TOPIC

Digital Transformation

The Digital Transformation Series will examine the many factors driving businesses to seek digital solutions for their organisations — from consumer behavior, shifting market conditions, evolving economies, regulatory laws and increased competition — to the technologies that will lead the digital charge in the coming decades, including 5G, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and automation. The series will dive deep into exploring the future of digital transformation in business and the crucial steps that leading executives must learn in guiding the future development and implementation of these technologies.

A surgical robotic demonstration is seen during an exhibition for medical equipment last March in China’s Chongqing. Photo: Xinhua

China manufacturing

China bets on AI-manufacturing integration to narrow digital gap with US

Beijing’s new five-year plan calls for digital economy to account for bigger share of GDP, backed by 28 major projects, 5G upgrades and data-focused industrial policy.

6 Mar 2026 - 9:08AMvideocam

Mergers & Acquisitions

How AI ‘scare trade’ is sparking an M&A rush by traditional firms, start-ups

3 Mar 2026 - 1:54PM

Hong Kong property

Expanded Hong Kong scheme allows resale homebuyers to pay sellers directly

13 Feb 2026 - 9:33AM

Banking & finance

HKMA unveils 20-point road map to modernise Hong Kong’s trade finance ecosystem

Project CargoX aims to digitalise Hong Kong’s trade finance, expand SME lending and strengthen connectivity with mainland China and Asean.

19 Jan 2026 - 8:30AM

It is important to streamline documentation and data exchange with mainland China and Asean, says Howard Lee. Photo: Edmond So

Yuan

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

PBOC pledges to integrate e-CNY into the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, boost adoption in Southeast Asia via China’s CIPS payment network.

24 Dec 2025 - 7:30PM

China's economic recovery

China’s digital competitiveness hits high amid trade-splintering worries: survey

China’s R&D and tech innovation boost its digital competitiveness, but geopolitical headwinds pose growth risks, according to Swiss academic institute.

4 Nov 2025 - 5:36PMvideocam

Fintech

Hong Kong unveils fintech strategy to future-proof the city in AI, tokenisation

More than 40 initiatives will be implemented as part of Fintech 2030 to embed AI in finance and build a tokenisation ecosystem.

3 Nov 2025 - 6:52PM

HKMA chief executive Eddie Yue speaks at the Hong Kong Fintech Week conference on Monday. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Artificial intelligence

Chinese AI model developers seek fast commercial adoption as training costs fall

AI penetration rate in China’s finance, government, telecoms and healthcare sectors are each in excess of 60 per cent, Frost & Sullivan says.

28 Aug 2025 - 9:00PM

China's economic recovery

China bets on AI to pump trillions into economy amid national computing push

With artificial intelligence a critical battleground in the China-US rivalry, a national computing network has already signed up more than 100 AI models.

25 Aug 2025 - 4:30PM

Artificial intelligence

China Telecom unit says AI wave drives steady growth in digital services market

China Communication Services sees the proliferation of AI projects accelerating digital transformation across thousands of industries.

21 Aug 2025 - 7:41PM

Telecommunications tower maintenance forms part of the business process outsourcing segment of China Communication Services. Photo: Handout

Decoding AI

AI literacy is key as Hong Kong embraces tech transformation

Experts gear up to move into the new era, with campaigns like Just Start set to teach AI skills to 1 million people in the city.

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Preface

Artificial intelligence

China, No 2 in global computing power, accelerates build-out as AI race heats up

China has invested massive resources to build digital infrastructure and plans an even stronger push in the future.

1 Sep 2025 - 4:55PMvideocam

E-commerce

Meituan, JD.com build central kitchens to ratchet up China’s delivery war

China’s catering industry is transforming, as internet platform operators become more involved in the food supply chain.

1 Aug 2025 - 9:16AM

Banking & finance

Citigroup to explore stablecoins as Hong Kong and US regulations evolve

Clients are eager but seek clarity on use cases and the coins’ impact on balance sheets and liquidity, US bank’s head of services says.

23 Jul 2025 - 7:30AM

Shahmir Khaliq, the head of services at Citigroup. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong to mandate digital job applications for civil service

Digitalisation drive aimed at improving recruitment efficiency and the use of resources.

29 Jun 2025 - 6:18PM

From July 1, all applications for civil service jobs must be submitted electronically, unless stated otherwise. Photo: Sun Yeung

Biomedicine: Companies

Hong Kong medical device maker to expand China facility amid US, EU barriers

Vincent Medical reconsiders plan to build new facilities in low-cost manufacturing locations abroad as US tariff threats linger.

10 Jun 2025 - 10:35AM

Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s digital banks seek post-Covid growth in wealth management

Hong Kong’s digital banks plan to expand wealth management businesses as deposits and loans surge.

5 May 2025 - 2:13PM

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

HKMA to help banks assess firms for trade financing by using cargo data

HKMA launches CargoX, leveraging cargo data to enhance trade financing for SMEs amid global tariff concerns.

28 Apr 2025 - 6:30PM

An aerial view of the Kwai Chung Container Terminals. Photo: Eugene Lee

Banking & finance

Hong Kong to unveil 3 e-banking security measures to combat financial fraud

The HKMA’s ‘E-Banking Security ABC’ measures will enhance online banking security, deputy chief executive Arthur Yuen says.

14 Apr 2025 - 7:30AM

Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s finance sector embraces GenAI, with adoption to reach 90% in 5 years

GenAI applications have the potential to lead to a more curated customer experience, Academy of Finance CEO Enoch Fung says.

9 Apr 2025 - 8:05PMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

Tencent ramps up global AI efforts with advanced Hunyuan 3D-generation system

The open-source Hunyuan3D 2.0 is expected to lower barriers to entry for using AI models across video gaming, social media and other sectors.

22 Jan 2025 - 7:31PM

Tencent Holdings’ latest AI-powered system reflects the internet giant’s efforts to advance 3D-content production. Photo: Tencent

India

Shock and gore: why Indian street plays resort to the outrageous and grotesque

Street theatre in India has had to adapt to the digital age and ideological threats to stay relevant amid a changing cultural landscape.

5 Jan 2025 - 12:00PM

A dramatic moment from the street play “Door Se Kisi Ne Awaaz Di” (Someone Called from Afar) performed in India. Photo: Manjul Bhardwaj

Education in Hong Kong

Letters | Yidan Prize laureate shows the power of digital education

Readers discuss the two lessons for Hong Kong educators, elderly couples renewing their marriage vows, sexual harassment at music festivals, and improvements for weather service.

8 Dec 2024 - 11:30AM

Artificial intelligence

Tsinghua University-fostered start-up to widen test of AI-based virtual hospital

The Agent Hospital developed by Tairex, formed under Tsinghua’s Institute for Al Industry Research, will conduct public tests next year.

2 Dec 2024 - 9:37PM

Yuan

China’s digital yuan roared out of the gate, but stumbling blocks have popped up

Corruption and a slow adoption of the e-CNY risk undermining the groundbreaking progress that China’s digital currency has made over the past decade.

1 Dec 2024 - 9:00AMvideocam

The cumulative transaction value of China’s digital yuan had reached 7 trillion yuan (US$968 billion) as of the end of June. Photo: Xinhua

Artificial intelligence

Hong Kong enterprise AI adoption sees upswing on strong government policy

Enterprises in Hong Kong are looking to explore AI solutions that not only enhance their capabilities, but also meet regulatory requirements.

13 Nov 2024 - 8:31PM

Computer maker Dell is seeing increased inquiries in Hong Kong to implement artificial intelligence in various enterprises. Photo: Shutterstock

Transport and logistics

What China is doing to make ports ‘smart’ and not prone to work stoppages

A unit of state-owned China Merchants Group is pushing a range of automation and digital technologies to make ports smarter.

10 Nov 2024 - 12:44PM

Banking & finance

HKMA expands data platform to help SMEs open bank accounts

The HKMA has expanded its Commercial Data Interchange electronic platform designed to help SMEs by linking up with the Companies Registry to share more data with banks.

26 Aug 2024 - 7:07PM

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Digital Transformation

China bets on AI-manufacturing integration to narrow digital gap with US

Beijing’s new five-year plan calls for digital economy to account for bigger share of GDP, backed by 28 major projects, 5G upgrades and data-focused industrial policy.

How AI ‘scare trade’ is sparking an M&A rush by traditional firms, start-ups

Expanded Hong Kong scheme allows resale homebuyers to pay sellers directly

HKMA unveils 20-point road map to modernise Hong Kong’s trade finance ecosystem

Project CargoX aims to digitalise Hong Kong’s trade finance, expand SME lending and strengthen connectivity with mainland China and Asean.

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

PBOC pledges to integrate e-CNY into the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, boost adoption in Southeast Asia via China’s CIPS payment network.

China’s digital competitiveness hits high amid trade-splintering worries: survey

China’s R&D and tech innovation boost its digital competitiveness, but geopolitical headwinds pose growth risks, according to Swiss academic institute.

Hong Kong unveils fintech strategy to future-proof the city in AI, tokenisation

More than 40 initiatives will be implemented as part of Fintech 2030 to embed AI in finance and build a tokenisation ecosystem.

Chinese AI model developers seek fast commercial adoption as training costs fall

AI penetration rate in China’s finance, government, telecoms and healthcare sectors are each in excess of 60 per cent, Frost & Sullivan says.

China bets on AI to pump trillions into economy amid national computing push

With artificial intelligence a critical battleground in the China-US rivalry, a national computing network has already signed up more than 100 AI models.

China Telecom unit says AI wave drives steady growth in digital services market

China Communication Services sees the proliferation of AI projects accelerating digital transformation across thousands of industries.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}AI literacy is key as Hong Kong embraces tech transformation

Experts gear up to move into the new era, with campaigns like Just Start set to teach AI skills to 1 million people in the city.

China, No 2 in global computing power, accelerates build-out as AI race heats up

China has invested massive resources to build digital infrastructure and plans an even stronger push in the future.

Meituan, JD.com build central kitchens to ratchet up China’s delivery war

China’s catering industry is transforming, as internet platform operators become more involved in the food supply chain.

Citigroup to explore stablecoins as Hong Kong and US regulations evolve

Clients are eager but seek clarity on use cases and the coins’ impact on balance sheets and liquidity, US bank’s head of services says.

Hong Kong to mandate digital job applications for civil service

Digitalisation drive aimed at improving recruitment efficiency and the use of resources.

Hong Kong medical device maker to expand China facility amid US, EU barriers

Vincent Medical reconsiders plan to build new facilities in low-cost manufacturing locations abroad as US tariff threats linger.

Hong Kong’s digital banks seek post-Covid growth in wealth management

Hong Kong’s digital banks plan to expand wealth management businesses as deposits and loans surge.

HKMA to help banks assess firms for trade financing by using cargo data

HKMA launches CargoX, leveraging cargo data to enhance trade financing for SMEs amid global tariff concerns.

Hong Kong to unveil 3 e-banking security measures to combat financial fraud

The HKMA’s ‘E-Banking Security ABC’ measures will enhance online banking security, deputy chief executive Arthur Yuen says.

Hong Kong’s finance sector embraces GenAI, with adoption to reach 90% in 5 years

GenAI applications have the potential to lead to a more curated customer experience, Academy of Finance CEO Enoch Fung says.

Tencent ramps up global AI efforts with advanced Hunyuan 3D-generation system

The open-source Hunyuan3D 2.0 is expected to lower barriers to entry for using AI models across video gaming, social media and other sectors.

Shock and gore: why Indian street plays resort to the outrageous and grotesque

Street theatre in India has had to adapt to the digital age and ideological threats to stay relevant amid a changing cultural landscape.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Yidan Prize laureate shows the power of digital education

Readers discuss the two lessons for Hong Kong educators, elderly couples renewing their marriage vows, sexual harassment at music festivals, and improvements for weather service.

Tsinghua University-fostered start-up to widen test of AI-based virtual hospital

The Agent Hospital developed by Tairex, formed under Tsinghua’s Institute for Al Industry Research, will conduct public tests next year.

China’s digital yuan roared out of the gate, but stumbling blocks have popped up

Corruption and a slow adoption of the e-CNY risk undermining the groundbreaking progress that China’s digital currency has made over the past decade.

Hong Kong enterprise AI adoption sees upswing on strong government policy

Enterprises in Hong Kong are looking to explore AI solutions that not only enhance their capabilities, but also meet regulatory requirements.

What China is doing to make ports ‘smart’ and not prone to work stoppages

A unit of state-owned China Merchants Group is pushing a range of automation and digital technologies to make ports smarter.

HKMA expands data platform to help SMEs open bank accounts

The HKMA has expanded its Commercial Data Interchange electronic platform designed to help SMEs by linking up with the Companies Registry to share more data with banks.

AI literacy is key as Hong Kong embraces tech transformation

Letters | Yidan Prize laureate shows the power of digital education