Hong Kong | featured news

A group of Japanese activists swam ashore and raised flags early Sunday on one of a group of islands at the center of an escalating territorial dispute with China.

Tens of thousands of protesters paraded through Hong Kong on Sunday, waving placards denouncing “brainwashing” by China’s Communist Party and calling for the scrapping of plans for “national education” courses in local schools. The protest, organized by teachers, parents and student groups as well as local political organizations hostile to Beijing’s one-party system, demonstrated deep opposition to the introduction of classes that aim to boost knowledge of and attachment to China in this freewheeling former British colony of 7.2 million.

The Chinese leader is visiting to observe a change of government and the 15th anniversary of the handover of the former British colony to Beijing.

Hong Kong's stock exchange operator said Friday it has agreed to buy the 135-year-old London Metal Exchange for 1.4 billion pounds ($2.2 billion) as it shifts into commodities to capitalize on Chinese demand.

The average initial public offering in Hong Kong since the start of 2009 is down 13%, and more than two-thirds of the offerings have underperformed the Hang Seng Index since their listings.

An anti-corruption regulator said it had arrested Raymond and Thomas Kwok, billionaire brothers who run the biggest real estate company in the city, accusing them of suspected corruption.

Leung Chun-ying, a real estate surveyor who has a reputation as having limited tolerance for public demonstrations, wins on the first ballot.

Will Sri Lanka's new visa charges keep visitors away? A stream of visitors arrives from London or Dubai, Frankfurt or Hong Kong. They meet their tour guides or drivers and are whisked out in air-conditioned vehicles into the tropical greenery.

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals is seeking to raise up to US$2.22 billion in an initial public offering on the Hong Kong stock exchange on May 20.

The first human case of bird flu in seven years has been diagnosed in Hong Kong, health officials said Thursday, urging the public to take precautions.