AsiaShift - Most Recent

Oct 20, 2026

John Lee pledges to showcase Hong Kong’s financial strengths at Apec meeting

Hong Kong’s leader pledged to showcase the city’s financial strengths to the world as it hosts the two-day Apec Finance Ministers’ Meeting for the first time. Observers said the event, which began on Tuesday and runs until Wednesday, would also help dispel foreign misunderstandings about Hong Kong’s economy and development, while drawing business leaders from around the world. Speaking at a summit on Greater Bay Area development, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed gratitude for the...

Oct 20, 2026

‘Risks tilted to the downside’ amid geopolitical tensions, Paul Chan says

Geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over trade policies pose downside risks to the global economy, Hong Kong’s finance chief has warned, calling for regional efforts to safeguard stability and keep trade and investment channels open rather than creating new barriers. Speaking at a gathering of Apec finance ministers in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Paul Chan Mo-po told fellow delegates that geopolitical disruption had pushed up energy prices, fuelled inflation, weighed on investment and constrained...

US agencies ordered to stop using DeepSeek AI tools

Oct 20, 2026

The US government has ordered its agencies to stop using artificial intelligence tools from Chinese mainland startup DeepSeek as the two countries race for dominance in the fast-moving sector. A notice on Monday from the Department of Homeland Security announced the ban on products developed by DeepSeek – and tools created using DeepSeek by third parties – saying they must be removed from IT devices. The department can issue direction to civilian agencies, but not the military or intelligence services. "DeepSeek's models present multiple threat vectors," said a document attached to Monday's notice. Use of DeepSeek AI tools "may result in the transfer of sensitive data to [China] if used by US government employees or vendors," the department warned. Its servers are located in China, where the legal system permits the government "extensive authority" to access private company infrastructure, it said. DeepSeek, one of China's top AI labs, shook up the industry in January 2025 with a low-cost, high-performance chatbot, challenging assumptions of US dominance. The firm released a long-awaited new model, V4, in April, and this month updated a faster, more lightweight version of V4. Despite their fierce competition in the field, China and the United States in September agreed to set up a "communication channel" for AI incidents. The topic is expected to arise again when the countries' leaders meet next month at a summit in Shenzhen. (AFP) Edited by Altis Wong

Oct 20, 2026

Graphics: Xiongan’s green development in numbers

Oct 20, 2026

Starwatch: Orionid meteor shower to peak on night skies

The annual Orionid meteor shower is set to peak on the night of October 21 to 22, offering stargazers a chance to witness one of the major meteor showers of the year. Around 20 meteors can be seen per hour under ideal viewing conditions.

Oct 20, 2026

China records 7.9% growth in cross-border trips in Q3

Chinese border authorities handled 192 million entries and exits in the third quarter of 2026, up 7.9% from a year earlier, officials said on Tuesday.

Apec meeting 'highlights HK's super connector role'

Oct 20, 2026

An associate economics professor on Tuesday said hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Finance Ministers' Meeting would strengthen Hong Kong's role as a super connector and boost international confidence in the city. The remark by Billy Mak of Baptist University came as the meeting, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, is held in Hong Kong for the first time. Speaking on an RTHK programme, he said that hosting the meeting here held great significance for the city. It, Mak said, showed the Apec economies' recognition of Hong Kong as a suitable venue for the meeting. The meeting would also, he stressed, enhance international markets' confidence in the SAR, as well as strengthen the city's role as a super connector. "The meeting provides a two-way dialogue window, which can deepen regional cooperation, particularly in the financial field," Mak said. "It can promote cross-border financial connectivity and benefit the development of offshore renminbi business in Hong Kong." Speaking on the same programme, lawmaker Alan Chan said the meeting had brought in high-end business travellers and benefited local hotels. He added that in addition to the official agenda, the meeting also offered opportunities for sightseeing, dining, shopping and cultural experiences, making it a great chance to showcase Hong Kong. Edited by Tony Sabine

Oct 20, 2026

Chinese FM, Bulgarian deputy PM pledge to expand practical cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Poulev on Monday, with both sides agreeing to expand practical cooperation.

Oct 20, 2026

Bulgarian president meets Chinese FM, pledging to enhance ties

Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday, with both sides pledging to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation.

SAR paddlers bag bronze at Asian Para Games

Oct 20, 2026

Hong Kong, China's table tennis athletes on Tuesday had a strong showing at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, earning a handful of bronze with two gold or silver medals still up for grabs. With no third-place play-off in individual table tennis events, the SAR's paddlers were guaranteed of at least bronze going into the day's semi-final matches at Sky Hall Toyota. Wong Yue-ching added to Hong Kong's medal tally first despite falling 3-0 to the national team's Wang Rui in the semi-finals of the women's singles Class 7 event. China's Wang will battle for gold later Tuesday against Hong Kong's Chiu Kan-shan, who beat South Korea's Kim Seongok 3-1 in the other women's single Class 7 semi-final. Wong dropped the first game 8-11, though fought to keep it close against the 2022 Asian Para Games gold medallist in the opening game of the best-of-five contest. But she was ultimately unable to hang on, dropping the next two games 6-11, 6-11 to lose the contest in straight games. Over in the women’s singles Class 11 event, Wong Ting-ting will also compete for gold on Tuesday when she takes on Japan's Miya Yamaguchi. Meanwhile, Pang Wing-ka saw the podium after falling in straight games to China's Liu Xiaowu in her last four meeting of the women's singles Class 6 category. Lam Yan-yu also earned a spot on the podium after a slim 3-2 loss to Chinese Taipei's Lin Tzu-yu in the semis of the Class 10 category. On the men's side, Wong Chi-yin bagged bronze after narrowly defeating Japan's Koyo Iwabuchi 3-2 in the last four of the Class 9 event. Wong Hon-lam sealed bronze after falling to China's Zhao Yiqing 3-1 in the other Class 9 semi-final. Edited by Tony Sabine