10 h. ago Hong Kong government hits out at US politicians’ ‘absurd’ resolution on Jimmy Lai

Hong Kong authorities have hit back at US politicians’ “absurd and fact-twisting” allegations over the health of former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and their call for his unconditional release from prison. A spokesman for the Hong Kong government described the resolution introduced in the United States House of Representatives as an attempt to pressure the city’s courts over Lai’s ongoing trial, accusing the body of “blatant hypocrisy and double standards” given the country’s own suspected...

Politics

10 h. ago Hong Kong government hits out at US politicians’ ‘absurd’ Jimmy Lai resolution

Hong Kong authorities have hit back at US politicians’ “absurd and fact-twisting” allegations over the health of former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and their call for his unconditional release from prison. A spokesman for the Hong Kong government described the resolution introduced in the United States House of Representatives as an attempt to pressure the city’s courts over Lai’s ongoing trial, accusing the body of “blatant hypocrisy and double standards” given the country’s own suspected...

Politics

14 h. ago Hong Kong steps up mental health support for Tai Po fire victims

Hong Kong authorities will step up mental health support for people affected by the Tai Po fire, the city’s deadliest blaze in several decades, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has announced, with about two-thirds of patients having been discharged from hospitals. Ten days since the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court, Secretary of Health Lo Chung-mau said on Friday that all 79 patients admitted to hospital due to the fire were considered no longer at risk, but noted some expressed feelings of guilt...

Events

14 h. ago Hong Kong to focus on mental health support after fire, seek smoking ban at sites

Hong Kong authorities will make mental health support for people affected by the Tai Po blaze a priority in the aftermath of the tragedy, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has announced, as the government said it intended to push for a blanket ban on smoking at construction sites. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Lee said that not only the residents of Wang Fuk Court, but the entire community could move out of deep sorrow with proper mental health support. “Everyone is experiencing this...

Events

38 h. ago Give pupils, parents say on cancelling Christmas parties, Hong Kong schools told

Hong Kong education authorities have urged schools to seek a consensus with pupils and parents on whether to cancel Christmas celebrations following the Tai Po inferno, with some students expressing disappointment on social media about parties being called off. The Education Bureau’s clarification on Thursday followed a letter it sent last week asking schools to mourn the victims of the fire, which has now claimed 159 lives, and suspended festive celebratory activities from November 29 to...

Politics

38 h. ago Give pupils and parents say on axing Christmas parties, Hong Kong schools told

Hong Kong education authorities have urged schools to seek a consensus with pupils and parents on whether to cancel Christmas celebrations following the Tai Po inferno, with some students expressing disappointment on social media about parties being called off. The Education Bureau’s clarification on Thursday followed a letter it sent last week asking schools to mourn the victims of the fire, which has now claimed 159 lives, and suspended festive celebratory activities from November 29 to...

Politics

66 h. ago Authorities dispel rumours Hong Kong fire survivors housed in unfinished flats

Hong Kong’s Housing Department has dispelled rumours that survivors of the deadly Tai Po blaze are staying in interim housing with unfinished floors, after a social media user claimed residents were moving into flats in poor condition. A department spokesman said on Wednesday that no residents from the Wang Fuk Court fire were staying in interim housing at the moment. Interim housing refers to accommodation mainly for people affected by natural disasters or government clearance...

Events

3 d. ago No tolerance for sabotage of Hong Kong fire relief efforts, John Lee warns

Hong Kong’s leader has warned that authorities will not tolerate any attempts to sabotage relief efforts for residents affected by the city’s deadliest fire in decades, after national security police made arrests for alleged sedition related to the blaze. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday also pledged to roll out systemic reforms and said those responsible for the tragedy would be held accountable after being asked why he should remain in his position following the fire. Last week’s...

Events

5 d. ago Hong Kong Authorities Crack Down on Dissent After Deadly Fire

Hong Kong Authorities Crack Down on Dissent After Deadly Fire  조선일보

Events

5 d. ago Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 146 as China authorities warn over unrest

Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 146 as China authorities warn over unrest  Financial Times

Events

5 d. ago Hong Kong authorities vow to help residents displaced by fire get through winter

Hong Kong’s “top priority” is to resettle residents displaced by the Tai Po fire so they can get through the winter, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has said, as the city’s major monetary and banking authorities roll out measures to ease their immediate financial burdens. On Sunday, Chan highlighted the banking industry’s emergency support measures that came into effect over the weekend, including repayment grace periods for affected residents and extended operating hours at bank branches in...

Events

6 d. ago Hong Kong’s national security police question man over fire response petition

Hong Kong’s national security police have questioned an individual who allegedly launched a petition calling on the government to address four demands following the deadly blaze in Tai Po, the Post has learned. The move on Saturday came as the central government’s national security authorities in Hong Kong warned against “anti-China and ill-intentioned individuals” exploiting the tragedy in an attempt to disrupt the city. A source said the man taken to a police station for questoning was...

Events

6 d. ago Man arrested for alleged sedition in Hong Kong amid warning over fire rumours

Hong Kong’s national security police have arrested a man on suspicion of trying to incite sedition in relation to the deadly blaze in Tai Po, the Post has learned. The move on Saturday came as the central government’s national security authorities in Hong Kong warned against “anti-China and ill-intentioned individuals” exploiting the tragedy in an attempt to disrupt the city. A source earlier said a man, identified as “Miles”, had been taken to a police station for questioning. It remains...

Events

8 d. ago Hong Kong Fire Poses a Political Test for Beijing’s Authority

Hong Kong Fire Poses a Political Test for Beijing’s Authority  Modern Diplomacy

Politics

8 d. ago Contractor was warned over risks a week before deadly fire hit Hong Kong estate

Hong Kong labour authorities had warned the contractor working on Wang Fuk Court’s renovation about a fire hazard just a week before the housing estate in Tai Po was engulfed in the city’s worst blaze in decades, the Post has learned. In the aftermath of the devastating blaze that has so far claimed 65 lives, some residents said the fire alarms did not go off while an engineer warned that the flats destroyed in the inferno might not be habitable again. In a reply to the Post’s queries, the...

Events

9 d. ago Bull shark found stranded in Hong Kong mudflats returned to sea by residents

A bull shark has been found stranded in the mudflats of Pak Nai, with Hong Kong authorities joining residents to rescue the animal and a marine scientist claiming that the sighting was positive news for the city’s marine ecosystem. Khan Cheung, a PhD student at the University of Hong Kong’s (HKU) school of biological sciences who was involved in the rescue, said he and several colleagues were conducting research on the mudflats at about 8.30am when they spotted a woman in the area struggling to...

Politics

9 d. ago Hong Kong to offer discounts, free pools and museums to boost Legco turnout

Hong Kong authorities will roll out a range of freebies and promotions for residents over the weekend of the coming Legislative Council election, including complimentary access to swimming pools and museums, as part of efforts to boost voter turnout. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki announced on Wednesday that voters would also get thank-you cards after casting their ballots. The city’s No 2 official said that the government would offer free access to public facilities, as well as gifts or...

Politics

9 d. ago Hong Kong aims to boost Legco voters with HK$5 million worth of offers and perks

Both Hong Kong authorities and a major developer are offering residents an array of discounts and perks during the Legislative Council election weekend, including complimentary entry to swimming pools and museums, in a bid to boost voter turnout. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki announced on Wednesday that voters would also receive a thank-you card upon casting their ballot, redeemable for discounts and coupons totalling HK$5 million (US$643,000) across Chow Tai Fook Group’s dining, insurance...

Politics

9 d. ago Hong Kong to boost Legco voter turnout with HK$5 million in offers and perks

Both Hong Kong authorities and a major developer are offering residents an array of discounts and perks during the Legislative Council election weekend, including complimentary entry to swimming pools and museums, in a bid to boost voter turnout. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki announced on Wednesday that voters would also receive a thank-you card upon casting their ballot, which could be redeemed for discounts and coupons worth a total of HK$5 million (US$643,000) across Chow Tai Fook Group’s...

Politics

1 week ago Dementia patient still missing in Hong Kong as doctor urges trackers for elders

Hong Kong authorities continued searching on Tuesday for an elderly man with dementia who has been missing for two days, while a doctor suggested that equipping such patients with tracking devices could prevent them from getting lost. Police and fire service search and rescue teams combed the Por Lo Shan area for 87‑year‑old Leung Woon‑yew, a resident of Tai Hing Estate in Tuen Mun. Leung was last seen around 11am on Sunday at Shan King Estate on Shek Pai Tau Road. He had lunch with his family...

Science