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Policy Address 2025: Hong Kong extends tax allowance for parents with newborns in its latest fertility push
- 2025-09-17
- The Young Reporter
- By: YANG Shuyi、Lou ZhengzhengEdited by: WANG Jing
- 2025-09-17
Hong Kong parents with newborns are set to get more tax allowance as the city strives to boost its birth rate. Currently, parents receive a HK$260,000 tax exemption in the baby’s first year, but this is going to be extended for another year, said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in 2025 Policy Address. Those with older children will continue to get HK$130,000 of their taxable income exempted. Hong Kong has been struggling with a declining birth rate, with the number of babies born dropping from 60,900 in 2016 to a low of 32,500 in 2022. In 2024, there was a slight improvement to 36,700 babies. A 36-year-old mother of a toddler from Kowloon welcomed the additional tax break. “As someone from the 80s generation, I really want to have children, this policy will help us to relieve some financial pressure,” said Ruby Tse, who is trying for a second child. Lawmaker Chan Wing-kwong, who specializes in medicine, said the allowances are a welcome addition for families trying for more children, but it would be an unlikely fertility boost for those who don’t. “The additional newborn allowance is merely a drop in the bucket when it comes to the cost of raising a child in Hong Kong,” said Lin Sen, who has been married for six years but has remained reluctant to have a baby. Lin said the intensifying competition for schools and jobs a child might face in the future deters him from giving birth. Lee also pledged more childcare resources for babies and schoolchildren. Chan said that although the direction of the current encouraging policies is right, a series of supporting measures must keep pace. The lawmaker called on the government to provide more measures for schools and job placements. “Only when the social environment can let people ‘live …
Policy Address 2025: Leveraging Kai Tak Sports Park to popularise sports in Hong Kong
- 2025-09-17
- Health & Environment
- The Young Reporter
- By: Fu RongEdited by: AU YEUNG Jim
- 2025-09-17
John Lee Ka-chiu said in this year’s Policy Address that the government will support elite sports and leverage Kai Tak Sports Park to further develop the “sports + mega events” model in Hong Kong. “We will continue to promote sports development by supporting elite sports, maintaining Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism in sports, developing sports as an industry and promoting sports in the community,” said Lee. The Policy Address also focused on enhancing professionalism in sports, improving the functionality and positioning of sports venues, reviewing the governance of sports and boosting the publicity of sports by the media. “Elite sports and popularisation are mutually supportive. Elite sports can promote public participation and ‘sports for all’ through the celebrity effect. Expanding the proportion of the grassroots in sports will in turn promote the selection of elites and further promote the popularisation of sports events,” said Patrick Lau, Professor and Associate Academy Director (Research) of the Academy of Wellness and Human Development of Hong Kong Baptist University. Hong Kong already plans to co-host part of this year’s National Games, the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the National Special Olympic Games in November and December. The city’s portion of the National Games include bowling, track cycling, fencing, golf, Rugby Sevens, a triathlon, beach volleyball, men's handball and men's U22 basketball. The golf will be played in Fanling, and the Hong Kong Golf Association has announced that Xu Longyi, individual gold medalist of the Hangzhou Asian Games, will represent Hong Kong. “To attract more world-class players to compete in Hong Kong, we have agreed on a multi-year partnership arrangement with LIV Golf, one of the most important golf tours in the world,” said Lee. "Kai Tak Sports Park is an important vehicle for the eventisation …
Policy Address 2025: Hetao Cooperation Park layout to be finalised as Hong Kong aims to speed up area development
- 2025-09-17
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: WANG Ludan、Li ZhongyiEdited by: YANG Haicen
- 2025-09-17
Hong Kong hopes to speed up the development of a newly constructed park on the border that is cooperatively managed by Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as part of the government’s focus on innovation and technology, said John Lee Ka-chiu in today's Policy Address. The park’s layout has yet to be finalised even as the first batch of enterprises has already taken up residence in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. “We will finalise the Park’s overall layout and consider offering workspaces flexibly to companies under the ‘moving in while construction is underway’ approach; that will enable them to move in earlier without having to wait for the completion of the entire park's construction,” said Lee. The new tenants include companies and talents specializing in life and health technology, microelectronics, new energy, AI and other pillar industries. This is connected to the government’s broader plan to develop Hong Kong into a global AI hub. The second phase of construction, which includes another five buildings in addition to the current three, will be completed progressively from 2027, Lee said. According to reports from Chinese state media, companies including The Hong Kong and China Gas Company, RoadAGI, Ping An Technology, and Siemens Energy have established a presence in the park. The Cooperation Zone will be used as a dedicated hub for cutting-edge research in biomedicine, artificial intelligence, applied mathematics and new materials. Earlier this year, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po highlighted in the 2025 budget plan that the government has earmarked HK$3.7 billion for the Hetao Innovation Zone, supporting the first-phase construction of infrastructure and public facilities, as it is one of the key projects in the Northern Metropolis development strategy. Chan estimated that upon the full completion of Hong Kong Park, it will contribute approximately HK$52 billion annually …
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivers Policy Address 2025
- 2025-09-17
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: SIU Tsz HangEdited by: AO Wei Ying Vinci
- 2025-09-17
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced his fourth policy address at 11am today. As in the case in the past three years, Lee continues to stick with green as the theme colour. His policy address mainly focuses on several areas such as promoting patriotic education, setting up an accountability system for senior civil servants to enhance governance, accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, improving innovation and technology industry’s development, reforming the economy and healthcare system. This year, his address lasted 174 minutes, which is his second longest in history, followed by the longest record of 202 minutes in 2023.
Policy Address 2025: Government to support low-altitude economy with new action plan
- 2025-09-17
- By: LAU Ka Yan、CHAN Hiu YingEdited by: NG Natasha Goa Sheng
- 2025-09-17
Hong Kong will create more legislation promoting the low-altitude economy, mostly focused on drone activities, said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in the policy address this morning. Potential activities in airspace under 1,000 metres include drone rescues, surveys and deliveries. Food delivery platform Keeta launched drone food delivery in a small area in the New Territories in June. Keeta, along with SF Express and Lalamove, were some of the first applicants to apply for drone activities in March. Improving civil aviation legislation and regulatory framework, promoting infrastructure facilities, organising more talent trainings, enhancing the application system and developing low-altitude economy insurance products were all mentioned in the policy address this year. More complex government plans will establish air route networks, satellite positioning, three-dimensional spatial data systems and a smart and traffic-management system for low-altitude passenger aircrafts, Lee said. “With countless islands in the city, it is a perfect scenario to apply passenger-carrying aircraft,” said Huang Hailong, assistant professor in the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and leader of the university research group on autonomous technology. “For people living on the islands who have urgent medical needs, using drones to access hospitals is more convenient and cost-effective than ships and helicopters.” “In the meantime, the government should establish clear regulations including administrative penalties to curb illegal flights, considering safety should be the first priority in developing the low-altitude economy,” said Huang. He said third-party insurance similar to car insurance can be introduced. “Low-altitude technology can also be applied to sectors including express delivery, emergency rescue and construction monitoring in the future,” said Zhang Feiyang, Research Manager of Our Hong Kong Foundation and one of the authors of the organisation’s policy recommendation report to the government regarding low-altitude economy. “To serve as a global role …
Brisbane’s West End celebrates Kurilpa Derby with parade and festivities
- 2025-09-17
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: CHAU Wing YauEdited by: CHAN Wing Yiu
- 2025-09-17
BRISBANE, Australia — The 2025 Kurilpa Derby took place on 14 September, continuing an 18-year tradition in the West End suburb in Brisbane, Australia. The word “Kurilpa” means “home of the water rat”, showing the West End suburb’s history as a natural habitat for water rats and a place where First Nations people once lived. The West End Community Association organises the parade annually in recognition of Indigenous heritage and celebrates the community’s spirit. Participants decorated their wheels in various creative styles and dressed up for the parade. A series of activities following the Kurilpa Derby parade, including a doggy fashion parade, Samba performance and live music. Follow the link below to watch the full reel: https://youtube.com/shorts/vOYWsjYb81Q?si=i10rLg1kZpImBD-d
Live: Policy Address 2025
- 2025-09-17
- By: MA Tsz Chiu Oscar、ZHANG YipingEdited by: MA Tsz Chiu Oscar、ZHANG Yiping
- 2025-09-17
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is announcing his fourth policy address at 11am today. As in the past three years, Lee continues to stick with green as the theme colour. TYR reporters will be covering today’s policy address live. Stay tuned for more. 1:54 PM Lee concludes this year’s Policy Address, the second longest in history at 174 minutes. 1:53 PM Lee emphasised that ethnic minorities are important members of the Hong Kong community, and the Home Affairs Department will set up one additional care team each to serve the Northern and Island Districts. The government will also establish a Youth Network and a Women's Network at the 10 Support Service Centres for ethnic minorities to organise activities. An additional Interpretation and Translation Service Centre will be established in December. 1:51 PM The additional tax exemption for newborns is set to be extended from the first year to the first two years of the child's life. The tax exemption for parents with newborns will double from HK$130,000 to HK$260,000. The policy is implemented to encourage childbirth. According to the Census and Statistics Department, the total fertility rate in 2024 is 841 births per 1,000 women, lower than the government wants. 1:47 PM Lee just passed the 2 hour 45 min mark, making this his longest policy address yet. 1:35 PM The government will introduce a licensing scheme that permits dogs to enter designated restaurants. Approved eateries will display clear signage indicating that customers are allowed to bring dogs inside. According to government statistics, the total number of pets in Hong Kong exceeds 400,000, which has generated significant consumer spending. The government supports the business sector in launching various pet-friendly activities and spaces to create new consumption scenarios. 1:32 PM Victoria Harbour, Mirs Bay, and …
Policy Address 2025: Hong Kong develops tourism economy to revitalise retail industry
- 2025-09-17
- Business
- By: Wang Yunqi、LO Shing Kwan、Zhou XinyingEdited by: Yichun Fang、BO Chuxuan
- 2025-09-17
The Hong Kong government plans to unveil the “ Tourism Everywhere” strategy, combining local characteristics with international elements, to develop the tourism economy, said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu during his Policy Address Speech on Wednesday. The tourism economy strategy encompasses a diverse portfolio of targeted initiatives, with yacht economy, horse racing tourism, cruise tourism, and eco-experiences included. These efforts of the government in tourism strategy aim to attract high-spending visitor segments, boost consumption, and drive growth across the retail, F&B, and hospitality sectors, according to Colliers, a global real estate and investment management consultancy, in a comment after the speech was delivered. “As of August this year, the overall visitor arrivals had reached 33.2 million, a significant increase of 12% over the same period last year", said Lee. Sophia Lam, a member of the Southern District Council, which is home to tourist attractions like Ocean Park and Repulse Bay, said the aim of promoting tourism by leveraging local culture is to boost the retail economy and stimulate consumer spending. According to the release from the Census and Statistics Department, the provisional estimate for total retail sales value was HK$214.8 billion for the first seven months of 2025, a decrease of 2.6% compared to the sum of the first 7 months in 2024. The government shows that from January 2023 to July 2025, the number of visitor arrivals in Hong Kong increased significantly, while the retail sales slightly declined during the same period. After the epidemic, Hong Kong's tourism industry gradually recovered, with the number of visitors to Hong Kong in the first seven months of 2025 reaching about 28 million. Chen Sihao, a professor of the Department of Accountancy, Economics and Finance at Hong Kong Baptist University, explained that the depreciation of the RMB has dampened mainland tourists’ enthusiasm …
Sawed-Off Horns: The Rhino’s Trade-Off for Survival in South Africa
- 2025-09-16
- By: Dake Liu、Wenhui Li、Ruqing Chen、Wing Yan ChanEdited by: Robin Ewing
- 2025-09-16
This project is part of an independent reporting trip by HKBU journalism students to South Africa this summer to explore animal conservation efforts in the lead up to World Rhino Day on Sept 22. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, South Africa -- Beneath the harsh African sun this August, the rhino pauses at the edge of a watering hole. Its body is a marvel of strength—thick, leathery hide folded like ancient parchment, dotted with ticks and patches of dried mud that crack when it shifts its weight. Its legs, short but sturdy as tree trunks, carry it forward with a slow, deliberate gait. But as our gaze moved to its face, we were startled to see only a stunted remnant of its rhino horn. On a safari in Krueger National Park in South Africa, we turned to the guide with questions. Had the horn been poached? No, the guide told us. It was the national park itself that chopped off the rhino's horn. This measure, known as dehorning, aims to protect these creatures from poachers that hunt and kill them for their horns. South Africa, home to nearly 70% of Africa’s remaining rhinos, remains the epicenter of a violent and escalating poaching war. At least 2,212 rhinos have been killed for their horns since 2020, according to data from Kreuger National Park. Rhino horns are highly valued in wildlife black markets for their use in traditional Chinese medicine and as status symbols in Asia, such as Vietnam. The South African government, which manages Kruger National Park, has adopted rhino dehorning as its key anti-poaching strategy. And while this has proven effective, poachers have recently started targeting even dehorned rhinos for their remaining stump. And some recent studies have found that rhinos are negatively impacted by the loss of their horns, bringing the …
Nepali people protest and pay tribute at Copenhagen’s City Hall and Nepal Embassy
- 2025-09-13
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: LEUNG Chi NgaiEdited by: AO Wei Ying Vinci
- 2025-09-13
Flowers, candles, and handwritten cardboard signs sat on the stairs of a public square in the city centre of Copenhagen to commemorate more than 50 Nepali protesters who died protesting against the government in Nepal on Monday and Tuesday. Hundreds of Nepalis living in Copenhagen gathered at the City Hall Square on Tuesday evening, said Jyotindra Thapa Ais, 29, a Nepali living in Copenhagen who attended the gathering. On Wednesday morning, 23 Nepalis gathered again outside the Nepal Embassy to protest Nepal government policies, youth unemployment and a lack of opportunities and to pay tribute to the dead protesters. The protest, which started against a social media ban in Nepal, has escalated into a deadly conflict involving tens of thousands of mostly young people taking to the streets of Kathmandu. More than 50 Nepali protesters, mainly students and young people, have died from clashes with security forces and police, according to the BBC. The Nepali Supreme Court, parliament and other major government buildings were set on fire. Houses that belong to government officials were raided by demonstrators. The dissent has created a power vacuum in the Nepali government, as the prime minister, ministers and high-ranking members of political parties resigned. Bel Gurung, 50, from Nepal who lives in Copenhagen, said he initiated the two events in Copenhagen on Tuesday morning, after hearing requests from Nepalis in Copenhagen to raise their voices. “No corruption, no violence, no injustice” were the key messages Gurung and other protesters spread, he said. “When you speak a voice, the true voice, it doesn't matter how loud or how small it was. That spread all over the world to the right people, to the right country,” he said. Jyotindra said: “Today was just for the death of the students, and we were not focusing on other …