Hong Kong’s New World Development has shelved plans to acquire the remaining stakes in three commercial sites in Causeway Bay. Photo: Jelly Tse

    New World pulls back on Causeway Bay acquisition amid uneven recovery

    Hong Kong’s New World Development (NWD) has shelved plans to acquire the remaining stakes in three commercial sites in Causeway Bay, signalling continued caution among developers despite signs of improving demand in the core office market. The company, which has been selling assets to reduce debt, said it would “exercise prudence as appropriate, having regard…

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    The GBA has emerged as one of the country’s most important tech hubs. Photo: Edmond So

      Greater Bay Area trails peers in basic research despite strong tech potential: Deloitte

      The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) is lagging behind China’s national average in basic research, despite showing strong potential in sectors such as semiconductors and smart manufacturing, according to Deloitte. The cluster of cities in southern China, which included Shenzhen, spent about 28.9 billion yuan (US$4.2 billion) on basic research in 2024, accounting for…

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      ‘Upstairs’ moves downstairs: Hong Kong outlets head to street level as landlords cut rents

        ‘Upstairs’ moves downstairs: Hong Kong outlets head to street level as landlords cut rents

        Retailers and restaurant operators in Hong Kong are rethinking how they use space as rents fall and demand weakens by moving back to street-level shops and experimenting with short-term “pop-up” leases. Hing Kee Java Edible Bird’s Nest (JEBN), known locally as “Lau Soeng” – Cantonese for “upstairs” – built its business by avoiding expensive street-front…

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        What are Hong Kong’s next best steps after ‘two sessions’ in Beijing?

          What are Hong Kong’s next best steps after ‘two sessions’ in Beijing?

          Hong Kong should move beyond a “city-centred” approach that merely seeks Beijing’s policy support and instead take steps to align with national priorities by advancing the internationalisation of the yuan and supporting mainland Chinese enterprises’ global expansion, observers have said as this year’s “two sessions” came to a close. With the annual political gathering ending…

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