https://www.scmp.com/rss/523854/feed The next general election of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council will be held on December 7, the second under Beijing’s “patriots-only” electoral overhaul. The nomination period ran from October 24 to November 6. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Natalie Wong Natalie Wong Hong Kong spent HK$1.13 billion (US$144.27 million) on the Legislative Council election last year, or nearly 35 per cent more than on the previous poll, with authorities citing rising technology expenses, staff salaries and venue rentals for the increased expenditure. In a written response to lawmakers’ inquiries that came to light on Thursday, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau revealed the revised budget for the Registration and Electoral Office for the 2025-26 financial year that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3349559/hong-kong-spent-hk113-billion-legco-poll-35-over-figure-2021?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3349559/hong-kong-spent-hk113-billion-legco-poll-35-over-figure-2021?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:43:25 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Leopold Chen Matthew Cheng,Leopold Chen Hong Kong’s “Queen of Votes” Christine Fong Kwok-shan ran one of the most cost-effective campaigns in the Legislative Council election, spending an average of just HK$20 per vote, the South China Morning Post has found. An SCMP review of the election spending declarations by 32 candidates who contested directly elected seats also found that some candidates spent up to 10 times more than others in terms of average cost per vote, with Jeffrey Chan Chun-hung from local think tank the PoD Research... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3343230/hong-kongs-queen-votes-ran-one-cheapest-legco-races-hk20-vote?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3343230/hong-kongs-queen-votes-ran-one-cheapest-legco-races-hk20-vote?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 02:01:03 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong police are following up on an alleged traffic offence involving lawmaker Judy Chan Kapui, who was filmed driving against the flow of traffic in Wan Chai on Friday. Chan confirmed on Friday night that she was the driver of the car in a viral video circulating on social media and apologised for her actions in an interview with the Post, hours after the clip was posted online. “I sincerely apologise for my actions,” Chan said. “This has significantly affected my public image.” The video... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3341066/hong-kong-lawmaker-judy-chan-sorry-over-traffic-incident-caught-camera?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3341066/hong-kong-lawmaker-judy-chan-sorry-over-traffic-incident-caught-camera?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:54:10 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu The dust has settled on the election of the Legislative Council president, and committees and panels have settled into the new Legco. Most, it seems, are ready to hit the ground running. First on the agenda: dealing with the aftermath of the Tai Po fire. The more immediate matters involve the rebuilding of a community that has lost so much. Equally pressing are the long-standing issues laid bare by the tragic fire that demand the government fix the entire building sector. Consultations with... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3340199/policy-blowback-shows-why-hong-kong-lawmakers-must-play-bigger-role?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3340199/policy-blowback-shows-why-hong-kong-lawmakers-must-play-bigger-role?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Several newly elected Hong Kong lawmakers have not fully disclosed their unpaid directorships and those held at subsidiaries, the Post has found, prompting calls from the legislature’s House Committee chairman for greater transparency. Andrew Yao Cho-fai and Lothair Lam Ming-fung were among the Legislative Council newcomers who did not register dozens of unpaid directorships, according to a Post check on their declarations of interest, which were cross-referenced with Companies Registry... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3340226/several-hong-kong-lawmakers-omit-unpaid-directorships-legco-declarations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3340226/several-hong-kong-lawmakers-omit-unpaid-directorships-legco-declarations?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 04:00:13 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng At least three newcomers to Hong Kong’s legislature, including two from the city’s largest political party, have failed to declare company shareholdings, the Post has found, with the trio blaming the omissions on heavy workloads or misunderstandings. The three lawmakers are Jody Kwok Fu-yung and Hung Kam-in of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), and Thomas So Shiu-tsung, a lawyer. “I am still a newcomer and have to handle many matters, such as [a new]... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3340054/3-new-hong-kong-lawmakers-fail-declare-company-shareholdings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3340054/3-new-hong-kong-lawmakers-fail-declare-company-shareholdings?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 13:33:58 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong lawmaker Duncan Chiu owns 54 properties at home and overseas, more than any of the other 89 lawmakers, a review of their declaration of interests shows. But Chiu indicated that he is considering selling his properties in the West, citing geopolitical risks and his limited time for managing them. Chiu, the son of the late entrepreneur Deacon Chiu, represents the technology and innovation sector. He is among the five lawmakers who have declared ownership of more than 10 properties, and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3339926/hong-kong-lawmaker-duncan-chiu-leads-legco-affluent-list-54-properties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3339926/hong-kong-lawmaker-duncan-chiu-leads-legco-affluent-list-54-properties?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:30:15 +0000 SCMP Reporters SCMP Reporters This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Hong Kong’s new Legislative Council held its first meeting on Wednesday, with lawmakers focusing on follow-up actions after last year’s Tai Po fire that claimed 161 lives. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu addressed the new batch of 90 lawmakers, highlighting government priorities that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3339800/hong-kongs-john-lee-open-new-legcos-first-meeting-tai-po-fire-agenda?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3339800/hong-kongs-john-lee-open-new-legcos-first-meeting-tai-po-fire-agenda?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 02:59:56 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial In a symbolic fresh start, the new Legislative Council has elected Starry Lee Wai-king as its president. The veteran lawmaker is experienced in rules and procedures and can preserve continuity while fostering change. Even so, the tasks ahead of her are daunting. How to cooperate closely with the executive branch and enhance “all-patriots” governance without compromising the constitutional functions of the legislature under the Basic Law will put her to the test. The Democratic Alliance for the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3339299/hong-kongs-new-legislative-council-president-must-strike-right-balance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3339299/hong-kongs-new-legislative-council-president-must-strike-right-balance?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 23:15:16 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Veteran Hong Kong lawmaker Starry Lee Wai-king has been elected president of the Legislative Council, with the body scheduled to hold its first meeting of the new term on Wednesday next week to debate a government motion related to the Tai Po fire. Lee, a member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), narrowly defeated finance sector lawmaker Ronick Chan Chun-ying by a margin of five votes on Thursday. The race marked the first time two pro-government... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3339124/hong-kongs-starry-lee-secures-legco-presidency-after-5-vote-win-over-ronick-chan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3339124/hong-kongs-starry-lee-secures-legco-presidency-after-5-vote-win-over-ronick-chan?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 04:25:19 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu Two candidates vying to become the next president of Hong Kong’s legislature are locked in a tight race as major political parties have given their members a free vote. The newly sworn-in members of the Legislative Council will on Thursday elect either Starry Lee Wai-king of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) or finance sector representative Ronick Chan Chun-ying through a secret ballot. Before voting begins, both candidates will present their election... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3339081/tight-race-hong-kongs-legco-presidency-parties-allow-free-vote?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3339081/tight-race-hong-kongs-legco-presidency-parties-allow-free-vote?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:10:53 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu swore in the new Legislative Council on January 1 without issue, even though a few lawmakers had to redo their oaths. And the first order of business for them is to elect the council president in a vote expected on January 8. Whether Lee’s message to Legco members – calling on them to be “representatives of the public”, and to prioritise the interests of the nation and Hong Kong over personal political gain and glory – is heard and how they interpret... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3338553/starry-lee-or-ronick-chan-lawmakers-choice-will-reveal-their-priorities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3338553/starry-lee-or-ronick-chan-lawmakers-choice-will-reveal-their-priorities?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Jan 2026 01:30:10 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Strengthening risk oversight in major maintenance projects in the wake of the deadly Tai Po fire is a top priority for Hong Kong lawmaker Julia Lau Man-kwan, who represents the architectural, surveying, planning and landscape sector. In an interview with the Post, Lau, who is also president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, pledged to ensure proper use of public funds in government works amid a deficit, and to remove development barriers to boost tourism in rural areas under the Northern... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3338578/new-hong-kong-lawmaker-julia-lau-vows-strengthen-risk-oversight-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3338578/new-hong-kong-lawmaker-julia-lau-vows-strengthen-risk-oversight-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:30:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hopes for better governance are high as Hong Kong ushered in the new year with lawmakers being officially sworn in for the new Legislative Council. From enhancing performance under the all-patriot governance approach to lifting the city to a new stage of high-quality development, Legco’s responsibilities have never been greater. The swearing-in marks the beginning of the four-year tenure of the eighth-term Legco. The 90 lawmakers took their oaths of office one after another in a ceremony... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3338398/expectations-hong-kongs-newly-sworn-legislators-are-clear?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3338398/expectations-hong-kongs-newly-sworn-legislators-are-clear?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Emily Hung,Willa Wu Emily Hung,Willa Wu Hong Kong’s incoming social welfare lawmaker has vowed to actively engage young people in policy discussions and strengthen communications with frontline workers to plug a “knowledge gap” in professional conduct. Grace Chan Man-yee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, a statutory body representing local welfare groups, also expressed confidence that there would be critical voices in the legislature although not always in front of the cameras. Chan won the social welfare... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3337654/young-peoples-input-needed-pressing-hong-kong-issues-incoming-lawmaker-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3337654/young-peoples-input-needed-pressing-hong-kong-issues-incoming-lawmaker-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:29:34 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Voter turnout in the recent Legislative Council election was affected by Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, recording the second-lowest rate since the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, despite a modest rise from the previous poll, the constitutional affairs chief has said. Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai stressed on Sunday that the government had not set a “hard indicator” for the turnout rate in the December 7 Legco poll, which reached 31.9... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3337216/deadly-tai-po-blaze-affected-hong-kong-legco-election-voter-turnout-minister-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3337216/deadly-tai-po-blaze-affected-hong-kong-legco-election-voter-turnout-minister-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 06:15:37 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng The sole lawmaker-elect of the centrist Roundtable party in Hong Kong has said his victory in the recent Legislative Council election could embolden more moderate and outspoken politicians to contest future polls. Mark Chong Ho-fung also called on the government to strengthen oversight to improve public trust, citing two cases: the bottled water scandal and the use of substandard scaffolding nets suspected to have exacerbated the rapid spread of last month’s catastrophic fire in Tai Po. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3337094/centrist-hong-kong-lawmaker-says-win-will-spur-more-vocal-candidates-future-polls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3337094/centrist-hong-kong-lawmaker-says-win-will-spur-more-vocal-candidates-future-polls?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Dec 2025 04:00:15 +0000 Xiaogang Wu Xiaogang Wu This month’s Legislative Council election once again put Hong Kong’s political participation in the spotlight. Despite official calls for civic engagement and a modest improvement over the previous election, voter turnout remained historically low. Among younger voters in particular, a sense of distance from institutional politics was palpable. This was not simply a matter of apathy or protest abstention. Rather, it reflected a deeper unease about whether the city’s political institutions still... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3336614/home-ownership-key-hong-kong-rebuilding-civic-trust?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3336614/home-ownership-key-hong-kong-rebuilding-civic-trust?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu Hong Kong’s lawmakers-elect have called for more exchanges with senior officials before policy formulation as they welcomed the first sharing session on Thursday, saying it signalled the government valued ties with the legislature. About 70 of the 90 newly elected lawmakers joined the 1½-hour exchange with top government officials, including three secretaries and other bureau chiefs, focusing on two topics: the executive-legislature relationship and Hong Kong’s economic... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3336874/hong-kong-lawmakers-elect-call-more-exchanges-government-policymaking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3336874/hong-kong-lawmakers-elect-call-more-exchanges-government-policymaking?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 06:09:51 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The Hong Kong chief executive’s annual duty visit to the Chinese capital is a good opportunity to report on and review the city government’s performance as well as set goals for development. What set John Lee Ka-chiu’s fourth visit apart were the prevailing circumstances, with the aftermath of the Tai Po fire tragedy, the work of the new legislature and the preparation for the next national five-year plan high on the agenda. There was full recognition from President Xi Jinping of the work of the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3336646/align-national-goals-xi-urges-hong-kong-pat-back-lee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3336646/align-national-goals-xi-urges-hong-kong-pat-back-lee?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:15:10 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu The dust has settled and Hong Kong’s eighth Legislative Council is getting ready, with new lawmakers finding their way. There were quite a few surprises, looking at the results. With many new candidates and political groups vying for seats, the contest for the directly elected geographical constituencies was highly competitive. Some candidates were fielded by groups with strongholds in the trade-based functional constituencies, which are indirectly elected. That is something we should welcome.... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3336253/hong-kongs-political-parties-are-embracing-change-better?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3336253/hong-kongs-political-parties-are-embracing-change-better?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 01:30:17 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong’s constitutional affairs chief has dismissed suggestions that a record number of invalid ballots cast in the recent Legislative Council election was due to some people being forced to vote, adding that authorities may reconsider introducing “smart ballot boxes” to address the issue. Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai also said on Saturday that last month’s deadly Tai Po fire had affected the voter turnout in the poll. Last Sunday’s election yielded a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3336331/record-tally-spoiled-votes-hong-kong-poll-not-due-pressure-public?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3336331/record-tally-spoiled-votes-hong-kong-poll-not-due-pressure-public?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Dec 2025 10:02:32 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Christine Fong Kwok-shan, a long-time district councillor in Hong Kong known for defending constituents’ rights with fiery and sometimes controversial political acts, has pledged to abandon her past protest methods, now that she has been elected as a lawmaker. The city’s new “Queen of Votes” in the Legislative Council election, who previously positioned herself as an independent moderate belonging neither to the pan-democratic nor pro-establishment bloc, reaffirmed her stance as a “patriot” who... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3336316/ive-grown-hong-kong-legislator-christine-fong-disavows-fiery-mode-politics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3336316/ive-grown-hong-kong-legislator-christine-fong-disavows-fiery-mode-politics?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Dec 2025 08:00:40 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Outgoing veteran Hong Kong lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun has called for expanding the number of directly elected seats in the legislature, saying the move will broaden the political spectrum and boost voter turnout. Mark Chong Ho-fung, the sole lawmaker-elect of the Roundtable party founded by Tien, also said on Tuesday that proposing the idea for political reform was to set the ball rolling and spur further discussion. Sunday’s Legislative Council election was the second under Beijing’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335784/veteran-hong-kong-lawmaker-michael-tien-calls-expanding-directly-elected-legco-seats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335784/veteran-hong-kong-lawmaker-michael-tien-calls-expanding-directly-elected-legco-seats?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:55:18 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Newly elected and outgoing Hong Kong lawmakers have met the media jointly for the first time, pledging to work closely with the government in the aftermath of the deadly Tai Po fire, with the Legislative Council president urging them to communicate and serve the city. “Lawmakers should leverage their professional expertise, networks and resources to work wholeheartedly with the government on the myriad tasks of post-disaster relief efforts and reconstruction,” outgoing Legco president Andrew... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335714/elected-outgoing-hong-kong-lawmakers-jointly-meet-media-show-solidarity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335714/elected-outgoing-hong-kong-lawmakers-jointly-meet-media-show-solidarity?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:20:01 +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 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The formation of the new Legislative Council marks another step towards recovery and reform following the Tai Po fire tragedy. Seen as a milestone for “high-quality democracy”, the second Legco ballot under Beijing’s electoral revamp has further consolidated Hong Kong’s all-patriots governance. The lawmakers must work with the chief executive and prove they can rise to the challenges ahead. Voter turnout percentages – for the geographical polls (31.9 per cent), functional constituencies (40.09... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335632/new-legco-tasked-pushing-better-governance-city-deepening-reform?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335632/new-legco-tasked-pushing-better-governance-city-deepening-reform?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:15:16 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s largest political party won far fewer votes in Sunday’s battle for directly contested seats in the legislature compared with four years ago as its candidates grappled with tough races and public anger over the deadly fire in Tai Po. While the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) retained all 10 of its geographical constituency seats, the party secured only 432,473 votes from residents, accounting for 34 per cent of the total, down by almost 250,000,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335650/hong-kongs-dab-party-loses-popular-support-retains-crown-legcos-biggest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335650/hong-kongs-dab-party-loses-popular-support-retains-crown-legcos-biggest?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:43:00 +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 Jess Ma Jess Ma Earning her nickname “Ne Zha”, the little fire prince in Chinese folklore, from a role she played as a young actress nearly four decades ago, Hong Kong district councillor Christine Fong Kwok-shan has forged her political career with every bit of feistiness and stubbornness found in the mythical character. Her persistence has finally paid off, as the 59-year-old won her bid for a Legislative Council seat in the early hours of Monday after five failed attempts. Nothing was more vindicating for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335628/ne-zha-queen-votes-christine-fongs-path-hong-kong-legco-victory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335628/ne-zha-queen-votes-christine-fongs-path-hong-kong-legco-victory?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:28:22 +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 Edith Lin Edith Lin The numbers were tallied overnight and 90 newly minted lawmakers will begin their term in January after winning in Sunday’s Legislative Council election. The citywide poll which drew a turnout rate of 31.9 per cent – slightly higher than four years ago, at 30.2 per cent – delivered a few surprises as several new faces defeated incumbent lawmakers from leading parties. The Post highlights the key takeaways from the poll, the second held since Beijing’s “patriots-only” electoral system overhaul in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335579/hong-kong-legco-election-eight-things-know-youngest-toughest-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335579/hong-kong-legco-election-eight-things-know-youngest-toughest-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:59:15 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Nearly 44 per cent of the Hong Kong Legislative Council’s seats have been reshuffled after four incumbent lawmakers lost their re-election bids and 35 others declined to run. Those four who failed to secure another term in Sunday’s poll were Kwok Wai-keung and Michael Luk Chung-hung of the Federation of Trade Unions (FTU), along with Frankie Ngan Man-yu and Edmund Wong Chun-sek of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB). Following Sunday’s election, 39, or 43.8... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335573/4-incumbents-lose-re-election-hong-kongs-legco-sees-438-turnover?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335573/4-incumbents-lose-re-election-hong-kongs-legco-sees-438-turnover?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:12:06 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu Hong Kong has now elected members to the new Legislative Council. Despite the temporary suspension of campaigning work and candidate debates after the Tai Po fire broke out, the polls were held as planned to avert a constitutional crisis. It was a tough decision to make. The official mourning period may have ended on December 1, but hearts remain heavy. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu emphasised the need to “move forward” when it came to holding the election on schedule. He argued that he needs... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3335403/after-hong-kong-fire-new-lawmakers-will-have-hit-ground-runnning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3335403/after-hong-kong-fire-new-lawmakers-will-have-hit-ground-runnning?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 01:30:09 +0000 SCMP Reporters SCMP Reporters This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Some 31.9 per cent of registered voters cast their ballots in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council election on Sunday, surpassing the record low turnout four years ago in a poll held just over a week after the deadly blaze in Tai Po. While the turnout rate increased by 1.7 percentage points,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335536/surprises-and-defeats-votes-tallied-hong-kong-legco-election?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335536/surprises-and-defeats-votes-tallied-hong-kong-legco-election?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Dec 2025 23:07:40 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung Some 31.9 per cent of voters cast their ballots on Sunday in Hong Kong’s second Legislative Council election under a “patriots-only” system, beating the record low turnout of 2021 in a sombre poll held just 12 days after the tragic fire in Tai Po. Almost as soon as polls opened, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he would enlist the newly elected legislature to mobilise support for victims of the fire and implement robust systemic reform, beginning with a motion to be raised by the government... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335532/voter-turnout-hong-kong-legco-poll-surpasses-record-low-2021?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335532/voter-turnout-hong-kong-legco-poll-surpasses-record-low-2021?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Dec 2025 16:19:02 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu Three incumbent lawmakers seeking another term by running in Hong Kong Island West made desperate appeals just hours into Sunday’s Legislative Council election, with the race for directly elected seats heating up compared with four years ago. Hong Kong Island West is the only geographical constituency among the 10 where three serving legislators – Judy Chan Kapui, Chan Hok-fung and Kwok Wai-keung – are competing with two newcomers for two seats, essentially meaning at least one of them will be... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335530/3-serving-lawmakers-make-urgent-appeals-hong-kong-island-west?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335530/3-serving-lawmakers-make-urgent-appeals-hong-kong-island-west?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:44:28 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng The constituency encompassing the housing complex destroyed in one of Hong Kong’s deadliest fires recorded the lowest turnout rate across the city in the Legislative Council election according to an estimate just hours before polls closed, but those who showed up vowed to vote for a representative who would truly help the displaced residents. Several voters also directed their anger at the city’s largest party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), after one... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335529/constituency-home-deadly-blaze-records-lowest-turnout-rate-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335529/constituency-home-deadly-blaze-records-lowest-turnout-rate-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:16:11 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong’s property tycoons made high-profile appearances to cast their ballots during Sunday’s Legislative Council election and urged the public to fulfil their civic duty. Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) chairman and managing director Raymond Kwok Ping-luen voted at the Wong Chuk Hang Sports Centre in Aberdeen on Sunday morning. SHKP said it had introduced several measures to encourage its staff and the public to fulfil their civic duty by voting to elect capable candidates. The Legco poll,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335526/hong-kong-property-tycoons-turn-heads-poll-urge-voters-fulfil-civic-duty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335526/hong-kong-property-tycoons-turn-heads-poll-urge-voters-fulfil-civic-duty?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Dec 2025 14:22:26 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung More than 20,000 Hongkongers – mostly civil servants – signed up to cast their ballots at new designated polling stations set up to facilitate voting in the Legislative Council election, while fewer than 20 individuals from ethnic minority communities made use of the new arrangement. Electoral Affairs Commission chairman Justice David Lok Kai-hong said on Sunday that the watchdog would review the arrangement of designated polling stations after the election, stressing that no benchmarks were set... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335519/over-20000-sign-use-designated-hong-kong-legco-election-polling-stations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335519/over-20000-sign-use-designated-hong-kong-legco-election-polling-stations?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Dec 2025 12:57:12 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Some Hongkongers have said they took part in the Legislative Council election out of a sense of civic duty, while others were drawn by company benefits, retail discounts and souvenirs offered to holders of voting thank-you cards arranged by the government to boost turnout. According to the Post’s observation at more than 10 polling stations across the city on Sunday, a majority of the voters were elderly. One 85-year-old woman made her way to a polling station in Wan Chai with a walking stick... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335520/civic-duty-drives-some-hongkongers-vote-while-others-drawn-incentives?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335520/civic-duty-drives-some-hongkongers-vote-while-others-drawn-incentives?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Dec 2025 12:57:07 +0000 SCMP Reporters SCMP Reporters This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Hongkongers headed to polling stations to elect their new representatives in the legislature on Sunday amid a sombre atmosphere, with the city dealing with the aftermath of the catastrophic fire in Tai Po that claimed at least 159 lives. Before the deadly blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335486/how-will-tai-po-fire-affect-voters-hong-kongs-legco-election?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335486/how-will-tai-po-fire-affect-voters-hong-kongs-legco-election?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Dec 2025 00:33:43 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong goes to the polls today with mixed feelings. While grief over the city’s deadliest high-rise building blaze is still gripping the hearts of many in society, the constitutional duty to return a new legislature weighs heavily. The government’s decision to go ahead with the ballot, despite poignant sorrow over the Tai Po tragedy, underlines the importance of the election. As the city strives to gradually move forward, today’s vote will pave the way to further reforms and future... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335321/city-grief-shows-its-strength-and-resilience-ballot-box?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335321/city-grief-shows-its-strength-and-resilience-ballot-box?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Dec 2025 22:45:09 +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 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong police have arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of vandalising Legislative Council election campaign materials ahead of Sunday’s poll. Police said on Saturday they were alerted at 8.53am that five posters related to the election at No 30 Mei Tin Road in Tai Wai had allegedly been destroyed. After a preliminary investigation, the man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, police said. The force’s Sha Tin division is following up on the case, according to the force. It is an... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3335458/hong-kong-police-arrest-man-allegedly-vandalising-legco-election-posters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3335458/hong-kong-police-arrest-man-allegedly-vandalising-legco-election-posters?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Dec 2025 10:04:01 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu Candidates started campaigning again this week for Hong Kong’s coming Legislative Council election, but opted for a more subdued approach, including fewer street booths and volunteers, in the aftermath of last week’s deadly fire in Tai Po. Some Legco hopefuls also unveiled new policy platforms in the run-up to Sunday’s poll, such as calling for a thorough investigation into the fire and enhanced building safety oversight. As of Friday, two major political parties also said they were facing... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335413/legco-election-hopefuls-scale-back-campaigning-hong-kong-fire-aftermath?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335413/legco-election-hopefuls-scale-back-campaigning-hong-kong-fire-aftermath?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:12:00 +0000 Carlos Araujo,Joe Lo,Matthew Cheng Carlos Araujo,Joe Lo,Matthew Cheng https://www.scmp.com/infographics/hong-kong/society/article/3334034/2025-legco-election-meet-your-candidates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/infographics/hong-kong/society/article/3334034/2025-legco-election-meet-your-candidates?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:00:09 +0000 Dong Lei Dong Lei Last week’s deadly fire has cast a heavy shadow over Hong Kong, reminding us of the fragility of life and the need for solidarity in hard times. The central government has responded swiftly with its full attention and support. Aid and sympathy have poured in from across China, underscoring that Hong Kong’s pain is shared. The cause of the fire must be investigated and learned from in due course, but for now the priority is resilience. The announcement that the Legislative Council election will... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3334960/legco-poll-chance-hong-kong-show-its-resilience-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3334960/legco-poll-chance-hong-kong-show-its-resilience-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Leopold Chen,Matthew Cheng Leopold Chen,Matthew Cheng A Beijing official in Hong Kong has voiced confidence in the city’s ability to handle both the coming Legislative Council election and the aftermath of the deadly Tai Po fire, calling local authorities’ decision to proceed with the poll respectful of the constitutional order. Liu Guangyuan, deputy director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said on Thursday that the local government had adopted the “most responsible attitude” by moving ahead with Sunday’s election, even after last week’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335156/beijing-confident-hong-kongs-ability-handle-legco-election-fire-aftermath?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335156/beijing-confident-hong-kongs-ability-handle-legco-election-fire-aftermath?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Dec 2025 05:41:35 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu Hong Kong’s insurers should make it easier for residents affected by the deadly Tai Po fire to file claims and consider incorporating fire safety inspection results into underwriting, according to sector representatives contesting a seat in the legislature. Insurance sector candidates Chan Pui-leung and Simon Lam Yat-tung made the appeals on Wednesday during a government-led forum, the first held since last week’s blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which claimed at least 159 lives. Chan, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335073/rivals-push-insurance-reforms-easier-fire-claims-hong-kong-poll-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3335073/rivals-push-insurance-reforms-easier-fire-claims-hong-kong-poll-race?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:44:11 +0000