Category: HK Current Affairs

Social Elite Mutilation-Murder Case Shocks Hong Kong; Body and Head Still Missing, 4 People Arrested

The Hong Kong Police uncovered a horrific mutilation-murder case at Lung Mei village, Tai Po, on Feb. 24. Famed social elite, 28-year-old Abby Choi Tin-fung, was murdered, mutilated, and parts cooked. On the same day, the West Kowloon Serious Crime Unit arrested the brother and parents of Choi’s ex-husband, Alex Kwong Kong-chi, while sealing off…


Convicted Gene-Editing Scientist Has Hong Kong Visa Revoked After Public Outrage

A Chinese scientist convicted of illegal medical practice over gene-edited babies has gotten his Hong Kong visa revoked after widespread criticism from the public. He Jiankui was initially granted a visa to enter through the Hong Kong government’s new Top Talent Pass Scheme. The Hong Kong government (HKgov) confirmed that applicants were not required to…


Renowned Director Johnnie To’s Chinese Social Media Account Removed After ‘Dictator’ Comment

Hong Kong director Johnnie To, a three-time best director in the Hong Kong Film Awards and a three-time Golden Horse award winner, is being silenced in China after his comments about dictators against the film industry garnered interest online. During a Q&A at the 2023 Berlinale, a media member asked, “What makes Cinemas so special…


2 Films Withdraw From Hong Kong Film Festivals Over Censorship Requirements

Two shortlisted entries for the 28th ifva Independent Short Film and Video Media Festival have withdrawn after failing to pass the inspection and screening requirements. Critics have pointed the implementation of the national security law, resulting in films self-censoring to varying degrees and audience members suffering the loss. The two films involved are “Elephant in…


Apple Daily Assets Up For Public Auction After NSA Raid and Closure

The assets of a former pro-democracy media in Hong Kong are up for public auction. Apple Daily was raided by police on Aug. 10, 2020, after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law.  It was forced to cease operation after authorities froze the assets of company CEO Jimmy Lai on Jun. 17, 2021….


Hong Kong Population Drops For Third Year in a Row

The Census and Statistics Department announced on Feb. 16 that the provisional population of Hong Kong at the end of 2022 is 7,333,200, a decrease of 68,300 or 0.9 percent compared with the population of 7,401,500 at the end of 2021. In 2022, there was a net outflow of 60,000 Hong Kong residents. The population…


HKU Becomes World’s Most International University by Counting Mainland Students as International Students

In January 2023, Time Higher Education (UK) announced the ranking of the most international universities in the world in 2023. Hong Kong universities rank high in “internationalization” by counting mainland faculty and students as international faculty and students. Zheng Yanxiong, the Director of the Hong Kong Liaison Office, invited senior council members of 11 Hong…


Press Freedoms Eroded in Hong Kong: Human Rights Group

On Feb. 14, 2023, The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights held a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, to review a report sent by Beijing which gave an account of Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong Watch, a British non-governmental organization advocating for the human rights situation in Hong Kong, submitted its report…


Hong Kong Population Drops for 3rd Year Under COVID-19 Shadow

HONG KONG—Hong Kong’s government announced Thursday that the territory’s population dropped for a third straight year as deaths rose during the pandemic and anti-virus measures reduced the number of arriving workers, but did not mention an exodus of residents sparked by a clampdown of the pro-democracy movement. The city’s population declined 0.9 percent to 7.3…


Hong Kong Population Drops for 3rd Year Amid Political Exodus

HONG KONG—Hong Kong’s government announced Thursday that the territory’s population dropped for a third straight year as deaths rose during the pandemic and anti-virus measures reduced the number of arriving workers, but did not mention an exodus of residents sparked by a clampdown of the pro-democracy movement. The city’s population declined 0.9 percent to 7.3…