18 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

20 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

38 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

46 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

3 d. ago China says it is working with France on trade differnces, no sign yet of a cognac deal

China says it is working with France on trade differnces, no sign yet of a cognac deal  KFGO

Economics

3 d. ago China says it is working with France on trade differences, no sign yet of a cognac deal

China says it is working with France on trade differences, no sign yet of a cognac deal  Reuters

Economics

4 d. ago ‘Unacceptable’: Thai teachers’ group slams deal on beer discounts

A group of Thai teachers has protested against a state agency’s partnership with a beer company, claiming the deal tarnishes educators’ integrity and sends the wrong message to society. The one-year deal, signed last month by Tawandang German Brewery and the government office for improving education workers’ welfare and benefits, offers teachers a 10 per cent discount at three branches of the brewery firm. Chayapa Khunpittikana, coordinator of the Thai Teachers Against Vice-Promoting Welfare...

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 Malaysia’s Kelantan eyes rare earth riches. Can it dig its way out of debt?

Kelantan’s rare earth reserves offer a potential lifeline for the impoverished Malaysian state, promising a path to slashing debt and driving much-needed economic development. But experts warn it will need to secure more federal funding to build the infrastructure needed to unlock billions of dollars in projected revenue. The Kelantan state government signed a preliminary deal with Australian mining giant Lynas last week to explore the state’s capacity to supply rare earths to the company’s...

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 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 Trump signals fresh trade tensions with China, accusing Beijing of violating a deal

Trump signals fresh trade tensions with China, accusing Beijing of violating a deal  Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Politics

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 ‘Asian alliance’: how China is forging a new power centre amid the trade war

China is pushing to forge a powerful new economic bloc with countries across Southeast Asia and the Middle East to counteract rising US protectionism, with some analysts suggesting a prototype for an “Asian Union” may be taking shape. Premier Li Qiang attended the opening of a new forum bringing together leaders from China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Tuesday, where he remarked that the current global tensions offered an...

Events

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week ago Hong Kong will welcome students hit by ‘discriminatory’ US ban: John Lee

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

Events