25 h. ago Several Hong Kong lawmakers omit unpaid directorships in Legco declarations

Several newly elected Hong Kong lawmakers have not fully disclosed their unpaid directorships and those held at subsidiaries, the Post has found, prompting calls from the legislature’s House Committee chairman for greater transparency. Andrew Yao Cho-fai and Lothair Lam Ming-fung were among the Legislative Council newcomers who did not register dozens of unpaid directorships, according to a Post check on their declarations of interest, which were cross-referenced with Companies Registry...

Politics

63 h. ago 3 new Hong Kong lawmakers fail to declare company shareholdings

At least three newcomers to Hong Kong’s legislature, including two from the city’s largest political party, have failed to declare company shareholdings, the Post has found, with the trio blaming the omissions on heavy workloads or misunderstandings. The three lawmakers are Jody Kwok Fu-yung and Hung Kam-in of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), and Thomas So Shiu-tsung, a lawyer. “I am still a newcomer and have to handle many matters, such as [a new]...

Events

2 d. ago Tougher building checks may add costs, slow projects, Hong Kong lawmaker says

Extra costs and the use of public resources may be incurred under the Hong Kong government’s proposed moves to increase professional scrutiny of building maintenance projects following the deadly Tai Po inferno, a lawmaker has said, calling for further discussion. Election Committee lawmaker Andrew Lam Siu-lo, a town planner by training, said on Thursday that expanding the Urban Renewal Authority’s (URA) role in such projects might require extra time and money, urging the government and...

Politics

3 d. ago Hong Kong lawmaker Duncan Chiu leads Legco affluence list with 54 properties

Hong Kong lawmaker Duncan Chiu owns 54 properties at home and overseas, more than any of the other 89 lawmakers, a review of their declaration of interests shows. But Chiu indicated that he is considering selling his properties in the West, citing geopolitical risks and his limited time for managing them. Chiu, the son of the late entrepreneur Deacon Chiu, represents the technology and innovation sector. He is among the five lawmakers who have declared ownership of more than 10 properties, and...

Society

3 d. ago Gaps laid bare by deadly Hong Kong fire focus of first Legco meeting of new term

Hong Kong’s newly elected lawmakers, many of them fresh faces on the political scene, held their first meeting on Wednesday, with officials pledging to address policy gaps exposed by the deadly Tai Po inferno, from tightening oversight of maintenance project tenders and raising homeowner voting thresholds to imposing a smoking ban at construction sites. Wednesday also marked the first time since Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty 28 years ago that a city leader addressed the first session...

Events

5 d. ago Singapore takes stock of lessons from Hong Kong’s Tai Po blaze

Singapore has begun reviewing early findings from the investigation into Hong Kong’s deadly Tai Po high-rise blaze, with ministers signalling that lessons from the tragedy could feed into tighter rules on construction and maintenance works in the city state. Lawmakers said in parliament on Monday that observations made by Hong Kong authorities about the fire at Wang Fuk Court would be studied and, where relevant, incorporated into Singapore’s legislation and policy framework. The blaze, which...

Politics

1 week ago Starry Lee or Ronick Chan? Lawmakers’ choice will reveal their priorities

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu swore in the new Legislative Council on January 1 without issue, even though a few lawmakers had to redo their oaths. And the first order of business for them is to elect the council president in a vote expected on January 8. Whether Lee’s message to Legco members – calling on them to be “representatives of the public”, and to prioritise the interests of the nation and Hong Kong over personal political gain and glory – is heard and how they interpret...

Politics

2 w. ago New Hong Kong lawmaker Julia Lau vows to strengthen risk oversight after Tai Po fire

Strengthening risk oversight in major maintenance projects in the wake of the deadly Tai Po fire is a top priority for Hong Kong lawmaker Julia Lau Man-kwan, who represents the architectural, surveying, planning and landscape sector. In an interview with the Post, Lau, who is also president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, pledged to ensure proper use of public funds in government works amid a deficit, and to remove development barriers to boost tourism in rural areas under the Northern...

Events

2 w. ago Veteran Hong Kong lawmakers Starry Lee, Ronick Chan in race for Legco presidency

Veteran Hong Kong lawmakers Starry Lee Wai-king and Ronick Chan Chun-ying have thrown their hats in the ring to be the Legislative Council’s next president, with a vote expected on January 8. Lee and Chan are running to succeed former president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, who stepped down after deciding not to seek re-election in the Legco poll last month. Lee is the city’s sole delegate to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the country’s top legislative body, and one of Legco’s most...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Be public representatives, not commentators,’ John Lee tells Hong Kong lawmakers

Newly elected lawmakers should be “representatives of the public” rather than mere commentators, Hong Kong’s leader has said after the swearing-in of all 90 legislators, warning against “soft resistance” and acts that stir conflicts under the guise of critique. Meanwhile, veteran lawmakers Starry Lee Wai-king and Ronick Chan Chun-ying, front-runners for the Legislative Council presidency, remained tight-lipped about their bids on Thursday, a day before the nomination period is set to...

Politics

2 w. ago Incoming Hong Kong lawmaker Vivian Kong to transition to Jockey Club consultant role

Former Hong Kong star fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai will transition to a consultant role at the Jockey Club after she is sworn in as a tourism lawmaker, her former boss has said. The retired Olympic fencing gold medallist joined the Jockey Club in August 2024 as an assistant external affairs manager, but suspended her duties last month to run for the election in the tourism sector. The 31-year-old secured 131 votes, beating Kwun Tong district councillor Ma Yat-chiu, raising questions over her role...

Society

2 w. ago Hong Kong lawmaker Starry Lee says NPC role not in conflict with Legco presidency

Hong Kong lawmaker Starry Lee Wai-king has said her role as a delegate to China’s top legislative body is not in conflict with the presidency of the legislature, as she looks to unite lawmakers and align their work with national goals. Lee, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), was responding to a question about whether she would seek the presidency of the Legislative Council. Without giving a definitive reply, she said details would be clearer during the...

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s Starry Lee seeks to unite lawmakers, but quiet about Legco presidency

Hong Kong’s Starry Lee Wai-king has said her roles as a delegate to the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee and at the Legislative Council do not conflict, but she has stopped short of revealing whether she will run for the latter’s presidency. Lee, a member of China’s top legislative body, on Sunday held off giving a definitive reply about whether she would seek election as Legco president. Details would be clearer during the presidency’s nomination period, after the newly...

Politics

3 w. ago Back reforms and align with nation, outgoing Legco chief tells new Hong Kong lawmakers

Incoming lawmakers should prioritise helping the Hong Kong government advance policy reforms and strengthen integration with national development, the outgoing Legislative Council president has said as he prepares to step down. Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen also said on Saturday that the new lawmakers would need to assist the government in devising a prudent and pragmatic budget, set to be unveiled in February, and tackling the aftermath of the Tai Po fire that broke out on November 26 and claimed at...

Politics

3 w. ago Back reforms and align with nation, Legco chief tells new Hong Kong lawmakers

Incoming lawmakers should prioritise helping the Hong Kong government advance policy reforms and deepen integration with national development, the outgoing Legislative Council president has said as he prepares to step down. Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen also said on Saturday that new lawmakers would need to assist the government in devising a prudent and pragmatic budget, set to be unveiled in February, as well as tackling the aftermath of the Tai Po fire that broke out on November 26 and claimed at...

Politics

3 w. ago Young people’s input needed on pressing Hong Kong issues, incoming lawmaker says

Hong Kong’s incoming social welfare lawmaker has vowed to actively engage young people in policy discussions and strengthen communications with frontline workers to plug a “knowledge gap” in professional conduct. Grace Chan Man-yee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, a statutory body representing local welfare groups, also expressed confidence that there would be critical voices in the legislature although not always in front of the cameras. Chan won the social welfare...

Politics

4 w. ago Centrist Hong Kong lawmaker says win will spur more vocal candidates in future polls

The sole lawmaker-elect of the centrist Roundtable party in Hong Kong has said his victory in the recent Legislative Council election could embolden more moderate and outspoken politicians to contest future polls. Mark Chong Ho-fung also called on the government to strengthen oversight to improve public trust, citing two cases: the bottled water scandal and the use of substandard scaffolding nets suspected to have exacerbated the rapid spread of last month’s catastrophic fire in Tai Po. The...

Politics