GBA Briefs

Hong Kong

SAR eyes high-end visitors as cruise tourism rebounds

Cruise tourism in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has recovered well, with cruise companies planning to increase the number of trips departing from the city this year, according to Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui.

The cruise ship, Spectrum of the Seas, docked at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on Sunday after completing its eighth voyage from the SAR during the current cruise season.

In a social media post, Law said an average of 5,000 passengers boarded the ship on each trip, and that more cruise companies are aiming to raise the number of trips or open new routes in Hong Kong in 2025.

Macao

Mainland visitors lead the pack as city welcomes 34.93m tourists

The Macao Special Administrative Region attracted 34.93 million visitor arrivals last year - a 23.6 percent year-on-year increase. Chinese mainland visitors, accounting for more than 70 percent of the total, saw a 28.6 percent year-on-year rise.

The Macao Government Tourism Office said it will strengthen cross-boundary integration with "Tourism +" initiatives to promote the convergence of tourism with culture, sports, gastronomy, and other industries.

Guangzhou

Drone delivers medical supplies in breakthrough test runs

A drone transported specimens and medicines during two test runs in Guangdong's provincial capital, Guangzhou, on Jan 10.

With a payload of five kilograms and a maximum distance of 27 kilometers, the drone is capable of operating in moderate rain, snow or winds below Level 6, according to its developer.

WellDef, a medical company which organized the test runs, said by working together the low-altitude economy and the medical and health industry can bring new opportunities to boost the efficiency and quality of medical services.

Shenzhen

Free shuttle bus to Freshippo for Hong Kong shoppers

Freshippo - a grocery and fresh goods retail chain - has launched free shuttle bus services for Hong Kong residents shopping in Shenzhen, to get ready for the upcoming Spring Festival.

The buses will run on three routes - between Liantang Checkpoint and Freshippo's store at WongTee Plaza; between Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint and the chain's store at La Vie; and between Sheung Shui's Landmark North and Shenzhen MixC+. The services will run through Jan 18 and 19.

Cross-boundary shopping and entertainment involving Hong Kong residents in Shenzhen are expected to intensify ahead of and during the Year of the Snake.

Zhuhai

Hengqin-Macao volunteer efforts strengthen regional integration

Integration between the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and the Macao Special Administrative Region has deepened as more Macao residents begin offering volunteer services across the boundary.

Official statistics show that Hengqin currently has 25 teams involved in livelihood work, with the number of volunteers exceeding 3,700, including six teams from Macao. Over 390 Macao volunteers have participated in more than 280 activities so far.

Foshan

Over 700 events and activities to welcome Spring Festival

More than 700 cultural and tourism activities will be held in Foshan through Feb 13 to support the local economy as the Spring Festival approaches. Coupons valued at 600 million yuan ($81.84 million) will be distributed during the Chinese New Year holiday from Jan 29.

Activities, including a flower show, dragon and lion dances, soccer carnivals, and a fireworks display, are aimed at attracting travelers and stimulating consumption.

Huizhou

hospital receives first medical devices from Connect program

The first batch of medical devices was delivered to Huizhou Third People's Hospital last week under the Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect program.

The service marks a milestone in medical collaboration between Huizhou and the two special administrative regions, and a major step in promoting integrated development of medical services in the region.

Dongguan

Asia's first attosecond laser project starts, eyes 5-year finish

Construction work on Asia's first advanced attosecond laser infrastructure began in Dongguan on Jan 10, with the project due to be completed in five years.

By utilizing attosecond laser pulses, scientists can track, measure and manipulate electron movements, akin to capturing the movement of electrons using a super slow-motion camera.

On completion, the national-level scientific facility could provide robust support for cutting-edge interdisciplinary basic research and industrial applications in fields like physics, chemistry, materials science, information technology, and biomedical science.

Zhongshan

Drone delivery test aims for 10b-yuan industry by 2027

As Zhongshan strives to create a 10-billion-yuan ($1.36 billion) low-altitude industry with various application scenarios by 2027, the city has completed its first drone delivery test flight in business districts.

An unmanned aerial vehicle, carrying two boxes of beverages weighing 15 kilograms, flew 5.3 kilometers in six minutes. The service is expected to have a trial run around Spring Festival.

Jiangmen

City to host conference to boost ties with latin America

Jiangmen will hold a youth conference in the Republic of Panama from March 24 to 26.

Six hundred guests from 30 countries and regions, including Jiangmen businesspeople and overseas Chinese representatives, are expected to attend.

The biennial event, launched in 2008, aims to provide a platform for young people from Jiangmen and other parts of the world to exchange ideas and increase collaboration.

Zhaoqing

Frozen poultry meat exports to Hong Kong, Macao soar

Zhaoqing Customs supervised the export of about 11,000 metric tons of frozen poultry meat to Hong Kong and Macao last year with a total value of 310 million yuan ($42.28 million).

The city is vigorously building a modern agricultural industry. It has established a complete industry chain from poultry farming, slaughtering, and processing to sales, making it one of the most significant sources of poultry meat for the two special administrative regions.