https://www.scmp.com/rss/512394/feed Edith joined the South China Morning Post as a reporter in 2022 and covers Hong Kong's housing, land and development. Prior to joining the SCMP, she was a reporter at Radio Television Hong Kong. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong journalists may have to rely on judicial reviews if the government refuses to provide land records under a proposed new system, although authorities have vowed to simplify applications and deliver records in as little as one to two working days. Officials made the pledge on Tuesday as lawmakers raised concerns over possible restrictions on media access during the first meeting of a Legislative Council subcommittee examining eight pieces of subsidiary legislation for the proposed land... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3373152/journalists-may-need-judicial-review-access-land-records-under-new-rules https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3373152/journalists-may-need-judicial-review-access-land-records-under-new-rules Tue, 03 Nov 2026 10:39:43 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin A planned renovation monitoring body could be held liable for poor oversight when recommending and keeping tabs on consultants and contractors, Hong Kong’s development chief Bernadette Linn Hon-ho has warned, as officials detailed broader reforms to curb malpractice during major building repairs. Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun also gave assurances on Friday that a new department overseeing major renovation projects would adopt a fresh approach and provide training, despite being... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372776/hong-kongs-planned-renovation-body-may-be-liable-poor-oversight-minister https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372776/hong-kongs-planned-renovation-body-may-be-liable-poor-oversight-minister Fri, 30 Oct 2026 13:59:13 +0000 Edith Lin,Vivian Au,Kristen Cheung,Lo Hoi-ying,Leopold Chen Edith Lin,Vivian Au,Kristen Cheung,Lo Hoi-ying,Leopold Chen This live article is freely available to our registered users. Please log in or create an account. Hong Kong authorities provided more details about reforms to tackle bid-rigging and enhance oversight of building maintenance projects, in response to the city’s deadliest fire in decades. The government held two press conferences on Friday to provide details about the reforms, after an independent committee that investigated the Tai Po fire pointed to inadequacies in the government’s oversight of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372651/ai-system-screen-contractors-mid-2027-part-sweeping-tai-po-fire-reforms https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372651/ai-system-screen-contractors-mid-2027-part-sweeping-tai-po-fire-reforms Fri, 30 Oct 2026 02:29:12 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The Hong Kong government is set to criminalise bid-rigging in building maintenance projects under laws covering triad and corruption offences and allow authorities to take criminal or civil action against such conduct, following the release of an independent committee’s report on the fatal Tai Po blaze. The regulatory overhaul on bid-rigging was announced on Thursday, as the government released the long-anticipated report of the independent committee investigating the causes of the devastating... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3372614/bid-rigging-renovation-projects-be-criminalised-offenders-can-be-jailed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3372614/bid-rigging-renovation-projects-be-criminalised-offenders-can-be-jailed Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:56:47 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin About 70 per cent of subdivided flats in Hong Kong have been registered for a grace period under a new law aimed at eradicating substandard homes, with most submissions coming from landlords in Kowloon’s Yau Tsim Mong district, according to the Housing Bureau. The bureau told the Legislative Council on Wednesday that 75,070 subdivided homes across about 21,000 whole flats had been registered for the three-year grace period since applications opened in March under the new Basic Housing Units... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372442/kowloon-leads-70-hong-kongs-subdivided-flats-registered-grace-period https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372442/kowloon-leads-70-hong-kongs-subdivided-flats-registered-grace-period Wed, 28 Oct 2026 10:30:46 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong lawmakers have raised concerns about the hefty cost of developing a flagship tech hub and a neighbouring wetland park near the city’s border with mainland China, as the government seeks to secure a fresh HK$27 billion for the second round of works. During a Legislative Council development panel meeting on Tuesday, government officials explained the HK$27.2 billion proposal. It covers forming 175 hectares (432 acres) of land at the San Tin Technopole, establishing more than one-third of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372338/hong-kong-lawmakers-raise-concerns-about-fresh-hk27-billion-funding-tech-hub https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372338/hong-kong-lawmakers-raise-concerns-about-fresh-hk27-billion-funding-tech-hub Tue, 27 Oct 2026 13:34:43 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities have proposed raising the residential share of a Hung Hom harbourfront development to more than 60 per cent by cutting commercial floor space, citing “strong doubts” over market demand for offices. The Development Bureau, which submitted the latest proposal to the Legislative Council’s development panel on Monday, also suggested reallocating residential space from initially planned seaside sites to inland plots near Hung Hom station and Polytechnic University. The move aims... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372204/hong-kong-proposes-more-homes-less-office-space-hung-hom-harbourfront https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372204/hong-kong-proposes-more-homes-less-office-space-hung-hom-harbourfront Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:04:32 +0000 Edith Lin,William Yiu Edith Lin,William Yiu Hong Kong authorities have caught a dog that bit a 26-year-old man who was chased by three dogs on his way to work at a warehouse. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said on Monday that it sent officers to a warehouse on Kam Pok Road in Yuen Long after police had referred a suspected dog bite case. “The dog suspected was taken away and sent to an animal management centre for detention and observation,” a department spokesman said. “The dog concerned is a microchipped mongrel... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372118/man-chased-3-dogs-and-bitten-while-his-way-work-yuen-long https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372118/man-chased-3-dogs-and-bitten-while-his-way-work-yuen-long Mon, 26 Oct 2026 04:08:55 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The death of veteran Hong Kong stock market commentator Louie Shum Chun-ying has drawn public attention to heart disease, after a police source revealed he had a history of the condition as well as diabetes. Heart disease was one of the leading causes of death in Hong Kong, with more than 6,500 fatalities recorded in 2024, according to the Department of Health. While residents at risk should monitor their health and seek timely medical care, a local cardiologist stressed that bystanders could... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3372082/louie-shums-death-heart-disease-hong-kong-and-what-do-emergency https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3372082/louie-shums-death-heart-disease-hong-kong-and-what-do-emergency Sun, 25 Oct 2026 12:50:34 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Veteran Hong Kong stock commentator Louie Shum Chun-ying has died aged 66, with a police source revealing he had a history of heart disease and diabetes. His twin sister confirmed on Sunday that he died on Saturday night at Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai, sharing the news in a post on his social media page. Shum, also known as “Master Shum”, was chief executive of stock brokerage Sincere Securities until his retirement two years ago. He remained active on internet radio shows over the past two... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372063/veteran-hong-kong-stock-commentator-louie-shum-dies-aged-66 https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372063/veteran-hong-kong-stock-commentator-louie-shum-dies-aged-66 Sun, 25 Oct 2026 07:46:10 +0000 Edith Lin,Vivian Au Edith Lin,Vivian Au Hong Kong lawmakers and the media industry have raised concerns about the authorities’ plan to tighten arrangements for journalists searching land records, with some legislators urging the government to explain operational details and streamline the application to support investigative reporting. The Hong Kong Journalists Association voiced objections on Wednesday, after the government tabled eight pieces of subsidiary legislation, including the Land Titles Regulation that covers land record... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371672/hong-kong-tighten-media-access-land-records-triggering-concerns https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371672/hong-kong-tighten-media-access-land-records-triggering-concerns Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:39:23 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The owner of a luxury house in Hong Kong has been fined HK$255,800 (US$32,600) for persistently failing to comply with a statutory removal order even after previously being prosecuted seven times for illegal site works and unauthorised structures found at his property. The Buildings Department said on Tuesday that the owner of a Beaulieu Peninsula detached house on Yu Chui Street in Tuen Mun was convicted and fined at Tuen Mun Court last Friday. It was the eighth time the owner had faced... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371471/luxury-homeowner-fined-hk255800-after-eighth-prosecution-over-illegal-renovations https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371471/luxury-homeowner-fined-hk255800-after-eighth-prosecution-over-illegal-renovations Tue, 20 Oct 2026 06:42:31 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong police have raised concerns over Apple’s refusal to activate an additional security protocol to prevent fraud despite repeated calls, as the force received more than 110 reports of unauthorised credit card transactions following the pre-order launch of the company’s latest model. The force said on Saturday that residents began reporting suspicious credit card purchases of the foldable iPhone Duo after online pre-orders started on Friday at 8pm. The largest transaction involved... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3371245/police-receive-over-100-reports-about-credit-card-charges-iphone-duo-pre-orders https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3371245/police-receive-over-100-reports-about-credit-card-charges-iphone-duo-pre-orders Sat, 17 Oct 2026 07:31:50 +0000 Edith Lin,Connor Mycroft Edith Lin,Connor Mycroft Hong Kong authorities have found that lifts in another 39 buildings are lacking proper door-frame components following an investigation into faulty replacement works carried out by a contractor involving missing fire-safety parts. The South China Morning Post also learned on Friday that police had arrested a director and two registered lift engineers from the lift contractor, Taizoom Elevator, on suspicion of deception over work at 48 lifts at two housing estates. The latest incidents come just... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371193/3-arrested-over-missing-fire-safety-parts-48-hong-kong-lifts-source-says https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371193/3-arrested-over-missing-fire-safety-parts-48-hong-kong-lifts-source-says Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:30:01 +0000 Leopold Chen,Edith Lin Leopold Chen,Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities have ordered the developer of One Stanley to inspect eight more homes, including one acquired by a Mongolian mining tycoon’s family, as concerns over substandard work at the seaside luxury estate mount. The details of the inspection were contained in a sales brochure updated by developer K&K Property on Friday and follow an announcement by the Buildings Department last month that it would conduct random checks on buildings at the estate. Online property news platform... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371183/inspections-ordered-8-more-houses-hong-kongs-one-stanley-after-rebar-scandal https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371183/inspections-ordered-8-more-houses-hong-kongs-one-stanley-after-rebar-scandal Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:42:49 +0000 Leopold Chen,Edith Lin Leopold Chen,Edith Lin The operator of Hong Kong’s flagship San Tin Technopole has pledged to offer affordable land to attract tenants, while revealing plans to reclaim and redevelop fish ponds near the Shenzhen border to accommodate a client requiring substantial premises. Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu, chairman of San Tin Technopole Company Limited (STTCL), on Wednesday also welcomed the proposed funding of HK$10 billion (US$1.27 billion) for the government-owned entity overseeing the technology cluster next to the mainland... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370848/san-tin-tech-hub-operator-pledges-affordable-land-attract-tenants https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370848/san-tin-tech-hub-operator-pledges-affordable-land-attract-tenants Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:25:26 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The arrest of a domestic helper over the suspected murder of an elderly woman has dominated Hong Kong headlines, with police investigations revealing that the 93-year-old had been assaulted repeatedly in the hours before her death on Sunday. Citing surveillance footage, police said on Monday the 52-year-old Indonesian helper hit the widow, surnamed Kwan, on the head, face and neck, stepped on her abdomen and moved her body in a “rough and violent manner”. The helper appeared to be Kwan’s primary... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370780/hong-kong-urged-better-monitor-support-carers-after-elderly-womans-death https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370780/hong-kong-urged-better-monitor-support-carers-after-elderly-womans-death Wed, 14 Oct 2026 02:30:06 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The Hong Kong Bar Association has suggested capping the number of proxies a person can hold at homeowners’ meetings, without restricting who may act as a proxy, stressing that improving transparency and introducing an electronic voting system could help to deter abuse in large-scale maintenance procurement. Speaking to the South China Morning Post, association chairman Jose-Antonio Maurellet expressed reservations about a government proposal to restrict an owner’s representative to a relative or... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3370457/bar-association-urges-proxy-cap-electronic-voting-curb-building-bid-rigging https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3370457/bar-association-urges-proxy-cap-electronic-voting-curb-building-bid-rigging Sun, 11 Oct 2026 01:00:18 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin A Singaporean girl has been flown to a hospital after falling ill during a hike with two other friends at Hong Kong’s Lion Rock, according to police. The force received a report on Saturday from the mother of one of the hikers at about 6.50am. Her daughter called for help after the 17-year-old Singaporean friend vomited and experienced chills during their hike at Lion Rock, a 495-metre-high mountain. Police later arrived at the scene while the Government Flying Service deployed a helicopter to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370421/singaporean-teenager-flown-hospital-after-falling-ill-during-lion-rock-hike https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370421/singaporean-teenager-flown-hospital-after-falling-ill-during-lion-rock-hike Sat, 10 Oct 2026 03:49:24 +0000 Edith Lin,Wynna Wong Edith Lin,Wynna Wong Hong Kong’s legislature has passed motions supporting the city’s first five-year plan and thanking Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu for his latest policy address, while Beijing’s top representative in the city urged mainland Chinese enterprises to align themselves with the government’s blueprint. At the close of a three-day Legislative Council debate on Friday, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki thanked lawmakers for their suggestions, saying they would help improve governance. “The process of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3370401/hong-kong-lawmakers-back-5-year-plan-firms-urged-align-blueprint https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3370401/hong-kong-lawmakers-back-5-year-plan-firms-urged-align-blueprint Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:44:17 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Three of the six residential buildings at CK Asset’s “starter homes” project in Hong Kong will be demolished and rebuilt in what the developer called the most “time-saving” solution, two years after a scandal over substandard steel reinforcement work halted construction. The Buildings Department said on Thursday that it had approved demolition plans for three blocks at the Anderson Road development in Kwun Tong, while remedial work was under way at the other three. Earlier investigations found... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370223/ck-asset-opts-rebuild-3-blocks-starter-homes-project-after-steelwork-scandal https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370223/ck-asset-opts-rebuild-3-blocks-starter-homes-project-after-steelwork-scandal Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:50:08 +0000 Vivian Au,Edith Lin Vivian Au,Edith Lin Two dozen luxury houses at One Stanley have been sold since Hong Kong authorities launched an investigation into alleged structural defects in March, with buyers including local and international businesspeople. The transactions have prompted experts to call for stronger homebuyer protections, including implementing a mandatory period for buyers to rescind contracts when statutory violations are discovered. The South China Morning Post learned that 24 transactions were recorded at One Stanley... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370089/24-luxury-houses-one-stanley-sold-amid-probe-alleged-construction-defects https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370089/24-luxury-houses-one-stanley-sold-amid-probe-alleged-construction-defects Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:45:38 +0000 Edith Lin,Matthew Cheng Edith Lin,Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s economy continued to expand in the third quarter of this year, driven by strong exports and tourism, the finance chief has said, while warning of risks including the Middle East war and global inflation. Addressing lawmakers during a debate on the city’s first five-year plan and annual policy blueprint on Wednesday, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also reiterated that he was confident the economy would grow by between 3.5 per cent and 4.5 per cent this year. He noted that gross... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370061/hong-kong-finance-chief-says-economy-grew-third-quarter-warns-external-risks https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370061/hong-kong-finance-chief-says-economy-grew-third-quarter-warns-external-risks Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:00:33 +0000 William Yiu,Edith Lin William Yiu,Edith Lin Hong Kong has retained its status as the world’s freest economy in the latest annual ranking by a top Canadian think tank, although its score has declined in recent years. Switzerland overtook Singapore to claim second place in 2026, pushing the city state down to third in the league table released by the Fraser Institute on Tuesday. The Economic Freedom of the World report, compiled by the Vancouver-based public policy research organisation using data from 2024, ranked Hong Kong first among 165... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369922/hong-kong-remains-worlds-freest-economy-switzerland-overtakes-singapore https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369922/hong-kong-remains-worlds-freest-economy-switzerland-overtakes-singapore Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:36:16 +0000 Edith Lin,Leopold Chen,Matthew Cheng Edith Lin,Leopold Chen,Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s building authorities will conduct random sampling and inspections at the remaining properties of a luxury development in Stanley where substandard work was uncovered at one house, as well as at other projects undertaken by the contractor and professionals involved. The Buildings Department revealed the move on Tuesday night, hours after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the city would strengthen its regulatory regime and impose stiffer penalties to ensure strong deterrence... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369861/hong-kong-leader-pledges-tougher-rules-penalties-deter-construction-violations https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369861/hong-kong-leader-pledges-tougher-rules-penalties-deter-construction-violations Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:54 +0000 Edith Lin,Vivian Au Edith Lin,Vivian Au Hong Kong’s building authorities should consider inspecting the remaining properties in a luxury residential development and tightening work process documentation after one house was found to have used insufficient steel bars during construction, experts have said. Their suggestions followed the Buildings Department revealing at the weekend that it had launched an investigation into work quality issues at One Stanley in Stanley, one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in Southern district, and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369835/experts-urge-wider-one-stanley-checks-tighter-paperwork-after-steel-bar-shortfall https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369835/experts-urge-wider-one-stanley-checks-tighter-paperwork-after-steel-bar-shortfall Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:34:38 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The owners of 14 subsidised sale flats have applied for a grace period to comply with Hong Kong’s new regulatory regime for subdivided homes, the housing minister has revealed, raising concerns that public resources were being abused. The cases were disclosed on Monday at a Legislative Council housing panel meeting when lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung asked Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin about the use of subsidised sale flats as subdivided units for renting. Chong said flats sold under the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369830/bid-turn-14-subsidised-sale-flats-subdivided-homes-raises-abuse-concerns https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369830/bid-turn-14-subsidised-sale-flats-subdivided-homes-raises-abuse-concerns Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:08:29 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Housewife May and her three children were overjoyed last September when they moved into a 200 sq ft subdivided flat in Kwai Tsing, a Hong Kong district with one of the city’s lowest average monthly household incomes. For years, the 50-year-old single parent had lived in a squatter hut with her son and two daughters, where they had to climb hundreds of stairs daily. They later moved into a 100 sq ft subdivided flat before securing their current place. Located on the 15th floor of a lift-equipped... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369726/hong-kongs-drive-eliminate-substandard-housing-doing-more-harm-good https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369726/hong-kongs-drive-eliminate-substandard-housing-doing-more-harm-good Mon, 05 Oct 2026 02:00:28 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The move by the Airport Authority to take over the 11 Skies project will catalyse the development of its aviation hub, a government adviser and a hospitality sector expert have said, calling for better access and immersive entertainment to attract visitors. Their remarks came on Friday, two days after developer New World Development (NWD) announced it would return the project to the authority next year – including an entertainment complex and three office towers – and provide cash or equivalents... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369522/return-11-skies-project-airport-authority-will-spur-hub-development-experts https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369522/return-11-skies-project-airport-authority-will-spur-hub-development-experts Fri, 02 Oct 2026 04:48:57 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities are investigating the abrupt shutdown of the Hotstone Yoga chain on Thursday, with customer losses of roughly HK$430,000 (US$54,800) already reported to the consumer watchdog. The Consumer Council said that by 5pm on Thursday, it had received 27 complaints involving losses of HK$429,326 related to the closure of Hotstone Yoga. The Customs and Excise Department also posted a notice outside the company’s studio in Kwun Tong to inform the public that it was investigating the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369446/hundreds-customers-affected-hong-kong-yoga-chain-hotstone-abruptly-closes https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369446/hundreds-customers-affected-hong-kong-yoga-chain-hotstone-abruptly-closes Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:01:11 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Two power outages hit Hong Kong’s Ho Man Tin, the first lasting more than four hours overnight into Thursday, disrupting hotel operations and about 1,000 households. CLP Power, which supplies electricity to Kowloon and the New Territories, said equipment near Waterloo Road in Kowloon first malfunctioned at 11.18pm on Wednesday, affecting about 1,000 customers. “After CLP Power’s engineering personnel conducted an emergency repair and deployed some mobile electricity generators at the scene, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369415/hong-kong-power-outages-hit-ho-man-tin-disrupting-1000-households-and-hotel https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369415/hong-kong-power-outages-hit-ho-man-tin-disrupting-1000-households-and-hotel Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:19:36 +0000 Wynna Wong,Edith Lin,Matthew Cheng Wynna Wong,Edith Lin,Matthew Cheng Hong Kong marked National Day on Thursday with discounts, free rides and a fireworks display that drew huge crowds to Victoria Harbour, while the chief executive emphasised the city’s international role and its first five-year plan. About 380,000 spectators packed both sides of the harbour for the 23-minute fireworks show in the evening, as businesses dished out dining discounts and shopping deals, while some transport operators provided free rides. More than 3,800 restaurants offered up to 30... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3369412/hong-kongs-5-year-plan-underlines-dna-global-city-market-economy-john-lee https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3369412/hong-kongs-5-year-plan-underlines-dna-global-city-market-economy-john-lee Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:03:58 +0000 Edith Lin,Lo Hoi-ying Edith Lin,Lo Hoi-ying At least 21 flights connecting Hong Kong and Bangkok were disrupted on Sunday and Monday, with passengers on one service leaving the Thai capital facing a nearly 24-hour delay after the Southeast Asian city was hit by its worst flood in 15 years. Heavy rainfall lashed Bangkok – a top travel destination for Hongkongers – between Thursday and Monday, prompting Thai officials to declare the city a disaster zone. Despite the flight disruptions, Hongkongers in the Thai capital said the central... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369095/least-21-hong-kong-bangkok-flights-delayed-amid-flooding-thai-capital https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369095/least-21-hong-kong-bangkok-flights-delayed-amid-flooding-thai-capital Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:11:49 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has extended its suspension of passenger flights to the Middle East until the end of January next year, marking the third postponement since the US-Israel war on Iran began. The airline said on Monday that passenger services to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia would remain cancelled through January 31, 2027. “Affected travellers will be offered the flexibility to rebook, divert or refund their tickets,” Cathay Pacific... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369013/cathay-extends-dubai-riyadh-flight-suspension-through-january-iran-war-drags https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369013/cathay-extends-dubai-riyadh-flight-suspension-through-january-iran-war-drags Mon, 28 Sep 2026 05:09:23 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin A handful of leading firms from emerging industries are expected to receive preferential policy packages and set up operations in Hong Kong within the “next couple of months”, the city’s finance chief has said, as part of efforts to attract investment. In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po provided an update on the city’s drive to draw international and national brands and strategic enterprises to set up business in Hong Kong through... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368971/hong-kong-close-deals-firms-strategic-sectors-months-paul-chan https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368971/hong-kong-close-deals-firms-strategic-sectors-months-paul-chan Mon, 28 Sep 2026 02:00:30 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong is expected to welcome about 1.29 million mainland Chinese travellers over the National Day “golden week” break, with city authorities planning to step up crowd management and tighten supervision of tour agencies and retail outlets. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Hong Kong’s No 2 official, chaired a meeting with various government departments on Wednesday to discuss preparations for the holiday on the mainland, which spans October 1 to 7. On top of the expected influx of about 1.29... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368547/hong-kong-welcome-129-million-mainland-chinese-visitors-national-day-break https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368547/hong-kong-welcome-129-million-mainland-chinese-visitors-national-day-break Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:03:40 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong building maintenance consultants and contractors prosecuted or convicted of integrity-related offences in the past three years will be excluded from pre-qualified lists set up for owners undertaking renovation projects, the development minister has said. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said on Tuesday that applications to join the lists – covering inspection consultants, supervision consultants and building works contractors – would open next Wednesday and close on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3368412/hong-kong-bar-firms-integrity-offences-building-renovation-lists https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3368412/hong-kong-bar-firms-integrity-offences-building-renovation-lists Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:17:59 +0000 Edith Lin,Danny Mok Edith Lin,Danny Mok President Xi Jinping has expressed hope that the younger generation will advance Sino-US cooperation, foster mutual understanding and ensure steady, long-term development of bilateral ties, according to Chinese state media. Xinhua reported on Monday that Xi’s remarks came in his reply to a letter from students at 10 US universities who shared their thoughts and experiences after attending a youth exchange programme in China earlier this month. “Young people from China and the United States share... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3368300/president-xi-jinping-calls-china-us-youth-advance-bilateral-cooperation https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3368300/president-xi-jinping-calls-china-us-youth-advance-bilateral-cooperation Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:30:59 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin A leading Hong Kong secondary school has expressed regret and withdrawn guidelines accused of banning Cantonese from graduation videos after the policy sparked controversy. Good Hope School issued a public statement on Monday evening, saying it had heard concerns from the wider community and had “fully and formally withdrawn” the guidance paper for next year’s Form Six graduation class video. “Good Hope School wishes to state unequivocally that it has never been our ethos to constrain the mother... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3368290/hong-kong-school-withdraws-cantonese-graduation-video-guideline-after-backlash https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3368290/hong-kong-school-withdraws-cantonese-graduation-video-guideline-after-backlash Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:45:10 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong’s plan to raise its gold holdings will further cement the city’s status as an international financial centre, with the possibility of building vaults in the Northern Metropolis megadevelopment, according to authorities. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also said on Thursday the city was under “no pressure” to raise interest rates following a US rate hike, but stressed authorities would “keep a close watch” on the situation. Speaking at a conference the day after the policy address... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367894/hong-kong-eyeing-gold-expansion-and-northern-metropolis-vaults-cement-hub-status https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367894/hong-kong-eyeing-gold-expansion-and-northern-metropolis-vaults-cement-hub-status Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:03:26 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to overhaul the city’s building maintenance regime and improve emergency response as part of the government’s response to last year’s fatal Tai Po fire, while authorities study criminalising bid-rigging and plan to submit a proposal later this year. The measures were outlined in Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s policy address on Wednesday, amid pressure on the government to strengthen oversight of renovation works after the city’s deadliest fire in decades at... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367744/hong-kong-leader-pledges-building-maintenance-reforms-after-fatal-tai-po-fire https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367744/hong-kong-leader-pledges-building-maintenance-reforms-after-fatal-tai-po-fire Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:36:43 +0000 Leopold Chen,Edith Lin Leopold Chen,Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities have rolled out 11 new initiatives to encourage residents to have children, including an expanded cash bonus scheme and a reduced down payment for subsidised housing for parents with newborns. In the latest policy address delivered on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced that the HK$20,000 (US$2,550) newborn bonus scheme, expiring on October 24, would be extended for another three years. He added that the cash bonus for second and subsequent children would... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367743/hong-kong-offers-hk30000-second-child-among-11-new-measures-boost-births https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367743/hong-kong-offers-hk30000-second-child-among-11-new-measures-boost-births Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:16:54 +0000 Olga Wong,Edith Lin,Vivian Au Olga Wong,Edith Lin,Vivian Au Hong Kong’s leader will unveil two bold initiatives on housing and mediation in his policy address, the South China Morning Post has learned, with the government planning to boost home ownership rates among young couples and prioritise settling official commercial disputes through the city’s mediation body. The new measures, to be unveiled by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday, aimed to strengthen the city’s status as a global mediation capital while improving livelihoods, government... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367625/hong-kong-policy-address-unveil-bold-youth-housing-and-mediation-initiatives https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367625/hong-kong-policy-address-unveil-bold-youth-housing-and-mediation-initiatives Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:30:05 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities will hold construction firms and government personnel accountable for faulty lift installation work at Queen Mary Hospital’s new block, the city’s leader has said, as he tasked the Development Bureau with submitting a report within a month. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the problem should be rectified “very, very quickly”, adding that he had instructed the bureau, which had given him a preliminary briefing, to “thoroughly investigate the matter and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367528/hong-kong-leader-vows-accountability-over-faulty-lifts-queen-mary-hospital https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367528/hong-kong-leader-vows-accountability-over-faulty-lifts-queen-mary-hospital Tue, 15 Sep 2026 03:53:22 +0000 Fiona Sun,Edith Lin Fiona Sun,Edith Lin In the fourth of our series of previews on the five-year plan and policy address, to be announced on September 16, Fiona Sun and Edith Lin analyse how to improve livelihoods in the city by tackling the impact of demographic changes and technological advancement. Read part one here, part two here and part three here. Twenty-eight-year-old Hong Kong resident Fong and his wife want to have a child but he knows they cannot afford one for now. He earns about HK$10,000 (US$1,275) a month as a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367312/how-solve-hong-kongs-triple-whammy-ageing-population-baby-dearth-and-job-losses https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367312/how-solve-hong-kongs-triple-whammy-ageing-population-baby-dearth-and-job-losses Sun, 13 Sep 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Edith Lin,Ng Kang-chung Edith Lin,Ng Kang-chung The Hong Kong Police College has become the first government department to offer a bachelor’s degree programme, with the force set to roll out the course for rank-and-file officers by the end of this year. Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming announced the development on Saturday, after the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications approved the college’s Bachelor of Policing (Honours) (Security and Criminal Investigation) programme last month. “We hope... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3367297/hong-kong-police-college-becomes-first-government-unit-roll-out-degree-course https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3367297/hong-kong-police-college-becomes-first-government-unit-roll-out-degree-course Sat, 12 Sep 2026 09:56:10 +0000 Edith Lin,Emily Hung Edith Lin,Emily Hung There is no “red line” for approving public assemblies, Hong Kong’s police chief has said, while warning that national security risks persist despite the landmark conviction and imprisonment of organisers behind the city’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil for inciting subversion. The government on Saturday also strongly condemned Western countries, anti-China media, overseas organisations and politicians for launching “malicious attacks” over the trial of the disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3367291/no-red-line-approving-assemblies-security-threats-remain-police-chief https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3367291/no-red-line-approving-assemblies-security-threats-remain-police-chief Sat, 12 Sep 2026 07:55:26 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The Hong Kong government will table a bill at the Legislative Council in the first half of 2027 to introduce a statutory cooling-off period for prepaid beauty and fitness contracts, the commerce chief has said. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah revealed the timeline on Saturday, two weeks after the government concluded a two-month consultation on the policy proposal to address limitations of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance on August 31. “We hope to table the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367280/hong-kong-table-cooling-period-bill-beauty-fitness-deals-mid-2027 https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367280/hong-kong-table-cooling-period-bill-beauty-fitness-deals-mid-2027 Sat, 12 Sep 2026 05:46:58 +0000 Kristen Cheung,Edith Lin Kristen Cheung,Edith Lin Hong Kong’s first astronaut Lai Ka-ying has conducted a live lesson for students of her alma mater from the Tiangong space station, showing them how chicken wings are cooked in zero gravity and how she locates the city’s lights from the darkness of space. In a livecast to teachers and students of Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College on Wednesday that was also streamed at other campuses across Hong Kong and Macau, Lai offered a glimpse of life in orbit and the experiments her team... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3366936/hong-kong-astronaut-inspires-pupils-across-citys-school-halls-historic-live-lecture https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3366936/hong-kong-astronaut-inspires-pupils-across-citys-school-halls-historic-live-lecture Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:03:38 +0000 Kristen Cheung,Edith Lin,Eric Jiang Kristen Cheung,Edith Lin,Eric Jiang Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, will deliver a live lesson from space to students and teachers at her alma mater on Wednesday morning, with the 90-minute event broadcast to campuses across the city and streamed live on television. Lai and her two fellow Shenzhou-23 crew members – mission commander Colonel Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan – will take part in the “Tiangong Class” at Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College. Representatives from the youth sector and innovation and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3366850/hong-kongs-first-astronaut-lai-ka-ying-delivers-live-lesson-space https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3366850/hong-kongs-first-astronaut-lai-ka-ying-delivers-live-lesson-space Wed, 09 Sep 2026 02:45:29 +0000