4 h. ago Hong Kong legislators: great at passing laws, not so good at showing up

When we have a 90-member-strong legislature, things get done. Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has passed 117 bills, 98 per cent more than in the previous term. The bulk of lawmakers’ work is, well, making laws, so it speaks to the council’s efficiency that twice as many bills have been passed after a 28.6 per cent increase in its membership. Rules also limit the time that Legislative Council members get to speak: we generally require they get whatever they need to get off their chests within 15...

Politics

4 h. ago New rules proposed for Hong Kong legislators suggest lack of discipline

When we have a 90-member-strong legislature, things get done. Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has passed 117 bills, 98 per cent more than in the previous term. The bulk of lawmakers’ work is, well, making laws, so it speaks to the council’s efficiency that twice as many bills have been passed after a 28.6 per cent increase in its membership. Rules also limit the time that Legislative Council members get to speak: we generally require they get whatever they need to get off their chests within 15...

Politics

41 h. ago Donald Trump says US and China will hold talks on TikTok deal early next week

US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his interest in visiting China and announced that talks between Beijing and Washington were set to start early next week on a possible TikTok deal that could determine the future of the popular video-sharing platform. The fate of TikTok, which faces a potential ban in the US over national security concerns, has long been a sticking point in US-China relations. Under a law passed by the US Congress last year, ByteDance Ltd, the Beijing-based parent company...

Politics

41 h. ago Trump says US and China will hold talks on TikTok deal early next week

US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his interest in visiting China, while announcing that bilateral talks are set to start early next week on a possible TikTok deal that could determine the future of the popular video-sharing platform. The fate of TikTok, which faces a potential ban in the US over national security concerns, has long been a sticking point in US-China relations. Under a law passed by the US Congress last year, ByteDance Ltd, the Beijing-based parent company of the social...

Politics

62 h. ago Hong Kong code of conduct would oblige legislators to ‘sincerely support’ Beijing

Hong Kong code of conduct would oblige legislators to ‘sincerely support’ Beijing  Taipei Times

Politics

2 d. ago Ties that unbind: will the Philippines finally embrace divorce?

Philippine lawmakers have refiled a long-delayed bill legalising divorce in the country just a few days into the new Congress after its passage fell short in the previous term, with divorce advocates hopeful that the legislation will finally see the light of day. Lawmakers have been trying to pass a divorce law since 2005, but continue to face resistance in the Catholic-majority country. Nearly 79 per cent of Filipinos are Roman Catholic and the Philippines and the Vatican are the only countries...

Sport

2 d. ago ‘A national crisis’: why Philippines is still struggling to legalise divorce

Philippine lawmakers have refiled a long-delayed bill legalising divorce in the country just a few days into the new Congress after its passage fell short in the previous term, with divorce advocates hopeful that the legislation will finally see the light of day. Lawmakers have been trying to pass a divorce law since 2005, but continue to face resistance in the Catholic-majority country. Nearly 79 per cent of Filipinos are Roman Catholic and the Philippines and the Vatican are the only countries...

Events

3 d. ago Hong Kong code of conduct will oblige legislators to ‘sincerely support’ Beijing

Hong Kong code of conduct will oblige legislators to ‘sincerely support’ Beijing  The Guardian

Politics

3 d. ago Hong Kong lawmakers may face suspension, pay cut under proposed misconduct rules

Hong Kong’s legislature is expected to investigate evidence-based, real-name complaints about lawmakers’ conduct through a committee with an expanded scope, as part of a proposal to revamp current guidelines and regulations. Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, president of the Legislative Council, said on Thursday that those found in violation could face the maximum penalty of suspension from office and salary deductions, but stopped short of naming specific standards to categorise “minor, serious and...

Economics

5 d. ago Beijing slams US official, EU body for attack on Hong Kong national security law

Beijing has hit out at a United States official and the European Union’s diplomatic wing for attacking Hong Kong’s national security legislation, criticising their “hypocrisy” and “malicious intention” of containing China by going after the city. The statement from China’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong on Tuesday was in response to remarks by Jim Risch, the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the European External Action Service. Risch said that Hong Kong had become...

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong presses ahead with plans to regulate notorious subdivided flats

Hong Kong is pressing ahead with legislation to regulate the city’s notorious subdivided flats, with authorities planning to enforce proposed new laws from 2027 and landlords able to register their properties as early as March next year. The Housing Bureau submitted its regulatory proposals to the legislature on Thursday, with the bill to be tabled on July 9. It is expected to pass before the current Legislative Council term ends in October, paving the way for the city to finally eradicate...

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong to explore need for new law covering building repairs by landlords

Hong Kong’s Urban Renewal Authority will examine whether legislation should be introduced requiring landlords to create periodic maintenance plans for their blocks and ensure sufficient funds for the work. The study would also cover the possibility of creating a new statutory body to supervise building restoration and maintenance, according to the authority’s retiring head, Wai Chi-sing. Wai stressed the importance of “preventive maintenance” by homeowners while also pledging the authority would...

Society

3 w. ago Hong Kong passes bill to launch electronic driving licences in September

Hong Kong will introduce electronic driving licences in mid-September following the passage of a bill by the legislature, but lawmakers have questioned the need to spend HK$12.5 million (US$1.59 million) to fund a related mobile application. Some legislators also urged authorities to take a flexible approach to enforcement, especially in cases in which drivers had trouble displaying their documents on smartphones, thereby giving them time to adapt to the new system. The legislative amendment,...

Politics

3 w. ago With early stablecoin law, Hong Kong looks to keep edge as finance hub

With the passage of one of the world’s most comprehensive stablecoin laws two weeks ago, Hong Kong is looking to stay at the forefront of global finance while addressing lessons from past industry setbacks, according to analysts. Being a “first mover” in stablecoin legislation “reflects the determination” of the city’s government to “unlock value that they see in this sector, given the number of hurdles from past incidents”, said Melvin Deng, CEO of digital asset trading firm QCP Capital. Hong...

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong lawmakers call for TV stations to show more English

Hong Kong’s broadcast watchdog has been asked to require TV stations to produce more local programmes on their English channels to “tell good Hong Kong stories” to expats and visitors. Stations are permitted to have up to 45 per cent of their English-channel content be in other languages, a threshold some lawmakers said on Monday was too high and at odds with Hong Kong’s role as an international city. Some legislators also urged the government to sponsor TV stations to produce dramas promoting...

Politics

4 w. ago South Korea’s probes into Yoon, wife: search for truth or ‘political revenge’?

The passage of three laws mandating special investigations into corruption and abuse of power allegations involving impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol and his controversial wife marks a significant setback for South Korea’s conservatives, according to analysts. Former first lady Kim Keon-hee was long considered beyond the reach of law enforcement, largely due to her outsize influence over her husband and state affairs. But that “untouchable” status appears to be fading following a change in...

Politics

4 w. ago South Korea’s probes of Yoon, wife: search for truth or ‘political revenge’?

The passage of three laws mandating special investigations into corruption and abuse of power allegations involving impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol and his controversial wife marks a significant setback for South Korea’s conservatives, according to analysts. Former first lady Kim Keon-hee was long considered beyond the reach of law enforcement, largely due to her outsize influence over her husband and state affairs. But that “untouchable” status appears to be fading following a change in...

Politics

last month Hong Kong’s easier redomiciling policy ‘attracts 150 inquiries from companies’

Authorities have received about 150 inquiries from companies about transferring their legal domicile status to Hong Kong after the recent passage of a law making it easier for businesses to establish themselves in the city, the treasury minister has said. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu also said on Saturday that about 180 family offices had been set up or expanded their operations in Hong Kong this year, putting the city on track to surpass its...

Events