CGTN

From stability to prosperity: Hong Kong's economy returns to global forefront

Social unrest since June 2019 during the "legislative amendment turmoil" in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) dealt a severe blow to local inbound tourism, consumption activities and investment sentiment in the second half of 2019, pushing the economy into recession.

The economy contracted by 1.7 percent for 2019, the first annual decline since the global financial crisis in 2009. Visitor arrivals rose 13.9 percent in the first half but plunged 39.1 percent in the second half, resulting in a 14.2 percent decrease for 2019. Retail sales declined 12.3 percent for 2019, the largest annual fall between 1998 and 2019.

The Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance were implemented in June 2020 and March 2024, respectively. They have restored HKSAR's stability, allowing the region to focus on economic growth and enhancing people's well-being, happiness and sense of security.

The HKSAR's GDP surged 18.7 percent from HK$ 2.68 trillion in 2020 to HK$ 3.18 trillion in 2024. Visitor arrivals in HKSAR recovered to 44.5 million in 2024, 11.36 times the 3.6 million in 2020. Median monthly earnings of full-time employees rose from HK$ 20,000 to HK$ 24,300, with an increase of 21.5 percent.

The 2019 social turmoil also resulted in lower global rankings in 2020 for HKSAR, with the region's world competitiveness ranking dropping to fifth place and economic performance ranking declining to 28th place in 2020.

The restored stability in HKSAR helped the region's ranking return to the global forefront in 2025. Its world competitiveness ranking has returned to the global top three for the first time since 2019. The region's economic performance ranking has been back to the sixth place.

For more：news.cgtn.com/news/2025-12-19/From-stability-to-pr…

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CGTN

The much-anticipated Harbin Ice and Snow World officially opened its gates this week. This year, it's bigger than ever. Spanning 1.2 million square meters and built with over 400,000 cubic meters of ice and snow, the park has set new records and turned winter into a full-scale spectacle.

From towering ice castles to delicate snow sculptures, visiting the site feels like stepping into a real-life fairy tale. It's a place where the raw beauty of icy northern winters meets creativity, imagination and pure fun.

Not long ago, winter in China meant staying indoors to keep warm. Now, skiing, skating and ice-and-snow sightseeing are becoming part of everyday winter life. What hobby or interest has made your year special? #2025inReview #Storiesin2025

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The suspect in the Brown University shooting has been found dead by suicide, local authorities said at a press conference on Thursday night. The suspect was identified as Claudio Valente, a 48-year-old former Brown student. His motive remains unclear.

Valente was found in a storage facility in New Hampshire with a satchel, two firearms and evidence that matched to the crime scene. He was also believed to be responsible for the death of an MIT professor at his home in Massachusetts this week.

The shooting last weekend left two students dead and several others injured.

#cgtn #cgtnnews #brownuniversity #shooting #mit

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21 hours ago | [YT] | 182

CGTN

We've hit 4 MILLION subscribers! And this milestone belongs to YOU!

From your insightful comments on our reports to the lively debates on our livestreams, YOU are the heartbeat of this channel and we would like to THANK YOU and hear more from YOU!

What content matters most to you? Let us know! Let's continue to shape CGTN together!

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#CGTN #4Million #Milestone #ThankYou #SeeTheDifference #GlobalNews #China #Community #YourVoiceMatters #Collaboration

22 hours ago | [YT] | 1,250

CGTN

In 2025, China’s street food scene was full of innovative and delicious snacks. From milk-skin tanghulu – fresh fruit coated with crispy clotted cream – and the creamy solid version of mango pomelo sago, to savory raw-to-fryer chicken and soft, buttery rice cakes, viral foods were everywhere – both on our screens and on the streets.

These trending treats may come and go, but they captured something real about the year we shared: how food brings people together, sparks conversations, and turns everyday moments into memories.

What about in your hometown? Have you been caught up in any viral food obsessions? Which ones surprised you – and which ones didn’t quite live up to the hype? Share your photos, stories and honest reviews.

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1 day ago | [YT] | 653

CGTN

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Wednesday issued a public apology for offensive remarks made by individual members of parliament on social media, saying the comments ran counter to Finland's values of equality and inclusion.

In a statement posted by Finland's embassies in China, the Republic of Korea and Japan in three languages, Orpo said he was deeply sorry for the remarks. The statement did not specify the target of the apology.

"Our message in Finland and to all our friends abroad is that the government takes racism seriously and is committed to combatting the issue," he said.

The apology follows a racism controversy sparked after Sarah Dzafce, the 2025 Miss Finland winner, was accused of deliberately mocking and stereotyping Asians, prompting the Miss Finland organization to strip her of the title. Two members of Finland's parliament and one European Parliament member, all from the far-right Finns Party, later posted similar images on social media.

The Finns Party is part of a four-party coalition led by Orpo's pro-business National Coalition Party.

Orpo said leaders of parliamentary groups from the governing parties had discussed the conduct of the lawmakers involved and jointly condemned the behavior as insulting and inappropriate.

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1 day ago | [YT] | 301

CGTN

Our 2025 was made of countless firsts! It wasn't just another year of repeated days; it was like the rings of a tree, with each new experience expanding our inner world. Every "first", whether big or small, added a layer of growth, a new skill learned or a fresh perspective gained. No dramatic highs or shocking lows, just steady progress and personal upgrades quietly shaping who we are.
What was your most memorable "#first" in 2025? A first adventure, a first achievement, or even a small moment that changed your perspective, we'd love to hear your stories in the comments! #2025inReview

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1 day ago | [YT] | 461

CGTN

From viral memes that resonated across cultures to music and dances that dominated our feeds, 2025 was shaped by the creativity of a connected world.
To capture this vibrant pulse, we're inviting you to share your picks for the top 2025 Cultural Symbols:
– Meme of the Year
– Dance of the Year
– Song of the Year
Share with us the moments, sounds and symbols that defined your 2025 and help us map the cultural heartbeat of a generation.
Join in the discussion in comments below and create the 2025 Youth Culture Portrait together!

1 day ago | [YT] | 170

CGTN

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded Venezuela return assets that he accused the oil-rich South American country took from U.S. oil companies years ago.

"They took our oil rights – we had a lot of oil there. As you know they threw our companies out, and we want it back," Trump told reporters in the White House, referring to Venezuela's nationalization of its oil sector in the 1970s and under President Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chavez. #trump #venezuela

For more: news.cgtn.com/news/2025-12-18/Trump-again-demands-…

1 day ago | [YT] | 227

CGTN

The U.S. government admitted this Wednesday that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S Army were involved in last January’s deadly midair crash near Washington D.C.

According to a court file, the pilots of a U.S. army Black Hawk helicopter failed to "maintain vigilance so as to see and avoid" an American Airlines flight, and the air controller at the Reagan National Airport did not comply with air traffic control procedure.

A passenger jet and a U.S. military helicopter collided in midair over the Potomac River on January 29 near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, taking all 67 people on board. #cgtn #cgtnnews #US

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