The State Council has approved draft regulations for implementing China’s new value-added tax (VAT) law, which is aimed at governing the country’s largest source of tax revenue and set to come into effect early next year. The regulations, released for public consultation in August and approved on Friday, outline detailed rules for enforcing the VAT…
A Hong Kong barrister has been granted permission to hide his name in legal proceedings after being charged with molesting his pupil twice at his home eight years ago. The 32-year-old defendant, who represented himself at Eastern Court on Monday, applied for an anonymity order on the grounds that it could protect the identity of…
Christmas celebrations will be muted in Hong Kong following the city’s deadliest fire in seven decades, business leaders say, as they try to balance the need to generate revenue with public mourning for the 160 victims. After the inferno that tore through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 26, many parties, gatherings, concerts…
As the year draws to a close, Hong Kong is awash with set menus, cultural happenings, themed brunches and extravagant countdown parties. The offerings run the gamut from high tradition (yes, more turkey) to the decidedly unconventional (fried chicken, anyone?). Tai Kwun has launched its “Simple Gifts of Joy” celebration, running until January 4. The…
Thirteen households from the Hong Kong estate devastated by the inferno in Tai Po remain uncontactable more than 10 days on from the blaze, with the city’s labour and welfare chief not ruling out that all may have died in the fire. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the Wang Fuk Court…
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit China at the end of January, Sky News reported on Thursday, in what would be the first visit to the country by a British leader in seven years. Starmer’s Labour government has made improved relations with Beijing a priority as it seeks foreign investment to make good on…
Tesla sales have been sliding all year, with each report of declining deliveries creating fresh headwinds for the stock. In February, a report said that Tesla sales were down 45% year-over-year in Europe, causing the stock to drop 8% in a single day. In March, a separate report said that Tesla sold 30,688 EVs in…
Hong Kong drivers will be banned from placing more than two phones on their vehicle dashboards starting in January next year, the transport chief has revealed, as part of government efforts to improve road safety. In her weekly blog on Saturday, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan outlined measures aimed at improving safety, raising…
Hong Kong drivers will be banned from placing more than two phones on their vehicle dashboards starting January next year, the transport chief has revealed, as part of government efforts to improve road safety. In her weekly blog on Saturday, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan outlined measures aimed at improving safety, raising cabby…
A taxi fleet has partnered with the University of Hong Kong for the launch of the city’s first artificial intelligence-powered cab dispatch system, which the operator has said improves efficiency, service quality and order acceptance rates. The “Smart Dispatch Decision System” processes large volumes of real-time data such as road traffic status, weather and battery…