https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/512321/feed John Lee Ka-chiu, a former policeman, was elected Hong Kong's chief executive in 2022. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng The number of contested subsectors in Hong Kong’s powerful Election Committee has doubled compared with 2021, in a move observers said reflected Beijing’s push to foster healthy competition within the pro-establishment camp and strengthen the legitimacy of the body responsible for selecting the city’s next leader. The two-week nomination period ended on Tuesday, with 1,115 hopefuls signing up to run for 982 elected seats across 36 subsectors on the Election Committee. The poll will be held on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3371547/contested-subsectors-double-hong-kongs-election-committee-poll https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3371547/contested-subsectors-double-hong-kongs-election-committee-poll Tue, 20 Oct 2026 13:14:01 +0000 Natalie Wong,Jeffie Lam Natalie Wong,Jeffie Lam An independent committee investigating the deadly Tai Po fire is set to submit its final report to the Hong Kong government on Thursday, with the judge-led panel expected to largely endorse the scathing closing submission of its lead counsel, sources have said. A redacted version of the committee’s report, which may withhold some information to avoid prejudicing criminal proceedings related to Hong Kong’s deadliest residential fire in decades, is scheduled for public release next week at the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3371533/tai-po-fire-report-be-submitted-thursday-scathing-submission-endorsed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3371533/tai-po-fire-report-be-submitted-thursday-scathing-submission-endorsed Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:22:36 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong’s leader has urged residents to cherish peace and stability as senior officials marked the Chung Yeung Festival with tributes to the city’s wartime defenders and public servants who died in the line of duty. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu attended the annual ceremony at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden in Central on Sunday, laying a wreath to honour those who died defending the city between 1941 and 1945. “As we remember the heroes who sacrificed their lives in war and our... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371284/cherish-peace-and-stability-john-lee-urges-hongkongers-during-chung-yeung-festival https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371284/cherish-peace-and-stability-john-lee-urges-hongkongers-during-chung-yeung-festival Sun, 18 Oct 2026 04:18:30 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong’s legislature has for the first time used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse lawmakers’ remarks during a three-day debate on the city’s first five-year plan and the latest annual policy address, with talent and the Northern Metropolis emerging as the most-discussed topics. Legislative Council president Starry Lee Wai-king said on Saturday that an overview of the six-session debate had been produced using AI. The session on improving livelihood protections drew the largest number... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3371265/ai-used-first-time-analyse-lawmakers-5-year-plan-policy-address-debate https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3371265/ai-used-first-time-analyse-lawmakers-5-year-plan-policy-address-debate Sat, 17 Oct 2026 11:30:12 +0000 SCMP SCMP This is the fourth in a series of factsheets about Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and 2026 policy address. Part I – Hong Kong’s new chapter Part II – The story begins... Part III – Sharpening the city’s edge Part IV – Tapping into tech and talent The series has been produced with support from the Hong Kong SAR government. To see the South China Morning Post’s coverage of the five-year plan, click here. This Factsheet will appear in the SCMP print edition on October 20. You can find it... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3371053/tapping-tech-and-talent https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3371053/tapping-tech-and-talent Fri, 16 Oct 2026 01:00:15 +0000 SCMP SCMP This is the third in a series of Factsheets on Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and 2026 policy address. Part I – Hong Kong’s new chapter Part II – The story begins... Part III – Sharpening the city’s edge Part IV – Tapping into tech and talent The series has been produced with support from the Hong Kong SAR government. To see the South China Morning Post’s coverage of the five-year plan, click here. This Factsheet will appear in the SCMP print edition on October 20. You can find it at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3371054/sharpening-citys-edge https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3371054/sharpening-citys-edge Fri, 16 Oct 2026 01:00:10 +0000 Eric Jiang,Matthew Cheng Eric Jiang,Matthew Cheng The revamped Huanggang Port checkpoint is a “critical milestone” for the connectivity of the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong’s leader has said, as the city and Shenzhen count down to its launch on Monday. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said at a ceremony on Sunday that the Huanggang control point was a “landmark project” built and shared through the joint efforts of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. “Hong Kong unveiled its first five-year plan last month to proactively align with the national 15th five-year... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370474/huanggang-port-milestone-integrating-hong-kong-greater-bay-area-john-lee https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370474/huanggang-port-milestone-integrating-hong-kong-greater-bay-area-john-lee Sun, 11 Oct 2026 05:08:51 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Environmentalists and academics have voiced concerns over the omission of a systemic heat-health action plan in Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and latest policy address, warning that relying on “common sense” is failing to protect vulnerable residents from rising temperatures. Their comments came as new research from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) found that extreme heat might have contributed to as many as 3,238 excess deaths in the city over 10-year study period. In response to the South... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3370406/lack-heat-action-plan-leaves-hong-kongs-vulnerable-residents-risk-experts-warn https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3370406/lack-heat-action-plan-leaves-hong-kongs-vulnerable-residents-risk-experts-warn Sat, 10 Oct 2026 01:00:11 +0000 Edith Lin,Wynna Wong Edith Lin,Wynna Wong Hong Kong’s legislature has passed motions supporting the city’s first five-year plan and thanking Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu for his latest policy address, while Beijing’s top representative in the city urged mainland Chinese enterprises to align themselves with the government’s blueprint. At the close of a three-day Legislative Council debate on Friday, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki thanked lawmakers for their suggestions, saying they would help improve governance. “The process of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3370401/hong-kong-lawmakers-back-5-year-plan-firms-urged-align-blueprint https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3370401/hong-kong-lawmakers-back-5-year-plan-firms-urged-align-blueprint Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:44:17 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Hong Kong’s leader has urged residents to pay close attention to a coming three-day debate on the city’s inaugural five-year plan and latest policy address in the legislature. The debate on the two policy documents is set to begin on Wednesday morning and continue until Friday, according to the Legislative Council’s agenda. “I look forward to tomorrow’s Legislative Council debate, during which government officials and lawmakers will conduct an in-depth discussion on the concept and details of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3369875/john-lee-urges-public-tune-legco-debate-citys-5-year-plan-policy-address https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3369875/john-lee-urges-public-tune-legco-debate-citys-5-year-plan-policy-address Tue, 06 Oct 2026 05:10:59 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong refrained from setting overly rigid economic indicators in its first five-year plan to avoid fuelling concerns that it was moving towards a planned economy, according to the city’s constitutional affairs minister. The current priority should be hitting targets instead of dwelling on accountability mechanisms for potential shortcomings, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Janice Tse Siu-wa said. Tse also emphasised the government’s efforts to explore administrative... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3369715/hong-kong-resisted-rigid-5-year-plan-goals-allay-planned-economy-fears-minister https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3369715/hong-kong-resisted-rigid-5-year-plan-goals-allay-planned-economy-fears-minister Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:30:12 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial National Day is a celebration of this country’s achievements. China has much to be proud of since becoming a republic in 1949. The sentiment resonated in Hong Kong as it too celebrated National Day amid increased integration with the mainland’s development goals. What sets the 77th anniversary apart is the timing – at a critical juncture in the affairs of the nation and Hong Kong. President Xi Jinping has just returned from a state visit to the United States that included a summit with US... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3369471/hong-kong-can-capitalise-its-unique-role-benefit-nation https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3369471/hong-kong-can-capitalise-its-unique-role-benefit-nation Thu, 01 Oct 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Wynna Wong,Edith Lin,Matthew Cheng Wynna Wong,Edith Lin,Matthew Cheng Hong Kong marked National Day on Thursday with discounts, free rides and a fireworks display that drew huge crowds to Victoria Harbour, while the chief executive emphasised the city’s international role and its first five-year plan. About 380,000 spectators packed both sides of the harbour for the 23-minute fireworks show in the evening, as businesses dished out dining discounts and shopping deals, while some transport operators provided free rides. More than 3,800 restaurants offered up to 30... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3369412/hong-kongs-5-year-plan-underlines-dna-global-city-market-economy-john-lee https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3369412/hong-kongs-5-year-plan-underlines-dna-global-city-market-economy-john-lee Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:03:58 +0000 SCMP SCMP Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and senior government officials are attending a ceremony and a National Day reception as the city celebrates the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3369399/watch-hong-kong-holds-ceremony-and-reception-chinas-national-day https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3369399/watch-hong-kong-holds-ceremony-and-reception-chinas-national-day Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:56:04 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hong Kong’s development minister has promised a public account of her bureau’s oversight of the Queen Mary Hospital lift saga, while stopping short of saying whether a new accountability system for department heads would be invoked. Nearly two weeks after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu tasked the Development Bureau with submitting a report within a month, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said she would get to the bottom of the defective works at the hospital, which left 24 of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3368888/hong-kong-minister-pledges-public-account-faulty-lifts-queen-mary-hospital https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3368888/hong-kong-minister-pledges-public-account-faulty-lifts-queen-mary-hospital Sat, 26 Sep 2026 06:21:38 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong will fast-track key Northern Metropolis roads, bringing forward the San Tin highway section to 2034 and targeting 2033 for the Tsing Lung Bridge, but a transport expert and lawmaker have cautioned that the first arrivals could still end up stranded. Infrastructure projects could lag behind developments such as the Hung Shui Kiu University Town, they said, suggesting the government launch express bus routes and build the Central Rail Link as soon as possible to ensure connectivity. A... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3368850/hong-kong-fast-tracking-northern-metropolis-links-will-they-be-ready-time https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3368850/hong-kong-fast-tracking-northern-metropolis-links-will-they-be-ready-time Sat, 26 Sep 2026 04:00:14 +0000 Elizabeth Cheung Elizabeth Cheung Hong Kong has cut its cancer-related death rate by more than 40 per cent over the past three decades, the health minister has said, as the chief executive renewed his pledge to make the city a hub for medical innovation. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau outlined the city’s progress in controlling the disease at the World Cancer Congress, which is being held in Hong Kong for the first time. Citing figures from 1993 to 2023, Lo said Hong Kong’s age-standardised cancer mortality rate had fallen by... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3368624/hong-kong-reports-more-40-drop-cancer-related-death-rate-over-30-years https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3368624/hong-kong-reports-more-40-drop-cancer-related-death-rate-over-30-years Thu, 24 Sep 2026 07:34:32 +0000 Simpson Cheung Simpson Cheung Senior Hong Kong police officer Kelvin Kong Hok-lai has taken over the force’s National Security Department, succeeding Andrew Kan Kai-yan, who began pre-retirement leave on Tuesday. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu appointed Kong as deputy police commissioner (national security) under Article 16 (2) of the national security law. The appointment took effect immediately after Kong took the oath of office. Lee said Kong, formerly the director of national security, had served with the Hong Kong... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3368374/john-lee-appoints-kelvin-kong-head-polices-national-security-department https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3368374/john-lee-appoints-kelvin-kong-head-polices-national-security-department Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:42:31 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Representatives of foreign business chambers who met Hong Kong’s leader have said the five-year plan provided clear policy priorities for companies’ strategic planning, but called for more concrete timelines and visible progress on the Northern Metropolis project to attract investment. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu held a briefing on Monday for consuls general and heads of foreign chambers of commerce, during which he stressed that Hong Kong’s five-year plan was not a planned economy. The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368284/foreign-chambers-back-hong-kong-5-year-plan-urge-progress-northern-metropolis https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368284/foreign-chambers-back-hong-kong-5-year-plan-urge-progress-northern-metropolis Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:05:09 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu For the first time, Hong Kong’s chief executive rolled out his policy address together with a five-year plan for the city. The much anticipated release of these two supremely important documents – the final policy address of John Lee Ka-chiu’s current term as well as the first five-year blueprint in the city’s history – cements a road map for Hong Kong for the next five years. There were few surprises, although there shouldn’t have been. By combining the consultations for the five-year plan and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3367992/hong-kongs-five-year-plan-plays-it-too-safe https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3367992/hong-kongs-five-year-plan-plays-it-too-safe Mon, 21 Sep 2026 01:30:05 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong’s first five-year plan will give businesses greater certainty to make long-term investment decisions amid a volatile external environment, the city’s finance chief has said. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said the plan’s targets and timelines would allow companies to see the city’s direction over the next five years and better align their plans with the government’s. “The significance of planning lies not only in the document itself, but also in looking at today from the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368141/hong-kongs-first-5-year-plan-give-firms-more-long-term-certainty-paul-chan https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368141/hong-kongs-first-5-year-plan-give-firms-more-long-term-certainty-paul-chan Sun, 20 Sep 2026 06:12:19 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong’s leader has defended measures in his policy address to boost the economy and improve livelihoods, stressing that businesses must also do their part to remain competitive and survive, even with government aid. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Saturday that the section on livelihoods was the longest and broadest in scope in his policy address when asked about residents who had yet to benefit from the government’s economic policies. “You need to develop the economy first to have... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3368093/hong-kong-leader-says-firms-must-strive-survive-despite-government-support https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3368093/hong-kong-leader-says-firms-must-strive-survive-despite-government-support Sat, 19 Sep 2026 05:42:01 +0000 Ken Chu Ken Chu Hong Kong’s first five-year plan marks a new chapter for the city and will prompt discussion about individual priorities and initiatives. But there is another question worth asking: what can Hong Kong bring to the national journey over the next five years? As China begins its 15th five-year plan, Hong Kong has an opportunity to think more deliberately about its distinctive contribution to national development. Much has been said about Hong Kong’s role as a “superconnector”. The description... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3367854/now-hong-kong-must-turn-its-international-edge-national-impact https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3367854/now-hong-kong-must-turn-its-international-edge-national-impact Sat, 19 Sep 2026 01:30:05 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong’s leader has said he does not plan to change the government’s annual target for attracting talent despite the city admitting more than 300,000 people since expanding its drive four years ago. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Friday that about 20 per cent of overall arrivals came from places outside mainland China. “We have met our targets better than we set,” Lee told a phone-in radio programme, days after delivering his policy address and unveiling the city’s first five-year... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367961/hong-kong-talent-schemes-could-add-12-gdp-annually-john-lee https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367961/hong-kong-talent-schemes-could-add-12-gdp-annually-john-lee Fri, 18 Sep 2026 05:47:01 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China launches Pinglu Canal, slashing transit time to Southeast Asia China officially opened its landmark Pinglu Canal to navigation on Wednesday, creating a new maritime gateway for the country’s southwestern hinterland and providing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3367930/china-launches-pinglu-canal-hong-kong-unveils-first-5-year-plan-scmps-7-highlights https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3367930/china-launches-pinglu-canal-hong-kong-unveils-first-5-year-plan-scmps-7-highlights Fri, 18 Sep 2026 04:45:05 +0000 SCMP Plus SCMP Plus Download the PDF This is the second part of a Factsheet series on Hong Kong’s debut five-year plan and the 2026 policy address. Click here for part one. The series was produced with support from the Hong Kong SAR government. To see the South China Morning Post’s coverage of the five-year plan, click here. This Factsheet will be available in the SCMP print edition on September 21. You can find it at newsstands and convenience stores. For any inquiries, contact printsupport@scmp.com. https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3367925/story-begins https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3367925/story-begins Fri, 18 Sep 2026 02:00:24 +0000 SCMP Plus SCMP Plus Download the PDF This is the first part of a Factsheet series on Hong Kong’s debut five-year plan and the 2026 policy address. Click here for part two. The series was produced with support from the Hong Kong SAR government. To see the South China Morning Post’s coverage of the five-year plan, click here. This Factsheet will be available in the SCMP print edition on September 21. You can find it at newsstands and convenience stores. For any inquiries, contact printsupport@scmp.com. https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3367923/hong-kongs-new-chapter https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3367923/hong-kongs-new-chapter Fri, 18 Sep 2026 02:00:18 +0000 SCMP SCMP This is the second part of a Factsheet series on Hong Kong’s debut five-year plan and the 2026 policy address. Click here for part one. The series was produced with support from the Hong Kong SAR government. To see the South China Morning Post’s coverage of the five-year plan, click here. This Factsheet will be available in the SCMP print edition on September 21. You can find it at newsstands and convenience stores. For any inquiries, contact printsupport@scmp.com. https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367918/story-begins https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367918/story-begins Fri, 18 Sep 2026 01:01:09 +0000 SCMP SCMP This is the first part of a Factsheet series on Hong Kong’s debut five-year plan and the 2026 policy address. Click here for part two. The series was produced with support from the Hong Kong SAR government. To see the South China Morning Post’s coverage of the five-year plan, click here. This Factsheet will be available in the SCMP print edition on September 21. You can find it at newsstands and convenience stores. For any inquiries, contact printsupport@scmp.com. https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3367919/hong-kongs-new-chapter https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3367919/hong-kongs-new-chapter Fri, 18 Sep 2026 01:00:05 +0000 Daisy Wu Daisy Wu Hong Kong is broadening its equity markets, deepening its offshore yuan business and expanding further into gold trading under its first five-year plan for economic and social development, as the city seeks to defend its standing as Asia’s top financial centre and close the gap with London. Unveiled on Wednesday by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu alongside his 2026 policy address, the blueprint outlines a package of financial plans to “consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3367816/how-hong-kongs-new-5-year-plan-courts-global-capital-eye-market-dominance https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3367816/how-hong-kongs-new-5-year-plan-courts-global-capital-eye-market-dominance Thu, 17 Sep 2026 07:00:09 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Simpson Cheung Matthew Cheng,Simpson Cheung Hong Kong’s proposed “AI city brain” will cost HK$200 million (US$25.5 million) for the first phase and will connect to the police’s citywide security camera network, authorities have revealed, while stressing that the new system would not be used for crime detection or the surveillance of residents. Speaking at a Legislative Council question and answer session on Thursday following his annual policy address a day earlier, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also emphasised the system would not tap... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367829/hong-kongs-ai-city-brain-will-not-tap-personal-data-breach-privacy-john-lee https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367829/hong-kongs-ai-city-brain-will-not-tap-personal-data-breach-privacy-john-lee Thu, 17 Sep 2026 06:17:46 +0000 Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu Hong Kong’s Exchange Fund, the war chest used to defend the local currency, is considering increasing its exposure to gold and other precious metals as part of the government’s push to develop the city into a gold trading hub. Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) chief executive Eddie Yue Wai-man said on Thursday that the Exchange Fund would continue to invest mainly in US dollar assets to support the Hong Kong dollar’s peg with the US currency. Yue said the Exchange Fund could increase its... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3367814/exchange-fund-weighs-bigger-gold-holdings-support-hong-kongs-trading-hub-plan https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3367814/exchange-fund-weighs-bigger-gold-holdings-support-hong-kongs-trading-hub-plan Thu, 17 Sep 2026 06:00:14 +0000 Wynna Wong,Matthew Cheng Wynna Wong,Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s leader has vowed to examine whether the government can better support women aged over 40 seeking assisted reproductive treatment, while acknowledging that financial incentives alone will not reverse the city’s falling birth rate. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made the pledge during a radio phone-in programme on Thursday, when residents described obstacles to having children, including job insecurity, a day after the leader unveiled a raft of measures aimed at boosting the birth... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367815/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-vows-review-ivf-support-women-over-40 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367815/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-vows-review-ivf-support-women-over-40 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:10:51 +0000 Denise Tsang Denise Tsang Longer-term vision and policies with continuity mapped out in Hong Kong’s inaugural five-year plan, along with the latest policy blueprint, offer investment opportunities and greater stability for investors, according to experts and commentators. Hong Kong marked a historic milestone on Wednesday when Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu rolled out the city’s first five-year development plan with his fifth policy address to align with China’s long-term national strategy. The explicit directions Lee... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367773/hong-kongs-5-year-plan-policy-continuity-offer-investors-more-stability-experts-say https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367773/hong-kongs-5-year-plan-policy-continuity-offer-investors-more-stability-experts-say Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:30:05 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial A new chapter is unfolding with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiling two much-anticipated documents crucial to the next critical phase of Hong Kong’s development. The joint release of the city’s first five-year plan and Lee’s fifth policy address, the final one of his current term, is no routine policy cycle. It is a pivotal moment that shapes the city’s trajectory up to 2030 and beyond, aligning a visionary blueprint with state development strategies, setting concrete targets and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3367722/dual-policy-plans-will-help-hong-kong-grab-new-opportunities https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3367722/dual-policy-plans-will-help-hong-kong-grab-new-opportunities Wed, 16 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong will expand the use of the yuan in areas including gold trading and cross-border payments, as policy blueprints call for the city’s biggest push yet to internationalise the Chinese currency. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday devoted part of the city’s first five-year plan and his annual policy address to developing a gold trading ecosystem and creating a regional intellectual property trading centre in the city. “We will consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367770/hong-kong-targets-gold-trading-fps-unionpay-link-boost-yuan-use https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367770/hong-kong-targets-gold-trading-fps-unionpay-link-boost-yuan-use Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:37:51 +0000 Elizabeth Cheung Elizabeth Cheung Hong Kong will strive to raise its expenditure on innovation activities to a level equivalent to 3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by around 2030, nearly double the current rate, according to the city’s first five-year plan. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled the ambitious goal, together with measures to boost frontier technologies, including aerospace research, on Wednesday. Among the 22 indicators laid out in the plan, the government aims to raise the ratio of total domestic... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367767/hong-kong-aims-raise-innovation-spending-3-gdp-about-2030 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367767/hong-kong-aims-raise-innovation-spending-3-gdp-about-2030 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:30:33 +0000 Natalie Wong Natalie Wong Hong Kong’s leader has unveiled the city’s first five-year blueprint, aligned with China’s national development strategy, setting targets to nearly double innovation spending and raise the share of manufacturing and new industries to 5.5 per cent of the economy. In a historically significant new approach, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu prefaced his annual policy address on Wednesday with a comprehensive set of binding and anticipatory or aspirational longer-term targets for Hong Kong up to the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367768/hong-kong-sets-5-year-plan-double-innovation-spending-boost-new-industries https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367768/hong-kong-sets-5-year-plan-double-innovation-spending-boost-new-industries Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:23:47 +0000 Simpson Cheung,William Yiu,Elizabeth Cheung Simpson Cheung,William Yiu,Elizabeth Cheung A new visa intended to attract international talent to participate in short-term training programmes in Hong Kong could become available as early as the first quarter of next year, the South China Morning Post has learned. The final policy address of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s current term also put the spotlight on five existing or soon-to-launch academies that would seek to train overseas professionals and organise international events. They and the new visa category were among a spate... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367763/hong-kongs-new-training-visa-could-be-available-first-quarter-2027 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367763/hong-kongs-new-training-visa-could-be-available-first-quarter-2027 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:15:30 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying,Lam Ka-sing Lo Hoi-ying,Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong will introduce various tax incentives for new finance and technology industries to attract businesses and reinforce the city’s role as a leading financial hub, the city leader has announced in his policy address. Tax concessions to draw intellectual property (IP) businesses and selected industries to the city were among the new measures Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced on Wednesday, while the halving of the profits tax rate for gold traders would be sped up. To speed up the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367754/hong-kong-woo-finance-and-tech-firms-new-tax-breaks https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367754/hong-kong-woo-finance-and-tech-firms-new-tax-breaks Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:35:31 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au About 10 artificial intelligence (AI) and biotech companies will be the first to access cross-border data flows under a new pilot scheme, securing an early edge over roughly 100 other firms set up in Hong Kong’s flagship tech hub at the border. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu revealed on Wednesday during the final policy address of his current term that more than 100 innovation and technology firms had moved into the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, while a “white list” to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367756/10-ai-biotech-firms-northern-metropolis-get-early-cross-border-data-access https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367756/10-ai-biotech-firms-northern-metropolis-get-early-cross-border-data-access Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:31:25 +0000 Leopold Chen,Edith Lin Leopold Chen,Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities have rolled out 11 new initiatives to encourage residents to have children, including an expanded cash bonus scheme and a reduced down payment for subsidised housing for parents with newborns. In the latest policy address delivered on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced that the HK$20,000 (US$2,550) newborn bonus scheme, expiring on October 24, would be extended for another three years. He added that the cash bonus for second and subsequent children would... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367743/hong-kong-offers-hk30000-second-child-among-11-new-measures-boost-births https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367743/hong-kong-offers-hk30000-second-child-among-11-new-measures-boost-births Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:16:54 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong will introduce a pilot scheme next year to bring in foreign domestic carers to look after older residents as part of a broader package of measures announced in the policy address to deal with an ageing population. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in his address on Wednesday that the government would admit carers under a scheme modelled on the city’s existing foreign domestic helper regime. “With reference to the existing regime for admitting foreign domestic helpers, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367741/hong-kong-launching-pilot-scheme-bring-foreign-carers-elderly https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367741/hong-kong-launching-pilot-scheme-bring-foreign-carers-elderly Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:05:41 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has placed deepening integration with mainland China and developing new economic engines centre stage as he unveiled the city’s first-ever five-year plan alongside the last policy address of his term. During his landmark speech on Wednesday, which ran just one minute shy of three hours, Lee laid out how the city’s first five-year plan would align the city more closely with the national development blueprint, while the policy address would serve as the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3367706/14-key-takeaways-john-lees-policy-address-hong-kongs-first-5-year-plan https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3367706/14-key-takeaways-john-lees-policy-address-hong-kongs-first-5-year-plan Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:37:58 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu presented the city’s first ever five-year plan, including steps to bolster innovation, birth rates and financial activity. The city aims to raise spending on innovation to 3 per cent of gross domestic product after 2030 from 1.63 per cent in 2024, Lee said as he announced the plan on Wednesday alongside the traditional annual policy address. There were also steps to accelerate construction of the tech-focused Northern Metropolis megaproject on the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3367711/hong-kongs-first-five-year-plan-seeks-boost-innovation https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3367711/hong-kongs-first-five-year-plan-seeks-boost-innovation Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:24:01 +0000 SCMP Reporters SCMP Reporters This live article is freely available to our registered users. Please log in or create an account. Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled the city’s first five-year plan at the legislature, followed by his annual policy address. The highly anticipated plan, unveiled after a two-month public consultation, aimed to align the city’s priorities with the nation’s 2026-30 development blueprint. Lee set 22 major indicators in the plan, with five being binding targets mostly focusing on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3367652/historic-moment-hong-kong-john-lee-set-deliver-citys-first-ever-5-year-plan https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/article/3367652/historic-moment-hong-kong-john-lee-set-deliver-citys-first-ever-5-year-plan Wed, 16 Sep 2026 02:46:04 +0000 Olga Wong,Edith Lin,Vivian Au Olga Wong,Edith Lin,Vivian Au Hong Kong’s leader will unveil two bold initiatives on housing and mediation in his policy address, the South China Morning Post has learned, with the government planning to boost home ownership rates among young couples and prioritise settling official commercial disputes through the city’s mediation body. The new measures, to be unveiled by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday, aimed to strengthen the city’s status as a global mediation capital while improving livelihoods, government... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367625/hong-kong-policy-address-unveil-bold-youth-housing-and-mediation-initiatives https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367625/hong-kong-policy-address-unveil-bold-youth-housing-and-mediation-initiatives Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:30:05 +0000 Rick Boost Rick Boost The start and end points of the Silk Road at its historical peak are crucial to its significance. Land routes wound for thousands of miles from China over mountains and deserts, concluding in the Middle East, connecting the age’s two world leaders in scientific and economic power: the Tang dynasty and the Abbasid Caliphate. While systems of trade have radically changed in the centuries since, the modern iteration of this link, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has firmly established a new... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3367524/digital-silk-road-hong-kong-acts-financial-bridge-between-china-and-mena https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3367524/digital-silk-road-hong-kong-acts-financial-bridge-between-china-and-mena Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:09 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s first five-year plan will include both binding and anticipatory targets, the city’s leader has said, stressing that the long-term blueprint will not signal a move towards a planned economy. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also revealed on Tuesday that the plan, which will be unveiled alongside his annual policy address the following day, would feature a blue cover symbolising “blue skies”, openness, progress and steadiness. “There will be indicators which are binding and indicators... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3367537/hong-kongs-first-5-year-plan-set-goals-not-alter-economic-system-john-lee https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3367537/hong-kongs-first-5-year-plan-set-goals-not-alter-economic-system-john-lee Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:31:35 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities will hold construction firms and government personnel accountable for faulty lift installation work at Queen Mary Hospital’s new block, the city’s leader has said, as he tasked the Development Bureau with submitting a report within a month. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the problem should be rectified “very, very quickly”, adding that he had instructed the bureau, which had given him a preliminary briefing, to “thoroughly investigate the matter and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367528/hong-kong-leader-vows-accountability-over-faulty-lifts-queen-mary-hospital https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367528/hong-kong-leader-vows-accountability-over-faulty-lifts-queen-mary-hospital Tue, 15 Sep 2026 03:53:22 +0000