China has recently showcased a major leap in its naval power. For the first time, state broadcaster CCTV released footage of its Fujian aircraft carrier using an electromagnetic catapult system, also known as EMALS, to launch three different aircraft. The video showed the J-35 stealth fighter, the upgraded J-15T fighter, and the KJ-600 early warning…
Published on September 23, 2025 Hong Kong is on high alert as Super Typhoon Ragasa, also known as Typhoon No. 18, approaches. The storm is the strongest to date in 2025, with winds reaching speeds of 270 km/h. It is expected to hit the city on Wednesday morning, severely affecting tourism and air travel. The…
China could build an artificial island at the fiercely contested Scarborough Shoal to shore up control of the surrounding waters if its newly established nature reserve fails to stem challenges by the Philippines, a prominent Chinese scholar on the dispute has said. But a final decision would boil down to control, cost and confrontation, according…
The recent phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump signals a pivotal moment in the world’s most critical bilateral relationship. While tensions between the two powers have dominated headlines, the conversation – described as “pragmatic, positive and constructive” by China’s People’s Daily – hints at an emerging reality: the US…
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong’s airport is considering suspending all flights for 36 hours starting Tuesday evening for the first time as Super Typhoon Ragasa moves towards the city, the Post has learned. It is understood that…
Friday’s phone call between the leaders of China and the United States could deliver a marked – if fragile – improvement in stability in the world’s most consequential relationship, Chinese observers said. However, they also sounded a note of caution. One analyst highlighted serious sources of friction, such as confrontations in the South China Sea…
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump have spoken by phone for the third time this year, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The conversation on Friday marked the latest efforts by the two powers to stabilise their relationship, which remains mired in a geopolitical rivalry. It also paved the way for a…
China’s recently unveiled Global Governance Initiative (GGI) differs from earlier calls to reform the global order in terms of the scope and drive for change. Beijing now seeks a leading role on the world stage either with the US playing a diminished role or without the US. But global reception to the GGI hinges on…
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong readers now get 50 per cent off their first year of subscription until September 21, 2025. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster has issued the No 3 typhoon signal as Severe Tropical Storm Mitag…
Prabowo had earlier decided to cancel the trip because of widespread protests at home. But he showed up for the parade in a grey suit on the morning of September 3, taking a seat at the rostrum beside Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who was to the right of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Sources said the…