China’s arms imports plummet, Hong Kong couple’s HK$50,000 Dubai exit: SCMP’s 7 highlights

From missile concerns in the Philippines to China’s rejection of Musk’s space-AI plan, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

Beijing’s arms imports have nose-dived by nearly three-quarters over the past five years, as it has replaced overseas weapons purchases with domestic technology, according to a Swedish think tank report.

As hundreds of Hongkongers stranded in the Middle East scramble for air tickets home with the US-Israel war on Iran entering its 10th day, a local couple spent nearly HK$50,000 (US$6,395) on a direct flight back after repeated failed booking attempts and a cancellation blunder caused by mental exhaustion.

A private company in China providing intelligence-gathering services to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) claims to have intercepted radio signals from American stealth bombers that struck Iran on March 1 as part of the US-Israel military action.