Financial Secretary's Expensive Plan to Lure Tourists

Fancy a monthly fireworks show at the tune of HK$1M each?

In an effort to revive tourism in Hong Kong, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has a brilliant idea -- hold a fireworks display once a month that will cost HK$1 million.

He said this during his annual budget address, setting aside HK$1.1 billion for monthly fireworks and drone shows over Victoria Harbour to boost visitor numbers.

But some residents are concerned that after a few times the pyrotechnic show will be boring and suggested focusing on getting big name artists to perform in the city.

Chan believes it will keep tourists in HK longer

But Chan said holding monthly fireworks and concerts were not "mutually exclusive", and that tourists could schedule their stays around the fireworks.

That would make the city flooded with tourists once a month, kind of like a mini Golden Week, but monthly.

He also left the task of making the fireworks interesting to watch to the Hong Kong Tourism Board... talk about passing the buck in case it doesn't work out...

Others felt the HK$1 million could be better spent, say, helping those residents in poverty, particularly the homeless. Why not put that HK$1.1 billion towards providing them stable low-income housing? Wouldn't that help give the impression the city was wealthy by getting the homeless off the streets?

Setting off fireworks is literally like burning money. How about putting it to good use instead?