30th November 2022 – (Hong Kong) Keith Richburg, President of Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) announced that it has secured an extension to the lease on its Clubhouse for a further three years from 2nd January 2023 until 1st January 2026. FCC has received an offer from its landlord, the Government Property Agency, which is subject to contract, and the Board has confirmed its acceptance of this offer. This means FCC can continue to occupy its existing premises and provide security of employment to our loyal staff. FCC expects to sign the new lease in the coming days. The lease contains other provisions that are now standard in all government leases, including allowing the Government to terminate the lease at any time with 3 months notice, or immediately if in the interest of national security.
In addition, from Lunar New Year’s Eve 2023 (21st January), joining fees for Associate Members will rise to HK$ 45,000 while for new Correspondent and Journalist members, the joining fee will rise by a similar percentage to HK$ 3,850. FCC’s discounted scheme for early career journalists will remain unchanged. All membership applications received before that date will be eligible for the current joining fees, regardless of when membership is approved.