It is unrealistic to prevent Hong Kongers from shopping in mainland China, says John Lee

“Enjoy the methods of the past. It is a structural change and some have realized that and developed a strategy to promote the uniqueness of their company,” he told a radio program on Thursday.

Lee said that while authorities would take measures to boost local consumption, businesses needed to remain competitive as mainland cities such as Shenzhen had become increasingly popular as shopping destinations.

“It is neither realistic nor appropriate to prevent Hong Kongers from leaving the city,” he said.

The CEO said the government would expand the scale of local events and set up photo hotspots across the city’s 18 districts, but called on businesses to seize such opportunities and innovate.