Star mathematician Ma Xiao leaves the US for China – and a career pivot to AI

South China Morning Post - Nov 5, 2026

Two years ago, Chinese mathematician Ma Xiao helped crack a century-old puzzle known as Hilbert’s sixth problem. The problem – which has baffled generations of mathematical physicists – centres on an elusive bridge connecting the chaotic frenzy of microscopic atoms with the predictable laws of fluid motion. The breakthrough, published in the Annals of Mathematics, helped propel Ma’s collaborator Deng Yu to the 2026 Fields Medal – the discipline’s highest honour – and secured Ma a coveted faculty...

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European left-wing figures highlight CPC's commitment to self-reform

European left-wing figures highlight CPC's commitment to self-reform

European left-wing political figures have highlighted the importance of the Communist Party of China's (CPC) commitment to self-reform, saying its experience in maintaining Party discipline and putting people first offers valuable lessons for left-wing parties in Europe.

Hong Kong helps mainland Chinese firms go global – but can they really win now?

Hong Kong helps mainland Chinese firms go global – but can they really win now?

When Shenzhen-listed digital infrastructure provider Runjian Corporation expanded into the Middle East and Southeast Asia through Hong Kong, adapting meant more than translating software interfaces or navigating local data privacy laws. It also meant changing the company’s working practices and abandoning the expectation, carried over from its domestic operations, that one mainland Chinese employee could match the output of three local hires. “When expanding overseas, companies must do more than...

What’s the message for China as Japan weighs US$500 billion defence surge?

What’s the message for China as Japan weighs US$500 billion defence surge?

China could face a substantially more capable Japanese military over the coming years as Tokyo considers nearly doubling its five-year defence spending to as much as 80 trillion yen (US$508 billion), according to media reports in Japan. Observers said such a build-up could strengthen Japan’s ability to deter or respond to People’s Liberation Army operations around Taiwan and the East China Sea, as well as withstand attacks and sustain prolonged operations in a regional conflict. The reported...

Data centre dissent: why American voters aren’t buying Trump’s China AI pitch

Data centre dissent: why American voters aren’t buying Trump’s China AI pitch

Strong voter backlash in the US midterm elections against AI infrastructure projects, including data centres, indicates that framing the domestic buildout as key to competing with China failed to convince Americans and underscores the need to address local concerns, according to analysts. “The argument that we need to build more data centres to win in AI against China no longer seems to have the kind of resonance it did before, if it ever did, frankly,” said Kyle Chan, a fellow at the Brookings...

China, US defence officials agree to improve ‘communication’ to reduce risks

China, US defence officials agree to improve ‘communication’ to reduce risks

US and Chinese defence officials met in Washington for the first meeting of a Crisis Communications and Prevention Working Group established under an agreement announced in September when leaders of the two nations met. The two sides agreed on the importance of “advancing practical communication measures” to reduce risks between the US and China, according to a Pentagon readout of the meeting released Tuesday. Delegates also discussed “additional channels” to promote “effective” crisis...

Asian-American voters, younger turnout fuel blue wave for Democrats in midterms

Asian-American voters, younger turnout fuel blue wave for Democrats in midterms

Democrats scored a sweeping victory in Tuesday’s midterm elections, with Asian-Americans and other voters of colour playing a key role, according to a new voter poll released on Wednesday. The 2026 Midterm Election Voter Poll surveyed 10,141 voters, including 2,130 Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters, between October 20 and November 3. It offers insights into voting trends across racial groups. Taeku Lee, a Harvard professor of government and a researcher for the poll, said...

5 takeaways from US midterms as Democrats sweep Congress and Trump faces Iran reckoning

5 takeaways from US midterms as Democrats sweep Congress and Trump faces Iran reckoning

A Democratic victory that reached from Texas to Kansas changed the terms of Donald Trump’s final two years in office. When the new US Congress convenes in January, Democrats will control both chambers. They can block his legislation, challenge spending on the war in Iran and scrutinise the deals he strikes with Beijing. The day after his party lost control of Congress, Trump invited reporters to the construction site of his new White House ballroom to watch workers raise the final steel...

Chinese scientists make a toothbrush that uses mild electric shocks to reduce plaque

Chinese scientists make a toothbrush that uses mild electric shocks to reduce plaque

No matter how thoroughly you brush your teeth in the morning and evening, the battle against bacteria is almost certain to be lost. Within a few hours of brushing, it will return in force and rebuild a solid defence line on the surface of your teeth. From ancient times to now, humanity has essentially had only one way of dealing with it, whether it was using twigs and sticks or the first bristled toothbrushes, which date back to 10th century China. But even today’s most advanced electric brushes...

Who won in China? In the US midterms, Susan Collins and the local firefighters

Who won in China? In the US midterms, Susan Collins and the local firefighters

Republican Senator Susan Collins won in China on Tuesday. So did the volunteer firefighters. Voters in several small American communities with China in their names cast ballots in Tuesday’s US midterm elections. Their local contests had little to do with Beijing and a great deal to do with fire engines, budgets and paving. In China, a lakeside town in northeastern Maine, Collins outpolled Democrat Troy Jackson by 1,333 votes to 871, according to the town’s general election return. Statewide,...

US Congress welcomes record number of lawmakers of Chinese descent

US Congress welcomes record number of lawmakers of Chinese descent

The incoming US Congress is set to include a record six lawmakers of Chinese descent after Democrat Richard Pan won a California House race. Pan defeated incumbent Kevin Kiley in California’s 6th Congressional District by 15 percentage points, according to the latest results on Wednesday morning, adding another Chinese-American member to the House when the 120th Congress convenes in January. “I’m proud to be part of the growing Asian-American representation in Congress,” Pan said in a statement...

Mainland slams DPP for sacrificing Taiwan region's interests

Mainland slams DPP for sacrificing Taiwan region's interests

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for aligning with US policies, particularly in the semiconductor industry, for political gain, saying the move disregards the interests of local industries and public welfare.

China's services trade maintains growth amid push for new drivers

China's services trade maintains growth amid push for new drivers

China's trade in services maintained brisk growth in the first nine months of 2026 as the country moved to foster new drivers of foreign trade and promote high-standard opening up.

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