CS talks up tourism and Article 23 on radio show
Chief Secretary Eric Chan on Saturday said 650,000 people came to Hong Kong from the mainland over the Lunar New Year holiday, 10,000 more than the pre-pandemic figure in 2018.  Speaking on a radio programme, Chan said cross-border travel over the holiday period went smoothly with the extended operating hours at certain checkpoints. However, he said such arrangements could not be sustained on a daily basis. "It is crucial to take into account the availability of train or public transportation services on the mainland side. Otherwise, tourists may travel to the mainland, but cannot find transportation there. How can they go back home?" he added.  The top government official also said lawmakers had reached a consensus to enact Basic Law Article 23 national security legislation as soon as possible. Chan urged residents to recognise the significance of such legislation, describing it as a medication that Hong Kong might need should it ever become sick. He said Article 23 would only target "a small group of people" and that the city's judicial independence would ensure defendants received an impartial trial unaffected by the SAR government. Chan stressed that officials would not cultivate personal relationships with judges, adding that he did not have any judges as contacts on his phone. The public consultation on Article 23 legislation will conclude on February 28.