11 h. ago Beijing says it will use Hong Kong exchanges to liquidate seized cryptocurrencies

Beijing says it will use Hong Kong exchanges to liquidate seized cryptocurrencies  Macao News

Politics

11 h. 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

14 h. ago Hong Kong firms must consider national interests in commercial deals: John Lee

Hong Kong businesses must consider national interests while pursuing commercial deals, the city’s leader has said, arguing that the two are not mutually exclusive. In an interview with the Post as he marked three years in office, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu stressed the importance of local companies keeping national interests in mind while seeking profits. Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings has recently drawn the ire of Beijing over a controversial deal to sell its...

Economics

32 h. 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

39 h. 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

51 h. ago From seizure to sale: Beijing taps Hong Kong to liquidate crypto

From seizure to sale: Beijing taps Hong Kong to liquidate crypto  Crypto News

Politics

3 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

4 d. ago Liaison office change in Hong Kong all about focusing on economy, analysts say

Beijing’s new liaison office chief in Hong Kong, Zhou Ji, has already distinguished himself from his predecessors just five days into the job. Breaking with tradition, Zhou made his first public appearance by carrying out community visits to Sham Shui Po and Tsing Yi, two days after being appointed as director on Friday. This was followed by an unusual reciprocal visit by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday, their second meeting in three days. Observers said that Zhou’s approach and the...

Politics

4 d. ago New man at office helm reflects Beijing’s change of role for Hong Kong: analysts

Beijing’s new liaison office chief in Hong Kong, Zhou Ji, has already distinguished himself from his predecessors, just five days into the job. Breaking with tradition, Zhou made his first public appearance by carrying out community visits to Sham Shui Po and Tsing Yi, two days after being appointed as director on Friday. This was followed by an unusual reciprocal visit by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday, their second meeting in three days. Observers said that Zhou’s approach and the...

Politics

6 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

6 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

6 d. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee vows action against security threats, as June 4 nears

Hong Kong authorities will take action against anyone who threatens national security, the chief executive has warned, as the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown approaches. Asked about the legality of commemorating June 4 by lighting candles or wearing clothing with related slogans in Causeway Bay, where annual vigils had been held for decades, city leader John Lee Ka-chiu said all activities must comply with the law. “Any activity on any day must comply with legal requirements....

Events

7 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

7 d. ago Hong Kong needs ‘burning’ government urgency on ticket scalping too

There seems to be a growing affinity for fast-tracking processes these days in the name of expediency. Even Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu appears to have caught the bug. In a question and answer session last week, he told lawmakers he felt the “burning urgency” of expediting the development of the Northern Metropolis, which accounted for one-third of Hong Kong’s land. Lee said his government had picked up the pace on the project, but while he “can absolutely do something” about the...

Politics

9 d. 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 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

1 week 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

1 week ago Hong Kong should seize on US rejection of foreign students, John Lee says

Hong Kong should capitalise on the Trump administration’s hostile stance over foreign enrolments by showing off the city’s prowess in higher education, the chief executive has said, pledging to provide “the best assistance” to Chinese students facing “unfair treatment”. City leader John Lee Ka-chiu weighed in on Thursday after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US State Department would work with the Department of Homeland Security to “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students,...

Politics

1 week ago Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi arrives in Hong Kong ahead of mediation body launch

Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday, a day before a signing ceremony for the establishment of an intergovernmental mediation body in the city. Wang arrived on board flight CX973 from Xiamen at 1.34pm with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu welcoming him. Lee is expected to host a dinner for Wang in the evening. Wang, the Chinese foreign minister, will attend the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation at the...

Politics

1 week 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