8 h. ago Hong Kong aiming to become top art trading hub to rival New York: source

Hong Kong’s leader aims to elevate the city into a “world-class high-end art trading hub” to rival New York under measures to be revealed in his fourth policy address next Wednesday, the Post has learned. Efforts to strengthen the city’s multibillion-dollar art trading industry would include boosting services in financing, insurance and professional training, and designating maintenance and storage spaces in a cultural hub and near the airport, a government source said. The move will align with...

Politics

24 h. ago Hong Kong lawmakers pass controversial tobacco control bill to cut smoking rate

Hong Kong lawmakers have passed a controversial tobacco control bill that aims to further lower the city’s smoking rate, with a minister saying the proposed measures have already considered a variety of opinions. The Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill was passed on Thursday after the second and third readings, following a last-ditch effort by two lawmakers to delay and amend the government-proposed measures earlier this week. Among the 83 lawmakers who attended the meeting, 74...

Politics

30 h. ago Hong Kong passes bill legalising basketball betting by majority of 77

Hong Kong lawmakers have approved a bill to legalise betting on basketball matches as authorities aim to tackle illegal gambling, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club expected to be the sole operator. The Legislative Council passed the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025, empowering the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs to issue basketball betting operator licences with specified terms. The bill also authorises a licensed basketball operator to place bets with other gambling operators for hedging...

Politics

30 h. ago Thailand seeks to use Hong Kong’s financial status to secure smart city funding

Thailand aims to use Hong Kong’s status as a global financial centre to raise funds for a new smart city in its flagship economic development zone, according to the head of the megaproject’s public agency. Chula Sukmanop, secretary general of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office, also dismissed accusations that Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative was a debt trap, highlighting benefits such as the thousands of jobs it had created for Thai people in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The Eastern...

Politics

41 h. ago Hong Kong private jet centre aims to fly high after upgrade of terminal

Hong Kong’s only fixed-base operator for private jet support services is betting its newly expanded terminal building will help it cash in on a boom in initial public offerings (IPOs), a surge in mega-events and rising Middle Eastern investment. The Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre (HKBAC) unveiled the upgraded building, part of a HK$500 million (US$64.1 million) expansion plan, at the city’s airport on Wednesday. Transport minister Mable Chan said Hong Kong’s mega-event economy would receive...

Politics

3 d. ago Hong Kong schools required to give reasons for opting out of flu jab scheme

Hong Kong authorities aim to boost the flu vaccine coverage rate for the coming year by requiring schools to provide reasons for formally opting out of an outreach programme and procure jabs for some family doctors to ensure a steady supply. The Department of Health on Monday unveiled the government’s plan to encourage more people to get flu jabs, with the latest seasonal vaccination programme to start on September 25. Dr Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, controller of the Centre for Health Protection, noted...

Politics

4 d. ago Uniqlo Hong Kong chooses upgrades over expansion amid sluggish retail sales

Uniqlo is focusing on revamping its 32 outlets in Hong Kong rather than expanding its footprint amid sluggish retail sales, as the popular Japanese fashion retailer contends with a decline in revenue and profit from its Greater China region. However, revamping existing stores sometimes includes leasing more space. For example, a store currently under renovation and set to reopen on October 17 in Mira Place in Tsim Sha Tsui will nearly double to 27,000 sq ft. A new-look store in City Plaza in...

Politics

7 d. ago Hong Kong airport offers free tours for transit fliers to enjoy city’s sights

Hong Kong International Airport has rolled out a free tour service aimed at attracting 5.5 million transit passengers each year to explore the city’s attractions in Wong Tai Sin, Sham Shui Po and Tsim Sha Tsui. The Airport Authority’s CEO Vivian Cheung Kar-fay said on Friday that the new initiative, jointly organised with China’s largest online travel agency Trip.com, was designed for passengers with layovers of more than seven hours to explore Hong Kong’s culture and attractions. “We are...

Society

7 d. ago Hong Kong airport offers free tours for transit passengers to enjoy local sights

Hong Kong airport has rolled out a free tour service aimed at attracting 5.5 million transit passengers each year to explore the city’s attractions in Wong Tai Sin, Sham Shui Po and Tsim Sha Tsui. Airport Authority CEO Vivian Cheung Kar-fay said on Friday that the new initiative, jointly organised with online travel agency Trip.com, was designed for passengers with layovers of more than seven hours to explore Hong Kong’s culture and attractions. “We are thrilled to introduce the free layover...

Society

1 week ago Macau spending scheme aims to generate 2 billion patacas in consumption

Macau will launch a HK$470 million (US$60.3 million) citywide consumption campaign on Monday, lasting three months to stimulate local spending and support small businesses during the off-peak tourist season. The scheme, which will continue until the end of November, is also intended to mark the coming 15th National Games, co-hosted for the first time by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, according to the latter’s government on Sunday. Officially titled “National Games Cohesion, Community...

Economics

1 week ago Conservation caw: Hong Kong’s first bird call contest raises ecological awareness

From the rhythmic calls of the Asian koel to the melodic tones of the Asian barred owlet, Hong Kong’s first-ever bird call competition has showcased residents’ surprising talent for mimicking their feathered neighbours while highlighting the city’s rich yet often overlooked biodiversity. Inspired by the popularity of bird call imitation contests abroad, four young ecologists decided to bring the concept to the city in April, creating a Hong Kong edition with the broader aim of promoting...

Events

2 w. ago Bitcoin Asia kicks off as Hong Kong aims to balance hub goal with risk

Bitcoin Asia kicked off in Hong Kong on Thursday, as Hong Kong strives to balance its goal of becoming a crypto hub while pushing forward a regulatory regime to mitigate financial risks. In its second edition, the conference featured experts who said that Hong Kong could become a hub for shaping the global digital asset regulatory landscape. Two points were brought up: using asset treasury holdings for a broader ecosystem for cryptocurrency and global regulatory leadership to coordinate and...

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong warns schools over unauthorised courses aimed at non

Hong Kong authorities have issued letters to local schools to warn them against working with third-party agencies to offer classes for students outside the city without prior approval, as part of a crackdown on so-called shell institutions. Jeff Sze Chun-fai, the acting secretary for education, said on Sunday that the government was “seriously concerned” about reports that some schools in the city had partnered with agencies based in mainland China to offer classes that would allow students to...

Events