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A funny thing has happened here in the two weeks since the government finally lifted its covid-era rule ordering everyone ages 2 and older to wear a face mask — or risk a hefty fine. The mandate had been in force for nearly 1,000 days…

Say hello to the new Hong Kong. This former freewheeling British colony, now subjugated to Communist mainland China, has become a city of contradictions. Consider: Chief Executive John Lee was in the Middle East on Tuesday trying to drum up business. Days earlier, he had launched a costly global (and widely panned) ad campaign, called…

The people of Hong Kong are greeting New Year’s Eve with a mixture of excitement, relief and a fair degree of uncertainty. The government is finally lifting most covid-related restrictions after nearly three seemingly interminable years.

For a snapshot of Hong Kong’s economic malaise, walk through the once-heaving entertainment district of Lan Kwai Fong and count the number of boarded-up restaurants and bar fronts. At the end of Wing Wah Lane, where property was once at a premium, most of the establishments are shuttered and plastered with “For Lease” signs.

It has long been a truism that if you want to know how people feel about a government and its policies, just open the borders. Then see whether people flood in or flee out. Russians started fleeing in droves after President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. Now, his order of…

Now that the House Jan. 6 select committee has laid out extensive evidence of Donald Trump’s malfeasance in spreading the “big lie” and inciting his supporters to insurrection, the key question is whether the former president will face criminal charges for his actions. The apparent caution by the Justice Department and even some Trump critics…

Hong Kong was not supposed to look like this, 25 years after the end of British colonial rule and midway through China’s promised 50 years of autonomy and personal freedoms. There are now more than 1,000 political prisoners languishing in Hong Kong’s jails, among them activists, students, journalists and lawyers. Dozens have been jailed for…

In the 25 years since China assumed sovereignty over Hong Kong, Beijing’s track record in appointing the city’s top leader has been pretty abysmal. None of the four “chief executives” has managed to complete two full five-year terms. The first quit midway through his second term after a humiliating public scolding from China’s president…

This was supposed to be Chinese President Xi Jinping’s year of triumph. A successful Winter Olympics were staged in Beijing. China’s economy was set to come roaring back following the pandemic. July marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China, and Xi was widely expected to make a celebratory visit to the territory.…

It might have seemed like a good idea when Chinese President Xi Jinping signed on to a new “no limits” friendship deal with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Feb. 4, right before the start of the Beijing Winter Olympics.