Politics

Hong Kong’s finance chief has unveiled a belt-tightening budget seeking to tap new sources of revenue and ease a HK$87.2 billion (US$11.2 billion) deficit, starting with a pay freeze for all public servants, a downsizing of the civil service by 10,000 positions and a cut in education spending.Citing the benefits of the “one country, two systems” governing principle amid China’s rising prowess in technological innovation, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Wednesday also pledged to transform the city into an international exchange and cooperation hub for artificial intelligence (AI), making it a new key economic driver.The government would spend HK$1 billion to establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute, among other technology-related initiatives worth billions, he sa...

Former Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has admitted to capitalising on anti-China sentiments in the United States during the Covid-19 pandemic to instigate sanctions against Beijing, but denies doing so to help Donald Trump get reelected.Lai told West Kowloon Court on Thursday that he thought he could convince Trump to actively prevent the passage of the national security law five years ago, by encouraging the then president to retaliate against mainland China over claims it had enabled the spread of the coronavirus worldwide.The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily tabloid newspaper acknowledged he had tried to put the two seemingly irrelevant issues “in a package” to incentivise Trump to intervene.He rejected the prosecutors’ claim that he intended to boost Trump’s chances in ...

Hong Kong’s leader has met local deputies of the country’s top legislature ahead of Beijing’s annual key political gathering, at which representatives will raise proposals aimed at boosting the city’s economy through tapping national development.Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Thursday held a closed-door meeting with the 36 deputies of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the government headquarters, days before the annual “two sessions” get under way next week in Beijing.During the two-hour meeting, Lee mainly listened to proposals presented by the deputies, which centred on boosting the city’s economic growth by tapping national development, according to the attendees.“He also asked us how the government can cooperate in a bid to allow deputies to better serve their duties,” NPC d...

The Hong Kong government has accused some US senators of smearing the city’s national security laws after they submitted a resolution claiming Beijing is destroying the financial hub’s autonomy and credibility as an international business centre.Authorities on Thursday night called the resolution put forward by Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen, chairman and ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee respectively, “baseless” and “despicable”.“The US politicians have repeated their tactics and breached the international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations, and wantonly interfering with Hong Kong matters by passing the so-called resolution, which is a despicable political manipulation,” a spokesman for the Hong Kong government said.“The government strongl...

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. Chinese scientists build first jet fuel-powered engine for Mach 16 flightThe world’s first oblique detonation engine (ODE) powered by standard aviation kerosene has been successfully tested by Chinese scientists, marking a potential game-changer in hypersonic propulsion that could redefine the limits of air and space travel.2. Home of DeepSeek, Black Myth: Wukong, can Hangzhou rival Shenzhen’s tech crown?Illustration: Brian WangAs the tech race expands from chips, drones and telecommunications to more nascent products like artifi...

Hundreds of Hong Kong politicians and business leaders are set to head to Beijing on Monday for the nation’s top annual political gathering, with analysts predicting further integration with mainland China will be a major talking point among elites.Ding Xuexiang, the Chinese vice-premier and head of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, and Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), will meet local delegates behind closed doors, the Post has learned.Known as the “two sessions”, or lianghui, the meetings come after China hit its 5 per cent economic growth target for 2024 but as it braces for a challenging 2025 amid an escalating trade war and hi-tech race with the United States.US President Trump has announced tariffs on all Chinese imports ...

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs has told local members of China’s top political advisory body to “not just be observers” but “active players” to support the city’s development, including the coming Legislative Council election, according to one of the delegates.Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), also asked the city’s delegates to keep faith in and make good use of the “one country, two systems” governing principle as Beijing would always uphold it, and not to worry too much about the government deficit, according to Ho Hon-kuen.The office said in a statement issued after the meeting that Xia had called on Hong Kong CPPCC members to diligently and actively exercise their duty in political consultation, accurately implement the one country, two ...

Former City Councillor (2013-2016) and current Community Board member, Ali Jones, has confirmed she will contest the Innes ward seat on the Christchurch City Council. “I am absolutely focused on winning the Innes seat this October,” she says. Keeping rates to no more than the rate of inflation and lower if possible is my main focus in the upcoming election campaign. “This can only be achieved if there is a majority of city councillors around the table, committed to keeping rates low, cutting spending and reducing debt,” she says. “I am confident that rates can be kept down without reducing essential services.” Ali Jones says the council procurement process has to be reviewed. “Are ratepayers getting the best value for money? I’m not sure they are.” she says. “Recently a small area on...

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