https://www.scmp.com/rss/522905/feed Algernon Yau Ying-wah is the current Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development in Hong Kong, appointed in July 2022. He oversees policy areas including trade, telecommunications, intellectual property, and investment promotion, actively working to strengthen Hong Kong’s global and mainland economic ties. Previously, he had a 42-year career in the aviation and logistics sector, holding key managerial positions such as CEO of Greater Bay Airlines and Cathay Dragon, and serving as an... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com 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 Matthew Cheng,Lam Ka-sing Matthew Cheng,Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong’s investments in the Middle East will not be derailed by ongoing conflicts, the commerce minister has said, expressing confidence in the region’s economic prospects and urging businesses to take a long-term view. “The geopolitical situation has a temporary impact, but in the long term, we remain hopeful about development in the Middle East,” Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah told a radio programme on Saturday. “We have many strengths in areas such as... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350558/take-long-term-view-hong-kong-minister-says-middle-east-investment-unaffected?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350558/take-long-term-view-hong-kong-minister-says-middle-east-investment-unaffected?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:57:01 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has met European Union representatives to discuss opportunities for cooperation, with the chief executive saying both sides highlighted a shared belief in multilateralism amid increasing tensions and market turmoil. Ambassador Harvey Rouse, head of the EU Office in Hong Kong, called for both sides to work together, describing the 27-member bloc as a “very dependable partner in an increasingly volatile world”. Local officials attending the lunch meeting on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350369/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-eu-officials-meet-discuss-trade-cooperation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350369/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-eu-officials-meet-discuss-trade-cooperation?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:19:17 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong’s 21 ministerial-level officials spent more than HK$46.6 million (US$5.9 million) on trips over the past three financial years, with finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po accounting for nearly a quarter of the total. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah was the most frequent traveller, making 50 trips in the past three years at a cost of HK$7.21 million to taxpayers, official records released to legislators showed. Chan made 35 visits during the three financial... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3349750/hong-kongs-ministerial-team-spent-hk466-million-visits-past-3-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3349750/hong-kongs-ministerial-team-spent-hk466-million-visits-past-3-years?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:00:13 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong should leverage its position as a “safe haven for investment” to attract foreign capital amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the head of InvestHK has said, noting that more companies using Dubai as a hub have shifted to the city to diversify risk. The call came as finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po ­on Friday continued his six-day visit to Beijing, where he met Li Yunze, minister of the National Financial Regulatory Administration. They discussed how Hong Kong could ­support the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347376/hong-kong-should-use-safe-haven-status-draw-capital-gulf-agency-chief?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347376/hong-kong-should-use-safe-haven-status-draw-capital-gulf-agency-chief?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:32:30 +0000 Fiona Chow,Emily Hung Fiona Chow,Emily Hung Hong Kong aims to host fairs on robotics, yachts and small jets – events never before held in the city – to cement its status as an international exhibition hub and attract big spenders, the commerce minister has said. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah on Sunday said the push was in response to the HK$100 million (US$12.78 million) budgeted to “attract large international exhibitions with new elements to Hong Kong”. Yau said the government was brainstorming... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345043/robots-jets-and-yachts-hong-kong-eyes-new-fairs-woo-big-spenders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345043/robots-jets-and-yachts-hong-kong-eyes-new-fairs-woo-big-spenders?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:46:12 +0000 Fiona Chow Fiona Chow The Hong Kong government is prepared for greater global market volatility and risks, higher trade costs, and fluctuating commodity prices stemming from the joint US-Israel attack on Iran, according to the city’s finance chief Shortly after Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the air strikes, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Sunday that the conflict created “significant global uncertainty” in the world economy. “I expect increased... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345021/hong-kong-government-prepared-more-volatility-after-iran-attacks-paul-chan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345021/hong-kong-government-prepared-more-volatility-after-iran-attacks-paul-chan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 09:09:42 +0000 Jeffie Lam Jeffie Lam Panamanian authorities have reportedly raided the office of a subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings that previously operated two ports at either end of the country’s canal, days after the terminals were taken over against the company’s will. According to Panamanian media on Thursday, local authorities had searched the office of the Panama Ports Company, which operated the Balboa and Cristobal ports until this week. Boxes of documents were seen being taken away during the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344809/hong-kongs-ck-hutchison-vows-legal-action-over-unlawful-panama-port-seizure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344809/hong-kongs-ck-hutchison-vows-legal-action-over-unlawful-panama-port-seizure?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 03:26:08 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings has condemned the uninvited takeover of its Panama ports by the country’s authorities, calling it unlawful and the “culmination of a campaign” against its subsidiary that operated the terminals. The conglomerate, led by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s family, made the remarks on Tuesday, a day after the Panama Maritime Authority acted on a presidential decree allowing it to take over and operate the Balboa and Cristobal ports at either end of the Panama Canal for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344418/panamas-port-takeover-culmination-campaign-against-ck-hutchison?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344418/panamas-port-takeover-culmination-campaign-against-ck-hutchison?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:41:30 +0000 Olga Wong Olga Wong Hong Kong’s finance chief will unveil new measures in his budget to strengthen the city’s growing intellectual property (IP) economy, focusing on nurturing top-tier talent and helping local tech firms evaluate their patents, the South China Morning Post has learned. The initiatives, expected to be announced on Wednesday, come as Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po faces mounting expectations to make strategic use of the city’s earlier-than-expected operating surplus while investing in long-term... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344370/hong-kong-boost-ip-economy-new-academy-patent-evaluation-support?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344370/hong-kong-boost-ip-economy-new-academy-patent-evaluation-support?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:30:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Panama is among a growing number of markets that have become a tough sell for Hong Kong investors amid geopolitical headwinds. There is understandable concern about a court ruling nullifying a Hong Kong company’s rights to run Panama Canal ports. City leaders have rightly been pushing back in concert with the central government. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday urged Panama to ensure “fair and reasonable” treatment of Hong Kong firms operating or investing in the Latin American... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3343444/panamas-u-turn-business-deal-under-pressure-dents-investor-confidence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3343444/panamas-u-turn-business-deal-under-pressure-dents-investor-confidence?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 23:15:14 +0000 Harvey Kong Harvey Kong Hong Kong’s commerce minister has condemned a court ruling to annul CK Hutchison Holdings’ right to operate two ports in the Panama Canal after summoning the country’s envoy in the city, warning the decision “seriously undermined” international trade rules. In a meeting with Panamanian Consul General Jose Ramon de Jesus Varela Fabrega, minister Algernon Yau Ying-wah expressed “strong dissatisfaction and opposition” to the ruling, according to a social media post by the Commerce and Economic... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3342746/hong-kong-summons-panama-envoy-over-court-ruling-ck-hutchison-ports-concession?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3342746/hong-kong-summons-panama-envoy-over-court-ruling-ck-hutchison-ports-concession?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 04:03:25 +0000 Cao Li,Themis Qi Cao Li,Themis Qi As Chinese companies accelerate their overseas expansion, industry leaders are urging a more partnership-driven approach rather than simply building factories abroad – a strategy they say could help ease growing concerns about excess capacity. As it pushes further into global markets, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group will prioritise partnerships over rapid capacity build-outs, vice-chairman Daniel Li Donghui said at the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) in Hong Kong on Tuesday. “We don’t think it’s the... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3341479/partnerships-not-plants-chinese-companies-rethink-overseas-expansion-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3341479/partnerships-not-plants-chinese-companies-rethink-overseas-expansion-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 03:00:13 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities have launched a professional services platform to provide support for mainland Chinese companies expanding overseas, while boosting business opportunities for local sectors. Speaking at the launch ceremony for the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform on Saturday, Deputy Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan said the sectors’ international outlook, uncompromising standards and nuanced understanding of both Chinese and global contexts allowed them to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3336347/hong-kong-launches-professional-services-platform-mainland-chinese-companies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3336347/hong-kong-launches-professional-services-platform-mainland-chinese-companies?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Dec 2025 14:30:08 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hong Kong is seeking to expand its trade networks by tapping into new markets in Latin America, Africa and Central Asia amid the easing of the US tariff war, the minister has said, expressing confidence that export growth will continue due to stronger ties with Southeast Asia. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah said Hong Kong needed to diversify its exports following last month’s breakthrough in Sino-US trade talks when Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3332091/hong-kong-tap-new-markets-amid-easing-tariff-war-confident-export-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3332091/hong-kong-tap-new-markets-amid-easing-tariff-war-confident-export-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 06:04:05 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong has attracted about 500 local and mainland Chinese enterprises to its first major promotional event across the border through a newly established task force dedicated to helping businesses expand overseas, the city’s trade promoter has said. Officials went all out to promote Hong Kong’s role as a global connector in Shanghai this week, including at a conference on Thursday titled “Hong Kong – The Ideal Platform for Mainland Enterprises in Going Global”. The event was organised by the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3331807/goglobal-task-force-draws-500-firms-trade-event-promoting-hong-kong-base?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3331807/goglobal-task-force-draws-500-firms-trade-event-promoting-hong-kong-base?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:15:59 +0000 Jiang Chuqin Jiang Chuqin Hong Kong’s leader has arrived in South Korea for an Apec economic leaders’ meeting and has pledged to share with other attendees the city’s policies and experience in investment promotion and artificial intelligence (AI) application. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who arrived in Korea with his delegation on Wednesday afternoon, is expected to attend an Apec economic leaders’ informal dialogue in the city of Gyeongju and the Apec Business Advisory Council dialogue with Apec economic leaders... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3330804/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-eyes-apec-opportunities-he-lands-korea-forum?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3330804/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-eyes-apec-opportunities-he-lands-korea-forum?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:04:16 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng A Hong Kong task force set up to support mainland Chinese enterprises going global will hold its first major event in Shanghai next week, the city’s leader has said, while pledging to push for stronger regional trade at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in South Korea this week. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also revealed on Tuesday that more than 350 city enterprises, a record number, would take part in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai from November 5... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3330587/john-lee-lead-hong-kong-task-force-promote-global-trade-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3330587/john-lee-lead-hong-kong-task-force-promote-global-trade-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 06:25:37 +0000 Willa Wu,Lam Ka-sing Willa Wu,Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong will offer one-stop tailor-made professional services to mainland Chinese enterprises through a newly established task force dedicated to helping such businesses expand overseas, the city’s commerce chief has said. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah also said that his task force, which was set up on Monday, included members of the business, legal, accounting and investment sectors to help explore new emerging markets. “As the country shifts to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3327968/hong-kong-launches-task-force-help-mainland-chinese-firms-go-global?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3327968/hong-kong-launches-task-force-help-mainland-chinese-firms-go-global?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 04:23:06 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The “one country, two systems” model has served Hong Kong and mainland China well for more than a quarter of a century. Under this governing formula, Hong Kong needs to seek endorsement from the central government in some areas. One ongoing effort relates to the intellectual property (IP) economy – which includes the creative industries – that plays a key role in the city’s growth and employment. In an exclusive wide-ranging interview, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3324301/global-ip-treaty-can-help-hong-kong-secure-its-creative-edge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3324301/global-ip-treaty-can-help-hong-kong-secure-its-creative-edge?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 23:15:08 +0000 Regina Ip Regina Ip In a recent interview, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah hit the nail on the head in pinpointing uncertainty as Hong Kong’s greatest economic challenge. “The biggest challenge is there are many uncertainties, because the US and China trade negotiations are ongoing. Not until the time when everything is settled, [will] the case become clearer,” Yau said. United States President Donald Trump’s new tariff rates on dozens of trading partners that came into effect... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3323587/never-mind-trumps-trade-war-hong-kong-pulling-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3323587/never-mind-trumps-trade-war-hong-kong-pulling-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 31 Aug 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Denise Tsang Denise Tsang Hong Kong commerce minister Algernon Yau Ying-wah has said his views have been influenced by his revolutionary grandfather, a man closely intertwined with cross-strait relations at an important time in Chinese history. In a wide-ranging interview with the Post on Friday, the secretary for commerce and economic development shared details about his family’s role in politics over the decades. A major influence on Yau was his grandfather, Qiu Fengjia, a Chinese politician, educator and poet born in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3322993/patriotism-my-blood-hong-kongs-commerce-chief-says-about-family-line?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3322993/patriotism-my-blood-hong-kongs-commerce-chief-says-about-family-line?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 03:00:10 +0000 Lam Ka-sing,Denise Tsang Lam Ka-sing,Denise Tsang Hong Kong’s commerce and economic development chief will visit Singapore next week in his latest global charm offensive to bolster bilateral trade ties as he described the city state as “a friend” rather than “a rival”. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah told the Post in an exclusive interview that he would spend two days in Singapore, meeting officials as he sought to reframe a persistent narrative of intense competition between the two Asian financial hubs as... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3322992/hong-kongs-commerce-chief-visit-singapore-bolster-trade-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3322992/hong-kongs-commerce-chief-visit-singapore-bolster-trade-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:30:12 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft America’s outgoing top diplomat in Hong Kong has said he had little opportunity to meet local officials during his tenure, while also noting that the implementation of the national security law five years ago remains a source of friction. But United States Consul General Gregory May’s remarks prompted a rebuttal from the local government on Thursday night, which accused the envoy of “completely disregarding the rule of law” and “deliberately misleading the public with false and biased remarks”... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3315966/us-envoy-hong-kong-says-little-chance-meet-local-officials-amid-his-tenure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3315966/us-envoy-hong-kong-says-little-chance-meet-local-officials-amid-his-tenure?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:13:25 +0000