{
  "id": 11620376,
  "title": "Mainland Chinese arrivals in first 2 days of ‘golden week’ holiday top 2018 total",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/mainland-chinese-arrivals-in-first-2-days-of-golden-week-holiday-top",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T06:13:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3369651/mainland-chinese-arrivals-first-2-days-golden-week-holiday-top-2018-total"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mainland Chinese visitors to Hong Kong during the first two days of the National Day \"golden week\" holiday exceeded the total from the same period in 2018, according to the city's tourism chief. The immigration department reported 511,311 arrivals on Thursday and Friday, surpassing the 508,578 recorded in 2018. Visitor numbers on the first day alone surged to 277,304, up from 247,626 in 2018. The second day saw 234,007 arrivals, compared to 260,952 the previous year.\n\nRosanna Law Shuk-pui, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressed confidence that Hong Kong could surpass its annual target of 53.8 million visitors earlier than planned. She noted that visitor numbers for the Mid-Autumn Festival weekend increased by 28%, suggesting a potential boost for the golden week. Even with global challenges, particularly in Southeast Asia, Law remained optimistic about reaching the target. She acknowledged that high airfares have affected short-haul travelers' willingness to visit Hong Kong.\n\nThe government's visitor target represents an 8% increase from the 49.89 million arrivals recorded in 2025. Law emphasized the importance of understanding travellers' preferences and hoped to reestablish connections with previously active markets, such as Southeast Asia, once global conditions improve. Additionally, she highlighted the success of events like the Victoria Park Mid-Autumn lantern carnival, which showcased Hong Kong's unique East-meets-West appeal.",
  "summary": "Mainland Chinese visitor arrivals in Hong Kong during the first two days of the National Day \"golden week\" holiday have surpassed the pre-pandemic total for the same period in 2018. According to the South China Morning Post, 511,311 arrivals from the mainland were recorded on Thursday and Friday. The tourism chief expressed confidence that the city would reach its annual target of 53.8 million visitors earlier than expected.\n\nIn a separate incident, a mainland Chinese fishing vessel was expelled by Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration near Dongsha Island on October 1. Reuters Business via SCMP reported that water cannons were used to drive the vessel away after it refused to leave despite warnings. The incident occurred 27 nautical miles east of the Taiwanese-controlled Dongsha Island in the South China Sea.\n\nThe Coast Guard Administration also detained two mainland fishing vessels near the Penghu Islands in the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday and Thursday, arresting 14 crew members. According to Reuters Business via SCMP, China Coast Guard vessels have been conducting regular patrols in the area amid rising tensions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Taiwan coastguard uses water cannons to warn off mainland Chinese fishing vessel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/taiwan-coastguard-uses-water-cannons-to-warn-off-mainland-chinese",
        "published": "2026-10-02T18:33:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}