In Pictures: China’s development gives Hong Kong ‘endless opportunities,’ Chief Exec. John Lee says on National Day
Hong Kong Free Press
China’s development over the years has given Hong Kong “endless opportunities,” Chief Executive John Lee has said as top officials gathered for a reception celebrating National Day on Sunday.
Addressing guests at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre following a flag-raising ceremony outside in Golden Bauhinia Square, Lee hailed China’s achievements despite the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty.
“Over the past five years, the country’s economic growth has been above 5 per cent. This is clearly higher than the global average growth of 2.6 per cent,” Lee said in Cantonese.
“On this journey of strong nation building and the rejuvenation of the nation, the country has pushed forth with opening up and comprehensively promoted high-quality development, bringing Hong Kong endless opportunities,” he added.
Lee was joined on stage by senior officials including Chief Secretary Eric Chan, Financial Secretary Paul Chan, the convener of the Executive Council Regina Ip, as well as Legislative Council president Andrew Leung.
Sunday marked the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. As officials attended the flag-raising ceremony, a secondary school choir performed the national anthem and helicopters and boats passed through the harbour.
This was the first National Day since strict Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed earlier this year. A public viewing area at the flag-raising ceremony – which was closed during the past three years as authorities cited the pandemic – was not reopened on Sunday.
During the reception speech, Lee said 2023 was a “symbolic” year because it marked the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road initiative, as well as the 20th anniversary of the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a trade agreement bringing the Hong Kong and China markets closer.
This year also marked three decades since the listing of H-shares, or shares of mainland companies listed on Hong Kong’ stock exchange, Lee said.
Over the years, he added, trade volumes between Hong Kong and the mainland had doubled, and the number of listed companies in Hong Kong had tripled since 1993: “These concrete figures clearly reflect the opportunities and achievements that China’s development has brought to Hong Kong,” Lee said.
Traditionally a day of protest with mass marches and rallies from civil society groups, National Day has not seen such scenes since Beijing imposed a national security law in June 2020.
According to AFP, police have increased surveillance of activists – discouraging rallies, paying home visits ahead of sensitive dates, and summoning protest leaders for warning chats.
Police confirmed to HKFP on Friday that they had received no notifications for any public protest or rally to be held.
When asked how many officers were set to be deployed on Sunday, police declined to comment. Local media outlets cited sources as saying that 7,500 officers would be on standby city-wide.
Fireworks return, city awash with flags
With Covid-19 restrictions lifted, fireworks will light up Hong Kong’s night skies at 9 pm on National Day for the first time since 2018. The HK$18 million-display will see eight scenes, including one with red hearts to represent “joy and unity,” according to corporate sponsors Hong Kong Telecom and FWD Insurance.
Meanwhile, the city has also rolled out a host of special offers including half-price movie tickets and free rides on the tram and certain ferry routes. The government has also called on restaurants and shopping malls to launch designated discounts.
Leading up to National Day, Hong Kong and China flags, bunting and posters have appeared across the city. When asked by HKFP about the cost of the patriotic decorations in local districts, a Home Affairs Department spokesperson on Friday did not give an exact figure.
“[Authorities] have coordinated the display of a total of over 110,000 festive articles including National Flags, celebratory banners, stickers, posters, lamppost buntings, LED display[s], flower display[s], lighting and large installations at about 3,000 locations,” they said. “The costs of festive displays are absorbed by respective bureaux and departments from within their existing resources according to the principle of discal prudence.”
The spokesperson added that the patriotic paraphernalia will remain on display until mid-to-late October.
Additional reporting: Kelly Ho.
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