For Immediate Release

To celebrate the 152nd anniversary of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) on May 29, HKGCC will again organize ‘Free Ride Day,’ which will allow members of the public to ride on trams and two Star Ferry routes free of charge. This is the third year that HKGCC has organized ‘Free Ride Day,’ which was extremely well-received by members of the public in the past two years.

HKGCC Chairman C K Chow said the event is HKGCC’s way of showing its care for the community, along with 53 members who have sponsored the event. All members of the public and tourists will be able to ride for free on May 29 (the date of HKGCC’s establishment in 1861) on any tram between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, as well as Star Ferry routes between Tsimshatsui and Wanchai/Central.

Mr Chow added that starting on May 21, ten trams will carry advertisements publicizing this year’s Free Ride Day to alert people about the special day. The advertisements will also spread the message that the business community cares about building a prosperous Hong Kong with all members of society. HKGCC, as the voice of business, has long contributed toward Hong Kong’s economic prosperity together with its members.

As young people are the driving force of our future economy, this year HKGCC invited Teaspoon Limited, a participant of the “Youth Business Hong Kong” scheme organized by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, to design the visuals for Free Ride Day.

Chamber CEO Shirley Yuen said besides creating the artwork for Free Ride Day, the young design company has also come up with the idea of a huge circular maze measuring 40 feet in diameter, which will be installed at the Central Pier Link Building Plaza. The public and the media are welcome to try and navigate the maze and take photos from May 27.

She expects over 300,000 people from all walks of life will benefit from HKGCC Free Ride Day, and hopes that both locals and tourists will enjoy and remember the Chamber’s 152nd birthday.

Mr Chow expressed his gratitude to members for their strong support of the event, in particular media partners, HKC Enterprises, Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited and the Sing Tao Group, for their assistance in publicizing the event.

Photo captions:

Photo 1: Chamber Chairman C K Chow, and CEO Shirley Yuen announce that HKGCC Free Ride Day will take place on May 29, 2013.

Photo 2: Chamber Chairman C K Chow, and CEO Shirley Yuen, explain to the press that Free Ride Day’ will allow members of the public to ride on trams and two Star Ferry routes free of charge in celebration of the Chamber’s 152nd anniversary on May 29, 2013.

Photo 3: Chamber Chairman C K Chow, and CEO Shirley Yuen, together with members who have sponsored HKGCC Free Ride Day pose for a group photo.

Photos can be downloaded from www.chamber.org.hk/en/media/pressphotos/

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Media inquiries: Please contact Ms Stephanie Tsui at 2823-1245 / stephanie@chamber.org.hk