China charms Hong Kong with economic boosts, from pandas to visas

HONG KONG -- The Chinese government has served up a fresh batch of economic measures for Hong Kong, coinciding with Monday's 27th anniversary of the handover from Britain and prompting the city's top leader to urge locals to be thankful.

From time to time, the government rolls out policies designed to pump up Hong Kong's economy and portray itself as a supporter of the city's development, even as a clampdown on political freedoms overshadows ties with the West. The latest initiatives from Beijing include the gift of a new pair of giant pandas, visa-free access to the mainland for non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong, and an expansion of duty-free spending allowances for mainland visitors to the city.