Hong Kong residents celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of PRC by voicing strong support for motherland's further development

People from all walks of life in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) have extended their heartfelt congratulations and voiced their support and solidarity for the motherland's further development as China will embrace the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on Oct 1.

To mark this special occasion, the Hong Kong SAR will hold over 400 events, including a flag-raising ceremony, a firework display and a drone performance.

"Hong Kong is now immersed in a vibrant festive atmosphere as the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC draws near. The Hong Kong SAR government has organized over 400 events, and the streets are already adorned with various decorations. I believe this year's celebratory spirit will be the strongest since Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997," said Tu Haiming, deputy head of the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

He wished prosperity and stability for the the motherland, hoping for steady growth and a bright future for both the Hong Kong and the Macao SARs under the "one country, two systems" principle.

"I would like to extend my best wishes to the motherland. As a mainland company based in Hong Kong, Chu Kong Shipping Enterprises (Group) Co., Ltd.(CKSG) will leverage the business and resource advantages to actively serve the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and further integrate into the national development strategy," said Liu Guanghui, chairman of CKSG, referring to the GBA, which is a megalopolis comprising the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao as well as nine cities in the neighboring Guangdong Province, and the BRI, a China-proposed initiative aimed at boosting infrastructure, connectivity, and trade across multiple continents.

"I was born here in Hong Kong. My early years were in Shanghai. And I've seen the extraordinary progress of China. It's wonderful to see. And especially when you measure it in the progress which takes place in the mainland, it's quite extraordinary. I send my warm congratulations," said Michael Kadoorie, chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd. and CLP Holdings Ltd.

Hong Kong residents celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of PRC by voicing strong support for motherland's further development

Hong Kong residents celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of PRC by voicing strong support for motherland's further development

Hong Kong residents celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of PRC by voicing strong support for motherland's further development

Hong Kong residents celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of PRC by voicing strong support for motherland's further development

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel will implement a ceasefire deal to bring a halt to its conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, but will respond forcefully to any violation.

Netanyahu made the remarks in a televised speech after Israel’s security cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement.

The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon, Netanyahu said in the address, translated from Hebrew. "We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation."

A ceasefire agreement with Lebanon will enable Israel to focus on the threat from Iran, rebuild its forces and improve its weapons, he said, adding that Israel will make every effort to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Earlier in the day, Israel's security cabinet held a meeting to discuss the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon even as Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting central Beirut and the city's southern suburbs on the same day, killing seven and injuring 37.

The security cabinet approved the ceasefire by a majority of ten votes to one, with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir casting the sole dissenting vote, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. Israel's Channel 12 TV News reported Tuesday night that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal will take effect Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT).

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on his social media account that the Lebanese caretaker government will hold a ministerial meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss the current situation and the latest trends in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

Netanyahu says Israel will enforce ceasefire deal, respond forcefully to any violation