🌊 Xi to come then go
🌊 Xi to come then go
Vandalism ruins flag wall :(
Good morning.
Cyril’s meant to get to Birmingham tonight, but who knows what may happen!
Godspeed, Cyril.
On Today’s Tide
Politics | We learn more about Xi Jinping’s 25th Handover Anniversary plans.
COVID-19 | Moderna is working out a deal with HK for a new Omicron-targetted booster.
Music | A third of musicians have left (or want to) leave Hong Kong.
Events
Behind the paywall:
Crime | Central shooting and machete attack sees new arrests.
Environment | Carbon emissions in Hong Kong decrease for third year (but it’s not good enough).
Appointments | Senior appointments announced as part of government reshuffle.
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Handover 2022 is serious business
Politics
Xi Jinping will be coming to Hong Kong for a two-day trip but allegedly won’t be staying overnight. The city will, to ensure the utmost safety of the Chinese President, have thousands of police officers attend Xi’s arrival at the West Kowloon high-speed railway terminus. He is also expected to go to a banquet hosted by soon-to-be-retired Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Thursday (30 June).
Other political and handover-related news
Police introduce a swanky new uniform to be worn by the airport security unit (ASU), the counter-terrorism response unit (CTRU) and the railway response team (RRT).
The hundreds of Hong Kong and Chinese flags that were hung up at Ping Shek Estate for 25th Handover anniversary celebration have been removed due to a number being reportedly vandalised or stolen.
Quarantine time for top officials in pre-handover prep
COVID-19
COVID-19 in Hong Kong
New cases: 1,873 (154 imported)
Victoria Harbour Restaurant Tuen Mun cluster: +5 cases added, over 40 in total
A number of new cases are connected to nursing homes.
Total cases: 1,239,750
New deaths: 0
Total deaths: 9,398
Compulsory testing notices: 36 places
The current social distancing rules will continue to be enforced until 13 July.
Other COVID-19 news
Gearing up for Handover Day, top HK officials have checked into quarantine hotel rooms in Wan Chai as part of extra-cautious-safety arrangements.
Moderna is in talks with HK’s government to approve a booster vaccine meant to target the Omicron variant.
Third of musicians and industry workers depart
Music
A survey conducted by The Musicians Foundation charity estimates that 1/3 of workers in the music industry have or are planning to leave Hong Kong. 11% of those polled have departed from the SAR and a quarter reportedly want to leave. The survey consisted of 465 participants who have struggled since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The music industry, like many others, has suffered immensely due to the lack of government support and venue restrictions. In this recent poll, half of the participants have dealt with anxiety and depression, while a third were in debt.
Events and deals
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HT x Program (soft opening)
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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.
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