Guangzhou

[Big read] Benjamin Fok: I was just an assistant to my father, Henry Fok

Benjamin Fok, son of Hong Kong legendary tycoon Henry Fok, was never one filled with business ambitions. In an interview by Lianhe Zaobao journalist Li Yaning, Benjamin speaks about his start in the family business, the advent of artificial intelligence, his hopes for his sons and his passion for skiing.

Li Yaning

As APEC 2026 lands in Shenzhen, Hong Kong fights for relevance

Hong Kong hopes to capitalise on Shenzhen’s APEC 2026 spotlight, but rising rivals in the Greater Bay Area threaten its standing. Can the city avoid being eclipsed? Lianhe Zaobao’s Tai Hing Shing explores the stakes.

Tai Hing Shing

[Big read] Tiny steps, big change: How everyday efforts are building an inclusive Guangzhou

Every week, volunteers like Feifei travel across Guangzhou to teach skills to visually impaired residents. These small acts — training, apps, accessible facilities — are just the beginning of building a truly inclusive society, with much more still to be done. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi reports.

Zeng Shi

[Big read] With real estate’s heyday over, China hunts for its next growth engine

From a plot of land to a new home, it does not just involve China’s real estate sector alone, but an entire system. If a critical link in the system goes wrong, related parties would come under pressure. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Liu Sha takes a look at how the upstream and downstream real estate industrial chain has been affected by the sector’s slump.

Liu Sha

[Big read] From manufacturing giant to AI leader: Can Guangzhou make the leap?

Guangzhou is setting its sights on becoming China’s next hub for applied AI innovation, says Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi. However, competition is stiff, and some experts say that Guangzhou still has a long way to go before it can overtake cities like Shenzhen.

Zeng Shi

[Big read] From factories to AI: Can Guangdong catch up? 

Guangdong’s traditional industries face challenges, prompting a focus on high-quality development through technology. While lagging in basic research compared to regions like Hangzhou, Guangdong possesses strengths and the potential for catching up in the crucial AI race. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Daryl Lim speaks to industry practitioners and academics to find out more.

Daryl Lim

How consumption is rebounding in China’s second- and third-tier cities

Lianhe Zaobao journalist Li Kang notes that there is an increase in spending in non-first-tier cities in China, in contrast to people tightening their belts in first-tier cities such as Shanghai. How long will this last, and can the domestic market prop up China’s economy?

Li Kang

[Big read] Cash-strapped Chinese metros turn to personal ads: A win-win? 

Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi observes that China’s metros are opening up their advertisement spaces to the public. Even as it gives people a novel way of putting up resumes or marriage proposals, it helps China’s metros generate a new income stream.

Zeng Shi

[Big read] Greater Bay Area grand plan gets a boost with Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge connecting two major cities at the Pearl River Delta is expected to boost development in the Greater Bay Area, especially the west side, which has been lagging behind. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Daryl Lim takes a look at the benefits and possible downsides of the new infrastructure.

Daryl Lim

Real estate sector in China's first-tier cities still in a slump

The real estate sector in China's first-tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai has recorded declining performance since the pandemic, with a full rebound still nowhere to be seen. Given the usual lag in the effectiveness of policies after implementation, will the real estate market see a silver lining ahead? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing tells us more.

Chen Jing

[Big read] Guangzhou remains at the forefront of the nascent autonomous car industry

Guangzhou's open policies towards the development of intelligent connected vehicles have created a favourable business environment to boost the industry. However, autonomous driving for robobuses and robotaxis is still largely in the research and development stage, with small steps in commercial trials. It will be difficult for companies to achieve economic balance in the short term. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi speaks with industry insiders to learn more about this nascent sector.

Zeng Shi

Can new policies revive China's home sales?

In a bid to boost home purchases in what has normally been the peak sales period of September and October, Guangzhou and Shenzhen have announced preferential policies for homebuyers. However, Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing notes that market confidence is still at a low; are the new policies enough to boost the Chinese property market's recovery?

Chen Jing