BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday extended festive greetings and best wishes to the country’s working people ahead of International Workers’ Day, which falls on May 1.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sent the greetings on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and a crucial year to fulfill the goals and tasks set in the 14th Five-Year Plan, Xi said, praising the important contributions made by the working people to the cause of the Party and the country.
Xi called on the working people to actively participate in advancing Chinese modernization with high-quality development and work tirelessly to promote the building of a strong country and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.
Xi asked Party committees and governments at all levels to earnestly realize, safeguard and develop the legitimate rights and interests of workers and encourage the working people to realize their dreams through their work.
Meanwhile, Tourists swarmed Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor on Wednesday night to enjoy a firework show at sea as one of the first highlights of this Labor Day holiday. Starting at 8 pm local time (1200 GMT), the 10-minute display blended in with the night view of the Victoria Harbor and is accompanied by a light and music show. The gold-toned fireworks were set off from a boat 130 meters offshore.
Despite the on-and-off drizzles throughout the day, many tourists and Hong Kong residents had arrived three hours prior to the show to find the perfect viewing spot. “I anticipate the fireworks the most for my four-day Hong Kong tour this Labor Day holiday,” said a tourist from Guangdong Province surnamed Lu.
Industry insiders in Hong Kong believe pyrotechnics shows can help attract tourists and boost businesses for eateries. Restaurants with sea views of the Victoria Harbor rolled out set meals to go with the show, while some pleasure boat companies sold bundled tickets for a buffet dinner and the fireworks show.
The Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government estimates that passenger arrivals and departures will total 5.9 million from Tuesday to Sunday, among which over 800,000 trips are made by tourists from the Chinese mainland. By 4 p.m. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
