The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region held a National Day Gala on Wednesday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, inviting celebrities, artists, and students from schools and universities to present spectacular performances of various kinds.
The gala opened with a heartfelt performance by Michelle Siu, a visually impaired singer, and the Touching China 2023 Character of the Year, along with two other singers, to voice their love for China. The gala also included a children's martial arts performance, a middle school orchestra, and a chorus from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, along with performances staged by other artists and celebrities in presenting their best to the audience, featuring the participation of both professionals and amateurs, and their shared patriotism.
The gala featured both modern and traditional performances, all immersed with Chinese culture and regional characteristics, reflecting the heartfelt love of Hong Kong citizens to the motherland.
"As Hong Kong residents, with strong backing of the motherland, we should fully utilize Hong Kong's advantages with the support of the motherland and our connectivity to the world under the 'One Country, Two Systems'. We should be fully confident in striving for greater new achievements. Wish our motherland peace and prosperity, and I also believe that Hong Kong will definitely create a brighter future." said Jin Ling, chairman of the Hong Kong Island Woman's Association.
Also attending the gala among the some 6,000 guests were Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Leung Chun-ying, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.
Hong Kong holds National Day gala to mark 75th founding anniversary of PRC
China is going to step up efforts to further stabilize employment for key groups and improving social security, in accordance with the requirements and arrangement from the annual Central Economic Work Conference.
The conference was held in Beijing from Wednesday to Thursday as Chinese leaders decided priorities for the economic work in 2026.
It highlighted the priority to safeguard and improve people's livelihoods, which includes taking a series of measures to boost the labor market.
Experts believe that the following policy package will have positive impacts on the job market.
"For example, companies can implement subsidy policies to support job expansion, along with on-the-job training and skill upgrading for employees. These measures are designed to encourage enterprises to stabilize existing positions, create new ones, and enhance the overall quality of employment," said Wen Xiaoyi, vice president of China University of Labor Relations.
The meeting stressed the efforts to stabilize employment for key groups such as college graduates and migrant workers. Wen suggested that implementing targeted policies for key groups will enhance job matching and adaptability.
"For university graduates, more employment opportunities could be opened for them, meanwhile enhancing their employability. In terms of migrant workers, coordinated development between the eastern and western regions, as well as linkages between labor-importing and labor-exporting areas can be greatly improved," he said.
The meeting also pointed out that people in flexible employment and those in new forms of employment are encouraged to take part in employee insurance schemes.
Currently, the workforce engaged in flexible employment and emerging forms of work in China is steadily growing, covering many groups, such as ride-hailing drivers, deliverymen, individual business owners and freelancers.
Properly addressing their social security will further improve their level of social security, experts said.
"Efforts are being made to advance the inclusive development of the social security system, improve the accessibility and convenience of enrollment, and enhance long-term benefit entitlements. These measures not only reinforce workers' sense of belonging and security, but also lay a strong foundation for invigorating the labor market," said Liu Xu, director, Social Development Institute of Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research.
China to further stabilize employment, improve social security
