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South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
In US-China battle over rare earths, developing nations are the front line
Rare earths are needed for everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, wind turbines and fighter jets – and China controls the supply chain. In a four-part series, we look at the race for rare earths, starting with the contest for reserves in developing countries. Former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping once said that 'the Middle East has oil, China has rare earths'. His words carry new weight today as China's stranglehold over the rare earths supply chain gives it leverage in the trade war with the United States. China controls some 60 per cent of global mining of rare earths, over 85 per cent of their processing, and more than 90 per cent of permanent magnet production – used in everything from cars to medical devices and wind turbines. That leaves the US and other Western nations vulnerable, and many are now scrambling to diversify their supply chains away from China. Analysts say that while there are multilateral efforts under way to reduce reliance on China they are largely diplomatic, and there is a lack of investment or technical expertise to move away from Chinese supply. They also say that developing countries with rare earths are emerging as the new front line of a high-stakes contest between China and the West.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Could franchise model be way forward for rugby 7s? A new club-based event hopes to find out
With the HSBC SVNS Series undergoing another change in format and some unions cutting their rugby sevens programmes entirely, the sport has been facing an uncertain future. Tom Burwell, a former executive director of the Emirates Dubai 7s with 20 years' involvement in the sport, is the driving force behind a new professional sevens tournament based on seven franchises playing over the summer that will launch in 2026. With early seasons expected to be based in Europe before going global, Burwell, who is CEO of Bia Sports Group, which owns English Premier League side Sunderland, tells Josh Ball why the franchise model is the way forward and why some of the world's best players are already signing up to take part. Sevens tournaments are typically played over three days, but yours would be four hours once a week. Are shorter events the answer? 'The sport has often been challenged to be relevant week on week. During my time in Dubai, our interest was, how do we build the most successful three days possible here in the desert, and the important role we played within what was the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. 'But I don't think a huge number of fans were totally dialled into what would then happen in Cape Town the following week.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Asia must leverage AI to combat rise in natural disasters
The tsunami warnings that followed the powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka peninsula on Wednesday were another jarring reminder of Asia's vulnerability to natural disasters and a wake-up call for the region to strengthen its defences before the next crisis hits. Advertisement Extreme weather has once again been testing the region's resilience in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Typhoon Wipha lashed parts of Southeast Asia, unleashing floods, disrupting flights and damaging infrastructure. Hong Kong was hit by a fierce rainstorm during the morning rush hour, even as it was recovering from the typhoon. As climate change accelerates and such weather events grow more frequent and intense, regional governments face a critical question: can they leverage technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) in disaster management while grappling with challenges ranging from power supply constraints to a shortage of workers with the relevant skills? A recent Deloitte report estimates that natural disasters could inflict US$460 billion in annual damage to infrastructure globally by 2050 – more than double the average in the past 15 years. AI-powered early warning, detection and response systems could help reduce global disaster-related costs by US$70 billion annually, according to the report. Emerging economies account for a majority of global infrastructure investments. 'So while the hazard profile is accelerating, the value of the assets at risk is also accelerating,' said Will Symons, Deloitte's Asia-Pacific climate and sustainability leader. Advertisement Collaborations between different agencies, such as those overseeing water and power within a city or country, as well as between countries at the bilateral or regional level, could boost the technological capabilities of emerging economies in combating climate change, he added.
