The “Flying Geese Paradigm,” proposed by Japanese economist Kaname Akamatsu in the 1930s, describes the industrial upgrading process of East Asian countries from labor-intensive manufacturing to capital- and technology-intensive industries. According to this theory, Japan, as the “leading goose,” was the first to achieve industrialization and stimulated the development of other countries through foreign direct investment. This created a mutually dependent and progressively advancing industrial division of labor in East Asia, resembling the formation of a flying geese flock in the sky. The theory was validated through decades of post-World War II economic practice. Japan’s global expansion strategy not only

As competition in artificial intelligence (AI) development between the US and China heats up, DeepSeek R1 recently emerged as a serious contender. Challenging OpenAI with DeepSeek’s innovative algorithms and open-source strategy, the Chinese counterpart offers OpenAI’s GPT-4 performance at just 5% of the cost.

With advancements in technology and Internet networks, carpooling services will inevitably become more automated and intelligent. Based on research into different pricing models and matching systems, Prof. Xing Hu shared strategies on how online car-hailing platforms can enhance the profitability of carpooling.

Hong Kong is facing with a persistent fiscal deficit, with projections suggesting a staggering shortfall of HK$94.8 billion for the 2024–25 fiscal year. Financial reserves are expected to drop to HK$639.8 billion, largely due to a sluggish real estate market that has significantly reduced land sale revenues. Meanwhile, public spending continues to rise, particularly in healthcare, social welfare, and civil service salaries. To address these challenges, the government has turned to silver and green bonds as a solution for managing the funding issue and the deficit.

The pandemic has severely impacted cinemas in Hong Kong, with 16 theatres closing their doors. The rapid rise of streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ has made it easier for viewers to enjoy films at home, increasing pressure on cinemas. With ticket prices often exceeding over hundred dollar, streaming services offer a wealth of content for a similar cost, drawing many audiences away.

Vulture and human death: In India, the disappearance of vultures led to a rapid decline in ecological quality in areas where they once thrived. This not only resulted in increased surface water contamination by pathogens but also caused significant population growth in stray dogs and rats. The functional extinction of vultures has led to an additional 100,000 deaths in India each year, reaching nearly USD 70 billion annually in economic losses.

Donald Trump is set to return as President of the United States, ushering in the era of Trump 2.0. His new agenda focuses on tax cuts, reducing trade deficits, and limiting immigration. Trump aims to maintain low tax rates and has proposed a revamped tax structure in his “2025 Plan,” which could worsen income inequality. Dr. Luk noted that while Trump’s tax policies may stimulate the economy, they could also increase national debt and impact social welfare spending, thereby challenging government operations.

Key Takeaways Net-zero portfolios (NZPs), managing over $130 trillion USD in assets, align financial performance with climate goals. These portfolios reward firms that actively reduce emissions while excluding those lagging behind…