HKOwnership & classification
Founded: 1903
Ownership
The South China Morning Post is owned by the Chinese e-commerce conglomerate Alibaba Group, which bought the SCMP's media assets in 2015-2016 for about US$266 million; the deal closed on 5 April 2016. Alibaba was co-founded by Jack Ma. Before Alibaba, the paper was controlled by Malaysian-Chinese tycoon Robert Kuok (from 1993), and earlier by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation (from 1987). It was founded in 1903 in Hong Kong by Tse Tsan-tai and Alfred Cunningham.
Funding
Financed by advertising, digital subscriptions and the backing of its parent Alibaba, which has funded a global digital expansion and (in 2020) made the site free to read in many markets. It is not a state outlet but is bankrolled by a mainland-Chinese corporate owner.
Affiliation & stance
Privately corporate-owned rather than state-owned, but its mainland-Chinese owner Alibaba operates under Beijing's regulatory and political pressure, and critics say coverage of China has softened since the acquisition. Because control rests with a large Chinese commercial conglomerate aligned with Beijing's interests rather than with an editorially independent private publisher, it is best classed as DEPENDENT (the file's INDEPENDENT guess overstates its autonomy).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 1347
84/100
Factual
79/100
Objective
1527
Articles
1501
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Your backyard could hold a rare earth fortune – and this orange lichen is the clue
A Chinese research team has identified a type of orange lichen that may indicate the presence of rare earth element deposits, offering a new method for locating these valuable minerals. The lichen's distinct color makes it easily identifiable on rocks, and the discovery could be used alongside drones and remote sensing technology to survey large areas efficiently. This finding builds on previous work by Chinese scientists who discovered biological indicators for other minerals, such as copper grass in the 1950s. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Economic Geology, highlights the potential of using natural indicators to aid in mineral exploration.
Singapore’s Lawrence Wong unveils major pro-family measures amid record low fertility
Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced significant pro-family policy measures aimed at addressing the country's record-low fertility rate, which reached a historic low of 0.87 in 2025. The policies focus on reducing childcare costs, increasing government financial support for families, and linking childcare leave benefits to the number of children a family has. These measures include fully funding childcare leave, topping up children's post-secondary education accounts, and lowering full-day childcare fees in government-supported schools. The announcements were made during the annual National Day Rally, Singapore's largest political speech. A cross-agency task force led by Minister Indranee Rajah was established to tackle the fertility decline.
China delays Chang’e-7 mission to drill for ice near lunar south pole
China has delayed its Chang’e-7 lunar mission, which aims to drill for ice near the moon’s south pole, due to technical assessments and weather-related concerns. The mission, originally planned for launch as early as Monday from the Wenchang spaceport, was postponed by the China Manned Space Agency after determining it did not meet launch conditions. State news agency Xinhua cited safety and reliability as reasons for the delay. Additionally, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, which contributed a scientific instrument to the mission, noted that Tropical Storm Narra in the South China Sea affected the launch schedule. The unique landing location on the lunar south pole requires precise solar alignment, making the launch window highly specific.
3 elderly people injured after escalator fall at Hong Kong shopping centre
Three elderly individuals were injured after a fall on an escalator at a Hong Kong shopping center. A 76-year-old man suffered arm and leg injuries and was hospitalized, while two others sustained minor injuries. The incident occurred at Shek Lei Shopping Centre during phase one. The escalator was temporarily closed for investigation. This follows a similar incident on August 1, where four people, including a mother and child, were injured when a woman lost her balance and fell onto others.
The African firms adopting Chinese AI as US-China rivalry intensifies
The article discusses how African businesses, particularly an Nigerian insurtech platform named Curacel, are adopting Chinese-developed AI models due to their cost-effectiveness and flexibility, despite the ongoing U.S.-China technological rivalry. Curacel has integrated the GLM-5.3 model from Beijing-based Zhipu AI into its AI infrastructure, alongside Western models, allowing it to leverage the strengths of both. CEO Henry Mascot notes that Chinese models provide comparable performance at lower costs for high-volume tasks, though Western systems still excel in complex reasoning and reliability-sensitive applications. The firm uses a multi-model approach to optimize efficiency and avoid vendor lock-in.
Singapore relaxes screening of dialect films after Dear You film spurs debate
Singapore has relaxed its longstanding policy restricting the number of cinema screenings for dialect films, a decision influenced by public discussion around the Chinese indie film 'Dear You.' Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated that Mandarin-dubbed versions of such films will still be required, and restrictions on pay TV dialect content will also be eased. The change reflects a shift in policy toward accommodating dialects while continuing to promote Mandarin, aligning with Singapore's historical Speak Mandarin Campaign. Wong highlighted the cultural significance of dialects, citing 'Dear You,' which was filmed in Teochew, as a reminder of the country's history and values.
Divorcing devices: how digital detox helps Hongkongers ‘carve out moments’
This article discusses the trend of digital detox among Hong Kong residents, highlighting how individuals like Robert Broad are adopting strategies to reduce screen time and improve their well-being. The piece notes concerns from experts about the negative effects of excessive screen use, including anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Broad shares his personal experience of how prolonged remote work during the pandemic negatively impacted his health and relationships. He describes specific methods he uses to limit device usage, such as placing his phone in a drawer, disabling non-essential notifications, switching to greyscale mode, and checking emails in batches. These actions aim to create a healthier balance between technology use and personal life.
US efforts to secure AI supply chains are doomed to fail: Chinese academic
A Chinese academic argues that U.S. efforts to secure AI supply chains through initiatives like Pax Silica are destined to fail. Zheng Yongnian, dean of the School of Public Policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, claims these strategies target third parties and will not succeed. He suggests that cooperation between the U.S. and China is necessary to drive global economic development and ensure sustainable growth. The article notes that the U.S. has established various alliances to counter China's influence in technology sectors, including AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals. Recent reports indicate that the U.S. is considering blacklisting Chinese AI labs and has drafted documents warning of potential exclusions from groups like Pax Silica.
China’s overlooked internet army is quietly embedding AI into everyday businesses
China's technology sector is increasingly focusing on developing in-house artificial intelligence systems tailored to specific industries, according to recent reports. While major AI initiatives like 'AI tigers' have garnered international attention, smaller companies are also making strides in integrating AI into daily services such as e-commerce, social media, and travel. RedNote, a lifestyle platform similar to Instagram, recently launched Dots3-Note Preview, a large-scale AI model claiming performance comparable to leading models from both U.S. and Chinese firms. This development reflects a broader industry trend toward customized AI solutions rather than relying on external providers.
Why Chinese media says US historians are giving ‘ammunition’ to separatists
Chinese state media has accused American scholars of promoting a 'New Qing History' school of thought that provides 'theoretical ammunition' to separatists. This academic perspective challenges traditional views of the Qing Dynasty's governance, particularly the concept of Sinicization, by incorporating Manchu-language sources. The criticism reflects broader concerns about historical narratives influencing national unity and ethnic policies. The debate highlights tensions between China's official historical interpretations and alternative scholarly approaches that emphasize multiculturalism and minority perspectives.
Indonesia teen with ‘Superman’ cape fights haze fires, minister hails ‘forest hero’
An Indonesian teenager named Rudiyansah has gained recognition for helping fight wildfires in Borneo while dressed as Superman. The teenager, who is 17 years old, has been assisting his father's volunteer firefighting group since 2023. This year, he chose to wear his Superman costume during fire suppression efforts, which created a visually striking image and led to widespread online attention. His actions have earned him the title of 'forest hero' from Indonesia's forestry minister. The wildfires have caused significant environmental damage and contributed to severe smog across parts of Borneo, shared with Malaysia and Brunei.
People’s Daily defends China’s economic resilience, says annual targets will be met
People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s Communist Party, published two commentaries defending China’s economic resilience amid challenges such as weak domestic demand and second-quarter growth pressures. The articles argue that China’s economic performance will stay within a reasonable range and meet annual targets due to ongoing major projects and effective macroeconomic policies. The commentaries emphasize the importance of assessing economic resilience beyond headline figures, highlighting growth in high-tech and equipment manufacturing sectors. They also note systematic efforts to address risks related to property, local government debt, and smaller financial institutions, asserting that these risks are being managed in an orderly manner.
In the Ukrainian attack on Belgorod killed six people, among the wounded children
On August 17, 2026, an Ukrainian missile attack struck the Russian region of Belgorod, killing six people and injuring four, including a 14-year-old child. The attack reportedly hit the village of Koloskovo in the Valuysky district, damaging a building and a vehicle. In addition, a woman was killed in another Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Astrakhan region, which targeted industrial infrastructure. According to French news agency AFP, at least 19 people were killed in mutual attacks between Ukraine and Russia over the weekend. Russia’s defense ministry described the Ukrainian strikes, some involving hundreds of drones, as the largest since the start of the year. One of the targets was a warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce company Wildberries, which Kyiv claims supplies parts for drones to the Russian military. Meanwhile, in southern Odessa Oblast, a Russian night attack on Izmail caused fires that have been extinguished. A civilian ship flying the flag of Tuva was damaged during the attack, leaving four people injured. Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz reported that Russia conducted 13 attacks on its facilities across Ukraine in the past week, targeting production and能源