China launches Pinglu Canal; Hong Kong unveils first 5-year plan: SCMP’s 7 highlights

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. China launches Pinglu Canal, slashing transit time to Southeast AsiaChina officially opened its landmark Pinglu Canal to navigation on Wednesday, creating a new maritime gateway for the country’s southwestern hinterland and providing a shorter route to Southeast Asia as Beijing seeks to deepen trade with the region.2. Chinese defence chief skirts flashpoints at Xiangshan Forum ahead of Xi-Trump summitChinese Defence Minister Dong Jun speaks at the opening ceremony of the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: EPA Photo: dpaWith just a week to go until Chinese President Xi Jinping heads to Washington for his first state visit in more than a decade, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun opted for the diplomatic path in his address to China’s premier security conference on Wednesday.3. Hong Kong sets 5-year plan to double innovation spending, boost new industriesHong Kong’s leader has unveiled the city’s first five-year blueprint, aligned with China’s national development strategy, setting targets to nearly double innovation spending and raise the share of manufacturing and new industries to 5.5 per cent of the economy.4. Has a Chinese DF missile been used for the first time in the Middle East?Video on social media shows debris from the booster stage of a short-range ballistic missile with “DF-15A” written on its side. It was discovered in the Raghwan district of Marib governorate. Photo: X.com/OSINTWarfareDebris from a Chinese-made short-range ballistic missile has been found in Yemen for the first time, suggesting Chinese weapons systems may have been used during the heated conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.5. Hyrox Beijing athletes get full refund, new rule on hygiene risks comes into forceHyrox China has given full refunds to competitors affected by last weekend’s incontinence incident in Beijing, while the global governing body has updated its rule book to allow race directors to remove athletes if they pose a risk to the hygiene of the event.6. South Korean killer’s drone escape from Philippine prison foiled by test footageA person dangles from a drone in this still from footage obtained by Korean broadcaster JTBC allegedly showing a practice run for Park Wang-yeol’s escape. Photo: YouTube/JTBC_NewsA South Korean crime lord convicted of murder in the Philippines reportedly planned to escape prison by strapping himself to a drone – until his own accomplice’s rehearsal footage gave the game away.7. Knife attack in China’s Guangzhou leaves multiple people injuredPolice in Guangzhou said on Monday they had apprehended a man in the southern Chinese city’s university town district after receiving reports that he was wielding a knife and injuring pedestrians.