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South China Morning Post

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Malaysia’s new university rules rekindle multilingualism debate

A revision to Malaysia’s public university admissions rules has reopened one of the multicultural country’s most sensitive political debates: how far its national education system should accommodate Chinese-language schooling. Malaysia’s government on May 15 said students from Chinese independent secondary schools could apply to public universities through specified pathways using the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), the school-leaving qualification used by those institutions. The decision...

South China Morning Post

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Chinese leader Xi Jinping visit to North Korea confirmed for next week

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea next Monday and Tuesday in a show of the two countries’ strong ties. At the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Xi will pay a state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from June 8 to 9, Xinhua reported on Friday morning, citing a statement from the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The trip will be Xi’s second to North Korea. The Chinese president visited in 2019,...

South China Morning Post

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With fewer public spaces for Hong Kong’s helpers, where can they go to unwind?

On a recent stormy Sunday, domestic helpers on their weekly day off were seen hastily erecting tents and laying out plastic sheets under footbridges and inside transport hubs in Hong Kong’s Tsuen Wan district as they sought refuge from the downpour. Dozens of tents were pitched around the pillars of the footbridges, while other groups crowded onto narrow concrete platforms inside a bus terminus. Many leaned against metal railings or sat on the ground, laying down blankets and carving out spaces...

South China Morning Post

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Trump says he won’t nominate Pulte as permanent US spy chief after backlash

US President ⁠Donald Trump on Thursday indicated ⁠that he would not nominate mortgage regulator ⁠Bill Pulte to be the nation’s intelligence chief once his temporary appointment expires early next year. His comments follow a backlash against Pulte’s appointment as acting director of national intelligence from Democrats and some key senators of his Republican Party over the ‌Trump loyalist’s lack of national security experience. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump indicated he would...

South China Morning Post

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Public Management Programme Puts Humans at the Centre of the AI Revolution

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes economies, labour markets and public services, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is making a clear bet: the defining skill for tomorrow’s public leaders will not be coding, but judgment. At the helm of its Master of Public Management (MPM) programme is Programme Director Prof. Donald Low, who argues that leadership in the AI age demands more than technical...

South China Morning Post

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Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation raises €3 billion in its first public euro green bond sale

Hong Kong rail giant the MTR Corporation has raised €3 billion (U$3.5 billion) by selling its first euro-denominated public green bonds, in its largest bond deal to date. The semi-privatised corporation said on Thursday that the sale also marked the largest Asia ex-Japan non-sovereign euro green bond offering. Amid a string of new rail projects in Hong Kong, the MTR Corp is raising fresh capital to fund them. The latest deal is the third round of bond sales so far this year, bringing the total...

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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CE hails Central Asia trip a major success

Chief Executive John Lee on Thursday declared his trip to Central Asia a major success, revealing that a total of 96 memoranda of understanding and partnership agreements worth an estimated US$1.65 billion have been made. Summing up the tour from the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, Lee said 15 pacts were signed directly on a government-to-government level with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, covering business, education and development projects. Lee also announced that Uzbekistan has agreed to establish a consulate-general in Hong Kong. He added that details for a relaxed travel arrangement – where Hong Kong and Uzbekistan could each allow the other's passport holders to enter visa-free for up to 30 days – will be announced soon. “Both governments are working very hard to implement this visa-free 30-day arrangement. We have overcome the most difficult part, that is both sides work on the details and yesterday we exchanged the notes verbally on this matter,” he said. “With the enthusiastic attitude of both governments, I think we can see very early implementation of the arrangement. I will push my colleagues to work harder, and I received the same assurance by my counterparts in the government of Uzbekistan.” The Chief Executive said that the SAR and Uzbekistan governments also signed an aviation agreement, adding that some SAR airlines are already planning to launch direct flights to Uzbekistan. He noted that the two sides have also initiated talks to establish an avoidance of double taxation agreement to lower fiscal barriers for cross-border businesses. When asked about plans for the next trip, Lee said officials will summarise the experience from the current visit and assess locations that would bring long-term benefits to the SAR's economic and trade development. For his part, Frederick Ma, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), noted that many small doors of business opportunity have opened up in the past few days. One example, he said, was that at least one state-owned Kazakh enterprise has explicitly expressed interest in pursuing a public listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Since arriving in the Uzbek capital on Wednesday, Lee has met with several senior Uzbek officials, including President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. The Chief Executive will attend a business dinner hosted by the SAR government and HKTDC on Thursday night to promote the SAR’s business opportunities to local commercial representatives. On Friday, Lee and his delegation will visit IT Park Uzbekistan – the country's primary technology and innovation hub – before setting off on his return journey to Hong Kong. Edited by Aaron Tam

South China Morning Post

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‘Brilliant’: US public cheers dancing Unitree robots while Congress looks to ban them

A gulf is emerging between how the American public and lawmakers are viewing Chinese robots, analysts say, following a high-profile performance by Chinese robotics champion Unitree’s humanoid robots on US television show America’s Got Talent, which received a standing ovation from the studio audience. While ratings figures have yet to be announced, the appearance of Unitree’s G1 robots on a prime time American television show in its season premiere could contribute to mainstream acceptance of...

South China Morning Post

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Sri Lanka nursing home fire kills 12

A ⁠dozen people ⁠have died in a fire at a home for older people in ‌Sri Lanka, police said on Thursday, while another eight have been hospitalised. The fire, which broke out at ⁠a home in Anguruwatota 55km (34 miles) from the commercial capital Colombo, ‌has been put out and ⁠the ⁠director of the establishment has ‌been arrested, police said. “A total of 51 ‌people were ‌rescued from the ‌home and they are being ⁠looked after by the military ⁠and public officials in the area,” police...

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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DNA confirms parents of unregistered baby: police

Police on Thursday said DNA testing has confirmed that a couple who were arrested on charges of child neglect are indeed the biological parents of a 1.5-month-old baby boy, who was reportedly delivered via homebirth and has no birth certificate. The parents initially refused the test and were arrested for suspected child neglect after the case went viral online. Meanwhile, a children's rights advocate on Thursday said authorities need to carefully decide when would be the right time to return the baby boy to his parents, after he was temporarily moved to a shelter. Priscilla Lui, former head of the Hong Kong Committee on Children's Rights, said professionals would keep following the case and assess if the baby was getting proper care if he was sent back to his parents. "When the child goes back, is he safe? Does the family have the ability to care for him? This shouldn't be a rushed decision. And when he does go back, there will be a period of follow-up by professionals – social workers, and medical staff if needed – who will visit him," she said. Lawmaker Peter Koon, who heads Legco's social welfare panel, said authorities have to make sure the child is safe and well looked after, especially with so many people watching the case closely. "There's been a lot of public discussion about this case, and the overwhelming view is that we must act in the best interest of the baby," he said. "So before the child is returned to full parental care, a very thorough assessment should be done to make sure there won't be any problems because if problems arise after the child is returned, that would be very difficult to handle." Edited by Tony Sabine

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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Observatory issues health warning as extreme heat hits

The Observatory has warned that the weather is expected to be extremely hot over parts of the territory on Thursday and Friday, due to subsiding air associated with a tropical depression. The tropical depression over the northeastern South China Sea is currently within 800 kilometres of Hong Kong. It is expected to develop slightly, but will stay about 500 kilometres or more away from the city, moving generally towards the vicinity of Taiwan. The forecaster said unless the tropical depression strengthens significantly or moves closer to the Pearl River Estuary, the chance of issuing a tropical cyclone warning signal is rather low. The Observatory reminded the public to pay attention to their health amid the heat. Edited by Tony Sabine

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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Three arrested for suspected illicit fuel activity

Police arrested three people on Wednesday on suspicion of being involved in illicit fuel activity in Kwai Tsing District. Police seized about 1,600 litres of gasoline, with a suspected market value of HK$50,000, at a suspected illicit fuel station near Kwai Tai Road. At a press briefing on Thursday, officers said two arrestees were loading fuel into a private vehicle when police carried out their raid, while the third arrestee allegedly helped with operations at the facility. One reportedly entered Hong Kong on a two-way exit permit and police suspect that this person violated their conditions of stay. Chief Inspector Koo Man-kai called on residents not to use illicit fuel. "According to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, both buying and selling illicit fuel is a serious crime. Offenders are subject to two-years imprisonment and a HK$1 million fine upon conviction, and the vehicle involved will be confiscated," he said. The operation unfolded after a fire broke out on Tuesday night due to suspected illicit fuel activity at an industrial building in the district. The Fire Services Department received reports of the blaze at around 10.30pm, and deployed two hoses and two breathing apparatus teams to handle the incident at Kwai Tak Industrial Centre. It said the fire started from an oil tank which spread to a light goods vehicle as well as the building's exterior walls. Firefighters carried out an investigation afterwards and believed the site was used as an illicit fuel station after finding traces of flammable materials, burnt marks, and reviewing surveillance camera footage. The department said it is actively pushing for relevant legislative amendments, which includes higher penalties, expanding the legal liability to include buyers of fuel, and strengthening enforcement powers. Public consultation regarding the suggestions will continue until June 25. Edited by Tony Sabine

South China Morning Post

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23 injured after minibus, double-decker and truck collide on Hong Kong highway

More than 20 people were injured in a traffic accident involving two public buses and a truck in Hong Kong’s New Territories, temporarily closing an arterial road on Thursday morning. A minibus, a double-decker bus and a truck collided on Fanling Highway at around 8am, trapping the minibus driver, who was later rescued by firefighters. Photos from the scene show the front of the Route 44A minibus, which plies between Sheung Shui and Tuen Mun, severely crushed. Police said 18 passengers on the...

South China Morning Post

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No pain, no gain? Former player defends ‘unique’ method of coach seen slapping student

A former student of a well-known Hong Kong basketball coach, seen in a video slapping a young player, has defended his disciplinary approach as acceptable despite legal experts warning the conduct could constitute common assault. Veteran coach Yung Kam-wah apologised on Tuesday over the incident two years ago, after the video recently went viral and sparked public concern. In the clip, Yung first takes a jacket from the boy’s hand and throws it to the ground, then grabs the student’s left hand...

South China Morning Post

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US House votes to stop Iran war in rebuke to Trump

The Republican-led House voted on Wednesday to halt the war with Iran, breaking with US President Donald Trump on an unpopular foreign conflict that is taking an escalating economic toll on Americans. The 215-208 vote showed worries over the war spreading in the president’s own party five months before congressional elections. Last month, a Senate resolution to end the war also advanced past a procedural hurdle for the first time, though that legislation has not yet come to a formal vote. The...

South China Morning Post

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Trump says may leave UFC arena on White House lawn permanently

US ⁠President Donald Trump suggested he might keep the Ultimate Fighting Championship cage-fighting arena being built on the lawn of the White House as a permanent fixture. The Republican compared ‌the structure, which is being built for a night of cage fighting to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence – on Trump’s 80th birthday – to France’s Eiffel Tower which was supposed to have been dismantled 20 years after it was built in ⁠1889. “We’re building something in front of the White House...

South China Morning Post

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Trump says Vance and Rubio teaming up for 2028 run would be unbeatable

US President ⁠Donald Trump said ⁠in a podcast interview aired on Wednesday that Vice-President J.D. Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, teaming up for a 2028 presidential run, would be ‌unbeatable. Both men are seen as contenders for the 2028 Republican nomination, and Rubio’s recent turn at the White House podium drew praise from Republicans and even some Democrats who noted his smooth performance, which included quips and ⁠a 1990s hip-hop reference to describe Iran’s negotiating...

South China Morning Post

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Kenya health minister says US Ebola quarantine centre will proceed despite deadly protests

Kenya’s health minister said on Wednesday that the US-funded quarantine centre would proceed, days after deadly protests erupted over the project. The US-built facility at Kenya’s Laikipia Air Base was due to open last week, according to US officials, to quarantine Americans arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is battling a major Ebola outbreak. But it has been temporarily blocked by a court order, and triggered protests on Monday that killed two people, according to a...

South China Morning Post

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Citizen group to press for ‘transparency’ in Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial

A citizen watchdog has been launched in the Philippines to monitor Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment trial, as turmoil inside the Senate threatens to deepen public doubts over whether the politically explosive proceedings can be handled fairly and constitutionally. Members of civil society launched the coalition, called Bantay Senado (Senate Watch), on Monday, saying it would “help ensure that the impeachment trial is conducted transparently, fairly and forthwith, in keeping with...

South China Morning Post

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How a couple lost their 3 children in as many countries and were arrested in Hong Kong

A Hong Kong couple has drawn public scrutiny after refusing a DNA test for their baby’s registration following his birth at home, raising potential gaps in the city’s legal and child welfare system. The infant’s father, Tsang Wai-bong, and mother, Kwan Pui-sin, subsequently underwent a DNA test, according to the police on Wednesday, a day after their arrest on suspicion of child neglect. The Social Welfare Department also applied to the court for a protection order over the two-month old baby,...

뉴스

타임라인 키워드

Malaysia’s new university rules rekindle multilingualism debate

Chinese leader Xi Jinping visit to North Korea confirmed for next week

With fewer public spaces for Hong Kong’s helpers, where can they go to unwind?

Trump says he won’t nominate Pulte as permanent US spy chief after backlash

Public Management Programme Puts Humans at the Centre of the AI Revolution

Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation raises €3 billion in its first public euro green bond sale

CE hails Central Asia trip a major success

‘Brilliant’: US public cheers dancing Unitree robots while Congress looks to ban them

Sri Lanka nursing home fire kills 12

DNA confirms parents of unregistered baby: police

Observatory issues health warning as extreme heat hits

Three arrested for suspected illicit fuel activity

23 injured after minibus, double-decker and truck collide on Hong Kong highway

No pain, no gain? Former player defends ‘unique’ method of coach seen slapping student

US House votes to stop Iran war in rebuke to Trump

Trump says may leave UFC arena on White House lawn permanently

Trump says Vance and Rubio teaming up for 2028 run would be unbeatable

Kenya health minister says US Ebola quarantine centre will proceed despite deadly protests

Citizen group to press for ‘transparency’ in Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial

How a couple lost their 3 children in as many countries and were arrested in Hong Kong