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Chinese teen swim sensation Yu Zidi set for Olympic stardom after golden Asian Games

China’s 13-year-old swimming prodigy Yu Zidi has stamped her mark all over the Asian Games and she could cause a sensation at the Los Angeles Olympics in two years’ time. The schoolgirl won all three individual races she swam this week in Tokyo with Asian Games records – a series of performances that belied her tender age. Out of the pool, she has proved herself to be a typical teenager, joking around with teammates and freezing when asked about herself in interviews. She will be 15 when the LA...

China’s EV and battery makers tussle over paying resumed lithium-ion tax: sources

China’s electric vehicle (EV) makers and battery manufacturers are locked in negotiations over which party should pay a resumed consumption tax, according to industry sources, a conflict that underlines carmakers’ struggles amid weak home market demand. Beijing is ending an 11-year exemption on a 4 per cent consumption tax on lithium-ion batteries and related products. It returned to 2 per cent on September 1 and will be fully restored one year later. The country’s battery makers planned to pass...

The risks in Marcos’ 2027 P7.2-trillion ‘people-centered’ spending bet

With over a third of the budget pre-committed to debt burden and mandatory local government allotments, execution is everything

Unleashing Urban Productivity: How Thai Cities Can Drive High-Income Growth

The World Bank report Thailand Cities of the Future highlights that unleashing urban productivity is essential for Thailand to achieve high-income status by 2037.

Australia’s prime minister aims to rally middle powers and rein in A.I.

Blue Bottle bets that Chinese consumers will drink more premium coffee

US premium coffee brand Blue Bottle Coffee will open its first Beijing store in the capital’s central business district, as it seeks to tap into China’s still growing market for the drink. The California-based brand is taking a spacious unit at China World Mall. The location, currently enclosed by construction hoarding, was previously occupied by Japanese jeweller Tasaki. The brand has yet to reveal an official opening date, though industry sources said the shop was expected to open by the end...

The Live Conversation: family wealth enters new era

Hong Kong’s ambitions as a leading Asian hub for family wealth, succession planning and cross-border capital allocation took centre stage at SCMP’s “Redefining Hong Kong: Next Generation Wealth 2026” conference held on September 21 at the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong.  Regulators, family principals, advisers and next-generation leaders gathered to examine how inherited capital can be transformed into enduring enterprise. Held at a time when Asia is preparing for one of the largest...

Legally insane: 3 takeaways from court judgment on school stabbing

Judge had ruled teen could not be held criminally responsible as he was of unsound mind.

Which Asian city is the world's most helpful to visitors?

This city stands out as the world's most helpful destination, with hundreds of services designed to assist visitors.

Foreign students in Germany are flocking to computer science

Computer science is the most popular major among foreign students in Germany, and the Technical University of Munich enrolls more of them than any other university, federal statistics show.