SCMP Hong Kong·Tuesday, December 23, 2025

SCMP Hong Kong - Tuesday, December 23, 2025

10 stories~15 min

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Stories Covered

Avalanche at ski resort in northern Xinjiang kills Hongkonger

A Hongkonger was killed in an avalanche at a popular skiing destination in northwestern mainland China last week, the Post has learned, with city authorities offering support to the victim’s family. A source on Tuesday said the victim, whose death was announced by tourism authorities in Kanas, northern Xinjiang, was a Hong Kong resident. In a reply to the Post, Hong Kong’s Immigration Department said that a request for assistance had been received. The Hong Kong government’s office in Beijing...

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Hong Kong’s new Central Kowloon Bypass records first crash 3 days after opening

Hong Kong’s transport chief has urged caution from drivers after the Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass recorded its first accident on Tuesday, just three days after opening. Police said a medium-sized truck crashed into a car at 9.16am while both vehicles were heading west towards Kwai Chung, after the truck changed lanes. No one was injured. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Tuesday that the Transport Department had promptly responded to road users’...

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Swire Pacific’s Guy Bradley to take reins at Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific, Swire Coca-Cola

Guy Bradley will take the helm at Cathay Pacific Airways and Swire Coca-Cola – two of Swire Pacific’s flagship operations in Hong Kong – in May next year, succeeding Patrick Healy who will retire from the group after more than three decades of service. Currently serving as chairman of Swire Pacific, John Swire & Sons (H.K.) and Swire Properties, Bradley will expand his leadership portfolio to encompass the conglomerate’s airline and bottling operations, according to a Swire Pacific announcement.

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As ‘super flu’ spreads worldwide, how can Hongkongers protect against it?

The emergence of a so-called “super flu” has gripped global headlines, prompting authorities in Hong Kong to urge residents to get vaccinated. Amid the spate of infections, a local research team also found that 99 per cent of residents lacked sufficient antibodies needed to protect themselves from the new strain. With many people travelling for the Christmas holiday, the Post breaks down what the new super flu is, whether it is as dangerous as it sounds and what you can do to protect...

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Soft rock duo Air Supply to headline Hong Kong’s New Year countdown celebrations

Australian soft rock duo Air Supply will headline Hong Kong’s New Year countdown after the fireworks show was cancelled, with authorities expecting more than 11 million travellers to cross the city’s borders during the festive period. The government also said on Tuesday that they were in discussions with the Shenzhen government to extend border crossing hours on New Year’s Eve, pending approval from the national port authorities. The Hong Kong Tourism Board announced on Tuesday that Air Supply..

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Committee probing Hong Kong fire visits Wang Fuk Court to inspect conditions

Members of an independent committee created to investigate Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades inspected the scene of the blaze on Tuesday morning to get a better understanding of the environment and conditions at Wang Fuk Court. Committee chairman Justice David Lok Kai-hong was joined by Executive Council member Chan Kin-por and outgoing MTR Corporation chairman Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen, who are both on the panel. The committee members were spotted wearing full protective gowns as they arrived at

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3 arrested over use of fake surveying equipment certificates in Hong Kong projects

Hong Kong police have arrested two directors and a staff member from a company suspected of using surveying equipment with forged certificates in at least two redevelopment projects and a public hospital expansion, the Post has learned. The arrests, involving acoustic and environmental services consultant Novox, were made on Tuesday. The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) said that Novox provided surveying devices to four of its projects in To Kwa Wan, with two confirming the use of equipment with...

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Judges slam lawyers, quash convictions of 11 Hong Kong villagers in ‘ding’ case

A Hong Kong appellate court has quashed the convictions of 11 men who were found guilty of conspiring to fraudulently obtain building licences from the government more than a decade ago, finding that they did not receive a fair trial because of their lawyers’ incompetence. In a written judgment delivered on Tuesday, the Court of Appeal ruled that the appellants’ lawyers failed to act in their clients’ best interests by adopting a defence strategy that best suited a developer prosecuted in the...

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Hong Kong tram driver gets 4 weeks in jail for crash that killed girl, 3

A Hong Kong court has sentenced a tram driver to four weeks in prison for careless driving after his vehicle fatally hit a three-year-old girl and injured three others, with the punishment significantly reduced due to the accident being deemed “inevitable”. Deputy Magistrate Chung Wing-sze of Eastern Court on Tuesday cited a probation officer’s report that 50-year-old Li Yaodong – who was found guilty earlier this month – was genuinely remorseful and had accepted legal responsibility. Chung also

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Hong Kong Red Cross unveils HK$420 million relief fund for Tai Po fire victims

The Hong Kong Red Cross has raised HK$420 million (US$54 million) to support victims of the deadly Tai Po blaze, launching a three- to five-year relief plan covering the financial, mental health and medical needs of those affected. Almost a month after the fire at Wang Fuk Court – which killed at least 161 people, injured dozens and displaced nearly 5,000 – the NGO said on Tuesday that it aimed not only to help victims rebuild their lives, but also to assist the whole of Hong Kong in recovering.

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