đPresident Xi's big inspection
Free Trams, Free Ferries, Roads not free (pretty blocked)
Good morning,
Hope everyone is having a good time at your chosen celebratory events, mirroring the footsteps of our great President. Thereâs not much going on here in Birmingham (despite the HKETO UK having their celebratory dinner here a few days ago) except I think the Starbucks is giving out a slushie with every drink or something - though the date might be more coincidental.
Weâll be memeing it out on socials to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Handover, so if youâre not already, make sure youâre on our Twitter and Instagram!
â Cyril
On Todayâs Tide
25th Anniversary | Xi Jinpingâs big HK inspection
COVID
Transport | Blockages and free transport across HK
Events
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President Xiâs big HK inspection
Arriving early in the afternoon by high speed rail at West Kowloon, President Xi started his inspection of HK with a speech.
âHong Kong has been reborn of fire and emerged with robust vitalityâ, said the President, adding that as long as Hong Kong sticks âunwaveringlyâ to One Country, Two Systems, HK will only continue to go up in the fire.
At HKCEC, the President met with different members of the business community, as well as Macanese CE Ho Iat-Seng who also came to celebrate Hong Kongâs handover anniversary, although he did not join the President for dinner as that would involve taking off his mask - something Macanese law says is a no no.
Afterwards, President Xi visited the Science Park in Tai Po where he discussed the development of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development and San Tin Tech Hub, which will connect Hong Kong with the will connect with the Shenzhen I&T Zone and the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone.
In the meanime, First Lady Peng Liyuan stayed in West Kowloon, paying a visit to the Xiqu Centre next door for tea and opera. There she was brief by Paul Tam, head of the West Kowloon Cultural District, on the WKCDâs work in Cantonese Opera - which was transcribed onto the UNESCO list of Intangibly Cultural Heritage in 2009. Lady Peng then watched a rehearsal of an upcoming ârising opera starsâ concert at the Tea House Theatre.
In the evening, both went to Government House for dinner with Carrie Lam and John Lee. President Xi signed the Houseâs official guest book, which youâd assume he wouldnât need to since heâs the president and all but I guess itâs pretty cool.
President Xi and co did not stay in Hong Kong overnight, instead they returned to Shenzhen by high speed rail, staying at a hotel there instead. They will be returningâŠ.very soon for this morningâs flag raising ceremony (of which there will be no public viewing unlike previous years).
COVID in Hong Kong


New cases: 2,358
Total cases: 1,245,797
New deaths: 2
Total deaths: 9,401
Traffic, traffic all around and not a spot to park
To facilitate President Xiâs motorcade, blocks and checks were set up from Wanchai to Tai Po. Police had checks on both the Eastern and Western tunnel, while MTR stations Exhibition and West Kowloon were closed.
The traffic situation, along with truncated bus routes is set to continue until 2pm today when the handover anniversary ceremonies are over.
Free Tram, Ferry Rides
Despite what seems to be horrendous traffic, trams are free, courtesy of China Taiping insurance. A short ceremony will be held soon, followed by a 6 hour tram parade.
Not to be outdone, both Fortune ferry and Sun ferry are providing free transport today as well. Forune ferryâs Kwun Tong - Kai Tak - North Point route will be free all day, while Sun ferry has given out 1000 free coupons over the past week for their outlying island routes.
Events and deals
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New Space Museum Dome Show: "Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D"
Like dinosaurs? Like Antarctica? Well youâll 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 - HKâs biggest and most exciting sustainability conference. This yearâs 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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For more local events, check out yesterdayâs High Tide.
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