Beyond EVs and perception, how China is gaining ground in Central Asia

South China Morning Post - Oct 17, 2026

In Kazakhstan’s futuristic capital Astana, car dealer Auyez Kabdygali is planning a big change to his business as he switches from importing European cars to Chinese electric vehicles. Kabdygali says there is increasing demand for Chinese EVs both from locals and Russian customers due to their competitive price and quality. His grandfather is among the converts – he has an order in for a BYD Han, the carmaker’s flagship model, and plans to collect it from a terminal on the border with China and...

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Actress Oh Yoon-ah shares details of newlywed life

Actress Oh Yoon-ah shares details of newlywed life

Actress Oh Yoon-ah has offered a glimpse into her newlywed life, revealing that she cooks more often since remarrying and has even adjusted her recipes to suit her husband’s tastes. In a video uploaded to the actress' YouTube channel on Friday, Oh was seen preparing a home-cooked meal while sharing her personal cooking tips and demonstrating her skills in the kitchen. When asked whether she had been cooking more frequently since getting married, Oh answered without hesitation, “Of course,” surprising those around her. “My husband always eats at home,” she explained. “When I cook, we end up not buying meals outside. What I make tastes the best.” Her remarks drew attention to how she has been spending more time preparing meals for her husband since remarrying. Oh also revealed how her cooking methods have changed to accommodate his preferences while preparing beef radish soup. As she seasoned the beef with salt, she explained, “I used to make broth separately for this, but my husband really likes vegetable stock. The vegetable-flavored stock cubes are pretty good, too, so I u

Number of deepfake sex videos up for review exceeds last year's figure in 8 months

Number of deepfake sex videos up for review exceeds last year's figure in 8 months

The number of deepfake sex crime videos pending review by a Korean media regulator has surpassed 17,000 as of August this year, already surpassing last year's total, data showed Saturday. The state-run Korea Communications Standards Commission has received 17,378 cases of sex crime videos using deepfake technology for review from January to August, according to data submitted to Rep. Lee Yeon-hee of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. This represents a nearly 9.9 percent increase from last year's total of 15,808 cases. The number of videos sent for review had gradually increased from 1,913 in 2021 to 3,574 in 2022, 7,187 in 2023 and 23,109 in 2024 before falling to 15,808 cases in 2025. "With the number of reviews of deepfake sexual content already exceeding last year's annual total, it is essential to closely examine the current situation and response mechanisms," Rep. Lee said, calling for effective measures to prevent the spread of the content and protect victims.

Factory fire in Bucheon likely caused by oil vapor ignited by frictional heat: officials

Factory fire in Bucheon likely caused by oil vapor ignited by frictional heat: officials

A fire at a factory in Bucheon that left one firefighter dead and seven others injured was likely caused by an oil mist catching fire during a metal cleaning operation, officials said Saturday. The fire broke out at the four-story metalworking factory in Bucheon, just west of Seoul, on Friday before fire authorities fully extinguished the blaze some two-and-a-half hours later. One firefighter went into cardiac arrest, before he was pronounced dead while being treated at a hospital. Seven others were injured, including another fireman who sustained serious injuries. A joint team comprising firefighters, police, the National Forensic Service (NFS) and the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation conducted an on-site inspection on Saturday to determine the cause of the blaze. Investigators found that workers had been using paint thinner to clean metal parts at the time of the fire. Authorities suspect that vapors released as the thinner evaporated may have been ignited by a spark caused by static electricity, an electrical discharge or frictional heat. The work area in the factory reportedly lacke

How Taiwan’s new AI satellite system aims to speed up early warning against PLA moves

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Taiwan will acquire an AI-powered satellite imagery system capable of rapidly identifying People’s Liberation Army ships, aircraft and missile launchers, as it seeks to boost early-warning capabilities in the face of growing military pressure from Beijing. The NT$46.55 million (US$1.45 million) system will use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse satellite images covering 100 sq km (38.6 square miles) within minutes, potentially cutting the time and manpower needed to track changes in PLA...

China’s embassy issues fresh Thailand travel alert over kidnappings, job scams

China’s embassy issues fresh Thailand travel alert over kidnappings, job scams

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N. Korea tests new precision-guided torpedo using AI: KCNA

N. Korea tests new precision-guided torpedo using AI: KCNA

North Korea said Saturday it has conducted an underwater test of a new high-speed precision-guided torpedo weapon system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology, noting that the test heralds a "significant" change in the North's naval capabilities. North Korea test-fired the Zam-2.0 super-speed precision-guided torpedo weapon system Thursday to confirm the successful technical upgrade of the weapon, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It did not disclose further details of the weapon. Key national defense officials who oversaw the weapon test assessed that it "served as a great success foreseeing a significant change in the actual development of the Navy," the KCNA said. North Korea said AI technology was applied to the target detection and the guidance function of the torpedo. "The test proved the core technology for raising the efficiency of propulsion and the performance of rocket propulsion devices," the KCNA said, adding more than 180 rounds of related tests have been conducted over the past five years. Experts said the newly disclosed weapon system could be

Korea expresses regret over Japan PM's offering to controversial war shrine

Korea expresses regret over Japan PM's offering to controversial war shrine

The Korean government expressed regret Saturday after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to a war shrine seen as a symbol of Japan's imperialistic past. Takaichi sent the offering earlier Saturday in her capacity as prime minister to mark the start of the Yasukuni Shrine's three-day autumn festival. But she plans to refrain from visiting the shrine in person during the festival, Japan's Kyodo News reported, citing sources close to the prime minister. The Yasukuni Shrine honors some 2.46 million Japanese war dead, including 14 Class A criminals convicted by international tribunals for their roles in World War II. In a statement, Seoul's foreign ministry said it "once again expresses deep disappointment and regret" that responsible Japanese leaders have "repeatedly sent offerings to or visited Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past war of aggression and enshrines war criminals." It urged Japan's leaders to "face history squarely and demonstrate humble reflection on and sincere remorse for the past through action." "We once again stress that such steps are a

Coming up roses? How Trump planted a new seed for Chinese gift diplomacy

Coming up roses? How Trump planted a new seed for Chinese gift diplomacy

Donald Trump was apparently captivated by the “beautiful” roses in the garden of the Communist Party’s leadership compound when he visited Beijing in May. It was a relaxed moment between the US and Chinese leaders – otherwise locked in disputes ranging from trade to technology and Taiwan – that led to a new opportunity for gift diplomacy between the rival powers. Strolling around the former imperial garden at Zhongnanhai with Xi Jinping, Trump was so taken with a China rose variety in bloom that...

AI used for first time to analyse lawmakers’ 5-year plan, policy address debate

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Hong Kong’s legislature has for the first time used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse lawmakers’ remarks during a three-day debate on the city’s first five-year plan and the latest annual policy address, with talent and the Northern Metropolis emerging as the most-discussed topics. Legislative Council president Starry Lee Wai-king said on Saturday that an overview of the six-session debate had been produced using AI. The session on improving livelihood protections drew the largest number...

Corrupt officials have nowhere to hide, China’s anti-graft watchdog warns

Corrupt officials have nowhere to hide, China’s anti-graft watchdog warns

There is “no way out” for corrupt officials no matter how senior they are, China’s top anti-corruption watchdog has warned following the downfall of a former big-city mayor who survived numerous previous scandals. This week, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced both the probe into Huang Qifan, the former mayor of Chongqing, and the expulsion of a senior figure in Sichuan province. On Saturday, the commission said these developments showed the party’s “unwavering...

Is China’s Shenzhen ready to host Xi, Trump and Putin during Apec summit?

Is China’s Shenzhen ready to host Xi, Trump and Putin during Apec summit?

In Shenzhen, drones are banned, shiny new hotels have opened their doors and taxi drivers are carrying devices that can translate nearly 150 languages. Since President Xi Jinping announced last year that China’s southern tech hub would host Apec meetings in November, the city has done all it can to get ready under the watchful eyes of the local, provincial and national authorities. While every Apec summit draws the world’s attention, this year’s edition is considered to be especially high-stakes...

Man arrested for alleged HK$450,000 theft of wife’s Chanel and Hermes bags, Rolex

Man arrested for alleged HK$450,000 theft of wife’s Chanel and Hermes bags, Rolex

Hong Kong police have arrested the husband of a 34-year-old woman for allegedly stealing luxury goods worth HK$450,000 (US$57,700) from her at home. The woman, surnamed Chan, reported the case to police at around 8.30am on Saturday morning at their home in the Ocean One residential development in Yau Tong. According to police, Chan suspected that her 40-year-old husband, surnamed Lam, had stolen goods worth HK$450,000 in total. The items involved were Chanel and Hermes bags worth HK$300,000 and...

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