China keeps extending the Shenzhen Apec deadline. Why are US execs so unenthused?

South China Morning Post - Oct 13, 2026

Some senior American executives are lukewarm about attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and related business events in Shenzhen next month, according to people familiar with the matter. They cited limited scheduling details, few expected breakthroughs and a lack of opportunity for meaningful engagement. Beijing has invited multiple US business leaders – particularly those who joined President Donald Trump’s May trip to China and later attended the White House state dinner for...

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Hong Kong can boost regional prosperity through ‘soft connectivity’, adviser says

Hong Kong can boost regional prosperity through ‘soft connectivity’, adviser says

Hong Kong’s institutional advantages and close ties with mainland China and the wider world can contribute to the Asia-Pacific region’s prosperity, a key adviser to the city’s leader has told a conference. Stephen Wong Yuen-shan, head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit, said on Monday that Hong Kong was transforming itself into the region’s institutional “harbour” – where trade from regional markets could converge and take advantage of the city’s “soft connectivity” advantages. He said such...

Garden Company apologises after crowd chaos mars student sandwich record bid

Garden Company apologises after crowd chaos mars student sandwich record bid

One of Hong Kong’s oldest makers of bread and biscuits, the Garden Company, has apologised and pledged to review its crowd-management procedures after a world-record attempt involving more than 700 students making sandwiches descended into chaos. The incident occurred on Sunday at SKH Tang Shiu Kin Secondary School in Wan Chai, when the company tried to set a record for the “largest sandwich-making lesson” to mark its coming 100th anniversary. More than 700 primary school pupils were involved...

Dog shelter worker awarded HK$89,000 over canine attack despite volunteer claim

Dog shelter worker awarded HK$89,000 over canine attack despite volunteer claim

A Hong Kong court has awarded more than HK$89,000 (US$11,340) to a worker at a dog shelter who was seriously injured in a canine attack, rejecting her employer’s argument that she was a volunteer. District Judge Harold Leong Kwok-on said on Monday that the employment relationship between Kelly Animals Shelter in Lau Fau Shan and the victim had been established despite no contract being signed, noting she was paid, allocated work by staff and did not manage the business or shoulder profits or...

Huanggang Port praised for ‘light speed’ checks, but some find layout huge

Huanggang Port praised for ‘light speed’ checks, but some find layout huge

More than 42,000 travellers and 5,700 vehicles passed through the revamped Huanggang Port on Monday under a “smooth” first-day run of the new “joint clearance” system to cross between Hong Kong and mainland China, as officials braced for larger crowds over the coming long weekend. Early bird travellers and residents simply curious to see how the new system worked were the first to pass through the facility when it opened at 6.30am, with some calling the clearance process “light speed”. Many...

Why China is likely to be cautious about recent Trump-Putin diesel deal

Why China is likely to be cautious about recent Trump-Putin diesel deal

China is likely to view the latest US dealings with Russia as “transactional”, according to observers, who said Beijing was likely to wait and see what the longer-term impact would be given the possibility that Donald Trump might abruptly change course again. The US president announced that under a deal with Vladimir Putin, Russia would “immediately” supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the US and global markets. He wrote on social media that another 500,000 tonnes would follow in...

Selfies, queues and confusion, but Huanggang Port’s wow factor shines through

Selfies, queues and confusion, but Huanggang Port’s wow factor shines through

The much-anticipated opening of the revamped Huanggang Port border crossing between Hong Kong and Shenzhen on Monday was marked by excitement, eagerness and confusion. At around 8am, 1½ hours after the control point opened, many private vehicles were neatly lining up for immigration clearance. The use of new technology, a new location and a new facility meant that extra time and patience were needed. Visitors, mostly tourists and retirees travelling on foot, had a wow moment inside the modern...

Hong Kong electronics fairs to showcase 120 robots as firms aim to expand AI use

Hong Kong electronics fairs to showcase 120 robots as firms aim to expand AI use

More than 120 robots, including humanoid machines designed for factory work and elderly care, will be showcased at two major Hong Kong electronics fairs, as mainland Chinese manufacturers seek to expand the commercial applications of AI and tap overseas markets. The Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) and electronicAsia will open on Tuesday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, bringing together more than 3,200 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions for four...

Best spots for autumn stroll: 4 destinations in South Gyeongsang Province

Best spots for autumn stroll: 4 destinations in South Gyeongsang Province

October, when autumn colors grow richer, is an ideal time to slow down and take in the seasonal scenery on foot. With every step, the changing hues of autumn leaves, the breeze, ancient trees and forest paths offer a chance to escape the daily routine and fully immerse oneself in the spirit of the season. To mark the arrival of October, South Gyeongsang Province and the Gyeongnam Tourism Foundation have recommended four destinations under the theme “Autumn Foliage Tours on Foot,” where visitors can experience the beauty of fall up close. The routes each offer a distinct appeal, from the ridgelines of Mount Jiri and urban walking trails to historic paths shaded by ancient trees and scenic valley trails. As autumn deepens, the area around Odojae Pass in Hamyang is blanketed in red and yellow foliage, creating a striking contrast with the majestic ridgelines of Mount Jiri. Jiri Mountain Observatory Park offers sweeping views of the mountain range, while visitors can savor the autumn atmosphere on a leisurely walk along the path leading to Jiri Mountain Jeilmun Gate. One of the area's

Seoul Grand Park to unveil twin baby red pandas

Seoul Grand Park to unveil twin baby red pandas

Maru and Marong, twin red pandas born at Seoul Grand Park in the first successful breeding of the species in Korea, will make their public debut on Oct. 14. The park said Wednesday that the cubs, born on June 19, have grown healthily and recently begun exploring outside their den. It decided to introduce them to the public earlier than originally planned. The twins are the first red pandas to be born through successful breeding in Korea. Their mother, Rian, arrived from Tama Zoological Park in Japan in 2023, while their father, Ravi, came from the Calgary Zoo in Canada the same year. The cubs were named through a public contest on social media. The female was named Marong and the male Maru. Marong's name evokes a chestnut that is full and abundant, symbolizing the hope that she will grow into a bright-natured animal that embraces the world with warmth and generosity. Maru's name expresses the wish that he will be a precious and outstanding presence who brings comfort and love to many people. The cubs are learning various behaviors by following Rian, including walking, climbing trees and

Why some Koreans look beyond their culture to Islam

Why some Koreans look beyond their culture to Islam

An estimated 45,000 ethnic Koreans born and raised in South Korea have changed their faith to Islam. Among them is Yusuf, an ethnic Korean in his 30s who converted to Islam in 2014. “Most of the men do it to find wives," Yusuf said. Disillusioned with Korea's competitive dating culture, especially in Seoul, many of the men seeking out Islam are also seeking a return to what Yusuf described as a simpler path to marriage. At Seoul Central Masjid in Itaewon, between five and 25 new converts arrive every month for the training course in basic Islamic tenets. Students may choose to recite the Shahada — the Muslim declaration of faith and the first of the five pillars of the religion — and officially convert to Islam at the end. Most of them are men. Female converts, while not explicitly motivated by marriage, also cited “simplicity” when asked about why they became Muslim. Two interviewees said they found the basic premise of Islam — one God — appealing. Areum, a Korean follower in her 30s, said Islam’s respect for elders also aligned well with her native Korean culture, makin

Chungbuk Nat'l University's AI, business programs draw 1,800 int'l students

Chungbuk Nat'l University's AI, business programs draw 1,800 int'l students

Chungbuk National University is seeing tangible results from its efforts to attract international students, with its School of International Studies playing a central role and the expansion of degree programs in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), software and global business. The university enrolled more than 1,800 international students from approximately 40 countries this year, reflecting its efforts to expand its global student population. The university introduced a master’s program in global business in September 2024, followed by graduate programs in convergence software and global education in September last year. It also broadened its offerings in March this year with the introduction of two undergraduate majors in convergence software and global education. Following the expansion, the university enrolled 385 new students across five undergraduate and graduate programs for the fall 2026 semester, including 109 in the master's program in convergence software, which has drawn growing interest amid rising demand for AI-related education. Students at the School of Interna

'The Assassin(s)' slips to No. 2 at weekend box office

'The Assassin(s)' slips to No. 2 at weekend box office

The Korean film "The Assassin(s)" attracted more than 400,000 admissions over the weekend, despite controversy over its historical details, but slipped to No. 2 at the box office, industry data showed Monday. The film garnered 407,680 admissions over the weekend, bringing its cumulative total to 2,992,544 as of Sunday, according to the Korean Film Council. The council's weekend chart compiles ticket sales from Friday through Sunday. "The Assassin(s)" centers on the 1974 assassination attempt on then South Korean President Park Chung-hee that resulted in the death of the first lady. Blending the actual event with fictional elements, the film has drawn backlash, mostly from conservative critics, over alleged historical inaccuracies. Following its release on Sept. 23, the film had topped the weekend box office chart for two consecutive weeks. It drew 412,004 admissions the previous weekend. The Japanese animation "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" topped the chart by a narrow margin, drawing 407,895 admissions and bringing its cumulative ticket sales to 1,281,485. Other K

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