https://www.scmp.com/rss/77225/feed Tony Cheung became a political journalist in 2007. He joined the Post in 2012, and covers Hong Kong-mainland relations, public policies and political issues. Prior to joining the Post, he was a reporter at Asia Television in Hong Kong, Beijing and Guangzhou. He holds a Master of Laws in Human Rights degree from the University of Hong Kong. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Hong Kong can have a more vibrant cultural scene if more museums are run by boards of trustees or private outfits rather than the government, with multi-themed venues and efforts to draw children and families, experts have told the Post. With the city preparing to add four new museums, they were not in favour of more single-themed venues run by bureaucrats who had to keep strictly to civil service rules and procedures. Having more private and trustee-led museums would give directors room for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3205946/how-be-vibrant-culture-hub-free-hong-kong-museums-civil-service-grip-do-more-draw-families-experts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3205946/how-be-vibrant-culture-hub-free-hong-kong-museums-civil-service-grip-do-more-draw-families-experts?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Jan 2023 08:00:11 +0000 Hong Kong’s tourism sector has struggled to secure more manpower and coaches ahead of a proposed full reopening of the mainland Chinese border next month and needs government subsidies to recover from almost three years of Covid-19 travel curbs, industry leaders have said. Ricky Tse Kam-ting, founding president of the Hong Kong Inbound Tour Operators Association, on Monday said his own business before the pandemic had focused on trips for Southeast Asian tourists and maintained more than 100... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3204606/hong-kongs-travel-sector-struggling-shortage-staff-coaches-ahead-planned-border-reopening-industry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3204606/hong-kongs-travel-sector-struggling-shortage-staff-coaches-ahead-planned-border-reopening-industry?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Dec 2022 10:55:27 +0000 Hong Kong must ensure it can handle a possible spike in Covid-19 cases when it fully reopens its border with mainland China, health experts have warned, while the city’s chief executive has pledged that travel will return in a safe and gradual manner. Medical experts on Monday called on authorities to secure enough supply of fever medication and Covid-19 jabs. China’s National Health Commission announced that the mainland would reopen its borders and abandon quarantine measures on January 8 as... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3204578/hong-kong-hospital-patients-left-waiting-8-hours-or-more-boxing-day-health-expert-calls-stock-covid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3204578/hong-kong-hospital-patients-left-waiting-8-hours-or-more-boxing-day-health-expert-calls-stock-covid?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Dec 2022 07:22:07 +0000 Cross-border transport operators are set to resume services between Hong Kong and Macau after the casino hub relaxed its Covid-19 entry rules, but some have questioned the timing of the reopening as the former Portuguese colony has been grappling with rising infections. Macau’s eased rules for arrivals took effect on Friday, despite the surge in cases forcing businesses with infected staff to temporarily close and residents to line up outside clinics to seek treatment. Shelves at several shops... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3204457/transport-services-between-hong-kong-and-macau-return-some-question-casino-hubs-reopening-amid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3204457/transport-services-between-hong-kong-and-macau-return-some-question-casino-hubs-reopening-amid?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Dec 2022 15:00:50 +0000 Hong Kong is headed on the “right track” under John Lee Ka-chiu’s leadership, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said, pointing to the new administration’s efforts to revive the economy, while Premier Li Keqiang called on the city’s authorities to coordinate efforts to gradually ease Covid-19 travel restrictions. Xi gave his approval of Lee’s first six months at the helm of the city on Friday during the chief executive’s maiden duty visit to Beijing, and reaffirmed the central government’s full... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3204417/chinese-president-xi-jinping-commends-hong-kong-leader-john-lee-putting-city-right-track?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3204417/chinese-president-xi-jinping-commends-hong-kong-leader-john-lee-putting-city-right-track?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Dec 2022 10:02:46 +0000 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged Hong Kong to meet the country’s needs and further integrate into its national development plan while improving the well-being of local residents, as he also acknowledged the city leader’s hard work in resolving deep-seated problems. Meeting Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Thursday at the Chinese government’s headquarters, the Zhongnanhai compound, the state leader said central authorities there would continue to support Hong Kong’s administration in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3204251/beijing-praises-hong-kong-leader-john-lees-efforts-chinese-premier-li-keqiang-says-city-will-have?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3204251/beijing-praises-hong-kong-leader-john-lees-efforts-chinese-premier-li-keqiang-says-city-will-have?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Dec 2022 09:04:20 +0000 Any easing of restrictions along Hong Kong’s border with mainland China should be done gradually to prevent a wave of Covid-19 infections, health experts and politicians have said, as the city’s leader headed to Beijing where travel curbs are expected to top discussions with central authorities. Government health adviser Professor David Hui Shu-cheong on Wednesday suggested implementing a triple-jab requirement for all inbound travellers and a daily quota for those coming from the mainland to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3204178/hong-kong-beijing-must-slowly-reopen-border-prevent-new-covid-wave-warn-experts-politicians-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3204178/hong-kong-beijing-must-slowly-reopen-border-prevent-new-covid-wave-warn-experts-politicians-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Dec 2022 00:00:17 +0000 Two technology experts, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and a company director on Sunday won a by-election to fill four seats in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council.  They were among six aspirants who contested in the poll, with only the 1,400 members of the Election Committee eligible to vote from 9am to decide on replacements for those who quit earlier this year to take up senior posts in the administration.  The winners were technology company chief Shang Hailong, engineering... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203732/hong-kong-election-2-tech-experts-traditional-chinese-medicine-practitioner-company-director-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203732/hong-kong-election-2-tech-experts-traditional-chinese-medicine-practitioner-company-director-win?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Dec 2022 15:18:37 +0000 The management of Google’s team in Hong Kong should be called to the Legislative Council to explain the internet giant’s inability to place the Chinese national anthem as a top search result for certain keywords, a top government adviser has said. New People’s Party chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convenor of the Executive Council, a key decision-making body, on Sunday said she would write to Legco president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen and ask him to invite the relevant company representative to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203730/googles-hong-kong-team-should-appear-legislature-answer-anthem-search-results-top-government-adviser?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203730/googles-hong-kong-team-should-appear-legislature-answer-anthem-search-results-top-government-adviser?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Dec 2022 04:07:58 +0000 As six candidates fight to fill four seats in Hong Kong’s legislature, a debate has resurfaced on whether the city should put more focus on technological innovation, or other areas such as culture, commerce and traditional Chinese medicine. Some candidates also argued that national education and poverty relief were Hong Kong’s most pressing needs, and the government should work more closely with the Legislative Council to find solutions. The six aspirants are contesting in the Legco by-election... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203645/legislative-council-election-candidates-differ-hong-kongs-main-focus-some-say-technology-others?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203645/legislative-council-election-candidates-differ-hong-kongs-main-focus-some-say-technology-others?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Dec 2022 02:30:09 +0000 Hong Kong’s delegation to the country’s legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC), underwent a changing of the guard on Thursday with 21 new faces elected to its ranks and renowned neuroscientist Nancy Ip Yuk-yu securing the most votes. Analysts said the election result showed the 1,273 political elites empowered with selecting delegates preferred candidates who worked in the same areas that Beijing had highlighted as crucial to Hong Kong’s development, such as science, culture, finance... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203372/changing-guard-21-new-members-elected-hong-kong-delegation-chinas-legislature-top-neuroscientist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203372/changing-guard-21-new-members-elected-hong-kong-delegation-chinas-legislature-top-neuroscientist?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Dec 2022 04:14:03 +0000 Hong Kong will launch a global campaign to lure back tourism following the lifting of the city’s strict entry regime for recent arrivals, even as officials admitted the reboot would take time and overseas tour operators remained sceptical that the eased rules were attractive enough. The Tourism Board on Wednesday said it was working alongside local businesses on a “Hello! Hong Kong” campaign that would offer a range of perks for tourists, including free “welcome drinks” for visitors dining out... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203336/hong-kong-vows-win-back-tourists-global-campaign-officials-admit-long-road-ahead-following-easing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203336/hong-kong-vows-win-back-tourists-global-campaign-officials-admit-long-road-ahead-following-easing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Dec 2022 15:24:55 +0000 Almost two-thirds of the Hongkongers aiming to join China’s legislature for five years after a local vote on Thursday are new faces, as they vow to bring in fresh ideas and be proactive in reflecting residents’ voices to Beijing. Observers also called on the new representatives to the National People’s Congress (NPC) – unlike their predecessors – to be more outspoken in local politics to safeguard Beijing’s interests, as the city seeks closer integration with mainland China. The NPC, the highest... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203244/fresh-ideas-promised-new-faces-make-most-hopefuls-aiming-spots-hong-kong-delegation-chinas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203244/fresh-ideas-promised-new-faces-make-most-hopefuls-aiming-spots-hong-kong-delegation-chinas?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Dec 2022 06:11:41 +0000 A strong chance exists that Beijing will not answer the Hong Kong government’s request to interpret the national security law and weigh in on the issue about foreign lawyers’ involvement in trials under the legislation, according to a pro-establishment legal heavyweight. Basic Law Committee member Priscilla Leung Mei-fun made the comment after the city’s High Court on Tuesday adjourned the national security trial of media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying – which triggered the legal controversy – to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203181/hong-kong-national-security-law-strong-chance-beijing-will-not-interpret-legislation-foreign-lawyer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203181/hong-kong-national-security-law-strong-chance-beijing-will-not-interpret-legislation-foreign-lawyer?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Dec 2022 14:02:59 +0000 Hong Kong’s national security cases can be handed over to mainland Chinese courts if Beijing decides to ban overseas lawyers from arguing in the legal proceedings and defendants are unable to hire local practitioners, a political heavyweight has said. Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong’s sole delegate to China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, on Sunday also said the Immigration Department could consider refusing to issue or renew the work visas of overseas... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3202002/mainland-chinese-courts-should-handle-hong-kongs-national-security-cases-if-defendants-cannot-hire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3202002/mainland-chinese-courts-should-handle-hong-kongs-national-security-cases-if-defendants-cannot-hire?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Dec 2022 07:20:23 +0000 Hong Kong authorities must ensure an accurate and comprehensive implementation of the national security law, which has yet to be tested in a series of major impending cases, a former Beijing official has warned. Deng Zhonghua, former deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), on Sunday also said the central government would continue to strengthen its supervision of Hong Kong’s executive, legislative and judicial branches, and “exercise control” in areas... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3201994/hong-kongs-justice-chief-urges-young-people-learn-about-chinese-constitution-challenges-facing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3201994/hong-kongs-justice-chief-urges-young-people-learn-about-chinese-constitution-challenges-facing?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Dec 2022 05:23:24 +0000 Two days after a display of anger and strong words over a 2019 protest song played at a rugby match in South Korea instead of the Chinese national anthem, Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing camp suddenly went quiet. The central government’s more restrained response over the incident prompted the dialling down on the noise, analysts and pro-Beijing veterans said, adding it indicated mainland Chinese authorities were not keen to let the blunder affect improving Sino-Korean relations seen only in recent... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199906/rugby-anthem-blunder-hong-kongs-pro-beijing-camp-has-gone-quiet-over-protest-song-played-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199906/rugby-anthem-blunder-hong-kongs-pro-beijing-camp-has-gone-quiet-over-protest-song-played-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Nov 2022 00:00:17 +0000 Hong Kong’s sole member of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee is to step down, multiple sources have told the Post. Tam Yiu-chung, 72, was tipped to not want another five-year term on the country’s top legislative body on age grounds. But the veteran Beijing loyalist was on Thursday staying tight-lipped on his plans for the future. He said after a public event that he would announce his decision next Monday at the first official briefing on the election. “Over the years,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3200017/veteran-hong-kong-politician-and-national-peoples-congress-standing-committee-member-tam-yiu-chung?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3200017/veteran-hong-kong-politician-and-national-peoples-congress-standing-committee-member-tam-yiu-chung?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Nov 2022 13:57:25 +0000 Chief Superintendent Kelly Cheng Lai-ki spent decades in Hong Kong’s police force dealing with everything from commercial and financial crime to gang activities and child and sex abuse. Many of those cases were tough, but they were not quite as hard as dealing with online crime and scams which have proliferated in recent years, said the head of the force’s cybersecurity and technology crime bureau. “The most challenging thing is that online scams are cross-boundary and anonymous,” she told the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3199381/hong-kong-seeing-alarming-rise-scams-victims-all-walks-life-heres-how-police-are-ramping-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3199381/hong-kong-seeing-alarming-rise-scams-victims-all-walks-life-heres-how-police-are-ramping-war?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:00:11 +0000 The Hong Kong government has ordered a police inquiry and registered its “strong opposition” with South Korea’s top diplomat in the city after a protest song linked to 2019’s social unrest was played instead of the Chinese national anthem at a rugby match involving the city’s team in Incheon. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday said it was “unacceptable” for Asia Rugby – the organisers of the tournament – to have played “Glory to Hong Kong” rather than “March of the Volunteers” as the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199497/hong-kong-demands-full-investigation-after-2019-protest-song-played-korean-rugby-tournament-instead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199497/hong-kong-demands-full-investigation-after-2019-protest-song-played-korean-rugby-tournament-instead?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Nov 2022 02:48:34 +0000 Hong Kong’s finance chief has said he is not optimistic about this year’s economic outlook, but cautioned against excessive pessimism as mainland China’s growth remains positive and the coronavirus pandemic has started to ease. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po doubled down on his earlier prediction it was “inevitable” the city’s deficit would top HK$100 billion (US$12.7 billion) for the financial year ending in March, while fiscal reserves would fall to about HK$800 billion from more than... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199465/hong-kong-finance-chief-not-optimistic-about-citys-economy-warns-against-excessive-pessimism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199465/hong-kong-finance-chief-not-optimistic-about-citys-economy-warns-against-excessive-pessimism?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Nov 2022 11:42:14 +0000 Hong Kong’s health minister has said the government will discuss increasing the quarantine hotel quota with mainland Chinese authorities to allow more travellers to take advantage of the relaxed Covid-19 measures across the border. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau was referring to the rule changes unveiled by the National Health Commission on Friday, which stated incoming visitors would serve five days of hotel quarantine, down from seven, followed by three in home isolation, under a “5+3”... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3199447/health-minister-discuss-increasing-hotel-quarantine-quota-authorities-allow-more-honkongers-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3199447/health-minister-discuss-increasing-hotel-quarantine-quota-authorities-allow-more-honkongers-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Nov 2022 07:48:27 +0000 Hong Kong businesses could reap the benefits of Beijing’s latest easing of Covid-19 arrival curbs if the Shenzhen quarantine quota for cross-border travellers from the financial hub is raised from the current 1,000, according to a government adviser. Executive councillor Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung pushed for an alignment in policies on Saturday after mainland China cut its week-long hotel quarantine for inbound travellers to five days. Lam and others also urged authorities to allow business owners and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199344/hongkongers-thrilled-beijings-reduction-hotel-quarantine-arrivals-businesses-and-families-want-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199344/hongkongers-thrilled-beijings-reduction-hotel-quarantine-arrivals-businesses-and-families-want-more?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Nov 2022 00:00:14 +0000 The coronavirus is still a “public health emergency” in Hong Kong and changes to pandemic control measures should be based on scientific data and not the “comments of one or two people”, the health minister has said. Writing on his official blog on Thursday, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau cautioned against assuming that a string of big events the city had hosted recently meant that it had returned to normality. “Recently, there have been people saying that the city has completely returned to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3199172/coronavirus-hong-kong-still-faces-public-health-emergency-minister-warns-saying-changes-pandemic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3199172/coronavirus-hong-kong-still-faces-public-health-emergency-minister-warns-saying-changes-pandemic?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Nov 2022 12:25:47 +0000 Lawmakers have urged Hong Kong officials to boldly promote national pride and raise awareness about foreign interference, as they overwhelmingly approved a motion urging the government to encourage residents to learn about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s report at the country’s 20th party congress. The motion was passed on Thursday with a show of hands during a marathon debate in the Legislative Council, where a rare discussion about the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s report on the development... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199116/lawmakers-call-officials-boldly-promote-national-pride-approve-motion-urging-hong-kong-government?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199116/lawmakers-call-officials-boldly-promote-national-pride-approve-motion-urging-hong-kong-government?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Nov 2022 08:07:29 +0000 An anti-scam website run by police in Hong Kong is estimated to have avoided at least HK$400 million (US$50.96 million) in fraud losses to the public since it launched in late September. Superintendent Wilson Fan Chun-yip of the police cybersecurity and technology crime bureau said the “Scameter” site had logged 74,300 inquiries about suspicious calls, emails or hyperlinks from the public last month alone and 4,350 were classified as “red”, the highest risk level, and “related to scam reports,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3199048/hong-kong-police-anti-scam-site-saves-public-least-hk400-million-fraud-losses-september-launch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3199048/hong-kong-police-anti-scam-site-saves-public-least-hk400-million-fraud-losses-september-launch?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Nov 2022 13:08:45 +0000 Doctors and nurses should make sacrifices for the city and see their jobs as a social responsibility, Hong Kong’s leader has said while defending his plan to plug a manpower shortfall at government hospitals by forcing professionals to serve a certain period in the public sector. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday said it was the government’s responsibility to find ways to solve manpower woes in the public healthcare sector. “We must increase manpower when there is a yearly quota on the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3198829/doctors-nurses-have-social-duty-make-sacrifices-city-hong-kong-leader-says-plan-fight-shortfall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3198829/doctors-nurses-have-social-duty-make-sacrifices-city-hong-kong-leader-says-plan-fight-shortfall?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Nov 2022 05:21:10 +0000 Hong Kong’s leader has dismissed calls to scrap a Covid-19 health code arrangement or ease rules on mask-wearing despite the smooth hosting of the Sevens rugby event over the weekend, hinting that the current “0+3” approach will not be aborted soon. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who earlier declared the mega sporting event to be a resounding “success”, on Tuesday doubled down on present pandemic policies, arguing they had already enabled the city to open up and allowed authorities to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3198821/coronavirus-hong-kong-leader-john-lee-dismisses-calls-drop-health-code-travellers-and-mask-wearing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3198821/coronavirus-hong-kong-leader-john-lee-dismisses-calls-drop-health-code-travellers-and-mask-wearing?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Nov 2022 03:51:05 +0000 A proposed law to clamp down on cybercrimes must enjoy a “long-arm jurisdiction” to cover offences outside Hong Kong and be able to compel technology giants to assist in investigations, legislators have said. The lawyers overseeing the effort said the proposed offences should in principle allow for extraterritorial reach if a case involved a Hong Kong victim or affected the city, but they added that more research was needed to determine how it would be enforced. The discussion took place at a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3198751/proposed-cybercrime-law-needs-long-reach-cover-offences-outside-hong-kong-compel-tech-giants?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3198751/proposed-cybercrime-law-needs-long-reach-cover-offences-outside-hong-kong-compel-tech-giants?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:50:21 +0000 Hong Kong is set to expand a ban on feeding wild animals to cover the entire city by the end of this year in a move aimed at tackling a rapid growth in the population of wild boars. A government spokesman on Friday said authorities had gazetted a legislative amendment to expand the ban, which would be tabled in the Legislative Council on Wednesday for “negative vetting” and come into effect on December 31. “Negative vetting” refers to a process in which urgent legislation could take effect... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3198509/hong-kong-introduce-citywide-wild-animal-feeding-ban-move-aimed-tackling-boar-problem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3198509/hong-kong-introduce-citywide-wild-animal-feeding-ban-move-aimed-tackling-boar-problem?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Nov 2022 12:54:53 +0000 A leading engineering service provider set up by the husband of Hong Kong’s former justice secretary Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah is facing a fine of HK$150 million (US$19.1 million) for breaching the city’s competition law in the heaviest penalty of its kind. In a statement on Friday, the Competition Commission said ATAL Building Services Engineering of Analogue Holdings, set up by Otto Poon Lok-to, Cheng’s husband, had admitted liability in air-conditioning cartel cases and accepted cooperation... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3198379/company-owned-husband-former-hong-kong-justice-chief-teresa-cheng-fined-hk150-million-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3198379/company-owned-husband-former-hong-kong-justice-chief-teresa-cheng-fined-hk150-million-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Nov 2022 02:21:35 +0000 A Beijing loyalist politician on Thursday appealed to Hong Kong’s business sector to help promote the city to the rest of the world because it would be far more “convincing” than government efforts. Bernard Chan, the former convenor of the key decision-making body the Executive Council, told a panel discussion at the inaugural Hong Kong-Asean Summit, organised by the Post, that the government needed assistance from the private sector. He was speaking after he was asked how Hong Kong could best... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3198322/hong-kong-business-sector-should-take-lead-promoting-city-rest-world-beijing-loyalist-politician?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3198322/hong-kong-business-sector-should-take-lead-promoting-city-rest-world-beijing-loyalist-politician?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Nov 2022 11:26:13 +0000 Hong Kong remains a critical partner to Asean as the regional grouping seeks opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and the city will provide “enormous value” to an Asia-Pacific trade pact it will soon join, city leader John Lee Ka-chiu has said. Declaring the city was “onstage again” at the inaugural Hong Kong-Asean Summit organised by the Post on Thursday, Lee revealed the city was set to gain early admission to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3198238/hong-kong-set-asean-cooperation-and-entry-regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-one-worlds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3198238/hong-kong-set-asean-cooperation-and-entry-regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-one-worlds?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Nov 2022 04:48:38 +0000 Hong Kong’s leader has fired back at accusations that authorities had undercut a court ruling by amending legislation to void some 20,000 Covid-19 jab exemptions, arguing the move is a “very strong example” of upholding the rule of law. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday doubled down on the government’s legal amendments to empower the health chief to nullify exemption certificates issued by seven doctors suspected of malpractice. The High Court had earlier ruled authorities could not... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3197963/fake-covid-jab-exemptions-hong-kong-leader-john-lee-says-move-amend-legislation-void-documents-very?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3197963/fake-covid-jab-exemptions-hong-kong-leader-john-lee-says-move-amend-legislation-void-documents-very?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:59:43 +0000 Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has shrugged off concerns over at least three top bankers pulling out of the city’s first mega financial summit since the Covid-19 pandemic began, as he struck a cautiously optimistic tone on a return to normality. Speaking to the press before his weekly Executive Council meeting, the chief executive noted that two bankers had pulled out of the three-day event – which began on Tuesday – after coming down with Covid-19, while a third had changed his schedule and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3197959/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-shrugs-absence-3-top-bankers-key-financial-summit-insists-city-full-vigour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3197959/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-shrugs-absence-3-top-bankers-key-financial-summit-insists-city-full-vigour?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:30:21 +0000 Tony Cheung Tony Cheung ​Hong Kong has launched the first of a series of international events to tell the world that it is “back in business”, with the government on Monday proposing a raft of measures to promote the virtual-assets industry. In a pre-recorded video for the opening of FinTech Week, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po noted that Hong Kong was now home to more than 800 financial technology enterprises from 180 five years ago, with growth powered by the city’s strengths such as an open market, a rigorous... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3197829/hong-kong-back-business-digital-transformation-financial-services-central-priority-citys-paul-chan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3197829/hong-kong-back-business-digital-transformation-financial-services-central-priority-citys-paul-chan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Oct 2022 04:47:55 +0000 Hong Kong police have opened their first recruitment centre in 18 years and will increase efforts to boost hiring, as fewer people apply to join the force. The move came after 4,470 people applied for positions as constables and inspectors from April to September, a 14 per cent drop from 5,185 over the same period last year. Of those, 1,816 wanted to become inspectors and 2,654 applied for work as constables. Over a 12-month period in 2021-22, about 8,200 people applied for police jobs. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3197754/many-jobs-few-takers-hong-kong-police-recruitment-centre-opens-wan-chai-woo-applicants?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3197754/many-jobs-few-takers-hong-kong-police-recruitment-centre-opens-wan-chai-woo-applicants?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Oct 2022 00:00:14 +0000 A senior Chinese mainland official has appealed to Hong Kong to create an education system in line with the “one country, two systems” principle as a major institute designed to promote patriotism was set up with national support. Lu Xinning, a deputy director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, on Saturday said she hoped the city’s Beijing-loyalist teachers would pass on their “glorious tradition of loving the country and the city to the next generation”. Lu was speaking at... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3197718/beijings-liaison-office-hong-kong-calls-education-system-one-country-two-systems-core-value-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3197718/beijings-liaison-office-hong-kong-calls-education-system-one-country-two-systems-core-value-new?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Oct 2022 10:11:37 +0000 Hong Kong’s No 2 official has hit out at foreign politicians threatening to sanction bankers for attending a global financial summit next week, saying such warnings show the West will exploit any means to suppress the progress of the city and the rest of the nation. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki also told a radio programme on Saturday that the government would continue to boost national education in Hong Kong, so young people would understand the opportunities available to them. He was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3197703/hong-kong-no-2-official-eric-chan-slams-us-politicians-over-warnings-bankers-set-attend-global?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3197703/hong-kong-no-2-official-eric-chan-slams-us-politicians-over-warnings-bankers-set-attend-global?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Oct 2022 05:22:59 +0000 Significant firms and sovereign fund leaders in the Middle East have expressed interest in listing and investment opportunities in Hong Kong, according to the city’s finance chief on a visit to the region. The Hong Kong stock exchange was reaching out to Saudi oil giant Aramco, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po told the Post on Monday in an exclusive interview from Bahrain, travelling overseas just days after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu promised an aggressive global campaign to attract... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3197104/middle-eastern-firms-and-sovereign-funds-interested-hong-kong-listing-opportunities-finance-chief?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3197104/middle-eastern-firms-and-sovereign-funds-interested-hong-kong-listing-opportunities-finance-chief?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:10:47 +0000 Converting makeshift facilities built during Hong Kong’s fifth coronavirus wave into transitional flats is not “cost-effective”, the city’s leader has said, citing the vast amount of refurbishment work required. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Sunday also said his administration was not currently considering building homes on the edges of country parks, calling it “controversial” and unattractive given the easier development available using other sources of land he proposed during his maiden... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196950/converting-makeshift-coronavirus-facilities-transitional-housing-not-cost-effective-hong-kongs-john?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196950/converting-makeshift-coronavirus-facilities-transitional-housing-not-cost-effective-hong-kongs-john?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Oct 2022 09:02:35 +0000 Hong Kong singers and stars from the 1960s to 1990s golden age of entertainment will be celebrated in a planned Pop Culture Festival designed to attract “pilgrims” from abroad as well as residents, senior officials have said. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung on Friday said the spotlight was turned on the stars of yesteryear rather than modern pop acts because the earlier generation had made a lasting mark in mainland China, the rest of Asia and beyond and could... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3196824/golden-years-hong-kong-music-be-spotlighted-attract-overseas-fans-and-encourage-new-generation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3196824/golden-years-hong-kong-music-be-spotlighted-attract-overseas-fans-and-encourage-new-generation?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Oct 2022 13:20:33 +0000 Attacks on national security have become another “kind of warfare” carried out by infiltration, espionage and other means, Hong Kong’s leader has said, underscoring the need to locally draft a law comprehensive enough to fend off all “enemies”. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivered the warning on Thursday after pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu asked during a Legislative Council meeting why the annual policy address did not include a timetable for passing a local version of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196637/attacks-national-security-come-many-guises-hong-kongs-leader-says-calling-time-drafting-local-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196637/attacks-national-security-come-many-guises-hong-kongs-leader-says-calling-time-drafting-local-law?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:12:42 +0000 Top talent from mainland China and overseas who move to Hong Kong, buy homes and put down roots will get a refund on a hefty chunk of property tax many have criticised as unfair. Outlining plans to woo talent in his first policy address on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu dealt with the 30 per cent stamp duty non-locals must pay when they buy a home, twice as much as Hongkongers who are not first-time buyers. Non-locals will now be able to get back almost all of it – equivalent to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3196542/hong-kongs-big-talent-hunt-john-lee-offers-refund-hefty-property-tax-non-locals-who-stay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3196542/hong-kongs-big-talent-hunt-john-lee-offers-refund-hefty-property-tax-non-locals-who-stay?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Oct 2022 15:26:56 +0000 By-elections will be held a week before Christmas to fill four seats in Hong Kong’s legislature vacated by Beijing loyalist lawmakers who took up ministerial posts or other senior roles in John Lee Ka-chiu’s administration in July. The announcement of December 18 as the date by the city’s electoral office came four months after the chief executive unveiled his cabinet, which included the four politicians who entered Legco through the new Election Committee constituency for just half a year. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196409/4-hong-kong-legco-seats-grabs-just-christmas-government-officials-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196409/4-hong-kong-legco-seats-grabs-just-christmas-government-officials-say?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:35:33 +0000 Hong Kong will need more time for research on a potential local law to combat crimes against the state, the city’s leader has said, days after Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a reminder on the need to strengthen existing national security mechanisms. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who was the city’s security chief from 2017 to 2021, on Tuesday said the local legislation, as required by Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, could not be rushed as it had to “cover... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196341/hong-kong-will-need-more-time-article-23-research-john-lee-says-after-xi-reminder-boosting-national?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196341/hong-kong-will-need-more-time-article-23-research-john-lee-says-after-xi-reminder-boosting-national?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Oct 2022 05:59:17 +0000 David Zheng*, a researcher from mainland China, has said he enjoys working as a post-doctoral fellow at one of the universities in Hong Kong, but he is concerned that the impending expiration of his working visa could put a stop to that. “I will need to talk to my boss about extending it for one year. If I cannot get an extension, I will need to return to the university in my hometown,” he said. “My visa also does not allow me to work for another employer. But I want to stay in Hong Kong because... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196143/hong-kong-wants-university-graduates-top-institutions-does?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196143/hong-kong-wants-university-graduates-top-institutions-does?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Oct 2022 02:00:11 +0000 President Xi Jinping has underscored the critical role of Hong Kong as he mapped out China’s direction over the next five years and beyond, stressing the need to safeguard national security at a challenging time for the country and to pursue talent and innovation to give new momentum to development. Delivering his much-awaited work report at the opening of the Communist Party’s twice-a-decade congress in Beijing, Xi said Hong Kong would be better integrated with national development plans and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196131/hong-kong-play-better-role-national-rejuvenation-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3196131/hong-kong-play-better-role-national-rejuvenation-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Oct 2022 05:55:56 +0000 Foreigners who have owned property in Hong Kong for three or more years will get their extra stamp duty refunded if they take up permanent residency as part of a global talent drive the city leader will announce in his policy address next week, the Post has learned. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is also expected to introduce a new 18-month visa to attract graduates from renowned universities with no conditions attached as part of the plan to stanch a brain drain worsened by the Covid-19... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3195896/global-war-talent-hong-kong-refund-extra-taxes-foreign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3195896/global-war-talent-hong-kong-refund-extra-taxes-foreign?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Oct 2022 22:30:07 +0000 Scientists and engineers in Hong Kong have responded enthusiastically to Beijing’s decision to extend a recruitment drive for the country’s space programme to the city, with a number of academics expressing an interest in applying. Earlier this month, the China Manned Space Agency said candidates from Hong Kong and Macau would be eligible for the first time to apply for two positions as payload specialists. Applications opened on October 6 and will close in less than three weeks’ time. A source... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3195619/hong-kongs-high-fliers-eye-rare-chance-join?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3195619/hong-kongs-high-fliers-eye-rare-chance-join?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Oct 2022 00:00:21 +0000