Hong Kong Times

Hong Kong Rises to 14th in Global Real Estate Transparency Ranking

Hong Kong moved up one place to 14th globally in an international property transparency index as improvements in market data and regulatory clarity strengthened its standing, although the city remained behind Singapore.

Hong Kong Digital Banks Expand Into Physical Branches as Prime Retail Rents Fall

Digital banks and online brokerages are leasing more ground-floor retail space across Hong Kong, using lower commercial rents to establish physical locations and compete more directly for wealthy clients.

Hong Kong Considers Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandates for International Airport

Hong Kong policymakers are evaluating mandatory sustainable aviation fuel blending targets as the city seeks to align its aviation sector with tightening international emissions standards and attract investment in cleaner fuel supply cha...

Hong Kong Tightens Security and Cyber Defences Ahead of APEC Meetings

Hong Kong authorities are preparing anti-terrorism, transport and cybersecurity measures around hotels and convention venues ahead of upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.

Hong Kong Expects 1.29 Million Mainland Visitors During National Day Golden Week

Hong Kong authorities expect nearly 1.3 million mainland Chinese visitors during the National Day holiday period, prompting expanded border management and tourism promotions across the retail and catering sectors.

Hong Kong Merchandise Exports Surge 53% to HK$667.9 Billion on AI-Related Demand

Hong Kong’s merchandise exports climbed 53% to HK$667.9 billion, the second-highest level on record, as strong demand for artificial intelligence-related electronics boosted the city’s role in global technology trade.

Hong Kong Accelerates Sandy Ridge Data Centre Hub to Mid-2027

CLP Power said the Sandy Ridge data centre cluster in the Northern Metropolis will begin phased operations in mid-2027, two years earlier than initially planned, as demand for high-capacity computing infrastructure rises.

Ant International Expands Digital Yuan Settlements Between Shanghai and Hong Kong

Ant International has processed hundreds of millions of yuan in instant cross-border settlements using China’s digital currency, expanding the use of the e-CNY for transactions between Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Hang Seng Index Climbs Above 25,000 as Property and Biotech Shares Advance

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed above 25,000 as biotechnology and property stocks led gains, with the market moving more closely in line with mainland Chinese equities.

Hong Kong Workforce Projected to Shrink by About 20,000 People a Year Through 2028

Updated forecasts indicate Hong Kong’s workforce will contract by roughly 20,000 people annually through 2028, with aviation, healthcare, technology and construction among the sectors facing persistent labour shortages.

Zhu Zhongming Appointed Acting Mayor of Shanghai

Zhu Zhongming has been appointed acting mayor of Shanghai, taking charge of the municipal government as China’s largest commercial centre seeks to support consumption, manage debt pressures and attract foreign investment.

China to End Tax Breaks for Several Energy-Saving and New-Energy Vehicles in 2027

China will withdraw existing vehicle and vessel tax concessions for qualifying energy-saving vehicles and several categories of new-energy commercial vehicles from January 2027.

China Expels Senior Generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli After Corruption Investigation

China expelled former Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff Chief Liu Zhenli from the Communist Party and military, with state media citing allegations of bribery and political disloyalty.

Hong Kong Investors Turn Hotels Into Student Housing as Development Costs Rise

Institutional property investors are increasingly acquiring Hong Kong hotels for conversion into student accommodation and co-living spaces as higher construction and financing costs make new developments less attractive.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority Plans Digital Asset Platform and Renminbi Gold Futures

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority plans to launch a digital asset platform by year-end and introduce renminbi-denominated gold futures as part of efforts to deepen offshore renminbi liquidity and strengthen the city’s fixed-income and cur...

Hong Kong Launches Pilot Scheme to Recruit Foreign Elderly Care Workers

Hong Kong will introduce a limited programme admitting several hundred foreign caregivers each year to address staffing shortages in elderly services while keeping the scheme narrowly targeted.

Hong Kong Workforce Projected to Shrink by 20,000 People a Year

Government projections indicate Hong Kong’s workforce could decline by about 20,000 people annually, intensifying labour shortages in sectors including aviation, technology, healthcare and construction through 2028.

Hong Kong Hosts World Cancer Congress as Officials Highlight Long-Term Fall in Mortality

Hong Kong hosted the World Cancer Congress for the first time, with Health Minister Lo Chung-mau saying the city’s cancer death rate has fallen 40% over the past three decades.

Hong Kong Expands Fast-Track Entry Scheme for Middle Eastern and Central Asian Business Visitors

Hong Kong will broaden its Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons from October 1, extending streamlined entry arrangements to more business visitors from Central Asia and the Middle East.

Hong Kong Drops Appeal Over Fanling Golf Course Housing Project

The Hong Kong government will not appeal a court ruling that revoked environmental approval for a proposed 12,000-flat public housing development on the Fanling golf course, changing the outlook for the contested project.

CIFI Founder Steps Down From YongSheng Services to Focus on Debt Restructuring

Lin Zhong resigned as chairman of Hong Kong-listed YongSheng Services to concentrate on the offshore debt restructuring of parent developer CIFI Holdings amid continued financial pressure in China’s property sector.

Hong Kong Exports Surge 53% to Near-Record HK$668 Billion on AI Demand

Hong Kong’s exports jumped 53% to nearly HK$668 billion, the second-highest level on record, as strong global demand for artificial intelligence-related components supported the city’s trade recovery.

Hong Kong Advances Bid to Join Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

Hong Kong’s application to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership cleared a major procedural hurdle, bringing the city closer to expanded tariff-free trade and simpler customs access across key Asian markets.

Chinese Communist Party Reshuffles Senior Leadership in Anhui, Henan and Fujian

China’s Communist Party reassigned senior provincial officials in Anhui, Henan and Fujian, elevating experienced administrators ahead of upcoming regional party congresses.

AMEC Unveils Six Semiconductor Manufacturing Systems as China Expands Domestic Chip Capacity

Chinese semiconductor equipment maker Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment introduced six new chipmaking systems as the domestic industry seeks to reduce its reliance on Western fabrication equipment subject to export restrictions.

China Introduces Preliminary Anti-Dumping Measures on Japanese Chipmaking Chemicals

China imposed preliminary anti-dumping measures on specialised semiconductor chemicals imported from Japan, adding another source of tension to regional technology supply chains already affected by export restrictions.

Chinese AI Developers Face Scrutiny Over Alleged Routing of Queries to US Models

Chinese artificial intelligence companies are facing industry scrutiny over allegations that some domestic user queries were redirected to US-developed generative AI systems, highlighting technical and regulatory pressures facing the sec...

China Cuts Existing Mortgage Rates and Lowers Second-Home Down Payment Requirement

Chinese financial regulators moved to reduce interest rates on existing mortgages by about 0.5 percentage point and set the minimum down payment for second homes at 15%, measures intended to ease pressure on households and support the pr...

China Launches Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Into Pacific Ocean

China’s Rocket Force launched an intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific, with the Defence Ministry describing the unusual test as a routine training exercise not directed at any specific country.

China Investigates PVH Over Alleged Discrimination Against Xinjiang Products

China’s Commerce Ministry opened an investigation into US apparel group PVH over allegations that it discriminated against products from Xinjiang, requiring the company to provide information as authorities consider action under the coun...

China Cuts Reserve Ratio and Key Rate in Broad Economic Stimulus

The People’s Bank of China cut banks’ reserve requirement ratio by 0.5 percentage point and lowered the seven-day reverse repo rate to 1.5%, releasing about 1 trillion yuan in long-term liquidity as authorities seek to support the econom...

US Finalises Higher Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles and Semiconductors

The United States finalised tariff increases covering strategic Chinese industries, including a 100% levy on electric vehicles and a 50% tariff on semiconductors, adding further pressure to technology and manufacturing trade between the ...

Hong Kong IPO Fundraising Jumps 153% to HK$342.4 Billion in First Eight Months

Hong Kong recorded 106 new listings and HK$342.4 billion in IPO fundraising through August, up 153% from a year earlier and marking a strong recovery in the city’s equity capital markets.

Hong Kong-Shenzhen Tech Park Selects 10 AI and Biotech Firms for Cross-Border Data Pilot

Around 10 companies at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park are set to receive early access to cross-border data arrangements, while a separate white-list mechanism is being developed to ease movement for more than 1,000...

Hong Kong Plans AI Commissioner and ‘City Brain’ System for Government Operations

The government will appoint a Commissioner for AI and develop an integrated “AI City Brain” linking data across transport, public works, environmental management and emergency response to improve day-to-day administration and crisis hand...

Morgan Stanley Investigates Accidental Leak of Confidential Asia Deal Pipeline

Morgan Stanley is examining an inadvertent disclosure of an internal document containing details of more than 100 investment-banking deals and potential transactions across Asia, raising questions over information controls around sensiti...

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