Hong Kong’s No 2 official vows to enhance East Dam travel with better Wi-fi

Hong Kong’s No 2 official has pledged to further improve travellers’ experience at High Island Reservoir’s popular East Dam by strengthening Wi-fi connectivity and bolstering traffic arrangements in the area.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki’s remarks came on Wednesday, the first day of the National Day “golden week” holiday, as more than 2,000 visitors descended on the site, with many expressing their approval of government measures to handle the surge in tourist numbers.

“We have different improvement measures; for example, we will try to strengthen the Wi-fi signal here, as our friends from the mainland are accustomed to using electronic payment systems a lot of the time,” he said.

“If there is no Wi-fi and no mobile signal, they may not be able to use these payment systems. We will strengthen this area, so we can help them.”

Chan was speaking as he inspected arrangements at the East Dam alongside several senior government officials, including security chief Chris Tang Ping-keung and environment minister Tse Chin-wan.

The government on Monday unveiled a series of measures to manage traffic and crowds at the East Dam in Sai Kung, an attraction that is especially popular among mainland Chinese travellers but lacks transport options.

Asked about the effectiveness of the measures, Chan said it was not ideal that many of the roads at the site had to carry two-way traffic on a single lane.