MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (February 3).

     The value of total retail sales in December 2025, provisionally estimated at $35.0 billion, increased by 6.6% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in November 2025 increased by 6.5% compared with a year earlier.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

With a dry northeast monsoon affecting Hong Kong for most of the time during the month, January 2026 was much drier and sunnier than usual. In all, 3.2 millimetres of rainfall were recorded during the month, only about 10 per cent of the normal of 33.2 millimetres for a January. The monthly mean relative humidity of 63 per cent was 11 per cent below the normal of 74 per cent, and the ninth lowest on record for January. The monthly total sunshine duration amounted to 216.1 hours, about 48 per cent above the normal of 145.8 hours. The month was also warmer than usual, with a mean temperature of 17.5 degrees, 1.0 degree above the normal of 16.5 degrees. The monthly mean maximum temperature of 20.3 degrees was 1.6 degrees above the normal of 18.7 degrees and one of the eighth highest on record.

Under the influence of the dry northeast monsoon, the weather in Hong Kong was fine during the first five days of the month, with cold mornings on January 2 and 3. With the arrival of an intense replenishment of the winter monsoon on the night of January 5, local winds strengthened from the north overnight. The local weather remained fine with cold mornings over most parts of the territory from January 6 to 10. The temperatures at the Observatory fell to a minimum of 10.9 degrees on the morning of January 7, the lowest of the month. It was also very dry during the day from January 7 to 11. The relative humidity recorded at the Observatory once fell to 17 per cent on the afternoon of January 8, the lowest on record in January since the establishment of the automatic weather station at the Observatory’s Headquarters in 1984. Under clear skies and relatively weak winds, radiation cooling was significant over inland areas. There were frost reports over parts of the northeastern New Territories on the mornings from January 8 to 10.

With the setting in of a fresh to strong easterly airstream on January 12, the local weather was mainly cloudy in the morning but turned fine in the afternoon. With the moderation of the easterly airstream the next day, winds became weak and there was haze locally. Under the influence of the dry northeast monsoon, apart from one or two showers on the morning of January 15 and some haze that night, the local weather remained fine from January 14 to 19. It was also very dry during the day on January 16 and 17. With plenty of sunshine, the temperatures at the Observatory rose to a maximum of 24.8 degrees on the afternoon of January 17, the highest of the month.

Under the influence of a replenished northeast monsoon, and with a broad band of clouds covering the coast of Guangdong, the local weather turned mainly cloudy and dry from January 20 to 23 with cold mornings over most parts of the territory from January 21 to 23. With the thinning out of the band of clouds, it was dry with sunny periods during the day from January 24 to 26. With the moderation of the northeast monsoon, winds subsided later on January 26. There was some haze during the day of the next day, with the visibility in the harbour once falling below 5 000 metres. The temperatures at the Observatory rose to the month’s high-level mark of 24.8 degrees again on January 27. Under the influence of weak monsoon replenishments, it was slightly cooler on the mornings of January 28 and 29. Under the influence of an easterly airstream and with a broad band of clouds covering the coast of Guangdong, the local weather was cloudy with one or two rain patches on January 29 and 30. A northeast monsoon replenishment affected southern China on the last day of the month, and the local weather became cooler gradually with a few rain patches and relatively low visibility. 

One tropical cyclone occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific during January 2026.

Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals for the month are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for January are tabulated in Table 2.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The value of total retail sales for December 2025, provisionally estimated at $35 billion, was up 6.6% compared with the same month in 2024, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate for the month was 5.1% higher year-on-year.

Online sales accounted for 8.8% of the total retail sales figure for the month. Provisionally estimated at $3.1 billion, the value of online retail sales rose 30.9% compared with a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased by 14.3% year-on-year.

There were also increases in the value of sales in the following categories: other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (+7.5%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+58.9%); commodities in supermarkets (+0.3%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+0.5%); medicines and cosmetics (+0.6%); motor vehicles and parts (+8.9%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+6.7%); and optical shops (+5.2%).

By contrast, the value of sales of wearing apparel decreased 10.3%. Also down were sales of commodities in department stores (-4.6%); fuels (-12.8%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-10%); Chinese drugs and herbs (-2.1%); and furniture and fixtures (-7.9%).

For 2025 as a whole, the value of total retail sales was provisionally estimated at $380.5 billion, up 1%, and remained at a similar level in volume compared with 2024. The value of online retail sales, provisionally estimated at $35.7 billion, rose 12.8% over 2024.

The Government said the value of retail sales continued to recover solidly in December 2025, rising a further 6.6% over a year earlier. For 2025 as a whole, total retail sales value resumed modest growth.

Looking ahead, the Government considered that improving sentiment in local consumption underpinned by the robust momentum of economic growth, together with continued vibrant growth in the numbers of inbound visitors, will continue to benefit retail businesses.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai holds press conference on Taiwan-US Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue
Last week, the sixth annual Taiwan-US Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) was held in Washington, DC. On the morning of February 3, President Lai Ching-te held a press conference to brief the public on its results. In remarks, President Lai explained that this round of the EPPD focused on four key pillars: strategic alignment on supply chain security, cooperation on critical minerals, cooperation in third countries, and bilateral cooperation. The president stated that Taiwan-US cooperation will advance toward three major strategic directions going forward: enhancing economic security, building up an innovation-driven economy, and fostering a prosperous future.
President Lai stated that Taiwan is not only strengthening cooperation with the US, but also continuing to deepen economic and trade partnerships with other countries around the world. The president stated that our administration will continue to pursue two major objectives: deepening Taiwan-US economic and trade relations and diversifying our global presence in terms of technology, enabling Taiwan’s industries to remain firmly rooted in Taiwan while further expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. He then expressed confidence that we can work with fellow democracies to steer the next generation of prosperity.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Last week, the sixth annual Taiwan-US EPPD was held in Washington, DC. This mechanism was established during US President Donald Trump’s first term. Last week’s meeting was the first EPPD convened during President Trump’s second term and the first in-person meeting between the principal representatives of both sides since the first EPPD was held in 2020. Thus, it holds significant importance for Taiwan-US relations.
First, I would like to thank Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫), and all our colleagues who contributed their efforts to this meeting. I also want to thank the US for its support, which helped the dialogue proceed smoothly and successfully.
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our colleagues, the meeting achieved fruitful results. Especially of note is that during the team’s trip to the US, a state of emergency was declared in Washington, DC due to a severe winter storm, meaning that federal government offices were temporarily closed. Everyone’s efforts under such difficult conditions are truly appreciated.
From the convening of the sixth annual EPPD, we can clearly see that the Taiwan-US economic and strategic partnership has become even deeper and closer.
In recent years, Taiwan and the US have continued to step up cooperation and exchanges in many fields. In particular, the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, pursued together by both sides, is the most comprehensive trade agreement signed between Taiwan and the US since 1979. The first agreement entered into force two years ago, laying a solid legal foundation for bilateral economic and trade relations.
Since I took office, my administration has continued to advance the next round of negotiations under the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade while closely monitoring the economic and trade policies of US presidential candidates and the president-elect.
That is why, after the US announced its new tariff policy in April last year, our team from the Presidential Office and Executive Yuan, along with our front-line negotiation team, responded to the changing situation by staying fully informed and engaged, considering all aspects of the situation, and making an all-out effort.
After nine months of hard work, we concluded the Taiwan-US reciprocal tariff negotiations last month, achieving results that have satisfied our people and earned the admiration of the international community.
These achievements are not limited to reductions in tariff figures. More importantly, they ensure that Taiwanese enterprises can compete on an equal footing with the world’s major competitors in the international economic and trade arena.
However, tariff negotiations are only one part of Taiwan-US cooperation. Continuing to deepen our economic and strategic partnership through ongoing dialogue, exchanges, and expanding the results of bilateral collaboration has always been our goal.
After our team returned to Taiwan, Ministers Lin and Kung briefed me earlier today on the progress made in this year’s EPPD. I have invited them here to report these achievements to the public.
This round of the dialogue focused on four key pillars: strategic alignment on supply chain security, cooperation on critical minerals, cooperation in third countries, and bilateral cooperation. From these pillars of discussion, we can outline three major strategic directions for Taiwan-US cooperation going forward.
First, enhancing economic security.
Amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, the AI, semiconductor, and other high-tech industries are placing increasing emphasis on security, trustworthiness, and resilience, and are accelerating the development of resilient non-red supply chains.
At this critical juncture, Taiwan and the US signed the Joint Statement on the Pax Silica Declaration and Taiwan-US Economic Security Cooperation, demonstrating our shared commitment to enhancing economic security together.
Going forward, Taiwan and the US will prepare to establish working groups to maintain close communication and enhanced interaction on issues of mutual concern, so that we can jointly build safer and more resilient supply chains.
Second, building up an innovation-driven economy.
Taiwan possesses world-class manufacturing capabilities, while the US has an unparalleled innovation ecosystem, core technologies, and strong connections to global markets. Together, we form a strategically complementary partnership capable of generating mutual prosperity.
This EPPD will help Taiwan and the US jointly advance an innovation-driven economy. We will promote substantive initiatives in supply chain security, unmanned aircraft systems component certification, and the removal of tax-related barriers to investment, ensuring that our partnership keeps pace with the rapid technological transformation reshaping global industry and ushers in the next generation of prosperity.
Third, fostering a prosperous future.
This year’s EPPD covered a wide range of topics, including AI supply chains, digital infrastructure, critical minerals supply, unmanned aircraft systems supply chains, and cooperation in third countries. It is the most diverse and comprehensive EPPD to date.
These results clearly show that Taiwan-US cooperation is no longer limited to a single industry, but has evolved into a broad, cross-sector, and deeply interconnected partnership. Taiwan and the US are indispensable partners building a mutually prosperous future.
I would like to emphasize that industrial complementarity and regulatory reliability are like two legs that together keep Taiwan-US cooperation standing.
Accordingly, Taiwan will accelerate alignment with international trade standards, ensure a predictable and transparent legal environment, and enhance industrial alignment with the US on the basis of mutual trust and mutual benefits, jointly building resilient and competitive global supply chain networks.
My fellow citizens, Taiwan is not only strengthening cooperation with the US, but also continuing to deepen economic and trade partnerships with other countries around the world.
In recent years, Taiwan has renewed investment protection agreements and double taxation avoidance agreements with major Southeast Asian investment partners. Moreover, last year, under our Enhanced Trade Partnership arrangement with the United Kingdom, we signed three pillar arrangements on investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero emissions. We have also signed a digital trade agreement with Japan.
Through agreements and arrangements like these, Taiwan is able to expand economic and trade exchanges, increase bilateral investment, broaden areas of cooperation, and enhance industrial competitiveness with our partners. This not only helps Taiwan’s industries expand into the global economic network, but also drives further transformation and upgrading of Taiwan’s economy.
Taiwan is on the right economic path and is striding confidently as it engages with the world. We have both the strength and the confidence to work with fellow democracies to steer the next generation of prosperity.
Looking ahead, our administration will continue to pursue two major objectives: deepening Taiwan-US economic and trade relations and diversifying our global presence in terms of technology. This will enable Taiwan’s industries to remain firmly rooted in Taiwan while further expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide.
I would also like to take this opportunity to once again thank our front-line trade negotiation team, who have shouldered the mission of Taiwan’s future economic development. It is their tireless dedication and unwavering commitment that have allowed us to stride ahead with such momentum.
The outcomes of the trade negotiations are closely tied to our nation’s economic prosperity and the well-being of our people. I sincerely hope that, in their deliberation on the Taiwan-US tariff agreement, members of the Legislative Yuan will uphold professionalism, proceed in accordance with the law, rise above partisan divides, and work together to safeguard these hard-won achievements.
The more secure our economy, the more prosperous our industries will be, and the stronger Taiwan will be in engaging with the world.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, I would also like to extend early holiday greetings to everyone. In the coming year, let us stand united, continue to strengthen Taiwan, and advance side by side with the world on the path of prosperity. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Land Registry logged 7,631 sale and purchase agreements received for registration for all building units in January, a drop of 15.2% compared with December 2025 but a rise of 54.5% year on year.

The total consideration for building unit sale and purchase agreements in January dropped 12% from the previous month to $57.2 billion. This figure represented a 55.8% year-on-year increase.

A total of 5,669 agreements were for residential units, a decrease of 3.6% from the previous month but a 56.3% rise from a year ago.

The total consideration for residential units was $49.2 billion, down 3.9% compared with the previous month but up 84.1% year-on-year.

There were 426,296 land register searches last month.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Labour Department will host the “Career Takeoff Job Fair for the Middle-aged & Elderly” at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok on Thursday and Friday. Over 60 organisations across various industries will offer more than 2,900 quality vacancies, with approximately 30 conducting on-site recruitment each day.

Positions offered include: accounting officer, clerk, senior production technician, technical officer, assistant maintenance officer, airline ground crew, track fitter, pier sailor, baggage scanner, health worker, massagist, recreation assistant, restaurant manager, barista, chef, cashier, security guard and taxi driver.

More than 87% of the openings offered at the job fair are full-time jobs with monthly salaries ranging from $12,000 to $23,000. About 97% of the vacancies require an education level of Secondary Six or below, while around 58% require no relevant work experience.

The event will take place from 11am to 5.30pm at 1/F, MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok. Admission is free, with final admission time at 5pm each day.