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Legislative Council of Hong Kong (Legco)

Legislative Council of Hong Kong (Legco)
The Legislative Council of Hong Kong is made up of 70 members who debate and pass bills. Half of the Legco members are directly elected by voters in geographical constituencies and the remaining 35 members are returned by 29 functional constituencies.  The next elections will be held in September 2020.
Legislative Council members debate the motion on Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and the motion on the 2026 policy address at the legislature’s chambers on October 7. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | If Hongkongers’ support for Legco is waning, it isn’t just lawmakers’ fault

Despite Legco having become more efficient, public perception of the legislature isn’t overwhelmingly positive. The administration’s approach hasn’t helped.

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Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Editorial | Cooling-off period bill should protect more consumers

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmakers back 5-year plan as firms urged to align with blueprint

Food and Drinks

From milk tea raves to night tea: how Hong Kong restaurants fight to survive

As the city’s Cantonese restaurants vanish at a rate of nearly one a week, a new generation of chefs and restaurateurs asks what can be saved – and what must change.

Lavitt Ko and Theo Ko are revitalising their family cha chaan teng in Tai Wai with milk tea raves and beatbox parties. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong economy

Northern Metropolis supply will not hit office sector, development chief says

Incoming supply in the megaproject is primarily for the I&T sector, Bernadette Linn tells lawmakers.

Hong Kong politics

Why do Hong Kong’s Election Committee polls matter as nominations open?

The South China Morning Post examines who is running, what to watch for and how committee will choose city’s next leader.

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Hong Kong politics

John Lee urges public to tune in to Legco debate on city’s 5-year plan

Hong Kong legislature set to discuss concept and details of city’s first five-year blueprint and latest policy address from Wednesday to Friday.

Chief Executive John Lee says Legco will have an “in-depth” discussion on both blueprints from Wednesday to Friday. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong housing

Abuse concerns over bid to turn subsidised Hong Kong flats into subdivided homes

Home Ownership Scheme flats are deemed a form of social welfare and should not be used for profiteering, lawmaker says.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong lawmakers say 5-year tax break too short to lure top innovative firms

Lawmakers back incentive plan but argue that five years not enough to attract firms to establish headquarters or expand operations in city.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong delays AI copyright law to focus on guidelines first

Government puts legal amendment on hold to draft guidelines balancing creative rights with tech development.

The Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2025 was originally scheduled to be submitted to the Legislative Council in the first half of last year. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong politics

Exco declarations reveal new roles for ex-lawmakers as minister retains 22 flats

Executive Council’s annually updated declarations of interest shed light on positions taken by several former Legco veterans.

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Janice Tse’s portfolio comprises 22 properties, down from 25 when she was appointed in March. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong rejects EU report’s claims on freedoms as ‘unfounded and biased’

Hong Kong government says the report misrepresents national security laws, ignores protections for rights and applies double standards.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to bar firms with integrity offences from building renovation lists

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn says applications to pre-qualify will open next Wednesday and lists rolled out by year-end.

John Lee policy address 2026

Hong Kong’s ‘AI city brain’ to cost initial HK$200m, but ‘won’t catch thieves’

John Lee and Eric Chan stress new system will consolidate data to improve city management and won’t be used for crime detection or surveillance.

Chief Executive John Lee inspects the Drainage Services Department’s Emergency Control Centre in September last year. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to table cooling-off period bill for beauty, fitness deals by mid-2027

Commerce chief Algernon Yau says both sectors supported seven-day cooling-off period but differed on exemption thresholds.

A fitness center at Tsim Sha Tsui. The government has proposed a seven-day cooling-off period for prepaid beauty and fitness contracts. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong is lagging in the AI race – can it raise its game, and how?

As Singapore pulls ahead, experts say Hong Kong must overcome risk aversion and refine its governance frameworks to boost adoption.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong Medical Council rejects proposal on time frame for handling complaints

In written submission to Legislative Council, watchdog also rejects proposed reforms to its disciplinary sentencing, supervision and membership.

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Hong Kong courts

Ex-Hong Kong lawmaker William Wong’s bail extended on 4 traffic offences

He was arrested on suspicion of crashing his car into two parked vehicles while under the influence of alcohol on the CUHK campus.

William Wong is given until November to decide on his plea. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong housing

Make home ownership a 5-year plan goal, Legco president says

Starry Lee says reviving Tenants Purchase Scheme and reserving subsidised flats for young, middle-class families could help achieve target.

Crime in Hong Kong

Disgraced lawmaker William Wong to face 4 charges, including dangerous driving

Wong, who allegedly drove while drunk and crashed his car into two parked vehicles at the CUHK campus in July, will appear in court next Wednesday.

Hong Kong housing

Subdivided-flat registration rate at 42.5% as ‘early bird’ phase deadline passes

Industry observers say ownership complications and low awareness have slowed landlords’ applications under new housing regulations.

Subdivided flat resident Mr Cheung at his home in Sham Shui Po. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong politics

Starry Lee seeks longer Legco session for debate on policy address, 5-year plan

‘For this first joint debate, I hope to secure a longer duration than before so that lawmakers will have more time for a comprehensive discussion,’ Legco president says.

People pick up copies of the consultation document for Hong Kong’s first five-year blueprint. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong workers/labour rights

Letters | Hong Kong should study the mainland gig worker insurance model

Readers discuss labour protection for delivery riders, and a new era for India-Bangladesh relations.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Lawmakers flag gaps in proposed building management rules after Tai Po fire

Tightening proxy votes and strengthening oversight are moves in ‘correct’ direction, but legislators cite potential drawbacks and loopholes.

Hong Kong courts

Court approves last attempt by 11 jailed opposition figures to clear their names

Hong Kong court cites five legal issues deserving further scrutiny over appellants’ involvement in unofficial 2020 primary to take over legislature.

Benny Tai was previously sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for acting as the chief organiser of the unofficial primary election in 2020. Photo: Winson Wong
Hong Kong transport

Over 1,000 sign up for Hong Kong’s new taxi, ride-hailing test

Lawmakers say interest is likely to grow as the city prepares to fully launch its ride-hailing regulatory regime next year.

More than 1,000 applicants have registered for a new combined test for taxi and ride-hailing services in Hong Kong. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong workers/labour rights

Why are Hong Kong delivery drivers unhappy about proposed payouts for injuries?

Unions and delivery riders say government’s proposed compensation scheme should also include logged-on waiting time.

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Legco-executive dialogue must deliver more than novelty for Hong Kong

While more communication between the Legislative Council and the government is welcome, what matters most are outcomes that improve Hongkongers’ lives.

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