Bid to facilitate travel for National Games spectators

RTHK

2 days ago

Bid to facilitate travel for National Games spectators
Eric Chan, second left, says Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong have set up a multi-tiered coordination system for the National Games. Photo: RTHK
Chief Secretary Eric Chan said on Friday that Hong Kong is actively pursuing measures to simplify travel arrangements for mainland residents wishing to attend the National Games in November, calling it key to promoting convenient travel and deeper integration in the Greater Bay Area.
For the first time, Hong Kong is co-hosting the Games alongside Guangdong and Macau.
At a joint press conference in Beijing with representatives from all three hosting regions, Chan said the Games will further create new opportunities for sports exchanges, people-to-people connections and economic collaboration in the Greater Bay Area.
"To facilitate mainland visitors coming to Hong Kong to watch the events, the organising committee is actively seeking measures for mainland residents to easily obtain travel permits to Hong Kong, allowing tourists to travel alongside the competitions and further promoting the integration of sports and tourism in the Greater Bay Area," he said.
Chan said the three regions have established a multi-tiered coordination system, including regular meetings and cross-border working groups, to streamline logistics like spectator mobility.
Echoing the focus on accessibility, Macau's Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, O Lam, revealed plans to extend travel permits for visitors attending events in Macau, aiming to enhance "connectivity of hearts" through "soft connectivity".
Meanwhile, Wang Xi, standing committee member of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, said the online ticketing platform will be launched in early August.
"In late August, we will release ticket resources in phases and by events according to the progress of the competition organisation. The prices of popular events are generally affordable, and some events adopt a reservation system," he said.
Wang also noted that plans for the opening ceremony in Guangzhou and closing ceremony in Shenzhen are nearly finalised.
Both events will spotlight Greater Bay Area culture, including Cantonese opera and music, and feature a unified entrance for athlete delegations from all three hosts.
A 100-day countdown begins August 1 with Guangdong and Macau holding special events that day.
The following day, Hong Kong will host a large-scale celebration, followed by a city-wide sports day.
Tong Lixin, deputy director of the General Administration of Sport, said all competition venues are nearing readiness, the Games schedule is finalised and more than half of 68 test events have been completed.
He said mass participation events are also underway, reinforcing the Games' community focus.