Seize opportunities as HK can't rest on past successes, says Lee

Wallis Wang

Hong Kong should make good use of the country's new measures benefiting the city and should not rely on past successes, says Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

Speaking before an Executive Council meeting yesterday, Lee said all sectors should make good use of the opportunities to be creative and maximize economic benefits.

Asked whether he agrees that the tax-free quota increase from 5,000 yuan (HK$ 5,373) to 12,000 yuan has fallen short of the public expectation of 30,000 yuan, he said the new arrangement was "not easy to come by" and yet still allows visitors greater flexibility to step up their shopping experience.

"This has been achieved after a lot of effort by different ministries and authorities of the central government," he said. "It is important to make good use of the new arrangement so that the benefits will be realized to its best potential."

Relevant sectors should seize the opportunities to enhance their service quality and tourists' shopping experience, Lee said, adding that cross-border exchanges could boost the city's economic development by bringing in capital, talent and companies.

"There has been a series of measures to support Hong Kong. It is important for us Hong Kong people, the government included of course, to capitalize on and make good use of all the different measures," Lee said.

He said Hong Kong is now "at a stage of transition," with various sectors facing new challenges and changes.

"Our previous success means we can build and gain success ourselves. We can't rest on our own laurels thinking of present successes or past successes," he said.

Lee said the Shenzhen government is going to improve facilities at the Lo Wu border checkpoint for cross-border travelers instead of bringing the East Rail Line to Luohu district.

But authorities of the two cities will continue to study whether there are better cross-border arrangements, he said.

This came as the catering sector said the latest 29 percent discount offered by some 2,000 local restaurants on July 1 did not effectively attract customers in some districts.

Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management chairman Leung Chun-wah said restaurants located in popular tourist areas received a positive response, but eateries in remote areas did not see many customers, which was within the sector's expectations.

More than 100,000 Hongkongers traveled to the mainland during the holiday, which affected local consumption, he said, adding the sector will launch discount events again on National Day holiday in October when there will be more mainland tourists.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com