China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Macao SAR have held a series of events to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The HKSAR government held a flag-raising ceremony and a reception on Sunday morning at the Golden Bauhinia Square, where China's national flag as well as the HKSAR flag were hoisted and the national anthem was played. Helicopters carrying the national and HKSAR flags flew over Victoria Harbor in celebration.

Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Leung Chun-ying, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, officials of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and prominent figures from various sectors in Hong Kong attended the ceremony.

When addressing the reception, Lee said that on the journey to building China into a great country and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the motherland remains steadfast in opening up to the world and pursuing high-quality development, bringing unlimited opportunities to Hong Kong.

On the way forward, Hong Kong should continue to leverage, under "One Country, Two Systems," its distinctive advantages of enjoying the motherland's strong support and being closely connected to the world, actively integrate into the country's overall development and dovetail with the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development, the Belt and Road Initiative and so on, Lee said.

"Let's be united and work together for the building of China into a great country through Chinese modernization, for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong," he said.

After a five-year hiatus, National Day fireworks display illuminated Hong Kong's sky on Sunday night, captivating over 430,000 spectators gathered along both sides of Victoria Harbor, eager to witness the grandiose spectacle firsthand.

Near the landmark cultural center, many people can be seen taking photos with the Chinese national flag and the HKSAR flag in their hands.

A total of 31,888 firing shells were discharged from three barges and six pontoons in the approximately 23-minute extravaganza. The display could be seen from many vantage points on both sides of the harbor, including Tsim Sha Tsui, the Mid-Levels, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and the Hung Hom Bypass.

The HKSAR chief executive said the event symbolized Hong Kong's return to normalcy and progress toward a brighter future after overcoming challenges.

China's Macao SAR held a series of events, including a flag-raising ceremony, a running event, a reception and a fireworks show.

The flag-raising ceremony was held early in the morning on the Golden Lotus Square.

Ho Hau Wah, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macao SAR, leaders of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Macao SAR, and the Chinese PLA Garrison in the Macao SAR, as well as representatives from various walks of life of the Macao society, attended the ceremony and reception.

A fun run event was organized after the ceremony, drawing the participation of around 3,500 people from all age groups.

Noting that the motherland is the most powerful backing for Macao, Ho Iat Seng said at the reception that Macao's prosperity and stability could not be achieved without long-term, strong support from the central authorities.

Ho said Macao's economic recovery maintained a sound momentum this year thanks to various favorable policies from the central authorities, vowing to further improve the legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security, speed up appropriate economic diversification, improve people's livelihoods and promote the building of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, neighboring Zhuhai City.

He stressed that the Macao SAR government must fully and accurately implement the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, resolutely safeguard the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over Macao, firmly put in place the fundamental principle of "patriots administering Macao," actively promote the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and speed up Macao's integration into overall national development.

In the evening, a fireworks show was staged by Chinese and Portuguese companies as part of the 31st Macao International Fireworks Display Contest. Fireworks companies from 10 countries around the world are scheduled to present 10 shows of fireworks and music within nearly a month.

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao SAR government tourism office and organizer of the contest, said the authority had made active preparations for the fireworks events after an interruption of three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, expecting residents and visitors to enjoy the shows and take part in games at fireworks-themed carnivals and markets.

(With input from Xinhua)