterprises are better equipped to protect their employees’ safety and interests in overseas projects, benefiting from support from the Chinese government, Chen said. And she noted that, in contrast, private companies pursuing overseas development are confronted with greater challenges and are less prepared for uncertainties, such as those arising from local unrest and corruption.
Additionally, she pointed out that, in countries and regions in turmoil or with weak governance, collaborative enforcement with China could serve as a practical solution for both sides to uphold laws and regulations.
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US military prepares to send additional 1,500 troops to Mexico border
美国军方计划向墨西哥边境增派约1,500名现役军人。这一决定于周三公布，恰逢特朗普总统签署移民行政命令的两天后。此举将会使驻守边境的现役军人数量增加到约3,700人，此外还有数千名国民警卫队成员在场。
这次增兵是特朗普政府在其任期内对边境安全的持续重视，早在他上任时便已下令派遣5,200名军人协助边境安全工作。虽然现任总统拜登也曾部署现役军人到边境，但此轮增兵被认为可能是首次派遣的开端，后续人数有可能会增加。官方还提到，军用飞机可能会被用来驱逐移民，但尚未获得批准。这一系列措施反映出美国政府对非法移民问题的紧迫感与政策的严格性。
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美国军方计划向墨西哥边境增派约1,500名现役军人。这一决定于周三公布，恰逢特朗普总统签署移民行政命令的两天后。此举将会使驻守边境的现役军人数量增加到约3,700人，此外还有数千名国民警卫队成员在场。
这次增兵是特朗普政府在其任期内对边境安全的持续重视，早在他上任时便已下令派遣5,200名军人协助边境安全工作。虽然现任总统拜登也曾部署现役军人到边境，但此轮增兵被认为可能是首次派遣的开端，后续人数有可能会增加。官方还提到，军用飞机可能会被用来驱逐移民，但尚未获得批准。这一系列措施反映出美国政府对非法移民问题的紧迫感与政策的严格性。
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US and China should follow lead of their youth bonding on RedNote
随着唐纳德·特朗普重返白宫，TikTok在美国用户中重新上线。在这一背景下，数十万美国用户已迁移至名为RedNote的中文社交媒体应用，这一现象引发了对美中关系的新思考。
这些年轻的美国用户自称为“TikTok难民”，他们与中国大陆用户的首次直接互动揭示了许多关于当今世界的重要事实。技术的进步使全球联系更加紧密，尤其是过去30年间，互联网和生成式人工智能的迅速发展，让跨语言交流变得几乎即时和可靠。
这种新兴的社交媒体连接是否意味着全球沟通的无缝化即将到来？尽管早期的技术乌托邦主义者曾承诺一个统一的世界，但这一愿景尚未实现。如今，RedNote用户对中国低生活成本的惊叹，以及对中国人普遍感受的重新审视，正在逐步打破美国媒体和智库中长期存在的关于中国的叙事。
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随着唐纳德·特朗普重返白宫，TikTok在美国用户中重新上线。在这一背景下，数十万美国用户已迁移至名为RedNote的中文社交媒体应用，这一现象引发了对美中关系的新思考。
这些年轻的美国用户自称为“TikTok难民”，他们与中国大陆用户的首次直接互动揭示了许多关于当今世界的重要事实。技术的进步使全球联系更加紧密，尤其是过去30年间，互联网和生成式人工智能的迅速发展，让跨语言交流变得几乎即时和可靠。
这种新兴的社交媒体连接是否意味着全球沟通的无缝化即将到来？尽管早期的技术乌托邦主义者曾承诺一个统一的世界，但这一愿景尚未实现。如今，RedNote用户对中国低生活成本的惊叹，以及对中国人普遍感受的重新审视，正在逐步打破美国媒体和智库中长期存在的关于中国的叙事。
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