People cross the road decorated with national flags and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region flags above to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in Tsim Sha Tsui in on June 17, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong will embrace a wealth of festive activities in the run-up to Friday’s 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland, with a ceremony being held to start the celebrations, including light shows, parade floats, movie screenings and fishing-boat parades.

The Hong Kong Celebrations Association, a local non-profit organization established in 2006 that is organizing the events, announced at the launch ceremony on Tuesday that 25 buses with special decorations and 10 designated trams, as well as 25 fishing boats adorned with national flags will be parading through the city, with the boats in Victoria Harbour.

Tam Kam-kau, chairman of the Hong Kong Celebrations Association, said the successful practice of the “one country, two systems” principle has ensured Hong Kong’s world-renowned achievements

Various large-scale display installations are being set up in Victoria Park, which include displays of the national and regional flags, a creative lights display, and a water show. They will all be open to the public for free in the next six days.

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Tam Kam-kau, chairman of the Hong Kong Celebrations Association, said the successful practice of the “one country, two systems” principle has ensured Hong Kong’s world-renowned achievements. 

Although the city faced unprecedented challenges during the past few years, the central government has adhered to the “one country, two systems” principle, which stabilized the city’s situation, he said.

Tam also stressed that the National Security Law for Hong Kong, the improvement of the electoral system, and the implementation of “patriots administering Hong Kong” reflected the central government’s unwavering determination to defend Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. 

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Alice Cheung Chiu Hoi-yue, the director of Home Affairs, said that Hong Kong has developed in leaps and bounds since the handover in 1997, which can be attributed to the support of the central government and concerted efforts of all sectors in society.

Chan Hung-to, an association member in charge of this year’s anniversary celebration, said that July 1 is always a special time for Hong Kong to reflect on the history and envision the future, but this year is even more special as it marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return.

The launch ceremony was attended by officials from the central and HKSAR governments, business leaders, and representatives from various sectors.

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More than 20 Hong Kong youngsters performed the theme song for the HKSAR’s 25th anniversary titled Heading Forward and the patriotic song My People, My Country at the ceremony. 

Jason Fong, the deputy director of the Guangdong-Hong KongMacao Greater Bay Area Youth Association, who co-directed the choral show, said that all the singers were born in 1997 and are now 25 years old. They were invited to give the performance as they grew up with Hong Kong SAR after the handover and symbolize the city’s future, Fong said.

Vivian Tong, 26, who works in a PR agency, came to Victoria Park early in the morning to attend the ceremony and was deeply touched to be able to witness all the guests, performers, and staff who were busy during the ceremony under the scorching sun.