114China - South China Morning Post2026-10-28T08:49:32.167050+00:00Unknownpython-feedgenThe latest breaking news from China.https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372362/will-china-travel-hurt-american-students-careers-fbi-battles-fears-talent-pipeline-stallsWill China travel hurt US students’ careers? FBI battles fears as talent pipeline stalls2026-10-27T16:56:18+00:00Nayan SethAn American student considering studying in China attended a briefing with a senior FBI official at a Washington think tank last month to address her concerns about whether such an experience could jeopardise her prospects for a career in the federal government.
The official’s message: travelling to China would not automatically disqualify her.
She welcomed the clarification but said she wasn’t “completely reassured”.
“I’m still wondering if it’s a good idea to go,” said the student, who...An American student considering studying in China attended a briefing with a senior FBI official at a Washington think tank last month to address her concerns about whether such an experience could jeopardise her prospects for a career in the federal government.
The official’s message: travelling to China would not automatically disqualify her.
She welcomed the clarification but said she wasn’t “completely reassured”.
“I’m still wondering if it’s a good idea to go,” said the student, who...2026-10-27T16:56:18+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3372325/chinas-battery-factories-could-be-sitting-right-top-vast-lithium-depositsChina’s battery factories could be sitting right on top of vast lithium deposits2026-10-27T16:00:26+00:00Chao KongLithium deposits formed by ancient volcanic activity may lie beneath parts of China’s battery manufacturing heartland, particularly along the southeastern coast, according to a new study.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, geologist Duan Zheng said that “potential targets for clay-type lithium deposits in southeastern China overlap with lithium battery industrial clusters in East and South China”.
“Local supplies could significantly reduce transport costs and supply-chain risks,”...Lithium deposits formed by ancient volcanic activity may lie beneath parts of China’s battery manufacturing heartland, particularly along the southeastern coast, according to a new study.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, geologist Duan Zheng said that “potential targets for clay-type lithium deposits in southeastern China overlap with lithium battery industrial clusters in East and South China”.
“Local supplies could significantly reduce transport costs and supply-chain risks,”...2026-10-27T16:00:26+00:00https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3372115/its-autocratic-african-ally-taiwan-bites-its-tongue-and-opens-its-walletFor its autocratic African ally, Taiwan bites its tongue and opens its wallet2026-10-27T13:30:07+00:00Alex LoEswatini probably does not register on most people’s mental maps. Its relatively recent name might sound unfamiliar as many people still know it as Swaziland.
That it demands attention from pundits like yours truly has much to do with it being the only African country that still formally recognises Taiwan. It is also the continent’s only absolute monarchy. The two facts are closely connected. Recognising Taipei makes little sense when every one of eSwatini’s neighbours recognises Beijing, but it...Eswatini probably does not register on most people’s mental maps. Its relatively recent name might sound unfamiliar as many people still know it as Swaziland.
That it demands attention from pundits like yours truly has much to do with it being the only African country that still formally recognises Taiwan. It is also the continent’s only absolute monarchy. The two facts are closely connected. Recognising Taipei makes little sense when every one of eSwatini’s neighbours recognises Beijing, but it...2026-10-27T13:30:07+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/us/article/3372356/alibaba-wins-preliminary-injunction-against-pentagon-lobbying-ruleAlibaba wins preliminary injunction against Pentagon lobbying rule2026-10-27T13:08:18+00:00Zhang TongAlibaba has won a preliminary court order blocking a US restriction that drove away its Washington lobbyists, after a federal judge found the Chinese technology giant was likely to succeed in challenging the measure on free-speech grounds.
US District Judge Eumi K. Lee ruled on Monday that the government had failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify the restriction, which effectively forces lobbying firms to choose between representing Alibaba and clients seeking Pentagon...Alibaba has won a preliminary court order blocking a US restriction that drove away its Washington lobbyists, after a federal judge found the Chinese technology giant was likely to succeed in challenging the measure on free-speech grounds.
US District Judge Eumi K. Lee ruled on Monday that the government had failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify the restriction, which effectively forces lobbying firms to choose between representing Alibaba and clients seeking Pentagon...2026-10-27T13:08:18+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372355/5-things-watch-out-2027-us-defence-bill-aimed-countering-china5 things to watch out for in 2027 US defence bill aimed at countering China2026-10-27T12:58:44+00:00Han Li,Seong Hyeon ChoiThe 2027 US defence bill, covering more than US$1 trillion in proposed defence spending, will be one of the most closely watched pieces of legislation when Congress returns after the midterm elections, with efforts to counter China running through nearly every corner of the text.
The US House of Representatives passed its version of the bill, known as the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), in July. The bill faces a tougher path in the US Senate, where a July procedural vote to begin...The 2027 US defence bill, covering more than US$1 trillion in proposed defence spending, will be one of the most closely watched pieces of legislation when Congress returns after the midterm elections, with efforts to counter China running through nearly every corner of the text.
The US House of Representatives passed its version of the bill, known as the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), in July. The bill faces a tougher path in the US Senate, where a July procedural vote to begin...2026-10-27T12:58:44+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372347/rubio-invokes-china-russia-defend-disputed-venezuela-oil-dealRubio invokes China, Russia to defend disputed Venezuela oil deal2026-10-27T08:18:20+00:00Teresa Elena FrontadoUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended Washington’s oil agreement in Venezuela as an alternative to Chinese and Russian involvement, pushing back against criticism from opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Rubio said most of the oilfields controlled by the company partnering with Washington had previously been held or operated by Chinese or Russian firms. He argued that the agreement would help revive production while securing US access to reserves in...US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended Washington’s oil agreement in Venezuela as an alternative to Chinese and Russian involvement, pushing back against criticism from opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Rubio said most of the oilfields controlled by the company partnering with Washington had previously been held or operated by Chinese or Russian firms. He argued that the agreement would help revive production while securing US access to reserves in...2026-10-27T08:18:20+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/us/article/3372345/queen-chinese-and-forgotten-history-us-mexico-borderThe ‘Queen of the Chinese’ and a forgotten history on the US-Mexico border2026-10-27T07:40:44+00:00Lucy QuagginAt Texas’ dusty Concordia Cemetery, grass grows over graves in a 140-year-old Chinese burial ground. Some headstones have been stolen or vandalised; others have been marked by flat concrete slabs etched with names in Chinese and English. The slabs were harder to steal than traditional headstones. Still other graves have no visible markers.
“I don’t think many people go out there,” says Linda Chew, a retired judge in El Paso, the state’s sixth-largest city.
Yet interest in the history of the...At Texas’ dusty Concordia Cemetery, grass grows over graves in a 140-year-old Chinese burial ground. Some headstones have been stolen or vandalised; others have been marked by flat concrete slabs etched with names in Chinese and English. The slabs were harder to steal than traditional headstones. Still other graves have no visible markers.
“I don’t think many people go out there,” says Linda Chew, a retired judge in El Paso, the state’s sixth-largest city.
Yet interest in the history of the...2026-10-27T07:40:44+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372318/lulas-win-brazil-deals-blow-trumps-latin-america-push-former-china-envoyLula’s win in Brazil deals blow to Trump’s Latin America push: former China envoy2026-10-27T07:00:14+00:00Cao JiaxuanBrazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s re-election marks a turning point for Latin America and US-Latin American relations, said Chile’s former top envoy to China, who predicted a slowing of Washington’s regional push.
“I do think the re-election of President Lula marks a major turning point in Latin America and in US-Latin American relations, while also having a broader significance for the Global South,” said Jorge Heine, who served as Chile’s ambassador to China from 2014 to 2017 and...Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s re-election marks a turning point for Latin America and US-Latin American relations, said Chile’s former top envoy to China, who predicted a slowing of Washington’s regional push.
“I do think the re-election of President Lula marks a major turning point in Latin America and in US-Latin American relations, while also having a broader significance for the Global South,” said Jorge Heine, who served as Chile’s ambassador to China from 2014 to 2017 and...2026-10-27T07:00:14+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372340/german-leaders-china-visit-latest-sign-foreign-diplomacy-pivot-beyond-beijingGerman leader’s China visit latest sign of foreign diplomacy pivot beyond Beijing2026-10-27T06:17:05+00:00Caroline Lin,Eve QiaoGerman President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has begun his state visit to China in the eastern province of Anhui, spotlighting a growing trend among visiting foreign leaders to look well beyond Beijing.
Steinmeier arrived in the provincial capital Hefei early on Tuesday to begin a five-day state visit, marking his first trip to China in nearly eight years and confirming an exclusive report by the South China Morning Post earlier this month.
When foreign dignitaries bypass Beijing for provincial...German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has begun his state visit to China in the eastern province of Anhui, spotlighting a growing trend among visiting foreign leaders to look well beyond Beijing.
Steinmeier arrived in the provincial capital Hefei early on Tuesday to begin a five-day state visit, marking his first trip to China in nearly eight years and confirming an exclusive report by the South China Morning Post earlier this month.
When foreign dignitaries bypass Beijing for provincial...2026-10-27T06:17:05+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3372328/taiwan-vows-vigilance-beijing-releases-detailed-satellite-imagery-island-landmarksTaiwan vows vigilance as Beijing releases detailed satellite imagery of island landmarks2026-10-27T06:00:17+00:00Lawrence ChungTaiwan’s military has vowed to remain vigilant against mainland Chinese intelligence-gathering activities after Beijing released high-resolution satellite images of the island, raising concerns about its growing surveillance capabilities.
“The defence ministry will not lower its vigilance at any time regarding all such satellite imagery and related intelligence collection directed at Taiwan,” Defence Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung told reporters on Tuesday.
“We will also take appropriate...Taiwan’s military has vowed to remain vigilant against mainland Chinese intelligence-gathering activities after Beijing released high-resolution satellite images of the island, raising concerns about its growing surveillance capabilities.
“The defence ministry will not lower its vigilance at any time regarding all such satellite imagery and related intelligence collection directed at Taiwan,” Defence Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung told reporters on Tuesday.
“We will also take appropriate...2026-10-27T06:00:17+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3372323/chinas-defence-minister-dong-jun-miss-asean-defence-talks-fifth-plenum-convenesChina’s Defence Minister Dong Jun to miss Asean defence talks as fifth plenum convenes2026-10-27T04:12:28+00:00Amber WangChina’s Defence Minister Dong Jun will skip this week’s meeting of Southeast Asian defence chiefs and their dialogue partners in Cebu, with Beijing instead sending its defence attache in the Philippines.
Dong has attended the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) for the past two years. This year’s ADMM and ADMM-Plus, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, coincide with a major Communist Party meeting known as the fifth plenum, which is running in Beijing from Monday to...China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun will skip this week’s meeting of Southeast Asian defence chiefs and their dialogue partners in Cebu, with Beijing instead sending its defence attache in the Philippines.
Dong has attended the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) for the past two years. This year’s ADMM and ADMM-Plus, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, coincide with a major Communist Party meeting known as the fifth plenum, which is running in Beijing from Monday to...2026-10-27T04:12:28+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3372314/us-japan-rehearse-coordinated-strikes-challenge-pla-control-waters-near-taiwanUS, Japan rehearse coordinated strikes to challenge PLA control of waters near Taiwan2026-10-27T04:00:13+00:00Gabriel DominguezUS and Japanese forces have rehearsed coordinated anti-ship strikes and mobile missile deployments across Kyushu and Japan’s southwestern islands, testing tactics designed to challenge Beijing’s ability to control surrounding waters in a conflict over Taiwan.
Now in its second week, the 11-day Keen Sword 27 exercise has tested how the allies could threaten Chinese warships from multiple directions while keeping their own forces harder to target.
They have also practised repairing runways and...US and Japanese forces have rehearsed coordinated anti-ship strikes and mobile missile deployments across Kyushu and Japan’s southwestern islands, testing tactics designed to challenge Beijing’s ability to control surrounding waters in a conflict over Taiwan.
Now in its second week, the 11-day Keen Sword 27 exercise has tested how the allies could threaten Chinese warships from multiple directions while keeping their own forces harder to target.
They have also practised repairing runways and...2026-10-27T04:00:13+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372309/us-ends-pacific-visa-waiver-over-birth-tourism-people-smuggling-allegationsUS ends visa waiver for Chinese over birth tourism, people smuggling allegations2026-10-27T02:25:59+00:00Khushboo RazdanWashington has suspended visa-free entry for Chinese visitors to the Northern Mariana Islands amid allegations of birth tourism and people smuggling in the US territory.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday the suspension of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorisation Programme.
US Senator Mike Lee hailed the move on social media, calling the programme a “Biden-era loophole for Chinese birth tourism” and...Washington has suspended visa-free entry for Chinese visitors to the Northern Mariana Islands amid allegations of birth tourism and people smuggling in the US territory.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday the suspension of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorisation Programme.
US Senator Mike Lee hailed the move on social media, calling the programme a “Biden-era loophole for Chinese birth tourism” and...2026-10-27T02:25:59+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372296/fragile-india-china-thaw-tested-reported-fresh-himalayan-border-face-offsFragile India-China thaw tested by reported fresh Himalayan border face-offs2026-10-27T01:25:48+00:00Laura ZhouA fragile rapprochement between China and India is facing a renewed test following reports of military face-offs along their hotly contested border.
Shatrujeet Kapur, director general of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), said last week that confrontations with Chinese troops were “continuing at multiple locations along the Arunachal Pradesh border”.
“In the past few days, a situation arose where face-off[s] happened at several locations in Arunachal and it still continues,” Kapur said at a...A fragile rapprochement between China and India is facing a renewed test following reports of military face-offs along their hotly contested border.
Shatrujeet Kapur, director general of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), said last week that confrontations with Chinese troops were “continuing at multiple locations along the Arunachal Pradesh border”.
“In the past few days, a situation arose where face-off[s] happened at several locations in Arunachal and it still continues,” Kapur said at a...2026-10-27T01:25:48+00:00https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3372117/eu-china-hybrid-car-deal-wont-really-help-european-carmakersEU-China hybrid car deal won’t really help European carmakers2026-10-27T00:30:10+00:00Winston MokEarlier this month, simmering trade tensions between the EU and China ease as the two sides reached an agreement in Beijing limiting hybrid car exports from China to an annual quota of 350,000 units. After the European Union imposed tariffs on fully electric cars from China in 2024, hybrid imports surged. The quota would result in more than a halving of the 800,000 hybrid cars expected to be sold this year, a figure which may soon exceed a million if unchecked.
The quota would likely shift...Earlier this month, simmering trade tensions between the EU and China ease as the two sides reached an agreement in Beijing limiting hybrid car exports from China to an annual quota of 350,000 units. After the European Union imposed tariffs on fully electric cars from China in 2024, hybrid imports surged. The quota would result in more than a halving of the 800,000 hybrid cars expected to be sold this year, a figure which may soon exceed a million if unchecked.
The quota would likely shift...2026-10-27T00:30:10+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3372255/chinas-h-6k-strategic-bomber-getting-powerful-jamming-capabilitiesIs China’s H-6K strategic bomber getting powerful jamming capabilities?2026-10-27T00:28:59+00:00Liu ZhenA Chinese H-6K strategic bomber has been sighted with two new electronic warfare pods used for jamming, according to images circulating on social media, potentially indicating an expansion of the aircraft’s capabilities.
The photos – which have not been independently verified – emerged on Saturday and show an H6-K in flight with the pods on two of its six pylons. They appear to be similar to the RKZ930 pods carried by China’s J-16D electronic warfare aircraft.
The location and date of the photos...A Chinese H-6K strategic bomber has been sighted with two new electronic warfare pods used for jamming, according to images circulating on social media, potentially indicating an expansion of the aircraft’s capabilities.
The photos – which have not been independently verified – emerged on Saturday and show an H6-K in flight with the pods on two of its six pylons. They appear to be similar to the RKZ930 pods carried by China’s J-16D electronic warfare aircraft.
The location and date of the photos...2026-10-27T00:28:59+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3372256/china-trial-shows-gum-tissue-stem-cells-help-55-lifetime-diabetes-patientsChina trial shows gum tissue stem cells help 55% of lifetime diabetes patients2026-10-26T22:00:12+00:00Shi HuangA randomised phase one clinical trial conducted by scientists and doctors from Shanghai and Guangzhou has achieved encouraging results in the treatment of Type 1 diabetes using stem cells extracted from gum tissue.
More than half of those who received the treatment showed varying degrees of improvement, while one subject was able to discontinue exogenous insulin therapy completely, the researchers said.
Results of the study, which tested a therapy based on gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSC),...A randomised phase one clinical trial conducted by scientists and doctors from Shanghai and Guangzhou has achieved encouraging results in the treatment of Type 1 diabetes using stem cells extracted from gum tissue.
More than half of those who received the treatment showed varying degrees of improvement, while one subject was able to discontinue exogenous insulin therapy completely, the researchers said.
Results of the study, which tested a therapy based on gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSC),...2026-10-26T22:00:12+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3372123/chinese-scientists-create-powerful-catalyst-turn-air-mars-rocket-fuelChinese scientists create powerful catalyst to turn air on Mars into rocket fuel2026-10-26T20:00:34+00:00Ling XinChinese space scientists are working out how future astronauts on Mars could make their own fuel out of thin air, a sign that Beijing is serious about one day sending people to the red planet.
A team at the state-funded Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in Hefei has developed a catalyst that turns carbon dioxide – which makes up more than 95 per cent of the Martian atmosphere – into a liquid fuel called methanol.
“Methanol can serve as fuel to generate electricity, provide heating and power Mars...Chinese space scientists are working out how future astronauts on Mars could make their own fuel out of thin air, a sign that Beijing is serious about one day sending people to the red planet.
A team at the state-funded Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in Hefei has developed a catalyst that turns carbon dioxide – which makes up more than 95 per cent of the Martian atmosphere – into a liquid fuel called methanol.
“Methanol can serve as fuel to generate electricity, provide heating and power Mars...2026-10-26T20:00:34+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3372189/taiwan-looks-autonomous-swarms-counter-beijings-grey-zone-pressureTaiwan looks to autonomous swarms to counter Beijing’s grey-zone pressure2026-10-26T17:00:10+00:00Lawrence ChungTaiwan is developing an AI-powered system to coordinate drone fleets for maritime surveillance and countering “grey-zone” activities, with researchers completing a simulation involving 20 aircraft, according to the island’s Ocean Affairs Council.
The system, which is funded by the council, would allow different types of drones to autonomously divide tasks, plan routes and coordinate their movements while providing wide-area, persistent surveillance for coastguard operations.
The council said on...Taiwan is developing an AI-powered system to coordinate drone fleets for maritime surveillance and countering “grey-zone” activities, with researchers completing a simulation involving 20 aircraft, according to the island’s Ocean Affairs Council.
The system, which is funded by the council, would allow different types of drones to autonomously divide tasks, plan routes and coordinate their movements while providing wide-area, persistent surveillance for coastguard operations.
The council said on...2026-10-26T17:00:10+00:00https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3372206/what-message-china-sending-latest-footage-no-notice-df-rocket-drillWhat message is China sending with latest footage of ‘no-notice’ DF rocket drill?2026-10-26T16:00:19+00:00Amber WangChina has released footage of its troops carrying out a “no-notice” rocket launch as part of an ongoing effort by state media to showcase the People’s Liberation Army’s rapid-response capabilities.
State broadcaster CCTV on Monday released a brief video showing the exercise in mountainous terrain and said it had been carried out with no advance notice given to the troops involved.
No other details were provided.
The footage – which is believed to show a missile from the Dongfeng (east wind)...China has released footage of its troops carrying out a “no-notice” rocket launch as part of an ongoing effort by state media to showcase the People’s Liberation Army’s rapid-response capabilities.
State broadcaster CCTV on Monday released a brief video showing the exercise in mountainous terrain and said it had been carried out with no advance notice given to the troops involved.
No other details were provided.
The footage – which is believed to show a missile from the Dongfeng (east wind)...2026-10-26T16:00:19+00:00