Celebration events held across HK

Celebrations made Hong Kong even busier than usual on Sunday, the 15th anniversary of its return to the motherland.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region rolled out more than 300 events, which had been planned for months, including carnivals, firework displays and a parachuting performance.

Although the weather didn't help, banners and signs marking the anniversary were displayed in Hong Kong Stadium, where the celebration gala show was held.

The show's highlight was a performance by the People's Liberation Army's parachuting brigade. This was the second time the brigade showed its skills in Hong Kong. The last show was when Hong Kong celebrated the 10th anniversary of the reunification.

More than 40,000 people packed the stadium. Lisa Chan, a 34-year-old Hong Kong resident, said this was her second time watching the parachuting show.

"I watched their show in 2007, and really enjoyed it. I hope I will be able to watch it again in the celebrations of the 20th anniversary," she said.

Chan and her 7-year-old daughter applauded when the parachutists flew the national flag in the sky.

Another drop over Victoria Park, scheduled for Saturday, was canceled due to the bad weather. Kwan Chun-sun, a 46-year old Hong Kong resident, said he was sorry that the show had been canceled.

Kwan speaks Mandarin fluently. He has been learning the language since he started to invest in real estate in Guangdong province when Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

"I moved from the mainland to Hong Kong when I was 7 years old, and now I'm going back to find business opportunities," he said.

After 15 years, Kwan said he made a fortune from his business. "I used to have a golden coin in my pocket," he said. "Now I have four."

At 8 pm, a 23-minute fireworks display lit up Victoria Harbor. Colorful fireworks filled the sky amid the Hong Kong skyline.

"It reminds me of the fireworks during Spring Festival in my hometown," said Li Xiaoying, a 26-year-old teacher who moved to Hong Kong from Hubei province last year. "Hong Kong is my new home," she said.