Backlash over eating hotpot in a car, China’s biggest trade show: 7 highlights

1. China hit by sudden rise of sea water level ‘never seen in history’

Late Monday evening, along the coast of northeastern China’s Bohai Sea, the water began to rise as it normally does when tide comes in. But the water kept rising. It quickly flooded inland areas, prompting emergency responses and shattering official records.

2. ‘Personal’ vs ‘transactional’: Harris and Trump’s Southeast Asia strategies

While their strategies for the region are expected to be similar, analysts see Kamala Harris taking a more “personal” approach and paying more attention to issues like the South China Sea. Donald Trump might be more assertive on the disputed waterway – potentially worsening tensions and increasing the risk of confrontation with China.

3. US reacts to China-India border thaw; experts say the dispute is not over yet

Washington is closely monitoring developments following New Delhi’s announcement of an agreement with Beijing on patrolling their 3,000km (1,860-mile) disputed border.

4. Leaving Singapore: a look at Lee Hsien Yang and 6 others who chose asylum

5. China auto company VP faces backlash after clip shows him eating hotpot in car

An auto company senior executive in China sparked significant backlash after sharing a video of himself enjoying a hotpot meal inside a new car model from his firm, aiming to promote its multipurpose use and air filtration system.

6. Where are the jobs? Top talent lured to Hong Kong struggle to find work

Launched in December 2022, Hong Kong’s top talent scheme aimed to attract global top graduates, professionals and entrepreneurs amid the city’s brain drain following the Covid-19 pandemic. Authorities have said that those recruited under the scheme earned a median monthly salary of HK$50,000 (US$6,390) and were estimated to have added HK$34 billion to the economy.

But behind this rosy picture, not all has been smooth sailing.

7. China’s biggest trade fair shows how US, EU buyers may be losing interest

When the autumn edition of China’s oldest and largest trade fair opened its doors last week, many Chinese exporters could not help but notice that Europeans and North Americans were less represented among the bustle of buyers at the twice-yearly event.