HONG KONG, June 25 (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
-- The average lifespan of mainland-based virtual currency
businesses is just nine months, indicating Beijing's success in
limiting financial activity outside the official banking system.
A dozen Chinese bitcoin exchanges have gone bankrupt or shut
down in the past 12 months as they struggled to be profitable or
just disappeared. (http://bit.ly/1mczmvh)
-- A government proposal to import a third of power from the
mainland grid could prove a step backward for Hong Kong's
free-market economy, the city's business sector has warned. (http://bit.ly/TtNl9f)
-- Lawmakers in Beijing are considering amending the law on
food safety that promises tougher rules on food production,
sales and supervision. (http://bit.ly/1q6wW8U)
THE STANDARD
-- In a rare disagreement with a central government
mouthpiece, Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said the
Occupy Central referendum on political reform is not illegal,
though it has no legal basis. Leung disagreed with an editorial
in state-run Global Times, which said the 700,000 people who
voted for one of three reform proposals are no match for the 1.3
billion in the mainland. (http://bit.ly/1sCQ8gv)
-- An economic zone just across the border will include a
"mini Hong Kong" shopping complex to lure mainlanders who would
otherwise head to Hong Kong. The Qianhai Management Authority
says the complex can ease pressure on Hong Kong from the flood
of visitors under the individual travel scheme. (http://bit.ly/1ph7GNT)
-- Cafe de Coral 0341.HK will continue to sell affordable
meal sets at around HK$30 ($3.87) each that partly helped the
local fast-food chain attain record high profits. (http://bit.ly/Th26Mh)
HONG KONG ECONOMIC JOURNAL
-- Jinheng Automotive Safety Technology Holdings Ltd
0872.HK plans to issue up to 102.3 million new shares at a
15.9 percent discount to the previous close, raising a net
proceed of HK$36 million ($4.64 million) for general working
capital.
HONG KONG ECONOMIC TIMES
-- Macau gambling revenue is expected to fall 5 percent
year-on-year to 27 billion patacas ($3.38 billion) in June,
heading for its first decline since June 2009, according to
forecasts by brokerages.
APPLE DAILY
-- Fashion icon Zara has opened a six-storey flagship store
in Hong Kong's Central Business District, its biggest in Asia. A
senior corporate communication executive from Zara owner Inditex
ITX.MC said the group will maintain its pace of expansion in
the greater China region.
For Chinese newspapers, see............... PRESS/CN
($1 = 7.7515 Hong Kong Dollars)
($1 = 7.9780 Macau Patacas)
(Reporting by Donny Kwok; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
((donny.kwok@thomsonreuters.com)(+852 2843 6470)(Reuters
Messaging: donny.kwok.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: PRESS DIGEST HONGKONG/