Latest news from China, in Chinese newspapers

‘Queen of Pop’ Madonna takes on ‘King’ Trump: ‘If this is a joke, I’m not laughing’
‘Queen of Pop’ Madonna takes on ‘King’ Trump: ‘If this is a joke, I’m not laughing’
The US superstar was responding to the US president calling himself ‘the King’ on social media posts.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
As Trump cuts US profile at United Nations, China’s leadership opportunity grows
As Trump cuts US profile at United Nations, China’s leadership opportunity grows
Washington’s pullback gives Beijing a historic chance to advance its global standing and agenda, but how much will it pursue?
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Minitrue Plus Five: February 20, 2020 – Russian Border Restrictions, Dancing at Makeshift Hospitals, Execution
In late 2020, CDT acquired and verified a collection of propaganda directives issued by central Party authorities to state media at the beginning of that year. These directives were issued on an almost daily basis in early 2020 through the early (…)
China Digital Times - 21 February 2025
Trump ally Bannon’s ‘Nazi gesture’ prompts France far-right leader to cancel US speech
Trump ally Bannon’s ‘Nazi gesture’ prompts France far-right leader to cancel US speech
Bannon briefly held out a stiff arm at the Conservative Political Action Conference as he called on the audience to ‘fight, fight, fight’.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
US Treasury Secretary Bessent praises Zelensky after Trump’s censure
US Treasury Secretary Bessent praises Zelensky after Trump’s censure
Bessent’s comments were a departure from recent rebukes of Zelensky by Trump and other senior US officials.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
China’s Vice-Premier He, US Treasury’s Bessent spar over tariffs, ‘economic imbalances’
China’s Vice-Premier He, US Treasury’s Bessent spar over tariffs, ‘economic imbalances’
Both sides express ‘serious concerns’ over each other’s policies in their first call since US President Donald Trump took office.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Pro-Palestine speech sparked right-wing threats, Hong Kong director Jun Li says
Pro-Palestine speech sparked right-wing threats, Hong Kong director Jun Li says
Director read out a pro-Palestine speech by Iranian actor at Berlinale.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Xi Jinping tells entrepreneurs ‘east wind’ will carry China above rivals
Xi Jinping tells entrepreneurs ‘east wind’ will carry China above rivals
The president evoked a Mao Zedong slogan to reiterate his confidence in China’s economic triumph at a high-profile meeting on the private sector.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Robert Tsao, Taiwanese chip tycoon sanctioned by Beijing, sparks ‘cross-strait affair’ row
Robert Tsao, Taiwanese chip tycoon sanctioned by Beijing, sparks ‘cross-strait affair’ row
‘So what if it’s true?’ UMC founder says, after Taiwanese commentator claims to show photos with mainland Chinese mistress.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
University of Hong Kong head hopes any budget funding cuts will be ‘moderate’
University of Hong Kong head hopes any budget funding cuts will be ‘moderate’
Ahead of government’s budget address on Wednesday, president Xiang Zhang says HK$41.5 billion in reserves has designated purposes.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
China tests robot on board Tiangong space station
China tests robot on board Tiangong space station
The Shenzhou-19 astronauts carried out safety checks on the device, which is designed to maintain the pipe.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
French PM under growing pressure over Catholic school abuse claims
French PM under growing pressure over Catholic school abuse claims
Bayrou faced accusations that he knew of widespread physical and sexual abuse at a Catholic boarding school that his children attended.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Europe can afford to defend itself without US but needs more coordination: study
Europe can afford to defend itself without US but needs more coordination: study
Europe needs to spend around €250 billion (US$261.6 billion) annually in defence investments to secure itself without US support.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Alibaba investors hail e-commerce giant’s AI pivot as it plots major investment outlay
Alibaba investors hail e-commerce giant’s AI pivot as it plots major investment outlay
Alibaba’s Hong Kong-listed shares surged 15 per cent on Friday, following an 8 per cent gain overnight in New York.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Yuan battles US dollar, China’s latest J-35 stealth jet: SCMP daily highlights
Yuan battles US dollar, China’s latest J-35 stealth jet: SCMP daily highlights
From China eyeing Mideast buyers at military expo to a new bat coronavirus, here’s a round-up from today’s China and economy coverage.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Why China should worry as Trump makes nice with Putin over Ukraine
Why China should worry as Trump makes nice with Putin over Ukraine
The US president seems intent on ending the Ukraine war to focus on issues like China. Washington might hope to turn Moscow against Beijing.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
China solves GaN chip defect puzzle, boosting edge in US tech war
China solves GaN chip defect puzzle, boosting edge in US tech war
Minimising semiconductor flaws will expand China’s price gap with US for advanced chips used in electronic warfare, aerospace.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
India’s BJP and Congress clash over Trump’s comment on US$21 million election aid
India’s BJP and Congress clash over Trump’s comment on US$21 million election aid
The comment comes as the US Department of Government Efficiency seeks to find evidence of wasteful spending by the Joe Biden administration.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Hong Kong school principal jailed for 6 months over HK$270,000 fraud
Hong Kong school principal jailed for 6 months over HK$270,000 fraud
Chen Yi-hsin of Yan Chai Hospital Chiu Tsang Hok Wan Primary School in Tsing Yi, lied about missing salary payments and withdrew funds without authorisation.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
What to expect from Friday’s call between US Treasury’s Bessent and Vice-Premier He
What to expect from Friday’s call between US Treasury’s Bessent and Vice-Premier He
China confirms video chat will take place, and it comes amid heightened bilateral tensions between the economic superpowers.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Debt-ridden contractor Paul Y involved in 13 Hong Kong public works projects
Debt-ridden contractor Paul Y involved in 13 Hong Kong public works projects
Twelve of the firm’s 13 contracts are joint ventures with other construction firms, government says.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Veterans of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party ‘deeply saddened’ by plan to disband
Veterans of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party ‘deeply saddened’ by plan to disband
One veteran says Communist Party contact had been doubtful whether group could survive long enough to take part in coming Legislative Council poll.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025
Henderson Land releases price list for Belgravia Place II housing project in Cheung Sha Wan
Henderson Land releases price list for Belgravia Place II housing project in Cheung Sha Wan
First 50 flats in Belgravia Place II, with a total of 248 units, are priced at HK$15,968 per square foot on average.
South China Morning Post - 21 February 2025