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EcoCeres to invest HK$10 billion in sustainable aviation fuel plants in Greater Bay Area

Sustainable aviation fuel plants backed by tycoon Peter Lee’s family office hailed by Hong Kong leader as ‘milestone’ cross-border collaboration A biofuel company backed by the family office of tycoon Peter Lee Ka-kit will invest HK$10 billion (US$1.3 billion) in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production plants in the Greater Bay Area, a project that Hong Kong’s leader has hailed as a “milestone” collaboration between the city and mainland China. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the venture represented joint efforts by the Hong Kong and Dongguan governments to align with Beijing’s 15th five-year development plan between 2026 and 2030. He described it as “a milestone” and “an excellent example of synergy of the two places”. “Hong Kong brings global finance, professional services and research capabilities. Dongguan brings mature chemical industry parks, logistics and a steady supply of used cooking oil – the essential raw material for SAF,” the city leader said. “Together, we form a powerful combination.” SAF is a renewable fuel produced from waste materials such as used cooking oil and agricultural waste that reduces life cycle emissions by up to 80 per cent compared with conventional fuel.

May 6, 2026

Business

Ni hao, new hire: Africa’s growing Mandarin job boom

While Chinese firms have long brought their own translators to the continent, they are now often hiring local linguists The change is partially being driven by the expanding footprint of smaller Chinese companies, which would rather hire locally than bring their own staff from China, and by the increasing role played by African firms in trade. Few of the thousands of Chinese executives, managers and workers who pour into Africa every year are proficient in the languages of their host countries, according to recruiters and analysts. This is true for the most widely spoken official languages like English or French, and is especially the case with indigenous African languages. “There is now a greater need for Chinese language skills than before,” said Heidi Haugen, a professor of China studies at the University of Oslo in Norway. Recent job posts on the networking site LinkedIn reveal continent-wide demand for Mandarin skills in sectors including real estate, mining, hospitality, healthcare and manufacturing.

May 6, 2026

Business

Chinese companies suing governments the world over

Support us Picture: David Gray / Getty via The Conversation The Chinese-owned firm that operates the Port of Darwin isn’t happy about the federal government’s push to return it to an Australian owner. Now, the situation is escalating, with the stage set for an international legal showdown. The Albanese government has been in talks with Landbridge Group, whose parent company is headquartered in Shandong province, China, to return the port to an Australian owner, following an election promise. But in late April, Ye Cheng, the Chinese billionaire who founded Landbridge, initiated proceedings against Australia at a World Bank tribunal, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. The government has said it will defend the claim. This case may take years to resolve. But it’s not the only example of a Chinese company taking on a national government, claiming to be unfairly excluded based on national security or other concerns. Right now, many of these cases are still pending. But these rulings could have major financial implications if they provide a route for Chinese firms to demand compensation from governments for any losses caused by political decisions.

May 6, 2026

Business

Drones shatter months of relative calm in Sudan’s capital as international airport targeted

Khartoum rocked by new attacks as Sudan again alleges UAE and Ethiopia involvement in the civil war Sudan’s armed forces blamed a drone attack ⁠on Monday that targeted Khartoum airport on the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia, the latest in a barrage of assaults in recent days that has shattered months of relative calm in Sudan’s capital, three years into its civil war. Reuters could not independently verify the claims. Neither country immediately commented on the allegations made late on Monday. Sudan has often accused the UAE of supporting Rapid Support ‌Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, a charge the Gulf state has denied, and had accused Ethiopia of getting involved in the conflict earlier this year. Strikes launched since Friday have hit military targets and civilian areas in a city where people, ministries and international agencies had started returning since the army retook control there in March 2025, residents told Reuters. Witnesses said Monday’s drone attacks targeted Khartoum International Airport - where some of the earliest fighting erupted between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023 - and which received its first international flight in three years last week.

May 6, 2026

Business

Tourist’s photos with removed Hong Kong trail sign draw backlash online

Viral images show a backpacker posing with MacLehose Trail sign, prompting criticism over visitors’ behaviour during ‘golden week’ holiday A tourist has shared photos of herself holding a MacLehose Trail sign apparently removed from its metal stand during the Labour Day “golden week” holiday, drawing criticism from Hong Kong internet users. In one of two photos posted on her RedNote account, “2 star”, on Monday, the woman is seen holding the wooden panel, with a caption reading: “This is my favourite tourist picture” and a hashtag for Po Pin Chau, a well-known natural landmark in Sai Kung and a popular destination for visitors. In the second image, the sign is at the base of the metal stand by the roadside. In the post’s comment section, the woman said she found the sign already fallen and had merely picked it up for a photo. “There was absolutely no act of damaging public property,” she wrote, without specifying when the pictures were taken. The photos later went viral after being widely shared on Hong Kong social media. The post had attracted more than 19,000 “likes” and 600 comments by Tuesday afternoon, with many users criticising what they described as inconsiderate behaviour and damage to the city’s environment.

May 6, 2026

Business

Philippine inflation hits 3-year high amid Middle East conflict

Higher fuel, food, transport and utility costs forced inflation to 7.2 per cent last month, the highest since March 2023 Consumer prices rose 7.2 per cent last month, the statistics agency said on Tuesday, the highest since March 2023. That was above the 5.5 per cent median forecast in a poll of economists. The April print also breached the central bank’s forecast range of 5.6 to 6.4 per cent for the month. Emilio Neri, lead economist at Bank of the Philippine Islands, said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) could be forced to do another off-cycle meeting and hike rates to stem inflation. “Yes, we won’t rule out a forceful intermeeting hike. ⁠We can’t rely on supply side solutions to ensure that Philippine inflation is kept well-anchored in ‌this kind of volatile environment.”

May 6, 2026

Business

Deadly hantavirus outbreak traps 150 on cruise ship as WHO identifies more cases

Passengers and crew hunker down in isolation on a ship stuck off Cabo Verde following a hantavirus outbreak A hantavirus outbreak tied to a cruise ship off Cabo Verde has grown to seven cases, including two confirmed infections, the World Health Organization said on Monday, with three deaths among those linked to the voyage. The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius is carrying 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries. Among the passengers are 17 Americans, 19 Britons and 13 from Spain. Sixty-one crew members are also on board. Of the seven cases identified, one British passenger in intensive care in Johannesburg was later confirmed to have hantavirus. A Dutch passenger who died after disembarking in the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena also tested positive. She had left the ship with the remains of her husband, who died on board in April. Three additional suspected cases with mild symptoms remained on board, the WHO said. The cause of death of a German passenger who died on May 2 has not been established. Hantavirus is a rare infection typically spread through exposure to infected urine, saliva and droppings from rodents.

May 6, 2026

Business

Fee, prize caps proposed for claw machines amid ‘deceptive design’ concerns

Lawmakers suggest capping plays at HK$5 and prizes at HK$300 as first step, while calling for a balance between user protection and industry development The operation of claw and pinball machines could be regulated by capping fees and prize values as a first step to curb addiction to automated games, lawmakers have said, while also warning of “deceptive” designs that make winning impossible. While calling for a balance between user protection and industry development, two legislators said the caps could follow the existing Gambling Ordinance, under which premises with an Amusements with Prizes Licence cannot charge more than HK$5 per game and prizes must not exceed HK$300. Bill Tang Ka-piu, chairman of the Home Affairs, Culture and Sports Panel, said incorporating the devices into the licensing system would provide greater clarity for the public. “Unregulated machines may give the impression of illegal gambling, and taking part in such activities could carry legal consequences,” Tang said.

May 6, 2026

Business

What’s happening with Malaysia’s ‘corporate mafia’ probe? Minister wants updates

A Malaysian minister urged the country’s police chief to clarify the status of investigations into allegations that a network of businessmen was colluding with anti-corruption agency officials to oust executives. The government has ordered law enforcement agencies, including the Malaysian Anti‑Corruption Commission (MACC), to look into the allegations involving the businessmen, nicknamed the “corporate mafia”. So far, the police say they have found no evidence of the MACC’s involvement. “It is...

May 6, 2026

Business

Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi to visit China days ahead of Donald Trump

Foreign Minister Araghchi will arrive on Wednesday and hold talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Beijing has announced Araghchi was set to arrive on Wednesday and hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign ministry announced on Tuesday. The two top diplomats have held multiple rounds of calls since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered the current conflict in late February. Throughout, Wang has consistently called for a ceasefire and the guarantee of freedom of navigation, while reaffirming Beijing’s support for Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty and security. The trip is the latest in Araghchi’s diplomatic efforts to end the war with the United States and Israel, following recent visits to Russia, Oman and Pakistan to engage high-level officials and seek international support. Three months into the war, global energy markets remain in turmoil as a dual blockade of the critical Strait of Hormuz sends crude oil prices to record highs and tests a fragile Pakistan-brokered ceasefire. Meanwhile, efforts for Washington and Tehran to resume talks remain stalled.

May 6, 2026

Business

EU sounds out industry over new trade weapon against China’s overcapacity

Brussels is polling business groups ahead of commissioners’ meeting but few details of the proposed instrument have been revealed While the contours of the new instrument remain a closely guarded secret, it is expected to be presented to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on May 29, at a rescheduled debate on China among all 27 commissioners of the bloc’s executive branch. Now, sources within several business groups said they had been approached by Brussels to gauge whether they would welcome such a tool and what they believe it should look like. While constituent member businesses are being polled on their views, the groups said the commission was giving little away on the detail of an instrument it wants to propose before its long August break.

May 6, 2026

Business

Hong Kong boy, 12, arrested for allegedly making explosives, posting process online

Police set to reveal details of the case later in the afternoon A 12-year-old boy in Hong Kong has been arrested on suspicion of manufacturing explosives and posting about the process online, the South China Morning Post has learned. Police said they were expected to reveal details of the case on Tuesday afternoon. Anyone who makes or knowingly possesses an explosive substance is liable to a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment. However, under the Juvenile Offenders Ordinance, children aged between 10 and 13 cannot be sentenced to imprisonment.

May 6, 2026