8 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

8 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

37 h. ago Hong Kong scaffold nets come down after deadly fire as residents get more help

Construction firms began removing scaffold netting from buildings across Hong Kong on Thursday to meet a three-day government-imposed deadline following the city’s deadliest blaze in decades. Authorities also doubled a living allowance for households at fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po and promised to help its residents with long-term housing issues. To meet Saturday’s deadline, contractors at more than 200 buildings under renovation started taking down scaffolding mesh to allay public...

Events

43 h. ago Beijing confident of Hong Kong’s ability to handle Legco election, fire aftermath

A Beijing official in Hong Kong has voiced confidence in the city’s ability to handle both the coming Legislative Council election and the aftermath of the deadly Tai Po fire, calling local authorities’ decision to proceed with the poll respectful of the constitutional order. Liu Guangyuan, deputy director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said on Thursday that the local government had adopted the “most responsible attitude” by holding the election on Sunday as scheduled, even after last...

Politics

45 h. ago Scaffolding nets removed across Hong Kong as firms seek to meet 3

Construction firms have started removing scaffold netting across Hong Kong to meet a three-day government deadline, after suspected false safety certificates for mesh were found at two building sites in the wake of the deadly Tai Po fire that has claimed at least 159 lives. The green mesh, commonly draped over bamboo scaffolding erected at buildings under construction or renovation, came under heavy scrutiny after authorities found that contractors had installed cheaper, non-fire-resistant...

Politics

3 d. ago Hongkongers gather on seventh day after Tai Po fire to grieve and demand answers

Residents and mourners have demanded that the Hong Kong government ramp up its investigations to hold responsible parties accountable, as they gathered to mark the seventh day after the start of the city’s worst fire in seven decades. Hundreds of people assembled at the Kwong Fuk sit-out area on Tuesday, laying flowers, writing messages of grief and praying for those who died in the blaze that engulfed Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po last week. Among them was Lui Yuk-lin, a 62-year-old...

Events

3 d. ago Hong Kong taps Value Partners, 9 others to manage US$385 million residency fund

Hong Kong Investment Corp (HKIC), the government’s investment arm, on Tuesday appointed 10 asset managers spanning venture capital, private equity, private credit and hedge funds to oversee at least HK$3 billion (US$385 million) under its enhanced cash-for-residency scheme. HKIC said in a statement that the new batch of managers for the investment portfolio under the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) included Hong Kong-headquartered Value Partners, one of Asia’s largest asset...

Economics

3 d. ago Hong Kong invokes security law for first time to ban Canada, Taiwan

The Hong Kong government has used its power under the national security law for the first time to ban two organisations deemed subversive. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung on Tuesday prohibited the operation of Canada-based “Hong Kong Parliament” and Taiwan-based “Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union” in the city. The ban was made with the power granted to Tang under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the domestic national security law enacted in 2024 as required by...

Events

3 d. ago Hong Kong invokes security law for first time to ban overseas ‘subversive’ groups

The Hong Kong government has exercised its power under the city’s domestic national security law for the first time to ban two organisations deemed subversive. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung on Tuesday prohibited the operation of the Canada-based “Hong Kong Parliament” and the Taiwan-based “Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union” in the city. The ban was made with the power granted to Tang under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The ordinance was enacted in 2024 as...

Events

4 d. ago Mainland China public donations for Hong Kong fire relief top HK$80 million

Hong Kong has received a wave of compassion from mainland China over the deadly fire in Tai Po, the city’s worst in decades, with public donations from across the border exceeding HK$80 million (US$10.27 million). The China Social Welfare Foundation announced that donations from 1. 7 million residents on the mainland had exceeded 76 million yuan (US$10.74 million) or about HK$83.5 million, as of Sunday. Many donors also contributed to the Hong Kong government’s relief fund and local charities,...

Economics

5 d. ago Hong Kong fire relief fund reaches HK$1.2b on huge outpouring from public

Hong Kong’s deadly fire in Tai Po has prompted an outpouring of generosity from the public, with donations already surpassing the total raised in the initial aftermath of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. By noon on Sunday, four days after the fire began, the government’s support fund had grown to HK$1.2 billion (US$153 million), with HK$900 million in public donations and HK$300 million in government grants. The total does not include donations to non-governmental organisations such as the Hong Kong...

Events

5 d. ago Hong Kong fire relief fund reaches HK$1.2 billion on huge outpouring from public

Hong Kong’s deadly fire in Tai Po has prompted an outpouring of generosity from the public, with donations already surpassing the total raised in the initial aftermath of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. By noon on Sunday, four days after the fire began, the government’s support fund had grown to HK$1.2 billion (US$153 million), with HK$900 million in public donations and HK$300 million in government grants. The total does not include donations to non-governmental organisations such as the Hong Kong...

Economics

5 d. ago Chinese state media praises Hong Kong for fire efforts, vows Beijing’s support

Beijing’s state media has praised the swift rescue and relief efforts by the Hong Kong government after the city’s worst fire in decades, commending its leadership and pledging support in its first editorial commentary on the disaster. The commentary by Xinhua, which typically reflects the stance of the central government, published on Sunday focused on how the tragedy had united the city and urged Hong Kong to move forward. It recognised the leadership of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu as...

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

6 d. ago Hong Kong minister urges NGOs to work more closely with government over fire aid

Hong Kong’s home affairs minister has called on NGOs to better coordinate with the government on their support for residents displaced in the city’s deadliest fire in decades following reported confusion on the ground. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen on Saturday also rejected accusations the government-backed care teams had called police to disperse volunteers manning makeshift stations offering supplies to affected residents near the scene of the fire at Wang Fuk Court...

Politics

6 d. ago HK$60,000 fire subsidy only for Wang Fuk Court residents: Hong Kong minister

The Hong Kong government’s HK$60,000 (US$7,710) subsidy for victims of the Tai Po fire is only for residents living in Wang Fuk Court, the home affairs minister has clarified amid alleged cases of abuse online. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said on Saturday that authorities had not received any formal abuse reports so far and vowed to look into any that arise in the future. “This subsidy is for those affected residents, households living in the court during the mega...

Events

7 d. ago 3 overlooked economic strengths that will serve Hong Kong well

Even in these turbulent times, Hong Kong has reasons to count its blessings. I refer to the fundamentals of our global competitiveness, which will protect us from the fiercest storms of the current cycle of economic and geopolitical turmoil. We cannot be immune, given that many economies worldwide face challenges more severe than at any time in the past four decades, but we should be grateful. Critics have in the past predicted the death of Hong Kong. Our government officials often rebut them by...

Economics

1 week ago Hong Kong kindergarten moves Japan tour to mainland China amid diplomatic row

A Hong Kong private kindergarten operator has changed the destination of a study tour from Tokyo to Chengdu, citing a city government warning issued amid a diplomatic row between China and Japan. A notice from Victoria Educational Organisation, which runs eight campuses of kindergartens and nurseries in the city, and its parent-teacher association was circulated online on Monday and confirmed by the Post on Tuesday. “In light of the recent advisory from the [Hong Kong government] urging...

Politics

1 week ago Hong Kong kindergarten moves Japan tour to mainland China as row deepens

A Hong Kong private kindergarten operator has changed the destination of a study tour from Tokyo to Chengdu, citing a city government warning issued amid a diplomatic row between China and Japan. A notice from Victoria Educational Organisation, which runs eight campuses of kindergartens and nurseries in the city, and its parent-teacher association was circulated online on Monday and confirmed by the Post on Tuesday. “In light of the recent advisory from the [Hong Kong government] urging...

Politics