Hong Kong

New $500 banknotes to be launched

New $500 banknotes to be launched

The Monetary Authority will put new $500 banknotes into circulation on February 22. They will be available for exchange at Hong Kong's three note-issuing banks.   The $1,000 banknotes of the new series have been in circulation since December 7 and banknotes of the other three denominations of $100, $50 and $20 will launch between late 2011 and early 2012.   The new banknotes have advanced security features, including a dynamic colour-changing pattern, colour-changing windowed metallic thread, standardised enhanced watermark, fluorescent see-through pattern and fluorescent serial number.

Hong Kong population rose 0.9% in 2010

There were 6,885,300 usual residents and 212,300 mobile residents in the past year.

Hua Xia Healthcare posts third quarter profit of HK$43.6mn

The group’s acquisition of Huihao Group has become its significant income stream driver which continues to deliver satisfactory results.

Financial secretary names Carlson Tong non-executive director

Tong’s experience and expertise in the accountancy and the financial-services fields qualified him for the post.

Hong Kong 2010 exports up 18%

The prices of total goods exports rose 4.7% while the prices of goods imports went up 6.4%.

Cathay Pacific to increase flights to Milan

Routes to Paris, Jakarta, Surabaya, Penang, Bangkok and Delhi are also enhanced.

Ocean Park visitors up 30% during New Year holidays

Hong Kong's Ocean Park welcomed around 380,000 visitors during the Chinese New Year holidays from Feb. 3 to Feb. 13. This is an increase of 30 percent from a year ago, thanks to the new flagship theme zone "Aqua City" opened in late January.Chairman of the Ocean Park Allan Zeman said in a media luncheon Monday that visitors from Chinese mainland and overseas accounted for about 74 percent of the total tourists, while the number of local guests jumped over 70 percent from a year earlier.The Park has been maintaining the in-park capacity to about 10 percent below the maximum instantaneous in-park capacity of 36,300 to cope with the pressure of large groups of visitors during the busy festival holidays.Zeman said the Park expects to welcome the 100 millionth guest since inception within the next two weeks.In addition, the Park has witnessed its first-ever penguin birth on Dec. 31, 2010. It was the first penguin that was born in Hong Kong. The newly-fledged penguin will be living in the Park's planned Polar Adventure theme zone to help the public learn about the conservation messages related to the polar region.

Hong Kong office rents jumped 8.5% in 4Q 2010

As of 4Q 2010, Hong Kong occupancy costs are just US$0.04 below Tokyo's occupancy costs.

Government urged subsidy support

The enhanced scheme can benefit more people while ensuring the scheme's long-term sustainability and proper and fair use of public money.

Hong Kong credit card receivables up 12% to $87.5bn

Year-end spending and payment of salaries tax boosted credit card use.

SW Kingsway Capital profit up 25% to HK$46.8mn

The company targets diversified investment opportunities and introduction of new products and services.

HSBC releases first renminbi cashier’s order in Hong Kong

Move shows the bank’s commitment to anticipate client renminbi product needs while it capitalizes in the new opportunities created by the liberalisation of the currency.

Exchange Fund foreign assets up $3.7B

The Exchange Fund’s foreign assets grew by $3.7 billion in January to reach $2.0394 trillion.

Government to review Hong Kong tourism regulation

The Government wants to establish a regulation system which can maintain the trade's long-term development and protect tourist rights, said Mr Yung.

Property sale safeguards due by October

The committee on sale regulation of residential properties will table its recommendations by October.

Hong Kong underwear ideas rub off on Shenzhen

Shenzhen SEZ will open up for international underwear brands, particularly from Hong Kong and Taiwan, to bring in new ideas and technology.

Education and careers expo opens next week

Close to 700 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions will take part in the 21st edition of the HKTDC Education & Careers Expo. It opens 17 February and continues through 20 February at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.