https://www.scmp.com/rss/17/feed All the latest comment, focus, and opinion behind the big news stories in Hong Kong, China & around the world en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s university town project is transforming from an ambitious vision into a concrete and deliverable action plan. With applications now open for campuses in Hung Shui Kiu, the government has set out the land, financing framework, timetable and strategic purpose of the first of three university towns. The challenge is to ensure that this flagship project becomes a showpiece of the Northern Metropolis mega development, paving the way for the mission to turn Hong Kong into a global... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3368669/universities-must-rise-northern-metropolis-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3368669/universities-must-rise-northern-metropolis-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 23:15:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial People and dogs usually coexist peacefully in Hong Kong. The recent licensing of nearly 1,000 restaurants to admit dogs is evidence of that. The deaths of two young women after they had been mauled by dogs therefore comes as a shock. They have prompted reflection and soul-searching about the canine legal and regulatory regime and the responsibilities and accountability of pet owners. The government has pledged to review and strengthen its policy on stray dogs, which were apparently involved in... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3368515/debate-dog-ownership-and-control-much-needed-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3368515/debate-dog-ownership-and-control-much-needed-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial After eight hours of talks in New York, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng managed to lay the groundwork for the two countries’ leaders to meet this week. Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump must be seen to make progress at their pivotal summit, even if few expect breakthroughs. Xi will arrive at the White House for the first time since 2015, as a trade war truce is set to expire on November 10, effectively a deadline that exerts intense... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3368358/trump-xi-summit-key-step-towards-managing-conflict-more-wisely?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3368358/trump-xi-summit-key-step-towards-managing-conflict-more-wisely?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 23:15:05 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Faulty lifts are not uncommon in a high-rise city like Hong Kong, but it’s not every day such problems escalate to its top leader for attention. The 24 malfunctioning lifts at a newly commissioned clinical building at Queen Mary Hospital require not only prompt mechanical repairs but also a thorough investigation and punishment for those responsible. The saga first came to light in mid-August when the full commissioning of the hospital’s new HK$13.5 billion (US$1.7 billion) block was delayed by... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3368243/hong-kong-must-address-systemic-lapses-behind-hospital-lift-failures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3368243/hong-kong-must-address-systemic-lapses-behind-hospital-lift-failures?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Tung Chee-hwa’s passing unleashed a torrent of tributes from the community at large. Public condolences further affirm Beijing’s praise of Tung’s invaluable contribution to the “one country, two systems” principle. That says something about the legacy of Hong Kong’s first post-handover chief executive. The public outpouring of grief and gratitude from all walks of life set the stage for a moving state funeral and public memorial service on Sunday, and framed the eulogy delivered by Shi Taifeng,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3368166/tung-chee-hwas-legacy-helps-lay-foundations-better-tomorrows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3368166/tung-chee-hwas-legacy-helps-lay-foundations-better-tomorrows?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 23:15:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial China today is a pre-eminent technological powerhouse. Over multiple generations, Beijing has marshalled enormous resources to build one of the world’s largest pools of research talent. Under President Xi Jinping, Beijing has doubled down, with the 15th five-year plan projecting research and development spending to grow by at least 7 per cent annually. Yet quantity alone cannot secure scientific leadership. The nation’s future depends equally on quality. That demands an unwavering commitment to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367963/china-must-enforce-high-standards-integrity-scientists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367963/china-must-enforce-high-standards-integrity-scientists?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The US Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates by 25 basis points marks a pivotal moment not just for American monetary policy, but for China’s increasingly fractured economy. As borrowing costs rise globally in response to persistent inflation – exacerbated by Middle East conflicts pushing oil prices skyward – China faces an uncomfortable reality: its economic fortunes depend on which sector you examine. As for Hong Kong, major local banks kept their prime rates unchanged, but... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367957/global-monetary-tightening-tests-chinas-2-speed-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367957/global-monetary-tightening-tests-chinas-2-speed-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s first five-year plan makes artificial intelligence development and governance a policy priority amid apocalyptic warnings from Silicon Valley’s leading AI bosses. While American executives speak of slowing development, the city and mainland China are systematically embedding AI across industries – a measured strategy focused on tangible economic transformation. China tightly regulates AI and so largely avoids the existential worries the technology provokes in the US. Recently,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367862/hong-kong-and-china-wont-genuflect-silicon-valleys-moral-panic-over-ai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367862/hong-kong-and-china-wont-genuflect-silicon-valleys-moral-panic-over-ai?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial A new chapter is unfolding with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiling two much-anticipated documents crucial to the next critical phase of Hong Kong’s development. The joint release of the city’s first five-year plan and Lee’s fifth policy address, the final one of his current term, is no routine policy cycle. It is a pivotal moment that shapes the city’s trajectory up to 2030 and beyond, aligning a visionary blueprint with state development strategies, setting concrete targets and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367722/dual-policy-plans-will-help-hong-kong-grab-new-opportunities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367722/dual-policy-plans-will-help-hong-kong-grab-new-opportunities?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong rightly prides itself on being one of the world’s safest cities with regard to violent crime. Yet the latest deception figures make clear that safety on the streets is no guarantee of safety over the phone and internet. Police are to be commended for their recent operations that smashed sophisticated fraud syndicates, including those employing hotel rooms as call centres and identity cards forged using artificial intelligence (AI) to launder money. But the underlying trend is hardly... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367594/combat-scams-hong-kong-needs-stronger-crackdowns-greater-vigilance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367594/combat-scams-hong-kong-needs-stronger-crackdowns-greater-vigilance?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Philanthropic giving in nine Asian jurisdictions is projected to hit US$1.5 trillion over the next decade, according to the Commission on Asian Philanthropy. That has immense potential to help make the world a better place, which is why ensuring charity is efficient in Asia is important. The commission was launched just two years ago at a Hong Kong Jockey Club forum – Philanthropy for Better Cities – to develop more effective solutions to Asia’s socio-economic and environmental challenges. Why... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367450/asia-requires-flexible-conviction-led-approach-philanthropy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367450/asia-requires-flexible-conviction-led-approach-philanthropy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Sep 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong last week is tangible proof that 13 years after the initiative’s launch, the city has become central to its evolution from infrastructure projects to comprehensive connectivity and hi-tech platforms. More than 6,000 participants from over 70 countries attended, signing upwards of 60 commercial agreements and memorandums of understanding exceeding US$3 billion. These are evidence of sustained confidence in Hong Kong’s unique capacity to bridge mainland... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367309/hong-kong-cements-superconnector-role-wave-belt-and-road-deals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367309/hong-kong-cements-superconnector-role-wave-belt-and-road-deals?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:15:11 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial China’s growing achievements in aerospace technology continue to instil pride and patriotism, even more so in Hong Kong with the city’s first astronaut now on board the orbiting Tiangong space station. The historic live interactive lecture by Lai Ka-ying and her fellow crew members on the “celestial palace” on Wednesday was more than a one-off occasion for students to catch a glimpse of life and research in space. Sustained by the right policy drive, the fervour can turn into a lasting... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367168/hong-kong-astronaut-can-help-propel-citys-science-and-tech-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367168/hong-kong-astronaut-can-help-propel-citys-science-and-tech-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2026 23:15:05 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial India’s public preparations for this weekend’s Brics summit in New Delhi are not to be compared with the spectacular display for the Group of 20 summit three years ago. The low-key approach to the meeting of leaders of emerging major economies and developing countries from the Global South can be misleading. What Brics may lack in pomp it makes up for in substance, such as the landmark in relations between the world’s two most populous nations. The occasion marks the first visit to India in... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367233/brics-summit-could-emerge-milestone-blocs-unity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367233/brics-summit-could-emerge-milestone-blocs-unity?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Thanks to the favourable global rankings of its universities and its unique linkage with mainland China and the world, Hong Kong is well positioned to upgrade itself into an international education and talent hub. Under the incumbent administration’s drive, more ambitious measures are being rolled out to burnish the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, and rightly so. The inaugural Global Education Summit held in the city over the weekend provided clarity on the way forward. Co-organised by the South... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367040/hong-kong-building-two-way-global-education-highway?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3367040/hong-kong-building-two-way-global-education-highway?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial As Hong Kong’s first post-handover leader, Tung Chee-hwa was destined to go down in history. From steering the city through its uncertain early years after its return to Chinese rule to laying the foundations for its later momentous growth, the shipping magnate-turned-inaugural chief executive will be remembered not just for navigating the uncharted waters of “one country, two systems” but for his foresight in maintaining the city’s unique strengths as it integrated with the country for better... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366927/tungs-legacy-continues-inspire-city-under-one-country-two-systems?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366927/tungs-legacy-continues-inspire-city-under-one-country-two-systems?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:15:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s expanding engagement with Central Asia represents more than a commercial drive. It signals a strategic recalibration that, if pursued with discipline and realism, could position the city as an indispensable bridge between East and Central Asia at a moment when traditional corridors of trade and exchange face mounting strain. Both sides must now move beyond aspirational declarations to overcome challenges constraining regional commerce. The concrete outcomes Chief Executive John Lee... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366738/hong-kong-and-central-asia-real-work-lies-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366738/hong-kong-and-central-asia-real-work-lies-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:15:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial President Xi Jinping has begun a month of travel expected to lead to the United States and a summit with President Donald Trump. That contrasts with the earlier part of the year which saw Xi hardly going anywhere but staying in Beijing. Instead, he hosted foreign leaders who flocked to meet him, including those of middle powers such as Britain, Germany, Canada and Spain, as they looked beyond an unpredictable American president and mixed signals from Washington. This reflects the growing... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366616/chinas-xi-sends-strong-message-his-us-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366616/chinas-xi-sends-strong-message-his-us-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Sep 2026 23:15:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial China’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has reached a pivotal inflection point. The doubling of its offshore investments to 580 billion yuan (US$86 billion) over three years – now comprising 15.23 per cent of its total assets – signals not merely an incremental shift in asset allocation, but also a strategic recalibration necessitated by demographic pressures and diminishing domestic returns. For Hong Kong, this transformation represents perhaps the most consequential opportunity to cement... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366355/hong-kong-must-position-itself-bridge-chinas-outbound-funds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366355/hong-kong-must-position-itself-bridge-chinas-outbound-funds?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:15:12 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The record temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius logged by the Hong Kong Observatory last month is the strongest evidence yet that extreme heat is not just a distant or occasional inconvenience. The rising temperature underlines a growing challenge that many authorities around the world are still grappling with. The city must respond not merely with improved mechanisms for alerts when the mercury soars but with a complete climate-resilience strategy that protects workers, older people, low-income... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366343/hong-kong-feels-heat-it-needs-robust-climate-resilience-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366343/hong-kong-feels-heat-it-needs-robust-climate-resilience-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:15:05 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Imagine being fined for failing to file your online tax return on time even though you are absolutely sure you have done so, only to find out later that it wasn’t your own fault. For nearly 5,200 Hong Kong taxpayers, this scenario became reality after tens of thousands of people left their eTAX returns incomplete due to unclear wording and interface design. There were even two prosecutions before steps were taken to rectify the blunder. Commissioner of Inland Revenue Benjamin Chan Sze-wai... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366388/e-filing-failures-should-be-wake-call-public-services?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366388/e-filing-failures-should-be-wake-call-public-services?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Sep 2026 23:15:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The pursuit of beauty often comes at a price, though not everyone can or should be expected to fork out a fortune for it, especially when aggressive sales tactics are involved. Recent incidents where routine visits to beauty parlours and department store counters turned into financial ordeals that left customers out of pocket do nothing for the city’s image and confidence in the sector. The tale of an 88-year-old woman having her credit card kept by a salesperson at a department store and swiped... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366236/hong-kongs-fight-against-aggressive-sales-tactics-far-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366236/hong-kongs-fight-against-aggressive-sales-tactics-far-over?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2026 23:15:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial With the first anniversary of the Tai Po fire less than three months away, Hong Kong’s recovery from the disaster is making steady progress. Nearly all affected households have accepted the government’s buyout offer, providing residents with a clear path towards rebuilding their lives. Meanwhile, the independent inquiry into the blaze is expected to table its report next month – an important step towards establishing accountability and ensuring that lessons are learned and acted upon. The... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366083/deal-reached-wang-fuk-court-flats-clears-way-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3366083/deal-reached-wang-fuk-court-flats-clears-way-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:15:12 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial China’s anti-corruption campaign has proved to be a sustainable drive rather than a transient clean-up exercise. More than 13 years after President Xi Jinping launched the crackdown with a pledge to hunt both “tigers and flies”, it has become a pillar of Communist Party governance. Its continuing escalation in the run-up to key leadership changes anticipated next year carries a strong and clear message: corruption is not merely individual misconduct within the government structure but a systemic... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365936/chinas-anti-corruption-campaign-here-stay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365936/chinas-anti-corruption-campaign-here-stay?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The United States’ stalled war on Iran continues to loom large in its relations with China. In March, President Donald Trump delayed a state visit to Beijing until May to manage developments in the Iran conflict. Now, ahead of President Xi Jinping’s scheduled state visit to Washington on September 24, the Iran issue has again reared its head as the US tries to extract itself from a quagmire of its own making. Washington has widened US sanctions targeting dealings with Iran in what it described... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365829/dont-let-iran-sanctions-derail-us-china-engagement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365829/dont-let-iran-sanctions-derail-us-china-engagement?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Aug 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The concurrent release of Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and the chief executive’s policy address this year is not a haphazard decision by John Lee Ka-chiu. Put together for coherence and synergy, the unprecedented joint unveiling next month of these two important instruments offers Hong Kong an opportunity to match long-term national alignment with near-term delivery – a strategic move that fosters change amid continuity as the administration finishes its term in 10 months. Crucially, it... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365596/hong-kong-puts-its-dual-policy-blueprints-work-future-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365596/hong-kong-puts-its-dual-policy-blueprints-work-future-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Aug 2026 23:15:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Urban renewal is essential, not optional, for a small and densely populated city like Hong Kong. While new buildings continue to mushroom across the districts each year, it is outpaced by the relentless ageing of blocks, many of which have become dilapidated and pose a danger to public safety. In this context, the government’s new five-year bonus plot ratio pilot scheme to expedite redevelopment is not merely a technical tweak to planning rules. It is a much-needed and pragmatic attempt to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365564/hong-kong-right-harness-market-forces-urban-renewal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365564/hong-kong-right-harness-market-forces-urban-renewal?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The human catastrophe resulting from the flash flood and mudslide on the Nepal-China border continues to unfold. The search for answers has already begun. But the safety of survivors, rescue of victims and relief operations are paramount. President Xi Jinping’s directives to emergency responders and dispatch of Premier Li Qiang to the border to oversee operations are evidence of that. The immediate cause of the disaster remains the subject of debate. But there seems little doubt of the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365608/china-nepal-border-flash-flood-must-galvanise-climate-change-cooperation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365608/china-nepal-border-flash-flood-must-galvanise-climate-change-cooperation?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The latest record-high profit results from the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) are more than just a fiscal milestone, they signal a market resurgence. Technological and financial trends on the mainland are aligning with those of the city. Witness the spectacular initial public offering (IPO) of Unitree Robotics on the tech-focused Star market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The humanoid robotics pioneer’s shares soared 460 per cent on their first day of trading. Market insiders now... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365464/hkexs-role-crucial-hong-kong-helps-build-future-global-finance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365464/hkexs-role-crucial-hong-kong-helps-build-future-global-finance?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The HK$1.03 billion (US$132 million) tender for 10.5 hectares in the Northern Metropolis is a landmark in Hong Kong’s development. A consortium comprising five mainland state-owned and private companies as well as local developer Sino Land has been awarded the first batches of land in the pilot area in Hung Shui Kiu. The mainland partners will diversify the financial risks and help Hong Kong align with national goals under the 15th five-year plan. The transaction sets a good example for... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365294/consortium-won-northern-metropolis-plot-shows-way-forward?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365294/consortium-won-northern-metropolis-plot-shows-way-forward?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Aug 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The world has been captivated by the rapid evolution of robotics. From humanoid machines shattering athletic records to the intricate, precision-focused manoeuvres – whether kung fu fighting or tennis playing – in international competitions, we are witnessing a technological shift that transcends mere entertainment. The recent spectacle of humanoid robot games in China, which captured global attention over the weekend, shows the speed at which innovation is advancing. Meanwhile, Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365149/chinas-humanoid-robots-make-strides-practical-use-next-frontier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365149/chinas-humanoid-robots-make-strides-practical-use-next-frontier?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial When the pop song “Please Mr Postman” topped the US Billboard charts decades ago, few would have expected the daily sight of a uniformed postman delivering letters to every doorstep to become a rarity. For more than a century, the post office in Hong Kong has not only been an essential public service but also a symbol of connectivity and reliability. Yet like many of its overseas counterparts, the government agency is struggling to survive amid an increasingly challenging environment. Having... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365031/hongkong-posts-survival-wont-come-belt-tightening-alone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3365031/hongkong-posts-survival-wont-come-belt-tightening-alone?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Aug 2026 23:15:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The sentencing of China Evergrande Group founder Hui Ka-yan to life imprisonment, accompanied by the punishment of more than 50 other individuals, brings a sombre conclusion to the saga of what was once the world’s most indebted property developer. While this case marks a significant moment in the ongoing volatility of the mainland property market, it serves primarily as a stark lesson on the limits of corporate survival and the absolute necessity of business integrity. It is important to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364950/china-evergrande-founders-fall-warning-private-sector?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364950/china-evergrande-founders-fall-warning-private-sector?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Aug 2026 23:15:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong has never had the luxury of abundant land for development. A small territory supporting a large and highly urbanised population must constantly make difficult choices about housing, transport and infrastructure. This is especially true when every decision carries an environmental cost that is often irreversible. Yet the way forward is not to stand still, but to ensure that development is necessary, properly designed and compatible with the protection of the city’s natural heritage. The... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364817/hong-kong-boosts-governance-efficiency-ai-balance-key?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364817/hong-kong-boosts-governance-efficiency-ai-balance-key?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Aug 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial With hindsight, there was a warning in a big dog’s fatal attacks on two small dogs earlier this week that people might not be safe from sudden unprovoked attacks. But nothing prepared the city for the fatal mauling of a 33-year-old woman by a big dog in her care at a training centre and dog hotel in northern Hong Kong on Thursday. In the first incident involving a 60kg (132lb) unleashed dog, a court will decide whether its owner, a 52-year-old Yuen Long man, failed to properly control it, after... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364828/hong-kong-must-crack-down-irresponsible-pet-owners?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364828/hong-kong-must-crack-down-irresponsible-pet-owners?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Aug 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial In windswept Minqin county, Gansu province, this week, a stainless-steel booster touched down, marking a reusable rocket breakthrough. LandSpace’s successful recovery of the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket is more than a mere engineering milestone for China; it signals the nation’s official entry into the competitive era of reusable space flight. For years, the global space economy has been monopolised by American tech billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Now, Beijing is no longer content to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364666/space-race-heats-chinas-momentum-undeniable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364666/space-race-heats-chinas-momentum-undeniable?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Aug 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The White House has raised the alarm over what it terms a “shadow” network of over 40 nations allegedly facilitating a massive transshipment scam, claiming that these countries are mislabelling the origin of Chinese exports to deceive American customs officials. While Washington frames this as an international conspiracy to rob the American economy of tens of billions of dollars, it is, in reality, a glaring admission of the ineffectiveness of its own trade policies. Titled “The Great... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364529/transshipment-scam-not-global-conspiracy-warning-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364529/transshipment-scam-not-global-conspiracy-warning-us?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:15:06 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Public consultations are fundamental to the processes of governance in Hong Kong. All of them are important. But the exercise just completed ahead of the announcement next month of the city’s first five-year plan has to be one of the most significant. What sets the proposed blueprint apart, in addition to being the first of its kind, is that it will align local development with and seize opportunities arising from the 15th national five-year plan. The consultation engaged the public –... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364375/hong-kongs-5-year-plan-consultation-has-sparked-valuable-discussions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364375/hong-kongs-5-year-plan-consultation-has-sparked-valuable-discussions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Aug 2026 23:15:20 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial President Xi Jinping’s tribute to former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin on the centenary of his birth, during a commemoration ceremony in the Great Hall of the People, was more than him paying his respects to a predecessor he had previously hailed as an “outstanding leader” of the nation. It can also be seen against the backdrop of a crucial year in the run-up to the Communist Party’s 21st national congress, with a new line-up for some key leadership positions expected, as well as a period of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364324/xi-jinpings-tribute-jiang-zemin-reinforces-continuity-and-party-unity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364324/xi-jinpings-tribute-jiang-zemin-reinforces-continuity-and-party-unity?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Aug 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The recent recalibration of security alliances among middle powers serves as a stark signal: confidence in the United States’ role as the ultimate guarantor of global stability is eroding. Those that have long relied on Washington’s security architecture are actively seeking alternatives; Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have formed what some observers call an “Islamic Nato”. One is a long-time ally of Washington, the other a Nato member state and the last an intermediary between Iran and the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364033/saudi-arabia-turkey-pakistan-pact-sign-realigning-global-order?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364033/saudi-arabia-turkey-pakistan-pact-sign-realigning-global-order?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Aug 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, is a global ageing disease for which scientists worldwide are seeking a cure or prevention, while trying to develop drugs to delay or slow the onset of symptoms. Dementia is so prevalent – nearly one in 10 Hongkongers over 60 suffers from it – that groundbreaking progress on either front could be a public health event with socio-economic implications, including a longer life expectancy, not to mention the life-changing impact on patients and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364029/hong-kong-researchers-join-vital-race-against-alzheimers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3364029/hong-kong-researchers-join-vital-race-against-alzheimers?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Aug 2026 23:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The recent Global Health Summit in Hong Kong, organised by Hong Kong Investment Corporation and New Frontier Group, brought together about 3,000 attendees including more than 150 speakers at over 80 sessions focused on medical and pharmaceutical advances. It also showcased Hong Kong’s unique potential to become an elite international hub for the development of biomedicine, biotech and bioscience research and testing with unrivalled connectivity. Two developments made headlines during the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363941/hong-kong-stepping-its-contribution-global-healthcare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363941/hong-kong-stepping-its-contribution-global-healthcare?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Aug 2026 23:15:05 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial It says something about Zhu Rongji’s pivotal role as a reformer in modern China’s rise that his death has unleashed a torrent of tributes from home and abroad, and from high and low alike. It is a question of where to start when it comes to listing signature achievements of the former premier that helped shape 21st century China’s rise to the world’s centre stage. Reforming a centrally planned economy? Shaking up a state-owned business sector? Revamping the tax system? Securing China’s entry to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363944/china-deepens-reforms-zhu-rongjis-legacy-serves-inspiration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363944/china-deepens-reforms-zhu-rongjis-legacy-serves-inspiration?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:15:12 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong is finding its place in the national mission and is rapidly increasing its economic footprint across Asia. The opening of a new Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Kuala Lumpur marks a significant expansion of the city’s network, bringing the total number of overseas ETOs outside mainland China to 15. Hong Kong also has five offices on the mainland. The establishment of the Kuala Lumpur ETO represents a rapid achievement for the administration, moving from the initial announcement by... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363735/hong-kongs-economic-and-trade-network-plays-citys-strengths?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363735/hong-kongs-economic-and-trade-network-plays-citys-strengths?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Aug 2026 23:15:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial People who feel it has been getting warmer in Hong Kong may not be surprised to learn that more than 200 official heat alerts have been issued under the Heat Stress at Work Warning mechanism since May 2023, when the Labour Department launched it. But they might be very surprised to learn that under a three-tiered amber, red and black system, the warnings to people working outdoors, or indoors without air conditioning, were all amber – the lowest tier. There was no exception even after the Hong... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363639/hong-kong-must-act-fast-protect-workers-heat-distress?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363639/hong-kong-must-act-fast-protect-workers-heat-distress?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Aug 2026 23:15:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The annual Beidaihe meeting is often described as mysterious. But the informal, closed-door summer retreat for China’s current and retired leaders usually offers indications of overall policies, future planning, and major domestic and foreign issues of the moment. The list of those invited to join the top-level gathering in Hebei province also offers clues about Beijing’s policy priorities. Last year, invitees were luminaries in the nation’s cutting-edge research in science, technology and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363513/china-ups-its-basic-research-game-us-will-have-look-sharp?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363513/china-ups-its-basic-research-game-us-will-have-look-sharp?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Aug 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong does not lack work safety rules. Regrettably, lapses in awareness, compliance and supervision occur from time to time, as reflected in the disturbingly frequent industrial fatalities in recent years. It is imperative that all stakeholders take occupational safety more seriously lest the city’s development continue to come at the expense of human lives. It may sound ironic that the latest incident involved a construction safety manager. He fell to his death at a building site in Kowloon... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363268/workplace-deaths-cannot-be-price-hong-kong-pays-development?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363268/workplace-deaths-cannot-be-price-hong-kong-pays-development?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Aug 2026 23:15:11 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s football fans enthusiastically embraced the World Cup, gathering to watch broadcasts of the matches even though many were played at inconvenient times. Their passion for the game during the summer season did not end with the final in the US last month. The city’s football festival, featuring two matches between top English and Italian teams, gave supporters a golden opportunity to see some of their heroes perform live. More than 86,000 fans in total watched the games, in which Inter... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363292/stacked-sporting-calendar-gives-hong-kong-winning-edge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363292/stacked-sporting-calendar-gives-hong-kong-winning-edge?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Aug 2026 23:15:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Death is a natural part of life, but in many communities, a lingering reluctance to discuss this fundamental truth stands in the way of dignified care for terminally ill people. It is good that Hong Kong has enacted a formal legal framework giving patients the power to reject specified life-sustaining treatments when they are terminally ill and mentally incapable of making decisions. The Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance officially took effect on July 31 and Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363264/education-and-communication-can-ensure-end-life-law-benefits-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363264/education-and-communication-can-ensure-end-life-law-benefits-all?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Aug 2026 23:15:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong is by no means a haven for criminal activity, though it has seen a significant rise in digital crime, phone deception, and romance and investment scams in recent years like many other places. With the authorities issuing no fewer than five alerts – ranging from a multimillion-dollar coffee investment scam to fraudulent e-visa websites and elderly health insurance promotions – on a single day on Tuesday, it is clear that online deception remains a serious concern. Despite public... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363157/new-scams-hong-kong-should-prompt-fresh-vigilance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3363157/new-scams-hong-kong-should-prompt-fresh-vigilance?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Aug 2026 23:15:06 +0000