Hong Kong fireworks display for 20th handover anniversary sparks controversy over use of simplified Chinese characters

City’s most expensive fireworks event since 1997 to run 23 minutes over Victoria Harbour at cost of HK$12 million

Reading Time:2 minutes

Simplified Chinese characters are used on the mainland. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:53pm, 12 Jun 2017Updated: 11:59am, 13 Jun 2017

A “super fireworks wall” measuring 1,250 metres long and 300 metres high is set to light up the sky over Victoria Harbour on July 1 to celebrate Hong Kong’s 20th handover anniversary, but a plan to use simplified characters in the display has sparked controversy.

At a cost of around HK$12 million – the city’s most expensive fireworks event since 1997 – the show is to include multimedia components such as music, LED screens and beam lights, according to a production company for the event.

A total of 39,888 firing shells are to be discharged from five barges for the 23-minute show. Photo: Handout

The song “Another Day of Sun” from Hollywood blockbuster film La La Land will be used in the sixth segment of the eight-segment show, the company added.

“Apart from lighting up Victoria Harbour, the beam lights outside Golden Bauhinia Square will create amazing 3D effects with the fireworks,” said Wilson Mao, CEO of China Pyromedia Group.

A total of 39,888 shells are to be discharged from five barges during the 23-minute show at 8pm on July 1.