At 11:59, the British national flag and the Hong Kong flag slowly lowered amidst the playing of the British national anthem, marking the official end of Britain's nearly century-long colonial rule in Hong Kong.
At this moment, only a few seconds were left before July 1, 1997. Thousands of people in attendance kept completely silent, without making the slightest noise.
At the stroke of midnight, everyone stood up as the March of the Volunteers sounded. The Five-star Red Flag and the Bauhinia regional flag rose together on the flagpole, precisely reaching the top as the music concluded, fluttering in the wind.
The scene was met with thunderous applause, continuing for several minutes without pause.
Simultaneously, in many places across China, countdowns and celebrations for the Handover were underway.
People gathered in squares, hotel lobbies, and even their homes to welcome this special moment.
