Coronavirus: Chinese factory hub Shenzhen shuts down Hong Kong border district for 3 days
Wholesale markets, public venues shut in Futian district, with some bus and subway lines suspended and window for Covid-19 test reports halved. ⌘ Read more

Regina Ip is the right choice to steer Hong Kong’s comeback as Exco convenor
Given her qualifications in the political arena and personal experience in overcoming setbacks, she is more than capable of shaping the terrain of Hong Kong’s political landscape. ⌘ Read more

The Chinese fact checkers taking on the Covid infodemic – a rumour at a time
Journalist Wei Xing started up China Fact Check two years ago to push back against the flood of misinformation about the coronavirus. ⌘ Read more

Isolating China will not help Hong Kong or Uygurs, Dutch prime minister says
China has been accused of running a forced-labour programme in Xinjiang targeting Uygurs and crackdowns in Hong Kong. ⌘ Read more

Officials vie to offer fulsome pledges of loyalty to Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of 20th Party Congress
At least nine provincial party chiefs have written long articles in party publications extolling China’s president and pledging loyalty to him. ⌘ Read more

Shanghai party chief declares victory in Covid battle as city records zero cases at start of major political meeting
The city endured a lengthy lockdown as it tackled China’s worst outbreak since the early days of the pandemic. ⌘ Read more

Hong Kong’s largest public healthcare workers union opts to dissolve as journalism group lowers vote threshold to disband
Former chairman of Hospital Authority Employees Alliance confirms group voted to disband after special general meeting. ⌘ Read more

Zhang Sizhi, hailed as ‘conscience of Chinese lawyers’, dies in Beijing at 94
Zhang led defence team in historic 1980 trials of ‘counter-revolutionary’ Gang of Four and those close to disgraced Mao protégé Lin Biao. ⌘ Read more

Philippines’ Duterte leaves brutal legacy in presidency marked by drug war, US-China policy flip-flops
The extrajudicial killings of some 8,000 people has ‘opened the floodgates for a type of governance that disregards the rule of law, due process and human rights’, activists say. ⌘ Read more

Xi Jinping to attend 25th anniversary celebrations of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty and swearing-in of new city leader John Lee
President Xi Jinping will officiate the event to mark quarter-century of Chinese sovereignty over city and swearing-in of new city leader. ⌘ Read more

A bridge too far? Taipei mayor draws fire for proposal to link Quemoy and Xiamen
Ko Wen-je revives project to join Taiwan islet to mainland city, contending it would help ease cross-strait tensions, but opponents call it a ‘Trojan horse’ that would aid a People’s Liberation Army invasion. ⌘ Read more

Close Xi Jinping ally appointed as China’s new public security chief
Wang Xiaohong will oversee policing and is the first professional officer in the job for 24 years. ⌘ Read more

Beijing’s boost to Nansha will bring opportunities for Hong Kong, not rivalry, Guangzhou mayor says
Guo Yonghang says his city needs to take advantage of Hong Kong’s role as a ‘super-connector’ to foster global partnerships in tech projects. ⌘ Read more

Chinese security official calls for crackdown on gangs following Tangshan attack
The political and legal affairs chief urges authorities to ‘fight against evil’ in the wake of a brutal assault on women in northern China. ⌘ Read more

Immigration: the Dream vs the Facts
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Waves of immigration have been seen again recently from politically and economically less stable and prosperous regions to those so-called Western democratised and industrialised countries. Rapid changes in the geopolitical terrain, along with a drastic transformation in the appeal of the defining elements of democracy and prosperity in the past decade, has made immigration … ⌘ Read more

Why do Some Minorities Support the US Republican Party?
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In contemporary US politics, the Democratic Party is often regarded as the most welcoming to racial minority groups. Even so, each election cycle sees many members of these groups cast their vote for the Republican Party. In 2016, for example, Chinese Americans from the East Coast to Silicon Valley organised rallies for Republican candidates. Even thoug … ⌘ Read more

Myanmar’s NUG says junta placed Aung San Suu Kyi in solitary confinement to ‘embarrass’ her
The shadow government and UN denounced the military for transferring the ousted leader from house arrest to solitary confinement in prison this week. ⌘ Read more

Hong Kong’s next leader John Lee speaks to the Post
In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview on Talking Post, incoming Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu talks about a strategy to reopen Hong Kong’s borders with mainland China and the rest of the world, how he plans to counter “fearmongering and badmouthing”, and more. ⌘ Read more

Coronavirus: Beijing making contingency plans for Hong Kong government swearing-in ceremony on July 1 after 2 top city officials catch Covid-19
Cases spark speculation on whether a state leader such as President Xi Jinping will attend ceremony on July 1, the 25th anniversary of city’s return to Chinese rule. ⌘ Read more

Darkening skies (2012-2017): Hong Kong’s years of simmering tensions in 25 photos
The city was rocked by the 2014 Occupy movement in this period, a precursor to greater unrest to come as brewing political sentiment bubbled to the forefront of society. ⌘ Read more

China relaxes barriers for transgender health, but family approval remains an obstacle
While policy changes make it easier for LGBT youth to access gender affirmation surgery, many still struggle with getting their parents’ consent. ⌘ Read more

Malaysia: Were Mahathir’s remarks about ‘reclaiming’ Singapore and Indonesia’s Riau Islands aimed at Johor’s sultan?
While some Singaporeans accused Mahathir of fomenting ill will between the neighbours, observers in Malaysia said the remarks were likely a veiled jab at the sultan of Johor. ⌘ Read more

Exclusive interview: Hong Kong’s leader-designate John Lee says ‘I am a pragmatic person’ and ‘I will be open to everybody’
In a wide-ranging interview, John Lee describes his approach to governing, his views of the civil service and the priorities of his incoming administration. ⌘ Read more

Incoming Hong Kong leader John Lee promises more aggressive approach to countering ‘fearmongering and badmouthing’ by city’s critics
Incoming chief executive will attend November’s Apec summit in Bangkok, send delegations overseas to ‘tell the true Hong Kong story’. ⌘ Read more

Incoming leader John Lee working on strategy to reopen Hong Kong border with mainland China, may reduce quarantine for arrivals
John Lee concedes scrapping curbs may take time to achieve but says his administration can set interim goals towards that end. ⌘ Read more

Chinese rights advocate Xu Zhiyong on trial for state subversion amid secrecy and tight security
Xu’s sister reports being taken away by unidentified men in the middle of the night and denied necessities for nine hours before her brother’s trial. ⌘ Read more

Uneasy times for Hongkongers making their home in mainland China
Rising Chinese nationalism and distrust after the city’s social unrest have left some Hong Kong people with an identity crisis. ⌘ Read more

Senior Beijing official with over 30 years’ experience in Hong Kong affairs appointed to deputy role in nation’s top advisory body
Zhang Xiaoming, former executive deputy director of state-level Hong Kong office, made deputy secretary general of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. ⌘ Read more

Veteran Hong Kong lawmaker Regina Ip appointed convenor of incoming leader John Lee’s de facto cabinet
Ip, 71, is the first woman convenor of Executive Council, and first with political affiliation, since Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule. ⌘ Read more

Unpacking Hong Kong’s laws, 25 years after handover: 5 rulings on Basic Law where Beijing, not the city’s courts, had final say in key cases
NPC Standing Committee’s interpretations ‘averted migrant crisis, improved Hongkongers’ understanding of Basic Law’. ⌘ Read more

Syed Saddiq faced ‘pressure’ by Malaysia’s PPBM, his parents say during corruption trial
Parents of the former youth minister, who was sacked from PPBM for objecting to the party’s defection in 2020, say he is a ‘political victim’. ⌘ Read more

Police officer fired and 5 placed under investigation over attack in women in Chinese city of Tangshan
A deputy district commander was dismissed from his post with the others being investigated by the local disciplinary watchdog ⌘ Read more

President Xi Jinping’s ‘deep feelings’ for Hong Kong highlighted by state media as city prepares to mark 25th anniversary of handover
Article, headlined ‘Hong Kong’s development is always close to my heart’ compiles a number of Xi’s past speeches which touched on city. ⌘ Read more

‘We will not give up’: wife of jailed Chinese coal magnate vows to push for new trial after he loses appeal
Zhao Faqi’s 7½-year sentence for bribery and theft of state secrets was upheld in verdict that lasted just a few minutes, according to his wife Cathy Li. ⌘ Read more

Before the storm (2007-2012): Hong Kong’s national pride and a rare political deal in 25 photos
The city weathered the global financial crisis in a relatively calmer period domestically, but the seeds of activism were sowed over the demolition of Queen’s Pier. ⌘ Read more

China’s political party school in Africa takes first students from 6 countries
120 cadres from ruling parties attend workshop at the US$40 million facility in Tanzania funded by the Chinese Communist Party. ⌘ Read more

Satire in Hong Kong: ‘You have to laugh, or you will cry,’ says political cartoonist Harry Harrison
Hong Kong’s satire today takes the shape of internet memes, cartoons, protest props, chants of clever word plays, and derivative works to express opposition. ⌘ Read more

Debate over whether Hong Kong was indeed British colony reflects lack of education on Chinese constitution, lawmakers say
Pro-Beijing legislators say some residents have misunderstandings about history due to lack of education about Basic Law and nation’s constitution. ⌘ Read more

Should Philippines’ Marcos be ‘on guard’ as Sara Duterte is sworn in early, meets China envoy?
The VP-elect’s move to take her oath 11 days early, in a ceremony attended by diplomats including China’s ambassador, shows she remains a ‘force’ beyond her office, analysts say. ⌘ Read more

Coronavirus: hotel quarantine for top Hong Kong officials, advisers and lawmakers cut to 1 day ahead of July 1 celebrations; city logs 1,186 local cases
According to a memo seen by the Post, guests at celebratory events to mark handover will have to undergo seven days of self-management from June 23 to 29. ⌘ Read more

Beijing wants this Guangzhou district to become young Hongkongers ‘new home’, but what will make it work?
Heads of Hong Kong-based associations urge incoming government to support proposal to turn Guangzhou district of Nansha into ‘new home’ for young talent. ⌘ Read more

Rights and wrongs of US-China dispute over the Taiwan Strait
China is correct that the Taiwan Strait is not ‘international waters’. And the US is right that warships and warplanes have the right to pass through. But for the US, exercising that right is a political decision and complicates the issue of the status of Taiwan and the one-China policy. ⌘ Read more

Beijing underlines its jurisdiction and desire for urgent action by laying down targets for incoming Hong Kong leader, analysts say
‘The new team must have the sense of a mission to deliver after taking up their positions in July,’ one expert says. ⌘ Read more

China chalks up success in push to promote favoured candidates on international bodies
The country’s representative has secured another term on a leading UN maritime body that rules on important economic and political disputes. ⌘ Read more

Who will help John Lee run Hong Kong? A quick guide to old and new faces on his governing team
Among 21 key figures, seven are from incumbent administration, two have been promoted from undersecretary, six are serving or recently retired civil servants, and another six are newcomers. ⌘ Read more

China names Han ex-environmental protection officer to head ethnic affairs office
Pan Yue will be the second member of China’s dominant ethnic group to head the office responsible for minorities. ⌘ Read more

Chinese President Xi Jinping says country has won an ‘overwhelming’ victory in corruption battle – but warns more work is needed to tackle problem
In a speech to the Politburo, Xi says he hopes that officials will not even by tempted by corrupt activities. ⌘ Read more

Disappeared Chinese coal tycoon who took on top judge to hear appeal verdict
Case relates to judicial scandal involving lost court papers, a celebrity whistle-blower and a jailed judge who ruled on Zhao’s mining dispute with state firm. ⌘ Read more

Beijing approves Hong Kong Chief Executive-elect John Lee’s cabinet line-up
Long-time bureaucrat Eric Chan becomes chief secretary, Financial Secretary Paul Chan to stay in current post. ⌘ Read more

Is abortion legal in China, how common is it and why is it controversial?
The procedure is legal and widely available across the country but it is also used as a means of population and social control. ⌘ Read more