Advertisement
Advertisement
-
TOPIC

Regulation

Regulation
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Regulation. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Illustration: Craig Stephens
China society

Opinion | Quietly, steadily, animal rights campaigners are making headway in China

With national laws the ultimate goal, progress is being made, one local regulation and court case at a time.

videocam
Two Sessions 2026

How China could untangle its private firms’ complex debt burdens

Australia

Australia mulls forcing app stores, search engines to axe unsafe AI services

Banking & finance

HSBC signals intent to join Hong Kong’s stablecoin regime amid digital hub push

Georges Elhedery declined to confirm whether HSBC applied for stablecoin licence but indicated that discussions with regulator were ongoing.

HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery poses for a photograph in Hong Kong on February 26, 2026. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | As AI agents advance, Hong Kong should shape the rules now

By leveraging the Hong Kong-Shenzhen innovation hub as a cross-border testing ground, the city can set the standard for responsible AI governance.

videocam
India

Opinion | How India can lead the charge for inclusive AI

The AI Impact summit showcased India’s commitment to placing human well-being at the heart of the global artificial intelligence conversation.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Science

EU bans Chinese organisations from critical tech programmes, including AI, chips

Chinese space scientist Wu Ji doubts the policy will hurt China much and may instead ‘make Europe appear more isolated’.

videocam
67
The EU has barred most organisations based in China from applying for its Horizon Europe grants in “critical areas”. Image: Shutterstock
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Government must reflect on its failures as we enter Year of the Horse

The past year has been a difficult one and it is important for the administration to assess its performance and embrace change.

videocam
12
China’s crackdowns

China charges former AstraZeneca executive – a sign of the times?

Foreign drug makers face pressure in the Chinese market, from tighter regulatory oversight to growing local competition.

United States

California court begins social media trial amid mental health concerns

The case ‌will determine whether Instagram and YouTube harmed a woman’s mental health through addictive app design, testing Big Tech’s liability.

Parents who lost children to social media-related harms hold a vigil ahead of a social media addiction trial, in Los Angeles, California, US on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
China’s private sector

China’s Kuaishou slapped with US$17 million fine after explicit content probe

The fine comes days after a separate e-commerce penalty, adding pressure on China’s No 2 short-video platform to tighten controls.

Beijing’s Cyberspace Administration launched an investigation following reports of a surge in pornographic streams Photo: Shutterstock
US-China trade war

US Treasury chief warns of China’s push for digital asset dominance

Scott Bessent tells senators the US must pass the Clarity Act to counter Hong Kong’s ‘sandbox’ and maintain global financial leadership.

videocam
12
China-EU relations

‘Discriminatory’: China slams EU probe into wind turbine maker Goldwind

Brussels’ ‘abuse of investigations’ is harming China-EU cooperation and slowing Europe’s green transition, Beijing warns.

Fintech

HKMA launches quantum readiness and cybersecurity projects for banks in AI era

Banking regulator sets fintech road map with quantum index and measures to boost security, data quality and skills.

“Computing equals productivity, but we can’t sacrifice security while making innovations,” says Arthur Yuen of the HKMA. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong’s seat belt policy U-turn shows little learned from waste levy mess

Once again, despite good intentions, policymakers have failed to consider every eventuality and prepare adequately.

videocam
11
People wear seat belts on a double-decker bus in Sham Shui Po on January 29 to comply with new rules that are now being suspended. Photo: Sam Tsang
E-commerce

China slaps US$3.7 million fine on Kuaishou for live-streaming e-commerce breach

The penalty reflects a broader regulatory crackdown on content and operations deemed undesirable or harmful on Chinese online platforms.

Hong Kong

Legal Tales | Late corporate activist David Webb showed why transparency benefits Hong Kong

Webb’s website reported on suspicious corporate wrongdoings under an open system that improved city’s governance and exercise of the rule of law.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Fintech

China second to US in global AI finance index, with Hong Kong third as city hub

China rated the strongest country in converting AI capacity into production use, while Hong Kong trailed New York and London as finance hub.

China outperformed all countries in financial sector AI maturity, according to the Global AI Competitiveness Index. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong lawmakers urge review of seat belt policy on buses amid complaints

Legislator Ben Chan says some operators could consider switching to lap belts to make it easier for passengers to alight.

32
China travel

China’s Trip.com probe targets algorithms, prices after vendor anger: analysts

Regulators accuse one of the world’s biggest travel platforms of abusing market power, with analysts warning of wider industry scrutiny.

4
Malaysia

‘Lame excuse’: Malaysia’s parliament tightens access rules for media interviews

One lawmaker slammed the move for curbing the right of MPs to express their views freely.

Malaysia’s parliament building in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AP
Artificial intelligence

China-founded Shanda’s AI lab boosts Singapore operation, pulling China research

MiroMind asks some staff in Shanghai to relocate and continue their AI research work in Singapore, sources say.

People gather next to the Merlion statue at the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade in Singapore. Photo: AFP
Low-altitude economy

Shanghai to open ‘free-to-fly’ zones covering 46% of city for consumer drones

From February 1, consumer drones will be allowed to fly in designated airspace under new rules to boost the city’s low-altitude economy.

videocam
E-commerce

China fines e-commerce firm PDD for tax violations amid probe

Operator of leading online retail platform was cited for failure to comply with Shanghai’s tax requirements.

videocam
European Union

Opinion | An internally split Europe can never fully engage China and Asia

The Brussels effect is real but so is Europe’s strategic subordination to the US. For China, and Asia, this means proceeding with pragmatism.

videocam
Illustration: Craig Stephens
China’s crackdowns

China targets wealthy influencers with audits, fines as fiscal pressures rise

Big data is used to flag income gaps for top online stars and overseas earners, as regulators recover billions in unpaid levies amid slumping land sales and value-added tax revenue decline.

China is cracking down on live-streamers who are not paying their fair share of taxes. Photo: Shutterstock
Trip.com

Beijing opens antitrust investigation into Trip.com before Lunar New Year break

The Trip.com case shows how China’s regulatory inquiries into various online platforms have become the norm.

US-China tech war

Editorial | Review of Meta-Manus deal a reminder of what’s at stake in US-China rivalry

As Chinese firms look abroad, the authorities have to balance intellectual property protection and national security against commercial interests.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement