SCMP China·Saturday, December 20, 2025

SCMP China - Saturday, December 20, 2025

10 stories~15 min

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Stories Covered

Democrats bet on ‘betrayal’ in rural heartland as Trump’s ‘America first’ mantra falls short

It has been a turbulent year for the fraught US-China relationship. In the fifth part of a series looking back at the events of 2025, we examine how Trump’s strained relationship with farmers in America’s rural heartland may impact the 2026 midterm elections. As a bruising 2025 draws to a close for America’s Democratic Party, the caucus is spotlighting mounting challenges facing farmers in the country’s rural heartland. In a series of mini-documentaries released late this year, the lush green...

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Taiwan’s T-Dome missile shield plan has ‘critical flaws’, mainland Chinese report says

Taiwan’s proposed missile shield known as T-Dome has “critical vulnerabilities and flaws” and would be unreliable against an attack by the People’s Liberation Army, according to a mainland Chinese military magazine. The air defence system – inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome and America’s proposed Golden Dome – was unveiled in October. Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te said T-Dome would guard against “hostile threats” and aimed to intercept aircraft, drones and missiles before they could strike.

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Is China’s Fujian gearing up for a dual aircraft carrier exercise?

Two of China’s aircraft carriers, including its biggest and best, have docked at the same naval base near the Yellow Sea, raising suggestions that another dual-carrier exercise is on the horizon. Satellite images circulating on Chinese social media this week show the Fujian, which was officially commissioned last month, docked at a naval base in Qingdao in eastern China’s Shandong province. In one of the images purportedly taken on Thursday, the Liaoning, China’s first aircraft carrier, docked..

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China warns India over poet monk: ‘don’t even think about stealing our 6th Dalai Lama’

China has objected to India’s efforts to celebrate a 17th-century Dalai Lama well known for his love of poetry, seeing it as an attempt to challenge Beijing’s territorial claims in the region and its control over Tibetan Buddhism, according to experts. India hosted an international symposium on the 6th Dalai Lama in Tawang, his birthplace, from December 3 to 6. Pema Khandu, the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, inaugurated the event, which was attended by local officials and scholars of...

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Targeted jamming incident blinds GPS and BeiDou in east China’s Nanjing

Powerful, targeted jamming caused a temporary blackout of satellite navigation systems, including GPS and BeiDou, in a major Chinese city, an industry association said on Friday. The disruption affected users in Nanjing, a city of nearly 10 million people and capital of the eastern province of Jiangsu, between 4pm and 10pm on Wednesday. Car navigation, food delivery, ride-hailing, and drone control apps relying on satellite positioning experienced a “systemic anomaly” during the period. Users...

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China’s ‘black flying’ drone dilemma: when tech advancement clashes with aviation safety

After drones were flown in China at heights above 8,000 metres (26,247 feet) – approaching that of Mount Everest – the authorities are moving to crack down on illegal flights that threaten the safety of commercial aviation. The controversy highlights the regulatory dilemma China faces as it pushes to develop a low-altitude economy while ensuring aviation safety. Industry insiders say that with technological progress and upgraded oversight, China may eventually allow drones to fly as high as...

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ByteDance raises pay, boosts bonuses to retain staff amid AI talent war

Beijing-based ByteDance has raised pay and sweetened incentives as the TikTok owner steps up efforts to retain and attract talent globally, as it makes progress on settling the future of its US business. In an internal letter released to all staff on Friday and seen by the Post, the social media giant said it would lift both the upper and lower limits of compensation packages for staff across all ranks. For its full-year 2025 performance cycle – with reviews starting on January 15, 2026 –...

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Japan’s economic security push heralds rising protectionism in Asia

An obsession with “security” can create increasing insecurity. This paradox is being amply demonstrated as advanced nations, including the United States and Japan, take or contemplate joint action aimed at bolstering economic security but which could erode global economic growth and prosperity – or even result in physical conflict. How might such threats crystallise? Strengthening security, whether economic or military, suggests increased defence spending to, for example, secure sea lanes and...

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Bearly any time left for Japan’s panda lovers? Row with China threatens loan programme

For more than half a century, giant pandas have helped serve as ambassadors for China around the world, but their time in Japan appears to be drawing to a close with the last two in the country set to return next month. Hopes of receiving new ones soon appear dim given the tensions between the two countries. Tokyo’s metropolitan government has reportedly been in talks with China about receiving new pandas, but there is no sign of agreement in the wake of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s.

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US-based scientist Valery Fokin wins Vyzov Prize, beating fierce Chinese rivals

A US-based chemist has been awarded one of Russia’s top science honours, prevailing over a competitive field of applicants from 40 nations, including some of the “strongest applications” from China, according to the prize chair. Valery Fokin, a professor at the University of Southern California (USC), was awarded the Vyzov Prize in the Discovery category for inventing a reaction that redefined the concept of click chemistry and transformed molecular science and the chemistry of living...

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