July 15, 2026
This week’s news from Hong Kong spans a wide spectrum—from continued national security enforcement actions and robust economic data to record-breaking academic achievements and major infrastructure developments.
Politics & National Security: Bookstore Raids and First Five-Year Plan
National Security Police Arrest Five in Independent Bookstore Raids
On July 15, the Hong Kong Police Force’s National Security Department raided two independent bookshops in the Mong Kok and Prince Edward areas—Greenfield Book Store and Have a Nice Stay—arresting three women (aged 30 to 59) and two men (aged 37 and 57).
The five suspects were arrested on suspicion of violating Section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which pertains to “doing an act with seditious intent”. According to police, the Customs and Excise Department had earlier referred a case involving an overseas shipment containing books deemed seditious. Investigation revealed that the arrestees allegedly displayed seditious items within their stores and sold seditious publications, including content that incited hatred against the Hong Kong government, the judiciary, and law enforcement agencies. The suspects remain in police custody, and the maximum penalty for the offense is seven years’ imprisonment.
Have a Nice Stay, founded in 2022 by several former reporters, specializes in books on journalism studies, humanities, and social sciences. The bookstore had announced its impending closure just a day before the raid, with owners citing financial losses and “unclear red lines” over what books would be considered “problematic”.
This marks the third round of arrests linked to independent bookstores in recent months, following similar operations in March and June. Last month, the owners of Hunter’s Bookstore in Sham Shui Po were arrested on suspicion of sedition and money laundering, while two other independent bookstores—Elmbook and Luck Win Bookstore—were disqualified from participating in the city’s annual book fair.
Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan Hailed as “Historic Shift”
Legislative Council President Starry Lee described the drafting of Hong Kong’s first five-year plan as “groundbreaking” and of historic significance. She noted that the plan would benefit residents by aligning the city’s development with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, particularly in technology and competitiveness. Lawmaker Stanley Ng echoed this sentiment, stating that Hong Kong must shift from “simply following the tide” to becoming “an important part of the national strategy”.
Huanggang Port Bill Fast-Tracked
Authorities have pledged to fast-track renovations and equipment installation at the upgraded Huanggang Port as the Legislative Council prepares to approve the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Bill. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung stated that the bill, which provides the legal basis for implementing a co-location arrangement at the border crossing, must be approved by July 31. If passed this week, it would mark the fastest legislative scrutiny since the Legco’s 2021 overhaul. The upgraded port will be the first to use a “joint inspection” model, cutting clearance times from 30 minutes to approximately five minutes.
Economy: Strong Recovery Momentum Continues
Hong Kong’s economic rebound remains robust, with first-quarter 2026 real GDP growing 5.9% year-on-year—the fastest quarterly expansion in nearly five years. Merchandise exports surged 23.8% in real terms, while visitor arrivals exceeded 14.3 million, a 17% increase year-on-year.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.7% for March–May 2026, unchanged from the preceding three-month period. The underemployment rate also remained at 1.5%.
The University of Hong Kong upgraded its economic growth forecast for the year by one percentage point, projecting 3.5% to 4% growth. However, economists expect second-quarter growth to moderate to 4.2% year-on-year due to a slower pace of inventory accumulation, with third-quarter growth projected at 3.3%.
In positive business sentiment, 16% of businesses expect revenue growth of more than 30% by 2026, while 93% have already digitalized their operations.
Education: Record 24 DSE Top Scorers
The 2026 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (DSE) produced a record-breaking 24 top scorers—the highest number since the exam was introduced. The top scorers comprise 14 boys and 10 girls from 15 schools.
Among them, 11 candidates (six males and five females) are designated “super top scorers,” having achieved 5** in the three core subjects (Chinese, English, Mathematics) and three electives, plus the Mathematics Extended Part, along with a pass in Citizenship and Social Development.
A total of 58,487 school and private candidates sat this year’s exams, up 5.4% from last year. Approximately 16,000 school candidates—over one-third of the cohort—met the minimum university admission requirement of “332A33”. They will compete for about 13,000 subsidized first-year undergraduate places via the Joint University Programmes Admissions System, representing roughly 1.2 applicants per spot.
Notably, this year’s candidates included two elderly candidates aged 72 and 70, as well as an 11-year-old who sat one subject and attained Level 4.
HKEAA Secretary General Wei Xiang-dong attributed the record number of top scorers to stronger overall performance and greater student effort, adding that the pass-fail grading system for Citizenship and Social Development allowed students to devote more time to other subjects.
Other Developments
Airport Bomb Threat: A 47-year-old man was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday following an argument over flight service issues. He was found in possession of a switchblade, a stun gun, and two suspected e-cigarettes, but was later released on bail.
Gig Economy Labor Rights: The Hong Kong government moved to extend injury compensation rights to delivery workers, a move described by the South China Morning Post editorial board as “long overdue” and a “breakthrough” in enhancing labor protections.
Competition Law Reform: The Competition Commission proposed making serious anti-competitive behavior, including bid-rigging, a criminal offence, as a three-day final hearing began into the deadly fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court.
This roundup covers major developments reported up to July 15, 2026.
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