Handover holiday backed

THE day Hong Kong returns to Chinese sovereignty - July 1 - should be added to the list of public holidays after the handover next year, according to a survey.

The study, conducted by the Tsing Yi Action Group, showed most people also want the Chinese National Day, October 1, and Labour Day, May 1, to be public holidays.

The poll of 400 people showed colonial-style holidays, such as the Queen's Birthday, should be cancelled. But respondents want other Western-style holidays, including Christmas and Easter, to be kept.

The result showed the public was not too worried about the handover, a group spokesman said. 'The finding shows people want to celebrate the handover.'