Red carpet vs empty tarmac: Xi’s US welcome fuels debate over Takaichi’s no-show reception

Updated declarations of interest by members of Hong Kong’s top decision-making body have revealed new business ventures and corporate board appointments for several former veteran lawmakers, while constitutional affairs chief Janice Tse Siu-wa remains the biggest landlord among ministers. The Executive Council’s annually updated declarations of interest were published on Thursday in accordance with regulations requiring all members, including senior politically appointed officials, to declare...

"I don’t agree with Stanford making those choices about how we were represented," said Billy Ramirez.

Slain Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi Tin-fung’s former husband and brother-in-law have pleaded guilty to illegally disposing of her dismembered body, but will still stand trial alongside their father on murder charges as prosecutors prepare to open their case on Monday. The pleas on the two charges were revealed on Thursday after the High Court empanelled a nine-member jury for the high-profile trial, which is expected to last about eight weeks. The seven men and two women will hear evidence and...

China’s next aircraft carrier could be longer than the US Navy’s largest warship, according to new satellite images that offer fresh clues about how far from home Beijing intends to operate its fleet – and the logistics it will need to do so. Captured on September 4, the images show that work has begun on the bulbous bow of the carrier under construction at Dalian Shipyard in northeastern China, defence intelligence company Janes reported last week. Measurements from the stern to the projected...

A small group of Chinese CEOs holding US visas has arrived in Washington after travelling separately from President Xi Jinping’s official entourage, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. But with the clock ticking and the business optics of the Chinese leader’s White House visit hanging on the final twists of diplomatic negotiations, the executives are still waiting to find out whether they will secure a seat at Thursday’s state dinner for Xi. “Beijing’s security protocol is...

From restaurants and hotels to cafes and market stalls, Hong Kong’s catering industry has banded together to offer discounts of up to 30 per cent at more than 3,800 outlets to celebrate National Day on October 1. Food and catering businesses said on Thursday they would provide an array of tasty deals across the city to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Offers include meal sets at 30 per cent off, fresh food items such as vegetable packs for HK$7 and...

It was showcased at the end of Meta Connect 2026, but no details about its pricing or release yet, apart from a holiday season release window.

Hong Kong will admit “only a few hundred” skilled foreign domestic carers for the elderly annually under a new pilot scheme, the welfare minister has said, promising a “rigorous” approach in response to concerns about possible disruptions to the existing helper market. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han also said on Thursday that those recruited under the scheme would need skills equivalent to those of health workers at Hong Kong’s care homes for the elderly. He added that...

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that U.S. and Chinese officials agreed to extend their trade truce by two months, after Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the U.S. for a summit with President Trump. “We have agreed today that we will extend … the détente, economic détente between the two countries that was scheduled...

A mechanical fault on a private jet triggered a precautionary “local standby” at Hong Kong’s airport on Thursday, with the aircraft later landing safely. The Gulfstream G650 reported a flap problem at around 5.21pm, with an estimated time of arrival of 5.53pm, prompting the Fire Services Department and other airport rescue units to deploy personnel to strategic positions along the runway in readiness for immediate assistance. An ambulance was also dispatched as part of the initial emergency...

We have put together stories from our coverage of Xi and Trump’s meeting in the US so far. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Big picture or big deals? What the Xi-Trump summit holds for China and the US With the balance of power shifting between the US and China, the success of this week’s summit hinges not on headline-grabbing deals, but on practical, cautious consensus under a new strategic stability framework, according to Chinese researchers. 2....