Hong Kong holds lantern fairs, drone show to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday held lantern fairs to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, while a spectacular drone show illuminated the night sky above the Victoria Harbor.

The festival is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, which fell on Sept 17 this year. It is a traditionally cherished occasion for family reunions, when family members share mooncakes and light lanterns.

A bright and gorgeous lantern fair combining elements of traditional Chinese culture and the unique style of Hong Kong was held on Tuesday night in Hong Kong's Victoria Park, where local residents and tourists can not only learn about the process of making a handcrafted lantern, but also participate in diversified activities like guessing lantern riddles.

During the festival, traditional folk activities including lantern fairs were held across Hong Kong, creating strong festive atmosphere and attracting flocks of residents and tourists.

"We have come to Victoria Park today to feel the atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival. [The lanterns] are quite beautiful and gorgeous," said Liu, a local resident.

At around 20:00 on Tuesday, a splendid drone show illuminated the night sky above the Victoria Harbor, with more than 1,000 drones forming patterns of rabbits, lanterns and mooncakes, conveying festive blessings to people in Hong Kong.

"This year's lanterns are more beautiful than ever before. Meanwhile, the drone shows are getting more and more exciting each time, as we can see that the patterns and technologies are constantly improving. At the same time, the National Day is approaching. I would like to wish our country a happy birthday, and I wish the motherland prosperity and the people a better life," said Ko Chung Kit, another local resident.

Hong Kong holds lantern fairs, drone show to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival

Russia said on Wednesday that its forces had hit Ukrainian military personnel and equipment in multiple regions over the past 24 hours, while Ukraine reported its forces engaged in 103 battles with the Russian military.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in its daily battlefield report that its tactical aviation, missile troops and artillery units attacked Ukrainian military personnel and equipment concentration sites in multiple regions.

They destroyed energy support facilities of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, airport infrastructure and several drone assembly workshops, as well as various other equipment and facilities, including armored vehicles, howitzers, counter-artillery radars, electronic warfare stations and ammunition depots.

The report stated that the Russian armed forces continued to defeat Ukrainian forces entering the country’s Kursk region. During the past day, more than 400 Ukrainian military personnel were killed or injured on the Kursk front, and 23 Ukrainian armored vehicles were destroyed.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that, as of Wednesday afternoon, its forces engaged in 103 battles with the Russian military on the frontline.

The situation on the frontline remained complex and tense, with particularly intense fighting reported in the directions of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Battles were on going in various regions. The Ukrainian military is taking all necessary measures to prevent the Russian military from advancing deeper into Ukraine, according to the report.

The report stated that the Ukrainian armed forces are continuing operations in the Kursk region, and the Ukrainian military will take corresponding response measures based on the development of situations on the frontline.

Russia claims hitting multiple Ukrainian targets, while Ukraine reports 103 battles on frontline