Chinese tech cuts desalination cost; light plane crash dilemma: SCMP’s 7 highlights

From UBTech’s lifelike humanoid robots to Filipinos choosing to holiday abroad, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

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A drinking water treatment technology and distribution plant. Photo: Shutterstock

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 .

Desalination has always been an energy-hungry way of turning salt water into fresh water, making it largely the preserve of wealthy countries with abundant fossil fuel reserves. Yet, an outdoor demonstration prototype in China has managed to exhibit year-long stability with zero utility energy costs, thanks to a new type of photothermal material.