8 d. ago Northern Metropolis can combine best of central planning and free market

The Northern Metropolis is in the news almost every day. The big policy focus for the administration, it is determining a new future for Hong Kong. Part of the New Territories, which were dubbed “a land between” in the 1980s, the area was once little more than a rural leftover between urban Hong Kong and the mainland, where Shenzhen’s paddy fields could be seen from a Lok Ma Chau hill. China’s opening-up policies saw Deng Xiaoping promoting Shenzhen in the 1990s. Suddenly, a world-class,...

Politics

1 week ago What happens in Hong Kong’s top court, hidden in plain sight at the winter wonderland

People who passed by Hong Kong’s Christmas Town attraction at Statue Square Gardens in Central over the past month or so may have noticed that one of the buildings onto which cascading festive animations were projected was slightly more historic than the others. That building, which is a declared monument, houses the Court of Final Appeal (the “Court”). The Court is the final appellate court within Hong Kong’s judicial system. After the High Court and the Court of Appeal, it provides a second...

Events

1 week ago Morgan Stanley lifts Hong Kong property to ‘attractive’, with rebound to extend into 2027

Morgan Stanley upgraded Hong Kong’s property sector to “attractive”, noting that an all-round improvement in the city’s economy and a policy-driven recovery will continue to push prices higher this year. The US investment bank forecast home prices to rise around 10 per cent in 2026, with further gains expected in 2027, pointing out that the ongoing rebound marks the start of a new upcycle. “We expect all three sub-segments – Hong Kong residential prices, Central office rents and retail rents –...

Politics

1 week ago Tender for Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront Event Space opens with stricter standards

Hong Kong authorities have tightened requirements for future tenants of the Central Harbourfront Event Space by introducing key performance indicators (KPIs) for tenders and penalties for poor execution, with some analysts saying the move would help improve the city’s image after the fiasco of a hot-air balloon festival last year. The Development Bureau said on Monday that an open tender was under way until mid-February for a new tenant of the roughly 3.7-hectare (9.1-acre) site, with the...

Politics

2 w. ago Crowds throng ‘lucky’ store for Hong Kong’s HK$100 million Mark Six top draw

A long queue has formed outside a “lucky” Hong Kong Jockey Club betting branch in Central ahead of a much-anticipated HK$100 million (US$12.8 million) Mark Six jackpot on Saturday night. More than 100 residents were seen outside the betting shop on Stanley Street, widely known for selling first-prize-winning Mark Six tickets, with the queue stretching beyond one end of the street on Saturday afternoon. According to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Mark Six New Year Snowball draw on Saturday could...

Economics

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s New Year revellers pack Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, pray for world peace

Tens of thousands of Hongkongers and tourists flocked to the streets of Central and Tsim Sha Tsui to usher in 2026, with many praying for world peace and a disaster-free 2026. The Post observed that by 10pm, large sections of the Cater Road pedestrian area designated for the celebrations replacing the city’s traditional fireworks display were packed with revellers, with police seen directing people to different areas. Shortly thereafter, the Hong Kong Tourism Board issued a statement encouraging...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong rings in 2026 as tens of thousands pack Central, Tsim Sha Tsui

Tens of thousands of Hongkongers and tourists welcomed the new year, as cheers rang across the streets of Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, with many praying for world peace and a disaster-free 2026. People could be seen cheering, dancing and even popping a bottle of champagne on Chater Road, where the main event was held. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also joined the celebrations there. “This year’s countdown event, themed ‘New Hope, New Beginning’, conveyed positive energy and blessings. I also...

Politics

2 w. ago Cosco executive Zhang Yong appointed deputy in Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong

Beijing has appointed Zhang Yong, a senior staff member from a state-owned shipping and logistics services group, to serve as a deputy director in the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on Wednesday. Zhang, executive vice-president of Chinese shipping conglomerate Cosco Shipping Group and also its news spokesman, will replace Qi Bin, who was appointed last November, according to the ministry’s announcement. The liaison...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong to close roads in Central at 2pm on New Year’s Eve ahead of countdown

Hong Kong police will close roads in Central starting from 2pm on New Year’s Eve ahead of a countdown event at the Chater Road pedestrian zone, featuring music and light shows to replace fireworks displays after the deadly inferno in Tai Po. Mason Hung Chung-hing, the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s lead adviser for event and product development, said on Monday that organisers hoped the event, themed “New Hope, New Beginning”, could foster a sense of renewal. “We will use a new format that combines...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong to close roads in Central from 2pm on New Year’s Eve ahead of countdown

Hong Kong police will close roads in Central starting from 2pm on New Year’s Eve ahead of a countdown event at the Chater Road pedestrian zone, featuring music and light shows to replace fireworks displays after the deadly inferno in Tai Po. Mason Hung Chung-hing, the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s lead adviser for event and product development, said on Monday that organisers hoped the event, themed “New Hope, New Beginning”, could foster a sense of renewal. “We will use a new format that combines...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong liaison office’s Qi Bin to take up new role in Beijing on economic affairs

A senior cadre at Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong with a rich financial background is expected to be transferred back to the capital for a new role in a committee advising leadership on economic policies for the next five-year plan, the Post has learned. Qi Bin, who turned 57 last month, was appointed by the State Council in November last year to take up the post of deputy director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong. It is understood that he will be made a deputy...

Society

3 w. ago Bus crash kills 15 in Guatemala, government declares 3 days of national mourning

An intermunicipal bus veered off a road in Guatemala and fell into a deep ravine, killing 15 passengers and injuring at least 15 others, authorities said on Saturday, declaring three days of national mourning. The accident happened on Friday night outside the town of Totonicapan along a route known as the Inter-American Highway. Officials said it took rescuers more than two hours to recover the bodies from the crash site and rescue injured passengers. Fifteen people were still being treated for...

Events

3 w. ago Revellers pack into Hong Kong’s Central for Christmas photos, nightcap

Thousands of revellers packed into Central in Hong Kong at night to celebrate Christmas on Thursday, after many visited the city’s premier arts hub for picnicking and photo-taking. Locals and tourists alike were out in full force along Chater Road, many donning whimsical Christmas outfits and transforming the thoroughfare into a sea of festive cheer. The road turned pedestrian zone hosted a series of seasonal installations. Most striking was a colossal, spaceship-inspired Christmas light...

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong’s new Central Kowloon Bypass records first crash 3 days after opening

Hong Kong’s transport chief has urged caution from drivers after the Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass recorded its first accident on Tuesday, just three days after opening. Police said a medium-sized truck crashed into a car at 9.16am while both vehicles were heading west towards Kwai Chung, after the truck changed lanes. No one was injured. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Tuesday that the Transport Department had promptly responded to road users’...

Events

3 w. ago More signs being installed in new section of Hong Kong’s Central Kowloon Bypass

Hong Kong’s transport authorities are putting up more signs on the Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass to make directions clearer, following complaints of inadequate signage despite the newly opened thoroughfare operating smoothly on its first day. Secretary for Transport Mable Chan said that 50,000 vehicles had so far used the bypass’ new section since its launch the day before, as she conducted an inspection on Monday morning. “We can see that the traffic at Gascoigne Road...

Politics

3 w. ago More signs installed in new section of Hong Kong’s Central Kowloon Bypass

Hong Kong’s transport authorities are putting up more signs on the Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass to make directions clearer, following complaints of inadequate signage despite the newly opened thoroughfare operating smoothly on its first day. Secretary for Transport Mable Chan said that 50,000 vehicles had so far used the new bypass section since its launch the day before, as she conducted an inspection on Monday morning. “We can see that the traffic at Gascoigne Road Flyover,...

Politics

3 w. ago Dangerous driving, near misses along Hong Kong’s new Central Kowloon Bypass

A new trunk road in Hong Kong got off to a bumpy start on the first weekday of its operations, with drivers veering into wrong lanes or making sudden turns along the 4.7km (2.9 miles) Yau Ma Tei stretch of the Central Kowloon Bypass. Authorities also made improvements on Monday after motorists complained about poor signage. During an inspection in the morning, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said that 50,000 vehicles had used the new bypass section since its launch on...

Politics

3 w. ago Police asked to tackle reckless driving on Hong Kong’s new Central Kowloon Bypass

The Central Kowloon Bypass’s new Yau Ma Tei section got off to a bumpy start on the first weekday of operations, with police being asked to take action against drivers making U-turns at a tunnel entrance and heading off in the opposite direction. The Transport Department on Monday also made improvements after motorists complained about poor signage. During an inspection in the morning, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said that 50,000 vehicles had already used the new bypass...

Events

3 w. ago New Central Kowloon Bypass to boost Hong Kong’s competitiveness: Paul Chan

Hong Kong’s newly opened Central Kowloon Bypass, along with a planned major road and rail expansion of over 40 per cent in the next few years, will boost the city’s competitiveness and integration with national development, the finance chief has said. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also said on Sunday that the deeper integration of transport infrastructure between Hong Kong and its neighbouring cities in the Greater Bay Area would enhance connectivity and the efficient flow of people and...

Politics

3 w. ago New Central Kowloon Bypass, transport links to boost Hong Kong’s competitiveness: Paul Chan

Hong Kong’s newly opened Central Kowloon Bypass, along with a planned major road and rail expansion of over 40 per cent in the next few years, will boost the city’s competitiveness and integration with national development, the finance chief has said. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also said on Sunday that the deeper integration of transport infrastructure between Hong Kong and its neighbouring cities in the Greater Bay Area would enhance connectivity and the efficient flow of people and...

Sport