Tone down July 1 celebrations, Hong Kong lawmakers urge after deaths of two firemen

Across city’s political spectrum, calls to ‘consider the people’s feelings’

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The chief executive (centre) and other senior officials at a July 1 event in Tsim Sha Tsui last year. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Published: 6:01pm, 27 Jun 2016Updated: 6:21pm, 27 Jun 2016

Pressure is mounting for the Hong Kong government to scale down its celebrations on Friday for the 19th anniversary of the city’s handover, after a pro-establishment lawmaker urged officials to consider residents’ feelings in the aftermath of a deadly fire that killed two firemen.

Since 1997, local authorities have annually organised on July 1 a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and a reception at the nearby Convention and Exhibition Centre to celebrate the former British colony’s return to China.

People Power lawmaker Albert Chan Wai-yip told the Post he thought such activities should be cancelled this year.

Crowd gathers at site of Ngau Tau Kok blaze to pay respects to dead firefighter

“Last Friday, the Legislative Council postponed its fun day with journalists,” he said, adding that he believed officials should not attend such events.

Civic Party lawmaker Claudia Mo Man-ching echoed Chan’s concern and believed the Hong Kong flag should be flown at half mast on July 1. “Celebrations such as the reception should be avoided because two firemen were killed,” she said.

Their call was endorsed by the Federation of Trade Unions’ Chan Yuen-han, a lawmaker seen as relatively liberal-minded within the pro-establishment camp.