https://www.scmp.com/rss/181282/feed The Mass Transit Railway Corporation operates Hong Kong's railway system. It is also a major property developer and landlord in the city and is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong homebuyers snapped up most of the new flats released on Thursday, with developers beginning to ramp up new construction amid sustained housing demand. All 120 units at the One Victoria Cove I in Hung Hom, jointly developed by Henderson Land Development, Hysan Development and Empire Group, were sold by 5.20pm, according to agents. Meanwhile, New World Development (NWD) and MTR Corp’s Pavilia Farm III above Tai Wai MTR station found buyers for 19 of the 45 units as of 6.50pm. Most recent... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3352063/hong-kong-homebuyers-flock-new-launches-flats-sell-out-swiftly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3352063/hong-kong-homebuyers-flock-new-launches-flats-sell-out-swiftly?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:35:13 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong’s railway operator has deployed augmented reality (AR) technology to speed up construction of a station on a new link serving the Northern Metropolis megaproject to ensure it opens on time next year. The MTR Corporation said on Tuesday that the power supply had been connected at Kwu Tung station and AR technology had been adopted to hasten progress. “Applying the AR inspection system will allow us to simulate future scenarios and help workers carry out the assembly work accurately and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351747/mtr-corporation-using-ar-technology-fast-track-work-northern-link-station?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351747/mtr-corporation-using-ar-technology-fast-track-work-northern-link-station?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:10:39 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong developers released nearly 300 new flats to the market amid enthusiastic demand from potential homebuyers as the latest official data show completion of private residential units is set to decline this year and next. By 6pm, all 218 units at the One Victoria Cove Phase I in Hung Hom, jointly developed by Henderson Land Development, Hysan Development and Empire Group, were sold, while at the Pavilia Farm III atop Tai Wai station in Sha Tin by New World Development (NWD) and MTR... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3351421/hong-kong-developers-clear-stock-amid-strong-demand-and-shrinking-supply?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3351421/hong-kong-developers-clear-stock-amid-strong-demand-and-shrinking-supply?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:40:29 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation has unveiled its first wheelset maintenance centre, set to open in the coming months, cutting the time for the labour-intensive process from more than three days to 10 hours. The rail giant said on Thursday that the new HK$300 million (US$38.3 million) Integrated Wheelset Maintenance Centre, located at the Ho Man Tin siding, would be capable of processing 1,500 wheelsets annually through automation. The capacity is designed to meet growing service demands on the Tuen... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351103/mtr-corp-unveils-hk300-million-wheelset-centre-boosting-efficiency-80?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351103/mtr-corp-unveils-hk300-million-wheelset-centre-boosting-efficiency-80?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:07:43 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing The MTR Corporation has sold HK$18.8 billion (US$2.4 billion) in green bonds, setting a Hong Kong dollar-denominated issuance record and marking its first publicly offered bond in the local currency market, as it seeks to diversify funding for a raft of projects. The rail giant said on Wednesday that it sold five-, 10- and 30-year bonds, with the size of each tranche also representing the largest for their respective tenors to date. Together with its inaugural Australian dollar-denominated green... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350965/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-sells-record-hk188-billion-green-bonds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350965/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-sells-record-hk188-billion-green-bonds?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:19:23 +0000 Zhu Wenqian,Cheryl Arcibal Zhu Wenqian,Cheryl Arcibal A consortium led by Sino Land, alongside state-backed mainland developers China Overseas Land & Investment and China Merchants Land, has won a tender for the Kam Sheung Road Station Phase Two development, signalling continued confidence in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis and its long-term growth prospects, particularly among mainland developers. The group – which also includes Great Eagle Holdings – plans to invest more than HK$13 billion (US$1.7 billion) to build high-quality residential... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3350904/sino-land-led-consortium-clinches-kam-sheung-road-phase-two-us17-billion-investment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3350904/sino-land-led-consortium-clinches-kam-sheung-road-phase-two-us17-billion-investment?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:30:30 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation said on Monday that it had received eight bids for a commercial and residential development at one of the critical hubs in the Northern Metropolis, a large-scale project that aims to bolster the city’s economic base and foster closer integration with the Greater Bay Area. The number of bids for the Kam Sheung Road Station Phase Two property development exceeded expectations, indicating developers’ interest in the Northern Metropolis project, according to analysts. The... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3350761/hong-kongs-northern-metropolis-gains-momentum-key-project-attracts-8-bids?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3350761/hong-kongs-northern-metropolis-gains-momentum-key-project-attracts-8-bids?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:00:05 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong homebuyers’ strong demand for new flats extended a streak of brisk sales for developers with one project selling out in a single day, underscoring the city’s broader recovery in housing prices. All 88 units at the Pavilia Farm III project by New World Development and MTR Corporation in Sha Tin were sold on Saturday, prompting the developers to put 75 more flats on sale later that night. Elsewhere in Kai Tak, 133 units of KT Marina II were snapped up over the weekend, according to... https://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/3350638/hong-kong-homebuyers-extend-sell-out-streak-amid-renewed-confidence-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/3350638/hong-kong-homebuyers-extend-sell-out-streak-amid-renewed-confidence-market?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:10:25 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang Homebuyers continued to signal confidence in Hong Kong’s residential market on Saturday, with about three quarters of 248 new flats put up for sale snapped up by late afternoon. A total of 53 out of 88 units were sold at The Pavilia Farm III, while 129 of 160 units at KT Marina II in Kai Tak were taken as of 4.30pm, according to Midland Realty. The Pavilia Farm III, a project jointly developed by New World Development (NWD) and MTR Corp atop Tai Wai Station in Sha Tin, saw buyers throng the... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3350573/hong-kong-buyers-snap-more-180-new-homes-market-confidence-returns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3350573/hong-kong-buyers-snap-more-180-new-homes-market-confidence-returns?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:39:43 +0000 Peggy Ye Peggy Ye Mainland buyers are playing an increasingly prominent role in Hong Kong’s housing market rebound, supported by a stronger yuan, rising rents and an influx of new arrivals shifting from tenants to homeowners. Transactions involving mainland buyers rose 53 per cent year on year to 3,882 units across the primary and secondary markets in the first quarter, according to Midland Realty, citing Land Registry data. The value of those purchases jumped 93 per cent to HK$42.7 billion (US$5.5 billion). The... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3350070/mainland-buyers-fuel-93-cent-surge-hong-kong-property-deal-value?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3350070/mainland-buyers-fuel-93-cent-surge-hong-kong-property-deal-value?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:00:15 +0000 Peggy Ye Peggy Ye While Hong Kong developers have accelerated project launches following the Easter holiday, primary home sales are settling into a measured phase following an earlier surge in demand. The shift is evident at La Mirabelle I in Tseung Kwan O, where Sino Land and its partners released a third batch of units on Sunday. Buyers snapped up 71 of the 261 units on offer, pointing to less urgent demand than in earlier rounds. The latest batch comprises 33 one-bedroom units, 178 two-bedroom units and 50... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3349784/hong-kong-home-sales-outlook-firm-even-demand-ebbs-tseung-kwan-o-project?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3349784/hong-kong-home-sales-outlook-firm-even-demand-ebbs-tseung-kwan-o-project?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:30:17 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong developers are preparing to launch nearly 1,300 units in the coming days and weeks, with some edging up prices amid improving homebuying sentiment. On Sunday, 261 units at La Mirabelle I will be released, with average prices ranging from HK$15,335 (US$1,958) to HK$19,613 per square foot after discounts of up to 15 per cent, according to Sino Land, one of the project’s developers. The pricing marks a 1 per cent increase on the previous batch, which Sino said reflected the quality of the... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349556/hong-kong-developers-roll-out-1300-homes-prices-edge-firmer-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349556/hong-kong-developers-roll-out-1300-homes-prices-edge-firmer-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:00:09 +0000 Oscar Liu,Lam Ka-sing Oscar Liu,Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong lawmakers have warned that a local bus operator’s failed bid to reduce services is only the “tip of the iceberg”, as rising fuel costs drive wider reductions across the sector, urging the government to act swiftly to tackle soaring oil prices. Legislators on Tuesday also urged authorities to approve applications by non-franchised bus companies to increase fares, and to provide subsidies to cushion the effects of higher fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East. Their calls came... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349251/lawmakers-call-fuel-subsidies-citing-loss-making-bus-service-amid-oil-price-spike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349251/lawmakers-call-fuel-subsidies-citing-loss-making-bus-service-amid-oil-price-spike?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:27:49 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A world-class fencing hall and stand-alone swimming pool complex will be built in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis megaproject, authorities have revealed, with experts saying the facilities must be supported by good transport links and services for elite athletes. Sports industry experts shared their views on Tuesday after the Leisure and Cultural Services Department revised its plans to instead build the swimming pool as a stand-alone facility to meet international specifications, while... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349230/separate-fencing-hall-and-pool-revised-northern-metropolis-sports-facilities-plan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349230/separate-fencing-hall-and-pool-revised-northern-metropolis-sports-facilities-plan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:55:05 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong homebuyers flocked to the second round of new flat sales at the La Mirabelle I project in Tseung Kwan O on Tuesday, underscoring continuing demand for property amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Of the 168 units offered via a price list, 152 had been sold as of 6.40pm, according to Sino Land. A further 86 flats were made available by tender. Sino is one of the project’s co-developers. The launch generated more than HK$1.1 billion (US$140 million) in revenue, the developer... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349223/hong-kong-property-launch-sees-brisk-sales-buyers-unfazed-trumps-iran-warning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349223/hong-kong-property-launch-sees-brisk-sales-buyers-unfazed-trumps-iran-warning?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:26:19 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong developers are raising prices of new homes this week following sold-out launches in recent days, further testing the appetite of homebuyers amid geopolitical and interest rate uncertainties. Henderson Land Development put another 39 units at its Chester project in Hung Hom on sale on Monday, with 25 homes finding buyers, according to agents. With an average discounted price of HK$22,198 (US$2,831) per square foot, the units were priced 4.57 per cent higher than the 123 units that sold... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349172/hong-kong-developers-test-homebuyers-modest-price-increases-after-sell-outs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349172/hong-kong-developers-test-homebuyers-modest-price-increases-after-sell-outs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:30:44 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation extended the time needed for its in-town check-in service to 120 minutes from 90 minutes on Sunday evening, after a signalling equipment malfunction disrupted travel on the Airport Express and Tung Chung lines The rail operator said at 7.10pm that a signalling fault near a depot at Siu Ho Wan on Lantau Island had affected MTR train services on both lines and caused delays of about eight to 10 minutes. It added that engineers were working to repair the fault. At around... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349091/signal-fault-disrupts-hong-kong-mtrs-airport-express-tung-chung-line-services?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349091/signal-fault-disrupts-hong-kong-mtrs-airport-express-tung-chung-line-services?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:12:43 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Earlier this year, the Centre for Food Safety noted that a number of Hongkongers had fallen ill after eating raw oysters, and pointed out that the norovirus is a pathogen of concern in such cases. There are food safety and hygiene regulations in place regarding raw oysters, so how... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3348883/hong-kong-consumers-need-not-be-sea-when-it-comes-oysters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3348883/hong-kong-consumers-need-not-be-sea-when-it-comes-oysters?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 03:30:08 +0000 Fiona Sun,Theodora Yu Fiona Sun,Theodora Yu Shortly before the evening rush hour recently, chaos erupted at Hong Kong’s Wu Kai Sha MTR station when a wild boar stormed through the concourse. The animal, about 1.2 metres long and weighing around 40kg, knocked down an elderly man. The charging boar left a trail of blood on the station floor, injuring three other residents in a frenzied dash towards a nearby bus terminus and housing estates. “I saw it rampaging at the bus terminus while residents followed, snapping photos,” a woman working... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348718/it-time-call-end-hong-kongs-boar-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348718/it-time-call-end-hong-kongs-boar-war?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:30:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial It was alarming to see the actions of one individual cause so much disruption on a vital Hong Kong transport artery last Friday. The alleged misuse of an emergency exit on an MTR East Rail train has sparked calls for deterrents and public education. However, the resulting chaos should prompt a thorough review of contingency and response measures. Preliminary investigations found that an emergency exit ramp in the rear driver’s cabin was opened on a train heading north from Kowloon Tong to Tai... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348509/service-failures-show-mtr-has-work-do-uphold-its-reputation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348509/service-failures-show-mtr-has-work-do-uphold-its-reputation?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Nearly 6.5 million people are expected to pass through Hong Kong’s border control points during the coming Easter and Ching Ming Festival holiday, the Immigration Department has said. The department estimated that 6.44 million Hong Kong residents and visitors would pass through air, land and sea control points between Friday and Tuesday. About 5.43 million trips were expected to be made via land boundary control points linking Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The number of outbound and inbound trips... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348574/65-million-people-pass-through-hong-kong-borders-during-coming-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348574/65-million-people-pass-through-hong-kong-borders-during-coming-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:34:03 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong homebuyers snapped up new launches on Tuesday as developers accelerated sales amid concerns over slower rate cuts and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. By about 3.50pm, all 254 flats released at the La Mirabelle project in Tseung Kwan O had been sold, according to market agents. “Today’s positive sales results at La Mirabelle is a vote of confidence for the Hong Kong residential market,” said Daryl Ng, chairman of Sino Group. “The Hong Kong residential market fundamentals are... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3348547/hong-kong-homebuyers-pile-new-launches-despite-rate-jitters-and-middle-east-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3348547/hong-kong-homebuyers-pile-new-launches-despite-rate-jitters-and-middle-east-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:49:52 +0000 Andrea Lo Andrea Lo Step away from the high-rise blur of Central and Hong Kong Island life loosens its tie a little. The energy shifts as the city skyline gives way to sea views, hills and even stillness in some places. Perennially coveted, Mid-Levels remains one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious addresses. Elevated both literally and symbolically, it offers some of the city’s most dramatic vistas, as well as urban seclusion. Completed in 2025, The Legacy at 8 Castle Road, developed by Henderson Land, is a notable... https://www.scmp.com/directories/luxe-homes/article/3348347/hong-kongs-luxury-living-evolution-mid-levels-chai-wan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/directories/luxe-homes/article/3348347/hong-kongs-luxury-living-evolution-mid-levels-chai-wan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:08 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu A planned supercomputing hub in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis could overtake the MTR Corporation rail operator as the city’s single largest electricity consumer, prompting a green group and experts to call for setting energy efficiency standards to limit the sector’s carbon emissions. According to The Green Earth’s estimates, the new project – set to begin operating in 2029 – could increase the industry’s annual carbon emissions by about 70 per cent compared with current levels. Experts have... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3348294/northern-metropolis-data-hub-may-surpass-mtr-corp-hong-kongs-top-power-consumer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3348294/northern-metropolis-data-hub-may-surpass-mtr-corp-hong-kongs-top-power-consumer?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong railway experts have called for tougher penalties and stronger public education to prevent the misuse of emergency exits on trains following a recent incident on the MTR East Rail line that caused more than two hours of disruption during evening rush hour. The experts also cast doubt on a lawmaker’s proposal to make emergency doors less accessible, saying the move could compromise passenger safety. A preliminary investigation found that a passenger had opened the emergency exit ramp in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348262/hong-kong-mtr-track-intrusion-prompts-calls-tougher-penalties-education?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348262/hong-kong-mtr-track-intrusion-prompts-calls-tougher-penalties-education?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 13:36:52 +0000 Denise Tsang Denise Tsang The deployment of mainland China-made rail equipment and technologies by Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation can provide a “showcase” for their applications overseas, a top representative of manufacturing giant CRRC has said. Jin Guozhong, chief engineer of the CRRC Qishuyan Institute, the Chinese state-owned manufacturer’s research and development centre in Changzhou, said on Friday there was a synergy between the two rail firms that went beyond equipment deployment. The semi-privatised MTR Corp had... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348210/mtr-corps-use-crrc-technology-can-act-showcase-rest-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348210/mtr-corps-use-crrc-technology-can-act-showcase-rest-world?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 01:00:16 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong commuters have complained about chaotic scenes after services on a section of the East Rail line were suspended for about 2½ hours on Friday when a passenger opened an emergency exit on a train and was later found injured in a tunnel. The disruption caused chaos during rush hour. Affected stations were packed with passengers who later had to wait in long queues for alternative transport. A passenger on the affected train said a sudden power cut occurred, leaving people feeling... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348209/anger-after-chaotic-2-1/2-hour-disruption-east-rail-line-man-opens-train-exit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348209/anger-after-chaotic-2-1/2-hour-disruption-east-rail-line-man-opens-train-exit?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:20:46 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong’s rail operator has announced it will keep fares unchanged for the coming year after an annual review, marking the second year without any increase. The fare freeze was decided based on the so-called direct-drive formula under the fare adjustment mechanism, which takes into account factors such as inflation, the latest wages in the transport sector, the MTR Corporation’s productivity and profitability, and the affordability of the people. MTR Corp Hong Kong transport services director... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348194/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-keep-fares-unchanged-second-year-row?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348194/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-keep-fares-unchanged-second-year-row?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:03:22 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation will carry out overnight signalling upgrade works on Sunday as part of preparations for the partial opening of the Tung Chung line extension later this year. Representatives from the city’s sole rail operator also said on Wednesday that the HK$19.5 billion (US$2.5 billion) project remained unaffected by a counterfeit brick scandal and the full extension was still on track to open in 2029. Upgrades to the existing system will take place in the early hours of Sunday,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347858/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-upgrade-tung-chung-line-signalling-system-sunday-night?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347858/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-upgrade-tung-chung-line-signalling-system-sunday-night?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:57:36 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung Tickets from Hong Kong to many mainland Chinese destinations connected by cross-border high-speed rail services are nearly sold out for the first two days of the five-day holiday over Easter and the Ching Ming Festival. The mainland cities have become an alternative for travellers, with the escalating war in the Middle East triggering a global oil crisis and significantly disrupting airspace, prompting airlines to increase ticket prices and fuel surcharges. Steven Huen Kwok-chuen, executive... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347502/high-speed-rail-tickets-selling-fast-hongkongers-opt-short-haul-trips-amid-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347502/high-speed-rail-tickets-selling-fast-hongkongers-opt-short-haul-trips-amid-war?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 14:27:36 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong’s Security Bureau has apologised for an advertising blunder in its anti-drug campaign, after a banner in a railway station appeared to encourage the use of illegal substances when viewed from certain angles. The bureau addressed the issue in a social media post on Friday, a day after an internet user circulated a photo of the poorly placed advert at Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station. The banner was part of the government’s latest anti-drug campaign, featuring one of Hong Kong’s “Four Heavenly... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347331/red-faces-bureau-after-anti-drug-advert-sends-opposite-message?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347331/red-faces-bureau-after-anti-drug-advert-sends-opposite-message?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:03:46 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Some trains were misaligned with the platform screen doors on the MTR’s Tsuen Wan line on the first day a new signalling system was implemented in Hong Kong, but such teething problems were rare in a launch that went largely according to plan. The MTR Corporation said on Sunday overall operations had been “smooth” following the departure of the first train at 6am, despite some “isolated” glitches. About 200 staff members were deployed to ensure the line ran normally. “This morning we saw a few... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3346644/new-signalling-system-launches-smoothly-despite-minor-glitches-mtrs-tsuen-wan-line?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3346644/new-signalling-system-launches-smoothly-despite-minor-glitches-mtrs-tsuen-wan-line?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 06:12:21 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation has warned of possible glitches, such as misalignment between train and platform doors and automatic speed changes, as a new signalling system on the Tsuen Wan line is set to begin operating on Sunday. The rail giant said the Tsuen Wan line would start using the new system from the first train on Sunday morning, while maintaining its normal schedule that day. “During the adjustment period after the new signalling system is put into service, some isolated incidents... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3346621/glitches-possible-new-signalling-system-starts-tsuen-wan-line-mtr-corp?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3346621/glitches-possible-new-signalling-system-starts-tsuen-wan-line-mtr-corp?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 13:35:13 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung A union representing employees of Hong Kong’s rail operator, the MTR Corporation, has expressed disappointment with the firm’s refusal to consider their calls for improved benefits, saying the pay rise of up to 3.84 per cent for most staff is “slightly below demands”. The MTR Corp announced pay increases on Friday ranging from 1.6 to 3.84 per cent for most non-management staff for the 2026-27 financial year, depending on their performance. Last year, the adjustment was between 1.8 and 5.4 per... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3346512/hong-kong-mtr-corp-pay-rise-below-expectations-union?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3346512/hong-kong-mtr-corp-pay-rise-below-expectations-union?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:20:27 +0000 Cao Li Cao Li Hong Kong stocks extended losses on Friday as the US-Iran war showed no signs of ending, with a hardline stance from both sides pushing oil prices up. The Hang Seng Index closed 1 per cent lower at 25,465.60, taking its loss to 4 per cent since the war started on February 28. The Hang Seng Tech Index also fell 1 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index lost 0.4 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.8 per cent. US President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Thursday that... https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3346430/hong-kong-stocks-extend-losses-us-and-iran-dig-heels-amid-escalating-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3346430/hong-kong-stocks-extend-losses-us-and-iran-dig-heels-amid-escalating-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 02:22:18 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing The net profit of Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation dropped by 6.9 per cent to HK$14.68 billion (US$1.88 billion) last year, from HK$15.77 billion in 2024, as higher depreciation costs and weaker revenue from the rail giant’s mainland China operations weighed on earnings. The company recorded a property development profit of HK$11.08 billion last year, up from HK$10.27 billion in 2024, with income generated from projects including The Southside, Lohas Park and Ho Man Tin station. But the MTR Corp... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346363/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-net-profit-falls-69-amid-weaker-mainland-china-revenue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346363/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-net-profit-falls-69-amid-weaker-mainland-china-revenue?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:27:02 +0000 Ambrose Li,Danny Mok Ambrose Li,Danny Mok A man has been arrested after a collision involving more than 10 cars on a major bridge injured 11 people and forced the closure of most lanes leading to Hong Kong’s airport. Police said 10 vehicles were travelling in the fast lane of the Tsing Ma Bridge towards the airport when the crash occurred at 8.31am on Thursday. The chain collision was triggered by a vehicle that suddenly reduced speed, causing those behind to fail to brake in time. Another private car overturned into the middle lane and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3346283/multi-car-crash-major-bridge-injures-10-shuts-hong-kong-airport-bound-lanes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3346283/multi-car-crash-major-bridge-injures-10-shuts-hong-kong-airport-bound-lanes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 01:39:34 +0000 Kenny Shui,Pascal Siu,Katie Ho Kenny Shui,Pascal Siu,Katie Ho Following a challenging cycle, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has delivered a budget returning Hong Kong to the black. After consecutive operating deficits, the operating account has returned to profit. Simultaneously, the consolidated account records a HK$2.9 billion (US$370.6 million) surplus for 2025/26, signalling stability. This turnaround is driven largely by a buoyant stock market and a stabilising property sector, reviving stamp duty revenues and investment income. This provides... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3344819/after-celebrating-its-surplus-hong-kong-must-work-sustaining-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3344819/after-celebrating-its-surplus-hong-kong-must-work-sustaining-it?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 01:30:07 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong will offer nine residential sites to developers under the government’s land sale programme for the coming financial year, providing about 6,650 flats, after authorities said in the latest budget that the property market had stabilised. Combined with other land sources, such as urban redevelopment, private development and projects linked to railway properties, the potential supply of new flats is estimated to reach an eight-year high of about 22,580 in the 2026-27 financial year. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344926/hong-kong-land-sale-scheme-offer-9-residential-sites-developers-2026-27?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344926/hong-kong-land-sale-scheme-offer-9-residential-sites-developers-2026-27?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:40:30 +0000 Harvey Kong Harvey Kong A wild boar was euthanised in Hong Kong hours after it roamed inside an MTR station and a housing estate on Friday, injuring five people who were either knocked down, bitten or had attempted to capture the animal. Police said they received multiple reports of sightings of the boar at Wu Kai Sha station and the Lake Silver housing complex at 5.08pm. A woman, 68, was reportedly bitten by the animal, police said. Two men and another woman, aged 45 to 87, were knocked down. They were taken to Prince... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3344905/3-injured-hong-kong-after-wild-boar-wanders-residential-area?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3344905/3-injured-hong-kong-after-wild-boar-wanders-residential-area?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:12:11 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s railway development is going full steam ahead following the launch of its own consolidated railway standards. The game-changing move is more than a timely housekeeping exercise – it paves the track for better planning, construction and operation while enhancing railway safety, reliability and cost efficiency. Issued by the Highways Department, the 336-page document outlined a unified and comprehensive set of technical references and guidelines for railway design, construction,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3344430/new-standards-will-drive-safer-railway-development-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3344430/new-standards-will-drive-safer-railway-development-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation will begin operating its long-awaited new signalling system on the Tsuen Wan line on March 15, marking a critical milestone in a major infrastructure overhaul designed to enhance the reliability of the city’s ageing rail network. The rail giant said on Tuesday that the new system had passed rigorous safety tests and received approval from the relevant government departments. But it also warned of possible glitches during the initial phase of operation and had... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3344445/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-launch-new-tsuen-wan-line-signalling-system-march?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3344445/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-launch-new-tsuen-wan-line-signalling-system-march?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:03:14 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung A Hong Kong fixture since 1945 and with more than 320 outlets across the city today, supermarket chain Wellcome is synonymous with practicality. It is therefore one of the last places one might expect to become a tourist attraction. Recently, one branch in the Kowloon neighbourhood of Yau Ma Tei has transformed into a photo hotspot, largely thanks to its vibrant in-store tribute to the city’s “golden era” from the 1950s to the 1970s. Upon entering, customers pass through a “time tunnel” in the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3344329/whats-behind-hong-kongs-retro-display-craze-sweeping-supermarkets-shops-and-stations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3344329/whats-behind-hong-kongs-retro-display-craze-sweeping-supermarkets-shops-and-stations?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 04:15:08 +0000 Oscar Liu,Ambrose Li Oscar Liu,Ambrose Li Hong Kong has for the first time introduced its own railway standards to support the use of cutting-edge construction technologies, and established a dedicated inspection unit to accelerate new projects – moves that analysts have said could lay the foundation for the city’s next decade of transport development. The Highways Department on Monday released a 336-page document outlining a unified and comprehensive set of technical references and guidelines for railway design, construction,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3344360/hong-kong-launches-own-rail-standards-enhance-safety-and-sustainability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3344360/hong-kong-launches-own-rail-standards-enhance-safety-and-sustainability?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:17:29 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Hong Kong’s High Court has sentenced Jimmy Lai Chee-ying to 20 years in prison for violating the national security law, following his conviction in December last year for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious materials. Some mainstream... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3343997/orderly-hong-kong-can-remain-open-and-outward-looking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3343997/orderly-hong-kong-can-remain-open-and-outward-looking?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 03:30:08 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words In Chinese culture, the horse symbolises strength, freedom and vitality. Yet as the Year of the Horse is celebrated with images of grace and power, real horses continue to suffer in industries that treat them as expendable. Near Egypt’s Great Pyramids, Peta investigators... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3343894/we-celebrate-lunar-new-year-lets-ensure-we-do-better-horses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3343894/we-celebrate-lunar-new-year-lets-ensure-we-do-better-horses?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 03:30:11 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft The owners’ committee of a Hong Kong private housing estate has said it is “very concerned” after a large section of the ceiling collapsed into an indoor swimming pool, while the MTR Corporation, which manages the property, said a “detailed investigation” was under way to identify the cause. In a notice issued to residents of Lake Silver in Ma On Shan, the estate’s customer service centre said it had been notified by the clubhouse contractor that “material” had fallen from the ceiling of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343843/large-section-ceiling-plunges-hong-kong-estates-indoor-pool?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343843/large-section-ceiling-plunges-hong-kong-estates-indoor-pool?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:58:27 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong will welcome the Year of the Horse with a 23-minute Lunar New Year fireworks display on Wednesday, showcasing vibrant elements inspired by the energy and spirit of horses. Themed “Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong”, the fireworks show is solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, at a cost of HK$19 million (US$2.4 million). The South China Morning Post takes a closer look at the highlights of the extravaganza and the best spots to watch it from. 1. What are the highlights of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3343790/how-hong-kong-galloping-towards-prosperity-lunar-new-year-fireworks-spectacle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3343790/how-hong-kong-galloping-towards-prosperity-lunar-new-year-fireworks-spectacle?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 06:00:26 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A souvenir shop in Hong Kong has taken down lettering from its viral wall featuring designs nearly identical to MTR station signage amid concerns over possible trademark and copyright infringement. The MTR Corporation on Sunday declined to say whether the move by the Causeway Bay store was done at its request. The company “attaches great importance to the protection of intellectual property, which is safeguarded under the law of Hong Kong, and we shall act accordingly in the event of suspected... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343644/did-hong-kong-souvenir-shop-tread-ip-rights-viral-mtr-station-wall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343644/did-hong-kong-souvenir-shop-tread-ip-rights-viral-mtr-station-wall?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:45:43 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong will usher in the Year of the Horse with a string of events starting on February 17 and welcome an estimated 1.43 million mainland Chinese for the festivities. The mainland’s holiday runs from February 15 to 23, while the local one extends from February 17 to 19. From the roar of fireworks over Victoria Harbour to the thunder of hooves at Sha Tin Racecourse, the South China Morning Post unpacks what to expect. 1. What will happen on Lunar New Year Day? The city’s first major... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3343619/fireworks-racing-how-hong-kong-celebrating-year-horse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3343619/fireworks-racing-how-hong-kong-celebrating-year-horse?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:30:16 +0000