TOP STORIES
New taxi fleets aims to brush up the image of the industry
- 2025-04-09
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: ZHOU Yun、CHEN ZiyuEdited by: WANG Jing
- 2025-04-09
At a roadside taxi stand in Mong Kok, Lily Ho, 42, was having a verbal altercation with a taxi driver for taking a detour. “I have repeatedly told the driver that I am in a hurry, but the driver just ignored me and even attacked me with vulgar language,” Ho said. “I often take this route by taxi, and I am sure the driver had taken a detour.” Ho said it was not the first time she had encountered poor service from taxi drivers. Taxi complaints surged 51% year-on-year to 11,452 cases in 2023, with refusal for hire, driving malpractice, and joyriding being the most common, according to the Legislative Council. However, these situations may be addressed as a new taxi fleet is introduced which aims to provide better quality services through technology and improvement in drivers’ attitude , according to Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mable Chan. Cheung Chi-kwan, 65, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi Owners’ Association, said the traditional taxi industry in Hong Kong has room for improvement, but it is undergoing changes to refresh the industry. “In the past, the number of taxis in Hong Kong was stable, but the number of orders received has decreased significantly. 20 years ago, the daily passenger capacity was more than 1.2 million passengers, compared to just 750,000 today,” Cheung said. The expansion of the MTR network, illegal pick-up of private car-hailing services and prejudice against the poor Hong Kong taxi service caused the sharp decline, he said. “It was a one-way cross-harbour taxi, but the driver asked me for a round-trip fare,” said Henry Zoeng, 31, a travel blogger. “There is no surveillance inside the taxi, nor is there a unified platform to monitor driving routes and fare issues.” “I prefer to spend more time on the subway or …
Tai O volunteers struggle to save stray cats
- 2025-04-07
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: LEUNG Chi Ngai、CHEN YongruEdited by: AO Wei Ying Vinci
- 2025-04-07
Stray cats fouling the streets and stealing food is a nuisance to some residents in Tai O. Many of these cats were killed by dogs. But the fate of stray cats has improved since the establishment of the Tai O Stray Cat Home in 2013. Volunteers have been sterilising stray cats and providing them with food and medical treatments. The volunteers often have trouble catching the cats and have to rely on donations to continue their work. Reported by Chen Yongru, Leung Chi-ngai Edited by Vinci Ao Wei-ying
College students are obsessed with playing mahjong to relieve stress and build friendships
- 2025-04-07
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: ZHENG Xinyi、Li YinhengEdited by: LIU Yutong
- 2025-04-07
The rhythmic clatter of mahjong tiles mixed with laughter as four students play a heated round of the traditional game late-night in a Hong Kong Baptist University dormitory. "Midterm exams stressed me out last week," said a local hall tutor at HKBU. "After that, I played mahjong two nights in a row to relax myself." "People will join the game whether they know each other or not. Mahjong has boosted friendships in the building," the tutor added. The student requested not to be named as student hall rules prohibit the playing of mahjong in the building. Amid academic pressure and digital isolation, university students are reviving the nearly 200-year-old Chinese game of mahjong, usually associated with older people, for mental wellness and community-building. At the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the mahjong club, which was founded in 2022, has about 1,000 active members and more than 1,700 Instagram followers, said Rex Chow, 20, president of the club. “Our community not only attracts local students but also those from mainland China and internationally,” Chow said. “Some new members even did not know how to play mahjong, but they can learn from our free mentor courses.” According to Google Trends, the number of web searches for mahjong in Hong Kong has increased in fluctuation since December 2024, and peaked late January 2025. “Compared with shopping which is tiring and expensive, playing mahjong is a better way to relax,”said Winnie Leung, 20, a local student at HKBU, who plays mahjong at least once a week. Research in China shows that frequent playing of mahjong as a form of social participation can reduce symptoms of depression. “Maintaining a good mental state is important for coping with a busy life," the tutor said.“I would sometimes sacrifice some of my sleep to play mahjong.” …
First high-pole lion dance contest heats up Hung Shing Festival
- 2025-04-04
- Culture & Leisure
- The Young Reporter
- By: SIU Tsz HangEdited by: Lok Tung LAU
- 2025-04-04
On March 15, the first ever International High-Pole Lion Dance Invitation Competition broke new ground in Ap Lei Chau Hung Shing Festival, which is the most sought-after event in the Southern District. Reported by Siu Tsz-hang Edited by Lau Lok-tung
Hong Kong Rugby Sevens 2025 draws record high audience
- 2025-04-01
- Society
- By: LEUNG Chi NgaiEdited by: Chun Lim LEUNG
- 2025-04-01
The first Hong Kong Sevens played at Kai Tak Stadium attracted more than 110 thousand fans, the highest since the tournament began in 1982, according to Hong Kong China Rugby . Argentina beat France 12-7 in the men’s cup final and New Zealand beat Australia 26-19 to take home the women’s cup. Hong Kong men's team won the Melrose Claymores against China’s national team, 31 to 7. “Although we were trailing in seven nil, our teammates’ mentality dedicated the comeback against China,” said Jack Combes, rugby player for Hong Kong China 7s men’s team. Matches were played over three days between March 28-30. Tha canopy over the brand new Kai Tak Stadium was closed on day one. “There was a bit more of an echo and sort of the volume, when there were glimpses of quiet, you need to be really clear to each other with your calls and communication,” Jack said. According to the press release from Hong Kong China Rugby, Kai Tak Stadium sold over 82,000 litres of beer and 350,000 food and beverage items over three days. Brodie Buckle, 44, an Australian manager of a home care services company, has travelled to more than five countries and watched the Rugby Sevens 20 times. He visited the Hong Kong Stadium 15 years ago. “Rugby fans are the best fans in the world because they are accepting of everyone”, Brodie said. “Everyone is willing to have a chat, they are willing to tell you about your hometown,” he said, “having multiple teams here is fantastic.” He was amazed by the architecture of Kai Tak Stadium. “How they envision this stadium and how it works out, it is really an incredible experience to have in its own sense,” he said.
Mega Event Rugby7S Kicks Off at Kai Tak Stadium for the First Time
- 2025-03-31
- People
- The Young Reporter
- By: Fu RongEdited by: Wing Chi HO
- 2025-03-31
The Hong Kong Sevens is underway at the new multi-billion dollar Kai Tak Sports Park. The rugby tournament is set to welcome more than 43,000 fans worldwide over three days with a total of 26 games. Reporter: Audrey FU Editor: Gigi Ho Wing Chi
Art Basel 2025: Beyond Tradition, Digital Art in the Spotlight
- 2025-03-31
- Culture & Leisure
- The Young Reporter
- By: YANG HaicenEdited by: Wing Chi HO
- 2025-03-31
Digital art is a major attraction at Art Basel 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The three-day event features 240 exhibitors from 42 countries. The exhibition space is organized into several distinct sections, including Galleries, Insights, Discoveries, Encounters, and Kabinett. Reported by: Yang Haicen, Wang Ludan Edited by: Gigi Ho Wing Chi
AI at Art Basel
- 2025-03-31
- Culture & Leisure
- The Young Reporter
- By: ZHONG Xinyun、QIN ZiyangEdited by: LI Sin Tung
- 2025-03-31
2025 Hong Kong Basel is highlighted by AI involved creation. Artists including Mak2, Emma Webster, Miao Ying, Jon Rafman, Frank Wang Yefeng, Alison Nguyen, and Lu Yang blend AI creating with traditional art. The exhibition of Encounters collects two pieces of outstanding AI artistic installation, including Lu Yang’s DOKU the Creator and Jon Rafman’s Signal Rot. “Lu Yang used AI technology to model himself based on his real image and used AI to assist in his painting,” said Allison Cheung Ka-jung, 25, director of Encounters. Inspired by pop-up stores, the installation transforms the act of purchasing into a game of chance, with artworks created by artist DOKU concealed in “blind boxes”, which sell non-fungible tokens that can be shown on the screen instantly after consumers’ purchasing. Jon Rafman’s Signal Rot, exhibiting in Neon Parc, Encounters exhibition, uses AI to generate the virtue band model and the music. “It's actually a fictional band that he's created through AI, and there's a number of fictional bands that we created through AI and built kind of online presence or personalities for,” said Madé Spencer-Castle, 31, associate director of Neon Parc, Encounters exhibition. “Each AI band member has Instagram accounts even though they're completely AI-generated,” he added. Shao Fengtian's TENC oil painting series in the Madein Gallery, Galleries exhibition, also uses AI technology to assist in drawing lines and colouring. “This painting was created by Shao Fengtian by feeding AI the photos he took and then using AI to generate lines and colours,” said La Xueer, 31, the director of Madein Gallery. “Artists have always been really at the forefront of new technology and utilising new technology in creative and innovative ways,” said Spencer-Castle. “Art needs to evolve and change with practice. If you are old-fashioned and keep looking to history for inspiration, it …
Holi Festival: “The most fun event” in Brisbane
- 2025-03-29
- Photo Essay
- The Young Reporter
- By: CHAU Wing YauEdited by: ZHANG Yiping
- 2025-03-29
Hundreds of students, with their faces and white clothes smeared with coloured power, gathered at Forgan Smith Lawns of the University of Queensland on March 14 to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, love and spring dedicated to the deities Radha and Krishna. It’s the third year the event is held at the college. Participants wore white, which acts as a canvas for the colours. The powders, a mixture of cornflour and colourings, symbolise different blessings: red for love, green for new beginnings and blue for Krishna, according to the National Geographic. Students smeared and threw the coloured powders either in the air or at each other. “The Holi is the only event you will attend where you will leave looking completely different to how you arrived,” said the Student Union of the University of Queensland, in a post on Instagram. DJ Gaurav Bose and Martin Garrix played music in the middle of the lawn, while students slipped and slid in water pools to the beat of Hindu music. “I think it is fantastic, this is the most fun event that I have had in university so far,” said Camille Bloomfield, an 18-year-old student. “I love seeing all the people being so friendly with each other. It just feels like a community being able to come together to celebrate.” The University of Queensland set up a Cultural Inclusion Council in 2021 that has been holding events with different cultures, such as Chinese New Year, Holi Festival and Toga Party. But Shaktika Malhotr, 25, an Indian student, thought the event may not help to spread her culture. “This event is not preaching about Hinduism. People are just coming here to have fun,” said Malhotr. Despite that, Malhotr said this kind of event helps drive away the homesick. “But being an …
Pop Mart shares extend rally as revenue more than doubled in 2024, driven by IP operation and globalisation strategy
- 2025-03-27
- Business
- The Young Reporter
- By: Yichun Fang、CAO JiawenEdited by: WANG Ruoshui、XIA Fan、BO Chuxuan
- 2025-03-27
Pop Mart’s annual revenue more than doubled and surpassed 13 billion yuan thanks to its IP development and globalisation strategy, according to its 2024 annual results published on Wednesday. Under code 9992, shares of the Beijing-based company climbed more than 9% to HK$ 153.7 today, following yesterday’s 10% gain. During yesterday’s midday announcement, the company reported a 106.9% increase in revenue and a 203.9% yoy surge in net profit to 3.3 billion yuan for the previous fiscal year. “Market acceptance of Pop Mart’s IPs, such as CRYBABY and THE MONSTERS, which contain a flagship product Labubu, is still very high, and unless something unexpected happens, the growth prospects for Pop Mart this year are very positive,” added Kenney Wen, head of Investment Strategy at KGI Asia. The revenue of THE MONSTERS, one of the heated IPs of Pop Mart, saw a revenue of 3.04 billion yuan, a 726.6% surge compared to last year, contributing 23.3% of the overall revenue. CRYBABY, as one of their “fast-growing emerging IPs”, also reached a revenue of 1.16 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth rate of 1,537.2%. “Buying dolls of these IPs has become a trend-setter,” Wen said. The group’s sales are expected to grow by more than 50% year-on-year in 2025, according to Wang Ning, chairman of the board of directors of Pop Mart, who spoke at yesterday’s Annual Results Announcement. He expected the total sales to reach more than 20 billion yuan in 2025, with the overseas market accounting for more than 10 billion yuan of this total. In 2024, for the market other than Mainland China, the revenue from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas increased by 375.2% from 1,066.1 million yuan in 2023 to 5,065.7 million yuan. Wang added that the company expects the North American market alone in 2025 to …