The government's campaign is described as an effort to tell "good stories" about the southern Chinese city, where years of political repression combined with pandemic measures have tarnished the city's business-friendly reputation.

Hong Kong leader John Lee promised "no isolation, no quarantine and no restrictions", while announcing on Thursday that 500,000 free plane tickets will be offered to visitors to experience the city.

A further 80,000 tickets will be offered to residents during the summer.

Hong Kong, which followed China's zero-covid strategy of quarantine, closed borders and face masks, managed to avoid a major virus outbreak for a long time.

But at the beginning of 2022 there was a big omicron eruption.