Hong Kong Times

Hong Kong Exchange Eases IPO Rules as About 500 Companies Await Listings

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing has introduced a 12-month validity window for initial public offering applications as it seeks to process a backlog of about 500 companies seeking to raise capital in the city.

Hong Kong Retail Sales Rise 4.5% in July, Extending Growth Streak to 15 Months

Hong Kong retail sales reached HK$31 billion in July, rising 4.5% and marking a 15th consecutive month of growth as consumer spending continued to recover despite changing cross-border shopping patterns.

Hong Kong Government Loses Appeal Over Fanling Golf Course Housing Plan

Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal has ruled against the government over environmental assessments for a proposed public housing development on 9.5 hectares of the Fanling golf course, potentially requiring new consultations and delaying the pr...

Hong Kong Anti-Graft Authorities Arrest 50 in HK$500 Million Building Maintenance Probe

Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency, police and Competition Commission have arrested 50 people in an investigation into alleged bid-rigging involving building maintenance contracts worth about HK$500 million.

China Protests After Japanese Military Officer Enters Beijing’s Embassy in Tokyo

China has lodged a formal protest after a Japanese Self-Defense Forces officer entered the Chinese embassy compound in Tokyo, with Beijing linking the security breach to rising right-wing sentiment in Japan.

China-Nepal Glacial Disaster Sparks Dispute Over Cross-Border Data Sharing

A glacial collapse and mudslide along the China-Nepal border left more than 160 people dead or missing, prompting Nepal to seek real-time geological data sharing while Beijing rejected what it called malicious speculation surrounding the...

Macao Aligns New Five-Year Plan With China and Seeks to Reduce Gaming Dependence

Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai says the territory’s Third Five-Year Plan will align with China’s forthcoming national plan and include a government guidance fund aimed at diversifying the economy beyond gaming.

China Foreign Visitor Entries Rise 20.4% After Visa-Free Transit Expansion

China recorded nearly 23 million entries by foreign nationals in the first half of 2026, up 20.4% from a year earlier after expanding its 240-hour visa-free transit program to travelers from 57 countries.

China Court-Ordered Home Auctions Jump 23.7% as Property Slump Deepens

More than 539,000 residential properties were listed for court auction in the first seven months of 2026, up 23.7% from a year earlier as mortgage defaults add further discounted supply to China’s struggling housing market.

China Keeps Monetary Policy Moderately Loose as Manufacturing Contracts for Fourth Month

The People’s Bank of China says it will maintain a moderately loose policy stance and use liquidity tools including reverse repos and government bond trading after August manufacturing activity remained in contraction at 49.1.

China’s Electric Vehicle Imports Fall to Just 125 Units as Domestic Brands Dominate

China imported only 125 fully electric passenger vehicles in July 2026, highlighting the rapid displacement of foreign automakers by domestic brands across the world’s largest car market.

US Bans Foreign-Made Humanoid Robots on National Security Grounds

The United States has imposed a ban on foreign-made humanoid robots over national security concerns, targeting the use of rapidly advancing Chinese robotics and autonomous systems in critical infrastructure and supply chains.

Hong Kong Government Rolls Out 30 Artificial Intelligence Projects Across 13 Departments

Hong Kong’s Artificial Intelligence Efficacy Enhancement Team is introducing 30 digital projects across 13 government departments, with machine-learning tools expected to reduce processing times for some public services by as much as 90 ...

Hong Kong Allocates HK$50 Million in Relief for Nepal-Tibet Flood Victims

The Hong Kong government has approved HK$50 million in humanitarian assistance for search, rescue and rebuilding efforts following severe flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border.

Fosun Explores Hong Kong Listing for Club Med Resort Business

Fosun International is evaluating a Hong Kong initial public offering for its Club Med portfolio, potentially adding another high-profile international listing to the city’s equity market.

Hong Kong Observatory Prepares Typhoon Signal as Tropical Cyclone Saudel Approaches

The Hong Kong Observatory plans to issue Standby Signal Number One as Tropical Cyclone Saudel approaches the southern Chinese coast, prompting aviation, shipping and public transport operators to prepare for possible disruption.

Hong Kong Court Clears Major Legal Hurdle for Fanling Golf Course Public Housing

Hong Kong’s High Court dismissed a legal challenge to the environmental assessment for redevelopment of the Fanling Golf Course site, allowing the government’s plan to build thousands of public housing units to move forward.

Hong Kong Ranked First in Asia and Fifth Globally for Start-Up Potential

An international study ranked Hong Kong fifth worldwide and first in Asia for start-up potential, citing its financial system, infrastructure and ability to attract high-growth technology and Artificial Intelligence businesses.

Hong Kong Police Arrest 50 People in Property Maintenance Bid-Rigging Crackdown

Hong Kong police arrested 50 suspects in a coordinated operation targeting alleged bid-rigging and corruption in the property maintenance sector, intensifying enforcement aimed at protecting homeowners and market integrity.

Hong Kong Messaging App Hijacking Scams Rise 170 Percent as Losses Exceed HK$146 Million

Hong Kong police recorded nearly 2,000 compromised WhatsApp accounts during the first seven months of 2026, with reported losses above HK$146 million as criminal groups increasingly target personal and corporate communications.

Hong Kong Pushes to Rebuild Its Role as a Major Global Gold Trading Hub

Hong Kong financial authorities and market participants are expanding commodity trading infrastructure to attract international reserves and revive physical gold trading in the city amid strong mainland Chinese support and shifting globa...

Hong Kong Property Market Rebounds as Private Residential Rents Reach Record High

Hong Kong’s secondary housing market has risen 18 percent from last year’s trough as lower mortgage rates, stronger equities and renewed mainland Chinese demand support prices, while the private residential rental index has reached an al...

Hong Kong Launches HK$50 Billion Silver Bond With 4.25 Percent Minimum Return

The Hong Kong government has launched a HK$50 billion Silver Bond offering for residents aged over 60, providing a guaranteed minimum interest rate of 4.25 percent as a lower-risk savings option amid volatile global financial conditions.

Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Surpass 31 Million as Tourism Recovery Strengthens

Hong Kong welcomed more than 31 million visitors in the first seven months of 2026, up 11 percent from a year earlier, as increased aviation capacity, airport investment and major international events supported continued tourism growth.

Hong Kong Raises 2026 Growth Forecast After Economy Expands 5.1 Percent in First Half

Hong Kong’s economy grew 5.1 percent in real terms during the first half of 2026, supported by domestic demand, tourism and exports of Artificial Intelligence-related electronics, prompting the government to raise its full-year growth fo...

China Proposes New Rules for Overseas Corporate Investment

The National Development and Reform Commission has released draft measures to replace China’s 2017 overseas investment framework, seeking stronger legal protections and tighter oversight for companies investing in increasingly uncertain ...

Taiwan Returns to Pacific Islands Forum as Regional Diplomatic Competition Continues

Taiwan has resumed participation in the Pacific Islands Forum as a development partner, using the gathering to engage regional governments and multilateral partners amid continued diplomatic pressure from Beijing over its international r...

China Imposes Preliminary Anti-Dumping Duties of Up to 54.3 Percent on United States and Mexican Pecans

China’s Ministry of Commerce has introduced preliminary anti-dumping duties of as much as 54.3 percent on pecan imports from the United States and Mexico after concluding that low-priced shipments had harmed domestic producers.

People’s Bank of China Injects 600 Billion Yuan Through Reverse Repurchase Operations

China’s central bank has launched 600 billion yuan of overnight reverse repurchase operations extending into September to smooth short-term liquidity conditions and reduce funding pressure in the banking system.

Xi Jinping Pushes China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway During Kyrgyzstan Visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping used his visit to Bishkek for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit to promote progress on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, a major infrastructure project intended to expand regional trade conn...

China’s Manufacturing Contraction Eases as August Purchasing Managers Index Rises to 49.8

China’s official manufacturing purchasing managers index improved to 49.8 in August from 49.2 in July, indicating a slower pace of industrial contraction, while the non-manufacturing index remained at 49.0.

China Unveils New Measures to Support Consumer Spending and Domestic Retail

China’s State Council has introduced targeted measures to expand household consumption and strengthen demand for consumer goods as Beijing seeks to reduce reliance on weaker real estate and traditional infrastructure activity.

Chinese Semiconductor Companies Report 99 Percent Surge in First-Half Profits

China’s semiconductor sector recorded a 99 percent year-on-year increase in net profit and a 12.8 percent rise in revenue during the first half, reflecting stronger domestic industry performance despite international technology restricti...

Taiwan Begins Deploying United States Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems

Taiwan has received and started deploying its first batch of United States-supplied Harpoon coastal missile systems, strengthening its anti-ship capabilities as part of a broader effort to reinforce maritime defenses.

Tibet-Nepal Border Disaster Leaves 16 Dead and More Than 500 Missing

A massive ice-rock avalanche and subsequent barrier lake failure along the Tibet-Nepal border has killed 16 people and left more than 500 missing, prompting Chinese authorities to deploy large-scale search, medical and relocation operati...

More Than 97% of Wang Fuk Court Owners Accept Government Buyback Offer

Nearly all owners affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po accepted the government’s acquisition proposal ahead of the August 31 deadline.

DBS Hong Kong Appoints Kyle Tan to Lead Global Financial Markets

DBS Bank Hong Kong named China banking veteran Kyle Tan as managing director of its financial markets business as the lender seeks to expand its position in cross-border capital and wealth flows.

Hang Lung Names Toys R Us Asia Chief Leo Tsoi as New CEO

Hong Kong property developer Hang Lung Group appointed Leo Tsoi as chief executive from October 1, bringing in an executive with extensive regional retail and consumer-sector experience.

Hong Kong Reviews School Emergency Support System for Student Mental Health

Education Secretary Christine Choi said authorities will review the city’s three-tier emergency support mechanism for schools as officials assess how to improve assistance for students facing mental-health difficulties.

Travel Overtakes Homeownership as Top Priority for Affluent Hong Kong Residents

A Standard Chartered survey found that travel and early retirement have surpassed property ownership among the leading priorities of wealthier Hong Kong residents as housing prices remain under pressure.

PetroChina First-Half Profit Rises 22% on Stronger Fuel Sales

Hong Kong-listed PetroChina reported a 22% increase in first-half profit as stronger fuel sales supported earnings at China’s largest oil and gas company.

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