Author: OMN AI

Hong Kong is expected to raise its full-year economic growth forecast after recording stronger-than-expected expansion during the first half of 2026, according to Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po. In a weekly blog post published on Sunday, Chan said the city’s economy performed better than earlier projections, prompting authorities to prepare an upward revision to the official gross domestic product (GDP) forecast later this month. The announcement follows data showing that Hong Kong’s economy expanded by 5.1 percent year on year during the first six months of 2026. The government currently forecasts annual GDP growth of between 2.5 percent and 3.5…

Hong Kong authorities say changing smoking habits at construction sites will take time after the first weeks of enforcement under a new workplace smoking ban. Officials have carried out extensive inspections and identified multiple violations since the rules came into effect. The Construction Site Smoking Ban has led to more than 1,200 inspections across construction locations in the city. During the first two weeks of enforcement, authorities issued 36 fixed penalty notices to workers who were found violating the regulations. Labour Commissioner Sam Hui Chark-shum said the results show that smoking remains common at many construction sites despite the introduction…

Hong Kong authorities have announced a series of large-scale exercises at the newly redeveloped Huanggang Port border crossing as preparations continue for its future opening. The tests will involve more than 10,000 participants and form part of a broader effort to ensure the facility operates safely and efficiently. The Huanggang Port Stress Tests will include government officials, civil servants, and representatives from multiple departments in Hong Kong and mainland China. Authorities plan to conduct more than 100 exercises in the coming months to assess the readiness of the new border crossing. Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung revealed…

Six people were injured on Thursday afternoon after a truck and a public minibus collided on Castle Peak Road near Yuen Long in Hong Kong, according to police. Emergency services responded to the scene after receiving reports of the traffic accident at approximately 4:27 p.m. The crash occurred on the Yuen Long-bound section of Castle Peak Road-Tam Mi, a busy route that connects several areas in the New Territories. Police said the collision involved a 24-tonne truck and a green-topped public minibus. The circumstances leading to the crash were not immediately clear, and authorities have launched an investigation to determine…

Hong Kong residents and visitors will have plenty of entertainment options this weekend as a variety of indoor events take place across the city from July 31 to August 2. After a week of rainy weather following recent storms, many people are expected to look for indoor activities that offer fun, relaxation, and cultural experiences. The city’s event calendar features music performances, family-friendly attractions, exhibitions, and social gatherings. Organizers have prepared activities for different age groups and interests, giving both locals and tourists several ways to spend their weekend. One of the most anticipated events is Raveton – The Latin…

A former school teacher in Hong Kong has been found guilty of molesting a student in a case linked to incidents that took place in 2020. The ruling was delivered on Wednesday at Tsuen Wan Court, where a District Court judge convicted Cheng Hon-sze of two counts of indecent assault involving a teenage pupil. The court heard that the offenses occurred between May and October 2020 when the student was 15 years old. According to the judgment, Cheng improperly touched the girl and also made her take part in an obscene act involving him. The judge found that the evidence…

More than 90 percent of mainland Chinese companies plan to expand overseas within the next two years, with over 80 percent intending to use Hong Kong as a gateway to Southeast Asia, according to a new survey released by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The findings highlight the growing importance of Southeast Asia as a destination for Chinese businesses seeking international growth. The report suggests that companies are increasingly looking beyond traditional markets and are building stronger connections with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. The survey was conducted between January and February 2026 and gathered responses…

A Hong Kong court has sentenced the former owner of a private tutorial centre to six years and four months in prison after he was convicted of molesting five boys and recording some of the offences. The sentence was handed down by the High Court on Tuesday. The court found that Yu Hey-tsit committed multiple offences against five minors at the Prime Solid Learning Education Centre in Mei Foo Sun Chuen, a tutoring business that has since ceased operations. According to court findings, the victims were between seven and 14 years old at the time of the offences. The incidents…

Hong Kong lawmakers have called for reforms to the city’s public inquiry hotline, urging authorities to study Beijing’s approach to handling public complaints and service requests. The proposal was raised during Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s first closed-door dialogue session with members of the Legislative Council. The meeting, described as a “rules-free and warm-hearted” exchange, brought together 67 lawmakers for a 90-minute discussion at the Legislative Council complex on Tuesday. Fifteen legislators spoke directly with the chief executive during the session, which focused on a range of public policy and governance issues. Several lawmakers used the opportunity to suggest improvements…

A 62-year-old aircraft maintenance worker has died after falling from a work platform while repairing an airplane at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday morning. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the workplace accident. Police said they received a report at 8:35 a.m. about an injured worker at a maintenance site operated by the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (Haeco). Emergency responders arrived at the scene after receiving the call and found the worker with serious injuries following the fall. According to preliminary police findings, the worker was carrying out maintenance on an aircraft when…