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Can AI ever truly replicate the human mind? According to legendary mathematician and Fields Medalist Professor Shing-Tung Yau, the answer is no. At our first SCMP Plus community event in 2026, Professor Yau sat down with South China Morning Post SCMP Editor-in-Chief Chow Chung-yan, and shared why AI lacks the "creative leaps" that define fundamental discovery. Here are the key takeaways from the fireside chat: The Power of "Useless Science": Innovation is often stifled by a narrow focus on immediate results. We must embrace curiosity-driven research to spark true breakthroughs. The AI Limit: While AI can process data, it cannot mirror the intuitive jumps required for world-changing mathematics. Hong Kong’s Talent Balance: To remain a global bridge, Hong Kong must build an ecosystem that empowers PhD talent by leveraging its unique connectivity with mainland China. We had a rare opportunity to learn from the man who helped prove the stability of Einstein’s universe. Thank you to our SCMP Plus community, our special guests, and our sponsor, Huatai International Financial Holdings Company Limited, for making this dialogue possible. Do you agree that AI will always lack the 'intuitive jumps' of the human mind? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Award-winning author Ken Liu challenges how we think about creativity, consciousness, and modernity in the age of artificial intelligence. Access exclusive insights from the creator of Silkpunk and translator of The Three-Body Problem with SCMP Plus Open Questions series, a series of interviews with global opinion leaders discussing US-China relations, the Chinese economy, and more.

Since the 14th Five-Year Plan , China has prioritised basic research, space exploration and secure supply chains. But how far has it really come? Our analysts track the signals that matter, and what they mean for the next phase of planning. Follow SCMP Plus for intelligence on China’s innovation strategy. To request the full factsheet, email enterprise@scmp.com. 

Yesterday, SCMP Plus hosted Professor Jeffrey Sachs in Hong Kong, for an exclusive fireside chat with our subscribers and special guests. A full house and lively conversation reflected strong interest in understanding the forces shaping global business today. Professor Sachs shared his perspectives on US-China relations, emphasising that great power conflict is not pre-determined. He highlighted the many emerging opportunities for Hong Kong as the Greater Bay Area continues to integrate, and encouraged the city to seize its role in driving sustainability as a financing and technology hub for the new green economy. The session offered timely insights for business leaders navigating an increasingly complex global landscape, and reinforced the importance of open dialogue between global thinkers and regional decision-makers. Follow SCMP Plus on Linkedin to learn about future conversations that bring together world-class expertise and on new features we are rolling out as part of SCMP Plus.

Seven policy changes have reshaped Hong Kong’s IPO landscape since 2022. - Pre-revenue firms allowed to raise funds - Mainland regulators eased overseas listing rules - Faster, more flexible approval paths Explore the full timeline and impact on SCMP Plus.

Hong Kong leads the world in IPO proceeds so far in 2025. - US$23.5 billion raised from January to September - Surpasses New York and Shanghai - Driven by major listings like CATL and Zijin Gold Follow SCMP for key deal flow updates. Full factsheet available on SCMP Plus.

China’s energy strategy is shifting fast. Are you keeping up? Power demand is surging. Renewables are expanding. Coal is still being built. And AI is changing everything. SCMP Plus tracks China’s energy transformation and decodes what matters for business. Follow us to get exclusive access to the most insightful China factsheets available anywhere.

China’s 15th Five-Year Plan is set to define the global energy roadmap. The plan will reinforce China’s commitment to its dual carbon goals: peak emissions by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2060. SCMP Plus has analysed early indicators of China’s next five-year plan, and this is what business leaders need to know. Key targets under the Paris Agreement are likely to be formalised, including:  - Cutting greenhouse gases by 7 to 10 percent from peak - Increasing non-fossil energy use to 30 percent of total consumption by 2035 - Expanding wind and solar capacity to six times 2020 levels - Making new-energy vehicles the mainstream in auto sales Despite these targets, China continues to approve and build new coal power plants to meet surging electricity demand. SCMP Plus subscribers get full access to our exclusive factsheets, visual data, and strategic insights.