With festivities taking place amid the flamboyant national flags fluttering across the city, Hong Kong residents celebrated in their own way the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China — the first National Day after the National Security Law came into effect on June 30.
Ng Sio-kok was among the thousands of volunteers at the city's 1,050 street booths set up across the city to mark the special day, which this year coincided with the traditional family reunion day — the Mid-Autumn Festival.
For Ng, this year's National Day was particularly special.
In her opinion, the majority of Hong Kong people this year share the same aspiration — the resumption of exchanges with the Chinese mainland as soon as possible. After the pandemic is under control, and trade and travel with the Chinese mainland can resume, most people in Hong Kong will be able to return to life as usual, and the city can return to prosperity, Ng said.
At a Wan Chai booth decorated by self-made banners and a variety of national and regional flags, Ng helped hand out masks and sanitizers to residents. Hong Kong's commercial district has seen the return of its usual hustle and bustle, as the pandemic has gradually come under control.
The masks and sanitizers, most practical gifts in Ng's eyes for local residents, are to remind them not to let their guards down amid the pandemic, the volunteer said.
