〈The Standard, April 5, 2025〉The US trade deficit narrowed in February, but the level of imports remained elevated after businesses front-loaded goods to avoid higher prices from tariffs, keeping trade on track to be a drag on economic growth in the first quarter.
The trade gap contracted 6.1 percent to US$122.7 billion (HK$957.06 billion) from a revised record US$130.7 billion in January, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis said on Thursday.
〈Hong Kong Business, April 4, 2025〉Ten Hong Kong firms have been ranked amongst the world's 500 largest family businesses , according to the 2025 EY and University of St. Gallen Global 500 Family Business Index.
The highest-ranked Hong Kong company is Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd., placing 43rd with revenue of $280.47b (US$36.05b) and 443,000 employees. It is followed by WH Group Ltd. at 64th with revenue of $204.21b (US$26.24b) and 101,000 employees.
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group ranks 142nd, with revenue of $108.44b (US$13.90b) and 28,000 employees, followed by Swire Pacific Ltd. at 162nd with revenue of $94.29b (US$12.11b) and a workforce of 54,000. CLP Holdings Ltd. follows at 176th with revenue of $86.52b (US$11.13b) and 8,000 employees.
〈Asian Post, April 3, 2025〉Property sales jumped by 54.7% month-on-month (MoM) to 6,661 transactions in March, the Land Registry reported.
The total consideration also increased 61.4% MoM to $45.6b.
Of the transactions, 3,626 were for residential units, growing 13.3% MoM, with a total consideration of $38.8b, up 68.6% MoM.
“Following the seasonal adjustments..., transaction volume has rebounded from its previous low over the past three months. The government’s initiative to reduce stamp duty to $100 for properties valued up to $4m is beginning to stimulate demand,” Eddie Kwok, executive director for Valuation & Advisory Services at CBRE Hong Kong, said.
〈Honv Kong Business, April 2, 2025〉The government has announced its 2025-26 Land Sale Programme, featuring eight residential sites capable of yielding around 4,450 flats.
Development Secretary Bernadette Linn said total private housing land supply for the year, including government land sales, MTR projects, Urban Renewal Authority developments, and private redevelopments, is expected to reach 13,700 flats—meeting the government’s target of 13,200 flats set in its Long Term Housing Strategy Annual Progress Report 2024.
No commercial sites are included due to high office vacancy rates and sufficient supply in the coming years.
〈RTHK News, April 1, 2025〉Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Beijing on Thursday, vowing to deepen cooperation and strategic coordination.
“China is willing to work with France to enhance dialogue across all domains and levels, transcend differences, and deepen cooperation,” Wang said, adding that both countries should “assume the responsibility of major nations” and support each other’s multilateral initiatives.
Barrot praised the “pragmatic cooperation” between France and China, emphasizing that amid rising global uncertainty and protectionism, “France-China relations are even more important.”
