Latest news with #TuenNgFestival
RTHK
a day ago
- Business
- RTHK
HK stocks open down amid wary wait for markets
HK stocks open down amid wary wait for markets Mainland markets are closed on Monday, while Hong Kong stocks opened down over 1 percent. File photo: RTHK Asian share markets made a wary start to the week on Monday as investors navigated the shifting sands of White House tariff policy, while awaiting key US jobs data and a widely expected cut in European interest rates. There was little obvious reaction to US President Donald Trump's threat late on Friday to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminium to 50 percent, beginning on June 4, a sudden twist that drew the ire of European Union negotiators. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index dipped 246 points, or 1.06 percent, to open for the week at 23,043. Mainland markets are closed due to the Tuen Ng Festival. Markets will be particularly interested to see if Trump goes ahead with the 50 percent tariff on Wednesday or backs off as he has done so often before. In the meantime, caution reigned and MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan went flat. Japan's Nikkei fell 1.1 percent while South Korean stocks dipped 0.1 percent. Australian shares had a subdued start, as losses in banks and energy companies countered gains in gold stocks, while building materials maker Brickworks emerged as the top gainer after its merger deal with shareholder Soul Patts. The S&P/ASX 200 index eased 0.1 percent to 8,430.20 near the lunch hour. The benchmark had ended May 3.5 percent higher on Friday. (Reuters/Xinhua)
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
2.3% rise in mainland visitors to Hong Kong on first day of Dragon Boat Festival
Hong Kong has recorded a 2.3 per cent increase against last year in the number of mainland Chinese tourists arriving on the first day of the Tuen Ng Festival holiday, as some opted to avoid crowds across the border and instead experience the city's festive vibe. Data published by the Immigration Department on Sunday showed that 139,585 visitors from the mainland arrived in the city on Saturday, the start of what is a three-day long weekend across the border. The city also recorded 574,895 outbound trips on Saturday, slightly more than the 570,000 estimated by authorities. The departures included 432,342 Hong Kong residents, which was also a 17 per cent drop from the 521,759 last year. Tourists and locals headed out to soak up the festivities on Sunday, with dozens of children and their parents queuing to enjoy an interactive drum game that mimicked a dragon boat race outside the K11 Musea shopping centre. Many also gathered near a photo spot that was set up by the Tourism Board and Ocean Park with cut-outs of six pandas and dragon boats against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour.
RTHK
3 days ago
- Climate
- RTHK
Tuen Ng festivities race off to a roaring start
Tuen Ng festivities race off to a roaring start Paddlers battle for glory in a dragon boat race in Sha Tin. Photo: RTHK Revellers erupted in cheers in tandem with the thunderous beat of drums and rhythmic slap of paddles across the city's waterways as dragon boat races ushered in early Tuen Ng Festival celebrations on Saturday with the traditional air of energy and excitement. The Observatory forecasted mainly overcast skies and one or two showers but that didn't dampen the paddlers' passion one drop. 'Are we confident about winning? Yes!," said a race participant in Stanley. "I am not worried about the rain," he said. "That's usual at Tuen Ng Festivals. "It's good for us to experience the 'Dragon Boat Water'.' Another group of paddlers said they had been practicing twice or thrice a week since December in the hope of winning their event. A woman brought her daughter back from the United States specially to watch the races. 'We are so excited because this is our first time, the first time seeing so many boats and so many people,' she said. Crowds also flocked to Tai O and Sha Tin for races, with Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho spotted among the throngs inundating the banks of Shing Mun River. In a Facebook post, Chief Executive John Lee sent his wishes for safety, health and good fortune to people in inviting everyone to watch the dragon boat races to experience the festive Tuen Ng atmosphere. More dragon boat racing action is coming next week, with the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races set to be held at Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
High spirits as Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Festival kicks off amid strong winds
Hong Kong dragon boat racers are in high spirits for Tuen Ng Festival, despite strong winds, with tourism authorities expecting a 14 per cent increase in mainland Chinese visitors compared with previous weekends. A tourism spot, where the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championship is taking place, was packed with racing teams and residents on Saturday morning. 'The weather today is a little windy, which may affect our performance,' said Alan Chan, team captain of the West Kowloon Cultural District's Dragon Boat team. 'Given the wind, there could be big waves when we go out to the sea later, which would affect our results. The waves were not that big when we practised. We will do our best.' The team, joining the competition at Stanley Main Beach for the first time, said they had completed seven two-hour lessons to prepare for the event. While some may view the weather as an obstacle, others believe it can give them a boost.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Dragon Boat Festival: Hong Kong set for 3.2 million cross-border trips
About 3.2 million trips are expected to be made across Hong Kong's borders during the Tuen Ng Festival long weekend, with a peak of about 540,000 arrivals at land crossings on Sunday. The Immigration Department said on Thursday that most of the cross-border traffic would pass through land checkpoints from neighbouring Macau and Shenzhen, accounting for 85 per cent, or 2.73 million, of the trips. Hong Kong will be hosting citywide dragon boat races over the weekend, with authorities anticipating a peak of 570,000 outbound trips on Saturday and 540,000 inbound ones on Sunday. The department said the Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay control points were set to be busy, forecasting daily averages of about 230,000, 200,000 and 140,000 trips, respectively. The holiday, also known as Dragon Boat Festival, runs from Saturday to Monday on the mainland this year. 'To avoid congestion and longer-than-usual waiting times for immigration clearance, the Immigration Department advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods, and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points,' a department spokesman said.
