Hong Kong rings in Year of the Dragon

DW (English)

Worshippers in Hong Kong welcomed the Year of the Dragon with incense and prayers. Hong Kongers are putting a tough year marred by lagging economic performance and further tightening of Chinese political control behind them. DW's Phoebe Kong reports.

Transcript

00:00 This is how Hong Kong rings in the year of the dragon.

00:04 Thousands of people flocked to this famous temple to offer their first incense at the altar at

00:09 midnight to mark the very beginning of Lunar New Year. As a traditional ritual, worshippers believe

00:16 that the earlier they make their offerings, the better luck they will have in the year ahead.

00:21 It's also the first Lunar New Year where we can find people to celebrate without the mask again,

00:27 but Hong Kong itself hasn't recovered that quickly. Lunar New Year is all about good fortune and

00:33 blessings. Many of the people here tell us it's not only something that they pray for themselves,

00:38 but also the city, because the previous year was a tough one for Hong Kong. Its economic and

00:44 stock performance were way worse than all of its major competitors. There are also ongoing concerns

00:51 over its outlook, especially when China is also struggling with its lowdown, not to mention the

00:57 further tightening of political control. So while people now have the chance to take a rest and

01:03 unite with their families, they also hope for what the Chinese dragon symbolizes,

01:09 that is prosperity and strength in the upcoming year.

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