https://www.scmp.com/rss/512929/feed Oscar joined the South China Morning Post in 2022. He started his career as a TV news anchor/reporter trainee and has worked for different news outlets including ATV, Ming Pao and Apple Daily. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Oscar Liu Oscar Liu One of the two Hong Kong hikers stranded on a treacherous slope in Japan’s Northern Alps has been found dead, hours after the other was rescued. Gifu Prefecture police dispatched a four-member rescue team, comprising police officers and civilian experts, from the mountain base at dawn on Tuesday in an attempt to reach the pair, aged 30 and 22, respectively, according to local media. A disaster prevention helicopter from neighbouring Nagano Prefecture eventually rescued the 30-year-old before... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3352445/japanese-police-search-northern-alps-2-missing-climbers-1-hongkonger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3352445/japanese-police-search-northern-alps-2-missing-climbers-1-hongkonger?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2026 04:38:38 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong’s tax revenue rose by 22 per cent to HK$458.3 billion (US$58.5 billion) in the past financial year, driven by a buoyant stock market and increased property transactions. Commissioner of Inland Revenue Benjamin Chan Sze-wai announced on Monday the provisional tax figures for the year ending March 31. Stamp duty jumped by 61 per cent to HK$102.6 billion, profits tax rose by 20 per cent to HK$212.6 billion and salaries tax increased by 10 per cent to HK$97.7 billion. “The volume of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352356/hong-kong-tax-revenue-rises-22-hk458-billion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352356/hong-kong-tax-revenue-rises-22-hk458-billion?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 08:40:22 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hongkongers should expect mainly cloudy skies accompanied by occasional showers and thunderstorms in the next two days, the local forecaster has said, after an amber rainstorm warning stayed in effect for 3½ hours on Sunday afternoon. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the signal at 2.20pm, with associated thundery showers bringing more than 30mm of rainfall to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352260/hong-kong-observatory-warns-violent-gusts-it-issues-amber-rainstorm-signal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3352260/hong-kong-observatory-warns-violent-gusts-it-issues-amber-rainstorm-signal?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 06:49:38 +0000 Vivian Au,Oscar Liu Vivian Au,Oscar Liu Hong Kong is set for its strongest quarterly growth in nearly five years, the finance chief has said, citing a 17 per cent rise in visitor numbers and a 5.2 per cent increase in retail and catering spending. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in his Sunday blog that 602,000 visitors entered Hong Kong in the first two days of mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” break, a 6 per cent rise year on year. Despite a complex and rapidly changing external environment, Hong Kong’s economy... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352258/finance-chief-says-hong-kong-track-strongest-quarterly-growth-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352258/finance-chief-says-hong-kong-track-strongest-quarterly-growth-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 06:43:45 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong’s catering sector and hoteliers are expecting a business boost during the Labour Day “golden week” holiday from May 1 to 5, with industry leaders hoping the growing trend of mainland Chinese visitors hiking and sailing yachts will bring a windfall to seafood restaurants in Sai Kung and the outlying islands. The industry leaders also said that rising tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed up fuel surcharges, had inadvertently benefited Hong Kong, as mainland travellers... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352073/yacht-tourists-hikers-drive-golden-week-optimism-hong-kong-eateries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352073/yacht-tourists-hikers-drive-golden-week-optimism-hong-kong-eateries?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 00:30:11 +0000 Vivian Au,Kristen Cheung,Oscar Liu Vivian Au,Kristen Cheung,Oscar Liu Residents of two blocks, including one of the worst hit, returned to their fire-ravaged homes at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court on Wednesday hoping to collect belongings, with some vowing to begin a new journey after bidding a final farewell to their flats. While some looked towards a fresh start, others grappled with the loss of cherished belongings and the condition of their homes. Two sisters surnamed Cheung said they only managed to pack photos as their flat on a lower floor of Wang Tai House,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351802/government-vows-action-landlord-tenant-rows-block-access-wang-fuk-court?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351802/government-vows-action-landlord-tenant-rows-block-access-wang-fuk-court?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:38:50 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Homeowners of the only block undamaged in the deadly Wang Fuk Court inferno who decline the government’s buy-back offer will face significant challenges in the management and maintenance of their properties in the long run, Hong Kong authorities have warned. Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun said on Wednesday that while the government respected homeowners’ decisions, the possibility for authorities to invoke legislation to acquire all property titles in Wang Chi House “absolutely... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351784/challenges-ahead-wang-fuk-court-homeowners-who-reject-buy-back-offer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351784/challenges-ahead-wang-fuk-court-homeowners-who-reject-buy-back-offer?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:12:52 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong is bracing for a sharp change in weather as a cold front and upper-air disturbances are set to bring heavy showers on Wednesday, followed by a sharp drop in temperature to as low as 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit) on Thursday. The Observatory said on Tuesday that showers would be “heavier at times” the following day, while a cold front was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351665/unstable-weather-week-ahead-heavy-showers-wednesday-temperatures-drop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351665/unstable-weather-week-ahead-heavy-showers-wednesday-temperatures-drop?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:18:56 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong authorities should turn a new HK$30 billion (US$3.8 billion) municipal waste incinerator in Tuen Mun into a tourist attraction and an education hub for eco-protection, lawmakers have said. Their remarks on Tuesday followed the government’s application to the Legislative Council for HK$29.2 billion to build the planned Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 2, or I·PARK2, with costs about 20 per cent lower than the earlier HK$35.7 billion estimate. Samuel Chui Ho-kwong, director... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351646/ashes-assets-calls-turn-hk30-billion-waste-facility-tourism-education-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3351646/ashes-assets-calls-turn-hk30-billion-waste-facility-tourism-education-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:31:15 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong police have arrested two tourists after an alleged violent fight in a serviced apartment that left both with facial injuries. A source said on Tuesday that the force was alerted to the incident at K11 Artus at 11.47pm the previous day, after an argument over “trivial matters” between a Malaysian man and a mainland Chinese woman spiralled into a physical brawl. The pair were visiting Hong Kong for sightseeing and met while shopping at K11 Musea early on Monday, according to the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3351633/2-tourists-arrested-after-hotpot-night-turns-violent-hong-kong-serviced-apartment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3351633/2-tourists-arrested-after-hotpot-night-turns-violent-hong-kong-serviced-apartment?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:48:56 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong plans to table a bill by year-end to standardise regulation of future mass transit projects, including Kai Tak and East Kowloon, the transport chief has said, as lawmakers raise concerns over fares and long-term service quality. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan told lawmakers on Monday that the government was pursuing policy innovation by adopting open tenders for future projects, with the aim of enhancing service quality and identifying the most effective operators for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351598/hong-kong-proposes-bill-unified-regulation-new-mass-transit-projects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351598/hong-kong-proposes-bill-unified-regulation-new-mass-transit-projects?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:28:59 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A 46-year-old mainland Chinese woman was rescued on Sunday morning after slipping into the sea while taking photos at a lighthouse in Hong Kong’s Sai Kung. Police received a report at 10.54am that a woman had fallen into the water at Fat Tong Mun, a sea channel between the southern tip of the Clear Water Bay Peninsula and the northern tip of Tung Lung Chau. A source said the woman was taking photos with friends at Fat Tong Mun Lighthouse when she lost her footing and fell three metres (9.8 feet)... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351475/woman-rescued-after-falling-sea-while-taking-photos-hong-kong-lighthouse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351475/woman-rescued-after-falling-sea-while-taking-photos-hong-kong-lighthouse?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 09:28:11 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu More than 5,000 Guangdong motorists have been approved to drive into Hong Kong’s urban areas under a southbound travel scheme as of March, while 90 per cent of the 3,500 travellers who booked to visit have stayed for one or two days. The Transport Department said on Sunday that the urban access portion of the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles arrangement was operating smoothly and had become increasingly popular since its launch near the end of 2025. The scheme currently grants access to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351467/over-5000-guangdong-motorists-sign-hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351467/over-5000-guangdong-motorists-sign-hong-kongs-southbound-travel-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:01:09 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong police have arrested nine people over their alleged involvement in a travel insurance fraud syndicate that staged overseas accidents to claim more than HK$1.7 million (US$217,053). The force said on Thursday it had received a report from the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers in October concerning suspicious travel insurance claims, ranging from “a few thousand to tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars”. “Police analysed more than 70 suspicious claim cases and discovered that these... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3351121/hong-kong-police-arrest-9-over-hk17-million-fake-travel-insurance-claims?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3351121/hong-kong-police-arrest-9-over-hk17-million-fake-travel-insurance-claims?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:36:02 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation has unveiled its first wheelset maintenance centre, set to open in the coming months, cutting the time for the labour-intensive process from more than three days to 10 hours. The rail giant said on Thursday that the new HK$300 million (US$38.3 million) Integrated Wheelset Maintenance Centre, located at the Ho Man Tin siding, would be capable of processing 1,500 wheelsets annually through automation. The capacity is designed to meet growing service demands on the Tuen... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351103/mtr-corp-unveils-hk300-million-wheelset-centre-boosting-efficiency-80?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3351103/mtr-corp-unveils-hk300-million-wheelset-centre-boosting-efficiency-80?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:07:43 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong will face squally thunderstorms and a nine-degree plunge in temperature later this week as a cold front sweeps across the South China coast, with the mercury expected to dip to 21 degrees Celsius (69.8 Fahrenheit) on Friday, the city’s forecaster has said. The Observatory said on Tuesday that the city would first experience unseasonably hot weather... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3350892/hong-kong-braces-9-degree-temperature-drop-thunderstorms-later-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3350892/hong-kong-braces-9-degree-temperature-drop-thunderstorms-later-week?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:21:50 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong’s Airport Authority has launched its marina project as part of the broader Skytopia blueprint, and is soliciting partners from the global yachting, hospitality and water sports sectors to help shape the 200-hectare (494 acres) development, with the first phase of the facility scheduled for completion in 2028. Cissy Chan Ching-sze, the authority’s commercial executive director, said on Monday that the development – a key component of the wider Airport City project – is aimed at a global... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350696/hong-kong-launches-skycity-marina-project-drive-tourism-and-yacht-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350696/hong-kong-launches-skycity-marina-project-drive-tourism-and-yacht-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 07:16:52 +0000 Oscar Liu,Olga Wong,Vivian Au Oscar Liu,Olga Wong,Vivian Au Global drug maker Pfizer and biotech firm Amgen, each valued at more than HK$1 trillion (US$153 billion), are among 22 strategic enterprises from the fintech, cloud computing and aerial transport sectors to open or expand offices in Hong Kong. The firms attended a ceremony on Monday to sign agreements with the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES). It marked the sixth cohort under the government’s flagship investment initiative since its launch, as the South China Morning Post... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350693/pfizer-amgen-among-22-strategic-firms-eyeing-hong-kong-expansion-source?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350693/pfizer-amgen-among-22-strategic-firms-eyeing-hong-kong-expansion-source?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:58:40 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu The Hong Kong Sevens ended in a high-octane finale on Sunday with costume-clad rugby fans filling the stands at Kai Tak Stadium, but some nearby restaurants said they struggled to match last year’s takings, blaming an influx of new rivals for diluting profits. The atmosphere on Super Sunday was electric as a sea of excited spectators, some clad in creative and flamboyant costumes, filled the South Stand, with some experiencing the event for the first time at its 50th anniversary. Over three... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350630/hong-kong-sevens-treat-fans-local-restaurants-hungry-more-trade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350630/hong-kong-sevens-treat-fans-local-restaurants-hungry-more-trade?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:20:28 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A Hong Kong charity is attempting to fast-track the supply of guide dogs for the blind by breeding a Labrador with a golden retriever for the first time, as only 10 per cent of applicants for canines were ready for immediate pairing. Jasmine Tang Yau-sheung, head of operations with Hong Kong Seeing Eye Dog Services, also told the South China Morning Post that the number of canines still lagged far behind demand, even with the imminent birth of the mixed-breed “goldadors”. This litter of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350565/hong-kong-charity-breeding-labrador-golden-retriever-boost-guide-dog-supply?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350565/hong-kong-charity-breeding-labrador-golden-retriever-boost-guide-dog-supply?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 08:00:18 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Some passengers have been unable to use any e-payment options in Hong Kong taxis, with drivers blaming faulty machines or battery problems, but customers view these as excuses because the “cash is king” mentality persists. Experts said many taxi drivers still held a deep-seated fear of having a traceable income record, which could lead to taxation or the loss of eligibility for public housing. Lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung told the South China Morning Post that many passengers had complained to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350532/faulty-devices-low-battery-some-taxi-drivers-cook-excuses-avoid-e-payments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350532/faulty-devices-low-battery-some-taxi-drivers-cook-excuses-avoid-e-payments?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:00:13 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Prediction market platforms offering diverse gambling options and attractive odds are surging in popularity, observers have said, warning about payout risks amid Hong Kong authorities halting plans to legalise basketball betting. They also said on Tuesday that Hong Kong residents who took part in these platforms, which use cryptocurrency for transactions, could be breaking gambling laws while facing unregulated contract disputes with the events they bet on. On Monday, authorities announced the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350014/crypto-based-prediction-markets-popular-risky-hong-kong-users-experts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350014/crypto-based-prediction-markets-popular-risky-hong-kong-users-experts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:21:00 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong is betting on a 36-fold increase in supercomputing power to get an edge on rivals London and New York in the race for global artificial intelligence (AI) supremacy, the city leader has said. In his keynote address at the opening of the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit in Hong Kong on Monday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the city’s infrastructure road map was a cornerstone of its bid to become a leading international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. “We are... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349831/hong-kong-bets-36-fold-surge-computing-power-join-top-global-ai-hubs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349831/hong-kong-bets-36-fold-surge-computing-power-join-top-global-ai-hubs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:43:10 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong and Shanghai have taken a significant step in the digital integration of the two financial hubs by linking authentication systems, while five mainland Chinese enterprises have established operations in the city, officials have said. Both sides highlighted the progress on Sunday during the first annual meeting of the Working Group on Shanghai and Hong Kong Digital Cooperation. They gathered in Hong Kong to review a deepening partnership over the past year aimed at tackling technical... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349811/progress-hailed-hong-kong-shanghai-link-digital-authentication-systems?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349811/progress-hailed-hong-kong-shanghai-link-digital-authentication-systems?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:25:53 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong singer Hins Cheung’s new role as a mentor and volunteer for the Security Bureau’s youth rehabilitation programme has sent shock waves through his fan base. For years, the singer was celebrated not just for his vocal skills but also for his perceived alignment with backers of the city’s social movements. The South China Morning Post unpacks how the controversy exploded. 1. Who is Hins Cheung? Born in 1981 in Guangzhou, Cheung moved to Hong Kong in 2002 to launch his Cantopop career and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349800/why-cantopop-star-hins-cheungs-new-mentor-role-has-polarised-hong-kong-fans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349800/why-cantopop-star-hins-cheungs-new-mentor-role-has-polarised-hong-kong-fans?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:11:53 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Japanese band One OK Rock has abruptly cancelled the Hong Kong leg of its Asian tour in early May due to “unforeseen circumstances”, leaving local fans disappointed. The announcement on Thursday followed a similar move in early March, when the band cancelled its May 9 concert in Shanghai. Led by frontman Taka, the band, which has 3 million Instagram followers, was originally slated to perform at the Central Harbourfront Event Space on May 2 and 3 as part of its “Detox” Asia Tour 2026. “This... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349517/japanese-band-one-ok-rock-cancels-hong-kong-concerts-may-no-specific-reason-given?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349517/japanese-band-one-ok-rock-cancels-hong-kong-concerts-may-no-specific-reason-given?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:01:09 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A technical fault in the interconnection between Hong Kong’s two power providers caused a brief voltage dip on Thursday, affecting hospitals where some equipment had to be reset and resulting in about 90 reports of people trapped in lifts within a 30-minute window. The Hospital Authority said on Thursday that the voltage dip had affected some hospitals on Hong Kong Island, requiring system resets for several medical devices. “Each hospital immediately inspected its electrical systems, and no... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349460/hong-kong-receives-90-reports-people-stuck-lifts-after-voltage-dip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349460/hong-kong-receives-90-reports-people-stuck-lifts-after-voltage-dip?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:01:29 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Nearly a quarter of Hong Kong companies are expected to widely adopt AI this year, a threefold increase from a year ago, while a growing number of business leaders believe the technology will result in smaller headcounts, a survey has revealed. Professional services firm KPMG released the Hong Kong Employment Outlook 2026 on Wednesday, with the poll showing that 24 per cent of organisations were set to widely adopt artificial intelligence (AI), up from just 8 per cent in the previous... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349370/24-hong-kong-firms-widely-adopt-ai-smaller-headcounts-expected-kpmg?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349370/24-hong-kong-firms-widely-adopt-ai-smaller-headcounts-expected-kpmg?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:20:39 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Up to 80 per cent of Hong Kong’s fishing vessels have suspended operations nearly a month ahead of a planned moratorium, according to a sector representative, as the doubling of “red oil” prices caused by the war in the Middle East has made going out to sea untenable for operators. Representatives for the local transport and maritime sectors welcomed the two-week ceasefire announced by the United States and Iran and the subsequent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but called for targeted,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349339/80-hong-kong-fishing-vessels-grounded-moratorium-due-high-fuel-prices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349339/80-hong-kong-fishing-vessels-grounded-moratorium-due-high-fuel-prices?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:47:16 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A new research institute in Hong Kong is set to ramp up efforts to develop “AI for all” as early as this month, mapping out a strategy to strengthen the government’s capabilities while ensuring all residents and sectors benefit from the technology, a senior official has said. Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Kevin Choi Kit-ming said one of the priorities of the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute would be to integrate a locally... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349304/new-research-institute-ramp-efforts-hong-kong-pursues-ai-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349304/new-research-institute-ramp-efforts-hong-kong-pursues-ai-all?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:30:09 +0000 Oscar Liu,Lam Ka-sing Oscar Liu,Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong lawmakers have warned that a local bus operator’s failed bid to reduce services is only the “tip of the iceberg”, as rising fuel costs drive wider reductions across the sector, urging the government to act swiftly to tackle soaring oil prices. Legislators on Tuesday also urged authorities to approve applications by non-franchised bus companies to increase fares, and to provide subsidies to cushion the effects of higher fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East. Their calls came... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349251/lawmakers-call-fuel-subsidies-citing-loss-making-bus-service-amid-oil-price-spike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3349251/lawmakers-call-fuel-subsidies-citing-loss-making-bus-service-amid-oil-price-spike?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:27:49 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A world-class fencing hall and stand-alone swimming pool complex will be built in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis megaproject, authorities have revealed, with experts saying the facilities must be supported by good transport links and services for elite athletes. Sports industry experts shared their views on Tuesday after the Leisure and Cultural Services Department revised its plans to instead build the swimming pool as a stand-alone facility to meet international specifications, while... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349230/separate-fencing-hall-and-pool-revised-northern-metropolis-sports-facilities-plan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349230/separate-fencing-hall-and-pool-revised-northern-metropolis-sports-facilities-plan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:55:05 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong restaurants suffered a 6 to 7 per cent revenue drop over the Easter weekend, an industry source said, as gains from a 15 per cent rise in mainland Chinese tourists failed to offset business lost to 1.7 million departing locals. Industry leaders also said on Monday that the trend of locals travelling across the border and abroad during long weekends had become the “new normal”, leaving businesses to rely on mega-events and the coming Labour Day “golden week” to recover their... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349162/hong-kong-restaurant-revenues-drop-over-easter-break-departures-outnumber-arrivals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349162/hong-kong-restaurant-revenues-drop-over-easter-break-departures-outnumber-arrivals?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:30:08 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A doctor who posted a photo of a resuscitation procedure in a Hong Kong public hospital is no longer employed by the Hospital Authority, following an outcry over patient privacy and professional ethics. The authority’s Kowloon West Cluster confirmed on Monday the doctor’s departure but did not say whether he had resigned or been dismissed. “The cluster had previously conducted a serious investigation and a comprehensive review of the incident. It confirmed that the individual involved is no... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349154/hong-kong-doctor-who-posted-resuscitation-photo-exits-hospital-authority?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349154/hong-kong-doctor-who-posted-resuscitation-photo-exits-hospital-authority?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:30:57 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong has swapped the Easter bunny for a festive feline, with giant cat installations and murals delighting visitors and residents citywide. A gigantic ginger cat has been greeting travellers at Hong Kong International Airport while three inflatable marmalade felines lie sprawled across a lawn at the West Kowloon Cultural District, delighting visitors to the arts hub. In Yau Ma Tei, local artist German Li and his students have reimagined Vincent van Gogh’s classic painting The Starry Night... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349088/move-over-easter-bunny-cats-are-stars-hong-kong-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349088/move-over-easter-bunny-cats-are-stars-hong-kong-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:44:22 +0000 Denise Tsang,Oscar Liu,Emily Hung Denise Tsang,Oscar Liu,Emily Hung Thousands of Hongkongers braved heavy rains to sweep tombs during the Ching Ming Festival on Sunday, with some Wang Fuk Court residents returning to the fire-ravaged housing estate to mourn the victims. The spring trek to graveyards around Hong Kong began under skies darkened by an approaching band of thundery showers, which prompted the Observatory to issue an amber rainstorm warning at 2.05pm. While many Chinese families cherish the chance to visit their ancestors’ tombs and pay their... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349074/thousands-brave-rain-mark-ching-ming-wang-fuk-court-residents-return-mourn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349074/thousands-brave-rain-mark-ching-ming-wang-fuk-court-residents-return-mourn?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 06:55:46 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu The government has filed an application to confiscate properties linked to crimes committed by former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying in accordance with Hong Kong’s national security laws. A government spokesman on Thursday also said the application filed with the Court of First Instance aimed to achieve the “important objectives of preventing and suppressing acts and activities endangering national security”. Lai, 78, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily tabloid-style newspaper was sentenced... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348846/hong-kong-authorities-seek-forfeiture-order-properties-tied-jimmy-lais-crimes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348846/hong-kong-authorities-seek-forfeiture-order-properties-tied-jimmy-lais-crimes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:21:19 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu More than 40,000 Hong Kong taxi drivers have adopted major electronic payment platforms AlipayHK and WeChat Pay HK, easing a protracted pain point for mainland Chinese visitors who are expected to arrive in droves during the coming Ching Ming Festival break. AlipayHK, a subsidiary of Ant International, an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding, which owns the South China Morning Post, said on Thursday that its e-payment system was available to 47,000 taxi drivers. WeChat Pay HK said more than 40,000... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348828/40000-taxi-drivers-sign-e-payment-systems-new-rules-come-force?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348828/40000-taxi-drivers-sign-e-payment-systems-new-rules-come-force?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:12:07 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A Shenzhen-based tech firm taking part in Hong Kong trade fairs is leveraging the city as a springboard for global expansion, with plans to list locally this year while using its computing power to help enter the North American market. Robert Chan Kwok-cheung, global strategy officer at EngineAI, said on Wednesday the company’s presence in the city was a strategic move to bypass technical and geopolitical hurdles. EngineAI, which is one of Shenzhen’s “eight great guardians of embodied... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348686/shenzhen-robot-maker-turns-hong-kong-computing-power-and-listing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348686/shenzhen-robot-maker-turns-hong-kong-computing-power-and-listing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:12:45 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu More than 47,000 taxi drivers have adopted the commercial version of the Octopus app or equipped their cabs with mobile card readers ahead of new electronic payment regulations taking effect in Hong Kong on Wednesday, transport authorities have said. The new measures require cab drivers to provide at least two e-payment options, as part of a broader government push to modernise the industry’s image and service quality. The Transport Department on Tuesday said three dedicated service stations at... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348480/over-47000-cabbies-adopt-octopus-card-readers-ahead-e-payment-regulations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348480/over-47000-cabbies-adopt-octopus-card-readers-ahead-e-payment-regulations?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:05:53 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong police have arrested a 49-year-old bus driver on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death after a collision that killed two people on the Lantau Link highway. The double-decker operated by Long Win Bus was travelling on the Tsing Yi section of the highway headed towards Tung Chung on route E32A when it rammed into a stationary taxi at 11.16pm on Monday, the force said. Firefighters were called to the scene to rescue the 66-year-old taxi driver and his 37-year-old male passenger,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348464/bus-driver-arrested-hong-kong-after-crashing-stationary-taxi-killing-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348464/bus-driver-arrested-hong-kong-after-crashing-stationary-taxi-killing-2?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 01:39:27 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A knife-wielding attacker with suspected mental illness who was shot twice by police in Hong Kong’s Kwai Chung has died after 10 days in hospital in a critical condition. The government on Tuesday confirmed the 43-year-old suspect, surnamed Chung, was pronounced dead at Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung at 8.47pm on Monday. The incident occurred in the early hours of March 21 at the Kwai Chung section of Castle Peak Road, when three officers fired five rounds in total at the construction... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348463/knife-wielding-man-shot-hong-kong-police-dies-after-10-days-critical-condition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348463/knife-wielding-man-shot-hong-kong-police-dies-after-10-days-critical-condition?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 01:05:37 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong’s anti-corruption watchdog has arrested 10 people on suspicion of working as part of a crime syndicate that used triad connections to take control of a HK$160 million (US$20.4 million) renovation project, among other offences. The operation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption also led police to arrest 32 suspects in raids on multiple New Territories premises believed to be controlled by the syndicate’s triad elements. The watchdog said on Monday it had arrested the owner... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348355/icac-arrests-42-hk180-million-crackdown-triad-linked-renovation-projects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348355/icac-arrests-42-hk180-million-crackdown-triad-linked-renovation-projects?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:28:09 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong authorities are closely monitoring the war in the Middle East sparked by the US-Israel attack on Iran and the resulting volatility in global oil prices, although the immediate impact on the city’s economy remains limited, the finance chief has said. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also said on Sunday that while geopolitical instability had shaken international investor sentiment, the city’s financial markets continued to operate in an “orderly and smooth” manner, with capital flows... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348287/finance-chief-says-hong-kong-remains-stable-oil-prices-surge-amid-global-turmoil?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348287/finance-chief-says-hong-kong-remains-stable-oil-prices-surge-amid-global-turmoil?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 07:26:45 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Four people have been injured in a multi-vehicle collision in Hong Kong’s Kowloon City after a van mounted a pavement and crashed into a wall. Police received a report at 8.34am on Sunday that a driver of a van travelling along Prince Edward Road West towards Mong Kok had lost control near the traffic lights at Earl Street, grazing a truck and a coach before crashing into the back of a car. The force of the impact propelled the van onto the pavement, where it came to a halt after hitting the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348278/4-injured-multi-vehicle-collision-busy-hong-kong-road?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348278/4-injured-multi-vehicle-collision-busy-hong-kong-road?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 05:40:36 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu After Hong Kong photographer Jacky Lau Kin-sang upgraded his camera systems a few months ago, he was shocked to find professional, high-capacity SD memory cards for the set-up cost up to HK$3,000 (US$383) each, three times more than expected. But the real shocker for the 42-year-old was that the price of the hard disks he had been purchasing for years to back up his clients’ images also skyrocketed from HK$1,880 to HK$3,880 for a model with a capacity of 16 terabytes (TB). “It means you... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348225/why-sd-cards-and-hard-drives-are-new-digital-gold-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348225/why-sd-cards-and-hard-drives-are-new-digital-gold-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 04:00:36 +0000 Brian Wong,Leopold Chen,Oscar Liu Brian Wong,Leopold Chen,Oscar Liu A lawyer for the Hong Kong government has rejected “groundless” assertions that its surveyors conspired with a renovation contractor at the centre of the city’s deadliest fire in decades to conceal flammable materials used at the site, suggesting the firm did not have enough time to plan a deception before a crucial inspection. But Jenkin Suen SC on Tuesday acknowledged the need for authorities to review their shortcomings in supervising minor construction works and handling complaints after... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347757/government-rejects-suggestions-surveyor-conspired-contractor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347757/government-rejects-suggestions-surveyor-conspired-contractor?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:24:32 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu The surge in oil prices caused by the Middle East conflict will drive up the cost of plastic products, construction materials and even household goods such as toilet paper in Hong Kong, according to business leaders. They also warned on Monday that some local exporters and manufacturers faced a cash-flow squeeze as overseas buyers opted for short-term orders amid the uncertainties. Executive Council member Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, a former business sector lawmaker, said the tensions in the Middle... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347588/toys-toilet-paper-prices-set-rise-amid-middle-east-war-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347588/toys-toilet-paper-prices-set-rise-amid-middle-east-war-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:32:55 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong will implement the revised HK$2 (26 US cents) transport fare scheme next Friday, under which elderly residents and those with disabilities will only enjoy the flat rate for journeys costing HK$10 or less. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Monday the move was expected to slash government spending by HK$550 million in the coming year. The remaining part of the revised scheme, where beneficiaries would be capped at 240 subsidised trips monthly, will be rolled out... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347531/changes-hong-kongs-hk2-transport-subsidy-scheme-kick-april-3?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347531/changes-hong-kongs-hk2-transport-subsidy-scheme-kick-april-3?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 04:09:50 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong is set for a hot and damp week ahead, with the city’s forecaster predicting relative humidity to reach as high as 95 per cent from Wednesday as seasonal coastal mist moves in. The Observatory said on Monday that daytime temperatures would rise to 28 degrees Celsius (82 Fahrenheit) later this week as a band of cloud affected the Guangdong coast and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3347518/hong-kong-bracing-hot-damp-spell-humidity-reaching-95-midweek?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3347518/hong-kong-bracing-hot-damp-spell-humidity-reaching-95-midweek?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 01:07:52 +0000