Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung today met Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Qingdao Municipal Committee, Shandong Province Chairman Meng Quingbin to exchange views on deepening tourism.

During his meeting with the Qingdao official, Mr Yeung explained that contacts between residents in Hong Kong and those in Qingdao will become more frequent after the central government expanded the Individual Visit Scheme to Qingdao starting on March 6.

He pointed out that a steady increase in the number of visitors from Qingdao shows that relevant enhancement measures are warmly welcomed by Qingdao residents.

“The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is grateful for the central government's policy to benefit Hong Kong, and will definitely welcome visitors with hospitality.”

Mr Yeung added: “Friends from Qingdao are welcome to visit Hong Kong any time to experience our unique local culture."

The Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau noted that Hong Kong and Shandong Province are both rich in tourism resources, giving the two places an edge in developing tourism activities.

It also highlighted that Shandong Province has been actively developing its cultural industry to build an internationally renowned cultural tourism destination, with its geographical location offering natural resources for tourism.

Meanwhile, international cruise companies have resumed various journeys to cover Hong Kong and Qingdao.

Hong Kong will continue to utilise its position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange to offer more exchange opportunities to people of both places, the bureau emphasised.