The 32nd Macao International Fireworks Display Contest commenced on Saturday night to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and the upcoming National Day.
The contest is sponsored by the Macao Government Tourism Office. Canadian and Thai teams presented the first two feasts for the audience, and Russian and French fireworks shows were scheduled for Sunday.
Landmarks in Macao, including the Ruins of St. Paul's and the Senado Square, have been adorned with beautifully designed lighting decorations, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere.
Accompanied by light music, spectacular fireworks lighted up the night sky above the water near the Macao Tower, captivating both locals and visitors alike.
According to the organizer, teams from the Chinese mainland, Russia, France, Spain and Portugal will successively put on shows on Sunday, Sept 21 and on Oct 1 and 6. Each night of these days will feature two shows, with each lasting for around 18 minutes.
"This year marks the 75th founding anniversary of our People's Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, which is what we call the year of two grand celebrations. Therefore, this 32nd edition of the fireworks show carries special significance. We have invited teams from 10 countries to participate in this event. We have put up the Fireworks Carnival every year, and this year we will continue to hold it, placing it at one of the most prime viewing spots. We also hope to boost our night economy through such an initiative," said Ricky Hoi, acting director of the Macao Government Tourism Office.
"I am very excited. It's been ages since I watched fireworks live, and they are truly amazing," said Ms. Cheung, a Macao citizen.
"I've brought my family here to enjoy the festivities and the fireworks. With the National Day and the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the mainland approaching, I wish the country and Macao a brighter future," said Ms. Wong, another Macao citizen.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the night when the moon reaches its fullest and brightest on the 15th day of the eighth month on the lunar calendar. This year, the day falls on Sept 17.
China's National Day falls on Oct 1.
Macao holds dazzling int'l fireworks display contest
A 25 percent import tariff on all foreign-built vehicles entering the United States has raised serious concerns for manufacturers in South Africa.
Automotive giants like Mercedes and BMW have long used South Africa as a base for global exports -- but those plans may be shifting into reverse gear after the U.S. announced the punitive measures.
"If you take, for example, BMW, 97 percent of the X3 that we are producing in Rosslyn is exported out of the country. We only sell 3 percent in South Africa, and there's a huge number of those vehicles that also go into the U.S. So there are companies in South Africa that are purely here not because they are selling vehicles in South Africa; they are here to produce vehicles for the global market, and it's important for them to remain globally competitive," said Mike Mabasa, CEO of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa.
U.S. automaker Ford, which has deep roots in South Africa, is also in the crosshairs.
The company recently invested over 300 million U.S. dollars to upgrade its Silverton plant in Pretoria, South Africa, for the production of the world's only plug-in hybrid Ranger, which has just entered production but could face delays or restrictions.
"If an American citizen wants to buy specifically a Ford Ranger that is a plug-in hybrid, they can only place an order in South Africa, nowhere else in the world. So, that means, obviously, the capacity of Ford to be able to produce those vehicles in big volumes is going to be constrained, because Americans are going be looking at another Ford that is produced in another country, or even in the United States," said Mabasa.
South Africa has long enjoyed duty-free automotive exports to the U.S. under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, but that relationship now hangs in the balance.
A sharp shift in U.S. foreign policy threatens to derail an industry that employs thousands and contributes around 5 percent to the country's economy.
"We produce less than 1 percent of global automotive vehicles, so to say. So, in reality, the impact on us is likely to be more disproportionate than those of our peers that produce at the same level. And the risk is actually created -- a concentration risk -- in countries that have greater capacity and are building more; in those countries will be able to absorb some of this," said Parks Tau, South Africa's minister of trade and industry.
Amid growing concerns about overreliance on the U.S. market, Amith Singh, national manager for manufacturing at Nedbank Commercial Bank, emphasized the importance of tapping into regional trade opportunities.
"I think we need to make better use of some of our local agreements, our African continental agreements. How do we leverage that? How do we partner with the government and private sector to start benefiting the countries and the economies aside from the United States? So, those could be the catalyst to drive our localization projects; it could be what we need to drive the African economy as opposed to being completely reliant on the States (United States)," he said.
South Africa is for now standing firm in its decision not to retaliate against steep U.S. import tariffs, set to take effect in just a few days.
Officials in Pretoria acknowledge the challenges posed by the current U.S. administration but are pursuing a diplomatic approach in hopes of maintaining stable relations and preserving the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
US tariffs rock South Africa’s auto industry
