A top adviser to Hong Kong has called for the local government to aim for the space economy as the city’s answer to stimulating high-quality economic growth, while seeking to host top-tier international events such as the Apec finance ministers’ meeting to enhance global ties and boost local consumption. Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convenor of…
In the second of a two-part series on the national security law, we look at how the city has had to battle a negative narrative over the past five years. Read part 1 here. Soon after Hong Kong reopened in early 2023 as harsh pandemic restrictions were finally lifted, veteran lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee…
In the second of a two-part series on the national security law, we look at how the city has had to battle a negative narrative over the past five years. Read part 1 here. Soon after Hong Kong reopened in early 2023 as harsh pandemic restrictions were finally lifted, veteran lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee…
“Soft resistance” still definitely exists in Hong Kong, the chief executive has said, urging residents to remain vigilant as “many villains” are trying to threaten national security. City leader John Lee Ka-chiu also said on Tuesday that criticism of the local government was acceptable only if it did not intend to undermine national security. Secretary…
Hong Kong’s leader has rejected a proposal from the taxi industry for the government to repurchase licences that have depreciated in recent years due to competition from online ride-hailing services, saying the documents have always given cabbies exclusive rights. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also said on Tuesday that online ride-hailing was an “irreversible trend”,…
Students who faced “discriminatory and unfair treatment” under the United States’ attempted ban on Harvard University’s international student enrolment are welcome to Hong Kong, the city leader has said, adding he would consider further raising the quota for non-local applicants if the need arose. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday said Hong Kong would…
Hongkongers can take photos of six premises belonging to Beijing’s national security office deemed “prohibited places” but disobeying law enforcement officers’ orders to stop will risk running afoul of the newly gazetted subsidiary legislation, senior officials have said. In another move to fast track scrutiny of the newly enacted subsidiary legislation to the city’s domestic…
Hong Kong’s commerce minister has rejected a lawmaker’s suggestion to merge public broadcaster RTHK with the government’s press department, saying there were no overlaps in job responsibilities. RTHK also came under fire on Wednesday over its staffing levels, with lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee calling for in-depth reforms at the broadcaster and better use of…
Hong Kong will follow a strategy of “fiscal consolidation”, with the government “strictly controlling” public spending to address the deficit even as it seeks to improve services related to residents’ livelihoods, the finance chief has said. Three days before he is set to deliver his 2025-26 budget speech, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Sunday…
Hong Kong’s lowest paid workers will get HK$2.10 (27 US cents) more in their hourly salary, from the current HK$40 to HK$42.10, under a recommendation adopted by the government’s key decision-making Executive Council. The government announced on Tuesday that Exco had accepted the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Commission to raise the statutory minimum wage…