China sees ‘sudden’ rise in sea water, jobs for Hong Kong top talents: SCMP’s 7 highlights

1. China hit by sudden rise of sea water level ‘never seen in history’

Late Monday evening, along the coast of northeastern China’s Bohai Sea, the water began to rise as it normally does when tide comes in. But the water kept rising. It quickly flooded inland areas, prompting emergency responses and shattering official records.

2. ‘Personal’ vs ‘transactional’: Harris and Trump’s Southeast Asia strategies

illustration by Lau Ka-kuen
illustration by Lau Ka-kuen

While their strategies for the region are expected to be similar, analysts see Kamala Harris taking a more “personal” approach and paying more attention to issues like the South China Sea. Donald Trump might be more assertive on the disputed waterway – potentially worsening tensions and increasing the risk of confrontation with China.

3. US reacts to China-India border thaw; experts say the dispute is not over yet

More than 30 rounds of negotiations have taken place between China and India since a deadly clash in the Himalayan border region in 2020. Photo: AFP
More than 30 rounds of negotiations have taken place between China and India since a deadly clash in the Himalayan border region in 2020. Photo: AFP

Washington is closely monitoring developments following New Delhi’s announcement of an agreement with Beijing on patrolling their 3,000km (1,860-mile) disputed border.

4. Leaving Singapore: a look at Lee Hsien Yang and 6 others who chose asylum

Lee Hsien Yang, younger brother of Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, leaves the supreme court in 2017. Photo: AFP
Lee Hsien Yang, younger brother of Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, leaves the supreme court in 2017. Photo: AFP

In being granted asylum in the UK, Lee Hsien Yang, the younger son of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, joins the ranks of other political dissidents from the city state who took up such a status abroad out of fear of persecution.

5. China auto company VP faces backlash after clip shows him eating hotpot in car

An auto company Vice-President is under fire after a video of him eating hotpot in a car goes viral, prompting concerns about practicality and professionalism. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Baidu
An auto company Vice-President is under fire after a video of him eating hotpot in a car goes viral, prompting concerns about practicality and professionalism. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Baidu

An auto company senior executive in China sparked significant backlash after sharing a video of himself enjoying a hotpot meal inside a new car model from his firm, aiming to promote its multipurpose use and air filtration system.

6. Where are the jobs? Top talent lured to Hong Kong struggle to find work

Launched in December 2022, Hong Kong’s top talent scheme aimed to attract global top graduates, professionals and entrepreneurs amid the city’s brain drain following the Covid-19 pandemic. Authorities have said that those recruited under the scheme earned a median monthly salary of HK$50,000 (US$6,390) and were estimated to have added HK$34 billion to the economy.

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But behind this rosy picture, not all has been smooth sailing.

7. China’s biggest trade fair shows how US, EU buyers may be losing interest

The Canton Fair is generally seen as a barometer of China’s foreign trade. It is divided into three phases to attract different types of buyers. Photo: Xinhua
The Canton Fair is generally seen as a barometer of China’s foreign trade. It is divided into three phases to attract different types of buyers. Photo: Xinhua

When the autumn edition of China’s oldest and largest trade fair opened its doors last week, many Chinese exporters could not help but notice that Europeans and North Americans were less represented among the bustle of buyers at the twice-yearly event.

  

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