TOP STORIES
Raise “fur kids” rich way: Hong Kong pet expenses continue to rise, with emerging premium consumption
- 2026-01-24
- Business
- By: TANG Siqi、Zhou Xinying、Yau Ka MingEdited by: Haoming Zhou、BO Chuxuan
- 2026-01-24
At MegaBox shopping mall, Giuliana, a border collie known for the breed’s its intelligence and agility, sat quietly in a pet stroller while her owner, Gabriella Ng, bent over to straighten the hem of her dress, ensuring Giuliana could present her best performance during their walk show on Sep. 27. As a fashion designer and content creator, Ng took one month to design her and Giulian’s dress to match each other stylishly for the showcase during the Pet Walk Show 2025. “It cost about HK$10,000 for these two dresses,” said Ng, pointing at her piece. With an average cost of HK$700, Ng shared that Giuliana has around 20 items of clothing. According to Exhibition Group, the organiser of another pet show, 80.1% of about 1,000 respondents reported an increase in expenditure over the past 12 months, with average monthly spending reaching HK$2,086, up 6.3% from HK$1,962 the previous year. The proportion of people spending between HK$1,501 and HK$2,500 per month on pet care rose from 27.5% to 32.4%. Additionally, 79.1% of respondents expect their spending to increase within the next six to 12 months, over half anticipating at least a 10% rise. A trend toward premium, personalised pet care is redefining Hong Kong’s pet consumption economy as owners allocate larger budgets into their “fur kids,” boosting the related products and services market. The global dog clothing market reached US$1.5 billion (HK$11.7 billion) in 2024, according to internal data and industry insights from 6Wresearch released in April. Tomas Yuen, a retired professor from the Department of Economics and Finance at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, noted the spending shift marks a broader change in consumption patterns. Most pet owners prefer high-quality and luxurious services and products for their “fur kids,” which could change the market’s business model. “They care about the …
Chinese Gen Z shifts focus to lesser-known European destinations amid social media trend
- 2026-01-23
- Business
- By: XIA Fan、WANG RuoshuiEdited by: BO Chuxuan
- 2026-01-23
Big city lights? Too mainstream. Young Chinese travellers now prefer to crave the road less travelled. Chinese Gen Z travellers are ditching crowded classics for off-the-beaten-path destinations in Europe. The hunt is on for niche places that promise more profound, more authentic local experiences, turning once-mainstream spots into personalised immersions. Gen Z travellers, generally defined as those born from the mid-to-late 1990s to the early 2010s, favour cultural deep dives over cash-splashing consumption. They seek stories and experiences that resonate long after the trip ends. Wang Yang, 28, came to the Netherlands to visit the Van Gogh Museum on October 1 after learning on social media that the museum faced the risk of closure due to budget constraints. His reservation wouldn't load on his phone at first, but a tip from Rednote, a popular Chinese social media, helped him purchase a ticket at the entrance. “Enjoy your visits!” chirped the staff as Wang secured his ticket, sharing a warm grin with the ticket inspector—a moment that felt like a heartfelt welcome to this 28-year-old adventurer. His 22-day European odyssey, blending annual leave with the National Day Golden Week, cost him roughly 50,000 RMB—about a quarter of his yearly income. Departing from Xi’an, China, Wang and his friends didn’t book any travel agent’s service or pay for a local guide; instead, they followed tips and routines shared on social media platforms as a way to craft their personalised journey. “Europe’s cities pulse with a deeper cultural and historical soul than most places,” Wang explained. “That’s why I came back.” Ditching the well-trodden Barcelona-Paris-Rome circuit, Wang and his friends ventured to Europe’s hidden gems—the Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, and the Netherlands—while revisiting Spain, a nostalgic nod to a trip six years prior. “Golden Week outbound demand in China is breaking records. We …
IPO regulation reform in the hot market burns winning spaces for retail investors
- 2026-01-22
- Business
- By: ZHOU Yun、CHEN Yongru、ZHONG XinyunEdited by: ZHAO Runtong、BO Chuxuan
- 2026-01-22
Every time Liu Busi, a retail investor in the initial public offering (IPO) market in Hong Kong, checks the result of his new stock subscription, he feels a mix of uncertainty and excitement. Joining the IPO subscription game this year amid intense oversubscription, Liu has subscribed to 25 new listings and was allocated shares in 17 of them, including CATL and Zijin Gold, the two largest IPOs in 2025, with approximately HK$ 41 billion and HK$ 25 billion raised respectively. Of the 17 allocations, 14 have gained value after subscription, with his best performing IPO investment - Bloks, a Chinese toy company , having generated HK$ 11,059 for him as of Nov. 6. However, Liu noticed a sharp change in his subscription success rate after Hong Kong Stock Exchange's (HKEX) new reforms on IPOs in August. The HKEX implemented new optimisation measures on stock allocation and subscription mechanisms, including stipulating that issuers must allocate at least 40% of the shares in the IPO to the book-building placement portion and introducing two public subscription mechanism options. Before the reform, Liu was allocated shares in 10 out of 13 subscriptions, a 77% success rate. After the reform, he could only secure allocations for 7 out of 12 subscriptions, a 58% success rate. The city has seen 69 IPOs raise over HK$160.4 billion as of Sept. 30, a 183% surge compared with last year. According to Deloitte China's analysis, the city is projected to see over 80 IPOs raising HK$250 billion to HK$280 billion for the full year 2025. HKEX did not comment on the reduced success rate of subscriptions by retail investors when asked by TYFP reporters. In an earlier news release, Katherine Ng, HKEX Head of Listing, said the exchange “has sought to enhance the robustness of the IPO pricing and …
From concert dreams to criminal threats: Hong Kong students trapped in cross-border scams
- 2026-01-22
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: CHEN Ziyu、ZHENG XinyiEdited by: YANG Haicen
- 2026-01-22
When K-pop boy group Seventeen announced it was holding two concerts in Hong Kong in September, devoted fan Tsai Oi-wai, 20, knew it was an opportunity she couldn’t miss. But by the time she was online, tickets were sold out. Tsai scrolled endlessly on Instagram until she came across a second-hand ticket reseller who seemed trustworthy. “I even checked his profile, which had photos of everyday life—scenery, food, and other pictures—so I didn’t suspect anything,” Tsai said. Tsai’s ideal seat was priced at HK$2,099 on the official website, and the seller asked for HK$2,599. “I think the price was still within a reasonable range, so I transferred the money to him without further hesitation,” she said. The entire conversation and transaction took place over WhatsApp. “The seller told me that all payments and refunds had to go through a third-party partner company, which required additional verification procedures,” she added. “The scammer then asked me to enter a verification code, and I did so,” said Tsai. “Ever since then, I’ve never heard from that person again, nor any updates about my ticket.” She was scammed out of HK$42,034. Tsai’s experience is far from unique. According to the Hong Kong Police, fraud cases have surged dramatically, rising from 15,553 cases in 2020 to 444,480 in 2024, representing an increase of nearly thirtyfold, with the upward trend continuing in the first half of 2025. Students are easy targets for scammers. As of September, university students have reported 1,711 scam cases with total losses of HK$180 million, according to the Hong Kong police’s Anti-Deception Coordination Centre. Phone scams accounted for HK$16 million in losses among local students, while mainland students suffered significantly higher losses at HK$87 million. “Students are an ideal target for scammers, as their limited life experience and lack of familiarity with …
After the crowds go home: Can Kai Tak turn mega events into lasting growth?
- 2026-01-21
- Business
- By: LIN Xiaoyou、Wang Yunqi、LO Shing KwanEdited by: Yichun Fang、BO Chuxuan
- 2026-01-21
Clutching a concert ticket for her idol, Amy Cao, 21, made her way straight to the Kai Tak Sports Park without any hesitation on the morning of Sep. 27. Having travelled from Shenzhen for 1.5 hours, Cao’s face betrayed no trace of travel fatigue, but showed unconcealed excitement and anticipation. "I'm incredibly excited!” said Cao, stating that this is the closest location for her of Seventeen’s world tour." I saw reviews on social media saying the Kai Tak Sports Stadium has excellent acoustics and is incredibly spacious, perfect for a large crowd. I'm looking forward to the venue." Located on the former runway area of Kai Tak Airport, Kai Tak Sports Park covers approximately 28 hectares, making it the largest sports infrastructure project in the city's history, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of spectators. According to the government’s estimate, the Kai Tak Stadium and Kai Tak Arena recorded about 590,000 spectators for all pop concerts as of May 31, 2025. Since its commissioning, the two venues have hosted 16 large-scale concerts by international and Asian performers. Edward Leung, a Legislative Council member, pointed out that Hong Kong is taking advantage of its unique location, attracting concerts, especially for Korean artists who struggle to gain approval in mainland China. "Moreover, Hong Kong's visa-free access for travellers from most countries makes it an ideal platform for international cultural and sports exchanges," he added. Echoing Leung, Tina Wong, the chairperson of the Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association, mentioned that the upgraded sports facilities in the newly established stadium have provided Hong Kong with more opportunities to host major national events. Since opening, the Kai Tak Stadium and Kai Tak Arena have hosted a total of 15 sports events, including rugby sevens, snooker, and other large-scale competitions. The Hong Kong government elevates the …
Saudi-Chinese cultural festival: Chinese cuisine draws crowds in Riyadh
- 2026-01-19
- Business
- By: ZHOU YunEdited by: ZHOU Yun
- 2026-01-19
The Common Ground Festival was held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with the authentic Chinese cuisine cooked on the spot becoming a highlight. Set against the backdrop of traditional Chinese markets, this festival presented the cultures of China and Saudi Arabia in a single space, featuring artistic performances, intangible cultural heritage displays, art exhibitions, and food culture. Among all the exhibition areas, the food experience area was one of the busiest sections, bustling with people. Three booths were set up in the food area, two of which offered China-Saudi fusion dishes, and the other one that drew large crowds served authentic Chinese food prepared on-site. “Saudis generally like Chinese cuisine,” said Jade He, the vendor of Chinese cuisine, during the festival. “Every day, visitors queue up in long lines to pick up the freshly cooked Chinese food we provide.” Delicacies such as beef noodles, steamed buns, dumplings and rice noodles are provided to tourists for free within a limited time and quantity every day. All the freshly made delicacies here still retain the authentic Chinese flavors and were not specially adjusted to cater to the tastes of locals. “Saudis generally have a sweet tooth,” he said. “So for those who come to taste Chinese cuisine, we will also offer customers some free localized sweet noodles according to their taste preferences.” Basseh, a local university student at Princess Noor University, is a fan of Chinese food. “Chinese food is really delicious, and the meat tastes really good,” said Basseh. She said that if more Chinese restaurants will open in Riyadh in the future, she is willing to try them one by one. Mahamed, a staff at the event site said that the cultural festival is so popular that more than 3,000 people come to visit the exhibition every day, …
Hong Kong’s last Eurasian otters spark a conservation race
- 2025-12-26
- Health & Environment
- The Young Reporter
- By: Lou ZhengzhengEdited by: LIU Yutong
- 2025-12-26
North of Lantau Island, waves crashed against coastal rocks. In February 2024, a team from Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden discovered a white, crumbly solid — the first Eurasian otter feces recorded there in half a century. Back at the lab, Aiko Leong Kwok-yi, a 30-year-old conservation staff at the Fauna Conservation Department under the KFBG, handled the sample for DNA testing, leaning in to sniff its scent. “Otter faeces do not smell foul, they smell salty like dried salted fish. When fresh, it smells like tea, jasmine tea, not stinky at all,” Leong said. The discovery on Lantau Island has ignited a fragile hope for Eurasian otters clinging to survival in the city. With only seven individuals remaining, primarily in the Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay Wetlands, the otters are at extremely high risk of extinction. In response, KFBG, the only local team dedicated to otter conservation, launched a two-and-a-half-year Eurasian otters research project on Dec. 1 this year. The project received HK$2.2 million funding from the Civil Engineering and Development Department. The study will deepen understanding of the distribution and status of otters, identify habitats and threats of it within Lantau Island, beginning with the collection of feces samples. Leong, who joined the team in 2020 and now leads the project, set her sights on animal research after reading about legendary conservationist Jane Goodall at the age of 11. “Jane Goodall’s story just hit me that there are people who can work with animals every day. I found my life’s purpose at that moment,” Leong said. “From that day on, I've been heading straight in this way, never turning any corners,” Leong added. The path has been physically demanding. During early fieldwork, she navigated slippery coastal rocks, once nearly falling into the sea. “I asked myself, why …
The story of Peter: How socially vulnerable people in Denmark reintegrate back into the society
- 2025-12-21
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: LEUNG Chi NgaiEdited by: SIU Tsz Hang
- 2025-12-21
Reported by Bono Leung Chi-ngai Edited by Henry Siu Tsz-hang Video description: Peter is one in around 17,000 people in Denmark receiving a Socialt Frikort, a card that is applicable for socially vulnerable people to obtain a certain amount of tax-free income. He is currently a driver for PantForPant, a working community under the NGO Foreningen Gade Liv that hires socially vulnerable people. Here he shares his reintegration process back into the society.
Mourners grieve at Taipei Main Station after deadly stabbings
- 2025-12-21
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: CHAN Wing Yiu、LAI Uen LingEdited by: Wing Chi HO
- 2025-12-21
Flowers, handwritten notes and candles for memorial are placed at Taipei Main Station, following a deadly attack on Friday night that left at least four people dead and 11 others injured. Police said the suspect, Chang Wen, 27, set off multiple smoke bombs inside the station before launching a knife attack. Police added that he later moved to the Zhongshan shopping district, a popular commercial area, where the assault continued. After the attacks, the suspect fell to his death from a department store building, Director-General of National Police Agency of Taiwan Chang Jung-hsin said at a press conference. Authorities said Chang had an outstanding warrant for evading military service and is believed to have committed the crime alone. While the motive remains unclear, investigators said the attacks appeared to be planned. In response to the incident, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced on Saturday that the city government implemented various measures, including strengthening police deployment and increasing random inspections throughout the city. Around 2,000 police officers are assigned at metro stations and other key locations to enhance security measures across the city, according to the National Police Agency. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te pledged a full public inquiry and offered condolences to the victims and their families on his official page. According to his Facebook page, he visited hospitals on Saturday to meet survivors and express support.
Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai found guilty in national security trial
- 2025-12-17
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: Dake LiuEdited by: LAI Uen Ling
- 2025-12-17
Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, 78, the founder of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was found guilty on three charges of violating national security. Lai was convicted of two counts of "conspiracy to collude with foreign or external forces to endanger national security" under the National Security Law and one count of "conspiracy to publish seditious publications." He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Judge Esther Toh Lye-ping said in the judgment that Lai's evidence was “contradictory and inconsistent and he was evasive and unreliable in many instances" and dismissed some of his testimony. The court also said in concluding remarks that during the 2019 anti-extradition bill movement, Lai had “constant invitation to the US to help bring down the Government of the PRC with the excuse of helping the people of HK.” The trial, which spanned 156 days, is the first in Hong Kong to involve the charge of "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces.” Lai was arrested by Hong Kong's national security police in August 2020 and has remained in custody since December that year, a detention of nearly five years. Hong Kong’s officials and Beijing's official representative body the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong have both issued statements welcoming the court's guilty verdict. Press freedom organisations around the world criticised the ruling. Reporters Without Borders wrote in a statement that it is a “shame trail” for Lai and “emblematic of a wider and devastating collapse of press freedom” in Hong Kong. The British Consulate General in Hong Kong and the European Union Office in Hong Kong also issued statements to show their concern regarding the verdict. The British Consulate General condemned “the politically motivated prosecution" on Monday evening and called for “immediate release” of Lai. Lai became a British citizen after obtaining a UK …