Inter Miami's Lionel Messi keeps the bench warm during an exhibition soccer match in Hong Kong on Feb. 4.
Sports

Lionel Messi no-show angers Hong Kong authorities and fans

Highly anticipated game dents government's efforts to revitalize city

5 February 2024
The Hong Kong government has kicked off the process of legislating another more comprehensive national security law based on Article 23 of the city's constitution. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)       
Hong Kong security law

Japanese business sentiment in Hong Kong sinks over 'political stability'

EU chamber pays 'particular attention' to core values under planned Article 23 security law

2 February 2024
Employees work on a production line at a Shaanxi Automobile Group factory in China's Shaanxi province.
Economy

China factory activity shrinks less sharply ahead of Lunar New Year

PMI remains in contraction at 49.2; Hong Kong GDP accelerates thanks to mainland tourists

31 January 2024
Staff lower the Chinese national flag outside Exchange Square in Hong Kong.
Markets

China stimulus measures greeted with skepticism by foreign investors

Investors question why Chinese and Hong Kong shares can't get cheaper

27 January 2024
By cutting the reserve requirement ratio, the People's Bank of China will release $140 billion of long-term liquidity into the financial market.
China debt crunch

China lowers bank reserve ratio, boosting stimulus as growth lags

Investors press Beijing to do more to regain confidence

25 January 2024
U.S. Treasury officials also met with bankers and regulators in Hong Kong last year to urge them to identify U.S. high-tech items being shipped to Russia through Hong Kong. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Reuters)
Trade

U.S. Treasury meets with banks in Hong Kong on Russia sanctions

Chinese and foreign lenders are pressed to comply with latest Biden executive order

18 January 2024
Hong Kong, once one of the most dazzling entrepots in Asia, is reviving an investment incentive program axed eight years ago to try and attract back some of the wealth and talent Beijing's policies helped drive out. (Photo by Kenji Kawase) 
Economy

Hong Kong revives investment residencies to attract the wealthy

After eight years, the move responds to a duller city with slowing economy

19 December 2023
A couple in Hong Kong looks across the mainland border at the skyscrapers of Shenzhen in June 2022. Visitor traffic from Hong Kong to Shenzhen now far exceeds movement in the other direction.
Economy

Weekends in Shenzhen: Hong Kong economy hit by neighbor's growing allure

Financial hub's retailers 'worried' as their customers flock to mainland instead

9 December 2023
Motorists cross an intersection along an Evergrande housing complex in Beijing, China, 31 October 2023.
China debt crunch

On topic: Will China's sprawling debt problem worsen?

A collection of stories to catch up on a recent hot topic

9 December 2023
China's legal industry has matured over the past decade, with the number of legal professionals growing its global standing rising.
Business trends

Chinese law firms on the rise due to geopolitics and slowing economy

Some state-owned companies are switching to local legal services amid tensions

21 November 2023
Hong Kong's financial authorities have gone into overdrive to prop up the value of the Hong Kong dollar.
Currencies

Hong Kong staunchly defends dollar peg even as property market falters

Authority steps in 49 times against short sellers in system out of sync with economy

17 November 2023
The Henderson, a roughly 190-meter tall tower in Hong Kong's Central business district, was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. (Photo by Kensaku Ihara)
Property

Opening of new Hong Kong landmark marred by weak office demand

Half of The Henderson still empty as it nears completion, developer says

9 November 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to China from Nov. 4 to 7 to meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Your Week in Asia

BOJ policy meeting, Hong Kong FinTech Week, Australia PM visits China

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

29 October 2023
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee delivers his annual policy address at the Legislative Council on Oct. 25.
Economy

Hong Kong announces steps to boost growth and restore global status

Government to cut property and stock stamp duties, Lee says in annual address

25 October 2023
The Temple Street Night Market, once a famous tourist spot, has lost many visitors and shops. (Photo by Kensaku Ihara)
Society

Hong Kong's night markets fade along with its freedoms

Some fear government crackdowns have robbed city of what made it great

22 October 2023
Lawyers and legal recruiters say recent redundancies at law firms highlight not only the downturn in the market but also the reliance of top international companies on Chinese activity.
Business trends

Law firm layoffs rise in Hong Kong as China business slows

Beijing's focus on security curbs dealmaking, with less work for lawyers

26 September 2023
An atmosphere of caution has made its presence felt among property equities in Asia as a state of depression sinks in. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters) 
Market Spotlight

China property crisis holds Singapore, Hong Kong REITs back

Asia's real estate shares suffer doldrums as investors tread cautiously

25 September 2023
Hong Kong was ranked the world's freest economy for over two decades, a position it has now lost to Singapore. 
Hong Kong security law

Singapore replaces Hong Kong as world's freest economy

Bias in Chinese legal system cited as reason for former British colony's fall

19 September 2023
Hong Kong's financial regulators warned investors about JPEX, a cryptocurrency trading platform, over alleged fraudulent activity last week.
Cryptocurrencies

Six arrested in Hong Kong in JPEX crypto fraud investigation

Police say at least $128m in virtual assets and 1,400 users likely involved

18 September 2023
Office vacancy rates in Hong Kong's Central business district climbed into the double digits last quarter.
Property

Hong Kong REITs down 26% this year as investors exit China

Office vacancies and higher interest rates weigh on market

6 September 2023
A girl in Hong Kong reads a book at a bookstore, where windows are taped in anticipation of typhoon Saola on Aug. 31.
Natural disasters

Hong Kong brought to halt by Super Typhoon Saola

Saola expected to be strongest storm in five years to hit southern China

1 September 2023
The economists surveyed by Nikkei and Nikkei Quick News identified a "sluggish housing market" to be the key risk factor that China faces this year.
Economy

China growth survey lifts forecast to 5.5% as stimulus hope swells

Recent disappointment over recovery fuels expectations for policy support

6 July 2023
Workers sort fishes after a fishing operation in Fukushima prefecture.
Trade

Hong Kong threatens Fukushima seafood ban after water discharge

Blacklist by 2nd-biggest importer would deal a blow to Japan

10 June 2023
A launch ceremony for Swap Connect was held May 15 in Hong Kong. (Photo by Kensaku Ihara)
Finance

China debuts Swap Connect program for onshore bond hedging

Foreign access via Hong Kong aims to curb outflows and boost market liquidity

16 May 2023
The Star Ferry has been carrying locals and tourists across Victoria Harbour for more than 120 years.
Transportation

Death of Hong Kong ferry captain suggests severity of labor shortage

Understaffed businesses fail to keep up with blitz of mainland China tourists

14 May 2023