Hong Kong Stocks Rally As Hang Seng Hits Multi-Year High
The HSI advanced from around 24,280 on July 14 to close at 24,825.66 on July 18, marking a robust 2.2% weekly gain. The rally mirrored upbeat sentiment in regional markets, as the MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index also hit a multi-year high, buoyed by strong US economic data and positive corporate earnings.
All sectors contributed to the advance, with Chinese blue-chip stocks leading gains. Investors shrugged off lingering tariff concerns and focused on improving macro signals from the US and China.
The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) also announced major infrastructure updates, including a proposal to shorten the equities settlement cycle from T+2 to T+1, aiming for implementation by 2027. This move aligns with global financial hubs and aims to reduce systemic risks.
HKEX also launched a 30-year RMB interest rate swap under Northbound Swap Connect and introduced a new order routing service on its Integrated Fund Platform, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a key cross-border financial centre.
Outlook: With momentum building and HIS at a multi-year high, investors are eyeing this week's US macroeconomic data and developments in China's property sector for further direction. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic but note that volatility could return on shifting global trade and interest rate dynamics. Related
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The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Tesla tops Chinese rivals in assisted driving tests
BEIJING: Billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla outperformed Chinese rivals including BYD, Xiaomi and Huawei in a test of assisted driving technologies on China's highways, according to results published by TikTok owner Bytedance's auto unit Dcar. State television CCTV and Dcar jointly tested the level 2 advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) from more than 20 electric vehicle brands in China and rated their performance in a series of scenarios with higher risks of accidents on highways and urban traffics. The test videos posted by Dcar went viral on Chinese social media. Tesla scored the best in the highway test among 36 models, with its Model 3 and Model X passing five out of six scenarios, while BYD's Denza Z9GT and Huawei-backed Aito M9 failed in three scenarios. Xiaomi's SU7 passed in one of six. In a Weibo post on Friday, HIMA, the Huawei-led auto alliance, said it declined to comment on the 'so-called test.' BYD and Xiaomi didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. 'Due to laws against data export, Tesla achieved the top results in China despite having no local training data,' Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on his X account on Friday. Tesla has been caught in what Musk described as a 'quandary', as the U.S. doesn't allow its AI software to be trained in China, while the automaker has been seeking approval from Chinese regulators to transfer data saved locally in Shanghai back to the United States for algorithm training. Domestic brands should face up to the gap with Tesla in autonomous driving, Wang Yao, deputy chief engineer of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, told an auto forum in Shanghai earlier this month. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, in remarks after a Tesla Model Y delivered itself from an Austin, Texas factory to its owner in the area roughly 30 minutes away, said 'we will continue to learn' from Tesla which has led industry trends. The test came amid growing safety concerns in China about the ADAS after a highway accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 killed three people in March. State media have blamed misleading promotions for resulting drivers' improper uses of the technologies and the authorities have banned the uses of terms such as 'smart driving' and 'autonomous driving' for marketing driving assistance features. The public security ministry said this week that the country will set out legal responsibilities related to the technology that has yet achieved true autonomous driving. Drivers face safety and legal risks if they are distracted in accidents when assisted driving is turned on, the ministry warned. Xiaomi had seen a slump in new EV orders as a consumer backlash began in April following the fatal trash, but the impact seems short-lived, with its new electric SUV receiving exceptionally strong initially orders after it went on sale last month. Tesla's sales of its China-made electric vehicles edged up 0.8% in June from a year earlier, snapping an eight-month losing streak, but they continued to fall on a quarterly basis in the face of lower-cost new models from its Chinese rivals. Tesla's assisted driving suite is available in China for nearly $9,000, while the technology from its local rivals including Xiaomi and BYD is without extra cost, pressuring the U.S. automaker's self-driving future. Tesla's technology approach relies solely on cameras as sensors and artificial intelligence while most Chinese peers including BYD use lidar (light detection and range sensors) additionally to ensure performance. ($1 = 7.1624 Chinese yuan renminbi) - Reuters
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
US tariffs – Short-term shock, long-term opportunities for Asean real estate industry
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He added that confidence in governance, stemming from Vietnam's policy reforms to Malaysia's interest rate cuts, continues to underpin the region's housing markets. From a macro lens, Tanuwidjaja said the tariffs underline Asean's need to boost internal trade and reduce dependence on external markets. 'Intra‑Asean trade is only 17%, compared to over 40% in the EU,' he said. 'We need to integrate, use local currency settlements, harmonise regulations and build supply chains that loop within the region.' While describing Asean as 'resilient', he warned that volatility will persist throughout the current US administration: 'Businesses must plan for turbulence, not a quick fix. The next midterm election in 2026 is the next real pivot.' He also urged governments and developers to prepare for technological disruption. 'AI will transform customer service, marketing and operations. 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Looking beyond domestic markets, Ho urged Malaysian developers to revive their overseas promotion campaigns, targeting buyers from Hong Kong, China, and Singapore. 'Our products are internationally recognised and competitively priced by Asean standards,' he said. 'With stable governance and award‑winning townships, Malaysia can stand out.' Tanuwidjaja echoed the sentiment: 'The higher tide will lift all boats but only if Asean rows together.' While uncertainties remain, the panel's tone shifted from caution to resolve. The tariffs, they argued, could catalyse Asean's next phase of growth by forcing integration, accelerating digital tools and prioritising sustainability. 'If you don't change, you'll be changed,' Ho said. 'This is the moment for our industry to reinvent and emerge stronger.'
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
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Fashion Goes Live: How Brands and Affiliates Win Consumer Trust Through Shopee Live
From Cautious to Confident Livestreams That Speak to Shoppers Get Ready With Shopee This 8.8 Shopee Live Fashion Week - END - KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 25 July 2025 - Buying fashion online has long come with a familiar challenge — a hint of hesitation, some second-guessing, and an overall sense of uncertainty before placing an order. Today's buyers aren't just looking for great deals; they want trusted reviews, value for money, and products that meet their expectations. Building that buyer confidence continues to be a non-negotiable part of the shopping up to the challenge are local brands and affiliates, bridging the gap between buyers and sellers through value-driven livestream content that clicks, connects, and converts. By extending their presence online, they're fostering trust, addressing consumer needs, and creating a shopping experience that feels personal and of scrolling endlessly or second-guessing purchases, more buyers are turning to livestreams for guidance and local Malaysian apparel brand, known for elegant wear with a traditional contemporary twist. 'Shoppers today are more cautious — they want to be sure of what they're buying, and that trust doesn't come easy online. That's why livestreaming has been such a game changer. It lets us connect directly with our customers, show how our pieces fit, and build trust through real-time interaction.'During Shopee's recent campaign,, invested additional time in livestreaming resulting in more than 400% increase in livestream sales. Beyond hosting their own livestreams, they also tap into Shopee's Affiliate network to amplify word-of-mouth discovery., a Shopee affiliate, shares his experience working with local fashion brands. 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Most of my viewers are young Muslim women looking for styling tips. In my livestreams, I focus on showing fresh and versatile ways to wear my scarves. More importantly, they feel like they're getting full value out of the product. I also time my livestreams when my audience is most active on the app. Some people think going live is just about showing products, but having a proper strategy makes all the difference if you want real results!'During last month's sale,more than doubled their viewership and revenue with the majority coming from livestream, proving how powerful Shopee Live can be in enabling local fashion brand not just sellers making an impact, affiliates likeare bringing inspirations to life as well. 'People don't just want to see clothes, they want to see themselves in them,' he shared. 'When I promote modest fashion brands, I focus on building my followers' confidence by creating content that speaks to their everyday needs. My audience are usually concerned about how to dress modestly while staying cool in the hot weather. So, I focus my content on recommending breathable, modest pieces that offer comfort without compromising on style or coverage. People want their problems solved and now, I regularly strategise my livestreams this way!'Through this focus,was able to gain more than a thousand followers within 7 days and contribute an additional 50% in sales for local fashion brands last shows that with the right timing and approach, livestreaming can benefit everyone - buyers, brands, and affiliates. Ultimately, it boils down to knowing your audience and creating content that answers their shoppers become more intentional with how and where they spend, livestream commerce is quickly becoming the go-to way to discover fashion. Today's brands and affiliates are leveraging Shopee's comprehensive content ecosystem so buyers can shop 8.8, catchandthis Shopee Live Fashion Week happening from 1 to 11 August 2025. Buyers can look forward todeals, including daily 50% off Fashion Vouchers, Free Shipping with no minimum spend, and exclusive livestream-only vouchers. Join us this 8.8 and experience how Shopee makes shopping your favourite fashion brandsHashtag: #Shopee The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Shopee Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia & Taiwan. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalise and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services, and uplifting local communities. Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region's digital economy with a firm commitment to helping homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce. Shopee is part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a leading global consumer internet company. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology through its three core businesses: Shopee, Garena and Monee. For Media Enquiries Shopee Public Relations Team: [email protected]
