5 d. ago More than a tech hub, Northern Metropolis can be a cradle for culture

Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis is more than a mere zoning plan; it is a crucial part of China’s development strategy and a pivotal step towards elevating the Greater Bay Area’s (GBA) global profile. With development now under way, the conversation must shift to a new realm: soft power. The Northern Metropolis should not be just another new town designed to address Hong Kong’s housing and industrial needs. Rather, it must emerge as a zone of cultural emancipation that takes the GBA’s development...

Politics

6 d. ago Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: teen fights congenital disease with grace and humour

Sixteen-year-old Cassie Li Pui-ying was rushed into an emergency operation in Hong Kong on Monday morning after days of persistent fever and severe abdominal swelling. Doctors discovered a ruptured section of her colon and extensive inflammation inside her abdomen. The five-hour procedure saved her life, and she now remains in the intensive care unit under close monitoring. Her mother, Marine Mak, remembers the shock that morning. “When the doctor called me to the operating floor, my heart...

Sport

9 d. ago ‘Science fiction’ in South China Sea, Singapore’s deadly feuds: 5 weekend reads

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Chinese military force tricked a foreign spy plane in South China Sea: report 2. Hong Kong in fight for foreign university students as Singapore emerges as rival 3. China’s lesson for the US: it takes more than chips to win the AI race 4. ‘I’m scared he’ll snap’: Singapore’s high-rise noisy...

Events

9 d. ago China’s AI lesson for US, Singapore’s deadly neighbour feuds: 5 weekend reads

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Chinese military force tricked a foreign spy plane in South China Sea: report 2. Hong Kong in fight for foreign university students as Singapore emerges as rival 3. China’s lesson for the US: it takes more than chips to win the AI race 4. ‘I’m scared he’ll snap’: Singapore’s high-rise noisy...

Events

1 week ago Hong Kong in fight for foreign university students as Singapore emerges as rival

The number of international first-year students at Hong Kong’s public universities remained below pre-pandemic levels in the last academic year despite the government doubling quotas for non-locals, with an admissions official saying Singapore has emerged as a growing education powerhouse. The official from a local university also said some overseas students preferred to study in Singapore over Hong Kong because the city state’s strong rankings reflected its educational status. In Hong Kong,...

Politics

2 w. ago New trend among fashion brands: setting up cafes to drive up store traffic

A new trend has emerged in Hong Kong’s commercial property landscape as the retail sector slowly recovers: non-food and beverage (F&B) brands are turning to casual dining to entice young consumers and get more out of their premises. Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo carved up some space for a cafe in its refurbished Cityplaza outlet in Taikoo Shing last year and American luxury brand Ralph Lauren went further by opening standalone Ralph’s Coffee shops in high-end malls like Harbour City in Tsim...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s fashion retailers look to cafes to restore chicness to their brands

A new trend has emerged in Hong Kong’s commercial property landscape as the retail sector slowly recovers: non-food and beverage (F&B) brands are turning to casual dining to entice young consumers and get more out of their premises. Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo carved up some space for a cafe in its refurbished Cityplaza outlet in Taikoo Shing last year and American luxury brand Ralph Lauren went further by opening standalone Ralph’s Coffee shops in high-end malls like Harbour City in Tsim...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong emergency foster mother’s ‘happy journey’ brings fulfilment, hope

Hongkonger Lin Lai, 68, is enjoying the precious company of Lok Lok*, her one-year-old foster child, this Mid-Autumn Festival, traditionally a time for family reunions. “Lok Lok is a happy, easy-going baby who quickly weaned himself off night feeds,” said Lai, who will take the child to a family gathering on Monday to celebrate the festival. Over the past 13 years, Lai has been an emergency foster parent for more than 20 children. Her daughters support her commitment, visiting almost weekly to...

Politics

2 w. ago Mainland Chinese tourists in Hong Kong head for Cheung Chau to avoid crowds

Hong Kong’s outlying island of Cheung Chau has emerged as a quiet haven for mainland Chinese visitors who want to avoid the city’s crowded urban neighbourhoods during the National Day holidays. Hundreds of mainland tourists headed to Cheung Chau on Thursday morning, the second day of the “golden week” break. They were among the 1.5 million visitors from across the border expected in the city during the eight-day holiday period. Geared up in sunglasses, floppy hats and sun protection clothing,...

Politics

last month Girl, 4, dies after apparently falling from Sha Tin flat in Hong Kong

A four-year-old girl has died after apparently falling from a flat at a Hong Kong housing estate. Emergency services were alerted to the incident at 6.15pm on Monday by a man who saw the unconscious child lying outside Hong Wo House at Wo Che Estate in Sha Tin. Authorities believed she had fallen from a flat. Emergency personnel arrived and found the girl unconscious. She was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin but was later pronounced dead. Police cordoned off the scene and launched...

Events

last month Mother arrested after girl, 4, dies in apparent fall from Hong Kong flat

A mother has been arrested for negligence after her four-year-old girl died from an apparent fall from a flat at a Hong Kong housing estate. Emergency services were alerted at 6.15pm on Monday by a man who saw the unconscious child lying outside Hong Wo House at Wo Che Estate in Sha Tin. Authorities believed she had fallen from a flat. Emergency personnel arrived and found the girl unconscious. She was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin but was later pronounced dead. Her 34-year-old...

Events

last month Emergency exit, slide of Hong Kong Airlines plane triggered on arrival in Osaka

The emergency exit door and inflatable evacuation slide of a Hong Kong Airlines plane were triggered “inadvertently” after landing in Osaka, causing no injuries but delaying the return flight for 70 passengers. The carrier on Monday said it had reported the incident on flight HX612, which landed at Osaka Kansai International Airport at 7.15pm the day before, to the relevant authorities and would cooperate fully with the investigation. Hong Kong Airlines said the emergency exit door on the right...

Politics