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☆ Hong Kong shuts schools as it issues heavy rain warning
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Hong Kong closed schools on Thursday after authorities issued the second-highest rain signal and warned of extensive flooding, just days after the Asian financial hub was drenched by the heaviest rain since records began 140 years ago. The city's weather observatory issued the "red" signal before 6 a.m. local time, saying rain exceeding 50 millimetres in an hour is falling and likely to continue. "Heavy rain will bring flash floods and flooding is occurring or expected to occur in watercourses," it said. Hong Kong's stock market will remain open unless the highest "black" signal is issued. The heavy rain comes as the city is still repairing damage caused by torrential rain linked to typhoon Haikui which passed nearby in recent days.

Persons: Hong, Tsueng Kwan, Sai Kung, Farah Master, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Tai Tam, British

☆ China to impose hefty fines, penalties for illegal education tutors
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Students stand at a school during a flag-lowering ceremony on the first day of the new academic year in Shanghai, China, September 1, 2021. The announcement made by the Ministry of Education on state run CCTV on Tuesday, is the most recent measure by authorities to reform China's education sector and alleviate the academic pressure on students. However, problems such as unlicensed after school tutoring continues to "varying degrees" and the problem of individual institutions "taking money and running away" still occurs, the ministry said. The high cost of education has been cited as a key factor by young Chinese for not wanting to have children. ($1 = 7.2910 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Farah Master and the Beijing newsroom; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Aly, Farah Master, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, country's Education Ministry, Ministry of Education, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, HONG KONG, Beijing

☆ Hong Kong Shuts Schools as It Issues Heavy Rain Warning
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong closed schools on Thursday after authorities issued the second-highest rain signal and warned of extensive flooding, just days after the Asian financial hub was drenched by the heaviest rain since records began 140 years ago. The city's weather observatory issued the "red" signal before 6 a.m. local time, saying rain exceeding 50 millimetres in an hour is falling and likely to continue. "Heavy rain will bring flash floods and flooding is occurring or expected to occur in watercourses," it said. Hong Kong's stock market will remain open unless the highest "black" signal is issued. The heavy rain comes as the city is still repairing damage caused by torrential rain linked to typhoon Haikui which passed nearby in recent days.

Persons: Hong, Tsueng Kwan, Sai Kung, Farah Master, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Reuters Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Tai Tam, British

☆ Hong Kong's Heaviest Rain in at Least 140 Years Floods City Streets, Metro
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Torrential rain deluged Hong Kong on Friday leading to widespread flooding across the densely packed city, submerging streets, shopping malls and metro stations, as authorities shut schools and asked workers to stay at home. Hong Kong Observatory reported rainfall of 158.1 millimetres (6.2 inches) between 11 p.m. HKT on Thursday and midnight on Friday (1500 to 1600 GMT on Thursday). Hong Kong's stock exchange will not open on Friday morning if the black rainstorm warning is still in place at 9 a.m., the exchange said. Videos circulating on social media showed streets turning into raging rivers, while one clip showed water gushing down an escalator into a swamped subway station. Hong Kong's MTR Corp which operates the city's rail network said at least one line was shut while others were operating at delayed intervals.

Persons: Haikui, John Lee, Farah Master, Jamie Freed Organizations: Reuters, Hong Kong Observatory, Hong Kong's MTR Corp Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Hong, Kowloon, Territories, Guangdong, City, Chai Wan

☆ Typhoon Saola makes landfall in Guangdong after slamming Hong Kong, Macau
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A man looks at fallen trees following Super Typhoon Saola, in Hong Kong, China September 2, 2023. The Asian financial hub of Hong Kong and China's neighbouring populous province of Guangdong cancelled hundreds of flights on Friday and shut businesses, schools and financial markets as Saola had edged closer. Packing winds of more than 200 kph (125 mph) as a super typhoon, Saola was among the strongest to menace the southern province since 1949. Hong Kong imposed its highest hurricane storm signal 10 on Friday night, lowering it to 8 by Saturday morning. Reporting by Farah Master, Joyce Zhou and Tyrone Siu in Hong Kong; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Saola, Tseung Kwan, Farah Master, Joyce Zhou, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Tyrone, city's, Authority, Flagship, Cathay, HK, TVB, Facebook, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Chinese, Guangdong, Shenzhen, Macau, Zhuhai, Hong Kong's, Taipei

☆ Hong Kong hunkers down as super typhoon Saola approaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A girl reads a book at a bookstore, which windows are taped in anticipation of typhoon Saola in Hong Kong, China August 31, 2023. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Hong Kong braced for the arrival of super typhoon Saola on Friday as authorities raised the strong wind signal to No.8, bringing the city to an effective standstill with most businesses, schools and the stock exchange shut. Saola is expected to skirt within 100km (60 miles) of Hong Kong on Friday night and Saturday morning, causing weather conditions to deteriorate rapidly, the city's weather observatory said. Hong Kong has five rankings for typhoons, 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10, which is the strongest hurricane signal. All schools in Hong Kong will be closed on Friday, despite being the first day of term for many, the government said.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Hong Kong, Farah Master, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Tyrone, Supermarkets, Kong's, Cathay Pacific, Weather Bureau, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Guangdong, Hong, Wan Chai district, Taiwan, Fuzhou, Taipei

☆ Super typhoon heads towards Hong Kong, China issues highest warning
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BEIJING/ HONG KONG Aug 31 (Reuters) - China issued its highest typhoon warning on Thursday as Super Typhoon Saola, packing winds of more than 200 kph (125 mph), headed towards the southeastern coastline, threatening Hong Kong and other major manufacturing hubs in nearby Guangdong province. Chinese forecasters issued a typhoon red warning at 6 a.m. (2200 GMT). As Saola approached, Guangdong's Shenzhen city said it would upgrade the typhoon warning level to yellow - the second lowest - at 6 p.m. on Thursday, and suspend classes at nurseries, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. China Railway has suspended several major train lines and Shanghai halted trains heading to Guangdong, according to local media. Reporting by Bernard Orr, Ethan Wang，David Kirton and Shanghai newsroom, Farah Master and Twinnie Siu in Hong Kong; Editing by Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Saola, Hong Kong's, Shenzhen's Baoan, Downpours, Bernard Orr, Ethan Wang ， David Kirton, Farah, Twinnie Siu, Lincoln Organizations: Meteorological Centre, Supermarkets, Kong's, China Southern Power Grid, China Railway, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, HONG KONG, China, Hong Kong, Guangdong, Guangdong province, Huilai County, Wan Chai district, Shenzhen, Shenzhen's, Shanghai, Fujian

☆ China's Chongqing to remove marriage requirement for maternity benefits
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreHONG KONG, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Chongqing, a sprawling municipality in southwest China, announced this week that insured residents no longer need to provide marriage certificates to get maternity benefits, the most recent move to encourage women to have children. China's fertility rate is estimated to have dropped to a record low of 1.09 in 2022, state media reported. China's fertility rate is already one of the world's lowest alongside South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Young Chinese women cite factors including high childcare costs, career hindrance, gender discrimination and not wanting to get married as key reasons for not having children. Low consumer confidence and growing concerns over the health of China's economy are also key factors cited by young Chinese for not wanting to get married and have children.

Persons: Farah Master, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: South, Singapore ., Thomson Locations: Xujiashan, Haitang, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province, China, HONG KONG, Chongqing, China's, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Hunan, Jiangsu, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Singapore . Young, Beijing

☆ Chinese county offers 'cash reward' for couples if bride is aged 25 or younger
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The notice, which was published on Changshan county's official Wechat account last week, said the reward was to promote "age-appropriate marriage and childbearing" for first marriages. It also included a series of childcare, fertility and education subsidies for couples who have children. China's legal age limit for marriage is 22 for males and 20 for females, but the number of couples getting married has been falling. That has driven down birth rates due to official policies which make it harder for single women to have children. ($1 = 7.2900 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: HONG KONG, Changshan, Farah Master, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, HONG

☆ China bill aims to make preschool more accessible amid flagging birth rate
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The draft Preschool Education Law includes measures to curb excessive profit-seeking by preschool providers, the state-backed China news service reported. Children applying for preschool places should not be subject "to any form of examination or testing except for necessary physical examinations," the official Xinhua news agency reported. The draft law comes as China's fertility rate is estimated to have dropped to a record low of 1.09 in 2022, one of the world's lowest alongside South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Concerned about its rapidly ageing population, Beijing is urgently trying an array of measures to lift the birth rate, including financial incentives and improved childcare facilities. The draft preschool law will now be reviewed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

Persons: Huai Jinpeng, Farah Master, Conor Humphries Organizations: Xinhua, of, South, National, Thomson Locations: Xujiashan, Haitang, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province, China, HONG KONG, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing

☆ China online platforms scrap lucky draw features amid gambling crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Analysts say online content platforms pulled the plug on features such as virtual lucky draws after the government in June started cracking down on live streaming, as part of a wider clampdown on online gambling. While the platforms say they ban gambling, analysts say the extremely popular lucky draws are often manipulated by live streamers colluding with viewers to share the prize. None of these companies mentioned the gambling crackdown when they reported their earnings, and they did not respond to request for further comment. However, the co-founder of a popular live streaming platform in Guangzhou, who declined to be named citing the sensitivity of the topic, told Reuters that several popular live streaming and live chat apps had to suspend services after police probes. Online gambling remains a concern, with the authorities saying in 2020 that the cross-border flow of funds for gambling posed a national security risk.

Persons: Florence Lo, HONG KONG, Analysys, Ivan Su, Huya, Charlie Chai, Tencent, Chai, Josh Ye, Farah, Brenda Goh Organizations: Entertainment, QQ, REUTERS, Tencent, HK, Morningstar, Cloud, NetEase, Reuters, Thomson Locations: HONG, Guangzhou, Beijing

☆ Fukushima wastewater released into the ocean, China bans all Japanese seafood
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Sakura Murakami | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Sales to China and Hong Kong accounted for 42% of all Japanese aquatic exports in 2022, according to government data. Separately from China, Hong Kong and Macau have announced their own ban starting Thursday, which covers Japanese seafood imports from 10 regions. Japan will conduct monitoring around the water release area and publish results weekly starting on Sunday, Japan's environment minister said. PROTESTSIn Hong Kong, Jacay Shum, a 73-year-old activist, held up a picture portraying IAEA head Rafael Grossi as the devil. "The Fukushima nuclear disaster is not over.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Geraldine Thomas, Han Duck, Jacay Shum, Rafael Grossi, Shum, Iizuka, Sakura Murakami, Chang, Ran Kim, Kantaro Komiya, Irene Wang, Bernard Orr, Farah Master, Joyce Zhou, Hongji Kim, Soo, hyang Choi, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: IAEA, Tokyo Electric Power, International Atomic Energy Agency, Japan, Hong, REUTERS, Minwoo, World Health Organization, London's Imperial, Japan Fisheries Co, Korean, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, Japan, TOKYO, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Fukushima, Busan, South Korea, China , Hong Kong, Macau, Seoul, South, Beijing, Lincoln

☆ Japanese restaurant owners in Hong Kong brace for Fukushima seafood ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Japanese restaurant owners in Hong Kong are grappling with a looming ban on seafood imports from 10 Japanese prefectures because of Tokyo's plan to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima plant into the sea from Aug. 24. Hong Kong is Japan's second largest market, after mainland China, for agricultural and fisheries exports. Although the details of Hong Kong's ban remains unclear, Halry Yu, 42, owner of Japanese restaurant Hassun, said more than 90% of seafood sent to Hong Kong is gathered in Tokyo. “If they ban imports that come via Tokyo, I think all sushi restaurants in Hong Kong will be in trouble. Advertising executive Hilda Lee, 30, said she enjoys eating Japanese seafood, and dines at Japanese restaurants two to three times each month.

Persons: Hong, Halry Yu, ” Yu, barbecued, Yu, Hong Kong, Hilda Lee, dines, Lee, Jim Smith, there's, Smith, Dino Leung, Leung, Edmond Ng, Joyce Zhou, Farah, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Japan, Hong, University of Portsmouth, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano, Saitama, Wan Chai

☆ China's fertility rate drops to record low 1.09 in 2022- state media
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Aug 15 (Reuters) - China's fertility rate is estimated to have dropped to a record low of 1.09 in 2022, the National Business Daily said on Tuesday, a figure likely to rattle authorities as they try to boost the country's declining number of new births. The state-backed Daily said the figure from China's Population and Development Research Center put it as having the lowest fertility level among countries with a population of more than 100 million. China's fertility rate is already one of the world's lowest alongside South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. High childcare costs and having to stop their careers have put many women off having more children or any at all. Gender discrimination and traditional stereotypes of women caring for their children are still widespread throughout the country.

Persons: National Business Daily, Xi Jinping, Farah Master, Angus MacSwan Organizations: National Business, Daily, Development Research Center, South, Authorities, Planning, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, China, Hong

☆ Changan Ford Motor to set up electric car JV with Chongqing Changan Auto
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Workers assemble vehicles at a plant of Changan Ford, a joint venture between Changan Automobile and Ford Motor Company, in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China February 22, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer/File PhotoBEIJING, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Changan Ford Motor plans to set up a new-energy passenger car joint venture with state-owned Chongqing Changan Automobile (000625.SZ), according to a document published by China's market regulator on Friday. Changan Ford Motor will own a 60% stake and Chongqing Changan Automobile will have the remaining 40% stake. In the future, the joint venture plans to engage in the "supply business of mainstream brand new energy passenger vehicles and the distribution business of Ford brand models that Changan Ford has invested in," the statement said. Officials at Ford and Changan could not immediately be reached for further comment.

Persons: Changan Ford, Stringer, Ford, Tesla, Farah Master, Twinnie Siu, Zhang Yan, Ben Klayman, Louise Heavens, Susan Fenton Organizations: Changan Automobile, Ford Motor Company, REUTERS, Ford Motor, Chongqing Changan Automobile, Ford, China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Thomson Locations: Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, BEIJING, Chongqing, Changan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Detroit

☆ China tells Russia it will uphold 'impartial' position on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS/File PhotoBEIJING, Aug 7 (Reuters) - China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in a phone conversation on Monday that China would uphold an independent and impartial position on Ukraine as it strives to find a political settlement to the issue. The statement came after the ministry said earlier on Monday that international talks in Saudi Arabia at the weekend on finding a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine crisis had helped "to consolidate international consensus". More than 40 countries, including China, India, the United States and European countries, but not Russia, took part in the Jeddah talks that ended on Sunday. Beijing has refused to condemn Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine it launched in February 2022. It has offered its own peace plan, which received a lukewarm response in both Russia and Ukraine, while the United States and NATO were sceptical.

Persons: Sergei Lavrov, Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi, Wang Yi, Lavrov, Li Hui, Farah Master, Andrew Cawthorne, Alex Richardson Organizations: Russia's, Central Foreign Affairs Commission, ASEAN Foreign, Russian Foreign Ministry, REUTERS, China's, Eurasian Affairs, NATO, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, BEIJING, China, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, India, United States, Russia, Jeddah, Beijing, Moscow

☆ Hong Kong plans widespread ban of Japanese sea products
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, July 11 (Reuters) - Hong Kong leader John Lee on Tuesday said the city will ban seafood products from a large number of Japanese prefectures if Tokyo goes ahead with a plan to discharge treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima plant into the ocean. Hong Kong is Japan's second-largest market for agricultural and fisheries exports. Hong Kong's current ban on shipments from one prefecture would "definitely" be expanded, said Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, at a media briefing. In 2022, Japan exported 75.5 billion yen ($536 million) in fishery products to Hong Kong, according to Japanese government statistics. ($1 = 140.8500 yen)Reporting by Farah Master, Jessie Pang and Twinnie Siu in Hong Kong, and Kantaro Komiya in Tokyo; Editing by Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: John Lee, Lee, we'll, Hong, Farah Master, Jessie Pang, Twinnie Siu, Kantaro, Tom Hogue Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Hong, Administrative, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Kong, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Mainland China, China, Japan, South Korea, Fukushima

[1/2] US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a lunch meeting with women economists in Beijing, on July 8, 2023. Pedro Pardo/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoHONG KONG, July 10 (Reuters) - A group of Chinese female economists who met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen over the weekend have been lambasted on Chinese social media by some netizens who accused them of treason for meeting her and being "radical feminists". Yellen, a trailblazer in the field of economics, had lunch with six female economists in Beijing on Saturday, an effort to spotlight gender diversity following meetings with China's largely male government leaders. Some users called Yellen an "obviously dangerous person" asking why she was allowed to be officiated as a public guest in the country, while others called out the female economists as being pro-American. "Look at the bunch, the anti-espionage law might come in handy," wrote a user called Shan3847, while another user wrote "Everyone around the table should be caught, no one is innocent.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Pedro Pardo, China's, Hao Jingfang, Yellen, Hao, Xi, Communist Party's, Devika Organizations: U.S, Treasury, American, U.S . Federal Reserve, Communist, Thomson Locations: Beijing, HONG KONG, China, U.S, United States

HONG KONG, June 27 (Reuters) - A series of brutal attacks in Hong Kong is shining a light on mental health in a city that has suffered from particularly acute strains while lacking sufficient resources to provide proper care for all who need it, mental health groups say. A city government spokesman, asked about the state of mental health, referred Reuters to a meeting the administration organised this month aimed at exploring more ways to address mental health problems and support people who suffer from severe mental disorders. Mental health experts point to the COVID-19 pandemic as a major factor in the increase in mental health issues, as it has been in many places. 'EXHAUSTION'Judy Blaine, a researcher and consultant on mental wellbeing, says it is the compounding of stresses that takes a toll on Hong Kong's people. Carol Liang, deputy CEO of the group Mind Hong Kong, said waiting times for cases deemed non-urgent can be as long as 90 weeks in the Hospital Authority system.

Persons: Abby Choi, Judy Blaine, Hong, Blaine, Carol Liang, Hong Kong, Farah Master, Anne Marie Roantree, Robert Birsel Organizations: Hong Kong Foundation, Organization, Reuters, Hospital Authority, Organisation for Economic Cooperation, Development, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, Hong

☆ Eleven injured in Hong Kong in Cathay Pacific flight incident
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, June 24 (Reuters) - Eleven people were injured on Cathay Pacific's (0293.HK) flight CX880 at Hong Kong's international airport early on Saturday after the carrier aborted its take off due to a technical issue, Cathay said in a statement. The flight, from Hong to Los Angeles, was carrying 17 crew and 293 passengers. It performed "an aborted take off in accordance with standard procedures after a technical issue was detected by the crew." "We understand that 11 passengers are being treated at the hospital with injuries sustained during the evacuation process. Our priority is to look after all affected passengers and crew."

Persons: Farah Master, Sandra Maler Organizations: Cathay, HK, Hong, RTHK, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong, Los Angeles

☆ Hong Kong's international dragon boat races return after 4-year hiatus
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] Participants splash water during a ceremony in between races during Tung Ng or Dragon Boat Festival at Aberdeen fishing port in Hong Kong, China June 22, 2023. The two-day event, organised by Hong Kong's tourism board and the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, drew more than 4,000 paddlers from 160 teams including from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and internationally, its tourism body said. Can't think of a better way to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival than with my team and the rest of Hong Kong and Asia," said Shirleen Ho, 41, a member of the Australian National Dragon boat team. While dragon boat originated in China's southern Lingnan region more than 1,000 years, the modern version began in Hong Kong, a special Chinese administrative region, around 40 years ago. The competition is one of many events the Hong Kong government is holding to boost tourism and reinvigorate its economy after sealing its borders for more than two years.

Persons: Tung Ng, Tyrone Siu, Shirleen Ho, Joyce Zhou, Farah Master, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: REUTERS, Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, Australian National, Hong, Thomson Locations: Aberdeen, Hong Kong, China, Tyrone Siu HONG KONG, Hong, Hong Kong China, Taiwan, Asia, China's, Lingnan, Victoria, British

☆ Hong Kong court charges four with criminal damage after BYD offices vandalised
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, June 19 (Reuters) - A Hong Kong court on Monday charged four men with criminal damage to property at showrooms and a service centre of Chinese automaker BYD Co Ltd after they were vandalised last week in the financial hub. The men arrested were all of Chinese nationality and aged between 29-48 years, according to charge-sheets released by the court. None of them made any pleas in the court on Monday. All will be kept in the custody of the correctional services department until the next hearing on July 17. Police said last week that there was no evidence that the men had deliberately targeted the mainland auto brand and that an investigation was ongoing.

Persons: JC Motor, Jessie Pang, Farah Master, Muralikumar Organizations: Hong, BYD, Reuters, Police, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Wan Chai, Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Tin Shui, New Territories

New rules imposed in February force infant formula makers to invest heavily to re-make, test, certify and re-register their products for China, before potentially conducting new marketing campaigns. “The new standard requires higher product quality as well as stronger manufacturing techniques which are expected to eliminate many small-to-medium-size players,” said Quinn Mai, analyst at Euromonitor International, which estimates China’s infant formula market will fall 12.5% to $21 billion by 2025 due to shrinking demand. China's National Health Commission (NHC) cited infant safety when announcing the latest rules. Celia Ning, director at the nutrition research institute of formula maker Junlebao, said the registration process could "easily" take a year. Another, Fonterra (FCG.NZ), said it was progressing through the re-registration process but that infant formula made up a relatively small part of its China business, with declining birth rates and regulation driving industry consolidation.

Persons: ”, Quinn Mai, Jane Li, Li, Celia Ning, Junlebao, Ning, SAMR, Nestle, Marius Zaharia Organizations: Euromonitor, Health Commission, NHC, State Administration, Market, “, Unicef, Companies, Abbott Laboratories, Reuters, New Zealand's Ministry, Primary Industries, Milk, Global, Nestle, Danone, HK, “ Companies, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Auckland, “ Beijing, India, U.S, Hong Kong, Beijing, Lincoln

☆ Cathay Pacific to hire cabin attendants from mainland China from July
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, June 19 (Reuters) - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (0293.HK) said on Monday it would in July launch initiatives to improve Mandarin language and cultural understanding, including hiring cabin staff from mainland China, after three crew were fired over discrimination. The move came weeks after Cathay Pacific fired three flight attendants following passenger accusations of bias against non-English speakers, prompting criticism on Chinese state media. The discrimination incident in May went viral on mainland Chinese social media platforms and prompted a torrent of criticism by Chinese state media and Hong Kong government officials, including leader John Lee. At the time, a passenger on a flight from the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu to Hong Kong wrote in an online post that flight attendants complained among themselves about passengers in English and Cantonese. They said the flight attendants made fun of others for asking for a carpet instead of a blanket in English.

Persons: Ronald Lam, John Lee, Twinnie Siu, Farah, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, HK, Reuters, Cathay, Cathay Pacific, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Hong Kong, Chengdu

HONG KONG, June 16 (Reuters) - China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong said resolutions passed by the European Parliament on Thursday related to the Chinese controlled territory were a "despicable act" and "trampled" on the principles of international law. The European Parliament's resolution titled "The deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, notably the case of Jimmy Lai" urged Hong Kong's government to release and drop charges against the pro-democracy tycoon and other activists. It also called for the European Council to introduce "targeted sanctions" against city leader John Lee and other officials "responsible for the ongoing crackdown on human rights in Hong Kong". Government officials in Beijing and Hong Kong say that the law only targets a small number of "troublemakers" who threaten national security and that the rights and freedoms of ordinary Hong Kong people are protected. Lai, who is in prison, is facing four charges under the security law and a colonial era sedition law.

Persons: Jimmy Lai, Hong, John Lee, Lee, Lai, Lai's, Sebastien, Farah Master, Jessie Pang, Anne Marie Roantree, Gerry Doyle Organizations: China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Council, United, Government, National Security Law, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, United States, Beijing, China

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