https://www.scmp.com/rss/269333/feed Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s move to legalise basketball betting has suffered a setback. The government suspended the plan on Monday pending further study, citing the emergence of prediction markets which it says may prompt more people to turn to illegal gambling. Embarrassing as it is, the U-turn is a prudent step to ensure that the plan proceeds in the right direction. Prediction markets are platforms where people buy and sell contracts on the outcomes of future events, with the prices directly reflecting the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350029/hong-kongs-u-turn-basketball-betting-prudent-move?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350029/hong-kongs-u-turn-basketball-betting-prudent-move?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:15:13 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Gold has become a safe haven for many investors amid global turmoil, including the recent Middle East war. At the same time, volatile US policy has tarnished the appeal of the US Federal Reserve as a secure place for central banks to store reserves, creating a golden opportunity for China and especially Hong Kong. The biggest sign of shifting confidence came from the Bank of France. Radio France Internationale reported on April 4 that the central bank had replaced its remaining gold reserves... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349999/hong-kong-has-gilt-edged-opportunity-shine-gold-trading-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349999/hong-kong-has-gilt-edged-opportunity-shine-gold-trading-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial These days, it seems everything is artificial intelligence, but only the technically proficient and well-funded organisations can take advantage of AI’s full power. Therefore, the Hong Kong government must democratise its use lest people be left behind, missing out on its potential for enrichment and employment. The Hong Kong government is moving in the right direction by setting up a new AI research institute, along with multiple initiatives and funding channels to develop “AI for... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349873/ai-all-efforts-must-not-leave-any-hongkonger-behind?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349873/ai-all-efforts-must-not-leave-any-hongkonger-behind?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The fate of thousands of protesters arrested in the 2019 turmoil had long faded from public attention until recently when it was disclosed that they were being given a second chance under a special rehabilitation programme. The move is not just a welcome step towards offering them a path back to normalcy but also towards narrowing the deep political divide left by the unrest. The leniency towards some 7,000 people arrested but not prosecuted is not about excusing wrongdoings. As security chief... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349906/path-rehabilitation-those-arrested-2019-unrest-welcome?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349906/path-rehabilitation-those-arrested-2019-unrest-welcome?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Kai Tak has become a world-class destination after years of effort to turn the former Hong Kong airport site into a sporting and entertainment hub with a cruise terminal, housing and commercial spaces. However, third-class transit continues to hold it back. A solution to that problem now seems firmly on track. The city’s key decision-making body has approved plans for an elevated mass transit railway system to connect major facilities in the area with the MTR network. Ideally, the project will... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349624/kai-taks-transport-solution-could-be-model-other-hong-kong-districts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349624/kai-taks-transport-solution-could-be-model-other-hong-kong-districts?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:15:13 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Poverty alleviation is a form of social investment that ought to be reinforced. A case in point is the provision of subsidised after-school care for children from cash-strapped families. While such government-subsidised supporting services help ease the burden on working parents and enhance youth and economic development, they still fall short of demand in a city notorious for its wealth gap. Authorities were mulling a new voucher scheme for after-school care services as early as 2018 after 17.5... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349622/expanding-subsidised-after-school-care-will-help-more-families?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349622/expanding-subsidised-after-school-care-will-help-more-families?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:45:11 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Like their local counterparts, international schools in Hong Kong are also facing difficulties in enrolment amid changing demographics. The latest revelation that eight international school operators, including the city’s largest, the English Schools Foundation (ESF), have failed to meet the non-local admission targets is not surprising. It underlines the challenges Hong Kong faces as it strives to enhance its international appeal to expatriates. According to the Education Bureau, the proportion... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349611/making-hong-kong-desirable-overseas-students-must-be-priority?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349611/making-hong-kong-desirable-overseas-students-must-be-priority?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:15:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Discussion around death and funeral planning is considered inauspicious, even taboo, in Chinese society. That is why it did not figure prominently at the Smart Retirement Expo last weekend. Expo exhibitor and Minimal Funeral founder Pasu Ng Kwai-lun noted that his booth was “practically the only one” discussing death and funeral arrangements, despite the expo’s focus on retirement planning in an ageing society. However, attitudes have changed in recent years, he said, and people have grown more... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349606/ageing-hong-kong-should-welcome-more-open-conversations-around-death?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349606/ageing-hong-kong-should-welcome-more-open-conversations-around-death?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:45:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The meeting between President Xi Jinping, chief of the Communist Party, and Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition party the Kuomintang, was the first in nearly a decade between the sitting leaders of the two parties. Its timing was especially significant. Amid global concern about armed conflict, China is increasingly seen as a source of stability. That makes a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue and Friday’s meeting with the KMT leader critical not only to China, but also to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349692/chengs-beijing-visit-underscores-hope-cross-strait-engagement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349692/chengs-beijing-visit-underscores-hope-cross-strait-engagement?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:15:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial In a rare and speedy move, the Hong Kong government is pressing ahead with diesel subsidies and toll cuts for the commercial transport sector as the global oil crisis escalates. The short-term measures are timely, targeted and reasonable. They are exactly what the industries need as they grapple with soaring fuel prices fuelled by conflict in the Middle East. The two-month HK$3 (US$0.38) per litre diesel subsidies for public and commercial vehicles, vessels and related industries as well as... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349641/hong-kongs-rare-speedy-response-fuel-price-surge-shows-preparedness?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349641/hong-kongs-rare-speedy-response-fuel-price-surge-shows-preparedness?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Innovation and technology are key drivers of economic growth and quality of life in Hong Kong. Efforts to make the city an international hub for those sectors have recently been undermined by worrying data breaches. Authorities and organisations handling public data must strengthen digital defences against hacking and mishandling. The latest incident involved the leak of data related to more than 56,000 patients and 1,000 staff members connected with Hospital Authority institutions in Kowloon... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349485/breaches-reveal-worrying-gaps-hong-kongs-data-defences?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349485/breaches-reveal-worrying-gaps-hong-kongs-data-defences?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:15:11 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial In an ideal world, China and the United States, the two pre-eminent spacefaring nations, would cooperate to explore humanity’s final frontier. In the real world, though, the two countries have started a new space race just as they compete in everything else. That’s one reason why Nasa’s latest Artemis mission to the moon has gained worldwide attention, not least from China’s space science community. While both sides are trying to beat the other to return humans to the moon, the stakes are even... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349475/new-space-race-should-be-recognised-marathon-not-sprint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349475/new-space-race-should-be-recognised-marathon-not-sprint?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The United States has pulled back from the brink of an escalation of its bombing war against Iran. Just seven days after Pakistan and China called for a ceasefire and peace talks in a five-point plan, Pakistan has brokered a two-week pause in hostilities between the US and its ally Israel, and Iran, to open the way for negotiations. It reportedly calls for a halt to the bombing of Iran, to Iranian attacks on Israel and on neighbours who host US bases, and to the Iranian blockade of the Strait of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349403/world-cannot-afford-breakdown-us-iran-ceasefire-talks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349403/world-cannot-afford-breakdown-us-iran-ceasefire-talks?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 23:15:11 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s authorities are finally getting serious about enforcement against reckless behaviour threatening our precious countryside. While there is no shortage of laws for protection in this respect, our natural assets are left at the mercy of visitors with little awareness of wildlife conservation or respect for the environment. The 18 enforcement actions taken at Sai Kung East Country Park over the first four days of the Easter break may appear too little, too late, but they signal a turning... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349359/site-patrols-good-start-better-protection-hong-kongs-countryside?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349359/site-patrols-good-start-better-protection-hong-kongs-countryside?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:45:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Notwithstanding the unsettling global environment, the Easter holidays remain a top travel season in many parts of the world. As Hongkongers took advantage of the consecutive Ching Ming Festival this year to head north and overseas, the city was also trying to attract more high-spending foreign visitors. The extended holidays are as much a test of our strategic shift towards high-value tourism as our ability to adapt to changing cross-border integration. Immigration data showed the number of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349214/hong-kong-must-diversify-and-adapt-changing-tourism-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349214/hong-kong-must-diversify-and-adapt-changing-tourism-market?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Gender equality has been advancing steadily in Hong Kong, including in the field of medical science. But progress has been uneven in a city where women can comprise half of all medical students at an institution, yet only one in three fellows and non-fellows do research. While that sex ratio among researchers largely reflects global disparity, it is encouraging to see timely intervention to bridge the gender gap. The Women in Science and Medicine Academy (Wise) aims to attract 100 early-career... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349237/supporting-women-research-helps-hong-kongs-gender-equality-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349237/supporting-women-research-helps-hong-kongs-gender-equality-push?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 22:45:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Vaping is the bane of health and tobacco control authorities alike. The long-term health effects are still unfolding, and users of tobacco alternatives are more likely to eventually become addicted to tobacco smoking, whose harmful effects are well-established. Any development that reinforces those two messages, especially among young people, is an important contribution to community health. A case in point is a government reminder that from April 30, anyone found carrying more than five vape... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349127/vape-possession-ban-vital-protecting-hong-kongs-youth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349127/vape-possession-ban-vital-protecting-hong-kongs-youth?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:45:12 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong International Airport has been flying high for decades, winning numerous world titles for its services, facilities and efficiency. Another jewel in the crown is this year’s Global Travel Award for “Best Airport in the World”. It is a fitting tribute to an aviation hub that has consistently delivered top performance amid fierce regional and global competition. In an era where many airports strive to stand out with flashy new infrastructure, Hong Kong’s success stems from its enduring... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349126/travellers-recognise-strengths-hong-kong-international-airport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349126/travellers-recognise-strengths-hong-kong-international-airport?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Better safe than sorry – that seems to be why authorities have delayed the stablecoin roll-out. Industry players had expected the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the city’s de facto central bank, to announce the granting of a small number of stablecoin licences at the end of March. But the date came and went. The regulatory review process appears to be taking longer, given the regulators’ well-known cautious stance. But the policy – to make Hong Kong a digital-asset hub with stablecoins... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348924/stablecoin-launch-delay-shows-hong-kong-would-rather-be-safe-sorry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348924/stablecoin-launch-delay-shows-hong-kong-would-rather-be-safe-sorry?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:15:16 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The digital divide is most commonly associated with older citizens and the difficulties they have using apps for services that need to be more accessible to them. Thanks to research by a team from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), it emerges that Hong Kong has another digital divide – among ethnic minority groups – that crosses age groups. Given that Hong Kong is an ethnically diverse and multicultural society where east meets west, as well as a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348928/hong-kong-must-help-ethnic-minority-groups-bridge-digital-divide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348928/hong-kong-must-help-ethnic-minority-groups-bridge-digital-divide?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 22:45:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial One of Hong Kong’s prime objectives when emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic was to attract visitors back to the city to boost the economy and its international image. Tourists have returned, with almost 50 million arriving last year, a 12 per cent increase on 2024. The figure is expected to rise to 53.8 million this year. Such progress is encouraging. Unsurprisingly, the majority of visitors last year came from mainland China. There were 38 million tourists from across the border. They remain... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348899/hong-kongs-high-value-tourism-pivot-makes-sense-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348899/hong-kongs-high-value-tourism-pivot-makes-sense-city?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:15:13 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Teenage sports star Quan Hongchan became a national hero and China’s “diving queen” through her extraordinary medal-winning feats. She is adored by millions of fans, but like so many top performers, the 19-year-old has also been a target of online abuse. This is not surprising, given the often toxic nature of the mainland’s fan culture. That does not, however, make it acceptable. Quan, who won her first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in 2021 when only 14, has been targeted as a result of gaining... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348915/chinas-sports-stars-show-bravery-face-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348915/chinas-sports-stars-show-bravery-face-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial For decades, Hong Kong has prided itself on being one of the world’s cleanest cities, where corruption is swiftly punished and the rule of law firmly upheld. However, a persistent rot has been left to fester in the building renovation sector – a problem recently linked to a horrific blaze that claimed 168 lives at a Tai Po housing estate last November. In this respect, two recent high-profile actions by the Independent Commission Against Corruption serve as a welcome reminder of Hong Kong’s... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348921/moves-clean-hong-kong-building-renovation-sector-cant-come-too-soon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348921/moves-clean-hong-kong-building-renovation-sector-cant-come-too-soon?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:15:14 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, has grown to more than 50 million globally. Scientists around the world continue to seek a cure for the disease, while working to develop drugs that can delay the onset of symptoms and slow its progression. Early diagnosis, allowing careful plans to be made for the treatment and care of sufferers, is essential. Many people are unaware they have the disease. But screening has been expensive and invasive. A... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348884/hong-kongs-world-first-alzheimers-blood-test-will-strengthen-citys-healthcare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348884/hong-kongs-world-first-alzheimers-blood-test-will-strengthen-citys-healthcare?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial US President Donald Trump’s televised address to the nation left it and the world barely wiser about a timeline for ending the United States-Israeli war with Iran or how a blockaded sea lane for global oil supplies is to be reopened. After previously predicting the war could end in two to three weeks, Trump hailed “decisive, overwhelming” victories in Iran on a scale rarely seen. But he signalled that key military objectives were still “nearing completion” and that further strikes could inflict... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348813/trumps-iran-address-fails-set-minds-ease-or-clearly-signal-direction?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348813/trumps-iran-address-fails-set-minds-ease-or-clearly-signal-direction?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:15:12 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The predicted demise of physical newspapers may be premature, but paper use in the stock market is definitely passé. Thankfully, the Securities and Futures Commission will phase it out and digitise the market within five years. That should be enough time for any Luddite to adjust. A launch date has been set for November 16 for rolling out a fully digital, paperless stock market. The aim is to boost efficiency and strengthen the city’s competitiveness. Digitalised securities and their documents... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348785/paperless-stock-market-way-forward-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348785/paperless-stock-market-way-forward-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Cheng Li-wun will be the first sitting chairperson of Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang to visit the mainland since Hung Hsiu-chu nearly 10 years ago. The announcement of the trip, from April 7 to 12, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, comes at a sensitive time in cross-strait relations, with four American senators arriving in Taiwan to promote arms sales opposed by Beijing, and Xi expected to host a summit with President Donald Trump next month. Xi’s invitation to Cheng, elected KMT... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348647/taiwan-kuomintang-leaders-visit-mainland-china-gives-reason-hope?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348647/taiwan-kuomintang-leaders-visit-mainland-china-gives-reason-hope?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 23:15:12 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Most Hong Kong bosses are law-abiding, but inevitably there are dodgy ones who don’t contribute their share of employee pension on time. They may need to face a greater penalty. Worrying data from the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) shows that only one in six employers settled the arrears within the two-week deadline. As a result, the authority now proposes more punitive surcharges in such cases. It’s about time. The current penalty is too lenient. At present, the surcharge for... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348656/mpf-scheme-must-move-times-better-meet-worker-needs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348656/mpf-scheme-must-move-times-better-meet-worker-needs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The Tai Po blaze in November has left a deep scar on Hong Kong – not only because of the heavy loss of life and property, but also because of the sense of displacement among those who watched helplessly as their homes went up in flames. Meanwhile, the government continues to deal with the aftermath, including the daunting challenge of arranging for thousands of survivors to return to their fire-ravaged flats to retrieve belongings and bid farewell to their homes and to loved ones who... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348523/hong-kong-fire-survivors-returning-destroyed-flats-offers-closure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348523/hong-kong-fire-survivors-returning-destroyed-flats-offers-closure?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:15:10 +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 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial With just 15 months remaining in the Hong Kong government’s current term, the newly appointed secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs faces a vital challenge during her short but important tenure. Janice Tse Siu-wa is tasked with crafting the city’s first five-year development plan in step with the country’s blueprint. For a veteran civil servant pulled out of retirement and with relatively little exposure to mainland affairs, it is a daunting mission. Tse was picked because of her... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348363/new-constitutional-affairs-chief-faces-daunting-essential-first-mission?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348363/new-constitutional-affairs-chief-faces-daunting-essential-first-mission?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The latest power-bank restriction on air travellers comes less than a month after a major nighttime crash and rescue drill at Hong Kong airport in which an airliner’s take-off was aborted after smoke was reported coming from a passenger’s power bank. But that was a simulation, involving more than 1,000 personnel plus hundreds of volunteers, aimed at optimising airport emergency response. There was therefore no connection with the ban imposed without warning by the Airport Authority on Saturday... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348409/restriction-power-banks-flights-should-not-have-come-surprise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348409/restriction-power-banks-flights-should-not-have-come-surprise?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 22:45:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The traumatic memories of Hong Kong’s deadliest high-rise inferno are being revived as an independent review of the November tragedy gets down to business. The harrowing details of the blaze presented in the first few public hearing sessions are disturbing as are the contributing human factors and systemic failures identified. The rigorous fact-finding process should continue with full support from all parties concerned so that lessons are learned and reforms are undertaken to tackle an array of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348139/time-confront-uncomfortable-truths-about-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348139/time-confront-uncomfortable-truths-about-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:15:20 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Marina development is finally making headway in Hong Kong after decades of being largely dead in the water. The plan to revamp an area in Aberdeen should be welcomed, as long as public access remains part of efforts to chart a course for the city to become a premier maritime gateway in Asia. The goal is to convert a section of the southwest coast of Hong Kong Island into a new marina with 200 berths, a clubhouse and about 250 private flats by 2032. On Wednesday, the Development Bureau said it... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348132/hong-kong-must-factor-community-needs-marina-development?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348132/hong-kong-must-factor-community-needs-marina-development?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 22:45:14 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The China Development Forum and the Boao Forum for Asia closely follow the annual “two sessions” of China’s top legislative and political advisory bodies. What set them apart this year is that they also followed the endorsement of the country’s 15th five-year plan. Therefore, they have been an opportunity for Chinese leaders to engage directly with foreign officials and business leaders to explain China’s economic strategy and policies. In the past, foreigners wondered how much of a five-year... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348114/international-forums-underscore-chinas-enduring-push-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348114/international-forums-underscore-chinas-enduring-push-open?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 23:15:13 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong is still finding its balance between urban development and its wildlife. Tragic encounters on consecutive days earlier this month were a reminder of that. First, the authorities euthanised eight wild boars – two adults and six juveniles – after they wandered into a residential area near Chuk Yuen North Estate in Wong Tai Sin. The next day, a car struck a buffalo on a highway in Yuen Long, disrupting traffic for hours before the animal was euthanised because of severe injuries. The... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348120/balance-vital-urban-hong-kong-coexist-wild-animals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348120/balance-vital-urban-hong-kong-coexist-wild-animals?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Some local universities have been consistently rated as among the world’s best, as reflected in the latest global rankings by British firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). While the city is justifiably proud of its achievements, there is no room for complacency amid growing competition in the education sector worldwide. It is encouraging that five subjects offered by local institutions are among the top 10 in the world. The University of Hong Kong’s dentistry programme remains the city’s... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348129/hong-kong-remains-one-asias-most-competitive-higher-education-systems?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348129/hong-kong-remains-one-asias-most-competitive-higher-education-systems?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 23:15:17 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial There is a growing need to address the lack of regular exercise among Hong Kong students. Turning back the clock to more physically active childhoods is not an option. Without action at home and school to maintain physical activity amid a digital lifestyle, today’s schoolchildren face a greater risk – and an earlier onset – of ill health. A government report for the 2024-25 school year says about 94 per cent of students do not get enough moderate to vigorous exercise, recommended for at least an... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348097/ounce-obesity-prevention-worth-kilo-cure-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348097/ounce-obesity-prevention-worth-kilo-cure-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 22:45:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s month of celebrating art and culture is drawing to a close, but promises to end on a high. Art Basel, the prestigious international fair, opens on Friday and features 240 galleries from 41 countries and regions. It is the catalyst for a wide variety of other art events in March. The fair brings together artists, curators, galleries and other enthusiasts, fuelling the process of cultural exchange. A new five-year deal between the government and Art Basel is, therefore, a significant... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347990/hong-kongs-celebration-art-and-culture-sends-powerful-message?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347990/hong-kongs-celebration-art-and-culture-sends-powerful-message?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Whenever a place rises up economically on the mainland, some observers inevitably portray it as a potential competitor with Hong Kong. This view misunderstands the crucial role the city plays as a global financial hub in Beijing’s “opening up” liberalisation. Hainan’s new status as a free-trade port is a case in point. The usual suspects warn that the island – more than 30 times the size of Hong Kong – could become a duty-free competitor. In reality, besides being Hainan’s biggest source of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347962/hainans-arrival-free-trade-port-opens-new-doors-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347962/hainans-arrival-free-trade-port-opens-new-doors-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Boosting Hong Kong into a global study and talent hub is not just a mission for the government and the tertiary education sector. The latest move by local secondary schools to lure overseas students in Southeast Asia is a proactive step in this regard. While the city is still learning how to emulate British or US education systems to attract overseas students, it stands out in the region thanks to its unique East-meets-West background, international outlook, political stability and proximity to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347809/local-schools-outreach-overseas-students-boost-education-hub-goal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347809/local-schools-outreach-overseas-students-boost-education-hub-goal?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:15:11 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The long-range weather forecast for Hong Kong may seem like good news at first. The city’s weather experts have predicted four to seven typhoons between the months of June and October, or fewer than half the record-breaking 14 recorded last year. However, complacency could be dangerous. The Hong Kong Observatory also projects above normal temperatures under the influence of the warming El Nino weather phenomenon amid intensifying global climate challenges. Hong Kong Observatory director Chan... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347836/community-preparation-key-hong-kong-braces-extreme-weather?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347836/community-preparation-key-hong-kong-braces-extreme-weather?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Threats to national security around the world have become more complex and varied amid heightened geopolitical tensions and technological advances. Laws designed to guard against such threats and the rules governing their implementation need to keep pace with developments. On Monday, Hong Kong introduced a raft of changes to regulations on the enforcement of the city’s national security law, passed by Beijing in 2020. It is the first time, except for a minor technical amendment in 2023, that the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347749/rule-changes-will-help-hong-kong-better-combat-national-security-threats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347749/rule-changes-will-help-hong-kong-better-combat-national-security-threats?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 23:15:13 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial It says something about the times that in February 2022, compared with now, lowering the age bar from 65 to 60 for the HK$2 transport fare subsidy for the elderly, adding 815,000 beneficiaries, didn’t ring more warning bells about sustainability. It was, after all, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the government was issuing cash vouchers and when public morale and economic confidence were paramount. Lowering the bar for people at or near the end of normal working life struck an empathetic... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347670/changes-hk2-transport-fare-subsidy-will-ensure-scheme-viable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347670/changes-hk2-transport-fare-subsidy-will-ensure-scheme-viable?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing at a breathtaking pace, disrupting almost every sector and having a significant impact on the job market. The adoption of the technology is not only reducing the number of lower-paid jobs but also hitting graduates. There is a need to adapt and embrace the new reality. Job vacancies plunged to a five-year low last year, falling to less than half the number recorded in 2021, according to the Joint Institution Job Information System, an online platform... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347551/hong-kong-graduates-need-adapt-secure-job-ai-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347551/hong-kong-graduates-need-adapt-secure-job-ai-era?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 23:15:13 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s securities watchdog has recommended strengthening the stock exchange’s system for company listing and compliance following a review. It comes at a good time as the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) has proposed the biggest reform of listing rules in almost a decade. While HKEX works to make it easier and more efficient for companies to raise capital in the city, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) must ensure investors are protected with any changes. The city’s... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347554/hkex-should-heed-recommendations-hong-kongs-securities-watchdog?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347554/hkex-should-heed-recommendations-hong-kongs-securities-watchdog?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The performance of the new Legislative Council continues to draw scrutiny. The recent call from Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang for Legco to deliver more “practical outcomes” that align with the city’s actual conditions and Beijing’s expectations under the executive-led system has prompted more soul-searching on ways to enhance governance. The aspiration for better results under the new approach is evident. It has been suggested that Legco borrow tools from the mainland. Drawing inspiration from the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347322/legco-could-refer-mainland-experience-boosting-efficiency?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347322/legco-could-refer-mainland-experience-boosting-efficiency?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 23:15:15 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s shrinking school-age population continues to put the education system to the test, with more subsidised institutions facing the axe or being forced to go private or merge with others. The closure option, once regarded as a last resort, is fast becoming an inevitable fate rather than an exception. A smooth transition, or a “soft landing”, looks increasingly difficult as more schools find themselves on the brink amid intensifying consolidation spurred by the city’s declining birth... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347303/struggling-hong-kong-schools-should-heed-call-plan-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347303/struggling-hong-kong-schools-should-heed-call-plan-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 22:45:13 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The world might be going on a debt binge, but when it comes to government borrowing, the United States takes the cake. While other countries might owe more in percentage terms to their gross domestic product (GDP), the US owes more than anyone else in absolute terms. That is what makes it so dangerous to its creditors. Global debt hit a record high in 2025, reaching US$348 trillion, with nearly US$29 trillion of new debt added over the year, according to a study by the multinational Institute of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347289/us-debt-dysfunction-puts-global-economy-risk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347289/us-debt-dysfunction-puts-global-economy-risk?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Round-the-clock gyms have mushroomed across Hong Kong in recent years, offering flexibility and convenience to time-pressed people juggling work and exercise. But just like the notorious problems of aggressive sales tactics and long membership contracts with chain fitness centres in the industry’s heyday, these smaller outlets running on a new business model also come with hidden costs and privacy issues that consumers cannot afford to ignore. A targeted investigation by the Consumer Council on... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347264/more-transparency-needed-fees-and-data-24-hour-gym-memberships?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3347264/more-transparency-needed-fees-and-data-24-hour-gym-memberships?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 22:45:08 +0000