Hong Kong Today cover image

Hong Kong Today

Monday

Apr 28, 2025
Discover the anticipated GDP growth in Hong Kong fueled by a surge in visitor arrivals and the vital role of tourism events. Delve into a police operation unveiling illegal surrogacy practices and new tobacco control laws aiming to curb public smoking. Reflect on tributes to tycoon Li Zhao-ki at a high-profile vigil. Explore economic updates, including tax refund policies in China and the impact of U.S. tariffs. Finally, uncover the tragic consequences of a car-ramming incident in Vancouver amidst rising tensions in Kashmir.
36:52

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Hong Kong's stable GDP growth in the first quarter is significantly driven by an increase in tourist arrivals and mega-events.
  • Authorities have intensified efforts against illegal surrogacy services, arresting suspects for violating reproductive technology laws.

Deep dives

Economic Growth Fueled by Tourism

Hong Kong's GDP growth in the first quarter is projected to remain stable, driven by a surge in visitor arrivals, which increased by 9% year-on-year to over 12 million. A substantial portion of this growth includes nearly 3 million non-Mainland tourists, marking an 18% increase, attributed to a series of mega-events and international conferences hosted in the city. This influx of visitors has positively impacted the local retail and catering sectors, enhancing overall economic performance. Despite these optimistic projections, the Financial Secretary cautioned that external challenges, particularly from US trade policies, could still affect Hong Kong's economic outlook.

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