Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: South China Morning Post Int'l

Ma resigns as KMT chief; names new cabinet boss

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou bows after announcing his resignation from the Kuomintang in Taipei. Photo: Reuters

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday named a new cabinet head, as he bowed out as chairman of the ruling Kuomintang.

Thursday, 4 December, 2014, 1:49am 2 comments

China's corruption ranking tumbles despite high-profile graft crackdown

China fell to 100th place on the list, down from 80th last year

Hong Kong and the mainland both fell in a global corruption ranking, with China among the countries faring the worst despite President Xi Jinping's anti-graft campaign.

4 Dec 2014 - 8:35am 12 comments

Economic links could help build China-US trust

Deputy Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui called for mutual respect when resolving issues between the two powers. Photo: Sam Tsang

China and the US should start work on a global governance framework that helps coordinate key decision making such as monetary policy as part of the next stage in relationship building between the world's two largest economies.

4 Dec 2014 - 8:13am

Legal experts call for agency to oversee constitution

Experts have called for an independent "constitutional commission" within the NPC. Photo: Reuters

The government should set up an independent agency to oversee implementation of constitutional rule, legal experts say.

4 Dec 2014 - 3:18am 1 comment

On-the-spot fines for drivers as northern China gets tough on pollution

Authorities hope fining motorists who drive heavily polluting cars will help to ease the serious problems of smog affecting Beijing and the surrounding region. Photo: AP

Environmental authorities are joining forces to limit vehicle emissions, which are one of the main causes of northern China’s serious air pollution problems

3 Dec 2014 - 3:50pm 1 comment

Sinopec oil division chief Xue Wandong fired amid investigation

China's corruption watchdog had launched a series of inspections into state-owned enterprises and government bodies including Sinopec Group, the parent of Sinopec. Photo: Reuters

The president of Sinopec Group's oilfield services unit has been dismissed and is currently under investigation, mainland media reported yesterday.

4 Dec 2014 - 3:18amMore on Sinopec

Bumpy ride ahead as Cathay Pacific pilots prepare to start industrial action

Cathay Pacific pilots have decided to press ahead with industrial action. Photo: AFP

Cathay Pacific's pilot's union has decided to press ahead with work-to-rule action today over a long-standing pay dispute.

4 Dec 2014 - 7:43am 9 commentsMore on Cathay Pacific

Stephen Hawking warns Terminator-style artificial intelligence could wipe out humankind

Christian Bale stars as John Connor in Terminator Salvation. Photo: Richard Foreman

British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has warned that development of artificial intelligence could mean the end of humanity.

3 Dec 2014 - 1:03pm 4 comments

Think big to succeed, basketball legend Yao Ming urges Hong Kong young

Yao Ming speaks at the forum on innovation. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Retired basketball star Yao Ming urged young people in Hong Kong to think outside the box when looking for opportunities.

4 Dec 2014 - 9:03am

Police let Occupy organisers walk away without charge after they turn themselves in

The three co-founders of Occupy Central and more than 60 of their supporters were not arrested or charged yesterday after they turned themselves in for taking part in unauthorised assemblies since late September.

4 Dec 2014 - 8:44am 152 comments More on Occupy Central

Macau warned to bet on diversity as Beijing cracks the whip

Macau has been told to address its overreliance on casino revenues "in the interests of the whole nation" in the most blunt warning yet about the need for economic diversification.

4 Dec 2014 - 7:21am

Beijing tells Britain it has no ‘moral responsibility’ for Hong Kong

4 Dec 2014 - 1:55am 93 comments

Occupy looks beyond protest sites after violent crackdown on siege

4 Dec 2014 - 7:33am 14 comments

30 years after the Bhopal gas leak, children born with deformities are latest victims

3 Dec 2014 - 10:28pm

Physicist Ashton Carter likely to be nominated to be US defence secretary

3 Dec 2014 - 10:03pm

Defeating Islamic State will take years, Secretary of State John Kerry admits

4 Dec 2014 - 1:56am 1 comment

Canada's new millionaire visa scheme 'will only accept 50 applicants per year'

4 Dec 2014 - 7:11am 21 comments

Benjamin Netanyahu calls for early poll in Israel and fires two ministers

4 Dec 2014 - 1:15am

Judy Huth files suit against Bill Cosby, claiming assault when she she was 15

3 Dec 2014 - 10:06pm

FAA test raises fears over carrying rechargeable batteries on planes

4 Dec 2014 - 1:11am 1 comment

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4 DEC 2014

Hong Kong Occupy organisers released without charge after surrendering to police
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Leader

(From left) Occupy Central co-founders Chu Yiu-ming, Benny Tai, Chan Kin-man, Cardinal Joseph Zen and social worker Shiu Ka-chun turned themselves into the police. Photo: Sam Tsang

As Occupy spins out of control, the endgame requires a voluntary retreat

4 Dec 2014 - 9:06am 8 comments

Mr Justice Darryl Saw (center), the Commissioner on Interception of Communications and Covert Surveillance, reports on compliance with the law by four agencies which were granted spying applications last year. Photo: Sam Tsang

More urgency needed in upgrading surveillance watchdog's powers

4 Dec 2014 - 9:12am

Today's Poll

Did police act correctly in refusing to arrest or charge Occupy organisers?

Total number of votes recorded: 15

Opinion

HOWARD WINN

New offer proposes zero waste, zero pollution and zero to landfill

4 Dec 2014 - 4:41am 1 comment

ALEX LO

Talking past each other on injustice in Hong Kong

4 Dec 2014 - 3:31am 5 comments

HU SHULI

China's 'fox hunt' must do more than attack the symptoms of corruption

3 Dec 2014 - 7:11pm

STEPHEN VINES

Transparency in pricing policies would be a good thing

3 Dec 2014 - 12:44pm

Insight

Hong Kong's rule of law has passed the Occupy test - so far

Even widespread illegality does not necessarily undermine the rule of law.

CLIFF BUDDLE

The surrender to police by Occupy Central leaders brings their civil disobedience campaign to a symbolic end, almost

3 Dec 2014 - 7:11pm 9 comments

Blogs

PLATE TO PALATE

Food review: Ippoh uses green and tender ingredients, but book well ahead

SUSAN JUNG3 Dec 2014 - 11:27pm

PLATE TO PALATE

Food review: Sijie Sichuan Restaurant

SUSAN JUNG3 Dec 2014 - 11:00pm

Focus

Taiwan's election taboo: why both sides kept quiet about cross-strait ties

The tension of yesterday’s local elections in Taiwan shows on the faces of supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party as they watch results roll in. Photo: AP

FANNY FUNG

The Taiwan local elections were intense races but there was one area of political ground that candidates from both the pro-Beijing and pro-independence camps tiptoed around - cross-strait ties.

1 Dec 2014 - 8:08pm 4 comments

Harry's View

1 Dec 2014

Hong Kong

AVIATION

Bumpy ride ahead as Cathay Pacific pilots prepare to start industrial action

Cathay Pacific's pilot's union has decided to press ahead with work-to-rule action today over a long-standing pay dispute.

4 Dec 2014 - 7:43am 10 commentsMore on Cathay Pacific

OCCUPY CENTRAL - DAY 67

Police let Occupy organisers walk away without charge after they turn themselves in

4 Dec 2014 - 8:44am 152 comments More on Occupy Central

OCCUPY CENTRAL

Beijing tells Britain it has no ‘moral responsibility’ for Hong Kong

4 Dec 2014 93 comments

MORE HONG KONG NEWS

China

MACAU

Macau warned to bet on diversity as Beijing cracks the whip

Macau has been told to address its overreliance on casino revenues "in the interests of the whole nation" in the most blunt warning yet about the need for economic diversification.

4 Dec 2014 - 7:21am

TAIWAN

Ma resigns as KMT chief; names new cabinet boss

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday named a new cabinet head, as he bowed out as chairman of the ruling Kuomintang.

4 Dec 2014 - 1:49am 2 comments

GOVERNANCE

China's corruption ranking tumbles despite high-profile graft crackdown

4 Dec 2014 12 comments

MORE CHINA NEWS

Asia

Survivors and relatives of the Bhopal gas accident attend a torchlight rally on the 30th anniversary of the tragedy, which killed 3,500 in the immediate aftermath. Photo: EPA

INDIA

30 years after the Bhopal gas leak, children born with deformities are latest victims

When Champa Devi Shukla's granddaughter was born with facial deformities in the Indian city of Bhopal, she was not left short of advice.

"Many people said you should kill her. They said she is of no use, you should stuff tobacco in her mouth" to suffocate her, said Devi Shukla.

3 Dec 2014 - 10:28pm

NORTH KOREA

North Korean directive means there can only be one Kim Jong-un

A year before North Korean leader Kim Jong-un came to power, a directive was issued for anyone sharing his name to change it - maintaining a tradition upheld by the state's ruling Kim dynasty, a report said.

3 Dec 2014 - 10:32pmMore on Kim Jong-un

SECOND WORLD WAR

Teams from Japan to search Myanmar for remains of second world war soldiers

3 Dec 2014

MORE ASIA NEWS

World

Chinese immigrant investors earlier this year were hugely disappointed of the Canadian government's new plan to cut off investment immigrant applications. Photo: Simon Song

IMMIGRATION POLICY

Canada's new millionaire visa scheme 'will only accept 50 applicants per year'

Canada looks set to replace its immigrant investor programme with a tiny new scheme approving just a few dozen applicants per year, immigration industry sources said.

4 Dec 2014 - 7:11am 21 comments

ISLAMIC MILITANCY

Defeating Islamic State will take years, Secretary of State John Kerry admits

A global fight against Islamic State militants will likely take years to fully succeed, but nations are prepared to engage "for as long as it takes" to defeat the bloody insurgency, US Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday.

4 Dec 2014 - 1:56am 1 comment

UNITED STATES

Physicist Ashton Carter likely to be nominated to be US defence secretary

3 Dec 2014

MORE WORLD NEWS

China Insider

A photo of wild panda mother carrying her baby in the Jiuzhaigou Conservation Zone in northern Sichuan province. The young panda is thought to be several months old. Photo: SCMP Pictures

CHINA DIGEST

Dad takes hard knocks; car lot opens in school yard; blood test dodge backfires

4 Dec 2014

Rescuers battle an ambulance fire outside a pharmacy in Yinchuan, Ningxia. The emergency vehicle erupted into flames when the driver tried to heat the fuel tank because of the cold weather. Photo: China Foto Press

CHINA DIGEST

Drunken generosity; Tourists get a taste of Australia; businessman loses 680,000-yuan phone at airport

3 Dec 2014

Residents play the erhu in Bama county in Guangxi. The regional government has launched a programme to produce crops with a higher content of selenium, a mineral linked to the local residents' famous longevity. Photo: Imaginechina

CHINA DIGEST

Luxury wedding chaos; students turn to loan sharks; new job for ex-Fudan University boss

2 Dec 2014

Police in Helan county have busted a gang who stole and slaughtered pet dogs and sold their meat to more than 500 restaurants in nearby Yinchuan. Photo: AFP

CHINA DIGEST

Dongguan officer found dead; woman sues over surgery; Jiangsu seeks HK help

2 Dec 2014

Primary school students pose for pictures with big cigarettes ahead of World No Tobacco Day last year. Photo: Reuters

HEALTH

Beijing bans smoking in public places as China eyes nationwide tobacco crackdown

29 Nov 2014 3 comments

A free Wi-fi service became available yesterday on the T809 Hong Kong-to-Guangzhou through train linking Guangzhou East and Hung Hom stations. Photo: Edward Wong

CHINA DIGEST

Mother of all hot pots; temple stolen overnight; wild panda dies of injuries

2 Dec 2014

A man rushed up to a bank counter in Heyuan waving a chopper but was forced to wait after calm-headed staff ignored him. Photo: AFP

CHINA DIGEST

Stabbing death after cat abused; armed bank robber forced to wait; student repels sex attacker using taekwondo

28 Nov 2014

Job seekers at a job fair held for fresh graduates at Xian, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Photo: Xinhua

EDUCATION

Two out of every five foreign-educated Chinese earn below 5,000 yuan a month: study

30 Nov 2014

A man in Yangzhou has been arrested after he pretended to be an assistant judge and tricked six families out of more than 2 million yuan, promising to arrange for their children to enter famous universities. Photo: Xinhua

CHINA DIGEST

Drone sparks military alert; taxi driver saves suicidal woman - three times

27 Nov 2014

A general view of the Forbidden City when pollution in Beijing reached "hazardous" level. Photo: EPA

AIR POLLUTION

Beijing considers permanent odd-even ban on vehicles after success of 'Apec blue'

27 Nov 2014 1 comment

Chinese internet users will soon be able to legally watch fantasy series Game of Thrones thanks to the tie-up between Tencent and HBO. Photo: HBO

TV DRAMA

'Game of Thrones' comes to China as Tencent joins forces with HBO

27 Nov 2014

Four officials in Nanchong have been jailed for received bribes during a demolition project, the West China City Daily reports. Photo: Bloomberg

CHINA DIGEST

Gold offered for lost dog; 'disabled girl raped'; drugs gang busted

27 Nov 2014

A food factory in Beijing has been using illegal chemicals to increase production of bean sprouts, netting the firm millions of yuan in profits. Photo: AP

CHINA DIGEST

Boy, 6, attacked; police targeted with hot tea; head of family at 8

27 Nov 2014

A satellite image showing China's construction on the Ferry Cross (Yongshu) Reef in Spratlys island.

TERRITORIAL DISPUTE

'We have lagged too far behind': China hits back at US calls to stop island project

25 Nov 2014 4 comments

Business

Mainland urged to act fast on reform. Photo: AP

CHINA

China rebalancing calls grow more urgent

Calls to rebalance the mainland economy are growing more urgent with every piece of new data that points to structural weakness in the manufacturing industry and under-exploited potential in the services sector.

4 Dec 2014 - 7:56am More on Chinese Economy

BRANDING

Beckham signs joint venture with Hong Kong firm

Football star David Beckham signed a worldwide licensing joint venture with Global Brands Group on Wednesday to create a lifestyle brand, marking the start of a celebrity-focused branding strategy at the Li & Fung consumer brands spin-off.

3 Dec 2014 - 10:55pm

MARKETS

DOUG YOUNG

Weibo: Xiaomi's apartment play; China Mobile's nakedness

3 Dec 2014 - 9:12am

MORE BUSINESS NEWS

Property

Two private surveys showed on Monday that new home prices on the mainland fell further last month. Photo: AFP

OUTLOOK

Mainland rate cut likely to slow decline in home prices

While policy stimulus is likely to slow the decline in mainland home prices, more supportive moves are needed for market, researchers say.

3 Dec 2014 - 7:34am 1 comment

RETAILING

Omni-channel strategy vital for retailers in China

An omni-channel strategy is the solution for global retailers facing the rising threat of fast-growing online shopping sales in China, according to Robert Welanetz, the chairman of the International Council of Shopping Centres.

3 Dec 2014 - 8:00am

PRICES

Macau home prices drop 10pc as gaming revenue slumps

3 Dec 2014

MORE PROPERTY NEWS

Lifestyle

ARTS & CULTURE

BEAT GOES ON: Jacob Graham (left) and Jonny Pierce are The Drums.

New York's The Drums return with new album

New York-based pop revivalists have reconvened as a duo, and they're all the better for it.

3 Dec 2014 - 11:32pm

Dunhuang exhibition reveals China's multicultural past

2 Dec 2014

Count Basie Orchestra still has that swing almost 80 years later

1 Dec 2014

FOOD & WINE

Triple wild mushroom consommé and poached baby pear.

Fine dining at Fanling Industrial Estate

Fanling Industrial Estate isn't the most obvious location for a fine dining restaurant, especially one that not only wants to offer its customers a menu with the expected emphasis on presentation and flavour, but also claims to serve healthy food.

27 Nov 2014 - 7:51pm

Dine-Art is the latest in a trend for art-oriented restaurants

28 Nov 2014

China loves red wine, but white may become more popular

27 Nov 2014

TECHNOLOGY

Bruce Lee: the powdered drink, the "button masher" and the inevitable fan backlash

Bruce Lee Siu-lung would have turned 74 on November 27, and although the kung fu icon has been dead for more than four decades, he had a big week with the launch of Bruce Lee Instant Drinks and then, on his birthday, the release of a new mobile phone game for iOS and Android.

3 Dec 2014 - 4:38pmMore on LIFE

Revolutionary 'maglev' lifts that travel sideways on the way to Hong Kong skyscrapers?

30 Nov 2014 8 comments

Evidence of biological evolution still dismissed by leaps in creationist logic

30 Nov 2014 2 comments

FASHION

The eye-catching Fyodor Golan label is set to launch in Lane Crawford

4 Dec 2014

Fashionistas share their favourite party jewellery

3 Dec 2014

BOOKS

Author Ha Jin's exile in the US helped him understand the spy protagonist of his latest novel

29 Nov 2014

William Gibson's futures offer readers a wild ride

29 Nov 2014

HEALTH

Holiday fitness camps catching on among Hong Kong's professionals

1 Dec 2014

Home Run: the best running routes in Tsim Sha Tsui

2 Dec 2014

BEAUTY

Beauty Fix: ESPA Tri-Radiant Boost

3 Dec 2014

Beauty Fix: Sulwhasoo ginseng intensive treatment

26 Nov 2014

FAMILY & EDUCATION

Technology doesn't make us 'Appy: young Hongkongers 'depressed by social media'

2 Dec 2014 3 comments

Book expresses frustration of raising children in colourful terms

2 Dec 2014

INTERIORS & LIVING

Paul Smith - Christmas Gift Idea

3 Dec 2014

Swedish talent showcased in Hong Kong's Business of Design Week

3 Dec 2014

Magazines

48 Hours: December 4
4 DEC 2014

The party issue
Post Magazine: November 30
30 NOV 2014

Paul Theroux: Travel writer, novelist, contrarian
48 Hours: November 27
27 NOV 2014

Eddie Redmayne delivers stellar turn as Stephen Hawking
Post Magazine: November 23
23 NOV 2014

The arduous ascent of an unconquered Sichuan mountain
48 Hours: November 20
20 NOV 2014

Jeff Koons: bad boy of American art
Good Eating: Winter 2014
19 NOV 2014

Local chefs create spicy menus for the more adventurous diners
Post Magazine: November 16
16 NOV 2014

Young entrepreneurs win a trip to Silicon Valley
Post Magazine: November 9
9 NOV 2014

The late art dealer C.T. Loo is loved and loathed for having sold Chinese treasures to the West
Style: November 2014
7 NOV 2014

Cate Blanchett on her love for theatre and her challenges with Blue Jasmine
Style: October 2014
OCTOBER 2014

Oscar de la Renta celebrates femininity and beauty in his work
Style: September 2014
5 SEP 2014

A scintillating array of this season's most coveted fashion and jewellery
Good Eating: Autumn 2014
AUTUMN 2014

Alfresco dining is gaining popularity among busy Hongkongers who want to unwind
Good Eating: Summer 2014
SUMMER 2014

Time for tea
Money: April 2014
7 APR 2014

Space invaders: ‘The final frontier’ is ready for tourists later this year

Sport

Max Lee (right) trains with talented Yip Tsz-fung. Photo: Nora Tam

SQUASH

Hong Kong squash star Max Lee tipped to break into world's top 10

Max Lee Ho-yin has the potential to break into the world's top 10 after reaching the highest world ranking ever by a male Hong Kong squash player, said head coach Tony Choi Yuk-kwan.

3 Dec 2014 - 10:29pm

CRICKET

Australia pauses to remember Phillip Hughes as he is laid to rest in his home town

Cricketing luminaries bid an emotional farewell to Phillip Hughes at a funeral service held in his home town Wednesday, as Australia stopped to remember the popular batsman whose death from a freak injury sent shockwaves through the sport.

3 Dec 2014 - 2:38pm

SWIMMING