China will issue a total of 500 million yuan (about 71.2 U.S. dollars) vouchers and subsidies to boost consumption as part of the country's efforts to promote cultural and tourism consumption and drive industry development, said an official from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Monday.
Miao Muyang, director of the industrial development from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said that localities will be encouraged to organize a series of cultural activities in this regard.
"We will encourage local governments to introduce measures that benefit the public in cultural and tourism consumption and a National Day cultural and tourism consumption month will also be launched. Various regions will organize over 3,600 events and about 24,000 activities with focus on stunning landscapes, historical culture, major national achievements, and style of the times. Additionally, local governments will issue 500 million yuan in cultural and tourism consumption vouchers and other subsidies," said Miao.
Since the beginning of this year, the cultural and tourism market has continuously shown its consumption vitality.
"In the first three quarters, domestic tourism is expected to reach 4.29 billion trips, with tourism spending coming in at 4.32 trillion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 16.8 percent and 17.1 percent, respectively, approaching the peak level of 2019," said Zhang Zheng, vice minister of Culture and Tourism.
China to issue 500 mln yuan subsidies to boost consumption, drive industry growth
A special event featuring a large-scale youth chorus was held at an art park in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Monday to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which falls on Oct 1.
Taking place at the Art Park of West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK), the "Celebration of National Day – The Next Generation Chorus Performance" drew some 1,000 students and youth group members to take part in the singing of patriotic songs.
Among the performers was the Senior Mixed Voice Choir from St. Paul's Co-educational College, which recently won two gold medals at an international competition in New Zealand.
Although a record-breaking drone show, which was set to feature 2,099 drones, had to be canceled due to technical difficulties, the performances proceeded without interruption. The number 2,099 had been chosen to symbolically represent the year 2024 and the 75th anniversary, as the sum of 2024 and 75 equals 2,099. At present, residents in Hong Kong still have the highly anticipated fireworks display to look forward to on Tuesday.
To further engage the public in the celebrations and stimulate local consumption, a variety of offers and freebies covering public transport, culture, arts, leisure activities, dining and retail are available, encouraging hands-on participation in the National Day festivities.
The event was organized by the Tourism Commission of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR.
Youth chorus performances staged in Hong Kong to mark 75th founding anniversary of PRC
