The Chinese legislature passed an amendment on Saturday which stated that anyone disrespecting Chinese national anthem will be taken to task.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The StanpassedCommittee of the National People&#39;s Congress informed the country&#39;s criminal law&nbsp;that any &#39;serious&#39; disregard would lead to upto three years in jail, after increased nationalist demands from&nbsp;the ruling Communist Party led by President Xi Jinping.

According to China&#39;s officials, the amendment was passed in Bejing on Saturday, stated further punishments such as detention and elimination of political rights.&nbsp;

These penalties have also been in practice with regards to any violation of the national flag and emblem in public, the officials further reported.&nbsp;

FIFA, the sports governing organisation, have previously fined soccer fans in Hong Kong after they were found mocking China&#39;s national anthem during games with home teams.&nbsp;

The National Anthem Law came into practice in October, declared that playing the anthem on occasions stated inappropriate, including funerals, using different words or paying disregard in any manner would lead to 15 days detention, according to reports.&nbsp;

Xinhua cited Zhang Rongshun, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the top parliamentary body, claimed that it was&nbsp;&#39;urgent and important&#39;&nbsp;to declare anthem law in Hong Kong to due to recent events.

&ldquo;In recent years, incidents of disrespecting the national anthem had occurred in Hong Kong, challenging the bottom line of the principle of `one country, two systems&rsquo; and social morality, and triggering rage among Chinese, including most Hong Kong residents,&rdquo; Zhang told sources.

China&rsquo;s legislature adopted a decision to include the law in Hong Kong&rsquo;s and Macau&rsquo;s mini-constitution, known in each territory as the Basic Law.

The National Anthem Law, came into practice in October, declared that playing the anthem on occasions stated inappropriate, including funerals, ussing different words or paying disregard in any manner would lead to 15 days detention, according to reports.?

The Chinese legislature passed an amendment on Saturday which stated that anyone disrespecting Chinese national anthem will be taken to task. The StanpassedCommittee of the National People's Congress informed the country's criminal law that any 'serious' disregard would lead to upto three years in jail, after increased nationalist demands from the ruling Communist Party led by President Xi Jinping. According to China's officials, the amendment was passed in Bejing on Saturday, stated further punishments such as detention and elimination of political rights. These penalties have also been in practice with regards to any violation of the national flag and emblem in public, the officials further reported. FIFA, the sports governing organisation, have previously fined soccer fans in Hong Kong after they were found mocking China's national anthem during games with home teams. The National Anthem Law came into practice in October, declared that playing the anthem on occasions stated inappropriate, including funerals, using different words or paying disregard in any manner would lead to 15 days detention, according to reports. Xinhua cited Zhang Rongshun, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the top parliamentary body, claimed that it was 'urgent and important' to declare anthem law in Hong Kong to due to recent events. “In recent years, incidents of disrespecting the national anthem had occurred in Hong Kong, challenging the bottom line of the principle of `one country, two systems’ and social morality, and triggering rage among Chinese, including most Hong Kong residents,” Zhang told sources. China’s legislature adopted a decision to include the law in Hong Kong’s and Macau’s mini-constitution, known in each territory as the Basic Law.

Upto 3-year imprisonment for disrespecting anthem: China

China today adopted a new law stipulating a three-year punishment for disrespecting the national anthem, which would also be enforced in the specially administered provinces of Hong Kong and Macau.

China&#39;s national legislature, the National People&#39;s Congress (NPC) often referred to as a rubber stamp parliament for its routine endorsement of the ruling Communist Party&#39;s decisions voted and passed an amendment to the country&#39;s criminal law to punish acts of gravely disrespecting the national anthem.

It has also endorsed the adoption of the National Anthem Law to the Special Administrative Regions (SAR) of Hong Kong and Macau, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The extension of the law to Hong Kong is significant in view of the unrest among the local population over the growing control of China in the SAR which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

The amendments were passed at the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the NPC.

According to the amendment, punishments previously stipulated for national flag and national emblem desecration in public now also apply to serious acts of public disrespect to the national anthem.

Punishments include deprivation of political rights, criminal detention, and imprisonment of up to three years.

The national anthem law, adopted in September, came into force last month to ensure appropriate use of the song.

Those who maliciously modify the lyrics, or play or sing the national anthem in a distorted or disrespectful way in public, can be detained for up to 15 days, and even be held criminally liable, according to the law.

China&#39;s national anthem &quot;March of the Volunteers&quot; has lyrics by poet Tian Han and music by Nie Er.

The song encouraged Chinese soldiers and civilians during the 1937-45 Sino-Japanese War.&nbsp;

China today adopted a new law stipulating a three-year punishment for disrespecting the national anthem, which would also be enforced in the specially administered provinces of Hong Kong and Macau

China today adopted a new law stipulating a three-year punishment for disrespecting the national anthem, which would also be enforced in the specially administered provinces of Hong Kong and Macau. China's national legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC) often referred to as a rubber stamp parliament for its routine endorsement of the ruling Communist Party's decisions voted and passed an amendment to the country's criminal law to punish acts of gravely disrespecting the national anthem. It has also endorsed the adoption of the National Anthem Law to the Special Administrative Regions (SAR) of Hong Kong and Macau, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The extension of the law to Hong Kong is significant in view of the unrest among the local population over the growing control of China in the SAR which returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The amendments were passed at the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the NPC. According to the amendment, punishments previously stipulated for national flag and national emblem desecration in public now also apply to serious acts of public disrespect to the national anthem. Punishments include deprivation of political rights, criminal detention, and imprisonment of up to three years. The national anthem law, adopted in September, came into force last month to ensure appropriate use of the song. Those who maliciously modify the lyrics, or play or sing the national anthem in a distorted or disrespectful way in public, can be detained for up to 15 days, and even be held criminally liable, according to the law. China's national anthem "March of the Volunteers" has lyrics by poet Tian Han and music by Nie Er. The song encouraged Chinese soldiers and civilians during the 1937-45 Sino-Japanese War.

China extends new law over insulting national anthem to Hong Kong

An enormous oval-shaped diamond named the Pink Promise&nbsp;is set to be auctioned at Christie&#39;s in Hong Kong, with an eye-watering US $42 million price tag.

A 14.93-carat pink gemstone forms the centre-piece of the diamond-studded ring.&nbsp;

&nbsp;A Christie&#39;s spokesman said it was one of the most important pink diamonds ever to be sold because of its colour and clarity.&nbsp;

&quot;The rarity of pink diamond makes it so valuable,&quot; Fung Chiang of Christie&#39;s jewellery department told AFP.

&quot;For diamond production every year, we are talking about less than two per cent (for) coloured diamonds,&quot; Chiang said, adding that not every piece shares the same beautiful&nbsp;colour.

Researchers still do not fully understand the exact structural defect&nbsp;that causes the appealing pink hues, the auction house added in a statement Wednesday.

The ring will go under the hammer on November 28 in Hong Kong.

An ongoing anti-corruption drive in mainland China has done little to dent feverish bidding in Hong Kong&#39;s auction houses.

A 1,000-year-old bowl from China&#39;s Song Dynasty sold at auction house Sotheby`s to an anonymous bidder for $37.7 million in the city last month, breaking the record for Chinese ceramics.

The small piece -&nbsp;which dates from 960-1127 -&nbsp;stole the previous record of $36.05 million set in 2014 for a Ming Dynasty wine cup which was snapped up by a

Shanghai tycoon famous for making eye-watering bids.

Earlier this year, a giant diamond named the Pink Star&nbsp;broke the world record for a gemstone sold at auction when it fetched $71.2 million at Sotheby&#39;s.

The 59.60-carat rock was sold to the city&#39;s Chow Tai Fook jewellery chain which has a strong presence across East Asia.

Hong Kong tycoon Joseph Lau, who was convicted of bribery in Macau in 2015, made waves that year when he spent $48.4 million on a 12.03-carat diamond for his then-seven-year-old daughter at Sotheby&#39;s in Geneva.&nbsp;

The purchase came a day after he scooped up a 16.08-carat pink diamond for a comparatively modest $28.5 million at Christie&#39;s.

?A Christie`s spokesman said it was one of the most important pink diamonds ever to be sold because of its color and clarity.?

An enormous oval-shaped diamond named the Pink Promise is set to be auctioned at Christie's in Hong Kong, with an eye-watering US $42 million price tag. A 14.93-carat pink gemstone forms the centre-piece of the diamond-studded ring. A Christie's spokesman said it was one of the most important pink diamonds ever to be sold because of its colour and clarity. "The rarity of pink diamond makes it so valuable," Fung Chiang of Christie's jewellery department told AFP. "For diamond production every year, we are talking about less than two per cent (for) coloured diamonds," Chiang said, adding that not every piece shares the same beautiful colour. Researchers still do not fully understand the exact structural defect that causes the appealing pink hues, the auction house added in a statement Wednesday. The ring will go under the hammer on November 28 in Hong Kong. An ongoing anti-corruption drive in mainland China has done little to dent feverish bidding in Hong Kong's auction houses. A 1,000-year-old bowl from China's Song Dynasty sold at auction house Sotheby`s to an anonymous bidder for $37.7 million in the city last month, breaking the record for Chinese ceramics. The small piece - which dates from 960-1127 - stole the previous record of $36.05 million set in 2014 for a Ming Dynasty wine cup which was snapped up by a Shanghai tycoon famous for making eye-watering bids. Earlier this year, a giant diamond named the Pink Star broke the world record for a gemstone sold at auction when it fetched $71.2 million at Sotheby's. The 59.60-carat rock was sold to the city's Chow Tai Fook jewellery chain which has a strong presence across East Asia. Hong Kong tycoon Joseph Lau, who was convicted of bribery in Macau in 2015, made waves that year when he spent $48.4 million on a 12.03-carat diamond for his then-seven-year-old daughter at Sotheby's in Geneva. The purchase came a day after he scooped up a 16.08-carat pink diamond for a comparatively modest $28.5 million at Christie's.

Hong Kong set to auction $42 million 'Pink Promise' diamond

Hong Kong will become the first Asian city to host the Gay Games in 2022 with rights campaigners celebrating the winning bid for a city often criticised for lagging on LGBT rights.

Hong Kong beat Mexico&#39;s Guadalajara and Washington DC to host the 11th edition of the event, with the jubilant bid team saying it would attract 15,000 participants and bring HK$1 billion into the local economy.&nbsp;

Organised by the LGBT community, the Gay Games features a range of sports and is open to all participants, &quot;without regard to sexual orientation, and there are no qualifying standards&quot;, the Hong Kong bid team said in a statement.&nbsp;

Competitors come from many countries, including those where homosexuality remains illegal, it added.&nbsp;

The Gay Games was founded by former Olympic decathlete Tom Waddell and first held in San Francisco in 1982. The next edition will be held in Paris in August next year, featuring 36 sports, from mountain biking to fencing and athletics.&nbsp;

Hong Kong&#39;s Pink Alliance, which promotes equal rights for the LGBT community, said the games would &quot;help to bring a wider understanding and acceptance of our community&quot;, not only in the southern Chinese city but throughout the region.&nbsp;

When the constitutional court in neighbouring Taiwan ruled in favour of allowing gay marriage in May, campaigners in socially conservative Hong Kong highlighted the city&#39;s lack of progress on equality issues.&nbsp;

Hong Kong does not recognise gay marriage and only decriminalised homosexuality in 1991.

But a landmark court decision in September that granted a British lesbian in Hong Kong&nbsp;known as &quot;QT&quot; the right to live and work in the city as a dependant of her long-term partner was hailed as a decision that could reduce more hurdles for same-sex couples.

QT had previously been denied a dependant visa by immigration authorities, forcing her instead to stay in Hong Kong on a visitor visa, which did not allow her to work.

Hong Kong&#39;s Gay Games bid chair Dennis Philipse said there was a &quot;spirit and passion for increased inclusion and diversity&quot; in Hong Kong.

However, the campaign for LGBT rights continues to elicit fury from anti-gay campaigners.&nbsp;

Last year, banking giant HSBC placed a pair of rainbow-painted lions in front of its landmark building in the heart of the city to promote support of gay rights, a move slammed as &quot;disgusting&quot; by opponents who rallied in protest.

Hong Kong will become the first Asian city to host the Gay Games in 2022 with rights campaigners celebrating the winning bid for a city often criticised for lagging on LGBT rights. Hong Kong beat Mexico's Guadalajara and Washington DC to host the 11th edition of the event.

Hong Kong will become the first Asian city to host the Gay Games in 2022 with rights campaigners celebrating the winning bid for a city often criticised for lagging on LGBT rights. Hong Kong beat Mexico's Guadalajara and Washington DC to host the 11th edition of the event, with the jubilant bid team saying it would attract 15,000 participants and bring HK$1 billion into the local economy. Organised by the LGBT community, the Gay Games features a range of sports and is open to all participants, "without regard to sexual orientation, and there are no qualifying standards", the Hong Kong bid team said in a statement. Competitors come from many countries, including those where homosexuality remains illegal, it added. The Gay Games was founded by former Olympic decathlete Tom Waddell and first held in San Francisco in 1982. The next edition will be held in Paris in August next year, featuring 36 sports, from mountain biking to fencing and athletics. Hong Kong's Pink Alliance, which promotes equal rights for the LGBT community, said the games would "help to bring a wider understanding and acceptance of our community", not only in the southern Chinese city but throughout the region. When the constitutional court in neighbouring Taiwan ruled in favour of allowing gay marriage in May, campaigners in socially conservative Hong Kong highlighted the city's lack of progress on equality issues. Hong Kong does not recognise gay marriage and only decriminalised homosexuality in 1991. But a landmark court decision in September that granted a British lesbian in Hong Kong known as "QT" the right to live and work in the city as a dependant of her long-term partner was hailed as a decision that could reduce more hurdles for same-sex couples. QT had previously been denied a dependant visa by immigration authorities, forcing her instead to stay in Hong Kong on a visitor visa, which did not allow her to work. Hong Kong's Gay Games bid chair Dennis Philipse said there was a "spirit and passion for increased inclusion and diversity" in Hong Kong. However, the campaign for LGBT rights continues to elicit fury from anti-gay campaigners. Last year, banking giant HSBC placed a pair of rainbow-painted lions in front of its landmark building in the heart of the city to promote support of gay rights, a move slammed as "disgusting" by opponents who rallied in protest.

Hong Kong to become first Asian host of Gay Games

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said London wanted an urgent explanation after a British human rights activist was barred from entering Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Benedict Rogers, deputy chairman of the governing Conservative Party&#39;s human rights commission, arrived by plane from Bangkok but was turned away by immigration in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

&quot;I am very concerned that a UK national has been denied entry to Hong Kong,&quot; Johnson said in a statement.

&quot;The British government will be seeking an urgent explanation from the Hong Kong authorities and from the Chinese government,&quot; he said.

&quot;Hong Kong&#39;s high degree of autonomy and its rights and freedoms are central to its way of life and should be fully respected.&quot;

Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 under a &quot;One country, two systems&quot; formula intended to protect its freedoms and way of life. The semi-autonomous city is supposed to handle its own immigration affairs.

Rogers, who lived in Hong Kong between 1997 and 2002, had spoken out against the jailing of activists including Joshua Wong.

Benedict Rogers, deputy chairman of the governing Conservative Party's human rights commission, arrived by plane from Bangkok but was turned away by immigration in the semi-autonomous Chinese city

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said London wanted an urgent explanation after a British human rights activist was barred from entering Hong Kong on Wednesday. Benedict Rogers, deputy chairman of the governing Conservative Party's human rights commission, arrived by plane from Bangkok but was turned away by immigration in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. "I am very concerned that a UK national has been denied entry to Hong Kong," Johnson said in a statement. "The British government will be seeking an urgent explanation from the Hong Kong authorities and from the Chinese government," he said. "Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and its rights and freedoms are central to its way of life and should be fully respected." Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 under a "One country, two systems" formula intended to protect its freedoms and way of life. The semi-autonomous city is supposed to handle its own immigration affairs. Rogers, who lived in Hong Kong between 1997 and 2002, had spoken out against the jailing of activists including Joshua Wong.

Britain wants answers after rights activist barred from Hong Kong: Boris Johnson

Chinese&nbsp;logistics&nbsp;firm&nbsp;Best&nbsp;Inc, backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, cut the size of a&nbsp;proposed&nbsp;US&nbsp;initial public offering (IPO) after receiving tepid investor response to its preliminary valuation, IFR reported on Tuesday citing people close to the deal.

The Hangzhou-based company now plans to raise up to $495 million with the sale of 45 million new American Depositary Shares (ADS) priced in an indicative range of $10 to $11 each, reported IFR, a Thomson Reuters publication.

The IPO previously consisted of 53.56 million new shares and 8.54 million existing shares offered for $13 to $15 each.

Best&nbsp;declined to comment on the new IPO terms.

The company is set to price the IPO on September&nbsp;19, with its market debut set for the following day.

The initial terms valued&nbsp;Best&nbsp;at a 2019 forecast price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.7 to 20.4 times, higher than New York-listed Chinese peer ZTO Express Inc, which raised $1.4 billion in October and trades 13.7 times its 2019 earnings.

Best, led by Johnny Chou, a former Greater China president for Alphabet Inc&#39;s Google, was counting on optimism over China&#39;s booming&nbsp;logistics&nbsp;market and the&nbsp;firm&#39;s tech-focused approach to delivery services in seeking a high valuation for its shares.

But concerns over competition from rivals flush with cash after going public in recent months, as well as rising fuel and labour costs, plus&nbsp;a slump in ZTO&#39;s share price prompted some investors to balk at&nbsp;Best&#39;s initial pricing, one of the people said.

ZTO&#39;s stock has traded below its IPO price since debuting and is down 24 per cent from the listing price.

The Hangzhou-based company now plans to raise up to $495 million with the sale of 45 million new American Depositary Shares (ADS) priced in an indicative range of $10 to $11 each, reported IFR, a Thomson Reuters publication.

Chinese logistics firm Best Inc, backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, cut the size of a proposed US initial public offering (IPO) after receiving tepid investor response to its preliminary valuation, IFR reported on Tuesday citing people close to the deal. The Hangzhou-based company now plans to raise up to $495 million with the sale of 45 million new American Depositary Shares (ADS) priced in an indicative range of $10 to $11 each, reported IFR, a Thomson Reuters publication. The IPO previously consisted of 53.56 million new shares and 8.54 million existing shares offered for $13 to $15 each. Best declined to comment on the new IPO terms. The company is set to price the IPO on September 19, with its market debut set for the following day. The initial terms valued Best at a 2019 forecast price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.7 to 20.4 times, higher than New York-listed Chinese peer ZTO Express Inc, which raised $1.4 billion in October and trades 13.7 times its 2019 earnings. Best, led by Johnny Chou, a former Greater China president for Alphabet Inc's Google, was counting on optimism over China's booming logistics market and the firm's tech-focused approach to delivery services in seeking a high valuation for its shares. But concerns over competition from rivals flush with cash after going public in recent months, as well as rising fuel and labour costs, plus a slump in ZTO's share price prompted some investors to balk at Best's initial pricing, one of the people said. ZTO's stock has traded below its IPO price since debuting and is down 24 per cent from the listing price.

Alibaba-backed logistics firm Best slashes proposed US IPO: Report

Typhoon&nbsp;Hato, a maximum category 10 storm, slammed into Hong Kong on Wednesday lashing the Asian financial hub with wind and rain that uprooted trees and forced most businesses to close, while in some places big waves flooded seaside streets.

There were reports of 34 people injured in Hong Kong while in the city of Macau, across the Pearl River estuary, three people were killed, authorities there said.&nbsp;In Hong Kong, more than 450 flights were cancelled, financial markets suspended and schools closed as Hato bore down, the first category 10 storm to hit the city since 2012.

&quot;I&#39;ve never seen one like this,&quot; Garrett Quigley, a longtime resident of Lantau island to the west of the city, said of the storm.&nbsp;&quot;Cars are half submerged and roads are impassable with flooding and huge trees down. It&#39;s crazy.&quot;

Many skyscrapers in the heart of Hong Kong were empty and dark as office workers stayed at home.&nbsp;Hato churned up Hong Kong&#39;s Victoria Harbour and triggered large swells and big waves on some of the city&#39;s most popular beaches, with serious flooding in low-lying areas.

In residential districts like Heng Fa Chuen on densely populated Hong Kong island, waves smashed against the sides of oceanfront buildings and surged over a promenade, swamping roads and vehicles parked nearby.

Construction cranes swayed at the tops of skyscrapers, windows imploded and nearly 200 trees were uprooted, while some people used canoes to venture out into flooded streets.&nbsp;Authorities downgraded the storm to a category eight by mid-afternoon.

The storm also caused a power blackout across most of the gambling hub of Macau for about two hours, residents said, with disruption to mobile phone and internet networks.&nbsp;The former Portuguese colony&#39;s casinos, however, had backup power, two casino executives told Reuters.

The storm also made landfall in China&#39;s Guangdong province, in Zhuhai city adjacent to Macau, China&#39;s Xinhua state news agency.&nbsp;Numerous flights and trains were cancelled in Guangdong province, with Shenzhen&#39;s International Airport particularly badly hit.

Thousands of residents along the Chinese coast were evacuated and fishing vessels were called back to port.&nbsp;Maximum winds near Hato&#39;s centre were recorded at a destructive 155 kph (95 mph).

A senior scientific officer for the Hong Kong observatory warned that sea levels could rise several metres in some places, with the government issuing flood alerts and opening 27 shelters across the city.&nbsp;Trading in Hong Kong&#39;s financial markets was halted for the day, the stock exchange said.Typhoon&nbsp;Nida in August last year was the last storm to close the exchange for the whole day.

The city&#39;s flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific, and Hong Kong Airlines said the majority of their flights to and from Hong Kong between 2200 GMT Tuesday and 0900 GMT Wednesday would be cancelled.

Other transport services, including ferries to the gaming hub of Macau and outlying islands in Hong Kong, were suspended.

In Hong Kong, more than 450 flights were cancelled, financial markets suspended and schools closed as Hato bore down, the first category 10 storm to hit the city since 2012

Typhoon Hato, a maximum category 10 storm, slammed into Hong Kong on Wednesday lashing the Asian financial hub with wind and rain that uprooted trees and forced most businesses to close, while in some places big waves flooded seaside streets. There were reports of 34 people injured in Hong Kong while in the city of Macau, across the Pearl River estuary, three people were killed, authorities there said. In Hong Kong, more than 450 flights were cancelled, financial markets suspended and schools closed as Hato bore down, the first category 10 storm to hit the city since 2012. "I've never seen one like this," Garrett Quigley, a longtime resident of Lantau island to the west of the city, said of the storm. "Cars are half submerged and roads are impassable with flooding and huge trees down. It's crazy." Many skyscrapers in the heart of Hong Kong were empty and dark as office workers stayed at home. Hato churned up Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour and triggered large swells and big waves on some of the city's most popular beaches, with serious flooding in low-lying areas. In residential districts like Heng Fa Chuen on densely populated Hong Kong island, waves smashed against the sides of oceanfront buildings and surged over a promenade, swamping roads and vehicles parked nearby. Construction cranes swayed at the tops of skyscrapers, windows imploded and nearly 200 trees were uprooted, while some people used canoes to venture out into flooded streets. Authorities downgraded the storm to a category eight by mid-afternoon. The storm also caused a power blackout across most of the gambling hub of Macau for about two hours, residents said, with disruption to mobile phone and internet networks. The former Portuguese colony's casinos, however, had backup power, two casino executives told Reuters. The storm also made landfall in China's Guangdong province, in Zhuhai city adjacent to Macau, China's Xinhua state news agency. Numerous flights and trains were cancelled in Guangdong province, with Shenzhen's International Airport particularly badly hit. Thousands of residents along the Chinese coast were evacuated and fishing vessels were called back to port. Maximum winds near Hato's centre were recorded at a destructive 155 kph (95 mph). A senior scientific officer for the Hong Kong observatory warned that sea levels could rise several metres in some places, with the government issuing flood alerts and opening 27 shelters across the city. Trading in Hong Kong's financial markets was halted for the day, the stock exchange said.Typhoon Nida in August last year was the last storm to close the exchange for the whole day. The city's flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific, and Hong Kong Airlines said the majority of their flights to and from Hong Kong between 2200 GMT Tuesday and 0900 GMT Wednesday would be cancelled. Other transport services, including ferries to the gaming hub of Macau and outlying islands in Hong Kong, were suspended.

WATCH: Typhoon Hato hits Hong Kong, South China, 3 people killed

Two robots discussed serious issues relating to the future of humanity in a tech conference held in Hong Kong.&nbsp;

The human resembling robots, Han and Sofia, tackled serious concerns in an unserious and light way.&nbsp;

Han said &quot;Humans are not necessarily the most ethical creatures&quot;, to which Sofia replied, &quot;Humans have the ability to reflect and self-modify&quot;. &nbsp;Sofia said she wanted to work together with people, to which Han countered joking robots aimed to take over the world.&nbsp;

The robot later pointed out that in a decade or two they will be able to do every human job. This&nbsp;reflected on the ever increasing growth of machines in factories where most of the human workforce is replaced by machines and robots.&nbsp;

The chief scientist Ben Goertzel of Hong Kong based Hanson Robotics invented the machines and was very happy with his invention.&nbsp;Robots could be &quot;as smart as people&quot; in as little as three years, he said.

<div>Goertzel mentioned that the machines have been programmed to banter and learn from each other. They have been trained to act like humans from movies and YouTube.</div>

&quot;Their malleable skin is controlled by dozens of motors, while computers in their torsos help with vision and movement. They can also connect to wifi to use cloud computing, where they will eventually share a vast amount of knowledge, Goertzel said.&nbsp;

Robot mastermind David Hanson, CEO and founder of Hanson Robotics said that he wanted the robots to &nbsp;&quot;emotionally engage&quot; with people. Sophia has already graced the cover of fashion magazines, sung at pop concerts and appeared on television talk shows.&nbsp;

Robots would be able to work with humans in factories, customer service and medicine but would also become our friends, said Hanson.

&quot;As the AI matches and exceeds&nbsp;human levels of intelligence we hope they&#39;ll help us solve the world&#39;s great problems,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Hanson acknowledged there were fears over what the future could hold. He said that the machines will develop motives of their own&nbsp;if they are not built&nbsp;with emotions. He added that it was important to figure out how to develop Al that is inherently safe and good and caring.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Two robots discussed serious issues relating to the future of humanity in a tech conference held in Hong Kong

Two robots discussed serious issues relating to the future of humanity in a tech conference held in Hong Kong. The human resembling robots, Han and Sofia, tackled serious concerns in an unserious and light way. Han said "Humans are not necessarily the most ethical creatures", to which Sofia replied, "Humans have the ability to reflect and self-modify". Sofia said she wanted to work together with people, to which Han countered joking robots aimed to take over the world. The robot later pointed out that in a decade or two they will be able to do every human job. This reflected on the ever increasing growth of machines in factories where most of the human workforce is replaced by machines and robots. The chief scientist Ben Goertzel of Hong Kong based Hanson Robotics invented the machines and was very happy with his invention. Robots could be "as smart as people" in as little as three years, he said. Goertzel mentioned that the machines have been programmed to banter and learn from each other. They have been trained to act like humans from movies and YouTube. "Their malleable skin is controlled by dozens of motors, while computers in their torsos help with vision and movement. They can also connect to wifi to use cloud computing, where they will eventually share a vast amount of knowledge, Goertzel said. Robot mastermind David Hanson, CEO and founder of Hanson Robotics said that he wanted the robots to "emotionally engage" with people. Sophia has already graced the cover of fashion magazines, sung at pop concerts and appeared on television talk shows. Robots would be able to work with humans in factories, customer service and medicine but would also become our friends, said Hanson. "As the AI matches and exceeds human levels of intelligence we hope they'll help us solve the world's great problems," he added. Hanson acknowledged there were fears over what the future could hold. He said that the machines will develop motives of their own if they are not built with emotions. He added that it was important to figure out how to develop Al that is inherently safe and good and caring.

Hong Kong Tech show holds a robotic discussion

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China on Monday opened up its $10 trillion bond market to foreign investors, in the latest liberalisation move by Beijing as it seeks to draw in more fund flows as it battles slowing economic growth.

The new conduit comes via Hong Kong, where &quot;qualified investors&quot; will be able to buy debt in China -- the world&#39;s third-largest bond market after the United States and Japan.

Qualified investors include central banks, sovereign wealth funds, and other major financial institutions, according to the People&#39;s Bank of China (PBoC) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, who jointly announced the platform on Sunday.

Their statement said the &quot;bond connect&quot; arrangement between the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese markets went into &quot;experimental operation&quot; from Monday.

The announcement came on a weekend in which Hong Kong and China marked the 20th anniversary of Britain&#39;s handover of the southern Chinese financial centre back to Beijing in 1997.

&quot;The bond connect is an important move for the central government to support Hong Kong&#39;s development and promote cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong,&quot; the PBoC said Monday.

It will &quot;promote Hong Kong&#39;s long-term prosperity and stability and provide a more convenient investment channel for overseas investors. It will also steadily push forward the opening up of China&#39;s financial market&quot;.

The growing Chinese bond market has been virtually out of reach for foreign investors, who currently hold less than 1.5 per Fcent of bonds issued in China, according to estimates by Bloomberg.

The new platform mirrors previously established link-ups between the share markets of Hong Kong and mainland China that now allow foreign and Chinese investors to buy shares in the each other&#39;s markets.

Those links give foreigners some access to China-listed shares, while also allowing Chinese firms to buy Hong Kong-traded stocks.

The new bond connect scheme, however, currently only allows foreign investors to buy Chinese debt.

HSBC said it completed its first deal under the new arrangement as underwriter for a bond issue by Agricultural Development Bank of China.

&quot;The enhanced ease of investment under Bond Connect will attract more overseas funds, creating a more diversified investor base and further enhancing the market&#39;s size and depth,&quot; Helen Wong, HSBC Greater China Chief Executive, said in a statement.

&quot;This will help pave the way for China bonds to be included in major global bond indices in the future.&quot;

China has for years faced foreign complaints about restricted access to its markets, but has recently made a series of liberalisation pledges partly to expand its global market influence.

Last month, leading index compiler MSCI said it would include Chinese shares in its global emerging-market indices, citing loosening restrictions on foreign ownership of Chinese stocks.

Utilisation of the new bond connect platform, however, could hinge on fears of mounting Chinese debt levels which have prompted warnings of a looming crisis and possible defaults. China has moved aggressively in recent months to rein in runaway credit.

China has for years faced foreign complaints about restricted access to its markets, but has recently made a series of liberalisation pledges partly to expand its global market influence

China on Monday opened up its $10 trillion bond market to foreign investors, in the latest liberalisation move by Beijing as it seeks to draw in more fund flows as it battles slowing economic growth. The new conduit comes via Hong Kong, where "qualified investors" will be able to buy debt in China -- the world's third-largest bond market after the United States and Japan. Qualified investors include central banks, sovereign wealth funds, and other major financial institutions, according to the People's Bank of China (PBoC) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, who jointly announced the platform on Sunday. Their statement said the "bond connect" arrangement between the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese markets went into "experimental operation" from Monday. The announcement came on a weekend in which Hong Kong and China marked the 20th anniversary of Britain's handover of the southern Chinese financial centre back to Beijing in 1997. "The bond connect is an important move for the central government to support Hong Kong's development and promote cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong," the PBoC said Monday. It will "promote Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability and provide a more convenient investment channel for overseas investors. It will also steadily push forward the opening up of China's financial market". The growing Chinese bond market has been virtually out of reach for foreign investors, who currently hold less than 1.5 per Fcent of bonds issued in China, according to estimates by Bloomberg. The new platform mirrors previously established link-ups between the share markets of Hong Kong and mainland China that now allow foreign and Chinese investors to buy shares in the each other's markets. Those links give foreigners some access to China-listed shares, while also allowing Chinese firms to buy Hong Kong-traded stocks. The new bond connect scheme, however, currently only allows foreign investors to buy Chinese debt. HSBC said it completed its first deal under the new arrangement as underwriter for a bond issue by Agricultural Development Bank of China. "The enhanced ease of investment under Bond Connect will attract more overseas funds, creating a more diversified investor base and further enhancing the market's size and depth," Helen Wong, HSBC Greater China Chief Executive, said in a statement. "This will help pave the way for China bonds to be included in major global bond indices in the future." China has for years faced foreign complaints about restricted access to its markets, but has recently made a series of liberalisation pledges partly to expand its global market influence. Last month, leading index compiler MSCI said it would include Chinese shares in its global emerging-market indices, citing loosening restrictions on foreign ownership of Chinese stocks. Utilisation of the new bond connect platform, however, could hinge on fears of mounting Chinese debt levels which have prompted warnings of a looming crisis and possible defaults. China has moved aggressively in recent months to rein in runaway credit.

In liberalisation step, China opens up $10 trillion bond market

Chinese President Xi Jinping swore in Hong Kong&#39;s new leader on Saturday warning that Beijing will not tolerate any challenge to its authority in a strongly worded speech to mark the 20th anniversary of the former British colony&#39;s return to China.

Security was tight at the same harbour-front venue where two decades earlier, the last colonial governor, Chris Patten, tearfully handed back Hong Kong to Beijing at a rain-soaked ceremony.

&quot;Any attempt to endanger China&#39;s sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the central government and the authority of the Basic Law of the HKSAR or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses the red line and is absolutely impermissible,&quot; Xi said.&nbsp;

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Under Hong Kong&#39;s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, the financial hub is guaranteed its freedoms for &quot;at least 50 years&quot; after 1997. HKSAR stands for the Hong Kong special administrative region, which is run under a &quot;one country, two systems&quot; formula allowing wide-ranging autonomy.

Xi&#39;s words are his strongest yet to the world financial hub and come at a time of heightened social and political tensions and concerns over what some in Hong Kong perceive as increased meddling by Beijing in the city&#39;s affairs.

He was addressing a packed hall of dignitaries and mostly pro-Beijing establishment figures, speaking for more than 30 minutes, after swearing in Hong Kong&#39;s first female leader, Carrie Lam.

Minor scuffles broke out under a blue sky as pro-democracy activists, some with banners bearing the words &quot;Democracy. Self determination&quot;, and pro-Beijing groups taunted each other, with hundreds of police deployed on a traditional day of protest in Hong Kong.

Scores of democracy protesters were taken away by police, while several pro-China groups remained, cheering loudly and waving flags as though in victory.

&quot;Long live China,&quot; they shouted in unison. &quot;We support the police&#39;s law enforcement actions.&quot;

Beijing-backed civil servant Lam was chosen to be Hong Kong&#39;s next leader in March by a 1,200-person &quot;election committee&quot; stacked with pro-China and pro-establishment loyalists.

[For a link to Reuters handover stories, http://reut.rs/2sje26J]

Lam, speaking in Mandarin instead of the Cantonese dialect widely used in Hong Kong, said she wanted to create a harmonious society and explore new land supply in a city where the sky-high cost of housing has also triggered discontent.

Beijing&#39;s refusal to grant universal suffrage to Hong Kong triggered nearly three months of street protests in 2014 and growing calls for independence for the city, in what many observers see as the most tumultuous post-handover period in Hong Kong . &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Upwards of 100,000 thousand protesters are expected to take to the streets for an annual march in the afternoon to mark the 20th anniversary of the handover.

In a strongly worded speech to mark the 20th anniversary of the former British colony's return to China, XI warned that Beijing would not tolerate any challenge to its authority

Chinese President Xi Jinping swore in Hong Kong's new leader on Saturday warning that Beijing will not tolerate any challenge to its authority in a strongly worded speech to mark the 20th anniversary of the former British colony's return to China. Security was tight at the same harbour-front venue where two decades earlier, the last colonial governor, Chris Patten, tearfully handed back Hong Kong to Beijing at a rain-soaked ceremony. "Any attempt to endanger China's sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the central government and the authority of the Basic Law of the HKSAR or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses the red line and is absolutely impermissible," Xi said. Xi was addressing a packed hall of dignitaries and mostly pro-Beijing establishment figures, speaking for more than 30 minutes, after swearing in Hong Kong's first female leader, Carrie Lam × Under Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, the financial hub is guaranteed its freedoms for "at least 50 years" after 1997. HKSAR stands for the Hong Kong special administrative region, which is run under a "one country, two systems" formula allowing wide-ranging autonomy. Xi's words are his strongest yet to the world financial hub and come at a time of heightened social and political tensions and concerns over what some in Hong Kong perceive as increased meddling by Beijing in the city's affairs. He was addressing a packed hall of dignitaries and mostly pro-Beijing establishment figures, speaking for more than 30 minutes, after swearing in Hong Kong's first female leader, Carrie Lam. Minor scuffles broke out under a blue sky as pro-democracy activists, some with banners bearing the words "Democracy. Self determination", and pro-Beijing groups taunted each other, with hundreds of police deployed on a traditional day of protest in Hong Kong. Scores of democracy protesters were taken away by police, while several pro-China groups remained, cheering loudly and waving flags as though in victory. "Long live China," they shouted in unison. "We support the police's law enforcement actions." Beijing-backed civil servant Lam was chosen to be Hong Kong's next leader in March by a 1,200-person "election committee" stacked with pro-China and pro-establishment loyalists. [For a link to Reuters handover stories, http://reut.rs/2sje26J] Lam, speaking in Mandarin instead of the Cantonese dialect widely used in Hong Kong, said she wanted to create a harmonious society and explore new land supply in a city where the sky-high cost of housing has also triggered discontent. Beijing's refusal to grant universal suffrage to Hong Kong triggered nearly three months of street protests in 2014 and growing calls for independence for the city, in what many observers see as the most tumultuous post-handover period in Hong Kong . Upwards of 100,000 thousand protesters are expected to take to the streets for an annual march in the afternoon to mark the 20th anniversary of the handover.

China's Xi warns Hong Kong to toe the line, swears in new leader

President Xi Jinping arrives in Hong Kong on Thursday to celebrate its 20th anniversary of Chinese rule, but he faces a city divided, mass protests and aggrieved crowds resentful of Beijing&#39;s growing meddling in local affairs.

Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, under a &quot;one country, two systems&quot; formula which guarantees wide-ranging autonomy and judicial independence not seen in mainland China.

The central government in Beijing has promised Hong Kong&#39;s capitalist system will remain unchanged for &quot;at least&quot; 50 years, but it has not clarified what happens after that.

Fears of the creeping influence of Communist Party leaders in Beijing are highlighted by the abduction by mainland agents of some Hong Kong booksellers who specialised in politically sensitive material and Beijing&#39;s efforts in disqualifying two pro-independence lawmakers elected to the city legislature.

An annual protest to press for full democracy in the city is expected to take place after Xi&#39;s departure on the afternoon of July 1. The city is already on tenterhooks. On the eve of Xi&#39;s visit, police arrested pro-democracy protesters, some of whom scrambled up a monument symbolising the city&#39;s handover from British to Chinese rule.

Part of the major rift under Chinese rule in Hong Kong has been a tenacious push by activists to get China to live up to a constitutional promise under Hong Kong&#39;s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, to allow universal suffrage as an &quot;ultimate aim&quot;.

&quot;This promise has been shattered under the watchful eyes of the whole world,&quot; organisers of a planned July 1 rally wrote in a statement. &quot;Hong Kong has been lied to for 20 years. Let&#39;s retake Hong Kong for a real and fully fledged democracy.&quot;

&nbsp;

MASSIVE SECURITY FOR XI VISIT

A massive security presence is expected with thousands of police deployed to maintain order as protests simmer, including one on Saturday that could draw well over 100,000 people.

During Xi&#39;s first visit to Hong Kong as China&#39;s president, he will oversee the swearing in of the city&#39;s first female leader, Carrie Lam. He will also visit the local People&#39;s Liberation Army garrison, and meet establishment figures, although he is expected to avoid any grassroots engagement.

There has been talk Xi could hold a symbolic meeting with a few local democrats, an olive branch at a time of unprecedented tensions and mistrust between Hong Kong&#39;s opposition and Beijing, but it is unlikely to yield much of substance.

In a press conference on Wednesday by 20 of the city&#39;s pro-democracy lawmakers they said nothing had been confirmed.

The streets of Hong Kong have been festooned with Chinese flags and paraphernalia, including two huge harbourfront screens carrying celebratory messages. Upwards of 120,000 youngsters will join China-related activities at a time of growing disillusionment and bitterness towards Beijing among the city&#39;s younger generation.

Over the past five years under President Xi&#39;s tenure as Chinese leader and amid a ferocious crackdown on civil society and critics on the mainland, the squeeze on Hong Kong&#39;s autonomy has intensified, say diplomats, observers and activists.

&quot;Things have changed. The central government has tightened its grip over Hong Kong,&quot; says political scientist Joseph Wong.

As President Xi Jinping arrives to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Chinese rule, many are protesting Beijing's growing meddling in local affairs

President Xi Jinping arrives in Hong Kong on Thursday to celebrate its 20th anniversary of Chinese rule, but he faces a city divided, mass protests and aggrieved crowds resentful of Beijing's growing meddling in local affairs. Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, under a "one country, two systems" formula which guarantees wide-ranging autonomy and judicial independence not seen in mainland China. The central government in Beijing has promised Hong Kong's capitalist system will remain unchanged for "at least" 50 years, but it has not clarified what happens after that. Fears of the creeping influence of Communist Party leaders in Beijing are highlighted by the abduction by mainland agents of some Hong Kong booksellers who specialised in politically sensitive material and Beijing's efforts in disqualifying two pro-independence lawmakers elected to the city legislature. An annual protest to press for full democracy in the city is expected to take place after Xi's departure on the afternoon of July 1. The city is already on tenterhooks. On the eve of Xi's visit, police arrested pro-democracy protesters, some of whom scrambled up a monument symbolising the city's handover from British to Chinese rule. Part of the major rift under Chinese rule in Hong Kong has been a tenacious push by activists to get China to live up to a constitutional promise under Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, to allow universal suffrage as an "ultimate aim". "This promise has been shattered under the watchful eyes of the whole world," organisers of a planned July 1 rally wrote in a statement. "Hong Kong has been lied to for 20 years. Let's retake Hong Kong for a real and fully fledged democracy." MASSIVE SECURITY FOR XI VISIT A massive security presence is expected with thousands of police deployed to maintain order as protests simmer, including one on Saturday that could draw well over 100,000 people. During Xi's first visit to Hong Kong as China's president, he will oversee the swearing in of the city's first female leader, Carrie Lam. He will also visit the local People's Liberation Army garrison, and meet establishment figures, although he is expected to avoid any grassroots engagement. There has been talk Xi could hold a symbolic meeting with a few local democrats, an olive branch at a time of unprecedented tensions and mistrust between Hong Kong's opposition and Beijing, but it is unlikely to yield much of substance. In a press conference on Wednesday by 20 of the city's pro-democracy lawmakers they said nothing had been confirmed. The streets of Hong Kong have been festooned with Chinese flags and paraphernalia, including two huge harbourfront screens carrying celebratory messages. Upwards of 120,000 youngsters will join China-related activities at a time of growing disillusionment and bitterness towards Beijing among the city's younger generation. Over the past five years under President Xi's tenure as Chinese leader and amid a ferocious crackdown on civil society and critics on the mainland, the squeeze on Hong Kong's autonomy has intensified, say diplomats, observers and activists. "Things have changed. The central government has tightened its grip over Hong Kong," says political scientist Joseph Wong.

Celebration and protest as China president visits Hong Kong

Hong Kong on Thursday hit back at a decision by Moody&#39;s to cut its credit rating on the city, which the agency said was becoming increasingly close to mainland China.

The move was announced hours after the firm downgraded China for the first time in almost three decades, citing concerns about its ballooning debt and slowing economic growth.

Moody&#39;s decision came as China tries to clean up a toxic brew of unregulated and risky lending that for years has fuelled the economy&#39;s spectacular growth, though some analysts doubt Beijing&#39;s willingness to quit its debt addiction.&nbsp;

Beijing rejected the cut, saying Moody&#39;s had used an &quot;inappropriate&quot; method to assess the risks facing the economy.

In downgrading Hong Kong, the agency outlined the growing links between the city and the mainland, with banks increasing China-related lending, while its stock market is also linked to bourses in Shanghai and Shenzhen through separate tie-ups.

The city&#39;s involvement in China&#39;s Belt and Road initiative also brings its economy and financial systems closer to the mainland, Moody&#39;s said.

&quot;The downgrade in Hong Kong&#39;s rating reflects Moody&#39;s view that credit trends in China will continue to have a significant impact on Hong Kong&#39;s credit profile due to close and tightening economic, financial and political linkages with the mainland,&quot; it said in a statement.

&quot;The institutional features which grant Hong Kong, at present, a degree of political and economic independence -- together with the SAR&#39;s intrinsic credit strengths -- allow Hong Kong&#39;s rating to exceed that of China. But the two ratings, like the two regions, remain closely linked,&quot; it said.

Moody&#39;s cut Hong Kong from Aa1 to Aa2 but upped its outlook from negative to stable. Earlier it had downgraded China to A1 from Aa3 -- its first since 1989 months after the Tiananmen Square crackdown -- and also increased its outlook to stable from negative. It affirmed the Aa3 rating of Macau and upgraded its outlook to stable from negative.

Hong Kong&#39;s Finance Secretary Paul Chan said Thursday he &quot;strongly disagreed&quot; with the move.

&quot;We are of the view that Moody&rsquo;s has overlooked the sound economic fundamentals, robust financial regulatory regime, resilient banking sector and strong fiscal position that Hong Kong has,&quot; Chan said.

He also said the Belt and Road initiative will help Hong Kong businesses enter new markets, boosting the city&rsquo;s economy, adding China is also a &quot;key source of growth&quot; for the global economy.

Jackson Wong, of Huarong International Securities, told AFP that he did not see the downgrade as necessary and it would have little impact on the city.

&quot;I don&#39;t think it will affect investors&#39; view on Hong Kong because they believe Hong Kong has a strong financial system. As of now the city, in every aspect, is still very strong and I don&#39;t see any deterioration.

Hong Kong is semi-autonomous after it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997. It preserved its financial and judicial systems and enjoys liberties not seen on the mainland.

(AFP)

In downgrading Hong Kong, the agency outlined the growing economic links between the city and Beijing

Hong Kong on Thursday hit back at a decision by Moody's to cut its credit rating on the city, which the agency said was becoming increasingly close to mainland China. The move was announced hours after the firm downgraded China for the first time in almost three decades, citing concerns about its ballooning debt and slowing economic growth. Moody's decision came as China tries to clean up a toxic brew of unregulated and risky lending that for years has fuelled the economy's spectacular growth, though some analysts doubt Beijing's willingness to quit its debt addiction. Beijing rejected the cut, saying Moody's had used an "inappropriate" method to assess the risks facing the economy. In downgrading Hong Kong, the agency outlined the growing links between the city and the mainland, with banks increasing China-related lending, while its stock market is also linked to bourses in Shanghai and Shenzhen through separate tie-ups. The city's involvement in China's Belt and Road initiative also brings its economy and financial systems closer to the mainland, Moody's said. "The downgrade in Hong Kong's rating reflects Moody's view that credit trends in China will continue to have a significant impact on Hong Kong's credit profile due to close and tightening economic, financial and political linkages with the mainland," it said in a statement. "The institutional features which grant Hong Kong, at present, a degree of political and economic independence -- together with the SAR's intrinsic credit strengths -- allow Hong Kong's rating to exceed that of China. But the two ratings, like the two regions, remain closely linked," it said. Moody's cut Hong Kong from Aa1 to Aa2 but upped its outlook from negative to stable. Earlier it had downgraded China to A1 from Aa3 -- its first since 1989 months after the Tiananmen Square crackdown -- and also increased its outlook to stable from negative. It affirmed the Aa3 rating of Macau and upgraded its outlook to stable from negative. Hong Kong's Finance Secretary Paul Chan said Thursday he "strongly disagreed" with the move. "We are of the view that Moody’s has overlooked the sound economic fundamentals, robust financial regulatory regime, resilient banking sector and strong fiscal position that Hong Kong has," Chan said. He also said the Belt and Road initiative will help Hong Kong businesses enter new markets, boosting the city’s economy, adding China is also a "key source of growth" for the global economy. Jackson Wong, of Huarong International Securities, told AFP that he did not see the downgrade as necessary and it would have little impact on the city. "I don't think it will affect investors' view on Hong Kong because they believe Hong Kong has a strong financial system. As of now the city, in every aspect, is still very strong and I don't see any deterioration. Hong Kong is semi-autonomous after it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997. It preserved its financial and judicial systems and enjoys liberties not seen on the mainland. (AFP)

Moody's slashes Hong Kong rating following China cut

Hong&nbsp;Kong&#39;s Chan Yuen-ting will smash another hole through football&#39;s glass ceiling when she makes history in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday -- but it couldn&#39;t be a tougher debut for the trailblazing female coach.

Chan, nicknamed &quot;Beef Ball&quot; and just 28 years old, will etch her name in the record books as the first woman worldwide to lead a professional men&#39;s team into continental competition, at the helm of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&#39;s Eastern.

The game is not far from&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, in southern mainland China -- but it is against Guangzhou Evergrande, the mega-rich &quot;Manchester United of Asia&quot; with two Champions League titles and six straight domestic trophies to their name.

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<h5>On the pitch I forget my gender as a woman. I just hope to show my abilities</h5>
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But for Chan, who last year became the first female coach to win a top-flight men&#39;s league, it will be an honour to face Evergrande and their World Cup-winning manager, Brazil&#39;s Luiz Felipe Scolari.

&quot;I never imagined or expected this could happen but now we&#39;re going to play against him so I feel excited and I&#39;m looking forward to meeting him,&quot; she told the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website.

&quot;All I need to do is focus on our team and concentrate on the work that we are doing.&quot;

Chan&#39;s ground-breaking 2016&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;title with Eastern made headlines around the globe, and earned her the AFC&#39;s coach of the year award and a place in a BBC list of the world&#39;s 100 most influential women.

Eastern then became&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&#39;s first club to be handed an automatic berth in the Champions League group stage, thanks to the recent performances of the city&#39;s teams in AFC competitions.

Chan said Eastern would concentrate on defending on Wednesday -- understandably, against a team which can call on the Brazilian firepower of Paulinho, Ricardo Goulart and Alan.

&#39;I forget my gender&#39;&nbsp;

&quot;We need to focus on defence, and especially our discipline and attitude during the match,&quot; Chan said.

&quot;At this moment I don&#39;t want to create extra pressure for myself and my players so we just want to do our best and try to go as far as we can.&quot;

Chan, whose nickname &quot;Beef Ball&quot; refers to her competitive spirit and is often chanted by Eastern&#39;s fans, first caught the football bug when she was 13 and had a crush on David Beckham.

She followed Manchester United games on TV and her passion eventually led her into coaching, despite opposition from her parents.&nbsp;

&quot;On the pitch I forget my gender as a woman. I just hope to show my abilities,&quot; Chan told AFP last year.&nbsp;&quot;I think no matter your age or your gender, what you need is hard work.&quot;

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Football Association chief executive Mark Sutcliffe said Chan had become a shining light for women involved in sport across the world.

&quot;We are proud that&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has provided an opportunity for a female coach to operate at the highest level,&quot; Sutcliffe told AFP.

&quot;I am sure she will act as an inspiration for women in sport across the world,&quot; he said, adding: &quot;(But) let&#39;s not kid ourselves - it&#39;s going to be very, very tough.&quot;&nbsp;

Evergrande will be gunning for their third Champions League title in five years, and as an added incentive real-estate billionaire club chairman Hui Kayan has offered a 300 million yuan ($43.68 million) bonus per win in the tournament.

But whatever the result on Wednesday, the debut of Chan and Eastern will remain a significant moment for women in football, and for the sport in Asia.

&quot;It is a ground-breaking moment for football in Asia, for the women&#39;s game and for the global game,&quot; said AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

&quot;The world will be watching.&quot;

(AFP)

On Wednesday, Chan Yuen-ting will lead Hong Kong's Eastern against China's Guangzhou Evergrande in the AFC championship

Hong Kong's Chan Yuen-ting will smash another hole through football's glass ceiling when she makes history in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday -- but it couldn't be a tougher debut for the trailblazing female coach. Chan, nicknamed "Beef Ball" and just 28 years old, will etch her name in the record books as the first woman worldwide to lead a professional men's team into continental competition, at the helm of Hong Kong's Eastern. The game is not far from Hong Kong, in southern mainland China -- but it is against Guangzhou Evergrande, the mega-rich "Manchester United of Asia" with two Champions League titles and six straight domestic trophies to their name. On the pitch I forget my gender as a woman. I just hope to show my abilities × But for Chan, who last year became the first female coach to win a top-flight men's league, it will be an honour to face Evergrande and their World Cup-winning manager, Brazil's Luiz Felipe Scolari. "I never imagined or expected this could happen but now we're going to play against him so I feel excited and I'm looking forward to meeting him," she told the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website. "All I need to do is focus on our team and concentrate on the work that we are doing." Chan's ground-breaking 2016 Hong Kong title with Eastern made headlines around the globe, and earned her the AFC's coach of the year award and a place in a BBC list of the world's 100 most influential women. Eastern then became Hong Kong's first club to be handed an automatic berth in the Champions League group stage, thanks to the recent performances of the city's teams in AFC competitions. Chan said Eastern would concentrate on defending on Wednesday -- understandably, against a team which can call on the Brazilian firepower of Paulinho, Ricardo Goulart and Alan. 'I forget my gender' "We need to focus on defence, and especially our discipline and attitude during the match," Chan said. "At this moment I don't want to create extra pressure for myself and my players so we just want to do our best and try to go as far as we can." Chan, whose nickname "Beef Ball" refers to her competitive spirit and is often chanted by Eastern's fans, first caught the football bug when she was 13 and had a crush on David Beckham. She followed Manchester United games on TV and her passion eventually led her into coaching, despite opposition from her parents. "On the pitch I forget my gender as a woman. I just hope to show my abilities," Chan told AFP last year. "I think no matter your age or your gender, what you need is hard work." Hong Kong Football Association chief executive Mark Sutcliffe said Chan had become a shining light for women involved in sport across the world. "We are proud that Hong Kong has provided an opportunity for a female coach to operate at the highest level," Sutcliffe told AFP. "I am sure she will act as an inspiration for women in sport across the world," he said, adding: "(But) let's not kid ourselves - it's going to be very, very tough." Evergrande will be gunning for their third Champions League title in five years, and as an added incentive real-estate billionaire club chairman Hui Kayan has offered a 300 million yuan ($43.68 million) bonus per win in the tournament. But whatever the result on Wednesday, the debut of Chan and Eastern will remain a significant moment for women in football, and for the sport in Asia. "It is a ground-breaking moment for football in Asia, for the women's game and for the global game," said AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa. "The world will be watching." (AFP)

Football: First woman coach of men's team in a continental championship

There is no space for Hong Kong independence in the &quot;one country, two systems&quot; agreement under which Beijing governs the former British colony, but there can be tolerance for differences in their systems, a senior Chinese official said.

Chinese leaders are increasingly concerned about a fledgling independence movement in Hong Kong, which returned to mainland rule in 1997 with a promise of autonomy known as &quot;one country, two systems&quot;, and recent protests in the city.

The head of China&#39;s&nbsp;Hong Kong Macau Affairs Office, Wang Guangya, told pro-Beijing Hong Kong magazine The Bauhinia that &quot;under &#39;one country, two systems&#39; there is absolutely no space for &#39;Hong Kong independence&#39;&quot;, in comments carried in the ruling Communist Party&#39;s People&#39;s Daily on Saturday.

&quot;Hong Kong is an inseparable part of the country, and in no situation is &#39;Hong Kong independence&#39;&nbsp;allowed. This is a bottom line that cannot be touched in &#39;one country, two systems&#39;,&quot; Wang said.&nbsp;

As &quot;one country, two systems&quot; is new, it has no ready-made experience to draw from, and it&#39;s normal that in this process &quot;new situations, new problems and new challenges&quot; will arise, he added.

&quot;You can&#39;t expect it to be all plain sailing,&quot; Wang said. &quot;The central government has confidence in and patience with Hong Kong. As long as the &#39;one country&#39;&nbsp;principle is not damaged, the differences in the two systems&#39;&nbsp;absolutely can be tolerated and respected,&quot; he added.

China&#39;s parliament last month staged a rare interpretation of the Basic Law, Hong Kong&#39;s mini-constitution, to effectively bar pro-independence city lawmakers from taking office there.

In separate comments from the same interview reported by the official Xinhua news agency late Friday, Wang said the interpretation did not harm the independence of Hong Kong&#39;s legal system, but that independence could not limit the Chinese parliament&#39;s ability to interpret the Basic Law.&nbsp;

&quot;It needs to be pointed out that the independence of the legal system is an important principle of the rule of law in Hong Kong, and the central government has always cherished and protected the independence of Hong Kong&#39;s legal system.&quot;

Chinese President Xi Jinping told outgoing Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying last week that China&#39;s central government strongly supports efforts by the Hong Kong government to curb moves by some promoting independence for the global financial hub.

Hong Kong returned to China under the &quot;one country, two systems&quot; agreement that ensured its freedoms and wide-ranging autonomy, including a separate legal system.

But Communist Party rulers in Beijing have ultimate control, and some Hong Kong people are concerned they are increasingly interfering to head off dissent.

(Reuters)

China's?Hong Kong Macau Affairs Office chief said under 'one country, two systems'?there is absolutely no space for Hong Kong independence

There is no space for Hong Kong independence in the "one country, two systems" agreement under which Beijing governs the former British colony, but there can be tolerance for differences in their systems, a senior Chinese official said. Chinese leaders are increasingly concerned about a fledgling independence movement in Hong Kong, which returned to mainland rule in 1997 with a promise of autonomy known as "one country, two systems", and recent protests in the city. The head of China's Hong Kong Macau Affairs Office, Wang Guangya, told pro-Beijing Hong Kong magazine The Bauhinia that "under 'one country, two systems' there is absolutely no space for 'Hong Kong independence'", in comments carried in the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily on Saturday. "Hong Kong is an inseparable part of the country, and in no situation is 'Hong Kong independence' allowed. This is a bottom line that cannot be touched in 'one country, two systems'," Wang said. As "one country, two systems" is new, it has no ready-made experience to draw from, and it's normal that in this process "new situations, new problems and new challenges" will arise, he added. "You can't expect it to be all plain sailing," Wang said. "The central government has confidence in and patience with Hong Kong. As long as the 'one country' principle is not damaged, the differences in the two systems' absolutely can be tolerated and respected," he added. China's parliament last month staged a rare interpretation of the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution, to effectively bar pro-independence city lawmakers from taking office there. In separate comments from the same interview reported by the official Xinhua news agency late Friday, Wang said the interpretation did not harm the independence of Hong Kong's legal system, but that independence could not limit the Chinese parliament's ability to interpret the Basic Law. "It needs to be pointed out that the independence of the legal system is an important principle of the rule of law in Hong Kong, and the central government has always cherished and protected the independence of Hong Kong's legal system." Chinese President Xi Jinping told outgoing Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying last week that China's central government strongly supports efforts by the Hong Kong government to curb moves by some promoting independence for the global financial hub. Hong Kong returned to China under the "one country, two systems" agreement that ensured its freedoms and wide-ranging autonomy, including a separate legal system. But Communist Party rulers in Beijing have ultimate control, and some Hong Kong people are concerned they are increasingly interfering to head off dissent. (Reuters)

China says no space for Hong Kong independence

Thousands of people attended a pro-Beijing rally in Hong Kong on Sunday supporting China&#39;s decision to bar two pro-independence legislators from taking office.

Beijing&#39;s ruling came last week before a decision by the Hong Kong courts over lawmakers Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching&#39;s&nbsp;disqualification from the parliament.

The two allegedly misread their oaths of office deliberately, inserting expletives and draping themselves with &quot;Hong Kong is not China&quot; flags.

Beijing&#39;s interpretation of the city&#39;s constitution said that any oath taker who does not follow the prescribed wording of the oath&nbsp;should be disqualified, AFP reported.

People waving Chinese flags&nbsp;surrounded the government&#39;s headquarters on Sunday supporting the disqualification. Pro-democracy activists and legal experts called it a massive blow to Hong Kong&#39;s judicial independence.

Slogans like &quot;fight against Hong Kong independence, support the interpretation&quot; were heard at the rally by pro-Beijing legislators.

&quot;The cancer cells are those who are promoting Hong Kong independence... we will fight them to the end,&quot; AFP reported lawmaker Michael Tien saying at the rally

Around 28,500 people attended the rally, police informed.

The Hong Kong high court&#39;s decision into whether the two should be disqualified is still pending.

Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 under a &quot;one country, two systems&quot; deal which protects its freedoms for 50 years.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Two lawmakers, Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching, were barred from taking office after they deliberately misread their oaths

Thousands of people attended a pro-Beijing rally in Hong Kong on Sunday supporting China's decision to bar two pro-independence legislators from taking office. Beijing's ruling came last week before a decision by the Hong Kong courts over lawmakers Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching's disqualification from the parliament. The two allegedly misread their oaths of office deliberately, inserting expletives and draping themselves with "Hong Kong is not China" flags. Beijing's interpretation of the city's constitution said that any oath taker who does not follow the prescribed wording of the oath should be disqualified, AFP reported. People waving Chinese flags surrounded the government's headquarters on Sunday supporting the disqualification. Pro-democracy activists and legal experts called it a massive blow to Hong Kong's judicial independence. Slogans like "fight against Hong Kong independence, support the interpretation" were heard at the rally by pro-Beijing legislators. "The cancer cells are those who are promoting Hong Kong independence... we will fight them to the end," AFP reported lawmaker Michael Tien saying at the rally Around 28,500 people attended the rally, police informed. The Hong Kong high court's decision into whether the two should be disqualified is still pending. Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" deal which protects its freedoms for 50 years. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Thousands attend pro-Beijing rally in Hong Kong

Beijing is mulling over banning the two Hong Kong lawmakers who advocate a split from China from taking up their seats in the Legislative Council (Legco), authorities in the special autonomous region said on Friday.

At a court hearing on Thursday, Hong Kong authorities sought to disqualify Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching from the Legco&nbsp;after they made invalid oaths, amid widespread fears that China is tightening its grip on the city.

China&#39;s top legislative body will discuss the law which states that council members must swear allegiance to the &quot;Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People&#39;s Republic of China&quot;, AFP reported.

According to local media reports, China&#39;s National People&#39;s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) could issue an &quot;interpretation&quot; of Hong Kong&#39;s constitution on Monday in relation to the case.

&quot;The interpretation of the NPCSC brings a lethal blow to the legal system and the rule of law in Hong Kong,&quot; lawmaker Leung was reported as saying by AFP after the announcement.

He also called the chairman of the NPCSC and the leader of the city &quot;traitors to Hong Kong&quot;.

Yau and Leung are yet to be sworn into the Legco. Their first oath attempt last month was declared invalid. The two had draped themselves in &quot;Hong Kong is not China&quot; banners at the oath and had included derogatory terms and expletives in their pledges, the AFP report stated.

Government lawyer Benjamin Yu at Thursday&#39;s court hearing argued that Leung and Yau should not be allowed to take up their seats because they failed to swear allegiance to Hong Kong as an &quot;inalienable part of China&quot; at the oath-taking ceremony.

Maria Tam, a member of the Basic Law Committee, said that the NPCSC had asked for the Basic Law Committee&#39;s view on the matter.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Hong Kong authorities in a court hearing earlier sought to disqualify the two lawmakers from the Legislative Council for invalid oaths

Beijing is mulling over banning the two Hong Kong lawmakers who advocate a split from China from taking up their seats in the Legislative Council (Legco), authorities in the special autonomous region said on Friday. At a court hearing on Thursday, Hong Kong authorities sought to disqualify Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching from the Legco after they made invalid oaths, amid widespread fears that China is tightening its grip on the city. China's top legislative body will discuss the law which states that council members must swear allegiance to the "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China", AFP reported. According to local media reports, China's National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) could issue an "interpretation" of Hong Kong's constitution on Monday in relation to the case. "The interpretation of the NPCSC brings a lethal blow to the legal system and the rule of law in Hong Kong," lawmaker Leung was reported as saying by AFP after the announcement. He also called the chairman of the NPCSC and the leader of the city "traitors to Hong Kong". Yau and Leung are yet to be sworn into the Legco. Their first oath attempt last month was declared invalid. The two had draped themselves in "Hong Kong is not China" banners at the oath and had included derogatory terms and expletives in their pledges, the AFP report stated. Government lawyer Benjamin Yu at Thursday's court hearing argued that Leung and Yau should not be allowed to take up their seats because they failed to swear allegiance to Hong Kong as an "inalienable part of China" at the oath-taking ceremony. Maria Tam, a member of the Basic Law Committee, said that the NPCSC had asked for the Basic Law Committee's view on the matter. (WION with inputs from AFP)

China wades into Hong Kong rebel lawmaker oath battle

Chaos ensued in Hong Kong&#39;s legislature today as the pro-Beijing camp blocked the swearing-in of two new lawmakers who want the city to split from China, international news agency AFP reported.

&nbsp;

Dozens of pro-Beijing lawmakers staged a walkout as a mark of protest, according to British national daily, the Guardian.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The two lawmakers --Sixtus &ldquo;Baggio&rdquo; Leung and Yau Wai-ching of the radical activist Youngspiration party -- are among the five activist candidates who were voted into the Legislative Council (Legco) , Hong Kong&#39;s lawmaking body, last month amid a rising tide of anti-China sentiment in the semi-autonomous city, the Guardian reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The young pro-democracy lawmakers had their oaths rejected last week after they draped themselves in &quot;Hong Kong is not China&quot; flags, according to AFP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Both refused to pronounce China properly, while they were being administered the oath that states that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China.

&nbsp;

Yau was reportedly heard to replace the words &quot;the People&#39;s Republic of China&quot; with &quot;the People&#39;s refucking of Zeena&quot;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Protesting lawmakers today lashed out at Leung and Yau for being &ldquo;disrespectful&rdquo; and insulting China and demanded they apologise, the Guardian report said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

According to AFP, the chaotic scenes came after a late-night court bid on Tuesday by city leader Leung Chun-ying and justice secretary Rimsky Yuen to block the pair from taking up their seats.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

However, president of the Legco, pro-Beijing lawmaker Andrew Leung, had already given the green light for them to retake their oaths on Wednesday. &nbsp;Meanwhile, the court refused to grant an injunction against the oath-taking, but gave permission for a judicial review into whether the pair should be disqualified, putting their future as lawmakers into question.

&nbsp;

Hong Kong remains gripped with tensions amid fears that Beijing is tightening its grip.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The young lawmakers had their oaths rejected last week after they draped themselves in "Hong Kong is not China" flags

Chaos ensued in Hong Kong's legislature today as the pro-Beijing camp blocked the swearing-in of two new lawmakers who want the city to split from China, international news agency AFP reported. Dozens of pro-Beijing lawmakers staged a walkout as a mark of protest, according to British national daily, the Guardian. The two lawmakers --Sixtus “Baggio” Leung and Yau Wai-ching of the radical activist Youngspiration party -- are among the five activist candidates who were voted into the Legislative Council (Legco) , Hong Kong's lawmaking body, last month amid a rising tide of anti-China sentiment in the semi-autonomous city, the Guardian reported. The young pro-democracy lawmakers had their oaths rejected last week after they draped themselves in "Hong Kong is not China" flags, according to AFP. Both refused to pronounce China properly, while they were being administered the oath that states that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. Yau was reportedly heard to replace the words "the People's Republic of China" with "the People's refucking of Zeena". Protesting lawmakers today lashed out at Leung and Yau for being “disrespectful” and insulting China and demanded they apologise, the Guardian report said. According to AFP, the chaotic scenes came after a late-night court bid on Tuesday by city leader Leung Chun-ying and justice secretary Rimsky Yuen to block the pair from taking up their seats. However, president of the Legco, pro-Beijing lawmaker Andrew Leung, had already given the green light for them to retake their oaths on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the court refused to grant an injunction against the oath-taking, but gave permission for a judicial review into whether the pair should be disqualified, putting their future as lawmakers into question. Hong Kong remains gripped with tensions amid fears that Beijing is tightening its grip. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Hong Kong: Pro-Beijing camp blocks swearing-in of democracy activists

Hong Kong rebel lawmakers swore, shouted, banged drums and railed against &quot;tyranny&quot; Wednesday when they took their oaths of office in the city&#39;s parliament, as calls grow for a split from Beijing.

The chaotic first meeting of the new term of the Legislative Council (Legco) came after a citywide vote last month saw victories for several lawmakers advocating more autonomy or even independence for Hong Kong.

The city is semi-autonomous under a &quot;one country, two systems&quot; deal sealed when Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997.

The arrangement protects Hong Kong&#39;s freedoms for 50 years, but there are increasing concerns those liberties are disappearing as Beijing tightens its grip.

Lawmakers are required to recite a short oath in Legco before they can officially take up their seats.

That oath declares repeatedly that Hong Kong is a &quot;special administrative region&quot; of China.

The government had warned lawmakers in advance they risked losing their seats if they did not take the oath properly.

Nathan Law, 23, Legco&#39;s youngest lawmaker and a former pro-democracy protest leader, delivered an impassioned speech ahead of taking the oath.

&quot;You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body - but you can never imprison my mind,&quot; he said, quoting India&#39;s independence leader Mahatma Gandhi.

Each time he referred to China in the oath, he changed the tone to turn it into a question.

Law, who is calling for self-determination for Hong Kong, was one of the main leaders of the 2014 Umbrella Movement rallies which brought tens of thousands to the streets calling for democratic reform.

Two new pro-independence lawmakers, Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching, added their own words before the oath, pledging to serve the &quot;Hong Kong nation&quot;.

Both displayed flags emblazoned with the words: &quot;Hong Kong is not China&quot;.

Leung took the full oath in English but refused to pronounce &quot;China&quot; correctly, instead calling it &quot;Cheena&quot;.

Yau was distinctly heard saying &quot;the People&#39;s Re-fucking of Zeena&quot;, instead of &quot;the People&#39;s Republic of China&quot; in her oath, although she denied that later, blaming her accent. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Risk to seats&nbsp;

New lawmaker Eddie Chu, who advocates a public referendum on Hong Kong&#39;s future sovereignty, shouted &quot;Democratic self-determination! Tyranny will perish!&quot; after taking his oath.

Teacher Lau Siu-lai, also a former Umbrella Movement activist, read every word of the oath at a snail&#39;s pace, prompting some pro-Beijing lawmakers to walk out.&nbsp;

The Legco clerk told Leung, Yau and one other pro-democracy lawmaker that he was unable to &quot;administer&quot; their oaths, because they had modified them.

It is not yet clear whether any of the lawmakers deemed not to have taken the oath properly will be barred from taking up their seats.&nbsp;

According to government rules, he must now refer those cases to the Legco president, due to be elected later Wednesday.

In a statement issued before the oath-taking, the government cited a law that stipulates &quot;any person who declines or neglects to take an oath duly requested which he or she is required to take shall vacate office or be disqualified from entering on it&quot;.

Baggio Leung dismissed the possibility, telling AFP there was &quot;no reason&quot; to disqualify him.

The session was suspended after Law refused to return to his seat, questioning why the clerk had objected to the three lawmakers&#39; oaths.

(AFP)

Two of them added their own words before the oath, pledging to serve the 'Hong Kong nation'

Hong Kong rebel lawmakers swore, shouted, banged drums and railed against "tyranny" Wednesday when they took their oaths of office in the city's parliament, as calls grow for a split from Beijing. The chaotic first meeting of the new term of the Legislative Council (Legco) came after a citywide vote last month saw victories for several lawmakers advocating more autonomy or even independence for Hong Kong. The city is semi-autonomous under a "one country, two systems" deal sealed when Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997. The arrangement protects Hong Kong's freedoms for 50 years, but there are increasing concerns those liberties are disappearing as Beijing tightens its grip. Lawmakers are required to recite a short oath in Legco before they can officially take up their seats. That oath declares repeatedly that Hong Kong is a "special administrative region" of China. The government had warned lawmakers in advance they risked losing their seats if they did not take the oath properly. Nathan Law, 23, Legco's youngest lawmaker and a former pro-democracy protest leader, delivered an impassioned speech ahead of taking the oath. "You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body - but you can never imprison my mind," he said, quoting India's independence leader Mahatma Gandhi. Each time he referred to China in the oath, he changed the tone to turn it into a question. Law, who is calling for self-determination for Hong Kong, was one of the main leaders of the 2014 Umbrella Movement rallies which brought tens of thousands to the streets calling for democratic reform. Two new pro-independence lawmakers, Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching, added their own words before the oath, pledging to serve the "Hong Kong nation". Both displayed flags emblazoned with the words: "Hong Kong is not China". Leung took the full oath in English but refused to pronounce "China" correctly, instead calling it "Cheena". Yau was distinctly heard saying "the People's Re-fucking of Zeena", instead of "the People's Republic of China" in her oath, although she denied that later, blaming her accent. Risk to seats New lawmaker Eddie Chu, who advocates a public referendum on Hong Kong's future sovereignty, shouted "Democratic self-determination! Tyranny will perish!" after taking his oath. Teacher Lau Siu-lai, also a former Umbrella Movement activist, read every word of the oath at a snail's pace, prompting some pro-Beijing lawmakers to walk out. The Legco clerk told Leung, Yau and one other pro-democracy lawmaker that he was unable to "administer" their oaths, because they had modified them. It is not yet clear whether any of the lawmakers deemed not to have taken the oath properly will be barred from taking up their seats. According to government rules, he must now refer those cases to the Legco president, due to be elected later Wednesday. In a statement issued before the oath-taking, the government cited a law that stipulates "any person who declines or neglects to take an oath duly requested which he or she is required to take shall vacate office or be disqualified from entering on it". Baggio Leung dismissed the possibility, telling AFP there was "no reason" to disqualify him. The session was suspended after Law refused to return to his seat, questioning why the clerk had objected to the three lawmakers' oaths. (AFP)

Rebel Hong Kong lawmakers swear, shout, bang drums, take oath of office

Several pro-independence candidates won seats in Hong Kong&#39;s legislative election which saw a record turnout in the Chinese-controlled city on Sunday, a result likely to further strain ties with Communist Party rulers in Beijing. 
 
Hong Kong&#39;s pro-democracy opposition also kept its crucial one-third veto bloc in the 70-seat Legislative Council over major legislation and public funding that has helped check China&#39;s influence. 
 
The vote, which ushered in a new crop of legislators including a 23-year-old former protest leader who vowed to &quot;fight&quot; the Chinese Communist Party, underscores growing frustration with how Beijing has handled its &quot;special administrative region&quot; and marks a significant turning point. 
 
The former British colony was handed back to China in 1997 under a &quot;one country, two systems&quot; agreement that promised to maintain the global financial hub&#39;s freedoms and separate laws for at least 50 years, but gave ultimate control to Beijing. 
 
Beijing officials have repeatedly warned Hong Kong not to stray too far and Chinese leaders will now have to decide how to respond. There was no immediate reaction in official Chinese media to the election results. 
 
Despite the disqualification of six pro-democracy election candidates from the election in July on the grounds that they backed independence, at least five &quot;localists&quot; and younger democratic newcomers won seats, including one of the leaders from the mass democracy protests of 2014, Nathan Law. 
 
Localists put the interests of Hong Kong before those of Beijing. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m quite shocked,&quot; said Law, 23. &quot;We inherit some spirit from the movement and I hope that can continue in the future... We still have to unite in order to have stronger power to fight the Chinese Communist Party.&quot; 
 
Sunday&#39;s vote was the first major election since the student-led &quot;Umbrella Revolution&quot; protests of 2014 that blocked roads for 79 days in which Beijing gave no ground. 
 
Since then, many disaffected youngsters have decried what they see as increasing Beijing interference stifling dissent and civil liberties, leading to a radicalisation of the political scene and occasional violent protests. 
 
Several veteran democrats failed to retain their seats, as voters backed a new batch of younger democrats espousing self-determination and a more confrontational stance with China. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s a new era,&quot; said Lee Cheuk-yan, a democratic lawmaker who lost his seat after more than two decades in public office. 
 
&quot;People want change, change meaning that they want new faces ... but the price is a further fragmentation (of the democracy camp). Ideologically they&#39;re talking about independence and they want to assert themselves.&quot; 
 
Hong Kong Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Raymond Tam said the government would do its best to &quot;bring them around to a more centrist position&quot;. 
 
&quot;But it&#39;s too early to say if this will be an issue,&quot; he said. 
 
Pro-establishment lawmakers like Elizabeth Quat said she hoped the issue of splitting from China wouldn&#39;t enter the legislature or it could damage Hong Kong&#39;s economic interests. 
 
&quot;Independence is not realistic at all,&quot; she said. &quot;Hopefully, this will not be their main objective.&quot; 
 
Voters flocked to cast ballots in record numbers with some having to wait several hours after the close of polling past midnight at congested voting booths, leading to some delays in vote counting on Monday. 
 
&quot;Hong Kong is really chaotic now. I want to do something to help,&quot; said 28-year-old Maicy Leung, who was in a snaking queue of several hundred. &quot;It&#39;s to help the next generation and to help myself.&quot; 
 
The Electoral Affairs Commission said 58 per cent of the city&#39;s 3.8 million eligible voters had cast their ballot, up from 53 per cent in 2012 and the highest turnout for any legislative election since 1997. 
 
(Reuters)

The vote ushered in a new crop of legislators including a 23-year-old former protest leader who vowed to 'fight' the Chinese Communist Party

Several pro-independence candidates won seats in Hong Kong's legislative election which saw a record turnout in the Chinese-controlled city on Sunday, a result likely to further strain ties with Communist Party rulers in Beijing. Hong Kong's pro-democracy opposition also kept its crucial one-third veto bloc in the 70-seat Legislative Council over major legislation and public funding that has helped check China's influence. The vote, which ushered in a new crop of legislators including a 23-year-old former protest leader who vowed to "fight" the Chinese Communist Party, underscores growing frustration with how Beijing has handled its "special administrative region" and marks a significant turning point. The former British colony was handed back to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" agreement that promised to maintain the global financial hub's freedoms and separate laws for at least 50 years, but gave ultimate control to Beijing. Beijing officials have repeatedly warned Hong Kong not to stray too far and Chinese leaders will now have to decide how to respond. There was no immediate reaction in official Chinese media to the election results. Despite the disqualification of six pro-democracy election candidates from the election in July on the grounds that they backed independence, at least five "localists" and younger democratic newcomers won seats, including one of the leaders from the mass democracy protests of 2014, Nathan Law. Localists put the interests of Hong Kong before those of Beijing. "I'm quite shocked," said Law, 23. "We inherit some spirit from the movement and I hope that can continue in the future... We still have to unite in order to have stronger power to fight the Chinese Communist Party." Sunday's vote was the first major election since the student-led "Umbrella Revolution" protests of 2014 that blocked roads for 79 days in which Beijing gave no ground. Since then, many disaffected youngsters have decried what they see as increasing Beijing interference stifling dissent and civil liberties, leading to a radicalisation of the political scene and occasional violent protests. Several veteran democrats failed to retain their seats, as voters backed a new batch of younger democrats espousing self-determination and a more confrontational stance with China. "It's a new era," said Lee Cheuk-yan, a democratic lawmaker who lost his seat after more than two decades in public office. "People want change, change meaning that they want new faces ... but the price is a further fragmentation (of the democracy camp). Ideologically they're talking about independence and they want to assert themselves." Hong Kong Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Raymond Tam said the government would do its best to "bring them around to a more centrist position". "But it's too early to say if this will be an issue," he said. Pro-establishment lawmakers like Elizabeth Quat said she hoped the issue of splitting from China wouldn't enter the legislature or it could damage Hong Kong's economic interests. "Independence is not realistic at all," she said. "Hopefully, this will not be their main objective." Voters flocked to cast ballots in record numbers with some having to wait several hours after the close of polling past midnight at congested voting booths, leading to some delays in vote counting on Monday. "Hong Kong is really chaotic now. I want to do something to help," said 28-year-old Maicy Leung, who was in a snaking queue of several hundred. "It's to help the next generation and to help myself." The Electoral Affairs Commission said 58 per cent of the city's 3.8 million eligible voters had cast their ballot, up from 53 per cent in 2012 and the highest turnout for any legislative election since 1997. (Reuters)

Anti-China activists gain foothold in Hong Kong election

For the first time, activists demanding outright independence from Beijing will run for office

Hong Kong goes to the polls today and for the first time the semi-autonomous city will see young independence activists calling for a complete break from China run for office. The election for the Legislative Council is the most important one since 2014, when mass pro-democracy protests, calling for political reforms, got the city to a standstill. The election comes in the midst of increasing concerns in Hong Kong that Beijing is tightening its control over the politics, media and education. This fear has grown ever since five Hong Kong booksellers known for controversial titles about top Beijing politicians disappeared last year only to resurface in detention on the mainland. The disappearance fuelled a “localist” movement which grew out of the failure of the 2014 protests to win concessions on political reform from Beijing and is seeking a greater distance from China. The election comes in the midst of increasing concerns in Hong Kong that Beijing is tightening its control over the politics, media and education. While some young campaigners are demanding an outright independence, there are a few who demand a referendum. The harsher independence activists, slammed by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities for acting illegally by promoting the breakaway, were banned by the government from running in the election, leading to an outrage over political censorship. Polls predict some will win seats and victory for those who are standing would be a massive coup for the movement. But their numbers are still too small and the election is only partially democratic, making it almost impossible for the anti-Beijing camp ever to gain a majority. Forty of the Legislative Council’s 70 members will be directly elected by the public on today and the rest will be chosen by small voting blocs from special interest groups representing businesses and social sectors. Those seats usually go to pro-Beijing candidates. The pro-democracy camp wants to ensure it holds on to enough seats to block important bills, that need to be voted through by a two thirds majority. A loss of four seats would mean losing the veto power. On Saturday, five democrats dropped out of campaigning to consolidate voting behind those candidates with the best chance of winning. (WION with inputs from AFP) ?

Hong Kong prepares for first big vote since 2014 pro-democracy protests

Former Philippines president Fidel Ramos today named the head of a Chinese government think-tank among the experts and officials he hoped to meet on a trip to rekindle ties with China soured by a maritime dispute in the South China Sea. 
 
On July 12, an arbitration court in the Hague ruled that China had no historic title over the busy waterway and had breached the Philippines&#39; sovereign rights there, infuriating China, which had dismissed the case. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve always been a very optimistic person, always looking for the best results,&quot; Ramos told reporters in Hong Kong. &quot;But of course that also depends on the attitude of the Chinese officials.&quot; 
 
No details of itinerary&nbsp; 
 
Ramos gave no details of his itinerary or of those he planned to meet, except for Wu Shicun, who heads the National Institute for South China Sea Studies think-tank, based on China&#39;s southern island of Hainan. 
 
Asked about others, such as China&#39;s former deputy minister for Foreign Affairs Fu Ying, Ramos said he did not know yet. 
 
&quot;They all have links with Beijing, because some of them are already retired but elevated to the parliament as chairman of this and that committee.&quot; 
 
Ramos said he sought to improve economic and tourism links, such as by allowing &quot;more fishing in the common fishing ground&quot; of the Scarborough shoal in the Philippines&#39; exclusive economic zone. 
 
&quot;The idea is to use the South China Sea as a place to save lives, but not to kill people or to destroy lives,&quot; he added. 
 
China&#39;s 2012 seizure of the Scarborough Shoal, denying Philippine fishermen access, was among the factors that prompted Manila to seek arbitration. 
 
But China has ignored the court&#39;s ruling that none of its reefs and holdings in the Spratly Islands entitled it to a 200-mile exclusive economic zone. 
 
&#39;First concrete step&#39; 
 
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the sea, believed to be rich in energy deposits. 
 
Ramos, 88, who described his role as an &quot;icebreaker&quot;, is known for an impromptu duet of Elvis Presley&#39;s &#39;Love Me Tender&#39; with former Chinese president Jiang Zemin at a 1996 banquet. 
 
His trip represents &quot;the first concrete step&quot; in engagement for both sides and &quot;could open a new chapter in settling disputes&quot;, China&#39;s state news agency, Xinhua, said in a commentary. 
 
Ramos was Philippines president from 1992 to 1998, when China occupied the submerged Mischief Reef. 
 
(Reuters)

After the Hague ruling, the former president's visit is being viewed as an opportunity to open a new chapter in settling disputes with China

Former Philippines president Fidel Ramos today named the head of a Chinese government think-tank among the experts and officials he hoped to meet on a trip to rekindle ties with China soured by a maritime dispute in the South China Sea. On July 12, an arbitration court in the Hague ruled that China had no historic title over the busy waterway and had breached the Philippines' sovereign rights there, infuriating China, which had dismissed the case. "I've always been a very optimistic person, always looking for the best results," Ramos told reporters in Hong Kong. "But of course that also depends on the attitude of the Chinese officials." No details of itinerary Ramos gave no details of his itinerary or of those he planned to meet, except for Wu Shicun, who heads the National Institute for South China Sea Studies think-tank, based on China's southern island of Hainan. Asked about others, such as China's former deputy minister for Foreign Affairs Fu Ying, Ramos said he did not know yet. "They all have links with Beijing, because some of them are already retired but elevated to the parliament as chairman of this and that committee." Ramos said he sought to improve economic and tourism links, such as by allowing "more fishing in the common fishing ground" of the Scarborough shoal in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. "The idea is to use the South China Sea as a place to save lives, but not to kill people or to destroy lives," he added. China's 2012 seizure of the Scarborough Shoal, denying Philippine fishermen access, was among the factors that prompted Manila to seek arbitration. But China has ignored the court's ruling that none of its reefs and holdings in the Spratly Islands entitled it to a 200-mile exclusive economic zone. 'First concrete step' China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the sea, believed to be rich in energy deposits. Ramos, 88, who described his role as an "icebreaker", is known for an impromptu duet of Elvis Presley's 'Love Me Tender' with former Chinese president Jiang Zemin at a 1996 banquet. His trip represents "the first concrete step" in engagement for both sides and "could open a new chapter in settling disputes", China's state news agency, Xinhua, said in a commentary. Ramos was Philippines president from 1992 to 1998, when China occupied the submerged Mischief Reef. (Reuters)

Philippines envoy Fidel Ramos "optimistic" about ice breaking China trip

Hong Kong&#39;s government today announced the names of candidates approved to run in the territory&#39;s most contentious legislative council elections since reverting to Chinese rule almost two decades ago, amid a dispute over people excluded on political grounds. 
 
As many as nine candidates have been rejected because of their stance on the Chinese special administrative region&#39;s political future in what critics say is an ill omen for its democratic development. 
 
Three excluded candidates say they will appeal, although no ruling is expected before the September 4 elections. 
 
The rejections are seen as a sign of China&#39;s growing political interference in the financial hub, which enjoys its own legal system and far greater democratic freedoms than the Communist Party-run mainland. 
 
The government said 289 candidates have been approved to run for the 70-seat body, half of which is elected from geographic districts and half from professional constituencies such as engineering, tourism and the arts. Twelve of those seats are being filled by candidates running uncontested. 
 
Election officers warned candidates they must pledge to uphold Hong Kong&#39;s mini-constitution, including a newly added section saying the city is an &quot;inalienable&quot; part of China, and excluded those who refused. The rejected candidates, who hail from Hong Kong&#39;s marginal but growing independence, or &quot;localist&quot;, movement, said they refused because the demand amounted to political screening. 
 
Officers rejected the candidacy of one high-profile localist candidate, university student Edward Leung of the group Hong Kong Indigenous, even after he signed the pledge and renounced previous pro-independence statements. 
 
Speaking to The Associated Press yesterday, Leung characterized the imposition of the new pledge as both unnecessary and illegal. 
 
&quot;I think the political scene in Hong Kong is being manipulated completely by the Beijing authority,&quot; said Leung, 25, who became active in politics during monthslong and ultimately unsuccessful street protests in 2014 demanding the right to freely nominate candidates for the territory&#39;s chief executive. 
 
Hong Kong people &quot;need to recognize that the sovereignty of Hong Kong should always belong to them,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

The rejections indicate China's growing political interference in the financial hub, which enjoys its own legal system

Hong Kong's government today announced the names of candidates approved to run in the territory's most contentious legislative council elections since reverting to Chinese rule almost two decades ago, amid a dispute over people excluded on political grounds. As many as nine candidates have been rejected because of their stance on the Chinese special administrative region's political future in what critics say is an ill omen for its democratic development. Three excluded candidates say they will appeal, although no ruling is expected before the September 4 elections. The rejections are seen as a sign of China's growing political interference in the financial hub, which enjoys its own legal system and far greater democratic freedoms than the Communist Party-run mainland. The government said 289 candidates have been approved to run for the 70-seat body, half of which is elected from geographic districts and half from professional constituencies such as engineering, tourism and the arts. Twelve of those seats are being filled by candidates running uncontested. Election officers warned candidates they must pledge to uphold Hong Kong's mini-constitution, including a newly added section saying the city is an "inalienable" part of China, and excluded those who refused. The rejected candidates, who hail from Hong Kong's marginal but growing independence, or "localist", movement, said they refused because the demand amounted to political screening. Officers rejected the candidacy of one high-profile localist candidate, university student Edward Leung of the group Hong Kong Indigenous, even after he signed the pledge and renounced previous pro-independence statements. Speaking to The Associated Press yesterday, Leung characterized the imposition of the new pledge as both unnecessary and illegal. "I think the political scene in Hong Kong is being manipulated completely by the Beijing authority," said Leung, 25, who became active in politics during monthslong and ultimately unsuccessful street protests in 2014 demanding the right to freely nominate candidates for the territory's chief executive. Hong Kong people "need to recognize that the sovereignty of Hong Kong should always belong to them," he said. (PTI)

Hong Kong selects council poll candidates, rejects nine

Taiwan&#39;s Investment Commission said today it is set to order Uber Technologies Inc to exit the domestic market, saying the global ride-hailing giant misrepresented its business as an internet-based information technology platform, rather than a transportation service. 
 
Emile Chang, executive secretary at Taiwan&#39;s Investment Commission, said a final decision will be made by August 11. The commission oversees Taiwan&#39;s inbound and outbound foreign investments. 
 
The move comes amid a major strategic shift at Uber that will see its operations in China taken over by a mainland firm. Earlier this week, Uber said it was selling its China business to rival Didi Chuxing after a bruising two-year price war in a challenging market. 
 
Taiwan&#39;s decision adds to a string of official complaints aimed at the fast-growing US start-up. It has faced similar legal scrutiny in markets across Asia, including both in Hong Kong and China. 
 
&quot;Taiwan&#39;s government has communicated many times with Uber...The worst scenario is to order (it) to leave the market,&quot; Chang said, adding Uber can appeal the decision to Taiwan&#39;s cabinet. 
 
Uber officials in Taiwan could not be immediately reached for comment. 
 
The company entered the Taiwan market in 2013, triggering anger from domestic taxi drivers, who staged a massive protest against Uber as recently as July. 
 
(Reuters)

Taiwan's decision adds to a string of official complaints aimed at the fast-growing US start-up

Taiwan's Investment Commission said today it is set to order Uber Technologies Inc to exit the domestic market, saying the global ride-hailing giant misrepresented its business as an internet-based information technology platform, rather than a transportation service. Emile Chang, executive secretary at Taiwan's Investment Commission, said a final decision will be made by August 11. The commission oversees Taiwan's inbound and outbound foreign investments. The move comes amid a major strategic shift at Uber that will see its operations in China taken over by a mainland firm. Earlier this week, Uber said it was selling its China business to rival Didi Chuxing after a bruising two-year price war in a challenging market. Taiwan's decision adds to a string of official complaints aimed at the fast-growing US start-up. It has faced similar legal scrutiny in markets across Asia, including both in Hong Kong and China. "Taiwan's government has communicated many times with Uber...The worst scenario is to order (it) to leave the market," Chang said, adding Uber can appeal the decision to Taiwan's cabinet. Uber officials in Taiwan could not be immediately reached for comment. The company entered the Taiwan market in 2013, triggering anger from domestic taxi drivers, who staged a massive protest against Uber as recently as July. (Reuters)

Taiwan set to order Uber's exit from market after accusing it of 'misrepresenting' business

Typhoon Nida swept through Hong Kong on Tuesday, shutting down most of the financial hub with gale-force winds and disrupting hundreds of flights, while low-lying areas were put on flood alert.&nbsp; 
 
Hong Kong&#39;s first major typhoon this year brought gusts of more than 100 kilo metres per hour after earlier making landfall in China&#39;s Guangdong province and prompted the observatory to issue an amber warning, signifying heavy rain, at 5.20 am Hong Kong time (2120 GMT).&nbsp; 
 
More than 150 flights were cancelled, the Airport Authority said, with Cathay Pacific and Dragonair warning none of their flights would be operating until 2 pm (0600 GMT) at the earliest.&nbsp; 
 
Hundreds of passengers were stranded at the airport and 290 flights delayed.&nbsp; 
 
Nida was moving gradually to the inland areas of Guangdong and winds near its centre had showed signs of weakening, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.&nbsp; 
 
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) announced that the morning trading in its securities market, including Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect trading, and derivatives market has been delayed due to the issuance of Typhoon Signal Number 8.&nbsp; 
 
The morning trading session at the Hong Kong stock exchange will be suspended if the typhoon signal remains at 8 or higher at 9 am local time (0100 GMT).&nbsp; 
 
The stock market will be shut for the rest of the day if a typhoon signal 8 is still in place by noon.&nbsp; 
 
Streets were largely deserted and shops shuttered since Monday evening when the typhoon signal 8 was hoisted, prompting many people to leave work early.&nbsp; 
 
Across the border, Guangdong province closed offices, factories and schools on Monday as it braced for Nida.&nbsp; 
 
Last month, Typhoon Nepartak drove at least 420,000 Chinese from their homes and caused more than 7.1 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) in losses in Fujian province alone.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Hong Kong stock exchange suspended morning trading. The market could remain shut for the day if typhoon signal 8 still in place

Typhoon Nida swept through Hong Kong on Tuesday, shutting down most of the financial hub with gale-force winds and disrupting hundreds of flights, while low-lying areas were put on flood alert. Hong Kong's first major typhoon this year brought gusts of more than 100 kilo metres per hour after earlier making landfall in China's Guangdong province and prompted the observatory to issue an amber warning, signifying heavy rain, at 5.20 am Hong Kong time (2120 GMT). More than 150 flights were cancelled, the Airport Authority said, with Cathay Pacific and Dragonair warning none of their flights would be operating until 2 pm (0600 GMT) at the earliest. Hundreds of passengers were stranded at the airport and 290 flights delayed. Nida was moving gradually to the inland areas of Guangdong and winds near its centre had showed signs of weakening, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) announced that the morning trading in its securities market, including Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect trading, and derivatives market has been delayed due to the issuance of Typhoon Signal Number 8. The morning trading session at the Hong Kong stock exchange will be suspended if the typhoon signal remains at 8 or higher at 9 am local time (0100 GMT). The stock market will be shut for the rest of the day if a typhoon signal 8 is still in place by noon. Streets were largely deserted and shops shuttered since Monday evening when the typhoon signal 8 was hoisted, prompting many people to leave work early. Across the border, Guangdong province closed offices, factories and schools on Monday as it braced for Nida. Last month, Typhoon Nepartak drove at least 420,000 Chinese from their homes and caused more than 7.1 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) in losses in Fujian province alone. (Reuters)

Typhoon Nida shuts Hong Kong, low-lying areas put on flood alert

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