Today our editors will be keeping their eyes on ... HSBC banks on the Hong Kong Sevens HSBC today gets its hands on one of the hottest properties in town: the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens. The global banking giant will sign a multi-year, multimillion-dollar deal with the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union to join long-time supporter Cathay Pacific as co-title sponsors. When HSBC claimed the global sponsorship rights to the IRB World Sevens Series this year the writing was on the wall for Credit Suisse, which could no longer be involved in the Hong Kong leg. HSBC has also splashed out nearly HK$15 million on the Asian Five Nations (15-a-side) and the fledgling Asian Sevens Series as it uses rugby as a vehicle to open up new markets. Sport Hospital revises maternity policies Union Hospital, one of the most popular hospitals for mainland mothers who give birth in Hong Kong, will announce new policies regarding maternity services. It will be the first private hospital responding to public concern over the increasing number of mainland pregnant women flocking to the city, straining its medical services. Hong Kong National Tourism Day makes debut The mainland celebrates its first National Tourism Day tomorrow. Many tourist spots, including country parks and museums, are waiving entrance fees, and hotels are offering special discounts. The mainland received 163 million foreign tourists last year, a rise of 23 per cent over 2009. The government said the new tourism day also meant promoting domestic tourism and consumption. China Kissinger's China book hits stores Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger's new book On China comes out today. Kissinger teamed with president Richard Nixon in re-establishing contacts between Washington and Beijing in the 1970s. In his first book on China he attempts to examine the history of Chinese foreign policy and gauge what lies ahead. China Thais to remember days of violence Thousands of red-shirted protesters are expected to gather in Bangkok's Ratchaprasong district to mark the first anniversary of the military dispersing anti-government protesters. Last year, Bangkok suffered with dozens of buildings torched, including a major shopping mall. More than 90 people, mostly civilians, were killed and nearly 1,900 were injured during the two months of rallies. World Australian wages on rise Quarterly Wage Price Index figures in Australia are expected to show a 4 per cent year-on-year rise in the three months ended March 31, up from 3.8 per cent in the December quarter, reflecting continued strong demand for iron ore and coal from Asia, particularly China. The numbers stoke pressure for an increase in the interest rate. Business
