Hongkongers enjoy July 1 handover anniversary deals, as some lament loss of political diversity

Post observes thousands taking advantage of free entry to museums, and hundreds watching fishing boat parade along Victoria Harbour

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Hong Kong marked the 27th handover anniversary with a raft of events, including a fishing boat parade. Photo: Jelly Tse

Jess Ma,Connor Mycroft,James ModestoandAlice Kong

Published: 6:09pm, 1 Jul 2024Updated: 3:00pm, 2 Jul 2024

Hongkongers have capitalised on a slew of catering discounts and free museum passes on offer to mark this year’s handover anniversary, even as some residents celebrating the day lamented the city’s lack of political diversity in recent years.

The Post on Monday observed dozens of Hongkongers opting for discount breakfasts on offer at restaurant chain Tai Hing and saw hundreds watching the fishing boat parade from Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. Thousands also took advantage of the free entry to the M+ museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

More than 1,000 restaurants and food markets are offering discounts to celebrate the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty, while the public can also enjoy free tram rides to mark the occasion on July 1.

But some residents said they hoped such discounts could be offered more frequently, or turned into more “practical” cash incentives to boost local spending.

“If you cannot lure tourists to come, then you should boost local consumption and make residents spend more, rather than just having these one-off offers to please the central government on this day,” 72-year-old Tam Kwok-wai said.

The part-time taxi driver was among more than 30 patrons who went to Tai Hing’s Causeway Bay branch to enjoy its 29 per cent discount deal.