Politics

Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison could find it hard to secure compensation from Panamanian authorities over their decision to nullify its port operations, legal experts have said, noting that the arbitral tribunal it engaged lacks enforcement power and the issuance of damages may depend on the country’s own courts.The conglomerate, led by tycoon Li Ka-shing’s family, said on Wednesday that its subsidiary, the Panama Ports Company (PPC), commenced arbitration against Panamanian authorities a day earlier.The move was in response to a judgment of the country’s top court that declared PPC’s concession to operate two Panama Canal ports to be “unconstitutional”.CK Hutchison said the decision to start arbitration was based on the concession contract and the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamb...

At this time of year, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po’s top priority is finalising the Hong Kong government’s budget for 2026-27, balancing requests for incentives and welfare against calls for a return to fiscal prudence.For decades, budget speeches have followed a familiar structure: a review of past performance, near- and medium-term forecasts, support measures for industries and social services, a report on the government’s fiscal position and financial estimates for the coming year. The public typically looks for “sweeteners” – tax rebates or subsidies – and for any fee or duty adjustments to meet policy goals.This year, however, Chan should enrich that format by explaining the macroeconomic rationale behind Hong Kong’s new industrial-policy direction: large-scale investment in in...

Hong Kong’s U-turn on its seat belt rule for buses is a sobering reminder to lawmakers that they must meet higher standards even under the “executive-led” governance model recently underlined by Beijing, according to several policy experts.They said some lawmakers had been complacent, prioritising speed over efficacy in policymaking in a “patriots-only” legislature with no opposition presence, and would have to share the responsibility for administrative missteps.Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said in a seminar last month that the city’s executive, legislative and judicial branches should perform “on the same stage” with “coordination and cooperation” as key principles of its executive-led system.He stressed that the executive leadership required active su...

To err is human. But when an error funnels through a system that has safeguards, the error is supposed to be caught and rectified. Checks and balances are written into the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini constitution.Hong Kong has an executive-led system, which means it is the executive branch’s job to formulate and implement policies, as well as “draft and introduce bills, motions and subordinate legislation”. The legislature’s job is “to enact, amend or repeal laws”.Therefore, lawmakers are the gatekeepers when it comes to ensuring the laws they enact are good, not only in spirit but in the letter of the law. Regardless of intentions, legislation must be worded correctly, at the very least.So what has transpired over something as simple as requiring people to wear seat belts on buses proves ...

Hongkongers who were minors at the time of the 1997 handover to China will be eligible to apply for the British National (Overseas) pathway to UK citizenship independently of their parents, with 26,000 arrivals expected under the expanded scheme in the next five years.The move was a response to the 20-year prison sentence handed to former Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying for convictions of national security-related charges in the city on Monday morning.In a statement on Monday, the Home Office, Britain’s interior ministry, said the expansion of the scheme “honours the UK’s historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong” following the “continuing deterioration of rights and freedoms” in the former British colony.“Adult children of [BN(O)] status holders who were under 18 at the time...

Beijing has issued a white paper on Hong Kong’s role in safeguarding national security under the “one country, two systems” principle, stressing that the city’s struggle on this front “is persistent” and a “long-term and enduring task”.Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the paper, published a day after former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying was sentenced to 20 years in prison for national security crimes, served as a stern warning to “traitors who betrayed the country and Hong Kong”.According to the five‑chapter document issued by the State Council, the central government bears the fundamental responsibility for Hong Kong’s national security affairs, while the city must also fulfil its constitutional duty in this regard.“The struggle to safeguard national security in Hong...

Hong Kong investors are reviewing their stakes in Panama following a dispute over a concession held by a subsidiary of CK Hutchison to operate two ports in the country, the city’s leader has said, pledging to work with Beijing to push back.Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday also urged Panamanian authorities to ensure “fair and reasonable” treatment for Hong Kong firms operating in the country.“The incident has undermined investors’ confidence in Panama’s business environment, and [they] will review current and future investment in the country,” he said before a weekly meeting of the key decision-making Executive Council.“Hong Kong enterprises’ operation and investment in Panama should be entitled to fair and reasonable treatment and protection.”Lee’s remarks came days after commer...

The Chinese embassy in Britain has slammed London’s “malicious” plan to expand an immigration pathway for Hongkongers after the sentencing of former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying to 20 years in prison, accusing the UK of “manipulating” the issue.A spokesman for the Chinese embassy on Tuesday urged the UK government to stop interfering in China’s domestic affairs after it expanded the British National (Overseas) visa scheme in response to Lai’s sentencing.“The UK’s previous actions of this nature have already caused some misled Hong Kong residents to leave their homes, only to face discrimination and financial hardship upon arriving in the UK, effectively becoming ‘second-class citizens’,” he said.“The current move to further manipulate the BN(O) issue is a contemptible tactic with malicio...

After 156 days of hearings, Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s case finally came to a close with the former media boss sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment. Western media and critics will no doubt say, what a harsh sentence for a “democracy advocate” and “freedom fighter”.However, Lai was not accused of fighting for freedom or demanding democracy in Hong Kong. His crimes were not even about his avowed hatred of the Communist Party. Western critics may be surprised to hear that hating the Communist Party is not a crime in Hong Kong. It merely provides a motive to commit certain clearly defined crimes against national security.Lai was convicted on a count of conspiracy to spread seditious articles and two conspiracy counts of collusion with foreign forces. The sedition charge was brought under a law ena...

On February 9, the rule of law and justice scored another victory in Hong Kong when a local court sentenced Jimmy Lai Chee-ying to 20 years in prison for violating the national security law. This sends a clear and resounding message to the world that Hong Kong is a society rigorously governed by law, and any lawbreakers will be brought to justice.Lai reaped what he sowed. The evidence of his crimes is irrefutable. He relentlessly pushed for so-called international lobbying, went to great lengths to meet US politicians to plead for foreign sanctions against China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He even continued his anti-China activities after the Hong Kong national security law had come into effect.He had not the least qualms about being called a traitor for openly declari...