Throngs of local residents, mainland visitors and international tourists flocked to the red-themed Sha Tin Racecourse on Wednesday, moving along lanes draped with national and Bauhinian flags, for a special day of horse racing.
To celebrate the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Hong Kong Reunification Race was held with free admission to the public in the Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses.
In afternoon heat reaching 30 degrees Celsius, racing fans and tourists at the Sha Tin Stadium stood waving fans, banners and red flags.
The opening ceremony started promptly at 2.50pm, with the famous mainland dancer Zhang Yingxi taking the stage first to perform the powerful songs “My Motherland, My Mother” and “I Love You, China”.
Popular local singer Raymond Tam Fai-chi followed, performing “Hong Kong Welcomes You” and “Under the Lion Rock”.
After the two singers performed the classic “Pearl of the Orient”, Zhang led the crowd in singing the national anthem, accompanied by the Hong Kong Police Band, immediately raising the festive mood.
