Hong Kong’s U-turn on its seat belt rule for buses is a sobering reminder to lawmakers that they must meet higher standards even under the “executive-led” governance model recently underlined by Beijing, according to several policy experts. They noted that some lawmakers had been complacent, prioritising speed over efficacy in policymaking in a “patriots-only” legislature…
American athleisure brand Alo Yoga has taken over a large waterfront commercial space in Hong Kong after being vacated by a British luxury food retailer, with analysts saying “experience-led” wellness brands are emerging as rare bright spots in an otherwise uneven retail recovery. The local debut of the brand at the 7,000 sq ft, two-storey…
Panama is aiming to mitigate geopolitical risks and respond to US pressure by adopting a multi-operator model for its strategic canal after nullifying the concession granted to Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison to operate two of the ports, analysts have said. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino was reported to have vowed on Thursday that his country…
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he “would not be surprised” if China is already looking into ways to challenge the US’ pre-eminence in digital assets, given Hong Kong’s efforts to develop the industry. When testifying before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday, Bessent said that there are “lots of rumours of Chinese digital assets”…
Japan’s representative to Hong Kong has said his consulate is making “steady progress” in developing ties with the city, while noting the absence of top local officials at a celebration of the emperor’s birthday amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Jun Miura, the country’s consul general to the city, on Thursday expressed his thanks for…
Former governor Chris Patten once said nobody ever profited from betting against Hong Kong. Anybody wagering against its “one country, two systems” policy will undoubtedly be out of pocket. Since 1997, the policy has been the city’s lodestar. While the post-reunification settlement was repeatedly challenged, most notably during the 2019 social unrest, Hong Kong has…
The head of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong has urged the city to be a “reformer who braves challenges” rather than a “complacent idler”, expressing expectations that the executive-led governance model will be strengthened. Office director Zhou Ji made the remarks on Wednesday at a reception to celebrate the coming Lunar New Year, also…
A disbanded alliance behind Hong Kong’s Tiananmen Square vigil had only intended to promote democracy and greater political freedom when it advocated the abolition of the mainland’s one-party rule, a defence lawyer has said in a high-profile national security trial. He said the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China did…
Beijing has slammed a Panamanian Supreme Court ruling that nullified Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings’ right to operate two major ports at the country’s canal as “legally unfounded”, warning the Central American nation that it could pay a heavy political and economic price. The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said in a commentary on…
Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), Hong Kong’s largest developer by market capitalisation, said executive director Maureen Fung Sau-yim resigned with immediate effect on Tuesday due to health issues, according to a stock exchange filing. “Ms Fung has confirmed that she has no disagreement with the board of the company and that she is not aware…