A deal on building the transport backbone of the Northern Metropolis and fallout from a government plan for recognising same-sex partnerships led the news in Hong Kong this week. You can read more about the stories and find out what else we covered below. 

In today’s edition:

• Standards and solutions

   

• Reform and roadblocks

   

• Weather woes

Standards and solutions

Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway system is the pride of the city, celebrated as a highly efficient, world-class public transport service.

So it was big news this week that a key part of the railway line to serve one of the biggest projects undertaken by the local government, the Northern Metropolis, would adopt mainland Chinese construction standards when building begins in 2027.

Authorities say this will help fast track the project by two to four years and reduce costs by up to 30 per cent.

While the usual naysayers are bound to raise concerns about the standards to be applied, proponents point to the mainland's international expertise in railway construction and setting a viable precedent for the future.

Reform and roadblocks

The talk of the town since last week has been the fallout from the government’s decision to push ahead with a bill recognising same-sex partnerships in Hong Kong.

The government, while upholding the city’s traditional heterosexual marriage system, does not have much of a choice in the matter as it has to comply with a landmark court ruling in 2023.

But while seeking a middle-ground solution, authorities are facing strong opposition in the legislature where major political parties are citing conservative family values to openly block the bill.

So, does that mean our legislature has not quite been reduced to the rubber stamp that critics complain about?

Weather woes

Weather forecasting can be a thankless business – damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

That’s the predicament authorities have found themselves in after severe rain on Thursday prompted them to order schools to close on Friday as a pre-emptive safety measure.

Parents are furious about the cancellation of graduation ceremonies on a day when the weather turned out to be much milder than forecast, while the government says it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Who’s right here?

You can read these stories and more at SCMP.com, and enjoy the weekend.

Politics

• Hong Kong is vital link to world, where China anchors its trust: John Lee

   

• US-Hong Kong ties ‘strong as ever’ despite Beijing, Washington friction

   

• Hong Kong prisons will offer proof if seeking to ban specific lawyers: Chris Tang

   

• Hong Kong should have ‘real’ dialogue on same-sex partnership plan: LGBTQ groups

   

• Will speeding up rail line for Northern Metropolis entice Hong Kong developers?

Society

• Fresh case of bitumen in water supply for Hong Kong housing, lawmaker says

   

• University of Hong Kong’s revised IT hub plan angers Pok Fu Lam residents

   

• Hong Kong children in cramped flats have poorer mental health: survey

   

• Hong Kong’s annual anime fair to double venue size to cut waiting times for fans