19 h. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee seeks closer ties in meeting with EU officials

Hong Kong’s leader has sought to deepen ties with the EU in a meeting with the bloc’s representatives, saying the city will remain a free port despite growing protectionism globally. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Wednesday that he had hosted a lunch attended by Harvey Rouse, head of the Office of the European Union to Hong Kong and Macau, as well as 15 consuls general from the bloc’s member countries. The gathering served as a platform for direct dialogue and an exchange of views,...

Politics

3 d. ago John Lee exclusive interview, Chinese rethink UK degrees: 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. ‘Don’t kill your successful DNA’: Hong Kong’s John Lee on tariffs, trade war 2. ‘It’s too much’: Chinese students reconsider UK degrees as policies harden 3. Loitering with intent: Beijing’s new silent South China Sea strategy? 4. Japan grows restless for next-gen fighter jets as progress with...

Politics

4 d. ago Hong Kong’s retail sector is struggling but people will have to adapt: John Lee

Hong Kong’s leader has conceded that the city has a problem with its sluggish retail scene amid a trend of locals spending their holidays across the border, but warned against using it as the sole yardstick in assessing the economy. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also called on businesses to “work harder” in light of the market changes and to reform to retain if not grow their slice of the cake. Hong Kong’s retail sales dropped for a 14th consecutive month in April, falling by 2.3 per cent,...

Politics

4 d. ago ‘Don’t kill your successful DNA’: Hong Kong’s John Lee on tariffs, trade war

Hong Kong will not destroy its “successful DNA” and jeopardise its free-port status by retaliating with counter-tariffs on the US even if geopolitical tensions with China escalate further, the city’s leader has promised. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said his administration had made “contingency plans for the worst” and would increase support for local businesses in finding “blue oceans” in new markets. In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with the Post to mark the third anniversary of his...

Events

4 d. ago Hong Kong water safety saga: what happened and how to protect yourself

Hong Kong’s leader has rolled out 10 measures to address concerns over the supply of freshwater containing a banned substance at two public housing estates. The Post unpacks the water safety concerns behind the saga and how people can protect themselves. 1. What’s the scandal about? Residents at two public rental and subsidised estates in Fanling first reported the presence of black particles in their drinking water on Friday last week, prompting some to buy bottled water as speculation mounted...

Politics

6 d. ago Hong Kong leader orders ageing water pipes lined with bitumen to be replaced

Hong Kong’s leader has ordered authorities to replace hundreds of metres of bitumen-lined pipes as one of 10 measures to address residents’ concerns over black particles dirtying the water at two public housing estates. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu weighed in on Friday, a week after initial reports of the particles emerged, as he tasked Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun with supervising the implementation of the measures. Government test results on Thursday confirmed that the...

Politics

9 d. ago Hong Kong leader says sudden removal of China's top official in the city was "normal"

Hong Kong leader says sudden removal of China's top official in the city was "normal"  Reuters

Politics

9 d. ago 2 global conferences to make Hong Kong debut this month: John Lee

Two international conferences will be held in Hong Kong for the first time this month, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has revealed, pledging authorities will continue to attract more events to bring in high-end tourists and enhance the city’s global network. The city leader said on Tuesday that several international conferences had made their Hong Kong debuts over the past three years, and two more important events would follow this month. They are the International Science, Technology and...

Politics

9 d. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee cites ‘good understanding’ in meetings with liaison chief

Hong Kong’s leader has attributed his two meetings with Beijing’s newly appointed liaison office chief within three days to the need to maintain good communication and understanding with the central government, so he can reflect the city’s situation accurately and formulate good policies. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday described Zhou Ji, the new liaison office director, as a “humble and pragmatic” official, noting that the latter cared about Hong Kong and attached importance to...

Politics

9 d. ago Hong Kong leader and administration are ‘masters’ of city: liaison office chief

The leader of Hong Kong and his administration bear primary responsibility for the city’s governance, the new head of the liaison office has said, while pledging to fully support local development during the second meeting between the two officials in three days. Zhou Ji, who was appointed as director of the central government’s liaison office on Friday, met Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday morning at its building in Sai Wan, according to an official statement. They previously met at...

Politics

1 week ago Hong Kong’s John Lee meets new liaison office chief, vows to pursue fresh growth

Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to identify fresh areas for economic growth as he expressed confidence in working with the newly appointed director of Beijing’s liaison office to speed up the city’s development. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made the remarks as he met office director Zhou Ji at Government House on Saturday. They exchanged views on the city’s challenges and opportunities and discussed ways to promote its long-term prosperity and stability. The State Council, China’s cabinet,...

Politics

1 week ago Hong Kong charity aims to bring traditional Chinese medicine to African nation

A charity led by a former Hong Kong leader that offers overseas aid will promote traditional Chinese medicine treatments in the African nation Djibouti this year and plans to expand its operations to at least two more countries, its head has said. GX Foundation CEO Emily Chan Ying-yang said on Thursday that the charity was cooperating with Djibouti’s Ministry of Health to introduce traditional Chinese medicines registered in Hong Kong to the country to support local primary health services. The...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong leader has ‘burning urgency’ to fast track Northern Metropolis project

Hong Kong’s leader is exploring further legal amendments to expedite the development of Northern Metropolis as he feels a “burning urgency” to build the economic powerhouse close to the city’s border with mainland China. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu told lawmakers on Thursday that he hoped to seek views on fast-tracking the progress of Northern Metropolis, a government blueprint that aims to transform 30,000 hectares (74,130 acres) in the New Territories into a new economic growth centre and...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong vows to help Chinese students facing ‘unfair treatment’ in US

Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to provide “the best assistance” to Chinese students facing “unfair treatment” in the US, after the Trump administration said it would start revoking their visas and increase scrutiny of applications amid escalating restrictions. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also urged different sectors in the city to work with authorities to capitalise on the opportunity and fully present Hong Kong’s edge in higher education to the world. Lee made his remarks on Thursday after...

Society

2 w. ago Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi to meet Hong Kong leader before mediation body launch

Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi will arrive in Hong Kong on Thursday afternoon and meet the city’s leader ahead of a ceremony for the establishment of an intergovernmental mediation organisation in the financial hub, the Post has learned. A source familiar with the itinerary said on Wednesday that Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu would greet Wang on Thursday afternoon and host a dinner in the evening. On Friday morning, Wang is scheduled to attend the signing ceremony of the Convention on the...

Politics

2 w. ago Top Chinese diplomat to meet Hong Kong leader before mediation body launch

Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi will arrive in Hong Kong on Thursday afternoon and meet the chief executive ahead of a ceremony for the establishment of an intergovernmental mediation organisation in the city, the Post has learned. A source familiar with Wang’s itinerary said on Wednesday that Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu would greet the diplomat on Thursday afternoon and host a dinner in the evening. On Friday morning, Wang is scheduled to attend the signing ceremony of the Convention on the...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong targets elderly consumers with new ‘silver economy’ drive

Hong Kong’s leader has announced that a working group would unveil five measures to boost consumption among the older population on Tuesday afternoon, with an aim to address the needs of the city’s burgeoning elderly market. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu explained that the Working Group Promoting Silver Economy, led by deputy chief secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, would coordinate various service areas within the emerging elderly consumption market to stimulate Hong Kong’s economy. “[The...

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong leader welcomes students hit by ‘discriminatory’ US ban on foreigners

Students who faced “discriminatory and unfair treatment” under the United States’ attempted ban on Harvard University’s international student enrolment are welcome to Hong Kong, the city leader has said, adding he would consider further raising the quota for non-local applicants if the need arose. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday said Hong Kong would welcome any student who had been “discriminated by US policy” to continue their studies here. “So I want this message to go out to any...

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong will welcome students hit by ‘discriminatory’ US ban: John Lee

Students who face “discriminatory and unfair treatment” under the United States’ attempted ban on Harvard University’s international student enrolment are welcome in Hong Kong, the city leader has said, adding he will consider further raising the quota for non-local applicants if the need arises. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that Hong Kong would welcome any students who had been “discriminated by US policy” to continue their studies in the city. “So, I want this message to go...

Events

2 w. ago ‘No special privileges for tax evasion,’ John Lee tells Hongkongers

Hong Kong’s leader has slammed organisations that claim to be professional yet defend members under tax investigations, warning that such attempts to pressure authorities will only “expose their ugly nature”. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also said that authorities would pursue legal responsibility in accordance with the law, as he responded to a question on whether the government’s recent tax reviews on members of Hong Kong Journalists Association were targeting independent media. Last week,...

Politics