Latest news with #MartinWong
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- RNZ News
Several historic gravestones vandalised at Auckland cemetery
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Several historic gravestones have been vandalised at a cemetery in the Auckland suburb of Parnell on Monday. Police said they received a report just after 5pm that at least eight gravestones at St Stephen's Chapel had been pushed over and broken up. Auckland Council area operation manager, Martin Wong, said they were aware of the incident. "This is a disgraceful act and our hearts go out to the descendants of those lying in rest here," he said. "The graves are maintained by volunteers, whose efforts have been helped by two Auckland Council grants over the last six years. "The council manages the land, gardens and trees at this closed cemetery site, but does not look after the graves, as these are private property owned by the descendants. That said, we will assist to sensitively tidy up the damage and assist the police with their enquiries." He said they were also investigating damage to council-owned toilets at the nearby Judges Bay over the weekend, where sinks, taps, and toilets were removed. Anyone with information was asked to report it to police online or call 105 using the reference number 250707/2117. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Business Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Hong Kong home prices little changed in May
[HONG KONG] Hong Kong's home prices largely stayed flat in May, government figures showed on Thursday, supported by falling mortgage rates. Private home prices edged up only 0.03 per cent in May from the month before, following a revised 0.5 per cent rise in April that ended four months of decline, data from the Rating and Valuation Department showed. The prices have dropped 0.9 per cent so far this year to their lowest level since 2016. Home prices in Hong Kong, one of the world's most unaffordable cities, have tumbled nearly 30 per cent from a 2021 peak, hurt by higher mortgage rates, a weak economic outlook, and poor demand as many professionals have left the territory. Authorities tried to prop up the sector last year, lifting all curbs on property purchases and relaxing down payment ratios, but housing demand has remained soft. The one-month Hong Kong dollar interbank rate HIBOR, which many mortgage plans are linked to, hit a fresh three-year low last week, making mortgage rates more affordable for home buyers. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up What's next? Realtors forecast home prices in 2025 could rise or fall by 5 per cent, depending on the pace of official rate cuts and the severity of trade tensions between China and the United States. Martin Wong, director of real estate consultancy Knight Frank, expected the property market to bottom out in the second half due to more rate cuts. Morgan Stanley last week said the Hong Kong residential market could be at the onset of an up-cycle that could last for four to five years, because of improved home affordability, more home buyers from mainland China, coupled with less land supply, and low mortgage rates. REUTERS
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Hong Kong Baptist University Showcases World-Leading Research in Digital Health & Systems Medicine at THE Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 June 2025 – Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) illuminated the path to global well-being as the Global Health Innovation Partner and sponsor of the Health and Wellbeing Track at the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2025, from June 16-19, 2025. At this gathering of over 5,000 global thought leaders, HKBU presented its comprehensive, interdisciplinary strategy for health and well-being, spearheaded by its Health & Drug Discovery research cluster. Firmly aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, HKBU's vision for health transformation drives from data to actionable insight. It comprehensively integrates mental and digital well-being, real-time analytics, and innovative interdisciplinary approaches. This includes blending traditional Chinese Medicine with cutting-edge sciences like chemical biology and data analytics, complemented by advancements in environmental, physical, and social sciences. A Hub for Holistic Health A highlight of HKBU's presence was the 6,000-square-foot 'Well-being Zone', thoughtfully designed to embody the principle that health is holistic and interconnected. This innovative Zone brought the concept of interdisciplinarity to a global audience by seamlessly integrating diverse fields, from martial arts and mindfulness to cutting-edge digital health monitoring: • Interdisciplinary Movement & Mindfulness: Tai Chi, Baduanjin and Mindfulness Karate sessions demonstrated HKBU's 'exercise is medicine' philosophy. • Real-Time Digital Well-being Research: Participants had the unique opportunity to contribute live data for Professor Christy Cheung's pioneering studies, which explore how digital tools can effectively measure mindfulness and enhance overall well-being. • Expert-Led Talks: Distinguished HKBU academics presented cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. Topics included critical global health trends, advancements in mental well-being, and innovative applications of Chinese Medicine and AI in modern healthcare. • Reflection & Rejuvenation Spaces: Thoughtfully curated 'chill-out' relaxation areas, massage corners and a juice bar provided spaces for participants to experience a reboot of the body and the mind. Highlighting HKBU's research strength in the transformative power of technology for global health, Professor Martin Wong, Provost & Chair Professor of Computer Science, emphasised, 'HKBU's recent top-50 global ranking in databases, design automation, and artificial intelligence underscores our collaborative ethos. By integrating advanced AI methodologies with clinical, pharmaceutical and social-science expertise, we are optimising diagnostics, accelerating drug discovery and enhancing surgical assistance. This interdisciplinary approach reinforces Hong Kong's reputation as a global hub for cutting-edge research and higher education.' Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research & Development), highlighted HKBU's strategic edge, 'Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to lead East–West integration in digital health and systems medicine. HKBU combines the rigour of life sciences with robust Chinese Medicine research, underpinned by advanced data analytics. This powerful synergy enables us to tackle complex health disparities at biological, social, and environmental levels, and build resilient, equitable health systems to meet future global challenges.' In addition to numerous insightful presentations and the interactive experiences, HKBU Provost Professor Martin Wong gave a keynote at the session entitled 'Reframing Sustainability through the Lens of Chinese Heritage and Innovation' convened by the China Education Association for International Exchange. HKBU also released the 'Evolving Legacy: Decoding the Scientific Trajectory of Chinese Medicine' Report ( in collaboration with Elsevier. This report examines the development and evolving research landscape of Chinese Medicine and its growing influence on modern healthcare.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Home prices in Hong Kong fall 0.5% in March
HONG KONG : Hong Kong's home prices slipped for a fourth month in March, government figures showed on Monday, as the ailing property market faced more economic headwinds. By the numbers Private home prices fell 0.5% in March from the month before, following a revised 0.6% decline in February, data from the Rating and Valuation Department showed. The March price index was the lowest since July 2016. Why its important Home prices in Hong Kong , one of the world's most unaffordable cities, have tumbled nearly 30% from a 2021 peak, hurt by higher mortgage rates , a weak economic outlook, and poor demand as many professionals have left the territory. Authorities tried to prop up the sector last year, lifting all curbs on property purchases and relaxing down payment ratios, but housing demand has remained soft. Market comments Realtors forecast home prices in 2025 could rise or fall by 5%, depending on the pace of official rate cuts and the severity of trade tensions between China and the United States. Eddie Kwok, executive director of real estate consultancy CBRE, said investment appetite was again negatively affected in April due to global uncertainty, and it could lead to a slight decrease in home prices in the next few months as potential buyers take a wait-and-see approach. Martin Wong, director of Knight Frank, said the U.S. might lower interest rates again soon to stimulate the economy, and Hong Kong would follow suit and benefit the property market. Context The government in February cut the stamp duty for small home transactions. Homes with values of HK$3 million to HK$4 million ($385,847-$514,462) now have to pay just HK$100 in stamp duty, instead of up to HK$60,000. Property agents said the move could encourage first-time buyers and lift home transactions by 5%-10%. Major banks lowered their best Hong Kong lending rate in December by 25 basis points for the third time last year. The territory's currency is pegged to the U.S. dollar, but local banks make their own rate decisions.
Business Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Hong Kong home prices fall for a fourth month in March
[HONG KONG] Hong Kong's home prices slipped for a fourth month in March, government figures showed on Monday (Apr 28), as the ailing property market faced more economic headwinds. Private home prices fell 0.5 per cent in March from the month before, following a revised 0.6 per cent decline in February, data from the Rating and Valuation Department showed. The March price index was the lowest since July 2016. Prices down Home prices in Hong Kong, one of the world's most unaffordable cities, have tumbled nearly 30 per cent from a 2021 peak, hurt by higher mortgage rates, a weak economic outlook, and poor demand as many professionals have left the territory. Authorities tried to prop up the sector last year, lifting all curbs on property purchases and relaxing down payment ratios, but housing demand has remained soft. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up Realtors forecast home prices in 2025 could rise or fall by 5 per cent, depending on the pace of official rate cuts and the severity of trade tensions between China and the US. Eddie Kwok, the executive director of real estate consultancy CBRE, said investment appetite was again negatively affected in April due to global uncertainty, and it could lead to a slight decrease in home prices in the next few months as potential buyers take a wait-and-see approach. Knight Frank director Martin Wong said the US might lower interest rates again soon to stimulate the economy, and Hong Kong would follow suit and benefit the property market. The government in February cut the stamp duty for small home transactions. Homes with values of HK$3 million to HK$4 million (S$507,100 to S$676,100) now have to pay just HK$100 in stamp duty, instead of up to HK$60,000. Property agents said the move could encourage first-time buyers and lift home transactions by 5 to 10 per cent. Major banks lowered their best Hong Kong lending rate in December by 25 basis points for the third time last year. The territory's currency is pegged to the US dollar, but local banks make their own rate decisions. REUTERS
