Half-price film tickets, discounted fares, dining privileges, free exhibitions – over 400 events and offers will be promoted in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to celebrate National Day on Oct 1, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced on Tuesday.
Lee noted that the coming National Day is the first after the HKSAR government enacted the local legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law and improved governance at district level, which makes the festival more meaningful.
As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, "75" will feature in several activities. For example, 75 teams of civil servants will provide free dental services to 750 elderly people, and 7,500 residents will be given local travel subsidies.
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Lee said National Day decorations will be widely displayed in various districts of the city, with diverse activities showcasing regional characteristics, like a specialty bazaar, a drone show, and a Piu Sik parade, where children dressed as legendary deities will be held up on towering poles and parade through the streets.
Lee said that on Oct 1, the authorities will subsidize half-price movie tickets through the Film Development Fund. Additionally, a 25 percent discount will be applied to most MTR routes for Octopus users, and free tram rides will also be offered on that day.
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Children can take most routes of KMB, Long Win, Citybus and New Lantao Bus for free, and the public can ride the Star Ferry for free from Sept 30 to Oct 2. Exhibitions under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will also be opened for free on National Day.
Promotional activities will be offered in a number of shopping malls and at tourist attractions like the West Kowloon Cultural District, Ocean Park, Ngong Ping 360, and the Peak Tram.
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Up to 3,000 restaurants will offer dining discounts. Additionally, at least 10,000 public markets and hawker stalls will offer a 25 percent discount, and the equivalent discount will be applied to designated products of Local Fresh, the one-stop local ingredients shopping platform from Oct 1 to 7.
Lee appealed to the public to participate in the celebration of the big day. The government will hold a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to introduce details of National Day activities.
