China Updates: Archaeology, Diplomacy, and Weather

A million-year-old skull discovered in China has been digitally reconstructed, suggesting that humans may have diverged from their ancient ancestors 400,000 years earlier than previously thought and potentially in Asia rather than Africa. The findings, published in the journal Science, used advanced CT scanning and virtual reconstruction techniques to model the crushed skull, labelled Yunxian 2. The study's results indicate that the skull's features are closer to Homo longi and Homo sapiens than previously believed, potentially resolving the 'Muddle in the Middle' of human evolution. However, experts not involved in the study have cautioned that the findings are likely to be disputed and that more evidence is needed to confirm the results.

The article discusses the recent improvement in relations between China and North Korea, with China grudgingly mending ties with its neighbor despite UN sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear-weapons program. The article highlights the increased activity along the border, including the construction of new customs and immigration centers and the revival of cross-border trade. The visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to Beijing in early September is seen as a significant event in the normalization of relations. The article suggests that China's acceptance of Kim Jong Un as a legitimate leader is a new development, implying that he is now being treated as a peer by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The article examines the 50-year diplomatic relationship between China and the European Union, focusing on how China has caught up with and in some cases surpassed European rivals in the technology sector. In 1978, China was significantly behind Europe in science, technology, and industry, but after embarking on reform and opening up, China has made significant strides in becoming an innovation powerhouse. The article highlights China's progress in freeing itself from dependence on Western technology and moving up the global value chain.

The article discusses the growing trend of Hong Kong restaurants using pre-made meals to cut costs amidst economic struggles. However, customers are increasingly wary of the safety and origin of these pre-cooked products. Ramen restaurant owner Dominic Tang has resisted the temptation to use pre-made meals, citing concerns over quality. The issue has gained significant attention, with Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan commenting on the lack of uniform standards for labelling pre-cooked meals.

China's Hainan Island is bracing for Typhoon Bualoi, with Sanya suspending flights and Haikou closing its port. The typhoon is expected to skim the island and make landfall in Vietnam later on Sunday. The China Meteorological Administration has issued a yellow typhoon and heavy rain warning, the third highest level in its four-tier alert system. Coastal areas of southern China are expected to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds. Nearby regions, including Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Guangdong province, are also forecast to have heavy to torrential rain.

China's Sanxingdui Museum is leveraging future technology to showcase its ancient treasures to a broader international audience. The museum plans to use digital exhibitions, replicas, and high-quality photo exhibitions to display its collection globally, as many of its top national treasures are not permitted to travel overseas. The move is part of China's soft power push, aiming to engage a broader audience without putting its national treasures at risk.

As China's National Day holiday approaches, the prices of hairy crabs, a popular seasonal gift, have decreased significantly due to higher production, reduced gift-giving demand, and weak household spending. This year's National Day break coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, creating an eight-day 'super golden week' that will test domestic demand. Industry insiders predict that prices will continue to fall as deliveries increase. The decrease in hairy crab prices is seen as a reflection of the overall consumption doldrums in China.

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary, Paul Chan Mo-po, has announced that the city is accelerating financial market reforms to enhance resilience and comprehensiveness. The reforms aim to strengthen Hong Kong's advantages and diversify its financial market, contributing to China's development into a financial powerhouse. Chan highlighted the impact of technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, on financial services and capital flows. He cited the city's strong stock market performance and its ranking as an international finance centre as favourable conditions for reform. The reforms are part of a two-pronged approach to drive economic growth and capitalize on technological changes.

The number of Japanese tourists visiting Hong Kong has increased by 32.2% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with 395,375 Japanese travellers visiting the city. Despite this growth, the figure remains 46% lower than in 2018, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has been working to attract more Japanese visitors, emphasizing Hong Kong's affordability compared to other international destinations. The HKTB's efforts include promoting the city's unique blend of modern and gritty street culture at the Tourism Expo Japan 2025 in Nagoya, where Hong Kong's booth was praised as the most eye-catching. Challenges persist, including the weak Japanese yen making overseas travel expensive and some Japanese having lost the habit of travelling abroad during the pandemic.

Shenzhen, a southern Chinese tech hub known for its hot and humid climate, is becoming a skiing destination due to the opening of the world's largest indoor ski resort, Qianhai Huafa Snow World. The resort is part of efforts to boost consumption by promoting winter sports. Many Chinese skiers, including Xie Siya, a 30-year-old from Guangzhou, are excited to visit the resort during the upcoming National Day holiday. The surge in winter sports popularity was fueled by the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Skiers like Xie now hit the slopes at least once a month, spending significant amounts on indoor and outdoor skiing activities.

Vietnam has evacuated thousands of people from central and northern provinces as Typhoon Bualoi approaches the country. The storm is expected to bring strong winds, storm surges, and heavy rains that could trigger flash floods and landslides. The typhoon is forecast to make landfall later in the day.