29 h. ago China nears Airbus deal, famous Hong Kong restaurant chain closes: 7 highlights

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Most Chinese exporters to stay in Vietnam after US tariff deal, analysts say Chinese manufacturers in Vietnam breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday, after Washington and Hanoi agreed a “better than expected” trade deal that will...

Society

3 d. ago Hong Kong restaurant Super Star closes last branch, leaving 50 workers in limbo

A 36-year-old Hong Kong seafood restaurant chain has abruptly shut down its last remaining branch, leaving about 50 employees in limbo as they seek to recover their unpaid wages. A notice announcing the closure of Super Star Seafood Restaurant was posted at its Moko shopping centre branch in Mong Kok on Wednesday. “In recent years, the catering industry in Hong Kong has been facing structural challenges. The local consumer market has continued to be weak and there has been a fundamental change...

Politics

6 d. ago Hong Kong social enterprise restaurant races to relocate as closure looms

Hong Kong’s social enterprises empowering vulnerable communities are struggling to survive amid a dire economy. In the second part of this two-part series, the Post looks at how a profitable social enterprise was driven out of business by the government despite its earlier recognition and contributions to the community. You can read the first instalment here. In one of Hong Kong’s most underprivileged neighbourhoods, residents were recently bidding a reluctant farewell to Agape Garden. Over the...

Society

7 d. ago Elevated rents a ‘big problem’ for Hong Kong restaurants as closures mount

Hong Kong’s restaurant industry is bracing for the wave of business closures to continue into the second half of the year with little hope for a quick turnaround, following a string of shutdowns of well-established chains in the city. “We are worried about the overall situation in the second half of the year,” Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, told a radio show on Saturday. Wong cited rent as a “rather big problem”, with industry observers...

Society

7 d. ago Elevated rents ‘big problem’ for Hong Kong restaurants as closures mount

Hong Kong’s restaurant industry is expecting the wave of business closures to continue into the second half of the year with little hope for a quick turnaround, following a string of shutdowns of well-established chains in the city. “We are worried about the overall situation in the second half of the year,” Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, told a radio show on Saturday. Wong cited rent as a “rather big problem”, with industry observers...

Society

7 d. ago Hong Kong eatery run by the disabled needs new partner to keep mission going

Hong Kong’s social enterprises empowering vulnerable communities are struggling to survive amid a dire economy. In the first of a two-part series, the Post looks at how a Singapore-based catering business is trying to chart a new path forward for its disabled workers. Dignity Kitchen, a beacon of hope for disabled people seeking training and employment in Hong Kong, is at a crossroads. The Singapore-based social enterprise restaurant is urgently looking for a local partner because its founder,...

Events

8 d. ago Hungry for savings? Hong Kong restaurants, shops offer July 1 anniversary deals

Hong Kong consumers can expect to enjoy deals and discounts at more than 8,800 stores and restaurants as part of celebrations to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule on July 1, amid a sluggish economy. The Hong Kong Catering Industry Association said more than 3,800 food and beverage establishments would provide discounts on the occasion, while the city’s Retail Management Association said 5,000 stores would kick off a two-month shopping festival on the same...

Economics

2 w. ago Hotpot over hot dogs? Hong Kong cinemas need new ideas to survive

A recent trend in Hong Kong is causing concern. Cinemas and restaurants that have operated here for years are now closing down for good. Earlier this month, cinema chain operator Golden Harvest shut its venue at the MegaBox shopping centre, the fifth cinema it has closed down since April 2024. That came just days after it shut the Grand Ocean Cinema in Tsim Sha Tsui, which had been in business for 56 years. Other cinemas shutting up shop this year include the Newport Theatre in Mong Kok and the...

Events

3 w. ago Hong Kong restaurants may start testing alternatives to plastics in next 2 months

Hong Kong restaurants may start testing alternatives to certain single-use plastics for items such as food containers in the next two months, the environment minister has said, as the government gauges the business sector’s feedback before expanding the scope of a ban. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan on Saturday gave the update on the second phase of the government’s plan to rid the city of disposable plastic items, after the first stage was introduced in April last year. “We...

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee defends national security clauses for restaurant licences

Hong Kong’s John Lee Ka-chiu has defended the introduction of national security clauses for restaurant licences, saying the new requirements also apply to Lunar New Year fair stalls. The city leader said on Tuesday that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department had made the decision to help fulfil its legal obligation to safeguard national security. “When handling new licensing or the renewal of new licences, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will do their work according to the...

Events

3 w. ago 30 Hong Kong workers complain as King Parrot Group debt hits HK$5 million

More than 30 of about 120 employees affected by the sudden closure of nine restaurants operated by a giant Hong Kong catering group have sought help from labour authorities, with a representative saying the debt involved has increased to HK$5 million (US$637,155). The workers have sought help after 33-year-old restaurant chain King Parrot Group closed its nine eateries on Friday. It ran over 20 brands and more than 30 themed restaurants at its peak. The manager of a China House restaurant in Mei...

Economics

3 w. ago ‘Vicious circle’ for Hong Kong restaurants: how many more on chopping block?

Hong Kong’s restaurant industry faces a bleak second half of the year as both low-cost and high-end operators succumb to the economic slowdown, sector leaders have warned, putting part of the blame on the trend of residents heading across the border to spend. Industry representatives gave their grim assessment on Sunday, just days after King Parrot Group announced it would close nine of its eateries, ending a 33-year run. The move has reportedly left over 100 staff out of pocket to the tune of...

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong staff of King Parrot Group to seek help from authorities after closures

Staff affected by the sudden closure of nine eateries operated by King Parrot Group, a 33-year-old restaurant chain in Hong Kong, will go to the Labour Department on Monday to file claims for unpaid wages and other entitlements amounting to more than HK$1 million (US$127,440), a union has said. Labour sector lawmaker Aron Kwok Wai-keung said on Sunday that business owners facing hardship should plan ahead if they were at risk of closure to ensure employees received their wages, while also...

Politics