From trams to billboards to roadside banners, Hong Kong is awash in a sea of celebratory slogans heralding the upcoming Handover anniversary of the city’s return to China.

Banners heralding Hong Kong’s 25th Handover anniversary on a footbridge near West Kowloon Station. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.
A tram marking Hong Kong’s 25th Handover anniversary. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.
Banners marking Hong Kong’s 25th Handover anniversary at Edinburgh Place in Central. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.

With the tagline “A new era – stability, prosperity and opportunity,” the city is toasting 25 years of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The milestone also marks the halfway point of the One Country, Two Systems framework under which Hong Kong has been governed since 1997.

Police officers patrol near West Kowloon Station as a banner welcoming Chinese leader Xi Jinping hangs on a street barricade. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.
A billboard atop a skyscraper in Wan Chai reads “warmly welcome Chairperson Xi Jinping’s attendance at Hong Kong’s 25th Handover anniversary celebrations.” Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.

Bright red banners reading “warmly welcome Chairperson Xi Jinping’s attendance at Hong Kong’s 25th anniversary celebration and inauguration of the sixth term SAR government” have also been hung around the city. The Chinese leader is expected to visit Hong Kong for the occasion.

Workers trim shrubs near West Kowloon Station, as a banner welcoming Chinese president Xi Jinping’s appearance at Hong Kong’s 25th Handover anniversary celebrations hangs on a street barrier. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.
A billboard outside the Central Police Station heralding Hong Kong’s 25th Handover anniversary. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.
A bus marking Hong Kong’s 25th Handover anniversary. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.

Police have ramped up security outside the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, where the celebrations will be held, and the West Kowloon Station. The Chinese leader is rumoured to be taking the high speed rail via the station to travel to Hong Kong.

A police van outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.
A 25th Handover anniversary banner seen through security barriers outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.
Police officers on a footbridge near the West Kowloon Station. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.

Meanwhile, Chinese and Hong Kong flags have adorned the city from Wan Chai to Tsuen Wan, turning the displays into photography spots.

China and Hong Kong flags at Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.
China and Hong Kong flags in Tsuen Wan. Photo: Almond Li/HKFP.

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Hillary Leung

Hillary has an interest in social issues and politics. Previously, she reported on Asia broadly - including on Hong Kong's 2019 protests - for TIME Magazine and covered local news at Coconuts Hong Kong.