'Evening economy plans to be announced next Thursday'
Sources say the government will unveil its plans to boost the city’s night time economy at a ceremony at West Kowloon Cultural District next Thursday.  It is understood that part of the initiative will include having shopping malls extend their operating hours on weekends and dishing out various discounts.  Authorities will also work with the Tourism Board to organise and promote events like the Wine and Dine Festival in October, the Hong Kong Winterfest in November and the countdown celebrations at the end of the year.  Speaking to reporters after meeting deputy financial secretary Michael Wong on Wednesday, DAB lawmakers said while they generally support these plans, more can be done to spice up the city’s nightlife.  One of them, Elizabeth Quat, said the authorities should consider incorporating new elements, such as drones, into "A Symphony of Lights" to add colour to the nightly light show over Victoria Harbour.  She also highlighted the need to increase the number of performance venues in the longer run to draw world-class performers to the city.  Her colleague Vincent Cheng, meanwhile, said the government should convince restaurants and individual retailers to also extend their opening hours.  "If only one or two shops open singly, it [will be] very hard for them to survive. But, if all of them are open together, that will create an atmosphere that will draw more people out," he said.