Hong Kong Times

Greenpeace Calls for Visitor Caps After Damage at Hong Kong Geopark

Greenpeace is urging authorities to introduce access limits at popular nature sites after incidents of damage to marine life during the Golden Week holiday raised concerns over pressure on vulnerable coastal ecosystems.

Hong Kong Happiness Index Falls to 5.87 as Generation Y Reports Lowest Well-Being

Hong Kong’s citywide happiness score remained below six out of 10 for a fourth consecutive year, with Generation Y reporting the lowest well-being amid housing affordability and wider economic pressures.

Hong Kong Raises 2026 Export Growth Forecast to as High as 47% on AI Electronics Demand

Hong Kong has lifted its annual export growth forecast to 42%–47% after merchandise shipments jumped 53% year on year in August, driven by strong global demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure and related electronics.

Hong Kong Unveils 10 Measures to Support SMEs With Financing and AI Adoption

The government has introduced a support package for small and medium-sized businesses including free credit checks, expanded BUD Fund access and Cyberport grants for artificial intelligence adoption.

Hang Seng Index Rises Above 24,200 on Global Technology Rally

Hong Kong’s benchmark stock index gained 0.7% to move above 24,200 points, supported by strength in artificial intelligence shares and broader global markets during mainland China’s National Day holiday.

West Kowloon Cultural District Deficit Widens to HK$998 Million

Hong Kong’s flagship arts district reported an operating deficit of HK$998 million as rising costs intensify debate over whether land sales and commercial development can provide a sustainable long-term funding model.

Hong Kong Plans Major Expansion of Gold Storage and Refining Capacity

Financial authorities are preparing to increase bullion storage and refining infrastructure as Hong Kong seeks to strengthen its role as an international gold and commodities trading hub.

Hong Kong Launches Five-Year Development Plan With 22 Economic and Innovation Targets

Hong Kong has unveiled a development framework through 2030 setting 22 performance indicators across finance, innovation and technology, and the Northern Metropolis as the city deepens integration with the Greater Bay Area.

China Merchants Securities Names Former Central Banker as President

China Merchants Securities has appointed a veteran former central bank official as president, reflecting continued management changes across the financial sector following a wider anti-corruption campaign.

US Financial Firms Move to Drop Insider Trading Case Against Chinese Brokerages

American market makers have sought to dismiss insider trading litigation involving Chinese brokerages including Futu and Tiger, easing one area of cross-border financial legal tension.

Guangzhou Tightens Housing Pre-Sale Rules and Caps Buyer Deposits

Authorities in Guangzhou have introduced stricter limits on pre-sale deposits and stronger oversight of developers in an effort to rebuild buyer confidence and stabilize the city’s residential property market.

China’s Golden Week Travel and Box Office Revenues Beat Expectations

Domestic tourism and entertainment spending strengthened during the Golden Week holiday, with box office receipts exceeding 1 billion yuan and providing a boost to consumer activity in a weak economic environment.

Chinese Chipmakers Explore Alternative Architectures to Work Around EUV Restrictions

China’s semiconductor industry is researching approaches including the Tau Scaling Law and other advanced architectures as companies seek to improve computing performance without access to restricted extreme ultraviolet lithography equip...

JAC Motors Confirms Preliminary Talks With Huawei and Stellantis Over Maserati

China’s JAC Motors has acknowledged early-stage discussions with Huawei and Stellantis over a possible role in reviving the Maserati brand, highlighting the growing influence of Chinese automotive technology in global partnerships.

Volkswagen and Gotion Expand European Battery Partnership

Volkswagen and Chinese battery maker Gotion High-Tech have deepened their manufacturing cooperation in Europe as both companies seek to secure electric vehicle supply chains through more localized production.

Seres and Huawei Restructure Partnership Around Aito Smart Vehicle Brand

Chinese automaker Seres and Huawei have reached a new operating agreement for the Aito brand, stabilizing a partnership that has become a prominent part of China’s software-driven electric vehicle market.

Alibaba, DeepSeek and Other Chinese AI Models Expand Across Global Cloud Platforms

Chinese large language models including DeepSeek V3.2, MiniMax and Alibaba’s Qwen3 Coder Next are gaining wider international distribution through major cloud platforms such as Amazon Bedrock, accelerating the global adoption of China’s ...

China’s State Council Calls for Faster Infrastructure Investment and Stronger Macroeconomic Support

China’s State Council has directed ministries to accelerate investment and strengthen macroeconomic measures, placing renewed emphasis on state-led capital spending to support economic growth.

China Evergrande Liquidators Seek More Than $2 Billion From Former Business Associates

Offshore liquidators handling the collapse of China Evergrande have launched legal action to recover more than $2 billion from former associates of founder Hui Ka Yan as they seek additional funds for creditors.

China’s New Economy Index Contracts as Capital Investment and Labor Conditions Weaken

A key measure of China’s modern industrial economy declined as weaker investment and a deteriorating labor market weighed on high-tech activity, increasing pressure on policymakers to address employment and growth risks.

US and China Establish Direct Crisis Channel for Artificial Intelligence Incidents

Washington and Beijing have finalized a dedicated communication mechanism for managing artificial intelligence-related crises, creating a rare area of technological cooperation despite wider competition over semiconductors and advanced c...

People’s Bank of China Cuts Policy Lending Rate to Support Growth

China’s central bank has lowered a key policy lending rate as authorities step up efforts to support domestic demand and keep the economy aligned with national growth targets.

Chinese Fighter Jet Conducts Close Intercept of Philippine Patrol Aircraft Over Scarborough Shoal

A Chinese J-16 fighter carried out close-proximity maneuvers near a Philippine patrol plane over Bajo de Masinloc, heightening tensions as Manila says it is monitoring more than 100 Chinese vessels inside its exclusive economic zone.

Hong Kong Exchange Launches Four New Cross-Market ETFs

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing introduced four exchange-traded funds tracking cross-market indices, broadening the range of passive investment products available to retail and institutional investors.

Hong Kong Authorities Investigate Luxury Home Over Alleged Steel Shortfall

The Buildings Department summoned developers and contractors after inspections found that a luxury home may have been built with as much as 75% fewer steel bars than required under approved plans, raising serious construction safety and ...

Eswin Computing Seeks $300 Million Hong Kong Listing

Chinese semiconductor developer Eswin Computing plans to raise about $300 million in Hong Kong despite significant net losses, highlighting the city’s continuing importance as a fundraising venue for mainland technology companies.

Hong Kong Raises Pay Premiums for Foreign Domestic Carers

The Labour and Welfare Bureau introduced wage premiums of 10% to 20% for specialized foreign domestic carers compared with general helpers as Hong Kong seeks to expand its eldercare workforce for an ageing population.

Sincere to Close Flagship Central Store After Lease Talks Fail

Sincere, Hong Kong’s oldest Chinese-owned department store, will leave its flagship Central location after unsuccessful lease renewal negotiations, reflecting continued pressure on traditional retailers as consumer habits change.

Mainland Visitor Arrivals Surge During Golden Week Before Moderating

Hong Kong recorded strong mainland Chinese visitor flows at the start of Golden Week before arrivals eased, prompting tourism industry leaders to call for more nighttime events to extend visitor spending.

Hong Kong Super-Prime Home Sales Narrow Gap With Dubai

Transactions in Hong Kong homes valued above $10 million are rising and closing the gap with Dubai, reflecting continued demand from ultra-high-net-worth buyers at the top end of the residential market.

Hong Kong Exchange Proposes Second Round of Listing Rule Reforms

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing published proposals to adjust materiality thresholds and ease some disclosure requirements for corporate transactions as it seeks to keep the city’s listing regime competitive internationally.

Transsion Targets $500 Million Hong Kong IPO

Transsion, the Shanghai-listed smartphone maker behind Tecno and Infinix, is seeking to raise about $500 million through a Hong Kong listing planned for mid-October, adding momentum to the city’s recovering IPO market.

Hong Kong Issues Record $2.6 Billion Digital Green Bond

The Hong Kong government issued a $2.6 billion digital green bond, described as the world’s largest digital bond offering to date, strengthening the city’s position in sustainable finance and financial technology.

Xiaohongshu Expands Into Gaming and Anime With New Digital Festival

Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu launched a major gaming and anime festival as it seeks to broaden user engagement and compete more directly with platforms including Bilibili and Tencent.

China Golden Week Travel Tops 2.1 Billion Journeys as Bangkok Leads Outbound Destinations

Domestic travel during China’s National Day holiday reached 2.13 billion journeys, while Bangkok overtook Tokyo as the leading international destination for Chinese tourists.

JAC Motors Confirms Talks With Huawei and Stellantis on Maserati

JAC Motors said it is in discussions with Huawei and Stellantis over possible technology and manufacturing cooperation involving the Maserati brand.

Zhu Zhongming Elected Mayor of Shanghai

Shanghai’s municipal legislature elected former Vice Finance Minister Zhu Zhongming as mayor, placing the senior finance official in charge of China’s largest commercial and financial center.

Seres and Huawei Restructure Partnership Around Aito Electric Vehicles

Seres and Huawei reached a new agreement clarifying responsibilities for manufacturing and intelligent driving technology within their jointly developed Aito electric vehicle business.

Volkswagen and Gotion Expand Battery Partnership Across Europe and Morocco

Volkswagen and China’s Gotion High-Tech established three new joint ventures for lithium iron phosphate batteries and cathode materials in Spain, Slovakia and Morocco, strengthening electric vehicle supply chains.

China New Economy Index Falls as Technology and Capital Inputs Weaken

Caixin’s New Economy Index declined in September, with high-value-added sectors accounting for 34.1% of economic inputs as labor deployment and venture capital activity softened.

U.S. Firms Move to Drop Insider Trading Claims Against Futu and Tiger Brokers

American market makers began procedures to dismiss a $100 million insider trading lawsuit against major Chinese brokerages Futu and Tiger Brokers, narrowing the case to 45 individual investors.

China Halts October Fuel Exports as Global Energy Markets Tighten

Beijing suspended October export quotas for diesel, petrol and jet fuel to prioritize domestic supply, immediately tightening Asian fuel markets and lifting regional diesel price spreads.

People’s Bank of China Cuts Policy Lending Rate in Targeted Stimulus Move

China’s central bank reduced a benchmark policy lending rate as authorities step up selective economic support, including mortgage subsidies in Beijing aimed at reviving weak housing demand.

China Posts $378 Billion Current Account Surplus on High-Tech Exports

China recorded a $378 billion current account surplus, supported by strong exports of artificial intelligence hardware, electric vehicles and advanced manufactured goods despite ongoing trade tensions.

HKG Times