https://www.scmp.com/rss/522369/feed The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) is a governmental body, now also known as the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office under the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, with its headquarters in Beijing. It is dedicated to overseeing and coordinating policies related to Hong Kong and Macau, implementing the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. Its key activities include conducting research, facilitating official exchanges, promoting economic and cultural cooperation, and safeguarding... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Natalie Wong Natalie Wong Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong and Macau affairs has concluded a five-day fact-finding trip to three mainland Chinese cities in the Greater Bay Area to explore ways of deepening the international financial hub’s integration into the national blueprint. The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said its director, Xia Baolong, had visited Guangzhou, Zhaoqing and Foshan on the trip from Monday to Friday, accompanied by officials from the mainland and Hong Kong. “[The trip] focused on how... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3348201/beijing-official-visits-greater-bay-area-cities-explore-integrating-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3348201/beijing-official-visits-greater-bay-area-cities-explore-integrating-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:47:50 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Danny Mok Matthew Cheng,Danny Mok Beijing has selected Zhang Dongmei, a former vice-president of the All-China Women’s Federation, as a new deputy director of the top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs, making her the first woman to take on the role since the body’s status was elevated in 2023. Zhang’s appointment as the new deputy head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) fills the vacancy left by the departure of Xiang Bin, a Communist Party of China group member of the office, earlier this year. The State... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3347890/zhang-dongmei-named-new-deputy-director-office-overseeing-hong-kong-affairs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3347890/zhang-dongmei-named-new-deputy-director-office-overseeing-hong-kong-affairs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:17:34 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong is ready to discuss land, tax incentives and financial support for businesses setting up in the Northern Metropolis, the finance chief has told a trade seminar in Beijing, stressing a “flexible and innovative” approach will be taken with developing the megaproject. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Thursday also met Xia Baolong, Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs, who underscored the central government’s support for the city’s efforts to bolster its competitiveness through... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347210/hong-kong-finance-chief-stresses-flexibility-pitch-northern-metropolis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347210/hong-kong-finance-chief-stresses-flexibility-pitch-northern-metropolis?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:31:30 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s executive-led governance model has long been a cornerstone of the constitutional design. Its relevance was again highlighted when China’s state leader in charge of the city’s affairs stressed the “shared responsibility” across government branches and society as a whole to uphold the principle and prepare for the next stage of development under the new five-year national plan. Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang is the most senior official yet to shed light on the city’s governance. He said... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3345749/vital-consolidate-executive-led-system-hong-kongs-development?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3345749/vital-consolidate-executive-led-system-hong-kongs-development?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 23:15:12 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Lam Ka-sing,Edith Lin Matthew Cheng,Lam Ka-sing,Edith Lin Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang has acknowledged it is no “easy task” to truly implement Hong Kong’s executive-led governance system, stressing that it must be a “shared responsibility” of the legislative and judicial branches and society as a whole. The state leader also urged the city to “grasp” the opportunities of China’s 15th five-year plan as he highlighted key areas such as quantum technology, aerospace and the low-altitude economy, while calling on local entrepreneurs to proactively... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3345644/chinese-vice-premier-stresses-shared-duty-hong-kongs-executive-led-governance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3345644/chinese-vice-premier-stresses-shared-duty-hong-kongs-executive-led-governance?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 02:21:09 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Lam Ka-sing,Emily Hung Matthew Cheng,Lam Ka-sing,Emily Hung Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs has urged the city to focus on development amid heightening geopolitical tensions and to cherish its hard-earned stability, according to local delegates visiting the capital for the annual “two sessions” political gatherings. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), also said on Tuesday that the city enjoyed “favourable timing, advantageous location and unity of the people” in pursuing development, while calling for work on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3345243/starry-lee-propose-boosting-hong-kongs-role-offshore-yuan-hub-two-sessions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3345243/starry-lee-propose-boosting-hong-kongs-role-offshore-yuan-hub-two-sessions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:41:24 +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 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Panama is among a growing number of markets that have become a tough sell for Hong Kong investors amid geopolitical headwinds. There is understandable concern about a court ruling nullifying a Hong Kong company’s rights to run Panama Canal ports. City leaders have rightly been pushing back in concert with the central government. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday urged Panama to ensure “fair and reasonable” treatment of Hong Kong firms operating or investing in the Latin American... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3343444/panamas-u-turn-business-deal-under-pressure-dents-investor-confidence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3343444/panamas-u-turn-business-deal-under-pressure-dents-investor-confidence?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 23:15:14 +0000 Fiona Chow Fiona Chow A Hong Kong district councillor who illegally parked his car and blocked access to a fire exit lane has been “sternly reminded” to watch his conduct, a minister has said, following a similar offence by a colleague within a week. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen revealed on Friday that the Kwai Tsing district officer had already “sternly reminded” Poon Chi-shing in writing to act in accordance with the public’s expectations. “The government attaches great importance to the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343492/hong-kong-councillor-warned-over-parking-offence-misconduct-scrutiny-widens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343492/hong-kong-councillor-warned-over-parking-offence-misconduct-scrutiny-widens?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:24:08 +0000 Brian Wong Brian Wong Hong Kong’s High Court jailed former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying for 20 years on Monday for national security crimes, in what mainland Chinese authorities described as a “powerful declaration” that severe punishment awaited those who dared to challenge the law. In the toughest punishment to date under the city’s national security law, Lai is set to spend the rest of his life behind bars after being found guilty earlier on two conspiracy counts of collusion with foreign forces and a third of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3342970/ex-media-boss-jimmy-lai-jailed-20-years-under-national-security-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3342970/ex-media-boss-jimmy-lai-jailed-20-years-under-national-security-law?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:36:34 +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 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejected criticism from Chinese and Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday over a Supreme Court ruling that voided a long-standing port concession at the Panama Canal, arguing that the decision falls squarely within Panama’s constitutional and legal framework. Mulino’s comments came after China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office issued a sharply worded commentary condemning the court’s decision to declare unconstitutional the concession held by Panama Ports... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342425/panama-president-defends-judiciary-after-china-slams-canal-port-concession-ruling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342425/panama-president-defends-judiciary-after-china-slams-canal-port-concession-ruling?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:52:38 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng The head of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong has called on the city to focus on economic progress, proactively align with national development and strengthen the executive-led governance model. Office director Zhou Ji made the remarks on Wednesday at a reception to celebrate the coming Lunar New Year, highlighting Beijing’s expectations for Hong Kong in keeping with the country’s 15th five-year plan. He also urged Hongkongers to overcome adversity by embracing the “Lion Rock Spirit” and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3342414/hong-kong-must-be-reformer-not-complacent-idler-official-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3342414/hong-kong-must-be-reformer-not-complacent-idler-official-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:52:56 +0000 Ambrose Li,Jeffie Lam,Leopold Chen Ambrose Li,Jeffie Lam,Leopold Chen Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison has launched arbitration proceedings to challenge a Panama court ruling that nullified its right to operate two ports at the country’s canal, hours after Beijing warned that the Central American nation would pay a heavy political and economic price. The conglomerate led by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing’s family on Wednesday said it strongly disagreed with the ruling by the country’s Supreme Court over the Panama Canal ports, which could take effect this month. It... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3342287/panama-could-pay-heavy-price-over-ck-hutchison-ports-ruling-beijing-warns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3342287/panama-could-pay-heavy-price-over-ck-hutchison-ports-ruling-beijing-warns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:28:29 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s political order is being reshaped after the national security law and all-patriots electoral revamp. The latest emphasis by Beijing on the importance of the executive-led governance system underlines the need for the city to better understand the spirit of this reform and strengthen cooperation among the executive, legislative and judicial branches under the Basic Law and “one country, two systems”. The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office chief highlighted the task ahead in an address... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3341272/executive-led-model-key-hong-kongs-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3341272/executive-led-model-key-hong-kongs-success?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:15:11 +0000 Leopold Chen,Jeffie Lam Leopold Chen,Jeffie Lam Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs has called on the city to improve its executive-led governance model, arguing that the legislative and judicial branches should support the government rather than undermine each other, as they all perform “on the same stage”. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, on Monday warned against any attempts by foreign and disruptive forces to promote the idea of a separation of powers, arguing such views undermined the authority of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3341241/legislators-judiciary-must-support-hong-kongs-executive-led-government-xia-baolong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3341241/legislators-judiciary-must-support-hong-kongs-executive-led-government-xia-baolong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 07:47:26 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Beijing’s top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs said on New Year’s Day that the city had lived up to expectations, highlighting its response to the deadly Tai Po fire as proof of “unity and resilience”. The office’s comments came as city leader John Lee Ka-chiu, in response to President Xi Jinping’s new year greetings, pledged that Hong Kong would pursue quality development, deepen reforms and open up. The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office noted that both special administrative regions had... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3338385/hong-kong-has-lived-expectations-beijing-says-new-year-message?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3338385/hong-kong-has-lived-expectations-beijing-says-new-year-message?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 06:22:08 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng The Hong Kong Bar Association will propose targeted legislation to criminalise bid-rigging and make key construction safety guidelines legally binding following the city’s deadliest fire in seven decades. The association formed a task force to review existing legislation after last month’s Tai Po blaze, with one of the preliminary goals being to criminalise bid-rigging, currently classified as “serious anti-competitive conduct” under the Competition Ordinance and punishable only by fines,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3336948/bar-association-proposes-targeted-legislation-bid-rigging-after-hong-kong-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3336948/bar-association-proposes-targeted-legislation-bid-rigging-after-hong-kong-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 11:12:00 +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 The Hong Kong Bar Association will travel to Beijing next week to meet mainland Chinese officials, becoming the first delegation to visit the capital since the city’s deadliest fire in decades and its recent Legislative Council election. Chairman Jose-Antonio Maurellet told the Post on Wednesday that the delegation would be happy to discuss possible legal reforms brought by the deadly Tai Po fire with central government authorities, including the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO),... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335946/bar-association-first-hong-kong-delegation-beijing-after-fire-legco-election?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335946/bar-association-first-hong-kong-delegation-beijing-after-fire-legco-election?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:30:10 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung New and younger faces who will fill nearly half of the 90 seats following Hong Kong’s second “patriots-only” Legislative Council election now face the immediate task of tackling the aftermath of the deadly Tai Po inferno, including the policy gaps it exposed and implementing systemic reforms. Sunday’s poll yielded a 31.9 per cent turnout rate that marked an increase from the record low figure of 30.2 per cent in the 2021 election, with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu declaring the outcome to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335616/new-faces-win-nearly-half-90-legco-seats-hong-kong-turns-post-fire-reforms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335616/new-faces-win-nearly-half-90-legco-seats-hong-kong-turns-post-fire-reforms?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:50:57 +0000 SCMP Reporters SCMP Reporters Hong Kong began a three-day official mourning period on Saturday for victims of the city’s deadliest blaze in decades as residents queued at the site of the tragedy and various halls to pay their respects, penning tributes and laying flowers. For the first time since the fire broke out on Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the death toll remained at 128 on Saturday. No further human remains were recovered, while about 150 people remained “unreachable”, according to police. Graft-busters... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3334642/hong-kong-begins-3-days-mourning-more-arrests-made-over-deadly-blaze?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3334642/hong-kong-begins-3-days-mourning-more-arrests-made-over-deadly-blaze?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Nov 2025 16:59:59 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The world stands with Hong Kong at this difficult time, with condolences and support streaming in from mainland China and foreign countries as the city’s deadliest high-rise building inferno was finally brought under control on Friday. The Tai Po fire tragedy has also drawn the city closer together as donations and relief aid for victims and survivors mount. The process of healing and rebuilding will be long and requires concerted and sustainable efforts from all sides. The blaze, which started... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3334521/hong-kong-must-stay-united-long-road-recovery-tai-po-fire-tragedy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3334521/hong-kong-must-stay-united-long-road-recovery-tai-po-fire-tragedy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Nov 2025 23:15:14 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial A blaze that cannot be contained in one tower is a nightmare scenario for a high-rise city. In an extreme case, it can spread to companion towers like a firestorm. It happened to Hong Kong on Wednesday night. The catastrophic consequences of the city’s deadliest fire in decades are still being counted in the numbers of dead, injured, missing and homeless after the Tai Po public housing estate inferno. Our first thoughts must be with the grieving families. President Xi Jinping, on Wednesday... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3334407/community-effort-needed-help-survivors-and-those-who-lost-loved-ones-tai-po-tragedy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3334407/community-effort-needed-help-survivors-and-those-who-lost-loved-ones-tai-po-tragedy?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Nov 2025 22:45:07 +0000 Jeffie Lam Jeffie Lam Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs has met a delegation led by HSBC Group CEO Georges Elhedery, marking his second meeting with the bank’s leadership in eight months. But the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office did not reveal what was discussed in the meeting between its director, Xia Baolong, and Elhedery in Beijing on Thursday. Xu Qifang, the executive deputy director of the office and veteran HSBC banker Peter Wong Tung-shun also attended the meeting. During his meeting with group... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3333621/beijings-point-man-hong-kong-affairs-meets-hsbc-ceo-georges-elhedery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3333621/beijings-point-man-hong-kong-affairs-meets-hsbc-ceo-georges-elhedery?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Nov 2025 02:41:18 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu Hong Kong has recorded a 12 per cent year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals for the first 10 months of 2025, with around 41 million people visiting the city between January and October, according to the Tourism Board. The city welcomed 9.62 million foreign tourists in that period, marking a 16 per cent year-on-year increase in non-mainland Chinese visitors, the board revealed on Monday. The 31.44 million mainland tourists, accounting for 76.6 per cent of total visitors, marked an 11 per cent... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3333059/hong-kong-receives-41-million-visitors-first-10-months-2025-12-year-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3333059/hong-kong-receives-41-million-visitors-first-10-months-2025-12-year-year?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 05:48:02 +0000 Willa Wu,Leopold Chen Willa Wu,Leopold Chen Hong Kong’s No 2 official has said that debate is welcome at government-run Legislative Council election forums, defending the events as he encouraged candidates to express opposing views without resorting to smears against one another. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki made the remarks as the two government-organised forums held on Friday matched the tone of events from earlier this week, with only minor clashes being seen among candidates. He was defending the administration’s “peaceful”... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3332754/debates-welcomed-legco-election-forums-no-mudslinging-back-stabbing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3332754/debates-welcomed-legco-election-forums-no-mudslinging-back-stabbing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 04:52:29 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The revamped Legislative Council elections have moved to another crucial stage as the two-week nomination period closed with more aspirants signed up for the race. The task ahead is for the authorities to vet their qualifications and conduct a fair and smooth ballot with a satisfactory turnout on December 7. It is incumbent upon the candidates to abide by the electoral rules for a clean campaign and prove themselves worthy of voter support under the new all-patriot governance system. A total of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3331914/legco-hopefuls-must-make-coming-weeks-count?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3331914/legco-hopefuls-must-make-coming-weeks-count?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Nov 2025 23:15:10 +0000 Alex Lo Alex Lo Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen has the patience of a Buddha, a temperament which may explain why he managed to chair the Legislative Council for nine long years. Those tumultuous years included the unprecedented anti-government riots in 2019, followed by the economically damaging Covid-19 pandemic, and yet he almost never lost his temper in public. But even Leung got a little testy at a news conference last month before the end of the seventh Legco. “If there were 90 legislators and more than 80 were... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3331412/turnover-among-hong-kong-legislators-should-not-be-surprising?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3331412/turnover-among-hong-kong-legislators-should-not-be-surprising?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Nov 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Jeffie Lam Jeffie Lam There has been more intense competition for the coming Legislative Council election amid an unprecedented level of uncertainty, with neither a “blessing list” nor a “sure win” scenario for any candidate, according to a commentary posted by Beijing’s top office for the city’s affairs. The piece, reposted by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) on Monday night, marked Beijing’s latest attempt in recent weeks to stress that there were no candidates being endorsed by central authorities in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3331432/tougher-races-hong-kong-legco-poll-amid-unprecedented-uncertainty-beijing-office?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3331432/tougher-races-hong-kong-legco-poll-amid-unprecedented-uncertainty-beijing-office?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:15:25 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The outcome of the Legislative Council polls in December is being closely watched as the nomination period kicked off on Friday. What is certain, though, is that there will be more new blood in the new Legco, with no fewer than 23 of the 89 incumbents not seeking re-election. The change underlines a shift from simply filling seats with the loyal and patriotic to seeking those with the needed expertise and who can genuinely work with the executive-led government for the good of the city and the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3330260/hong-kong-needs-legco-can-help-it-navigate-challenging-times-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3330260/hong-kong-needs-legco-can-help-it-navigate-challenging-times-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2025 23:15:11 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Nong Rong, a deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), has met a media delegation from the city in Beijing. He was joined at the meeting on Sunday by Sun Shangwu, the new deputy chief of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, who made his public debut a day after taking up the post. They met representatives from some 20 mainstream media outlets, including the South China Morning Post. Sun was appointed as a deputy director of the liaison... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3328722/new-deputy-chief-liaison-office-meets-hong-kong-media-delegation-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3328722/new-deputy-chief-liaison-office-meets-hong-kong-media-delegation-beijing?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 15:43:23 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu With less than three weeks left of the current Legislative Council term, speculation is high about who’s in and who’s out for the next Legco. Elections are due to take place on December 7. However, before voters head to the polls, candidates must first clinch their nominations from the Election Committee. To run for either the Election Committee, functional or geographical constituencies, a person must get nominated by at least two Election Committee members from each of the committee’s five... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3327903/hong-kong-must-look-beyond-age-selecting-capable-lawmakers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3327903/hong-kong-must-look-beyond-age-selecting-capable-lawmakers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Alex Lo Alex Lo After he was denied entry to Singapore, many people have asked why Hong Kong fugitive Nathan Law Kwun-chung risked travelling there. Generally, dissidents and criminals from Hong Kong avoid Singapore and similar Asian countries with mutual extradition treaties. Whether Law is a criminal or a dissident is in the eye of the beholder. But that question naturally comes to mind. It has apparently also troubled former Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying. Writing in a social media post, he... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3327943/singapore-did-right-throwing-out-hong-kong-fugitive-nathan-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3327943/singapore-did-right-throwing-out-hong-kong-fugitive-nathan-law?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 01:17:47 +0000 William Zheng William Zheng Beijing has appointed a senior editor from its official English-language media outlet as the chief publicity officer at its liaison office in Hong Kong in a bid to improve the central government’s narratives for international audiences, the Post has learned. Official sources said Sun Shangwu, 56, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, would move to the city to take up the role of deputy director at Beijing’s liaison office and take charge of publicity work. “Sun will greatly enhance the liaison... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327757/china-daily-senior-editor-helm-publicity-efforts-hong-kong-liaison-office?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327757/china-daily-senior-editor-helm-publicity-efforts-hong-kong-liaison-office?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 06:38:18 +0000 Mike Rowse Mike Rowse News that the government has withdrawn tenders for two sites to speed up development of the Northern Metropolis comes as Hong Kong is still celebrating the anniversaries of various economic initiatives from a previous era. There could not be a better illustration of the changes in the city’s approach to economic development. On Monday, the Development Bureau announced that it was withdrawing from two sites that had previously been open to private sector bidders. A three-hectare lot in Yuen Long... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3319377/will-hong-kong-governments-more-hands-approach-development-pay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3319377/will-hong-kong-governments-more-hands-approach-development-pay?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Jul 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft A recent visit to Hong Kong by the new executive deputy director of the central government’s top office for the city’s affairs was likely to have been to check on the progress of the Northern Metropolis megadevelopment, political analysts have said. Xu Qifang, the executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), made his first official visit to the city last week following his appointment earlier this month. According to a statement from the office, Xu led a team to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3319747/hong-kong-visit-deputy-director-beijing-office-linked-megaproject-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3319747/hong-kong-visit-deputy-director-beijing-office-linked-megaproject-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Jul 2025 10:03:51 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Speed is vital when it comes to rail transport. The MTR Corporation has pledged to fast-track the completion of a major rail link near the border by at least two years, accelerating the momentum of the much-touted Northern Metropolis development project. The first of a two-part deal signed with the Hong Kong government on Tuesday involves HK$39.05 billion in financing from land premiums for the construction of three stations along the Northern Link main line, the design of the spur line, tunnels... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3317573/northern-metropolis-rail-links-must-be-completed-time-pledged?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3317573/northern-metropolis-rail-links-must-be-completed-time-pledged?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Jul 2025 23:15:13 +0000 Vivian Au,Harvey Kong Vivian Au,Harvey Kong A novel arrangement to build mass transit links in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis aims to reduce construction costs by up to 30 per cent by adopting world-leading mainland Chinese standards for railway lines, the government has said. The Highways Department said on Wednesday the estimated cost of the first phase of the Northern Link rail development was HK$31.4 billion (US$4 billion) and construction of the spur line using mainland standards was set to begin in 2027. “The mainland railway... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3317543/mainland-standards-may-cut-hong-kong-rail-link-costs-40-lawmakers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3317543/mainland-standards-may-cut-hong-kong-rail-link-costs-40-lawmakers?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Jul 2025 08:44:49 +0000 Edith Lin,Vivian Au Edith Lin,Vivian Au Hong Kong must instil investor confidence by eliminating uncertainties over the Northern Metropolis, a megadevelopment near the border viewed by Beijing as a test of the administration’s governance capability, analysts have said. The megaproject, featuring the city’s new innovation hub located in the northern New Territories, grabbed headlines again last month after a five-day visit by Beijing’s top official on Hong Kong affairs and subtle bargaining by the city’s major developers. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3317452/why-investor-confidence-key-acing-hong-kongs-northern-metropolis-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3317452/why-investor-confidence-key-acing-hong-kongs-northern-metropolis-test?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Jul 2025 00:30:11 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong’s railway operator and the government signed an agreement on the design and construction of the major rail link in the Northern Metropolis on Tuesday, fast-tracking its completion by at least two years to 2034. The agreement, which gives momentum to the Northern Metropolis project, involves HK$39.05 billion in financing from land premiums for the construction of three stations along the Northern Link main line, the design of the spur line, tunnels and other railway facilities. It is... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3317451/major-rail-links-hong-kongs-northern-metropolis-be-completed-2-years-early?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3317451/major-rail-links-hong-kongs-northern-metropolis-be-completed-2-years-early?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:39:52 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft For most visitors to Hong Kong, no trip would be complete without a stop at The Peak to take in the city’s sweeping vistas or a walk along the Avenue of Stars to witness the skyline lit up at night. With such glitzy attractions having become synonymous with the city, few people would ever consider visiting a wet market in one of the city’s poorest neighbourhoods or a public housing estate slated for demolition. But for Hong Kong tour guide Angel Lau Tsz-tung, these lesser-known locations reveal... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3316172/meet-hong-kong-tour-guide-offering-visitors-anthony-bourdain-style-trip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3316172/meet-hong-kong-tour-guide-offering-visitors-anthony-bourdain-style-trip?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Jun 2025 01:00:16 +0000 Natalie Wong,Jeffie Lam Natalie Wong,Jeffie Lam In this first of a two-part series, we look at the workings of the law and how ‘soft resistance’ signals a next phase, and more importantly, as the focus shifts squarely to the economy. A year after being arrested under Hong Kong’s domestic security law, former district councillor and theatre personality Katrina Chan Kim-kam has not been charged but feels society has already punished her. Two theatre companies she worked with dropped her. An academic institution acted on an anonymous complaint... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3315835/hong-kong-turns-corner-after-5-years-national-security-law-whats-next?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3315835/hong-kong-turns-corner-after-5-years-national-security-law-whats-next?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:30:13 +0000