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Hong Kong
- Follow-up: Hong Kong's Chief Executive to release final report on deadly Tai Po fire on Thursday, reportedly proposing criminal penalties for bid-rigging
The independent committee on the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po submitted its final report to Hong Kong's Chief Executive this month. The South China Morning Post, citing government sources, reported that he will hold a press conference with his ministers on Thursday, Oct 29, to release the report and announce reforms, including a proposal to introduce criminal penalties for bid-rigging, and to explain progress and a timetable on holding officials accountable. Senior officials coordinating the policy bureaus and the relevant secretaries will attend, and the government will hold further briefings on specific issues on Friday, Oct 30.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong graduate job ads fall 22% in first nine months while applications per job rise 56%
Data from job platform Jobsdb showed that job ads for fresh graduates in Hong Kong in the first nine months of this year fell 22% from the same period in 2025, while each graduate position received 56% more applications on average than a year earlier. The South China Morning Post reported that industry figures expect technological advances to further reduce entry-level jobs. In a Jobsdb survey of 298 Hong Kong companies in August and September, about 85% said they were willing to hire fresh graduates next year.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong beautician jailed for 4 years for selling two friends to Myanmar's KK Park scam hub
Hong Kong's District Court on Tuesday, Oct 27, sentenced a 33-year-old beautician to four years in prison. In December 2024 she planned to lure two friends abroad and sold them for US$54,000 to the notorious KK Park scam compound in Myanmar, where they were forced to work, held captive and faced a ransom demand of US$500,000. The judge described her actions as 'vicious and inhumane'. The two victims, an unemployed person and a part-time model, had first been invited by her to travel abroad together.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong privacy watchdog probes data leaks at Hong Kong Airlines, Yoho and Broadway affecting over 1,600 people
Hong Kong's Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data confirmed it received data breach notifications this month from Hong Kong Airlines, retailer Yoho and Broadway, involving personal data of more than 1,600 people, and has opened investigations. The Hong Kong Airlines case involves 815 passengers who departed between Sept 29 and Oct 22, with names, phone numbers and flight details exposed, while the Yoho case involves 790 customers who ordered between Sept 29 and Oct 12. The office received the Broadway notification on Oct 26 and has received 23 complaints over the three incidents.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - No. 3 alarm fire at Hong Kong's I·PARK1 waste incineration plant off Shek Kwu Chau forces evacuation of over 900 people
A fire broke out at noon on Monday, Oct 26, at I·PARK1, the first phase of the integrated waste management facility on an artificial island off Shek Kwu Chau, south of Lantau. The Fire Services Department received the call at 12:42pm, raised it to a No. 3 alarm at 1:24pm and had it largely extinguished at 4:45pm after about four hours. Police said more than 900 people were evacuated and one staff member felt unwell from suspected heat stroke. The HK$31.3 billion facility has suspended operations, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Hong Kong tightens traffic management at Huanggang Port after Halloween and Kai Tak concert crowds caused gridlock
Hong Kong's new Huanggang Port saw severe congestion last weekend due to Halloween events and crowds from concerts at Kai Tak Sports Park. A government spokesperson said on the evening of Monday, Oct 26, that police will further tighten road traffic control near the port, activate contingency plans depending on traffic and open vehicle holding areas as needed to speed up clearance of cross-border coaches, private cars and taxis. The Chief Secretary for Administration had already pledged to open more counters before peak periods.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - 14 Hong Kong civil servants sue colleague for HK$28.9 million over refusal to share Mark Six jackpot
The South China Morning Post reported that 14 staff of Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have sued a 36-year-old health inspector in the High Court for HK$28.9 million, saying he refused to share Mark Six winnings. According to the writ, the group pooled HK$1,650 to buy tickets for the Sept 5 draw and won HK$33 million. The defendant allegedly told colleagues they were not entitled to a share because they had not bought the tickets themselves, and did not follow through on saying he would share the prize according to his 'conscience'.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - Interpol to hold first General Assembly in Hong Kong next month, will consider 'Silver Notice' to target criminal assets
Interpol will hold its General Assembly in Hong Kong next month, the first time the organisation's annual meeting takes place in the city. Interpol's Secretary General said in Hong Kong that the meeting will seek approval for a new 'Silver Notice' mechanism to trace criminals' assets and speed up cross-border financial investigations. Hong Kong's Commissioner of Police said financial investigations and fraud will be priority topics for discussion with overseas counterparts.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Head of Hong Kong's new drug regulator pledges an internationally trusted system, not a 'mini version' of other models
The head of Hong Kong's new Centre for Medical Products Regulation said the new drug regulator aims to build a fully capable system trusted worldwide that acts as a catalyst for medical innovation, rather than simply copying a 'mini version' of models elsewhere. He noted that mainland China, Singapore and Japan set up similar agencies long ago. The centre's remit covers approval of drugs and medical devices, market surveillance and international cooperation.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong to introduce MPF 'full portability' from Dec 21, letting about 1 million employees move all contributions once a year
Hong Kong's Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority announced on Sunday, Oct 25, that 'full portability' will start on Dec 21, allowing about 1 million employees to transfer both employer and employee contributions to a scheme of their choice once each calendar year. MPFA chairman Ayesha Macpherson Lau said in a blog post that it will be rolled out in two phases to ensure a smooth transition. Under current rules, employees can only freely transfer their own contributions, while employer contributions stay in the scheme chosen by the employer.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong Chief Secretary Eric Chan pledges more counters at Huanggang Port after Halloween and concert crowds jam border
Hong Kong Chief Secretary Eric Chan inspected the Shenzhen Bay and Huanggang ports on Sunday, Oct 25, and pledged to open more clearance counters and vehicle lanes at the newly rebuilt Huanggang Port before peak periods, after Halloween crowds and concert-goers caused severe cross-border congestion. Chan said he had told the Security Bureau to strengthen advance assessment and passenger flow forecasts, and asked the Transport and Logistics Bureau to work with bus and rail operators to keep enough vehicles and staff ready.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong Customs seizes about HK$1.3 million of suspected cocaine at airport from man arriving from Penang
Hong Kong Customs seized a batch of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about HK$1.3 million at the airport on Sunday, Oct 25. Officers found the drugs in the hand luggage of a 39-year-old mainland Chinese man who had arrived from Penang that day and arrested him. He has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and was due to appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on Oct 26.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Power bank overheats and smokes on HK Express flight UO676 to Jeju, slightly burning a passenger's thumb
On HK Express flight UO676 from Hong Kong to Jeju, South Korea, on Sunday, Oct 25, a power bank in a bag under a seat overheated and gave off smoke as the plane approached Jeju International Airport, and a female passenger suffered a minor burn to her thumb. The flight carried 236 passengers and 7 crew and landed safely. The airline said crew followed standard procedures, putting the power bank in a heat-resistant fire containment bag and submerging it in water, and apologised to passengers. HK Express is the low-cost carrier of Cathay Pacific.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong reproductive technology council refers influencer's firm offering LGBTQ surrogacy services to law enforcement
Hong Kong's Council on Human Reproductive Technology told the South China Morning Post in a written reply on Sunday, Oct 25, that it had referred a case to law enforcement. Local media reported that a mainland influencer known on Instagram as 'berlinsun' set up a company in Hong Kong and advertised commercial surrogacy services for same-sex couples, arranging for non-local surrogate mothers to give birth in Hong Kong and handling the children's identity documents. The influencer and a foreign husband have two children through surrogacy, and last Thursday the pair were fined NT$200,000 in Kaohsiung for providing assisted reproduction services in breach of medical law and then deported.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - The Weeknd debuts new song 'Hong Kong', sampling a Faye Wong classic, at first of four Kai Tak concerts
The Weeknd played the first of four Hong Kong concerts at the Kai Tak Main Stadium on the night of Saturday, Oct 24, performing for the first time a new Hong Kong-inspired song called 'Hong Kong' before tens of thousands of fans. The song samples a 1993 classic by Faye Wong, stirring nostalgia among local fans. The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, is a singer, songwriter, record producer and actor.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong and mainland police arrest 33 in ring stealing credit cards from Hongkongers visiting Shenzhen, losses over HK$1.8 million
A joint operation by Hong Kong and mainland Chinese police arrested 33 people suspected of stealing credit cards from Hong Kong residents at tourist hotspots in Shenzhen, causing losses of more than HK$1.8 million (about US$229,500). A senior superintendent of Kowloon East region said on Saturday, Oct 24, that 'card runners' crossed back into Hong Kong immediately to buy mobile phones and resell them for cash before victims noticed. Kowloon East's technology and financial crime squad exchanged intelligence with the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau before both sides took action.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong Customs seizes 600 million illicit cigarettes in first nine months of 2026, nearly matching last year's total
The Commissioner of Customs and Excise said on a radio programme on Saturday, Oct 24, that Hong Kong Customs seized 600 million illicit cigarettes in the first three quarters of this year, almost the same as for the whole of last year. Of these, 200 million were bound for other places and were intercepted in Hong Kong based on intelligence. Customs plans to introduce more advanced contraband detection equipment.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Hong Kong 3-year-old boy critical with influenza A (H1) in Tuen Mun Hospital paediatric ICU
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection reported a severe paediatric influenza case involving a 3-year-old boy with long-term illnesses who developed fever and cough from Oct 20 and was taken to Tuen Mun Hospital's emergency department on Oct 22 after his condition worsened; he lost consciousness and was moved to the paediatric intensive care unit after resuscitation. His respiratory sample tested positive for influenza A (H1), with clinical diagnoses of influenza A complicated by worsening asthma, acute necrotising encephalopathy and septic shock, and he is in critical condition. The centre said he had travelled to the United States during the incubation period and had not received this season's flu vaccine.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Two victims lose HK$900,000 to 'locked-out' street scam in Hong Kong's Tuen Mun; police arrest 2
Hong Kong police said a Tuen Mun resident reported on Monday, Oct 19, that a woman approached them on the street saying she had forgotten her keys and her lock was broken, and asked to borrow money for a locksmith. Police said the scammers then asked for larger sums on various pretexts, and two victims lost HK$900,000 in total. Police have arrested two people.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: After Tai Po fire report, Hong Kong security chief Chris Tang says Fire Services Department will take 'ultimate responsibility' for fire safety complaints
After the independent committee on the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po submitted its final report to the government on Oct 22, Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang said on Friday, Oct 23, that the Fire Services Department will bear 'ultimate responsibility' for following up fire safety complaints across the city, and the government will introduce a series of legal reforms and administrative measures to close fire safety gaps. SCMP, citing sources, said the report found failures by the Fire Services Department, Buildings Department, Labour Department and the Housing Bureau's independent checking unit contributed to last year's deadly fire. Committee counsel had criticised the fire department at public hearings for failing to detect problems with the fire alarm system.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong records 32.3°C on 'Frost' solar term day, the hottest on record
The Hong Kong Observatory's headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui recorded a high of 32.3°C at 3:30pm on Friday, Oct 23, the hottest 'Frost' solar term day on record. The 'Frost' term, the 18th of the 24 solar terms of the traditional Chinese calendar, began this year on Oct 23. Temperatures in Hong Kong have repeatedly exceeded 30°C in recent weeks, partly due to super typhoons, El Niño and global warming, and the Observatory said the weekend would be very dry with large differences between day and night temperatures.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong signs 18 more 'strategic enterprises' pledging over HK$10 billion, including Johnson & Johnson and Solana
SCMP reported that Hong Kong's Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) signed agreements on Oct 22 with a seventh batch of 18 companies in fields including artificial intelligence, health technology and advanced manufacturing, which pledged more than HK$10 billion (about $1.28 billion) of investment. About half come from mainland China and half from elsewhere, including Nasdaq-listed fintech firm Solana and Johnson & Johnson. Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the aim was to connect finance, research, talent and industry more effectively.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Chinalco sets up corporate treasury centre in Hong Kong as group's offshore fund management platform
The Hong Kong government said on Oct 23 that Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco) had set up a corporate treasury centre in Hong Kong to serve as the group's offshore fund management platform. It is the latest case of a large central state-owned enterprise placing regional treasury functions in the city.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rises to 3.9% in July–September; underemployment up to 2.0%
The Hong Kong government said the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July–September 2026 was 3.9%, up 0.1 percentage point from June–August, and the underemployment rate rose 0.1 point to 2.0%. Unemployed persons rose by about 1,100 to 155,000 and underemployed persons by about 2,900 to 75,000, while total employment rose by about 3,000 to 3,655,000. Unemployment rose most visibly in social work activities and warehousing and support activities for transportation; the rise in underemployment was mainly in food and beverage services and retail.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - UK six-monthly report says national security law has eroded Hong Kong's openness; Hong Kong government 'strongly condemns' it and Beijing calls it 'irresponsible'
SCMP reported that Britain's latest six-monthly report on Hong Kong, published on Oct 22, said the national security law had further eroded the openness underpinning the city's success; the Foreign Secretary wrote in the foreword that he was 'deeply concerned and disturbed' by Jimmy Lai's continued imprisonment. Lai was sentenced to 20 years for national security offences. A Hong Kong government spokesman said it 'strongly condemns and firmly rejects' the report, saying the Sino-British Joint Declaration gives the UK no authority to interfere in Hong Kong affairs, and Beijing told Britain to stop interfering in China's internal affairs.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Hong Kong flu season shows no sign of easing; Centre for Health Protection says vaccinations down 10% on last year
SCMP reported that after a second unvaccinated child died of influenza in Hong Kong, the controller of the Centre for Health Protection said falling vaccination rates were raising infection risk. More than 900,000 flu vaccine doses have been given since Sept 17, about 10% fewer than the roughly 1 million a year earlier, and coverage among children aged 2 to 11 fell 5 percentage points. The season began in June; last year's ended around week 18, and this year's is still not easing at about week 16, so he expects it to last longer than last year's.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire inquiry submits final report to Hong Kong's Chief Executive; four government bodies reportedly faulted
The Hong Kong government said the chairman of the independent committee on the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po handed its report to the Chief Executive on Oct 22; the Nov 26, 2025 blaze killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents. SCMP, citing sources, said the report runs to more than 10 chapters, names four government departments to be held accountable, and makes recommendations on building-material standards and bid-rigging. The Chief Executive said the government would comprehensively reform oversight of building maintenance works, building management and fire-service installations.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong raids four beauty salons over injections said to contain human tissue; woman arrested
SCMP reported Hong Kong's Department of Health raided four beauty salons last Friday and this Tuesday, seizing the Korean-packaged injectable Elravie Re20, which claims to contain human tissue, and arresting a 38-year-old woman. The department said the product is a regulated product under the Human Organ Transplant Ordinance and also a pharmaceutical product; health officials said such anti-ageing 'dead people's skin' jabs lack clinical safety data.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: 12-year-old girl dies of influenza A in Hong Kong, the season's second child flu death
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection said a 12-year-old girl with underlying illness developed fever, cough and diarrhoea on Oct 17, then vomiting, and on the night of Oct 19 deteriorated and was taken to the emergency department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, where she suffered cardiac arrest and was admitted to paediatric intensive care after resuscitation. Her respiratory sample tested positive for influenza A (H1); she was diagnosed with influenza A complicated by septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure, and died on Oct 20. She had not travelled during the incubation period and had not received the 2026/27 seasonal flu vaccine; the SCMP said she is the second child to die of influenza A since the flu season began in late June, and the centre said local flu activity remains high.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting 2026 closes in Hong Kong with pledge to boost policy coordination
The Hong Kong government said the 2026 APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting closed on its second day in Hong Kong on Oct 21 with a joint statement reaffirming the goal of an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040. CNA reported China's Finance Minister Lan Fo'an told a post-meeting briefing that economies agreed to strengthen macroeconomic policy communication and coordination to address external risks; the meeting also issued a policy statement on financing digital infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific. The day's agenda included inclusive finance and exchanges among young finance professionals, and Financial Secretary Paul Chan spoke in the discussions.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong tightens media access to land records; journalists' association urges withdrawal
The SCMP reported that the Hong Kong government submitted eight pieces of subsidiary legislation to the Legislative Council under the negative vetting procedure, including changes that tighten journalists' access to land records from the first half of next year. Hong Kong Free Press said the amendments were gazetted last week; currently anyone may search land records without identity restrictions. The Hong Kong Journalists Association told legislators on Oct 21 the changes should be shelved, saying they would 'worsen information asymmetry' and harm press freedom and that there was no public consultation; some lawmakers asked the government to explain how it would work and to simplify applications.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong issues Amber Outbound Travel Alert for France amid spreading unrest
Hong Kong's Security Bureau issued an Amber Outbound Travel Alert for France on the evening of Oct 20, citing continuing protests with clashes and vandalism in many parts of the country. Amber is the lowest of the three-tier system, indicating signs of threat; red signals a significant threat and black a severe threat, and Iran, Israel, Syria and Lebanon are currently black.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong's Tai Po fire independent committee report expected to be submitted on Thursday
The South China Morning Post reported that the judge-led independent committee investigating the Tai Po fire is expected to submit its report to the government on Oct 23, with a redacted version possibly made public as early as next week to avoid prejudicing related criminal proceedings. The fire was Hong Kong's deadliest residential blaze in decades. A source said the committee will leave it to the government to decide who is held responsible and when disciplinary action begins, and another said the government had already assigned senior officials with civil service bureau experience earlier this month to prepare disciplinary proceedings.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong police arrest 59-year-old woman suspected of throwing dog into the sea
Hong Kong police said a tip reported that at about 1 pm on Thursday Oct 16 someone was seen throwing a dog into the sea near 29 Tai On Street in Sai Wan Ho, then retrieving it and leaving. After investigation they arrested a 59-year-old local woman near the junction of Tai Hong Street and Lei King Road on Saturday on suspicion of animal cruelty; she was later released on bail pending inquiry. Police said her two dogs showed no obvious external injuries and were still confirming whether they were the animals thrown that day.
Oct 20, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Hong Kong iPhone Duo pre-order credit card fraud reports rise to 130 cases, HK$5 million
Hong Kong police said that as of 9 am on Oct 19 they had received 130 reports of unauthorised credit card transactions linked to online pre-orders of the foldable iPhone Duo, involving HK$5 million (about $637,000) in total, with nearly 20 new cases over the weekend. The cases are classified as obtaining property by deception and are being handled by the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau. Pre-orders opened at 8 pm last Friday and reports began arriving on Saturday; the South China Morning Post reported the incident was linked to Apple not enabling 3D Secure verification.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong CHP: 6-year-old girl critical with influenza A (H1) complicated by shock
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection said a previously healthy 6-year-old girl developed fever, vomiting and poor appetite in mid-October and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital; her condition worsened and she was moved to paediatric intensive care on Oct 17, her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1), and she is in critical condition with influenza A complicated by shock. She had not travelled during the incubation period, had not received the 2026/27 seasonal flu vaccine, and her household contacts have no symptoms. The CHP said Hong Kong entered the flu season in late June, activity remains high after more than three months, and influenza A (H1) is the predominant virus.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Huanggang Port swamped on Chongyang long weekend; travellers report two-hour waits
Newly opened Huanggang Port faced its first big test of the Chongyang (Double Ninth) long weekend on Oct 18, with some travellers reporting queues of about two hours. Immigration Department figures showed more than 30,000 outbound passengers between 10 am and 2 pm, rated 'unusually busy'; all inspection counters were open and tidal crowd control was used. The Security Bureau marked Huanggang as 'busy' on its waiting-time webpage around 1:45 pm, showing outbound clearance waits of up to 45 minutes, then restored 'normal' around 3:30 pm.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong educator and former NPC deputy Ng Hong-mun dies aged 100
Hong Kong education figure and long-serving National People's Congress deputy Ng Hong-mun has died aged 100. SCMP reported he became one of the first Hong Kong NPC deputies in 1975, was principal of Pui Kiu Middle School, and had also called for NPC reform. Chief Executive John Lee offered deep condolences to his family on Oct 18, saying he devoted his life to patriotic education, trained many talents for the country and Hong Kong, and contributed much to the smooth handover. Former chief executive and CPPCC vice-chair CY Leung also posted a tribute on Facebook.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong to land 10–20 more pharma and semiconductor firms; Paul Chan more upbeat than IMF on growth
SCMP reported that Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises head Yan Jing-shun said on Oct 18 that 10–20 firms would set up or expand in Hong Kong, including leading drug makers and one semiconductor firm, roughly half mainland and half overseas, with details on Thursday; five of the world's top 10 pharma companies already have a Hong Kong presence. Financial Secretary Paul Chan wrote in his blog that the government is more optimistic than the IMF on Hong Kong's growth this year; after IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok he said discussion focused on AI-driven change and energy-price spikes from Middle East war. The IMF expects global growth to slow from 3.5% in 2025 to 3.1% this year and has raised its Hong Kong growth forecast to 3.8%.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong police in talks to link private shopping mall CCTV to surveillance network, Chris Tang says
Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang said on a TV programme on Oct 18 that police are in the final stage of talks with private shopping malls to connect their CCTV systems to the police's expanding smart surveillance network, without naming the malls. He said whether video is streamed live 24 hours a day would depend on crime risk. Taiwan's Liberty Times reported that police aim to raise the number of cameras to 60,000 by 2028 and will use facial recognition.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Hong Kong buildings with Taizoom lift doors missing fire-safety parts rise to 152
Hong Kong's Electrical and Mechanical Services Department said on the night of Oct 18 that lift landing doors in another 74 private buildings serviced by Taizoom lack key door-frame components, bringing the total to 152, the South China Morning Post reports. Of these, 150 are private residential or commercial buildings and 2 are Tenants Purchase Scheme estates; the components block flames and smoke during a fire. About 180 buildings serviced by the company have yet to be inspected.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning