City expecting sparks to fly on July 1

Hong Kong

AS Hong Kong gears up to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its July 1, 1997 handover to China this week, the city is bracing itself for two kinds of fireworks - that of an elaborate pyrotechnics display as well as potential mayhem on the streets.

The local government is spending about HK$700 million (S$124.6 million) on this year's anniversary party - roughly 10 times the HK$69 million bill for the 10th anniversary events in 2007 - including various festivities and exhibitions.

The highlight will be saved for the night of July 1 itself - also the day Hong Kong will officially install its first female chief executive, Carrie Lam, and her new government - when around 40,000 pyrotechnic shells will be fired in Victoria Harbour as part of a 23-minute fireworks spectacle consisting of eight…