With the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme to cover eight more Mainland cities, namely Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan and Urumqi, on May 27, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, this morning (June 2) visited the visitor centres of the Hong Kong Tourism Board located at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Hong Kong International Airport to welcome representatives of tourism industry and media from the eight cities. He presented them with souvenirs to showcase Hong Kong's warm welcome and hospitality.
      
     "We have arranged representatives of tourism industry and media from the eight cities to come to Hong Kong today to experience the tourism characteristic of 'Tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong' firsthand and the unique appeal of Hong Kong as a metropolis where East meets West. We hope that our friends from the eight cities can experience the extraordinary charm of Hong Kong as an international metropolis and a culinary capital through this exchange. The Government will work with the trade continuously to provide visitors with diversified travel experience and high-quality service, so as to make visitors from different cities to feel at home in Hong Kong," Mr Yeung said.
      
     "A total of around 40 trade representatives will have a full five-day four-night itinerary in Hong Kong. They will visit various tourist attractions in Hong Kong, including the Central Market, Tai Kwun, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+, etc., for an in-depth exploration of Hong Kong. We hope that they would bring this fruitful and high-quality travel experience back to the eight cities for sharing with and promoting amongst the local residents. This will enhance the two-way tourism exchange between the eight cities and Hong Kong," he added.

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, will depart for a visit to the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal tonight (June 2).

     The visit aims to promote Hong Kong's vibrant fintech scene, and the latest financial innovation for a sustainable Web3 ecosystem such as the development of virtual assets industry, payment and tokenisation of real world assets.    

     Mr Hui will have bilateral meetings with the senior officials of the countries to be visited. He will also take part in a number of events and receptions in Amsterdam, Madrid and Lisbon to meet leaders of financial institutions, as well as fintech and business communities. 

     Mr Hui will return to Hong Kong on June 8. During Mr Hui's visit, the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, will act as the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury.

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (June 4) to consider two applications for renewal of liquor licences.
           
     The applications are (not in order of discussion): 
 
Kowloon:
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INA in Tsim Sha Tsui

New Territories:
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Hung Kee Seafood Restaurant in Sai Kung

     The board will also consider revocation of the liquor licence of No. 13 in Tai Hang.

     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 2) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Transport Department today (June 2) reminded members of the public that the 28th round of computer ballot registration for submitting applications for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles (the scheme) will be open from 10am tomorrow (June 3) to 11.59pm on June 6, and the ballot result will be announced on June 7.

     Eligible applicants for the scheme can register for computer balloting through the designated website (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hk). Successful balloting applicants are required to submit applications for the scheme within the designated date and time randomly allocated by the computer system.