Hong Kong residents and mainland tourists immersed themselves in National Day celebrations across the city, enjoying a variety of activities — from boarding national navy warships to watching fireworks displays.
A major highlight this year was the three-day port call by two People’s Liberation Army warships — the training ship Qi Jiguang and the landing ship Yimengshan. About 11,000 residents are expected to tour the ships during open-house events on Wednesday and Thursday.
Commissioned in 2017, the 163-meter, 9,000-metric-ton Qi Jiguang serves as a training vessel. The Yimengshan, launched in 2016, is a 19,000-ton multirole ship capable of combat, disaster relief, and medical aid.
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Daniel Long, a professor of supply chain risk management at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said he was impressed by the vessels’ well-equipped interiors. He said such open days offer valuable opportunities for his son and other youngsters to witness the nation’s progress and understand the role they can play in its future.
Fung Yan-kit, 83, whose age coincides with the hull number of the Qi Jiguang, took photos with sailors alongside his granddaughter. He said the vessel’s name honors a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) general who resisted invaders, serving as a reminder that national heroes must never be forgotten.
He said the event was a vital chance for young people to learn that national security and a powerful motherland with strong military are the SAR’s bedrock in an uncertain world.
All tickets for ship visits were snapped up within seconds, reflecting strong patriotic sentiment and keen local interest in the nation’s naval development.
Across Hong Kong, activities marking the 76th anniversary of the nation’s founding were in full swing. Thousands of shops and restaurants partnered with the special administrative region government to offer discounts totaling hundreds of millions of Hong Kong dollars.
Residents were treated with free rides on the Mass Transit Railway, ferries and trams, free admission to museums and public sports facilities, as well as half-priced movie tickets. Many districts also hosted National Day galas and carnivals to entertain the public.
Following an enthusiastic countdown, at 8 pm, an eight-part, 23-minute fireworks display lit up the Hong Kong skyline with 31,880 shells. Synchronized to classical symphonies and pop music, the show concluded with a stirring finale set to the classic Ode to the Motherland.
Police estimated that more than 344,000 people watched the fireworks on both sides of Victoria Harbour.
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Along with the dazzling bursts, skyscrapers — including the city’s tallest, the International Commerce Centre — were illuminated with messages such as “Celebrating the National Day” and “Welcome to Hong Kong”.
By noon, vantage points along the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade — from the Star Ferry pier to the Avenue of Stars — were already packed with tripods and spectators.
Among them was a Hong Kong resident surnamed Ng, who, along with his family, staked out a prime spot as early as 11 am. Ng said it’s an annual tradition for his family, and there is always a good atmosphere to watch the fireworks with the crowds.
Mainland tourist Lin and his girlfriend chose to take a scenic stroll from Tsim Sha Tsui to Yau Ma Tei — a classic Kowloon citywalk route — before returning to the harborfront for the fireworks display.
As of 9 pm on Wednesday, the Immigration Department had recorded over 484,000 arrivals, with 46 percent being mainland travelers. Meanwhile, more than 356,000 people departed the city, including 226,000 Hong Kong residents.
This year’s eight-day National Day Golden Week on the mainland, running through Oct 8, also includes Monday’s Mid-Autumn Festival.
Hong Kong’s celebrations and cultural events will continue into next week. On Monday in Southern District, the century-old fire dragon dance — an intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong — will see local performers parade a dragon-shaped structure adorned with burning incense sticks, marching from Pok Fu Lam Village to Wah Fu Estate to pray for peace and residents’ well-being.
Andy Chong and Parker Zheng contributed to the story.
Contact the writers at stushadow@chinadailyhk.com