34 h. ago Hong Kong officials involved in water procurement fiasco face disciplinary probe

Hong Kong authorities will launch a disciplinary investigation into officials involved in a bottled water procurement scandal after an initial probe by the audit watchdog found that human error may have been a factor in the case. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu on Monday also announced six recommendations to improve the government’s procurement process. The move came two months after the Government Logistics Department awarded a three-year HK$52.9...

Politics

55 h. ago Why Hong Kong must not be hasty in seeing off its ‘silver’ officials

I think we should be bracing ourselves for a wave of disgruntled legislative councillors, and it might not end there. If a Legislative Council stalwart goes out the door, could an Executive Council heavyweight be far behind? Every day seems to bring news of another of our 89 legislative councillors not seeking re-election this year, with more than a dozen already pulling out of the race. In some instances, the legislator claims plausibly to wish to pursue other career or life objectives. That...

Politics

1 week ago 1.4 million mainland passenger trips made to Hong Kong over ‘golden week’ break

More than 1.4 million mainland Chinese passenger trips were made to Hong Kong during the country’s National Day “golden week” holiday, official data has shown, but a sector representative said tourists’ spending power remained weak despite the increased numbers. According to the latest figures from the Immigration Department, the number of inbound trips made by mainland visitors during the eight-day break, which coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival this year, marked a 15 per cent increase from...

Politics

1 week ago 1.4 million mainland Chinese passenger trips made to Hong Kong over ‘golden week’

More than 1.4 million mainland Chinese passenger trips were made to Hong Kong during the National Day “golden week” holiday, official data has shown, but the number still fell short of the city government’s expectations of nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels of 1.52 million. While Hong Kong retailers and caterers reported business growth of up to 20 per cent year on year during the break, a sector representative said on Thursday that tourists’ spending power had remained weak. According to the...

Politics

2 w. ago Improper assembly behind light public housing irregularities: Hong Kong official

Hong Kong authorities have attributed a controversy involving the installation of prefabricated units of three light public housing projects to improper assembly, while a structural engineer insists it is more likely due to manufacturing flaws. Director of Architectural Services Michael Li Kiu-yin also said on Tuesday that the government must dismantle several Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) units to investigate why workers had assembled them improperly. “The structures near the core wall...

Politics

2 w. ago Crowds on outlying Hong Kong island won’t have major ‘impact’ on reefs: official

The overcrowding at a Unesco-listed geopark in Hong Kong during the National Day “golden week” holiday is not expected to have a “significant impact” on coral colonies, authorities have said, stressing that they will assess the health of the reefs near an outlying island and review crowd control measures. Patrick Lai Chuen-chi, deputy director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, said on Monday that staff would conduct an assessment of the coral reefs off Sharp Island in...

Politics

2 w. ago Crowds on Hong Kong’s Sharp Island won’t have major ‘impact’ on corals: official

The overcrowding at a Unesco-listed geopark in Hong Kong during the National Day “golden week” holiday is not expected to have a “significant impact” on coral colonies, authorities have said, stressing that they will assess the health of the reefs near an outlying island and review crowd control measures. Patrick Lai Chuen-chi, deputy director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, said on Monday that staff would conduct an assessment of the coral reefs off Sharp Island in...

Politics

2 w. ago Crowds on Hong Kong’s Sharp Island won’t have major impact on corals: government

The overcrowding at a Unesco-listed geopark in Hong Kong during the National Day “golden week” holiday is not expected to have a “significant impact” on coral colonies, the city’s environment chief has said, stressing that authorities will assess the health of the reefs near an outlying island and review crowd control measures. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan on Monday said that the damage to coral reefs off Sharp Island in Sai Kung was not extensive, after tourists were seen...

Politics

2 w. ago US State Department official's dismissal of China's warning to Hong Kong consul general provokes local laws and reflects a colonial mind

US State Department official's dismissal of China's warning to Hong Kong consul general provokes local laws and reflects a colonial mind-set: expert  Global Times

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s No 2 official vows to enhance East Dam travel with better Wi

Hong Kong’s No 2 official has pledged to further improve travellers’ experience at High Island Reservoir’s popular East Dam by strengthening Wi-fi connectivity and improving traffic arrangements there. Chief Secretary of Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki’s remarks came on Wednesday, the first day of the National Day “golden week” holiday, as over 1,000 visitors descended on the site earlier in the morning, with many expressing their approval of government measures to handle the surge in tourist...

Politics