National Day celebrations
Hong Kong and Macao mark China National Day with festive ceremonies and fireworks.
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Key Points
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The ceremony began at 8 a.m.; the Hong Kong Police Band played “March of the Volunteers” as the national and Hong Kong SAR flags were raised.
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Government Flying Service helicopters carrying flags flew over Victoria Harbour, while Fire Services Department fireboats sailed past spraying water.
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Hong Kong’s first five-year plan aligns the city’s development priorities with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, covering national development goals for 2026–2030.
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The reception opened with three musicians and more than 20 students performing traditional music on a combination of Chinese and Western instruments; senior officials then proposed a toast to guests.
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Macao also held a National Day flag-raising ceremony, at Golden Lotus Square.
Hong Kong and Macao marked the 77th anniversary of the People's Republic of China with grand flag-raising ceremonies on October 1, showcasing deepening integration with mainland China's development priorities. CCTV English reported that Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee highlighted the city's inaugural five-year plan, designed to align local growth with China's national 15th Five-Year Plan through 2030. The celebrations drew over 380,000 spectators to Victoria Harbour for a 23-minute fireworks display and included a video message from Hong Kong astronaut Lai Ka-ying broadcast from China's space station.
Ceremonies began at 8 a.m. at Hong Kong's Golden Bauhinia Square and Macao's Golden Lotus Square, where government bands played ceremonial music and national flags were raised in unison. Bastille Post reported that helicopters carrying flags flew over Victoria Harbour while Fire Services Department boats sprayed water in a coordinated aerial display, symbolizing the region's solidarity with mainland China's national priorities.
Hong Kong's First Five-Year Development Plan
Chief Executive John Lee unveiled Hong Kong's first-ever five-year local development plan, a significant shift from the city's historical approach to governance. CCTV English quoted Lee saying the plan represents "strategic planning that builds on the unique advantages of 'One Country, Two Systems.'" The framework covers 2026–2030 and directly aligns Hong Kong's development goals with China's national priorities, marking a structural integration of local policy into mainland economic strategy.
The plan targets four key pillars: maintaining Hong Kong's role as an international financial, maritime, trade, and innovation hub. Officials frame the Northern Metropolis initiative—covering 30,000 hectares in the northern New Territories—as central to the strategy, designed to house 2.5 million residents and create 650,000 jobs through cross-border tech innovation hubs with Shenzhen.
Astronaut Message Emphasizes National Pride
Hong Kong astronaut Lai Ka-ying delivered a video message from China's Tiangong space station, highlighting the city's role in the nation's space achievements. Lai stated that participating in China's manned space mission "has given me a profound sense of the nation's soaring strength," and emphasized that "every scientific experiment we carry out embodies the pride of 'Made in China' and 'Created in China.'" The broadcast connected the celebration to broader themes of mainland technological advancement and national sovereignty.
Public Festivities Draw Massive Crowds
The National Day celebrations attracted major public participation across Hong Kong. Bastille Post reported that over 380,000 spectators gathered along Victoria Harbour for the evening fireworks display, which lasted 23 minutes and featured elaborate pyrotechnics. Additionally, the government coordinated with over 3,800 restaurants offering up to 30% discounts during Golden Week, while an estimated 7.44 million passenger trips were recorded across boundary control points during the holiday period.
The Hong Kong Police Band performed the national anthem, accompanied by student choirs from local secondary schools led by vocalists Alex Tam and Phoebe Tam. A formal reception at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre featured traditional music performed on both Chinese and Western instruments, followed by toasts from senior government officials and members of the Central Government Liaison Office.
Macao's Parallel Commemoration
Macao held its own National Day flag-raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square, mirroring Hong Kong's ceremonial observances. Bastille Post reported that the ceremony marked the region's continued participation in national celebrations under China's unified governance framework. Both special administrative regions conducted coordinated displays of patriotic solidarity, reinforcing institutional alignment with central government priorities.
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