Hong Kong marked the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October with a 23-minute fireworks display over Victoria Harbour, a citywide round of discounts, and the first day of the mainland National Day Golden Week.
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau coordinated the show, themed “Eternal Radiance Fireworks in Bloom, Illuminating our Country.” More than 30,000 shells were fired. Police put the crowd on both sides of the harbour at about 380,000. Segments included “Praise our Motherland,” “You are the Sunshine of my Life,” “Dreams in the Starry Galaxy,” “Love at Home,” “Moments of Hong Kong,” “Aspiration” and “Love of my Life,” closing with “Celebration to our Prosperous Nation.” Chief Executive John Lee said afterwards that the display carried affection for country and home. MTR closed some exits at Tsim Sha Tsui, East Tsim Sha Tsui, Austin, Jordan and Exhibition Centre stations while the crowd was managed.
The day was also built around spending. More than 3,800 restaurants offered discounts of up to 30 per cent or set-menu deals. Trams were free on all passenger routes. The MTR gave away 77,000 single-journey rides through a draw on its app. The Star Ferry ran the Central–Tsim Sha Tsui crossing free of charge, commercial cinema tickets were half price, and selected sports and museum venues opened free or at a discount. One diner told the South China Morning Post that a Tai Hing bill fell from HK$89 to HK$62.
Golden Week traffic was heavy from the first hours. The Immigration Department said more than 897,000 people had crossed the boundary in either direction by 9pm. By 4pm, about 225,000 mainland visitors had entered and about 192,000 Hong Kong residents had left. Retailers expect about 1.29 million mainland trips over the seven days, with average daily arrivals more than 5 per cent above last year, though trade groups have warned that cautious spending may cap the gain. Hotel occupancy in popular districts was forecast above 90 per cent.
At the National Day reception, Lee tied the holiday to the city’s first five-year plan. He said the plan had to sit inside the Basic Law and “one country, two systems,” and that Hong Kong needed a clearer roadmap as geopolitics shifted and artificial intelligence advanced. He described the city as a market economy with an international role.
Away from the harbour, the Jockey Club’s National Day meeting at Sha Tin drew nearly 30,000 people, below last year, with turnover above HK$1.6 billion. Hong Kong athletes also added three silver and two bronze medals at the Asian Games, in track cycling, sailing and squash.
For visitors still in the city, the practical picture is crowded waterfronts, fuller hotels and shorter queues where a National Day offer is still posted. The fireworks are over. The holiday spend is not.
