https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/325376/feed Breaking news and analysis on Hong Kong's economy and the companies that operate in the city, including its GDP, economic outlook, impact of the coronavirus outbreak, macroeconomic indicators, the local government finance and budget, retail sales, consumption, employment and monetary policy. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Elizabeth Cheung Elizabeth Cheung Top university research, cross-border data exchanges and access to mainland China’s large market have attracted Japanese firm Rohto Pharmaceutical to conduct clinical trials in Hong Kong, making it the first company from the country to partner with the city’s government under a flagship investment initiative. Rohto, known for its over-the-counter eye care and skincare products, is among the latest batch of 18 firms recruited by the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372885/drug-maker-rohto-plans-clinical-trials-hong-kong-oases-first-japan-partner https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372885/drug-maker-rohto-plans-clinical-trials-hong-kong-oases-first-japan-partner Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:30:11 +0000 Elaine Wong Elaine Wong Walk into any major financial institution in Hong Kong today, and there is a good chance the person in charge is a woman. Women now hold 45 per cent of senior leadership positions and 37 per cent of board seats in Hong Kong’s financial services industry – double-digit increases since 2018. These figures come from “Tipping the Scale”, a report published in October 2025 by Women Chief Executives Hong Kong, KPMG China and The Women’s Foundation. The report ranks Hong Kong first among global... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3372746/how-hong-kongs-financial-sector-setting-global-benchmark-female-leadership https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3372746/how-hong-kongs-financial-sector-setting-global-benchmark-female-leadership Sun, 01 Nov 2026 22:00:14 +0000 Danny Mok,Eric Jiang Danny Mok,Eric Jiang Hong Kong tour groups returning from Japan have praised a smooth roll-out of the country’s new tax refund arrangement that requires travellers to complete refund procedures at airports or ports rather than at shops. Under the “pay first, refund later” scheme, which took effect on Sunday to curb illicit domestic reselling and tax evasion, international tourists must now pay the 10 per cent consumption tax upfront at the counter. Travellers are now required to complete customs verification before... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372903/less-minute-hong-kong-travellers-praise-japans-new-tax-refund-airports https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372903/less-minute-hong-kong-travellers-praise-japans-new-tax-refund-airports Sun, 01 Nov 2026 14:43:46 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen The Hong Kong Bar Association has warned that a proposed phased redevelopment of the High Court, which could span more than a decade, is “not workable” and risks deterring legal practitioners from joining the bench. The association, the professional body for barristers, urged the government to consider faster alternatives, such as repurposing the existing District Court building. In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post on Sunday, association chairman Jose-Antonio Maurellet SC... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372893/high-court-redevelopment-plan-not-workable-hong-kong-bar-association-warns https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372893/high-court-redevelopment-plan-not-workable-hong-kong-bar-association-warns Sun, 01 Nov 2026 12:05:39 +0000 Daisy Wu Daisy Wu On November 4 last year, Zohran Mamdani won the New York mayoral election on a promise to make the city more affordable, with expanded social programmes funded in part by raising taxes on the city’s wealthiest residents and most profitable corporations. Nearly a year since his upset victory, he has secured one major piece of that agenda: a surcharge on high-end second homes. He also continues to push for higher corporate and income taxes. The proposals have intensified criticism of Mamdani, a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/money/wealth/article/3372833/big-apple-vs-pearl-orient-how-higher-taxes-new-york-may-open-door-hong-kong https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/money/wealth/article/3372833/big-apple-vs-pearl-orient-how-higher-taxes-new-york-may-open-door-hong-kong Sun, 01 Nov 2026 12:00:12 +0000 Natalie Wong Natalie Wong Three Chinese-language newspapers in Hong Kong have raised their retail prices by HK$3 (40 US cents) this month, marking the first sector-wide adjustment in two years. Ming Pao’s increase took effect on Sunday, raising its single-copy price from HK$12 to HK$15, up 25 per cent. Two financial broadsheets will follow suit on Monday. The Hong Kong Economic Times (HKET) will raise its price from HK$12 to HK$15, while the Hong Kong Economic Journal (HKEJ) will increase its price by 20 per cent from... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3372863/3-hong-kong-chinese-language-newspapers-raise-retail-prices-hk3 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3372863/3-hong-kong-chinese-language-newspapers-raise-retail-prices-hk3 Sun, 01 Nov 2026 03:44:51 +0000 Ken Chu Ken Chu A Vincent van Gogh painting not shown publicly for more than 60 years recently drew hundreds of people to Sotheby’s Hong Kong. Painted in May 1890, Châtaigniers en fleurs (Chestnut Trees in Flower) is a major work from his Auvers-sur-Oise period and could set an auction record. For three days, Sotheby’s opened the private collection to public viewing in Hong Kong. Its brief stay raises a question about the city’s art hub ambitions: what lasting expertise can be built around a masterpiece that... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3372464/hong-kongs-art-trading-hub-ambitions-rest-more-headline-sales https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3372464/hong-kongs-art-trading-hub-ambitions-rest-more-headline-sales Sun, 01 Nov 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Van driver Wong Siu-po, 48, feels life is becoming more difficult than ever as rising fuel prices cost him an additional HK$5,000 (US$640) a month, about a third of his monthly income. With an 11-year-old daughter and an unemployed wife to support, he feels the pressure mounting. “I need to work three hours longer per day to make up for the loss of income,” he said. “I will cut down on air conditioning to save costs.” Wong’s plight echoes survey findings showing that nearly 98 per cent of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372851/pump-pressure-how-rising-fuel-costs-leave-hong-kong-drivers-running-fumes https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372851/pump-pressure-how-rising-fuel-costs-leave-hong-kong-drivers-running-fumes Sun, 01 Nov 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma A leading Hong Kong telecommunications carrier has confirmed that an order requiring it to justify its operation in the United States has been ceased, after the company reportedly agreed to wind down its business under pressure from a US regulatory agency over national security concerns. A spokeswoman for Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) told the South China Morning Post on Saturday that the Order to Show Cause issued by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in October requiring it to justify... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3372848/hkt-says-us-order-ceased-firm-reportedly-agrees-exit-american-market https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3372848/hkt-says-us-order-ceased-firm-reportedly-agrees-exit-american-market Sat, 31 Oct 2026 14:39:19 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Vendors at Hong Kong’s Wine and Dine Festival reported a stronger turnout and signs of improving business on Saturday as the annual event entered the weekend, coinciding with Halloween celebrations and extended opening hours until 1am. Some exhibitors said visitor numbers had increased noticeably compared with the first two days of the four-day festival, while others expressed cautious optimism about sales amid a challenging retail environment. Henry Leung, a staff member at food and beverage... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372845/wine-and-dine-festival-vendors-report-halloween-boost-sales-and-footfall https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372845/wine-and-dine-festival-vendors-report-halloween-boost-sales-and-footfall Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:46:59 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong’s annual economic growth may hit a five-year high, the finance chief has said, raising the possibility of an upward revision to the current forecast of 3.5 to 4.5 per cent for 2026. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Saturday that coming third-quarter figures indicated sustained momentum, noting the economy grew by 5.1 per cent in the first half of 2026 over a year earlier. “Although the third-quarter figures have not yet been released, I can share that exports remained very... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372830/hong-kong-may-raise-gdp-forecast-growth-poised-5-year-high-paul-chan https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372830/hong-kong-may-raise-gdp-forecast-growth-poised-5-year-high-paul-chan Sat, 31 Oct 2026 10:20:59 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng Seventy-something Hong Kong retiree Leung Ching says a meal for four in Shenzhen, the megacity in mainland China roughly an hour’s train ride away, that cost just over 300 yuan (US$45) a few years ago now runs to 500 to 600 yuan. It would cost around HK$1,000 (US$127.50) in Hong Kong, but only 300 yuan in Guangzhou and just 200 yuan in Zhongshan, two cities within two hours of Hong Kong. “Shenzhen is becoming less and less affordable,” said Leung, a retired vendor. Last year, consumer prices in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3372740/shenzhen-too-pricey-cost-conscious-hongkongers-dig-deeper-mainland-china https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3372740/shenzhen-too-pricey-cost-conscious-hongkongers-dig-deeper-mainland-china Sat, 31 Oct 2026 04:00:09 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Having a presence in Hong Kong and the rest of China is “very important” for Bordeaux, an official from the world-renowned French wine-producing region has said, even as consumption declines on the mainland. The comments by deputy mayor Fabien Robert came as Vinexpo, a premier international wine and spirits trade exhibition that began in Bordeaux, signed a deal for its Asian edition to be hosted solely by Hong Kong from 2027 to 2031. “To be in Hong Kong every year, I think it’s a message ...... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372792/bordeaux-officials-hail-exclusive-5-year-deal-hong-kong-host-vinexpo https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372792/bordeaux-officials-hail-exclusive-5-year-deal-hong-kong-host-vinexpo Sat, 31 Oct 2026 01:00:15 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Hong Kong will be the exclusive host of Vinexpo Asia from 2027 to 2031, ending a rotation with Singapore. The organiser of the fair, Vinexposium, confirmed its five-year commitment to Hong Kong on Friday, signing a memorandum of understanding with the Tourism Board. Board chairman Peter Lam Kin-ngok called the partnership a milestone that underscored a commitment to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s leading destination for wine, spirits and culinary experiences. “[Vinexposium’s]... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372765/hong-kong-be-exclusive-host-vinexpo-asia-trade-fair-next-five-years https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372765/hong-kong-be-exclusive-host-vinexpo-asia-trade-fair-next-five-years Fri, 30 Oct 2026 11:32:00 +0000 Christina Zhao Christina Zhao This week, China’s stock market slipped into a bear market, prompting the state-backed “national team” to pour about 170 billion yuan (US$25.52 billion) into exchange-traded funds (ETFs); Standard Chartered beat forecasts with a 46 per cent jump in third-quarter net profit; and the US Federal Reserve held rates steady, which also left Hong Kong’s base rate unchanged. Meanwhile, an offshore yuan bond structure known as Yulan made its debut in Dubai, and residential rents in Hong Kong extended a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/markets/article/3372668/national-team-intervention-yulan-bonds-5-figures-investors-are-watching https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/markets/article/3372668/national-team-intervention-yulan-bonds-5-figures-investors-are-watching Fri, 30 Oct 2026 07:00:07 +0000 Peggy Ye Peggy Ye Hong Kong banks are facing a growing backlog of repossessed homes as aggressive pricing by developers draws buyers towards new projects, leaving fewer buyers for second-hand properties being sold by mortgagees. The number of residential properties listed for sale by mortgagees rose 30 per cent in the third quarter to sit at 262 at the end of September, a four-quarter high, according to Centaline Property. The increase of 61 properties was the largest since records began in the fourth quarter of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/article/3372674/hong-kong-banks-face-growing-pile-repossessed-homes-sales-slow https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/article/3372674/hong-kong-banks-face-growing-pile-repossessed-homes-sales-slow Fri, 30 Oct 2026 05:00:08 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. Hong Kong’s first five-year plan sets a striking target: local innovation expenditure should rise from 1.63 per cent of gross domestic product in 2024 to 3 per cent after 2030 – nearly double. The city has five universities in the top 100 and is home to national key laboratories... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3372508/5-year-plan-has-set-hong-kongs-innovation-target-will-businesses-step https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3372508/5-year-plan-has-set-hong-kongs-innovation-target-will-businesses-step Fri, 30 Oct 2026 03:30:07 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing In September, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled the city’s first five-year plan along with his policy address, highlighting Hong Kong’s strategic role in promoting the greater use of the yuan outside mainland China as a key priority. In the last of a four-part series on the internationalisation of the yuan, Lam Ka-sing examines Hong Kong’s push to make the currency part of everyday life – from vending machines and retail payments to government spending and cross-border trade. At Hong... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372636/hong-kongs-wider-yuan-push-gateway-world https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372636/hong-kongs-wider-yuan-push-gateway-world Thu, 29 Oct 2026 22:00:18 +0000 Denise Tsang,Ambrose Li Denise Tsang,Ambrose Li Hong Kong authorities have scrapped a controversial plan to install decorative lights along a scenic trail on The Peak to increase the city’s nighttime tourism appeal following a public outcry, promising to restore the natural landscape as soon as possible. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Tourism Board concluded there was no urgent need to roll out the project after assessing the effectiveness of a watered-down version of the attraction, according to a document they submitted to the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372608/hong-kong-scraps-lighting-attraction-peak-after-public-outcry https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372608/hong-kong-scraps-lighting-attraction-peak-after-public-outcry Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:56:31 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Later opening times are unlikely to boost wine sales by the bottle, exhibitors returning to Hong Kong’s annual Wine and Dine Festival have said, with new overseas participants believing that the city serves as an indicator for broader trends in Asian markets. The festival returned to the Central Harbourfront on Thursday with over 340 booths, an increase of more than 10 per cent from last year, with over 30 countries and regions represented. Operating hours are from 1pm to 1am on Friday and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372601/later-hours-unlikely-boost-bottle-sales-hong-kong-wine-festival-exhibitors-say https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372601/later-hours-unlikely-boost-bottle-sales-hong-kong-wine-festival-exhibitors-say Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:05:10 +0000 Peggy Ye,Chris Tsang Peggy Ye,Chris Tsang CK Asset Holdings has suspended sales at its Yuen Long residential project Montage, days before it planned to begin marketing the development’s first homes. The developer confirmed the suspension to the South China Morning Post but declined to explain the abrupt decision, saying only that it reserved the right to pause or commence sales at any time. It dismissed market speculation that the government had revoked the project’s presale consent as baseless. The move followed Moni Yeung, deputy... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/companies/article/3372560/ck-asset-pauses-hong-kong-sales-launch-yuen-longs-montage-development https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/companies/article/3372560/ck-asset-pauses-hong-kong-sales-launch-yuen-longs-montage-development Thu, 29 Oct 2026 08:00:20 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Samsung Electronics is reportedly ending home appliance sales in Hong Kong, months after withdrawing from the mainland Chinese market. Samsung’s Hong Kong office told the South China Morning Post on Thursday that it would focus on televisions, monitors, audio products, business-to-business display solutions and mobile devices in the city. It did not explicitly confirm that it was ending sales of major home appliances. However, a check by the SCMP on Thursday morning found that major home... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372524/samsung-electronics-reportedly-ending-home-appliance-sales-hong-kong https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372524/samsung-electronics-reportedly-ending-home-appliance-sales-hong-kong Thu, 29 Oct 2026 04:38:02 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. The price of brent crude oil topped US$116 a barrel this week, its highest level since April, after attacks on tankers threatened Gulf supplies. In a previous letter published in these pages (“Hong Kong’s high fuel prices warrant scrutiny”, April 18), we reported the results of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3372379/rising-oil-prices-boost-appeal-evs-hong-kong-commercial-drivers https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3372379/rising-oil-prices-boost-appeal-evs-hong-kong-commercial-drivers Thu, 29 Oct 2026 03:30:07 +0000 Tim Yuen Lingk Tim Yuen Lingk The tightening of Hong Kong’s securities regulations – in the wake of property developer Evergrande’s liquidation and unrelated IPO frauds – has resulted in more delistings than resumptions for the first time in three years, according to a report by accountants Grant Thornton. Hong Kong saw 35 delistings in the 12 months to August this year but only 21 resumptions, the report said. “Regulators have comprehensively tightened resumption requirements,” said Barry Tong, national leader of forensic... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/article/3372498/regulatory-tightening-hong-kong-sees-delistings-outnumber-resumptions-report https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/article/3372498/regulatory-tightening-hong-kong-sees-delistings-outnumber-resumptions-report Thu, 29 Oct 2026 03:00:06 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Immigration rules are discouraging a growing number of air travellers from visiting certain destinations, a global aviation survey has found, while geopolitical tensions are also influencing travel decisions, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), an airline industry body, said its annual Global Passenger Survey found that 43 per cent of respondents had been put off from visiting certain destinations by immigration requirements, up from 33... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3372486/immigration-rules-deter-nearly-half-asia-pacific-air-travellers-survey-finds https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3372486/immigration-rules-deter-nearly-half-asia-pacific-air-travellers-survey-finds Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:30:06 +0000 Daisy Wu,Enoch Yiu Daisy Wu,Enoch Yiu The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) warned of considerable uncertainty over the path of US interest rates as it kept its base rate unchanged at 4.25 per cent on Thursday, hours after the US Federal Reserve also held its benchmark rate steady. Hong Kong’s three note-issuing banks – HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong) and Standard Chartered – all followed the HKMA’s lead, keeping their prime rates unchanged. The Hong Kong dollar could continue to weaken due to the gap between Hong Kong and US... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3372495/hong-kong-holds-base-rate-425-after-us-federal-reserve-decision https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3372495/hong-kong-holds-base-rate-425-after-us-federal-reserve-decision Wed, 28 Oct 2026 23:09:59 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung Hong Kong’s third medical school has dismissed allegations of talent poaching after recruiting a veteran haematologist with nearly three decades of service at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Professor Anskar Leung Yu-hung met the press at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) on Wednesday in his capacity as the senior associate dean of medicine at the new school, which is expected to open in the 2028-29 academic year. “The opportunity to be part of a team to [build] a new... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/education/article/3372430/hong-kongs-third-medical-school-denies-poaching-veteran-hku-professor https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/education/article/3372430/hong-kongs-third-medical-school-denies-poaching-veteran-hku-professor Wed, 28 Oct 2026 09:03:25 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Hong Kong’s exports jumped by 64.9 per cent year on year in September, the highest growth in more than 40 years, with artificial intelligence-related (AI) products further fuelling the momentum of recent months. Provisional figures released by the Census and Statistics Department on Wednesday showed the total value of exports rose to HK$762.6 billion (US$97.8 billion) last month, after a 53 per cent surge in August. A government spokesman said September marked the 20th consecutive month of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372427/hong-kong-exports-jump-nearly-65-september-highest-growth-over-40-years https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372427/hong-kong-exports-jump-nearly-65-september-highest-growth-over-40-years Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:53:24 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Private jets, fine jewellery, watches, superyachts and luxury property will feature in a new Hong Kong exhibition offering business opportunities to “brands, yacht owners and connoisseurs”, according to the organiser. The inaugural Festival of Connoisseurs, set to take place between November 4 and 6, is the first event of its kind to secure government funding for large-scale international exhibitions, organiser Informa Markets said on Wednesday. Ryan Hui, the festival’s deputy event director,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372425/hong-kong-luxury-expo-connect-brands-high-spending-travellers https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372425/hong-kong-luxury-expo-connect-brands-high-spending-travellers Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:50:14 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong’s government-owned postal service reported a record operating deficit of HK$905 million (US$115 million) in 2025-26, its ninth straight annual loss. In its annual report published on Wednesday, Hongkong Post said the past year showed its “resilience and adaptability” despite a volatile economic environment and an escalating geopolitical situation. “The emergence of protectionism, tightening customs policies in various places, increasing terminal dues and rising operating costs posed... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372405/hongkong-post-reports-record-hk905-million-deficit-ninth-year-losses https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372405/hongkong-post-reports-record-hk905-million-deficit-ninth-year-losses Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:39:06 +0000 Chris Tsang Chris Tsang With the “exceptionally cheap” sale of a vacant Hong Kong shopping mall, developer CK Asset Holdings is freeing up capital for other projects, while the buyer will have to be patient because the location will struggle to attract tenants in the short term, according to analysts. The developer completed the mall in its residential project Seaside Sonata on Hai Tan Street in Sham Shui Po five years ago but never leased it out. It recently changed hands along with a batch of parking spaces for... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/article/3372389/why-hong-kong-developer-ck-asset-sold-mall-exceptionally-cheap-price https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/article/3372389/why-hong-kong-developer-ck-asset-sold-mall-exceptionally-cheap-price Wed, 28 Oct 2026 05:00:10 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Fresh-graduate job postings in Hong Kong fell 22 per cent in the first nine months of this year from the same period in 2025, according to data from one of the city’s biggest job-search platforms, with an industry leader warning that advances in technology will deepen the decline. Its data also showed more graduates chasing fewer jobs: a typical listing for graduates drew 56 per cent more applications than a year earlier. Yet about 85 per cent of the 298 companies Jobsdb surveyed in August and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372346/dont-have-illusion-graduate-job-ads-down-22-ai-rewrites-rules https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372346/dont-have-illusion-graduate-job-ads-down-22-ai-rewrites-rules Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:30:11 +0000 Daisy Wu Daisy Wu In September, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled the city’s first five-year plan along with his policy address, highlighting Hong Kong’s strategic role in promoting the greater use of the yuan outside mainland China as a key priority. In the second part of a four-part series on the globalisation of the yuan, Daisy Wu examines Hong Kong’s evolution from an offshore reservoir into a self-sustaining yuan ecosystem. Of the hundreds of thousands of people who cross the border between mainland... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3372292/how-hong-kong-went-yuan-gateway-complete-currency-ecosystem https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3372292/how-hong-kong-went-yuan-gateway-complete-currency-ecosystem Tue, 27 Oct 2026 22:00:15 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong lawmakers have raised concerns about the hefty cost of developing a flagship tech hub and a neighbouring wetland park near the city’s border with mainland China, as the government seeks to secure a fresh HK$27 billion for the second round of works. During a Legislative Council development panel meeting on Tuesday, government officials explained the HK$27.2 billion proposal. It covers forming 175 hectares (432 acres) of land at the San Tin Technopole, establishing more than one-third of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372338/hong-kong-lawmakers-raise-concerns-about-fresh-hk27-billion-funding-tech-hub https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372338/hong-kong-lawmakers-raise-concerns-about-fresh-hk27-billion-funding-tech-hub Tue, 27 Oct 2026 13:34:43 +0000 Kristen Cheung,William Yiu Kristen Cheung,William Yiu Hong Kong’s planned university towns in the Northern Metropolis megaproject are being designed to attract the world’s finest students and scholars, the city’s leader has said at a global education summit, as overseas institutions expressed interest but called for partnership incentives. Lawmakers have urged the government to increase the loan quota to help institutions meet their urgent funding needs for campus construction. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu told the Global University Presidents... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/education/article/3372275/northern-metropolis-university-towns-built-attract-worlds-finest-talent-john-lee https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/education/article/3372275/northern-metropolis-university-towns-built-attract-worlds-finest-talent-john-lee Tue, 27 Oct 2026 07:20:40 +0000 Cliff Buddle Cliff Buddle Hong Kong’s determination to become a hub for everything – innovation, finance, trade, culture and sport – appears to know no bounds. Now, Halloween has been added to the list. The city is aiming to become Asia’s premier destination for the annual spookfest. Of all the regional hubs Hong Kong wishes to become, this is one of the more unlikely. But with Beijing urging the city to ensure “tourism is everywhere” and draw ever more visitors, Halloween, falling between the National Day “golden week”... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3372109/hong-kong-wants-be-regional-hub-halloween-why-not https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3372109/hong-kong-wants-be-regional-hub-halloween-why-not Tue, 27 Oct 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Lam Ka-sing,Denise Tsang Lam Ka-sing,Denise Tsang In September, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled the city’s first five-year plan along with his policy address, highlighting Hong Kong’s strategic role in promoting the greater use of the yuan outside mainland China as a key priority. In the first of a four-part series on the internationalisation of the yuan, Lam Ka-sing and Denise Tsang examine Hong Kong’s efforts as an international financial centre to reform its market infrastructure, including building a larger offshore renminbi... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372184/can-hong-kong-deliver-trying-build-its-yuan-credentials https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372184/can-hong-kong-deliver-trying-build-its-yuan-credentials Tue, 27 Oct 2026 00:30:06 +0000 Stephen Wong Stephen Wong Finance ministers from 21 Asia-Pacific economies recently met in Hong Kong, the first time the city has hosted them. A practical question sits one level down. Picture the treasury team of a company running its regional business from Hong Kong. It arranges funding in several currencies, pays across markets and manages the risks that follow. Its question is: how can Hong Kong’s services help it operate more efficiently and at lower cost? Those needs are a practical lens for reading the five-year... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3371934/how-hong-kongs-5-year-plan-can-fuel-its-financial-clout https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3371934/how-hong-kongs-5-year-plan-can-fuel-its-financial-clout Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:30:06 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu The idea of collecting cardboard boxes and used paper in exchange for a few pennies was never something Kuang Su-ling thought she would have to do for a living. It is a laborious occupation that involves working long hours and travelling inconvenient distances, often in difficult outdoor conditions. But Kuang became a waste paper scavenger after she was diagnosed with diabetic eye disease seven years ago and lost her job as a cleaner. “I could not find any other work and I needed money to cover... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3372130/how-will-hong-kongs-cardboard-scavengers-survive-prices-drop-after-new-policy https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3372130/how-will-hong-kongs-cardboard-scavengers-survive-prices-drop-after-new-policy Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:00:08 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong is well-positioned to help companies deploy green services and technologies across belt and road countries, the city’s leader and a mainland Chinese official have said, with authorities set to provide training to at least five firms to promote green solutions overseas. Both officials made the remarks at the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference, which opened in Hong Kong on Monday. It is the first time the event has been held outside the mainland, as the city seeks to act as a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372139/hong-kong-positioned-green-gateway-belt-and-road-firms-john-lee https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372139/hong-kong-positioned-green-gateway-belt-and-road-firms-john-lee Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:28:49 +0000 Wanxin Li Wanxin Li The latest rankings confirm what many in Hong Kong already know: the city’s universities are exceptional. Five institutions continue to sit among the world’s top 100, reflecting decades of investment, academic ambition and hard work. Yet behind the rankings triumph lies a question that receives far less attention: what happens to the people responsible for that success? As universities compete ever harder for rankings, grants and prestige, academics face growing pressure to produce results on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3371160/hong-kongs-pursuit-top-university-rankings-comes-cost https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3371160/hong-kongs-pursuit-top-university-rankings-comes-cost Mon, 26 Oct 2026 01:30:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial First came the cars; now come the yachts. When five Guangdong-registered vessels sailed into Hong Kong waters recently to mark the launch of the southbound yacht travel scheme, they completed a two-way maritime link that began with the northbound arrangement for Hong Kong yachts in June. The southbound scheme deserves a warm welcome. It opens a promising channel of high-value visits as the city searches for fresh sources of growth. Each widening of the door to the rest of the Greater Bay Area... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3372049/hong-kong-must-ensure-mainland-yachts-are-welcome https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3372049/hong-kong-must-ensure-mainland-yachts-are-welcome Sun, 25 Oct 2026 23:15:11 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu It’s common knowledge that Hong Kong has a spectacular skyline, especially at night. And given our current obsession with boosting tourism and other value-adding objectives, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that our tourism authorities are actively adding more light to our night skyline. The Tourism Board tried holding monthly firework and drone shows in 2024, but had to scale back after a budget cut – and amid questions of whether more frequent displays, costing the public HK$1 million... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3372057/peak-lighting-outcry-spotlights-trouble-fast-track-governance https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3372057/peak-lighting-outcry-spotlights-trouble-fast-track-governance Sun, 25 Oct 2026 21:30:06 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong officials held discussions with finance ministers and representatives from economies such as Brunei during last week’s Apec meeting on reducing reliance on the US dollar and expanding the use of local currencies and the yuan for bilateral trade settlement, the city’s treasury chief has said. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu on Sunday also shared lighthearted but telling anecdotes about the intangible gains made by the city from hosting the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372073/hong-kong-seeks-bigger-role-yuan-regional-trade-treasury-chief-says https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372073/hong-kong-seeks-bigger-role-yuan-regional-trade-treasury-chief-says Sun, 25 Oct 2026 10:44:17 +0000 Denise Tsang Denise Tsang Canadian singer The Weeknd surprised concertgoers in Hong Kong on Saturday with a new song inspired by the city, evoking nostalgia among local music fans. Abel Tesfaye – the Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer and actor known professionally as The Weeknd – performed “Hong Kong” to tens of thousands of fans at Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday night. It was his first of four concerts in the city as part of the “After Hours Til Dawn Tour” world tour. The crowd reacted with awe and cheers. “Hong... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372062/weeknd-wows-hong-kong-fans-tribute-song-sampling-faye-wong-classic https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372062/weeknd-wows-hong-kong-fans-tribute-song-sampling-faye-wong-classic Sun, 25 Oct 2026 07:34:03 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has expressed interest in financing projects in the Northern Metropolis mega development, Hong Kong’s finance chief has said. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also told the media on Sunday that global finance leaders had set aside their political differences during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Finance Ministers’ Meeting held in Hong Kong last week and reached a consensus on promoting digital infrastructure, employment... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372059/aiib-keen-finance-projects-northern-metropolis-hong-kong-finance-chief-says https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372059/aiib-keen-finance-projects-northern-metropolis-hong-kong-finance-chief-says Sun, 25 Oct 2026 06:29:33 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Sherry Shum has embraced a new shopping routine after finding a smart vending machine near her home in Chai Wan in Hong Kong. The 37-year-old retail worker uses her phone to scan a QR code, opens the smart machine’s door, picks up a bottle of Coca-Cola, an oolong tea and a pack of potato chips, closes it and walks away with HK$60 (US$7.70) worth of goods. The whole process is so seamless that the bulk of the time is spent deciding what to buy. The moment Shum takes an item from the shelf, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372024/will-ai-powered-open-door-vending-machines-reshape-hong-kongs-retail-landscape https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372024/will-ai-powered-open-door-vending-machines-reshape-hong-kongs-retail-landscape Sun, 25 Oct 2026 04:00:15 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Halloween has arrived early in Hong Kong, with costumed revellers and families thronging the city’s streets a week early and some establishments seeing business increase by up to 20 per cent. The streets of Central were packed on Saturday as visitors and locals alike joined events held under the Tourism Board’s inaugural “Hong Kong Halloween Month”. The campaign, which started last Saturday, involves street celebrations in Central, including Lan Kwai Fong, Kai Tak, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372028/halloween-comes-early-hong-kong-festivities-draw-crowds-lift-bar-business https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372028/halloween-comes-early-hong-kong-festivities-draw-crowds-lift-bar-business Sat, 24 Oct 2026 12:47:39 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong authorities should act as a “visible hand” to break down barriers erected by vested interests and revive growth momentum through reform under its maiden five-year plan, a former Beijing official overseeing the city’s affairs has said. Deng Zhonghua, former deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, also said the city had to adopt a reform-oriented approach to empower emerging industries through deregulation. Hong Kong also needed to address “deep-rooted... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3372011/hong-kong-must-revive-growth-and-drive-reforms-governments-visible-hand https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3372011/hong-kong-must-revive-growth-and-drive-reforms-governments-visible-hand Sat, 24 Oct 2026 07:04:50 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma A cryptocurrency trading platform on Hong Kong and Canadian regulators’ alert lists has opened an office in the city, prompting experts to urge closer scrutiny of how such firms promote themselves without undermining an open business environment. Experts told the South China Morning Post that inclusion on a regulator’s alert list did not necessarily mean a company had broken the law. But they urged authorities to step up oversight of how such firms marketed regulated financial products. Polar... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3371978/crypto-platform-alert-lists-opens-hong-kong-office-prompting-calls-scrutiny https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3371978/crypto-platform-alert-lists-opens-hong-kong-office-prompting-calls-scrutiny Sat, 24 Oct 2026 04:00:16 +0000