China extends visa-free transit stays to 10 days

HONG KONG: China announced on Tuesday (Dec 17) a relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travellers to 240 hours, or 10 days, from the original 72-144 hours, as authorities aim to lure more foreign visitors. The measure, which is effective immediately, was announced by the National Immigration Administration (NIA)...

China dad jailed for killing baby daughter by throwing her from flat during fight with wife

BEIJING (SCMP): A man in China was sentenced to four years in prison after he accidentally threw his six-month-old daughter out of their flat window, resulting in her death and sending shock waves through the community. A court in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region of Western China recently sentenced the father, surnamed Zhao, for manslaughter, as...

China KOL mimics athlete in sexy video, igniting debate over objectification of sportswomen

BEIJING: A live-streamer in China mimicked national track and field athlete Wu Yanni and performed provocative dances for profit, sparking a heated online debate. Videos by Douyin influencer @xiaoyu, who has over 4,000 followers, went viral and topped the Weibo trending list on December 5. The controversial videos feature her wearing make-up and styling her hair to...

Man sentenced to death in China for pushing wife into sea, using insurance payout on prostitutes

BEIJING (SCMP): A man in China was sentenced to death after pushing his wife into the sea from a ferry and attempting to claim her life insurance compensation to pay off debts and finance the use of prostitutes. The case of the husband, 47, surnamed Li, was reported by China’s state broadcaster CCTV on November 21....

Malaysia urges Chinese firms to avoid using it to dodge US tariffs

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has urged Chinese companies to refrain from using it as a base to "rebadge" products to avoid US tariffs, its Investment, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong (pic) said on Monday, amid increasing export restrictions and concerns of a US-China trade war. Washington is expected to further curb exports to Chinese semiconductor toolmakers...

Travel fund shortage leads Chinese student to scam 63 hotels with dead roaches, used condoms

BEIJING (SCMP): A man in eastern China spent his university tuition on travel instead of enrolling and scammed multiple hotels by placing dead cockroaches and used condoms in rooms when his funds ran out. He employed this scheme to blackmail 63 hotels, seeking free accommodation and compensation, which ultimately led to his arrest and sparked public...

World’s captive panda population hits 757

BEIJING: The global population of giant pandas in captivity has increased to 757, a senior government official said on Tuesday (Nov 26), lauding China's conservation efforts over the years. Guan Zhi'ou, head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, made the remark at the Global Panda Partners 2024 conference held in Chengdu, Sichuan province. China has established...

Bursa Malaysia ends higher as utility stocks rally

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia finished slightly higher on Wednesday as gains in utility stocks helped offset selling pressure in the plantation sector. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 1.10 points to 1,604.25 from Tuesday’s close of 1,603.15. The benchmark index opened 1.81 points lower at 1,601.34 and moved between 1,600.83 and 1,609.41...

Visa-free boost to ties

PETALING JAYA: The 30-day visa-free entry offered by Malaysia and China to each other’s citizens will act as a catalyst to revitalise tourism and enhance the economic ties between the two nations, says the Malaysian Tourism Federation. Its president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said China extending the visa-free entry for Malaysians from 15 to 30 days,...

Sabah keen on Chinese investment in Blue Economy sector, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is keen to see Chinese investors explore new opportunities in the state's Blue Economy sector, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said the initiative offers immense investment opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture, logistics, tourism, renewable energy, mineral resources, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. “We are pleased that Sabah has remained a sought-after destination for...