July 2, 1997

Joyous Hong Kong heralds return home

Flowers and fireworks, songs and dances, hearty cheers and broad smiles were how a joyous Hong Kong celebrated its first day back home after a sleepless night of carnival.

The gala reached a peak yesterday when top State and local leaders joined performers to stage a grand celebration of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Also yesterday, 80,000 people from all walks of life in the Chinese capital gathered at the Beijing Workers' Stadium to celebrate Hong Kong's return to the motherland. The evening party began with Ode to the Motherland, sung by 10,000 people to the accompaniment of music played by 1,000 instrumentalists.