https://www.scmp.com/rss/322765/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Hong Kong student Yim Wa-sing’s first day of university on the mainland in 2005 was not what he had expected. Yim, one of the first students from the city admitted to Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing city, had arrived to find that the campus was located in a remote village north of the city. On top of that, the campus was also shrouded in dust and fumes, with key buildings still under construction, and surrounded by farmland covered in piles of bricks. “I felt like... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2017671/life-other-side-hong-kong-students-get-taste?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2017671/life-other-side-hong-kong-students-get-taste?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Sep 2016 09:49:22 +0000 Ocean Park will draw on the ­Pokemon Go craze by introducing an augmented reality app for its Halloween festivities in an ­effort to curb a 10 per cent decline in mainland visitor numbers. A spokeswoman for the park said despite a fall in mainland ­visitors, organisers were hoping for a 5 to 10 per cent increase on last year’s Halloween Fest attendance of one million tourists. “So far the park has seen a 10 per cent decrease in the number of mainland tourists, from 50 per cent to 40 per cent,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2007924/hong-kongs-ocean-park-seeks-boost-dwindling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2007924/hong-kongs-ocean-park-seeks-boost-dwindling?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Aug 2016 10:08:04 +0000 Limited tickets for a series of events this weekend featuring China’s Olympic gold medallists were snapped up within a few hours by hundreds of people on Monday, reflecting the enthusiasm in Hong Kong for the chance to see the nation’s top athletes up close. But scalpers quickly got in on the act, with some of the HK$20 admission tickets found to have been sold online for as much as 1,000 yuan (HK$1,165). The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said it had noted the touting and would hand... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2007303/hongkongers-queue-overnight-tickets-meet-mainland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2007303/hongkongers-queue-overnight-tickets-meet-mainland?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Aug 2016 05:00:30 +0000 The number of Hong Kong ­students applying to mainland universities has seen a tenfold ­increase over the past decade, ­despite the common perception that the city’s youth are wary about studying across the border. Research by the Post found that the percentage of secondary school graduates applying for places at mainland universities swelled from below 1 per cent in 2006 to a peak of over 7 per cent in 2012, followed by a slight tapering to about 6 per cent last year. The trend contrasted... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2003819/number-hong-kong-students-applying-mainland-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2003819/number-hong-kong-students-applying-mainland-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Aug 2016 15:45:00 +0000 The city’s annual Food Expo got off to a flying start in Wan Chai on Thursday when a 19-year-old woman and her 87-year-old grandmother won thousands of dollars’ worth of dried abalone after successfully throwing a replica sea snail onto a wishing tree. The jubilant pair, who gave their names only as Ms Yeung and Mrs Chan, won more than 200 abalones – grandma’s favourite – after spending 22 hours queuing before the expo opened at 10am. Contestants were tasked with throwing fake abalones tied to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2002318/hong-kong-food-expo-gets-flying-start-abalone-tossing-contest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2002318/hong-kong-food-expo-gets-flying-start-abalone-tossing-contest?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Aug 2016 06:30:30 +0000 A Hong Kong-made 6cm-long drone, wireless skipping rope and educational DIY robots are poised to take the virtual spotlight at the city’s 14th Computer and Communications Festival later this month. This year’s festival is to encompass more than 450 booths from 200 exhibitors from August 19 to 22 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Local companies said they were eager to promote the smallest virtual reality drone made in the city, measuring a mere 6cm long and capable of flying... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2001425/tiny-hong-kong-made-drones-put-virtual-reality-palms-users?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2001425/tiny-hong-kong-made-drones-put-virtual-reality-palms-users?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Aug 2016 09:47:13 +0000 For the first time in the run-up to this year’s Hong Kong legislative elections, an individual was arrested in connection with recent intimidating remarks and threats online against returning officers after two pro-independence activists were barred from the polls. But the 22-year-old man has now been released on police bail. He is due to report back to police early next month. Police did not specify in which cases the man was suspected to be involved. Chiu Kin-yip, a senior inspector of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1998693/message-posted-police-responded-first-hongkonger-arrested?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1998693/message-posted-police-responded-first-hongkonger-arrested?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Aug 2016 09:11:15 +0000 The 18th Ani-Com and Games Hong Kong fair welcomed thousands of eager fans of virtual reality diversions, local cartoons, and Japanese comics and fictional works as it threw open its doors on Friday. Jordan Ko, 35, heading up the line to enter the fair, said he had been waiting since noon Thursday – 22 hours before the fair opened at 10am Friday. “I wanted to come early to avoid the long queue so that I can go home early to get some sleep,” he said. This was Ko’s third year at the festival. Yet... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1996439/who-needs-pokemon-go-ani-com-and-games-hong-kong-fair-draws?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1996439/who-needs-pokemon-go-ani-com-and-games-hong-kong-fair-draws?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Jul 2016 04:52:35 +0000 Escargot caviar, a HK$120,000 Puer tea cake and a HK$1 game to win HK$7,000 worth of abalone are among key highlights of the annual Hong Kong food expo, starting August 11. Those with deep pockets can taste the delicate flavour of snail caviar from Malaga, Spain, which makes its debut in the city, and the precious Puer tea cake, made in 1988. “The almost 30-year-old tea cake has a mixed flavour of plum and grapefruit, with a fragrance of aged tea wood,” said Helen Feng Caixia, director of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1995653/hk-food-expo-serves-top-selection-tasty-treats-and-chance-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1995653/hk-food-expo-serves-top-selection-tasty-treats-and-chance-win?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Jul 2016 11:52:55 +0000 Virtual reality games, the latest Japanese animated TV series and costumes of characters from Star Wars and Captain America are expected to steal the show at the five-day Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong fair, which starts on Friday. The show will feature biggest virtual reality trial zone ever set up in the city, with 17 PlayStation VR headsets and 12 games ready for the public to try out. For animation and comic lovers, a newly introduced online broadcasting channel, Ani-One, presented by MediaLink... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1995100/hong-kong-animation-comic-and-video-game-enthusiasts-gear-ani?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1995100/hong-kong-animation-comic-and-video-game-enthusiasts-gear-ani?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Jul 2016 11:59:20 +0000 Director of Broadcasting Leung Ka-wing has promised to meet angry RTHK staff this week over his decision not to promote long-time acting assistant director Chan Man-kuen. Twenty black-clad union members staged a protest on Monday out of concerns that Chan was being punished for her “uncooperative attitude”. Outside the broadcaster’s headquarters, members of the RTHK Programme Staff Union brandished placards bearing the words “Disorder of annual promotions provokes much confusion”. The rally took... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1991378/rthk-union-protest-ahead-meeting-why-senior?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1991378/rthk-union-protest-ahead-meeting-why-senior?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Jul 2016 10:41:04 +0000 The air-conditioning supply is unreliable and the water supply could be cut off next, but such hardships have not deterred dedicated customers of the struggling California Fitness gym chain. One member, who identified herself as Ms Ho, said she had been working out more than ever since the Whampoa branch closed last Monday. Speaking to the Post at the Quarry Bay Branch, which owes HK$2.94 million in rents and other payments, Ho said she and her fellow customers planned to just “wait and see”... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1988589/sweating-it-out-hong-kong-california-fitness-members-can-only?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1988589/sweating-it-out-hong-kong-california-fitness-members-can-only?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Jul 2016 15:18:42 +0000 Hong Kong’s public transport sector is facing a manpower shortage, with the city’s passenger ferries being the hardest hit as working conditions become increasingly unattractive to youngsters. Bearing the brunt of the manpower crisis, Star Ferry is facing an ageing workforce due to an inability to retain young recruits for more than a few months. The average age of a sailor is now 54 – and 58 for a coxswain. Hong Kong transport workers and lawmaker cite Competition Ordinance in complaint that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1988005/hong-kong-youngsters-shy-away-transport-jobs-ferries-facing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1988005/hong-kong-youngsters-shy-away-transport-jobs-ferries-facing?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Jul 2016 10:14:36 +0000 The family of a five-year-old girl, who died earlier this year after vomiting blood, has accused Prince of Wales Hospital of negligence. The cause of Hebe Leung Hoi Ching’s death in late March is still not known as the hospital has not yet provided a medical report. Ms Wong, Hebe’s 27-year-old mother, claimed the hospital was negligent for delaying treatment for her daughter. Hong Kong private hospital sent baby home with potentially fatal infection, couple claim The girl collapsed in the street... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1987342/hong-kong-hospital-accused-negligence-after-five?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1987342/hong-kong-hospital-accused-negligence-after-five?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Jul 2016 00:03:34 +0000 MTR Corporation staff unions have expressed dissatisfaction over a pay rise of 3.7 per cent for most non-managerial workers, saying they want 6 per cent instead. More than half of the company’s 15,000 non-managerial staff will receive the 3.7 per cent increase. The pay rise, announced on Thursday and ranging from 1.85 per cent to 5.6 per cent depending on performance, comes into effect this month. The average rise is 4.1 per cent. Six union representatives met MTR Corp management after around 50... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1986739/hong-kong-railway-unionists-unhappy-over-37-cent-pay-rise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1986739/hong-kong-railway-unionists-unhappy-over-37-cent-pay-rise?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Jul 2016 10:10:17 +0000 A sea of red Hong Kong and national flags fluttered in the air as a drone whirred over a packed street in Central, recording one of the largest parties on the 19th anniversary of the city’s return to China. The crowd of 3,000 — mostly silver-haired — flag holders at Chater Road grinned and waved at the hovering camera as families queued at the colourful game booths at the carnival. But before the national anthem boomed across the pedestrian zone, organisers calmed the crowd’s festive mood for a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1984151/moment-silence-fallen-firefighters-amid-noisy-july-1?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1984151/moment-silence-fallen-firefighters-amid-noisy-july-1?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Jul 2016 12:57:48 +0000 British related stocks, including HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank, were hit hard on Friday in Hong Kong trading. With the pound diving to a 31-year low after the British voted to leave the European Union, analysts now think the global financial fallout could last for sometime, with Hong Kong feeling the effects too. The Hang Seng index dropped almost 1,000 points intraday, before eventually closing down just over 600 points, or 2.92 per cent. Japan stocks lost 8 per cent. In early European... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1980825/referendum-result-thumps-uk-linked-stocks-pound-crashes-31-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1980825/referendum-result-thumps-uk-linked-stocks-pound-crashes-31-year?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jun 2016 13:25:56 +0000 Books of condolence have been set up at two Hong Kong fire services department locations for the two firefighters who died this week battling an inferno at a local industrial building. The flag of the Fire Services Department flew at half mast at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy in Tseung Kwan O, one of two places where a book was being displayed. The other place is Kwun Tong Fire Station. In the academy’s education centre, flowers adorned a table covered in a simple white cloth on which... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1980676/remembered-forever-condolence-books-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1980676/remembered-forever-condolence-books-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jun 2016 06:00:18 +0000 The taxi trade has warned of ­drastic action to oppose plans to introduce premium cabs to the citythrough franchises, as ­transport minister Professor ­Anthony Cheung Bing-leung sticks to his guns over the trial scheme despite a protest by cabbies at government headquarters yesterday. Ng Kwan-sing, spokesman for a group opposed to the government move, said taxi drivers could not rule out the possibility of further action such as blocking Hong Kong International Airport. The warning came as... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1978403/hong-kong-taxi-drivers-threaten-blockade-airport-over-luxury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1978403/hong-kong-taxi-drivers-threaten-blockade-airport-over-luxury?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Jun 2016 04:12:38 +0000 Customs officers were working to track down the suppliers of bogus cosmetics and skincare products following the arrest of seven people and seizure of more than 1,000 fake items in Hong Kong, a senior Customs official said on Monday. The 1,011 counterfeits consisted of two fake Korean products – face powder and brow liner – and one American facial moisturiser, and were confiscated from six retail shops in Sheung Shui, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long between Thursday and Sunday, according to the Customs... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1978026/hong-kong-customs-officers-seize-hk24000-worth-bogus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1978026/hong-kong-customs-officers-seize-hk24000-worth-bogus?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jun 2016 07:12:22 +0000 Hong Kong’s Trade Development Council (TDC) has cut its forecast for the city’s exports this year from flat to a 4 per cent decline, a prospect that would put the figures on a par with the depth of the global financial crisis in 2009. The cut came after exports performed worse than expected between January and April, shrinking 5.6 per cent compared with a year earlier. China’s exports fall in May as central bank researchers release gloomy revised forecast for the sector TDC director of research... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1975893/hong-kong-exports-tipped-fall-4-cent-2016-gloom-deepens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1975893/hong-kong-exports-tipped-fall-4-cent-2016-gloom-deepens?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jun 2016 00:01:42 +0000 A patient who has been waiting 10 months for surgery to fix his collapsed skull still did not know on Monday when this would happen, even though the public hospital involved contacted him following media reports about his predicament. Mr Wu, 24, had part of his skull removed by doctors at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei to relieve pressure after he was involved in a car accident on July 30 last year. Chinese farmer fitted with 3D-printed skull ‘makes full recovery’ after surgery Wu said... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1974616/hes-been-living-collapsed-skull-10-months-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1974616/hes-been-living-collapsed-skull-10-months-and?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Jun 2016 12:16:25 +0000 Despite the periodic rain, shoeshiner Zheng Dingzhen could not be more delighted to reopen her stall after 18 months of unemployment. Zheng, 47, used to help with her husband’s bootblack business on Theatre Lane in Central. But, in keeping with current policy, the license terminated after his death last year. “I’m happy that I can get the license. I suffered serious foot injuries and could not work in other businesses,” she said. “I really needed this job.” VIEW: How Hong Kong’s hawkers face a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1971730/hong-kong-shoeshiner-wins-licence-ply-trade-and-carry-her?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1971730/hong-kong-shoeshiner-wins-licence-ply-trade-and-carry-her?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jun 2016 09:20:13 +0000 Red flags have been hoisted at three beaches in Hong Kong as more than 40 lifeguards across the city went on strike. At 9.10am on Thursday, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced that lifesaving services had been suspended at Butterfly Beach in Tuen Mun, Silverstrand Beach and Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung until further notice because of an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty. The lifeguards were protesting what they called a chronic shortage of manpower at beaches across... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1970438/red-flags-go-hong-kong-beaches-lifeguards-go?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1970438/red-flags-go-hong-kong-beaches-lifeguards-go?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jun 2016 06:00:00 +0000 Scores of paddlers clashed on the waterways in glorious sunshine on Thursday morning as they kicked-off the annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. Across the city, centuries-old traditions returned with events scattered from Tai O to Aberdeen, Stanley to Sha Tin, with hordes of chanting onlookers and sweating participants bracing themselves for the tough competition and searing conditions. Fortunately, coastal breezes and occasional showers made this year’s event a much cooler one, though the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1970369/hong-kong-dragon-boat-festival-kicks-blaze-colour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1970369/hong-kong-dragon-boat-festival-kicks-blaze-colour?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jun 2016 04:30:15 +0000