Hong Kong Times

Hong Kong Family Offices Increase Investment in Surgical Robotics and Brain Technology

Wealth managers and venture investors in Hong Kong are directing more capital toward medical hardware, surgical robotics and neurological technologies as high-net-worth clients diversify beyond traditional property and equity investments.

Hong Kong Robot Convenience Store Launches Hit by Rain and Internet Outages

The opening of fully automated humanoid robot convenience stores in Hung Hom, Wan Chai and Kai Tak was disrupted by connectivity problems and heavy rain, providing an early test of artificial intelligence-powered retail in a labour-const...

Mainland Chinese Brokerages Expand Overseas Operations Through Hong Kong

Leading Chinese securities firms are reporting stronger international profits as they expand overseas, with Hong Kong subsidiaries serving as the main platform for accessing global capital markets.

Hong Kong Mortgage Rate Outlook Remains Cautious Despite Federal Reserve Easing Signals

Hong Kong property analysts expect limited near-term movement in local prime rates even as global markets anticipate monetary easing, potentially prolonging financing costs for indebted homeowners and property developers.

Hong Kong Airport Adds Generative AI Customer Service and Real-Time Baggage Tracking

Airport Authority Hong Kong introduced generative artificial intelligence service avatars and real-time baggage tracking dashboards in Terminal One as part of a broader technology upgrade alongside the three-runway system.

Sino Land Reports 14% Rise in Underlying Profit as Property Losses Narrow

Hong Kong developer Sino Land posted a 14% increase in underlying profit and reduced development losses while continuing to add to its land bank despite persistent property-market headwinds.

Singapore Envoy Backs Hong Kong Northern Metropolis and Rejects Financial-Centre Rivalry

Singapore’s consul general in Hong Kong called for greater cooperation between the two financial centres and highlighted interest from Singaporean companies in Northern Metropolis opportunities, particularly in artificial intelligence an...

Hong Kong Tax Chief Apologises After E-Filing Problems Affect More Than 33,000 Residents

Inland Revenue Department Commissioner Benjamin Chan apologised after unclear wording in the electronic tax system led more than 33,000 people to submit incomplete returns, prompting promises of immediate improvements.

China’s Summer Tourism Shift Reflects Growing Demand for Lower-Cost Domestic Travel

Chinese travellers are increasingly favouring budget-conscious, small-group and county-level trips as weaker-than-expected summer tourism data points to more cautious household spending.

Hungary Halts Operations at CATL Battery Plant Over Workplace Safety Concerns

Hungarian environmental and labour authorities ordered Contemporary Amperex Technology to suspend operations at its new battery facility while safety deficiencies linked to a nickel exposure incident are addressed.

China’s Caixin Manufacturing PMI Rises to 51.5 as Export Orders Strengthen

The Caixin manufacturing index climbed to 51.5 in August, remaining in expansion territory for a ninth consecutive month as new export orders grew at their fastest pace in six months despite continuing weakness in the domestic economy.

Chinese State Research Institutions Build Global Lead in AI Inference Patents

Chinese universities and government-affiliated laboratories filed more than 5,300 patents related to artificial intelligence inference and accelerators over the past five years, strengthening China’s position in advanced computing research.

China’s $10.8 Billion Pinglu Canal Nears Opening After Successful Trial Navigation

Trial vessels have passed through the locks of the Pinglu Canal in Guangxi, bringing the $10.8 billion waterway closer to operation and opening a faster maritime route for inland Chinese manufacturers trading with Southeast Asia.

Beijing Orders Automakers to Curb Price Wars and Strengthen Overseas Compliance

Three national regulators told Chinese vehicle manufacturers to avoid destabilising price swings and tighten compliance with labour, data and intellectual property rules as they expand into foreign markets.

Tencent-Backed Enflame Seeks $9 Billion Valuation in AI Chip IPO

Chinese semiconductor designer Enflame plans to raise about $911 million in a public listing that would value the company at roughly $9 billion as domestic demand grows for alternatives to restricted foreign artificial intelligence proce...

Huawei Profit Falls Sharply as Research and Development Spending Surges

Huawei reported profit of 23.4 billion yuan despite revenue growth of nearly 10%, with higher material costs and heavy investment in semiconductor and artificial intelligence technologies weighing on earnings.

China’s Three Largest State Airlines Post 8.2 Billion Yuan First-Half Loss

China’s three major state-owned carriers reported combined losses of 8.2 billion yuan despite higher revenue, as fuel costs, weak pricing power and competition from the country’s expanding high-speed rail network weighed on profitability.

China Expands Amphibious and Space-Based Military Capabilities for Potential Taiwan Operations

The People’s Liberation Army is accelerating development of Type 076 amphibious assault ships, landing vessels and low-Earth orbit satellite networks designed to support communications and navigation during high-intensity military operat...

China Rejects Vietnam’s Protest Over New Construction in Disputed Paracel Islands

Beijing rejected Vietnamese objections to new infrastructure activity in the Paracel Islands and reiterated its sovereignty claims as tensions persist over competing territorial interests in the South China Sea.

China’s Solar Capacity Overtakes Coal as Country’s Largest Power Source

Installed solar capacity has surpassed coal to become China’s largest single source of electricity generation capacity, marking a major energy transition milestone even as the renewable sector struggles with overcapacity and intense pric...

China Overhauls Property Financing by Withholding Mortgages Until Projects Are Completed

Chinese regulators will withhold mortgages for presold homes until construction is finished, dismantling a core part of the traditional pre-sale model while extending maximum personal mortgage terms from 30 to 40 years to support afforda...

People’s Bank of China Sets Five-Year Plan to Expand Global Use of the Renminbi

China’s central bank outlined a 2026-2030 strategy to increase use of the renminbi in international trade and finance, strengthen the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System and expand offshore renminbi markets while tightening financial r...

Jollibee Foods Plans Hong Kong Listing for International Operations

Philippine restaurant group Jollibee Foods plans to list its international business in Hong Kong as part of a corporate restructuring, giving the exchange another major Southeast Asian multinational listing.

Hong Kong Links Gold Clearing System With Shanghai Gold Exchange

The People’s Bank of China and Hong Kong regulators have connected the city’s precious-metals clearing infrastructure with the Shanghai Gold Exchange, expanding cross-border physical delivery and strengthening Hong Kong’s role in gold tr...

Hong Kong eTAX Failure Leaves More Than 33,000 Returns Incomplete

The Inland Revenue Department apologized after unclear wording on the eTAX platform led more than 33,000 residents to leave tax filings unfinished, exposing problems in the government’s digital public-service rollout.

Northern Metropolis Technology Hub Secures HK$16.8 Billion Consortium Investment

A six-company consortium won the tender for a 10.5-hectare pilot development in Hung Shui Kiu with an estimated HK$16.8 billion investment, advancing Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis technology and biotechnology strategy near Shenzhen.

Hong Kong’s First Robot Convenience Stores Hit by Weather and Internet Disruptions

The debut of fully automated convenience stores in Hong Kong was disrupted by heavy rain and internet outages, highlighting operational challenges facing retailers adopting robotics and artificial intelligence.

Shein Raises $1.7 Billion in Hong Kong IPO as Shares Remain Volatile

Shein raised $1.7 billion in Hong Kong’s largest cross-border listing of the year, while volatile trading after its debut underscored investor caution despite the boost to the city’s capital markets.

Hong Kong Retail Sales Rise 4.5% in July as Recovery Continues

Hong Kong retail sales reached HK$31 billion in July, rising 4.5% from a year earlier and extending the sector’s run of real-value growth to 15 consecutive months.

Cathay Pacific Launches Global Fare Campaign for 80th Anniversary

Cathay Pacific introduced worldwide fare promotions and bonus Asia Miles offers to mark its 80th anniversary as the airline seeks to increase international passenger demand through Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Court Rejects Fanling Golf Course Housing Plan

Hong Kong’s government lost an appeal over plans to build public housing on 9.5 hectares of the Fanling golf course, requiring fresh environmental and public consultations and delaying part of its housing supply strategy.

Joshua Wong Pleads Guilty in Second Hong Kong National Security Case

Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong pleaded guilty in the High Court to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces over efforts urging international technology companies to stop cooperating with Hong Kong police.

Hong Kong to Launch First Five-Year Plan Aligning 2026-2030 Development With National Priorities

Chief Executive John Lee said Hong Kong will release its first Five-Year Plan alongside the September 16 Policy Address, setting out economic, social and infrastructure priorities designed to align more closely with mainland development ...

Galactic Energy Completes PALLAS-1 Reusable Rocket Test Flight

Chinese commercial launch company Galactic Energy successfully tested its PALLAS-1 reusable rocket, advancing efforts to develop lower-cost launch technology for satellite deployments.

Chinese Scientists Identify Genes Enabling Asian-African Rice Crossbreeding

Researchers identified three genes linked to reproductive barriers between Asian and African rice varieties, opening a potential path to new crossbreeding methods aimed at improving crop yields and resilience.

AMEC Launches Six New Chip-Making Machines as China Pushes Semiconductor Self-Reliance

Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment has introduced six semiconductor manufacturing machines as Chinese suppliers accelerate development of domestic equipment amid tighter Western export controls.

BYD Reports $1.2 Billion Quarterly Profit Amid Intense Chinese Auto Price Competition

BYD posted a quarterly profit of $1.2 billion as the automaker adjusts its product mix toward hybrid models to protect margins amid domestic price competition and rising overseas tariff barriers.

Tencent Unveils Hy4 Open-Source AI Model as Competition With Alibaba and DeepSeek Intensifies

Tencent previewed its Hy4 large language model after it scored 64.3 on the DeepSWE benchmark, outperforming rival architectures from Alibaba and DeepSeek in the cited assessment.

China’s Caixin Manufacturing PMI Slows to 50.9 as Domestic Demand Weakens

China’s Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers’ index fell from 51.7 to 50.9, signaling slower factory expansion as subdued domestic demand continues to weigh on the industrial recovery.

China Expands QDII Quotas to Increase Access to Overseas Investments

China’s foreign-exchange regulator has increased Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor allocations to expand the supply of regulated offshore investment products and channel cross-border capital through approved institutions.

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