〈The Standard, Sept 19,2026) New World Development (0017) has proposed to set up a commercial real estate investment trust fund to spin off Shanghai Hong Kong New World Tower for a separate listing in Shanghai.
The REIT’s manager, GF Fund Management, has submitted the application materials to the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Shanghai Stock Exchange, according to a filing.
〈Hong Kong Business, Sept 18,2026) Hong Kong’s residential property market could see slower transaction activity in the second half (H2) if local banks raise their prime rates following the latest base rate increase.
“We believe banks are highly likely to adjust prime rates upwards, which would directly increase the mortgage rate ceiling for most H-plan mortgages,” said Hannah Jeong, head of valuation and advisory services at CBRE Hong Kong.
Should this occur, borrowing costs for homebuyers are also expected to rise, Jeong added.
〈Asian Post, Sept 17,2026) HKR International (0480) and CITIC Pacific's One Toscana in Discovery Bay has uploaded the first sales arrangement on Thursday, launching 15 units for sale via tender next Monday.
Located in blocks 6 and 9, the first batch includes five two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units, with sizes ranging from 597 to 1,061 sq ft. The pricing takes reference from residential projects in Mid-levels Central, Mid-levels West, and Southern District, said Raymond Chan, assistant general manager of sales and marketing of HKRI.
(The Standard, Sept 16, 2026) Hong Kong’s planned university towns could generate new demand for student housing, education facilities, and innovation-linked commercial space, property consultants said, as the government puts the projects at the centre of its Northern Metropolis development.
“If successfully implemented, it could create one of Hong Kong's largest concentrations of education-related real estate,” Hannah Jeong, head of valuation and advisory services at CBRE Hong Kong, said.
“The integration of universities with key growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing should enhance the occupier base and strengthen long-term demand for specialised real estate,” she added.
〈RTHK News, Sept 15,2026) Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui, on Friday said the government would explore more ways in which the renminbi could be used to handle payments.
This, he added, was a "natural" process to promote the use of the national currency, while serving as a way to hedge against exchange rate-related risks.
On Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee announced in his Policy Address that the government would further promote the use and globalisation of the yuan.
