At least two Hong Kong residents have been penalised for vaping in Admiralty as health authorities begin enforcing a new law banning the public use of alternative tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. “We will issue penalty tickets without warning, and step up publicity in high-traffic areas such as business districts,” Head of Tobacco and Alcohol Control
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. An independent committee investigating Hong Kong’s deadly Tai Po blaze holds its 21st day of evidential hearings on Thursday, with three witnesses from the Urban Renewal Authority set to give evidence. The tragedy at
Tour groups from Hong Kong to mainland China are expected to rise by up to 40 per cent year on year over the Labour Day weekend, with travel agents citing improved safety and hygiene as key factors attracting visitors. The agents also said that slight increases in fuel surcharges for flights to Asian destinations were
Almost everyone has heard of OpenClaw, the late-2025 agentic AI release which takes artificial intelligence technology one step further. Rather than leaving the user to turn answers given in a dialogue box into real life action, the latest AI iteration promises to take the final leap of executing tasks autonomously. Users have raved about the
Where exactly does the buck stop? Senior Hong Kong civil servants are asking themselves that question after the unveiling of a new accountability system targeting department heads. They point to the deadly Tai Po fire last year as an example. An independent committee investigating the tragedy heard evidence officials gave contractors at the blaze-hit Wang
Hong Kong’s monetary authority has held its base interest rate steady, following the lead of the US Federal Reserve, as analysts said the inflationary impact of the US-Israel war with Iran had reduced the chances of a rate cut this year. The city’s base rate would stay at 4 per cent, the Hong Kong Monetary
Hong Kong has one of the world’s most dynamic, most luxurious hotel scenes. After all, it was the birthplace of Peninsula and Mandarin Oriental. But even with that prestigious pedigree, there’s room for new blood. Rosewood Hong Kong, which has become the brand’s flagship, proves the point, managing to blend classic high-touch luxury with a
Hong Kong authorities have failed to meet targets on the supply and construction of youth hostels, with the number of flats offered accounting for only 44 per cent of what was intended, an audit report has found. The Audit Commission on Wednesday released its report reviewing the government’s development and management of the facilities under
The Hong Kong Observatory should step up efforts to explain decisions for issuing typhoon warnings to address public concerns amid a rise in extreme weather events, the Audit Commission has urged. Citing the forecaster, a report issued by the public sector watchdog on Wednesday noted “increasing public demand” for signal change notification well in advance
The walking, talking, “living” Olaf animatronic has arrived at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland. The Hong Kong Disneyland Ambassadors shared a video of the snowman greeting cast members in the land. Olaf at Hong Kong Disneyland Disney previously announced Olaf would start making appearances in early May. The Olaf animatronic will eventually visit Disneyland
HONG KONG – April 29, 2026 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) – The Census and Statistics Department today released the latest external merchandise trade statistics. In March 2026, the total value of Hong Kong’s merchandise exports recorded a year-on-year increase of 35.8% to HK$618.4 billion. For the first quarter of 2026, the total value of exports of goods amounted
Hong Kong Sees Rise Of Fake Stablecoins Hong Kong’s central bank has warned of a rise in counterfeit or fake stablecoins. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) says criminals are exploiting the city’s incoming stablecoin regime and notes that legitimate stablecoins have not yet been launched. In a news release, the Hong Kong-based regulator said
Hong Kong authorities have rolled out a fresh package of measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reeling from the global fuel crisis and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including a 21 per cent increase in available bank lending to HK$450 billion (US$78.43 billion). The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the city’s de
Guangdong province will “actively align” with Hong Kong’s strategy for the Northern Metropolis megaproject and highlight areas of collaboration as part of the province’s 15th five-year plan. The Guangdong provincial government on Tuesday published its development blueprint, with the term “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area” mentioned 57 times in the document and a chapter dedicated
A Hong Kong government-funded online portal that provides resources for teachers and school students has failed to meet its user number target, with thousands of items never being downloaded, viewed or used, according to an audit report. The Audit Commission report, which was released on Wednesday, also cited remarks from the executive director of Hong
Hong Kong’s Law Society has ordered the closure of a solicitors’ firm under investigation for its alleged role in a series of “crash-for-cash” scams in the city. The society’s council announced on Wednesday it would intervene in the practice of Raymond Lam & Associates, which will cease operations with immediate effect. The council also appointed
A top-floor residence at High Peak in Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels West neighbourhood has sold for HK$420 million (US$53.7 million) as activity in Hong Kong’s high-end housing segment remains heated after a strong first quarter. The penthouse unit at 23 Po Shan Road sold to a company called Shine Action on April 8, Land Registry records
A Hong Kong man has been jailed for two months for sharing a social media post urging residents to shun last year’s Legislative Council election. Security guard Wong Wah-kwong, 63, pleaded guilty at West Kowloon Court on Wednesday to inciting others to boycott the December poll – the second under a Beijing-imposed “patriots-only” election overhaul
Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department has yet to launch prosecutions in 34 cases involving mini-storage premises that failed to comply with safety hazard orders, including sites first inspected as far back as 2016, the Audit Commission has said. The commission also revealed on Wednesday that none of the 249 industrial buildings required to improve fire
The Hong Kong data center operator wrapped up its latest accelerator cycle supporting early-stage technology companies. HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 April 2026 – SUNeVision Holdings Ltd. (“SUNeVision”, SEHK: 1686), the largest data centre provider in Hong Kong and the technology arm of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (“SHKP”), announced the
