China

As despair draped the air and hopes dimmed for the scores still unaccounted for, one scene stood out on the second night after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades: volunteers forming long human chains next to the charred buildings in Tai Po, passing on supplies hand to hand. These volunteers – mobilised mostly through social media and chat groups – […]

New Delhi [India], November 29 (ANI): India's exports to its largest export market, the United States, have suffered a sharp reversal under the impact of aggressive tariff hikes. Between May and October 2025, shipments fell 28.5 per cent, plunging from USD 8.83 billion to USD 6.31 billion, according to trade-focused think-tank Global Trade Research […]

BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:1. NE China's Changchun to host 2027 Winter UniversiadeThe International University Sports Federation (FISU) on November 26 announced that Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, will host the 33rd FISU Winter World University Games in 2027.FISU, the […]

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. A hotelier is drawing on her experience sheltering survivors of London’s Grenfell Tower disaster to spearhead a relief operation at a former […]

Beneath the podium at Kwong Fuk Estate in Tai Po, between rows of relief booths and supply tables stacked with bottled water and meal boxes, a group of children took a break from their volunteering duties. But they did not rest for long. As soon as they finished eating, they darted through the crowds to reach residents, their arms full of bottles of hot […]

New Delhi [India], November 29 (ANI): The India U20 women's football team is set to play two international friendly matches against Uzbekistan on November 29 and December 2 at the FC Madras Academy in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. According to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), both fixtures fall within the FIFA Women's International Match Window and […]

HONG KONG, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), along with principal officials of the HKSAR government and civil servants, participated in a memorial service at the government headquarters on Saturday, paying tribute to the victims of the residential building fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po.The […]

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], November 29 (ANI): IR Iran notched their second win of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers with a 3-1 victory over Palestine in a Group D clash at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad. A point against India on Sunday would be enough to send them through, as per the official website of the All India Football Federation […]

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 128 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead 79 injured, including 12 firefighters Status of 150 people unclear […]

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], November 29 (ANI): India slipped to a 0-2 loss against an organised and disciplined Lebanon side in their penultimate Group D fixture of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad, as per the official website of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).Despite India suffering their first […]

The government should take the lead in assessing the structural safety of the estate engulfed by Hong Kong’s worst fire in decades before deciding whether it should be restored or redeveloped, experts have said, warning of liability problems and a long road ahead. The future of Wang Fuk Court, where a massive fire raged through seven of its eight blocks […]

HONG KONG, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), together with principal officials of the HKSAR government and civil servants, participated in a memorial service at the government headquarters on Saturday morning, paying tribute to the victims of the residential building fire in Tai Po.The […]

When Alvin Kwock, co-founder of digital insurer OneDegree, took part in the inaugural Hong Kong FinTech Week in November 2016, it was held at a venue suitable for only a few hundred people. “As it was the first ever fintech event in Hong Kong, only fintech start-ups were interested, no big financial institutions paid attention,” Kwock said. “People […]

(251129) -- HONG KONG, Nov. 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- A memorial service is held for victims of the residential building fire in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 29, 2025. The national flag and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region flag were flown at half-mast at all government buildings. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Hong Kong, November 29 (ANI): Eight more people have been arrested in connection with the massive fire at Wang Fuk Court residential compound in the Tai Po district, Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said on Friday.According to the Global Times, the ICAC has launched an investigation into possible corruption linked to the […]

(251129) -- 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, Nov. 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Players vie for the ball during the preliminary round Group F handball match between China and Poland at the 27th IHF Women's Handball World Championship in 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, Nov. 28, 2025. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua)

(251129) -- DORDRECHT, Nov. 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Gong Li of China competes during the women's 1500m quarterfinals at the ISU Short Track World Tour #4 speed skating event in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

Systemic failings around supervision of building maintenance in Hong Kong, and a lack of coordination between departments charged with ensuring it is done properly, both needed to be addressed to prevent tragedies such as the Tai Po fire happening again, experts and sector representatives have said. The regulation of polystyrene foam boards was particularly […]

(251128) -- RAMALLAH, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Officials attend a ceremony to mark the completion of two China-funded infrastructure projects, at Beijing Road in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Nov. 26, 2025. Palestinian and Chinese officials gathered on Wednesday to mark the completion of two China-funded infrastructure projects in the West Bank city of […]

Washington increasingly has to negotiate from a position not of absolute dominance, but of relative advantageSaudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman's November visit to Washington marked his first appearance at the White House in seven years.On day one, Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet on the South Lawn, followed by one-on-one talks, […]

In the Netherlands, Dutch political interference in semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia's business operations disrupted the industrial chain and triggered market disorder. It also heightened anxiety among Chinese investors.By Shao HaijunAMSTERDAM, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Business and political leaders from China and the Netherlands have emphasized that openness […]

New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): Nepal's Former Law Minister Bahadur Pradhan on Friday emphasised that diplomacy is the key to resolving the ongoing map dispute with India, particularly after the release of a new 100 Nepalese Rupee banknote featuring an updated map that includes Indian territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani.Speaking to […]

Guwahati (Assam) [India], November 28 (ANI): RegICON 2025 has started at Gauhati University, setting the tone for a three-day dialogue on Natural Language Processing (NLP), artificial intelligence and linguistic diversity.Inaugurating the event, Gauhati University Vice Chancellor Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta said, 'In a region that speaks in 185 languages, […]

The death toll from Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in seven decades climbed to more than 100 on Friday as the government announced a three-day official mourning period from Saturday for victims of the blaze. National and Hong Kong flags at all its buildings and facilities will fly at half-mast until Monday, with officials cancelling all non-essential public […]

New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): Councillor for French Citizens Abroad representing France in Hong Kong and Macau, Marc Guyon, on Friday described the devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's Tai Po district as 'very sad', while calling for major improvements in construction practices and safety standards in the region.Speaking to ANI on the […]

New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): Councillor for French Citizens Abroad representing France in Hong Kong and Macau, Marc Guyon, on Friday called for deeper collaboration between France and India on technology and social issues, particularly in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, as well as addressing domestic challenges faced by France. […]

GUIYANG, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A new high-speed railway connecting the cities of Xingyi and Panzhou in southwest China's Guizhou Province commenced service on Friday, ushering the mountain-ringed city of Xingyi into the era of high-speed rail and completing the province's goal of connecting all its prefectural capitals through the modern transport system.The […]

(251128) -- BEIJING, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- This photo shows a 150-g commemorative gold coin to celebrate the Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. The People's Bank of China issued a set of commemorative coins on Nov. 26 to celebrate 2026, the Year of the Horse. The collection, comprising six gold, four silver […]

(251128) -- BUDAPEST, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Laszlo Baan, director general of the Museum of Fine Arts, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of an exhibition of China's Terracotta Warriors in Budapest, Hungary, Nov. 27, 2025. The Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest on Thursday opened one of the most significant Chinese cultural exhibitions ever held in […]

HANGZHOU, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Qingshan Lake, an artificial lake in Lin'an District of Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, is noted for its waterlogged forest. The beautiful scenery in the Qingshan Lake scenic spot attracts lots of tourists during the season.

(251128) -- TIANJIN, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- People shop for products themed on Bing Dwen Dwen, the mascot of Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, at a downtown duty-free shop in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Nov. 28, 2025. Tianjin Municipality opened its first downtown duty-free shop on Friday. Holders of valid travel documents who have purchased […]

(251128) -- BEIJING, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Liao Sanning (L) of China tries to go for a layup against An Youngjun of South Korea during the Group B match at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)

(251128) -- ACCRA, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Guests attend the renewal ceremony for a charity project between the Chinese medical team to Ghana and Lekma Hospital in Accra, Ghana, Nov. 27, 2025. The Chinese medical team to Ghana, with the support of some Chinese enterprises and charity organizations, on Thursday renewed its charity project to provide free […]

TIANJIN, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tianjin Municipality opened its first downtown duty-free shop on Friday. Holders of valid travel documents who have purchased outbound flight tickets due in 60 days are eligible for duty-free discounts on their purchase at the shop and claim the purchased goods at Terminal 1 of Tianjin Binhai International Airport.In addition, […]

Distress and uncertainty lingered among displaced residents after Wednesday’s deadly fire in Hong Kong, as they struggled to move into tiny temporary flats while calling for better long-term resettlement arrangements such as public housing. Some elderly residents who had lived for decades in Tai Po’s fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court said on Friday they hoped […]

New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced 'tax-free status' for the war drama '120 Bahadur' in the national capital, effective November 28. The decision honours the bravery of Indian soldiers depicted in the film, which is based on the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War.The Delhi CM took to her X […]

Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India] November 28 (ANI): The Prague Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief 2025 has firmly asserted the Tibetan Buddhist community's right to choose the successor of the 14th Dalai Lama without any political interference, a move widely seen as a rebuke to China's growing attempts to control the Tibetan spiritual […]

Beijing [China]/ Tokyo [Japan], November 28 (ANI): Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan have sent a severely wrong signal to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces, Beijing said on Friday, as reported by Chinese state media.After Takaichi suggested that Tokyo could deploy military forces in the hypothetical event of a conflict in the […]

Against the backdrop of the seven charred residential blocks, an open plaza next to Wang Fuk Court has transformed into a bustling relief centre, manned by hundreds of volunteers aiding thousands of displaced residents on the third day since Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades. As large quantities of donated supplies continuously flowed into the area, […]

Families of residents still missing after a blaze engulfed an estate complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday face an agonising wait for news of their loved ones as the government needs more time to identify many of the bodies. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Friday that among the 89 unidentified bodies so far recovered from the charred […]

William Li, 40, is one of the survivors of Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy. The deadliest inferno in decades set seven blocks in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex ablaze, claiming at least 128 lives as of Friday. Li was rescued from Wang Cheong House – the block that first caught fire – on Wednesday evening. Here is a translation of his personal […]

The failure of fire alarms in the deadly Tai Po blaze could have delayed the response and evacuation of residents, according to a leading Hong Kong fire safety specialist. Anthony Lam Chun-man, a former director of the Fire Services Department, also said the extreme heat and intense flames both inside and outside made it almost impossible for firefighters […]

BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for promoting the spirit of volunteers to serve the cause of building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation.Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the […]

(251128) -- ZHANGJIAKOU, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Luca Harrington of New Zealand competes during the men's qualification of the FIS Freeski Big Air World Cup 2026 at Secret Garden in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Nov. 28, 2025. (Photo by Wu Diansen/Xinhua)

(251128) -- ZHANGJIAKOU, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Kondo Kokone of Japan competes during the women's qualification of the FIS Freeski Big Air World Cup 2026 at Secret Garden in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Xingji)