Hong Kong, Macao adorn streets, landmarks with decorations to celebrate National Day

Hong Kong and Macao have adorned their streets and landmarks with festive decorations to celebrate the upcoming National Day.

China's National Day falls on Oct 1 and the National Day holiday lasts from Oct 1 to 7.

China's national flag (five-star red flag) and the flag of the Hong Kong SAR are seen in the streets and alleys across Hong Kong, adding a patriotic atmosphere to the National Day celebrations.

Before and after the National Day, Hong Kong will hold hundreds of celebration events. And the colorful firework displays will been held at Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor on the evening of Oct 1.

"On the occasion of the celebration of the 75th anniversary, all sectors in Hong Kong are joyfully and eagerly preparing. With joyful hearts, we are ready to set off the fireworks. Wishing our country to be strong and the people to be prosperous. Wishing Hong Kong to also flourish and prosper," said Pui Kwan Kay, president of the Hong Kong Chinese Importers' and Exporters' Association.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Through 75 years of hard work, the Chinese people have transformed China from an impoverished country into the second largest economy in the world. Several hundred million people in rural areas were lifted out of poverty, a miracle in the history of humanity, inspiring people from all walks of life in Hong Kong and Macao. "With the efforts of generation after generation of predecessors, the People's Republic of China has progressed from an impoverished country to the current stage of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, the various significant achievements made by the country have instilled the people across the nation with full confidence," said Edward Leung Hei, member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, stressed that Hong Kong has made impressive achievements under One country, Two systems.

"It's enormous and overwhelming development, and I am really impressed how mainland has developed in this time under the One Country, Two Systems. It's a unique opportunity of Hong Kong to integrate economically into the wider Greater Bay Area. Dynamic, competitive and a global outlook," he said.

In Macao Special Administrative Region, national flags and holiday banners can be seen all over the streets.

"As young people from Macao, we are all very excited and proud of the development of our country. The destiny of Macao is always closely linked with that of the motherland. As the country further deepens reform comprehensively with a view to advancing Chinese modernization, Macao will have much to offer and achieve. I wish our great motherland to become even more prosperous, and Macao's development to continue to improve. I hope that we will advance together towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said Jau Wing-hou, vice president of the Macao Youth Federation.

Since its return to the motherland 25 years ago, Macao has made significant advances in various fields and achieved prosperity and stability, according to Grace Wong Kit-cheng, member of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR and vice president of the Women's General Association of Macao.

"Since its return to the motherland 25 years ago, with the support of the country, the society of Macao has achieved historic accomplishments in various fields including economy and people's livelihood. Residents live and work in peace and contentment. The stage of development is getting bigger and bigger, which fully demonstrates the strong vitality and advantages of One country, Two systems. The motherland has always been the strong supporter for Macao to maintain long-term prosperity and stability. I believe that Macao will also participate in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, integrate into China's overall development, and gain a greater and broader space for development and development momentum. Only when the motherland is strong can Macao be better," she said. "The country is advancing the great cause of building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. We believe this will also bring new development opportunities for Macao. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, and we are full of confidence in the development of the motherland and Macao. We believe that all sectors in Macao will actively integrate into the overall national development and make new contributions to the country's development," said Ip Sio Kai, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, also president of the Macao Association of Banks.

Hong Kong, Macao adorn streets, landmarks with decorations to celebrate National Day

After years of displacement in Lebanon, some Syrian families are returning home following the escalation of fighting between Lebanon and Israel, not to a land of peace and plenty, but to devastated neighborhoods, damaged infrastructure, and limited opportunities.

For families like Basel Barakat's, who fled Aleppo after the battle and spent years in Lebanon seeking safety, the dream was always to come back without oppression or shelling.

Little Ahmad, Basel Barakat's son, was born in Lebanon, but Syria is his true home, a country he only set foot in recently.

After the recent escalation in Lebanon, the family returned to their hometown in Urum al-Kubram, on the outskirts of Aleppo.

When conflict erupted in Lebanon two months ago, over 140,000 Syrians were forced to flee once more, returning to a country already struggling to aid 16 million people.

"We had a dream, a real dream, to go back without Bashar al-Assad, without oppression, without planes, without shelling of this country," said Basel Barakat.

Basel Barakat and his family live in an area shattered by years of war and earthquakes, yet they are slowly rebuilding their home, step by step.

"We came back to our houses that are completely destroyed, dilapidated, buried. I think it would be better to have these two windows. The door here is not mine. There are no doors, no electricity, no water. But it is enough for us to return to our country, our village, our homeland. There is nothing worse than being away from one's homeland," he said.

His aunt Samia Barakat returned with the family, saying rebuilding is hard amid destroyed infrastructure and few jobs.

"I came back to my country. But I am sad because my country is ruined. My homes are ruined. My income is gone. I have nothing," said Samia Barakat.

Ill and widowed, Samia Barakat now lives with her sister. Still, she was determined to return home.

"When I die, they will bury me in the soil of our country, Syria," she said.

Stories like Samia Barakat's are common across Syria. Returning families face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives from the ground up.

After years as refugees in Lebanon, some Syrian families are now returning home, but many are coming back to destroyed neighborhoods and limited services.

Still, for many here, returning to Syria is about rebuilding their lives in the place they still call home.

Coming home is only the beginning, and families like the Barakats are finally starting over.

Displaced Syrians return home to rebuild amid destruction