Hong Kong authorities are making a rare exception by issuing a new hawker licence to Shir Wing-shing, a 76-year-old watch repairer who fought for six years to secure the support of his district council. This marks the government’s only exemption in 14 years, making it a significant victory for Shir. After being given the green light by Kwun Tong District Council, Shir described it as a “belated birthday present”, as he had turned 76 just two days prior. He expressed his happiness and perseverance throughout the battle for the licence. Typically, the government does not issue new hawker licences, but…

Saudi Arabia is inviting Hong Kong businesses to invest in the Aseer Region, a province set to become a top tourist destination. Sultan Alshehri, chief of investment for the Aseer Region Development Authority, highlighted that Hong Kong’s expertise can greatly benefit the region’s tourism and hospitality industries. The Aseer Region, known for its lush forests, coastal areas, and cooler climate, plans to launch the Soudah Peaks project, creating a luxury mountain resort on the kingdom’s highest peak. The province aims to welcome 9.1 million tourists by 2030 and increase its hotel capacity with 10,000 new rooms. Located 950km from Riyadh,…

The first wastewater treatment facility in Hong Kong is set to save the city over HK$48 million annually once fully operational. Located in Shek Wu Hui, the plant processes treated sewage to produce water for non-drinking purposes, potentially preserving the equivalent of nearly 9,000 swimming pools of fresh water. Since March, the facility has been supplying recycled water for flushing at three schools in Sheung Shui and four housing estates, with plans to expand to other areas in the North district. The Development Bureau estimates that the plant can conserve about 22 million cubic meters of fresh water consumption per…

More than half of Hong Kong residents believe the government’s extreme weather policies are ineffective, as per a survey conducted by Greenpeace. The organization is calling for authorities to improve infrastructure and worker protections to better handle extreme weather events. Greenpeace released the survey results a year after a disastrous rainstorm in Hong Kong that caused flash floods and landslides. The survey, conducted by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute, gathered responses from 1,000 residents aged 18 and above in July. The poll revealed that 68% of respondents feel the government bears the most responsibility in mitigating the impact…

In a recent report, the rating agency S&P highlighted the MTR Corp’s expected increase in capital expenditure for new railway projects. The agency forecasted an annual expenditure of HK$16 billion to HK$22 billion between 2022 and 2026, citing the muted cash flow from property development and prolonged operational challenges post-pandemic. Despite the challenges, the MTR Corp continues its projects to extend existing railway lines and develop new stations. However, S&P raised concerns about the company’s reliance on property development for revenue, noting potential cash flow constraints. The report also mentioned the impact of weakened tourism, changing travel patterns, and subdued…

Johnny Ng, a lawmaker in Hong Kong, expressed his hope for the government to improve the ecology of Web3 and regulate DAOs legally. Ng believes this will attract more industry players to the city, driving economic growth. In 2022, the government proposed measures to develop the virtual assets industry and establish itself as an international cryptocurrency hub. The introduction of a new licensing regime for virtual asset providers last year reinforced this goal. Web3, a decentralized version of the World Wide Web, relies on blockchain technology. A recent court case involving MANTRA DAO highlighted ownership disputes and transparency issues within…

Former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying is encouraging residents to engage in overseas charity work to enhance people-to-people diplomatic ties as China gains more prominence globally. Leung emphasized the significance of China participating in philanthropy, not just focusing on economic and trade matters. Leung, a vice-chairman of the top political advisory body in China, highlighted the role of Chinese nationals in developing people-to-people diplomacy abroad. He urged Hongkongers to establish charities and initiatives overseas, emphasizing areas like medicine, public health, education, and support for vulnerable groups. As chairman of the GX Foundation, Leung advocates for global public health missions and…

In light of recent data breaches affecting hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong residents, experts are calling for accelerated privacy law reforms to penalize companies. The city’s privacy watchdog is investigating incidents, like the breach at Oxfam, prompting discussions on amending the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance to empower authorities to impose fines. Taking cues from the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the amendment plans to introduce fines based on a corporation’s global turnover to ensure data protection practices are taken seriously. The emphasis is on the need for companies to prioritize cybersecurity as a recurring expense and enhance staff training…

In the second quarter of this year, the average waiting time for a Hong Kong public rental flat decreased to 5.5 years, a drop from 5.7 years in the first quarter. The Housing Authority reported that the waiting time for general applicants, including families and elderly households, shortened by more than two months between April and June. About 7,000 general applicants were allocated public rental housing during this period, the highest number since the third quarter of 2022. The city government aims to reduce the waiting period for public rental homes to 4.5 years by the 2026-27 financial year through…

The Hong Kong retirement fund watchdog has issued a warning to Hi-Speed Human Resources, a subsidiary of a logistics company, to pay HK$1.6 million in pension contributions for 400 employees or face legal action. This follows complaints from workers about pay arrears, with one former staff member revealing that salaries had not been paid for two months. The statutory body overseeing the city’s compulsory retirement scheme stated that Hi-Speed Human Resources had failed to pay pension contributions and surcharges for May and June for the 400 employees. The authority has received nine employee complaints since May, emphasizing the importance of…