Hong Kong records 15th straight quarter of growth as GDP rises 5.2%

🔮 Meta says it met Hong Kong privacy watchdog over AI-enabled glasses concerns Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data earlier warned tech giant’s product may enable covert recording, excessive personal data collection Meta Platforms has confirmed it discussed privacy concerns surrounding smart glasses with Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog, as the US tech giant’s AI-enabled eyewear goes on sale in the city amid mounting international scrutiny.

🔮 Hong Kong artist dismayed as works stolen hours before exhibition due to open Local artist says the social media-inspired styrofoam sculptures are unlikely to fetch much money on the black market Hong Kong police are investigating the suspected theft of five styrofoam sculptures created by local artist Keith Lam Yan-kit.

🔮 More drug, semiconductor firms eyeing Hong Kong for expansion, OASES head says Head of Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises gives preview of government’s announcement of next batch of firms setting up in the city Ten to 20 more companies are set to establish or expand operations in Hong Kong, including leading drug makers and a semiconductor business, with a roughly equal number of mainland Chinese and overseas firms, the head of a government investment office has said.

🔮 The store is set to hold its official grand opening on Friday evening.

🔮 Hong Kong police arrest 20 over prostitution syndicate that trapped women in debt Police say women from Southeast Asia had to provide unpaid sexual services to repay travel and accommodation costs before sharing earnings with the syndicate Hong Kong police have arrested 20 people in connection with a cross-border prostitution syndicate that allegedly recruited women from Southeast Asia and required them to provide unpaid sexual services to repay travel debts. Police said on Tuesday that the syndicate paid for the women’s travel and accommodation but required them to provide sexual services 30 to 45 times without payment before they could earn money from prostitution.

🔮 Hong Kong electronics fairs to showcase 120 robots as firms aim to expand AI use Hong Kong Electronics Fair and electronicAsia will bring together more than 3,200 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions More than 120 robots, including humanoid machines designed for factory work and elderly care, will be showcased at two major Hong Kong electronics fairs, as mainland Chinese manufacturers seek to expand the commercial applications of AI and tap overseas markets.

🔮 Mainland Chinese arrivals to Hong Kong beat ‘golden week’ forecast in just 6 days Mainland arrivals hit 1.3 million, up 11.6 per cent year on year, surpassing entire holiday forecast of 1.29 million, as malls and hotels report brisk trade Mainland Chinese visitor arrivals in Hong Kong exceeded the government’s forecast for the entire National Day “golden week” holiday in the first six days, as major shopping centres and hotel operators reported brisk business. The city recorded 1.3 million mainland visitor arrivals over the first six days of the week-long break, up by 11.6 per cent from the same period last year and surpassing the government’s forecast of 1.29 million for the entire holiday, according to Immigration Department figures.

🔮 “If you are talking about larger flats, especially those with sea views, there will definitely be demand,” Lee said, adding that the development was likely to appeal to major developers given its scale and prime location.

🔮 ‘We will have more revenue in the coming months such as from the upfront fees from the tender of the residential project,’ authority CEO Betty Fung says The authority managing Hong Kong’s arts hub in West Kowloon recorded a wider deficit in the 2025-26 financial year but expects to generate more income next year by putting a residential development project out to tender. The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority’s deficit ballooned to HK$998 million (U$127 million) in the year to March 30, from HK$769 million in the same period a year earlier.

🔮 Growth had slowed from 7.9 per cent in May to 4.6 per cent in June.