https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/325061/feed Hong Kong society news, including events, community and public affairs. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Emily Hung,Wynna Wong Emily Hung,Wynna Wong A controversial decision by Hong Kong authorities to award a lifeguard and first aid services contract worth more than HK$122 million (US$15.6 million) to a company previously found to have failed to provide the required staffing at swimming pools has sparked concerns over whether public funds are being used prudently. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department on Saturday defended the decision, saying it was satisfied with Spotlight Enterprises’ performance over the past two years and that it... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370460/new-hk122-million-lifeguard-outsourcing-contract-sparks-public-spending-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370460/new-hk122-million-lifeguard-outsourcing-contract-sparks-public-spending-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Oct 2026 02:30:09 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Hong Kong biotech entrepreneur Ricky Chiu Yin-to is seeking to make cervical cancer screening easier through urine-based HPV testing, using sample-concentration technology developed by his company. His company, Phase Scientific, made its name during the Covid-19 pandemic through its rapid antigen test, Indicaid. The product received US emergency-use authorisation in July 2021, was used in Hong Kong community testing and sold in more than 30 countries. At the start of the pandemic, the firm... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370459/spirit-hong-kong-awards-biotech-firm-eyes-cervical-cancer-test-breakthrough?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370459/spirit-hong-kong-awards-biotech-firm-eyes-cervical-cancer-test-breakthrough?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Oct 2026 02:15:05 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Senior public servants found accountable for last year’s deadly Tai Po fire could face disciplinary action if named in an investigation report that a government-appointed panel is expected to submit this month, Hong Kong’s civil service chief has said. Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan also said on Saturday that a support unit was being set up to assist the Public Service Commission if investigations into officials’ “administrative responsibilities” were eventually... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3370447/senior-civil-servants-could-face-disciplinary-action-over-tai-po-fire-if-named-report?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3370447/senior-civil-servants-could-face-disciplinary-action-over-tai-po-fire-if-named-report?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 11:54:07 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung A three-tier dispute resolution mechanism could help Hong Kong homeowners strengthen oversight of major renovation projects and prevent exploitation by “unscrupulous traders”, according to the home affairs minister. The city’s building management challenges came under the spotlight after the deadly blaze at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court in November 2025. The estate was undergoing a HK$330 million (US$42.3 million) renovation when the fire broke out, killing 168 people and displacing nearly 5,000... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370433/new-mechanism-strengthen-oversight-renovations-after-tai-po-fire-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370433/new-mechanism-strengthen-oversight-renovations-after-tai-po-fire-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 07:26:29 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hong Kong will strengthen its community recycling network with measures such as round-the-clock automated collection points after scrapping its waste-charging scheme due to strong public opposition, the environmental chief has said. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan on Saturday also pledged to review the permitted profit levels of the city’s two power companies when their control agreements with the government expire in 2033. He added that the government would boost clean energy... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370429/hong-kong-expand-community-recycling-after-shelving-waste-charging-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370429/hong-kong-expand-community-recycling-after-shelving-waste-charging-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 06:12:06 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow When Wilson Cheung took Hong Kong secondary school students into the Swiss Alps this summer, terrain he had once been able to reach had become inaccessible. Glacier melt and thawing ground had destabilised parts of the mountain, while rockfall made fieldwork more hazardous. Only weeks earlier, Cheung had completed a roughly 1,700km (1,056-mile) scientific snowkite traverse across Greenland in 2026. The journey took him across the ice sheet while he continued collecting data in one of the world’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370424/spirit-hong-kong-awards-explorer-inspires-youth-through-glacial-field-trips?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370424/spirit-hong-kong-awards-explorer-inspires-youth-through-glacial-field-trips?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 04:51:48 +0000 Fiona Chow,Eric Jiang Fiona Chow,Eric Jiang Hongkonger Terrence Wu Chung-ting puts on an apron, picks up a comb and massages hair essence into a client’s scalp during a treatment for hair loss. But eight years ago, Wu’s job could not have been any more different. A finance graduate from one of the city’s top universities, he was then a marketer for beauty products and focused on sales. But when he saw untapped potential in Hong Kong’s hairdressing industry, he boldly switched careers from a white-collar to a blue-collar profession,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370353/worker-prospects-hong-kong-hair-beauty-sector-not-cut-and-dried-amid-staff-shortages?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370353/worker-prospects-hong-kong-hair-beauty-sector-not-cut-and-dried-amid-staff-shortages?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 04:00:15 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin A Singaporean girl has been flown to a hospital after falling ill during a hike with two other friends at Hong Kong’s Lion Rock, according to police. The force received a report on Saturday from the mother of one of the hikers at about 6.50am. Her daughter called for help after the 17-year-old Singaporean friend vomited and experienced chills during their hike at Lion Rock, a 495-metre-high mountain. Police later arrived at the scene while the Government Flying Service deployed a helicopter to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370421/singaporean-teenager-flown-hospital-after-falling-ill-during-lion-rock-hike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370421/singaporean-teenager-flown-hospital-after-falling-ill-during-lion-rock-hike?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 03:49:24 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow A year after a seven-hour surgery in Hong Kong in 2025, Cassie Li Pui-ying was on stage at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, playing the drums before an audience of more than 2,500 people. She heard the applause but could not see who it came from. That March night was organised by Live Theatre, which her mother Marine Mak also helps run. Li sang, spoke and played the drums. The group gives visually impaired students a stage to perform on. Despite having been through several serious health scares, what... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370302/spirit-hong-kong-awards-blind-musician-rare-birth-disease-plays-her-heart-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370302/spirit-hong-kong-awards-blind-musician-rare-birth-disease-plays-her-heart-out?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 02:15:05 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung The developer of One Stanley has offered flat owners a six-year structural warranty and free independent property inspections amid an investigation into suspected steel reinforcement deficiencies at the seaside luxury residential development in southern Hong Kong. K Wise, a subsidiary of One Stanley developer K&K Property, addressed the brewing scandal on Friday, a week after allegations of substandard work were reported by a local property media outlet, issuing a statement outlining remedial... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370395/developer-one-stanley-pledges-6-year-warranty-and-checks-amid-steel-bar-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370395/developer-one-stanley-pledges-6-year-warranty-and-checks-amid-steel-bar-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:47:34 +0000 Lexi Tian,Leopold Chen Lexi Tian,Leopold Chen Hong Kong travel agencies are offering tours featuring “five-minute clearance” at the revamped Huanggang Port when it opens on Monday, but the security chief has urged those who do not need to use the crossing immediately to delay their visits. Three days before the port’s official opening, the South China Morning Post on Friday found a number of tour packages advertised on social media that promoted the redeveloped border checkpoint as a new attraction for trips to mainland China. An... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370394/travel-agencies-tout-huanggang-port-tours-security-chief-urges-later-visits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370394/travel-agencies-tout-huanggang-port-tours-security-chief-urges-later-visits?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:41:00 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun A 10-year-old Hong Kong girl filmed carrying heavy bags of beer will be placed in temporary care with her two siblings after welfare assessments found it would “not be suitable” for them to return home following the arrest of their parents on suspicion of ill-treating a child. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Friday that the three children were still in hospital for health checks and were expected to be discharged later that day or on Saturday. “Even after the three... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370381/girl-filmed-carrying-beer-bags-be-placed-temporary-care-siblings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370381/girl-filmed-carrying-beer-bags-be-placed-temporary-care-siblings?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:48:21 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow When Professor Lam Hon-ming returned to Hong Kong after completing postdoctoral work in the United States in 1997, he was fixated on one question: how can science help feed the country and the world? He found that soybeans offered part of the answer. In addition to its nutritional value, the crop can fix nitrogen levels in the soil, reducing reliance on chemical fertiliser, and some varieties can be bred to tolerate drought and salinity. Lam went on to spend almost three decades studying soybean... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370232/spirit-hong-kong-awards-scientists-soybean-research-pushes-agricultural-frontier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370232/spirit-hong-kong-awards-scientists-soybean-research-pushes-agricultural-frontier?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 06:15:05 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Timothy Chan Chi-fung was 19 when a testicular tumour sent him into a Hong Kong hospital system largely designed for children or much older adults. Neither door quite fitted. His experience eventually led him to found Youth Cancer Hong Kong, a contribution that has earned him a place as a finalist in the community category of this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards. The awards, co-organised by Sino Group and the South China Morning Post, were launched in 2013 to recognise individuals and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370231/spirit-hong-kong-awards-youth-led-charity-supports-young-cancer-patients?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370231/spirit-hong-kong-awards-youth-led-charity-supports-young-cancer-patients?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 05:15:05 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow In 2014, a University of Hong Kong research team watched two years of reef restoration work collapse in Sai Kung. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department had asked the researchers to speed up coral recovery. Cement structures were placed on the seabed and coral began to grow. But as the colonies became larger, they became unstable. “They have no roots,” said Vriko Yu Pik-fan, then a doctoral student on the project. “The bigger they got, the less stable they were.” That failure... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370229/spirit-hong-kong-awards-firm-uses-3d-printed-tiles-restore-coral-reefs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370229/spirit-hong-kong-awards-firm-uses-3d-printed-tiles-restore-coral-reefs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 04:15:04 +0000 Leopold Chen,Jess Ma,Kristen Cheung Leopold Chen,Jess Ma,Kristen Cheung More than 160,000 Hong Kong residents have registered to use “joint clearance” e-channels ahead of the revamped Huanggang border crossing’s opening on Monday, with extra manpower to be deployed and command centres activated to ensure a smooth start. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Friday that his bureau would activate its Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre to oversee operations. A joint command centre will also be set up with Shenzhen authorities. “We will monitor... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370264/hong-kong-shenzhen-confirm-huanggang-port-open-monday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370264/hong-kong-shenzhen-confirm-huanggang-port-open-monday?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 03:28:02 +0000 Jimmy Chow Jimmy Chow Twenty-seven individuals and groups have been named finalists for the 14th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, which recognises the unsung heroes of the city who have made major contributions to society. This year’s shortlist for the awards, co-organised by Sino Group and the South China Morning Post, is divided into nine categories: community, culture, innovation, sustainability, perseverance, teamwork, youth, nurturing and entrepreneurship. “The self-effacing yet extraordinary efforts of these... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370228/27-people-groups-named-finalists-14th-spirit-hong-kong-awards?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370228/27-people-groups-named-finalists-14th-spirit-hong-kong-awards?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 02:15:05 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong’s police have revealed they will launch an academy offering specialised courses for overseas officers and shared new details about the force’s bachelor’s degree programme, with classes expected to start next March. Kelly Cheng Lai-ki, director of the Police College, said establishing the Hong Kong International Academy of Policing would consolidate generations of frontline wisdom handed down within the force into an international exchange hub. “These exchanges can showcase our... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3370200/hong-kong-police-launch-international-academy-reveal-details-new-degree?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3370200/hong-kong-police-launch-international-academy-reveal-details-new-degree?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 02:00:15 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Three of the six residential buildings at CK Asset’s “starter homes” project in Hong Kong will be demolished and rebuilt in what the developer called the most “time-saving” solution, two years after a scandal over substandard steel reinforcement work halted construction. The Buildings Department said on Thursday that it had approved demolition plans for three blocks at the Anderson Road development in Kwun Tong, while remedial work was under way at the other three. Earlier investigations found... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370223/ck-asset-opts-rebuild-3-blocks-starter-homes-project-after-steelwork-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370223/ck-asset-opts-rebuild-3-blocks-starter-homes-project-after-steelwork-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:50:08 +0000 Lexi Tian Lexi Tian Retail businesses in Shenzhen are gearing up for the imminent opening of the revamped Huanggang Port at the border Hong Kong shares with mainland China, but some fear the area still lacks commercial appeal to make travellers stay. After six years of redevelopment, the expanded checkpoint is due to open on October 12, according to a source. It will adopt the “joint inspection” model for immigration clearance, which is expected to cut the previous clearance time from about 30 minutes to five... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370093/will-huanggang-port-opening-boost-spending-shenzhens-border-retail-shops?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370093/will-huanggang-port-opening-boost-spending-shenzhens-border-retail-shops?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 02:30:11 +0000 Vivian Au,Edith Lin Vivian Au,Edith Lin Two dozen luxury houses at One Stanley have been sold since Hong Kong authorities launched an investigation into alleged structural defects in March, with buyers including local and international businesspeople. The transactions have prompted experts to call for stronger homebuyer protections, including implementing a mandatory period for buyers to rescind contracts when statutory violations are discovered. The South China Morning Post learned that 24 transactions were recorded at One Stanley... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370089/24-luxury-houses-one-stanley-sold-amid-probe-alleged-construction-defects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370089/24-luxury-houses-one-stanley-sold-amid-probe-alleged-construction-defects?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:45:38 +0000 Natalie Wong Natalie Wong The nomination period opened on Wednesday for election to the 1,500-member body responsible for choosing Hong Kong’s next chief executive and 40 lawmakers. The Registration and Electoral Office received 305 nominations for candidacy on the first day of the window. The South China Morning Post explains the significance of the poll, who has signed up and what to watch for. 1. What is the Election Committee and why is it important? Wednesday marked the start of the two-week nomination period for... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370081/why-do-hong-kongs-election-committee-polls-matter-nominations-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370081/why-do-hong-kongs-election-committee-polls-matter-nominations-open?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:07:51 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu Hong Kong education authorities have revealed that at least 60 per cent of suspected student suicide cases in the last three academic years involved children aged 15 or below, urging schools to avoid giving excessive homework so pupils can lead a balanced lifestyle. The Education Bureau also told lawmakers on Wednesday that school principals had directly referred 547 students at high risk of suicide to the public health system over the past 2½ years. On average, principals had referred about 17... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3370055/60-hong-kongs-suspected-student-suicides-involved-children-aged-15-or-below?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3370055/60-hong-kongs-suspected-student-suicides-involved-children-aged-15-or-below?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:00:18 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong police have arrested the parents of a 10-year-old girl after a viral video showed her carrying heavy bags of beer and being berated by her father as he confronted bystanders concerned about her welfare. Police said they received a report at about 10.30pm on Tuesday that a girl in a school uniform was seen carrying two bags containing numerous cans of beer to a building at Fu Tai Estate in Tuen Mun. A spokesman said officers from the New Territories North regional child abuse... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369975/hong-kong-police-investigate-case-girl-10-made-carry-bags-beer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369975/hong-kong-police-investigate-case-girl-10-made-carry-bags-beer?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 03:17:16 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District is betting on property development to ease its financial pressures amid a widening operating deficit, but experts have warned that land sales will only provide temporary relief and cannot replace a sustainable long-term funding model for the arts hub. The warning comes as the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority prepares to tender a prime residential site in the first half of next year, a potentially lucrative project that property experts expect to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369960/land-sales-offer-only-temporary-relief-west-kowloon-arts-hub-experts-warn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369960/land-sales-offer-only-temporary-relief-west-kowloon-arts-hub-experts-warn?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:31 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong and mainland Chinese residents will have to register with immigration authorities on both sides of the border to use automated “joint clearance” channels at the revamped Huanggang Port crossing, with around 100,000 travellers a day expected to use the control point when operations begin. Hong Kong’s Immigration Department would deploy sufficient manpower to help passengers register at the checkpoint, assistant director Jacky Wong Ki said on Tuesday. “The whole registration process at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369947/registration-both-sides-border-needed-huanggang-joint-clearance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369947/registration-both-sides-border-needed-huanggang-joint-clearance?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:19:07 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok An elderly man was found dead and his wife was taken to hospital after authorities responded to a report of a foul smell from a flat in Hong Kong on Tuesday. Authorities received a report at about 5.20pm from security staff at One Madison, a residential building on Castle Peak Road in Cheung Sha Wan, after an unusual odour was detected from the flat and the occupants had not been seen for some time. Firefighters were called to the scene and forced entry into the flat. The man was found in the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369941/elderly-man-found-dead-wife-hospitalised-after-smell-reported-hong-kong-flat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369941/elderly-man-found-dead-wife-hospitalised-after-smell-reported-hong-kong-flat?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:59:45 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Firefighters battled a fierce rooftop blaze at a residential building in Hong Kong’s Mong Kok district for around an hour on Tuesday before dousing the flames. The Fire Services Department received a report at about 5.20pm that items stored on the rooftop of the 26-storey Block B of Shun King Building on Nelson Street had caught fire. No casualties were reported, while 40 residents fled the building. Firefighters tackled the blaze with one water jet. Strong flames and thick black smoke could be... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369931/fire-breaks-out-rooftop-residential-building-hong-kongs-mong-kok?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369931/fire-breaks-out-rooftop-residential-building-hong-kongs-mong-kok?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 10:35:24 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong’s Generation Y residents – those aged 30 to 45 – are the city’s unhappiest age group, largely because of dissatisfaction with economic and housing conditions, a poll has found. The Hong Kong Happiness Index stood at 5.87 out of 10, according to a survey of 1,039 adults conducted by HK.WeCare, an initiative under non-profit organisation Wofoo Social Enterprises. The score remained below the passing level for a fourth consecutive year, despite an overall upward trend since 2024. More... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369930/hong-kongs-generation-y-unhappiest-amid-housing-and-economic-pressures-poll-finds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369930/hong-kongs-generation-y-unhappiest-amid-housing-and-economic-pressures-poll-finds?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 10:28:45 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong authorities have made “a series of preparations” to implement reforms and pursue accountability ahead of the final report of an inquiry panel on the Tai Po blaze later this month, the city’s leader has said, pledging to act “as soon as possible”. It was understood that the government has established a dedicated task force under the Public Service Commission, led by former deputy secretary for security Benjamin Mok Kwan-yu and former commissioner for sports George Tsoi Kin-pan, to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369874/hong-kong-prepares-reforms-accountability-measures-ahead-tai-po-fire-report?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369874/hong-kong-prepares-reforms-accountability-measures-ahead-tai-po-fire-report?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 05:07:56 +0000 Edith Lin,Leopold Chen,Matthew Cheng Edith Lin,Leopold Chen,Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s building authorities will conduct random sampling and inspections at the remaining properties of a luxury development in Stanley where substandard work was uncovered at one house, as well as at other projects undertaken by the contractor and professionals involved. The Buildings Department revealed the move on Tuesday night, hours after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the city would strengthen its regulatory regime and impose stiffer penalties to ensure strong deterrence... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369861/hong-kong-leader-pledges-tougher-rules-penalties-deter-construction-violations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369861/hong-kong-leader-pledges-tougher-rules-penalties-deter-construction-violations?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:54 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Temperatures in Hong Kong dropped to about 23 degrees Celsius (73 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday morning, the lowest so far this autumn. According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the cooler weather was caused by a dry northeast monsoon. “A dry northeast monsoon will bring mainly fine weather to the coast of Guangdong in the next couple of days. It will be windier and slightly cooler in the morning over the region,” the forecaster said. “The monsoon is expected to moderate slightly in the latter part of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369847/hong-kong-temperatures-drop-23-degrees-celsius-tuesday-morning-lowest-autumn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369847/hong-kong-temperatures-drop-23-degrees-celsius-tuesday-morning-lowest-autumn?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:54:03 +0000 Edith Lin,Vivian Au Edith Lin,Vivian Au Hong Kong’s building authorities should consider inspecting the remaining properties in a luxury residential development and tightening work process documentation after one house was found to have used insufficient steel bars during construction, experts have said. Their suggestions followed the Buildings Department revealing at the weekend that it had launched an investigation into work quality issues at One Stanley in Stanley, one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in Southern district, and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369835/experts-urge-wider-one-stanley-checks-tighter-paperwork-after-steel-bar-shortfall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369835/experts-urge-wider-one-stanley-checks-tighter-paperwork-after-steel-bar-shortfall?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:34:38 +0000 Cliff Buddle Cliff Buddle The hotly contested court battle over government plans to build 12,000 public flats on Hong Kong’s oldest golf course has played its final round. The government decided not to appeal against a ruling that held its approval of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on the project to be unlawful. This is better than pursuing a further attempt to persuade the courts to uphold a fatally flawed process. Now, a broader review of the plans can be undertaken in light of the Court of Appeal’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3369682/hong-kong-must-scrap-housing-plan-and-preserve-golf-course?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3369682/hong-kong-must-scrap-housing-plan-and-preserve-golf-course?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:30:05 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The owners of 14 subsidised sale flats have applied for a grace period to comply with Hong Kong’s new regulatory regime for subdivided homes, the housing minister has revealed, raising concerns that public resources were being abused. The cases were disclosed on Monday at a Legislative Council housing panel meeting when lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung asked Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin about the use of subsidised sale flats as subdivided units for renting. Chong said flats sold under the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369830/bid-turn-14-subsidised-sale-flats-subdivided-homes-raises-abuse-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369830/bid-turn-14-subsidised-sale-flats-subdivided-homes-raises-abuse-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:08:29 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong aviation authorities are investigating suspected illegal drone flying over Victoria Harbour during last week’s National Day fireworks display, after privately shot footage of the show went viral online. The footage drew the attention of local internet users after a mainland visitor, who came to Hong Kong during the “golden week” holiday, posted clips of the 23-minute display on his social media account over the weekend. The man, who calls himself Su Fan on RedNote, a popular platform... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369827/authorities-investigate-viral-drone-footage-during-national-day-fireworks-display?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369827/authorities-investigate-viral-drone-footage-during-national-day-fireworks-display?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:48:37 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Mainland Chinese arrivals to Hong Kong surged at the start of the National Day “golden week” holiday before easing towards last year’s levels, with a lawmaker attributing the early rush partly to the city’s fireworks display and tourists making the most of a shorter break. Immigration Department figures showed that 277,304 mainland visitors arrived on October 1, up 19.1 per cent from 232,751 on the first day of last year’s holiday and 25.1 per cent from the 221,644 recorded in 2024. “The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369821/mainland-chinese-arrivals-hong-kong-surged-start-golden-week-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369821/mainland-chinese-arrivals-hong-kong-surged-start-golden-week-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:35:26 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok A 74-year-old retired Hong Kong police officer lost control of his paraglider in strong air currents and suffered multiple injuries after crashing on Lantau Island, a probe into the fatal 2024 accident has found. A report published by the Air Accident Investigation Authority on Monday detailed the incident involving the pilot at Sunset Peak, Hong Kong’s third-highest mountain, on June 17, 2024. The authority urged paragliding groups to stress the importance of thorough risk assessments before... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369815/man-74-lost-control-paraglider-strong-winds-probe-fatal-crash-finds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369815/man-74-lost-control-paraglider-strong-winds-probe-fatal-crash-finds?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:08:28 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Housewife May and her three children were overjoyed last September when they moved into a 200 sq ft subdivided flat in Kwai Tsing, a Hong Kong district with one of the city’s lowest average monthly household incomes. For years, the 50-year-old single parent had lived in a squatter hut with her son and two daughters, where they had to climb hundreds of stairs daily. They later moved into a 100 sq ft subdivided flat before securing their current place. Located on the 15th floor of a lift-equipped... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369726/hong-kongs-drive-eliminate-substandard-housing-doing-more-harm-good?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369726/hong-kongs-drive-eliminate-substandard-housing-doing-more-harm-good?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 02:00:28 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma More than 1,500 Hong Kong residents toured the revamped Huanggang Port border crossing on Sunday as authorities pushed ahead with preparations for its opening. A Security Bureau spokesman said that participants took franchised buses or cross-boundary coaches from various districts to reach the crossing and were shown the new port building in groups. “The event effectively enhanced participants’ understanding of the public transport arrangements, immigration and customs clearance and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369721/1500-hong-kong-residents-tour-revamped-huanggang-port-border-crossing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369721/1500-hong-kong-residents-tour-revamped-huanggang-port-border-crossing?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Oct 2026 14:00:18 +0000 Jess Ma,Theodora Yu Jess Ma,Theodora Yu A pilot scheme to import hundreds of foreign domestic carers from next year to look after elderly Hongkongers has sparked concern among both helpers and employers after the city’s labour minister revealed further details, including the salary level. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Sunday that the carers would be equipped with both specialised elderly care skills and general domestic capabilities, and would first need to complete a 150-hour course in their home... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369701/hong-kong-set-begin-importing-hundreds-carers-second-half-2027?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369701/hong-kong-set-begin-importing-hundreds-carers-second-half-2027?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Oct 2026 10:22:26 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Small independent bookstores tucked away in walk-up tenement buildings above neon-lit streets have long made Mong Kok a sanctuary for Hong Kong book lovers, until recently when one after another was forced to close due to economic headwinds or political uncertainty. Defying the trend, 41-year-old bibliophile Grace Lau invested a six-figure sum to launch New Year Bookshop, a move driven by passion and lower rents that some in the community regarded as a bold gamble on the neighbourhood’s literary... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369680/new-mong-kok-bookshop-opens-amid-harsh-winter-indie-bookstores-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369680/new-mong-kok-bookshop-opens-amid-harsh-winter-indie-bookstores-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Oct 2026 04:05:40 +0000 Ashleigh Tamblin Ashleigh Tamblin Since July, Hong Kong has permitted dogs in approved dining premises under a tightly regulated scheme. More than 2,200 restaurants applied, with more than 980 taking part within the first month. On the surface, these are straightforward changes to the rules around where dogs are allowed. But they reflect something more significant: a changing relationship between Hong Kong and the dogs who also call it home. Small companion breeds are familiar in urban life, while larger dogs, local mixed breeds... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3369242/become-dog-friendly-city-hong-kong-needs-dog-literacy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3369242/become-dog-friendly-city-hong-kong-needs-dog-literacy?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Oct 2026 01:30:10 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Authorities have launched a probe into the building quality of a luxury residential development in one of Hong Kong’s most expensive neighbourhoods in the Southern district after receiving a complaint from an owner that insufficient steel bars were used during construction. The Buildings Department said on Saturday it was “highly concerned about the incident” relating to One Stanley in Stanley, but stressed that its previous inspections did not find any imminent danger. The department said it... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369669/probe-launched-luxury-one-stanley-project-over-alleged-steel-bar-shortage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369669/probe-launched-luxury-one-stanley-project-over-alleged-steel-bar-shortage?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2026 14:35:43 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Thirty-one years ago, Hongkonger Raymond Lo Shu-yuen was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer and had a quarter of the organ removed. Now 75, Lo said the illness, despite its physical and mental toll, had taught him invaluable lessons about ageing, health and making the most of life. “I can say that the cancer itself saved me,” he said. “Why? If I did not have this illness, I would not have changed my past lifestyle such as working hard like a dog, eating a lot of junk food, doing no exercise... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369661/cancer-saved-me-hong-kong-survivor-finds-new-purpose-ahead-canoe-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369661/cancer-saved-me-hong-kong-survivor-finds-new-purpose-ahead-canoe-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2026 10:01:23 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying More than 73,000 owners of subdivided flats in Hong Kong have applied for a three-year grace period to meet the government’s minimum standards, a figure the housing chief has described as “better than expected”. Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin said on Saturday that authorities received around 73,800 applications during the “early bird” registration phase under the Basic Housing Units Ordinance, which closed on August 31. The tally represented nearly 70 per cent of the city’s estimated... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369653/better-expected-73800-subdivided-flats-apply-3-year-grace-period?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369653/better-expected-73800-subdivided-flats-apply-3-year-grace-period?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2026 06:26:14 +0000 Yonden Lhatoo Yonden Lhatoo Singapore is doing something about uncivilised behaviour on public buses. The city state has started enforcing new regulations that carry an immediate fine of up to S$500 (US$390) if you put your feet up on seats, play loud audio on your phone or make a nuisance of yourself in other ways such as eating, drinking and littering. This aligns with existing rules governing passenger conduct on Singapore’s MRT railway system. Did you know we have long had similar regulations for Hong Kong’s MTR... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3369302/hong-kong-vs-singapore-tackling-bad-behaviour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3369302/hong-kong-vs-singapore-tackling-bad-behaviour?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2026 01:30:07 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen An off-duty senior ambulanceman has died after falling from a cliff while abseiling in Hong Kong. The Fire Services Department said on Friday that it had received a report at 2.33pm that a man had fallen from Kowloon Peak in Wong Tai Sin while abseiling. Rescuers and a government helicopter searched the area and found an unconscious man at a nearby cliff. Another man with minor injuries was found on a nearby trail. The department mobilised its mountain and high-angle rescue teams during the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369630/duty-senior-ambulanceman-dies-after-abseiling-fall-kowloon-peak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369630/duty-senior-ambulanceman-dies-after-abseiling-fall-kowloon-peak?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:12:25 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong could dethrone London as the top choice for arbitration within the next decade given the Asian city’s status as a global fundraising capital for businesses in mainland China and beyond, the head of the Bar Association has said. Jose-Antonio Maurellet, chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, told the South China Morning Post on Friday that the city had enjoyed rapid growth in arbitration work, with high-stakes cases attracting elite international legal talent. Hong Kong tied with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369627/hong-kong-could-overtake-london-top-arbitration-hub-decade-bar-association-head?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369627/hong-kong-could-overtake-london-top-arbitration-hub-decade-bar-association-head?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:52:25 +0000 Leopold Chen,Vivian Au Leopold Chen,Vivian Au A director of Hotstone Yoga has been arrested on suspicion of contravening the Trade Descriptions Ordinance by accepting prepayments for services before the wellness chain’s abrupt closure, as the amount of financial losses claimed by customers surpassed HK$4 million (US$510,000). The company’s closure on Wednesday has also prompted lawmakers to urge the government to widen the scope of a proposed statutory cooling-off law to cover more sections of the wellness market. Chong Kai-shing, a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369605/legislators-urge-broader-cooling-law-after-abrupt-hotstone-yoga-closure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369605/legislators-urge-broader-cooling-law-after-abrupt-hotstone-yoga-closure?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:24:42 +0000