Today - China Daily

Today - CY Leung is still the man to beat: Poll

13 Mar 2012 10:24:45 +0800

Chief Executive hopeful Leung Chun-ying said his cabinet posts would be open to his election rivals, despite the fierce exchanges between himself and fellow establishment candidate Henry Tang along the campaign trail.

Today - Lawmakers to push for immigration amendment

13 Mar 2012 10:23:18 +0800

Private members bill aims to end right of abode for babies born to mainland parents

Today - Fire Services staff declare work to rule on Wed

13 Mar 2012 10:22:18 +0800

Fire Services Department General Association on Monday declared it will begin a three-day work-to-rule on Wednesday, after talks on reduced working hours with the Fire Services Department broke down last week.

Today - Tide of mainland mums ebbs in wake of cross-border actions

10 Mar 2012 09:31:18 +0800

New administrative measures planned to ease stress on maternity wards

Today - Mainland mother surcharge case wraps up

10 Mar 2012 09:30:26 +0800

The Court of Final Appeal on Friday heard its second day of arguments in a two-day judicial review into hospital surcharges imposed on expectant mothers from the mainland married to Kong Kong residents. The petition was filed by an SAR resident, Fok Siu-wing, on behalf of his daughter-in-law, to challenge the surcharge imposed by the Hospital Authority on expectant women from the mainland married to residents of Hong Kong.

Today - Firemen threaten job action in work hours dispute

10 Mar 2012 09:26:22 +0800

Fire Services Department Staff General Association on Friday ruled out industrial action in its dispute with the government over hours of work.

Today - Tony Chan loses tax battle with Inland Revenue Dept

By Andrea Deng — 09 Mar 2012 10:40:31 +0800

Appeal Court finds feng shui master failed to carry out due diligence over assessments

Today - Leung stresses promise for 'clean fight'

By Kahon Chan — 09 Mar 2012 10:11:48 +0800

Chief Executive candidate Leung Chun-ying held a news conference on Thursday to provide details on his final election platform released on Tuesday.

Today - Maternity case on permanent residency opens in CFA

By Li Likui — 09 Mar 2012 10:05:41 +0800

Counsel for the Hospital Authority told the Court of Final Appeal on Thursday that mainlanders married to residents of Hong Kong also contributed to the overcrowding of maternity facilities at public hospitals and make up a substantial proportion of women who rush to the emergency wards at the last minute to have their babies.

Today - Xi voices confidence in Hong Kong's future

By Michelle Fei — 09 Mar 2012 10:04:09 +0800

Vice-President Xi Jinping affirmed his faith in Hong Kong's economic outlook and urged for closer cooperation between the city and the mainland, when he met Hong Kong NPC deputies in Beijing on Thursday.

Today - Quality of life declines: Survey

By Fan Feifei — 08 Mar 2012 08:30:58 +0800

Hard times for low income earners amid rapid growth of city's social development.

Today - Talks break off on Ho Tung Gardens future

By Andrea Deng — 08 Mar 2012 08:26:50 +0800

The fate of the Ho Tung Gardens remains doubtful, with negotiations between the owner of the statutory monument and the Development Bureau falling into stalemate.

Today - Home buyers outraged after getting in on the ground floor

By Joseph Li — 08 Mar 2012 08:23:07 +0800

The Consumer Council will act on behalf of two purchasers who spent millions of dollars on seaview flats on the "podium floor" of a building, only to find the flats are on the ground floor and by a roadside.

Today - Central govt officials voice support of CE and SAR

By Michelle Fei — 07 Mar 2012 10:26:43 +0800

Authorities to stop syndicates bringing mainland women to give birth in the city.

Today - CDHK takes five top journalism awards

By Li Likui — 07 Mar 2012 10:22:00 +0800

China Daily Hong Kong Edition has won five awards in the 15th (2011) Hong Kong News Awards presented by the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong (NSHK), continuing the momentum of last year's bumper harvest.

Today - Government steps up nuclear precautions

By Andrea Deng — 07 Mar 2012 10:06:25 +0800

The SAR government has taken further steps to improve contingency plans in the event of a nuclear accident at Daya Bay Nuclear Plant in Shenzhen.

Today - Henry Tang tries to create distance from 'super-wealthy'

By Kahon Chan — 06 Mar 2012 10:30:28 +0800

Henry Tang Ying-yen said in two TV interviews that he is the most capable among all candidates to serve as Chief Executive candidate and unite divided parties.

Today - Consultation over conflict rules set for April

By Andrea Deng — 06 Mar 2012 10:23:40 +0800

A public consultation forum on improving the system of regulation and scrutiny over top officials will open in April.

Today - Leaders call PRD-SAR integration successful

By Michelle Fei — 06 Mar 2012 10:17:30 +0800

Both sides voice confidence in even closer ties under new administration.

Today - Xi: Safeguard stability of HK, Macao

By Michelle Fei — 05 Mar 2012 09:19:45 +0800

Vice-President Xi Jinping on Sunday urged the people of Hong Kong and Macao to remain united, and safeguard social harmony and stability of the two special administrative regions (SARS).

Today - LegCo committee leaves Tsang's inquiry to ICAC

By Kahon Chan — 03 Mar 2012 09:07:31 +0800

Motion to invoke powers under P&P Ordinance rejected

Today - Loopholes in non-resident expectant mother barrier

By Andrea Deng — 03 Mar 2012 09:06:31 +0800

Plans to put up a kind of barricade to keep non-resident, expectant mothers from unlawfully entering Hong Kong to have their babies have hit a snag. Front line workers charged with identifying the potential border crashers complained on Friday that they lack enforcement power and have no medical training.

Today - Official speaks of HK-mainalnd sibling relationship

By Li Likui — 03 Mar 2012 09:05:34 +0800

More communication, tolerance and consultation are needed to resolve frictions between Hongkongers and Mainlanders, a top official of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, (CPPCC) said Friday.

Today - Tang returns to campaign, goes on attack at CY Leung

By Joseph Li — 02 Mar 2012 11:04:24 +0800

Chief Executive candidate Henry Tang has launched an attack on his major rival Leung Chun-ying, cautioning people to be "wary" of Leung.

Today - CE denies personal side trip at govt expense

By Kahon Chan — 02 Mar 2012 10:56:40 +0800

The Chief Executive Office has rejected claims that Donald Tsang ordered a stop in San Francisco be included in his official visit to the United States in 2003, so that he could visit his son.

Today - Tsang offers apology at LegCo about private trips

By Andrea Deng — 02 Mar 2012 10:53:24 +0800

CE denies conflict of interest and insists on abiding by civil servants internal code.

Today - CE election to be 3-way race

By Fan Feifei — 01 Mar 2012 08:19:36 +0800

Regina Ip fails in her bid to secure enough nominations.

Today - LegCo to probe Leung's alleged conflict of interest

By Li Likui — 01 Mar 2012 08:18:16 +0800

Lawmakers on Wednesday passed a motion to open an investigation into CE candidate Leung Chun-ying's involvement in a design competition in which he was alleged to have a conflict of interest.

Today - Tsang: Public expectations have become higher as times change

By Andrea Deng — 01 Mar 2012 08:16:55 +0800

Chief Executive Donald Tsang has indicated that upon reflection, there is a gap between the current rules and Hong Kong people's expectations of what top officials should do.

Today - Tide of scandal rises higher

By Kahon Chan — 29 Feb 2012 10:17:30 +0800

Leung denies new allegations involving conflict of interest.

Today - Judgement reserved on Tony Chan's tax problem

By Andrea Deng — 29 Feb 2012 10:15:58 +0800

The High Court on Tuesday heard the appeal of the Inland Revenue Department against a previous court decision that fung shui practitioner Tony Chan Chun-chuen be granted extension of objection concerning repayment of nearly HK$340 million in outstanding taxes.

Today - Greenpeace urges govt to drop N-power expansion

By Fan Fei — 29 Feb 2012 10:13:53 +0800

Greenpeace on Tuesday called upon the government to drop all plans for nuclear power expansion, and to review the "Daya Bay Contingency Plan" immediately.

Today - Tsang bows out of CE race

By Kahon Chan — 28 Feb 2012 10:24:48 +0800

LegCo head 'almost certain' to run next time if March 25 vote fails to produce a winner.

Today - First URA flat-swap scheme announced

By Joseph Li — 28 Feb 2012 10:22:26 +0800

The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) announced on Monday details of the first flat-for-flat redevelopment project on Pak Tai Street / Ko Shan Road in To Kwa Wan, Kowloon.

Today - Ex CAD head given suspended sentence

By Li Likui — 28 Feb 2012 10:16:05 +0800

The former director-general of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD), Albert Lam Kwong-yu, was found guilty of insider trading on Monday and handed a five-month sentence suspended for two years and a HK$50,000 fine.

Today - CE: We need to be whiter than white

By Fan Feifei — 27 Feb 2012 10:05:14 +0800

Public servants must do their best to stay clear of any suspicion of impropriety, Chief Executive Donald Tsang told a radio program on Sunday, adding that "we need to be whiter than white."

Today - Lawmakers divided over Leung's conflict of interest

By Kahon Chan — 25 Feb 2012 09:48:02 +0800

Files reveal CY's voting preference for entrant connected to his own company.

Today - Ip's platform makes suffrage top priority

By Andrea Deng — 25 Feb 2012 09:46:04 +0800

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee announced her election platform on Friday, pinpointing her goals of leading Hong Kong to universal suffrage, restructuring the government and fortifying key local industries.

Today - Proceeds of CE's wine cellar given to charity

By Li Likui — 25 Feb 2012 09:40:57 +0800

The ex-chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Jim Thompson, denied on Friday that he had provided free wine storage at his Crown Wine Cellars for Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen.

Today - CY Leung enters the fray

By Kahon Chan — 24 Feb 2012 08:50:11 +0800

Popular choice for CE trails embattled rival Henry Tang for support among electors.

Today - Probe to determine nature of illegal basement

By Fan Feifei — 24 Feb 2012 08:48:49 +0800

Secretary for Development Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Thursday that the Buildings Department has sent an advisory letter to the property owner of Chief Executive hopeful Henry Tang Ying-yen's villa at 7 York Road after confirming illegal building works on the property.

Today - Lands Department 'fossilized': Ombudsman

By Joseph Li — 24 Feb 2012 08:48:06 +0800

The ombudsman lashed out at the Lands Department (LD) on Thursday for being too bureaucratic and slow in handling a complaint about unauthorized building works involving "government property".

Today - No right to amend Basic Law for immigration control: Counsel

By Andrea Deng — 23 Feb 2012 08:46:17 +0800

Part of Common Law is that constitution be subject to legislative refinement: Judge

Today - CE refutes conflict of interest claims

By Li Likui — 23 Feb 2012 08:38:57 +0800

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen on Wednesday defended himself against allegations of conflict of interest involving trips to Macao and Phuket, Thailand.

Today - No priority or concessions for mainland mothers

By Fan Feifei — 23 Feb 2012 08:37:52 +0800

Secretary for Food and Health, York Chow said in the Legislative Council (LegCo) on Wednesday that the government has no intention of giving priority to non-resident wives of Hong Kong men at the city's maternity wards.

Today - Tang refuses to elaborate affair rumor

By Kahon Chan — 22 Feb 2012 10:12:15 +0800

Candidate for Chief Executive Henry Tang Ying-yen has refused to comment on intimate emails, purportedly exchanged between Tang and a married woman.

Today - Right of abode appeal opens

By Andrea Deng — 22 Feb 2012 10:09:34 +0800

CFA petition seeks to overturn ruling favoring FDHs

Today - CE Office: Macao trip a private visit

By Li Likui — 22 Feb 2012 10:08:02 +0800

The Chief Executive Office defended Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's visit to Macao over the weekend as a "private holiday", citing the chief executive couple was travelling alone for most of the time over the trips in Macao from Feb 17 to 19.

Today - Ip enters CE fray while Jasper gives strong hint

By Andrea Deng — 21 Feb 2012 10:16:23 +0800

Turmoil throw city's top job wide open

Today - Govt leans to abolish appointed seats

By Kahon Chan — 21 Feb 2012 10:15:27 +0800

The government proposes to eliminate all appointed members from District Councils after 2016. While dealing with that ongoing controversy over appointed members, questions over 27 ex-officio seats and representation of elected seats are still open for debate.

Today - Press: Media black out by Fire Services Department

By Li Likui — 21 Feb 2012 10:14:38 +0800

The Fire Services Department has rejected a proposal by the Hong Kong Journalists Association calling for release of information on a real-time basis. At the same time the department denied charges that its adoption of the new digital communication system at the beginning of this month, was intended to withhold information from journalists.

Today - CE contest hots up as more LegCo figures to join fray

By Kahon Chan — 18 Feb 2012 10:03:47 +0800

Pressure mounts for Tang to step aside as he vows to hang in.

Today - Court upholds 7 year residency rule for CSSA

By Andrea Deng — 18 Feb 2012 10:01:46 +0800

The Court of Appeal has thrown out a case involving a mainland immigrant to Hong Kong, who argued that it was unconstitutional for the government to deny her Comprehensive Social Security Allowance (CSSA).

Today - Voter registration proposal sees opposition

By Joseph Li — 18 Feb 2012 09:59:34 +0800

There are strong views opposing a requirement for voters to provide proof of address and warnings that any such requirement would deter voter registration, a LegCo panel was told on Friday.

Today - Tang hopes to remain in CE contest

By Kahon Chan — 17 Feb 2012 11:33:07 +0800

Buildings Department inspectors confirmed on Thursday night that a basement at Henry Tang’s villa on 7 York Road had been unlawfully built, and in a surprise twist of events, the Chief Executive (CE) hopeful’s wife Lisa Kuo Yu-chin admitted “full responsibility” for the illegal basement.

Today - Basement built unlawfully

By Kahon Chan — 17 Feb 2012 10:09:50 +0800

Wife shoulders blame for underground palace as candidate struggles to stay afloat

Today - Transport subsidy limits to be eased next month

By Joseph Li — 17 Feb 2012 10:09:04 +0800

The government will ease the threshold for the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung announced on Thursday.

Today - Patients group calls for right of privacy on eHR Sharing

By Fan Feifei — 17 Feb 2012 10:07:23 +0800

A private, safety barrier should be established on the Electronic Health Record (eHR) Sharing System to protect individual privacy, the Alliance for Patients' Mutual Help Organization appealed on Thursday.

Today - Secretary denies govt influence in election

By Kahon Chan — 16 Feb 2012 09:02:15 +0800

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing said he has found no evidence to back claims that former chief executive Tung Chee-hua ordered a cover up of disputed conflict of interest allegations against CE candidate, Leung Chun-ying, concerning a design competition a decade ago.

Today - Govt pledges caution over cross-border vehicle plan

By Joseph Li — 16 Feb 2012 09:00:12 +0800

The pilot scheme introducing one-off ad hoc quotas for private cars crossing the Guangdong/Hong Kong border will go ahead next month as planned, despite a growing public outcry in Hong Kong.

Today - Tang hit by credibility crisis

By Andrea Deng — 16 Feb 2012 08:57:53 +0800

CE candidate: Report of lavish basement entertainment complex inaccurate

Today - CE hopeful promises to maintain low tax rate

By Kahon Chan — 15 Feb 2012 09:56:51 +0800

Pledge comes despite election platform adding HK$20b recurrent expenses.

Today - Tang denies filing false building layout plans

By Andrea Deng — 15 Feb 2012 09:55:53 +0800

Chief Executive candidate Henry Tang has offered assurances that he did not file false plans for his houses in Kowloon Tong to the Buildings Department. The dwellings have come under scrutiny following disclosure that there were illegal structures on both houses.

Today - New banknotes stir money madness

By Li Likui — 15 Feb 2012 09:54:00 +0800

After a chaotic first day of distribution of special HK$100 banknotes celebrating the centenary of the Bank of China (Hong Kong), the bank, on Tuesday's second day of sales, caught people off guard by announcing it would sell all the bills at once.

Today - Cross border agent jailed over maternity case

By Li Likui — 14 Feb 2012 10:18:29 +0800

10 month sentence intended as deterrent

Today - More effort to education, public housing pledged

By Kahon Chan — 14 Feb 2012 10:16:36 +0800

Chief Executive hopeful Henry Tang promised greater commitment to education and public housing as part of his election platform.

Today - Competition bill to exempt most statutory institutions

By Joseph Li — 14 Feb 2012 10:15:57 +0800

Over 570 of Hong Kong’s statutory bodies will enjoy exemption from the Competition Bill regulation, announced on Monday.

Today - Tang woos elderly, middle-class

By Andrea Deng — 13 Feb 2012 11:18:16 +0800

Full employment, a monthly allowance of HK$3,000 to the elderly but poor people and a committee for the welfare of the middle class are the highlights of Chief Executive candidate Henry Tang Ying-yen as he unveiled his much-awaited election platform in economy and social welfare on Sunday.