Fans, tourists gather at Sha Tin, Happy Valley for Hong Kong Reunification Raceday

Crowds of local residents, mainland visitors and international tourists flocked to the red-themed Sha Tin Racecourse on Wednesday, moving along paths lined with national and Bauhinia flags, for a special day of horse racing. To celebrate the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Hong Kong Reunification Raceday was held with free admission at the public enclosures at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses. In the afternoon heat reaching 30 degrees Celsius, racing enthusiasts and tourists in the Sha Tin stands waved fans, banners and red flags. The opening ceremony began promptly at 2.50pm, with renowned mainland tenor Zhang Yingxi taking the stage first to deliver powerful renditions of “My Motherland, My Mother” and “I Love You, China”. Popular local singer Raymond Tam Fai-chi followed, performing “Hong Kong Welcomes You” and “Below the Lion Rock”. After the two singers performed a duet of the classic “Pearl of the Orient”, Zhang led the crowd in singing the national anthem, accompanied by the Hong Kong Police Band, instantly elevating the festive atmosphere. Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki also attended the opening ceremony and later shared his thoughts on social media. “The cheers on site came one after another, and the momentum of the galloping horses intertwined with the smiles of the citizens, making me deeply feel the warm atmosphere of the return and the city’s surging vitality,” Chan wrote. He added that whether spending time with family or simply soaking in the electric atmosphere, it was a “joyous occasion for the festive day”. After the 40-minute show, 52-year-old Hongkonger Cannis Lam and her friend Kong Ling, 57, along with seven companions, moved indoors to the air-conditioned area to watch the races and place a few bets. “We all came here today specifically for Tam Fai-chi. He sings beautifully and we have liked him for many years,” Lam said, noting that they quickly retreated indoors because of the intense heat. “The weather is very hot today, but since admission is free to celebrate the return, the larger crowds make it even more exciting,” she added. Kong mentioned that they might each place a HK$200 (US$25.50) bet to try their luck. “We don’t really know much about horse racing, but we mainly came to have fun, feel the atmosphere, and enjoy ourselves,” she said. Zhejiang foreign trade worker Yang Mengxin, 23, found the age-tailored facilities and betting options refreshing. “Many young people come here to take photos, while those who are slightly older can rest in the seating areas below,” she said. The opening ceremony also deeply moved the mainlander: “I felt a very united strength. Although we have ‘One Country, Two Systems’, I still feel that everyone is one family, wanting to celebrate this great day together.” Georgie Bilby from Sydney, who was visiting Hong Kong for the second time but making her first trip to Sha Tin Racecourse, expressed her delight at the venue. “It’s beautiful. We should have one bigger like this in Australia. We have one in Sydney. Now they’re getting a bit bigger and nicer, but this one looks huge,” she said. As a foreigner, Bilby noted she did not fully grasp the political significance of the day, but the local atmosphere and changes made a deep impression on her. “When we came here five years ago, everybody, especially the ladies, was always dressed up in high heel shoes all the way, walking to and from work. And nobody was talking to anybody on the train,” she said. She added that people now seemed more lively, wearing trainers, actively chatting and taking photos. “A lot of people are very friendly, not like five years ago. They are a lot nicer, much friendlier.” Brad Day from New Jersey shared a similar sentiment, though he originally only came to Hong Kong for a conference and accompanied his wife to the track. “I would say it’s surprising, but I think the atmosphere is good,” he said, adding that he knew there was a major race scheduled. “I’m anxious to see that go off at 7 o’clock.” Arriving just a day before their 30th wedding anniversary, Day said the trip felt like an anniversary gift. Recalling how they had once separated and reunited, he noted that this was perhaps his own understanding of the day’s theme. “This, in a sense, is our reunification or celebration. So that’s our holiday,” he said. Day also noted seeing flags displayed at their hotel near the airport, and said that the spirit made him want to extend his stay. “So I think there seems to be a lot of good spirit in the city.”

Fans, tourists gather at Sha Tin, Happy Valley for Hong Kong Reunification Raceday

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Renowned mainland tenor Zhang Yingxi among those leading celebration of 29th anniversary of reunification lauded as ‘joyous occasion’

Renowned mainland tenor Zhang Yingxi among those leading celebration of 29th anniversary of reunification lauded as ‘joyous occasion’