Honduras squeezes Chinese firms; Super Typhoon Champi nears Taiwan: 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. Honduras targets Chinese shops, state builder as president sits on Taiwan pledge

Honduran migration officials have summoned or placed under review 41 Chinese nationals after inspecting shops in the capital and a hospital being built by a state-owned contractor from China in the south of the country.

2. Strongest storm of the year barrels towards Taiwan and mainland China

As Super Typhoon Champi – now the strongest storm of the year worldwide – barrels towards eastern China, authorities are planning evacuations and urging those in its path to prepare.

3. Why Chinese pundits say France’s riots could reshape European politics

The social unrest roiling France is being closely watched for a possible spillover effect beyond the country’s borders that could reshape European politics, Chinese analysts said.

4. Why is Hong Kong so hot in October and will winter be warmer than usual?

Hong Kong’s exceptionally warm October weather is being driven by a combination of a super typhoon, El Nino and global warming, a climate expert has said, warning that higher-than-usual temperatures are likely to persist through the winter.

5. Tesla’s ‘flying car’ draws public concern in China – and an official response

The Communist Party’s flagship newspaper has urged the public not to underestimate China’s technological achievements after Tesla’s “flying car” demonstration sparked concern in some quarters that the country may be falling behind in the global auto race.

6. Student sent back to China over Japanese rising sun flag incident in Russia

A Chinese student who draped himself in the Japanese rising sun flag in a Russian university classroom has been expelled and asked to leave the country, according to state-run newspaper Global Times.

7. Seeking men’s approval? Backlash over China tennis star’s glamorous trophy photo

After Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen won the China Open in early October, a series of photos showing her in a white dress and studded high heels, holding the trophy on the Great Wall, unexpectedly drew criticism from female internet users who accused the athlete of trying to please men and of not looking like an independent woman.