Hong Kong Times

Dash Living Acquires Wan Chai Hotel at Discounted Valuation to Expand Portfolio

Flexible accommodation operator Dash Living purchased a 98-room property near Times Square for US$400 million at a substantial discount to pre-pandemic values, expanding its assets under management to more than US$500 million.

University of Hong Kong Partners With Shanghai Innovation Hub to Commercialize Advanced Technologies

A new agreement between the University of Hong Kong and Shanghai’s National Innovation Center par Excellence aims to accelerate the commercialization of research in biotechnology and advanced materials by connecting innovation with the Y...

Hong Kong Secures 43 Economic Agreements With Kazakhstan During Chief Executive-Led Trade Mission

Chief Executive John Lee and a 70-member business delegation signed agreements spanning aviation, the digital economy, and green finance, strengthening Hong Kong’s efforts to position itself as a gateway linking Central Asian markets wit...

Hong Kong Exchange Expands Financial Links With Kazakhstan Through New Capital Markets Partnerships

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing signed cooperation agreements with the Astana International Exchange and the Astana International Financial Centre to support dual listings, debt financing, and joint green finance initiatives between the...

Mainland Chinese Investment Drives Stronger Outlook for Hong Kong’s Housing Market

Goldman Sachs has raised its forecast for Hong Kong residential property prices after mainland Chinese buyers invested HK$43 billion in the first quarter, reflecting growing demand across both newly launched and mid-market housing projects.

Cathay Pacific to Launch Almaty Service as Hong Kong Targets 53 Million Visitors

Cathay Pacific plans to begin direct flights to Kazakhstan’s largest city in early 2027, while the Travel Industry Council expects Hong Kong to attract 53 million visitors this year despite pressure on long-haul travel demand.

Hong Kong Gold Industry Group Unveils Long-Term Expansion Plan Following Rebranding

The newly restructured Hong Kong Gold Industry Group announced a US$100 billion strategic development roadmap focused on expanding its presence across the global precious metals sector and strengthening its position in the Asia-Pacific m...

China Deploys Emergency Measures to Protect Summer Harvest From Flood Threats

As flood season intensifies across parts of southern and central China, authorities have ordered targeted disaster-prevention measures and agricultural support programs aimed at safeguarding crop production and food security.

Leading Chinese Cartography Scientist Faces Anti-Corruption Investigation

Prominent academician Zhou Chenghu is under disciplinary investigation for suspected serious violations of duty, a development that has drawn attention across China’s geographic information, remote-sensing, and drone-related industries.

China Literature Acquires Controlling Stake in Science-Fiction Animation Studio

The Tencent-owned publishing platform has invested 400 million yuan to gain majority control of YHKT Entertainment, reflecting growing efforts to consolidate valuable domestic intellectual property in China’s entertainment sector.

Beijing Schedules Cross-Strait Forum in Fujian to Promote Economic Exchanges

Chinese authorities will hold the 18th Straits Forum in Xiamen later this month, continuing efforts to encourage commercial, cultural, and people-to-people engagement with Taiwan despite ongoing political tensions.

China and United States Hold Maritime and Air Safety Talks in Hawaii

Military officials from Beijing and Washington concluded discussions focused on reducing the risk of accidents and misunderstandings at sea and in the air, continuing efforts to stabilize defense communications between the two powers.

China’s Central Bank Drains Record Liquidity to Cool Government Bond Rally

The People’s Bank of China withdrew more than 248 billion yuan from the financial system after benchmark 10-year government bond yields fell to a one-year low, signaling growing concern over excess liquidity and speculative demand for sa...

State Council Tightens Oversight of Chinese Overseas Investment and Technology Transfers

China will introduce a new regulatory framework on July 1 that places overseas investments under expanded national security, data governance, and supervisory controls, while bringing individual investors under formal oversight for the fi...

Lao President Begins China Visit to Seek High-Tech and Manufacturing Investment

President Thongloun Sisoulith has started a five-day visit to Zhejiang province aimed at deepening ties with China, attracting investment in digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, and strengthening supply-chain integration.

China’s Manufacturing Growth Slows as High-Tech Industries Outpace Domestic Demand

Manufacturing activity remained in expansion territory, but weaker consumer and export demand weighed on overall momentum, highlighting a widening gap between strong high-tech production and softer conditions in more traditional sectors.

Tencent Cuts AI Cloud Prices by More Than 97% as Competition Intensifies

Tencent Cloud has sharply reduced pricing for access to its DeepSeek language models, escalating competition among China’s largest technology firms as they race to secure market share in enterprise artificial intelligence services.

Two Convicted Over Murder and Ransom Scheme Linked to Financial Dispute

Authorities have convicted two individuals for the killing of a man at a village temple and a subsequent attempt to extort HK$3.6 million from his wife, in a case that has drawn widespread public attention due to its severity and circums...

Hong Kong Strengthens Financial Links With Kazakhstan Through New Market Connectivity Agreements

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing has signed cooperation agreements with the Astana International Financial Centre and Astana International Exchange to deepen investment ties and broaden commercial connections between Hong Kong and Centra...

Lands Tribunal Orders Tai Po Housing Estate Owners’ Meeting to Proceed

The Lands Tribunal has rejected a request to delay an owners’ meeting at Wang Fuk Court following a fatal fire incident, stating it lacks authority to extend statutory deadlines and urging the appointed administrator to convene the meeti...

Hong Kong Retail Sales Rise 8.6 Percent in April as Consumer Spending Remains Resilient

Government data shows retail sales grew 8.6 percent year-on-year in April, extending growth for the first four months of 2026 to 11.3 percent and indicating continued strength in domestic demand despite an incomplete post-pandemic recovery.

Hong Kong Investment Corporation to Launch Yuan Venture Capital Fund Focused on AI and New Energy

The Hong Kong government’s investment arm is preparing a yuan-denominated venture capital fund targeting sectors including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and new energy, as the city seeks to strengthen renminbi internationalizat...

Hong Kong Expands Funding for University Research Commercialization

The government has committed US$383 million to support the commercialization of university research over the next five years, aiming to accelerate the development of technology startups and reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a regional in...

Mainland Chinese AI Companies Increasingly Turn to Hong Kong for Public Listings

Market analysts say mainland artificial intelligence firms are increasingly choosing Hong Kong as their preferred listing venue, underscoring the city’s role as a high-liquidity gateway for international investors seeking exposure to Chi...

Hong Kong and Kazakhstan Move to Expand Travel and Business Connectivity

Chief Executive John Lee is seeking 30-day visa-free access to Kazakhstan, while Cathay Pacific is expected to launch direct flights with three weekly services by early 2027, improving links between the two financial centres.

Legislative Council President Calls for Constructive Debate and Respect for Dissent

Legislative Council President Starry Lee has urged officials to avoid immediately rebutting lawmakers’ criticism, saying open discussion of differing views remains important for effective policymaking and governance.

Hong Kong Media Organizations Deepen Cooperation With Kazakhstan Partners

Major Hong Kong media groups, including the South China Morning Post, have formalized agreements with Kazakhstan’s financial hub to encourage collaboration in media, investment, and business innovation as ties between the two regions exp...

Vehicle Fire Disrupts Traffic at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Tunnel

A vehicle fire inside the tunnel section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge led to the temporary closure of two lanes, causing significant congestion and renewed attention on emergency response measures for the key transport link.

General Mills Sells Häagen-Dazs Mainland China Business to Domestic Investor Group

General Mills has completed the divestment of its Häagen-Dazs operations in mainland China to a local investor consortium that includes beverage company Ningji, allowing the U.S. group to refocus on selected growth categories.

Traditional Manufacturers Draw Investor Attention Through Artificial Intelligence Expansion

Market observers are tracking companies such as BOE Technology Group as established manufacturers expand into AI-related hardware, testing whether new technology partnerships can support sustained long-term growth and valuations.

People’s Bank of China Reaffirms Commitment to Market Stability and Liquidity

China’s central bank has pledged to maintain ample liquidity and a stable renminbi exchange rate throughout 2026, with policy support aimed at encouraging domestic demand, technological innovation, and service-sector growth.

Huawei Advances 3D Chip Design Efforts Amid Equipment Constraints

Huawei is continuing to develop advanced three-dimensional chip design approaches as it seeks alternatives to leading-edge lithography equipment, focusing on architectural innovation to support future computing and artificial intelligenc...

Local Governments Accelerate Green Energy and Industrial Upgrading Projects

Provincial and municipal authorities across China are expanding investment plans for renewable energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, supporting national efforts to modernize industrial capacity and attract high-tech investment.

Peking University Develops Chip Design Software Compatible With Huawei Architecture

Researchers at Peking University have introduced chip design software tailored to Huawei’s LogicFolding architecture, supporting domestic semiconductor development and reducing reliance on foreign electronic design automation tools.

China Unveils 2030 Agricultural Modernization Plan to Strengthen Food Security

China’s State Council has released its agricultural and rural development blueprint through 2030, prioritizing food security, advanced farming technologies, higher rural incomes, and the consolidation of poverty alleviation gains as part...

China Intensifies Enforcement Against Child-Safety Violations in Consumer Goods

The Supreme People's Court and the State Administration for Market Regulation have jointly highlighted landmark cases involving unsafe products and environments for minors, signaling tougher enforcement across sectors including toys, ent...

U.S. Tightens Restrictions on Advanced AI Chip Exports to Chinese Overseas Subsidiaries

New guidance from the U.S. Commerce Department seeks to prevent Chinese technology companies from accessing advanced artificial intelligence chips through overseas affiliates, expanding the reach of existing semiconductor export controls.

Beijing Researchers Reportedly Prepare Technology Sectors for Potential Export Restrictions

A group of Chinese scientists has compiled a list of sensitive technology fields that could become subject to future export controls, reflecting efforts to safeguard domestic technological advances and strengthen strategic industries.

Manulife Hong Kong and Alibaba Cloud Form Partnership to Expand Insurance AI Applications

Manulife Hong Kong has entered a strategic collaboration with Alibaba Cloud to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence across its insurance operations. The partnership will focus on developing tools for fraud detection and personal...

Hong Kong Stocks Rally as Technology Shares Lead Broad Market Gains

The Hang Seng Index climbed 2.52% to close at 26,038 on Tuesday, driven by a 4.72% surge in the Hang Seng Tech Index. Investor sentiment was lifted by optimism around artificial intelligence developments, particularly reports of Tencent'...

Cathay Pacific to Launch First Direct Hong Kong-Almaty Route in 2027

Cathay Pacific announced plans to begin direct passenger services between Hong Kong and Almaty in the first quarter of 2027, marking the airline’s first route into Central Asia. The three-times-weekly service, unveiled during Chief Execu...

Hong Kong Property Transactions Ease in May but Remain Well Above Year-Ago Levels

The Land Registry recorded 8,537 sale and purchase agreements for all building units in May, down 1.8% from April but up 32.5% compared with a year earlier. The total value of residential transactions reached HK$65.6 billion, rising 71.5...

Mainland Chinese Buyers Set First-Quarter Record in Hong Kong Property Market

Mainland Chinese investors purchased about HK$43 billion worth of Hong Kong real estate during the first quarter of 2026, the highest level recorded for the period. Market participants noted that buying activity has broadened beyond luxu...

K&L Gates Expands Hong Kong Mergers and Acquisitions Team to Capture Greater Bay Area Growth

Global law firm K&L Gates has appointed Yang Wang as a partner in its Hong Kong corporate and mergers and acquisitions practice as it seeks to strengthen its position in cross-border dealmaking. The firm is targeting growing transaction ...

China’s Manufacturing Surveys Show Diverging Performance Between State and Private Firms

May purchasing managers’ index data highlighted contrasting conditions across China’s industrial sector, with the official index holding at 50.0 while the private-sector Caixin survey rose to 51.8. The figures suggest stronger momentum a...

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