China's Population Crisis Deepens as Births Hit Historic Low

China's birth rate fell by 17% in 2025, a new record low. The number of newborns has now dropped by half since its peak in 2016. This accelerating decline highlights a deepening demographic crisis. A shrinking and aging population presents major long-term challenges for the world's second-largest economy. The story was among seven key topics highlighted by the South China Morning Post this week. The selection included news from Hong Kong, mainland China, and around the world. Other notable stories included former US President Donald Trump's remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. There, he repeated a past offer to buy Greenland from Denmark. The collection aims to shed light on major global issues.