Hong Kong’s National Day fireworks to feature Ne Zha, National Games themes

The coming National Day fireworks in Hong Kong will feature themes inspired by Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha and the National Games, but a drone show expected to precede the display will be excluded after last year’s performance cancellation due to meteorological factors, the organiser has said.

The HK$18 million (US$2.3 million) display, set on October 1 to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, will last 23 minutes and portray eight scenes, said the organiser on Tuesday.

“Of course we want to attract as many people as we can, hopefully 400,000, to boost Hong Kong’s economy and consumption,” said Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the sole sponsor of this year’s show.

He added that such a large-scale event would definitely bring more business to restaurants and hotels, particularly those along the harbour.

Fireworks designer Wilson Mao Wai-shing, the head of Pyromagic Multi-media Productions, said the drone show planned in last year’s display was excluded this year because of concerns over the weather.

Last year, as many as 330,000 people were left disappointed when a panda-themed drone performance set to precede a National Day fireworks display was axed just a few minutes before it was to begin.