A fireworks display consisting of 31,888 shells lit up the sky over Victoria Harbour tonight in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Themed “Splendid fireworks shining over a prosperous China”, the 23-minute extravaganza, co-ordinated by the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, was divided into eight scenes.

The opening scene involved a display of red five-pointed stars and purple five-petal flowers.

The sixth scene, “The Legend of Pandas”, featured green fireworks depicting pandas' favourite foods, such as bamboo leaves. It expressed the citywide welcome for the arrival of two giant pandas gifted to Hong Kong by the central government last week.

The seventh scene, “Auspicious Treasures”, showcased different kinds of ring-shaped fireworks, symbolising the strong bonds and perfect harmony among the various ethnic groups in China.

With flourishes of “Chinese Red”, “Big Whistle” and “Gorgeous Golden Crown” fireworks, the finale, “The Magnificent Scenes of China”, conveyed wishes for continued prosperity for the nation and peaceful lives for its people.