Update: First astronaut from Hong Kong to embark on Chinese spaceflight mission
Saturday, May 23,2026,10:45
JIUQUAN, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Li Jiaying, or Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese, is about to make history as the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to travel to space, having been selected on Saturday as a payload specialist for the upcoming Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission. Li, who holds a PhD in computer forensics and previously served in the Hong Kong Police Force, will join missio .. read more..
Hong Kong’s justice department rejects ‘despicable’ claims targeting prosecutors
Saturday, May 23,2026,10:44
Hong Kong’s justice department has rejected online accusations involving the newly promoted public prosecutions director and a colleague, labelling the allegations “despicable behaviour” and an attempt to “defame public officers”. In a statement on Saturday, the department said it had referred the case to law enforcement agencies for further investigation and action, vowing to “severely punish lawbreakers in accordance with the law”. At the centre are online comments posted by a US-based Hong... .. read more..
Nearly 10,000 Hongkongers granted permanent UK residence under BN(O) scheme
Saturday, May 23,2026,10:40
Nearly 10,000 Hongkongers have been granted permanent residence in the UK under a bespoke British immigration pathway launched in January 2021, making them eligible to apply for citizenship next year. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the British National (Overseas) visa pathway, which allows successful applicants and their dependants to live, work and study in the United Kingdom for up to five years. “Since the scheme began, there have been a total of 9,804 grants of settlement to... .. read more..
New pay model for native English-speaking teachers risks lowering standards: ...
Saturday, May 23,2026,10:00
An association representing native English-speaking teachers (NETs) in Hong Kong has warned that less-attractive pay offered under a new hiring scheme risks lowering the quality of recruits and standards, with the contracts of some experienced educators not being renewed. Most public primary and secondary schools seeking NETs have decided to switch to the flexible scheme, which no longer ties remuneration to years of service and generally offers substantially lower pay. But the Native English... .. read more..
2nd LD: China unveils Shenzhou-23 crew for space station mission
Saturday, May 23,2026,09:46
JIUQUAN, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying, or Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese, will carry out the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission, with Zhu serving as the commander, the China Manned Space Agency announced on Saturday. The Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11:08 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwes .. read more..
2nd LD: First astronaut from Hong Kong to embark on Chinese spaceflight mission
Saturday, May 23,2026,09:46
JIUQUAN, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Li Jiaying, or Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese, is about to make history as the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to travel to space, having been selected on Saturday as a payload specialist for the upcoming Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission. Li, who holds a PhD in computer forensics and previously served in the Hong Kong Police Force, will join missi .. read more..
Dignity for the dead: 6 Hongkongers form city’s first corpse restoration team
Saturday, May 23,2026,08:32
A group of Hongkongers have started the city’s first corpse restoration team, aiming to provide affordable reconstruction services for badly disfigured bodies so the dead can be buried with dignity and their families can find some comfort. The six-member team, under local funeral information sharing platform RIPHK, has handled more than 10 cases since it started operations last December, including victims who died in the Tai Po fire in November. After the disaster, a professional corpse... .. read more..
Fatal subdivided flat fire highlights need to tackle substandard homes: minister
Saturday, May 23,2026,07:06
A fatal fire at a subdivided flat on Thursday has highlighted the need to eradicate substandard housing in Hong Kong, the housing minister has said, noting that affected residents had an average living space of just five square metres (54 sq ft). Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin was referring to Thursday’s blaze in a subdivided flat that killed one resident and injured four others, saying it underscored the importance of the new Basic Housing Units Ordinance. “In the flat [where the... .. read more..
This is how to defeat Vladimir Putin - Timothy Garton Ash
Saturday, May 23,2026,06:32
This is how to defeat Vladimir Putin - Timothy Garton Ash .. read more..
Update: First astronaut from Hong Kong to embark on China's spaceflight mission
Saturday, May 23,2026,06:15
JIUQUAN, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Li Jiaying, or Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese, the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has been selected as a payload specialist for the Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on Saturday. Li passed the flight qualification assessment with outstanding results. "She is currently in good overall condition and demonstrates st .. read more..
New law could require displaying odds, licensee info on claw machines: minister
Saturday, May 23,2026,05:59
Hong Kong authorities will consider requiring operators to display the odds of winning on claw machines, while remaining open to increasing the prize value and maximum payout per game under a proposed regulatory regime, the home affairs minister has said. “The most important thing is to protect players and consumers, ensure they play in a safe environment, and prevent addiction. These are our priorities,” Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen told a radio programme on... .. read more..
1st LD Writethru: HKSAR chief executive congratulates Lai Ka-ying on joining ...
Saturday, May 23,2026,04:45
HONG KONG, May 23 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Saturday congratulated Li Jiaying, or Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese, on becoming a member of China's fourth batch of astronauts. Lee expressed gratitude to the country for its support for and trust in the HKSAR, and wished the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission great success. The China Manned .. read more..
China set for latest space launch, with Hong Kong astronaut – a police superi...
Saturday, May 23,2026,04:30
A Hong Kong astronaut will join a Chinese space mission for the first time as part of a three-person crew launching on Sunday, as Beijing edges closer to its goal of landing people on the Moon. The Tiangong space station — crewed by teams of three astronauts that are typically rotated every six months — […] .. read more..
10 injured in severe turbulence on Cathay Pacific flight from Brisbane to Hon...
Saturday, May 23,2026,04:18
Ten passengers and crew members were injured when a Cathay Pacific Airways flight from Brisbane to Hong Kong encountered turbulence early on Saturday morning, with one traveller describing the terrifying experience as similar to “free-falling from a drop tower”. Cathay Pacific confirmed on Saturday that flight CX156 from Brisbane to Hong Kong encountered turbulence, and 10 people, including two Australians, were injured and sent to hospital for treatment. “Six cabin crew and four passengers... .. read more..
China probes cross-border brokers in crackdown; Hong Kong ‘loophole’ in cross...
Saturday, May 23,2026,04:15
China’s market regulator announced a sweeping investigation on Friday against three major brokers running cross-border trading, as it launched a two-year crackdown on investment leaving the country. China does not allow private individuals to directly invest in overseas markets, requiring them to trade assets only through approved third-party channels. However, regulations differ in the semi-autonomous […] .. read more..
How can Hong Kong help mothers of infants reverse falling breastfeeding rate?
Saturday, May 23,2026,04:00
For Hongkonger Annyee Chan, the decision to stop breastfeeding her son at eight months was a pragmatic response to a city that often feels at odds with the needs of nursing mothers. Returning to work just one month after childbirth, the self-employed wealth management professional faced a gruelling logistical challenge, navigating a city with sparse nursing facilities while lugging heavy pumps, bottles and coolers on her daily commute. “I managed to breastfeed my child quite well, and I... .. read more..
1st LD: First astronaut from Hong Kong to embark on China's spaceflight mission
Saturday, May 23,2026,03:16
JIUQUAN, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Li Jiaying, or Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese, the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has been selected as a payload specialist for the Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on Saturday. Li passed the flight qualification assessment with outstanding results. "She is currently in good overall condition and demonstrates s .. read more..
Hong Kong astronaut a testament to country’s regard for city’s talent: John Lee
Saturday, May 23,2026,03:10
The unprecedented participation of a Hong Kong researcher in the nation’s space flight mission is testament to the country’s high regard for the city’s innovation and technology talent and accomplishments, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said. Lee congratulated payload specialist Lai Ka-ying, who is also a police superintendent, after she was named on Saturday morning as one of three astronauts who will take the Shenzhou-23 space flight to China’s Tiangong space station on Sunday... .. read more..
Update: China unveils Shenzhou-23 crew for space station mission
Saturday, May 23,2026,02:47
JIUQUAN, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying will carry out the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission, and Zhu will be the commander, the China Manned Space Agency announced at a press conference on Saturday. The Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11:08 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, sa .. read more..
HKSAR chief executive congratulates Lai Ka-ying on joining China's 4th batch ...
Saturday, May 23,2026,02:15
HONG KONG, May 23 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Saturday congratulated Lai Ka-ying on becoming a member of China's fourth batch of astronauts. .. read more..
Lai Ka-ying is Hong Kong’s first astronaut. Her mentor saw her talent years ago
Saturday, May 23,2026,02:10
If you are working on a space station orbiting hundreds of kilometres above the Earth, the woman set to become Hong Kong’s first astronaut when the mission launches this weekend is exactly the type of person you want by your side, according to the professor who supervised her postgraduate studies. Lai Ka-ying was meticulous, patient and a skilled communicator who could break down highly technical ideas for others, Chow Kam-pui, an honorary associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, told... .. read more..
‘Taiwan Travelogue’ author hopes award-winning novel can be read in China, sp...
Saturday, May 23,2026,02:00
The author of “Taiwan Travelogue”, Yang Shuang-zi, told AFP she hopes her International Booker Prize-winning novel can one day be read in China and facilitate dialogue about the “future Taiwanese people want”. On Tuesday, Yang, 41, became the first Taiwanese author to win the prestigious award which celebrates works translated into English, alongside translator Lin […] .. read more..
1st LD: China unveils Shenzhou-23 crew for space station mission
Saturday, May 23,2026,01:46
JIUQUAN, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying will carry out the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission, and Zhu will be the commander, the China Manned Space Agency announced at a press conference on Saturday. The Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11:08 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, s .. read more..
First astronaut from Hong Kong to embark on China's spaceflight mission
Saturday, May 23,2026,01:17
JIUQUAN, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is selected as a payload specialist for the Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission, the China Manned Space Agency said on Saturday. .. read more..
Graduates of top vocational school spared brunt of AI impact, new chairman says
Saturday, May 23,2026,00:00
Graduates of Hong Kong’s largest vocational training institution have largely avoided the negative effects of AI and could reap more internship opportunities from a coming megaproject, the body’s new leader has said. In an interview with the South China Morning Post, newly appointed Vocational Training Council (VTC) chairman Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung also vowed to review the courses to align them with emerging job opportunities. The government earlier revealed that entry-level jobs for university... .. read more..
Remembering Kyle Busch- Special live presentation to honor life, legacy of le...
Friday, May 22,2026,20:34
Remembering Kyle Busch- Special live presentation to honor life, legacy of legendary NASCAR driver .. read more..
WTA roundup: Emma Navarro eases into Strasbourg final
Friday, May 22,2026,18:19
(Photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images) Emma Navarro crushed fellow American Ann Li 6-1, 6-3 on Friday to advance to the Internationaux de Strasbourg final against top-seeded Victoria Mboko in France. Navarro saved seven of eight break points and converted five of eight break chances, finishing the WTA 500 clay-court semifinal in 77 minutes. She will be seeking her third career title and first since the .. read more..
CHINA-HONG KONG-INT'L AIRPORT-UPGRADED TERMINAL 2-POISED TO OPEN (CN)
Friday, May 22,2026,16:15
(260522) -- HONG KONG, May 22, 2026 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on May 22, 2026 shows a view of the upgraded Terminal 2 of Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong, south China. Hong Kong International Airport's expanded Terminal 2 departures hall will officially open on May 27 following a 12.9 billion-Hong Kong-dollar upgrade, marking another milestone in consolidating the city's status as a global aviation hub, .. read more..
Upgraded Terminal 2 poised to open, cementing Hong Kong's aviation hub status
Friday, May 22,2026,15:15
HONG KONG, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong International Airport's expanded Terminal 2 departures hall will officially open on May 27 following a 12.9 billion-Hong Kong-dollar upgrade, marking another milestone in consolidating the city's status as a global aviation hub, its operator announced at a launch ceremony on Friday. Serving as Hong Kong's key gateway for international travellers and a showcase of its multi .. read more..
AI boosts manufacturing in China's Chongqing
Friday, May 22,2026,14:51
CHONGQING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- A dual-arm robot precisely and rapidly assembled components into laptop modules with remarkable accuracy at the Eighth Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade. The scene astounded many and revealed a larger transition taking place in Chongqing Municipality, the fair's host city in southwest China, where artificial intelligence (AI) is altering local production in a .. read more..
IMF affirms Hong Kong's resilient economy, solid financial system
Friday, May 22,2026,13:45
HONG KONG, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to release its official staff report shortly following board deliberations on the 2026 Article IV Consultation with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), commending Hong Kong's resilient economic growth and financial system. Hong Kong's economy has continued to recover, with growth in 2025 stronger than expected, the IMF no .. read more..
China Focus: AI boosts manufacturing in China's Chongqing
Friday, May 22,2026,13:18
CHONGQING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- A dual-arm robot precisely and rapidly assembled components into laptop modules with remarkable accuracy at the Eighth Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade. The scene astounded many and revealed a larger transition taking place in Chongqing Municipality, the fair's host city in southwest China, where artificial intelligence (AI) is altering local production in a .. read more..
China signals it will ease household registration restrictions
Friday, May 22,2026,13:09
China proposed changes on Friday to its household registration system, calling for more cities to abolish restrictions that have impacted migrant workers for decades, state media reported. The permanent residence system, or “hukou”, was first introduced in the 1950s to regulate population mobility, and classifies Chinese people as either “urban” or “rural”. Most Chinese citizens […] .. read more..
UN gravely concerned by an Afghan Taliban law that has provisions on child ma...
Friday, May 22,2026,13:04
UN gravely concerned by an Afghan Taliban law that has provisions on child marriage .. read more..
Revamped Terminal 2 to uplift Hong Kong’s aviation hub status: Airport Authority
Friday, May 22,2026,13:02
The expanded second passenger terminal at Hong Kong International Airport will be crucial to the city’s role as a global aviation hub, with its departure concourse set to open at the end of next year, the managing authority has said. The Airport Authority said on Friday that Terminal 2 would open on May 27 and travellers would check in, clear immigration and undergo security checks before proceeding to Terminal 1 for departure. The dedicated departure concourse and boarding gates were slated to... .. read more..
HK Electric customers set for steeper bills in June over volatile oil prices
Friday, May 22,2026,12:47
HK Electric customers are set to fork out more for their energy bills next month after the Hong Kong firm announced a 20.4 per cent rise in its fuel surcharge as the ongoing war in the Middle East contributed to volatile oil prices. The energy provider, which mainly serves Hong Kong Island and Lamma Island, also warned that the fuel surcharge was expected to continue going up “in the coming months”. In a statement on Friday, HK Electric announced it would adjust its “fuel clause charge” for June... .. read more..
Host of Hong Kong LGBTQ radio show ‘We Are Family’ says Metro Radio halted re...
Friday, May 22,2026,11:27
Hong Kong’s Metro Radio has abruptly halted a plan to relaunch radio programme We Are Family, an LGBTQ show axed by government-funded broadcaster RTHK three years ago, its host has said. Brian Leung Siu-fai, the host of We Are Family, said on the show’s Facebook page on Wednesday that Metro Radio invited him in April […] .. read more..
‘I am sorry’: Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters apologises for comments ove...
Friday, May 22,2026,11:09
Standard Chartered global CEO Bill Winters on Friday said he was “sorry” for comments describing “lower-value” workers, made while announcing job-cut plans earlier this week. Winters apologised in a LinkedIn post as he tried to cool debate among upset employees after he announced on Tuesday a 15 per cent cut of back-office staff at the lender by 2030. Winters said that AI adoption would replace some “lower-value human capital”. The CEO first made a LinkedIn post explaining his comments from... .. read more..
K-pop stars BTS to hold 3 concerts at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium in 2027
Friday, May 22,2026,10:15
K-pop boy band BTS will perform at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium for three days in March next year as part of their comeback tour, with tickets priced at up to HK$3,299 (US$420) each. Event organiser Live Nation HK announced on Friday the dates of the boy band’s performances in the city, which was part of the group’s “Arirang” world tour marking their return to the global stage after all seven members recently completed South Korea’s mandatory military service. The band is set to meet members of... .. read more..
Hang Seng Tech Index leads Hong Kong stocks rally on Friday
Friday, May 22,2026,09:15
HONG KONG, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong equities notched gains on Friday, with the Hang Seng Index climbing 0.86 percent to settle at 25,606.03 points. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index advanced 0.89 percent to 8,550.87 points, while the Hang Seng Tech Index posted a stronger 2.11 percent rise, closing at 4,869.57 points. .. read more..
Fire in Jordan subdivided flat leaves 1 dead, over 300 evacuated
Friday, May 22,2026,08:52
A fire that broke out in a subdivided flat in Jordan has left one elderly man dead and prompted the evacuation of more than 300 people. Authorities received reports of the blaze at Man Yuen Building at 10.49pm on Thursday, the Fire Services Department (FSD) said at a press briefing in the early hours of […] .. read more..
Hong Kong producer Raymond Wong found guilty of HK$1 million insider trading
Friday, May 22,2026,08:50
Hong Kong film producer and actor Raymond Wong Pak-ming has been found guilty of sharing insider information with his sister to trade shares of an entertainment company he chaired in 2017, bringing her more than HK$1 million (US$127,650) in profit. Magistrate Ko Wai-hung of Eastern Court on Friday found Wong had made “absurd and illogical” explanations for his messages to younger sister Jenny Wong, ruling he had knowingly advised her to buy shares in Transmit Entertainment, a television series... .. read more..
Supermarket chain ParknShop will not merge with rival Wellcome, says CK Hutch...
Friday, May 22,2026,07:00
An executive for Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings has dismissed speculation that its supermarket chain ParknShop could merge with rival Wellcome. Dominic Lai, CK Hutchison’s group co-managing director, was responding to a question at the company’s general meeting on Thursday, according to Indexbox. Last month, the Financial Times reported that Jardines was in “negotiations” with […] .. read more..
US Navy official says Taiwan arm sales on ‘pause’ due to Iran war
Friday, May 22,2026,06:19
The acting US Navy secretary said Thursday that arm sales to Taiwan had been put on “pause” to ensure that the American military had sufficient munitions for its Iran operations. Asked at a congressional hearing about the stalled US$14 billion weapons purchase by Taiwan, acting secretary Hung Cao said that “right now we’re doing a […] .. read more..
Hong Kong trade office can continue ‘legitimate activity’, UK official tells ...
Friday, May 22,2026,06:18
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in London can continue its “legitimate activity”, the UK government has said, despite political pressure after a British court found two men linked to the office guilty of spying on activists. But the UK government also said on Thursday that anyone in any organisation found to be helping a foreign state to undermine British security would be brought to justice. The government’s remarks came two weeks after Bill Yuen Chung-biu, the London office’s... .. read more..
Tenby's Continue? retro gaming lounge opens this week
Friday, May 22,2026,06:11
Tenby's Continue? retro gaming lounge opens this week .. read more..
Owners of giant dredger sinking off Lamma Island ordered to speed up salvage ...
Friday, May 22,2026,05:43
The owners of a dredger, which has been stranded off Lamma Island all year, have been ordered to expedite their salvage plan after failing to remove the vessel by a previous deadline set for April. The 50-year-old Sea Diamond, a dilapidated cutter suction dredger, remains partly submerged off Ha Mei Wan, a rural Lamma Island […] .. read more..
Hong Kong’s ICAC charges woman over alleged HK$10,000 bribe in custody case
Friday, May 22,2026,05:35
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption watchdog has charged a 62-year-old woman with allegedly offering a bribe to a Legal Aid Department clerk in an attempt to secure custody of her grandson. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said on Thursday that Wen Congmei allegedly offered HK$10,000 (US$1,280) to the clerk in September last year. She faces one count of offering an advantage to a public servant and was granted HK$2,000 cash bail at West Kowloon Court on Friday. She was barred from... .. read more..
Australia’s Linda McGill makes first swim around Hong Kong Island in 1976 – f...
Friday, May 22,2026,05:30
This article was first published on May 23, 1976. Australia’s long distance swimming heroine, Linda McGill, staggered ashore at crowded Repulse Bay beach yesterday afternoon (May 22, 1976) after completing her round Hong Kong Island swim and said: “I’d do it again – for A$20,000 (HK$883,817 in 2026).” Linda, looking exhausted and close to collapse after just over 17 hours in the water, fell into the arms of her fiance, Dr Bruce Logan, and hundreds of spectators clapped and cheered. With cameras... .. read more..
Hong Kong stocks rally by midday
Friday, May 22,2026,05:15
HONG KONG, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's Hang Seng Tech Index advanced 2.09 percent to 4,868.50 points by Friday's midday halt. The index tracks the 30 largest technology companies listed in Hong Kong. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 1.22 percent to settle at 25,696.28, and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index climbed 1.26 percent to 8,581.72 through the morning trading period. .. read more..