Hong Kong’s High Court jailed former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying to 20 years on Monday for national security crimes, in what mainland Chinese authorities described as a “powerful declaration” that severe punishment awaited those who dared to challenge the law. In the toughest punishment to date under the city’s national security law, Lai is…
A Hong Kong court has ordered the winding-up of a bakery chain and declared a co-founder of a now-closed congee restaurant group bankrupt, highlighting the plight of the local retail and catering sectors amid shifting consumption patterns. The High Court on Monday granted a petition to liquidate Vast Luck Company Limited, the parent company of…
Hong Kong police officers rarely fire their guns, but when they do, it grips the city’s attention. On Thursday, officers shot dead a man who had taken a woman hostage while brandishing a 30cm knife at a shopping centre in Tuen Mun. Under police guidelines, officers may open fire to protect anyone – including themselves…
A Hong Kong court has sentenced a suspended policeman to six months in prison for fraudulently persuading a doctor to give him 54 days of additional sick leave during the 2019 social unrest, when he pretended to be a personal trainer who was unfit for work. Jeffrey Tam Shun-wai, 32, was convicted on Tuesday at…
Beijing has warned the new US consul general in Hong Kong of potential “severe countermeasures” for crossing “red lines”, with its top office overseeing the city’s affairs reposting a commentary condemning the American envoy for inviting opposition figures to her inaugural reception. The commentary, published by the pro-Beijing newspaper Ta Kung Pao on Saturday and…
Beijing’s top diplomat in Hong Kong has laid down the scope of engagement for the new US consul general in the city, urging her not to interfere in the country’s internal affairs, while playing a constructive role in the development of bilateral ties. Cui Jianchun, the commissioner of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong…
A former Hong Kong political activist has won an appeal against a riot conviction due to an error by the trial judge in allowing prosecutors to substantially alter their allegations midway through proceedings. The Court of Appeal on Friday ordered the dismissal of Alvin Cheng Kam-mun’s conviction over his alleged role in violence at Polytechnic…
Briskly walking down an office corridor at the Hong Kong police headquarters, a blond-haired uniformed officer energetically greets passing colleagues with a jovial “Wei hing dai!”, meaning “Hey, brother!” in Cantonese. His office displays a kaleidoscopic collection of memorial coins and medals from law enforcement agencies worldwide, alongside a wall covered with pictures showing myriad…
The Hospital Authority’s outgoing chief executive has said Hong Kong public hospitals are on the right path in terms of finances, manpower and infrastructure, with his term as the organisation’s top man being a “complete and abundant” experience. Dr Tony Ko Pat-sing, who will retire by the end of the month, described his past six…
China’s No 4 politician was among senior Beijing officials and other heavyweights who sent wreaths to the wake for Hong Kong tobacco and media tycoon Charles Ho Tsu-kwok. State-run Xinhua called Ho a patriotic businessman and “an intimate friend” of the Communist Party of China in an article published on Saturday night. “Ho played an…