Hong Kong gears up for National Day with tourist surge, festive buzz

Hong Kong is drawing record crowds as National Day celebrations ramp up across the city, with patriotic decorations, cultural performances, and waterfront festivities transforming major districts into hubs of activity.

The holiday, which falls on October 1, has sparked a surge in tourist arrivals and public excitement, turning iconic spots such as Victoria Harbour and Causeway Bay into vibrant celebration zones.

"With just two days to go until National Day, more and more visitors are arriving in Hong Kong, eager to experience the celebrations during the National Day holiday," said Poon Kwan-yu, a Hong Kong resident.

"In recent days, national flags have been flying high on the streets of Hong Kong. Victoria Harbour and Causeway Bay are bustling with tourists, creating a lively atmosphere as everyone warmly welcomes National Day. It's particularly uplifting. On this festive occasion, as a member of the Hong Kong business community and a political advisor, I sincerely wish for the prosperity of our motherland. May our country enjoy prosperity and our people live in peace and harmony!" said Woo Kim-kong, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

To celebrate National Day, the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in partnership with various sectors of society, has launched a series of celebration activities.

"On the evening of National Day, Victoria Harbour will not only showcase dazzling fireworks but also an exhilarating drone performance. We look forward to our motherland growing stronger, and Hong Kong will continue to follow in her footsteps, embracing a vibrant and prosperous future," said Ng Tang, president of the Hong Kong Shanxi Chamber of Commerce.

Hong Kong gears up for National Day with tourist surge, festive buzz

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"