Hong Kong

23 May 2026
The Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai: Chinese authorities are clamping down on overseas brokerages.
Cargo ships laden with shipping containers are seen at the Port of Oakland in California last August. 
US-China tensions

Shares tied to US-alleged China shipping container 'cartel' sink

Singamas falls as much as 20% in Hong Kong, while dual-listed CIMC dips around 10%

22 May 2026
The suspects are accused of bringing undeclared gold to sell in Japan, with some of the proceeds then taken back to Hong Kong.
Crime

Japan police arrest 3 accused of smuggling gold from Hong Kong

Growing illicit efforts to move precious metal driven by tax regimes

21 May 2026
From left to right at center, Albert Ho Chun-yan, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, all wearing masks and carrying candles, march in Victoria Park on June 4, 2020. This was the last vigil held in the park to commemorate victims of the Tiananmen crackdown on that day in 1989. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Hong Kong security law

Tiananmen vigil activists await verdict after Hong Kong security trial

Closing arguments end; defendants face up to 10 years in jail for inciting subversion

19 May 2026
Anthropic released a paper calling for tighter curbs on China's access to U.S. AI technology up as the two countries' leaders were meeting in Beijing. 
Artificial intelligence

Anthropic urges tough chip controls as Nvidia CEO joins Trump in China

Company says US, allies must stay ahead of 'authoritarian governments' in AI race

15 May 2026
Japanese engineering group Kanadevia's products include energy and desalination equipment. (Photo by Arisa Moriyama)
Equities

Hong Kong activist investor Oasis reports 5.4% stake in Japan's Kanadevia

Stock position could be prelude to shareholder proposals

13 May 2026
Houthi followers in Yemen hold rocket-propelled grenade weapons during a pro-Iran demonstration on April 6. 
Iran war

US imposes sanctions on companies it says have aided Iran's weapons sector

Treasury lists 10 individuals and firms, including several in China and Hong Kong

9 May 2026
Yuen Chung Biu, left, and Wai Chi Leung face lengthy sentences after a jury found them guilty of spying for the Hong Kong government in the U.K.
International relations

Two men found guilty of spying for Hong Kong by London jury

Yuen Chung Biu, Wai Chi Leung face lengthy sentences; SAR and China reject charges

8 May 2026
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, seen from Musandam, Oman, on May 1. 
Iran war

Asian markets rally as Trump signals optimism for Iran deal

Yen touches 155 to dollar; South Korea, Taiwan shares hit fresh highs amid chip frenzy

6 May 2026
Hong Kong's total exports of goods jumped 23.8% in the first quarter, compared with a revised 15.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Economy

Hong Kong posts fastest growth in nearly five years

AI-related exports, tourism and cross-border finance lift first-quarter expansion to 5.9%

5 May 2026
CK Hutchison Group Telecom's announcement that it is exiting from VodafoneThree comes three months after its parent said it has agreed to sell its entire stake in UK Power Networks. (CK Hutchison website)
Business deals

CK Hutchison to sell VodafoneThree stake for $5.8bn

Hong Kong conglomerate boosts cash reserves to pursue acquisitions

5 May 2026
Hong Kong dollar bond issuance has gained traction in recent years as the market is viewed as relatively low‑risk. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Markets

Asian currency debt gains favor as investors cut dollar exposure

Iran war, high US rates fuel record issues in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia

4 May 2026
According to the Hong Kong exchange, 409 listing applications from companies are currently “under processing”. 
Trading Asia

Hong Kong's new listing pipeline undeterred by Iran war volatility

AI/tech leads "billions" in capital raised, with total outpacing Nasdaq and NYSE combined

4 May 2026
Chinese battery giant CATL's logo is displayed at the company's Tech Day event at the Auto China show in Beijing on April 21.
Equities

Chinese EV battery maker CATL raises $5bn in Hong Kong

Stock falls after city's largest offering this year cashes in on green energy wave

28 April 2026
As Chungking Mansions approaches its 65th birthday, renovations and security overhauls have transformed it from what many considered a perilous blight into a key Hong Kong destination. (All photos by Kensaku Ihara) 
Society

Hong Kong's Chungking Mansions sheds stigma to become cultural landmark

'Home away from home' for refugees and travelers marks 65th anniversary this year

25 April 2026
Markets in Tokyo and Seoul have hit record highs, while in Manila jeepney drivers went on strike last month to protest surging fuel costs. Economists warn the growing divide could trigger stagflation -- slower growth and accelerated inflation. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images)
Big in Asia

Asia's great disconnect: Markets boom as Iran war fuels cost of living crisis

AI fever lifts stocks to records while Strait of Hormuz closure pumps up oil prices

25 April 2026
Stream article image
24 April 2026
The logo of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is displayed at its booth during the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing in July 2025.
China debt crunch

Hong Kong adds millions to PwC's penalties over Evergrande audit

Accounting firm asked to pay disgraced developer's shareholders $128m, fined $40m

23 April 2026
Manycore executives attend a listing ceremony for the spatial design software provider in Hong Kong on April 17. (Cissy Zhou)
IPO

Manycore shares up as much as 185% in first day of Hong Kong trading

Spatial design software maker is first of 'six little dragons' to go public

17 April 2026
Flags of Hong Kong and China. Chinese officials have called for strengthening "systems and mechanisms for countering foreign sanctions" in Hong Kong. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
International relations

Hong Kong businesses wary of renewed China push for anti-sanctions law

CK Hutchison's Panama Canal woes likely a motivating factor for Beijing, scholar says

17 April 2026
A flag-raising ceremony is held at the Hong Kong Police College to mark National Security Education Day on April 15. (China News Service/VCG via Getty Images) 
Hong Kong security law

Beijing and Hong Kong march in lockstep on 'security education day'

Officials raise specter of 'foreign interference,' cheer complementary five-year plans

15 April 2026
Wagyu being inspected and processed. The Japanese beef has become increasingly popular in Asia. (Japan Livestock Products Export Promotion Council)
Crime

Wagyu exporters illicitly declare Hong Kong shipments as Cambodia-bound

Japan detects customs evasion, with operators suspected of trying to cut costs

12 April 2026
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has issued the city's first two stablecoin licenses, after receiving dozens of applications. (HKMA website)
Cryptocurrencies

Hong Kong grants first stablecoin licenses to HSBC, StanChart-led group

Announcement ends months of guesswork as financial hub pushes into growing field

10 April 2026
Panama Ports Company is going to arbitration after an earlier court ruling formally annulled for constitutional reasons Hong Kong's CK Hutchison Holdings concessions for two ports along the strategic canal.
Companies

CK Hutchison's Panama unit petitions for arbitration over port takeover

Company alleges Maersk broke contract and aided Panamanian government in ousting PPC

8 April 2026
Li Ka-shing, left, now 97, handed over control of his business empire to his eldest son Victor, right, eight years ago. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Getty Images) 
Business Asia

CK Hutchison to navigate 'world in turmoil' by scaling up

$23bn ports sale stalls, but Li Ka-shing family empire builds 'war chest' for fresh deals

8 April 2026
Laopu Gold has become the latest homegrown darling of China's wealthy and investors alike, with designs that often incorporate traditional motifs and materials. (Source photos by Laopu Gold and Cissy Zhou) 
Big in Asia

China's 'Hermes of gold' courts turbulent world after dazzling at home

Laopu Gold boss shrugs off metal's price drop amid Iran war, eyes Southeast Asia and Japan

4 April 2026
Smuggled fuel is pumped from a van to a vehicle in this photo provided by Hong Kong authorities. (Hong Kong Customs) 
Iran war

Hong Kong battles fuel smugglers as Iran war worsens pain at pump

Authorities clamp down on 'drinking milk'; lawmakers look to Beijing for help

1 April 2026
Protesters stick photos of Wai Chi Leung, Yuen Chung Biu and Matthew Trickett on the door of the HKETO in London in May 2024 after the men were charged with assisting Hong Kong's foreign intelligence service. 
International relations

UK trial of 2 alleged Hong Kong spies unveils transnational network

Prosecution submits videos of wrongdoing, phone messages implicating ex-police chiefs

26 March 2026
Singapore Exchange starts trading today of a gold ETF to expand retail investors' access to the precious metal. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Karina Nooka) 
Markets

Singapore debuts gold ETF amid Iran war-driven price downturn

Middle East crisis tests city-state's ambitions in precious metal trading

26 March 2026
A notice outside Hong Kong bookstore Book Punch on March 24 says, "Resting for a day due to emergency, sorry for the inconvenience." 
Hong Kong security law

Hong Kong bookstore owner, staff reportedly arrested over Jimmy Lai bio

Broadcaster says shop was selling 'The Troublemaker,' by media tycoon's former business director

25 March 2026