Stories from Hong Kong

The Fanling to East section is scheduled to open on May 3 at 8:00 AM. This 4 km dual-two-lane carriageway connects the Fanling Highway to the northern metropolis development. The project utilized an extra-strong type of steel and specific construction methods to reduce costs. It marks the first major transport infrastructure project completed in the northern metropolis development. A 4 km dual-toll lane carriageway connecting Fanling Highway to the local network is scheduled to open this Sunday. The project involves a dual-tool lane carriageway structure. Information officer Jeanette Lee stated the department will distribute waterproof maps to identify dense coral and shallow water areas. Snorkelers are urged to avoid these specific locations. The Fanling North New Development Area bypass is expected to reduce travel time to and from Kowloon by 10 minutes.

Land Park reported a net profit of 536 million HKD and revenue of 1.69 billion HKD. Land Park has fully repaid all loans to shareholders before the end of the 2025 fiscal year, achieving zero debt for the first time. The park recorded 7.5 million total annual admissions. Guest spending increased by 2% to a record high. Overall hotel occupancy rose by 6 percentage points to 79%. The resort reported 7.5 million annual visitors and a 2% increase in per-capita spending. The milestone follows a rapid resumption of outbound travel from Hong Kong. Sipcoe noted the financial health reflects resilience against macroeconomic uncertainty and extreme weather conditions. Taxi Paradise announced its fiscal year 2025 results, reporting revenue of nearly 8.7 billion Hong Kong dollars.

Approximately 75 percent of Wong Chi-kwok property owners have signed acceptance letters for the government's proposed buyout scheme. Wong Wai-lun announced that 99 percent of Wong Chi Kok estate owners have been contacted. The Hong Kong Housing Authority reported that its investigation team has contacted 99% of owners in the Wang Chi Kwok development. This follows a deadly fire at the block last November. Officials are asking homeowners to accept a buyout offer to join a long-term resettlement arrangement. Wong stated the government will use legislative processes if owners refuse the offer. Deputy Financial Secretary Wang Wai-lun stated that a 75 percent owner consensus is appropriate for the property buyout of buildings affected by a fire in Tai Po. The government will not force owners to sell or use legislation to seize units that refuse the arrangement.

The individual was caught by customs officers at the Norma checkpoint two days ago for possessing US dollar-taxed cigarettes without declaration. Customs officers intercepted the 70-year-old individual at the Lo Wu Control Point the day before. A 70-year-old traveler from Hong Kong was arrested after customs officials intercepted 4,585 uncustomed cigarettes in their personal luggage. A 70-year-old Hong Kong man was sentenced to four weeks in prison and fined 1,000 HKD at the Fanling Magistrates' Court. Authorities seized 4,585 sticks of US-taxed cigarettes from his personal luggage, with an estimated market value of 10,000 HKD. The individual failed to declare the goods to customs officers, violating the Customs and Excise Ordinance. A traveler was arrested in Fanling after being found with tobacco valued at approximately 1,878 HKD and a tax value of approximately 15,100 HKD.

The Hong Kong government is proposing a long-term residential arrangement for owners in the Tai Po area. A new housing proposal for Wangxi House in Hong Kong requires the agreement of 75% of homeowners to proceed. The Hong Kong government announced a buyout proposal for the Wong Tai Sin estate blocks at Wong Fau Court in Tai Po. For the proposal to proceed, 75 percent of homeowners at Wengie House must agree to the terms. Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong stated that residents must sign a letter of acceptance by the end of June to confirm their interest in selling. If at least 75% of owners confirm they will sell their property rights to the government by the end of June, the Bureau will open compensation schemes to residents of the seven other affected buildings.

A conditional proposal requires at least 75% of homeowners in Wangchi House to sign a letter of acceptance by the end of June. The flats involved were not damaged by the recent fire. Mr. Wang stated the government is not attempting to force homeowners to accept the offer. Deputy Financial Secretary Wong Wai-lun stated that owners show high consensus regarding the government's long-term housing plan. Among those contacted, 77% initially expressed interest in participating in the plan to sell their property rights to the government. Approximately 77% of homeowners in the Wang Qi House residential block have expressed initial support for selling their homes to the government. Residents are seeking a fair buyout as part of an administration plan to potentially expand existing buyout programs at the estate.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee stated the government prioritizes labor rights and will implement protections for digital platform workers. The Hong Kong government plans to legislate and improve social security mechanisms for digital platform workers, including food delivery and courier services. The move aims to provide protections for workers in new employment models. Authorities also plan to continue optimizing existing labor laws and codes. The announcement follows remarks from the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions regarding the importance of workers to the economy. The announcement was made by Ni Ka-chiu during a celebration for International Workers' Day at the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions. The Hong Kong government is amending employment ordinances to strengthen retirement protections for part-time and unstable workers.

The Competition Commission in Hong Kong is reviewing commitments made by food delivery platform Kita under Section 60 of the Competition Ordinance. Kita has agreed to modify agreements with partner restaurants in two stages. The proposed commitments include amending terms to ensure that restaurants, new platforms, or small platforms do not lose exclusivity when cooperating with Kita. Kita will transition from exclusive partnerships to allowing restaurants to work with multiple platforms and will remove commercial incentives like lower commission rates for exclusive service areas. The commission is reviewing changes to Kita's business model, which would allow restaurants to partner with other online delivery platforms while maintaining commercial incentives like lower commission rates.

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Chirke stated that residents of Wang Qi House will be permitted to return to their homes to collect belongings in mid-May. The government stated that those returning spent approximately two and a half hours on site. Deputy Secretary for Financial Services Wong Chi-kok stated that 77 percent of owners in Wang Chi Kok have expressed preliminary interest in participating in the government's long-term housing scheme. Residents of Wong Tai Sin district are being permitted to return to their apartments to collect belongings. Following the initial phase, seven floors will be opened on the first day, with subsequent access for the remaining seven buildings to be arranged in batches starting from lower floors.

Approximately 75% of Wang Qi House owners in Hong Kong have signed letters accepting the buyout offer price. The decision remains with the residents based on their individual circumstances. A preliminary survey shows high consensus among Wang Qi property owners regarding a long-term residential arrangement. A preliminary survey shows 77% of owners contacted in the Wang Qi area expressed interest in participating in the government's proposed long-term residential scheme. Wong Wai-lun stated that property owners have shown high initial consensus regarding joining the long-term residential arrangement. A specialized team has contacted 99% of Wang Qi property owners, with 77% preliminarily expressing interest in the government's long-term residential scheme. The long-term plan will not cover all owners in the area, according to Wong Wai-lun.