China · Country watch

China's Retail Shift, EU Trade Tensions, HK Land Sale

Hong Kong retail sees new Asian brands, EU trade tensions rise, and a record land sale in Kowloon impacts the market.

Florent Kalfon · October 7, 2026 · 3 sources

The picture Mixed

Business conditions in China are mixed today. New Asian brands in Hong Kong retail and EU trade tensions present challenges, while a record land sale indicates confidence in the real estate market.

In this briefing Vincent Cheung · Kerry Properties · Kowloon · Cushman & Wakefield · Hong Kong · Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China · European Union

Regulation

Nothing significant reported today.

Disruption

Nothing significant reported today.

Internal tension

Nothing significant reported today.

Safety & health

Nothing significant reported today.

Companies

Nothing significant reported today.

Markets

Kerry Properties Wins Kowloon Land for HK$4.3 Billion

Modern skyscrapers rise above a calm river — Diego Mattevi / Unsplash

Kerry Properties has acquired a residential land plot in Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, for HK$4.31 billion (US$549 million), marking the highest price paid for a site in the area in nearly five years. The site on Fat Kwong Street sold at HK$20,738 per square foot of gross floor area, setting a recent high for land premiums in Kowloon. This transaction reflects developers' confidence in the demand for luxury homes in Hong Kong, according to Vincent Cheung, managing director of Vincorn Consulting and Appraisal.

Impact Real estate developers and investors in Hong Kong see renewed confidence in the luxury housing market.

Sources: South China Morning Post Business ↗

Trade

retail

Asian Brands Increase Presence in Hong Kong Retail

Japanese, South Korean, and Thai brands have increased their presence in Hong Kong's retail property market, now accounting for over one-third of new entrants in the first nine months of 2026, according to Cushman & Wakefield. This marks a 7 percentage point increase in their share, while demand from mainland Chinese brands has decreased. The influx of these brands is reshaping the retail landscape in Hong Kong, attracting more diverse consumer bases and altering competitive dynamics.

Impact Retail property owners and developers in Hong Kong see increased demand from Japanese, South Korean, and Thai brands.

Sources: ChinaMorningPost ↗

Politics

China Responds to EU Trade Defense Calls

China's Ministry of Commerce has responded to calls from France and Germany for the EU to strengthen trade defense measures, labeling such protectionism as counterproductive. The ministry emphasized that decoupling and breaking supply chains would harm all parties involved. This stance comes amid rising tensions over trade policies and highlights China's opposition to increased protectionism within the EU.

Impact Exporters to the EU face potential trade policy shifts as China opposes increased protectionism.

Sources: ChinaNews.com ↗

Also today in China

French school unrest: students, teachers march on biggest day of protests — ChinaMorningPost
Germany joins France in call for China trade defences — ChinaMorningPost
以色列政府发出旅行警告提醒海外公民防范潜在安全风险 — ChinaNews.com
India opposition lawmakers detained over protest against election chief — ChinaMorningPost
Short trade truce can’t paper over realities of US-China relationship — ChinaMorningPost
泰国9月通胀率升至2.82% 能源食品价格上涨推高物价 — ChinaNews.com
Hong Kong approves average fee hikes of up to 4.75 per cent for non-public schools — ChinaMorningPost
Empowering a sustainable future: International Gas Union summit to be held in Hong Kong this October — ChinaMorningPost

Sources in this briefing

Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.

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