Irene Chan

China, Hong Kong

Writer and Producer at Uscreen

Reporter at Hong Kong Free Press

Articles

Hong Kong airport departure tax to increase to HK$200

1 week ago | hongkongfp.com | Irene Chan

Hong Kong’s airport departure tax will increase to HK$200 starting from October 1, after lawmakers passed a bill on Wednesday to green light the raise. Out of 84 lawmakers who took part in the vote on the Air Passenger Departure Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025, 77 voted in favour. Two lawmakers voted against the bill while five abstained. The increase will see the city’s airport departure tax for adults rise from the current HK$120 to HK$200, representing a 67 per cent hike.
HK mulls legislation to boost rights of delivery workers: labour chief

1 week ago | hongkongfp.com | Irene Chan

The Hong Kong government will introduce a proposal this year to enhance the rights and benefits of digital platform workers, labour and welfare chief Chris Sun has said, following recent strikes by delivery workers. The government “will introduce a proposal for further enhancing the rights and benefits of platform workers within this year, and will consider reinforcing the protection for platform workers through legislative means,” Sun told the Legislative Council (LegCo) on Wednesday.
Nearly half of Hongkongers bereaved by suicide at high risk of PTSD: survey

1 week ago | hongkongfp.com | Irene Chan

Nearly half of Hongkongers who lost their loved ones to suicide are at high risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a survey has found. According to a survey released by the Suicide Prevention Services (SPS), a non-profit organisation, on Tuesday, 47.4 per cent of 154 respondents whose family members died by suicide scored higher than 31 – the cutoff line in a PTSD screening tool. Scores above the cutoff line indicate probable PTSD.
Refugees in HK tell of life in limbo after Trump's resettlement ban

2 weeks ago | hongkongfp.com | Irene Chan

Peter, a refugee in Hong Kong, fled political persecution in his home country in Africa. But he never thought he would become a victim again – this time because of a foreign leader thousands of kilometres away. He was scheduled to leave Hong Kong for resettlement in the US on February 4, but the plan was in shambles after Donald Trump was re-elected president. 💡HKFP grants anonymity to known sources under tightly controlled, limited circumstances defined in our Ethics Code.
HK urges employers to ensure workers' safety after heat stress warnings

2 weeks ago | hongkongfp.com | Irene Chan

Hong Kong’s Labour Department has urged employers to take preventive measures against heatstroke and to ensure workers’ safety after the city issued a heat stress warning for two consecutive days. Temperatures rose to 33 degrees Celsius in multiple districts across Hong Kong on Friday, reaching over 35 degrees in places such as Cheung Chau and Sheung Shui. The mercury also hit 33 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
Around 270 Keeta delivery riders strike to protest 'unfair' system

2 weeks ago | hongkongfp.com | Irene Chan

Around 270 riders working for food delivery platform Keeta have gone on strike to protest what they called an “unfair” system that has seen their earnings reduced. In Central, Keeta riders gathered from 9 am on Thursday, a rider who declined to share their name told HKFP on Thursday. At least 200 delivery workers took the day off work in protest, the rider said, representing 95 per cent of riders in Central.
HK labour chief defends imported labour schemes after unemployment rate rises

2 weeks ago | hongkongfp.com | Irene Chan

The Hong Kong labour minister has defended the government’s schemes to import non-local workers following criticism that the programmes have led to a rising unemployment rate in the city. “I have noticed that recent comments have linked the unemployment situation in certain industries to imported labour. I must emphasise that the government’s manpower policy has always prioritised local workers,” Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said in a Chinese-language Facebook post on Tuesday.
HK Consumer Council

3 weeks ago | hongkongfp.com | Irene Chan

Hong Kong’s Consumer Council has urged people to adopt pets after its investigation found that over 90 per cent of online pet shops were suspected of smuggling pets from mainland China or being unlicensed local breeders. In a statement published on Thursday, the consumer watchdog disclosed the findings of its joint investigation and survey with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on the issue of online pet purchases and scams.
Film on HK journalist Ronson Chan withdrawn from overseas screenings

3 weeks ago | hongkongfp.com | Irene Chan

A documentary on Hong Kong journalist Ronson Chan has been withdrawn from screenings in Taiwan, Canada, the US, and the UK, citing “pressure on the interviewee.” The documentary, titled A Single Spark A Little Blaze, was scheduled to be screened overseas alongside 11 other short films to showcase this year’s Hong Kong Indie Short Film Award finalists. Taiwan-based independent filmmaking organisation Ying E Chi organised the film award and the screenings.
HK politicians, residents oppose NGO's plan to open homeless shelter

3 weeks ago | hongkongfp.com | Irene Chan

Hong Kong lawmakers, district councillors, and residents have opposed an NGO’s application to open a homeless shelter in Cheung Sha Wan, citing concerns such as “hygiene” and “security.”The opposition comes after ImpactHK, an NGO that helps and supports street sleepers in the city, applied to the Lands Department to lease government land to open and run a homeless shelter in Cheung Sha Wan.