Good evening from Meziesblog.

Below is a roundup of the major stories dominating the city’s newspapers on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Political developments concerning national security legislation, a major high-level delegation to Beijing, significant economic data, and the upcoming 29th anniversary of the Handover featured prominently across the city’s leading publications.

1. Chief Executive Defends Proposed National Security Certification Powers

Chief Executive John Lee held a press conference on Tuesday to defend a new government proposal that would grant him the power to certify criminal acts as national security offences. The proposal, submitted to the Legislative Council on Monday, involves subsidiary legislation for the homegrown Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, commonly known as Article 23.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Lee said the new legislation is intended to “make the law clear” and would reduce potential “controversy or debate in court” about what constitutes a national security offence. He stressed that the proposal is not intended to expand the definition of existing offences, add new crimes, or grant any new powers or punishments. When asked about concerns regarding the centralisation of power, Mr. Lee noted that the Chief Executive has access to exclusive, sensitive information regarding threats to national security, which is often unsuitable for public disclosure, and that he would exercise the new power with “prudence and seriousness”. Under the proposal, the Chief Executive’s certificate would be binding on the city’s courts and cannot be challenged.

2. Major Financial Delegation Visits Beijing, Secures Support for Hong Kong’s Role

A significant Hong Kong financial delegation, led by Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Chief Executive Eddie Yue and comprising the Hong Kong Association of Banks, concluded a two-day visit to Beijing on Tuesday. The delegation met with a series of high-level officials, including Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), as well as Xu Qifang, the office’s deputy director in charge of daily work.

In separate meetings, China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) Chairman Wu Qing and People’s Bank of China (PBOC) Governor Pan Gongsheng also met with the delegation. Discussions with the CSRC focused on the economic and financial situations of the mainland and Hong Kong, deepening capital market connectivity, and consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. With the PBOC, talks centred on macroeconomic conditions, further co-operation on financial market connectivity, and strengthening Hong Kong’s offshore Renminbi market. In a media exchange, Mr. Yue highlighted that Hong Kong’s first-quarter GDP grew by 5.9% year-on-year, the fastest quarterly pace in nearly five years, adding that the internal momentum for the city’s economic recovery is “very solid”.

3. Government Announces 2% Pay Rise for All Civil Servants

The Hong Kong government announced on Tuesday that all civil servants will receive a uniform pay rise of 2%, with the salary adjustment retroactive to April 1, 2026. The decision, made by the Executive Council, will involve approximately HK$6 billion in public funds.

Secretary for the Civil Service, Ingrid Yeung, said at a press conference that the adjustment was based on six factors, including Hong Kong’s economic growth, rising cost of living, the government’s fiscal position, the positive net indicators from the Pay Trend Survey, the civil service’s pay claim, and staff morale. Ms. Yeung noted that while the government must be prudent with public finances due to geopolitical uncertainties, the city’s continued economic growth and improved fiscal position permitted a reasonable pay adjustment that recognises the work of the civil service and helps maintain morale.

4. APEC Integrity Conference Opens in Hong Kong

The Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) “Integrity for Prosperity” seminar commenced on Tuesday as a two-day event in Hong Kong. The conference, held at the Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel, brought together around 70 representatives from 14 APEC member economies, four international organisations, and about 100 local business leaders.

Speaking at the opening, Hong Kong’s Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Woo Ying-ming, stressed that the seminar would focus on how integrity builds trust, strengthens the business environment, and supports fair development. He emphasised that it is about “more than just fighting corruption, but building a future where integrity becomes a part of every transaction, every system, and every relationship”. The seminar is exploring three main themes: strengthening integrity to improve people’s livelihoods, building a more resilient financial system through integrity, and promoting cross-border investment and trade. Participants will also visit the ICAC’s headquarters for an experience-sharing session on how the commission uses enforcement, prevention, and education to eradicate corruption.

5. Hong Kong Markets Remain Subdued Amid US Pressure

Hong Kong stocks closed lower on Tuesday, with the benchmark Hang Seng Index dropping by 91 points, or 0.37 per cent, to close at 24,565 points. Despite a rally in most other Asian markets, the Hang Seng was under pressure, with analysts pointing to a new US Department of Defence list that included several major Chinese technology companies, weighing on sentiment. The sell-off was particularly focused on the mainland property sector.

The market’s decline came despite a positive open and a brief afternoon surge. The Hang Seng Tech Index, however, bucked the trend, advancing 0.29 per cent to 4,769 points. Turnover remained active, with full-day turnover reaching HK$308.9 billion. Among stocks, Tencent rose 1.5 per cent and Meituan gained 1.2 per cent, while Alibaba retreated 1.4 per cent. Chipmakers, including SMIC and Hua Hong Semiconductor, also posted gains.

6. Police Break Up Loan Shark Ring, Arrest Youths as Young as 14

The Western District of the Hong Kong police have dismantled an illegal debt collection syndicate, arresting 10 individuals in a two-day operation codenamed “Tough Body”. The syndicate is suspected of being behind 16 paint-splashing incidents in Aberdeen, Sai Wan, and Siu Sai Wan. Among those arrested were two alleged triad ringleaders, aged 20 and 37, and eight other young men—either unemployed or students—ranging in age from 14 to 19.

Police investigations revealed that the syndicate used social media to recruit young people, offering HK$500 to HK$1,500 per job to buy paint and splash it on designated targets. The operation involved a detailed analysis of CCTV footage. Western District anti-triad officers also noted that, with the summer holidays approaching, young people looking for part-time work should be extremely wary of such offers. They warned that taking part in these activities for “quick money” could lead to serious criminal charges, and reminded parents and teachers to help educate youngsters on how to spot suspicious job offers.

7. Mega Delegation Returns from Central Asia With Major Deals

Chief Executive John Lee led the largest trade delegation of his term to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which has just concluded, securing nearly 100 co-operation agreements. The visit, which was covered extensively in the press on Tuesday, aimed to inject new momentum into Hong Kong’s ties with Central Asia across a range of sectors, including finance, innovation and technology, and trade.

In meetings with Kazakh officials, Mr. Lee emphasised that Hong Kong, under the “one country, two systems” principle, enjoys the unique advantages of being backed by the motherland while maintaining connectivity with the world, making it a functional platform for high-quality Belt and Road co-operation. About half of the companies on the trade mission were from the mainland, showcasing a model of collaborative development. The Hong Kong government’s investment promotion arm, InvestHK, facilitated the signing of several memoranda of understanding between mainland companies and their Kazakh counterparts, helping them use Hong Kong as a springboard to tap into the Central Asian market.

8. Celebrations Announced for 29th Handover Anniversary

With the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region approaching on July 1, Chief Executive John Lee announced on Tuesday that a wide range of celebratory activities and discounts will be held across the city. Over 1,000 restaurants and merchants, around 100 shopping malls, large department stores, four FEHD markets, the airport, and the Science and Technology Parks will be offering various discounts and gifts.

The festivities will include a flag-raising ceremony, a march-past, carnivals, variety shows, and ball games across all 18 districts. Major public transport discounts include MTR giving away 71,000 single-journey tickets, free rides on the Airport Express for children under 11, half-price for senior citizens and students, free rides on trams, and free rides on several ferry routes. Many government and cultural facilities will also be free, including sports facilities and swimming pools managed by the LCSD, as well as the Hong Kong Science Museum, Space Museum, the M+ museum, and the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Ocean Park will also offer a “two-for-one” ticket promotion.

9. Customs Officers Seize HK$3.8 Million in Drugs, Uncover Smuggled Kitten

The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department continued its crackdown on cross-border crime on Tuesday with two significant operations. In the first, following an intelligence exchange with mainland counter-narcotics and anti-smuggling authorities, customs officers intercepted a parcel sent from the mainland to Hong Kong that was declared as a gift. Upon inspection, the parcel was found to contain approximately 10 kilogrammes of suspected ketamine, with an estimated street value of HK$3.8 million. A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of a 43-year-old local man in Tsing Yi, who has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug.

In a separate incident on Tuesday, customs officers at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Centre intercepted a 56-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong. During an inspection, they discovered a live cat hidden inside the man’s backpack. The cat was valued at approximately HK$15,000. The man was arrested on the spot, and the case has been handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation. Customs reminded the public that importing animals without a valid licence is a serious offence, carrying a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and one year in prison.

10. Filmmaker Raymond Wong Sentenced to Five Months for Insider Dealing

Veteran Hong Kong comedian, film producer, and businessman Raymond Wong Pak-ming, also known as Wong Bak-ming, was sentenced to five months in prison on Tuesday for insider dealing. Mr. Wong, 79, was found guilty of the charge last month. In handing down the sentence at the West Kowloon Magistracy, Magistrate Ko Wai-hung used a starting point of nine months’ imprisonment before reducing it to five months after considering Mr. Wong’s background, all mitigating factors, including mental stress, his age and health, his many years of contributions to society, and the impact of the case on his family. He was also ordered to pay a fine of approximately HK$99,000.

The court heard that between August and October 2017, Mr. Wong, who was then the chairman and controlling shareholder of Pegasus Motion Pictures, allegedly counselled or procured his sister, Wong Kit-chun, to conduct share transactions in the company at a time when he possessed inside information. Mr. Wong was granted bail pending an appeal, with the court upholding the original bail conditions.