From ‘Little Emperors’ to Global Manufacturing Ambitions: SCMP Highlights Shifts in Asia

'Little Emperors' in China, Malaysia's Durian Trademark: Top 7 Highlights from SCMP

From China's pampered 'little emperors' turning into stressed guardians to Wall Street's financial giants misunderstanding China's equity market, here are some notable points from SCMP's latest coverage.

1. By 2035, China to Surpass U.S. in Leading Global Manufacturing, Says Chinese Expert

A noted strategist from China predicts that the country will surpass the United States in high-tech and sophisticated military production by the mid-2030s.

"Lu Yongxiang, former Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress, stated in an article that he believes by the year 2035, products labeled 'Made in China' are expected to overtake those from the United States in global leadership."

2. From pampered 'little emperors' to stressed caregivers in China

Growing up as the sole children of their families in the 1980s, the initial generation of only children in China was humorously dubbed "little emperors" due to the undivided attention they received. However, as these individuals have matured and established their own families, they now face the challenges posed by a demographic structure heavily skewed toward the elderly.

Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Law Minister K. Shanmugam have strongly denied claims made by Lee Hsien Yang, son of the nation's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, that a defamation lawsuit is connected to the reputation of his deceased father, who was also the first prime minister of Singapore.

4. China's newly developed nuclear battery, enhanced with photovoltaic technology, may operate for centuries, according to researchers

Researchers in China claim to have created a nuclear battery featuring a photovoltaic cell capable of producing electricity for centuries. This innovation reportedly achieves an efficiency rate vastly superior to any existing alternatives by several thousand times.

5. From 'Big Short' to 'Big Squeeze': Wall Street's Misjudgment on China’s Market

Wall Street is hustling to adjust after an unexpected wave of stimulus from Beijing triggered a surge in the Hong Kong and China stock markets, leaving those betting against the market unprepared.

6. Could Malaysia's updated durian trademark affect Chinese market dynamics or boost purchases?

As Malaysia renews the trademark for its renowned Musang King durian, consumers in China, who are the top enthusiasts of this distinctively sharp-smelling fruit, might face not only enhanced consistency in quality but also an increase in prices. This development follows recent actions by Chinese officials to halt certain durian imports from Thailand.

7. Temporary marriages between tourists and young women in rural Indonesia criticized online

In rural Indonesia, impoverished young women engage in brief 'pleasure marriages' with male tourists, receiving a bride price in return. These arrangements, once consented to by both parties, are solidified through a swift, unofficial marriage ceremony, after which the bride price is paid to the women as compensation. The practice has sparked significant online criticism.