Hong Kong property curbs scrapped, Taylor Swift deal questioned, China’s durian king: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

From property curbs in Hong Kong being scrapped to the intensifying durian market in China, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting

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View of residential buildings at the Mid-Levels. Photo: May Tse

Published: 12:00pm, 1 Mar 2024Updated: 1:57pm, 1 Mar 2024

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. Hong Kong budget – all property curbs scrapped to boost market

During his budget speech, Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po said the city would remove all restrictions on property transactions as part of his solutions for the sluggish economy and shrinking fiscal reserves in what some analysts called the most difficult budget blueprint ever.

2. Philippine lawmaker wants probe on Taylor Swift’s Singapore-only concert deal

Singer Taylor Swift performs on stage during a concert as part of her Eras World Tour in Sydney, on February 23. Photo: TNS

A Philippine lawmaker has called on his government to question Singapore over the city state’s decision to offer American pop star Taylor Swift a significant monetary grant, supposedly to prevent her from performing anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

3. Chinese floating barrier at South China Sea flashpoint was ‘necessary’, Beijing says

China on Monday said it was “necessary” to set up a floating barrier at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, where it has had frequent flare-ups with Philippine forces.