https://www.scmp.com/rss/299725/feed Macau is a former Portuguese colony, and in 1999 it became a special administrative region of China. Its economy relies heavily on tourism, specifically the gambling industry, whose revenue has made Macau the world's largest casino market. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Edith Lin Edith Lin More Hong Kong permanent residents will soon be able to drive to Macau for work, sightseeing, family visits and business as the two cities move to expand an existing scheme to make better use of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. The Transport Department said on Friday that all Hong Kong permanent residents and locally registered companies would be allowed to apply for 400 multiple-entry quota places under a new category for drivers of non-commercial private cars. Under the current scheme, only... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352181/more-hongkongers-can-drive-macau-under-expanded-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3352181/more-hongkongers-can-drive-macau-under-expanded-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 12:58:20 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong authorities uncovered 23 cross-boundary and transshipment counterfeiting cases in a joint operation with mainland China and Macau in April, seizing about 46,000 items worth an estimated HK$16 million (US$2 million). The Customs and Excise Department said on Friday that the operation found that 21 cases involved local express couriers and logistics companies. The remaining two cases involved batches of counterfeit goods discovered on two inbound lorries at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3352164/hong-kong-seizes-hk16-million-counterfeit-goods-joint-cross-border-operation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3352164/hong-kong-seizes-hk16-million-counterfeit-goods-joint-cross-border-operation?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 10:54:19 +0000 Ling Xin Ling Xin China has confirmed plans to expand its space station, potentially more than doubling in size to meet growing scientific demand and expand international cooperation. The Tiangong and the International Space Station (ISS) are the only space stations operating in low Earth orbit. The ISS, led by Nasa and built with contributions from 15 countries, is the biggest structure in space and has been a laboratory for more than 3,000 experiments. Nasa plans to retire the ISS in early 2031, using a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3352049/chinas-tiangong-space-station-double-size-nasa-phases-out-iss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3352049/chinas-tiangong-space-station-double-size-nasa-phases-out-iss?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:00:13 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s national aviation regulator has signed new partnership deals with its counterparts in Hong Kong and Macau to accelerate type certification for the country’s widebody airliner, the C929, which is being developed to take on mainstream models from Boeing and Airbus. Building on the cooperation framework established for the home-grown narrowbody C919, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department on Thursday outlined a plan to further collaborate... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3352008/china-forges-new-aviation-alliances-fast-track-c929-certification?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3352008/china-forges-new-aviation-alliances-fast-track-c929-certification?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:00:38 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Widely regarded as Britain’s most influential fashion designer, the late Vivienne Westwood is often remembered as much for her jewellery as for her clothes. It was 1986 when her now-iconic brand logo, The Orb, was born, inspired by British royal insignia but infused with Westwood’s signature rebellious touch. Today, her version of the royal orb, adorned with the rings of Saturn, is a house staple adorning choker necklaces and other punk jewellery pieces, like talismans representing the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3352002/vivienne-westwood-jewellery-exhibition-macau-pays-homage-late-designer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3352002/vivienne-westwood-jewellery-exhibition-macau-pays-homage-late-designer?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:57:34 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Guangdong will “actively align” with Hong Kong’s strategy for the Northern Metropolis megaproject and highlight areas of collaboration as part of the province’s 15th five-year plan. The Guangdong provincial government on Tuesday published its development blueprint, with the term “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area” mentioned 57 times in the document and a chapter dedicated to the region’s development. Its proposal for economic and social development, part of Beijing’s sweeping 2026-2030... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351893/guangdong-actively-align-hong-kongs-northern-metropolis-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351893/guangdong-actively-align-hong-kongs-northern-metropolis-push?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:15:14 +0000 SCMP Reporter SCMP Reporter Monday night saw the unveiling of the 100 Top Tables Guide 2026, published by the South China Morning Post (SCMP). Now in its 14th year, the publication is an annual independent guide to the best fine dining restaurants and bars in Hong Kong, Macau and the wider Greater Bay Area (GBA), as judged by the SCMP’s dedicated food writers. The new edition features 100 Hong Kong restaurants, 25 distinguished Macau establishments, 10 outstanding restaurants from the GBA, and 25 of the most noteworthy... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3351822/best-restaurants-and-bars-hong-kong-macau-and-gba-revealed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3351822/best-restaurants-and-bars-hong-kong-macau-and-gba-revealed?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:58:06 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Sam Chong is the director of wine at New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui East. He spoke to Andrew Sun. I am a comfort food person at heart, but I also appreciate fine dining when the occasion calls. Growing up, seafood was always on the table. My parents loved it, so I developed a deep appreciation for fresh seafood from an early age. My father is not a chef, but he truly enjoys cooking so I was always spoiled with great home-cooked food. For me, quality ingredients and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3351576/exceptional-steak-fresh-shrimp-dumplings-wine-lovers-top-hong-kong-restaurants?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3351576/exceptional-steak-fresh-shrimp-dumplings-wine-lovers-top-hong-kong-restaurants?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:45:07 +0000 Douglas Parkes Douglas Parkes With awards spanning 10 categories, 100 Top Tables celebrates the exceptional restaurants, bars and individuals that make Hong Kong and Macau’s F&B scenes truly world-class. Here are this year’s outstanding winners. Best Chef Vicky Cheng Some might ignore his talents, but for us, there is no more accomplished local chef than Vicky Cheng. The fact that the Michelin Guide continues to overlook Wing is either negligent or worse. Most chefs struggle to keep even one fine dining restaurant at the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3351513/100-top-tables-2026-celebrating-hong-kongs-best-restaurants-bars-and-fb-talents?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3351513/100-top-tables-2026-celebrating-hong-kongs-best-restaurants-bars-and-fb-talents?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:00:10 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Macau has always embodied dialogue between East and West. As one of Macau’s landmark cultural destinations – and the only museum in the region built entirely around the Silk Road – Poly MGM Museum’s “Silk Roads Beyond Borders” enters a fresh phase with three major additions. New Italian and Persian treasures make their Asia debut, illuminating centuries of exchange. Macau’s history as a major node of the Maritime Silk Road gives that mission a natural foundation. “That gives our work a level of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3351144/style-edit-poly-mgm-museums-silk-roads-beyond-borders-adds-european-masterpieces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3351144/style-edit-poly-mgm-museums-silk-roads-beyond-borders-adds-european-masterpieces?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:38:03 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Li Auto, one of Tesla’s major rivals in mainland China, has set its sights on the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, with its premium intelligent models poised to take on petrol car brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The Beijing-based electric vehicle (EV) maker, which is actively building a sales network abroad, expected overseas deliveries to account for 30 per cent of its total by 2030, according to president Ma Donghui. “It is inevitable that we will compete against BMW, Benz and Audi, which... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351481/chinas-li-auto-targets-bmw-and-mercedes-premium-suvs-middle-east-asia-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351481/chinas-li-auto-targets-bmw-and-mercedes-premium-suvs-middle-east-asia-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:10:02 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu More than 5,000 Guangdong motorists have been approved to drive into Hong Kong’s urban areas under a southbound travel scheme as of March, while 90 per cent of the 3,500 travellers who booked to visit have stayed for one or two days. The Transport Department said on Sunday that the urban access portion of the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles arrangement was operating smoothly and had become increasingly popular since its launch near the end of 2025. The scheme currently grants access to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351467/over-5000-guangdong-motorists-sign-hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351467/over-5000-guangdong-motorists-sign-hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:01:09 +0000 Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu Life insurance sales in Hong Kong rose 50.6 per cent to another record last year as affluent customers continued to buy policies in the city for wealth transfer, protection and medical needs. The industry wrote HK$330.9 billion (US$42.2 billion) in new life policies in 2025, compared with HK$219 billion a year earlier, which was also a record, according to data from the Insurance Authority released on Friday. The continuous growth of the business in recent years was due to more wealthy people... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3351327/life-insurance-sales-hong-kong-hit-record-amid-rise-millionaires?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3351327/life-insurance-sales-hong-kong-hit-record-amid-rise-millionaires?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Ambrose Li,Wynna Wong Ambrose Li,Wynna Wong Hongkonger Dominique Li and his wife spent a two-day break earlier this month in Shenzhen to soak up the cultural vibe, a short getaway they said would not be their last. The 45-year-old engineer, who lives in Tin Shui Wai in the northwestern New Territories, was particularly drawn to a new landmark, Shenzhen Bay Culture Square in Nanshan district. He treated his visit to Shenzhen like a trip to Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay shopping district, which also takes about an hour. “The spaces here are... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351208/value-space-and-style-pull-hongkongers-shenzhens-new-cultural-hotspots?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351208/value-space-and-style-pull-hongkongers-shenzhens-new-cultural-hotspots?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:30:17 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings The number of Chinese tourists deciding to travel during the five-day Labour Day holiday at the start of next month could rival or exceed last year’s headcount despite higher global fuel prices, analysts said, adding travellers were likely to prefer shorter trips to save on transport costs. Domestic flight bookings were up about 8 per cent year on year and domestic package-tour reservations were about 10 per cent higher ahead of the break, even after fuel prices shot up because of the war in... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351100/more-bookings-shorter-trips-chinese-adjust-higher-fuel-prices-labour-day-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351100/more-bookings-shorter-trips-chinese-adjust-higher-fuel-prices-labour-day-break?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:32:44 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing A long-awaited cross-border solo travel scheme will allow yachts from Macau and Hong Kong to easily sail to about six designated ports in the western waters off the Greater Bay Area, with the policy to be finalised as early as this summer, the South China Morning Post has learned. A Guangdong provincial government document, seen by the SCMP, also showed several routes that were recommended for leisure, such as the waters off Castle Peak Bay, the Pearl River Delta and Fan Lau Kok of the Lantau... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351051/travel-scheme-could-allow-hong-kong-macau-yachts-sail-6-greater-bay-area-ports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3351051/travel-scheme-could-allow-hong-kong-macau-yachts-sail-6-greater-bay-area-ports?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:30:07 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Originally from Hong Kong but now based in Macau, Sammy Wu is the assistant vice-president of food and beverage at Galaxy Macau. He has written articles for the Michelin Guide and a book on hospitality management. He spoke to Andrew Sun. I’ve always approached food with both curiosity and discipline. Growing up with Cantonese home cooking in Hong Kong, I learned early to appreciate balance, restraint and familiarity at the table. For a simple lunch, I often go to Coloane Pier Ribbon Soup Shop... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350822/top-macau-restaurants-soup-noodles-portuguese-ribs-pork-resort-fb-boss-picks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350822/top-macau-restaurants-soup-noodles-portuguese-ribs-pork-resort-fb-boss-picks?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:45:08 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The Hong Kong government plans to launch a public consultation this quarter on its first five-year blueprint aligned with national development, aiming to gather views on which policies to focus on in the coming years. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the five-year plan would cover areas such as the economy, investment, industry development, land, housing, transport and infrastructure, employment, healthcare, education and welfare, bringing numerous benefits including... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3350803/hong-kong-launch-public-consultation-first-5-year-plan-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3350803/hong-kong-launch-public-consultation-first-5-year-plan-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:08:30 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong’s major retailers are using aggressive tactics such as direct sourcing and leveraging massive economies of scale to avoid raising prices despite surging logistics costs arising from the war in the Middle East. But their resilience is being seriously tested for certain goods, with a leading cosmetics chain warning that shipping and airfreight costs have already surged by up to 15 per cent. Sa Sa International chairman Simon Kwok Siu-ming told the South China Morning Post on Friday that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350713/hong-kong-retailers-leverage-scale-sourcing-offset-war-driven-cost-pressures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350713/hong-kong-retailers-leverage-scale-sourcing-offset-war-driven-cost-pressures?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Holly Chik,Victoria Bela Holly Chik,Victoria Bela The three astronauts stationed on China’s Tiangong space station will extend their stay by around a month, state broadcaster CCTV said on Friday. The crew lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on October 31 on board the Shenzhou-21 vessel and were expected to return to Earth at the end of this month after a standard six-month mission. In November, a crack was discovered in a window of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, forcing the space station’s previous crew to extend their stay for a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3350472/chinas-space-station-crew-maximise-opportunities-spending-extra-month-orbit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3350472/chinas-space-station-crew-maximise-opportunities-spending-extra-month-orbit?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:02:40 +0000 Vincent Chow Vincent Chow US artificial intelligence start-up Anthropic’s move to introduce real-name identity verification has triggered alarm in China, raising the prospect that access to its tools could be cut off entirely and prompting black-market vendors to scramble for workarounds. The shift highlights the strong demand for Anthropic’s Claude models in China, despite an official ban that also covers Hong Kong and Macau. The company said the restrictions were necessary for national security reasons amid... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3350321/black-market-workarounds-claude-scale-anthropic-tightens-id-checks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3350321/black-market-workarounds-claude-scale-anthropic-tightens-id-checks?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:00:10 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Macau’s finance minister has resigned over “personal reasons,” prompting the city’s chief executive to temporarily assume his duties until a new candidate is appointed. The cabinet change took effect on Thursday after China’s State Council approved the removal of Tai Kin-ip from the post of secretary for economy and finance, in accordance with Macau’s Basic Law and the recommendation of Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai. Tai, 57, who only assumed the senior role in December 2024, said he had earlier... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3350262/macau-finance-minister-steps-down-personal-reasons?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3350262/macau-finance-minister-steps-down-personal-reasons?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:33:40 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The annual National Security Education Day has been observed across China since its inception in 2015. In Hong Kong, it carried additional significance this year as the city strives to build on the restored stability and prosperity for a new critical stage of development under the nation’s new five-year blueprint. Themed “Proactively Align with the 15th five-year plan: Follow a Holistic Approach to Development and Security”, the message delivered at the official ceremony held in Wan Chai could... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350154/hong-kong-must-stay-watchful-protect-its-hard-won-prosperity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350154/hong-kong-must-stay-watchful-protect-its-hard-won-prosperity?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:15:11 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial China is at the forefront of a global economy undergoing massive, accelerated digital transformation. Whether it’s artificial intelligence (AI) or blockchain-driven financial technology, new products, services and business models are emerging to provide new opportunities and careers while boosting productivity. This digital economy is, by its very nature, highly integrative. It makes sense for the authorities in Hong Kong and mainland China to expedite this integration to achieve sustainable... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350119/digital-cooperation-vital-link-greater-bay-area-integration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350119/digital-cooperation-vital-link-greater-bay-area-integration?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:45:07 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to enhance the city’s governance in public security and safety, and carry out systemic reform following the deadly Tai Po fire, describing it as a key task in safeguarding national security. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s remarks came after Xia Baolong, Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, said people with “ulterior motives” had exploited the city’s deadliest blaze in decades to stir up social unrest and called for vigilance against national... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3350192/hong-kong-leader-vows-reforms-boost-safety-national-security-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3350192/hong-kong-leader-vows-reforms-boost-safety-national-security-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:00:55 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Events such as Art Basel Hong Kong and ComplexCon helped drive a 14 per cent year-on-year growth in visitor arrivals in March, but the US-Israel war with Iran could bring volatility to the travel market, the Tourism Board has said. The increase contributed to a 17 per cent year-on-year rise in visitor numbers in the first quarter of the year, hitting a total of 14.31 million. “In the coming months, developments in the Middle East may lead to volatility in the tourism market. We will closely... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350172/art-basel-hong-kong-other-events-drive-14-year-year-rise-march-tourist-arrivals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350172/art-basel-hong-kong-other-events-drive-14-year-year-rise-march-tourist-arrivals?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:17:47 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Olga Wong Matthew Cheng,Olga Wong Hong Kong’s sole legal betting operator and lawmakers were caught off guard by the government’s abrupt decision to suspend the rollout of legal basketball betting, which some believe was intended to align with Beijing’s efforts to curb gambling amid a surge in prediction markets. The government confirmed on Monday that it had suspended its plan to launch basketball betting, which had been scheduled for September. Officials cited the rise of prediction markets – cryptocurrency-based platforms... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350048/hong-kongs-basketball-betting-u-turn-aligns-beijing-gambling-clampdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350048/hong-kongs-basketball-betting-u-turn-aligns-beijing-gambling-clampdown?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:31:21 +0000 Phoebe Zhang Phoebe Zhang As the new Communist Party chief of China’s southern manufacturing hub Shenzhen, Jin Lei is facing his first major test as the city prepares to host the Apec leaders’ summit in November. Beijing is seeking more cooperation with the bloc in areas like artificial intelligence, and the key regional forum is an opportunity to show the potential in tech-driven Shenzhen, where Jin took the helm last month. In recent weeks, the 56-year-old economist and former Sichuan official has been focused on... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349869/shenzhens-new-party-boss-has-taken-wheel-can-he-deliver-ahead-apec?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349869/shenzhens-new-party-boss-has-taken-wheel-can-he-deliver-ahead-apec?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:00:10 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Heartfelt tributes continued to be paid to Maisy Ho Chiu-ha, remembered as a dedicated philanthropist, after the daughter of late Hong Kong and Macau tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun died on Sunday, having led a notably private life. On Monday, official statements and tributes poured in from government officials and associations to mourn the loss of Maisy Ho, who had devoted herself to serving the community. She was one of 17 children of “king of gambling” Stanley Ho, and one of five siblings born to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349944/maisy-ho-remembered-dedicated-philanthropist-and-community-servant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349944/maisy-ho-remembered-dedicated-philanthropist-and-community-servant?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:32:20 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong customs officers have arrested a male driver after intercepting a goods vehicle at the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint and finding 760 suspected endangered reptiles, with an estimated market value of about HK$580,000 (US$74,060), hidden inside. The Customs and Excise Department said on Monday it found 106 turtles and 654 lizards hidden in his truck, believed to be endangered species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Officers... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3349910/hong-kong-customs-seizes-760-suspected-endangered-reptiles-worth-hk580000?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3349910/hong-kong-customs-seizes-760-suspected-endangered-reptiles-worth-hk580000?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:42:13 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with mainland China’s top internet regulator to promote the digital economy, with the city’s leader pledging to contribute to building a strong technological nation. The MOU was signed on Sunday by Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong and Wang Jingtao, deputy director of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), and covers topics including artificial intelligence (AI) promotion, cross-boundary data... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349815/hong-kong-mainland-china-sign-milestone-mou-promoting-digital-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349815/hong-kong-mainland-china-sign-milestone-mou-promoting-digital-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:18:43 +0000 Ambrose Li,Edith Lin Ambrose Li,Edith Lin Maisy Ho Chiu-ha, a daughter of late Hong Kong and Macau tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun, died on Sunday. Her siblings – Pansy Ho Chiu-king, Daisy Ho Chiu-fung, Josie Ho Chiu-yi and Lawrence Ho Yau-lung – disclosed the news in a statement but stopped short of revealing the cause of death. “We regretfully share that our beloved sister Maisy Ho passed away peacefully on April 12, 2026, surrounded by family,” they said. “We appreciate your condolences and ask for privacy during this difficult time.” She... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349781/maisy-ho-daughter-late-tycoon-stanley-ho-dies-age-57?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349781/maisy-ho-daughter-late-tycoon-stanley-ho-dies-age-57?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:27:29 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs has concluded his second visit to the Greater Bay Area in three weeks, a trip that analysts view as a push from the central government to speed up the city’s integration with national development. Xia Baolong, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, was in Guangdong province earlier this week, visiting Shenzhen, Dongguan and Huizhou. State-run media said his four-day “research tour” focused on supporting Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3349755/beijings-point-man-hong-kong-affairs-wraps-second-bay-area-visit-3-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3349755/beijings-point-man-hong-kong-affairs-wraps-second-bay-area-visit-3-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:12:08 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng The party continues this second weekend of April as Lennon’s from Rosewood Bangkok arrives to take over Pony & Plume at Capella at Galaxy Macau on Thursday, and Bad Times Records hosts its last Steps party at La Cabane Wine Cellar on Saturday. Between these, Honky Tonks Tavern’s new spring cocktail menu is the perfect way to cool off as Hong Kong’s temperatures heat up. Thursday, April 9 Pony & Plume x Lennon’s Bangkok Kick off your weekend early in Macau as Pony & Plume gives us the latest... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3349392/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-april-9-11?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3349392/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-april-9-11?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:57:34 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Residents made more than 2 million outbound passenger trips over the first four days of the Easter break, while the number of motorists using the city’s border checkpoint for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge hit a single-day record on Monday. Immigration Department figures published on Tuesday showed that the number of outgoing Hong Kong residents rose by 14.34 per cent year on year to 2.12 million over the period. This year’s Easter holiday runs from Friday to Tuesday, while the break in 2025... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349222/slump-fb-sector-over-easter-break-28-hongkongers-leave-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349222/slump-fb-sector-over-easter-break-28-hongkongers-leave-city?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:55:06 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Traffic at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge reached peak levels during the first two days of the extended holiday, with checkpoint queues sometimes exceeding an hour, raising concerns about whether clearance arrangements can handle surging demand. Passenger flows exceeded 192,000 over Friday and Saturday, while vehicle numbers surpassed 30,000, marking one of the busiest periods at the cross-boundary bridge in recent years, Ringo Lee Yiu-pui, honorary life president of the Hong Kong, China... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349123/queues-stretch-past-hour-traffic-jams-hit-mega-bridge-during-easter-ching-ming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349123/queues-stretch-past-hour-traffic-jams-hit-mega-bridge-during-easter-ching-ming?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:13:10 +0000 Jane Cai,Alcott Wei Jane Cai,Alcott Wei Beijing should shift its strategy and improve ways to attract and retain top Chinese AI professionals as America’s accelerating integration of artificial intelligence into military and national security systems puts such talent in a bind. As geopolitical tensions rise, many highly skilled Chinese researchers working at US tech and research institutions are confronting a painful dilemma, according to Dai Mingjie, a researcher at the Institute of Public Policy at the Guangzhou-based South China... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349047/how-can-beijing-attract-top-tier-chinese-ai-professionals-based-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349047/how-can-beijing-attract-top-tier-chinese-ai-professionals-based-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 04:00:18 +0000 Wilson Fok Wilson Fok In 2024, the inaugural Chinese Wine Awards took place in Macau. The event was the first of its kind in the city, showcasing wines produced in China judged by a panel of international experts and critics. The awards have since expanded in scale, featuring a larger panel of judges, and this year included activation events in Beijing leading up to the judging sessions and award ceremony. Macau is the ideal spot for such an event: not only famous as a Unesco City of Gastronomy, but also for its... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/100-top-tables/topics/100-top-tables-cities-gastronomy/article/3348625/chinese-wine-awards-elevate-ao-yun-and-other-labels-world-stage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/100-top-tables/topics/100-top-tables-cities-gastronomy/article/3348625/chinese-wine-awards-elevate-ao-yun-and-other-labels-world-stage?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:12 +0000 Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu Manulife, HSBC Holdings and Barclays are among the big financial firms that have announced plans to boost their adoption of artificial intelligence, in line with the Hong Kong government’s efforts to promote the use of the technology. Manulife last week said it had relocated Mark Czajkowski, chief AI officer for Asia, to Hong Kong from Singapore, and had appointed Liu Hongjuan as chief AI and data officer of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau, a newly created post, on March 9. HSBC Holdings, the... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3348897/manulife-hsbc-barclays-among-big-finance-firms-pushing-ai-adoption-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3348897/manulife-hsbc-barclays-among-big-finance-firms-pushing-ai-adoption-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:00:08 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong’s New World Development (NWD) has shelved plans to acquire the remaining stakes in three commercial sites in Causeway Bay, signalling continued caution among developers despite signs of improving demand in the core office market. The company, which has been selling assets to reduce debt, said it would “exercise prudence as appropriate, having regard to cost and efficiency, as well as overall market supply and demand, with a view to delivering reasonable returns”. NWD, which reported... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3348834/new-world-pulls-back-causeway-bay-acquisition-amid-uneven-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3348834/new-world-pulls-back-causeway-bay-acquisition-amid-uneven-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:34:41 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected five Lifestyle stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. 10 of the best new K-dramas to watch in April 2026 Spring is here and with it an all-new line-up of tantalising K-drama offerings, ranging from fantasy, action and animation to a wide variety of romance. 2. How Leslie Cheung broke all the rules to become a Hong Kong superstar In the golden age of Hong Kong’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348775/leslie-cheungs-path-stardom-10-new-k-dramas-watch-5-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348775/leslie-cheungs-path-stardom-10-new-k-dramas-watch-5-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:08:39 +0000 Lee Hill-choi Lee Hill-choi Macau has long been a city of intersections – East and West, old and new, tradition and reinvention. As a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy, it is now staking a claim to another kind of convergence: a place where world-class fine dining and genuine environmental responsibility are not in tension, but in lockstep. That ambition takes centre stage at this year’s International Cities of Gastronomy Fest, which for the first time extends beyond Fisherman’s Wharf into a new satellite venue in the... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/100-top-tables/topics/100-top-tables-cities-gastronomy/article/3348524/macaus-culinary-festival-highlights-luxury-dining-alongside-sustainability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/100-top-tables/topics/100-top-tables-cities-gastronomy/article/3348524/macaus-culinary-festival-highlights-luxury-dining-alongside-sustainability?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:00:30 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter To mark the next chapter following its 150th anniversary, Audemars Piguet has unveiled an expansive line-up of 2026 novelties that underline the maison’s dual focus: technical innovation and refined aesthetics. Spanning the brand’s core families – Royal Oak, Royal Oak Offshore and Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet – the releases combine fresh materials, new calibres and a focus on complications designed for everyday wear. One of the technical highlights is the brand’s new generation of openworked... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3348121/style-edit-audemars-piguets-new-royal-oak-and-code-1159-watches-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3348121/style-edit-audemars-piguets-new-royal-oak-and-code-1159-watches-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 02:00:15 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat As the country with the world’s largest cohort of billionaires, China is no stranger to wealthy elites engaging in luxurious leisure activities, but one common pastime in the West does not seem to have attracted a commensurate level of interest across the Pacific – yachting. While Chinese e-commerce billionaire Richard Liu recently announced a multibillion-dollar investment in a new yacht company, regulatory hurdles and infrastructure gaps have kept China’s wealthiest individuals from fully... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346817/chinas-high-end-yacht-owners-say-industry-growth-stifled-structural-gaps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346817/chinas-high-end-yacht-owners-say-industry-growth-stifled-structural-gaps?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Aidyn Fitzpatrick Aidyn Fitzpatrick Though it may not appear so, a battle takes place every March when Art Basel comes to Hong Kong’s Convention Centre. The fight isn’t over which gallery can sell more paintings or which collector writes the biggest cheques, but over whether the Greater Bay Area (GBA) can convince visitors that this corner of Southern China – expected to record more than US$2.15 trillion in economic output for 2025 – is not just a business powerhouse but a cultural one. GBA policymakers have embraced the lexicon... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3348138/how-art-basel-hong-kong-fuelling-greater-bay-areas-cultural-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3348138/how-art-basel-hong-kong-fuelling-greater-bay-areas-cultural-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 22:00:15 +0000 Natalie Wong Natalie Wong Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong and Macau affairs has concluded a five-day fact-finding trip to three mainland Chinese cities in the Greater Bay Area to explore ways of deepening the international financial hub’s integration into the national blueprint. The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said its director, Xia Baolong, had visited Guangzhou, Zhaoqing and Foshan on the trip from Monday to Friday, accompanied by officials from the mainland and Hong Kong. “[The trip] focused on how... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3348201/beijing-official-visits-greater-bay-area-cities-explore-integrating-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3348201/beijing-official-visits-greater-bay-area-cities-explore-integrating-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:47:50 +0000 Ji Siqi Ji Siqi The havoc unleashed on global shipping by the US-Israel war on Iran has underlined China’s urgent need to fix its lack of a robust maritime insurance industry, a shipping expert has said. “In the maritime shipping sector, China’s industrial chain for ‘hardware’ is very well-established and mature,” said Chen Jihong, director of the Shenzhen International Maritime Research Institute. “However, when it comes to ‘software’, we are still constrained by others, and it will be difficult to change any... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348096/iran-war-shows-chinas-urgent-need-plug-maritime-insurance-gap-expert?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348096/iran-war-shows-chinas-urgent-need-plug-maritime-insurance-gap-expert?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:00:08 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) is lagging behind China’s national average in basic research, despite showing strong potential in sectors such as semiconductors and smart manufacturing, according to Deloitte. The cluster of cities in southern China, which included Shenzhen, spent about 28.9 billion yuan (US$4.2 billion) on basic research in 2024, accounting for just 5.67 per cent of total spending in research and development (R&D), the consulting firm said in a report... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3347992/greater-bay-area-trails-peers-basic-research-despite-strong-tech-potential-deloitte?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3347992/greater-bay-area-trails-peers-basic-research-despite-strong-tech-potential-deloitte?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 23:00:08 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven Lifestyle stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong art week: fairs, exhibitions, radical pop-ups With a surge of new venues and a relentless calendar of openings, navigating Hong Kong’s 2026 art week requires strategy. The South China Morning Post presents a carefully curated shortlist. 2. Is Year of the Horse’s second month lucky for... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3347945/guide-hong-kong-art-week-cultural-chinese-dining-sweden-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3347945/guide-hong-kong-art-week-cultural-chinese-dining-sweden-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:15:08 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Danny Mok Matthew Cheng,Danny Mok Beijing has selected Zhang Dongmei, a former vice-president of the All-China Women’s Federation, as a new deputy director of the top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs, making her the first woman to take on the role since the body’s status was elevated in 2023. Zhang’s appointment as the new deputy head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) fills the vacancy left by the departure of Xiang Bin, a Communist Party of China group member of the office, earlier this year. The State... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3347890/zhang-dongmei-named-new-deputy-director-office-overseeing-hong-kong-affairs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3347890/zhang-dongmei-named-new-deputy-director-office-overseeing-hong-kong-affairs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:17:34 +0000