China

A Hong Kong court has fined a flat owner HK$180,000 (US$23,160) for wilfully removing a load-bearing wall without approval as part of a HK$1 million modification of his new home. Magistrate Lau Suk-han said on Monday that owner Ku Chun-ho bore responsibility for checking whether removing one of the three walls in his 681 sq ft flat in Lohas Park’s The […]

Hong Kong police will close roads in Central starting from 2pm on New Year’s Eve ahead of a countdown event at the Chater Road pedestrian zone, featuring music and light shows to replace fireworks displays after the deadly inferno in Tai Po. Mason Hung Chung-hing, the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s lead adviser for event and product development, said on […]

Hong Kong’s exports posted their sharpest increase in 22 months, rising 18.8 per cent in November from a year earlier, driven by strong demand for electrical equipment, machinery and appliances, according to data released on Monday. The value of goods exported from the city during the month stood at HK$468.9 billion (US$60.3 billion), according to the […]

Hong Kong authorities have expedited the Northern Metropolis megaproject by setting up a non-statutory company to run a 23-hectare site in Hung Shui Kiu, while putting up the pilot area for tender. In a statement issued on Monday, the Development Bureau said it planned to name the company the Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company. The firm would be fully […]

New Delhi [India], December 29 (ANI): India's outlook for 2026 improved amid geopolitical challenges due to ongoing reforms and optimism in the US-India relations, said a report by Invesco Strategy & Insights.In its '2026 Annual Investment Outlook Resilience and rebalancing', Invesco mentioned that despite equity market underperformance amid […]

Hongkongers made 2.73 million outbound trips over the Christmas holiday period, about 11 per cent more year on year than in 2024, but an industry leader reported a boost in local nightlife business amid lacklustre food and beverage sales noted by other experts. The Immigration Department on Monday said the number of departures between December 23 and 28 […]

An 82-year-old taxi driver has been acquitted by a Hong Kong court after a teenage passenger accused him of swearing and refusing to print a receipt for a midnight trip last year. Yen Ken-hoi became embroiled in the legal dispute after the 16-year-old male passenger filed a complaint to police regarding the cabby’s alleged rude manner during a trip in […]

BEIJING, China: China is moving to place new guardrails around artificial intelligence systems that behave like people, publishing draft regulations aimed at tightening control over AI services designed to simulate human personalities and form emotional connections with users. The proposed rules, released by China's cyber regulator for public consultation, […]

Taipei [Taiwan], December 29 (ANI): The United States remains the top debtor of Taiwan banks for the 41st straight quarter. This means the U.S. owes more money to Taiwanese banks than any other country. According to a report by Focus Taiwan, this trend has continued for more than ten years without any change at the top spot.Citing data released by the […]

Gelephu [Bhutan], December 29 (ANI): In a historic milestone, Bhutan's left-arm spinner Sonam Yeshey became the first bowler to pick up an eight-wicket haul in T20 cricket, according to ESPNcricinfo.'A spell for the ages! Sonam Yeshey's unbelievable 8/7 in 4 overs goes down as a world record,' posted Bhutan Cricket on its X account.The 22-year-old Sonam […]

(251229) -- DOHA, Dec. 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Wesley So (L) of the United States competes during the Rapid Open final round against Vladislav Artemiev of Russia at the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 28, 2025. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)

by Xinhua writer Liu BoweiBEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- As 2025 draws to a close, the global economy has weathered a year of turbulence. Escalating U.S. tariffs and protectionist practices, on top of persistent geopolitical tensions and volatile financial markets, have laid bare structural vulnerabilities and dampened global trade and growth.Initiatives to […]

ROME, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, 2025 saw interactions between the two ancient civilizations flourish across political, economic and cultural fields.A series of exchanges across these areas fostered mutual understanding and signaled a new phase of cooperation between the […]

District councillors have called for more amenities for Tseung Kwan O residents, after the Hong Kong Jockey Club floated a plan last week to build its fourth public riding school in the neighbourhood. Some residents were also worried about the light and noise pollution that could arise from the proposed school, the councillors said on Monday, urging the […]

What's changing inside China's consumer market in 2025?This AIGC-generated video explores three shifts shaping everyday demand -- new scenarios, smarter choices, and rising service consumption.

People are flocking to a new boardwalk extension described as the “final piece of the puzzle” linking Hong Kong Island’s 13km (8-mile) promenade, marking the end of 16 years of planning and construction. A glass observatory deck was among the features of the new 1.1km North Point extension that drew the most attention on Monday, but some visitors said […]

Beijing [China], December 29 (ANI): China on Monday announced the launch of a large-scale inter-service joint military exercise around Taiwan, showcasing its assertion over the island nation, which Beijing claims 'is a sacred and inseparable part' of its territory.According to China Daily, citing a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern […]

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Despite the winter chill, a flea market in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality is heating up as a favorite destination for young treasure hunters attracted by a sea of vintage jewelry and nostalgic trinkets."The number of young consumers is increasing every year, and lately, we've seen many more foreign visitors," said […]

Moscow deems the self-governing island as an integral part of China, the foreign minister has said Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and Russia stands firmly against the island's independence in any form, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said. In an interview with TASS published on Sunday, […]

Moscow deems the self-governing island as an integral part of China, the foreign minister has saidTaiwan is an inalienable part of China, and Russia stands firmly against the island's independence in any form, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.In an interview with TASS published on Sunday, Lavrov stated that Russia believes that "the Taiwan […]

Cheers and joy filled the air at a fundraising table tennis competition in Hong Kong, as more than 250 adults and students picked up their paddles to play with heart for a good cause. Now in its second year, the Charity Table Tennis Tournament, organised by the Hong Kong Table Tennis Forum (HKTTF), was held at Luen Wo Hui Sports Centre in Fanling on […]

The Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass has finally opened. That is no doubt welcome news to commuters heading west to east across Kowloon, with travel time cut from 30 minutes to just five. That is definitely something to celebrate. We still need to wait for the Kowloon Bay section to open in 2026 to complete the bypass, but Secretary for […]

Taipei [Taiwan], December 29 (ANI): Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) detected two sorties of Chinese aircraft and nine naval vessels operating around the country as of 6 am (local time) on Monday.'2 sorties of PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. The ROC Armed […]

NANJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Multiple forces of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) started drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" around Taiwan Island Monday, said Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command.The PLA Eastern Theater Command is dispatching its Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force troops to conduct […]

NANJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command is dispatching its naval and air forces to carry out combat readiness patrols around Taiwan Island, a military spokesperson said Monday.The vessels and aircraft will approach Taiwan Island in close proximity from different directions, said Shi Yi, spokesperson of the PLA […]

(251228) -- KUNMING, Dec. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Prak Sokhonn, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Yuxi City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 28, 2025. […]

(251228) -- KUNMING, Dec. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Yuxi City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

(251229) -- NANJING, Dec. 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- This photo shows a sketch map released by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to indicate the areas involved in joint exercises conducted around Taiwan Island. (Xinhua)

Hong Kong authorities have distributed about 30 per cent of a HK$4.1 billion (US$528 million) fund set up for residents affected by last month’s deadly fire, along with more than 45,000 donated items. A spokeswoman for the Home and Youth Bureau said: “The total financial commitment of the various support measures in place so far is around HK$1.2 […]

Hong Kong is expected to see a rise in bond issuance across multiple currencies in 2026, driven by rising demand for non-US dollar assets amid geopolitical tensions and government initiatives to strengthen the city’s capital markets, according to industry players. As part of efforts to promote the local bond market, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) […]

Hong Kong’s primary residential home sales in 2026 are forecast to again reach decade-high numbers, as developers continue to clear inventory and homebuyers focus more on small, low-cost flats. Transactions next year were projected to reach about 21,000, while total home sales were expected to climb to around 71,000, up 8 per cent from this year’s […]

There are matters we need to sort out quickly arising from the Tai Po fire tragedy but also systemic issues that need to be tackled if we are to avoid a repeat of the disaster. The fact is that Hong Kong faces two sorts of ageing problems: old buildings and the old people who live in them. Sometimes they overlap. Hong Kong is inevitably a high-rise city, […]

(Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)Mikaela Shiffrin put together a sparkling second run on Sunday to win her sixth consecutive World Cup slalom race.Shiffrin conquered the choppy course in Semmering, Austria, in 53.58 seconds for a total time of 1:48.82. She edged Camille Rast of Switzerland by 0.09 seconds.Shiffrin has won all five slalom races to […]

NEW YORK CITY, New York: A powerful rally across precious metals gathered fresh momentum on December 26, with silver vaulting past the US$75 mark for the first time as investors piled into hard assets amid expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts and persistent geopolitical uncertainty. Silver's surge came alongside new record highs for gold and platinum, […]

Washington [US], December 28 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Sunday welcomed the ceasefire reached between Thailand and Cambodia, congratulating the leadership of both nations after weeks of border violence that resulted in the death of 100 people and displaced over half a million others.Reacting to the development, Trump lauded the leaders involved, […]

(251228) -- YINCHUAN, Dec. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- A drone photo taken on Dec. 28, 2025 shows Xixia imperial tombs in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. China's Xixia Imperial Tombs were officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 11, 2025 during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, France. […]

* Territorial disputes and diplomatic missteps cast a shadow over regional harmony in 2025. Longstanding border tensions between nations erupted into multiple military flare-ups across the Asia-Pacific.* Despite occasional tensions in the region, solidarity remains the prevailing focus: Asia-Pacific countries stood side by side, tackling pressing challenges […]

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], December 28 (ANI): AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday expressed concern over recent developments in Bangladesh and incidents of violence in India, calling for the protection of minorities and stressing the need for regional stability.Speaking to ANI, Owaisi said his party strongly condemned the killing of Deepu Chandra Das […]

(251228) -- SHANGHAI, Dec. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an attend the opening ceremony of the 2025 Shanghai-Taipei City Forum in east China's Shanghai, Dec. 28, 2025. The 2025 Shanghai-Taipei City Forum opened on Sunday in Shanghai, with memorandums of cooperation signed in the field of water management and […]

(251228) -- WUHAN, Dec. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Vehicles run on the northern section of Gutian First Road in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Dec. 28, 2025. The northern section of Gutian First Road in Wuhan was officially completed and opened to traffic on Sunday. The 2.78-kilometer road, crossing the Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu high-speed railway, […]

KUNMING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to provide humanitarian supplies to Cambodia for the settlement of displaced people in border areas, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Yuxi City, southwest China's Yunnan Province on Sunday.Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when […]

(251228) -- HARBIN, Dec. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Tourists watch a performance onboard a tourism train in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Dec. 28, 2025. Train Y999/998, an ice-and-snow themed tourism loop train, started a six-day trip on Sunday. (Photo by Yuan Yong/Xinhua)

Taipei [Taiwan], December 28 (ANI): New revelations have raised serious concerns over China's alleged use of artificial intelligence to interfere in Taiwan's democratic processes, with investigators warning that sophisticated digital tools are being deployed to influence public opinion ahead of upcoming elections.According to findings, internal documents […]

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 28 (ANI): Singer Stebin Ben lent his voice to a patriotic song that played in the background of the teaser for Salman Khan-starrer 'Battle of Galwan'.This marks an important milestone for Stebin Ben, as Battle of Galwan becomes his first song for a Salman Khan film.Talking about his contribution to the film, Stebin in […]

Former Hong Kong star fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai will transition to a consultant role at the Jockey Club after she is sworn in as a tourism lawmaker, her former boss has said. The retired Olympic fencing gold medallist joined the club in August 2024 as an assistant external affairs manager, but suspended her duties last month to run for the election in the […]