Hong Kong urged to require private schools to disclose financial status
By Wynna Wong
Hong Kong private schools should be required to disclose their financial status, lawmakers have said after an indebted institution failed to refund at least HK$5.8 million (US$745,970) worth of debentures to parents who withdrew their children from it.
The legislators on Thursday also expressed concerns about the future of 100 pupils enrolled at Han Academy, as education authorities had asked the private school, which is HK$100 million in debt, to stop charging parents a capital levy of HK$600,000 per student.
Lawmaker Edward Leung Hei, who has been handling complaints, said parents had no idea the Aberdeen-based school had been financially struggling until it began failing to pay them back.
“Parents have been continuously asking about the flow of these funds and how much is left, but the school did not make the information public, causing concerns about whether their money is already gone,” he told a radio show.
According to Leung, current policies only require schools to disclose certain accounts, including tuition, transfer and capital fees, while other items such as bonds do not need to be made public.
“Moving forward, it is necessary to disclose the status of these bonds, how much money is left, where it has been spent, not only to be accountable to current students but also to those who will soon enrol and need to purchase school bonds.”
Leung said he had been assisting about 50 parents with children at Han Academy since receiving the first call 1½ years ago.
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By Wynna Wong
Hong Kong private schools should be required to disclose their financial status, lawmakers have said after an indebted institution failed to refund at least HK$5.8 million (US$745,970) worth of debentures to parents who withdrew their children from it.
The legislators on Thursday also expressed concerns about the future of 100 pupils enrolled at Han Academy, as education authorities had asked the private school, which is HK$100 million in debt, to stop charging parents a capital levy of HK$600,000 per student.
Lawmaker Edward Leung Hei, who has been handling complaints, said parents had no idea the Aberdeen-based school had been financially struggling until it began failing to pay them back.
“Parents have been continuously asking about the flow of these funds and how much is left, but the school did not make the information public, causing concerns about whether their money is already gone,” he told a radio show.
According to Leung, current policies only require schools to disclose certain accounts, including tuition, transfer and capital fees, while other items such as bonds do not need to be made public.
“Moving forward, it is necessary to disclose the status of these bonds, how much money is left, where it has been spent, not only to be accountable to current students but also to those who will soon enrol and need to purchase school bonds.”
Leung said he had been assisting about 50 parents with children at Han Academy since receiving the first call 1½ years ago.
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By Reuters
The Pentagon flatly dismissed claims by a US lawmaker that Iran might be launching drones over New Jersey from a “mothership” off the East Coast.
“There is no truth to that,” Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said on Wednesday.
“There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States and there’s no so-called ‘mothership’ launching drones towards the United States.”
Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew, whose district in New Jersey includes Atlantic City, said he had uncovered what appeared to be an Iranian plot.
“What we’ve uncovered is alarming drones flying in from the direction of the ocean, possibly linked to a missing Iranian mothership,” he said on social media platform X.Multiple drones over Bernardsville, New Jersey on December 5. Photo: Brian Glenn/TMX via AP
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Australia seals Papua New Guinea security deal with eye on China
By Bloomberg
The Australian government has signed a confidential agreement with Papua New Guinea, its second security pact in the Pacific in just under a week, in the latest move by the US ally to attempt to contain China’s growing strategic presence in the region.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood alongside Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape in Sydney on Thursday to announce a deal that would see the Pacific nation enter a team in Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) from 2028, at the cost of A$600 million (US$383 million) over 10 years to Canberra’s budget.
The sporting deal is accompanied by a second confidential security agreement between Canberra and Port Moresby, which underpins the understanding between the two countries that Australia will remain Papua New Guinea’s security partner of choice, according to a government official who asked not to be identified as they weren’t authorised to speak publicly.
“We belong to one region, our shared space is important in a world that is currently conflicted all over,” Marape said at the press conference. “We want to preserve our Pacific – safe, peaceful, good for all of us to live in, especially our children.”
Albanese said that Australia and Papua New Guinea “are the nearest of neighbours and we are the truest of friends”.
The agreement is confidential and will not be released publicly, but it is believed to bear similarities to statements from the Papua New Guinea leadership that Australia is the Pacific nation’s security partner of choice. Under the agreement, it is understood that any move by Papua New Guinea on security that Australia disapproved of could lead to the NRL deal being cancelled.
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By Bloomberg
The Australian government has signed a confidential agreement with Papua New Guinea, its second security pact in the Pacific in just under a week, in the latest move by the US ally to attempt to contain China’s growing strategic presence in the region.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood alongside Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape in Sydney on Thursday to announce a deal that would see the Pacific nation enter a team in Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) from 2028, at the cost of A$600 million (US$383 million) over 10 years to Canberra’s budget.
The sporting deal is accompanied by a second confidential security agreement between Canberra and Port Moresby, which underpins the understanding between the two countries that Australia will remain Papua New Guinea’s security partner of choice, according to a government official who asked not to be identified as they weren’t authorised to speak publicly.
“We belong to one region, our shared space is important in a world that is currently conflicted all over,” Marape said at the press conference. “We want to preserve our Pacific – safe, peaceful, good for all of us to live in, especially our children.”
Albanese said that Australia and Papua New Guinea “are the nearest of neighbours and we are the truest of friends”.
The agreement is confidential and will not be released publicly, but it is believed to bear similarities to statements from the Papua New Guinea leadership that Australia is the Pacific nation’s security partner of choice. Under the agreement, it is understood that any move by Papua New Guinea on security that Australia disapproved of could lead to the NRL deal being cancelled.
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Apple continues AI roll-out to iPhones with customised emojis amid holiday shopping season
By Associated Press
Apple is pumping more artificial intelligence (AI) into the latest iPhones during the holiday shopping season with a free software update that includes a feature that enables users to create customised emojis within a matter of seconds.
The Wednesday release of the iPhone’s upgraded operating system, iOS 18.2, extends Apple’s expansion into AI months after rivals such as Samsung Electronics and Google began implanting the revolutionary technology on their devices. The update builds upon another one that came out in late October to usher in the AI era for Apple and the iPhone, as well as for the iPad and Mac.
The latest round of AI tricks includes “Genmojis”, Apple’s description for emojis that iPhone users will be able to ask the technology to create and then share. Apple says it is placing some limits its AI’s emoji artistry to prevent the distribution of violent or hateful imagery. Other features include an “Image Playground” for a variety of AI-styled illustrations, writing tools and options for summarising emails.
The technology will not work on iPhones that Apple made before 2023 because it requires a special processor that isn’t in older models. The AI will work on the iPhone 16 line-up that came out in September and the premium iPhone 15 models released last year.
That exclusivity is expected to propel a cycle of iPhone upgrades during the current holiday shopping season into next year, driving up Apple’s profit even higher from the US$94 billion that the Cupertino, California, company pocketed in its last financial year ending in September. That expectation is the main reason Apple’s stock price has climbed by about 30 per cent so far this year to push the company’s market value closer to the US$4 trillion threshold for the first time.
Apple is broadening the AI suite’s appeal by including English versions tailored for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK that are included in the latest software update.
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By Associated Press
Apple is pumping more artificial intelligence (AI) into the latest iPhones during the holiday shopping season with a free software update that includes a feature that enables users to create customised emojis within a matter of seconds.
The Wednesday release of the iPhone’s upgraded operating system, iOS 18.2, extends Apple’s expansion into AI months after rivals such as Samsung Electronics and Google began implanting the revolutionary technology on their devices. The update builds upon another one that came out in late October to usher in the AI era for Apple and the iPhone, as well as for the iPad and Mac.
The latest round of AI tricks includes “Genmojis”, Apple’s description for emojis that iPhone users will be able to ask the technology to create and then share. Apple says it is placing some limits its AI’s emoji artistry to prevent the distribution of violent or hateful imagery. Other features include an “Image Playground” for a variety of AI-styled illustrations, writing tools and options for summarising emails.
The technology will not work on iPhones that Apple made before 2023 because it requires a special processor that isn’t in older models. The AI will work on the iPhone 16 line-up that came out in September and the premium iPhone 15 models released last year.
That exclusivity is expected to propel a cycle of iPhone upgrades during the current holiday shopping season into next year, driving up Apple’s profit even higher from the US$94 billion that the Cupertino, California, company pocketed in its last financial year ending in September. That expectation is the main reason Apple’s stock price has climbed by about 30 per cent so far this year to push the company’s market value closer to the US$4 trillion threshold for the first time.
Apple is broadening the AI suite’s appeal by including English versions tailored for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK that are included in the latest software update.
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By SCMP
We have selected five Trending in China stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
A woman in China who survived being pushed off a cliff in Thailand by her husband is now in a legal battle with him after the attempted murder five years ago, as he demands 30 million yuan for a divorce.
After years of unsuccessful blind dates, a man from southern China found love with a Belarusian woman who is a head taller than him. Tian says he always believed he could find true love, and that’s when Namei appeared.Tian’s journey through the world of blind dates was filled with ups and downs, but everything changed when he met the stunning Namei. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
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Who is South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee? From Dior bag scandal to martial law fallout
By Amy Sood
Kim Keon-hee, South Korea’s first lady, has become a lightning rod for controversy amid the chaos caused by her husband’s failed attempt to impose martial law last week, with scandals tied to her wealth and influence seen as a major factor in his political misfortunes.
There has also been widespread speculation that Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law to protect Kim from investigations by the political opposition
However, the controversies surrounding Kim started long before her husband’s shocking decree on December 3.
Before becoming the first lady, Kim was a businesswoman, heading an art event-planning company. She married Yoon in 2012, and while they have no children, they frequently share photos of their pet dogs and cats online.
An advocate for animal rights, Kim has worked to end dog meat consumption in South Korea. She has also been admired for her fashion choices and for breaking the mould of previous first ladies, who typically maintained low profiles.
However, Kim emerged as a contentious figure as early as Yoon’s campaign trail.
In 2021, the first lady apologised for exaggerating her academic credentials when applying for a professorship after the education ministry found she had falsely claimed to hold a master’s degree in business administration from the prestigious Seoul National University.
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By Amy Sood
Kim Keon-hee, South Korea’s first lady, has become a lightning rod for controversy amid the chaos caused by her husband’s failed attempt to impose martial law last week, with scandals tied to her wealth and influence seen as a major factor in his political misfortunes.
There has also been widespread speculation that Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law to protect Kim from investigations by the political opposition
However, the controversies surrounding Kim started long before her husband’s shocking decree on December 3.
Before becoming the first lady, Kim was a businesswoman, heading an art event-planning company. She married Yoon in 2012, and while they have no children, they frequently share photos of their pet dogs and cats online.
An advocate for animal rights, Kim has worked to end dog meat consumption in South Korea. She has also been admired for her fashion choices and for breaking the mould of previous first ladies, who typically maintained low profiles.
However, Kim emerged as a contentious figure as early as Yoon’s campaign trail.
In 2021, the first lady apologised for exaggerating her academic credentials when applying for a professorship after the education ministry found she had falsely claimed to hold a master’s degree in business administration from the prestigious Seoul National University.
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China urged to anchor yuan to non-US dollar currencies to empower domestic tools
By Sylvia Ma
China’s policymakers should consider anchoring the yuan exchange rate to a basket of non-US dollar currencies to create more flexibility for domestic monetary policies aimed at boosting demand, according to a prominent Beijing-based think tank.
The proposal by the China Finance 40 Forum, which is made up of senior Chinese regulatory officials and financial experts, comes as Beijing is struggling to balance the need for looser monetary policies to stimulate the economy, while also maintaining an interest rate spread with the US dollar amid rising external risks.
“Given the stronger dollar and tariff threats posed by Donald Trump’s re-election, intensified external uncertainties could limit the space for domestic monetary policies aimed at maintaining internal and external balance,” the forum said on its official social media account on Tuesday.
To counter the pressures, the think tank suggested temporarily anchoring the yuan to a basket of currencies, particularly the euro, which it said would grant “greater flexibility against the dollar”.
“This would free the exchange rate from tight fluctuation bands, so that it can better reflect shifts in the domestic and international economic environment, and create more room for adjustments in domestic monetary policy,” the forum added.
Financial News, a publication supervised by the People’s Bank of China, said on Wednesday that the yuan’s exchange rate had a “solid foundation” to “remain basically stable”, and was poised to stabilise or strengthen by the end of the year, following a Reuters report that Beijing was considering allowing the yuan to depreciate next year – possibly to 7.5 per US dollar – to offset the impact of the tariffs proposed by Trump.
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By Sylvia Ma
China’s policymakers should consider anchoring the yuan exchange rate to a basket of non-US dollar currencies to create more flexibility for domestic monetary policies aimed at boosting demand, according to a prominent Beijing-based think tank.
The proposal by the China Finance 40 Forum, which is made up of senior Chinese regulatory officials and financial experts, comes as Beijing is struggling to balance the need for looser monetary policies to stimulate the economy, while also maintaining an interest rate spread with the US dollar amid rising external risks.
“Given the stronger dollar and tariff threats posed by Donald Trump’s re-election, intensified external uncertainties could limit the space for domestic monetary policies aimed at maintaining internal and external balance,” the forum said on its official social media account on Tuesday.
To counter the pressures, the think tank suggested temporarily anchoring the yuan to a basket of currencies, particularly the euro, which it said would grant “greater flexibility against the dollar”.
“This would free the exchange rate from tight fluctuation bands, so that it can better reflect shifts in the domestic and international economic environment, and create more room for adjustments in domestic monetary policy,” the forum added.
Financial News, a publication supervised by the People’s Bank of China, said on Wednesday that the yuan’s exchange rate had a “solid foundation” to “remain basically stable”, and was poised to stabilise or strengthen by the end of the year, following a Reuters report that Beijing was considering allowing the yuan to depreciate next year – possibly to 7.5 per US dollar – to offset the impact of the tariffs proposed by Trump.
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Syria’s rebel leader vows to dissolve Assad regime security forces, close prisons
By Reuters
The main commander of the fighters who toppled Bashar al-Assad said that he would dissolve the security forces of the former regime, close its prisons and hunt down anyone involved in the torture or killing of detainees.
Syrian rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa – better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani – said in a statement to Reuters he will “dissolve the security forces of the previous regime and close the notorious prisons”.
Syria ran one of the most oppressive police states in the Middle East during five decades of Assad family rule.
Sharaa, whose former al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is now the country’s most powerful force, must balance demands for justice from victims with the need to prevent violent reprisals and secure international aid.
Syrians have flocked to the infamous prisons where the Assad regime is estimated to have held tens of thousands of detainees, desperately looking for their loved ones. Some have been released alive, others were identified among the dead and thousands more have not yet been found.
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By Reuters
The main commander of the fighters who toppled Bashar al-Assad said that he would dissolve the security forces of the former regime, close its prisons and hunt down anyone involved in the torture or killing of detainees.
Syrian rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa – better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani – said in a statement to Reuters he will “dissolve the security forces of the previous regime and close the notorious prisons”.
Syria ran one of the most oppressive police states in the Middle East during five decades of Assad family rule.
Sharaa, whose former al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is now the country’s most powerful force, must balance demands for justice from victims with the need to prevent violent reprisals and secure international aid.
Syrians have flocked to the infamous prisons where the Assad regime is estimated to have held tens of thousands of detainees, desperately looking for their loved ones. Some have been released alive, others were identified among the dead and thousands more have not yet been found.
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China prepared to keep talking to US, Xi assures Washington business group
By Kawala Xie
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing is “prepared to stay in communication” with the US, calling on proper management of trade differences when US president-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January.
In written remarks to the US-China Business Council on Wednesday, Xi said Beijing and Washington should choose dialogue instead of confrontation, and called for market openness from both countries in the face of Trump’s tariff threats.
“Openness is a key driving force for human civilisation and progress,” Xi said. “We both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation … the success of one side should be an opportunity rather than a challenge for the other.”
“China is prepared to stay in communication with the United States to expand cooperation, manage differences, continuing exploring the right way for our two countries to get along with each other in the new year and realise long-term peaceful coexistence on this planet to the benefit of the two countries and the world.”
Xi’s remarks were delivered by Xie Feng, China’s top envoy to the US, at the US-China Business Council’s annual gala in Washington on Wednesday, amid uncertainty about what Trump’s return means for relations between the two superpowers.
In his message, Xi stressed to the attending business executives that China remains committed to opening up and reform, and will continue to provide “market-oriented, law-based, and world-class business environment” for companies from all countries.
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By Kawala Xie
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing is “prepared to stay in communication” with the US, calling on proper management of trade differences when US president-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January.
In written remarks to the US-China Business Council on Wednesday, Xi said Beijing and Washington should choose dialogue instead of confrontation, and called for market openness from both countries in the face of Trump’s tariff threats.
“Openness is a key driving force for human civilisation and progress,” Xi said. “We both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation … the success of one side should be an opportunity rather than a challenge for the other.”
“China is prepared to stay in communication with the United States to expand cooperation, manage differences, continuing exploring the right way for our two countries to get along with each other in the new year and realise long-term peaceful coexistence on this planet to the benefit of the two countries and the world.”
Xi’s remarks were delivered by Xie Feng, China’s top envoy to the US, at the US-China Business Council’s annual gala in Washington on Wednesday, amid uncertainty about what Trump’s return means for relations between the two superpowers.
In his message, Xi stressed to the attending business executives that China remains committed to opening up and reform, and will continue to provide “market-oriented, law-based, and world-class business environment” for companies from all countries.
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China’s Wolf Warrior Lu Shaye heads home from France in shadow of controversy
By Shi JiangtaoYuanyue Dang
China’s ambassador to France, Lu Shaye, whose remarks about Ukraine and other former Soviet states caused uproar across Europe last year, is wrapping up his tenure in Paris.
Lu, 60, one of the country’s most prominent Wolf Warrior diplomats who is famed for his abrasive style, is expected to return to Beijing next month, according to French media.
At a farewell reception at Beijing’s embassy in Paris on Monday, Lu said he would continue to support the Chinese community in France “no matter where I am in the future”.
“Economic and trade relations have always been the ballast of China-France relations. Cultural exchanges are the driving force. And Chinese people in France are a bridge that connects our hearts,” he said in comments that appeared in videos on social media.
In a video interview with the official China News Service on Sunday, Lu said he had seen China-France relations evolve over the past five years while he was ambassador, as the “friendly atmosphere” became marked by “more intricate issues” in the fields of politics, the economy and trade.
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By Shi JiangtaoYuanyue Dang
China’s ambassador to France, Lu Shaye, whose remarks about Ukraine and other former Soviet states caused uproar across Europe last year, is wrapping up his tenure in Paris.
Lu, 60, one of the country’s most prominent Wolf Warrior diplomats who is famed for his abrasive style, is expected to return to Beijing next month, according to French media.
At a farewell reception at Beijing’s embassy in Paris on Monday, Lu said he would continue to support the Chinese community in France “no matter where I am in the future”.
“Economic and trade relations have always been the ballast of China-France relations. Cultural exchanges are the driving force. And Chinese people in France are a bridge that connects our hearts,” he said in comments that appeared in videos on social media.
In a video interview with the official China News Service on Sunday, Lu said he had seen China-France relations evolve over the past five years while he was ambassador, as the “friendly atmosphere” became marked by “more intricate issues” in the fields of politics, the economy and trade.
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South Korea’s first lady Kim Keon-hee sparks memes amid martial law controversy
By Park Chan-kyong
Kim Keon-hee, the wife of South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk-yeol, has been absent from public view for weeks, sparking speculation that his controversial decision to declare martial law was made to shield her from investigation.
A parody meme captioned “Yoon, the greatest lover who declared martial law for his wife,” has gone viral, reflecting the widespread public suspicion about Kim’s role in the crisis.
Another popular meme reads: “Fill in the blank: I’ve done everything to protect my love, even [martial law].”
Yoon’s martial law declaration on December 3 came just hours before the opposition-dominated National Assembly was set to vote on a special investigation targeting allegations of corruption and misconduct by the first lady.
Kim, 52, has not appeared publicly since October, when she accompanied her husband on a presidential trip to Southeast Asia.
Critics claim Yoon, 63, resorted to extraordinary measures to protect his wife, who has been dogged by allegations ranging from stock market manipulation and influence peddling to fabricated academic credentials and plagiarism.
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By Park Chan-kyong
Kim Keon-hee, the wife of South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk-yeol, has been absent from public view for weeks, sparking speculation that his controversial decision to declare martial law was made to shield her from investigation.
A parody meme captioned “Yoon, the greatest lover who declared martial law for his wife,” has gone viral, reflecting the widespread public suspicion about Kim’s role in the crisis.
Another popular meme reads: “Fill in the blank: I’ve done everything to protect my love, even [martial law].”
Yoon’s martial law declaration on December 3 came just hours before the opposition-dominated National Assembly was set to vote on a special investigation targeting allegations of corruption and misconduct by the first lady.
Kim, 52, has not appeared publicly since October, when she accompanied her husband on a presidential trip to Southeast Asia.
Critics claim Yoon, 63, resorted to extraordinary measures to protect his wife, who has been dogged by allegations ranging from stock market manipulation and influence peddling to fabricated academic credentials and plagiarism.
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South Korea’s Yoon defends martial law decree, vows to ‘fight to the end’
By Park Chan-kyongAgencies
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Thursday defended his martial law decree as an act of governance and denied rebellion charges.
Yoon also vowed to “fight to the end” and refused to step down, accusing opposition parties of seeking to cause “instability”.
“I will fight to the end, to prevent the forces and criminal groups that have been responsible for paralysing the country’s government and disrupting the nation’s constitutional order from threatening the future of the Republic of Korea,” he said in a televised statement.
The address came hours before the main liberal opposition Democratic Party submits a new impeachment motion against him after he survived an impeachment bid in parliament last Saturday.
Yoon’s December 3 martial law decree has generated political chaos and protests calling for his ouster.
On Wednesday, police said that they raided Yoon’s office, as the investigation into his declaration of martial law gathers pace.
“The Special Investigation Team has conducted a raid on the presidential office, the National Police Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the National Assembly Security Service,” the unit stated in a message.
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By Park Chan-kyongAgencies
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Thursday defended his martial law decree as an act of governance and denied rebellion charges.
Yoon also vowed to “fight to the end” and refused to step down, accusing opposition parties of seeking to cause “instability”.
“I will fight to the end, to prevent the forces and criminal groups that have been responsible for paralysing the country’s government and disrupting the nation’s constitutional order from threatening the future of the Republic of Korea,” he said in a televised statement.
The address came hours before the main liberal opposition Democratic Party submits a new impeachment motion against him after he survived an impeachment bid in parliament last Saturday.
Yoon’s December 3 martial law decree has generated political chaos and protests calling for his ouster.
On Wednesday, police said that they raided Yoon’s office, as the investigation into his declaration of martial law gathers pace.
“The Special Investigation Team has conducted a raid on the presidential office, the National Police Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the National Assembly Security Service,” the unit stated in a message.
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China abductee declines gifts of 3 flats, car from birth family to avoid altering ‘mindset’
By Yating Yang
A Chinese man, who was abducted as an infant and reunited with his birth family last year, has recently made headlines again for declining three flats and a car gifted by his wealthy father, choosing not to become a “rich second-generation”.
Xie Qingshuai, 26, from Xingtai, Hebei province in northern China, was kidnapped on January 20, 1999, when he was just three months old.
His biological parents, successful owners of several construction companies, embarked on a decade-long search, spending over one million yuan (US$140,000) to find him.
He was finally reunited with his family on December 1 last year. His life transformed overnight, leading many netizens to joke that he had gone from an “orphan” to a “wealthy second-generation”.
However, in a December 5 interview with Shandong Radio and TV station, Xie publicly revealed that he had declined the flats and car offered by his father.
Xie expressed concerns that suddenly accepting such wealth could alter his mindset and lead to reckless spending.
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By Yating Yang
A Chinese man, who was abducted as an infant and reunited with his birth family last year, has recently made headlines again for declining three flats and a car gifted by his wealthy father, choosing not to become a “rich second-generation”.
Xie Qingshuai, 26, from Xingtai, Hebei province in northern China, was kidnapped on January 20, 1999, when he was just three months old.
His biological parents, successful owners of several construction companies, embarked on a decade-long search, spending over one million yuan (US$140,000) to find him.
He was finally reunited with his family on December 1 last year. His life transformed overnight, leading many netizens to joke that he had gone from an “orphan” to a “wealthy second-generation”.
However, in a December 5 interview with Shandong Radio and TV station, Xie publicly revealed that he had declined the flats and car offered by his father.
Xie expressed concerns that suddenly accepting such wealth could alter his mindset and lead to reckless spending.
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Hong Kong’s Cathay hires 3,400 pilots this year, with low resignation rate of 2.9%
By Cannix Yau
Hong Kong’s Cathay Group has hit its target of hiring 3,400 pilots this year and expects to recruit 100 more by the end of January, with the company reiterating it is on track to fully return to pre-pandemic flight capacity by then.
“We are pleased to inform you that in the area of pilot recruitment, we have achieved the 2024 target of reaching 3,400 pilots in total. It’s a new milestone,” a Cathay spokesman told the Post this week.
He added the group had a low resignation rate of 2.9 per cent this year.
“We expect that by end-January 2025 to reach almost 3,500 pilots on board across Cathay Pacific and [budget arm] HK Express to meet our current and forthcoming operational needs,” the spokesman said.
The company had announced on November 26, two days before the launch of the city’s new three-runway system, that it would reach pre-pandemic capacity by the end of January 2025.
The company told the Post in early December it remained “very confident” of meeting its projection and had “robust plans” for recruitment despite its pilots’ union expressing doubts.
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By Cannix Yau
Hong Kong’s Cathay Group has hit its target of hiring 3,400 pilots this year and expects to recruit 100 more by the end of January, with the company reiterating it is on track to fully return to pre-pandemic flight capacity by then.
“We are pleased to inform you that in the area of pilot recruitment, we have achieved the 2024 target of reaching 3,400 pilots in total. It’s a new milestone,” a Cathay spokesman told the Post this week.
He added the group had a low resignation rate of 2.9 per cent this year.
“We expect that by end-January 2025 to reach almost 3,500 pilots on board across Cathay Pacific and [budget arm] HK Express to meet our current and forthcoming operational needs,” the spokesman said.
The company had announced on November 26, two days before the launch of the city’s new three-runway system, that it would reach pre-pandemic capacity by the end of January 2025.
The company told the Post in early December it remained “very confident” of meeting its projection and had “robust plans” for recruitment despite its pilots’ union expressing doubts.
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