Fast Asia Open: Hong Kong trade data, Macau unemployment

Sometimes a politician comes to power whose grand, sweeping vision redefines the very nature of politics and citizenship, reinvigorating a seemingly moribund bureaucracy with the energy and drive needed to transform it into a true model of responsive governance.

Could Carrie Lam be that figure for Hong Kong?

“I, too, want more democracy in Hong Kong,” Ms Lam said on Sunday upon winning a majority of votes from the Beijing-dominated selection committee for the territory’s chief executive. “But Hong Kong is facing a lot of serious problems. So why don’t we start with the easier subjects?”

So, maybe not, then.

In Asia Pacific equities, Sydney’s S&P/ASX 200 index is down 0.4 per cent in early trading. Futures tip Tokyo’s Topix index to dip 0.1 per cent at the open while in Hong Kong the Hang Seng index is expected to open 0.2 per cent higher.

Corporate earnings reports out today include Allied Group and Allied properties HK, Chow Sang Sang Holdings International, Shun Tak Holdings, Imperial Pacific International Holdings and SEA Holdings.

The economic calendar for Monday puts the “great” in “greater China” (all times Hong Kong):

• 16.20: Taiwan bounced check ratio
• 16.30: Hong Kong imports, exports and trade balance
• Macau’s unemployment rate is also due out today.