China News Agency, Hong Kong, January 1 (Reporter Han Xingtong) The New Year’s Eve fireworks countdown continues, and the streets and alleys of Hong Kong are crowded with people on New Year’s Day. After steadily canceling some social distancing measures, Hong Kong people are welcoming in their own ways, full of vitality. new year.

At 00:00 on January 1, 2023, the lights on both sides of Victoria Harbor are bright and fireworks are blooming, ushering in the new year in Hong Kong.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Chen Yongnuo

　　On the morning of New Year's Day, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, mentioned in his New Year's message that under the epidemic, Hong Kong society has steadily returned to normal in the past year, and the overall social atmosphere is getting better and better.

Looking ahead to the new year, the SAR government aims to lead Hong Kong out of the plague of the epidemic within this year, so that people's life can be fully restored to the normal situation before the epidemic.

　　This signal, together with the gradual lifting of social distancing measures at the end of 2022, has given Hong Kong people great relief and confidence.

In Causeway Bay, one of the busiest downtowns in Hong Kong, there are crowds of people, shopping malls and street corner stalls are equally crowded, and there are tens of meters of long queues outside the well-received dessert shops. The same grand occasion also occurs in Hysan Place There were dozens of customers waiting outside the restaurants and nearby restaurants.

At 0:00 on January 1, 2023, an enhanced version of the "A Symphony of Lights" fireworks display will be staged over Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor to welcome 2023.

The picture shows citizens watching the New Year's Eve fireworks display at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Zhihua

　　Ms. Yue, a citizen, was waiting outside a restaurant with her family members. When she was interviewed by the reporter, there were still nearly 10 tables in her hands. Gathering together in a restaurant to celebrate the New Year is already "extremely happy". I thought back last year that I was still worried about the epidemic and the "restriction order" and other arrangements, so I couldn't reunite.

She bluntly said that the steady cancellation of social distance measures and the start of "customs clearance" work are the "best New Year gift" given to the citizens by the SAR government.

　　By the Tseung Kwan O waterfront, there are residents who live nearby walking together in professional hiking gear, ready to climb Yazai Mountain.

Mr. Li, a citizen, took his 10-year-old son with him. While strengthening his body and visiting the countryside, he also looked forward to a new look in the new year.

On the evening of December 31, 2022, Hong Kong citizens waited for the countdown event on the waterfront of Tsim Sha Tsui to welcome 2023.

The picture shows a Hong Kong citizen wearing rabbit ears to the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront to wait for the countdown event.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Chen Yongnuo

　　Many universities welcomed the New Year with a more solemn flag-raising ceremony.

On the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Chairman of the Board of Governors Lam Tai-fai, President Teng Jinguang, teachers, students and alumni, etc. wore red masks, stood facing the national flag, and participated in the flag-raising ceremony, wishing the country prosperity and prosperity, and Hong Kong prosperity and stability.

　　Lam Tai Fai said that in the new year, Hong Kong is entering a new stage of development, from governance to prosperity.

PolyU fully supports the SAR government's vision of "opening a new chapter for Hong Kong together", and fully cooperates with the SAR government to implement policy goals such as technological innovation and talents.

PolyU will leverage its advantages in education, scientific research and knowledge transfer to promote the establishment of an international innovation and technology center in Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and contribute to help the country realize the vision of the "14th Five-Year Plan" and make China a leading global cutting-edge technologically advanced country.

(use up)