2 h. ago Hong Kong waiter charged with inciting subversion under national security law

A waiter has become the latest person charged under the national security law, with prosecutors accusing him of inciting others to overthrow Beijing and the Hong Kong government in a series of social media posts. Chan Ho-hin, 22, on Wednesday saw his original sedition charge upgraded to one of inciting subversion after West Kowloon Court approved a prosecution request to amend the indictment. The defendant has been remanded in custody since he was first charged on April 30 with a count of...

Events

2 h. ago Hong Kong minister hints at scrapping of MPF tax break proposal for elderly

Hong Kong’s labour minister has dropped the biggest hint yet that authorities intend to scrap a proposal to raise the tax deduction amount for employers’ voluntary pension contributions to older workers, a plan for encouraging greater workforce participation. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Wednesday that a government working group on promoting the silver economy decided that the proposed tax initiative “complicated” the policy objective of the Mandatory Provident Fund...

Politics

2 h. ago Surprise US copper tariff tests the mettle of China’s vast refining industry

Shockwaves from Washington’s decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on copper imports are still rippling across the Pacific, and China, the world’s largest consumer of the metal, is feeling the effects. Copper futures traded in the US rallied on the tariff threat, expanding a price gap with the London and China markets, where prices fell. The most active copper futures contracts traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell by 1.36 per cent on Wednesday following US President Donald Trump’s...

Politics

3 h. ago Average cost of EV licence in Hong Kong could rise 536% under government proposal

The average cost of an electric vehicle (EV) licence in Hong Kong could increase by more than 500 per cent over the next five years, authorities have said, adding that they will also raise the tolls at two tunnels by 60 per cent amid a significant budget deficit. The proposed measures announced by the Transport and Logistics Bureau on Wednesday also included doubling metered parking fees and a 25 to 50 per cent increase in penalties for illegal parking and 19 other traffic violations. The...

Politics

4 h. ago Hong Kong introduces bill to expand scope for punishing lawmakers’ misconduct

Hong Kong authorities have introduced a bill to the legislature that will pave the way for establishing an expanded mechanism under which lawmakers could face suspension and pay cuts for misconduct. The Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) (Amendment) Bill was tabled by Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki for its first reading on Wednesday. The bill aims to expand the scope of financial penalties to cover situations in which lawmakers were suspended for violating the proposed Codes for...

Politics

5 h. ago Mainland standards may cut Hong Kong rail link costs by up to 40%: lawmakers

A new arrangement for building a major rail link in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis mega development can reduce costs by up to 40 per cent through leveraging mainland China’s lower wages and construction standards, lawmakers have said. Speaking to the Post on Wednesday, legislator Michael Tien Puk-sun said the financing agreement announced the previous day would satisfy the demand of Xia Baolong, Beijing’s top man on local affairs, to accelerate the development of the metropolis near the border...

Politics

6 h. ago Heavy rain, thunderstorms to hit Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday: Observatory

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Hong Kong Observatory has warned that the city will be hit by torrential rain and squally thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday as tropical cyclone Danas gradually enters Guangdong. The forecaster also said on Wednesday that it might issue a Strong Monsoon Signal, depending on local changes...

Events

6 h. ago Heavy rain and thunderstorms expected in Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Hong Kong Observatory has warned that the city will be hit by torrential rain and squally thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday as Tropical Depression Danas gradually reaches Guangdong province. The forecaster also said on Wednesday it might issue a strong monsoon signal, depending on local...

Events

6 h. ago Hong Kong firms invest in AI proficiency despite training budget cuts: survey

Hong Kong firms cut budgets for employee training amid economic uncertainties last year, but training hours increased in an effort to boost staff proficiency in new artificial intelligence tools. The findings were announced on Wednesday by the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management, based on a survey of 115 local companies and organisations across 17 industries. The survey, conducted between January and April, aimed to understand the staff training needs of Hong Kong employers last...

Economics

6 h. ago BYD and Geely bank on big discounts, Xpeng’s ‘super AI’ SUV : 7 EV reads

We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. BYD, Geely bank on big discounts to set record car sales, dent smaller rivals China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) makers from BYD to Geely Auto sustained their strong sales last month as big price cuts lured new buyers, helping boost their market share and heaping pressure on...

Politics

8 h. ago Malaysia’s Anwar to confront Rubio over US tariffs amid fears about 25% levy

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday that US tariffs would be at the forefront of his agenda when he meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week, as the Southeast Asian nation strives to negotiate a reprieve from punitive levies threatening to stifle economic growth and devastate export-reliant industries. The urgency stems from a move made on Monday by US President Donald Trump, who dispatched letters to the leaders of 14 countries threatening tariffs ranging from 25...

Events

9 h. ago Hong Kong court orders arrest of singer Tommy Yuen for ignoring theft charge

A Hong Kong court has issued a warrant for the arrest of singer Tommy Yuen Man-on after he failed to appear in court to answer a shoplifting charge. Yuen, a former member of the defunct Cantopop boy band E-kids, was expected to appear in Kowloon City Court on Wednesday on a count of theft for allegedly stealing HK$144.50 (US$18.40) worth of snacks and drinks from a supermarket last month. A charge sheet indicated the 45-year-old defendant stole six bottles of Coke, tea and water, as well as...

Events

11 h. ago Hong Kong stocks fall on worries about China’s deflationary pressure

Hong Kong stocks fell by the most in nearly three weeks as China’s deflationary trend became more entrenched, deepening concerns about the nation’s growth prospects. The Hang Seng Index dropped 0.8 per cent to 23,943.42 at 10.13am local time on Wednesday and the Hang Seng Tech Index retreated 1.3 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index climbed 0.2 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.3 per cent. Henderson Land Development slumped 8.3 per cent to HK$26 after raising HK$8 billion...

Events

12 h. ago 5 stocks gain in Hong Kong trading debut as bull market rages on

Hong Kong’s stock exchange had its busiest day of the year for new listings on Wednesday as five mainland Chinese companies made their debuts, cementing the city’s position atop the global ranking for initial public offerings (IPO). Wuhan Dazhong Dental Medical (2651) was the biggest winner of the day when its shares jumped 20 per cent at the open to HK$24, from its IPO price of HK$20. The shares of Apple supplier Lens Technology (6613) began trading at HK$18.88, a premium of 3.8 per cent from...

Economics

12 h. ago Apple supplier Lens, 4 other stocks gain in busiest day for new listings in 2025

Hong Kong’s stock exchange had its busiest day of the year for new listings on Wednesday as five mainland Chinese companies made their trading debuts, cementing the city’s top global ranking for initial public offerings (IPOs). Semiconductor chip designer Fortior Technology was the biggest winner after its shares surged 16 per cent to HK$139.80. The Shanghai-listed company raised HK$2.26 billion (US$287.8 million) from its offering of new shares at HK$120.50 each. Apple supplier Lens Technology...

Politics

12 h. ago China CPI inflation rises marginally in June, PPI shrinks for 33rd month

China CPI inflation rises marginally in June, PPI shrinks for 33rd month  Investing.com

Politics

12 h. ago Old but still gold? What Philippines can gain from Japan’s used warships

Japan’s unprecedented proposal to transfer six Abukuma-class destroyer escorts to the Philippine Navy could greatly boost the Southeast Asian nation’s anti-submarine capabilities – but the true value of these ageing vessels remains to be seen. The Philippines has confirmed it is preparing to dispatch a team to Japan for a visual inspection of the six warships, which were set to be decommissioned, following an official invitation from Japan’s Ministry of Defence. “This planned inspection forms...

Events

12 h. ago Export ban for Taiwan firms a stern warning for separatist forces: Beijing

Beijing has banned the export of dual-use items to eight Taiwan-based aerospace and shipbuilding companies, including suppliers to the Taiwanese military. The move was hailed by the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office as a “stern warning against repeated provocations by separatist forces” in a statement on Wednesday, after the commerce ministry’s announcement of the move. According to the ministry, the companies, which include defence supplier Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC),...

Events

14 h. ago China spins up offshore wind energy as Beijing promotes marine economy

China has ramped up offshore wind energy development, as the form of renewable energy aligns with Beijing’s goals of carbon neutrality, energy security and developing the marine economy to boost economic growth. China added more than 4.4 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity in the first six months of the year, the same amount it added in all of 2024, according to a report by the non-profit Global Energy Monitor (GEM) on Wednesday. The report said the country was expected to add at least 9GW...

Politics

23 h. ago Beijing Jingneng Announces Change in Joint Company Secretary

Beijing Jingneng Announces Change in Joint Company Secretary  TipRanks

Politics