China’s academic star sacked, Hong Kong’s Messi saga, ‘Harvard girl’ back in spotlight: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

1. China’s rising academic star fired after students accuse him of falsifying data

For more than a month, 11 students at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, Hubei province, had been quietly preparing a “revolution” to overthrow their supervisor.

“For us, this is the most important battle in our ordinary lives,” wrote doctoral student Zhang Li, in a post to social media platform Weibo on January 23.

2. ‘Nowhere to hide’: Chinese scientists claim breakthrough in new tracking device

The team of scientists from Beijing said for the first time they have achieved seamless, wide bandwidth, real-time monitoring and analysis of the electromagnetic spectrum, leaving any enemy completely out in the open during a conflict.

3. Post uncovers extent of unauthorised structures at luxury Hong Kong estates

An overwhelming majority of homeowners at three upmarket estates in Hong Kong are suspected to have enlarged their properties on public land without approval and at essentially no cost for years, a Post investigation has found, exposing the scale of the malpractice in the land-scarce city.

4. ‘A bit regrettable’: South Korean president backs wife amid Dior handbag uproar

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding his wife’s acceptance of a luxury gift, stating that she acted out of kindness and fell victim to a “hidden camera sting”.

5. China appoints new securities chief to head off stock market slump

China has appointed capital markets veteran Wu Qing to head the nation’s securities watchdog – a move that will place the nation’s US$8 trillion stock market under his supervision as one of several measures laid down by Beijing to blunt a downturn.

6. Messi plays in Japan, fuels Hong Kong fans’ anger over missed game in city

Argentinian football star Lionel Messi played the final 30 minutes of his Inter Miami team’s game against Vissel Kobe in Japan on Wednesday, the sharp contrast further fuelling the anger of fans in Hong Kong where he sat out his game just three days ago citing an injury and left the city outraged.

7. China’s original poster child for strict parenting sparks heated debate

China’s famous “Harvard girl”, who became a national sensation more than two decades ago when she won a full scholarship to the prestigious United States university, is back in the spotlight.