World News by Wild Rose

Thousands of Hongkongers, domestic helpers and tourists have taken advantage of the extended lantern show in Victoria Park as the National Day “golden week” holiday kicked off in mainland China. Many people arrived early at sunset on Thursday to avoid the huge crowds that had previously gathered for the International Lantern Spectacular, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, which has attracted more than 500,000 visitors since its debut in September. Before many of the lanterns turned on in...

Hongkongers and tourists have packed promenades on both sides of Victoria Harbour hours before Thursday’s National Day fireworks, braving the scorching heat. By mid-afternoon, photography enthusiasts, tourists and residents had claimed spots along the harbour, settling in for the hours-long wait with umbrellas, folding chairs and picnic mats. Authorities expected the 23-minute extravaganza to draw 260,000 people. With the sun beating down, revellers braved the heat to secure the best views of...

Hongkongers flocked across the border on National Day for grocery shopping, massages and the chance to buy giant 60cm-long egg tarts, citing lower prices and a wider variety of leisure activities. Immigration figures showed that about 69,000 residents had left Hong Kong by 10am on Thursday, while the city had already welcomed about 74,000 mainland Chinese visitors. At the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, crowds of Hongkongers gathered in the morning to head north, while mainland visitors...

Hongkongers have come out in droves to take advantage of widespread restaurant and transport perks on National Day, while visitors have said the offers are a happy surprise. Businesses rolled out bargains and freebies to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which falls on October 1, ranging from restaurant discounts to free MTR rides. Residents were seen taking the train and visiting restaurants covered under the promotion push to capitalise on the...

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and senior government officials are attending a ceremony and a National Day reception as the city celebrates the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Hong Kong is set to welcome 1.29 million mainland Chinese visitors over the National Day “golden week” break, fuelling questions online about what locals and tourists can do during the celebrations. On popular mainland social media platform RedNote, many users have recommended a range of activities, such as visiting the countryside, exploring the Unesco Global Geopark in Sai Kung, cycling and watching fireworks. To help tourists and locals alike, the South China Morning Post shares some of the...

Hong Kong will celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1 with a string of offerings for locals and visitors. The National Day “golden week” holiday in mainland China, which runs from October 1 to 7, is expected to bring in about 1.29 million visitors from across the border. But Hongkongers will only have one public holiday during the period, on Thursday. The South China Morning Post lists the discounts and perks available during the...

From restaurants and hotels to cafes and market stalls, Hong Kong’s catering industry has banded together to offer discounts of up to 30 per cent at more than 3,800 outlets to celebrate National Day on October 1. Food and catering businesses said on Thursday they would provide an array of tasty deals across the city to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Offers include meal sets at 30 per cent off, fresh food items such as vegetable packs for HK$7 and...

Hong Kong is expected to welcome about 1.29 million mainland Chinese travellers over the National Day “golden week” break, with city authorities planning to step up crowd management and tighten supervision of tour agencies and retail outlets. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Hong Kong’s No 2 official, chaired a meeting with various government departments on Wednesday to discuss preparations for the holiday on the mainland, which spans October 1 to 7. On top of the expected influx of about 1.29...

Spanish police charged at left-wing protesters in Barcelona on Catalonia's National Day.