Good morning,

Hope everyone is having a good time at your chosen celebratory events, mirroring the footsteps of our great President. There’s 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.

We’ll be memeing it out on socials to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Handover, so if you’re not already, make sure you’re on our Twitter and Instagram!

— Cyril

On Today’s Tide

1. 25th Anniversary | Xi Jinping’s big HK inspection

2. COVID

3. Transport | Blockages and free transport across HK

4. Events

Behind the paywall:

1. Anniversary Abroad | Celebrations in Geneva

2. Media | Outgoing RTHK Chief - tell HK/China stories well

3. Appointment updates

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President Xi’s big HK inspection

Harbour Times @harbourtimes

Guess who just arrived at West Kowloon

9:02 AM ∙ Jun 30, 2022

Arriving early in the afternoon by high speed rail at West Kowloon, President Xi started his inspection of HK with a speech.

“Hong Kong has been reborn of fire and emerged with robust vitality”, said the President, adding that as long as Hong Kong sticks “unwaveringly” 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 Kong’s 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 WKCD’s 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 ‘rising opera stars’ 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 House’s official guest book, which you’d assume he wouldn’t need to since he’s the president and all but I guess it’s 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 returning….very soon for this morning’s flag raising ceremony (of which there will be no public viewing unlike previous years).

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COVID in Hong Kong

Hong Kong SAR Government News @newsgovhk

The Centre for Health Protection says it is looking into 2,196 additional locally acquired #COVID19 cases, of which 823 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 1,373 via rapid antigen tests which were verified

news.gov.hkOver 2.1k COVID-19 cases foundThe Centre for Health Protection says it is looking into 2,196 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 823 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 1,373 via rapid antigen tests which were verified.

1:04 PM ∙ Jun 30, 2022

• New cases: 2,358

• Total cases: 1,245,797

• New deaths: 2

• Total deaths: 9,401

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Traffic, traffic all around and not a spot to park

To facilitate President Xi’s 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 ferry’s 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.

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Events and deals

Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes

• 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.

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