“The fireworks symbolise the city’s complete recovery from the pandemic after overcoming the pandemic and its strides into a better future,” Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said just prior to the display.
The city’s leader earlier in the day said Hongkongers were “full of ideas” and could turn crises into opportunities, urging residents to stay united and use their skills to contribute to the country’s development.
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National Day fireworks display in Hong Kong dazzles crowds after 5-year wait
National Day fireworks display in Hong Kong dazzles crowds after 5-year wait
Lee, along with ministers, also watched the fireworks as large crowds not seen in years lined both sides of the harbour even hours before the 9pm start time.
The central waterfront erupted into cheers as the fireworks show kicked off, with many onlookers exclaiming “ooh” and “ahh” at every colourful blast that rocketed into the night sky from three barges and six pontoons moored 350 metres (383 yards) from the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.
Revellers in Tsim Sha Tsui stood in awe at the display, cheering when special designs such as smiley faces and flowers illuminated the night sky.
Among those taking in the spectacle was Sofia To, 7, who witnessed her first-ever National Day Fireworks show.
“It was so beautiful,” she said. “I loved all the colours.”
Her father, a 63-year-old retiree surnamed To, said he felt it was important that his daughter get to experience the momentous occasion.
“It’s a very important day for my country, and I want her to be happy,” he said.
Alan Hon, 28, who watched the fireworks from Tsim Sha Tsui, said it was worth getting there three hours early to watch the display.
“I loved the finale and the part where fireworks went off rapidly in sync with the music,” he said.
Only hours before, city leader Lee highlighted the opportunities offered by mainland China and vowed to roll out measures in his policy address on October 25 to improve livelihoods and boost the economy.
Lee expressed optimism concerning Hong Kong’s future in a speech that sought to galvanise residents and said the city could scale new heights with unity and diligence in an ever-changing environment that presented opportunities and challenges.
“Hong Kong people have weathered a number of storms and can withstand any test. They are full of ideas, creative, flexible and agile. They have turned crises into opportunities and always make Hong Kong more successful and outstanding than before,” Lee said at a reception as part of celebrations for the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
“Let’s be united and work together – for the building of China into a great country through Chinese modernisation, for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and for the long‑term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.”
The event at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai was attended by hundreds of guests, including mainland officials, foreign diplomats such as Thomas Gnocchi, the head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macau, United States Consul General Gregory May and Canadian Consul General Rachael Bedlington.
Lee said tourism and spending figures proved the city had moved on from the Covid-19 pandemic over the past year. He pointed to a 10.5 per cent increase in private consumption expenditure and 20 per cent growth in service exports in the first half of 2023 compared with the same period last year.
The total sales value of the retail industry had surged by nearly 20 per cent in the first eight months of the year over the same period in 2022, the city leader said, adding that the number of visitors this year had exceeded 23 million as of the end of September.
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“Hong Kong is at a crucial stage of advancing from stability to prosperity. We should treasure every opportunity to pursue economic development and enhance the city’s competitiveness. I am glad to see the strong consensus in Hong Kong society in this regard.”
The city leader also stressed national development had brought many opportunities over the past decades. He urged residents to use their skills to contribute to the country’s progress.
Lee said there were now about 1,430 H-share, red chip and mainland private companies listed in Hong Kong since the city’s first H-share debut 30 years ago. The three types of firms accounted for 55 per cent of the total number of listed enterprises in the city, he added.
H-share companies are firms incorporated on the mainland whose listings in Hong Kong are approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission. Red chip enterprises are established outside the mainland but are controlled by government entities across the border and listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
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Mainland enterprises accounted for nearly 80 per cent of the total market capitalisation on Hong Kong’s stock market and made up more than 80 per cent of the equity turnover, Lee added.
The city leader also said that the Belt and Road Initiative – Beijing’s plan to link dozens of economies in Asia, Europe and Africa into a China-centred trading network – had enabled Hong Kong to play a role in international project investments, offshore yuan activity, professional service support, as well as economic, trade and cultural exchanges.
The Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, signed between Hong Kong and the mainland 20 years ago, led to HK$4.6 trillion-worth (US$587.3 billion) of bilateral trade in goods last year, along with a two-thirds rise in the number of foreign investors establishing regional headquarters and offices in the city over the past two decades, according to Lee.
The chief executive said Hong Kong should continue to leverage its direct access to the nation and strong international links under the “one country, two systems” governing principle by proactively integrating with the mainland, taking part in the development of the Greater Bay Area and boosting the city’s global competitiveness.The bay area refers to Beijing’s initiative to integrate Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland cities into an economic powerhouse.
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Asked about the mainland’s strong presence in the local stock market, Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, said foreign companies were equally important to the city’s economy.
“I think the chief executive was stating the facts. But that doesn’t mean Hong Kong can only rely on the mainland to develop its economy. That can be seen by the fact that not only the government but also the business community is actively visiting places in the Middle East and Europe,” said Choi, who attended the reception.
Ahead of the reception, hundreds of guests attended a flag-raising ceremony at the nearby Golden Bauhinia Square.
Three former Hong Kong leaders, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Leung Chun-ying and Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, were among the guests at the ceremony. The city’s first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, was absent amid concerns over his health. His last public appearance was at a film premiere in July 2021.
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Tung’s office told the Post he was currently on vacation, and thus was not able to attend the reception.
Separately, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in his blog on Sunday that under the complex and ever-changing global environment, the city could play a more proactive role as a connector between the mainland and the international community in various aspects such as finance, innovation, trade, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
Over in the nation’s capital, a flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square attracted about 302,000 tourists and local residents to celebrate the holiday, according to Beijing Daily.
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This is the first National Day since China relaxed pandemic controls, and also coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, resulting in a significant uptick in the number of travellers within the country.
In an editorial on Sunday, party mouthpiece the People’s Daily hailed the achievements of recent years and called for determination to thrive despite challenges.
“China’s economy has demonstrated significant resilience, potential, and a long-term positive trend amid its undulating and meandering development,” it said.
“In today’s world, with complexity and turmoil intertwined and global changes accelerating, China faces both strategic opportunities as well as risks and challenges. Time and fortune are on our side, and that is the source of our determination and confidence.”
Additional reporting by Denise Tsang and Luna Sun
