John Lee

Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee, met with business and innovation leaders to discuss the city’s first local five-year plan. Advisers expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s ability to leverage its strategic roles.

Legal experts argue that ordering Hong Kong judge Wilson Chan Ka-shun to retire early is a sufficient penalty for plagiarism, citing reputational damage and financial losses from forgone salary and pension. The judiciary confirmed he would receive early retirement benefits based on his service period.

Hong Kong leader John Lee stated that holding a by-election to replace William Wong Kam-fai, who resigned after a drink-driving arrest, is a lower priority than preparing for three upcoming polls over the next 18 months. Lee emphasized that electoral authorities must consider the necessity of the by-election alongside manpower and logistics.

The United States allowed a national emergency declaration on Hong Kong to lapse, lifting partial sanctions but maintaining an executive order that revoked Hong Kong's special trading status. China had interpreted the U.S. confirmation as a potential restoration of privileges, but the U.S. clarified that Executive Order 13936 remains in effect, citing Hong Kong's lack of autonomy. Sanctions under the Hong Kong Autonomy Act of 2020 continue for 39 of 48 previously sanctioned individuals.

China indicated the U.S. could restore Hong Kong's preferential trade privileges after the U.S. confirmed it will not renew an executive order revoking the city's special trading status. The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control stated the national emergency linked to the order has expired, delisting some individuals but adding others to a different sanction list.

China indicated the U.S. could restore Hong Kong's preferential trade privileges after confirming the U.S. will not renew an executive order revoking the city's special status. The U.S. removed Hong Kong leader John Lee and former leader Carrie Lam from one sanctions list but added them to another, while the decision follows trade talks and may ease U.S.-China tensions.

China indicated the U.S. could restore Hong Kong's preferential trade privileges after confirming the U.S. will not renew an executive order revoking the city's special status. The U.S. removed some sanctions on Hong Kong officials but added them to a different list, signaling a policy shift amid ongoing trade discussions.

Hong Kong's economic development is guided by its first five-year blueprint and upcoming policy address, with artificial intelligence (AI) as the central focus, according to Chief Executive John Lee. He highlighted Hong Kong's 'one country, two systems' advantages and innovation commitment during the South China Morning Post's China Conference 2026.

The Los Angeles City Council approved a November ballot proposal allowing non-citizens to vote in council and school board elections, alongside measures to increase parks funding and expand police department oversight. The non-citizen voting proposal, supported by Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, faces opposition over costs and eligibility concerns, while the parks funding plan aims to double investment over a decade.

Hong Kong’s leader John Lee has pledged to expand the proposed university town near the border by tenfold to 1,000 hectares. The plan aligns with Beijing’s endorsement of linking education with industry to boost Hong Kong’s economic and innovation and technology development.

Hong Kong launched a public consultation for its first five-year plan, aligning with mainland China’s 15th five-year plan for 2026–2030. The plan aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an international financial hub and advance projects like the Northern Metropolis and Greater Bay Area while maintaining a free-market economy.

The article is an exclusive interview. It features John Lee.

The Hong Kong government plans to consult on pro-baby incentives as birth rates remain at historic lows. Chief Executive John Lee cited delayed marriage and cultural shifts as challenges to policy effectiveness. The city recorded 31,100 registered births in 2025, despite initiatives like a HK$20,000 newborn bonus introduced in 2023.

John Lee's visit to Central Asia was well-timed as the region's strategic importance, highlighted in the 2022 book 'Sinostan' by Raffaello Pantucci and Alexandros Petersen, underscores its role in China's Belt and Road Initiative. The book describes Central Asia as China's 'inadvertent empire,' referencing Halford Mackinder's 1904 geopolitical theories.

Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, pledged to exercise prudence and seriousness in defining national security offences under new legislation, dismissing concerns about centralization of power and highlighting the involvement of state players and sensitive information. The subsidiary legislation introduces a classification mechanism for 'other offences endangering national security'.

Hong Kong’s leader John Lee begins an official visit to Central Asia with a large delegation to explore new markets and expand ties. The visit includes expected MOUs between sectors in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with a notable deal involving tungsten miner Jiaxin.

A Los Angeles City Council committee voted to shelve a proposed ballot measure that would have cut the 'mansion tax' rate for multifamily and mixed-use properties from 5.5% to 2-3.5%. Instead, the committee advanced a narrower pilot program to reduce the tax for newly built affordable housing. The decision avoids voter approval for the broader tax cut but leaves open the possibility of a separate proposal to repeal the tax entirely.