Ex-financial chief support for economic revival through night economy

Former Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah expressed his support for revitalizing Hong Kong's night economy but said the government needs to be flexible.

When the post-pandemic economic revival was not as high as expected, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po suggested revitalizing the night economy in the short term to attract more tourists.

Tsang, writing on his blog on Sunday, supported Chan's comment and stated that Hong Kong used to be a city that never slept. He added that most people were happy with late-night shopping, including him.

The former financial chief recalled he and his wife often visited Yau Ma Tei's Temple Street or shopped for daily necessities at the Ladies' Market at night. He added that they would enjoy midnight screenings at the cinema and buy snacks at the stalls outside the theatre.

However, after the pandemic and streaming services' popularity, residents would rather go home after work than hang out, leading to many stores closing early and bustling streets becoming lifeless.

He suggested the government provide a seamless mix of an adequate location, flexible legislation, and letting citizens express their creativity if the government would like to revitalize the night economy.