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Hong Kong property curbs scrapped, Taylor Swift deal questioned, China’s durian king: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week
- From property curbs in Hong Kong being scrapped to the intensifying durian market in China, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Hong Kong budget – all property curbs scrapped to boost market
During his budget speech, Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po said the city would remove all restrictions on property transactions as part of his solutions for the sluggish economy and shrinking fiscal reserves in what some analysts called the most difficult budget blueprint ever.
2. Philippine lawmaker wants probe on Taylor Swift’s Singapore-only concert deal
A Philippine lawmaker has called on his government to question Singapore over the city state’s decision to offer American pop star Taylor Swift a significant monetary grant, supposedly to prevent her from performing anywhere else in Southeast Asia.
3. Chinese floating barrier at South China Sea flashpoint was ‘necessary’, Beijing says
China on Monday said it was “necessary” to set up a floating barrier at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, where it has had frequent flare-ups with Philippine forces.
4. Smells like victory: countries vie to be China’s durian king as crop flourishes
Competition between exporters is expected to intensify in China, the world’s largest durian market, as the global crop has been projected to grow as much as 10 per cent by 2030 and voracious consumers are on the hunt for greater variety and better bargains.
5. Former Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang resigns from country’s legislature
China’s former foreign minister Qin Gang, who has been missing from public view since June last year, has resigned as a member of the national legislature ahead of a key political set piece event, according to an official statement.
6. Young China makeup guru’s transformation business amasses 5.5 million followers
A makeup artist in China who uses her exceptional skills to dramatically improve the appearance of her clients – in some cases make them appear many years younger – has become a major hit on mainland social media.
7. What’s riding an overnight train in China like? A 36-hour journey to Chengdu
Travel writer Ian Lloyd Neubauer takes two overnight trains from Lhasa in Tibet to Chengdu to find out what sleeping, eating and socialising is like on the world’s busiest rail network.
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