2024 Recap | 8 major events made headlines in HK

Hong Kong 2024.12.31 18:23:00

As 2024 comes to a close, we look back on eight major events that made headlines in Hong Kong. From legislative milestones and sporting triumphs to cultural highlights, this year has been marked by significant achievements and memorable moments.

1. Safeguarding National Security Ordinance passed after third reading

Chief Executive John Lee on March 22 signed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council. The Ordinance takes effect upon gazettal on March 23. This milestone allows HK to focus fully on economic development and improving livelihoods, marking a historic turning point.

HK to strive for economic development after Article 23 legislation: HKSAR chief executive

2. Panda joy: Four new additions

Ocean Park welcomed its first locally born twin giant pandas in August, born to Ying Ying and Le Le. The adorable duo is expected to make their public debut during Lunar New Year festivities. In addition, the motherland gifted HK two more pandas, An An and Ke Ke, wishing the city good fortune and a bright future.

Giant pandas An An & Ke Ke to meet public this Sunday

Watch This | HK welcomes An An & Ke Ke to Ocean Park

3. Historic wins for HK at Paris Olympics

HK's athletes delivered their best-ever performance at the Paris Olympics, securing two golds and two bronzes. Notable victories included fencing champion Vivian Kong clinching gold in women's épée, Edgar Cheung winning men's foil gold, and star swimmer Siobhan Haughey earning two bronze medals in the 100m and 200m freestyle events. These achievements elevated HK's status on the global sporting stage.

From dropping out to becoming an Olympic gold medalist, Edgar Cheung's extraordinary journey

Siobhan Haughey's remarkable achievements: A look at her Olympic success

4. Policies strengthening Mainland-HK connectivity

Throughout 2024, central government policies enhanced cross-boundary travel convenience. In May, the National Immigration Administration expanded individual travel permits to 59 more mainland cities. In June, high-speed sleeper trains between HK, Beijing, and Shanghai were launched. In December, Shenzhen reinstated the "multiple-entry visa" for travel to HK. These measures boosted people-to-people exchanges and economic activity.

High-speed sleeper train service between Beijing, HK begins

Multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme for Shenzhen residents officially comes into effect today

5. HK cinema's box office boom

HK films enjoyed a record-breaking year. The May release "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In" grossed HK$1.125 billion and became HK's contender for the 2025 Oscars Best International Feature Film. In November, "The Last Dance" surpassed "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In" with HK$1.22 billion in ticket sales, becoming the highest-grossing Chinese-language film in HK history.

'The Last Dance' becomes HK's highest-grossing film

6. Viral "May-December" romance

In May, TVB's Scoop program featured the whirlwind marriage of Mr. Ho, a 76-year-old HK man, and his 46-year-old mainland wife. While the couple criticized Mr. Ho's children on air, public attention shifted to the authenticity of the wife's affection. The story dominated social media for months, with netizens creating Facebook groups to track the couple's updates. Even the Housing Authority launched an investigation into the wife's alleged misuse of public housing.

From public rental housing to hotel: The Ho couple's unfolding drama

7. HK's first drone-pyrotechnics show

A spectacular fireworks and drone show "PANDA GO! FEST HK Drone Show", organized by creative brand AllRightsReserved, lit up the night at the West Kowloon Cultural District Art Park on Dec. 28. For the first time in HK, 1,000 stunning drones, with some carrying dazzling pyrotechnics, created vibrant panda displays and iconic HK motifs.

8. Concert fever sweeps HK

Hong Kong hosted hundreds of concerts this year, with fans scrambling for tickets to see stars like Jacky Cheung, Mirror, Twins, Aaron Kwok, and Andy Lau. International artists also visited, drawing fans from across the region. Looking ahead to 2025, the Kai Tak Sports Park will open in March, with Coldplay kicking off the venue's calendar, followed by Jay Chou in June. The new arena will accommodate up to 50,000 fans, cementing Hong Kong's position as a global concert destination.

Jay Chou's concert said to be held in Kai Tak Sports Park next June

2024 Recap | 8 major events made headlines in HK

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