Hong Kong’s sky will light up with more than 30,000 fireworks on October 1, as the city puts on a HK$18 million fireworks display to celebrate China’s National Day for the first time since 2018.

National Day 2023 fireworks
An illustration of a scene from the fireworks show to be displayed on October 1, 2023, when Hong Kong celebrates the 74th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Photo: HKT Limited and FWD Insurance.

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau will coordinate a 23-minute pyrotechnics show, sponsored by Hong Kong Telecom and FWD Insurance, to mark 74 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the two companies announced on Friday.

It will be the city’s first National Day fireworks show since 2018, after it was cancelled for four consecutive years due to the widespread protests against a since-axed extradition bill and the Covid-19 pandemic.

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The city traditionally hosts fireworks displays on October 1 to mark National Day, as well as to celebrate the new year and the Lunar New Year.

A total of 31,888 fireworks will be fired across eight scenes in the show. The sky above Victoria Harbour will be filled with bright red hearts in the debut scene, representing joy and unity, the two companies said.

National Day 2023 fireworks
An illustration of a scene from the fireworks show to be displayed on October 1, 2023, when Hong Kong celebrates the 74th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Photo: HKT Limited and FWD Insurance.

“On top of celebrating the special occasion, the brilliant fireworks convey well wishes of prosperity for businesses and symbolise an even brighter future for the city,” an Enlgish statement from HKT and FWB read.

Public broadcaster RTHK will broadcast the show, synchronised to music, at 9 pm on October 1. People may also enjoy the show from vantage points including Tsim Sha Tsui, the Mid-Levels, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and the Hung Hom Bypass, the sponsors said.

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Ho Long Sze Kelly is a Hong Kong-based journalist covering politics, criminal justice, human rights, social welfare and education. As a Senior Reporter at Hong Kong Free Press, she has covered the aftermath of the 2019 extradition bill protests and the Covid-19 pandemic extensively, as well as documented the transformation of her home city under the Beijing-imposed national security law.

Kelly has a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Hong Kong, with a second major in Politics and Public Administration. Prior to joining HKFP in 2020, she was on the frontlines covering the 2019 citywide unrest for South China Morning Post’s Young Post. She also covered sports and youth-related issues.