Hong Kong marked National Day on October 1 with a range of celebrations including a fireworks display over Victoria Harbour, promotional discounts, and free transport rides, drawing large crowds across the city. Approximately 380,000 people gathered along both sides of the harbour to witness the 23-minute fireworks show, which featured colorful displays and themed effects titled “Eternal Radiance.” The event took place amid temperatures exceeding 33 degrees Celsius.
Retail and dining sectors joined the festivities, with more than 3,800 restaurants offering discounts of up to 30 percent or special deals on selected menu items. Some public transport operators provided free rides in support of the celebrations. Meanwhile, tourist attractions and shopping districts experienced high visitor volumes during the first day of the mainland’s National Day “golden week” holiday. Many Hong Kong residents also crossed into Shenzhen for leisure, shopping, and dining, taking advantage of lower prices across the border.
At a National Day reception earlier in the day, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu spoke about the city’s strategic development amid evolving geopolitical challenges and technological advancements such as artificial intelligence. Lee emphasized the significance of the recently unveiled first five-year plan, pointing out three core features underpinning the blueprint.
Chief Executive Lee stressed that the plan is developed in accordance with the “one country, two systems” principle and remains firmly rooted within the framework of Hong Kong’s Basic Law. The plan aims to uphold the city’s capitalist system, common law framework, and the free flow of capital, people, goods, and information. It also underscores a market economy supported by an effective market mechanism alongside capable governance.
Another key element highlighted by Lee was the clear definition of Hong Kong’s international position. Both the five-year plan and his latest policy address emphasize leveraging the city’s role as a global connector between China and the world. The plan seeks to capitalize on the momentum of national development while maintaining Hong Kong’s status as an international platform for access to global resources and facilitating two-way exchanges.
Lee described the blueprint as a product of extensive public consultation designed to drive reform, unlock new opportunities, and improve livelihoods. He called for collective effort to realize the plan’s goals, quoting a historical Chinese text to underline the importance of unity and collaboration.
In a symbolic gesture, Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, addressed the reception from the Tiangong space station. Lai expressed pride in marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China from orbit and reaffirmed confidence in the country’s support for Hong Kong and Macau.
Elsewhere in the city, many took advantage of the holiday to engage in outdoor activities. The Po Pin Chau scenic area in Sai Kung operated under a new real-name reservation system, receiving 1,160 visitors during the holiday despite over 2,400 registrations. At Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, the International Lantern Spectacular attracted thousands, having recorded more than half a million visits since its opening in mid-September. Sha Tin Racecourse hosted National Day horse races accompanied by cultural performances including acrobatics, musical acts, and a police band.
As National Day celebrations wrapped up, the combination of cultural events, public engagement, and strategic policy announcements underscored Hong Kong’s efforts to balance local vitality with its positioning on the international stage.