(Front, from left) Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Tan Tieniu; Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor; and Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, Liu Guangyuan visit a booth at the 55th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo at Victoria Park, Hong Kong, Dec 11, 2021. (PHOTO/HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo opened on Saturday, featuring more than 830 booths in eight thematic areas.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor officiated at the opening ceremony of the 24-day expo at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay Saturday morning. 

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Officiating guests take a group photo at the opening ceremony of the 55th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo at Victoria Park, Hong Kong, Dec 11, 2021. (PHOTO/HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Other officiating guests included Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Tan Tieniu, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Hong Kong Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu and and other senior Hong Kong government officials.

Lam and some guests toured the expo after the officiating ceremony.

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(From left) Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Liu Guangyuan; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Tan Tieniu; and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor shop at the 55th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo at Victoria Park, Hong Kong, Dec 11, 2021. (PHOTO/HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

As a precaution against COVID-19, no tasting is allowed at this year's expo and visitors must use the contact tracing app LeaveHomeSafe before entering the venue. The annual expo was scrapped last year due to the pandemic. 

The expo runs from Saturday until Jan 3. It is opened daily from 11 am to 9 pm between Dec 11 and Jan 2, and from 11 am to 8 pm on its last day.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (center) and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Tan Tieniu (right) visit a booth at the 55th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo at Victoria Park, Hong Kong, Dec 11, 2021. (PHOTO/HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

The admission fee for an adult is HK$8 while children below 1 meter in height, people aged above 65 and those with disabilities could enjoy free admission.

Residents who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can also visit the expo for free after 6 pm by presenting their COVID-19 vaccination records.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (2nd left) and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Tan Tieniu (1st left) shop at the 55th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo at Victoria Park, Hong Kong, Dec 11, 2021. (PHOTO/HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (1st left) tours the 55th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo at Victoria Park, Hong Kong, Dec 11, 2021.  (PHOTO/HKSAR GOVERNMENT)