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The trial of eight people who were allegedly involved in three bomb plots in early 2020 has begun, with seven of them facing the same charge that saw a man sentenced to almost 24 years in prison days ago. The defendants – Ho Cheuk-wai, Lee Ka-pan, Ng Tsz-lok, Cheung Ka-chun, Yeung Yi-sze, Cheung Cheuk-ki, Ho […]

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te will visit three Pacific island nation allies from the end of this month in his first overseas trip since taking office, the presidential office said Friday. Presidential spokeswoman Karen Kuo said Lai will visit the Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu — the only Pacific island nations among Taiwan’s 12 remaining allies […]

Almost seven out of 10 Hong Kong companies experienced cyberattacks in the past year, the city’s privacy watchdog has found after a survey revealed that firms’ cybersecurity readiness still stood at “basic” levels. The index, which evaluates companies’ policy and risk assessment, technology control, process control, and human awareness building, increased by 5.8 points from […]

China on Thursday blamed Washington’s support for Taiwan for the failure of the two countries’ defence ministers to meet this week, after US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin called Beijing’s no-show “unfortunate”. Multiple US media reported this week that Austin had hoped to meet his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun at a regional summit in Laos as […]

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of throwing a bottle of red paint at the Hong Kong government headquarters. A 46-year-old woman was arrested on Thursday for alleged criminal damage in connection with red paint found splashed on a flower bed and pedestrian path at the Central Government Offices (CGO) in Tamar, Admiralty. According […]

Almost one in five calls to Hong Kong’s 999 emergency number were diverted to a recorded message last year, a greater percentage than five years previously, according to police data obtained by HKFP. In 2023, 610,945 emergency calls out of 3,139,814 received – or 19.5 per cent – were re-routed to a bilingual recorded announcement, […]

Detained media mogul Jimmy Lai wanted to “explain” the thinking behind protesters’ storming of the legislature in 2019 through his newspaper Apple Daily to ensure the movement’s survival, the tycoon’s national security trial has heard. Lai, whose defence questioning expected to take 15 days, took the stand for the second day on Thursday. Under defence […]

Hong Kong police have arrested 65 people including several Japanese sex workers and porn stars in an joint operation with authorities in Singapore, Japan, and Macau against a cross-border vice syndicate. The force said on Thursday that five men and 60 women, aged 17 to 64, had been arrested in a three-day operation targeting a […]

Hong Kong will allow non-locally trained dentists to work in the city from January 1 next year to meet rising demand, the government has announced. Starting on New Year’s Eve, qualified overseas dentists may receive limited registration or a specialist license to practise in Hong Kong under the amended Dentists Registration Ordinance approved by the legislature […]

A Hong Kong court has ordered the retrial of two men cleared three years ago of offences relating to the 2019 protests, after the government successfully appealed against their acquittals. In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, the High Court said the lower magistrates’ court had erred in finding Sam Yip and Chan Kai-kiu not guilty […]

China unveiled new measures on Thursday to boost foreign trade, as Beijing battles to turn around a slowing economy threatened further by the potentially hostile policies of incoming US president Donald Trump. The world’s second-largest economy has struggled to revive growth since the Covid pandemic and remains beset by a debt crisis in the crucial […]

In 2021, 47 prominent Hong Kong democrats were arrested and charged under the 2020 security law with “conspiracy to commit subversion,” after they organised primaries in a bid to win the 2020 legislative election. They were convicted over planning to use legislative powers to indiscriminately veto bills, ultimately forcing the chief executive’s resignation and a government shutdown. Most were detained for almost […]

Taiwan’s foreign minister Lin Chia-lung met with European Parliament members this week in an unannounced stop in Brussels as part of his first visit to Europe to firm up ties. Taiwan has worked to strengthen ties with European countries as it faces an increasingly assertive China, which claims the self-ruled democratic island as part of its […]

The Hong Kong government has condemned what it described as untruthful smearing and unscrupulous attacks by foreign governments and organisations on the jailing of 45 democracy campaigners in the city’s largest national security case. The verdicts and prison terms imposed by the High Court were supported by “irrefutable evidence,” a government spokesperson said in a […]

Hong Kong prosecutors have challenged the acquittal of the Democratic Party chairman in a 2019 unlawful assembly case, saying the politician had “encouraged” protesters despite knowing they were resisting police. Justices of Appeal Derek Pang, Maggie Poon and Anthea Pang on Wednesday heard a case against Lo Kin-hei, who was in November 2022 cleared of […]

Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai took the stand for the first time in his national security trial on Wednesday, testifying that he had never tried to influence overseas governments’ foreign policy on Hong Kong or China. The 76-year-old founder of the shuttered Apple Daily newspaper stands accused of two counts of taking part in a “conspiracy […]

A 71-year-old Chinese man was sentenced to 20 months in prison on Tuesday for taking part in a plot targeting the Falun Gong spiritual movement in the United States. John Chen, of Los Angeles, was convicted of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government and bribing a tax authority agent. Chen and another […]

Elsa Wu, the mother of jailed pro-democracy figure Hendrick Lui, was arrested after holding a banner outside a Hong Kong court after her son and 44 other democrats were sentenced on Tuesday. Police on Wednesday said that officers found a 60-year-old woman holding a banner and disturbing the public order on Tuesday while on duty […]

China on Wednesday urged “calm” and “restraint” after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a nuclear threat and Ukraine fired longer-range US missiles at its territory for the first time. Moscow has reacted furiously to a decision by US President Joe Biden to change policy on Ukraine and allow Kyiv to use US-supplied long-range missiles to […]

Democrats’ plan to veto the budget was constitutionally allowed under Hong Kong’s Basic Law, a legal scholar has said, a day after 45 pro-democracy figures were jailed for conspiring to commit subversion over the scheme. The remarks came after the city’s largest national security case came to a close on Tuesday, with 45 democrats given […]

A Hong Kong student charged with insulting China’s national anthem during  a 2026 World Cup Asian qualifier in Hong Kong in June has been granted bail. Lau Pun-hei, 19, appeared at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday. He was charged last week with insulting the national anthem during a match between the city’s football team […]

The US has said it is taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on Hong Kong officials after 45 of the city’s most prominent pro-democracy advocates were sentenced to prison on Tuesday. US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement on Tuesday that the US “strongly condemns” the sentences meted out in […]

Detained pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai is set to take the stand for the first time on Wednesday in his high-profile national security trial. The 76-year-old founder of the shuttered Apple Daily newspaper stands accused of two counts of taking part in a “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” under Beijing’s security law, and one count of […]

The Hong Kong government will consider whether to appeal for longer sentences of certain democrats jailed on Tuesday in the city’s largest national security case. Convicted of conspiring to commit subversion, 45 former legislators, ex-district councillors, and activists received jail sentences ranging from four years and two months to 10 years, with prominent legal scholar […]

More than 90 per cent of children living in inadequate housing have experienced spinal health issues, an anti-poverty NGO has found, as it called for families with children to be prioritised in the queue for public housing. The Society for Community Organization said that children living in subdivided housing suffered under inadequate, often cramped living […]

More than three years and eight months since 45 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were charged with conspiring to commit subversion, their family members on Tuesday learned when they would next see their loved ones without a screen separating them. The former legislators, ex-district councillors, and activists received jail sentences ranging from four years and two […]

By Mary Yang Several students were injured Tuesday after a car crashed outside a primary school in central China’s Hunan province, state media said. China has witnessed a spate of deadly incidents in recent months — from mass stabbings to car rammings — in a rare development for a country with a proud reputation for […]

Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the importance of a “strong UK-China relationship” while confronting Chinese President Xi Jinping over several contentious issues as the pair met Monday at the G20 summit in Brazil. In the first bilateral meeting between a British prime minister and the Chinese leader since February 2018, Starmer told Xi the UK wanted […]

Pro-democracy activist Benny Tai has been jailed for 10 years over organising an unofficial primary election in 2020, as Hong Kong’s High Court delivered sentences in the city’s largest national security case to date. Tai was among 45 pro-democracy figures sentenced on Tuesday after being convicted of conspiring to commit subversion, an offence under the […]

Forty-five Hong Kong pro-democracy figures face sentencing on Tuesday in the city’s largest national security case to date. They face up to life imprisonment after being convicted of conspiring to commit subversion over their roles in an unofficial legislative primary election held in 2020. Former law professor Benny Tai, 60, and prominent activist Joshua Wong, […]

A line of at least 60 people had formed on Monday outside a Hong Kong courthouse where 45 pro-democracy advocates are set to face sentencing in a landmark national security trial the following day. On Monday evening, the Judiciary announced the number of seats that would be available in the public gallery of the main […]

Hong Kong’s first electric ferry is set to arrive in the city on Wednesday as part of a pilot scheme to explore the feasibility of more environmentally-friendly alternatives on the city’s waters. The boat, which will be operated by Sun Ferry, will undergo tests by the end of the year before being put into service […]

More than three years since they were arrested under the national security law, dozens of Hong Kong’s most prominent democrats will be sentenced over their participation in an unofficial primary election in 2020. Most have been detained since being taken into police custody in February 2021 ahead of being charged. Of the 47 democrats charged […]

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said he was seeking to “further enhance” ties with Brazil as he arrived Sunday for a state visit and a G20 summit, state media said. Xi is due to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the visit, which will last until Thursday. State news agency Xinhua said he […]

China reiterated calls Monday for a peaceful settlement to the war in Ukraine, after Washington cleared Kyiv to use long-range American missiles against military targets inside Russia. “An early ceasefire and a political solution serve the interests of all parties,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular briefing, when asked about the US decision. […]

For the third time this month, Hong Kong’s government forecaster has raised a T1 typhoon warning, as Tropical Cyclone Man-yi came within around 500 kilometres of the city. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the Standby Signal No. 1 at 6.40 am on Monday as Man-yi approached, however it later said that the likelihood it would […]

Once every 10 years, the historic Ha Tsuen area of Yuen Long holds a Jiao Festival to thank the deities for their blessings during the preceding decade and to look forward to peace and prosperity. Falling between the 11th and 12th lunar month, this year’s festivities culminated on Saturday night with the burning of giant […]

A team of foreign lawyers who criticised the “unlawful” detention of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai had acted “completely contrary” to the ethics demanded of the profession, the Hong Kong government has said. Hong Kong’s judicial system and trials had been “blatantly discredited” by an international legal team that claimed to represent the Apple Daily […]

A book launch event at an independent bookstore in Hong Kong was disrupted by a group of people who harassed participants and accused the writer of “poisoning” readers. Pazu, a travel writer, said on Facebook on Friday night that he hosted an event for his new book at bookstore Have a Nice Stay earlier, and […]

Eight people were killed and 17 others wounded Saturday in a knife attack at a vocational school in eastern China, and the suspect — a former student — has been arrested, police said. The attack took place in the evening at the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Arts and Technology in the city of Yixing in […]

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday he was ready to work with Donald Trump’s new administration for a “smooth transition” in bilateral ties, as he met outgoing President Joe Biden for the last time. The leaders of the world’s two largest economies met on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit in Lima overshadowed by concerns […]

Crossing the Shenzhen border on an early morning in mid-October, a joyful Joseph finally set foot in Hong Kong, where his two children have lived for over 10 years, with the right to work. In his mid 30s and from mainland China, Joseph has landed a job as a waiter in a New Territories restaurant […]

A Taiwanese fishing boat captain held in China for more than four months on allegations of illegal fishing has been released after paying a fine, Taiwan’s coast guard said Saturday. The boat called Da Jin Man 88 was carrying five crew members when it was seized by China’s coast guard in waters near Taiwan’s Kinmen […]

US President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet for the last time Saturday, a day after both leaders warned of turbulent times ahead for the world as Donald Trump returns to the White House. Their final encounter, taking place on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru, has been overshadowed by […]

Hong Kong’s marathon next February is set to feature a special team. A running club, mostly made up of current and former street sleepers, is entering the 10-kilometre event in hopes of changing society’s perception that homeless people are “useless.”  Formed by anti-poverty group the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO), the team of 18 individuals […]

By Mary Yang At least 35 people were killed and dozens more injured when a man ploughed his car into pedestrians exercising around a sports centre in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai on Monday night. Footage showing bodies lying on the pavement appeared on social media in the hours after the crash but had […]

Beijing has condemned US legislators who expressed support for Jimmy Lai, a jailed pro-democracy media tycoon whose national security trial resumes in Hong Kong next week and who faces life imprisonment if convicted. The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong said some US lawmakers in a letter to Secretary of State Antony […]

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog received more than 500 complaints about concerts and other live performances this year, a 10 per cent increase on last year, with complaints ranging from changes in the advertised performer line-up to obscured views of the stage. “Hong Kong is an acclaimed events capital, with the government vigorously promoting its thriving […]

Hong Kong employers could breach the law if they do not provide training and education to staff on serving people with disabilities, the chairperson of the city’s equality watchdog has said. Linda Lam, the head of the Equal Opportunities Commisssion (EOC), was responding in a Commercial Radio show on Friday to an incident last week […]

Hong Kong’s manpower shortage is expected to worsen to 180,000 by 2028 due partly to its rapidly ageing population, a government study has found. Assuming annual gross domestic product growth of 3.2 per cent, the city will need 3.75 million workers in 2028, the Labour and Welfare Bureau said on Thursday when it released the […]