The Big Story
HSBC battles shareholder revolt as breakup vote looms
Bank’s balancing act between U.K. and China appears increasingly untenable
Hong Kong
Politics
Hong Kong to slash democratically elected seats on local councils
Plan includes strict vetting for candidates in double blow to pro-democracy camp
Cryptocurrencies
Hong Kong presses banks to provide services for crypto companies
Virtual asset firms struggle to open accounts despite city's push to become hub
Economy
Hong Kong leader says Q1 GDP grew 2.7% year-on-year
Lee reveals end of economic contraction ahead of official data release
Hong Kong security law
Hong Kong security law keeps tight lid on Labor Day rallies
Quiet streets reveal limitations of city's post-COVID return to 'normal'
Hong Kong security law
U.N. expert warns Hong Kong security law compromising judiciary
Letter comes as city pushes for veto on foreign lawyers, other powers
Hong Kong security law
Overseas Hong Kongers fear long reach of national security law
Arrest of student living in Japan stokes concern over law's broad application
Hong Kong security law
Hong Kong faces teacher flight as China pushes 'patriotism'
Exits more than double in 2 years amid curriculum changes after security law
Business Spotlight
How business-friendly Hong Kong became a hub of Russian chip trade
Ease of setting up companies makes dodging sanctions easier, experts say
Finance
HSBC hits back at top investor Ping An's bid to split bank
Response says spinning off Asia operations would erode value
DealStreetAsia
Australia and Singapore AI startup Cortical Labs raises $10m
Funding round led by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing's Horizons Ventures
China debt crunch
China developer Sunac shares plunge after suspension ends
Shares down nearly 60% at one point after resuming trade in Hong Kong
COVID vaccines
Moderna eyes local COVID vaccines for Japan, other countries
Chief Medical Officer Paul Burton highlights room for region-specific shots
Tea Leaves
Hong Kong's 'new normal' is anything but
City retains its business buzz as political freedoms wither
Semiconductors
Special report: How U.S.-made chips are flowing into Russia
Shipments from Hong Kong and China jumped tenfold after invasion of Ukraine
Technology
China's SenseTime unveils new AI products and chatbot
SenseChat can email, tell story, but U.S.-blacklisted parent silent about launch
Market Spotlight
Chinese banks ditch bad loans amid property woes
Hundreds of billions of yuan in distressed assets were sold last year
Property
Banking turmoil threatens Hong Kong office market rebound
Chinese financial companies seen as Central's 'next wave of office occupiers'
Economy
China economists expect 5.4% GDP growth in 2023: survey
Outlook upgraded on consumption recovery, exceeding Beijing's 5% target
Business trends
China art market slumps on virus curbs, falling wealth: report
Hong Kong, mainland sales drop 14% in 2022 to $11.2bn as U.K. overtakes China
