Covid-19 curbs led to losses at Cathay Pacific, while profits fell at Swire Coca-Cola and Swire Properties, but the company is optimistic now that pandemic restrictions are gone, chairman says.

L’Occitane and Samsonite are also among about 80 Hong Kong-listed companies whose stocks will be available to mainland China traders as of March 13.

The supply of new homes could more than double compared with this year, driving developers to slash prices by 10 per cent or more to attract buyers amid historically high interest rates, analysts say.

Hainan officials arrive in Germany on Monday, seeking collaboration with institutions and companies, after trips to Japan and Hong Kong yield deals with Swire Group, PwC and Charles Li’s Micro Connect.

Anniversary ceremony puts festive fundraising in the spotlight with city’s chief secretary calling on all to contribute to the initiative.

The reopening of Hong Kong’s borders and a stabilising pandemic to act as a catalyst for moribund office market, but a glut of new commercial towers to push rents down.

Swire plans to bring its Taikoo Li and Taikoo Hui mixed-use projects to Shenzhen. It recently signed an agreement with the Futian district government to develop a retail-led commercial project.

Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong announces business groups’ annual summit will launch in mid-October.

With 2.8 million sq ft of new prime space hitting the market this year, supply will reach a level not seen since 2008 and is set to expand further in the next two years, consultant Cushman & Wakefield says.

The buy-back – one of the biggest ever in Hong Kong – comes amid narrowing losses at Cathay Pacific and a dip in profits at Swire Properties

Swire Pacific will buy Coca-Cola Indochina through its subsidiaries, Swire Beverages Holdings and Swire Coca-Cola. It is the Hong Kong group’s first investment in Southeast Asia.

Hong Kong’s office landlords are helping tenants with their climate goals, which will help the city reach its 2050 carbon neutral goal as buildings are a major source of carbon emissions.

Swire beat out rivals such as CK Asset Holdings, Kerry Properties and Citic Pacific for land that could fetch HK$33,000 per square foot when construction is completed.

The company, which started out offering domestic services, now aims to revolutionise antiquated property-management practices in Hong Kong and Singapore for big-name developers.

While long queues at shopping centres reflect a welcome return to business as usual in Shanghai, there is still a feeling trepidation because some Covid-19 control measures continue to be observed.

Joost Schokkenbroek tells Thomas Bird how a young Dutch boy who grew up miles from the sea came to devote his life to the history of seafaring – and to live with a view of Victoria Harbour.

Swire Pacific returned to profitability last year following record profit at its beverage unit and steady performance of its property division.

Real estate developments that combine an element of preservation are becoming popular in China, with some companies taking a keen interest in such projects.

Rent waivers for retail tenants at Cityplaza and Pacific Place to run from the beginning of government-ordered closures until April 20 and are part of an ongoing tailored approach to assisting tenants affected by pandemic measures, Swire Properties said.

Hong Kong’s property developers and hotel owners are stepping up to offer their help, after Chinese President Xi Jinping instructed Hong Kong’s authorities to take the “main responsibility” in containing the so-called fifth wave of infections in the city.

Master mariner and salvage expert Alan Loynd recalls recovering the China Airlines plane in 1993, towing a container ship backwards in the Taiwan Strait and greeting Queen Elizabeth in Tuvalu.

Net loss at Hong Kong’s flag carrier is likely to be between HK$5.6 billion (US$719 million) and HK$6.1 billion last year, significantly lower than the HK$21.6 billion loss in 2020.

Swire Properties is selling a site in Fort Lauderdale to parties including Kushner Companies to recycle cash into other development opportunities in the south-eastern US state of Florida.

Fair held in Quarry Bay marks first time company has worked towards creating zero-waste event. Since 2013, the event has helped raise more than HK$6.3 million for the Post and RTHK’s annual Operation Santa Claus fundraising drive.

Rents in Lantau have fallen by 10 to 15 per cent since the first quarter of last year as airline industry employees left in droves amid the downturn.

The government wants to cut electricity use of commercial buildings by 30 to 40 per cent and residential buildings by 20 to 30 per cent by 2050 from 2015 levels.

Swire Properties opened its second mass market complex in Shanghai’s Qiantan area, drawing big names like Cartier and Dior to the brand new shopping landmark.

Swire Pacific declared an interim dividend of HK$1 per share while Swire Properties raised its six-month payout to 31 Hong Kong cents per share.

Zhangyuan biggest draw is its 43 blocks of shikumen buildings, the Shanghai architectural style that blended Western style with Chinese aesthetics.