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Lau Siu-kai

Lau Siu-kai is a distinguished Hong Kong sociologist and Emeritus Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, specialising in social and political development. He previously headed the HKSAR Government’s Central Policy Unit (2002-2012) and served as a Hong Kong Affairs Advisor to the Chinese Government. Currently, he is a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, a key Beijing think tank. Awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star and Grand Bauhinia Medal, he is known for his pro-Beijing stance, advocating for Hong Kong’s integration and echoing the sentiment that the city has ‘bounced back’ and embraced its Chinese identity.

The tender for the first pilot area in Hung Shui Kiu has been awarded to HSK New Development, a consortium led by five mainland giants and local developer Sino Land. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong economy

Mainland Chinese firms hold the key to Northern Metropolis success, analysts say

Analysts stress that future tenders will require greater flexibility and longer bidding windows to encourage more competition.

26 Aug 2026 - 9:02AM

Hong Kong politics

John Lee leads tributes as Zhu remembered for putting steel in city’s spine

13 Aug 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

How Xinjiang offers Hong Kong a bridge to Central Asia — and what the risks are

26 Jul 2026 - 2:58PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong prepares for sweeping reforms following end of Tai Po blaze inquiry

Political observers also expect senior officials, including ministers, to take accountability for blaze once committee submits report.

20 Jul 2026 - 8:30AMvideocam

Last November’s fire killed 168 people. Photo: Edmond So

US-China relations

US lets Hong Kong emergency expire but keeps preferential treatment restrictions

State Department says 2020 order remains in effect as city still lacks sufficient autonomy for different treatment from mainland China.

18 Jul 2026 - 6:18AM

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong Legco chief urges higher standards after lawmaker’s drink-driving arrest

Starry Lee calls on members to learn from incident involving William Wong and be more rigorous in their conduct to meet public expectations.

4 Jul 2026 - 9:51PM

Hong Kong politics

Beijing’s liaison office restructured, with focus on economy, district work

Office’s Economic Department also split into two, reflecting central government’s greater focus on financial matters, analyst says.

2 Jul 2026 - 8:46PM

Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong, located in Sai Ying Pun. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong politics

Why is Hong Kong holding Communist Party anniversary events? One word: stability

Film screenings, tours and other youth-oriented events planned as experts say high-profile activities now possible after years of suspicion and opposition.

1 Jul 2026 - 10:01PM

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s big economic dreams: what’s the reality and where do poor fit in?

Experts and industry leaders say thriving stock market and other robust macroeconomic indicators point to success but mask pain points.

27 Jun 2026 - 1:22PM

Hong Kong society

What is Hong Kong’s role under China’s new vision for better global governance?

City can be important ‘convenor and superconnector’ and set standards under China’s vision for more equitable global governance, analysts say.

20 Jun 2026 - 11:07PM

Political analysts say Hong Kong should position itself as a centre for global governance organisations. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong politics

Exclusive | Hong Kong to launch public consultation on 5-year blueprint ‘by early June’

Large-scale publicity campaign to promote consultation includes television advertisements, banners and other public announcements, sources say.

13 May 2026 - 8:30AM

A source has said the consultation will feature a preliminary framework designed to facilitate “more focused” discussions about how local policies should align with China’s 15th five-year plan. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong-UK spying row

Why the UK won’t shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict

Analysts say British authorities will prioritise stable ties with Beijing given current geopolitical uncertainties.

8 May 2026 - 10:47PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Beijing’s Xia Baolong, top energy official meet with CLP’s Michael Kadoorie

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs, National Energy Administration hold separate meetings with energy tycoon.

1 May 2026 - 10:28PM

Hong Kong politics

Will top Hong Kong civil servants pay price for blunders under new system?

Former ministers, senior officials and observers point to practical challenges of attributing responsibility.

30 Apr 2026 - 3:24PM

Hong Kong politics

Former Hong Kong trade office chief contesting UK local elections for Reform

Former trade office director Lee Sheung-yuen bids for London council seat as compatriots seek re-election as Liberal Democrat candidates.

22 Apr 2026 - 12:03AM

Lee Sheung-yuen, a former director of Hong Kong’s Economic and Trade Offices in Jakarta and Bangkok, is standing in local elections in Britain for the Reform UK party. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong urged to be more proactive in removing barriers with Shenzhen

New Shenzhen party chief Jin Lei has conducted high-profile visits to major joint projects between two cities in his first month.

19 Apr 2026 - 7:52PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong leader vows reforms to boost safety, national security after Tai Po fire

Chief Executive John Lee says city will act on lessons learned from deadly blaze, as Beijing warns against exploiting tragedies to sow unrest.

15 Apr 2026 - 7:39PM

Hong Kong politics

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs wraps up second bay area visit in 3 weeks

Xia Baolong’s successive trips underscore greater urgency from Beijing for Hong Kong’s integration, analysts say.

11 Apr 2026 - 10:07PM

Xia Baolong (third from right) tours the office of a firm in Huizhou. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong national security law

Hong Kong’s national security better protected with changes, experts say

Revisions that came into effect on Monday give police powers enjoyed in other jurisdictions and will speed up investigations, they say.

25 Mar 2026 - 1:11AM

Two Sessions 2026

How will Hong Kong follow mainland China’s ethnic unity promotion law?

Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress set to be passed at the closing session of 14th National People’s Congress.

12 Mar 2026 - 8:30AM

Hong Kong politics

‘Two sessions’ to ‘focus on Hong Kong’s financial role, Northern Metropolis’

Meetings of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and National People’s Congress begin on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

3 Mar 2026 - 8:30AM

Delegates at the opening session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2025. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Hong Kong budget 2026-27: what’s holding back the city’s tech and talent schemes?

Finance chief’s blueprint seen as gauge for officials’ ‘reform mindset’ following Beijing’s 15th five-year plan recommendations.

22 Feb 2026 - 9:04AM

Paul Chan (right) is given a robot technology demonstration. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

What’s at stake for Hong Kong as reflected in budget 2026-27?

Analysts are upbeat amid city’s booming IPO sector and thriving financial market, but warn of geopolitical headwinds.

20 Feb 2026 - 8:36AM

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Legco must exercise due diligence against the tyranny of KPIs

Even if the government drafted perfect laws, lawmakers must scrutinise them without being afraid of performing their constitutional duty.

9 Feb 2026 - 12:37PM

Hong Kong politics

Are Hong Kong lawmakers also to blame over seat belt law blunder?

Government’s flip-flopping on mandatory seat belts aboard buses is wake-up call for legislators to scrutinise bills more rigorously, experts say.

8 Feb 2026 - 7:33PM

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (front centre) with the latest cohort of lawmakers at the Legislative Council building on January 1. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong politics

What’s behind plan to adopt multi-operator model for Panama Canal ports?

Panamanian president reportedly vowed his country will ‘never again’ grant concession contracts to run terminals to single company.

7 Feb 2026 - 6:45PMvideocam

The Port of Balboa, one of two terminals at either end of the Panama Canal controlled by Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong economy

US ‘pressure’ a challenge in CK Hutchison’s arbitration against Panama: experts

Case could take years to resolve, whether the Hong Kong conglomerate seeks compensation or ruling invalidating the voiding of its contract.

4 Feb 2026 - 6:39PM

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong to formulate first 5-year plan to align with national blueprint

Task force led by Chief Executive John Lee will formulate plan, which one expert says signals greater government role in city’s development.

2 Feb 2026 - 8:55PM

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Lau Siu-kai

Mainland Chinese firms hold the key to Northern Metropolis success, analysts say

Analysts stress that future tenders will require greater flexibility and longer bidding windows to encourage more competition.

John Lee leads tributes as Zhu remembered for putting steel in city’s spine

How Xinjiang offers Hong Kong a bridge to Central Asia — and what the risks are

Hong Kong prepares for sweeping reforms following end of Tai Po blaze inquiry

Political observers also expect senior officials, including ministers, to take accountability for blaze once committee submits report.

US lets Hong Kong emergency expire but keeps preferential treatment restrictions

State Department says 2020 order remains in effect as city still lacks sufficient autonomy for different treatment from mainland China.

Hong Kong Legco chief urges higher standards after lawmaker’s drink-driving arrest

Starry Lee calls on members to learn from incident involving William Wong and be more rigorous in their conduct to meet public expectations.

Beijing’s liaison office restructured, with focus on economy, district work

Office’s Economic Department also split into two, reflecting central government’s greater focus on financial matters, analyst says.

Why is Hong Kong holding Communist Party anniversary events? One word: stability

Film screenings, tours and other youth-oriented events planned as experts say high-profile activities now possible after years of suspicion and opposition.

Hong Kong’s big economic dreams: what’s the reality and where do poor fit in?

Experts and industry leaders say thriving stock market and other robust macroeconomic indicators point to success but mask pain points.

What is Hong Kong’s role under China’s new vision for better global governance?

City can be important ‘convenor and superconnector’ and set standards under China’s vision for more equitable global governance, analysts say.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Hong Kong to launch public consultation on 5-year blueprint ‘by early June’

Large-scale publicity campaign to promote consultation includes television advertisements, banners and other public announcements, sources say.

Why the UK won’t shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict

Analysts say British authorities will prioritise stable ties with Beijing given current geopolitical uncertainties.

Beijing’s Xia Baolong, top energy official meet with CLP’s Michael Kadoorie

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs, National Energy Administration hold separate meetings with energy tycoon.

Will top Hong Kong civil servants pay price for blunders under new system?

Former ministers, senior officials and observers point to practical challenges of attributing responsibility.

Former Hong Kong trade office chief contesting UK local elections for Reform

Former trade office director Lee Sheung-yuen bids for London council seat as compatriots seek re-election as Liberal Democrat candidates.

Hong Kong urged to be more proactive in removing barriers with Shenzhen

New Shenzhen party chief Jin Lei has conducted high-profile visits to major joint projects between two cities in his first month.

Hong Kong leader vows reforms to boost safety, national security after Tai Po fire

Chief Executive John Lee says city will act on lessons learned from deadly blaze, as Beijing warns against exploiting tragedies to sow unrest.

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs wraps up second bay area visit in 3 weeks

Xia Baolong’s successive trips underscore greater urgency from Beijing for Hong Kong’s integration, analysts say.

Hong Kong’s national security better protected with changes, experts say

Revisions that came into effect on Monday give police powers enjoyed in other jurisdictions and will speed up investigations, they say.

How will Hong Kong follow mainland China’s ethnic unity promotion law?

Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress set to be passed at the closing session of 14th National People’s Congress.

‘Two sessions’ to ‘focus on Hong Kong’s financial role, Northern Metropolis’

Meetings of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and National People’s Congress begin on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Hong Kong budget 2026-27: what’s holding back the city’s tech and talent schemes?

Finance chief’s blueprint seen as gauge for officials’ ‘reform mindset’ following Beijing’s 15th five-year plan recommendations.

What’s at stake for Hong Kong as reflected in budget 2026-27?

Analysts are upbeat amid city’s booming IPO sector and thriving financial market, but warn of geopolitical headwinds.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Legco must exercise due diligence against the tyranny of KPIs

Even if the government drafted perfect laws, lawmakers must scrutinise them without being afraid of performing their constitutional duty.

Are Hong Kong lawmakers also to blame over seat belt law blunder?

Government’s flip-flopping on mandatory seat belts aboard buses is wake-up call for legislators to scrutinise bills more rigorously, experts say.

What’s behind plan to adopt multi-operator model for Panama Canal ports?

Panamanian president reportedly vowed his country will ‘never again’ grant concession contracts to run terminals to single company.

US ‘pressure’ a challenge in CK Hutchison’s arbitration against Panama: experts

Case could take years to resolve, whether the Hong Kong conglomerate seeks compensation or ruling invalidating the voiding of its contract.

Hong Kong to formulate first 5-year plan to align with national blueprint

Task force led by Chief Executive John Lee will formulate plan, which one expert says signals greater government role in city’s development.

Exclusive | Hong Kong to launch public consultation on 5-year blueprint ‘by early June’

Opinion | Legco must exercise due diligence against the tyranny of KPIs