〈The Standard, April 12, 2025〉China hiked its levies on imports of U.S. goods to 125% on Friday, hitting back at Donald Trump's decision to single out the world's No.2 economy for higher duties, while dismissing the U.S. president's tariff strategy as "a joke."
Investors had been waiting to see how Beijing would respond to Trump's move on Wednesday to effectively raise tariffs on Chinese goods to 145% while announcing a 90-day pause on duties on dozens of other countries' goods. The yuan slipped to levels last seen during the global financial crisis on Thursday but rebounded slightly on Friday.
〈Hong Kong business, April 10, 2025〉Property companies in Hong Kong should consider converting more commercial buildings into student housing, apart from halting commercial land sales, to address the city’s office slump, property analysts said.
“These measures will help office absorption, while offering more housing options in the market, stabilize rents, and effectively address the challenges associated with the shortage of student beds,” Rosanna Tang, executive director and head of research at Cushman & Wakefield Hong Kong, told Hong Kong Business.
〈Hong Kong Business, April 10, 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.
〈Asian Post, April 9, 2025〉Chinese easing of visa restrictions for Shenzhen residents visitingHong Kong is boosting retail demand in the city, with some businesses already reporting double-digit sales growth.
“The resumption of multiple-entry visas for Shenzhen residents has breathed new life into Hong Kong's dining and retail sectors, particularly following a period of subdued activity,” Javier Calvar, group service line head at Ipsos Hong Kong, told Retail Asia.
The policy, which took effect on 1 December 2024, and other measures such as higher duty-free allowance for mainland visitors are boosting tourism, he said in an emailed reply to questions.
〈RTHK News, April 8, 2025〉Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn on Saturday said one or two sizeable land parcels from the Northern Metropolis are expected to be put up for tender in the second half of this year.
The government has received 22 submissions indicating their interest to develop the three pilot areas of large-scale land disposal located in Hung Shui Kiu Ha Tsuen, Fanling North, and San Tin Technopole.
Speaking on a radio programme, Linn said the submissions were made by property developers, contractors, conglomerates and logistic companies. She said 60 percent were local companies, and the others were from the mainland.
