Hong Kong Customs Organises Customs YES Summer Tour to Xinjiang

Hong Kong Customs organises Customs YES summer tour to Xinjiang

Hong Kong Customs organised a "Belt and Road Exploration Tour" to Xinjiang for Customs YES, from July 12 to 18. Deputy Commissioner (Management and Strategic Development) of Customs and Excise, Ms Phoebe Wong, together with representatives of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, led a delegation of 40 Customs YES members to Xinjiang to deepen young people's understanding of the country's development blueprint and strengthen their sense of belonging to the nation through experiential learning and exchange activities.

To enhance the members' understanding of national development strategies, the delegation first visited the Urumqi International Land Port to learn about the operation and strategic planning of inland international logistics hubs. The delegation also visited Khorgos Sixth-Generation National Gate, Khorgos International Border Cooperation Center, Khorgos Gateway, and Central Asia Gas Pipeline Metering Station to gain firsthand insights into the nation's strategic blueprint for promoting transnational logistics and energy connectivity, appreciate the nation's westward openingup strategy, and better understand Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The delegation also learned about the key industries promoted under the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, including the cotton, dairy and new energy sectors, through visits to the Xinjiang Cotton Science and Experiential Learning Centre, Illi Yimuxin Dairy Company and the Xinjiang Huadian Xuehu Wind Farm. Members gained a deeper appreciation of how Xinjiang integrates modern industrial development with its traditional resource advantages.

The delegation then visited the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Reclamation Museum to gain deeper insights into Xinjiang's history and development, further enhancing their understanding of the country's development and fostering a stronger sense of national identity and belonging.

During the tour, the delegation explored various Xinjiang landmarks, including the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, Jianglaicheng and Xinjiang Ancient Ecological Park Akhal-Teke Horse Base. The delegation also toured the Guozigou Bridge and Sayram Lake, enabling members to learn more about the nation's achievements in green ecological development and cultural preservation in its central and western regions.

This study tour received partial funding from the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Youth Development Commission. It is also one of the Tour to the Motherland for a Hundred Youth activities organised by Hong Kong Customs. Customs YES will continue to organise various activities to promote youth development and foster a stronger sense of national identity and national pride among members.

Members of Customs YES visited the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Reclamation Museum to understand its historical role and development contributions to Xinjiang on July 17. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Commissioner (Management and Strategic Development) of Customs and Excise, Ms Phoebe Wong (second row, eighth left), Honorary Founding Executive Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Mr Edgar Kwan (second row, seventh left) and Director, Ms Sylvia Lee (second row, sixth left), led Customs YES members to visit the Xinjiang Huadian Xuehu Wind Farm to learn about the development of new energy in Xinjiang on July 14. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Members of Customs YES visited the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar to learn about Xinjiang's diverse ethnic cultures on July 13. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Ms Sylvia Lee (second row, third left) led Customs YES members to the Sayram Lake to explore the lake's ecosystem and conservation efforts on July 16. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Honorary Founding Executive Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Mr Edgar Kwan (second row, eighth left) and Director, Ms Sylvia Lee (second row, eighth right), led Customs YES members to visit the Khorgos Sixth-Generation National Gate to gain insights into its modern and multi-functional operations on July 16. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Commissioner (Management and Strategic Development) of Customs and Excise, Ms Phoebe Wong (front row, first left), Honorary Founding Executive Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Mr Edgar Kwan (front row, third left) and Director Ms Sylvia Lee (front row, second left), led Customs YES members to visit the Xinjiang Ancient Ecological Park Akhal-Teke Horse Base to gain a deeper understanding of the history and cultural value of Akhal-Teke horses, and watched a traditional equestrian performance on July 13. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Commissioner (Management and Strategic Development) of Customs and Excise, Ms Phoebe Wong (front row, fourth left), Honorary Founding Executive Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Mr Edgar Kwan (front row, fourth right) and Director, Ms Sylvia Lee (front row, second right), led Customs YES members to visit the Xinjiang Cotton Science and Experiential Learning Centre and participated in a cotton handicraft workshop on July 13. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Honorary Founding Executive Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Mr Edgar Kwan (first right) and Director, Ms Sylvia Lee (third right), led Customs YES members to visit the Illi Yimuxin Dairy Company to learn about the dairy manufacturing process on July 15. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Commissioner (Management and Strategic Development) of Customs and Excise, Ms Phoebe Wong (front row, first right) and Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Ms Sylvia Lee (front row, second right), led Customs YES members to visit the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum to learn about Xinjiang's history and folk customs on July 14. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Commissioner (Management and Strategic Development) of Customs and Excise, Ms Phoebe Wong (third left), Honorary Founding Executive Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Mr Edgar Kwan(fifth left) and Director, Ms Sylvia Lee (sixth left), accompanied by the Deputy Director General in the Urumqi Customs District, Ms Li Qinghua (fourth left), led Customs YES members to visit the Urumqi International Land Port to learn about its development and daily operation on July 13. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Special offers announced in celebration of 77th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China

October 1 this year marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Government and different sectors of the community will launch a rich array of special offers and activities, covering public transport; culture, arts and leisure; as well as dining and consumption, to celebrate the National Day with the public.

MTR, Photo source: reference image

For public transport, the MTR will give away 77 000 e-single-journey rides through a lucky draw on October 1. Members of the public can also enjoy free rides on all passenger tram routes and several ferry routes of the Star Ferry and Fortune Ferry on that day, while children using designated payment methods can ride most daytime franchised bus routes of KMB, Long Win Bus, Citybus and New Lantao Bus for free. Moreover, Greater Bay Airlines will provide ticket offers, under which people can purchase flight tickets of all non-charter routes at 77 per cent of the original fare during the promotion period.

Photo source: reference image

For culture, arts and leisure, all commercial cinemas will provide half-price discounts on movie tickets on October 1. The public will also be offered free admission on the same day to a number of fee-charging leisure facilities and exhibitions in museums of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and to the Hong Kong Wetland Park under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Furthermore, the Antiquities and Monuments Office, 14 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme, Police Museum, Tai Kwun and PMQ will roll out various offers, including additional free guided tours.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Photo source: reference image

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will hold the National Day Raceday at Sha Tin Racecourse on October 1, during which members of the public can enter the Public Enclosures of Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourses for free. Ngong Ping 360 and Ocean Park Hong Kong will offer ticket discounts. The Peak Tram and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong will give out souvenirs to ticket holders while stocks last.

Photo source: reference image

As for dining and consumption, initially over 2 000 restaurants and merchants will provide dining offers on October 1. Several public markets under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will launch different offers. Members of the public can also purchase designated products at 77 per cent of the original price via the Hong Kong Harvest physical store, online store or mobile app from October 1 to 7. The Environmental Protection Department will offer double GREEN$ Points to members of the public who recycle at its community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY on October 1. The Police Souvenir Gallery, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, West Kowloon Cultural District, HKTDC Design Gallery, as well as various shopping malls and department stores will roll out offers on dining, consumption, parking, etc.

The Government thanks various sectors for actively responding to its call by launching special offers and activities to celebrate the 77th National Day with the public together. Information about the offers and activities is now available on the dedicated website (www.nationalday77.gov.hk).

Celebration of National Day, Photo source: reference image