https://www.scmp.com/rss/324036/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Outgoing Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying will lead a major delegation, including six ministers, to six mainland cities as part of the “Greater Bay Area” plan, an integration scheme announced by Premier Li Keqiang in his annual work report last month. Leung, whose term ends on June 30, was elevated to a vice-chairman’s post in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference last month. It would be his first time leading a delegation to the mainland under his unprecedented dual... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2085880/hong-kong-chief-executive-lead-greater-bay-area-integration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2085880/hong-kong-chief-executive-lead-greater-bay-area-integration?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Apr 2017 14:52:58 +0000 Beijing was firm on supporting Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s bid for Hong Kong’s top job after the annual “two sessions” meetings attended by the top national leadership, a high-level adviser said. But think tank vice-president Professor Lau Siu-kai was critical of the “resign” pledge made by the former chief secretary during a televised debate, saying it was improper for politicians to openly talk about stepping down before even winning the election. As the race enters its final stretch, all... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2079831/carrie-lam-still-beijings-favourite-should-not-have?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2079831/carrie-lam-still-beijings-favourite-should-not-have?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Mar 2017 04:54:08 +0000 From the annual government work report to the musing of delegates on the sidelines, the topic of Hong Kong’s future has been inescapable at the “two sessions” in Beijing - the annual meetings of the China People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (NPC). But this year, in a break from past practice, delegates with no official ties to the city have pushed ideas on how Beijing should approach the special administrative region and respond to calls... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2079391/chinas-two-sessions-delegates-surprisingly-outspoken?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2079391/chinas-two-sessions-delegates-surprisingly-outspoken?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Mar 2017 04:30:41 +0000 Premier Li Keqiang pledged to enhance support for Hong Kong by establishing a bond market connect scheme between the city and the mainland this year, as he stressed the importance of implementing the “one country, two systems” principle in its entirety. The scheme, the country’s No 2 official said, would enable Hong Kong to maintain its status as an international financial centre and ensure long-term prosperity and stability. “The principle of one country, two systems needs to be perceived and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2079043/one-country-or-two-systems-both-premier-li-keqiang-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2079043/one-country-or-two-systems-both-premier-li-keqiang-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Mar 2017 05:30:14 +0000 Education experts in Hong Kong called on the government to tread carefully and ensure pupils were presented with balanced views after Beijing’s top political advisory body urged delegates to visit schools to promote mainland developments. Educators and youth groups feared a repackaged version of the controversial national education programme, which was touted in 2012 with the aim of nurturing patriotism but scrapped after 10 days of protests amid claims it was a brainwashing exercise. Some... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2078638/quash-pro-independence-ideas-schools-giving-talks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2078638/quash-pro-independence-ideas-schools-giving-talks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Mar 2017 03:15:59 +0000 National lawmaker Bernard Chan called for clarification of new rules forbidding National People’s Congress delegates from receiving foreign funds, saying deputies from the business sector could be affected. The rules will require Hong Kong candidates seeking a seat on the legislature to declare they did not receive any foreign funds. While the measure sought to prevent foreign interference, some delegates like him had foreign shareholders in their businesses, the president of Asia Financial... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078449/hong-kong-npc-delegate-seeks-clarification-new-funding-rule?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078449/hong-kong-npc-delegate-seeks-clarification-new-funding-rule?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2017 12:15:15 +0000 Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying was showered with support by state leaders, including a handshake and minute-long chat with President Xi Jinping, as he was elected a vice-chairman of Beijing’s top political advisory body on Monday. Leung also shook hands with the remaining six of Xi’s Politburo Standing Committee members. After receiving a landslide vote backing a motion to appoint Leung as vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the Hong Kong chief executive... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2078367/handshakes-speak-volumes-xi-jinping-and-top-state-leaders-welcome-cy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2078367/handshakes-speak-volumes-xi-jinping-and-top-state-leaders-welcome-cy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2017 08:45:45 +0000 Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying was elected vice-chairman of China’s top advisory body on Monday, becoming the first chief executive to hold the two roles simultaneously. The move is seen as an acknowledgement of his efforts to curb pro-independence forces in Hong Kong as the city’s top official. Leung had announced in December that he would not seek another term as chief executive, citing family reasons. How did Leung get the job? A vice-chairman needs to first secure majority support from the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078306/more-respect-no-immunity-what-cy-leung-can-expect-new-job?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078306/more-respect-no-immunity-what-cy-leung-can-expect-new-job?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2017 02:50:39 +0000 Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying was officially elected a vice-chairman of Beijing’s top political advisory body on Monday, giving him the unprecedented dual role of state leader and the city’s top official. An eye-catching scene also happened as President Xi Jinping shook hands and had a 45-second chat with Leung after he was elected on the last day of the annual Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) plenary meeting. More respect, but no immunity: what CY Leung can... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078309/beijing-vote-gives-hong-kong-chief-executive-leung-chun-ying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078309/beijing-vote-gives-hong-kong-chief-executive-leung-chun-ying?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2017 01:45:45 +0000 Hong Kong’s slow economic growth and acute political divisions since the 1997 handover “went beyond Beijing’s expectations”, and state leaders were “anxious” about the city’s diminishing financial role, a scholar and adviser to the central government told the Post. In an exclusive interview, Professor Qi Pengfei, vice-chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, a semi-official think tank, said Hong Kong’s development had not been “as smooth as we thought”, but the “one... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078220/hong-kongs-slow-economic-growth-and-political-divisions-were?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078220/hong-kongs-slow-economic-growth-and-political-divisions-were?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2017 00:01:32 +0000 National People’s Congress deputy Michael Tien Puk-sun has refused to stop being outspoken amid reports that other members have persuaded Beijing not to let him keep his seat for implying that the central government was interfering with the chief executive election. The Hong Kong deputy also told the Post that people close to the central government had asked him to support chief executive candidate Carrie Lam Cheng ­Yuet-ngor. “Judging from the backgrounds of those people, I don’t believe they... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078210/hong-kong-national-peoples-congress-deputy-refuses-tone-down?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078210/hong-kong-national-peoples-congress-deputy-refuses-tone-down?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2017 10:26:25 +0000 Shenzhen’s mayor played down a claim by a state leader last week that his city’s economy could overtake that of divided Hong Kong in two years and said he hoped the two could progress together. Xu Qin, who is also Communist Party chief of Shenzhen, was responding to remarks by National People’s Congress chairman Zhang Dejiang, who warned that Hong Kong could soon be eclipsed by the fast-rising neighbouring city if it continued down the road of excessive politicisation. “We should develop... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078205/after-state-leaders-warning-hong-kong-shenzhen-mayor-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2078205/after-state-leaders-warning-hong-kong-shenzhen-mayor-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2017 09:35:56 +0000 For the first time in his annual government work report, Premier Li Keqiang condemned independence advocacy in Hong Kong, concluding such a movement would “lead nowhere”. The comment is seen by Hongkongers as an open request to their future leader, who will be elected later this month, to take a firm stand against any attempt to split the city from China. This could be just one of Beijing’s expectations for the next chief executive. Another key message provides some clues. Li pledged that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2078203/premier-li-gives-hints-about-beijings-expectations-next-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2078203/premier-li-gives-hints-about-beijings-expectations-next-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2017 09:24:46 +0000 There have been numerous calls for greater integration with Guangdong and Macau since the return of Hong Kong to China. In 2011, a paper termed “Study on the Action Plan for the Bay Area of the Pearl River Estuary” was rolled out jointly by authorities in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau to coordinate regional development. The term “bay area” is also found in Hong Kong’s strategic planning blueprint, the “Hong Kong 2030 Plus” plan. But this concept of closer integration was elevated to a national... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2077763/can-hong-kong-get-fully-behind-idea-southern-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2077763/can-hong-kong-get-fully-behind-idea-southern-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2017 03:33:03 +0000 Hong Kong’s former security chief has thrown his weight behind the idea of enacting a new law banning insulting behaviour against police officers amid escalating tension between the city’s law enforcers and members of the public. Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong, now a Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress after serving as security minister from 2003 to 2012, also said there was no need for Police Commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung to apologise over the case of the seven police officers, who... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2077856/enact-hong-kong-law-banning-insults-against-police-former?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2077856/enact-hong-kong-law-banning-insults-against-police-former?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Mar 2017 10:39:43 +0000 Hong Kong’s leader Leung Chun-ying has won overwhelming support from within the mainland’s top political advisory body in being nominated as the body’s vice-chairman for his firm stance against pro-independence advocacy and the Occupy Central protests. After 294 Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference standing committee members voted on Friday in favour of a motion to nominate Leung, with two abstained, all eyes are on how the votes will turn out when the actual appointment will be... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2077758/cy-leung-wins-nomination-vice-chairman-chinas-top-political?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2077758/cy-leung-wins-nomination-vice-chairman-chinas-top-political?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Mar 2017 05:00:45 +0000 Beijing’s tougher stand on the Basic Law sparked by two pro-independence Hong Kong lawmakers was a like “crushing a crab to death”, the central government’s former chief representative in Hong Kong said on Thursday. Citing a Cantonese idiom to describe high-handed suppression of opposition, Peng Qinghua, former head of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said the National People’s Congress’ interpretation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law that disqualified the two lawmakers was “very... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2077563/beijings-basic-law-stand-oath-saga-crushing-deadly-blow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2077563/beijings-basic-law-stand-oath-saga-crushing-deadly-blow?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Mar 2017 16:00:00 +0000 The city’s mini-constitution should be reviewed and its implementation regularly monitored by the apex of the national legislature, according to two Hong Kong deputies in ­Beijing yesterday – whose controversial proposals were swiftly ­derided back home. Speaking at the meetings of the annual parliamentary session, one of them, Peter Wong Man-kong, who called for the Basic Law review, said it could look into ­banning foreign judges from handling constitutional-related cases and for their... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2077535/hong-kong-deputies-beijing-call-review-basic-law-and-no-more-foreign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2077535/hong-kong-deputies-beijing-call-review-basic-law-and-no-more-foreign?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Mar 2017 14:45:15 +0000 A historical silk screen used by Qing dynasty (1644-1911) Empress Dowager Cixi, a symbol of her “pulling strings behind the curtain”, is coming to Hong Kong for an exhibition. The curtain from the Forbidden City in Beijing was used by the Qing dowager to hide behind while she advised her son Tongzhi and then her nephew Guangxu, who sat on the throne as “puppy emperors”. The Chinese phrase “holding court from behind a screen” describes the political manipulations of the late 19th century. Shan... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2077471/there-message-behind-beijings-move-loan-empress-dowager?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2077471/there-message-behind-beijings-move-loan-empress-dowager?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Mar 2017 10:23:50 +0000 Beijing’s top bureaucrat on Hong Kong affairs has called it “reasonable and indisputable” for the central government to “be concerned” about the city’s upcoming leadership race, in the clearest response yet to accusations that mainland officials were shoring up support for Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. But Wang Guangya, head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office under the State Council, did not say whether Beijing supported the former Hong Kong No 2. Wang is the first mainland official to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2077134/top-beijing-official-hong-kong-affairs-insists-it-reasonable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2077134/top-beijing-official-hong-kong-affairs-insists-it-reasonable?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Mar 2017 11:00:00 +0000 The head of China’s top legislature has declared the Basic Law interpretation that effectively banned two separatist lawmakers was a “major achievement” ­reflecting the firm will of all ­Chinese people against Hong Kong independence. In his annual work report yesterday, National Peo­ple’s Congress Chairman Zhang Dejiang ­said the interpretation “had ­embodied the firm will of 1.3 billion Chinese people to safeguard” national sovereignty. Hong Kong’s Basic Law should be amended by national... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2077105/zhang-dejiang-lauds-npc-standing-committees-ruling-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2077105/zhang-dejiang-lauds-npc-standing-committees-ruling-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Mar 2017 09:00:45 +0000 The most important Hong Kong-related part of Premier Li Keqiang’s ( 李克強 ) annual work report delivered at the National People’s Congress last Sunday is arguably the idea of a Greater Bay Area for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. A day after he spoke about it, Guangdong governor Ma Xingrui (馬興瑞) expressed hope that the Dawan area (literally, “big bay area”) should not only be comparable to New York, Los Angeles and other coastal economies, but also have a way of coordinating regional differences... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2076997/hong-kong-has-stake-birth-greater-bay-area-chinas-south?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2076997/hong-kong-has-stake-birth-greater-bay-area-chinas-south?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Mar 2017 06:36:20 +0000 A political advisor for mainland China and a former senior diplomat called on the national legislature to amend Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, saying the city had already passed a period of “transition” since the handover from Britain in 1997. Yu Hongjun, a former deputy head of the Communist Party’s International Department, said at a forum in Beijing on Wednesday it was time to consider the mutual secondment of officials between the mainland and Hong Kong, as well as whether the city should... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2077071/former-diplomat-says-national-legislature-should-amend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2077071/former-diplomat-says-national-legislature-should-amend?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Mar 2017 06:30:15 +0000 A women’s group which recently met the two leading chief executive candidates has called for the government to increase the proportion of women in consultation bodies and to raise the status of the Women’s Commission. “Women are under-represented in consultation bodies. Currently less than 30 per cent [in those bodies are] women; we want that to increase to at least 30 per cent,” said Connie Wong Wai-ching, honorary president of the All-China Women’s Federation Hong Kong Delegates Association.... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2076800/hong-kong-group-wants-more-women-be-part?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2076800/hong-kong-group-wants-more-women-be-part?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Mar 2017 14:00:35 +0000 Beijing’s top official overseeing foreign affairs urged Hong Kong to play a more active role in the country’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative during a meeting with the Hong Kong delegates to the national legislature on Tuesday morning. Yang Jiechi is one of China’s five state councillors – only lower in rank than Premier Li Keqiang and the four vice-premiers of the State Council, China’s cabinet. The 66-year-old former foreign minister is also deputy head of the party’s central coordination... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2076680/yang-jiechi-hong-kong-should-play-more-active-role-one-belt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2076680/yang-jiechi-hong-kong-should-play-more-active-role-one-belt?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Mar 2017 04:53:43 +0000 However brief it may have been, the section on Hong Kong in Premier Li Keqiang’s (李克強) annual work report to the state legislature has been taken as an indicator of Beijing’s latest stance towards the city. What set this year’s document apart from previous ones is a reference to the so-called independence movement. For the first time, Li made clear that the notion of Hong Kong independence would lead nowhere. While the rhetoric may seem mild compared to that targeting Taiwan’s independence... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2076541/beijing-takes-aim-hong-kongs-pro-independence-advocates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2076541/beijing-takes-aim-hong-kongs-pro-independence-advocates?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Mar 2017 17:30:15 +0000 The head of China’s top legislature has warned Hong Kong against challenging the bottom-line of national sovereignty or over-politicising issues, cautioning that the city’s economic prowess could be surpassed by neighbouring city Shenzhen in just two years. National People’s Congress chairman Zhang Dejiang also urged Hong Kong to “seize opportunities” that Beijing has reserved for the city in the nation’s “fast-track development”, as countries around the world scramble for such favours. At an... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2076389/national-peoples-congress-head-urges-hong-kong-focus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2076389/national-peoples-congress-head-urges-hong-kong-focus?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Mar 2017 06:30:30 +0000 Premier Li Keqiang’s remark on Hong Kong independence in his work report highlights Beijing’s displeasure at developments in the city, according to a commentary run by the official newspaper of the Communist Party. The editorial on Xiakedao, a social media account operated by People’s Daily overseas edition staff, was titled “Groundbreaking! Premier’s working report highlights ‘Hong Kong independence’ for the first time”. It criticised Hong Kong activists such as Occupy Central’s Joshua Wong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2076363/premier-li-keqiangs-warning-hong-kong-independence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2076363/premier-li-keqiangs-warning-hong-kong-independence?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Mar 2017 06:15:17 +0000 National People’s Congress chairman Zhang Dejiang is set to give another keynote address on Hong Kong issues on Monday morning, two days after he told the city’s advisers to Beijing that the central government enjoyed a “substantive” power to appoint Hong Kong’s chief executive. Zhang, the Communist Party’s No 3 official and the state leader overseeing Hong Kong affairs, began his meeting with the city’s 36 deputies to the national legislature at the Great Hall of the People at 9am. He will... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2076321/state-leader-zhang-dejiang-give-keynote-speech-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2076321/state-leader-zhang-dejiang-give-keynote-speech-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Mar 2017 02:10:09 +0000 A leading mainland legal expert has questioned whether it is reasonable for Hong Kong’s top court to be made up largely of judges with foreign nationalities and suggested the city consider adjusting the ratio. But Basic Law Committee member Rao Geping, also a law professor at Peking University, acknowledged that foreign judges were allowed under Hong Kong’s Basic Law. Watch: Hong Kong’s presence at the meetings Rao’s comments came during a 70-minute, wide-ranging interview with Hong Kong media... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2076267/how-many-foreign-judges-too-many-mainland-legal-expert-suggests-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2076267/how-many-foreign-judges-too-many-mainland-legal-expert-suggests-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Mar 2017 23:00:12 +0000 According to Hong Kong deputies who were present at the weekend meeting with Zhang Dejiang (張德江), the National People’s Congress chairman said the central government had the last word on who could be appointed the city’s chief executive. Some people in Hong Kong seem to be shocked by it. It’s actually not even news. The Basic Law clearly spells out the chief executive is accountable to the central government (Article 43) and must be appointed by it (Article 45). It seems all the brouhaha is... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2076281/topsy-turvy-world-hong-kong-politics-black-can-be-white?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2076281/topsy-turvy-world-hong-kong-politics-black-can-be-white?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Mar 2017 17:15:00 +0000 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has for the first time publicly denounced the notion of Hong Kong independence in his annual work report, warning that the movement would “lead nowhere”. While Beijing’s firm rejection of such separatist sentiments is well-known, the mention of Hong Kong independence in the annual government report was unprecedented. It is likely to be read as a strong signal to candidates of the coming chief executive election that the winner would be expected to handle the issue... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2076171/calls-hong-kong-independence-will-lead-nowhere-warns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2076171/calls-hong-kong-independence-will-lead-nowhere-warns?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Mar 2017 03:00:00 +0000 China faces “far more complicated and graver situations” both at home and abroad as it steps up economic development and seeks to play a greater international role, Premier Li Keqiang said in his annual report on Sunday. In his speech delivered at the opening of the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, Li spoke about a wide range of issues including border control and defence, China’s economic goals, the role of the Chinese currency, calls for Hong Kong independence, as... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2076161/china-aims-65-cent-economic-growth-or-higher-if?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2076161/china-aims-65-cent-economic-growth-or-higher-if?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Mar 2017 00:45:00 +0000 With three weeks to go before the chief executive election, the state leader who oversees Hong Kong affairs has emphasised Beijing enjoys a “substantive and constitutional” power to appoint the city’s leader. During a meeting with delegates from Hong Kong and Macau to the nation’s top advisory body in Beijing on Saturday, National People’s Congress chairman Zhang Dejiang listed Beijing’s four criteria for the next chief executive: he or she must “love the country and love Hong Kong”, be trusted... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2076087/cy-leungs-seat-reflects-outgoing-hong-kong-ces-new-status?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2076087/cy-leungs-seat-reflects-outgoing-hong-kong-ces-new-status?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Mar 2017 10:00:00 +0000 For the first time, China’s top political advisory body has listed supporting the National People’s Congress interpretation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law as a major achievement in its annual work report, as it underlined how delegates had spoken “positively” for it. The unprecedented reference came as Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, on Friday delivered his report to start the nation’s two-week annual parliamentary sessions. In listing the major... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2075835/chinas-top-political-advisory-body-seeks-grow-young?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2075835/chinas-top-political-advisory-body-seeks-grow-young?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Mar 2017 09:01:59 +0000 The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the mainland’s top political advisory body, started its annual meeting in Beijing on Friday. The following is the gist of its annual report on this year’s focus on outreach work related to Hong Kong, Taiwan, ethnic minorities and religious groups. Hong Kong Plans are in place to host events to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong handover to China. The CPPCC reiterates its commitment to “one country, two systems”, under... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2075815/your-quick-guide-chinas-political-advisers-plans-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2075815/your-quick-guide-chinas-political-advisers-plans-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Mar 2017 08:30:22 +0000 Hong Kong advisers warned state leaders in Beijing that if Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying were to be appointed vice-chairman of China’s top advisory body, then the probe into a HK$50 million payment received by Leung “must be considered”, the Post has learnt. The revelation came after the standing committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) discussed and approved Leung’s appointment as a delegate on Tuesday, with sources saying he would be appointed vice-chairman... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2075110/consider-probe-cy-leungs-hk50-million-ugl-deal-naming-him?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2075110/consider-probe-cy-leungs-hk50-million-ugl-deal-naming-him?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Mar 2017 06:45:15 +0000 Two meetings, one location, and a whole lot of high-flying Beijing loyalists coming together. What does it all mean? Here’s your cheat sheet on the role Hong Kong delegates play in China’s “two sessions” and the new membership of the city’s highest elected official in the country’s top political advisory body. What is meant by “two sessions”? China’s “two sessions”, or “lianghui”, are the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress, the national legislature, and of the Chinese People’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2074786/who-goes-there-chinas-annual-two-sessions-event-explained?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2074786/who-goes-there-chinas-annual-two-sessions-event-explained?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Feb 2017 09:30:15 +0000 Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying was voted in as a delegate to Beijing’s top political advisory body on Tuesday. Of the 280 delegates from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference’s standing committee who took part in a vote to approve the bundled nominations of Leung and three other mainland officials, 275 voted in favour while only one voted against and four abstained. CY Leung nomination for China advisory body role ‘a reward’ for efforts to curb Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2074670/cy-leung-sees-no-issue-running-hong-kong-and-holding-senior?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2074670/cy-leung-sees-no-issue-running-hong-kong-and-holding-senior?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Feb 2017 03:30:15 +0000 Outgoing Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s expected appointment to China’s top advisory body is an acknowledgement of his efforts to curb pro-independence forces in Hong Kong, state leader Yu Zhengsheng told the city’s advisers to Beijing on Monday. Leung has been nominated to become a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), with its standing committee set to discuss and approve the matter on Tuesday. He is also expected to be elected vice-chairman at the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2074336/no-conflict-interest-all-how-hong-kong-chief-executive-cy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2074336/no-conflict-interest-all-how-hong-kong-chief-executive-cy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Feb 2017 06:00:15 +0000 Hong Kong’s outgoing chief ­executive, Leung Chun-ying, has been nominated to the mainland’s top political advisory body, a move that could pave the way for him to become a vice-chairman. The elevation would follow past practice of giving former top Hong Kong and Macau leaders ranking ­positions in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and turn Leung – widely un­popular at home – into an elder statesman. The advisory body’s standing committee has received a list of nominees to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2074148/outgoing-hong-kong-chief-executive-leung-chung-ying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2074148/outgoing-hong-kong-chief-executive-leung-chung-ying?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Feb 2017 08:00:45 +0000