HKFP Lens: Hong Kong marks China’s National Day with fireworks display after drone show axed again

Hong Kong Free Press

Hong Kong marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with a fireworks display in Victoria Harbour on Tuesday evening.

Fireworks above Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour mark China's National Day, on October 1, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Fireworks above Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour mark China’s National Day, on October 1, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A five-minute drone show that was scheduled to precede the pyrotechnics was called off at the last minute because “the occurrence of ionospheric scintillation” over the harbour, according to a government statement.

It was the second National Day drone show to be cancelled in as many days after Monday evening’s “mega drone show” was axed over “meteorological” issues.

People watch the National Day fireworks display in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour from the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, on October 1, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — People watch the National Day fireworks display in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour from the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, on October 1, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The 23-minute fireworks display was coordinated by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and sponsored by the Hong Kong Chinese Importers & Exporters Association. Themed “Splendid fireworks shining over a prosperous China,” the show was split into eight scenes, including one that was dedicated to the recent arrival of two pandas from mainland China and a pair of pandas born at Ocean Park.

People film the National Day fireworks display in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour from the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, on October 1, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — People film the National Day fireworks display in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour from the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, on October 1, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

As large numbers of visitors from mainland China were expected to make their way back across the border after the display, the frequency of MTR train services on Tuesday evening was increased, though operating hours were not extended. Officials vowed in January to review transport and border-crossing arrangements after thousands of mainland Chinese tourists were left stranded in the city following the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Earlier on Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee attended a flag raising ceremony to celebrate National Day, later hosting a reception during which he called on Hong Kong to leverage its strength as an international finance hub amid “a once-in-a-century shake-up.” Hong Kong’s economy, which is closely linked to that of mainland China, has been slow to recover since all pandemic-related restrictions were listed in early 2023.