https://www.scmp.com/rss/325376/feed Breaking news and analysis on Hong Kong's economy and the companies that operate in the city, including its GDP, economic outlook, impact of the coronavirus outbreak, macroeconomic indicators, the local government finance and budget, retail sales, consumption, employment and monetary policy. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Peggy Ye Peggy Ye A top-floor residence at High Peak in Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels West neighbourhood has sold for HK$420 million (US$53.7 million) as activity in Hong Kong’s high-end housing segment remains heated after a strong first quarter. The penthouse unit at 23 Po Shan Road sold to a company called Shine Action on April 8, Land Registry records showed. The buyer is believed to be a mainland resident, based on the name of Shine Action’s director in the Companies Registry, Zheng Jiang. Momentum at the pinnacle... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3351873/hong-kong-penthouse-sells-us54m-mainland-chinese-buyer-luxury-demand-spikes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3351873/hong-kong-penthouse-sells-us54m-mainland-chinese-buyer-luxury-demand-spikes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:30:11 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung Hong Kong authorities have rolled out fresh measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reeling from the global fuel crisis and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including a 21 per cent rise in available bank lending to HK$450 billion (US$78.43 billion). The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the city’s de facto central bank, said on Wednesday that the measures for SMEs were designed to improve access to financing, strengthen their business resilience and accelerate... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351880/hong-kong-throws-smes-lifeline-raft-measures-hk450-billion-loans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351880/hong-kong-throws-smes-lifeline-raft-measures-hk450-billion-loans?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:17:50 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong authorities have failed to meet targets on the supply and construction of youth hostels, with the number of flats offered accounting for only 44 per cent of what was intended, an audit report has found. The Audit Commission on Wednesday released its report reviewing the government’s development and management of the facilities under the Youth Hostel Scheme, which covered seven hostels, including two that had been completed and were in operation. The review found that as of December... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351848/youth-hostel-scheme-falls-short-only-44-expected-flats-offered-audit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351848/youth-hostel-scheme-falls-short-only-44-expected-flats-offered-audit?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:13:32 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s finance chief has revised the city’s fiscal surplus for the previous year to HK$11 billion (US$1.91 billion), nearly four times the original estimate, saying the ongoing Middle East conflict had a limited impact on the economy with gross domestic product (GDP) growth remaining strong in the first quarter. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also dismissed concerns that increased bond issuance to fund the Northern Metropolis megaproject would burden future generations as “overly... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351838/hong-kong-surplus-hits-hk11-billion-finance-chief-monitors-mideast-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351838/hong-kong-surplus-hits-hk11-billion-finance-chief-monitors-mideast-war?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:54:24 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Emily Hung Matthew Cheng,Emily Hung Hong Kong will introduce a two-month subsidy for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used by taxis, minibuses and school buses starting in May amid soaring fuel prices, while previously announced support on diesel costs for other transport operators begins on Thursday. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Wednesday that the interdepartmental task force monitoring fuel price movements had proposed a 50 HK cents per litre subsidy for two months, starting in May, to alleviate operational pressure... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351819/hong-kong-launch-liquefied-petroleum-gas-subsidy-support-transport-sector?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351819/hong-kong-launch-liquefied-petroleum-gas-subsidy-support-transport-sector?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:11:54 +0000 Fan Hou Fan Hou - https://www.scmp.com/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3351791/hong-kongs-ipo-lead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3351791/hong-kongs-ipo-lead?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:46:16 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. Your editorial, “Breaches reveal worrying gaps in Hong Kong’s data defences” (April 10), rightly warns that data security failures threaten Hong Kong’s innovation hub ambitions. Recent incidents include the data leak involving more than 56,000 patients served by the Hospital... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3351680/data-leaks-surge-hong-kong-needs-mandate-reporting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3351680/data-leaks-surge-hong-kong-needs-mandate-reporting?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:30:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial As more people shun the silver screen in favour of online streaming, Hong Kong’s film industry may increasingly resemble the unfolding plot of a slow-burn tragedy. But if Saturday’s crowds across local cinemas are any reference, its fate is far from being sealed. The government-subsidised Cinema Day drew a record 201,000 film-goers as 52 cinemas offered discounted movie tickets at a flat HK$30 (US$3.83) for 1,694 screenings, according to the Hong Kong Theatres Association. The footfall marked a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351668/hong-kong-cinema-can-still-succeed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351668/hong-kong-cinema-can-still-succeed?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Peggy Ye Peggy Ye A wave of demand from mainland Chinese buyers is restoring liquidity to Hong Kong’s trophy home market, enabling owners who have held onto pricey assets for many years to lock in gains. Among them, mainland property tycoon Zhao Zhijun sold two adjoining units at 8-12 Peak Road for a combined HK$320 million (US$40.8 million), according to Land Registry records, generating a gain of about 86 per cent compared with the purchase price 16 years ago. Zhao, chairman of mainland investment firm Niverse,... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3351736/pair-hong-kong-luxury-homes-sells-us41m-market-sizzle-increases?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3351736/pair-hong-kong-luxury-homes-sells-us41m-market-sizzle-increases?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:00:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The Central harbourfront is one of the world’s most recognisable urban skylines, overlooking a vast, open event space from Central to Admiralty that is coveted for major events. The right to run the event space for five years, from July 1, has just been awarded to a joint venture between property developer Henderson Land Development and concert organiser YW Company, commonly known as “Yiu Wing”. The location east of the International Finance Centre and the adjacent Central Yards development has... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351664/hong-kong-has-big-stake-success-harbourfront-event-space?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351664/hong-kong-has-big-stake-success-harbourfront-event-space?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Peter Shadbolt Peter Shadbolt Taking the temperature of the Hong Kong art market is rarely straightforward. While aggregate sales suggest cooling momentum, the resilience of blue-chip works – including the recent high-profile sale of The Great Wave off Kanagawa – shows that demand at the very top remains intact. In November 2025, a rare impression of Katsushika Hokusai’s Under the Wave off Kanagawa, better known as The Great Wave, sold for a record US$2.8 million (HK$21.7 million) at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. The result was all... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3351635/hong-kongs-art-market-resilience-proven-great-waves-us28-million-sale?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3351635/hong-kongs-art-market-resilience-proven-great-waves-us28-million-sale?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:00:16 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong’s railway operator has deployed augmented reality (AR) technology to speed up construction of a station on a new link serving the Northern Metropolis megaproject to ensure it opens on time next year. The MTR Corporation said on Tuesday that the power supply had been connected at Kwu Tung station and AR technology had been adopted to hasten progress. “Applying the AR inspection system will allow us to simulate future scenarios and help workers carry out the assembly work accurately and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351747/mtr-corporation-using-ar-technology-fast-track-work-northern-link-station?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351747/mtr-corporation-using-ar-technology-fast-track-work-northern-link-station?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:10:39 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Hong Kong’s exports rose by nearly 36 per cent year on year in March – the sharpest rate in more than five years – backed by what authorities described as “strong global demand” for AI-related electronic products and outpacing last month’s growth despite trade disruptions. According to the Census and Statistics Department, the total value of exports of goods rose by 35.8 per cent to HK$618.4 billion (US$78.9 billion) in March compared with the same month in 2025. Imports rose by 41.2 per cent to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351702/hong-kong-exports-surge-358-march-due-strong-demand-ai-electronics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351702/hong-kong-exports-surge-358-march-due-strong-demand-ai-electronics?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:56:25 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Medical claims paid by Hong Kong insurers could double within a decade, a study has warned, raising concerns over the sector’s sustainability. The findings, released on Tuesday, showed total medical claims in the city rose by more than 60 per cent between 2019 and 2023, driven largely by a surge in inpatient bills, especially for day procedures. “If such an increase continues at the same rate, it will raise serious concerns about the affordability of private health insurance for both employers... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351691/hong-kong-insurers-health-jeopardy-medical-claims-could-double-decade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351691/hong-kong-insurers-health-jeopardy-medical-claims-could-double-decade?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:24:46 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong’s competition watchdog has launched a public consultation on food delivery platform Keeta’s proposed measures to ensure a fair market environment, after previously raising concerns about its exclusivity clauses. The Competition Commission said on Tuesday that it had begun consulting on three commitments offered by Keeta under Section 60 of the Competition Ordinance, which would become legally binding if accepted. The commission noted that the platform had confirmed earlier this month... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351675/hong-kong-launches-consultation-keetas-proposal-over-competition-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351675/hong-kong-launches-consultation-keetas-proposal-over-competition-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:11:07 +0000 Denise Tsang Denise Tsang Hong Kong Disneyland Resort posted a 36 per cent drop in net profit to HK$536 million (US$68 million) last year, due to higher costs, increased outbound travel by residents and weather disruptions, although earnings were the second-highest on record and the theme park is now debt-free. The Lantau Island theme park on Tuesday reported its results for the financial year ending last September, with revenue down by 1.35 per cent year on year to HK$8.69 billion and visitor numbers falling by 2.5 per... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351663/hong-kong-disneyland-profit-drops-36-hk536-million-costs-rise-visitors-fall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351663/hong-kong-disneyland-profit-drops-36-hk536-million-costs-rise-visitors-fall?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:11:30 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong authorities should turn a new HK$30 billion (US$3.8 billion) municipal waste incinerator in Tuen Mun into a tourist attraction and an education hub for eco-protection, lawmakers have said. Their remarks on Tuesday followed the government’s application to the Legislative Council for HK$29.2 billion to build the planned Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 2, or I·PARK2, with costs about 20 per cent lower than the earlier HK$35.7 billion estimate. Samuel Chui Ho-kwong, director... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351646/ashes-assets-calls-turn-hk30-billion-waste-facility-tourism-education-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351646/ashes-assets-calls-turn-hk30-billion-waste-facility-tourism-education-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:31:15 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. What began as a crisis in 2019 reshaped Hong Kong’s student housing market. Social unrest spurred an exodus of mainland students, adversely affecting demand and putting pressure on thinly capitalised, lightly managed operators. However, a technically skilled cohort, including... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3351534/how-hong-kong-can-keep-its-student-housing-sector-open-smaller-players?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3351534/how-hong-kong-can-keep-its-student-housing-sector-open-smaller-players?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:30:08 +0000 Ken Chu Ken Chu Last month, Hong Kong completed its first green methanol bunkering operation, a significant step in its efforts to support the decarbonisation of global shipping. As the maritime industry accelerates its transition towards cleaner fuels, this milestone signals Hong Kong’s intent to remain relevant. The global blue economy, defined as the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and environmental health, is gaining urgency. No longer confined to environmental discussions, it is... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350737/hong-kong-recalibrates-blue-economy-offers-anchor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350737/hong-kong-recalibrates-blue-economy-offers-anchor?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong authorities will cordon off parts of the shoreline of Sharp Island in Sai Kung to protect corals, with 1,000 visitors expected in the area each day during the coming Labour Day “golden week” holiday. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department also said on Monday that 11 officers would patrol the island daily during the holiday, while five marine staff – two snorkellers and three kayakers – would monitor the sea for any disruptive visitor behaviour. The department said it... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351614/hong-kong-block-parts-sharp-island-shoreline-protect-corals-over-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351614/hong-kong-block-parts-sharp-island-shoreline-protect-corals-over-break?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:00:15 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s Security Bureau has defended its decision to appoint singer Hins Cheung as a mentor in a “rehabilitation project” for youngsters arrested during the 2019 protests, saying it welcomes individuals from all backgrounds to share positive life experiences following criticism from internet users in mainland China. The project, which has been running for two years, aims to support the rehabilitation of about 7,000 people arrested during the social unrest but not prosecuted. “[Activities]... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3351603/bureau-defends-hins-cheung-mentor-role-after-mainland-china-online-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3351603/bureau-defends-hins-cheung-mentor-role-after-mainland-china-online-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:40:26 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li The sole restaurant on Hong Kong’s southernmost Po Toi Island may close after a half-century serving visiting hikers and boaters lured by the untouched coastline and placid bays. The owner of Ming Kee Seafood Restaurant, who gave his surname as Leung, said business had declined and he might be forced to close at the end of next month if he could not find a partner. “Running a restaurant is hard work, and I don’t want to continue any more, and the younger generation is not willing to take over,”... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351575/sole-eatery-hong-kongs-southernmost-island-may-shut-after-50-years-business?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351575/sole-eatery-hong-kongs-southernmost-island-may-shut-after-50-years-business?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:53:30 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hongkongers and visitors could be able to enjoy large-scale events such as beer and barbecue festivals at three public beaches under a pilot scheme that will allow private-sector operators to upgrade facilities, a district councillor has suggested, with a top administrator saying fees must be kept affordable. Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Manda Chan Wing-man told a radio programme on Monday that the government would not set strict key performance indicators (KPIs) for commercial... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351547/beer-and-bbq-festivals-possible-under-beach-scheme-tap-private-sector-operators?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351547/beer-and-bbq-festivals-possible-under-beach-scheme-tap-private-sector-operators?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:52:54 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au The appreciating yuan and ongoing Sino-Japanese tensions have given Hong Kong tourism a boost ahead of mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday, with hotel prices rising by as much as 8 per cent, an industry representative has said. Lawmaker Alan Chan Chung-yee, who is also the chief operating officer of Miramar Group, expressed optimism on Monday that the city would welcome more mainland tourists originally heading to other parts of East Asia during the country’s coming long holiday,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351523/sino-japanese-tensions-boon-hong-kong-tourism-golden-week-expert-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351523/sino-japanese-tensions-boon-hong-kong-tourism-golden-week-expert-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:33:38 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong’s Cinema Day has drawn a record-breaking 201,000 film-goers, despite a marginal decline in occupancy rates compared with last year. The Hong Kong Theatres Association, which organises the annual event, revealed the figures on Sunday, a day after 52 cinemas offered HK$30 (US$3.83) movie tickets for 1,694 screenings. “It marks a new high for the event, with 201,000 admissions and an average occupancy rate of 81 per cent,” a post on the promotion’s social media page said. “Families, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351470/cinema-day-attracted-201000-film-goers-how-does-it-stack-against-last-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351470/cinema-day-attracted-201000-film-goers-how-does-it-stack-against-last-year?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:43:46 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu More than 5,000 Guangdong motorists have been approved to drive into Hong Kong’s urban areas under a southbound travel scheme as of March, while 90 per cent of the 3,500 travellers who booked to visit have stayed for one or two days. The Transport Department said on Sunday that the urban access portion of the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles arrangement was operating smoothly and had become increasingly popular since its launch near the end of 2025. The scheme currently grants access to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351467/over-5000-guangdong-motorists-sign-hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351467/over-5000-guangdong-motorists-sign-hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:01:09 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities have stepped up publicity with mainland Chinese media ahead of a ban on possessing alternative smoking products, including e-cigarettes, in public places, which will take effect before the Labour Day “golden week” holiday. Director of Health Ronald Lam Man-kin said on Sunday that the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office had conducted more than 11,000 inspections and issued about 2,200 HK$3,000 (US$383) fixed penalty notices so far this year. Of these, 23 were related to the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351461/hong-kong-boosts-e-cigarette-ban-awareness-mainland-china-golden-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351461/hong-kong-boosts-e-cigarette-ban-awareness-mainland-china-golden-week?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 06:12:33 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s initial public offering (IPO) market has raised more than HK$140 billion (US$17.9 billion) as of April, maintaining its global lead, the city’s finance chief has said, while indicating a renewed push to develop gold trading amid rising demand for risk diversification. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Sunday that Hong Kong remained the world’s top IPO fundraising hub as of last week, citing a growing number of high-quality companies using the city’s strong financing... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351458/hong-kongs-ipo-market-exceeds-hk140-billion-amid-renewed-gold-trading-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351458/hong-kongs-ipo-market-exceeds-hk140-billion-amid-renewed-gold-trading-push?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 05:27:24 +0000 Jun Yu Chan Jun Yu Chan Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po recently said the city could rise to become the world’s No 2 financial centre in 10-15 years. That is the right kind of ambition. In a world being reshaped by geopolitical fragmentation, China’s growing global weight and rapid technological change, Hong Kong must think beyond remaining internationally competitive to exercising global leadership. But ambition alone is not enough. Hong Kong has spent decades proving it can operate at the world’s... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3351042/be-world-no-2-financial-centre-hong-kong-must-be-rule-maker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3351042/be-world-no-2-financial-centre-hong-kong-must-be-rule-maker?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 21:30:09 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong’s new marina-residential tourism project has attracted local and overseas interest, with the city’s leading yacht club and a Singapore-based operator seeking partnerships with developers to expand their presence. Experts in the real estate and boating industries said developers would be keen to work with local, mainland Chinese or overseas marina operators to strengthen their bids and tap into the market, while also urging the government to improve infrastructure and reinforce the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351395/hong-kong-aberdeen-marina-project-attracting-local-and-overseas-interest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351395/hong-kong-aberdeen-marina-project-attracting-local-and-overseas-interest?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 04:00:18 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Foreign critics periodically declare the end of Hong Kong, with some of the most recent warnings following the exit of foreign firms after the 2019 protests and the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, firms are returning in droves, including some new ones in the tech sector. More than 120 strategic corporate partners are establishing a presence in Hong Kong through the government’s Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), including global pharmaceutical and biotech brands such as Pfizer and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351256/influx-global-firms-underscores-hong-kongs-economic-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351256/influx-global-firms-underscores-hong-kongs-economic-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Denise Tsang Denise Tsang Cathay Pacific Airways has raised HK$2.08 billion (US$265.4 million) by selling Hong Kong dollar-denominated bonds to boost its working capital, tapping the Hong Kong dollar public bond market for the first time. Hong Kong’s flag carrier said on Friday that the bond issuance was the biggest of its kind by a locally based, non-public sector company. The three-year bonds, which carry a fixed interest rate of 3.78 per cent, were sold mainly to professional investors such as asset managers, banks... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351358/cathay-raises-hk208-billion-after-tapping-public-bond-market-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351358/cathay-raises-hk208-billion-after-tapping-public-bond-market-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:57:46 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun More than 50 restaurants and shops have joined a “tourism everywhere” initiative to promote Hong Kong’s bustling Central district among residents and tourists and boost local spending. The Hong Kong Small and Medium Enterprises Association on Friday revealed the programme to promote hidden delicacies and goods in Central, aligning with the government’s objective to turn everywhere into a tourist destination. The initiative runs from May 1 until the end of June, with the first five days... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351351/over-50-central-restaurants-shops-join-drive-boost-spending-lure-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351351/over-50-central-restaurants-shops-join-drive-boost-spending-lure-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:00:14 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu HK Electric will cut fuel surcharges for customers in May but has warned that costs could rise significantly later in the year due to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East. The company said on Friday that its fuel clause charge for May would fall by 4.4 HK cents per kilowatt-hour to 26 HK cents per kWh, citing a deferred effect under the monthly adjustment mechanism based on January’s average fuel costs. The decline marks the second consecutive monthly drop. “Although international fuel... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351309/hk-electric-cut-may-fuel-charges-warns-sharp-future-increase?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351309/hk-electric-cut-may-fuel-charges-warns-sharp-future-increase?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:09:03 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li A winning bid involving Henderson Land Development to operate a major Hong Kong harbourfront event space has expanded the developer’s footprint in Central to three prime locations, which experts say may result in greater accessibility and more visitors from surrounding commercial properties. Central Grand, a 50:50 joint venture formed by Henderson and concert organiser YW Company – commonly known as “Yiu Wing” – won the tender to operate the 3.7-hectare (9.1 acres) Central Harbourfront Event... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351301/hendersons-winning-bid-run-harbour-event-space-could-boost-centrals-access?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351301/hendersons-winning-bid-run-harbour-event-space-could-boost-centrals-access?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:42:23 +0000 Ambrose Li,Wynna Wong Ambrose Li,Wynna Wong Hongkonger Dominique Li and his wife spent a two-day break earlier this month in Shenzhen to soak up the cultural vibe, a short getaway they said would not be their last. The 45-year-old engineer, who lives in Tin Shui Wai in the northwestern New Territories, was particularly drawn to a new landmark, Shenzhen Bay Culture Square in Nanshan district. He treated his visit to Shenzhen like a trip to Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay shopping district, which also takes about an hour. “The spaces here are... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351208/value-space-and-style-pull-hongkongers-shenzhens-new-cultural-hotspots?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351208/value-space-and-style-pull-hongkongers-shenzhens-new-cultural-hotspots?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:30:17 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial To become an international sporting venue, it helps to have an iconic event that appears on the bucket lists of sports fans worldwide. With its 50th anniversary tournament, the Hong Kong Sevens has now consolidated that claim several times over. It bounced back from the pandemic when the city needed a morale booster. Last year, it emerged even stronger from a move to a new venue that tested fun-loving fans’ loyalty. Now it has confounded concerns that geopolitical tension and wars would dim its... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351098/hong-kong-sevens-proves-be-rude-health-50th-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351098/hong-kong-sevens-proves-be-rude-health-50th-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:15:15 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China has launched a bond-market-connect scheme with Brazil, Chinese media outlets reported this week, marking the first such link among emerging markets. Schemes such as this one, often dubbed “connects” between Chinese bond or stock markets and their offshore counterparts, typically allow investors to bypass special permits or capital-flow controls when trading on either side’s exchanges. China now maintains at least five offshore capital-market “connect” schemes on three continents. Hong... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3351185/brazil-beckoned-china-now-has-stock-and-bond-connect-schemes-these-5-regions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3351185/brazil-beckoned-china-now-has-stock-and-bond-connect-schemes-these-5-regions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:00:10 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Two famed water lily paintings by French Impressionist master Claude Monet will go on display in Hong Kong from Friday in a free exhibition highlighting cultural exchange between East and West. The show, titled “Blooming: the Art of Garden in East and West”, brings together more than 100 sets of exhibits from the Art Institute of Chicago, Beijing’s Palace Museum and the Palace of Versailles in Paris. The Hong Kong Museum of Art in Tsim Sha Tsui, which is hosting the show, has also contributed... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351200/blooming-good-monet-maestros-shine-garden-art-bridges-east-and-west?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351200/blooming-good-monet-maestros-shine-garden-art-bridges-east-and-west?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:58:02 +0000 Kolette Lim Kolette Lim Hong Kong International Airport expects revenue to grow by up to 10 per cent this year despite disruptions from the Iran conflict, with its chief executive aiming to position it as an alternative hub to the Middle East. In a wide-ranging interview with the South China Morning Post on Thursday, Airport Authority Hong Kong CEO Vivian Cheung Kar-fay said flights that had been cancelled due to the conflict – including those by flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways – were those that were “less... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351196/hong-kong-airports-revenue-expected-grow-10-despite-mideast-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351196/hong-kong-airports-revenue-expected-grow-10-despite-mideast-war?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:35:35 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft A Henderson Land Development joint venture has won a five-year contract to operate the Central Harbourfront Event Space in Hong Kong, with a clause requiring the government to be compensated if the number of events falls short of its commitment. The Development Bureau announced on Thursday that Central Grand Limited (CGL), a joint venture between the property developer and concert organiser YW Company, or “Yiu Wing”, beat five other bidders for the prime site, which hosts major events such as... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351169/henderson-land-joint-venture-operate-central-harbourfront-event-space?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351169/henderson-land-joint-venture-operate-central-harbourfront-event-space?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:36:34 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong’s unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 3.7 per cent in the first quarter of this year, marking a second consecutive decline across rolling three-month periods. The Census and Statistics Department said on Thursday the jobless rate stood at 3.7 per cent for January to March, down from 3.8 per cent in the preceding period from December to February. The underemployment rate also edged down by 0.1 percentage point, from 1.7 to 1.6 per cent over the same periods. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351150/hong-kong-jobless-rate-dips-second-successive-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351150/hong-kong-jobless-rate-dips-second-successive-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:08:24 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. I refer to the letter, “HK petrol prices rise despite oil markets starting to moderate” (April 18). I share the frustration expressed about sticky prices, but the government’s options are constrained by market realities. The difference between the prices of crude oil and refined... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3350947/if-energy-crisis-drags-hong-kong-may-need-rely-conservation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3350947/if-energy-crisis-drags-hong-kong-may-need-rely-conservation?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:30:07 +0000 Ken Ip Ken Ip The numbers tell a revealing story. The city’s eight publicly funded universities, once primarily judged by academic output and global rankings, are now generating record income from knowledge transfer. Patents, licensing deals, industry partnerships. These are not side activities. They are becoming core business lines. Universities are no longer just custodians of knowledge. They are active market participants, packaging and monetising it. Around them, an ecosystem is forming. Student hostels... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350074/hong-kongs-education-hub-cannot-be-one-market-wonder?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350074/hong-kongs-education-hub-cannot-be-one-market-wonder?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing A long-awaited cross-border solo travel scheme will allow yachts from Macau and Hong Kong to easily sail to about six designated ports in the western waters off the Greater Bay Area, with the policy to be finalised as early as this summer, the South China Morning Post has learned. A Guangdong provincial government document, seen by the SCMP, also showed several routes that were recommended for leisure, such as the waters off Castle Peak Bay, the Pearl River Delta and Fan Lau Kok of the Lantau... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351051/travel-scheme-could-allow-hong-kong-macau-yachts-sail-6-greater-bay-area-ports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351051/travel-scheme-could-allow-hong-kong-macau-yachts-sail-6-greater-bay-area-ports?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:30:07 +0000 Kun Tian Kun Tian The most revealing fact about Hong Kong’s stablecoin launch is not that licences were issued. It is who got them, and who did not. By handing the first approvals to HSBC and the Standard Chartered-led joint venture Anchorpoint Financial, regulators made clear from the start that digital money in Hong Kong will be bank-led. That choice matters because Hong Kong is not trying to become Asia’s easiest venue for cryptocurrency experimentation. Rather, it is trying to become the most credible place... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350356/what-hong-kongs-conservative-stablecoin-licence-roll-out-reveals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350356/what-hong-kongs-conservative-stablecoin-licence-roll-out-reveals?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:30:08 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) announced on Wednesday the joint establishment of the Northern Metropolis Financial Advisory Taskforce, which will explore financing solutions for the development of the city’s flagship project. The Northern Metropolis, a megaproject designed to bolster Hong Kong’s economic base and advance its integration with the Greater Bay Area, will transform 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres) of land near the city’s border... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3351034/hkma-and-hkab-launch-task-force-hong-kongs-northern-metropolis-financing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3351034/hkma-and-hkab-launch-task-force-hong-kongs-northern-metropolis-financing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:52:46 +0000 Kristen Cheung Kristen Cheung Hong Kong residents, from housewives to stay-at-home mothers and couples, have rushed to theatres to secure HK$30 (US$4) tickets for Cinema Day, with many calling for even more discounts and family-friendly perks on other occasions. Before sales opened at noon on Wednesday, some customers started queuing up from as early as 10.30am at Star Cinema in Tseung Kwan O to get discounted tickets for screenings this Saturday. A housewife surnamed Ho was the first in line and hoped to get discounted... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350982/hong-kong-residents-flock-theatres-buy-advanced-hk30-cinema-day-tickets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350982/hong-kong-residents-flock-theatres-buy-advanced-hk30-cinema-day-tickets?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:41:48 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing The MTR Corporation has sold HK$18.8 billion (US$2.4 billion) in green bonds, setting a Hong Kong dollar-denominated issuance record and marking its first publicly offered bond in the local currency market, as it seeks to diversify funding for a raft of projects. The rail giant said on Wednesday that it sold five-, 10- and 30-year bonds, with the size of each tranche also representing the largest for their respective tenors to date. Together with its inaugural Australian dollar-denominated green... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350965/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-sells-record-hk188-billion-green-bonds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350965/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-sells-record-hk188-billion-green-bonds?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:19:23 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. The current discussion on the Kai Tak line is too focused on the mass transit itself – alignment, stations, connectivity. But the real issue is not just the mass transit. It’s what happens around it. As planned, the line will mainly serve local residents. That is useful, but not... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3350882/hong-kong-cant-just-build-monorail-kai-tak-and-hope-best?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3350882/hong-kong-cant-just-build-monorail-kai-tak-and-hope-best?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 03:30:07 +0000