AsiaShift - Most Recent

Oct 21, 2026

Beijing’s top Taiwan official meets US think tank to reaffirm red lines

The director of Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), Song Tao, has held a rare meeting with a delegation of US scholars, pledging to push for the peaceful development of cross-strait ties. During the meeting in Beijing on Tuesday with a delegation from the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) led by its president and CEO, Susan Elliott, Song spoke of a broader diplomatic context following summit meetings between Chinese and US leadership. “President Xi Jinping elaborated on...

Oct 21, 2026

Hong Kong tours avoid France protest areas as schools cancel planned trips

Tour operators have changed itineraries and pulled Hong Kong travellers away from protest hotspots in France, while some school groups have cancelled planned trips to the country following the issuance of an official travel warning. EGL Tours chairman and executive director Steve Huen Kwok-chuen said one of the company’s tour groups had encountered protests at the Louvre in Paris on Saturday, with police helping clear a route for their coach to return to the hotel. “Our tour group happened to be...

'Apec meeting builds trust for future cooperation'

Oct 21, 2026

Hosting the Apec Finance Ministers' Meeting enabled international decision makers to have a first-hand look at the city’s strengths and set the stage for further cooperation, according to a think tank representative. Kenny Shui, vice president of Our Hong Kong Foundation, said having the event held in Hong Kong also showed the central government’s confidence in the SAR’s ability to connect the mainland with international markets. Shui said Hong Kong has various advantages in holding the event, as the city possesses access to international markets besides its mainland connections. “For example, with ‘one country, two systems’, we have a common law system and the free flow of capital. This feature can actually help businesses from different markets work together and give investors confidence when making long-term commitments,” he told RTHK. “And second, we also have the financial and professional service network which can help follow up on the discussions. “Banks, investors, insurers, lawyers, accountants are already working together here on international business. “So the delegates can discuss a policy idea and meet people who can help put it into practice.” Shui added that international participants of the meeting could meet members of local financial institutions and see how the city supports cross-border investments, which could build trust and open the door to future cooperation. Edited by Edmond Fong

Apec discussions candid and substantive: FS

Oct 21, 2026

Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Wednesday said discussions during the two-day Apec Finance Ministers' Meeting were candid and substantive, covering macroeconomic policies, infrastructure financing and digital co-operation. Chan hailed the joint statement issued at the end of the meeting as a rare achievement, given the different positions and considerations of participating economies. He said the outcome would help promote cross-border financing and listings, as well as create opportunities for Hong Kong and mainland enterprises, along with city's professional services, to expand overseas. The financial secretary said members of the 21 participating Apec economies toured various parts of Hong Kong and came away with a very positive impression. He also said they found the meeting arrangements to be smooth and satisfactory. Chan said Hong Kong did a good job hosting the meeting, noting that organising such an event required considerable manpower and resources, with careful attention to making guests feel welcome. He said Hong Kong has a strong international reputation in hosting conferences and exhibitions, and that the presence of political leaders this time – as opposed to mostly business visitors in the past – would benefit future exchanges and co-operation. "The immediate benefits are visitor numbers and their spending, but the greater significance lies in how foreign business and political leaders view and understand Hong Kong," Chan told reporters at the end of the event. He said the meeting gave participants a better understanding of Hong Kong's unique position under "one country, two systems". Chan also said he highlighted Hong Kong's first five-year plan with the participants, and expressed confidence that after two days of exchanges, they had a positive and encouraging view of the city's development and economy. Edited by Edmond Fong

Oct 21, 2026

China urges US to stop blockade, coercion against Cuba

China urged the United States to immediately stop its blockade and all forms of coercion against Cuba and cease violating Cuban people's right to subsistence and development, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Oct 21, 2026

Hong Kong’s Election Committee race: should you care? Here’s what you need to know

Nominations have closed for Hong Kong’s Election Committee election, setting the stage for the November 22 poll. The poll, the second since Beijing overhauled the city’s electoral system to ensure patriots rule Hong Kong, will return 1,500 members who will nominate and vote in next year’s chief executive election. Here’s all you need to know about the 2026 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections, now that nominations have closed: from the hopefuls’ line-up and the heavyweights in the...

Oct 21, 2026

Hong Kong’s SHKP sells 128 Sierra Sea flats ahead of possible US rate increase

Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), one of Hong Kong’s largest developers, has sold out the latest batch of flats at its Sierra Sea project in the New Territories, where units were offered at discounted prices ahead of a possible US Federal Reserve interest-rate increase by year-end. By 5.40pm on Wednesday, SHKP had found buyers for all 128 flats offered at listed prices in Phase 2C(2) of the development in Shap Sze Heung, between Sai Kung and Ma On Shan, according to agents. Sales began at...

Oct 21, 2026

China’s Type 051C gets a refit as the PLA Navy’s legacy warships near retirement

China’s Type 051C destroyer Shenyang has been spotted undergoing sea trials after a reported refit, as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) begins phasing out legacy warships following the commissioning of a massive wave of new vessels. Witness photographs circulating on social media appear to show the Shenyang, hull number 115 and lead ship of the Type 051C class, with its Russian-made hardware replaced by domestic air defence systems. While precise details have yet to be independently confirmed,...

Exco endorses Star Ferry fare increase

Oct 21, 2026

The Executive Council has approved a fare increase for Star Ferry. From January 25 next year, fares will go up by HK$0.6 to HK$1.0 per trip on weekdays and HK$1.0 to HK$1.8 on weekends. For example, the upper-deck adult fare between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui and the adult fare between Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui on weekdays will rise from HK$5 to HK$6. The monthly ticket price will remain unchanged at HK$190. Star Ferry had applied for increases of HK$0.8 to HK$2.0 per trip, for an average fare hike of 30 percent. A government spokesman said the company had accumulated losses of over HK$100 million between 2018 and 2023 due to Covid-19 and had to rely on debt financing to sustain services. While marginal profits were recorded in 2024 and 2025, it's expected to return to the red from this year due to slow patronage growth, rising operating costs and debt-related interest expenses. The spokesman said Star Ferry's service performance has been generally satisfactory and that it has actively improved the passenger experience, including through the introduction of electronic payment options. "The government will continue to encourage Star Ferry to improve its long-term financial viability through a multipronged approach covering fare levels, non-farebox revenue and government support etc to continue providing quality services to citizens and visitors, and to preserve this historical landmark filled with memories for Hong Kong," the spokesman said in a statement. Fares last went up in 2023. Edited by Edmond Fong

Oct 21, 2026

Attitudes shifting in Hong Kong’s favour as city reaps Apec benefits: Paul Chan

Hong Kong has reaped the benefits of the Apec Finance Ministers’ Meeting, with foreign political and business leaders expressing renewed confidence in the city and supporting cross-border digital finance infrastructure development, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has said. Following the conclusion of the two-day milestone meeting on Wednesday, Chan said senior officials and representatives had discussed macroeconomic, fiscal and financial policy, as well as young talent, in a sincere and...