Editor’s note: Since its establishment in 1997, China Daily Hong Kong Edition has been a witness, facilitator and contributor to the city’s dazzling economic progress, growing international influence, and stronger integration with the Chinese mainland. Let’s stroll down memory lane with CDHK by revisiting select front pages — snapshots of historical moments — to mark with CDHK the days of joy, happiness and sadness.
(PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)
July 7, 2008 Milestone
The story between President Xi Jinping’s connections with Hong Kong dates back to July 1, 2008, when the then-vice-president made an inspection tour of the city. He kicked off his three-day schedule by inspecting Hong Kong’s preparations for hosting the equestrian events of the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics. Having the event in Hong Kong was a major milestone in the city’s sports history.
“Staging the Olympic Games is not only the dream of all Chinese people, but it has also become our commitment to the whole world,” he said, urging Hong Kong to do all it can to ensure a safe Olympics.
Xi also said he was in Hong Kong to experience for himself the changes that the city had undergone since its return to the motherland.
Xi later visited the city twice again, this time as president, when the city marked its 20th and 25th anniversaries of its return to the motherland.
(PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)
Dec 14, 2009 Gala
With the flame that had burned continuously for nine days extinguished and confetti engulfing the stage, the 2009 East Asian Games drew to a close with great fanfare at the Hong Kong Coliseum on Dec 13, 2009.
The then-chief executive, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, declared the event closed. Performers from Tianjin, the host city of the next East Asian Games, gave audience members a taste of its traditional culture through Peking Opera and acrobatics. A unique international rendition of the East Asian Games theme song highlighted the night.
The fifth East Asian Games was the biggest sporting event ever held in Hong Kong. About 2,300 elite athletes from nine countries and regions competed for 262 gold medals. Hong Kong did exceptionally well, winning 26 gold medals and 101 medals in all. In another exciting development, Hong Kong will cohost the 15th National Games with Macao and Guangdong province in 2025.
