Asia Viral News - Most Recent

Oct 16, 2026

Private healthcare providers back proposed rules to make fees more transparent

Private hospitals and clinics have thrown their support behind proposed Hong Kong government measures that will make their pricing more transparent, such as publishing annual billing statistics, despite potentially higher operating costs. Healthcare providers said on Friday that the latest proposed measures, which could start with private hospitals from August next year at the earliest, were “feasible” and “reasonable”. Details were set out in a document submitted by the Health Bureau to the...

Oct 16, 2026

Hong Kong housewife gets 3 months in psychiatric institution over seditious posters

An elderly woman who pasted materials containing pro-independence slogans and Hong Kong’s colonial-era flag outside her flat has been sentenced to three months in a maximum-security psychiatric institution for displaying seditious publications. West Kowloon Court ordered housewife Yang Chau-ki, 62, to undergo mandatory psychiatric treatment at the Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre on Friday. She was charged with knowingly displaying publications with seditious intent under Hong Kong’s Article 23...

Oct 16, 2026

Pioneering heart stem cell expert Li Renke dies at 65 during a Chinese conference

Li Renke, a visionary cardiovascular scientist who applied engineering principles to the human heart and developed conductive biomaterials to repair tissue damaged by heart attacks, died while attending an academic conference in the Chinese city of Xian earlier this month. He was 65. His death on October 10 was announced by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen), where he was presidential chair professor and associate dean of research and translation at the school of...

'Fuel costs, falling revenue behind fare hike bids'

Oct 16, 2026

Bus operators said a sharp rise in fuel costs has created a huge financial burden and other revenue streams were also falling, as the four firms seek fare increases with Citybus applying for the highest rise of 17.7 per cent. Appearing before the Legislative Council's transport panel on Friday, representatives from the bus operators said fuel prices had risen sharply, causing significant financial pressure. "We're incurring approximately an additional HK$60 million a month in fuel compared to what we were at the beginning of this year. And for Long Win Bus Company it's approximately HK$6 million extra each month which is overall more than double what we were paying last year," Martin Cadman, operations director of the Kowloon Motor Bus, told lawmakers. "Post-war oil prices... just an increase of one or two dollars a litre can succeed in eliminating all of our modest profits which is quite something. It shows how sensitive we are to such events," Mark Savelli, operations director of New Lantao Bus said. He noted that the worst he saw was a rise of US$7 per litre. Bus company representatives also cited other factors, including changing travel patterns leading to falling revenue. They stressed that they had already made efforts to boost non-fare income. Citybus Managing Director William Chung said the opening of MTR's South Island Line and the Sha Tin to Central Link had taken away many bus passengers. He said the company returned to profitability after its last fare increase, but was still under severe pressure from rising oil prices. Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics Kirk Yip said the government would handle the fare applications with prudence, taking into account factors including public acceptability and operators' financial sustainability. "We will not accept bus companies' applications outright; we will carefully review various factors and also consider the overall affordability for the public," he told lawmakers. A final proposal would be submitted to the Chief Executive and the Executive Council after consulting the Transport Advisory Board. Several lawmakers criticised the scale of the proposed increases, which they said exceeded the rate of inflation and pay rises for employees. New Territories West lawmaker Scott Leung described the hikes as "jaw-dropping" and asked whether the government would subsidise fuel costs. Transport sector lawmaker Lothair Lam suggested adopting a fare adjustment mechanism similar to the MTR's annual review formula for bus fares. In response, Ip said different public transport modes and bus companies operate under different franchises and service areas, making a simple formula unsuitable. He acknowledged that oil prices are a significant component of operating costs, and said there is a standing mechanism to review their financial and service impact. Edited by Aaron Tam

Oct 16, 2026

Hong Kong aims for share of HK$350 billion yacht industry as travel scheme launches

Hong Kong can capture a share of the global yacht industry, which is expected to reach HK$350 billion (US$44.6 billion) in six years, a senior official has said as the city launched a scheme to welcome leisure vessels from mainland China. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan also announced fresh measures to attract overseas captains and draw superyachts to the city on Friday. The new Southbound Travel for Yachts from Guangdong scheme is part of the government’s broader plan to...

Five Guangdong yachts enter HK under new scheme

Oct 16, 2026

Five yachts from Guangdong entered Hong Kong waters on Friday as a new scheme to ease cross-border yacht visits took effect. Nearby vessels sounded their horns as the visiting boats docked one by one at the Lantau Yacht Club in Discovery Bay around noon. The vessels range from about 13 to 38 metres, with three from Shenzhen, one from Nansha and one from Zhuhai. Officiating a welcoming ceremony, Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong said Hong Kong is actively building itself into Asia’s yacht hub, noting that the worldwide yacht market continues to grow – especially the luxury segment – and that the city can capture a share of that growth. He said the government is rolling out measures to boost the yacht economy, including steps to make visits by such vessels easier, and will host the Festival of Connoisseurs from November 4 to 6. Wong added that four new marina projects – at the airport, Lamma Island, Aberdeen and Hung Hom – are moving ahead. Together they will provide more than 1,100 berths, a 30 percent increase from the existing total, he said. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said there are adequate facilities for mainland yachts to moor and dock in the SAR. "At the present moment, we have allowed these mainland yachts to dock or moor at five designated mooring anchorage areas, in addition to the existing mooring facilities in yacht clubs. We consider that this could meet the demand," she said. "Coupled with the real-time dynamic monitoring system, the Marine Department can communicate with the mainland yacht captains so as to facilitate their travel in Hong Kong waters." Wong thanked the central government and relevant units in Guangdong and Hong Kong for their support in implementing the travel scheme. "Whether it's Hong Kong yachts heading north or Guangdong yachts heading south, the essence is mutual benefit – a win-win-win," he said. "We believe the travel scheme can open up a brand-new maritime channel for residents and visitors on both sides, jointly driving economic development in both places." Edited by Aaron Tam

Five Guangdong yachts enter HK under new scheme

Oct 16, 2026

Five yachts from Guangdong entered Hong Kong waters on Friday as a new scheme to ease cross-border yacht visits took effect. Nearby vessels sounded their horns as the visiting boats docked one by one at the Lantau Yacht Club in Discovery Bay around noon. The vessels range from about 13 to 38 metres, with three from Shenzhen, one from Nansha and one from Zhuhai. Officiating a welcoming ceremony, Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong said Hong Kong is actively building itself into Asia’s yacht hub, noting that the worldwide yacht market continues to grow – especially the luxury segment – and that the city can capture a share of that growth. He said the government is rolling out measures to boost the yacht economy, including steps to make visits by such vessels easier, and will host the Festival of Connoisseurs from November 4 to 6. Wong added that four new marina projects – at the airport, Lamma Island, Aberdeen and Hung Hom – are moving ahead. Together they will provide more than 1,100 berths, a 30 percent increase from the existing total, he said. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said there are adequate facilities for mainland yachts to moor and dock in the SAR. "At the present moment, we have allowed these mainland yachts to dock or moor at five designated mooring anchorage areas, in addition to the existing mooring facilities in yacht clubs. We consider that this could meet the demand," she said. "Coupled with the real-time dynamic monitoring system, the Marine Department can communicate with the mainland yacht captains so as to facilitate their travel in Hong Kong waters." Wong thanked the central government and relevant units in Guangdong and Hong Kong for their support in implementing the travel scheme. "Whether it's Hong Kong yachts heading north or Guangdong yachts heading south, the essence is mutual benefit – a win-win-win," he said. "We believe the travel scheme can open up a brand-new maritime channel for residents and visitors on both sides, jointly driving economic development in both places." Edited by Aaron Tam

Oct 16, 2026

Envoy says China could ‘easily win’ conflict as Manila claims it is ‘thinly veiled threat’

Manila has called for diplomatic restraint in response to suggestions from the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines that Beijing could “easily win” a military showdown in the region but had instead chosen peace. The war of words comes amid rising tension over the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Beijing has repeatedly driven away Philippine aircraft over the shoal in recent months, while accusing Manila of violating Chinese airspace. Ambassador Jing Quan made his comment on Thursday as...

Oct 16, 2026

Long March: Why it was a defining turning point in CPC history

The Red Army's Long March not only rescued the Party, the army and the Chinese revolution from the brink of crisis, but also enabled the CPC to break free from dogmatic constraints, preserve the core pillars of the people's army and seize the historical tide of the nationwide War of Resistance, thereby laying the cornerstone for national liberation and the founding of a new China.

Oct 16, 2026

Beyond legal advice: Hong Kong charity helps bridge the gap in access to justice

Pro Bono HK is known for helping people in need access justice in Hong Kong, but its work extends beyond legal advice to connecting clients with social workers and community groups for further support and promoting legal education. Founded in 2014, the organisation helps people who may not qualify for legal aid or cannot afford private representation. Its work ranges from tenancy and family disputes to inheritance matters and emergency legal support. Pro Bono HK and its volunteers are finalists...