Organisers are planning to hold the largest festival to date celebrating Victoria Harbour in November. The main organiser, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, has declared November 13 Hong Kong Harbour Day. 'Politically motivated' people would not be welcome participants in an event proposed as an annual feast of activities, a Harbour Day Organising Committee spokesman said. 'Everybody living in Hong Kong has a connection to the harbour,' committee chairman Hans Olijve said. 'We hope to create a culture of celebrating our harbour.' Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho Chi-ping, who expressed support at the announcement of the event, said service vessels from government departments would take part. 'Hong Kong has a beautiful harbour that we embrace with pride, and which many envy. This harbour ... is an integral part of Hong Kong's heritage and one of the most valuable public assets,' said Dr Ho. Proposed events include a 200-yacht race, a parade, rowing and windsurfing races, a helicopter display, a run, a golfing contest and a photo exhibition. More than 150 iconic Hong Kong vessels, including ferries, fishing boats and traditional Chinese junks, will take part in the harbour parade from Lei Yue Mun to the Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Government Flying Service will perform an air show. More than 10 associations will be involved and organisers said they were inviting more. 'It's intended to be a festival. Even 'Long Hair' [Legislator Leung Kwok-hung] is welcome to join the celebration. But we won't accept such activities as protests, demonstrations and banners,' said Alan Lau Kwok-lam, spokesman for the Organising Committee and former yacht club commodore. He said the committee had received an application from the Society for the Protection of the Harbour to join the event, which was still under review.
