HK to celebrate 65th National Day

HONG KONG - A series of celebration activities will be held in Hong Kong to mark the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said Friday.

Major activities include a flag-raising ceremony, a National Day reception, a National Day Extravaganza and a firework display on Oct 1 as well as a cultural show on Oct 2.

The flag-raising ceremony will be held at 8 am on Oct. 1 at Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC) in Wan Chai.

HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying will join some 2,500 people at the ceremony including invited guests, senior government officials, and members of youth uniformed groups and community groups.

The Police Band will perform at the ceremony and a mixed choir from Diocesan Boys' School, Diocesan Girls' School and St Paul's Co-educational College Primary School will sing the national anthem under the lead of singers Louise Kwong and Sammy Chien, followed by a fly-past and a sea parade by the disciplined services.

An area with a capacity of about 1,000 viewers is designated for the public to watch the ceremony.

Hosted by the Chief Executive, the National Day reception will be held after the flag-raising ceremony at HKCEC. About 4,000 invited guests will attend, including members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, consular corps, senior government officials, community group leaders and members of various community sectors.

To share the joy of the 65th anniversary with the public, the Home Affairs Department will hold a National Day Extravaganza at Victoria Park from 2 pm to 6 pm, featuring interactive games, clown street performances, traditional art and craft demonstrations, a showcase of achievements of the People's Republic of China and a Hong Kong Nostalgia zone.

A spectacular fireworks display will start at 8 pm to celebrate National Day. It will last about 23 minutes.

On the evening of Oct 2, the Organizing Committee of Compatriots in Hong Kong for Celebration of the 65th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China will present a cultural show at the Hong Kong Coliseum at 7 pm.