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Legislative Council of Hong Kong

Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council of Hong Kong is made up of 70 members who debate and pass bills. Half of the Legco members are directly elected by voters in geographical constituencies and the remaining 35 members are returned by 29 functional constituencies.  The next elections will be held in September 2020.
The government’s decision to hold open recruitment for the director’s post marks a departure from the traditional practice of appointing career administrative officers. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong politics

Open recruitment for hygiene chief ‘can attract innovator for tech push’

Hong Kong’s civil service chief defends shift from typical internal recruitment for head of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

Hong Kong society

Opinion | Executive-led governance in Hong Kong must start by listening to the people

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Workers ready to sacrifice Lunar New Year break as scaffold net rules bite

Hong Kong national security law

Hong Kong court to rule on appeals of 12 jailed activists on February 23

Court will also rule on one acquitted defendant in city’s largest national security trial of 47 opposition figures over illegal ‘primary’ election.

Opposition activist Prince Wong, who earlier pleaded guilty, has appealed against her jail sentence of four years and five months. Photo: Getty
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong to fully review plans for bus seat belt rules before relaunch: minister

Transport chief vows to ‘conduct a fresh and comprehensive review and widely consult the community’.

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Hong Kong transport

MTR Corp under pressure to explain if human error behind Island line shutdown

‘Unless they encountered an unprecedented mechanical failure, the chances of human error are nowhere near low,’ ex-lawmaker Gary Zhang says.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong may set limit of 2 dogs per diner under new pet-friendly policy

Shifting earlier stance after receiving feedback, environment chief also says licence might be granted to larger eateries only in first phase.

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A schnauzer in a pram at a New Town Plaza restaurant in Sha Tin. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s minimum wage set to rise by HK$1 per hour to HK$43.10

Exco backs Minimum Wage Commission’s suggested 2.38 per cent increase.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Letters | Meaningful direct access to physiotherapy is still elusive

Readers discuss the bottlenecks delaying musculoskeletal pain management in Hong Kong, and tougher tobacco controls.

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Legco must exercise due diligence against the tyranny of KPIs

Even if the government drafted perfect laws, lawmakers must scrutinise them without being afraid of performing their constitutional duty.

The Legislative Council Complex in Admiralty on January 7. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong politics

Are Hong Kong lawmakers also to blame over seat belt law blunder?

Government’s flip-flopping on mandatory seat belts aboard buses is wake-up call for legislators to scrutinise bills more rigorously, experts say.

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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (front centre) with the latest cohort of lawmakers at the Legislative Council building on January 1. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong plans to revive privacy law requiring firms to report data breaches

Privacy Commissioner Ada Chung says watchdog intends to consult lawmakers this year after legislative reform was put on hold in 2024.

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong authorities repeal ‘flawed’ bus seat belt law

Rule sparked complaints over uncomfortable restraints, hygiene risks and fears that unbuckling early before alighting would violate law.

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Hong Kong transport

Letters | Just how risky is riding a bus in Hong Kong? Let’s do the maths

Readers discuss the odds of bus accidents, practical implementation of seat belt regulations, and the importance of user acceptance testing.

A student tugs at a seat belt on a double-decker bus in Tuen Mun on January 26. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to consider HK$3,000 fixed penalty for smoking on construction sites

Government earlier proposed maximum fine of HK$150,000.

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A union survey found that more than half of respondents supported a smoking ban on sites. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong society

Dogs to be allowed in up to 1,000 Hong Kong restaurants under new scheme

Authorities aim to submit proposal within first quarter and approve initial batch of dog permits by June.

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Hong Kong politics

Editorial | Valuable lessons to be learnt from U-turn on seat belt law in Hong Kong

The government and legislators must ensure the law can achieve its intended purpose of ensuring public safety before it is reintroduced.

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Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong’s seat belt policy U-turn shows little learned from waste levy mess

Once again, despite good intentions, policymakers have failed to consider every eventuality and prepare adequately.

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People wear seat belts on a double-decker bus in Sham Shui Po on January 29 to comply with new rules that are now being suspended. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong politics

‘Outcomes, not output’: Exco held 25% fewer meetings over John Lee’s tenure so far

Figures show advisory body convened 119 meetings and discussed 602 items over first 3½ years of Chief Executive John Lee’s tenure.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong health chief seeks to speed up Medical Council’s complaint handling

But Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau warns against ‘arbitrarily’ adding non-professional members to watchdog.

Hong Kong transport

Video | Hong Kong to suspend seat belts on buses rule after less than a week

Wording of law only applies to new buses registered from January 25 this year.

Hong Kong’s transport chief has said the government will suspend a mandatory seat belt requirement for bus passengers and revise the legislation, after the law was found to be only applicable to new buses registered from January 25, 2026.
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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Over 110,000 secure waivers since Hong Kong public medical fee reform took effect

Health minister Lo Chung-mau says about 53,000 received concession certificates, while roughly 60,000 granted three-month conditional waivers.

Patients at Kwong Wah Hospital’s A&E department. Hong Kong introduced a new public hospital fee regime on Jan 1, 2026. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong transport

More seat belt confusion: does the new law cover all public buses in Hong Kong?

Ex-legislator who was part of committee that scrutinised proposed law says rule should only apply on buses newly registered from January 25.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s first dog-friendly restaurants could be opening sooner than you think

Environment minister reveals possible timeline for approval of city’s first dog-friendly restaurants under ‘pet economy’ push.

Hong Kong tourism

Authorities to seek public views on walkway for New Praya selfie hotspot

Kennedy Town’s New Praya has become hotspot for mainland Chinese tourists in recent years, but trend has also triggered road safety fears.

Mainland tourists take pictures in Kennedy Town. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong to test firefighting drones in pilot scheme

Authorities turn to new technology as part of efforts to enhance fire safety following the deadly Tai Po blaze.

Drones being used to inspect the buildings at Wang Fuk Court in the aftermath of the deadly Tai Po blaze. Authorities will test how this technology can be used in a firefighting capacity. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong minister Erick Tsang resigns, reveals prostate cancer fears

City leader John Lee dismisses speculation about more principal official departures, says his cabinet ‘shares his philosophy’ and has met expectations.

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Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong lawmakers urge review of seat belt policy on buses amid complaints

Legislator Ben Chan says some operators could consider switching to lap belts to make it easier for passengers to alight.

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