https://www.scmp.com/rss/268624/feed Phila Siu, also known as Bobby, has been a journalist since 2009. He has reported on human rights, security, politics, and society in Hong Kong, mainland China and Southeast Asia. After nine years with the news desk, he joined Young Post in 2021 to manage its print and online revamp. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Hong Kong Baptist University and a human rights law master's degree from the University of Hong Kong. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Associated Press,Phila Siu Associated Press,Phila Siu Bowing – perhaps only for a moment – to pressure from lawmakers, critics, the media and child development experts, Facebook has said Monday it will “pause” its work on a kids’ version of its photo and video-oriented Instagram app. Instagram pledges to curb mental harm to teenagers Here’s everything you need to know about the saga: What is this Instagram for kids plan? Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, said in a Monday statement that this new Instagram platform would be for those aged 10 to... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/global/article/3150460/facebook-puts-hold-its-plan-build-instagram-kids-why?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/global/article/3150460/facebook-puts-hold-its-plan-build-instagram-kids-why?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Sep 2021 18:00:23 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Dear readers, Over the years, Young Post has been your friend and mentor through thick and thin. The paper began in 1951 as a Sunday publication called the Children’s Corner under the South China Morning Post. It was relaunched as the Young Post-Herald in 1968. Since then, its design and content have gone through many transformations. What has not changed is our passion to explore the world with you, and to provide a platform for you to express yourself. To continue to grow as a friend and... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3146213/everything-you-need-know-about-your-new-young-post?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3146213/everything-you-need-know-about-your-new-young-post?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Aug 2021 23:00:17 +0000 Phila Siu,Yvette Homerlein Phila Siu,Yvette Homerlein Hong Kong’s athletes have rocked the Tokyo Olympics this week, winning a bronze in table tennis and another bronze in karate . On Thursday afternoon, the Hong Kong women’s table tennis team, consisting of Minnie Soo Wai-yam, Doo Hoi-kem and Lee Ho-ching, pulled a massive upset against the German paddlers, taking home the bronze medal. Later in the evening, Grace Lau Mo-sheung won another bronze in women’s individual kata. All about silver medallist Siobhan Haughey Here’s what you need to know... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3144029/tokyo-olympics-meet-hong-kongs-fresh-medallists-karate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3144029/tokyo-olympics-meet-hong-kongs-fresh-medallists-karate?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Aug 2021 01:48:31 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Hong Kong’s Olympians have won two bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, making history, as they hope their success can inspire the city’s teenagers to become full-time athletes. With the addition of these two bronzes, Hong Kong athletes this year have won a total of five Olympic medals: a gold in fencing, two silvers in swimming, a bronze in table tennis and another bronze in kata karate. Three Hong Kong paddlers, Minnie Soo Wai-yam, 23, Lee Ho-ching, 28 and Doo Hoi-kem, 24, fought... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3143888/tokyo-olympics-another-medal-hong-kong-womens-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3143888/tokyo-olympics-another-medal-hong-kong-womens-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Aug 2021 04:53:55 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Hong Kong’s top cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze has never let anything get in her way – not the anaemia she was born with, the 2006 injury that almost ended her career, or the crash on the track that cost her a medal at the 2016 Olympics. Lee, 34, won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics in keirin and has been considered one of Hong Kong’s best medal hopes at the Tokyo Games. On Sunday, she clinched a bronze medal in the women's sprint, cementing her place in the city's hearts and history books... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3143814/tokyo-olympics-hong-kong-cycling-hero-sarah-lee-wont-let?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3143814/tokyo-olympics-hong-kong-cycling-hero-sarah-lee-wont-let?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Aug 2021 00:00:27 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Filipino Aprilyn Racca has for the last three and a half months been anxiously waiting for a chance to come to Hong Kong and begin her job as a domestic worker. Her flight from Manila to Hong Kong was cancelled in April when the Hong Kong government decided to ban flights from the Philippines, Indonesia and some other countries it deemed as having worsening Covid-19 outbreaks. Even though she had already been hired by a Hong Kong family, she was not able to enter the city to work. Months have... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3143690/coronavirus-hong-kongs-new-travel-rules-still-unfair?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3143690/coronavirus-hong-kongs-new-travel-rules-still-unfair?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Aug 2021 00:00:24 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu The Hong Kong women’s table tennis team has had its Tokyo Olympics dream crushed by Japan’s elite paddlers, though they will still have a shot at the bronze medal. Up against the three top Japanese athletes – who all have higher world rankings than the Hong Kong paddlers – the Hong Kong Olympians struggled to keep up with their pace. 7 Hong Kong athletes to keep your eye on A team’s match consists of five games: one doubles and four singles. It takes three wins to storm through to the finals,... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3143700/tokyo-olympics-after-hong-kong-womens-table-tennis-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3143700/tokyo-olympics-after-hong-kong-womens-table-tennis-team?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Aug 2021 13:38:50 +0000 When Yuto Horigome’s father handed him a skateboard for the first time at the age of seven, no one could have imagined the Japanese kid would become the world’s best skateboarder 15 years later, ushering in a new era of the sport in the country. “I believe that there will be more support for skateboarding in Japan,” he said in an interview via Zoom. “With more people joining the sport, Japan’s skateboarding level will get higher and higher.” Horigome, 22, pulled off a series of monster moves at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3143298/tokyo-olympics-yuto-horigome-ushers-new-era-skateboarding-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3143298/tokyo-olympics-yuto-horigome-ushers-new-era-skateboarding-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jul 2021 04:41:56 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Japanese skateboarder Yuto Horigome, who took the sport’s first gold medal as it debuted at the Tokyo Olympics, has a simple but clear message to teenagers whose parents are no fans of the sport – get your hands on a board no matter what. On his home turf, Horigome, 22, pulled off a series of monster moves at the Tokyo Games, taking home a gold medal – which he said he would hang around the neck of his Pokemon stuffed toy. Siobhan Haughey’s journey to the Olympics Two other young Japanese... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/article/3143203/tokyo-olympics-games-first-skateboarding-gold-medal-winner?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/article/3143203/tokyo-olympics-games-first-skateboarding-gold-medal-winner?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jul 2021 04:00:24 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Hong Kong’s star swimmer Siobhan Haughey once again proved her prowess to the world on Friday when she won her second silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The 23-year-old clocked 52.27 in the 100m freestyle, breaking the Asian record she set just the day before. Australia’s Emma McKeon took gold, finishing in 51.96, smashing the Olympic record. Bronze went to Australia’s Cate Campbell, who clocked 52.52. Siobhan’s journey to the Olympics “I am really happy! Before I went out there, I didn’t have... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3143094/tokyo-olympics-siobhan-haughey-wins-second-silver-medal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3143094/tokyo-olympics-siobhan-haughey-wins-second-silver-medal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jul 2021 02:14:21 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Hong Kong’s mixed doubles duo Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet failed to make it to the finals in the Tokyo Olympics but are still in the run for a bronze medal. The two struggled against China’s Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiang, the world’s No 1 duo, losing the first game 16:21, and fought hard to catch up in the second game. They were once 3:11 behind in the second game, and eventually lost 12: 21. Simone Biles shines a light on mental health However, they still have a shot at the bronze medal... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142959/tokyo-olympics-hong-kongs-badminton-duo-run-bronze-medal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142959/tokyo-olympics-hong-kongs-badminton-duo-run-bronze-medal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jul 2021 04:04:47 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Hong Kong’s star swimmer Siobhan Haughey has made it to the 100m freestyle finals at the Tokyo Olympics, raising hopes for a third medal for the city’s Olympic delegation in Japan. The 23-year-old finished in 52.40, breaking the Asian record of 52.70 she had set just the day before. She was the second fastest in the race, right after Australia’s Emma McKeon, who clocked 52.32. She faces a tough battle on Friday at 9.59am, going up against McKeon, who holds the Olympic record of 52.13, and... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142945/tokyo-olympics-could-siobhan-haughey-win-hong-kong-third?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142945/tokyo-olympics-could-siobhan-haughey-win-hong-kong-third?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jul 2021 02:20:12 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Siobhan Haughey’s journey to the Tokyo Olympics medal podium is the result of years of endless training and sacrifice as she juggled swimming and her studies. Haughey, the 23-year-old Hong Kong star swimmer who took silver in the 200m freestyle on Wednesday, was born in Hong Kong in October 1997 – two months after the city’s handover from British to Chinese rule – to Irish father Darach and Hong Kong mother Canjo. She has an older sister, Aisling. She took her first swimming class at the South... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3142827/tokyo-olympics-swimmer-siobhan-haugheys-journey-silver?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3142827/tokyo-olympics-swimmer-siobhan-haugheys-journey-silver?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jul 2021 04:56:17 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Hong Kong’s top swimmer Siobhan Haughey clinched a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday, carving out her place in history as one of the world’s finest in the sport. The 23-year-old lived up to public expectation after local fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long took gold in individual foil, raising hopes of a second medal from the Hong Kong Olympic delegation. It was only the second gold medal in the city's history – windsurfer  Lee Lai-shan took home the first at the 1996 Atlanta... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142800/tokyo-olympics-hong-kongs-siobhan-haughey-takes-silver?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142800/tokyo-olympics-hong-kongs-siobhan-haughey-takes-silver?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jul 2021 02:02:19 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Hong Kong celebrated a historic moment on Monday as fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long stood atop the podium at the Tokyo Olympics and accepted his gold medal. It was only the city’s second Olympic gold medal, the first one being when windsurfer Lee Lai-shan took gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Here’s everything you need to know about the 24-year-old athlete, including how he got his start and the prizes he will receive for being a world fencing champion. When did he start fencing? Cheung enrolled... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142711/explainer-what-you-should-know-about-hong-kongs-newest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142711/explainer-what-you-should-know-about-hong-kongs-newest?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jul 2021 09:01:43 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Hong Kong took a step closer to its second Tokyo Olympics medal as top swimmer Siobhan Haughey made it to the women’s 200m freestyle final. The 23-year-old clocked a stunning 1:55.16, coming in second place in the semi-finals with 16 swimmers in total. Australia’s Ariarne Titmus, 20, finished first, with 1:54.82. Meet Japan’s 13-year-old gold medalist After the event, Haughey said that because the final will take place on Wednesday, she decided not to go all-out in the Tuesday semi-final. “I... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142641/tokyo-olympics-hong-kong-step-closer-medal-no-2-swimmer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142641/tokyo-olympics-hong-kong-step-closer-medal-no-2-swimmer?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jul 2021 02:23:15 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Hong Kong’s star fencer Cheung Ka-long made history on Monday as he won gold in individual foil at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite going up against Italy’s Daniele Garozzo, world’s No 7 fencer, the 24-year-old Olympian showed no fear or hesitation. Cheung won 15 to 11 in a stunning victory. “I couldn’t believe it at all. I didn’t really play very well earlier in the day,” Cheung said after claiming victory. “[The victory] has shown that we can win not just competitions in Asia, but in the global... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3142579/tokyo-olympics-hong-kong-fencer-cheung-ka-long-makes-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3142579/tokyo-olympics-hong-kong-fencer-cheung-ka-long-makes-it?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jul 2021 10:51:56 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu A 13-year-old Japanese skateboarder has become the inspiration of young athletes around the world as she won the inaugural women’s skateboarding gold at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday. Momiji Nishiya, 13, made history on Monday as she came out on the top of the scoring board after competing with athletes much older than she was. She snatched gold with a score of 15.26, with Brazil’s Leal Rayssa winning silver with a score of 14.64. Funa Nakayama, another Japanese skateboarder aged just 16, took... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3142529/tokyo-olympics-meet-japans-skateboarder-momiji-nishiya-13?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3142529/tokyo-olympics-meet-japans-skateboarder-momiji-nishiya-13?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jul 2021 06:34:03 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu The Hong Kong teacher who has come under citywide condemnation for attacking an Olympian’s choice of wearing a black jersey has finally apologised – after the athlete has lost. Nicholas Muk, a liberal studies secondary school teacher and politician with a pro-Beijing party, wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday that he “strongly condemned” shuttler Angus Ng Ka-long for wearing black clothes without the Bauhinia emblem in his first game at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday. Tokyo Olympics: Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3142499/tokyo-olympics-hong-kong-teacher-asked-apologise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3142499/tokyo-olympics-hong-kong-teacher-asked-apologise?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jul 2021 03:40:00 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu Hong Kong rower Winne Hung Wing-yan did not qualify for the quarter-finals in her heat on Friday, but will still move on to the repechage for another shot at her Olympics bid. The opening ceremony of the Games will take place on Friday evening, but some events have kicked off on Wednesday. Hung, 22, made her Olympics debut on Friday morning, becoming the first Hong Kong athlete to compete in the Games. She finished fourth in her heat among five competitors, clocking 8:17.79. View... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142209/tokyo-olympics-hong-kong-rower-winne-hung-still-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3142209/tokyo-olympics-hong-kong-rower-winne-hung-still-race?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jul 2021 05:23:30 +0000 Phila Siu,Kelly Fung,Amalissa Hall Phila Siu,Kelly Fung,Amalissa Hall Hong Kong’s Diocesan Girls’ School (DGS) has much to celebrate after this year’s university entrance exam as two students achieved perfect scores, making it the only school to present top scorers for six straight years. In total, seven Hong Kong students have achieved perfect scores - a level 5** in all four core subjects and three electives - in the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) examination, the same number as last year but down from 12 in 2019. How to prep yourself for DSE results... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3141887/dse-2021-hong-kongs-diocesan-girls-school-sees-2-years-7?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3141887/dse-2021-hong-kongs-diocesan-girls-school-sees-2-years-7?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jul 2021 00:54:32 +0000 Phila Siu Phila Siu With the Tokyo Olympics set to begin in just a week, a new online survey has found that only one fifth of Japanese and less than half of Hongkongers want the Games to go ahead, amid fears of spreading coronavirus. Research company Ipsos polled 20,010 people around the world, including 1,000 in Japan and 500 in Hong Kong, between May and June to measure global response to the decision to hold the Tokyo Olympics as planned. They are currently scheduled for 23 July to 8 August, but spectators will... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/asia/article/3141426/tokyo-olympics-fears-new-coronavirus-outbreak-mean-most?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/asia/article/3141426/tokyo-olympics-fears-new-coronavirus-outbreak-mean-most?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jul 2021 10:16:15 +0000 Kathleen Magramo,Sammy Heung,Phila Siu Kathleen Magramo,Sammy Heung,Phila Siu Hong Kong’s largest book fair returned on Wednesday morning after a one-year delay due to the coronavirus pandemic , with strict social distancing rules in place and fears of self-censorship over the sweeping national security law. The Hong Kong Book Fair, organised by the Trade Development Council, runs until July 20 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. This year, it involves about 544 publishing sector exhibitors, down 20.7 per cent from 2019’s 686 exhibitors. 9 LGBT... https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3141037/hong-kong-book-fair-returns-after-one-year-delay-due?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3141037/hong-kong-book-fair-returns-after-one-year-delay-due?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jul 2021 05:13:57 +0000 Fully vaccinated Hong Kong residents and those with work visas arriving from all countries subject to Covid-19 flight bans will be allowed into the city under the initial stage of an official plan to ease travel restrictions, according to the Philippines’ top diplomat locally. Consul general Raly Tejada revealed on Monday that discussions were held last week between the Philippine consulate and city authorities on lifting the direct flight bans in place to guard against the coronavirus threat... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3140822/coronavirus-hong-kong-wants-ease-covid-19-flight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3140822/coronavirus-hong-kong-wants-ease-covid-19-flight?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jul 2021 12:00:02 +0000 Hongkongers rushed overnight to buy one of a million copies of Apple Daily’s last-ever edition, which hit the streets in the early hours of Thursday to close the final chapter of the tabloid-style newspaper’s 26 years in business. As queues of customers stretched outside newsstands across Hong Kong, a round of applause erupted in the Apple Daily newsroom at 11.45pm to mark executive editor-in-chief Lam Man-chung sending off the last issue of the newspaper to the printing press. “Keep it up,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3138488/ominous-sentiment-last-moments-hong-kongs-apple-daily?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3138488/ominous-sentiment-last-moments-hong-kongs-apple-daily?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Jun 2021 13:28:31 +0000 At least four people were arrested as muted demonstrations by small, scattered groups marked the anniversary of the first major clash of Hong Kong’s 2019 anti-government protests amid a heavy police presence on the streets.  At about 9.30pm, police entered Langham Place in Mong Kok after they found about 20 people shouting slogans they said “might breach the national security law”. At least three males and one female aged between 15 and 19 were arrested for disorderly conduct in a public place... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3137085/hong-kong-protests-key-anniversary-draws-heavy-police?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3137085/hong-kong-protests-key-anniversary-draws-heavy-police?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Jun 2021 10:33:52 +0000 Hong Kong filmmakers will have to toe a new line under the national security law, with official censors now authorised to ban movies that breach the Beijing-imposed legislation.  According to amended guidelines gazetted on Friday for censors under the Film Censorship Ordinance, public screening of films will not be allowed if they are found to be “endorsing, supporting, promoting, glorifying or inciting” acts of subversion, secession, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces. Some film... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3136892/national-security-law-new-hong-kong-censorship-guidelines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3136892/national-security-law-new-hong-kong-censorship-guidelines?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Jun 2021 05:33:32 +0000 Hong Kong ended its 42-day streak of zero local, untraceable Covid-19 infections on Saturday after confirming a case involving a variant first found in Britain, sparking fears of a potential border loophole that could allow mutant strains to trigger a fifth coronavirus wave. A research team from Polytechnic University revealed on Saturday morning that a 17-year-old schoolgirl who had no recent travel history tested positive for the B.1.1.7 or “Alpha” variant, which has the N501Y mutation that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3136164/coronavirus-hong-kongs-first-local-untraceable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3136164/coronavirus-hong-kongs-first-local-untraceable?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Jun 2021 03:47:49 +0000 Organisers of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil have shut down their June 4 museum commemorating the 1989 crackdown, a day after the government launched an investigation following a licensing complaint. “The management committee of the June 4 museum agreed following a meeting that [determined] more legal advice has to be sought over the incident,” the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China said in a Wednesday statement. “We have decided to temporarily... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3135697/tiananmen-vigil-organisers-close-their-june-4-museum-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3135697/tiananmen-vigil-organisers-close-their-june-4-museum-after?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Jun 2021 02:31:28 +0000 Hongkonger Mary Cheung* was 29 and visiting Beijing for the first time when she stopped at Tiananmen Square and snapped photographs cheerfully in April 1989. Not long after she returned home from her holiday, mainland Chinese students began gathering in the square to protest against corruption and demand greater political freedom. The protests grew and continued for weeks until June 4, 1989, when the People’s Liberation Army sent in military tanks and crushed the movement, reportedly killing... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3135538/hong-kongs-first-tiananmen-vigil-after-national-security?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3135538/hong-kongs-first-tiananmen-vigil-after-national-security?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Jun 2021 00:00:04 +0000 Hong Kong’s top judge has warned against “repeated and gratuitous” questioning of the city’s judicial independence, calling on senior counsel to speak up and defend the reputation of the courts at home and abroad. Shortly after Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung made the remarks on Saturday, the Bar Association and Law Society denounced threats targeting judges, pointing to attempts to intimidate District Court judge Amanda Woodcock on Friday after she sentenced media tycoon Jimmy Lai... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3135335/hong-kongs-chief-justice-hits-out-over-repeated?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3135335/hong-kongs-chief-justice-hits-out-over-repeated?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 May 2021 12:45:37 +0000 The organiser of Hong Kong’s annual vigil marking the Tiananmen Square crackdown has lost its final challenge to overturn a police ban of the event over Covid-19 risks. In upholding the force’s decision, an appeal board on Saturday pointed to the city’s slow progress in vaccinating residents and the uncertain pandemic situation in neighbouring regions. Under current social-distancing rules, gatherings of more than four people in public are banned. The review also found staging the event, as well... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3135319/hong-kong-organisers-tiananmen-square-vigil-lose-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3135319/hong-kong-organisers-tiananmen-square-vigil-lose-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 May 2021 08:37:31 +0000 The organisers of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen vigil have accused the government of using the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse for banning the event, questioning why other large gatherings such as concerts are allowed to proceed. Police on Thursday cited public health grounds for barring the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China from holding its Victoria Park vigil on June 4. It is the second straight year the force has banned the annual event based on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3135212/coronavirus-hong-kong-tiananmen-vigil-organisers-accuse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3135212/coronavirus-hong-kong-tiananmen-vigil-organisers-accuse?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 May 2021 08:10:45 +0000 More than 34,000 Hongkongers applied for a new pathway to British citizenship in the first two months of the scheme, with 7,200 already approved, according to official figures released on Thursday. The British National (Overseas) visa scheme was launched on January 31 in response to Beijing’s imposition of a national security law on Hong Kong, one that London said raised human rights concerns and constituted a “clear and serious breach” of the agreement under which the city was returned to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3135096/more-34000-hongkongers-apply-britains-new-bno-visa-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3135096/more-34000-hongkongers-apply-britains-new-bno-visa-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 May 2021 11:56:55 +0000 Hong Kong police have arrested a lawyer on suspicion of providing false information following an investigation into a complaint he filed saying he was assaulted by three officers last November. Inspector Chan Ching-yin of the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO) declined to elaborate on Tuesday about what false information the lawyer had given, but accused him of misleading investigators about the alleged assault in a police station. “CAPO has launched a full investigation and found that the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3134823/police-arrest-hong-kong-lawyer-who-accused-officers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3134823/police-arrest-hong-kong-lawyer-who-accused-officers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 May 2021 14:19:15 +0000 Hong Kong labour officials are under pressure to speed up their handling of claims filed by workers for coronavirus-related compensation from their employers, with just 11 of 541 settled so far. Union officials said the process was moving too slowly, and accused some employers of resisting their responsibility to compensate affected workers. Since Covid-19 hit the city in January last year, 539 employees who suspected they had contracted the coronavirus at work filed claims with the Labour... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3134510/coronavirus-hong-kong-labour-department-moving?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3134510/coronavirus-hong-kong-labour-department-moving?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 May 2021 00:00:17 +0000 Thousands of doctors practising outside Hong Kong will be allowed to return and work in their hometown without taking the local licensing exam under a proposal the legislature will scrutinise next month, the health minister has revealed as she warned of a “severe shortage” in the health care sector. With only about 15,000 doctors in the city, a failure to adopt the hiring framework would result in 1,610 fewer doctors than what would be needed by 2030, with the figure rising to 1,949 by 2040,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3133910/hong-kong-facing-dire-doctor-shortage-health?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3133910/hong-kong-facing-dire-doctor-shortage-health?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 May 2021 09:23:55 +0000 When China’s Zhu Rong rover finally touched down on Mars on Saturday after seven months of space travel, a “Made in Hong Kong” camera installed on the rover ensured the landing was smooth. The Mars Landing Surveillance Camera, which is just 390 grammes in weight but can withstand extreme temperatures, was invented by researchers at Polytechnic University. “I am honoured that two PolyU research teams from different disciplines have participated in this landmark mission,” Professor Teng Jin-guang,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3133634/made-hong-kong-landed-mars-polyu-camera-helps-ensure-smooth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3133634/made-hong-kong-landed-mars-polyu-camera-helps-ensure-smooth?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 May 2021 15:55:43 +0000 Hong Kong authorities have frozen nearly HK$500 million of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s assets in the first such use of new powers granted under the city’s national security law. The government issued a statement on Friday night announcing that the secretary for security had ordered Lai’s shares in the Next Digital media company to be frozen, along with assets in the local bank accounts of three companies he owned. The statement did not specify the amount involved, equal to US$64... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3133541/hong-kongs-national-security-police-freeze-nearly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3133541/hong-kongs-national-security-police-freeze-nearly?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 May 2021 11:53:25 +0000 Nearly two-thirds of Hong Kong’s 80,000 lifts and escalators do not meet the latest safety guidelines, according to the ombudsman, who has accused government engineers of lax supervision and urged them to increase the frequency of random inspections. Ombudsman Winnie Chiu Wai-yin also said on Thursday that only a handful of the city’s ageing lifts and escalators had been upgraded despite the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) advising operators to do so. “People in Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3133373/two-thirds-hong-kong-lifts-and-escalators-do-not-meet-latest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3133373/two-thirds-hong-kong-lifts-and-escalators-do-not-meet-latest?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 May 2021 10:43:13 +0000 Hong Kong’s domestic workers say the government is unfairly forcing them to take a Covid-19 vaccine or else face the risk of undergoing repeated mandatory testing after authorities suddenly ordered them to be screened again. Although Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor revealed on Tuesday she was dropping her plan to require that the city’s roughly 370,000 helpers be inoculated, she said they must be tested for a second time by the end of the month, despite a first round uncovering just... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3133111/hong-kongs-domestic-workers-say-repeated-mandatory-covid-19?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3133111/hong-kongs-domestic-workers-say-repeated-mandatory-covid-19?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 May 2021 02:00:13 +0000 Hong Kong’s leader has ordered another round of compulsory Covid-19 testing for the city’s 370,000 foreign domestic workers, but has withdrawn a mandatory vaccination plan after discussions with consulates. The U-turn came as Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Tuesday said the city’s coronavirus situation had stabilised after a fourth day of zero local infections. She announced that schools would resume face-to-face classes on a half-day basis from May 24. Speaking ahead of her weekly... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3132983/carrie-lam-orders-another-round-coronavirus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3132983/carrie-lam-orders-another-round-coronavirus?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 May 2021 02:35:58 +0000 The Philippines’ top diplomat in Hong Kong has urged the city’s government not to force domestic workers to get vaccinated, arguing that if the new rules apply for them, then all foreign workers should be made to get inoculated. Consul General Raly Tejada made his comments the day after the Hong Kong authorities announced plans to require all 370,000 domestic workers to get vaccinated before their contracts can be renewed. Those applying for work visas from overseas will also need to get... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3131905/coronavirus-hong-kong-should-not-force-foreign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3131905/coronavirus-hong-kong-should-not-force-foreign?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 May 2021 12:20:20 +0000 The genomes of the latest two mutated Covid-19 infections in Hong Kong are identical to the first variant case detected in the community, a study revealed on Saturday, raising fears over the emergence of invisible transmission chains in the city. The news came as the government’s plans to contain the spread of the mutated strains by requiring foreign domestic workers seeking work visas or contract renewals to get vaccinated drew fire from the Philippines’ top diplomat in the city, the employers... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3131872/coronavirus-hong-kong-health-minister-brushes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3131872/coronavirus-hong-kong-health-minister-brushes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 May 2021 05:05:35 +0000 All foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong will have to be vaccinated before their contracts can be renewed, the government announced on Friday as it ordered them to undergo mandatory Covid-19 testing by May 9. The tough new policy in response to the worrying emergence of coronavirus variants in the city means domestic helpers applying for work visas from overseas will have to be vaccinated first, with details to be announced later by labour and immigration authorities. Two foreign domestic... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3131734/coronavirus-hong-kong-health-adviser-warns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3131734/coronavirus-hong-kong-health-adviser-warns?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Apr 2021 05:30:09 +0000 An unprecedented war of words has erupted between Hong Kong’s official auditor and a government department refusing to accept criticism about its work. On Wednesday, the Audit Commission released a report slamming the Immigration Department’s handling of suspected fake marriages and other matters. The department then hit back at midnight saying “some people” were “recklessly” pointing fingers at the disciplined service. “The department expresses deep regret that some people, who have no... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3131630/hong-kong-watchdog-immigration-department?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3131630/hong-kong-watchdog-immigration-department?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:37:00 +0000 Aprilyn Racca’s world was turned upside down after a news alert popped up on her phone during the eight-hour bus ride to Manila from her hometown in Illocos Sur, in the northern Philippines. The 34-year-old Filipino boarded the bus at 10.30pm on April 18 and was due to get her final medical tests done before flying to Hong Kong to start work as a domestic worker. Her excitement turned into desperation when she read the breaking news that Hong Kong had slapped a 14-day ban on flights from the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3130929/coronavirus-anxiety-heartbreak-stranded-filipino-domestic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3130929/coronavirus-anxiety-heartbreak-stranded-filipino-domestic?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Apr 2021 13:00:09 +0000 A nasal spray Covid-19 vaccine being developed by the University of Hong Kong could be available on the market in two to three years, one of its researchers has said, with ongoing clinical trials so far showing the product to be safe. The city on Saturday also confirmed three new coronavirus cases, one of which involved the Filipino domestic helper who tested preliminary-positive on Friday and was confirmed late that night as having the N501Y mutation. The other two cases were also local, and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3130921/nasal-spray-coronavirus-vaccine-being-developed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3130921/nasal-spray-coronavirus-vaccine-being-developed?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Apr 2021 04:25:49 +0000 A Hong Kong magistrate’s suggestion for how reporters could obtain information from a government database without falling foul of the law that ensnared an RTHK contributor is simply unrealistic, according to lawyers and analysts. Legal experts questioned whether Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui Yee-mei gave enough weight to constitutional human rights provisions when finding freelance producer Bao Choy Yuk-ling guilty of providing false statements to secure access to an official database on car... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3130790/hong-kong-magistrates-workaround-database-searching?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3130790/hong-kong-magistrates-workaround-database-searching?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Apr 2021 07:11:01 +0000 Sample contamination at a Covid-19 testing lab could explain an unusually high number of preliminary-positive cases detected in one day, an expert investigation has found, presenting another challenge on Hong Kong’s path to containing a resurgence of infections.  University of Hong Kong microbiologist Professor Yuen Kwok-yung revealed his findings after an inspection of testing firm BGI’s facility on Thursday evening, after the company earlier reported 30 preliminary-positive cases in a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3130596/coronavirus-hong-kong-local-tours-resume-without?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3130596/coronavirus-hong-kong-local-tours-resume-without?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Apr 2021 05:59:55 +0000