Hong Kong’s U-turn on its seat belt rule for buses is a sobering reminder to lawmakers that they must meet higher standards even under the “executive-led” governance model recently underlined by Beijing, according to several policy experts. They noted that some lawmakers had been complacent, prioritising speed over efficacy in policymaking in a “patriots-only” legislature…
A new task force led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will formulate Hong Kong’s first five-year blueprint to align with China’s 15th five-year plan, with a political analyst saying the move signals greater government involvement in shaping the city’s development. Lee also said on Monday that he would prioritise visits to Eastern Europe and…
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told Chinese President Xi Jinping that Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability are in the shared interests of both China and the United Kingdom in a high-profile meeting during his four-day trip to Beijing. Starmer, the first British leader to visit China since 2018, confirmed after the meeting, when asked…
Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs has called on the city to improve its executive-led governance model, arguing that the legislative and judicial branches should support the government as they perform “on the same stage” rather than undermine one another. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, on Monday warned…
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…
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…
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council election will be held as scheduled on December 7, as recovery and rebuilding work from the city’s deadliest blaze in Tai Po is proceeding largely smoothly, a source has told the Post. The insider said the decision to proceed with the poll as planned was also based on legal considerations, as…
Onlookers have gathered on both sides of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour to welcome two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessels that sailed into the city’s waters for a four-day port call as part of National Day celebrations. Training vessel Qi Jiguang and amphibious landing ship Yimeng Shan arrived at around 7am on Tuesday via Tathong…
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…