London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jun 22, 2026

Beijing’s national security office in Hong Kong takes over second hotel

Beijing’s national security office in Hong Kong takes over second hotel

Island Pacific Hotel in Sai Ying Pun will provide ‘additional workspace’, source says.

Beijing’s national security office in Hong Kong is set to take over a second hotel in the city to provide additional workspace, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government would occupy the Island Pacific Hotel in Sai Ying Pun for “some period as the additional work site”, the source said.

According to listings on hotel booking websites, the 29-storey property, which is owned by Sino Hotels (Holdings) Ltd, has 343 rooms.

The national security office has occupied the Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay in the city since July. The 33-storey property is owned by the state-run China Travel Service and has 266 rooms.

The source said both hotels were “temporary worksites” and that a permanent site would be “finalised soon”.

The national security office has occupied the Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay since July.


There were no signs of heightened security around the Island Pacific, which is close to Beijing’s Hong Kong Liaison Office, on Friday afternoon.

A second source said the hotel in Sai Ying Pun was undergoing some “necessary conversions” but the new arrangement would not result in any hotel staff losing their jobs.

The hotel’s online and telephone booking systems had been out of service for several days while they were “undergoing retrofitting”, the person said.

The property is no longer listed on Sino Hotels’ website.


Hong Kong on Thursday marked National Security Education Day with a series of citywide events including Chinese military-style marches, anti-terrorism drills and promotional activities in schools.

Zheng Yanxiong, director of Beijing’s national security office in Hong Kong, said the national interests of China were “not negotiable” and that the residents of the former British colony should not “fantasise that the city’s true bosses are the United States and Britain”.

The office was created after Beijing introduced a national security law for Hong Kong. It is responsible for supervising and guiding the local government’s enforcement of the legislation, which outlaws acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.

It will also be responsible for helping to vet candidates for Hong Kong’s upcoming legislative and chief executive elections after the city’s recent electoral overhaul.

In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said the National Security legislation had driven away foreign agents, caused funding from overseas for anti-government activists to dry up, and chased off or silenced troublemakers.

In February Hong Kong police arrested and charged 47 former opposition lawmakers and activists with conspiring to subvert state power under the new legislation. The charges relate to their role in an unofficial primary election.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Taxpayer Support Grows for Higher Digital Levies on Multinational Tech Companies
Bank of England Signals Caution Over Inflation Despite Easing Energy Prices
Lloyds Banking Group Expands Artificial Intelligence Hiring Amid Sector-Wide Automation Shift
Film Producer Corporate Collapse Leaves Creditors Facing Unrecoverable Losses
UK Ten-Year Brexit Anniversary Highlights Ongoing Political and Economic Uncertainty
Nottingham Maternity Scandal Inquiry Reveals Systemic Failings in NHS Care
Met Office Heatwave Prompts Public Health Warnings Across United Kingdom
Concerns Rise Over Fiscal Stability as Political Uncertainty Weighs on UK Borrowing Costs
UK Taxpayers Back Higher Digital Taxes on Global Technology Firms, Survey Shows
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Persistent Services Inflation
Reform UK and Opposition Leaders Call for General Election Following Starmer’s Departure
Ten Years After Brexit Referendum, UK Faces Ongoing Political Fragmentation and Economic Debate
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Inquiry Exposes Severe NHS Failures
Met Office Issues Heat Health Alerts as United Kingdom Faces Record-Breaking Temperatures
Andy Burnham Emerges as Front-Runner for Labour Leadership After Starmer’s Resignation
Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Enters New Phase of Political Leadership Transition
UK Expands Alcohol Ban Enforcement Using Tagging Technology Ahead of World Cup
UK Invests £50 Million in Critical Minerals Supply Chain Security
UK Appoints Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
UK Introduces Fines for Landlords of Unsafe Rental Properties
Reform UK Leads Opinion Polls as Immigration Debate Reshapes UK Politics
Police Investigate Edinburgh Attacks as Potential Hate Crimes
King Charles to Publish Personal Tax and Royal Household Financial Records
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Inquiry Report Set for Publication
Heat-Health Alerts Issued Across London and Southern England Amid Rising Temperatures
UK Economy Shows Pressure From Middle East Conflict Despite Modest Growth
Brexit Anniversary Reignites Debate Over UK Economic and Political Direction
UK Parliament Continues Legislative Work Amid Leadership Transition
Financial Markets Hold Steady After UK Leadership Shake-Up
Andy Burnham Enters Labour Leadership Race With Strong Parliamentary Backing
Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Prime Minister After Two Years in Office
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson to Raise Pension Concerns Over British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme
UK Parliament to Debate Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Following Public Petition
Met Office Warns of Water Safety Risks During Heatwave as Temperatures Peak in England
Treasury Increases Mileage Allowance Payments for 2026–27 Tax Year to 55 Pence Per Mile
UK Government Raises Electricity Generator Levy to 55 Percent in New Revenue Measure
House of Lords Moves Financial Services and Markets Bill to Committee Stage Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
Westminster Hall to Debate Petition on Pro-Israel Influence in UK Politics
UK Parliament Prepares for Estimates Days Debates as Backbench Business Schedule Approved
Armed Forces Bill Nears Final Stages in UK House of Commons With Military Justice Reforms
Donald Trump Comments on UK Political Situation, Citing Immigration and Energy Policy Concerns
Andy Burnham By-Election Victory Fuels Speculation Over Potential Labour Leadership Contest
UK Economy Shows Resilience but Faces Headwinds from Middle East Tensions, UK Finance Says
UK Parliament Opens Week of Debates on Net Zero, Security and Armed Forces Reform
Met Office Issues Amber Extreme Heat Warning as Temperatures Expected to Reach 35C Across England and Wales
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Faces Mounting Leadership Pressure After Makerfield By-Election Defeat
London Hotel Wins World’s Best Afternoon Tea Award at International Hospitality Guide La Liste
Court of Appeal Rules in Favour of Competition and Markets Authority in Phenytoin Drug Case
Chichester Waste Site Suspended After Environment Agency Finds Serious Fire and Pollution Risks
UK Appoints Chris Elmore as Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
×