Good morning,
Shameless promotion of my non-HT hobbies/work - Iâll be working the bar (and various other things) at the Tong Chong Street Beer Festival at KIN Foodhall this Saturday night.
Tickets are still available for the Saturday slots (Iâll be working the 830-1130pm).
Very excited to be back behind the line at an F&B festival - middle managing F&B at events were literally my first jobs.
â Cyril
On Todayâs Tide
Policy | John Lee delivers maiden policy address: a brief summary
COVID | Group gatherings eased to 12 people
Events
Behind the paywall:
International | BNO visa extended to post 1997 kiddos
Politics | Jimmy Lai gets his British lawyer
Become a premium subscriber for just $8US a month â extra daily news and weekend roundups!
John Leeâs Maiden Address
CE John Lee gave his first policy address yesterday - the 100 page speech went on for nearly three hours was then followed by a press conference where the CE answered questions.
His address covered 8 main aspects for Hong Kongâs future development
1. Better implementing âOne Country Two Systemsâ
âThe more firmly the "One Country" principle is upheld, the greater strength the "Two Systems" will be unleashedâ, said Lee.
He said that National Security is the most important part of 1C2S and that Article 23 will be passed at some point during his tenure.
HK will also better integrate into the whole countryâs development, such as through the Northern Metropolis and Belt and Road projects.
2. Improve governance
New KPIs for governance will be introduced. Civil Servant Code will be updated with better rewards and punishments.
3. Attract New Businesses and Talent
FS to lead the new Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) focusing on bringing in new businesses to HK.
A new 2 year visa will be given to graduates of top universities with very few strings attached.
4. Enhance traditional advantages, develop emerging industries
Hong Kong will aim to develop into a world class IT and Arts hub, while retaining its important position in world finance. Massive funding will be given to both emerging fields with international talent hunting, internships and new districts being developed.
Financial, legal and logistic fields - traditionally strong fields in Hong Kong - will continue to develop.
5. Speed, Efficiency and Quality in public housing and infrastructure
Land and housing is the priority for the current adminstration. Financial incentives will be given to private housing developers to build subsidized housing, while additional land (TKO was especially mentioned) will be found over the next 5 years for more development.
The Kau Yi Chau artificial islands project brought in during the Lam adminstration for the Lantau Metropolis will still go ahead. Three highways and other massive infrastructure projects will also be started.
6. Building a harmonious and stable society
âCare teamsâ to be developed in all 18 districts to develop âcaring activitiesâ such as elderly visits.
Health system to be revamped from a âtreatmentâ based system to a âpreventionâ based system. The fight against tobacco and promotion of Chinese Medicine remains on the cards.
Women, elderly and ethnic minorities specified for additional support, such as through affirmative hiring of additional ethnic minorities into bureaucratic positions.
7. Youth Development
Section officially called âHong Kong will Prosper Only When its Young People Thriveâ - a direct quote from âPresident Xiâs important speechâ.
Multi-pronged approach to youth from revamped education to promote more national education and STEAM education, to support for young people to get on the housing ladder.
8. Fighting the epidemic, telling good stories of Hong Kong
Government will not âlie flatâ towards COVID, and will continue to combat the virus. Aims to not âbacktrackâ on efforts - what is loosened should stay loosened.
FS to lead a task force on how to tell good stories of HK. New VIP tourism program for 1000 individuals from various fields to come and inspect HKâs developments from the Mainland and abroad to be started.
You can find the highlights of his address here, and the full speech here.
COVID in Hong Kong


COVID-19 in Hong Kong
New cases: 5124 (390 imported)
Total cases: 1,853,287
New deaths: 12
Total deaths: 10,297
Compulsory Testing locations: 56
Social distancing measures loosened today!
Live performances return literally today as long standing social distancing measures are loosened. Performers have to do PCR tests twice a week, a RAT test on the day of the performance and stay as far away from their audience as possible. Staff that are also performers have to follow the stricter rules.
Group gatherings in public will also be loosened from 4 people to 12 people.
Events and deals
Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes
International Ponte Music Festival: Concerto Competition (Grand Finale)
To showcase the power of young local music talent, Ponte is delighted to present to eight finalists from their International Ponte Music Festival: Concerto Competition, held early this year.
We welcome you to this Grand Finale and witness these rising stars to make their debut with an orchestra.
When: 22nd October 2022 (Saturday); 19:30 â 22:00 pm
Where: Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, HKAPA
Cost: From $180-$220
Music Roundabout: Sound of the Netherlands
Need another concert in your life? Ponte Orchestra is collaborating with local harmonica soloist Timothy Tang to showcase famous Dutch music from the Baroque, to folk and even modern pop. This performance is supported by Hong Kong Arts Development Council and the Netherlands Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macao.
When: 23nd October 2022 (Sunday); 20:00 â 22:00 pm
Where: Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, HKAPA
Cost: From $180-$480
This is the end of your free time on Tide.
Become a Premium subscriber to see what lies behind the paywall - extra news everyday and on weekends.
But wait thereâs more - Premium subscribers get additional discounts on all HT x partnerships:
Canât go Premium yet? No worries, there are other ways to support High Tide:
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to High Tide to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.