Hong Kong - Launching a minimum wage or increasing regulatory policies could undermine Hong Kong's economic growth, the head of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce told a newspaper in a report published Monday.

But Hong Kong is unlikely to face an economic downturn on the same scale as that seen during the Asian financial crisis 10 years ago, the Standard newspaper said, quoting Andrew Brandler.

"The government has to be careful when formulating policies," Brandler said. "Increasing regulations may bring unforeseen and undesired consequences as they may increase costs, especially under such a fragile economy as we have now."

Hong Kong - A spate of ambulance breakdowns, including one in which an elderly man later died, has been blamed on hot, humid weather in Hong Kong, a media report said Monday.

Six ambulances have broken down since July 20 while responding to emergency calls including two on Sunday, the Standard newspaper said.

The breakdowns came as fire services chiefs are planning to spend 120 million Hong Kong dollars (15.4 million US dollars) replacing nearly half the fleet of 250 ambulances within the next 18 months.

Hong Kong - Two hungry sisters, aged seven and 10, dialed police after being left home alone in the Choi Hung area of the city, a media report said Saturday.

Police later arrested their father, 38, for suspected child abuse, the South China Morning Post said.

The two girls were taken to Queen Elizabeth hospital for examination although they showed no signs of injury.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong shares surged on the back of falling oil
prices Wednesday with the benchmark Hang Seng index climbing above
23,000 points for the first time in five weeks to end 2.69 per cent up
at 23,134.5.

Confidence was also buoyed by better than expected results from the United States banking sector.

Shares worth some 75.76 billion Hong Kong dollars (9.71 billion dollars) were traded.

Cathay Pacific Airways was the biggest gainer among Hang Seng
constituent stocks, rising 6.25 per cent to end at 15.64 Hong Kong
dollars. Analysts said lower oil prices would ease pressure on the
airline's operating costs.

Banking stocks showed renewed vigour with the Bank of East Asia

Hong Kong - Relief supplies intended for the victims of May's devastating Sichuan earthquake were left sitting at Hong Kong's port in a bureaucratic wrangle with Chinese authorities, a media report said Wednesday.

The aid, comprising 1,000 tins of baby milk powder, toothpaste, brushes, shampoo, clothing and toys, was originally due to be flown to Chengdu in Sichuan via Shenzhen airport in southern China, the South China Morning Post said.