The value of total retail sales in December 2014 in Hong Kong fell 3.9 percent to 47.8 billion HK dollars from a year ago. Looking ahead, the near-term performance of retail sales will still hinge on the labor market conditions and inbound tourism growth, a government spokesman said.

Nearly a quarter of people expect their standard of living after retirement will be lower than the standard they have now, with working age people feeling particularly gloomy in the developed economies of France (54 percent), the UK (40 percent) and Hong Kong (40 percent), a global study has found.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying urged the public to be realistic when it comes to discussing constitutional development during a radio program on Jan.18. Leung said the government is open to different views. He noted that any reform proposals had to be approved by the central government.

Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam said on Jan. 15 that more than 800,000 One- way Permit (OWP) holders have come from the mainland to Hong Kong since 1997. It is said that 98 percent of the OWP holders are coming to join their parents, or they are actually the spouse of Hong Kong residents.