As we bid farewell to 2024, it is the ideal time to reflect on the moments that defined the year. From Hong Kong’s political reforms to the United States presidential election, the year has been full of change and challenges. T hese are the biggest news stories that shaped our city and the world.
Five extraordinary people who made a mark in 2024
January: Multinational loses HK$200 million to deepfake video scam
Hong Kong’s first deepfake scam occurred in January when scammers tricked an employee of British multinational engineering firm Arup into transferring HK$200 million (US$25.6 million). Posing as the multinational’s chief financial officer, the scammers instructed the employee to make 15 transfers to five bank accounts over a week for a “secret transaction”. The fraud went unnoticed until the employee contacted the company’s headquarters, discovering the scam after about a week.
February: Lionel Messi is a no-show
Around 38,000 fans were crushed when football star Lionel Messi skipped an exhibition match in Hong Kong, citing an injury. Many paid premium prices up to HK$4,880 (US$628) or bought scalped tickets to see the Argentine super goalscorer in action and were outraged for weeks after the event. The main organiser, Tatler Asia, was driven to announce a 50 per cent ticket refund, which, according to unaudited figures, left the media company with a net loss of HK$43 million (US$5.5 million).
March: Hong Kong passes domestic national security law
Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously passed the city’s domestic national security law in March, supplementing Beijing’s 2020 Hong Kong national security law. The new local law targeted “treason, insurrection, sabotage, foreign interference, theft of state secrets and espionage”. Unlike a failed attempt in 2003, the second bid faced little opposition.
April: Mysterious Dubai prince sparks controversy
A Dubai prince, Sheikh Ali Rashed Ali Saeed Al Maktoum, made waves when he arrived in Hong Kong with plans to open a US$500 million family office. Concerns arose over authorities’ failure to verify Maktoum’s identity and financial background. Finally, the South China Morning Post published an exclusive expose detailing the prince’s alternative fame as a singer known as Alira, popular in the Philippines. Initially reported as a nephew of Dubai’s ruler, Maktoum was later said to be a distant royal family relative.
May: Twice-delayed waste-charging scheme shelved
Hong Kong postponed its controversial waste-charging scheme indefinitely due to confusion and concerns about high costs. Proposed in 2004 and passed in 2021, the “pay-as-you-throw” scheme faced backlash from residents, businesses, politicians and waste collectors.
Your Voice: How to improve the waste reduction scheme (long letters)
June: Seemingly wealthy couple spark investigation into public housing
A 76-year-old Hong Kong man, Mr Ho, and his 43-year-old mainland Chinese wife attracted the attention of authorities and sparked an investigation into public housing misuse. The couple had appeared on Hong Kong prime-time television, flaunting luxury gifts from Mr Ho to Mrs Ho, such as a Rolex watch and a diamond ring worth over HK$200,000 (US$25,612). Their story inspired stricter enforcement of housing rules.
July: Hong Kong fencers win historic gold medals in Paris Olympics
Vivian Kong Man-wai made history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, becoming the first woman to win gold in fencing for Team Hong Kong and the third Hongkonger in history to clinch Olympic gold. Fencer Cheung Ka-long also made history, successfully defending his Olympic men’s foil title and becoming the first Hongkonger to win two gold Olympic medals.
Siobhan Haughey on her journey swimming in the fast lane
August: Act marks 2024 as a landmark year for AI regulation
In August, the European Union (EU) set a potential benchmark for the rest of the world with a landmark artificial intelligence (AI) regulation law: the AI Act. Considered more comprehensive than previous approaches from the United States and China, the act is seen as the first legal framework of its kind that will mitigate AI risks. South Korea quickly followed suit with its “Basic Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence”, inspired by the EU model.
Hong Kong educators, tech industry leaders discuss AI at Principal’s Forum
September: Physical Fitness closes down all branches
Hong Kong’s Physical gym chain shut down after 38 years of business, blaming high rent and a need to “restructure”. The closure triggered complaints from both angry customers and unpaid employees. It was not the first high-profile gym chain in Hong Kong to face challenges in recent years – California Fitness had a similar demise, a gym chain notorious for aggressive and intimidating sales tactics and misleading memberships.
October: Hong Kong leader’s third policy address
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivered his third annual policy address, announcing measures to attract foreign talent, improve housing, and position the city as a “global education hub”. Lee emphasised a “people-oriented” approach, pledging to improve livelihoods and shifting the focus from national security and post-pandemic recovery.
Many young people in Hong Kong consider themselves ‘failures’
November: Trump makes a triumphant return
Donald Trump won the 2024 US presidential election, defeating Democratic nominee and sitting Vice-President Kamala Harris. His decisive victory and return to the White House could suggest significant shifts in tariffs, tax cuts and immigration policy – with implications for Hong Kong’s relationship with one of its biggest trade partners.
Key events in 2024, from Trump’s triumph to Assad’s fall in Syria and more
December: South Korea’s six hours of martial law
South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol abruptly declared martial law on December 3 at 10:27pm Korea Standard Time, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces and quash his critics. Members of parliament quickly blocked the move, with some breaking through police barricades to pass the vote. Mass protests, including 200,000 people outside the National Assembly, demanded Yoon’s removal. People around the world, including Hongkongers, were captivated by the chaos that unfolded overnight.
