Welcome to DotDotWeekly! Here's everything you need to know from May 5 to 9.
The Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point experienced a network congestion issue last Friday (May 2), causing passengers to be unable to activate their ticket QR codes for entry and exit. To solve the problem, the MTR Corporation intermittently allowed passengers to exit without tapping their Octopus cards to ease the crowd. In response to an inquiry from Ta Kung Pao yesterday (May 4), the MTR stated that they had increased Wi-Fi capacity before May 1 and enhanced the station's mobile network data processing capabilities during the Golden Week.
An IT expert believes that to solve the problem fundamentally, the MTR must learn from this experience and review the digital infrastructure planning at the station, including expanding the fiber optic network capacity and improving 5G base stations in the area.
(Photos) Cheung Chau Bun Festival 2025 | Young performers dress up as Rosanna Law, Chris Tang
The annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival 2025 was held on May 5, and the parade, as a traditional event, will be performed in the streets of Cheung Chau.
As in the past, the theme of the parade is also very diverse and is based on the topical issues of the past year. The young performers play the roles of the Financial Secretary, Paul Chan; the Secretary for Security, Chris Tang; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, dressed in basketball jerseys; the renowned British snooker player, O'Sullivan, who was naturalized as a Hong Kong citizen under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme; Hong Kong citizens trapped in the KK parks in Southeast Asia; athletes from the National Team and Hong Kong, China carrying the torch, Olympic gold medalist Edgar Cheung, and Ne Zha, a popular character in Chinese animation movies, and his friend Ao Bing, the third son of the King of Dragons of the East China Sea, to name but a few.
1.1 mn tourists visit HK during 'Golden Week,' 22% growth year-on-year: CE
The mainland's "Golden Week" holiday ended yesterday (May 5), during which approximately 1.1 million travelers visited Hong Kong, an increase of 22% compared to the same period last year, Chief Executive John Lee said at a press conference on May 6.
Among these, mainland travelers grew by about 20%, while non-mainland travelers increased by around 30%.
Lee also noted that the day with the highest number of mainland visitors was May 2, with 267,000 arriving, marking a 40% year-on-year increase. On the same day, the number of non-mainland visitors also saw a 44% year-on-year rise.
Freeze! Creditors take over 'yellow media' Channel C
The parent company of the "yellow media outlet" Channel C, Artview Media Production Limited, is facing allegations of falsifying accounts and fraudulently obtaining a government-backed preferential loan of HK$12 million, with the owner previously arrested in mid-April.
Since April 23, Channel C has stopped updating its content, and reports indicate that about 29 employees have not been paid.
Channel C updated its social media to announce that, due to the freezing of its bank accounts, it cannot maintain daily operations in the short term and mentioned that the company has been taken over by creditors. They issued a statement to members, stating they are in communication with law enforcement to seek the lifting of the bank account freeze, but the process "will take time."
Good news for foodies! HKTB plans to create food guide for 18 districts, organizing food festivals
In response to changing tourist consumption patterns, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced at a Legislative Council meeting that its work plan for the 2025/26 fiscal year will focus on fully implementing the "tourism is everywhere" concept and the "Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry 2.0." The HKTB aims to develop diverse tourism products, including creating a food guide for all 18 districts and organizing food festivals, to attract visitors. More than 1,500 local businesses will offer discounts to encourage tourist spending.
In recent years, the average spending per visitor has declined, with mainland visitors, who account for over 70% of total visitors, averaging a spend of HK$5,490 last year. HKTB Executive Director Dane Cheng emphasized the need to promote tourism development, including early marketing in source markets, travel guides, local promotions, and inviting influencers to experience Hong Kong.
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