Property investors rush to cash in on China’s new ‘mini-Hong Kong’

Investors are snapping up property near a proposed US$45 billion business zone in the Chinese boom town of Shenzhen, betting that the government’s plans to further open its capital markets with a “mini-Hong Kong” will spur real estate values.

Property investors rush to cash in on China’s new ‘mini-Hong Kong’

Investors are snapping up property near a proposed US$45 billion business zone in the Chinese boom town of Shenzhen, betting that the government’s plans to further open its capital markets with a “mini-Hong Kong” will spur real estate values.

Trapped to ‘get rich’

Mainlanders are flooding into Hong Kong to sign up for a multilevel marketing scheme that is banned in several countries. To many critics, it looks like pyramid selling

Scrapping the one-child policy won’t boost China’s birth rate

Mainland families started having fewer children even before the draconian restriction was imposed, and they won’t have more if Beijing removes it

China railroaded into fast-train technology trap

Fast-train firms paying heavily for technology transfer decisions

Bar raised for foreigners’ families keen to stay here

MOM’s move is the latest in a series of moves by various ministries to sharpen the privileges of being Singaporean and restrict the influx of foreigners which has strained the city’s infrastructure and caused locals considerable angst in the last few years

George Carlin - Religion is bullshit

Raymond Chapman 4 weeks’ jail for kicking cop

A Briton who reeked of alcohol kicked a police officer on the leg after being arrested for allegedly molesting a woman.

Alarm at poor quality of tap water

Experts cast doubt on claims by officials that things have improved markedly in the past three years

Game theory and the South China Sea conflict

Sometimes it is not to any player’s advantage to be in a dominant position, as Beijing’s competing maritime claims with its neighbours demonstrate

Chinese scientists create snowfall in a lab

Team in Shanghai were able to manipulate air using lasers; technique could be used to fight climate change

Japanese envoy to China recalled

As tensions over Diaoyu Islands mount, ‘temporary’ return of ambassador is seen by some as sign Tokyo is under pressure over his Beijing-friendly stance

Japan Recalls Ambassador to China Amid Rising Tensions

Japan temporarily recalled its ambassador to China on Sunday in response to renewed friction over a disputed island group, at a time when it faces fresh discord with its allies South Korea and the United States over women forced to work in Japanese brothels during World War II.

Anti-graft brochure has much to say

Written advice to judges on how to turn down bribes notable for what it tells us about culture of corruption

Tougher for PRs to sublet flats

New rules cap duration of lease and limit who can rent out HDB homes

Tourism officials forced to pull racy ad from buses

City of Lichuan in Hubei set out to attract visitors with a campaign in neighbouring Chongqing, but the words could be read as insulting and obscene

Asians return to roots in their living spaces

The Eastern look has always been popular in the West, but now young Asians want their homes to reflect their culture. Top designers are ready to help

Jiun Ho says that balance and harmony are the key when he designs spaces.

Muriel Brandolini used hand-made lamps in different sizes for a unique look in one project.

For a New York dining room Muriel Brandolini designed, she wanted a three-dimensional look that still had traditional Asian elements.

Chinese look to buy ‘a slice of heaven’

French vineyards and chateaux are drawing a lot of interest from well-heeled buyers in China, but they shouldn’t try to drive too hard a bargain

Beijing firm in talks for Hawker rescue

Two-year-old Chinese start-up partly owned by Beijing city government in discussions to take over beleaguered 80-year-old US aircraft manufacturer

Macau’s gambling junkets risk losing their game

The shadowy companies that bring China’s millionaires to the gambling tables of Macau are facing their toughest time since the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers, and some of the smaller players may soon drop out of the game for good.

The vertical movement

China's economic future will increasingly be shaped by high-rise factories that will produce knowledge-based products, says SHAHID JAVED BURKI

The ageing of China: A growing challenge

The story is set about 100 years ago. It took place in a rural mountainous area in northern Japan, in a village beset with bad harvest and facing chronic starvation. Local custom mandated that the elderly, upon reaching 70 years of age, must retreat to the summit of Mount Narayama to die.

Making sense of the property market

Demographics, as well as a shift in policy on how China provides housing to its citizens, will have an impact on prices, says TIGER TONG

China plans huge tourism project in Tibet capital

China on Sunday started work on a 30-billion-yuan ($4.8-billion) tourism project in Lhasa city, state media said, as it seeks to draw more travellers to the restive Tibet region.

After orbiting space lab, China wants an undersea one

Plan for manned facility on ocean floor faces major technical hurdles, and questions about real motive

New breed of provincial leaders

The days of Soviet-educated engineers-turned-bureaucrats are over, with the new line-up holding more postgraduate degrees and less ideological baggage

Shanghainese welcome bid to revive dialect

Critics say maiden news show must be bolstered by broader campaign to rescue city’s dying language

SMRT told to be mindful of its core business

The committee of inquiry (COI) pointedly noted in its series of recommendations yesterday that SMRT needed to focus on its core business of train operations.

Train disruption inquiry doesn’t pull any punches

COI report faults SMRT’s inadequate maintenance for the debacle

China starts stockpiling rare earths

China has started stockpiling rare earths for strategic reserves, a state-backed newspaper said Thursday, in a move which may raise more worries over Beijing's control of the coveted resources.

Taiwan stops Japan bid to board boat

Coastguard reports Japanese patrol tried to intercept vessel carrying protesters near disputed Diaoyu Islands, but exchange of signals defused incident

Pledge to raise food standards

State Council vows big improvements in the next three years after a spate of scandals that has shattered public confidence in the food industry

Rule of law’s shocking absence laid bare

After seven trials and three judgments, a man is still locked up after 10 years without a formal conviction, a murder is unsolved and families keep petitioning

Unacceptable nearly 40% of population is made up of foreigners

Since the release of the first part of the video recording on the forum on xenophobia, some have questioned why the bloggers involved did not outright condemn xenophobic expression online and offline. The forum, called “Online|Offline”, is an initiative by several bloggers to discuss the hot issues of the day. Xenophobia was the topic chosen for the inaugural forum.

So near, yet so far away for P.L.A. garrison

The 6,000 elite PLA troops stationed in Hong Kong lead cloistered lives cut off almost completely from the city that they train so rigorously to defend

Official banquets may ban shark fin

Prohibition would give a big push to efforts to end the trade, environmentalists say - but three-year time frame seen as needless by some members of the public

Mayor elected Beijing party secretary

Promotion for Guo Jinlong, a close ally of President Hu, paves way for him to become a Politburo member this autumn at national party congress

China Develops a Taste for Napa Wine

With wines such as its 2002 Cabernet that received an eye-popping 99 points from Wine Spectator, Sloan Estate wines typically sold its wines for hundreds of dollars a bottle.

Bitter row over Macau hotel still not resolved

Bookings resume as representatives of the two main shareholders reveal more details on ownership row

Singapore government policies are the root cause, xenophobia is merely the symptom

At a recent forum on xenophobia attended by Zaqy Mohamad, Member of Parliament (MP) for Choa Chu Kang GRC, panelists expressed concern that Singapore might be turning into a xenophobic society.

Manila accused of South China Sea ‘plot’

China’s top newspaper accused the Philippines of orchestrating a plot to deliberately stir up tensions over the disputed South China Sea, and warned that Beijing’s patience should not be mistaken for weakness.

Hotel closes doors amid dispute

Ownership wrangle sees Macau New Century stop accepting new guests after attack on shareholder

Attack Raises Fears of a New Gang War in Macau

A senior figure in Macau’s gambling industry was severely beaten by six men in a restaurant at his own casino, the highest-profile case of violence in the city’s booming gambling business since Portugal handed control of the former colony back to China in 1999.

Grandparents Oral Sex

Aussie gets jail for squeezing woman’s breast

Yesterday, the 55-year-old was sentenced to 18 weeks’ jail after he was found guilty of molesting her at the farewell party.

New Zealand teacher throws 5-year-old girl into pool

Another day, another laowai douchebag causing a commotion. A Kiwi teacher working at the Shandong University of Finance and Economics has caused outrage for throwing a 5-year-old girl into the swimming pool when he thought nobody was watching (!!!). The full name of the teacher is unknown, but his surname has been given in Chinese media reports as Phillips.

Kunming Taxi Booking Service

Now can call to book taxi in Kunming at 331-2533.

Himalayan Viagra taking its toll on Nepal

Ram Bahadur Jafra and his two brothers crouch on a field, picking through blades of grass and staring at the soil. They have traveled five days by foot to a Himalayan meadow at a 4,300 meter elevation deep inside Nepal's Dolpa district. They came, as tens of thousands do each year, to harvest a highly valuable commodity from the high-altitude soil: the Himalayan caterpillar fungus -- also known as Himalayan Viagra.

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At Office, cubicles go out the Windows

Singapore asks: what do the rich like?

What’s the connection between racing car driver Lewis Hamilton, Michelin-starred chef Joel Robuchon and New York gallery owner Sundaram Tagore? The answer is Singapore.

That’s a sheep shot

Mainlanders are developing a taste for medical tourism and top of their shopping list is anti-ageing placenta injections

H.K.’s SCMP editor under fire as press freedom ‘shrinks’

The first China-born editor of Hong Kong’s flagship English-language paper admits he made a “bad call” in cutting coverage of a mainland dissident’s death, but denies he is a stooge for Beijing.

罗慧娟 Jacqueline Law passed away

Former Hong Kong actress Jacqueline Law has succumbed to pancreatic cancer. She was 45.

Visa rules tighten for foreigners

Top legislature approves new set of regulations aimed at people who come for short-term projects but remain after their employment contract ends

Uygurs arrested after hijack attempt

Six Uygurs, some disguised as disabled passengers, tried to hijack a plane yesterday shortly after it took off from Hotan in Xinjiang on a flight to the autonomous region’s capital.

Shenzhou IX back from orbital lab

Despite landing in rough terrain away from target zone, crew of spacecraft healthy and happy after mission that featured China’s first manual docking

Political goals may be behind Zhu Jun’s big-money signings

Contracts of ex-Chelsea stars Anelka and Drogba, reportedly worth a combined US$70m, could be aimed at gaining credit for revitalising local soccer

Church’s remarks raise questions

It could be seen as interfering with judicial process, say some lawyers

Church members say they back their leaders

Giving an example, Associate Professor Mak Yuen Teen of the National University of Singapore Business School, said: ‘If I man a till, and I decided to take the money in the till to spend on myself, and the next day I put back the money, it is still criminal breach of trust.’

Bloomberg site blocked over Xi family report

Website can’t be accessed on mainland after US$376m assets of vice-president’s relatives are disclosed

Xi Jinping Millionaire Relations Reveal Fortunes of Elite

Xi Jinping, the man in line to be China’s next president, warned officials on a 2004 anti-graft conference call: “Rein in your spouses, children, relatives, friends and staff, and vow not to use power for personal gain.”

Bankers Fleeing Europe Crisis Head to Singapore

A 37-year-old Paris-based French investment banker, who’s worked in London and New York, has been looking for a job in one of Asia’s financial hubs, Singapore, for the past six months.

‘Counterfeit’ painting sells for 90m yuan

A controversial painting said to be by early 20th century master Xu Beihong has sold for nearly 90 million yuan (HK$110.48 million), despite suspicions in the art community that it is a counterfeit.

Sichuan tower block the height of controversy

Plaza built after school funded by Hong Kong was pulled down is told to knock off floors after causing mayhem at airport

A model for China if promises are kept

Fifteen years ago, Hong Kong was making the final preparations for a journey into the unknown. Our city’s return to China on July 1, 1997, was a source of pride, hope and celebration. It brought to an end more than a century and a half of colonial rule.

Auditor’s report details litany of financial abuse

300 central government officials from 50 agencies misused funds totalling 4.4 billion yuan, NPC told

Donor also received funds from church

Mr. Wahju Hanafi, the Indonesian businessman who allegedly played the roles of both donor and recipient of City Harvest Church funds, had once been described by Pastor Kong Hee as a ‘true friend’.

Ex-finance chief in spotlight

One name has cropped up in the investigations into alleged wrongdoing by some leaders of City Harvest Church - that of Serina Wee.

Documents throw light on web of transactions

Millions allegedly used to cover up series of 'sham' bond investments

He dared to ask about use of church funds

Almost 10 years ago, Mr. Roland Poon dared to ask whether City Harvest Church was using church funds to fund Ho Yeow Sun’s music career.

Apple factory conditions ‘deplorable’

A labour rights group said on Thursday it had found “deplorable” conditions at Apple suppliers in China, following a probe of several firms that make the US technology giant’s hugely popular products.

Crackdown nets 146 officials in Shenzhen

150m yuan in graft is uncovered, 36 high-ranking cadres are among those arrested

Cambodia says Frenchman kept money for Bo’s wife

French architect is suspected of financial links, and China may send judge to interrogate him

Attack Raises Fears of a New Gang War in Macau

A senior figure in Macau’s gambling industry was severely beaten by six men in a restaurant at his own casino, the highest-profile case of violence in the city’s booming gambling business since Portugal handed control of the former colony back to China in 1999.

Fake princeling ‘scammed stars out of millions’

Girlfriend of Olympic champion, who claimed her parents are party elites, is accused of targeting athletes and showbiz figures with bogus deals

Shanghai publishing more air quality readings

Shanghai began publishing readings of fine, inhalable particulate matter, known as PM2.5, from eight more monitoring stations yesterday, taking the total in the city to 10.

New York Times launches Chinese language news website

The New York Times said on Wednesday it was launching a Chinese-language news website to deliver “high-quality coverage of world affairs, business and culture” to readers in China.

No obligation to verify girl’s age: Shaw’s lawyer

Howard Shaw pleads guilty, but his lawyer argues against jail term

Who is City Harvest's Wahju Hanafi?

Indonesian businessman Wahju Hanafi, the other beneficiary of funds allegedly diverted from City Harvest Church (CHC) to further Sun Ho's music career, is a man with multiple links to the church, its founder Kong Hee and affiliated companies.

To cover tracks, funds sent ‘round-tripping’

After $24m was siphoned from church, $26.6m diverted to cover tracks: prosecution

Woman driver strips naked to hinder rescuers after hitting two victims

A woman driver has provoked mass outrage online and been referred to as “female version” of Yao Jiaxin, after she fatally hit a mother and four-year-old daughter in a scooter and then even attempted to stop the medical staff from rescuing the victims by stripping herself naked and lying down in front of the ambulance.

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Chinese paper slams U.S. candidates for playing “China card”

China’s top newspaper slammed both U.S. presidential candidates on Thursday for playing the “China card” in their election campaigns, saying the real economic problems confronting the United States were being ignored in the process.

China dairy recalls hundreds of cartons of tainted milk

In the latest incident, the Bright Dairy & Food Co., called Guangming in Chinese, posted a recall notice on its website after customers complained online of bad smelling and discolored liquid in the company’s 950 ml cartons (about a quarter gallon) of Ubest milk, state media reported on Thursday.

Overseas internships gaining favour among students

They cite training, experience and exposure that such placements give

Myanmar faces major hurdles in its quest for change

The most formidable pressure comes from a long-oppressed people impatient to see results

Layoffs After New Indonesian Mine Rules Could Hit 3 Million

Mining companies in Indonesia have laid off more than 200,000 workers since a government ruling in May halted exports of some minerals, and total dismissals could swell to more than 3 million, a leading union said on Tuesday, providing fresh evidence of disruption in the major metals supplier.

Feeling Stomped all over

This Stomp fiasco brings back so many bad memories. Many moons ago, TNP (The New Paper) had to apologise to ex-DPM Toh Chin Chye for saying that he had been charged with drunk driving. The whole stable of SPH newspapers had to get on its knees and apologise on page one, not on one day, but on several. The reporter was sacked and a couple of his superiors were removed from decision-making positions. A disciplinary inquiry took place which looked at the system of checks would should have prevented something like this from happening.

Graduates like ‘security’ of state jobs

Survey finds nearly half prefer to join state-owned companies or civil service

Think tank calls for property tax hike

China should raise taxes on home ownership to target speculators who had recently driven property prices to record highs, the State Information Centre, a government think tank, said in comments published on Monday.

Foreigners face stricter visa rules amid review

Authorities are evaluating duration of stay, which could be cut to 90 days as part of crackdown on illegal expatriates and rise in anti-foreigner sentiment

Expats Grapple With Surging Costs in China

James Carney, a 27-year-old New Yorker, who’s been living in southern Chinese city Shenzhen for the past 16 months, says he’s feeling the pinch from rising living costs.

China to drink more white wine

White wine consumption in mainland China is set to rise significantly over the next five years, according to a study undertaken by analysts Wine Intelligence.

Beijing wants to keep its people in state of ignorance

Five months ago, Beijing’s Environmental Protection Bureau, spurred on by data released by the American embassy, adopted tightened standards and began disseminating information on extremely fine particles in the air capable of penetrating deeply into the lungs - particles that have been linked to respiratory diseases and lung cancer.

Challenges as China’s firms eye investments offshore

Chinese companies are cashed up and looking for prospects overseas but cultures can pose a problem

Luxury Shanghai hotels dump dodgy dim sum

Several luxury hotels in Shanghai scrambled to throw out dim sum made by a local supplier after finding out it did not have a licence.

A look at how Hong Kong has changed since 1997

Pretty much the entire fabric of society in Hong Kong has changed since the city and its surrounds returned to Chinese sovereignty 15 years ago, as the following figures show.

City Harvest Church founder faces the music

$23m financial irregularities alleged; church funds used to support wife’s music career

Home Electricity Audit

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California winemakers tap into growing Chinese market

The global downturn hit Doug Hill's family-run Napa Valley winery hard. But the third-generation California farmer's hopes for recovery are strong -- fuelled by heady growth in China.

Living with a toxic time bomb

Underneath many new office blocks and luxury apartments in cities on the mainland lies a hidden menace - the land they stand on is heavily tainted