Hong Kong Times

Hong Kong Opens Applications for Hung Shui Kiu University Town Campuses

Eligible post-secondary institutions can now apply for three campus sites covering about 26 hectares in Hung Shui Kiu, advancing a Northern Metropolis education hub designed to connect universities with technology and industrial developm...

Hong Kong Maintains Talent Drive as Government Cites 1.2% Annual GDP Contribution

Chief Executive John Lee says professionals arriving through Hong Kong’s talent schemes could add about 1.2% to annual economic output, with the government maintaining its recruitment targets after roughly 300,000 arrivals.

Hong Kong Targets October 12 Opening for Revamped Huanggang Port

Authorities are aiming to open the redeveloped Huanggang border crossing on October 12, introducing a joint clearance system that allows travellers to complete Hong Kong and mainland immigration procedures through a single inspection pro...

Hong Kong Metal Storage Surpasses 30,000 Tonnes as Commodity Hub Expands

Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui says metal inventories stored in Hong Kong have exceeded 30,000 tonnes, while the government plans greater use of renminbi for mainland-related payments including Dongjiang wa...

Hong Kong Plans Higher-Paid Foreign Domestic Carer Pilot

The government will admit foreign domestic carers with advanced elderly-care training and experience under a new pilot scheme, with officials saying qualified workers could earn 10% to 20% more than existing foreign domestic helpers.

Hong Kong Records First Locally Acquired Chikungunya Case of 2026

The Centre for Health Protection has confirmed chikungunya in a 55-year-old Tai Kok Tsui resident with no recent travel history, prompting mosquito-control measures and calls for doctors to test patients with compatible symptoms.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Begins Phased Move to Kai Tak Medical Campus

Hong Kong health authorities are preparing a phased transfer of Queen Elizabeth Hospital services to the new Kai Tak Hospital, with outpatient and selected clinical services moving first and officials seeking to avoid disruption to patie...

Huawei Unveils New Optical Super-Node Technology for AI Computing

Huawei has introduced an optical super-node architecture designed to improve the efficiency and scalability of next-generation artificial intelligence computing as China expands domestic semiconductor capabilities.

China Begins Five-Year Overhaul of Economic Statistics for Digital Era

Authorities are preparing reforms to the measurement of gross domestic product, employment and service consumption as Beijing seeks to capture the growing contribution of digital industries more accurately.

China’s Security Ministry Calls for Tighter Oversight of Artificial Intelligence Risks

State Security Minister Chen Yixin has called for stronger data governance, cyber defences and oversight of artificial intelligence as authorities focus on risks associated with foreign models, information manipulation and security vulne...

China’s EV and Battery Exports Continue to Expand Despite Trade Tensions

Chinese exports of electric vehicles and advanced batteries are rising strongly even as trade friction intensifies, with Beijing opposing proposed European restrictions affecting imported hybrid vehicles.

Hong Kong Expands Cash, Tax and Housing Incentives for Larger Families

Chief Executive John Lee has announced higher cash bonuses and tax allowances for second and subsequent children alongside housing-related support as Hong Kong seeks to encourage more births.

China Appoints Trade Lawyer Chen Fuli to Lead Intellectual Property Regulator

Beijing has appointed international trade and World Trade Organization specialist Chen Fuli to head the national intellectual property authority as China places greater emphasis on protecting strategic patents amid global technology comp...

China Proposes Raising Blood-Donation Age as Donor Pool Shrinks

Proposed changes to China’s blood-donation rules would raise the maximum donor age from 55 to 65 and shorten the required interval between donations as authorities respond to rising clinical demand and a declining donor base.

Chinese Regulator Details 184 Million Yuan Bribery Case at Hebei Hospital

China’s healthcare regulator says staff at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University accepted 184 million yuan in commercial bribes over 11 years, prompting regulatory action and further scrutiny of pharmaceutical procurement.

China’s Youth Unemployment Reaches Record Level as Graduate Job Pressure Builds

Youth unemployment has climbed to an unprecedented level as new graduates enter a labour market strained by weaker service-sector demand, while unemployment among workers aged 30 to 59 remains comparatively stable.

China’s Industrial Output Grows 5.2% as Fixed-Asset Investment Falls 7.2%

Industrial production rose 5.2% in August, supported by technology manufacturing and exports, while fixed-asset investment contracted 7.2% in the first eight months as weakness in property continued to weigh on the broader economy.

China Targets 3.5 Trillion Yuan Pharmaceutical Industry by 2030

Beijing has unveiled a five-year plan aimed at expanding pharmaceutical industry revenue to at least 3.5 trillion yuan by 2030 while accelerating innovative drug development and the global expansion of Chinese biotechnology companies.

China’s Fiscal Revenue Growth Slows as Local Government Spending Contracts

Fiscal revenue growth weakened to 4.7% in August as softer tax receipts and the prolonged property downturn added pressure to local government finances and constrained public spending.

China Retail Sales Rise Just 0.4% as Auto Demand Weakens

Retail sales increased only 0.4% in August, with declining automobile purchases contributing to continued weakness in household demand despite government measures intended to stimulate consumption.

Hong Kong Fast-Tracks Northern Metropolis University Town as Worker Shortage Looms

Hong Kong expects a workforce shortfall of about 130,000 people by 2028 and is accelerating its Northern Metropolis education strategy, including a roughly 30% increase in publicly funded research postgraduate places by the 2030-31 acade...

Two United Nations Bodies to Establish Operations in Hong Kong

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization plans an Asia-Pacific advanced manufacturing centre of excellence in Hong Kong, while the UN Office on Drugs and Crime is preparing a regional bureau for its GlobE anti-corruption ne...

Hong Kong Plans International Gold Market and Renminbi-Denominated Futures

The government will develop a broader gold and commodity trading hub, with new renminbi-denominated physically settled gold futures, tax incentives and possible increases in gold holdings by the Exchange Fund.

Hong Kong Targets 240 International Airport Destinations by 2030

Hong Kong plans to increase the number of destinations served by its international airport from more than 220 to 240 within five years, expanding aviation links as the city seeks to strengthen its position as a global transport hub.

Hong Kong Plans Greater Use of Renminbi for Government Spending

Hong Kong’s new Five-Year Plan calls for greater use of the renminbi to settle government expenditure where appropriate, extending efforts to deepen the city’s role as the world’s leading offshore market for the Chinese currency.

Hong Kong Proposes 5% Preferential Tax Rate to Attract Selected Global Businesses

The government plans legislation offering a 5% preferential tax rate to selected companies in areas including advanced manufacturing, research and development, headquarters operations, logistics and other priority sectors.

Hong Kong Legislature Condemns US Commission Over Jimmy Lai Hearing and Sanctions Threats

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council condemned the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China over its hearing on Jimmy Lai and threats of sanctions, while the US commission said the hearing examined Lai’s imprisonment, press freedom and ...

Hong Kong Expands AI Funding and Plans Six Special Industry Parks

The 2026 Policy Address provides additional funding for the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme and advances six specialised industry parks, including the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, to expand computing and technology infrastru...

Hong Kong Raises Base Rate to 4.25% After US Federal Reserve Increase

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority raised its Base Rate by 25 basis points to 4.25% following the Federal Reserve’s latest increase, maintaining the interest-rate mechanism underpinning Hong Kong’s currency peg to the US dollar.

Hong Kong Unveils First Five-Year Development Plan Through 2030

Chief Executive John Lee has introduced Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, setting priorities through 2030 across finance, innovation, maritime services and the Northern Metropolis while aligning the ci...

China Marks Mukden Incident Anniversary With Renewed Criticism of Japanese Historical Revisionism

Chinese officials used commemorations marking the 95th anniversary of the September 18 Incident to warn against what Beijing describes as historical denialism in Japan amid continuing regional security tensions.

XPeng Launches G9L SUV for Global Markets

Chinese electric vehicle maker XPeng has introduced the G9L SUV to international regulatory standards as domestic automakers look overseas for growth amid intense competition at home.

Shenzhen E-Commerce Fair Highlights China’s Growing Use of Digital Export Channels

A major trade exhibition in Shenzhen is showcasing how Chinese manufacturers are relying increasingly on cross-border e-commerce platforms to reach overseas customers and support export growth.

China Promotes Rail and Transit Technology at Beijing and Guangzhou Forums

Chinese authorities are using major transport exhibitions in Beijing and Guangzhou to showcase domestic rail, metro and logistics systems to international partners, including Belt and Road countries.

China Targets 70% Electric and Hybrid Share of New Car Sales by 2030

Beijing’s new automotive plan calls for new energy vehicles to account for 70% of domestic new-car sales by the end of the decade, extending government support for electrification and automotive exports.

China and US Hold High-Level Talks Amid Technology and Maritime Disputes

Senior Chinese and US officials have held strategic discussions covering technology export controls, South China Sea tensions and the broader direction of bilateral relations.

China Targets 3.5 Trillion Yuan Pharmaceutical Industry by 2030

The State Council has set a goal of expanding China’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2030 as policymakers seek greater domestic capacity in medical innovation and manufacturing.

China and Pakistan Launch Boundary Joint Commission

Chinese and Pakistani officials have convened their first Boundary Joint Commission, focusing on border management and security along routes linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Xi Jinping Pushes Deeper BRICS Economic Integration Ahead of China’s 2027 Chairmanship

President Xi Jinping is advocating stronger trade and financial coordination within the expanded BRICS grouping as China prepares to assume its chairmanship in 2027.

Chinese Financial Institutions Seek Expansion of Greater Bay Area Wealth Link

Financial groups including China International Capital Corporation are calling for looser cross-border advisory restrictions between Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong to expand access to private wealth across the Greater Bay Area.

China Prioritizes Advanced Materials to Strengthen Domestic AI Chip Supply Chains

Chinese planners are placing materials including synthetic diamond at the center of future semiconductor policy, seeking better thermal management for advanced chips and reduced exposure to foreign technology restrictions.

China Orders Stable Coal Output as Energy Security Takes Priority

China’s economic and energy authorities have instructed state-owned miners to maintain strong coal production, underscoring Beijing’s focus on reliable power supplies amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

China Moves to Ring-Fence Property Project Risks With Independent Company Structure

China’s housing ministry will require developers to establish separate corporate entities for individual residential projects, aiming to isolate financial risks and strengthen protections for homebuyers.

China Holds Benchmark Lending Rates at Record Lows

The People’s Bank of China kept its Loan Prime Rates unchanged at historic lows in September while outlining financial reforms aimed at supporting stability and preserving the value of the currency.

Huawei and Alibaba Accelerate Domestic AI Development

Huawei is speeding up its artificial intelligence chip roadmap while Alibaba has launched the Qwen 3.8 API, highlighting intensifying competition to build domestically controlled AI hardware and software.

HKG Times