10 Beauty Trends That Ruled the 2010s

Some of these makeup and hair looks are best left in the last decade, while others have become a part of beauty canon.

As we enter 2021 and officially situate ourselves in the 2020s, it's time to look back at the past decade's biggest beauty trends. The 2010s were a time of many transformations, especially in the realm of technology with the boom of social media. Beauty trends were no longer confined to the school hallways, runways, or feature films–they could be posted and shared by anyone on a global scale, and spread on platforms like Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest. Some of these trends have survived past the 2010s, becoming staples of the beauty industry in our new decade, and some we'd rather leave behind. Here, L'OFFICIEL revists 10 beauty trends that defined the 2010s.

                                                

Smokey Eye


How could we ever forget the raccoon eye trend? The heavy smokey eye was featured everywhere–red carpets, Ke$ha music videos, in high fashion magazines–making that "still wearing last night's make-up" look seem cool. Though there might have been a time and place for this trend, we've evolved into a more subtle smokey eye that's much more flattering for the everyday.

                                                

Ombre and Dip-Dyed Hair


In the early 2010s, you couldn't log onto Facebook or Instagram without seeing a girl you knew with ombre hair. From subtle and strategic lightening of the ends to dramatic and colorful DIY dip-dyes, celebrities to middle school girls alike participated in this trend.

                                            

Full Eyebrows


Before the 2010s, overplucking was the name of the game. Then society did a sharp 180, with supermodel Cara Delevingne and others sporting natural, full brows. Big brows were back (much to the dismay of everyone who suddenly had to magically undo years of plucking). This trend continues to stick around, with the laminated brow Instagram trend and many models wearing messy, au naturel brows.

                                            

Dark Lipstick


Emo and goth fashion became wearable in the 2010s, thanks in part to Tumblr's influence. Along with dark eyes, dark lipstick took runways by storm. Though this bold look can be glam, it's not always the most practical.

                                            

Beachy Waves


If the everyday goth look wasn’t for you, chances are you probably followed all the Victoria’s Secret models and subsequently tried to replicate their main hair trend of the 2010s: the beachy wave. Somewhere in between straight and the curling iron, it's that (not so) effortless look that’s withstood the test of time.

                                            

Overlined, Matte Lips


This was not the poppin' lip gloss Lil Mama sang about in 2008. The 2010s traded in Juicy Tubes for a matte finish and overlined lips. Neutral and brown-toned lipsticks became the go-to colors, and Kylie Jenner's Lip Kit sensation took the world by storm.

                                            

Heavy Contouring


Before there was a Kardashian beauty line by nearly every Kardashian family member, there was Kim Kardashian's contour. As the reality star rose to fame, so did her full face contour, and soon enough, contour, extreme highlight, and face baking became key steps to achieve an Instagram-ready face beat.

                                            

"No-makeup" Makeup


Somewhere in between dramatic eyeshadow, contour, and the Kylie Lip Kit came the "no-makeup" makeup look–makeup designed to make it look like you're not wearing any. It usually consists of a combination of lip balm (preferably Carmex), Mario Badescu's Rose Facial Spray, and maybe some BB cream or Glossier products. Though the end of the 2010s witnessed some dramatic Instagram make-up looks (à la Kylie Jenner), the "no-makeup" makeup look has persevered, with a hyper focus on skincare and natural glam over the past few years.

                                                

The (Overly) Tanned Look


We can't forget the phenomena of The Jersey Shore in the 2010s. It both demonstrated (and perhaps advocated for) the tanned look that was all the rage for a while. With that came the rise in self-tanner and tanning booths, which resulted in big health risks.

                                                

Extra Nail Art


Making your nails pop was a big thing in the 2010s. With the emergence of customized patterns, manicures were all about being extra and artistic. Nail art has evolved since, and now nail art conitnues with at-home products making manicures more accessible than ever.

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Top Seed Belinda Bencic Withdraws from Hong Kong Open With Thigh Injury

Spanish player Cristina Bucsa advances to semi-finals after Swiss top seed Bencic pulls out at WTA 250 event in Hong Kong
Top-seeded Swiss player Belinda Bencic withdrew from the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Friday due to a thigh injury, allowing Spain’s Cristina Bucsa to advance to the semi-finals without playing her quarter-final match.

Bencic had defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Yafan Wang in earlier rounds but announced she could not continue further in Hong Kong because of her thigh discomfort.

Bucsa will face Australia’s No. 5 seed Maya Joint in the semi-final, after Joint secured her spot by defeating Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the quarter-finals.

In the bottom half of the draw an all-Canadian semi-final is set where No. 2 seed Leylah Fernandez beat Romania’s Sorana Cîrstea 6-4, 6-4, and No. 3 seed Victoria Mboko advanced when Anna Kalinskaya retired while trailing 6-1, 3-1.

Bencic, who entered the tournament fresh from a title in Tokyo, expressed regret that she would be unable to compete further and thanked Hong Kong for its hospitality.

While her withdrawal shifts the dynamic of the draw, the remaining top seeds remain on course to contest the title in the final week of the season.

This development underscores the physical toll on the tour as players contend with a crowded calendar and late-season demands.
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Hong Kong Civil Servants Asked to Vote in December LegCo Election

Chief Executive John Lee urges government employees to fulfil civic responsibility ahead of the December 7 poll
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has written to Hong Kong’s civil service, urging all 171,000 government employees to take part in the upcoming Legislative Council election on December 7 and set an example for society.

In his message, Lee cited the Civil Service Code and affirmed that casting a vote is “a manifestation of civil servants upholding” the Basic Law and demonstrating allegiance to the city.

The letter appeals to civil servants to vote as the “backbone of the government” and emphasises that taking part in elections is a civic duty.

Lee did not specify whether staff who do not vote could face disciplinary consequences, but he confirmed there is no hard target for turnout.

The government has also encouraged private-sector organisations and institutions to support voter participation.

Lee requested businesses to provide staff with opportunities to vote, highlighting that allowing civic participation is part of their social responsibility.

For its part, one major property group has announced half a day’s leave for staff to facilitate voting.

While the appeal to vote is not directed at any specific candidate or party, the tone of the campaign underscores the government’s emphasis on participation under the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong.” Reports indicate that civil-service unions are monitoring the arrangements, particularly whether leave provisions or other accommodations will be offered for staff on polling day.

The election authorities and government officials have pledged to ensure a safe, fair and orderly poll.

Lee reiterated that the election is integral to governance and that departments will make special arrangements for civil servants on duty to cast ballots.

The upcoming election will test whether participation can improve on the low turnout recorded in previous cycles.

With nominations now open, the government’s appeal to civil servants signals its intent to integrate public-sector workers into the wider effort to boost civic engagement across the city.
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Hong Kong’s Economy Surges 3.8% in Third Quarter, Beating Forecasts

Goods exports, domestic demand drive growth as jobless rate remains elevated
Hong Kong’s economy expanded by 3.8 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, official advance estimates showed, comfortably surpassing the Reuters-polled forecast of around 3.1 per cent.

The gain marks the eleventh straight quarter of growth for the territory.

The stronger-than-expected performance was driven by a 12.2 per cent rise in goods exports and a 2.1 per cent increase in private consumption expenditure during the July-to-September period.

Exports of services rose 6.1 per cent.

On a seasonally adjusted basis the economy grew 0.7 per cent compared with the previous quarter, up from 0.4 per cent in Q2.

Government officials said the outlook remains positive, with “further solid growth” expected for the remainder of 2025, supported by robust regional trade flows and sustained demand for electronics-related products.

However, some structural headwinds persist.

The unemployment rate rose to 3.9 per cent in the July-September period, and a consulting firm warned that industrial transformation is constrained by limited land and talent.

While the financial and trading sectors continue to recover, retail and hospitality remain less dynamic, highlighting a divergence within the economy.

The government has maintained its annual growth target of 2 to 3 per cent, despite the more-vibrant third-quarter performance.

Authorities also reduced the city’s main interest rate in line with developments in the United States, citing benefits to asset-market sentiment, while the pace of future rate cuts remains uncertain.

While the headline figures offer a clear indication of recovery momentum, analysts say that sustaining the gains will depend on deeper labour-market improvements, diversification of growth drivers and progress in areas such as real-estate reform and innovation industries.
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All-Canadian Semi-Final Set at 2025 Hong Kong Open Between Fernandez and Mboko

Second seed Leylah Fernandez and third seed Victoria Mboko to clash in Hong Kong semi-final as Bencic withdraws
Second-seeded Leylah Fernandez of Canada advanced to the semi-finals of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Friday after defeating Romania’s Sorana Cîrstea 6-4, 6-4 in 1 h 44 m at Victoria Park.

Her victory secures an all-Canadian semi-final clash against compatriot Victoria Mboko, the tournament’s third seed, who progressed when Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya retired while trailing 6-1, 3-1.

The match between Fernandez, the 2023 champion and world No. 2 seed, and Mboko, aged 19 and rising fast, is scheduled no earlier than 3.30pm.

“It’s going to be an amazing match,” Fernandez said.

“Victoria has been playing great all year.

This match-up is simply great for Canadian tennis.” Meanwhile Mboko described Fernandez as a “true model for Canadian girls.”

Elsewhere in the draw, top seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland withdrew before her quarter-final match with Spain’s Cristina Bucsa due to a thigh injury, allowing Bucsa to advance.

Bucsa will face Australia’s fifth seed Maya Joint in the other semi-final, after Joint defeated Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

With the top seed now out, the path to the title is wide open.

Fernandez aims to add another Hong Kong trophy to her résumé, while Mboko seeks a breakthrough on the WTA 250 stage.

The match will not only determine the finalist but also carry significant momentum as the season draws to a close in Asia’s final stop on the women’s tour.
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Rosewood Hong Kong Crowned No. 1 in World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025

Hong Kong property tops global luxury hospitality ranking as Asia claims lead presence in top ten
Hong Kong’s Rosewood Hong Kong has been officially named the world’s best hotel in the 2025 edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, the independent ranking announced at a ceremony in London.

This marks a significant achievement for both the hotel and the city’s standing in luxury hospitality.

The property, located on Kowloon’s waterfront in Victoria Dockside, offers 413 rooms and suites, eleven restaurants, a spa-and-wellness complex and sweeping views of Victoria Harbour.

Its win follows a strong previous showing and reflects growing recognition of its blend of design, service and local identity.

Asia again dominated the 2025 list, with eighteen of the top fifty hotels located in the region.

Notable entries alongside Rosewood Hong Kong include Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (No. 2), The Upper House in Hong Kong (No. 4) and Passalacqua on Lake Como (No. 5).

Rosewood’s ascent to the top spot reflects broader trends in global luxury travel: micro-boutique experiences, thoughtful design rooted in sense of place and the value of authenticity over extravagance.

The hotel’s owner, hotel-group chief Sonia Cheng, called the award “a tribute to Hong Kong as a global hospitality capital”.

With this win, Hong Kong asserts its role not merely as a gateway city but as a destination where world-class hospitality is crafted locally and rivalled globally.

The accolade is expected to further boost inbound luxury tourism and support the city’s tourism and hospitality sector recovery in the post-pandemic era.

Rosewood Hong Kong now joins an elite circle of global properties cited across six continents, and its elevation to No. 1 will serve as a benchmark for hoteliers and travellers alike seeking experience, not just opulence.

As the awards ceremony revealed new categories such as “Best Boutique Hotel” (won by Passalacqua) and others recognising design, sustainability and new entries, the hospitality industry’s evolving priorities were on full display.

Rosewood Hong Kong’s position at the top embodies that evolution — modern luxury rooted in place and purpose.
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U.S. Secures Key Southeast Asia Agreements to Reshape Rare Earth Supply Chains

Memoranda signed with Malaysia and Thailand mark a strategic pivot to diminish China’s dominance in critical minerals.
The United States has taken major strategic steps to realign global supply chains for rare earths and other critical minerals by finalising cooperation agreements with Malaysia and Thailand.

On 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Malaysia and Thailand aimed at securing direct access to resources and processing infrastructure outside of China’s dominance.

Under the pact with Malaysia, the two nations agreed to deepen collaboration on rare earth elements and other critical materials, and Malaysia committed to refrain from imposing export bans or quotas on these resources to the United States.

The agreement also opens the door for U.S. investment in Malaysian mineral processing and downstream industries, and a reciprocal trade component valued by Malaysian reporting at around US$150 billion.

Malaysia holds substantial rare earth deposits—estimated at 16.1 million metric tonnes—but has limited processing capability.

By partnering with the U.S., Kuala Lumpur seeks technology transfer and value-added growth in its mining sector.

Malaysia remains cautious, however: its trade minister reaffirmed that raw ore exports will continue to be restricted to ensure domestic processing remains in-country.

Simultaneously, the U.S. and Thailand signed their own MOU, also on 26 October, which covers exploration, extraction, processing, refining, recycling and recovery of critical minerals and rare earths.

Bangkok described the pact as non-binding and subject to Thai law, but recognised it as a strategic entry point to connect more firmly with U.S. supply chains for industries such as electric vehicles, clean energy, semiconductors and defence systems.

These agreements come at a time of heightened global concern over China’s dominant role in rare earth mining and processing—often estimated at roughly 70 percent of mining and 90 percent or more of global processing capacity.

The U.S. has been actively seeking to diversify its supply away from Beijing’s control, particularly since China introduced new export control measures in recent months that threatened to disrupt key industrial flows.

In Kuala Lumpur, the U.S. also advanced a reciprocal trade agreement with Malaysia that elevates bilateral ties to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” The scope of the deal encompasses rare earths, aerospace procurement, semiconductors and data-centre infrastructure, and broad market access provisions for U.S. firms.

For Washington, the strategic logic is clear: to build more resilient, friend-shored supply lines for materials essential to next-generation technologies, renewable energy deployment and national security systems.

By shifting from dependency on a single supplier to regional partnerships in Southeast Asia, the United States is reshaping the geopolitical architecture of its industrial base.

For Malaysia and Thailand, catering to U.S. demand creates an opportunity to attract investment, ramp up domestic processing capacity and capture more value within their material-value chains.

However, both nations face practical challenges: the need for infrastructure, technology, regulatory clarity and environmental safeguards remains significant.

Beijing, for its part, is not standing still.

China’s state-linked firms are reportedly in discussions with Malaysia’s sovereign investment vehicles to build rare earth processing within Malaysia under Chinese terms—underscoring the competition for influence in the region.

While the signed MOUs do not instantly eliminate China’s dominant position, they signal a structural shift.

Investors and industrial planners take note: the era of “flat world” global supply chains appears to be giving way to a more region-anchored, supply-chain security-driven model centred in Washington’s orbit.

The next major test will be how swiftly the agreements translate into concrete production and processing capacity, and how Beijing reacts in kind or counters via its own strategic alliances.
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Hong Kong Delegation Wraps Riyadh Mission to Boost Asia–Middle East Economic Ties

Led by Financial Secretary Paul Chan, the Hong Kong team explored innovation, finance and trade links at the Future Investment Initiative summit in Saudi Arabia
A business delegation organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, headed by Financial Secretary Paul Chan, concluded a visit to Riyadh from 27 to 31 October 2025 aimed at strengthening economic and innovation ties between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.

At the centre of the trip was attendance at the Future Investment Initiative summit, alongside a programme of high-level meetings with Saudi government officials and business leaders.

Mr Chan addressed a thematic session titled “Board of Changemakers: Public-Private Powerbrokers” at the summit and presented Hong Kong’s experience in public-private partnership models and its role as an international financial hub under the “one country, two systems” framework.

He underscored Hong Kong’s capacity as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” linking Mainland China enterprises and global capital with Middle Eastern markets.

The delegation comprised roughly forty members drawn from finance, innovation and technology sectors, including representatives of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech and green-technology firms.

They visited development projects such as New Murabba smart city, Diriyah Gate and the Red Sea Global tourism zone, and held business-matching sessions with institutions including Saudi Awwal Bank, Saudi National Bank, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Saudi-Chinese Business Council.

The mission keynotes echoed themes of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Hong Kong’s ambitions.

Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Middle East with a gross domestic product of about US$1.084 trillion in 2024, has made trade with Hong Kong and the region a growing priority; meanwhile Hong Kong remains the fourth-largest trading partner for Saudi Arabia in its regional export markets.

The visit sought to facilitate Hong Kong and Mainland companies’ entry into the Middle East and deepen their understanding of the market.

In his remarks, Mr Chan pointed to Hong Kong’s world-leading offshore RMB business, wealth-management ecosystem and regulatory framework oriented towards global capital flows as attractive features for Middle-East firms.

He invited Saudi and wider Middle-East enterprises to make use of Hong Kong’s gateway functions.

As the delegation wrapped, officials indicated that follow-up efforts will focus on structuring investment and cross-border collaboration frameworks in innovation and professional services, leveraging the ties established during this mission.
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2025 Hong Kong Open to Close WTA Season with Strong Entry List and Vital Ranking Points

WTA 250 event in Victoria Park features Bencic, Fernandez and Mboko with US$36,300 for the winner
The 2025 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 250 tournament, will be held at Victoria Park from October 27 to November 2, offering players one of the last chances to wrap up the season in Asia and close the year on a high.

Entry lists published in recent days show top seeds including Belinda Bencic, Leylah Fernandez and Victoria Mboko, alongside Sofia Kenin, Anna Kalinskaya and Maria Sakkari.

With the defending champion Diana Shnaider absent, the field opens up and places pressure on Fernandez, champion in 2023, to reassert herself.

Bencic headlines as the first seed and a major contender if she participates in full.

The draw also includes Katie Boulter, 2024 finalist, who could pose a challenge.

Prize-money distribution reveals the champion will receive US$36,300 and 250 WTA ranking points, while the runner-up collects US$21,484 and 163 points.

Semifinalists will earn US$11,970 and 98 points.

These incentives underscore the importance of the event for players seeking late-season momentum.

Schedule-wise, the tournament offers a traditional 32-player singles draw with matches beginning in the last week of October.

For players not qualified for the season-ending WTA Finals, the Hong Kong tournament provides a key opportunity to boost ranking, gain confidence and finish the year strong.

While many eyes will be on Fernandez’s title defence hopes, the presence of rising star Mboko, and the battle for late-season form from Kenin and Sakkari, adds depth to the draw.

As the last major event before the season finale, the Hong Kong Open is poised to deliver compelling storylines.

For the local organisers and fans, the return of the tournament in full WTA 250 status reinforces Hong Kong’s position in the global tennis calendar and its role in the Asian swing of the women’s tour.
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Hong Kong Accelerates Digital Money Strategy as e-HKD Pilot Enters Phase Two

HKMA’s report shows tokenised money ecosystem maturing, with wholesale use prioritised ahead of retail rollout
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has published the Phase 2 report of its e-HKD Pilot Programme, highlighting the territory’s ambition to position itself as a global leader in digital finance.

The document outlines how Hong Kong is evolving its monetary infrastructure to include public and private digital money – notably a central bank digital currency (CBDC) and tokenised deposits – and charts a roadmap for commercial and institutional adoption.

Phase 2 involved eleven industry partner groups and centred on three themes: settlement of tokenised assets, programmable money and offline payments.

Pilot results revealed that distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based settlement could compress settlement cycles from T+2 (trade date plus two days) to T+0 (same day), particularly in tokenised asset contexts.

Yet banks participating in the pilots indicated that tokenised deposits offered many of the same operational efficiencies and were more attractive for near-term deployment.

On programmability, the report explored use cases such as green-voucher disbursements, escrow-style prepayments and supply-chain financing.

It found that while the functionality exists, large-scale commercial models are still nascent.

The offline pilot – involving super-SIM and Near-Field-Communication (NFC) wallets – found that given Hong Kong’s mature digital payments market the incremental benefit of a dedicated offline e-HKD is limited at this stage.

In light of these lessons, the HKMA says its immediate priority is for wholesale applications of the e-HKD – for large-value, institution-to-institution transactions, cross-border settlement and the tokenised-asset ecosystem.

Preparatory work on policy, legal and technical foundations for retail use by individuals and corporates will continue, with a target completion date before mid-2026. Public rollout is conditional on market readiness, technological developments and international convergence.

The report also formalises the HKMA’s classification of digital money into ‘public money’ (physical cash, central bank reserves, CBDCs) and ‘private money’ (tokenised deposits, regulated stablecoins), emphasising coexistence and interoperability rather than displacement.

It underscores Hong Kong’s strategy of combining public-sector oversight with private-sector innovation to build next-generation payment rails.

By positioning itself at the frontier of digital-money infrastructure, Hong Kong seeks to deepen its status as a financial hub in the Asia-Pacific.

The HKMA’s deliberate emphasis on wholesale applications marks a pragmatic shift from retail hype to real-world institutional deployment.

Should market conditions align, a retail-ready e-HKD could mark a significant step in reshaping how money is issued, transferred and programmed in a major global financial centre.
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Hong Kong Charts New Course as Super-Yacht Hub While Addressing Deep-Rooted Poverty

Waterfront marina expansion promises economic elite appeal even as social inequality remains a pressing challenge
Hong Kong is moving ahead with ambitious marina-and-yacht tourism projects that aim to bolster the city’s appeal to high-net-worth individuals, even as persistent poverty remains a central social issue.

With over 12,000 registered yachts and only approximately 4,300 berths currently available, authorities are preparing to add around 1,100 additional berths at key locations including the proposed Airport Bay Marina (part of the “SKYTOPIA” development), the Hung Hom harbourfront, the former Lamma Quarry site and an expanded Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter.

The development at Airport Bay Marina is a flagship element of the “SKYTOPIA” master plan led by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), located adjacent to the Hong Kong International Airport.

The project is set to include Hong Kong’s largest marina with more than 500 berths, a market geared toward affluent visitors, a marine resort and luxury hotel, art-storage facilities and a promenade.

The first phase is expected by 2028. Other new berth locations at Hung Hom and Lamma are also under review or in discussion with industry stakeholders.

Industry and government officials anticipate that the yacht sector could generate roughly HK$4.5 billion (US$579 million) annually if fully developed, while recognizing that as a proportion of Hong Kong’s broader economy—exceeding US$407 billion—the direct fiscal impact is modest.

The true strategic benefit is expected from attracting high-net-worth individuals, capital investment and ancillary services linked to super-yacht tourism.

Alongside these developments, the city faces critical socio-economic challenges.

A significant share of residents continue to live under constraints of limited upward mobility, high housing costs and inequality of opportunity—factors that local critics argue must be balanced even as marquee waterfront projects proceed.

The tension between elite-oriented infrastructure and broader social welfare is shaping public discourse as the government positions Hong Kong as Asia’s luxury-marina destination.

The government has acknowledged industry calls for simpler regulations, streamlined customs and berthing procedures for super-yachts, and greater investment in workforce training and maritime services.

The Development Bureau and Marine Department have held consultations with the boating industry on policy adaptations and new marina locations.

If these marina initiatives are delivered effectively, Hong Kong could strengthen its role as a gateway for global capital and luxury tourism within the Greater Bay Area.

The challenge remains to ensure that the economic lift from the super-yacht sector is complemented by inclusive growth that addresses the city’s enduring social and economic disparities.
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Hong Kong Retail Sales Jump 5.9% in September on Tourism Boost

Retail turnover reaches HK$31.3 billion as visitor arrivals surge, though year-to-date figures remain slightly negative
Hong Kong’s retail sales grew by 5.9 per cent year-on-year in September 2025, the fifth consecutive month of expansion, driven by stronger tourism and improving domestic sentiment.

Government data released on Friday showed retail sales by value rose to HK$31.3 billion (about US$4 billion), while sales by volume climbed 4.8 per cent compared with a revised 3.4 per cent gain in August.

The recovery is being fuelled by a steady return of visitors, with total arrivals reaching 3.29 million in September, up 8 per cent from a year earlier.

Of these, 2.46 million came from mainland China, representing a 7 per cent increase.

Tourism spending remains a central driver of Hong Kong’s retail performance, particularly in luxury and leisure goods.

Sales of jewellery, watches, clocks and valuable gifts rose 9.1 per cent year-on-year in September after a 16.4 per cent increase in August, reflecting sustained demand among high-spending travellers.

By contrast, clothing, footwear and allied products recorded a 10.2 per cent decline, reversing a modest 2.8 per cent rise in the previous month.

Despite the September gains, total retail sales value over the first nine months of 2025 remained down 1.0 per cent compared with the same period last year, while sales volume fell 2.3 per cent.

The government said that improving local sentiment, combined with sustained growth in inbound tourism, should continue to support retail businesses into the year’s final quarter.

Economists note that the data indicate a gradual stabilisation in consumer activity, aided by a recovery in cross-border travel and easing cost pressures, though structural challenges—such as cautious local spending and global economic headwinds—remain significant.
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US and China Agree One-Year Trade Truce After Trump-Xi Talks

Leaders commit to pause key trade hostilities and delay export-controls as a fresh diplomatic reset begins
United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping formalised a one-year trade truce following their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Busan, South Korea.

The accord delays several planned trade escalations, including Beijing’s export restrictions on rare earth minerals and Washington’s threatened increase in tariffs on Chinese goods.

Under the agreement, China will hold off on implementing new export controls for up to twelve months, while the U.S. will suspend immediate additional punitive tariffs—representing a strategic de-escalation in the world’s largest bilateral economic rivalry.

According to U.S. officials, the deal also includes commitments from China to boost imports of American agricultural goods, particularly soybeans, and to enhance cooperation on controlling the flow of fentanyl precursors.

President Trump praised the arrangement as a “deal done”, calling the summit a “twelve out of ten” success, and asserted that markets had reacted positively to the renewed stability in global trade relations.

Chinese state media offered guarded confirmation, saying the two nations had reached a “basic consensus” and pledged to maintain channels for economic coordination.

Despite the breakthrough, analysts caution that the agreement represents a tactical pause rather than a comprehensive settlement: core disputes such as semiconductor export controls, Taiwanese supply-chain access, and Chinese industrial subsidies remain unresolved.

Officials emphasised that a detailed framework is still under negotiation, and both sides will hold senior-level follow-up talks in the coming weeks.

From Washington’s perspective, the truce validates Trump’s approach of pressing for reciprocal trade terms while offering flexibility in pursuit of de-risking supply-chain dependencies and restoring U.S. industrial leadership.

Beijing, meanwhile, views the hiatus as an opportunity to stabilise foreign investment flows and preserve access to critical export markets.

With tensions temporarily subdued, attention now turns to implementation: companies and investors will assess whether the pause heralds a durable shift or simply a breathing space before further confrontation.
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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Says China Made 'a Real Mistake' by Threatening Rare-Earth Exports

Bessent warns that Beijing’s rare-earth export restrictions have backfired, accelerating global diversification and reducing China’s leverage
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China had “made a real mistake” by threatening to restrict exports of rare-earth minerals, arguing the move has undermined Beijing’s own influence over global supply chains.

In a recent interview, Bessent said that while relations between Washington and Beijing have stabilised somewhat, China’s decision to use rare earths as a geopolitical tool has triggered an international effort to secure alternative sources.

Bessent explained that China’s tightening of export licenses for rare earths and other critical minerals alarmed industries and governments worldwide, prompting a rapid shift to new suppliers in countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.

He predicted that within two years, China’s dominance in the rare-earth market would lose its coercive edge.

“They fired the first shot—and it’s going to cost them,” Bessent said.

The Treasury Secretary described the current balance between the two powers as an “equilibrium,” achieved through measured diplomacy between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping.

He credited Trump’s economic and industrial strategy for reinforcing U.S. resilience, noting that the United States remains “the world’s premier military power and the strongest economy,” while regaining its competitive edge in technology and manufacturing.

China has defended its export controls, insisting they are consistent with international trade rules and designed to ensure responsible resource management.

However, Washington and its allies view the move as a strategic misstep that accelerates diversification away from Chinese supply chains.

Bessent said the United States remains open to cooperation with Beijing but warned that “coercive trade practices will only isolate China further.”
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Hong Kong’s International Students Should Leave With More Than an Education

An examination of shifts in U.S. higher-education policy and its implications for global student mobility from Hong Kong
The recent emergence of a sweeping U.S. policy initiative suggests that international students and their families must look beyond mere academic credentials when choosing higher-education destinations.

Under the so-called “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” introduced by the administration of Donald Trump, American institutions would commit to ideological and institutional reforms in exchange for privileged federal funding access.

Proposals include limits on international undergraduate enrolment, mandatory standardised testing, and a freeze on tuition for five years for participating institutions.

While the compact was initially extended to nine major U.S. universities, subsequent data indicates most have declined to endorse it.

For students from Hong Kong and other international markets, this development alters the calculus of choosing the United States for tertiary study.

Institutions may increasingly emphasise domestic regulatory alignment and funding priorities over international recruitment.

In parallel, U.S. visa rules now face more restrictions: students may encounter fixed enrollment terms, tighter social-media screening, expanded fees and policy changes designed to curb enrolment from specific nationalities — particularly Chinese students in science and technology fields.

The strategy reflects a broader erosion of the open U.S. higher-education model, as tuition-dependant universities confront federal leverage over admissions, faculty hiring, curriculum design and international-student quotas.

Hong Kong students, who once viewed U.S. campuses as global launchpads, must now factor in shifting policy landscapes and institutional stability.

Meanwhile, the push for diversification of study destinations is gaining traction.

Countries in Asia, Europe and the Pacific are stepping up recruitment efforts, offering more predictable visa regimes and growing international student services.

For Hong Kong’s student community, this presents an opportunity to evaluate new pathways where academic quality is complemented by institutional autonomy, visa reliability and meaningful post-graduation support.

Ultimately, the decision to study abroad might hinge less on institutional prestige and more on how well universities adapt to evolving geopolitical and regulatory realities.
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Land-Sale Freeze Hits Hong Kong’s Fiscal Strategy as Property Market Stirs

Government suspension of commercial site auctions raises concerns over revenue and development-pipeline timing
The Hong Kong government’s decision to pause commercial land sales for a second consecutive year has raised alarms about the city’s fiscal resilience and planning of major development projects.

The Development Secretary Bernadette Linn Hon-ho confirmed that due to weak demand, no further commercial sites will be offered this year, even as residential prices show tentative signs of recovery.

Recent data indicate the residential market may have reached a floor: the government’s index of lived-in home prices rose 1.3 per cent in September, the highest monthly gain in over a year, and up-market first-hand transactions between HK$30 million and HK$49.99 million reached a ten-month high in the first twenty days of October.

Yet the commercial sector tells a different story.

Analysts highlight that office vacancy rates remain elevated and demand sluggish, prompting the government to delay land-sales tenders and defer public-revenue expectations tied to land premiums.

Land sales have been a core revenue stream for the city, helping to underpin its low-tax regime and infrastructure agenda.

With the freeze in place, the risk is that funding for major developments may become strained or protracted.

The editorial perspective argues that while caution is warranted given market conditions, the government cannot wait indefinitely for a full market rebound before re-engaging with land auctions.

Delayed supply and stagnant tenders could hinder timely investment decisions and inflate costs on schemes already in motion.

To maintain fiscal balance, some suggest the government should reassess site-release timing, repurpose under-demand commercial stock into residential or modern-industry uses, and coordinate policy flexibly.

Meanwhile, the property market’s improvement offers a window for a phased return to sales, but the broader concern remains whether investor confidence and institutional demand will follow.

With land-sale revenue sharply diminished and the economy still navigating uncertainty, Hong Kong’s status as a business and development hub may depend on the pace at which the government realigns supply-side strategy with emerging market realities.
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Hong Kong Schools Embrace Holistic Student Assessment Beyond Grades

International and local institutions increasingly evaluate cognitive and social-emotional skills alongside academic achievement
As admissions season gathers pace in Hong Kong, many schools are moving beyond grades and formal exams to assess broader student competencies such as cognitive reasoning, social-emotional development and interpersonal skills.

This shift reflects a growing view that academic results alone cannot capture a young learner’s full potential.

Admissions directors at leading international schools in the city say they review indicators like numerical and non-verbal reasoning, an ability to engage in community, and behaviours that suggest a student is a “whole-learner”.

“These are ways of describing observable learning behaviours, rather than just focusing on test scores,” says Joanne Stanley, director of admissions at a French international school.

She emphasises that the terms may sound opaque but refer to clear competencies schools observe in interview settings or interactive tasks.

At the Canadian International School Hong Kong, the admissions director Emily Pong highlights that non-exam formats allow educators to evaluate how a student thinks, collaborates and adapts in varied settings.

“This ensures that we’re not just looking at isolated data points, but rather understanding the child as a whole learner and community member,” she explains.

Schools often include short essays, on-campus tasks, group activities and interviews that probe student curiosity, resilience and social awareness in practice.

International-school observers say the shift is driven by evolving university expectations and a more competitive admissions environment.

A recent survey of 327 Hong Kong secondary schools found that parental demand for “whole-person development” is rising alongside academic performance.

Scholars note the transition remains complex in a system long shaped by exam-dominated culture, though reforms to the curriculum have aimed to promote student-centred learning and lifelong skills.

Parents navigating this change are advised to explore schools’ philosophies rather than simply chasing grades.

Admissions professionals recommend letting children talk about their interests, try out tasks that require reasoning or collaboration beyond lessons, and practise articulating what they enjoy and how they work with others.

Rather than trying to decipher every buzzword, one admissions director suggests: “Focus on whether a school truly values who your child is, and how they will grow in that environment.”
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Victoria Mboko Edges Past Alexandra Eala in Hong Kong, Eyes Top-20 Debut

Canadian star battles back from 4-1 deficit in final set to defeat longtime friend and reach quarter-finals
Canadian 19-year-old Victoria Mboko produced a gritty comeback to defeat her close friend and travelling companion Alexandra Eala of the Philippines 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the 2025 Hong Kong Tennis Open, moving her in striking distance of a Top-20 Women’s Tennis Association ranking.

The third seed found herself trailing 1-4 in the deciding set before rattling off five consecutive games to clinch the victory.

“I’ve known her for such a long time, so that made it a little emotional,” Mboko admitted in her on-court interview.

“I really had to fight for every single point.

I think it was just an unbelievable match.” The pair embraced after Eala’s loss, underlining their friendship off-court and competitive drive on the surface.

Mboko, who captured her first WTA 1000 title in Montréal in August, continues a breakthrough season and stands at a career-high ranking of world No. 21. With a win over sixth seed Anna Kalinskaya looming in the quarter-finals, she could ascend into the Top-20 for the first time.

Eala, ranked No. 51, also enjoyed a strong 2025 season and remains a trailblazer for Philippine tennis.

Although she could not complete the turnaround, she pushed Mboko deep and will regroup for the remainder of the Asian swing.

The match ends one chapter of their friendly rivalry but opens another for Mboko’s pursuit of higher ranking and consistent major-tournament results.
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Hong Kong Warned of Elevated Chikungunya Risk During National Games Amid Nearby Outbreak

Expert cautions surge in Guangdong cases could lead to transmission in Hong Kong as regional travel rises ahead of major sporting event
Hong Kong’s public-health authorities have been urged to prepare for heightened risk of transmission of Chikungunya fever during the upcoming National Games of the People’s Republic of China (Nov 9-21) co-hosted by the city, Guangdong Province and Macau, as the viral outbreak in Guangdong remains unchecked, a leading academic said.

Jasper Chan, professor of microbiology at The University of Hong Kong, noted that while case numbers in Guangdong have eased from earlier highs, transmission has not been fully contained.

“There was a period when the situation was very serious, with hundreds or even more cases reported every day,” he said, adding that the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital “frequently received cases … including locally acquired ones and those infected elsewhere.”

He highlighted that the elevated risk stems from increased mobility between Hong Kong and mainland-city participants, spectators and service staff entering the region for the National Games.

“With the increased traffic flow between the mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong and more frequent trips of Hongkongers to other cities within the Bay Area, the risks will inevitably become higher,” he warned.

Despite the potential threat, Hong Kong’s health authorities say no locally transmitted case has yet been confirmed in the city this year; all known cases have been imported.

However, the central vector of transmission—Aedes albopictus mosquitoes—is present across urban and suburban areas, and conditions such as rainfall and temperature are considered conducive to breeding.

The government has responded by reviewing surveillance strategies, enhancing mosquito-control measures at boundary control points and stepping up public-education campaigns.

The professor urged travellers entering or returning from mainland-China cities to remain vigilant, apply insect repellent regularly and seek medical attention if symptoms such as fever, rash or joint pain develop.

The unfolding situation places the city on alert as it readies itself for one of the largest sporting gatherings it has hosted in years and underscores the challenge of managing cross-border public-health risks in the region.
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Hong Kong Rate Cut Mirrors U.S. Move as Finance Chief Signals Relief for Borrowers

Hong Kong banks lower rates following U.S. cut, with Financial Secretary highlighting support for mortgages and consumer spending
Hong Kong’s major banks have slashed their prime lending rates — some to a record low of five per cent — following the Federal Reserve’s reduction of its benchmark rate, a move the city’s finance chief said will ease pressure on borrowers and bolster sentiment in the territory.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo‑po told reporters in Riyadh that “I welcome the rate cut, as it could lower the pressure on residents and businesspeople paying their mortgages.” He noted that the city’s rate-setting is closely tied to U.S. monetary policy through the linked-exchange-rate system, prompting the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to cut its base rate to 4.25 per cent on Thursday, in lock-step with the U.S. cut to a range of 3.75 to 4.00 per cent.

Chan said the economy was “doing okay”, pointing to stabilising activity in retail, catering and property sectors, and said that a clearer path to rate relief was improving confidence: “When people see a clearer prospect of the rate-cut cycle and feel confident, the lived-in home market will be revitalised.

The market sentiment will improve.” Industry analysts welcomed the move as timely for households carrying Hong Kong dollar mortgages tied to prime.

Despite the rate relief, the finance chief reiterated a measured growth forecast for the year at two to three per cent, citing a challenging external environment.

He emphasised that although rates were easing, external variables such as trade tensions and global inflation still required vigilance.

Chan added that authorities will continue monitoring the property and consumer landscapes closely and that the latest cut should be seen as part of a broader support effort rather than immediate relief alone.

The rate-cut cycle begins at a time when Hong Kong is seeking to bolster its economic recovery, drawing on tourism rebounds and commercial inflows while managing its role as an international financial hub amid global volatility.

With borrowing costs set to moderate, homeowners and businesses alike may find renewed breathing space as local markets absorb the policy shift.
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MKS PAMP Expands Hong Kong Footprint Amid Gold Trading Boom

Swiss precious-metals firm doubles staff in Hong Kong to tap rising demand as the city pivots to become an Asian bullion hub
Swiss precious-metals refiner and trader MKS PAMP SA is accelerating its growth in Hong Kong, doubling its local headcount over the past year to 16 and planning to expand to 20-30 staff next year, according to Chief Executive James Emmett.

The move is timed to capitalise on a surge in investor appetite for bullion and the city’s strategic push to deepen its role in the regional gold market.

“We’re expanding because there’s just so much demand at the moment,” Mr Emmett said in an interview.

He highlighted Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, its proximity to mainland China – the world’s largest gold consumer – and its evolving infrastructure for bullion trading and storage.

MKS PAMP has already strengthened its position in the city.

In June the firm participated in the launch of the Shanghai Gold Exchange’s Hong Kong-based products, and in October it appointed Damien Han as Head of Sales for Asia-Pacific, based in Hong Kong, underscoring its commitment to the region.

Industry observers note that Hong Kong is actively building out its gold ecosystem, with the city leader recently announcing plans to increase storage capacity to over 2,000 tonnes within three years, and new contracts denominated in renminbi being introduced.

The expansion comes as globally gold prices rally amid macro-economic uncertainty and geopolitical risk, contributing to heightened demand for safe-haven assets and bullion-related services.

By anchoring its Asia-Pac regional headquarters in Hong Kong, MKS PAMP aims to serve institutional and private-wealth clients, deepen its secondary-market trading and leverage the territory’s ambitions to become a leading bullion trading venue.

As Hong Kong competes with Singapore and other regional hubs for gold-trading business, MKS PAMP’s move reflects a strategic realignment of the precious-metals industry towards Asia’s growing markets and the shifting centre of liquidity in the global bullion trade.
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Tycoon Peter Law’s Daughter Acquires US$45.7 Million Flat in Mid-Levels West

Property deal follows father's record-setting mansion sale as luxury market shows resilience in Hong Kong
Winnie Law Wing-yin, daughter of Hong Kong businessman Peter Law Kin-sang, has purchased a 4,710 sq ft (438 m²) flat at Tower 2, Phase 1 of The Legacy in Mid-Levels West for HK$355 million (US$45.7 million), according to Land Registry records.

The transaction completed on Tuesday.

The high-end development at 8 Castle Road is a joint venture between Henderson Land Development and New World Development and opened for sales in September.

The project features 172 units including a three-storey penthouse exceeding 12,000 sq ft — the largest newly-launched flat in Hong Kong since 2013 — and smaller units from around 834 sq ft.

The purchase follows Peter Law’s August sale of his mansion at 1 Gough Hill Road for HK$1.088 billion, which set the city’s highest price per square foot this year at approximately HK$95,018 and marked the most expensive property transaction recorded so far in 2025. The Peak-area house spans 11,451 sq ft and includes a substantial garden and rooftop terrace.

Market watchers point to the Mid-Levels transaction as a sign of select demand returning in Hong Kong’s luxury property sector, despite broader market headwinds.

In the first 20 days of October, there were 78 first-hand residential sales priced between HK$30 million and HK$49.99 million, the highest count in ten months, reflecting renewed activity at the top end.

While the broader residential market remains uneven, this acquisition underscores the continued presence of deeply cash-rich buyers and the willingness of leading developers to launch prestige projects underpinned by strong branding and ultra-prime positioning.
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Hong Kong Considers Issuing Islamic Bonds to Fund Northern Metropolis Megaproject

Financial Secretary Paul Chan says Sharia-compliant bond issuance is on the table if cost-effective as government eye infrastructure-financing innovation
Hong Kong’s finance chief, Paul Chan Mo-po, signalled that the city is open to issuing Islamic bonds, also known as sukuk, to help fund the Northern Metropolis megaproject — provided that the costs and yields prove advantageous.

The comments were delivered as Mr Chan concluded a visit to Riyadh where his trade delegation secured five memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with Saudi-linked parties.

“The legal and regulatory framework for issuing Islamic bonds is mature.

We can proceed at any time [for the Northern Metropolis], provided the market reflects that issuing these instruments is cheaper and yields better results,” he told the media.

The Northern Metropolis initiative aims to transform 30,000 hectares (about 74,000 acres) of land into a new economic hub and housing zone in the New Territories, and the government has previously committed to issuing HK$95 billion (approximately US $12.2 billion) to HK$135 billion in bonds annually over the next five years to support it and other infrastructure schemes.

Mr Chan noted that Islamic finance has always been a component of the government’s planning for the funding of major projects.

He emphasised Hong Kong’s established rules for Sharia-compliant funding, pointing to past sukuk issuances of around US$3 billion since 2014 and a solid legal, tax and regulatory foundation for such transactions.

“What matters is the cost-effectiveness and whether it enhances financing diversity,” he said.

By exploring halal finance instruments, the government seeks to tap new pools of investment from Middle Eastern and global investors and align infrastructure-financing strategy with the city’s ambition to deepen its status as an international financial centre.

Analysts say that issuing Islamic bonds could widen the investor base, reduce borrowing costs and enhance Hong Kong’s appeal as a regional funding hub.

Yet they caution that implementation will depend on market demand, structural alignment with conventional debt frameworks and ensuring that the sukuk proceed solely fund infrastructure rather than recurrent spending.

If the government proceeds, the sukuk could be framed alongside existing green or infrastructure bond programmes and marketed to sovereign wealth funds, insurance firms and institutional investors in the Gulf and Asia.

This would enable the Northern Metropolis project to harness global capital flows while reinforcing the city’s dual identity as a bridge between East and West and between conventional and Sharia-compliant finance.
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European Private Equity Firm Ardian Opens Hong Kong Office to Accelerate Asia Growth

Paris-headquartered Ardian launches its fifth Asian base in Hong Kong, aiming to expand secondary deals and client reach across the region
Paris-based private equity firm Ardian is expanding its Asian presence with a new office in Hong Kong’s Two International Finance Centre, supporting its ambition to grow its approximately US $3 billion Greater China platform within its US $200 billion global assets under management.

The move marks Ardian’s fifth dedicated Asian office—joining Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing and Singapore—and represents a strategic effort to deepen access to regional insurers, sovereign wealth funds, private wealth investors and fund-secondaries intermediaries.

Jason Yao, head of Greater China at Ardian, said the Hong Kong office will initially comprise eight permanent staff, focusing on investor relations, fund-secondaries operations and deal origination.

“The reason we have an office here is to be close to our investors,” he said.

“Private wealth is also a big topic in our industry as a source of capital.

Investment-wise it is very important for the secondary business in the region.”

Ardian is known globally for its leadership in the secondary private-markets segment—acquiring existing stakes in private-equity funds—and this expansion signals the firm’s commitment to capturing growth opportunities across Asia.

The new headquarters in Hong Kong positions Ardian to tap into the region’s rising allocations to private markets, leverage its global platform and serve a growing clientele of Chinese family offices and regional institutional investors.

The timing of the move also aligns with Hong Kong’s efforts to reaffirm its status as a leading financial hub in Asia, attracting outbound capital, supporting funds-management activity and deepening private-markets infrastructure.

For Ardian, the establishment of the Hong Kong base underscores the continuing importance of Asia within its global strategy and sets the firm for new origination and growth from the heart of the Greater China nexus.
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Hong Kong to Host 17th International Wine & Spirits Fair in November

Trade Development Council event gathers over 620 exhibitors across 21 regions to spotlight global beverages, low-alcohol alternatives and the rising baijiu market
Hong Kong’s 17th International Wine & Spirits Fair will run from 6 to 8 November 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

According to the event’s latest briefing, more than 620 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions will present a broad selection of wines, spirits, low- and no-alcohol beverages, beer, sake and related accessories.

A key feature this year is the new “World of Spirits” zone, which will showcase products from 13 regions including Australia, Ireland, Russia and the Chinese Mainland — with Chinese baijiu brands such as Kweichow Moutai, Luzhou Laojiao and Wuliangye among the headline participants.

The expansion of this zone aligns with last year’s reduction in liquor duty, a policy move that has encouraged exhibitors to explore the Hong Kong market and beyond.

In addition to beverage tastings, the fair will host seminars, masterclasses and blind-tasting sessions led by recognised industry figures.

The “Friends of Wine” zone will present gourmet foods and snacks to accompany beverages, and the final day will allow wine and spirits enthusiasts from the public to attend a designated section of the fair.

Trade-only access applies for the first two days.

Exhibitors from the Chinese Mainland include firms from Fujian, Guizhou, Hubei, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Xinjiang and Zhejiang, reflecting the diversity of supply-chain origins.

International participants stretch from Argentina, Brazil and Chile to France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, the United States and more.

By serving as a staging ground for both high-end imports and local brand innovation, the event underscores Hong Kong’s ongoing role as a regional hub for fine beverages and international trade.

Attendees will have early next month to engage with global beverage trends, investment-grade spirits and the latest in low-alcohol lifestyle products.
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Acquitted Bomb-Plot Defendant Arrested in Latest Hong Kong Rioting and Sedition Sweep

Five people detained in Hong Kong, including one recently cleared of a bomb-plot case, amid fresh rioting and sedition allegations tied to 2019 unrest
Five individuals were arrested in Hong Kong on Tuesday under charges of rioting and sedition linked to the 2019 anti-government protests, with the city’s police force confirming the detentions.

Superintendent Simon Cheung Pak-kit of the National Security Department stated that two men and three women were apprehended in Kowloon Bay and the New Territories, and HK$250,000 (approximately US$32,200) was seized in connection with the case.

A source familiar with the matter identified one suspect as 32-year-old Ng Tsz-lok, who was acquitted last month of conspiracy to bomb prescribed objects—charges arising from an alleged plot to trigger explosions at three public locations to force the government to close city borders during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Police emphasised that the current investigation is separate from the earlier bomb-plot trial and is grounded in newly developed evidence.

The charges centre on alleged involvement in rioting and acts with seditious intent tied to the events of 2019 and the imposition of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

Observers regard this move as the latest in a sustained campaign by Hong Kong authorities to pursue cases arising from the large-scale protests, with some critics pointing to a broad interpretation of sedition provisions.

Legal experts note that sedition and related charges carry rising importance in Hong Kong’s policing of protest-related activity, given the overhaul of the city’s security legal framework in recent years.

The arrest of one individual recently cleared of serious charges adds complexity to the case and raises questions about the criteria for targeting suspects.

The development comes as the city remains on high alert for unrest ahead of politically sensitive anniversaries and as authorities reinforce a message of deterrence.

The five detainees are in custody and formal charges have yet to be filed publicly.

Police did not disclose further identities or details of the alleged activities.

The case underscores the continuing legal and political fallout from the 2019 movement and the evolving use of colonial-era and new security statutes in addressing public disorder and political dissent in Hong Kong.
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Hong Kong Actor Benz Hui’s Ancestor Was a 19th-Century Salt Merchant Championing China’s Coast

Late veteran star Hui Shiu-hung was descended from Xu Baiting, a leader among Guangzhou’s four major salt merchants during the Qing dynasty
Veteran Hong Kong actor Hui Shiu-hung—widely known by his nickname “Benz Hui”—passed away at the age of 76 on 28 October 2025 from multiple organ failure caused by cancer.

While he is best remembered for his esteemed five-decade career in film and television, Hui’s family heritage reveals deep roots in China’s merchant and official class.

In a 2024 interview, Hui disclosed that his ancestor, Xu Baiting (Cantonese: Hui Bai-ting), was ranked among the four major salt merchants of nineteenth-century Guangzhou.

Salt, a vital industrial and strategic commodity in imperial China, was included under state monopolies and contributed substantially to the Qing dynasty’s revenues.

Xu built considerable wealth through salt trading and maintained a private naval force to suppress piracy—actions that earned him official recognition from provincial authorities.

Hui’s ancestors also held high-ranking positions during the late Qing era: one served as aide to Empress Dowager Cixi and was regarded as a trusted imperial official; other branches of the family were involved in revolutionary-era politics and education reform in southern China.

Hui himself was born in Hong Kong in 1948, spent parts of his childhood in Guangzhou, and later became one of the territory’s most respected character actors.

His revelation of merchant ancestry offers insight into how business and official networks intertwined in Guangdong’s reform era and highlights the social mobility of merchant families who bridged commerce, governance and diplomacy.

Hui’s own legacy in the arts now joins that lineage of enterprise and public service, underscoring the family’s longstanding engagement with Hong Kong’s cultural and economic sphere.
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Hong Kong’s Universities Surge in Global Standing as Non-Local Student Enrollment Doubles

The city’s tertiary institutions expand their reach and real-estate footprint amid rising postgraduate demand and student-housing pressure
Hong Kong’s major universities are reporting a sharp rise in non-local student enrolments—nearly doubling since 2021—with the influx driven chiefly by postgraduate study entrants from the Chinese mainland and beyond.

That growth is helping offset local demographic decline and is already affecting the city’s economy through rising rental demand and institutional property acquisitions.

The government announced in September that from the 2026-27 academic year, publicly funded universities will be permitted to admit non-local undergraduates—on a self-financing basis—up to fifty per cent of the local-student intake, up from the current forty-per-cent ceiling.

The over-enrolment ceiling for self-financing places in funded research postgraduate programmes will also rise from one hundred to one hundred and twenty per cent.

Institutions such as the University of Hong Kong (HKU) admitted more than twelve hundred first-year non-local undergraduates in autumn 2024—about a fifty-per-cent increase year-on-year—with half of that number hailing from the mainland.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) lists over forty-per-cent of its undergraduates and postgraduate students as non-local.

Universities are drawing strength from this shift.

HKU recently climbed to eleventh in the QS World University Rankings, out-ranking elite institutions such as Yale and Princeton, and surpassing Tsinghua and Peking Universities.

Observers attribute part of the leap to international diversification and aggressive global recruitment.

Institutions are simultaneously turning to property acquisition to accommodate the rising student numbers—amid a broader backdrop of rental-market pressure in the city.

Developers and universities alike are converting hotels and residential blocks into dormitories and student housing to meet demand.

This expansion comes at a time when Hong Kong’s wider economy is subdued, with the property market in long-term downturn and consumer sentiment weak.

The higher-education surge is providing a boost—though institutions caution that the accommodation challenge remains acute.

The government’s strategy aligns with its ambition to position Hong Kong as a global education hub.

A “Study in Hong Kong: Your World-class Campus” campaign and the creation of a “Task Force on Study in Hong Kong” accompany the regulatory changes, all aimed at attracting top global talent.

While questions about local student displacement and rising housing costs persist, the record numbers and improved ranking performance demonstrate that Hong Kong’s universities are not just holding steady—they are overtaking some mainland rivals and repositioning themselves as global players.
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Patrick Reed Eyes Rare Back-to-Back Win at Link Hong Kong Open After Historic 59

Defending champion Reed feels his game is strong as he returns to Fanling seeking to become first player in 12 years to defend the title
American golfer Patrick Reed is poised to attempt a defence of his title at the Link Hong Kong Open this week, aiming to become the first player in 12 years to win successive editions of the event.

Reed, the 2018 Masters champion and member of the LIV Golf League, highlighted that his game “feels pretty good” as he prepares to tee off at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

Last year’s victory came in spectacular fashion when Reed carded an 11-under-par 59 in the third round, culminating in a three-shot victory at 22-under.

This year he arrives with momentum after a top-20 finish at last week’s International Series Philippines event and is confident he can replicate the form that produced his record round.

As Reed put it: “I feel like the difference now … is I was making putts.

And when you win golf tournaments … they seem to lip in.”

The stakes this year are unusually high.

The 2025 edition of the tournament, part of The International Series on the Asian Tour, offers the champion invitations to both the 2026 Masters and the 154th Open Championship alongside vital points in the race to the LIV Golf League.

Reed will be paired in the early rounds with England’s Paul Casey and Filipino winner Miguel Tabuena.

Reed emphasised that the key to success at Fanling lies in discipline rather than aggression.

He said: “The biggest thing for me is not to get ahead of myself … You have little pockets throughout that golf course that you can really attack … The biggest thing is just kind of going out there and executing, rather than trying to press and push on.” With a strong field assembled—including Bubba Watson, Louis Oosthuizen and other major winners—Reed’s bid to defend hangs on delivering when it matters most.

If successful, Reed will emulate only a handful of players who have achieved consecutive wins at this tournament—Madrid the feat last done by Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez in 2013. And for Reed, the legacy boost is clear.

“It would mean everything to me to win again at Fanling … especially as defending champion,” he said.

As the tournament tees off on October 30, all eyes will be on whether Reed can once again light up the leaderboard on the Fanling course.
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Eala and Mboko Set for First-Ever WTA Clash in Hong Kong Round of 16

Philippine rising star Alexandra Eala meets Canada’s Victoria Mboko in their debut professional encounter at the WTA 250 Hong Kong Tennis Open
Philippine star Alexandra Eala and Canada’s Victoria Mboko are poised to meet for the first time on the Women’s Tennis Association tour when they face off in the round of 16 at the WTA 250 Hong Kong Tennis Open.

The match is scheduled for Thursday, October 30, not before 18:30 local time (HKT, GMT+8).

Though the pair have never met on the pro circuit, they crossed paths at the junior level in 2022, where Eala claimed a straight-sets victory over Mboko at the US Open girls’ singles semi-final.

Eala then went on to lift the title that year, becoming the first Filipina to win a girls’ singles Grand Slam.

At 20 years old, Eala has broken into the world’s top 50 for the first time in her career and is aiming to build on that momentum.

Her 19-year-old opponent Mboko is enjoying a breakthrough season and has risen to world No. 20, with the potential to move even higher this week.

Their contrasting trajectories make this matchup one to watch.

For broadcast information, fans in the Philippines can tune in via TapDMV, while Canadian viewers may watch on DAZN and TVA.

In the United States, Tennis Channel holds the rights, with Sky Sports covering the UK and beIN Sports in Australia.

With no professional head-to-head history between them, the outcome remains open.

Eala brings her strong junior pedigree and newfound pro success into the match, while Mboko arrives as a top-20 seed with more WTA experience and consistent form.

Observers will pay particular attention to how Eala handles the pressure of a higher-ranked opponent and whether Mboko can assert her status and avoid any upset.

Given the stakes and the contrasting styles, this second-round clash promises to deliver a showcase of emerging talent and may indicate which player is poised to make a deeper run in the event.
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Hong Kong Leader John Lee Heads to South Korea for APEC to Showcase City’s AI and Investment Strategy

Chief Executive arrives in Gyeongju ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to promote Hong Kong’s innovation agenda and bilateral ties
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu of Hong Kong arrived in Gyeongju, South Korea on Wednesday to attend the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

He said that during the engagements he intends to present Hong Kong's policies and experience in investment promotion and artificial-intelligence application to government and business leaders from other economies.

Lee emphasised that he would use the visit to hold bilateral meetings with other leaders, aiming to "strengthen friendships, enhance practical cooperation and create more development opportunities and collaborative space for Hong Kong." His remarks were carried in a social-media post ahead of his participation in an informal APEC dialogue and a business advisory council meeting this week.

The trip underlines Hong Kong’s ambition to reposition itself as a regional hub for technology, innovation and capital under Lee’s leadership.

In his recent policy address, he pledged to develop emerging sectors including AI, pharmaceuticals and education, beyond the city’s traditional financial-services strength.

Lee’s presence at APEC also signals an active diplomatic posture, with the Hong Kong delegation expected to engage in networking and trade promotion on the sidelines of one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most important economic forums.

The city’s government has published supporting materials highlighting Hong Kong’s AI initiatives and investment attraction efforts in the context of the APEC agenda.

With the summit in Gyeongju set to start in full this week, Lee’s contributions will be watched as a measure of Hong Kong’s global economic engagement strategy.

Delegates note that Hong Kong is seeking to leverage its international links to renew growth momentum amid regional competition among tech hubs and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Lee’s agenda includes championing Hong Kong’s role in cross-border innovation and capital flows, while reinforcing its integration with regional supply chains and digital economies.
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China’s AMOLED Specialist EverDisplay Files for Hong Kong IPO Amid Mounting Losses

EverDisplay (Hehui Optoelectronics) seeks Hong Kong listing to raise fresh capital and expand globally despite enduring losses since its 2021 A-share debut
China-based AMOLED display-panel maker EverDisplay Optoelectronics (also known as Hehui Optoelectronics) has formally submitted a prospectus for an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange main board, marking its second attempt this year.

The company, already listed on the Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Board (ticker 688538), said the move is designed to bolster international financing access, expand high-end panel capacity and support global business development.

Since its Shanghai listing in May 2021, the firm has reported significant cumulative losses while operating in a capital-intensive segment of the display industry.

According to recent disclosures, revenues rose to approximately RMB 4.96 billion in 2024—a year-on-year increase of about 63 percent—but the company still recorded a net loss of RMB 2.514 billion.

Previous years posted similarly deep losses, reaching RMB 3.244 billion in 2023.

EverDisplay’s production footprint concentrates on 4.5-generation and 6-generation flexible and rigid AMOLED lines in Shanghai, serving smartphones, wearables, laptops, automotive and aviation displays.

Industry consultancy figures show that between 2022 and 2024 the company ranked second globally—and first in China—by cumulative shipments of medium-to-large-size AMOLED panels.

Its clients include major Chinese device brands and two of five leading domestic automakers.

In its filing, the company emphasised that proceeds from the Hong Kong listing will be used for upgrading production capacity of high-end AMOLED panels, research-and-development investment and working-capital replenishment.

The application is sponsored by China International Capital Corporation and reflects the growing interest of mainland tech firms in “A+H” dual-listing strategies to diversify funding sources.

Nevertheless, analysts highlight the challenges ahead: the display-panel industry remains cyclical and margin-sensitive, and EverDisplay’s extended loss-making record will require operational turnaround and steady order growth to justify investor valuations.

With the IPO underway, market participants will closely monitor how the company navigates competition and execution risk in the coming quarters.
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Jarvis Cocker’s Stairfall Sparks Vinyl Boom at Hong Kong Listening Room

Singer’s injury in Tsim Sha Tsui record shop drives foot-traffic and sales at The Listening Room amid local vinyl revival
A tumble down the stairs by Britpop legend Jarvis Cocker in a Hong Kong record store has unexpectedly boosted interest in vinyl culture.

The descent occurred earlier this year at The Listening Room in Tsim Sha Tsui—where the former Pulp frontman slipped while browsing records, broke two ribs, and still went on to headline the Clockenflap festival the next day.

The store’s owner, Rob Deal, revealed that the incident brought widespread attention: fans flocked to the staircase to take selfies and explore the shop where Cocker fell.

“It gave us a boost,” he said, noting that the shop installed a humorous “Jarvis-Cocker-warning” hazard sign to mark the spot.

More than a quirky celebrity moment, the incident showcased a deeper trend: the expanding appetite for vinyl in Hong Kong.

Since its opening in 2022, The Listening Room has offered a sprawling space with listening stations, hi-fi equipment, and a mix of new and second-hand LPs.

Industry commentary suggests vinyl sales in the city are entering a revival phase, spurred by younger buyers seeking tactile and analogue music experiences.

One review noted the shop is “serious about promoting music and vinyl culture in a city that hasn’t always treated it as a priority.”

Visitors in their twenties, such as couples testing out turntables together, say they prefer the ritual of flipping records and ageing their headphones rather than streaming.

The shop’s social-media-savvy marketing, particularly on RedNote, has played a key role in driving younger traffic and enabling the owners to launch their own hi-fi-brand speakers and headphones.

Retail experts point out that vinyl’s resurgence aligns with global patterns: tactile media is seeing revival as music lovers seek deeper connections with sound and analog formats.

In Hong Kong, where rental prices remain high and commercial real-estate tight, the growth of record-store listening lounges also reflects adaptation of retail spaces toward experiential offerings.

The Cocker incident, while minor, helped cement the store’s profile and emphasise the larger movement at play: an independent retail destination functioning as both shop and community hub.

For the local vinyl ecosystem, it underlines a shift from nostalgic niche to participatory cultural space—one where staircases, celebrity blunders and vinyl crates all collide in service of analogue revival.
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Report Warns Beijing Uses Hong Kong’s Special Status to Undermine Autonomy and Aid Chinese Interests

New analysis by Hong Kong Watch highlights how the city’s high-degree-of-autonomy label is exploited by China in international institutions, urging US and allies to close arising loopholes

A new comprehensive report by Hong Kong Watch argues that Beijing is exploiting Hong Kong’s “special status” under the “one country, two systems” framework to advance Chinese diplomatic and economic interests at the expense of the city’s promised autonomy. Entitled The Limits of Autonomy: a review of Hong Kong’s special status under ‘one country, two systems’, the study details how Hong Kong has been treated differently from mainland China in international bodies and global markets and how that differential treatment is increasingly being leveraged by Beijing.

The report traces the legal foundation of Hong Kong’s autonomy under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, and shows that since 2020 the Chinese government has actively aligned the city’s institutions with mainland policy while preserving its preferential status abroad. It documents, for example, how Hong Kong representatives have supported China’s position in blocking Taiwan’s participation in international agencies and how Hong Kong bodies have used their international standing to advance China’s foreign-policy goals.

While acknowledging the erosion of political freedom within Hong Kong, the authors emphasise that the focus must shift to how the unique status of Hong Kong is being instrumentalised. As one researcher wrote: "Hong Kong’s autonomy brings diplomatic and economic benefits which the People’s Republic of China is loath to lose … the new security era is not simply about dismantling freedoms but about exploiting Hong Kong’s status as a ‘highly autonomous’ region for diplomatic and economic gain."

The report makes several policy recommendations for the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and the European Union. Key among them: the United States should review legislation and policy documents that still treat Hong Kong as autonomous; governments should reassess consular privileges and immunities of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices; and a coordinated effort should be made to establish a United Nations special envoy to monitor developments in Hong Kong’s autonomy.

In the context of intensifying Sino-U.S. competition, the analysis argues that policymakers must recognise that preferential treatment of Hong Kong may inadvertently further Chinese state interests rather than protect the city’s freedoms. The timing comes as Washington has already sanctioned six Chinese and Hong Kong officials for eroding Hong Kong’s autonomy and declared that Hong Kong no longer warrants differential treatment under U.S. law. The report underscores that aligning legal status and actual governance is crucial to preserve both international norms and Hong Kong’s distinct role.

For governments committed to supporting Hong Kong’s original promises, the study stresses that closing legal and institutional loopholes is now as important as monitoring political repression. Without that, the city’s special status may continue to be repurposed by Beijing, undermining the autonomy it was designed to uphold.

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Over Thirty U.S. Senators Urge President Trump to Press China for Jimmy Lai’s Release

Bipartisan group appeals to Trump ahead of meeting with Xi Jinping, highlighting deteriorating health of Hong Kong activist
A bipartisan group of more than thirty U.S. senators has sent a formal letter to President Donald Trump urging him to raise the case of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai Chee-ying directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their upcoming meeting.

The lawmakers highlighted Lai’s nearly five years in solitary confinement under Hong Kong’s national security law, his deteriorating health at age seventy-eight, and the imminent end of his trial as reasons for urgent intervention.

The letter, dated 23 October, warns that if Lai remains imprisoned— or dies in custody— he “would become a martyr; a powerful and enduring symbol of opposition.” It states that his representatives have said that, if released, Lai would voluntarily leave Hong Kong and cease public activism.

The group said the humanitarian case is “stronger and more dire than ever” and emphasised that the matter should be addressed “at the highest possible level.”

President Trump has already indicated he will raise Lai’s case with Xi, saying in remarks on 24 October: “It’s on my list.

I’m going to ask.” The timing comes as Trump prepares to meet Xi in South Korea on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, amid a broader agenda that includes trade, artificial-intelligence issues and geopolitical tensions.

Lai, a British citizen and founder of the Apple Daily newspaper in Hong Kong, has been detained since 2020 and faces charges under the national security law that carry the possibility of life imprisonment.

His family and international advocates say his health is failing and that the case remains a key flashpoint in tensions over the autonomy of Hong Kong, press freedom and human rights.

By urging the president to personally take up the issue, the senators attach greater visibility to the case and seek to align it with the broader U.S.–China strategic agenda.

How the Chinese leadership responds—and whether Lai’s future is negotiated as part of wider diplomacy—remains closely watched.
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United States and South Korea Conclude Major Trade Accord Worth $350 Billion

Washington and Seoul agree detailed terms covering tariffs, investment and ship-building as part of broader economic partnership.
The United States and South Korea reached a detailed agreement on October 29, 2025, following a bilateral meeting between President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju.

Under the arrangement, South Korea committed to investing a total of $350 billion in the United States, while the US will reduce tariffs on South Korean auto and auto-parts exports from 25 per cent to 15 per cent.

Of the investment package, $200 billion will be delivered in cash over multiple years — capped at $20 billion annually — and $150 billion will be channelled through a bilateral ship-building cooperation programme.

In return, the US pledged not to impose semiconductor tariffs that place South Korean chip exports at a disadvantage relative to those from Taiwan.

In terms of trade policy, the 15 per cent tariff level aligns South Korea with Japan’s earlier deal with the US and marks a significant lowering from the previously threatened 25 per cent rate.

Additionally, South Korean exports of wood-products and pharmaceuticals to the US will incur lower tariffs, while aircraft-parts and generic drugs will face zero tariffs.

The accord advances President Trump’s broader strategy of forging reciprocal investment-and-trade frameworks with key allies, reinforcing American economic leadership.

For South Korea, President Lee described the deal as a chance to further strengthen economic cooperation and the security alliance with the United States.

While many of the high-level terms are now public, both sides acknowledged that detailed implementation—especially of the investment framework and profit-sharing mechanisms—will be outlined in a forthcoming non-binding memorandum of understanding.

South Korean policy adviser Kim Yong-beom said the two governments would establish a joint task-force to finalise those steps.

The agreement comes amid a shifting global economic environment in which defence, technology and trade are increasingly interlinked.

The US–South Korea partnership now encompasses not only cars and chips, but also strategic sectors including batteries, semiconductors, ship-building and artificial intelligence.

President Trump called the meeting “a tremendous session” and affirmed that the deal had “been pretty much finalised,” while President Lee expressed optimism about the “golden future” of the alliance.

With the trade framework reached, attention now turns to a high-stakes meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, expected to bring further developments in the US’s Asia-Pacific trade architecture.
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Thailand’s ‘Vijit Chao Phraya 2025’ Festival Set for 1 Nov – 15 Dec Amid Royal Mourning

Bangkok’s riverside light festival will run for 45 nights, with no fireworks and adjusted tone in respect of Queen Mother Sirikit
Thailand is preparing to host the 45-night “Vijit Chao Phraya 2025” festival along the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok from 1 November to 15 December, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The event is intended to transform the riverfront into a “world-class stage of light, colour and sound” and to draw more than 1.5 million visitors while generating upwards of 500 million baht in tourism revenue during Thailand’s peak season.

Organisers emphasise that the festival will proceed in a subdued, respectful manner in line with the national mourning period for Queen Mother Sirikit.

The usual fireworks displays – previously a central feature – will be replaced by drone-light shows and other lower-impact formats designed to honour the solemnity of the moment.

The schedule centres on evening performances from 18:00 to 22:00 each night at 15 landmark locations on both sides of the river, including Rama VIII Bridge, Wat Arun and ICONSIAM.

The programming includes projection-mapping, drone sequences and cultural installations.

Hotels, river-cruise operators and riverside businesses are collaborating closely, with the event geared to highlight both Thai culture and modern innovation.

Government and TAT officials stress that no cancellation is planned, given the economic importance of year-end tourism and the substantial bookings already made by Thai and foreign travellers.

According to TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the adjustment to tone – not the removal of the event – enables Thailand to uphold its domestic and international hospitality while showing respect for the late Queen Mother’s legacy.

For visitors, the festival reinforces Bangkok’s role as a vibrant riverside destination.

The event offers enhanced experiences for stay-over guests, including themed photo and video contests, specialised cruise packages and curated riverside vantage points.

Transport and security agencies are coordinating to ensure safe and orderly viewing zones along the riverbank.

While major festivities will proceed, authorities emphasise that the content has been crafted to reflect “light of honour, not spectacle” in deference to the national mood.

This balancing act aims to preserve Thailand’s high-season tourism offerings while aligning with the cultural moment for national reflection.
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Unpredictability Clouds Trump-Xi Meeting and Risks Undermining Deal Confidence

Analysts warn that mixed signals from Washington may hamper trust with Beijing as Presidents prepare to meet
As U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping prepare to meet in South Korea this week, analysts are raising serious concerns that erratic signalling from Washington could undermine any breakthrough.

While the meeting is meant to stabilise U.S.–China trade relations, observers say the lack of consistent messaging from the Trump administration has already eroded confidence in its negotiating commitment.

Concern centres on how internal U.S. coordination appears weak.

One former U.S. official described the pattern bluntly: “Nobody knows what the policy will be from day to day, what’s true today will not be true tomorrow.” The unpredictability is seen as a significant barrier to making credible commitments, especially for Beijing, which requires assurances that a deal will be adhered to.

President Trump’s decision-making style also figures prominently.

He has displayed a preference for instinctive positions and rough-edged diplomacy over structured joint agreements.

Analysts note that his broad running agenda and rapid policy reversals create a wide margin for differing approaches across his team, some of whom favour a hardline approach to China.

From China’s perspective, the risks are acute: exposing President Xi to a summit in which the U.S. position may shift mid-course risks reputational cost and puts the two-nation relationship at greater vulnerability.

Some Chinese experts say that the absence of a firm, consistent U.S. position makes Beijing cautious about committing to substantive concession.

The meeting itself remains unsecured, with both sides signalling flexibility on format and outcomes.

Some analysts suggest that the best realistic outcome may be a reaffirmation of dialogue and procedural cooperation, rather than a sweeping accord.

The deeper structural tensions — from rare-earth export controls, semiconductor restrictions, to broader strategic rivalry — remain largely unresolved.

As the summit approaches, the broader framing is clear: the U.S. aims to advance its agenda of trade rebalancing and strategic leverage, while China is seeking respect, stability and continuity.

Whether the meeting can deliver more than symbolism will depend on whether Washington can present a unified, credible position and Beijing can secure assurances of predictability.

The central risk now is that what appears as a high-profile meeting becomes a backdrop to further uncertainty if trust cannot be rebuilt.
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Hong Kong to Enforce Child Restraint Laws for Private Cars from November

Children under eight or shorter than 1.35 metres must use approved restraining devices in private vehicles, with fines up to HK$2,000
From Saturday, 1 November 2025, children aged under eight years or whose height is under 1.35 metres will be required to use approved child restraining devices (CRDs) in private cars in Hong Kong, regardless of seating position.

Under the amended Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) Regulation 2024, drivers will face a fixed-penalty notice of HK$230 for first-time breaches and could be referred to court for infringements carrying a maximum fine of HK$2,000.

The new law applies to children travelling in both front and rear seats of private vehicles and will require children meeting the age or height thresholds to be secured in safety seats, booster seats, seat-belt adjusters, wearable safety vests or other compliant CRDs.

Children aged eight or over or at least 1.35 metres tall must either use a CRD or wear an adult seat belt.

Authorities explain that the amendment responds to rising proportions of injuries among young passengers in private cars—data show that cases involving children under eight in private vehicles rose from about 43 percent in 2021 to around 60 percent in 2024. CRDs are estimated to reduce the risk of severe injury or death by around 70 percent in frontal collisions.

The Transport Department advised parents and drivers to select devices that match the child’s age, weight and height, install them strictly according to manufacturer instructions, and ensure products bear permanent markings showing compliance with recognised safety standards.

Portable alternatives like seat-belt adjusters or wearable vests are accepted but offer less protection in side-impact collisions compared with full seats.

While the requirements currently apply only to private cars, the government said it is continuing to review whether and how to extend the regulation to taxis, ride-sharing vehicles and public-transport services.

Drivers in emergency transport situations may rely on a statutory defence if they genuinely did not have time to secure a CRD before departure.

The new rules mark a major step in enhancing child passenger safety in Hong Kong’s road-traffic regime.
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Regina Ip Steps Aside After 17 Years in Legislative Council to Pass Torch in Hong Kong

Senior lawmaker and New People’s Party chair announces she will not seek re-election and will continue public service in other roles
Veteran Hong Kong political figure Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee has confirmed she will not stand for re-election in the upcoming Legislative Council (LegCo) polls, bringing her seventeen-year tenure as a legislator to a close.

The eighty-five-year-old chairwoman of the New People’s Party (NPP) made the announcement at a press briefing on 25 October 2025, underscoring that her decision is not a retirement but a transition to new platforms of service.

Ms Ip said she is “handing over the baton to younger generations” and highlighted her intention to continue contributing via her roles on the Executive Council and through people-to-people diplomacy, policy research and supporting mainland Chinese firms expanding globally.

Although she will leave the legislature, she committed to maintaining active public engagement and supporting her party’s eight-candidate slate for the December election, including candidate Judy Chan Kapuí, who will contest the Hong Kong Island West seat previously held by Ms Ip.

Her departure marks part of the largest wave of incumbent lawmakers stepping aside ahead of the election: over one quarter of the current eighty-nine members have announced they will not seek re-election, a change seen as aligning with official calls for generational renewal.

Ms Ip emphasised that age was not the motivator, noting that the Basic Law imposes no age limit on legislators and that her choice was based on timing and mission rather than pressure.

Reflecting on her public service, many have pointed to Ms Ip’s time as Secretary for Security, her founding of the NPP and her forthright style—characterising her as outspoken, accessible and at times unfiltered.

Her earlier public health campaign, in which she openly shared details of a colorectal-cancer screening to raise awareness, is often cited as a demonstration of personal commitment and connection with citizens.

Despite the announced exit from the legislature, Ms Ip retains her authority as Executive Council convenor and has indicated she will focus on Hong Kong’s industrial development, public diplomacy and enhancing ties with the mainland and international business community.

Her departure from LegCo is being viewed not as a retreat but as a shift toward broader horizons of influence, as a veteran public servant continues her contribution to the city’s evolving governance landscape.
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Hong Kong IPO Wave Ushers in Manufacturing Renaissance with Sany Heavy Industry Debut

A+H listings by major mainland manufacturers signal China’s industrial upgrades and Hong Kong’s global capital-market reawakening
Hong Kong’s capital-markets revival has taken a significant manufacturing turn as Sany Heavy Industry Co, a leading construction-machinery group, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX), raising HK$12.36 billion (US$1.59 billion) and achieving a valuation of around US$26.8 billion upon debut.

Its shares rose up to 4.7% on first day trading.

The listing is symptomatic of a broader surge of “A+H” dual listings—where Chinese mainland-listed companies also list in Hong Kong—according to multiple market data sources.

As of mid-2025, the city had seen proceeds from IPOs rise more than 700% year-on-year in the first half, led by large mainland names targeting global capital.

What sets this wave apart is its industrial composition.

Alongside Sany, other major new listings include companies in high-end manufacturing, new energy and biopharmaceutical sectors.

This reflects an intentional shift from China’s traditional export-manufacturing model toward innovation-driven growth, brand export and global production integration.

Hong Kong’s role is pivotal: the city offers Mainland firms an international fundraising platform, a broader investor base and a clearer governance structure aligned with global norms.

For firms, funds raised are earmarked for overseas research & development centres, technology acquisitions and global expansion rather than purely domestic growth.

Policy reforms in Hong Kong have underpinned this transformation.

The HKEX and regulators introduced mechanisms tailored to innovative and dual-listed firms, such as the Technology Enterprises Channel and streamlined filing processes.

Meanwhile, the number of listing applications exceeded 200 by mid-year, a record high.

This trend underscores not only Hong Kong’s resurgence as a global capital hub, but also China’s manufacturing sector moving up the value chain—from scale-based export to sophisticated, global brands.

For the global investor community, this revival offers access to China’s frontier industries through one of the world’s most open listed markets.

Market watchers caution that while momentum is strong, risks—such as geopolitical tensions, regulatory shifts and valuation pressures—remain.

Nonetheless, the current wave of IPOs in Hong Kong is being interpreted as more structural than cyclical, signalling a strategic repositioning of both the city and China’s corporates on the global stage.
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Uber Weighs US$100 Million Investment in Hong Kong Listings of Pony AI and WeRide

Ride-hailing giant targets autonomous-driving firms as both prepare dual listings in Hong Kong

Uber Technologies Inc. is planning to invest approximately US$100 million in the Hong Kong share offering of Pony AI Inc., as part of a broader move to deepen its partnership with leading Chinese robotaxi firms. In parallel, the company is also expressing interest in an investment in WeRide Inc.’s Hong Kong listing.

Pony AI and WeRide, both already listed in the United States, each received regulatory approval from China’s securities regulator for secondary listings in Hong Kong, enabling them to raise capital in the region. Pony AI is targeting up to US$972 million in its offering, while WeRide is raising as much as US$398 million. The potential Uber investment in Pony AI’s deal underscores its strategic commitment to autonomous-driving technology and global expansion.

The move strengthens Uber’s existing ties with both firms: the company has already invested in their U.S. initial public offerings and partnered with them in regions including the Middle East. By aligning with Chinese AV companies, Uber is positioning itself to access advanced robotaxi platforms and gain footholds in new markets across Asia and beyond.

While the exact structure of the investment in WeRide has not been disclosed, the potential backing signals Uber’s ambition to play a central role in the commercialization of Level 4 autonomous-vehicle fleets. Industry analysts view these listings as critical milestones for the companies to scale operations and achieve profitability targets in the coming years.

Observers note that confidence from global partners such as Uber may bolster investor sentiment for the Hong Kong offerings, which come amid a resurgence of listings in the territory and a shifting global capital-markets landscape. The deals—if realised—could reshape the competitive dynamics in autonomous mobility and reflect the growing global ambitions of Chinese robotaxi developers alongside established players.

For Uber, the proposed investment represents a calculated extension of its platform strategy—leveraging external autonomy capabilities rather than building in-house—while for Pony AI and WeRide it offers a pathway to deeper market access and validation as they scale toward commercial deployment of robotaxi and robotruck services.

As the listings proceed and regulatory clearances converge, the partnership matrix between Uber, Pony AI and WeRide is likely to become a defining axis in the robotaxi sector’s global rollout in the years ahead.

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Hong Kong Grave-Sweepers Proceed with Chung Yeung Rituals as City Reports First Local Chikungunya Case

Mosquito-borne chikungunya virus detected in Diamond Hill estate, but tomb-sweeping traditions persist with added precautions
Workers at a large cemetery in Hong Kong have taken extra anti-mosquito measures while holding fast to their gravesite visits during the Chung Yeung Festival, after the city recorded its first locally acquired Chikungunya fever case.

The infected individual, an eighty-two-year-old resident of Fung Tak Estate in Diamond Hill, developed symptoms in late October and had no recent travel history, prompting authorities to flag an exposed zone of around eight thousand residents.

At the nearby Diamond Hill Urn Cemetery, grave-sweepers reported wearing long-sleeve clothing, applying repellent and stepping up vigilance against mosquitoes.

“We sprayed mosquito repellent and wore long-sleeve clothing before going grave-sweeping today.

We did everything we could to ward off mosquitoes,” said Michael Chau, a fifty-two-year-old engineering-sector worker.

Other visitors displayed similar caution, with a repellent-station having been set up at the cemetery entrance.

Despite the health alert, many said they would not skip their ritual pilgrimage: “I did not consider skipping tomb-sweeping despite the risk of chikungunya virus infection,” Chau said, emphasising respect for his grandparents and cultural duty.

At the same time, some grave-sweepers urged authorities to intensify anti-mosquito efforts, reflecting underlying concern about local transmission of the virus.

Health officials from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) have launched investigations and heightened vector-control operations after confirming the local chikungunya case.

Mosquito flight range mapping centred on the patient’s home suggested around twenty neighbouring residential blocks could be at risk.

The government has dispatched teams for strata-wide fogging, eliminated breeding sites and urged residents within the affected radius to monitor for symptoms including fever, joint pain and swelling.

The timing of the case, arriving just ahead of the gravesite visits associated with the Chung Yeung Festival, has added urgency to public-health messaging.

Authorities emphasised that the virus spreads via infected mosquitoes—not person-to-person contact—and stressed that individual prevention, such as repellent use, wearing protective clothing and eliminating stagnant water, is critical.

Nonetheless, the persistence of tomb-sweeping routines underscores the cultural strength of the festival and the resolve of Hong Kong residents to honour tradition while adapting to emerging health challenges.

With tens of thousands visiting memorial sites across the city this period, officials view heightened vigilance as central to averting wider transmission of chikungunya in the territory.

The combination of grassroots preventive action and government-led mosquito control aims to keep the region’s ritual calendar intact amid evolving infectious-disease pressures.
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Hong Kong Eyes Competitiveness Through Public-Private Partnerships as China-US Tensions Linger

Financial Secretary Paul Chan emphasises pragmatism and partnerships at the Future Investment Initiative summit in Riyadh
Hong Kong is poised to preserve its global competitiveness by leaning on public-private partnerships and pragmatic policy amid US–China strategic rivalry, the city’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan said at the 9th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh.

During a panel session, he stressed that even amid “certain competition in certain areas,” there remains scope for cooperation—such as in climate action and artificial intelligence—between China and the United States.

Mr Chan, who appeared at the summit alongside China’s Vice-President Han Zheng, framed Hong Kong’s role as a gateway in the global supply-chain and capital-market ecosystem, asserting that the city will deepen collaboration between government and the private sector to unlock investment, support innovation and foster cross-border flows.

He pointed to the city’s infrastructure, international financial services and track record in innovation as pillars of its ability to adapt.

He also referenced the broader context of technology and trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, including China’s October 9 announcement of further export curbs on rare-earth elements.

These measures, widely interpreted as a response to US trade-blacklist expansions, underscore the strategic uncertainty across global markets.

Nonetheless, Mr Chan argued that Hong Kong must look beyond confrontation, and instead accentuate its strengths: open capital markets, professional services and public-private action.

Confidence in public-private partnerships reflects Hong Kong’s experience in project-based collaboration, its established legal framework and its standing in Asian and global investment networks.

Mr Chan said such partnerships will enable Hong Kong to catalyse growth in areas such as green finance, infrastructure financing and digital-economy platforms.

As major economies reposition and reconfigure supply chains and innovation ecosystems, Hong Kong is presenting itself not merely as a feeding corridor, but as an active amplifier of capital, partnerships and expertise—positioning the city for opportunities emerging from the broader geopolitical realignment.
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Global EV Sales Smash 2.1 Million in September as China Unveils Plan to Double Charging Capacity by 2027

Record monthly electric-vehicle demand coincides with China’s infrastructure drive to build 28 million chargers and 300 GW of capacity
Global electric-vehicle (EV) sales surged to a record 2.1 million units in September 2025, marking a 26 per cent year-on-year rise and underscoring the acceleration of electrification in transport.

China led the surge, accounting for around 1.3 million of those units—roughly two-thirds of the global total—and reinforcing its dominant position in the EV transition.

Meanwhile, the United States posted a 66 per cent increase in EV volume, driven by a final rush ahead of federal tax-credit expiry, and Europe rose 36 per cent to just over 427,000 units.

Against this backdrop of demand momentum, China’s government announced a three-year action plan (2025-27) to double the nation’s EV charging infrastructure.

The plan sets a target of roughly 28 million charging facilities and more than 300 million kilowatts (300 gigawatts) of public charging capacity by end-2027—enough, by the government’s estimate, to meet the needs of over 80 million EVs. Key elements include the deployment of 1.6 million new direct-current fast-chargers (DC), including 100,000 high-power units in urban zones, and 40,000 ultra-fast chargers at highway service areas.

The strategy also prioritises rural access and the upgrade of ageing stations.

Industry analysts say the September sales milestone reflects structural change, not just a cyclical bump.

One research firm noted that the global EV market is on track for more than 20 million units in 2025, implying that one in four new cars may be electric.

The charging infrastructure push in China is seen as both a response to capacity constraints—public network distribution remains uneven—and a means of supporting domestic consumer demand and industry leadership.

Observers caution that the U.S. market may see a slowdown in the near-term as tax incentives wind down, but the global shift appears irreversible.

Meanwhile, China’s announcement of its infrastructure build-out underscores its intent to support both BEV (battery electric vehicle) deployment and wider economic goals tied to consumption, export growth and technological edge.

The two developments—soaring sales and infrastructure acceleration—illustrate how rapidly the EV transition is gaining real-world scale.
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China Commits to Further Opening of Financial Sector, Says Vice-Premier He Lifeng

Beijing affirms support for foreign financial institutions and long-term capital as it advances high-level sector opening
China’s Vice-Premier He Lifeng announced that the country will “unswervingly” advance the high-level opening up of its financial sector, inviting more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to invest and operate within China’s market.

He made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the International Advisory Council of the National Financial Regulatory Administration in Beijing on Tuesday.

At the gathering, he reiterated Beijing’s commitment to reform and opening of the financial system, emphasising efforts to foster a modern financial powerhouse with improved institutional frameworks, transparent rules and cross-border investment channels.

He welcomed deeper cooperation with foreign firms, stating that “long-term capital” is especially valued for ensuring stability and growth.

The session also covered China’s economic and trade relationship with the United States.

Vice-Premier He noted that recent talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Malaysia had produced “basic consensus”, ahead of a scheduled meeting between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in South Korea this week.

Advisory council members responded positively to the remarks, expressing optimism about China’s financial-market prospects and their willingness to expand investment and cooperation.

He Lifeng’s remarks build on earlier pronouncements from 2024 in which he pledged steady institutional opening of the financial sector and support for foreign-invested institutions.

China appears keen to make financial opening a key pillar of its economic-diplomatic engagement, even as challenges remain in property debt, regulatory change and global uncertainty.

For foreign firms and long-term investors, the message from Beijing is clear: the door to China’s financial sector is increasingly open, but success will depend on navigating evolving frameworks and aligning with China’s priorities of high-quality development and market integration.

By signalling this next phase of opening, China is positioning its financial system as a platform for global capital, cross-border finance and institutional reform.

The next steps will likely involve more detailed policies on access, licensing and cross-border flows, and will be watched closely by global banks, asset managers and regulators alike.
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Hong Kong Ports on Winter Surge as Star Voyager Returns for 2026 Nine-Month Deployment

StarCruises’ flagship returns to Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal for February to November 2026 sailings, bolstering the city’s cruise hub ambitions

StarCruises has confirmed that its cruise ship Star Voyager will homeport in Hong Kong from 13 February to 13 November 2026, marking a nine-month deployment from the city’s Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. The extended schedule signals a major boost for Hong Kong’s ambition to be a leading regional cruise gateway.

The deployment will offer a diverse array of itineraries tailored to both local residents and international fly-cruise visitors. Cruise-industry sources highlight that the lineup will include a revived two-night weekend escape to Xiamen and Gulangyu Island departing Friday evenings, along with five-night “Pearls of the East” and “Island Adventure” journeys visiting destinations such as Ishigaki and Miyakojima in Japan’s Okinawa chain, and Keelung and Penghu in Taiwan.

The weekend Xiamen–Gulangyu sailings have proved popular in past seasons, offering Hong Kong residents a convenient short break and international guests a streamlined getaway. The five-night itineraries deepen the regional scope of the 2026 schedule, blending natural-heritage sites, beach resorts and cultural excursions across East Asia.

Officials from Hong Kong’s tourism and cruise agencies say the redeployment aligns with the city’s strategic goal of strengthening its role as a regional cruise hub by leveraging its strategic location, transport links and cosmopolitan appeal. Industry executives say that the nine-month schedule will translate into higher passenger volumes, longer stays in Hong Kong and increased spinoff benefits for hotels, restaurants and shore-excursion operators.

Bookings for the 2026 season opened on 3 October 2025, according to the operator. While the itinerary details continue to evolve, the long-term deployment signals confidence in Hong Kong’s tourism recovery and offers travellers from across Asia fresh choices for short getaways or regional voyages.

By anchoring Star Voyager for much of 2026, Hong Kong is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the Asia-Pacific cruise market as regional travel demand rebounds and cruise lines seek growth in the region.

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Hong Kong Ports on Winter Surge as Star Voyager Returns for 2026 Nine-Month Deployment

StarCruises’ flagship returns to Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal for February to November 2026 sailings, bolstering the city’s cruise hub ambitions

StarCruises has confirmed that its cruise ship Star Voyager will homeport in Hong Kong from 13 February to 13 November 2026, marking a nine-month deployment from the city’s Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. The extended schedule signals a major boost for Hong Kong’s ambition to be a leading regional cruise gateway.

The deployment will offer a diverse array of itineraries tailored to both local residents and international fly-cruise visitors. Cruise-industry sources highlight that the lineup will include a revived two-night weekend escape to Xiamen and Gulangyu Island departing Friday evenings, along with five-night “Pearls of the East” and “Island Adventure” journeys visiting destinations such as Ishigaki and Miyakojima in Japan’s Okinawa chain, and Keelung and Penghu in Taiwan.

The weekend Xiamen–Gulangyu sailings have proved popular in past seasons, offering Hong Kong residents a convenient short break and international guests a streamlined getaway. The five-night itineraries deepen the regional scope of the 2026 schedule, blending natural-heritage sites, beach resorts and cultural excursions across East Asia.

Officials from Hong Kong’s tourism and cruise agencies say the redeployment aligns with the city’s strategic goal of strengthening its role as a regional cruise hub by leveraging its strategic location, transport links and cosmopolitan appeal. Industry executives say that the nine-month schedule will translate into higher passenger volumes, longer stays in Hong Kong and increased spinoff benefits for hotels, restaurants and shore-excursion operators.

Bookings for the 2026 season opened on 3 October 2025, according to the operator. While the itinerary details continue to evolve, the long-term deployment signals confidence in Hong Kong’s tourism recovery and offers travellers from across Asia fresh choices for short getaways or regional voyages.

By anchoring Star Voyager for much of 2026, Hong Kong is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the Asia-Pacific cruise market as regional travel demand rebounds and cruise lines seek growth in the region.

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AI Integration by Hong Kong Banks Shrinks Entry-Level Roles While Elevating Tech-Minded Graduates

Three-quarters of banks now use AI, prompting a shift toward advanced skill sets and fewer beginner roles
The adoption of artificial intelligence by Hong Kong banks is now broadly reshaping the entry‐level job market, as three-quarters of lenders confirm they have integrated AI into operations—a marked increase from 59 percent in 2022. This shift is rapidly reducing the number of roles typically offered to graduates, triggering a new imperative: newcomers must now bring tech-fluency and a mindset aligned with accelerated career progression.

Industry executives and recruiters concede that routine tasks once assigned to junior staff are increasingly automated, meaning that early-career roles are evolving or disappearing.

Yet some senior figures argue the change is not purely negative: those graduates who emerge with the right skills may progress more quickly.

In the assessment of Jacky Leung, Head of Hong Kong Coverage at Goldman Sachs and Co-Chief Operating Officer for Technology, Media and Telecoms (Asia-ex-Japan), the automation of foundational tasks means “individuals need to have a head start and prepare for the next level.

This shift makes the job more interesting and fulfilling at an earlier stage.”

The hidden consequence is a narrower funnel for new entrants: banks now seek candidates who can combine domain knowledge—frontend wealth or risk operations—with data-literacy and an ability to work alongside machine intelligence.

While this trend may reduce the number of traditional trainee roles, it intensifies demand for graduates who are alumni of STEM programmes, have familiarity with data analytics or scripting, and are comfortable adapting in a hybrid human-machine workplace.

Policy and regulatory voices are already responding.

The city’s banking supervisor has released updated guidelines urging institutions to map the impact of technology on manpower and ensure reskilling support for affected employees.

Concurrently, a survey of 147 banks found 97 percent anticipate AI adoption will be a key growth driver by 2030—and are prioritising staff who can deploy AI-enabled workflows across business lines.

The study also flagged a broader talent gap in green finance and Middle-East/ASEAN expertise.

For early-career finance professionals in Hong Kong, the message is clear: standard paths into banking are being re-written.

Graduates must now be comfortable with automation, able to engage with clients or systems at a higher level, and equipped to collaborate with AI tools.

Institutions that manage this transition may deepen their competitive edge, but the journey for many new entrants will require significant adjustment and proactive skill-building.
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