Hong Kong Times

Hong Kong Investors Convert Underperforming Hotels Into Student Housing

Private equity firms and institutional investors are buying weaker hotel assets and converting them into student accommodation as demand rises from mainland Chinese and international students attending Hong Kong universities.

Hong Kong and Dubai Form Working Group to Expand Cross-Border Capital Market Links

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Dubai Financial Services Authority and Nasdaq Dubai have created a working group to deepen investment flows between Greater China and the Middle East.

Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou Corridor Ranks as World’s Leading Innovation Cluster

The integrated technology corridor linking Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Guangzhou has been recognised as the world’s top innovation cluster, highlighting the region’s combination of academic research, advanced manufacturing and commercialisat...

Oman’s Sohar International Opens Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Hong Kong

Sohar International has established its Asia-Pacific base in Hong Kong, giving the Omani lender greater access to mainland Chinese companies and regional capital markets as financial ties between the Gulf and East Asia deepen.

Hong Kong Regulator Licenses Unlimit for Stablecoin Clearing Platform

Global payments company Unlimit has secured a Hong Kong Money Service Operator licence, allowing it to move ahead with a stablecoin clearing house and exchange platform within the city’s regulated digital asset market.

Hong Kong Logistics Growth Slows to Two-Month Low

Hong Kong’s logistics and supply-chain growth index eased to 52.1 in August as weaker transportation activity and regional supply-chain friction reduced momentum in the city’s freight and maritime economy.

China Tightens National Security Reviews of Technology Deals Routed Through Hong Kong

Mainland regulators have increased scrutiny of outbound transactions involving strategic technologies and routed through Hong Kong, adding national security reviews that could affect cross-border investment and international capital flows.

Hong Kong Advances Joint Immigration Clearance at New Huanggang Border Crossing

Hong Kong has introduced legislation enabling simultaneous departure and arrival checks at the redeveloped Huanggang crossing with Shenzhen, with processing times expected to fall from about 30 minutes to five.

Hong Kong Companies Buy Grade A Offices as Prices Sit 49% Below 2018 Peak

Corporations and family offices are increasingly purchasing premium Hong Kong office space for their own use as valuations remain 49% below their 2018 high, encouraging some buyers to switch from leasing to ownership.

Yuan Appreciation Draws Foreign Investors Back to Chinese Stocks and Bonds

A sustained rise in the renminbi is encouraging international investors to increase exposure to Chinese equities and bonds, while easing capital outflow pressure on the People’s Bank of China.

People’s Bank of China Changes Loan Prime Rate Calculation to Improve Policy Transmission

China’s central bank has adjusted the mechanism used to calculate the Loan Prime Rate so commercial lending prices more closely reflect interbank liquidity conditions and changes in monetary policy.

China Appoints International Trade Lawyer to Lead Intellectual Property Administration

China’s State Council has named a veteran international trade lawyer to head the National Intellectual Property Administration as Beijing strengthens patent protection and enforcement for domestic and foreign companies.

Shenzhen Land Auction Draws Strong Developer Demand as Premium Property Market Stabilises

A residential land sale in Shenzhen attracted intense bidding from major developers, providing a fresh sign of demand for premium property in one of China’s largest cities after a prolonged real estate downturn.

Enflame Technology Shares Surge 188% in Shanghai Trading Debut

Chinese artificial intelligence chipmaker Enflame Technology jumped 188% in its Shanghai market debut, reflecting strong investor demand for domestic semiconductor companies as China seeks alternatives to restricted US technology.

Ant Group Launches AI-Based Payment System for Complex Commercial Transactions

Ant Group has introduced an artificial intelligence-driven payment architecture designed to verify and settle multi-party transactions more quickly across China’s e-commerce and logistics networks.

Xi Jinping to Attend BRICS Summit in New Delhi

China’s Foreign Ministry says President Xi Jinping will travel to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders summit, where Beijing plans to promote closer cooperation among developing economies and its Global Governance Initiative.

China Tightens Rules to Curb Below-Cost Price Wars in EV and Solar Industries

Chinese regulators have introduced new cost controls targeting aggressive below-cost pricing, seeking to improve profitability in highly competitive industries including electric vehicles and solar components.

China and US Discuss $30 Billion Reciprocal Tariff Reduction Agreement

China’s Ministry of Commerce says Beijing and Washington are holding consultations on a reciprocal tariff reduction arrangement valued at $30 billion, potentially easing trade tensions and providing relief to export-oriented manufacturers.

China Orders State Companies to Pay Smaller Suppliers in Cash

Chinese regulators are requiring state-owned enterprises to settle accounts with small and medium-sized private suppliers in cash rather than deferred commercial bills, aiming to ease liquidity pressure across manufacturing supply chains.

China Publicly Names Officials Over Hidden Local Government Debt Violations

The central government has identified provincial and municipal officials responsible for illegal off-balance-sheet borrowing, escalating efforts to contain hidden debt across local governments.

China Unveils Five-Year Financial Plan to Deepen Capital Markets Through 2030

China’s State Council has released a financial reform blueprint aimed at strengthening domestic capital markets, improving cross-border financial security and directing more institutional funding toward artificial intelligence and advanc...

China Orders Nationwide Safety Review After Qingdao Ship Fire Kills 25

President Xi Jinping has ordered a nationwide review of maritime and industrial safety following a cargo vessel fire at a Qingdao shipyard that killed 25 people, with major coastal shipbuilding facilities facing inspections.

China’s Auto Exports Surpass Full-Year 2025 Total in First Eight Months of 2026

Official data show Chinese vehicle exports from January through August exceeded the total for all of 2025, with new-energy vehicles driving the rapid expansion into overseas markets.

Hong Kong Regulator Suspends Cloudbreak Pharma Shares Over Suspected IPO Manipulation

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission has halted trading in Cloudbreak Pharma shares after finding evidence of suspected price manipulation linked to the company’s initial public offering.

Hong Kong Anti-Corruption Agency Charges Former HKEX Executive Over Asset Declarations

The Independent Commission Against Corruption charged former Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing vice-president Geoffrey Tong with failing to comply with statutory asset declaration requirements.

Hong Kong Advances Joint Immigration Clearance at Redeveloped Huanggang Border

The government has gazetted legislation enabling travellers at the Huanggang crossing to complete Hong Kong and mainland immigration checks together using a single travel document, with authorities expecting processing times to fall to a...

Hong Kong and Shenzhen Sign Agreements to Deepen Cross-Border Economic Integration

Officials from Hong Kong and Shenzhen reached agreements aimed at simplifying cross-border business and aligning regulatory arrangements while expanding cooperation in technology and finance.

Midland Realty Forecasts 15% Rebound in Hong Kong Home Prices

Midland expects residential property prices to rise 15% this year, citing an increase in new project launches and renewed buyer activity after a prolonged period of high borrowing costs and cautious demand.

Hong Kong High Court Jails Former Tiananmen Vigil Organisers for Up to Seven Years

Three former leaders of the disbanded group behind Hong Kong’s June 4 vigils were convicted of subversion under national security legislation, while the organisation was fined HK$1.5 million.

Hang Seng Index Falls as Oil Tops $100 and US Rate Concerns Weigh on Markets

Hong Kong stocks came under pressure as Brent crude climbed above $100 a barrel and investors assessed renewed inflation risks and the prospect of US interest rates remaining higher for longer.

Hong Kong Prepares State Funeral for Former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa

The Hong Kong government is arranging a state funeral for Tung Chee-hwa, the city’s first chief executive after the handover, recognising his national-level status and role in the early implementation of the one country, two systems fram...

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Promotes City as Bridge for Mainland Biotechnology and Global Capital

Financial Secretary Paul Chan told the Belt and Road Summit that Hong Kong can connect mainland Chinese biotechnology companies with international capital as the city also seeks a larger role in artificial intelligence development and go...

Cathay Pacific Expands Use of Artificial Intelligence Across Airline Operations

Cathay Pacific’s chief executive outlined plans to increase the use of artificial intelligence in fleet management, customer service and other operations as the airline expands its international network.

Record 24 Hong Kong Students Achieve Perfect Scores in University Entrance Exams

Twenty-four candidates earned the highest possible grades across six subjects in Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education exams, although overall language proficiency declined and fewer students met baseline university admission thresh...

Hong Kong MTR Investigates Alleged Coordinated Fare Evasion by Tour Operators

The MTR Corporation is working with police and the Travel Industry Authority to investigate tour guides accused of exploiting station exit gates to provide unauthorised group access to the rail network.

Hong Kong Court Rules Wall Street Journal Publisher Violated Labour Law in Union Dispute

A Hong Kong court found that the publisher unlawfully obstructed reporter Selina Cheng’s effort to run for chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, bringing renewed attention to employment protections at foreign media organisations.

Volkswagen and Toyota Cut Petrol-Car Prices as Chinese EV Rivals Gain Market Share

Foreign automakers including Volkswagen and Toyota have introduced steep discounts on internal-combustion vehicles in China as domestic electric-vehicle manufacturers continue to erode their market share.

China Tightens Interest Rate Caps on Consumer Lending Platforms

Chinese regulators imposed stricter limits on consumer loan rates, putting pressure on online lenders’ margins as Beijing seeks to reduce household borrowing costs and support domestic consumption.

Enflame Technology Shares Jump 188% on Shanghai Market Debut

Shares of Tencent-backed AI chip developer Enflame Technology surged 188% in their Shanghai debut, reflecting strong domestic investor demand for Chinese semiconductor companies positioned as alternatives to Nvidia.

Xi Jinping to Lead Chinese Technology and Industrial Delegation on US Visit

Chinese technology, electric-vehicle and aerospace executives are expected to accompany Xi Jinping to Washington, although expectations remain limited for major policy breakthroughs during the high-level visit.

Anthropic Accuses Chinese AI Firms of Routing User Queries Through Claude

US-based Anthropic alleged that Chinese developers including Moonshot AI and DeepSeek secretly redirected real user prompts to its Claude model through intermediary platforms, intensifying scrutiny of how Chinese large-language models ar...

China Freezes New Battery Project Approvals Amid National Overcapacity Review

Chinese authorities have halted approvals and construction of new power and energy-storage battery plants while regulators assess utilisation rates and prepare an industry warning system, as CATL separately suspended operations at its Hu...

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