In April, a family from the United Arab Emirates spent about 300,000 yuan (US$44,228) on a seven-day educational and business tour to China. Lilian Liu hosted a group of more than 40 students from a private high school in Abu Dhabi last winter. She has since received a growing number of inquiries from families and schools in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman looking to take children to explore China’s education system, technology sector and business environment.
The public consultation on Hong Kong's first five-year plan begins on Monday. The initiative is being led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu. The blueprint is expected to be finalised before the end of the year. It aims to address the city's shortcomings and enhance socio-economic benefits. The city will press ahead with the Northern Metropolis megaproject.
I just came back from two days in Hong Kong, where he visited Swen Lorenz's Weird Shit Investing conference. Compared to his last trip in 2024, Hong Kong feels a lot more vibrant this time around. There's more talent from Mainland China replacing some of the expats and locals who left. The density of Hong Kong Island is unmatched anywhere in Asia.
The United States and China agree on the importance of the Southeast Asia, but they have different views on how to cultivate knowledge about the region. The US is cutting funding for area studies, while China is elevating it into a top-tier, state-backed academic field.
Two mainland Chinese law enforcement ships entered the restricted waters around Taiping Island at 8.28am on Thursday. It is the first time mainland Chinese government vessels entered restricted waters near Taiping. Beijing accused Taiwan's ruling party of inaction in the face of Japan-Philippines maritime delineation talks.
The Washington Post wrote an opinion piece about amendments to Hong Kong's national security law. The government said the legislation will not infringe any legitimate right of a defendant. It stressed that foreign businesses have no reason to worry about the city’s laws safeguarding national security. The legislature condemned the newspaper for its "wanton smear campaign"
Wang Yi visited Mongolia over the weekend and pushed for stronger cross-border transport and trade ties. He also called for closer cooperation on critical minerals, green development and the digital economy. Khurelsukh said trade between the two countries was on track to hit US$20 billion this year.
The 2020 Galwan Valley clashes changed Indian public sentiment almost overnight. Chinese apps disappeared from Indian app stores. Pakistan used Chinese-supplied jets and missiles in a three-day conflict with India in May last year. In December, Chinese state media lashed out at a Bollywood film titled The Battle of Galwan for allegedly “distorting historical facts” New Delhi defended the film on the grounds of “artistic freedom”
In the US the new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh held rates steady at 3.5% to 3.75%. Eurozone inflation hits 3.2%. Central Bank Benchmark Rate Core Inflation 2026 GDP Projection: Fed 3,5%, ECB 2,25%, BoE 3,75%, KVI 2.8%, KOSPI 200 1.4%.
Iran says a deal with the US could be signed within the coming days. Washington wants to get rid of Iran's nuclear material. The IMF wants Kiev to raise taxes on regular Ukrainians to pay off the national debt. There is outrage in Kenya as the US seeks to set up an Ebola quarantine facility to serve American citizens.