Press Digest: Hong Kong - Oct 28

Kowloon Development

28/10/2015 01:47

Oct 28 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in 
Hong Kong newspapers on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified 
these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.   
         
    SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST  
    - Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on Sunday opened 
a closed Facebook account under the name "CY Leung". A 
government source said Leung recently asked his ministers to 
communicate with members of the public on social media 
platforms. But only education minister Eddie Ng Hak-kim has so 
far responded to Leung's latest call. (http://bit.ly/1MSbnzf) 
    - Hongkongers tuck into an average of three-and-half 
sausages and two slices of ham per week, posing a significant 
cancer risk, according to a World Health Organisation study. 
Simon Wong, chairman of Chamber of Food and Beverage Industry, 
said business for local restaurants and supermarkets would 
suffer, while doctors called it a much-needed red flag to 
meat-loving locals. (http://bit.ly/1WgL3cr) 
    - Grey areas surrounding the legality of all-electric, 
self-driving cars such as Tesla's  TSLA.O  latest could leave 
them vulnerable to disputes in insurance claims, according to 
lawmaker for the insurance sector Chan Kin-por. He urged the 
government to clarify whether it was lawful or unlawful to drive 
such cars. (http://bit.ly/1kOLidQ)    
     
    THE STANDARD 
    - Melco Crown Entertainment  MPEL.O  co-chairman Lawrence Ho 
Yau-lung says not setting up VIP gaming tables for its newly 
opened Studio City in Macau is a "no-brainer" of a decision. 
High-roller gambling will likely be conceptually and permanently 
changed, he added. (http://bit.ly/1PPJJt3) 
    - Tolls for the Eastern Harbour Crossing will remain 
unchanged after the Hong Kong government takes over the tunnel 
next year and stay frozen until the Central-Wan Chai Bypass is 
completed in 2018, the Transport Advisory Committee has 
revealed. (http://bit.ly/1H945oT) 
    - Developers are offering high ratio mortgage loans at their 
luxury residential projects as residential valuations are 
declining at banks, signaling an eventual tightening of credit. 
Kowloon Development  0034.HK  will put on sale 23 units of its 
project Cadogan in Western district and the developer will 
facilitate financing for up to 90 percent of the purchase price. 
(http://bit.ly/1S8rehy) 
         
    HONG KONG ECONOMIC JOURNAL  
    - Hong Kong Retail Management Association's newly appointed 
chairman Thomson Cheng forecast Hong Kong retail sentiment in 
the festive Christmas and Lunar New Year will be weaker than the 
previous year with retail sales value for the whole year seen 
declining 2-3 percent on year.  
    - L'Occitane International  0973.HK  said it expected its 
profit of six months ended in September to fall up to 50 percent 
from a year ago period due to slower global economy growth and 
foreign exchange fluctuation, while its Hong Kong operation 
recorded a 16.2 percent drop in same store sales on fewer 
mainland visitors. 
           
    MING PAO DAILY 
    - Pearl Oriental Oil Ltd's  0632.HK  Chairman Wong Kwan has 
been rescued by police in Taiwan, some 38 days after he was 
being kidnapped with robbers demanding HK$70 million ($9 
million) in ransom, according to sources. Six people were 
arrested.  
     
    For Chinese newspapers, see............... PRESS/CN    
     
 ($1 = 7.7500 Hong Kong dollars) 
 
 (Compiled by Donny Kwok in Hong Kong; Editing by Anand Basu) 
 ((donny.kwok@thomsonreuters.com)(+852 2843 6470)(Reuters 
Messaging: donny.kwok.reuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: PRESS DIGEST HONGKONG/