Yearender | HK's 2021 in photos

In a world that is still beclouded by the pandemic, COVID-19, vaccination and boundary reopening have become the keywords of the year for many HK people. In response to the epidemic, the HK government has throughout the year rolled out the "LeaveHomeSafe" app, mass vaccination program, "Vaccine Bubble" policy and the "HK Health Code", etc., which have given many people hope for the resumption of quarantine-free travel. 

At the same time, there are also other exciting moments for HK citizens this year, such as the improvement of HK's electoral system and the implementation of "patriots governing HK", HK athletes' stellar performances in the Tokyo Olympics, the visit of Mainland Olympians to HK, the dialogue between HK students and astronauts, the exhibition of lunar soil in HK, the HK$5,000 consumption vouchers leading to a spending frenzy, the widespread vaccination program, and so on. DotDotNews has compiled a list of memorable moments in HK' 2021.

Improving electoral system, implementing "patriots governing HK"

National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, adopted a decision on improving HK's electoral system on March 11, marking a new chapter of "patriots governing HK" in the city's political system..

Cheung Ka-long makes history for HK with fencing gold

Twenty-five years after Lee Lai-shan won a historic gold medal for Hong Kong at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long carved his place in history by winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Monday (July 26).

Citizens cheer up athletes

Hong Kong residents celebrate in a shopping mall in Kwun Tong as they watch Cheung Ka-long win the gold medal at the Men's Foil Individual Gold Medal Bout in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 26, 2021.

Mainland and HK athletes take photos together

In the Tokyo Olympics, China's women's table tennis team won the gold medal after beating the host country Japan in three consecutive games; on the same day, HK's women's table tennis team won the bronze medal.

At the award ceremony, the Chinese national flag and the HKSAR flag were hoisted, and mainland and HK athletes took a photo together.

Lunar soil debuts in HK

With gasps and cheers, an exhibition in Hong Kong lifted the veil on the mysterious moon soil on June 26.

HK students in dialogue with astronauts in space

Hong Kong youngsters had the opportunity to engage in a real-time dialogue with three mainland astronauts on China's space station on Sept. 3.

During the conversation "between the space and the Earth", the astronauts gave a virtual tour of the core module of the space station and answered questions collected in advance. The event was warmly received by local students.

National, HK flags fly high to mark SAR's return to motherland

July 1, 2021, was the 24th anniversary of its return to the motherland.

In the major commercial district of Tsim Sha Tsui, national and HKSAR flags are being put up to mark the festive occasion.

Mainland Olympians visit HK

 

The eagerly-anticipated delegation of Chinese mainland Olympians on Dec. 3 afternoon arrived in Hong Kong for a three-day visit. The athletes attended three public events to meet with HK citizens, and all 5,300 tickets for the events were quickly sold out.

HKSAR starts first election under improved system

The 2021 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections in HK unfolded smoothly on Sunday with a turnout rate of nearly 90%. The balloting is the first since the nation's top legislature adopted a decision in March on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

LegCo General Election unfolds smoothly

Polling for the 2021 Legislative Council General Election closes at 10:30 p.m on Dec. 19. Hong Kong's first Legislative Council election under the improved electoral system concluded in an orderly and smooth fashion on Sunday and saw great enthusiasm among voters to elect qualified lawmakers to serve the public good.

Jimmy Lai, jailed, still faces various charges

The founder of Next Media, Lai Chi-ying, who is currently jailed in Stanley Prison, was previously sentenced to a total of 20 months in prison for his involvement in four illegal assembly cases. 

Apple Daily ceases operations

The Hong Kong police arrested five executives of a media company last week on suspicion of violating the National Security Law. Editor-in-chief Ryan Law Wai-kwong of Apple Daily and chief executive officer of Next Digital Cheung Kim-hung were denied bail on June 19. 

Apple Daily annouced shutdown on June 25.

Oathtaking required for District Councillors

 

The Hong Kong government held various oath-taking ceremonies for district councilors across HK. Under the Public Offices (Candidacy & Taking Up Offices) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2021, district councilors have to take oaths to uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

COVID-19 vaccination for all

As the pandemic continues to rage, vaccination has become a must to fight against the disease. As of the end of this year, the vaccination rate in HK has exceeded 72%, with over 4.87 million people having received their first dose of vaccine. 

HK$5,000 e-vouchers boost consumption

The Consumption Voucher Scheme opened for registration on July 4, 2021. Eligible HK residents could register to receive electronic consumption vouchers with a total value of HK$5,000 by installments. The scheme has boosted retail sales in HK and the growth of digital payments.

Contact tracing required at all premises starting Dec. 9

The use of the LeaveHomeSafe mobile app will be extended to all premises from Thursday (Dec 9), marking an important step towards a complete anti-virus system in HK.

HK's iconic marathon returns

 

Hong Kong's iconic marathon event, which was canceled last year due to the pandemic, returned on Oct. 24 with 18,000 participants. The finish line of all three races was set at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.

National security police raids Stand News office, six arrested

Police National Security Department arrested six senior staff members or former senior staff members of an online media company on Dec. 29 morning for conspiracy to publish seditious materials. The arrestees, aged 34 to 73 years old, included the former and acting editor-in-chief of Stand News, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, respectively, as well as former board members Denise Ho, Margaret Ng, Christine Fang and Chow Tat-chi.

The media company later announced the cessation of operations on the same day.