More than 340,000 spectators gathered along both sides of Victoria Harbour to glimpse the 23-minute National Day fireworks display on Wednesday night, which featured eight scenes including space themes and giant pandas.
Citizens and tourists gathered around Tsim Sha Tsui and the Hong Kong Island waterfront, with some arriving before noon to find the perfect spot. Police have conducted gradual road closures for traffic control.
The theme for this year's fireworks display is "Victoria Harbour Fireworks Shine Across the Motherland." The show began with images of peony, golden chrysanthemum and silver glittering spherical fireworks lighting up the sky, accompanied by the Overture of Symphony No. 1, symbolizing the fighting spirit and rejuvenating strength of the Chinese.
The fourth scene, "Always Lovable Giant Pandas", features multiple giant panda face patterns blooming in the sky, paired with green salute fireworks that symbolize bamboo forests, highlighting the concept of a panda economy and bringing hope to Hong Kong.
The finale of the show featured red, purple, and green fireworks, set to the theme song of the National Games, promoting the upcoming National Games jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau in November and cheering on athletes from across the country.
Other scenes are themed around the globally popular animated film "Nezha", the Dongjiang water supply, and the Shenzhou-20 space mission.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu wished the nation continued prosperity and Hong Kong further success, expressing joy in celebrating the 76th anniversary of the People's Republic of China alongside citizens.
Lee highlighted that over the past 76 years, the nation has progressed through unity and hard work, achieving remarkable development of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability and making Chinese citizens proud.
The grand display involved more than 30,000 firing shells launched from three barges and six pontoons, with the entire event costing approximately HK$18 million.
Some exits at Tsim Sha Tsui, East Tsim Sha Tsui, Exhibition Centre and West Kowloon MTR stations are closed, requiring passengers to use alternative entrances.
