14 h. ago Hong Kong police start issuing digital parking fines, but some drivers puzzled

Hong Kong police have begun issuing electronic fines for parking and traffic offences, with some drivers calling for increased publicity over the measure and a longer transition period. The digital system began operation on Sunday, allowing penalty tickets to be delivered via SMS or email. Drivers can review the fines on a new website and mobile app. The force said printed copies of the tickets would still be used initially as drivers became familiar with the digital initiative. The Transport...

Events

15 h. ago New stablecoin law to enhance Hong Kong’s financial appeal to global issuers: Chan

The expected increase in market demand for stablecoins will encourage licensed institutions overseas to issue such cryptocurrencies in Hong Kong, boosting competitiveness, according to the city’s financial chief as it prepares for its regulatory regime to take effect in August. In his weekly blog on Sunday, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said that the city market value of stablecoins globally was estimated at around US$240 billion, with trading volume exceeding US$20 trillion last...

Politics

47 h. ago Severe Tropical Storm Wutip: Hong Kong to issue T3 signal between 12pm and 2pm

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster will issue the No 3 typhoon warning signal between 12pm and 2pm on Saturday, as strong winds from a severe tropical storm are expected to intensify later. Severe Tropical Storm Wutip, the Cantonese word for “butterfly”, has entered within 800km (497 miles) of...

Events

47 h. ago Severe Tropical Storm Wutip: Hong Kong to issue T3 signal at 12.20pm

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster will issue the No 3 typhoon warning signal at 12.20pm on Saturday, as strong winds from a severe tropical storm are expected to intensify later. Severe Tropical Storm Wutip, the Cantonese word for “butterfly”, has entered within 800km (497 miles) of Hong Kong,...

Events

47 h. ago Severe Tropical Storm Wutip: Hong Kong issues T3 signal as winds intensify

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster has issued the No 3 typhoon warning signal, as strong winds from a severe tropical storm are intensifying. The Hong Kong Observatory raised the alert at 12.20pm on Saturday as Severe Tropical Storm Wutip entered within 800km (497 miles) of the city. It is...

Events

59 h. ago Hong Kong Urban Renewal Authority eyes Middle East, Europe investors for bonds

Hong Kong’s cash-strapped Urban Renewal Authority (URA) will issue another round of bonds this year and has reached out to investors in the Middle East and Europe, the body’s outgoing chief has revealed. Authority managing director Wai Chi-sing also said that two sites the government gave to the URA this month had strengthened its bargaining power in talks with investors, and that he believed there would be more similar land grants in the future. Wai, who leaves the statutory body on Saturday...

Economics

2 d. ago Severe Tropical Storm Wutip: Hong Kong’s T1 to remain in force for most of Friday

The Hong Kong Observatory has said the No 1 typhoon warning signal will remain in force for most of Friday, as the storm edges slightly away from the city. The forecaster said in a special weather warning at 8am on Friday that Severe Tropical Storm Wutip intensified on Thursday night but had taken a slightly westward path away from Hong Kong. “The standby signal No 1 will remain in force for most of the time [on Friday],” it said. “The Observatory will assess [between Friday night and Saturday...

Events

2 d. ago Severe Tropical Storm Wutip: Hong Kong’s T1 alert to remain in force for Friday

The Hong Kong Observatory has said the No 1 typhoon warning signal will remain in force on Friday as it considers whether to raise the signal on Saturday. The forecaster said on Friday afternoon that Severe Tropical Storm Wutip, which brought squally showers to the coast of Guangdong, will turn northeastwards gradually. “The standby signal No 1 will remain in force [on Friday],” the forecaster said. Wutip, which is the Cantonese word for “butterfly”, will move across Beibu Wan on Friday,...

Events

3 d. ago China’s Ant International to seek stablecoin licence in Hong Kong

Fintech firm Ant International, the global affiliate of Chinese tech giant Ant Group, said it would apply for a stablecoin issuer licence in Hong Kong once the new ordinance governing fiat-backed cryptocurrencies comes into effect in August. “We welcome the passage of the Stablecoins Bill and hope to contribute more to the city’s vision as a global hub for next-gen finance,” Ant International said in a statement on Thursday. “We plan to apply for the fiat-referenced stablecoins issuer’s...

Politics

3 d. ago Ant International and Ant Digital to seek stablecoin licences in Hong Kong

Singapore-based Ant International and the Hangzhou-based Ant Digital, two affiliates of Chinese tech giant Ant Group, have announced plans to apply for stablecoin issuer licences in Hong Kong once the new ordinance governing fiat-backed cryptocurrencies takes effect in August. “We welcome the passage of the Stablecoins Bill and hope to contribute more to the city’s vision as a global hub for next-gen finance,” Ant International, a spin-off of Ant’s global operations, said in a statement on...

Politics

3 d. ago Tropical Storm Wutip: Hong Kong’s T1 alert to stay in effect most of day

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster has said that the No 1 typhoon warning signal will stay in force for most of Thursday, as squally showers associated with a tropical storm near the coast of Guangdong continue to affect the city. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the signal at 12.40am on Wednesday...

Events

3 d. ago Tropical Storm Wutip: Hong Kong’s T1 alert to stay in effect for most of the day

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster has said that the No 1 typhoon warning signal will stay in force for most of Thursday, as squally showers associated with a tropical storm near the coast of Guangdong continue to affect the city. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the signal at 12.40am on Wednesday...

Events

3 d. ago Tropical Storm Wutip: Hong Kong’s T1 alert to stay in effect throughout the day

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster has said that the No 1 typhoon warning signal will remain in force throughout Thursday, as squally showers associated with a tropical storm near the coast of Guangdong continue to affect the city. The Observatory said that Tropical Storm Wutip, which is named...

Events

3 d. ago Tropical Storm Wutip: Hong Kong’s T1 alert to stay in effect until at least Friday

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster has said the No 1 typhoon warning signal will remain in force until Friday afternoon or possibly Saturday, as squally showers associated with a tropical storm near the coast of Guangdong province continue to affect the city. The Observatory said Tropical Storm...

Events

4 d. ago Game on for Hong Kong economy as Kai Tak Stadium proves to be a roaring success

Hong Kong should capitalise on the success of the Asian Cup qualifier at Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday night by maximising the potential of the venue and engagement with business sectors to boost the economy, according to analysts. A total of 42,570 football fans witnessed Hong Kong’s 1-0 victory over India, packing the stands with a sea of red and roaring chants as the team hosted an international match for the first time at the new stadium. Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, vice-chairman of the major...

Sport

4 d. ago T1 warning to remain in force as tropical depression brings rain to Hong Kong

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The No 1 typhoon warning signal issued in the early hours of Wednesday will remain in effect throughout the day, the Hong Kong Observatory has said, as showers hit the city. The weather forecaster issued the standby signal at 12.40am and said it would assess whether to raise it to No 3 in the...

Events

4 d. ago T1 signal to remain in force as Tropical Depression Wutip brings rain to Hong Kong

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The No 1 typhoon warning signal issued in the early hours of Wednesday will remain in effect throughout the day, the Hong Kong Observatory has said, as showers hit the city. The weather forecaster issued the standby signal at 12.40am and said it would assess whether to raise it to No 3 in the...

Politics

4 d. ago Hong Kong T1 signal to remain in force on Thursday morning as Wutip brings rain

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The No 1 typhoon warning signal issued early on Wednesday will remain in force overnight and on Thursday morning, the Hong Kong Observatory has said, as showers hit the city. The weather forecaster issued the signal at 12.40am and said it would assess whether to raise it to No 3 on Friday. It...

Politics

5 d. ago Hong Kong football fans buzzing as new era in Kai Tak Stadium off to winning start

More than 40,000 football fans packed Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday night to see the Hong Kong team clinch a 1-0 victory over India in a historic first home game at the new venue, with the winning goal coming from a dramatic stoppage-time penalty. The stadium was a sea of red for the crucial Asian Cup qualifier, as enthusiastic fans broke out into chants of “Hong Kong, Hong Kong” when the home side went on the attack. Hong Kong pushed hard in the final stages of the match, creating a host of...

Sport

5 d. ago Hong Kong football fans buzzing as Kai Tak Stadium era off to winning start

More than 40,000 football fans packed Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday night to see the Hong Kong team clinch a 1-0 victory over India in a historic first home game at the new venue, with the winning goal coming from a dramatic stoppage-time penalty. The stadium was a sea of red for the crucial Asian Cup qualifier, as enthusiastic fans broke out into chants of “Hong Kong, Hong Kong” when the home side went on the attack. Hong Kong pushed hard in the final stages of the match, creating a host of...

Sport