Hong Kong Times

Hong Kong Customs Seizes Record HK$125 Million Marijuana Shipment

Hong Kong customs officers arrested three people after intercepting HK$125 million worth of marijuana transported by sea, marking a record marine seizure for the city.

Hefei Manufacturing Convention Lines Up More Than 400 Billion Yuan in Potential Investment

The 2026 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei has identified 946 potential projects worth more than 400 billion yuan, with artificial intelligence, quantum technology and next-generation vehicle manufacturing among its main areas of f...

Chinese Delegation Joins Opening of Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

China has sent one of the largest national delegations to the 20th Asian Games in Japan, where more than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries are competing in a major regional sporting and cultural event.

PBOC Adviser Warns AI Could Worsen China’s Supply-Demand Imbalance

People’s Bank of China adviser Huang Yiping warned that rapid artificial intelligence adoption could increase industrial output faster than domestic demand, complicating efforts to rebalance an economy still constrained by weak household...

China Rejects EU Push for Voluntary Limits on Hybrid Vehicle Exports

China’s Ministry of Commerce rejected proposed voluntary restrictions on hybrid vehicle exports to the European Union, arguing that such measures would violate World Trade Organization rules and calling for the dispute to be resolved thr...

China Guides Yuan Stronger Ahead of Xi-Trump Trade Talks

The People’s Bank of China set its daily yuan reference rate at 6.7670 per U.S. dollar during its longest run of stronger fixings since late 2025, signaling an effort to limit currency volatility before high-level talks with Washington.

China Places Artificial Intelligence Under National Cybersecurity Legal Oversight

Chinese officials said artificial intelligence is now subject to national cybersecurity laws, regulatory guidelines and ethical standards as Beijing seeks to manage emerging digital risks while continuing to support technological develop...

China A-Share Investors Turn More Cautious Despite Corporate Profit Recovery

A third-quarter survey by Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business found investors lowering expected returns and showing less willingness to increase stock holdings even as listed-company profits returned to year-on-year growth.

China and U.S. Prepare Final Trade Talks Ahead of Xi-Trump Summit

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng is leading a delegation for another round of high-level negotiations with U.S. officials on tariffs, artificial intelligence restrictions and market access ahead of an expected meeting between Presidents Xi...

Hong Kong Accelerates Northern Metropolis University Town Development

Authorities say Loop Academy One, a flagship facility in the planned academic and research cluster near Shenzhen, is approaching completion as Hong Kong expands research placements and international student programmes.

Hong Kong Proposes 5% Preferential Tax Rate to Attract High-Value Companies

The government plans legislation offering selected companies a preferential tax rate of 5% in sectors including finance, advanced manufacturing and technology as Hong Kong intensifies competition for international investment.

Hong Kong Plans Faster Payment System Link With Mainland China’s UnionPay

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority plans to connect the city’s Faster Payment System with UnionPay, expanding cross-border retail payment options and supporting greater use of Hong Kong’s digital payments infrastructure.

Hang Seng Holds Near 24,750 as Mainland Investors Increase Technology Exposure

Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng Index remained near 24,750 as mainland institutional investors increased exposure to locally listed artificial-intelligence and computing companies.

Hong Kong Rents Reach New Highs as Mainland Student Demand Adds Pressure

Residential rents have risen for a sixth consecutive week even as secondary home prices soften, with the government planning 70,000 new housing units in the Northern Metropolis over five years to increase supply.

Hong Kong Raises Baby Bonus to HK$30,000 for Second and Subsequent Children

Hong Kong has announced 11 additional measures to encourage childbirth, including a HK$30,000 bonus for second and subsequent children and housing-related support for eligible families.

Hong Kong Plans Pilot Scheme for Foreign Elderly Carers as Population Ages

Authorities are preparing to allow foreign domestic workers with advanced healthcare training to provide elderly care as Hong Kong responds to a projected sharp increase in residents aged 65 and above.

Hong Kong Moves to Accelerate Listings for Specialist Technology Companies

Financial regulators are preparing to streamline listing requirements for advanced technology businesses as Hong Kong seeks to strengthen its role as a fundraising centre for artificial intelligence and biotechnology companies.

Hong Kong Expands Push to Become International Gold Trading Hub

Hong Kong plans yuan-denominated, physically settled gold futures, targeted tax concessions and measures to expand its gold-market infrastructure, while authorities explore increasing the Exchange Fund’s gold holdings.

Hong Kong Expands Luxury Tourism and Mega-Event Strategy

The government plans upgrades to the Victoria Park Tennis Centre, new film-themed tourism routes and access for Guangdong-based luxury yachts as it seeks longer visitor stays and higher tourism spending.

Hong Kong Mourns Former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa Ahead of State Funeral

Political and business leaders gathered at a vigil in North Point for Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s first chief executive after the 1997 handover, ahead of his state funeral.

Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Ends Automotive Manufacturing Operations

Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group has abandoned vehicle manufacturing as the heavily indebted company faces possible delisting, marking another consolidation in China’s intensely competitive electric-vehicle industry.

China Rejects Proposed European Restrictions on Hybrid-Vehicle Exports

China’s Commerce Ministry said it opposes proposed voluntary limits on hybrid-vehicle exports to Europe, arguing that such restrictions would violate World Trade Organization rules and harm Chinese automakers. ([MOFCOM][4])

BlackRock Wins Expanded Quota for Chinese Outbound Investment

BlackRock’s Chinese regulatory unit has received a new Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor licence, allowing it to channel more domestic capital into overseas assets as Beijing gradually widens investment access.

Hong Kong Unveils First Five-Year Economic and Social Development Plan

Chief Executive John Lee has introduced Hong Kong’s 2026-30 development blueprint, setting 105 performance indicators while seeking to raise innovation spending and expand advanced manufacturing as a share of the economy.

China Expands Elderly Care and Silver-Economy Policies as Population Ages

Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council meeting calling for stronger elderly care, rehabilitation and nursing services while encouraging products and consumption tailored to China’s ageing population.

China Adds Former Jilin Official to Senior Financial Regulatory Leadership

China’s National Financial Regulatory Administration has appointed a former Jilin executive vice governor to its senior leadership, strengthening links between central financial supervision and provincial authorities.

China Targets 3.5 Trillion Yuan Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Market by 2030

Chinese economic planners have outlined a strategy to expand the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2030, with priorities including advanced drug development, medical equipment and artificial intelligence i...

Hong Kong Unveils Five-Year Plan to Expand Global Gold Trading Role

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has outlined plans for yuan-denominated gold futures and targeted tax incentives as the city seeks to attract more physical commodity trading and deepen offshore renminbi markets.

China Reports Stronger Foreign Investment in High-Technology Industries

Official data show increased foreign direct investment into China’s high-technology manufacturing and services sectors during the first eight months of 2026, even as broader geopolitical pressures weigh on cross-border investment.

China’s Bank Lending and Aggregate Financing Drop as Credit Demand Weakens

New bank lending and aggregate social financing fell sharply in August, reflecting subdued borrowing by businesses and households as China’s financial system increasingly relies on direct bond financing.

China’s He Lifeng Heads to US for Trade Talks Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead a delegation to the United States from September 19 to 23 for economic and trade consultations as Beijing and Washington seek to manage persistent commercial tensions. ([State Council of China][1])

China’s Youth Unemployment Reaches Record 18.9% Under Current Measure

China’s unemployment rate for people aged 16 to 24 excluding students rose to 18.9% in August, matching the highest level recorded under the current methodology as a large cohort of university graduates entered a difficult labour market....

China Coast Guard Warns Philippines After Collision Near Xianbin Jiao

China’s coast guard accused a Philippine vessel of ignoring warnings and colliding with a Chinese ship near Xianbin Jiao, while Beijing demanded that Manila halt what it described as maritime provocations. ([Xinhua English News][3])

China’s Fiscal Revenue Growth Slows to 4.7% as Government Spending Contracts

China’s fiscal revenue grew 4.7% in August as tax receipts weakened, while public-budget spending declined from a year earlier amid continued pressure on domestic demand and local government finances.

Hong Kong Opens Applications for Hung Shui Kiu University Town Campuses

Eligible post-secondary institutions can now apply for three campus sites covering about 26 hectares in Hung Shui Kiu, advancing a Northern Metropolis education hub designed to connect universities with technology and industrial developm...

Hong Kong Stocks Rise 0.6% After Bank of Japan Rate Increase

The Hang Seng Index closed 0.6% higher at 24,750 as Asian markets advanced after the Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate to 1.25%, the highest level in 31 years.

Hong Kong Residents Pay Tribute to Tung Chee-hwa Ahead of State Funeral

Condolence books have opened across the city for former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, who died on September 8 aged 89 and is due to receive a state funeral on September 20.

Hong Kong to Recruit AI Commissioner by Mid-2027

Hong Kong will create a Commissioner for Artificial Intelligence under the Digital Policy Office to coordinate risk governance and technology policy, with recruitment due to begin in the second quarter of 2027 and monthly pay reaching HK...

Hong Kong Maintains Talent Drive as Government Cites 1.2% Annual GDP Contribution

Chief Executive John Lee says professionals arriving through Hong Kong’s talent schemes could add about 1.2% to annual economic output, with the government maintaining its recruitment targets after roughly 300,000 arrivals.

HKG Times