China’s Chang’e-6 lift-off, Cathay’s cadet troubles: 7 highlights of the week
- From Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific facing cadet troubles to travel curbs on China’s state workers, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting
1. ‘First time in history’: China’s Chang’e-6 probe lifts off from moon’s far side
China’s Chang’e-6 ascent vehicle lifted off from the lunar surface with the first rock samples from the far side of the moon, embarking on a three-week-long journey home.
2. US centre for Hong Kong’s Cathay halts cadet solo flights after serious blunders
A US training centre for Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has halted solo flights for cadet pilots after an “alarming” rise in serious blunders in which students were involved in a wingtip collision, a bounced landing and an erroneous exit from a runway.
3. China’s expanding travel curbs are cutting off more workers from global travel
Workers in the state sector and beyond face stiffer overseas travel barriers as authorities try to reduce corruption and spying risks.
4. Thousands of Bangladeshi workers lose everything, fail to enter Malaysia for work
Syndicates send thousands of Bangladeshis to Malaysia for fake jobs, labour advocates say, forcing them to illegally overstay while they seek new jobs to pay debts.
5. Trains to depart Hong Kong at night, arrive in Beijing in morning from June 15
High-speed sleeper trains will run overnight between Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai from this month in a new measure Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said will boost integration with mainland China.
6. China visa-free scheme for Malaysians sparks hope for more travel, business
Rising interest in China travel among Malaysia’s Malay-Muslims has seen demand pick up, with agencies handling tour groups in the “double digits” this year.
7. Singapore restaurant ignites a char siu controversy with Cantonese insult
The Chinese love for char siu is strong – so strong, in fact, that frustrated parents often resort to hollering, “Giving birth to char siu is better than giving birth to you”. Crystal Jade in Singapore has been at the centre of a heated debate over its use of the insult to promote its barbecued pork.
