These were the humans – and pandas – who left a lasting impression on Hong Kong and the world last year.
Lionel Messi looks on from the substitutes bench during a football friendly match he sat out on in Hong Kong. Photo: ReutersBefore you read: Understanding past events can help us make sense of the present and what to do in the future. Reflecting on the year that just passed is a good way to get insight into society and how the world works.
Think about it: Is there a newsworthy person, or event, that reminds you of something in your life?
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As we begin a new year, we leave behind the memory of the last, one full of significant events from sporting triumphs to political controversies. Let’s have a look at who made city headlines in 2024.
Giant pandas
“Panda mania” hit Hong Kong after Ocean Park’s Ying Ying gave birth to twin cubs in August, becoming the world’s oldest first-time giant panda mum at 19. The cubs were born soon after Beijing announced a gift of two pandas for Hong Kong – An An and Ke Ke. The duo arrived in September.
Vivian Kong Man-wai and Cheung Ka-long
Vivian Kong Man-wai made history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, becoming the first woman to win gold in fencing for Team Hong Kong and the third Hongkonger in history to clinch Olympic gold. Cheung Ka-long successfully defended his Olympic men’s foil title and became the first Hong Kong athlete to win two Olympic golds.
Lionel Messi
Tens of thousands of fans who paid premium prices for tickets were outraged after football star Lionel Messi skipped a friendly match in Hong Kong in February. The Argentine super goalscorer and his team, Inter Miami, blamed the absence on an injury. Still, the backlash, locally and in mainland China, only intensified when Messi jogged onto the pitch three days later in Japan.
2024 in news: Hong Kong’s top headlines, month by month
Jimmy Lai Chee-ying
The founder of the now-closed Apple Daily tabloid stood in a witness box at West Kowloon Court in November, insisting his newspaper’s core values included the rule of law, democracy and personal freedom. The 77-year-old has denied collaborating with foreign forces and plotting to print and distribute provocative publications. He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted. Lai had attracted global media attention well before his national security trial in December.
Kevin Yeung
Former tourism minister Kevin Yeung Yun-hung and ex-transport chief Lam Sai-hung were both removed from their positions in December. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the decision was made after observation but did not go into more detail. Yeung, a long-time official, has been accused before of being lazy about reforming tourism policies and mismanaging the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. More recently, he was in the “hot seat” over the Lionel Messi controversy.
“Mr and Mrs Ho”
A 76-year-old Hong Kong man, Mr Ho, and his 43-year-old mainland Chinese wife became internet sensations. A whirlwind romance led to marriage within a month of meeting and triggered objections from their families in May. The couple were living in public housing but had appeared on Hong Kong prime-time television flaunting luxury gifts from Mr Ho to Mrs Ho, such as a Rolex watch and a diamond ring. This attracted the attention of authorities and sparked an investigation into public housing misuse.
Rosanna Law
Rosanna Law Shuk-pui had already enjoyed some media presence as transport commissioner and, later, director of housing. The 57-year-old official was suddenly thrust into the public spotlight after being appointed tourism minister in early December. Her career highlights include cracking down on well-off tenants using public housing resources. She had also become widely known for being an avid fan of Mirror singer Ian Chan Cheuk-yin, often photographed in the front row of the Cantopop group’s shows.