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Banking & finance
News about the global financial industry with a focus on developments in Hong Kong and China.
China’s yuan has appreciated considerably against the US dollar in recent months. Photo: AFP
Yuan

China’s offshore yuan breaks major benchmark as appreciation momentum builds

For the first time since 2024, the currency strengthened past the threshold of seven per US dollar – and did it again the next day.

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Yuan

China expands digital-yuan push to Singapore and Asean trade routes

China property

China Jinmao sells 5-star Ritz-Carlton hotel in Sanya for US$322 million

Wealth management

Billionaire detained in shadow banking scandal in China

Police in Zhejiang have imposed ‘criminal compulsory measures’ against Yu Faxiang and are conducting a probe into his alleged wrongdoings.

A 12-metre-tall sculpture of Ultraman Zero stands at an Ultraman-themed venue inside Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park in Shanghai in July 2022. Photo: Getty Images
Fintech

HKIC ends year on high note but Hong Kong cost of living a drawback for talent

Government-backed fund strengthens VC ecosystem and fosters collaboration, but the city’s high cost of living remains a challenge.

Biomedicine: Geopolitics

Global firms turn to M&A in EVs and biotech to deepen China investment: KPMG

Survey of multinational corporations finds optimism in life sciences, healthcare and manufacturing, with half forecasting revenue growth.

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Technology

Opinion | Forget the US dollar. Watch water and energy resources instead

In our increasingly hi-tech-based economy and financial systems, energy and water resources will be macroeconomically critical.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China property

China Vanke wins bondholders’ reprieve, averts default for now

Holders of the 2 billion yuan note approve extension of grace period to January 28, but deny proposal to defer principal payment for a year.

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Fintech

Exclusive | Old lender, new twist: Shanghai Commercial Bank teams up with HashKey on card

The 75-year-old lender will work with the newly listed digital asset exchange to issue a co-branded Visa card for HashKey traders.

China debt

China to hide bad debt records for pandemic-hit borrowers who repay small loans

New policy by the People’s Bank of China applies to one-off debts up to 10,000 yuan incurred since 2020, aiming to help people rebuild credit.

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The People’s Bank of China has unveiled a credit-rehabilitation policy to help individuals who defaulted on small loans rebuild their financial standing. Photo: Reuters
Gold in Hong Kong

Gold takes centre stage as Hong Kong builds commodities ecosystem

Hong Kong plans to build an international gold trading centre as part of a wider commodities hub push.

Gold bricks displayed at Hong Kong Gold Exchange Chinese New Year Opening Ceremony in Sheung Wan. Photo: Edmond So
IPO

Charles Li halts Hong Kong IPO plan for Micro Connect fund under HKEX Chapter 21

Former HKEX chief shifts to private fund model after regime fails to see a successful listing in a decade, raising call for a review.

IPO

Chinese GPU maker Biren kicks off bookbuilding for US$624 million Hong Kong IPO

The company, which is selling 247.7 million shares between HK$17 and HK$19.60 each, will become the first listing of 2026 on January 2.

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Japan

Will Japan’s young embrace 50-year loans amid rising housing prices?

Opting for 50-year loans lowers monthly costs, but the long-term risks are mounting.

People cross a road in Tokyo earlier this month. Fifty-year mortgages are transforming home ownership for young buyers in Japan. Photo: AFP
Japan

Bank of Japan’s historic rate increase signals new era for economy

Bank of Japan lifts rates to 0.75 per cent – a 30-year high – ending zero-interest era, paving the way for further increases amid rising inflation.

A man passes a screen in Tokyo showing Japan’s 10-year bond level after the Bank of Japan raised interest rates on Friday. Photo: Reuters
IPO

Chinese AI, chip start-ups court global investors with Hong Kong listing plans

GigaDevice and Montage are each aiming to raise as much as US$1 billion from Hong Kong listings as early as January, report says.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Chinese brokerage CICC unveils merger details with Dongxing, Cinda

The three-way merger will create China’s fourth-largest investment bank with assets of US$128 billion.

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IPO

Holiday rush: Hong Kong IPO market sparkles with busiest December in years

From biotech to AI, December’s listings – including at least 15 down the stretch – crown the city’s revival in equity fundraising.

Insilico Medicine says its listing could raise up to HK$2.3 billion. Photo: Shutterstock
HKEX

HKEX amends float rules to strengthen Hong Kong’s status as global finance hub

The reforms are meant to boost liquidity and attract high-quality companies, reinforcing the overall competitiveness of the capital markets.

China property

China Vanke unveils proposal to extend US$366 million bond after 3 failed bids

Bondholders will vote on the revised plan from Thursday to Monday, and it requires over 90 per cent of the total voting rights to take effect.

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IPO

HashKey shares debut flat in Hong Kong amid bitcoin bear market

The firm, one of 11 licensed virtual asset trading platforms in Hong Kong, raised US$206 million in the city’s first crypto-native IPO.

HashKey executives and other exchange and government officials at the gong-striking ceremony to mark the company’s trading debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange on Wednesday. Photo: Karma Lo
Capital gains tax

Hong Kong signs tax treaty with Norway, marking fourth such agreement this year

Treasury chief Christopher Hui said the government plans to begin CDTA negotiations with Slovenia and Oman early next year.

Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui (left), exchanges documents with Norway’s Ambassador to China, Vebjørn Dysvik, in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Handout
Semiconductors

China’s tech ambitions stoke red-hot chip IPO market

MetaX shares make their debut on Wednesday after a wildly popular IPO as China’s tech self-sufficiency push fuels investor demand for AI-related stocks.

China economy

Opinion | Global finance is quietly moving east

The IMF’s Shanghai Centre will not alter global finance overnight but shows that Asia’s voice in shaping international financial norms is growing louder.

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Hong Kong

Hang Seng Bank shareholders to vote on HSBC buyout proposal on January 8

Hang Seng Bank’s independent financial adviser recommends that shareholders vote in favour of HSBC’s proposal to privatise the lender.

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HSBC is in the midst of finalising its takeover of Hang Seng Bank. Photo: Jelly Tse
China property

Vanke’s bondholders reject payment extension, raising default risk

The rejection in a three-day vote that ended late on Friday gives the developer a grace period of five business days to pay 2 billion yuan of onshore bond.

The construction site of a residential complex being built by Chinese real estate developer Vanke in Nanjing in eastern China’s Jiangsu province on February 13, 2025. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can capitalise on Chinese creative destruction

The Greater Bay Area’s success shows that with the right environment, creative destruction can generate inclusive growth.

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Hong Kong property

Yau Tong project nearly sells out amid hopes of home market recovery in 2026

The flats at One Park Place were in high demand after developers Sino Land, CSI Properties and MTR offered discounts of up to 15 per cent.

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