Hong Kong
Bangkok voted Best leisure City in Asia
Which city is best for business? Business Traveller Asia-Pacific readers maintained that it was Hong Kong, again choosing it as the Best Business City in the World and in Northeast Asia, while Singapore remained the Best Business City in Southeast Asia. But when it comes to time-out, they voted Bangkok as the Best Leisure Destination in Asia-Pacific.

Which city is best for business? Business Traveller Asia-Pacific readers maintained that it was Hong Kong, again choosing it as the Best Business City in the World and in Northeast Asia, while Singapore remained the Best Business City in Southeast Asia. But when it comes to time-out, they voted Bangkok as the Best Leisure Destination in Asia-Pacific.
In its 20th year, the awards, given out in 55 categories, reflect the highest accolade discerning Business Traveller readers bestow on travel and hospitality providers. They are based on the results from the yearly Readers’ Poll conducted and interpreted by Synovate.
In this increasingly competitive world, businesses need to stay on top of their games and many of our winners have done just that. A majority of last year’s winners kept their top rankings, including InterContinental, which was once again awarded Best Business Hotel Brand in the World, and retained the Best Business Hotel Brand in Europe honour for the third year running.
Another of InterContinental Hotels Group’s brands, Holiday Inn, maintained its positions as Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in the World and in Asia-Pacific.
Also a standout was Shangri-La, winner of eight awards including Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific. Its Singapore property remained the Best Business Hotel in the Lion City and in the World. The group’s hotels in Hong Kong (Island Shangri-La), Manila and Shanghai also kept their titles as the Best Business Hotel in their respective cities. Island Shangri-La has taken its Singaporean sister’s place as the Best Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific and the Bangkok property has moved up two slots as number one in the Thai capital.
After being in a tie last year, Banyan Tree Phuket rose up as the sole winner of Best Resort Hotel in Asia-Pacific, while Ascott proved to be a leader in its sector with another of its property, Ascott Sathorn Bangkok Thailand, taking out the Best Serviced Residence in Asia-Pacific award, after its Singapore facility did so in the previous year.
On the airline front, Singapore Airlines had another home run with five awards: Best Airline, Best Asia-Pacific Airline, and Best Airline in First, Business and Economy classes. Cathay Pacific held on to the title of Best Frequent Flyer Programme with Asia Miles while bagging Best Airport Lounge in Asia-Pacific. Qantas beat fierce competition this year and took home Best Airline Premium Economy.
Changi Airport defended its places as the Best Airport in the World and in Asia-Pacific, but Incheon swept Best Airport Duty-Free in the World.
China
Hong Kong’s US-Bound Exports to be Labeled ‘Made in China’
Goods produced in Hong Kong and exported to the US must be “marked to indicate that their origin is China”, according to a notice put out by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on August 11, 2020.

China
Hong Kong : no journalist in the world is free from China’s violent retribution
The new national security legislation China is imposing on Hong Kong could be used not only against journalists operating in Asia’s main financial hub, but against every journalist in the world says RSF

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urges democracies to do everything in their power to compel Beijing to withdraw the law that allows it to charge any journalist writing on Hong Kong of endangering national security, an accusation that could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty if tried in China.
Hong Kong
National security law for Hong Kong risks turning city into police state
China’s national security law for Hong Kong will put everybody in the city at risk of arbitrary detention and unfair trial unless underpinned by measures to guarantee protection of human rights, Amnesty International said today

China’s national security law for Hong Kong will put everybody in the city at risk of arbitrary detention and unfair trial unless underpinned by measures to guarantee protection of human rights, Amnesty International said today as Beijing lawmakers prepare to adopt the dangerous legislation.
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