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Hong Kong leader John Lee unveiled the third Policy Address of his term on Wednesday, vowing to continue his “reform mindset” with “enhanced measures” to boost the economy and improve people’s livelihoods. The 2024 policy blueprint carried the tagline: “Reform for Enhancing Development and Building Our Future Together,” with the word “reform” appearing 43 times […]

I obviously haven’t been keeping up with the local economic scene, because it came as a complete surprise to discover that the key to our future prosperity was something called the “low-altitude economy.” Apparently this idea has been around for some time. It was mentioned in the national government’s work report and subsequently endorsed (surprise!) by […]

By Ayesha Sitara People get inked for many reasons – to celebrate a milestone, for power and strength, to fight climate change or body issues, to express no regrets, to motivate themselves.  Held since 2013, except for a brief hiatus during the pandemic era, the Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition assembled tattoo artists and […]

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te insisted Friday that the island’s determination to defend its sovereignty “will not change”, as he praised troops and coast guard personnel for their response to China’s latest military drills. Beijing sent a record number of military aircraft as well as warships and coast guard vessels to encircle Taiwan on Monday in […]

The nine monkeys which died at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens have been found to have contracted melioidosis, the government has said. The disease can infect both humans and animals, though the incident is believed to be an isolated infection within the zoo. Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism Kevin Yeung said on […]

Taxi drivers will not be encouraged – but not required – to learn Arabic, Hong Kong’s commerce minister has said. It came after taxi fleets were urged to provide service information in the language as part of a push to cater to Muslim visitors from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Though learning the language […]

Hong Kong’s culture minister has pledged to complete a delayed blueprint for the city’s art and creative industries after being singled out in Chief Executive John Lee’s third Policy Address. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung on Friday also dismissed claims of tension between himself and the chief executive, saying he did not […]

The final line-up for Hong Kong’s premier music and arts festival, Clockenflap, has been revealed, with Central Cee, BANKS, Serrini, The Black Skirts, and Wisp set to play Central Harbourfront next month. “British hip-hop sensation Central Cee will headline the festival on Saturday night,” festival organisers said on Friday, “[W]hile other newly announced highlights include Alt-R&B […]

China posted its slowest growth in a year and a half on Friday as authorities come under pressure to follow up a recent slew of stimulus with more action to reignite the world’s number two economy. Authorities have since last month unveiled a raft of measures to kickstart sluggish consumption and address a prolonged and debilitating […]

Hong Kong’s liquor tax cut will promote the trade of high-end spirits rather than drinking, the city’s commerce chief has said, as he played down the policy’s impact on residents’ health. Chief Executive John Lee on Wednesday announced a tax cut on spirits with over 30 per cent alcohol content and an import price above […]

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy will meet his counterpart Wang Yi and other top officials in Beijing on Friday to “challenge” China on sensitive issues like Russia’s war in Ukraine, as the two countries seek to rebuild frayed ties. Lammy is the first British cabinet minister to visit China since Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer […]

Owners of substandard subdivided units may face imprisonment following the end of a 1-2 month grace period, the Hong Kong government has said. It comes after authorities introduced a new policy to eradicate the city’s low-quality cubicle homes in the 2024 Policy Address. All owners of subdivided units have been called upon to register with […]

The third Policy Address by Hong Kong leader John Lee was rated lower than his previous two, an annual poll has found, with fewer people listening to it. Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (PORI) on Thursday released the results of an immediate poll that asked residents to rate the Policy Address – Lee’s third […]

Chief Executive John Lee has said that democratic reform is not on his administration’s agenda, as the issue has been settled. During a Wednesday press conference following his 2024 Policy Address, Lee was asked by an HKFP reporter whether universal suffrage was on the agenda for his administration following calls for democracy by the League […]

Hong Kong’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) should “help themselves” and strive for self-improvement, the city’s leader John Lee has said in response to questions about his Policy Address measures for supporting the local business sector. Lee said during a Wednesday evening TV show that Hong Kong’s economy is facing “a transitional period,” with changing […]

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday called for the jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai to be freed from prison, as the pro-democracy campaigner faces trial. Starmer told lawmakers in parliament that Lai’s case was “a priority” for his Labour government and Foreign Secretary David Lammy had previously raised the issue with his […]

A judge in Hong Kong jailed six policemen on Thursday for harassing homeless people, following a rare criminal conviction of law enforcement in the Chinese financial hub. Judge Kathie Cheung sentenced the police officers to prison terms ranging from 25 to 41 months over multiple charges of “perverting the course of justice”. The charges are […]

Hong Kong is set to have a third medical school with the government reserving a site at the upcoming 30,000-hectare Northern Metropolis. On Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee said during his third Policy Address that the government would set up a task force and invite local universities interested in the idea to submit proposals. A […]

Local animal activists staged a silent protest outside Lai Sun Dining restaurants and its head office on Tuesday, urging the company to be transparent about its progress towards using eggs from cage-free hens. The demonstration was in line with the international Open Wing Alliance – a coalition of 95 organisations across 75 countries. The campaign […]

A concern group has expressed disappointment at new measures to phase out “unliveable” subdivided flats, calling for a comprehensive resettlement plan and stronger rent controls. In a statement issued after Chief Executive John Lee delivered his third policy address on Wednesday, the Concerning Subdivided Units Alliance said the government had failed to address the problem […]

The Hong Kong government will pilot the use of a locally trained generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for some document processing, city leader John Lee said during his third Policy Address on Wednesday. The chief executive said on Wednesday that the testing would be led by the government’s Digital Policy Office (DPO), which was founded […]

The Hong Kong government has pledged to roll out a new online emotional support platform for young people after the city saw a record number of suspected student suicides last year. The real-time platform, which is set to be introduced in the second quarter of next year, was among a series of mental health support […]

Hong Kong will give people aged under 40 a leg-up towards owning their own homes by allocating them an extra vote in the ballot for subsidised flats, Chief Executive John Lee said. Lee announced the new measure in his third Policy Address on Wednesday, along with other measures to help young people find their own […]

Hong Kong’s government will relax the mortgage loan-to-value ratio amid a property slowdown, a move welcomed by the real estate sector. The city’s leader John Lee announced on Wednesday, during the 2024 Policy Address, that the ratio for residential properties would be set at a maximum 70 per cent regardless of value, whether the property […]