8 h. 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

8 h. 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

32 h. 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 d. 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

4 d. 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

6 d. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee defends national security clauses for restaurant licences

Hong Kong’s John Lee Ka-chiu has defended the introduction of national security clauses for restaurant licences, saying the new requirements also apply to Lunar New Year fair stalls. The city leader said on Tuesday that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department had made the decision to help fulfil its legal obligation to safeguard national security. “When handling new licensing or the renewal of new licences, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will do their work according to the...

Events

6 d. ago Hong Kong to mark July 1 anniversary with 71,000 free MTR tickets: John Lee

More than 70,000 free MTR tickets will be up for grabs on July 1 as part of citywide celebrations to commemorate the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule, the chief executive has said. City leader John Lee Ka-chiu also said on Tuesday he would bring forward his annual policy address by a month to September, in light of the Legislative Council election scheduled for the end of this year. Public consultation is set to kick off on Monday next week. He said the government would...

Politics

7 d. 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

7 d. 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

8 d. 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

8 d. 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

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. ago New global mediation centre to put Hong Kong on par with The Hague: John Lee

The set-up of a global mediation centre in Hong Kong will catapult the city to an international arbitration stage, enhance its influence and bring in economic benefits, the chief executive has said. City leader John Lee Ka-chiu made his remarks on Tuesday, ahead of the high-profile visit of Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi for the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation on May 30. He said the new body would put Hong Kong on par with The...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s global mediation centre ‘to be on par with top courts at The Hague’

The set-up of a global mediation centre in Hong Kong will catapult the city to the international arbitration stage, enhance its influence and bring in economic benefits, the chief executive has said. City leader John Lee Ka-chiu shared his outlook just days before Chinese diplomat Wang Yi’s arrival in the city for the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation. Speaking to reporters ahead of his meeting with the Executive Council on...

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong leader welcomes students hit by ‘discriminatory’ US ban on foreigners

Students who faced “discriminatory and unfair treatment” under the United States’ attempted ban on Harvard University’s international student enrolment are welcome to Hong Kong, the city leader has said, adding he would consider further raising the quota for non-local applicants if the need arose. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday said Hong Kong would welcome any student who had been “discriminated by US policy” to continue their studies here. “So I want this message to go out to any...

Events