HONG KONG: WeDoctor will push ahead with a Hong Kong listing and invite pitches from investments banks next week to lead an IPO valuing the Chinese healthcare platform at up to US$10 billion, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. The Hangzhou-based company, which is backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd and Goldman Sachs, could look to raise up to US$1 billion in the IPO, and could be among the first major Hong Kong listings since the coronavirus outbreak began. WeDoctor has invited investment banks in Hong Kong and mainland China to a 'beauty parade', which will be held via video conferencing and in person at the company's offices for bankers located in China, three sources said. The company's new chief financial officer John Cai, who is set to join from WeDoctor shareholder and strategic partner AIA where he was chief executive, will take part in the discussions from Hong Kong with bankers in the city. Founded in 2010 by artificial intelligence expert Jerry Liao, … [Read more...] about Tencent-backed WeDoctor invites banks to lead US$1 billion Hong Kong IPO, sources say
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Singapore cautions wealth managers on aggressively courting Hong Kong business
SINGAPORE: Singapore has cautioned wealth managers against aggressively marketing their services or making other efforts to woo clients to the city state by capitalising on rival Hong Kong's political turmoil , people with knowledge of the matter said. Officials from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) made the request last month to wealth managers, including DBS and a unit of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC), the people said, declining to be identified given the sensitivity of the matter. READ: Wealth managers head to Singapore as China concerns dim Hong Kong's lure The central bank told bankers it wanted to ensure wealth managers in Singapore were sensitive to the situation in Hong Kong and did not design campaigns specifically targeting business from Hong Kong, the people said. The move comes as Hong Kong has been thrown into turmoil by a proposed extradition bill - declared dead this week by its chief executive Carrie Lam - that for the first time would … [Read more...] about Singapore cautions wealth managers on aggressively courting Hong Kong business
Hong Kong police arrest 11, Beijing voices support for action against ‘riots’
HONG KONG/BEIJING: Beijing on Thursday (Jun 13) described the mass protests against Hong Kong's extradition bill as "riots", and said it supported the local government's response. Hong Kong Police Commissioner Stephen Lo He said what began as a peaceful gathering on Wednesday had degenerated into a riot with protesters "acting violently in an organised manner". Police arrested 11 people while 22 officers were injured and police had fired about 150 tear gas canisters, he said. Police used rubber bullets and tear gas to break up crowds Wednesday after demonstrators - angry over legislation they say would leave people vulnerable to China's opaque justice system - blocked roads and brought the city to a standstill. Videos of Hong Kong police beating protesters have sparked accusations of brutality. READ: Police face mounting brutality claims after Hong Kong clashes As of 5pm on Thursday, there were 81 casualties related to the protests, the Hospital Authority said. These … [Read more...] about Hong Kong police arrest 11, Beijing voices support for action against ‘riots’
China warns it won’t tolerate dissent in Hong Kong
BEIJING: China warned on Friday (Nov 1) that it would not tolerate any challenge to Hong Kong's governing system, as it laid out plans to boost patriotism in the city and change how its leader is chosen or removed after months of anti-government protests. The unrest in the semi-autonomous city was an important topic at a major, four-day meeting of the Communist Party chaired by President Xi Jinping this week in Beijing, said Shen Chunyao, director of the Hong Kong, Macau and Basic Law Commission. The central government in Beijing has so far voiced its confidence in Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam and the city police to put a lid on the increasingly violent protests. But all eyes have been on whether the party leadership will assert more control over the situation if the demonstrations spin out of control. READ: Chinese leadership says it will ensure Hong Kong's stability and prosperity READ: China dismisses reports of replacing Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam as … [Read more...] about China warns it won’t tolerate dissent in Hong Kong
Hong Kong police accuse protesters of helping arrested people escape as crime rates soar
HONG KONG: Hong Kong has seen a marked increase in the number of crimes since the start of the anti-government protests, police said on Monday (Dec 23), accusing demonstrators of obstructing law enforcement duties. More than 50 people between 15 years old and 53 years old were arrested over the weekend, police said. Since June, there has been a significant increase in the number of crimes including burglary, arson and armed robberies, Hong Kong Police's Chief Superintendent Kwok Ka-chuen told reporters. The financial hub had recorded the lowest crime rate in 44 years last year, but the “reckless acts” of some protesters had brought Hong Kong’s rule of law “to the brink of total collapse”, with December seeing a number of crimes involving firearms. Last Friday, a group of protesters surrounded police officers in Tai Po to stop them from arresting a man who had shot at officers with a pistol. JUST IN: @hkpoliceforce says armed robbery cases this year rose 28% from … [Read more...] about Hong Kong police accuse protesters of helping arrested people escape as crime rates soar