PRESS DIGEST - Hong Kong - April 21

HONG KONG, April 21 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Hong Kong newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

-- Mainland ports will see a significant drop in cargo volume this year, the first decline in 20 years, with those in the Yangtze and Pearl River Delta regions to be hit especially hard, the chairman of China Merchants Holdings (International) (0144.HK) said.

-- Bank of East Asia (0023.HK) has applied to the mainland regulator for sales of yuan-denominated bonds in Hong Kong, hoping to be among the first lenders based in the city to offer the fixed-income product.

HONG KONG ECONOMIC JOURNAL

-- HSBC (0005.HK) is looking to increase its stake in Bank of Communications (BoCom)(3328.HK) by 0.75 percent to a total of 19.9 percent, BoCom Chairman Hu Huaibang said.

SING TAO DAILY

-- Share prices of mainland air carriers bounced on Monday on news that the airlines would largely reduce their discounts on fares.

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