Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Tuesday said the government does not plan to conduct a comprehensive review on the SAR's tax regime in the near term, despite calls to introduce new sources of revenue to tackle the city’s deficit. He was responding to questions at a luncheon held by the Hong Kong Coalition of Professional Services in Wan Chai, wher…

The third annual session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) concluded in Beijing on Tuesday. President Xi Jinping and other leaders attended the closing at the Great Hall of the People. But there was one notable absence: Zhao Leji, the NPC Standing Committee chairman, suffered a respiratory infection. His deputy, vice-chairman Li Hongzhon…

An entrepreneur who founded China's largest seed supplier Shandong Denghai Seeds said President Xi Jinping's speech at a symposium last month provided much-needed reassurance to the nation's private enterprises. Li Denghai, known as "the father of hybrid corn", attended the symposium on February 17 – which also included tech giants Alibaba, Huawei …

A catering sector representative on Tuesday said he was concerned restaurants would need to pay higher fees for using delivery platforms in future. This came a day after online food delivery platform Deliveroo announced it would shut down its Hong Kong operations next month, leaving Foodpanda and mainland-based Keeta in the sector. Simon Wong, pres…

A local deputy to the National People's Congress has stressed that Hong Kong is ready to co-host its first National Games in November, despite a recent hiccup at a major snooker tournament in Kai Tak. Herman Hu, a former vice-president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, told RTHK in an exclusive interview in Beijing…

At least 25 people were killed in two separate bus crashes in Mexico on Monday, authorities said. In the country's north, 14 people died in a fiery collision between a tractor-trailer and a bus carrying passengers from the US state of Texas, civil protection authorities in Durango state said. Of the 24 people travelling in the bus, only 10 managed …

China hopes that the incoming government in Canada will adopt a positive and pragmatic approach towards Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday after Mark Carney's victory in the leadership race for Canada's ruling party, paving the way for him to succeed Justin Trudeau as prime minister. Speaking at a regular press conference…

The United States does not appear to want to make a deal with Brussels to avoid hefty tariffs against the EU, the bloc's trade chief said on Monday, days before US steel and aluminium levies kick in. "The US administration does not seem to be engaging to make a deal," said Maros Sefcovic, who travelled to Washington last month in the hopes of reach…

A deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office on Monday said he does not believe the SAR's fiscal deficit is a major concern, citing the size of the city's economy. Wang Linggui, who's also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), felt Hong Kong remains in a strong position despite an estimated defic…

Hong Kong will improve as long as everyone works together to tackle the fiscal deficit, a former deputy director of Beijing's liaison office in the SAR said on Monday. Qiu Hong, who is also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said unity is important when it comes to improving the economy. "I think the deficit…

Hong Kong's finance and technology ministers on Monday welcomed a HK$200 million donation by property developers to support the city’s generative artificial intelligence development. The fund will be used to support the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Centre (HKGAI), and to develop an app for the recently launched HKGAI V1, the SAR…

Businessman Irons Sze on Monday said Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre is attributed to China's reform and opening up and reinforced by the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. Sze, a Standing Committee member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said the SAR plays a vital role in the country's…

The annual session of the country's top advisory body has concluded in Beijing, with a senior state leader calling on members to focus on the "big picture" and deepen unity. President Xi Jinping and other officials attended the closing at the Great Hall of the People on Monday. Wang Huning, the chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultativ…

A property tycoon says he believes Hong Kong developers will take a "conservative" approach over acquiring new plots, noting such firms still had a lot of unsold units. In an exclusive interview with RTHK, David Chiu – who sits on the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference – also said this year might see some u…

Sergio Garcia of Spain on Sunday carded a seven-under 63 to take home the LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament crown in Fanling, as the 45-year-old claimed his second career individual title on the men's golf tour. The Spaniard kickstarted his bid for a maiden victory in the SAR with an impressive early eagle on the par-5 third hole, before recording four…

Beijing officials on Sunday said it is not easy to stabilise and expand the job market, but they expect there will be good outcomes with high-quality development. Premier Li Qiang had outlined goals for 2025 when he delivered his annual work report to the National People's Congress on Wednesday. They include a surveyed urban unemployment rate of ab…

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said there's room for non-recurrent social welfare expenditure to go down. In the budget last month, the government said all departments need to cut spending by an accumulative 7 percent until the 2027-28 fiscal year, and the same applies to funding for some 170 social welfare organisations. Speaking after…

Commuters who reserve a ride from a licensed taxi fleet will have the option of negotiating a fare with the driver and not pay by the meter, according to the transport chief. Mable Chan added there will be oversight to ensure fleet operators keep their rates to a reasonable level, while authorities will roll out specific measures to help them pick …

Each Legislative Council election should be better than the previous one, according to a senior Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, who also stressed the SAR needs “capable, responsible and accomplished” individuals to serve the city. Wang Linggui, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said the city should add more t…

Hong Kong and Macau delegates to the country's top political advisory body said the two SARs should make good use of their advantages under the One Country, Two Systems principle. Speaking at a plenary meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Sunday, Hong Kong delegate Tu Haiming said the One Country, Two Systems…

A man who climbed Big Ben's Elizabeth Tower at London's Palace of Westminster waving a Palestinian flag early on Saturday has come down after 16 hours, according to Sky News. Local media reported he shouted "free Palestine". Emergency crews had gone up in a crane to negotiate with the man, and he came down after earlier telling negotiators he would…