July 20: Burnham to become U.K. prime minister
Andy Burnham is expected to take over as U.K. prime minister on July 20 after securing the nomination of 349 of 403 Labour Party lawmakers. The 56-year-old former mayor of Greater Manchester previously ran twice for the party leadership. July 20: HKEX enhances T+1 trading session
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. will implement enhancements to its T+1 trading session on July 20. The move aims to improve accessibility to the derivatives market, strengthen trading continuity between the T and T+1 sessions and increase flexibility for stock index futures trading. July 20: China approves African coffee bean imports
Coffee beans from 53 African nations with diplomatic ties to China will be allowed for import starting July 20, provided they meet specific requirements. This marks China’s latest comprehensive quarantine approval for agricultural products from these nations, following dried chili peppers. July 21: Government brief on transport
The State Council Information Office will hold a press conference on July 21 regarding the 15th Five-Year Plan. Officials from the transport ministry, as well as aviation, railway and postal regulators, will discuss efforts to build a modernized comprehensive transport system. July 22: U.S. slaps tariffs on Brazil
The U.S. will impose 25% tariffs on select Brazilian goods starting July 22 on the instructions of President Donald Trump. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer finalized the action under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, marking one of the first new tariffs since reciprocal tariffs were invalidated. July 22: Shanghai low-altitude economy expo
The 2026 International Low-Altitude Economy Expo will run from July 22 to 25 in Shanghai. The event will focus on emerging aircraft and showcase the entire future supply chain for the sector. July 22: Hong Kong reopens seven-year bonds
The Hong Kong government will reopen its seven-year Hong Kong dollar institutional bonds on July 22. An additional HK$1 billion ($128 million) of the unexpired bonds, which mature in February 2033 and carry a 2.91% coupon rate, will be available for tender. July 23: Chengdu hosts APEC AI meeting
The 2026 APEC Digital and Artificial Intelligence Ministerial Meeting will take place in Chengdu on July 23. Ministers will discuss topics including empowering development through digital and AI technologies, promoting meaningful digital connectivity and supporting digital inclusion. July 25: Southbound vehicle travel program expands
A program allowing vehicles from the Chinese mainland to travel to Hong Kong will be expanded to include all nine mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The scheme aims to cover all 21 cities in Guangdong province by the first quarter of 2027.
