Hong Kong

Hong Kong will ban dine-in services after 6 p.m. and cancel large-scale events on worries about omicron spreading in the city.
Coronavirus

Hong Kong to close restaurants and ban flights on omicron scare

City imposes toughest COVID measures since December 2020

5 January 2022
A nurse in an intensive care unit prepares to enter the room of a COVID-19 patient in the U.S. state of Ohio on Jan. 4.
COVID-19 Recovery Index

Omicron-hit U.S. sinks in COVID Recovery Index as Asia leads

Europe also struggles while holidays pose crucial tests for China, Japan

5 January 2022
China Evergrande Group's 160 billion yuan Ocean Flower Island project, seen here in 2018, was to include hotels and theme parks, as well as housing. (Photo by Issaku Harada)
China debt crunch

China Evergrande shares rise despite huge sales shortfall

Troubled developer confirms order to demolish 39 towers on Hainan

4 January 2022
Hong Kong lawyer and democracy activist Chow Hang-tung peers out of a prison van after being detained last September. 
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong lawyer gets 15-month sentence for Facebook 'incitement'

36-year-old found guilty of urging others to join banned Tiananmen vigil

4 January 2022
SenseTime's stock price moves have been out of sync with the wider market for Hong Kong shares, puzzling observers.
Markets

SenseTime's post-IPO rally surprises market

Shares of sanctioned Chinese AI company up 113% since Dec. 30 debut

4 January 2022
Growing up in Australia, Chan became fascinated by "odd sounds and textures," as well as the "deeper and richer sonic palette" offered by electronic music, as well as contemporary music-making and recording techniques.
Arts

Rainbow Chan's sounds of then

Sydney-based artist's new album "Stanley" pays homage to Hong Kong

3 January 2022
Among the events in Asia's calendar in 2022 are the Beijing Winter Games, the 55th anniversary of ASEAN, and the Chinese Communist Party's five-yearly congress, at which President Xi Jinping is expected to win another term.
Your Week in Asia

Asia in 2022: Winter Games, new leaders in South Korea, Philippines

With the pandemic entering its third year, what should we be paying attention to?

1 January 2022
Hong Kong residents will be required to have at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot to enter restaurants and other venues from the Lunar New Year on Feb. 1
Coronavirus

Hong Kong to bar unvaccinated from restaurants and cinemas

Elderly jab rates 'very low' despite 70% of population having had two doses

31 December 2021
The Hang Seng Tech Index rose 3.6% on Friday, with Alibaba Group Holding, Baidu and Bilibili each rising about 8%.
China tech

SenseTime leads closing surge of China tech stocks

Hang Seng sector index ends year down 48% from February peak

31 December 2021
Hong Kong authorities have wielded new powers from last year's national security for a relentless crackdown on civil society, raiding the offices of online publication Stand News on Dec. 29.
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong government preparing another security law

Chief Executive Carrie Lam says consultation on draft bill to start by June

30 December 2021
SenseTime says 60% of the IPO proceeds will be devoted to research and development, with the rest used for business expansion and working capital.
IPO

SenseTime shares gain in Hong Kong market debut

Stock of AI facial recognition company gains as much as 23%

30 December 2021
Ronson Chan, a Stand News editor and the chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, is taken away by police on Dec. 29. 
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong's Stand News to shut down after police arrest editors

Police allege 'seditious articles' in online publication incited subversion

29 December 2021
COVID-19 vaccines are unloaded from a Cathay Pacific cargo plane at Hong Kong International Airport.
Supply Chain

Cathay Pacific warns of 'dramatic' supply chain disruptions

Hong Kong airline forced to cancel flights after pilot quarantine rules tightened

29 December 2021
As the pandemic continued in 2021, Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing seized power, the U.S. and U.K. agreed to share nuclear submarine tech with Australia, Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai made an explosive revelation and BTS ruled the airwaves. 
Asia Insight

From Myanmar to AUKUS to BTS: Newsmakers that shaped Asia in 2021

As COVID raged, the security landscape shifted and superstars made their mark

28 December 2021
The limited border crossings open for Hong Kongers to enter Shenzhen are quiet as most city residents are barred from making the trip due to COVID travel controls. 
Startups

Border controls crush 'Greater Bay' plans of Hong Kong startups

Promises of integrated cross-border economy prove false for startups amid COVID

27 December 2021
Lawrence Lai Wai-chung, professor at the University of Hong Kong, makes frequent trips to former military installations around the city as part of his research, aiming to raise awareness of their historical value. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Politics

Hong Kong's WWII memories evolve 80 years after fall on Christmas

Scholars find new ways to tell local war story, while Beijing narrative slips in

25 December 2021
A security guard at Lingnan University removes a paper printed with the Chinese character "shame" placed where a June 4 memorial sculpture was removed earlier on Friday.
Hong Kong security law

Two more Hong Kong universities remove June 4 memorials

Sculptor Chen Weiming says Beijing wants people to forget 'true history'

24 December 2021
Malaysia Airlines is one of a number of AMCK Aviation customers facing financial distress. 
Transportation

Li Ka-shing to exit jet-leasing business in $4.3bn deal

CK Asset cites 'volatile and unpredictable' returns amid COVID

24 December 2021
Tencent's surprise move marks the first time it will pay a half-year dividend to public shareholders. (Source photos by AP)
Retail

Tencent to slash stake in Alibaba rival JD.com

Shareholders to receive online retailer's stock as interim dividend

23 December 2021
Workers moved pieces of the "Pillar of Shame" to a truck in the early hours of Dec. 23.
Hong Kong security law

Tiananmen memorial statue removed in dead of night in Hong Kong

University cites right to eject work erected without permission 24 years ago

23 December 2021
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam is meeting with Chinese officials after Beijing loyalists swept to victory in the Legislative Council election on Sunday.
Politics

Chinese President Xi Jinping calls Hong Kong election a success

Carrie Lam declines to comment on whether she will seek re-election

22 December 2021
LF Logistics runs 223 warehouses and fulfilment centers in 14 Asia-Pacific markets. (Courtesy LF Logistics)
Transportation

Hong Kong's Li & Fung to sell unit to Maersk in $3.6bn deal

Danish shipping conglomerate to take control of profitable logistics business

22 December 2021
Police outside a polling station during Hong Kong's legislative election. Voter participation hit an all-time low amid tighter restrictions on who could run.
22 December 2021
Xi Jinping on screen at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, pictured on Nov. 12: the future price China's 1.4 billion people will pay for Xi's myth-building campaign rose exponentially in 2021.
Opinion

Asia's 2021 bull market in emperor-has-no-clothes moments

Xi Jinping happier than most to see this year stagger to a close

22 December 2021
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong Chairwoman Starry Lee, at left in the pink jacket, celebrates with allies after winning a Legislative Council seat. 
Politics

Beijing loyalists celebrate sweeping Hong Kong election victory

Officials downplay record drop in voter participation in 'patriots only' polls

20 December 2021