Hong Kong Times

Hong Kong Economy Grows 5.9 Percent as AI-Related Exports Drive Trade Recovery

Hong Kong's economy expanded 5.9 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2026, with a sharp rise in merchandise exports fueled by global demand for artificial intelligence-related electronics, supporting the government's full-year g...

China Implements New Mineral Resources Rules to Strengthen Strategic Supply Chains

The State Council has put new regulations under the revised Mineral Resources Law into effect, tightening oversight of mineral extraction, reserves management, and environmental restoration while strengthening control over strategic reso...

XPeng Debuts New SUV Simultaneously in China and Germany

XPeng launched its L03 compact sport utility vehicle in Munich at the same time as its domestic release, underscoring the company's push into overseas markets as intense price competition squeezes profit margins in China.

BDO Raises Hong Kong IPO Forecast to 400 Billion Dollars for 2026

Accounting firm BDO expects Hong Kong to host as many as 200 initial public offerings raising 400 billion dollars in 2026, following a strong first half of the year and a surge in listings that points to renewed investor confidence in th...

People's Bank of China Directs More Than 760 Billion Yuan to Private Sector Lending

The central bank said it provided more than 760 billion yuan in targeted funding during the first half of the year, aiming to channel low-cost credit through financial institutions to private manufacturing and technology companies.

China Approves Major Renewable Energy Expansion Across Western Provinces

The National Energy Administration has finalized its latest renewable energy plan, authorizing large-scale solar and hydrogen projects in western China to accelerate the country's transition toward domestically generated clean energy.

Hong Kong Exchange Opens Door to More Malaysian Secondary Listings

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing has added Bursa Malaysia to its list of recognized stock exchanges, allowing eligible Malaysian-listed companies to pursue secondary listings in Hong Kong and strengthening regional capital market connect...

Hong Kong Exchange Proposes Ending Midday Trading Break to Align With Global Markets

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing has proposed eliminating the stock market's traditional lunch break for the first time in more than a decade, aiming to improve market liquidity and better match international trading hours despite concer...

Cathay Pacific Expects First-Half Profit to Exceed Six Billion Dollars

Cathay Pacific forecast underlying profit of between six billion and six point five billion dollars for the first half of 2026, supported by strong passenger demand, improved performance from its low-cost carrier, and higher cargo volume...

Hong Kong Monetary Authority Expands Renminbi Funding Facility to 500 Billion Yuan

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has increased the quota for its Renminbi Business Facility to 500 billion yuan, providing banks with greater access to long-term offshore funding and strengthening Hong Kong's role as the leading offshore...

People's Bank of China Steps Up Monetary Easing with Fresh Liquidity Injection and Lower Deposit Rates

The People's Bank of China injected 200 billion yuan through a rare second medium-term lending facility operation in July, while the country's five largest state-owned banks cut deposit rates below two percent after broader benchmark red...

China Ends Tax Exemption for Electric Vehicle Lithium-Ion Batteries

Beijing will phase out the consumption tax exemption for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, seeking to balance fiscal revenue while signaling a shift in industrial support toward next-generation battery technologies.

China Awards First National Level Three Certifications for Autonomous AI Devices

Regulators granted the country's first Level Three artificial intelligence certifications to 66 smart devices from 17 technology companies, establishing a unified national framework for more advanced AI hardware operating directly on edg...

SMIC Launches $5.8 Billion Acquisition to Consolidate China's Semiconductor Industry

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation is acquiring domestic chip assets in a state-backed transaction worth $5.8 billion, marking the start of a broader effort to consolidate China's foundry sector and strengthen domestic...

People's Bank of China Expands Offshore Yuan Strategy Through Hong Kong

Central bank governor Pan Gongsheng unveiled an eleven-point plan to deepen offshore renminbi liquidity, expand yuan-denominated financial products, and reinforce Hong Kong's position as the main international hub for the Chinese currency.

China and Russia Complete First Joint Submarine Operations During Pacific Naval Exercises

Chinese and Russian naval forces concluded Joint Sea-2026 exercises near Qingdao with the first coordinated deployment of Chinese Type 039B and Russian Kilo-class submarines, highlighting closer military cooperation and expanded operatio...

Collapse in Land Sales Drives Chinese Local Governments to Tighten Tax Collection

China's fiscal revenue strengthened in June despite a 65 percent decline in residential land sales from peak levels, as local governments stepped up corporate tax collection and sought alternative revenue sources to offset weaker propert...

Chinese Regulators Encourage Market-Led Mergers to Revitalize A-Share Market

Securities regulators are promoting market-driven mergers and acquisitions to improve capital allocation and accelerate corporate restructuring, signaling a greater role for consolidation in maintaining the health of China's domestic equ...

China Unveils Five-Year Plan to Expand Imports of Advanced Technology

The General Administration of Customs announced a strategy for 2026–2030 to increase imports of advanced equipment, critical industrial components, and strategic energy resources, supporting China's manufacturing upgrade and supply chain...

Huawei Unveils Atlas 950 AI Supernode at Shanghai Conference

Huawei introduced its Atlas 950 SuperPoD at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, combining 1,024 AI chips into a single computing platform as China intensifies investment in large-scale artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Hong Kong Expands Autonomous Vehicle Trials With New Robotaxi Deployments

Hong Kong transport authorities have issued pilot licences for 63 autonomous vehicles as Baidu expands testing of its sixth-generation robotaxis in Lantau. The wider rollout marks another step in the city's efforts to develop smart mobil...

Affluent Hong Kong Investors Increase Exposure to Alternative Assets and Artificial Intelligence

A DBS Treasures survey found that affluent investors in Hong Kong and mainland China have raised allocations to alternative assets, which now account for 18 percent of their portfolios, while targeting average annual returns of 7.9 perce...

Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Rise 13 Percent as Tourism Board Launches Global Campaign

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has unveiled its "Only in Hong Kong" international marketing campaign after visitor arrivals reached 26.7 million in the first half of the year, up 13 percent from a year earlier. Officials aim to build on the...

Hong Kong Investment Corporation Reports Strong Returns on Strategic Technology Investments

The government-backed Hong Kong Investment Corporation said investment income nearly tripled to 6.46 billion Hong Kong dollars, delivering a 14 percent net return for the fiscal year. The fund attributed its performance to growth across ...

Zhongji Innolight Launches Up to Seven Billion Dollar Hong Kong IPO in City's Largest Listing in Seven Years

Chinese optical transceiver maker Zhongji Innolight has begun taking investor orders for an initial public offering of up to 55 billion Hong Kong dollars, backed by cornerstone investors including Temasek and BlackRock. The listing, sche...

Hong Kong Advances Tax Breaks for Alternative Investment Funds to Strengthen Wealth Management Hub

Hong Kong's Legislative Council is considering tax changes that would exempt performance fees and carried interest from profits and salaries tax for hedge funds, private credit funds and digital asset funds. The proposed measures are int...

Hong Kong Begins Work on First Five-Year Strategic Development Plan

Chief Executive John Lee has launched the drafting of Hong Kong's first multi-year strategic development plan, aligning the city's priorities with China's Fifteenth Five-Year Plan. The initiative introduces a more coordinated approach to...

Shanghai World AI Conference Showcases Artificial Intelligence Governance and Rapid Industry Growth

The 2026 World AI Conference concluded in Shanghai after bringing together international participants to discuss open-source artificial intelligence governance. Chinese data authorities also reported that nationwide daily AI token usage ...

People's Bank of China Maintains Accommodative Monetary Policy to Support Industrial Upgrading

The People's Bank of China said it will keep monetary policy appropriately accommodative following a quarterly policy meeting. The central bank said it will use counter-cyclical measures to reduce financing costs while directing more cre...

China Promotes Regional Economic Cooperation at ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended regional meetings in Manila, where discussions focused on expanding trade links, strengthening supply chain resilience and deepening cooperation between China and ASEAN members. The talks highlighted Bei...

China Welcomes Papua New Guinea's Decision to Close Taipei Economic Office

China's Foreign Ministry welcomed Papua New Guinea's decision to close the Taipei Economic Office, saying the move reflects adherence to the one-China principle. The statement was made during a regular ministry press briefing.

Shenzhen Launches 10 Billion Yuan Fund to Expand Semiconductor and Advanced Technology Industries

Shenzhen has established a 10 billion yuan industrial investment fund to support semiconductor manufacturing, advanced robotics and core electronic components. The initiative is intended to strengthen research, development and production...

High-Tech Manufacturing Outpaces Broader Industrial Growth in China

The National Bureau of Statistics said value-added output from high-tech manufacturing rose 13.3 percent in the first half of the year, well above overall industrial growth. The sector contributed more than 40 percent of China's economic...

Chinese Manufacturers Report Advances in Key Electronic Materials

Major domestic electronic component producers, including Fenghua Advanced Technology, announced progress in multilayer ceramic capacitor technology and the localization of critical raw materials. The developments are expected to reduce r...

China's Chip Production Jumps 23 Percent as Semiconductor Capacity Expands

National Bureau of Statistics data showed integrated circuit output rose 23 percent in the first six months of the year to nearly 280 billion units. The increase reflects continued expansion of domestic semiconductor manufacturing capaci...

China's Green Technology Exports Climb 51.6 Percent in First Half

Official customs figures showed exports of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and solar cells increased 51.6 percent year on year during the first half of 2026. Electric vehicle exports alone exceeded one million units in June, hig...

China Reports 4.7 Percent First-Half Economic Growth as High-Tech Manufacturing Offsets Property Weakness

China's economy expanded 4.7 percent year on year in the first half of 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Resilient high-tech manufacturing and strong foreign trade helped sustain growth despite continued weakness in t...

Hong Kong Government Bond Sale Draws Nearly Five Times Subscription

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority successfully reopened one billion Hong Kong dollars of seven-year institutional government bonds, attracting 4.905 billion Hong Kong dollars in bids and highlighting continued demand for Hong Kong dollar ...

United States Lets Hong Kong Emergency Order Expire After Trade Discussions

The United States has allowed Executive Order 13936 relating to Hong Kong to lapse without renewal, a move welcomed by the Hong Kong government as supporting recent China-United States trade consensus and potentially easing barriers to c...

Central Hong Kong Office Rents Post Strongest First-Half Growth in Fifteen Years

JLL said Grade A office rents in Central climbed 7.3 percent in the first half of 2026, the fastest six-month increase in fifteen years, driven by a stronger initial public offering pipeline, business expansion and rising wealth manageme...

World Cup Spending Delivers 500 Million Hong Kong Dollar Boost to Restaurants and Retailers

Hong Kong's food, beverage and retail sectors generated an estimated 500 million Hong Kong dollars in additional revenue as consumers gathered to watch World Cup matches, providing a seasonal lift to domestic spending.

Hong Kong Exchange Finalizes Listing Reforms to Attract High-Growth Companies

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing is preparing new listing rules that would allow confidential filings and lower market capitalization thresholds for eligible start-ups and weighted-voting-right companies, with the aim of strengthening th...

Hong Kong Commercial Property Investment Rises Fifty Percent in First Half

CBRE reported that commercial property investment reached 23.1 billion Hong Kong dollars during the first six months of 2026, supported by corporate buyers purchasing office space and investors converting underused buildings into student...

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