16 h. ago Machinery use suspended after worker severs hand at Hong Kong recycling centre

Hong Kong authorities have issued a suspension notice to a contractor at a government-run recycling centre after a worker severed his palm while clearing debris from a wood-chipping machine. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on Saturday said it was “highly concerned” about the incident, which occurred at around 2pm the day before at the Y·Park yard waste recycling centre in Tuen Mun. The worker was trying to clear debris stuck in an operating wood chipper when his left palm was...

Economics

37 h. ago Hong Kong’s finance chief warns of market volatility, pledges support for families

Hong Kong’s capital market is likely to experience significant fluctuations this year owing to intensifying geopolitical risks, the city’s finance chief has warned, stressing the need for caution in financial management. Six weeks before the government unveils its annual budget, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po pledged to consider whether there is scope to adjust child allowance to encourage more births, after a Post report revealed that Hong Kong’s registered births hit a record low last...

Events

63 h. ago Mapping issues in 7 of 8 power bank rental platforms tested by Hong Kong watchdog

Seven out of eight power bank rental platforms tested by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog displayed inaccurate navigation or positioning data on map applications, a problem that may waste users’ time and incur extra charges due to delays. The Consumer Council on Thursday also found a significant variance in rental fees across different stations within the same platforms, with charges for a 30-minute rental differing by nearly 1.3 times and the daily cap on charges differing by more than 2.3...

Politics

6 d. ago Hong Kong issues 4 tickets from 700 new site inspections under expanded smoking ban

Hong Kong health authorities have issued four fixed penalty tickets in newly designated no smoking areas, including outside hospitals, clinics and tram stops, following more than 700 inspections since the city expanded its tobacco control measures on New Year’s Day. Ten days into the enforcement of the broadened ban, tobacco control officers carried out more than 1,600 total inspections citywide, with more than 700 in sites newly brought under the prohibition, according to Director of Health Dr...

Politics

6 d. ago Hong Kong must issue bonds as public works drive capital account deficit: Paul Chan

Hong Kong’s heavy investment in public works will keep the capital account in deficit, highlighting the need for bond issuances to fund critical infrastructure and long-term development, the finance chief has said as he revealed the annual budget will be delivered on February 25. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also said on Sunday that core spending on education, healthcare and social welfare consumed nearly 60 per cent of the budget, even as higher stamp duty revenue and other income...

Economics

6 d. ago Why Hong Kong must resist pressure to loosen budget discipline

When he sits down later this month to finalise the budget for the coming financial year, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po will have some positive news in his pocket to balance against the many calls for additional spending. As some of those new demands are likely to be expensive and compelling, he will need all the help he can get. First, the good news. Hong Kong is heading for a surplus in public finances. In his 2025 budget, Chan forecast a deficit on the consolidated operating account of...

Events

7 d. ago Hong Kong’s finance chief confirms early surplus, vows more elderly support

Hong Kong’s finance chief has confirmed an early operating account surplus driven by strong financial market performance and stock trading stamp duty revenue, as he addressed calls for more elderly welfare measures at the first public forum for the coming budget. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po vowed on Saturday to make “utmost” efforts to address elderly residents’ concerns over high living costs, while highlighting that authorities had not reduced public spending on the social welfare...

Economics

8 d. ago Hong Kong issues third straight frost warning as cold weather expected over weekend

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. The Hong Kong Observatory issued its third frost warning in as many days on Friday, with cool and dry weather expected to continue over the weekend. Ground frost was likely to occur on Saturday morning in isolated areas of the New Territories, the forecaster said. Similar warnings were...

Events

9 d. ago Hong Kong issues fresh reminder to buckle up ahead of January 25 seat belt rules

Hong Kong drivers and passengers have just over two weeks to prepare for sweeping changes to local transport rules, including a requirement to wear seat belts on public transport and increased legal liability for motorists to ensure child passengers are buckled up. Authorities said on Thursday that the public should be mindful of new rules set to begin on January 25, which require passengers to wear a seat belt if available on public and private buses, including franchised and school services,...

Politics

1 week ago Hong Kong issues cold weather warning as temperatures set to dip to 11 degrees

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. The Hong Kong Observatory has issued its second cold weather warning of 2026, saying temperatures will drop to around 12 degrees Celsius (53.6 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday and lower in rural areas. The forecaster also said the cold weather would persist for a few days as it issued the warning at...

Events

1 week ago Hong Kong to boost tech and financial services integration amid AI boom: Paul Chan

Hong Kong’s finance chief has pledged to further integrate financial services with technology innovation to foster a thriving ecosystem, following a surge in investor interest in artificial intelligence-related stocks during the first trading day of the year. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Sunday also emphasised Hong Kong’s role as an international capital market in fuelling the growth of frontier mainland Chinese tech firms with the city’s funding and liquidity. “We welcome these...

Politics

1 week ago Hong Kong to boost tech, financial services integration during AI boom: Paul Chan

Hong Kong’s finance chief has pledged to further integrate financial services with technology innovation to foster a thriving ecosystem, following a surge in investor interest in artificial intelligence-related stocks during the first trading day of the year. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also stressed on Sunday the importance of Hong Kong’s role as an international capital market in fuelling the growth of mainland China’s frontier tech firms using the city’s funding and liquidity. “We...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong issues first cold weather warning as temperature to fall to 12 degrees

Hong Kong’s forecaster has issued its first cold weather warning of the season on New Year’s Day as temperatures are expected to fall to a low of 12 degrees Celsius (53.6 Fahrenheit) in urban areas on Friday. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the warning at 4.20pm on Thursday and said a cold front moving across the coastal areas of Guangdong would bring cooler weather to the city in the coming days. Minimum temperatures in urban areas are forecast to be around 12 degrees on Friday and a couple of...

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s New Year revellers pack Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, pray for world peace

Tens of thousands of Hongkongers and tourists flocked to the streets of Central and Tsim Sha Tsui to usher in 2026, with many praying for world peace and a disaster-free 2026. The Post observed that by 10pm, large sections of the Cater Road pedestrian area designated for the celebrations replacing the city’s traditional fireworks display were packed with revellers, with police seen directing people to different areas. Shortly thereafter, the Hong Kong Tourism Board issued a statement encouraging...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong bond markets, yuan issuance to expand in 2026 under HKMA, SFC road map

Hong Kong is expected to see a rise in bond issuance across multiple currencies in 2026, driven by rising demand for non-US dollar assets amid geopolitical tensions and government initiatives to strengthen the city’s capital markets, according to industry players. As part of efforts to promote the local bond market, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) launched a blueprint in September to expand yuan-linked products and widen the investor base...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong finance chief upbeat about 2026 outlook on back of 3.2% growth

Hong Kong’s finance chief has struck an upbeat tone about the city’s economic outlook for 2026, while forecasting that growth this year will accelerate to 3.2 per cent, surpassing earlier projections. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said the optimistic outlook was mainly supported by anticipated growth in mainland China and Asia along with interest rate cuts. “Looking ahead to next year, Hong Kong’s economy is expected to maintain its positive momentum. The market generally anticipates that...

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

3 w. ago Gold takes centre stage as Hong Kong hosts first committee to build commodities ecosystem

Hong Kong is putting gold at the centre of its push to become a global commodities trading hub, with officials prioritising plans for an international gold trading centre alongside a broader strategy to expand the city’s role in physical trade, derivatives and logistics. The government’s newly formed Commodity Strategy Committee held its first meeting on Monday under Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, as Hong Kong looked to build out a commodities ecosystem that would generate new growth...

Politics

3 w. ago New Central Kowloon Bypass to boost Hong Kong’s competitiveness: Paul Chan

Hong Kong’s newly opened Central Kowloon Bypass, along with a planned major road and rail expansion of over 40 per cent in the next few years, will boost the city’s competitiveness and integration with national development, the finance chief has said. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also said on Sunday that the deeper integration of transport infrastructure between Hong Kong and its neighbouring cities in the Greater Bay Area would enhance connectivity and the efficient flow of people and...

Politics

3 w. ago New Central Kowloon Bypass, transport links to boost Hong Kong’s competitiveness: Paul Chan

Hong Kong’s newly opened Central Kowloon Bypass, along with a planned major road and rail expansion of over 40 per cent in the next few years, will boost the city’s competitiveness and integration with national development, the finance chief has said. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also said on Sunday that the deeper integration of transport infrastructure between Hong Kong and its neighbouring cities in the Greater Bay Area would enhance connectivity and the efficient flow of people and...

Sport