41 h. ago Hong Kong crowds welcome aircraft carrier Shandong as city leader hails visit

China’s first independently designed aircraft carrier, the Shandong, sailed into Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning, with thousands of people flocking to the coast and hilltops and even renting water taxis to welcome the vessel and three other warships to the city. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu inspected a guard of honour on the deck of the 70,000-tonne carrier, accompanied by two senior naval officers, and was given a tour of the ship in the late afternoon. He attended a welcoming ceremony...

Politics

51 h. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee inspects guard of honour on Chinese warship Shandong

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 Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning as part of a five-day trip, marking the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. The 70,000-tonne warship is being escorted by...

Events

3 d. ago On anniversary of Hong Kong handover, John Lee vows to be a ‘reformer’

Hong Kong’s leader has vowed to be a “reformer” that rises to challenges rather than becoming a “complacent idler” in the face of the economic restructuring and geopolitical tensions, as he enters his fourth year in office. In a speech to mark the 28th anniversary of the city’s handover to Chinese rule, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday also laid down three priorities in his governance: boosting development backed by security; expediting the Northern Metropolis megaproject near the...

Politics

3 d. ago John Lee vows to be ‘reformer’ as Hong Kong shows benefits of security to world

Hong Kong’s leader has vowed his team will be “reformers” who rise to challenges rather than become “complacent idlers”, pledging to seize development opportunities to let the city showcase “the certainties of safety and stability” the world needs in the face of geopolitical tensions, as he enters his fourth year in office. In a speech to mark the 28th anniversary of the city’s handover to Chinese rule on Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu laid down three governance priorities: boosting...

Events

4 d. ago ‘I’d rather be an arduous reformer than complacent idler’: Hong Kong’s John Lee

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 marks the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty on Tuesday. The day’s events start with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and a reception at the nearby Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will...

Politics

4 d. ago Hongkongers, visitors enjoy discounts, freebies as city marks July 1 anniversary

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 marks the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty on Tuesday. The day’s events started with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and a reception at the nearby Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu...

Politics

4 d. ago Hongkongers, visitors enjoy discounts, freebies as city marks July 1 anniversary – as it happened

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 marked the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty on Tuesday. The day’s events started with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and a reception at the nearby Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu...

Politics

5 d. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee vows to ‘confront challenges’, shun complacency

Hong Kong’s leader has said his administration is committed to being a “reformer who confronts challenges rather than a complacent person who avoids improvement”, while pledging to seek change and explore new markets to take the city to new heights. In the latest video posted on his social media accounts on Sunday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also elaborated on the themes behind a series of videos marking each year of his administration, indicating a change in governance focus. The first of...

Politics

5 d. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee pledges team will ‘confront challenges’, shun complacency

Hong Kong’s leader has said he and his administration are committed to being “reformers who confront challenges, rather than those who complacently avoid improvement”, while pledging to pursue change and explore new markets to take the city to fresh heights. In a video posted on his social media accounts on Sunday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also elaborated on the themes behind a series of annual clips marking the anniversary of his administration and setting the tone for each coming year,...

Politics

1 week ago Cause of driverless bus crash at Hong Kong airport must be found: John Lee

Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to find out the cause of a crash involving a pair of unmanned buses at the city’s airport, as he reassured residents that authorities will closely supervise companies testing driverless technologies. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday also said that autonomous transport systems were becoming a trend globally and that authorities would work hard to ensure they were safe for use in Hong Kong. On Sunday, a pair of driverless buses used to transport staff...

Events

1 week ago ‘Soft resistance’ is real, still exists in Hong Kong, John Lee warns

“Soft Resistance” still definitely exists in Hong Kong, the chief executive has said, urging residents to remain vigilant as “many villains” are trying to threaten national security. City leader John Lee Ka-chiu also said on Tuesday that criticism of the local government was acceptable only if it did not intend to undermine national security. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui earlier said that authorities would step up scrutiny in granting venues and funds to shows...

Events

1 week ago ‘Soft resistance’ is real and still exists in Hong Kong, John Lee warns

“Soft resistance” still definitely exists in Hong Kong, the chief executive has said, urging residents to remain vigilant as “many villains” are trying to threaten national security. City leader John Lee Ka-chiu also said on Tuesday that criticism of the local government was acceptable only if it did not intend to undermine national security. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui earlier said that authorities would guard against soft resistance by stepping up scrutiny...

Events

1 week ago Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis can benefit from EU firms’ expertise: John Lee

Hong Kong’s leader has called for more cooperation with European businesses on the Northern Metropolis, a key initiative aimed at driving future growth and sustainability for the city, a day after a top Beijing official urged expediting the megaproject. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said during his opening remarks at the sustainability event Greenway 2025 on Monday that Hong Kong and the EU could work together to find new solutions to climate change. “I look forward to the expertise and...

Politics

1 week ago Hong Kong aviation’s revival perfectly timed for John Lee’s report card

Timing is everything in politics, and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has good timing on his side. Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Xia Baolong’s fact-finding trip could not have come at a more perfect time for Lee because school is out and the report cards are rolling in. The day before Beijing’s point man for Hong Kong and Macau affairs arrived for his third fact-finding trip, the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development released its latest World...

Politics

1 week ago Hong Kong is bouncing back just at the right time for John Lee

Timing is everything in politics, and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has good timing on his side. Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Xia Baolong’s fact-finding trip could not have come at a more perfect time for Lee because school is out and the report cards are rolling in. The day before Beijing’s point man for Hong Kong and Macau affairs arrived for his third fact-finding trip, the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development released its latest World...

Politics

2 w. ago John Lee pledges to improve Hongkongers’ lives amid ‘restructuring’ of economy

Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to improve people’s livelihoods and foster growth amid an “economic restructuring” of the city, as public consultation for his coming policy address was launched. The government said in a statment on Monday that it would hold more than 40 consultation sessions ahead of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s fourth policy address this September, while also conducting district visits to meet with members of the public and representatives from different sectors. “We are...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee launches public consultation for fourth policy address

Hong Kong’s leader launched a public consultation on Monday for his coming policy address, as he vowed to improve livelihoods and foster growth amid an “economic restructuring”. The government said that it would hold more than 40 consultation sessions ahead of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s fourth policy address in September, while also conducting district visits to meet members of the public and representatives from different sectors. “We are committed to developing the economy and...

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee marks Father’s Day by sharing picture of grandson

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu marked Father’s Day this year by sharing a photo on social media of himself with his grandson. Lee’s photo shows the city leader wearing a cap and a polo shirt as he warmly greets his grandson and has the caption: “From father to father’s father, paying tribute to fathers all over the world”. He said on Sunday that he enjoyed spending time with his grandson, especially cherishing talking to and playing with him. Lee spoke about reading fables to his...

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong’s gig economy workers want industry regulated. Can city deliver?

Hong Kong food delivery rider John Lam* cannot afford to make a single mistake while working. The 40-year-old takes extreme care while delivering orders on his motorcycle, knowing that if he has a work-related accident he will receive few employment benefits and minimal compensation. “I understand that being highly responsive to my phone can lead to more orders. But for safety reasons, I only handle my phone when my vehicle has completely stopped,” said Lam, who delivers food for the city’s two...

Economics

3 w. 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