In an effort to boost Hong Kong’s economy, eight more Chinese cities have joined a scheme that allows residents to travel to Hong Kong on their own, rather than as part of a tour group.
Tourists take pictures in front of Victoria Harbor in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, China. Hong Kong tourism boost: 8 more Chinese cities join solo travel initiative (REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo) {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}
Hong Kong is struggling to rebuild its economy in the wake of a national security crackdown and coronavirus-related restrictions, which have seen many locals and expats leave the city and tourist numbers dwindle to pre-pandemic levels. It has decreased to a fraction of that.
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The “Individual Visit Scheme” (IVS) was launched in 2003 as part of a cooperation agreement between mainland China and Hong Kong to boost Hong Kong’s economy by allowing Chinese residents to apply for individual travel rather than tour groups. Ta.
Fifty-one cities have already participated in the program, including Taiyuan in Shanxi province, Hohhot in Inner Mongolia, Harbin in Heilongjiang, Lhasa in Tibet, Lanzhou in Gansu, Xining in Qinghai, and Yinchuan in Ningxia. It’s planned. Hui Autonomous Region and Urumqi in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
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“All eight cities are provincial capitals with large populations, significant economic growth and high purchasing power,” said Hong Kong City Leader John Lee.
Recent official figures show 2.7% year-on-year growth in the region in the first quarter, but local businesses say shopping malls are seeing low foot traffic and stores are covered with “for lease” and “coming soon” signs. He is said to have died, and is said to have died. .
One councilor recently told the City Council that more than 20,000 businesses deregistered in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of more than 70% from the same period last year.
China enacted sweeping national security laws in 2020 after months of pro-democracy protests in 2019. In March, authorities enacted another set of security laws that some foreign governments say further infringe on rights and freedoms.
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The Hong Kong and Chinese governments have repeatedly said the national security law has brought stability.
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