We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. EU and China agree on plan to iron out rare earth export restrictions: von der Leyen
The EU and China agreed on a new mechanism to help smooth the export of rare earth elements and magnets, as Brussels pushed Beijing to take its trade concerns seriously, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a summit in the Chinese capital on Thursday.
2. Chinese scientists break design ‘curse’ that killed US Navy’s drone programme
Chinese aerospace engineers have a revolutionary software design that they say will allow them to overcome a major barrier to stealth aircraft development.
3. Thailand-Cambodia border war fears surge as rockets kill 12
Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodia on Thursday as a simmering border dispute erupted into open conflict, with soldiers on both sides exchanging fire and Cambodian troops unleashing rockets that killed at least 12 Thais, most of them civilians.
4. Why is China converting cargo ships into giant floating fish farms?
A Chinese company has converted a giant cargo ship into a mobile fish farm as part of a project that aims to boost the nation’s food security by repurposing old vessels for use in aquaculture.
5. China is building the world’s biggest hydropower dam. Why is India worried?
On the eastern rim of the Tibetan plateau, China envisions a future powered by the roaring waters of the Yarlung Tsangpo, also known as the Brahmaputra. The river will be the site of a mega dam – the world’s most ambitious to date – that promises to bring clean energy, jobs, infrastructure and prosperity to the region.
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Construction on the world’s largest hydropower dam began on Saturday, according to Premier Li Qiang, who called it the “project of the century”. But the project is not just about electricity and economic benefits – the stakes are far higher. Regional security, ecological stability and the future of one of Asia’s great rivers all hang in the balance.
6. Typhoon Wipha: how did 4 Hong Kong Airlines planes manage to land amid T10?
Four Hong Kong Airlines passenger flights touched down at the city’s airport while the highest typhoon signal was still in force on Sunday, with experts saying such landings were possible under the right wind and operational conditions.
7. Nvidia CEO delights China fans with Tang suit, rusty Mandarin in charm offensive
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang captivated millions of Chinese fans by donning a Tang suit and speaking in rusty Mandarin at the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), marking his third visit to China this year.