Handover joy

From leisure to transport to restaurants, freebies and discounts are in store for Hongkongers on July 1 to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the handover, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has announced.

Lee said the government and public organizations will be offering a variety of events to celebrate.

Two of the city's newest cultural landmarks - M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District - will be open free on handover day.

People can also visit the Space Museum and the Science Museum without charge, the same with Leisure and Cultural Services Department facilities - indoors and outdoors , including swimming pools.

Star Ferry and Fortune Ferry rides, along with some Hong Kong Water Taxi routes, will also be free.

Children get to ride Kowloon Motor Bus and Long Win buses with no charge on July 1 and 2. Tram rides will be free for five days from July 1.

Lee said more than 1,000 restaurants will offer 29 percent discounts, meaning customers can enjoy meals at 71 percent of the original price. The 71 - or "7/1" - is to highlight the July 1 date.

"There will be a lot of events on July 1 to make people happy," he said.

Lee said the city still has to stay cautious against possible disruptions, saying the July 1 celebrations had been hijacked before when lawbreakers committed offenses and destroyed the peace.

"We cannot take it lightly because people should be happy on the big day. We must be careful and take action against people hijacking the occasion, creating an undesirable atmosphere or carrying out destructive activities. We will not allow this day to be hijacked," he said.

Lee said the number of inbound travelers has exceeded 10 million in the first five months, while gross domestic product grew 2.7 percent in the first quarter.

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority said people can visit seven thematic exhibitions at the Palace Museum on July 1, with booking for tickets starting at 3pm today.

Two special exhibitions at the museum - Cartier and Women and Radiance: Ancient Gold from the Hong Kong Palace Museum Collection and the Mengdiexuan Collection - are not included in the free visit.

Those who plan to visit M+ museum will not be required to make an appointment in advance.

The authority said people who have already bought tickets to visit the two museums on July 1 will receive a full refund.

Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades president Simon Wong Ka-wo said establishments can be flexible when setting the details of the discounts.

"We are not requiring all restaurants to introduce the 29 percent discount for all dishes. For example, restaurants can only offer the discount on designated dishes or sets, or even on drinks," he said.

Wong said restaurants are expecting a 20 percent rise in business.

Stall owners at wet markets, however, are worried the government will steal their business as people can buy fish and vegetable products at 71 percent of the original price from the Local Fresh mobile app for a week from July 1.

Hong Kong Chamber of Seafood Merchants chairman Lee Choi-wah said the government the discount is well-intentioned, but it would increase the burden on stalls.

"People will be snatching up products from the app during the seven days, which will lead to a drop in the business of wet markets and wholesale food markets," he said. "Stall owners would rather close their stalls and rest than run a losing business."

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com