21 h. ago Hong Kong contractors rated poorly by homeowners face removal after Tai Po fire

Hong Kong authorities may remove building maintenance contractors from a government-recommended list if homeowners are dissatisfied with their performance, as part of measures to combat bid-rigging following the deadly Tai Po fire, the city’s No 2 official has said. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok‑ki said on Saturday that the government aimed to improve the Urban Renewal Authority’s “Smart Tender” scheme by establishing a pre‑selected list of qualified contractors. The scheme provides support to...

Events

23 h. ago Machinery use suspended after worker severs hand at Hong Kong recycling centre

Hong Kong authorities have issued a suspension notice to a contractor at a government-run recycling centre after a worker severed his palm while clearing debris from a wood-chipping machine. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on Saturday said it was “highly concerned” about the incident, which occurred at around 2pm the day before at the Y·Park yard waste recycling centre in Tuen Mun. The worker was trying to clear debris stuck in an operating wood chipper when his left palm was...

Economics

4 d. ago India proposes reopening government bidding to Chinese firms as ties thaw

India plans to lift long-standing restrictions on Chinese companies bidding for government contracts, a move officials say is aimed at easing shortages and project delays as relations with Beijing show tentative signs of stabilising. The proposal, first reported by Reuters, would roll back curbs, imposed after the two countries’ deadly 2020 border clash in the Galwan Valley, that effectively shut Chinese firms out of a vast segment of India’s public procurement market. In October 2024, India and...

Politics

4 d. ago Chinese firm Sinovac to supply vaccine to Chile ahead of flu season

The Chilean government has awarded a contract to Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech to supply its influenza vaccine ahead of the southern hemisphere winter. The vaccine will be part of Chile’s nationwide immunisation programme, which public health body Cenabast said was “internationally recognised for its impact on public health protection, particularly among high-risk groups”. Beijing-based Sinovac’s influenza vaccine uses an inactivated virus based on a split-virion platform – a...

Politics

9 d. ago Exclusive: India plans to scrap curbs on Chinese firms bidding for government contracts

Exclusive: India plans to scrap curbs on Chinese firms bidding for government contracts  Reuters

Politics

1 week ago Italy weighs fresh options to curb Chinese sway over Pirelli, sources say

Italy weighs fresh options to curb Chinese sway over Pirelli, sources say  Reuters

Politics

2 w. ago Multiple Chinese cities curb public New Year’s Eve countdowns as police stress safety

Police in multiple Chinese cities have issued pre-emptive notices stating that no official New Year’s Eve countdowns will be held at popular landmarks, as they prioritise public safety and order ahead of the holiday. This coordinated messaging, consistent with recent years, emerged through a flurry of police notices issued on Tuesday and Wednesday. It reflects a cautious strategy by authorities to prevent a recurrence of tragedies like the 2014 Shanghai stampede. Authorities in major Chinese...

Events

2 w. ago Multiple Chinese cities curb New Year’s Eve countdowns over safety

Multiple Chinese cities curb New Year’s Eve countdowns over safety  South China Morning Post

Politics

3 w. ago India’s new law to fuel energy needs, drive nuclear power growth

India has taken a decisive step to open its tightly controlled nuclear power sector to private and foreign capital, signalling a shift in how the country plans to meet soaring electricity demand while cutting emissions. Parliament earlier this month approved the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (Shanti) Bill, one of the most consequential overhauls of India’s civilian nuclear framework in decades, ending years of near-exclusive state control. Under...

Events

3 w. ago Chinese capital Beijing further eases home buying curbs By Reuters

Chinese capital Beijing further eases home buying curbs By Reuters  Investing.com

Politics

4 w. ago US defence policy act overstates ‘China threat’, Beijing says, urges ‘rational’ view

Beijing on Friday accused Washington of using its new US defence policy act to hype up the so-called China threat and interfere in its internal affairs. It also urged Washington to view their relationship “rationally” and refrain from enforcing negative China-related provisions. The latest National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), signed into law by President Donald Trump on Thursday, restricts US outbound investment in Chinese technology and curbs federal contracts with Chinese biotechnology...

Events