Yesterday
Why Britain’s new PM could hold the key to Jimmy Lai’s freedom
Keir Starmer cut his teeth as a barrister at the same firm as Australian human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, who is fighting for the release of Hong Kong mogul Jimmy Lai.
- Gus McCubbing and Hannah Wootton
This Month
- Analysis
- Shipping
Chinese exporters raise fears of Christmas freight crisis
Red Sea attacks have pushed up costs and put pressure on profits during a critical season for trade. There are also worries US tariff increases could add further to costs.
- Chan Ho-him, Joe Leahy and Oliver Telling
China’s home sales downturn slows after cities ease policy
The turn in the trajectory of new home sales may offer some relief for China’s economy, which is on track to undershoot the official growth target this year.
- Jeanny Yu and Tian Ying
Foreign students hit; Citi’s weightlifting fighter; $4.8m property tip
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
June
Why the super-rich family office boom is luring imposters
Wealthy clans in Singapore and Hong Kong are trying to weed out suspected fakes drawn to growing family offices and looking to “make a quick buck or hustle”.
- David Ramli, Lulu Yilun Chen and Claire Ballentine
Why Hong Kong ‘is still good’ for commercial lawyers
Australian lawyers are missing out on opportunities in Asian markets, says a newly promoted partner at King & Wood Mallesons.
- Maxim Shanahan
- Opinion
- Hong Kong protests
Diplomatic niceties ignore the human rights cost of doing business with China
The persecution of Jimmy Lai marks the death of the rule of law in Hong Kong, and is a red flag for those still seeking to get rich in China.
- Sebastien Lai
- Analysis
- Legal industry
Australian judges looking isolated on HK’s top court
Some Australian judges don’t share their British peers’ doubts about judicial independence in Hong Kong since the mainland’s tough national security laws.
- Updated
- Primrose Riordan
- Exclusive
- Hong Kong protests
Ex-Crosby Textor pollster ‘deeply uncomfortable’ with Hong Kong work
The think tank which commissioned the research was founded by city’s former chief executive who remained a part of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
- Kylar Loussikian
- Exclusive
- Hong Kong protests
Crosby Textor advised pro-Beijing HK officials
The Australian political consultancy provided advice used by pro-Beijing officials in Hong Kong ahead of the start of national security laws that dramatically curtailed free speech.
- Kylar Loussikian
May
Australian among 14 convicted in Hong Kong’s biggest security case
A Hong Kong court has found the pro-democracy activists guilty in a national security case that has effectively wiped out the city’s political opposition.
- Jessie Pang and James Pomfret
- Exclusive
- Investment banking
Grant Samuel recruits ex-Goldman Sachs banker for Hong Kong expansion
The investment bank’s chief executive, Damien Elias, believes Asia is ripe for disruption because the region houses fewer boutique advisory shops.
- Aaron Weinman
Key clients desert PwC China as big four rivals circle
The accounting firm is under a cloud over audits of the distressed property developer Evergrande, and it faces severe penalties.
- Cheng Leng and Chan Ho-him
PwC braces for China crisis and a hefty fine
PwC’s role in approving accounts for troubled property developer Evergrande has led to infighting at the big four firm as clients reconsider their relationship.
- Stephen Foley, Sun Yu and Cheng Leng
Australian investors snag Hong Kong bargains as share prices surge
Fund managers see opportunities, with Chinese authorities promising measures to stop a long-term outflow of money from one of Asia’s biggest sharemarkets.
- Jessica Sier
China unveils dramatic steps to rescue property market
China announced a slate of measures aimed at reinvigorating its ailing property industry and stabilising growth in the world’s second-largest economy.
- Updated
- Amanda Wang
Putin to meet ‘dear friend’ Xi in China, defying US
The Russian president is set to arrive in Beijing, underlining the key relationship as China faces growing US pressure to curtail support for the war in Ukraine.
- Greg Torode and Guy Faulconbridge
- Analysis
- Electric vehicles
This is how China’s car dealers are driving the EV revolution
Chinese car dealers are ditching foreign brands slow to respond to the EV transition, while turning to homegrown makers that have been gobbling up market share.
- Gloria Li
- Analysis
- Property development
Why the Chinese are warming to ‘second-hand’ homes
With tens of thousands of new developments yet to be completed, house hunters are looking again at older buildings. End buyers don’t trust developers any more.
- Thomas Hale, Wang Xueqiao, Andy Lin and Chan Ho-him
April
China’s bubble tea brands look to create a stir overseas
Best known for the 1980s Taiwanese variety that includes tapioca balls or “bubbles”, flavoured milk tea beverages are a hit worldwide. Chinese companies are cashing in.
- Thomas Hale, Wang Xueqiao, Chan Ho-him and Gloria Li