Anniversary of handover gala line up announced

Soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army's 81 Parachute Brigade show their stunts in Beijing in this November 3, 2009 file photo. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese People's Liberation Army's 81 Parachute Brigade is returning to Hong Kong for its first performance in the city since 2007. The program is to be staged in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China. Announcement of the show was made by the Hong Kong Celebrations Association. The association said it extended an invitation to the parachutists, because of the team's popular performance in celebration of the 10th anniversary.

Two parachute jumping shows will be held on June 30 and July 1. The first will be at Victoria Park. No tickets will be necessary. The second performance will be a closed event at Hong Kong Stadium for the organizers of the celebration — members of the 29 groups under the association's umbrella.

The parachute brigade is performing for free, according to the Chief Organizer of the celebration Cheng Yiu-tong, honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions.

In addition to the parachute performance, an honor guard of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the Baoshang Bank and Guangdong Senior Cadre arts troupes will perform at the stadium gala on July 1, together with a local performance group.

In the meantime, local stars, including Jackie Chan, Joey Yung and Leo Ku Kui-kei will join the Hong Kong Children's Choir and Silver Band of Hong Kong Police.

The celebration, co-hosted by the Home Affairs Department, will cost about at least HK$3 million. The gala on July 1 will be broadcasted live through television, websites and mobile phones around the world. It is estimated that more than 100 million people will watch the event.

People also will be able to watch the live show through the gigantic screen at the open area at Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Apart from the performance at the stadium and the parachute performance at the park, another six shows will be arranged at six different places at different times over three days starting June 29.

The lineup includes four carnivals at Southern Playground at Wan Chai, Chater Garden and Tamar Park at Central and Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza at Tsim Sha Tsui and two variety shows at Tuen Mun Town Hall and Queen Elizabeth Stadium at Wan Chai.

The association, established in 2006, has hosted celebrations for the anniversary of the 1997 handover annually.

Special Coverage: Hong Kong handover 15th anniversary