China’s canal link to Southeast Asia; Malaysia’s ‘illegal’ temple row: 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. ‘Time is ripe’: why China is eyeing another vast canal link to Southeast AsiaChina has almost finished building the US$10 billion Pinglu Canal to deepen trade ties between its southwestern provinces and Southeast Asia. Now, it is considering an even more ambitious – and expensive – project further inland.2. Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison for national security crimesCardinal Joseph Zen and Jimmy Lai’s wife Teresa Lai leave West Kowloon Court. Photo: Sam TsangA Hong Kong court sentenced former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying to 20 years in prison on Monday for violating the national security law, closing a chapter on what has become a geopolitical flashpoint between China and the West.3. China failed to hit 2025 soybean meal dependence target. US deal makes it harderChina has been working to cut the use of soybean meal in animal feed – the primary end-use of imported soybeans – as part of its strategy to reduce external dependence, but the latest industry data suggests these efforts have made limited headway.