Lula’s win aids China ties; Hong Kong official quits over Tai Po fire: 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. Win for Lula boosts China’s foothold and gives Brazil rare earths leverage

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s re-election preserves Beijing’s most critical foothold in Latin America, while positioning Brasilia to leverage the US-China rivalry over its vast rare earth reserves without picking sides.

2. John Lee apologises for Tai Po fire, unveils reforms as housing chief resigns

Hong Kong’s leader has apologised for last year’s deadly Tai Po fire, vowing extensive civil service and legislative reforms and an overhaul of government departments as his housing chief Winnie Ho Wing-yin resigned to offer political accountability.

3. China’s former vice-premier Liu Yandong dies at age 80

Former Chinese vice-premier Liu Yandong died of illness on Wednesday at the age of 80. She was one of China’s most prominent female leaders, playing a pivotal role in the country’s united front work and education sector.

4. 100 million views: why China’s viral AI rap track has struck a chord

An AI-generated Chinese rap song featuring some of the country’s most well-known historical figures has taken social media by storm.

5. US ends visa waiver for Chinese over birth tourism, people smuggling allegations

Washington has suspended visa-free entry for Chinese visitors to the Northern Mariana Islands amid allegations of birth tourism and people smuggling in the US territory.

6. Why North Korean leader Kim toured a Chinese bus factory in Dandong

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s tour of a commercial vehicle factory during a surprise visit to the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday points to Pyongyang’s drive to modernise its buses and expand industrial ties with Beijing.

7. Football star Kylian Mbappe faces huge China backlash over ‘unacceptable’ remark

French football superstar Kylian Mbappe has issued an apology after an “ill-judged” comment about China sparked intense backlash on social media and led a string of major Chinese brands to cut ties with him.