Hong Kong Free Press

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.

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.

1 week ago | hongkongfp.com | Hillary Leung

A warehouse blaze in Tin Shui Wai that injured two people was “largely put out” on Wednesday morning, after raging for more than 20 hours, the Hong Kong Fire Services Department (FSD) has announced. Wong Yu-fai, the FSD’s New Territories West division commander, told reporters on Tuesday that they received reports of a fire at a warehouse in Ha Tsuen, Tin Shui Wai, at around 12.40pm and arrived at the scene in about five minutes.

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.

1 week ago | hongkongfp.com | Hillary Leung

Hong Kong’s first-ever giant panda twins have received their official names, Ocean Park has announced, following a naming competition. The female cub is named Jia Jia while her brother is called De De, after a competition that, according to the park, drew more than 35,700 submissions from the public. The competition’s judging panel considered the names to be “highly meaningful,” Rosanna Law, the secretary for culture, sports and tourism, said on Tuesday.