‘America is back’, AI ‘conspiracy’, China’s Laos deal: 7 global relations reads

South China Morning Post - Oct 2, 2026

We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump condemns ‘sick conspiracy’ against AI, says he is only guardrail needed US President Donald Trump downplayed growing concerns about artificial intelligence, claiming America already has guardrails to regulate the industry and warning that casting doubt on development only benefits...

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MTR Corp pays out HK$2.25 billion for high-speed rail construction delays

MTR Corp pays out HK$2.25 billion for high-speed rail construction delays

The MTR Corporation will hand over HK$2.25 billion (US$287 million) to the Hong Kong government as a one-off settlement for the delayed completion of the high-speed rail line, while reaching a consensus to avoid a payout over hurdles affecting the Sha Tin to Central Link. While the transport firm oversaw the design, construction, testing and operation of the two projects, both are owned by the government and involved public funds. Under the arrangements announced on Friday, the MTR Corp will pay...

China’s PLA sets up new military academy colleges for AI, drones and discipline

China’s PLA sets up new military academy colleges for AI, drones and discipline

China has set up several new institutions at military academies to train specialists in hi-tech and discipline inspection as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) works towards its centennial modernisation goals. The College of Unmanned and Intelligent Engineering, the College of Combat Support NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) and the College of Equipment Support NCOs were established within the PLA Army Engineering University on Wednesday. On the same day, the National Defence University (NDU),...

Hotstone Yoga director arrested over unfair trade practices after abrupt closure

Hotstone Yoga director arrested over unfair trade practices after abrupt closure

A director of Hotstone Yoga has been arrested on suspicion of contravening the Trade Descriptions Ordinance by accepting prepayments for services before the wellness chain’s abrupt closure, as the amount of financial losses claimed by customers surpassed HK$4 million (US$510,000). The company’s closure on Wednesday has also prompted lawmakers to urge the government to widen the scope of a proposed statutory cooling-off law to cover more sections of the wellness market. Chong Kai-shing, a...

Chinese language teachers leave the Philippines over safety fears

Chinese language teachers leave the Philippines over safety fears

Around 150 Chinese language teachers in the Philippines are returning home following mounting criticism from Philippine security officials that educational exchanges involving China could pose national security threats. The withdrawal affects teachers stationed at schools including the Immaculate Conception Academy in Greenhills and Jubilee Christian Academy in Quezon City, both in Metro Manila, according to local media. The Manila-based Chinese Commercial News reported on Friday that the...

Taiwan hails F-16V delivery as sign US support holds after Xi-Trump summit

Taiwan hails F-16V delivery as sign US support holds after Xi-Trump summit

Taiwan has hailed the much-delayed arrival of two F-16V fighter jets as a demonstration of continuing American military support, despite a US presidential hold put on a separate multibilllion-dollar arms package. The two single-seat aircraft, which reached Chihhang Air Base in the eastern county of Taitung on Friday, are the first new F-16s received by the island since deliveries of its original F-16A/B fleet began in 1997. Compared with the earlier versions, the F-16V configuration incorporates...

Hong Kong raises helpers’ monthly minimum wage to HK$5,220

Hong Kong raises helpers’ monthly minimum wage to HK$5,220

Hong Kong authorities have raised the minimum wage for domestic helpers by 2.35 per cent to HK$5,220 (US$665) per month, while keeping their food allowance unchanged, citing “more favourable” socioeconomic factors. The government announced on Friday that the minimum wage for domestic workers would rise from HK$5,100, with the new rate applying to all contracts signed on or after Saturday. Authorities added that while most employers provided free food to their helpers, those choosing to pay an...

Hong Kong IPOs falter, China aids homebuyers, EU trade talks

Hong Kong IPOs falter, China aids homebuyers, EU trade talks

Hong Kong stock debuts are losing steam as a deluge of initial public offerings (IPOs) overwhelms investor appetite. Seven of September’s 12 IPOs fell on the first day of trading, raising the third-quarter total to 15 flops out of 31, based on Bloomberg data. By contrast, there were only 14 declines among 77 debuts in the first half of the year. Medcaptain Medical Technology led September’s first-day flops, plunging 43 per cent. Fast-fashion giant Shein tumbled as much as 10 per cent on its...

Crop outputs grew up to 100% in China’s big agricultural experiment: scientists

Crop outputs grew up to 100% in China’s big agricultural experiment: scientists

Large-scale field trials across China show that irrigation water treated with natural minerals radiated by sunlight could dramatically increase the yields of several crops, according to Chinese scientists behind the experiments. The team said the trials, including on rice, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, sweet potatoes, sugar cane and vegetables, improved photosynthetic efficiency. Their study, conducted from Heilongjiang province in northeastern China to Hainan province in the south, recorded yield...

Consumer spending picks up in Hong Kong, with retail sales rising 5.6% in August

Consumer spending picks up in Hong Kong, with retail sales rising 5.6% in August

Hong Kong’s retail sales rose by 5.6 per cent year on year in August, with the latest figures showing consumer spending picking up after growth eased for two consecutive months. Retail sales value reached HK$32 billion (US$4.1 billion), according to provisional figures released by the Census and Statistics Department on Friday. Sales in the first eight months of the year rose by 8.5 per cent compared with the same period in 2025. “Growth was seen across many types of retail outlets, while online...

How the US went from ‘a position of strength’ to ‘gung-ho’ on China

How the US went from ‘a position of strength’ to ‘gung-ho’ on China

Not so long ago, Washington’s approach to relations with Beijing was anchored by a single assertive phrase: dealing “from a position of strength”. It was rooted in a unipolar mindset: a belief that the United States could dictate terms, manage competition unilaterally and demand compliance from a distance. Yet, at their recent summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump formally established a new strategic framework: a “constructive strategic stability relationship based...

'It's not that we like Seoul': Young Koreans explain why they leave their hometowns

'It's not that we like Seoul': Young Koreans explain why they leave their hometowns

"Why do you insist on living in Seoul? You could just live in your own region." Young people from outside the capital hear that question often, and they say it misses the point. About 30,000 of them move to Seoul each year in net terms for university or work, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The regional antagonism that split their parents' generation between the Jeolla provinces in Korea's southwest and the Gyeongsang provinces in the southeast has faded. In its place, the concentration of opportunity in Seoul alone has deepened their marginalization. Eight participants in a roundtable discussion described what that gap looks like from the other end of the country. Regional prejudice survives as mockery Participant 7: "The regional rivalry between Gyeongsang and Jeolla doesn't seem that strong among people in their 20s these days." Participant 6: "There isn't the same level of it as among people in their 50s and 60s. But I have encountered some anti-Jeolla sentiment. Some friends whose parents are from Jeolla make such comments even more openly." Participant 1: "I've har

1st-gen K-pop is coming back as Fin.K.L, Fly to the Sky, Son Ho-young return

1st-gen K-pop is coming back as Fin.K.L, Fly to the Sky, Son Ho-young return

As K-pop's newest generation competes for attention, some of the industry's original stars are stepping back into the spotlight. Fin.K.L, Fly to the Sky and g.o.d's Son Ho-young are all preparing new music activities, bringing a wave of first-generation K-pop nostalgia to an industry now dominated by much younger acts. The returns are particularly notable because they are not limited to performances of old hits: The veteran artists are preparing new releases and longer-term activities after years away from their respective music careers. Fin.K.L, one of the defining girl groups of K-pop's first generation, is making a full-group return after about 21 years. Gemstone E&M, which is overseeing the group's comeback, announced Sept. 21 that all four members — Lee Hyo-ri, Ock Joo-hyun, Sung Yu-ri and Lee Jin — would resume activities together. It marks Fin.K.L's first full-fledged group activities since the 2005 digital single "Forever Fin.K.L." Following the group's hiatus, Lee Hyo-ri and Ock continued their careers as solo singers, while Sung and Lee Jin focused primarily on acting. The fo

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