Business
Business stories from Hong Kong and beyond.
Cabin crew blues: Frontline staff suffer as competition between local airlines intensifies
Site operator at Lantau’s Mavericks pledges to keep restaurant open under new management and retain staff
Job losses at Lantau’s Mavericks restaurant, as beachfront favourite forced to close
Hong Kong Broadband Network server containing 380,000 customer and service applicant records hacked
In Translation: When does a China tech firm’s corporate apology become a political ‘confession’?
In Pictures: Shark fin protesters gatecrash Hong Kong’s Shake Shack burger joint pop-up
Air China flight diverted after man holds crew member hostage with fountain pen
Lack of performing venues in Hong Kong leads to ticket scalping, concert organiser says
Only two systems? The EU’s data protection rules join other extra-territorial laws in Hong Kong
Chinese urged to boycott US firms, but Big Mac fans unconvinced
‘Godfather’ of gambling: Macau magnate Stanley Ho retires
Donald Trump praises Xi Jinping’s ‘kind words’ in fresh sign of trade detente
Xi Jinping vows to open up China’s economy ‘wider and wider’ amid US trade spat
‘President Xi and I will always be friends’: Donald Trump sees ‘great future’ on China trade
China’s global vision may not be altruistic, but offers an alternative to US-imposed economic desperation
China says it is ready to pay ‘any cost’ in trade war, as Trump mulls US$100bn in extra tariffs
China to hit US soybeans, cars, planes with retaliatory tariffs
China slaps retaliatory tariffs on 128 US imports worth US$3 billion
TV watchdog suggests loosening product placement rules for free-to-air stations
Gov’t to step up efforts to scrap controversial MPF pension offsetting mechanism, says Carrie Lam
After 8-year fight, HKTV to abandon hopes for gov’t TV licence to focus on online shopping
Tough talk on global trade escalates as Donald Trump claims results
China threatens US with tariffs, says ‘not afraid of trade war’
Stocks dive as Donald Trump unveils new tariffs punishing China for ‘theft’ of American tech
Beijing vows retaliation as Donald Trump prepares China trade sanctions
Hong Kong deserves a system of public finance founded on 21st century values
Hong Kong Telecom operating customer service centres for up to 7 years in breach of land leases
China says it ‘won’t sit idly by’ if US harms trade, as Trump unveils steel and aluminium tariffs
Budget 2018: Theme park to receive HK$310m of taxpayer cash because of its financial woes, says finance chief
Budget 2018: 1.88m Hongkongers to benefit from tax rebates, amid bumper surplus of HK$138 billion
Budget 2018: Hong Kong unveils HK$250k electric car tax concession for eligible drivers who scrap old vehicles
Budget 2018: Hong Kong announces 10,000 free tickets to Ocean Park for primary and secondary school students
Budget 2018 In Full: Hong Kong announces surplus of HK$138 billion
Hong Kong Stock Exchange covers up Chinese characters for ‘bribe’, ‘thief’, ‘greed’ on newly-designed wall
Standard Chartered brings back dividends as profits jump to HK$23bn
Hurt feelings: How foreign brands are proving to be a soft target as China wields its power
Clueless finance minister offers the usual budget pile of unspent cash and unsolved problems
China seizes control of Anbang Insurance Group, prosecutes ex-boss for ‘economic crimes’
Proposed changes to media ownership rules may have ‘little impact’ on mainland investment trend, Hong Kong lawmaker says
Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s newly-designed wall features Chinese characters for ‘bribe’, ‘thief’, ‘poor’
Gov’t-backed Hong Kong Disneyland sees net loss of HK$345 million in 2017 – third year in the red
HSBC more than doubles pre-tax profits to HK$134 billion in 2017
Beijing warns Washington over ‘excessive protectionism’ as US takes aims at chemical imports
Unions strike back: Hong Kong freelancers unite amid exploitation in the ‘gig economy’
‘A big error’: Hong Kong actor Shawn Yue apologises for listing Hong Kong and Taiwan as countries on fashion website
Illegally poached South African abalone flowing into Hong Kong – report
Businessman Kenny Wee sues Next Digital for unilateral breach of contract over terminated magazine sale
Heritage Foundation rates Hong Kong world’s freest economy again, but warns of political interference from Beijing
In Pictures: ‘Smart’ talking sex dolls fill a void among China’s lonely men and retirees
Theresa May must not sacrifice Hong Kong for trade favours from the People’s Republic
China hails ‘historic’ visit, as UK’s Theresa May seeks to intensify ‘Golden Era’ in relations
China wind turbine-maker Sinovel Wind Group guilty of stealing US trade secrets
US warns Hong Kong not to be ‘safe harbour’ for illicit North Korea trade
‘America First’: Donald Trump’s trade crackdown is gathering steam, and China is a target
Standard Chartered Hong Kong and Next Digital say say bank was not involved in Next Magazine purchase transaction
Exec. ‘at pains’ to understand why bank held HK$120m Next Magazine payment
China’s waste import ban upends global recycling industry
In Taipei, a walking tour trend is helping to combat stereotypes
Hotelier Marriott unveils ‘eight-point rectification plan’ after Tibet and Hong Kong geography ‘gaffe’
China economy rebounds in 2017 with 6.9% growth, surpassing 6.5% target
Chinese automaker changes name of ‘Trumpchi’ models to avoid ‘misunderstanding’
‘We don’t support separatist groups’: US hotelier Marriott apologises over Tibet and Hong Kong geography ‘gaffe’
China pledges billions of dollars to ally Cambodia with eyes on Mekong mega-dams
French President Emmanuel Macron urges European unity to face rising China
‘There’s no way to refuse’: China’s Alibaba under fire over use of customer data
Mainland man carrying 40 bank cards robbed of HK$360,000 at ATM
China box-office back to strong growth in 2017, as market edges nearer to overtaking US
A happy and prosperous New Year? Only for Hong Kong’s corporate and political elite
Chinese ban on ivory sales goes into effect
HKFP Interview: Author Gordon Mathews on multiculturalism and ethnic stereotypes in Guangzhou
In Pictures: Hamleys opens its largest toy store in Beijing amid Christmas debate
North Korea’s firms in China face shutdown over UN sanctions
Hong Kong Observation Wheel reopens under new operator
China, Russia slam ‘imperialist’ and ‘Cold War mentality’ of US security strategy
‘New period of historic opportunity’: Britain, China speed up bid to link stock markets
Dixieland, meatpies, and booze: Long-time Hong Kong institution Ned Kelly’s Last Stand turns 45
Carrie Lam hails new economic heights, with annual growth expected to exceed 3.7%
China targets booming online lending as crisis fears build
Cost of Sha Tin-Central rail link rises to HK$97.1 billion; now city’s most expensive rail project
China says its ‘open’ internet accounts for a third of GDP at Wuzhen cyberspace conference
Chinese firm probes whether children are toiling in its African mines
Census and Stats Dept. mistakenly uploaded file containing info from 46 firms to internet
Keystroke recording scripts found running on numerous Hong Kong websites, say researchers
‘Every case of pollution is a case of corruption’: Farmer turned eco-warrior takes on China’s largest chemical firm
‘We’re still here’: Shanghaiist news and culture blog set to return
Hong Kong and Southeast Asian nations sign deal in ‘vote for open trade’
Trophy assets? China’s skyline shopping spree in the heart of Hong Kong
China’s Singles Day retail phenomenon will blow Black Friday out the water
UA Cinema provides chairs for staff after artist threatens to shame them with billboard ads
Hello sailor! Hong Kong’s raucous past as a port city left an international population
Shanghaiist news and culture blog closed after NY staff try to unionise, 12 years of content inaccessible
Li Ka-shing’s Central skyscraper The Center sold for record HK$40.2 bn
In Pictures: Hong Kong labour groups launch hunger strike for collective bargaining rights
Pigging out: Internet users mock McDonald’s new name in China
Cashing out: The end of Hong Kong’s historic trading floor
Uber can operate in Hong Kong if they obey the law, says transport secretary
No country for young men: China’s skewed sex ratio deters President Xi from economic reform
Kobe Steel fake data scandal may hit Hong Kong’s high-speed trains
Closed for congress: Beijing businesses shut down amid high security for key meeting
Hong Kong skyscraper The Center sold for record HK$40.2 billion – report
Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily launches English news app in soft power push
Maternity leave extension will take three years, so don’t wait, says Labour Secretary
Hong Kong’s first land sale featured some unusual, but familiar, names
Link Reit accused of exploiting ‘grey area’ to let estate parking spaces to outsiders
As China restricts home sales, netizens ask if it serves the people’s needs
Gov’t to charge nominal HK$1,000 land premium in deal to transfer Express Rail Link assets to KCRC
China’s internet regulators fine major companies for failing to purge banned content on social networks
China rust belt opens door wider to foreign investors
Standard & Poor’s slashes Hong Kong’s top-notch credit rating following China cut
Carrie Lam says Myanmar stability is the top concern for HK investors, amid ‘genocide’ of Rohingya Muslims
Hong Kong Chief Exec. Carrie Lam talks trade in Myanmar, amid ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Rohingya Muslims
Flow English bookshop eyes relaunch as it inherits over 1,000 books from the late Sir David Tang
Gov’t to implement temporary measures to deal with week-long strike by paper recycling firms
Explainer: Will China turn off North Korea’s oil?
New Chinese sharing economy app lets users rent sex dolls for up to a week
MTR Corporation accused of stealing ‘fast exit’ idea from mobile app
Use Chinese currency as well as Hong Kong dollars for locally listed stocks, says Executive Councillor Joseph Yam
Trump blocks acquisition of US semiconductor firm by Chinese state-owned firm
Apple says US$999 iPhone X is the ‘biggest leap forward since the original iPhone’
China jails 26 over US$7.6bn Ezubao Ponzi scheme
‘Belt and Road’ countries to get priority when negotiating free trade deals with Hong Kong, says commerce chief
Facebook staffs up in China despite being blocked
Hong Kong Observation Wheel saved from demolition at eleventh hour as parties reach agreement
Cost of local stamps to rise to HK$2, as Hongkong Post cites ‘severe’ competition
Plan to dismantle Observation Wheel is unreasonable and damaging to environment, advisor says
BBC ‘disappointed’ after Hong Kong’s RTHK replaces World Service with state-run Chinese station
Hong Kong Observation Wheel faces demolition in preparation for new tenant
Chinese tech firms are at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence — but at what cost?
‘Smile to Pay’: China’s KFC operator pilots facial recognition payment system
Hong Kong ferris wheel grinds to a halt as operator’s land license expires
Oh Canada: The roaring silence around trade talks with China
Uber Hong Kong faces backlash from riders after minimum fare hikes of up to 80%
China’s solar panels shine spotlight on North Korea trade, despite US pressure to limit commerce
US in ‘economic war’ with China, says Donald Trump strategist Steve Bannon
‘Hangzhou No Trouble Looking for Trouble Internet Technology’: China to ban long, odd company names
Troubled Cathay Pacific loses HK$2.05 billion in first half 2017, as airline struggles against competition
China warns against ‘trade war’ with US, as Trump set to launch intellectual property investigation
China regulators tame ‘grey rhinos’ after foreign shopping sprees
Donald Trump orders probe of China’s intellectual property rules – officials
What’s behind the success of satirical media in Hong Kong?
Facebook discreetly tests photo-sharing app in China
RTHK to replace BBC World Service Radio with state-run Mandarin-language station
RTHK to formally pull plug on digital radio broadcasting after Hong Kong axes service
Former Executive Council member Barry Cheung to face fraud charges
Video: China’s Taobao vendors sell personalised messages from African children amid claims of racism
Vision in a time of turbulence: Lessons for a post-Brexit Britain from Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Carrie Lam one of two ‘strong ladies’ in Asia, alongside Suu Kyi, says Thai foreign minister
Donald Trump’s sanctions on China likely to earn broad support
Drop ‘miserly’ fiscal policy to allow for budget deficits and boost economy – top financial adviser Joseph Yam
Washington planning trade measures against China to force intellectual property crackdown – report
Circle K criticised for imposing ‘excessive’ rules on convenience store workers
China now the top IPO market, but economists fear for ordinary investors
‘I self-censor to survive’: Chinese writers navigate restrictions to make a living via apps
Protesters barred from Link REIT meeting amid rumours of largest-ever asset sale
Satirical media outlet 100Most seeks listing on Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Interview: Media tycoon Jimmy Lai’s aide defends sale of investigative magazine
Going cashless: China cashes in as mobile payments soar
‘Talented but controversial’: Justin Bieber joins long list of pop stars banned in China
Chinese labour activist questions his arrest while investigating Ivanka Trump brand
Chinese president Xi Jinping calls for more imports and more ‘open economy’
New Next Magazine owner says employees biased against him cannot stay
Labour union fears outspoken Next Magazine may face censorship after HK$500m sale
Apple Daily owner sells off tabloid Next Magazine for HK$500m
Hong Kong businessman sparks backlash after blaming Muslims for his restaurant’s failure in Malaysia
Sunrise and sunset of a Shanghai-style barber shop in Hong Kong
Shake Shack to shake up Hong Kong burger scene in 2018
Over 100 Apple Daily staff leave desks to protest outsourcing plan
Journalism watchdog laments rise of media ‘confessions’ and ‘red capital’ in Hong Kong
HK20: Is there a long-term future for expats in a fast-changing city?
After Taiwan, staff at Hong Kong’s Apple Daily also urged to leave and become freelancers
Hong Kong and China account for 86% of fake goods globally, says Europol
Apple Daily Taiwan encourages reporters to leave and become freelancers
KMB bus Roadshow TV ads scrapped, screens to broadcast passenger info instead
Chinese bankers flock to Hong Kong as expats retreat
HKFP Lens: The timeless charm of Sheung Wan’s decades-old neighbourhood shops
China fines Emirates US$4.2k for flying at wrong altitude, barred from adding China routes for 6 months
Gov’t admits overtime pay proposal is far from meeting labour unions’ demands
World record: Parking space in Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong sold for HK$5.18 million
Hong Kong youth ‘too comfortable’ and don’t care about innovation, says ex-finance chief Antony Leung
Chefs receive HK$200k in unpaid wages after management threaten to sue protesters
‘Deliberately breaking the law’: Hong Kong gov’t bureau slams Uber in strongly-worded statement
Funding to be reduced for gov’t ‘cash for bids’ plan at Kai Tak Sports Park, says lawmaker
China police say activists investigating Ivanka Trump brand used illegal devices, passed info to foreign groups
Wonderland Villas: A tale of Hong Kong’s property rollercoaster
New gov’t tests uncover no problems with intercity bridge, despite falsified safety results scandal, CY says
The world’s freest economy? Just take a look at Hong Kong’s supermarkets, utility firms or taxis!
Activist probing Ivanka Trump’s brands in China arrested – rights group
Facebook apologises after ‘mistakenly’ banning 1989 Tiananmen massacre profile tribute
China scrambles to tame booming bike rental business, as sharing apps cause havoc
TVB to replace LeTV as English FA Cup final broadcaster; lawmaker calls for probe
‘We can see light’: Flow bookstore to finalise reopening date after meeting fundraising goal
Video: Tsim Sha Tsui’s Coffee Academics engulfed in flames
New border shopping mall aims for 45% local shoppers, rejects ‘parallel trading hub’ concerns
Moody’s downgrades Hong Kong’s credit rating citing closer ties to China
Food stall on Hong Kong’s highest peak under licensing threat, as gov’t promises talks
‘Fake’ lab tests at mega bridge project damage trust in gov’t, lawmakers warn
Moody’s downgrades China’s credit rating on debt fears
Biggest shake-up in 20 years: Cathay Pacific sacks 600 staff amid losses
