Former editor Hu Xijin urges restraint in official media’s criticism of Japan A former editor-in-chief of a Chinese nationalist tabloid has called upon official media to manage public expectations properly and refrain from using “harsh language that does not reflect the actual situation” when criticising Japan. Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of the Global Times, affiliated with Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily, said some social media accounts run by official media had used “harsh language that does not reflect the actual situation” when criticising Japanese...

South China Morning Post

Former editor Hu Xijin urges restraint in official media’s criticism of Japan

Ex-Global Times chief warns against ‘exaggerated’ commentary on Sanae Takaichi, though he has called the Japanese leader an ‘evil witch’.

Japan DJ joins Tokyo’s growing ranks of female rickshaw drivers, boosts speaking skills A Japanese woman who became a rickshaw driver in Tokyo to improve her speaking skills has ended up falling in love with the job while realising her dream of becoming a radio DJ. Arisa Sekimori, 29, has been a rickshaw driver in the city’s Asakusa old town for eight years. She is a pioneer among the growing number of women rickshaw drivers in the area and recently became her company’s first female manager. Sekimori also has another job. She drives a rickshaw four days a week and works the rest as...

South China Morning Post

Japan DJ joins Tokyo’s growing ranks of female rickshaw drivers, boosts speaking skills

29-year-old juggles radio presenting position with pulling people around; loves both jobs so much, she works 7 days a week.

Sensitive issues of Ukraine peace plan to be discussed with Trump, Zelensky says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that a proposed peace plan now under discussion with the United States and Europe has incorporated “correct” points, but sensitive issues were to be discussed with US President Donald Trump. “As of now, after [talks in] Geneva, there are fewer points, no longer 28, and many correct elements have been incorporated into this framework,” Zelensky said in his nightly video address. “Our team has already reported today on the new draft of steps...

South China Morning Post

Zelensky says ‘sensitive issues’ of Ukraine plan to be discussed with Trump

US and Ukraine are seeking to narrow differences over a peace framework after Trump’s plan was seen as favouring Russia.

Russia academy breaks up with China naval institute chief scientist under probe The chief scientist of China’s top naval institute has been suspended as a foreign academician to the Russian Academy of Engineering after he became the subject of a police probe over alleged academic misconduct. On Friday, the Chinese headquarters of the Russian Academy of Engineering said it had taken note of the case against Guo Wei, and was verifying information regarding his election as a foreign academician earlier this year, according to its statement posted on WeChat. The academy then...

South China Morning Post

Russia academy breaks up with China naval institute chief scientist under probe

Chinese headquarters of Russian Academy of Engineering says it is taking note of case against Guo Wei, who is accused of ‘faked’ credentials.

Alibaba’s Cainiao expands service in Africa as demand for China goods surges Alibaba Group Holding’s logistics arm, Cainiao, has expanded its small-parcel delivery service to eight African countries – including Morocco, Ghana and Nigeria – as it races to give Chinese e-commerce merchants a cheaper, more reliable way to reach the fast-growing continent. The company planned to extend the service to South Africa and Egypt by the end of December, Cainiao said in a statement over the weekend. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. Cainiao said underdeveloped logistics...

South China Morning Post

Alibaba’s Cainiao expands service in Africa as demand for Chinese goods surges

The logistics arm of Alibaba is rolling out its small-parcel service in more parts of Africa to tap growing demand for made-in-China goods.

Chinese woman brutally attacked 3 years ago fights leukaemia, seeks treatment funds A Chinese woman who recently recovered from injuries she suffered in an assault by a stranger in a public toilet has been diagnosed with leukaemia, attracting widespread sympathy on social media. The 22-year-old, known as Xu, first came to public attention when she was savagely beaten by a man of the same age in Yongkang, Zhejiang province, eastern China on October 30, 2022. The assault, which lasted more than 20 minutes, left Xu with serious injuries to her head and eyes. She also lost teeth in...

South China Morning Post

Chinese woman brutally attacked 3 years ago fights leukaemia, seeks treatment funds

Desperate 22-year-old college student who lost teeth in public toilet assault by stranger turns to live-streaming to raise cash.

UK digital ID plan fuels conspiracies, but government denies it is for control Plans for a new nationwide UK digital ID are sparking widespread public concern, but some critics including far-right politicians are fuelling fears with unproven claims that it will be used to boost government control over people’s lives. They have warned that a digital ID would be used to store data on vaccinations and carbon footprint and limit access to flying and food, which the government has vehemently denied. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September said the ID card would be...

South China Morning Post

UK digital ID plan fuels conspiracies, but government denies it is for control

Starmer government insists a digital ID will be voluntary, as critics say it could be used to limit access to flying and food, among other things.

China’s power equipment firms ride AI boom amid demand from US, emerging markets The race to develop artificial intelligence has pushed governments and technology giants to build new electricity plants and upgrade their decades-old grid networks, creating significant opportunities for Chinese power equipment companies, according to analysts. Chinese firms have been benefiting from the spillover of a US order boom, which was driven by US President Donald Trump’s push for tech leaders like Meta and SoftBank to invest in AI infrastructure. “The US buys products from Japan and...

South China Morning Post

China’s power equipment firms ride AI boom amid demand from US, emerging markets

Chinese suppliers gain from US shortfalls and megaprojects in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

3 Pakistani security officers killed in suicide bombing near Afghan border Two suicide bombers attacked the headquarters of a security force in northwestern Pakistan on Monday morning, killing at least three officers, police and rescue officials said. The attack took place in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, city police chief Saeed Ahmad said. He said one attacker detonated his explosives at the main gate of the provincial headquarters of the Federal Constabulary, while the second bomber was shot and killed by officers near...

South China Morning Post

3 Pakistani security officers killed in suicide bombing near Afghan border

One attacker detonated his explosives at the main gate of the paramilitary headquarters while a second was shot and killed in its compound.

As US-China rivalry redefines economic warfare, EU scrambles for its dictionary More than two years after launching its economic security strategy and with the world swept up in economic warfare, the European Union still cannot decide what economic security means. Despite this, under the strain of US tariffs and Chinese export controls, the bloc is preparing to unveil a new “economic security doctrine” in early December, which will provide bureaucrats with a dashboard of all the weapons at its disposal and the levers to pull – even as progress on its 2023 strategy appears...

South China Morning Post

As US-China rivalry redefines economic warfare, EU scrambles for its dictionary

The EU is preparing to unveil a new doctrine on economic security, but it’s a concept that officials and experts say has no clear definition.

Hong Kong’s Paul Chan to lead delegation to Italy to showcase tech, boost trade Hong Kong’s finance chief will lead an 80-strong delegation to Italy this week to showcase the city’s technological breakthroughs and forge closer business ties, with a robotic start-up saying it has already secured orders from European counterparts. The Science Park told the Post it would invite eight of its start-up companies from industries, ranging from artificial intelligence and robotics to digital health and green mobility, to attend the Trade Development Council’s flagship event, “Think...

South China Morning Post

Hong Kong’s Paul Chan to lead delegation to Italy to showcase tech, boost trade

Science Park to invite eight tech start-up companies to attend Trade Development Council’s symposium in Milan.

Japan’s visa fees are set to jump. Will it worsen foreign labour shortages? Japan’s plan to significantly increase the price of residency visas for foreigners to match the rates in the West has divided the expatriate community, which fears the move would further worsen the country’s persistent labour shortages. The additional revenue will be used to “improve conditions for the rapidly growing foreign resident population” and enhance efforts to deport illegal immigrants, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Thursday, citing government sources. A bill to amend the Immigration...

South China Morning Post

Japan’s visa fees are set to jump. Will it worsen foreign labour shortages?

The proposal is in line with fees in some Western nations and aims to boost revenue, but it could squeeze firms who can’t find local workers.

Hong Kong and Singapore prime office rents set to equalise by 2027: CBRE Prime office rents in Hong Kong and Singapore are expected to reach parity within two years, driven by diverging dynamics in demand and supply for office properties in the rival business hubs, according to CBRE. By the fourth quarter of 2027, tenants in premium office spaces in Hong Kong were set to pay just over US$122 per square foot per year, while those in Singapore would face slightly higher costs at about US$123 per square foot annually, said Ada Choi, head of research for Asia-Pacific at...

South China Morning Post

Hong Kong and Singapore prime office rents set to equalise by 2027: CBRE

The projected increase in Singapore’s office rents could influence how companies allocate manpower between the two cities.

Japan woman marries AI partner, wears augmented reality glasses for ring exchange A Japanese woman turned to ChatGPT for comfort after ending a real three-year engagement, then found herself in love and marrying her artificial intelligence (AI) generated partner. The virtual relationship was sealed when she wore augmented reality (AR) glasses to exchange rings with her digital husband at their “nuptials”. The woman, 32, who uses the pseudonym Kano, began chatting with ChatGPT after ending her three-year engagement to a real man, gradually turning to her AI “man” for comfort...

South China Morning Post

Japan woman marries AI partner, wears augmented reality glasses for ring exchange

‘Crazy’ 32-year-old shuns human relationships after real fiancé split, takes part in virtual ceremony after developing feelings for chatbot.

Snapchat makes Australian teens verify age as social media ban looms Snapchat has begun asking teenage Australians to verify their ages, the company said on Monday, just weeks before Canberra enforces sweeping laws banning under 16s from social media. From December 10, Australia will force social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, to remove users under the age of 16 or face hefty fines. “Starting this week, many users will be asked to verify their age to continue accessing Snapchat,” the company said. Users will be able to do so using an...

South China Morning Post

Snapchat makes Australian teens verify age as social media ban looms

From December 10, social media platforms in Australia must remove users aged below 16 or face fines, in one of the strictest bans globally.

In Malaysia’s Sabah state election, it’s Gen Z vs the old guard When activist Sudirman Arshad walked into a Kota Kinabalu police station last month, the 22-year-old expected to file a routine report after a minor traffic accident. Instead, he was held for hours and questioned under Malaysia’s Sedition Act over a rally he had helped organise. The experience left him shaken, but also confirmed a nagging suspicion: Sabah’s political establishment has finally realised that Gen Z is no longer content to sit quietly on the sidelines. His brush with the law came as...

South China Morning Post

In Malaysia’s Sabah state election, it’s Gen Z vs the old guard

More than half of Sabah’s registered voters are under the age of 40 – and they’re done waiting for undelivered promises.

Bosnian Serb ex-president Milorad Dodik says his party won presidential vote Bosnia’s Serb Republic former president Milorad Dodik said that his party’s candidate, Sinisa Karan, has won a snap presidential election on Sunday with a slim majority. The election was called after Dodik was stripped of his office and banned from politics for six years. “Our candidate Sinisa Karan won today’s election,” Dodik declared at the headquarters of his Alliance of Independent Social Democrats party (SNSD). The central election commission will announce preliminary election results on...

South China Morning Post

Separatist candidate wins presidential vote in Bosnia’s Serb region

Snap election sees Sinisa Karan win a tight race, pledging to forcefully continue the policies of the recently banned separatist leader.

Daughter of ex-South African president Zuma accused of recruiting for Russia South African police are investigating claims that a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma was involved in recruiting men to join Russian mercenaries in the Ukraine war, police said on Sunday. The allegations against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, an MP in her father’s MK political party, were made by one of her sisters in an affidavit asking for a formal investigation, police said. It claims Zuma-Sambudla and two other people were involved in recruiting 17 South Africans whom the presidency said this...

South China Morning Post

South Africa police investigate claims Zuma’s daughter in Russia recruit scheme

Men were lured with job promises, but were allegedly handed to a Russian mercenary group for Ukraine war effort.

‘Blood and lives’: Chinese foreign minister wades into war of words with Japan Politburo member Wang Yi has become the most senior Chinese official to wade into the war of words over the new Japanese prime minister’s comments on the Taiwan Strait, saying her remarks “crossed a red line”. Wang, who is China’s foreign minister, said China must “resolutely respond” to the comments to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and defend its post-war achievements. “It is shocking that Japan’s current leader has publicly sent the wrong signal of attempting military intervention in the...

South China Morning Post

‘Blood and lives’: Chinese foreign minister wades into war of words with Japan

Amid tension over Japanese PM’s comments, PLA tests ‘combat readiness under real-war conditions’.

China’s No 3 official Zhao Leji calls for closer New Zealand trade ties China’s third most senior official and top legislator pledged “sincere” friendship with New Zealand and called for tighter economic links between the two countries during a four-day trip to the Pacific nation. Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), wrapped up his trip to New Zealand on Saturday, the first in two decades by the head of China’s top legislative body. The trip included a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in...

South China Morning Post

China’s No 3 official Zhao Leji calls for closer New Zealand trade ties

Zhao is in Australia after four-day trip to New Zealand, the first such visits by China’s top lawmaker since 2005.