Hong Kong Times

DBS Bank Hong Kong named China banking veteran Kyle Tan as managing director of its financial markets business as the lender seeks to expand its position in cross-border capital and wealth flows.

Hong Kong Stock Exchange Extends Listing Application Window Amid 500-Company Backlog

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing extended the listing application period to 12 months as roughly 500 companies await approval, giving prospective issuers more time to navigate volatile market conditions.

Fosun Files for Hong Kong IPO of Club Med Tourism Assets

Chinese conglomerate Fosun applied to list its Club Med resort and lifestyle tourism businesses in Hong Kong as it plans to expand the global resort network from 69 properties to 85 by 2030.

Hang Seng Tech Index Adds Pony AI and WeRide in Broader Push Into Artificial Intelligence

Hong Kong’s technology benchmark will add autonomous-driving and artificial intelligence companies including Pony AI and WeRide as the exchange seeks greater exposure to emerging Chinese technology firms.

Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Rise 12% to 31 Million in First Seven Months

Hong Kong welcomed 31 million visitors during the first seven months of the year, up 12% from a year earlier, supported by expanded air links, major events and the full opening of Airport Terminal 2.

Henderson Land First-Half Profit Jumps 66% as Residential Sales Strengthen

Hong Kong developer Henderson Land reported a 66% increase in first-half net profit, supported by strong property sales despite broader weakness in the city’s real estate market.

Hong Kong Weighs Merging Growth Enterprise Market With Main Board

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing is considering combining the Growth Enterprise Market with the main board in an effort to improve liquidity and simplify access to capital for smaller companies.

Hong Kong Unveils Five-Year Financial Plan to Build Asian Commodities and Gold Hub

Hong Kong’s government will launch a five-year financial strategy in September that expands beyond equities into commodities and includes plans for a precious-metals storage facility at Hong Kong International Airport.

Canada Closes Special Permanent Residency Pathways for Hong Kong Residents

Canada will stop accepting new applications under its Stream A and Stream B pathways for Hong Kong residents on August 31 after approving about 13,000 applications through the programs.

Hong Kong Awards HK$16.8 Billion Northern Metropolis Development Tender

A consortium of six companies won the first major Northern Metropolis land tender with a HK$16.8 billion commitment to develop industrial and technology facilities expected to create more than 6,000 jobs.

Foreign Beauty Brands Regain Market Share in China as Domestic Rivals Lose Ground

International cosmetics companies are recovering share in China as more cautious consumers shift toward established global brands, putting pressure on domestic competitors that had expanded rapidly in recent years.

China and Kyrgyzstan Upgrade Strategic Partnership at SCO Summit

President Xi Jinping arrived in Bishkek for a state visit and the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, highlighting closer economic and security ties and progress on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

Glacier Collapse Triggers Deadly Flooding Along China-Nepal Border

A major ice collapse near Tibet and Nepal caused destructive flash floods and severe infrastructure damage, prompting emergency operations across the mountainous border region.

Xi Jinping to Visit Egypt as China and Egypt Hold Joint Air Force Exercises

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Cairo for the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations as China and Egypt deepen ties in defense, infrastructure and currency cooperation alongside joint military exercises.

China’s Autonomous Driving Sector Moves Into Commercial Deployment

Chinese autonomous-driving companies are expanding robotaxi fleets and autonomous logistics operations as the industry moves from regulatory trials into broader commercial competition.

Chinese Industrial Profits Rise on AI and Technology Exports Despite Weak Domestic Demand

China’s industrial profits have strengthened on high-value technology exports and artificial intelligence manufacturing, while analysts warn that subdued consumption is leaving the recovery heavily dependent on external demand.

Hong Kong Launches AI Strategy and Completes First Passenger Drone Test Flight

Hong Kong introduced an artificial intelligence and industry development strategy while also carrying out its first test flight of an electric vertical take-off and landing passenger aircraft.

High-Speed Rail and Airlines Enter Price War on Chinese Domestic Routes

China’s expanding high-speed rail network is intensifying competition with domestic airlines, forcing fare reductions and adding pressure to profitability across major travel routes.

China’s Graduate Job Market Shifts Toward Grassroots Roles as Government Hiring Contracts

Millions of recent university graduates are increasingly taking lower-tier administrative and grassroots positions as reduced civil-service recruitment and cautious private-sector hiring narrow employment options.

China and Jordan Deepen Cooperation on Gaza, Energy and Infrastructure

President Xi Jinping and Jordan’s King Abdullah II held talks in Beijing covering the Gaza conflict, a two-state solution and Strait of Hormuz security, alongside new bilateral agreements in technology, energy and infrastructure.

Chinese Technology Groups Expand AI Data Centers Across Southeast Asia

Major Chinese technology companies are increasing investment in Southeast Asian data centers as regional demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure grows.

China’s Provincial Governments Fail to Cover First-Half Spending as Fiscal Pressure Deepens

All 31 provincial-level regions in China recorded revenues below expenditures in the first half of 2026, with an average fiscal self-sufficiency rate of 56.3% as property weakness and softer consumption strain local finances.

Chinese Chipmakers Capture Nearly 90% of Domestic High-End AI Semiconductor Market

Domestic suppliers led by Huawei are projected to account for nearly 90% of China’s advanced artificial intelligence chip sales by the end of 2026 as local technology increasingly replaces foreign products.

China’s Central Bank Unveils 2026-2030 Plan for Financial Opening and Risk Management

The People’s Bank of China outlined a five-year reform agenda covering cross-border payments, offshore renminbi markets, monetary policy tools, financial risk controls and expanded digital and green financing.

China’s Central Bank Buys 20 Tonnes of Gold in July as Reserve Diversification Continues

The People’s Bank of China purchased 20 tonnes of gold in July, its largest monthly acquisition since late 2023, bringing net purchases during the first seven months of 2026 to nearly 60 tonnes.

Ride-Hailing Companies Signal Interest in New Hong Kong Operating Licences

Several ride-hailing firms have expressed interest in Hong Kong’s proposed licensing regime, which is intended to formalize point-to-point transport services and introduce more regulated competition alongside traditional taxis.

Lawrence Ho Family Office Backs Space-Sector Deal Through De-SPAC Merger

A family office controlled by Macau casino entrepreneur Lawrence Ho is backing a de-SPAC merger in satellite technology, extending its investment activity into commercial aerospace through Hong Kong capital markets.

Passenger eVTOL Aircraft Completes First Test Flight at Hong Kong Cyberport

An autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft has completed its inaugural test flight over Cyberport, marking another step in Hong Kong’s push to develop commercial smart-mobility and aerospace applications.

Hong Kong Lowers Heat-Stress Warning Thresholds to Protect Outdoor Workers

Hong Kong’s Labour Department has lowered the thresholds for activating workplace heat-stress warnings, allowing higher-level alerts to be issued sooner during extreme weather to protect outdoor and construction workers.

Hong Kong Employment Scheme Brings in More Than 31,000 Foreign Workers

More than 31,000 foreign workers entered Hong Kong under the General Employment Policy over the past year, helping employers address labor shortages in hospitality, retail and construction.

JD.com Expands Hong Kong Stores and Warehouses as Retail Property Model Faces Pressure

JD.com is expanding its physical retail and local warehouse network in Hong Kong, challenging a traditional commercial property model built heavily around high-footfall shopping locations.

Hong Kong Makes Greater Bay Area Legal Practice Scheme Permanent

Hong Kong’s legal sector has welcomed the permanent incorporation of the Greater Bay Area practice scheme into the Lawyers Law, allowing qualified Hong Kong practitioners continued access to legal markets in Guangdong.

Bank of China Hong Kong First-Half Profit Rises 7.1% as Credit Costs Fall

Bank of China Hong Kong reported a 7.1% increase in first-half net profit, supported by stronger net interest margins and lower credit impairment costs.

Hong Kong Home Prices Weaken Amid Concerns Over Possible Mainland Tax Changes

Secondary residential prices in Hong Kong have come under renewed pressure as concerns over a potential Beijing tax clampdown on offshore assets weigh on sentiment and add to challenges facing property developers.

JPMorgan Executive Says Hong Kong’s Global Wealth Hub Status Remains Secure

A senior JPMorgan executive has said Hong Kong remains a leading wealth-management center despite concerns over mainland regulatory tightening, as financial institutions continue expanding family-office and advisory operations in the city.

Revamped Huanggang Port to Allow Cross-Border Travel Using Hong Kong ID Cards

Travelers using the revamped Huanggang Port will be able to cross with only Hong Kong identity cards or Home Return Permits, simplifying immigration procedures between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Hong Kong Stock Exchange Extends Listing Application Validity to 12 Months

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong has temporarily doubled the validity period for eligible listing applications from six to 12 months for three years, giving prospective issuers more flexibility during volatile market conditions.

Hong Kong Launches Dedicated AI Research Institute to Accelerate Commercial Applications

Hong Kong is preparing to open a government-backed artificial intelligence research and development institute focused on turning academic research into commercial applications in transport, healthcare and creative industries.

Hong Kong Exchanges Posts Record First-Half Profit as Trading Activity Surges

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing reported record first-half revenue of HK$16.7 billion and profit of HK$10.6 billion, up 24%, as stronger cash and derivatives trading and continued Stock Connect flows lifted performance.

Hong Kong to Unveil First Five-Year Plan Alongside September Policy Address

Chief Executive John Lee will release Hong Kong’s first five-year plan with his annual policy address on September 16, setting out longer-term economic priorities alongside measures aimed at competitiveness and international talent.

Chinese Municipalities Turn More Heavily to Fines as Land-Sale Revenue Falls

Cash-strapped local governments are increasingly relying on administrative penalties to raise revenue as the collapse in land sales leaves large holes in municipal finances.

China Investigates Jiangxi Governor Ye Jianchun in Latest Anti-Corruption Probe

China’s anti-graft watchdog has opened an investigation into Jiangxi Governor Ye Jianchun, making him the 47th senior cadre targeted this year in the continuing nationwide corruption campaign.

China Urges US to Remove Trade and Technology Obstacles Ahead of High-Level Talks

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on Washington to change policies Beijing regards as hostile on technology and trade ahead of expected high-level discussions between the world’s two largest economies.

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