South China Sea: Beijing updates Sansha city map amid flaring tensions over disputed islands

South China Sea: Beijing updates Sansha city map amid flaring tensions over disputed islands

China released a new map for its southernmost city of Sansha as the country works to consolidate its control over the strategically important waters of the South China Sea. The city comprises two disputed island chains – the Paracels and the Spratlys, known respectively as the Xisha and Nansha Islands in Chinese – and an … Read more

Report finds China targeted AstraZeneca in fraud probe over cancer treatment

Report finds China targeted AstraZeneca in fraud probe over cancer treatment

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, whose China president is under investigation, was previously investigated for medical insurance fraud cases involving cancer medication sales, according to new Chinese media reports. The news comes after the British-Swedish company announced on its official website last week that its China chief Leon Wang was cooperating “with an ongoing investigation”, and its … Read more

Super Typhoon Yagi: officials, military in Southern China push to restore power, services

Super Typhoon Yagi: officials, military in Southern China push to restore power, services

China’s southern province of Guangdong and the tropical island province of Hainan are working to restore power and communications after severe damage caused by Super Typhoon Yagi. Electricity and water supplies have been “basically restored” in Zhanjiang, the southernmost city in Guangdong, the city’s official outlet Zhanjiang Daily reported on Monday. But electricity has not … Read more

China’s former Hainan party chief Luo Baoming faces corruption investigation

China’s former Hainan party chief Luo Baoming faces corruption investigation

The former Communist Party boss of the southern Chinese province of Hainan who helped transform it into a strategic hub in the South China Sea has been placed under investigation for corruption. China’s top corruption watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), said on Thursday that Luo Baoming was being investigated for suspected severe … Read more

China expands visa-free access as foreign visitor numbers begin rebound

China expands visa-free access as foreign visitor numbers begin rebound

Starting from Monday, foreigners may enter China via Zhengzhou, Henan’s provincial capital, under the policy, but they are only allowed to stay within the province. They have also been granted visa-free access to eight more cities or prefecture-level areas in Yunnan, including tourism hotspots Lijiang, Dali and Xishuangbanna. Previously, foreign visitors could enter Yunnan for … Read more

Why did a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine suddenly surface in the Taiwan Strait?

Why did a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine suddenly surface in the Taiwan Strait?

Taiwanese military experts suspected the submarine was a Type 094, based on photos taken by the fishing crews. They said the submarine could have surfaced for routine maintenance, a technical malfunction, changes in underwater topography, or a deliberate show of force. “Nuclear submarines like the Type 094 have specialised missions and typically avoid surfacing due … Read more

China needs consumption surge for full-blown economic recovery, researcher says

China needs consumption surge for full-blown economic recovery, researcher says

The third plenum of the Central Committee of China’s Communist Party, scheduled for next month, is expected to set the tone for the country’s economic policy for the next several years. In advance of that meeting, the Post is reviewing the work of notable scholars and observers about their own expectations – as well as … Read more

Opinion | For prostitutes, read parachutes: rise of ‘air sports’ shows Hainan tourism evolution

Opinion | For prostitutes, read parachutes: rise of ‘air sports’ shows Hainan tourism evolution

“Both popular ‘professions’ earn the highest incomes in this rugged town in China’s youngest and the most freewheeling special economic zone. “In terms of importance to Sanya’s economy, prostitutes are perceived to be as equally indispensable as entrepreneurs, according to tourism developers. One even argues that the splendid beach resort will lose its attraction as … Read more

Holiday travel delays fuel calls in China for bridge to Hainan

Holiday travel delays fuel calls in China for bridge to Hainan

This year, the number of motoring tourists, particularly those with electric vehicles, increased, resulting in long queues at ferry terminals for passages for their cars. A Hainan official who refused to be named said places for EVs on ferries were limited under safety guidelines issued by the provincial transport department. According to Hainan Strait Shipping, … Read more

Chinese tourists visiting popular island resort Hainan caught out by return ticket shortages amid Lunar New Year travel rush

Chinese tourists visiting popular island resort Hainan caught out by return ticket shortages amid Lunar New Year travel rush

“This is my first time on a road trip to Hainan … I did not think that buying a return ticket would be a big problem,” another user said on the lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu. “But now I have learned my lesson.” The province experienced a significant surge in passenger traffic during the holiday, with an … Read more