This year, the fireworks display at Victoria Harbor lasted ninety minutes, far surpassing previous years, and the PM2.5 index severely exceeded limits. It continued until the night sky was filled with white smoke, and the smell of gunpowder was omnipresent in the streets and alleys, finally forcing it to stop.
The last time such a large-scale fireworks display was held in the downtown area was New Year's Day in 2003.
On the one hand, Hong Kong people are generally superstitious, believing that fireworks can dispel evil spirits, similar to traditional festivals like New Year's Eve when fireworks are set off because 'Xi' is a monster that fears red, flames, and loud noises.
On the other hand, there is a certain scientific basis as well; rising temperatures are unfavorable for the spread of viruses, just like back then, when summer came, and the virus naturally dissipated.
