Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivers a speech during the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit at Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong on Nov 2, 2022. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
Hong Kong’s hosting a succession of grand events and the doubling of the number of inbound visitors over the past two weeks fully demonstrate a dynamic and vibrant city that is back on the world stage.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-Chiu made the remarks on Tuesday before attending the weekly meeting of the Executive Council.
He told media outlets that the just-concluded Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit and Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament, plus the city’s relaxed “0+3” medical self-monitoring arrangement for new arrivals, successfully attracted global visitors back to Hong Kong.
The number of inbound passengers at Hong Kong International Airport in November was 2.26 times that of the same period in September, when the city still required a mandatory quarantine for inbound travelers, said the CE
Citing comments of bankers, the CE said Hong Kong is shining as a global financial center on the world stage, and through the city, business sectors can build strong a asset business in China.
Wearing face masks is still a must and amber code would not be canceled, as it is a policy of risk management, he stressed.
The number of inbound passengers at Hong Kong International Airport in November was 2.26 times that of the same period in September, when the city still required a mandatory quarantine for inbound travelers, he said, adding that the number of foreign arrivals in November was 3.55 times that of September.
According to the Immigration Department, the HKIA recorded 82,554 arrivals in the first seven days of November. Of the arrivals, 10,318 were from Taiwan and overseas.
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The events that will follow, such as Hong Kong Legal Week and the Asian Summit on Global Health, will also have positive impact on Hong Kong’s international status, Lee said.
Jubilant fans cheer their favorite teams during the Canada-New Zealand ninth-place play-off match of the Hong Kong Sevens 2022 at the Hong Kong Stadium, Nov 6, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Tour group traveling was another example of implementing the government’s principle. Restaurants are also allowed to open without restrictions on business hours.
John Lee, Chief Executive, HKSAR
The chief executive also said the city is striving to strike a balance between controlling the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic and restarting economic and social activities, with the efforts to launch targeted programs to help different sectors.
Lee said this approach could allow large events to be held in the city and, at the same time, to avoid uncertainties. “Our policies are very clear. They are based on risk control and priority. We hope to achieve maximum benefits with the minimum costs.”
“The potential risks of all activities and events need to be controllable. But we will continue the ‘0+3’ measures and relax the virus restrictions in an orderly manner,” he said, adding that the administration will regularly conduct reviews of the existing social distancing restrictions and decide the next course of actions based on the latest development of the pandemic.
On Monday, the Special Administrative Region government announced an easing of restrictions on tour groups, allowing members of such groups to enter certain attractions, including restaurants, theme parks and museums, during their three-day health surveillance period.
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Lee said the move is expected to help the tourism industry while minimizing the risks. More detailed will be unveiled later, he added.
“Tour group traveling was another example of implementing the government’s principle. Restaurants are also allowed to open without restrictions on business hours,” Lee added.
On reopening of the border with the mainland, the Hong Kong leader said the SAR government had been closely communicating with the relevant departments and actively exploring various approaches in this regard.