Leaders Xi, Putin meet over tea; rare earth find in northeast China: 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. Substance for Putin, ‘face’ for Trump as China, Russia deepen strategic allianceDays after US President Donald Trump’s visit framed around managing risks, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin reached a raft of agreements and pledged deeper cooperation as they met in Beijing.2. China joins global sell-off of US Treasuries in March as Iran war prompts panicMainland Chinese investors shed their holdings of US Treasury bills in March, joining many overseas institutions and central banks amid uncertainties over the US-Israel war on Iran.3. China confirms death of hypersonic weapon expert Fang Daining in South AfricaFang Daining died of an illness on February 27, according to an obituary posted on the CAS website. Photo: HandoutFang Daining, a leading and at times controversial figure in China’s hypersonic weapons research, died earlier this year, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) confirmed in an obituary released on Tuesday.4. China’s northeast, poor in rare earths, scores big findScientists in China have identified a new type of rare earths formation in the frigid northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin – a discovery that could challenge assumptions about how rare earths occur across the country.5. Li Ka-shing charity to subsidise liver cancer surgery for 200 patientsHong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, pictured in a rare recent photo, will subsidise liver cancer surgery for 200 patients through his foundation’s Love Can Help scheme. Photo: Li Ka Shing FoundationHong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s charity will expand support for liver cancer patients by subsidising surgery fees for 200 patients over the next three years, enabling access to cutting-edge treatment at a cost of HK$50,000 (US$6,380).6. Did US restrictions sink Malaysia’s US$147 million Norway missile deal?Norway’s revocation of export licences for a naval missile system sold to Malaysia has thrust into sharp relief the United States’ ability to kill an arms deal between two other sovereign nations simply by restricting components its own industries supplied.7. French bulldog in China that collects plastic bottles faces animal abuser threatsA famous French bulldog in China known for collecting plastic bottles is facing threats from animal abusers. Photo: DouyinA man in southern China suspected of poisoning an online celebrity dog which is famous for collecting plastic bottles in the street has been caught after its owner called the police.Further Reading