Gaw Capital from Hong Kong acquires a major shopping mall in downtown Tokyo for over a billion US dollars. The Tokyu Plaza Ginza, located in the Ginza district, stands as one of the most expansive retail establishments in the area and is conveniently close to several subway stations.

Gaw Capital, a private equity company from Hong Kong specializing in property, has successfully finished purchasing a shopping mall located in the heart of Tokyo. This marks their biggest deal in Japan so far, with a transaction value exceeding US$1 billion.

Gaw collaborated with the Singapore-based firm Patience Capital Group to purchase and oversee Tokyu Plaza Ginza. According to a statement released by Gaw on Friday, they own 91% of the project while their partner possesses the remaining 9%.

Finalized in 2016, Tokyu Plaza Ginza stands as one of the biggest shopping centers in the Ginza area, conveniently located near several subway stops, and boasts a total floor space of 50,093 square meters.

Gaw stated its commitment to capitalizing on opportunities in Japan's dynamic market. It mentioned that it manages approximately 655 billion yen (US$4.7 billion) worth of assets across Japan.

"Given the positive macroeconomic basics that are bolstering Japan's retail industry, now is an excellent time to invest," stated Isabella Lo, investment managing director and chief of Japan operations at Gaw Capital.

DeepSeek cautions about fraudulent social media profiles as the AI app gains immense popularity. The Chinese AI company has advised people to be alert about accounts pretending to be its founder or trading cryptocurrencies under its brand name.

The firm stated that their flagship chatbot application can be downloaded at no cost and they have not released any form of cryptocurrency. They further clarified that any social media circles requesting fees under DeepSeek's name are likely scams.

Five o'clock

Could China's affordable DeepSeek signal the downfall of Nvidia's reign in the chip market?

The rising fame of DeepSeek, along with its discreet presence, has turned the company into a major subject for false information.

In Perspective | Trump's 'exploit and extract' approach exacerbates worldwide environmental crisis

The significant damage lies in the strengthening of the American fossil fuel sector and the coercion on US financial powerhouses to divert from financing environmental objectives.

The Centre for American Progress critiques Trump's choice, stating it blatantly dismisses scientific facts, sabotages decades of committed international teamwork, damages the US economy and its citizens, and sends a perilous message that the country majorly accountable for the climate crisis is neglecting its ethical and pragmatic duties.

Trump seems indifferent to this issue. Currently, the US is one of only four countries that remain detached from global climate initiatives, along with Libya, Iran, and Yemen. Under regular circumstances, the US might label this unusual alliance as a coalition of climate adversaries.

What damage has Trump truly inflicted? In terms of immediate, tangible impact, he has pulled away monetary backing from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a program whose goals are implemented through the Paris Agreement.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) intends to introduce a facility worth US$13.7 billion to aid in international trade settled in yuan. The RMB Trade Financing Liquidity Facility is set to be revealed on February 28 by the HKMA.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced that banks would be provided with yuan funding for trade finance. This would be based on the onshore interest rate, also known as the Shanghai Interbank Offered Rate (SHIBOR), which is usually less than the offshore rate. Additionally, a premium of 0.25% would be added. The loan periods available are one, three, or six months, which exceed the existing yuan liquidity facilities of the HKMA that only offer loan periods of up to a week.

The HKMA indicated that the establishment was forecasted to offer "cooperating banks a reliable resource of capital at a lesser expense, which would potentially simplify the process for [businesses] to secure RMB trade financing from banks at reduced interest rates".

The establishment is available for supplying yuan funding to both foreign and domestic businesses. The HKMA plans on implementing a gradual process for distributing quotas to banks and has asked them to express their intent to participate in the program, including the quotas they wish to have. The organization stated it plans to liaise with banks in the forthcoming two to three weeks.

The popularity of the yuan for settling international trade deals has grown as businesses aim for cost reduction and supply chain variety due to ongoing US-China conflicts, according to high-level financial experts from recent discussions.

Natixis emphasizes that China needs to redirect its renewable energy investments towards distribution instead of production.

The power equipment sector in China, according to Natixis, must reallocate their investments towards infrastructure for storage and distribution.

The scale of China's funding towards sustainable power technologies is so immense that even under the poorest circumstances of energy shift, it will suffice to meet its domestic demands and uphold its leading role in the worldwide renewable equipment market for a considerable period, stated Alicia Garcia Herrero, the chief economist for the Asia-Pacific region at the bank, on Wednesday.

"There are additional technologies that China could explore in the eco-friendly sector, which would enable its industries to continue investing without the danger of oversupply."

In the previous year, the production of solar panels in China surpassed the worldwide need, leading to an oversupply in the European Union – their primary customer, according to Mu Haoxin, an economist at Natixis.

Funds channeled into power production surged to 1.2 trillion yuan (US$165 billion) last year, a leap from the figures of 2021, according to Mu. This overshadowed the capital invested in the power grid during the same timeline. Consequently, the sector is faced with the challenge of bridging a significant gap to alleviate grid congestion.

China's National Energy Administration (NEA) has reported that with a 27.8% increase in solar farm installations last year, the volume of solar energy produced but not utilized due to grid restrictions has grown to 3.2%, up from 2%. In the case of wind energy, this figure has increased to 4.1% from 2.7%.

The AI company, DeepSeek, is drawing the attention of young job hunters in China as it escalates its hiring process. This start-up, based in Hangzhou, has numerous positions available in the field of research and development for artificial general intelligence.

AGI is a type of software that possesses intelligence comparable to humans and can self-learn, enabling it to carry out tasks it wasn't specifically trained to do.

"As a recent graduate with a degree in automation and a resident of Hangzhou, Liu Yuanjie expressed his desire to meet with them and inquire about their plans for AI agent development,"

A different individual seeking employment, identified by the last name Shen, expressed that he journeyed for four days, traveling from the southwestern region of Sichuan province to Hangzhou, all in the hopes of applying for a position at DeepSeek. He regards this company as a national treasure due to its accomplishments in artificial intelligence. Shen declared his willingness to accept any role within the company, whether it be maintenance or transportation.

Shares in Hong Kong rise as investors overcome trade anxieties, focusing on stimulus initiatives

Analysts state that investors anticipate trade talks between the US and China, directing their attention towards potential policy backing.

Shares in Hong Kong saw an increase on Thursday, mirroring the upward trend in the US. This occurred as traders continually adjusted to the ongoing news about the trade conflict between the two biggest global economies, while also closely observing policy developments from Beijing.

The Hang Seng Index increased by 1.4 per cent, closing at 20,891.62, marking its potential fourth straight week of gains. Meanwhile, the Hang Seng Tech Index saw a rise of 2.6 per cent.

Benchmarks in Mainland China experienced an increase, with both the CSI 300 Index and the Shanghai Composite Index seeing a growth of 1.3 per cent.

BYD Electronic, a tech-product manufacturer, and BYD, an electric car maker, were the leading gainers among prominent firms, surging by 19.6% to HK$53.75 and 11.5% to HK$315.80 respectively. Meanwhile, Sunny Optical Technology also saw a significant increase of 9.9% to HK$79.50, and Lenovo Group's shares rose by 5.1% to HK$11.50.

China Literature, an e-book retailer supported by Tencent, experienced a 7.8 per cent rise to HK$29.05. In the meantime, Hua Hong Semiconductor saw a 7.5 per cent increase to HK$27.20, and Semiconductor Manufacturing International, a comparable company, witnessed a 7.2 per cent leap to HK$47.90.

In the category of falling stocks, the web behemoth Baidu saw a decrease of 1.3 per cent, bringing its value down to HK$86.65. Similarly, the pork processing company WH Group experienced a 1.6 per cent drop, landing at HK$6.15. The tech platform Meituan also suffered a minor slump of 0.5 per cent, settling at HK$

"Prepare for increased instability was our strategy for the second phase of Trump," stated Louis Luo, the leader of multi-asset investment solutions for Greater China at Abrdn, in a statement on Wednesday. Amidst the trade tension between the US and China, his company is channeling more investments into China, as he believes it is in a more advantageous position compared to other emerging markets in the short run, he further noted.

Technology Battle: Huawei's 2024 earnings spike by 22% in spite of US penalties

Huawei's revenue of US$118 billion last year was their second largest on record, signifying a 22% annual increase.

The Chairman of Huawei, Howard Liang Hua, stated that the company's performance in 2024 was up to par, attributing the success to the expansion of its consumer business, encompassing smartphones and wearable tech, as well as the swift development of its smart car solution operations.

Huawei's revenue for 2024 was the second largest in the company's history, only surpassed by their record-breaking earnings of 891 billion yuan in 2020. This peak in revenue occurred after the US initially placed sanctions on Huawei's profitable mobile phone and international business units.

Huawei's most recent earnings show a strong 22% annual growth from the 704.2 billion yuan reported in 2023. Although Huawei is not a publicly traded company, it consistently shares its financial information.

Liang revealed the figures at a convention organized by the Guangdong provincial administration in Guangzhou, however, the chairperson did not share the yearly earnings for that period.

The inclusion of DeepSeek into ClouDr's medical AI platform triggers an increase in stock value

The Chinese firm asserts that DeepSeek's AI model will boost data extraction on its platform, providing efficiency to hospitals and pharmacies.

Stocks of Chinese digital health firm ClouDr Group increased for another day following their announcement that they have integrated DeepSeek's AI technology into their system to enhance effectiveness in hospital and pharmacy procedures.

The incorporation of the DeepSeek R1 model into the medical AI system, ClouDr Brain, would enhance the system's ability to extract data, thus improving the way clients manage patients with long-term illnesses, stated Kuang Ming, Chairman and CEO, in an announcement to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Thursday.

Shares of ClouDr saw an increase of 3.7% to HK$1.67 this past Thursday, with a spike of up to 27.3% shortly after the market's opening. The previous day, the stock had surged by 26.8%. When ClouDr first went public in the middle of 2022, its shares were introduced at HK$30.50.

After the integration, using ClouDr's more than 1 billion digital health records, the firm's ClouD GPT and ClouD DTx systems will be enhanced specifically in the areas of medical knowledge graph and clinical support system. The aim is to boost user experience and improve the accuracy of diagnosis, as stated by ClouDr.

ClouDr and DeepSeek both have their headquarters located in Hangzhou, in the eastern region of China's Zhejiang province.

DeepSeek propels a surge in Chinese tech stocks as the valuation difference lessens against the 'Magnificent Seven'.

Investors suggest that the rally in the stock market, triggered by DeepSeek, has more potential due to its appealing valuation and superior innovation.

The Hang Seng Tech Index, with major members like Tencent Holdings, Alibaba Group Holding, and Xiaomi, neared a peak not seen for four months on Thursday, following an increase of over 10% in the last two weeks. Meanwhile, the wider Hang Seng Index experienced a rise of around 6%.

Alibaba, who owns the Post, saw a two-fold increase during the same time frame, following an announcement that its cloud-based computing division had incorporated DeepSeek's AI model into its operations. Meanwhile, mobile phone manufacturer Xiaomi's worth rose beyond HK$1 trillion (US$128.4 billion). Investors heavily invested in data service company Merit Interactive in Shenzhen, triggering a maximum daily increase of 20 per cent since the reopening of China's domestic markets on Wednesday, following the Lunar New Year break.

The recent resurgence could indicate a shift in attitude within the technology industry, which has experienced decreased expenditure and strict regulation on fintech procedures in the past four years. The recent surge in Chinese tech stocks could potentially continue due to their attractive valuation and innovative nature, despite numerous restrictions from the US, according to some financial advisors.

5:00 AM

Could China's affordable DeepSeek signal the decline of Nvidia's chip supremacy?

"Chinese stocks, particularly in the tech industry, come at a considerably lower price than their American equivalents," stated David Chao, a strategist at US investment firm Invesco. "Just as the AI development disparity is closing, the difference in stock value is also decreasing."

According to data from Bloomberg, the average price-to-earnings ratio for the 30 companies included in the Hang Seng Tech Index stood at 20.5 times. The seven major US companies – Nvidia, Apple, Amazon.com, Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Tesla – had an average trade multiple of 41.4 times.

McKinsey faces scrutiny to reevaluate its China business due to escalating US conflicts. Partners express worry over the company's operations in mainland China and are confident that their North American operations could adequately compensate for a potential withdrawal from China.

Partners at McKinsey & Co are reevaluating the consulting firm's operations in China. They have expressed concerns about the potential risks involved due to escalating tensions between China and the US, leading them to question whether it's profitable to maintain business in the Asian nation.

Several high-ranking associates have been expressing these worries since the end of the previous year, even preceding Donald Trump's re-election where he vowed to intensify the strain on China, as per sources acquainted with the situation. These associates contend that the profitable business in North America can sufficiently compensate for any withdrawal from China, stated a few of these sources, who wished to remain anonymous as the specifics are confidential.

The initiative to reduce the unprofitable Chinese business contradicts the view of global managing partner Bob Sternfels. He believes the company should uphold its global presence, encompassing offices in approximately 130 cities within 65 nations.

"Opting for a global approach is a decision," Sternfels conveyed to his employees in a memo towards the end of last year, which Bloomberg News had access to. "Honestly, it's the tougher decision to take. I'm aware this is challenging and it might get even more so."

The memorandum was not a reaction to any internal worries regarding China, but the discussion highlights the predicament many prominent international companies find themselves in, as they are stuck in the political conflict between the globe's two biggest economies. The race to dominate in all sectors, ranging from computer chips to vehicles, along with new import duties, presents further challenges for American companies operating in China.

During his initial tenure, Trump took a hard line against China, hiking tariffs by an additional 10 per cent this week, which resulted in reciprocal actions from Beijing. Trump's State Secretary, Marco Rubio, has explicitly expressed his disapproval of the governing Communist Party, urging the US to adopt a firmer stance against China in terms of economy and defense.

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Standard Chartered Group's notable achievements in the third quarter of 2024 can be attributed to their emphasis on innovation and customer-focused approach, evidenced by a 32% annual increase in their Wealth Solutions income. The growth was bolstered by a robust influx of new affluent customers joining the bank, with an average estimate of about 65,000 new wealthy clients every quarter.

The increase in Net New Money (NNM) was reported at 67 per cent compared to the previous year, totalling US$10 billion at the end of the third quarter in 2024. Meanwhile, assets under management (AUM) for affluent clients hit a high of US$320 billion. The bank's Wealth AUM also saw a 13 per cent boost. These figures showcase the bank's extensive growth in various market segments and products.

"In Hong Kong, our commitment to comprehending customer requirements and remaining in sync with market shifts ensures our leading position in fintech innovation," stated Alson Ho, the Managing Director and Head of Wealth Solutions at Standard Chartered Hong Kong (the Bank).

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