logo
Skytopia vision doesn't serve Hongkongers' needs

Skytopia vision doesn't serve Hongkongers' needs

Published: 9:30am, 12 Feb 2025 The Hong Kong Airport Authority's recently unveiled 'Skytopia' mega-project , with its HK$100 billion (US$12.9 billion) price tag and promise of an arts hub, gourmet market and yacht marina, shows that the government is seriously misreading public sentiment. The attraction of affordability and quality is not lost on Hong Kong residents, who are crossing the border to Shenzhen in increasing numbers for shopping, dining and even medical services that are cheap and good. With its Skytopia plan, the government has chosen to ignore these clear preferences. Under the development blueprint, the Chek Lap Kok site will be transformed into an airport city with an arts hub, a 600-berth marina for yachts, the city's largest water recreation area and a gourmet seafood market. It also features the cluster of offices, shops, hotel and entertainment facilities the Airport Authority has named Skycity .
The entire project is envisioned to be a landmark in Asia, boasting of tourism, cultural, entertainment and commercial facilities unrivalled by other aviation centres. It can be summed up in two words: 'good' and 'expensive'. Airport Authority acting CEO and chief operating officer Vivian Cheung Kar-fay speaks at the unveiling of its 'Airport City' vision for the Hong Kong International Airport, on January 16. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India risks Trump's tariffs as oil refiners may still buy Russian
India risks Trump's tariffs as oil refiners may still buy Russian

South China Morning Post

time6 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

India risks Trump's tariffs as oil refiners may still buy Russian

India has not given the country's oil refiners instructions to stop buying Russian oil, according to people familiar with the matter, as officials grapple with meeting energy needs and maintaining ties with Moscow without further angering US President Donald Trump. Advertisement No decision has been taken as yet on stopping imports from Russia , the people said, asking not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Both state-run and private refiners are allowed to buy from their preferred sources, and crude purchases remain a commercial decision made by them, several of the people said. Trump blasted India on Wednesday for continuing to purchase most of its military equipment and energy from Russia. The US leader imposed a surprise 25 per cent tariff on India and threatened an additional penalty for its close ties with Moscow. Two days later, Trump told reporters he 'heard' India would no longer be buying oil from Russia, calling it 'a good step.' India has maintained its energy purchases are driven by market forces and price. Last week, refiners were told to come up with plans for buying non-Russian crude, people familiar said to reporters. The government asked state-owned processors to prepare an outline of where alternate barrels can be sourced and at what volume if Russian flows get stopped, they said. One of the people said the instruction amounted to scenario planning in case Russian crude were to become unavailable. An Indian fisherman sails over the Ennore Creek covered with an oil spill after Cyclone Michaung, in Chennai, India, December 11, 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE US media reported on Saturday that India will keep buying Russian crude despite a threat of penalties from Trump, citing two senior Indian officials it did not identify.

HKEX to reduce minimum spread of 300 stocks from Monday to cut cost, boost trading
HKEX to reduce minimum spread of 300 stocks from Monday to cut cost, boost trading

South China Morning Post

time12 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

HKEX to reduce minimum spread of 300 stocks from Monday to cut cost, boost trading

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) , which operates Asia's third-largest stock market, will reduce the minimum trading spread for about 300 stocks starting Monday, a move aimed at lowering transaction costs and increasing turnover. 'The minimum spread is the minimum price change for a stock traded on an exchange and determines the tightest bid-ask spread allowed,' the HKEX said in the conclusion of its consultation on the spread reform. 'A reduction of minimum spreads could therefore encourage trades to be transacted in smaller sizes.' The reform is part of the Hong Kong government's initiative to encourage the HKEX to enhance market infrastructure, lower transaction costs, and attract more international investors, thereby strengthening the city's status as an international financial centre. From Monday, the minimum spreads for stocks priced between HK$10 (US$1.27) and HK$20 will be halved to HK$0.01. Stocks priced from HK$20 to HK$50 will see their minimum spreads cut by 60 per cent, from HK$0.05 to HK$0.02. As of Friday, about 300 stocks, exchange-traded funds, and real estate investment trusts (REITs) were trading between HK$10 and HK$50, representing about 30 per cent of average daily turnover, according to exchange data. HKEX will reduce the minimum trading spread for about 300 stocks starting Monday. Photo Eugene Lee 'After narrowing the trading spread, the cost for investors will decrease, encouraging more of them to trade in the local stock market to help boost turnover further,' said Robert Lee Wai-wang, lawmaker and chairman of Hong Kong-based Grand Finance Group.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store