Bali’s tourism woes, Chinese scientists’ bamboo innovation: SCMP’s 7 highlights
中国在科技和环保领域持续发力，吸引海外人才回国。 地球物理学家牛凤林在美工作二十余年后，已回国加入中国科学技术大学地球和空间科学学院。此外，中国科学家正研发更坚固耐用的竹基材料，用于大型基础设施建设，巩固中国在环保产业的领先地位。
与此同时，中国政府也释放出支持民营企业的信号。 习近平主席周一主持召开了与中国顶级企业家的会议，这是自2018年以来首次举行的此类会议，表明北京明确支持私营部门，尤其是科技行业的发展。
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中国在科技和环保领域持续发力，吸引海外人才回国。 地球物理学家牛凤林在美工作二十余年后，已回国加入中国科学技术大学地球和空间科学学院。此外，中国科学家正研发更坚固耐用的竹基材料，用于大型基础设施建设，巩固中国在环保产业的领先地位。
与此同时，中国政府也释放出支持民营企业的信号。 习近平主席周一主持召开了与中国顶级企业家的会议，这是自2018年以来首次举行的此类会议，表明北京明确支持私营部门，尤其是科技行业的发展。
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China’s Mixue aims for US$444 million in Hong Kong IPO
中国最大的现制饮品公司蜜雪冰城计划通过香港首次公开募股（IPO）筹集34.5亿港元（4.44亿美元），以在日益激烈的竞争中扩大业务。该公司计划以每股202.50港元的价格出售1710万股股票，预计股票将于3月3日开始交易。
蜜雪冰城在中国大陆和东南亚、澳大利亚、日本和韩国等11个海外市场拥有超过45000家门店。该公司以其物超所值的鲜制水果和茶饮料、冰淇淋和咖啡而闻名，售价约为1美元。创始人兼董事长张红超1997年从河南郑州的一台自制刨冰机起家。2018年，该公司推出了雪王作为其公司标志和品牌大使。此次IPO募集的资金将用于生产设施、品牌和营销推广、营运资金和一般公司用途。去年前九个月，公司利润同比增长45.2%至35亿元人民币（4.83亿美元），期间售出约71亿杯饮品。
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中国最大的现制饮品公司蜜雪冰城计划通过香港首次公开募股（IPO）筹集34.5亿港元（4.44亿美元），以在日益激烈的竞争中扩大业务。该公司计划以每股202.50港元的价格出售1710万股股票，预计股票将于3月3日开始交易。
蜜雪冰城在中国大陆和东南亚、澳大利亚、日本和韩国等11个海外市场拥有超过45000家门店。该公司以其物超所值的鲜制水果和茶饮料、冰淇淋和咖啡而闻名，售价约为1美元。创始人兼董事长张红超1997年从河南郑州的一台自制刨冰机起家。2018年，该公司推出了雪王作为其公司标志和品牌大使。此次IPO募集的资金将用于生产设施、品牌和营销推广、营运资金和一般公司用途。去年前九个月，公司利润同比增长45.2%至35亿元人民币（4.83亿美元），期间售出约71亿杯饮品。
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5 Chinese bosses among 450 arrested in Philippine scam farm raid
菲律宾警方在马尼拉突袭了一家据称由中国人经营的离岸博彩运营商，逮捕了超过450人。初步审讯表明，该郊区地点一直作为一个诈骗中心运作，针对中国和印度的受害者，进行体育博彩和投资计划诈骗。
此次突袭行动逮捕了约5名中国籍负责人，他们可能面临人口贩运指控。菲律宾线上博彩运营商（POGO）已被总统小马科斯于去年禁止，但据称一些有组织犯罪集团利用它们作为掩护，从事人口贩运、洗钱、网络诈骗、绑架甚至谋杀等犯罪活动。此次突袭表明，之前的POGO从业者仍在试图继续他们的诈骗活动，尽管已被禁止。据称，自线上博彩禁令颁布以来，约有21,000名中国公民仍在菲律宾境内运营小规模的诈骗活动。
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菲律宾警方在马尼拉突袭了一家据称由中国人经营的离岸博彩运营商，逮捕了超过450人。初步审讯表明，该郊区地点一直作为一个诈骗中心运作，针对中国和印度的受害者，进行体育博彩和投资计划诈骗。
此次突袭行动逮捕了约5名中国籍负责人，他们可能面临人口贩运指控。菲律宾线上博彩运营商（POGO）已被总统小马科斯于去年禁止，但据称一些有组织犯罪集团利用它们作为掩护，从事人口贩运、洗钱、网络诈骗、绑架甚至谋杀等犯罪活动。此次突袭表明，之前的POGO从业者仍在试图继续他们的诈骗活动，尽管已被禁止。据称，自线上博彩禁令颁布以来，约有21,000名中国公民仍在菲律宾境内运营小规模的诈骗活动。
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8,500 tickets for opening ceremony of Hong Kong’s new sports park gone in 30 minutes
所有8,500张香港启德体育园开幕典礼的门票在开售后仅30分钟内售罄。由于演出阵容强大，包括甄子丹、容祖儿、李幸倪等众多明星，以及奥运冠军和体育传奇人物，门票需求异常火爆。
在线售票平台显示，超过2万名市民参与了抢票，许多人需要排队等待长达两小时。尽管体育场共有5万个座位，但此次仅发售33,600张门票，其中以每张10港元的价格发售的8,500张门票在短时间内被抢购一空，可见市民对这一盛事的期待程度之高。
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所有8,500张香港启德体育园开幕典礼的门票在开售后仅30分钟内售罄。由于演出阵容强大，包括甄子丹、容祖儿、李幸倪等众多明星，以及奥运冠军和体育传奇人物，门票需求异常火爆。
在线售票平台显示，超过2万名市民参与了抢票，许多人需要排队等待长达两小时。尽管体育场共有5万个座位，但此次仅发售33,600张门票，其中以每张10港元的价格发售的8,500张门票在短时间内被抢购一空，可见市民对这一盛事的期待程度之高。
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Body handed over by Hamas in Gaza was not that of hostage, Israel says
以色列军方表示，哈马斯在停火协议中归还的一具遗体并非去年10月被绑架的年轻母亲Shiri Bibas，与该组织之前的声明不符。此前，哈马斯声称归还的是Shiri Bibas的遗体，她与两个儿子一同被绑架，其中小儿子Kfir年仅9个月，是人质中年龄最小的。Shiri Bibas的丈夫Yarden Bibas也曾被扣为人质，后于2月1日获释。
以色列国防军在一份声明中表示，归还的遗体中确认包含Shiri的两个儿子Ariel和Kfir的遗骸。声明还指出，经过鉴定，另一具遗体并非Shiri Bibas，也与任何其他人质不符，目前身份不明。根据情报和法医调查结果，Ariel和Kfir Bibas于2023年11月在被囚禁期间被恐怖分子残忍杀害。Bibas一家，以及83岁时被绑架的Oded Lifshitz，均来自加沙附近的一个小型农业集体社区，该社区在袭击中损失了四分之一的居民，而此次袭击也引发了与哈马斯的战争。声明中没有提及Lifshitz的遗骸。
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以色列军方表示，哈马斯在停火协议中归还的一具遗体并非去年10月被绑架的年轻母亲Shiri Bibas，与该组织之前的声明不符。此前，哈马斯声称归还的是Shiri Bibas的遗体，她与两个儿子一同被绑架，其中小儿子Kfir年仅9个月，是人质中年龄最小的。Shiri Bibas的丈夫Yarden Bibas也曾被扣为人质，后于2月1日获释。
以色列国防军在一份声明中表示，归还的遗体中确认包含Shiri的两个儿子Ariel和Kfir的遗骸。声明还指出，经过鉴定，另一具遗体并非Shiri Bibas，也与任何其他人质不符，目前身份不明。根据情报和法医调查结果，Ariel和Kfir Bibas于2023年11月在被囚禁期间被恐怖分子残忍杀害。Bibas一家，以及83岁时被绑架的Oded Lifshitz，均来自加沙附近的一个小型农业集体社区，该社区在袭击中损失了四分之一的居民，而此次袭击也引发了与哈马斯的战争。声明中没有提及Lifshitz的遗骸。
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Singapore jails Vietnamese woman who live-streamed sex acts in public
By CNA
A woman who live-streamed sex acts from a void deck in Singapore’s Boon Lay neighbourhood for around two hours had her husband keep a lookout for her.
Both were spotted by members of the public, who called the police on them.
A void deck is an open space located on the ground floor of public housing flats in the city state.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan, 31, and her husband Adrian Ching Kah Siang, 36, were each sentenced to three weeks’ jail on Thursday.
Nguyen, a Vietnamese national, pleaded guilty to one count of performing an obscene act in public, while Ching, a Singaporean, pleaded guilty to abetting her.
They each had one charge, related to Nguyen appearing nude in public, taken into consideration for sentencing.
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By CNA
A woman who live-streamed sex acts from a void deck in Singapore’s Boon Lay neighbourhood for around two hours had her husband keep a lookout for her.
Both were spotted by members of the public, who called the police on them.
A void deck is an open space located on the ground floor of public housing flats in the city state.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan, 31, and her husband Adrian Ching Kah Siang, 36, were each sentenced to three weeks’ jail on Thursday.
Nguyen, a Vietnamese national, pleaded guilty to one count of performing an obscene act in public, while Ching, a Singaporean, pleaded guilty to abetting her.
They each had one charge, related to Nguyen appearing nude in public, taken into consideration for sentencing.
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Budget 2025: is raising taxes the answer to Hong Kong’s ‘structural deficit’?
By Emily Hung
Hong Kong’s ballooning deficit has prompted authorities to pledge spending cuts and other measures in the coming budget to bring down expenditures and help balance the books.
The city’s deficit has reached record levels in recent years, ranking highly among developed economies.
The budgetary shortfall for the 2024-25 financial year is expected to reach nearly HK$100 billion (US$12.8 billion), more than twice of the HK$48 billion previously projected.
As finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po prepares for his budget speech on February 26, the Post breaks down whether Hong Kong is facing a “structural deficit” and whether taxing top earners can help get the city out of the red.
A structural deficit is defined as a persistent shortfall in a government’s budget, regardless of how well the economy is performing.
It is caused by an underlying imbalance between a government’s revenue and expenditure. The result is often based on investments in areas such as social welfare, other public services and infrastructure development.
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By Emily Hung
Hong Kong’s ballooning deficit has prompted authorities to pledge spending cuts and other measures in the coming budget to bring down expenditures and help balance the books.
The city’s deficit has reached record levels in recent years, ranking highly among developed economies.
The budgetary shortfall for the 2024-25 financial year is expected to reach nearly HK$100 billion (US$12.8 billion), more than twice of the HK$48 billion previously projected.
As finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po prepares for his budget speech on February 26, the Post breaks down whether Hong Kong is facing a “structural deficit” and whether taxing top earners can help get the city out of the red.
A structural deficit is defined as a persistent shortfall in a government’s budget, regardless of how well the economy is performing.
It is caused by an underlying imbalance between a government’s revenue and expenditure. The result is often based on investments in areas such as social welfare, other public services and infrastructure development.
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Alibaba Cloud AI model Animate Anyone 2 simplifies making of lifelike character animation
Alibaba Cloud has unveiled Animate Anyone 2, an updated AI model that simplifies the animation of lifelike characters using a static image and a video cue. This new model represents advancements in generative AI, allowing for high-fidelity character animation by processing both motion and environmental signals from reference videos.
Unlike previous methods relying solely on motion signals, Animate Anyone 2 extracts environmental information from source videos, enabling seamless integration of the animated character into its environment. This development highlights the progress of Chinese developers in generative AI, despite restrictions on access to advanced semiconductors. The model builds upon the first iteration of Animate Anyone, released in late 2023, and follows OpenAI's Sora, sparking a race among Chinese tech companies to develop similar text-to-video technologies.
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Alibaba Cloud has unveiled Animate Anyone 2, an updated AI model that simplifies the animation of lifelike characters using a static image and a video cue. This new model represents advancements in generative AI, allowing for high-fidelity character animation by processing both motion and environmental signals from reference videos.
Unlike previous methods relying solely on motion signals, Animate Anyone 2 extracts environmental information from source videos, enabling seamless integration of the animated character into its environment. This development highlights the progress of Chinese developers in generative AI, despite restrictions on access to advanced semiconductors. The model builds upon the first iteration of Animate Anyone, released in late 2023, and follows OpenAI's Sora, sparking a race among Chinese tech companies to develop similar text-to-video technologies.
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Driver of empty school bus dies in Hong Kong after crashing into fence
By Olga Wong
A driver of a Hong Kong school bus has died after losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a fence.
No pupils were injured in the incident in Ma On Shan on Friday morning as the bus was empty as it travelled in the direction of Wu Kai Sha on Kam Ying Road at around 6.45am, according to police.
The driver lost control of his vehicle near the police station in Ma On Shan and crashed into a fence next to the road. He was trapped and fell unconscious.
He was sent to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin and later died.
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By Olga Wong
A driver of a Hong Kong school bus has died after losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a fence.
No pupils were injured in the incident in Ma On Shan on Friday morning as the bus was empty as it travelled in the direction of Wu Kai Sha on Kam Ying Road at around 6.45am, according to police.
The driver lost control of his vehicle near the police station in Ma On Shan and crashed into a fence next to the road. He was trapped and fell unconscious.
He was sent to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin and later died.
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Shorter 35-hour work week ‘necessary’ for South Korea to boost low birth rate: study
By SCMP’s Asia desk
Shortening the work week to 35 hours is a “necessary step” if South Korea hopes to reverse its record-low birth rate, researchers have said, with a new study warning that excessive working hours are discouraging young couples from starting families.
The report, released on Tuesday by the Gyeonggi Research Institute (GRI), has blamed the country’s alarmingly low birth rate on a corporate culture that demands long work hours for career progression.
South Korea has the lowest recorded fertility rate of any country, with government data from 2023 showing the average number of expected babies for a South Korean woman during her reproductive life fell to 0.72 that year from 0.78 in 2022. A fertility rate of 2.1 is needed to maintain a population.
GRI researchers said the current legal limit of 52 hours of work per week – implemented in 2018 and consisting of 40 standard hours plus 12 hours of overtime – did not provide enough work-life balance to encourage family planning.
In a 2024 GRI poll of 1,000 workers aged 20 to 59, excessive hours were cited as the biggest barrier to balancing family responsibilities, with 26.1 per cent of men and 24.6 per cent of women listing it as their main obstacle.
Dual-income households in their 30s expressed the strongest desire for reduced hours, hoping to cut about 84 to 87 minutes from their working day on average.
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By SCMP’s Asia desk
Shortening the work week to 35 hours is a “necessary step” if South Korea hopes to reverse its record-low birth rate, researchers have said, with a new study warning that excessive working hours are discouraging young couples from starting families.
The report, released on Tuesday by the Gyeonggi Research Institute (GRI), has blamed the country’s alarmingly low birth rate on a corporate culture that demands long work hours for career progression.
South Korea has the lowest recorded fertility rate of any country, with government data from 2023 showing the average number of expected babies for a South Korean woman during her reproductive life fell to 0.72 that year from 0.78 in 2022. A fertility rate of 2.1 is needed to maintain a population.
GRI researchers said the current legal limit of 52 hours of work per week – implemented in 2018 and consisting of 40 standard hours plus 12 hours of overtime – did not provide enough work-life balance to encourage family planning.
In a 2024 GRI poll of 1,000 workers aged 20 to 59, excessive hours were cited as the biggest barrier to balancing family responsibilities, with 26.1 per cent of men and 24.6 per cent of women listing it as their main obstacle.
Dual-income households in their 30s expressed the strongest desire for reduced hours, hoping to cut about 84 to 87 minutes from their working day on average.
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Like the US, Hong Kong’s challenge is to balance progressive ideals
By Bernard Chan
The Trump administration has fulfilled a central campaign promise by issuing sweeping executive orders representing an unprecedented rollback on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the United States. These measures have dismantled DEI initiatives in the federal workforce and military while enforcing a federal policy that formally recognises only two genders.
The measures extend beyond the public sector. The administration is targeting private companies by threatening investigations and regulatory action against what it perceives as excessively aggressive or biased DEI practices. This has sent shock waves through corporate boardrooms and non-profit organisations, leaving many scrambling to navigate the uncertain and increasingly challenging landscape.
Even before Trump’s executive orders, major corporations like Boeing, Ford, McDonald’s and Meta, the parent company of Instagram and WhatsApp, had retreated from their DEI policies, mindful of the conservative backlash. While some companies remain resolute, navigating a polarised environment to uphold their commitments to diversity and inclusion, others fear legal consequences and reputational damage. Businesses have been put in a precarious position, caught between legal risks and the pressures of public opinion in an era of deep cultural division.
At its core, the controversy over DEI reflects a larger societal struggle. This is not merely a policy debate but a cultural clash over competing visions of identity, justice and progress. For some, resistance to DEI is seen as a rejection of perceived overreach and political correctness. For others, it signals a troubling rollback of hard-won progress towards equity and justice.
One particularly contentious example is the debate over transgender rights. Advocates view inclusion as a crucial step towards equity and recognising individuals’ rights. Critics, however, argue it risks compromising fairness and infringing on women’s rights.
This tension was further intensified after a recent executive order limiting transgender participation in women’s sports, presented as a means to safeguard fairness and maintain opportunities for female athletes. These polarising debates have often sparked a backlash and wider resistance to DEI initiatives, emphasising the intricate challenge of balancing inclusion with fairness.
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By Bernard Chan
The Trump administration has fulfilled a central campaign promise by issuing sweeping executive orders representing an unprecedented rollback on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the United States. These measures have dismantled DEI initiatives in the federal workforce and military while enforcing a federal policy that formally recognises only two genders.
The measures extend beyond the public sector. The administration is targeting private companies by threatening investigations and regulatory action against what it perceives as excessively aggressive or biased DEI practices. This has sent shock waves through corporate boardrooms and non-profit organisations, leaving many scrambling to navigate the uncertain and increasingly challenging landscape.
Even before Trump’s executive orders, major corporations like Boeing, Ford, McDonald’s and Meta, the parent company of Instagram and WhatsApp, had retreated from their DEI policies, mindful of the conservative backlash. While some companies remain resolute, navigating a polarised environment to uphold their commitments to diversity and inclusion, others fear legal consequences and reputational damage. Businesses have been put in a precarious position, caught between legal risks and the pressures of public opinion in an era of deep cultural division.
At its core, the controversy over DEI reflects a larger societal struggle. This is not merely a policy debate but a cultural clash over competing visions of identity, justice and progress. For some, resistance to DEI is seen as a rejection of perceived overreach and political correctness. For others, it signals a troubling rollback of hard-won progress towards equity and justice.
One particularly contentious example is the debate over transgender rights. Advocates view inclusion as a crucial step towards equity and recognising individuals’ rights. Critics, however, argue it risks compromising fairness and infringing on women’s rights.
This tension was further intensified after a recent executive order limiting transgender participation in women’s sports, presented as a means to safeguard fairness and maintain opportunities for female athletes. These polarising debates have often sparked a backlash and wider resistance to DEI initiatives, emphasising the intricate challenge of balancing inclusion with fairness.
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Chinese team finds new bat coronavirus that could infect humans via same route as Covid-19
A Chinese research team led by virologist Shi Zhengli has identified a new bat coronavirus with the potential for animal-to-human transmission. This virus, a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus, utilizes the same human receptor (ACE2) as the virus responsible for Covid-19, raising concerns about potential future outbreaks.
The discovery, made by researchers from the Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, adds to the understanding of coronaviruses circulating in bats. Shi Zhengli, known for her extensive research on bat coronaviruses, has been at the center of debates surrounding the origins of Covid-19 due to her work at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, though she has denied any lab leak was responsible for the pandemic.
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A Chinese research team led by virologist Shi Zhengli has identified a new bat coronavirus with the potential for animal-to-human transmission. This virus, a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus, utilizes the same human receptor (ACE2) as the virus responsible for Covid-19, raising concerns about potential future outbreaks.
The discovery, made by researchers from the Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, adds to the understanding of coronaviruses circulating in bats. Shi Zhengli, known for her extensive research on bat coronaviruses, has been at the center of debates surrounding the origins of Covid-19 due to her work at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, though she has denied any lab leak was responsible for the pandemic.
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China car accident acts as cupid for woman injured by driver whose hospital care led to love
一场因车祸结缘的爱情故事近日在中国社交媒体上引发热议。36岁的李先生和23岁的妻子于今年二月在湖南省喜结连理，他们的相识颇具戏剧性。
2023年12月，李先生因紧急情况超速驾驶，不慎撞到骑电动自行车的妻子。事故发生后，李先生立即下车查看，发现对方锁骨骨折。令人意外的是，这位女士在被撞倒在地的情况下，面对李先生的道歉，却轻描淡写地说“没事”。这段奇妙的相遇最终促成了一段姻缘。
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一场因车祸结缘的爱情故事近日在中国社交媒体上引发热议。36岁的李先生和23岁的妻子于今年二月在湖南省喜结连理，他们的相识颇具戏剧性。
2023年12月，李先生因紧急情况超速驾驶，不慎撞到骑电动自行车的妻子。事故发生后，李先生立即下车查看，发现对方锁骨骨折。令人意外的是，这位女士在被撞倒在地的情况下，面对李先生的道歉，却轻描淡写地说“没事”。这段奇妙的相遇最终促成了一段姻缘。
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Cut deficit, create bold budget moves – Paul Chan’s mission impossible?
Hong Kong's finance chief, Paul Chan Mo-po, is facing pressure to balance the budget, with Beijing urging bolder action and reforms. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, met with Chan and other ministers in Shenzhen, conveying a message to align with President Xi Jinping's directives for innovation and integration into national development strategies.
The meeting comes as Hong Kong grapples with a projected deficit of nearly HK$100 billion for the 2024-25 financial year, marking three consecutive years of operating losses. Chan has pledged to curb recurring expenses and prioritize public works, while Xia's directives are seen as an urgent call for the Hong Kong administration to implement innovative measures to address the deficit and promote long-term development.
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Hong Kong's finance chief, Paul Chan Mo-po, is facing pressure to balance the budget, with Beijing urging bolder action and reforms. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, met with Chan and other ministers in Shenzhen, conveying a message to align with President Xi Jinping's directives for innovation and integration into national development strategies.
The meeting comes as Hong Kong grapples with a projected deficit of nearly HK$100 billion for the 2024-25 financial year, marking three consecutive years of operating losses. Chan has pledged to curb recurring expenses and prioritize public works, while Xia's directives are seen as an urgent call for the Hong Kong administration to implement innovative measures to address the deficit and promote long-term development.
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Tesla faces boycott in Malaysia over Musk’s support for Trump’s Gaza plan
Tesla is facing growing boycott calls in Malaysia due to CEO Elon Musk's support for Donald Trump, particularly concerning Trump's controversial plan regarding Gaza. This plan has sparked outrage due to its potential to displace millions of Palestinians, leading to significant backlash against Tesla and its products.
The controversy intensified following the launch of Tesla's Model Y "Juniper," with some Malaysians branding it a "swasticar." This term originated after Musk's hand gestures during Trump's inauguration were perceived by many as resembling a Nazi salute. Despite Musk's denial and claims that the criticism is overblown, the issue has gained traction, even leading to activist actions in London where stickers with the message "Don't buy a swasticar" were placed on Teslas to raise funds for antifascist causes.
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Tesla is facing growing boycott calls in Malaysia due to CEO Elon Musk's support for Donald Trump, particularly concerning Trump's controversial plan regarding Gaza. This plan has sparked outrage due to its potential to displace millions of Palestinians, leading to significant backlash against Tesla and its products.
The controversy intensified following the launch of Tesla's Model Y "Juniper," with some Malaysians branding it a "swasticar." This term originated after Musk's hand gestures during Trump's inauguration were perceived by many as resembling a Nazi salute. Despite Musk's denial and claims that the criticism is overblown, the issue has gained traction, even leading to activist actions in London where stickers with the message "Don't buy a swasticar" were placed on Teslas to raise funds for antifascist causes.
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China’s central bank vows to enhance yuan amid looming risks from strong US dollar
中国央行承诺推进人民币跨境使用，并发展离岸人民币市场，以应对美元走强带来的稳定人民币汇率的紧迫任务。央行表示，将提升人民币在跨境支付、定价和投资融资中的功能，进一步便利贸易和投资。
央行还表示，将发展离岸人民币市场，利用货币互换协议和人民币清算银行，加速上海国际金融中心建设，巩固香港作为国际金融中心的地位。此举正值美元持续走强，对包括人民币在内的全球货币构成压力，同时美联储暂缓降息，美国总统特朗普威胁对新兴市场国家征收关税，以报复他们的去美元化努力。
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中国央行承诺推进人民币跨境使用，并发展离岸人民币市场，以应对美元走强带来的稳定人民币汇率的紧迫任务。央行表示，将提升人民币在跨境支付、定价和投资融资中的功能，进一步便利贸易和投资。
央行还表示，将发展离岸人民币市场，利用货币互换协议和人民币清算银行，加速上海国际金融中心建设，巩固香港作为国际金融中心的地位。此举正值美元持续走强，对包括人民币在内的全球货币构成压力，同时美联储暂缓降息，美国总统特朗普威胁对新兴市场国家征收关税，以报复他们的去美元化努力。
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US Treasury Secretary Bessent to hold first call with China counterpart on Friday
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will hold his first introductory call with his Chinese counterpart on Friday, reiterating the US call for China to rebalance its economy towards domestic consumption. Bessent emphasized the desire to "work together" and halt the flow of fentanyl precursor ingredients from China, a key concern highlighted by recent US tariffs on Chinese goods.
Bessent's call echoes previous dialogues led by Janet Yellen, who engaged with Vice-Premier He Lifeng. Bessent also stated that China needs to rebalance its economy in favor of consumption, as they are currently suppressing the consumer in favor of the business community. While Bessent was expected to meet with Chinese officials at the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Cape Town next week, he plans to skip the forum to focus on domestic priorities, and "the readout we’ve gotten" from China is that his counterpart will also not be attending.
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will hold his first introductory call with his Chinese counterpart on Friday, reiterating the US call for China to rebalance its economy towards domestic consumption. Bessent emphasized the desire to "work together" and halt the flow of fentanyl precursor ingredients from China, a key concern highlighted by recent US tariffs on Chinese goods.
Bessent's call echoes previous dialogues led by Janet Yellen, who engaged with Vice-Premier He Lifeng. Bessent also stated that China needs to rebalance its economy in favor of consumption, as they are currently suppressing the consumer in favor of the business community. While Bessent was expected to meet with Chinese officials at the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Cape Town next week, he plans to skip the forum to focus on domestic priorities, and "the readout we’ve gotten" from China is that his counterpart will also not be attending.
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Hong Kong homes lost US$61.7 billion of value after removal of curbs: Centaline
香港中原地产周四表示，自2024年2月以来，香港私人住宅物业市值已下跌4800亿港元（约合617亿美元），表明一年前取消房地产限制未能有效支撑房价。尽管政府采取了取消印花税等措施刺激市场，但房价依然承压。
香港财政司司长陈茂波去年取消了针对非永久居民的买家印花税和针对二次购房者的新住宅印花税，并取消了两年内出售房产需缴纳的额外印花税。这些措施在短期内刺激了交易量的上升，但未能阻止整体市场价值的下滑。随后政府又放宽了抵押贷款政策，并将房地产投资纳入新的资本投资者入境计划，交易量有所回升，但长期效果仍待观察。
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香港中原地产周四表示，自2024年2月以来，香港私人住宅物业市值已下跌4800亿港元（约合617亿美元），表明一年前取消房地产限制未能有效支撑房价。尽管政府采取了取消印花税等措施刺激市场，但房价依然承压。
香港财政司司长陈茂波去年取消了针对非永久居民的买家印花税和针对二次购房者的新住宅印花税，并取消了两年内出售房产需缴纳的额外印花税。这些措施在短期内刺激了交易量的上升，但未能阻止整体市场价值的下滑。随后政府又放宽了抵押贷款政策，并将房地产投资纳入新的资本投资者入境计划，交易量有所回升，但长期效果仍待观察。
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US should consider barring Chinese citizens from its national labs, Senate hears
US lawmakers and experts are urging stricter measures to prevent Chinese citizens from accessing American scientific research, including a potential ban from national laboratories. This call to action highlights growing concerns about intellectual property theft and national security risks associated with Chinese access to sensitive research and development.
Paul Dabbar, former Department of Energy undersecretary for science, specifically recommended a default ban on Chinese nationals at national labs, with waivers granted on a case-by-case basis. The Department of Energy oversees 17 national labs crucial for technological advancements in areas like nuclear weapons, clean energy, and artificial intelligence. This debate underscores the challenge of balancing the need to attract top talent with the imperative to safeguard American intellectual property and national security interests amid ongoing tensions with China.
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US lawmakers and experts are urging stricter measures to prevent Chinese citizens from accessing American scientific research, including a potential ban from national laboratories. This call to action highlights growing concerns about intellectual property theft and national security risks associated with Chinese access to sensitive research and development.
Paul Dabbar, former Department of Energy undersecretary for science, specifically recommended a default ban on Chinese nationals at national labs, with waivers granted on a case-by-case basis. The Department of Energy oversees 17 national labs crucial for technological advancements in areas like nuclear weapons, clean energy, and artificial intelligence. This debate underscores the challenge of balancing the need to attract top talent with the imperative to safeguard American intellectual property and national security interests amid ongoing tensions with China.
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