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Regulation

Regulation
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Regulation. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The US Justice Department and TikTok reached a US$400 million settlement to resolve allegations that the social-media company violated laws meant to protect children’s online privacy rights. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS
US-China relations

TikTok, ByteDance agree to US$400 million settlement with US government

TikTok will pay US$300 million immediately and an additional US$100 million after entering an order vacating a prior consent decree.

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Hong Kong courts

Evergrande liquidators challenge watchdog’s HK$1 billion settlement with PwC

Artificial intelligence

Macroscope | Why are global leaders asleep to risks of uncritical AI adoption?

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China trade

EU’s new packaging rules leave China’s traders feeling boxed in

As trade tensions rise, Brussels has implemented new rules aimed at reducing packaging waste, with the threat of fines and bans for non-compliance.

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Staff members sort express parcels at the China Post Zaozhuang branch in Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla faces uphill battle against Beijing’s new standards for self-driving cars

Data regulation is a key issue facing the US electric vehicle giant in China, according to experts.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | To lead Greater Bay Area integration, Hong Kong can look to San Francisco

As the city’s proposed five-year-plan seeks to increase regional cooperation, it should aim to drive alignment of rules and institutional frameworks in the Greater Bay Area.

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US-China trade war

Beijing decries ‘bullying’ US tech curbs that ensnare Chinese firms and products

State mouthpiece warns that Washington’s bans on green energy and advanced manufacturing will backfire, while defending China’s open-source AI models.

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A humanoid robot serves as a guide for visitors at the Space Museum of the Harbin Institute of Technology in northeast China’s Heilongjiang province. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong transport

Over 1,000 sign up for Hong Kong’s new taxi, ride-hailing test

Lawmakers say interest is likely to grow as the city prepares to fully launch its ride-hailing regulatory regime next year.

Technology

Opinion | Can we govern AI in a fragmented world before it’s too late?

While the US, EU and China offer different approaches, all recognise that AI is too powerful and pervasive to be treated as ordinary tech.

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China jobs

Stronger social security? Gig workers push back on proposed law

With China’s flexible workforce estimated at nearly 300 million, Beijing pledges to strengthen their safety, wages and basic social security.

A food delivery man opens a door with taped glass at a restaurant in Hangzhou, eastern Zhejiang province , as people prepare for the approaching Typhoon Bavi to hit the region on July 11, 2026. Photo: AFP
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | America and China can be allies against AI catastrophe

Rival powers have contained nuclear and cyber threats before. AI safeguards demand the same instinct for survival.

AI safety activists take part in a "Stop the AI Race" protest march in San Francisco on July 11. Photo: AFP
China stock market

China’s market clean-up: Beijing cracks down on insider trading

Regulators intensify pursuit of corporate insiders, imposing fines and bans to restore stock market confidence amid widespread violations.

Science

China biotech sector fears policy backlash after girl dies in gene-editing trial

Scientist says child’s death reveals ‘serious failures in risk assessment, transparency and institutional oversight’.

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China’s private sector

China hits Trip.com with US$765 million antitrust penalty

The country’s biggest online travel services provider is accused of abusing its ‘dominant market position’.

Trip.com reported revenue of 62.4 billion yuan in 2025, up 17 per cent year on year. Photo: Shutterstock
European Union

EU fines Google US$1 billion, risking US fury

The fines are the biggest in total against one company under the competition law known as the Digital Markets Act.

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An illutration shows the logo of Google displayed on a smartphone in front of an European Union flag. The US tech titan accused the EU of dismantling safety protections on Google Play. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Beijing vows to protect Chinese firms after EU hits Alibaba unit with fine

Commerce officials decry “discriminatory” barriers as source says firm had hired several outside consultants to vet goods and curb counterfeits.

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China society

Opinion | Why China’s low-cost business model resists reform

Even as the model outlives its usefulness, built-in incentives continue to stifle efforts to protect the rights and interests of workers.

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Chinese offshore investment

Beijing targets offshore tax dodging, intensifying cross-border capital scrutiny

Major financial outlets blast offshore shell structures after case involving the Hong Kong entity of a mainland social media platform.

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A mobile screen shows the Momo dating app, operated by Hello Group, which was required to pay hundreds of millions of yuan in back taxes this year. Photo: Simon Song
European Union

EU fines AliExpress US$630 million over illegal products

It is the largest fine ever imposed under the EU’s powerful Digital Services Act, part of the bloc’s legal armoury to police big tech.

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China’s private sector

China to conclude Trip.com antitrust probes as soon as this week, sources say

Market regulator expected to close investigation into top online travel service provider, with potential fines running into billions of yuan.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong to tighten contractor oversight after Tai Po blaze, minister vows

Development secretary also pledges to explore harsher penalties for offenders as government’s reliance on industry’s self-policing comes into question.

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Substandard non-fire-retardant scaffolding netting had been used in the renovation project at Wang Fuk Court, an independent investigating committee has heard. Photo: Karma Lo
Artificial intelligence

Editorial | China’s vision for global AI governance is inclusive

The approach to AI development championed by President Xi at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference stands in contrast to the one adopted by the US.

President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai on July 17. Photo: Xinhua
European Union

4 Greek MPs charged over multimillion EU farm fraud scandal

European prosecutors say Greek state employees and politicians helped dozens of farmers scam the EU out of over US$22.5 million in subsidies.

Blockchain

Hong Kong steps up its crypto hub challenge with tokenised fund

As the city looks to challenge the US as a global crypto hub, Baillie Gifford says the SFC has approved its blockchain-based tokenised fund.

European Union

EU demands ‘youth mode’ to protect children from addictive social media features

The addictive features include infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and highly personalised recommender systems.

A teenager looks at a smartphone displaying the TikTok logo in Brussels on July 7. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong finally moves to extend labour rights to the gig economy

Ensuring delivery workers have the right to injury compensation will be a breakthrough as the city strives to enhance labour protections.

A motorcycle delivery worker is seen on Nathan Road in Jordan on June 12, 2025. Photo: Jelly Tse
Artificial intelligence

China works on AI safety benchmark as regulators target large model risks

State-led initiative addresses AI concerns such as data leaks and hallucinations, as Beijing joins global efforts to enhance oversight of generative models.

E-commerce

China fines 4 internet celebrities US$1.9m for tax evasion

In some cases, popular live-streamers with online stores and millions of fans paid taxes as low as a few hundred yuan, authorities say.

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