Day: September 13, 2026

Japanese fashion brand WEGO has scrapped a plan to launch a new range in collaboration with the hit anime and manga franchise My Hero Academia after it triggered an angry backlash from Chinese consumers. The Tokyo-based company triggered an outcry on Chinese social media after announcing it would release an exclusive range of My Hero Academia-themed clothing. The character’s name, Maruta Shiga, added fuel to the fire, because maruta (or log) was a derisive name given to the subjects of the unit’s human experiments. Some social media users also suggested…

Chinese scientists say they have discovered a massive underwater mineral deposit in the western Pacific that is remarkably rich in gold and silver. According to a report by state broadcaster CCTV on Friday, the discovery was made during a joint scientific expedition involving several Chinese academic institutions. The ores within this seabed hydrothermal field – an area where hot, mineral-rich water shoots out from openings on the ocean floor – are exceptionally rich in precious metals. Silver, in particular, reaches more than 1kg (2.2lbs) per tonne of ore at its…

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on Sunday to help Brics countries develop and apply open-source large language models and build smart manufacturing factories. Speaking at the second day of the Brics summit in New Delhi, he identified these as two key initiatives to promote economic growth and technological development in the Global South. Xi also said Beijing would offer to train young talent from other member states in advanced technology and innovation, according to state news agency Xinhua. More to follow … Advertisement South China Morning Post

China is moving early to secure a role in Sudan’s reconstruction, pursuing port and power agreements with the army-backed government while the war continues and many Western countries maintain only a limited presence. One expert also said Beijing was using the prospect of future investment as a bilateral incentive to encourage warring parties to cease hostilities. Sudan signed an agreement with the China Harbour Engineering Company in July to upgrade existing ports and build new ones. Meanwhile, Siyuan Energy has agreed to assess damaged power stations and supply transformers and…