Some people branded the SAR celebrations a waste of money, while others said National Day made them proud to be Chinese. Eric Tan Shui-yuen, 28, who has been jobless for eight months, said: 'It doesn't mean anything to me. 'It's a waste of money on the Government's part to spend so much on celebrations when many people like me are still jobless.' Student Peter Wong, 16, was indifferent, saying he saw no relationship between Hong Kong and the mainland. 'I have no feelings at all for today or for China because Hong Kong is so different from and better than China in terms of education and many other aspects,' he said. 'They're literally two different worlds. So it doesn't seem to make sense to spend money celebrating this event.' Leaflet distributor May Shum Lan, 50, said the day was a good reason to have fun. 'The celebration activities are entertaining. It's not bad in that we ordinary people can go out and enjoy nice things,' she said, adding that she would watch last night's fireworks display. But for Tai Wing-sau, 29, a shipping clerk born on the mainland, it was a day of national pride. 'I'm going to cook dishes like crab and shrimps to celebrate with my husband the 50th anniversary of our country. This is such a special day,' she said. Driver Yeung Shek-hung, 65, said he had been in good spirits from the moment he woke up because of National Day. 'It's such a good day for Chinese people,' he said. 'Our country used to be looked down upon, but now it is so strong and we have the things that other countries have. It's worth celebrating. But, of course, it is not a day for those people who are against everything about China.'
