CSTB co-ordinates measures in relation to arrival of visitors to Hong Kong during Labour Day Golden Week of Mainland

Unlocking hong kong's labour day golden week potential: cstb's strategic visitor coordination efforts

​Following the first Inter-departmental meeting held on March 26 to co-ordinate the preparation work for the arrival of visitors to Hong Kong during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau convened another meeting today (April 16) to follow up on the preparation work carried out by various departments, including crowd control management, a Government spokesman said. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, with representatives from government departments including the Hong Kong Customs (Customs), the Hong Kong Police Force (Police), the Immigration Department (ImmD), the Transport Department, various District Offices, etc. Representatives from various tourism-related organisations including the Travel Industry Authority (TIA), the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, major tourist attractions, hotel industry, etc. also attended. Relevant parties will continue to maintain close communication on the crowd control during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland and co-ordinate different aspects for receiving visitor arrivals to Hong Kong.

Mr Yeung said, "The Government will closely monitor the situation of visitor arrivals during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. Various government departments, relevant organisations and the trade will strengthen co-ordination and communication as well as enhance crowd management work with a view to creating a good travel experience for visitors and demonstrating the city's unique tourism appeals."

During the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, relevant government departments will strengthen the manpower as well as co-ordination of transport and cross-boundary services at various control points, including strengthening crowd management, increasing transport frequency, etc. If necessary, the Police will make appropriate traffic arrangements according to the actual circumstances, including arranging public transport to use the designated dedicated lane at San Sham Road to travel to Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port. In addition, the Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre set up by Customs, the Police, the ImmD and other departments will be activated during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland to monitor the situation at each land control point, as well as to maintain close liaison with Mainland counterparts and take contingency actions where necessary. The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of the Transport Department will operate 24 hours to monitor the traffic conditions of different districts, including various boundary control points and major stations, disseminate the latest traffic information through various channels and implement response measures where appropriate.

Various District Offices will closely monitor the flow of visitors within their corresponding districts during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland and strengthen management of the relevant spots having regard to the actual circumstances. Major tourist attractions will also put in place crowd control measures.

TIA has been reminding travel agents receiving relevant Mainland inbound tour groups to stagger arrival times as far as possible and urge travel agents, shops, restaurants, etc., receiving Mainland inbound tour groups to implement appropriate measures for managing the order of visitors and coaches. TIA will also deploy additional manpower during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland to conduct inspection in districts where relatively more registered shops for inbound tour groups are located, and offer assistance to visitors and tourist guides to protect the rights of inbound tour group visitors. In addition, Customs will step up inspection of shops serving visitors so as to combat unfair trade practices.

The Tourism Commission has been maintaining liaison with Mainland tourism authorities and communicating with them on the arrival of Mainland visitors. It has provided the hotlines of the relevant local organisations to Mainland inbound group visitors via the Mainland tourism authorities.

At present, the ImmD will upload the daily arrival figures of each control point to its website (www.immd.gov.hk). In addition, visitors may check the estimated waiting time at each land boundary control point via the Immigration Mobile Application.

During the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, in case of emergency, Mainland inbound tour group visitors, tour escorts accompanying the tour groups and local tourist guides may seek assistance from TIA by calling its service hotline 3698 5900 (operating from 9am to 6pm from May 1 to 5). For enquiries or complaints, visitors may call the HKTB's hotline 2508 1234 (operating from 9am to 8pm from May 1 to 5) or the Consumer Council's hotline 2929 2222 (operating from 9am to 5.30pm from May 2 to 3).

CSTB co-ordinates measures in relation to arrival of visitors to Hong Kong during Labour Day Golden Week of Mainland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSTB co-ordinates measures in relation to arrival of visitors to Hong Kong during Labour Day Golden Week of Mainland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Exploring the impact of ai on hong kong's financial industry: insights from sfst at zhongguancun forum

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum Fintech Parallel Forum in Beijing today (April 29).

Mr Hui also called on the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, on the same day. Mr Hui reported to Director Xia on the latest developments and the way forward for Hong Kong financial market and key areas of work under the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB), which include offshore Renminbi businesses, securities, asset and wealth management, fintech and green finance. Director Xia fully recognised the work of the FSTB.He said that the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee will give full support to Hong Kong in pursuing economic growth and advancing development. He hoped that the HKSAR Government will publicise, leverage and make good use of its unique edges and roles, so as to attract more enterprises and talents to develop in Hong Kong.

Mr Hui expressed his gratitude for Director Xia's encouragement. Mr Hui was especially grateful for the country's announcement on April 19 about a series of measures to further expand the mutual access between the capital markets of the Mainland and Hong Kong. He also looked forward to liaising closely with the relevant Mainland ministries and institutions to implement the measures as early as possible, with an aim to jointly contribute to the country's development as a financial powerhouse and high-quality financial development.

Mr Hui delivered a keynote speech on how Hong Kong's financial sector addresses the opportunities and challenges brought by artificial intelligence (AI) at the Parallel Forum this morning. Developing AI has become a major global trend. Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, should certainly look into its impact on the financial industry. In this regard, Mr Hui shared his three judgements.

Mr Hui said, "Firstly, as a data-driven industry, the financial sector is suitable for embracing AI to enhance its efficiency and competitiveness significantly. Secondly, AI is like a double-edged sword, and improper use can bring considerable risks. Thirdly, as AI will become more and more prevalent, the amount of investment it attracts in the future will continue to increase, creating new businesses that will revamp the industry ecosystem."

"Being an international financial centre, Hong Kong's financial market is open and inclusive towards the application of AI. We are committed to building a healthy and sustainable market environment, encouraging the financial sector to seize the opportunities brought by AI, and at the same time, safeguarding the overall financial security with responsible use of AI," Mr Hui added.

Mr Hui said that the HKSAR Government will issue a policy statement later this year, setting out its policy stance and approach on the application of AI in the financial market. He also looked forward to maintaining close exchanges and co-operation between Beijing and Hong Kong in the areas of AI and digital economy in the future, as well as exploring new development opportunities together.

Organised by the Haidian District People's Government, the Xicheng District People's Government, the Asian Financial Cooperation Association, and Tsinghua University PBC School of Finance, the Parallel Forum invites guests to discuss the prospects of integrated development of digital finance and AI under the theme "AI for Digital Finance Development". At the Parallel Forum, those joining Mr Hui to deliver keynote speeches included the Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences of 2001, Professor Michael Spence; academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and professor of the Department of Computer Science and Technology of Tsinghua University, Professor Zhang Bo; and former vice-president of the Renmin University of China Professor Wu Xiaoqiu.

Mr Hui will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (April 30). Before concluding his visit to Beijing, Mr Hui will meet with the leadership of the China Development Bank and the Bank of China.

SFST elaborates on opportunities and challenges brought by AI to Hong Kong's financial industry at Zhongguancun Forum Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SFST elaborates on opportunities and challenges brought by AI to Hong Kong's financial industry at Zhongguancun Forum Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases