Author: Lester Holt

A new shelter for Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong is ready to open in Tai Po, but it is still waiting for final approval from local authorities. Officials say the facility is designed to support distressed workers and offer safer and more comfortable living conditions during emergencies. The shelter is located in a villa in Tai Po, a residential area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It has been prepared as a support space for Filipino domestic helpers who may face difficult situations, such as contract disputes, sudden job loss, or personal hardship while working abroad. The plan…

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is preparing new measures to strengthen its position as a global financial hub by encouraging more multinational firms to establish corporate treasury centers. The plan includes a pre-approval system designed to give companies clearer guidance on tax benefits before they set up operations in the city. The initiative was outlined by Christopher Hui Ching-yu, who said the goal is to make Hong Kong more attractive for global corporations managing international finances and cash flows. Under the proposed framework, companies would be able to confirm in advance whether they qualify for tax concessions offered by…

US fintech firm iCapital has significantly expanded its presence in Hong Kong, more than doubling its office space as it seeks to capitalize on rising demand for wealth management services across Asia. The company has leased a 9,000 square foot office at One International Finance Centre in Hong Kong’s Central business district, one of the city’s most prestigious financial hubs. The move marks a major upgrade from its previous location at St George’s Building on Ice House Street, also in Central. iCapital, which opened its Hong Kong office five years ago, said the expansion reflects a new phase of growth…

A Tsuen Wan power outage has disrupted daily life for thousands of residents after electricity failure led to water shortages and non-functioning lifts at a major housing estate in Hong Kong. Around 3,000 residents living in Tsuen Wan Centre Phase 1 were affected after the outage began on Monday morning. The disruption impacted about 1,000 households across five residential blocks, along with a care home for people with disabilities. The power failure caused widespread inconvenience, with both water supply and lift services affected for more than 24 hours. Residents reported difficulties moving between floors and accessing basic utilities during the…

Hong Kong is set to restore direct air connectivity with Almaty, Kazakhstan, in the first quarter of 2027, marking a key step in strengthening links between the city and Central Asia. The announcement was made by Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu during a high-level visit to the region, where he is leading a government and business delegation aimed at expanding international partnerships. The planned resumption of flights is expected to improve travel convenience, support trade, and encourage greater investment flows between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. Business leaders have welcomed the move, describing direct air links as a crucial…

Beijing has appointed a senior provincial official as a new deputy director of its top representative body in Hong Kong, in a move seen as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen administrative coordination between mainland China and the city. Yuan Gujie, a 58-year-old official from Guangdong province, has been named deputy director of the Hong Kong Liaison Office. The appointment was announced on Monday by the state-run Xinhua News Agency. Yuan replaces diplomat Liu Guangyuan, who is expected to retire at the age of 61. The leadership change comes as Beijing continues to adjust senior positions within key institutions overseeing…

A Hong Kong foster care shortage is leaving hundreds of vulnerable children without temporary homes, according to a local charity that is now calling for more families from diverse backgrounds to step forward. The charity Mother’s Choice said on Saturday that 222 children are currently on the official waiting list for foster placement in Hong Kong. The group warned that demand for foster carers continues to rise, while the number of available homes remains too low to meet urgent needs. Mother’s Choice works with young mothers aged between 12 and 25, as well as their children. The organisation also runs…

Hong Kong’s finance chief has called for stronger cooperation between Hong Kong and Europe, saying both sides should keep dialogue open despite political differences. The remarks come as global tensions and economic uncertainty continue to reshape international partnerships. Paul Chan Mo-po made the comments after a five-day visit to France, Belgium, and Switzerland. He said the trip showed growing interest from European leaders in building more balanced global partnerships. In a blog post published on Sunday, Chan said many European political and business figures are now focused on strategic independence and economic resilience. He said this shift is driven by…

Hong Kong film producer and actor Raymond Wong has been found guilty in an insider trading case involving shares of an entertainment company he once chaired. The Raymond Wong insider trading ruling was delivered by a magistrate in Eastern Court on Friday. The court found that Wong shared confidential business information with his sister, leading her to trade shares of a listed company and earn profits of more than HK$1 million, equal to about US$127,650. The case relates to trading activity in 2017 involving Transmit Entertainment, a television production company previously known as Pegasus Entertainment Holdings. According to the court…

The Hong Kong government is set to ease housing resale restrictions for residents affected by the Tai Po fire, offering new financial flexibility under a special buy-back support plan. The move is aimed at helping displaced flat owners rebuild stability after losing their homes. According to an official document seen by the South China Morning Post, homeowners who choose the special arrangement will be allowed to sell their replacement subsidised flats on the secondary market without the usual lock-up period. This marks a major change from standard housing rules, which typically restrict resale for several years. The plan applies to…