Hong Kong, China boccia athletes continued to shine on the final day of the Asian Para Games on Saturday as they seized the chance to take home more medals. In the mixed pairs BC4 event, Leung Yuk-wing and Cheung Yuen dominated the match to beat the national team 9-0 to take gold. Leung and Cheung said they were very happy to be on top of the podium. “Cheung and I played to our usual standards in this competition. Maybe the opponents saw that and were a bit nervous,” Leung said after the competition. “So we built on this momentum.” The pair also said they hope to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics and win gold at the Games. In the mixed BC1/BC2 team event, the SAR trio of John Loung, Yeung Hiu-lam and Chan Pak-lun defeated South Korea 7-5 to take home the bronze medal. Indonesia took the top spot on the podium, with Thailand clinching silver. In the mixed pairs BC3 event, Chan Ho-yan and Tse Tak-wah fended off Thailand’s Ladamanee Kla-Han and Withun Chanthakhat 3-2 to round out the podium, with host nation Japan winning gold and Singapore the silver. Edited by Tony Sabine

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan on Saturday said a newly launched scheme that eases cross-border yacht visits would usher in a new wave of tourist consumption. Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, she said the first batch of five mainland vessels that entered the city last Friday through the southbound yacht scheme stayed for three to four days. Some of them reserved hotels in advance of their overnight stays. Those who docked at Lantau Yacht Club could use their craft as accommodation, Chan said, but they would still go on shore to spend. “Some of them visited Stanley, some even headed to Central,” she said. “Apart from sightseeing at sea, they would also go on shore to shop and head to theme parks.” Yacht owners and masters have to register an account with the SAR’s Marine Department as part of the procedure for them to travel here, with Chan saying 32 accounts have already been set up so far. She also said that, ahead of the end of the application period for platform companies to apply for ride-hailing service licences on October 30, the government is considering allowing applicants who are, for instance, particularly able to meet Hong Kong's needs, to have a higher chance of securing a permit. A lottery will be carried out if the number of applications exceeds the 10,000-permit cap. “I think that some of the main considerations include whether they are able to provide transport capacity or if they are really committed – this is very important," Chan said. "We will also take into consideration how long they have owned the vehicles.” Since a new combined written test for taxis and ride-hailing vehicles was launched in early August as part of the new regulatory framework for ride-hailing services, Chan said around 16,000 people have registered for the exam so far. The government was, she stressed, pleased to see the enthusiastic response to the test, which has seen a passing rate of more than 60 percent. Edited by Tony Sabine

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan on Saturday said a newly launched scheme that eases cross-border yacht visits would usher in a new wave of tourist consumption. Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, she said the first batch of five mainland vessels that entered the city last Friday through the southbound yacht scheme stayed for three to four days. Some of them reserved hotels in advance of their overnight stays. Those who docked at Lantau Yacht Club could use their craft as accommodation, Chan said, but they would still go on shore to spend. “Some of them visited Stanley, some even headed to Central,” she said. “Apart from sightseeing at sea, they would also go on shore to shop and head to theme parks.” Yacht owners and masters have to register an account with the SAR’s Marine Department as part of the procedure for them to travel here, with Chan saying 32 accounts have already been set up so far. She also said that, ahead of the end of the application period for platform companies to apply for ride-hailing service licences on October 30, the government is considering allowing applicants who are, for instance, particularly able to meet Hong Kong's needs, to have a higher chance of securing a permit. A lottery will be carried out if the number of applications exceeds the 10,000-permit cap. “I think that some of the main considerations include whether they are able to provide transport capacity or if they are really committed – this is very important," Chan said. "We will also take into consideration how long they have owned the vehicles.” Since a new combined written test for taxis and ride-hailing vehicles was launched in early August as part of the new regulatory framework for ride-hailing services, Chan said around 16,000 people have registered for the exam so far. The government was, she stressed, pleased to see the enthusiastic response to the test, which has seen a passing rate of more than 60 percent. Edited by Tony Sabine