Hong Kong will introduce more flexible land use policies by streamlining planning processes under a new set of laws tailored for the Northern Metropolis, according to the city’s development chief. The remarks by Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho followed the first meeting of a government working group announced in the policy address to expedite the planning and development of the megaproject on Friday. The group, led by Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun, stated after...

Mainland Chinese visitors have continued to stream into Hong Kong for the National Day “golden week” holiday, with many heading to the horse races and enjoying discounts on movie tickets and free transport rides. According to the Immigration Department, 454,778 cross-border trips were made on the first two days of the eight-day holiday. A check of mainland social media and interviews with tourists showed which activities, events and places were proving to be popular. High on the agenda was the...

Greenpeace has called for the Hong Kong government to put in place conservation-driven measures to protect outlying islands in Sai Kung from ecological damage caused by overtourism. The green group raised the alarm on Friday after it found a large number of visitors trampling corals and digging up marine organisms in the city’s Unesco Global Geopark area. A site inspection by Greenpeace found that 4,062 people landed on Sharp Island, also known as Kiu Tsui Chau, on Wednesday, the first day of...

Hong Kong’s strength as an asset and wealth management hub stems from its role as the gateway to mainland China, according to panellists at a forum on Friday, citing the city’s deep connection to a vast pool of Chinese resources, capital flows and entrepreneurial innovation. “Most of the world’s wealth will originate from mainland China in this century, and Hong Kong will be a key beneficiary, thanks to its unique position as part of the Greater Bay Area and an offshore centre close to the heart...

Drivers have been assured they will receive clearer information on real-time tolls at Hong Kong’s Western Harbour Tunnel, after a watchdog’s investigation identified shortcomings in the toll management system and inadequate staff training. In a report released on Friday, the ombudsman acknowledged that these deficiencies could cause some motorists to pay more than expected. The investigation was prompted by three complaints from drivers who said they were charged higher-than-anticipated tolls...

A house in Hong Kong’s Clear Water Bay was burgled on Friday morning while its owner was travelling, with an estimated HK$5 million (US$642,530) in cash, handbags, watches and gold bars stolen, the Post has learned. A source said a safe inside the house had been broken into, resulting in the theft of HK$100,000 in cash, an additional HK$500,000 in foreign currency, five designer handbags, five watches and bullion worth HK$1 million. A construction company staff member reported the case to police...

Beijing has appointed a senior editor from its official English-language media outlet as the chief publicity officer at its liaison office in Hong Kong in a bid to improve the central government’s narratives for international audiences, the Post has learned. Official sources said Sun Shangwu, 56, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, would move to the city to take up the role of deputy director at Beijing’s liaison office and take charge of publicity work. “Sun will greatly enhance the liaison...