Asia

 What comes next with John Lee leading Hong Kong?

Editorial Bureau May 9, 2022

HONG KONG — There was little doubt over John Lee’s election as Hong Kong’s next chief executive. A career police officer and the city’s security chief received over 99% of the vote from an election committee stacked with mostly pro-Beijing members. He was the sole candidate in Sunday’s

Asia

Hong Kong kicks off leadership polls with sole candidate

Editorial Bureau May 8, 2022

HONG KONG — A Hong Kong election committee is voting Sunday for the city’s only leadership candidate, John Lee, who is widely expected to win and become Hong Kong’s next chief executive. The committee, comprised of nearly 1,500 largely pro-Beijing members, is voting in a secret ballot that will last 2 1/2 hours. Lee needs […]

Asia

Hong Kong reopens beaches, Beijing relaxes quarantine rules

Editorial Bureau May 5, 2022

BEIJING — Hong Kong on Thursday reopened beaches and pools in a relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, while China’s capital Beijing began easing quarantine rules for arrivals from overseas. Hong Kong had closed water sports venues amid an outbreak of the highly transmissible omicron variant but has been tailing off restrictions as new case numbers fall. […]

Asia

Hong Kong’s John Lee pledges to enact local security law

Editorial Bureau April 30, 2022

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s only candidate for the upcoming leadership elections pledged Friday to enact a long-shelved local legislation to protect against security threats and vowed to increase the city’s competitiveness upon taking office. John Lee, formerly the city’s No. 2 official, revealed his 44-page manifesto Friday, vowing to strengthen governance, increase public

Asia

Hong Kong to ease COVID-19 restrictions as infections fall

Editorial Bureau April 15, 2022

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will ease some social distancing measures later this month, allowing people to dine in at restaurants in the evening and lifting restrictions on private gatherings, as the number of COVID-19 infections declined in recent weeks. From April 21, restaurants will be able to operate until 10 p.m. with a maximum […]

Asia

Hong Kong police arrest 6 accused of sedition

Editorial Bureau April 7, 2022

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s national security police used a colonial-era sedition law to arrest six people Wednesday on suspicion of causing a nuisance at court hearings in December and January. The suspects — four men and two women aged between 32 and 67 years old — were arrested on suspicion of committing an “act […]

Uncategorized

Hong Kong’s No. 2 official resigns, seen as next city leader

Editorial Bureau April 7, 2022

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s No. 2 official and a staunch supporter of a Beijing-backed crackdown on pro-democracy activists tendered his resignation on Wednesday amid expectation that he would announce his intention to run for the top job in the semi-autonomous territory. John Lee, who is the city’s chief secretary for administration, submitted his resignation […]

Asia

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says she won’t seek second term

Editorial Bureau April 4, 2022

HONG KONG — Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who survived massive protests against her government in 2019 and oversaw the implementation of a tough national security law that quashed dissent, said Monday she will not seek a second term. Her successor will be picked in May. “I will complete my five year term as chief […]

World

Feds: Man smuggled 1,700 reptiles from Mexico, Hong Kong

Editorial Bureau March 25, 2022

LOS ANGELES — A Southern California man is accused of smuggling more than 1,700 reptiles — including baby crocodiles and Mexican beaded lizards — into the U.S. since 2016, authorities said Thursday. Jose Manuel Perez, also known as “Julio Rodriguez,” was taken into custody on Feb. 25 at the San Ysidro border crossing with Mexico. […]

Asia

Hong Kong will review COVID-19 restrictions as cases decline

Editorial Bureau March 21, 2022

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Hong Kong’s leader said Sunday that the government would consider lifting strict social distancing measures as new COVID-19 infections in the city continued trending downward. “I wouldn’t promise now that there’s room for adjustment,” Chief Executive Carrie Lam said. “But following a review, we have a duty to account for the findings […]