The new measures to promote tourism consumption and benefit small and medium-sized enterprises to benefit Hong Kong and Macao have been warmly welcomed by people from all walks of life.

CCTV News:The Ministry of Finance, the General Administration of Customs and the State Administration of Taxation jointly issued an announcement on the 28th, raising the duty-free allowance for luggage carried by residents entering Hong Kong and Macao from 5,000 yuan to 12,000 yuan. This measure has been implemented one after another since July 1. The Hong Kong SAR Government and people from all walks of life warmly welcome this measure, believing that it will promote diversified tourism development.

Lee Ka Chiu John, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) expressed his heartfelt thanks to the central authorities for introducing a number of measures that will help promote Hong Kong’s economy. The new measures can enhance the shopping experience of resident tourists in Hong Kong, give them greater freedom in shopping, help attract more tourists to Hong Kong and promote diversified tourism development. On the other hand, the measures can also promote the retail market in Hong Kong and inject momentum into the local economy.

Liang Xi, a member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said that the citizens were very happy and excited after hearing the news, because this gift injected great impetus into the tourism industry. They can also see that the central authorities attach importance to and care for our SAR government and the general public, so they are very grateful.

Su Jiaohua, executive director and chief executive officer of Xianshi Department Store Co., Ltd., said that the state’s tax-free adjustment for mainland visitors to Hong Kong will undoubtedly further (strengthen) the tourism business exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, provide convenience for tourists and bring development opportunities to the retail industry.

Macao people: the central government’s policy of benefiting Macao will drive tourism consumption

Regarding the three departments’ proposal to increase the duty-free quota of luggage and articles carried by residents entering Hong Kong and Macao, the Macao SAR government and people from all walks of life said that the measures to benefit Macao introduced by the central authorities again will drive the growth of tourism consumption, benefit more small and medium-sized enterprises and inject new impetus into the economic development of the Macao SAR.

On behalf of the SAR Government, Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) expressed heartfelt thanks to the central authorities for introducing measures to benefit Macao again on the 28th. He said that the measures to increase the tax exemption quota will help promote the growth of tourism consumption in Macao and promote the community economy, benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, including the retail industry, and help the overall economy of the Macao Special Administrative Region develop steadily.

Dai Jianye, Director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, said that the Economic and Technological Development Bureau sincerely thanked the central authorities for introducing measures to benefit Macao again, believing that these measures would help to enhance the attractiveness of mainland tourists coming to Macao for shopping and consumption, and bring positive impetus to Macao’s overall economic development.

People from all walks of life in Macao said that with the support of the state, the number of "individual travel" cities from the mainland to Hong Kong and Macao increased from 49 to 59 this year.

In the first five months of this year, the number of visitors to Australia exceeded 14 million, an increase of about 50% year-on-year, and passenger consumption continued to grow.

Hu Dazhong, chairman of the Macao SME Development Alliance, said that the new policy of benefiting Macao fully demonstrates the country’s strong support and concern for Hong Kong and Macao’s economy. For SMEs, it can be said that it is "happy to add joy" and is very encouraged. I believe it will further enhance the consumer desire of tourists and promote the moderate and diversified development of Macao’s economy. The industry is also fully prepared to provide a better consumer experience for mainland tourists.