https://www.scmp.com/rss/521473/feed Lau Siu-kai is a distinguished Hong Kong sociologist and Emeritus Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, specialising in social and political development. He previously headed the HKSAR Government’s Central Policy Unit (2002-2012) and served as a Hong Kong Affairs Advisor to the Chinese Government. Currently, he is a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, a key Beijing think tank. Awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star and Grand Bauhinia Medal, he is known for... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Jess Ma,Matthew Cheng Jess Ma,Matthew Cheng Changes to Hong Kong’s implementation rules for the national security law will improve operational efficiency amid heightened geopolitical risks, experts have said, while a criminal law specialist has argued that the amendments expand authorities’ powers and that some legal privacy protections may be too technical to apply. Another legal expert and a former security minister said the amendments aimed to clearly lay out investigation procedures for searches under existing national security law... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3347632/hong-kongs-national-security-better-protected-changes-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3347632/hong-kongs-national-security-better-protected-changes-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:30:12 +0000 Edith Lin,Matthew Cheng Edith Lin,Matthew Cheng Hong Kong should step up education on Chinese history and culture while highlighting security threats to cultivate public awareness about the need to defend the country, experts have said, as the nation’s legislature is set to pass a law promoting ethnic unity. The expert’s comments came ahead of the closing session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) on Thursday, which is due to pass the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. The law aims to forge a strong “sense of community for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3346246/how-will-hong-kong-follow-mainland-chinas-ethnic-unity-promotion-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3346246/how-will-hong-kong-follow-mainland-chinas-ethnic-unity-promotion-law?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hundreds of Hong Kong politicians and business leaders head to Beijing on Tuesday for the nation’s annual “two sessions”, with observers expecting discussions to focus on the city’s role as an international financial centre and the Northern Metropolis megaproject. The annual session of the country’s top political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), will commence on Wednesday, followed by the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s legislature,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3345179/two-sessions-focus-hong-kongs-financial-role-northern-metropolis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3345179/two-sessions-focus-hong-kongs-financial-role-northern-metropolis?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:30:13 +0000 Natalie Wong Natalie Wong Hong Kong’s coming annual budget must address critical bottlenecks in technology and talent attraction to pave the way for the city’s first five-year development framework in line with national priorities, according to observers. The budget, to be delivered by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Wednesday, is more than a fiscal exercise. It is viewed as the first major test of officials’ “reform mindset” after Beijing unveiled the nation’s 15th five-year plan recommendations, which include... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344219/hong-kong-budget-2026-27-whats-holding-back-citys-tech-and-talent-schemes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344219/hong-kong-budget-2026-27-whats-holding-back-citys-tech-and-talent-schemes?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 01:00:27 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Simon Leung has been without a full-time job since his contract ended in March 2024, after the Hong Kong government cut its budget for NGOs by 7 per cent. The social work event coordinator, who is in his late forties, now makes ends meet through gig jobs. With word spreading that the city’s coming budget will yield an early operating surplus, he wants Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po to restore funding for non-governmental organisations so retrenched workers like him can be hired again. “They... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344041/hong-kong-budget-2026-27-beyond-balancing-books-whats-stake?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344041/hong-kong-budget-2026-27-beyond-balancing-books-whats-stake?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu To err is human. But when an error funnels through a system that has safeguards, the error is supposed to be caught and rectified. Checks and balances are written into the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini constitution. Hong Kong has an executive-led system, which means it is the executive branch’s job to formulate and implement policies, as well as “draft and introduce bills, motions and subordinate legislation”. The legislature’s job is “to enact, amend or repeal laws”. Therefore, lawmakers are the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3342674/bus-seat-belt-fiasco-proves-good-governance-requires-more-efficiency?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3342674/bus-seat-belt-fiasco-proves-good-governance-requires-more-efficiency?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Jeffie Lam,Natalie Wong Jeffie Lam,Natalie Wong Hong Kong’s U-turn on its seat belt rule for buses is a sobering reminder to lawmakers that they must meet higher standards even under the “executive-led” governance model recently underlined by Beijing, according to several policy experts. They said some lawmakers had been complacent, prioritising speed over efficacy in policymaking in a “patriots-only” legislature with no opposition presence, and would have to share the responsibility for administrative missteps. Xia Baolong, director of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3342829/are-hong-kongs-lawmakers-also-blame-over-seat-belt-law-blunder?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3342829/are-hong-kongs-lawmakers-also-blame-over-seat-belt-law-blunder?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 09:55:44 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Panama is aiming to mitigate geopolitical risks and respond to US pressure by adopting a multi-operator model for its strategic canal after nullifying the concession granted to Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison to operate two of the ports, analysts have said. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino was reported to have vowed on Thursday that his country would “never again” grant concession contracts to run the Balboa and Cristobal terminals at each end of the Panama Canal to a single company. The country’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3342729/whats-behind-plan-adopt-multi-operator-model-panama-canal-ports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3342729/whats-behind-plan-adopt-multi-operator-model-panama-canal-ports?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 01:00:14 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Pressure from the United States remains a major challenge in CK Hutchison Holdings’ arbitration against Panama and it may take years to resolve the dispute, legal and political experts have said of the continuing controversy over the Hong Kong conglomorate’s ports. The company, led by billionaire Li Ka-shing’s family, said on Wednesday that its subsidiary, Panama Ports Company (PCC), had initiated arbitration against Panamanian authorities over a court judgment declaring its concessions to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3342388/us-pressure-major-challenge-ck-hutchisons-arbitration-against-panama-experts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3342388/us-pressure-major-challenge-ck-hutchisons-arbitration-against-panama-experts?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:39:36 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng A new task force led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will formulate Hong Kong’s first five-year blueprint to align with the nation’s 15th five-year plan, with a political analyst saying the move signals greater government involvement in shaping the city’s development. Lee also said on Monday that he would prioritise visits to Eastern Europe and Central Asia to explore new markets for local businesses, stressing the need to “avoid putting all eggs in one basket” and mitigate risk amid... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3342077/hong-kong-formulate-first-5-year-plan-align-national-blueprint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3342077/hong-kong-formulate-first-5-year-plan-align-national-blueprint?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 07:20:52 +0000 Ng Kang-chung,Matthew Cheng Ng Kang-chung,Matthew Cheng Hong Kong authorities’ swift U-turn on a law requiring bus passengers to wear seat belts came about because of a lack of public consultation during policymaking and a less than thorough crafting process for the regulatory fine print, political observers have said. Failures on both fronts should serve as a wake-up call for officials and lawmakers to do much better and put themselves in the public’s shoes when formulating policies, they said. In an embarrassing about-face, authorities announced on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3341962/failures-2-fronts-led-hong-kongs-seat-belt-u-turn-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3341962/failures-2-fronts-led-hong-kongs-seat-belt-u-turn-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 14:21:40 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Connor Mycroft Matthew Cheng,Connor Mycroft British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told Chinese President Xi Jinping that Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability are in the shared interests of both China and the United Kingdom in a high-profile meeting during his four-day trip to Beijing. Starmer, the first British leader to visit China since 2018, confirmed after the meeting, when asked by the media, that he had mentioned the landmark national security trial of jailed former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying with Xi. According to the state... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3341709/starmer-stresses-hong-kongs-stability-key-stronger-ties-meeting-xi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3341709/starmer-stresses-hong-kongs-stability-key-stronger-ties-meeting-xi?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:30:25 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison’s US$22.8 billion global ports sale hung in the balance at the end of 2025, nearly 10 months after it was first announced, as a veteran political commentator said the most expensive terminal acquisition in history was unlikely to come to fruition amid geopolitical tensions. What began as a strategic exit for billionaire Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate devolved into a high-stakes geopolitical stand-off between Washington and Beijing over the control of global trade... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3338430/could-2026-be-make-or-break-year-ck-hutchisons-panama-ports-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3338430/could-2026-be-make-or-break-year-ck-hutchisons-panama-ports-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:15:08 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung A senior cadre at Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong with a rich financial background is expected to be transferred back to the capital for a new role in a committee advising leadership on economic policies for the next five-year plan, the Post has learned. Qi Bin, who turned 57 last month, was appointed by the State Council in November last year to take up the post of deputy director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong. It is understood that he will be made a deputy... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3337948/hong-kong-liaison-offices-qi-bin-take-new-role-beijing-economic-affairs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3337948/hong-kong-liaison-offices-qi-bin-take-new-role-beijing-economic-affairs?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Dec 2025 12:27:06 +0000 Oscar Liu,Harvey Kong,Connor Mycroft Oscar Liu,Harvey Kong,Connor Mycroft Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s guilty verdict in a landmark Hong Kong national security trial has become a political flashpoint, as China’s Western opponents demand the former media boss’ immediate release and Beijing strongly rejects their interference. But while the High Court’s ruling on Monday could send the businessman turned opposition activist to jail for life, Western countries were unlikely to hit Hong Kong with more sanctions as they needed to cooperate with Beijing to offset unfair trade... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3336533/jimmy-lais-conviction-hong-kong-becomes-flashpoint-between-china-west?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3336533/jimmy-lais-conviction-hong-kong-becomes-flashpoint-between-china-west?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:00:29 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu Having all seats contested in Sunday’s Legislative Council election and the resulting strong performance by independent candidates signal emerging political diversity within Hong Kong’s reformed electoral system, political analysts have said. However, a record number of invalid ballots cast suggested continued resistance to the “patriots-only” framework, they noted, urging the government to also take heed and ensure this would not be used to pile pressure on it in future. Observers also pointed... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335661/high-quality-democracy-what-does-beijings-new-phrase-hong-kong-really-mean?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335661/high-quality-democracy-what-does-beijings-new-phrase-hong-kong-really-mean?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:30:21 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong’s new legislature will be the youngest in the past two decades, with incoming lawmakers averaging 51 years old, according to public data. The age is four years younger than that of the current line-up and seven years below the previous batch, which ended its term in 2021. The rejuvenation of the Legislative Council is partly a result of the departure of 35 incumbent lawmakers, including 12 who are 70 years or above, such as the Liberal Party’s 76-year-old Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335647/hong-kongs-new-legislature-be-youngest-2-decades-averaging-51-years-old?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335647/hong-kongs-new-legislature-be-youngest-2-decades-averaging-51-years-old?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:32:08 +0000 Willa Wu,William Zheng Willa Wu,William Zheng Hong Kong authorities have made a last-ditch appeal for residents to refocus on the city’s reform and their future by voting in Sunday’s Legislative Council election, as political analysts said public sentiment after the deadly fire in Tai Po would play a decisive role in voter turnout rates. The appeal came as Beijing’s national security office in Hong Kong met with foreign media representatives on Saturday. In a statement, the office said some reports had attacked the election and smeared the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335473/last-ditch-effort-get-hongkongers-vote-legco-poll-turnout-uncertain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335473/last-ditch-effort-get-hongkongers-vote-legco-poll-turnout-uncertain?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Dec 2025 14:17:31 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li A Hong Kong private kindergarten operator has changed the destination of a study tour from Tokyo to Chengdu, citing a city government warning issued amid a diplomatic row between China and Japan. A notice from Victoria Educational Organisation, which runs eight campuses of kindergartens and nurseries in the city, and its parent-teacher association was circulated online on Monday and confirmed by the Post on Tuesday. “In light of the recent advisory from the [Hong Kong government] urging... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3334026/hong-kong-kindergarten-moves-japan-tour-mainland-china-row-deepens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3334026/hong-kong-kindergarten-moves-japan-tour-mainland-china-row-deepens?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Nov 2025 03:34:23 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Rising tensions between China and Japan have caused uncertainty in the tourism sector, with both mainland and Hong Kong authorities cautioning against travel to the country. Nearly half a million air tickets from mainland China to Japan were recently cancelled, while a Hong Kong tour operator reported a decline in inquiries about travel there. Some Hong Kong airlines have offered refunds or flexible arrangements for passengers wishing to change their holiday plans in Japan. The Post reviews... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3333665/how-china-japan-spat-disrupting-travel-and-what-it-means-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3333665/how-china-japan-spat-disrupting-travel-and-what-it-means-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Nov 2025 07:24:50 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Integration with mainland China and boosting Hong Kong’s sluggish economy have dominated the manifestos of candidates contesting functional and Election Committee constituencies in the Legislative Council election, while those running for directly elected seats have prioritised livelihood concerns, the Post has found. A check by the Post of all 161 candidates’ manifestos on the government’s election website also found that only 38 of them, or 23 per cent, provided English versions. Of the 161... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3333002/what-are-hong-kong-legco-election-candidates-prioritising-their-manifestos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3333002/what-are-hong-kong-legco-election-candidates-prioritising-their-manifestos?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:30:16 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s coming Legislative Council election has seen a significant increase in candidates linked to mainland Chinese enterprises, with at least 49 – almost a third of the total – affiliated with such firms, up 50 per cent from 2021. The higher proportion reflected the growing prominence of mainland capital in Hong Kong’s economy and Beijing’s push for Legco to drive the city’s integration into national development, a political scholar said. A check by the Post found that among the 161... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3331537/30-161-hong-kong-legco-election-candidates-linked-mainland-chinese-firms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3331537/30-161-hong-kong-legco-election-candidates-linked-mainland-chinese-firms?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Nov 2025 23:30:12 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng At least 49 hopefuls have declared that they will run for directly elected seats in Hong Kong’s coming Legislative Council race after the first week of the nomination period, already marking a 40 per cent jump from the previous poll. While an intensified race could encourage residents to cast their ballots on December 7, the absence of opposition candidates could still pose a challenge for voter turnout, a political scientist said on Friday. The legislature will also undergo a massive reshuffle... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3331129/race-heats-directly-elected-seats-hong-kongs-legco-election?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3331129/race-heats-directly-elected-seats-hong-kongs-legco-election?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:56:20 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing The Panama Canal Authority has met key industry players ahead of tendering a US$2.6 billion project to build two new port terminals, a move that Hong Kong analysts have called a high-stakes strategic manoeuvre. The consultation was announced by the authority on Monday, as a separate multibillion-dollar sale of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings’ existing port stakes remained stalled amid broader frictions between the United States and China. The authority said it had “launched a consultation... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3330577/panama-seeks-partners-us26-billion-port-plan-may-ease-us-china-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3330577/panama-seeks-partners-us26-billion-port-plan-may-ease-us-china-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 05:30:58 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung In a departure from her usual straight-talking style, Hong Kong’s “Iron Lady” Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee kept the public hanging for more than a week before finally announcing on Saturday that she will not run in December’s Legislative Council election, ending a 17-year tenure in the legislature. The 75-year-old founder of the New People’s Party also said it was time to pass the baton, having completed her “historic mission”, and that she would focus on nurturing new talent in the future. Openly... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3330320/regina-ip-hong-kongs-colourful-iron-lady-says-mission-accomplished?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3330320/regina-ip-hong-kongs-colourful-iron-lady-says-mission-accomplished?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Oct 2025 11:35:01 +0000 Willa Wu,Fiona Sun Willa Wu,Fiona Sun Hong Kong will identify its strategic positioning within the national development blueprint and proactively align with the country’s next five-year plan, the city’s leader has said. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Thursday that recommendations adopted at the fourth plenum of the Communist Party’s Central Committee – where the country’s political leadership deliberated on the 15th five-year plan – were of great significance and impact to Hong Kong. “Hong Kong will identify and focus on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3330114/hong-kong-align-national-blueprint-seize-opportunities-john-lee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3330114/hong-kong-align-national-blueprint-seize-opportunities-john-lee?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:57:05 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong The United States is “overstretching the concept of national security” with its threat to oust HKT International from the country’s telecommunication network, Hong Kong authorities have said. Political commentators also warned on Thursday that Beijing would interpret the move as Washington using the city as a “chess piece against China”. The Hong Kong government said it “strongly disapproves of the United States’ overstretching the concept of national security in targeting Hong Kong enterprises... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3329297/us-overstretching-national-security-fears-threatening-hkt-hong-kong-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3329297/us-overstretching-national-security-fears-threatening-hkt-hong-kong-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:50:00 +0000 Jeffie Lam,Willa Wu,Matthew Cheng Jeffie Lam,Willa Wu,Matthew Cheng The next Legislative Council should remain united and cooperate with the government to demonstrate “effective democracy” and the “perfect partnership of patriots”, while adopting both national and international perspectives to address Hong Kong’s challenges, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said. Lee made his call at a high-level seminar on Thursday centring on the relationship between the executive and the legislature, and it followed a wave of incumbent lawmakers announcing they will not... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3329205/hong-kongs-new-lawmakers-must-demonstrate-effective-democracy-john-lee-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3329205/hong-kongs-new-lawmakers-must-demonstrate-effective-democracy-john-lee-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 04:44:30 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu Competition is expected across all three types of constituencies in Hong Kong’s coming Legislative Council election as several veterans will not seek another term and new blood is being “encouraged” to run in only the second poll held since Beijing’s “patriots-only” electoral revamp, the Post has learned. While age has been cited as a reason in some lawmakers’ decision to step away, it is not a factor for others as Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, 75, will seek another term, sources have told the Post. In... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3328655/competition-heats-hong-kongs-legco-poll-more-veterans-decline-run?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3328655/competition-heats-hong-kongs-legco-poll-more-veterans-decline-run?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Oct 2025 13:35:24 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying,Cannix Yau Lo Hoi-ying,Cannix Yau Hong Kong businesses have braced themselves for additional US tariffs, but experts are urging companies to develop alternative strategies due to proposed export controls on American-made critical software, warning of a “painful” adjustment. Industry figures told the Post on Saturday that US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods from November 1 would not significantly impact Hong Kong businesses, which were used to uncertainties from his... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328652/hong-kong-firms-urged-find-alternatives-amid-us-tariffs-software-export-controls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3328652/hong-kong-firms-urged-find-alternatives-amid-us-tariffs-software-export-controls?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Oct 2025 12:50:04 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s legislature has not sent any delegations to Europe or North America over its current four-year term, a first since the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty, the Post has found. Observers said such trips, which were routine in the past, were now seen as high risk and of little value amid geopolitical tensions with the West. However, a lawmaker expressed hope that the next Legislative Council would resume such official visits, arguing that the city could learn from the West, which... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327924/legco-delegations-shun-west-4-years-first-hong-kong-handover?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327924/legco-delegations-shun-west-4-years-first-hong-kong-handover?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 03:00:31 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Senior secondary school students will learn more about the Communist Party’s founding and its socialism under a coming overhaul of the curriculum of the Chinese history and history subjects, which analysts say will reinforce patriotism and Hongkongers’ national identity. Under the revamp, the Cultural Revolution will no longer be a stand-alone topic in the Chinese history curriculum while several issues have been removed, including the “Outer Mongolia Incident” and the “Tibet Incident” from the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3327880/hong-kong-revamping-school-history-subjects-communist-party-founding-added?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3327880/hong-kong-revamping-school-history-subjects-communist-party-founding-added?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 10:44:22 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu Hong Kong’s leader has warned that no country should harbour criminals, the day after Singapore cited “national interests” as the reason for denying entry to wanted activist Nathan Law Kwun-chung. But Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday sidestepped a question on whether his administration had asked the city state to help transfer Law, as an extradition agreement was in place between Hong Kong and Singapore. Law, who now lives in the UK, is wanted by Hong Kong police for allegedly... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327317/no-country-should-harbour-criminals-hong-kong-leader-warns-after-nathan-law-saga?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327317/no-country-should-harbour-criminals-hong-kong-leader-warns-after-nathan-law-saga?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Sep 2025 03:20:07 +0000 Fiona Sun,William Zheng Fiona Sun,William Zheng The first batches of free tickets to visit two PLA naval ships during their stop in Hong Kong next week have been quickly snapped up, as enthusiasts welcome the second port call by Chinese warships in three months. The Type 680 training vessel Qi Jiguang and Type 071 amphibious landing ship Yimeng Shan will be open to the public at the Ngong Shuen Chau Naval Base on Wednesday and Thursday as part of the October 1 National Day celebrations. The 11,000 tickets are up for grabs through the PLA Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327094/hongkongers-snap-tickets-visit-pla-naval-ships-during-national-day-stop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327094/hongkongers-snap-tickets-visit-pla-naval-ships-during-national-day-stop?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Sep 2025 09:45:27 +0000 Ng Kang-chung,Fiona Sun,Jeffie Lam Ng Kang-chung,Fiona Sun,Jeffie Lam Beijing has warned the new US consul general in Hong Kong of potential “severe countermeasures” for crossing “red lines”, with its top office overseeing the city’s affairs reposting a commentary condemning the American envoy for inviting opposition figures to her inaugural reception. The commentary, published by the pro-Beijing newspaper Ta Kung Pao on Saturday and reposted by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), accused Julie Eadeh of being “back in the old game” of disrupting the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327075/beijings-top-diplomat-hong-kong-urges-us-consul-general-play-constructive-role?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327075/beijings-top-diplomat-hong-kong-urges-us-consul-general-play-constructive-role?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Sep 2025 04:55:41 +0000 Denise Tsang Denise Tsang The decision by Hong Kong’s leader to personally oversee the fast-tracked development of the massive Northern Metropolis project while also undertaking smaller initiatives such as building a “pet economy” underscores an aim-high, spread-wide policy address, but some of his key initiatives will only lay the foundation for future administrations to take forward, according to observers. In his policy address on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu promised to expedite the mega development,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3325915/can-hong-kongs-john-lee-deliver-his-aim-high-spread-wide-policy-address?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3325915/can-hong-kongs-john-lee-deliver-his-aim-high-spread-wide-policy-address?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:32:25 +0000 Willa Wu,Olga Wong Willa Wu,Olga Wong Hong Kong’s leader will introduce a mechanism to hold senior civil servants accountable for their misconduct in his policy blueprint, targeting incidents such as a recent bottled water supply scandal, the Post has learned. But political observers have warned of a possible pushback from civil servants concerned about job security, while recommending the government implement gradual changes with robust investigative procedures. According to a government source, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3325437/hong-kongs-john-lee-tackle-civil-servant-accountability-policy-address?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3325437/hong-kongs-john-lee-tackle-civil-servant-accountability-policy-address?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Sep 2025 01:00:29 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau With Hong Kong leader John Lee set to deliver his annual policy address on September 17, the Post examines key topics the chief executive is expected to focus on, including a mega infrastructure project near the border, new economic drivers and livelihood issues. In the sixth of a seven-part series, Cannix Yau examines the economic challenges and political expectations to be addressed in Lee’s second last policy blueprint of his term. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will have to confront a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3325200/one-city-two-realities-how-will-hong-kongs-john-lee-respond-policy-address?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3325200/one-city-two-realities-how-will-hong-kongs-john-lee-respond-policy-address?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:30:08 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing With Hong Kong leader John Lee set to deliver his annual policy address on September 17, the Post examines key topics the chief executive is expected to focus on, including a mega infrastructure project near the border, new economic drivers and livelihood issues. In the third of a seven-part series, Lam Ka-sing looks at how the wider business community outside the financial sector can be supported amid economic transition. Jacky Ko Chung-kit, who owns two media companies in Hong Kong, has not... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3324799/hong-kongs-economy-growing-why-are-some-sectors-still-hurting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3324799/hong-kongs-economy-growing-why-are-some-sectors-still-hurting?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:30:07 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Ahead of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, marking the end of the Sino-Japanese war and the global fight against fascism, we look at the effects of the conflict and its aftermath, and how they continue to affect China’s place in the world. In the third part of a series, the Post looks at Hong Kong’s experience and one veteran’s call for the people’s sacrifices to be remembered. Lam Chun witnessed the brutality of war up close in Japanese-occupied Hong Kong when she was just eight years... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3323729/keeping-light-shining-dark-days-japanese-occupation-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3323729/keeping-light-shining-dark-days-japanese-occupation-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:30:12 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau An American official who met local opposition activists during the 2019 anti-government protests has arrived in Hong Kong after receiving Beijing’s approval for the much-watched appointment as the new US consul general for the city and Macau. Julie Eadeh is taking over from her predecessor, Gregory May, who left Hong Kong last month to assume duties as the deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Beijing. A career member of the senior foreign service with the rank of minister counsellor, she... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3323390/new-us-consul-general-julie-eadeh-arrives-hong-kong-after-beijings-approval?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3323390/new-us-consul-general-julie-eadeh-arrives-hong-kong-after-beijings-approval?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:35:48 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu A senior Hong Kong official and a lawmaker have withdrawn from a Bitcoin Asia conference where Eric Trump, son of United States President Donald Trump, will attend, with sources confirming they were advised not to interact with the American businessman. A check by the Post on the conference’s website on Wednesday found that Eric Yip Chee-hang, executive director of the city’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), had been removed from the list of keynote speakers for the forum taking place... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3323388/hong-kong-official-and-lawmaker-pull-out-bitcoin-asia-2025-featuring-eric-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3323388/hong-kong-official-and-lawmaker-pull-out-bitcoin-asia-2025-featuring-eric-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:17:38 +0000 William Zheng William Zheng Julie Eadeh, the new US consul general for Hong Kong and Macau, has arrived in the city, the US diplomatic service said on Wednesday afternoon. The US consulate general posted on social media that it was “pleased to announce that Julie Eadeh has arrived in Hong Kong, succeeding consul general Greg May, who left Hong Kong last month”. The confirmation came just hours after the South China Morning Post reported her imminent arrival. It also reported in July that Eadeh, a career diplomat who served... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3323227/new-us-envoy-julie-eadeh-arrive-hong-kong-month-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3323227/new-us-envoy-julie-eadeh-arrive-hong-kong-month-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:18 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong authorities will conduct their first counterterrorism drill overseen by the city’s leader on Thursday afternoon, featuring a live broadcast and the largest-ever public participation in such an exercise, the Post has learned. More than 500 government officers will participate in the exercise, with 200 members of the public observing and taking part, according to a source. The drill, code-named “Bravelight”, will be held at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. “This exercise will mark the first... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3323146/hong-kong-conduct-first-anti-terror-drill-supervised-john-lee-thursday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3323146/hong-kong-conduct-first-anti-terror-drill-supervised-john-lee-thursday?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:09:37 +0000 Willa Wu,Vivian Au Willa Wu,Vivian Au A vague public apology and blaming a procedural “flaw” have failed to quell public discontent over the government’s water procurement scandal, political analysts have said, urging Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu to accelerate developing a civil servant accountability system. Analysts made the call on Friday as the government said that the central tender board, chaired by the permanent secretary of the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, had given the final approval to the bottled water... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3322877/hong-kong-urged-expedite-civil-servant-accountability-system-after-water-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3322877/hong-kong-urged-expedite-civil-servant-accountability-system-after-water-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 13:21:49 +0000 Jess Ma,Vivian Au Jess Ma,Vivian Au Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has chaired the first meeting of a high-level counterterrorism group, later announcing that a large exercise to simulate terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure will be held this month. The Chief Executive Counter-terrorism Steering Group discussed the progress of various groups under a new three-tier mechanism, global and local threats, and the directions and strategies of the government’s counterterrorism work, a statement released after Wednesday’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3321773/hong-kong-holds-first-meeting-new-top-level-anti-terrorism-group?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3321773/hong-kong-holds-first-meeting-new-top-level-anti-terrorism-group?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Aug 2025 15:32:12 +0000 Willa Wu,Edith Lin,Natalie Wong Willa Wu,Edith Lin,Natalie Wong A proposed piece of legislation by the Hong Kong government to recognise same-sex partnerships is set to be the first bill the legislature will reject since Beijing overhauled the city’s electoral system in 2021 to ensure only “patriots” held political power. The new law, opposed by the major political parties, was the government’s response to a landmark court ruling that found authorities had violated the city’s Bill of Rights by failing to offer some form of legal recognition, such as civil... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3321636/hong-kongs-legislature-becoming-too-timid-too-tame-year-review?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3321636/hong-kongs-legislature-becoming-too-timid-too-tame-year-review?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:30:13 +0000 Ng Kang-chung,Lam Ka-sing Ng Kang-chung,Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings has called for the rule of law to be respected after Panama took legal action to nullify its ports contracts, with the country’s leader also suggesting its operations be taken over by state partnerships. Legal experts said on Friday that the Hong Kong-based conglomerate could face “significant financial, operational and reputational losses” if the two Panama Canal ports it operated were taken over. Panama’s president, Jose Raul Mulino,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3320503/panama-ports-deal-hong-kongs-ck-hutchison-urges-respect-rule-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3320503/panama-ports-deal-hong-kongs-ck-hutchison-urges-respect-rule-law?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Aug 2025 15:48:45 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings may win Beijing’s support through its plan to bring in a mainland Chinese company as a strategic investor in the controversial sale of its global port stakes, but the change in tack has also fuelled uncertainty, experts have said. Analysts said that the planned US$23 billion deal to sell CK Hutchison’s 43 overseas ports, including two at the Panama Canal, could become a bargaining chip between the US and China as they held trade talks in Sweden. Experts weighed... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3319895/will-ck-hutchisons-plan-tap-mainland-chinese-firm-panama-ports-deal-pay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3319895/will-ck-hutchisons-plan-tap-mainland-chinese-firm-panama-ports-deal-pay?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:01:08 +0000 Lam Ka-sing,Edith Lin,Jeffie Lam Lam Ka-sing,Edith Lin,Jeffie Lam Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings has said it plans to invite a major strategic investor from mainland China to join as a “significant member” of a consortium seeking to buy its global port stakes, after a deadline for exclusive talks on the US$23 billion deal expired at the weekend. Hours after CK Hutchison’s announcement on Monday, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiakun said the central government “would regulate in accordance with the law” and safeguard... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3319768/talks-deadline-ck-hutchison-us23-billion-panama-ports-deal-passes-sunday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3319768/talks-deadline-ck-hutchison-us23-billion-panama-ports-deal-passes-sunday?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Jul 2025 16:01:14 +0000