Hong Kong police have arrested the parents of a 10-year-old girl after viral videos showed her carrying heavy bags of beer and being berated by an adult believed to be her father. The images also indicate the girl was in a school uniform and the man identified as her father was heard confronting bystanders who voiced concern about her welfare. After 126 years of retail history, Hong Kong’s first Chinese-owned department store will close its historic branch in the city’s central business district in December. Sincere is seeking a new venue in the same business district to set up after the closure in December. The company’s Mong Kok outlet will meanwhile be its sole bricks-and-mortar store in the city. SCMP managing editor Yonden Lhatoo argues that it’s not a competition, but a comparison and call for a spanking rather than caning. Hong Kong’s secret criminal societies are abandoning traditional blood oaths, street violence and territorial rivalries. Today, triad syndicates rely on cybercrime, money laundering and Telegram recruitment, operating more like tech start-ups than street gangs. Through insights from a former youth recruit, anti-triad police and experts, SCMP looks at how Hong Kong’s underworld transformed its business model and culture in the past decade. Hundreds of hikers flocked to Po Pin Chau, one of Hong Kong’s most popular coastal trails on Thursday, the first day of the National Day “golden week”. The city’s first countryside crowd-control scheme was introduced at the High Island Geo Trail in Sai Kung in early September, requiring visitors to make a real-name reservation in advance. An economics associate professor from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has issued a formal apology over what has been described as a “sexist” talk delivered at a college assembly. Slides presented at the talk by Terrence Chong Tai-lung included titles such as, “The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Women Marrying for Money”. Chong’s alleged remarks have drawn public backlash and online criticism. Hong Kong’s crackdown on visitors abusing visas to illegally offer tour guiding, photography and other services has failed to deter mainland operators from engaging in unlicensed work. The adverts for such services have appeared on mainland Chinese social media ahead of the National Day “golden week” break, the South China Morning Post has found. Sweden’s Disgusting Food Museum opened its first exhibition in Hong Kong on Tuesday. The exhibition showcases more than 80 unusual foods from 35 countries, including ancient delicacies, traditional remedies and alternative ingredients. It runs at Airside mall in Kai Tak until November 26. The death of a cyclist in a suspected dog attack in Yuen Long last weekend has sparked safety concerns among many people in Hong Kong. Following recent canine attacks in the city, a dog trainer offers some safety advice on how to respond when confronted by aggressive dogs. More than 3,000 lanterns from around the world lit up Hong Kong’s Victoria Park ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival on Friday. The event showcased lanterns shaped like Hong Kong’s iconic food items, such as egg tarts and egg waffles. The show will run until October 4, 2026. Hong Kong police say they have found no signs of foul play in connection with 16 students who reported feeling ill after drinking free drinks distributed outside a school sporting event. Authorities say the “pinholes”, shown in a viral video, that squirted a stream of liquid when squeezed, have an innocent explanation. Hong Kong police have launched an investigation into free sports drinks that sickened at least 14 students on Tuesday. The drinks were passed out during an athletics meet at a school. Videos shared online by students showed suspected pinholes in some of the bottles. Good Hope School in Hong Kong has withdrawn a controversial guideline allegedly banning the use of Cantonese in student graduation videos. Following online backlash, the semi-private girls’ school issued a statement on Monday saying it had heard concerns from the wider community and “fully and formally withdrawn” the guidance paper regarding next year’s Form Six graduation class video. An NGO established in Hong Kong aims to give Filipino domestic workers a chance to obtain a bachelor’s degree through an accelerated education programme offered by the Philippine government. Hong Kong police suspect a pack of dogs had attacked a woman who was found unconscious beside a bicycle in Yuen Long in the New Territories on Sunday. The 27-year-old victim died later that day. The incident comes less than one month after a similar canine-related case in the city. Hong Kong’s first post-colonial chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, was honoured with a state funeral on Sunday. It was arranged by an 87-member committee chaired by Shi Taifeng, top vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and a member of the Communist Party Politburo. The state funeral was only the third time a Hongkonger received such an honour since the 1997 handover. A private vigil was held for Hong Kong’s first chief executive Tung Chee-hwa on Saturday at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, attended by high-profile figures including current Chief Executive John Lee as well as former leaders Leung Chun-ying, Donald Tsang and Carrie Lam. Residents mourned Tung by signing public condolence books at several points across the city. The vigil took place one day before Tung’s state funeral, which is Hong Kong’s third since its 1997 handover from British rule back to China. A private vigil was held for Hong Kong’s first chief executive Tung Chee-hwa on Saturday at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, attended by high-profile figures including current Chief Executive John Lee as well as former leaders Leung Chun-ying, Donald Tsang and Carrie Lam. Residents mourned Tung by signing public condolence books at several points across the city. The vigil took place one day before Tung’s state funeral, which is Hong Kong’s third since its 1997 handover from British rule back to China. Hong Kong leader John Lee unveiled the city’s first five-year plan on Wednesday, along with his annual policy address. The South China Morning Post highlights the key takeaways from both documents. In recent years, Loudoun County in the US state of Virginia has become known as the data centre capital of the world. The community of Sterling has even earned the name “data centre alley”, after around 250 data centres were built in the area only slightly larger than Hong Kong and plans were made for more than 100 more. About 75 per cent of Americans now oppose having data centres built near them, up from 42 per cent just a year ago, according to a poll published by Heatmap News. Residents have complained about noise and pollution caused by the booming AI industry. However, US politicians including President Donald Trump, as well as tech industry advocates, say Chinese influence campaigns are amplifying grassroots opposition – a claim locals who live near the centres deny. In partnership with: Airport Authority Hong Kong Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) expanded its capacity with the three-runway system project, which included reclaiming 650 hectares (1,606 acres) of land over contaminated mud pits using pioneering and eco-friendly engineering solutions that would protect the surrounding waters. As a result, marine life has actually thrived around the new runway in response to some of the measures taken. Join Tommy Leung, executive director of engineering and technical services for the Airport Authority Hong Kong, and marine biologist Kenneth Leung as they tour HKIA and discuss how the development of the third runway set a new global standard for sustainable coastal infrastructure. The construction work involved using deep cement mixing – a process that injects cement into soft mud to create solid foundation pillars – to avoid potential toxic releases from traditional dredging. The project also features structured eco-sea walls and artificial reefs that have oyster shells attached, which create crucial microhabitats that can double local marine biodiversity. Read more about this: NBA superstar Stephen Curry made a quick trip to Hong Kong on Monday, his first visit to the city in 10 years. The four-time champion visited Shun Tak Fraternal Association Leung Kau Kui College in Tuen Mun, where he shared advice with students on how to deal with self-doubt and external pressure. Read more about this: NBA superstar Stephen Curry made a quick trip to Hong Kong on Monday, his first visit to the city in 10 years. The four-time champion visited Shun Tak Fraternal Association Leung Kau Kui College in Tuen Mun, where he shared advice with students on how to deal with self-doubt and external pressure. Hong Kong police have received reports from more than 700 people about unauthorised credit card transactions linked to pre-orders of Apple’s newest iPhones. The charges, worth a combined HK$14.7 million (US$1.87 million), have prompted an investigation by police and major banks. Scientists have developed a lightweight, battery-free device that can stimulate the nervous system and help improve the mobility of stroke survivors with impaired movement and walking instability. Developed by researchers in Hong Kong and in mainland China, the device harvests energy from the wearer’s own movements to power targeted electrical stimulations, helping a user lift their weaker foot and restoring a more natural walking pattern. Hong Kong authorities have stepped up checks on large dogs in public places to ensure they are properly leashed. A three-day operation ending in early September yielded three suspected cases of big dogs who were not restrained. The operation was prompted by recent fatal dog attacks in the city. Hong Kong’s Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department is also looking into whether further requirements are needed to identify potential dangerous dogs. Mainland Chinese food and beverage chains have aggressively expanded into Hong Kong in recent years, but some are now hitting major roadblocks. Global beverage and dessert chain Mixue downsized its business in Hong Kong, while other brands like Fufuland and Ningji exited the Hong Kong market. Hong Kong’s relatively high rent and labour costs have been a challenge for many of the businesses, which normally rely on a high-volume, low-price business model common in mainland China. A shipping tycoon who was thrust onto the international stage as Hong Kong’s first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa is being remembered as a defining figure of the city’s modern history. Following his death on Tuesday at the age of 89, many are recalling Tung’s role as an elder statesman and consummate diplomat, who led Hong Kong through post-handover challenges including economic, public health and political crises. In partnership with: It has been 10 years since the Education University of Hong Kong was granted the status of being one of the city’s publicly funded universities. As the institution celebrates this milestone, its president, Professor John Lee Chi-kin, looks ahead. He discusses how it continues to develop its academic programmes, research work and partnerships around its philosophy of “nurturing talent while cultivating virtues”. Hong Kong’s first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, died on Tuesday at the age of 89. He served as Hong Kong’s first postcolonial leader between 1997 and 2005. The former shipping tycoon stepped down from his post before completing his second term, citing health problems. He had not been seen in public since July 2021. The video was posted to threads by Sandy Sin, who said the food was picked up by Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) for further investigation. Sin bought the noodle dish at Wa Jer Restaurant, in Kwai Chung, New Territories. Hong Kong authorities will review a new reservation system for a Sai Kung trail famed for its dramatic volcanic rock columns after the National Day “golden week” in October, following large numbers of no-shows during the first two trial runs. Only 1,560 registered and walk-in patrons arrived at Po Pin Chau on Saturday and Sunday, despite 3,230 people having made bookings under the real-name reservation system. Lawmakers and a district councillor have called for more on-site quotas, clearer booking status information for walk-ins, and a penalty-points system to curb no-shows. More on Hong Kong education: Since Hong Kong’s handover in 1997, the government has sought to transform the city’s education system from a colonial system focused on memorisation and exam pressure, and towards a more holistic development meant to foster lifelong learning. But decades on, competition has only grown stronger among Hong Kong’s young students, extending beyond the confines of the classroom and into their extracurricular activities. What are the factors driving this competition and what is being done to ease pressure on pupils? Hong Kong authorities are capping access to a popular Sai Kung trail starting Saturday. Visitor numbers on the coastal Po Pin Chau section of the High Island Geo Trail will be limited to 2,000 per day on weekends and public holidays. Hikers planning to visit during these times will need to register in advance. The initiative marks Hong Kong’s first countryside crowd-control scheme. Next-generation skills that children need to outpace artificial intelligence and thrive in an ever-shifting job market are among the critical topics being discussed at the first Global Education Summit in Hong Kong. The two-day event, co-organised by SCMP Learn and HSBC Premier, brings together educators, policymakers and C-suite executives to discuss important issues concerning the future of education. The event also features exhibition booths from more than 40 top second and post-secondary institutions, giving attendees advice on what admissions officers are looking for beyond good grades. After six decades of supplying restaurants across Hong Kong with high-quality, locally made fish balls, Kau Kei Food Factory is now also selling directly to customers – at a fraction of the price. Owner Anita Lee pivoted the business in 2025, opening Kau Kei’s first retail outlet in Mong Kok. The move was to let customers buy its signature fish balls without the restaurant mark-up, and to raise the brand’s profile in the heart of the city.
Parents arrested after young girl made to carry beer
Sincere to close 126-year-old Central department store
Hong Kong vs Singapore in tackling bad behaviour
From street fights to cybercrime, how Hong Kong’s feared triads transformed their business model
Tourists crowd Po Pin Chau as ‘golden week’ holiday begins
CUHK students call for suspension of ‘sexist’ professor
Crackdown fails to deter mainland adverts selling services in Hong Kong
Disgusting Food Museum comes to Hong Kong
How to avoid a dog attack
Thousands of lanterns are lit up for Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong
No foul play involved in case of students falling ill after consuming free drinks
Sports drinks with suspected pinholes make 14 students sick
Hong Kong school withdraws alleged Cantonese ban
Filipino domestic helpers get second chance at university degree
Woman chased by 3 dogs before suspected fatal attack
Tung Chee-hwa honoured with state funeral
Hong Kong bids farewell to Tung Chee-hwa in weekend vigil
Hong Kong bids farewell to Tung Chee-hwa in weekend vigil
Takeaways from Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and 2026 policy address
Trump blames China for data centre anger in this American town
The green balancing act of building Hong Kong airport’s third runway
NBA superstar Stephen Curry visits Hong Kong school
NBA superstar Stephen Curry visits Hong Kong school
Over 700 cardholders report unauthorised iPhone pre-order charges in Hong Kong
New device helps stroke survivors walk more naturally
Is it time to revisit Hong Kong’s dangerous dog laws?
Why some Chinese F&B chains have exited Hong Kong
Tung Chee-hwa: Hong Kong remembers its first chief executive
How the Education University of Hong Kong is nurturing talent for social benefit
Remembering former Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa
Live baby rat found in Hong Kong takeaway
Many no-shows on first days of new booking system for scenic HK hiking trail
Why does Hong Kong struggle to ease competition among its youth?
Hong Kong caps access to Sai Kung trail with reservation scheme
Global Education Summit kicks off in Hong Kong
How this Mong Kok fish ball shop keeps its prices low
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