🌊 Swap ConnEEEEECT
Good morning.
We’ve got a brand new stupid meme fresh out of the oven for you today. I particularly am a fan of this one (credits to Marion on our team for making the joke come alive).
On Today’s Tide
Economy | There’s a new way to connect HK and China coming to town.
COVID | Quarantine relaxations for all travellers?
Labour | Staff are demanding millions in unpaid wages from Asia Catering.
Events
Behind the paywall:
Politics | Lee received $11 million in election donations. Here’s how he spent it.
Greater China | Snapped ship leaves sailors to the sea.
Arts | Famous writer Ni Kuang passed away.
Education | CUHK to get a brand new centre in Shanghai – you’ll never guess its name.
Crime | Yoga instructor killer appears in court.
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Hong Kong and China to Connect through new scheme
Business
Swap Connect: that’s the name of the new programme Hong Kong and China are developing for bonds this year. As succinctly put in this SCMP article:
“[T]he monetary authorities of China and Hong Kong said they would establish a Swap Connect for global investors to hedge the risks of 3.7 trillion yuan of offshore bonds held by them. The swap will debut at the end of 2022 at the earliest, with interest rate swaps for users to exchange one stream of future interest payments for another, according to a joint statement by the financial and monetary regulators of China and Hong Kong.”
Lowering quarantine restrictions for all travellers, maybe
COVID-19
Chief Executive John Lee shared the latest on pandemic-related policy-making on TVB on Sunday. Here are the main takeaways:
City-wide compulsory testing not mandatory, but believes in ramping up nucleic acid tests (PCR tests) as rapid antigen tests can be unreliable.
His administration and Beijing are in talks over lowering the restrictions on travel quarantine for travellers coming in from the mainland and everywhere else.
COVID-19 in Hong Kong
New local cases: 1,645
600 of these cases were reported by schools
New imported cases: 196
New deaths: 0
Total deaths: 9,405
Compulsory Testing Notice: 43 places
Asia Catering staff owed millions
Labour
Former employees of Asia Catering are fighting to receive their unpaid wages from the company after many of the group’s eateries suddenly closed in the beginning of July. According to a catering union, over 100 workers have been affected by this, and collectively are waiting on salaries and MPF funds that total over HK$3 million.
Events and deals
Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes
Hong Kong Book Fair 2022
The book fair is back! Now in its 32nd installment, the book fair is the best place to get all your readable needs for the coming year. This year’s theme, as kind of expected, also celebrates Hong Kong’s 25th Anniversary of returning to China - “Reading the World: Stories of Hong Kong”.
When: 20-26 July
Time: Generally around 10am-10pm. Varies by day, check here.
Where: HKCEC
Cost: $10-$25
New Space Museum Dome Show: "Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D"
Like dinosaurs? Like Antarctica? Well you’ll love the new 3D Dome show at the Space Museum! From the event itself:
Utilising top-tier computer graphics, the 3D Dome Show "Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D" reconstructs Antarctica's hidden-greener-past when it was warm and forested with newly-discovered dinosaurs and bug-eyed creatures roaming freely. As we follow the hunt with Cryolophosaurus, the largest known early Jurassic carnivore on Earth, we learn that survival in the prehistoric Antarctica was no easy task.
When: 1 Jul 2022 - 31 Mar 2023
Where: Space Museum
How much: $12 - 32
ReThink HK returns 5-6 Oct
HT is proud to once again be a media partner for ReThink - HK’s biggest and most exciting sustainability conference. This year’s conference invites more than 300 expert speakers to share their visions and insights, covering important topics like economic progression while coexisting with nature harmoniously, efficient use of resources, transformation to a low-carbon society, and circular economy for future generations.
Sign up here using the code HTP22 for 40% off!
For more local events, check out yesterday’s High Tide.
ANSWER : Ho is in the back row, 5th from the left. In other words, the guy whose button-down jacket pretty much aligns perfectly with Xi’s blue tie.
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