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Lau Siu-kai

Lau Siu-kai is a distinguished Hong Kong sociologist and Emeritus Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, specialising in social and political development. He previously headed the HKSAR Government’s Central Policy Unit (2002-2012) and served as a Hong Kong Affairs Advisor to the Chinese Government. Currently, he is a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, a key Beijing think tank. Awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star and Grand Bauhinia Medal, he is known for his pro-Beijing stance, advocating for Hong Kong’s integration and echoing the sentiment that the city has ‘bounced back’ and embraced its Chinese identity.

A source has said the consultation will feature a preliminary framework designed to facilitate “more focused” discussions about how local policies should align with China’s 15th five-year plan. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong politics

Exclusive | Hong Kong to launch public consultation on 5-year blueprint ‘by early June’

Large-scale publicity campaign to promote consultation includes television advertisements, banners and other public announcements, sources say.

13 May 2026 - 8:30AM

Hong Kong-UK spying row

Why the UK won’t shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict

8 May 2026 - 10:47PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Beijing’s Xia Baolong, top energy official meet with CLP’s Michael Kadoorie

1 May 2026 - 10:28PM

Hong Kong politics

Will top Hong Kong civil servants pay price for blunders under new system?

Former ministers, senior officials and observers point to practical challenges of attributing responsibility.

30 Apr 2026 - 3:24PM

Hong Kong politics

Former Hong Kong trade office chief contesting UK local elections for Reform

Former trade office director Lee Sheung-yuen bids for London council seat as compatriots seek re-election as Liberal Democrat candidates.

22 Apr 2026 - 12:03AM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong urged to be more proactive in removing barriers with Shenzhen

New Shenzhen party chief Jin Lei has conducted high-profile visits to major joint projects between two cities in his first month.

19 Apr 2026 - 7:52PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong leader vows reforms to boost safety, national security after Tai Po fire

Chief Executive John Lee says city will act on lessons learned from deadly blaze, as Beijing warns against exploiting tragedies to sow unrest.

15 Apr 2026 - 7:39PM

Chief Executive John Lee has pledged reforms to strengthen governance and public safety following the deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong politics

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs wraps up second bay area visit in 3 weeks

Xia Baolong’s successive trips underscore greater urgency from Beijing for Hong Kong’s integration, analysts say.

11 Apr 2026 - 10:07PM

Hong Kong national security law

Hong Kong’s national security better protected with changes, experts say

Revisions that came into effect on Monday give police powers enjoyed in other jurisdictions and will speed up investigations, they say.

25 Mar 2026 - 1:11AM

Two Sessions 2026

How will Hong Kong follow mainland China’s ethnic unity promotion law?

Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress set to be passed at the closing session of 14th National People’s Congress.

12 Mar 2026 - 8:30AM

The law aims to forge a strong “sense of community for the Chinese nation” and advance “common prosperity” among the country’s 56 ethnic groups. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong politics

‘Two sessions’ to ‘focus on Hong Kong’s financial role, Northern Metropolis’

Meetings of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and National People’s Congress begin on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

3 Mar 2026 - 8:30AM

Delegates at the opening session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2025. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Hong Kong budget 2026-27: what’s holding back the city’s tech and talent schemes?

Finance chief’s blueprint seen as gauge for officials’ ‘reform mindset’ following Beijing’s 15th five-year plan recommendations.

22 Feb 2026 - 9:04AM

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

What’s at stake for Hong Kong as reflected in budget 2026-27?

Analysts are upbeat amid city’s booming IPO sector and thriving financial market, but warn of geopolitical headwinds.

20 Feb 2026 - 8:36AM

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Legco must exercise due diligence against the tyranny of KPIs

Even if the government drafted perfect laws, lawmakers must scrutinise them without being afraid of performing their constitutional duty.

9 Feb 2026 - 12:37PM

The Legislative Council Complex in Admiralty on January 7. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong politics

Are Hong Kong lawmakers also to blame over seat belt law blunder?

Government’s flip-flopping on mandatory seat belts aboard buses is wake-up call for legislators to scrutinise bills more rigorously, experts say.

8 Feb 2026 - 7:33PM

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (front centre) with the latest cohort of lawmakers at the Legislative Council building on January 1. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong politics

What’s behind plan to adopt multi-operator model for Panama Canal ports?

Panamanian president reportedly vowed his country will ‘never again’ grant concession contracts to run terminals to single company.

7 Feb 2026 - 6:45PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

US ‘pressure’ a challenge in CK Hutchison’s arbitration against Panama: experts

Case could take years to resolve, whether the Hong Kong conglomerate seeks compensation or ruling invalidating the voiding of its contract.

4 Feb 2026 - 6:39PM

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong to formulate first 5-year plan to align with national blueprint

Task force led by Chief Executive John Lee will formulate plan, which one expert says signals greater government role in city’s development.

2 Feb 2026 - 8:55PM

Hong Kong will formulate its first five-year plan to align with the national development blueprint. Photo: May Tse

Hong Kong transport

Failures on 2 fronts led to Hong Kong’s seat belt U-turn, experts say

Officials and lawmakers have to put themselves in the public’s shoes when formulating policies, political observers say.

31 Jan 2026 - 10:21PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Starmer stresses Hong Kong’s stability as key to stronger ties in meeting with Xi

Meeting focused on shared interests to bolster Sino‑British relations, with Jimmy Lai’s national security case also touched upon in ‘respectful’ discussions.

31 Jan 2026 - 12:07PM

Hong Kong economy

Could 2026 be the make-or-break year of CK Hutchison’s Panama ports deal?

What began as a strategic exit for a Hong Kong conglomerate has devolved into a high-stakes stand-off between Washington and Beijing.

2 Jan 2026 - 10:15AM

The Panama port deal still hung in the balance by the close of 2025. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong liaison office’s Qi Bin to take up role in Beijing on economic affairs

Qi Bin expected to be appointed deputy director of economic committee under Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

28 Dec 2025 - 8:50PM

Qi Bin, who turned 57 last month, was appointed by the State Council in November last year to take up the post of deputy director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong. Photo: Getty Images

Jimmy Lai trial

Jimmy Lai’s conviction in Hong Kong becomes flashpoint between China, West

Western nations unlikely to hit city with more sanctions as they need Beijing’s cooperation to offset unfair US trade practices, experts say.

16 Dec 2025 - 1:25AM

Legislative Council election 2025

‘High-quality democracy’: what does Beijing’s new phrase for Hong Kong mean?

Beijing seeks orderly form of politics with executive-led government working closely with lawmakers not in confrontation with each other, analysts say.

9 Dec 2025 - 8:30AM

Legislative Council election 2025

Hong Kong’s new legislature to be youngest in 2 decades, averaging 51 years old

Legco rejuvenation driven in part by departure of 35 incumbent lawmakers, including 12 aged 70 or above.

8 Dec 2025 - 10:15PM

Hong Kong’s new legislature will be the youngest in the past two decades. Photo: Sam Tsang

Legislative Council election 2025

Last-ditch effort to get Hongkongers to vote in Legco poll, but turnout uncertain

City leader John Lee calls for refocus on reform and recovery, as analysts say city’s worst fire in decades would play decisive role in turnout rate.

6 Dec 2025 - 11:38PM

Workers set up a polling station in Sai Kung ahead of Sunday’s Legislative Council election. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong kindergarten moves Japan tour to mainland China as row deepens

‘We have decided to relocate the tour to Chengdu, Sichuan, to ensure the safety of parents and children,’ Victoria Educational Organisation says.

25 Nov 2025 - 9:08PM

Hong Kong society

Explainer | How China-Japan row is disrupting travel and what it means for Hong Kong

Recent tensions erupted after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Tokyo might take military action if Beijing invaded Taiwan.

21 Nov 2025 - 8:14PM

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Lau Siu-kai

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Hong Kong to launch public consultation on 5-year blueprint ‘by early June’

Large-scale publicity campaign to promote consultation includes television advertisements, banners and other public announcements, sources say.

Why the UK won’t shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict

Beijing’s Xia Baolong, top energy official meet with CLP’s Michael Kadoorie

Will top Hong Kong civil servants pay price for blunders under new system?

Former ministers, senior officials and observers point to practical challenges of attributing responsibility.

Former Hong Kong trade office chief contesting UK local elections for Reform

Former trade office director Lee Sheung-yuen bids for London council seat as compatriots seek re-election as Liberal Democrat candidates.

Hong Kong urged to be more proactive in removing barriers with Shenzhen

New Shenzhen party chief Jin Lei has conducted high-profile visits to major joint projects between two cities in his first month.

Hong Kong leader vows reforms to boost safety, national security after Tai Po fire

Chief Executive John Lee says city will act on lessons learned from deadly blaze, as Beijing warns against exploiting tragedies to sow unrest.

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs wraps up second bay area visit in 3 weeks

Xia Baolong’s successive trips underscore greater urgency from Beijing for Hong Kong’s integration, analysts say.

Hong Kong’s national security better protected with changes, experts say

Revisions that came into effect on Monday give police powers enjoyed in other jurisdictions and will speed up investigations, they say.

How will Hong Kong follow mainland China’s ethnic unity promotion law?

Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress set to be passed at the closing session of 14th National People’s Congress.

‘Two sessions’ to ‘focus on Hong Kong’s financial role, Northern Metropolis’

Meetings of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and National People’s Congress begin on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Hong Kong budget 2026-27: what’s holding back the city’s tech and talent schemes?

Finance chief’s blueprint seen as gauge for officials’ ‘reform mindset’ following Beijing’s 15th five-year plan recommendations.

What’s at stake for Hong Kong as reflected in budget 2026-27?

Analysts are upbeat amid city’s booming IPO sector and thriving financial market, but warn of geopolitical headwinds.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Legco must exercise due diligence against the tyranny of KPIs

Even if the government drafted perfect laws, lawmakers must scrutinise them without being afraid of performing their constitutional duty.

Are Hong Kong lawmakers also to blame over seat belt law blunder?

Government’s flip-flopping on mandatory seat belts aboard buses is wake-up call for legislators to scrutinise bills more rigorously, experts say.

What’s behind plan to adopt multi-operator model for Panama Canal ports?

Panamanian president reportedly vowed his country will ‘never again’ grant concession contracts to run terminals to single company.

US ‘pressure’ a challenge in CK Hutchison’s arbitration against Panama: experts

Case could take years to resolve, whether the Hong Kong conglomerate seeks compensation or ruling invalidating the voiding of its contract.

Hong Kong to formulate first 5-year plan to align with national blueprint

Task force led by Chief Executive John Lee will formulate plan, which one expert says signals greater government role in city’s development.

Failures on 2 fronts led to Hong Kong’s seat belt U-turn, experts say

Officials and lawmakers have to put themselves in the public’s shoes when formulating policies, political observers say.

Starmer stresses Hong Kong’s stability as key to stronger ties in meeting with Xi

Meeting focused on shared interests to bolster Sino‑British relations, with Jimmy Lai’s national security case also touched upon in ‘respectful’ discussions.

Could 2026 be the make-or-break year of CK Hutchison’s Panama ports deal?

What began as a strategic exit for a Hong Kong conglomerate has devolved into a high-stakes stand-off between Washington and Beijing.

Hong Kong liaison office’s Qi Bin to take up role in Beijing on economic affairs

Qi Bin expected to be appointed deputy director of economic committee under Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Jimmy Lai’s conviction in Hong Kong becomes flashpoint between China, West

Western nations unlikely to hit city with more sanctions as they need Beijing’s cooperation to offset unfair US trade practices, experts say.

‘High-quality democracy’: what does Beijing’s new phrase for Hong Kong mean?

Beijing seeks orderly form of politics with executive-led government working closely with lawmakers not in confrontation with each other, analysts say.

Hong Kong’s new legislature to be youngest in 2 decades, averaging 51 years old

Legco rejuvenation driven in part by departure of 35 incumbent lawmakers, including 12 aged 70 or above.

Last-ditch effort to get Hongkongers to vote in Legco poll, but turnout uncertain

City leader John Lee calls for refocus on reform and recovery, as analysts say city’s worst fire in decades would play decisive role in turnout rate.

Hong Kong kindergarten moves Japan tour to mainland China as row deepens

‘We have decided to relocate the tour to Chengdu, Sichuan, to ensure the safety of parents and children,’ Victoria Educational Organisation says.

Explainer | How China-Japan row is disrupting travel and what it means for Hong Kong

Recent tensions erupted after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Tokyo might take military action if Beijing invaded Taiwan.

Exclusive | Hong Kong to launch public consultation on 5-year blueprint ‘by early June’

Opinion | Legco must exercise due diligence against the tyranny of KPIs