Some Hongkongers choose flags, dancing and music to mark handover
Don't rock the boat, C. Y. Leung says at reception as handover celebrations draw thousands
While hundreds of thousands took to the streets yesterday to express their opposition to the government, others attended handover celebrations, concerts and dance events. Some took advantage of discounts to go shopping.
As marchers were preparing to converge on Victoria Park in the morning, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said at an official reception following a flag-raising ceremony at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre that the city's residents should avoid doing anything that might damage the city's "prosperity and stability".
In Tamar Park, Admiralty, people attending a handover celebration said they did not support the march or the Occupy Central movement, but a few said they would join the march to observe both sides.
"Our society is becoming more and more polarised. I want to go and take a look at both sides before I reach a conclusion," said Felix Lee, 25, a clerk who went with three friends to the Tamar celebration. He said he had no particular political stance.
A 65-year-old retiree was there with his wife for a similar reason. "There are so many extremists organising protests this year. That's why I wanted to come out and have a look. I'm going to attend both sides," he said.
