China's Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday held a horse race at Sha Tin Racecourse as part of the celebrations marking the 28th anniversary of its return to the motherland.
The event, held by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, drew about 24,500 spectators, including around 6,000 visitors from the mainland, a 30-percent increase compared with last year.
"Today is July 1, marking the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the 104th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China. Through this horse race, a sport so unique to Hong Kong, I've experienced the passion of Hong Kong people and the city’s distinctive cultural appeal," said a visitor from Guangzhou City, in the neighboring province of Guangdong.
The event featured the Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1400m) as its centerpiece event, symbolizing the region's enduring racing tradition since its return to the Chinese mainland.
Hong Kong holds horse race to celebrate 28th anniversary of return to China
A member of the Political Bureau of Ansar Allah (the Houthi military group) on Thursday warned of an escalation in conflicts in the Middle East as Israel continued to carry out deadly strikes in Lebanon.
Talking to China Global Television Network (CGTN), Houthi political bureau member Ali Al-Dailami emphasized the group's support for other members of the Iran-led "Axis of Resistance," a regional coalition committed to countering Israel and includes militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
"Coordination within the 'Axis of Resistance' is ongoing, especially since we are talking about American and Zionist hegemony, and this axis is based on resisting imperialism and resisting the Zionist occupation, so it continues. This coordination has already appeared in many moves, most recently what was announced by the military spokesperson Yahya Saree regarding joint operations between Iran, Hezbollah, and Yemen," said Al-Dailami.
"We are with the Islamic Republic of Iran, we are with the resistance, we are with Lebanon, we are with Palestine. This is a principled stance we cannot waver from, and it is also considered a red line. And this red line -- whoever tries to cross it, we will certainly confirm the other direction, which is the direction of the resistance: with Lebanon, with Palestine, with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with Iraq, and with all who resist American imperialism and Zionist occupation," said the official.
His remarks echoed the statement by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who said on Thursday that military operations would escalate in the coming period, warning of potential "surprise actions" in line with developments on the ground.
In a televised speech broadcast by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, al-Houthi indicated that the group's campaign would enter a new phase marked by intensified activity and evolving tactics.
The Houthi leader highlighted his group's military role within what he described as coordinated regional efforts, stating that the Yemeni front had contributed to "joint operations with the Axis of Resistance," including missile and drone strikes targeting Israel.
A two-week ceasefire was announced early Wednesday by the United States and Iran. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would comply with the truce but would continue military operations in Lebanon.
Prior to the ceasefire, the Houthis had launched missile and drone attacks against Israel starting on March 28 -- one month after the United States and Israel launched the current massive attacks on Iran -- in what they described as support for allied forces in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.
The group, which has controlled Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since late 2014, previously supported Iran during last year's 12-day conflict with the United States and Israel.
Houthi official warns of military escalation amid regional tensions
