Hongkongers turn out in droves to cheer return of National Day fireworks display after 5-year wait following pandemic, protests
- More than 430,000 people pack Victoria Harbour for spectacular 23-minute display celebrating National Day
- Chief Executive John Lee says fireworks ‘symbolise the city’s recovery from the pandemic and its strides into a better future’
Hundreds of thousands of people along Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour cheered the return of the National Day fireworks display on Sunday after five years of waiting marked by social unrest and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 23-minute-long fireworks show provided the finishing touch to citywide festivities for the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, following a formal reception and flag-raising ceremony in the morning and an official variety show in the evening.
Police said more than 430,000 people lined both sides of the harbour to watch the fireworks light up the night sky.
“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
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.