A series of celebration activities will be held in Hong Kong on October 1 (Sunday) to mark the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

     Major activities will include a flag-raising ceremony and a National Day reception in the morning, and a variety show and a fireworks display in the evening.

     The flag-raising ceremony will be held at 8am at Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai. The Chief Executive will join some 2 400 people at the ceremony including invited guests, senior government officials, and members of uniformed groups and community groups.

     The Police Band will perform at the ceremony and a mixed choir from Diocesan Boys' School and Diocesan Girls' School will sing the national anthem under lead singers Frankie Liu and Alison Lau, followed by a fly-past and a sea parade by the disciplined services.

     A number of Invited Guests Viewing Areas will be designated for the exclusive use of invited guests, members of uniformed groups and community groups. Members of the public are also welcome to watch the ceremony from a Designated Public Viewing Area with a capacity for about 1 000 viewers. The Designated Public Viewing Area can be accessed through the footbridge leading from Harbour Centre to Convention Avenue and Expo Drive East. To ensure the smooth running of the flag-raising ceremony, people must remain in their respective areas and observe the regulations and directions given by the authorities on-site.

     Hosted by the Chief Executive, the National Day reception will be held after the flag-raising ceremony at the Grand Hall, Level 3, HKCEC. About 3 800 invited guests will attend, including members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the consular corps, senior government officials, community group leaders and members of various community sectors.

     The two lead singers, the school choir and the Police Band will perform and sing the national anthem at the reception. In addition, there will be an entertainment programme performed by the local a cappella choral theatre group Yat Po Singers and dance art group Studiodanz.

     At 7pm, the Organising Committee of Compatriots in Hong Kong in Celebration of the 68th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China will present a variety show at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom.

     A spectacular fireworks display will start at 9pm at Victoria Harbour to celebrate National Day. It will last about 23 minutes.

     People planning to watch the fireworks display on either side of Victoria Harbour are requested to behave in a safe and orderly manner and follow the advice of police officers. They should also pay attention to the special traffic arrangements for the National Day celebration activities announced by the Government.

Ends/Friday, September 29, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:00

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